When I was in Vancouver a few weekends ago for a friend’s wedding, the groom and I started chatting about movies (cause we’re both nerds) and he mentioned that he and a bunch of his friends often get together and show 5-15 minute clips of their favorite scenes from their favorite films.
I think that’s the coolest idea ever, and am dumbfounded that I never thought of that myself.
If girls can have their stupid tupperware and Avon parties, why can’t us guys have parties where we watch stuff explode and give one another high fives?
Speaking personally, outside of lifting heavy things, watching movies is my second passion and something that’s always been a part of my life since a young kid.
I still remember the afternoon seeing Return of the Jedi for the first time when I was seven years old and thinking to myself, “Wow. Just wow.” And I’m pretty sure that was the official start of me not thinking girls were “icky.” I can thank Leia in a bikini for that one.
And, you know, the space stuff was cool too.
Anyways, it got me thinking: what scene(s) would I pick if given the same opportunity to showcase my movie going prowess?
It’s a tough call, and this is by no means an exhaustive list, but off the top of my head here are twelve selections.
Enjoy.
Also, just a fair warning: most of the clips below aren’t safe for work. So, unless you have the coolest boss ever, you might want to put on some head phones.
The Pub Scene from Inglorious Basterds
I’m a Quentin Tarantino guy through and through, and I could have just as easily made this entire list clips from all of his various movies – Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill (vol I and II), Death Proof, and Inglorious Basterds.
Anyone who says they don’t like or care for Tarantino movies:
1. Probably sucks at life.
2. Hate movies in general.
Seriously, how can anyone say something like that with a straight face?
At a time when Hollywood is releasing heaping piles of crap like 21-Jump Street, Battleship, or any other example you can think of referencing cheesy 80’s tv shows and board games, at least Tarantino writes his own stuff and comes up with original content.
Which is why I also like guys like Paul Thomas Anderson, Christopher Nolan, Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, and Woody Allen. They rarely (if ever) regurgitate old material. An exception could be made with regards to Nolan and the Batman franchise, but at least he had the gonads to do it right and stay true to the material, which is a far cry from the previous Batman films.
Anyways, I’m getting off track. Where was I again?
Oh yeah: Tarantino.
Picking a favorite scene out of his body work is like picking your favorite Victoria Secret model – a daunting task to say the least. But if I HAD to pick one, I’d pick the “Pub” scene from Inglorious Basterds.
I LOVE listening to good dialogue, and this scene is quintessential Tarantino, using a steady crescendo – highlighted by a brilliant performance by Michael Fassbender – culminating into one of the best “OMG…..this is freakin awesome” shoot outs of all time.
The clip below isn’t even the full scene (from start to finish), but it’s the best one I could find that had decent quality.
“How Am I So Funny” Scene from GoodFellas
Hands down, without question, there’s been no one movie I’ve watched more than GoodFellas.
I’m pretty sure I could quote the entire movie without batting an eye, and it’s one of those movies that, no matter how many times I’ve watched it, if I happen to come across it on television, I’m going to put the remote control down and watch it again.
This scene gets me every time, and as a funny aside: my mom didn’t take too kindly when, at 13, I attempted to reenact it at the dinner table. Sorry Mom!
“Rudy Gets Into the Game” Scene – Rudy
I can think of two other cases where I weeped like a teenage girl at a Justin Bieber concert.
– When Old Yeller got rabies and had to be taken out back to get shot.
– When Rose told Jack she’d never let go. Whatever. Don’t judge me.
This scene from Rudy probably takes the cake, though. And don’t play it off like you don’t get teary eyed every time you watch it you son of a bitch.
The Last Fifteen (or so) Minutes of Seven
Or what I like to call – “hooooooooooolllllllyyyyyyyy shit. Did that just happen?”
I don’t think any one movie has ever made my brain melt as much as this one did.
I saw this in the theater – TWICE – when it first came out. And the final 10-15 minutes still ranks up there as arguably one of the more intense, WTF is going to happen, I swear to god I’m going to pee my pants, oh my god, oh my god……..what’s in the box. WHAT’S IN THE BOX???????????” moments I’ve ever watched.
Though, to be honest, pretty much ANY scene where Gwenyth Paltrow dies is cool in my book. Sooooooo, yeah, I just gave away the ending. Sorry.
“How You Like Dem Apples” Scene – Good Will Hunting
Given I’ve lived in Boston for the past six years, it goes without saying that I HAD to include this scene on my list. Awesome.
The Final Scene in The Usual Suspects
I should have put this above Seven, because NO movie has ever had a better ending than this one.
For those who’ve never seen it:
1. Shame on you.
2. You’re officially banned from this site until you walk down to your local video store and rent it or queue that badboy on Netflix.
Get it done.
I’m not going to include the clip here because I don’t want to spoil anything, but suffice it to say, it’s pretty freakin epic.
“Now F**k Off and Die” Scene – Closer
This is not an easy film to watch, and much of that is a testament to the diabolical bastard that Clive Owen plays.
Side Note: he won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for this role, as did Natalie Portman for her role in this film.
Relationships aren’t always about butterfly kisses and rainbows, and I think what I love most about this scene is that it showcases EXACLY that. It’s primal and “real,” and is just brilliantly acted by both Clive Owen and Julia Roberts.
A close second would be the scene between Clive Owen’s character and Natalie’s character (Alice) as she strips for him in the nightclub. Rumor has it that the director, Mike Nichols, shot a take of Portman topless, but then chose to not use it and destroyed the only copy.
Rumor has it that 99% of the male population thinks Nichols is an a-hole for doing such a thing.
Anyways, this is a pretty graphic and dirty scene. Note: DEFINITELY NSFW.
Trinity Escapes – The Matrix
I picked this not necessarily because it was the best fight scene ever, but because up until that point, nothing (NOTHING!!) compared to it.
The Wachowski brothers’ seminal masterpiece literally changed the way movies are made, and prompted dozens upon dozens of posers to copy their vision.
I throw this scene under the same umbrella as when Darth Vader told Luke he was his father or when we watched the first victim (the female swimmer) in Jaws bite the big or when Jack Nicholson chopped through the door with an ax in The Shining or when Halle Berry showed her boobies in Swordfish…….
……movie moments we’ll never forget.
Opening Scene – Boogie Nights
Fun facts: This is probably my favorite movie of all time, and I actually took my (then) 15 year old brother to go see this when it first came out back in 1997, which basically makes me the coolest brother ever.
Arguably one the best tracking shots (no breaks in camera work) in movie history.
As soon as we see the words “Boogie Nights” get thrown into your face in bright neon lights, you know it’s going to be quite the ride. (<—-completely aware that that sounds a lot like a cheesy porno description. HA!).
Wilson Floats Away – Cast Away
Yet another tear jerker (that is, assuming you have a soul); this scene gets me every time. How Tom Hanks was able to pull off such an emotional scene with a freakin volley ball is beyond me, and is something that only proves he’s a once in a generation actor.
Star Wars vs. Lord of the Rings – Clerks 2
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaha.
It’s funny because it’s true.
“Bikers vs. Mobsters Bar Fight” Scene – A Bronx Tale
The only way this scene could have been more badass is if it also had ninja’s vs. pirates.
The part where Sunny locks the door, turns around, and says, “Now you’s can’t leave” is so freaking badass I can’t even stand it.
Do you have any favorites of your own? Share them below in the comments section!
