I walked out of that theatre into a spring Sunday afternoon stunned. I couldn't shake the utter disregard of the townspeople for the sacrifice of the samurai. The sacrifice which defined them and their long sought honor in a moment.  A brief flickering moment. 

Cinema 21; Portland, Oregon 1988  
 

BLAZING SADDLES 
Mel Brooks  

I was a little young to pick up the subtler movie references, but Lily von Schtuppe needed no explaining. 

Robert 
Kelso Theater; Kelso, Washington 1977  
 

BASEBALL 
Ken Burns  

Listen, i don't even like the sport. It's the passion with which these people tell the story that captivates. I must have watched the Sixth Inning about twenty times. 

PBS; 1995  
 

JEAN DE FLORETTE / MANON OF THE SPRING 
Claude Berri 

The colors of the French countryside, the quiet moments and patient rhythm of story and then the acceleration into the terrible recognition and reversal. If you ever doubted the French have made great film, take a Sunday afternoon and watch these back to back. 

Fifth Avenue Cinema; Portland, Oregon; 1991  
 

DOUBLE INDEMNITY 
Billy Wilder  

Before I saw this, the only thing I had seen Fred McMurray in was "My Three Sons". People, I'm here to tell you that Fred is the real thing and that film noir peaked early with this baby.

Jon Tuska; Lewis & Clark College 1985  
 

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK 
Irvin Kershner  

The Falcon busted, Luke loses saber (with hand), Vader offers him half the galaxy, Yoda lays it down. Yes. 

Westgate Theater; Beaverton, Oregon; 1980  
 

HENRY V 
Kevin Branagh  

Is there ever honor or glory in war?  What would you give your life for?  Is it wrong to get high on the words of war?  Questions linger after the adrenaline, but in that moment there is nothing but one cause.  And it is glorious.

The Movie House; Portland, Oregon; 1993  
 
 

14 MORE 
ALIENS * KAGEMUSHA * THE INNOCENTS * TAMPOPO * VERTIGO * LORD OF THE FLIES (b&w) * STAR TREK II * AMADEUS * TERMINATOR2 * ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN * COOL HAND LUKE * BLADE RUNNER * I, CLAUDIUS * REAR WINDOW