Countdown to the 100 Best Scary Movies of All-Time (100 to 96)


100.      

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Though I was not initially a big fan of this movie with its jerky handheld camera work and incredibly whiny characters, its impact on scary movies cannot be denied (i.e., Paranormal Activity). The film, shot as a pseudo-documentary, tells the story of three film students making a documentary about the legend of the Blair Witch in the woods of Maryland. The film is told through the three’s discovered footage–found after they go missing.  Pieced together, the footage initially tells of the making of the documentary. What follows though gets increasingly bizarre and scary, leading up to a highly creepy climax. Shot on a budget of $50,000 in just eight days, the movie went on to gross over $200 million thanks to extensive internet buzz generated by the filmmakers. 

99.      

 Silver Bullet (1985)

Starring the late Corey Haim and Gary Busey, the movie, based on a novella by Stephen King, tells the story of a girl (Megan Follows) and her paraplegic brother (Haim). Set in small town Maine, the town is plagued by a series of gruesome murders that Haim’s character believes is the work of a werewolf. Unfortunately, no one believes him but his sister and his alcoholic uncle (Busey) when Haim’s character discovers the true identity of the killer. A low-budget, underrated movie that garnered mixed reviews upon release, the movie is worth a look thanks to the strong performances and the suspenseful storyline narrated by Follow’s character.

98.     

Insidious (2011)

The best scary movie to come out of 2011. This film directed by James Wan (Saw) tells the story of a family that moves into a large creepy house. Soon strange things begin to happen, leading to the eldest boy falling into a mysterious coma. The mother (Rose Byrne) and father (Patrick Wilson) have to come to grips with the supernatural happenings and enlist the help of a paranormal team to save their son from evil spirits holding their son prisoner in an astral realm. The movie features solid performances, a creepy Poltergeist movie-like atmosphere and some great jump in your seat moments.

97.      

Frailty (2001)

An atmospheric and creepy suspense film directed by and starring Bill Paxton, as a religious fanatic father who believes he has been commanded by God to kill people who are demons. The story centres on his relationship with his two young sons, as seen in flashbacks. In the present day, Matthew McConaughey plays one of the grown sons who believes his brother has now taken on their father’s demented calling.  The movie’s strengths are its depiction of the complex and twisted relationship between the father and his two sons along with the plot twists and turns, leading up to a twisted surprise ending. 

96.       

Saw (2004)

The first film in the successful film franchise, this independent feature directed by James Wan(Insidious) and written by and starring Leigh Whannell is the best film in the Saw series. Also featuring Cary Elwes, Danny Glover and Monica Potter, the film focuses on two men being held prisoner in an underground bathroom, chained to pipes by a madman, known as Jigsaw Killer, who is set on playing a perverse game with them. The movie builds to a dark climax as the story moves between the two men, who must decide whether to play the game to stay alive and/or save the lives of their loved ones, and the police trying to track down the madman. This low-budget flick was shot in just 18 days, but went on to gross over 100 million at the box office. Critics were mixed in their reviews.

100 Best Musicals of All-Time


I have always loved a good musical since I was a child.  My mom collected movie musical soundtracks and I would like to sing along. Today, I still like to sing and I often find songs running through my head throughout the day.

Here are my favourite movie musicals of  all-time:

  1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
  2. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) 
  3. Cabaret (1972) 
  4. Moulin Rouge! (2001) 
  5. The Sound of Music (1965) 
  6. Chicago (2002) 
  7. An American in Paris (1951)
  8. West Side Story (1961)
  9. My Fair Lady (1964)
  10. Funny Girl (1968)
  11. A Star Is Born (1954)
  12. Top Hat (1935)
  13. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
  14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
  15. 42nd Street (1933)
  16. All That Jazz (1979)
  17. Gigi (1958)
  18. The King and I (1956)
  19. The Band Wagon (1953)
  20. Swing Time (1936)
  21. Oliver! (1968)
  22. The Music Man (1962)
  23. On the Town (1949)
  24. Mary Poppins (1964)
  25. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
  26. South Pacific (1958)
  27. White Christmas (1954)
  28. Dreamgirls (2006)
  29. Oklahoma! (1955)
  30. Gypsy (1962)
  31. Guys and Dolls (1955)
  32. The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964)
  33. Funny Face (1957)
  34. Shall We Dance (1937)
  35. Wonder Man (1945)
  36. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
  37. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
  38. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
  39. Show Boat (1936)
  40. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
  41. Brigadoon (1954)
  42. State Fair (1945)
  43. A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
  44. Victor Victoria (1982)
  45. High Society (1956)
  46. The Gay Divorcee (1934)
  47. Damn Yankees! (1958)
  48. Jailhouse Rock (1957)
  49. Fame (1980)
  50. Anchors Aweigh (1945)
  51. Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
  52. Stormy Weather (1943)
  53. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
  54. Carousel (1956)
  55. Pal Joey (1957)
  56. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
  57. Hair (1979) 
  58. Sweet Charity (1969)
  59. Annie Get Your Gun (1950)
  60. Show Boat (1951)
  61. The Inspector General (1949)
  62. Porgy and Bess (1959)
  63. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
  64. Hello, Dolly! (1969)
  65. The Muppet Movie (1979)
  66. Royal Wedding (1951)
  67. Yentl (1983)
  68. Mamma Mia! (2008)
  69. Grease (1978)
  70. Kiss Me Kate (1953)
  71. Hairspray (2007)
  72. It’s Always Fair Weather (1955)
  73. Easter Parade (1948)
  74. Hans Christian Andersen (1952)
  75. Calamity Jane (1953)
  76. Follow the Fleet (1936)
  77. Babes in Arms (1939)
  78. Carmen Jones (1954)
  79. Rent (2005)
  80. Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
  81. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
  82. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
  83. Bells Are Ringing (1960)
  84. Anything Goes (1936)
  85. Tommy (1975)
  86. Evita (1996)
  87. The Pajama Game (1957)
  88. Jumbo (1962)
  89. Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
  90. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
  91. A Chorus Line (1985)
  92. Nine (2009)
  93. Viva Las Vegas (1964)
  94. Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
  95. The Producers (2005)
  96. Godspell (1973)
  97. Words and Music (1948)
  98. Babes in Toyland (1961)
  99. Mame (1974) 
  100. Xanadu (1980)

Honourable Mention:

  1. Doctor Dolittle (1967)
  2. Camelot (1967)

Movie Lines: Our Cultural Lexicon


AFI’s List Of 100 Greatest Movie Quotes of All Time

1. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn. GONE WITH THE WIND, 1939

2. I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse. GODFATHER, THE, 1972

3. You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am. ON THE WATERFRONT, 1954

4. Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore. WIZARD OF OZ, THE, 1939

5. Here’s looking at you, kid. CASABLANCA, 1942

6. Go ahead, make my day. SUDDEN IMPACT, 1983

7. All right Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.SUNSET BLVD, 1950

8. May the Force be with you. STAR WARS, 1977

9. Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.ALL ABOUT EVE, 1950

10. You talking to me? TAXI DRIVER, 1976

11. What we’ve got here is a failure to communicate.COOL HAND LUKE 1967

12. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. APOCALYPSE NOW 1979

13. Love means never having to say you’re sorry. LOVE STORY 1970

14. The stuff that dreams are made of. MALTESE FALCON, THE 1941

15. E.T. phone home. E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL 1982

16. They call me Mister Tibbs! IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT 1967

17. Rosebud. CITIZEN KANE 1941

18. Made it, Ma! Top of the world! WHITE HEAT 1949

19. I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore! NETWORK 1976

20. Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. CASABLANCA 1942

21. A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti. SILENCE OF THE LAMBS,THE 1991

22. Bond. James Bond. DR. NO 1962

23. There’s no place like home. WIZARD OF OZ, THE 1939

24. I am big! It’s the pictures that got small. SUNSET BLVD. 1950

25. Show me the money! JERRY MAGUIRE 1996

26. Why don’t you come up sometime and see me? SHE DONE HIM WRONG 1933

27. I’m walking here! I’m walking here! MIDNIGHT COWBOY 1969

28. Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’ CASABLANCA 1942

29. You can’t handle the truth! FEW GOOD MEN, A 1992

30. I want to be alone. GRAND HOTEL 1932

31. After all, tomorrow is another day! GONE WITH THE WIND 1939

32. Round up the usual suspects. CASABLANCA 1942

33. I’ll have what she’s having. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY 1989

34. You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow. TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT 1944

35. You’re gonna need a bigger boat. JAWS 1975

36. Badges? We ain’t got no badges! We don’t need no badges! I don’t have to show you any stinking badges! TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, THE 1948

37. I’ll be back. TERMINATOR, THE 1984

38. Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. PRIDE OF THE YANKEES, THE 1942

39. If you build it, he will come. FIELD OF DREAMS 1989

40. Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. FORREST GUMP 1994

41 We rob banks. BONNIE AND CLYDE 1967

42 Plastics. GRADUATE, THE 1967

43 We’ll always have Paris. CASABLANCA 1942

44 I see dead people. SIXTH SENSE, THE 1999

45 Stella! Hey, Stella! STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, A 1951

46 Oh, Jerry, don’t let’s ask for the moon. We have the stars. NOW, VOYAGER 1942

47 Shane. Shane. Come back! SHANE 1953

48 Well, nobody’s perfect. SOME LIKE IT HOT 1959

49 It’s alive! It’s alive! FRANKENSTEIN 1931

50 Houston, we have a problem. APOLLO 13 1995

51 You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk? DIRTY HARRY 1971

52 You had me at “hello.” JERRY MAGUIRE 1996

53 One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know. ANIMAL CRACKERS 1930

54 There’s no crying in baseball! LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, A 1992

55 La-dee-da, la-dee-da. ANNIE HALL 1977

56 A boy’s best friend is his mother. PSYCHO 1960

57 Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. WALL STREET 1987

58 Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. GODFATHER II, THE 1974

59 As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again. GONE WITH THE WIND 1939

60 Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into! SONS OF THE DESERT 1933

61 Say “hello” to my little friend! SCARFACE 1983

62 What a dump. BEYOND THE FOREST 1949

63 Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you? GRADUATE, THE 1967

64 Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room! DR. STRANGELOVE 1964

65 Elementary, my dear Watson. ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES, THE 1939

66 Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape. PLANET OF THE APES 1968

67 Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine. CASABLANCA 1942

68 Here’s Johnny! SHINING, THE 1980

69 They’re here! POLTERGEIST 1982

70 Is it safe? MARATHON MAN 1976

71 Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain’t heard nothin’ yet! JAZZ SINGER, THE 1927

72 No wire hangers, ever! MOMMIE DEAREST 1981

73 Mother of mercy, is this the end of Rico? LITTLE CAESAR 1930

74 Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown. CHINATOWN 1974

75 I have always depended on the kindness of strangers. STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, A 1951

76 Hasta la vista, baby. TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY 1991

77 Soylent Green is people! SOYLENT GREEN 1973

78 Open the pod bay doors, HAL. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY 1968

79 Striker: Surely you can’t be serious. Rumack: I am serious…and don’t call me Shirley. AIRPLANE! 1980

80 Yo, Adrian! ROCKY 1976

81 Hello, gorgeous. FUNNY GIRL 1968

82 Toga! Toga! NATIONAL LAMPOON’S ANIMAL HOUSE 1978

83 Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make. DRACULA 1931

84 Oh, no, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast. KING KONG 1933

85 My precious. LORD OF THE RINGS: TWO TOWERS, THE 2002

86 Attica! Attica! DOG DAY AFTERNOON 1975

87 Sawyer, you’re going out a youngster, but you’ve got to come back a star! 42ND STREET 1933

88 Listen to me, mister. You’re my knight in shining armor. Don’t you forget it. You’re going to get back on that horse, and I’m going to be right behind you, holding on tight, and away we’re gonna go, go, go! ON GOLDEN POND 1981

89 Tell ’em to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Gipper. KNUTE ROCKNE ALL AMERICAN 1940

90 A martini. Shaken, not stirred. GOLDFINGER 1964

91 Who’s on first. NAUGHTY NINETIES, THE 1945

92 Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to become the Masters champion. It looks like a mirac…It’s in the hole! It’s in the hole! It’s in the hole! CADDYSHACK 1980

93 Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death! AUNTIE MAME 1958

94 I feel the need — the need for speed! TOP GUN 1986

95 Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary. DEAD POETS SOCIETY 1989

96 Snap out of it! MOONSTRUCK 1987

97 My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you. And I thank you. YANKEE DOODLE DANDY 1942

98 Nobody puts Baby in a corner. DIRTY DANCING 1987

99 I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too! WIZARD OF OZ, THE 1939

100 I’m king of the world! TITANIC 1997