Dusty's 25 Favorite Movies

So many wonderful moments and quotes from this movie, but my favorite scene is when Rick gives the okay for the band to play "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem. Gets me every time. And this exchange - Renault: What brought you to Casablanca? Rick: My health. I came for the waters. Renault: Waters? What waters? We're in the desert. Rick: I was misinformed.

I love this movie for several reasons, not the least of which is that it was what Kathy & I went to see on our first date. For those of you who aren't old enough to remember, that was back in pre-home video days, when studios used to re-release old movies back to the theaters.

What's not to love? An amazing cast, a brilliant script, and thoughtful people exploring the meaning of life. Oh, all of that, plus what may the finest soundtrack since "American Graffiti." At the final scene, around the breakfast table, when Jeff Goldblum says, "We're not leaving; we're never leaving," he's speaking for us all.

Thanks to my brother David for introducing me to this movie, and to my daughter Brittany for giving me a copy of it. Watching the relationship of Andy and Red is an absolute joy, thanks to the performances of two great actors at the top of their game.

The perfect telling of the dark side of the American Dream. The scene at the end, where Clemenza kisses Michael's hand and says, "Don Corleone," while Neri is closing the door in Kay's face, is visual storytelling at its very finest. Honorable mention for this list: Godfather II.

This really is for all three movies. I love the whole allegory of this story as well as the relationships between and among the various members of the characters. Tolkien was a master storyteller.

Would still love to know exactly what Mary Kate says to Sean at the end of the film, although the meaning is obvious enough. Miss O'Hara said she would never tell, and as far as I know, she never did. Must have been something to get that look on the Duke's face.

Robert Duvall is the best actor of his generation, IMHO, and here is his Oscar-winning performance. Every moment is an absolute gem that resonates with truth, down to the Cowboys team poster on the wall in Sonny's bedroom.

Not many actors have the moral authority to pull off a character like Atticus Finch, without coming across as phony or preachy or self-righteous. Gregory Peck makes it look easy. "Miss Jean Louise, stand up! Your father is passing."

When I was in the fifth grade, our class took a field trip to the Strand Theatre in Orange, Texas, to see this movie. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer give amazing performances. My favorite musical moment is probably the puppet show when the kids sing, "The Lonely Goatherd."

I know a lot of people prefer "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" (Don't apologize, mister, it's a sign of weakness.), but this is my favorite of the John Wayne-John Ford Cavalry trilogy. Lots of great moments, but I love it when Henry Fonda says to Victor McLaglen, "Sergeant, pour me some scripture."

I remember watching this in Dr. Paul Lakey's class in organizational communication at ACU, as a case study in leadership. A war film that is decidedly anti-war. Gregory Peck is brilliant, of course, and Dean Jagger won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor as Maj. Stovall.

Ron Howard has talked about the awesome power of letting a story tell itself, and that is certainly true here. A great cast and an incredibly compelling story, even though I remember when it happened: "Failure is not an option!"

Tom Hanks and Matt Damon lead a great ensemble in another terrific movie from Spielberg. Don't miss the scene where General Marshall reads the letter from President Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby.

Set in St. Louis just before the 1904 World's Fair, this story follows the family of an attorney who is considering accepting a promotion that would mean moving them all to New York City. There are several great musical moments, but none better than Judy Garland singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" to her movie sister, Margaret O'Brien.

One of my very favorite war movies, with great performances by Gregory Peck, David Niven and Anthony Quayle, among others. "To tell you the truth, sir, I didn't think we could do it." "To tell you the truth, neither did I." Whoever thought it would be a good idea to make a sequel of this should be stood up against a wall and shot (even if Barbara Bach was beautiful in it).

A very gentle movie about the difference one man can make in the lives of so many others - kind of like "It's a Wonderful Life" in that regard. Don't miss the wonderful scene where Mrs. Jacobs gives Mr. Holland the compass, and watch the unexpressed emotions pass over Richard Dreyfuss' face. Another gem: Jean Louisa Kelly singing "Someone to Watch Over Me."

Easily my favorite "chick flick." I love the relationships between these women and the way they support each other through the ups and downs of their lives. Life goes on.

I'm not a huge Jack Nicholson fan, but I love this movie. Brilliant cinematography and stunning visuals in a neo-noir tale of corruption and cover-up in old Los Angeles. Faye Dunaway stars with Jack Nicholson, and don't miss director-writer John Huston in a supporting role. "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown."

Jimmy Stewart made a LOT of bio-pics in his day, and I've always thought this was one of the best. There's no telling how many people have discovered the music of Glenn Miller by watching this movie. I know I did.

Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway star in this story of a CIA researcher who stumbles across a covert op and is marked for death. Who's out to get him, and why? Awesome New York scenery adds to moodiness of this great spy thriller. Also with Cliff Robertson and John Houseman.

Some critics think 1939 was the best year ever for movies, and I tend to agree. This is a favorite from that year. A great train movie about the building of the transcontinental railroad. They may take a few liberties with the history, but the visuals are stunning. As is Barbara Stanwyck.

It probably annoys some of my friends that I have a Jane Fonda flick on this list, but I love this movie. A very nice telling of rebellion against corporate America. Willie Nelson is great in a supporting role, and his music is used well in the soundtrack, especially when Sonny releases Rising Star and "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" is playing. Due to legal issues involving Willie's music, some video versions of this movie use generic instrumental music in that scene - very annoying. Fortunately the Blu-Ray version has the restored soundtrack.

STRONG CAUTION FOR LANGUAGE & ADULT SITUATIONS. Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins star in my very favorite baseball movie. It really captures the heart of the game, IMHO. "You've been in the The Show, man?"

Richard Dreyfuss' Oscar-winning performance with really strong work by Marsha Mason and Quinn Cummings. The script by Neil Simon is loaded with quick quips and quotable scenes. This is a great date night movie. "Paula, don't play games with me - my socks are under water!"