I have been doing a series this week I am calling, “Top Five.” I have picked some random topics and created a list of my top 5 for each of these categories, go back and read through them if you’re just getting started, there has even been some fun comments and opinions thrown out into the blogosphere.
Today we make the move to the big screen. Of course, you need to understand most of the movies I have seen date back to before 2002, the year we had our first child. Perhaps one day I’ll do an AC (after children) list (which would be sure to include several Disney/Pixar type films we have seen on DVD), but for today, most of this list will be BC (before Children in this case).
Once again, it would be nice to take the easy route and narrow the category to “Top 5 Comedies” or “Top 5 Chick Flix” (yes, I joke, we all know that there is no such thing as a good chick flick… ha). However, I decided to challenge myself and just look at this the same way as I have other lists, top 5, period.
Without further ad0, I give you the list:
Honorable Mentions: Weekend at Bernies (one and two), The Left Behind Series and… Okay, I’m just kidding folks, just wanted to keep you on your toes. I have never seen any of the Left Behind movies, and from what I hear, I should be quite thankful.
Five: The Bourne Series. I felt like I needed to have an action-adventure type film in my top five and the Jason Bourne (Robert Ludlum) series fits the bill as the type of films I really like in this genre. Though not realistic, they don’t add sci-fi elements as so many of the new action-adventures do (haven’t seen a single comic-book series based films, literally, the only one is the original Superman). I thought about a few of the Grisham books as a possible fifth place, but so many of them stray from the story line, and though Bourne does too, it seems to stick to the plot the best.
Four: Fletch. There is probably not a film I could quote more lines from than Fletch. It is a very silly film, but one that I watched over and over so many times in my late high school years that I can replay in my head even as I type. Really, this is NOT a great film and as I have grown in my own maturity it should be embarrassing for me to put this in my top five (because, though not dirty, it has a few innuendos that should make me blush), but I’ll be honest, this movie just makes me laugh… a lot.
Three: The Passion. This is a hard one to put in my top five and a hard one to leave out. I have only seen the film twice, once in an advanced screening before the film was even done with final edits (at a National Network of Youth Ministries conference) and then with my Youth Group. I wish I would have just seen it the one time. The story is one that never gets old and is one I believe we need to keep on telling, but to see a depiction of Christ Crucified for my sin is something that I believe was meant for me to see one time–once for all.
Two: Hoosiers. This is one of a few films that has made me cry–not because it was sad, but tears of joy as the boys run the picket fence and Jimmy hits the shot! Go Hickory! For Gene Hackman this was his best film–he probably should have called it quits right then so he didn’t have to become the voice of Lowes commercials for the rest of his life. Anytime this movie is on TNT or some other cable station I have a hard time turning it off! Great story, free from smut and just a great feel good flick!
One: Shawshank Redemption. My wife hates that this is on my list, let alone my top pick. If she were to create a list of her most hated films, this may make the top 5. Shawshank Redemption simply put, has a great (though morbid) story line, fantastic acting and for whatever reason it feels very real. I know one reason my wife does not like this has to do with the portrayal of the “Christian” warden (who in the end does not behave very Christ-like). I understand that the worlds view of many Christians is that they are “legalistic” hypocrites. Unfortunately there are many out there who are exactly that. So, my own hope (not so much as a reaction to this film, but more about life in general) is that I (and we) can present grace in such a way that does not invite people to a list of rules but a vibrant relationship with Jesus where we desire to live the life He has set as an example and share with our mouths about the kingdom to come!
Wow, after completing this list, I can honestly say this is the list I am the least passionate about. I am realizing I am just not that big of a movie guy. It was fun to think through some of them, but when all is said and done, a movie is rarely worth the big cost in terms of finances (really, $12 to see a film?), and I think even more rarely worth the time investment.
Some may get opinionated, please do, if you feel there is a better flick, let me know. If you’d like to present your favorites or argue my top pick, let me hear it. You’re probably wrong, but let me hear it. Actually, you may be right and you may remind me of a film I had forgotten.
Grace,
Brian
Five: Gordon Biersch, Pacific Place, Seattle, WA. This is one of my local favorite places, and because it is local it makes my top five. Great variety on the menu, plus I have a few great memories with my wife, family and dear friends. It served as the “birth place” for my Lead Team this year for the YMV’s as well. My favorite dish here has been the Fettucini with Sun Dried Tomatoes, but the burger takes a very close second. I am especially fond a certain wheat beverage they serve to people over the age of 21 as well (with lemon).
Four: In-N-Out Burger, California, Arizona and Nevada (and a specific one would be the one on Lyons Ave. in Santa Clarita). Wow, a fast food place makes the list! Well, it’s not any fast food place, simply the best fast food burger you can get. I remember many a late-night burger run during college, this served as the ideal alternative to dorm food. My favorite is a Double-Double with both regular and grilled onions, fries and a Strawberry Shake.
Three: JaK’s Grill, U-District, West Seattle and Issaquah, WA. JaK’s has three locations in Seattle, and it probably makes the list based on food/cost/location. Because the food is so good, because the cost is pretty reasonable and because the three locations all offer different ambiance I bring this one into my third position. We go here once-a-year for Elisabeth’s birthday. Though I have had a better steak (at Ruth’s Chris), this steak compares, but comes with a large salad, bread, fresh steamed vegetables and your choice of starch (all for cheaper than just a steak at Ruth’s Chris). My favorite is the large Sirloin with baked potato (all the fixin’s on the side) and salad with ranch on the side.
Two: Marriott Breakfast Buffet, Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii. By FAR the best breakfast I have had at a restaurant, and this is saying something because I love going out for breakfast. We love going to 67 on the waterfront and it nearly makes the list, but it is dwarfed in comparing it to the breakfast we splurged for twice on our honeymoon (and once when we were speaking at a camp in Maui). Way too many choices, short order chefs making any egg dish you can think of and THE BEST fresh squeezed orange juice I have ever had. I even remember the passion Iced Tea my wife gets. My favorite is to get a bunch of fruit, a few great danishes, lots of crisp bacon, breakfast potatoes (with onions) and have the chef make me a wonderful three-egg omelet with ham, onions, peppers, cheese and tomato.
One: Casa Guadalajara, Old Town San Diego. A San Diego must for me! I love Old Town, but I love this restaurant even more. This outdoor restaurant has the beautiful ambiance, great chips, great salsa and the best mexican food I have ever had. San Diego is one of the best places to visit because the weather is so very consistent and this plays such a factor in grabbing a bite-to-eat at Casa Guadalajara! Even if there is a line, there are women out front making and serving fresh tortillas to those waiting. I have been able to treat a few friends to this place when on scouting trips for missions, they agree it is the best-mex they have ever had! My favorite is the Chicken Fajitas with plenty of spice in each bite.
Honorable Mention: Anahola, HI, this really is a tough one to keep off the list, and also a really hard on to put on the list. I learned way too much on this trip two weeks ago (July 23-Aug 2, 2009). I posted about those learnings
Five: Skagway, AK, my first rural mission trip certainly ranks among the top five. I remember my first scout trip, flying in (via Alaska Air) to Juneau, spending time with my friend, JR at his church (Auke Bay Bible Church) and then heading out in JR’s Cessna 172 aircraft (4-seater). The scout trip itself may have put this trip in the top 5. We literally landed in Skagway with zero contacts. We parked the aircraft, walked to town and picked up the phone book (this was before the internet was what it is today).
Tie for Four: (A) Rockaway Beach, OR, this trip in the year 2000 was the one I feel I really learned to let go and let others. In each of the other towns to this point my wife and I were the leaders (and only leaders) on our specific team. In Rockaway Beach we had a young intern, Wescott, with us. It was here in Rockaway that I really discovered a passion for mentorship and seeing others succeed in leadership. The ministry setting in Rockaway and partnership with leaders such as Guy, Mike and Molly are things that I will always remember.
Three: Julian, CA, I will never forget my scout trip and meeting Pastor Rick Hill. In the early winter in December of 2005, we sat at the Julian Pie Co. and I shared my hope and vision for what could happen in his very town in the summer of 2006. He looked at me with a smile on his face and said, “this is a great vision, Brian, and I’m thankful that you will do a VBS, that’s a great avenue, just know that the Youth Outreach probably won’t work… we have never had more than six people at any youth event” This simply excited me, whereas for Rick he just concentrated on our team coming as his VBS team. On the first night at the football field we had about 10-12 (he was floored), by the end of the week we couldn’t keep Rick from smiling as he witnessed first-hand nearly 40 students on the field and another 25 coming back to his church to sing songs of praise! Oh, the Pie alone may have given Julian at least the fifth spot!
Two: Mineral, WA, for about 27 years First EPC of Renton, traveled to Mineral, WA to put on a VBS for the church in this Mt. Rainier foothill. For my six summers as the Youth Pastor (years 21-26) I was part of the tradition. We used Mineral as our second mission (and really pushed this as a great entry level mission). Eventually we needed to add Morton, WA as a town (because the Mineral team became too large). The following year we added Onalaska, WA as a third town on the “Mt. Rainier Mission” I loved serving in these towns, we added “youth outreach” to each of them while continuing to serve through a VBS in the morning.
One: Pine Valley, CA, when I scouted PV in January of 2006 I KNEW this was a place we needed to bring a team. The only problem, the Pastor was not in town and though I tried calling several times I never got a reply. So, we scouted and found other places. Well, our sign-ups grew and we needed another town to service the Cuyamaca Mt. Mission of 2007. In April when I scouted again, I drove through Pine Valley again, and again, the Pastor was out of town, no answer, no returned call and we moved on to other communities, even landing one. But for whatever reason I KNEW we were supposed to be in PV. About one month before our Cuyamaca Mt. Mission trip the Pastor, Joe, returned my calls and we hit it off immediately. Because there had been poor communication with the last town I had gotten we decided to pull the plug on that one and go to PV. I was supposed to be taking my team on a return trip to Julian, but for whatever reason I KNEW I was supposed to go to Pine Valley.
Five: Cheers. This is a surprise entry to me actually, as I thought about this show with the criteria that I set, I can honestly say this is one of the DVD series I would pick. Cheers had a great run as a show, and even spun off a show, Frasier, that had an equally strong run. This show had a couple classic openings that I still chuckle about just thinking about them. And you gotta love Norm!
Four: The Office. No doubt this is the one show I expect will make a run up the charts over the years; however, it is still young and needs another year or two of consistent awkwardness to propel its way up.
Three: 24. Jack Bauer could kick any other character’s back side, but as a whole there are still two shows that top it. Two of the seasons of 24 (of the seven so far) have been a little weaker, whereas a couple seasons would compete with Prison Break for the best one year ever.
One: Seinfeld. Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine take the cake. I find myself quoting way too many episodes to not put it in the number one slot!
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