New installation of Mick's Favorite Things!
This week....Top Ten Movies!
1.) Rocky - I thought The Wrestler just might eclipse it but I will have to wait a few years to see if it can stand Rocky's test of time. The fact that TNA wrestlers - most of them at least 15 years younger than I, can compete in Rocky trivia contests shows how timeless this movie has proven to be.
2.) The Wizard of Oz - just remember the Wicked Witch isn't the heel in this movie - the Wizard is - for using an innocent pawn (Dorothy) to assassinate a political rival (the Wicked Witch) who really just wants to get her sister's shoes back.
3.) The Wrestler - a very reliable Hollywood source told me that if the academy had been as many wrestling fans among its members as it does gay men, (Sean Penn won for his portrayal of gay politician Harvey Milk), Mickey Rourke would have brought home the Oscar. Hey, I didn't say it, my reliable Hollywood source did.
4.) Schindler's List - I think it's the best movie ever made. Not my favorite movie, but the best movie. As of this writing however, Universal has expressed no intention of turning this Spielberg classic into a ride.
5.) Peter Pan - Mickey broke his wrist when he was 3 by taking the words to "You Can Fly" a little too literally. Despite that, this movie was such a wonderful part of my children's younger years.
6.) Boogie Nights - One doesn't have to look too hard to find parallels between the adult film world and the wrestling world. Mark Wahlberg is not unlike a 1970's porn version of Randy "The Ram" Robinson(from The Wrestler); a former sensation, fallen on tough times, looking for that big comeback.
7.) Beyond the Mat - Actor Alec Baldwin apparently didn't know the film was 10 years old when he saw it. No wonder he was so concerned about my children.
8.) The Green Mile - Two words - Dell's mouse.
9.) The Iron Giant - I watch it at least once a year, and it just keeps getting better. I think it's the most underrated animated film of all time.
10.) Rocky Balboa - I just loved this tale of an athlete's redemption. And it was the most effective use of Adrian since the original.
This week....Top Ten Movies!
1.) Rocky - I thought The Wrestler just might eclipse it but I will have to wait a few years to see if it can stand Rocky's test of time. The fact that TNA wrestlers - most of them at least 15 years younger than I, can compete in Rocky trivia contests shows how timeless this movie has proven to be.
2.) The Wizard of Oz - just remember the Wicked Witch isn't the heel in this movie - the Wizard is - for using an innocent pawn (Dorothy) to assassinate a political rival (the Wicked Witch) who really just wants to get her sister's shoes back.
3.) The Wrestler - a very reliable Hollywood source told me that if the academy had been as many wrestling fans among its members as it does gay men, (Sean Penn won for his portrayal of gay politician Harvey Milk), Mickey Rourke would have brought home the Oscar. Hey, I didn't say it, my reliable Hollywood source did.
4.) Schindler's List - I think it's the best movie ever made. Not my favorite movie, but the best movie. As of this writing however, Universal has expressed no intention of turning this Spielberg classic into a ride.
5.) Peter Pan - Mickey broke his wrist when he was 3 by taking the words to "You Can Fly" a little too literally. Despite that, this movie was such a wonderful part of my children's younger years.
6.) Boogie Nights - One doesn't have to look too hard to find parallels between the adult film world and the wrestling world. Mark Wahlberg is not unlike a 1970's porn version of Randy "The Ram" Robinson(from The Wrestler); a former sensation, fallen on tough times, looking for that big comeback.
7.) Beyond the Mat - Actor Alec Baldwin apparently didn't know the film was 10 years old when he saw it. No wonder he was so concerned about my children.
8.) The Green Mile - Two words - Dell's mouse.
9.) The Iron Giant - I watch it at least once a year, and it just keeps getting better. I think it's the most underrated animated film of all time.
10.) Rocky Balboa - I just loved this tale of an athlete's redemption. And it was the most effective use of Adrian since the original.
Other notable Foley favorites: Jaws, Into the Wild, Cool Hand Luke, Elf (for the snowball fight scene), Music & Lyrics (no, I'm not kidding), Rocky II, Taxi Driver, Godfather II, Up, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox story, Top Gun (yes, this time I am kidding).
The Wizard of Oz: The witch just wants her shoes back!
Good list, Mick. I actually didn't care for The Wrestler, perhaps because it disturbed me. I *know* Beyond The Mat bothered me on deep levels I don't want think about much, for two reasons...first, I found watching your family's reaction to the chair shots to be excruciating. Second, I was a HUGE Jake Roberts fan during my first go round with the WWF...from around Wrestlemania 2 until he left and kind of dropped off the map; I remember a brief appearance in WCW that went nowhere. It really hurt me to see what the man had become. I don't think I've watched that movie since I saw it in a theater opening day, nor do I intend to.
Three of my faves in no particular order:
Braveheart
Dogma
Jaws
I like Peter Pan a whole lot and have since I was a child, but I might prefer The Lion King. Take care, sir.
Posted by: Todd Lorenz | 07/08/2010 at 12:29 PM
The Iron Giant is one of my 3 yr old twin daughter's favorites.
Posted by: Martin Burris | 07/08/2010 at 01:13 PM
I love reading your stuff Mick, your are a very funny and talented individual. That being said, you forgot about the three greatest movies ever made. Biloxi Blues, Willow, and Cool Runnings!!! Actually every time I watch Kofi Kingston about to speak, before he mysteriously lost his accent, I prey he yells out Coooool Runningsssss and kisses the egg he pulls out of his tights. Now that my friend, would be a wrestling moment to remember.
Posted by: Jason Wilson | 07/08/2010 at 08:01 PM
After reading Wicked, I agree on your thoughts on The Wizard of Oz.
My top 3:
Airplane (still cant deny the bang for the buck with this choice)
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the first one, so many more bad dreams as a kid from this.)
and a tie for 3rd
Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein (two Mel Brooks classics that are hard to choose between)
Cashman
Posted by: The_cashman | 07/12/2010 at 09:39 AM