Before I begin with this post, I just want to mention that’s been a year since I started this site. I would like to thank each and everyone who has taken the time just to read what I’ve had say and share over this past year. This post marks the start of a very interesting and satisfying adventure. Whether or not you posted a reply to one of my reviews or posts, I very much appreciate it. For all the spammers who’ve tried to worm their way onto this thing: F**k you. In this post I will be talking about some of the most memorable moments in film that have not only captured my imagination but many others as well. These are fairly iconic in many respects, but not all of them. These moments had the most profound effect on me not only as a child but as an adult as well. This is not just for me, but for you as well. Enjoy.
TREMORS:
Tremors is one of those rare movies that defies convention and expectations. This came out in 1990, and it was quite possibly one of the best movies that year. It captures a lot of the elements from monster movies of the 50’s, while injecting it with an incredible sense of humor. The movie had great monsters, characters, and was just a total blast all the way through. This moment basically sets the goofy tone for the rest of the film, which is loaded with fantastic writing and funny moments. Tremors is one of those movies that’s nearly perfect in every way. I can’t stop watching it, even 25 years later. It’s rated PG-13 and has a pretty devoted fan-base, myself included.
DUNE(1984):
Dune was an interesting movie. It was directed by David Lynch, who has been known to make some pretty crazy films. Dune had some issues regarding studio interference and budget issues. The film wound up not doing very well in theaters. The film seems to have found its audience on home video, however. This scene of Paul Atreides riding the giant sandworm is one of the most iconic scenes in the film. It draws you in with amazing visuals and sound. The music really lays on the epic feel of the film, as these guys are getting ready for battle. It knocks you on your butt when you realize how well done this movie actually is. People have criticized for not following the book exactly, but let’s be honest: Frank Herbert’s book isn’t exactly an easy book to get into. Dune is a misunderstood masterpiece. Personally, I love it.
ENTER THE DRAGON:
Enter The Dragon is considered by many people to be the greatest martial arts movie ever made, and it’s really hard to argue with that assessment. Bruce Lee’s last fully completed film before he died, Enter The Dragon features some of the coolest fight scenes I’ve ever seen. Lee himself is phenomenal. This fight with Han’s bodyguard shows how fast Lee is. The choreography is amazing, and it really has emotional impact. Dragon has many fantastic moments, but this one really stands out.
ALIENS:
Come on, how could I NOT put this one on here? I’ve been a HUGE fan of the Alien franchise from the moment I first saw Ridley Scott’s film. It’s one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises in the world, with millions of fans. Again, the film is replete with incredibly awesome moments, but the one where Ripley faces off against the alien queen in a powerloader is just….perfect. Sigourney Weaver’s performance in James Cameron’s film earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, which was and still is unheard of for science fiction films. That’s how good this movie is. But this final fight is just awesome.
GHOSTBUSTERS:
This is the only entry on this list to feature a theme song. It’s the Ghostbusters theme by Ray Parker, Jr. Movie themes rarely get more iconic than this. It’s a perfect song for one of the best sci-fi/horror comedies in cinema history. It’s an incredible movie that is not only exciting, but absolutely hilarious. The writing is sharp, witty and on the spot. Featuring the talents of Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Ernie Hudson, and Rick Moranis, Ghostbusters takes you on a wild ride with some incredible special effects. While the sequel isn’t bad, the first film is where it’s at. It’s a hell of a good time.
THE ABYSS:
The second James Cameron film on this list, The Abyss was one of three underwater movies released in 1989. This scene features the first use of true CGI. Cameron and ILM would go on to perfect this technique in Terminator 2 with the T-1000, but this scene is incredible. The water tentacle is sea water being manipulated by some curious aliens residing at the bottom of a massive trench. There’s really not much more I can say about this scene, other than it’s amazing.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING:
Some of the most iconic moments in film don’t necessarily have action. Some of the best and most memorable moments are smaller and more introspective, like this scene from the first LOTR film. Gandalf speaks to Frodo about Gollum and the proper use of judgment. It’s quiet and it allows the characters to try and grasp the reasons why they’re in the position their in. Combine that with Howard Shore’s amazing music and we have a very special moment in the trilogy that’s just amazing to watch.
STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE:
If there is a movie that defined movie magic, it’s Star Wars. Originally released in 1977, the original film redefined film-making and became one of the biggest movies of the century. Don’t believe me? Just watch this scene, which includes the opening crawl and battle. The moment you see that Star Destroyer fly overhead, you know you’re in for something that you will never forget. It also shows us the film’s main villain, the iconic Darth Vader. When it comes to iconic movie moments, Star Wars has yet to be beaten. This is one that really doesn’t need an explanation.
Well, that’s my personal list for what I consider to be some of the most iconic movie moments in movies. This is just my opinion, and if you have other suggestions or possible alternatives, feel free to leave a message below.