Ron Lester's Top Ten Overplayed Movies

I figure, many of you may not be familiarized with me. Sometimes the best way to get to know someone is to identify with something dear to them. Since I am a huge movie buff and an avid DVD collector, I figured I would have to share some of the most cherished movies in my collection. However, this is not an actual review of the greatest movies ever done. Instead, I am offering a glimpse into my favorite films.

1)Braveheart~Even though Mel Gibson had his horrible character flaw earlier this year, I cannot reprimand him for the work he did as William Wallace. I am a huge sucker for love stories and tragedies. This particular picture earned major Oscar acclaim and rightly so. I could rip the film for all its downfalls, but one thing rings true. This film is too damn entertaining to waste my breath on its obvious frailties. Yes, there are parts in the movie that drag along, however there are scenes that are so captivating to me that I tolerate the lags. Of course, I do have a fast forward button to assist in this endeavor.

2)Batman Begins~It is too bad Christian Bale followed Michael Keaton. I thought Christian Bale was actually a better Batman, myself. Then again, it could have been the script. I also have to admit that I am not a fan of Katie Holmes, but she was actually not bad in the role she had. I do not know why I am so drawn to this particular Batman rendition, but I just love it. When you have a supporting cast of Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman, you know it is going to be good.

3)The Ghost and Mrs. Muir~I told you before I love my tragic love stories. This is one of my favorite all time movies. I love the settings and the attention to detail surrounding the ghost of the sea captain and the woman drawn to him. We even see a young Natalie Wood portraying Gene Tierney's daughter. Something magical happens on the screen between Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison, but the most haunting aspect of this film is how time passes within this beautiful motion picture.

4)Platoon~All I have to say is Willem DaFoe, Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Johnny Depp, and Forrest Whitaker in an Oliver Stone movie. This was bound to be good. I have never seen a scene as haunting as the scene with DaFoe raising his arms as he falls to his knees. This is an absolutely powerful look at Vietnam and I am sorry, but it is one of my favorite movies of all time. I do not know what it is, but it definitely receives more than adequate time on my DVD player.

5)Dances With Wolves~I am a huge Kevin Costner fan, thanks heavily to this film. This is an extremely moving film, filled with gorgeous scenery and a fantastic performance from Graham Greene. I think this is the kind of film I would have enjoyed as a child, having spent so much time playing cowboys and indians with my brothers. This movie chokes me up all the time and any movie that moves me seems to find its way back into my DVD player. Does this movie make anyone else remember the old commercial with the lone Indian atop his horse shedding a tear as he overlooks the valley?

6)Jaws~Pure Spielberg genius! You never see the actual shark until you are nearing the end of this film. This movie actually scared the heck out of me. I could not look at an ocean without being reminded of this monstrous maneater lurking beneath the waves. I am a fairly short man, so I cannot help but think how delicious I must look sitting atop a boogie board...nothing like a little Ron smorgasbord.

7)Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back~Forget the prequels, I am talking about the real deal. The real gems from George Lucas. The era of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Alec Guiness was the absolute best era for science fiction ever. I love the foreboding element in this installment. It is darker than the original and Lucas even managed to parlay one of the all time greatest shockers ever into this movie. "I am your father," I mean, come on...holy crap...what are you talking about? This was the most shocking moment I can ever vividly recall on the big screen and it manages to constantly find its way back onto my DVD player frequently.

8)Robin Hood:Prince of Thieves~Once again, I rely heavily upon Kevin Costner to brighten my days. This time Costner is not the reason I love this motion picture. That's right, I am all about Alan Rickman as the Sheriff of Nottingham. This guy is awesome as our antagonist. He is ruthless, vile. He is the reason I keep playing this film repeatedly.

9)American History X~Ed Norton puts on the performance of a lifetime in this motion picture. There are certain times in this movie, that are hard to watch, especially due to the graphic hatred displayed. I, personally, love the black and white sequences featured in this film. For some reason, it is haunting enough that I have to watch this one over and over.

10)Pump Up The Volume~This is Christian Slater at his finest. This film tends to land a bit of an anarchistic approach to pirate radio, which leads to a devilishly good time. Slater is just sick enough to rouse your blood pressure with rich dark humor and gusto. The shy kid in school rises to make the ultimate sacrifice in the name of good. Love it, love it, love it!

There you have it. A glimpse into my soul. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.