by pat

1. TRUST by Hal Hartley

Hal Hartley, one of the most underappreciated filmmakers of our day. He writes not so much how people talk, but how we think we sound when we talk. His dialogue is crisp, intelligent, and natural. They scenes flow seamlessly, and you can't help but be pulled in until the movie is over and suddenly two hours are gone. The first time I saw this, the ice in my drink was completely melted before I even looked at it, and twice I have read this script in one sitting.

2. HEAVENLY CREATURES by Peter Jackson & Fran Walsh

How this did not get the oscar is a complete mystery, especially being the only thing this movie was nominated for. An incredibly researched true story, this script has actual quotes from the one girl's diary. Fairly authentic. Court documents and anecdotes from those willing to talk were also used. Besides being factual, the story tells the story of a vicious murder in a sympathetic light, bringing you into the main characters' minds until the point where you think their actions are perfectly normal. All the more powerful when you realize what they are capable of.

3. THE HUDSUCKER PROXY by Joel & Ethan Coen and Sam Raimi

The Coens are genii. Genius. Plural. Gods amid film. This script won, because it works as a comedy, drama, satire, it just works. I so dig it. I dig all of their stuff.

4. THE BREAKFAST CLUB by John Hughes

Who, at some point, wasn't a Claire, Brian, Andy, Bender, or Allison. You were probably several, if not all of them. We all were. Always a fan of the coming-of-age drama, and definitely of general teen angst, I admire John Hughes's ability to not condescend, neither to his subjects or the audience. Even the teacher and custodian are fleshed out characters rather than caricatures. Fortunately the dark days of Dalmations and Flubber seem distant, as he returned to his roots with the pretty good "Reach the Rock."

5. THE BLUES BROTHERS by Dan Aykroyd & John Landis

Every time a comedy sketch is turned into a movie, the reaction is "How can they make a whole movie out of that?" Now try not even a sketch, but two non-comic characters, just musical personas. Then you turn it into a traditional story of Biblical redemption. Add some songs, a lot of comedy, and some of the greatest chases caught on film. But let me focus on the bible thing. Jake is the prodigal, strayed from his Catholic orphanage upbringing. He's had a rough life, and has fraternized with the lesser elements of society. Now he and his brother are sent, begrudgingly, on a Mission from God. On the Mission, they are chased for a crime they did not commit (the light was yellow!), for which they are ultimately persecuted immediately upon the completion of their mission. Never saw it like that, did ya?

1. BOUND by The Wachowski Brothers

I love it when a plan comes together. The Wachowski Brothers put together one of the most creative and well orchestrated thrillers since the black and white days of film noir (and since a good number of those were based on novels, they are excluded here). The film itself was overshadowed in the public eye by it's own (very nice) lesbian sex scene between leads Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly. The writers shun the normal good guy/bad guy routine, you never really get a feel for who's betraying who, and this allows them to unravel the plot as they wish. To keep you guessing from start to finish.

2. AU REVOIR LES ENFANTS by Louis Malle

Louis Malle's small film about students at a Catholic boarding school in World War II Germany is touching, powerful and very intimate. What sets this film apart from other visions of terror surrounding the Nazi occupation is how through it all it remains focused on it's young hereos. It never goes for grandeous. It never manipulates your heart. It never plays upon guilt. It remains the story of unlikely friendship and bravery in the most unlikely and unfortunate of places.

3. ALMOST FAMOUS by Cameron Crowe

Aren't you supposed to at least be old before you start writing semi-autobiographical masterpieces? Cameron Crowe is just amazing. This is the first film I have seen in a very long time that left me feeling abandon when it ended. His charactors are so rich and deep (even minor ones) that I felt I was on that bus with them and was heartbroken to see the journey end.

4. THE USUAL SUSPECTS by Christopher McQuarrie

What is there to be said? An intircate crime thriller that, no matter how often you watch it, it holds up. McQuarrie pays such attention every detail, every word of the film, that the ultimate surprise ending is indisputable. Trust me, I've looked for holes, there aren't any.

5. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan

Everyone who knows me just said, "WHAT?!?". It's well known amongst my movie geek buddies that I rank Empire third of the Star Wars saga. I won't try to defend that ranking here. I will however, justify it's inclusion on this list. The Star Wars films cannot hold up without the great craftmanship of the Empire screenplay. It's is the heart, soul and center of the galaxy far, far away. Without the great plot that is richly colored and detailed here "A New Hope" is just a really great popcorn film. Empire continues the events of New Hope, but it is here where the emotional bond between audience and charactor is realized.

1. BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID by William Goldman

The Mack Daddy of modern screenplays by the Mack Daddy of modern screenwriting. Charm, wit, humor, pathos, conscience. And it's a Western, which means I oughta hate it, but I don't, and there you have it.

2. CHARADE by Peter Stone & Marc Behm

The best surprise ending until ...

3. THE USUAL SUSPECTS by Christopher McQuarrie

... this movie.

4. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT by Aaron Sorkin

Okay, I know neither this nor my last pick is what you'd call "hip" or "cool," but that doesn't change the fact that President has one of the sharpest mainstream scripts ever written. Basically a rough draft for "West Wing," but still stirring, and completely engaging in its optimism. Makes idealism look good.

5. JERRY MAGUIRE by Cameron Crowe

Talking about optimism and idealism. Yes, it spawned about three thousand catchphrases (claiming the "Forest Gump" prize of 1996), but still an earnest look at people unraveling, and doing what they must to keep it together, and ultimately, make things better.