Get Ready For Some “E”eccentric Cinema!
My alphabetical countdown of my favorite movies – the 26-part “Movies A-Z” – continues with the letter “E” – another letter full of incredible cinema – as always, I have tried to find some mainstream choices as well as cult cinema and eclectic movies that may not be on your radar!
Remember, this is not a countdown, I am just listing ten great films in no particular order, so let’s get started – with a black comedy that shows how corrupt elections can be – and what certain candidates will do to win – whatever the cost – sound familiar?
10 – “Election”
Reese Witherspoon became a star with this film with a tour de force performance along with Matthew Broderick in this 1999 black comedy about a high school election that spirals wildly out of control, and how the campaign changes both of their lives forever.
Check out the trailer:
This is a great movie from Director Alexander Payne, who also made the terrific “About Schmidt” and “Sideways”. His latest film “The Holdovers” is currently nominated for Best Picture!
“Election” is a really funny, acerbic and timely film!
Now, I want to share the making of a second star!
9 – “Easy A”
This 2010 film made me realize what a huge star Emma Stone was going to be!
Emma absolutely commands the film in every single scene she is in – a natural gift for comedy, and the ability to underplay the moments for maximum effect!
The plot is a modern take on “The Scarlet Letter”: after a little white lie about losing her virginity gets out, a clean cut high school girl sees her life paralleling Hester Prynne’s in “The Scarlet Letter,” which she is currently studying in school – until she decides to use the rumor mill to advance her social and financial standing.
Here is the trailer:
Stone has never looked back, and after winning her first Oscar for Best Actress in “La La Land”, she is nominated again this year in the widely entertaining “Poor Things.” Bravo to her!
I love movies, and so does Tim Burton – in fact, he loves the story of Hollywood, especially those who struggle to make it in the business – case in point: Director Ed Wood, widely considered to be the worst Director of all time!
8 – “Ed Wood”
Was he Hollywood’s worst Director? Who cares, he made his movies like “Plan Nine From Outer Space” – and for that we should applaud him – as Burton did with this terrific bio-pic starring Johnny Depp in a terrific performance – check out the trailer:
I love this movie. Johnny Depp gives Wood a warmth and empathy – and he wears a pink Angora sweater very well! Bill Murray is terrific in a supporting role as well…
Martin Landau’s amazing portrayal of Bela Lugosi won his the Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor….RIP to Landau – you can see more about this great Actor here:
Speaking of amazing performances, how about these two Hollywood legends battling it out atop a moving train?
7 – “Emperor Of The North Pole”
This 1973 film is a gritty action drama that took place during the depression – and the title was so confusing to people – expecting a film about Santa Claus – that they shorted the title after the film was already released!
“Emperor” was directed by Robert Aldrich, who also made “The Dirty Dozen” and “Whatever Happened To Baby Jane.” It the story of a hobo, Lee Marvin, who attempts to ride the “North Pole” train, while sadistic guard Ernest Borgnine stalks him! Here is the trailer:
These two legendary Actors take each other on in a brutal series of fights on the moving train – while there are moments of quiet reflection, this really is a classic action thriller – one of many that Lee Marvin starred in during his career – here are more:
Marvin was a Hollywood legend, and so is Julia Roberts – perhaps for different reasons, but she won her Oscar for a dynamite portrayal of a woman who put her life on the line to discover the truth!
6 – “Erin Brockovich”
In 2000, Roberts mesmerized us as Brockovich, a woman who stumbles onto a legal case that made her famous. Here is the trailer:
Director Steven Soderbergh made a dynamite film that year – called “Traffic!” That’s right, he was nominated twice in 2000 for directing that film as well – and that is the one he won the Oscar for, while Roberts took home the acting award for “Brockovich”!
Now, one of horror’s more iconic images:
5 – “The Evil Dead”
Director Sam Raimi gathered a bun of friends, went into the woods, and created on of cinema’s most iconic horror films! Check out the original trailer:
Bruce Campbell became a star thanks to this 1981 film, which had two sequels that are equally as beloved, especially because “Evil Dead 2” is as much a comedy as a horror film!
See more about this and other classic independent horror films here:
Next up is a great David Cronenberg film starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts:
4 – “Eastern Promises”
Cronenberg made two great films with Mortensen – “A History Of Violence” and then in 2007, this great crime drama.
A Russian teenager living in London who dies during childbirth leaves clues to a midwife in her journal that could tie her child to a rape involving a violent Russian mob family.
Here is the trailer that explains why Viggo is so tatted up!
Naomi Watts is great in the film, but it’s Mortensen’s fully nude knife fight in a steam bath that is the centerpiece of the movie – wow!
Next up is the scariest horror film of all time – with iconic moments like this:
Yes, the pea soup flies in the shocking film known as:
3 – “The Exorcist”
What can you say? It’s one of the greatest films of all time – directed by William Friedkin, starring Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair as the 12-year old girls possessed by Satan – or is she?
Here is a look at the filming of the movie – with lots of great trivia:
Everyone knows I love kung fu movies, and here is the greatest one ever made:
2 – “Enter The Dragon”
Bruce Lee became an international superstar because of this film, which showcased his amazing physical ability – none of his scenes were sped up – this was Lee in real time! Check out the trailer:
Bruce Lee died soon after this film became a success – what a loss – he was one of cinema’s most dynamic characters – if you don’t believe me, check out this clip of him playing competitive ping pong – using nunchucks!
Wow, what an incredible athlete.
Finally, the last “E” movie on my list is also from the early 70’s – a counterculture classic:
1 – “Electra Glide In Blue”
Robert Blake starred as a Highway Patrolman who uncovers a murder conspiracy – check out the trailer – and pay attention to the musical score over the beginning:
Robert Blake is terrific in the film, but the music is also unique – it was produced by the film’s Director James William Guercio, who was the Manager of the band Chicago, who performs it!
Band members also have small roles in the film as outlaw bikers – there is so much more to share about this classic film – see it here:
Of course I left many great “E” films off the list, so feel free to remind me!
If you’ve missed any of my other letters, here’s a short recap:
One of the great movie taglines ever, and a classic horror film – one of the movies on my “A” list – see them all here:
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Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite “E” movie – and every week the next letter of the alphabet will appear…if you like this, please share on social media!
Categories: 70's Cinema, Academy Awards, Action Films, Art, Comedy Movies, Cult Movies, Extreme Asian Cinema, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Horror films, Independent Cinema, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Steven Soderbergh, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Neat idea! I love this list , Election is pretty good and now hunting down that Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine movie! Thanks for mentioning it!
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Btw have you joined my Mismatched Couples blogathon? Would love your company xx
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Ed Wood surprised me by being so good. I re-watched Eastern Promises again three weeks ago, and even knowing the ending doesn’t spoil it. Great film.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Both are indeed beautifully made films that have stories to tell! Thanks for the comment!
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Hi John, you’ve included some very famous movies here. Erin Brockovich is brilliant.
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Isn’t it Robbie? And so important! Thanks for commenting, always great to hear from you!
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This is one of the few times I don’t know many of the movies in your post. Yikes! You really have the best movie posts, John (and food posts and travel posts…🙂)
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A cool list. Some great choices John.
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loved, loved eastern promises, and the nude knife fight scene was so intense. also loved the dark humor of election!
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