Some Favorite Movie Scenes

I'm a huge film fan.  So when My Husband asked me last night what some of my favorite movie scenes of all time were, I had to oblige him.  And then I had to write them down and share them with you :)  Every single one of these movies is worth seeing; so if you haven't, I apologize for the spoilers and encourage you to rent them all!

Here are some of my top cinema scenes of all time (in no particular order):

• THE SHOOTOUT ON THE STEPS from The Untouchables, 1987

Almost the whole thing is in slow motion and you still never get bored.  Plus it's got Kevin Costner and Andy Garcia in their heyday shooting bad guys and saving babies.  You can't lose.  Photo courtesy of http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/148505-s-w-untouchables.html 

• SHADOW COMES HOME from Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, 1993

Just when you think the old timer golden retriever didn't make it in this live-action Walt Disney flick, he comes limping up a hill and runs to his crying boy.  A must-see for dog lovers everywhere.

• RAQUEL WELCH SPILLS HER SECRET from The Shawshank Redemption, 1994

Iconic photography, atmospheric music and stellar acting...there is nothing like seeing Warden Norton's face when he realizes Andy Dufresne has tunnelled his way to freedom.  Photo courtesy of totalfilm.com

• THE GRINCH'S HEART GROWS from Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, 1966 

What a heart-warming testament to the redemptive power of music and love!

• REUNION IN THE REFLECTING POOL from Forrest Gump, 1994

As the wife of a soldier, I have a soft spot for emotional reunions.  And there's thousands of people applauding as Forrest and Jenny embrace in front of the Washington Monument.  Spectacular.  Photo courtesy of Max Sees Movies Blog

• "I WILL FIND YOU!" UNDER THE WATERFALL from The Last of the Mohicans, 1992

Speaking of romance, there's really nothing like a soaking wet hero pledging his everlasting love for you while the scents of gunpowder and danger fill your nostrils.  Daniel Day-Lewis has been a pillar of the acting community for decades and damn does he deserve it.

• THE FIRST TIME THEY SEE THE DINOSAURS from Jurassic Park, 1993

The music is epic.  The story is fantastic.  And when you stop to think about the fact that these actors aren't actually looking at...well, anything...the scene becomes that much more impressive.  Photo courtesy of blogger Amy Wong

• CINDERELLA SPINS INTO HER BALLGOWN from Walt Disney's Cinderella, 1950

Who doesn't want to take a slow-motion spin in a moonlit garden and have a bunch of sparkles turn you into the belle of the ball?

• JANE RUSSELL AS MARILYN MONROE from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953

A very funny movie that's well worth the Netflix...especially the scene toward the end where Jane Russell's character Dorothy impersonates Marilyn Monroe's character Lorelei in a French courtroom: platinum blonde curls, husky whisper and all.  Photo courtesy of the Film Experience Blog

• SIDNEY POITIER TELLS IT LIKE IT IS from Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, 1967

As my generation struggles to live with the choices and rectify the mistakes of the "Baby Boomers," John Prentice's speech to his father captures a feeling of repression, passion and restrained power I could never hope to articulate.  "You and your whole lousy generation believes the way it was for you is the way it's got to be!" he rages.  Undoubtedly one of a great actor's greatest scenes.  Photo courtesy of movieactors.com