KOA's 100 Films: By The Numbers (Part Two)

By: Luke Florence

Now that you know what my favorite 100 movies are I thought it would be nice to showcase some statistics. Who is my favorite director? What about my favorite actor/actress? Do I favor dramas or comedies? What year had the most films represented on my list? How many Oscars did these films win?

What follows are answers to all of the questions and much more.

KOA's 100 Films: 1

By: Luke Florence

On June 30th I mapped out my next major task for this blog with the introduction of a series of posts titled, "KOA's 100 Films." Over the course of the next six months I unveiled my 100 favorite movies. It was the largest list I've ever compiled and without question one of the most difficult tasks I've tackled here.

All of it has led to this last moment when I would finish this major endeavor. For those of you who have been following this blog since its' inception you know how rarely the word "finish" is used. I've started several adventures in the past and have failed to finish, but I refused to accept that notion when I started this adventure.

Fitting in so many ways that the word "finish" should arise by happenstance in my intro to my favorite film of all-time because the idea of "finishing" is a major theme in the movie.

And so here we go. It's been an epic encounter. Thanks for going on it with me. I made this list for myself, but like all great things in life, it can only be enjoyed with the presence of others.

KOA's 100 Films: 2

By: Luke Florence

All along I've been listing MY favorite movies without regard for anyone's opinions. The films have been ones that I've enjoyed and could care less whether or not anyone out there agreed with me or not. That mindset kind of changes as we hit my #2 favorite movie of all-time.

This film is one that I consider to be the greatest movie ever made. It's not my #1 movie because of certain personal reasons, but it is without question a piece of art that deserves all of the recognition it has received since it's release nearly two decades ago. What's sad is that it took the world nearly two years after it's opening weekend at the box office to realize how good it was. This film that many regard as the best ever, flopped horribly at the box office and initially didn't make enough money to simply cover production.

And look at it now.

KOA's 100 Films: 3

By: Luke Florence

Every once in a while a film comes along and changes things. It's innovating, ground-breaking, and revolutionizes the way movies are perceived. Strong words, yes, but accurate when describing this unbelievable film.

If LOST was condensed to a two-hour movie, it would look like this film ... just completely mind-blowing awesomeness.

KOA's 100 Films: 4

By: Luke Florence

Love is a theme that Hollywood has been exploring for as long as anyone can remember. Often, it is portrayed as a fairy-tale where Prince Charming comes to sweep Cinderella off of her feet. Other times it follows a basic formula where two people meet, they fall in love, break-up, but get right back together at the end. There's nothing wrong with these characterizations of love, except that they are missing a taste of reality.

My #4 movie takes a unique turn from the prototypical Hollywood-love angle and tackles the topic with a fresh blend of real-life.

KOA's 100 Films: 5

By: Luke Florence

Phew. Let's take a moment and collect ourselves.

In the past four months I've rehashed 95 of my 100 all-time favorite films. And now we are left with my top-five. Only five more to go.

For some - and by some I mean most - of you, my #1 movie will not be a surprise. If you've asked me in the last 15+ weeks then you already know. If you've followed this blog at all in the last 5+ years then you already know. If we've ever been friends in my 2+ decades of living then you already know. The real surprises will occur in the buildup to my #1.

Matt Barnes has already put four of my top five on his list, which leaves just one lonely film that hasn't appeared on our blogs.

That movie finds itself at #5 but within it you will find my all-time favorite movie quote. It comes in response to the question, "how do you write women so well?"

KOA's 100 Films: 6

By: Luke Florence

Here are five hints for my #6 favorite film of all-time.

1) If William Shakespeare and Steven Spielberg had a baby it would be this movie.

2) I really want to name my next dog after the lead character in this film.

3) Matt Barnes has only seen it once but it managed to safely reside in his top-100.

4) It was set in 180 AD.

5) This film won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor ... good luck.

KOA's 100 Films: 7

By: Luke Florence

Football? Check. Underdogs? Check. True Story? Check. Inspiring? Of course. My number seven favorite movie of all-time has all the ingredients of a great film. And for those of you that know me, I don't think this selection will come off as a surprise at all.

Roger Ebert calls the last scene in this movie, "an emotional powerhouse, just the way it's supposed to be." Giddy up.

KOA's 100 Films: 8

By: Luke Florence

We all do crazy things for girls. I know I've done my fair share of stupid things all in the pursuit of love. One of them was watching the following film. Going into it I thought it would be the equivalent of The Notebook, a movie that wouldn't crack my top 100,000 favorite films.

Instead it turned into something better than I ever could have anticipated. It turned into one of my top-ten favorite movies of all-time.

KOA's 100 Films: 9

By: Luke Florence

"If you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything." A couple of weeks ago yours truly might have made a mistake when I said that The Hangover was my last truly "funny" film. If there were only two kinds of movies (comedies and dramas) in the world, then my #9 would certainly qualify in the former category.

Peter Travers from Rolling Stone calls my #9 movie "National Lampoon's Family Vacation with soul," and I couldn't have said it better myself.