Travis's Favorite Movies

by HP founder, writer/director Travis H. Williams

I am often asked about my favorite movies. Journalists in particular seem to love this question, but when I start rattling off titles I can tell that I’ve disappointed them. I think they are waiting for me to say something like Citizen Kane, or a Wes Anderson film, or an obscure French film and, as you can see from the list below, that simply isn’t the case. Now I can’t say that everything on this list should be included in any “best movies of all time” lists, but these are films that personally resonate with me and inspire me to make movies of my own. For filmmakers, in the end, I think that matters far more than having a mainstream answer for interviews (besides, they almost never run the answer to that question if you give them something that doesn't fit with what they think makes a good story - which means more print space for, ya know, the movie you are promoting).

Here are my Top 10 favorite movies of all time:

10. THE MIDNIGHT HOUR
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089593/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4
This movie is 80s amazingness. One could make a case that it falls into the “it’s so bad, it’s good” category. Levar Burton is in it, vampire/zombie/witch cliches intermingle, and there’s a "Thriller" rip-off musical number in the middle of it for no particular reason. And it works. It totally works. Most of my favorite movies balance comedy and drama well and this movie accomplishes that. There are genuinely scary moments and, in the midst of it, a truly touching romance. Very hard to find on DVD, but well worth the effort.

"Get Dead" from The Midnight Hour: 

09. HOOK
The entire cast is amazing. The score is great. The story works. So many attempts have been made at capturing the magic of the original Peter Pan and, in my opinion, most fail. Hook manages to do it. It’s a damn fun film.

08. THE GIRL NEXT DOOR
The first in my “nerdy guy gets the girl in some really amazing and bizarre way” trilogy on this list… A very funny film that can’t help but draw you in (and scare you to death in places). Clever characters and an original story - wonderfully acted and filmed. It also gives us a line I quote often, “Always know if the juice is worth the squeeze.”

Trailer:

07. THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH
I stumbled on this movie late one night while still in elementary school and became fascinated with it. The wordplay (most of which is taken from the novel) is incredible, as is the fantastical world that is explored is truly one of a kind. The film does a nice job of capturing the spirit of the book and Chuck Jones's animation is at the top of its game. 

Another movie that’s hard to track down on TV or DVD, but someone was nice enough to rip it and put it on YouTube:

06. EIGHT DAYS A WEEK
Second in my “nerdy guy gets the girl” trilogy - a quirky little indie film starring one of the most beautiful women ever to grace a screen, Keri Russell. I love how indie this movie is and how much you can tell in the finished product that it was a labor of love. There are several great quotes to live by in this movie, lots of great gags, and some moments that tug on the heart strings. Another one that is hard to track down, but well worth the effort.

Trailer:

05. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
A true testament to original stories, animation, and music. What more can one say?

04. HOCUS POCUS
Melodrama. Ambiance. Adventure. Perfect comedic timing. Ya-bos. 

03. THE BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY
Yet another movie on the list that blends several genres - scifi, comedy, coming of age, action, adventure. A wonderfully solid series of films that is still fun to watch. 

02. SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Clever, inspiring, heartbreaking - a wonderful movie about art and artists. An extremely well crafted film. 

The (very 90s) trailer:

01. ANGUS
Concluding my “nerdy guy gets the girl” trilogy… I could (and one day will) do an entire blog about all the things I love about this film. You WILL laugh (out loud), you WILL cry (for a good 5-10 minutes), and you WILL want to hug your best friend/family members/significant other after a viewing. The best coming of age movie I’ve ever seen. The film is wonderfully directed, has a great soundtrack, and a perfect cast. I would argue that this is one of the most under-appreciated films of all time. I am never not entertained and inspired by this movie. Watch it.

Trailer: