Best endings ever
So last week, one of my fellow T-S movie reviewers wrote in his review of "Iron Man" that its final moments, "dethroned the short reign of 'There Will Be Blood' as the best ending ever." I suspect it was hyperbole, but it got me to thinkin'. What ARE some of the best movie endings ever. Opinions undoubtedly differ, but here are a few of my faves:
My first thoughts went to the twist endings. Few could top "The Usual Suspects" in that category, though "The Sixth Sense" was a good "ohmigod" (before M. Night Shyamalan became a parody of himself). "Primal Fear" had a nice turn, too. "Planet of the Apes" (don't laught). "Se7en": "What's in the box?" And "Memento," that backwards-moving thriller, puts the whole movie into a new context with its head-scratcher finale.
Then there are the classics: "Citizen Kane," with its famous "rosebud" revalation; "Casablanca"'s bittersweet "beautiful friendship" line; "Chinatown"'s creepy shootout; "Dr. Strangelove," with Slim Pickens riding the H-Bomb like a bronco; and "Taxi Driver"'s holy-crap bloodbath.
The inspiring category: Back when I worked at a video store, every time I put on "The Karate Kid" (which was frequently), a crowd would gather for the last scene. People could not drag themselves away. Other sports movies, like "Rocky" and "Hoosiers" have a similar pull, though people forget that Rocky actually lost the fight. And "The Shawshank Redemption" just makes ya feel good.
In the indie (or indie in spirit) category, "Requiem For a Dream" left me speechless. "Being John Malkovich" ended on a beautifully poetic note. "Barton Fink" cast John Goodman in a frightening light: "I'll show you the life of the mind!" "Before Sunset" was perfectly elliptical. "Brazil" (the original downer ending, not the "love conquers all" studio re-do). "Buffalo 66": So romantic. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," which used the crazy concept of memory erasure to create the perfect depiction of a warts-and-all relationship. "Do The Right Thing"'s ambiguous call to arms. "Fargo": Two words: Wood chipper. "Magnolia": It's raining frogs! "Midnight Cowboy": Sad and wonderful.
Then, of course, there are the big blockbuster denouements: The Death Star explosion in "Star Wars," "E.T." heading home; the face-melting in "Raiders of the Lost Ark."
See, this is why you shouldn't get me started. Just a few more: "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Thelma and Louise," "Unforgiven," "12 Angry Men," and "Silence of the Lambs."
I'm sure I forgot some good ones. Lay 'em on me.
Comments
When you mention the end of E.T., I have to admit I've never been to the theatre wishing for something more.
Here's a few good endings:
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
11:14
Jackie Brown
Out Of The Past
Any Sergio Leone western where he gets down to just squinty eyeballs before the big shootout.
Posted by: Robb Willis | May 13, 2008 04:27 PM
I definitely agree about Sergio Leone. "Once Upon a Time in America" is a great one, with Charles Bronson's flashback. I haven't seen 11:14. I'll have to check it out.
Posted by: Film Skinny | May 14, 2008 09:25 AM
As opposed to the Thelma and Louise chick ending: Five Easy Pieces
Great airport endings: Bullit, Heat
More Steve McQueen great endings: Nevada Smith, The Sand Pebbles
Best and worst endings from the same director: Aliens, The Abyss
Better than Fargo Cohen Bros ending: Blood Simple
Great cheesy scifi ending: It! The Terror from Beyond Space
Great train endings: The General, The Bridge on the River Kwai
Last, but not least: The Third Man
Posted by: Robb Willis | May 14, 2008 09:30 AM
"Chick ending"? Ouch. But Nicholson IS fantastic in "Five Easy Pieces."
"Blood Simple" was great, but I'll still take "Fargo."
One more McQueen: "Papillon."
Yeah, "The Abyss." That movie was deep. Har har.
I think the highlight of "The General" is the middle section, with Buster throwing railroad ties at oncoming obstacles.
"The Third Man." Yes. Absolutely. I knew I forgot something.
Posted by: Film Skinny | May 14, 2008 09:51 AM
One of the more fabled endings in classic moviedom can be found in 1955's 'Kiss Me Deadly.'
You'll find another great finish (two of them actually) in 'The Killing,' a movie of the same era ('56) and genre.
And to complete this trilogy of legendary film noir endings, perhaps no character has gone out like James Cagney at the climax of 'White Heat' in 1949. "Top of the world, ma!"
Posted by: Andrew Bird | May 14, 2008 07:29 PM
"The Killing": That's early Kubrick, right? I saw that years ago but only vaguely remember the ending. I do remember that "White Heat" ending — sort of similar to the end of Pacino's "Scarface."
Posted by: Film Skinny | May 19, 2008 04:46 PM
Yes. Early Kubrick. A very good movie.
I didn't get Cagney's final line in White Heat right. But it's close.
Posted by: Andrew Bird | May 21, 2008 06:00 PM