My list of the most effective moments in film, not necessarily favorite moments but anything that sparked any reaction.
Please note that these moments may contain spoilers.
Ailens (1986)
When Ripley wears her suit of armor as the Queen Alien is about to attack Newt: "Get away from her you b----!"
Airplane! (1980)
The "Saturday Night Fever" parody
Lieutenant Hurwitz (played by Ethel Merman), having a bad case of shell shock, thinking he's Ethel Merman and starts to sing.
Steve McCroskey's running gag with he picked the wrong week to quit so-and-so:
Ted Striker, when asked if he can fly the plane: "Surely you can't be serious."
Rex Kramer pulling off a pair of sunglasses to reveal another pair of sunglasses on his face.
Rex Kramer to Steve McCroskey: "The plan is to build him [Ted Striker] up.
Give him all the confidence we can. [to Ted Striker via speaker] Striker, have you ever flown a multi-engine
plane before?"
Kramer throwing a cigarette out the window, triggering an explosion outside. McCroskey winces at the explosion
while Kramer is completely oblivious.
When Striker forgots to check the oil pressure on the plane, leading to an explosion, he fears that "when Kramer
finds out about this, the s--- is gonna hit the fan," which literally happens soon after.
Back to the Future (1985)
The skateboard chase scene.
When Biff shoves Lorraine and mockingly laughs, George McFly throws a punch at Biff.
Just when Marty is about to fade away, George pushes an idiot away from Lorraine and kisses her, which restores Marty's
existence.
Marty performing "Johnny B. Goode," prompting Marvin Berry to call his cousin
Chuck: "You know that new sound you're looking for? Well listen to this! [holds out receiver to the band playing on stage]"
Marty saying goodbye to his parents before leaving the school dance and his attempt to time travel back to 1985.
Benny and Joon (1993)
The Buddy Holly Story (1978)
The performance at the Apollo Theatre met with skepticism but quickly faded upon hearing Holly sing.
The last performance starting from a poignant "True Love Ways" to an upbeat medley of "That'll Be
The Day," "Oh Boy," "Peggy Sue," "Maybe Baby," and "Not Fade Away." Holly's last line to the screaming audience "I'll see
you next year" ends with the audience soundtrack suddenly cut off and freeze-framing the last image of Holly.
City Lights (1931)
Definitely the last moment when the once blind girl who can now see learns the identity of the Tramp.
Dreamgirls (2006)
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (1966)
Tuco reading a note left behind by Angel Eyes: "See you soon id... id..."
The Mexican standoff between The Man With No Name, Angel Eyes, and Tuco. Nice slight musical nod to the final duel
in For a Few Dollars More, also a great moment.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
The showdown between Harry and Riddle.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Harry attempting to drive away the Dementors from him and Sirius Black.
History of the World Part 1 (1981)
Moses raises his staff to part the lake for Comicus and friends to escape. Then it turns out that Moses' arms were up
because he was being held up and robbed.
The Spanish Inquisition musical sequence.
Jesus of Nazareth (1977 miniseries)
Jesus telling the Prodigal Son parable, motivating Matthew and Simon Peter to reconcile.
From the scourging at the pillar to Jesus emerging out of the stark white light in front of Pontius Pilate to the crucifixion
to the Pieta to the very end. My eyes welled up throughout the film but two particular moments where I uncontrollably cried
were the white light scene (that was when I started losing it) and the crucifixion scene. The latter moment with Robert Powell's
(Jesus) eyes bulging out and mouth open, saying his last words as his life rapidly drained out of him was when I finally lost
it. The sight of it and how he said his lines were very overwelming enough to leave me emotionally drained to the end.
Also at the very end, when Mary Magdalene tells the disciples she had witnessed Jesus' resurrection. When her claims
were dismissed as "women's fantasies," how Anne Bancroft (Mary Magdalene) responded was so perfect: "Women's fantasies?
Was his [Jesus'] death a fantasy? I saw him die!"
The Kid (1921)
When the welfare and police officers take away the Kid and Chaplin fights them desperately to get him back.
Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
The Chaplin-esque clocktower battle between Lupin and Count Cagliostro.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The wrap-up of all the characters, even though it appeared to have too many endings. Then again, it's the third and final
chapter of the trilogy.
Mahler (1974)
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934 original and 1956 remake)
The Royal Albert Hall assassination attempt sequence, effective in the 1934 original and still effective in the remake.
No matter how many times I see this scene or even hear the music
played, Arthur Benjamin's "Storm Clouds Cantata," I still have my stomach in knots when I see or hear it.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
The assassination attempt at the climatic presidential party convention. Shades of a similar assassination attempt
in both versions of The Man Who Knew Too Much (see entry).
Moulin Rouge (2001)
The "Come What May" number later ending with Satine's death.
North by Northwest (1959)
The crop-dusting scene.
The Mount Rushmore sequence.
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
The famous unmasking scene. Though it may look tame by today's standards, it's still frightening, particularly how
The Phantom reacts on being stripped of his mask.
The Princess and the Warrior (2001)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Indigo to Count Rougen: "I want my father back, you son of a b----!"
The Producers (1968)
At the Lincoln Center in New York, Leo has to decide whether or not he should join Max in finding a flop.
The "Springtime for Hitler" number.
Psycho (1960)
The shower scene (natch and nuff said)
The second murder, the revelation of the murderer, and Norman's ending monologue inside his head.
Rear Window (1954)
The light under Jefferies' door turned out shortly before Mr. Thornwald shows up.
Sailormoon R the Movie (1993)
The senshi remembering when they were alone while Sailor Moon is tortured by Fiore.
The final confrontation from Mamoru/Prince Endymion/Tuxedo Kamen throwing the rose at Fiore to the flashback with
little Usagi's rose to little Mamoru to the "Moon Revenge" battle scene to the very end.
Sailormoon S the Movie (1994)
Luna turning human and her flight with Kakeru to outer space.
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
The conversation between Uncle Charlie and young Charlie in the 'Till Two bar.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Kirk referring to Spock's "death" in the Kobiyashi Maru simulation: "Aren't you dead?"
Khan's first attack on the Enterprise.
Kirk: "KHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNN!" Somewhat disproves the phrase "In space, no one can hear you
scream."
The last half-hour or so: the cat-and-mouse game Kirk and Khan play in the Mutara Nebula,
Spock mind-melding McCoy ("Remember"), the desperate escape from the Genesis detonation, McCoy to Kirk
"Jim, I think you better get down here," Spock's death scene, Kirk's eulogy, Kirk reconciling with his son
David, Kirk's last log entry ("There are always possiblities"), Spock's coffin on the Genesis planet and the epilogue.
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Kirk's reaction to David's death.
The destruction of the Enterprise followed by Kirk and friends witnessing its fall:
The return of Spock, especially the dialogue between Kirk and Spock. "Jim. Your name... is Jim."
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Driver to Kirk for jaywalking: "Watch where you're going, you dumba--!"
Spock's attempts at using "colorful metaphors."
Gillian Taylor to Kirk and Spock: "Do you guys like Italian [food]?"
Returning to the future: saving Earth from the Probe, Kirk and crew celebrating by splashing about in San Francisco Bay,
Kirk demoted from admiral to captain of the new Enterprise, Spock and his father Sarek making amends with one another, and
seeing the Enterprise-A Kirk was assigned to ("My friends, we have come home.")
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Racing against time to stop the next assassination attempt at the peace conference: Sulu's "Fly her apart, then!" line,
Spock and McCoy creating a special photon torpedo to track General Chang's
cloaked Bird-of-Prey and literally blow his cover, Scotty kicking down the door and shooting the assassin,
Kirk explains about the undiscovered country referring to the future and how people are afraid of change.
Epilogue: Kirk and crew saying their goodbyes to Sulu and his crew, Spock on the Enterprise to be decomissioned ("If I were human, I believe the response would be...
'Go to hell.' [pause] If I were human."), Kirk's Peter Pan quote and last log entry, and the signatures of the Classic Trek cast.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Anakin vs. Obi-Wan lightsaber fight
Babies Leia and Luke brought to their respective homes, with the reprise of the "Binary Sunset" theme on Tatooine.
That is where we came in.
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Han Solo coming to the rescue and Luke firing at his target into the Death Star.
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Luke facing Darth Vader during Jedi training with Yoda and seeing his own face on Vader's helmet after decaptiating
him.
Leia, before Han Solo is frozen into carbonite: "I love you."
The showdown between Luke and Darth Vader and the infamous revelation ("I am your father").
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
The Ewoks are startled to see C-3PO (thinking of him as a god), leading one Ewok to confide to another
about him in their native language. If you listen closely, their language is actually Filipino in the Tagalog dialect.
Not exactly an effective moment per se, but I get such a kick out of it.
The final confrontation between Luke and Darth Vader, particularly when Luke refuses to kill his father and nearly
paid for it with his life until Darth Vader literally overthrew the Emperor to his death.
Vader unmasked as Anakin Skywalker and reconciling with Luke before death.
The funeral for Vader and the ending celebration, along with Luke seeing the spirits of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda,...
and Anakin.
Strangers on a Train (1951)
Guy desperately finishing his tennis match while Bruno tries to retrive his cigarette lighter. You root for both,
even if one of them is the antagonist.
Guy and Bruno fighting each other on a carousel spinning out of control.
Superman (1978)
The helicopter sequence:
Lois' interview with Superman (asking his height: "How big are you- How TALL are you?") followed by the flying scene
(best romantic moment ever).
(2001 extended DVD release): Superman talking with the hologram of his Kryptonian father Jor-El after his first night
of superhero feats. Jor-El reminds him not only to keep his powers in check but to keep his true identity a secret.
Most poignantly, the scene ends with Superman trying to embrace his father, even though Jor-El appeared as a hologram and
had died a long time ago.
The 39 Steps (1935)
To Be or Not To Be (1942)
Joseph Tura's disguise as Concentration Camp Erdhart.
The shooting of Professor Siletsky on stage just as the curtains are raised.
Torn Curtain (1966)
The Untouchables (1987)
The "enthusiasms" speech by Al Capone whilst holding a baseball bat at the dinner table. If you've seen this movie,
you know what happens. If you haven't seen it, let's just say someone at that table will become the baseball to his bat.
The death of Jimmy Malone.
The Grand Central Station shootout scene. Bloody but stylish and suspenseful homage to the Odessa Steps massacre scene from The Battleship Potemkin (Sergei Eisenstein, 1925)
Vertigo (1958)
Judy Barton appearing as a dead ringer for Madeline, bathed in green light eminating from the
neon green sign outside her window looking like an apparition. When she steps out of that light and appears in normal
skin tones, Scottie in a sense did the impossible: bringing back the dead.
Scottie in an unsettling confrontation with Judy at the tower.
Written on the Wind (1956)
Kyle Hadley confronting long-time friend Mitch Wayne at gunpoint for knocking up his wife Lucy Moore.
Way Out West (1937)
Withnail and I (1987)
Withnail and I (Marwood in the film's script) finding the matter in their sink full of dirty dishes (Withnail on
finding said matter: "FORK IT!").
When desperately seeking booze, Withnail consumes lighter fluid depsite Marwood's protests.
Marwood in the bar's bathroom fretting over the man in the bar who called him a ponce (British slang for a pimp or
a campily effeminate male) and Withnail confronting that man ("What f---er said that?")
Withnail shouting "Scrubbers! Scrubbers!" (British slang for prostitutes or promiscuous women)
at the school girls and seeing the accident spot sign ("These aren't accidents!
They're throwing themselves into the road gladly!")
An old country lady's response to Marwood asking where to get supplies and claiming not to be from London:
"I DON'T CARE WHERE YOU COME FROM!" I get a kick out of hearing the way she said it.
Withnail to the farmer: "We've gone on holiday by mistake!"
Attempting to kill a chicken for a meal ("How do we make it die?" "Withnail, I think we ought to kill it instantly
before it starts to make friends with us.")
Marwood confronting a randy bull before screaming at it: "A coward you are Withnail! An expert on bulls you are not!"
Catching fish with a shotgun. Apparently, Withnail was plastered when he heard the cliche "Shooting fish in a barrel."
In his ears, it was "Shooting fish in a river."
Withnail and Marwood fearing that Jake the poacher, who threatened them with a dead fish earlier, broke into their house.
Both men are cringing in bed until the man who came in was actually Withnail's Uncle Monty, leading Withnail to scream
"Monty you terrible c--t!"
Withnail: "We want the finest wines available to humanity. We want them here and we want them now!"
Anytime Monty comes onto Marwood, especially in the "I mean to have you even if it must be a burglary!"
scene (known to some as the Uncle Vernon attempts to rape the Eighth Doctor Who scene).
Withnail pulled over by police for DUI and one of the policemen's only line: "GET IN THE BACK OF THE VAN!"
After Marwood and Withnail part ways, Withnail quotes Hamlet in the rain before leaving.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein accidentally stabbing his leg with a scapel in class.
Igor tells Dr. Frankenstein to "walk this way."
Dr. Frankenstein, while holding Inga, sees Igor knocking on the door with the huge door knockers on it: "What knockers!"
Dr. Frankenstein, as he and Igor carry a coffin out of the grave: "What a filthy job!"
The "Puttin' on the Ritz" number
Elizabeth trying to fend off the monster's advances but succumbs to them: "Oh, sweet mystery of life! At last I found you!"
Vasquez to Gorman as they are outnumbered by aliens, about to die, and before setting off the grenade:
"You were always an a--hole, Gorman."
So many moments from this film to list. I apologize if this list doesn't quite do the film justice:
"Looks like I've picked the wrong week to quit smoking."
"Looks like I've picked the wrong week to quit drinking."
"Looks like I've picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines."
"Looks like I've picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue."
Dr. Rumack: "I am serious. And don't call me Shirley."
Ted Striker: "No. Never."
Rex Kramer: "S---! It's a g-ddamn waste of time! There's no way he can land this plane!"
1950 Doc Brown's reaction when he asked Marty McFly who is the U.S. President in 1985.
Doc: "Ronald Reagan?! The actor? Then who is vice president, Jerry Lewis?"
Sam reenacting Chaplin's dance of the rolls routine from The Gold Rush (Charlie Chaplin, 1925) and other routines
in the diner.
Buddy Holly and the Crickets first performing at the opening roller rink scene with "That'll Be the Day."
The scrawny Tramp up against his brawny opponent in a boxing match. You just want to root for the
underdog Tramp, even though he isn't quite successful.
All the musical numbers, especially Jennifer Hudson's version of "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going."
What Greedo should have learned when confronting Han Solo: "When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk." That's
what Tuco said to the one-armed man, who wasted his time telling how he learned how to shoot single-handed only to get
killed by Tuco.
The Man With No Name: "Idiots. It's for you."
Harry writing to Tom Riddle in Riddle's diary (reminicent of a chat room) and the flashback sequence as written
in the diary.
Hermione throwing a deserved punch at Draco Malfoy.
Moses presenting the 15...er, make that 10 Commandments because he dropped the third tablet with 5 commandments.
The Annunciation with Mary receiving God's message in a beam of light from her window. If you're expecting the angel
to appear with wings and a halo, you won't find it in that scene.
The Kid throws a rock at a window and leaves quickly as soon as his foster father shows up to repair said window.
The car chase with Princess Clarisse, Count Cagliostro's henchmen, and Lupin and Jigen all in pursuit.
Gollum's "conversation" with Smeagol at night
Sam to Frodo: "I can't carry it [the ring] for you but I can carry you!"
Gustav Mahler's conversion from Judaism to Catholicism, first portrayed as a silent film and switches to talkies when
Mahler had converted and conducts Cosima Wagner in singing "Ryde of the Walkyries."
(1956 remake) Ben McKenna asking his wife Jo to take pills before telling her their son Hank had been kidnapped and Jo's reaction.
Any scene with Mrs. Iselin. Anyone used to seeing Angela Lansbury as sweet Jessica Fletcher in "Murder, She Wrote"
or hearing her as the voice of Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast will be in for a shock.
The musical numbers "Spectacular Spectacular," "One Day I'll Fly Away" and "Elephant Love Medley"
The opening credits, specifically the opening theme.
The Phantom dropping the chandelier. The anticipation of what will happen is chilling.
Sissi's emergency trachemony scene. Though it's disgusting and grotesque, Sissi becomes enamoured of
Bodo, who is desperately saving her life. A variation of the fairy-tale kiss, it's also an awakening for the sheltered
Sissi, who begins her search of Bodo after recovering.
The swordfight between the man in black/Westley and Indigo Montoya. "There's something I ought to tell you: I'm not left-handed!"
Leo Bloom: "I'm wet! I'm hysterical and I'm wet!" [after being smacked by Max Bialystock] "I'm in pain! And I'm wet! And I'm still hysterical!"
Leo: "I want... I want... I want everything I've ever seen in the movies!"
Max: "Leo, just say you'll join me!"
Leo: "I'll do it!" [behind him, water bursts out from the fountain on cue]
Marion's drive in the rain before stopping at the Bates Motel.
Lisa investigating Mr. Thornwald's apartment when Mr. Thornwald himself shows up while Jefferies looks on helplessly
in horror.
The Sailor Senshi blasted away by Fiore in the streets in contrast to the eerily calm background music.
Sailors Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto confronting the snow dancer early in the movie. This was the first time I saw the
Outer Senshi in action, along with their transformation sequence.
Uncle Charlie's unsettling rant about rich widows with the camera gradually closing in
on his face, forcing young Charlie to realize her uncle is not what he seemed to be.
A lot of great moments from this film. Among them:
Kirk and crew stealing the Enterprise. You know Kirk will escape from the spacedock's doors and from the
pursuing U.S.S. Excelsior but it's so fun to see that scene, along with the excellent score, in action.
Kirk: "My god Bones, what have I done?"
McCoy: "What you had to do, what you've always do: turn death into a fighting chance to live."
After arriving in 1986, Kirk asks where they are, Spock answers, "Judging from the pollution content, I believe
we have arrived at the latter half of the 20th century."
Kirk: "Well, a double dumba-- on you!"
Kirk: "Yes."
Spock: "No."
Kirk: "Yes."
Spock: "No."
Kirk: "Yes. I love Italian." (to Spock) "And so do you."
Spock (to Gillian): "Yes."
Scotty, after Spock could not find the location of the peace conference from mind-melding Valeris: "Then we're dead."
Spock: "I've been dead before."
The infamous Order 66 and the fall of the Jedi.
Han shoots first at Greedo (NOT Greedo or him and Han both firing at the same time ;))
Luke, after Yoda lifted the X-Wing with the Force effortlessly: "I don't believe it."
Yoda: "That is why you fail."
Han: "I know."
The Jabba sail barge fight scene
Luke: "I've got to save you."
Anakin: "You already have, Luke."
The audience turning their heads during the tennis match except for Bruno Anthony, who keeps a fixed stare.
Clark Kent runs to a phone booth to change into Superman, only to find the booth an open kiosk and not a fully
enclosed booth. (Clark later used a fully-enclosed phone booth in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace). Clark then
runs across the streets to change through a revolving door.
Superman, catching a falling Lois Lane: "Easy, miss. I've got you."
Lois Lane: "You've got me? Who's got you?!"
The climatic music hall scene, which also revealed the MacGuffin. Now, now, I won't tell you if you haven't seen it yet.
The running gag of Lieutenant Stanislav Sobinski leaving his seat upon hearing the words "to be or not to be," his
cue to meet actress Maria Tura backstage.
Michael Armstrong finding it difficult to kill an East German policeman. The wife of Armstrong's contact tries
stabbing the policeman, whacking him in the legs with a shovel, and finally stuffing his head in the oven. This inspired
Joel and Ethan Coen's directorial debut Blood Simple (1985), specifically when Ray tries to clean up and dispose
Marty's corpse.
The recruiting of George Stone/Guiseppe Petri
The opening credits with Saul Bass' intricate designs accompanied by Bernard Herrmann's haunting score.
Marylee Hadley dancing erratically and orgasmically to frantic music while her father dies of a heart attack.
The famous softshoe dance sequence and "In the Trail of the Lonesome Pine."
Just about the entire film is full of great moments and lines. Among them:
This film also has many moments to list. Here are a few:
Inga: "Oh! Sank you, doctor!"
Igor: "Could be worse."
Dr. Frankenstein: "How?"
Igor: "Could be raining." [starts to rain]
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