Survey: Your 10 favorite movie endings

[JSunday]

In no particular order...and I'm sure I'm missing many things, but these come to mind without much thought:

1. The Usual Suspects (surprising)
2. The Shawshank Redemption (touching)
3. The Color Purple (touching)
4. Seven (surprising...and eerie)
5. The Godfather Pt. III (prolonged justice)
6. Revenge Of The Sith (wonderful closure)
7. Return Of The King (poignant and touching)
8. Return Of The Jedi (again, wonderful closure)
9. Halloween (the original...."he's gone!" ending)
10. Carlitto's Way (remember me? Benny Blanco from the Bronx?)

** Honorable mention: Broken Flowers (the lack of resolve); Lost In Translation (the whisper); Jerry Maguire (soppy touching...hey, I liked it; Before Sunrise (the agony); The Others (creative...very original)

[Javen]

1.Bladerunner
2.Stir Of Echoes
3.SAW I (No one SAW that one coming)
4.Donnie Darko (A must see and see again and again I was like WTF!)
5.Shawshank Redemption
6.No Way Out
7.Unbreakable(This movie never left me the first time I seen it. Kind of like Donnie Darko)
8.Seven
9.Fight Club(Tell me this didn't knock the crap out of you after you learned what was going on)
10.Reservoir Dogs

[Brian]

I can't think of 10 right now, but the most surprising is probably The Sixth Sense.

[Sam]

No particular order. Just as I think of them:

Network
And Justice for All
Capricorn One
E.T.
ROTJ
Planet of the Apes (1968)
The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (The ending is great, but the rest of the movie is so bad, it can't save it.)
King Kong (2005)
Black Sunday (1977)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

[stormtrooper9]

I can olny think of one right now
Phantom of the Opera it brough chills to me

[yodalizard8]

1)Revenge of the Sith
2)Return of the Jedi
3)Batman Begins
4)Shawshank Redemption
5)Gladiator
6) The Sixth Sense

[Phil Tinajero]

These come to mind at the moment, but if I was a little more patient, then they may have been different:

Manhattan
Return of the Jedi (not the Ewok party, but Vader's redemption and Luke's resolution with his father)
Braveheart (cliche, I know)
Revenge of the Sith
Fellowship of the Ring
The Wind and the Lion
Bottle Rocket
Unforgiven
Punch-Drunk Love
The Godfather

Honorable Mention: Rocky, Raising Arizona, The Godfather Part III, Unbreakable

[Darth Chrisious]

1. ROTJ
2. TESB
3. ROTS
4. Cannibal! the musical
5. Orgazmo

meh, can't think of many right now

[RollaFett]

In no particular order:

1-"The Empire Strikes Back"
2-"No Way Out"
3-"Dogville" (the ending definately saved this film)
4-"Unbreakable"

Aw, hell, that's all I can think of right now. I'll have to revist this later.

[The Bandit]

Wow... a movie survey that really made me think -- for most of these the imagery associated with the end of the film was the most important. #1 for me is a clear-cut choice, and I did find myself putting a lot of westerns in here (perhaps due to the inherent conflict created in the genre and the fact that it generally comes to a head in the end sequence)

1 - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - no movie has ever ended better than this one before and I'd be surprised if one does in the future
2 - Throne of Blood
3 - The Wild Bunch
4 - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
5 - The Bridge on the River Kwai
6 - The Searchers
7 - Do the Right Thing
8 - The Shining
9 - North by Northwest
10 - 8 1/2

[RollaFett]

In no particular order:

1-"The Empire Strikes Back"
2-"No Way Out"
3-"Dogville" (the ending definately saved this film)
4-"Unbreakable"

Aw, hell, that's all I can think of right now. I'll have to revist this later.

ok, revisiting time...

5- "The Godfather- Part II"
6- "Casablanca"
7- "Unforgiven" (thanks to Gandalf for mentioning this, thus inspiring me to include it)

...and that's it for now, but I'll be back!

[JackBauer24]

In no particular order:

1) Memento: This was one of the great "knock me over with a feather" endings. I was just blown away by the ending that I had to go find the Special Edition DVD so that I could watch the movie in forward chronology.

2) S.W.A.T.: Somehow satisfying to see <div onClick="openClose('208dd806b2b66e73ef7c04c636eac79d')" style="font-weight: bold">[ Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide]</div><div id="208dd806b2b66e73ef7c04c636eac79d" style="display:none">the members of S.W.A.T. going off for another mission. Like cowboys riding off to the sunset.</div>

3) Se7en: A wonderful downturn- the perfect ending for this film.

4) The Rock: This absurd action flick ends on the perfect absurd note.

5) The Perfect Storm: When I saw this movie, I didn't know the full story about the ship, so <div onClick="openClose('f0d5220d1f4f6a5e469533154f2d8ebc')" style="font-weight: bold">[ Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide]</div><div id="f0d5220d1f4f6a5e469533154f2d8ebc" style="display:none">I was blown away when the Andrea Gail sank. It was like, whoa...but if this was true...then everything that just happened...but..but..</div> I should probably add that I saw this when it was in the theaters, so it LOOKED amazing.

6) Das Boot: Following the Wolfgang Petersen link from the last movie, Das Boot was an excellent film with a really powerful ending. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it.

7) Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: A movie that was just one long inside joke ends with a perfect salute to fans of all of Kevin Smith's past films; a look at various Viewaskewniverse characters as they leave the Bluntman and Chronic screening.

8) The Godfather: A wonderful down note as Michael shuts Kay out of his life forever.

9) The Godfather Part II: Wonderfully chilling. That's all I can say.

10) Dogma: "You want to hear something sick? I got half a stock when she kissed me." :lol:

As contrast, one of the worst endings:
Independence Day- I love this movie. I have great affection for it. But the ending is so stupid. <div onClick="openClose('c210d7e1d5cb7259a55dba59f40b7a42')" style="font-weight: bold">[ Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide]</div><div id="c210d7e1d5cb7259a55dba59f40b7a42" style="display:none">It's supposed to be celebratory as the heroes of the film watch the fireworks in the sky. BUT IT'S NOT FIREWORKS! IT'S F***ING NUCLEAR RADIATION! THE PLANET IS DOOMED, BUT HEY, LET'S CELEBRATE! Jesus.</div>

[Phil Tinajero]

Unforgiven" (thanks to Gandalf for mentioning this, thus inspiring me to include it)
No problem.

Blimey, completely forgot Butch & Sundance!

If I could add more, I'd say:

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
One of the most iconic images in cinematic history. In fact, I have that poster hanging right over my bed, just to the right of my Darth Vader photomosiac.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The three title characters finally meeting on sacred ground to decide which one earns the gold is brilliantly staged by one of the most patient filmmakers ever.

Yojimbo
Kurosawa's excellent version of a western ends most appropriately with the lone Bodyguard walking down a dusty street towards numerous adversaries, right before killing each and every one of them.

Seven Samurai
The final stage of the fight is the most dramatic element of the movie, and it's where Toshiro Mifune's character finally redeems himself in the eyes of his comrades.

Dr. Zhivago
Right before Zhivago can yell out his lover's name, he drops down dead in the middle of the street, and she never even knew he was there.

Dr. Strangelove
"Mein Fuhrer, I can walk!"

The Godfather, Part II
No matter how similar they were in business and sin, Vito and Michael Corleone were different, simply because one thrived on the love of his family, and the other lost it.

City Lights
One of Chaplin's greatest achievements was being able to bring his audience to tears at the end of this comedy.

[CrucifiedTurtle]

I can't believe that nobody has mentioned the ending of Gone With the Wind.

[Das]

blade runner
seven samurai
gattacca
unforgiven
eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
trainspotting

[JediMasterJamz]

When a stranger calls - interesting

[JackBauer24]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JackBauer24 @ Feb 24 2006, 01:51 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
In no particular order:

1) Memento: This was one of the great "knock me over with a feather" endings. I was just blown away by the ending that I had to go find the Special Edition DVD so that I could watch the movie in forward chronology.

2) S.W.A.T.: Somehow satisfying to see the members of S.W.A.T. going off for another mission. Like cowboys riding off to the sunset.

3) Se7en: A wonderful downturn- the perfect ending for this film.

4) The Rock: This absurd action flick ends on the perfect absurd note.

5) The Perfect Storm: When I saw this movie, I didn't know the full story about the ship, so I was blown away when the Andrea Gail sank. It was like, whoa...but if this was true...then everything that just happened...but..but..

I should probably add that I saw this when it was in the theaters, so it LOOKED amazing.

6) Das Boot: Following the Wolfgang Petersen link from the last movie, Das Boot was an excellent film with a really powerful ending. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it.

7) Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back: A movie that was just one long inside joke ends with a perfect salute to fans of all of Kevin Smith's past films; a look at various Viewaskewniverse characters as they leave the Bluntman and Chronic screening.

8) The Godfather: A wonderful down note as Michael shuts Kay out of his life forever.

9) The Godfather Part II: Wonderfully chilling. That's all I can say.

10) Dogma: "You want to hear something sick? I got half a stock when she kissed me." style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

As contrast, one of the worst endings:
Independence Day- I love this movie. I have great affection for it. But the ending is so stupid. Celebratory as the heroes of the film watch the fireworks in the sky. BUT IT'S NOT FIREWORKS! IT'S F***ING NUCLEAR RADIATION! THE PLANET IS DOOMED, BUT HEY, LET'S CELEBRATE! Jesus.
[/b][/quote]


To this, I add:

1. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back- Natch. Of course. It's the most classic ending in recent history. In an excellent movie that added much-needed depth to the Star Wars universe and its characters, Empire takes a dark turn with the ending and leaves us with a gut-wrenching cliffhanger. The rebels are fleeing for their lives. Luke's lost his hand. Han Solo is a prisoner on his way to Jabba the Hutt. Oh, and there is also that little "I am your father detail." Being a little young, I can only imagine how cool it was to come out of the theatre in 1980 with that ending, knowing that it would be 3 long years to the end of the saga.

2. The Matrix Reloaded- [SPOILERS AHEAD].
I'm gonna take so much crap for this, but still... I love the ending to the second Matrix film, because it's one of those great "we're f***ed" endings. Neo's been told that, basically, his goal, to stop the Matrix, is impossible. The entire Zion navy/army/whatever has been wiped out by agent Smith. Oh, and it turns out that Neo has powers in the Real world too, but he's unconscious on the same ship as Smith. I loved it.[SPOILERS DONE]

3. 12 Monkeys- This is just a wonderful end to this film. The movie builds and builds toward the ending, even giving us flashes of it as time flies, right up until the actual ending, where finally come to complete understanding of what we've seen up to then. I don't want to spoil this one because you just HAVE to see it. It's great.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest- Not gonna spoil it. But if you're a fan of the first film, and you enjoy this one, you're gonna love the last two minutes of DMC.

[DblDwn]

I'm going to go over 10 but, in no order;

One's that have been mentioned:

The Usual Suspects - A truly great ending for a truly great film

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - (Spoilers)The fact that we know what is about to happen yet we still laugh at the final exchange regarding Lafors not being outside, "Thank God for that. For a moment there I thought we were in trouble."(End Spoilers)

Fight Club - I love movies with great twists and this certainly qualifies.

Se7en - The ending messed with me for a week after I saw it. Shocking yet perfect all at the same time.

No Way Out - That's one of the more painfully obvious yet didn't really see it coming endings I've seen on film.

Saw - (Spoilers) It kind of bothered me because I went into the movie thinking that, as a serial killer, Jigsaw would want to be in the room to see his victim(s) go through the madness. The whole premise of killers standing in crowds outside of their own crime scenes to watch the chaos they have created. So from the get go I figured that Cary Elwes character was the killer. But then they were making it so obvious that he could be that there was no way. Even with my thoughts on Jigsaw wanting to be there I never considered what ended up happening. Based on that it was great. (End Spoilers)

The Shawshank Redemption - "Get busy living. Or get busy dying."

12 Monkeys - A great ending to a great film.

Some others that have not been mentioned:

Primal Fear - I think it is an underrated movie which features a tremendous debut by Edward Norton in an Oscar nominated role.

Rudy - Sure it's a true story but that's what makes it so great. You cannot write drama like that.

Arlington Road - Another underrated movie that has an ending that you don't expect within the cliche of Hollywood endings.

Thelma and Louise - Really the only way it can end. And what is it with Brad Pitt being in movies with good endings?

On The Waterfront - Powerful ending to a great film.

Scarface - Pacino defines "over the top" and pulls it off quite well.

Gangs of New York - I liked how they showed NYC progress through the years from the view of the graveyard.

Collateral - It fits in so nicely with what is said near the beginning of the movie.

Basic - Pretty good ending to a pretty good movie.

The Sting - "Nah. I'd just blow it." A great ending to one of my favorite movies ever.

[Tovor]

No Way Out
SeVen
Fight Club
Revenge of the Sith, Attack of the Clones, Empire Strikes Back
Rocky II
All 3 Godfathers
Rain Man
Aliens
Hero
Return of the King
2010
Dances With Wolves
Gladiator
Signs
The Exorcism of Emily Rose


Was that 10 yet? I think I lost count. =p

[DblDwn]

I have to add one more which I would actually have to put in my top 5 if I were to rank them:

Field of Dreams. I haven't seen that in years and I watched the last 20 minutes yesterday and, I'm not ashamed to say, actually started to tear up at the end.

[JackBauer24]

On that note, I'm gonna add The Natural to that list. Just a classic ending to the movie.

[DblDwn]

Very true

[Edgeomatic]

My Top Ten (Not in any order)

10. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
9. Saw
8. Hardball
7. Rudy
6. City of God
5. Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest
4. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
3. New Jack City
2. Jurrassic Park (I would of never thought that the T-Rex would be the hero.)
1. Radio

[Talcy]

As has been said; in no particular order:

The Empire Strikes Back
The Birds
Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
Casablanca
The Searchers (just for that image of the Duke in the doorway)
Batman Begins (that bloody card!)
The Sixth Sense
The Italian Job (Caine, you fools!)
400 Blows
E.T.

Due to the collander-esque qualities of my memory, this is liable to change.

[JackBauer24]

I wanna add in Goodfellas. That last image of Henry Hill is positively chilling.

[DblDwn]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JackBauer24 @ Jul 13 2006, 04:57 AM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>
I wanna add in Goodfellas. That last image of Henry Hill is positively chilling.
[/b][/quote]

I remember seeing that for the first time when I was a kid and then eyeing my neighbors suspiciously for the next week. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Spoilers ahead:

I'm also going to add Fletch: "...........I put the entire vacation on Mr Underhill's American Express card. Want the number?" That's great. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rofl.gif

Also Psycho. The final shot of Anthony Perkins with the voiceover by "Mother" about not hurting a fly is down right creepy. Of course that's the brilliance of Hitch for you.

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest as well.

[Sarah-Leia]

The Empire Strikes Back, Revenge of the Sith, Attack of the Clones, Return of the Jedi, I can't think of anymore.

[nefertiti]

Becket
Aliens
RotJ
Funny Girl
Rear Window
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Something Wild
Me, Natalie
The Miracle
All About Eve

[JackBauer24]

Where'd you dig up that old fossil?
This is a great thread!

[nefertiti]

The end of the list...I went looking! :superhappy:

[Zach30019]

no order

1. Seven
2. Friday Night Lights
3. saw

more comming...

[Orandhite]

In no particular order:

1) Fight Club
2) Return of the Jedi
3) The Matrix
4) LotR - The Return of the King
5) Unbreakable
6) The Matrix Revolutions
7) The Usual Suspects
8) Aliens
9) Predator
10) 300

[Javen]

I know I already did this but, I'm doing it again because history repeats itself. Because history repeats itself.

1. The Shawshank Redemption
2. Hard Eight
3. Glory
4. Fight Club
5. Rocky
6. Field Of Dreams
7. Unforgiven
8. The Sixth Sense
9. The Karate Kid
10. Fallen