The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Floor show sequence, from ‘Rose Tint My World’ through ‘I’m Going Home’, and if I had to pick a specific part it’d be the sequence from the fanfare into the pool during ‘Don’t Dream It, Be It’.
Titanic - the point where it becomes really clear that the ship is about to go under, people rushing up to the top, the “as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” scene.
Parenthood - The family dinner with the blackout
Thelma & Louise - final scene
2001: A Space Odyssey - opening scene, climaxing with the match cut
I have others but they’re more like little personal favourite bits in films not many would consider classics (I’m pushing it with Independence Day already).
Non nobis, Domine from Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Henry V.
The chariot race from Ben-Hur is the greatest 12 minutes ever put on film.
The charge of the Rohirrim at the Pelennor Fields in The Return of the King.
The whole shark sequence in Finding Nemo – an Australian great white shark named Bruce is something that could only have been conceived by a genius among nerds.
A little song and dance in Young Frankenstein.
The convoy’s counterattack in Das Boot does a better job of putting you in the battle than any other war movie I’ve ever seen. Do not watch this movie if you suffer from claustrophobia.
The little girl in the red coat from Schindler’s List will haunt me forever.
William Warley fades from sight in the stormy Cape Horn seas in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
The climactic sequence of The Dark Crystal.
“Who are you?”
“No one of consequence.”
“I must know”
“Get used to disappointment.”
“'kay.”
Another great scene is Salieri helping Mozart compose the Confutatis: you hear the individual parts, you see Mozart’s genius in action and there’s a lot of great music terminology, most of which is even correct.
Actually, my favorite would have to be Mozart memorizing and tearing apart Salieri’s welcome march, turning it into an aria from The Marriage of Figaro (which, of course, hasn’t been composed yet at this point) and laughing hysterically in the process. Comedy gold!
“You must be that little Spanish brat I taught a lesson to all those years ago. Simply incredible. Have you been chasing me your whole life, only to fail now? I think that’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard. How marvelous.”
My wife and I threw a “favorite movie scenes” party for our film discussion group, and it was this scene that she chose. She has great taste in movies (for the most part. )
Oh, my sweet Lord. Yes. Starting with the very best scene from the first movie and then topping it by a mile is one hell of a ballsy way of announcing that this is not “just” a sequel.
The tango in Scent of a Woman is the only reason I ever re-watch that movie.
The dinner “date” in* Pulp Fiction* is becoming the only reason I ever re-watch that movie…
And though it’s a miniseries and not a great movie… the scene near the end of BBC’s Our Mutual Friend where John Harmon throws Silas Wegg out of the Boffin’s house is sheer brilliance, and makes me tear up every time. Steven Mackintosh really got to get his acting on, there.
That Thing You Do
The first time Guy picks up the tempo and moves the song/band into future fame. Or when they hear the song on the radio for the first time–I can never watch that scene enough.
That and the final fight scene from The Man in the Iron Mask (1998) where the Musketeers and Philippe charge the guns.
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