Wednesday’s are alphabet days. So let’s pretend we are in primary school again, learning our A-B-C’s. Or better yet, have the alphabet theme be another reason for me to compile lists – something that helps me when I’m feeling anxious.
The following list of 20 Letter “A” movies are some of my all-time favorites. They span genres and decades, with a notable leaning toward independent film, and/or movies with solid storytelling.
Movies with a good soundtrack and/or a music theme are prevalent, too. Of course.
Let’s pop some popcorn and pick a movie from the list below to celebrate Wednesday, a shared love of movies, and the Letter “A”.
Movie ABC-s – The Letter “A”
My Top 20
Movie Of The Day
1. Almost Famous (2000)
Written and Directed by Cameron Crowe
“I always tell the girls, never take it seriously, if ya never take it seriously, ya never get hurt, ya never get hurt, ya always have fun, and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends.” – Penny Lane
2. All Over Me (1997)
Written by Sylvia Sichel
Directed by Alex Sichel
“Open your eyes…” – Claude
3. Away We Go (2009)
Written by Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida
Directed by Sam Mendes
“What if something happens to one of us and just makes us go crazy? I mean, what if I’m walking by a construction site and something falls, and them my frontal lobe gets chopped off and my personality’s altered and then I’m not a good dad? What happens then?” – Burt Farlander
“Well, be careful walking near construction sites.” – Verona De Tessant
4. The Anniversary Party (2001)
Written and Directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh and Alan Cumming
“Would you like a lolly? You’re never too old for a lolly.” – Joe Therrian
5. About Last Night (1986)
Written by David Mamet, Tim Kazurinsky, and Denise DeClue
Directed by Edward Zwick
“I think I thought it was going to be different than it...” – Danny
“than what it was really like? Me, too. Maybe we were just – too naive.” – Debbie
“Yeah, maybe. Maybe we knew too much.” – Danny
6. Adam’s Rib (1949)
Written by Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin
Directed by George Cukor
“Now, you look here, Kip. I’m fighting my prejudices, but it’s clear that you’re behaving like a, like a – well, I’d hate to put it this way – like a *man*.” – Amanda Bonner
“You watch your language.” – Kip Lurie
7. Author! Author! (1982)
Written by Israel Horovitz
Directed by Arthur Hiller
“Oh good my cheesy I love my cheesy!” – Bonnie
“Bonnie, act your age.” – Ivan
“I’m eleven.” – Bonnie
“Act it.” – Ivan
“How the hell do you act eleven?” – Bonnie
“That’s better.” – Ivan
8. After Hours (1985)
Written by Joseph Minion
Directed by Martin Scorsese
“Wow, I’m sorry. I guess I’m really puttin’ you through the mill tonight, huh?” – Paul
“It’s okay, I’m used to it.” – Marcy
9. Adult World (2013)
Written by Andy Cochran
Directed by Scott Coffey
“As long as I’m not boring.” – Amy
“You’re not boring. You’re a weirdo. You are not normal. And it’s inspiring. It’s cool.” – Alex
“Thanks.” – Amy
“You’re welcome.” – Alex
10. All About Eve (1950)
Written and Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
“Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night!” – Margo
11. Adventureland (2009)
Written and Directed by Greg Mottola
“Are we doing this?” – James Brennan
“Yeah, I think we are.” – Em Lewin
12. The Accidental Tourist (1988)
Written by Anne Tyler and Frank Galati
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan
“I’m beginning to think that maybe it’s not just how much you love someone. Maybe what matters is who you are when you’re with them.” – Macon
13. Absolute Beginners (1986)
Written by Colin MacInnes, Michael Hamlyn, Richard Burridge, Christopher Wicking, Don MacPherson, and Terry Johnson
Directed by Julien Temple
“Money isn’t everything.” – Colin
“I know but it’ll do ’till everything comes along.” – Suzette
14. Arizona Dream (1993)
Written by David Atkins and Emir Kusturica
Directed by Emir Kusturica
“I wasn’t falling in love, because I never felt any weight because I was flying in love for the first time in my life.” – Axel Blackmar
15. Amadeus (1984)
Written by Peter Shaffer
Directed by Milos Forman
“Forgive me, Majesty. I am a vulgar man! But I assure you, my music is not.” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
“You are passionate, Mozart, but you do not persuade...” – Emperor Joseph II
16. An Education (2009)
Written by Lynn Barber and Nick Hornby
Directed by Lone Scherfig
“The life I want, there is no shortcut.” – Jenny
17. August Rush (2007)
Written by Nick Castle, James V. Hart, and Paul Castro
Directed by Kirsten Sheridan
“Sometimes the world tries to knock it out of you. But I believe in music the way that some people believe in fairy tales. I like to imagine that what I hear came from my mother and father. Maybe the notes I hear, are the same ones they heard, the night they met. Maybe that’s how they found each other. Maybe that’s how they’ll find me. I believe that once upon a time, long ago, they heard the music and followed it.” – August Rush
18. The African Queen (1951)
Written by C.S. Forester. James Agee, and John Huston
Directed by John Huston
“What a time we had Rosie, what a time we had.” – Charlie Allnut
19. Across the Universe (2007)
Written by Dick Clement, Ian La Frenais, and Julie Taymor
Directed by Julie Taymor
“Where are we going?” – Jude
“We’re going out of our minds!” – Lucy
20. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
Written by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein
Directed by Frank Capra
“But Mortimer, you’re going to love me for my mind, too.” – Elaine Harper
“One thing at a time!” – Mortimer Brewster
