Top 15 Original Screenplays

In honour of The Writers Guild of America honouring their supposed 101 greatest screenplays of all time (a very subjective list, obviously) I decided to do one too! Except there's only 30, and they're split into Original and Adapted (which the WGA should have done). Starting at #1 and proceeding down (because that's the most aesthetically pleasing) here we go.

1. Manhattan (1979) - Written by Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman, Directed by Woody Allen

For being so completely and utterly in love with it's subject. For enhancing every moment with stunning dialogue. For it's romance.


2. Flying High! (aka Aiplane!) (1980) - Written & Directed by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams & Jerry Zucker

For being the funniest movie of all time. For being unorthadox and entirely silly. For being so completely quotable. For "I speak jive".


3. Paris, Texas (1984) - Written by Sam Shepherd, Directed by Wim Wenders

For being beautifully poetic mixture of words and images. For that monologue. For making Travis so much more.


4. Sunset Blvd (1950) - Written by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder & DM Marshman Jr, Directed by Billy Wilder

For knowing so much but only telling us what we need to know. For knowing how to use narration. For Norma Desmond.


5. Toy Story 2 (1999) - Written by John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Chris Webb, Rita Hsiao & Doug Chamberlain, Directed by John Lasseter, Ash Brannon & Lee Unkrich

For being even greater than the original. For not sinking to low jokes. For smartly using pop culture references. For being hilarious.


6. Mulholland Drive (2001) - Written & Directed by David Lynch

For being a brilliant puzzle. For knowing exactly what's going on but not telling us a single bit. For being in love with every inch of it's subjects AND itself.


7. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Written by Charlie Kaufman, Directed by Michel Gondry

For being addictively original. For literally taking us on an entire relationship's journey. For providing opportunities for everyone to shine.


8. Taxi Driver - Written by Paul Schrader, Directed by Martin Scorsese

For taking us inside Travis' mind (how odd, two movies on the list with a main male character named Travis!) For showing us something we don't see. For being brilliant.


9. Thelma & Louise - Written by Callie Khourie, Directed by Ridley Scott

For making these women the real deal. For being brave. For making me cry. For that ending.


10. Scream - Written by Kevin Williamson, Directed by Wes Craven

For turning a tired genre on it's heels. For (better or worse) forming a completely new way of writing movies. For that wonderful dialogue. For that opening scene.


11. The Breakfast Club - Written & Directed by John Hughes

For speaking to a generation. For creating a "teen film" that speaks to you at any age. For being profound in the face of amatuers. For knowing us.


12. Shakespeare in Love - Written by Tom Stoppard & Marc Norman, Directed by Tom Stoppard

For being oh-so-clever. For actually being smart without resorting to cheap modern-day references. For being sweepingly romantic. For being better than people seem to want to forget (I studied this movie for a year, trust me - it's a great screenplay).


13. Office Space - Written & Directed by Mike Judge

For being uproariously funny. For taking stabs at everything. For beating the "frat pack" to this sort of humour, and being funnier than they ever will be. For Michael Bolton.


14. sex, lies, and videotape - Written & Directed by Steven Soderbergh

For coming out of nowhere. For being daring and original. For surprises.


15. Pleasantville - Written & Directed by Gary Ross

For doing something different and new. For sweetness. For a message that doesn't get hit over our heads. For something special.


Tomorrow will be Adapted Screenplays. Will Brokeback Mountain make it? Will I be brave and put American Psycho on? Will I embrace newer movies like I did on the original list or will it be classic-oriented? Find out tomorrow.