2. #10 The Last Days of Extraordinary Lives
& Serving Life
These two documentaries start off the list because of their unconventional residents.
Sunset Story is documentary drama set in an unusual rest
home – one for retired radicals. This documentary tells the
story of two of the residents, Irja (81) and Lucille (95).
“Sunset Story doesn’t shy away from the sadness of old age;
it reveals two elderly women’s lives in an unusually
authentic and surprisingly moving way.”
Serving Life is narrated and executive produced by Academy
Award winner Forest Whitaker this documentary chronicles
the work of inmates at a Louisiana prison who volunteer at
the jail’s hospice, caring for dying inmates.
3. #9 Twilight Zone – The Movie
The Twilight Zone: The Movie – This 1983 film made the
list because of the segment 2 story, Kick the Can, directed
by Steven Spielberg. An old man named Mr. Bloom
(Scatman Crothers) has just moved into Sunnyvale
Retirement Home. He listens to the other residents as
they reminisce about their youth (except for one grumpy
patient). Mr. Bloom believes that just because they're old
doesn't mean they cannot enjoy life anymore, and that
feeling young has to do with your attitude, not your age.
Will playing kick-the-can that night bring back more than
their memories, or is it just a game? It is based on an old
twilight zone episode.
4. #8 Away From Her
This 2008 film earned Julie Christie an Oscar
nomination. It follows the story of Grant
(Gordon Pinsent) and his emotional journey
after moving his Alzheimer's-stricken wife
(Julie Christie) to a nursing facility.
5. #7 Terms of Endearment
This 1983 James L. Brooks directed drama
follows widowed Aurora (Shirley MacLaine)
and her daughter, Emma (Debra Winger),
including their relationship at the end-of life.
It won five Oscars, including Best Picture,
Best Actress (MacLaine), Best Director and
Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson).
6. #6 Harold and Maude
This comedic cult-favorite from 1971 is about a death-
obsessed teen named Harold (Bud Cort) who meets
Maude (Ruth Gordon), a geriatric widow at a funeral,
and the unconventional bond that forms between
them. Directed by Hal Ashby.
7. #5 The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button
This 2008 Oscar-nominated story directed by
David Fincher tells the story of Benjamin Button
(Brad Pitt) -- a man who was born old but grows
younger as the years go by -- Cate Blanchett co-
stars.
8. #4 Beginners
Watch Christopher Plummer (was in Sound of
Music) in his 2012 Oscar-nominated role in
Beginners. This drama tells the story of Oliver
(Ewan McGregor), a graphic artist coming to grips
with his father’s (Christopher Plummer) news that
not only does he have terminal cancer, he is also
gay.
9. #3 The Notebook
2004 - This adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's
best-selling novel is a perennial favorite over
Valentine’s day. (James Garner) reads from a
notebook while he visits a woman in a nursing
home (Gena Rowlands), telling her the story
of their lives hoping that she will remember
again.
10. #2 Bucket List
Bucket List (2007) – This movie tells the story of
Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chambers
(Morgan Freeman), two terminally ill men who bust
out of the cancer ward with a plan to experience life
to the fullest before they kick the bucket.
11. #1 Philadelphia
Tom Hanks received the Oscar for his performance in
this 1993 drama about a Philadelphia attorney (Tom
Hanks) who is fired because of his homosexuality and
his HIV-positive status.
