Jeff at 2010-02-20 18:53:52:

I'm still reeling from the force of nature that was "The Beaver." (all right, hardy har, get yur mind outta' da' gutter, you know what I mean!)

Everything about that script just rang so true for me. One of the few I've ever re-read immediately after reading FADE OUT.

Wouldn't have come to that script if not for GITS and ScriptShadow so very grateful for that!

Son of Liberty at 2010-02-20 18:55:33:

It just so happens I recently made a short list of scripts I'd make required reading if I ever had to teach a screenwriting course:

FAHRENHEIT 451 by Frank Darabont

THE ROYAL WE by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulicini

LOGAN'S RUN by Christopher McQuarrie

WHEN TRUMPETS FADE by W.W. Vought

A KILLING ON CARNIVAL ROW by Travis Beacham

NAPOLEON by Stanley Kubrick

Although I prefer to recommend scripts that haven't been made or were unlikely seen beforehand (TRUMPETS), I would probably still recommend VALKYRIE by McQuarrie/Alexander, CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR by Aaron Sorkin and SAVING PRIVATE RYAN revisions by Frank Darabont.

David Mulholland at 2010-02-20 19:15:30:

Things We Lost in the Fire (spec draft, not produced draft) is one of the best things I've read in the last ten years. Chinatown is a no brainer. Let's add Pulp Fiction, American Beauty and The Graduate to round out the list.

domremy03 at 2010-02-20 23:06:33:

"Day of the Jackal" is a great, old school, almost textbook-like script. "Barton Fink" and "Miller's Crossing" by the Coen's are also way, WAY up on my list.

JD Walters at 2010-02-20 23:46:46:

I still haven't read that many scripts, but for now I'm going to have to say "500 Days of Summer". I read the script before watching the movie and it was beautiful. High up there are also "Witness" and "The Bodyguard".

joe.king at 2010-02-21 01:03:30:

Easy catnip of a question!

Double Indemnity
Chinatown
Witness
Moonstruck
Unforgiven

But the list of scripts that I want to read is way longer than the list I've read so far...

Mahmoud at 2010-02-21 01:46:57:

No Brainers..

1. Pulp Fiction
2. The Shawshank Redemption
3. The Godfather I,II
4. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly
5. The Matrix

Vanilla Chunk at 2010-02-21 02:46:30:

in random order:
Tonight, He Comes, the first draft of Hancock. such vital language!
Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, just because I was starting out and Wm. Goldman explained everything to me.
and last but not least:
the one in my head, the one that's just around the corner...

Mike at 2010-02-21 04:58:47:

Two come to mind:

1. Body Heat (1981): Lawrence Kasdan
2. The Shawshank Redemption (1994): Frank Darabont

Keep Writing!

305Writer at 2010-02-21 08:31:32:

The Empire Strikes Back
Raiders of The Lost Ark
Chinatown
The Apartment
Back to The Future
E.T.

but more recent

Red
Salt
A Killing On Carnival Row
Everything Must Go
The Brigands of Rattleborge

Bah Bahrbahrossa at 2010-02-21 11:04:13:

Having covered over 3,000 scripts during my time in Los Angeles, I can say without a doubt, that Randall Wallace's (he wrote BRAVEHEART -- my favorite movie) script for ATLAS SHRUGGED, although 141 pages, is the best script I have ever read.

Christian H. at 2010-02-21 11:57:03:

Asylum Batman vs. Superman by Andrew Kevin Walker

It not only did a great job at "physics" but was a riveting story.

It's over at www.dailyscript.com

Matisse at 2010-02-21 12:59:25:

Recently read and liked:

Passengers - Spaihts
Kurt Cobain biopic (All apologies)- David Benioff
The Gray - Carnahan
Red - Hoeber bros

Son of Liberty at 2010-02-21 14:35:00:

james:

trade? just send me an email to scripthole@gmail.com and i'll forward all of them to you.

this goes for everyone.

Eve Montana at 2010-02-22 16:26:07:

No brainers: All About Eve, Chinatown, The Apartment, Some Like It Hot, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill 1

Others I enjoyed: Source Code, An Education, (500) Days of Summer