I was talking with Will and Jesse this weekend about my favorite movements in Cinema. Not artistic movements. Specific movements.

And, yes, I know I’m leaving out all the Marx Brothers, Three Stooges, Harold Lloyd, and Buster Keaton from the Vaudelville era. In my mind, those movies are already live-action cartoons. I’m focusing on a slightly more modern age. Post-Kennedy, at least. Here they are.

#4. George C. Scott Points at the Big Board. Watch how he rolls into the pointing pose at 1:14. The way the stumbling at the start and the swinging of his suit at the end highlight the awkward stiffness of the pose make it all the better.

#3. Raising Arizona Chase Scene. There’s so many moments that make this scene amazing, from the color-coordinated woman in green and orange hiding in front of the Apple Jacks, to the way the camera pans on the pavement as he reaches for the huggies at 1:54, this whole segment has been played for just about every student I’ve ever had. I could talk for hours about this one. For now, just concentrate on the pantyhose at 1:56. Now that’s some nice secondary motion.

#2. Ray Charles Shooting a Gun. This is great partly because of the pose, which is stiff, and the movement, which is so sudden it seems like it’s being played at the wrong speed, but it’s also the total lack of dead space at the head of the shot. It cuts straight to Ray in mid-action. What timing.

#1. Pee-Wee Rides a Motorcycle Through a Billboard. This is wonderful for so many reasons. The way the bike fishtails back and forth as he leaves. He almost seems to be getting the bike under control, just long enough to make it clear to Pee Wee and the audience that they are both aware of what is about to happen. The head-over heels ragdoll barely visible after impact is the icing on the cake.

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