4. Almost Famous
Columbia PicturesAs it stands, Almost Famous is a pretty well-rounded film. But considering the fact that the movie was semi-autobiographical, drawing on director Cameron Crowe's experiences as a teenager writing for Rolling Stone magazine, it seems obvious that he would have nearly endless material to draw from. The coming-of-age film revolves around William, a young aspiring journalist with a passion for rock and roll, and his life on the road with Stillwater, a 1970s band similar to Led Zeppelin or The Who. Almost Famous is a solid film that capitalizes on major nostalgia factor, but where it wavers is in the main character's transition from naive kid on a road trip with his biggest idols to a more jaded young adult. The additional 40 minutes the Untitled version (Crowe's extended cut), really flesh out the journey he goes on from the beginning of the film to the end. It creates a bittersweet tone that only adds to the film's appeal.