Yesterday I wrote a piece on my notion of a good death. One commenter rightfully pointed out the best possible death is “going down in a lightsaber fight against a Sith Lord, and then coming back as a sage spirit in the sequels but NEVER in a prequel.” Amen to that.

Well that got me thinking of the best death scenes in movies. I don’t like to use the word cinema as it seems snooty to me. Am I the only one? Anyway, what are your favorite death scenes in the movies. Here are some of my favorites in no particular order.

The Mission Opening scene where the Jesuit missionary gets sent over the falls on a cross.

Braveheart. Two scenes. First when Wallace’s wife has her throat so casually cut as she desperately searches the hillside for her husband who never comes. And of course the end when being eviscerated and tortured, Mel screams freedom. Plus, the death scene has a little person in it. Extra star just for that.

Goodfellas murder montage and Tommy getting whacked. There was nothing we could do.

The Last of the Mohicans 2 scenes. First when Heyward sacrifices himself and Hawkeye shoots him and when Uncas fights and loses to Magua but daddy takes care of business.

True Romance. Walken & Hopper. ’nuff said.

Life is beautiful when Guido marches off to be shot while still protecting his son from the horror.

American History X. The curb scene. This is remarkable for its shocking brutality.

Steel Magnolias. I like to see Julia Roberts die. I rewind. Play. Rewind. Play. Rewind. Play.

Boromir in LOTR (Agreeing with Nzie)

Anybody says Titanic and they are banned from the blog. I mean it.

Oh and the entire movie of Weekend at Bernies. The first one. After that it just got silly.

So what am I missing? What are your favorite scenes?