This one's easy...
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION!
Not only was it one of the greatest movies ever made -- it violated several so-called "no-nos" of screenwriting. All the "how to" books and articles tell you to stay away from narration/voice over and avoid flashbacks. Shawshank is a clinic on how to do both successfully and proves that some stories need those dynamics to function properly.
Of course, most of thhose "how to" books are geared twoard beginners, but the fact remains that there is a lot of literature that frowns on narration and flashbacks.
Do a little test -- pick your 5 favorite movies and determine how many of them have either or both. I'll bet at least 3 have either narration or flashbacks and at least 2 have both.
It just proves my theory that as long as you write well -- meaning writing so the audience can understand what the hell's going on -- you can do just about anything you want in a screenplay.
Here are some of my faves:
Memento - narration and flashbacks
Gladiator - flashbacks
Usual Suspects - flashbacks and (narration if you count Verbal's stories)
Snatch - narration
You get the point.
I think I got off topic -- but hey, I really wish I'd written Shawshank Redemption. Back on topic. Frank Darabont's a genius.
By the way, I also agree with the person above who mentioned "Aliens." Still, in my opinion, the best sequel (especially considering the quality of the original), ever made. Both movies solidified two of the greatest directors of our time.
Razor
