This is it. The top 20. feel free to hate, to comment, to berate, to congratulate, whatever. is it perfect? absolutely not, but i did what i could, and really, i'm pretty satisfied about the whole thing. These top 20 are all films that i either a.) love to a ridiculous extent, or b.) recognize as so unbelievably great that there's really not much of a point of discussing it all that much. at any rate, i could write an entire post about each and every one of these films, so i'll try my best to keep this to a reasonable length.
20. Heat (1995) - 89% on RT, 8.2 (#135) on IMDB
michael mann's tour de force. a true achievement in cinema. this 3 hour crime epic brings together two titans of cinema, deniro and pacino, before they became caricatures of themselves, in an epic show down that shows the men on differing sides of the law really aren't all that different. deniro plays a master thief, pacino, an obsessed detective, the men realize they really have more in common than either would like to admit. killmer, voight, sizemore and ashley judd are all terrific in supporting roles, but what makes this film is the direction. listen to those gunshots. this film is visceral and real. and where else can you find a downtown LA machine gun shootout that looks and feels so real? this is just an awesome, awesome movie, well worth the time investment. a true achievement for all parties involved.
19. Platoon (1986) - 86% on RT, 8.2 (#142) on IMDB
truly one of my all-time favorite films. i have watched the shit out of this movie again and again, and will continue to do so. oliver stone himself dropped out of yale and enlisted in the army, signing up for combat infantry duty in the jungles of vietnam. hard-hitting, relentless, devastating and brilliant, this film is the perfect war movie. it shows it characters, warts and all, not as heroes, but as people, people who are afraid, who change, who make mistakes. an unbelievable cast (charlie sheen, tom berenger, john c. mcginley, forest whitaker) just adds to the believability and absurdity of the whole vietnam experience. oliver stone paints a haunting vision of vietnam and what it was, one that pulls no punches and manages to teach without preaching, something so rare in filmmaking today. this took home a best picture statuette, among others, and deservedly so. everytime i go back to platoon, it has something new to offer. oh yeah, my favorite part about this film: the letters that taylor narrates are letters that oliver stone actually wrote to his grandmother when he was in the 'nam.
18. Fargo (1996) - 93% on RT, 8.3 (#120) on IMDB
a man, deeply in debt, whose business is in trouble, hires two goons to kidnap his own wife in an effort to extort ransom money from his wealth father in law. a convoluted series of events ensues. funny, quirky and violent with a great plot, great dialogue and some terrific performances, especially from francis mcdormand, who brought home best actress for her role as a pregnant sheriff's deputy trying to solve the crime. this is probably the coen bros.' best film, and one of the best films of the '90's. fargo has a lot to offer, and is really artfully done.
17. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - 97% on RT, 8.8 (#10) on IMDB
easily, and i mean EASILY the best of this legendary film franchise that has somehow made george lucas both a god and an enemy to the nerd community. this film is morally and emotionally enthralling, something that escapes the rest of the franchise. luke skywalker goes to be trained as a jedi, and the empire attempts to crush the rebellion, nearly succeeding. this is a film that succeeds alongside of its visual achievements, not because of like other sci-fi films. the placement, this high, of this film speaks to the impact that star wars has had on me, and the realization that this film stands head and shoulders above all the rest. i love love love this movie. just a damn good time.
16. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964) - 100% on RT, 8.7 (#26) on IMDB
ways to know someone is a master at their craft: they take something deadly serious (see: the prospect of nuclear war in 1964) and make a satirical comedy out of the whole thing. this film truly does a great job at sending up the absurdity of the whole cold war, and the idiots running the show. (gee, how much has really changed?) a flawless film with some amazing performances, especially out of peter sellers, with his many faces. a film that stands up incredibly well as one of the all time greats, even after all these years.
15. American Beauty (1999) - 89% on RT, 8.6 (#36) on IMDB
a terrific, beautifully made, terrifically acted send up of american life and mindless suburban nonsense. a funny, insightful film, sam mendes' big-screen debut won best picture for a reason. a man (kevin spacey in a career-defining role) who hates his life decides to turn his life around as his world unravels around him. the characters, while exaggerated, are recognizable as people we all know, and this film is disturbing for just how damn close it hits to home. the narrative is sharp, the satire stinging, and the visuals gorgeous. amazing performances, especially from spacey, annette bening and chris cooper. striking, brilliant use of color. this is a film i keep going back to, and lester burnham is one of the great characters of the past 20 years.
14. Braveheart (1995) - 76% on RT, 8.4 (#102) on IMDB
"every man dies, not every man truly lives" a truly, truly terrific film. probably the weirdest thing about it is that the #1 emotion i feel after watching it is regret that i have nothing comparable to live/die for today. amazing battle scenes and beautiful cinematography, this film has a lot of heart and spirit. gibson is terrific both in front of and behind the camera, and this spirited epic, despite its multiple historical inaccuracies, depicts the essence of the man and the legend who inspired a nation. if braveheart is ever on tv, i know what i'm doing for the next three hours.
13. The Departed (2006) - 92% on RT, 8.5 (#52) on IMDB
please please please don't watch this on FX and then judge it. this is modern american filmmaking at its best. funny, violent, profane, gritty and real, the departed is the only remake to win "best picture" (it's a remake of "Infernal Affairs"). nicholson is a force of nature on screen, really a great villain, and damon, dicaprio, wahlberg, sheen, baldwin and winstone all shine. engrossing, with great cinematography, performances, soundtrack, directing and a terrific screenplay. this is one of the best 2 or 3 films i've ever seen in the theater. awesome dialogue, with a great, tense plot, this is one of those films i've watched at least 30 times, and i don't see that stopping anytime soon. come for jack, stay for everyone else. no one does cops and robbers better than martin scorsese.
12. L.A. Confidential (1997) - 99% on RT, 8.4 (#65) on IMDB
an absolutely STACKED cast combines with artful direction and a terrific plot to make one of the best films of the past 20 years. just a perfect example of what can happen when an ensemble cast all bring it with a great story. a great homage to hollywood of old, in terms of the noir-ish plot, the setting/set design and the narrative style. kevin spacey (pre-american beauty), guy pearce, russell crowe (pre-gladiator), james cromwell and kim basinger all bring their a-games. three very different cops join forces and dig a little too deep as a murder mystery unravels to prove to be so much more, and winds up bringing the whole city down. just lose yourself in this film and love every minute of it, i give it my highest possible recommendation.
11. Children of Men (2006) - 92% on RT, 8.1 (#186) on IMDB
a beautiful, unsettling, gritty, authentic and disturbing look at the dystopia. in the near future, women have stopped having children, the world's youngest citizen has just died at age 18, and mankind faces its impending extinction. this film does a wonderful job, sociology-wise, of depicting the hopelessness and despair such a situation would bring to society, and you really feel the dread. society teeters on the brink of collapse, and humanity's only hope lies in a teenaged african immigrant prostitute who by some miracle is pregnant. clive owen is perfect, julianne moore is great, and michael caine steals every scene he's in. the apartment building scene will blow your mind... that's all i'm going to say about it. this film will leave you speechless and with plenty to think about. a truly beautiful film.
10. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - 94% on RT, 8.8 (#14) on IMDB
just as artfully done and beautifully put together as the other parts of this greatest trilogy in film, but so unbelievably epic its not even funny. this film is epic on a scale that braveheart could only dream of. the war for middle earth comes to a head, and the battle of minas tirith features some of the craziest shit ever put on film. it truly is unbelievable that peter jackson and co. managed to translate the greatest books in fantasy history to film, let alone in something as truly outstanding as this. there's a reason this film took home so many oscars, it really is a crowning achievement in film. a fitting end to an outstanding series. the only thing keeping this film out of the top 5 is the ridiculously boring last half hour, that i understand was necessary for the narrative, but really is anti-climatic.
9. Taxi Driver (1976) - 100% on RT, 8.6 (#37) on IMDB
rumor has it that scorsese read doestoevsky's "notes from underground" and then made taxi driver. it definitely seems that's the case, and if so, this is one of the great updates of all time. the first time i saw this film was in a philosophy class, and needless to say, it stuck with me like you wouldn't believe. fascinating narrative take here... every single scene is seen through travis bickle's eyes, so you kind of forget about how fucked up he really is and how skewed and out of whack his worldview, priorities and motivations are. it really makes for an interesting experience, bickle becomes your moral center, so you completely lose sight of what he's actually doing and find yourself rooting for his ass as he devotes himself to his mission of "cleansing". robert deniro gives one of the great performances of all time... you really can see how unstable his character is through deniro's eyes. at times its painful to watch, but you literally can't look away.
8. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - 98% on RT, 8.6 (#39) on IMDB
peter o'toole, in another one of those performances that absolutely must be mentioned as one for the ages. this film is perfect on every level. unbelievable cinematography and direction, great acting from the leads (o'toole, alec guinness, omar sharif). the scope of this film is outstanding... it feels as epic as anything made since, and all of that was without the benefit of computer effects. the true story of british officer t.e. lawrence who united the arab tribes against the turks in WW1, this film is especially prescient today. powerful without being preachy, this is a film that presents rather than tells, that tells the story of a great man in great times, and truly has a lot to offer today, some 47 years later.
7. The Godfather (1972) - 100% on RT, 9.1 (#2) on IMDB
every once in a while a film comes around that just leaves its mark on american culture and completely changes the game for everything that comes after it. a couple of films come to mind, but none more so than the godfather. one of the truly great achievements, culturally, critically, artistically in the history of film. truly, truly a perfect film, on every level. the story of a prized and beloved son who comes home for a wedding and is forced by circumstances to take over his father's crime empire. really a look at american culture and the mafia. beautifully and artfully done on every level. some amazing performances here, especially brando, but everyone is outstanding. brando's performance in this film made me truly start to appreciate actors for their craft. i'd list the ways in which this film impacted our culture, but really, i don't think we have that much time.
6. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - 89% on RT, 9.2 (#1) on IMDB
if i can think of example #1 of "travesties" w/ the academy... it would be forrest gump beating out shawshank for best picture. a powerful film that will stay with you, really one of those films that transcends age, race, social status and other biographical information to just be straight up outstanding. a story of hope, friendship and redemption in the strangest of places, a maximum security prison. a pair of outstanding performances from robbins and freeman and some dark/ambiguous moments make this film rise above the sappy and sentimental territory it tiptoes around and become something truly powerful and valuable. i've watched this film quite a bit lately, and it always offers something new. it's sad, it's funny, it's powerful, it's... well, in a word, amazing.
5. Pulp Fiction (1994) - 96% on RT, 8.9 (#5) on IMDB
this is THE film that made me love film. pulp fiction truly changed my life. unbelievably cool, unbelievably stylish, with incredible dialogue, some great performances, and a plot that somehow all comes together. really, the only negative i have with this movie is butch's annoying ass girlfriend ("will you give me oral pleasure?") it's not a stretch to say i've watched this movie 100 times... and i may just watch it 100 more before it's all said and done. at 2:45 long.. that's nothing to sneeze at, but this movie is that fucking good, and that fucking fun. every single scene has a lot to offer, the soundtrack is perfect... and this movie just oozes cool. there will never be another pulp fiction.
4. City of God/Cidade de Deus (2002) - 92% on RT, 8.8 (#17) on IMDB
a young man with connections to the street gangs of rio becomes the man on the beat with the inside information in this tale of the street violence, drugs and chaos on the streets of paradise. this is a beautifully done, amazing film. some outstanding performances from a bunch of kids and unknowns, this film is worth the time and effort, believe me. think "the wire", in rio de janerio, with more characterization of the primary players. a great story of growing up, friendship, and a look at the horrible realities of street crime in the slums of one of the world's most beautiful cities. a dark, yet extremely rewarding experience, this is truly an amazing film. i first watched it on a whim b/c it was the highest ranked of the IMDB top 250 that I hadn't seen... and it's stuck with me ever since. i cannot more highly recommend a film.
3. Godfather: Part II (1974) - 98% on RT, 9.0 (#3) on IMDB
undoubtedly the greatest sequel in cinematic history, this film, in my opinion, manages to exceed its predecessor, no small feat when we're talking about the godfather. the addition of the story of vito's rise from immigrant to crime baron accompanying michael's rise to national crime figure is enthralling. amazing, powerful performances, especially from robert deniro. i love the international scope of this film, profiling the depth of the mafia's involvement in world affairs and the details of vito's rise. plain and simple, this is an unbelievable film... and one that has so much to offer.. somehow 200 minutes long, but too damn short if you ask me. this film works on both a facial, literal level, and on a deeper, more figurative level (not that godfather I doesn't.) ... and i love it for that. i could watch this story all day.
2. Goodfellas (1990) - 96% on RT, 8.8 (#15) on IMDB
that scene above is one of the most legendary shots in the history of cinema. all one take. scorsese's masterpiece, and probably the best film of all time (let's be honest, #1 is a sentimental favorite of mine). call me crazy, but i prefer the smaller scope and regular joe feel of "goodfellas" to the grandiose scope and feel of the godfather films. liotta, deniro, and pesci all bring the goods... this film is eminently quotable, a lot of fun, and real as hell. a lot of amazing shots in this one, and some of the great characters, scenes and stories in all of cinema. this is another one of those films that i watch, re-watch, talk about, and re-watch again. i can't get enough goodfellas.
1. Road to Perdition (2002) - 82% on RT, 7.8 on IMDB
as should be obvious by its place on this list... this is my all-time favorite movie. i love, love, love it. no matter how close the bonds, blood is thicker than water. what are the only criticisms i've ever heard of it? something along the lines of "tom hanks wasn't believable as a mafia hitman"... listen, just because you can't buy america's golden boy as a bad guy doesn't mean it doesn't work. people used to say a black man couldn't be president also i believe. we usually call that prejudice. hanks is perfect for what michael sullivan needs to be. a cold-blooded bastard with tenderness when it comes to his family. an amazing cast, hanks, paul newman in his last on-screen role, jude law, daniel craig. one of the best directors in the game in sam mendes. beautifully, artistically shot, terrifically acted, and plain and simple, an amazing story. i'm a sucker for the father/son stories.. and this is a doozy. this film never fails to make me cry like a baby... and there's something amazing and beautiful about that. if you haven't seen this film, do it... for me. you won't regret it.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
40-21. getting creamier...
one comment i need to make. and that's simply this. fast & furious made $72.5 mil. last weekend. read that again. are you fucking kidding me? that blows my mind. never before has such a collection of talentless hacks conspired to commit such an atrocity on the american public. paul "the personality" walker? vin "the meatball" diesel? michelle "the snarl" rodriguez? what the fuck? this is bad comedy. the fact that fast & furious, made for no other purpose than to rake in dough and be a completely forgetful piece of trash is going to wind up making more money than "watchmen" (which, say what you want about it, but at least it was made with the right intentions) makes me want to give up, take a warm bath and open a couple of veins or at least cry a little bit. jesus christ. it's moments like this i feel like daniel plainview: "i look at people and see nothing worth liking" -- at any rate, land, ho! let's move this bitch along.
40. Leon: The Professional (1994) - 73% on RT, 8.6 (#34) on IMDB
a little girl's (a brilliant 12 year old natalie portman) family is murdered by dea agents (gary oldman), and she winds up with a loner french hitman (jean reno) who schools her in the art of killing and leads her on a mission of revenge. a strange concept, and an even stranger relationship (a love story between a 12 year old girl and a 40 year old french loner is unorthodox, to say the least), but it all works, and beautifully so. highly stylized shots and action sequences add to the story, but this is all about characters and is really a heartfelt film. watch the director's cut... it has a lot more of the awesome hitman training. beautifully shot, a terrific story, outstanding performances from the leads. these elements combine to make a film that rises above its elements and becomes something much more than a revenge tale.
39. The Usual Suspects (1995) - 89% on RT, 8.7 (#22) on IMDB
who is keyser soze? outstanding cast. kevin spacey, gabriel byrne and benicio del toro are on their A-games. one of the truly great crime thrillers, a brilliantly told story through some narrative techniques that will have you on the edge of your seat. a star making turn for the director, bryan singer, as well as del toro, this film is smart, stylish and clever, and you won't regret watching it in the end. a true modern classic that is on basically everyone's "best-of" list.
38. Memento (2000) - 94% on RT, 8.7 (#27) on IMDB
christopher nolan steps onto the scene in a big way. an incredibly original, tight, clever, trippy, mesmerizing psychological thriller. guy pearce is brilliant as leonard, a man with short-term memory loss struggling to piece together what happened in the wake of an attack on he and his wife. through the use of tattoos, notes and polaroids, leonard attempts to make sense of it all, although he's unable to remember the most trivial things. the audience travels along, attempting to piece the narrative together through the clues we, along with leonard, receive. really, a masterful piece of filmmaking. if you haven't seen this one, please, do so.
37. Rear Window (1954) - 100% on RT, 8.8 (#16) on IMDB
a master filmmaker at his best, hitchcock creates an eminently watchable classic. jimmy stewart is a photographer stuck in an apartment while recovering from a broken leg one hot summer. to pass the time, he looks out of his window and watches the people who live on the courtyard behind the apartment. he becomes convinced that something dastardly is underway and seeks to get to the bottom of it. tense, entertaining, and creepy as hell. this is a film that works on so many different levels, truly a timeless masterpiece.
36. Apocalypse Now (1979) - 98% on RT, 8.6 (#35) on IMDB
the film that almost killed martin sheen and francis coppola. loosely based on conrad's heart of darkness, this film is truly a masterwork about the horrors of war. martin sheen plays a u.s. commando sent deep into the jungle of cambodia to "terminate the command" of a u.s. colonel who has basically become a warlord for his own private kingdom and the horrors he encounters along the way (not to mention those he finds upon arrival). brilliant performances from sheen, brando and duvall. is this a war movie? not really... it's more of a commentary on the nature of man. this film is utterly transfixing.. and when brando finally makes his appearance, it's completely unforgettable.
35. No Country For Old Men (2007) - 94% on RT, 8.3 (#104) on IMDB
the brothers coen return to the list w/ the film that brought them oscar gold. a crime thriller w/ the coen bros' touch, this film is beautifully shot, with some powerful performances. josh brolin is terrific as llewlyn moss, a down on his luck small town guy who stumbles across a drug deal gone bad in the wilderness and winds up with $2 million in cash and the wrong men on his tail. javier bardem is terrifying as anton chigurh, a cold-blooded killer who is part angel of death, part force of nature. this is filmmaking done right, a great mix of suspense, humor and gravitas. on first watching, there aren't too many better films than this one.
34. Dances With Wolves (1990) - 77% on RT, 7.9 on IMDB
unquestionably costner's best work as both an actor and director. this beautiful film took home a boatload of oscars, and is really a love affair with the american west and the way things were. a man, wounded in the civil war, moves west, and winds up close with the wildlife and natives near his post. as you can imagine, when the army comes back, they aren't too happy with their colleague. the plot is really secondary to the beautiful shots and scenes... i cannot emphasize enough the natural beauty of this film. the sioux nation made kevin costner an honorary member after this film came out... that really tells you all you need to know about its depiction of native americans and the american west. and honestly, two socks getting killed is one of the saddest fucking things i can think of... i'm tearing up a little right now just thinking about it. there's something eminently beautiful about a film that powerful. wow... i didn't really realize how much i love this film until i started typing about it.
33. Infernal Affairs (2002) - 95% on RT, 8.1 (#250) on IMDB
the film that gave us the departed. two men, one a criminal, one, a cop, are placed in each others organizations and charged with finding the other. the men deal with the pressures, personal and otherwise of living these double lives in a tight, thrilling narrative leading up to an ultimate showdown. this film is more of a suspense film than the departed, and honestly, probably the only reason this is rated this low is b/c reading movies gets annoying after a while, and subtitles just sound like shit. so call me lazy, sorry, but this is truly a terrific film.
32. It's A Wonderful Life (1946) - 91% on RT, 8.6 (#30) on IMDB
"to my brother george, the richest man in town". one of the few brenner family traditions is watching this film either christmas eve or christmas day. sentimental? sure.. but capra and jimmy stewart (in his first film after WW2) created a timeless american classic that will always mean a lot to me, and millions of other people. a man who sacrificed and compromised his hopes and dreams for years feels as if he's at the end of his rope and is contemplating suicide after his hapless uncle lost the family savings & loan's monthly deposit and left them with a huge deficit, in swoops a goofball guardian angel who shows him how rich he truly is. if you haven't seen this movie, wait until sometime when you're really depressed (dumped, fired, whatever) and/or around the holidays, and take a couple of hours and check out a real classic.
31. Requiem for a Dream (2000) - 78% on RT, 8.5 (#63) on IMDB
the hairbrained schemes, the delusions of grandeur, the lying, cheating, stealing. this is a brutal, hard-hitting, authentic use at drug addiction. a young man, his girlfriend, best friend and mother see their lives spin out of control due to their various addictions (heroin, coke, and diet pills/speed). this is THE film that should be shown to all highschoolers... if jennifer connelly doing a double sided dildo in the ass for coke doesn't scare you away from drugs, nothing will. completely authentic, riveting, and utterly terrifying, requiem for a dream pulls no punches and will leave you with that "wow" feeling afterwards, because your world was just shaken. darren aronofsky is truly a modern master (even if the bastard did steal my girl).
30. Full Metal Jacket (1987) - 96% on RT, 8.3 (#93) on IMDB
"The ones that run, are VC, the ones that stand still are highly disciplined VC"
"how do you shoot women? and children?" - "it's easy, you don't lead 'em as much" stanley kubrick makes his entrance to the list with a modern american antiwar classic. this film follows a group of recruits from bootcamp to combat in vietnam and shows the various degrees of mind-fuck that take place along the way. midway through, it abruptly switches from parris island, sc. to the skies, fields and streets of vietnam. a troubling look at the effects of war and the training for war on young men, this film is highly upsetting, and it should be. a terrific piece of filmmaking that pulls no punches and just puts it all out there.
29. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - 96% on RT, 8.6 (#33) on IMDB
the epic quest becomes an epic war in part II of cinema's greatest trilogy. our heroes encounter one of the most epic battles ever seen on screen, more villains and creatures of middle earth, as well as some new (and old) friends as the battle draws nearer to its conclusion. also, if you are not in the right place mentally, beware walking, talking trees. they will freak you out. some terrific acting, especially from viggo mortensen and ian mcklellan, and of course, the film is ridiculously beautifully made and shot. really, do yourself a favor and take a weekend and watch all three over the course of a day or two. you won't regret it. i enjoy the second film significantly more than i enjoy the first... and that's saying something.
28. Reservoir Dogs (1992) - 95% on RT, 8.4 (#69) on IMDB
world, meet quentin tarantino, quentin tarantino, meet the world. the film that brought QT onto the scene. derivative? sure. stylized? you betcha. but he makes some films that are fucking fun to watch and pretty damn cool. in this film about a crime caper gone bad, Q shows you what he's all about, some smart, snazzy dialogue, non-linear narrative, stylized shots, great soundtrack and gratuitous violence (the "stuck in the middle/ear" scene is awesomely fucked up). sign me up, check it out if you haven't already.
27. Gangs of New York (2002) - 76% on RT, 7.4 on IMDB
a favorite of mine that keeps me coming back and back again. scorsese is ambitious as hell with this one, part historical study, part character study, part commentary on who we were.. this film has so much to offer. an AMAZING performance from the batshit crazy daniel day-lewis as one of the greatest movie villains of all time... but is he really even a villain? he's a bad guy, sure... but who isn't in this film? great characters, great dialogue, beautiful sets and shots... simply a great film. it's not the tightest script and plot in the world, but hey, when a film manages to take you to another place like this one does, who's complaining? one of two decent performances cameron diaz has ever given. there's a quote on IMDB about how George Lucas told Scorsese while Scorsese was building the sets for Gangs in italy: "you don't have to do that anymore, they can do everything on computers now". that, george, is why your prequels suck, and why martin scorsese continues to bring the goods in film after film. not to mention that this is the movie where leo went from boy to man and stepped into the ranks of my favorite actors. granted, he can't hold the screen with DDL, at least he couldn't in 2002, but he's on his way there.
26. A Clockwork Orange (1971) - 90% on RT, 8.5 (#50) on IMDB
stanley kubrick, welcome back. a great book, a great film, about violence, depravity, maturity and youth. a true master of cinema takes you on a troubling, psychadelic nightmare through a dystopian future where lawlessness is rampant and "ultraviolence" and sociopathic behavior is the norm. malcolm mcdowell shines as alex, the ringleader of a wild gang of "droogs" who embark on a journey or rape, murder and mayhem through a chaotic and hypersexualized near future. after inadvertently murdering a woman, alex receives a prison sentence, where he is "reprogrammed" and released, only to be "cured" again after the sins of his past catch up with him. a trippy, crazy movie that will just stay with you. heavy with symbolism, its own orwellian dialect and allegory, kubrick's take on the dystopia has a lot to offer.
25. Blade Runner (1982) - 94% on RT, 8.3 (#109) on IMDB
a truly beautifully shot film, ridley scott gives the world a noir/sci-fi classic. i'm blogging about "the final cut", which just came out a couple of years ago. in my opinion, this cut is perfection. in this dark, polluted, dreary of 2019 L.A., harrison ford plays a detective hunting "replicants", life-like androids who are used as slaves. deckard gets in WAY over his head, and deep philosophical issues abound, like all great sci-fi. this is a true classic that only gets better on re-watching.
24. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - 94% on RT, 8.7 (#18) on IMDB
probably the best, if not necessarily the most fun, of one of the great film series of all time. spielberg and lucas combine to bring the adventure film to life in a true classic. karen allen is terrific as dr. jones' comedic/romantic foil, and hell, fighting nazi's is always awesome. people (and me) love the judeo/christian mythology, combine that with some awesome action sequences, cool dialogue, some legitimately funny scenes, and the sense of adventure and awe the differing locales bring the table, and "Raiders" stands up there as an all-time classic.
23. Raging Bull (1980) - 98% on RT, 8.4 (#72) on IMDB
scorsese + deniro, does anything else really need to be said at this point? a truly devastating look at the dark side of masculinity. deniro is absolutely out-of-his mind BRILLIANT in this role as self-destructive boxer jake lamatta. deniro and scorsese create a completely unsympathetic protagonist and it's sometimes hard to watch as the same attributes that make lamatta a champion boxer cause his life to spiral violently out of control as he ruins his relationships one by one. it's not always fun to watch, but you cannot take your eyes off the screen.
22. Gladiator (2000) - 77% on RT, 8.3 (#116) on IMDB
this is a film that got completely lucky with its casting. russell crowe breaks onto the a-list in a big way, joachin phoenix is completely evil as the emperor commodus, and dijimon honsou is great as the companion with a heart of gold. ridley scott creates a film that is grandiose and great in scope. even if the plot is entirely fictional, everything looks like it should look.. you are taken to ancient rome and the grandeur of the coliseum. in my opinion, the ending is a little weak, i would have much rather maximus led his army against the emperor's at the gates of rome, but hey, who am i to complain. an awesome film that really sticks with you. russell crowe's greatest role, and truly one of the best films of the 2000's. it took home a shit-ton of oscars for a reason.
21. Schindler's List (1993) - 96% on RT, 8.9 (#7) on IMDB
spielberg's dramatic masterpiece is also the definitive work of fiction on the holocaust. powerful, gripping, and horrible. oskar schindler (liam neeson) hires jews to work in his factory in poland, saving them from destruction by the nazis. beautifully shot, powerfully acted (neeson, ralph fiennes and ben kingsley are all outstanding) and a powerful story make this one of the truly unforgettable films that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. this film depicts the horrors of the second world war in a manner that is neither intended to shock or disgust, but merely to document. spielberg brings his usual tender touch to the most horrible event in human history, with unforgettable effect. another film that should be required viewing in america's schools... sometimes a (motion) picture speaks 1,000 words. there's a reason why this film brought home a boatload of oscar's. haunting score, haunting shots, just devastating... you will not forget this film.
40. Leon: The Professional (1994) - 73% on RT, 8.6 (#34) on IMDB
a little girl's (a brilliant 12 year old natalie portman) family is murdered by dea agents (gary oldman), and she winds up with a loner french hitman (jean reno) who schools her in the art of killing and leads her on a mission of revenge. a strange concept, and an even stranger relationship (a love story between a 12 year old girl and a 40 year old french loner is unorthodox, to say the least), but it all works, and beautifully so. highly stylized shots and action sequences add to the story, but this is all about characters and is really a heartfelt film. watch the director's cut... it has a lot more of the awesome hitman training. beautifully shot, a terrific story, outstanding performances from the leads. these elements combine to make a film that rises above its elements and becomes something much more than a revenge tale.
39. The Usual Suspects (1995) - 89% on RT, 8.7 (#22) on IMDB
who is keyser soze? outstanding cast. kevin spacey, gabriel byrne and benicio del toro are on their A-games. one of the truly great crime thrillers, a brilliantly told story through some narrative techniques that will have you on the edge of your seat. a star making turn for the director, bryan singer, as well as del toro, this film is smart, stylish and clever, and you won't regret watching it in the end. a true modern classic that is on basically everyone's "best-of" list.
38. Memento (2000) - 94% on RT, 8.7 (#27) on IMDB
christopher nolan steps onto the scene in a big way. an incredibly original, tight, clever, trippy, mesmerizing psychological thriller. guy pearce is brilliant as leonard, a man with short-term memory loss struggling to piece together what happened in the wake of an attack on he and his wife. through the use of tattoos, notes and polaroids, leonard attempts to make sense of it all, although he's unable to remember the most trivial things. the audience travels along, attempting to piece the narrative together through the clues we, along with leonard, receive. really, a masterful piece of filmmaking. if you haven't seen this one, please, do so.
37. Rear Window (1954) - 100% on RT, 8.8 (#16) on IMDB
a master filmmaker at his best, hitchcock creates an eminently watchable classic. jimmy stewart is a photographer stuck in an apartment while recovering from a broken leg one hot summer. to pass the time, he looks out of his window and watches the people who live on the courtyard behind the apartment. he becomes convinced that something dastardly is underway and seeks to get to the bottom of it. tense, entertaining, and creepy as hell. this is a film that works on so many different levels, truly a timeless masterpiece.
36. Apocalypse Now (1979) - 98% on RT, 8.6 (#35) on IMDB
the film that almost killed martin sheen and francis coppola. loosely based on conrad's heart of darkness, this film is truly a masterwork about the horrors of war. martin sheen plays a u.s. commando sent deep into the jungle of cambodia to "terminate the command" of a u.s. colonel who has basically become a warlord for his own private kingdom and the horrors he encounters along the way (not to mention those he finds upon arrival). brilliant performances from sheen, brando and duvall. is this a war movie? not really... it's more of a commentary on the nature of man. this film is utterly transfixing.. and when brando finally makes his appearance, it's completely unforgettable.
35. No Country For Old Men (2007) - 94% on RT, 8.3 (#104) on IMDB
the brothers coen return to the list w/ the film that brought them oscar gold. a crime thriller w/ the coen bros' touch, this film is beautifully shot, with some powerful performances. josh brolin is terrific as llewlyn moss, a down on his luck small town guy who stumbles across a drug deal gone bad in the wilderness and winds up with $2 million in cash and the wrong men on his tail. javier bardem is terrifying as anton chigurh, a cold-blooded killer who is part angel of death, part force of nature. this is filmmaking done right, a great mix of suspense, humor and gravitas. on first watching, there aren't too many better films than this one.
34. Dances With Wolves (1990) - 77% on RT, 7.9 on IMDB
unquestionably costner's best work as both an actor and director. this beautiful film took home a boatload of oscars, and is really a love affair with the american west and the way things were. a man, wounded in the civil war, moves west, and winds up close with the wildlife and natives near his post. as you can imagine, when the army comes back, they aren't too happy with their colleague. the plot is really secondary to the beautiful shots and scenes... i cannot emphasize enough the natural beauty of this film. the sioux nation made kevin costner an honorary member after this film came out... that really tells you all you need to know about its depiction of native americans and the american west. and honestly, two socks getting killed is one of the saddest fucking things i can think of... i'm tearing up a little right now just thinking about it. there's something eminently beautiful about a film that powerful. wow... i didn't really realize how much i love this film until i started typing about it.
33. Infernal Affairs (2002) - 95% on RT, 8.1 (#250) on IMDB
the film that gave us the departed. two men, one a criminal, one, a cop, are placed in each others organizations and charged with finding the other. the men deal with the pressures, personal and otherwise of living these double lives in a tight, thrilling narrative leading up to an ultimate showdown. this film is more of a suspense film than the departed, and honestly, probably the only reason this is rated this low is b/c reading movies gets annoying after a while, and subtitles just sound like shit. so call me lazy, sorry, but this is truly a terrific film.
32. It's A Wonderful Life (1946) - 91% on RT, 8.6 (#30) on IMDB
"to my brother george, the richest man in town". one of the few brenner family traditions is watching this film either christmas eve or christmas day. sentimental? sure.. but capra and jimmy stewart (in his first film after WW2) created a timeless american classic that will always mean a lot to me, and millions of other people. a man who sacrificed and compromised his hopes and dreams for years feels as if he's at the end of his rope and is contemplating suicide after his hapless uncle lost the family savings & loan's monthly deposit and left them with a huge deficit, in swoops a goofball guardian angel who shows him how rich he truly is. if you haven't seen this movie, wait until sometime when you're really depressed (dumped, fired, whatever) and/or around the holidays, and take a couple of hours and check out a real classic.
31. Requiem for a Dream (2000) - 78% on RT, 8.5 (#63) on IMDB
the hairbrained schemes, the delusions of grandeur, the lying, cheating, stealing. this is a brutal, hard-hitting, authentic use at drug addiction. a young man, his girlfriend, best friend and mother see their lives spin out of control due to their various addictions (heroin, coke, and diet pills/speed). this is THE film that should be shown to all highschoolers... if jennifer connelly doing a double sided dildo in the ass for coke doesn't scare you away from drugs, nothing will. completely authentic, riveting, and utterly terrifying, requiem for a dream pulls no punches and will leave you with that "wow" feeling afterwards, because your world was just shaken. darren aronofsky is truly a modern master (even if the bastard did steal my girl).
30. Full Metal Jacket (1987) - 96% on RT, 8.3 (#93) on IMDB
"The ones that run, are VC, the ones that stand still are highly disciplined VC"
"how do you shoot women? and children?" - "it's easy, you don't lead 'em as much" stanley kubrick makes his entrance to the list with a modern american antiwar classic. this film follows a group of recruits from bootcamp to combat in vietnam and shows the various degrees of mind-fuck that take place along the way. midway through, it abruptly switches from parris island, sc. to the skies, fields and streets of vietnam. a troubling look at the effects of war and the training for war on young men, this film is highly upsetting, and it should be. a terrific piece of filmmaking that pulls no punches and just puts it all out there.
29. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - 96% on RT, 8.6 (#33) on IMDB
the epic quest becomes an epic war in part II of cinema's greatest trilogy. our heroes encounter one of the most epic battles ever seen on screen, more villains and creatures of middle earth, as well as some new (and old) friends as the battle draws nearer to its conclusion. also, if you are not in the right place mentally, beware walking, talking trees. they will freak you out. some terrific acting, especially from viggo mortensen and ian mcklellan, and of course, the film is ridiculously beautifully made and shot. really, do yourself a favor and take a weekend and watch all three over the course of a day or two. you won't regret it. i enjoy the second film significantly more than i enjoy the first... and that's saying something.
28. Reservoir Dogs (1992) - 95% on RT, 8.4 (#69) on IMDB
world, meet quentin tarantino, quentin tarantino, meet the world. the film that brought QT onto the scene. derivative? sure. stylized? you betcha. but he makes some films that are fucking fun to watch and pretty damn cool. in this film about a crime caper gone bad, Q shows you what he's all about, some smart, snazzy dialogue, non-linear narrative, stylized shots, great soundtrack and gratuitous violence (the "stuck in the middle/ear" scene is awesomely fucked up). sign me up, check it out if you haven't already.
27. Gangs of New York (2002) - 76% on RT, 7.4 on IMDB
a favorite of mine that keeps me coming back and back again. scorsese is ambitious as hell with this one, part historical study, part character study, part commentary on who we were.. this film has so much to offer. an AMAZING performance from the batshit crazy daniel day-lewis as one of the greatest movie villains of all time... but is he really even a villain? he's a bad guy, sure... but who isn't in this film? great characters, great dialogue, beautiful sets and shots... simply a great film. it's not the tightest script and plot in the world, but hey, when a film manages to take you to another place like this one does, who's complaining? one of two decent performances cameron diaz has ever given. there's a quote on IMDB about how George Lucas told Scorsese while Scorsese was building the sets for Gangs in italy: "you don't have to do that anymore, they can do everything on computers now". that, george, is why your prequels suck, and why martin scorsese continues to bring the goods in film after film. not to mention that this is the movie where leo went from boy to man and stepped into the ranks of my favorite actors. granted, he can't hold the screen with DDL, at least he couldn't in 2002, but he's on his way there.
26. A Clockwork Orange (1971) - 90% on RT, 8.5 (#50) on IMDB
stanley kubrick, welcome back. a great book, a great film, about violence, depravity, maturity and youth. a true master of cinema takes you on a troubling, psychadelic nightmare through a dystopian future where lawlessness is rampant and "ultraviolence" and sociopathic behavior is the norm. malcolm mcdowell shines as alex, the ringleader of a wild gang of "droogs" who embark on a journey or rape, murder and mayhem through a chaotic and hypersexualized near future. after inadvertently murdering a woman, alex receives a prison sentence, where he is "reprogrammed" and released, only to be "cured" again after the sins of his past catch up with him. a trippy, crazy movie that will just stay with you. heavy with symbolism, its own orwellian dialect and allegory, kubrick's take on the dystopia has a lot to offer.
25. Blade Runner (1982) - 94% on RT, 8.3 (#109) on IMDB
a truly beautifully shot film, ridley scott gives the world a noir/sci-fi classic. i'm blogging about "the final cut", which just came out a couple of years ago. in my opinion, this cut is perfection. in this dark, polluted, dreary of 2019 L.A., harrison ford plays a detective hunting "replicants", life-like androids who are used as slaves. deckard gets in WAY over his head, and deep philosophical issues abound, like all great sci-fi. this is a true classic that only gets better on re-watching.
24. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - 94% on RT, 8.7 (#18) on IMDB
probably the best, if not necessarily the most fun, of one of the great film series of all time. spielberg and lucas combine to bring the adventure film to life in a true classic. karen allen is terrific as dr. jones' comedic/romantic foil, and hell, fighting nazi's is always awesome. people (and me) love the judeo/christian mythology, combine that with some awesome action sequences, cool dialogue, some legitimately funny scenes, and the sense of adventure and awe the differing locales bring the table, and "Raiders" stands up there as an all-time classic.
23. Raging Bull (1980) - 98% on RT, 8.4 (#72) on IMDB
scorsese + deniro, does anything else really need to be said at this point? a truly devastating look at the dark side of masculinity. deniro is absolutely out-of-his mind BRILLIANT in this role as self-destructive boxer jake lamatta. deniro and scorsese create a completely unsympathetic protagonist and it's sometimes hard to watch as the same attributes that make lamatta a champion boxer cause his life to spiral violently out of control as he ruins his relationships one by one. it's not always fun to watch, but you cannot take your eyes off the screen.
22. Gladiator (2000) - 77% on RT, 8.3 (#116) on IMDB
this is a film that got completely lucky with its casting. russell crowe breaks onto the a-list in a big way, joachin phoenix is completely evil as the emperor commodus, and dijimon honsou is great as the companion with a heart of gold. ridley scott creates a film that is grandiose and great in scope. even if the plot is entirely fictional, everything looks like it should look.. you are taken to ancient rome and the grandeur of the coliseum. in my opinion, the ending is a little weak, i would have much rather maximus led his army against the emperor's at the gates of rome, but hey, who am i to complain. an awesome film that really sticks with you. russell crowe's greatest role, and truly one of the best films of the 2000's. it took home a shit-ton of oscars for a reason.
21. Schindler's List (1993) - 96% on RT, 8.9 (#7) on IMDB
spielberg's dramatic masterpiece is also the definitive work of fiction on the holocaust. powerful, gripping, and horrible. oskar schindler (liam neeson) hires jews to work in his factory in poland, saving them from destruction by the nazis. beautifully shot, powerfully acted (neeson, ralph fiennes and ben kingsley are all outstanding) and a powerful story make this one of the truly unforgettable films that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. this film depicts the horrors of the second world war in a manner that is neither intended to shock or disgust, but merely to document. spielberg brings his usual tender touch to the most horrible event in human history, with unforgettable effect. another film that should be required viewing in america's schools... sometimes a (motion) picture speaks 1,000 words. there's a reason why this film brought home a boatload of oscar's. haunting score, haunting shots, just devastating... you will not forget this film.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Chapter 3; The Top 100: 60-41 - The march goes on.
i apologize about the delay between posts... no worries, my enthusiasm never waned. i got rather busy with school, had a little spring allergy situation, had a little sports injury situation, had a little atomic two-day bachelor party hangover situation, but all is well, and i'm back, bringing the business. anyway, enough about me, here's chapter 3.
60. There Will Be Blood (2007) - 91% on RT, 8.3 (#122) on IMDB
a quintessential american tale from a pair of mad geniuses, There Will Be Blood adapts upton sinclair's novel "oil" into a frighteningly prescient take on greed, american business, oil and family via a character study of daniel plainview, a man who will stop at nothing to succeed. the brilliant daniel day lewis brings the goods, per usual, and paul "i was the tall nerdy friend in "the girl next door" dano, does a stand-up job in holding the screen alongside this true cinematic icon. paul anderson's direction is nothing short of brilliant. johnny greenwood's score is terrific, and the cinematography is, in a word, gorgeous. truly one of the classics of the 2000's, ad a film and performance that will only get better with time.
59. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 96% on RT, 8.7 (#24) on IMDB
one of the truly great thrillers. one of the all-time great movie villains... right up there with anyone. hopkins gives a truly terrifying performance as the brilliant, psychotic and cannibalistic hannibal lector. this is one of those films that just stays with you. one of the 90's best, without a doubt.
58. Unforgiven (1992) - 96% on RT, 8.3 (#111) on IMDB
there's a reason why this took home a boatload of oscars, including eastwood's first best director statue. this is about as far away as the romanticized western as you can get. clint eastwood shines both in front and behind of the camera in this tale of the nature of evil, revenge, friendship and redemption. outstanding acting from morgan freeman and gene hackman in supporting roles, and truly just a powerful film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. do yourself a favor and rent this film before you say you don't like westerns.
57. Jurassic Park (1993) - 86% on RT, 7.8 on IMDB
this film is great in so many ways. i won't necessarily say it's one of the best movies, but it's certainly one of the greatest films, in terms of its vision, ambition and what it means to audiences. i loved loved loved this movie when i was younger... and i'll never forget the experience of seeing it in the theater for the first time. this film is what big budget films should aspire to be, and a perfect example of why steven spielberg is so beloved by audiences and respected throughout the industry. this film is important for what it meant to audiences and to the industry, it truly transformed computer effects in films, and honestly, the effects stand up against anything being done today, 16 years later, that tells you all you need to know about steven spielberg as a filmmaker.
56. Miller's Crossing (1990) - 90% on RT, 8.0 on IMDB
really a fine piece of filmmaking from the brothers coen. gangland troubles abound. now, it's no secret i dig a good mob flick, and this is really underappreciated as far as those go. a terrific plot, great acting, great dialogue, great characters, just all in all, a great film. i saw this film for the first time a few months ago, and it just got better on rewatching. gabriel byrne is terrific, marcia gay harden is (somehow) not annoying, and albert finney is great as the aging boss. do yourself a favor and go check out this movie. all in all, this film just does it, on so many levels. it's smart, sleek, stylish and yet gritty (if that makes sense), and a true example of masterful filmmaking from a couple of master filmmakers. something tells me this film is destined to move up this list.
55. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - 98% on RT, 7.9 on IMDB
take everything i said (gushed?) about spielberg earlier, and bump the target audience down a few years. boom, you've got a timeless classic of friendship, wonder and childhood fantasy. this tale of a lost, harmless, homesick alien and his friend (EL-LIOT) tugs at the heartstrings and so much more. i re-watched this film a few months back for the first time since i was a little kid, and i literally cried my ass off. this is just a beautiful, powerful film.
54. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966) - 98% on RT, 9.0 (#4) on IMDB
the 3rd part of sergio leone's dollars trilogy and unquestionably the greatest. this is maybe a perfect movie. brilliantly directed, brilliantly acted, brilliantly written. three gunslingers compete to find a fortune in confederate gold. epic. violent. immense. oh, and did i already say brilliant? this film contains the definitive and greatest face-off. it's interesting to me that the greatest western of all time was made by an italian... but i'm not complaining.
53. Donnie Brasco (1997) - 85% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
in this film fbi agent joe pistone (depp) goes undercover with the mob, and makes friends with tough luck wiseguy lefty (a BRILLIANT Al Pacino). this is one of my favorite mob movies, it's subtle, with some real looks at the life of a wiseguy, with only one scene of real violence. this is a film about characters and conflicting loyalties, really filmmaking at its best. michael madsen is also terrific. this film is very under-appreciated and very underrated. do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a pair of great performances in a great film, you won't be disappointed.
52. Munich (2005) - 77% on RT, 7.8 on IMDB
spielberg delivers one of the best and most under-appreciated films of the 2000's. spielberg delivers an even-handed approach to the israeli/palestinian conflict and the nature of violence. it took a lot of guts to make a film like this in this day and age. at the 1972 munich olympics, palestinian militants known as "black september" abducted and killed members of the israeli olympic team. this film is a story of the israeli response. eric bana gives the performance of his career as avner, the leader of the israeli team. this is a film about right and wrong, about vengeance and is a beautifully made film to boot. this is truly a terrific film.
51. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - 92% on RT, 8.7 (#20) on IMDB
the first chapter to the greatest motion picture trilogy of all time. the books that defined fantasy are somehow topped by peter jackson's immaculate film adaptations. this is my least favorite, just because it's the least epic and i happen to think hobbits are boring, but that's not really too much of a complaint when the end product is as outstanding as this. just a beautifully made film, this is the work of artists that love the source material and really care about what they're doing. these films are beautiful and utterly engrossing. probably the only thing keeping me from watching them over and over again is the fact that they're so damn long... but they're completely worth the time investment.
50. Field of Dreams (1989) - 91% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
is this really a "sports movie"? i don't know. it's certainly about the love of baseball, that great american game. it's about hopes, dreams, regrets, second changes and it's also about family, it's about fathers and sons and the bonds and (often unspoken) love between them. this movie makes me cry like a little baby, and unabashedly so. it's a beautiful piece of americana, and it knows exactly what it is, and is so perfectly. a powerful film that has a lot of heart.
49. The Deer Hunter (1978) - 91% on RT, 8.2 (#136) on IMDB
a group of smalltown steelworker friends and hunting pals experience the horrors of war in vietnam. this isn't really a war movie, it's more a film about the effects of war on everyday life. mindblowing performances from deniro and walken, terrific direction and an incredibly powerful emotional voice. the russian roulette scene will blow your mind.
48. The Last of the Mohicans (1992) - 97% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
the living legend, daniel day lewis, back when he was only 80% batshit crazy. one of my favorite directors taking a chance and making a terrific, gorgeous, and real-feeling film. set during the french & indian wars, mann shows a true appreciation for the beauty of the american wilderness. gorgeous shots, terrific acting, and some of the most authentic-feeling battles in any film. a true modern classic.
47. 12 Angry Men (1957) - 100% on RT, 8.9 (#9) on IMDB
truly one of the all-time greats. proof positive that a film doesn't need to be visually stunning, grandiose in scope or deal with great tales of great men to be outstanding. poignant, powerful, and still standing up today, 50 years later, this film is a great testimony to the power of the american system and the individual. 12 jurors, with differing backgrounds, opinions and approaches, must come together to determine the fate of a young man accused of murder. engrossing, and one that's just as powerful today as it was 52 years ago.
46. The Matrix (1999) - 86% on RT, 8.7 (#29) on IMDB
this is one of those movies that changed everything, forever. movies made after the matrix are completely different than those made before. it changed the face of special effects, of action movies, of sci-fi. everyone remembers the first time they saw this film. the wachowski bros. made themselves into major hollywood players and created one of the all-time great franchises. its not often that a film comes out of nowhere and enters the everyday culture... this is one of those films. one of the few films that keanu's ass doesn't completely ruin just by being a blank slate. it kind of works... even the "whoa"'s kind of fit.
45. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - 89% on RT, 8.3 (#107) on IMDB
definitely the most fun of the series. also, definitely one of my all-time favorite fucking movies. there's something that just makes indiana jones more fun when its dealing with christian mythology. fun, action packed, and ford and connery enjoy great on-screen chemistry. plus... who doesn't like fighting nazi's? expertly acted, expertly directed, great cinematography, this film just works on so many levels. i guess you can call the last 10 entries or so the steven spielberg section of the list.
44. Chinatown (1974) - 100% on RT, 8.5 (#57) on IMDB
i can't come up with a flaw with this film. great performances, unbelievable writing/story and terrific directing. nicholson is unbelievable and proves why he absolutely MUST be included in any discussion of greatest living actors. chinatown is a true classic... film noir at its best. dark, cynical, and brilliant. a few more re-watchings would move this film higher and higher... i'm certain of it. check this film, you won't regret it.
43. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) - 85% on RT, 8.0 (#218) on IMDB
in contrast to the cartoonish, over the top kill bill 1, kill bill 2 is just right. classic tarantino, and one of his best. B continues on her quest of revenge, slicing through the rest of bill's crew and running into some difficulties on the way. smart, snazzy dialogue, a great plot, terrific performances and stylized filmmaking make this a great, fun movie to watch. enjoy.
42. The Manchurian Candidate (1962) - 98% on RT, 8.3 (#113) on IMDB
this film came out the year before JFK got assassinated. watch it, and then read that sentence again. communists brainwash an american prisoner to be a political assassin, and members of the unit gradually remember more and more through dreams. the seeming golden boy turns out to be anything but in this psychological/political drama that was WAY ahead of its time. fuck the denzel remake, do yourself a favor and check the original. easily frank sinatra's best performance as an actor... angela lansbury has apparently not aged since the kennedy assassination. terrific performances all around. this really is a great, great film.
41. Casablanca (1942) - 96% on RT, 8.8 (#11) on IMDB
set in unoccupied north africa in the early days of WW2, one of the great love stories of all time is guaranteed to make an impact on you. terrific cast, great direction, unbelievable writing. an american expatriate in morocco runs across his former lover, and an all time classic takes place. a beautiful story and a beautiful film... really, just perfect. it's interesting to think that ronald reagan was originally cast in bogart's role but had to step aside due to his service in the war. i wouldn't change a thing about this film... it remains powerful and poignant today, almost 70 years later... there's something beautiful and amazing about that.
60. There Will Be Blood (2007) - 91% on RT, 8.3 (#122) on IMDB
a quintessential american tale from a pair of mad geniuses, There Will Be Blood adapts upton sinclair's novel "oil" into a frighteningly prescient take on greed, american business, oil and family via a character study of daniel plainview, a man who will stop at nothing to succeed. the brilliant daniel day lewis brings the goods, per usual, and paul "i was the tall nerdy friend in "the girl next door" dano, does a stand-up job in holding the screen alongside this true cinematic icon. paul anderson's direction is nothing short of brilliant. johnny greenwood's score is terrific, and the cinematography is, in a word, gorgeous. truly one of the classics of the 2000's, ad a film and performance that will only get better with time.
59. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 96% on RT, 8.7 (#24) on IMDB
one of the truly great thrillers. one of the all-time great movie villains... right up there with anyone. hopkins gives a truly terrifying performance as the brilliant, psychotic and cannibalistic hannibal lector. this is one of those films that just stays with you. one of the 90's best, without a doubt.
58. Unforgiven (1992) - 96% on RT, 8.3 (#111) on IMDB
there's a reason why this took home a boatload of oscars, including eastwood's first best director statue. this is about as far away as the romanticized western as you can get. clint eastwood shines both in front and behind of the camera in this tale of the nature of evil, revenge, friendship and redemption. outstanding acting from morgan freeman and gene hackman in supporting roles, and truly just a powerful film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. do yourself a favor and rent this film before you say you don't like westerns.
57. Jurassic Park (1993) - 86% on RT, 7.8 on IMDB
this film is great in so many ways. i won't necessarily say it's one of the best movies, but it's certainly one of the greatest films, in terms of its vision, ambition and what it means to audiences. i loved loved loved this movie when i was younger... and i'll never forget the experience of seeing it in the theater for the first time. this film is what big budget films should aspire to be, and a perfect example of why steven spielberg is so beloved by audiences and respected throughout the industry. this film is important for what it meant to audiences and to the industry, it truly transformed computer effects in films, and honestly, the effects stand up against anything being done today, 16 years later, that tells you all you need to know about steven spielberg as a filmmaker.
56. Miller's Crossing (1990) - 90% on RT, 8.0 on IMDB
really a fine piece of filmmaking from the brothers coen. gangland troubles abound. now, it's no secret i dig a good mob flick, and this is really underappreciated as far as those go. a terrific plot, great acting, great dialogue, great characters, just all in all, a great film. i saw this film for the first time a few months ago, and it just got better on rewatching. gabriel byrne is terrific, marcia gay harden is (somehow) not annoying, and albert finney is great as the aging boss. do yourself a favor and go check out this movie. all in all, this film just does it, on so many levels. it's smart, sleek, stylish and yet gritty (if that makes sense), and a true example of masterful filmmaking from a couple of master filmmakers. something tells me this film is destined to move up this list.
55. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - 98% on RT, 7.9 on IMDB
take everything i said (gushed?) about spielberg earlier, and bump the target audience down a few years. boom, you've got a timeless classic of friendship, wonder and childhood fantasy. this tale of a lost, harmless, homesick alien and his friend (EL-LIOT) tugs at the heartstrings and so much more. i re-watched this film a few months back for the first time since i was a little kid, and i literally cried my ass off. this is just a beautiful, powerful film.
54. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly (1966) - 98% on RT, 9.0 (#4) on IMDB
the 3rd part of sergio leone's dollars trilogy and unquestionably the greatest. this is maybe a perfect movie. brilliantly directed, brilliantly acted, brilliantly written. three gunslingers compete to find a fortune in confederate gold. epic. violent. immense. oh, and did i already say brilliant? this film contains the definitive and greatest face-off. it's interesting to me that the greatest western of all time was made by an italian... but i'm not complaining.
53. Donnie Brasco (1997) - 85% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
in this film fbi agent joe pistone (depp) goes undercover with the mob, and makes friends with tough luck wiseguy lefty (a BRILLIANT Al Pacino). this is one of my favorite mob movies, it's subtle, with some real looks at the life of a wiseguy, with only one scene of real violence. this is a film about characters and conflicting loyalties, really filmmaking at its best. michael madsen is also terrific. this film is very under-appreciated and very underrated. do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a pair of great performances in a great film, you won't be disappointed.
52. Munich (2005) - 77% on RT, 7.8 on IMDB
spielberg delivers one of the best and most under-appreciated films of the 2000's. spielberg delivers an even-handed approach to the israeli/palestinian conflict and the nature of violence. it took a lot of guts to make a film like this in this day and age. at the 1972 munich olympics, palestinian militants known as "black september" abducted and killed members of the israeli olympic team. this film is a story of the israeli response. eric bana gives the performance of his career as avner, the leader of the israeli team. this is a film about right and wrong, about vengeance and is a beautifully made film to boot. this is truly a terrific film.
51. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - 92% on RT, 8.7 (#20) on IMDB
the first chapter to the greatest motion picture trilogy of all time. the books that defined fantasy are somehow topped by peter jackson's immaculate film adaptations. this is my least favorite, just because it's the least epic and i happen to think hobbits are boring, but that's not really too much of a complaint when the end product is as outstanding as this. just a beautifully made film, this is the work of artists that love the source material and really care about what they're doing. these films are beautiful and utterly engrossing. probably the only thing keeping me from watching them over and over again is the fact that they're so damn long... but they're completely worth the time investment.
50. Field of Dreams (1989) - 91% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
is this really a "sports movie"? i don't know. it's certainly about the love of baseball, that great american game. it's about hopes, dreams, regrets, second changes and it's also about family, it's about fathers and sons and the bonds and (often unspoken) love between them. this movie makes me cry like a little baby, and unabashedly so. it's a beautiful piece of americana, and it knows exactly what it is, and is so perfectly. a powerful film that has a lot of heart.
49. The Deer Hunter (1978) - 91% on RT, 8.2 (#136) on IMDB
a group of smalltown steelworker friends and hunting pals experience the horrors of war in vietnam. this isn't really a war movie, it's more a film about the effects of war on everyday life. mindblowing performances from deniro and walken, terrific direction and an incredibly powerful emotional voice. the russian roulette scene will blow your mind.
48. The Last of the Mohicans (1992) - 97% on RT, 7.7 on IMDB
the living legend, daniel day lewis, back when he was only 80% batshit crazy. one of my favorite directors taking a chance and making a terrific, gorgeous, and real-feeling film. set during the french & indian wars, mann shows a true appreciation for the beauty of the american wilderness. gorgeous shots, terrific acting, and some of the most authentic-feeling battles in any film. a true modern classic.
47. 12 Angry Men (1957) - 100% on RT, 8.9 (#9) on IMDB
truly one of the all-time greats. proof positive that a film doesn't need to be visually stunning, grandiose in scope or deal with great tales of great men to be outstanding. poignant, powerful, and still standing up today, 50 years later, this film is a great testimony to the power of the american system and the individual. 12 jurors, with differing backgrounds, opinions and approaches, must come together to determine the fate of a young man accused of murder. engrossing, and one that's just as powerful today as it was 52 years ago.
46. The Matrix (1999) - 86% on RT, 8.7 (#29) on IMDB
this is one of those movies that changed everything, forever. movies made after the matrix are completely different than those made before. it changed the face of special effects, of action movies, of sci-fi. everyone remembers the first time they saw this film. the wachowski bros. made themselves into major hollywood players and created one of the all-time great franchises. its not often that a film comes out of nowhere and enters the everyday culture... this is one of those films. one of the few films that keanu's ass doesn't completely ruin just by being a blank slate. it kind of works... even the "whoa"'s kind of fit.
45. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - 89% on RT, 8.3 (#107) on IMDB
definitely the most fun of the series. also, definitely one of my all-time favorite fucking movies. there's something that just makes indiana jones more fun when its dealing with christian mythology. fun, action packed, and ford and connery enjoy great on-screen chemistry. plus... who doesn't like fighting nazi's? expertly acted, expertly directed, great cinematography, this film just works on so many levels. i guess you can call the last 10 entries or so the steven spielberg section of the list.
44. Chinatown (1974) - 100% on RT, 8.5 (#57) on IMDB
i can't come up with a flaw with this film. great performances, unbelievable writing/story and terrific directing. nicholson is unbelievable and proves why he absolutely MUST be included in any discussion of greatest living actors. chinatown is a true classic... film noir at its best. dark, cynical, and brilliant. a few more re-watchings would move this film higher and higher... i'm certain of it. check this film, you won't regret it.
43. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) - 85% on RT, 8.0 (#218) on IMDB
in contrast to the cartoonish, over the top kill bill 1, kill bill 2 is just right. classic tarantino, and one of his best. B continues on her quest of revenge, slicing through the rest of bill's crew and running into some difficulties on the way. smart, snazzy dialogue, a great plot, terrific performances and stylized filmmaking make this a great, fun movie to watch. enjoy.
42. The Manchurian Candidate (1962) - 98% on RT, 8.3 (#113) on IMDB
this film came out the year before JFK got assassinated. watch it, and then read that sentence again. communists brainwash an american prisoner to be a political assassin, and members of the unit gradually remember more and more through dreams. the seeming golden boy turns out to be anything but in this psychological/political drama that was WAY ahead of its time. fuck the denzel remake, do yourself a favor and check the original. easily frank sinatra's best performance as an actor... angela lansbury has apparently not aged since the kennedy assassination. terrific performances all around. this really is a great, great film.
41. Casablanca (1942) - 96% on RT, 8.8 (#11) on IMDB
set in unoccupied north africa in the early days of WW2, one of the great love stories of all time is guaranteed to make an impact on you. terrific cast, great direction, unbelievable writing. an american expatriate in morocco runs across his former lover, and an all time classic takes place. a beautiful story and a beautiful film... really, just perfect. it's interesting to think that ronald reagan was originally cast in bogart's role but had to step aside due to his service in the war. i wouldn't change a thing about this film... it remains powerful and poignant today, almost 70 years later... there's something beautiful and amazing about that.
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