It's my Top 10 films
Jan 21 '04 (Updated Jan 22 '04)
The Bottom Line I said "It's my top 10 films", with another 10 named for good measure.
Forgive me if I don't spend much time chatting, I've been meaning to do this list for a while, and so here it is, but what else is there to say? These are the 10 (20) films that mean the most to me, that have affected me in the highest way for various reasons. Hope you enjoy reading about them as much as I enjoyed watching them, and needless to say they are all 5 star recommendations. So, without further delay, I give you my top 10.
1. On the Waterfront (1954)
Plot-Terry Malloy sets up a friend to be killed by the Gangsters running the docks he works at. However when the guys sister shows up Terry finds himself falling in love with her, despite the fact that he is responsible for the death of her brother.
Elia Kazan's On The Waterfront is respected as a classic, but still is not a film that I see often on top lists. This is something that has me baffled because as an American film it's easily accessible, and as a film in it's own right it's the best I've seen. Mainly this is down to Marlon Brando who gives what is quite possible the best performance in History as ex prize fighter Terry Malloy. His "I could've been a contender" Speech is the original, and still the best variation of that speech in movie making history, and his support from Eva Marie Saint is second to none. It's because of these 2 performances, as well as a host of other amazing actors, that On The Waterfront is the most emotionally resonant, and subsequently best film, I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
2. Godfather: Part II, The (1974)
Plot-Michael Corleone's complete fall from humanity, and the loss of everything he holds dear.
It was a tossup between which of the 2 Godfather films should come first as they're both masterpieces. Amazing cinematography, a chilling soundtrack, superb drama and stellar acting. In the end the non linear narrative that made The Godfather II slightly more chilling won out.
My Review
3. Godfather, The (1972)
Plot-The Story of Michael Corleone's rise to power, and fall from humanity, in the mafia family set up by his influential father.
Like its sequel, The Godfather is a masterpiece, a film that gets right down to the core of it's subject matter and shows you the wrongs of a society that we have romanticized. It was a tough call, and the fact that part 2 is ahead of it in no way diminishes the achievements of this first film.
My Review
4. Alien (1979)
Plot-The crew of the Nostromo are woken up when their computer intercepts what it perceives to be a distress call. It turns out to be a warning, and the crew face a terrifying nightmare as an Alien killing machine begins picking them off one by one.
The best horror movie ever made, bar none, no questions asked!!! Alien is a film that represents terror made flesh, a film that gets under your skin and can unnerve even the toughest of grown men. It's eerie cinematography and quiet musical score achieve this admirably with the help of H.R.Gigers hideous visions and a career making performance from Sigorney Weaver.
My Review
5. Kumonosu jo (1957) (Throne Of Blood)
Plot-Set in 16th century feudal Japan it tells the story of 2 Samurai Warriors who are given an audience with the lord. However on their way to see him they get lost in the woods when a dense, supernatural fog envelops them. In the midst of this fog they find a malevolent spirit that foretells their future for them. It tells that the first man Taektoki Wahsizu will take up the throne, but that he will be superseded by the son of the second man Miki. Taektoki is initially disgusted at the idea and tries to kill the spirit, but when he gets home and tells his wife the tale, her own ambitions cause her to push him into the act of assassinating the Lord.
My favorite film from my favorite director, and I think the only film by Kurosawa to make it into the top 10, though he still has about 4 in the my top 20 so no problems there. Throne Of Blood is something different for Kurosawa, because instead of being a completely original work that gets ripped off by lesser directors, this time it's Kurosawa being influenced, by Shakespeare no less. Throne Of Blood has the same themes of temptation, betrayal and revenge as it's influence, Macbeth, but this has Kurosawa's amazing eye and another terrific performance from Toshiro Mifune.
My Review
6. Kokaku kidotai (1995) (Ghost In The Shell)
Plot-In the future mankind has begun implanting themselves with robotic upgrades. The one thing that separates us from machines are our ghosts, or the part of the brain that allows us to feel emotion, and genuinely live. However the police are stuck with their latest investigation into the puppet master, a computer hacker so talented that he can hack into peoples very ghosts and make them do and think what he likes.
The greatest animated film in existence, and directed by the Kubrick of anime himself Mamoru Oshii. Ghost In The Shell is a philosophical science fiction movie set in a future where mankind has been updating themselves with technology. The themes of the difference between what is real and what is false were totally ripped off by The Matrix, but here it's done so much better because it really is as deep as it should be and yet is still never pretentious. Excellent voice acting to.
7. Hustler, The (1961)
Plot-Fast Eddie is a cool and confident cat, a pool hustler who gets in over his head when he challenges the talented Minnesota Fats to a high stakes match. Losing Eddie finds himself with no money, no manager and the need to work his way back up the ladder.
Both Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason give stellar performances in this poolroom drama, completely becoming their characters and sharing a lot of screen chemistry. Their pool matches are wrought with tension, and the writing makes sure that you never forget the respect they share. Yet it's very much a realistic film with a flawed hero in Fast Eddie Felson, and a human opponent in Minnesota Fats. The best underdog film in history!
8. Casablanca (1942)
Plot-Rick owns a casino that works in the heart of the city of Casablanca during Nazi occupation. However when the Nazi's show up in Casablanca to stop a major player in the resistance, Rick discovers that this man is married to the only woman he's ever loved.
It's Casablanca, does it really need an explanation for being here? It does!!! OK then, The performances by each and every cast member were pitch perfect, and each character had an individual personality that made them stand out. The film works by being genuinely romantic and genuinely funny, and eventually works as one of the few optimistic films that doesn't sicken me.
My Review
9. Citizen Kane (1941)
Plot-Charles Foster Kane dies, his last words on Earth were "Rosebud" and so an investigation is held to try and find out more about the man, thus finding why his last words would be so.
Orson Welles wrote, directed and starred in this masterpiece that was criminally under appreciated in its time. It's a film that works on so many technical levels, from the acting to the revolutionary deep focus cinematography, that it defies belief. It's a film that you will likely find on the top lists of more critics than any other film, and with good reason. It's a film that some will enjoy on a first viewing, and others will hate it from the get go, but those that view it multiple times, each time viewing it with a critical eye, will be blown away by one of the most technically marvelous films of all time.
10. French Connection, The (1971)
Plot-Popeye Doyle is a determined cop out to bust the New York drug scene, but after putting a candy store under surveillance he discovers that it is a front for one of the biggest narcotics smuggling rings on either side of the Atlantic.
The original, and still the best, bad cop movie. The French Connection is notable for an amazing performance from Gene Hackman as an interesting character in Popeye Doyle. He's a cop who beats up suspects, talks racist and generally abuses his power in every way imaginable, but it's these traits that make him such a good cop. It's a style that has been copied many times, but usually showing the cop as a villain who needs taking down. The French Connection is honest enough to say "Hey, sometimes someone can have bad character traits and still be a good guy," a rare and interesting idea.
The Rest
11. Kakushi toride no san akunin (1958) (The Hidden Fortress)
12. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
13. Yojimbo (1961)
14. Se7en (1995)
15. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
16. Get Carter (1971)
17. Thing, The (1982)
18. Insider, The (1999)
19. Akira (1988)
20. Vertigo (1958)
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
carl_lazarevic
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Member: Carl Lazarevic
Location: UK-(pure blood Brummie)
Reviews written: 228
Trusted by: 211 members
About Me:
Walk down the right back alley in Sin City and you can find anything.
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.