As many here know by now, I love films. Probably even more than video games, and with such a love for any form of art comes personal preference and favourites, so I present a top 25 list of my personal favourite films. Why 25? Well, this list originally started simply as a top 10, but as I added more and more films to the list, it kept growing and growing, making it difficult for me to decide which ones I could go without mentioning. That became nearly impossible, and thus 25 was the number I felt was most appropriate.
A few things to keep in mind however is that film is an art form and with art comes subjective and varying opinions. Keep in mind that this is a list of my favourite films. Not a list of greatest films ever made or even movies that I would consider to be the best overall. These are simply my favourite films. Movies I can always watch and that will always be enjoyable to me for whatever reason. This means that certain films will not be featured here. While some may be fantastic films, if they aren't something I want to watch again and again or really films that I find enjoyable, they won't be seen on this list. And finally, in order to seem as unbiased as possible, I will limit only one film per director.
Now, with all the technical, personal bias defending stuff out of the way, onto the list!
Coming from Chinese director Kar Wai Wong comes this beautiful masterpiece of a film. In the Mood for Love tells the tale of two couples moving into the same apartment complex together. As the husband and wife of either marriage leaves for constant business trips, the two left behind start a deep friendship for one another, suspecting their spouses of extra marital affairs. As the two become closer friends, they realize they have far deeper feelings for each other than they first thought, yet not wanting to sink to the levels of their spouses, they fight whatever romantic feelings they may have for one another.
The beauty of this film is in its simplicity. It is a very slow building film, relying on character development and sympathy for those on screen to drive emotion and it succeeds without doubt. I'm not one for forbidden love type films, but this made me feel for the characters like no other romance did before and it is one that brings me to tears every time I watch it. It is an absolutely stunning picture that presents an almost painful tale of platonic love and the struggles two people go through to keep their love just that.
Now from something that is held together by absolutely beauty, to a film that's not so beautiful. The original 1997 German version of Funny Games was made with a small budget, yet it became
a bit of a cult hit with its highly disturbing and difficult to watch scenes of brutal violence. While the remake was done shot for shot by the same director, the latter film feels superior in many ways. Constantly breaking the line between fiction and reality as one of the young psychopathic killers continually speaks directly
to the audience, bringing not only an element of satire, but humor and outright craziness to break up the scenes that can be difficult to stomach.
Even if you saw the original before, the sense of dread is still present and it keeps me on edge even during repeated views. The suspense and sickening disturbance, along with the satirical humor is translated perfectly from the original.
It's quite difficult to make a film that can stay exciting and engaging throughout the entire length, but Run Lola Run manages to do that by splitting the film up into 3 sections. After her boyfriend gets in debt with a shady group of mobsters, Lola has 20 minutes to collect 100,000 German marks before he robs a store, attempting to get the money. The entire movie runs in real time, so each section is 20 minutes each, depicting 3 alternate scenarios where one small misstep or wrong turn along her journey can drastically alter the outcome of Lola's struggle. The tension is constantly high throughout as with the alternate versions of events comes new outcomes and it leaves you on the edge of your seat through the entirety of the film.
From a cinematic standpoint, Run Lola Run is one of the most interesting and creative films I've ever seen. The action on screen never lets up, save the short slow scenes of the two main characters in bed together in order to give the audience some way to catch their breath. Even after watching this film several times over, it is still just as entertaining as the first time I ever saw it.
Simply stunning is all I can really say to describe this film. While not technically Danny Boyle's best work, it was the one I enjoyed the most. Sunshine presents a surreal and cerebral journey as a group of astronauts pilot the Icarus II to "restart" our dying sun. As simple of a science fiction film as this may sound, it is instead one of the most gripping and outright depressing films I've ever seen. Speaking simplistically for a moment, normally in scifi films, they're entertaining and fun. You can watch them again and again, always being entertained by the simple fun of the plot. In Sunshine however, a sense of realism is put into the story. The story is a bleak one. There's a constant lingering feeling of absolute hopelessness, yet it keeps you hooked until the end, constantly attached to the characters on screen.
While it was indeed an emotionally draining film to watch, it's so entertaining and well done that I can't help but watch it over and over. The scientific commentary done by professor Brian Cox (who was the scientific consultant of the film) adds more to the experience as well by pointing out what in the film is scientifically accurate. This gives even more reason to watch the film again, but even without it, the movie is always enjoyable.
For those that remember in my review [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.264848-Poll-JK-Reviews-Ghost-in-the-Shell] of Ghost in the Shell, I gave it a fairly decent overall critique, yet expressed that it lacked different things that would seem rather obvious in most film, the most noteworthy being a conclusion. The original Ghost in the Shell ended with absolutely no conclusion other than the main villain is dealt with, nothing more. However, after watching the second film and viewing a bit of the anime series, the original film started to grow on me.
It may be cheap to forgive a film's flaws by putting it off on its sequels, however in this case, it works. The story in the original never felt complete, yet with the addition of later films (]Innocence and 2.0) the film had what I craved from it to begin with and that was simply a conclusion. With the overall story arc completed, the film itself feels far more enjoyable to me now. The animation is still stunning, the writing is solid and the themes of humanity placed into cybernetic beings only adds to the intelligence of the film. While the remaining gripe of wretched English dubs still remains, after viewing the series in full, I can honestly say now that this is indeed, not only what I had hoped for but one of my favourite films of all time.
Another more recent film that I instantly loved the first time I viewed it. Starting off the Millennium Trilogy, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo centres around Lisbeth Salander and Mikeal Blomkvist (a professional hacker and a journalist respectively) as they try to solve the disappearance of a girl who went missing over 40 years ago. The story is rather simplistic on paper, but taken as a whole, it becomes far more engaging and extremely enthralling. The characters are relatable people. Not super detectives or unrelatable slabs of wood often portrayed in Hollywood mystery films but normal people, making it all the more difficult to watch when something horrific happens to one of them.
While the rest of the trilogy isn't quite as strong as the first, it is a highly enjoyable series that I would recommend to anyone. The theme of misogynistic male authority figures is the basic premise behind the story and it's, at times, a rather difficult one to stomach. However, this only adds to the films strengths. The violence or sexuality never get to the point that it becomes ridiculously gratuitous nor is the plot overly complex or convoluted. It all fits together well and is something that I believe will go down as a modern classic.
A few might remember when I reviewed this a couple months back [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.258713-JK-Reviews-Noroi] and while at the time I gave it a glowing review, it wasn't until watching it since that the film really had an impact on me. The key to a film being truly great is by having a lasting effect on the viewer, not only after watching it for the first time but also having the same or a similar effect upon further viewings. That is exactly what Noroi does.
Presented in a "mockumentary" style way in the same vain as The Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield, Noroi does the same as those films, but puts a classic Japanese horror feeling on it. Telling the story of a film maker who researches the supernatural, the story is a very simple one, yet it is told with an unraveling complexity and in such an eerie way that it sticks with the viewer. As the director of the fake film in the film continues researching seemingly unrelated supernatural events, things start connecting together, finally revealing to all have been connected in one way or another. What Noroi does to separate itself from typical horror films is its near perfect pacing. No scare is ever misplaced and everything is constantly building. An ever growing tension leading to one of the most horrifying climaxes I've ever seen. For its lasting appeal and continued sense of dread and lingering suspense even after multiple viewings, it remains quite possibly my favourite horror film.
Quite possibly Stanley Kubrick's most underrated work, The Killing serves as one of the greatest heist films ever made. Based on the novel Clean Break, the film centres around a group of criminals planning one final great heist before settling down. Planning to steal a total of 2 million dollars from a racetrack, but as the plan gets complicated numerous times by the gang leader's wife and other distractions, the film brings a lot of suspense and tension as you almost begin rooting for the group of thugs to succeed in their plight.
The film revolves heavily around a tight narrative and a complex plot, not much making sense until everything comes together in the end, much like Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (in fact, he's been accused of ripping off The Killing) but Kubrick does this masterfully. It's quite sad to see such an amazing film get so little recognition even after Kubrick had hit mainstream audiences with his more memorable works, but this will forever remain one of my favourite noir pictures.
Taking what is my personal favourite musical play and turning it into an even darker and more twisted version, Tim Burton greatly succeeded with his rendition of the Sweeney Todd story by throwing his own trademarks into the mix. With Johnny Depp taking the lead and Helena Bonham Carter playing the opposite role, the film is held together by its fantastic performances and wonderfully dark and bleak revenge premise. Burton managed to do the original Stephen Sondheim musical justice while having a style to call its own and something I would even dare say is better than its source material.
The music is wonderful throughout and there are no musical performances that seem lackluster and the visual style is striking as Burton depicts the bleak underbelly of London by keeping colours at a monotone of mostly black and greys with flashes of a deep crimson to depict to gore, almost in a cartoony style way. Needless to say, the entire cast and direction is astounding throughout and seems more enjoyable with each viewing.
Call me a fanboy if you like, but Evil Dead II truly is a great film. Sam Rami mixes genuinely horrifying scenes and downright hilarious elements to create, what could only be called a Looney Toons style horror film. Using different styles of film making that takes inspiration from The Three Stooges, and classic monster movies using Harryhausen style stop motion animation, the film turns into a near masterpiece in its own right. It's a campy B movie, sure but one can't deny how entertaining it is. The over-the-top acting and crazy gory death scenes just add to the film, making it that much more enjoyable.
Something a lot of people seem to forget though is how good of picture this is though, taking out all the campiness to it, Bruce Campbell's performance is, obviously worth mention. Yes, one of the funnier elements is the ridiculous acting, but as he is almost the sole actor for a good portion of the film. He manages to hold it all together on his own and make it entertaining which is something that takes true talent. Nevertheless, this is a fantastic movie and is just pure fun and enjoyment at the end of it all.
What is likely the most accessible David Lynch film, The Elephant Man tells the heart-wrenching true story of John Merrick's life and a doctor's attempts to rescue him. As a disfigured beast of a man, he scrapes by as a member of a circus freak show, being humiliated daily for the amusement of others, but underneath his grotesque appearance lies a sensitive and intelligent soul. Both John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins give wonderful performances that, in my own opinion, where extremely overlooked. The film remains one of the most difficult to watch pieces of cinema I've seen to this day, yet it also remains one of the absolute best.
Even though I enjoy the eccentric side to Lynch's filmography, this struck a chord with me that has stayed since I first watched. There is enough surreal imagery for the die hard fans but even if you aren't a Lynch fan, this is a timeless film through and through.
What is quite possibly the single most underrated film of all time, and serving as a biopicture in some sorts, Immortal Beloved tells the tragic story of Ludwig Van Beethoven. After his passing, he leaves all of his belongings and estate to someone referred to only as his "Immortal Beloved." Playing out as a romantic mystery, the film takes us through the life of Beethoven, or more specifically, his love life as his secretary searches and questions all the women Beethoven was ever close to.
The movie shows everything that made Beethoven what he was. His abusive childhood, his coping with hearing loss, his growing hatred of humanity and his escape from everything in the form of the loves through his life. Almost presenting a somewhat misunderstood character, Immortal Beloved manages to draw sympathy for a man often spoken of negatively as a person. It is a sorrowful tale, yet a beautiful one at the same time and it's a film I love to watch to this day and I will forever love my 7th grade music teacher for showing me this amazing film.
An absolute classic in every sense of the word, Young Frankenstein is still to this day one of the greatest comedies ever made. In my own personal opinion, it remains Mel Brooks' best work. Everything from the acting to the writing and the set pieces work together almost perfectly here and make for an absolutely hysterical film. Every actor present brings a perfect comedic performance, even the minor characters are fantastic. Mel Brooks even shoots the film in a way that is identical to the original Frankenstein pictures and even going so far as using the same set pieces. As strange as this may sound, however, the film retains something similar to that which it parodies. That is the humane element and emotional feel of the story.
Simply put, this is a masterful comedy and is the best parody film ever made. It continues to make me laugh every time I watch it and will stay as an almost perfect comedy film.
One of the more overlooked films of the 90's, Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet is an absolutely stunning picture. A bloody long and exhausting piece, but breathtaking nonetheless. It manages to stay highly accessible and enjoyable without ever feeling like the source material has been dumbed down for audiences. Branagh is an amazing actor and director and he plays the role of Hamlet perfectly. It is highly ambitious in direction, making the story even more engaging to the viewer, despite several criticisms directly aimed at this point.
Every performance is done beautifully and it remains by far the best take on a Shakespearean play. While some have criticized several performances for being over done, to me, it all fit together well. The story is a tragic one, needless to say and everything is done in a way that perfectly conveys that sense of tragedy and insanity. You gain sympathy for the characters on screen as their attempt to cope with their growing loss of sanity, making the film all the more difficult to watch. Despite how mentally draining the picture is, it is still one of my personal favourite films and it is something I can watch and enjoy every time I manage to sit through a viewing.
An absolutely remarkable film noir picture, reaching what is possibly the pinnacle of crime mysteries. Roman Polanski's Chinatown is simply a brilliant picture. The story follows private eye Jake Gitts as he gets caught up in a mystery involving L.A.'s water supply. Loosely based on the real life controversy of William Mullholand, the film is not only a highly entertaining picture, but it provides an interesting look at one of the bigger controversies of the 20th century.
Jack Nicholson is, obviously, outstanding in this picture as is Faye Dunaway but the real achievement is Polanski's directing and tight script. While not overly thought provoking, it is one of the most well written crime mysteries ever on film. What is most astounding is that while there's inspiration taken from different films here and there, Chinatown manages to stay great on its own merits, never feeling like another film or another story. Polanski shows he not only can do horror films superbly, but can bring that grim and bleak outlook and basic theme to other genres. Saying this film is great doesn't do it justice and borders on being superfluous. However, this is an amazing film that I recommend to anyone looking for not only a good noir picture, but just a good film in general.
Cinematic perfection is hard to achieve, yet in 1967 Jean Pierre Melville did just that with the highly overlooked Le Samourai. The story follows Jef Costello, a perfectionist free agent hitman. Costello is a master at his craft. He completes every job without incident and has no criminal record to speak of because his work is completed so perfectly. Yet one evening after a job, his crime is witnessed. The film follows Costello's attempts to allude capture and to give himself an alibi for the evening of the murder, but he is thwarted again and again, backing himself more and more into a corner that seems impossible to escape from.
The film is a minimalist picture done in the simplest of ways, yet nothing can compare to it. For the first 10 minutes of the film, not a single word is spoken, yet this sets the tone perfectly, showing how dedicated Costello is to his work. It has been the source of inspiration for countless films after, yet somehow never seems to garner the attention it deserves. I first viewed the film when I was 14 and was hooked instantly. While not the greatest film of all time, nothing I've seen before or after can compare to this simplistic masterpiece.
Easily one of the most quoted films of all time, Monty Python and the Holy Grail not only serves as one of the funniest pictures in cinematic history, but as one of my favourite comedies of all time. Like with any Monty Python film or sketch prior, the story and the plot in general is just outright ridiculous. The only real comprehensible plot point is that Arthur, the King of the Britons, is searching for fellow knights to join his court at Camelot. However, the story itself doesn't need to make any sense. It hardly ever following any sort of general standard of story telling, but with this film, it works perfectly. Everything is absolutely hysterical and I still can't help but laugh like it was my first time viewing.
Many comedies suffer from a similar flaw and that is the cast usually feels interchangeable. Anyone could pull off the performance portrayed on film, but that is not the case here. Only the Monty Python troupe could have pulled off such an insane and entertaining film as this. It manages to remain funny even to this day, despite occasionally feeling a bit outdated, it still is hysterical to watch but what makes this film timeless is how many films it has managed to influence after. That in itself is a triumphant achievement.
Fritz Lang, the director of such amazing silent films such as Metropolis does his first talkie and creates, not only what he himself considers as his best work but also one of the greatest films of all time. The simply titled M, takes place in a German city, stunned and horrified by the murders of a child serial killer and the film follows the story of a man, consumed by urges he cannot control. M is not only an achievement in being the first crime film about a serial killer, but it does much more than that. Fritz Lang considered this to be a documentary of sorts. It takes a step back from traditional film making in order to study the pathology of a killer, but not just that. Lang examines the pathology of a 20th century society and its obsession with politics and the media.
Kudos must go to this film for being one of the first to do such a feat regarding analysis of society, but also for managing to stay enjoyable and almost contemporary 80 years after its original release. It's not just a fantastic crime film, but a serious look into society of the time. One best words to describe this film would be "timeless" yet that doesn't seem to do it enough justice. Fritz Lang's M is simply an amazing picture that I would encourage any film lover to see.
There isn't a lot I can say about this film that hasn't already been said enough. Goodfellas is a brilliant film, telling the story of a group of mobsters through the eyes of someone who's wanted to be a gangster is whole life. Based on the book which is based on true events, the film chronicles the stories of the people involved in the New York mob. It's amazingly told, wonderfully written and nearly every performance is memorable. Scorcese makes what is, in my opinion, his greatest work to date and it continues to be a film that I love to just sit and watch at any time.
What makes it so good is how likable the characters are on screen. They're people you enjoy seeing and you get the sense of how these people become like family, yet they're also ruthless murderers and thieves. They kill for sometimes no reason at all. Something as simple as making fun of them will get you shot, then they'll laugh. What they hide behind their smiles is the deeper subject, however. In reality, they're almost all paranoid or jealous of each other, killing their closest assossiates simply for money. Goodfellas succeeds on many levels. It tells a wonderfully entertaining story while at the same time exposing the corruption, jealousy, misguided loyalty and greed behind these characters. Even without any form of deeper meanings or the study of its characters, it's still one of the most entertaining films I've ever seen.
It's interesting to see such a spectrum when it comes to people's reaction to film. Some films are almost universally praised, others are strewn through the dirt for being complete wastes. However, it seems there's a fairly even split on those who absolutely love The Shawshank Redemption and those who despise it. I, however, found it to be one of the most enjoyable films ever to be released. What makes it so great is that it simply tells a story. There's no real plot, it just shows the life of a man convicted for a murder he may or may not have done and sentenced to life in prison for it. It shows the lives of the criminals sentenced to a corrupt prison. Even though they are criminals, it shows them in such a way that you can't help but like them. The film doesn't even follow standards of story telling. The characters don't really have fatal flaws needed to overcome nor is there a plot that needs to be resolved. It tells the story of people. That's it but it tells this story so wonderfully that one can't help but be hooked from the beginning.
I wanted to see what became of the people in the film. That's what Shawshank does so well. It gives a sense of hope even in the worst of places; a corrupt prison run by possibly one of the best film antagonists. It gives the audience reason to stay with the film. The main characters are highly likable while the antagonists are some of the most easily hatable. You want to see their outcome, whatever it may be and The Shawshank Redemption has one of the best endings I've ever seen.
And, in order to cut down on at least some length to this list, I'll put the top 5 in spoilers.
Alfred Hitchcock was the king of thriller films ( in my opinion, still has yet to be matched) and he solidifies that state even more with Rear Window. James Stewart plays a photographer, recently injured on a job and his confined to a wheel chair in his apartment. While viewing his neighbors daily routines, he notices something peculiar about the man living across the lot from him. He and his wife have an argument, then she's no where to be found. He takes late night trips in the rain, makes long distance phone calls and still has all his wife's belongings. It appears that a murder has taken place, but the brilliance of the film doesn't come from certainty or how he's going to be captured. Instead, the film focuses on a question. "Did anything really happen at all?" The film constantly makes you question things on screen, trying to figure out for yourself if a murder really did happen, all the while Stewart's character desperately attempts to convince those around him, making it one of the best told thrillers ever told.
On a technical level, the film is masterfully done. The entire film is shot from the main character's small apartment, never leaving it once, immersing the viewer even further. Even small things like the little background stories that go on with the neighbors manage to keep the film going. A struggling musician, a lonely woman and a newly wed couple make the movie feel more real and adds character. Almost everything down to the writing, the outcome and the technicalities are done brilliantly. Rear Window is Hitchcock's masterwork and stays timeless even to this day.
Trying to capture true human emotion in film is a difficult task, however it has been proven again and again that it indeed can be done. Isao Takahata's Grave of the Fireflies shows just that. Any form of media can portray strong emotion and this is one of the few films I know of that can continue to have the same affect on a person through multiple viewings. Telling the hearbreaking story of two orphaned children in World War II, brother and sister, as they travel through war torn Japan. The film depicts the tragic reality of what war does to people through the eyes of children. The sense of humanity in this film is the strongest point. Never before have I seen animation convey such beauty in human emotion before this and it is enough to make the toughest of men break down and weep. Hell, just thinking about this film is making me teary eyed.
Grave of the Fireflies is one of the single most powerful films I've ever seen, animated or not and it rightfully belongs on any list of greatest war films. While the English dub is an absolute disaster, watching it in the original Japanese audio brings the true feeling back into the film. It isn't something you would want tampered with as it loses all feel after. The messages seen throughout the film are timeless and the pure beauty of the film is undeniable and for that, it has been one of my favourite films since I was a child.
Not many anime capture the same feeling as Metropolis did. Taking inspiration from classic jazz era science fiction and taking plot elements and visual style from the aforementioned director Fritz Lang's 1926 classic of the same name and based on the manga by Osamu Tezuka, Metropolis, simply put, is an absolutely wonderful film. The visuals are part of what make the experience so great. The animation is very similar to that of Tezuka's other work, such as Astroboy, however I feel here they are at their best. Everything is vibrant, there's always something going on on screen and the character animations are gorgeously done. The story is one that's been done several times over, yet the film adds enough variety and originality to hold its own against the movies it takes from such as the original Metropolis and, most notably, Blade Runner.
The overall theme is questioning humanity. How humans can interact with artificial intelligence and how, eventually, humanity will be its own downfall. There is really only one word that can describe this film; "Beautiful"
Everything about it is breathtaking from the stunning animation to the wonderful story and characters. It's all beautiful, coming together making a masterpiece of a film. The voice acting, the animation and even the wonderful soundtrack are spectacular, making it the most enjoyable anime experience (including series and films) I've ever seen.
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As stated in the beginning of this list, I stated that I want to stay as unbiased as possible by choosing only one film per director. However, when it comes to Park Chan Wook, that was nearly impossible. I know that this will probably seem like a cheap way to include these films, but I honestly can't make up my mind as to which one I prefer. Two absolutely fantastic films, both sharing the same theme and the same brilliant director, but they're also two very different films. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is highly artistic in many ways in terms of the technical. Virtually no music is heard throughout the film, making it feel more real and all the more brutal. The film follows the story of Ryu, a deaf and dumb factory worker, caring for his deathly ill sister until she can get the transplant she needs. However, in an act of desperation, he sells his kidney on the black market to get one for his sister, only to get robbed of both his kidney and his money. In order to get money for the operation, he and his girlfriend resort to kidnapping the daughter of his former employer.
As the story progresses, it becomes more and more difficult to watch. Not because it is bad, but because there are scenes of such disturbance and brutality that it becomes hard to stomach, but never taking away from the film. Playing almost like the most intense game of cat and mouse ever, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance shows brilliance in one of the most simplistic of ways. The film was done on a small budget and the script was finished in only 20 hours of constant work, yet it is one of the best told and best directed movies I've seen.
Then on the other hand is Oldboy, considered by many to be Wook's masterpiece and by others as the greatest film of all time. The film follows Oh Dae Su as he is captured at random and locked away for 15 years in a cell without reason, then suddenly released and given 5 days to find out why he was captured. Of Wook's "Vengeance trilogy," Oldboy is by far the most accessible, yet comparing it to the other two, it doesn't mean much. Like with Sympathy, Oldboy is wonderfully written and masterfully directed. While the two differ greatly in terms of artistic merit, story and the overall way they're done, I still can't decide which film I enjoyed more. Both are movies I love to watch, both are absolutely stunning and both constantly are a joy to watch so in all good faith, I can't put one over the other.
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And my number one favourite film of all time is Akira Kurosawa's truly epic masterpiece; Seven Samurai
Like many great films, the story is rather a simple one. A village is constantly under attack by a group of bandits and hires a group of samurai to defend them. Yet, what makes the film amazing is the way it handles such a simple story. The characters truly make the film and carry it perfectly. From the grizzled, elder teacher to the hopeful and naive youth. Today, the film may seem cliche, but what must be taken of note is that this film did the cliches before they were cliches. The very amount of films that Seven Samurai has inspired over the years is impressive enough, but the movie itself still remains timeless today.
This is really a film that I can't say too much about. It's simply... amazing. A required film for every self proclaimed film lover to watch. Given the amount of inspiration this film has given to others and how well this is done in its own right is reason enough to watch it. Despite the three and a half hour runtime, it never gets boring. Not once did I think through the film "When will this end?"
Everything is almost perfectly paced. The action, the story and the characters are so well created and written that it keeps the viewer hooked until the very end. Taken from my own personal favourites, this film tops the list as, not only my favourite film, but also as the greatest film of all time, in my opinion.
So there you have it. My bloody long list of personal favourite films. Of course, films are always being made and I obviously haven't seen every film ever, so this list is subject to change. If you have any recommendations as to films that should be here, then say so, however leave comments civil. If you don't like the list, make your own. Don't ***** if you don't like it.
Remember, that I am now taking requests for reviews, so any suggestions for future reviews or lists you may have, please let me know via PM or in the replies to this review.
A few things to keep in mind however is that film is an art form and with art comes subjective and varying opinions. Keep in mind that this is a list of my favourite films. Not a list of greatest films ever made or even movies that I would consider to be the best overall. These are simply my favourite films. Movies I can always watch and that will always be enjoyable to me for whatever reason. This means that certain films will not be featured here. While some may be fantastic films, if they aren't something I want to watch again and again or really films that I find enjoyable, they won't be seen on this list. And finally, in order to seem as unbiased as possible, I will limit only one film per director.
Now, with all the technical, personal bias defending stuff out of the way, onto the list!
[HEADING=2]25. In the Mood for Love (2000)[/HEADING]
The beauty of this film is in its simplicity. It is a very slow building film, relying on character development and sympathy for those on screen to drive emotion and it succeeds without doubt. I'm not one for forbidden love type films, but this made me feel for the characters like no other romance did before and it is one that brings me to tears every time I watch it. It is an absolutely stunning picture that presents an almost painful tale of platonic love and the struggles two people go through to keep their love just that.
[HEADING=2]24. Funny Games (2007)[/HEADING]
a bit of a cult hit with its highly disturbing and difficult to watch scenes of brutal violence. While the remake was done shot for shot by the same director, the latter film feels superior in many ways. Constantly breaking the line between fiction and reality as one of the young psychopathic killers continually speaks directly
to the audience, bringing not only an element of satire, but humor and outright craziness to break up the scenes that can be difficult to stomach.
Even if you saw the original before, the sense of dread is still present and it keeps me on edge even during repeated views. The suspense and sickening disturbance, along with the satirical humor is translated perfectly from the original.
[HEADING=2]23. Run Lola Run (1998)[/HEADING]
From a cinematic standpoint, Run Lola Run is one of the most interesting and creative films I've ever seen. The action on screen never lets up, save the short slow scenes of the two main characters in bed together in order to give the audience some way to catch their breath. Even after watching this film several times over, it is still just as entertaining as the first time I ever saw it.
[HEADING=2]22. Sunshine (2007)[/HEADING]
While it was indeed an emotionally draining film to watch, it's so entertaining and well done that I can't help but watch it over and over. The scientific commentary done by professor Brian Cox (who was the scientific consultant of the film) adds more to the experience as well by pointing out what in the film is scientifically accurate. This gives even more reason to watch the film again, but even without it, the movie is always enjoyable.
[HEADING=2]21. Ghost in the Shell (1995)[/HEADING]
It may be cheap to forgive a film's flaws by putting it off on its sequels, however in this case, it works. The story in the original never felt complete, yet with the addition of later films (]Innocence and 2.0) the film had what I craved from it to begin with and that was simply a conclusion. With the overall story arc completed, the film itself feels far more enjoyable to me now. The animation is still stunning, the writing is solid and the themes of humanity placed into cybernetic beings only adds to the intelligence of the film. While the remaining gripe of wretched English dubs still remains, after viewing the series in full, I can honestly say now that this is indeed, not only what I had hoped for but one of my favourite films of all time.
[HEADING=2]20. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)[/HEADING]
Another more recent film that I instantly loved the first time I viewed it. Starting off the Millennium Trilogy, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo centres around Lisbeth Salander and Mikeal Blomkvist (a professional hacker and a journalist respectively) as they try to solve the disappearance of a girl who went missing over 40 years ago. The story is rather simplistic on paper, but taken as a whole, it becomes far more engaging and extremely enthralling. The characters are relatable people. Not super detectives or unrelatable slabs of wood often portrayed in Hollywood mystery films but normal people, making it all the more difficult to watch when something horrific happens to one of them.
While the rest of the trilogy isn't quite as strong as the first, it is a highly enjoyable series that I would recommend to anyone. The theme of misogynistic male authority figures is the basic premise behind the story and it's, at times, a rather difficult one to stomach. However, this only adds to the films strengths. The violence or sexuality never get to the point that it becomes ridiculously gratuitous nor is the plot overly complex or convoluted. It all fits together well and is something that I believe will go down as a modern classic.
[HEADING=2]19. Noroi (2005)[/HEADING]
Presented in a "mockumentary" style way in the same vain as The Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield, Noroi does the same as those films, but puts a classic Japanese horror feeling on it. Telling the story of a film maker who researches the supernatural, the story is a very simple one, yet it is told with an unraveling complexity and in such an eerie way that it sticks with the viewer. As the director of the fake film in the film continues researching seemingly unrelated supernatural events, things start connecting together, finally revealing to all have been connected in one way or another. What Noroi does to separate itself from typical horror films is its near perfect pacing. No scare is ever misplaced and everything is constantly building. An ever growing tension leading to one of the most horrifying climaxes I've ever seen. For its lasting appeal and continued sense of dread and lingering suspense even after multiple viewings, it remains quite possibly my favourite horror film.
[HEADING=2]18. The Killing (1958)[/HEADING]
The film revolves heavily around a tight narrative and a complex plot, not much making sense until everything comes together in the end, much like Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs (in fact, he's been accused of ripping off The Killing) but Kubrick does this masterfully. It's quite sad to see such an amazing film get so little recognition even after Kubrick had hit mainstream audiences with his more memorable works, but this will forever remain one of my favourite noir pictures.
[HEADING=2]17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)[/HEADING]
The music is wonderful throughout and there are no musical performances that seem lackluster and the visual style is striking as Burton depicts the bleak underbelly of London by keeping colours at a monotone of mostly black and greys with flashes of a deep crimson to depict to gore, almost in a cartoony style way. Needless to say, the entire cast and direction is astounding throughout and seems more enjoyable with each viewing.
[HEADING=2]16. Evil Dead II (1981)[/HEADING]
Something a lot of people seem to forget though is how good of picture this is though, taking out all the campiness to it, Bruce Campbell's performance is, obviously worth mention. Yes, one of the funnier elements is the ridiculous acting, but as he is almost the sole actor for a good portion of the film. He manages to hold it all together on his own and make it entertaining which is something that takes true talent. Nevertheless, this is a fantastic movie and is just pure fun and enjoyment at the end of it all.
[HEADING=2]15. The Elephant Man (1980)[/HEADING]
What is likely the most accessible David Lynch film, The Elephant Man tells the heart-wrenching true story of John Merrick's life and a doctor's attempts to rescue him. As a disfigured beast of a man, he scrapes by as a member of a circus freak show, being humiliated daily for the amusement of others, but underneath his grotesque appearance lies a sensitive and intelligent soul. Both John Hurt and Anthony Hopkins give wonderful performances that, in my own opinion, where extremely overlooked. The film remains one of the most difficult to watch pieces of cinema I've seen to this day, yet it also remains one of the absolute best.
Even though I enjoy the eccentric side to Lynch's filmography, this struck a chord with me that has stayed since I first watched. There is enough surreal imagery for the die hard fans but even if you aren't a Lynch fan, this is a timeless film through and through.
[HEADING=2] 14. Immortal Beloved (1994)[/HEADING]
What is quite possibly the single most underrated film of all time, and serving as a biopicture in some sorts, Immortal Beloved tells the tragic story of Ludwig Van Beethoven. After his passing, he leaves all of his belongings and estate to someone referred to only as his "Immortal Beloved." Playing out as a romantic mystery, the film takes us through the life of Beethoven, or more specifically, his love life as his secretary searches and questions all the women Beethoven was ever close to.
The movie shows everything that made Beethoven what he was. His abusive childhood, his coping with hearing loss, his growing hatred of humanity and his escape from everything in the form of the loves through his life. Almost presenting a somewhat misunderstood character, Immortal Beloved manages to draw sympathy for a man often spoken of negatively as a person. It is a sorrowful tale, yet a beautiful one at the same time and it's a film I love to watch to this day and I will forever love my 7th grade music teacher for showing me this amazing film.
[HEADING=2]13. Young Frankenstein (1974)[/HEADING]
An absolute classic in every sense of the word, Young Frankenstein is still to this day one of the greatest comedies ever made. In my own personal opinion, it remains Mel Brooks' best work. Everything from the acting to the writing and the set pieces work together almost perfectly here and make for an absolutely hysterical film. Every actor present brings a perfect comedic performance, even the minor characters are fantastic. Mel Brooks even shoots the film in a way that is identical to the original Frankenstein pictures and even going so far as using the same set pieces. As strange as this may sound, however, the film retains something similar to that which it parodies. That is the humane element and emotional feel of the story.
Simply put, this is a masterful comedy and is the best parody film ever made. It continues to make me laugh every time I watch it and will stay as an almost perfect comedy film.
[HEADING=2]12. Hamlet (1996)[/HEADING]
One of the more overlooked films of the 90's, Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet is an absolutely stunning picture. A bloody long and exhausting piece, but breathtaking nonetheless. It manages to stay highly accessible and enjoyable without ever feeling like the source material has been dumbed down for audiences. Branagh is an amazing actor and director and he plays the role of Hamlet perfectly. It is highly ambitious in direction, making the story even more engaging to the viewer, despite several criticisms directly aimed at this point.
Every performance is done beautifully and it remains by far the best take on a Shakespearean play. While some have criticized several performances for being over done, to me, it all fit together well. The story is a tragic one, needless to say and everything is done in a way that perfectly conveys that sense of tragedy and insanity. You gain sympathy for the characters on screen as their attempt to cope with their growing loss of sanity, making the film all the more difficult to watch. Despite how mentally draining the picture is, it is still one of my personal favourite films and it is something I can watch and enjoy every time I manage to sit through a viewing.
[HEADING=2]11. Chinatown (1974)[/HEADING]
Jack Nicholson is, obviously, outstanding in this picture as is Faye Dunaway but the real achievement is Polanski's directing and tight script. While not overly thought provoking, it is one of the most well written crime mysteries ever on film. What is most astounding is that while there's inspiration taken from different films here and there, Chinatown manages to stay great on its own merits, never feeling like another film or another story. Polanski shows he not only can do horror films superbly, but can bring that grim and bleak outlook and basic theme to other genres. Saying this film is great doesn't do it justice and borders on being superfluous. However, this is an amazing film that I recommend to anyone looking for not only a good noir picture, but just a good film in general.
[HEADING=2]10. Le Samouraï (1967)[/HEADING]
The film is a minimalist picture done in the simplest of ways, yet nothing can compare to it. For the first 10 minutes of the film, not a single word is spoken, yet this sets the tone perfectly, showing how dedicated Costello is to his work. It has been the source of inspiration for countless films after, yet somehow never seems to garner the attention it deserves. I first viewed the film when I was 14 and was hooked instantly. While not the greatest film of all time, nothing I've seen before or after can compare to this simplistic masterpiece.
[HEADING=2]9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)[/HEADING]
Many comedies suffer from a similar flaw and that is the cast usually feels interchangeable. Anyone could pull off the performance portrayed on film, but that is not the case here. Only the Monty Python troupe could have pulled off such an insane and entertaining film as this. It manages to remain funny even to this day, despite occasionally feeling a bit outdated, it still is hysterical to watch but what makes this film timeless is how many films it has managed to influence after. That in itself is a triumphant achievement.
[HEADING=2] 8. M (1931)[/HEADING]
Kudos must go to this film for being one of the first to do such a feat regarding analysis of society, but also for managing to stay enjoyable and almost contemporary 80 years after its original release. It's not just a fantastic crime film, but a serious look into society of the time. One best words to describe this film would be "timeless" yet that doesn't seem to do it enough justice. Fritz Lang's M is simply an amazing picture that I would encourage any film lover to see.
[HEADING=2] 7. Goodfellas (1990)[/HEADING]
What makes it so good is how likable the characters are on screen. They're people you enjoy seeing and you get the sense of how these people become like family, yet they're also ruthless murderers and thieves. They kill for sometimes no reason at all. Something as simple as making fun of them will get you shot, then they'll laugh. What they hide behind their smiles is the deeper subject, however. In reality, they're almost all paranoid or jealous of each other, killing their closest assossiates simply for money. Goodfellas succeeds on many levels. It tells a wonderfully entertaining story while at the same time exposing the corruption, jealousy, misguided loyalty and greed behind these characters. Even without any form of deeper meanings or the study of its characters, it's still one of the most entertaining films I've ever seen.
[HEADING=2]6. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)[/HEADING]
I wanted to see what became of the people in the film. That's what Shawshank does so well. It gives a sense of hope even in the worst of places; a corrupt prison run by possibly one of the best film antagonists. It gives the audience reason to stay with the film. The main characters are highly likable while the antagonists are some of the most easily hatable. You want to see their outcome, whatever it may be and The Shawshank Redemption has one of the best endings I've ever seen.
And, in order to cut down on at least some length to this list, I'll put the top 5 in spoilers.
[HEADING=2]5. Rear Window (1954)[/HEADING]
On a technical level, the film is masterfully done. The entire film is shot from the main character's small apartment, never leaving it once, immersing the viewer even further. Even small things like the little background stories that go on with the neighbors manage to keep the film going. A struggling musician, a lonely woman and a newly wed couple make the movie feel more real and adds character. Almost everything down to the writing, the outcome and the technicalities are done brilliantly. Rear Window is Hitchcock's masterwork and stays timeless even to this day.
[HEADING=2]4. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)[/HEADING]
Grave of the Fireflies is one of the single most powerful films I've ever seen, animated or not and it rightfully belongs on any list of greatest war films. While the English dub is an absolute disaster, watching it in the original Japanese audio brings the true feeling back into the film. It isn't something you would want tampered with as it loses all feel after. The messages seen throughout the film are timeless and the pure beauty of the film is undeniable and for that, it has been one of my favourite films since I was a child.
[HEADING=2]3. Metropolis (2000)[/HEADING]
The overall theme is questioning humanity. How humans can interact with artificial intelligence and how, eventually, humanity will be its own downfall. There is really only one word that can describe this film; "Beautiful"
Everything about it is breathtaking from the stunning animation to the wonderful story and characters. It's all beautiful, coming together making a masterpiece of a film. The voice acting, the animation and even the wonderful soundtrack are spectacular, making it the most enjoyable anime experience (including series and films) I've ever seen.
[HEADING=1]TIE!!![/HEADING]
[HEADING=2]2. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2001) / Oldboy (2003)[/HEADING]
As stated in the beginning of this list, I stated that I want to stay as unbiased as possible by choosing only one film per director. However, when it comes to Park Chan Wook, that was nearly impossible. I know that this will probably seem like a cheap way to include these films, but I honestly can't make up my mind as to which one I prefer. Two absolutely fantastic films, both sharing the same theme and the same brilliant director, but they're also two very different films. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is highly artistic in many ways in terms of the technical. Virtually no music is heard throughout the film, making it feel more real and all the more brutal. The film follows the story of Ryu, a deaf and dumb factory worker, caring for his deathly ill sister until she can get the transplant she needs. However, in an act of desperation, he sells his kidney on the black market to get one for his sister, only to get robbed of both his kidney and his money. In order to get money for the operation, he and his girlfriend resort to kidnapping the daughter of his former employer.
As the story progresses, it becomes more and more difficult to watch. Not because it is bad, but because there are scenes of such disturbance and brutality that it becomes hard to stomach, but never taking away from the film. Playing almost like the most intense game of cat and mouse ever, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance shows brilliance in one of the most simplistic of ways. The film was done on a small budget and the script was finished in only 20 hours of constant work, yet it is one of the best told and best directed movies I've seen.
Then on the other hand is Oldboy, considered by many to be Wook's masterpiece and by others as the greatest film of all time. The film follows Oh Dae Su as he is captured at random and locked away for 15 years in a cell without reason, then suddenly released and given 5 days to find out why he was captured. Of Wook's "Vengeance trilogy," Oldboy is by far the most accessible, yet comparing it to the other two, it doesn't mean much. Like with Sympathy, Oldboy is wonderfully written and masterfully directed. While the two differ greatly in terms of artistic merit, story and the overall way they're done, I still can't decide which film I enjoyed more. Both are movies I love to watch, both are absolutely stunning and both constantly are a joy to watch so in all good faith, I can't put one over the other.
[HEADING=1]1. Seven Samurai (1954)[/HEADING]
Like many great films, the story is rather a simple one. A village is constantly under attack by a group of bandits and hires a group of samurai to defend them. Yet, what makes the film amazing is the way it handles such a simple story. The characters truly make the film and carry it perfectly. From the grizzled, elder teacher to the hopeful and naive youth. Today, the film may seem cliche, but what must be taken of note is that this film did the cliches before they were cliches. The very amount of films that Seven Samurai has inspired over the years is impressive enough, but the movie itself still remains timeless today.
This is really a film that I can't say too much about. It's simply... amazing. A required film for every self proclaimed film lover to watch. Given the amount of inspiration this film has given to others and how well this is done in its own right is reason enough to watch it. Despite the three and a half hour runtime, it never gets boring. Not once did I think through the film "When will this end?"
Everything is almost perfectly paced. The action, the story and the characters are so well created and written that it keeps the viewer hooked until the very end. Taken from my own personal favourites, this film tops the list as, not only my favourite film, but also as the greatest film of all time, in my opinion.
So there you have it. My bloody long list of personal favourite films. Of course, films are always being made and I obviously haven't seen every film ever, so this list is subject to change. If you have any recommendations as to films that should be here, then say so, however leave comments civil. If you don't like the list, make your own. Don't ***** if you don't like it.
Movies:
Best Movies of the Decade [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.164045-Best-Films-of-the-Decade-Warning-Extremely-Long-Review] I Inception [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.215806-JK-Reviews-Inception] I Oldboy [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.236848-JK-Reviews-Oldboy] I Thirst [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238393-JK-Reviews-Thirst] I Noroi [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.258713-JK-Reviews-Noroi] I Ghost in the Shell [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.264848-Poll-JK-Reviews-Ghost-in-the-Shell?view_results=1]
Games:
Bayonetta [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.169030-JK-Reviews-Bayonetta-Warning-May-Contain-Spoilers] I Game of the Year 2009 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.163760-Celebration-for-My-5000th-post-Game-of-the-Year-awards] I God of War III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.182952-JK-Reviews-God-of-War-III] I NieR [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.203204-JK-Reviews-NIER] I Castlevania: Lament of Innocence [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.206361-JK-Reviews-Castlevania-Lament-of-Innocence] I Maximo: Ghosts To Glory [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.212014-JK-Reviews-Maximo-Ghosts-To-Glory] I Kingdom Hearts [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.229506-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Kingdom-Hearts] I Kingdom Hearts II [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.230725-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Kingdom-Hearts-II] I Assassin's Creed Brotherhood [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.248762-JK-Reviews-Assassins-Creed-Brotherhood] I Top 12 Games of 2010 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.252471-JKs-Top-12-Best-Games-of-2010] I Bioshock [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.262110-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Bioshock] I Fallout: New Vegas [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.266849-JK-Reviews-Fallout-New-Vegas] I Silent Hill 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.270928-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Silent-Hill-2]
Music:
Equilibrium's ReKreatur [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.204108-JK-Reviews-Equilibrium-ReKreatur]
Best Movies of the Decade [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.164045-Best-Films-of-the-Decade-Warning-Extremely-Long-Review] I Inception [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.215806-JK-Reviews-Inception] I Oldboy [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.236848-JK-Reviews-Oldboy] I Thirst [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238393-JK-Reviews-Thirst] I Noroi [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.258713-JK-Reviews-Noroi] I Ghost in the Shell [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.264848-Poll-JK-Reviews-Ghost-in-the-Shell?view_results=1]
Games:
Bayonetta [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.169030-JK-Reviews-Bayonetta-Warning-May-Contain-Spoilers] I Game of the Year 2009 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.163760-Celebration-for-My-5000th-post-Game-of-the-Year-awards] I God of War III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.182952-JK-Reviews-God-of-War-III] I NieR [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.203204-JK-Reviews-NIER] I Castlevania: Lament of Innocence [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.206361-JK-Reviews-Castlevania-Lament-of-Innocence] I Maximo: Ghosts To Glory [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.212014-JK-Reviews-Maximo-Ghosts-To-Glory] I Kingdom Hearts [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.229506-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Kingdom-Hearts] I Kingdom Hearts II [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.230725-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Kingdom-Hearts-II] I Assassin's Creed Brotherhood [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.248762-JK-Reviews-Assassins-Creed-Brotherhood] I Top 12 Games of 2010 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.252471-JKs-Top-12-Best-Games-of-2010] I Bioshock [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.262110-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Bioshock] I Fallout: New Vegas [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.266849-JK-Reviews-Fallout-New-Vegas] I Silent Hill 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.270928-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Silent-Hill-2]
Music:
Equilibrium's ReKreatur [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.204108-JK-Reviews-Equilibrium-ReKreatur]
Remember, that I am now taking requests for reviews, so any suggestions for future reviews or lists you may have, please let me know via PM or in the replies to this review.
