Top 10 Movies
Posted by John on October 12th, 2006
All movie sites have some kind list of their all time favorite movies. I never tried to do that myself, because I would have to remember all the movies I’ve seen in my life and compare them. That would have been an impossible task.
However I came up with a different list: top 10 movies off the top of your head. Basically I sat down and started typing titles of movies that I really love, without thinking too much about it. Here’s the result, in no particular order:
- Fight Club: I watched this film 10 times, and everytime I get something new. The plot is great, Ed Norton is my favorite modern actor, Fincher is one of my favorite young directors, I love the narration.
- Godfather I & II: ok I cheated, these are two movies, but they’re from the same filmmakers. Truly classic movies of the 70’s.
- The Usual Suspects: the best twist ending I’ve ever seen on movies, next to Fight Club. A great ensemble cast, Singer is another favorite young director of mine.
- Requiem for a Dream: again, by a young director (Aronofsky). This is the most gut wrenching movie I’ve seen. It just punches you in the stomach, and makes you glad that you are not the people depicted in the movie. Very emotional movie about addictions.
- Mulholland Drive: funny, misterious, dramatic, puzzling. Lynch’s masterpiece in my opinion, because it actually makes sense.
- Goodfellas: Scorsese’s output has been almost constantly good for more than 30 years. This movie is my favorite of his. Until I rewatch Taxi Driver or Raging Bull…
- Memento: the most original screenplay I’ve ever seen. Great directing by Nolan and acting by Pierce, complement this genius idea of showing this story backwards.
- Chasing Amy: the best Kevin Smith movie, personal, funny, dramatic. It is all about relationships, both friendship and romantic. Did I mention it is funny? When I get to the end I almost tear up.
- Seven Samurai: heard of Akira Kurosawa for years, and I finally got to see this movie. Expectations were high, but they were blown away. A true masterpiece.
- Vertigo: the perfect Hitchcock movie, great plot twist, great characterization, great acting. What more can I say about this classic from the master of suspence?
That was interesting, and it didn’t take me long. So what is YOUR list?
October 13th, 2006 at 8:41 am
Wow, nice list. I’ve only seen 3.5 of the 10 movies listed above. I think I know what I’ll be looking to watch in the near future…
October 17th, 2006 at 1:36 am
Since you seem to like movies that play with the method of story telling itself (Fight Club, The Usual Suspects, Mulholland Drive and Memento all do that to a large extent), and since you enjoyed Seven Samurai, I would really suggest you get hold of Kurosawa’s ‘Rashomon’ (if you haven’t already seen it, of course). Not as epic as Seven Samurai, Rashomon is really quite similar to most of the films on your list.
October 17th, 2006 at 3:24 am
Thanks for the suggestion. I have seen Rashomon and yes, it is very good. I believe it was an inspiration for Usual Suspects.
Great site btw, I am subscribed. And will move any Kurosawa discussions on there.
October 17th, 2006 at 3:40 am
Thanks for visiting.