[Show spoiler]"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"
Indiana Jones’ second adventure sees the hero descending into a figurative Hell, where children are enslaved and people’s hearts are ripped from their bodies before being lowered into a pit of red hot magma. It’s so brutal, it’s the first film that led to the creation of the PG-13 rating (too rough for PG, not rough enough for R; the film is still PG, but very borderline). Strangely enough, this dark Vedic adventure still has frequent moments of comedy and heart. It makes for a rather strange experience, but it is highly entertaining all the same.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High
Upon watching this Korean crime drama, it’s hard not to feel for the main character; he is a loyal, immaculate, heartfelt man who finds himself betrayed and struggling to survive. The film offers plenty of thrills as the main character is forced to fight for his life, and eventually to fight for vengeance. It is also poetic in tone, thanks to its delicate filmmaking prowess and quality performances.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High
94:
[Show spoiler]"Akmareul Boatda" ("I Saw the Devil")
An epic and brutal struggle between two wicked men: one a serial killer, the other a secret agent seeking vengeance for the loss of his fiancé under the killer’s hands. With this set up, it’s a simultaneously thrilling and chilling experience to watch the two men pursue and confront each other over and over again. It’s quite a bloody ordeal, but a somber and memorable one, filmed with style.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High
93:
[Show spoiler]"127 Hours"
Danny Boyle managed to do something extraordinary: he took an ordinary subject and presented it in an extraordinary manner. You’d think that a movie about a guy trapped in a canyon would be dull. In the hands of any other director, this simple story could have been really boring or trashy. With Boyle’s interesting cinematic style, “127 Hours” is a vivid, gripping, memorable experience that not only entertains, but gives the film a unique life of its own.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High
88:
[Show spoiler]"The Mist"
Taken from the Stephen King novella, with perhaps some influence by HP Lovecraft, this film starts off with a basic yet freakish concept. It remains tense, not only with all the creepy monsters that literally come out of the mist, but also with the primal violence that emerges within the group of survivors. While the devolution of the group serves as a sobering reflection on humanity’s own bestial nature, the film’s ending provides the biggest emotional punch, and stands out as the single most memorable moment in the film. It’s a scene that will leave many either loving or hating the film. I for one love it, for it is like bitter icing on a sweet cake. This bittersweet film comes pretty darn close to being my favorite Stephen King adaptation (but not quite…one other film has that honor…).
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect| Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High
81:
[Show spoiler]"Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back"
Of all the “Star Wars” pictures, this one is probably the most iconic, thanks to a certain twist in the characters that put the whole series into a new perspective. Even without that twist, the film is still quite thrilling with its massive battle on ice planet Hoth, its epic asteroid field chase, and the gripping duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. The film is successful at taking the classic characters and throwing them into new types of peril, ultimately laying the groundwork for the series’ epic conclusion.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange
79:
[Show spoiler]"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"
Maybe not the most exciting film on my list, but while this movie doesn’t have much action or thrills, it manages to entertain with its complex character interactions. It is always a pleasure to watch McMurphy fool around with the inmates at the mental institute, shaking the system and incurring the wrath of Nurse Ratched (a woman who ranks as one of the best villains ever). The consequences of McMurphy’s actions lead to a sobering and thought-provoking conclusion; it is a superb story told with excellent performances and direction.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
78:
[Show spoiler]"Ying Xiong" ("Hero")
Of all the films ever made that feature martial arts and quality fight scene choreography, this might be one of the most beautiful. It’s quite awe-inspiring to watch these characters float over a crystal-clear lake, or soar in the air with a trail of autumn leaves behind them. These fights are staged with a level of spectacle, skill, and beauty that remains unsurpassed by any other film. And yet, it still tells an interesting story, using unique narrative techniques.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
77:
[Show spoiler]"Kick-Ass"
This film’s title in itself says it all: it’s a phrase that’s obscene, irreverent, and just seething with attitude. Such is appropriate as the name of the main character, who decides to one day become a superhero. Even though this film has its share of great action scenes and rambunctious comedy, it does provide some interesting insight on the stark realities of masked vigilantism. This is a rare superhero film where the heroes aren’t invincible, or even all that super. It makes for an experience that’s simultaneously dark and funny. Combined with lots of surprises, the film does a great job of entertaining in a rather obnoxious manner.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Very High
76:
[Show spoiler]"The Avengers" (2012)
It took five films to build this one movie up: “The Incredible Hulk” both “Iron Man” movies, “Thor,” and “Captain America.” That’s how epic it is! All these superheroes, in addition to Nick Fury, Black Widow, and Hawkeye, combine to save the world from an evil threat! That is, unless each of these characters wind up fighting amongst themselves. There is certainly a ton of action to this movie, especially towards the end. But what makes it stand out will be its strong characterization and their complex interactions; the filmmakers did a first-rate job of keeping everything consistent and presenting the Avengers as a type of dysfunctional family.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
This film was released as a double-feature with Quentin Tarantino’s “Death Proof.” The purpose of both films was to replicate the style and presentation of 1970s exploitation cinema. While “Death Proof” suffered from pacing and storytelling issues, Robert Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror” delivered everything one could ask for from trashy exploitation cinema. The film is quite gross, with lots of gnarly blood and guts! At the same time, it’s so over-the-top, with plenty of funny lines and witty one-liners, that it comes off as a satisfying thrill ride. To make the experience even more endearing, the film was purposefully damaged and discolored to give it an aged, rough-around-the-edges look. Oh yeah, the film may not have class, but it definitely has style. It ranks as my favorite zombie picture of all time.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
70:
[Show spoiler]"Aliens"
The first “Alien” film is indeed a sublime piece of work; the only reason it doesn’t make my list is because of its pacing. I’ve always felt it was too damn slow! Fortunately, James Cameron takes the material and runs with it his own way; his sequel eschews the horror and pumps up the action, and the results are phenomenal. The conflict between the space marines and the xenomorphs are thrilling. Above all, though, we see Ellen Ripley evolve from a mere traumatized survivor into a butt-kicking heroine (themes of maternity ensue)! As it is with most other Cameron films, “Aliens” is immersive and highly detailed, expanding greatly on the universe that Ridley Scott established. It’s easy to get caught up in the epic struggle between man and monster.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
67:
[Show spoiler]"X2: X-Men United"
Like any quality sequel, “X2” took everything great about the first “X-Men” film and made it better. The action is bigger and more impressive. The story is broader, with bigger stakes. At the same time, the story is still quite sound, with excellent characterizations. It is especially worthwhile to see Wolverine’s backstory revealed (although more can be seen with the “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” film, there’s enough here to appreciate the character). The story also does a great job of underscoring the continuing conflict between men and mutants, both physical and political.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
63:
[Show spoiler]"The Incredibles"
Taking a little inspiration from “The Fantastic 4,” and perhaps some James Bond films, this Pixar animated film focuses on a family of superheroes just trying to get by. The film has some impressive visuals, great action sequences, and enough good comedy to keep it highly entertaining. It also does a first-rate job of giving the characters life and underscoring their interactions as a family.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest
61:
[Show spoiler]"Donnie Darko"
What a strange picture. It is a dark and mystifying high school drama that somehow ties in quantum physics, theological overtones, and eerie nightmares into one confusing package. It’s a puzzle of a film that requires the audience to find all the clues and piece together the reasoning and logic behind what happens. Even if you can’t figure it out, the ending has a certain “what goes around comes around” vibe that inherently feels cohesive and whole. Populated with strong characters, with some interesting camera composition and music selection, the film comes off as one interesting Rubik’s Cube of a movie.
Two cuts exist for this film. Seeing the Director’s Cut first, I was intrigued by the added special effects and the scenes of added exposition, which help make better sense of the movie. However, I notice that some viewers prefer the Theatrical Cut, rather than having all the answers laid out for them. I’d say, start with the original cut, see the Director’s Cut once, and see what you think.
Entertainment: Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
I love/like these movies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foggy
Also brought Donnie Darko (Original Cut) yesterday on blu
I think both cuts are great. But my favorite is the director's cut.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange
I see the pre-order is finally up for the US disc, so I got it on my wishlist. Can't wait to check it out.
"Baraka" and "Koyaanisqatsi" both rank in the top 25 or so on my list, but I left them off. I decided that I simply haven't seen enough documentaries to justify listing them among fictional films.
I recommend seeing it on the big screen if they release it there. It looked incredible.
I forgot to mention it in my review, but it's also a little darker in tone compared to Baraka, since one of the main themes this time around is death and destruction.
Director Ron Fricke and producer Mark Magidson were present and did a Q&A after the show. I also brought along my Baraka blu-ray and managed to have both of them sign it.
How can something as trivial as a hairpin be the entire subject of a movie? Shimizu manage's to achieve it. The idea behind it is interesting but overall for me it felt a bit flat. I did enjoy seeing Kinuyo Tanaka in a movie made by a director who is not Ozu or Mizoguchi.
I recently watched a few foreign films on BD that were at least year's Toronto International Film Festival:
A Separation - a very interesting Iranian film involving two families: the wealthier, more liberal family is struggling to stay together amid aspirational and inter-generational obligations, while the poorer and pious couple attempt to maintain some dignity amid their poverty. Everyone lies at some point. Very thought-provoking.
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia - an absolutely beautiful-looking film involving the emotional trauma in the immediate aftermath of a murder. There are moments of stunning beauty, especially the night scenes. Deeply philosophical. Very long, but worth every minute.
Le Havre - I wasn't as impressed with this too self-conscious fable involving an elderly man helping a West African refugee.
This morning, I bought my tickets for the following films at the Toronto International Film Festival, which starts this Thursday:
Argo (getting very good buzz) Cloud Atlas (I read the novel early this year) Dredd 3D (guilty pleasure?) End of Watch (not really expecting much) Great Expectations (all-star cast) The Impossible (the Boxing Day tsunami deeply affected me) The Master (getting huge buzz) On the Road (I read the novel many years ago) Pusher (don't know anything about, but why not check it out) A Royal Affair (I should be seeing more foreign films at the Festival) Spring Breakers (guilty pleasure?) The Thieves (I always like to see Asian films at the Festival) To the Wonder (Malick)
i am shocked to see Donnie Darko on Al's list! he never likes so paced movies, so this made me do a double take
Glad I defied somebody's expectations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iam1bearcat
still working on my top 50 list and Al goes and blows me out of the water with a top 100, write ups and PICTURES!
It did take me a long time to get those darn pics and write up stuff. It's a bit of a hassle to get it formatted correctly, so you're not missing much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foggy
I'm gonna risk doing a top 100 soon, although I'd probably cut it down to a top 50 once I realise I don't like many of the other 50 on the list
Sweet! Bring it on!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jvince
I love/like these movies.
Right on!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jvince
I think both cuts are great. But my favorite is the director's cut.
Same here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jvince
I recommend seeing it on the big screen if they release it there. It looked incredible.
I forgot to mention it in my review, but it's also a little darker in tone compared to Baraka, since one of the main themes this time around is death and destruction.
Director Ron Fricke and producer Mark Magidson were present and did a Q&A after the show. I also brought along my Baraka blu-ray and managed to have both of them sign it.
[Show spoiler]
I'll look to see if it's playing. It would be an interesting title to list in my theatrical history repertoire.
It's cool that they had a Q&A session. I would have certainly liked to hear these guys speak. They seem like intelligent fellows.
Regarding the autographs: awesome dude!
Quote:
Originally Posted by iam1bearcat
now it's my turn to start with the list!
below are my top 50 favorite films "of all time" as of September 2, 2012...
50.
[Show spoiler]Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (haven't seen)
[Show spoiler]Solaris (2002) (seen, want to own when it hits BD)
39.
[Show spoiler]The American (got it as a blind-buy and seen)
38.
[Show spoiler]The Wrestler (seen and own. It's a good one)
37.
[Show spoiler]Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (seen and own)
36.
[Show spoiler]Eraserhead (seen and own)
35.
[Show spoiler]The Butterfly Effect (seen and own. A potential favorite)
34.
[Show spoiler]Toy Story (seen and own)
33.
[Show spoiler]The Hot Chick (haven't seen)
32.
[Show spoiler]The Breakfast Club (seen and own. Used to be eligable for my top 100)
31.
[Show spoiler]Superbad (seen and own)
30.
[Show spoiler]Lars and the Real Girl (seen and own)
29.
[Show spoiler]Punch Drunk Love (haven't seen)
28.
[Show spoiler]Scream (seen parts of)
27.
[Show spoiler]Revanche (haven't seen)
26.
[Show spoiler]The Last Kiss (haven't seen)
25.
[Show spoiler]Sex Drive (haven't seen)
24.
[Show spoiler]The Social Network (blind-buy, so I saw it)
23.
[Show spoiler]Burn After Reading (saw in theaters, bought it later)
22.
[Show spoiler]The Royal Tenenbaums (haven't seen)
21.
[Show spoiler]Garden State (haven't seen)
20.
[Show spoiler]The Box (seen it, didn't know what to think )
19.
[Show spoiler]There Will Be Blood (blind-buy, drank its milkshake)
18.
[Show spoiler]Blow (seen it, didn't want to own)
17.
[Show spoiler]Donnie Darko (went through a portal and made my top 100 list, as you saw in the past )
16.
[Show spoiler]Adventureland (haven't seen)
15.
[Show spoiler]Boogie Nights (haven't seen)
14.
[Show spoiler]Zodiac (seen and own)
13.
[Show spoiler]Fantastic Mr. Fox (stolen from a farm and viewed)
12.
[Show spoiler]Lost in Translation (seen it, disliked it )
11.
[Show spoiler]Into the Wild (seen it, didn't care for it enough )
10.
[Show spoiler]The Lives of Others (seen it, didn't do much for me )
09.
[Show spoiler]Forgetting Sarah Marshall (seen it, do not want to own)
08.
[Show spoiler]Fight Club (I am Jack's affirmation that I have seen and own a copy of Fight Club)
07.
[Show spoiler]The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (gave it ten minutes, couldn't get into it )
06.
[Show spoiler]The Blair Witch Project (disliked)
05.
[Show spoiler]Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (seen it, thought it was okay more or less)
04.
[Show spoiler](500) Days of Summer (haven't seen, probably should)
03.
[Show spoiler]Magnolia (seen it, thought it was good, still contemplating its buy-worthiness)
02.
[Show spoiler]Michael Clayton (haven't seen)
01.
[Show spoiler]The Rules of Attraction (haven't seen)
Comments are above.
Seen: 29
Own: 18
Disliked: 2...or so...
Your list certainly has class and is quite respectable. I have seen a surprising amount of it and find a lot of it quite agreeable. I'm sorry to say that I never did like "Blair Witch Project" or "Lost in Translation" (although I'm starting to wonder if I've been too harsh on the latter all these years). It's kinda weird to see some slappy comedies mixed in with all these artistic, thought-provoking films. But hey, they are your favorites.
Sure, it’s a rip-off of “Dances with Wolves,” “Pocahontas,” “The Last Samurai,” “Princess Mononoke,” and perhaps a jillion other stories. But, you know, if I let this type of thing get in the way, my #2 favorite movie of all time would have to be ranked way further down. Where “Avatar” lacks in originality, it makes up for tremendously with its fantastic visuals, its epic action scenes, and its immersive world. With state-of-the-art CGI technology, the film brings the world of Pandora to vivid life, so full of color, variety, imagination, and depth. Even though the story comes off as formulaic, it does present a timeless story with a cast of likable characters. It carries some strong (if not somewhat pushy) themes concerning the environment. Ultimately, the film offers everything I enjoy: the seamless combination of spectacle and storytelling.
On disc, there is an extended version of the film available, which offers a very cool and insightful alternate opening sequence. It comes recommended.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest
59:
[Show spoiler]"The Shining"
Stanley Kubrick never did believe in the supernatural, so his adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is not quite perfect (they made a “Shining” miniseries that follows the book more closely, but it is rather cheesy). If its one thing Kubrick did right, it was in capturing the perfect atmosphere, tone, and visuals to make this film a creepy and intense experience. Even though the film focuses so much on Jack Torrance going nuts, it is still a solid and gripping story with strong characters. For its style and visual acuity, the film remains one of the creepiest I’ve seen, and still stands as one of my top favorite horror films.
On Blu-Ray, the film runs for about two-and-a-half hours long, seamlessly incorporating a number of new scenes and dialogue. It comes recommended.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest
58:
[Show spoiler]"Planet of the Apes"
The premise of this film may seem ridiculous, but it is a brilliantly-crafted piece of science fiction. It is a strange tale about a planet where everything is backwards: apes are the sentient species and people are dumb. It is a thrilling experience to watch the main character struggle against this simian captors, and ultimately fight for his freedom (in a manner that could parallel the civil rights issues of the 60s). Even though the apes’ makeup effects haven’t aged well (at least when compared to the (rather dull) 2001 remake, or the latest “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”), the film still shows impeccable craftsmanship and composition, and remains a classic in the genre.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
57:
[Show spoiler]"The Thing" (1982)
John Carpenter retooled the classic sci-fi flick “The Thing From Another World” with extremely chilling results. In this rendition, the Thing is a shapeless, merciless, Lovecraftian monster that erupts out of flesh and bone and consumes everything around it in a crazy bloody rampage. There are quite a few sequences in this film where something insane and unnatural happens, and the results are as jarring as they are gruesome. In spite of this, the film maintains excellent tension, especially as characters start doubting and fighting among one another. With decent acting, solid cameramanship, and an interesting production value, John Carpenter’s remake is still one of the scariest sci-fi movies ever made.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
56:
[Show spoiler]"The Ring"
A remake of the Japanese horror film “Ringu,” Gore Verbinski takes this simple tale and wraps an intriguing mystery around it. Filled with vivid imagery and strange supernatural phenomenon, the film is as gripping as it is stylish. With quality performances and a strong production value, this is one Americanized remake that I believe far surpasses its predecessor. And the results are pretty darn freaky.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest
55:
[Show spoiler]"Sleeping Beauty"
A classic and endearing fairy tale, filled with really funky imagery, impressive designs, and catchy tunes. Like most other Disney films, it is a simple story that’s well-told and populated by decent characters. Of course, it’s brought to life with quality craftsmanship. It’s also a nice touch that they’ve incorporated Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty waltz into the music.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
54:
[Show spoiler]"The Prestige"
This interesting period drama pits magician against magician, and it proves to be a strange and interesting venture. The film is brilliantly-told and has a slick cinematic style. The production has top-notch craftsmanship and superb performances from the cast. The film overall is one fascinating magic trick.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
53:
[Show spoiler]"El Espinazo Del Diablo" ("The Devil's Backbone")
Before establishing himself with both “Hellboy” films and the universally acclaimed “Pan’s Labyrinth,” Guillermo Del Toro exercised his dark imagination and his storytelling prowess in this endearing ghost story. It shares much in common with “Pan’s Labyrinth,” as both stories revolve around children in orphanages confronting strange and dark forces. In the case of “The Devil’s Backbone,” the story’s set in an orphanage with an unexploded bomb in its courtyard, establishing a rather interesting dynamic for the story that unfolds. The film overall has a nice boyish charm to it. It’s got quality performances, it’s well-filmed, and overall it’s a film well worth watching.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
52:
[Show spoiler]"Memento"
In a bizarre twist, this neo-noir thriller gives you the final scene first, and then works its way backwards to show you its genesis. The film does a brilliant job of drip-feeding the audience information in a way that’ll keep you guessing all the way to its revealing ending. With strong performances, quality writing, and an impressive visual style, Christopher Nolan’s thriller is an amazing trip down memory lane.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
51:
[Show spoiler]"The Matrix Reloaded"
I remember the summer of 2003, I was enthralled to witness the coming of the “Matrix” sequels. With a rip-roaring, gravity-defying highway chase scene, and an epic brawl between Neo and one hundred Agent Smith clones, the action and special effects are extraordinary technical achievements. Not to mention, it makes for one Hell of an amazing spectacle. As far as the story goes, it still has excellent focus on philosophical insight, it still explores the “Matrix” universe pretty deeply, and it still has quality characters. The one weakness that makes this sequel weak, ironically, is the scene that’s meant to put the whole series into perspective: the Architect’s speech, which is so bogged with big words and terminology that it comes off as convoluted. It took me a few viewings to understand what the man was saying, and once I understood it, it was like a revelation. With that insight, this film serves as the cohesive glue that binds the “Matrix” saga into one cohesive trilogy; it answers some questions that remained unanswered from the first film, while making way for the grand finale in “The Matrix Revolutions.”
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
50:
[Show spoiler]"North By Northwest"
Like many other Alfred Hitchcock films, this one starts off with a simple premise: a man is mistaken for another man, and people try to kill him. This kicks off a thrilling adventure, full of wit, romance, and peril, the likes of which can only be topped by a James Bond film. The story has enough mystery to keep it interesting, and enough twists to keep it fresh with every viewing. With quality acting and production value, “North By Northwest” remains my favorite Hitchcock feature.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
49:
[Show spoiler]"Inception"
Christopher Nolan’s dreamscape epic comes off as a rather dull “slideshow” to some folks. But what keeps me enthralled about it will be the phenomenal action setpieces, the MC Escher style special effects, and the complex narrative structure; the latter of which does an excellent job of slowly revealing information that adds background to the characters. It is arguably a fantastic mixture of style and substance.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
48:
[Show spoiler]"Jûbê Ninpûchô" ("The Ninja Scroll")
This quintessential anime feature was (and likely still is) notorious for its abundance of sexuality and excessively graphic bloodshed. While this makes for a rather gnarly (and entertaining) experience, it wouldn’t mean much without a quality story; it’s not a terribly complex story, but it does have quality characters (I have a particular soft spot for Kangero, the woman with poison in her blood, who is tragically doomed to never love anyone intimately). The animation quality holds up extremely well, and the film overall does an excellent job of using strong visuals to accentuate the story.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
47:
[Show spoiler]"Finding Nemo"
Pixar’s underwater adventure offers a highly entertaining and hilarious mix of comedy, peril, colorful visuals, and some educational insight on marine biology. For the most part, it’s very heartfelt and filled with endearing characters. Using superb animation quality and voice-acting, the film makes a big splash among CGI-animated features.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
46:
[Show spoiler]"Iron Man"
With plentiful amounts of impressive action scenes, and a lot of witty attitude, “Iron Man” is one of the most popular and successful superhero films of the decade. This film chronicles the character’s genesis and evolution very effectively; the film has as much heart as it has action. With top-grade production value and a perfect performance by Robert Downey Jr, this is one of the best that Marvel has to offer.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
45:
[Show spoiler]"Minority Report"
Stephen Spielberg’s sci-fi thriller explores the fascinating possibility where crimes are predicted and stopped before they happen. What follows is a fun and insightful exploration of the future, loaded with action, quality special effects, and amusing comedy. The film shows impeccable direction, surprisingly strong performances, and excellent craftsmanship.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
44:
[Show spoiler]"300"
A close adaptation to Frank Miller’s graphic novel, “300” is a stylish, fantastic telling of the historic battle of Thermopylae. While the film has been ridiculed for some of its artistic choices (such as having Spartans fight with hardly any armor on), the story and certain elements in it do have a solid basis in history. A combination of strong performances by the cast and fantastic CGI environments help present the story as a mythic spectacle.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
43:
[Show spoiler]"The Fifth Element"
Luc Besson’s futuristic epic is weird at times, stylish throughout, action-packed, comedic, and all around a satisfying adventure. It presents a cast of quality (if not eccentric) characters going through an interesting original story. With strong production value, impressive special effects, and quirky music, the film is easily one of the most enjoyable sci-fi features ever made.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
42:
[Show spoiler]"Total Recall" (1990)
This pulpy sci-fi film toys around with the novel concept of implanting memories into people’s heads, kicking off an adventure that eventually leads the main character to Mars. There are plenty of fun and memorable scenes (including, of course, the woman with triple mammary glands) and lots of action. It is still an interesting story, especially with the film’s last lines, which could put a new spin on the whole movie (even though it wasn’t the director’s intention).
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
41:
[Show spoiler]"True Lies"
James Cameron’s spy adventure has it all: explosive action, steamy sex appeal, hilarious comedy, inspiring special effects, and a quality story. It may come off as a little too insensitive in this day and age, but it’s hard not to enjoy in this adventurous thrill ride that pits an entire family against terrorists.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
The Good:Kurt Russell is perfect as the one-eyed, wise-ass anti-hero, Snake Plissken; he was born to play this role. Escape is also populated by a great supporting cast of characters. For a film shot on a shoestring budget, it features a pretty impressive atmosphere that's dark and gritty.
The Bad:While still entertaining to this day, it is already a bit dated. It also lacks that extra oomph that Carpenter's Halloween and The Thing have.
The Bottom Line:Escape from New York is solid B-movie fun. Recommended for fans of such films, and worth a look if you like Carpenter's other works.
The Good:Kurt Russell is perfect as the one-eyed, wise-ass anti-hero, Snake Plissken; he was born to play this role. Escape is also populated by a great supporting cast of characters. For a film shot on a shoestring budget, it features a pretty impressive atmosphere that's dark and gritty.
The Bad:While still entertaining to this day, it is already a bit dated. It also lacks that extra oomph that Carpenter's Halloween and The Thing have.
The Bottom Line:Escape from New York is solid B-movie fun. Recommended for fans of such films, and worth a look if you like Carpenter's other works.
It's a great idea. I used to like it a lot more, but I'm more sensitive to hammy acting than I used to be. I could imagine a superb film set in that world. Still in my collection though.
Your list certainly has class and is quite respectable. I have seen a surprising amount of it and find a lot of it quite agreeable. I'm sorry to say that I never did like "Blair Witch Project" or "Lost in Translation" (although I'm starting to wonder if I've been too harsh on the latter all these years). It's kinda weird to see some slappy comedies mixed in with all these artistic, thought-provoking films. But hey, they are your favorites.
Good job, dude.
thanks Al
yeah, when putting together my list i thought, "you know, there are a few comedies that i really enjoy that really are high on my list... " so i knew i had to add them in. very different in style and substance, but sometimes we all need a break from the serious or intelligent
And as expected, 10 out of 50 of your films range from "Eh, I'd watch it again" to "Love it" for me.
Though...I haven't even SEEN 35 of the 50
So 10 out of 15 sounds much better
variety is the spice of life!
really? 35? holy smokes! that's quite a bit i'm sure if i would be able to make 51-100 there would be many more you would enjoy or at least have seen
[Show spoiler]The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
05.
[Show spoiler]Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
04.
[Show spoiler](500) Days of Summer
I like/love these films.
You really love romantic movies, don't you.
I don't know if you've already seen some of these, but I highly recommend them:
50/50 (2011)
An American in Paris (1951)
Annie Hall (1977)
Badlands (1973)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Before Sunset (2004)
Beginners (2010)
Blue Valentine (2010)
City Lights (1931)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
The Double Life of Veronique (1991)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Flipped (2010)
The Graduate (1967)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Last Year at Marienbad (1961)
Let The Right One In (2008)
Love Exposure (2008)
Modern Times (1936)
A Moment to Remember (2004)
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Mon Oncle d'Amérique (1980)
My Sassy Girl (2001)
Once (2006)
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Red Shoes (1948)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Ruby Sparks (2012)
Rushmore (1998)
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
A Short Film About Love (1988)
Ugetsu (1953)
Quote:
Originally Posted by dag
This morning, I bought my tickets for the following films at the Toronto International Film Festival, which starts this Thursday:
Argo (getting very good buzz) Cloud Atlas (I read the novel early this year) Dredd 3D (guilty pleasure?) The Master (getting huge buzz) Spring Breakers (guilty pleasure?) The Thieves (I always like to see Asian films at the Festival) To the Wonder (Malick)
I wanna see those as well. I'm most interested in Argo, Cloud Atlas, and To the Wonder.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange
It's cool that they had a Q&A session. I would have certainly liked to hear these guys speak. They seem like intelligent fellows.
They gave short, straightforward answers (probably because they were gonna do another showing). All they said was that: the new film is about birth, death, and rebirth; they first found out about most of the things in the movie through YouTube; and the Mecca sequence was the most difficult to film since it took them around a year due to all kinds of problems including getting permission.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange
Regarding the autographs: awesome dude!
Thanks. They both seemed pretty nice. Like you, Baraka is among my all-time favorites, so I totally geeked out inside after they signed it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al_The_Strange
60:
[Show spoiler]"Avatar"
Sure, it’s a rip-off of “Dances with Wolves,” “Pocahontas,” “The Last Samurai,” “Princess Mononoke,” and perhaps a jillion other stories. But, you know, if I let this type of thing get in the way, my #2 favorite movie of all time would have to be ranked way further down. Where “Avatar” lacks in originality, it makes up for tremendously with its fantastic visuals, its epic action scenes, and its immersive world. With state-of-the-art CGI technology, the film brings the world of Pandora to vivid life, so full of color, variety, imagination, and depth. Even though the story comes off as formulaic, it does present a timeless story with a cast of likable characters. It carries some strong (if not somewhat pushy) themes concerning the environment. Ultimately, the film offers everything I enjoy: the seamless combination of spectacle and storytelling.
On disc, there is an extended version of the film available, which offers a very cool and insightful alternate opening sequence. It comes recommended.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest
59:
[Show spoiler]"The Shining"
Stanley Kubrick never did believe in the supernatural, so his adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is not quite perfect (they made a “Shining” miniseries that follows the book more closely, but it is rather cheesy). If its one thing Kubrick did right, it was in capturing the perfect atmosphere, tone, and visuals to make this film a creepy and intense experience. Even though the film focuses so much on Jack Torrance going nuts, it is still a solid and gripping story with strong characters. For its style and visual acuity, the film remains one of the creepiest I’ve seen, and still stands as one of my top favorite horror films.
On Blu-Ray, the film runs for about two-and-a-half hours long, seamlessly incorporating a number of new scenes and dialogue. It comes recommended.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest
57:
[Show spoiler]"The Thing" (1982)
John Carpenter retooled the classic sci-fi flick “The Thing From Another World” with extremely chilling results. In this rendition, the Thing is a shapeless, merciless, Lovecraftian monster that erupts out of flesh and bone and consumes everything around it in a crazy bloody rampage. There are quite a few sequences in this film where something insane and unnatural happens, and the results are as jarring as they are gruesome. In spite of this, the film maintains excellent tension, especially as characters start doubting and fighting among one another. With decent acting, solid cameramanship, and an interesting production value, John Carpenter’s remake is still one of the scariest sci-fi movies ever made.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
56:
[Show spoiler]"The Ring"
A remake of the Japanese horror film “Ringu,” Gore Verbinski takes this simple tale and wraps an intriguing mystery around it. Filled with vivid imagery and strange supernatural phenomenon, the film is as gripping as it is stylish. With quality performances and a strong production value, this is one Americanized remake that I believe far surpasses its predecessor. And the results are pretty darn freaky.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Very Good | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Highest
54:
[Show spoiler]"The Prestige"
This interesting period drama pits magician against magician, and it proves to be a strange and interesting venture. The film is brilliantly-told and has a slick cinematic style. The production has top-notch craftsmanship and superb performances from the cast. The film overall is one fascinating magic trick.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
52:
[Show spoiler]"Memento"
In a bizarre twist, this neo-noir thriller gives you the final scene first, and then works its way backwards to show you its genesis. The film does a brilliant job of drip-feeding the audience information in a way that’ll keep you guessing all the way to its revealing ending. With strong performances, quality writing, and an impressive visual style, Christopher Nolan’s thriller is an amazing trip down memory lane.
Entertainment: Very Good | Story: Perfect | Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
49:
[Show spoiler]"Inception"
Christopher Nolan’s dreamscape epic comes off as a rather dull “slideshow” to some folks. But what keeps me enthralled about it will be the phenomenal action setpieces, the MC Escher style special effects, and the complex narrative structure; the latter of which does an excellent job of slowly revealing information that adds background to the characters. It is arguably a fantastic mixture of style and substance.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
47:
[Show spoiler]"Finding Nemo"
Pixar’s underwater adventure offers a highly entertaining and hilarious mix of comedy, peril, colorful visuals, and some educational insight on marine biology. For the most part, it’s very heartfelt and filled with endearing characters. Using superb animation quality and voice-acting, the film makes a big splash among CGI-animated features.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
46:
[Show spoiler]"Iron Man"
With plentiful amounts of impressive action scenes, and a lot of witty attitude, “Iron Man” is one of the most popular and successful superhero films of the decade. This film chronicles the character’s genesis and evolution very effectively; the film has as much heart as it has action. With top-grade production value and a perfect performance by Robert Downey Jr, this is one of the best that Marvel has to offer.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
45:
[Show spoiler]"Minority Report"
Stephen Spielberg’s sci-fi thriller explores the fascinating possibility where crimes are predicted and stopped before they happen. What follows is a fun and insightful exploration of the future, loaded with action, quality special effects, and amusing comedy. The film shows impeccable direction, surprisingly strong performances, and excellent craftsmanship.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good| Film: Perfect | Resonance: Very High
44:
[Show spoiler]"300"
A close adaptation to Frank Miller’s graphic novel, “300” is a stylish, fantastic telling of the historic battle of Thermopylae. While the film has been ridiculed for some of its artistic choices (such as having Spartans fight with hardly any armor on), the story and certain elements in it do have a solid basis in history. A combination of strong performances by the cast and fantastic CGI environments help present the story as a mythic spectacle.
Entertainment: Perfect | Story: Very Good | Film: Very Good | Resonance: Highest
I like/love these. That's 26 so far. I haven't seen Sleeping Beauty since I was a kid, but I think I remember liking it.
I wasn't sure if I'd like the film or not, as its plot has been done numerous times before, but I did like it quite a bit. Neeson was excellent and I thought it was actually pretty poignant, even if the supporting cast was underdeveloped. It reminded me somewhat of Letter Never Sent, the old Russian survival film.
I've been wanting to see this for awhile due to who's involved. I'm a big fan of Knightly, I like Mulligan, and the screenwriter Alex Garland is one of my favorite novelists. Also, the film is an adaptation of a book that was listed as one of the top 100 of the past 100 years. However, I think the film really missed an opportunity to be great--I was never emotionally involved in the movie, despite it's subject.
I saw this film several years ago, before my distaste for David Fincher truly developed, and I didn't like it then. So, I decided to give it another shot. Yup, it's still a poor film with no point to it. Again Fincher shows that he does have a good eye as a director, but the end product isn't very good. Criterion really wasted a selection on this film.
[Show spoiler]Amadeus
49. Psycho
48. Patton
47. Pan's Labyrinth
46. National Treasure
45. The Italian Job (2003)
44. Spirited Away
43. Bella
42. The Avengers
41. Coraline
40.
[Show spoiler]The Bourne Ultimatum
39. X-men: First Class
38. The Bourne Supremacy
37. Raiders of the Lost Ark
36. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
35. The Grey
34. Hot Fuzz
33. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
32. The King's Speech
31. The Shining
30.
[Show spoiler]Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
29. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
28. Jaws
27. Prometheus
26. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
25. Gladiator
24. Saving Private Ryan
23. 12 Angry Men
22. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
21. Ben-Hur
20.
[Show spoiler]Up
19. Memento
18. The Dark Knight Rises
17. Rear Window
16. The Princess Bride
15. The Artist
14. No Country for Old Me
13. Batman Begins
12. The Thing (1982)
11. True Grit (2010)
10.
[Show spoiler]Jurassic Park
9. Dr. Strangelove
8. The Godfather
7. The Fugitive
6. Inception
5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey
3. The Dark Knight
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
1. 127 Hours
[Show spoiler]Amadeus
49. Psycho
48. Patton
47. Pan's Labyrinth
46. National Treasure
45. The Italian Job
44. Spirited Away
43. Bella
42. The Avengers
41. Coraline
40.
[Show spoiler]The Bourne Ultimatum
39. X-men: First Class
38. The Bourne Supremacy
37. Raiders of the Lost Ark
36. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
35. The Grey
34. Hot Fuzz
33. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
32. The King's Speech
31. The Shining
30.
[Show spoiler]Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
29. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
28. Jaws
27. Prometheus
26. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
25. Gladiator
24. Saving Private Ryan
23. 12 Angry Men
22. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
21. Ben-Hur
20.
[Show spoiler]Up
19. Memento
18. The Dark Knight Rises
17. Rear Window
16. The Princess Bride
15. The Artist
14. No Country for Old Me
13. Batman Begins
12. The Thing (1982)
11. True Grit (2010)
10.
[Show spoiler]Jurassic Park
9. Dr. Strangelove
8. The Godfather
7. The Fugitive
6. Inception
5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey
3. The Dark Knight
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
1. 127 Hours
Let's see - I've seen 45 of those and own 35 of them. Which version of The Italian Job do you mean?
Those that would have any chance of making my Top 50 are (in the order you listed them):
Psycho (in for sure)
Spirited Away (in for sure)
The King's Speech (probably in)
The Shining (possibly)
Jaws (possibly)
12 Angry Men (in for sure)
Up (not sure as I like it less each time I see it)
Memento (in for sure)
No Country For Old Men (Top 10)
2001: A Space Odyssey (I admire it, so it would be in from a technical standpoint, although not a film I love to watch)
Many of my favorite directors are totally omitted.
My list would feature a lot more foreign language films.
I don't know if you've already seen some of these, but I highly recommend them:
50/50 (2011)
An American in Paris (1951)
Annie Hall (1977)
Badlands (1973)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Before Sunset (2004)
Beginners (2010) Blue Valentine (2010)
City Lights (1931) The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) The Double Life of Veronique (1991) Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Flipped (2010)
The Graduate (1967)
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Last Year at Marienbad (1961)
Let The Right One In (2008)
Love Exposure (2008)
Modern Times (1936)
A Moment to Remember (2004)
Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Mon Oncle d'Amérique (1980)
My Sassy Girl (2001)
Once (2006)
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Red Shoes (1948)
Roman Holiday (1953)
Ruby Sparks (2012)
Rushmore (1998) Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
A Short Film About Love (1988)
Ugetsu (1953)
the ones in bold i have seen some of them i really enjoyed and a few would make my top 100, maybe one or two i really loved but don't know if i could call it a favorite (Blue Valentine due to how dark and real it feels), and a few i have no interest in seeing again (TCCOBB for sure is in this category). thanks for the recommendations on the others, i'll have to look into those
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Belgium
Brazil
Bulgaria
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Cyprus
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Estonia
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Finland
Greece
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Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
India
Latvia
Lithuania
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Ukraine
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he never likes so paced movies, so this made me do a double take 
) 
)
" so i knew i had to add them in. very different in style and substance, but sometimes we all need a break from the serious or intelligent 
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