My Top 100 All Time Favorite Films
A list, in order of preference, displaying my favorite and most beloved films
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- DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsBertil GuvePernilla AllwinKristina AdolphsonTwo young Swedish children in the 1900s experience the many comedies and tragedies of their lively and affectionate theatrical family, the Ekdahls.Bergman's masterpiece, and one of the most beautiful, touching, and thought-provoking films ever made. Both joyful and sad, funny and frightening, the film has been called life-affirming, and I couldn't agree more.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroRobert DuvallThe early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.Builds on the first installment by adding the father/son parallel - a brilliant choice by Coppola and Puzo that elevated this film to icon status. Certainly the greatest sequel of all time.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMarlon BrandoAl PacinoJames CaanThe aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son.What is there to say that hasn't already been said? A legendary film, and flawless in every way.
- DirectorAndrei TarkovskyStarsAnatoliy SolonitsynIvan LapikovNikolay GrinkoThe life, times and afflictions of the fifteenth-century Russian iconographer St. Andrei Rublev.Tarkovsky's meditative, mesmorizing, and visually arresting period epic is simply a spiritual experience, with moments so breathtaking I could hardly comprehend them.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsHumphrey BogartIngrid BergmanPaul HenreidA cynical expatriate American cafe owner struggles to decide whether or not to help his former lover and her fugitive husband escape the Nazis in French Morocco.The song, the setting, the love triangle - The ultimate classic from the golden age of cinema with some of the most quotable dialogue of any film...wonderful from start to finish, always putting a smile on my face.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsLiam NeesonRalph FiennesBen KingsleyIn German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.Speilberg, to me, proved with this masterpiece that he is not just all style and no substance, that he can create something so affective, so engrossing and impassionating to allow me to watch it dozens of times. This is a film to be analyzed, to be learned from; a film both important as a window into history and a milestone in one brilliant director's career.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsKeir DulleaGary LockwoodWilliam SylvesterAfter uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.Kubrick, some would argue, has never made anything but masterpieces, and this one is no exception. Bold, philosophical, visually rich, and literally hypnotic, "2001" is a challenging, mind-bending journey that any film lover must take.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRoy ScheiderRobert ShawRichard DreyfussWhen a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community off Cape Cod, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.If you're like me, you've seen this more times than you can remember. A perfect film featuring fantastic performances and direction - the #1 thriller of all time still resonates today. Who doesn't automatically associate John William's theme with impending danger?
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsAnthony PerkinsJanet LeighVera MilesA Phoenix secretary embezzles $40,000 from her employer's client, goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother.Hitchcock was a master, and this is his greatest achievement. The shots, cuts, iconic score, brilliant performances, and the infamous shocking twist make "Psycho" nothing less than superb.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.You either love it or hate it, and I love it. Tarantino demonstrated with this film that he was not a one-hit-wonder and was here to stay. Every moment in this film is memorable, and despite its wild, often tongue-and-cheek tone, it actually makes you think...a meditation on life really.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroRay LiottaJoe PesciThe story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.Scorsese at his best. The film moves at break-kneck speed, never slowing down or having a dull moment. It's done so fantastically well, it seems like Scorsese did it with his eyes closed, as if it all came naturally. That is his genius.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardJack OakieDictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.The most brilliant politcal satire ever made. It left me in tears laughing (to the point where it hurt), and left me with tears of humanity with Chaplin's famous speech for peace in the final minutes. I've seen it multiple times and enjoy it more with each viewing.
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.The most uplifting, wondeful film of all time...if this doesn't leave you smiling, crying, and singing "Auld Lang Syne" then you're not human.
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsHenry FondaLee J. CobbMartin BalsamThe jury in a New York City murder trial is frustrated by a single member whose skeptical caution forces them to more carefully consider the evidence before jumping to a hasty verdict.How can a movie that takes place in one conference room be any good? Watch "12 Angry Men." It had me laughing and screaming and on the edge of my seat. A simply incredible classic that cannot be missed.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneTakashi ShimuraKeiko TsushimaFarmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, who gathers six other samurai to join him.Kurosawa's finest hour. You quickly fall in love with all of the characters and find yourself laughing and shouting with them. The film features fantastic battles, brawls, and comedic moments that make all 200+ minutes of it a pleasure to watch.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsWoody AllenDiane KeatonTony RobertsAlvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.A small, deceptively simple film about two people struggling to keep their relationship afloat. With Allen's witty, insightful, and smart commentaries on life, death, and love and a charming performance from Diane Keaton, the film is a hilariously honest look at the craziness of life before, after, and during a relationship.
- DirectorPeter JacksonStarsElijah WoodIan McKellenOrlando BloomA meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.In this entry, I also want to include "The Two Towers" and "Return of the King." Although they are all technically separate films, the trilogy is one story, told so masterfully and beautifully as to never be forgotten or likely surpassed. A monumental achievement in cinema history.
- DirectorFritz LangStarsBrigitte HelmAlfred AbelGustav FröhlichIn a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.A powerful, imaginative look at modern society and class differences. A profoundly moving and intelligent early science fiction masterpiece that still wows to this day. I had the pleasure of seeing the restored version on the big screen and it was nothing less than amazing.
- DirectorCarol ReedStarsOrson WellesJoseph CottenAlida ValliPulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime.With a memorable and unique score, gorgeous black and white cinematography, stellar performances, and a genuinely engrossing mystery, this is the best film noir ever made; a film lover's dream.
- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsTim RobbinsMorgan FreemanBob GuntonOver the course of several years, two convicts form a friendship, seeking consolation and, eventually, redemption through basic compassion.Despite being a box office disappointment and winning zero Oscars, this stands as one of the most popular and beloved films in history. A truly inspiring experience.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodEli WallachLee Van CleefA bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.There is nothing ugly or bad about this Leone western epic. It's iconic score paired with moments of dead silence inspired a generation of filmmakers and set a new standard on the genre. Funny, exciting, and merciless in its depiction of violence and cruelty, it's as gritty as they come.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsCharlton HestonJack HawkinsStephen BoydAfter a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.This movie defines epic. Featuring gigantic sets, sprawling landscapes, and probably the best action sequence ever filmed, "Ben-Hur" is a passionate, engorssing drama that is a spectacle to behold.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.De Niro's powerhouse performance is what ultimately brings one of Scorsese's greatest films together. Shot beautifully in black and white, this no holds-barred biopic delivers some hard punches (haha), but succeeds the most at depicting a tortured soul fighting to overcome himself.
- StarsLiv UllmannErland JosephsonBibi AnderssonTen years within the marriage of Marianne and Johan.I'm referring primarily to the televised version, as opposed to the threatrical release. The performances by the starring actors are so raw and so vicious that it carries all five hours of the film, which is essentially one big emotional confrontation. Rage-inducing, emotionally draining, and heartfelt, this is as real as movies get when it comes to marriage.
- DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsMax von SydowBirgitta ValbergGunnel LindblomIn 14th-century Sweden, an innocent yet pampered teenage girl and her family's pregnant and jealous servant set out from their farm to deliver candles to church, but only one returns from events that transpire in the woods along the way.The first time I saw this Bergman classic I cried like a baby. It struck me so hard, that I've never forgotten it, and have yet to return to it. The loss of innocence and the pains of grieving parents are what really define this film.
- DirectorFritz LangStarsPeter LorreEllen WidmannInge LandgutWhen the police in a German city are unable to catch a child-murderer, other criminals join in the manhunt.Peter Lorre (sorry for the spelling), delivers the performance of a lifetime in this complex, gut wrenching look at a town consumed with fear and paranoia. Relative even today, Fritz Lang boldly tells a story about humanity in its worst forms, and holds nothing back in the film's intense climax.
- DirectorF.W. MurnauStarsMax SchreckAlexander GranachGustav von WangenheimVampire Count Orlok expresses interest in a new residence and real estate agent Hutter's wife.F.W. Murnau's most iconic film oozes with creepy atmosphere and wonderful cinematography and light tricks, thanks to German Expressionism's unique influence. Max Schrek is nothing short of mesmorizing in his portrayal of the insidious vampire...perhaps the most unnerving take on the vampire in film history.
- DirectorMerian C. CooperErnest B. SchoedsackStarsFay WrayRobert ArmstrongBruce CabotA film crew goes to a tropical island for a location shoot, where they capture a colossal ape who takes a shine to their blonde starlet, and bring him back to New York City.Perhaps the best and most iconic monster movie of all time, "King Kong" still thrills to this day, but also features a story of lonliness and a bit of love at its core. The image of Kong atop the Empire State Building is one of the most profound and recognizeable shots of any film.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.The Coen Brothers' masterful thriller gushes with quiet, unnerving intensity and dry, subtle humor puncuated with moments of chaos and violence. It also features fantastic symbolism, a bit of philosphical musing, and a terrifying villain, making it one of the best films of the 2000's.
- DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsVictor SjöströmBibi AnderssonIngrid ThulinAfter living a life marked by coldness, an aging professor is forced to confront the emptiness of his existence.Ingmar Bergman's meditative and dream-like look at the life of an elderly man at the end of his road, death and his own past around every turn. A touching performance by Victor Sjöström makes the film a heart-warming endeavor, despite its melancholy tone.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsTatsuya NakadaiAkira TeraoJinpachi NezuIn Medieval Japan, an elderly warlord retires, handing over his empire to his three sons. However, he vastly underestimates how the new-found power will corrupt them and cause them to turn on each other...and him.Akira Kurosawa's late masterpiece features brilliant art direction, utilizing bold, bright colors, as well as sweeping, large scope cinematography. Kurosawa demonstrates his mastery of the art of filmmaking like few directors have ever done.
- DirectorRichard AttenboroughStarsBen KingsleyJohn GielgudRohini HattangadiThe life of the lawyer who became the famed leader of the Indian revolts against the British rule through his philosophy of nonviolent protest.Ben Kingsley gives one of the greatest performances of all time in this deeply powerful biopic. I have read a lot by and about Gandhi, and the film captures his life and message exceptionally well.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMartin SheenMarlon BrandoRobert DuvallA U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.A chilling and haunting portrait of the Vietnam War, the film was a notoriusly difficult shoot and all of the pain and suffering of the filmmakers pays off in the final product. The redux is also worth a watch, adding another layer of horror to the story.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroJodie FosterCybill ShepherdA mentally unstable veteran works as a nighttime taxi driver in New York City, where the perceived decadence and sleaze fuels his urge for violent action.Martin Scorsese's first masterpiece is a gritty, disturbing film that brilliantly outlines the mind of a man on the edge of madness.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.Fun, exciting, thrilling, and reminiscent of the old Hollywood adventure serials, Indiana Jones' first outing is the kind of film you enjoy whether you're twelve or fifty, boy or girl - truly timeless.
- DirectorStanley DonenGene KellyStarsGene KellyDonald O'ConnorDebbie ReynoldsA silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.Colorful and uplifting, this is my favorite movie musical. The Singin' in the Rain sequence is one of the greatest film moments ever.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsWilliam HoldenGloria SwansonErich von StroheimA screenwriter develops a dangerous relationship with a faded film star determined to make a triumphant return.Gloria Swanson eats up the screen with her broad, wild performance as a has-been silent movie star. I've always loved the score, too, especially in the opening title sequence (which is also brilliantly shot).
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinEdna PurvianceJackie CooganThe Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put their relationship in jeopardy.One of Chaplin's funniest and most endearing films - short but sweet, and featuring a classic scene of cat and mouse between Chaplin, the kid, and a police officer.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinVirginia CherrillFlorence LeeWith the aid of a wealthy erratic tippler, a dewy-eyed tramp who has fallen in love with a sightless flower girl accumulates money to be able to help her medically.A heartwarming, hilarious outting for the Little Tramp that fills me with joy every time.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinMack SwainTom MurrayA prospector goes to the Klondike during the 1890s gold rush in hopes of making his fortune, and is smitten with a girl he sees in a dance hall.Perhap's Chaplin's funniest and most adventurous film, "The Gold Rush" has one classic gag after another, each more crazy than the last. A riot to watch, with social commentary on the times.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsJack NicholsonShelley DuvallDanny LloydA family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future.Kubrick's masterful horror film is a menacing, deliberately paced chiller helmed by Jack Nicholson's insane performance. A shrieking score, and disarming pace make this a cut above the rest.
- DirectorWoody AllenStarsMia FarrowDianne WiestMichael CaineBetween two Thanksgivings two years apart, Hannah's husband falls in love with her sister Lee, while her hypochondriac ex-husband rekindles his relationship with her sister Holly.Woody Allen's second best film next to Annie Hall is a wonderful tapestry of wanting and needing. Stellar performances, an outstanding script, and great musical choices by Allen make this a pleasure to watch over and over again.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsTom CruiseNicole KidmanTodd FieldA Manhattan doctor embarks on a bizarre, night-long odyssey after his wife's admission of unfulfilled longing.Kubrick's final film is, yet again, a masterpiece with fantastic art direction and cinematography, and an errie, doom-filled score. The film is a slow-burner that seduces the viewer into a dark world of sex, money, and secrets. As intruiging as they come.
- DirectorSergei EisensteinStarsAleksandr AntonovVladimir BarskiyGrigoriy AleksandrovIn the midst of the Russian Revolution of 1905, the crew of the battleship Potemkin mutiny against the brutal, tyrannical regime of the vessel's officers. The resulting street demonstration in Odessa brings on a police massacre.A thrilling, shocking, heartbreaking, and ultimately insightful silent classic that vividly recreates a terbulent period in Russian history. Still very affective to this day.
- DirectorJohn FrankenheimerStarsFrank SinatraLaurence HarveyJanet LeighAn American POW in the Korean War is brainwashed as an unwitting assassin for an international Communist conspiracy.An emotionally complex and intensely suspenseful politcal thriller that grabs hold of you and never lets go. Sinatra gives an outstanding performance.
- DirectorFrançois TruffautStarsJean-Pierre LéaudAlbert RémyClaire MaurierA young boy, left without attention, delves into a life of petty crime.Deeply moving story of lonliness and the struggle to break free. The young Jean-Pierre Leaud is terrific as the happless Antoine in my favorite Truffaut film.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsMark WahlbergJulianne MooreBurt ReynoldsBack when sex was safe, pleasure was a business and business was booming, an idealistic porn producer aspires to elevate his craft to an art when he discovers a hot young talent.A film I've seen numerous times due to its quick pace and array of colorful characters. A wild, energized downspiral into the seedy world of the porn industry during the late 1970s and early 80s. P.T. Anderson tells the story in a Scorsese-eque style, with lots of flare and momentum.
- DirectorJames CameronStarsLeonardo DiCaprioKate WinsletBilly ZaneA seventeen-year-old aristocrat falls in love with a kind but poor artist aboard the luxurious, ill-fated R.M.S. Titanic.It may be one of the biggest box office hits of all time, but it's also one of the best films ever made. Funny, moving, romantic, and of course tragic, it never fails to leave me in tears.
- DirectorAnthony MinghellaStarsRalph FiennesJuliette BinocheWillem DafoeAt the close of World War II, a young nurse tends to a badly burned plane crash victim. His past is shown in flashbacks, revealing an involvement in a fateful love affair.An intelligent, beautifully realized tragic romance about impossible love, war, and the human condition. I really love this film.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsF. Murray AbrahamTom HulceElizabeth BerridgeThe life, success and troubles of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as told by Antonio Salieri, the contemporaneous composer who was deeply jealous of Mozart's talent and claimed to have murdered him.Great in so many ways, not to mention Mozart's incredible music. F. Murray Abraham gives one of the greatest performances ever put on film.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantEva Marie SaintJames MasonA New York City advertising executive goes on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and falls for a woman whose loyalties he begins to doubt.Hitchcock's most stylish and humor-filled thriller is also one of his best, with an unforgettable climax and a fantastic performance from Cary Grant. It also features a great score, and the famous crop duster scene stands out as one of the best shots in film history.
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsWilliam H. MacyFrances McDormandSteve BuscemiMinnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.The Coen Brothers' quirky, dark, and hilarious look at murder and lies in the midwest is one of the most original and fullfilling films ever made.
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsJeff BridgesJohn GoodmanJulianne MooreJeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.How could you not love this film? The performances are great, the writing and direction are superb, and the art direction is wonderful. A totally off-the-wall experience, that's certainly not for everybody.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsDaniel Day-LewisPaul DanoCiarán HindsA story of family, religion, hatred, oil and madness, focusing on a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.The second best film of 2007 is an incredible achievement. Wonderful cinematography, a fantastic score, and a wild, chilling performance by Daniel Day-Lewis make this one of the best viewing experiences in recent memory.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsChoi Min-sikYoo Ji-taeKang Hye-jeongAfter being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days.This isn't for the faint of heart, and has an ending that left my jaw on the floor. A pulse-pounding web of secrets and horrible truths. One of the best films of the 2000's.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinPaulette GoddardHenry BergmanThe Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.While, in my opinion, this may not be Chaplin's all out funniest pictures, it is his most self-aware (aside from "The Great Dictator"), and features smart, poignant social commentary about the modern world. Don't get me wrong, though: the film is filled with one great gag after the other.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsEli MarienthalHarry Connick Jr.Jennifer AnistonA young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.A touching and inspiring (and often overlooked) animated feature that has more emotional complexity and maturity than many live-action films released today. A true treat.
- DirectorVictor FlemingKing VidorStarsJudy GarlandFrank MorganRay BolgerYoung Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others' wishes.The music, the colors, the characters, and the yellow brick road. What's not to love about this endearing classic?
- DirectorJames AlgarSamuel ArmstrongFord Beebe Jr.StarsLeopold StokowskiDeems TaylorThe Philadelphia OrchestraA series of eight famous pieces of classical music, conducted by Leopold Stokowski and interpreted in animation by Walt Disney's team of artists.Disney's bold and original experiment with music and imagery is an enlightening, soothing experience that always amazes me. If you love classical music or wonderful animation, then this is a rare delicacy.
- DirectorStephen DaldryStarsJamie BellJulie WaltersJean HeywoodA talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.Honest and heartfelt, "Billy Elliot" is a bitter-sweet, but ultimately uplifting look into the struggles of adolescence and finding out who you truly are. Something we can all relate to. The film also has a great soundtrack.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioMatt DamonJack NicholsonAn undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.Martin Scorsese showed he's still got it with this hard-hitting crime thriller that gave him his first Academy Award for Best Director (a long time coming). Clever, quick, and brutal "The Departed" is a superb demonstration of filmmaking genius.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsJake GyllenhaalRobert Downey Jr.Mark RuffaloBetween 1968 and 1983, a San Francisco cartoonist becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac Killer, an unidentified individual who terrorizes Northern California with a killing spree.David Fincher's masterful analysis of the Zodiac crime spree that plagued California in the 1960s and 70s is a pitch-perfect combination of crime thriller and journalism drama. The filmmakers do a fantastic job at presenting the facts and create a series of compelling arguments that, by the end of the film, cause the viewer to be just as obsessed with the case as the characters are.
- DirectorDavid LeanStarsWilliam HoldenAlec GuinnessJack HawkinsBritish POWs are forced to build a railway bridge across the river Kwai for their Japanese captors in occupied Burma, not knowing that the allied forces are planning a daring commando raid through the jungle to destroy it.One of the most intense and impassionating movies I've ever seen; the ending is a genuine on-the-edge-of-your-seat nail-biter.
- DirectorIngmar BergmanStarsMax von SydowGunnar BjörnstrandBengt EkerotA knight returning to Sweden after the Crusades seeks answers about life, death, and the existence of God as he plays chess against the Grim Reaper during the Black Plague.Ingmar Bergman's gloomy dark comedy (I would argue) is not for everyone, and took me a few viewings to truly appreciate its brilliance.
- DirectorJean CocteauRené ClémentStarsJean MaraisJosette DayMila ParélyA beautiful young woman takes her father's place as the prisoner of a mysterious beast, who wishes to marry her.Featuring beautiful costumes, sets, and cinematography and heartfelt performances, this is the best version of the classic tale.
- DirectorVictor FlemingGeorge CukorSam WoodStarsClark GableVivien LeighThomas MitchellA sheltered and manipulative Southern belle and a roguish profiteer face off in a turbulent romance as the society around them crumbles with the end of slavery and is rebuilt during the Civil War and Reconstruction periods.The colors in the costumes and sets are stunning, and the performances iconic - the entire film is a spectacle in every way, from the four hour runtime to the melodramatic script; big, bold, and beautiful comes to mind.
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsMel GibsonSophie MarceauPatrick McGoohanScottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.An emotional and unabashedly violent story of David and Goliath. War, romance, and history make it a film that everyone can enjoy.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsWillem DafoeHarvey KeitelBarbara HersheyThe life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.Martin Scorsese took a huge risk producing this film, and received more than he bargained for from the religious right. However, where some see blasphemy, I see a deep, honest, and powerful portrayal of a man cursed by his own destiny - a film far more spiritual and enlightening than most biblical epics.
- DirectorFederico FelliniStarsMarcello MastroianniAnouk AiméeClaudia CardinaleA harried movie director retreats into his memories and fantasies.Federico Fellini's masterpiece - a ponderous, funny, and poignant slice of life story that never fails to entertain and enchant.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherLuke Skywalker joins forces with a Jedi Knight, a cocky pilot, a Wookiee and two droids to save the galaxy from the Empire's world-destroying battle station, while also attempting to rescue Princess Leia from the mysterious Darth Vader.The first and the best installment in the "Star Wars" saga is everything you can ask for: thrilling, funny, romantic, and intelligent, with one of the best movie villains of all time. A rousing, unforgettable experience.
- DirectorIrvin KershnerStarsMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherAfter the Rebel Alliance are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.Just as good as the first, but with a much darker, more ominous tone, "Empire" succeeds best at raising the stakes and hitting-home on a more emotional and personal level with the characters' stories.
- DirectorRichard DonnerStarsChristopher ReeveMargot KidderGene HackmanAn alien orphan is sent from his dying planet to Earth, where he grows up to become his adoptive home's first and greatest superhero.My favorite childhood film that still holds a lot of nostalgia for me, despite it's flaws. Christopher Reeve is excellent in the film that you could call the granddaddy of the modern superhero genre, bringing weight and gravitas to material that was previously seen as kid's stuff.
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordKatharine RossIn 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. After considering their options, they escape to South America.Robert Redford and Paul Newman are cinematic gold together in this fun and exciting classic.
- DirectorFederico FelliniStarsMarcello MastroianniAnita EkbergAnouk AiméeA series of stories following a week in the life of a philandering tabloid journalist living in Rome.Second only to "8 1/2" in Fellini's filmography, "La Dolce Vita" is a rousing, funny, and thoughtful "night on the town." Like "8 1/2", it's a meditation on life and meaninglessness.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMatt DamonTom SizemoreFollowing the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.An unflinching depiction of the horrors of war that really puts you in the middle of the battlefield. The first 20 minutes are unforgettable.
- DirectorMilos FormanStarsJack NicholsonLouise FletcherMichael BerrymanIn the Fall of 1963, a Korean War veteran and criminal pleads insanity and is admitted to a mental institution, where he rallies up the scared patients against the tyrannical nurse.Jack Nicholson made his career with this film, and rightfully so. Hilarious, frightening, and tragic, "Cuckoo's Nest" is a bittersweet film with the message that we're all at least a little crazy, but we have to make the most of it.
- DirectorJoseph SargentStarsWalter MatthauRobert ShawMartin BalsamFour armed men hijack a New York City subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers. The city's police are faced with a conundrum: Even if it's paid, how could they get away?Perhaps the truest "New York movie" ever made, and one of the most stylish and entertaining thrillers of the 70s. The score is excellent.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsGene HackmanGwyneth PaltrowAnjelica HustonThe eccentric members of a dysfunctional family reluctantly gather under the same roof for various reasons.Wes Anderson's devilishly funny dramedy is a quirky, thoughtful portrait of a dysfunctional family. Gene Hackman shines as the swindling, ostracised head of the bunch.
- DirectorBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonKathryn McGuireJoe KeatonA film projectionist longs to be a detective, and puts his meagre skills to work when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend's father's pocketwatch.While I clearly favor Charlie Chaplin, this Buster Keaton feature is one of the funniest and most inventive movies I've ever seen.
- DirectorBernardo BertolucciStarsMichael PittLouis GarrelEva GreenA young American studying in Paris in 1968 strikes up a friendship with a French brother and sister. Set against the background of the '68 Paris student riots.Any real film fan should love this colorful and scandalous culture-fueled look at a three young cinephiles in Paris during the 1960s, the hight of the French New Wave style.
- DirectorMike NicholsStarsDustin HoffmanAnne BancroftKatharine RossA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.Hilarious and poignant story about the transition from boy to man, and about the one who got away. A great soundtrack, and many memorable moments make this one of the best classics from the 60s.
- DirectorLewis MilestoneStarsLew AyresLouis WolheimJohn WrayA German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.Intelligent, bold, and heartbreaking - one of the best anti-war films ever made. The ending shot is iconic.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsJack NicholsonFaye DunawayJohn HustonA private detective hired to expose an adulterer in 1930s Los Angeles finds himself caught up in a web of deceit, corruption, and murder.A throwback to the film noir era, "Chinatown" operates on a fantastic script and stellar performances. One of Polanski's best.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsRichard DreyfussFrançois TruffautTeri GarrRoy Neary, an Indiana electric lineman, finds his quiet and ordinary daily life turned upside down after a close encounter with a UFO, spurring him to an obsessed cross-country quest for answers as a momentous event approaches.A dazzling, engrossing film from beginning to end, featuring John William's classic score. An early treasure from Steven Spielberg.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsKevin CostnerGary OldmanJack LemmonNew Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison discovers there's more to the Kennedy assassination than the official story.Despite being mostly fabricated, Oliver Stone's twisty and complex conspiracy within a conspiracy grabs you from the get-go, and features strong performances and compelling story turns throughout.
- DirectorTerrence MalickStarsJim CaviezelSean PennNick NolteAdaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during the second World War.Terrence Malick's existential and poetic portrait of soldiers fighting their way through the grassy hills of Japan during WWII. Like no other war movie you'll ever see.
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsDenzel WashingtonAngela BassettDelroy LindoBiographical epic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader, from his early life and career as a small-time gangster, to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam and his eventual assassination.A powerful, boldly told biopic of the controversial activist with fantastic direction, a solid soundtrack, and a great performance at the helm.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsAdrien BrodyThomas KretschmannFrank FinlayDuring WWII, acclaimed Polish musician Wladyslaw faces various struggles as he loses contact with his family. As the situation worsens, he hides in the ruins of Warsaw in order to survive.A heartbreaking and yet moving true-life story of survival against impossible odds.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroVal KilmerA group of high-end professional thieves start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a verbal clue at their latest heist.Michael Mann's best film to date is an intense and brilliant crime thriller with two of Hollywood's best pitted against one another.
- 19641h 35mPG8.3 (519K)97MetascoreDirectorStanley KubrickStarsPeter SellersGeorge C. ScottSterling HaydenAn unhinged American general orders a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop.Smart and hilarious satire about the stupidity of government and the fear of nuclear warfare. One of Kubrick's most accessible films.
- DirectorAlexander PayneStarsPaul GiamattiThomas Haden ChurchVirginia MadsenTwo men reaching middle age with not much to show but disappointment embark on a week-long road trip through California's wine country, just as one is about to take a trip down the aisle.Sharply funny, honest and meaingful, "Sideways" is one of the best raod movies ever made.
- DirectorRoman PolanskiStarsMia FarrowJohn CassavetesRuth GordonA young couple trying for a baby moves into an aging, ornate apartment building on Central Park West, where they find themselves surrounded by peculiar neighbors.Chilling and unnerving, "Rosemary's Baby" is as visually frightening as it is psychologically. Mia Farrow gives the performance of her career.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartKim NovakBarbara Bel GeddesA former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.Hitchcock's best looking and perhaps most unnerving story of obsession. The San Francisco setting is practically a character in the film.
- DirectorGiuseppe TornatoreStarsPhilippe NoiretEnzo CannavaleAntonella AttiliA filmmaker recalls his childhood when falling in love with the pictures at the cinema of his home village and forms a deep friendship with the cinema's projectionist.I prefer the original theatrical cut over the extended version. This is a film lover's dream: a movie about the magic of the movies, and the memories they give us.
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.Smart, engorssing, and shocking...one of the best horror films ever made, featuring Sir Anthony Hopkin's iconic performance.
- DirectorKen LoachStarsDavid BradleyBrian GloverFreddie FletcherA working-class English boy spends his free time caring for and training his pet kestrel.A touching, raw look at a young misfit and his bird. There's a grittiness and a genuiness to this film that is hard to come by, which is what ultimately makes it so endearing.
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsEllen BurstynMax von SydowLinda BlairWhen a young girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.Brilliantly disturbing and terrifying with strong performances, fantastic direction, writing, and cinematography, and a chilling score.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartGrace KellyWendell CoreyA wheelchair-bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his Greenwich Village courtyard apartment window and, despite the skepticism of his fashion-model girlfriend, becomes convinced one of them has committed murder.One of Hitchcock's finest and most suspenseful films, with a much-imitated premise. Jimmy Stewart carries the entire film from his wheelchair.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.Inspiring, touching, and featuring a classic score, "Rocky" has become a symbol for the underdog and overcoming the odds.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsCharlton HestonYul BrynnerAnne BaxterMoses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.Pure spectacle and endlessly entertaining; featuring huge sets, colorful costumes, and an earnest performance from Charlton Heston. As far as biblical epics go, this one is top-notch.