LuDiNaToR best of year

[LuDiNaToR]

i love making these lists and sharing my favourite movies with people and ive been checking out brod's list, so i thort would give this ago.

[LuDiNaToR]

2009

THE HURT LOCKER (Kathryn Bigelow)

http://www.traileraddict.com/content/summit-entertainment/hurtlocker-2.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GxSDZc8etg



US Army Sergeant First Class Will James, Sergeant JT Sanborn and Specialist Owen Eldridge comprise the Bravo Company's bomb disposal unit currently stationed in Baghdad. James is the tech team leader. When James arrives on the scene, Bravo Company has thirty-nine days left on its current deployment. It will be a long thirty-nine days for Sanborn and Eldridge whose styles do not mesh with their new leader. James is a renegade for who the thrill of the dismantlement seems to be the ultimate goal regardless of the safety of his fellow team members, others on the scene or himself. On the other hand, Sanborn is by the books: he knows his place and duty and trusts others in the army to carry out theirs as well as he. And Eldridge is an insecure soldier who is constantly worried that an error or misjudgment on his part will lead to the death of an innocent civilian or a military colleague. While the three members face their own internal issues, they have to be aware of any person at the bomb sites, some of who may be bombers themselves.

Well i have only just seen this movie recentley, i got it a while back and its just been sitting in my dvd collection so i finally decided to watch it. Well i found this movie fantastic its not a movie i normaly go for, but ime sure glad i watched it and seen what the all fuss was about. Kathryn Bigelow did a great job with The Hurt Locker, such a small budget and such a big movie and thats why its tops 2009.


4

[stevo3001]

I love that word you use, "thort". I love Hurt Locker too, it's the best American live-action action movie in God knows how long. In terms of quality of films you're 1-0 up over Brodinski's list after the first year. If your writeups end up being half as good as his this'll be well worth reading.

[LuDiNaToR]

Brodinski's writeups are great so much time put into them so cnt compete there.

[LuDiNaToR]

2008

THE DARK KNIGHT (Cristopher Nolan)

http://tengossip.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/2008-the-dark-knight-batman-movie.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqq4j52Fb4



Set within a year after the events of Batman Begins, Batman, Lieutenant James Gordon, and new district attorney Harvey Dent successfully begin to round up the criminals that plague Gotham City until a mysterious and sadistic criminal mastermind known only as the Joker appears in Gotham, creating a new wave of chaos. Batman's struggle against the Joker becomes deeply personal, forcing him to "confront everything he believes" and improve his technology to stop him. A love triangle develops between Bruce Wayne, Dent and Rachel Dawes.

Well the year 2008 we had Iron man, Quantum Of Solace, Indiana Jones, but nothing came close Christopher Nolan's sequel to Batman Begins,The Dark Knight. The Dark Knight set the bar high for future comic book movies with its great storyline, great acting, and great characters. Heath Ledger had everyone talking with his fantastic performance of the joker. Well the critics loved it , the fans loved it, and i loved it. It was a box office smash with a gross of over 1 Billion the biggest earner of 2008, and the biggest movie of 2008.


5

[Brodinski]

Nice picks so far Lud. And very cool poster for The Dark Knight, I've never seen that one before.

[LuDiNaToR]

2007

AMERICAN GANGSTER (Ridley Scott)


http://arnaudmeyran.free.fr/Kinomax/Juin2007/PosterAmericanGangster.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RsIjL4qCjc


In 1968, the loyal driver, bouncer and collector Frank Lucas witnesses the death of his boss and mentor Bumpy Johnson and finds that Harlem lost its leadership. Frank decides to import heroin direct from the source in Bangkok, establishing a logistic of transportation using the US military airplanes from Vietnam to USA. The quality of his product associated to the trade mark "Blue Magic" and the lower prices bring Frank Lucas to the position of number one distributor of heroin in USA. Meanwhile, in the Essex County, the incorruptible detective Richie Roberts that is studying for the Bar Examination is invited to join and head a Federal Investigation Force of Narcotics, seeking the leaders of the dealers in North America.

Well American Gangster directed by Ridley Scott was by far my favourite movie of 2007. Denzil Washington's performance was the best ive seen from him and with Russel Crowe by his side it was great to see them in a movie together. This movie was sharp and stylish and for a movie that has a running time of over 2 hours it flowed really nicely, i was never bored.
Well American Gangster is a another great piece of work from Ridley Scott, one of my favourites.


4.5

[LuDiNaToR]

Nice picks so far Lud. And very cool poster for The Dark Knight, I've never seen that one before.

thanx brod, yea it is cool poster:)

[nebbit]

Nice list so far :yup:

[honeykid]

So far this is just confirming how poor this last decade has been for Hollywood. :(

[LuDiNaToR]

2006

THE DEPARTED (Martin Scorsese)


http://filmjournal.net/clydefro/files/2006/10/the-departed.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUQu6GAW01M


In South Boston, the state police force is waging war on Irish-American organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by gangland chief Frank Costello. While Billy quickly gains Costello's confidence, Colin Sullivan, a hardened young criminal who has infiltrated the state police as an informer for the syndicate, is rising to a position of power in the Special Investigation Unit. Each man becomes deeply consumed by his double life, gathering information about the plans and counter-plans of the operations he has penetrated. But when it becomes clear to both the mob and the police that there's a mole in their midst, Billy and Colin are suddenly in danger of being caught and exposed to the enemy-and each must race to uncover the identity of the other man in time to save himself. But is either willing to turn on the friends and comrades they've made during their long stints undercover?

Well The Departed is one of my favourite movies from Martin Scorsese. The movie had a fantastic cast, Leonardo dicaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson and so With a cast like that what could go wrong ??? the answer there is nothing. This movie was great, very exciting, very good story, and very good twist and turns at the end. 2006 was definitely the year of The Departed. Other movies that were close was Casino Royale and The Prestige.


4.5

[nebbit]

Thanks Ludite :) I liked it also but did like the original more :yup:

[LuDiNaToR]

Thanks Ludite :) I liked it also but did like the original more :yup:

yep it is a great movie.

[honeykid]

Another good, but overrated, film. I think it's a shame that Scorsese won his Oscar for this and not The Aviator.

[The Dame]

Nice list so far. You don't like violence in films, do you, Lud? ;)

[LuDiNaToR]

2005

SIN CITY (Frank Miller)



http://www.7415comics.com/images/illustrations/sin_city_poster.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwIlEu7o9ZM


Sin City" is infested with criminals, crooked cops and sexy dames, some searching for vengeance, some for redemption and others, both. The film incorporates storylines from three of Miller's graphic novels including 'Sin City,' which launched the long-running, critically acclaimed series, as well as 'That Yellow Bastard' and 'The Big Fat Kill.' Where Hartigan, a cop with a bum ticker and a vow to protect stripper Nancy. Marv, the outcast misanthrope, is on a mission to avenge the death of his one true love, Goldie; there's also Dwight, the clandestine love of Shelley who spends his nights defending Gail and her Old Towne girls from Jackie Boy, a dirty cop with a penchant for violence.

Sin City was a movie i did not enjoy the first time i watched it at the cinema. I got Sin City on dvd when it was released a while later and it was fantastic, i loved it the second viewing and the many viewings after that. The cast, well wow what a line up of star's Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke all star in this movie plus many more. The story and the set up of the movie is great and visually this movie is amazing. Some may disagree with this choice but i think it topped 2005.

4

[LuDiNaToR]

2004

Collateral (Michael Mann)


http://www.manhunter.net/gfx/products/collateral_one-sheet_poster.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BDx6ZPHV4w


Max has lived a mundane life as a cab driver for twelve years. The faces have come and gone from his rear-view mirror: people and places he's long since forgotten--until tonight. Vincent is a contract killer. When an off-shore narco-trafficking cartel learns that they're about to be indicted by a federal grand jury, they mount an operation to identify and kill the key witness, and the last stage is tonight. It is on this very night that Vincent has arrived--and five bodies are supposed to fall. Circumstances cause Vincent to hijack Max' taxicab, and Max becomes collateral--an expendable person who's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Through the night, Vincent forces Max to drive him to each assigned destination. And as the L.A.P.D. and F.B.I. race to intercept them, Max and Vincent's survival become dependent on each other, in ways neither would have imagined.

Well Collateral was another great movie from Michael Mann. Tom Cruise was great in this movie one of the best roles ive seen him play in a long time. Jamie Foxx also did a good job in this movie playing Max the taxi driver, i actually felt for him the whole movie. Michael Mann did a great job with this movie, Tho the ending wasnt great (but not bad) it takes you on a thrilling ride to get there that doesnt dissapoint. Well this movie was a great movie from 2004, my best movie of that year.


4

[LuDiNaToR]

anyone having trouble viewing the videos.

[genesis_pig]

I haven't clicked on play, but they appear on this page if that's what you meant.

Besides these are trailes/movies everyone here is familiar with, so you need not worry too much about it.
Keep posting, as long as they appear on the page. it's fine

[honeykid]

Just clicked on the last two you posted and they're both working, LuD. :)

[Xanatos]

I loved Sin City, just saying

[Gunny]

I loved Sin City, just saying

Sin City was excellent. Was that a Richard Rodriguez flick?

[honeykid]

Robert Rodriguez, yes.

[Gunny]

I would like to see a sequel to Sin City. Thought it was done very well.

[TylerDurden99]

Nice choices so far. Especially like American Gangster, it's a brilliant film.

[LuDiNaToR]

2003

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL (Gore Verbinski)


http://bayimg.com/image/majlkaace.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Z1XpfbuZOA


Pirates of the Caribbean is a sweeping action-adventure story set in an era when villainous pirates scavenged the Caribbean seas. This roller coaster tale teams a young man, Will Turner, with an unlikely ally in rogue pirate Jack Sparrow. Together, they must battle a band of the world's most treacherous pirates, led by the cursed Captain Barbossa, in order to save Elizabeth, the love of Will's life, as well as recover the lost treasure that Jack seeks. Against improbable odds, they race towards a climactic confrontation on the mysterious Isla de Muerta. Clashing their swords in fierce mortal combat, Will and Jack attempt to recapture The Black Pearl ship, save the British navy, and relinquish a fortune in forbidden treasure thereby lifting the curse of the Pirates of the Caribbean.

Well Pirates of the Caribbean was a great movie for 2003 it was full of adventure, excitement, comedy, action it basically had everything. Johnny Depp plays captain Jack Sparrow fantastic. Jack Sparrow throughout the movie had me laughing, his performence was faultless. Tho this movie had 2 sequels to follow that didnt match up to this, its still worth checking the trilogy out for this alone. 2003 wernt a great year for movies but this was my favourite of that year.


4

[nebbit]

Thanks Ludite :yup:

[LuDiNaToR]

2002

GANGS OF NEW YORK (Martin Scorsese)


http://uk.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/52/MPW-26144


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH2RXopPTOc

Having seen his father killed in a major gang fight in New York, young Amsterdam Vallon is spirited away for his own safety. Some years later, he returns to the scene of his father's death, the notorious Five Points district in New York. It's 1863 and lower Manhattan is run by gangs, the most powerful of which is the Natives, headed by Bill "The Butcher" Cutting. He believes that America should belong to native-born Americans and opposes the waves of immigrants, mostly Irish, entering the city. It's also the time of the Civil War and forced conscription leads to the worst riots in US history. Amid the violence and corruption, young Vallon tries to establish himself in the area and also seek revenge over his father's death.

Well this is the second Martin Scorsese movie to make this list and what a job Scorsese did with this. Gangs Of New York is a fantastic movie and the cast and story was great. Leonardo Di'caprio and Daniel Day Lewis where brilliant in this movie couldn't imagine another two actors to play there roles any better. Scorsese was was working on this movie for a very long time but it was all worth the wait. Gangs Of The New York takes 2002 hands down.

4.5

[TylerDurden99]

Gangs Of New York is a teriffic film.

[nebbit]

http://bestsmileys.com/signs1/17.gif

[LuDiNaToR]

thanks guys.:)

[LuDiNaToR]

2001

TRAINING DAY (Antoine Fuqua)


http://uk.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/93/MPW-46649


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKTVQPOH8ZA


In a city where streets are overrun by drug dealers, those who have sworn to uphold the law are breaking them to clean up the streets. Denzel Washington plays L.A.P.D detective Alonzo Harris, a veteran narcotics officer whose methods of enforcing the law are questionable, if not corrupt. 'Training Day' follows Harris as he trains rookie Jake Hoyt over a period 24 hours. Ethical dilemmas arise for Hoyt as well as the audience as questions present themselves as to whether or not Harris' methodology for ridding the streets of South Central Los Angeles of drugs is right or wrong.

Well Training Day for me was a great movie, well anything with Denzel Washington in for me is a great movie. Ethan Hawke however i am not a big fan off but he actually does a good job in this and him and Denzel fit together really well. where used to seeing Denzel Washington playing the good guy, but in this movie however where seeing him playing Rogue Cop and he takes the role to a whole different level. Training Day i feel is a movie you will hate or love me personally i love it, plus Eva Mendes stars in it and that isnt a bad thing.


4

[Brodinski]

Some comments on your picks:

I think The Departed is a solid picture, but not even close to my top 5 Scorsese films. I think it barely makes the top 10. I liked Infernal Affairs better.

Sin City is a film I have no love for. I rate it a poor 2.5+. The voice-over annoyed the living ***** out of me. What is the use of hearing Bruce Willis, who I don't like as an actor for some reason, say: "First, I take away his weapons... both of them". Wouldn't it be much better to just see him shoot the guy's hands off? The only story line that I liked was Marv's. That guy is just badass. But that storyline isn't enough to make up for the 2 lesser stories that would follow.

Collateral is a good film. I rate it 3+. That being said, I don't believe it to be Mann's best effort in the 00s. I actually think that's Miami Vice, which is probably many MoFo's least favourite.

Pirates of the Carribean is good popcorn fun. I've no complaints whatsoever about that film. Come to think of it, it's one of the better popcorn flicks of the decade imo. I rate it a solid 3.5+.

I love just about everything about Gangs of New York. Daniel-Day Lewis is terrific. Brendan Gleeson is just such a great character actor. Leo is solid and Cameron Diaz is ok. I like the tale of revenge a lot, although the end is a bit of an anti-climax.

I've little to say about Training Day. I didn't like the story much, you could see what was going to happen from a mile away. I don't think Denzel is that great. He's a bit too over the top for me near the end. I just remember that Eva Mendes was naked in it. The fact that that was the most memorable thing for me about that film, isn't good news...

Nice work Lud, keep it up.

[The Prestige]

Good on you, Lud. Some really good films on there. Sin City, Collateral, The Departed, American Gangster. Not a fan of the Pirates Of The Carribbean series. I can't even get past the original. I dunno, it's just one of those series that do absolutely nothing for me.

Collateral is Mann's second best film imo. Probably not his most polished, but certainly one of his most interesting. I like the cast against type performance he gets out of Cruise, and Foxx is as good in it as he is in Ray. It's a film that spoke to me a bit, too. Like Vincent's initially sly and then straight to the point suggestions that Max is nothing more than the guy you and I work with. The person who wants to do what he really wants but doesn't have the confidence in himself to realise his dreams. That's some true stuff, man. Who says commercial cinema can't make you think?

Gangs Of New York is probably least favourite Scorsese film. Beside the performances, I don't really rate it much. The story doesn't interest me as much as I feel it should and the ending seems a bit too forced for my liking.

Training Day I liked too. I think Washington's performance is excellent because you don't really expect it from him. It's another great piece of casting against type because Fuqua expects people to not want Washington to be as bad as he is, and I think that, along with the scenes of tension within the film, is the strongest point.

Very good work, Lud, keep it up mate.

[Gunny]

Gangs of New York was garbage. Training Day was excellent, though.

[genesis_pig]

I just love Gangs of New York... I had seen an interview of Scorsese & Caprio for Gangs of New York, where Scorsese says that his film is much better than a cartoon guy swinging the city (Spiderman which released earlier that year).

I think this was a very entertaining film, it's always great to see great minds like Scorsese experiment with cinema, this was definitely something unexpected from Scorsese, especially after having seen him do gangster movies number of times..

I thought Training Day was an overhyped trash.. I don't see what gunny means by calling Training Day excellent & Gangs of New York as garbage..

Does Excellent mean the same old plots recycled all over again. Hardly Denzel's best performance as well.
I found it as a cheap remake of Touch Of Evil.

[stevo3001]

I would rate your first 8 films-

Excellent

1 The Hurt Locker

Good

2 The Departed

Pretty good

3 Training Day
4 Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
5 The Dark Knight

Mediocre

6 Gangs of New York
7 Sin City
8 Collateral

Gangs of New York is such a mess and has so many characters that don't work. Day-Lewis is immense, and next to him everyone is an insignificant pygmy. His performance probably just about carries the film to watchability.

A messy film with one great thing about it beats a film that might be competent on a few levels but is thrilling on none, and that's why GoNY rates ahead of Collateral, which, like a few Michael Mann pictures, is dull but also totally lacking in credibility.

The Hurt Locker is pure, real adrenaline in film form. It's a remarkable film.

Washington in Training Day is not all that far off Day-Lewis in Gangs of New York, but he has a much better all-round film, albeit one that falls apart more and more late.

Despite it being popcorn neon fluff, Pirates of the Caribbean has arguably as charismatic a central performance as any of these films. It's a pretty fun flick.

And then there's yet another great performance in The Dark Knight. If not for Ledger, this would be totally, not just largely, uninteresting. But the Joker is definitely up there with the Butcher and Captain Jack and Harris.

Sin City isn't worth much comment, it is a series of virtually indistinguishable, crappy comic book stories dressed up in moderately individual visuals.

The Departed was a vastly more controlled and assured and, on its terms, successful film than Gangs. And yet... as time goes by I just remember the flaws in this film more (the 'de-aging makeup' on Nicholson, Scorsese repeating himself musically, the rat and so on) and increasingly forget the excitement I had about it in the first place. At the same time, 'Amsterdam? I'm New York.' is just more and more iconic in my mind. I thought The Departed was one of the films of the year when it came out, and thought (and still think) Gangs is a failure. But given a choice between the two, I'd watch Gangs right now. I might skip all the DiCaprio and Diaz parts, but I'd watch the big old mess, and that's all testament to Daniel Day-Lewis.

[honeykid]

Pirates is probably the best film listed so far. As I've said before, it's been a very poor decade for Hollywood.

[LuDiNaToR]

thanks for all the feed back guys.:)

[LuDiNaToR]

2000

American Psycho (Mary Harron)



http://www.moviepostersusa.com/images/product_images/popup_images/G686860.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n36Y7T4FLM0


Patrick Bateman is handsome, well educated and intelligent. He is twenty-seven and living his own American dream. He works by day on Wall Street, earning a fortune to complement the one he was born with. At night he descends into madness, as he experiments with fear and violence.

American Psycho wins the year 2000 for me and especially for Christian Bales performence in the movie, in my opinion his best yet. Mark Harron did a great job directing he really captured a dark, creepy feel to the movie and with Bale's voice over in the movie it is quite chilling. American Psycho has its sick moments aswell as its comedy, well dark comedy but never the less it had me laughing. If you have never seen this movie you should really check it out.


4

[genesis_pig]

Good one.. Definitely a movie that I would call one of the best of it's year.

[LuDiNaToR]

1999

FIGHT CLUB (David Fincher)


http://www.unionroom.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/fight_club.jpg



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klKekX-VXmA


A young urban professional who works for a major car manufacturer can't sleep. Although he doesn't have any of the associated afflictions, he stumbles across support groups as a means to let out whatever emotions he is feeling, which in turn is allowing him to sleep. But the use of these support groups is ruined when he meets a young woman named Marla Singer, who is also going to all these support group meetings. Because he knows she too is not afflicted with any of the maladies for which the groups exist, her presence has lessened the impact of the stories he hears. His life changes when he meets a soap manufacturer named Tyler Durden, who in many ways is the antithesis of the insomniac. Due to unusual circumstances with his own condo, the insomniac moves in with Tyler, who lives in a large dilapidated house in an otherwise abandoned part of town. After a bit of spontaneous roughhousing with Tyler in a bar parking lot, the insomniac finds it becomes a ritual between the two of them, which is helping him cope with the other more difficult aspects of his life. The fights also attract a following, others who not only want to watch but join in. Understanding that there are other men like them, the insomniac and Tyler begin a secret fight club. As the fight club's popularity grows, so does its scope in all aspects. Marla becomes a circle not specifically of the fight clubs but of Tyler and the insomniac's collectives lives. As the nature of the fight clubs becomes out of control in the insomniac's view, the insomniac's life, in association, is one where he no longer understands what is happening around him, or how he can get out of it without harming himself.

Well Fight Club is my favourite movie ever so everything i have say about the movie is great. Brad Pitt And Edward Norton are fantastic in this they work so well together and the acting and characters are terrific. The movie in a way i think feels really dark and it all seems to fit togther perfect for whats going on. 1999 brought my favourite movie ever so Fight Club definitely tops this year.

5

[Gunny]

Think I am the only person on the planet that hated Fight Club.

It's one movie I can't reach for the remote fast enough when it comes on. Painful to watch.

[LuDiNaToR]

Think I am the only person on the planet that hated Fight Club.

It's one movie I can't reach for the remote fast enough when it comes on. Painful to watch.

its painful to hear you say that :)

[chet seven]

very painful.

Gunny....you got some splannin to do!

[Gunny]

Gunny....you got some splannin to do!

I thought the characters were extremely one-dimensional and ones I couldn't get into nor care about.

I understand the movie was based on the novel but the script could have been a lot better.

This entire movie was just an excuse for Brad Pitt to run around shirtless.

Fincher's best movie has been and will probably always be Seven.

First rule about Fight Club - Don't watch Fight Club.

[TylerDurden99]

I love Fight Club. Tyler Durden rules.

[honeykid]

A good film, but not even close to the best film of the year, IMO. The first really good film on this list, though, since Pirates.

[LuDiNaToR]

1998

AMERICAN HISTORY X (Tony Kaye)



http://www.coverbrowser.com/image/essential-movies/23-1.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXaZENPQrsw


Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for killing three thugs who tried to break into/steal his truck. Through his brother, Danny Vineyard's narration, we learn that before going to prison, Derek was a skinhead and the leader of a violent white supremacist gang that committed acts of racial crime throughout L.A. and his actions greatly influenced Danny. Reformed and fresh out of prison, Derek severs contact with the gang and becomes determined to keep Danny from going down the same violent path as he did.

American History X is a really moving and powerful movie from Director Tony Kaye and it easily takes the year 2008. Edward Furlong and Edward Norton are great in this, both with really powerful performences.
American history X has its times of shocking moments (family dinner Scene), Violence and controversy but its a great movie and a movie that you won't forget.

4

[LuDiNaToR]

A good film, but not even close to the best film of the year, IMO. The first really good film on this list, though, since Pirates.

didn't you enjoy american psycho.

[honeykid]

didn't you enjoy american psycho.

It's ok, I like it, but I don't think it's anything wonderful and nowhere near the best film of that year.

I will say it is a film that's found its audience, though. I remember that film being released (and I was looking forward to it) and it was pretty much dismissed when it came out. So, unlike the novel, maybe it was made a little ahead of its time? Maybe it was poorly marketed? I don't know. But it's certainly liked and admired a lot more now than it was 10 years ago.

[TylerDurden99]

I loved American History X and is definitely the best of 1998. Very nice choices so far. Seen bits of American Psycho, but from what I saw, Christian Bale is awesome.

[LuDiNaToR]

1997

DONNIE BRASCO (Mike Newell)

http://uk.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/12/MPW-6191

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShM8bGKVFXg

This true story follows FBI agent Joe Pistone as he infiltrates the mafia of New York. Befriending Lefty Ruggiero, Pistone (under the name Donnie Brasco) is able to embed himself in a mafia faction lead by Sonny Black. Ruggiero and Pistone become tight as the group goes about collecting money for 'the bosses'. Eventually, the group become big time when Black himself becomes a boss, all the while Pistone collects evidence. However, the trials and tribulations of the undercover work become more than Pistone can bear. His marriage falls apart and to top it off, the mafia suspect a mole in the organization. The real dilemma is afforded to Pistone, who knows if he walks away from the mafia, Ruggiero will be the one punished.

Donnie Brasco is a great movie one of my favourite gangster movies out there and it takes 2007 for me hands down. Johnny Depp is great as usual, aswel as Al Pacino who i couldn't fault and Michael Madsen is brilliant my favourite performence yet seen from him. The movies running time is a little long but flows by nicely with a great story and some nervous scenes, restaurant scene being one of them. if you have never seen this check it out.

4

[Gunny]

Donnie Brasco was a good film. Underrated if you ask me.

[LuDiNaToR]

Donnie Brasco was a good film. Underrated if you ask me.

couldn't agree more with you Gunny.

[honeykid]

Yep. This is the first film you've listed that I've really had trouble thinking of a better alternative. I love this film. More so, as it's the last good Pacino performance I've seen. Some may bring up The Merchant of Venice, but I've not seen that yet.

[LuDiNaToR]

Ive never even heard of The Merchant of Venice.

[LuDiNaToR]

1996

RANSOM (Ron Howard)



http://img.movieberry.com/static/photos/709/poster.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mebIhXK8srA

Tom Mullen is a millionaire, he built his fortune by working hard. Along the way he learned how to play the game. He has a great family. One day his son is kidnapped. He is willing to pay the ransom but decides to call in the FBI, who manages to go into his home secretly. When he goes to make the drop something goes wrong. The kidnapper calls him again and reschedules it. On the way Mullen decides not to go and appears on TV saying that the ransom he was going to give to the kidnapper is now a bounty on the kidnapper.

Ransom is one of my favourite movies starring Mel Gibson he is fantastic in this movie one of his best performances yet, Rene Russo also does a great performance and the pair work really well together. The plot to the movie is great, ok not very original but the story still shines and keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Tho this probabley won't be a popular choice for movie of the year with alot of people on here it doesn't matter in my eye's it certainley was.

4

[genesis_pig]

Ransom was a decent average film. Have yet to see the Glenn Ford original though.

BTW what other 1996 films according to you could have been the best of that year?

[LuDiNaToR]

Ransom was a decent average film. Have yet to see the Glenn Ford original though.

BTW what other 1996 films according to you could have been the best of that year?

well i enjoyed Jerry Maguire, from dusk till dawn, pretty poor year actually.

[genesis_pig]

Yes, I was just going through 1996 films..
Mostly fun, entertaining films.

[LuDiNaToR]

Yes, I was just going through 1996 films..
Mostly fun, entertaining films.

yeah i agree.

[Brodinski]

Although I agree that 1996 is a lesser year in the 90s, it's still very good when you compare it to the 00s. Trainspotting, Secrets & Lies, Lone Star, Mission:Impossible, Romeo & Juliet, Fargo, Hamlet and Jerry Maguire were all released in 1996. Even though I don't like all of these, that's a pretty solid collection of films. I'm also positive I'm still forgetting some good ones.

And then I'm just talking about Hollywood productions, not world cinema. You can also include Von Trier's Breaking the Waves and the Dardennes La Promesse then.

Also Lud: Ransom is certainly a choice I did not see coming. I remember enjoying that film, but it's been so long that I don't quite remember just how much I enjoyed it. Maybe the fact that I've forgetten all about it is an indicator that I didn't think too highly of it.

[LuDiNaToR]

Also Lud: Ransom is certainly a choice I did not see coming. I remember enjoying that film, but it's been so long that I don't quite remember just how much I enjoyed it. Maybe the fact that I've forgetten all about it is an indicator that I didn't think too highly of it.

it was a choice i knew people wouldn't really agree with.

[honeykid]

And, sir, you were right. :D

[LuDiNaToR]

1995

HEAT (Michael Mann)

http://www.moviepostr.com/img/movie/1889/heat-1520-poster-large.jpeg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xbBLJ1WGwQ


Neil McCauley is a thief... an expert thief... one of the best. His philosophy in life - become attached to nothing in life that you can't walk away from in 30 seconds if you spot the "Heat" around the corner. His crew of criminals is a high-tech outfit pulling off professional jobs that impress even the likes of Detective Vincent Hanna. But Hanna, a man driven through life only by his work, becomes obsessed, at the expense of his private life, with bringing McCauley down. As McCauley's crew prepare for the score of a lifetime, and Hanna's team tries to bring him in, the two find that they are challenged by the greatest minds on the opposite side of the law that either one has ever encountered.

Heat is Michael Mann's masterpiece that starred two of the greatest actors around Al Pacino and Robert De'niro and this movie did not dissapoint. Heat is a non stop thrill ride with action, drama and i enjoyed every minute of it. Al Pacino and De'niro both give fantastic performances and i love the scene were there in the rest stop together (i can always remeber it). 1995 was the year for heat, other movies for that year was Casino, Seven.

4.5

[genesis_pig]

I am sure I am the only guy on MoFo who doesn't care much for Heat.
Good film, I'd rate it 6/10.

But I don't think I'd ever get it when people consider it to be one of the best films of 90's.

[LuDiNaToR]

1994

PULP FICTION (Quentin Tarantino)

http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Entertainment/Images/pulp-fiction-poster.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDbSbOsoRnY

Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield are two hitmen on the hunt for a briefcase whose contents were stolen from their boss, Marsellus Wallace. They run into a few unexpected detours along the road. Marsellus is out of town, and he's gotten Vincent to take care of his wife, Mia. That is, take her out for a night on the town. Things go smoothly until one of them makes a huge error. Butch Coolidge is a boxer who's been approached by Marsellus and been told to throw his latest fight. When Butch ends up killing the other boxer, he must escape Marsellus. Pumpkin and Honey Bunny (not their real names) are two lovebirds/thieves who have decided to rob the restaurant they're currently eating at. But the restaurant doesn't turn out to be as easy as the other places they've robbed.

Pulp Fiction is definitely the winner of 1994 no doubt about it with it's great story, great acting, great cast and great director behind it there was no way this would fail. Pulp Fiction has one of the best cast line-ups ever and they don't dissapoint either. The story is solid, really well written and this is probabley one of Quentin Tarantino's best movies yet. Pulp Fiction ime sure you have all seen, but if you havnt seen this, do so straight away.

4.5

[Gunny]

Heat was a great crime film. Easily one of the best films of the 90s.

And Pulp Fiction is just a classic masterpiece. One of my 10 favorite movies ever made.

[LuDiNaToR]

1993

TRUE ROMANCE (Tony Scott)#

http://img.zamunda.net/bitbucket/TrueRomancePoster.JPG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AIbZDBC8tk

Clarence and Alabama are newlyweds who acquire an unexpected wedding present. Unknown to the blissfully happy couple, ruthless gangsters are on their tail, determined to reclaim their lost property.

Well True Romance is no doubt Tony Scott's best movie he's directed and thats why it tops 1993. This movies is crammed with star's Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hpper, Christopher Walken and alot more that are all fantastic in this film, the scene with Hopper and Walken just shows how good they are. This movie has a clever story, really put together well and is one of my favourite movies ever. plus we see Brad Pitt just drugged out all the time haha.

4.5 .

[Gunny]

True Romance is great. Such an underrated film.

[LuDiNaToR]

True Romance is great. Such an underrated film.

yeah your right there gunny it is underrated.

[nebbit]

Nice choices Ludite :yup:

[LuDiNaToR]

Nice choices Ludite :yup:

thanks :)

[honeykid]

True Romance is great. Such an underrated film.
Really? I'd say it was a little overrated, if anything.



Well True Romance is no doubt Tony Scott's best movie he's directed

*Ahem*
http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Entertainment/images-7/top-gun.jpg

The Hunger and Man On Fire also have their fans that'd claim that.

[Brodinski]

Some comments on your picks:

I think Fight Club is an excellent film. I can however see to a certain extent how people would think it's style over substance. I liked the juxtaposition of the first and second part of the film. In the first half, Tyler Durden is presented as a liberator, rescuing Jack from his depression and gives him a new reason to live. Then in the second half, Durden's fascist nature surfaces, as he demands total obedience from his followers. I rate it 4+

American History X I think is a bit overrated. I felt a bit manipulated afterwards and the ending was quite displeasing to me. I still rate it 3.5

Donnie Brasco is a great film. I love Pacino's performance a lot. Like HK already said, it's his last great performance. Although he does deserve praise for The Merchant of Venice. He was good in that one, but not great.

Ransom, Heat and Pulp Fiction I've already talked about either here or in my own thread. True Romance is ok, but I have issues with the relationship between Slater and his girl. I also remember disliking the ending.

Nice stuff so far, Lud.

[genesis_pig]

I like True Romance, it's a nice film.. But I still feel it could have been a whole lot better.
It's strongest point was it's starcast & performances..

One of these days I'll find time to read Tarantino's actual script, to see what changes were made. Same goes for Natural Born Killers.
But above all I'd like to read Kauffman's Confessions of A Dangerous Mind. I like what Kauffman had originally planned for the film.

I agree with what Brod said about Fight Club, there were some real nice essay that I read online about the film.
One was where a critic defended Fight Club from all the criticisms & the other about Consumerism..

[TylerDurden99]

Good choices for the 90's so far. I rate them:

Fight Club: My 2nd favourite film ever, so it's definitely http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif.

American History X: Edward Norton's best performance to date and with a well written script. http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif.

Donnie Brasco: Extremely underrated. http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif.

Ransom: Immensely enjoyable. Loved Gary Sinise' performance. http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/4box.gif.

Heat: 2nd greatest heist film ever. Absolutely loved this. http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif.

Pulp Fiction: In my top 10, so most definitely http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif.

I have regretably not yet seen True Romance, but it's on my ever-growing list.

[Brodinski]

Heat: 2nd greatest heist film ever. Absolutely loved this. http://www.movieforums.com/images/popcorn/5box.gif.


So, what's the best one?

[honeykid]

Reservoir Dogs?

[TylerDurden99]

Yes, it is Reservoir Dogs. I like Quentin Tarantino's films (except Death Proof; Kurt Russell was awesome, though). But, Reservoir Dogs doesn't beat Heat by much. The only criticism I have with Heat is Al Pacino's over-acting which seemed forced.

[honeykid]

I hate Pacino's performance in Heat. One of the many problems I have with the film.

Not sure what I'd say the best heist film is, but Res Dogs is a good bet.

[genesis_pig]

Reservoir Dogs didn't even show a Heist.. it was a sort of a Post-Heist film.
If you call Reservoir Dogs a heist film, then Taxi Driver is a vietnam war film.

[honeykid]

No, Reservoir Dogs is an "Everything But The Heist" movie.

[genesis_pig]

My favorite Heist films are Sneakers, Italian Job (Original) & Kelly's Heroes.

[honeykid]

TBH, I'm not really a fan of heist films. I guess I'd go with Reservoir Dogs and Rififi. Of course, it depends what you call a "heist" film.

[genesis_pig]

I don't care for heist films either, but I only watch them when they get above average response.

I believe if Res. Dogs is a heist film, Charlie's Angels movies can be considered heist films as well..
So was E.T.

[Brodinski]

I don't think you're entirely correct there, GP. Reservoir Dogs does indeed mainly deal with the after-effects of a heist, but that doesn't mean it's not a heist film. All heist-films also deal with the events that happen after the heist. Just think about classics like Kubrick's The Killing and Melville's Bob le Flambeur and Le Cercle Rouge. Reservoir Dogs is an innovate variation to the classically told heist flick.

Reservoir Dogs is a heist-film told in a non-linear way. Just because there isn't that much time spent on showing the heist, doesn't mean that it isn't important in the context of the entire film.

[genesis_pig]

I would consider it safely as a crime film & not further it's genre.
Just a personal opinion.

[TylerDurden99]

Bring on 1992!

[LuDiNaToR]

Its on its way, i had tough time with this year.

[LuDiNaToR]

1992

BATMAN RETURNS (Tim Burton)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_GIchwvJ-aNk/SnJQVM96ZjI/AAAAAAAAKOU/y8_dy58PDGM/s800/Batman+returns+movie+poster.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKiG_9C5T8E

Having defeated the Joker, Batman now faces the Penguin - a warped and deformed individual who is intent on being accepted into Gotham society. Crooked businessman Max Schreck is coerced into helping him become Mayor of Gotham and they both attempt to expose Batman in a different light. Earlier however, Selina Kyle, Max's secretary, is thrown from the top of a building and is transformed into Catwoman - a mysterious figure who has the same personality disorder as Batman. Batman must attempt to clear his name, all the time deciding just what must be done with the Catwoman.

Well 1992 was a really tough year for my pick of the best movie, not really a strong year in my eyes (not much that really stood out for me). One movie that did stand out for me that year tho was Batman Returns!!, Batman Returns is my second favourite batman movie ever made, it was dark, creepy and Tim Burton did and fantastic job bringing all that out so well. Batman Returns, Probabley to this day had the best villains of any batman movie, The Penguin and the very Sexy catwoman where just the perfect pick and fitted in with the feel of the movie really well.

http://www.moviemobsters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/batman_returns.jpg

After a long hard think of what movie to pick for 1992, the answer was just sitting in my dvd collection all along. Christopher Nolan's batman movies i really enjoy, i enjoy the whole way he went about making them, but Tim Burtons Batman Returns, Tho he had a different approach still was a fantastic movie and definitely the best of its year.

4.5

[LuDiNaToR]

I hate Pacino's performance in Heat. One of the many problems I have with the film.

Not sure what I'd say the best heist film is, but Res Dogs is a good bet.

I loved Pacino's performence in heat, i thought he was fantastic.

[Gunny]

I loved Pacino's performence in heat, i thought he was fantastic.

oth him and De Niro were excellent in it. Heat was just a great film. The dialogue between Pacino and De Niro in the cafe towards the end was great and one of the best scenes in the movie.

[TylerDurden99]

Batman Returns is the best early Batman film and I completely respect the fsct that you have it as the best of 1992.

I had issues with Pacino's performance in Heat.

[honeykid]

A usual, I disagree with the choice as the best, but I love Batman Returns, so I'm more than happy to see it there. :)

[LuDiNaToR]

1991 will be up tonight or tommorow.

[LuDiNaToR]

1991

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (Jonathan Demme)


http://www.zuti-titl.com/oscars/mpasilenceofthelambsposters.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCxF6idjqnk

Young FBI agent Clarice Starling is assigned to help find a missing woman to save her from a psychopathic serial killer who skins his victims. Clarice attempts to gain a better insight into the twisted mind of the killer by talking to another psychopath Hannibal Lecter, who used to be a respected psychiatrist. FBI agent Jack Crawford believes that Lecter who is also a very powerful and clever mind manipulator have the answers to their questions to help locate the killer. Clarice must first try and gain Lecter's confidence before he is to give away any information.

Well this was a very close year for me between, Terminator 2 and The Silence of the Lambs. Terminator 2 is one of the best action movies around, very cool, lots of action, the best in the terminator series that i am a big fan of. Silence of the Lambs however is a fantastic movie that deserves to be the best of the year, terrific acting, great story, its creepy, Chilling, probabley one of the most chilling movies out there. From start to finish this movie gripped me, Anthony Hopkins does a fantastic performance with his role, Jodie Foster also does a really good job and together, they really fit well.

http://www.jonathanrosenbaum.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/silence-of-the-lambs.jpg

Well 1991 belongs to The Silence Of the Lambs, Brilliant film, really well made and as i said earlier a really chilling movie. The movie had a few sequels, or prequels what ever they was (hahah) that don't match to this, but there still worth the watch, and if you have never seen this you should really check this out.

4.5

[Gunny]

Silence of the Lambs is a superb movie. One of my favorites. It's only one of three movies to win all 5 major Oscars.

It's amazing (but deserved) that Hopkins won the Oscar for Best Actor despite only being on camera for less than 20 minutes.

[TylerDurden99]

Silence Of The Lambs is a good choice for 1991. Of course, I find Terminator 2 better, but Silence Of The Lambs is a great choice for the best of the year. Anthony Hopkins' performance captures the menace and the downright evilness of Hannibal Lector.

I agree that the other installments in the Lector trilogy don't match up with Silence, but Red Dragon was a very enjoyable experience for me, and the key element of this was definitely the casting. Edward Norton was no stranger to playing an everyman, a role he perfected in Fight Club and in Red Dragon he plays it to perfection. Hopkins is back in the man-eating saddle as the malevolent Dr. Lector and I thought he was great in such a small amount of screentime. But the true standout is Ralph Fiennes for his complex portrayal of an abused, disfigured murderer and is an Oscar-worthy presence.

I did not like Hannibal (although the brain scene is iconic and enjoyable to watch).

[honeykid]

Terrible, terrible choice. Sorry, but SotL is incredibly overrated and Hopkins' performance is, quite possibly, the most overrated performance in the history of cinema. Even Russell Crowe's Gladiator performance isn't as overrated as this.

[LuDiNaToR]

Terrible, terrible choice. Sorry, but SotL is incredibly overrated and Hopkins' performance is, quite possibly, the most overrated performance in the history of cinema. Even Russell Crowe's Gladiator performance isn't as overrated as this.

Silents of the lambs is fantastic, it isn't overated at all.:(

[LuDiNaToR]

1990

GOODFELLAS (Martin Scorsese)

http://uk.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/66/MPW-33200

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH-7he92XfI

This film views the mob lives of three pivotal figures in the 1960's and 70's New York. Henry Hill is a local boy turned gangster in a neighborhood full of the roughest and toughest. Tommy Devito is a pure bred gangster, who turns out to be Henry's best friend. Jimmy Conway puts the two of them together, and runs some of the biggest hijacks and burglaries the town has ever seen. After an extended jail sentence, Henry must sneak around the back of the local mob boss, Paulie Cicero, to live the life of luxury he has always dreamed of. In the end, the friends end up in a hell of a jam, and must do anything they can to save each other, and stay alive.

Well Martin Scorsese the man behind, Casino, The Departed, Shutter Island and Gangs of New York, Brought us this back in 1990 Goodfellas. Goodfellas is probabley the movie Scorsese is best known for, i don't think ive ever heard a bad thing said about it (for me Casino is his best work) but back to subject, everyone seems to love Goodfellas and there's a big reason why. Goodfellas has a fantastic story that is on the go from the very start of the movie and flows very nicely, the characters are fantastic, Joe Pesci for me playing Tommy Devito is the stand out performance in this movie and also Robert De Niro is faultless as usual. The one Problem i have about this film and its a problem that makes me like Casino better is Ray Liotta, Liotta i just cannot stand, don't ask why i just do not like the guy as a actor at all.

http://www.yankees2000.com/y2k/uploaded_images/goodfellas-743837.jpg

Well apart from Ray Liotta lol this movie is fantastic, it seems everything Scorsese directs is a great movie and this is a fine example of his work. Well i have watched Goodfellas alot of times and just never get bored and it really does deserve the 1990 pick, its up there with my favourite Scorsese movies.

4.5

[TylerDurden99]

GoodFellas is fantastic. Joe Pesci was awesome.

[LuDiNaToR]

GoodFellas is fantastic. Joe Pesci was awesome.

yeah his character is so crazy and likeable.

[nebbit]

Great choice :yup:

[honeykid]

Love this film. This could be the one time we actually agree. :D

[Gunny]

Goodfellas was excellent. Great mob movie. Everyone in it was fantastic, especially Pesci.