Gandalf's Top 50 Favourite Films.

[gandalf26]

As there are a lot of people's top 50 lists kicking about the reviews forum I thought it was about time that I had a stab at it.

These films are my personal favourites but not necessarily the films that I think are the so called "greatest" ever made.

Each film will be listed individually even if part of a trilogy/series. This is because I don't agree with listing whole series of films as 1 entry for the reason that not all parts of a series are equally as good. For example I love LOTR and Star Wars but I don't watch each part an equal number of times or rate each film the same.

Along the way I may include 1 or 2 small lists such as best opening/endings to a film so bear with me.

Before I start here is a quick list of films that gave me a real headache about whether or not they would make it. I will wrap a spoiler around it just incase anyone doesn't want to know what films I haven't included.


Collateral (2004)-Micheal Mann

Ichi The Killer (2001)-Takeshi Miike

Bullitt (1968)-Peter Yates

Blade (1998)-Stephen Norrington

Goldfinger (1964)-Guy Hamilton

The Long Good Friday (1980)-John Mackenzie

Training Day (2001)-Antoine Fuqua

Jaws (1975)-Steven Spielberg

Silence of the Lambs(1991)-Jonathan Demme

Field of Dreams (1989)-Phil Alden Robinson

Battle Royale (2000)-Kinji Fukasaku

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)-Steven Spielberg

Platoon (1986)-Oliver Stone

JFK (1991)-Oliver Stone

Casino (1995)-Martin Scorsese

The Deer Hunter (1978)-Micheal Cimino

Unbreakable (2000)-M.Night Shyamalan

Raging Bull (1980)-Martin Scorsese


And Here We Go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSLlZh9yelk

[gandalf26]

50. Road to Perdition (2002)-Sam Mendes

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In my opinion one of the finest gangster movies out there. Flawlessly takes you back to the 1930's, outstanding performances all round and just maybe Tom Hanks best performance. Great support from Daniel Craig, Paul Newman,Jude Law and an outstanding performance from newcomer Tyler Hoechlin. Stylishly done with a great score. Good to see an actor like Hanks changing things up to play a not so "good" loveable charcater that we have grown accumstomed to, wish he would do it more often rather than give us the likes of Larry Crowne.

49. The Warriors (1979)-Walter Hill

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A real edge of your seat tough little gem of a movie.The Warriors must battle thier way through hostile gangland after a meet gone wrong 20 miles away from their own "turf" Coney Island. New York has never looked so gritty and dangerous. A little bit camp (the warriors jackets) in places and a bit tongue in cheek but a movie I have loved from the moment I first saw it years ago. Another great soundtrack, and solid performances from a largely unknown cast. A movie that I revisit at least once a year and if you havent seen it yet then I suggest you do at the earliest convienience.

48. A Bridge Too Far (1977)-Richard Attenborough

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The true story of operation "Market Garden" during WW2, the allies overreaching plan to take several keys bridges in a lightning 48 hour raid and greatly hasten the end of the war. Equally impressive as the film itself is the cast. Arguably the biggest collection of stars assembled for one movie. Every story ark ( and there are many) is fascinating as the allies well laid plans to "end the war by Christmas" start to fall apart from the moment the operation begins.

[HitchFan97]

I was doing a Top 50 list before it was cool.

Anyways looking forward to reading yours!

[honeykid]

Looking forward to it, G. :)

[nebbit]

Good start :yup:

[sreenathpktr]

Interesting start :yup:...Looking forward...

[gandalf26]

47. Tombstone (1993)-George P Cosmatos

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A great fun western with another all star cast, not to be taken too seriously and very historically innacurrate, but what does that matter, Braveheart anyone? Val Kilmer is Wyatt Earp the legendary lawman come to Tomstone to enjoy his retirement in relative annonymity, but he cannot leave the past behind as trouble brews with the powerful local group of organised crime, the "Cowboy gang" led by Curly Bill (Powers Booth) and Johny Ringo (Micheal Biehn). Kilmer is excellent in the lead but is slightly outshone by the excellent Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday(should have been an oscar).

46. The Insider (1999)-Micheal Mann

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The more I see this film the higher it creeps up my list. Micheal Mann seems able to churn out masterpiece after masterpiece. Here we have another all star cast with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe both excellent in the leads proped up by a great supporting cast with Bruce McGill, Christopher Plummer,Gina Gersgon and Micheal Gambon.A true story, Crowe plays Jeffrey Wigand, the former Vice President of a Big Tobacco turned whistleblower chased by Pacino's Lowell Bergman, a producer for the show "60 minutes". Look out for the Bruce McGill vs Big Tobacco sleezeball lawyer scene and Christopher Plummer newsroom scene. A real tense serious film, almost a courtroom type film but way better than the rest as you would expect from Mann.

45. Kingdom of Heaven (2005)-Ridley Scott

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Am I the only one who thinks that this is better then Gladiator? This tale of the folly of the crusades is just excellent in everyway, another all star cast, great action/battle scenes, beautiful settings, great score. Just an all round epic that I revisit a couple of times a year. A more muscular role for Bloom who had to unwillingly bulk up for the film and he falls flat in a couple of places like the speech but he is proped up by the strong supporting cast. I don't fully understand why this floped at the box office becasue to me it is right in there with the other historical epics.

[sreenathpktr]

The Insider is a good pic....:yup:...:up:for Al Pacino and Russell Crowe....

[Skepsis93]

Good start, lots of films you don't often see crop up in these lists. I like it. :up:

[LuDiNaToR]

good start. :)

[gandalf26]

44. Groundhog Day (1993)-Harold Ramis


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Simplicity is genius and what could be simpler than a film based around a man reliving the same day over and over and over and over again and then some. Bill Murray at his best, his dry wit hilarious, plays weatherman Phil Connors who cannot think of anything more lame than visiting the small town of Punxsutawney for their annual Groundhog festival. Trapped in town by bad weather he just cannot wait to leave the next morning only there is a slight problem, its Groundhog day all over again.

43. Superman the Movie (1978)-Richard Donner

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A movie that I watched frequently as a child and although the effects are a little dated the film itself is simply epic. Has there ever been a better theme chorus to a movie? Almost a film of two parts, the first the "super" serious rise of Calel sent from his doomed home planet Krypton to Earth by Durel played excellently but briefly by Marlon Brando. Although Brando was paid millions for just a few lines I feel it was worth it to bring a certain credability to the picture. The second half of the film is a more traditional tongue in cheek comic book movie and in my opinion not as strong as the first half but overall it is a fantastic spectacle and well deserving of its Best Picture Oscar. Newcomer Christopher Reeve is great as Superman but simply outstanding as the bumbling awkward geek Clark Kent. They should have called the movie "Clark Kent" featuring Superman. Margot Kidder will never be bettered as Lois Lane no matter how many Superman movies they tally up and Gene Hackman does as well as he can with an almost mediocre Lex Luther. Superman 2 is a great film aswell but didn't quite make the cut.

42. Die Hard (1988)-John Mctiernan


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The late 80s early nineties really were the golden age of the action movie and this is arguably the best of the lot. Hard to believe that Willis was 5th choice to play John Mclane, you really cannot imagine anyone else play the lead and it being as good as it is. As is not always the case we have Hero and Villain both played to perfection with Alan Rickman in probably his greatest role. I truly belive that you cannot have a decent good vs bad type movie where the villain/s
suck, and who could be better villains that a heavily armed group of German mercenaries. After all the greatest opponents the West ever had were the Germans. We are so used to seeing some south american/middle eastern types being blown to bits by our action stars that this feels like a more menacing difficult enemy, especially with Rickman leading them. Every time this movie comes on TV I end up watching it, and Im sure that will be the case for years to come. 3 sequels so far with the best being Die Hard with a vengance. Rumours of a fifth aswell.

[filmgirlinterrupted]

I'll forgive you for Kingdom of Heaven thanks to your inclusion of Tombstone :p

Nice list so far!

[nebbit]

Just had a weekend of watching all Superman movies :blush:

[gandalf26]

Just had a weekend of watching all Superman movies :blush:

Does that include forcing yourself through Superman 4?

Which is your fav?

[honeykid]

No, she had to force herself through all of them, G. Did you not see that it was a Superman weekend?

I am liking your list, though. Well, more than most of these lists, anyway. :D

[HitchFan97]

Top 50 is the new Top 100.

[TylerDurden99]

Nice pick with Superman. I love all the movies (including the 4th one), but the first will always remain the best.

[gandalf26]

41.LOTR: The Two Towers Extended edition (2002)-Peter Jackson

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This was the film that really sucked me into the world of LOTR. I had never heard of the books before I watched The Fellowship, and even just thought that The Fellowship was good not great but then I went to the cinema to see The Two Towers and I was just blown away. Probably my favourite ever beginning to a film as Gandalf does battle with the mighty Balrog whilst they tumble down Khazad dum, and one of the finest battle sequences ever put to film(second only to Braveheart) in the battle for Helms Deep. Just a perfect film.

40. American Psycho (2000)-Mary Harron

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Some of the best lines ever spoken by a character in any movie and often just blurted out of the blue. "I like to dissect girls, did you know I'm utterly insane" or "I need to indulge in homicidal behavior on a massive scale, cannot be corrected but I have no other way to fulfill my needs" and "I want to stab you to death and play around with your blood". I think the Joker would run away as fast as he could from this guy, that or they would be best friends sitting around listening to Huey Lewis and the News. Christian Bales finest role to date in my humble opinion. The film somehow manages to be totally hilarious despite graphic, brutal violence. My only problem is that you leave the film with the impression that Patrick Bateman has imagined it all, but after a little research you discover that it all really happened and everyone is covering for Bateman. That aside it's the perfect Horror/Comedy.

39. Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan (1982)-Nicholas Meyer

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I was never the biggest Star Trek fan but you cannot watch this and not love it. A simple story of one man vs another but with Starships, it is like a long chess game of the highest stakes being played out by 2 grandmasters. After the relatively poor opening to the Star Trek movies with Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Gene Roddenberry the creator of Star Trek was forced out, and if that never happened we may not have had this masterpiece. Shatner, Nimoy and Deforest Kelly are all on top form as the Enterprise's main 3 whilst Richard Montalban is equally good as the Shakespeare quoting nemesis of Kirk. If I said the Two Towers has one of the best beginnings to a film then this has one of the best endings. It almost brings me to tears every time.

[bouncingbrick]

Rep for Star Trek! They've been showing the Star Trek films on Cinemax lately. Love it!

[Tyler1]

I wonder if Two Towers is your favourite of the LOTR trilogy. For me, it's my favourite.

[gandalf26]

Rep for Star Trek! They've been showing the Star Trek films on Cinemax lately. Love it!

Yeah I think Star Trek 2 is definately the "Empire Strikes Back" of the Star Trek Saga. Star Trek 4,6 and the new Star Trek are also top movies. First Contact wasn't bad either. Some of them are just terrible though, Star Trek 5 for example.

[gandalf26]

I wonder if Two Towers is your favourite of the LOTR trilogy. For me, it's my favourite.

Well you are just going to have to wait and see.

[TylerDurden99]

Nice pick with The Two Towers. It's between Return Of The King & Fellowship on which is my favourite, but I love The Two Towers even if it is the weakest, in my opinion, of course.

[nebbit]

Does that include forcing yourself through Superman 4?
:yup:

Which is your fav?
No. one :yup:

[honeykid]

Yeah I think Star Trek 2 is definately the "Empire Strikes Back" of the Star Trek Saga. Star Trek 4,6 and the new Star Trek are also top movies. First Contact wasn't bad either. Some of them are just terrible though, Star Trek 5 for example.
I thought it was Trekkie law that the even numbered movies were the 'bad ones'?

[mark f]

The even-numbered ones are considered the good ones.

[honeykid]

Really? Jesus! I've seen 4 and I can't believe anyone could call that good. :eek:

[nebbit]

Really? Jesus! I've seen 4 and I can't believe anyone could call that good. :eek:
No but it is one of my favourites :blush:

[gandalf26]

The even-numbered ones are considered the good ones.

This. 1 and 3 are fairly bad and 5 is an abomination.

[gandalf26]

38. Batman Begins (2005)-Christopher Nolan
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Finally the Batman movie that fans of Batman and comic book movies in general have been waiting for. When this came out there was no question for me that this was the best yet in the comic book/superhero genre. Christopher Nolan burst into mainstream and would soon establish himself amongst todays top directors. Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman is perhaps topped by excellent supporting roles played by the likes of Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Micheal Caine is outstanding as Alfred. Nolan ditches the camp nonsense of the previous couple of installments and brings us a more gritty realistic film with realistic dangerous Villains.

37. Good Will Hunting (1997)-Gus Van Sant


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Really the credit for this movie must go to Damon and Affleck for writing and then staring in their own screenplay adaptation. They would spend their own time before the film was even greenlit for production acting out scenes and playing evry character, mastering their film to perfection. One of those breakout films by struggling actors much in the same way that Rocky was 20 years prior. The story follows Will Hunting(Damon), a young man with a genius level IQ, afraid to use his amazing gift, sitting on a winning lottery ticket and too much of a pussy to cash it in, as his best friend (Affleck) tells him. Wills extraordinary talent is discovered by a Proffessor at Harvard, where Will works as a janitor. The proffeser must seek the help of his old estranged friend Sean Maguire (Robin Williams), to find out why Will is hiding and afraid to use his amazing gift. Robin Willaims in his finest role rightly gets the Oscar for best supporting actor. The back and forth between Will and Sean is fantastic as both help the other with great difficulties they have been through.

36. Enter The Dragon (1973)-Robert Clause

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The Ultimate martial arts movie with the Ultimate martial arts star. Another film that I watch at least once a year and get stuck watching when its on TV. Tragic Bruce Lee reaches the peak of his fame in his last proper role. He starred posthumously in Game of Death but a lookalike had to replace him for the first half of the flick. One of the few if only Hong Kong/Hollywood collaberations. Bruce Lee is the Shaolin martial artist on a mission to discover what expelled Shaolin member Han has been up to on his private island. Han is a good Villain and so is his Henchman Bolo. If you look closely you can spot a young Jackie Chan throughtout the film.

[HitchFan97]

Thumbs up for Batman Begins :)

[Tyler1]

http://www.pise.cz/blog/img/zlomenymec/232706.jpg

[honeykid]

+ rep for Enter The Dragon and Good Will Hunting. I think this is the second or third list in the last year that's included Enter The Dragon. Good to see people with some taste finally turning up at the site. ;)

[TylerDurden99]

Love those last three selections, Batman Begins especially.

[gandalf26]

Thanks guys.

As for Enter the Dragon it is one of the most imporatant movies ever made, and it is damn good entertainment to boot.

[gandalf26]

http://www.pise.cz/blog/img/zlomenymec/232706.jpg

I'm not sure that I understand this pic whatsoever.

[gandalf26]

35. Stander (2003)-Bronwen Hughes

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Another one of those true stories that is stranger than fiction. Thomas Jane is Andre Stander, a rising star in the South African Police Force, becoming the youngest ever Police Captain. Sickened by his shooting of a young black man during a protest against the brutal Apartheid regime, Andre Stander turns against the system and decides to start robbing banks. If this was written as fiction it would be dismissed as nonsense, because cmon, a Police Captain turned Bank Robber. Some of the best scenes are where Stander returns to the scene of his own Bank Robbery as head of the investigation much to the cofusion of the Counter Clerk, or where he robs a bank and hears on the radio that he missed a safe hidden behind a painting and returns the very same day to rob the place again. Being Captain of detectives allows him to send the investigators to stakeout places the bank robber will strike, and of course he then proceeds to rob a few banks on the opposite side of town during his lunch hour. Pure entertainment as you watch in disbelief knowing that this all happened, although obviously things are dramatised to an extent for the movie.

34. Predator (1987)-John McTiernan

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I always say that the Villain is the most important role in films like this, because you must have a believable counterweight to the hero. For that reason I feel Arnie was never going to be topped by casting any actor opposite him. I mean who is going to believably beat 7 or 8 time My Olympia. Answer= You invent a big badass alien hunter that is stronger and smarter that Arnie. Arnies best films in my opinion are Predator/Terminator 1 and 2, for the reason above where the villain is stronger than him or he is the villian. Everything else has fallen short because there is no actor who could match Arnie. I must have watched this movie 50 times. I remember watching it at my Grandparents house when I was only 10 years old and I have never grown tired of it. Great cast in Arnies band of special forces soldiers, with Bill Duke, Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, Sonny Landham is amazing as the Indian tracker Billy. The showdown at the end is fantastic as Arnie ditches his weaponry and reverts to chief boy scout with his Bow and arrow to take on the Predator old school style.

33. Rocky (1976)-John.G.Avildsen

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If you are ever trying to get yourself back into an exercise regime then just watch this film to gee you up into the mood. Similar to Good Will Hunting in that it is the project of a journeyman actor who has written and starred in his own baby so to speak against the will of the studio bosses. Can you imagine James Caan as Rocky? The ultimate underdog story as Rocky Balboa a journeyman boxer is picked to face the World Heavyweight Champion Apollo Creed (based on Muhammed Ali) after a fighter drops out due to injury. Great turns by all the cast here, especially Burgess Meredith as Rocky's over the hill trainer Mickey. They say that Sylvester Stallone was Rocky at the time, his own city, his accent, neighborhood etc. Made on a shoestring budjet of less than $1 million and going on to make $225 million at the box office, Rightfully earning 3 oscars that year including Best Picture.

[honeykid]

Love seeing Stander on here. That's a damn good film. I love Predator, too. Have you ever heard the RiffTrax with it? That's a whole new entertainment level for the film.

[gandalf26]

Love seeing Stander on here. That's a damn good film. I love Predator, too. Have you ever heard the RiffTrax with it? That's a whole new entertainment level for the film.

No Ive never heard of Rifftrax. What is that?

[honeykid]

Ever seen/heard of MST:3K? Well, it's that on the net. :cool:

Sadly, while I like the Predator rifftrax, the sample isn't very good, IMO. So I'll post these instead.

http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax/inception
http://www.rifftrax.com/rifftrax/star-wars-episode-vi-return-jedi

They still do shorts, too.
http://www.rifftrax.com/shorts/calendar-how-use-it
http://www.rifftrax.com/shorts/borrowed-power

[filmgirlinterrupted]

+ rep for Predator

[lundy1026]

+rep for predator :)!!!!!

[gandalf26]

GET TO THE CHOPPAAAAAAAAAA!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-Te-DPbSE

[HitchFan97]

Ha awesome :up:

[gandalf26]

32. Terminator 2 (1991)-James Cameron

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In my opinion the best out and out "Action movie" ever made, and the best sequel to boot. The machines are out to assasinate John Connor again, but this time Arnie is the protector, returning to the role he was born for. James Cameron is the best in the world at sequels and if it isn't worth doing then he doesn't do it period. Things are switched around, Arnie is the protector, Sarah Connor is no longer the damzel in distress but has transformed over the 10 years or so between the stories into a bad ass special forces type GI Jane. Robert Patrick is excellent as the T1000 out to kill John Connor at all costs. Basically a 3 time chase movie and with one of the finest car chases, although it is more of a motorbike vs Truck chase you know what I mean.

31. LA.Confidential (1997)-Curtis Hanson


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I held off watching this movie for ages despite the plaudits, thinking it was going to be some sort of boring period drama, and boy was I wrong. Set in the 50s this is a great Cop story about sex, murder and corruption. Another all star cast that seems to be a revolving theme on my list, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, James Cromwell, Kim Basinger, Danny Devito and David Strathairn and all on top form as their respective characters.
Sergeant Edmund Exley (Pearce), the son of a legendary LAPD Inspector, is determined to outdo his father. His intelligence, insistence on following regulations, and his cold demeanor contribute to his social isolation from other officers. He multiplies this resentment by volunteering to testify in a police brutality case (based on the real-life Bloody Christmas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Christmas) incident), insisting on a promotion to Detective Lieutenant (which he receives) against the advice of Captain Dudley Smith (Cromwell). Exley's consuming ambition is fueled in part by the murder of his father by an unknown assailant.

30. The Aviator (2004)-Martin Scorsese

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Another film that I'm ashamed to admit that I held off seeing for quite a while thinking it was some boring biography. The film follows the life of Howard Hughes from his taking over the family business up until his victory over Congress after being accused of War profiteering. What a journey as we get an inside look at all Howard Hughes idiosyncrasies on his Journey to become the World wealthiest man. Apparantly Christopher Nolan and Scorsese were both planning to make a film at around the same time, they came to some sort of agreement and I wouldn't be surprised if Nolan directs a film documenting the second half of Hughes life at some point. Another of Scorsese's masterpieces, they must really hate him in Hollywood as yet again no Best Director/Best film nod, taking 5 oscars out of 11 nominations. A film I regulary revisit. Not a dull moment.

[nebbit]

:love: LA Confidential :yup:

[bouncingbrick]

I repped you for all three in that last post. I love all three of those films.

T2 is a true classic action film. It never gets old, IMO.

L.A. Confidential is just really, really good.

I think Leo's best performance is in The Aviator.

[lundy1026]

LOVE TERMINATOR 2 (+rep)!!

[TylerDurden99]

I love Terminator 2 and LA Confidential, and I liked The Aviator. :up:

[gandalf26]

Thanks for the rep guys hopefully I ll get some more as I go on.

[gandalf26]

29. Good Night and Good Luck (2005)-George Clooney

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In the early 1950's, the threat of Communism created an air of paranoia in the United States and exploiting those fears was Senator Joseph McCarthy (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0565191/) of Wisconsin. However, CBS reporter Edward R. Murrow (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0615386/) and his producer Fred W. Friendly (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0295562/) decided to take a stand and challenge McCarthy and expose him for the fear monger he was. However, their actions took a great personal toll on both men, but they stood by their convictions and helped to bring down one of the most controversial senators in American history. (Taken from IMDB).
One of those legendary conflicts of the 20th Century and better than any boxing match, as Edward Murrow takes a brave stand against Senator Joe McCartheys so called war on Communism. Its worth noting that no actor plays Senator McCarthey and we only see him in television footage from the time. Despite that he is a villain that wouldn't be out of place on any villains list. Its basically about a hero standing up to powerful Corporate America that is trying to tell people how to think, and creating an atmoshpere of fear of non existant threats. Sadly today their are no heros like Edward Murrow in mainstream TV. Look out for some of the unbelievable TV adds from the time, for example the Doctor smoking his favourite brand of cigarette. If you havent seen this yet then you must!

28. The Bourne Identity (2002)-Doug Liman

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When I went to see this I was just expecting another run of the mill Spy film that we have seen a hundred times before. I'm happy to say that I was totally wrong. It starts with an unconcious man picked up in the South French sea by a fishing boat. The man has 2 bullet wounds in his back and seems to have no memory of who he is or what he is etc. His only clue is the number of a Swiss Bank account implanted in his hip. The man must head out to Switzerland for answers, and that is where the trouble starts.
Matt Damon's career had somewhat stalled at the time but he would soon take his signature role as the Super Assasin with a guilty consience "Jason Bourne", a role he would revisit twice to date and I hope many more times. Damon is superb in the role, his ability to look intensely focused and believable is better than anyone Ive seen so far. He looks the part too, after 3 months of intense training in fitness, weapons, martial arts etc I think the real life Damon would be someone I wouldnt wana tangle with.
A film that is intelligent and gritty, for example Bourne isnt using some fancy gadget produced in some MI5 workshop, he is using what he has around him, Biro Pen, Rolled up magazine, Hardback book etc.

27. Zatoichi (2003)-Takeshi Kitano

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Takeshi Kitano is probably my favourite foreign Director, usually making violent Yakuza gangster type films he stars in and directs his version of the famous "Zatoichi" or blind swordsman. I mean cmon what could be better than a blind swordsman who's other senses are so honed that he is still able to fight with the ability of a grand master swordsman. Tadanobu Asano plays the unnamed "Bodyguard", so this is kind of a remake of Zatoichi vs Yojimbo.
Blind Zatoichi makes his living by gambling and giving massages. But behind his humble facade, Zatoichi is a master swordsman, gifted with lightning-fast draw and strokes of breathtaking precision. Zatoichi wanders into a town run by sinister gangs and a powerful samurai. He's destined for violent showdowns when he stumbles on two beautiful geishas avenging their parents' murder.(IMDB)

[honeykid]

Zatoichi was a disappointment for me and I really didn't go for the CGI blood. That's not to say it's bad, just that I wanted better or more or something. I really liked the other two, though. :up:

[filmgirlinterrupted]

:love: Takeshi Kitano :love:

Have you keen "Kikujiro?" Probably my 2nd favorite of his

[gandalf26]

Zatoichi was a disappointment for me and I really didn't go for the CGI blood. That's not to say it's bad, just that I wanted better or more or something. I really liked the other two, though. :up:

For sure the effects arent the best but the action scenes are superb.

[gandalf26]

:love: Takeshi Kitano :love:

Have you keen "Kikujiro?" Probably my 2nd favorite of his

Never heard of it tbh. Ive seen Boiling Point, Sonatine, Violent Cop, Brother, Hana Bi (my second fav),Zatoichi. He is good in Battle Royale although just an acting role.

I want to see his new film "Outrage" and I ll look out for "Kikujiro"

[honeykid]

... the action scenes are superb.

Is usually all I have to hear to write off a film.

[gandalf26]

26. The Shining (1980)-Stanley Kubrick

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A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.
Probably the finest horror ever made. Even the car journey through the mountains with the foreboding music is scary. The cast are all on fine form, especially Jack Nicholas as Jack Torrance. Some amazing scenes, for example the Blood pouring out of the elevator is just iconic, the twins,Danny on his pedal cart going round the corridors with the camera right behind, heres Johny, the bathroom scene with the former caretaker Mr Grady who tells terrifying tales of "correcting" his family. A film found at the pinnacle of most all time great horror movies and for good reason.

25. Rob Roy (1995)-Micheal Caton-Jones

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In the highlands of Scotland in the 1700s, Rob Roy tries to lead his small town to a better future, by borrowing money from the local nobility to buy cattle to herd to market. When the money is stolen, Rob is forced into a Robin Hood lifestyle to defend his family and honour.
Released the same year as the hugely successful Braveheart I feel that this film is a little gem that is somewhat forgotten. Tim Roth is always my pick for best ever Villain with his portrayal of Archibald Cunningham, a henchman/champion of the Marquis of Montrose (John Hurt). Liam Neeson in probably his finest role as Rob Roy MacGregor, quite similar in appearance and character to Qui Gon-Jinn that he would play four years later. The class difference is interesting here as The Duke of Argyll and the Marquis of Montrose do battle with thier wallets and mouths whereas Rob Roy and Cunningham do battle with their swords.

24. The Great Escape (1963)-John Sturges

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Another true story with an all star cast, similar to my other pick of "A Bridge Too Far". The Germas are getting tired of all the escape attempts being made by the POWs, so rather foolishly they decide to build a so called "supercamp" Stalag Luft III, meant to hold all the most troublesome escapees, put all their rotten eggs in one basket so to speak. Despite being told that he wil be shot by the Gestapo, Big X (Richard Attenborough) is in charge of all escape attemps, he immediately begins work on 3 tunnels, his plan is to escape with 250 men. The intent is to "confuse, confound and harass the enemy" to the point that as many troops and resources as possible will be wasted on finding POWs instead of being used on the front line. The build up to the escape is brilliant as we bear witness to the ingenius methods used by the Allied Officers, to obtain what they will need for the escape, then a brilliant finale as 76 make their escape causing mayhem in the surrounding area.

[gandalf26]

Is usually all I have to hear to write off a film.

I know what you mean by that but the mark of a great film is one that can deliver a great story and great action. When one or the other is missing it is a recipe for disaster.

[Skepsis93]

I know what you mean by that but the mark of a great film is one that can deliver a great story and great action. When one or the other is missing it is a recipe for disaster.

Only if they try to have action. The story is the only essential part. No movie has to have action at all, but if they attempt it, they have to get it right, sure.

[sreenathpktr]

Great Escape is a Great Movie.

[gandalf26]

Only if they try to have action. The story is the only essential part. No movie has to have action at all, but if they attempt it, they have to get it right, sure.

Yeah you know what I mean.

Take the original Star wars trilogy. Great story and fairly sparse action, but when there is action it is meaningful. Then you have the Prequels which are no story and constant meaningless action and CGI.

[HitchFan97]

Love The Shining :yup:

[gandalf26]

23. Last of the Mohicans (1992)-Micheal Mann

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Micheal Mann's historical epic follows three trappers, the last of thier Mohawk tribe, as they become embroiled in the so called "Seven Years War" between all the major European Powers and the Native Americans.
Daniel Day Lewis is superb as the lead and Wes Studi is also on top form as the main villain. Possibly one of the best endings to a film, played out entirely in the films amazing theme "The Gael" by Scottsih singer-songwriter Dougie McClean.

22. Saving Private Ryan (1998)-Steven Spielberg

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In my opinion Steven Spielbergs last "great" movie. Of course he has made good movies in the last 10-15 years but doesn't seem to have the magic that he had from Jaws to Jurassic Park.
If my last choice had a fantastic ending then how about this for an opening. The full horror of the American's Omaha beach landing brough to screen in the most realistic depiction ever, and thats according to the soldiers who actually fought there.
After three brothers out of four are killed around D-Day the high command learns that the fourth brother may still be alive and they decide to send out a mission to save the young man, if they can.
Tom Hanks is the Captain charged with carrying out the mission amd selects six men to aid him. The men are none to pleased that they have to go into hostile territory looking for this man, risking 7 lives to save 1 they say.

21. Braveheart (1995)-Mel Gibson

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Another historical epic with very innacurate history, but as Mel Gibson righty states at the beginning, "History is written by the winners". I think William Wallace wasn't even alive the same time as Robert Bruce.
In my opinion easily the best battle scene ever commited to film and without the CGI disappointments of Return of the King/Troy/Star Wars prequels. Using the Irish Army for the thousands of extras their really is no substitute to real armies with real effects. TAKE NOTE HOLLYWOOD! CGI NONSENSE BATTLES DON'T WORK!
A story of Father and Sons, especially the hilarious relationship between the English King, played outstandingly by Patrick McGoohan, and his gay ponse of a son heir. Note the scene where the King throws his sons lover from the castle window.

Top 20 coming soon. I will do 2 at a time.

[nebbit]

Not a big fan of Braveheart :nope:

[HitchFan97]

Just wait till Honeykid gets in here ;)

[honeykid]

Just wait till Honeykid gets in here ;)

lol

When I saw (the superior) Rob Roy on the previous page, I thought to myself "if he's chosen this over Braveheart I'll be most impressed." He hasn't. I'm not. :mad:

[gandalf26]

lol

When I saw (the superior) Rob Roy on the previous page, I thought to myself "if he's chosen this over Braveheart I'll be most impressed." He hasn't. I'm not. :mad:

They are both good, not easy to pick which one is better tbh.

What exactly is it that you dislike so much about Braveheart may I ask?

[honeykid]

Pretty much everything. Firstly, I hate Mel Gibson though, at the time, I hated Liam Neeson more. I hate the film as an entity, its effects, its butchering of history (I know it's not a documentary) the script, the amount of praise and awards it received (like Gladiator, though that's a better film) and the anger I felt while watching it.

Part of me wants to see it again, so I can better pin down what it is I hate so much or, maybe, even like it more (however unlikely that is.) However, I don't want to put myself through that again.

[mark f]

Everything honeykid hates about the movie is what I love about it. It was an underdog at all the awards ceremonies so I don't understand hating it for winning a few Oscars. I especially like feeling honey's "anger" when I watch it. :cool:

[Kitsch]

Firstly, I hate Mel Gibson
What's there to hate about Mel Gibson?

I mean, sure he drinks a lot, and he's a real hateful fellow, but if you happen to be in the minority of people (white, Christian, male heterosexuals) whom he doesn't mind...

[honeykid]

I think we were angry for very different reasons, mark. :D I was not cheering for Gibson. The best thing about that film was the end.

[bouncingbrick]

You all know that Gibson hadn't quite gone off the deep end when Braveheart was made, right? :D

I can't ever truly hate the man because he's Riggs and Max, but honeykid, you're hatred of Braveheart is bewildering. I get not liking it, but "the anger I felt while watching it"? Harsh words without a bit of a reason why, isn't it?

I like it, flaws and all. It's manipulative and sappy, but I can't help but enjoy myself while watching it. Eh, to each his own.

[gandalf26]

20. Dawn of the Dead (1978)-George.A.Romero

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Zombie movies were so much better when the Zombies were slower and there was something so much more mysterious about them. Modern Zombie movies are all about the superfast zombie that is infected. The only explanation that this movie offers is "When there is no more room in hell,the dead will walk the Earth".
I seem to be able to watch this film over and over again without tiring of it. I actually think it would be kinda fun if Zombies took over and we took over a shopping mall that could cater for all our needs, at least in the short term. It would be good to get away from the tedium of everyday life.
Holding a respectable 96% on Rotten Tomatoes this is still by far the best Zombie film to date.

19. The Hustler (1961)-Robert Rossen

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Small-time pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson travels cross-country with his partner Charlie to challenge the legendary player "Minnesota Fats". Arriving at Ames, Fats's home pool hall, Eddie declares he will win $10,000 that night.
One of the best opening that I have ever seen. The dialogue between Fast Eddie and Minnesota Fats before thier 25 hour battle is legendary. Being a fan of pool myself I simply love this film, makes me want to go and play pool every single time.
Truly great performances all round from Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason in a break from his norm of acting in comedies, Piper Laurie and the excellent George.C.Scott as crooked Pro Gambler Bert Gordon.
Recieving 9 Oscar nominations are perhaps unfairly only recieving 2, for Art Direction-Set Design and Best Cinematography.
Despite the Black and White this is a timeless classic that still stands up today.

[nebbit]

:love: the Hustler :yup:

[honeykid]

Two great picks there, gandalf. :up:

[Momloveyou]

Nice list, I want to say most of your list are also what I like, thanks for sharing.

[gandalf26]

Why do some of my pictures keep failing?

[gandalf26]

2 Choices here that appear on most lists, probably for good reason.

18.Seven (1995)-David Fincher
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Directed by David Fincher. With Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow. Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his guide to murder.
Set in an unidentified city of constant rain we have the soon to be retiring Detective Somerset (Freeman) partnered with the hot tempered rookie Detective Mills (Pitt). The partnership hardly sets up on a positive note as both set out investigating different murders that they soon realise are one and the same. Inevitably they must both work together as their cases intertwine.
Perhaps the beauty of the story is that you feel little sympathy for the murder victims. Morbidly Obese Man, Evil money grabbing Lawyer, Drug Dealer, Prostitute. I certainly feel that no harm would be done from "removing" some of these types from society.
With a superb finale to boot Seven is not to be missed. I feel its calling probably twice a year and I get sucked into the story every time.

17. The Dark Knight (2008)-Christopher Nolan

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Whatever anyone says this is the Joker's movie. Without the Joker this would still be a great movie. It is almost as if the movie is ticking over nicely following the usual predictable formula until the Joker comes along and picks the whole thing up and turns it upside down and shakes it all around. There may never be a greater Villain put to screen. Such a shame Heath Ledger died or we may have seen a Joker return in TDKR.
Batman almost plays a supporting role to Harvey Dent and the Joker here. Batman represents order,Dent pure chance and The Joker chaos.
I thought it was a nice touch to get Batman out of Gotham for a mission to Hong Kong. It brings ever more realism to the movie. The previous movies were all set in the strange camp world of Gotham and never felt real whatsoever. Long gone are those days. Good luck to anyone doing the next Batman series in 10 years or whatever.
This is the newest movie on my list as I try not to rush to judgement and see what the rewatchability of a film is like over a couple of years before I really rate it. Can't wait for TDKR. People are saying the story is even better than TDK, and I for one hope thats true.

[HitchFan97]

The Dark Knight is fantastic :)

[honeykid]

The previous movies were all set in the strange camp world of Gotham and never felt real whatsoever. Long gone are those days.
Yeah, it was much better back then. :p

[HitchFan97]

BLASPHEMY! Though I did enjoy Burton's 1989 Batman.

[honeykid]

Pfft. Batman: The Movie and Batman Returns is where it's at.

[HitchFan97]

Batman Returns was good. Batman: The Movie... well, I guess you have to take it for what it is. My dad was a huge fan of the Adam West TV series as a kid, so I have it on DVD.

[honeykid]

You dad has better taste than you. :D

[HitchFan97]

He's a huge Eastwood fan :yup: Can't argue with that

[honeykid]

Well, nobody's perfect. :D

[gandalf26]

16. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)-Paul Greengrass

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Paul Greengrass takes the helm from Doug Liman who takes over as exec producer and its a good move in my opinion. Not thta Liman did anything wrong its just that Greengrass speeds up the pace a little from Identity.
When Jason Bourne is framed for a botched CIA operation he is forced to take up his former life as a trained assassin to survive.
With a better mole hunt than Tinker Tailor played out superbly by Joan Allen and Brian Cox with Jason Bourne caught in the middle this makes for a superb sequel.
Damon is superb as Bourne, obviously a lot of physical effort went into making him look the part of the ultra fit super assasin.
Two great scenes in the film, the first is when Deputy Director Pam Landy (Allen) is hunting Bourne, trying to drive her staff to find him realises that she is the hunted.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrONotIe57c&feature=related

The second (more of a sequence) is the brilliant end chase which sees Bourne shot and hounded by his opposite number, Russian Assassin Kiril, played menacingly by Karl Urban.
The beauty of these films is that Bourne isn't trying to save the world but rather to apologise for his crimes. He leaves practically zero body count too, unlike the armies of unconving henchmen that James Bond does away with every time. The Bourne series has in my opinion single handedly brought the Bond franchise to it's knees. Hopefully Matt Damon and Greengrass will return for a Bourne 4.

15. The Hunt for Red October (1990)-John Mctiernan

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In 1984, the USSR's best submarine captain in their newest sub violates orders and heads for the USA. Is he trying to defect, or to start a war?
The first and best of the Tom Clancy's "Jack Ryan" movies, see's Sean Connery in what I think is his best role, up against both his own fleet and the Americans. The only guy who can save him is Alec Baldwin's Jack Ryan who is convinced that Captain Ramius (Connery) intends to defect. The Russians new submarine holds a new technology that allows for silent/stealth running.
The film holds your complete attention as you switch between Connery, Ryan and the American Sub trailing him. The best scenes are of course Connery's especially the torpedo in the underwater canyon and the Speech Connery delivers in his distinctly Scottish accent to his Russian Crew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW18-2-QrIg

[nebbit]

I am a big fan of The Hunt for Red October :yup:

[filmgirlinterrupted]

I am a big fan of The Hunt for Red October :yup:

"One Ping Only!"

[gandalf26]

I am a big fan of The Hunt for Red October :yup:

Same, I just love it. I watch at least once a year and love it every time.

Looking back at my list I didn't realise how many classics John McTiernan made around the late 80s/ early nineties.

Predator
Die Hard
Hunt for Red October

Shame he hasn't made much since then although I like Die Hard 3, The 13th Warrior and The Thomas Crown Affair they are not in the same league as the above 3. He really "had it" for a few years.

To All Staff 31/03/13

As most of you are aware Ian and Robert have been considering switching their payroll to monthly based system as opposed to the current fortnightly pay. The reasons for doing so are largely due to the economic and time saving benefits inclusive of such a change, i.e. less time being wasted doing the payroll and a large saving on accountancy fees (working once a month instead of twice).
From September this year Ian and Robert have decided that Park Gate’s and our own payroll will be switching to a monthly system. The way that this will operate is, on the first Friday of every month(from September) you will be paid last month’s wages unless the Friday falls on the 1st or 2nd in which case it will switch to the following Friday.
Due to any unforeseen circumstances that may arise from such a change Ian and Robert are coming to look at the flat on Friday at 2.30pm and will talk to you about the change in greater detail.

Thanks Murray

[gandalf26]

"One Ping Only!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr0JaXfKj68

[klacc]

The Bourne Supremacy was a great movie. I loved it. If you really enjoyed it I would definitely suggest reading the books, they are a lot better than the movies in my opinion.

[gandalf26]

14. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998)-Terry Gilliam

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" Don't **** with me now man!, I am Ahab"

First time I watched this I simply thought wtf. I didnt know who Hunter Thompson was but I read a little more about it, read the book and every time I watched it thereafter it grew on me like a favourite T shirt or something.
The genius of the film is that it all happened. It makes you want to go to Vegas and tear the place up for a weekend, I'm quite sure that many have tried to immitate the film's depravity.
Literally every scene is interesting and or hilarious. Some of the lines are genius like, "never mind, it's absolutely pure".
Depp and Del Toro in their best work I reckon. In 10 years time this cult masterpiece will most likely ascend to No 1 on my list.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQkEwn3cQns&feature=related

13. Fight Club (1999)-David Fincher

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What to say about this movie that hasn't already been said I wonder. Well for one I simply cannot fathom how this movie flopped, and was dismissed by critics. A bit like Shawshank Redemption the legend has grown following Video/DVD release and now this film can be found at the very top of most lists, evern in people's top 10s. Amazingly it only holds 81% on Rotten Tomatoes.
At first glance this looks like some kind of movie about underground fighting but really that is just how it starts. I don't really think that it is about the twist at the end, which I didn't really see coming and I like to pride myself on spotting the twist.
For me Tyler Durden is right, we are just consumers chasing **** that we don't need. A lost generation with no purpose the great tragedy being our lives. I really don't think it would be a bad thing if all the Banks were blown up and the debt reduced to Zero. The only disappointment is that the Bankers themselves weren't in the buildings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo-wkv8gW6k

[gandalf26]

The Bourne Supremacy was a great movie. I loved it. If you really enjoyed it I would definitely suggest reading the books, they are a lot better than the movies in my opinion.

I have read all the books and I found them to be a little clunky. Not a very enjoyable read at all. One of the rare occasions where the movies are better than the books.

Basically the movies are Bourne Identity 3 times. CIA hunting Bourne or vice versa and Bourne evading. I would like to have seen something different like the Jackal vs Bourne for the third movie or perhaps the fourth movie. The book "Bourne Supremacy" would probably make a good movie. Bourne coming out of hiding to track down his copycat.

[downthesun]

Great read so far, many of my favourite films are on your list, now looking forward to seeing what made your top 12.

[gandalf26]

Great read so far, many of my favourite films are on your list, now looking forward to seeing what made your top 12.

Thanks, hopefully my top 12 won't disappoint.

[gandalf26]

12. The Godfather (1972)-Francis Ford Coppola

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What makes the Godfather so great? hard to say. I held off seeing this film for ages despite my Mum telling me how great it is etc. Since then I must have seen it 20 times. It has to be said that the casting is absolute perfection. Brando, Duvall, Pacino, Caan are all outstanding.
The whole thing is just perfection from beginning to end, come to think of it I should have placed it higher. I love the beginning, especially Don Corleone getting Johny Fontane the part in that War movie, also alluding to the true life story of Frank Sinatra getting out of his early contract. I love the whole Italy sequence and I lovethe later transition from Don Corleone to the reluctant Micheal.
I just think the whole Mafia thing has a certian appeal and because of that it's fascinating to watch the whole war between the "Five Families" unfold. Almost as if you are being granted a fly on the wall of actual events (though there is a lot of semi truth in the plot as mentioned above).

11. The Matrix (1999)-Wachowski Brothers.

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One of those movies that comes along every once in a while and revolutionises it's genre. Similar to Fight Club in that there is more to the Story than meets the eye the first few times around, it's not really about Kung Fu and Humans vs Machines, it is really a critique on society or the "system" that is the root of all Evil in the world. I never gave it much thought but the system we know today can be refered to as The Matrix. It's the jobs we do and the products we dont need that we buy. it blinds us from the truth. People dont take walk in the forest no more. People dont exercise no more, they need money, bills, cars and jobs.. However it is possible to find people that are unplugged but not in the town i live. People here smoke, work, curse and sit in chairs and stuff junkfood into their heads.

"Most of these people are not ready to be unplugged, and many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it "

Despite that for the first time a movie has real top quality Kung Fu in it. No thanks to the absolute master of fighting choreography "Yuen Woo Ping". Also we have top quality shootout scenes, notably the Lobby scene. Lots of movies tried to copy the Matrix and showed slow motion bullets only without the reason for bullets being slow mo like the Matrix has.
Special mention to Lawrence Fishbourne superb as Morpheus and to Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith, one of the very top Villains of recent times.
The sequel had its fantastic moments but without the great story of the first and the third part was just terrible.

[Calypso1991]

Love The Matrix. Sure, the action scenes are superb but what really makes it such a gem is the underlying themes as you stated above. I remember watching it as a kid and not understanding anything beyond the surface but I watched it recently and finally saw the genius of it.

[gandalf26]

Love The Matrix. Sure, the action scenes are superb but what really makes it such a gem is the underlying themes as you stated above. I remember watching it as a kid and not understanding anything beyond the surface but I watched it recently and finally saw the genius of it.

Yes exactly. How great to make a film that the more times you watch it the more you understand it.

[HitchFan97]

Who WOULDN'T love the Godfather? Can't wait to see the top 10 :yup:

[nebbit]

Bring it on :yup:

[gandalf26]

Time to finish this thing. Would you believe I lost my top 50 list and couldn't for the life of me remember 2 of the films off my top 10 list, had to go and scour my DVD collection.

[gandalf26]

10. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)-Frank Darabont

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Amazingly this film was a big flop at the Box Office. Then a strange thing happened, People started to rent it on VHS and the word spread and spread. Fast forward and you can find Shawshank at the top of most "Greatest Film" lists. Andy Dufresne is the "hotshot" Banker convicted of killing his wife and her lover, and is shipped off for life to the strange Gothic style building that is Shawshank State Prison.
Dufresne, all the while protesting his innocence, slowly overcomes the hellfire tortures of the prison system - an unblinking range of beatings, rapings and abject humiliations - while managing to inspire his fellow inmates to lift their degraded horizons. Among them is Red (Freeman, in a matchless supporting role), the lifer who can, given time, provide virtually anything. And for reasons best known to himself, Dufresne requires 40s starlet Rita Hayworth, provisioned in poster form.
Is there a better feel good film out there? If so I ve yet to watch it.

9. Master and Commander (2003)-Peter Weir
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Like a lot of people I was expecting Gladiator on the Sea, thankfully I was wrong. I think I dismissed this a merely a decent movie when I first watched it but time and time again I find myself drawn to it and never really get bored, that is why Master and Commander has made it near to the top of my list. This has to be considered among the greatest of Seafaring movies, right up there with Das Boot, a lot of similarities between the cramped world of the U Boat and the "HMS Surprise" too.
Russell Crowe stars as "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, captain of HMS Surprise ("28 guns; 197 souls"), a Royal Navy ship patrolling off the coast of Brazil. Her orders are to "intercept French Privateer Acheron", which has been harrying British interests in the area. However, the Acheron - a "heavy frigate" of innovative design with 44 guns - surprises the Surprise, inflicting serious damage (Aubrey inquires after casualties with the brutal "What's the butcher's bill?").
If you have overlooked this as a great movie then I beg you to go back and give it another shot.

[gandalf26]

8. Day of the Jackal-(1973) Fred Zinnemann

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The plot blurs the line between fact and fiction by starting the movie with a recreation of an actual event, the attempted assasination of President Charles De Gaulle in 1962 by the "OAS" as retribution for what they see as betrayal by De Gaulle for giving Algeria independence. The failed attempt leaves the OAS with one option, the hiring of a professional assassin in the form of Edward Fox's nameless "Jackal".
Fox is fantastic and believable as the Jackal but is perhaps upstaged by Micheal Lonsdale as the brilliant Detective Claude Lebel. This is a fantastic game of Cat and Mouse as all the resources of France are pitted against the lone Jackal. I feel gripped every time I watch it as the movie switches between the Jackal and the hunters, both storylines equally gripping. Some fantastic scenes with the initially starstruck Lebel surrounded by the hierachy of France especially later on as Lebel switches from nervous to leader of the hunt.

7. Unforgiven-(1992)-Clint Eastwood

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Clint Eastwood himself called this the anti Western, which for the man with no name himself I find a little ironic. Sitting on this script for years until he felt old enough to play the part of "William Munny", Eastwood delivers the finest western to date, which is no mean feat considering all the greats he has starred in.
A group of prostitutes in Big Whiskey, Wyoming, led by Strawberry Alice, offers a $1,000 reward to whoever can kill Quick Mike (David Mucci) and "Davey-Boy" Bunting, two cowboys who disfigured Delilah Fitzgerald, one of their own. This upsets the local sheriff, Little Bill Daggett (Gene Hackman), a former gunfighter and now an obsessive keeper of the peace who doesn't allow guns or criminals in his town. Little Bill had given the two men leniency, despite their crime.
Great performances from the old greats here and a delight to have them all in the same movie, Richard Harris, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and of course Clint Eastwood.
One of the greatest scenes in the history of Cinema, "Helluva Thing" followed by one of the best endings ever. My take on it is that we are constantly told about this evil man "William Munny" and all the terrible things that he has done, people he has killed against all odds etc, but we are presented with sick old Will who can't shoot worth a damn, that is until old Will learns that his friend has been killed by Little Bill and has been left on show outside the Saloon with a sign on him. Then we and the town law get to see William Munny one last time.

[nebbit]

At last we are getting to your top 5 Yay http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d8/wildhappytime/Smileys%20and%20Icons/excited.gif

[gandalf26]

At last we are getting to your top 5 Yay http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d8/wildhappytime/Smileys%20and%20Icons/excited.gif

I ve been a bit of a lazy slacker.

[nebbit]

I ve been a bit of a lazy slacker.
Still I haven't even attempted to do a list :nope:

[gandalf26]

6. Heat-(1995)-Micheal Mann

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The Undisputed Champion of Cops and Robbers/Heist movies, Micheal Mann's masterpiece, holding an impressive 38th place on Empire's Top 500 and perhaps an unfair 86% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Great idea to put the two greatest living actor's, Pacino and De Niro opposite each other as the master criminal and master detective. Also a superb supporting cast including Val Kilmer, Danny Trejo, Tom Sizemore, Wes Studi, Ashley Judd not to mention a young Natalie Portman.
Several great storylines that gather pace and suspense all intertwining at the legendary Bank scene that explodes into an ear shattering brilliantly choreographed shootout. Probably the best shootout put to film. Just perfection on film that I will never tire of watching.

5. Goodfellas-(1990)-Martin Scorsese

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"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster,"

We ve had the masterpiece "The Godfather" which is the tale of ruling families of the Mafia but this is the tale of the street level "Blue Collar" mafia "associates". Completely different to the Godfather but equally as good if not better. This is the real story of the mafia, there are no meeting with Senators to be found here.
Scorsese knew how he wanted to make the film after reading the book "Wise Guy", that it would have to start with a bang and carry on at pace, almost like a 2 hour trailer, never slowing down. Perhaps that is why I get sucked into watching it for the 500th time when it's on TV, there is literally never a dull moment, skipping from scene to scene at electric pace with Liotta narrating.
Ray Liotta, De Niro, Bracco and Paul Sorvino are all excellent but Joe Pesci is in a league of his own this time around. I think Joe Pesci was literally born for roles like this. Pesci plays the terrifying "Tommy Devito" a man with a hair trigger temper, a total sociopath. Henry Hill himself said he was totally relieved when Tommy died, this comes across hilariously in the movie when Jimmy (De Niro) learns of Tommy's demise and Henry (Liotta) is standing next to the phone booth saying "Oh No, Oh No" but it comes across to me as "Thank God". Check out the "Funny Guy scene" for a masterclass in intimidation by Pesci.
People talk about film's that they never tire of watching, well this is the King of movies that you never get tired of seeing.

4. LOTR-Fellowship of the Ring(extended)-(2001)-Peter Jackson

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I barely knew anything about LOTR when I went to see this one. At the end I was like "is that it", didn't realise it was a 3 parter at all. On first viewing I thought it was a little rushed and thought of it as merely a "good film", certainly not no. 4 on my Top 50.
Then a year later I went to see "The Two Towers" and quickly realised that these films were epic. Same day as I saw Two Towers I went out and bought the extended Fellowship dvd. After a second viewing and getting around to reading the books my appreciation really grew for the Fellowship and the series. I thought it was just another fantasy story without realising that this IS the original fantasy story.
The casting in this film is basically perfect, literally every actor/actress in their roles do a fantastic job. The little details like wardrobe are perfect, something that a lot of similar films just don't get right at all. Aragorn for example looks like he has lived his whole life in his rugged Ranger outfit, rough edged leather belts, worn outdoorsman look brings a sense of total believability to the films.
Each setting throughout the movie is spectacular, first the amazing prologue, then off to the happy bustling Shire, Rivendell, Moria, Lothlorian and inbetween each, fantastic travelling scenes with that epic LOTR theme tune. Peter Jackson said he wasn't sure how he was going to portraty the scenes where the Fellowship are travelling through the wild but what they have come up with are highlights of the movie, same thing with the beacons scene from "Return of the King".

[gandalf26]

The list so far.

50. Road to Perdition-2002
49. The Warriors-1979
48. A Bridge Too Far-1977
47. Tombstone-1993
46. The Insider-1999

45. Kingdom of Heaven-2005
44. Groundhog Day-1993
43. Superman-1978
42. Die Hard-John Mctiernan-1988
41. LOTR The Two Towers-2002

40. American Psycho-2000
39. Star Trek 2 : Wrath of Khan-1982
38. Batman Begins-2005
37. Good Will Hunting-1997
36. Enter the Dragon-1973

35. Stander-2003
34. Predator-1987
33. Rocky-1976
32. Terminator 2-1991
31. LA Confidential-1997

30. The Aviator-2004
29. Good Night and Good Luck-2005
28. Bourne Identity-2002
27. Zatoichi-2003
26. The Shining 1980

25. Rob Roy-1995
24. The Great Escape-1963
23. Last of the Mohicans-1992
22. Saving Private Ryan-1998
21. Braveheart-1995

20. Dawn of the Dead-1978
19. The Hustler-1961
18. Seven-1995
17. The Dark Knight-2008
16. The Bourne Supremacy-2004

15. The Hunt for Red October-1990
14. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas-1998
13. Fight Club-1999
12. The Godfather-1972
11. The Matrix-1999

10. Shawshank Redemption-1994
9. Master and Commander-2003
8. Day of the Jackal-1973
7. Unforgiven-1992
6. Heat-1995

5. Goodfellas-1990
4. LOTR Fellowship of the Ring-2001
3.???
2.???
1.???

[nebbit]

Interesting list so far :yup:

[mark f]

Look at that... the last [top] three films all have the same title!

[gandalf26]

Look at that... the last [top] three films all have the same title!

lol took me ages to figure out what you meant.

[JayDee]

Just realised your top 3 still never materialised. What happened?

[donniedarko]

Great list :up:
But as JayDee said where's the top 3?

[gandalf26]

I know, I know. I have a day off tomorrow, I will force myself to do it.

[nebbit]

good :)

[gandalf26]

Ok time to finish this, Sorry for being immensly lazy I'm not even going to make an excuse.

3. Blade Runner (1982)-Ridley Scott

http://ts2.mm.bing.net/th?id=I4638049899774809&pid=1.1

The film depicts a dystopian Los Angeles in November 2019 in which genetically engineered organic robots called replicants—visually indistinguishable from adult humans—are manufactured by the powerful Tyrell Corporation as well as by other "mega–manufacturers" around the world. Their use on Earth is banned and replicants are exclusively used for dangerous, menial or leisure work on off-world colonies. Replicants who defy the ban and return to Earth are hunted down and "retired" by police special operatives known as "Blade Runners". The plot focuses on a brutal and cunning group of recently escaped replicants hiding in Los Angeles and the burnt out expert Blade Runner, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), who reluctantly agrees to take on one more assignment to hunt them down.
(above plot taken from Wikipedia)

Watched this one as a child thinking I was going to watch something akin to Star Wars. I think I got bored after 20 minutes, and didn't watch it again until 10 or so years ago when I was old enough to appreciate this masterpiece tale or Morality. Still find it strange that the movie is supposed to be set in 2019. Did they really think the future would look like this 40 years on? Should have been more like 2119 or even later. Great performances here, notably from Rutger Hauer as "Roy" the nexus 6 Replicant, Star Wars aside it's hard to remember Harrison Ford ever being so young. Brilliant haunting music from Vangelis and a superb twist ending that really catches you off guard.

2. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)-Irvin Kershner

http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=I4743779120317760&pid=1.1

Can anyone name another large scale movie where the bad guys really win?

I've been a huge Star Wars fan since I can remember, that probably applies to a lot of people in my generation (I'm 28 years young). How do you follow up the unparralled success of Star Wars? Even Lucas didn't want to direct, and taking into account his recent efforts that could only have been a good thing. Instead Lucas turned to his old USC Proffessor Irvin Kershner who amazingly, initially refused the opportunity. Not only did Irvin Kershner make a worthy follow up to Star Wars, he made in my opinion one of the greatest films ever, even better than Star Wars. Return of the Jedi is a very good film I feel it could have been better had Kershner accepted the offer to make it. He also states that he would have accpeted an offer to film one of the Prequels given the chance which could have changed everything, having someone with the stones to stand up to Lucas, who better to do that than his old mentor.

an interview with Kershner can be found here.

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2010/10/irvin-kershner

This film is like a box full of goodies, it contains probably my favourite bad guy, my favourite character and 2 of my favourite scenes ever. The bad guy of course being Vader, my favourite character, who else but the Legendary Jedi Master Yoda worked and voiced perfectly by Frank Oz. My favourite scene being the Luke's X-Wing being raised out of the swamp by Yoda. It is the first time in the Star Wars movies that use of the "Force" moves away from gimmicks and foresight, and the true power and potential is revealed. Yoda moves away from being a wise old critter into a sorceror of immense power in an instant. Legendary quote in the sequence, "Do or do not, there is no try" and Yoda's desciption of the Power of the force being all around us with a petulant Luke not beliveing. Pure Magic on film!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt6E1-_vXQU

I didn't even mention the superb final encounter between Vader and Skywalker and the greatest end of movie twist EVER!

[nebbit]

Nearly there http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk120/ashizzle_010/cheer.gif

[gandalf26]

Yeah given the timeframe I ve been using for the last few entries it should be no longer than 18 months or so before I reveal my No 1.