OK, i'm hoping that the twat finally got the message, so I would like to continue my version of the greatest films ever produced. Still with me? Lets continue...
54.
Willow (Ron Howard, 1988)
I'm very surprised at how many people on this forum underrate this great epic adventure. In fact, most people seem to underrate it. For years I had it in my head that this film was loved by most people. But I was clearly wrong..
I just don't see why people dislike it. It's an a fun filled journey with a lot of likable characters and character development. It's got good special effects and Howard was brave enough to cast a dwarf as the main protagonist. Considering it's a studio film, you have to give the guy props. You care about the characters (well I did at least) and its touching in a lot of places. I just don't get the negativity.
Lord Of The Rings is no different
. It's just ten times longer.
The scene where Willow watches Val Kilmer's Madmartigan show the heroic figure that had been hinted at earlier in the film still makes me mark out. Top film.
53.
Groundhog Day (Harold Ramis, 1993)
Ever imagine what it would be like living the same awful day over and over and over and over and over? Well Harold Ramis' very funny morality tale shows you what it's like - and with halirous results.
Bill Murray's talents are used to it's fullest potential here. He is at his snidey, sarcastic and cynical best as Phil Conners, and he makes this seemingly unsympathetic man seem, well, sympathetic.
. There are some GREAT comedic scenes and not even a dud like Andie McDowell can stop this film from being one of the best comedies of the 90s.
52.
Dawn Of The Dead (George A. Romero 1978)
After the recent
Land and
Diary films, I think it's safe to say that
Dawn has cemented itself as the best out of Romero's
Dead trilogy. And given the period this was filmed in, it's social commentary was very relevant and quite bold for a horror film. And what a perfect way to comment on american consumerism by having a bunch of ordanairy citizens stuck inside a shopping mall. Of course, it took a bunch of film critics to expose these themes, but the impact remains the same.
One of the most interesting things about the themes is that the survivors have everything they could ever want in the shopping mall, but none of it matters in the long run because of the zombie predicament. Consumerism baby, it's a bitch. Clever Romero, eh?
It's worth watching the film just for it's simple mix of dark humour, cartoonish photography, and buckets of gore.
51.
Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock, 1954)
As far as masterful voyeuristic thrillers goes, this is the pinnacle as far as i'm concerned with James Stewert is the man that sees far more than he should in one of Hitchcock's best films.
That statement in itself is a tough thing to say considering he made some of the most iconic and influential films of the 40s/50s, but I rate this one highly because the concept of voyeurism had never felt so personal or been explored to a high degree until I watched this film.And Hitchcock isn't labelled 'the master of suspense' for no reason. The suspense and tension throughout the film is off the charts.
Peeping Tom came very close, but I saw that after I had watched this, and this was directed by Mr Hitchcock. Which means superior camera work, superior performances and superior cinematography.
. A fascinating piece of work.
50.
Back To The Future (Robert Zemeckis, 1985)
Why are time travelling films so popular? There are many theories, but I for one feel it's because of societies desires to 'rewind time'. Imagine the power of doing such a thing eh? Imagine it's Friday night and the lottery's come on and of course you didn't win, but that doesn't matter because you have a time machine! Well
Back To The Future explores time travel and much more. Obviously.
The themes of the film are obvious and sort of cliched, so I won't bother highlighting them this time round. It's the adventure and journey the characters go through that makes this truly great.
Time travel is an very old concept, but Zemeckis somehow manages to make it feel fresh and original. His direction is slick, and he clearly demonstrated an understanding for comic timing. But I think the charismatic Michael J Fox had something to do with that latter part. This being his signature role, Fox has much more fun than Eric Stolz probably had, and it shows. Great special effects too.
So there we have it. The first half of my Top 100 Greatest Films Of All Friggin' Time. I won't lie, it's been excruciating thus far, but I have enjoyed doing it. The first half was always going to be the hardest for me, simply because there are thousands of films I generally love. It's been far more easier for me doing the first 50 because I am quite clear on what films I rate as 4 - 5 stars.
But for those who have enjoyed the first 50...wait until you get a load of the next bunch. They will be even more in-depth than ever before and you may see a few surprises in there as well. I'm starting it this coming Tuesday, so stay tuned.
Until then, we can discuss some of the films I have listed already. And I thank you all for the contributions you all have made.
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