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Top 10 Films in general |
| Date: |
25/01/05 (1835 review reads) |
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Advantages: greatest films ever
Disadvantages: -
Ok this is my first review in a while, but lets ope it goes well....below is my top 10 films of all time, one of my greatest joys in the world is to sit down and watch a film, I love all (well most) films i see so choosing my top 10 was difficult, but here goes.
10) L.A. Confidential (1997)
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"Of f the record, on the Q.T. and very hush hush...."
Set in 1950's it tells the story of 3 detectives in the seedy underworld of the L.A. police department. Kevin Spacey excells in the celebrity lifestyle driven roll of Jack, with good turns from the rest of the leading cast; Guy Pierce, Russell Crow, Kim Basinger and Danny De Vito.
I love this film not only for the acting but for the amazing visuals as every minute detail from the costumes to the cars ooze 1950's style. The story line is fast and furious as the stories of the three main detectives intertwine to what becomes a very memorable ending, with the film directed amazingly well throughout from the criminally underated Curtis Hanson (Wonder Boys, 8 Mile).
9) Adaptation. (2002)
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"Charlie Kaufman writes the way he lives... With Great Difficulty. His Twin Brother Donald Lives the way he writes... with foolish abandon. Susan writes about life... But can't live it. John's life is a book... Waiting to be adapted. One story... Four Lives... A million ways it can end"
From the pen of Charlie Kaufman who has produced such gems as Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, this is a wonderfully complex tale about him adapting (Adaptation get it?!), a book and the problems he encounters doing so, mainly that of his writers block and the benality of his subject matter.
Nicholas Cage plays the two main characters and is exceptional, but the film is stole by Chris Cooper who is excellent as th shady John Laroch, the subject of the book that is being adapted.
The story is complicated and tricky to follow, and may need a second viewing to make perfect sence, but it is well worth the duration and deserved its many oscar nominations it recieved.
8) Braveheart (1995)
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"What kind of man would defy a king?"
One bad ass mother in a kilt (line admitidly stolen from the 51st state!) thats who, this is an enjoyable tale of how wronged the Scottish were during the 13th Century and how the wonderful William Wallace played by actor/director and all time nice guy Mel Gibson made sure that the scottish spirit would always live on.
A lot lighter then most of my other picks, an extremely enjoyable watch which makes me proud to be Scottish, even if the subject matter is slight historically inaccurate.
7) Die xue shuang xiong (The Killer) (1989)
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"This film will blow you away."
Quite simply the greatest action film of all time, Jonh Woo takes you through a delerious journey of cat and mouse as mismatched cop and hitman Chow Yun-Fat and Danny Lee blaze their way through an amazing script, showing that people from different walks of life can still have respect for each other, respect that will ultimatley see them through the countless gun battles. The greatest buddy movie of all time as long as you dont mind subtitles.
6) 12 Angry Men (1957)
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"Life Is In Their Hands -- Death Is On Their Minds!"
The oldest film on my list and the film that relies heavily on the oldest of talents, no special effects or even colour this films genius is in its raw elements, the script and the acting, particularly that of the lead, Henry Fonda.
The story is set in one room, as a jury deliberates the fate of a young man accused of murder and follows one mans struggle to try and bring justice to a case which seems a lost cause, as many of the jurours seem more interested in the nights baseball game than the life of one young boy from the wrong sides of the tracks. This film is stunningly exceuted with stellar performances from all involved.
5) Leon (1995)
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"A perfect assassin. An innocent girl. They have nothing left to lose except each other. He moves without sound. Kills without emotion. Disappears without trace. Only a 12 year old girl... knows his weakness."
This film brought together Frenchs films two greatest exports Luc Besson and Jean Reno to tell the amazing story of love between a simple hitman and a young girl who has just lost everything.
Again steller performances from all of the acting talent involved with Reno playing the lead with great emotion giving depth and warmth to a character you shouldnt love due to his profession, Gary Oldman once again plays a perfect villian with a great manic slant, and Natalie Portman works wonders for someone of such a young age.
A compelling story that will have you totally consumed and hoping against hope that the police headed by the corrupt Oldman dont get there way. This film has amazing action sequences, but this is countered with the emotion involved. I still get choked up when Stings Shape of my heart rolls over the ending credits.
4) Cidade de dues (City of God) (2002)
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"Fight and you'll never survive..... Run and you'll never escape."
This film tells the story of two boys growing up in the Brazlian slums of Rio, and shows how different paths can be taken tht could eventually lead to a good life even against all of the odds.
The cast is made up of actual Rio kids and they do a superb job, the story is gritty and seems to real to be made up summing up the lives of the kids who carry guns around and dont expect to see heir 30's.
The most visually impressive film I have ever seen and a great Oscar winning watch if you dont mind subtitles (or speak Portugese)
3) Donnie Darko (2001)
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"You can never go too far"
Weird does not cover this film, from falling plane engines coming from nowhere to giant freakish like bunnies this doesnt seem like the makings of a great film, but it is. It is exceptional.
An amazing complex storyline tells you the tale of Donnie Darko exceptionally played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who is plagued by visions of a giant bunny who tell him to commit acts of violence so that he averts the end of the world.
The story does get confusing at times and even after many viewings im still not 100% on what is going on all of the time, however it is captivating and frustrating all at the same time, will Donnie Darko suceed in his mission, or is it even a mission at all? You will be pleasently surprised with what you learn.
2) The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
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"Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free"
As you probably already know as this film appears near the top of many peoples lists due to it being a wonderfull and fullfilling experience to watch Shawshank Redemption focuses on Andy Dufrein played by Tim Robbins who is sent to jail for murdering his wife even though he pleads his innocence.
It takes you through his jorney in prison, from friendships such as that with Red my favourite film character of all time played by Morgan Freeman to torture at the hands of both fellow inmates and the people who are supposed to protect him, to his undying faith in his innocence and his transformation into the most unconventional prisoner.
Story telling at its best, again with an ending that will leave even the biggest man choked up.
1) Papillon (1973)
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"The greatest adventure of escape ever filmed!"
Two words: Steve Mcqueen. Has anybody cooler ever graced this earth, I think not. And not only that he was one of the greates actos of all time and turns in films like this and The Great Escape show what amazing talent he had, and sadly died at only 50 with many more potentialy great films still to come.
Dustin Hoffman is also great, in a story about one mans attempts to get off the infamous devils island prison against all the odds and the mental turmoil and endurance he has to go through just to survive in the harshest of environments.
Stunningly beautiful with an amazing script and acting, quite simply the greatest movie ever made.
So there you have it my favourite movies of all time, do you agree or disagree id love to hear from you all, plus for more information visit imdb.com the holy grail of all film buffs out there.
jsrennie
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