Top 50 Movies of All-Time
10. The Godfather (1972)
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall
IMDb Page
The original. The shortest 3-hour movie I've ever watched, The Godfather keeps you committed to the plot from start to finish. The epic saga is beautifully crafted by master Coppola, showing a human side to the Corleone crime syndicate by way of Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, and James Caan (well, "human" may not be a good term for Sonny).
Don Vito Corleone has become such a mythical and parodied figure from the time the movie was released, that you almost forget how powerful it was the first time you saw him on screen. The entire cast, from Robert Duvall to Richard Castellano to John Cazale to Diane Keaton, all play their parts perfectly. The entire movie is filled with such iconic moments of cinema, leaving you literally having witnessed history every time you watch.
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall
IMDb Page
The original. The shortest 3-hour movie I've ever watched, The Godfather keeps you committed to the plot from start to finish. The epic saga is beautifully crafted by master Coppola, showing a human side to the Corleone crime syndicate by way of Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, and James Caan (well, "human" may not be a good term for Sonny).
Don Vito Corleone has become such a mythical and parodied figure from the time the movie was released, that you almost forget how powerful it was the first time you saw him on screen. The entire cast, from Robert Duvall to Richard Castellano to John Cazale to Diane Keaton, all play their parts perfectly. The entire movie is filled with such iconic moments of cinema, leaving you literally having witnessed history every time you watch.
9. Collateral (2004)
Directed by: Michael Mann
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Mark Ruffalo, Jada Pinkett Smith
IMDb Page
As I mentioned previously, Collateral marked the time in Michael Mann's career where he made my "Will watch no matter what" list. 98% of that is due to one scene involving a coyote, a cab, and Audioslave's "Shadow on the Sun" playing gently in the background. The entire film is a conflict building-up between the two main characters to this one moment and Cruise and Foxx perform with perfection, with Mann overseeing.
The rest of the film is a great dialogue-fest (my favorite) with the occasional burst of contract killing. Michael Mann is a master of creating a realism to his films by using both accurate gunplay, strong dialogue, and the infamous steady-cam. He's also a master at picking the right song for the right moment. In addition to "Shadow on the Sun", Collateral also sports "Rollin' Crumblin'" by Tom Rothrock in just an awesome setting.
It's a shame this movie had to come out during Tom Cruise's media "crazy-fest", because it really feels like that caused the film to be overlooked by a lot of people.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, Mark Ruffalo, Jada Pinkett Smith
IMDb Page
As I mentioned previously, Collateral marked the time in Michael Mann's career where he made my "Will watch no matter what" list. 98% of that is due to one scene involving a coyote, a cab, and Audioslave's "Shadow on the Sun" playing gently in the background. The entire film is a conflict building-up between the two main characters to this one moment and Cruise and Foxx perform with perfection, with Mann overseeing.
The rest of the film is a great dialogue-fest (my favorite) with the occasional burst of contract killing. Michael Mann is a master of creating a realism to his films by using both accurate gunplay, strong dialogue, and the infamous steady-cam. He's also a master at picking the right song for the right moment. In addition to "Shadow on the Sun", Collateral also sports "Rollin' Crumblin'" by Tom Rothrock in just an awesome setting.
It's a shame this movie had to come out during Tom Cruise's media "crazy-fest", because it really feels like that caused the film to be overlooked by a lot of people.
8. Sin City (2005)
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen
IMDb Page
With zero expectations going into the theaters to see Sin City, it's safe to say I was blown away coming out. As one who traditionally prefers film over CGI, Sin City is the exception, with Rodriguez literally bringing Frank Miller's graphic novels to life.
The cast in these 4 mini-movies aren't acting, they're putting comic characters in motion. It's basically just one of those "sit back, relax, and enjoy the bad-assery (and other things)" movies that makes you want to punch something after your finished because you feel invincible.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen
IMDb Page
With zero expectations going into the theaters to see Sin City, it's safe to say I was blown away coming out. As one who traditionally prefers film over CGI, Sin City is the exception, with Rodriguez literally bringing Frank Miller's graphic novels to life.
The cast in these 4 mini-movies aren't acting, they're putting comic characters in motion. It's basically just one of those "sit back, relax, and enjoy the bad-assery (and other things)" movies that makes you want to punch something after your finished because you feel invincible.
7. The Boondock Saints (1999)
Directed by: Troy Duffy
Starring: Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, Willem Dafoe, Billy Connolly
IMDb Page
Even though it's become the favorite movie of your local douchebag as of late, it's still a kick-ass flick. Like Sin City, there's nothing overly amazing about Boondock Saints, but it's just an enjoyable watch when you're bored and want to see some Irish guys kick some ass.
Willem Dafoe makes it cool to like an extremely effeminate gay guy (who looks terrible in drag by the way). And what's not to love about David Della Rocco?
Starring: Sean Patrick Flannery, Norman Reedus, Willem Dafoe, Billy Connolly
IMDb Page
Even though it's become the favorite movie of your local douchebag as of late, it's still a kick-ass flick. Like Sin City, there's nothing overly amazing about Boondock Saints, but it's just an enjoyable watch when you're bored and want to see some Irish guys kick some ass.
Willem Dafoe makes it cool to like an extremely effeminate gay guy (who looks terrible in drag by the way). And what's not to love about David Della Rocco?
6. Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Michael Madsen, Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth
IMDb Page
I'll admit, the first time I watched Reservoir Dogs, I thought it was just "ok". Then I wanted to watch it again, then again, and again, and.... Bottom line, I fell right into Tarantino's trap. QT has stated that the goal with his films is to create a set of characters you want to hang out with. At first, maybe you're not blown away by them, but you want to keep coming back and visiting with them as much as possible. This is definitely the case in Reservoir Dogs.
It's a great heist film, without the heist. Dogs focuses on the interactions of the guys involved in the heist, showing the drama that goes into planning, executing, and getting away from the crime. Tim Roth is fantastic as Mr. Orange and Steve Buscemi explodes on the scene as Mr. Pink ("Why do I have to be pink?"). Say what you will about Mr. Blonde's scene with Stealer's Wheel, but the opening scene involving Madonna and tipping is by far the standout moment.
Starring: Michael Madsen, Steve Buscemi, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth
IMDb Page
I'll admit, the first time I watched Reservoir Dogs, I thought it was just "ok". Then I wanted to watch it again, then again, and again, and.... Bottom line, I fell right into Tarantino's trap. QT has stated that the goal with his films is to create a set of characters you want to hang out with. At first, maybe you're not blown away by them, but you want to keep coming back and visiting with them as much as possible. This is definitely the case in Reservoir Dogs.
It's a great heist film, without the heist. Dogs focuses on the interactions of the guys involved in the heist, showing the drama that goes into planning, executing, and getting away from the crime. Tim Roth is fantastic as Mr. Orange and Steve Buscemi explodes on the scene as Mr. Pink ("Why do I have to be pink?"). Say what you will about Mr. Blonde's scene with Stealer's Wheel, but the opening scene involving Madonna and tipping is by far the standout moment.
5. The Way of the Gun (2000)
Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Ryan Phillippe, James Caan, Juliette Lewis
IMDb Page
I previously mentioned how Michael Mann is great at creating realistic gun-play, but he's nowhere close to the level of realism depicted in Christopher McQuarrie's "The Way of the Gun". McQuarrie (writer of the Usual Suspects and Valkyrie) raises the bar with this film in terms of firearms, as his brother who was a Navy SEAL was on set to serve as an advisor. If a gun with a 15 round clip is being used, it's fired 15 times, then reloaded. The characters clear rooms and take cover with precision. The shootouts throughout the film are so calculated and non-extravagant that it makes you feel like they are actually happening.
In addition to the gun-play, the dialogue written by McQuarrie is some of the best and most subtly hilarious I've encountered. I strongly suggest watching in surround sound with the volume way up to A) hear every beautiful word spoken, and B)get the full effect of the shootouts. The characters of Parker and Longbaugh (as played by Phillippe and Del Toro) are two of the coolest characters I've ever had the pleasure of watching. They're bottom tiered hitmen, and they know it and just don't care.
In closing, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes of all-time from Longbaugh: "You know what I'm going to tell God when I see him? I'm gonna tell him I was framed."
Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Ryan Phillippe, James Caan, Juliette Lewis
IMDb Page
I previously mentioned how Michael Mann is great at creating realistic gun-play, but he's nowhere close to the level of realism depicted in Christopher McQuarrie's "The Way of the Gun". McQuarrie (writer of the Usual Suspects and Valkyrie) raises the bar with this film in terms of firearms, as his brother who was a Navy SEAL was on set to serve as an advisor. If a gun with a 15 round clip is being used, it's fired 15 times, then reloaded. The characters clear rooms and take cover with precision. The shootouts throughout the film are so calculated and non-extravagant that it makes you feel like they are actually happening.
In addition to the gun-play, the dialogue written by McQuarrie is some of the best and most subtly hilarious I've encountered. I strongly suggest watching in surround sound with the volume way up to A) hear every beautiful word spoken, and B)get the full effect of the shootouts. The characters of Parker and Longbaugh (as played by Phillippe and Del Toro) are two of the coolest characters I've ever had the pleasure of watching. They're bottom tiered hitmen, and they know it and just don't care.
In closing, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes of all-time from Longbaugh: "You know what I'm going to tell God when I see him? I'm gonna tell him I was framed."
4. Snatch (2000)
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, Benicio Del Toro, Vinnie Jones
IMDb Page
When I went to see Snatch in theaters, I had no idea what it was about, who was in it, or that it was even freaking British. As a bunch of Rabbis start walking and discussing the story of Adam and Eve, my friends and I look at each other like we had made a terrible choice in this movie, but by the time 2:30 of this video comes about, I was very, very happy.
The beauty of Snatch is that there's never a dull moment. From the opening credits, to end credits, there's never a lull, never a spot where you're waiting for something more exciting or funny to come up. Sure, there's some parts that are hard to understand, but that just adds to it.
Starring: Jason Statham, Brad Pitt, Benicio Del Toro, Vinnie Jones
IMDb Page
When I went to see Snatch in theaters, I had no idea what it was about, who was in it, or that it was even freaking British. As a bunch of Rabbis start walking and discussing the story of Adam and Eve, my friends and I look at each other like we had made a terrible choice in this movie, but by the time 2:30 of this video comes about, I was very, very happy.
The beauty of Snatch is that there's never a dull moment. From the opening credits, to end credits, there's never a lull, never a spot where you're waiting for something more exciting or funny to come up. Sure, there's some parts that are hard to understand, but that just adds to it.
3. The Departed (2006)
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen
IMDb Page
There's a reason there's not a lot of movies from 2006-2009 on this list, and that's because it's hard for a movie, despite how great it is, to grow on me or make such an immediate impact that it eclipses the top 50 (See Curious Case.., There Will Be Blood, District 9, etc). However, with the Departed, I instantly knew it was an all-time great. When the credits started rolling, I was literally leaning forward in my theater seat with the biggest smile on my face because a movie hadn't blown me away like that in almost a decade.
William Monahan adapted the Infernal Affairs script so well to translate to the Boston scene. Leo, Matt, and Jack pull out career-defining performances, with Marky Mark, Alec Baldwin, Marty Sheen, and even Vera Farmiga providing amazing supporting performances. The twists, backstabbing, and crossing paths create one of the most suspenseful crime-stories ever while remaining grounded and at times hilarious, and you have to respect a film where nobody is safe.
Starring: Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Martin Sheen
IMDb Page
There's a reason there's not a lot of movies from 2006-2009 on this list, and that's because it's hard for a movie, despite how great it is, to grow on me or make such an immediate impact that it eclipses the top 50 (See Curious Case.., There Will Be Blood, District 9, etc). However, with the Departed, I instantly knew it was an all-time great. When the credits started rolling, I was literally leaning forward in my theater seat with the biggest smile on my face because a movie hadn't blown me away like that in almost a decade.
William Monahan adapted the Infernal Affairs script so well to translate to the Boston scene. Leo, Matt, and Jack pull out career-defining performances, with Marky Mark, Alec Baldwin, Marty Sheen, and even Vera Farmiga providing amazing supporting performances. The twists, backstabbing, and crossing paths create one of the most suspenseful crime-stories ever while remaining grounded and at times hilarious, and you have to respect a film where nobody is safe.
2. Pulp Fiction (1994)
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames
IMDb Page
It's really hard to find something negative to say about Pulp Fiction. The soundtrack is iconic. The acting is noir-tastic. The dialogue is perfection. The sodomy is sodomitastic. Wait a minute....
Anyway, QT sets himself for life with this film. No matter what he does from here on out, he'll always be able to go back and take credit for arguably the most influential movie of the past 30 years. It's hard to think of a better script ever written. Sure, you can say the Godfather is the better film, Shawshank had more drama, but from a purely script-standpoint, is there a better one out there than Pulp? Give me another script that explains the complexities of gourmet coffee as well as smuggling strategies of jewelry in such refined ways.
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames
IMDb Page
It's really hard to find something negative to say about Pulp Fiction. The soundtrack is iconic. The acting is noir-tastic. The dialogue is perfection. The sodomy is sodomitastic. Wait a minute....
Anyway, QT sets himself for life with this film. No matter what he does from here on out, he'll always be able to go back and take credit for arguably the most influential movie of the past 30 years. It's hard to think of a better script ever written. Sure, you can say the Godfather is the better film, Shawshank had more drama, but from a purely script-standpoint, is there a better one out there than Pulp? Give me another script that explains the complexities of gourmet coffee as well as smuggling strategies of jewelry in such refined ways.