Top 50 Movies of All-Time
20. Batman Begins (2005)
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Michael Caine
IMDb Page
I hope you like Batman, because you're about to get a nice big dose on this page...
One of my biggest regrets in movie history was not seeing Batman Begins in theaters. I was almost done with the franchise after Joel Schumacher ruined everything. After some positive reviews from peers, I bought the DVD when released and was nearly speechless at the end of the film (seriously, "You'll never have to" should have been such a cheesy line, but I get goosebumps ever time I hear it). I couldn't believe what Nolan had done with Gotham City, with the Dark Knight himself, and the overall sense of anger from Bruce Wayne that gets relayed through the plot.
Showing the "making of" iconic characters has been a trend recently in Hollywood, but Batman Begins nailed it perfectly, presenting a new story intertwined with that which we already knew. The term "Nolan's Batman" has been used in the media, but that's just what it is. An entire universe that the Nolan brothers and David Goyer have created surrounding the Dark Knight.
Starring: Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Michael Caine
IMDb Page
I hope you like Batman, because you're about to get a nice big dose on this page...
One of my biggest regrets in movie history was not seeing Batman Begins in theaters. I was almost done with the franchise after Joel Schumacher ruined everything. After some positive reviews from peers, I bought the DVD when released and was nearly speechless at the end of the film (seriously, "You'll never have to" should have been such a cheesy line, but I get goosebumps ever time I hear it). I couldn't believe what Nolan had done with Gotham City, with the Dark Knight himself, and the overall sense of anger from Bruce Wayne that gets relayed through the plot.
Showing the "making of" iconic characters has been a trend recently in Hollywood, but Batman Begins nailed it perfectly, presenting a new story intertwined with that which we already knew. The term "Nolan's Batman" has been used in the media, but that's just what it is. An entire universe that the Nolan brothers and David Goyer have created surrounding the Dark Knight.
19. Se7en (1995)
Directed by: David Fincher
Starring: Bratt Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwenyth Paltrow
IMDb Page
From the time the Nine Inch Nails industrial intro starts to the time you meet the first "gluttony" victom, you realize you're in for one hell of a dark, psychological thrill-ride with David Fincher's Se7en. Andrew Kevin Walker's screenplay has to be one of the most original concepts of the past 25 years.
Despite the dark undertone, there actually is a lot of comedic moments from Brad Pitt's Detective Mills. The entire ride on the freeway where Mills is conversing with John Doe are some of my favorite lines in any film. "It's more comfortable for you to label me as insane." "It's VERY comfortable."
Starring: Bratt Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwenyth Paltrow
IMDb Page
From the time the Nine Inch Nails industrial intro starts to the time you meet the first "gluttony" victom, you realize you're in for one hell of a dark, psychological thrill-ride with David Fincher's Se7en. Andrew Kevin Walker's screenplay has to be one of the most original concepts of the past 25 years.
Despite the dark undertone, there actually is a lot of comedic moments from Brad Pitt's Detective Mills. The entire ride on the freeway where Mills is conversing with John Doe are some of my favorite lines in any film. "It's more comfortable for you to label me as insane." "It's VERY comfortable."
18. Batman (1989)
Directed by: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl
IMDb Page
In order to keep my sanity, I've decided deep within my head to completely separate Tim Burton's "Batman" from Christopher Nolan's "Batman". Otherwise, there would be an epic war raging within my consciousness trying to determine which was the better. The same could be said about Jack Nicholson's "Joker" as compared to Heath Ledger's. Jack simply took control of the role, creating a more "joking" version, while still capable of being a sociopath vowing to completely destroy Gotham City.
Having Prince compose the soundtrack may seem weird, but it worked. Being so young when it was released, I was totally caught up in the "Batmania" with that damn logo being everywhere. It worked though, as the film went on to be the largest weekend at the box office up to that point, and cemented itself as the favorite movie of my childhood.
Starring: Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl
IMDb Page
In order to keep my sanity, I've decided deep within my head to completely separate Tim Burton's "Batman" from Christopher Nolan's "Batman". Otherwise, there would be an epic war raging within my consciousness trying to determine which was the better. The same could be said about Jack Nicholson's "Joker" as compared to Heath Ledger's. Jack simply took control of the role, creating a more "joking" version, while still capable of being a sociopath vowing to completely destroy Gotham City.
Having Prince compose the soundtrack may seem weird, but it worked. Being so young when it was released, I was totally caught up in the "Batmania" with that damn logo being everywhere. It worked though, as the film went on to be the largest weekend at the box office up to that point, and cemented itself as the favorite movie of my childhood.
17. True Romance (1993)
Directed by: Tony Scott
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, James Gandolfini, Michael Rapaport
IMDb Page
Greatest cast ever? In addition to the 4 listed above, you've got Dennis Hopper, Sam Jackson, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Chris Penn, Tom Sizemore, Saul Rubinek, and Bronson "Mother Fuckin" Pinchot.
Combine that cast with a Tarantino written story, Tony Scott directing, and Hans Zimmer with the score (including the ever amazing "You're So Cool") and you have one of the greatest ensemble pieces of the past 20 years. Plus you can trick your girlfriend into watching it based off the title: "It's a love story, sweetie!" I'm guessing she'll be out of the room by the time you learn about the history of Sicilians though.
Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, James Gandolfini, Michael Rapaport
IMDb Page
Greatest cast ever? In addition to the 4 listed above, you've got Dennis Hopper, Sam Jackson, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Chris Penn, Tom Sizemore, Saul Rubinek, and Bronson "Mother Fuckin" Pinchot.
Combine that cast with a Tarantino written story, Tony Scott directing, and Hans Zimmer with the score (including the ever amazing "You're So Cool") and you have one of the greatest ensemble pieces of the past 20 years. Plus you can trick your girlfriend into watching it based off the title: "It's a love story, sweetie!" I'm guessing she'll be out of the room by the time you learn about the history of Sicilians though.
16. The Dark Knight (2008)
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gyllenhaal
IMDb Page
Ok, last Batman movie, I promise.
As stated before, I've separated Nolan's universe from Burton's universe. Relying solely on story alone, the Dark Knight trumps all other Batman films. Yes, Heath Ledger has become the face of the film with his iconic role and overly quoted lines, but it's the subtle things about the Dark Knight that make it special to me. Hans Zimmer's slowly building single string note representing the impending appearance of the Joker note only gives you the creeps, but builds the excitement of what's to come.
The thing that stands out the most to me about TDK is the movie-making process that Nolan and crew put into it. Screw CGI, you want to blow up a hospital, ram a armored truck into the Chicago River, have a kick-ass Batpod, flip a fucking semi?? Fuck it, we'll do it on film.
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Maggie Gyllenhaal
IMDb Page
Ok, last Batman movie, I promise.
As stated before, I've separated Nolan's universe from Burton's universe. Relying solely on story alone, the Dark Knight trumps all other Batman films. Yes, Heath Ledger has become the face of the film with his iconic role and overly quoted lines, but it's the subtle things about the Dark Knight that make it special to me. Hans Zimmer's slowly building single string note representing the impending appearance of the Joker note only gives you the creeps, but builds the excitement of what's to come.
The thing that stands out the most to me about TDK is the movie-making process that Nolan and crew put into it. Screw CGI, you want to blow up a hospital, ram a armored truck into the Chicago River, have a kick-ass Batpod, flip a fucking semi?? Fuck it, we'll do it on film.
15. Goodfellas (1990)
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
IMDb Page
Ray Liotta better send Marty Scorsese a giant gift basket once a month. Seriously, would anyone even know this guy had it not been for Goodfellas?
Despite the lack of great movies before and after Goodfellas, Ray was phenomenal as gangster Henry Hill in this now classic film. Joe Pesci manages to outshine DeNiro (if barely) and Lorraine Bracco screams "MA!" like the best of them. The calming voice-overs provide a realistic tone amongst the gangster insanity. It's just another film that refuses to age.
Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
IMDb Page
Ray Liotta better send Marty Scorsese a giant gift basket once a month. Seriously, would anyone even know this guy had it not been for Goodfellas?
Despite the lack of great movies before and after Goodfellas, Ray was phenomenal as gangster Henry Hill in this now classic film. Joe Pesci manages to outshine DeNiro (if barely) and Lorraine Bracco screams "MA!" like the best of them. The calming voice-overs provide a realistic tone amongst the gangster insanity. It's just another film that refuses to age.
14. The Godfather Part II (1974)
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
IMDb Page
A much more political storyline than the original, Part II saw Michael Corleone already in control, working on expanding the Corleone territory to Vegas and Cuba. Part II features entangled senators, assassination attempts, and a few broken hearts.
Inter-weaving the storylines of Michael's new-found "don-ness" and the backstory of Vito Corleone's beginnings and showing the comparisons of the two cause many discussions as to whether the original or sequel were "the better movie". While I slightly give the nod to the original, they're still both pretty damn good flicks.
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
IMDb Page
A much more political storyline than the original, Part II saw Michael Corleone already in control, working on expanding the Corleone territory to Vegas and Cuba. Part II features entangled senators, assassination attempts, and a few broken hearts.
Inter-weaving the storylines of Michael's new-found "don-ness" and the backstory of Vito Corleone's beginnings and showing the comparisons of the two cause many discussions as to whether the original or sequel were "the better movie". While I slightly give the nod to the original, they're still both pretty damn good flicks.
13. American Psycho (2000)
Directed by: Mary Harron
Starring: Christian Bale, Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe, Chloe Sevigny
IMDb Page
What's not to love about this image?
The 80's. They were all about excess, greed, and materialism. So what do you do when you have all of that? Pop in your favorite new Phil Collins cassette, invite some schmuck who has a nicer business card than you over, scream "HEY PAUL!", and split his head with an axe of course.
I respect movies that refuse to hold back, and Mary Harron did just that.
Starring: Christian Bale, Jared Leto, Willem Dafoe, Chloe Sevigny
IMDb Page
What's not to love about this image?
The 80's. They were all about excess, greed, and materialism. So what do you do when you have all of that? Pop in your favorite new Phil Collins cassette, invite some schmuck who has a nicer business card than you over, scream "HEY PAUL!", and split his head with an axe of course.
I respect movies that refuse to hold back, and Mary Harron did just that.
12. Heat (1995)
Directed by: Michael Mann
Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore
IMDb Page
For any of you that own the special edition DVD of Heat, I strongly suggest watching the behind the scenes look at the shootout. On film, it's one of the best shootouts in movie history as Pacino's squad are closing in on DeNiro's crew. Downtown L.A. is the perfect setting for a Michael Mann shootout, as he strives for realism. Hearing the reverberations of the M4 shots fired echo off the skyscrapers around them sets a beautiful, yet chaotic tone for the climax of the film.
The rest of the movie is a great character piece of the complexities of both a life of crime, and as a member of law enforcement. There are no good guys or bad guys, just people doing what they were born to do. To end with another iconic quote: "Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner."
Starring: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore
IMDb Page
For any of you that own the special edition DVD of Heat, I strongly suggest watching the behind the scenes look at the shootout. On film, it's one of the best shootouts in movie history as Pacino's squad are closing in on DeNiro's crew. Downtown L.A. is the perfect setting for a Michael Mann shootout, as he strives for realism. Hearing the reverberations of the M4 shots fired echo off the skyscrapers around them sets a beautiful, yet chaotic tone for the climax of the film.
The rest of the movie is a great character piece of the complexities of both a life of crime, and as a member of law enforcement. There are no good guys or bad guys, just people doing what they were born to do. To end with another iconic quote: "Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner."
11. Donnie Darko (2001)
Directed by: Richard Kelly
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jenna Malone, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze
IMDb Page
The ultimate "WTF" movie for me, but in a good way. Upon my first viewing, I had no idea what I watched, but I knew it was special. When I watched it again, Richard Kelly's vision came to me and I got it.
The tone of the movie actually felt like the 80's, but without using the word "tubular" or having crazy cliched hair everywhere. The plot really isn't worth mentioning, because it's completely open to interpretation. Jake Gyllenhaal really shines as the troubled title character and kind of makes it ok to like Jake Gyllenhaal (a little). Donnie Darko is another film on this list with a great soundtrack from both 80's songs and great compositions from Michael Andrews, but the standout "holy shit that is amazing" song is Gary Jules eerie, yet tearfully serene (perfect for the film) version of Tears for Fears' "Mad World".
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jenna Malone, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze
IMDb Page
The ultimate "WTF" movie for me, but in a good way. Upon my first viewing, I had no idea what I watched, but I knew it was special. When I watched it again, Richard Kelly's vision came to me and I got it.
The tone of the movie actually felt like the 80's, but without using the word "tubular" or having crazy cliched hair everywhere. The plot really isn't worth mentioning, because it's completely open to interpretation. Jake Gyllenhaal really shines as the troubled title character and kind of makes it ok to like Jake Gyllenhaal (a little). Donnie Darko is another film on this list with a great soundtrack from both 80's songs and great compositions from Michael Andrews, but the standout "holy shit that is amazing" song is Gary Jules eerie, yet tearfully serene (perfect for the film) version of Tears for Fears' "Mad World".