Hello all and welcome to my personal top 40 films of all time.

 

Expect tears, laughter and a whole load of horror and suspense...

 

Feel free to leave comments on anything that you like, much appreciated :)

 

40: Cool Hand Luke

 

Stuart Rosenberg, 1967

 

 

"What we've got here is a failure to communicate"

 

Kick-starting the countdown (and denying 'Juno' a place in the top 40) is Rosenberg's gritty, sweaty and downright cool prison drama 'Cool Hand Luke'. Paul Newman in his greatest role EVER steps out with a smile to mesmerise the audience into falling for his devilish charms. With plenty of laughs, heart-warming friendships, witty dialogue and a simple-yet-effective plot, Cool Hand Luke has something for everyone. The film takes a more sinister and sombre turn around half-way through, but there is no denying the sheer entertainment offered in this glorious two-hour swelteringly-brilliant flick. With some unforgettable scenes (Luke devouring 50 eggs in one hour) this is a brilliant way to kick-start the countdown…

Edited August 29, 201212 yr by HausofKubrick

39: Full Metal Jacket

 

Stanley Kubrick, 1987

 

 

"The dead know only one thing: it is better to be alive."

 

The first (of a few) from Mr Stanley Kubrick, my favourite film director of all time. Full Metal Jacket stands out as Kubrick's most explosive, violent, and perhaps funny films in his canon, and the master manages to offer us two films in one. The first half features Kubrick's greatest character ever, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, the lovable rogue of a Sergeant that packs a mean punch and even meaner vocabulary. The second half switches from the confines of the army base out into the war, and it is there that Kubrick showcases his mastery behind the lens. With uncomfortable close-ups and distant high shots, the camera takes us through the mud and pain of the soldiers right down to the dieing last minute. The film is relentless in both halves; it's difficult to keep up with the whirlwind of events that Kubrick throws at us.

 

The remaining Kubrick films feature much higher in the countdown, with this rightfully taking its place in the top 40 ahead of other classics including Lolita and Eyes Wide Shut (which both narrowly missed out).

38. The Third Man

 

Carol Reed, 1949

 

 

"We should have dug deeper than a grave"

 

One of the earliest films in the countdown, Carol Reed's midnight film noir, is equally gripping, atmospheric and chilling. Chilling if only for the ground-breaking performance by Orson Welles, who enters and completely dominates what would otherwise be a bog-standard crime drama. Welles demands the screen, and rightfully so; he is able to fully captivate the audience into his mysteries and leave them wanting more at every twist and turn. The jarring camera work and score offer a darkly, twisted tale that never really ends even after the final credits. Lime's speech atop the ferris wheel is one of cinema's finest moments, and warrants this as a classic in every aspect.

37. Raging Bull

 

Martin Scorses, 1980

 

 

"Jake La Motta: I got these small hands. I got a little girl's hands"

 

A film now featuring my favourite actor, Robert De Niro, in what is his finest performance to date. A knock-out heavyweight of a film, shot beautifully by Scorsese. De Niro takes method acting to a whole other level as he literally becomes Jake La Motta, leaving no distinction between the two. Not an enjoyable or easy film to watch, (i shudder thinking about some of the scenes), it inevitably leaves viewers feeling sick to core at the graphic violence and downright savagery displayed. A true testament to the capabilities of powerful acting, I have yet to see a performance better or even come close to matching De Niro’s here; truly an incredible feat for anyone to achieve. The film itself is knocks a fair few mean punches, but it is the hauntingly brilliant cinematography and pain in the characters’ eyes that slots this champ of a movie into my top 40. It’s hard to just sit down and watch the film, but when you do it is fully rewarding from start to end.

 

 

36. Pulp Fiction

 

Quentin Tarantino, 1994

 

 

" I do believe Marsellus Wallace, my husband, your boss, told you to take ME out and do WHATEVER I WANTED. Now I wanna dance, I wanna win. I want that trophy, so dance good."

 

Shockingly Pulp Fiction ranks as the only Quentin Tarantino movie in my top 40, considering how big a fan I am of his (maybe I should have omitted one of the many Hitchcock films and included Jackie Brown too…) Nonetheless, Pulp is Tarantino’'s finest movie; it’s colourful, brash, silly, clever and a whole heap of fun. A stellar cast that gel off each other, this captures the 90’s perfectly whilst throwing back to almost every decade that has come before it. Immortal scenes and lines make this a classic amongst almost everyone that watches it, but I may have been critically harsh ranking it at ‘only’ #36... Saying that it will no doubt climb back up when I reconsider my favourite films in the future!

Edited August 29, 201212 yr by HausofKubrick

35. Drag Me To Hell

 

Sam Raimi, 2009

 

 

" I beat you, you old bitch!"

 

Where to start with this one… One of the most enjoyable films I have seen in a long, long time, from the King of ‘horror-comedy' Sam Raimi. The Evil Dead Trilogy missed out on the top 40, probably as it has been overshadowed by this daft outing. I have since had nightmares about talking goats and floating tissues, this is a raucous, laugh-out-loud horror fest that never fails to amaze and dazzle. Quirky in all the right places, horrifying in just the right amounts, and stupid in a way only Raimi can envisage. Also very excited for the remake of Evil Dead…

 

34. The Wizard of Oz

 

Victor Fleming, 1939

 

 

"There’s no place like home"

 

A childhood favourite of mine, which still holds a place in my heart. Bright, bold and beautiful, it manages to capture my imagination every Christmas. Identifiable characters, gorgeous settings, the pantomime villain and of course Toto. But the film would mean nothing without it’s unforgettable score and soundtrack. The best musical ever made, with some of the most sing-a-long songs ever recorded for cinema. A true masterpiece, that has yet to wither with time. Feel-good fun for everyone. What’s there not to like?

 

33. Rosemary’s Baby

 

Roman Polanski, 1968

 

 

"Pregnant women are supposed to gain, not lose weight!"

 

Roman Polanski’s Apartment Trilogy is one of my favourites of all time, but I have included the films separately here because they are each so unique. 'The Tenant' doesn’t feature in the top 40, but it’s definitely worth a watch, if only for the closing scene and Polanski's shocking acting! The other film in the trilogy is still to come... A seminal films in many ways, hugely popular, devilishly terrifying and disturbed in countless ways. Mia Farrow excels as the vulnerable Rosemary trapped in a vortex of her apartment, and within her own body, as forces around her try to manipulate her life. The ending is ambiguous, and all-the-more better for it: How does life play out for Rosemary post Baby? The dream rape scene deserves particular mention for being one of the most horrifying scenes in cinema history and also the fact that Polanski’s life was similarly haunted by the witches of the film, as his life partner was murdered whilst heavily pregnant. This all allows for the film to be one of the greatest ever made, and though not my favourite from Polanski, it’s a masterpiece without doubt.

 

32. It’s A Wonderful Life

 

Frank Capra, 1946

 

 

" Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole"

 

James Stewart’s first film in the countdown comes in the form of this lovable Christmas classic. Inspiring, cute, warm and friendly, the film oozes passion, wit and love. Not much else to say; A simple tale of struggle, perseverance and loyalty. And it’s the film’s simplicity that allows it to survive year after year as a definitive classic in Hollywood history. They don’t make them like this anymore!

 

So far, with the exception of Drag Me To Hell which I found underwhelming and predictable they're all fantastic. Although if some of these are low the mind boggles at what could be top ten

 

PS. You've possibly tempted me to return to my '50 films to see before you die' thread that I sort of gave up on after lack of interest and life issues.

 

 

So far, with the exception of Drag Me To Hell which I found underwhelming and predictable they're all fantastic. Although if some of these are low the mind boggles at what could be top ten

 

PS. You've possibly tempted me to return to my '50 films to see before you die' thread that I sort of gave up on after lack of interest and life issues.

 

Thanks for commenting :D

 

Drag Me To Hell is definitely a love/hate sort of film. I personally love it. I hear Raimi's new film The Possession is a complete let down though...

31. Dial M For Murder

 

Alfred Hitchcock, 1954

 

 

"People don't commit murder on credit"

 

Hitchcock’s first film in the countdown comes in the form of ultra-slick, ultra tense Dial M. The claustrophobic apartment setting and Hitch’s most smooth talking villain to date set this up as potentially one of the Master's greatest films. The first hour, where the murder is set up and ultimately executed is one of the most gripping in cinema history, with Hitch taking us for a deadly ride of suspense. It’s the final part of the film which stops this from being much further up in the list, as it ultimately falls short from where we are left at the intermission. Still a darkly, nail-biting film, with some of Hitch’s finest sequences, if it only ended half way through this could have been in the top 10. Plenty more films from Hitchcock still to come, where the Master of Suspense takes everything from Dial M and switches it up about 10 notches…

 

30. Martha Marcy May Marlene

 

Sean Durkin, 2011

 

 

"I am a teacher and a leader"

 

Kicking off the top 30 is the latest and perhaps least known film in the whole countdown. From 2011 this shocking film is still implanted in my mind. A deeply distressing film, relentless in its attempts to disconcert viewers, it's a hidden gem that failed to set the world alight. Elizabeth Olsen assumes Martha in a commanding, yet subtle and vulnerable way, worthy of an assortment of awards; She is not only brilliant as the paranoid individual, but also captivatingly beautiful, and the camera really brings out her suffered mind. I may be biased as the film deals with subject matters close to my heart (and a few other films to come deal with similar topics), but this film really did deserve much more than it got. Some may disagree with its placing anywhere near the top 40, but I was personally blown away from start to finish, and look forward to the Olsen girl’'s future projects.

Edited August 30, 201212 yr by HausofKubrick

This is all looking infinitely more CREDIBLE than any list I've ever compiled.

29. Rear Window

 

Alfred Hitchcock, 1954

 

 

" Intelligence. Nothing has caused the human race so much trouble as intelligence"

 

The second film from Alfred Hitchcock in the countdown, and it’s more claustrophobic and more gripping than the previous! The film that really got me paying attention to Hitchcock, what he has achieved here is something that current directors quite simply can not get away with. A man and woman in an apartment, looking out of their window at the world around them. That’s it. But somehow, somewhere in the simplicity comes a complex struggle for James Stewart and Grace Kelly (what a cast!) that they must overcome, and so too must the audience. How do we deal with the secrets around us, especially when they don’t concern us? Hitchcock was posing questions that we still struggle to deal with today, and like many of his films, Rear Window is perhaps more relevant now than it was some 50 years ago. The final few scenes show a more experimental side to Hitchcock that really paid off for him, as it leads to one of the most gripping finales he ever managed (not THE most gripping though, as two other films still to come would argue)...

28. The Apartment

 

Billy Wilder, 1960

 

 

" That's the way it crumbles... cookie-wise"

 

What’s this!? Billy Wilder’s The Apartment in the top 40, and no appearance from Some Like it Hot!?!?!? As unpopular as this may be, The Apartment has always bettered Wilder’s most prestigious and well-known hit for me. Some Like Hot, as hilariously daft as it is, doesn’t match the warmth and genuine human emotion present in its follow up The Apartment. Jack Lemmon is brilliant in both, but here he displays an Everyman of sorts that’s wholly lovable and relatable. The film manages to maintain hilarious throughout, without the need of slapstick and outrageous moments, and for this reason it stands as one of the most honest, feel-good films ever made. The script is wonderful, the directing is picture perfect and the cast, as mentioned previously, is friendly and lovable. A true classic.

27. The Dark Knight Trilogy

 

Christopher Nolan, 2005, 2008, 2012

 

 

"Some men just want to watch the world burn"

 

The first of five trilogies included in this top 40, comes from Christopher Nolan as he reinvents the Batman franchise. Batman Begins, though tediously long at times, features the incredible inventive portrayel of The Scarecrow, who brings fear into the minds of characters and viewers alike. The film perfectly sets up its follow up, with the revealing of a lone Joker card in its closing moments. Cue the big one. The Dark Knight (or The Joker Story): one of the greatest films cinema has produced in the last ten years. It manages to be hugely devastating, whilst also poignantly simple and effective throughout, right down to the Joker’s final scene. This is perhaps why the final instalment doesn't quite match-up in terms of overall entertainment. Although massive and spectacular on an epic scale, Rises is again tediously long, and ultimately doesn’t have the heart present in The Dark Knight. Rises is a brilliant end to a brilliant trilogy, but sometimes less is more. What brings the final film into this top 40 is Anne Hathaway's show-stopping performance as the fiesty, fierce Catwoman/burglar, where she quite literally dominates and steals every scene she is in. Batman becomes a secondary (or third behind Bane) character in his own movie behind the tremendous Hathaway. Who would have thought that Michelle Pfeiffer's character could ever be matched, and dare i say it, topped?!?!?

26. Peeping Tom

 

Michael Powell, 1960

 

 

"Do you know what the most frightening thing in the world is? It's fear"

 

Perhaps the most controversial film in the countdown (bar one), Peeping Tom has only recently been restored with a renewed appreciation. It is now considered little more than a masterpiece of British Horror and a film that can be seen to have completely revolutionised cinema as we know it. Its early use of the handheld camera as a means of offering viewers a first-hand experience is now overshadowed by films such as the Blair Witch Project, which is often stated as the main instigator of this particular technique. Peeping Tom was miles ahead of its time (in terms of cinema and human evaluation), and perhaps is still ahead of today’s generation. Dealing with subject matter that we shy away from, Powell bravely takes us inside a serial killer’s mind, with shocking results. Hidden away for years, the film has hardly been touched, but for fans of the genre, and for cinema in general, it really is a must-see as a ground-breaking piece of cinema in countless ways. A film about film itself, Powell masterfully allows audiences to see themselves through the camera lens, and it's not a pretty sight.

 

25. Amelie

 

Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001

 

 

"These are hard times for dreamers"

 

A film that is so feel-good it actually makes you feel bad, for fear of not leading such an enriched and glorious life as Amelie. This film stunned me the first time I saw it; I was flabbergasted at its sheer defiance of traditional cinema, and its hugely energetic script, screenplay and score. Set in a vividly picturesque France, with luscious colours, the film is a work of art. The plot is inspired, and the script is wonderfully funny and delightful. One of the few films that has a lasting positive effect long after it finishes, Audrey Tautou is other-wordly in her depiction of the innocent and complicated titular character. Included here for its sheer feel-good factor, and proving above most other films, the power of cinema to affect and change a person.

 

24. Alien / Aliens

 

Ridley Scott, 1979, 1986

 

 

"There is an explanation for this, you know"

 

More of a two part inclusion as opposed to a trilogy, Scott’s Alien and Aliens are a rollercoaster of suspense and gripping drama. While Alien is more about the enclosed ship and what may lurk inside, Aliens blows the fish out of the water with an all-out bloodbath. Both are equally terrifying and as far as entertainment goes, you can rarely get more excitement than in these two wondrous pieces of cinema. Redefining the sci-fi genre, and creating the mould for which all future films of similar ilk are based on, Ridley Scott’s torrential shocks and twists come thick and fast, but never felt overdone. With some of the most unforgettable scenes ever and a complex back story, the films go much further beyond the screen into complex debates on what arises from them; a sure fire sign that they have been a success!

Edited August 30, 201212 yr by HausofKubrick