23. Pan’s Labyrinth

 

Guillermo del Toro, 2006

 

 

"She left behind small traces of her time on Earth, visible only to those who know where to look"

 

Pan’s Labyrinth perfectly marriages a young, innocent childhood, with the harsh world of wartime man. The film brilliantly captures two opposing worlds that are forced to live side by side, and the result is both breath-taking and frightening. Gruesome yet magical, repulsive yet spell-binding, the magical adventure is sure to dazzle and delight. On cinematography alone it stands above 99% of the films included in this countdown, and its poetic language and scenery makes it unique in so many ways. A film that is painful to watch, yet majestically gripping, del Toro has created a world unlike any other. With a brilliant cast, and stunning visuals, this has quickly become a modern classic, and it fully deserves its place as one of the greatest films ever made.

22. Halloween

 

John Carpenter, 1978

 

 

”It's Halloween, everyone's entitled to one good scare"

 

The ultimate slasher film, spoofed endlessly, and with countless sequels, this is the definitive Halloween film that helped to kick-start a new wave of cinema (though inspired greatly from Hitchcock’s Psycho). The film has been done to death following the original, and so it’s easy to ignore the compelling viewing of this masterpiece. Ignore everything that comes after it and just watch the film for what it is; a master class in shocks and terror. It’s only upon actually viewing the film again that one realises the impact that it has had on future films in the genre, and for this reason it stands as one of the greatest.

 

John Carpenter’s score deserves particular mention as being of the most spine-chilling movie scores ever made, and it still rings in your ears long after the final scene. The film is so much more than a budget slasher, with Myers’ murders being meticulously planned out, and his victims always having the same things in common. One of the few films that has the ability to chill at every watch, it’s how horror should be done, though it's a shame that it has been cheapened along the way.

21. Up

 

Pete Docter, 2009

 

 

”Adventure is out there!"

 

The first film in the countdown from Pixar comes in the form of lovable, glorious Up from 2009. In fact every Pixar film to date is worthy of being included in the countdown, but Up manages to shoot its way up the list because of its imaginative and inventive use of protagonist. Pixar is always reshaping the way we view films, but Up achieves this more than most by having an elderly man take us under his wing as he lives his final moments. One of the most heart wrenching films, it’s nigh on impossible not to shed a tear or at least whimper throughout the film. The first 20 minutes are particularly touching and moving, and once again Pixar proves that all that is needed to move and effect and audience is a genuine character, superb script, atmospheric score and pure human emotion. Always capable of achieving this, Pixar really are the definitive movie making monsters of the 21st Century. With a 100% record so far, and one franchise still to come in the countdown, they can do no wrong in my book.

Edited August 31, 201212 yr by HausofKubrick

The Ones That Got Away

 

These didn’t quite make the top 40, but are definitely still worth a watch out, and only narrowly missed out!

 

Juno

http://newspaper.li/static/0373ffc2b7c28800b8e5cbe477b266ac.jpg

 

Lebanon

http://media2.firstshowing.net/firstshowing/img/lebanon-film-ukquadposter-fullsize.jpg

 

North By Northwest

http://matthewpickle.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/north-by-northwest.jpg

 

Monty Python's The Life of Brian

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8LvaA9dqmJ0/SxNj_GLWZ5I/AAAAAAAAA2g/nfXFctRIC0U/s400/Monty%20Python.jpg

 

[REC]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4b/Rec_poster.jpg/220px-Rec_poster.jpg

 

Leon: The Professional

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/03/Leon-poster.jpg/220px-Leon-poster.jpg

 

Superbad

http://thebioscopist.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/d382fd63a82b7c09b9eea61a2caf56c8.jpg

 

 

Marnie

http://www.carleton.edu/curricular/MEDA/classes/media110/Burton/marnie1.jpg

Edited August 31, 201212 yr by HausofKubrick

20. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan

 

Larry Charles, 2006

 

 

“Wawaweewa!"

 

Whatever you think of Sacha Baron Cohen, there is no denying his talents, and his incredible craft at making us laugh. Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan is one of the funniest films I have ever seen, and for that reason alone it HAS to enter the top 20. One of the rare films that keeps you laughing from start to end, with perhaps a five-minute gap in between, from the daft, to downright stupid, Borat deserves it’s place firmly in the countdown. It also tallies up as perhaps my most watched film, which is testament to exactly how I feel about it, and how it never fails to make me cry with laughter. There are too many scenes to even mention, and too many lines worthy of quoting. Love it or hate it (I can’t see how anyone can hate it), Borat is a comedic masterpiece. None of Cohen’s other projects come even within an inch of this laugh-out-loud bonanza, and according to this countdown there is only one other film that ranks funnier than it...

 

19. Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI)

 

George Lucas, 1977, 1980, 1983

 

 

“The Force is strong with this one"

 

The big three. The original three. And the only three worth caring about. Three films that offer escapism, wonder, adventure and thrills at a break-neck speed. Ignore the ‘first’ three (except for perhaps the final half-hour of Episode III), and take wonder at how it should be done. I’ve always argued for the case of dialogue, character, plot and action as opposed to special effects, but the original Star Wars films manage to pack in ALL of these, with breathtaking effects and still leave time for humour and terror, whilst the latest three only really offer the special effects, and a bit of plot. The most famous film franchise ‘only’ ranks at #19 in my countdown, but that’s because i’ve never really been the biggest Star Wars geek, but as a movie lover, they are compelling viewing. It’s a shame that the Episodes I, II and III didn’t match up to their expectations, but when the bar was set so high from in the early eighties, it was always going to be an impossible act to follow.

 

18. The Shining

 

Stanley Kubrick, 1980

 

 

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"

 

The second film from Mr Kubrick is often described as the scariest film of all time. An experiment of the mind, Kubrick brings to life Stephen King fiction's through a vivid, dark, looping tale of insanity, family struggles and the supernatural. What we are presented with is Jack Nicholson in his most crazed hour (his finest perhaps being One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and Chinatown). The build up is from the word go and Kubrick as the puppet master behind the camera allows the audience to enter straight into Nicholson’s head, the results of which are not pretty. Set in an abandoned mansion, which becomes a metaphor for Jack’s state of mind, and where his fragmented self is revealed through a series of diabolically scary scenes, that dislocate the audience from reality into insanity also. It is melodramatic to the extreme, with all actors completely letting go of their inhibitions, allowing the madness to take over them. Though not the scariest, The Shining is definitely one of the most exciting horror films ever made. The blood in the elevator, “Here’s Johnny”, the hedge maze etc, Kubrick has implanted these visions permanently in cinema goers’ minds, and for that reason this film is here to stay.

 

^ forever incredible

 

loving most of these so far. rear window (bar psycho) is by far my favourite hitchcock. must watch borat.

^ forever incredible

 

loving most of these so far. rear window (bar psycho) is by far my favourite hitchcock. must watch borat.

 

Thanks for commenting!

 

HOW HAVE YOU NOT SEEN BORAT!?!?!?!? :o

Get a few friends round and DO IT!

:lol:

Solid list so far, even I disagree with some of your comments (Jackie Brown forever; Dial M is strictly average; Up goes, er, down after the first 20 minutes and is a weak Pixar effort). Love the Martha Marcy inclusion, one of the best films from last year - didn't let up on the gut-wrenching tension second time around. HOW Olsen didn't get an Oscar nod is beyond me.

 

I gotta say though, I didn't hate Borat, I just found it really boring. I saw it at the cinema and no one there laughed much either, which I wasn't expecting at all!

Solid list so far, even I disagree with some of your comments (Jackie Brown forever; Dial M is strictly average; Up goes, er, down after the first 20 minutes and is a weak Pixar effort). Love the Martha Marcy inclusion, one of the best films from last year - didn't let up on the gut-wrenching tension second time around. HOW Olsen didn't get an Oscar nod is beyond me.

 

I gotta say though, I didn't hate Borat, I just found it really boring. I saw it at the cinema and no one there laughed much either, which I wasn't expecting at all!

 

Thanks for commenting :)

 

I agree about Martha Marcy :wub: The film was ignored nearly everywhere though which was a shame.

 

And with Borat, the film really strikes a cord with me, and i canNOT stop laughing throughout. Even when i think about some of the moments/lines i burst out laughing. I guess it helps because a lot of friends love it too, so we can all watch it together etc. I can see how it doesn't appeal to everyone though :lol:

Edited August 31, 201212 yr by HausofKubrick

35. Drag Me To Hell

33. Rosemary’s Baby

29. Rear Window

27. The Dark Knight Trilogy

22. Halloween

20. Up

19. Star Wars Trilogy (Episodes IV-VI)

 

^all excellent films here, and a couple I really should see (Pan's Labyrinth, The Shining, The Wizard of Oz amongst them, I know :( ) I've only seen Rear Window & Rosemary's Baby recently, but they're excellent. I didn't think Hitchcock could get more suspenseful than Psycho, but he somehow managed it! I don't really like the ending to Rosemary... but otherwise its excellent.

 

I agree with your comment on Halloween, its still brilliant and has aged well. but its reputation has been tainted slightly unfortunately. If there's any film I could 'unwatch' if possible its the 2007 remake by Rob Zombie, just absolutely unnecessary and disgusting. They Live by Carpenter is another really good one from him which I'd recommend if you haven't already watched it.

Edited August 31, 201212 yr by C.W

17. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

 

Peter Jackson, 2001, 2002, 2003

 

 

“There is only one Lord of the Ring, only one who can bend it to his will. And he does not share power"

 

Included here purely because I have grown up with the films, they now play like a 12 hour cheese-fest of over-the-top dialogue and action. But there is no denying the feeling you get when the atmospheric score kicks in, the wondrous landscapes are revealed, and the sheer enormousness of this trilogy plays out in glorious colour and sound. They are an incredible feat of film making, matching the likes of Ben-Hur on an epic scale, and reshaping the boundaries of modern cinema. Having said that, they are too, too long to the point of nausea. The fact that the films remain interesting for the most part of the 12 hours is testament to Peter Jackson’s wizardry behind the camera, but I can’t help feeling that the ‘epic-ness’ could still have been felt in half the time. Having said that, they have become staple films for a generation to watch and admire at the achievement of the novel-film adaptations, and the incredible manner in which life has been brought to an otherwise hidden world.

 

16. Grave of the Fireflies

 

Isao Takahata, 1988

 

 

“Why must fireflies die so young?"

 

Tissues at the ready for shockingly the only Anime included in this countdown… Yes Akira set the mould and template for the genre, and shook the world with its explosive introduction into cinema, and yes Spirited Away offers one of the most magical stories ever told, through its beauty and heart, but no film has yet to have the effect that Grave of the Fireflies manages to achieve. Not an easy film to watch by any means (even just watching the trailer is enough to tug at the heart-strings), Grave is an example of that rare film, where emotion overrides all else. A simple plot, two basic characters, a glorious score and wonderful script are all that is needed for this short but painfully sweet film. To say it breaks your heart to watch is no exaggeration; the film had me in tears, literally. Animated characters stuck in a war-torn Japan seems like the most distant vision, but when the film is able to bring this world right into your living room and soul, it deserves incredible praise. A mimetic film in many ways, which perfectly captures the world of nature and the cruel world of man, Grave offers a vision into all of our lives, where loss and grief become inescapable and unfortunately completely overshadow love and devotion. The best war film ever made.

15. The Shawshank Redemption

 

Frank Darabont, 1994

 

 

“Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane"

 

A predictable inclusion here? This is a film so often named as one of the greatest ever, it can snobbishly be ignored or overlooked. But when watched, and really taken in, Shawshank is a tale of hope, struggle and endearment, and a darn good one at that. The film instils a sense of claustrophobia, repugnant interiors, monotonous surroundings, and one man’s struggle to fight for freedom. On paper it is set up as an epic struggle of survival and passion, and it plays out accordingly. The film that spawned a million Morgan Freeman voiceovers, and a whole heap of Academy Award nominations (but beaten by the immortal Forrest Gump!) there is no denying its power and its ability to branch out to a multitude of audiences, because it is a tale simply about humanity. But as the film so meticulously displays, it is impossible to ever really be free, and within humanity, we must contain ourselves, no matter what the outcome. Bursting to escape, the film tunnels its way out of being a cheesy prison drama, into so much more. It has actually been a while since I last saw Shawshank, but no doubt I will soon return to the prison gates and set foot inside once more, because the nature of the film continually draws you in, with no chance of ever letting go.

 

14. Taxi Driver

 

Martin Scorsese, 1976

 

 

“Thank God for the rain to wash the trash off the sidewalk"

 

Another huge, well-known and well-loved film, for all the right reasons, Taxi Driver is a classic thriller, that’s menacing, touching and downright sleazy. Right from the get go, the rainy New York streets are filled with all sorts of unwanted and unkempt creatures and livelihoods. Cue Jodie Foster, in a career winning performance, as the dishevelled and vulnerable teenage prostitute, caught within the dirt and filth of the city. Similarly to Natalie Portman’s incredible performance in Leon, Foster is a true professional, fully immersing herself into what must have been a difficult role to fill. Full of controversy and debauchery, Martin Scorsese has captured an audience of film lovers, and given them exactly what they want: An unlikely/unlikeable protagonist with a dead-end job, on a mission to rid his world from all that is wrong, whilst he himself descends further into anarchy. A true gem of a film, that ruffles with the boundaries between right and wrong. Oh and De Niro is once again bloomin' brilliant!

 

15. The Shawshank Redemption

 

Frank Darabont, 1994

 

 

“Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane"

 

A predictable inclusion here? This is a film so often named as one of the greatest ever, it can snobbishly be ignored or overlooked. But when watched, and really taken in, Shawshank is a tale of hope, struggle and endearment, and a darn good one at that. The film instils a sense of claustrophobia, repugnant interiors, monotonous surroundings, and one man’s struggle to fight for freedom. On paper it is set up as an epic struggle of survival and passion, and it plays out accordingly. The film that spawned a million Morgan Freeman voiceovers, and a whole heap of Academy Award nominations (but beaten by the immortal Forrest Gump!) there is no denying its power and its ability to branch out to a multitude of audiences, because it is a tale simply about humanity. But as the film so meticulously displays, it is impossible to ever really be free, and within humanity, we must contain ourselves, no matter what the outcome. Bursting to escape, the film tunnels its way out of being a cheesy prison drama, into so much more. It has actually been a while since I last saw Shawshank, but no doubt I will soon return to the prison gates and set foot inside once more, because the nature of the film continually draws you in, with no chance of ever letting go.

 

i really like this but i'll never understand why it's considered the best on most lists. i'm either missing something or it's just so generally liked that it's made its way to the top without much hate.

Edited September 1, 201212 yr by JakeWild

i really like this but i'll never understand why it's considered the best on most lists. i'm either missing something or it's just so generally liked that it's made its way to the top without much hate.

I think you're right. It's a 'safe' film in many aspects, and just speaks to a whole heap of people i guess, because the subject matter is so basic and things we take for granted everyday. I don't usually fall for the 'best of' lists, but there's no denying how special this film is in certain aspects.

13. Goodfellas

 

Martin Scorsese, 1990

 

 

“As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster"

 

Yes, it’s them two again. Scorsese and De Niro team up once more in the hilariously gruesome Gangster flick, Goodfellas. The yin to the Godfather’s yang (still to come), Goodfellas manages to be funny whilst exploring complex relationships and a gritty, seedy lifestyle. Joe Pesci really is the stand out addition here, with innumerable quips and moments, he steals the show as the class clown. With some unforgettable scenes, a highly quotable script and some class acting from the Goodfellas themseleves, there's not much else to say. Often compared to the likes of Godfather and Scarface etc, it's much better than the former imo, but Godfather has something really special that soars it above it's understudy here...

12. Don’t Look Now

 

Nicolas Roeg, 1973

 

 

“This one who's blind. She's the one that can see"

 

A personal favourite now, set in the winding corridors of Venice, this unsettling family drama is chilling, cold and distant, but ultimately it is riveting viewing. Slow paced and eerie, Roeg is able to perfectly map the plot, blending it with the slow waves of the Venice water and the jarring footsteps of the public on the cobbled walkways. The film is a unique horror, in that it contains no monster or villain (sort of), apart from the mind and the powerful visions it is able to conjure up. Even after first viewing when the big twist is revealed, Don’t Look Now has so much more going for it, that it is an essential for horror fans. The tension builds perfectly throughout the film with disjointed fragments of the mind, and delocalised visions of the past and future, until the climatic end, which is one of the greatest closing scenes in cinema history. It has to be seen to be believed as it successfully brings about the true horror of Daphne Du Maurier’s short story.