Fabioisonfire
total a-hole
Alright, I said I was going to do this eventually, and here it is. A list of my top 5 favorite movies of all time. As you all may know, I'm a huge fan of film, so this list wasn't thought up in a matter of minutes. I highly recommend seeing any (or all) of these films- you won't be disappointed. Feel free to critique choices on my list. How many have you seen? What are some of your favorites?
In order...
In order...
- 1: The Shining
Directed by Stanley Kubrick (1980)
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
This is, hands down, my favorite movie of all time. Never before has a movie had this kind of profound meaning in my life. It's what inspired me to become a filmmaker. The Shining is widely considered one of the greatest horror films of all time.
It takes place in Colorado, in the Outlook Hotel, where a man (Nicholson) is put in charge of taking care of the place in the off-season. Completed isolated from the world, in a hotel that is supposedly haunted, Nicholson begins to lose his mind. Jack Nicholson gives what I believe is the performance of a lifetime as the crazed father, in a performance you have to see to believe. Kubrick does an astounding job of confusing the viewer, and giving visceral imagery throughout, including the infamous 'Here's Johnny!' scene, which has become world renown as one of the scariest scenes ever. The line was ad-libbed, which is another testament to Nicholson's performance.
This film hold significance for the art of filmmaking as well, with the Steadicam shots being an integral part of the film.
_________________________________________________ - 2: Psycho
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock (1960)
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Psycho isn't just a good suspense/thriller; it's the first one. This movie invented the genre. Hitchcock, considered 'the master of suspense', delivers one of his greatest gifts to the industry in Psycho. Home to the now infamous 'shower scene', this film laid the groundwork for every suspense movie to come after.
I won't go into detail about the plot, because I don't want to ruin the mystery for anyone. Check this one out.
_________________________________________________ - 3: There Will Be Blood
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (2007)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
There Will Be Blood is one of the most (if not the most) brilliant character studies I've ever seen put on film. Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a prospector, an oil man. The film follows his journey to New Boston, California, in his search for oil. As his wealth in terms of money increases, his morality decreases. He is a truly evil man. Day-Lewis gives a performance which can only be described as... remarkable. He won the Oscar for it, as well.
The reason I'm so fond of this film (as if the incredible cinematography and Day-Lewis performance weren't enough) is the story. In both the way it begins and ends, this is a beautiful script.
_________________________________________________ - 4: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Directed by Michel Gondry (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Let me just say that I hadn't seen this film until a year ago. And since then, it has quickly risen the ranks in this list, and for good reason. Charlie Kaufman writes the best script I've ever seen here, writing a beautiful love story. Two imperfectly hip characters Joel (Jim Carey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) meet and bond under extraordinary circumstances. Unfortunately, they have a tumultuous relationship. Clementine then decides to have Joel erased from her memory using a medical procedure. To spite her, Joel opts for the same procedure. But halfway through, he realizes how much he still is in love with her.
If you are going to watch one film on this list, see this one. Winslet gives a fantastic, Oscar winning (?) performance for her role in the film. Never before has a film touched me in a way like this.
_________________________________________________ - 5: 2001: A Space Odyssey
Directed by Stanley Kubrick (1968)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Of every film on the list, this is the least accessible. Even I, a Kubrick whore, had to watch this one twice before I could appreciate its beauty. I consider this the greatest science-fiction film ever made. A multi-part epic, Kubrick delivers an epic (and somewhat bizarre, and mysterious) tale into the (then) future.
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In conclusion, the bottom 5 on my list (making my top 10) go 6: Full Metal Jacket (1987), 7: Juno (2007), 8: The Blair Witch Project (1999), 9: The Exorcist (1973), and 10: Citizen Kane (1941). If you'd like quick reviews and recaps of those as well, let me know. Thanks for reading.
Great list though! Psycho, what a great film. I like how you added the Rotten Tomatoes thing too.
