Top Ten Movies of All Time

Yes. Again and again, we as movie viewers discuss on what movies should be considered “the best movies of all time.” Most of us even have our own top movie list in the back of our minds, most likely made up of our own personal favorites.

A few weeks ago, I met a very interesting person. In the conversation, our favorite movie list came up and she insisted that the best movie ever hands down was Boondock Saints. Totally a good, entertaining movie, but “hands down best movie ever?” I don’t think so (I am hoping you don’t either). My point here is that even if your favorite movies are not the sort of high quality movies, you should still know what differentiates “good” movies from “bad” movies and what is it that makes one movie better than another one.

Having said that, I’ll try my best to keep away from leaning towards my favorite movies and instead classify the movies according to their quality in direction, acting, screenplay, etc. Even if you don’t agree with the list, these are awesome, crazy good movies that you should consider watching as they are definitely movies that always come up in movie conversations. So here they are:

10. A Clockwork Orange (1971) – Widely regarded as a classic, A Clockwork Orange truly shows Stanley Kubrick’s skills in filming. The movie has it all, from crazy “droogs” raping people and ‘ultra-violence’ to Beethoven and futuristic mind control technology. Yet, the movie feels realistic and modern enough to let the audience identify with the main character, in this case the sadistic rapper, Alex DeLarge. Part comedy and part drama, the movie has a truly unique style and plot with great central themes that has made this film popular 35-plus years after its release.

9. North by Northwest (1951).- Simply put, this is Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece and the root of every “thriller” movies. From a plot perspective it greatly stands from Hitchcock’s other famous films as well, such as psycho and rear window.  The movie is about an advertising executive who is mistaken to be a government spy and constantly has to find ways to survive while he is pursued across the country. The astonishing amount of suspense in the film makes it an even better ride for any smart viewer who tries to guess the plot against the character with the clues given.

8. Memento (2001). – This is probably the hardest movie to understand you will ever see. Don’t get me wrong, when a movie constantly makes you think what is going to happen next, that is in fact a good thing. Memento has extraordinary unique style; a backward narrative sequence, where the ending scene is played first and presiding scenes follow. Its pretty much a narrative told backwards. The movie is about a man who has witness the murder of his wife and has suffered short-term memory loss from the same incident. He tattoos his body and makes Polaroid pictures notes to remind himself of the killing of his wife. The director, Christopher Nolan, who also directed the latest batman movies, give us an incredibly unpredictable film that will surely have you watching this movie more than once. He also delivers a simply message that will stuck with you after finishing watching the movie: “we simply believe what we choose to.”

7. The Usual Suspects (1994) – It is hard to remember another movie where the suspense was so high as in The Usual Suspects. An incredible storytelling, meticulous flashbacks, a tight-plotted script and directing, and most importantly, a jaw-dropping, thoughtful twist, “the Usual Suspects” includes everything you would want in a movie. Too bad I didn’t get too see this movie in the theater. Hey, Blu-ray should be a good alternative, though.

6. Casablanca (1942) – It is hard to say anything that hasn’t been said already about this film. The movie is so old that my parents were not even born, yet it has more reviews written about then any other film out there and it still and will be regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. A definite must-see movie.

5. Pulp Fiction (1994) – Tarantino, Tarantino and Tarantino. That is the best way to describe this movie. Awesome dialogue, monumental script and the best cast possible are all combined in this movie (Directed by Tarantino by the way). If this movie was a building or a statue it would be like the 8th wonder of the world. Not really, but you get the point. My favorite quotes: “That’s a pretty *****ing good milkshake. I don’t know if it’s worth five dollars but it’s pretty *****ing good,” and I’m gonna get *****ing divorced. No marriage counseling, no trial separation, I’m gonna get *****ing divorced. Oh wow, that was 20 asterisks in only two quotes.

4.Shawshank Redemption (1994) – Adapted from Stephen King’s “Rita Hayworth & the Shawshank Redemption,” the movie is another masterpiece of our time. It is very hard to explaining the plot of this story without giving possible spoilers, but it could simply be described as a “prison” film that excels in every possible way. It portrays Andy Dufresne, a successful accountant who is accused of killing his wife, and Red, Andy’s inmate and their two decade imprisonment at the Shawshank State Prison. Narrated by the character played by Morgan Freeman, the movie focuses on the cruelty experience by Andy and his optimism and perseverance to get out of prison. If anything, this film will win you heart. The movie its about hope, the commitment of accomplish something, and the message that “salvation lies within.”

3. Citizen Kane (1941) – If you like critical reviews, then this movie should be your favorite movie of all time. Pretty much every major film institution and movie critics (i.e. AFI) has this movie at the top of the list. It is easy to see why, Citizen Kane is so innovative and elaborated, it is very hard to imagine it was produced in 1942. The film follows the life of Charles Foster Kane, a man whose career in the publishing world evolves from an idealistic social world to a cruel pursuit of control and power. Narrated by reporter seeking the meaning of Kane’s final word, “Rosebud” the movie is a epic movie about the abuses of power. Not particularly on my personal favorite list, but definitely a movie a like to talk about and show to my friends.

2. City of God (2002) – An epic movie that starts and ends with blood and gun shooting, City of God shows the cruel reality that was experienced in Brazil during the seventies and eighties. Fernando Meirelles’ excels in revealing how some Brazilians fought to defend themselves while other fought to get to the top in an era where poverty and corruptions where explicit in Brazilian society. From small time robberies and drugs to savage murders and a break out war, the movie shows us a part of the world that cannot be avoid seeing. If you don’t mind subtitles, this movie is one that you will most likely want to watch many, many times over your life.

1. The Godfather (1972) – “I will make him an offer he can’t refuse.” wow.
The Godfather chronicles the events of the Corleone crime family at the time when the head of the family, Don Vito Corleone, refuses to bring drugs into the mafia business. The movie has had an enourmous impact in the movie industry as it pretty much defined the mafia movie genre. Excellent directing by Francis Cappola, strong performances by greats such as Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, and an ingenious script all solidify to The Godfather’s success over the years.

Just ten? Yes, I have to admit it was quite hard narrowing the list. So here are some worth mentioning: Goodfellas, Vertigo, Godfather II, Star Wars, Lawrence of Arabia, Sunset Boulevard, 2001: Odyssey, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Dark Knight maybe?, Schindler’s List