500 Greatest Movies of All Time PDF

1/8/2017 The500GreatestMoviesOfAllTime,Feature| MoviesEmpire
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The500GreatestMoviesOf
AllTime
10,000Empirereaders,150ofHollywood'sfinestand50key
filmcriticsvotedinthemostambitiousmoviepollevertattempted.
3Oct200809:00Lastupdated:
11Dec201509:31
500.Ocean'sEleven(2001)
Director:StevenSoderberghSlick,suaveandcoolerthana
penguin'sknackers,Soderbergh'sstarryupdateoftheRatPack
crimecapernotonlyoutshinesitspredecessor,butallthelights
ofTheStripcombined.
ReadourOcean'sElevenreview
499.Saw(2004)
Director:JamesWanTheneverendingstreamofsequelsmay
havediminisheditsimpact,butthere'snodenyingtheshockwe
gotwhenwefirstenteredthepuzzlelovingpsychoJigsaw's
fiendish,deathtrappedworld.
ReadourSawreview
498.BackToTheFuturePartII(1989)
http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/500greatestmovies/ 1/92
Director:RobertZemeckisFromthepasttothepresenttothe
futureandbackagain,Zemeckishitshistimetravellingstride
withthischronologyscrewingpopcorneronlysevenyearsto
gountilwediscoverifhisvisionof2015wasonthemoney.
ReadourBacktotheFuturePartIIreview
497.CrouchingTiger,HiddenDragon
(2000)
Director:AngLeeLeeexceededallexpectationswiththiswushu
masterpiecesetinancientChina.Amartialartsopuspacked
withemotion,beautyandplentyofelegantasskickery,it'sthe
ultimatefusionofactionandart.
ReadourCrouchingTiger,HiddenDragonreview
496.SupermanReturns(2006)
Director:BryanSingerItmayhavebeenaslighterreturnthan
somepeoplehadhopedfor,butSinger'svisionoftheManOf
Steelisanheroiceffort.Plentyofspectacleandalotofheart
helpsKalElsoar.
ReadourSupermanReturnsreview
495.JailhouseRock(1957)
Director:RichardThorpeElvisplaysuptohisrock'n'rollbad
boyimageasaformerlagwhogetsintothemusicbiz,becomes
famousandgrowsahellofanego.Featuringabunchofclassic
tunes,it'sTheKing'sbestmovie.
494.Sideways(2004)
Director:AlexanderPayneWine,womenandarightoldding
dongarethedrivingforcesbehindthisexcellentmidlifecrisis
roadmovie,soimpactfulitputmillionsoffMerlotforever.Read
Review
493.InTheCompanyOfMen(1997)
Director:NeilLaButeSquirmysatireaboundsinLaBute'sall
toorecognisabletaleoftwocorporatemen'sbullyingofadeaf
femalecolleague.ReadReview
492.AmoresPerros(2000)
Director:AlejandroGonzlezIrrituIt'sadogeatdogworldin
thissuperb,multistrandeddrama.Man'sbestfriend(andone
carcrash)mayprovidetheconnectionbetweenthreedisparate
people,butit'sthedirector'sassuredcontrolthatkeepsitall
together.ReadReview
491.BenHur(1959)
Director:WilliamWylerWyler'sversionofLewWallace'snovel
mayhavebeenthethirdadaptationtohitthebigscreenbut,boy,
wasitthebiggest.Ahugebudgetandanexhaustingshootwere
rewardedwith11Oscarsandanepicfortheages.ReadReview
490.SweeneyTodd:TheDemonBarber
OfFleetStreet(2007)
Director:TimBurtonTheGothicsensibilitiesofTimBurtonmeet
themusicalmasteryofStephenSondheimforademented
GrandGuignolspectacular,whichfindsJohnnyDeppinbloody
finesingingvoice.ReadReview
489.Brick(2005)
Director:RianJohnsonJohnson'simpressivedebutfinds
HammettstyleP.I.storiesrestagedinahighschoolasthe
superbJosephGordonLevittsetsaboutinvestigatingthe
suspiciousdeathofaformergirlfriend.ReadReview
488.PrincessMononoke(1997)
Director:HayaoMiyazakiTheStudioGhibliheadhoncho
weavesataleofswordsandsorcerywithhistrademarkstunning
style.Heintendedthistobehisswansongthankfully,itwasn't.
ReadReview
487.Superbad(2007)
Director:GregMottolaThiscomingofagetalefromtheJudd
Apatowschoolofcomedysucceedsbygenuinelycaringforits
lovableloserheroesdoesn'tstopitfromhilariouslyputtingthe
pairthroughthewringer,though.ReadReview
486.BreakfastAtTiffany's(1961)
Director:BlakeEdwardsWhileithasitsflaws,there'sno
denyingthatAudreyHepburnstilllooksravishingandHenry
Mancini'sscorestillmakesusswing.ReadReview
485.TheWickerMan(1973)
Director:RobinHardyAmovieabouttheevilthatmen(and
women)dointhenameofreligion,Hardy'shorrorgetscloser
thanmosttoexposingourowndarknature,allwhilecreepingus
outwithabunchoffreakyfolkies,ledbyChristopherLee.Read
Review
484.TheFountain(2001)
Director:DarrenAronofskyDespitesplittingaudiencesright
downthemiddle,there'snomistakingtheconvictionthatdrives
thisdeceptivelysimplefableaboutloveanddeath.ReadReview
483.TheBigRedOne(1980)
Director:SamuelFullerSamFullerhadbroughtleathertough
visionsofwartothebigscreenbefore,butTheBigRedOneis
hishardnosedmasterpiece,basedlargelyontheformercrime
reporter'sownexperiencesbattlingacrossNorthAfricaand
EuropeduringWorldWarII,andtheprojecthe'dheldcloseto
hisheartformostofhisfilmmakingcareer.Legendhasitthat
onestudiowantedFullertocastJohnWayneasthegrowling,
induratesergeantwho,alongwithfourprivates(ultimatelyto
includeMarkHamill),isoneofthedivision'sfewsurvivors.Fuller
optednottomakethemovieratherthanhavetheDukeheadline
itwhichsumsupexactlywhatkindofwarmoviethisis.When,
eventually,herolled,thepartwenttoLeeMarvin,whocarriesthe
movietoitsdevastatingconcentrationcampliberation
conclusionwithoutbreakingasweat.Onesuspects,also,that
StevenSpielbergtooknotesduringthegutwrenchingOmaha
beachsequence.ReadReview
482.Scream(1996)
Director:WesCravenTheselfreferentialironymayhave
becomelesshipintheaftermathofcountlesspretenders,butthe
brutaleffectivenessofCraven'sslasherandhisghostfaced
killercreationremainagenuinegenrehighpoint.ReadReview
480.TheSon'sRoom(2001)
Director:NanniMorettiAheartbreakinglookatafather'sgrief
afterthedeathofhisson,Moretti'sPalmed'Orwinnerislifted
fromthemaudlinbyhisthoughtfulandtendertreatment.Read
Review
481.TopsyTurvy(1999)
Director:MikeLeighSteppingawayfromthekitchensink,Leigh
gaveusthisfabulousstudyoftheatricaltypesastheycreatethe
firsteverproductionofGilbertandSullivan'sTheMikado.Read
Review
479.TheSecretLifeOfWalterMitty
(1947)
Director:NormanZ.McLeodThestoryofamildmannered
accountantandtheimaginaryfantasyworldhevisitseverytime
realitygetstootough,thisDannyKayevehicleplayslikea
TechnicolorversionofBillyLiar.ReadReview
478.Flesh(1968)
Director:PaulMorrisseyProducedbyAndyWarholandtaking
placeinaNewYorkawashwithfreeloveandfreeflowingdrugs,
thistaleofhustlers,dealersandsexualadventurersisfrank,
absorbingandsurprisinglyamusing.
477.RebelWithoutACause(1955)
Director:NicholasRayAsateenagelonerwhoinvolveshimself
inknifefightsandroadraces,JamesDeancreatedaniconfor
agenerationadrift,whileRay'sdirectioncreatedatimelesstale
ofteenagedisaffection.ReadReview
476.SantaSangre(1989)
Director:AlejandroJodorowskySick,twistedandvery,very
bloody,Jodorowsky'staleofmadness,revengeandhackedoff
limbsdrawsfromavarietyofinspirations,culminatinginan
influentialfreakshowofamovie.ReadReview
475.PiratesOfTheCaribbean:Dead
Man'sChest(2006)
Director:GoreVerbinskiWhileit'sconfusedandbloated,the
firstPiratessequelpleasedcrowdsbygivingthemexactlywhat
theywanted:moreCaptainJack.ReadReview
474.EnterTheDragon(1973)
Director:RobertClouseThemoviethatintroducedthewider
worldtothebonecrackingkungfuiconthatwasBruceLee,
Clouse'smartialartsfunhousehallofmirrorsandallstillsets
thebenchmarkforallchopsockyactioners.ReadReview
473.IntoTheWild(2007)
Director:SeanPennPenn'sfourthfeaturetakeshiminto
previouslyunchartedterritorywithatruelifetaleaboutayoung
hoboexplorerandhisquesttotrulyescapemodernlifein
America.Usingtheentirecountryashisbackdrop,thisis
Penn'smostambitiousmovieyet.ReadReview
472.LeDoulos(1962)
Director:JeanPierreMelvilleFrenchdirectorMelvilledidfor
gangstersexactlywhattheItalianSergioLeonedidforcowboys,
creatingadistinctivelyEuropeantakeonapredominantly
Americanformbyfocusingondetailsofpropsandcostumein
hyperrealistmanner,spinningfamiliarBplotlinesintofablelike
miniatureepicsofbetrayalandrevenge,andstressingbrutally
professionalviolencetoanalmostexistentialdegree(albeitwitha
distancingGallicshrugratherthanItalianatecloseupleering).In
LeDoulosslangforaccuser,asinpoliceinformant,butalso
vengeanceseekerJeanPaulBelmondoistheunderworldicon
infedoraandcollarupturnedtrenchcoat,donningwhiteeditor's
gloveswheneverheshootsanyoneand,inanastonishing
sequence,tyingawomantoaradiatortobatterinformationout
ofher.Hismiddleman,Silien,ispresentedastheratwho
squealedonjewelthiefMaurice(SergeReggiani),but,of
course,thingsarefarfrombeingthatsimple.ReadReview
471.HarryPotterAndThePrisonerOf
Azkaban(2004)
Director:AlfonsoCuarnThepointatwhichthebooksstartedto
takeadarkerturnthearrivalofthesoulsuckingDementors,a
troubledwerewolf,deathsentencesforhippogriffs.Cuarn's
tenureasHogwartscaretakerhasyettobeoutdone.Read
Review
470.GlengarryGlenRoss(1992)
Director:JamesFoleyDavidMamet'spungentchronicleofreal
estatehustlingisamodernDeathOfASalesmanandmakes
oneofthegreatensemblefilms.Pacino,Lemmon,Spacey,
Baldwin,Harris,Arkin'nuffsaid.ReadReview
469.FearAndLoathingInLasVegas
(1998)
Director:TerryGilliamJohnnyDeppchannelsHunterS.
Thompsonandconsumesinhumanamountsofdrugs,while
Gilliamshowsthatthestraight,Nixonvotingworldoutside
Thompson'sheadrepresentedbyVegasatitsmosthideousis
scarcelylessinsane.ReadReview
468.TheCrow(1994)
Director:AlexProyasDrippingwithstormcloudmoodyteen
Gothcool,Proyas'HollywooddebutbroughtglumsterJ.O'Barr's
cultycomicbooktoactionpackedlife.Infamous,ofcourse,for
thetragicdeathofstarBrandonLee.ReadReview
467.TheDeerHunter(1978)
Director:MichaelCiminoCimino'sbold,powerful'Namepic
goesfrombluecollarmachoritualstoafiery,South?EastAsian
hellandbacktoaraggedsingalongofAmericaTheBeautiful.
DeNiroholdsittogether,butChristopherWalken,MerylStreep
andJohnSavageareunforgettable.ReadReview
466.Snatch(2000)
Director:GuyRitchieSurprisingthatthisshouldmakethe500
whenLock,Stockhasn't.Still,thisisthemoreproficientfilm,
andparticularlylaudableforhavingbothBradPittandFrank
ButcherfromEastEndersonthesamecastlist.ReadReview
465.12Monkeys(1995)
Director:TerryGilliamHere'sacrazytheoryforyoumaverick
geniusTerryGilliam,untameableandoutspoken,athornin
Hollywood'spreciousderriresincethelastdaysofPythonis
adirectorwhoworksbestbeneathstudiocolours.Take12
Monkeys,withitsweirdfangled,timetrippingscriptfromDavid
'BladeRunner'Peoples.Here,withastrongproducer,bigstars
(BruceWillisandapottyBradPitt)andamediumbudget,wasa
filmdeliveredontime,onbudget,andwhichbecameasizeable
hit.Yet,itlostnoneofitsnecessaryGilliamnessitsdystopian
PhiladelphiaunderworldglistenswithhisclassicHieronymus
BoschmeetsHeathRobinsonfabulation.It'sworththinkingabout
justpickingupthosestudiooffersonceinawhile,Terry...Read
Review
464.SevenBridesForSevenBrothers
(1954)
Director:StanleyDonenAriproarin'CinemaScopeWestern
musical,whichneedsitswidescreentoencompassall14leads.
ThedubiousstorylineisredeemedbyMichaelKidd'sastounding
choreography.ReadReview
463.Juno(2007)
Director:JasonReitmanThisyear'spleasantOscarnom
surprise,withthenodswelldeserved,especiallyduetowriter
DiabloCodyandstarEllenPage'seffortstodepictthemodern
teenwithkeenveracity.ReadReview
462.DeadMan'sShoes(2004)
Director:ShaneMeadowsMeadows'smalltownvigilantemovie
restagesGetCarterwithpatheticruralcrooksharriedbyPaddy
Considine'svigilanteinagasmask."Whatareyoulookingat?"
"You,youcunt!"ReadReview
461.Halloween(1978)
Director:JohnCarpenterTheElvisofslashermoviesstill
imitated,neverequalled.Andevenafterallthesequels,ripoffs
andremakes,itspowertomakeyoushiverandjumpremains
undiminished.ReadReview
460.Crash(2004)
Director:PaulHaggisAmultistrandedLAstoryaboutthe
challengesofmulticulturalismandthewoesof
miscommunication.Haggis'debutlaysthemessageonthick,but
boy,doesheknowhowtopackanemotionalpunch.Read
Review
459.Ikiru(1952)
Director:AkiraKurosawaAdyingmantriestogetaplayground
built,andAkiraKurosawademonstrateshisrangebysegueing
fromacidicdissectionofJapaneseofficeworkaholismto
understated,upliftingtragedy.Ifyoudon'tcryattheend,you
needanewheart.ReadReview
458.Batman(1989)
Director:TimBurtonBurton'snoirnightmarereestablishedthe
franchiseforthe'90s.NicholsonandKeatonareastarturnas
freakvillainandGothichero.Fullofimaginativeviolence,clever
rethinkingsoffamiliarcharacters,astonishingsetsandwitty
lines.ReadReview
457.FullMetalJacket(1987)
Director:StanleyKubrickAfter50minutesofR.LeeErmey
shoutingatMarinerecruitsduringbasictraining,theVietnam
scenesofStanleyKubrick'sbrutalwarfilmarealmostarelief.
ReadReview
456.28DaysLater(2002)
Director:DannyBoyleArevivalofthezombieapocalypse
movie,shotfastandcheapanddigital,thisinstantlyestablished
anewstyleforlowbudgethorror,buthasroomforeerily
depopulatedcityscapesandcharacterhorroraswellas
ferociousmonsterattacks.ReadReview
455.TopGun(1986)
Director:TonyScottAcombinationUSNavyrecruitingfilm,
closetgaypornomovie,Reaganiteflagwaverandloveletterto
big,shinyjetfighters.TonyScottstillmanagestogetfluttering
dovesandshaftsoflightthroughdustintoit.ReadReview
454.TheBourneSupremacy(2004)
Director:PaulGreengrassAsequelwhichupshiftsthanksto
directorPaulGreengrassapplyingwhatmightwellbethe
definitive2000sthrillerstyletoanedgy,paranoidchaseformat
MattDamonbringslifetoazombielikehero,andaMoscowcar
chaserankswiththegreatstuntscenes.ReadReview
453.IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOf
TheCrystalSkull(2008)
Director:StevenSpielbergCGgophers,nukedfridgesand
extradimensionalbeingsaside,enoughofyoulovedittogetit
ontothislist...Thosewho'vegrowncraggywithFordandAllen
gotearyeyedontheline,"Theyweren'tyou,"andeveryonecan
cheerhordesofants.ReadReview
452.Unbreakable(2000)
Director:M.NightShyamalanShyamalan'sunderstated,
creepyaffecting,powerfultakeonthesuperherostoryhas
arguablyBruceWillis'bestscreenperformance,andatwist
whichisclevererthantheendofTheSixthSense."Itwasthe
children...theycalledmeMr.Glass."ReadReview
451.Speed(1994)
Director:JanDeBont"There'sabombonthebus!"Theacme
ofhighconceptandthebesteverredwirenothebluewirefilm,
irresistiblycombiningactionwithsuspense.ReadReview
450.KingKong(2005)
Director:PeterJacksonMostremakesareexercisesinmoney
grubbingcynicism,butPeterJackson'sKingKongisallabout
loveforafilm,amonster,astyleofcinemaandachild'sinstant
bondingwithascreenicon.ReadReview
449.StarWarsEpisodeI:ThePhantom
Menace(1999)
Director:GeorgeLucasDespiteaplotabouttradeembargoes
andtaxincentives,guffaboutmidichloriansandBinks,
greatnessissoingrainedintheDNAofStarWars,we're
surprisedTheEwokAdventuredidn'tgetonthislist.Read
Review
448.AHistoryOfViolence(2005)
Director:DavidCronenbergFamilymanViggoMortensen
revealshisinnerpsychopath,andcreepilyhiswifeandchildren
likehimevenmore.DavidCronenbergtwistsmindsratherthan
fleshinthisspare,classicmodernWestern.ReadReview
447.Ten(2002)
Director:AbbasKiarostamiAkindofIranianMarionAndGeoff,
AbbasKiarostami'sTenisasminimalistasitisthrilling.The
conceitissimple:tenconversationsbetweenManiaAkbari,a
twicemarriedIranianwomantaxidriver,andherpassengers
over48hours,capturedinlongstaticshotsfromadigital
camerasecuredtothedashboard.AsAkbaritraversesthecity
streets,sheconverseswith,amongothers,herwilfulson,ajilted
bride,alocalprostituteandawomantravellingtoprayer.What
emergesisafascinatingmosaicoftheroleofwomenwithina
repressiveregime.Yet,throughtheaccumulationoftelling
details,aroundedbackstoryforAkbarislowlystartstocoalesce.
Brilliantlyperformed,theeffectisasdirectandintimateasa
confession,ahalfwayhousebetweenfictionanddocumentary.
Howeveryoulabelit,itremainsleaguesaheadofDudleyMoore
pervingoverBoDerek.ReadReview
446.HighFidelity(2000)
Director:StephenFrearsNickHornby'sNorthLondon
discomaniacmemoirmakesasmuchsenseinChicago,thanks
toJohnCusack'suniquemixofgeekinessandappeal.Read
Review
445.DumbAndDumber(1994)
Directors:PeterandBobbyFarrellyAhigh(orlow)watermark
inthehistoryofgrossout,scramblingthefrenziedtalentsofJim
CarreyandtheFarrellybrothers,withJeffDanielsgamely
pitchingin.ReadReview
444.Hairspray(1988)
Director:JohnWatersWatersdeliversagarishbutaffectionate
Baltimoreflashbackwith"pleasantlyplump"teenRickiLake
doingameantwistandendingracialsegregationonlocalTVas
well.ReadReview
443.DogDayAfternoon(1975)
Director:SidneyLumetArivetingcharacterstudy(Pacino
makeshisbankrobberfuckupextraordinarilymoving),a
penetratingexposofamediafeedingfrenzy,orjustagreat
heistgonewrongflick.Anyway,it'sbrilliant.ReadReview
442.Atonement(2007)
Director:JoeWrightIanMcEwan'sdevastatingwarromanceis
masterfullyconveyedtoscreenbyJoeWright,whosetaut
stylistics,fromthetellingtypewriterclackofthesoundtrackto
thatonetake,SteadicamDunkirkshot,can'tfailtoimpress.
ReadReview
441.BeingJohnMalkovich(1999)
Director:SpikeJonzeAweirdpremise,courtesyofscreenwriter
CharlieKaufman,isspunintothearchetypal'quirky'indiehit,
withmajorstarsgeekingout,accessibleinjokesandaplotthat
surprisinglymakessense.Malkovichwonmajorpointsfor
caricaturinghimselfas'JohnHoratioMalkovich'.ReadReview
440.Akira(1988)
Director:KatsuhirotomoHyperviolent.Apocalyptic.Kinetic.
Lurid.Akiraisthedefinitiveanimeclassic.ReadReview
439.GrossePointeBlank(1997)
Directors:GeorgeArmitageAdisappointinglylowshowingfor
oneofthebestcomedythrillersofthe'90s.Greatcast(John
Cusack,MinnieDriver,DanAykroydasaprofessionalhitman!),
greatscript,killersoundtrack.ReadReview
438.TheLostBoys(1987)
Director:JoelSchumacherVampires,mulletsandtheFrog
Brothersin'80sCalifornia,thiswastheBuffyofitstime,aguiltily
pleasurableblendofcomedyandhorror.Ifyou'reinyour30s
andremotelycool,thiswasabigpartofyouradolescence.
ReadReview
437.SpiderMan(2002)
Director:SamRaimiAhomerunforRaimi,provingthata
directorofbonkers,lowbudgethorrorscouldhelmagargantuan
summerblockbusterapparentlyeffortlessly,andstillmanageto
crowbarinaroleforBruceCampbell.ReadReview
436.BeautyAndTheBeast(1991)
Directors:GaryTrousdaleandKirkWiseDisney's30th
animatedfeaturewellandtrulyannouncedthatthestudio's
doldrumyearsofthe'80swerenowover,andthatTheLittle
Mermaidwasnofluke.ReadReview
435.AmericanPsycho(2000)
Director:MaryHarronTheappallingviolenceofBretEaston
Ellis'supposedlyunfilmableearly'90snovelwasunderstandably
toneddown,butChristianBale'sBateman(hisarrivalasa
grownupstar)remainsterrifying,andthecritiqueof'80s
avariceremainsundiluted.ReadReview
434.TheCatConcerto(1947)
Directors:WilliamHanna,JosephBarberaThe29thTomAnd
Jerryonereelerisoneofonlythreeshortstomakethe500,and
it'seasytoseewhy.EschewingthedomesticsettingofmostT&J
efforts,TheCatConcertotakesasimple,daftpremiseTomisa
concertpianisttryingtoplayLiszt'sHungarianRhapsodyNo.2
Jerry,attemptingtosleepinthepiano,stopshimandmilksit
foreverylastdropofcomedyandinvention.Asever,the
violenceismouthwateringlybrutal,butthereisareal
playfulnesshere,toowatchTom'spinkieelasticallyelongateto
reachatopnote.Thekeytoitsgreatness,though,isthe
exquisitenessoftheanimation,beitrealisingthesnobbishness
inTom'smaestroorperfectlymatchingthemayhemtomusic.
Thefunniest,mostbeautifullyrealisedsevenminutesand49
secondsyoucouldeverhavethegoodfortunetosee.Bravo!
433.GoodWillHunting(1997)
Director:GusVanSantAraremainstreamoutingforVanSant,
itwasOscarsallroundforsurprisescreenwritersMattDamon
andBenAffleck,andsupportingactorRobinWilliamsinhisbest
performancesinceDeadPoetsSociety.ReadReview
432.XMen2(2003)
Director:BryanSingerEasilythecleverestofthecurrentwave
ofcomicbookblockbustersuntilacertainCapedCrusaderwas
reinvented,Singer'svisionaryfollowuptohislessthanstellar
originaldefiedallexpectations.ReadReview
431.ElectraGlideInBlue(1973)
Director:JamesWilliamGuercioTheothergreatbikemovie
alongsideEasyRider,thisminiepicofcountercultureArizona
copsonamurderinvestigationisgraduallyaccumulatingthe
reputationitdeserves.
430.BigTroubleInLittleChina(1986)
Director:JohnCarpenterDismalboxofficesentadisillusioned
Carpenterbacktoindiefilmmaking,butthiscolourfulaction
fantasyremainsafanfavourite.KurtRussellishilariousasone
ofcinema'sleastheroicheroes.ReadReview
429.Danger:Diabolik(1968)
Director:MarioBavaMeetDiabolik(JohnPhillipLaw),masked
supercriminal,highlivingsensualistandunmatchablepopart
icon.Anarchlyeyebrowed,unrepentantthief,Diabolikisequally
opposedtoabureaucraticgovernment(onawhim,hedestroys
acountry'staxrecords)andtheMafia,andaddictedtorisk
whenitcomestostealingfabulouslyvaluableitems(ega20ton
goldingot)whicharealsouseless.DirectorBava,acultheroon
thestrengthofGothichorrorfilms(TheMaskOfSatan,Black
Sabbath),waspersuadedbyDinodeLaurentiistostepaway
fromthecryptforthisonepsychedelicmasterpiece.It'sasthin
asaposter,butstillamazingcinemaasuccessionofstriking,
kinetic,sexy,absurdimagesaccompaniedbyaoneofakind
EnnioMorriconescorethatrevelsinitscasualanarchy.Imagine
ifTheDarkKnightwereTheJoker.
428.TheEnigmaOfKasparHauser
(1974)
Director:WernerHerzogThehauntingstoryofafoundling
apparentlyraisedaloneinacellarandreleasedinadulthood
onlytothenbemurderedisanenigmaindeed.Don'texpect
anyanswersfromHerzog.ReadReview
427.SpringInASmallTown(1948)
Director:MuFeiThistaleofawoman'semotionaljourneyinre
encounteringanoldflamelanguishedinCommunistarchives
deemedreactionaryfordecades,andwasonlyrescuedforre
appraisalduringthe1980s.ReadReview
426.EnduringLove(2004)
Director:RogerMichellRhysIfansisbeyondcreepyasa
disturbedstalkerharassingDanielCraigfollowingachance
meeting.ItdifferssubstantiallyfromIanMcEwan'snovelbutis
almostunbearablytense.ReadReview
425.WonderBoys(2000)
Director:CurtisHansonAfailureattheboxofficedespitebeing
releasedtwice,Hanson'sadaptationofMichaelChabon'snovel
foundacclaiminlaterlife,withMichaelDouglasandRobert
DowneyJr.ontopform.ReadReview
424.ToHaveAndHaveNot(1944)
Director:HowardHawksSimplyanimpeccablepedigree:
HawksdirectingaHemingwaynovel,thescreenplaywrittenin
partbyWilliamFaulkner,andthebirthoftheonscreen
chemistrybetweenBogartandBacall.ReadReview
423.KillBillVol.2(2004)
Director:QuentinTarantinoTalkierandcalmerthantheberserk
Vol.1,Vol.2isverymuchaWesterntothefirstfilm'sEastern.
Stillviolentasallhell,though.ReadReview
422.AManEscaped(1956)
Director:RobertBressonAmagnificentprisonerofwardrama,
directedwithspareeconomybyadirectorwhowashimselfan
exPOW.Tenseandunschmaltzy,Shawshankfanswoulddo
welltoseekitout.ReadReview
421.LethalWeapon(1987)
Director:RichardDonnerThehighwatermarkof'80scop
movies,LethalWeaponisharderedgedthanitssequels,which
uppedthehumourquotientattheexpenseofthe'lethality'.Read
Review
420.JerryMaguire(1996)
Director:CameronCroweCrowe'sfeelgoodhittookhis
easygoingromanticindiesensibilitiestothemainstreamwith
dazzlingeffect,makingastarofReneZellwegerandgiving
Cruiseoneofhisbestroles.ReadReview
419.DaysOfHeaven(1978)
Director:TerrenceMalickMalick'sastonishingtonepoemisa
jewelofminimaldialogueandastonishingcinematography.Two
yearsintheediting,thefilmexhaustedMalicktotheextentthat
hedidn'tdirectagainfor20years.ReadReview
418.VForVendetta(2005)
Director:JamesMcTeigueThisWachowskiproduced
adaptationofAlanMoore'sheftygraphicnovelmaybeabit
adolescentinitspolitics,butitdeliversonthepyrotechnics.
ReadReview
417.LordsOfDogtown(2005)
Director:CatherineHardwickeThefictionalisedcompanion
piecetothedocumentaryDogtownAndZBoysmakesa
surpriseappearancehere.Clearlythesk8erboicommunitygot
itsacttogether.ReadReview
416.BadTaste(1987)
Director:PeterJacksonFilmedduringfouryears'worthof
weekendsbyJacksonandhismates,thischeerfullypsychotic
taleofhumaneatingalienshaditsmicrobudgetfundedinpart
byaNewZealandgovernmentgrant.ReadReview
415.DawnOfTheDead(1978)
Director:GeorgeA.RomeroInventivesplatterandasavage
politicalmessagemakeRomero'szombiesinashoppingmall
epicthemostextraordinaryofhisinitialtrilogy.WatchoutforFX
geniusTomSaviniasoneofthebikers.ReadReview
414.TheDoubleLifeOfVronique(1991)
Director:KrzysztofKieslowskiPostDekalogandpreThree
Colours,Kieslowskiturnedinthisfantasticalstandalone
doppelgngertale.IrneJacobisstunninginthedualroleof
Weronika/Vronique,andZbigniewPreisner'shauntingscoreis
simplybreathtaking.ReadReview
413.FindingNemo(2003)
Director:AndrewStantonPixar'sfifthfeatureisremarkablefor
beingbothcuteand,attimes,surprisinglyharsh.Also,it'stime
toreconsiderEllenDeGeneres'memorylossplaguedDoryas
oneofthestudio'sfinestcreations.ReadReview
412.Heathers(1989)
Director:MichaelLehmannDarkasyoulikehighschool
comedywithChristianSlaterandWinonaRyder,pretheir
respectivemeltdowns,givingtheperformancesoftheircareers.
Bullyingandmurderwereneversomuchfun.ReadReview
411.SpiderMan2(2004)
Director:SamRaimiBiggerandbetterthanitspredecessor,
withasuperiorvillaininAlfredMolina'sDocOck,andamore
confidentRaimisneakinginsomeofhisowntrademarks.Read
Review
410.AHardDay'sNight(1964)
Director:RichardLesterAlifeinthedayoftheFabFour.Mixing
documentarystylings,Felliniesquefantasy,Dalesque
surrealismandNouvelleVague.ReadReview
409.MenInBlack(1997)
Director:BarrySonnenfeldAcomedyhitthatslylyspoofsthat
XFilesmixofgovernmentconspiracy,secretagentsandE.T.s
onEarth.ReadReview
408.Zelig(1983)
Director:WoodyAllenWoody'shumanchameleonmeetsthe
great,thegoodandHitler.Asmuchasitisatechnicaltriumph
(preForrestGump),itisalsoacelebrationofwit,satire,great
conceitsandhumannature.ReadReview
407.TheJungleBook(1967)
Director:WolfgangReithermanThelastfilmpersonally
supervisedbyUncleWalt,thishasastrongshoutforbeing
Disney'smostgloriouslyentertainingfilm.Greatcharacters,
geniussongsandrichanimation.ReadReview
406.IronMan(2008)
Director:JonFavreauRobertDowneyJr.takestheMarvelfave
toawholenewlevelandaudience.Favreaumountsefficient
action,butit'stheactingthatstickshowrareisthatfora
summerblockbuster?ReadReview
405.DirtyDancing(1987)
Director:EmileArdolinoLet'sseeifwecangetthroughthis
withoutanymentionof"Baby"and"corner".Oh,bollocks.Great
tunes,romanticwishfulfilmentanda'60sinnocencemakethis
anevergreenpopulistclassic.ReadReview
404.RoboCop(1987)
Director:PaulVerhoevenPartman.Partmachine.Allbrilliance.
Verhoeven'sHollywooddebutbalancesfuturisticcopactionwith
askewedsenseofsubversivesatire.We'llbuythisforadollar.
ReadReview
403.DoTheRightThing(1989)
Director:SpikeLeeAMolotovcocktailofamovie,thislonghot
summer'sdayinBrooklynhasitall:energy,comedy,greattunes
andasimmeringsenseofangerthatboilsover.StillSpike'sbest
joint.ReadReview
402.LittleMissSunshine(1947)
Directors:JonathanDaytonandValerieFarisSoindieithurts
dysfunctionalcharacters,mainstreamactors(SteveCarell,Greg
Kinnear)doingquirky,BestOriginalScreenplayawardsthis
transcendstheeasylabellingwitharealsenseofthepangsand
pathosoffamilylife.ReadReview
401.BatmanReturns(1992)
Director:TimBurtonEasilythebetterofthetwoBurton
Batmans,Returnswasmostnotableforacertainfeline,figure
huggingcostume...ReadReview
400.TheIncredibles(2004)
Director:BradBirdOneofthebestsuperheromoviesofrecent
yearsakindofWatchmenwithgagsthisfizzesbyonpure
invention,greatjokesandarealaffectionfortheretro'60s
stylingsit'saping.ReadReview
399.Greed(1924)
Director:ErichvonStroheimVonStroheim'ssilentmasterpiece
anhonestdentistbecomesobsessedwithmoneyafterwinning
thelotteryisasobsessiveasKubrick,asepicasLeanandas
powerfulasScorsese.ReadReview
398.KillerOfSheep(1977)
Director:CharlesBurnettAlandmarkinbothblackandindie
cinema,thisisaplotlessportraitofanAfricanAmericanLA
family,builtaroundmundaneactivitiesbuttoldwithwit,pathos
andstunningblackandwhiteimagery.ReadReview
397.NightOfTheLivingDead(1968)
Director:GeorgeA.RomeroThegreatestzombiemovieever
made.Strippedofthecackleandgleeofmodernhorror,this
playsitsemotionsandviscerastraight,thelofifeeladdingtothe
unease.ReadReview
396.TheAssassinationOfJesseJames
ByTheCowardRobertFord(2007)
Director:AndrewDominikThekindofsatisfying,elegiac
Westernyouthoughtdiedoutwiththe'70s.Greatperformances
byBradPittandCaseyAffleck,butthisistrulyitsdirector's
work.ReadReview
395.Casino(1995)
Director:MartinScorseseOriginallydismissedasaGoodFellas
retread,Scorsese'sgangstersinVegaschroniclehasimproved
withage,acomplex,terrifying,virtuosolookatMobminutiae.
AndSharonStoneupstagesDeNiro.Fact.ReadReview
394.Cloverfield(2008)
Director:MattReevesIfthiswerethe500GreatestViral
MarketingCampaigns,thiswouldbenumberone.Asitis,this
mostmodernofmonstermoviesisbrilliantlyhandledhandheld
fun.ReadReview
393.GardenState(2004)
Director:ZachBraffAmongthemostlikableofindieslacker
ennuimovies,Braff'sblankfacedcharmandNataliePortman's
kookyenergymakethishardtoresist.Alsogetspointsforits
toocoolforschoolsoundtrack.ReadReview
392.Paris,Texas(1984)
Director:WimWendersIt'sKramerVs.Krameronwheelsas
HarryDeanStanton'sTravisgoesontheroadwithhissontofind
hisex.Emotionallyrestrained,beautifullyshotandmemorably
scoredbyRyCooder.ReadReview
391.MulhollandDrive(2001)
Director:DavidLynchLynch'sbestworkfor15years,adark
lookattheunderbellyofHollywoodwithenoughimpenetrabilityto
support1,000theories.Hotgirlsgetiton,too!ReadReview
390.2DaysInParis(2007)
Director:JulieDelpyOwingasmuchtoWoodyAllenasRichard
Linklater,Delpy'sFrenchgalYankguyrelationshippieceisless
earnestandfunnierthanthepleasuresofBefore
Sunset/Sunrise.Forromanticcynicseverywhere.ReadReview
389.Election(1999)
Director:AlexanderPayneIsitstrangetoseethisasPayne's
highestentryonthislist?Surelyonewouldhaveexpectedthe
broader,moreaudiencefriendlySidewaystohavesnaggedthat
spot.Inretrospect,perhapsnot.Afilmthatmanagesthe
gargantuantaskofgoosingboththeDarwinianprovinggroundof
highschoolUSAandtheByzantinemachinationsofthe
Americanpoliticalsystem,Electionissatiremasqueradingas
quirkycomedy.AcannyadaptationofaTomPerrottanovel,it
wasinitiallyinspiredbytheBushClintonelectionof1993and
theinfamouscaseofapregnantpromqueendeniedhertitle
afterstaffriggedthevote.Regardingthelatter,it'spossibleto
viewElectioninwhichteacherMatthewBroderickattemptsto
sabotagemonstrouslyambitiousstudentReeseWitherspoon's
bidforstudentbodypresidentasnotmerelybangontargetbut
also,inthelightoftheFlorida2000fiasco,remarkably
prescient.ReadReview
388.TheEnglishPatient(1996)
Director:AnthonyMinghellaIfthelateMinghella'sbestfilmis
ladledwithaDullsville,awardsbaitreputation,itshouldn'tbe,as
itisacomplex,ferociouslyintelligent,hugelyemotionalworka
truetestamenttoalosttalent.ReadReview
387.RainMan(1988)
Director:BarryLevinsonThebestfilmaboutaslicksterandhis
autisticbrotherevermade,theunsungherohereisLevinson,
whotellsthetaleincrisp,confidentbeats.TomCruisealso
knocksitoutofthepark.ReadReview
386.TheGreatSilence(1968)
Director:SergioCorbucciAcritics'favourite,thisclassic
SpaghettiWesternseesJeanLouisTrintignant'smutegunfighter
takeonKlausKinski'sbountyhunters.Alsoboastsoneofthe
bleakestendingsevermounted.
385.AceInTheHole(1951)
Director:BillyWilderBillyWildergivesfreereigntohis
legendarycynicisminthis,hisfirstfilmaswriterproducer
director,acaustictaleofmediaexploitationwithKirkDouglason
top,sleazyformasruthlessjournoChuckTatum.It'safilmthat
getsmorerelevantwitheverypassingyear.ReadReview
384.TheShopAroundTheCorner(1940)
Director:ErnstLubitschTheinspirationforYou'veGotMail.
MargaretSullavanandJamesStewartfallforeachothervia
lettersinawry,winningromcomthatstaysjusttherightsideof
sentimental.OneofthebestfromthegrandmasterLubitsch.
ReadReview
383.Serenity(2005)
Director:JossWhedonOutoftheashesofFireflycame
Serenity,agreatspacecowboyromp.Itsappearanceonthelist
speaksvolumesabouttheloyaltyofthoseBrowncoats.Read
Review
382.Cach(2005)
Director:MichaelHanekeHaneke'sclingingparanoidthrilleris
thatrarebeastanarthousecrowdpleaser.Austerebutvirtuoso,
therealachievementisexploringissuesofguiltand
complacencywithoutstintingonthesuspense.ReadReview
381.MontyPythonAndTheHolyGrail
(1975)
Directors:TerryJonesandTerryGilliamTheknightswhosay
"Ni"+thekillerbunnyrabbit+theextraordinarilyrude
Frenchman+TheBridgeOfDeathoverTheGorgeOfEternal
Peril+thethreeheadedknight=genius.ReadReview
380.ChildrenOfMen(2006)
Director:AlfonsoCuarnGrownupscifiinamorassofkiddie
blockbusters,Cuarn'schillingvisionofadystopianLondonis
grippingandoriginal.Ifnothingelse,seeitforthebarnstorming
singletakeactionsequence.ReadReview
379.Ratatouille(2007)
Director:BradBirdPixar'sratinthekitchenmasterwork
combinesperfectlyorchestratedslapstickwithaselfportrait
aboutthechallengesofbeinganartistinaseaofmediocrity.In
anageoffastfoodanimation,thisisathreeMichelinstar
experience.ReadReview
378.TheGoonies(1985)
Director:RichardDonnerEverygenerationhasafilmthatwill
alwaysbecarriedinitsheart.Thismadcap,Spielberg
producedadventureaboutagaggleoftreasurehuntingbrats
stuckinboobytrappedmazesisthatfilmforanyoneborn
around1980.ReadReview
377.MeanStreets(1973)
Director:MartinScorseseTrytowatchthisrememberingthat,at
thetime,nobodyhadheardofMartinScorsese,RobertDeNiro
orHarveyKeitel.You'rewatchingthestartofanewcinematic
era.ReadReview
376.Zodiac(2007)
Director:DavidFincherHowdoyouturntheserialkillerthriller
onitshead?Nevercatchthekiller.Fincher'struelifetaleisnot
aboutgrabbingthebadguyit'saboutthenatureofobsession.
ReadReview
375.FourWeddingsAndAFuneral
(1994)
Director:MikeNewellThefilmthatestablishedRichardCurtisas
abrandisoftenunfairlymocked.Thetruthisthatallromcom
writersareaimingforthismixofslywit,genuinefeelingand
farce.ReadReview
374.HotFuzz(2007)
Director:EdgarWrightWright'sskillisintakingtheglossand
whizzbangillogicofHollywoodandapplyingittoquintessentially
Englishsituations.Butwe'llneverunderstandhisaffectionfor
BadBoysII.ReadReview
373.WallE(2008)
Director:AndrewStantonPixar'sbravestpictureisvirtuallya
silentmovie,ashowcaseofperfectsounddesignandpeerless
animation.Itpushedtheboundariesofnotjuststylebut
storytellingtechniqueaswell.ReadReview
372.ArmyOfDarkness(1992)
Director:SamRaimiThethird,andsilliest,inRaimi'sEvilDead
trilogyisnotableforcompletelylettingBruceCampbelloffthe
chin,sorry,chain.Andthatisaglorioussighttobehold.Read
Review
371.PiratesOfTheCaribbean:TheCurse
OfTheBlackPearl(2003)
Director:GoreVerbinskiRememberwhenthePiratesOfThe
Caribbeanfranchisewasn'tmisguidedlyobsessedwithcharacter
depthanddarkness,andwasjustplainoldfun?ReadReview
370.Rocky(1976)
Director:JohnG.AvildsenOneofthefinesteversporting
movies,acelebrationofthecandospiritallthemoreimportant
whenitbecomesclearthathecan't.ReadReview
369.TheBreakfastClub(1985)
Director:JohnHughesToanyonewhowasateeninthe'80s,
thiswillforeverbethe"OhmyGod,someoneunderstandsme!"
movie.KudostoHughesforgivingagenerationavoicethatfelt
true.ReadReview
368.Airplane!(1980)
Directors:JimAbrahams,DavidZuckerandJerryZuckerThe
greatestspoofevermade,takingeverydisastermovieclich
andtwistingituntilallthecomedyisextracted.Allthemore
ingeniousincomparisontothelamemessofsketchesthatis
'spoof'today.ReadReview
367.Cabaret(1972)
Director:BobFosseFosse'sOscarwinnerisaboutasfarfrom
theMGMtraditionasyoucanget.ThewartimeBerlinsettingand
flawedcharactersmakestheswaggeringdesperationofthe
tunesallthemorepowerful.ReadReview
366.Predator(1987)
Director:JohnMcTiernanIsitatriumphofsubtletechnique?
No.Isitoneofthemostquotable,ridiculouslymacho,
unashamedlypopulistgoodtimesyou'llhavewithakilleralien?
Youbetyourass.ReadReview
365.TheBourneIdentity(2002)
Director:DougLimanLiman'skickofftotheexcellentBourne
serieswasn'tquiteasaccomplishedasthesequels,butitwasa
morallymurkierfilmandsetupthemoodthatPaulGreengrass
sorewardinglycontinued.ReadReview
364.NaturalBornKillers(1994)
Director:OliverStoneWhatdoyougetwhenyoucross
combustibleprovocateurOliverStoneand(thethen)enfant
terribleofHollywoodQuentinTarantino?Answer:NaturalBorn
Killers,avolatilereworkingoftheBadlands/BonnieAndClyde
coupleonakillingspreeformulathat(predictably)shockedthe
system,and(predictably)hadTarantinothrowingacreativehuff
overStone'sliberalchanges.Thefilmisallthemorefascinating
forbeingaproductofitstime,strobingthroughthemid'90s
zeitgeist(fromdaytimesoapstonewsdocs),andpopulatedwith
such(asofthen)wildchildrenasRobertDowneyJr.,Tom
Sizemore,JulietteLewisandWoodyHarrelson.Themystical
mumbojumboharksbacktoStone'spredilectionfor'60smotifs,
makingithalfcrazed,buticonicallthesame.ReadReview
363.GoodMorning,Vietnam(1987)
Director:BarryLevinsonRobinWilliamsofftheRichterscale,
ashisjabbermouthedDJstirsuptheVietnamtroopsuntilthe
authoritiespulltheplug.Thepoliticalframeworkatleastgives
morepurposetothefreeformingcomedian'sverbaltorrents.
ReadReview
362.TheElephantMan(1980)
Director:DavidLynchEasilyLynch'smostsympatheticand
outwardly'gettable'movietellsthetragic19thcenturytaleof
JohnMerrick,hideouslydisfiguredbyacongenitaldisease,and
takeninbyakindlydoctorwhoseesthehumanbeneaththe
freakshow.ReadReview
361.Clerks(1994)
Director:KevinSmithThenobudget,berindieconvenience
storecomedythatstruckgoldandmadeSmiththemanheis
todaytheheartfeltifprofanechroniclerofAmerica'sslacker
belt.ReadReview
360.TheReturn(2003)
Director:AndreiZvyagintsevFamilydramaintheRussianwilds
asanestrangedfatherreturnstohistwoteenagesons:this
simplepremiseemergesasastunning,nearmythictaleof
emergentmanhoodinthehandsofadirectorfastbecoming
Russia'spremierfilmmaker.ReadReview
359.TheLadyEve(1941)
Director:PrestonSturgesTheirrepressibleSturgestakes
anotherbowinthe500,withthisfamiliarmixofrichcharacters
andmadcapplotting,asspurnedconwomanBarbaraStanwyck
disguisesherselfasanEnglishladytoromanticallytormentdotty
professorHenryFonda.ReadReview
358.RussianArk(2002)
Director:AleksandrSokurovThefilmthatfamouslyinvolvesone
singleshot,floatingthroughthehallsoftheHermitageinSt.
Petersburgduring19thcenturyRussia.It'savirtuosopieceof
directing,butcan'tquiteescapethenaggingsensationofstunt
overcontent.ReadReview
357.TheLongGoodbye(1973)
Director:RobertAltmanRobertAltman'slanguid,freeform
versionofRaymondChandler'slastgreatnovelrelocatesthe
1953storyto1973,critiquingtheoutoftimevaluesofElliott
Gould'sPhilipMarloweaslobby,unshaven,chainsmokingall
timeloserintroducedinabrilliantsequencewhichhashimtryto
passoffinferiorpetfoodonhissuperciliouscat.JohnWilliams'
superbscoreplaysendlessvariationsonatitletuneandmany
sequencesareastonishing:aviolentgangstermakingapointby
smashingaCokebottleinhismistress'face("That'ssomeoneI
loveyouIdon'tevenlike")andaninvigoratinglycynical
punchline("...andIlostmycat")thatturnsMarloweintoasort
ofwinner,afterall.Altmanputsvitalactionintothecornersofthe
frame,almostunnoticed,andhighlightstinymomentsof
weirdnessinasunstrucktapestryofLosAngelessleaze.Arnold
Schwarzenegger,noless,hasanunbilledcameoasaminor
thug.ReadReview
356.Napolon(1927)
Director:AbelGanceAtitsrestoredlength,Gance'ssilent
masterpiecerunstofiveandahalfhours.Itwasdesignedasa
giganticbiopicinsix90minuteparts,butendedupthis
magnificentgiant(aboutashortarse)withgroundbreaking
visuals,literatecaptionsandpulsatingenergy.ReadReview
355.Sunshine(2007)
Director:DannyBoyleBoylefollowedhisreinventionofzombie
horror(in28DaysLater)withthisvisuallyenthrallingspace
shocker,gesturingheavily(andsuccessfully)to2001,Alien,
evenEventHorizon.Thewackyending,however,dividespeople.
ReadReview
354.UnChienAndalou(1929)
Director:LuisBuuelNoonewilleveroutweirdBuuel'steam
upwith'tachetwiddlingSurrealismsupremoSalvadorDal,
resultinginthis17minutephantasmagoriafeaturingsevered
hands,rottingdonkeys,antssqueezingoutofhumanskinand
theinfamouseyeslitting.ReadReview
353.BugsyMalone(1976)
Director:AlanParkerItsoundsghastlyagangsterthemed
musicalpopulatedentirelybykidsbutcareofParker'snatty
visuals,decentsongs,splurgeguns,pedalpoweredsedansand,
mostremarkably,anonrevoltinggaggleofkids,itremainsa
favourite.ReadReview
352.UnfaithfullyYours(1948)
Director:PrestonSturgesSturges,ittranspires,hasfaredwell
inthistop500.Justlyso.He'sonsparklingformagainwiththis
pacymixofliteratedialogueandboldslapstick,withRex
Harrison'stroubledsymphonyconductorcontemplatingthe
murderofhispossiblyphilanderingwife,LindaDarnell.Read
Review
351.Zulu(1964)
Director:CyEndfieldInthefaceofmuchparody,itiseasyto
forgethowstirringZuluactuallyis.Glorioustogazeupon,the
battlesceneshaveanalmightyclamour,butneverattheexpense
ofthecharacters,whichincludeaposhMichaelCaine.Read
Review
350.PlanetOfTheApes(1968)
Director:FranklinJ.SchaffnerThistrippypieceofnew
Hollywoodscifimixesinissuesofrace,science,evenpolitics,
withitstetchydystopianthrillsandCharltonHeston'sbronzed
chest.Thetwistendingalonelandsitonthislist.ReadReview
349.Arthur(1981)
Director:SteveGordonThisdaftoddcoupleroutineboozy
aristoDudleyMooreromancesflightyLizaMinnelli,whileJohn
Gielgud'sstarchybutlermakesacidiccommentsproves
surprisinglyresilient.Theanswercouldbeinthedelightful
chemistrythatallthreeverydiverseactorscookup.Read
Review
348.AuHasardBalthazar(1966)
Director:RobertBressonIt'sproofofBresson'spowerasa
filmmakerthatthis,thetaleofadonkey(albeitparalleledwiththat
ofagirl),saysmoreabouthumanityourvices,ourtrials,our
selfexaminationthanadozenHollywoodpictures.Read
Review
347.AllAboutEve(1950)
Director:JosephL.MankiewiczSparklingdialogueandbrilliant
turns(AllAboutEveholdstherecordforthemostfemale
AcademyAwardnominationsfour)markoutthisindelibletale
ofaslyingnue(AnneBaxter)wholatchesontoasuccessful
theatreactress(BetteDavis).ReadReview
346.LeaveHerToHeaven(1945)
Director:JohnM.StahlAsmart,flashbackdrivennoir
melodramachartingamarriageswepttohellonadarkwaveof
jealousy.ChampionedbyScorsese,whodiscovereditonTV
afteramidnightasthmaattack.ReadReview
345.FatalAttraction(1987)
Director:AdrianLyneThemoviethatgaveusthephrase
"bunnyboiler",Lyne'scautionaryantiromancewasa
phenomenonatthetime.It'snotagedtoowell(terribleending),
butitsinfluenceisstillfelt.ReadReview
344.TheLastWaltz(1978)
Director:MartinScorseseIfWoodstock(codirectedby
Scorsese)marksthebeginningofanera,TheLastWaltz
appropriatelyandsensitivelycapturesitsend,asScorsese
documentsthelastgigbyformerDylanbackingactTheBand.
ReadReview
343.Monsters,Inc.(2001)
Director:PeteDocterAnotherPixarcharmerthatzipsalongon
abuddymoviepremise,mostnotableforthenovelconceptthat
thehorrorsslitheringunderyourbedarenothingmorethan
regularworkingschmoes.ReadReview
342.TheGoldRush(1925)
Director:CharlieChaplinMasterfullyrecreatingthefreezing
wastesofAlaskaonhisHollywoodbacklot,Chaplinkeepshis
notorioussentimentalityincheckandoffersuponeofthemost
durablegemsofthesilentera,followingtheTramp'svarying
fortunesasagoldprospector.ReadReview
341.ThePassenger(1975)
Director:MichelangeloAntonioniManywouldarguethatJack
NicholsonhasyettobetterhisleadperformanceinMichelangelo
Antonioni'scomplex,disquietingthrillerasafrazzledreporter
whoassumestheidentityofadeadgunrunner.ReadReview
340.HighAndLow(1963)
Director:AkiraKurosawaKurosawa'scontemporarycrime
thrillerisoneofhisrelativelylesserknownefforts.Don'tletthe
absenceofswordsandsamuraiarmourputyouoffabetted
onceagainbyToshiroMifune(hereabusinessmanwhoseson
iskidnapped),Kurosawaprovedhimselfamasterofanygenre
hedeignedtotackle.ReadReview
339.SpiritedAway(2001)
Director:HayaoMiyazakiFortoomany,thiswasanoverdue
introductiontothecrazybeautifuldelightsofMiyazakiand
StudioGhibliandalsoareminderofthewonderfulmythologies
thatthrivefarbeyondtheboundariesofDisney'smagic
kingdom.ReadReview
338.JulesEtJim(1962)
Director:FranoisTruffautTruffaut'sdeeplyaffectinglove
triangledramacameat(orrather,helpedform)thecrestofthe
revolutionaryFrenchNewWave,anditszestremainsuntainted.
ReadReview
337.300(2006)
Director:ZackSnyderFallingjust37placesshortofitsideal
spot,Snyder'sbuff,beefycomicadaptationslammedSparta
ontothecinematicmap.Withhelp,ofcourse,fromGerard
Butler'sveryshoutygraspoftheobvious("Thisis...
SPARTAAAA!").ReadReview
336.Titanic(1997)
Director:JamesCameronCameronsshipmeetsiceberg
magnumopuswastalkedupasadisasterinthemaking.Of
course,heprovedusallwrong,thecleverbastard.ReadReview
335.TheSeventhSeal(1957)
Director:IngmarBergmanBergman'schallengingmedieval
masterpieceisoneofcinema'smostsatisfyingworksvisually,
intellectually,spiritually.Italsoshowcasesmovies'greatestever
chessgame...ReadReview
334.TheMagnificentAmbersons(1942)
Director:OrsonWellesWelles'familydramaisofthegreats
somehow,despitethefactthatitwasinfamouslymolestedbythe
studiowhileWellesholidayed.ThesuitsblamedPearlHarbour
fortheinsertionofanupbeatending.ReadReview
333.Grease(1978)
Director:RandalKleiserStilllovinglymockedforfeaturingthe
oldesthighschoolersever,Greasecoastsonadoubledoseof
nostalgia:forthe'50sasreminiscedduringthe'70s.Read
Review
332.TheSixthSense(1999)
Director:M.NightShyamalanForgetthetwist:it'stheslow
freezechillsandupsettinglyconvincingperformancebyHaley
JoelOsmentthatdefineShyamalan'sfinestfilmtodate.Read
Review
331.TheGreenMile(1999)
Director:FrankDarabontDarabont'sotherStephenKingprison
movieisnotentirelysuccessfulatcarryingitsownweight,but
withtheheftcomesacertainrawemotionalpower.Contains
cinema'smostdisturbingexecutionscene.ReadReview
330.StarWarsEpisodeIII:RevengeOf
TheSith(2005)
Director:GeorgeLucasFourthbestStarWars,undeniablythe
mostsatisfyingoftheprequels.ReadReview
329.TheLivesOfOthers(2006)
Director:FlorianHenckelvonDonnersmarckOneofthealltoo
fewfilmsthatresistssubtitleprejudice,thischaracterdriven
Stasilanddramabeautifullyaffirmsthatwecanfindcolourin
eventhegreyestofplaces.ReadReview
328.TheTrumanShow(1998)
Director:PeterWeirOneofWeir'stalentsisthathecanturnA
liststarsintoproperactors.Here,heturnscrazygurnerJim
CarreyintoaheartbreakingeverymantrappedonTV.Read
Review
327.TheNightmareBeforeChristmas
(1993)
Director:HenrySelickWhat'sthis?What'sthis?!Aspindly,
stopmotiondelight,ingeniouslyentwiningtheappealof
Hallowe'enwithJesus'birthday.ReadReview
326.OutOfSight(1998)
Director:StevenSoderberghSosmart,sosexy.Soderbergh
returnedfromtheindiewildernesswiththissnappyElmore
Leonardadaptationthebestyetmade,withonlythepossible
exceptionofJackieBrownprecipitatingtinglychemistry
betweenthenonthecuspGeorgeClooneyandJenniferLopez.
PlayingcharismaticbankrobberJackFoley,formerTVdoctor
Clooneyfinallyarrivedasabonafidemoviestar,andhashardly
brokenhisstridesince.PlayingspunkyUSMarshallKaren
Sisco,Lopezrevealedpromiseasanactressthatyouwishshe'd
sincelivedupto,ratherthangoingoffandswishinghercurves
asJLo.AsforSodey,whileOutOfSightwasn'tasmash,itgot
criticsgushingenoughforhimtobagtheprojectsthatrocketed
himtotheAlist.Withoutthis,wemightneverhaveseenhisErin
Brockovich,TrafficorOcean'sEleven.ReadReview
325.KillBillVol.1(2003)
Director:QuentinTarantinoQT'sfirsttrueactionmovieoffers
bravurafightscenesundercutbyafun,sicksenseofhumour.
Shamehecouldn'tquitekeepeitheruptothisstandardforthe
nextinstalment.ReadReview
324.LoneStar(1996)
Director:JohnSaylesSaylesspecialisesindeliberatelypaced,
ensemble,sliceofAmericanadramas,andbolsteredbya
flashbackdrivenmysteryelement(featuringMatthew
McConaughey'sbestperformance),thisbordertownsaunteris
oneofhisfinest.ReadReview
323.TheLastSeduction(1994)
Director:JohnDahlDahlandLindaFiorentinocraftedabitch
fortheagesincraftyfemmeBridgetGregorybutthen,why
shoulditalwaysbethemenwhogetallthefuninnoir?Read
Review
322.Aladdin(1992)
Directors:RonClements,JohnMuskerHeartland
Disneytainment,bestlovedbyboysforhavingarogueishbloke
ratherthanaprincessatthecentreofthings,bestlovedby
everyoneforRobinWilliams'showstealingvocalwhirlasthe
genie.ReadReview
321.FunnyFace(1957)
Director:StanleyDonenAudreyHepburnhasrarelylooked
better,andFredAstaire'sstillonfine,toetappingforminthis
chicParisianrompsowhocaresaboutthegapingage
differencebetweenthem?Afineshowcaseforbothstars'
talents.
320.Braveheart(1995)
Director:MelGibsonHistoricallysuspect,butsowhat?Gibson
wrenchesoutallthethrillsandbloodspillshecaninthisrowdy
medievalepic,featuringoneofcinema'smoststirringbattle
scenes(TheBattleOfStirlingBridge).Rousingstuff.Read
Review
319.TheLionKing(1994)
Director:RogerAllers,RobMinkoffIt'snothardtoseeor
indeedhearwhythisisoneoftheMouseHouse'shugest
movies.Itsformula(hitsongs,bigsequences,comedy
sidekicks,tearjerkingtragedy,cutebabyanimals)hasrarely
workedbetter.ReadReview
318.Rebecca(1940)
Director:AlfredHitchcockAshisfirstHollywoodmovie,Hitch
waspressedtoadaptDaphneduMaurier'sfraughtclassicof
timidnewbridestormentedbytyrannicalhousekeepersand
distanthusbands.It'sallabitmelodramaticforthemaster,buthe
didtowintheBestPictureOscar.ReadReview
317.MidnightRun(1988)
Director:MartinBrestQuietly,hilariously,thisoddcouplethriller
wasoneofthefilmsofthe'80s.Theteamingofadrollbut
squareCharlesGrodin(asthedodgyaccountantonthelam)
andarestrainedandlikableRobertDeNiro(asthebounty
huntersenttoretrievehim)provedperfect.ReadReview
316.Trainspotting(1996)
Director:DannyBoyleThere'snodoubtingthejumpstart
Boyle'sScorsesestyledadaptationofIrvineWelsh'sdrug
odysseygavetothestuffyhomegrownindustry,nottomention
thecareerofoneEwanMcGregor.ReadReview
315.SenseAndSensibility(1995)
Director:AngLeeLee,withhiskeeneyeforthefoiblesof
humanbehaviour,wasaperfectfitforJaneAusten'ssilken
satire.It'shardlyaradicaladaptation,butwithdecent
performances,itremainspopular.ReadReview
314.SweetSmellOfSuccess(1957)
Director:AlexanderMackendrickAnextraordinary,unrivalled,
utterlycynicalpieceofHollywoodnoir,asTonyCurtis'sleazoid
pressagentrubsupagainstBurtLancaster'sformidableJ.J.
Hunsecker,theBroadwaycolumnistwhocanmakeorbreak
careers.ReadReview
313.BattleshipPotemkin(1925)
Director:SergeiEisensteinEisenstein'sdramatisationofthe
Russiannavalmutiny,citedasthekickoffpointfortherevolution
itself,putdownabreathtakingblueprintforwhatcinemacould
do.ReadReview
311.AmericanHistoryX(1998)
Director:TonyKayeHugelycontroversialinitsday,Kaye's
blackandwhitetaleofneoNaziredemptionhas,scarily,only
growninrelevance.EdwardNorton,whoreeditedamida
directorialspatlendschillingrealitytotheideaoftheintelligent
brute.ReadReview
312.Suspiria(1977)
Director:DarioArgentoAlloftheItalianhorrormaestro'sGothic
flamboyanceisondisplayinthisoperatichorrorsetinaballet
schoolrunbyhomicidalwitches,drapinghisbodilycarnagein
theglossofart.Bestdeath:thegirlwhoplungesintoapitof
barbedwire.ReadReview
310.Gremlins(1984)
Director:JoeDanteDante'brillianthorrorpasticheofcute
puppetstransformingintoswarmsofanarchicdevils.Arguably,
though,itwasproducerSpielberg'semphasisonkeepingGizmo
frontandcentrethatmadethedifference.ReadReview
309.Transformers(2007)
Director:MichaelBayThisfirstliveactionoutingforthe
complicatedJapanesetoylinecomesundercookedintheplot
department,butILM'squickchangingrobotsareunbeatable.Is
itreallyacomedy?ReadReview
308.TheTerminator(1984)
Director:JamesCameronOnlyJohnConnorcanovercomethe
monstermachineswhohavenearlyexterminatedhumanityinthe
future,sothecyberneticbaddiessendanunstoppablerobot
backintimetokillhismotherbeforeheisborn.TheTerminator
isthegreatscifihorroractionfilm,weddingideasfromold
OuterLimitsepisodesandPhilipK.Dickstoriestotherelentless,
rollercoasterpacingofHalloween.ArnoldSchwarzenegger
becameascreeniconinthisversionofhisclassicrole(heis
muchbetterasanevilterminator),wipingoutdiscosfullof
dancersorpolicestationsfullofcopsinasinglemindedsearch
forSarahConnor(LindaHamilton,withanalarmingperm)and
graduallylosinghumanshapetoappearasaStanWinston
roboskeleton.WriterdirectorJamesCameron,redeeming
himselfafterPiranhaII,launchedhiscareerarguably,the
constraintssuitedhimbetterthantheunlimitedfundshe'shadon
subsequentmovies.ReadReview
307.MidnightCowboy(1969)
Director:JohnSchlesingerBittersweet,Oscarwinningdrama
withJonVoight'scowboyhustlerstrugglingtomakeitintheBig
Apple,onlytofindaweirdkindofsolaceinthecompanyof
showstealingDustinHoffmanasshrewishbumRatsoRizzo.
JohnBarry'smusicinjectsmemorablepathos.ReadReview
306.IndianaJonesAndTheLastCrusade
(2007)
Director:StevenSpielbergSpielbergendeavouredtomixitup
forthis,thelightestoftheIndyquartet.AddingSeanConneryas
awisecrackingJonesSr.wasatriumph,althoughthequestfor
theHolyGrailfeelsabitformulaic.ReadReview
305.ThePrestige(2006)
Director:ChristopherNolanInthewakeofTheDarkKnight,this
twistedtaleofwarringVictorianmagiciansappearsmoreofa
sideattractiononNolan'sgrimcanon.Still,it'sgorgeoustolook
at,evenifthe'cleverness'ofitsendingremainsopentodebate.
ReadReview
304.RadioDays(1987)
Director:WoodyAllenMadetowardstheendofAllen'searly,
funnyphase,thisisasweetnaturedhomagetothebigband
daysofearlyradio,beamedacrossAmericathroughtubsized
Magnavoxradios.Slight,byhisearlystandards,butevocative
andlovableallthesame.ReadReview
303.Together(2000)
Director:LukasMoodysonThefilmthatmadeMoodyssonthe
hipkidofnewSwedishcinemaisanythingbutBergman
reinvented.Setina'70sStockholmcommune,it'slightonits
feet:anendearinglyfizzypictureofthestruggleforhuman
expressioninacrowdof'individuals'.ReadReview
302.TheBestYearsOfOurLives(1946)
Director:WilliamWylerThisprescientdramatacklesthere
adjustmentofreturningservicemen.Perhapsalittledatedinits
pressedemotions,GreggToland'sKanelikedeepfocusstill
givesitawonderfullymemorablelook.ReadReview
301.LoveAndDeath(1975)
Director:WoodyAllenWoodyinhiscomedicprimeexitsNew
YorkfortheverdantbattlefieldsofRussianliteratureinthis
hilariousmashupofTolstoy,Chekhov,DostoevskyandAllen's
plaintiveJewishoneliners.ReadReview
300.SawdustAndTinsel(1953)
Director:IngmarBergmanThroughthestructureofatravelling
circus,Bergmanpreoccupieshimselfwiththetormentsofmarital
jealousyhowapartnerssexualpastcancastshadowsonthe
present.TheSwedishauteurratherlivinguptohismordant
clich...
299.ThePalmBeachStory(1942)
Director:PrestonSturgesThisbitofscrewballSturgesmagic
concernsitselfwithmaritalfidelitybeneaththelureofmoney.An
improbableinspirationforIndecentProposal.ReadReview
298.LeCercleRouge(1970)
Director:JeanPierreMelvilleMelville,thatbelovedmasterof
Frenchnoir,deliversamorallymurkycrimestoryofhonour
amongpokerfacedthieves,andcorruptionamonghardened
cops.ReadReview
297.ItHappenedOneNight(1934)
Director:FrankCapraAnotherjustlycelebratedCaprafablehas
snappyheiressClaudetteColbert,ontherunfromhercosseted
life,hititoffwithcynicalreporterClarkGableinsearchofjust
thiskindofstory.ReadReview
296.AllThePresidentsMen(1976)
Director:AlanJ.PakulaTheWatergatescandaltoldwithrazor
sharpintelligencefromtheperspectiveofWoodwardand
Bernstein(realisedviatheopposingstylesofDustinHoffman
andRobertRedford)arguablythebestfilmabouttheFourth
Estate.ReadReview
295.TheUntouchables(1987)
Director:BrianDePalmaMadewithallofDePalmasstylistic
brio,butanchoredbyDavidMametssteelyscript,thisisthe
gangsterepicascomicbookfable.ReadReview
294.TheRedBalloon(1956)
Director:AlbertLamorisseOneoftheworldsmostfamous
shorts,echoingJeanPierreJeunetsfairytalestyle,asasmall
boyisstrangelypursuedbytheballoonhesforcedtoabandon.
293.LaMamanEtLaPutain(1973)
Director:JeanEustacheNavelgazingParisiantypespuffon
GauloisesinmurkycafswhiletakingtheFreudianroute
throughlifefallinginandoutoftheircomplexlovelives.Ifit
soundsirritating,itsactuallylovely.ReadReview
292.LaBelleEtLaBte(1946)
Director:JeanCocteauPerhapsanticipatinghisadult
audiencessuspicionofafairytaleadaptation,
poet/artist/directorJeanCocteauopenshissurreal(inthetrue
sense)takeontheBeautyAndTheBeastfablewitha
reasonableenoughrequest:Iaskofyoualittlechildlike
simplicity.Ifthatseemsunnecessarytomodernviewerslong
familiarwithBurton,GilliamorindeedDisneyssmarteroutput
(includingitsownversionofthestory,whichowesmuchtothis),
considerthatCocteauwasaddressingapopulaceonlyrecently
liberatedfromNaziruleinacountrydevastatedbywar.Of
course,LaBelleEtLaBteitselfisneitherchildlikenorsimple.
Cocteausfairytaleworldisrenderedwithbaroqueopulence(a
youngPierreCardinworkedonthecostumes)andbreathesa
creepy,nightmarishatmosphere.Ingenioustrickshotsconjure
suchunsettlingwondersasselflightinghandcandlesandeye
rollingstatuesthentheresthelionesqueBeasthimself(the
astonishingJeanMarais),whosehandseerilysmokewhenhes
drawnblood.Italsotingleswithsexualenergythroughout,
packedwithenoughhintsandwinkstohavemadeevenDr.
Freudhimselfblush.Certainlynotoneforallthefamily.Read
Review
291.RoccoAndHisBrothers(1960)
Director:LuchinoViscontiItalianneorealismagogoasa
widowandherpettybroodtrytoeekoutanewlifeinMilan.If
lowonorderlyplot,itburstswithrichcharactersandturbulent
emotions.ReadReview
290.Rashomon(1950)
Director:AkiraKurosawaUnforgettablesamuraieramemory
gamesfromtheJapanesemasterasacrimeisreplayedfrom
fivedifferentviewpoints.ReadReview
289.JohnCarpentersTheThing(1982)
Director:JohnCarpenterPerhapsitwasCarpentersfusionof
scifiandhorror,orRobBottinsbodyshockFX,orspikyKurt
Russell,orthepredictionoftheAIDSepidemicinthealienvirus
plotline,butthisremakegetsinyourheadandneverbudges.
ReadReview
288.WhoFramedRogerRabbit(1988)
Director:RobertZemeckisAtechnicalmarvel,butwejustloveit
forputtingDaffyandDonaldinthesamescene...ReadReview
287.SecretsAndLies(1996)
Director:MikeLeighLeighsadoptiondramaisfullofnativewit
(Youvegotafacelikeaslappedarse),greatperformances
(especiallyBrendaBlethyn),andatouchingsenseoftheebb
andflowofreallife.ReadReview
286.LAvventura(1960)
Director:MichelangeloAntonioniTheultimatearthouseflick.A
couplegoinsearchofamissinggirl,butthemysterybecomes
anexcusetoexplorealienation,crackingpsychesandbarren
landscapesinslow,strikingimages.Masterful.
285.Solaris(1972)
Director:AndreiTarkovskyLikeEventHorizon,Solarisseesa
spacestationcrewgodoolallywithhallucinations.UnlikeEvent
Horizon,itispainfullyslow,beautiful,andperhapstheclosetsci
ficinemahascometotheprofundityofscifiliterature.Read
Review
284.Scarface(1983)
Director:BrianDePalmaDePalmashymntogangsterexcess
(violence,swearing,whitesuits)istakentoevenfurtherheights
byPacinoonbarnstormingform.Itisalsothederigueur
favouritefilmofanypremiershipfootballer.ReadReview
283.Ran(1985)
Director:AkiraKurosawaAKdoesTheBardsKingLear(with
sonsratherthandaughters)withsomeofthedirectorsgreatest
battlesequences,butalsodeliversatellingmeditationonloyalty,
revenge,powerandwar.ReadReview
282.TheGodfatherPartIII(1990)
Director:FrancisFordCoppolaThemuchderidedCorleone
threequelfindsitswayontothelist,perhapsthroughresidual
loveforthefirsttwo.Still,itsalotbetterthanyourememberit.
EspeciallyAndyGarcia.ReadReview
281.InterviewWithTheVampire(1994)
Director:NeilJordanAnneRicesvampirechroniclesgettheA
listtreatment,withTomandBradasbickeringbloodsuckers.
Sexy,gory,voluptuousandstrangelyhypnotic.Bestthinginit:a
veryyoungKirstenDunst.ReadReview
280.MadMax2(1982)
Director:GeorgeMillerTheRoadWarrior(themuchcoolerUS
title)makesthefirstmovielooklikeCBeebies,boastingtruly
whiteknucklecarmageddon.AndforgetaboutRiggs
RockatanskyisGibbosfinestcreation.ReadReview
279.NationalLampoonsAnimalHouse
(1978)
Director:JohnLandisThegrossoutcomedy,butstillwitha
keensenseofsatireforUScampusrituals.Letsfaceit:thisis
whytogaparties,foodfightsandroadtripsaresodamned
attractive.ReadReview
278.CarlitosWay(1993)
Director:BrianDePalmaPacinoshinesastheeponymousex
con,DePalmamountsanotherterrificrailwaystationsetpiece
andDavidKoeppsscriptthrowssuchcoollinesas,"Youthink
yourebigtime?Youregonnadiebigtime!"
277.OnTheTown(1949)
Director:StanleyDonen,GeneKellySailorson24hourshore
leave.Thepursuitofapinupgirl.NewYorkinthe40s.IfOn
TheTownisntthemostfamousmusical,itisperhapsthemost
archetypal.Createdbythemusicalgalcticos(Kelly,Donen,
Sinatra,Bernstein),theclassicpremiseisembroideredwith
greatnumbers(NewYork,NewYork,PrehistoricMan,thetitle
song),ballsyinnovation(itwasthefirstmusicaltopartlyshooton
location)andsomeofthemostmuscular,inventive
choreographyevercommittedtocelluloidinAnnMiller,Kelly
foundthatrarething:adancerwhocouldmatchhimstepfor
step.BetweenthesongsKellymakesthecentralromance
affecting,BettyComdenandAdolphGreensscriptsparkles
(DidyouseeTheLostWeekend?Yes,Imlivingthroughit!),
andforgetNewYorkthewholethinghasenoughenergyto
gettothemoon.Andback.ReadReview
276.LayerCake(2004)
Director:MatthewVaughnThefilmthatmadetheBritgangster
genrerespectableoncemoreturnedtheworldontoDaniel
Craig,whoplaysitsnamelessdrugdealer,andmarkedMatthew
Vaughnasacinematictalentbeyondtheproducerschair.All
that,andSiennaathersexiest.ReadReview
275.MyNeighbourTotoro(1988)
Director:HayaoMiyazakiTwogirlsmovetothecountryand
havemagicalencounterswithwondrousforestsprites.Miyazaki
ingenteelandlanguidmode,butdeeperandwithoutthe
familiarityfactorofSpiritedAway.
274.SinCity(2005)
Director:RobertRodriguez,FrankMillerForgetChaucerthis
Millerstaleisblackandwhitebutbloodredallover,ashisbone
crunching,bonerinducing,morallybankrupthypernoiruniverse
isrealisedlikeacomicbookat24fps.ReadReview
273.TheMalteseFalcon(1941)
Director:JohnHustonHustonsfirstfilmasadirectorandstill
hisbest,inwhichBogartsSamSpadeslapsdames,crackswise
andsolvescrimesinaplotthatisgloriouslyunfathomable.Read
Review
272.TheBirdWithTheCrystalPlumage
(1970)
Director:DarioArgentoFeaturesaglovedmurderer,kinkysex,
luridcolours,politicsandagreatsetpieceinvolvingaglass
cage.VintageArgento,then.
271.PeeWeesBigAdventure(1985)
Director:TimBurtonBurtonsdebutisaBicycleThievesforthe
80s,asPaulReubensmanchildquestsforhismissingbike.A
liveaction,eyepoppingcartoon.ReadReview
270.TheDeathOfMr.Lazarescu(2005)
Director:CristiPuiuIfDieHardhasexplosions,thisRomanian
masterpiecehasfalteringbureaucracyandstomachpains,asa
dyingOAPisrefusedadmittancetonumerousBucharest
hospitals.Black,bleaklyfunny,brilliantlyKafkaesque.Read
Review
269.APlaceInTheSun(1951)
Director:GeorgeStevensNottheChannel4foreignproperty
showbutGeorgeStevenscharacterstudyoftheAmericanmale
inmeltdown(asuperb,poignantMontgomeryClift),underpinned
withmasterlyfilmmakingcontrol.ReadReview
268.TheLadyVanishes(1938)
Director:AlfredHitchcockAnolddeargoesmissingonboarda
BalkanExpress,settinginmotioncinemasgreatestrailway
romp.Makingthemostridiculousplotengaging,Hitchcockhas
rarelybeenmoreblissfullyentertaining.ReadReview
267.CrimesAndMisdemeanors(1989)
Director:WoodyAllenWoody'sbestsincehisManhattan
heyday,it'sasophisticated,ambitious,darkmeditationon
murderandguiltthatstillmanagestobeuproariouslyfunny.To
wit:"Astrangeman...defecatedonmysister.""Why?"Read
Review
266.GhostWorld(2001)
Director:TerryZwigoffAzerodegreetakeontwisted
adolescence,asoddballgirlsThoraBirchandScarlett
Johanssonenterthebig,wideworld.Blacklycomic,it'sasaving
graceforfreaksandgeekseverywhere.ReadReview
265.A.I.ArtificialIntelligence(2001)
Director:StevenSpielbergSpielbergchannellingStanley
KubrickdoesPinocchioinadystopianfuture.Achallenging
hybridofsentimentandwonder(SS)andcoldnessand
perversity(SK).PerhapsthemostfascinatingfilmofSpielberg's
career.ReadReview
264.AmericanGraffiti(1973)
Director:GeorgeLucasLucas'lovelettertocruising,rock'n'roll
andgrowingupisthefirstandbestFourFriendsAtA
Crossroadsmovie.Warm,funny,wise,andlightyearsaway
fromStarWars.ReadReview
263.DasBoot(1981)
Director:WolfgangPetersenThemostclaustrophobicfilmon
thislist,chartingtheadventuresofGermanUboatU96.A
superblycraftedexerciseinnerveshreddingtension,compelling
characterisationandtheminutiaeofsubmarinelife.Read
Review
262.TheVirginSuicides(1999)
Director:SofiaCoppolaDebutanteCoppolasretellingofJeffrey
Eugenidesnovelfivesistersengageinasuicidepactis
theperfectcallingcardforherdreamy,lyricalstyle.GreatAir
score,too.ReadReview
261.RomanHoliday(1953)
Director:WilliamWylerThemoviethatgavetheworldAudrey
Hepburn,thischarmingtaleofaEuropeanroyalgoingAWOLin
RomeandfallingforGregoryPeckisinvestedwithmaximum
magic.ReadReview
260.FieldOfDreams(1989)
Director:PhilAldenRobinsonAbeguiling,Capraesque
baseballfantasythatgetsitssentimentjustright,anchoredby
KevinCostnerontopform.Ifyoubuildit,wewillcome.Andcry
buckets.ReadReview
259.GroundhogDay(1993)
Director:HaroldRamisThegreatesthighconceptcomedyof
themodernera.Ramis,BillMurrayandco.minethesimpleidea
ofhavingtorepeatasingledayoverandoverforallitsworth.
"Peoplearemorons."ReadReview
258.TheBluesBrothers(1980)
Director:JohnLandisThebestinrhythmandbluesmeetsthe
bestinspectacularcarcrashactionmeetsthebestincult
sunglasswearingcharacters.ReadReviewPickuptheissuefor
PhilipWilding'strackbytrackbreakdownoftheBluesBrothers
soundtrack
257.TheBlackCat(1997)
Director:EdgarG.UlmerTwoofhorrorsmostloomingicons,
BelaLugosiandBorisKarloff,unitedforthispostWorldWarI
commentarywrappedinacloakofterror.
256.LeQuaiDesBrumes(1938)
Director:MarcelCarnSopervadingisthegloominCarns
chronicleofadoomedFrencharmydeserterthathewaspartly
blamedforFrancefailingtofightoccupationduringthewar.
ReadReview
255.Ninotchka(1939)
Director:ErnstLubitsch"Garbolaughs,"saidthetagofthis
romcom.Anditwastherelaxingofherusuallyhaughtyfaade
thatmadethiscementanicon.ReadReview
254.TheVerdict(1982)
Director:SidneyLumetLumetsreturntothecourtroomworks
asacompanionto12AngryMen.Wherethefirstsimmered,
thisreleasesallthetensioninbombastictrialscenes,playedwith
gustobyPaulNewmanReadReview
253.FirstBlood(1982)
Director:TedKotcheffBeforeRambobecameaboutgoreand
sportwithgoatcarcasses,itwasaportraitofamanwhoonly
knowshowtobeawarrior,evenwhennobodywantsone.Read
Review
252.TheLeopard(1963)
Director:LuchinoViscontiItstemptingtowonderhowViscontis
epicmasterpiecemighthaveturnedouthadLaurenceOlivier,
thedirectorsfirstchoiceofleadingman,metwithhisproducers
approval.Probablynobetterthanitalreadydoes,whichisto
payanenormouscomplimenttoBurtLancasterwho,againstall
expectations,bringsawealthofdignityandpathostothetitle
roleofPrinceDonFabrizioSalina,aSicilianaristocratand
patriarchstrivingtopreservehisfamilysprosperityinthefaceof
approachingrevolutionandtheimpendingdeathoftheoldorder.
NotalltheplauditsbelongtoLancaster,ofcourse.Viscontis
directionisasambitiousandvisuallyinspiredasever,
particularlyinthe45minuteballroomscenethatactsasthe
filmselegiaccoda.ReadReview
251.Darling(1965)
Director:JohnSchlesingerThisbitchyJulieChristievehicle
flaggeduptheshallownessofcelebritylongbeforeParisHilton.
ReadReview
250.Sunrise(1927)
Director:F.W.MurnauAstandardpotboileraboutaman
pushedtobumpoffhiswifebyaseductressiselevatedto
dreamlikeintensitybythevisualbrillianceofMurnau.Read
Review
249.MyDarlingClementine(1946)
Director:JohnFordFordstakeonWyattEarpwithHenry
FondaasthelegendaryTombstonesheriffisunapologetically
poetic,concerningitselflesswiththeO.K.CorralthanEarps
friendship/rivalrywithVictorMaturesDocReadReview
248.PandorasBox(1929)
Director:GeorgWilhelmPabstEvenifyoudontknowthefilm,
youllknowtheimageofpouting,bobhairedLouiseBrooks.This
storyofadoomedwomanisasymphonyofstyle.ReadReview
247.AllThatJazz(1979)
Director:BobFosseFossewasoneofthemostexcitingtalents
inmusicals,andthisisnonemoreFosse,giddywithinvention
andtakingasmanylibertieswiththegenreasMoulinRouge!.
ReadReview
246.ThePhiladelphiaStory(1940)
Director:GeorgeCukorThequintessentialmovietheydont
makeanymore.Canyouimaginethreebetterpeopleforalove
trianglethanCaryGrant,KatharineHepburnandJimmy
Stewart?Evenifyouthinkyoucan,youcant.ReadReview
245.Downfall(2004)
Director:OliverHirschbiegelWithhisfeaturedebut,the
shockingDasExperiment,GermandirectorHirschbiegelarrived
astheEuropeanfilmmakertogetexcitedabout.Notonetosteer
clearofcontroversy,implicitlyDasExperimentwasaboutthe
riseoftheNazis,andforhisnexttrickhewentthewholehog
depictingHitlersfinaldaysinhisBerlinbunker,theFhrer
tippedintoahyperbolicfrenzybythefallofhiskingdom.Giving
evilahumanface,Hirschbiegeldaresuseventosympathise
withthecollapsingReich.Thatis,untilyouseeFrauGoebbels
icilypoisonherownchildren.ItmakesHirschbiegelscrashand
burninHollywoodTheInvasionallthemoregalling.Read
Review
244.DazedAndConfused(1993)
Director:RichardLinklaterTheplot,suchasitis,concernsthe
lastdayofschoolin1976Texas,butitsRichardLinklaters
capturingofteenagehangupsthatgivesthiseternallylikable
filmcultclassicstatus.ReadReview
243.Heimat(1984)
Director:EdgarReitzTherunningtimeis924minutes.Ittakes
thatlongtotellthestoryof20thcenturyGermanythroughone
familydrama.PartOnewassaidtobeoneofKubricksfavourite
filmsyouwontbebored.Youmight,however,needthetoilet.
ReadReview
242.KingKong(1933)
Director:MerianC.CooperandErnestB.SchoedsackA
pioneerinspecialeffects,it'salsoanargumentthateffectsdont
matter.Yes,theapeisclearly,tothemoderneye,acrudely
animateddoll,butyouretooconvincedbyKongasacharacter
tonotice.ReadReview
241.BrightonRock(1947)
Director:JohnBoultingIfyouthinkofRichardAttenboroughas
thatavuncularwhitebeardedgent,watchhiminthisseedy
adaptationofGrahamGreenesnovelaboutatwobitcrimgoing
todastardlylengthstoconcealamurder.Genuinelyterrifying.
ReadReview
240.ForrestGump(1994)
Director:RobertZemeckisOnemansheartwarmerisanother
mansschmaltz,butitsimpossibletodenythecraftonshowin
Zemeckisstoryofasimpletonwhocanthelpbutsucceed.Read
Review
239.CinemaParadiso(1988)
Director:GiuseppeTornatoreThissaunteringchronicleofa
boysloveforcinemaandalocalprojectionistshouldquiverthe
lipofanytruebluemovielover,particularlyinitsmontageof
bannedkisses.Andthenthewonderfulendingshouldleaveyou
awreck.ReadReview
238.RequiemForADream(2000)
Director:DarrenAronofskyIfPishowedthatAronofskywasfull
ofideas,hisfollowupshowedwedidntknowthehalfofit,with
thedirectorstoyboxoftechnicaltricksprovidingthefilmsbig
buzzamidagrippingpessimism.ReadReview
237.Delicatessen(1991)
Director:JeanPierreJeunetandMarcCaroJeunetandCaro
are,ofcourse,veryodd,buttheirattentiontodetailinthistaleof
loveandcannibalismiswonderful.LikeTerryGilliamwithmore
heartandabrighterpalette.ReadReview
236.BlackNarcissus(1947)
Director:MichaelPowellandEmericPressburgerTheplot
concernsagroupofnunsintheHimalayas,toilingagainstcold
forceswithoutandlustyforceswithin,butitstheimagesthat
makethisessential.Astonishingvisualstorytelling.ReadReview
235.BattleRoyale(2000)
Director:KinjiFukasakuSchoolkidswearingexplosivecollars
forcedtofighttothedeath?Fukasakuspicisaforceful
commentonadolescentalienation.ReadReview
234.TheBourneUltimatum(2007)
Director:PaulGreengrassIfyouwatchthethirdintheBourne
trilogyclosely,youllnoticethatPaulGreengrassneverstopsthe
actiontotellthestory.Theactiontellsthestory.Nowthatis
popcornfilmmaking.ReadReview
233.IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOf
Doom(1984)
Director:StevenSpielbergConsideredalesserIndy,thesequel
stillhasbagstorecommendit.Theopeningisthebestofthe
trilogyandIndyactuallywinsinthisone.ReadReview
232.JurassicPark(1993)
Director:StevenSpielbergSodtheeffects.Groundbreakingas
ILMsdinosaurworkmightbe,itwouldmatterlittleifSpielberg
hadntengineeredafearsomelytense,whiteknuckleridearound
IslaNublarsmainattractions.ReadReview
231.ShaunOfTheDead(2004)
Director:EdgarWrightItsrareforacomedyhorrortobeboth
funnyandfrightening,butEdgarWrightmanageditinhiswildly
populardebut.ABritishfilmthatshowswevegotfarmorethan
bonnetsandgangsterstooffertheworld.ReadReview
230.HowlsMovingCastle(2004)
Director:HayaoMiyazakiAsurprisingMiyazakitohaveinthe
list,giventhosethatdidntmakeit.Butevensecondtier
Miyazakioutdoesmostotheranimation,andthemysticismof
DianaWynneJonesnovelperfectlyfitsthedirectorsdream
logic.ReadReview
229.Festen(1998)
Director:ThomasVinterbergTheDogmemanifestoisperfectly
appliedinthisleanstoryofdarkfamilyaccusationsatdinner.
Strippingeverythingbacktoitsbarebonespullsfocusontothe
smallestaction.ReadReview
228.NoCountryForOldMen(2007)
Director:JoelandEthanCoenAruthlesslyefficientthriller,and
proofthatnoonemakescrimemoviesquiteliketheCoens.How
manyotherdirectorscouldmakeanassassininaDeliaSmith
wigterrifying?ReadReview
227.Lon(1994)
Director:LucBessonFamiliarterritoryforBesson,butmade
intosomethingspecialduetoacertainchildperformance...
ReadReview
226.Romeo+Juliet(1996)
Director:BazLuhrmannItsclearthatgenerationshavebeen
immunisedagainstShakespeareindullEnglishlessons,given
thatthisdizzilypacedromanticepicistheonlyShakespeareon
thelist(RandoesntusetheBardsdialogue,evenintranslation).
Itclearlytakesalottogetpeoplepastthatprejudice,but,by
recolouringtheactioninMexicankitschandfilmingwiththe
franticenergyofinfatuation,Luhrmannmanagedit.Hemade
Shakespearecool,remindingusthatthisisastoryaboutteens
inlove,defyingtheirparentsandpickingfights.His
interpretationopenedthewayforShakespeareproductionsboth
morefaithfultotheoriginaltextandmoreoutrageousintheir
staging.Perhapsforournextlist,peoplewillallowanother
coupleoftheBardsworksintothefoldReadReview
225.GetCarter(1971)
Director:MikeHodgesBleakandbrutal,theiconicand
archetypalBritgritthrillerretainsagrubbyauthenticity.Michael
Caineshowsadmirablylittleregardforhisimage,playingan
antiherowhostheepitomeofhatefulcool.ReadReview
224.DistantVoices,StillLives(1988)
Director:TerenceDaviesSoundslikekitchensinkmiserablism,
butDaviesautobiographicaltaleoffamilylifein50sLiverpoolis
unmatchedinitsvisuallyricismwithaferociousperformance
fromPetePostlethwaite.
223.Safe(1995)
Director:ToddHaynesJulianneMooreisawomanwhocould
beallergictoherenvironment...Safeisntjustabouther
condition,thoughwiththemesofloneliness,dissatisfactionand
fearofthemodernworld,itsaboutours.ReadReview
222.MotherAndSon(1997)
Director:AleksandrSokurovARussiancinepoemmeditating
onmaternallove,thetransienceofexistenceandthebondsof
time.StuckbetweenAnimalHouseandSouthPark:Bigger,
Longer&Uncutonmostcriticslists.ReadReview
221.McCabe&MrsMiller(1971)
Director:RobertAltmanSounconcernedwithWesterntropesof
glamour,excitementandgunfights,andyetoneofthemost
engagingportraitsoffrontierlifeoncelluloid...Youveembraced
AltmansAmerica.ReadReview
220.FarFromHeaven(2002)
Director:ToddHaynesBestappreciatedbyadmirersofDouglas
Sirks50smelodramas,Hayneshomageismoreexplicitbutstill
emotional:astoryofrepression,desireandhopeforfractured
lives.ReadReview
219.TheOutlawJoseyWales(1976)
Director:ClintEastwoodItsnothardtoarguethisisClints
finestbehindcameraworkwerejustsurprisedmanyofhis
moviesdidntmakethe500.Here,EastwoodmakeshisMan
WithNoNamepersonatrulyhuman,whileoffering(hesays
unintentional)involvingcritiqueonVietnam.ReadReview
218.Mr.HulotsHoliday(1953)
Director:JacquesTatiLikeMr.BeansHoliday.ButinFrench.
AndwithoutRowanAtkinson.Anditsreallyfunny.Okay,notlike
MrBeansHolidayatall.Exceptithasholidayinthetitlegiveus
that.ReadReview
217.TheMagnificentSeven(1960)
Director:JohnSturgesCanyourememberallseven?Really?
Getapieceofpaperandwritethemdown.Youwillgetsix,
unlessyoucheat.Goon,doit.Writeinifwerewrong.Read
Review
216.SundayBloodySunday(1971)
Director:JohnSchlesingerChartingtheendofan
unconventionalaffairPeterFinchandGlendaJacksonarein
lovewiththesamemanSchlesingerspictureisgentlytragic:
anuncompromisingvisionofcompromisedlives.
215.JackieBrown(1997)
Director:QuentinTarantinoUnderratedonrelease,QTsthird
hasagedbeautifullyappropriategivenitscharactersare
facingmiddleage,regretandlastchances.ReadReview
214.ArmyOfShadows(1969)
Director:JeanPierreMelvilleMelvillerecountseveryday
heroismandhorrorsinauniqueWorldWarIIthriller.Feelstrue
becauseitis.ReadReview
213.SongsFromTheSecondFloor
(2000)
Director:RoyAnderssonAcriticsfavouritefouryearsinthe
makingandvirtuallyimpossibletodescribe,thoughslapstick
IngmarBergmancomesclose...Canyouimaginesuchathing?
No?Thengoseeitforyourself.
212.M(1931)
Director:FritzLangAGermancityisterrorisedbyHansBeckert
(PeterLorre),apudgyyoungmanwhocompulsivelywhistles
GriegsHallOfTheMountainKingasheapproachesthechildren
hemurders(and,itisimplied,molests).FritzLangsfirstsound
filmisanincrediblyinfluentialpsychothriller,establishing
conventionsstillusedbyserialkillermoviesasitintercutsthe
murdererspatheticlifewiththeinvestigationofhisoutrages.
WhileLorreprovidesahorriblysympatheticfocusforthefilm,
Langshowshowhiscrimesaffecttheentirecityeven
promptingprofessionalcriminalstotrackhimlikeananimal
throughthestreetsafterBeckertdrawsaninconvenientpolice
presence.
211.MoulinRouge!(2001)
Director:BazLuhrmannAwhirligigofsong,danceand
romance.TheskillwithwhichLuhrmannstitchestogetherbizarre
buteffectivecoverversionsofpopclassicsisextraordinarythe
shockisstillthewaythatKidmanandMcGregoranchorthe
theatricalitywithemotion.ReadReview
210.Platoon(1986)
Director:OliverStoneBornoutofhisownexperience,Stones
searingexposoftheVietnamWarremainsthemostauthentic
picturetocomeoutoftheconflict."Y'allknowaboutkilling?I'd
liketohearaboutit."ReadReview
209.LocalHero(1983)
Director:BillForsythThethemeofcapitalismversuscommunity
meansForsythsflickretainsitsrelevancetoday,whilethe
talentedensemblecastneverletquirksovercometheir
characters,ensuringthissmalltowncomedyischarmingwithout
beingtwee.ReadReview
208.TheDeparted(2006)
Director:MartinScorseseRemakesareofteninfernalaffairs
thisoneliterallyso,smartlycastingJackNicholsonasamobster
MephistophelesinapicturethatfinallysnaggedScorsesean
overdueOscar.Yourvotesproveitwasntpurelyasentiment
drivenaward,though.ReadReview
207.TheMisfits(1961)
Director:JohnHustonPerhapsasurpriseinclusion,givenits
notgenerallyconsideredHustonsbestpicture,butholdsaplace
inheartsasthefinalfilmofbothromanticleads:MarilynMonroe
andClarkGable.ReadReview
206.TheExorcist(1973)
Director:WilliamFriedkinObviouslyherebecauseitsa
broodingmeditationonfaith,fearandthechallengesofchild
rearing...Notbecauseofthewholeunfortunateonanismwitha
crucifixincident.Ortheextremeprofanity.Orthepeasoup...No.
ReadReview
205.TheAddiction(1995)
Director:AbelFerraraChristopherWalkenisavampirevein
drainingisadrugmetaphorAbelFerraraisanarthouseand
exploitationauteur.ReadReview
204.TheBrideOfFrankenstein(1935)
Director:JamesWhaleBorisKarloffreturnsasTheMonsterin
Whalesexpressionisminflectedhorror:asiconicanddistinctive
asitsantiheroineslightningstreakedhair,andwaybetterthan
theoriginal.ReadReview
203.LifeOfBrian(1979)
Director:TerryJonesThePythonsoriginallyintendedtoskewer
Christianityuntiltheyreadthegospelsanddecided"wehave
noquarrelwithMr.Christ".Theirsecondfeatureactually
evisceratesreligiousbigotryandhypocrisy.Andisfunnyashell.
ReadReview
202.TheKiller(1989)
Director:JohnWooActionatitsmostextravagantandimpactful,
triggeringanEasterninfluenceonHollywood.Apologies,but
Empireislegallyobligedtonoteitsspectacular"bulletballets".
ReadReview
201.JFK(1991)
Director:OliverStoneStonesdissectionoftheassassination
thatscarredthe20thcenturyfeelsnutritiousbutneverdidactic.
The"magicbullet"monologuedeliveredmasterfullybyKevin
CostnerobliteratestheWarrenCommission.Conspiracy?
Youbetterbelieveit.ReadReview
200.BeforeSunrise(1995)
Director:RichardLinklaterThesoppy/sophisticatedtwohander
playsasaffectingtributetoyounglove,lentrealemotionalheftin
retrospectbythenineyearslatersequel.ReadReview
199.TheTexasChainSawMassacre
(1974)
Director:TobeHooperADIYshockerthatprefiguredtorture
pornby30years...Lessbloodandbutcherythanyouactually
think,butitshowthetoneandtexturemakeyoufeel:violated,
terrified,exhilarated.ReadReview
198.Fargo(1996)
Director:Joel&EthanCoenThehomespunmurderstorythat
finallywroughttheBrothersKookOscarrecognition,andthough
their"itstrue"claimsprovedmischievous,Frances
McDormand'swarm,uptheduffrozzermakesitfeelreal.Read
Review
197.PointBreak(1991)
Director:KathrynBigelowBeforeNeotherewasJohnnyUtah:
young,dumbandfullofcomeon,cantyouspotthesubtext?
beauty.Surfinandstealin,buddybeefcakesKeanuReevesand
PatrickSwayzeforgetheultimatebromance.ReadReview
196.Amlie(1999)
Director:JeanPierreJeunetJeunet'sperfectlypitchedlittle
charmerisoneforwistfulromanticseverywhere.Italsooffersan
objectlessoninhowtobeabetterperson.Towit...ReadReview
195.ItsAWonderfulLife(1946)
Director:FrankCapra**TheultimateChristmasmovie,and
Caprasmostenduringevenifitwasafloponrelease.Read
Review
194.BicycleThieves(1948)
Director:VittorioDeSicaAnimpoverishedfathersjobdepends
onhisbicycle,whichsomestreetbastardsteals.Onan
increasinglydesperateSunday,trailedbyhisyoungson,he
triestogetthebikeback.DeSicasneorealistbreakthroughis
asmuchweepieassocialdrama.Theclimaxstillmakesstrong
mencrybuckets...ReadReview
193.EdWood(1994)
Director:TimBurtonBurtonandJohnnyDeppcollaboratetotell
thestoryoftheworldsworstfilmmaker,butelevatehimtoheroic
statusbyexploringhisworldofmisfitsandcutpricemagic.
ReadReview
192.Eraserhead(1977)
Director:DavidLynchArare70sfilmcompletelydivorcedfrom
itstimesthesolemnlylostHenry(JackNance)wouldbeas
outofplaceanywhereasheisintheindustrialpocketuniverse
ofthefilm.ReadReview
191.BrokebackMountain(2005)
Director:AngLeeGaylovestory,endofthetrailWestern,
auteurworkfromLee,faithfulliteraryadaptationandshowcase
fortwohotmalestarsof2005.Notbad.ReadReview
190.Big(1988)
Director:PennyMarshallThesedays,whenaTomHanksfilm
comeswitha)anAcademyAwardwin,b)aDirectedBySteven
Spielbergcredit,andc)MegRyan,itseasytoforgetwhata
greatcomedicactorthemanis.Andperhapsthestandoutofhis
comedycanonisBig,thebest80sbodyswapmovie,directed
byMarshallandwrittenbyanotherSpielberg(sisterAnne).
HanksbeautifullyplaysJoshasakidplayinganadult,never
losingsightofthechildishdelightsandinsecuritiesofbeing
young.Thesedays,hemayspecialiseineverymenunder
enormousduress(CastAway,TheTerminal)buthereheisdeft,
lightfingeredandultimatelyextraordinarilymoving.ReadReview
189.Ghostbusters(1984)
Director:IvanReitmanImagineNationalLampoondoingH.P.
Lovecraft,withahitthemesong.ThisseesBillMurrayathis
driest,SigourneyWeaverinaslit,redeveningdress,andthe
StayPuftMarshmallowManinvadingNewYork.ReadReview
188.SchoolOfRock(2003)
Director:RichardLinklaterLinklatersmostcommercialoutingto
dateis,appropriately,hismostpopularmainlythankstohis
surprisinglyunannoyingschoolkidcastandthefactthathe
allowsJackBlacklooseintheactor/comedian/musicians
comfortzone.ReadReview
187.TheBigCountry(1958)
Director:WilliamWylerAcowboyepic,memorableforGregory
PeckslengthyfistfightwithCharltonHeston(inarare,
interestingbadguyrole)andexpansivevisionsofwide,open
spacesaccompaniedbyamemorablehitthemetune.Read
Review
186.United93(2006)
Director:PaulGreengrassThesimplestandmostaffecting9/11
film.PaulGreengrassrecreatestheevents,focusingonthe
fourthplanewhichdidntstrikeitstarget,inanausteremanner
asathrumoftensionbuilds.ReadReview
185.PathsOfGlory(1957)
Director:StanleyKubrickWithrecenteventsinIraq,the
relevanceofPathsOfGlorygrowsyearonyear.KirkDouglas
excelsasColonelDax,defendingthreesoldiersupforcourt
martial,tocoverupamilitarymistakeonWorldWarIsWestern
Front.ThefilmwasbannedinFranceuntil1975,yetisfarmore
antiestablishmentthanitisantiwarorantiFrance.Ifunsung
Kubrick,itsthefirstmovietorevealthedirectorstruecolours,
blessedwithacool,intellectualthrill,spareeconomical
characterisationandprecisetrackingshots.Cementing
KubricksrelationshipwithDouglas,itledtohimtakingover
Spartacus,butmoreimportantly,inthesmallroleofGerman
Singer,KubrickfoundChristianeHarlan,whobecamehiswife
upuntilhisdeath.Sometimes,warisswell.ReadReview
184.DirtyHarry(1971)
Director:DonSiegelThegreatClintcoppicture,introducing
soullessSanFranciscodickHarryCallahan,onlybearable
becausetheguyheisafterisevenworse.Featuresthebest
badgetossingsinceHighNoon.ReadReview
183.LeSamourai(1967)
Director:JeanPierreMelvilleLaSamouraiisthefigureheadof
Melville'scareer,thestoryaloneassassin(AlainDelon)whose
rigidcodeisundonebytheunforeseenarrivaloflove.It'sa
stalwartthemenow,butnofilmhasdoneitsosparelyand
tragically.
182.Performance(1970)
Director:DonaldCammell,NicRoegRoegandCammellfused
sensibilitiesasmuchasgangsterJamesFoxandrockerMick
Jaggerdointhisacidtingedfreakout.ReadReview
181.BeyondTheValleyOfTheDolls
(1970)
Director:RussMeyerNudiefilmmakerMeyerrunsriotwitha
studiobudget,assaultingJacquelineSusann'strashnovelwith
dementedbrioandkookilysquarepsychedelia.ReadReview
180.ToKillAMockingbird(1962)
Director:RobertMulliganAquiet,careful,affectingadaptionof
HarperLee'snostalgicnovel.RobertDuvallmadean
unforgettabledebutasneighbourhoodbogeymanBooRadley.
ReadReview
179.ToyStory2(1999)
Director:JohnLasseterOneofthebestsequelsever,ithas
moreaction,spotlightsfreshnewcharacterswhiletakingthe
establishedonesintonewterritory,anddiscoverssomething
tragicinachildgrowingoutoftoys.ReadReview
178.Hellzapoppin'(1941)
Director:H.C.PotterOneofthedarnedestfilmsevermade,and
atemplateforthewhocaresifitmakessensesolongasit's
funny?modeofcomedy.ReadReview
177.CityOfGod(2002)
Director:FernandoMeirelles,KtiaLundAconfident,
complicatedepicfollowingdecadesofcriminallifeinaRiode
Janeirofavela,thisisconsiderablymorethan'theGoodFellasof
Brazil'.ReadReview
176.ACanterburyTale(1944)
Director:MichaelPowell,EmericPressburgerPowelland
Pressburger'sleastunderstood,mostmagicalfilm.Itsstorymay
beincoherentand'unpleasant',butitscharactersandmoodsare
unforgettableandendlesslymysterious.ReadReview
175.Rushmore(1998)
Director:WesAndersonMaxFischer(JasonSchwartzman)is
thesortofkideveryschoolhas,butwhowashithertounseenin
teenmoviesasmart,semigeekyboywhopolarisestheschool
bybeingatoncedisturbinglyweirdandafashionleader.Read
Review
174.SupermanTheMovie(1978)
Director:RichardDonnerBelievingamancanflyisonlyhalfof
itDonnertookacomicbookcharacterseriouslyandcame
upwithfourdifferentstyles(scifi,nostalgia,romcom,special
effectsaction)toreachthebroadestdemographic.ReadReview
173.Memento(2000)
Director:ChristopherNolanThatrarething,atrulyoriginal
thriller.Toldbackwards,adevicewhichNolanalreadyworking
withdarkdetectivesandconjuringtrickshandleswithflair.
ReadReview
172.TheWizardOfOz(1939)
Director:VictorFlemingForgetthenoplacelikehomecopout
attheendandenjoyJudy'sheartbreakingOverTheRainbow,
themanyclassiccharactersandthe"horseofadifferent
colour".ReadReview
171.BriefEncounter(1945)
Director:DavidLeanOneofthemovies'greatestromancesis
understatedandunconsummated.WriterNoelCowardcamps
slightly,butDavidLeanandthestarsmeaneveryperfectly
enunciatedsyllable.ReadReview
170.LaHaine(1995)
Director:MathieuKassovitzKassovitz'sdebut,andhismoment
ofglory:afantasticallyshottaleoffriendshipandviolenceonthe
streetsofsuburbanParis.You'dneverhaveguessedhe'dgoon
tomakesillyVinDieselfilms...ReadReview
169.Viridiana(1961)
Director:LuisBunuelAstrikingexerciseinblasphemy,downto
thesacrilegiousrecreationofLeonardo'sLastSupper.Read
Review
168.Tootsie(1982)
Director:SydneyPollackDustinHoffmanmakesagreat
statementforfeminismbydressingupasawomanandrealising
thattheydon'thaveagreattimeintheentertainmentindustry.
ReadReview
167.Don'tLookNow(1973)
Director:NicRoegArty,scary,sexy.Anairofdread,unrelieved
bythefamoussexscene,paidoffwithoneofthescariestserial
killersincinema.ReadReview
166.Goldfinger(1964)
Director:GuyHamiltonGoldfingergetsSeanConnery's007
awayfromtheColdWartoplaywithgonadtargetedlasers,
gildedgirls,madmillionaires,killerbowlerhatsandHonor
Blackman'sPussy.ReadReview
165.PartieDeCampagne(1936)
Director:JeanRenoirAbrieffeature,abandonedbyJean
Renoirduringthe1930sbutrevisitedandeditedtogetherafter
theWaratrifle,perfectlyplayedandwithalovely,riverside
feel.Renoirclaimedhemadeitsolelytotakecloseupsoflead
actressSylviaBataille.
164.TheSearchers(1956)
Director:JohnFordJohnWaynesmagnificentandterrifying
obsessionistotrackdownhiskidnappedniece.Ford'sistoturn
theWesternintoAmericanpoetry.ReadReview
163.TheBridgeOnTheRiverKwai
(1957)
Director:DavidLeanAnintelligenttaleofmisguidedpride
amongagroupofBritishPOWswhohavebeencooptedinto
buildingarailwaybridgefortheJapanesearmy,thisisLean
mixingepicvisualswithtruecomplexity.ReadReview
162.ANightmareOnElmStreet(1984)
Director:WesCravenAnewbreedofcinematickillerwho
literallyclimbedinsideyourdreams,FreddyKruegerwasatruly
scarycreation,withCravenriffingonalmostJungianfearof
whatsleepmightbring.ReadReview
161.TheYearOfLivingDangerously
(1982)
Director:PeterWeirItstestamenttothepowerofWeirs
superiorpoliticalthrillerromancethatitwasbannedin
Indonesia,whereitseventstakeplace,until1999.Starringa
nevermoredashingMelGibsonasforeigncorrespondentGuy
HamiltonandSigourneyWeaverasBritishEmbassyofficialJill
Bryant,itssetduringanattempted1965coupagainstthebrutal
Sukarnoregime.OftencomparedtoCostaGavrasMissing,
releasedthesameyear,itbrilliantlycapturestheknifeedge
tensionofitssetting.Itisalsonotableforoneofthemost
extraordinaryperformancesofthe80sactressLindaHunts
portrayalofamaleChineseAustraliandwarfnamedBillyKwan.
Itwasarolethat,quiterightly,wonheranOscar.ReadReview
160.BeingThere(1979)
Director:HalAshbyHeartfeltcomedyandbitingsocialsatire
withPeterSellers(inhislastrole)asChance,aguilelesschild
manwhosesimplepronouncementsontendingagardenare
takenasprofoundinsightsintothenatureoftheworld.
159.TheRoyalTenenbaums(2001)
Director:WesAndersonAndyouthoughtyourfamilywas
crazyAndersonseccentric,hilariousandmovingdramedy
abouttheworldsmostdysfunctionalclanisalmosttooquirkyfor
itsowngood.Almost.ReadReview
158.Unforgiven(1992)
Director:ClintEastwoodClinthadbeenmessingwiththe
WesternmythsincehefirstchewedacigarforSergioLeone,
buthereheexplodedit,hismoody,complexmasterpiecedealing
unblinkinglywiththefrontiersugliest,mostviolentside.Read
Review
157.TrueRomance(1993)
Director:TonyScottWorkingfromQuentinTarantinosscript
andsurroundinghimselfwiththecreamofHollywoodshipelite,
Scottseyeforvisualtomfooleryhasneverhadabetterfitthan
withthisdeliriouscrime/lovestory.ReadReview
156.SavingPrivateRyan(1998)
Director:StevenSpielbergFromtheshockinglyvisceral
NormandyLandingsopeningtothefinaldevastatingbattleina
destroyedFrenchvillage,Spielbergsepicredefinedhowcinema
shouldinterpretthebattlefieldsofhistory.ReadReview
155.Badlands(1973)
Director:TerrenceMalickLooselybasedonthereallifemurder
spreeofCharlesStarkweatherandCarilAnnFugate,Malicks
debutisatributetotheuntamedwildernessandahazyodeto
crazylove.ReadReview
154.BettyBlue(1986)
Director:JeanJacquesBeineixTheoriginaltitleforthissteamy
Gallicthrillertranslatedas37C,TwoInTheMorningsums
itallup.Hot,sweatyandpassionate,itcouldntbemoreFrench
ifittried.ReadReview
153.TheInnocents(1961)
Director:JackClaytonBasedonHenryJamesTheTurnOfThe
Screw,ClaytonspsychologicalGothichorrorisamasterpieceof
subtleimplicationoverblatantgore.Thishasastrongshoutas
Blighty'sbestchiller.
152.BoogieNights(1997)
Director:PaulThomasAndersonTheriseandfallofaskinflick
entourageisexploredinintimatedetailinAndersonsstar
studdedhomagetothesuccessandexcessesofthe70sporn
industry.Moreafilmaboutfamilythanruttingoncelluloid.Read
Review
151.Gladiator(2000)
Director:RidleyScott"Areyounotentertained?"WithRussell
Croweinfullonwrongedwarriormode,Scottevokingthelost
majestyofancientRomeandmorebloodyviolencethanyoucan
shakeatridentat.Yes,weare.ReadReview
150.TheFrenchConnection(1971)
Director:WilliamFriedkinBasedontheinfamousdrug
traffickingcaseofthesamename,Friedkinselectric,
documentarystylethrillerisagrittytriumphofstyleand
intelligentplottingbolsteredbyacareerdefiningturnfromGene
HackmanascommittednarcPopeyeDoyle.ReadReview
149.TheRedShoes(1948)
Directors:MichaelPowellandEmericPressburgerBasedon
thestorybyHansChristianAndersen,P&P'staleabouta
womanborntodanceandthevarioustragediesthatbefallheris
asbeautifulasitisheartbreaking.AtrueBritishmasterpiece.
ReadReview
148.Z(1969)
Director:CostaGavrasAthinlyfictionalisedaccountofthe
assassinationofademocraticGreekpoliticianin1963,Costa
Gavras'respectedfilmtakesaswipeatGreekpoliticsandthe
militarydictatorshipthatruledthecountry.
147.Notorious(1946)
Director:AlfredHitchcockHitchcock'ssaucy(forthetime)
thrillerstarsCaryGrantandIngridBergman,whoexcelasa
governmentagentandasocialitewhobecomeentangledduring
anespionageoperation.ReadReview
146.Shampoo(1975)
Director:HalAshbyWhileitwassetduringaperiodof
extraordinarygovernmentalstrife,thisNixonerasatireismore
concernedwiththearenaofsexualpolitics,asWarrenBeatty's
cockyhairstylistshagshiswayaroundthewivesoftherichand
famous.
145.Sophie'sChoice(1982)
Director:AlanJ.PakulaAdifficultstorytoldwithsuitable
reverence,Pakula'staleoftheultimateCatch22scenariomay
bedifficulttowatch,butitsureisrewarding.Notleastforsome
solidgoldStreeping.
144.ThereWillBeBlood(2007)
Director:PaulThomasAndersonVerylooselybasedonUpton
SinclairsnovelOil!,thistaleofgreedandreligionisallabout
oneman.DanielDayLewisperformanceisapowerhouse
strongenoughtoclearoutallthemtharhills...Idrinkyour
milkshake.IdrinkitUP!ReadReview
143.CyranoDeBergerac(1991)
Director:JeanPaulRappeneauTheresamomentinthis
sumptuous17thcenturyswashbucklerthatsumsupwhythe
doughyfacedGrardDepardieuisastarandasexsymbol.
Blessedwithafiercetalentforbothwarandwords,hisCyrano
isalsocursedwithanosethatprecedeshimby15minutes
sohedaresnotconfesshisloveforthebeautifulRoxane(Anne
Brochet).Aftersheaskshishelptoprotectthegorgeousboy
sheloves,andcommendshisbraveryinrecentlydefeating100
men,assherushesout,hemutters,Oh,Ivebeenbraversince
then,withsuchquietheartbreakinhisvoicethatitdmakea
stoneweep.ThestorysbeentoldmanytimesasSteve
MartinsRoxanne,TheTruthAboutCats&Dogs,evenRatatouille
butRappeneausepicisthetruesttakeonEdmondRostands
famousplay.Itmaybemelodrama,sweepingratherthan
creepinginitsconclusions,butitsathingofbrash,glorious,
poignantemotion.ReadReview
142.AlmostFamous(2000)
Director:CameronCroweAsemiautobiographicaltaleabout
sex,drugsandRollingStonebasedonCameronCrowes
teenagememories,thisistorocknrollwhatGoodFellaswasto
gangsters.ReadReview
141.SnowWhiteAndTheSevenDwarfs
(1937)
Director:DavidHandHollywoodsfirstfulllengthanimated
feature,SnowWhitestillworksandstillwhistles.Enoughtomake
olUncleWaltproud.ReadReview
140.AsGoodAsItGets(1997)
Director:JamesL.BrooksWithacatalogueofmisanthropes
andpsychopathsfillinguphisrsum,JackNicholsonfitsthe
roleofbrashobsessivecompulsiveMelvinUdalllikeaglove,and
itshiswinningdepictionofamanfightinghisownneurosisthat
actuallyhumanisesit.
139.BlowOut(1981)
Director:BrianDePalmaPlayinglikeTheConversationwith
addedsoundeffects,DePalmasparanoiapackedpiecefinds
JohnTravoltasmovieeffectstechnicianaccidentallycapturing
audioevidenceofanassassinationplot.ReadReview
138.CoolHandLuke(1967)
Director:StuartRosenbergWhilecinemahistoryischockfullof
renegadetypeswholovetobuckthesystem,noneareascool
asLuke.PaulNewmanathischarismatic,blueeyedbest.Read
Review
137.DancesWithWolves(1990)
Director:KevinCostnerInitiallythoughttobeacostlyfolly,
Costnerputhiscareeronthelineforthisfrontierepicandwas
justlyrewarded.ItisaWestern,certainly,butalsoaromance
betweenamanandanideaoflostAmerica.ReadReview
136.Amadeus(1984)
Director:MilosFormanThegeniusWolfgangAmadeusMozart
isabumptiousrube,whichisagonyforthelesserlygiftedbut
ohsoawarecomposerAntonioSalieri.ReadReview
135.DuckSoup(1933)
Director:LeoMcCareyTheMarxBrotherstooktheiranarchic
comedytoawholenewlevelwiththisdeliriousblendofphysical
foolishnessandastonishingwordplay.Itmarkedtheendoftheir
timeatParamount,butwhatawaytobowout.ReadReview
134.Seven(1995)
Director:DavidFincherFincherwentfromthemanwhoruined
theAlienfranchisetothedarlingofshockcinema,withthis
extraordinaryserialkillerhit.Itwasntjusttheamoraljoltofthe
twistendingthiswasatableauofGothichorrorandspiritual
unease.ReadReview
133.DoubleIndemnity(1944)
Director:BillyWilderFredMacMurrayandBarbaraStanwyck
plotmurder,butBillyWildermakessuretheysufferforitwith
Stanwyckathersexiest,cracklingRaymondChandlerdialogue,
andaperfectmixofscaldingsunshineandtheshadowedL.A.
night.ReadReview
132.Pan'sLabyrinth(2006)
Director:GuillermodelToroGuillermodelTorofusespersonal
andcommercialinterestswithataleofthepoweroffairytale,
evenagainstthegrimmestofpoliticalsettings:theSpanishCivil
War.ReadReview
131.TheLastOfTheMohicans(1992)
Director:MichaelMannLushhistoricaladventurewithDaniel
DayLewissomethingbetweennoblesavageanda17thcentury
RamboastrapperheroHawkeye.Manngetsanauthenticfeel
andrealexcitementoutofcanoechases,woodlanddashes,
swooningromance,tomahawks,bloodyscalping,andfirework
displaybattles.ReadReview
130.TheManWhoWouldBeKing(1975)
Director:JohnHustonInHuston'ssteady,callousedhands,this
RudyardKiplingyarnbecomesariproaringadventure,its
centralbuddybuddydynamicasentertainingasyoucould
expectfromthepairingofBritstalwartsConneryandCaine.
ReadReview
129.Harvey(1950)
Director:HenryKosterJamesStewart'sgenialalcoholictalksto
aninvisiblesixfootrabbit,butseemstheonlysanepersoninthe
film.Harveytherabbitenteredpopculture,andStewartrated
thishisbestroleifnotbestfilm.ReadReview
128.LostInTranslation(2003)
Director:SofiaCoppolaCoppola,MurrayandJohanssongain
enoughgoodwilltosustaintheircareersthroughrockydecisions
inthisperfectalmostromanceaboutafadingstaranda
neglectedwifebondinginaJapanesehotel.ReadReview
127.TheSting(1973)
Director:GeorgeRoyHillAwhollydelightfulromp,withcrisp
'30sfashionsandScottJoplin'sragtimemusicsettingoffthe'70s
glamourofRedfordandNewmanastwoarchgrifterspullingan
elaboratecontogetrevengeonscowlingRobertShaw.Read
Review
126.PatGarrettAndBillyTheKid(1973)
Director:SamPeckinpahArguablyPeckinpah'smasterpiece.
Sequencesofviolenceareinterspersedwithtenderlybeautiful,
melancholymoments,scoredbyBobDylansongs.
125.ABoutDeSouffle(1960)
Director:JeanLucGodardGodardsseminalNouvelleVague
movie.JeanPaulBelmondocopsBogartattitudeasacool,
viciouspettycrookJeanSebergmodelsamajorhaircutashis
Americangirlfriend,andParisjustshines.Atoncecleverand
exuberant.ReadReview
124.TheSilenceOfTheLambs(1991)
Director:JonathanDemmeThefirstfilmtoscooptheOscars
andtheChainsawawards.Scrapethosesorrycashinsaway
andyoullfindadeeplyscarystudyinterror.ReadReview
123.AWomanUnderTheInfluence
(1974)
Director:JohnCassavetesAhousewifecracksupandmakes
appalling,randomverbalattacksonfamilyandfriends.The
camerahoverssoclosethatyouemergewithanuncomfortable
ideaofwhatitmustbeliketolivewiththiswoman.ReadReview
122.ThePrincessBride(1987)
Director:RobReinerThismaybethemostwidelyquoted
obscurefilminhistory,becauseitstheonethatevenyoursister
canreciteatlength.WilliamGoldmansperfectlyparodicscript
bothnailstheadventureandromanceofheroicadventureswhile
rippingthepissoutofthem.Itsfunny,itssmart,itsperfectly
cast,andhasimmense,unstoppablecharm.Withoutthis,no
Shrek,noEnchanted.DirectorRobReinermentionedona
recentcommentarythatoneofNewYorkkingpinJohnGottis
gangstersoncewalkeduptohimandquotedtheneverbettered,
Youkilledmyfather,preparetodienearlygivingthe
directoraheartattack.Ashesays,WhenoneofGottis
wiseguysisquotingyourlines,youknowyouvepenetratedthe
culture.Indeed.Theonlyquestionis,howonEarthisthis
outsidethetop100?ReadReview
121.LosOlvidados(1950)
Director:LuisBuuelOncedeemedaFrenchsurrealist,Buuel
reestablishedhimselfasaMexicanrealistthoughthistaleof
slumdelinquents,whichmakesEdenLakelooklikeTheRailway
Children,isasmuchhorrorstoryassocialdocument.
120.TheBattleOfAlgiers(1966)
Director:GilloPontecorvoAraretriumphofpoliticalcinema,
depictingcolonialoppression,terroriststrikesagainstcivilians,
Westernoccupyingforcesresortingtotorture,andageneral
uprisingwithoutapparentlytakingsides.Stillvividandrelevant.
119.TheWagesOfFear(1953)
Director:HenriGeorgesClouzotFourlosersdrivetrucksloaded
withunstablenitroacrosstreacherousjungleroads.Ittakesafull
hourtointroduceitscharacters,beforeturningthescrews
unbearingly,twistingroundhairpinbends,overrockyground,
andintooilslicks.ReadReview
118.WithnailAndI(1987)
Director:BruceRobinsonTrulyfunny,trulycult:fanscanmouth
thewordsofRichardE.Grantsspeechesalongwithhim,
relishingeveryviperishturnofphraseandperfectlypronounced
curse.AbelovedBritishoddityneverrepeated.ReadReview
117.Miller'sCrossing(1990)
Director:JoelandEthanCoenTheCoensinDashiellHammett
gangsterterritory,recountingtheneartragedyofanhonourable
crookundonebyasinglegestureofmercy.Finneyseesoff
hitmenwithaThompsonwhilesmokingacigarandlisteningto
DannyBoyinabravurasequenceofCoenmagic.ReadReview
116.RioBravo(1959)
Director:HowardHawksHawksWesternisatonceroundabout
withtimeoutsforsongsandAngieDickinsonintightsand
amodelofsuspense,asJohnWayne,DeanMartinandWalter
Brennanholeupinatownjailbesiegedbythebadhats.Read
Review
115.BlazingSaddles(1974)
Director:MelBrooksBrooksinventedscattershotmovieparody
withthiscowboyoutrage(wegetlessgratefuleverytimeaMeet
TheSpartansorDisasterMovieopens).Highlights:aclassic
themesongandtheBenHurchariotraceofflatulencescenes.
ReadReview
114.TheConversation(1974)
Director:FrancisFordCoppolaAWatergateeraanalysisof
paranoidhightecheavesdroppers,itsalsoagreatthrillerwitha
cleverplottwistandariveting,underplayedcentralperformance
fromGeneHackman.ReadReview
113.Anchorman:TheLegendOfRon
Burgundy(2004)
Director:AdamMcKayWillFerrellsbreakoutvehiclehomages
thefashion,musicandsexualpoliticsofthe70s,witha
smarmilyselfconfidentTVnewsreaderthreatenedbyafemale
rival.Majorplusitsnotaboutastupidsport.ReadReview
112.IAmCuba(1964)
Director:AlexanderPayneRussianhelmerKalatozov
unsurprisinglyrevealsthesourceofCubasacheforrevolution
viaaquartetofstoriessetinBatistasCuba.Yes,itsCommunist
propaganda,butalsoatechnicalmarvel.ReadReview
111.Fitzcarraldo(1982)
Director:WernerHerzogAcrazedKlausKinskibringsoperato
thejunglebypullingasteameroveramountain,obviously.As
ambitious,visuallystunningandplainoldinsaneascinemagets,
thisisHerzogsmasterwork.ReadReview
110.BeforeSunset(2004)
Director:RichardLinklaterBeforeSunrise,tenyearson.Celine
(JulieDelpy)andJesse(EthanHawke)meetagain,briefly,
gettinganotherchancetotalkaboutlove.Howmanysequelsare
madeforartisticreasonsandaddmeaning,ratherthanstripit
away?ReadReview
109.TouchOfEvil(1958)
Director:OrsonWellesAgrimybordernoirtopliningCharlton
HestonandJanetLeigh,butshowcasingdirectorOrsonWelles
inhisgreatestactingroleasagross,doomed,crookedcopwho
isstillatitanhobbledbylessermen.Readintothatwhatyouwill.
ReadReview
108.TheTreeOfWoodenClogs(1978)
Director:ErmannoOlmiAmasterpieceamong'suffering
peasant'films.VariousfarmersinLombardyhaveahardtime,
tingedbyeverydaywonder,astheyworkthelandintheearly
20thcentury.MikeLeigh'sfavourite.ReadReview
107.AnAmericanWerewolfInLondon
(1981)
Director:JohnLandisLandisoffersastillamazingpreCGI
metamorphosis,observationsonBritishstrangeness,Jenny
Agutterintheshower,nightmareNazisandawittysetofmoon
themedsongs.ReadReview
106.AManForAllSeasons(1966)
Director:FredZinnemannHenryVIII(RobertShaw)slapshis
thighandbargesabouttheThamestryingtogetadivorce,while
consciencestrickenThomasMore(PaulScofield)lumbers
tragicallytowardsanappointmentwiththeaxe.ReadReview
105.OneFlewOverTheCuckoo'sNest
(1975)
Director:MilosFormanRepressionandrebellionsetinamental
hospital,adaptedbyCzechdirectorMilosFormanwithacool,
neardocumentarylook.Nicholsongivesakeynicholsonianrole,
takingonsoftlyspokensadistNurseRatched.ReadReview
104.TheRulesOfTheGame(1939)
Director:JeanRenoirBannedonitsoriginalrelease,Renoir's
cutting,supremelyentertainingdissectionofclassandlove(the
titlereferstoromance,asmuchasanything)isjustabout
perfect.PickuptheissueforfilmcriticJonathanRomney's
pieceonTheWagesOfFear
103.RearWindow(1954)
Director:AlfredHitchcockAsimpletechnicalexercise
makingawholefilminoneroomisgivenballsybravuraby
HitchcockasaterrificJamesStewartwitnessesamurder
throughhis,um,rearwindow.ReadReviewPickuptheissuefor
ourprofileonRearWindowactress,GraceKelly
102.TheHustler(1961)
Director:RobertRossenAcautionarytalemasqueradingasa
sportsmovie,thisiswhatlegendsaremadeofespecially
consideringPaulNewmansturnasFastEddieFelsonprovided
hisbreakthroughtothebigtime.ReadReview
101.RaisingArizona(1987)
Director:JoelandEthanCoenFortheirsophomoreeffort,those
versatileCoenboysswungfromthestarkchillsofBloodSimple
intoscrewballterritorywiththishyperactivecomedyof
apocalypticbikers,serialrobbery,infantkidnap,andthevalueof
family.ReadReview
100.Network(1976)
Director:SidneyLumetLumetssatireoftelevisionsmoralshas
grownmorechillinglyrelevantwithage.PeterFinchsonair
breakdown,screamingatthecameras,enticestheaudience
ratherthanrepelsthem.ReadReview
99.ToyStory(1995)
Director:JohnLasseterAlandmarkinanimationasbeautiful
andsignificantasSnowWhite.Thepointwasntjustartby
computer,butastorytellingofwitandhumanitythattranslatedto
seeminglyeveryonealive.ReadReview
98.NorthByNorthwest(1959)
Director:AlfredHitchcockAdrollanddebonairCaryGrant
slalomsbetweenspyrings,suspiciousblondes,motherissues
andapsychopathiccropduster.ReadReview
97.ReservoirDogs(1992)
Director:QuentinTarantinoTarantinomixednoirstapleswith
spasmsofultraviolenceandawhirrofmetadialoguewhere
everythingwasgame,fromMadonnatoTheGreatEscape,to
createthepopculturalmovieeventofthe'90s.ReadReview
96.AmericanBeauty(1999)
Director:SamMendesAnintricate,brilliantlyacteddissectionof
dysfunctionalfamilylife,wunderkindMendesfirstmoviewas
wellrewardedwithahatfulofOscars.ReadReview
95.Yojimbo(1961)
Director:AkiraKurosawaThefinestexampleofKurosawaand
ToshiroMifunesastonishingpartnership,thetitlerolegivingthe
latterhismostlikablyruggedrogueincarnation.ReadReview
94.TheWildBunch(1969)
Director:SamPeckinpahPeckinpahslamentforthedying
Westplaysonhisfavouritethememenoutofstepwiththeir
timeandembroidersitwiththemostmemorablebloodshed
imaginable.JohnWoooweshiscareertothis.ReadReview
93.SpiritOfTheBeehive(1973)
Director:VctorEriceAstoryofayoungSpanishgirl,the
aftermathofthecivilwar,FrankensteinsMonsterandafathers
obsessionwithbees,thisisatriumphofdreamlikestyle.And
oneofGuillermodelTorosfaves.ReadReview
92.OnceUponATimeInAmerica(1984)
Director:SergioLeoneIttookLeoneyearstorealisethis
chronicleofthelivesofJewishghettoyouths,andhecouldnt
quiteletitgointheeditingsuite.Still,itsamajesticdramathat
repaysendlessviewings.ReadReview
91.StarWarsEpisodeVI:ReturnOfThe
Jedi(1983)
Director:RichardMarquandTheweakestoftheoriginaltrilogy,
Marquandssendoffstilldoesmorethanenoughtoearnits
placeinmoviehistory.Thetriplestrandedclimaxismasterful.
ReadReview
90.WhenHarryMetSally(1989)
Director:RobReinerReinersromcomissweetnaturedand
oldfashioned,yetwithadeliciouslydirtystreakandgame
performancesfromBillyCrystalandMegRyan.ReadReview
89.Magnolia(1999)
Director:PaulThomasAndersonAnensemblepieceaboutthe
bondsthatbringadisparategroupofLosAngelinostogether,its
nocoincidencethatAndersonsinstantclassicislovedbyso
many.ReadReview
88.FerrisBuellersDayOff(1986)
Director:JohnHughesThesportos,themotorheads,geeks,
sluts,bloods,waistoids,dweebiesanddickheadsalladorehim,
andsodowe.JohnHughesrighteousdudeisunquestionably
toocoolforschool.ReadReview
87.TheKingOfComedy(1983)
Director:MartinScorseseDeNirosRupertPupkinistheself
deludedyingtoTravisBicklessociopathicyang.Scorseses
satiricalanddeeplydiscomfitingblackcomedydeservesits
placeinthislistforitsdangerouslydesperateprotagonistalone.
ReadReview
86.Carrie(1976)
Director:BrianDePalmaMosthorrorsmaketheirfemalelead
theplucky,survivalistscreamqueen.Carriestandsoutby
makinghermeek,awkwardandresponsibleforsupernaturally
chargedmassmurder.ReadReview
85.BlueVelvet(1986)
Director:DavidLynchNeverhaveLynchsbeautifulandbizarre
visionsbeenmoreunsettlingthanhere,asheunearthsthedirt
thatliesbeneathaseeminglygenteelAmericansuburbia.Ata
stretchitsaformofneonoir.Thenagain,thisisLynch,and
definitionsneverstick.ReadReview
84.L.A.Confidential(1997)
Director:CurtisHansonJamesEllroyequallyknownasthe
demondogofcrimefictionandtheauthorofL.A.Confidential
onceadmittedthatifhedhadhisway,themovieofthethird
entryinhisdarklymagnificentLAQuartet(orthesecondentry
inhisDudleySmithTrio,ifyouprefer)wouldhavebeenshotin
blackandwhiteandbeenfourhourslong.Which,asintriguing
asthatsounds,onlygoestoshowthatsometimesitsagood
thingcreatorsmaintaina(dis)respectfuldistancefrom
adaptationsoftheiroutput.Afterall,CurtisHansonandBrian
HelgelandswelloiledretoolofEllroysdevilishlymanifoldtaleof
policecorruptionin40sHollywoodshouldbeheldupasthevery
pinnacleofnoveltoscriptrevisualisation:arobustreworking
withaneyeonthebeatsthatgiveeverygoodmainstreamdrama
itspulse,whilesensitivelyembracingtheoriginalsbittercore.
ReadReview
83.Brazil(1985)
Director:TerryGilliamWhiletheOrwellianinfluencesareplain,
theheartofthisdystopiancomedyispureGilliam.Thedesireto
flyfreeofoppressivebureaucracyisthecruxofthisstory
andwhocantempathisewiththat?ReadReview
82.TheGreatEscape(1963)
Director:JohnSturgesAnallstarcast,atruelifetaleandone
ofthemostmemorablethemetunesofalltime,Sturgesbeloved
entertainmentsomehowcombinesBoysOwnthrillswiththe
harshbiteofwartimetruths.Digit.ReadReview
81.BatmanBegins(2005)
Director:ChristopherNolanNolansYearOnerebirthofthe
capedcrusaderisagrownupcomicbookmoviethatplacedthe
DarkKnighthimself,ratherthanhisgaudyfoes,wherehe
belonged...backinthespotlight.ReadReview
80.TheLifeAndDeathOfColonelBlimp
(1943)
Director:MichaelPowellandEmericPressburgerSlatedonits
originalreleaseforbeingdecidedlyunpatriotic,Powelland
Pressburgerssatirehasnowbeenrightfullyreassessedasa
classicwhichcouldntbemoreBritishifittried.ReadReview
79.TheThinRedLine(1998)
Director:TerrenceMalickMalicksstunningreturntofilmmaking
aftera20yearabsenceisbeautiful,thoughtfulandadmirably
uncommercial.AndHansZimmershauntingthemehasbeen
usedforadozentrailerssinceincluding,incongruously,that
forPearlHarbor.ReadReview
78.RosemarysBaby(1968)
Director:RomanPolanskiStillcreepyafteralltheseyears,
Polanskisefficientlycoldandcalculatingtaleofdevil
worshipping,nastyneighboursandlabourpainsshouldbe
mandatoryviewingforallsexeducationclassesthatdcut
downontheJunoeffect.ReadReview
77.Spartacus(1960)
Director:StanleyKubrickKirkDouglasfailuretowinthetitle
roleinWilliamWylersBenHurspurredhimontomakehisown
Romanepic.HisinfluenceinhiringKubrickwasrewardedwitha
rousing,actionpackedandiconicswordnsandaller,nowthe
unmatchedemperorofthegenre.ReadReview
76.Manhattan(1979)
Director:WoodyAllenAblackandwhitelovelettertoNewYork,
Gershwinandthemessofrelationships,thisisAllenathismost
poignantbutfunny.ReadReview
75.AMatterOfLifeAndDeath(1946)
Director:MichaelPowellandEmericPressburgerDavidNiven
iswonderfulasayoungpilotwhoavoidsdeathduetoacelestial
bureaucraticcockup,whilePowellandPressburgersvisionof
heavenisstillcinemasgreatest.ReadReview
74.TheTreasureOfTheSierraMadre
(1948)
Director:JohnHustonJohnHustonsmanoamanothriller
(loadedwithstarkWesternovertones),starringHumphrey
Bogartasthegrizzledgoldprospectorwholetsgreedswervehis
moralcompass,isbackinfashionthankstoPaulThomas
Anderson.HeverypubliclycitedHustonsgrittyclassicasan
inspirationforhismasterfulThereWillBeBlood.Thusithasnow
becomeopenseasononcitingjusthowmanyfilmsTreasurehas
influenced,fromCitySlickerstoTrespass,fromTheWagesOf
FeartotheworkofSamPeckinpah,andtheresplentyof
BogartscynicalDobbsinIndianaJones.Nottoforgothe
pleasuresofHustonspowerfulfilminitsownrightstudioboss
JackWarnerconsidereditthebestfilmtheyhadevermade.
ReadReview
73.EternalSunshineOfTheSpotless
Mind(2004)
Director:MichelGondryCharlieKaufmanswarmestscript
probablyaccountsforhishighestchartposition.AddGondrys
skewedvisuals,anaffectingJimCarreyandanadorableKate
Winslet,andthisisQuirkGold.ReadReview
72.12AngryMen(1957)
Director:SidneyLumetWhereitallstartedforoneofAmericas
mostenduringdirectors,tappinghisTVrootsfora
claustrophobiccourtroomthrillerwithHenryFondastandingup
forthebestofAmerica.ReadReview
71.TheNightOfTheHunter(1955)
Director:CharlesLaughtonThesolebehindthecameragigof
characteractorLaughton,apsychothrillershroudedinspectral
majesty,withamesmerisingactofevilfromanotherunderrated
actor,RobertMitchum.Chilll...dren?ReadReview
70.StandByMe(1986)
Director:RobReinerAcomingofageclassiccrucialtothe
makingofmanyofus,withonetimemultigenremasterReiner
coaxingawonderfulperformancefromRiverPhoenix,and
StephenKingprovidingthetruthfulsourcematerial.ReadReview
69.ThreeColoursRed(1994)
Director:KrzysztofKieslowskiInterlockinglivesandloves,the
natureofchance,theunlikelihoodofhappiness...Kieslowski
retiredinhisearly50safterthisfinalentryinhisColours
trilogyperhapsheknewhedneverequalit.ReadReview
68.AnnieHall(1977)
Director:WoodyAllenAthrillernamedAnhedoniatransformed
intoaromcomwheretheantagonististheleadsownneurosis.
MoredaringthanAllenisusuallygivencreditfor.Itsother
alternativetitle?ItHadToBeJew.ReadReview
67.TokyoStory(1953)
Director:YasujiroOzuMuchmoresoulfulandengagingthanits
arthouserepsuggests.Atender,tragicandtranscendentpicture
ofoldageignored.Watchitwithsomeoneyoulove.Read
Review
66.EdwardScissorhands(1990)
Director:TimBurtonAfterhebustedblockswithBatman,Burton
brokeheartswithperhapshismostpersonalpicture.The
romanceofarazorfingeredrecluseisgivenirresistibleinternal
strengthbyabreakoutperformancefromJohnnyDepp.Read
Review
65.HaroldAndMaude(1971)
Director:HalAshbyWonderfultoseethisbizarre,bittersweet
lovestoryinthetopton,withRuthGordonandBudCort
soulmatesseparatedbyamere,um,60years.Themostunlikely
romanceyoulleversee.
64.Oldboy(2003)
Director:ParkChanwookPopularwithreaders,criticsandthe
mostunlikelyoffilmmakersCameronCrowelovesitthis
ferociousthrillerexplorestheappealandfutilityofrevenge.And
howtoeataliveoctopus.ReadReview
63.SunsetBoulevard(1950)
Director:BillyWilderThewriterdirectortearsoffthehandthat
feeds,attackingemptyheadedandheartedHollywoodwith
devastatingsatiricalsavagery.Abeautifulturn,too,fromthe
forgottenmanoftheGoldenAge,WilliamHolden.ReadReview
62.TheGraduate(1967)
Director:MikeNicholsCapturedanageofsimultaneously
emerginganddemolishedideals,asDustinHoffmanslovelorn
outsiderdiscoversthediscontentandsexualsimmerinsuburbia.
ReadReview
61.TheUsualSuspects(1995)
Director:BryanSingerElegantlyunspoolingChristopher
McQuarrieslabyrinthinescript,itsanonemoredeft
deconstructionofstorytellingthatsomehowretainsemotion.
ReadReview
60.ComeAndSee(1985)
Director:ElemKlimovUnderseenbutridinghighoncriticsand
filmmakerslists,thisistheRussianApocalypseNow,adizzying,
terrifyingportrayalofbrutalityandgenocideduringtheNazis
scorchedearthcampaignthroughBelorussia.
59.CloseEncountersOfTheThirdKind
(1977)
Director:StevenSpielbergThemashedpotatomasterpiece,with
RichardDreyfussRoyNearyoneofSpielbergsmost
complicatedcreationsafamilymanwhoseselfishnessisout
ofthisworld.Loveit?Youarenotalone.ReadReview
58.HisGirlFriday(1940)
Director:HowardHawksRatatattatromanceasCaryGary
andRosalindRusselltradecomeonsandputdownsatan
extraordinaryscrewballpace,forafilmasfreshnowasitwas
wow68yearsagoReadReview
57.LawrenceOfArabia(1962)
Director:DavidLeanLeansmonumentalepicremainsatriumph
ofrepeateddiscovery.Itsdark,complicatedheartwillconfound
andinspireyoueverytime.ReadReview
56.CasinoRoyale(2006)
Director:MartinCampbellTheballsiestmakeoveranysagahas
everundergone,thisgoesbacktoBondsbeginnings,finding
previouslyskimpedIanFlemingelements,andfitstheherointoa
modern,postJasonBourneworld.ReadReview
55.LaDolceVita(1960)
Director:FedericoFelliniMarcelloMastroiannilooksbetterin
sunglassesthananyoneelseeverandAnitaEkbergwadesina
fountaininaspectaculareveningdress,embodyingthe
decadenceFellinisoenjoyscondemning.ReadReview
54.TheLordOfTheRings:TheTwo
Towers(2002)
Director:PeterJacksonThetrickymiddleone,thiscarries
forwardthestorybrisklytowardstherousingbattleofHelms
Deep,andbringsonthemocappedAndySerkisGollum,a
majoradvanceinCGcharacters(byebyeJarJar).Read
Review
53.DonnieDarko(2001)
Director:RichardKellyAn'80snostalgiahighschoolmoviewith
Lynchianatmosphericsandatimetraveltwist.Afilmto
constantlyrevisitbecauseitmakesyouthinkandfeelwhileyou
trytofigureoutthenuttynarrative.ReadReview
52.TheShining(1980)
Director:StanleyKubrickStephenKingislargelyignored,as
JackNicholsondescendsintoavisceralhellofhisownmaking,
and,withastonishingvisualpower,Kubrickredefinesthehorror
genreashedidwithscifiand2001.ReadReview
51.81/2(1963)
Director:FedericoFelliniAfilmaboutadirectorwhocan'tmake
afilm,thismixeschildhoodflashbacks,doomedrelationships
betweenMarcelloMastroianniandgorgeouswomen,andFellini's
loveofcircusstylebizarros.
50.SevenSamurai(1954)
Director:AkiraKurosawaKurosawaborrowedfromJapanese
historyandJohnFordWesternstocreatethisepic,amazingly
influentialpicture.Along,complexbuilduppaysoffwithoneof
themovies'greatestbattlescenes.ReadReview
49.EvilDead2(1987)
Director:SamRaimiHowdidthishappen?Howdidalow
budgetschlockerthatmadebuggerallwhenitopenedin1987
finallygetitsownEmpirecover?Herearejusttenreasonswhy
EvilDead2isthe49thgreatestfilmofalltime1.SamRaimi:
young,brilliantandburstingattheseamswithideasforvirtuoso
cameramovesanddementedmontages.2.StarBruce
Campbell'sAsh:halfStooge,halfRambo.3.The
chainsaw/shotguncombo..."Groovy."4.There'sagleeful
disregardforconventionthroughout:thebreakneckfirstfive
minutesremaketheoriginalmovie.5.Highgorefactor:walls
spurtblood,eyeballslandinmouths.6.ThebitwhereAsh'shair
turnsgrey.Genius.7.It'shugelyinfluential(askEdgarWright
andLouisLeterrier).8.It'sgoofilyhilariousthepossessed
demonhandisahoot.9.ItsendingisperverseandPlanetOf
TheApesperfect.10.Oh,andithasalaughingmoosehead.
Everymovieshouldhavealaughingmoosehead.ReadReview
48.ThisIsSpinalTap(1984)
Director:RobReinerThisifyouwillrockumentaryfoundeda
newmodeofAmericanscreencomedy,andaddedmore
quotablesoundbitestotheculturethan20seasonsofThe
Simpsons.ReadReview
47.E.T.TheExtraTerrestrial(1982)
Director:StevenSpielbergSpielbergturnshisparents'divorce
intoamagicalsliceofscifiasautobiography.Subtlekid
performances(especiallyHenryThomas)makeagreat
animatroniccreationevenmoreaffecting.ReadReview
46.OnTheWaterfront(1954)
Director:EliaKazanBrando'sTerryMalloymaybealandmarkin
screenacting,butEliaKazan'sstillstunninghymnto
individualismsetnewlevelsofrealism,findingenoughgritty
atmosphereandstreetpoetrytopower1,000episodesofThe
Wire.ReadReview
45.Psycho(1960)
Director:AlfredHitchcock"Weallgoalittlemadsometimes."
Hitchcockclaimedthiswasacomedyitdoesmakecruelfunof
everythingAmericansweresupposedtotakeseriouslyin1960:
psychology,cleanliness,moneyandmothers.ReadReview
44.Schindler'sList(1993)
Director:StevenSpielbergSpielberg'sOscarbreakthrough
striveshardforitsmasterpiecestatus,withmasterfulworkfrom
LiamNeesonandextraordinarilycomplexvillainyfromRalph
Fiennes.Ifithadsubtitles,you'dswearitwereaPolanskior
AndrzejWajdafilm.ReadReview
43.TheBigLebowski(1998)
Director:JoelandEthanCoenTheCoens'colourfultakeon
RaymondChandler'sLAnoiristheshaggiestofshaggydog
stories,andevidentlyJoelandEthan'smostenduringbyalong
shot.JeffBridges'WhiteRussiandowning'Dude'isaniconic
hero.ReadReview
42.KindHeartsAndCoronets(1949)
Director:RobertHamerEalingatitsmostentertainingly
contradictoryafilmofstyle,charmandVictorianliterary
eleganceabout(frankly)asocialclimbingserialkiller.An
exemplarofBritishgoodtastebuiltoncorpses,snobberyand
sex.ReadReview
41.The400Blows(1959)
Director:FrancoisTruffautJeanPierreLeaudisTruffautstand
inAntoineDoinel,hereanunhappychildtakingrefugeinthe
freedomofthecinemaandthebleaknessofpettycrime.
Thematicallygrim,butjoyousmoviemaking.ReadReview
40.Vertigo(1958)
Director:AlfredHitchcockAmysterywhichtakessucha
sidetrackthattheunmaskingofthevillainisanirrelevance.
BeautifulKimNovakismysteriouslyhaunted,whileneurotic'tec
JamesStewartturnsworryinglyobsessive.ReadReview
39.TheMatrix(1999)
Director:AndyandLarryWachowskiMindwipethesequels
fromyourbrain,andrecallthemostsignificantsciencefiction
blockbusteroftheturnofthemillenniumevenKeanuReeves
wascool,andtheWachowskibrotherspioneeredbullettime.
ReadReview
38.Heat(1995)
Director:MichaelMannManndirectsoneofthebestshootouts
inthehistoryofcinemaandguidesanoutstandingsupporting
cast(rememberwhenValKilmerwasthisgood?)throughan
intricatecrimeplot.Buttheshowstopperissimplytwomajor
screenactorsAlPacino,RobertDeNirofacingoffovera
coffee.ReadReview
37.AClockworkOrange(1971)
Director:StanleyKubrickKubricksdystopiaofbowlerhatted
glamyobbosisasscarilyrelevantinaneraofASBOsandnogo
councilestatesasinthetimeitwasmade.ReadReview
36.AndreiRublev(1969)
Director:AndreiTarkovskyThisSovieteraRussianepic,which
madeAndreiTarkovskysinternationalreputation,dramatises
episodesinthelifeandtimesofamedievalmonkwithagiftfor
paintingicons.Uniquelyamongartistbiopics,thereareno
scenesoftheheroattheeaselandwedontseehisworkin
radiantcolourafterthreehoursofblackandwhiteuntilthe
veryendofthefilm.Indeed,Rublev(AnatoliSolonitsyn)tendsto
fadeintothebearded,weatherbeatencrowd(formuchofthe
runningtimehesunderavowofsilence)asvariousholyfools
commandattention.IfTarkovskysintenseargumentaboutGod,
talentandthehumanconditionisaschillyasthesteppes,the
preCGIwidescreenspectacle,depictingcrowdsofpeopleand
animals,isoftenbreathtaking:thescreenfillswithKurosawalike
actionasTartarssackacathedraloramadwaifbossesamore
experiencedcrewastheyforgeachurchbell.ReadReview
35.Terminator2:JudgmentDay(1991)
Director:JamesCameronIfTerminatorwassuspense,T2is
spectacleArnieskillercyborgbecomingthebestever
combinationsurrogatedadandbodyguard,whileCGIcomesof
ageinhismorphingmetalnemesis.ReadReview
34.TheLordOfTheRings:TheReturnOf
TheKing(2003)
Director:PeterJacksonYes,ithastoomanyendings,butitfully
paysoffeverythinganyonecouldhavewantedofafinalact.
ReadReview
33.Alien(1979)
Director:RidleyScottAscifislasherfilm.ABidea,madegreat
byScottsgrimilyindustrialspaceprogramme,H.R.Gigers
obscenelybiomechanicalmonsterandSigourneyWeavers
sweatyfeminism.ReadReview
32.ButchCassidyAndTheSundanceKid
(1969)
Director:GeorgeRoyHillThecuddliestdownbeatWestern
succeedsoncannymiscasting.NewmanandRobertaredead
wrongasageingoutlaws,butperfectas1969defiantyouth.
ReadReview
31.GoneWithTheWind(1939)
Directors:VictorFleming,GeorgeCukor,SamWood
Exhaustingatleastthreedirectors,starsClarkGableandVivien
Leigh,megalomaniacproducerDavidO.Selznickdeliveredthe
epicofHollywoodsgoldenage.ReadReview
30.Aliens(1986)
Director:JamesCameronWhereRidleyScottwasallabout
slowbuildingtension,JamesCameroncreatesawhirlwindof
purepanicandviolence.Probablythemostexcitingfilmever
made.ReadReview
29.DieHard(1988)
Director:JohnMcTiernanIsityippeekayyayoryippykayyay
oryippykiaye?Theargumentragesonandon.Motherfuckers.
ReadReview
28.CitizenKane(1941)
Director:OrsonWellesItmaycomeasajolttofilmhistorians
thatWelleshallowedclassic,soembalmedastheGreatestFilm
EverMade,hasonlyjustsqueezedintothetop30.Hastime
finallycaughtupwithit?WhileWellesachievementisneverin
doubt,itremainsafilmthatappealsmoretotheacademicand
criticthanthefilmfan,partlybecauseofitsreputation.Talkedof
withhushedvoicesandnoddingheadsbywisearbitersoffilm,
forthenonacolyteitcanfeellikeanenigmaawhopping
cathedralofamovie,aweinspiring,buttoovastandornateto
love.Ifthelistembodiesonlytechnicalprowessandthematic
powerthenitsdemotionisashock,butisitafriendforlife?A
comfort?Oncurrentshowing,perhapsnot.ReadReview
27.SomeLikeItHot(1959)
Director:BillyWilderTonyCurtisinadress.Isthistheoriginal
grossoutcomedy?Hardly,thoughtheCurtis/JackLemmon
dragacthasitsshareofgoofballgags.Onlynumber27?Well,
nobodysperfect.ReadReview
26.Dr.StrangeloveOr:HowILearnedTo
StopWorryingAndLoveTheBomb
(1964)
Director:StanleyKubrickIntendedasaseriousexplorationof
theColdWar,butthesuperpowersMADpolicy(Mutually
AssuredDestruction)wassoabsurd,ithadtobeacomedy.
ReadReview
25.TheGoodTheBadAndTheUgly
(1967)
Director:SergioLeoneTheWestisbrutal,warishellandClint
Eastwoodisanicon.Laconicandperhapsplainirritatedby
clasheswithhiswild,geniusdirector,theTVstarcameofageas
TheManWithNoName.ReadReview
24.TheLordOfTheRings:The
FellowshipOfTheRing(2001)
Director:PeterJacksonThefearwastangibleatthepremiere
forFellowship,asRingsreadersworriedifJacksonwasuptoit.
Coursehewas.Andhow.Adashing,hugelyskilfuladaptation.
ReadReview
23.BackToTheFuture(1985)
Director:RobertZemeckisUnlikethepoodlepermoryourdad,
this80sclassichasagedremarkablywell.Weirdscienceand
teenagedreamscombineinawishfulfilmentscifilentheartby
thefantasticMr.MichaelJ.Fox.ReadReview
22.StarWarsEpisodeIV:ANewHope
(1977)
Director:GeorgeLucasItsasurprisetoseethesagastarter
thatarguablybirthedmodernblockbustersoutsidetheTop10.
EclipsedbyEmpire,thenthoughweshouldntforgethow
Lucasbravelybattlednaysayerstocreateagalaxyfar,faraway.
ReadReview
21.TheThirdMan(1949)
Director:CarolReedUnjustlyovershadowedbyOrsonWelles
showboating,Reedconstructsaclaustrophobic,thoughtful
thrillerfromGrahamGreenestrawlthroughoccupiedterritory
andmoralmurk.ReadReview
20.BladeRunner(1982)
Director:RidleyScottDrenchedinneonandendlessrain,
Scottsstrikingprivateeyepictureenduresduetothescripts
strugglewithwhatmakesushuman.Canwestoparguing
whetherDeckardisareplicantnow?ReadReview
19.TheGodfatherPartII(1974)
Director:FrancisFordCoppolaEvencashinswerehighquality
duringthe70s.Coppolareluctantlyreturned,yetdelivereda
damningpictureinwhichPacinosmobstergainstheworldbut
loseshissoul.ReadReview
18.Casablanca(1942)
Director:MichaelCurtizBogeyandBergmanswartime
dalliancesomehowemergedasoneofHollywoodsmostloved
andmisquotedmoviesaidedconsiderablybyClaudeRains
wonderfullycynicalhumour.ReadReview
17.TaxiDriver(1976)
Director:MartinScorsesePlayedno,livedbyDeNiro,
TravisBickleremainsafrighteninglyidentifiableoutsidericon
stalkingScorsesesslick,sickNYC.ReadReview
16.2001:ASpaceOdyssey(1968)
Director:StanleyKubrickBrilliant,befuddling:asciwhymovie
asintelligentasitispristine.ArthurC.ClarkeandStanley
Kubrickconjureanendlesslydebatableepic.Aneffects
landmark,too:noHAL,noStarWars.ReadReview
15.TheDarkKnight(2007)
Director:ChristopherNolanLedgersperformanceis
monumental.Bestcomicbookmovieever?Certainlythemost
talkedabout...ReadReview
14.OnceUponATimeInTheWest
(1968)
Director:SergioLeoneThegreatestWesternofthemall,
accordingtothispoll.Andaworthyvictoritistoo,relocating
LeonescounterculturalSpaghettivisiontotheoldschool
grandeuroftheWest.ReadReview
13.Chinatown(1974)
Director:RomanPolanskiFiendish,perplexingnoirwithakiller,
bittertwist.SomehowbothaproductoftheMovieBrat70sand
alsostrangelytimeless,feelinglikeitbelongsinthegenres
heyday.ReadReview
12.TheApartment(1960)
Director:BillyWilderOneofthefascinatingquirksofthelistis
thehigherplacingforthisdarkerveinedcomedythanthe
bewiggedflamboyanceofsocalledfunniestfilmofalltime
SomeLikeItHot.Toarguebetweenthemrathermissesthepoint
(bothareexcellentandmustbeseen)whatstandsoutishow
TheApartmenthasgrowninstatureasoneofthediminutive
Hungarianmigrsfinestfilms.Onthesurface,itsthestraight
downtroddenboymeetsindifferentgirlformula,butWilder,who
skippedBerlinastheNazistookpower,camepossessedofa
moresavageviewoftheworldsworkings.JackLemmons
hypochondriacBaxterisafriendlesscorporateclimberthe
objectofhisaffection,ShirleyMacLaine,anunstableliftgirl
havinganaffairwiththeCEO.Theirmeanderingpathto
romancetwistsbetweennotionsofprostitution(corporateand
real)andevensuicide.Meetcuteitisnot.Yet,somehow,thefilm
remainsoptimisticabouttheirchances.ReadReview
11.RagingBull(1980)
Director:MartinScorseseBruising,beautifulandanever
betteredshowcaseforDeNirosoncelegendaryphysical
immersionintoarole.Werenotjusttalkingabouttheweight
gain:lookintothoseeyesandtrytellingustheyreanyoneelses
butJakeLaMottas...ReadReview
10.FightClub(1999)
Director:DavidFincherItcouldhavejustbeenpremillennial
angst,butFinchersgrimlyironicepicofmaladjustedmasculinity
showsnosignoffading.ReadReview
9.PulpFiction(1994)
Director:QuentinTarantinoPerfectlyencapsulatingthe
absolutezerocooloftheIndiewoodscene.QThasyettobetter
itsexcessiveappeal.ReadReview
8.SinginInTheRain(1952)
Director:StanleyDonenandGeneKellyAppropriately,the
highestscoringHollywoodmusicalisamusicalaboutHollywood
anadmirablyselfmockingoneatthat.ReadReview
7.ApocalypseNow(1979)
Director:FrancisFordCoppolaAmoviesolaudedanddebated
ithasamakingofstoryaswellknownasthefilmitself.Brando
andCoppolaaresurelycinemasultimateteaming.ReadReview
6.GoodFellas(1990)
Director:MartinScorseseWhereTheGodfatherpositioned
itselfinthedarkcorridorsofMafiosimanagement,GoodFellas
rollsaroundinbloodandsawdustontheshopfloor.ReadReview
5.Jaws(1975)
Director:StevenSpielbergAh,thebigone.Jawsinfluencestill
bitesdeep(considerthatJawsona...pitchgag),itsmeldingof
populistshriekbaitingwithfinelynuanced,characterdriven
dramaensuringpopularitywithpunter,filmmakerandcriticalike.
ReadReview
4.TheShawshankRedemption(1994)
Director:FrankDarabontAperennialreadersfave,Shawshank
hasclearlymaintaineditsresoundingemotionalthrob.Itsarare
one,alright:ablokesweepie.Andalsothemoviethatspawneda
thousandMorganFreemanvoiceovers.ReadReview
3.StarWarsEpisodeV:TheEmpire
StrikesBack(1980)
Director:IrvinKershnerThemodernmovieclichisthata
sequelshouldbedarker.BlameTheEmpireStrikesBack,a
crowdpleaserthatdaredtoendwithadevastatingdouble
whammy(IamyourfatherIloveyou/Iknow).Yetdont
forgetitsalsothefunniestentry,basingitsfinestaction
sequencesonaspaceshipthatkeepsbreakingdown...Read
Review
2.RaidersOfTheLostArk(1981)
Director:StevenSpielbergOftheSpielbergs,Jawsand
SchindlersListtraditionallyscoremorehighly,butitappears
thisyearsfinaljauntforthemaninthehathasrewhetted
appetitesforthepregopherIndy.Quiteright,toonoadventure
movieisquitesoefficientlyentertainingasStevenGeorgesB
inspiredblockbuster.ReadReview
1.TheGodfather(1972)
Director:FrancisFordCoppolaAwedding.Ahorseshead.A
guninarestauranttoilet.Sicily.Anotherwedding.Acarbomb.A
tollbooth.Orangepeel.Abaptism.Acloseddoor.ReadReview
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