Like many people I love the various lists that can be seen at VH1, TNT, E!, and other television networks. I’ve seen several of these programs ranking the top 100 tv shows, movies, songs and other criteria. And I have disagreed with several of them. So I will present my own list of the greatest films ever. Let me know what you think of it.
I’m mention some thoughts on the top 10, and selected other films. And yes I know its not 100 films.
The Adventures of Robin Hood – A feel good movie that captures the essence of swashbuckling, the noble criminal, and a love story. This original has been remade, revisioned and spoofed multiple times over the years and not one movie has even come close to its pace, feel, acting and look.
Star Wars: A New Hope – A breakthrough in movie making. Not only did the world of Sci-fi change overnight, special effects, sound quality and a host of other areas were suddenly possible. Matched with this is the moving story with heroes aplenty and the largest villain ever.
Dr. Strangelove – Humor in the oddest sense. Far too real a scenario, with its roots in the actual politics of then and today. It’s terrifying that the politics then are so similar to today. And if Mr. Peter Sellers doesn’t make you laugh in his scenes in the wheelchair you must be dead.
Apocalypse Now - An intense war film that is really about the internal struggle of stressed out men under extreme pressure. The journey that each man, especially Mr. Martin Sheen, goes through is a glimpse at the darker parts of all our souls.
A Clockwork Orange - A dark and twisted vision of the future, that still could happen to some degree. Disturbing in the cost of taking away freedom, or in giving it back. The lesser of 2 evils is proven to still be evil. I never listen to the 9th symphony quite the same after this.
The Lord of the Rings - The perfect transition from a book to a motion picture. It brought the world of J.R.R. Tolkein to life in a way that only the mind could previously imagine.
Malcolm X - A powerful portrayal of a real larger-than-life figure. Mr. Denzel Washington’s acting seems to bring Malcolm back to life for a brief time. It makes you realize how far we have come as a nation, and how far we still need to go.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - Classic western told in a non-classic manner. The horror of the Civil War, the greed of men, the absence of honor all told by a group of men different only in the degree of viciousness they each live by.
Alien - Suspenseful and terrifying while being claustrophobic without having to dumb itself down. Your hero turns out to be an unexpected choice, and the fight for life comes down to a battle of wits not tech toys, or silly plot twists.
Akira - A stunning visual experience. Not for the timid at all. A masterful movie proving that anime is not just for kids, nor does it need to be simplistic. Hard to describe or to forget.
Continued ...
No comments:
Post a Comment