All right, no changes were made in the last week, so I’ll just jump right into my #60-41
60- Zodiac
The first of many David Fincher films to make my list, this I think was a breakthrough in realistic “based on real life” stories. From all that I’ve read, hardly anything is made up, and even with the accuracy its just as intense as any other thriller/horror film.
59- The Last Samurai
Ok, so I’m a sucker for long, epic fight films like this one, but I still think that it was relatively well made. Sure its cliche, but sometimes its just fun to watch a movie that you know how its gonna end.
58- The Shining
Stanley Kubrick’s best film that I’ve seen is probably is most underrated by critics. Nicholson haunts the screen with the vivid colors of Kubrick to add to this style. Also, the “Here’s Johnny!” scene is still one of the best known horror scenes to date.
57- Analyze This
Hilarious comedy starring Billy Crystal as gangster Rober De Niro’s psychiatrist. If you like mafia movies at all, you’ll love this one since it parodies pretty much all of them.
56- Rocky
Who can’t like this feel good oscar winner? Its got a great script, great music, and great directing that is all used together to make this character that just makes you want to be the best you can be after watching this.
55- The Departed
The first time I saw it, I was shocked by what they did in the end. But after a few weeks and letting it sink in, I realized that this was an excellent thriller. I just think the oscar was a little too late for Scorsese, who should have won 6 nominations ago…
54- The Seven Samurai
3 hour black and white foreign film from the 50s. It doesn’t sound all too interesting, but believe me, its been copied by a number of American movies trying to take this idea for their own.
53- Magnolia
I was hoping this would be a little higher, and while it is great, my problem was with the uneven pacing. But despite that, it succesfully keeps me interested for all 3 hours with about 10 main characters the plot weaves around. Also, the beginning and music are excellent.
52- Rocky IV
I promise, this is the last Rocky movie on my list. Now, while it isn’t nearly as well made as the first three, I love the idea behind the story and the Russian training scene. Also, the music is even better than the first 3.
51- The Wrestler
Again, I think pacing was what brought this film down a few spots. But amazing acting by Rourke and Tomei make this an instant classic. Also, the song by Bruce Springsteen is easily one of my favorites.
50- The Nightmare Before Christmas
What isn’t there to say about this? Dark humor for the whole family, creepy animations, and its all a musical! This is easily one of my favorite kids movies, even though it scares 8 year olds half to death…
49- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
While Forrest Gump was a quick, fun three hours, this is pretty much all drama for all three. But I find the message in this one better, and the cinematography breathtaking. Again, Fincher did a great job switching from thrillers to drama.
48- Shrek
Who doesn’t love this? Its hilarious for both kids and adults, and its dreamworks’ only film that can stand up to pixar. Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy all did great jobs in this.
47- Let the Right One In
Just saw this vampire love story from Sweden a few weeks ago, and it was just amazing. I’ll do a full review/comparison to Twilight once I’m done with this list and I’ve seen the latter.
46- Toy Story
This used to be my favorite movie until I saw Lord of the Rings, and I still enjoy this. Again, no matter how good dreamworks can try and match pixar, pixar will always win.
45- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Normally sequels suck, but this is an exeption. Its an actual Indiana Jones movie unlike the 4th, and is funnier and has more action than the first two. No wonder Spielberg is so well known.
44- City of God
A Brazilian film about the slums, this is one of my favorite foreign films. With the music, acting, cinematography, and editing all at their best, it really is one of the best films made outside the U.S.
43- An Unreasonable Man
One of two documentaries on my list, this is about Ralph Nader and basically his life. If you think that Obama or McCain is gonna do something about anything in this country, watch this and you’ll see the similarities in the two major parties.
42- M
Again, a 30s foreign film in black and white isn’t all that appealing, but M really invented the serial killer movie. It follows the police and the gangs in their quests to try and find a child-killer, and it ends in an intense trial. Peter Lorre’s performance as the killer still haunts and awes today.
41- The Deer Hunter
Now, most war films I like, but wouldn’t consider “favorite” films, but this is an exception. De Niro is good as ever, and Walken has his best role to date as a soldier who goes insane and joins a Russian Roulette club. When De Niro goes back to Vietnam, it has one of the best scenes of all time.
