So, today I’ll reveal my last 20 movies on my top 100, enjoy.
20- Fargo
One of the Coen Brother’s best movies, this is funny, violent, dark, and heartwarming all at the same time. I don’t think any film made in the far north of the U.S. has come close to matching how well made this one was.
19- Oldboy
Just amazing, this is easily my second favorite foreign film. The whole time we wonder “why” but then we realize we are asking the wrong “why”. The end just left me stunned, thinking how well they built the whole, dark movie up to it.
18- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
All these movies are great, and even with the multiple endings of this one, it is still the best in my eyes. The story is already set so they can get right into the action, and it shows the strength in all the characters from Sam to Merry to Faramir.
17- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Heartbreaking and uplifting, this is known as one of the best for a reason. Jack Nicholson was amazing in his role, and the same was so with every character in this film. Its one of those movies where you can truly hate the bad guy, even if it was just a nurse.
16- Donnie Darko
What isn’t there to say about this? The film gets more complicated as it goes on, and the end just leaves you saying “what?” Crazy dialogue, cool characters, and the mind bending conclusion all add to the greatness.
15- Raging Bull
Starting with the simple, and beautiful dance of the boxer in the beginning, then ending with a bible quote summarizing the whole film both on and off the screen, I can’t think of anything wrong with Raging Bull.
14- Life is Beautiful
You know how earlier I was talking about Oldboy being my second favorite foreign film? Well, this is my first. Throughout the whole movie I was laughing, and even in the concentration camps, it was still a lighthearted comedy. The end though, was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time, leaving me stunned and almost in tears.
13- Unforgiven
Clint Eastwood has made many great westerns, and this was easily his best. With a great cast including Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman, and an awesome ending, I can’t think of anything wrong with this.
12- Pulp Fiction
Quentin Tarantino is easily one of the best current directors. Pulp just makes everything about a film come together so perfectly that every viewing reveals something else about the plot.
11- Memento
Christopher Nolan will always be remembered for The Dark Knight, but I think this is his best film. The story goes from the end to the beginning, and it still has all the excitement a normal movie would have.
10- No Country For Old Men
Once again, the Coen Brothers are just amazing. While this differs from most of their movies with a much darker story and hardly any comedy, it makes up for it with one of the greatest villains of all time and an ending that is more than meets the eye.
9- The Godfather
Who hasn’t heard of The Godfather? Pretty much any movie list has this at the top of it, including the AFI top movies list and IMDB. Aging has done nothing to this film, and its still just as powerful as it was in 1972.
8- The Shawshank Redemption
You won’t see this ending coming, and thats a good thing. It comes from out of the blue with hardly any hints, and just changes the whole mood and tone of the film. If it wasn’t for that, this wouldn’t be nearly as good.
7- First Blood
Rambo is just an iconic action hero all around. While the others show his more brutal, violent side, the first shows his survival skills in the wilderness and in towns. He only kills one guy, and thats by accident, and its still one of the greatest action movies of all time.
6- Braveheart
These next two are so much alike, that its really hard for me to put one above the other. Braveheart delivers some of the greatest speeches I’ve heard from a character, and an all around well made movie.
5- Gladiator
While the other one has the great speeches to troops, Maximus in this makes one of the best comebacks of all time. Ridley Scott just shows how well he can make a movie right here at the same time as he can entertain us.
4- Die Hard
Action movies have emulated this one since its first appearance in the late 80s, and its still the best. Funny every time I watch it, along with the great action, I still watch this and love it every time.
3- Casino
This may have stayed at the top if it had been just as good at every viewing, but its still Scorsese’s best in my eyes. The constant music and great characters move this along quickly for 3 hours.
2- Fight Club
I assure you, this is either a love or hate movie. You like hilarious lines, mind blowing endings, and good action, watch this film. If you don’t, then don’t. David Fincher is just a pure genious when it comes to film.
1- Requiem for a Dream
An amazing score, anti-drug message, and a memorable ending, this is easily my favorite film. Every time I watch it, the power of the narrative just gets me every time and it leaves me thinking for hours, if not days.
