Now obviously if you've ever seen any "top whatever" list on Youtube, Blogger, or basically anywhere online, you know these lists are for whatever reasons a hotbed of "Why the hell is such and such, insert movie here not on this list?!" activity. For argument's sake, let's say each year there are 200 total films released. If we started from 1930 and stopped at 2012, that's a total of 16,400 movies... and I have to narrow it down to 50. What I'm trying to say is it'd be a bitch just coming up with a top 50 from my own personal collection, so imagine picking a top 50 from all films, all genres, all eras. Just 'cause a film doesn't make this list, doesn't mean the acting's terrible, or the director sucks, or that the movie is garbage. I love Christopher Nolan. I think he's one of the most creative filmmakers of this era. That being said, none of his films make this list (Memento was close, though). That doesn't mean his movies are crap in any way, shape, or form. Consider this more like an amalgam of my personal favorites and what I consider to be the "greatest", so to all online noobs out there... keep your "This list is bull shit 'cause my favorite movie's not mentioned!" gripes to yourself. Having said that, let's begin with the first ten films.
50) Clerks (Miramax Films)
1994 - A must see for anyone interested in screenwriting, Kevin Smith's Clerks is masterpiece in dialogue driven comedy. Costing only $25,000 to make and filmed in the very convenience and video stores where Kevin Smith was working at the time, the film focuses on a day in the lives of Dante and Randal as they go about their day jobs... or in Randal's case, don't. Despite being shot in one location, Smith shows himself to be than a witty writer, but also a competent director, as each setup is fresh and never rehashed or worn out. While being introduced to Jay and Silent Bob is certainly a plus, Randal's discussion with Dante on the reconstruction of the Death Star in Star Wars alone is worth the watch. Remember, "You know, there's a million fine-looking women in the world, dude. But
they don't all bring you lasagna at work. Most of 'em just cheat on
you."
49) Lethal Weapon (Warner Bros.)
1987 - 48 Hrs. and Stakeout are both great films, but Lethal Weapon - in my mind - is the king of all buddy cop films. Featuring Danny Glover as the old and seasoned Homicide Sgt. Roger Murtaugh and a mulleted Mel Gibson as the high-strung and suicidal (there is a reason) Narcotics Sgt. Martin Riggs, Lethal Weapon focuses on the two now partnered up to take down a heroin-smuggling operation. This is acting chemistry between two polar opposite leads at its best. Throw in Shane Black's sharp writing, Richard Donner's direction, and a nice villainous supporting role from Gary Busey, and you have the perfect combination for the best action-comedy of all-time.
48) Do the Right Thing (Universal Pictures)
1989 - Despite his polarizing personality, it doesn't take away from the fact that writer/director Spike Lee is a fantastic filmmaker. Do the Right Thing takes place on one hot summer day in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn and focuses on Mookie (Spike Lee), a black man who delivers pizzas for Sal Frangione (Danny Aiello) and his local pizzeria. What makes this such a powerful film is that no one is "the good guy" or "the bad guy". Not all the cops are racist pigs. Not all the whites are horribly prejudiced dicks, and not all the blacks are the saintly "We shall overcome!" victims. Everyone is portrayed as human. There's a great scene with certain individuals of a different race spouting off their own race rant that drives that point home (Blacks ranting on Italians. Italians ranting on Blacks. Hispanics ranting on Asians, etc.). As for who's right or who's wrong at the end? Lee leaves that up for you, the viewer, to decide.
47) The Princess Bride (20th Century Fox)
1987 - "My name is Inigo Montoya... You killed my father... Prepare to die." A film that I adored as a child, The Princess Bride is like a fine wine in that it gets better with age. Whether it's the star-studded cast (featuring scene stealer Mandy Patinkin), Rob Reiner's direction, or William Goldman's fantastic script (based on his novel), there is not a single dull moment in this adventure/fantasy tale. There's something for everyone, regardless of age, and that final, thrilling sword duel between Patinkin's Montoya and Christopher Guest's Count Tyrone Rugen (aka "The Six Fingered Man") will have you laughing and cheering at the same time.
46) Blade Runner (Warner Bros.)
1982 - Directed by the great Ridley Scott, Blade Runner is part science-fiction and part dark film-noir. Set in 2019, Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is a professional android hunter aka "Blade Runner". Following his retirement, he's brought back in to take down four Replicants (androids), one being Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer), a Replicant so desperate to live, he's willing to kill for it. A visual masterpiece, the set pieces and dark imagery come alive and tell the story just as much as the narrative itself. Like me, it may take you more than one viewing to see the true essence of this film, but it's more than worth it.
45) Airplane! (Paramount Pictures)
1980 - While not the greatest satire of all time (there are two more that will show up on this list), Airplane! is still deserving of its recognition as one of the greatest comedies of all time. Lampooning the B-movie disaster films of the 70's, you will laugh 'til your gut hurts. The dialogue is sophomoric yet ironically witty at the same time. Watch either Ted Striker's "drinking problem", Kareem-Abdul Jabbar trying to convince a young kid he's not the famed NBA center, but the plane's co-pilot, Barbara Billingsley aka "June Cleaver - Beaver's mom" speaking Jive, or just marvel at how Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack and Peter Graves can say the outlandish dialogue they have with such a deadpan straight face. If none of that can get you to laugh, you have no pulse.
44) Rocky (United Artists)
1976 - The greatest inspirational sports film of all-time, because of Rocky inferior crap like Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot, Judge Dredd, and Demolition Man could advertise their films as "Starring Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone". Yes, it's true. Now, jokes on Sly aside, Rocky is proof Stallone can write an amazing script and give a powerful performance. Starting as a club fighter, "The Italian Stallion" soon gets a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship against Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). Along with Stallone and Weathers, the supporting work from Talia Shire, Burt Young, and Burgess Meredith (best known as the Penguin in the TV series Batman) is equally superb. It's almost impossible to not become emotionally involved with the character of Rocky and by the end of the film you'll definitely find yourself rooting for him.
43) Toy Story (Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation)
1995 - To be fair, Up is actually my favorite Pixar film. That being said, if not for the success of Toy Story (a close second, mind you), there would be no Up. Indescribably imaginative, fresh, and original, Pixar Animation revolutionized animated films not just in animation technology, but also in storytelling. There are at least a dozen cleverly played out moments in this film (I still laugh out loud every time I see Buzz notice the opened toy packaging he came in then scream, "My ship!") featuring a perfectly cast group of voice talents led by Academy Award winner Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. Pixar has certainly come a long way since 1995, but they owe everything to this animated classic.
42) Rain Man (United Artists)
1988 - Led by two of the greatest actors of their respective generations, Rain Man could've been just another cheesy melodrama. What makes it so great is the dynamic between Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. Raymond Babbitt is not some cutesy, Lifetime Network retard. Babbitt is portrayed more genuine and realistic. At times he's not likeable, but actually annoying. At times we can understand and feel Charlie Babbitt's frustration in dealing with Raymond. Knowing the situation Charlie is in, we certainly can understand why he's so frustrated with his brother. Then we witness a change of character within Charlie. Through one lead character that is unable to change, we witness a change from someone who, at first, refuses to change.
41) Reservoir Dogs (Miramax Films)
1992 - The film that put writer/director Quentin Tarantino on the map, Reservoir Dogs is another must see film for anyone interested in screenwriting not just for dialogue, but also story structure. While there is no "twist" (we know Tim Roth's Mr. Orange is the undercover cop early on), the film still remains tense with the viewer knowing what the remaining characters don't know. It's the gradual buildup to the reveal at the end that keeps you engaged, leaving you with a final shot that still creates discussions on what may or may not have happened. Like all Tarantino films, it's about the dialogue. Whether it's the criminals talking about why it is or isn't important to tip your waitress or hearing them complain not about the job at hand, but the aliases they've been given, the dialogue is as real as it gets. Plus, after watching this film, I can never quite listen to Stealers Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle With You" the same again. You'll see what I mean.
Well, that's all for Part I. There are four more parts left, so in the mean time feel free to let me know what are some of your favorite films or what you feel are the greatest movies of all-time. Agree or disagree, I always love to read what you think.
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