The top 20 movies most near-and-dear to me.
20. MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (2005) – RT 35%, IMDb
“If your honorable sister tells you to cut your leg, you cut your leg.” – Sayuri
Not particularly liked by critics, the story of “Memoirs of a Geisha” is problematic in many ways and by no means is it a perfect film. However, the cinematography, production design, score, costumes, makeup–everything about the movie is sumptuous and richly constructed. I think it’s one of the most stunning films of all time. And it still gets me a little teary, I admit.
19. BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992) – RT 75%, IMDb
“I have crossed oceans of time to find you.” – Dracula
Featuring a quintessential Gary Oldman performance, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is a gothic celebration of classic movie-making. I especially enjoy the sets and the journalistic segments taken from the original novel. Some parts haven’t aged well, but the film makes up for it with one of the best movie quotes of all time: “I’ve crossed oceans of time to find you.” Swoon.
18. BLACK SWAN (2010) – RT 86%, IMDb
“It’s my turn!” – Nina Sayers/The Swan Queen
Director Darren Arronofsky is a peculiar fellow who tends to do peculiar films and “Black Swan” is no exception. An unapologetic melodrama, it also makes for an effective psychological thriller that transports you to a semi-fantastical world of wicked ballerinas and werebirds. It’s crazy good. Emphasis on crazy.
17. THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007) – RT 91%, IMDb
“I. . .drink. . .your. . .milkshake!” – Daniel Plainview
Daniel Plainview, a ferocious and ethically-challenged oil prospector, is fiercely portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis in one of many standout performances over his career. With a pacing like molasses, the film is more character study than your typical plot-driven drama. However, the devil is in the details. “There Will Be Blood” is my favorite Paul Wes Anderson movie.
16. THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) – RT 82%, IMDb
“Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, your opinion, man.” – The Dude
Is there a film with more quotable characters than The Dude, Walter, Donny, Jesus, Brandt, Maude and Jenny Lebowski, The Stranger–hell–even the The Rug-Peers? No. To go about explaining “The Big Lebowski” to the uninitiated is a chef’s salad of nonsensical phrases rather than summary. It’s not just a movie, it’s an experience. To some, it’s a li5estyle.
15. SICARIO (2015) – RT 93%, IMDb
“Welcome to Juarez.” – Alejandro/Medellin
A dream team consisting of director Denis Villeneuve, cinematographer Roger Deakins, and composer Jóhann Jóhannsson, worked together to create the moody, anxiety-ridden thriller “Sicario.” Benicio Del Toro gives a career-best performance, in my opinion, and Emily Blunt as well as Josh Brolin are convincing in their roles. Though Villneuve isn’t attached to the upcoming sequel, I’m still looking forward to it.
14. THE LION KING (1994) – RT 94%, IMDb
“Hakuna Matata” – Timon & Pumba
Whichever Disney bracket you choose, if “The Lion King” isn’t the eventual winner then you’re doing it wrong. It’s classic pre-Pixar Disney, has the best songs, some of the best animation, with a legitimately compelling story. Because the movie is so beloved, it’s no wonder a live-action version is currently in production.
13. ARRIVAL (2016) – RT 94%, IMDb
“I used to think this was the beginning of your story.” – Louise Banks
There are some films that deeply and inexplicably hit you on an emotional level. For me, “Arrival” and another similar in tone, “Interstellar” (see below), are those films. Though the middle act wavers, the sensational conclusion is an unforgettable movie moment. Villieneuve and Jóhannsson score again, as does Amy Adams who can’t go wrong.
12. ZODIAC (2007) – RT 90%, IMDb
“Just because you can’t prove it doesn’t mean it isn’t true.” – Robert Graysmith
A wholly underrated true-crime epic directed by David Fincher, “Zodiac” was arguably the best film to be released in 2007, though it garnered no Academy Award nominations. At a daunting 157 minutes, the film isn’t for the patience-challenged. However, those who dare to pay attention will be treated to a masterful tale which spanned decades. Bonus points for a small, but lively role from Robert Downey, Jr.
11. INTERSTELLAR (2014) – RT 71%, IMDb
“Newton’s third law. You’ve got to leave something behind.” – Cooper
It may be a bit too contrived, but “Interstellar” has a powerful story, is visually striking, and there are lots of thrilling sequences (i.e. countdown scenes during liftoff, the water planet). Matthew McConaughey is in high-power mode, committing to everything the script asks of him. And lest no one forget about one of the best robots on film, TARS (“Everybody good? Plenty of slaves for my robot colony?”).
10. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991) – RT 95%, IMDb
“A census taker once tried to test me. . . .” – Hannibal Lector
The yardstick for which all crime thrillers are measured against, “The Silence of the Lambs” spawned a movie monster icon for the ages in Hannibal Lector. Enough said.
9. THE DESCENT (Alternate ending, 2005) – RT 85%, IMDb
“It’ll be fine.” – Juno
Oh Juno, how wrong you were. Nothing is fine in “The Descent,” a horror film that capitalizes on a wide array of innate and fantastical fears. Despite being bloody and terrifying, the movie addresses deeper human experiences of grief and personal survival. Be warned: do NOT bother with the U.S. theatrical release. The version with the alternate ending is unparalleled. I can’t stress this enough.
8. THE GODFATHER (1972) – RT 98%, IMDb
“Some day, and that day may never come, I will call upon you to do a service for me.” – Don Corleone
No one should be going about their life without having witnessed Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather,” featuring the man himself, Marlon Brando. It’s also Al Pacino’s best role, projecting a quiet and powerful composure he follows up with in “The Godfather: Part II.”
7. MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015) – RT 97%, IMDb
“I live, I die. I LIVE AGAIN!” – Nux
An exercise in mayhem, hyperbole and visual grandeur, the latest “Mad Max” also gave us a surprise protagonist in Furiosa (an unearthly Charlize Theron). The film is astounding on a creative and technical level, but also delivers high emotional stakes. I desperately hope for another installment. George Miller is getting up there in age, but if Ridley Scott can do it, so can you George.
6. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005) – RT 87%, IMDb
“Hell, that’s the most I’ve spoke in a year.” – Ennis Del Mar
Quite possibly the most heartbreaking love story captured on film, “Brokeback Mountain” will always be remembered as that movie where Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger have what is actually a pretty tame sex scene. It was also robbed of a Best Picture Oscar by the atrocious “Crash.” Anyways, the film is Pure Cinematography, courtesy of Ang Lee and Rodrigo Prieto. All the performances could be considered career-best.
5. ANNIHILATION (2018) – RT 87%, IMDb
“It’s not destroying. . .it’s creating something new.” – Lena/The Biologist
A fresh addition to the list, director Alex Garland’s “Annihilation” is the most ambitious and thought-provoking film in years. Not for the lazy-minded, the film will challenge you to go on a journey and from it, draw your own conclusions. Part sci-fi, drama, and horror, “Annihilation” delivers on every genre. Now available on Netflix (except U.S. and China), there’s no excuse to drop what you’re doing and watch.
4. FIGHT CLUB (1999) – RT 79%, IMDb
“You met me at a very strange time in my life.” – The Narrator
Some movies are a voice for their generation and “Fight Club” is no exception, having reached cult status. The film is testosterone-fueled sensory overload, surrealistic and dream-like. The film’s philosophizing pays off, with one of movie history’s greatest endings. Directed with intricate precision by David Fincher, it also features the iconic Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt in his most memorable role. Edward Norton and Helena Bonham-Carter are also superb.
3. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (2004) – RT 93%, IMDb
“This is it, Joel. It’s going to be gone soon.” – Clementin
A non-linear tale of unconventional love written by Charlie Kaufman, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is as imaginative as it is heart-achingly real. The characters are quirky, but the fundamentals are sincere and bittersweet. The film is an achievement in directing by Michel Gondry–the scenes taking place inside Joel’s mind are wildly impressive on a technical level. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet have great chemistry and give touching, empathetic performances.
2. JAWS (1975) – RT 97%, IMDb
“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” – Chief Martin Brody
Methodical and patient, Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” nails the slow reveal better than almost any other film. The plot is compelling and keeps you on edge, feeding viewers little by little until the magnificent conclusion. Some shots, like the overhead of the shark swimming under the boat, still get me. It also has incredibly likable characters in Chief Brody, Hooper, and Quint. Plus, there’s plenty of quotable dialogue: “Here’s to swimmin’ with bow-legged women.”
1. ALIEN (1979) – RT 97%, IMDb
“The perfect organism.” – Ash
At number one, “Alien” was a pioneer in several areas. Most noticeably was the take-no-shit female protagonist Ellen Ripley, played by the superhuman Sigourney Weaver, who would go on to be the best female action hero ever in series of follow-up films. Another slow burn, the alien takes its sweet time showing up on screen, but first you’re treated to a gleefully horrific chest-bursting scene. The creature effects hold up to this day and the production design is simply astounding. The Engineer/alien ship scenes are especially detailed and inspire the imagination. True movie magic.
MANDA AT THE MOVIE 