When you're as big of a movie freak as I am, you get asked for recommendations a lot. Truth is, up until about ten minutes ago, I never really settled on a top five for my favorite films of all time, mainly because I didn't want to get ripped apart for being wrong, mainly because it's just so damn hard to do. I usually compare movies genre-to-genre instead of against each other, however, I always had specific movies that I knew would land in the top 5 if I ever made one. Problem was, there were more than five of them, so this list is trimmed down somewhat, and I'm probably going to regret it immediately after posting, but here goes nothing. In my current state of consciousness, these are my top 5 favorite films of all-time. Be mindful, these synopses will feature some spoilers.
5. Pulp Fiction
Pulp Fiction is the kind of movie that takes a few viewings before it begins to unravel. Even though I was only two years old when this film was released, I appreciate it's unique approach to chronology and unique characterization, and how these were used in films in the future. Take, for example, the concept that Vic Vega, John Travolta's character dies halfway thorough the film, but due to the sporadic nature of the chronology is able to come back for the films final act. The true ending to this movie is at the end of Bruce Willis arc, but if the movie ended there you wouldn't witness firsthand the transformations that the characters go through. Samuel L. Jacksons performance in this movie remain the highpoint of his career. I still think that he should have won Best Supporting Actor at the academy awards in 1994, for the ending sequence of this movie alone. Watching it now still gives me chills. I watched this movie before I saw Reservoir Dogs, so this was my entry into the world of Quentin Tarantino, and I don't think there's any other way to be introduced to his work. Quentin Tarantino starts to develop his signature stylistic flair, which pulls the audience out of the movie, and makes them aware that they are, in fact, audiences viewing a movie, and not actually there in the moment. This would be frowned upon by some film gurus, but Quentin Tarantino does it so well and so stylistically that it's easy to forgive him. This is by far the pinnacle of everything he has done, and is required viewing for any cinema geek.4. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
This is probably a pick that a vast majority of people will disagree with me on. I'm a sucker for Will Ferrel comedy, and this is the reason why. I knew I would have to include at least one comedy on this list, and for me it was an extremely close call between Anchorman and The Big Lebowski, but in the end, I had to give the edge to Anchorman just for being flat-out funnier. I basically hold every dumb-comedy in existence to the bar Anchorman has set, and none top it. Sometimes I think i just be nostalgic about how funny this movie is, so I go and find it, and watch it again, and it's just as funny if not funnier than I remember. This movie is by far the most quotable movie in existence, and, as long as you are not completely against just stupid, fun comedy, you will have a great time. A notable thing about this movie is how much star power came out of it. This movie featured Steve Carrel and Paul Rudd before either of them made it big, and I think this just serves as a testament to how great this movie was as a launching pad for both of them.
3. Lady Vengeance
It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Park Chan-Wook's work. For those unfamiliar with Park Chan-Wook, he is most famous for creating his Vengeance trilogy, which are three films that are largely unrelated apart from their concept of vengeance. Despite the shared theme, all three films view vengeance in extremely different lights. The first film, Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance , views Vengeance in a very, very negative light, whereas the second film, Oldboy, views vengeance in a largely neutral light. The final film, Lady Vengeance, views vengeance in a positive light. That statement may be striking at first, as Vengenace should not be taken lightly, but this movie makes it happen. The movie is really less about vengeance and more about attonement when it comes down to it, and in the end is all the more uplifting for it. I think it's best to see this movie knowing as little as possible. The first film, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, shows you all the characters motives as they happen, there are no mysteries. The second film, Oldboy, follows one character, and while his motivations are clear, the others remain a mystery until the end of the movie. This final film, Lady Vengeance, starts in the middle of the story. All of the characters motivations remain a mystery, that is slowly unraveled throughout the film. Despite the mystery surrounding the characters, everything is crystal-clear in the end, and nothing is lost in translation. The story is sprawling and covers a lot of material, and delivers the most satisfying conclusion I have ever seen in a film. It is not only a great ending to the individual film, but a great ending to the trilogy as well. If you only plan on seeing one film out of the trilogy, see this one, but I strongly recommend you watch all three in order.
2. 12 Angry Men
This movie probably turned me into the huge movie-buff that I am today. In the 8th grade, my U.S history teacher was on his last year before retirement, and dedicated a large portion of class-time introducing his students to film history. This movie was screened in that class, and is the one that stuck with me the most. This movie is the most prime example possible of less-is-more. The movie, adapted from a stageplay, almost all takes place in a single room. This movie is also an amazing exercise in character development, being stuck in a room with 12 men, none of which are given a name, and still managing to give you a deep understanding of every single persons mentality, and by the end of the movie, give you a realistic and heartfelt conclusion. Something people may not know about this film, is that, as the movie progresses, the walls get closer and closer together, as a indication that the situation is getting more and more tense. The conflict in the movie starts as a long-shot, becomes more plausible, and then pulls a complete 180 and becomes a conflict against the opposite side. This movie is the pinnacle of classic cinema to me, and I recommend it to anybody with an affinity for movie-culture.
1. The Shawshank Redemption
This. Movie. Is. Life. Changing. Despite The Shawshank Redemption's lengthy running time, there is not a single thing I would change about it. The plot concerns Andy Dufresne, who is convicted to life in prison due to the alleded murder of his wife. This has the potential to be the most depressing movie possible, but it's not. While he is in prison, he starts to realize that the enemies are not the inmates, but the orderlies. Isn't that life, though? Everybody who is on the same level as you is your friend, but as soon as they gain a position of power, they are your enemy. Andy Dufresne, through the entire movie, takes his treatment in stride, never once breaking down but accepting the hardships that life has caused him to endure. He atones for his past mistakes and is able to come out all the better for it. This is really a movie about second chances. Is it possible to change and take back past mistakes? To start a new life, one far better than the old one? The answer becomes clear at the conclusion of the movie, and the final shots are some of the most inspiring, triumphant shots ever to be captured on camera.So there you have it, those are my top 5 favorite movies. Agree? Disagree? I'm open for discussion. I fully expect everybodies opinion to differ, and I am prepared to be ridiculed for my choices, be it if you want to ridicule me for taking the easy way out with Shawshank Redemption or picking a stupid comedy as a spot on my list.
Voice your thoughts, share your own top 5!
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