For some reason, Vertigo seems to be way under-appreciated among Hitchcock's best, but it's probably my favorite. Great score. I'd have it higher, but good call.

I don't recall calling my own list strange, but anyways.

In reality my reasoning for Jackass 2 in a condensed form is very simple: Jackass 2 would probably be for me, one of the top 3 funniest films that I've seen. Quality or not, that is enough for a top 50 berth, as someone who loves to laugh.

44.


Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

I think I'll quote bABA's thoughts on 300 for this one...



Let's travel to the year 99. Lucas finally delivers the most hyped film of all time, the rebirth of the Star Wars franchise, The Phantom Menace... I personally like that movie a lot (Neeson/McGregor + Podracing + Darth Maul + Awesome lightsabre battling = Woohoo), but anyways, to most of the world the consensus was that it was a piece of crap. The trade storyline was admittingly, very disappointing, and the less said about Jar Jar the better. The year 2002 hits, and this film in my mind, wasn't terrible, just realllllly forgettable, and of course Hayden Christensen... Why Lucas, why!!!

So in 05 Sith comes out, despite it being the big film of the prequel to care about, the film with all the developments and transformation, so far the streak wasn't looking so good. And what do you know? Lucas not only delivers a great great movie, but overall one of the finest and most epic pieces of sci-fi and geek box-office orgasms of a movie ever. Despite what some say about the dialogue, I honestly believe there is no way that you could make this film better than what Lucas did. It is, once again, a movie faf and and blockbuster admirer's orgasm, and I find that after the decades its been, it not only completes the saga but stands as the second best film. Sith is good enough that I believe the first two prequels should be tossed out of mindsets completley, and Star Wars should stand as a series of four.

Where to start... The visuals and battle scenes in this film are just incredible, with the dual fighting at the end standing among the best fight scenes in movies. But what makes Sith so great, is that much like the first 3 films, it has all its greatness set when it is at most basic: The idea of good, evil, and the darkness and twisted pain that switches Anakin over to that side. Sith and in a way the entire Star Wars saga, is about a character in Anakin, and the breakdown as the young boy changes and becomes broken down until he is the monster that he becomes, is great great characterization work by Lucas, probably the best he's ever done. When does switch, it is both emotionally tugging and immensely exciting in that you are seeing a man become the evil that is Vadar. The deforming of the Palpatine's face and the death of Mace Windu is certainly a great great scene, and it is from that point on that the film becomes incredible. Anakin's eyes as he goes after the children is just shocking, and the battle and confrontation between Obi-Wan and Anakin is pure ecstasy in its excitement, while at the same time Yoda and Palpatine share an equally entertaining duel. The finale, with Vadar rising, is just a wet dream moment, and everything you hoped it would be (though the noooo was admittingly a bit cheesy)... Padme's death and the babies splitting up, and the final shots of the film with Tatooine's sun, ties it all together perfectly. Lucas had great attention to detail in his connecting of the series, he fills in all the holes of the A New Hope so well, that if you watch it after, it's almost as if he had this planned the entire time.

What can you say, the perfect concluding piece to the greatest quadrilogy saga ever, and the best film of 2005. Sith is the movie everybody dreamed about when Lucas announced he's bringing back Star Wars, it is everything you could hope for in a final chapter, just again, a wet dream of movie fandom.

And wow I just wrote a lot about Revenge of the Sith.

43.


Clerks 2

For me, 2006 represented 2 things: a) The return of action films being good again, and b) The year where I laughed an inhumanly amount. I give the top 3 spots on my 06 list to comedy, and as of recent I've decided, while I may flip-flop more in the future, Clerks 2 is the tip top of them all.

Much like Jackass, a big part of the reason why Clerks 2 is in my top 50 of all time, is that it is one of the funniest movie experiences I have personally had. Kevin Smith has a solid array of great, unique films, and I consider him a near genius writer... I have to say though, of all in his Askweuniverse series, Clerks 2 is both his most complete and best film. It effortlessly does two things, it brings gut-bursting laughs, and tells a story of great characterizations, friendship, and where you are really supposed to be, with moments that are even touching... The people in this movie are all so likable, and they almost seem real. But to be honest, the reason it is this high, is the laughs. For me, this far outduels the first film or any one of Smith's other films in that area. The LOTR impersonation, porchmonkeys, the new(great) character Elias and his nerdiness, pillowpants, the goat, it nearly made me cry multiple times. Acting is as you expect it to be, in terms of on paper yeah these guys aren't the greatest actors, but hell, if they're that funny, I don't care. Rosario Dawson did a very good job as the female support as well. Clerks 2 also stands as a rewatchable film, it's something I could see myself revisiting many times in the future.

42.


Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

The best Star Wars film. I have NO idea where the hate comes from, it shocks me when I hear people like Dark Shape putting it below something like Menace or Clones. I feel that in this film, all the right strings were pulled. First of all, it's easily the most emotional of the three. The final encounter stands as one of the best sequences in film, and other moments like Yoda's death, Han coming back to life, Vadar's death, and others, are all pure excellence. I feel the chase on the planet is very good, and I personally liked diving deeper into Han's softer persona. Ewoks aren't fantastic, but they're bearable. I feel that in Jedi, finally all the pieces came together... Action scenes, character work, the fight against Vadar, pacing, it is in my mind, the perfect sci-fi piece of cinema. Also, for the first time in the series, the lightsabre battles were very good. I'm still befuddled on how this isn't considered with the rest, but anyways. My favorite Star Wars film.

I can't decide which Hitchcock is best. I'm thinking Strangers on a Train might be better, but Vertigo is just sooooooooo perfect. They're both in my top ten.

Saul Bass's opening montage with that amazing score from Herrmann still kicks ass.

*swoons*

Shack, you're list makes me cry.

Jedi's still better than all of the prequels, but it's nowhere near as good as the original or Empire. The Ewoks are just... too much.

41.


L.A. Confidential

The more I think about L.A. Confidential, the more esteem it grows in my mind. Away from few very minor flaws mainly dealing with the first act of the film, and Kim Basinger, the movie for 95% of its running time is essentially a masterpiece. What I can say about L.A. Confidential is that its ... layered and complex. Curtis Hanson and the screenplay have molded a film that plays with so many things at once. The crime itself, the politics and community of L.A. and the police department, the corrupt boss, Basinger and the whore business, how the publicity is portraying this, and then on top of that 3 different cops and main characters, what is going through their heads and their journey through the film. The characterization work on the leads is probably the best part about the film, with Crowe, Pearce, and Spacey, these people are just dived into, explored, their souls and minds and all their complexity is revealed completley. The crime storyline unfolds excellently, always keeping you on the edge of discovery on what is happening, near masterful work. The acting from the 3 leads is incredible, again it is in the characters themselves that the movie rests its weight. The screenplay would rank among the best ever, and overall the technicals provide simply a masterful display. Hanson has rebirthed the noir genre, in a film that stands with other late 90s noirs, as something to treasure indeed. L.A. Confidential really is the film that should've won the Picture award in 97, cultural significence of Titanic or not.

40.


The Truman Show

The Truman Show for me is a movie that is a near masterpiece. As a concept, the idea of this world, it is starkingly original, satirical, and brilliant. Truman is a regular man living in a regular world, he grows up and lives the normal and standard life, he is a joe of joes and he lives exactly the way the world has taught him too. On first watch he may seem like an ordinary, almost boring man, but it is in the fact of watching this ordinary man's life, that the film's premise is brilliant, fascination with the overly regular. It is also quite a devestating thought to think that all your family, friends, community, the ones surrounding you, are all completley deceiving you and always will be. When Carrey starts discovering things just aren't right, it is like the world he lives in no longer exists, and again the idea of questioning and dethroning what is surrounding you completley, is brought up. Truman has been taught his whole life that he is an ordinary man, when in reality as the most famous man in culture due to this famous show, he is anything but, and it tells that we ourselves when he least think it are not ordinary. Apart from all that, Jim Carrey himself gives one of his best performances, and Ed Harris along with the rest of the cast all are suberb, as well as the technicals and writing in general. The Truman Show is a film that due to its realizations on life, and amazing originality in premise and execution, is a movie that everyone should get around to seeing. It's a shame it hasn't been recognized more.

You have Vertigo and Clerks 2 on the same list. I don't even know what to say, really.

WTF is with this shit, though -

http://www.worldofkj.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28277

8 1/2 was easily the most frustrating film I've ever watched. I can't handle 2 and a half hours of a director walking around and randomly talking/having dreams, it is an artistic vision that goes nowhere. I'm not a man who gets bored watching film or a man who turns off movies early, but this was an exception.

Sorry about the delay, I'm performing in a school play this week, a lot of my hours have been tied up and I've let this slide a bit.

The next choice won't make me any friends I'm afraid...

39.


Super Troopers

This is a completley personal choice of mine. It is not incredibly brilliant comedy, it is not remarkable filmmaking, and if I watched it today with no previous connection or viewing, it probably wouldn't be on here. But the truth is, Super Troopers is one of the few films in my collection that I can watch endlessly with my brain off, with friends, in a bus, at a party, and just enjoy it every time. With 15+ viewings of the film in my still short lifetime, it stands as my second most watched film ever, and it to this day stands as a favorite DVD selection and always memorable film to watch. It's a low brow classic, and I'd like to say, the boys in this film do a very good job with their characters... best. cops. ever. I think Heffernan as Farva is the best of all though, that man will never ever reach a level near what he did in this movie. Troopers stands as one of the movies in my collection that I know most of the lines to and can quote any time I'd like, and will gladly pop in on request to watch on random days just to relax.

Super Troopers!!!! This list is like a roller coaster. I'll put money on the next movie being Metropolis.

I'm gonna go with Koyaanisqatsi, followed by Daddy Day Care.

Unfortunatley that is where the momentary back and forth between respectable and non-respectable choices ends. Well... for the most part. I have a few surprises up my sleeve still.

38.


Platoon

I don't love war or their films(though I still need to catch up on a few of them bad), but Platoon is easily the best of the genre that I've seen. In reality Platoon is not a film about the war at all. It is about the mindsets and insanity of the soldiers who are a part of it, and while most films of the genre claim that for advertising purposes, Platoon is the one film that follows through. It is a internal and complex human soul study wrapped in a war film, as the characters dive into insanity and what not from what being stuck on this platoon is doing to them, scenes like Berenger shooting a villager, or Silas's now near iconic death, or the final scene which would rank among one of the most intense I've seen, and you realize that these people have had a toll done to them mentally far past the typical 'I can't forget!' scenes most war movies try to put on. It is a toll of dement combined with lonliness and anger that pushes these characters over the edge, throughout most of the movie. Oliver Stone proves he is an excellent director despite his most recent efforts, capturing the jungle and shooting the film very well. Acting, particularily by Berenger and Dafoe, is excellence. The movie also runs under 2 hours, a massive relief considering the length of most war efforts, it never wastes any time whatsoever and gets everything done in time. For me Platoon is just the opposite of the slightly overrated Saving Private Ryan, while that latter film had too much typical cliches of the everlasting hero and no further character development to its men than 'He was a good soldier' type of stuff, Platoon on the other hand decides to dive deep, creating a character drama with the war as a backdrop. Best war film ever for me, personally.

37.


Memento

Memento is probably one of the most strikingly original concepts for film ever. You play this story in regular layout, and it's a forgettable streets crime film. Once the story in backwards medium is introduced however, what comes out is one of the most brilliant noirs ever. There are films like say... The Prestige, that have twists in the film for the sake of having twists. Memento on the other hand, uses the twists as the key to all the film's intrigue and suspense. As we go back in events and learn more by way of the b&w portion of Guy Pearce's story, more and more things are unveiled, and as he continues to look for his wife's killer, we are learning more about the situation as well. Each segment puts us in the shoes of Pearce, as just as he doesn't know what's originally going on, either do we. The crime and twist itself is put together masterfully, and as Christopher Nolan pulls us through the bril script, it envelops us in its storyline in all its fascination and glory. Memento stands as one of the most intellectually brilliant films of its type ever, and over time as Christopher Nolan gains fame, I expect more people will discover it to great success. The other thing I haven't mentioned yet that put this above most other films of the director, is that the film not only weaves this great tale, it creates a fascinating character in Pearce and his condition, and actually makes us care for what is happening, pumps our adreneline. If only he could be a little less cold directing his future movies, he could be on his way to becoming a near master of the art.

36.


The Lion King

The Lion King in all its fame, is still one of the most remarkable animated films that has ever been made. First of all, the storyline (thanks Shakespeare) of the disappearing scared cub who comes back after many years to take his throne, is one of the more epic and depthy storylines that Disney has ever put out. The Lion King works on a variety of levels at once. It as mentioned, is a grand story told well. It is humorous, thanks to Timon, Pumbaa, the hyenas, and the villain. It has moments of pure beauty in its visuals, in particular the opening sunset scene leading up to Simba being raised in the air, and the scene where Mufasa appears in the sky, are probably among the most iconic of the genre ever, and the art work by Disney throughout the entire film is just spectacular. It has one of the most catchy musical numbers in animation history with Hakuna Matata, and Circle of Life ain't bad either. It has characters that are all memorable, with excellent voice work by the slightly well known cast. It is moving, the story of redemption and revenge that Simba embarks on is strong. And finally, it is entertaining and one of the most enjoyable animated features of all time. It is one of the few in the genre that at the same time as pleasing the kids and prime audiences, provides depth and story magnificence for everyone else as well. The Lion King deserves all its acclaim as what many consider the greatest animated film ever, it is a classic.

35.


Tombstone

Westerns are another genre I need catching up on. However as it stands, Tombstone is without a doubt the best I have seen from the group. The best word to describe this movie is awesome. The whole thing is just a blast, and certainly it contains some of the most quotable lines in the last 15 years and some of the most exhilarating scenes. The best part about the film, is Val Kilmer as Doc Holladay. Kilmer has gotten some slack for his career, but with this turn here, he puts down his place in cinematic history, as it stands it is one of my favorite male performances. The electricity with his snarls, the way he says his lines(I'm your huckleberry), the way that when they are walking to the fight, you just know this hobbling man is the more dangerous than any of them, and the delivery of his lines, it is magnificence and one of the 90's best performances, and biggest snubs in terms of the Oscars. Russell also does an excellent job with the role of Earp, when he gets angry, things start clicking, so much that scenes that in a normal circumstance like the river shootout would seem ridiculous, are believable. Tombstone is witty, entertaining, deep, humorous, and quite excellently made. A triumph of a western.

*CHECK. DA. AVY*


YEAH YEAH YEAHHH!!!

This list takes way too much time. It's getting kinda uninteresting if only one movie per day gets posted.

It's because I'm mad busy with performing in a school play this week, sorry. I'll post a bunch late tonight/tomorrow morning.

34.


Toy Story

While I think it is probably not the most deep or story-strengthy CGI film, Toy Story for me still remains my favorite of the group. For one, the characters personally rank as my favorite in animation ever, Woody and Buzz and the rest of the toy gang are just fantastic creations. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen do wonderous voice-work, this was such inspired casting, compared to most CGI films today where random celebrities are picked. The idea of toys that come to life when you're not looking, is also pretty good. I liked the storyline in this quite a lot and moreso than in the second, other than a new fad replacing the old one which is something we all do as children, the adventure as they go out to the pizza parlour works fairly strongly, and the end chase scene on the road is just great. The first appearance of Buzz and his 'flying', and the fact that at first he actually believes he is a space commander, is bril, as is scenes like the neighbour's firecracker experiment and the dog, the toy alien snatching machine, and the army men and their lowering ability... in fact most scenes in the movie are just perfect for the type of film it is. For me Toy Story remains a childhood favorite, and I prefer it over the second film overall for its simplicity and enjoyability factor, as the film that revolutionized CGI it remains my favorite of the advanced animation, and will probably stay that way until Pixar trys to knock it off with Wall-E and Toy Story 3, two of my most anticipated of the next couple years.

33.


Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb

Dr. Strangelove is quite possibly, Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece. There's black comedies, and then there's Dr. Strangelove. The cold war is something I did not experience in my lifetime, however with the current war + politics of that nature, it's easy to see how it's one of the greatest satires ever. The culmination of stringing along 3 settings, from the plane in the air heading to the drop zone, to the crazy general, to the war room, is just perfect. All the way as the planes are flying, you know that they're going to get through, you're just waiting for how... the perfect storm that results in the bomb dropping and Kong riding it is classic. The general and his philosophy about how his bodily fluids are going to be drained, and just the dialogue him and Sellers have in those scenes, are also top-notch. The best for me is the war room though, the combination of Sellers as the president and his pitch-perfect delivery when he hears what's happening, Buck, Sellers as the Dr., and the Russian man/premeire on the phone, is top-notch and hilarious all the way. Dr. Strangelove is an impeccible piece of satircal black comedy, and a film that could be routinely studied over and over, it is Kubrick's finest of what I've seen. And oh yeah, Strangelove also has an ending that would rank as one of the very best ever easily.