32. Back to the Future Series- 1985,89,90



Sure a little bit of cheating here, but its a near perfect series that never really dips in quality, imagination, or just fun. For three films that take place over course of a single day in 1985. I love these films for not only the charateristics above, but they also deal with great themes, issues, and rise some very interesting question about Time Travel. Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox have some the of the best chemistry and has rarely been topped. The Delorean Time machine is one of the most inventive plot devices ever conceived. This is whent he Speilberg Stamp as Producer meant great quality (much like Goonies, Gremlins, Poltergeist, Men In Black) Granted they reuse some of jokes in the sequels, but they are strictly great for humor purposes. I love the fact that whatever generation, Biff will chase Marty out of a Bar or restaurant, or Marty always thinks he's dreaming. My personal favorite of the three is 2 and needless to say thats how a film needs to be Cliffhangered (Doc's supposed Death then the cool scene where the guy shows up at that moment, is a superb way to end a film and with ending basically where the first one ended in 1955) I could rant all day. But, Dammit I need to get this list on the way.

31. The Fugitive- 1993



Easily one of the best thriller, action, drama films of all time. It's perfect chase film with actors in top form. Many people forget that this was a Best Picture nominee for the Academy Awards, and if it wasn't for Schindler, it could have very well won, but at least Tommy lee Jones won Best supporting actor. Ford is at height of his 90s popularity and just added another Record breaker onto his belt. So many memorable moments in this movie as root for not only the accused, but also the cops. It's brilliantly told, and this should be the mold for any persuit film.

30. Goodfellas- 1990



The best Italian gangster film ever made. Its just a superb film that the Sopranos copied a lot from. It's interesting that the guy that Ray Liota is based on, is also the basis of My Blue Heaven starring Steve Martin and Rick Moranis, except that follows more of the last 15 minutes of Goodfellas and the rest of the story. Thats not a bad film either, check it out sometime. De Niro, Pesci, and Liotta are absolutely perfect together balancing each other out. All the supporting characters are entertaining as well and I think it's one of the best stories ever told. Like earlier said, I really love the Departed now, and it keeps rising, so that could be the counterpart to this one, but as of now, Scorcese's best.

You're on a roll

Goodfellas is a film that has grown on me a lot since I first saw it.

Great set of films. The Game is incredibly underrated.

29. Saving Private Ryan- 1998



I guess it comes down if I ever imagined being in a war, this is probably the closest you'll ever get to seeing it in a movie. While people say the movie after the Normandy invasion it goes downhill, of course, the beginning is just so shocking that everything else is less in comparison. But that doesn't divulge from the rest of the movie. The rest of the film is crafted well, despite it making it look like Americans single handidly won WWII. Tom Hanks and company was absolutely superb and add that with the touching story for one person to make it out alive is good. Speilberg certainly deserved Best Director for this one. My 2nd favorite war film of all time.

28. Ghostbusters- 1984



One of the most fulfilling moviegoing experiences of my life. The story is simple yet that is why its so great. The chemistry between the three leads is unmatchable (The Brains, the Heart, and the Mouth) This movie is just plain hysterical, but what sets this above the rest is its Special Effects, which were made in a way that they never seem dated, and the fact that its a genuinely creepy film at times. In addition that its the most quotable film I've ever had. I can never walk by a piano without doing the "They Hate this" line. Adding to that is Rick Moranis in his best role and Sigourney Weaver actually hot and sexy, as well as showing some comedic charm. Pretty much everything andy everyone in this movie was in it's prime and the results were a bohemeth of a film.

27. Jaws- 1975



Thinking back, seriously how different the movie world would have been if Steven Speilberg was never around, and became a Used Car Salesman instead. His theatrical debut not only was a great film on its own, but took the industry and shook it up. The film itself is another one of those things that it could be real (Based on actual New Jersey shark attacks in the early 1900s) Every actor is a veteran and they show it with almost the performances of their careers. And the Shark, oh the Shark, not by Speilbergs choice, but with all the technical difficulties, the lack of showing the shark makes it not only suspensful but terrifying all the same. Speilberg shows his early genius by creating the Yellow floating barrel scenes out of thin air, and it became one of the most memorable. Roy Schieders facial expression when you see the shark for the first time captures the mood completely. Robert Shaw is as endearing as he is scary and insane. John Williams score became a trademark of Speilberg and Lucas films, and this movie shows why. The Jaws theme, much like the rest of the film, is flawless.

Your on fire here Gun. Not a weak movie in any of the current bunch.

Yes?

Sorry for the slow update, My birthday was absolutely absurd, and today is no different. Saturday Im looking to get to up to the top 15

26. Big Trouble in Little China- 1986



Probably the last film on my list that may cause somewhat of a stir. I believe this film is the Kill Bill of the 80s. In the spirit of an Inaiana Jones/ John Way Western, we are given a film that was so out there when it came out, that of course it bombed, despite almost universal praise. We are given an awesomely written best Cult film of all time in my opinion. John Carpenter and Kurt Russell were probably one of the best Director/Actor collaborators and this is why. It's funny, has good effects even today, and has some great action, as well as paying homage to a lot of old martial arts films. I think one of the main reasons this bombed at the time because it was marketed as an American kicking ass, when in fact Kurt Russel is more of the wise cracking sidekick that has all the manerisms of a badass, but for some reason never quite fulfills until the, ending, but thats also why he is such a classic character. He has some great one liners and when he can kick ass, he has a great time doing it. It's almost as if he's a cocky John Wayne told realistically.

I would watchi this film all the time when I was yonger, and even have the 2 disc DVD. It's awesome for anyone who doesnt own it. While I love Carpenter's horror films, I've always loved this one just a bit more. It's a childhood favorite of mine that holds up even better today. I never get tired of watching it.

Top 25 Starting now

25. Snatch- 2000



Love Love Love this movie. Sure it's probably not as cool or simple as Lock Stock, but I saw this first, and because of that I've always found Lock Stock to be much tamer and less funny. This movie is hysterical and every character is memorable. A lot of people like to put Guy Richie in with other Tarantino knock offs but I really don't believe that. The dialogue is vulgar and the editing is sometimes not in complete order, but this one in particular feels like an original caper film. Great violence, cool boxing scenes and I just love the gritty cinematography feel to it. Brad Pitt continues his awesome streak of films with his hysterical bear knuckle Boxing gypsy Mickey. Jason Statham shows his talent early on in this one as who could be considered the main character in the film. Vinnie Jones is a badass, and Dennis Farina and Benicio Delo Toro only add to the already impressive cast.

As far as films go with McGuffin's this film is dependant upon the diamond and it never lets up in my opinion.

24. The Shining- 1980



Hmm, how do you make a fucked up Horror movie, have Stanley Kubrick direct it. Stanley has made some better films in his life time, but this one is just disturbing. One of the few good Stephen King adaptations, Kubrick puts his own dehumanization spin on it and brings a very crazy film together. Their are many scenes that come to mind as the legendary Jack Nicholson goes crazier and crazier to see how extreme he can get. Now while I said that most of the times realistic films scare me, and while I know this one couldnt happen. This is just one crazy film that is scary but at the same time deep and an all around awesome film.

Very enjoyable movie, although it seems Ritchie is a one trick pony.

23. Monty Python and the Holy Grail- 1975



The 2nd funniest film of all time in my opinion. Every Joke is just hysterical in the movie and completely shows why Monty Python was one of the most influential comedy group of all time. There comedic timing and chemistry has never been matched. All the jokes work, and just when you think you caught them all, some new ones appear. My favorite joke is very hard to pick as so many of them are classics in my opinion. I think I just love the simplicity of the scene when the Guards watch the same repeated clip of Lancelot charging towards them about six times, then he's right there all of a sudden and starts his killing rampage.

The only gripe that can be made is the ending which is just so random and almost kills the mood of the film for it just ends. But I find it to be brillaint as well as frustrating. It's one film, I wish never ended. It could have had even more in my opinion. I can almost quote this film word for word.

22. Seven- 1995



Probably could be a little closer Silence of the Lambs, these two thrillers are top notch and are really the way it should be made. As far as the hook goes, the idea that a killer kills his victims based on the Seven Deadly sins is not only a great idea for a movie, but is at the same time terrifying. Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman are very good as they try and uncover the mystery of this Fucked up individual. What's so interesting is that probably one of best and infamous serial killers on screen, is named nothing more than John Doe, played by Kevin Spacey when he could do no wrong. It must have been crazy since he was billed or marketed at all when the film came out, so to see that he was the killer must have been just absurd in theaters. And the ending is just a no win situation and an awesome twist. One of the few ways that it wouldnt have worked as well if the killer didn't win in the end. Just a superbly crafted tale by the great David Fincher.

21. Airplane!- 1980



The funniest film ever made in my opinion. The Zuckers began their pretty great career with this slamdunk in every aspect of the word. With this, Naked Gun, and Hot Shots they made some great films throughout, but this one is just about as pefect a comedy as they go. Just hysterical in almost every way. I first saw this film in 1996 and thought it was hysterical, if comedies supposedly loose their appeal and get dated as time goes by, I can't even imagine what this film was like 16 years earlier. I probably would have died.

20. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade- 1989



Speilberg, Ford, and Lucas get it right three times in a row. A near perfect action/ adventure film, with the right amount of humor, breataking scenery and and har hitting and exciting action. The tank chase is just out of this world. The writing direction and acting are in top form and it's one of the few sequels that can be arguably considered the best of the franchise, and is the best third film in a series I've ever seen, Revenge of the Sith is close, but look what it had to work with. As if one Jones wasn't enough, we get to see a different side of Indiana Jones by offering this seeminly loner of a guy with a father, played by none other than 007, the uber great Sean Connery. What other actor could pull of being the man that fathered Harrison Ford. This was a the perfect film to kick off the awesome summer of 1989 and end the 80s decade with this entry in the series that never got tiring! I pity those who can't find the brilliance in Indiana Jones, all 15 of you in this world.

19. Die Hard- 1988



Dead even with action with Last Crusade, but this goes just a step higher for creating a genre. Much like Indy was the mold for how action adventure films were, Die Hard was the mold of many action films of the late 80s and 90s. What started out as simply a SEQUEL TO COMMANDO turned into something magical. A flawless action thriller with great stunts and gun fights, a clostrophobic setting, a badass and one of the best characters of all time and one of the best movie villains of all time.

Bring on Live Free or Die Hard. It's a timeless classic that will remain just that.

18. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang



The end of my awesome year of 2005 comes with now one of my favorite films of all time. It's very hard for films to jump into my top 25 at such a young age, so this gets a lot of credit. Everything about this movie is superb, on a slight 15 million budget, this excercised every part of it. Not only does it have one of the best scripts I've ever read, but everything about this movie works. It works as a buddy cop film, drama, spoof on hollywood life, and just kickass murder mystery. Downey and Kilmer are one of the top five pairings I've ever seen. The type of sarcastic and fast talking humor that this movie relies on is what I'm all about in real life. I think this movie is as hysterical as it is deep and a superb in the action and mystery department. The end battle is perfectly quoted by Corbin Bernstein "Captain fucking Magic!" line. it's so absurd, but that's hollywood babe. Also, Downey gives a great narration and the music and cinematography just gives the film a certain type of class as well.

I watch this movie every chance I can, and it's still awesome. If anyone has the DVD, try it with the commentary, Kilmer and Downey are just as funny unscripted as they are scripted.

17. Groundhog Day- 1993



The deepest comedy ever made. Man talking about Groundhog day can almost be a hobby of mine. At first glance, its a hysterical situation comedy with Bill Murray in his prime as usual. At next glance its completely existential and philosophical that doesnt just explore the human condition, but also the meaning of life and the universe. Are curses miracles" And when you think it can't tackle any more genres, its a very touching love story that goes through almost all aspects of love, one night stands, trickery with the best game, and ultimately forbidden love. Throughout the movie if you don't hate Bill Murray's character, then love him find him hysterical, and at the same time feel completely sorry for him, it makes him one of the most endearing characters ever made. Harold Ramis was a great comedic director and acting, but he showed right here a whole different league of film.

Bit of Trivia- Harold Ramis originally wanted Tom Hanks, but deemed he was too nice for the role. At the same time, Bill Murray turned down Forrest Gump to do this movie.

16. The Thing- 1982



The Best horror film ever made as far as I'm concerned. Why you ask, like most great movies that go beyond the genre, is because it's not just a horror movie. It's a deep ride into paranoia and the human will to survive is much like the very thing trying to survive. The special effects way and subject matter way ahead of there time may have dated, but I think they are just as shocking today. the effects are really something special to watch. In addition to that, its not necessarily a scary film, but you're on the edge of your seat the entire time with some of the most classic jumping moments ever made. The cast of all males is superb, and in this type of movie, a female would have really detracted from the film as a whole. Carpenter has single handidly made the best remake ever created with a purpose, rather than the sake of just remaking. And the score is just excellent and the closing shot is pure Carpenter leading to endless discussions on what happened in the movie. Fuck ET, this was the alien film of 1982.