I've made videos about my favorite films of all time, but it rarely remains a consistent list. I know that there are certain films that will always be there, but sometimes I have to change my list, because of my experiences or just personal tastes changing.
Here are my favorite films from 20-11 right now.
20. Sorcerer (William Friedkin)
Four men pushed to desperation, are willing to drive two trucks with nitroglycerin through rugged terrain, in order to find a better life.
I saw this for the first time back in April, and gave it a couple more viewings. This film really put me on the edge of my seat. I think Sorcerer works so well partly because other than Roy Scheider (Jaws, The French Connection) there are zero famous faces in this film, which makes it feel like a documentary. If you enjoy the style used in The French Connection and The Exorcist, then you'll probably enjoy this one. Check out the film Wages of Fear, the first adaptation of Georges Arnaud's novel that Sorcerer is based on.
19. Beauty and the Beast (Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise)
A young woman gets more than she bargained for when she is held prisoner in the castle of a Beast.
Check out the Cocteau version, because this Disney classic does take a lot from that version.
The Disney Renaissance began in 1989 with The Little Mermaid, but reached its peak in 1991 with the release of Beauty and the Beast. All of the songs are memorable, and the characters are quite solid. Belle proves to be a more developed Disney princess than most of the others. The Beast is also a great character in terms of how he's written and his visual appearance. You get the sense that he was transformed completely, and this is not a case of "human body with an animal head." In addition, Gaston is an intriguing antagonist; he doesn't want to take over the world or anything large scale, just prove to everyone that he is the best. My favorite scene in the film is the opening with glass stain visuals telling the story of how the prince becomes a beast. Beauty and the Beast became the first animated film in history to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.
18. Boogie Nights (Paul Thomas Anderson)
The story of a young man and the adult film industry during the 1970s and 80s
I had a hard time choosing between this and There Will be Blood as my favorite Paul Thomas Anderson film, but I can say with full confidence that I enjoy Boogie Nights slightly more. The ensemble is great, both the major players and the supporting ones make Boogie Nights a movie that I love returning to. Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Mark Wahlberg, Don Cheadle, and Philip Seymour Hoffman just to name a few. Some great long takes, especially that opening scene. Love the soundtrack too. Best $1 I ever spent: Boogie Nights on VHS.
17. The Godfather Part II (Francis Ford Coppola)
Michael Corleone tries to keep his family and business from falling apart.
This could have been a piece of garbage, but it's not. The followup to 1972's The Godfather proves to not only be a worthy sequel, but also one of the greatest films ever. Al Pacino has never been better, as Michael Corleone tries to keep his world from shattering, and becomes more on edge. John Cazale's Fredo might be the best part of this movie, a weak coward who betrays his family It also helps that quite a few characters from the first film don't show up here, making us long for the old days. The flashback scenes with Robert DeNiro as a young Vito Corleone are also magnificent, with beautiful cinematography and period detail, in addition to being a good story on its own. This film is known for being the first sequel to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
16. Fantastic Mr. Fox (Wes Anderson)
Mr. Fox tries to relive his past as he attempts a three part master plan that causes problems for his family and friends.
If anyone asks, this film features my favorite George Clooney performance. His voice is invaluable as the cocky and sometimes existential Mr. Fox, a master thief turned newspaper...fox. I've never read the book, but I've heard complaints suggesting this film is too adult. I can understand to a certain extent, but I'm glad this movie exists the way it does. Beautiful stop motion animation, as well as fantastic voice-over performances from Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, and Michael Gambon make this a charming and mature animated feature. This film has the honor of being the first animated film to enter the Criterion Collection's DVD/Blu-ray lineup.
15. The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (Michael Powell and Emeric Pressberger)
Over the course of three wars, military man Clive Candy must confront changing times and morals.
I wanted to see this film initially because it's directed by the team from The Red Shoes and Black Narcissus. This is one of the most beautiful looking films I've ever seen, shot on three strip technicolor. In addition to the visuals, the performances are really good. Deborah Kerr plays three different female characters that shape the life of our main hero. Anton Walbrook plays Candy's best friend who has to deal with the fall of Germany in WWI and the rise of Hitler. Finally, Roger Livesey is excellent as Clive Candy, a proud military man who believes that "might equals right" and he would rather lose than use "dishonorable" techniques to win. A study of honor, war, and growing old.
14. The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson)
Royal Tenenbaum tries to patch up his relationship with his distrustful and successful family.
When I started watching the films in Wes Anderson's filmography, I didn't get to this one until it was the only one I had to watch. Every time I watch it, I'm convinced more and more that The Royal Tenenbaums is Anderson's best film. Gene Hackman is perfect as Royal, a man who really is an asshole, but eventually wants to patch up his relationship with his family. Also features my favorite Ben Stiller performance, and the cast is great overall.
13. 8 1/2 (Federico Fellini)
A successful director cannot seem to get his personal and professional life in order, as he ponders into his past and imagination.
8 1/2 is about itself. A stroke of genius by Fellini, the film is equal parts strange, nostalgic, and hopeless. Some of cinema's greatest images are in this movie. Marcello Mastroianni's Guido Anselmi is probably my favorite character in any movie; a man trying to figure out what the hell he's doing while everyone is pressing him to do something. He's not entirely likable, but I can't hate him either. I first watched this one during my senior year in high school, waiting for college acceptance letters and trying to ace the SATs while trying to pass my classes. Everyone wanted answers from me, wondering what I was going to do with my life. I related to Guido very much in that sense. Every time I watch the film, I catch something new. Fellini's 8 1/2 never gets old, it gets better.
12. Amadeus (Milos Forman)
The story of Salieri, a composer whose love and hatred for Mozart drives him to insanity.
I love this one. I love all of these films, but this one resonates with me strongly. The title is related to Mozart, but he's not the main character. Salieri, played by F. Murray Abraham prays to become a great composer, and certain events line up in his favor, except for the appearance of Mozart (Tom Hulce). Abraham gives Salieri great dimension, a mediocre man who cannot reconcile his fondness and intense loathing of the titular composer. This gem has one of my favorite endings ever. Watch it.
11. The Bride of Frankenstein (James Whale)
The story of Frankenstein's creature continues. Now capable of speech, the creature demands that his creator provide him with a mate.
I have another Universal Horror film in my top ten, but this is truly the best one. The acting has improved since the 1931 predecessor, including a show-stealing performance by Ernest Thesiger, as the insane and charming Dr. Pretorious. Karloff's creature is given the power of speech, and it leads to the always moving (and always parodied) blind hermit scene. Also, Son of Frankenstein is another great Frankenstein sequel.
That's all for now, and I'll post my 10-1 countdown next week. What are some of your favorite movies?
-Joey DeAngelis
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