My Favorite Movies

Al Pacino is brilliant as Michael Corleone who, now as the head of the family runs the business. Robert De Niro is astounding as a young Vito Corleone in a mostly Italian speaking role. His Oscar for the role was well deserved. The different settings from 1910's Hell's Kitchen all the way to 1950's Nevada and Cuba is a crucial element of the film, aside from the great performances delivered by the actors.

Fifty years from now, Tom Cruise will be remembered for this film. His portrayal of paraplegic Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic was so powerful and more importantly the film did not glamorize war but instead showed the reality of it. One of Oliver Stone's best. Keep stickin' it to the man!

A look at three decades in the mafia, based on actual events. This film is a must see for all mob movie buffs. This is my favourite Scorsese film. The cutting and filming is sharp, cast is amazing and the plotline is what sets this film apart. You get to know these fellas and see what they go through throughout the years. A great inspiration for 'The Sopranos' creator, David Chase.

A film noir with an intelligent plot and great acting on the parts of Nicholson, Dunaway and Huston. Nicholson was born to play J. J. Gittes.

Mindblowing. It really opens you up to the defining aspects of the 60's counterculture. A definite must-see for all movie buffs.

Pacino in one of his greatest performances as Sonny, the homosexual bank robber. Beautifully directed by Sidney Lumet, this is one of those films that stays with you forever.

Scarface truly is the consummate gangster film starring the most dynamic on-screen presence ever, Tony Montana. Pacino's acting from sassy street punk to coke kingpin is flawless. Tons of white powder snorted, gallons of blood shed, abundance of the F word... What more could you ask for?

One of the scariest movies I have ever seen. Set in the gigantic Overlook Hotel, a family of three spend the winter months alone over there miles from any human beings. This movie, based on the bestselling Stephen King novel, shows how dangerous loneliness and solitude can be. Kubrick's direction and cutting of the film adds an extra chill down the viewer's spine. A must watch for all horror movie fans.

Tarantino at his best. A landmark film of the crime genre. Humour, violence, conflict and Tarantino's trademark camera angles make this film the first of its kind, with great style and an excellent soundtrack to boot.

De Palma reinvents the spy genre in this sleek and sophisticated film based on the classic TV series. This high octane thriller always keeps you at the edge of your seat with tremendous action sequences and, witty dialogue and De Palma's trademark expertise of camera angles.

This movie reinvented the entire series. No longer is Bond a 2 dimensional character who can solve any problem with his fancy gadgets, he's a real tough guy now who does everything the old fashioned way and is human after all. Craig's performance reminescent of Connery's, the presence of screen beauty Eva Green and an interesting as well as believable plot makes Casino Royale one of the best Bond movies in a long time.

My all time favourite action movie with a story almost like an old western, with El Mariachi (Banderas) shooting up bars in search of his nemesis, Bucco. Great action scenes, an arsenal of awesome weaponry and intimate scenes with Salma Hayek make this film a classic and a film which I'll never get sick of.

The best film I've seen in months. Powerful performances by De Niro as the bitter violent automechanic stepfather and by Di Caprio as the victim of his abuse. This film is extremely real and makes you truly feel for the characters. One of Di Caprio's first and best films to date.

A film which makes you think about all the possibilities surrounding us. One of my favourites.

One of my favourite Oliver Stone films. This surrealistic masterpiece is a satire of the media frenzy engulfing the US and Stone has done this using various media and film techniques with heavy emphasize on symbolism. Various media formats are spoofed such as sitcoms and news programmes. All in all, it says a lot about American media during the 90's and does so in a visually stimulating fashion.

The perfect choice of director and actor. Nolan, famous for his simple yet powerful fims such as 'Memento' and 'Insomnia' was a great departure from Joel Schumacher and his flamboyant, over-the-top 'Batman Forever' and 'Batman & Robin'. 'Batman Begins' creates a very believable storyline of how and more importantly, why Bruce Wayne became the Dark Knight.
Casting of a mostly British actors in main roles adds a certain amount of chemistry between them. I feel that Bale suited the role as he had played the 'troubled rich kid' role in 'American Psycho' too. He also has the brooding and mysterious quality required for the role. The supporting cast of one of my favourite actors, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman was the icing on the cake. I was a little disappointed about the Batmobile when I saw pictures of it before the film was released but once I saw it in the film, it blew me away. The batmobile as a former military vehicle was a realistic approach to the subject, as was the inventory owned by Wayne Enterprises which could be easily accessed by Bruce Wayne. If I had to say anything negative about the film, it would be the lack of chemistry between Bale and Holmes. However this is present in all of the previous Batman movies too. Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney and Bale all had trouble with their female co-stars on-screen.

A psychological thriller as well as a satire of the 1980's which gives an insight into the mind of the mad man. One of Bale's best performances yet which rivals his in 'The Machinist'. A great film which proves just how false appearances can be.

The best psychological thriller I have ever seen. Christian Bale lost a hundred pounds for the role which added to his performance of a sleep-deprived machinist. This dark film gives an insight into the human psyche like never before. A must-see for everyone.

Another gem by the king of the thriller. De Palma's 'Femme Fatale' is an updated version of the great films of the film noir era where the femme fatale was a crucial character. Sleek photography and a stylish set up paired with a great and an almost surreal storyline make for a great film.

Visually stunning, at the same time quite shocking. Kubrick has gone against every convention in this film.

Nolan's idea of starting from the end and ending at the beginning in a film about a man with amnesia was pure genius. The plot and play with time was what set this apart from all other films.

Kubrick's sexual thriller really gets you thinking. However, I feel the film loses something in the second half.

The scariest movie ever. This film sends chills down my spine no matter how many times I watch it, no matter what time of day it is...I still can't watch this movie alone. Enough said!

The best Michael Caine film I have seen to date. His performance as the coldblooded assassin out to seek revenge for his brother's revenge was outstanding. Driven by a great plot and an iconic performance by Caine, 'Get Carter' is perhaps the best films of its genre.

Don't even think about watching the Sylvester Stallone remake.

A gritty drama set in the streets of the Big Apple. Certain Scorsese trademarks are present such as distinguishing camera angles and the use of songs by The Rolling Stones.

The greatest coming-of-age film I've ever seen. The journy they take is a journey from boyhood to manhood. The performances were amazing, considering they were all so young.

This is the quintessential Bond film. Sean Connery is back again as the suave ladies man and international spy. Intense can chases, fancy gadgets, villians with plans of world domination (and in this case robbing Fort Knox) and beautiful women all make up a cocktail (shaken, not stirred) of a great Bond film.

A great satire of the 50's and 60's era Horror B-Movies. Stunning cast, visually stimulating and great direction. Burton does it again.

Jamie Foxx surely deserved his Oscar. His performance in this movie was flawless. He was Ray Charles, there's no doubt about it. Nothing more. Nothing Less.

Phoenix is brilliant as Johnny Cash, a role which it seems he was born to play. He was able to relate to the loss of an elder brother (River Phoenix) and he made Johnny Cash his own in this critically acclaimed film. From up and coming country singer to drugged up rock star, I believe that he deserved the Oscar more than Witherspoon.

One of the greatest retrospective films showing life in the US from the conformist 50's to the yuppie 80's through the eyes of a simple man, Forrest Gump. A soundtrack spanning a number of years and references to icons of the 20th century make this movie a must-see for all viewers.

Oliver Stone in top form in this investigative film about the conspiracy theory surrounding the JFK assassination in which the US government was involved. He was able to convince me. Only great films have such power.

An inside look into what really happens behind closed doors in suburbia. The quintessential mid-life crisis film.

One of my favourite Batman films. Tim Burton gave the movie the dark and gritty look which was required, and stayed true to the comic book. The casting of Jack Nicholson as the Joker was brilliant and Nicholson gave one of his best performances ever as the kooky clown. The scene where Jack Napier turns into the Joker is one of my favourite scenes in the movie. However, the casting of Michael Keaton was something to worry about as he had something lacking in him and just didn't meet my expectations. Aside from not being able to hold his own against Nicholson, I don't think he managed very well against Basinger either. I feel that Basinger also performed very well as the love interest. The whole look of the film (aside from the fancy gadgetry) made it seem like it was straight out of a comic book from the 50's. The casting of model, Jerry Hall as the Joker's girlfriend was a nice touch!

Hilarious! Ferrell and Kattan are flawless as the dimwitted brothers. One of Ferrell's funniest films to date.

A great film depicting the effects of heroin addiction in a very graphic fashion. It also shows that it's possible to fight addiction when the will is strong enough.

Perhaps the greatest of the British gangster genre. This sleek and intelligent film did for Daniel Craig what 'Mean Streets' did for Robert De Niro. This film was more or less an audition for the James Bond role in 'Casino Royale'.

One of the most fascinating science fiction fims ever. Aside from small mistakes, such as after 2 years being unconscious in a spaceship on a foreign planet, the men's beards grow fully but their hair remains the same length, the film, with its powerful ending is a landmark in its genre.

Don't bother watching the Tim Burton remake.

A great psychological thriller with a plot twist that baffled all movie audiences who hadn't read the book that it was based on.

Carrey's performance as Kaufman is amazing. The setting and casting is brilliant, and the humour is something only Kaufman can be remembered for.

Pacino's debut film shows a gloomy and dark New York. The heroin scenes were extremely graphic for the time and it is one of the earliest films based on heroin addiction. 'Trainspotting' and 'Requiem For a Dream' were to follow in the years to come.

A disturbing relationship between Lolita and her stepfather is the premise of a very unconventional (for the time it was released) film which shocked audiences then and still does today.

Eerily beautiful.

One of the most entertaining Hitchcock films I've seen. Convincing performances and an amazing story equals a great overall movie for the generations ahead to adore.

A classic look at the 50's era Horror B-Movies through one of its eccentric, cross-dressing directors, Ed Wood.

Reminescent of 'Trainspotting' and 'Panic in Needle Park' yet very different. This also is a very powerful anti-drug movie and shows the downside of heroin addiction.

Al Pacino is great as the hippie cop who fights crime within the police department.

A decent directorial by Robert De Niro. Baed on a teenager living in New York, the early 60's era New York is very evident and the film sends a strong message between right and wrong, good and evil i.e. De Niro being the boy's honest hardworking bus driving father (good) and Palminteri being the local Don (evil). This could possibly be based on De Niro's younger years.

One of the most original mind opening films I've seen which discusses things which are present in our subconscious but which we ourselves are not very sure of. The way it was portrayed with it's innovative animation and storytelling adds to it's originality and almost makes you feel as if you're in a lucid dream.

One of the most unbiased documentaries on the war in Iraq and is truly a subject of poignant interest. Without taking any sides, the documentary bases its findings on actual interviews, facts and figures. The grave mistake that the US made is fully exposed in this masterpiece following the situation in Iraq from the invasion in March 2003 till 2007.