My Favorite Movies

Stallone is the creative force behind what may be one of the most inspiring and powerful films ever. His screenplay crafts the perfect story of an underdog, and at the same time weaving in a touching love story. Stallone's performance is restrained, yet moving. His scenes with Burgess Meredith are simply brilliant, as is the climactic fight scene with his nemesis that would one day be friend...Apollo Creed. Avildsen's directing is moody and creative..with some of the first use of the steady cam in Rocky's training scenes. However, Avildsen is only as good as the material he is given, and the material here provided by the now grossly underrated Stallone both in writing and acting, is superb. One of the best ever, and a film that changed my life.

Probably the most perfectly composed film of all time, Vertigo is enthralling, and almost hypnotic to watch. Hitchcock is at his supreme best in terms of technical composition and mastery of suspense, but it is the emotional impact of this film that maximises its appeal. The story ebbs and flows like a bizarre, eery dream, punctuated by Hermann's amazingly beautiful score, leaving the viewer in a constant state of both awe and suspense. The acting is excellent with Stewart in particular managing to capture the essense of passion and obsession embodied in his character. There simply isn't enough that can be said about this film. It has stood and will continue to stand the test of time and will remain one of the truly great pieces of artistic work from a legendary director.

If Rocky symbolises the heroic story of a dreamer, then surely Raging Bull is its complete antithesis. Both Scorsese and De Niro produce what can only be described as career best work, with De Niro producing what is arguably the greatest on screen acting performance by someone other than Marlon Brando. De Niro captures the essence of Jake La Motta's insecurity, obsession, humour, violence, and most of all his rage. Not to mention a physical transformation that is quite astounding. Raging Bull also features an excellent supporting cast with Joe Pesci shining one of his early roles and Moriarty very good as La Motta's beleaguered wife. Scorsese gives his finest directing performance, giving us mezmerising fight scenes, as well as the all too commonly misused black and white film, which serves the brutality and coldness of this story absolutely perfectly.
A perfect film.

This is stylish, gruesome, melodramatic, and colourful. All that is to be expected by the brilliant De Palma who directs this with typical visual aplomb. Pacino's larger than life performance is a personal favourite. Watching the evolution of the totally unlikable, violent, greedy Montanna is gievn depth and made enjoyable by Pacino. Its a cult favourite and easily the best gangster film of the 80's.