My Favorite Movies


  InaHH's Rating My Rating
1
Brokeback Mountain 2005,  R)
Brokeback Mountain
This is fantastic. Ang Lee's quiet, intense direction, two wonderful and subtle actors, a great script - why on earth this film did not win the Oscar is beyond my comprehension.
A big minus was homophobic idiots in the audience, maybe IQ tests should be conducted before entering the theatre. If someone is too immature to deal with love in all its forms they should maybe not go to see this out of all movies... This film makes me glad about the time and place I live in, but some of the comments both in the theatre and on this community remind me that THIS struggle isn't yet over. Can I just add to my ancient review that this movie turmed me into a fan of Heath Ledger's work, which makes it even harder to watch now.
2
Pulp Fiction 1994,  R)
Pulp Fiction
It's Pulp Fiction. What more can I say.
3
Saving Face 2004,  R)
Saving Face
I think this must be my favourite romantic comedy of all times. Its sweet, funny, quirky, has a cute couple without the "gay" part being a big issue - wonderful film that more people need to see.
4
Philadelphia 1993,  PG-13)
Philadelphia
Not only does Tom Hanks give the performance of a lifetime, this is also one of the most touching and most important films of the Nineties.
5
West Side Story 1961,  PG)
West Side Story
My favourite musical of all times.
6
Head-On (Gegen die Wand) 2004,  R)
Head-On (Gegen die Wand)
The DVD cover says it best: "Raw, powerful, extraordinary" actually hits the nail on the head. This is most likely one of the best German films ever made - and a very tough ride for the audience. The sheer realism of it all makes this movie hard to forget. Perfect little drama with a marvelously talented cast. If only German cinema would always be this gripping and intense.
7
Trainspotting 1996,  R)
Trainspotting
Great, weird, gritty, dramatic and funny. And will forever be associated with my attempts to learn Scottish English. They only temporarily suceeded. ;-)
8
Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella) 1997,  PG-13)
Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è bella)
Masterpiece IS the right word. Everybody needs to see this.
9
Memento 2000,  R)
Memento
Wow. I feel the urgent need to hand out superlatives freely: Original, brilliantly shot, a masterpiece of modern cinema.
10
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind 2004,  R)
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
Another fantastic script by Charlie Kaufman, great cast, weird and wonderful love story.
11
Léon (The Professional) 1994,  R)
Léon (The Professional)
Truly great film, though only in the Director's cut. The normal version lacks depth in the relationship between Jean Reno and Natalie Portman.
12
Moulin Rouge! 2001,  PG-13)
Moulin Rouge!
I just love it, no explanation possible. Basically, it is one big declaration of love to pop music and film musicals.
13
Run Lola Run (Lola rennt) 1998,  R)
Run Lola Run (Lola rennt)
Truly original, one of the extremely rare moments of innovative, fantastic German cinema. Certainly a must-see. Stay clear of the dubbed English version, though, it's appallingly translated.
14
The Pianist 2002,  R)
The Pianist
Polanski's best film, I think. Incredibly moving, great acting, superb directing, one of these rare moments of pure cinematic perfection.
15
Amélie (Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain) 2001,  R)
16
Cidade de Deus (City of God) 2002,  R)
Cidade de Deus (City of God)
This cinematic masterpiece is like a good kick in the stomach - and it doesn't let go of the audience until the very end.
17
Blade Runner 1982,  R)
Blade Runner
still my favourite science fiction film of all times
18
Romeo + Juliet 1996,  PG-13)
Romeo + Juliet
Brilliant. Just that. Whoever manages to make Shakespeare appeal to young, modern people deserves the highest praise. Best modern Shakespeare adaptation without a doubt. And maybe Leo's only good mainstream movie... ;-)
19
Being John Malkovich 1999,  R)
Being John Malkovich
This is so weird, it's great. I am a huge fan of Charlie Kaufman's extremely weird film scripts, including this one. Kudos to Malkovich for actually being in this, very very funny.
20
Fight Club 1999,  R)
Fight Club
Simply excellent. No faults there.
21
A Fish Called Wanda 1988,  R)
A Fish Called Wanda
One of the funniest films of all times.
22
Reservoir Dogs 1992,  R)
Reservoir Dogs
Actually, this is even better than Pulp Fiction, just that less people probably watched it.
23
The Silence of the Lambs 1991,  R)
The Silence of the Lambs
no comment to be made. Great.
24
Boys Don't Cry 1999,  R)
Boys Don't Cry
Great performances. Great movie.
25
Transamerica 2005,  R)
Transamerica
What a very perfect movie with an utterly perfect lead performance by Felicity Huffmann. I actually find nothing to criticize in this calm yet exciting road movie with a sympathetic, intelligent, funny and well-adjusted lead character. Huffmann's performance made me forget even the slightest hint of Housewives-fame within 5 minutes - that is an Oscar-deserving actress if I ever saw one. Shame on the Academy for not rewarding this important, clever, sensitive and touching film.
26
The Woodsman 2004,  R)
The Woodsman
Tough, uncomfortable film. And probably one of the most intense, thought-provoking and brave films I have ever seen. Kevin Bacon gives a performance that cannot possible be forgot.
27
The Chinese Botanist's Daughters (Les Filles du botaniste) 2006,  Unrated)
The Chinese Botanist's Daughters (Les Filles du botaniste)
Visually simply amazing and wonderfully subtle, the tension between the two women is sensual, palpable, poetic even. This film could be watched without any sound at all and be understood just through its visuals. The longing looks, the lingering of the camera on the skin, the amazing scenery... Very powerful film.
28
Good Night, And Good Luck 2005,  PG)
Good Night, And Good Luck
Almost more of an historical exposé than a movie. But brilliant at that, and David Strathairn is simply amazing. His performance and Clooney's intimate, reduced direction makes this into a fascinating film of great political significance.
29
O Brother, Where Art Thou? 2000,  PG-13)
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Gotta love a Southern style adaptation of Homer. Especially if it is made by the Coen brothers and stars several hilarious actors, most notably the incredibly funny George Clooney. I could honestly watch this over and over and over again. And I have, too, I believe it has been about 10 times by now.
30
La Vie en Rose (La Mome) 2007,  PG-13)
La Vie en Rose (La Mome)
Marion Cotillard: Amazing, breathtaking, heartbreaking, the performance not only of the year but also of a lifetime. I can't even begin to describe what emotional turmoil her performance put me in. It is very rare for an actress to have that effect on me, but this was the most deserving Oscar performance I ever saw. Damn, she deserved every award on the planet for this. I would not have believed that it was the same actress the whole film through had I not known for sure. The film is great also, first I was a bit irritated by the nonlinear narration, but it all fell into place nicely and made perfect sense in the end. This way of narrating her life showed the most significant bits and made for a thrilling psychological portrait. A linear narration would just be another great biopic with a pitch-perfect performance, but this slightly more original take made it stand out even more. As of now my favourite biopic ever.
31
Cabaret 1972,  PG)
Cabaret
Sally Bowles is one of my favourite female characters in movie history. And this wonderful adaptation of the musical one of my favourite film musicals - the visual is amazing, the music and performances spot on. Must have seen it just about 20 times....
32
Amores Perros 2000,  R)
Amores Perros
Extraordinary, gripping, simply fantastic.
33
The Dark Knight 2008,  PG-13)
The Dark Knight
The best big budget action film since The Matrix. That simple. This is as good as the hype suggests, it makes your heart race, while not ignoring that you have a brain, too (a rare quality in mainstream action cinema). The superlatives once more can be handed freely to Christopher Nolan who is one of the most innovative forces of modern cinema and proves this admirably over and over again. And Heath Ledger is the icing on the cake - his last performance outshines all "baddies" that ever were. Perfect.
34
The Matrix 1999,  R)
The Matrix
There is nothing to say. Modern classic.
35
The Piano 1993,  R)
The Piano
Delicate masterpiece by Campion. Her direction allows for absolutely perfect performances by Hunter, Keitel and Paquin to flourish - one of the best movies ever made.
36
All About My Mother (Todo Sobre Mi Madre) 1999,  R)
37
Hable con Ella (Talk to Her) 2002,  R)
Hable con Ella (Talk to Her)
One of Almodovar's best films, if there is such a thing as ranking his movies. Have to rewatch it one of these days, long time no see...

Comments (0)


Post a comment

Recent Comments