My Favorite Movies

The best movie by the best director.

Masterpiece

Ridley Scott's masterpiece of gothic horror has atmosphere like no other. The Freudian sexual themes are pushed far enough into the subtext to be subliminal. The perfect horror film.

Spielberg's masterpiece. Pure, visual storytelling from beginning to end.

A true cinematic masterpiece where form and content merge. The sound and visuals are hypnotic.

Clint's masterpiece.

Masterpiece

Screw Titanic. This is James Cameron's masterpiece.

Epic in scope and character, this is the definitive comic book to film adaptation.

A baseball and superhero story all in one with amazing acting and photography.

Masterpiece

Arguably Hitchcock's best.

Scorsese's most hypnotic narrative may be his best.

When it comes to gangster movies released in 1990, I like this one best.

Anyone who has seen Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg's first feature film Shaun of the Dead probably has high expectations for their follow-up feature Hot Fuzz. In my opinion, Shaun is an instant classic, one of those rare films that continually rewards the viewer with repeat viewings, so my expectations for Hot Fuzz were high, indeed. However, to compare the two films would do each a disservice. Hot Fuzz stands on its own as an instant comedy classic.

Although they deliberately rely on action genre devices, Wright and Pegg's script doesn't feel plot heavy. Instead, they focus on character development and comedy through use of repetition. The third act is set up so perfectly, all of the story machinations click, roll, and tumble with the precision of a Swiss watch, bringing the story to a hilarious climax. More impressive, however, is that the rest of the story is just as entertaining, unfolding effortlessly without the feel of a set up or an M. Night Shyamalan product where the contrivance is blatant.

Director Wright keeps pace with his quick cut/crash zoom transitions, moving cameras, dynamic angles, and cool blue filters. Even such mundane gestures as getting change from a clerk get the 'action' treatment. But Wright doesn't parody the action genre so much as he pays homage to it. Direct references to action movies like Point Break are played out within the context of the story, not once is there a wink at the camera.

Hilarious, heartfelt, and genre-spoofing all at the same time, Hot Fuzz is entertaining on multiple levels and I suspect has more to offer with repeat viewings... much like another film I know of featuring zombies and a man named Shaun.

Masterpiece

As a noir director, Christopher Nolan does Batman right.

One of the most original comedies ever still holds up twenty years later.

Superior photography, acting, and direction. Weir's second masterpiece next to Gallipoli.

My favorite storylines are about characters going into a rage, and this may be my favorite rage movie.

The difinitive post-apocolyptic movie, I think Road Warrior is better than Mad Max and has what is probably still the best car chase sequence in the history of cinema.

The ultimate revenge story gets a concise adaptation by Reynolds. While some suspension of disbelief is required, Caviezel is great as always and Pearce plays the sleaziest of sleazy badguys.

A great, original film about friendship.

A great adaptation and one of those rare movies that convincingly handles a pre-teen ensemble.

A comedy masterpiece. Maybe the funniest movie of all time.

One of the best action films ever. An original concept essentially turning Dirty Harry into a zombie. This movie has everything: guns, explosions, blood, guts, and humor.

One of the funniest movies ever made.

The epitome of 80s comedy. Cusack's best role. Savage Steve Holland is hilarious.

Animation aside, this is one of the best movies of the year. The story is imaginative, hilarious, and unpredictable. This is hardly a kids-only movie. Not to mention the animation is the best I've ever seen.