My Favorite Movies

An absolute classic by Quentin Tarantino which redefined modern crime drama. It's nonlinear story telling, exceptional script, and the absolutely brilliant performs by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson makes this an instant classic. This picture has easily earned it's way to the top of many people's favorite films lists, and I'm certainly proud to be one of them...

Sylvain Chomet is a master of his craft and much like his previous works, 'The Triplets of Belleville' is an utterly astounding animated feature with quirky characters and some of the most inspirational and gorgeous animation I've ever seen. The highlight aspects of the film for myself were the exquisite background designs, the dramatic lighting, and the beautiful character work. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this film and I highly recommend it. I also recommend Chomet's Oscar nominated short 'La Vieille dame et les pigeons':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhluLVAVDsI

Herzog's Best. With a filmography like his, the 'best' is saying something. One of the reasons I personally consider this Herzog's best is because, after having done five films together, this was my favorite role Klaus Kinski played. This film just absorbed me from the breathtaking opening scene of the group venturing through the amazon, all of the way to final scenes where Kinski shines. Everyone should see this film, not just because more than likely they've watched at least one picture that was inspired by this one, but because it is one of the best films ever made...

Having already made some of the greatest films of all time with 'Dr. Strangelove', 'A Clockwork Orange', and '2001: A Space Odyssey', to call Stanley Kubrick's 'Barry Lyndon' his masterpiece is truly saying something. During this three hour epic, The 18th century is vividly brought to life through some of the most beautiful imagery ever filmed. This is something that must be seen and appreciated as the work of fine art that it is.

Sergio Leone's masterpiece, complete with Ennio Morricone's classic score carries this film to tremendous depths. Amazing acting, brilliantly written subtle humour, awe-inspiring cinematography, what more can I say about this flawless picture? Highly recommended, the best Western film ever made...

One of the most thought provoking movies you ever see. Aside from the groundbreaking special effects and classic Kubrick cinematography, 2001 speaks on so many levels about technology and the extent we rely on it. A fact which grows truer with every day that passes. A great film...

Herzog's epic. I'm sure by now if you've heard the name 'Werner Herzog', you've heard some portion of the making of the film 'Fitzcarraldo'. After investing time into viewing Herzog's films, few other times have I been more inspired. The determination, not only of the characters in the film but of Herzog himself. Klaus Kinski is still as mesmerizing to watch as always has been. There are few things I can add that haven't already been said time and time again, but heed my advise when I tell you to watch this film and be as inspired by it as I have been. Truly an astonishing picture...

After much anticipation, I have finally seen Ingmar Begrman's 'The Seventh Seal' and it really was worth the hype. The cinematography and camera work were extraordinary, but the brilliant dialogue is what made the film. With the existential theme at the forefront, the picture also comments on many other issues including love and religion. This is a very heavy film and one I would highly recommend...

After watching Jean-Pierre Melville's 'Le Samourai', aside from the thought crossing my mind that this is a terrific film, I couldn't help but think how much I wish I lived in a place where I could pull of wearing a trench coat and fedora. Although not having very much dialogue, comparatively speaking , Alain Delon still manages to become one of the greatest film icons. The plot is rather simple but the film itself reaches certain depths mostly through the brilliant acting. This undoubtedly is an essential film to see...

As many have stated before, for me to try and judge or critique this work would just be a repetition of what countless others have already said. Many could articulate their emotions toward this film better than myself, but that doesn't mean my affection towards this film is lessened. This is an essential film to those trying to educate themselves on film history, which is apparent from the beautifully shot opening sequence. All I can think to say is to watch the film yourself, rewind, and watch it again. Fellini is one of the masters...

The rise and fall of boxing champion Jake LaMotta is extraordinarily portrayed in Martin Scorsese's masterpiece 'Raging Bull'. Rob DeNiro and Joe Pesci deliver, quite possibly, the greatest performances of their careers while Martin Scorsese does an unsurpassable job behind the camera. It's no wonder why this film is such a classic and considered to be one of the greatest American films ever made. A very highly recommended picture...

When it comes to great works of art, more often than not, simplicity is key. But within that simplicity lies complex subjects that will make you question things about yourself. That is one thing which makes Yasujuro Ozu's film 'Tokyo Story' so powerful. The situation is anything but farfetched and the scenario plays out more like the audience is spectating real life rather than watching a film. This is essential viewing for anyone interested in Japanese cinema or anyone obsessed with movies in general. As with many art house films, I find more satisfaction discussing them rather than merely writing about them, so, go watch it...

Possibly the greatest gangster film ever made. Ray Liotta does a great job heading a wonderful cast and Scorsese directs his best film since Raging Bull. Goodfellas has inspired many great writers including David Chase(The Sopranos) and also many other gangster flicks in years past. This picture is a must see...

Nobody can stir up conflict quite like Lars von Trier, but nobody can make a film quite like him either. I knew very little with what to expect going into this this film the first time around, but after I witnessed it I was amazed. It's interesting to me how Trier stripped everything down to next to nothing and relied on the actors talent to tell the story. In modern cinema, it's a rarity to see a film without special effects, but for someone to go a step further and actually leave things to the viewers imagination is completely refreshing. Everyone may have their own opinion or critiques of Lars von Trier and his works, but this movie works very well and is unlike anything you've probably ever seen. I guess this may be a love it or hate it experience, but I don't understand what's not to love...

If you were imprisoned for 15 years, with no knowledge as to why, and then suddenly released with no explaination, what would you do? The second film in Park Chan-wook's vengeance triology, 'Oldboy' is an awe-inspiring cinematic experience and a truly unforgettable picture. The cinematography is unique and captivating throughout the film, and the entire cast provide flawless performances. This brutal tale can only be described as utterly brilliant...

When creating a list of films whose remakes are superior to, or just as good as it's predecessors, the Herzog/Kinski collaboration on Nosferatu would undoubtedly be toward the top. Herzog captured the eerie setting and time period perfectly, while Kinski does what he does best, becomes the character and makes you forget he's acting. This film often gets overlooked by many people, and I feel it's slightly under appreciated. I consider it to be one of Herzog's best...

'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' contains one of the greatest on screen duos put on film in Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and is one of the best American made westerns of the sixties. The charming and witty dialogue are delivered with such ease while the screenplay translates perfectly to the screen. Even after almost forty years, 'Butch Cassidy' is still as vibrant and absorbing as it was when it was first created. For those that have never seen it or haven't seen it in awhile, this film is highly recommended...

Great film. Everything from the cast to the unforgettable soundtrack provided by Neil Young, this is one of my favorite Jarmusch pictures.Highly recommended. "Do you have any tobacco?"...

One of he films that proves that the Coen brothers are masters of their craft. All of the actors are entirely believable and pull you deeper into the atmosphere with every passing scene. The screenplay was, for lack of a better word, perfect. A classic in every sense of the word...

An utterly magnificent piece of modern American cinema. Daniel Day-Lewis was flawless and horrifying in his portayal and delivers the best performance of the year. I am an enormous fan of Paul Thomas Anderson's previous films, but this picture may even surpass them. All of the actors involved were extraordinary and the dialogue, especially that of Daniel Plainview's, was performed to perfection. Every aspect was exquisitely executed, from the gorgeous cinematography to the fasinating and eerie soundtrack provided Radiohead frontman Jonny Greenwood. 'There Will Be Blood' is a film no one will soon forget...

Darren Aronofsky delivers another one of the most depressing films I've ever seen with 'The Wrestler'. The harsh reality of life through the eyes of the characters was brutal and the superb acting brought it to a different level. This is some of the finest film making I've seen in awhile and highly recommend watching it as soon as possible...

One of Tim Burton's better films. Johnny Depp was terrific as the 50's shlock director, but Martin Landau was flawless as Bela Legosi. I'm really not a Tim Burton fan at all, but he did rather well with this film...

This film marks a new era of animation, CGI, and film making all in one package. The craft executed elegantly into every detail is breathtaking and the animation on everything from the characters to the wine and other liquids are phenominal, to say the least. Brad Bird is an extraordinary film maker and I am definitely looking forward to how future animation is effected by this picture...

An absolutely amazing picture. A great cast, terrific camera work (PTA's steadicam shots are amazing), and an almost flawless soundtrack. A fantastic period piece that I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't indulged...

After watching 'American Movie' just couple months ago, I can't help but think back and smile at how it made me feel. The stars, Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank are two guys that no writer could've ever come up with and they're the main reason this film works so well. There is something liberating about a film where someone knows exactly what they want to do and witnessing them persevere and overcome obstacles to achieve it. Anybody remotely interested in film making will love this documentary, and for everyone else, you may still see the charm in it...

After all these years, 'Nosferatu' is still one of the finest Dracula films ever made. The cinematography creates such an eerie an environment while the groundbreaking makeup effects made one of the greatest characters ever put on screen. Everything about the picture has a genuine creepiness to it and it is something that few people have ever learned to recreate. This is one you'll not want to miss, and I also recommend Tod Browning's 'Dracula' and even Werner Herzog's remake of this 'Nosferatu'. All of which are very fine films...

Quite possibly Stanley Kubrick's greatest achievement. Classic Kubrick visuals combined with a disturbing, twisted plot, and terrible, yet likeable characters makes this film an absolute classic. Everyone must see this film...

An exciting conclusion to this gloriously stylized revenge tale, Tarantino artfully fuses Spaghetti Western with classic Kung Fu. You cannot discuss this film without mentioning exceptional performances given by David Carradine and Michael Madsen. A must see...

The give a synopsis for this film may turn some people off, but the fact that you can create such a terrific film by merely having a group of men talking, which takes place mostly in one room, is truly a testament to how great a film maker Sidney Lumet is. The characters present in the film are an interesting bunch, and the actors portraying them do an outstanding job. One other very curious aspect of the film is how well it has withstood the test of time. Lumet has made some of my favorite films with 'Network', 'Dog Day Afternoon', and even the more recent 'Before the Devil knows you're Dead', but '12 Angry Men' may still be the best of the bunch...

An epic tale of pride, duty, and, well, war. 'Bridge on the River Kwai' is a flawless film and quite possibly David Lean's greatest work. Every moment is used to enhance the film and progress to the harrowing final act. Alec Guiness, as always, steals the show and delivers a performance that will always be remembered. This is about as perfect as movies come and recommend watching it as soon as physically possible...

Zombies, gruesome effects, and memorable characters aside, the thing that keeps me coming back to Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright's "Shaun of the Dead" are the hilarious jokes muttered under the characters breathes. The script is fantastic, clever, and witty, while the entire cast brilliantly bring their characters to life. This really is the greatest romantic comedy with zombies ever made. This is a cult classic that I am definitely proud to be a part of...

A brilliant, absolutely inspired film. Christopher Nolan's modern classic Memento, delivers a great story in a unique fashion. Highly recommend for anyone who's yet to see it...

Francois Truffaut's film 'The 400 Blows' is not only brilliant in its depiction of troubled youth, but also in how it examines the relationships parents have with their kids and why a child may act out for attention. The picture is full of memorable moments, one of the most significant being the final sequence. It's always an interesting thing to witness some of the films that changed the face of cinema, and with 'The 400 Blows' you get not only that but a masterpiece of French filmmaking. There should be absolutely nothing keeping you from seeing this movie. So what are you waiting for? Go...

Paul Schrader seems to be one of the figures in cinema history who never got the exposure he deserved. 'Mishima' is a prime example of a beautiful piece of work that was kept hidden, especially for the 1980s which seemed to suffer in the cinema category. The score by Philip Glass was definitely a highlight for me, and I consider it to be some of Glass' best work. The life and works of Yukio Mishima on display here are beautiful and tragic to watch, but you can detect the passion Schrader had for the project while you watch it. I very highly recommend checking this one out, or at the very minimum check out the soundtrack...

A truly incredible film. Great storytelling on behalf of Fernando Meirelles and stunning cinematography. "City of God" can be hard to watch, but it is delivered in an unorthodox fashion and unique artistic regard. A film experience you won't forget...

Election is one of those movies I can watch countless times and still be amused. Alexander Payne is terrific at making those kind of movies. Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon are hilarious and carry the plot very well. Everything shines from the quirky characters to the near perfect script. Highly recommended for those that haven't seen it...

After nearly a decade of rumors flooded the internet surrounding Quentin Tarantino's WWII epic, this past summer, the fans finally got the film they waited for. The main lure of the film is not only Tarantino's script, but it's the award winning performance of the relatively unknown actor Christoph Waltz. 'Inglourious Basterds' is separated into five chapters with my two personal favorite being Chapters 1 and 3. The glorious introduction to Colonel Hans Landa in the farm house during chapter 1 kicks things off beautifully, while the wit, dialogue, and tension built up in bar sequence in chapter 3 is simply astonishing. Over the many years of anticipation, the two rumors that were unfortunately left unfulfilled were the lack of an Ennio Morricone original soundtrack, and the more disappointing lack of Michael Madsen. This is a terrific film that places high on Taratino's already impressive resume. You should definitely see this movie...

A film everyone must see. Scorsese brilliantly traces a fine line across what makes a 'maniac' and what makes a 'hero'. Robert De Niro performs in one of his most memorable roles as the psychotic Travis Bickle, while Jodie Foster and Harvey Keitel also deliver note-worthy performances. This has been mentioned as being Martin Scorsese's greatest achievement. Scorsese has an extraordinary filmography, and this one definitely ranks up there...

An unnatural "romantic comedy" for unnatural people. I hesitate to give it the genre label of "romantic comedy" as not to frighten people away from it, as the movie is much more than that. I've you've seen any films by Jean-Pierre Jeunet prior to this, you have some idea what you're in for. Everything works beautifully in this picture, the quirky characters, the wonderful sets, and gorgeous cinematography throughout the entire piece. The story and characters are all charming and lure you into their world, and you're glad to be there. I've taken quite a liking to the works of Jeunet, and I think this may be his best work to date...

From the magnificent ensemble cast to the splendid soundtrack, Magnolia is Paul Thomas Anderson's greatest achievement to date. For those that haven't seen it, I highly recommend it but beware the 3 hour+ run time...

An absorbing and engrossing modern film noir with a phenominal cast and a gripping plot. Every minute of this picture drew you in while the set and costume designs put you directly in the 50's. A fantastic film highly recommend for anyone as interested in crime pictures as myself...

Absolutely terrific character study by Cronenberg. The film definitely questions you psychologically rather than if you can follow a complex plot. Great acting by the main cast and with this David Cronenberg definitely confirmed his spot as being one of the greatest modern film directors...

An unique, truly inspired film. The cinematography and editing are fantastic, along great performances by the cast, especially Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. Everyone should see this picture...