My Favorite Movies

Mere words cannot fully describe the spiritual and dramatic power of this mesmerizing film. Beautifully set in 15th century Russia, through turns comic to dreadfully barbaric, it tells the story of that nation's greatest icon painter. The film spans roughly 20 years during which we see various episodes from Rublev's life (and passion) which openly clash with his idealistic faith in humanity. The film articulates our longing for self-expression and it questions how we can create beauty when we are surrounded by the hostile and brutal attitudes that permeate the world. It is a film about faith, both lost and found, and how it is the ultimate mediator between our divine aspirations and the reality we are subjected to. Filmed as only Tarkovsky can do, the film is full of scenes of incomparable beauty and very often the distinction between the viewer and the viewed disappears giving it a very surreal and transcendent quality. Without a doubt this is the greatest movie ive ever seen. It is a flawless masterpiece without peer. I cannot recommend it enough.

I first saw this movie when I was 14 years old and I have never looked at movies the same way since. The Godfather has become the household name for cinematic perfection and its not hard to see why. It tells the story of the Corleone family, focusing on their devotion to each other and the bloody business of crime and mob politics in which they are engaged. The acting is simply superb but it is Al Pacino who steals the show as we follow his character Michael from being an innocent GI to a ruthless and vengeful crime tsar. The film takes us from late 40's New York to sun-drenched Sicily, all filmed in a deep, rich style that always reminds me of a bottle of vintage wine (blood red of course). The Godfather is the epitome of drama and its something that every movie buff should see. But dont take my word for it, the entire western world seems to think the same way.

Kubrick turns into a sci-fi messiah and leaves us spell-bound in the process. He charts our destiny from its most primitive beginnings to its perfect and divine end, all this while set in the majestic vastness of space. Using a very minimalistic approach he seeks, not to wow you with special effects, but to present you with powerful images that melt into your mind. After I first watched 2001, I couldn't speak for hours, I felt so enlightened. Buy, borrow or steal immediately!

Polanski's take on neo-noir, Chinatown is a triumph of both style and substance. Completely riveting, never boring, this film shines with brilliant acting and a deep, intricate plot that you cannot ignore. Chinatown is full of memorable characters, each with their own fatal flaws and panache for witty dialogue. Like Jack Nicholson who gives the performance of his career as Jake Gittes, a private detective who is sucked into investigating a conspiracy that is beyond his comprehension or ability to control. John Huston masterfully plays Noah Cross, one of the most villainous characters ever shown on the big screen. The most intriguing of the cast however, is the sophisticated femme-fatale Evelyn Mulraye as played by Faye Dunaway. As the film unfolds we gradually learn more about this character and the dark secret she possesses. The cinematography is excellent and this combined with the haunting score gives the film its nostalgic atmosphere. An unforgettable movie!