A movie, unlike mindless television, presents a concept - it packs it neatly, adds the essential cinematography, the philosophy and the background score - to make it appealing and complete by itself. The odd two and half hours tells you a story in its entirety - it does not finish with a "to be continued", does not interrupt you with mindless commercials ( unless you watch it on television, and mind you, I don't!), and isn't selling you anything, other than what it intends to sell - the story.
It is therefore no doubt that I love movies. Surprisingly, I realized I haven't enlisted my favorite ones anywhere. And that is exactly what I aim to do now.
I was wondering if I should I classify these movies based on their genres - as drama, suspense, action, etc. Or should I just rank them from 1 to 30. But while I was coming up this list, I hit upon a slightly different type of classification, based purely, on what kind of movie i like.
Here it is then, for your browsing interests:
1) Movies with guns:
We all love those, don't we? The man turns and he under his trenchcoat he is packing a big one that goes, "Baaam! Baaam! Baaam!", and blood flows relentlessly.
When I talk about movies with guns, I am talking about movies with power. Movies with gangsters, to be precise. And the King of all such movies is The Godfather.
But if you ask me what my favourite gangster movie is, I would have to say, Road to Peredition. Something about the quiet melancholy the movie projects appeals to me in a way no other movie does. Also it has arguably one of the best background scores. And to top it all, a star cast that consists of Tom Hanks, Daniel Craig and Jude Law, to name a few. This movie here, is thus my all time favourite gangster movie.
A close second comes Donnie Brasco.
The interaction between Al Pacino and Johnny Depp is phenomenol. Two of my favourite actors sharing screen space and chemistry, with a brilliant plot! Simply superb.
Other movies to follow are Scarface and Goodfellas. Both are movies with very powerful characters and powerful storylines.I did see quite a few other movies of the same genre, the closest being, "We own the Night", starring Jaquelin Phoenix. It was pretty impressive, yes. But nothing, and I believe, nothing can beat the classics I have mentioned above, and for that reason alone, I haven't watched American Gangster, which is playing in theatres now. And I stick by my decision.
2) Movies with Style:
When it comes to style, no movie in history will ever achieve what Pulp fiction
has attempted. And this, incidentally, stands as my favourite movie of all times. Every line in the movie, every character, and every background chord defines the style and pace of this movie that righteously deserved its Oscar - despite competitions like Shawshank Redumption and Forest Gump.
Other movies with style, that are my favourites would be True Romance (which tries to carry off the sparks of Pulp Fiction and somewhat fails), Snatch (A Guy Ritchie movie), Sin City, Grindhouse, Kiss Kiss BAng Bang, Kill Bill series, Blow, The Doors and Almost Famous.
I would like to say a bit about the last two. Unlike the others, these movies talk about music. And the style it propogates. The Doors by Oliver Stone, is one of the most well shot movies, with the amazing background score of the doors themselves, and a hint of mystery which only Stone himself could have achieved.
But the Ace of the pack is Almost Famous.
Other movies to follow are Scarface and Goodfellas. Both are movies with very powerful characters and powerful storylines.I did see quite a few other movies of the same genre, the closest being, "We own the Night", starring Jaquelin Phoenix. It was pretty impressive, yes. But nothing, and I believe, nothing can beat the classics I have mentioned above, and for that reason alone, I haven't watched American Gangster, which is playing in theatres now. And I stick by my decision.
2) Movies with Style:
When it comes to style, no movie in history will ever achieve what Pulp fiction
has attempted. And this, incidentally, stands as my favourite movie of all times. Every line in the movie, every character, and every background chord defines the style and pace of this movie that righteously deserved its Oscar - despite competitions like Shawshank Redumption and Forest Gump.Other movies with style, that are my favourites would be True Romance (which tries to carry off the sparks of Pulp Fiction and somewhat fails), Snatch (A Guy Ritchie movie), Sin City, Grindhouse, Kiss Kiss BAng Bang, Kill Bill series, Blow, The Doors and Almost Famous.
I would like to say a bit about the last two. Unlike the others, these movies talk about music. And the style it propogates. The Doors by Oliver Stone, is one of the most well shot movies, with the amazing background score of the doors themselves, and a hint of mystery which only Stone himself could have achieved.
But the Ace of the pack is Almost Famous.
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An observant and fun filled look at rock 'n roll culture, it takes you through the nuances of the era and yet leaves you with an objective perspective. Another of my favourite movies.
3) Movies with Brains:
Some people would wonder why watch a movie that makes you think too much. Those people, please get off my blog page.
I love movies that stimulate your intellect. Movies that make you go, fuck! How the hell did they think of that?And the list of those kinda movies begins with Fight Club.
Yes, its based on a book. And yes, movies based on books are always more sensible, more refined, more intelligent.
Same with fight club.
The movie is filled with brilliant lines.Its the kind of movie you can't take your eyes off, for fear of missing something. Or the kind of movie, you have to inch forward to, so that you don't miss any of the narrators incessant monologue.
An example of its class is the first scene of the movie when Brad Pitt puts a gun to Edward Norton's head and asks him if he has something to say. Edward Norton replies, "I can't think of anything to say".
The rest of the movie is a flash-back, and we return to the same scene and Brad pitt's question with the gun. This time, Edward Norton says, "I still can't think of anything to say".
Brad Pitt looks away, smiles and says, "Flash-back Humour".
Classic scene with a dose of intelligence that might be lost on a few.
Another movie with brains which I feel was great, was The Matrix. Its concept was brilliant! Part 1, I mean. I hate sequels as a rule, and there has only been two exception to that rule - the Kill Bill series, and The Back to the Future series.
Other smart movies I liked were Batman Begins, Memento, The Prestige and V for Vendatta.
4) Movies with heart:
The list begins with Shawshank Redemption.
3) Movies with Brains:
Some people would wonder why watch a movie that makes you think too much. Those people, please get off my blog page.
I love movies that stimulate your intellect. Movies that make you go, fuck! How the hell did they think of that?And the list of those kinda movies begins with Fight Club.
Yes, its based on a book. And yes, movies based on books are always more sensible, more refined, more intelligent.
Same with fight club.
The movie is filled with brilliant lines.Its the kind of movie you can't take your eyes off, for fear of missing something. Or the kind of movie, you have to inch forward to, so that you don't miss any of the narrators incessant monologue.
An example of its class is the first scene of the movie when Brad Pitt puts a gun to Edward Norton's head and asks him if he has something to say. Edward Norton replies, "I can't think of anything to say".
The rest of the movie is a flash-back, and we return to the same scene and Brad pitt's question with the gun. This time, Edward Norton says, "I still can't think of anything to say".
Brad Pitt looks away, smiles and says, "Flash-back Humour".
Classic scene with a dose of intelligence that might be lost on a few.
Another movie with brains which I feel was great, was The Matrix. Its concept was brilliant! Part 1, I mean. I hate sequels as a rule, and there has only been two exception to that rule - the Kill Bill series, and The Back to the Future series.
Other smart movies I liked were Batman Begins, Memento, The Prestige and V for Vendatta.
4) Movies with heart:
The list begins with Shawshank Redemption.
I have stated, even earlier, that movies based on books are usually good. And one based on Stephen King's book, definitely makes its way to the top of my list. This movie, about hope, friendship and retribution, is the most beautiful movie to ever be made.Also in the list is Forrest Gump, Finding Neverland, Big Fish and Scent of a woman.
Big Fish, a movie about tall tales told by an ordinary man,is the kind of movie that brings a tear to your eye, and makes you feel young and nice at its end. Also bringing a similar feel good factor is The Green Mile, another movie based on a Stephen King book, which excels in its narration and screenplay.
5) Movies with reality:
Crash tops this list, with its observant look at racism in America.
The subtle significances in this movie became apparent to me only when I came to the States myself. For different reasons, I found American Beauty appealing. It was a look at American families and how they are disfunctional, but hey, everybody has watched that one.
What everybody wouldn't have seen, and should, is Trainspotting. It is a look at drug abuse - the kind of movie you would find revolting, unless you have actually been a part of the scene yourself. And in that scenario, you will just be thankful its over.
6) Movies with mindless nothings:
The list begins with the Back to the future Series.
And follows up with movies like Road Trip (for some reason, I like that movie - its mindless, and its got beautiful naked chicks), Old School(same reasons as before) and the American Pie series.
Big Fish, a movie about tall tales told by an ordinary man,is the kind of movie that brings a tear to your eye, and makes you feel young and nice at its end. Also bringing a similar feel good factor is The Green Mile, another movie based on a Stephen King book, which excels in its narration and screenplay.
5) Movies with reality:
Crash tops this list, with its observant look at racism in America.
The subtle significances in this movie became apparent to me only when I came to the States myself. For different reasons, I found American Beauty appealing. It was a look at American families and how they are disfunctional, but hey, everybody has watched that one.What everybody wouldn't have seen, and should, is Trainspotting. It is a look at drug abuse - the kind of movie you would find revolting, unless you have actually been a part of the scene yourself. And in that scenario, you will just be thankful its over.
6) Movies with mindless nothings:
The list begins with the Back to the future Series.
And follows up with movies like Road Trip (for some reason, I like that movie - its mindless, and its got beautiful naked chicks), Old School(same reasons as before) and the American Pie series.
The kind of movies you can just watch, and not think, and have a few laughs while you do so. Unfortunately, I have felt that humor is deriding in Hollywood movies, and getting more and more retarded with time.These days, funny seems to be all about putting something nasty in somebody's food.
But a few movies, do still make a difference. Like The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Big Lebowski. But they are few and far away, and we can only wait for a time when Hollywood would come up with genuinely funny concepts.
7) Movies with hype:
Every once in a while a movie comes along that everybody is talking about. They tell you its brilliant, that its splendid. You can't wait to get your hands on it. And when you finally watch it, you wonder what the hype was all about?
Magnolia tops the list for me. The movie that everybody claims is magnificent. I watched it filled with expectations. I felt it was a wannabe movie. Trying too hard to be Oscar material.
The Departed joins the bandwagon of over-hyped movies for me. It was made for the Oscars, and probably won it, because Martin Scorcesse has deserved one for a long time. And yet, I wonder, didn't Blood Diamond deserve it more?
Other such movies were Hotel Rwanda and The Pianist. The problem with these movies, I felt, was that half an hour into the movie, I get the point. That they are trying to survive. But I don't want to see that for the next two, sometimes three hours. With nothing beyond that? Surely, movies are supposed to propagate a concept aren't they?
Requiem for a Dream, another movie about drug abuse, with all the things wrong that Trainspotting had right. It leaves you depressed and sad, but other than that, is not proving a point. Not telling you anything, and not even providing entertainment at that. Thus how much ever the critics like it, this movie is a strict no for me.
8) Movies from Bollywood :
I grew up on a diet of Shahrukh movies. Its treachery not to mention them, at least in passing. But instead of lurking over these insufferably bad attempts by Bollywood, lets move on to some of their good ones.
My favourite movies: Waisa bhi hota hai Part-2, (starring Arshad Warsi) - if you get your hands on this DVD, WATCH it!!! Other good hindi movies I like are Andaz Apna Apna, Kabhi haan kabhi naa
(yes, Shahrukh, I had to mention him at least once), and ofcourse Rang De Basanti.
With that my map of my favourite movies is complete. I watch new movies almost everyday. But this is the top list, and in most probability will remain so.
And if I ever do come across a spectacular movie,
I will let you know.
But a few movies, do still make a difference. Like The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Big Lebowski. But they are few and far away, and we can only wait for a time when Hollywood would come up with genuinely funny concepts.
7) Movies with hype:
Every once in a while a movie comes along that everybody is talking about. They tell you its brilliant, that its splendid. You can't wait to get your hands on it. And when you finally watch it, you wonder what the hype was all about?
Magnolia tops the list for me. The movie that everybody claims is magnificent. I watched it filled with expectations. I felt it was a wannabe movie. Trying too hard to be Oscar material.
The Departed joins the bandwagon of over-hyped movies for me. It was made for the Oscars, and probably won it, because Martin Scorcesse has deserved one for a long time. And yet, I wonder, didn't Blood Diamond deserve it more?
Other such movies were Hotel Rwanda and The Pianist. The problem with these movies, I felt, was that half an hour into the movie, I get the point. That they are trying to survive. But I don't want to see that for the next two, sometimes three hours. With nothing beyond that? Surely, movies are supposed to propagate a concept aren't they?
Requiem for a Dream, another movie about drug abuse, with all the things wrong that Trainspotting had right. It leaves you depressed and sad, but other than that, is not proving a point. Not telling you anything, and not even providing entertainment at that. Thus how much ever the critics like it, this movie is a strict no for me.
8) Movies from Bollywood :
I grew up on a diet of Shahrukh movies. Its treachery not to mention them, at least in passing. But instead of lurking over these insufferably bad attempts by Bollywood, lets move on to some of their good ones.
My favourite movies: Waisa bhi hota hai Part-2, (starring Arshad Warsi) - if you get your hands on this DVD, WATCH it!!! Other good hindi movies I like are Andaz Apna Apna, Kabhi haan kabhi naa
(yes, Shahrukh, I had to mention him at least once), and ofcourse Rang De Basanti.With that my map of my favourite movies is complete. I watch new movies almost everyday. But this is the top list, and in most probability will remain so.
And if I ever do come across a spectacular movie,
I will let you know.
3 comments:
Hey! That was quite a comprehensive list of movies!..If I may point out to you that you left out a good number of classics...like Casablanca, sunset boulevard...I was wondering, because none of the classics found a place in your list!
BTW..great writing...Inspires tyros like me to get better!
Hey arundhati,
thnx for the comment. I havent mentioned movies like Casablanca and Sunset Boulevard becoz i havent seen them. For some reason, i am averse to old movies. The only one I have watched is Dr. Strangelove.
I plan to sit and watch all the oldies one day, but that day never comes.
If there r other fav, u feel one should watch, leave a note about them here. I'll catch up on them when i can. :)
Well oldies do tend to put one to sleep sometimes..but the screenplay is excellent.
yes! I do I have a list of some movies which I like..
Come September, A street car named desire,A place in the sun(a little bollywoddish..but you'll love Liz tylor ;))and Great escape .
Hope you find them interesting.
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