I really hate lists like this- top 10 lists. They’re so subjective. Let’s be realistic though- how can you put up, for example, a great animated film like Toy Story against a great Sci Fi classic like Blade Runner? They’re 2 completely different films, yet in this world I guess they CAN co-exist.
So with that, here’s my top 10 films!
As a side note, these films are in no particular order except for my number 1 film, because I’m sure that’s my favourite film. The rest could be anywhere from 2 to 10 any other day of the week.
My favourite film:
John Carpenter’s The Thing: I’d like to let everyone know one thing in particular about this film- It was a critical AND commercial disaster upon its original release! How that is possible is beyond my comprehension, but it’s true.
Nevertheless, this is my single favourite film ever made. John Carpenter knocked it out of the park with this one. Remakes are hard to get right (hello Invasion of the Body Snatches among MANY others) yet this improved upon the original in every single way.
(I won’t be describing the films in any real detail in here, possibly a brief synopsis).
Seeing this for the first time was unforgettable. The tension was unbearable. That famous blood test scene is masterfully shot and expertly acted and edited. A master at the absolute peak of his powers was John Carpenter.
No matter what you do, see this film. It is a sci fi classic. Come for the gripping tension, stay for the bleak ending…
The rest:
Again, in no particular order;
The Terminator- To this day still James Cameron’s best film. A lean, mean sci fi/action film. Very clever (sometimes a little too clever for its own good) time travel film. Great performances, solid script and brilliant direction and editing elevate this to classic status, and a worthy spot in my top 10.
Fight Club- David Fincher is the best film maker in modern film making. This film is his best (along with another that’ll appear on this list) that demands repeated viewing. Truly a film to make you question the meaning of your life and what you own, or think you own. And THAT twist that’ll make you look at the film differently on repeated viewings. Only a master film maker could’ve made this film, and Fincher is indeed a master film maker. Once again, along with John Carpenter’s The Thing, this was a commercial flop and generally disliked by critics. Not sure why but maybe right film wrong time. Maybe…
Raider of the Lost Ark- I grew up with Steven Spielberg and his film. Whether he directed them or produced them, his films WERE my childhood. This stands at the top of the peak. From start to finish its a perfect roller coaster ride. Great story. Sublime direction. Great performances and iconic soundtrack. Perfect film.
An American Werewolf in London- Horror comedy is hard to get just right. Few can do it. Evil Dead 2. Return of the Living Dead. Shaun of the Dead. But none have done it better (or scarier and more poignant) than the John Landis masterpiece An American Werewolf in London. The soundtrack is genius (all songs have MOON in the title) and that transformation scene! That abrupt and emotional ending. It’s all just so damn good!
Zodiac- Fincher. Again! Based on the real life Zodiac killer from the book by Robert Graysmith. A film not so much about the Zodiac killer but the obsession of one man to find the Zodiac. The best film made in the past 15 years. If that’s not recommendation enough then I don’t know what is!
The Exorcist- Scariest (and best) horror film ever made. Perfectly and slowly builds up the tension and horror as we witness the transformation of a sweet, innocent young girl possessed by the devil. So many amazing scenes but the scene that scared me (and scarred me for life) was the “power of Christ compels you” scene… And this is coming from an Atheist! Adore this film.
John Carpenter’s Escape From New York- I’ll start off by saying this has my favourite soundtrack of all time. And yes, it’s composed by the director, the legendary John Carpenter. This film has cult classic written all over it; early eighties film set in the future of 1997; constantly shot at night; classic names for characters (Snake Plissken, The Duke of New York, Cabbie); a cynical anti hero; a brilliant ending; an asshole for the president of the USA played by a Brit! So damned great!
Casino: Would’ve been easy to put the (arguably better film) Goodfellas here, but I find that, although Casino runs about 30 minutes longer than Goodfellas, Casino flows better and doesn’t drag like Goodfellas does in its last act. Casino has a better De Niro performance and I feel Scorsese directs this better than Goodfellas. I only compare the two as they seem so similar. They’re just as good as each other, and if you ask me again in a month for this list, I’d probably include Goodfellas over Casino, but Casino takes its spot this time! A classic film and, in my opinion, Scorses’s last true classic.
Die Hard: It’s the greatest action film of all time. It set the blue print for action films that followed it. It gave Bruce Willis a film career (for better or worse). And it’s the best Christmas film of all time. OF ALL TIME. It’s yet to be matched in action stakes. Some have come close (Speed) but none have matched the brilliance of Die Hard.
So there you go, my top 10. If I happen to do another, it may be different from 2-10, but as of now these are the top of my list. You may agree. You probably won’t. That’s the great thing about opinions!
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed and till next time, watch heaps of films and enjoy the hell out of them!