The 10 best movies from start to finish
1. The Shawshank Redemption
When an innocent banker (Andy Dufresne) is sentenced to life in prison, he and his fellow inmates form incredible friendships while they struggle with themes of guilt, patience, and freedom. Thanks to brilliant performances from Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the film evokes sadness, relatability, and suspense throughout the entire twisting journey. And just as the third act makes the audience lose all hope, Mr. Dufresne uses his extraordinary persistence and intelligence to carry out the most satisfying redemption story ever.
2. The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan revolutionized the superhero genre with this 2 ½ hour masterpiece. From the opening robbery to Harvey Dent's eventual fall into corruption, The Dark Knight is absolutely brilliant. The performances, sets, costumes, score, dialogue, and ingenious plot all keep the viewer glued to the screen. And we can't forget about Heath Ledger's Joker, which is, of course, the greatest character in one of the greatest movies of all time.
3. Good Will Hunting
The 1990s saw a lot of Matt Damon playing some sort of young genius, but Good Will Hunting is definitely the best version of this mini archetype. The film sees romance and heartbreak between Will and Skylar as well as relatable male friendships. But more importantly, it is a story about the virtues of a hard day's work, the difficult decisions of young adulthood, and the necessity of purpose in life.
4. Inception
Two Christopher Nolan movies in the top four? Yep, the man is just that good. So good, in fact, that he was able to avoid confusing the audience even when dealing with four different levels of the human subconscious. In other words, what makes this movie great is its jaw-dropping plot. Other elements, such as the protagonist’s intricate backstory and stunning visual effects, only elevate the unbelievable journey this star-studded cast goes through. Overall, the eight Oscar nominations that this film received after its 2010 release were very well-deserved.
5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
John Hughes is the undisputed king of 80s movies and Ferris Bueller's Day Off is his masterpiece. It captures the upbeat, quintessential vibes of the late filmmaker while being insanely quotable, funny, and often relatable. I personally identify with Cameron and find all of his weird mannerisms hilarious. In the end, this is the absolute perfect comfort movie.
6. The Shining
Full of twists, turns, and unexplained secrets, Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of The Shining is the greatest thriller ever made. Danny's frightening visions of the hotel's past, Jack Nicholson's bone-chilling performance, and an intricate storyline all combine into a film that will be appreciated for centuries to come.
7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower perfectly captures what high school was really like. It takes a super powerful story and infuses it with loads of reliability and nostalgia. Much of my love for this film comes from my resonance with the characters, but beautiful performances and inspired directing from the author of the book make this a must-watch for anyone.
8. Pulp Fiction
Speaking of great directors, Quentin Tarantino's unique style of clever, yet lengthy dialogue paired with quintessential storylines makes him one of the most influential of all time. His best work, Pulp Fiction, is a crime film focused on the moments in-between the big heist or highly-anticipated showdown. The movie doesn't show the boxing match or the briefcase thievery but instead explores the aftermath of these encounters in a non-linear fashion. It defies almost every rule of filmmaking in a positive way, making Pulp Fiction brilliantly unique.
9. The Silence of the Lambs
Despite excellent performances and filmmaking elsewhere, Hannibal Lector is the driving force that makes this movie great. Anthony Hopkins is breathtaking as Lector and his unnerving yet cunning disposition makes his interactions with Clarice some of the most intense in cinema history.
10. 12 Angry Men
12 Angry Men is the epitome of a clever story meeting impeccable writing. The entire movie is set in a boiling jury deliberation room in which 12 men decide whether a young man deserves to die. And while it is incredibly simple, this 1957 drama is truly a spectacular look at human bias, impulse, and conscience.
Comments