#30 - Au Revoir Les Enfants

It's French. and its Fantastic.

The story is moving and emotionally charged and the cinematography blows me away every time. It's a bittersweet masterpiece that tops my French film list, I love films dealing with difference or character 'otherness' due to religious, moral or ethnic origins. It's historical context is clear and terrifying and drives home the true fears of Europeans during the beginning of the holocaust. A hard but fantastic watch.

My Favourite Bit = The early shots in the film are so carefully composed, like works constructing narrative and understanding.

#31 - Back To the Future

The Film that brought me into Science-Fiction...

It's hilarious for one, and despite its obvious scientific flaws it still resides as a fantastic piece of work. It has spawned such pop culture followings since its release; and I always wanted one of those cars. It kind of related to kids because here we have seemingly intelligent professor performing the impossible with a make-shift car that looks like a super-size christmas package form Meccano! It made kids want to make stuff and fantasize, that's what I did. After I first saw it I got right into the lego and tried to build some space craft or something - but the point is it inspired people. It made people realize that in cinema anything can be fun when you just think about it, and admittedly target it for the right audience.

Do you remember those Lego Robotics kits?? Yeh. well I got one mainly on the basis of this film.

Its a great family film as well as it reiterates the need for the nuclear family (in true Hollywood style I may add), and its heart-warming. The relationships are well though of and Michael J. Fox is just such a dude.

My Favourite Bit - When Michael J. Fox gets up and performs "Johnny B. Goode", a classic moment, and who though he could play guitar that well? (well I'm not sure if he did play it or not - but its still a great moment)

oh and of course "Great Scott!"

#32 - Good Will Hunting

Robin Williams now makes his second appearance - I must really love this guy!?

It won Ben Affleck (pretty boy) and Matt Damon (Hard-ass sweetie pie) their first oscar for original screenplay, and I have to say it is a major piece of motion picture achievemnt. It is gritty, real, and psychologically challenging.

It hits hard and I was left with so much to think about in life, about the problems of others and the problems I have but never though I had. Williams is incredible, a performance some say is his greatest and most profound, this is where I began to truly respect the man for what he can do. One of my all time favorite performances by an actor. The movie is rich with passion and sentimental material, and really elevates the status of the small-town boy, the beaten and the damned. It hits many young adults as friends are split up by factors outside of their control, and many people can relate to the peer pressure issues associated with the film.

Some people do have an issue with the level of violence, and its never easy to see a kid who has been deliberately physically abused. The film covers the issue superbly and really brings the issue to the forefront of our attention. The relationship between Williams and Damon is incredible as both characters help each other out and bring out so many complex sides to their personality.

My Favourite Bit = When Williams loses it in his office and gives Damon a right talking to.

#33 - Terminator 2: Judgment Day

All the threes, and all the masculinity you could ever want in a film.

So, Terminator is just kick ass. Period.

There is no debating how good it is, the effects are awesome, the story is engaging, and the script is infinitely quotable. When you say 'Arnie' - this is what comes to mind, for me, every time. How many parodies have there been of this movie - many but that's only because it so integral to popular culture, especially in today's society of nano-technology scares (waffle waffle, I could go on forever there... but I stopped myself. phew). I do hate Psycho-analysis sometimes.

But yes back to the film. It is just so cool and strangely empathetic. We start to feel sorry for a cyborg? and the liquid evil guy - well he is just a big bully really. And when he gets his penance, oh how sweet it is! Oh, and the movie includes the best leather jacket ever caught on camera.

My favourite Bit = When Arnie pulls his shotgun out of the box of roses, just so cool and terrifying.

#34 - Clerks

Every now and again a great independent movie comes along, lifts you up, and places in the bliss of indie heaven. Clerks does this, its witty lines and situations are just priceless and hilarious. The two character are so down to earth its hard not to understand where they come from, and for anyone who has worked in retail will know exactly what I'm on about.

Now the black and White - well the film was made (Kevin Smith's first venture) on a budget of $4 and a packet of peanuts so they only had enough money for B&W film. No Jokes. So that's the story behind that one, however I feel that if it was in color it wouldn't be as good. the silvery monotone helps us to focus on the characters themselves as opposed to the actual mis-en-scene etc. Very clever I think.

But yes it had an immediate effect on me, and since that day I watched at university with my friend Tom I have been a huge fan of Jay & Silent Bob ever since...

My Favourite Bit = When Randal and Dante shut the shop to play hockey on the roof, I love it.

#35 - Eyes Wide Shut

It was Stanley Kubrick's last film. And the last film Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman did together, It marked the end of many eras. sob sob.

I love the weirdness of the movie, and in particular it's introduction into modern day cults and subcultural groups that have escaped cinema recently focusing just on the norms and known. But yes even though the movie has been described by my friends as 'perverted' it just takes a mature person to understand what is actually going on. I think many people can relate to the themes in the movie as everyone goes through denial and temptation.

The costumes are fantastic and the feathery headpieces are both spooky and mental, I love the visuals in the movie. But above all I love Cruise and Kidman's chemistry, it is so real (perhaps because in real life their actual relationship was falling apart) and its gritty presence can be seen throughout; it makes the film and sucks you in.

My Favourite Bit = When the girl OD's in the bathroom, we really get a feel for how corrupted and sick some people are. A great tragic moment.

#36 - Basil the Great Mouse Detective

Our First Disney - Get In!

Okay I watched this film more than any other when I was growing up, and for that reason its in this list. It gave me an interest in disney and all things Sherlock! So many happy memories are associated with this movie, it warms my heart every time.

It's not the usual film people associate with traditional disney but hey! what does it matter. I love it. It has great catchy tunes, "Ratigan" being a perfect example, I sing-a-along every time even at the age of 20! Ratigan is so evil and rivals many of the 'darker' characters disney came up with, and toby the dog is just purely adorable. I wanted to have him as a pet when I was a kid. The movie also installed a sense of adventure in me and brought me into the realms of action/adventure films.

My Favourite Bit = When we meet Basil for the first time, hilarious. and a great adaption of Sherlock Holmes. Watson is truly so gormless!

#37 - Ghandi

Oh Yes, This had to be in there.

Ghandi - What a legend.

Most films about historical characters tend to be rubbish are extremely inaccurate, however Ghandi breaks that mold. Ben Kingsley displays a performance that I feel is unrivaled and truly epic, his attention to detail and his representation of Mahatma Ghandi is realistic and touching. I cry every time, and the end funeral procession is just heart wrenching.

The film is long, but Ghandi had such an interesting life and in some ways I feel they could have even extended it further to capture more of his amazing feats. The camera movements are exquisite and the sound balance is great as well. Often every little stone, scrape and bird can be heard - it really takes you to India and lets you experience the revolution that changed the country forever. The script is excellent and engaging.

My Favourite Bit - When Ghandi starts to fast, its harsh and gut-wrenching. It still puts me to the edge of my seat.

#38 - Hero

The first time I watched Zhang Yimou's 'Hero' in A Level Film class I was blown away. It's visually stunning and full of fantastic sub-plots. It is truly a moving work of art, every shot carefully constructed and perfectly toned.

Many consider this to be one of the greatest East Asian films, its politics is also an interesting mention. Zhang Yimou himself had his previous films banned from export because of China's strict political borders, 'raising the red lantern' is the most well known of the activist films produced by the man who directed the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony despite numerous to-ing and fro-ing.

The movie is crisp and has some excellent cinematographic moments that blow most other movies out of the water, it is truly enchanting and stays with you forever.

My Favourite Bit = The fight between the two women in the forest, the colours are beautifully vivid.

#39 - Mrs. Doubtfire

It's Robin Williams almost at his best. He was in fact on all sorts of drugs at this point of his career... but we need not mention that really.

Anyway, the film is a childhood gem that many of us 80s babies remember while growing up, it also helped our generation with accepting the cultural phenomenon of cross dressing. Rocky Horror did this for the previous generation and so on. The humour is simple but classic and light, often many little jokes are missed and only detectable on repeated viewing. Williams does a fantastic job of bringing us in to the character and really feeling empathy to the situation at hand, you really do start to fall in love with the buxom nanny image.

It will always remain for me a childhood classic as each time I watch I think of my times as a kid and just laughing the whole way through - it's another one of those 'must see at Christmas movies'.

My Favourite Bit - When Robin Williams sits down in the employment office and exclaims "I do voices" and then precedes to conduct a full repertoire of each one. Hilarious.

#40 - Broken Flowers

Not a well known movie, and generally received mixed reviews. Many people that I have screened this to have generally been put off by its slow and tedious nature. Yet I see it differently and respect it for so many other reasons.

It is a true Independent American film, it has all the ingredients:

A unique soundtrack

A star in an unusual un-typecast role

Narrative Complexities

Fantastic Visual Motifs

the list goes on...

The film for me represents nostalgia, the chase that follows an aging person as they grasp to understand their lives before getting too old. Did I have that love-child? Did I know the mother well? etc. Some people have big skeletons in their dark closets and the film attempts to reach to that psychological place, and to put you in the shoes of a man who has everything but steady love. The visuals are great, the pink motifs are fantastic and many of the actors in the film are big stars in their own right (e.g. Tilda Swinton, Sharon Stone, Jeffrey Wright & Christopher McDonald) and are cast very differently to how they normally are, its fresh and exciting to see these faces in a new light and the movie certainly helped the career of a certain Tilda Swinton!

Okay the music is great, all thanks to Wilson's Playlist. The reason for the soundtrack is Jim Jarmusch's interesting take on Hollywood film music, one of my favourite quotes was said by him in a press conference about this film:

"...one thing about Hollywood movies, is, well, doesn't the music always really suck"

It's kind of true, often it does. It's generic, formulated and predictable. Broken Flowers is fresh and exciting and complete with twist after twist. I urge anyone to see it - but be patient!

My Favourite Bit - When Bill Murray visits the grave of a previous lover. very touching and sad.

#41 - The Silence of the Lambs

Okay so I don't generally go for Horror/Thriller/Crime movies but this is for me one of the best, if not THE best.

It terrified me right from the start (well the first thing that scared me was Jodie Foster's mental southern accent - but anyhoo) and continues to frighten me as I watch it more and more, it's also a great film for the levels of analysis a film scholar like myself can engage with. There is simply so much on offer, and often open to interpretation making it a fantastic after-dinner conversation starter, well, for those who want to keep down their meals. Hopkins is terrific and so haunting, Hannibal is so dark and I would probably say that of all movie characters out there, he is the one I would least likely want to be stuck in a 2 by 4 cell with alone. I value my liver, and all my organs for that matter.

It for me it epitomizes the psychological thriller, haunting and profound. and I feel we will never have another film like it - its controversy upon release was a firestorm through Hollywood. Just the word "Hannibal" beats the crap out of "Voldemort" right off the bat, the name brings shivers down the spines of many.

My Favourite Bit - When Jodie Foster sees Dr. Hannibal's artwork that he does from his room. Magical and enchanting. It helps you into the complex mind of Hannibal and everything he stand for.

#42 - Grosse Pointe Blank

John Cusack = Slick

Minnie Driver = Cute

What else do ya need?

Well admittedly a few other things, but fortunately Blank has all of these too! It's a sick dark comedy that leaves me evilly laughing at every weirdly amusing moment from start to finish. It's gritty and even though farfetched somehow has an element about that is realistic and in some way too real. It gives us the chance to enter the psyche of a serial killer against all stereotypical construction. It's clever, witty, sick and best of all just great entertainment. It's the ultimate charming serial killer assassin movie.

Also it has a great soundtrack.

Enjoy!

My Favourite Bit - When Dan Akroyd and John Cusack engage in witty banter and violence in the final showdown. a classic sequence that always makes me chuckle.

#43 - The Mighty Ducks

It's one of my favourite Childhood Movies.

I can watch it over and over again. It was responsible for the creation of the Anaheim Ducks NHL team due to popularity of the film! It put Hockey into Hollywood, and in the process left a mark on every kids movie experiences.

It has a basic plot line but is so well executed and is highly entertaining, plus not many people actually admit to this being one of those movies that they love - A true Guilty Pleasure! It's slick and is rife with disney themes that seem to get everyone in a festive mood, I always watch this movie at Christmas and then decide I can Play Ice hockey... normally with disastrous consequences. but oh well.

Emilio Estevez is at the pinnical of career here and carries it so well, and little "Dawson's Creek to be" is fantastic, and puts on a great show. The characters are funny, original and work immaculately together to provide some hilarious and powerful moments. If only real sport was this magical... well apart from the world cup I spose.

My Favourite Bit = When Goldberg Passes Gas, and "Nuckle Puck Time!"

#44 - Serendipity

Okay so I'm not a great fan of a lot of romance films, however occasionally one will leave me emotionally wrecked and feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Serendipity did just that.

It's clever and the idea of fate and accident is charming and applies to relationships and love so well. It has some cheesy moments sure, but it also has some classic moments that tug at the heart strings. The dollar bill being a classic example.

It also is set in New York at Christmas Time, and does a fantastic job of making it look and seem as magical as possible, it truly is a heart warmer and you can really immerse yourself in the story.

It is underated in my opinion, but I'm obviously biassed. and that rounds up #44!

My Favourite Bit = When Hally gives John the book he's been looking for as a groom's gift. It is a great moment and one of my favourite narrative tie-ups.

#45 - Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Where do I Start?

Well it was the first film to have animation and real life together. Zemeckis did a fantastic job... and it is one of the nuttiest films ever. It's wit and humour are unparalleled, in terms of its artistry it is top class and it brings back so many childhood memories for me.

It's a great concept and a huge piece of work when you realize how it was made, Bob Hoskins is brilliant in it, and Jessica Rabbit? well. Need not say anything really, it's Jessica rabbit. I mean is it wrong to consider a cartoon character sexy? Jessica rabbit changed that forever, men all over the world suddenly tuned into the first animated pin-up girl. And its hilarious how she ends up with Roger... it's a great parody of the 'Ugly Rockstar - Beautiful Supermodel' combo that is so widely prevelant in Hollywood these days. It is slightly odd in the fact that we suddenly come away from the film with more respect for fictional cartoons than we do for humans, but hey! that's just a testimony to how brilliant the film is.

My Favourite Bit = Everytime Roger says "pweeeeese?"

#46 - Gomorra

It's Hard Hitting, Real and Gritty.

It's Italian Cinema at its finest.

It's Gomorra.

"Not to be taken lightly" Should be the tagline. It is powerful and deep. The story is great and the representation of the crime family operations in Italy are real and scary. Combined with the alarming facts it constructs a powerful piece of cinema, one of my favourite non-anglophone films. The filmaker got into trouble for making this film due to the exposing of the mafia families and really put his neck on the line. So I owe it to him to put this film here, for without him - none of this would be possible.

My Favourite Bit = When the young protagonist boy gets shot in the chest with a bullet-proof vest, it's a sentimental moment from his turning boy to man.

#47 - Jurassic Park

Oh yes. What an epic.

It was the first movie to scare the living shite out of me, and it was the start of my obsession with Jeff Goldblum, well for that matter the start of everybody's obsession with the most monotone actor of all time. fantastic.

The film raises great questions, and even though scientifically flawed and far-fetched it still has great social context when considering the hysteria and fear from cloning technologies. The effects are just awesome and I would go as far to say possibly the greatest effects ever in a movie (bar Star Wars) and the sound is positively terrifying. Attenborough is quirky and brilliant in his mad professor role, and there's nothing like a bit of dinosaurs on a saturday night!

My Favourite Bit = When that guy gets eaten when on the Toilet. Classic.

#48 - Secretary

Apart from the fact that it is well kinky...

It is in fact a fantastically shot movie, the colours are complimentary, Gyllenhaal is great in her role and James Spader is as always mesmerizing. It deserves number 48 for its explicit and out there braveness, it explores some very risky themes and it probably has the highest variation in viewer facial expressions. from "ooooh" right through to "aaaaaah". It's design is interesting and there are many references in the film that can be picked out, it has many levels once you get past the obvious sexualities on offer.

My Favourite Bit = When Gyllenhaal pees in her wedding dress, it is so wrong and disturbing.

#49 - Grease

It's a classic. And the soundtrack kicks ass!

Travolta is slick, and Newton John so cute and ditsy. It's a fantastic combination, and a great portrayal of 1950s suburban America. I love the T-Birds and all the sing-a-long moments and numerous quoting opportunities, it's the perfect movie for a night in where you want to open a bottle of wine and dance erratically around the living room.

My Favourite Bit = The Greased Lightning Sequence, A classic moment.

#50 - The Shawshank Redemption

Okay. I'm gonna get alot of stick for only putting this one at #50, and here are my reasons. I accept it is a fantastically made film, the casting is incredible and the lines are powerful, "...the first time I saw Andy Dufraine" etc. But it doesn't do much for me. It's just a personal thing, The acting is spot on and the wardens character in particular I find very interesting and the whole concept is fantastic. and it has one of the best Hollywood endings in Movie History. So yes it sits pretty at 50, but loosely I guess as I'm still undecided to a certain degree.

My Favourite Bit = When the Warden finds the tunnel, his face is priceless.