The best movies in the HollyWood
Films can be much more than just
mainstream action and Hollywood melodrama. Many people are are not giving a
fair chance to films that are not fast paced, does not have a
"realistic" setting -or films trying a different approach. Films can
give so much more than just a cheap action thrill. If you are open to it, that
is.
Films can raise moral questions and
show dillemmas that we are all familiar with. A good film rarely tries to give
answers. It is impossible to give answers that are valid for everybody. The
good films tries to show a bit of truth, give clues or something to "take
away" for later digestion. Films can be provocative, eye-opening or simply
unforgettable.
Gold
in black and white
Don't miss the many old films just
beacuse they are in black and white and sparse on computer generated special
effects. There has always been great films and many of these are still
important today. The film language has developed rapidly, but films of today
owes a great deal to the older classics. Understanding the film historic
background can bring new dimensions in viewing the new films.
Lists like this are really silly. It
is impossible to mention one favourite film - or even ten. One day you can go
crazy over Vertigo or cry and laugh with Goldrush. The next day you are stunned
by the genious of Stanley Kubrick or the fantasy of Fellini. How can you
possibly compare 8½ with the Shining. They are both breathtaking in very
different ways and it will never be fair.
Some films I just NEVER get tired of
watching. This selection of 100 "best movies" covers at least some of
the greatest moments that I have had with the silver screen. I believe that a
few of these films have actually had part in changing the way I look at life. I
hope they can do the same for you. I have tried to pick films representing very
different "genres".
Sorted alphabetically.
8½
Italy (1963)
Federico Fellinis ultimate film -about making film. A semi-autobiographical story starring Marcello Mastroianni as the director who has lost his inspiration. Incredible told by Fellini at a time when he himself was frustrated with lack of inspiration! This is the favourite film of many filmdirectors and photographers. If possible get your hands on the Criterion Collection DVD with a great digital transfer and loads of extra material.
Federico Fellinis ultimate film -about making film. A semi-autobiographical story starring Marcello Mastroianni as the director who has lost his inspiration. Incredible told by Fellini at a time when he himself was frustrated with lack of inspiration! This is the favourite film of many filmdirectors and photographers. If possible get your hands on the Criterion Collection DVD with a great digital transfer and loads of extra material.
12
Monkeys
USA (1995)
Terry Gilliam sends Bruce Willis on a fantastic voyage through time. Gilliam truly has his own style in picture and storytelling. The story is inspired by a short film by Chris Marker: La Jetée. This same story inspired The Terminator, a very different kind of science fiction fantasy.
Terry Gilliam sends Bruce Willis on a fantastic voyage through time. Gilliam truly has his own style in picture and storytelling. The story is inspired by a short film by Chris Marker: La Jetée. This same story inspired The Terminator, a very different kind of science fiction fantasy.
The
400 Blows (Les quatre-cents coups)
France (1959)
The debut film for Francois truffaut also marked the beginning of the french New Wave. An important film historic milestone starring the young Jean-Pierre Léaud.
The debut film for Francois truffaut also marked the beginning of the french New Wave. An important film historic milestone starring the young Jean-Pierre Léaud.
2001:
A Space Odyssey
USA (1968)
Another milestone. With this film Stanley Kubrick reached the moon a year before the rest of mankind. An epic and a technical masterpiece with stunning photography and several unforgettable moments. Science Fiction was never the same after this odyssey.
Another milestone. With this film Stanley Kubrick reached the moon a year before the rest of mankind. An epic and a technical masterpiece with stunning photography and several unforgettable moments. Science Fiction was never the same after this odyssey.
The
African Queen
UK/USA (1951)
Master of storytelling, John Huston, takes us on a great adventure navigating a small boat through Africa during WW1. Humphrey Bogart is the ever drunk captain who has to put up with the missionary played by Katharine Hepburn. It is no great surprise that they eventually fall in love, but it is great filmmaking as they don't make it anymore.
Master of storytelling, John Huston, takes us on a great adventure navigating a small boat through Africa during WW1. Humphrey Bogart is the ever drunk captain who has to put up with the missionary played by Katharine Hepburn. It is no great surprise that they eventually fall in love, but it is great filmmaking as they don't make it anymore.
Amélie
(Le Fabouleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain)
France, Germany (2001)
The charming and funny story of Amélie is a story filled with fantasy and visual imagination, as always with director Jean-Pierre Jeunet who also directed Delicatessen and City of Lost Children. The young and innocent Amélie is always helpful and through all her well-doing she finally discovers love. A small and simple story made into great entertainment.
The charming and funny story of Amélie is a story filled with fantasy and visual imagination, as always with director Jean-Pierre Jeunet who also directed Delicatessen and City of Lost Children. The young and innocent Amélie is always helpful and through all her well-doing she finally discovers love. A small and simple story made into great entertainment.
Ashes
and Diamonds (Popiól I Diament)
Poland (1958)
It has been long time since I saw this rare and special treat, but I am ready to see it again at any given ocasion. It is a classic masterpiece about the moral question of killing somebody for the right cause. A resistance fighter (Zbigniew Cybulski) has to follow his orders on the last day of World War 2. The director is Andrzej Wajda and this name should be known to all true filmfans.
It has been long time since I saw this rare and special treat, but I am ready to see it again at any given ocasion. It is a classic masterpiece about the moral question of killing somebody for the right cause. A resistance fighter (Zbigniew Cybulski) has to follow his orders on the last day of World War 2. The director is Andrzej Wajda and this name should be known to all true filmfans.
USA (1979/2001)
Maybe the greatest Vietnam film of them all, is not really about the war in Vietnam. Well it is, but it is also about so many other things -specially the very darkest sides of human nature. The story is based of Heart of Darkness, the classic Congo river novel by Joseph Conrad (also made into a TV film in 1994). Francis Ford Coppola directed this huge production with Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and many other great actors. In 2001 the film was rereleased (the "Redux" version) with more than 50 minutes of scenes originally left of the cutting floor. And guess what ...in this rare case it WAS possible to improve a masterpiece.
Maybe the greatest Vietnam film of them all, is not really about the war in Vietnam. Well it is, but it is also about so many other things -specially the very darkest sides of human nature. The story is based of Heart of Darkness, the classic Congo river novel by Joseph Conrad (also made into a TV film in 1994). Francis Ford Coppola directed this huge production with Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall and many other great actors. In 2001 the film was rereleased (the "Redux" version) with more than 50 minutes of scenes originally left of the cutting floor. And guess what ...in this rare case it WAS possible to improve a masterpiece.
Barton
Fink
USA (1991)
Battle
of Algiers (La Battaglia di Algeri)
Algeria, Italy (1965)
The Algerian civil war viewed from both grim sides. The Algerians sought independence as all other African countries in the sixties - and as most other places the French govenment hit back very hard. The shocking and dramatic story is historically correct and brutal. The film has changed many peoples opinions about what was going on in the colonies and it was also easy to draw parallels to the war in Vietnam. When viewed today is difficult not to think about the American involvement in Iraq. Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo.
The Algerian civil war viewed from both grim sides. The Algerians sought independence as all other African countries in the sixties - and as most other places the French govenment hit back very hard. The shocking and dramatic story is historically correct and brutal. The film has changed many peoples opinions about what was going on in the colonies and it was also easy to draw parallels to the war in Vietnam. When viewed today is difficult not to think about the American involvement in Iraq. Directed by Gillo Pontecorvo.
Belle
de Jour - Beauty of the Day
France/Italy (1967)
Surrealistic masterpiece directed by Luis Buñuel. Starring Catherine Deneuve as the young high class woman who dreams(?) about working as a daytime prostitute.
Surrealistic masterpiece directed by Luis Buñuel. Starring Catherine Deneuve as the young high class woman who dreams(?) about working as a daytime prostitute.
The
Bicycle Thief (Ladri di biciclette)
Italy (1948)
A neo-realistic classic by Vittorio De Sica. A man and his son is searching desperately to find a stolen bicycle which is vital for the poor family.
A neo-realistic classic by Vittorio De Sica. A man and his son is searching desperately to find a stolen bicycle which is vital for the poor family.
The Big Sleep
USA, 1946
Director Howard Hawks made this classic film noir detective story with Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe. The detective is hired by a rich family with more than a few dark secrets. Lauren Bacall is the ultimate femme fatale. Great entertainment and the Bogart/Bacall scenes are electric.
Director Howard Hawks made this classic film noir detective story with Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe. The detective is hired by a rich family with more than a few dark secrets. Lauren Bacall is the ultimate femme fatale. Great entertainment and the Bogart/Bacall scenes are electric.
Brazil, France, Italy (1959)
The greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice acted out in the favela of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. A magic film which introduced the bossa nova to the Europeans. Remade as "Orfeu" in 1999, but THIS is the real thing.
The greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice acted out in the favela of Rio de Janeiro during Carnival. A magic film which introduced the bossa nova to the Europeans. Remade as "Orfeu" in 1999, but THIS is the real thing.
Blade
Runner
USA (1982)
Science fiction classic directed by Ridley Scott with a script based on a book by Philip K. Dick. Brilliant atmosphere, ideas and production design which has later been copied in many other sci-fi films. Harrison Ford stars as the Policeman (Blade Runner) tasked with hunting down and exterminating Replicants - artificial humans.
Science fiction classic directed by Ridley Scott with a script based on a book by Philip K. Dick. Brilliant atmosphere, ideas and production design which has later been copied in many other sci-fi films. Harrison Ford stars as the Policeman (Blade Runner) tasked with hunting down and exterminating Replicants - artificial humans.
Blue
Velvet
Directed by David Lynch
Bonnie
and Clyde
USA (1967)
Directed by Arthur Penn
Directed by Arthur Penn
Das
Boot
West Germany (1981)
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
Brazil
Directed by Terry Gilliam
Breathless
- À Bout De Souffle
Casablanca
Chinatown
Directed by Roman Polanski
Citizen
Kane
Directed by Orson Welles
A
Clockwork Orange
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Close
Encounters of the Third Kind
Directed by Steven Spielberg
The
Cook, The Thief, His Wife & her Lover
France, Netherlands, UK (1984)
Directed by Peter Greenaway
Directed by Peter Greenaway
The
Conversation
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
The
Crying Game
Day
for Night
Directed by Francois Truffaut
The
Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie
Directed by Luis Bunuel
Diva
Directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix
Directed by Nicolas Roeg
The
Double Life of Veronique
Directed by Kieslowski
Dr.
Strangelove
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
The
Element of Crime
Directed by Lars Von Trier
The
Elephant Man
Directed by David Lynch
The
Empire Strikes Back
E.T.
Directed by Steven Spielberg
The
Exorcist
The
Family
Directed by Ettore Scola
Fellini
- Amarcord
Directed by Federico Fellini
From
Russia With Love
Godfather
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
The
Graduate
The
Great Dictator
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
The
Green Room
Directed by Francois truffaut
L.A.
Confidential
La
Dolce Vita
Directed by Federico fellini
Lawrence
of Arabia
Like
Water For Chocolate
Last
Tango in Paris
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci
M
Directed by Fritz Lang
Magic
Flute
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Magnolia
The
Maltese Falcon
The
Man Who Loved Women
Directed by Francois Truffaut
The
Man Who Would Be King
Directed by John Huston
May
Fools
Directed by Louis Malle
My
Life to live
Directed by Godard
Mystery
Train
Directed by Jim Jarmusch
Naked
Lunch
Directed by David Cronenberg
North
By NorthWest
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Nosferatu
- Phantom der Nacht
Directed by Werner Herzog
Notorius
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
That
Obscure Object of Desire
Directed by Bunuel
Once
Upon A Time in the west
Directed by Sergio Leone
Pierrot
Le Fou
Directed by Godard
Potemkin
(Battleship Potemkin/Bronenosets Potyomkin
Directed by Sergei Eisenstein
Paris,
Texas
Directed by Wim Wenders
Passion
of Joan of Arc
Directed by Dreyer
Pink
Floyd - The Wall
Directed by Alan Parker
The
Player
Directed by Robert Altman
Raiders
Of the Lost Ark
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Raise
the Red Lantern
Rebecca
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Rebel
Without a Cause
Red
Sorghum
Rome,
Open City
Directed by Roberto Rosselini
Rosemarys
Baby
Directed by Roman Polanski
Rumblefish
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Seven
Samurai
Directed by Akira Kurosawa
The
Seventh Seal
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
Sex,
lies, and videotape
Short
Cuts
Directed by Robert Altman
Some
Like It Hot
The
Third Man
Time
Bandits
Directed by Terry Gilliam
The
Tin Drum
The
Trial
The
Unbearable Lightness of Being
Vertigo
Directed by Alfred hitchcock
Wild
At Heart
Directed by David Lynch
Wings
Of Desire
Directed by Wim Wenders
Women
on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
The
World According to Garp
