25. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Dir: Sergio Leone
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Eli Wallach, Mario Brega, Aldo Giuffre, Luigi Pistilli.
Genre: Adventure/Western
Overly violent and tongue-in-cheek approach to Western filmmaking from the master of the Spaghetti Western, Sergio Leone. It's a simple treasure hunt idea, with three rivals hunting for the same reward. Despite this, the story is layered with enough complexity to remain fresh and exciting; the performances by Eastwood, Van Cleef and Wallach are fantastic, and their hatred for one another justified by the sometimes harsh nature of the script. There's gunfights, graveyards, torture and hanging. It is the definitive Spaghetti Western in every single way.
24. Leon (1994)
Dir: Luc Besson
Cast: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Ellen Greene.
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Troubling yet slick farce of emotions, in which the lead character is little more than a simpleton, raised to kill and little else. There's an unbelievable amount of intensity throughout, as action scenes are piled atop action scenes, the villain portrayed by Gary Oldman is granted more and more screen time and becomes more and more frantic in his actions, and Natalie Portman presents herself as a young woman with a definitive career ahead of her thanks to her marvellous, disturbing but wonderfully rendered performance.
23. Batman Begins (2005)
Dir: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Katie Holmes, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman.
Genre: Action/Crime/Drama/Thriller
Based upon the greatest graphic novel of all time, "Batman: Year One," the first half of Christopher Nolan's first foray into the world of Batman is a majestic piece of cinema; characters are developed slowly and methodically, while the story churns itself out in a combination of real-time events and flashbacks to events long past. The second half is the ultimate superhero movie as Batman himself bursts into life, faces a great threat and overcomes all odds. It's a powerful thing to watch, and the action, while frantic and fast-paced is absolutely perfect in conjunction with the tone and style of the film. Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne is phenomenal, while the rest of the supporting cast pull their weight and hand in fantastic live-action interpretations of their respective characters.
22. Goodfellas (1990)
Dir: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Paul Sorvino, Frank Vincent.
Genre: Biography/Crime/Drama
An alluring piece of film from the genius of Martin Scorsese, this film is an example of how improvisation can drastically improve an audience's connection with characters within the piece. Joe Pesci gives the performance of his career as a tough criminal with a mean streak, while the rest of the cast establish themselves as the pinnacle of acting with the crime genre. There is gritty violence, coarse language and crisp filmmaking throughout and it makes for one of the most powerful pieces of cinema ever produced.
21. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Dir: Frank Darabont
Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, James Whitmore, Mark Rolston.
Genre: Crime/Drama
Based upon a Stephen King short story, this film should never have worked, but it is a testament to the skill and power of Frank Darabont that it has become one of the most highly regarded films ever made. The saturated feel of the film is intense throughout, giving the proceedings an eerie glow; the performances by Freeman and Robbins are astounding to behold. It's a wonderfully realistic and honest portrayal of prison life, and when the film leaves the confinement, we find ourselves fearful of what might happen in this strange world outside the walls. This film also boasts the greatest screenplay of all time.
20. Die Hard (1988)Dir: John McTiernan
Cast: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Reginald VelJohnson, Alexander Godunov, Paul Gleason.
Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller
The greatest action film of all time, this film is the reason Bruce Willis is such a big action star, and Alan Rickman is mostly known for playing slimy villains. The set pieces are absolutely fantastic, the dialogue crisp and intense, and the general feel of the movie gives off a sense of tension and originality. The film has inspired the majority of action films ever since, with it being perfectly dubbed the quintessential action film. It is the most fun and thrilling two hours you'll ever watch.
19. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
Dir: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Clint Eastwood, Chief Dan George, Sondra Locke, Bill McKinney, John Vernon.
Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama/Thriller
Iconic and powerful film which stands the test of time and asserts itself as the greatest Western ever filmed. The portrayal of the titular character by Eastwood is hugely influential in the way we look at films; he's often vulnerable, and always good natured in his intentions, but the actions of the film have led him down a dark road of murder and anguish. It is easily the high point of Eastwood's always high career; and certainly his most important Western work. The fact that it is radically different in style and atmosphere to the Sergio Leone Westerns Eastwood starred in, makes it all the more intriguing as a picture.
18. Citizen Kane (1941)
Dir: Orson Welles
Cast: Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Everett Sloane, Ray Collins.
Genre: Drama/Mystery
The story of Charles Foster Kane is often noted as being the greatest motion picture of all time. And in many ways, it is the perfect film. It's a character study; a journey into the past of a despicable individual, told by those who knew him, in an effort to find out the significance of his final words. Orson Welles directs and plays the titular role magnificently; the way in which he relishes every sentence and places his heart and soul into every scene is evident throughout, and it stands as the most important film of his career, if not of all time.
17. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Dir: Jonathan Demme
Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Anthony Heald, Brooke Smith, Diane Baker, Frankie Faison.
Genre: Crime/Thriller
As psychologically powerful as films get, this is a masterpiece of modern cinema; the tale of FBI agents using an imprisoned serial killer to track down a serial killer. The idea is absolutely marvellous, and the threads of Thomas Harris' novel are wonderfully adapted by Jonathan Demme for the big screen. Anthony Hopkins inhabits every fibre of Hannibal Lecter, giving the sadistic genius such malevolence; his performance is so intense that you don't even realise he's in less than 20 minutes of the thing as a whole. As a thriller it is the best, as a horror film, it is a modern masterpiece.
16. Back to the Future (1985)
Dir: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Crispin Glover, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson.
Genre: Adventure/Comedy/Family/Science Fiction
There is so much in Robert Zemeckis' masterpiece that borrows from the Golden Age of cinema; the themes relate perfectly to "It's a Wonderful Life," and the 1950s setting is absolutely perfect for the comparisons to be made. As it stands, this is one of the most thoughtful, amusing and generally fun films ever produced; not a minute goes by without a belly laugh being produced, and the performances of Fox and Lloyd are marvellous, particularly the mad-cap nature of the insane elder scientist. Cracks appear instantly if you think about it, though, but as a cohesive piece of entertainment, there is no better film than this.
15. The Departed (2006)
Dir: Martin Scorsese
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin.
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Martin Scorsese's Oscar winning masterpiece, this film is without a doubt the work that has gained him the most attention as a master filmmaker. The fact that it is the sympathy Oscar, to make up for the numerous failed victories over the years, is inconsequential; the film is perfect. Blending the improvisational majesty of Jack Nicholson and the scripted electricity of DiCaprio and Damon, the film achieves something far beyond what even Scorsese could have imagined. It's an example of how fantastic a director can be, even towards the latter end of his career; the finality of the ending is perfect. This is a modern American classic.
14. The Terminator (1984)
Dir: James Cameron
Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Earl Boen, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen.
Genre: Action/Science Fiction/Thriller
Terrifically gory and enticing cinematic comic book; everything about James Cameron's original masterpiece announces brilliance. The acting all around is a great thing to behold, from Schwarzenegger's monotone attitude to Biehn and Hamilton's subtle chemistry. The momentum is perfect throughout, propelling everything forward towards a terrifying conclusion to a compelling and action-packed story. The sequels have failed to grasp the sheer originality and flair of the first film, and Cameron himself has attempted to emulate many of his successes found within in his future projects.
13. Toy Story 3 (2010)
Dir: Lee Unkrich
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles, Michael Keaton, Wallace Shawn, Estelle Harris, Timothy Dalton, Jodi Benson.
Genre: Adventure/Animation/Comedy/Fantasy
Pixar have been making feature films for nearly twenty years, and anyone whose grown up with them knows just how important they've been to the way we look at films. With a combination of adult-driven humour, sugar coated to apply differently to children, and dark subject matter that entices younger audiences as well as drawing in grown-ups, Pixar's films have all been relative masterpieces. The final instalment in the "Toy Story" series comes as a dazzling finale to the studio's first franchise; it's a slick production, with some much improved visuals, a distinct flair throughout and some absolutely astonishing jokes. But it is the emotional angle of the film that draws viewers in further; it is a heartbreaking story of separation, adulthood and acceptance. And it is absolutely perfect.
12. The Big Lebowski (1998)
Dir: Joel Coen
Cast: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, Tara Reid, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Elliott, John Turturro.
Genre: Comedy/Crime/Mystery
Cult hits are often just that; they apply to their audience and no one else. The audience for a film like this is slightly broader; it's the Coen Brothers' best work, combining an intense mystery based on the structure of Raymond Chandler's "The Big Sleep" and a drug-induced comedy. This combination of comedy and crime enchants viewers and makes the film all the more enjoyable. It's a surreal portrait of the world, using dream sequences, natural dialogue and a pristine soundtrack to achieve it's desired effect at pinpointing the magnificence of the American pulp novel, and the modern view on it.
11. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Dir: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Andy Serkis, Viggo Mortensen, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Bernard Hill, John Noble, David Wenham, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, Karl Urban, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Paul Norell, Sala Baker.
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy
Truly, this film, and indeed the entire trilogy which it closes, are some of the finest films of the last decade. This final instalment is a magnificent spectacle and easily the greatest achievement in cinema history. The film is slow when it needs to be slow, and fast when it needs to be fast; the action is methodically worked out, and the dialogue is beautiful in it's flowing wondrousness. The acting is the highlight, however, as Peter Jackson has assembled a magnificent cast to close out this epic quest; Andy Serkis steals the show completely as the monstrous Gollum, alternating between sweet innocence and horrendous sadism. The rest of the cast all do a magnificent job, too, and the whole thing feels like the perfect motion picture.
10. Psycho (1960)
Dir: Alfred Hitchcock
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin, Martin Balsam.
Genre: Drama/Horror/Mystery/Thriller
Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece is one that has earned itself much controversy over the years; from the mysterious request of the director to break cinema tradition and refuse entry to anyone who arrived late for a screening to the clearly gimmicky scenario of the majority of the film. But, somehow, Hitchcock makes it all work for him; the violence in the film is shocking and engaging, the characters have numerous flaws which lead to our preconceived opinions filtering into what we see, even the twist ending is fast and effective, but never dwelt upon nor discussed in great depth in the final moments. It is an elusive film; one that requires the audience to give it the utmost attention, and if they do, they are rewarded with a frightening, powerful and dark piece of cinema. The masterpiece by the master of film.
9. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Dir: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo, Richard Bright, James Caan.
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
Sequels which are equal to, or even surpass the original, are rare and wonderful things. The second part in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather" saga is often considered superior to the original, and it is easy to see why. The performances by Pacino, Duvall, Keaton, De Niro and Cazale are all magnificent, the returning actors improving upon the roles they established previously, while all newcomers work their best to maintain the high standard of cinematic integrity expected of these films. The film itself has a far more epic quality about it; the run-time is extensive, and not a moment is wasted - every second has a purpose in the overall progression of events within the film. The fact that only half of the film is actually adapted from Mario Puzo's novel is astounding; the remainder is made up of new material, penned for the film, which constantly ups the ante on the original's solely adaptive nature.
8. Aliens (1986)
Dir: James Cameron
Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Carrie Henn, Michael Biehn, Lance Henriksen, William Hope, Paul Reiser, Bill Paxton, Al Matthews.
Genre: Action/Science Fiction/Thriller
Following on from a flawless Ridley Scott horror film is not the best start to a sequel, but somehow, James Cameron managed to capture the magic of the original and translate it into a sequel deserving of it's predecessor. By changing the tone of the film to a more action-oriented blockbuster, the whole concept of killer aliens butchering humans in space becomes more compelling; now we're faced with an army rather than a solitary monster, and the film bolsters a cast dominated by a female lead. Sigourney Weaver defines the feminine hero, as she faces off against unfathomable odds, and comes out victorious, as a result. It's a non-stop action-fest and every second is pure joy to watch.
7. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey, John Rhys-Davies, Denholm Elliott, Alfred Molina, Wolf Kahler.
Genre: Action/Adventure
By creating an homage to Saturday morning adventure serials, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas gave the world the greatest adventure film of all time, and subsequently the greatest adventure franchise of all time. Right from the start the adventures of Indiana Jones are action-packed, humorous and generally just a lot of fun to watch; Harrison Ford seems to be emulating his performance from the "Star Wars" films and making us care about a lovable rogue facing off against Nazis and other treasure hunters as he races to find Biblical artefacts. The whole plot feels like an organic kid's TV serial, but the execution is such that it feels unique, original and exciting.
6. The French Connection (1971)
Dir: William Friedkin
Cast: Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi, Bill Hickman, Ann Rebbot, Harold Gary.
Genre: Action/Crime/Thriller
Films about cops are numerous; there are almost too many to sift through and determine which are worth the time of day. If you only see one, though, this has to be the one. An engaging thriller about two narcotics officers hunting for the mysterious connection to the drug runners, it's a fairly unoriginal premise, but the execution is where the film garners much more attention. The performances of Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider are marvellous; their chemistry is what sets this apart from other cop movies, you believe these two men are partners, they trust each other, and you trust them as a result, no matter how many horrible things they do. Then there's the car chase; the greatest car chase ever filmed. And the ending, the bleak, cut-to-black ending. It's just an astounding film, and every second feels fresh and exciting.
5. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Dir: Irvin Kershner
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, Frank Oz, Alec Guinness.
Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction
It's not often that the film in the middle of a trilogy can come out as a spectacular piece that rivals the original as one of the greatest films ever made. Featuring a plot twist nobody saw coming, a much darker storyline than it's predecessor and successor, and a more emotionally ambiguous view on morals, "The Empire Strikes Back" is one of the greatest achievements in the history of cinema. The performances by Hamill, Ford and Fisher are all remarkably strong, developing the protagonists beyond their original limitations and adding a more distinct spice of romance into the mix. The special effects and monsters, too, are marvellous to behold, reminding us once more that this is indeed a strange and unique take on science fiction. The character of Yoda, portrayed by Frank Oz, is easily the highlight of the film, however; he's played as a world-weary, cynical individual at first, but eventually is revealed as a powerful, intense creature with more power than anyone could have anticipated. This film defined sequels for generations to come, and as such it deserves to be labelled as nothing less than perfection.
4. Jaws (1975)
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, Lorraine Gary, Murray Hamilton.
Genre: Thriller
Steven Spielberg's film about a shark menacing a small seaside town should have been a flop; but it turned into the first true blockbuster ever produced. It is considered the father of the modern blockbuster and the inspiration for high concept filmmaking, which has become the norm in modern cinema. It's effective in it's presentation of suspense, violence and humour; the slow, menacing build-up to each shark attack is wonderfully methodical and startling. There are even a few moments where you fear for the lives of the three protagonists; there seems to be no conceivable way for them to dominate this threat, and survive the ordeal. It's an example of Spielberg's skill as a director that the shark proves to be more terrifying when we don't see it, even though the rubber model is sufficiently frightening. In many ways, the film should not have been granted it's PG rating, as it has proved to be far too dark and gruesome for most children; but it is a perfect example of how Hollywood fed off it's brilliant directors throughout the 1970s.
3. The Dark Knight (2008)Dir: Christopher Nolan
Cast: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman, Eric Roberts, Nestor Carbonell, Colin McFarlane.
Genre: Action/Crime/Drama/Thriller
Tragedy has always been an integral part of drama. By having tragedy play an important part in a story, you ensure that your audience is drawn in deeper; they emotionally invest in the tale, and strongly desire to encounter the resolution. This is that kind of dramatic movie; every scene will have you on the edge of your seat, debating in your mind how it will all turn out. Who will live? Who will die? And then, you consider that it is a Batman film, based on a comic book, and you wonder how something so good could come from something so many people consider to be camp and childish. But "The Dark Knight" defines modern cinema; every scene is meticulous and evocative, every performance is rounded perfectly making it the pinnacle of the picture, and every special effect is woven expertly into the structure of the piece. This is a Batman movie for a new generation; one that appreciates it's films. It is the perfect crime thriller, the most tense experience you'll ever have in a cinema. And that's the best summing up you can give without mentioning Heath Ledger's mind-blowing performance as The Joker, the best representation of the greatest comic book villain of all time, outside of the original source material. And even then, it might be better. Thank you, Christopher Nolan. Thank you, so much.
2. Star Wars (1977)
Dir: George Lucas
Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, David Prowse, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Denis Lawson.
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Science Fiction
This film defines the term "pure entertainment." George Lucas created the greatest science fiction epic of all time when he thought up the idea for the "Star Wars" saga, and though it's since had it's name changed to "Episode IV: A New Hope," it is merely "Star Wars." Nothing more. A film so controlled by it's pure narrative that it feels like an experiment in cinematic excellence. There's nothing here that isn't wonderfully original and powerful; every cast member seems to be engaged by the source material - Alec Guinness and Peter Cushing give fantastic performances as the two eldest, British veterans, one good, one bad, who never share the screen, relying on their interactions with their fellow cast members to increase the tension of the picture. It's Harrison Ford's roguish Han Solo who steals the show, though; he's a true adventurer, the one everybody wanted to be, the quintessential action hero, and this film is what turned Harrison Ford from regular actor into action star. As a whole, this is such an engaging interpretation of the world of science fiction that we even get a glimpse into the rubbish parts of town; in fact, that is our focus for the most part - the rough parts of the galaxy that no science fiction had shown us before. And we loved it. Because it was perfect.
1. The Godfather (1972)
Dir: Francis Ford Coppola
Cast: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Richard S. Castellano, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, John Cazale, Abe Vigoda, Al Lettieri, Gianni Russo, Sterling Hayden, Richard Conte, Alex Rocco, John Marley, Morgana King, John Martino, Louis Guss, Julie Gregg, Richard Bright.
Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller
No film is quite as perfect as Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather." It's a true combination of the genius of Coppola and original author, Mario Puzo; the pair wonderfully adapted the novel to screen, and both had to fight to maintain creative control from an overpowering studio. It was this partnership which defined not just the film, but the film industry for the next decade; Coppola's opportunity at greatness led to his continued success as a highly respected, iconic and sometimes controversial filmmaker. There is a raw power and methodical brilliance to the film, as a whole; Puzo's characters are perfectly fleshed-out, with Brando giving his greatest performance as the menacing patriarch of the crime family; the film made a name for Pacino, who plays the main protagonist, while Diane Keaton breaks hearts as Pacino's distant love, who drifts in and out of his life as the film progresses, eventually finding herself wrapped up in the world of crime, greed and violence that has dominated his life since youth. It is a stunning piece of cinema; an honest, human representation of those we think of as monsters, and became we think of them as monsters, it astounds us to see them portrayed as human beings, individuals with soul, vigour and a life of their own, who live on even after the credits have rolled, because we remember them vividly and we wish they were real.
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