Apr 17, 2004 - I can appreciate the art of film more than the average person. I've come to see some of the greatest films ever made, some of them through word of mouth. And i'm grateful. So i share with you these, some of the greatest films i have ever seen. Some are acquired tastes, some very old, some of them just silly fun. But i've had a blast watching all of these:

-THE GODFATHER I&II (The greatest story ever told, with the best characters ever put to film)
-SCARFACE (One of my favourite characters ever in film. Al Pacino is amazing as always here)
-THE USUAL SUSPECTS (A Brilliant film with excellent editing and my favourite twist ever. If there's one film I'll never get bored of, its this one)
-A FISH CALLED WANDA (Side splittingly funny. One of the greatest comedies ever. Kevin Kleine steals the show here, even in the presence of John Cleese and Michael Palin)
-MEMENTO (Brilliantly original film. Director Christopher Nolan's second film.One to look out for)
-SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (My all time favourite war epic)
-GOODFELLAS (Brilliant gangster film. Strikingly original and violent)
-THE MATRIX (Stylish, not so mindless fun thanks to a plot, ruined by the next two films. Keano doesn't get on my nerves in this one either)
-LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (From strength to strengh, each sequel more impressive than the last)
-COOL HAND LUKE (Best prison break movie you will ever see. Better than Shawshank Redemption)
-THE DAY OF THE JACKAL (Amazing film that follows an assassin with no redeeming characteristics, yet has you rooting for him all the way. Brilliantly done)
-BONNIE AND CLYDE (Excellent story with characters you won't forget)
-ROCKY AND ROCKYII (Sylvester Stallone wrote the screenplay and starred in both of these classics. He also directed RockyII. I have to say the script-writing is absolutely fantastic and Stallone puts a hell of a lot into the acting. Brilliant films.Only RAGING BULL comes close.)
-TERMINATOR 2 (One word - adrenaline rush. Two... Two words. Schwarzenegger's best role ever.)
-CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (This film gets top marks in every category, from stylish fight scenes to a decent story that does well to keep the moments between fights interesting. Fantastically shot with some great acting to boot. The next best thing you'll find is IRON MONKEY or HERO.)
-GLADIATOR (This is pure entertainment. Doesnt give you much to think about, but it doesn't have to. Epic in every other sense.)
-THE LEGEND OF DRUNKEN MASTER (For the kung-fu fan. Jackie Chan at his peak. Not much in terms of acting or story. But that doesn't matter here.)
-DR. STRANGELOVE OR: HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB (The balls to have a title like that and then get away with it. Stanley Kubrik is a master of satire and it shows in this brilliantly and comically acted black comedy. Peter Sellers is also fantastic playing three fantastic roles.)
-INSOMNIA (The acting in this film in fantastic. A few good twist thrown into this dark story too)
-THE KID (My favourite silent movie, with none other than Charlie Chaplin. Most of you won't care, and that's just a shame. I always enjoy this film.)
-GOOD MORNING VIETNAM (Any fan of Robbin Williams should have seen this film - its one of his first and best.)
-A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951) (Marlon Brando's first film and one of his best, playing Stanley Kowalski in this film rendition of the famous play by Tennessee Williams.)
-WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (Another film version of a famous play. A very satisfying plot with beautifully played characters by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.)
-X2: X-MEN UNITED (Of all the Marvel comics put to film, this is the best. More characters, more action and more fun than the first film.)
-MATCHSTICK MEN (Nicolas Cage in one of his finest roles. As a matter of fact, all three stars of the film are absolutely brilliant. That, and a plot that will leave you reeling.)
-LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (Considered by some to be the greatest film ever. Some amazing performances here and one of the most intriguing lead characters I've ever come across.)
-DIE HARD (As far as straight up action films go, this is one of the best, with heart-pounding action sequences and witty one-liners. Can't go wrong with this one.)
-CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND (George Clooney's gives directing a first go here and i think he did a magnificent job. Terrific film with great acting across the board.)
-THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI (Beautiful war film with some very interesting characters. From director David Lean who was also behind Laurence of Arabia.)
-AIRPLANE! (A not for everybody zany comedy. Considered by some the greatest comedy. But only some.)
-THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY (A film i think will surprise most people today who are not sure what to expect, as it is far better than you probably imagined in part thanks to it having been years ahead of its time back when it was made in the 60's. One of the original Spaghetti Westerns, this film is one of my favourite with more than enough laughs, tense long pauses and one of the best scores you're likely to hear.)

Quentin Tarantino flicks:
-RESERVOIR DOGS (Never get tired of this one. Some of the most memorable dialogue ever.)
-PULP FICTION (No Tarantino film can ease you into his style of film, but start with this one)
-JACKIE BROWN (his worst film, still excellent by all other standards)
-KILL BILL (See both volumes then judge, as it's really just one film. Some of the best music and mixing of retro styles i've ever seen in film. There are so many little details that are there to be appreciated. I've never had more fun watching a film.)

David Fincher films:
-SE7EN (Brutally violent. Too much for most people. Get past that and this is one of the best crime thrillers you'll find)
-FIGHT CLUB (Super-stylish with clever dialogue and directing. Wholey unique film. Laugh out loud hilarious, violent and fun.)
-PANIC ROOM (Fincher tries his hand at a suspense thriller. The most tension packed film in years)

Alfred Hitchcock films:
-PSYCHO (Brilliant film done in B&W. Took it on its own and changed the horror genre forever. Brilliant baddie.)
-VERTIGO (Considered his best film, still imitated today and the first film to use the "Vertigo" camera affect)
-REAR WINDOW (My favourite of his films. Very theatre-like and delightfully tense)
-THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY (Hitchcock proves he can do comedy with style)
-THE BIRDS (for anyone who's been attacked by seagulls. And i have)

Akira Kurosawa Films:
-THE SEVEN SAMURAI (B&W japanese flick packed with style, interesting characters and an incredible battle at the end. Most of the thought put into this film will go unnoticed by most, including myself. To get an idea of the attention to detail and the expert directing i suggest you listen to the commentary track on the DVD version)
-RASHOMON (Highly acclaimed movie, with an open ending leaving you to decide what really happened.)
-THE THROWN OF BLOOD (Excellent. Shakespeare's Macbeth set to a fuedal Japan background)
-THE HIDDEN FORTRESS (Another great Kurosawa film, with an intense 5 minute long duel being the most memorable moment, as well as the brilliant performance by Toshirô Mifune, who starred in most of Kurosawa's films.)
-RAN (Another Shakespeare influenced film, this is an epic film with some beautiful shots, large scale battles and moments you will never forget)

Monty Python Films:
-MONTY PYTHON'S THE HOLY GRAIL (Monty Python at their silliest)
-MONTY PYTHON'S THE LIFE OF BRIAN (Monty Python at their cleverest)

Coen Brothers Films:
-FARGO (Best described as black comedy perfection. The characters are brilliant all the typical Coen quirks in place. Even if you don't come to like the film. you still may find yourself admiring it.)
-RAISING ARIZONA (An older Coens comedy with hilarious overblown characters, a shotgun wielding chopper riding psycho, oh, and babies.)
-INTOLERABLE CRUELTY (Hilarious comedy with another typical Coen cast of quirky characters.)
-O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (Fun flick with some sweet set pieces and another great music score which the Coen's always manage excellently.)
-MILLER'S CROSSING (A gorgeously filmed and twisted gangster film which provides laughs when you least expect it but then swiftly moves on again with the drama.)
-THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE (Another great film done beautifully in black and white. Like most all Coen flicks, excellent acting and gives you something to ponder as you leave the cinema)