The Top 10 Greatest Movies of All Time

7/28/2019 The Top 10 Greatest Movies of All Time

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The Top 10 Greatest Movies of All TimeI have always been sceptical of modern cinema. I think I only see one film in the cinema

every year. However, seeing the Blu-ray versions of Skyfall , Argo, and The Hobbit has

made me realise what I’ve been missing out on. Either cinema is truly getting better, or I’m

adapting to the rough corporate climate of Hollywood.

Making a list of your ten favourite films is probably one of the hardest things to do, next to

playing Ninja Gaiden or doing a Physics A-Level. I may be writing this prematurely, as

tastes always change, but I consider these to be the ten films that I consider to be my

favourites at the moment and the most likely to stay with me in the future.

10. Kelly’s Heroes

If you want a good caper film, this is a good choice. Taking place during the Second World

War, it follows a group of American soldiers who desert to rob a bank in the German-held

town of Claremont. Clint Eastwood stars as Private Kelly, who leads the rest of his platoon

on a caper, including his reluctant sergeant ‘Big Joe’, played by Telly Savalas. Also

accompanying them is Don Rickles as the opportunistic Sergeant Crapgame. However,

the one who truly steals the show is Donald Sutherland as Oddball. He’s a proto-beatnik

tank commander who seems to be living in his own world, and he is both badass and

hilarious.

The platoon has a good mix of likeable characters that you can sympathise with. They’re

unappreciated by their incompetent and profiteering commander, and they’re constantly

denied chances for decent R&R, so they’re ripe for a new adventure. There’s an especially

funny scene that emphasises this when their captain tells them that the penalty for looting

is death. He’s giving this warning while he’s stealing a yacht.

Although the film can be quite hard to find on DVD, when you do find it, it’s worth watching.

9. Raiders of the Lost Ark

Anybody who has read my other works can probably see me putting Indiana Jones on the

list. They’re probably surprised I didn’t rank it higher. A lot of people forget this, but the

Indiana Jones films were meant to be a tribute to the old pulp serials of the 1930s and 40s,

combined with the high flying action of James Bond. It’s probably no coincidence that they

cast Sean Connery as Indy’s father in the Last Crusade.

I do enjoy the Indiana Jones films (yes, even Temple of Doom), with Raiders of the Lost

Ark and Last Crusade competing for my favourite, but I’ll say the first film wins in this

regard. The action scenes are great, with a sense of fun and light-heartedness to balance

it off. When the John Williams score plays, you’re cheering for Harrison Ford the whole

time.

As for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull ; despite the stupid moments, I didn’t hate it.



8. The Empire Strikes Back

I’d say I like the original Star Wars trilogy, but if I had to pick an individual film, I’ll go for

The Empire Strikes Back . Without beating the dead horses of prequel trilogies and special

editions, I could say I was born in the right year to watch the original trilogy before either of

those things turned George Lucas into the fallen creator and pop culture pariah many

seem to regard him as for all that time. Frankly, I forgive him. With that chaff out of theway, let’s talk about the film at hand.

I can’t really think of anything to say about The Empire Strikes Back which has been said

already. When I watched it in my earlier days, I always enjoyed the action sequences and

how they were put together. When I watch it now, I still enjoy the action, but I can grow

more appreciative of the story. When Darth Vader revealed he was Luke’s father, I would

go as far as describing that as the greatest plot twist I had ever seen. There isn’t really

much else that could be compared. It’s definitely edgier than the first film.

I doubt that the new Star Wars films would be as great as The Empire Strikes Back , but Ican say that they won’t be as horrible as The Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones.

There still needs to be optimism about some things.

7. The Blues Brothers

I’m not really one for musicals, but this one really is worth checking out. Dan Aykroyd and

John Belushi play Elwood and Jake, the eponymous Blues Brothers. When the orphanage

they grew up at is facing foreclosure, they embark on a ‘Mission from God’ to raise the

necessary funds by resurrecting their once great rhythm and blues band. That’s enough

for a story, but it’s taken further by the growing list of enemies the brothers make, includingthe police, a country band whose spotlight they stole, a neo-Nazi movement, and a

mystery woman played by Carrie Fisher.

The film has a great soundtrack, not just from the Blues Brothers band, but also from

several other blues and soul musicians like James Brown, Cab Calloway, Aretha Franklin,

and Ray Charles. The chase scenes were some of the most destructive at the time, and

the fact that it all really happened is even more astonishing. You see, Mr Bay? You don’t

always need CGI to make your overly destructive porn.

6. Batman

If there’s a codifier for most modern superhero films, it’s the Batman film made in 1989 by

Tim Burton. Michael Keaton is great in the title role, and is unassuming as Bruce Wayne.

Not to mention he does the voice better than Christian Bale. I’m not saying that Christian

Bale was bad, so put down that pitchfork. I’m just saying that Michael Keaton’s attempt at

the deep voice sounds more natural. I thought it was actually pretty funny when I learned

that many fans petitioned not to have Keaton in the role because he was typecast as

comedic actor. Fair enough. I liked his performances in Johnny Dangerously and

Beetlejuice, but with those roles, he could surprise people. You’d never expect him to beso serious.



The action scenes are somewhat traditional but are still great, while Danny Elfman’s score

helps set the dark tone. While I feel that the late Heath Ledger is good as the new Joker, I

still think that Jack Nicholson did a great job. It’s just a pity that Billy Dee Williams as

Harvey Dent wasn’t really used to any great effect, but he was planning on a sequel

appearance. Lando Calrissian as Two Face would have been perfect.

5. Dracula

Going from one giant bat to another, I’m specifically referring to the 1958 Hammer Horror.

This could be gothic horror at its finest. I really like the set design, with both the interior to

Castle Dracula and the foggy cemetery. The presence they command help to give a really

haunting atmosphere.

The best part of the film is probably from the three lead actors. Christopher Lee plays

Count Dracula as a charming yet sinister aristocrat in the beginning. Once he is revealed

as a vampire, be becomes a silent menace. He doesn’t actually appear that much, but hewas never at the forefront of Bram Stoker’s novel either. Next, you have Peter Cushing as

Dr Van Helsing. He seems to have a brooding personality, and you feel his presence in

any scene he’s in. I’d believe in vampires if this guy was telling me about them. Finally,

there’s Michael Gough as Arthur Holmwood. He starts out as a sceptic to the supernatural,

but overtime he is slowly convinced through personal tragedy and Van Helsing’s influence.

If I ever wrote something with vampires, you can be sure it will be influenced by this.

4. Full Metal Jacket

Most people say that they only remember the first half of this film. Stanley Kubrick’s Full

Metal Jacket is a film about US Marines passing through boot camp and shipping to

Vietnam. Everyone knows about R. Lee Ermey’s famed performance as the brutal drill

instructor, Sergeant Hartmann. It’s the main part everyone talks about, along with Vincent

D’Onofrio as Private Pyle, who changes from a bumbling comic figure to a model recruit at

the cost of his sanity.

After putting the memorable performance aside, I’d say that the second half is still very

good. It truly grasps the whole ‘War is Hell’ message that Kubrick was conveying. Adam

Baldwin is great as Animal Mother, the nihilistic squad gunner, and the war-torn visuals arequite jarring.

3. 12 Angry Men

This directorial debut of Sidney Lumet could have been one of the easiest films to make:

Film twelve character actors as they deliberate over the verdict of a murder trial as the

jury. The entire film takes place in a stuffy jury room during a heat wave, and everyone is

bent on voting the defendant guilty without taking the time for discussion, except for one

lone dissenter. Henry Fonda stars as Juror #8, who is the only juror with a reasonable

doubt, and is unwilling to send someone to death row without discussing it first.Outnumbered at first, he slowly gains followers amongst the jury.



I’m not spoiling anything by saying the defendant is not guilty, because the film is not

about whether or not the verdict is reached, but how it is reached. There’s a diverse mix of

characters with different attitudes towards the case, and the fact they are never referred to

each other by name gives you a sense of anonymity. For example, one of the minor

antagonists is a salesman played by Jack Warden. He doesn ’t actually care about the

verdict of the trial; he just wants to leave so he can watch a baseball game. Yes, heeventually gets called out for it.

It’s a great film, with a debate that can get very intense at times, and a message about

how jury service should not be taken lightly. If I ever called to perform civic duty, I ’ll bear

that in mind.

2. The Big Lebowski

I come from a family who are fans of the Coen Brothers, and I think this is one of their best

works. Jeff Bridges plays Jeff Lebowski, more commonly known as ‘The Dude’, anunemployed slacker and avid bowler living in the Venice neighbourhood of Los Angeles.

When he is mistaken for a millionaire who is also called Jeffrey Lebowski, he is later hired

to deliver a ransom to a group who abducted the Big Lebowski’s trophy wife. However,

complications arrive when the Dude’s best friend and bowling partner Walter suggests

they keep the ransom for themselves. I can’t really explain any more than that.

I’d say that the film is predominately a comedy, with influences from the works of Raymond

Chandler, such as The Big Sleep. The main cast is great, with Jeff Bridges playing a laid

back hippy, while John Goodman’s character Walter is an aggressive Vietnam veteran

who’s quick to get aggressive. Of course, since this is a Coen Brothers movie, there is agreat array of supporting characters and one-scene-wonders.

1. Pulp Fiction

There’s no doubt about it: this is Quentin Tarantino’s best film. It consists of several

different stories set around the same time in Los Angeles, like an old-fashioned pulp

magazine, hence the title. There is a great cast, including John Travolta, Samuel L.

Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, and a variety of others. Personally, my favourite

character is the Wolf, played by Harvey Keitel, a problem solver who is called in to help

Travolta and Jackson out of a sticky situation.

Every character has the opportunity to truly shine, and there are so many memorable

scenes, from a twist competition to a touching scene about a family watch…with an

unexpected twist. It is definitely a contender for one of the greatest films ever made.

Once again, whether you agree or disagree with these, feel free to send me your own lists

and compare notes.

Compiled and written by Andrew Roberts.

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The Top 10 Greatest Movies of All Time