Some more hollywood movies which are unbeatable classics in my opinion.These movies have something unique about them that has inspired countless other movies and/or many television series.
I would recommend these movies to everyone...i never-ever tire of watching this list of movies.
MOVIE COUNT ::4(Q Tarantino corner) +3(Godfather Trilogy) +11(current section)
Click on the Titles below to read the corresponding review directly(no scrolling hassles) in this page::
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
The Green Mile
Taxi Driver
The Silence Of The Lambs
Red Dragon
Schindlers List
Crash
Seven
The Usual Suspects
The Shawshank Redemption
The Sixth Sense
This film was released in 1975 and imagine my surprise,when I found out that it had won the Oscars in the 5 major categories of Best Picture, Actor in Lead Role, Actress in Lead Role, Director, Screenplay.This had happened since 1934 where the same feat was achieved by the film 'It Happened One Night'.I loved this film and my joy knew no bounds when I found out the Oscar trivia.
Patrick McMurphy(Jack Nicholson) is in prison and he acts crazy so that he is shifted to an Asylum.He plans to spend the rest of his sentence in the Asylum,doing absolutely nothing.There,he comes face to face with Nurse Ratched(Louise Fletcher),a heartless tyrant who makes sure that all the patients obey her orders and as a result,rules over the Asylum.McMurphy rebels and meets with dire consequences before making friends with most of the patients there.The films ending ought to take one's breath away and the closing sequence kind of redeems from the shocking end to give a sense of optimism & hope.
The first film of Jack Nicholson that I managed to see and to be frank,I was completely floored by his acting.He was too good.He was given equal competition by Louise Fletcher as a tyrannical nurse.The other characters in the film are played by the Asylum's inmates.The one's that immediately make an impact are Billy Bibbit (Brad Dourif) and "Chief" Bromden (Will Sampson).While initially,the audience may not like McMurphy.Why??Well he is a convict who is trying to cheat on his prison term.One can't expect the audience to support him can we??Well this opinion vastly changes as the film progresses.I was simply delighted when I knew,Jack Nicholson had won an Oscar for the Best Actor in a Leading Role.This kind of performance come very rarely with an aptly matched script and screenplay.The best of his performance can be seen in the scene,where McMurphy is given the shock treatment(electro-shock therapy).His reactions are so authentic,the viewer is sure to either shudder or squirm in his/her seat.Another testament to Nicholson's acting skills is his final scene in the film,which has to moisten your eyes.Or to say the least,at least make you pity him.
Nurse Ratched is one kind of woman,whom people(both men and women alike) would love to hate.Her character tries to bring about a balance between following the rules & trying to do the best for her patients one way.On the other hand,she is too bitchy(forgive the expression please) for anyone to have a heart for her.Her interests tend to be more inclined towards suppressing the patient's desires and free will.This is instantly noted by McMurphy which leads to a few problems for him.Despite the happenings towards the end of the film,Nurse Ratched continues to perform her daily routine no matter what had happened previously.
Brad Dourif as Billy,the stuttering patient who has voluntarily joined the Asylum gives a good performance.It was just a reel-stutter and wasn't real at all.And this fact brings more amazement to the viewer when he/she watches Billy stutter his way throughout the film,except for one crucial scene in the end.Will Sampson plays the mute 6'5" Indian Chief who is a bag of surprises for McMurphy.Chief's role is quite subdued initially but towards the end,his role gains a huge stature ending the film on an optimistic note.Thought Billy and Chief give wonderful performances,it is Nicholson & Fletcher who hit the jacpot.They represent two wide ends of a sprectrum.One being rebellious and the other being Tyrannical & hitler-like.Nurse Ratched's hairstyle quite obviously makes a reference to Satan's horns.Watch the film to check it out.
The music too plays a major role in lifting the film's ambience to great heights.Jack Nitzsche gives us a haunting score that creates an impact even now,nearly 32 years post-release.Cinematography is stunning and captures the essence of the film very well and creates an impact on the viewer early on.The proceedings are portrayed to be dull in the Asylum and the cinematography aptly mirrors the same to the viewer.Some scenes to watch out for::
>McMurphy's imaginary ball-by-ball commentary of the Baseball Championship final,when >Nurse Ratched doesn't allow them to watch it on TV.
>McMurphy taking his Asylum friends on the comical fishing trip.
>McMurphy's escape scene and his nap in between.
>Billy's reaction when Nurse Ratched threatens to talk ill of him to his mother,towards the end.
>McMurphy's reaction on his first lobotomy and the same after the second final lobotomy.
>There are more brilliant scenes in the film,which is better watched on screen.Though some people may find the film a tad slow on pace,it never will be a major hindrance.
My rating: 10/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073486/
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/one_flew_over_the_cuckoos_nest/
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THE GREEN MILE:
Stephen King is one author who's books have chilled people for many years.The great author has also written non-horror books amongst which,'The Green Mile' is very popular and it was a best seller.Now when a best seller is made into a film consisting of a very dependable group of stars and a very good director Frank Darabont('The Shawshank Redemption'),the audience is in for a treat.And I was'nt the least bit disappointed with 'The Green Mile' and it goes down in my memory as one of the few films,that can be watched again and again.with each viewing increasing the enjoyment.
An old Paul Edgecomb(Dabbs Greer),who is haunted by nightmares narrates his unforgettable experience as Prison Guard in the opening frames of the film to his fellow inmate at a nursing home.Paul Edgecomb(Tom Hanks) is the Prison Guard on Block E of Louisiana's Cold Mountain Penitentiary.His Block is nick-named the Green Mile because of the presence of faded Lime flooring on the floor there.Initially we see Edgecomb having a urinary problem and his suffering with it.Other guards on duty with Edgecomb are Brutus Howell a.k.a Brutal(David Morse),Dean Stanton(Barry Pepper) and a few others who are all sympathetic men with respect for the prisoners.We also have Percy Wetmore(Doug Hutchison),a corrupt & disobedient officer who seems to have political connections which induce him into more inappropiate behaviour.James Cromwell plays Warden Hal Moores,who's wife is sick and her condition is getting worser everyday.
And into this scenario enters prisoner John Coffey(Michael Clarke Duncan) who has sentenced to death row for raping and murdering two young girls.This is evident from Coffey's fear of sleeping in the dark and his respect for other people(he addresses the Guards as 'Sir Boss').We also have Mr.Jingles(named so by Eduard Delacroix,a prisoner there) a very intelligent rat.There are a few humourous scenes from this point onwards and things turn a bit serious with the entry of prisoner William Wharton a.k.a Wild Bill(Sam Rockwell) and Percy's crazed botch-up of Delacroix's execution on Old Sparky,the execution chair.With humorous interludes in between the serious scenes,Edgecomb and the other guards realise the reason for Coffey's existence.They eventually come to believe in the existence of Miracles...
It's very hard to find faults with this film,though the pace is a bit slow at times.But that can be excused because most of the scenes make up for the pace with some excellent acting and heart-moving sequences.Tom Hank's is as good as always but it is Michael Clarke Duncan who steals the limelight with his subtle and underplayed performance of a man wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit.His soft dialogue delivery actually sounds very sweet and one has serious doubts about him hurting a fly in the first case.Another notable performance comes from Michael Jeter as Delacroix,the prisoner who befriends the mouse and names him Mr.Jingles.
David Morse & James Cromwell are appropiate in their roles and so are the other Prison Guards.
Mr.Jingles or simply,the mouse in the film is awesome and almost all his scenes tickle the funny bone.I knew that,the emotional angle of the film may make me cry at some point or the other.I did manage to suppress that lump in my throat during the scenes of reviving Mr.Jingles and the execution of Delacroix.But I could'nt stop myself during the final execution when I saw the Prison Guards themselves crying.And during the final minutes of the film,when the elder Edgecomb reveals the final secret of Coffey(his handshake),I cried yet again.The performance's are top-class including those of the Prison Guards and the Prisoners as well.And not to forget sweet Mr.Jingles.....
The film cannot be actually classified as a mindless tear-jerker,as it has an underlying message.The film on a larger scale deals with the issue of belief in God & his Miracles and more so with leading a humane life respecting & loving others.Not a preacher of a film either...'The Green Mile' falls somewhere in between the two extremes,managing to change one's belief about life.
Note: Your opinion may vary vigorously from mine,but I am entitled to my opinion & rating and at the same time,I respect your opinions too.
My rating: 10/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120689/
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TAXI DRIVER:
This film introduced me to one of the best Directors of Hollywood.Martin Scorsese is one of the few directors who keep reminding the movie-going audience what a great movie actullay is!!!Armed with a simple story supported by a taut screenplay and one of the greatest actors of all time(Robert Di Niro),Scorsese delivers a gut-wrenching punch to the audience.
Travis Bickle is a Vietnam War veteran who drives his yellow cab in the nights,as he doesnt get any sleep at all.And this leads him to frequently drive in seedy areas infested with prostitutes and drug addicts.He is sickened at the sight of his city and wishes the rain to wash away all the dirt infesting the city.He tries to woo a Senator's campaign worker and fails miserably at it.An increasing loathing in him,makes him try help a 12 year-old prostitute Iris(young Jodie Foster).That too does'nt seem to work out and his increasing rage culminates in his vigilante mission to assasinate the Senator.The failure of the same prompts him to head out to the brothel housing Iris and he kills the pimp,the doorkeeper(of the Brothel) and Iris's mafia customer.The film ends on a murky note and leaves the conclusion to the viewer's choice.
Am glad this is just the second film of Robert Di Niro that I watched,the other being Godafather-2.Di Niro is mind-blowing in his performance of a mentally degrading man who is an emotional failure.He tries to save the prostitute Iris and during those scenes the audience would certainly appreciate the efforts of Bickle.And in most parts of the film,Bickle's loathing of the 'moral-decay' around him will find support with the audience.His failure at impressing his girlfriend,Betsy(senator's campaign worker) shows us how childish/immature Bickle can be at times.We also have a very young Jodie Foster as Iris and shes passes muster.Also,there is Harvey Keitel whom I have been spotting in many excellent films.He is quite young with long hair and nice muscles....the rest of the cast including the cameo by Martin Scorsese himself are well cast.
The most famous and best scene is of course the scene,wherein Travis Bickle talks to himself in front of the mirror.His ad-libbed dialogue "You talkin' to me?" in that scene is brilliant and I loved it a lot.Bickle's preparation for his mission involving hardening himself and acquinting himself with the guns is a sight to watch and it is another memorable scene.And last but not least,the attempted assasination & the violent shooting ensuing it stand out as Scorsese's best crafted scenes.
One of the reason's I love this movie,is due to the ending.Scorsese,brilliant that he is,has left the conclusion to the viewer's choice thus ridding himself of any confusion.I prefer the positive interpretation of the ending rather than the negative.
My rating: 9/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075314/
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THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS:
Excellent film making....i have been hearing a lot about this movie for ages and when i did get the opportunity to check this movie out,it was a superb experience.This movie introduced me to the actor called Anthony Hopkins.Depicting an expert psychopath killer who has the coolest of human minds,Anthony Hopkins or Dr.Hannibal Lecter is brilliant.An excellent foil to him is Jodie Foster as FBI trainee Clarice Starling.
Dr.Lecter is in jail.A serial killer is on the rampage and Clarice(an FBI trainee) is sent to find out about the killer-at-large from Dr.Lecter .Lecter can control his heart rate to his liking and has an intellectual that could'nt be penetrated by psychiatrists despite many attempts.Lecter agrees to give clues about the serial killer on the condition that Clarice tells him about herself.She ignores the warning given by her superior and shares her innermost secrets.What follows will change Clarice's life forever.
On a broad perspective,the movie is about a serial killer and a Government agent's hunt for him/her.But moving to the plot and screenplay,there is nothing to complain about. Hopkins and Foster are top-notch as far as the acting department is concerned. Hopkins is menacing at times and turns extremely cool as the situation demands.Once the meeting between Clarice and himself happens,the movies pace quickens and the plot tightens.We have a lot of tense moments and the tension reaches a high as the climax nears.And i realised the title of the movie IS actually relevant to the main character involved.
Nothing less than 10 for such a brilliant film.
My rating: 10/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102926/
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RED DRAGON:
Set years before The Silence Of The Lambs took place...we meet agent Will Graham(Edward Norton) who is being helped by famous Dr.Hannibal Lecter(Anthony Hopkins) to catch a serial killer.But what Graham doesnt know is that Lecter is the killer himself.Graham eventually finds this out and Lecter is jailed,causing Graham unwanted negative media coverage.He goes into early retirement.
Years later a serial kiler by name of the 'Tooth Fairy' is on the loose,and Graham is asked for help in the case as he is believed to possess psychic powers.He does make some important breakthroughs but is unable to proceed further and he has no option other than turning to the killer he jailed(Lecter).Lecter does help him,but only to prove Graham that he is far more cleverer than the Tooth Fairy.Will the killer be caught???Will lecter,the great intellectual that he is,take revenge on Graham???
Anthony hopkins has a good deal of screen presence and he is electrifying in his portrayal of Hannibal 'the Cannibal'.Compared to 'Silence of The Lambs',his on-screen time is less and but it more than satisfies a fan's thirst.Francis Dolarhyde(Ralph Fiennes) is menancing and makes a spine-chilling villain,but never comparable to our beloved Dr.Lecter.Not quite as strong as 'Silence of The Lambs',but good enough.
My rating: 9/10
My links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289765/
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SCHINDLERS LIST:
I have to admit that Schindler's List is a long and tough movie to watch.But it is worth the wait for watching this movie!!! The Holocaust is undoubtedly one of the most significant and horrifying events of the twentieth century. Between 1938 and 1945, the Jewish population was segregated and persecuted, culminating in the merciless slaughter of approximately six million Jews (this figure is quoted in the film, though most historical estimates vary between five and seven million).
Amidst all this butchery, one man decided to make a difference, famously saving the lives of more than 1100 Jews- men, women and children who would otherwise have been killed.
The movie takes place during the Second World War.Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler,a German Industrialist,brings on a brilliant performance.
He is a businessman who enlists Jews to work in his factory.Initially he does so because the Jews are readily available labour for a low price.He does however become gradually aware that his factory means the difference between life and death to thousands of people.And so his 'list' is born. A list of Jews that he requires to 'work' for him.It is,in reality,a list of life.Providing ample support to Schindler is Itzhak Stern(Ben Kingsley), a jew who intially doubts Schindler and maintains his distance from.But as time progresses,we see a beautiful friendship being formed.Stern helps Oskar create the list and eventually save thousands of lives.
Liam Neeson fills Schindler's boots well.We soon forget he is Neeson at all.Ben Kingsley is, ofcourse, his ever-reliable brilliant self. And Amon Goeth(Ralph Fiennes) easily creates one of the screens most hateful villians.As this movie is based on real life happenings,all these characters did exist in real life.Goeth depicted by Ralph Fiennes is so brilliant in his
acting that we,the audience start hating his character.
There are some tough scenes (most notably, the liquidation of the ghetto, Goeth's (Fiennes) brutality in the camp) and it's all filmed in beautiful black & white - except for the highlighted girl in the red dress,which has a brilliant symbolic meaning later in the film.The last scene where Schindler breaks down,saying how he could have save more lives had he tried to
is so touching,a tear in the eye is not enough.
It has a powerful and lasting effect - just as it should. Job excellently done Spielberg,Hats off!!!
My rating: 10/10
Links : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/
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CRASH:
I have seen so many instances wherein a huge star cast spoils the entire movie and its purpose.The effect is quite opposite in this heart-moving movie.The movie revolves around the story of many characters who are at some point of time inter-related by fate.The basic backbone of the story is to portray the amount of racism still present in America and mind you,this is not about Blacks alone.We have a Hispanic,a Persian family and of course Blacks.
Major part of the movie involves the character-development of the actors involved.And when this purpose has been established, we have some moving scenes.One example is that of a White cop who harasses a Black couple earlier in the movie and later on,he risks his own life to save the same women from a car wreck.The lady who is willing to die rather than be rescued by this racist cop finally relents to him helping her.After getting away from the wreck she is in tears,it is difficult to stay come during this scene.I was really moved during this scene...i can many more beautiful scenes,but its better to be viewed on screen.
Performance from all the major actors is very good and there is nothing to complain about in this movie In My Opinion!!!No wonder CRASH won the 'Best Picture' & 'Best Writing, Screenplay' and 'Best Editing' Oscars last year(2006)!!!A powerful and thought-provoking movie indeed.
My rating: 9/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375679/
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SEVEN:
Coming from acclaimed film Director David Flincher,'Se7en' is one amazing film to be watched.Actually 'Se7en' is his first major hit as a Director after the severely drubbed 'Alien 3'.A chilling thriller that will have us on the edge of our seats.
Detective William Somerset(Morgan Freeman) is on the verge of retirement when he is partnered with hot-headed Detective David Mills(Brad Pitt) for a murder case.What starts off as a random murder spirals off into thier pursuit of an unkkown serial killer,who has the 7 deadly sins as his Modus Operandi.Somerset,with his cool and analytical mind slowly heads closer to the killer's identity with Mills helping out a bit.The killer finally reveals himself in all his glory and things are'nt going to end as one imagined they would.We are headed for a shocker of a climax that will blow you away!!!
Top-notch performance by Morgan Freeman,Brad Pitt & of course Kevin Spacey(we hafta wait a bit for his part though).I had intially rated this film 8 at http://www.imdb.com/ ,as time passed by this film has grown more sinister and excellent,than it was on my first viewing.My rating is a rung higher now!!!Brad Pitt gives in a good performance,but he clearly shines in the climax where he is his best.No need to mention Morgan Freeman or Kevin Spacey,because they are par excellence as they always are.
The scene-of-crime in all the murders is very gruesome and they manage to chill the viewer just as the Director had wanted.Things seem to be in control till the climax where the twist gives a jolt to the viewer.The build-up to the climax is phenomenol and the ending is as appropriate as one can get. It is hard not to like this movie.
Strange Facts:
1)The weather is the same throughout the film,until at the climax.
2)The city of residence is never revealed in the film.Try your best,if you manage to find it..hats off!!
3)The delivery in the climax is scheduled for delivery at 7.07pm.(Source: http://www.imdb.com/ )
My rating:9/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114369/
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THE USUAL SUSPECTS:
Brilliant movie making and this movie was a real twister. The director challenges the audience by giving keeping everything in the open. Everything is so obivous once the twist in the climax is revealed,but are we,the audience watching carefully???
Gabriel Byrne and Kevin Spacey give out incredible performances. Chazz Palminteri as the Customs Official is quite good.... the suspence is maintained till the very end.
Two parallel stories which inter-twine into a confusing and mind-blowing climax.The only survivor of a boat explosion,Verbal(brilliant Kevi Spacey)and his twisted 'confession' about the incident is the only key to finding the truth.Do the cops manage to find the truth???
Dean Keaton(Gabriel Byrne) is an ex-con who wishes to lead a normal life. But the cops do'nt seem to let him be.And when he is rounded up for a drug trafficking deal in which he had no involvement,He joins with four others in the line-up to get back at the cops.As a result, their lives are turned upside down.
With flash backs into the past and alternate forwards to the present,'The Usual Suspects' is an intriguingly fascinating film.It can boast of 'One of the best movie endings in a Hollywood movie'....
My rating: 10/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114814/
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THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION:
One of the few movies which deserve a full score. Such movies are a rarity. Once in a Blue moon certainly......Some people may find it boring or slow-paced,but i loved the movie and its main theme. Which is,as the tagline goes "Fear can hold you prisoner,but hope can set you free".
The protagonist is Andy Dufresne(Tim Robbins) who is falsely charged for murder.Dufresne attempts to escape prison.Oops,did i give away the premise? I dont think so.. watch the movie and you will know why i say so.
Dufresne who is quite shy manages to make some new friends in the jail as well as some foes.Among his group of friends is Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding(Morgan Freeman) who is the prison entrepreneur,who can arrange almost anything for his fellow inmates.The two form a deep-rooted friendship that seems to lift their worries of their confinement into oblivion!!!Almost all the scenes involving Dufresne and the wardens & the jail inmates are quite hilarious at times...whereas some scenes will move our hearts.
"Never-say-die in your life".'The Shawshank Redemption' is a master-piece that is not to be missed.
My rating: 10/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/
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THE SIXTH SENSE:
Spine-chilling movie. I really found it difficult to stay alone in a room for the next few days. It was more spooky when i had this feeling someone was in the room... took some time to get over the spooky feeling.Bruce Willis and Harrey Joel Osment are excellent in this movie.
Dr.Malcom Crowe(Bruce Willis),a pschycologist tries to understand Cole Sear's(Harry Joel Osment) problem of seeing spirits,or ghosts actually.Crowe tries to help the kid out and in the process learns shocking things about his beliefs as well as about himself.Slowly Crowe starts to accept Sear's fears.Nothing seems as simple as it is in this world and both the protagonist's are about to find that out!!!
I will not dvelve deeper into the story so that i do not give the plot away.This film made Manoj Night Shyamal,an Indian-born-American director an overnight celebrity.His movies always have a Twist at the end which has become his Trademark.And Shyamalan makes sure he builds the screenplay to that very vital twist!!!
My rating: 10/10
Links: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167404/
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