Digest
Films
I have ranked my top 10 films, with a short synopsis and why i think they are good. These films are what i find inspiration from and are media products that i believe can help any film maker.
10.
Lord of the Rings: The fellowship of the ring
A shy Hobbit sets out on journey with eight companions that will change middle earth forever. Featuring an amazing cast and excellent screenplay the lord of the rings sets the benchmark for fantasy drama.
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Sean Bean
Meta Score: 92
Available on disc here
9.
Inception
A cunning thief who's skills involve using dreams to obtain corporate secrets is given the toughest job of his career. From the iconic soundtrack to the dynamic CGI to the clever and well thought plt inception really illustrates how much of a great director christopher nolan is.
8.
Fight Club
An insomniac fed up with his mundane life seeks refuge in a 'fight club' which mutates into something much sinister. From the offset Fight Clubs gritty, visceral cinematography really paints a picture of life in the modern office; that is if your an unhinged insomniac!
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Marion Gotilliard
Meta Score: 74
Available on disc here
Directed by: David Fincher
Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton
Meta Score: 66
Available on disc here
7.
Saving Private Ryan
Following D-day a group of American soldiers are tasked with retrieving a 'Private Ryan' way behind enemy lines. The soldiers are then tested every step of the way to save Private Ryan. The realism in this film has been rivalled none and with a great story-line and an incredible cast, one can understand why this is considered the best war film ever made.
Directed by: Steven Speilberg
Starring:Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns
Meta Score: 91
Available on disc here
6.
The Departed
An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston. Set in south Boston an undercover cop and mole in the police force are pitted against one another as they attempt to infiltrate each others organisations.
Directed by: Martin Scorcese
Starring: Leonardo Dicaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
Meta Score: 85
Available on disc here
5.
Apocalypse now
A young Captain in the Vietnamese war is sent to assasinate a renegade Colonel who is causing mayhem in Cambodia who also a Cambodian tribe under his spell who consider him to be a god. I consider this to be the greatest war film ever made. An all star cast featuring the great Marlon Brando as Colonel Kurtz and Martin Sheen as Captain Willard the colours and script makes Apocalypse Now stand the test of time and remain as one of the best films ever made.
Directed by: Francis Coppola
Starring: Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvali, Frederic Forest
Meta Score: 94
Available on disc here
4.
Goodfellas
The parable of Henry Hill and his life in the Sicilian Mob, covering his life within the mob and how he was thrown out of it. One of my favourite gangster films ever, this film really sheds light on the life of a member of the mob. Also worth noting is Robert De Niros acting in this which in my opinion; i think is his best role in any of his films he has done.
Directed by: Martin Scorcese
Starring: Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert De Niro
Meta Score: 89
Available on disc here
3.
Pulp Fiction
The lives of two hitmen, a boxer looking to leave the game and a pair of diner robbers. Pulp Fiction shows how these characters lives are entwined. Why i think this film is the 3rd best ever made is because of the vagueness of it all. From the offset you have to piece together what is going on and why. The ambiguity of this film is what makes it one of the worlds best.
Directed by: Quentin Tarentino
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L Jackon, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis
Meta Score: 94
Available on disc here
2.
The Godfather: Part 2
Follows the early life of Vito Corleone and Michael Corleone as he tightens his grip on his families criminal empire. If The Godfather part 1 didnt exist this would hold the number 1 spot. Al Pacinos blinding performance after his ascension to the head of the Corleone family really shows his prowess as an actor. Another reason for this films success must be the Godfather soundtrack; a timeless classic that still resonates in my ears as i write this.
Directed by: Francis Coppola
Starring: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino
Meta Score: 90
Available on disc here
1.
The Godfather: Part 1
An aged leader of an organised crime family transfers control of his shrinking empire to his reluctant son. Marlon Brando and Al Pacinos performance in this film is rivalled to none. The music, script, screenplay and plot are what makes this film the best ever made. Each component of this film has been crafted to perfection and when one thinks of a gangster film only the Godfather can spring to mind.
Directed by: Franis Coppola
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino
Meta Score: 100
Available on disc here