The ten movies you have just got to see. Right now.

As the next step of my enduring battle against doing anything productive, I thought it would be fun to write an article about one of my favorite things; movies! I spent a great deal of time (not really) compiling this list, because in my mind the taste you have in movies says a lot about you as a person. It’s an important factor when it comes to compatibility and harmony, as a couple who does not share a similar taste in movies, are in for some arguments when it comes to movie nights. That hypothesis is based on observation not experience.  Also when you talk to your friends about movies, it’s a great help to know what they like, so you (me) won’t get bored. People who think Transformers (the Bay movies) and Fast & Furious are simply awesome movies they are not in for a stimulating conversation with me, at least when it comes to movies. Ones taste in movies seems to fluctuate depending on your mood, and the context in which you want to see a movie. Sometimes you just need to experience some strong emotions, or maybe you just want to laugh for a while. This list is a mix of genres, but it is ultimately the ten movies I feel to be the best out there, right now. Please note that the movies are in random order, so don’t argue about the order, for me they are all “1’s”. Read the list and my comments on the movies themselves. Then watch said movies and talk to me about them at a later time. I can be a bit of a snob when it comes to movies, but I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.

This is me, in my mind, talking about movies.

#1: The lion king (1994)

I speculate that most of my readers have seen this one, which is why I figured I should start with it. Disney’s classic retelling of Hamlet was an instant hit when it was released in 1994. It tells the tale of young Simba, who is destined to rule Africa’s animals from atop Pride rock. He is ultimately betrayed by his uncle Scar, who murders his brother, the king, marries Simbas mother and joins forces with the fiendish Hyenas. Simba escapes and returns as an adult to reunite the kingdom and avenge his father. It’s a great story and it has that Disney “feeling” to it, but you all know this. I would recommend the English soundtrack, as the Danish one just doesn’t cut it. It’s also one of the last great drawn Disney movies, as the shift to computer animated movies started not long after, and the traditional Disney movie died then. This movie is special to me in another way as well. My mom took me to the cinema to watch it together with her. One of my fondest memories of my mother is when we watched this movie, and as Mufasa died, she took my hand and smiled at me, because she could see I was tearing up. That might factor in with my fond memories of this movie, but I dare anyone to watch the stampede scene and not have to fight back the tears.

What a prick.

#2: Scott Pilgrim vs. the world (2010)

This movie is a bit of a sleeper on my list, as it’s one of those movies you either love or hate. There is no middle ground here. The premise is simple: Scott falls in love with a girl. To win the right to be with this girl, he must fight her seven evil x’s.  X’s as in ex-boyfriends. The plot is really strange, but it’s done in such an awesome way, that you sort of just accept this to be the way things work. The acting and drama is over the top with a bunch of irony, it’s delicious. The movie makes fun of itself too, and if I had to label it, I would classify it as a “feel-good movie”. What really makes it great, is the homage it pays to the 8-bit era of gaming and the arcades. The whole movie has a definite video game vibe to it, and I was just blown away by the style. It’s really hard to say more about this movie, it’s one of those movies that you have to see to understand why it’s so great. Which is pretty much the case with every movie?

#3: Full metal jacket (1987)

I could talk about this movie for hours, but all I have to do is show you a picture from it, and you will nod your head and agree with me, that this is a frigging awesome movie. End of discussion.

I do have the courtesy to give a reacharound, sir.

#4: Rear window (1954)

I knew I wanted a Hitchcock movie on my list, but the problem was which one? In the end I settled on my favorite: Rear window, which really impressed me from a technical standpoint as well as delivering a magnificent story. James Stewart plays Jeff, who has broken his leg and is confined to a wheelchair in his apartment. He’s a photographer for a living and has some wide lenses lying around, which he uses to survey his neighborhood.  He is often visited by his girlfriend, played by Grace Kelly (lovely creature), who indulges him in his espionage. During one of his nightly peek-a-thons he hears a scream from across the way and from the next day, he starts to suspect his neighbor of murdering his wife. But is it delusion or not? That is the premise of the movie, and it’s done so well by the master of suspense. You are never quite sure of what to think, and that’s a testament to the movies quality. One of the most impressive things, is the way the movie is filmed. Hitchcock built a whole set in the image of an American big city neighborhood. The camera is then placed in a way, that we see everything from the viewpoint of Jeff. The effect is a form of intimacy between us and all the people who live in the apartments, it’s really sublime.

A master at work.

#5: Pulp Fiction (1994)

This is also one of those movies, where you have no problem justifying it’s place on a list of great movies. The story is so well knit together it haunts my dreams. You always discover something new, when you watch it, and watch it you will. Many times. I’m not a Travolta fan, but he does a great job in this movie, but the show stealer is Samuel L. Jackson as Jules. His “bible” quote was so popular when the movie came out, that it got a song based off of it, and a slew of merchandise. He really is the baddest mother in town. But it’s just insane how quotable this movie is, which is really something for a movie, and a testament to how well written the script is. I have always held Tarantino in high regard, and I was torn between Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. What really sets him apart is not the plots or settings, it’s the sharp dialogue and the way he shoots his movies. I absolutely love movies, where they do not cut every freaking second. Tarantino loves long takes, so I love Tarantino. The actors are in focus, not the action, which I really like. Oh, and the soundtrack is second to none.

#6: Nobody’s fool (1994)

1994 was a good year for movies. As the third movie on my list from that year, I gotta say, this might arguably be the best. I have a thing for small town dramas and this one is the crème de la crème. Paul Newman in the best role he has ever played, and backed up by solid actors like Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith. Newman plays local hothead Sully, who has a bum knee. He has no contact with his family and he does not enjoy considerable respect in the community. But when his estranged son moves back to town together with his family Sully begins to change. That is all I will say about the plot, but it’s one of those heartwarming tales, that speaks to the heart. The reason I really like it, is because of the acting and the authenticity of the environment it plays out in. And if you can watch this movie without feeling something for Newman’s character, then you are dead inside.

Just look at that cute face.

#7: 12 angry men (1957)

The greatest courtroom drama ever filmed. By far. 12 angry men puts us in a room with 13 jurors, who must decide whether to send a young man to jail or not. It stars Henry Fonda in the leading role, and he is always brilliant. The plot revolves around Fonda’s character, who tries to convince the rest of the jurors to agree with him. The methods used to do so are all well thought out and clever, but they are besides the point, as the movie is a study of character. All jurors are very different, as are their motivations for voting as they do, and it’s genuinely exciting to watch them fight (sometimes viciously) to be right. It’s in black and white, which might scare off some people. I once spoke to a young man, who honestly could not see the value in watching movies that were older than 1990. What a fool. But then again, I often speak with people, who do not want to watch a movie that is not in full color. As if the lack of color has a detrimental effect on the medium. It’s a silly statement to make, and it’s a damn shame to think, some people may be robbed of the joy of watching movies like this one, based on some stupid principle.

Give these men a chance.

#8: Blade Runner (1982)

The best science fiction director ever, with one of the coolest actors ever and a setting that is simply mind-blowing. That is what Blade Runner has to offer, and boy does it offer it well. Blade Runner is based off Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do androids dream of electric sheep?”, but I honestly prefer the movie. In the future mankind uses replicants (robots) to mine asteroids and fight wars. Replicants are superior to humans in every way, so to make sure that they do not take over, they are built with a short lifespan. The ethics behind this and the replicants desire to live is the centerpiece of this masterwork. I consider this to be the greatest science fiction movie ever made, and it’s a little difficult to explain why. One of the reasons is the visuals. Ridley Scott is a master of portraying stunning worlds and the future in Blade Runner is as ugly as it is beautiful. But what is even more important, is that you do not feel like this is some distant wasteland or unreachable utopia. This is a plausible future for us all. The ethical dilemma in the movie is handled really well, with heartbreaking dialogue and a desperation from the replicants, who initially are the bad guys, but you start to empathize with them. Rutger Hauer delivers a really powerful performance as the leader of the replicants, and the last ten minutes of the movie are among the greatest moments in movie history. Before I go on an even longer rant I would recommend you to just see it. It really is epic.

 #9: OldBoy (2003)

This movie is Korean and it’s explicit, so if you’re not inclined to watch foreign movies or some very graphical violence, then steer away. You’ll be incredibly sorry you did though. Oldboy is the 2^nd movie in Chan-Wook Parks trilogy of revenge. I can recommend the whole trilogy, but I picked this one, as it’s the best of the three. Dae-Su Oh is on his way home to meet his daughter when he is kidnapped and locked inside a room for 15 years. He is never told by whom or why. When he is released he goes on a quest to answer the very simple question: “Who locked me in a room for 15 years?”. It’s a simple plot, but it becomes complicated and the twist in the movie will destroy your mind, it’s that good. All actors and actresses are fantastic, but Min-Sik Choi steals the show, as the titular character. He is so rough and remorseless; you just can’t help being fascinated. The movie is being remade in English format, but please watch this version first, as I am certain the English one will butcher this masterpiece. I mean, watch it purely for the hallway-hammer fight scene. Trust me.

This scene will melt your brain.

#10: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)

Tarantino once said, that the last 30min of this movie was the closest we would ever come to the perfect movie. And I wholeheartedly agree. This spaghetti western epic is mostly known for its music (Metallica uses a song from this movie as their opening act), which is a damn shame. Not to say the music is bad, it really isn’t, it’s one of the best soundtracks ever made. Ennio Morricone gave the movie an extra heart with his music, and it’s hard not to smile at times, when the iconic yell comes through your speakers. It’s hard to describe what makes this movie so great, but I will do my best. The three main characters; Tuco, Blondie and Angel-Eyes make the perfect trio, as Lee van Cleef is the embodiment of evil, Eastwood is the perfect anti-hero and Eli Wallach delivers an Oscar winning performance as the poor Tuco, who has no luck in the world. The plot is as follows: A dying man reveals two parts of a treasure location to two different men, and they are forced to work together, if they want to claim the treasure for themselves. During their hunt they get caught up in the civil war, and its horrors. The setting is fantastic, it truly is an epic sight the first time you see the trenches and fights between the north and the south. Some people perceive the movie as silly, but do not make that mistake, as this is one of the most serious and heartbreaking depictions of the “western” era of  American  history. Sergio Leone, the director, never got the glory he deserves, but anyone who watches this movie will agree, that he was something special alright.

Just watch the movie, you'll thank me later.

That was my list. I hope you enjoyed reading about my favorite movies, and if you disagree with anything I’ve said, feel free to comment, or you might even want to leave your own list for me to review? Until next time!

Regards

Kris