Top 100 movies of all time: 05 - 01

Merry Christmas! Well, here we are. End of the road, so to speak. I hope you've enjoyed this little countdown and hope to see you again in the new year. The list might be over, but the blog is just getting started. Who knows, maybe there is a surprise in the wings (could be, I actually don't know). Either way, see you in 2011!

PS: things might be a little short today as well. Not a good trend, I know. But there is Christmas to be enjoyed and Disney cartoons to see.

NR. 05:

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen and Paul Freeman



Archeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 5

The ultimate adventure movie inspired by the adventure serials of the 20's and 30's. Harrison Ford embodies the role of Henry 'Indiana' Jones Jr. so well it is hard (and rather scary) to imagine the role almost went to Tom Selleck. Due to Harrison's charm and crooked smile, the hat wearing, whip cracking archeologist became a world famous icon. What Raiders does so well is mix the fast paced adventure genre with the supernatural seamlessly, which until then was truly unique (and still stands the test of time). If you like adventure then look no further then to the raiders of the lost ark. It doesn't get any better then this.



NR. 04:

THE SHINING (1980)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd



A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil and spiritual presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 5

The shining is, to me at least, the scariest movie ever made. Kubrick never did anything half way and when adapting the Stephen King novel he spared no expense on the creep factor. From the dead twins to Jack's (masterful performance by Jack Nicholson. A role he was born to play)descent into madness all fills the film with a sense of dread and foreboding from the very first scene onward.



NR. 3:

STAR WARS
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)

Directed by: Irvin Kershner
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher



While Luke takes advanced Jedi training from Yoda, his friends are relentlessly pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 5

The second movie in a trilogy seems to be the dark one. Indiana Jones had its Temple of Doom. Back to the future's part 2 got pretty dire and The Dark Knight was just that; dark.. But the grand pappy of them all has to be The Empire strikes back. A movie that took all the optimism and sense of hope that Star Wars introduced and trampled it into the snow with a barrage of AT-AT's. Regarded by many (including me, obviously) as the best Star Wars movie and this is in no small part due to the gravity of the situation presented in the movie. The theme? Hopelessness and the struggle to survive when the entire galaxy is hostile. Well written (since it was not written by Lucas)and introduces you to a wider galaxy filled with wonder and adventure.



NR. 2:

DAWN OF THE DEAD (1978)

Directed by: George A. Romero
Starring: David Emge, Ken Foree and Scott H. Reiniger



Following an ever-growing epidemic of zombies that have risen from the dead, two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter, and his television-executive girlfriend seek refuge in a secluded shopping mall.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 5

When there is no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth. As a huge zombie fanatic there should be no surprise that Dawn of the dead (almost) tops the charts. They don't make zombie movies like this anymore. There is a sense of dread in Dawn that you can not shake off. Perhaps its the low budget that makes everything feel more real and gritty and lends almost a historical gravitas to everything. The dead walk the earth and no matter what you do, you will end up joining their ranks. Now or later. It is this sense of never ending horror that makes Dawn of the dead the best zombie movie ever made. Slow and unrelenting, just like the dead. Pure brilliance.



Well, here we are. The grand finale, the moment we have been building towards for 24 days now. For some of you this will be no surprise at all. For the rest of you I present my number one movie of all time:

*drum roll*



NR. 01!

JAWS (1975)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss



When a gigantic great white shark begins to menace the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and grizzled fisherman set out to stop it.

WHY ITS NUMBER 1

Jaws. One of the earliest blockbuster movies ever made and still one of the greatest. It is my ultimate summer movie and one I can watch over and over without getting tired of it. The mash up of a idyllic summer paradise and an unrelenting great white shark with a great appetite for human flesh is enough to make an entire generation afraid of the water. The shark may look rather fake by today's standard, but even that is not nearly enough to take away from the suspense of Jaws. The fact that you seldom actually see the shark itself, but just shadows and parts makes it all the more terrifying. And when you do see it, only one phrase comes to mind: We're gonna need a bigger boat.



Well, that's it. End. Finito. Hope you had a good time and that you still have a very merry Christmas and a fantastical new year. See you at the movies!

Top 100 movies of all time: 09 - 06

Only one day left! Be sure to tune in tomorrow for my top 5 films of all time. Also let me know what you think of the list in general and what you would like to see in future blog posts on the Paper Penguin.

NR. 09:

INCEPTION (2010)

Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page



In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

It was a long time coming and Inception glides right in at number 9 on my list. A smart, mind twisting and stylish look at the world of dreams, but done with a sense of realism that seems to be the trademark of Nolan films. The film has gotten allot of criticism (more then any other movie in resent memory)which centers on the argument that just because the movie is complex does not means its cool. This is kind of absurd since that is a criticism on the people who think its cool and not the movie itself. But I understand that Inception polarizes its audience to a degree as many films do. But for me Inception stands out as one of 2010's absolute highlights and would easily come in at number 1 of 2010 films.



NR. 08:

FOUR LIONS (2010)

Directed by: Christopher Morris
Starring: Will Adamsdale, Riz Ahmed and Adeel Akhtar



Four Lions tells the story of a group of British jihadists who push their abstract dreams of glory to the breaking point...

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

A laugh out loud comedy with some severe undertones. Four Lions mixes the impossible and manages to make you laugh out loud while you are thinking in the back of your head that is this really something you should be laughing at. In a world where suicide bombers are a reality all over the world, it takes real guts and good film making skills to take a satiric spin on it all. What makes it all work so well is that these terrorist wannabees just aren't very good at what they do, but they try so hard. A must see film of 2010.

!!!WARNING!!!

If you wish to see this movie I strongly suggest you DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER. I saw the movie unspoiled in any way and some of the jokes and events revealed in the trailer is something you should see in context. The trailer also contains some spoilers.



NR. 07:

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007)

Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin



Violence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon some dead bodies, a stash of heroin and more than $2 million in cash near the Rio Grande.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The Coen brothers sure are well represented in my list which probably stems from them being two of the best writers/directors we have now a days. I had no expectations to No Country for old men and went to see it only because it was a Coen brothers film. And let me tell you, the movie was better then I could ever have imagined. The film follows a narrative, but very loosely. You get more the sense of events simply unfolding in front of you (as with allot of Coen films). It doesn't feel like you start watching from set beginning and the movie doesn't really wrap the story up. Instead you watch a slice of life where extraordinary events take place and gruesome acts are committed. A modern day western that all along the ride manages to be thrilling, funny and smart.



NR. 06:

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994)

Directed by: Frank Darabont
Starring: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman and Bob Gunton



Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The one thing I take away from this film is its writing. I know, there are many (many) other aspects to the film worth mentioning and admire, but for me the writing simply shines here. As an aspiring writer I can only hope that one day I will be good enough to write something half as good as this. The writing is good due to the fact that Stephen King (who's book the film is adapted from) worked on the screenplay and it really shows. As I said, you can say allot of good things about this movie but for me it boils down to solid writing that flows through the entire movie and makes everything else shine.

Top 100 movies of all time: 13 - 10

December 22nd and Christmas preparations reaches its peak. Hopefully the next two blog posts will arrive a little earlier then the last two.

NR. 13:

SHUTTER ISLAND (2010)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer and Mark Ruffalo



Drama set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Shutter Island was the first movie I saw in 2010 that stood out and made me take notice. A journey through Shutter Island is a journey through sanity and its many twists and turns and uses the entire spectrum of cinema to do so. From the sudden and almost flawed editing (it SEEMS flawed and imprecise , but mirrors the main character) to the music (a film score almost designed to drive you mad), all comes together to make a deep jigsaw puzzle that warrants multiple viewings.



NR. 12:

BRAZIL (1985)

Directed by: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist and Robert De Niro



A bureaucrat in a retro-future world tries to correct an administrative error and himself becomes an enemy of the state.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Terry Gilliam is a very visual director and with Brazil you get a feast of details in a dark, overly bureaucratic society where every action you make results in a myriad of paper work. Brazil is satire done pretty broad, but it works so well due to the humor from the crazy mind of Gilliam. A truly unique film that leaves a lasting impression.



NR. 11:

CORALINE (2009)

Directed by: Henry Selick
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman



An adventurous girl finds another world that is a strangely idealized version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Coraline is a return to basic puppet animation and done with such perfection that you are left wondering how on earth they managed to do all that with puppets. The story is fun, wonderful and surreal with something to offer both the adult and child viewer. The moods created in this film (accompanied by a brilliant soundtrack)suck you into the many worlds of Coraline and makes it impossible to leave.



NR. 10:

THE NINTH GATE (1999)

Directed by: Roman Polanski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Frank Langella and Lena Olin



A rare book dealer, while seeking out the last two copies of a demon text, gets drawn into a conspiracy with supernatural overtones.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The ninth gate is an occult thriller/mystery revolving around a book said to be written by Lucifer himself. The brilliance of this film is that it keeps the supernatural elements in the background and only hints to it here and there throughout the story. A film where you notice new things when watching it multiple times and with a cast that makes everything shown on screen feel real. If only one word could describe this film it would be: 'haunting.'

Top 100 movies of all time nr. 17 - 14

Sorry that its a bit late today and that my writings about each film is a bit short, but the christmas rush has taken hold and she is not an easy mistress to handle.

NR. 17:

SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991)

Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins and Scott Glenn



A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

It is hard to imagine a time before Anthony Hopkins' portrayal as Hannibal Lectre which is the true testament to the powerful performance in this film. A brilliantly executed thriller that will stand the test of time as one of the best of its genre.



NR. 16:

FIGHT CLUB (1999)

Directed by: David Fincher
Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter



An office employee and a soap salesman build a global organization to help vent male aggression.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Fight Club is truly a movie unlike anything that came before and have arrived at cinemas since. It is not so much a film as a manifesto to a way of life that flies in the face of everything IKEA cataloges and self help groups want you hold dear. Fight Club is not a movie you can read about and study. It is simply a movie you need to see and see it again.



NR. 15:

UP IN THE AIR (2009)

Directed by: Jason Reitman
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick



With a job that has him traveling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham leads an empty life out of a suitcase, until his company does the unexpected: ground him.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Up in the air is a close look at a world going through a financial crisis, seen from the point of view of the average working man. A film about reevaluating ones life and discover what is truly important in life. Yet, it does not tell you that a life dedicated to work is bad, but rather that there are possibilities available either you take it or not.



NR. 14:

SEVEN (1995)

Directed by: David Fincher
Starring: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey



Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

A mix between classic detective stories and the epic poem Dante's Inferno elevates this thriller to a class of its own. It is as inventive and smart as it is heinous and really examins the darker sides of the human mind and its capabilities. if todays post has shown anything it is that David Fincher is a film maker you should pay attention to (except maybe Alien 3 ;-)

Top 100 movies of all time: 21 - 18

Time movies so fast (see what i did there?). 21 to 18 already? Best get to it then.

NR. 21:

THE THING (1982)

Directed by: John Carpenter
Starring: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley and Keith David



Scientists in the Antarctic are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The Thing is all about the paranoia and the sense of isolation. And it provides both in spades. The thing is not so much a science fiction film (though certainly it has heavy elements of it) as it is a horror/thriller of the highest caliber. The only thing more scary then a monster you can not see (for example in Alien) is a monster that can be anyone, or even several people at once (or even animals). John Carpenter really flexes his film making muscles here in what I think is by far his best movie.



NR. 20:

FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009)

Directed by: Wes Anderson
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray



An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a quirky, hilarious and, at times, just plain weird. It is a Wes Anderson film after all and if you are unfamiliar with his style and tone, then you might not realize just how different Fantastic Mr. Fox is from other animated films and certainly has a lot more heart and soul. The voice acting is superb by everyone involved (from George Clooney to a one-line role by a background character) and the dry whit comedy strikes home every time. A film I can watch over and over again and still come back for more.



NR. 19:

CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND (2002)

Directed by: George Clooney
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore and George Clooney



An adaptation of the cult memoir of game show impresario Chuck Barris, in which he purports to have been a CIA hitman.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Another Sam Rockwell film on this is should stop being a surprise to anyone. What can I say, the man is in good movies (he even had an uncredited role in the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film) and most of them have made this list already. Confessions of a dangerous mind might be my favorite of them though. A quirky (is that today's theme?)and bizarre story that is claimed to be true by the author of the biography the film was based on. It is a roller coaster ride that is as unpredictable as it is strange and allot of fun.



NR. 18:

LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006)

Directed by: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
Starring: Steve Carell, Toni Collette and Greg Kinnear



A dysfunctional family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

That settles it, quirky is today's theme as Little Miss Sunshine is exactly that and then some. The story is about the most dysfunctional family in recent memory; from the overly horny and loud mouthed grandfather to the suicidal uncle who is only coming along because he can't be left alone. It is a touching story about family that, sometimes, touches on the familiar and overused cliches, but the good far outweighs the tropes in this film. When the credits rolled for the first time I was simply amazed by what I had seen and it has been with me ever since. Quality through and through and a must watch for any film enthusiast or cinephile.

Top 100 movies of all time nr. 25 - 22

A tad early today due to the busy holiday season. Also, the WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100 was written in a car so if it is a litte...sub par thats why. Alright, lets get getting:

NR. 25:

CHILDREN OF MEN (2006)

Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Starring: Julianne Moore, Clive Owen and Chiwetel Ejiofor



In 2027, in a chaotic world in which humans can no longer procreate, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea, where her child's birth may help scientists save the future of humankind.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

A truly original science fiction movie that roots itself if gritty realism. It is a future you can believe in and is done so well with only a few touches here and there hinting to a time not or own. The atmosphere you get from that, accompanied with the hopelessness of the human race in decline sets a tone in the film that you don't find anywhere else.



NR. 24:

BLADE RUNNER (1982)

Directed by: Ridley Scott
Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer and Sean Young



Deckard, a blade runner, has to track down and terminate 4 replicants who hijacked a ship in space and have returned to earth seeking their maker.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Blade runner is one of the few science fiction noir films out there, which is a shame because the two genres compliment one another so very well. A dark, almost dystopian future lends a perfect back drop to a noir detective story that puts its characters in the foreground while the futuristic scenery remains in the background, adding that little extra flair many other noir films sometimes lack. No matter if you like science fiction or noir, Blade runner is a film that can be enjoyed on both levels.



NR. 23:

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)

Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart'



Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent are forced to deal with the chaos unleashed by an anarchist mastermind known only as the Joker, as it drives each of them to their limits.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Batman begins rediefined the comic book movie genre, but the Dark Knight perfected it. It is not a movie without its problems (mostly length and pasing of the story), but it is still a movie that bridges the gap between comic books and serious film making. The darker tones and even darker subject matter is perfecly executed in a world where someone like Batman and the Joker excist, which easily can become cheesy and a tad silly (like some of th Batman movies before). The dark knight is a comic book movie, crime drama and detective story all rolled into one, which is exactly what a Batman movie should be.



NR. 22:

INVASION OF THE BODYSNATCHERS (1978)

Directed by: Philip Kaufman
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams and Jeff Goldblum



In San Francisco, a group of people discover the human race is being replaced one by one, with clones devoid of emotion.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Invasion of the bodysnatchers has een remade several times in different vartiations, but the 19?? Is by far the best (having not seen the original). What makes Invasiopn of the bodysnatchers stand out is the creeping menace that slowly but surely takes over society, one person at a time. This escalation is perfectly implemented as well as the paranoia that sets in when the characters (and you) realize that the people around may not be who they seem to be. A chilling tale that will never tell you: ”it will be alright.”

Top 100 movies of all time: 29 - 26

This will be a shorter post then normal. Time does not permit me to write it tomorrow so doing so in the middle of the night. Failing internet adds to the job. Hope you still enjoy numbers 29 to 26.

NR. 29:

THE DEPARTED (2006)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Jack Nicholson



Two men from opposite sides of the law are undercover within the Massachusetts State Police and the Irish mafia, but violence and bloodshed boil when discoveries are made, and the moles are dispatched to find out their enemy's identities.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The Departed is an exercise in good movie making. From the twisting narrative to the deeply developed characters, Scorsese shows that he is a true artist within his medium. A fact that netted him an Oscar for best director and it was about time too.



NR. 28:

MOON (2009)

Directed by: Duncan Jones
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey and Dominique McElligott



Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

A powerhouse performance by Sam Rockwell that should have gained him an Oscar, but sadly got forgotten in between all the other larger releases of that year. The fact that this movie has gotten so little attention is a shame as it is a truly excellent and intelligent science fiction film that you don't see very often. The soundtrack is also brilliant and is worth checking out.



NR. 27:

THE BLUES BROTHERS (1980)

Directed by: John Landis
Starring: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Cab Calloway



Jake Blues, just out from prison, puts together his old band to save the Catholic home where he and brother Elwood were raised.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Perhaps the funniest American comedy ever made. An instant classic that has gone unrivaled for 30 years (including the horrible Blues Brothers 2000). If you have not seen this film then I pity you.




NR. 26:

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS (2006)

Directed by: Gabriele Muccino
Starring: Will Smith, Thandie Newton and Jaden Smith



A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Where as Moon was a powerhouse performance by Sam Rockwell, so is this Will Smith's home run. A touching and sweet film about the relationship of a hard working, down in the dumps salesman and his son. Trying to make a living and work against all odds in hope of finding something better. This movie is worth watching for Will Smith's acting alone, which is the best he has ever done.

Top 100 movies of all time: 33 - 30

NR. 33:

TOY STORY 3 (2010)

Directed by: Lee Unkrich
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen and Joan Cusack



The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Toy Story has always been the staple of quality animation and strong story telling since the original in 1995. Toy Story 3 came 11 years after number 2, but man alive was it worth the wait. The story is more mature in many ways and deal with some subjects that is surprising to see in a "kids" movie (Toy mortality? Kid trauma ahoy). But this is also a whimsical and laugh-out-loud funny adventure that everyone can enjoy thanks to the stellar cast and superb script.



NR. 32:

O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (2000)

Directed by: Joel Coen
Starring: George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson



Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey", set in the deep south during the 1930's. In it, three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Being a Coen brothers comedy, O Brother is a brilliant and whimsical film filled with unforgettable characters played by a magnificent cast. One of George Clooney's most memorable performances that could easily get over the top, but fits so well in the world the film portrays. The music is its own character here and blends into the scenery so perfectly it wraps the film together in a near perfect packaging.



NR. 31:

INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (1984)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw and Jonathan Ke Quan



After arriving in India, Indiana Jones is asked by a desperate village to find a mystical stone. He agrees, and stumbles upon a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs of an ancient palace.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The darkest of the Indiana Jones movies and with that also the most controversial among fans. It is often regarded as the least favorite, but for me the dark edge fits so well in the Indiana Jones world and makes it stand out from the rest. Temple of Doom also contributed with some memorable scenes like the dinner scene and mine cart chase (which became a video game tradition since) and is the perfect counterweight to the serial tribute of Raiders of the lost ark and the more lighthearted Last crusade.



NR. 30:

BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985)

Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson



In 1985, Doc Brown invents time travel; in 1955, Marty McFly accidentally prevents his parents from meeting, putting his own existence at stake.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Back to the future fast became a staple of the 1980's along side films such as the Star Wars sequels, The breakfast club, Indiana Jones etc, and it is well deserved. Such a fantastically inventive and fun experience are usually few and far between. In a decade with some pretty heavy handed science fiction, Back to the future was a breath of fresh air that did not shy away from a colorful pallet and characters that truly light up the screen in every sense of the word. A must see classic that made the DeLorean cool for about, oh, forever.

Top 100 movies of all time: 37 - 34

NR. 37:

WHATS EATING GILBERT GRAPE (1993)

Directed by: Lasse Hallström
Starring: Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio and Juliette Lewis



Gilbert has care for his brother Arnie and his obese mother, which gets in the way when love walks into his life.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

It might sound dull, a movie set in the fictional small town of Endora where nothing ever happens. But this is a beautiful shot film with heavy character focus and small personal stories. The cast is perfect with the exception of Juliette Lewis whom I've never acquired a taste for as an actress. This is a film where nothing really happens, but when it ends you really don't want to leave Endora.



NR. 36:

PSYCHO (1960)

Directed by: Alfred Hitchcock
Starring: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh and Vera Miles



A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Psycho is the grandfather of all thriller-/horror movies. A revolution in both storytelling and, of course, suspense that shocked a nation. The movie might not be as shocking today, but it still holds up as a truly masterful movie. Psycho is perhaps one of the most influenced movies of its genre and have seen many copies, sequels and remake all of which fall short of the original vision. If you have not seen Psycho then you are way over due for one of the greatest thriller/horror movies of all time.



NR. 35:

UNBREAKABLE (2000)

Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson and Robin Wright



A suspense thriller with supernatural overtones that revolves around a man who learns something extraordinary about himself after a devastating accident.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

If Alfred Hitchcock had directed a Twilight Zone about a superhero, you would get Unbreakable (which seem to be two of M. Night's two major inspirations). Unbreakable is M. Night's follow up to the 6th sense and in when it comes to style and atmosphere I think it is a better movie (a controversial point of view for some). It is a fantastical superhero origin story set in a the non-fantastical, gritty reality we all inhabit. It is as much about character relationships and a dysfunctional family trying to reconnect as much as it is about a man discovering superhuman powers. A masterpiece. Too bad it was his last.



NR. 34:

THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (2007)

Directed by: Andrew Dominik
Starring: Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck and Sam Shepard



Robert Ford, who's idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the reforming gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The assassination of Jesse James is a masterful Western with phenomenal acting (especially Casey Affleck who deserved an Oscar for the role of Robert Ford), a bleak yet beautiful cinematography and a soundtrack that sets the tone of the film perfectly.The movie is long, but never gets boring since you are so invested in the characters and the inevitable fate of Jesse James, which is a character you are made to care for throughout the movie. The fact that the climax of the movie is revealed in the title and it still manages to be suspenseful and heartbreaking is quite the feat and a sign of a truly great movie.

Top 100 movies of all time: 41 - 38

NR. 41:

LORD OF THE RINGS: FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001)

Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom



In a small village in the Shire a young Hobbit named Frodo has been entrusted with an ancient Ring. Now he must embark on an Epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Lord of the rings was a cinematic marvel. Not only was it the first time three movies of such scale and grandeur were to be shot during one long shooting schedule, but it was the first time anything like it had been ever made at all. From the opening prologue to the final battle, Lord of the rings: fellowship of the ring was infused with pure magic and a sense of wonder the cinema audience had gone so long without. Truly a film that has gone unmatched since its release.



NR. 40:

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (1971)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee and Michael Bates



In future Britain, charismatic delinquent Alex DeLarge is jailed and volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy developed by the government in an effort to solve society's crime problem... but not all goes to plan.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

For the longest time I could not watch A clockwork orange only because almost every film class I'd take would show the film or analyze it to death. Only recently have I been able to distance myself from all of that and almost re-discover the film. But all of that only speaks to the film itself. It can be analyzed over and over and result in almost just as many conclusions and theories (if any). And after all of that, after some time away, I am able to come back and enjoy it as much now as I did when seeing it for the first time. The movie is, simply put, that good.



NR. 39:

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002)

Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks and Christopher Walken



A true story about Frank Abagnale Jr. who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars worth of checks as a Pan Am pilot, doctor, and legal prosecutor.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Had this list been made in 2002, Catch me if you can would probably had made my top 10. At the time I knew very little about the movie and when I saw it, it blew me away. This is Spielberg in top form and a brilliant performance from DiCaprio, Hanks, and Walken. The film is a wild ride through the united states and because DiCaprio is so believable as a conman with a heart of gold (and really just a kid) you root for him, dreading the day when he gets caught. The music also needs a special mention here as it is some of John Williams best work of the 2000's (except for maybe his score in the next film on the list) and it makes the film shine even brighter.



NR. 38:

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (2005)

Directed by: Rob Marshall
Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe and Michelle Yeoh



Nitta Sayuri reveals how she transcended her fishing-village roots and became one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Memoirs of a Geisha is a wonderful and well made film that transports you back in time to a new culture. It has some beautiful cinematography that can take your breath away set to a story that depicts an almost hopeless and desperate existence. It is a film that depicts Japanese culture through an American eye, which can be wise to keep in mind when watching the film. However, this does not get in the way of a great film with a strong and touching story. John Williams, again, compliments the film with his score which is one of his most distinguished scores and is unlike anything he has done before or since.

Top 100 movies of all time: 45 - 42

NR. 45:

SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004)

Directed by: Edgar Wright
Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Kate Ashfield



A man decides to turn his moribund life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost is a comedic force to be reckoned with. From the early days of Spaced to Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, when together they always produce gold. Shaun of the dead is one of the best examples of this and remains my favorite film from any of them. Hilarious, clever and yet manages to be dramatic and act like a real zombie film. The clue here is that the zombies are taken seriously (playing homage to Romero along the way) while mostly everything else is not. It sets up a truly unique style of comedy that is simply a must watch.



NR. 44:

FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (1986)

Directed by: John Hughes
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck and Mia Sara



A high school wise guy is determined to have a day off from school, despite of what the principal thinks of that.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The Breakfast Club might have been John Hughes' best drama, but Ferris Bueller's day off is by far his best comedy. It has a devil may care attitude and lets you live out a long lived high school fantasy (at least one I had) of ditching school and take advantage of the day and what the city in front of you has to offer. Bueller is the guy you want to be, taking risks and living life to the absolute fullest without thinking about tomorrow, which is a quality more people could stand to adapt.



NR. 43:

THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997)

Directed by: Luc Besson
Starring: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich and Gary Oldman



In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr Zorg at bay.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

The brilliance of Luc Besson shines through in this epic science fiction adventure. It mixes old school, "camp" sci-fi tropes from the 50's and 60's and mixes it with the post Star Wars, more "adult" science fiction. The result is so distinctly unique that The Fifth Element remains one of the top movies of its genre.



NR. 42:

HIGH FIDELITY (2000)

Directed by: Stephen Frears
Starring: John Cusack, Jack Black and Tim Robbins



Rob, a record store owner and compulsive list maker, recounts his top five breakups, including the one in progress.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

A film about a compulsive list maker makes my top 100 movies list? How meta. The film is a love note to music, women and the top 5 breakups of all time. A movie, based on the Nick Hornby novel, breaks the 4th wall continuously in such a way that it feels natural and adds to the comedic and dramatic value of the film. By far John Cusack best role and a good performance from everyone involved.

Top 100 movies of all time: 49 - 46

Things are heating up as I tackle my top 50 movies of all time.

NR. 49:

DR. STRANGELOVE (or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb) (1964)

Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Starring: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott and Sterling Hayden



An insane general starts a process to nuclear holocaust that a war room of politicians and generals frantically try to stop.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Dr. Strangelove is truly a film of its time. It takes the real threat of the 60's (at least it was so in focus back then), nuclear war and spins it into a comedy with a razor sharp satiric sting. Not only are we introduced to some of the most memorable and comedic characters in film history, but we are shown the idiocy of the military way of thinking (taken to the extreme). Yes, it was a film of its time but it's scary to realize that it is just as relevant today.



NR. 48:

TERMINATOR 2 (1991)

Directed by: James Cameron
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong



The cyborg who once tried to kill Sarah Connor must now protect her teenage son, John Connor, from an even more powerful and advanced Terminator.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Like with Aliens (also a James Cameron film) Terminator 2 is a sequel that surpasses the original to such a degree that it almost overshadows its predecessor. Terminator 2 is in many ways the perfect sci-fi action movie in the same way Aliens was the perfect sci-fi horror/action. They share allot of similarities as they both expand their world and mythology and give it a deeper dimension. This is also a more action packed Terminator movie and the unforgettable T-1000 liquid metal Terminator (a technological wonder of cinema at the time).

I was going to link the fantastic opening credits of Terminator 2, but according to Blogger it was "unavailable." Getting really sick of that. So here is the trailer instead. The opening credits can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXQTzJgU6qc



NR. 47:

TRAINING DAY (2001)

Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Scott Glenn



On his first day on the job as a narcotics officer, a rookie cop works with a rogue detective who isn't what he appears as.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100


Training day is an unapologetic, in-your-face gritty look at the life on the streets for two narcotics officers, one of which works at the edges of the law. This movie is polished by Denzel Washington who does his best role here. You are never sure if you are supposed to be on his side or not and you are kept walking that line until the very end of the movie. Even then, you might not be 100% sure. The movie handles exposition extremely well, giving you tidbits of information here and there and never treats you like an idiot, explaining everything to you in one conversation.



NR. 46:

FARGO (1996)

Directed by: Joel Coen
Starring: William H. Macy, Frances McDormand and Steve Buscemi



Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of pregnant Marge Gunderson.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Fargo is one of those movies that is kind of hard to describe to people (it is after all a Coen brothers film) because it is so depended on the situations and characters that inhabit the film. However what I can say is that the movie is one of the funniest ever made with characters that just makes you laugh no matter what they do (might have something to do with the exaggerated Alaskan dialect). Fargo, what can you say? Go see it (again).



Before I leave you today I want to direct your attension (the Norwegians reading this at least) to Blades' blog who did a top 8 of my bottom 50. You can find it here at:

http://drammenblade.blogspot.com/2010/12/topp-8-fra-paper-penguin-sine-50-100.html?spref=tw

Go read it (its in Norwegian though). Toodles.

Top 100 movies of all time: 53 - 50

Wow, half way already. Things are about to get real.

NR. 53:

THE EXORCIST (1973)

Directed by: William Friedkin
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow and Linda Blair



When a teenager is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her daughter.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100


What makes The Exorcist so effective (or made it effective back in the day depending on your point of view) is that besides being scary, it is really disturbing. It is corruption of innocence by pure evil and Regan gets transformed both internally and externally. Like most of the really good horror movies the Exorcist does not rely on jump scares, but rather builds tension and the sense of hopelessness that has befallen the house.



NR. 52:

ROCKY (1976)

Directed by: John G. Avildsen
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire and Burt Young



A small time boxer gets a once in a lifetime chance to fight the heavyweight champ in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

It is the ultimate underdog story and the movie that kick-started Sylvester Stallone’s career. Rocky became a sensation over night and spawned 5 sequels, 2 good ones. Rocky is an inspirational story about taking a shot and try everything you can to make your dreams come true. The music, especially the Rocky theme and Eye of the Tiger, have become some of the most recognizable music scores in history and is sure to be found on most iPods at your local gym and/or bedroom.



NR. 51:

A BEAUTIFUL MIND (2001)

Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris and Jennifer Connelly



After a brilliant but asocial mathematician accepts secret work in cryptography, his life takes a turn to the nightmarish.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

This held my Nr. 1 spot for years which and, like with many others, fell to the middle of the list due to over exposure. A beautiful mind and me are on a break you might say. But 51 is as low as I can put it because it is such a well made and touching movie. If you are fascinated with psychology or just appreciate a good story and superb acting, give A beautiful mind a gander. And if you have already seen it, see it again. Do it now.



NR. 50:

GRAN TORINO (2008)

Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang and Christopher Carley



Disgruntled Korean War vet Walt Kowalski sets out to reform his neighbor, a young Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Kowalski's prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.

WHY IT MADE MY TOP 100

Because Walt Kowalski is one of my favorite film characters of all time. When I grow old, I want to be like him. Next to that, Gran Torino also tells a good story about acceptance and change. Clint Eastwood is in top form and is meaner and grittier then Dirty Harry could ever dream of. Now, get off my blog.