The 15 Greatest Films of All Time (part 3)

And now the final part of my series...

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977; George Lucas)

*Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher

"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi--you're my only hope..." These words have been parodied quite often in pop culture (even by Carrie Fisher herself in a memorable 30 Rock episode). But, when you hear them in the context of this space opera, they're still quite powerful. And that's the beauty of "Episode IV". No matter how many times you see it, every time is like the first time. Every classic scene is just as awesome as it ever was and the themes are just resonant as ever.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980; Irvin Kirshner)

*Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher

Few sequels are as good as their predecessor. "Episode V" is one of the exceptions. The sci-fi classic is chock full of classic moments like the life-or-death battle between father Vader and son Luke and the "I love you"/"I know" scene between Han and Leia. There had never been a movie like this one and there never will be. The "Star Wars" space saga combines so many different genres that there's literally something for everyone.

Vertigo (1958; Alfred Hitchcock)

*James Stewart, Kim Novak and Barbara Bel Geddes

Alfred Hitchcock's Golden Period started in 1935 (with The 39 Steps) and ended in 1963 (with The Birds). In those 28 years, he made about fifteen or so masterpieces. The crowning achievement is Vertigo, a film so complete that its themes and motifs can be found in any scene, shot or line. For example, the shot in the picture basically tells you the entire story. Vertigo is such a hypnotic film that you are just compelled to return to its dreamlike world full of obsession, madness, ghosts and tragic love.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008; Woody Allen)

*Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall and Penelope Cruz

The beauty of this film is that each character has his or her own unsolvable character problem: Cristina has her chronic dissatisfaction; Vicky her debilitating doubt; Juan Antonio his obsession with beautiful women. I think that is so realistic--how many people actually change who they are? The film, which won the Golden Globe for Best Picture-Musical/Comedy, has a gorgeous screenplay that is matched by a lovely execution. And the whole cast is spectacular especially Penelope Cruz.

When Harry Met Sally (1989; Rob Reiner)

*Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan and Carrie Fisher

Few romantic-comedies are as respected by film critics as WHMS but this one deserves every ounce of praise it gets. Not only is it deeply heartfelt and sharply insightful, it is raucously funny. The jokes are fresh as they were the first time; indeed, the entire film is timeless despite Meg Ryan's very 80s hair and outfits. She delivers her career-best performance (though she curiously wasn't nominated for an Oscar) as does Billy Crystal who somehow is perfect as a romantic lead. Supporting cast is brilliant and New York City never looked so appealing and inviting and romantic.

So these are the 15 best films ever in my opinion. Feel free to comment if you agree or disagree!

The 15 Greatest Films of All Time (part 2)

And now here's Part 2...

Inglourious Basterds (2009; Quentin Tarantino)

*Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz and Melanie Laurent

That Inglourious Basterds did not win Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars is the 2nd biggest crime in Oscar history. What makes this screenplay far superior than the other nominees is that each character speaks in a distinctly colorful way: Pitt is a jokester, Waltz is eloquently twisted, Laurent is quietly ferocious and (my favorite performance) Diane Kruger is deceptively flirtatious. IB is a winning neo-classic that unfortunately did not get its due.

Jackie Brown (1997; Quentin Tarantino)

*Pam Grier, Robert De Niro and Samuel L. Jackson

After the bang-bang-bangitty-bang of Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, one would expect Tarantino to deliver another exercise in bloodbath-chic. But Jackie Brown is an elaborate character study of several unique yet uniformly frustrated characters that is masquerading as a heist drama. It is also a love letter from Tarantino to Pam Grier as she is lovingly photographed and given an extraordinary part. The film contains many sequences that are pure Tarantino--like how he goes back in time to show what a different set of characters are doing in the same time frame. Jackie Brown is probably Tarantino's most mature crime saga.

The King & I (1956; Walter Lang)

*Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner and Rita Moreno

Even if the Introduction of Royal Children takes about 10 hours to get through, it is a minor flaw when you consider the whole of this glorious musical. The film very gracefully walks the tightrope between lavish production and human drama. Unlike other musicals from this era, The King & I doesn't exchange character development and real character honesty for extravagant dance sequences and gaudy costumes. And from the heartbreaking "We Kiss in a Shadow" to the affectionate "Hello, Young Lovers" to the self-reflective "A Puzzlement," every song is a hit.

Pride & Prejudice (2005; Joe Wright)

*Keira Knightley, Matthew McFayden and Rosamund Pike

Kissed by the camera, Keira Knightley does the impossible: she successfully delivers a modern take on a classic literary heroine. In fact, the entire adaptation is accessible to a modern audience. That is in no small part due to Wright's innovative camerawork; it is more fluid than other Jane Austen films which tend to be rather stiff and stuffy. The supporting cast is impeccable especially the golden-haired and expressive Rosamund Pike in a sadly overlooked performance as Jane Bennett.

Rear Window (1954; Alfred Hitchcock)

*James Stewart, Grace Kelly and Thelma Ritter

The biggest crime in Oscar history is that Alfred Hitchcock never personally won an Oscar. Oh, sure, he was nominated five times (for Rear Window, Rebecca (1940), Lifeboat (1944), Spellbound (1945) and Psycho (1960)) but he's never won. If I had to pick the film out of all those that would have won him an Oscar it would be Rear Window. The way he stages the story is nothing short of revolutionary: all of the action is seen from one location which gives the film a claustrophobic and helpless feel. And he extracts career-best performances from the entire cast--Grace Kelly has never been so beautiful, so charming, so witty, so empathetic.

Look out for Part 3!

The 15 Greatest Films of All Time (part 1)

I've decided to list what I think are the greatest films of all time. Mind you, I haven't seen every film ever made. And all of these are English-language films. And the list is governed by my own personal tastes. But I think I've chosen films generally thought of by the public and the critics to be culturally significant and hugely entertaining. The list is in alphabetical order because I think ranking them would be rather pointless considering they're all pretty different.

American Psycho (2000; Mary Harron)

*Christian Bale, Chloe Sevigny and Reese Witherspoon

Seriously, what other film could be equally disturbing and hilarious? I think that's what gives this movie its rich texture--it's not a bland serial killer thriller nor is it a relentless satire of 80s America. The movie really allows us to get inside the sick minds of the characters by having such a mixed tone. We identify with them as much as we're repulsed by them. Plus the performances from the entire cast are nothing short of extraordinary.

Casablanca (1942; Michael Curtiz)

*Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid

Every "classic" film runs the risk of being deemed "overrated" (God, I hate that word) by today's audience. But I really think that Casablanca has aged well in the last 68 years. The romance is just as passionate, the screenplay is just as clever and the themes are just as resonant as they ever were. While Bogart may have the flashy lines, Bergman really steals the show with a subtle, tender performance. And about every line has become iconic. In fact, an entire episode of Frasier was built around the "Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" line.

Gone with the Wind (1939; Victor Fleming)

*Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable and Leslie Howard

When I first saw this film three years ago, I wondered how the Rhett-Scarlett love story could be considered one of the greatest screen romances ever, considering Scarlett chases after the wimpy and very "un-Clark-Gable" Ashley almost the entire film. But then, as I got older, it clicked. And I saw this film for the enormous screen achievement it was (and still is today). Though it runs at about 4 hours, it's an absolutely riveting look at post-Civil War America--a desperate, confused, bitter and proud America. The love/hate relationship between Rhett and Scarlett can't be explained--it just is a very passionate, complicated romance.

Goodfellas (1990; Martin Scorsese)

*Ray Liotta, Lorraine Bracco and Joe Pesci

I'm as surprised as the next guy that I love this gangster flick as much as I do. I mean--it's a gangster flick! But I think what makes Goodfellas so different from your American Gangster and your The Departed is that Scorsese allows for the Bracco character to not just be a suffering wife stereotype. She's just as twisted as the rest of them. The intelligent screenplay, revolutionary direction, perfect soundtrack and amazing cast don't hurt things either. Scorsese allows the film the breathe and he neither glorifies nor judges the violence--he just lets it happen.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004; Alfonso Cuaron)

*Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

A lot of people like to whine about how the third "Harry Potter" movie leaves a lot of information from the book out of the film. My response is: who cares?! The film is a visual treat; Curaon's introduces some very beautiful and dark imagery into the world of Harry Potter. The film is a remarkable cinematic achievement because unlike Goblet of Fire (which is rather bland) and Sorcerer's Stone (which is too childish), it retains the spirit of the novel without being empty of any directorial flourish.

Look out for "The 15 Greatest Films of All Time parts 2 & 3!!"

Dial "U" for Underrated

In my previous posts, I discussed some of Hitchcock's best films as well as my favorites. But those are only 10 of his films. He made 43 other films but some of them are not as well-known nor do they get the appreciation and attention they deserve. So here are five of Alfred Hitchcock's most underrated works.

Dial M for Murder (1954)

*Grace Kelly, Ray Milland and Robert Cummings

This film is a stylish upper-class London potboiler. Sex, murder, blackmail, adultery--it's all there. Grace Kelly, in her first of three Hitchcock pictures, plays a woman who is rather immoral but gets our sympathy nonetheless. That's obviously because she is a very gifted actress. The film takes you through many twists and turns and, when it reaches its satisfying conclusion, it leaves you wanting more.

Frenzy (1972)

*Jon Finch, Barry Foster, Alec McCowen and Barbara Leigh-Hunt

To be honest, I would not reccomend watching this film until you have seen at least ten of Hitch's films. That's because the film is gruesome, horrific, ugly and depressing. But it's also full of Hitchcock's trademark macabre sense of humor. On first viewing, it's pretty off-putting. There aren't any Grace Kellys or Cary Grants in the cast. The film isn't beautiful to look at or glamorous in any way. It's dark and gory but it's also rather interesting. So watch it with caution.

Rope (1948)

*Farley Granger, John Dall and James Stewart

This thriller is unique because it has been shot using only long takes. This means that there are only cuts when there has to be (i.e. when the film runs out). The film is a fascinating look at murder as an intellectual exercise. It's about two friends who murder a former classmate, stuff the corpse into a trunk and then host a dinner party on that same trunk--just to see if they can get away with it! It's a cool idea and, since the film takes place in real time, the film is full of some very tense moments.

To Catch a Thief (1955)

*Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, John Williams and Jessie Royce Landis

This is the only Hitchcockian romantic-comedy in the Hitchcock filmography. (I make the distinction because he made a rom-com called Mr. and Mrs. Smith but he did it to fulfill an obligation to his friend comedienne Carole Lombard). TCAT is very Hitchcockian in that it is a romantic-comedy set against the backdrop of jewel thievery in the south of France. Also, Grant plays an innocent man on the run from the cops, another common theme in Hitch's films. The film is pure glamor (the antithesis to Frenzy). Grant and Kelly are gorgeous together, the costumes and sets are spectacular and the dialogue is hilarious and rather risque. I'd recommend this film to anyone looking for a beautiful cinematic trip to Cannes with two beautiful people.

Suspicion (1941)

*Joan Fontaine, Cary Grant and Nigel Bruce

Joan Fontaine, the only actor to win an Oscar under Hitchcock's direction, is phenomenal in this fascinating look at doubt, paranoia and, obviously, suspicion. While the ending is not as edgy as Hitchcock would have wanted, I don't think the film suffers from it. Cary Grant is also good though Fontaine overshadows him in every scene. There's a scene with a glass of milk that is just eerie and subtly terrifying. I would definitely recommend this overlooked thriller.

So if you're looking for some of Hitchcock's lesser known works, check these films out.

The Best of Alfred Hitchcock (part 2)

So here are my top 5 favorite Hitchcock films. Check out Part 1 below.

5. Notorious (1946)

*Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant and Claude Rains

This romantic-thriller is one of the best uses of the MacGuffin, a plot device that is solely used to further the story but has no actual importance (in this case, searching for uranium). The real story is one of the sadistic/masochistic nature of redemption. Bergman's character, Alicia, constantly puts herself through fire-tests in an effort to escape her notorious past as a promiscuous alcoholic. Ingrid Bergman was the first of three leading ladies with whom Hitch was obsessed (the others were Grace Kelly in the 50s and 'Tippi' Hedren in the 60s). Her performance in this film is magical as are those of her leading men. The genius of this film lies in that it is a spy thriller, a film noir, a female Gothic romance and a morality tale all in one.

4. The 39 Steps (1935)

*Richard Donat, Madeleine Carroll, Godfrey Tearle and Lucie Mannheim

Even though North by Northwest is the "ultimate Hitchcock thriller", this is the one that started it all. It has everything: strong characters, laughs, romance, thrills and some surprising twists. Donat makes for a very interesting hero: he's reluctant, sarcastic but surprising reliable. Carroll was the first true Hitchcock Blond--a character type we'd see in almost all of his films in the 40s, 50s and 60s. And then there's Annabella Smith (pictured) who is one of the film's best characters despite her short screen-time.

3. Vertigo (1958)

*James Stewart, Kim Novak, Tom Helmore and Barbara Bel Geddes

I would call Vertigo Hitchcock's true masterpiece. It is an intoxicating, enchanting and surrealistic viewing experience but one that requires some serious mental preparation before you watch it for the 2nd time (you'll want to because it becomes a different film with every viewing). That's because the film is absolutely mind-numbing; it leaves your brain dead and your emotions drained when it reaches its shattering and devastating conclusion. Vertigo is a film that shows you the horrific consequences of obsession and takes you by the hand into the shadowy realms of "Mad"-ness. Kim Novak delivers a revolutionary performance--one which would have won her an Oscar if the film hadn't been critically panned upon its release. I love this movie immensely but I have to be in the right place to watch it which is why it's #3 and not #1.

2. Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

*Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotten, Macdonald Carey and Patricia Collinge

Hitchcock made his Hollywood debut with the aforementioned Rebecca but Shadow of a Doubt is the first film that deals with the American way of life. This film tackles the dark secrets of American suburbia. The Oscar-nominated screenplay is genius as it is so layered with subtext and hidden meanings. Wright, Cotten and Collinge offer wonderful acting jobs and the film contains many sequences that are just awe-inspiring. Hitchcock once said that this was his favorite film. It's not hard to see why.

1. Rear Window (1953)

*James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey and Thelma Ritter

Alas, what can I say about this absolutely perfect Hitchcock film? It is a thriller, a love story, a social commentary and a comedy. The movie contains about a thousand ideas--it's a whole new experience every time you watch it (like Vertigo). Hitchcock's command over the camera and his characters is positively stunning. Every little detail has some sort of significance to the film's hero. This is true of all his films but even more so here as each character is just a manifestation of Jimmy Stewart's insecurities and phobias. If you want to start getting into the Hitchcock Canon--start with Rear Window.

As an amateur Hitchcockian scholar, that's my list of the best Hitchcock films. I haven't seen all of his films but I certainly plan to. I would definitely say that Alfred Hitchcock is my favorite director and I thoroughly enjoyed spending five weeks with him in London.