Ok, so it took a little bit, but here are numbers 11-20 of my top 20 movies of all time.
20. Ransom, dir. Ron Howard
Ok, so I joke around about this movie having the best scene in cinema history, but I really do think it is a great film. Ron Howard is such a powerful director that he can create some of the most uncomfortable scenes in cinema history and he shows that in all of his films. What he does with Ransom is great. He takes a simple plot and develops so much tension that by the time everything explodes it is even a release for the audience. The film has Gibson and Senise at their best.
19. Rounders, dir. John Dahl
Now here's a movie that has staying power. Performances by Matt Damon and Edward Norton that just ooze "cool". This movie will make almost anyone want to play poker. A college favorite because it does so, but a great film because of the acting. In support of Damon and Norton, we have John Malkovich, John Turturro, and Martin Landau, who, each in their own way, add so much to this film, you can never take your eyes off the screen.
18. The Silence of the Lambs, dir. Jonathan Demme
What can I say? One of the greatest horror films of all time. One of the greatest thrillers of all time. One of the greatest dramas of all time. You see, that's just it. No matter how you look at this film, it classifies itself as the top of the genre. Anthony Hopkins' protrayal of Hannibal Lector will undoubtably live on forever as one of the greatest performances of all time.
17. Jurassic Park, dir. Steven Spielberg
I read the book somewhere around 13 times. Only once before the movie came out. Then I saw Jurassic Park on the big screen. After seeing it, I asked my dad for it on tape everyday until it actually came out. This is probably the movie that made me want to make movies. The dinosaurs looked so real, and still do to an extent. The actors and actresses put life into the characters created by Michael Crichton brilliantly. Everytime I watch this film, I feel like a kid again. That is what movies are all about.
16. Finding Forrester, dir. Gus Van Sant
This is one of the few films that I will admit to crying during every time that I watch it. Everything about this film is amazing. Beginning with the story of how Rob Brown attended his friend's audition and landed the lead role, having never acted before and ending with a sensational performance by Sean Connery. A film about true friendship at its core, this movie can only make you feel good when you watch it.
15. Empire Records, dir. Allan Moyle
You'll notice in my top 20 that there aren't many comedies. I guess I just prefer a good drama or thriller, but in the case of Empire Records, I always make an exception. The film has a perfect balance of funny and serious, which is often very hard to obtain. This movie just reads "feel good". Not to mention the fact that it brings about cool dreams of working at Empire Records? Come on, what more can you ask for?
14. Pulp Fiction, dir. Quentin Tarantino
Tarantino is one of my favorite filmmakers of all time and this is my favorite work by him. An all-star cast combined with the quirky, yet brilliant dialogue that Tarantino always brings to the table. This film will go down as a classic for years to come and will always be one of Tarantino's best.
13. Chasing Amy, dir. Kevin Smith
Another comedy, but in a different way. Often overlooked in the Kevin Smith collection, Chasing Amy will always be my most loved Smith film. Once again it is the balance of comedy and drama that pulls me in. While having some of the funniest scenes in any Kevin Smith, it also does something new for Kevin and touches on real issues. The cherry on top is, surprisingly, a speech given by Ben Affleck towards the end of the film that just blows me away.
12. Scream, dir. Wes Craven
So, its known that I am a pretty big horror fan. Scream is probably one of two or three horror movies made in the last 15 years that is actually good. This is because of many things. The first is a great young cast that brings every good element of a horror film to the table. Second, is the writing. Kevin Williamson did something brilliant when he not only made fun of horror movies, but took them seriously at the same time. The jokes are made, but the scares remain. Most important is Scream's ingenuity. First, they kill off the biggest name in the film, in the opening 10 minutes of the film. Second, they add the idea of a second killer to the mix. It is done so well, it makes Scream one of my all time favorites.
11. American Beauty, dir. Sam Mendes
This film used to be in my top 5, and don't get me wrong, I still love it, but it moved down a bit after the last viewing. Maybe I had seen it too many times that it lost its effect on me, but that doesn't change the overall feel of the film. This film is strikingly beautiful on so many levels. The colors that Mendes uses with his shot selection are just amazing. Add to this a remarkable performance by both Kevin Spacey and Annette Benning and you get one unforgetable film.
