So maybe this doesn't deserve to be on this list, but damn through my teenage years this was my favourite film, it wasn't until the #1 movie on this list came around that this was dethroned and my palette became refined. So maybe it's nostalgia, maybe it's Kate Beckinsale in a leather jumpsuit, or maybe it's the Werewolf vs. Vampire action... But I just couldn't bring myself to eliminating this movie from the top 10.
9. Fight Club
Based off the novel by Chuck Palahniuk. Fight Club follows our narrator as he navigates a tough period in his life. Directed bu auteur extraordinaire David Fincher, Fight Club throws everything at you that you can handle, some of it you can't even fathom. This film features no less than five different branches of philosophy which keeps you thinking well after the end credits roll. Originally it crashed and burned at the box office causing critics and audience a like to pan it as a failure. Some 17 years later however, the Norton and Pitt starred drama sits at #10 on the IMDb top movies of all time, and #9 on this list.
Speaking of 1999, this teaming of actor Johnny Depp and Director Tim Burton, their third, following Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood, almost didn't come to fruition. Liam Neeson, Brad Pitt and Daniel Day-Lewis were all considered for Ichabod Crane's role. When Depp's name came up however Burton lobbied hard and eventually got his way, he even wanted to team him up with his Edward Scissorhands co-star Winona Ryder but she ultimately passed on the offer. And good thing too seeing how Christina Ricci brings an innocence to the role I'm not sure Ryder could've pulled off. It's dark, it's amusing, it's full of heart and exciting. What more could you want?
7. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
I talked about this one enough last week when doing the MCU countdown so let's just copy what I put down then: The Winter Soldier was old school action at it's finest. The CGI was at a minimum compared to it's counterparts giving us hard-nosed action. All this with a backdrop of a political thriller proved that the Russo brothers knew how to handle a Marvel franchise. The Iron Man franchise had tried to dabble in the political thriller waters and has mostly failed so The Winter Soldier was a breath of fresh air setting up the notorious Hydra agency led by a diabolical and suave Robert Redford. Not to mention our first look at Sam Wilson's Falcon, a role that seems to be turning into the Nick Fury of old since he pops up everywhere.
What makes Die Hard so great? I'll tell you it's not the exciting heist aspect that is unfortunately rarely used in today's films. It's definitely not because it's one of the best Christmas (yes I said it) and action films of all time. Probably not because it's one of the most quotable movies of all time either. No, what sets Die Hard apart is it's great characters. There are very few movies that have an equally appealing hero as it does a villain. Usually the director perceives the characters in such a way that they have already decided for the audience who to root for, but John McTiernan lets the audience decide. Do they root for Bruce Willis' John McClane or Alan Ryckman's Hans Gruber. In my opinion you can't go wrong with either, too bad Die Hard misses the top five.
5. How To Train Your Dragon 2
It's about time we get some animation in this list! Anyone that has seen How To Train Your Dragon 2 knows that this movie was well worth the price of admission. The first one had better reviews for it's character building, How To Train Your Dragon 2 took all other aspects to a whole new level. I can't actually remember the last time I felt like I could actually cry watching a movie, let alone an animated one (Toy Story 3 was sad... But not cryworthy) but there I was sitting in the theatre feeling sadness rush over me, I'm pretty sure the only reason I resisted was because I was able to make fun of my friends next to me for actually tearing up. The continuation of the story about a viking boy taming and befriending a dragon is not only one of the best animated films of all time, but one of the best films of all time.
4. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
Can you believe that it took until the #4 spot on our list before getting to a movie that won multiple Academy Awards? Released in 1988, a year before the greatest event in human history, Who Framed Roger Rabbit was released and changed cinema. Maybe not to the scope that The Wizard of Oz or Citizen Kane did but prior to this we rarely had cartoon characters interacting with actors and when it was done it was usually lazy (sorry Mary Poppins) but Who Framed Roger Rabbit was basically the first CGI movie, even though it contained no CGI. Afraid it wouldn't blend in well with their stable of Disney films at the time they released it under the Buena Vista banner and immediately regretted it deciding to take more chances with their upcoming slate, you may have heard of them: The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Best, Aladdin and The Lion King.
3. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
Remember when I said Fight Club bombed? Yeah well that level of bombing would've been better to Scott Pilgrim. Sure the critics actually enjoyed this one but the audience was not there for this adaptation of the graphic novel series by Canadian Bryan Lee O'Malley. Edgar Wright movies tend to be fun and innovative and Scott Pilgrim was no exception. It tells the story of Scott needign to fight off the seven evil ex boyfriends of the love of his life Ramona Flowers. Wright is true to the source material while using eye-popping visuals to go with a cast that truly seemed to be the characters they play. There's a reason this has become a cult classic, those reasons among others show why it belong in the top 3.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
No. Tim Burton did not direct this stop-motion masterpiece, rather it was helmed by the stop motion master himself, Henry Selick (Coraline, James and the Giant Peach). But that doesn't mean Burton's stamp isn't all over this flick. Years after the initial idea popped in his head Burton finally got the green light to make his dream project. Unfortunately he was under contract to direct Batman Returns so he had to pass the baton over to Selick. The movie remains a favourite for people of all-ages, just head into your local Hot Topic if you don't believe me. Everything from Danny Elfman's voice and score to the underrated Stan Webb's editing is superb. Making this not only a Halloween/Christmas favourtie but a masterpiece of a film that has resonated for years and will continue to do so.
1. The Dark Knight
I can tell you how great this movie is but I'd rather let Mike Miclette tell you:
"Batman Begins is absolutely amazing movie, and to me is a blueprint of how reboots should be done. When this sequel came around... Well, I'll never forget how blown away I was when I saw The Dark Knight in theatres for the first time (and second time for that matter). To paraphrase the Lego Movie: Everything was awesome! The action is pulse pounding, the car/truck chase scene has got to be one of the greatest chases in movies. The suspense is edge of your seat, especially during the attempted rescue of Rachel and Harvey Dent. The acting in this movie is top-notch, I happen to be in the minority when I say I love Christian Bale's performance as Batman, raspy voice and all. Heath Ledger as The Joker... Well, that speaks for itself at this point. Aaron Eckhart was amazing as Harvey Dent, Michael Caine nailed it as Alfred again, and Gary Oldman was perfect for Gordon! The story is just as chaotic as the film's main villain, the cinematography is crisp and breathtaking... Just... Wow! This is an amazing sequel, and it lands at number [one] on this list! Thank you, Nolan!"
3. Scott Pilgrim Vs. The WorldRemember when I said Fight Club bombed? Yeah well that level of bombing would've been better to Scott Pilgrim. Sure the critics actually enjoyed this one but the audience was not there for this adaptation of the graphic novel series by Canadian Bryan Lee O'Malley. Edgar Wright movies tend to be fun and innovative and Scott Pilgrim was no exception. It tells the story of Scott needign to fight off the seven evil ex boyfriends of the love of his life Ramona Flowers. Wright is true to the source material while using eye-popping visuals to go with a cast that truly seemed to be the characters they play. There's a reason this has become a cult classic, those reasons among others show why it belong in the top 3.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
No. Tim Burton did not direct this stop-motion masterpiece, rather it was helmed by the stop motion master himself, Henry Selick (Coraline, James and the Giant Peach). But that doesn't mean Burton's stamp isn't all over this flick. Years after the initial idea popped in his head Burton finally got the green light to make his dream project. Unfortunately he was under contract to direct Batman Returns so he had to pass the baton over to Selick. The movie remains a favourite for people of all-ages, just head into your local Hot Topic if you don't believe me. Everything from Danny Elfman's voice and score to the underrated Stan Webb's editing is superb. Making this not only a Halloween/Christmas favourtie but a masterpiece of a film that has resonated for years and will continue to do so.
1. The Dark KnightI can tell you how great this movie is but I'd rather let Mike Miclette tell you:
"Batman Begins is absolutely amazing movie, and to me is a blueprint of how reboots should be done. When this sequel came around... Well, I'll never forget how blown away I was when I saw The Dark Knight in theatres for the first time (and second time for that matter). To paraphrase the Lego Movie: Everything was awesome! The action is pulse pounding, the car/truck chase scene has got to be one of the greatest chases in movies. The suspense is edge of your seat, especially during the attempted rescue of Rachel and Harvey Dent. The acting in this movie is top-notch, I happen to be in the minority when I say I love Christian Bale's performance as Batman, raspy voice and all. Heath Ledger as The Joker... Well, that speaks for itself at this point. Aaron Eckhart was amazing as Harvey Dent, Michael Caine nailed it as Alfred again, and Gary Oldman was perfect for Gordon! The story is just as chaotic as the film's main villain, the cinematography is crisp and breathtaking... Just... Wow! This is an amazing sequel, and it lands at number [one] on this list! Thank you, Nolan!"
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