I was being tagged on Facebook about posting 10 of my favorite movies. I did not reply to those posts and even untagged myself (rude, right?). However, the 10 favorite movies, I was stuck at that one because I couldn't really decide how to shortlist just 10 movies as my favorite.
I am a movie-buff. Yes, after lots of dilemma, I finally accepted the term "movie-buff" for myself. And I decided to look at the movies I enjoyed and can watch again and again. Let's try to make a list, shall I?
1. Shawshank Redemption
Well, there is absolutely no doubt of this movie to be on top of my list. I can watch this movie non-stop I think. Yes, that is that impact this movie has on me. This movie taught me how an institutionalized mind work. How does it feel to break free and how wonderful a movie could be. I still smile while watching the end. I still say " oh yes!" every time I see Andrew walking inside the jail with his "polished" shoes. This movie inspires. Every.Single.Time.
2. Dead Poet's Society
"Oh Captain, my captain"
Mr. Keating, the teacher we all wish we had in our life. This movie had a profound impact on me the first time I watched the movie. Every time after that, it somehow moved me equally and in those last 5 minutes, it never fails to make me feel absolutely choked. This movie taught me how to look at things differently and how looking differently at things will attract criticism. This movie is a thought-provoking masterpiece.
3. Metropolis
A movie that was made in 1927, Metropolis is mind-boggling and extremely relevant. The movie is set in a futuristic (dystopian) city where there is a clear division between the working class and the city planners, the heart and the mind. The movie was made when no fancy tools or equipment was available and Fritz Lang was still able to tell the story in such a brilliant way. The movie is layered and full of double meanings. An absolute delight to watch.
4. It's a Wonderful Life
What would happen if you don't exist? It is often that we stop to appreciate what we have and only if we could see that, what we would have missed, only then we could learn to appreciate those things. It's a wonderful life is a brilliant take on that and undoubtedly one of the best feel good movies ever made.
5. Whiplash
Those last 10 minutes! Greatness, obsession are things that exist side by side, divided by a very thin line. Little bit of push is something what one needs to reach to his/her full potential and what if the teacher's pushing style is brutal that can blur all the limits and lines? Or, may be, sometimes, some lines need to be crossed? Whiplash is a powerful, very powerful movie and every time I watch it, I feel engrossed in it.
6. Downfall
This movie takes you to the last few days of Adolf Hitler and his followers, through the eyes of Traudl Junge, the last secretary of the German leader. This movie created a lot of stirs even before its release. Even though there are hundreds of movies based on Hitler's life and strategies, this movie stands out. Hitler is not the madman here, but a subtle leader. His 'human' side was shown in this movie and it also portrayed how and why so many people followed him. How he inspired so many people despite of his ways. This movie is a must watch.
7. Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind
It is a brilliant, disturbing and nuanced movie. Would you really like to erase someone from your memory if things do not go as you thought they would be? Mind is a complex maze and this movie takes you through it and oh so beautifully. Eternal sunshine is funny, melancholic, exceptional and brilliant. It is magical and thought provoking.
8. Psycho
There has been so much written about this movie, that I don't think I can add anything more to that. Psycho is sensational. I could connect with Norman Bates while feeling absolutely shit scared. The pace of this movie somehow got into my nerves. This movie is timeless.
9. The Prestige
I believe, The Prestige is Christopher Nolan's Best work till date (Yes, keeping The Dark Knight in mind). This is a movie that has twists after twists till the last scene. You cannot expect so much of brilliance and so much of darkness in a movie based on two "magicians" and The Prestige does exactly that. The Prestige is often buried under other popular Nolan film but if you are watching closely, this movie takes you to a realm that only Nolan can.
10. V for Vendetta
This is one movie that I know by every frame and every dialogues. This is a futuristic and dystopian movie where the main protagonist is a compassionate yet ruthless character. This movie is relevant because of the world political scenario of the present time. The movie never loses its focus from that and along with that a tight script and top notch performances make this movie a memorable one even after watching it nothing less than 20 times.
There are other movies like Sin City, L.A Confidential, Wolf of wall street, Children of Heaven, 12 angry men, Gangs of new York, The Dark Knight and Schindler's list that I would have loved to include here. So, it is basically impossible to choose just top 10 favorite movies.
