Here we go again!
=19 - Braveheart (1995)
Director: Mel Gibson
Writer: Randall Wallace
Stars: Mel Gibson, Patrick McGoohan, Sophie Marceau
Marking Mel Gibson's coming of age as both an actor and a director, Braveheart is still considered one of the greatest movies in history by man. Inspiring us all with William Wallace's determination and bravery, the film's epic appeal spawned a long line of films in the same ilk such as Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, and Alexander.
=19 - Blade Runner (1982)
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Phillip K Dick (Novel) and Hampton Fancher/David Peoples
Stars: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Daryl Hanna
A masterful blend of science fiction and classic film noir, Blade Runner is a timeless cinematic achievement. A case study on distopian society and prejudice, it also brought issues such as genetic engineering, climate change, and the globalization of industry to the front of people's minds. Ahead of its time in more ways than one.
=17- Scarface (1983)
Director: Brian De Palma
Writer: Oliver Stone
Stars: Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer
Along with the Godfather, easily one of the most influential movies about organised crime to ever hit the screens. Still popular today, the violent and confrontational film has undeniably had a huge effect on the portrayal of organised crime and criminals in cinema to this day.
=17- Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels (1998)
Director: Guy Ritchie
Writer: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher, Nick Moran, and Jason Statham
Ritchie's second representation in the top fifty; Lock, Stock is very much in the same vein as Snatch. It takes a funny, frank, almost absurd look at organised crime in the UK through a series of seemingly unrelated stories that come together at the film's conclusion. An excellent blend of wit and drama ensured this movie was not just another run of the mill British crime romp.
=15- The Godfather, Part II (1974)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Writer: Mario Puzo (Novel) and Francis Ford Coppola
Stars: Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro
Possibly one of the few cases in which the sequel outshines the original, debate has certainly raged between fans of this film and the original as to which was superior. Rated by IMDB as the 3rd greatest film of all time.
=15- Donnie Darko (2001)
Director: Richard Kelly
Writer: Richard Kelly
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze
Surreal and dark, Donnie Darko reached out to a film going public wanting to be confused, challenged, and confounded. The film that put Jake Gyllenhaal on the map, it's off beat humour mingled with its dark, twisted storyline made for a unique cinematic experience during a time of cookie cutter Hollywood thrillers. Brilliant, haunting soundtrack.
14- Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Writer: Gustav Hasford (Novel) and Stanley Kubrick
Stars: Matthew Modine, Adam Baldwin, Vincent D'Onofrio, Robert Lee Emery
Further proof of Kubrick's undeniable genius, Full Metal Jacket tells two distinctly different tales about two distinctly different killings in the Vietnam war. Challenging the viewer to decide whether either killing is more justified than the other, the two are juxtaposed against one another in a timeless morality play in an often used but misunderstood setting.
=12- Forrest Gump (1994)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Winston Groom (Novel) and Eric Roth
Stars: Tom Hanks, Gary Sinise, Robin Wright Penn, Sally Field
A remarkably touching modern day epic, Gump followed the exploits of a remarkable man from his childhood to the day of the story's telling. Audiences were taken on a ride that bounced from discrimination to war to love to hate to moments of hilarity. A genuine rollercoaster of a film, Gump touched and enthralled all who saw it. A simple yet powerful tale.
=12- Fight Club (1999)
Director: David Fincher
Writer: Chuck Palahniuk (Novel) and Jim Uhls (Screenplay)
Stars: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham-Carter, Meat Loaf
A cult classic the moment it hit the screen, Palahniuk's novel about rebellion and directionlessness in modern society translated wonderfully into the film. Aided by a stellar cast and arguably Brad Pitt's finest work, the confrontational and controversial film benefitted immenely from the negative press its anarchic and violent message drew. A modern day masterpiece.
=11- Life of Brian (1979)
Director: Terry Jones
Writer: Monty Python
Stars: Monty Python
The Python Crew's irreverant take on the Bible, Life of Brian instead follows the life of (amazingly) Brian - who was born in the stable next to Jesus on the same night. Beneath its humour is, however, perhaps a subtle dig at organised religion. Brian inadvertantly becomes a messiah to people, and the movie is riddled with references to this. Controversy again played a huge part in Brian's immense success, and even now it is considered to be the greatest comedy of all time.
