There are few things in this world I enjoy more than talking about movies, and since I’ve been writing about how to make films for the past few months I figured it’s probably time to start talking about the films that influenced me the most. So, here is my list of top 5 movies I rewatch over and over. This should go without saying, but this list definitely will contain spoilers.
Blade Runner 2049
The original Blade Runner is a masterpiece. I remember my first time watching it and being completely enthralled. So when 2049 was announced, I was excited but skeptical. There was no way it could beat the original right? I was beyond wrong. Blade Runner 2049 blows the original out of the water in every way. The focus of the film is equally about the themes it tackles and the story itself. For example the story follows Officer K, Ryan Gosling, while he hunts down the first child to be born from a replicant, and while we follow him trying to piece together who the child is, we are also following the theme of “what it means to be human.” Which is a huge topic this film covers. I rewatch this film almost weekly and it never ceases to amaze me. If I ever make a film half as good as this, I’ll be a happy man.
Mad Max
The Road Warrior. Every time I sit down to watch this film, I feel like it was made for me. The post apocalyptic setting, the bad ass that is Mad Max, and of course the coolest car to ever grace the screen, The Interceptor. It also has that 80’s quirkiness to it that you just can’t find today. It is an action film the way action should be done. It’s got a great story, with awesome characters, and an original setting. The final action sequence is also one for the history books. I can’t imagine going to the theaters in 1981 and seeing something this incredible. If you want to make an action movie, this is the textbook way to do it.
Arrival
The second movie by Denis Villeneuve to make my list is one of the best films I’ve seen in years. When I saw it in theaters I remember the feeling of total awe I had at the end. I immediately brought every single one of my friends to see this film and every single one of them felt the same way. It turns alien movie genres on its head and makes the film about humans trying to learn the alien language. The movie also gives you information in a way that makes you think is linear when in reality the timeline is constantly out of order. It is a true masterclass of storytelling.
Drive
Drive is a badass movie. Ryan Gosling makes the list yet again. This time he plays “The Driver,” a getaway driver for robbers and criminals at night, and a stunt driver for movies during the day. Trouble strikes when he gets mixed up in a robbery gone wrong and he spends the remainder of the movie trying to get out. From then on its badass noir action that you can’t miss. If there’s one thing you can learn from this film, is tone. Characters in this film talk slowly and use more facial emotions than anything else. There’s a clear lack of dialogue that would be awkward in real life. However, this matches the tone of the film much better than any dialogue could.
A Fistful of Dollars
A fistful of dollars is the first movie in a trilogy and I’m willing to bet you’ve only heard of the third. It’s “A Fistful of Dollars,” “For a Few Dollars More,” and “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.”. A Fistful is the second film on this list to have a main character with no name. In fact, he’s known as “The Man with No Name.”. His entrance to this film is one for the history books. He strolls into town, gets picked on by the local gang, and shows everyone what he’s made of. This film nails suspense, the gun fights keep you on your toes while also not dragging on too long. Leone and Morricone are a true match made in heaven creating the best spaghetti western ever. This film has ruined the western genre for me because nothing else stacks up.
Top 5 Movies
There you have it, these are my top 5 favorite movies of all time. I know for many people it’s hard to pick your favorites but it’s good to sit down and think about which films you like and why. It can help you tremendously if you go back and learn from the films you love. It’s also fun to say that you’ve been “studying film” when in actuality you’re just watching some of your favorites.
