Re: The Best Films of ALL TIME Countdown thread - 2018

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 27
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Top 10 Placements - 1
Rank last year - DEY
Score - 255
No. Of Lists - 5
Average Rank - 23.6
Rotten Tomatoes - 83% 
IMDB - 8.8
Metacritic -68
Box Office - 2.01B $
 

Synopsis and General Info

Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet -- the evil Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment.
Release date: 27 April 2018 (India)
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Budget: $316–400 million
Film series: The Avengers film series
Did you know: "Avengers: Infinity War" is the world's fourth-highest-grossing film of all time. wikipedia.org

Personal Comments

And with this we have the latest film on the list and the last entry from MCU. Infinity Wars completely won fanboys' hearts all around the globe, as is evident from its amazing Box Office performance. The film might have gotten this high due to recency bias, yes but there's no doubt this film is one of the biggest cinematic achievements of the 21st century, as the culmination of probably the most ambitious Cinematic project ever taken up. It worked in every way a fan could have wanted and is heeding the benefits. Let's see how its sequel does next year and how this film itself performs next year on this list. Also, is this the end for superhero films on our list?
Jebin put this at rank 9 on his list.

Critic Reviews 

Avengers: Infinity War takes you places that most superhero movies don?t ? and where you may not want to go. Full review

Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post


Infinity War will challenge many a moviegoer, especially young ones.Full review
Paul Asay
Plugged In


Moments that touch the heart are few and far between in this almost-culmination of a decade of Marvel Comics movies. Full review
Joe Morgenstern
Wall Street Journal

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 26
Benjamin Button (2008)

Top 10 Placements - 1
Rank last year - 25 (-1)
Score - 282
No. Of Lists - 4
Average Rank - 13.6
Rotten Tomatoes - 72% 
IMDB - 7.8
Metacritic -70
Box Office - 334m $
 

Synopsis and General Info

As a child, Daisy meets Benjamin Button at an old-age home. Benjamin Button suffers from a rare ageing ailment wherein he ages backwards. They keep in touch as she gets older and he turns younger.
Initial release: 10 December 2008 (Sydney)
Director: David Fincher
Box office: 33.4 crores USD
Screenplay: Eric Roth
Awards: Academy Award for Best Production Design, MORE

Personal Comments

And David Fincher strikes for the 4th time with the curious case of benjamin button, joining Scorsese and Spielberg in the elusive club. This is also his 3rd in the top 50, the most yet. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett and Fincher... what less than a masterpiece can you expect? Indeed this is a great, heartfelt and moving tale of a man who lives life the wrong way round. Its bizarre and fantastical but never loses its human touch. The final third is the strongest part of the film and what elevates from just another good film to a great film. The film dropped just one position from last year, the closest a film has come to their previous rank yet. Will any film be closer by staying at the same spot?
This is the last film to be on 4 lists and has a stunning average rank of 13.5, the tenth best on the list among films with 3 or more votes. 
This is also the biggest jump in points yet with a 27 points jump from the previous film
It is also the first film to be in the top 5 of 2 lists! It was number 4 on Saiyyam's and number 2 on Revant's

Critic Reviews 

Aptly for a film so concerned with time, Button is 13 minutes shy of three hours and just flies by. If this is Fincher selling out, can he sell out more often please? Full review

Ian Freer
Empire


"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, has a compelling, haunting plot. Full review

S. Jhoanna Robledo
Common Sense Media


Based on a story by F Scott Fitzgerald, the film is essentially a fantasy that recreates the flavour of Forrest Gump. Watch the film for it's curious flavour. Full review

Times of India

[InfernusAdmin]

Ranks 121 - 135

Rank	Film	Score	Votes	Average Rank
121	The Sound of Music	60	1	20
121	DeadPool	60	1	20
121	My life as a courgette	60	1	20
124	Black Swan	60	2	31.5
125	REQUIEM FOR A DREAM	60	2	34
126	The Incredibles	55	2	33.5
127	Zindagi na Milegi Dobaara	50	1	21
128	Citizen Kane	50	1	22
128	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone	50	1	22
128	Moonrise Kingdom	50	1	22
128	Salt	50	1	22
132	Your Name	50	1	23
132	Whisper of the Heart (1995)	50	1	23
132	Collateral	50	1	23
132	Barfi!	50	1	23

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 24 (tie)
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Top 10 Placements - 1
Rank last year - 24 (0)
Score - 285
No. Of Lists - 5
Average Rank - 20
Rotten Tomatoes - 97% !!
IMDB - 8.9 !!!
Box Office - 25.1 $
 

Synopsis and General Info

During the Civil War, two men, Blondie and Tuco, form an uncomfortable alliance while looking for treasure. They must also outwit Angel Eyes, an outlaw who wants to plunder the riches for himself.
Initial release: 23 December 1966 (Italy)
Director: Sergio Leone
Featured song: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Music director: Ennio Morricone
Cinematography: Tonino Delli Colli

Personal Comments

Ah guys, this is the film. The Western Film to watch. Leone's masterpiece. Watch this and get lost. The scenery, the characters and oh that Soundtrack!! The soundtrack will never leave your mind again. Oh the gun fights, oh the stares, oh the fun. This film is lovely. Before he became a legendary director Eastwood was a great actor. An epic that never loses its intensity from the start to the finish. This is the last tie on the list and the only one in the top 50. This was also the third and the last film from the 60s in the top 50. 
Also, right after Benjamin Button became the film changing the least from its position last year, this film beats it with the closest you can get. The film has managed to remain at the exact position it was at last year, even if through a tie. Quite a feat in a list where nearly everything's been getting shuffled up so vigorously.
This film was ranked number 9 by Saiyyam

Critic Reviews 

Letting this leathery, quasi-comic-book dream roam a few more dunes in search of that cache of gold is only to be applauded. Full review

Kim Newman
Empire


Director Sergio Leone brilliantly displays his flamboyant, larger-than-life filmmaking style here. Full review

Charles Cassady Jr.
Common Sense Media

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 24 (tie)
Lord of the Rings:The Two Towers (2002)

Top 10 Placements - 1
Rank last year - 44 (+20)
Score - 285
No. Of Lists - 5
Average Rank - 20
Rotten Tomatoes - 96% !!
Box Office - 926m$
Metacritic - 88 !!
IMDB - 8.6 !!
 

Synopsis and General Info

Frodo and Sam arrive in Mordor to destroy the One Ring. However, a number of new allies join their former companions as they launch an assault on Isengard.
Release date: 28 March 2003 (India)
Director: Peter Jackson
Box office: 92.6 crores USD
Budget: 9.4 crores USD
Awards: Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, MORE

Personal Comments

Oh and thus we have it! THE FIRST LOTR FILM!! This is the first film from the series to make the list. Hopefully at least one of the other 2 will too. Ah, what more can I say about the LOTR series that I haven't said before? The best trilogy of all time, in my humble opinion, with nothing else even coming close. I personally consider this the least of the trilogy, and still a 9.5/10 (the other two are both solid 10/10s for me). Just read the critic reviews below to get a taste of just how good this film is. It also contains one of the most epic battle scene ever in any form and any medium.  The characters, the music, the visual effects...the film is the top of the pack in it all. An epic that only leaves you asking for more. 
The film was put at number 9 by Akshit.  

Critic Reviews 

"One of the great film experiences of the millennium."
Full Review | Original Score: 4/4

Top Critic
Terry Lawson 
Detroit Free Press

this three hour epic is one of those few films where you leave feeling they could have spent even more time with story explanation and exposition
January 10, 2016 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

Kevin Carr
Fat Guys at the Movies



It's a thrilling three-hour epic that flies at a gallop, boasts the most impressive computer graphics yet created, and succeeds smashingly as grownup drama and kid-captivating fantasy.
November 12, 2014 | Full Review…

Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 Top Critic

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 23
Logan (2017)

Top 5 Placements - 1
Top 10 Placements -2
Rank last year - 13 (-10)
Score - 290
No. Of Lists - 7
Average Rank - 28.714
Rotten Tomatoes - 92%
IMDB - 8.5
Box Office - 619m$

 

Synopsis and General Info

Logan comes out of retirement to escort a young mutant named Laura to a safe place. He meets with other mutants, who run from an evil corporation that has been experimenting with them, along the way.
Initial release: 1 March 2017 (France)
Director: James Mangold
Featured song: The Man Comes Around
Box office: 61.9 crores USD
Film series: X-Men Origins: Wolverine Film Series

Personal Comments

And another superhero film makes its appearance. The second and last film from 2017. A revolutionary film in its genre, the film took a major risk by blending the superhero genre with the good old western. It also upped the ante in darkness and an R-rating. Fox took its risks with this and it paid off so well. Among my personal top 3 superhero films of all time.The end of Logan's character arc and it's done so beautifully the end might even get a tear or two out of you. It's a fulfilling film for any wolverine fan. The character gets its ultimate due in the film and his character is explored to its darkest only for it to emerge as its best version. I wish more superhero films were like this. 
Oh and the film's also got some of the best action set pieces and sequences of the entire X-Men series.
Oh, and also this is the first film to be on 7 lists! Indeed, it would be easier to name those who didn't have this film on their lists than those who did. And yes, this has happened before any film on 6 lists has come up. The next entry will be the first film to be on 6 lists.
The film was put at rank 4 by Sagar and rank 10 by Jebin.

Critic Reviews 

The best Wolverine movie yet: grown-up, ballsy, character-driven and grounded. It feels right that it should be the last one, but it also feels a bit of a shame. Full review

Dan Jolin
Empire


It’s adult in more ways than one. Full review
A.A. Dowd
A.V. Club


Logan is, in short, frustrating. It's painfully bloody and oddly beautiful, insanely profane and strangely spiritual. Full review
Paul Asay
Plugged In
 Top Critic

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 22
Whiplash (2014)

Top 5 Placements - 1
Top 10 Placements -2
Rank last year - DMI
Score - 307
No. Of Lists - 6
Average Rank - 23.5
Rotten Tomatoes - 94%
IMDB - 8.5
Box Office - 49m$
Metacritic - 88
 

Synopsis and General Info

Andrew enrolls in a music conservatory to become a drummer. But he is mentored by Terence Fletcher, whose unconventional training methods push him beyond the boundaries of reason and sensibility.
Initial release: 23 October 2014 (Russia)
Director: Damien Chazelle
Featured song: Whiplash
Screenplay: Damien Chazelle
Awards: Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, MORE

Personal Comments

And the first film to be on 6 lists is Whiplash! This is the last film on the list that didn't make it to the previous list at all. Yes, this film wasn't put on any list last year and yet managed to get up to rank 22 with inclusion in 6 lists this year! An awesome film that both energizes and inspires. The film is all about Andrew and Fletcher and the teacher-student relationship between them, but not in the way teacher student relationships are usually portrayed. Both the characters play their roles very well, especially Simmons as the hard-boiled, super-strict teacher who expects nothing short of perfection. That guy gives in the performance of his lifetime. those of you who may have seen the superb and dark tv show Oz might be reminded of his role in that show. Their isn't much to the story, if you think about it, and yet it never loses its grip. The most important part, the music, is done to perfection in this film. And that ending. God damn it, one of the best endings ever in my opinion. No way in hell anyone could have ever left the theatre without banging an air drum with their hands after that ending. 

This film was put at number 3 by Pavan and number 10 by Akshit.

Critic Reviews 

Whiplash will spark debate—some of it angry—over whether, in the end, Chazelle is vindicating Fletcher’s methods, suggesting that only a harsh taskmaster can push Andrew to the next level. Full review

David Edelstein
Vulture


Andrew Neiman's determined to become one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time. To get there he'll have to survive the tutelage of a ruthless mentor. Full review
Adam R. Holz
Plugged In


Sum up the plot and it sounds interminable. Watch the film and it will spit you out elated, exhausted and cheering for an encore. Full review

Olly Richards
Empire

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 21
The Godfather (1972)

Rank last year - 70 (+49)
Score - 312
No. Of Lists - 6
Average Rank - 24.5
Rotten Tomatoes - 98%
IMDB - 9.2
Box Office - 243.8m$
Metacritic - 100
 

Synopsis and General Info

Don Vito Corleone, head of a mafia family, decides to hand over his empire to his youngest son Michael. However, his decision unintentionally puts the lives of his loved ones in grave danger.
Initial release: 14 March 1972 (New York City)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Featured song: Speak Softly Love
Story by: Mario Puzo
Screenplay: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo, Robert Towne

Personal Comments

And and the second and the last film (on the list) from the Godfather series makes it's appearance. This is Francis ford Coppola's third and final film on the list. Considered among the very very best films of all time by both critics and audience alike the film just misses the top 20 of our own list. The film started the Gangster genre, one of the most consistently good genres out there. It was the first time anybody had the idea to look at the bad guys more closely than just as one dimension black guys. The film made the usual villains its protagonists and studied the lives of gangsters from the inside, as humans, as family-men. And oh, does it succeed, The film earned critical acclaim, broke box office records and generated a legacy unlike any other film before or since. The film jumped up 49 spots from last year, one of the biggest jumps of any film. Let's see how far it goes the next time. 

Critic Reviews

With performances, style and substance to savour, this shows how it is possible to smash box office records without being mindless. Full review

Kim Newman
Empire


Epic in scope while maintaining a patience and intimacy characteristic of European art cinema, "The Godfather" is rightly considered one of the greatest films ever made. Full review

Elliot Panek
Common Sense Media


So, at the bottom line, the film has a lot of terrific mood, one great performance by Pacino, an excellent character segue by Brando, and a strong supporting cast. Full review

A.D. Murphy
Variety

[InfernusAdmin]

So for the beginning of our top 20, I'm gonna have you guys figure out what the next film is. And I'm gonna do it this way - What's gonna follow are two films. Two quite similar films. Two films both worthy of being at this position. But while one of them actually came in at Rank 20 on our list the other just missed out the top 100 at Rank 101, coming so close to the top 100 but so sadly missing it. Here are the two films - 

Click here to see film 1:

Click here to see film 2:

So, which of these made it this far up and which one crashed out at 101? For now, I'm gonna leave it to you guys to wonder.

[Ashra]

The dark Knight rises made it

[InfernusAdmin]

And TDKR it is! 

Rank 20
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

 

 
Top 5 Placements - 1
Top 10 Placements - 2
Rank last year - 23 (+3)
Score - 327
No. Of Lists - 5
Average Rank - 16.4
Rotten Tomatoes - 87% 
IMDB - 8.5 
Metacritic - 78
Box Office - 1080m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

Bane, an imposing terrorist, attacks Gotham City and disrupts its eight-year-long period of peace. This forces Bruce Wayne to come out of hiding and don the cape and cowl of Batman again.
Release date: 20 July 2012 (India)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Box office: 108.5 crores USD
Film series: The Dark Knight Trilogy
Budget: 25 crores USD
 

Personal Comments

The final film of the Dark Knight trilogy. This was a beautiful and apt end. The final third was a great way to end one of the greatest trilogies of all time. There were some loopholes though and some hateful acting pieces but all in all a great film. I don't think it's deserving of this high a position but the love for the Dark Knight Trilogy among our voters reigned supreme. The first part also made our top 100 at rank 63. If the Dark Knight makes it too this trilogy will achieve the feat of having all its parts in our list. 
Personally I'd much rather have Watchmen here in it's place but well, what can ya do?
This film was put at number 7 by Jebin and number 3 by Revant.
 

Critic Reviews

With spectacle in abundance and sexiness in (supporting) parts, this is superhero filmmaking on an unprecedented scale. A fitting epitaph for the hero Gotham deserves. Full review

Empire
 
 
With their Batman trilogy, Nolan and Bale have revolutionized superhero films from colorful action adventures that even young kids can appreciate to serious meditations on justice and power. Full review

Sandie Angulo Chen
Common Sense Media

[InfernusAdmin]

Ranks 120-101 -

Rank	Film	Score	Votes	Average Rank
101	Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire	70	2	28.5
101	Watchmen	70	2	28.5
103	A beautiful mind	70	2	30.5
103	Deadpool 2	70	2	30.5
105	Toy Story (1995)	70	2	31
106	The Truman Show (1998)	65	2	32.5
107	Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)	62	2	39
108	Dunkirk	60	1	16
108	Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1	60	1	16
108	Rush	60	1	16
108	John Wick	60	1	16
112	Drishyam	60	1	17
113	Bourne Supremacy	60	1	18
113	The Usual suspects	60	1	18
113	Downfall	60	1	18
116	Jungle Book	60	1	19
116	Brand New Testament	60	1	19
116	Bourne Ultimatum	60	1	19
116	Millenium Actress	60	1	19
116	The Hangover	60	1	19

[InfernusAdmin]

Yup none of the Harry Potter movies made it to the top 100  All 7 of them blew out between 200-101. 3 films came very close though, with the Goblet of Fire just missing out at 101 ! Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was the only one that didn't make the list at all.

[InfernusAdmin]

Only the rest of the top 20 remains now!! 

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 19
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

1st Rank Placements - 1
Top 10 Placements - 2
Rank last year - 40 (+21)
Score - 345
No. Of Lists - 5
Average Rank - 14.2
Rotten Tomatoes - 95% 
IMDB - 8.9
Metacritic - 94
Box office: 1.12 billion USD
 

Synopsis and General Info

The former Fellowship of the Ring prepare for the final battle. While Frodo and Sam approach Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, they follow Gollum, unaware of the path he is leading them to.
Release date: 6 February 2004 (India)
Director: Peter Jackson
Box office: 112 crores USD
Featured song: Into the West
Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture, MORE

Personal Comments

One of the best films ever put to screen, this is the finale of the Grandest Tale ever told. It has everything. EVERYTHING. A great adventure, and its long due end, multiple magnificent battle scenes, great character arcs and a never-ending array of endings. One of the most magnificent films you're ever gonna see and one that might reduce the most hard-boned individual to tears at certain points if only for the beauty of what is happening on screen. The film won 11 Oscars, the most by any film ever, and made 1.112 B $ worldwide, only the second film ever to break the billion dollar barrier. With the second part making it at number 24 just a little earlier, if the first part manages to make it this trilogy will manage to achieve the unique distinction of having all of its parts within not just the top 100 but the top 50, in fact top 25. 
The film was put at the top of his list by Pranav and at number 8 by me.

Critic Reviews

A dark, yet rousing climax to the epic fantasy trilogy based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. Full review
Bob Smithouser
Plugged In


The resounding climax to a landmark in cinema history. But the King has now returned, the story is over and the ships are leaving Middle-earth. Ladies and gentlemen, Elvish has left the building. Full review

Alan Morrison
Empire


As with the first two chapters, Peter Jackson's rendition of the Tolkien classic is astonishing. Full review

Nell Minow
Common Sense Media

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 18
Interstellar (2014)

Top 5 Placements - 1
Top 10 Placements - 2
Rank last year - 11 (-7)
Score - 362
No. Of Lists - 6
Average Rank - 18.66
Rotten Tomatoes - 71%
IMDB - 8.6
Metacritic -74

Box office: 667.5m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

In the future, Earth is slowly becoming uninhabitable. Ex-NASA pilot Cooper, along with a team of researchers, is sent on a planet exploration mission to report which planet can sustain life.
Release date: 7 November 2014 (India)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Featured song: S.T.A.Y.
Box office: 67.75 crores USD
Awards: Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, MORE

Personal Comments

Ah, and one of the most average films in the top 50 makes it at no 18. The film is a sci fi mindblower. Another one from Nolan. Clearly people love it a lot and, clearly, I don't. I watched it on my birthday back when it was released and the film appeared pretty blah to me. The effects and some of the concepts were indeed well done and quite ambitious but I just felt like Nolan lost grip of the story midway through it. Ah, well. This is Nolan's 4 film on the list and he joins Scorsese, Fincher and Spielberg in this elusive club. Let's see who among all these comes out on top.

This was put at number 2 by Ayush and at number 10 by Pranav. 

Critic Reviews

Brainy, barmy and beautiful to behold, this is Stephen Hawking's Star Trek: a mind-bending opera of space and time with a soul wrapped up in all the science. Full review

James Dyer
Empire


In 2001, Kubrick saw a future that was out of our hands. For Nolan, our reliance on one another is all we've got. Full review

Peter Travers
Rolling Stone


For a movie about transcending all manner of dimensions, “Interstellar” ultimately falls surprisingly flat. Full review

Ann Hornaday
Washington Post

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 17
Pulp Fiction (1994)

Rank last year - 67 (+50)
Score - 380
No. Of Lists - 8
Average Rank - 23.875
Rotten Tomatoes - 94%
IMDB - 8.9
Metacritic -94
Box office: 213.9m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

The tales of two Los Angeles mobsters, a gangster's wife, a boxer, two small-time criminals and a mysterious briefcase intertwine.
Initial release: 10 September 1994 (South Korea)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Featured song: Misirlou
Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino
Awards: Palme d'Or, MORE

Personal Comments

And one of the greatest films of all time follows, also the first film to be on 8 lists! Tarantino's masterpiece, his Magnum Opus. A revolutionary film with its non linear plot, its style and its dialogue. The way the film treats violence and how it makes the characters overlay the violence with the most mundane dialogues... so awesome (for a similar thing, try out last year's Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri). Each of the sections of the story is awesome in its own way. It's nearly impossible to pick your favourite of the lot but maybe I'll go with the part with Tarantino himself if made to choose while staring down the barrel. Sadly this is only Tarantino's second film on the list, and his last. The film has jumped up a whopping 50 places from last year, the biggest jump in the top 50, when it crashed out at 67, having received only 2 votes. 
This was the last film to not be in the top 10 of any list

Critic Reviews

Whatever you call it, Pulp Fiction is indisputably great. Full review

Peter Travers
Rolling Stone


Brilliantly written and unfathomably cool, this would make a good case for most quotable crime movie of all time. Full review

Ian Freer
Empire


This movie boasts groundbreaking direction, cinematography, screenwriting, soundtrack, and extraordinary performances (particularly by Thurman, Travolta, and Jackson). Full review

Marjorie Kase
Common Sense Media

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 16
Memento (2001)

Top 5 Placements - 1
Top 10 Placements -2 
Rank last year - 41 (+25)
Score - 395
No. Of Lists - 7
Average Rank - 20
Rotten Tomatoes - 92%
IMDB - 8.5
Metacritic - 80
Box office: 39.7m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

Leonard Shelby, an insurance investigator, suffers from anterograde amnesia and uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife, which is the last thing he remembers.
Initial release: 5 September 2000 (Venice)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Screenplay: Christopher Nolan
Box office: 3.97 crores USD
Awards: Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female, MORE

Personal Comments

And another film with a non linear plot line follows. This is a mind blowing film. Nolan's best in my opinion. The non-linear narrative was used so so so well, it blew my mind. The whole effect, then cause thing worked so well. And the twist at the end was great, it completely changed all we believed throughout, what's the truth and what's the lie, who's right and who's lying. The Sammy Jenkis thing added a layer. Reminded me somewhat of shutter island (after the truth about it was revealed of course). So many things worked so well due to the non-linear structure. Made us, the viewers, feel just like the protagonist in that all our beliefs about what's happening on screen were based on the same things as Leonard, just like him we didn't know the truth about what actually has happened before and just believed those polaroids, to be fooled just as the director intended for us to be. The acting was good. The story was great. The writing and direction were masterpiece level and so complementary in their goodness. All in all, a very worthy film to be this high up.

Murtaza put it at number 10 and Kartikeya at number 5

Critic Reviews

Mushrooms won't help when it comes to Memento, the first film in the Sundance competition to go into wide release and my favorite among the sixteen dramas that vied for prizes. Full review

Peter Travers
Rolling Stone


Genuinely perplexing and disturbing but still a thrill for true film lovers.Full review

Angie Errigo
Empire

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 15
Chinatown (1974)

Top 5 Placements -1
Rank last year - 35 (+20)
Score - 405
No. Of Lists - 6
Average Rank - 14.83
Rotten Tomatoes - 98% 
IMDB - 8.2
Metacritic -86 
Box office: 29.2m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

Mrs Mulwray hires Detective Jake, who specializes in matrimonial cases, to spy on her husband, the builder of the city's water system. He finds himself in a web of deceit when Mr Mulwray dies.
Initial release: 20 June 1974 (USA)
Director: Roman Polanski
Featured song: Love Theme From Chinatown
Music director: Jerry Goldsmith
Screenplay: Roman Polanski, Robert Towne

Personal Comments

And here we have, beginning our top 15, an absolute masterpiece. One to behold. A superbly crafted multi layered film. This is a mind blowing murder mystery thriller. The ending is one of the most iconic and disturbing of all films ever. I'd say that this ending might be more impactful then even Se7en's. The direction was so good, the way all those sequnces were shot, especially near the end and the mother, daughter scene. And the acting was so wonderful. Nicholson and Dunaway, both legends, both gave absolutely stunning performances. And yet the greatest part of the film was its screenplay... one of the best I've ever come across, the way everything unfurled slowly and surely. So many layers and yet so comprehensibly done. Just amazing. 
This is another film with an average rank of under 15. Quite an achievement considering the number of lists it was in.
This film was put at number 4 by Murtaza.

Critic Reviews

Boasting some of the greats of Hollywood's '70s golden age on top form, this is a never-bettered noir masterpiece. Full review

Rob Fraser
Empire


Roman Polanski's film is a visually lavish trip back into the hardboiled detective genre. Full review

Kelly Kessler
Common Sense Media

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 14
Prestige (2006)

Top 5 placements - 1
Top 10 Placements -3
Rank last year - 16 (+2)
Score - 405
No. Of Lists - 6
Average Rank - 14.83
Rotten Tomatoes - 76%
IMDB - 8.5
Metacritic -66 
Box office: 109m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

Two friends and fellow magicians become bitter enemies after a sudden tragedy. As they devote themselves to this rivalry, they make sacrifices that bring them fame but with terrible consequences.
Initial release: 17 October 2006 (Hollywood)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Box office: 10.9 crores USD
Featured song: Analyse
Awards: Satellite Award for Best Overall DVD, MORE

Personal Comments

Another film from Nolan, his sixth on the list!!  He's now leading the director's race by two films, will anyone manage to beat him at this point?
This was a quite flawed film in my opinion but is somehow loved by most people. It is good, yes but I don't see how its rank 14 level. But hey this ain't just my list. Both the protagonists did act pretty well. The script was quite loose and the twists were quite out of the blue though.

This is another film with an average rank of under 15. Quite an achievement considering the number of lists it was in.
This was the first film to be in 3 people's top 10. It was put at number 4 by Pavan, number 6 by Ayush and number 7 by Sagar.

Critic Reviews

Christopher Nolan proffers a tricky tale of two rival illusionists who commit themselves to topping and sabotaging each other in turn-of-the-last-century London. Full review
Christopher Lyon
Plugged In


Odd, but brilliantly so. It's a small film that feels big, a period drama that looks modern, defying comparison to anything but Nolan himself.Full review

Dan Jolin
Empire


Christopher Nolan's movie is a smart, intriguing tale of deceit and obsession. Full review

Cynthia Fuchs
Common Sense Media

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 13
Inception (2010)

Top 10 Placements - 2
Rank last year - 10 (-3)
Score - 442
No. Of Lists - 9
Average Rank - 25.22
Rotten Tomatoes - 86%
IMDB - 8.8
Metacritic -74
Box office: 828.3m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

Cobb steals information from his targets by entering their dreams. He is wanted for his alleged role in his wife's murder and his only chance at redemption is to perform the impossible, an inception.

Release date: 16 July 2010 (India)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Featured song: Non, je ne regrette rien
Box office: 825.5 million USD
Awards: Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, more

Personal Comments

Inception. A great film. Not worth rank 13 in my opinion but popular enough to be able to make it here. This is the first film to be on 9 lists! The average rank still wasn't high enough to get it into the top 10 though. This is Nolan's 7th film on the list, a 3 film lead over the other contenders now. Gonna be tough to beat him now. And is even this is his last film? 
Another mindblower. Multi layered, infinitely rewatchable and with a great cast and some interesting characters. Another film from Nolan's Dead wife universe. This is the last Leo film on the list. This is also the last film to not be in the top 5 of any person's list.
The film was put at number 10 by Sagar and number 6 by Pranav

Critic Reviews

With physics-defying, thunderous action, heart-wringing emotion and an astonishing performance from DiCaprio, Nolan delivers another true original: welcome to an undiscovered country. Full review

Nev Pierce
Empire

"Inception" is an intense, complex story, but it's always coherent, imaginative, and entertaining. Full review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
Common Sense Media

I'll say no more, except that Inception rewards the attention it demands.Full review

Peter Travers
Rolling Stone

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 12
Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Top 5 Placements - 1
Top 10 Placements - 2
Rank last year - 15 (+3)
Score - 462
No. Of Lists - 9
Average Rank - 23.66
Rotten Tomatoes - 95%
IMDB - 8.6
Metacritic -85
Box office: 272.7m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

Clarice Starling, an FBI agent, seeks help from Hannibal Lecter, a psychopathic serial killer and former psychiatrist, in order to apprehend another serial killer who has been claiming female victims.
Initial release: 14 February 1991 (USA)
Director: Jonathan Demme
Budget: 1.9 crores USD
Film series: Hannibal Lecter Film Series
Awards: Academy Award for Best Picture, MORE

Personal Comments

Another masterpiece graces our list. The film was one of the only three to ever win the big 5 Oscars, best actor, best actress, best director, best screenplay and best Picture. It features one of the best villains ever put on screen. Hannibal Lecter was put at the top of their list of the all time greatest villains ever by AFI. The other villain of the film was also pretty iconic. This is one of the best psychological murder mystery thrillers out there and I'd recommend everybody to give this a watch

The film was put at number 9 by Ayush and number 4 by Kartikeya.

Critic Reviews

A first unmissable, then enduring, but always unmissable classic.Full review

Barry McIlheney
Empire


Foster's Clarice Starling and Smith's Catherine Martin represent something unique in slasher movies: women who won't play victim.Full review

Peter Travers
Rolling Stone


Anthony Hopkins plays Lecter with magisterial authority and aplomb, resulting in a box-office smash that won the Best Picture Oscar and made Hannibal Lecter a much-imitated screen icon. Full review

Charles Cassady Jr.
Common Sense Media

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 11
Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

1st Rank Placement - 1
Top 5 Placements - 3
Top 10 Placements - 4
Rank last year - 6 (-5)
Score - 487
No. Of Lists - 6
Average Rank - 8.83
Rotten Tomatoes - 91%
IMDB - 8.8
Metacritic - 92
Box office: 871.5m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

A young hobbit, Frodo, who has found the One Ring that belongs to the Dark Lord Sauron, begins his journey with eight companions to Mount Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.
Release date: 15 March 2002 (India)
Director: Peter Jackson
Publisher: George Allen & Unwin
Story by: J. R. R. Tolkien
Screenplay: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens

Personal Comments

And THE BEST FILM EVER, in my opinion, just misses the top 10. I put this film at number 1. The grandest tale, the grandest adventure, the grandest effects, the grandest music, the best characters, great acting by the perfect cast, absolutely stunning cinematography and a wonderfully adapted script with some really great dialogues.... Oh God this film is THE BEST at so many things. And you can see it through its average ranking of 8.83 - under 10, which means the average guy who put this on his list put it in his top 10! This film had the second best average ranking among all films in 3 or more lists, only falling behind the very next film, and that's when it was on 6 lists!!! If more people had seen this, this could have been so much higher. And I hope it is, next year.

Memento at rank 16 was the last film to be on 7 lists. All the movies since have been on 8 or more lists. And yet this film, and the next one, beat them all despite being on only 6 lists! All because the few people that put it all put it up really high! This was the first film to be in the top 10 of 4 lists and in the top 5 of 3 lists, that's 66.66% and 50% of all the lists it was in, respectively. Just amazing. This should be enough to understand how good this film is and why it just needs to be seen ASAP by all those who still haven't done so.

This also makes LOTR the first trilogy to have all its parts in the top 100 and the only to have all of them in the top 25.

Other than my 1st rank placement, this film was put at number 8 by Saiyyam, number 5 by Ayush and at number 2 by Pranav. 

Critic Reviews

Somewhere, there are future Hollywood directors who will tell magazine feature writers that they first decided to make movies as they watched this film; it's that good. Full review

Nell Minow
Common Sense Media


Nothing is lost and plenty is gained - this Special Extended Edition DVD is precious indeed. Full review

Ian Nathan
Empire


Middle-earth, with its diverse population of men, elves, hobbits, dwarves and wizards, stands at a crossroads. Full review
Bob Smithouser
Plugged In

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 10
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Top 5 Placements - 5
Top 10 Placements - 5
Rank last year - 7 (-3)
Score - 543
No. Of Lists - 6
Average Rank - 5.5
Rotten Tomatoes - 97%
IMDB - 8.5
MyAnimeList - 8.6
Box office: 5m$ (combined earnings with My Neighbour Totoro)
 

Synopsis and General Info

A devastating meditation on the human cost of war, this animated tale follows Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi), a teenager charged with the care of his younger sister, Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi), after an American firebombing during World War II separates the two children from their parents. Their tale of sur… More

Initial release: 16 April 1988 (Japan)
Director: Isao Takahata
Featured song: Home! Sweet Home!
Story by: Akiyuki Nosaka
Adapted from: Grave of the Fireflies
Cast: Ayano Shiraishi, Tsutomu Tatsumi, Akemi Yamaguchi, Yoshiko Shinohara

Personal Comments

Let me be clear and declare it - This is THE PERFECT FILM. I have watched countless countless films and this is the closest to perfection ever. The most beautiful animation. Perfectly placed music. The most touching story, one that probably won't only move you to tears but leave you bawling by the end of it. The most relatable characters that you actually connect with and end up caring for. This is the most flawless film ever. And you can see it - It had an average ranking of 5.5!!! That is the best average rank on the entire list among all films with 2 or more votes! Every single person who saw this film loved it.
Let me clarify, I call grave of the fireflies the perfect most flawless film but I put it at number 2 and LOTR 1 at number 1. That's because LOTR 1 has some very very very minor flaws but what it does right, it does the best. Also it got bonus love from me for being my entry point into Tolkien's world.. 

This is the last film to be on only 6 lists. Only 6 lists and still made it this high up, getting into the top 10, beating out films with 7,8 and even 9 votes! Here's how - while it was put in only 6 of the lists.... 5 of those votes were top 10 votes.... in fact all 5 of those were TOP 5 Votes!!! Yes! 5 of its 6 votes were TOP 5 votes!! That's just how awesome this movie apparently is. No other film, even those 4 who have 10 or more votes, got that many Top 5 votes! 83.33% of its votes were top 5 and top 10 votes, both the highest percentage on the list with a good margin, especially the former one.

Other than my 2nd rank placement, this film was put at number 3 by Saiyyam, number 3 by Akshit, number 2 by Kartikeya and number 5 by Pranav. Only Ayush put it somewhat lower, down at rank 18.
Its director Isao Takahata passed away very recently, 5 April this year, and the world lost an unparalleled genius in him. 

Critic Reviews

A devastating heart-stab of a movie, this certainly isn't a family film. It is, however, a beautifully constructed, animated drama. Full review

Dan Jolin
Empire


Even seen-it-all critics such as Roger Ebert admit to having been moved to tears by this stirring and memorable film -- which is based on actual events. Full review

Charles Cassady Jr.
Common Sense Media

[InfernusAdmin]

Rank 9
Good Will Hunting (1997)

Top 5 Placements - 1
Top 10 Placements - 2
Rank last year - 12 (+3)
Score - 550
No. Of Lists - 9
Average Rank - 17.55
Rotten Tomatoes - 97%
IMDB - 8.3
Metacritic - 70
Box office: 225.9m$
 

Synopsis and General Info

Will Hunting, a genius in mathematics, solves all the difficult mathematical problems. When he faces an emotional crisis, he takes help from psychiatrist Dr Sean Maguireto, who helps him recover.
Initial release: 2 December 1997 (Westwood)
Director: Gus Van Sant
Featured song: Miss Misery
Awards: Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, MORE
Screenplay: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck

Personal Comments

A lovely film. This film is unforgettable. A thinking man's drama, this film got each of its main cast an oscar (although not really in the categories you might assume. Affleck and Damon actually won the best screenplay Oscar, in the year of Titanic!) This is a film that will move you and might even change the way you think. Also, another film where Matt Damon is rescued, in a way. A must watch for everyone, especially students who feel like they're lost. Robin Williams is absolutely perfect in his role as a therapist/teacher, and one who's somewhat troubled himself. Damon also found his footing as an actor with this film, in my opinion. Even the supporting cast all carried out their roles with a quite genuine flair, something most drams lack. The screenplay is one for the ages (still can't believe to young guys wrote it) and the music fits very well. Some of the scenes are particularly quite beautiful. The one near the end where Affleck knocks at the door and.... well no spoilers but yeah, that scene never fails to move me. 

This film was put at number 4 by Jebin and number 8 by Revant. 

Critic Reviews

Mature teens will appreciate this movie -- which earned a writing Oscar for Damon and co-star Ben Affleck -- as a compelling story about a brilliant young man with a troubled past. Full review

Nell Minow
Common Sense Media


Good Will Hunting is, simply, as good as movies get. Full review

Bob McCabe
Empire

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