Wednesday, 10 April 2019

100 Film Reviews Special: Top 10 Best Movies I've Reviewed


Here we are. It's hard to believe that I've done one hundred movie reviews over the course of nine years. Casually reviewing movies has been a lot of fun and for those of you who have stuck around to read these things this is my thank you gesture: the top ten best films I've reviewed. (FYI: Each of these films' reviews can be found on this blog.)

  1. Looper (2012)
Looper is a mostly forgotten sci-fi thriller movie that I think is criminally underrated. I wish I could go back in time and sing its praises even louder so that more people knew about it! If you've heard about Looper's plot then you'll probably just think it's Terminator set in the Midwest, but those who've seen it can tell you that it is so much more than that. It's a thought-provokingly original story that pits a hitman named Joe against his own future self. The tension comes from watching how far old Joe will go to fix his reality and how far young Joe will go to set things right in his own reality. Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt's dual performance as Joe is a joy to watch and the action is tense. If you like smart sci-fi action films then you've got to give this one a try.

  1. The Disaster Artist (2017)
Is seems strangely appropriate that a movie famous for being terrible would spawn a “making of” comedy-drama that is famous for being outstanding. The Disaster Artist got me hyped up like few other films have and it did not disappoint. If you've seen The Room (2003) – which I recommend before watching this – or read Greg Sestero's book The Disaster Artist then you'd know that the story of The Room's production would have to be put to film one day. A tale with this much weirdness and hilarity, but also heartbreak and inspiration, demands it. And it's a tale that's handily brought to life by a magnificent performance from James Franco as the enigmatic Tommy Wiseau. Watching this outcast chase his dreams makes for some great entertainment and a fine addition to the feel-good genre of films.

  1. Baby Driver (2017)
If this was a top 10 list of the funnest movies I've ever reviewed, then Baby Driver could very well be #1 on such a list. Few other films I've reviewed have such high-energy direction, cool characters, gripping action and tension, and a unique use of music. While I've never agreed with the notion that a film's music is itself a character I would say that the way songs play in Baby Driver set the tempo and mood for almost every scene. It's a different way to experience a film and I hope more action movies take note of this.

  1. Gravity (2013)
Perhaps the best-looking movie I've reviewed, Gravity is a beauty to behold. Through the masterful cinematography, the viewer experiences how isolated, cramped, and fatigued the astronaut characters are at various points. Suspension is also sustained through the film's tense score and the special effects are so well done that it's easy to forget that more than 85% of what you're seeing was made in a computer. While there's not too much going on story-wise Gravity still manages to be an enthralling film, borrowing themes found in other shipwreck/survival movies and adapting them to the most extreme of settings, the final frontier. It's a true wonder of a movie, one you can easily lose yourself in.

  1. Logan (2017)
While it isn't a perfect movie, I do believe that Logan is one of the best superhero movies of this decade and certainly the best I've written a review for. In his last performance as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman gets one hell of a sendoff with a brutal, heart-wrenching movie that will be remembered by X-Men fans for years to come. Finally we get to see a hard R-rated film about everyone's favourite Canadian mutant which tells the story of the end of his life. It's a great story in which an indifferent and cynical Logan realizes that there is still hope for people like him and he finds value in fighting for the next generation. I know I'm going to be watching Logan many more times in my future, because it's a powerful film and its main character is the best there is at what he does.

  1. Skyfall (2012)
In 2012, the 007 series was in dire need of a good movie. 2006's Casino Royale was brilliant but its follow up, Quantum of Solace, was a shoddy disappointment. It would be an excruciating four years until Bond fans got their next 007 flick and if this one turned out to be a stinker then the Daniel Craig era of Bond would be dead before it had ever truly lived. Thank goodness Skyfall ended up being an action tour de force that easily ranks as one of the best James Bond movies ever made. With its masterful characterization, fun action scenes, dazzling direction, comfortable acting, cool musical score, and dry British humour Skyfall is a film for all action fans. Though I still think Casino Royale was better than Skyfall, I will say that the latter film is the more accessible and perhaps more exciting of the two. Sam Mendes, mission accomplished.

  1. Dunkirk (2017)
I've already spoken at length about how much I've enjoyed this film. I've written about the captivating cinematography, the pulse-pounding score, the dazzling stunt work and practical effects, the exciting action, and the uplifting ending. Dunkirk is an excellent addition to the war film genre as it depicts a battle not often seen in major films and it also brings focus to the fact that not all combatants in war are indomitable heroes, sometimes they're simply trying to survive unwinnable situations. In this regard I guess Dunkirk is roughly comparable to Thin Red Line, albeit less wordy and less boring. If that won't want to make you watch Dunkirk then I don't know what will.

  1. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Gosh darn, 2017 was a good year for movies! With the deluge of lazy cash-in sequels and remakes that Hollywood churns out nowadays it is very refreshing to see a sequel that is worthwhile and does its predecessor justice as Blade Runner 2049 does, and I'll admit that I was worried when I heard news of this film being made. I should've realized that those fears were unfounded once it was revealed that Denis Villeneuve directed it and Hampton Fancher (co-writer of Blade Runner) co-wrote it. Not only is it a spectacular film to watch but it is about as faithful to the original as one could expect, right down to the compositions, score, and dialogue. Probably the biggest difference between the two films is the ending; the original left audiences with an ambiguous ending whereas the sequel concludes on a hopeful note. Overall, it easily ranks as the best film I saw on 2017.

  1. Interstellar (2014)
I've already mentioned this movie several times on Arnold's Benediction, probably because it's so amazing that I can't stop thinking about it. To me Interstellar embodies all the wondrous things that movies can be about, showcasing how imaginative and creative movies can be while also showing some heart with a moving story. And of course it's all pulled off with the highest professionalism and quality we expect of a Christopher Nolan film: great acting, effects, cinematography, and music. In short, Interstellar is out of this world! Heh heh.

  1. The Revenant (2015)
If you've ever read my Top 20 Best Movies I've Ever Seen article (November 2016) you may be surprised that this film is ahead of Interstellar. I guess I've re-evaluated my opinion on the two films because I now find The Revenant the more interesting of the two. It is a movie that is violent and visceral, yet also hauntingly beautiful. Tom Hardy and Leonardo DiCaprio give some of the best performances of their careers and director Alejandro Iñárritu creates a mesmerizing tapestry of a film that includes numerous sustained shots and dazzling compositions. I'll admit that it's a challenging film that isn't for everybody but it is a rewarding one for those who pay close attention. Just let this film take you away to a different time and place. It'll make you want to not blink.