How have your eyes for film changed?

Our opinion of film has changed drastically over the past 2 years (mine has for sure). I'm curious to see what everyone's "list" looks like now that we've been exposed to new film experiences. Think hard and long, and try to put a reason to each of your choices. There's no limit to your list, go wild if you want. This is your opinion...its hard to put certain movies above others. Genres don't mix, movies are drastically different.


1. Dragonheart - The whole reason I got into film. Great CG (Jurassic Park level CG), amazing story, and great acting. This was the first movie to push an emotional response through me. It was my first taste of what film could really do. Not to mention Sean Connery is the man (or dragon in this case).

2. Memento - Mainstreams first real taste of Christopher Nolan; and what a taste it is. Talk about changing how we view the process of telling a story. A complex weaving of backwards story telling, mixed with great camera effects. A huge step forward in cinematic storytelling.

3. The Last Samurai - This movie had all the pieces for failure in my book. I'm not a huge Tom Cruise fan...and how in the world could an american be the last samurai?! I was blown away on so many levels when I saw this movie, I'm not really sure how I didn't see it coming. Edward Zwick crafts a tale of honor, life, and the unknown. Tom Cruise is completely lost in the role, giving way to every piece of the characters soul.

4. In Bruges - Probably one of the best written movie I've ever seen. Funny all over the place, but true to the characters. Colin Ferrel gets to be....Colin Ferrel. An amazing movie, with some amazing depth. Subtext wins the day!

5. Layer Cake - The first time I saw this was a few weeks before Daniel Craig was named the new Bond. I remember telling people for the next six months how awesome of a Bond he was going to be, and showed a lot of people Layer Cake. This stands as one of my favorite movies of all time. I love the look and feel of the film, the characters, and their interactions with each other. I love the clean and almost sterile feel of the drug world. And how I do love the ending.

6. Knight's Tale - There isn't too many movies I've seen more than Knight's Tale. From the production design to the acting, this is a great story about making something of yourself, even when the whole world tells you you can't. I love the way it was shot, 2 shots, 3 shots, and 4 shots galore. And how can you not love Paul Bettany? Easily one of my favorite actors!

7. 12 Angry Men - My favorite "old" movie. When I was younger, I never gave the old black and whites a chance. I could never come to the realization that they could be any good. They had no color! What's there to like?! Something happens when you enjoy your first black and white. 12 Angry Men did that for me. I saw it in middle school for the first time. I remember it ending, saying to myself, "Where am I?" I had completely forgotten where I was. It sucked me in and never let go. Superb acting, and amazing writing and directing.

8. Lord of the Rings - I remember all three nights, each year they came out more vividly than most. This was our generations Star Wars. Our epic saga. The movies we will get to tell our children we saw in the theatres. Being a huge LotR fan since I was 10, this was quite an exciting time for me. And the filmmaking aspect blew me away. Peter Jackson took a nearly unfilmable book, and delivered a set of films that do it justice. An amazing story of good vs. evil. Bravo!

9. K-PAX - I saw two Spacey movies in the span of a few months; K-PAX and The Usual Suspects...And how they both blew my mind. K-PAX holds a special place in my movie list. The simplicity, yet striking complexity of the story is beautiful. Add to it the stellar performances, and an amazing soundtrack, and K-PAX stands out as a fantastic piece of drama.

10. The Fountain - A film that I didn't see till I got to Orlando. I still believe this shows Aronofsky at his best. A complex weaving of time and love, The Fountain carries itself in its own genre. Beautifully shot, its cinematography only adds to the ideas Darren is trying to bring out. Though many people didn't like or understand the concepts (not a surprise...shits crazy), the movie still stands as a striking picture of what film making can be.

11. Kingdom of Heaven (Directors Cut) - This is one of the harder choices for me. Ridley Scott's films are some of the best, and choosing one as my personal favorite is a tough choice (and one I may ultimately not make...haha). Yet, even with Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down...Kingdom of Heaven stands out for me. It touches a deeper part of the human soul. I loved some of the touches to old cinema he used; shooting battles sequences like old Kurosawa movies. If you guys haven't seen the directors cut, give yourself the pleasure...but be ready...its a long one :)

12. Sunshine - Danny Boyle. Its been great to see the rise of another great director. Sunshine is one of those rare movies, that has only gotten better with time. As we made our way through school, learning the learns that we did, Sunshine kept becoming a better movie; for me atleast. Its one of the new scifi staples (along with District 9 and Moon).

13. The Fall - Wow, Its hard to even begin to explain why The Fall is so awesome. It just is.

14. Pan's Labyrinth - Gotta give some props Del Toro. What dark and strange creatures, lightened by a beautifully crafted story. I loved this movie through and through, and stands as the reason he will be directing The Hobbit.

15. In the Name of the Father - I don't think I will ever forget the day we watched this in Tapia's class. Talk about captivating. I don't know too many movies that stir as much emotion as this one does. Daniel Day-Lewis is quite a sight to behold, and takes this movie to a whole new level.

16. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - What can I say about Guy Ritchie? The guy is awesome. His movies transcend the "gangster" flick, and achieve a strange form of character genius. This was the beginning of Ritchie's reign of the British Gangster movie, which hasn't slown down since.

17. Inglorious Basterds - I was not prepared for what Tarantino's latest was bringing. How do you take 6 or 7 scenes of dialogue and turn them into one of the best movies I've seen in a long time? I still don't know how he does it. Man's a genius. Everything about this movie screams amazing. Its hard to put into words just how good this movie is.

18. Children of Men - Psshhh....Fffffssss.....Sssssiii. We need more movies like these. Intelligent writing, absolutely ridiculous shots, great acting. All in all a great sci-fi/drama piece that I feel far too many people overlook.

19. Hook - Of all the Spielberg movies, I think Hook still has its hold on me. One of those movies I watched again and again when I was younger. I loved to story, and the actors, and how each piece really fit together perfectly. And who woulda thought Dustin Hoffman would make a good Hook?! Freakin awesome!

20. Man on Fire - I really love Tony Scott films. They have a look to them that undeniably slick and fresh. Man of Fire is his masterpiece. What a beautiful film...Ektachrome really gives them film a feel. And who doesn't like seeing Denzel kick some ass?

21. Run Lola Run - What a fun ride this movie was. I love the idea of small things changing the scope of the bigger things. This had a great soundtrack that really pushed the idea along, and gave it a great feel. Tom Twyker is one of my personal favorites.


So there's 21 of my favorite films, in no particular order. I love them all equally....and the many more that didn't make the list.

If you guys have some time, make a list of your own. I would love to know deep down why you really love the films you do.