10 english films to watch before you die

FIGHT CLUB

2008-05-16T01:11:00.000-07:00

10.

FIGHT CLUB is a cult film directed by David Fincher. This is one of the best Cult Film which we have in the recent times and I feel that it has definitely evoked different innovative aspects in script writing for many young writers.

I love this film because of many reasons:
1. The way it is narrated and written.
2. The breathtaking Cinematography.
3. Unbelievable performances.
4. A different perspective of male psyche.
5. A good and decent Climax.
6. It rejuvenated my thinking capabilities.

FIGHT CLUB stars Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter. The film starts by showing the scene in which Brad Pitt holds a revolver into the mouth of Edward Norton. After that Edward Norton starts narrating the film. Edward Norton is suffering from insomnia and his doctor advises him to visit a support group where he meets Helena Bonham Carter and later he meets Brad Pitt .The story moves forward with these 3 characters and many other characters also get involved in the later part of the film.

The dark atmosphere created by David Fincher with the help of Cinematographer ‘Jeff Cronenweth’ is superb. It’s one of the best Cinematographic works I have seen. I do not want to write much about it because you have to watch the film to feel the essence of the film.

One of my friend said that the DVD cover contains the phrase
“Stop excessive *********** and shopping and live life”. I don’t know the authenticity of the previous sentence but it’s definitely thought provoking and need some attention by the present younger generation.

PULP FICTION

2008-05-16T00:14:00.000-07:00

9.
PULP FICTION, the name itself is very interesting. PULP FICTION is directed by Quentin Tarantino and his best work. Quentin Tarantino was recognized for his film Reservoir Dogs which had crispy dialogues filled with bloody violence .In PULP FICTION Quentin Tarantino presents us with high eclectic dialogues, violence and humor .Sometimes even the violence shown in the film looks funny. The above characteristics of PULP FICTION makes it fit into many genres like neo-noir, cult film, black comedy, humor and not to forget the non—linear story telling which he even did in his previous film ‘Reservoir Dogs’.

After the critical success of ‘Reservoir Dogs’ ,Quentin Tarantino was asked to work on the script of ‘SPEED’ but he refused the offer and he worked on PULP FICTION(A very brave decison).Pulp Fiction is divided into 3 stories “Vincent Vega and Marsellus Wallace's Wife” , “The Gold Watch”, “The Bonnie Situation”.The Briefcase which Samuel Jackson holds is taken from the 1955 film ‘Kiss Me Deadly’.

Pulp Fiction stars John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, Harvey Keitel and Tim Roth. The dialogues by Samuel L. Jackson are unforgettable .To experience a different feeling while watching a movie then you should watch ‘Pulp Fiction’. Pulp Fiction has the ingredients which a movie lover looks in a film.

12 Angry Men

2008-05-15T23:39:00.000-07:00

8.
The best film of the 1950’s I guess. Life in their hands-death on their minds is the caption for ’12 Angry Men’. 12 Angry Men is about a jury member who tries to persuade the other 11 members to acquit the suspect on trial on the basis of reasonable doubt.

The story starts after closing arguments have been presented in a murder case, and the judge gives his instructions to the jury and films ends by showing the jury members coming out of the court .Leaving the starting and the ending parts of the film, the film takes place in a single room. Can you imagine a film which is shot in a single set? 12 Angry Men gives the pleasure of watching the thought provoking arguments made by 12 people in a room. Henry Fonda is the member in the jury who makes every other member in the jury to change their decision and go against the Death penalty. After Hearing the story some might feel that it cannot be a realistic film, but it proves the other way.

12 Angry Men is the most compelling court drama film (if you allow me to say) I have ever seen. Every frame in the film is perfect. If you observe the dialogues, the perceptions, the contemplations, the frustrations by the 12 members in the jury are impeccable. In the end the film makes a thought provoking impact on the audience.

This is the first film directed by Sidney Lumet who has directed masterpieces like Serpico (1973), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), Network (1976) etc,. The bold decision of Sidney Lumet to choose a film like 12 Angry Men is admirable.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2008-05-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

7.
Here comes my favorite Spaghetti Western ‘THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY’ also known as ‘Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo’ in Italy. This film is based upon 3 guys who are in the quest of finding a treasure. Clint Eastwood plays the role Blondie (The Good), Lee Van Cleef as Angel Eyes (The Bad), Eli Wallach as Tuco(The Ugly).In the quest for the treasure the story mingles with Civil War.

‘THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY’ is one of the best works of Sergio Leone including the ‘Once Upon A Time in America’ and ‘Once Upon A Time in the West’. The direction by Sergio Leone is perfect and the slow pace of the films makes some dramatic turns making the film more intriguing. ‘THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY’ is written by Sergio Leone and Luciano Vincenzoni,It is said that after the film’s success Luciano Vincenzoni instantly became a millionaire.

‘THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY’ is a very significant film as this inspired many directors to make spaghetti westerns. The stand-off climax at the Sad Hill Cemetery remains one of the most popular scenes in film history. The very end of the film too is good with trade mark of Sergio leone. The Music was composed by ’Ennio Morricone’ and it excellent he uses the same background music for every character but with a different instrument.

Barry Lyndon

2008-05-13T03:29:00.001-07:00

6.
Barry Lyndon is a period film by Stanley Kubrick. It shows the rise and fall of a man called Redmond Barry. The plot is simple and the film too, then why is it in the list of “10 Films to watch before you die”?

Personally Barry Lyndon is my favorite film of Stanley Kubrick .You all might be wondering how did this become my favorite as Stanley Kubrick has directed some masterpieces like “A Clockwork Orange”,”2001 A Space Odyssey” ,”The Shining” ,for this I have my own personal perception which many critics don’t agree and here is my explanation.
‘Barry Lyndon shows the true sense of term “Cinematic Beauty” .The story is very simple nothing great about it but the greatness lies in the way Stanley Kubrick directs it .The Cinematography in this film has taken cinema to a different level .This film shows the thoughts, ideas ,luck, misfortune of a man in the simplest way. ’

Stanley Kubrick once said: “Barry Lyndon is a story which does not depend upon surprise. What is important is not what is going to happen, but how it will happen.” Many of you might have seen other great films of Stanley Kubrick, I request you to watch BARRY LYNDON if you did not because this is the best film and under-rated film of Stanley Kubrick, even Martin Scorsese feels that BARRY LYNDON is the best work of Stanley Kubrick.

The Shawshank Redemption

2008-05-13T03:07:00.001-07:00

5.
We all might have seen films which makes us laugh, cry, wonder, etc..,. But there are very few films which makes us think on a particular issue through which we have been living .The difference between a person who is successful or unsuccessful in his/her life is based on only one thing and “THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION” is a movie based on that one thing.

The Shawshank Redemption is based on the Stephen King novell, “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.” Stephen King who is known for his horror stories come with a beautiful subject which no one could have imagined. The Shawshank Redemption stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins .Tim Robbins gives his career’s best performance and the narration by Morgan Freeman is excellent.

The Shawshank Redemption was not given the reception which it deserved during the initial release, because as there were few other films which attracted everyone’s attention like Speed and Pulp Fiction.Writing the plot of any movie is the worst thing to do and writing it for “THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION” is not less than a blunder .Everyone human should watch this film.

Schindler's List

2008-05-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

4.
The best Biographical film I have seen and many might be surprised to know that it was directed by Steven Spielberg. Schindler's List is about a man called ‘Oskar Schindler’ who saved the lives of more than one thousand Polish Jews during the World War II Holocaust.

Steven Spielberg made the film in ‘Black and White’ for several reasons ,which was previously attempted by Alfred Hitchcock in ‘Psycho’ and Martin Scorsese in ‘Raging Bull’. After watching films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws ,etc,… I didn’t expect Steven Spielberg to make such a wonderful film. If you are a fan of Steven Spielberg then you should watch ‘Schindler's List’ because it is the best of Steven Spielberg and I feel that Steven Spielberg can’t make a film better than ‘Schindler's List’.

THE GODFATHER

2008-05-10T21:35:00.000-07:00

One of the best Gangster movies ever made in the history of cinema .Like many gangster movies it contains crime, drugs, etc..,. but the greatness of ‘The Godfather’ lies in its plot .The simple and powerful representation of characters are the key .The character’s Vito Corleono ,Michael Corleono are perfectly executed by Marlon Brando and Alpacino. Francis Ford Coppola gives the exact picture of an Italian family and the relationships among the family members.

‘The Godfather’ was taken from Mario Puzo’s book who also assisted in making the film by providing the screenplay. One cannot forget the dialogues of ‘The Godfather’ which are said with least emotions and yet they have a powerful impact like…

"I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse."
"Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."

The performances by Marlon Brando , Alpacino and Robert De Niro(part II) are impeccable. Without any doubt Francis Ford Coppola will be remembered forever for directing ‘The Godfather’.

PSYCHO

2008-03-04T22:50:00.000-08:00

2.
Alfred Hitchcock who is one of my favorite director brings his best with Psycho.Hearing the title of the film some might feel that this film may contain violent scenes like removing head,cutting nails,torchoring etc...but you don't find anything of such sought.Hitchcock who is known for his pure Suspense Thrillers comes with Psycho by adding horror genre .A very simple story with its own twists.I would not like to reveal the story as it spoils the suspense in the film and even if you have heard the story you should definetly watch it for many reasons.
Watch each and every frame of Psycho, don't miss even a second.Alfred Hitchcock is the most clever director,he exactly knows what to do.He knows what the audience are anticipating in the film and what there are thinking of while watching the film.The most significant points in the film is the "******" scene ,Hitchcock directed the single scene for 7 days.Alfred Hitchcock deliberately created the film in "Black and White " so that it would make a large impact on the audience.To express the violent and tense atmosphere he uses blood which is actually Choclate.I request you to watch Psycho in alone to feel the impact.Do not even try to read the spoilers and try to watch the scenes of the film.The "****** Scene" has been studied, discussed, and cited countless times in print and in film courses much with debate focusing on why it is so terrifying and how it was directed.

CITIZEN KANE

2008-03-04T22:16:00.000-08:00

1.

This is one of the best movies ever made in cinema history.Orson Welles characterization was superb,you don't find movies which are great with a single character.Citizen Kane is one of the most innovative works of Hollywood.Citizen Kane was released in 1941 was beyond anyone's imagination.The portrayal of the character "Charles Foster Kane" by Orson Welles is the best one in the history of cinema according to me.Balancing the character of "Charles Foster Kane" by Orson Welles is impeccable,the way he takes the film forward is impressive.Every character in citizen kane is handled in such a fine manner that you cant find anything negative out out of it.Narrating the life of "Charles Foster Kane" is just simply superb,the story is told by other characters in the film.Citizen Kane shows the life of "Charles Foster Kane" who owns welath,power,etc.. but doesn't own something which is important in life and handling such a character is not easy,Orson Welles excels in handling the character of "Charles Foster Kane" .Orson Welles perfectly portrayed his role as a young dynamic man and also as a Old man who is missing many things in life though he has wealth and power.I sometimes wonder how did Orson Welles direct such a masterpiece when he was just 26 years.This is definetly a must watch movie for all movie lovers.This would be my all time favorite.