1、What makes a movie great? Why do some stand the test of time while others slowly (or rather quickly) lose their value? For some films, its the emotion the story invokes. Sometimes an actors performance is so unforgettable, it captures our attention. Occasionally a film is so visually stunning, it ca
2、nt be forgotten.I put together a collection of the 30 best movies of all time. To warn you in advance, this isnt the usual film snob list of black and white classics and foreign films meant to show off my knowledge of classical cinema. These are the movies we watch because we want to, not because we
3、re told to.30. Avatar (2009)Avatar is one of the most visually beautiful movies ever made. Even people who complain about special effects in movies dropped their jaws upon seeing it for the first time. This film pushed modern cinematic technology into a new age, ushering in the age of stereoscopic 3
4、D. Beneath its beauty, the film features a cross-species love story and a social message. Avatar is a must see for any movie fan.Best Quote: Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) “I became a Marine for the hardship. Told myself that I can pass any test a man can pass. All I ever wanted was a single thing wor
5、th fighting for.”29. Scarface (1983)There are a lot of gangster movies out there, but Scarface is easily the most quoted. The story of Cuban immigrant turned maniacal gangster Tony Montana is gritty from front to back. The chainsaw scene in the beginning still gives me quivers. As he gains more powe
6、r, his greed starts to get the best of him. He makes a few bad decisions that lead to the one of the best death scenes in movie history.Best Quote: Tony Montana “You need people like me so you can point your fuckin fingers and say, Thats the bad guy. So what does that make you? Good? Youre not good.
7、 You just know how to hide, how to lie. Me, I dont have that problem. Me, I always tell the truth. Even when I lie. So say good night to the bad guy!”28. The Notebook (2004)In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit Ive never seen The Notebook. The reason I know its a great film is because
8、every time I tell a woman Ive never seen it, she tries to convince me to watch it. The basic premise is a boy falls in love with a girl. They have a budding romance, some conflict gets in the way, and they end up together when theyre older. This movie is the bar in which many women measure a man.Bes
9、t Quote: Noah (Ryan Gosling) says, “I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and Ive led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone whos ever lived: Ive loved another with
10、all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough.”27. Audition (1999)I judge horror movies by how many full length cartoons I have to watch afterwards so I can go to sleep, and Audition is easily a 10 toon film. A widower auditions women for his new wife. He picks a young beautiful woma
11、n named Asami Yamazaki (Eihi Shiina) who turns out to be the most eerily psychotic film character of all time. Yamazaki has scenes of torture so brutal theyre almost unwatchable, and the pleasure she takes in her work is beyond disturbing.Best Quote: Asami Yamazaki: “Kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri!”
12、(Translation: Pain pain pain pain pain pain!)26. Young Frankenstein (1974)Mel Brooks is a king of screwball comedy, and Young Frankestein is the film Scary Movie wishes it was. The cast delivers brilliant lines with impeccable comedic timing. Igors (Marty Feldman) sarcastic responses to Dr. Frankens
13、tein (Gene Wilder) crack me up every time. If youre adverse to older movies, this may be the one to change your mind.Best Quote: Igor: “Dr. Frankenstein”Frankenstein: “Fronkensteen.”Igor: “Youre putting me on.”Frankenstein: “No, its pronounced Fronkensteen. You must be Igor.”Igor: “No, its pronounce
14、d Eye-gor.”25. The One Percent (2006)The One Percent is the second of Johnson & Johnson heir Jamie Johnsons documentaries chronicling a lifestyle that 99% of us will never have. Born rich, Jamie gives the rest of us a look into the lives of some of Americas wealthiest families. Jamies father Jim spe
15、nds the majority of the film opposing it. With the crash of the artificial housing market soon after and the Occupy movement popping up 5 years later, its easy to see what hes afraid of.Best Quote: Jamie Johnson: “The top 1% of Americans, like my family and me, own roughly 40% of the countrys wealth
16、, and we share an aggregate net worth that is greater than the bottom 90% of individuals combined.”24. Cinderella Man (2005)James Braddock (Russell Crowe), a washed up boxer who fights impossible odds to compete for the heavyweight championship is one of cinemas most memorable underdogs. Director Ro
17、n Howard expertly recreates the 1930s setting to draw you into this “based on a true story” sports drama filled with award winning actors. Cinderella Man is everything you want in a sports movie.Best Quote: James Braddock “I have to believe that when things are bad I can change them.”23. Bad Boys (1
18、995)Hate on Michael Bay all you want, the man knows how to make an entertaining movie. Bad Boys is a buddy cop movie that never gets old, thanks to the personalities of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Filled with flashy car chases and spectacular shoot outs, this is a movie that you can sit down and
19、 watch anytime its on television, no matter how far in it is.Best Quote: Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) “You made me think you were gonna shoot me for a minute.”Mike Lowrey (Smith) “I was.”22. Unforgiven (1992)Before he went crazy and started talking to chairs, Clint Eastwood was responsible for some of
20、the most classic Westerns in American cinema. In Unforgiven, he plays Will Munny, a retired gunslinger who lets his old friend Ned (Morgan Freeman) convince him to collect a bounty from some hookers. On the way, they encounter other bounty hunters and a hardnosed sheriff (Gene Hackman). It takes a l
21、ot for Munny to snap, but once he does, youll be glad youre watching from a distance.Best Quote: Will Munny “All right, Im coming out. Any man I see out there, Im gonna shoot him. Any sumbitch takes a shot at me, Im not only gonna kill him, but Im gonna kill his wife, all his friends, and burn his d
22、amn house down.”21. Leon: The Professional (1994)This tale of professional assassin Lon (Luc Besson) is dramatic and heartfelt. He takes in a young girl (Natalie Portman) whose drugged out parents are killed by their psychotic dealer (Gary Oldman) then proceeds to teach her the tricks of the trade w
23、hile protecting her and seeking vengeance. Lon: The Professional is one of those movies where you cant help but side with the killer, who deep down has a heart of gold.Best Quote: Lon “The rifle is the first weapon you learn how to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the client. The clo
24、ser you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn.”20. Love & Basketball (2000)While many romance movies are difficult for men to watch, Love & Basketball goes a long way into drawing men into this “chick flick” genre by incorporati
25、ng an underlying sports theme. Quincy (Omar Epps) and Monica (Sanaa Lathan) meet on the basketball court as kids, and their love/hate relationship keeps their lives intersecting as they live their individual dreams of playing pro ball.Best Quote: Monica “Its a trip, you know? When youre a kid, you s
26、ee the life you want, and it never crosses your mind that its not gonna turn out that way.”19. The Hurt Locker (2008)War. What is it good for? Fantastic movies. Hurt Locker is a thrilling look at the realities of the Iraq War, and modern warfare in general. Its not a propaganda film. It doesnt take
27、sides. It focuses on the decisions faced by soldiers, specifically SFC William James (Jeremy Renner). Hurt Locker is simultaneously a war movie and a technically sound thriller. I dont believe in war, but I believe Hurt Locker is the second best war movie ever made, showing the good and bad in every
28、 soldier.Best Quote: SFC James “You love playing with that. You love playing with all your stuffed animals. You love your Mommyyour Daddy. You love your pajamas. You love everything, dont ya? Yea. But you know what, buddy? As you get older some of the things you love might not seem so special anymor
29、e.”18. Princess Bride (1987)Fairy tale movies are a dime a dozen. The Princess Bride stands head and shoulders above them all. Its a playful childrens movie with plenty for adults to love too. It has everything a fairy tale should: a mysterious protagonist (Cary Elwes), a giant (Andr the Giant), swo
30、rdplay, a princess, and a happy ending. The Princess Bride is a reminder of everything thats right about humanity.Best Quote: Westley (Elwes): “If youre in such a hurry, you could lower a rope or a tree branch or find something useful to do.”Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin): “I could do that. I have s
31、ome rope up here, but I do not think you would accept my help, since I am only waiting around to kill you.”Westley: “That does put a damper on our relationship.”17. Inside ManA cop (Denzel Washington) tries talking down a criminal mastermind (Clive Owen) in the best bank heist movie ever put on film
32、. What makes Inside Man so great is the cat and mouse tension. As the story progresses, you find out this is much more than your average bank robbery. Its not just money these guys are after, and even knowing they get away with it wont take away the shock of seeing how and whyBest Quote: Dalton Russ
33、ell (Owen): “This time next week, Ill be sucking down pia coladas in a hot tub with six girls named Amber and Tiffany.”Keith Frazier (Washington): “More like taking a shower with two guys named Jamal and Jesus, if you know what I mean. And heres the bad news: that thing youre sucking on? Its not a p
34、ia colada!”16. Bill & Teds Bogus Journey (1991)Godfather 2 is often cited in the argument of sequels outdoing the original movie, but Bogus Journey deserves a spot on that list. Bill S. Preston, Esq, (Alex Winter) and Ted Theodore Logan (Keanu Reeves) were the models of slacker youth way before Beav
35、is and Butthead. The first Bill & Ted movie most triumphantly explored time travel in a phone booth, but the second movie ups the ante, as the dimwitted pair battle death on a journey through heaven & hell. Beneath the schlock, Bogus Journey is a lighthearted look at a scary subject.Best Quote: Bill
36、 “And over here, our bass player, the Duke of Spook, the Doc of Shock, The Man with No Tan, please say hello to Death himself, the Grim Reaper.”15. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005)This is the movie where Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie met. Watching their onscreen chemistry, its easy to see how theyve lasted so l
37、ong. No matter how many times this movie is on TV, its hard not to watch. Filled with shootouts, explosions, comedy, romance, and flat out sex appeal, Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a spy film with something for everyone. It doesnt make you think; it just invites you to sit, stare, and smile.Best Quote: John S
38、mith (Pitt) “Your aims as bad as your cooking sweetheart and thats saying something!”14. Love Actually (2003)Love Actually follows the intertwining stories of eight British couples dealing with love in very different ways. Its a romantic comedy and a Christmas film, but it is in no way sappy. Its a
39、touching comedy filled with amazing moments. Its impossible to watch this movie without laughing, crying, and falling in love with at least one character. Love Actually is the best romantic comedy ever written.Best Quote: Billy Mack (Bill Nighy) “Hiya kids. Here is an important message from your Unc
40、le Bill. Dont buy drugs. Become a pop star, and they give you them for free!”13. Good Will Hunting (1997)A janitor with an attitude problem (Matt Damon) solves a complicated math problem at MIT, gets sent to a psychiatrist (Robin Williams), and has to choose between his street life and becoming a re
41、spected mathematician. Good Will Huntings is a charming drama with great writing, brilliant acting, and an intelligent story. The movie explores a lot of philosophical angles on the human experience in a way that draws you in.Best Quote: Sean (Williams) “So if I asked you about art, youd probably gi
42、ve me the skinny on every art book ever written. Michelangelo, you know a lot about him. Lifes work, political aspirations, him and the pope, sexual orientations, the whole works, right? But Ill bet you cant tell me what it smells like in the Sistine Chapel. Youve never actually stood there and look
43、ed up at that beautiful ceiling; seen that.”12. Where The Buffalo Roam (1980)While Johnny Depp is often praised for his portrayal of cultural icon Hunter S. Thompson, Bill Murray nailed it on the head first. Where The Buffalo Roam mashes together several of Thompsons writings about his adventures wi
44、th his attorney, Oscar Zeta Acosta. Murray gives a great performance, perfectly capturing everything we love about Thompson, and proving hes much more than just a comedian.Best Quote: Hunter “In my case, you know, I hate to advocate drugs or liquor, violence, insanity to anyone. But in my case its w
45、orked.”11. Back to the Future (1985)Back to the Future is a time travel movie packed with memorable characters. Biff (Thomas Wilson) is a quintessential bully with some of the best quotable lines in cinematic history. Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) inspired a generation of kids to become scientists.
46、What makes the movie so great, though, is that protagonist Marty McFly (Michael J Fox) is just a normal kid in a crazy situation, and he overcomes. If he can overcome, anyone can.Best Quote: Doc “Dont worry. As long as you hit that wire with the connecting hook at precisely 88 miles per hour, the in
47、stant the lightning strikes the tower everything will be fine.”This tale of professional assassin Lon (Luc Besson) is dramatic and heartfelt. He takes in a young girl (Natalie Portman) whose drugged out parents are killed by their psychotic dealer (Gary Oldman) then proceeds to teach her the tricks
48、of the trade while protecting her and seeking vengeance. Lon: The Professional is one of those movies where you cant help but side with the killer, who deep down has a heart of gold.Best Quote: Lon “The rifle is the first weapon you learn how to use, because it lets you keep your distance from the c
49、lient. The closer you get to being a pro, the closer you can get to the client. The knife, for example, is the last thing you learn.”10. Grandmas Boy (2006)Grandmas Boy is an ensemble comedy that hits all the right notes. The story of a 35-year-old video game tester forced to live with his grandma and