TOP 150 MOVIES

Sidney Lumet’s second and final collaboration with Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon proved that reality is indeed stranger than fiction.

Based on a true-life incident, Dog Day Afternoon stars Pacino as bumbling bank robber Sonny Wortzik, who became a celebrity when his stick up of a bank quickly became a hostage situation, drawing the ire of every cop in New York City and the attention of a salivating media.

As Sonny, Pacino delivers one of his best turns that is equally funny and tragic. Meanwhile Lumet effectively mixes dark comedy with crippling tension, to go along with a commentary about celebrity in the TV age.  

Into the Wild is an uplifting and enriching cautionary tale about one man's spiritual adventure on the road and in the wilderness.

Based on the true story, an exceptional Emile Hirsch stars as Christopher McCandless, a young man who - in an attempt to rid himself of the bureaucracy and materialism of modern society – embarked on a quest to live in the harsh serenity of the Alaskan wilderness.

A passion project for writer/director Sean Penn, the Oscar winning actor brilliantly adapts Jon Krakauer's book to the big screen while not falling into the trap of portraying McCandless as a messiah or glamorizing his vagabond lifestyle, creating an astonishing piece of cinema in the process.

Epic crime movie filmmaking filled with a surprising reservoir of emotion and a masterclass of practical and visual craftsmanship; The Irishman also boasts an assemblage of legendary performers who all deliver in one of Martin Scorsese’s best films.

Robert De Niro stars in The Irishman as Frank Sheeran, a WWII veteran who through his friendship with notorious mobster Russell Bufalino (Joe Pesci) becomes a hit man for Philadelphia mafia boss led by Angelo Bruno (Harvey Keitel). Sheeran’s other close friendship with notorious union leader Jimmy Hoffa (Al Pacino) is put to the test when Hoffa and the mafia have a falling out that is deadly in consequences.

Scorsese, along with screenwriter Steve Zaillian (Moneyball) expertly centres this sprawling, faux-history laden story as one about loyalty. Scorsese utilises many of his trademarks, such as tracking shots and narration, yet wisely does not duplicate what he did with Goodfellas and Casino. The Irishman is not that kind of crime movie. Rather, it is a reflection, a meditation, and a confession.

A groundbreaking achievement in the sci-fi and action genres, The Matrix still stands as an innovative and enthralling spectacle unlike any other.

Keanu Reeves (in perhaps his best role) stars as Neo, a computer hacker who is believed to be the saviour of a world hiding behind an illusion. Removed from the facade of the world as we know it, Neo joins an army of rebels in a revolt against the machines that have enslaved humanity.

Directors Lana and Lilly Wachowski (Cloud Atlas) deliver a film that is as unique as it is mind blowing entertaining, as a blend of genres and state of the art filmmaking combine to make the greatest action film of all time.

Much like Schindler’s List before it, 12 years a Slave is not only a powerful reminder of what was once and should never be again, but it is also a masterfully made film that blends the artistic, the technical and the heartfelt.

12 years a Slave is also filled with remarkable performances, especially by Chiwetel Eljiofor who delivers a mournful, soul shattering turn that hauntingly exemplifies the tragedy and heroism of freeman turned slave Solomon Northup.

In only his third feature film, Steve McQueen has created a movie that transcends its medium with concise voice, concise vision and concise message. As powerful and illuminating a film as they come, 12 Years a Slave should be seen and embraced by all.

What makes a man a legend? That is the basic theme of Senna, an engrossing look into the life and exploits of Formula One driver Aryton Senna whose passion for his sport and obsession to win made him a highly controversial and respected figure in motor racing.

The biggest surprise to Senna’s legacy was his spirituality, with the Brazilian believing the hand of God led the way during his races. This led many to labelling him arrogant and dangerous, especially archrival Alain Prost.

Yet such are the complexities of this man whose presence is felt throughout Senna, with director Asif Kapadia wading through mountains of footage to create a hypnotic film about obsession, passion and arrogance in action, presenting just what it takes to become a god in the F1 scene.

A blood-soaked 90s crime classic, Quentin Tarantino’s groundbreaking Reservoir Dogs features a cracking script delivered by an exceptional cast, resurrecting the forever underrated Harvey Keitel, and introducing the world to the likes of Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, and Michael Madsen.

Reservoir Dogs focuses on six strangers brought together by crime boss Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney) to rob a jewellery store of its diamonds. After the robbery goes horribly wrong, confusion reigns at the rendezvous point where they believe there is a rat within their ranks.

Tarantino is a filmmaker who wears his influences on his sleeve (Martin Scorsese, Sam Peckinpah) yet he also brings his own hyperkinetic energy to Reservoir Dogs. This is especially felt though his writing which is sharp, funny, and rather brilliantly threads in pop references galore. Also, a groovy soundtrack adequately heightens key scenes while providing toe tapping enjoyment.

One of Martin Scrosese’s best and powerful works, Silence delves into the collision between religion, government, and culture, as chronicled in an immersive and relevant story of faith tested against a violent oppression and the deafening silence of God.

Set in 14th century Japan, where Catholicism was outlawed under the rule of Tokugawa Ieyasu who viewed Christianity to be a threat to Japanese culture and sovereignty, Silence stars Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver as two Jesuit priests from Portugal who travel to Japan to locate their mentor Father Cristavao Ferreira (Liam Neeson) after they receive word he had renounced his faith.

Although a story about an ancient time, the themes of oppression and persecution of religious peoples in Silence is still as relevant as ever. Silence serves as a powerful reminder of faith tested, faith tortured, and faith defined, yet never faith destroyed.

Christopher Nolan’s second feature, Memento, is a gripping, intelligent and innovative mystery thriller.

Guy Pearce stars in Memento as Leonard, a man seeking revenge for the rape and murder of his wife. Leonard also has no short-term memory, relying on the tattoo’s adorned all over his body to guide his investigation into who made his life a living hell.

As much a tale of obsession as it is a mystery with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, Nolan successfully navigates his audience (without showing too much of his hand) in piecing together this most complex and thrilling of movies.  

A comeback movie of sorts for famed director Martin Scorsese, Raging Bull re-established the now iconic filmmaker as a director of importance and unwatchable style.

Raging Bull tells the true story of middle weight boxing champion Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro), whose brutal reputation within the ring is matched by that outside, with La Motta one of the scariest and unpredictable figures to populate Scorsese’s world of hard men.

Shot in black and white, Raging Bull effectively portrays the brutality of La Motta’s life with a beautiful artistry and emotional powerful that has rarely been matched. De Niro’s dedication to his performance as La Motta is a thing of legend, as are the end results in what must be the most physically prepared and emotionally draining performance committed to the big screen.