The Top Ten Greatest Movies Of The Past 20 years
80I love movies. Anyone who knows me can tell you so. I have conversations on a regular basis of the merits and set backs of movies on a whole different basis. I love movies of all genres and all times. However since I am only twenty I have more of a rapport with newer movies. And so I'd like to present to you my thoughts on the ten best films of the past 20 years.
1. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2003)- This has got to be my favorite movie of all time. The concept is so original and inventive that you're both surprised, flabbergasted, and enthralled at the same time that you stay invested. Another reason for your investment is that the acting is INCREDIBLE. Jim Carey is amazing in his first turn in a dramatic role and the beautiful Kate Winslet is fantastic as always. With a fantastic supporting cast, a compelling love story and brilliant directing by Michel Gondry, It is a movie that I reccomend EVERYONE see.
2. Fargo (1996)- Talk about a movie that completely got jipped for Best Picture. The English Patient was supremely inferior to this landmark of a movie. The Coen Brothers are among the greatest film makers of all time and truly showed it in this completely original thriller. With bang up performances from the entire cast, especially Frances Mcdormand as the lovable Marge and William H. Macy as the lovable clutz Jerry, and a brilliant script that was supposedly based on a true story, you can't get much better than this for thrillers.
3. Pulp Fiction (1994)- 1994 was a good year for movies. We were graced with the likes of The Shawshank Redemption, which is probably the best movie based upon a Stephen King story/book to date, Forrest Gump, The Lion King, probably the greatest animated movie of all time, and many many others But this movie, in my mind at least, beats them all. Written and Directed by the always brilliant Quentin Tarantino and blessed with an A list cast is one of the most brutal and well told gangster stories of all time. Brilliant acting and an incomporable script make for movie magic.
4. The Usual Suspects (1994)- Right alongside Pulp Fiction came the ASTOUNDING directorial debut of Bryan Singer. This crime film has one of the most engaging stories and probably the best twist ending of all time (All of you Saw fans need to see this movie because this one is mind blowing) Kevin Spacey owns his role like no one else could and Gabrielle Byrne is fantastic as the lead. What really makes this movie is the Noir-ish feel that you get along with fantastic acting and a well directed screenplay. I wish there were more movies like it.
5. American Beauty (1999)- Speaking of Kevin Spacey, this beautiful movie is one of the greatest of all time. In fact it probably ranks in my top 10 of all time. The story of a man who hates his "mundane little life" and grows to live for something and love it. The entire cast is exceptional especially the leads. Kevin Spacey owns his role. Annette Bening is fabulous, Wes Bentley steals every scene he's in, and the young Thora Birch is fantastic as well. With a beautifully written story and fine direction by Sam Mendes, It is one of America's seminal films.
6. Schindler's List (1993)- Steven Spielberg is the man. He has never done a movie that can be deemed bad. His direction of this three hour drama is some of the best ever done. The story revolves around a concentration camp and the morals of one man, Mr. Oscar Schindler. The fact that is story is based on True Events makes for a compelling movie. The violence is brutal and rightfully so when showing the plight of Jewish people during the Holocaust. The acting is something of beauty. Liam Neeson as Mr. Schindler is compelling and gives a powerful performance. Ben Kingsley also gives a touching performance as the man who helps Schindler free the jews. With an epic story and truely moving performances from an A-list cast this movie is one of the best of all time.
7. Goodfellas (1990)- This might be the seminal mobster flick right behind The Godfather in it's greatness. The movie is the tale of Henry Hill who works through three generations of mob life. The story is something of tragedy, brutality, and hope. Although Henry is something of an anti-hero you root for him the entire time. The life of a mobster is brutal and this movie does not hold back. Bloodshed and violence is all in this movie as well as other gangster mainstays such as drugs and sex. And none of that matters because you are so involved with Henry and his life that you almost block everything else out. Powerhouse performances by Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, and Robert De Niro along with a fantastic script make this a must see.
8. The Dark Knight (2008)- The most perfect comic book movie ever made. An original take on classic characters is all it takes to make a movie into a legend. First Christopher Nolan did the amazing Batman Begins and set up the mythos of this batman. With The Dark Knight, Nolan expanded his universe and made matters even worse. This movie is DARK. I watched the three hour epic and was chilled to the very core. The entire cast is fabulously acted, Heath Ledger gave the performance of a life time (no pun intended to all of you guys who are gonna send me hate mail) and the direction is beautiful. You've never seen a comic movie with this much heart, hurt, and hope. A fantastic epic that deserves a place to hold a place in time.
9. Fight Club (1999)- Most of the time you can not find a movie that is better than the book. Most of the time you can't find one that is even close to the book BUT there are a few exceptions and this is one. Chuck Pahlaniuk's novel is a thing of brilliance and David Fincher's take on it is just as good. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are just on fire with their performances. The comedy is a little dark but the movie (and book) is suppossed to be satirical so the humor is as such. The script is fantastic (personally I like the ending of the movie better) and has one of the most awe inspiring twists in movie history. With a doubt a bonafide classic.
10. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)- There are thousands of movies that everyone should see and fall in love with. This is one of them. With a very funny and touching script, Michael Arndt struck gold. The movie is directed so well that you feel as if you are a part of the disfuntional family and you are on this road trip with them. The cast is astounding as well. Steve Carrell's performance as Uncle Frank is touching, funny, and saddening (not a real word but whatever, sue me). Tony Collette is beautiful in her portrayal of the mother, Abigail Breslin is the perfect little girl, Paul Dano (who is also amazing in There Will Be Blood) is just brilliant, Greg Kinnear is a fantastic father, and Alan Arkin is funny and touching as the grandfather, giving probably the performance of his career. The story is beautiful as well and deserves every bit of praise that it gets. A truly wonderful film.
So there it is. It is hard making top ten lists or really top anything lists because of the many many considerations but I feel that the merits of the above films put them in a league of their own. And since I only put some in I'd also like to add an honorable mentions list for those who didn't quite cut it. Here's my 20 honorable mentions.
1. The Darjeeling Limited
2. Edward Scissorhands
3. Trainspotting
4. 28 Days Later
5. Munich
6. The Aviator
7. The Departed
8. The Royal Tenenbaums
9. The Lord Of The Rings (I'll count the trilogy as one)
10. The Silence Of The Lambs
11. The Matrix
12. Memento
13. Se7en
14. American History X
15. Forrest Gump
16. The Shawshank Redemption
17. Saving Private Ryan
18. Terminator 2: Judgement Day
19. The Pianist
20. Brick
So there you have it. Any comments on the list let me know by comment ing BELOW!!!!!
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yeah there were a few that were left out cuz like I said it's really hard to make any kind of Top... list. I also forgot Donnie Darko, Syriana, Traffic, Gladiator. I mean there are so amny damn good movies lol
Yep those were good too ! They gotta quit doing these remakes and recycling television shows on film though .
hahaha it's funny you say that cuz I posted a hub the other day saying just that same thing. Wow I suppose I'm not the only one who feels that way.
you forgot so many and included some i definitly wouldn't have. I think that i agree with about half of this but if the numbers count this is rediculous. Eternal Sunshine isn't anywhwere near the best movie of the past 20 years, but i don't think you meant to say that. okay, i'd say the main ones you should've included and not just in honorable mention are 1. gangs of new york, 2. the departed, 3. a beautiful mind, 4. gladiator, 5. silence of the lambs, all of those would be in my top 10, id replace eternal sunshine, fight club, american beauty, fargo and little miss sunshine which is another...do you just really likely artsy movies because although they are solid movies, eternal sunshine and little miss are like quirky enjoyable movies rather than major feats of filmmaking, okay im starting to like yell at you when i meant for this to be a nice post, my apologies
I just joined Hugpages and my post is a guide to watching classic movies. I am a fan of the oldies so I wanted to be able to help people find older movies that I think they would enjoy. I am pretty good at selecting movies for people, so let me give it a try for you.
You seem to like movies that are artsy and even cultish. Here are some fun movies I think you will like.
Blue Velvet
Wild at Heart
Mystery Train
Angel Heart
Jacob’s Ladder
Slam Dance – (My favorite)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Beastmaster
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Plan 9 from Outer Space
Freak – 1932
Refer Madness
Let me know if you enjoy any of these.
homes88man, I completely agree with the fact that I left out a few VERY deserving movies. It's just hard to place them all in there. and as for blackbutterfly, I've seen a couple of those and they are very very great. I especially love Blue Velvet, Monty Python, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. All of them are great.
I must say: the new Sherlock Holmes was a great movie too.
Lots of good choices here, especially "Little Miss Sunshine," "Spotless Mind" and "American Beauty." What, no "Braveheart"? Later!
Heat also, I agree With Fargo, a brilliant film.
What about Big Fish, Requiem for a dream, Michael Clayton, One flew over the cuckoos nest, Reign over me, blow, Fracture, and Shawshank obviously. homes88mm replacing fight club because its artsy? and american beauty is just a phenomenal film.
I agree mostly. However, Titanic is noticeably missing from your top 30.
Requiem for a dream or interview with the vampire, natural born killers.
What about tropic thunder or Superbad?
Does a movie have to be serious to be good or top 10?? Dumb and dumber?
Everyone fail to say any of my top 3. These I can not choose an order for. "Man on fire" only movie other then The Lion King that actually brought a tear to my eye and I was 5 when I watched The Lion King. "Shutter Island" but that wasn't out when this blog started. Thirdly is "Gattaca" which many of you either haven't watched or are thinking maybe we didn't watch the same movie. Gattaca needs to be watched over and over to fully understand what the director is trying accomplish with this movie.
I am discovering that when I keyed for best movies of the past twenty years, it was not the right search query. The best movies are very subjective according to your own very personal likes or dislikes. I looked at the best movies of "all time" and more than a few were older than I am (and I ain't no spring chicken) and even that list left out my most favorite movie of all time called The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara it's almost a "Chick Flick" except for a fist fight between John and his brother in law which redeems it for the guys, so anyway, now I realize that I will have to read all of the best movie lists and pick and choose which ones I agree with which ones I don't care for and the ones that I have never even heard of.
I will be forced to stipulate Guy movies or Chick flicks, Cheesy B movies, worst Horror or Sci Fi flicks of all time. Back when I was young, my kids and I used to rent the most cheesy movies we could find at Blockbusters and buy a bunch of snack food and spend a weekend watching "B" movies and alternately laughing and throwing up, (mostly from laughing until something came out of our nose)like Pepsi and Cheese Puffs. I don't remember ever having more fun.
@ cbuzzelli: blurghflblphlbpossdfuh! agree with everything else.
Edward Scissorhands is very stupid movie...
Jim carrey's first dramatic was the majestic
Best list of this type I have perhaps ever seen, both the 10 and the honourable mentions. I also enjoy nearly all of the movies mentioned by others. (Holy Grail and Life Of Brian are 2 of the best comedies ever)
Only movies I would add? Aliens, The Empire Strikes Back, City of God, perhaps Lost In Translation, and I will always have a soft spot for Jurassic Park...
great list...i really loved the movie brick but cant find many ppl that agree with me. i love the quick wit and fast dialogue. as far as low budget films go this is the best (maybe not the biggest money maker) but great great movie. props for listing it even in honorable mention.
To many classics missing from this list fir my liking such as pretty women, wedding singer, ghost busters come on ppl
Lost in Translations???
Synecdoche, New York
Jacob's Ladder
The Devil's Chair
Inception
Titanic (The only chick flick I would watch again)
Requiem for a Dream
Natural Born Killers
Hobo with a Shotgun (rivals Natural Born Killers)
I would throw Little Miss Sunshine of there that movie was crap and put the The Pianist up there
some savage films on this page delighted i found it lots i still hav ta watch, but my favourite film .....well as u said one of!!!! cuz its hard to pick a favourite RESERVOIR DOGS.......crash,a guide to recognising your saints,baz lurmans romeo and juliet, faceoff not cuz its a fabulous film or well directed just cuz its mint
OK everyone has their own taste in movie, altho most share I'd say more than half the same types of movies. I wrote down movies from the 70's-2000's( sounds funny-2000's), ok here goesmy top 10 from then til now:
10-Young Guns - 80'
9- Deer Hunter- 70's
8- Saving Private Ryan- 90's
7- Breakfast Club- 80's
6- Forest Gump- 90's
5- shawshank Redemption- 90's
4- Lord of the Rings- 2000's
3- Gangs of New York-2000's
2- BraveHeart- 90's
1- Apocalypse Now- 70's
ok now i have several others, always going to think of others so here's my 2nd best movies- Armageddon, Unfaithful(Gosh I love Diane Lane), Fast Times @ Ridgmnt High, Grease, American Graffiti, Robert Ford-Life of Jessie James( very Good Movie), Atonement, Friday ( hey I loved all 3 of these), Back to the Future series, Top Gun, Goonies, Titanic, Departed, so many-could keep going....
Forgot Green Mile
Oh yeah, green mile, we bought a zoo, and maybe bell and the butterfly
I couldn't not agree with you more on a overall standpoint! You & I have similar taste in movies! Only correction I'd make is ranking the departed top ten.
Looking back at it, yeah id prob move you g guns to 11, put SPRyan in 4th, and departed at 8. Now missing are the avenger type movies-Iron Man, Thor- I'm excited a out these but haven't been blown away by any of them yet? I look forward to seeing some new movies this year- the hunger games, the avengers, batman, high hopes for lots of remakes....we'll see
I really feel that u left out same of the greatest movies ever tho i don't really have a record of but still speaking from the back of my mind that you missed.
Great list but wot about
Green mile
Pay it forward
K pax
Midnight express
A beautifully mind
Alive
It is such a hard list to compile though when you think you have them all a few more come to mind.
What about district9
I saw The Grey last night, was a very good movie I thought. Liked the ending altho a lot of people didnt. I didnt stay for the last clip after the credits. I did see it later -it didnt change my view of the ending in any way. SO waiting fot the Hunger Games, hoping its as good I hope.
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tony0724 2 years ago
Lotta good ones here. But I would like to submit " The Big Lebowski "