Top 100 Movies: Part 9

My Top 100 Movies list continues yet again with some more of my top picks. Again, these are my favorite movies, not necessarily "the best." These are the ones that I actually own and watch more than once. 

32: Thor

Among the Avengers, Thor is easily the most difficult character to bring to the big screen, yet Kenneth Branagh and company manage to pull it off somehow. Unlike a lot of Marvel movies, my expectations for Thor were rather low considering that the film could have easily been horribly corny and dumb, but to my surprise, that was far from the case. Branagh used his Shakespearean background to handle the family drama elements of the film to great effect. Chris Hemsworth brought a strong bombastic presence to Thor that worked perfectly for the character, and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki turned out to be the best villain since Darth Vader. Their brotherly conflict between Thor and Loki is my favorite aspect of the film.

Thor Review.

31: Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal

Originally released as a four episode OVA, but later released as a feature film, Rurouni Kenshin: Trust & Betrayal follows the origin of the fictional samurai Rurouni Kenshin. While anime generally carries the stigma of being "weird" or "over-the-top," Trust and Betrayal is a refreshingly subdued and tragic drama that is more inline with the samurai epics of Akira Kurosawa. Of course the film is stylized to a degree, but the animation is rather stunning, and the action manages to both be realistic and incredibly intense. Among Asian cinema, or any cinema for that matter, Trust and Betrayal is one of the best examples of a tragic drama, and if you are interested in samurai or historical films, this is a must watch.

30: Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America has been one of my favorite comic book characters ever since I was a kid, and while not on the same level of brilliance as Iron Man, The First Avenger effectively and accurately tells Cap’s origin story. As a fan of older films, Joe Johnston’s "old-timey" visual style for the film worked surprisingly well at conveying the 1940s time period, which gave it the feel similar to comic books of the era as well. Chris Evans surprised even me by how great he was in the role of Steve Rogers, and considering how well he has done lately, there could not have been a better choice for the role. Also, it made me feel proud to be an American yet the patriotism never felt overpowering as to distract from film's story.

Captain America: The First Avenger

29: Thor: The Dark World

Despite a few flaws with the plot, Thor: The Dark World is a blast to watch, and it also has heart. As with the first Thor, the brotherly conflict between Thor and Loki is the core of the film. Alan Taylor gave Asgard a grittier and more believable feel that reminded me of a combination of Tolkien’s work and even Star Wars to some degree. Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is an absolute joy to watch play fan-favorite Loki as he gives his best performance in the role to date, and Hemsworth continues to own his role of Thor.

Thor: The Dark World Review

28: Serenity

Serenity is the follow-up to Joss Whedon's incredibly shiny Firefly TV series that was unjustly cancelled. It had almost everything that made the TV show amazing, but amped it up to feature film quality production. For a freshman outing as a theatrical director, there are few, if any, films that rival Serenity. “You can burn the land and boil the sea, but there's no place I can’t be since I've found Serenity.”
Serenity Review

27: X2: X-Men United

Before Spider-Man 2, The Dark Knight, and Iron Man, X2: X-Men United was the king of comic book films, and it still holds up so well today. Hugh Jackman perfected his version of Wolverine in X2 with the film delving further into his mysterious past (which was ruined by the horrible Wolverine: Origins). X2 set the new standard for comic book sequels with bigger action, deeping character development, and an ending that made X-Men fans everywhere excited for the next installment, which unfortunately disappointed fans.

X2: X-Men United

26: Aliens

James Cameron’s Aliens is one of the most thrilling and pulse-pounding film experiences I have had in a very long time, maybe ever. While the first Alien movie was great, the fact that I knew who would survive detracted from the experience, but that was not the case for Aliens. After a slow tension filled start, Aliens explodes with tons of action and thrills throughout. And who can forget the final dual? That was amazing! (I will not spoil anything by saying more)

Aliens (1986) Review.

25: Back to the Future

Few films pack so much pure entertainment into 116 minutes than Back to the Future! From the clever script to the witty dialogue to the quirky sense of humor, Back to the Future is the definition of a classic. Describing why Back to the Future is such a great film is incredibly difficult. It is just fun, but smart fun. Plus, I love time-travel stories!

Back to the Future Review

24: Iron Man 3

Seeing heroes being torn down and having to face not only a new threat, but an inner struggle are some of my favorite types of character stories, and Iron Man 3 does that with one of the best heroes on the big screen, Tony Stark. Thanks to Shane Black’s witty script and direction and Robert Downey Jr.’s flawless performance as Tony Stark, Iron Man 3 succeeds on all almost fronts, of course, it is not perfect. Also, who can forget the twist? Never before have I been so utterly shocked and dumbfounded sitting in theaters than I was while watching Iron Man 3, and if you have seen the film, you know what I am talking about. 

Iron Man 3 Review

23: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Before Titanic and Avatar, James Cameron actually made a few freaking awesome sci-fi films and there are none better T2. Deciding between Aliens and T2 for my favorite Cameron flick was not easy, but after some deliberation, T2 came out on top, partially due to the fact that it has been one of my favorite movies ever since I was a kid. I am a Terminator fan, plain and simple, and as far as I am concerned, the Terminator movie timeline ended here, because the sequels never happened if you go by the superior Sarah Connor Chronicles timeline. Maybe the new Terminator film coming next year will deliver, and if not, I can just rewatch T2, again.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day Review.

22: Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Unlike the other Star Wars prequels, I believe Revenge of the Sith to be legitimately good movie. It definitely has its flaws, like the acting, and it could have been a lot better, but there is a lot to like about Ep. III. For the most part it wraps up loose ends, provided a satisfying conclusion, and delivered some insanely awesome Lightsaber battles. If, however, you are not a Star Wars fan, I can completely understand why you do not like the movie, but as a Star Wars fan, I still enjoy it.  

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

21: The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya

The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya is a sequel film to The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya television series, and no, it is not some epic quest or action thriller, instead the film is a superb character piece that takes the likable characters from the series and gives them depth through some of the best character drama I have ever seen. Along with this excellent character development, the movie has reality altering time-travel, science fiction elements, and humor that fans of the SOS Brigade have come to expect from franchise. It is essentially flawless. However, as amazing as the film is, watching the series first is mandatory.

Please check back tomorrow for my review of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Thursday for my review of Edge of Tomorrow.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 100 Movies: Part 8

My Top 100 Movies list continues with several more picks for my list.

40: Seven Samurai

Seven Samurai was the first subtitled foreign language film that I had watched and my first Japanese film, so the movie took me by complete surprise by how engrossing the film turned out to be. Akira Kurosawa is a truly amazing director that has influenced many films and filmmakers in the west, including George Lucas. The story of Seven Samurai has been remade and homaged far too many times to count in various forms of media like the aforementioned Magnificent Seven, but you can never top the original.

39: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is by a fan, for the fans, as it perfectly captures the mixture of lighthearted humor and dark drama that is the hallmark of the Spider-Man comics. Some of you might be surprised by how high the film is on my list, and I am even surprising myself a bit as well, but it truly delivers almost everything that I wanted to see in a Spider-Man film.
Andrew Garfield demonstrates yet again why he is the definitive Spider-Man, as he finally gets to be the wisecracking hero that we all know and love from the comics.
Honestly, the hate and negative reviews for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is mostly mind boggling to me. Although, the film certainly has some shortcomings, and, in a way, it is a guilty pleasure to a certain degree, because I admit that it might be overrated on my list.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Review

38: The Outlaw Josey Wales

One of Clint Eastwood’s early directorial efforts, The Outlaw Josey Wales is my favorite western of all-time. The film is different type of western than what has come before or since. If you are a western fan and have not seen The Outlaw Josey Wales, do yourself a favor and go watch it, you will not regret it.

The Outlaw Josey Wales Review

37: X-Men: First Class

After two disappointing X-Men films, Matthew Vaughn revitalized the X-Men franchise with First Class. While continuity issues can cause confusion, X-Men: First Class worked so well on so many levels. Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy owned the roles of Magneto and Xavier, excellently, plus a little Jennifer Lawrence never hurts.

X-Men: First Class Review.

36: Spider-Man

Spider-Man is the film that turned me into a comic book fan. While the first X-Men movie and Burton’s Batman movies gave me an interest in the superhero genre as a kid, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man turned that interest into the obsession that it is today. Today, however, a lot of people dislike Tobey Maguire’s portrayal on the character. Aside from a few corny and dated parts, the movie holds up just as well today as it did more than a decade ago. Despite the critical praise, I honestly cannot understand the hate the movie receives from the general public.

Spider-Man (2002) Review.

35: North by Northwest

Alfred Hitchcock’s virtually invented the action thriller genre with North by Northwest. The film was so far ahead of its time in 1959 that its influence can be seen in many of today’s films. However, few, if any, have done it better than this masterpiece of cinematic brilliance.
North by Northwest Review.

34: Die Hard

Die Hard is one of the most influential action movies of all-time, and it remains one of the best. While some modern viewers might view Die Hard as clichéd, it invented many of what are now considered clichés. At the time, only Indiana Jones was a better pure action hero than John McClane, and Bruce Willis brought an everyman quality to the role that made the character relatable compared to most action heroes from the era. 

Die Hard Review.

33: Casino Royale

Daniel Craig's reboot of the classic franchise with a dark and damaged James Bond could have easily been disastrous; fortunately however, it turned out to be one of the best Bond movies yet. While I did not even like the movie the first time I watched it, having re-watched it several times, Casino Royale is undoubtedly one of my favorites. It revitalized the Bond franchise and made it relevant for the modern era. 

Casino Royale (21st Bond movie) Review.

32: Kara no Kyōkai: A Study in Murder – Part 2

My favorite and final film in the Kara no Kyōkai series, A Study in Murder – Part 2, gives the viewers the answers we wanted. Everything about the film is brilliantly suspenseful, intense, and mysterious, and the animation is simply the best ever as far as I am concerned. There could not have been a better conclusion to one of the best film series ever made.

31: Rear Window

Rear Window is, hand down, the most suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat film I have ever seen! In fact, it is the film that expanded my view of what suspense is and how it can be used to brilliant effect, so it should be no surprise that it was made by none other than the Master of Suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock. In terms of pure direction and filmmaking quality, few films rival Hitchcock’s Rear Window.

Rear Window Review

Please check back tomorrow for my review of Seven Samurai, and let me know what you think of my picks in the comments below.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 100 Movies: Part 7

My Top 100 Movies list continues with yet another set of ten. Now we are getting to the best of the best, the Top 50. Please remember that these are my FAVORITE movies. Even though critics might not like a few of these movies, they are the ones that I personally own and watch more than once, and considering how few movies I will rewatch, that is saying something.

At Number 50: Ghostbusters

"If there's something strange in your neighborhood Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!" From the classic theme song to the hilarious and memorable quotes there is so much to like in Ghostbusters. When it comes to comedies, few rival this classic of the genre. Bill Murray’s deadpan performance along with perfect comedic timing is the driving force behind most of the unforgettable humor. In addition, the plot is surprisingly clever for a comedy. 

Ghostbusters Review.

At Number 49: The Amazing Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-Man is an excellent and mostly accurate adaptation of my favorite superhero origin story, but also gave it something new and fun. As great as Tobey Maguire was in the role, Andrew Garfield is the quintessential Peter Parker. He embodies almost all aspects of the character perfectly. Even though the film feels a little incomplete due to the changes made on the editing table, it certainly lives up to its “Amazing” title. Of course, a lot of readers will probably disagree about the film's ranking, but it is one of the few films that I actually own on Blu-Ray, and one of the movies that I rewatch, thus the ranking as one of my favorites.

The Amazing Spider-Man Review.

At Number 48: The Lego Movie

It takes a lot for western animated film to impress me, and The Lego Movie certain succeeded. From the creative and clever plot, to the hilarious gags and geeky references. If you loved Legos as a kid, there should be absolutely no reason why you will not love The Lego Movie, it is pure fun and entertainment.
The Lego Movie

At Number 47: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

After watching Sergio Leone's other Spaghetti Westerns, which, while good, were a little disappointing, my expectations for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly were rather low. To my surprise however, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly turned out to be one of the best westerns and films of all-time. Sergio Leone used his unique directorial style to great effect throughout the film, and Clint Eastwood’s cool demeanor and humorous wit added a lot to the film.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Review.

At Number 46: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Some love it, others hate it, but as a hardcore Indiana Jones fan, the Temple of Doom is still a blast! Spielberg and Lucas did not take the easy route and rehash Raiders' story and tone, but instead, he took a chance that they should be applauded for. Some plot elements and action scenes are a little too unbelievable compared to the utter brilliance of the original, yet the Temple of Doom is still a lot of fun.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Review.

At Number 45: Skyfall

Considering that Skyfall was the big 50th Anniversary celebration of the legendary James Bond film series, there was a lot riding on Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig, and they did not disappoint. Skyfall is, quite possibly, the best James Bond film to date, although I still prefer Casino Royale. It delved deeper into what a man with gun can do in an age of computers. In addition, Skyfall provided a new beginning for the franchise as well as paying homage to many films from James Bond’s past. Hopefully Sam Mendes and Daniel Craig can pull another high quality James Bond film next year!

Skyfall (23rd Bond film) Review: Part 1.

Skyfall Review: Part 2.

At Number 44: Fight Club

Fight Club is the ultimate guy movie. That is not to say that women cannot enjoy it as well, but there is a lot more to relate to for the male audience with the sheer amount of testosterone and manliness. Manliness aside, Fight Club is one of those movies that surprises you by the end, and it makes you to rewatch just so that you understand everything that happened. *Possible Spoiler* It carefully crafted to build up to the twist and then everything makes sense. *End Spoiler* Also, if you missed it, you can read my full review by clicking here.

At Number 43: Memento

Memento is the film that put Christopher Nolan on the map. Plot wise, Memento might be Nolan's tightest and most flawless film to date. Telling the story of Leonard, a man suffering from anterograde amnesia, which prevents him from creating new memories, is searching for the man that murdered his wife

At Number 42: Ip Man

Ip Man is like Hong Kong's Rocky, except a lot more inspirational (for me at least) and with higher stakes. From the superb performances, to the mind-blowingly amazing fight sequences that may be the best fight sequence ever put to film, Ip Man is a foreign film that you will be remiss not to see, plus it is on Netflix right now.

At Number 41: Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke is, essentially, the Japanese version of the Lord of the Rings. It has an epic story, epic battles, brilliant animation, and an intriguing mythos. Despite having made many truly brilliant films, Princess Mononoke is Hayao Miyazaki's and Studio Ghibli’s masterpiece. Even though the environmentalist overtone are a little overstated, Princess Mononoke is no less of a stunning fantasy epic that everyone should at least watch once.
Princess Mononoke Review

Please check back tomorrow for my review of the 45th movie on the list, Memento, and Friday for my review of Ip Man. Also, please let me know know what you think of my picks in the comments below.

P.S. Sorry for still not replying to comments. The recovery time on my arm is taking much longer than expected.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 100 Movies: Part 6

My Top 100 Movies list continues onward with more of my favorite movies. 

At Number 60: The Dark Knight Rises

Oh man, some people are going to flip out because of how low or high The Dark Knight Rises is on my list. Even though the movie is very enjoyable, hence the placing on this list, and I was crazy about it after watching it in theaters, after every repeat viewing the movie gets worse and worse to the point that I almost want to consider it a guilty pleasure. At the time of first watching it, I even considered it better than The Dark Knight, yet every time I watch it, I find something else not to like. Despite the glaring flaws and a near complete lack of emotional involvement, the movie is entertaining and well filmed from a technical standpoint. Also, by the time I revise this list, I doubt that the movie will even make it....

 The Dark Knight Rises Review.

At Number 59: Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, aka Knockin' on Heaven's Door, retains the style and memorable characters of the Cowboy Bebop series except with a movie scale plot, improved animation, and even better action scenes than the series. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is one of the only anime film that I have seen that is similar to many of America's action films, which is a positive in my book. Additionally, since the movie takes place within the series continuity and not afterwards, it can serve as a fun introduction to the Cowboy Bebop universe, which my brother Jacob can attest to because he never watched the series and enjoyed the movie for the most part. However, watching the series first is preferable.

At Number 58: Inglourious B*sterds

Inglourious is the first Quentin Tarantino film I have seen, but certainly not the last. The dialogue is sharp, witty, and full of tension, thanks to some well timed moments of humor supported by fantastic performances from the ensemble cast. Not only is Tarantino’s brilliant satirical stroke of genius one of my favorites films, hence the placing on this list, but it is my favorite war films as well. However, the film is certainly not for everyone, or most people for that matter.

At Number 57: Gladiator

Gladiator, one of Ridley Scott's many amazing films and possibly his best. While not based on any actual historical events, Scott’s Best Picture winning historical epic is a visually stunning take on the Roman era. Russell Crowe’s breakthrough and Oscar winning performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius is still my favorite role from the actor. Despite the potentially heavy subject matter, Scott manages to make an entertaining film. How could I not be entertained!?

Gladiator (2000) Review.

At Number 56: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time provides a new and unique take on the time-travel genre. Time-travel is an incredibly difficult genre to accomplish successfully, yet Mamoru Hosoda nails it perfectly with his adaptation of the novel of the same name. The film is surprisingly relatable with the main character using her mysterious new time-travel power not to get rich or change the world, but to have fun and cheat on tests, which probably what most high-schoolers would do with that power. In the end, however, the movie is great character story and one that should be experienced by all.The Girl Who Leapt Through Time Review

At Number 55: Batman Begins

The first chapter in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy started from the beginning, with Batman's origin, hence the title. While many cite Christian Bale’s portrayal of the Caped Crusader as the highlight of the film, to me Gary Oldman's performance as Commissioner Gordon proved to be the most real and likable character throughout the trilogy. 

Batman Begins Review.

At Number 54: The Good, the Bad, the Weird

The Good, the Bad, the Weird, is, hands down, my second favorite action comedy! Taking inspiration from one of my favorite westerns, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The Good, the Bad, the Weird throws in a lot of Asian flare and style that sets it well apart from the original. Sure, the story is not the most complex, but it is action packed and positively hilarious! All in all, the film is just plain fun.

At Number 53: The Prestige

Before Christopher Nolan directed The Dark Knight and Inception, he made a lesser known film named The Prestige. This is the kind of film that you will either love or hate depending on how you take the big plot twist, and obviously, I loved it. Nolan really out did himself with The Prestige. In fact, the author of the book that the movie was based on even stated that while different from his book, Nolan did a far superior job than he could have ever done.

The Prestige Review

At Number 52: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Not until two years ago had I even seen a single Harry Potter film, but the franchise enchanted me nonetheless. While the preceding Harry Potter films are great, the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was the epic finale that the franchise deserved. Almost everything was wrapped up nicely without the movie trying to setup an unnecessary sequel. However, that makes me no less excited for the upcoming spinoff in the next few years!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Review

At Number 51: Some Like It Hot

One of the funniest movies ever made and the best from blonde bombshell Marilyn Monroe, Some Like It Hot is the essence of hilarity. Thanks to comedic duo Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis, the film constantly delivers laughs throughout its two hour runtime. If you have any interest in classic screwball comedies, go watch Some Like It Hot, it is a classic of the genre. Sure it isn't a perfect movie, but "Well, nobody's perfect."

Some Like It Hot

Please check back tomorrow for the review of my 55th favorite movie, The Good, the Bad, the Weird, and let me know what you think of my choices.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

Top 100 Movies: Part 5

After a long hiatus, my Top 100 Movies list continues, and since my last post, there have been some sizable changes, so look for the fully updated list after everything is posted.

At Number 71: Clue

Clue is a fun movie, a really fun movie. It is clever, entertaining, quotable, and often hilarious, and unlike most mystery movies, it is rewatchable since it is more of a comedy than anything else. In addition, Clue is a "Cult Classic" of sorts because some people might not get it or the humor, but those that do, can really enjoy it, especially if you watch it with friends or family, or have played the board game (my favorite board game in fact).

At Number 70: Hot Fuzz

Another film from the genius mind of Edgar Wright, Hot Fuzz is a brilliant, and often hilarious, satire on buddy cop and action films in general. Somehow, the movie manages to tell an intriguing mystery plot that can be taken seriously, while, at the same time, making fun of the genre and its clichés.
Note: Yes, I realize that Hott Fuzz appeared earlier on the list, and since my review, I have decided that I ranked way too low.

At Number 69: The Wolverine

Despite the lackluster final act, The Wolverine is a vastly underappreciated character piece by James Mangold and Hugh Jackman that delves deep into the identity and motivation of the character. Being based on the iconic Japan set Silver Samurai comic-arc, the film adapted the best elements and themes of the original story while simultaneously rectifying the problems with the previous X-Men films. In addition, the film did not whitewash the cast and kept the heavy Japanese influences, which was a nice touch. 

The Wolverine Review

At Number 68: Blade Runner (Final and Original Cut)

Blade Runner is a unique blend of noir, sci-fi, and a classic hardboiled detective story. While Ridley Scott's take on 2015 does not appear to be very realistic compared to the current times, it was a unique and original take on what the future might look like, which many science fiction works have since copied. Despite the debate about the three different cuts of Blade Runner, I enjoyed both the Final and Original cut, although the Final Cut works slightly better.

Blade Runner Review.

At Number 67: Jaws

*John Williams music* Who can argue that Jaws shouldn't make this list? It is a film everyone should see at least once and a true classic. Steven Spielberg demonstrates once again his filmmaking mastery in Jaws. If you are an aspiring filmmaker you can learn a lot from Jaws, which is one of best directed films of all-time.

Jaws Review

At Number 66: Psycho

Even with a slow first half, Psycho is one of the most shocking and suspenseful movies ever made. Possibly Hitchcock's most influential film, it basically invented the "Horror/Slasher" genre. Psycho is genuinely creepy at times, from the iconic shower scene to the shocking twist at the end; Psycho is one of Hitchcock’s many masterpieces of suspense.

Psycho (1960) Review.

At Number 65: Paprika

Before Inception perfected mind-bending dream movies, Paprika was the best out there with many original concepts that can be seen in Inception. Unfortunately, Paprika was Satoshi Kon's last film before his passing, but he sure went out with a bang. While Paprika can be utterly confusing at times, it is the type of film that you can just roll with the craziness, and it actually manages to mostly make sense in the end. Also, Madhouse's animation is simply spectacular in HD!

At Number 64: The Usual Suspects

One of Bryan Singer's first films continues to be one of his best, and it proves to be every bit as classic as the hype claims it is. From the mystery to the plot twists, The Usual Suspects is a riveting mystery that is aided by Kevin Spacey's Oscar winning performance. To not spoil anything for the readers that have not seen the film, let me just say that you should go watch it if you are old enough!

At Number 63: Vertigo

Often considered one of Alfred Hitchcock's best films, Vertigo has the best pure mystery element in any of his films, and that is saying a lot. James Stewart's performance was reliably fantastic in yet another amazing role. Vertigo is one of the first mind benders that truly tests your intelligence with so many plot twists and turns that will almost leave you in a daze. As with most mysteries however, it is not a movie that can be rewatched often.

At Number 62: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon completely took me by surprise. I never expected it to have such amazingly choreographed action scenes and an epic and involving story. I have always been a fan of the art of fight choreography and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is two hours of visually stunning and expertly executed fight choreography, yet it never forgets about the plot. Back when I first watched the movie, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was one of my first introductions to Asian cinema, and it was certainly a great place to start.

At Number 61: The Terminator

*Cue Terminator music* James Cameron's directorial debut may just be the best debut ever with the original Terminator. While Terminator may be overshadowed by its superior sequel, the original one still holds excellently as a suspenseful action thriller. Despite some ludicrous time traveling logic, the plot is original and expertly paced. Schwarzenegger was perfect for emotionless robotic antagonist, The Terminator, which is still his most famous role to date.

The Terminator Review.

Please comment with what you thought of the list and please check back tomorrow for my review of Paprika.

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.