Move over silly rom-coms and special effects aided super heroes. We are talking about masterpieces for movies that have, through years, left us awestruck with their surreal storytelling, brutally honest direction and compelling acting. These are ageless classics that command a standing ovation every time! In case you have not seen any of them, we suggest you drop whatever the hell you are doing, rent their DVDs and get prepared to be wowed like we did!
TOP 5 MOVIES FROM 4 GENRES THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN ALREADY
GENRE: Drama
01.Casablanca (1942)
When Humphrey Bogart romanced Ingrid Bergman in this World War II romantic drama, little had they imagined that their movie would go down in history as one of the greatest celluloid accomplishments. The movie grabbed three Oscars while its theme music and dialogues were iconized.
When Humphrey Bogart romanced Ingrid Bergman in this World War II romantic drama, little had they imagined that their movie would go down in history as one of the greatest celluloid accomplishments.
02.12Angry Men (1957)
In a trial room drama, jury comprising of 12 jurors are convinced of a young man’s crime of killing his father, question their prejudices and overturn their decision. The 12 Angry Men is a treat to watch for its compulsive arguments and narrative points of view, which are mostly conflicting.
In a trial room drama, jury comprising of 12 jurors are convinced of a young man’s crime of killing his father, question their prejudices and overturn their decision.
03.The Godfather (1972)
If there was ever a movie that did not need an introduction then The Godfather would be it. Mario Puzo’s brilliantly written novel, when made into a movie by Mr Coppola, made the story and the characters immortals. Marlong Brando as Corleone crime family’s head is a treat to watch! And Al Pacino? #RESPECT
We cannot keep Steven Spielberg out of a best movies list, now can we? Based on a novel by Thomas Keneally, the movie is about how Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) saves the lives of more than thousand Polish jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.
04.Schindler’s List (1972)
We cannot keep Steven Spielberg out of a best movies list, now can we? Based on a novel by Thomas Keneally, the movie is about how Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) saves the lives of more than thousand Polish jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. Spielberg was lauded for his true and honest depiction of World War II. Truly a must-watch!
Based on a novel by Thomas Keneally, the movie is about how Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson) saves the lives of more than thousand Polish jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories.
05.The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Based on a novel by Stephen King, the epic tells the story of Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, and how he befriends everyone at Shawshank prison after being wrongfully sentenced for killing his wife. Frank Darabont’s direction and characterization is genius!
Based on a novel by Stephen King, the epic tells the story of Andy Dufresne, played by Tim Robbins, and how he befriends everyone at Shawshank prison after being wrongfully sentenced for killing his wife.
GENRE:Comedy
01.Young Frankenstein (1974)
What is with the 70s and funny movies? Another rib-tickler, Young Frankenstein is a spoof of various movie adaptations of the original Frankenstein book. To keep true to the first movie, the director shot the movie entirely in black and white. The plot revolves around the grandchild of the infamous Dr Victor Frankenstein, the nutty scientist who brought about the monster in this world.
What is with the 70s and funny movies? Another rib-tickler, Young Frankenstein is a spoof of various movie adaptations of the original Frankenstein book.
02.Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Yes, British know how to be funny and MPATHG proves just that. The movie parodies the legend of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail while its cast comprises mainly of the English comedy group, Month Python. Timeless and gut-splitting funny!
The movie parodies the legend of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail while its cast comprises mainly of the English comedy group, Month Python. Timeless and gut-splitting funny!
03.Animal House (1978)
What do you get when you slap a movie idea to a funny magazine? Yes, you get Animal House. A spinoff of National Lampoon Magazine stories, the plot talks about a misfit group of fraternity members who challenge the dean of their college. After spending a meagre $2.8 million, the movie ended up making $141 million, making it one of the most profitable movies in history.
Yes, you get Animal House. A spinoff of National Lampoon Magazine stories, the plot talks about a misfit group of fraternity members who challenge the dean of their college.
04.Airplane (1980)
Anything with Leslie Nielson in it is bound to make you laugh till you get cramps, but Airplane took it to previously unheard of levels! The flick is by-and-large a parody of a disaster film called Zero Hour from which it borrows its plot and characters. Airplane was a runaway blockbuster globally and also won a Golden Globe nomination!
Anything with Leslie Nielson in it is bound to make you laugh till you get cramps, but Airplane took it to previously unheard of levels!
05.Tootsie
Dustin Hoffman in a comedy? Really, you say? Then you obviously have not seen Tootsie. It’s the granddaddy (or grandmamma) of Mrs Doubtfire and one that started a-guy-dressing-like-a-woman-and-managing-to-make-the-audience-bursts-into-uncontrollable-bouts-of-laughter trend. It’s funny as hell, seriously!
It’s the granddaddy (or grandmamma) of Mrs Doubtfire and one that started a-guy-dressing-like-a-woman-and-managing-to-make-the-audience-bursts-into-uncontrollable-bouts-of-laughter trend. It’s funny as hell, seriously!
GENRE:Action
01.Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
It’s Spielberg again– with a little bit of George Lucas thrown in! Harrison Ford played the swashbuckling, adventurous Indiana Jones and the rest is, we can safely say, history. Larger-than-life sets, beautifully sequenced action scenes and witty overtones made this movie one of the highest grossing movies of all time.
Harrison Ford played the swashbuckling, adventurous Indiana Jones and the rest is, we can safely say, history. Larger-than-life sets, beautifully sequenced action scenes and witty overtones made this movie one of the highest grossing movies of all time.
02.Saving Private Ryan (1998)
There is so much Spielberg happening here that we could make him a standalone genre. Though technically a war-drama movie, Saving Private Ryan has to be mentioned here for its unusually honest depiction of war during the invasion of Normandy. Tom Hanks is seeing doing what he does best… acting par excellence to the point of it being a fault.
Though technically a war-drama movie, Saving Private Ryan has to be mentioned here for its unusually honest depiction of war during the invasion of Normandy.
03.Galdiator (2000)
“Are you entertained?” Damn, we are! There are movies and then there are Ridley Scott movies. And Gladiator is clearly one of his best. We could not stop repeating Maximus Decimus Meridius’ lines and so wished that he didn’t die in the end. The movie went on to win five Academy Awards; but Ridley Scott went back empty handed. How preposterous!
There are movies and then there are Ridley Scott movies. And Gladiator is clearly one of his best. We could not stop repeating Maximus Decimus Meridius’ lines and so wished that he didn’t die in the end.
04. The Lord of the rings: Return of the King (2003)
Tolkien’s trilogy, sceptics said, should not have been adapted on celluloid because how one can imagine the book can never be replaced in a movie. But then Peter Jackson did just that and shut up the critics. Not that the first two parts were any less dazzling, however the third offering just took everyone’s breath away. Larger-than-life sets and graphics, magnificent storytelling and memorable performances made Return of the King DVD a collectible.
Though technically a war-drama movie, Saving Private Ryan has to be mentioned here for its unusually honest depiction of war during the invasion of Normandy.
05.The Dark Knight (2008)
Finally, a superhero movie! Previous hilarious attempts to resurrect Batman were washed aside when Christopher Nolan happened to the franchise. And if that wasn’t sufficient, we had Heath Ledger reprising the role of the sinister Joker to fight the caped and masked Christian Bale. What do we have? An action movie so sumptuous that we can never get enough of it.
There are movies and then there are Ridley Scott movies. And Gladiator is clearly one of his best. We could not stop repeating Maximus Decimus Meridius’ lines and so wished that he didn’t die in the end.
GENRE:Suspense/Thriller
01.Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock was undisputed heavyweight title-holder of the thriller genre and Psycho was his masterstroke. Every tiny bit, each sequence, every dialogue of the movie has been immortalized by movie lovers. Anthony Perkins’ depiction of the disturbed motel owner, Norman Bates, still continues to send chills down viewers’ spines even to this day.
Anthony Perkins’ depiction of the disturbed motel owner, Norman Bates, still continues to send chills down viewers’ spines even to this day.
02.Jaws (1975)
Is he for real? It’s Steven Spielberg again! When a man-eating shark attacks a fictional resort island called Amity Island, all hell breaks loose. Spielberg started a cult of sorts with this one; his depiction of gore and mysterious anticipation of the attack was path-breaking, to say the least. Jaws was the highest grossing movie in history for a long time.
It’s Steven Spielberg again! When a man-eating shark attacks a fictional resort island called Amity Island, all hell breaks loose.
03.The Shining (1980)
Hey, who put this movie here? Actually we did because we couldn’t resist! Based on the genius work of Stephen King, it is more of a horror movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick. Employing traditional slow moving camera tricks to get the audience yelling, The Shining is one of the greatest horror/thriller movies ever.
Actually we did because we couldn’t resist! Based on the genius work of Stephen King, it is more of a horror movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick.
04. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Let’s admit it, whoever has seen this one has got goose-bumps at some point or another during the movie. Anthony Hopkins plays the brilliant criminal Dr Hannibal Lecter who helps Jodie Foster’s character solve a murder/kidnapping mystery. Bordering horror, it won Oscars in Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, Screenplay categories. No way can it be missed.
Anthony Hopkins plays the brilliant criminal Dr Hannibal Lecter who helps Jodie Foster’s character solve a murder/kidnapping mystery.
05.Pulp Fiction (1994)
Quentin Tarantino is a master craftsmen; no denying that. But with Pulp Fiction, he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (metaphorically speaking). The dark comedy thriller was an instant hit with audiences globally for its eclectic mix of humour and violence, nonlinear storyline and a host of pop culture references. It’s a thriller flick with loads of attitude.
The dark comedy thriller was an instant hit with audiences globally for its eclectic mix of humour and violence, nonlinear storyline and a host of pop culture references. It’s a thriller flick with loads of attitude.
