10. THE DEPARTED (2006)
Scorsese, DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson, Baldwin, Sheen, and Mark Fucking Wahlberg. In what was one of the greatest casted movies of all time, this remake of Infernal Affairs hits it out of the park with stellar performances and raucous entertainment throughout. DiCaprio and Damon will have you yearning for what occurs next as they embark on an insane undercover operation where any subtle mistake will give away their facade.
Moreover, Mark Wahlberg as Sergeant Dignam will forever go down as a top 5 microwave performance as he does not waste a single frame. On the flipside, Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Frank Costello is mesmerizing and outright unhinged. Every moment he’s on screen, he creates a feeling of unease with us because he can fly off the handle at any point. Stylistically not Scorsese’s best by a far margin, he does an impeccable job averting expectations with a record very-late title card appearance and deaths you will never see coming.
The Departed, in retrospect, was indeed the best choice for the Best Picture Academy Award, which isn’t always the case with the Oscars. This film gives endless memorable quotes from Wahlberg and Nicholson while cementing itself as an all-time great. Taking the journey with Scorsese’s all-star cast, you will fly through it’s two and a half hour run time. Will YOU personally like this movie? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe go fuck yourself.
9. LA Confidential (1997)
If you love detective stories, then how about three in one movie? LA Confidential is a complex, neo-noir set in the glory days of cinema (the 50’s). The reason I admire this movie is because of the contrast between Detectives Exley (Guy Pearce), Vincennes (Kevin Spacey), and White (Russell Crowe). Brian Helgeland‘s Oscar-winning adaptation of James Elroy‘s novel cleverly tip toes the line of grit and glam as the three detectives’ methods of solving crimes creates a simmering friction among the entire police force and a prostitution ring. The three leads’ performances are very strong. Crowe’s machismo and Pearce’s straight-laced cop provide the audience with an interesting thematic crossroad. Kevin Spacey plays a sordid detective whom desires fame, with the help of the always pleasant Danny DeVito. Each takes matters into their own hands, creating the spine for an awesome dissection into character and crime.
Once the plot gets going, which is rather quickly, we give ourselves to the the web of deceit that is soon to come. We explore LA’s affluent and ghetto neighborhoods, trying to piece together relationships and clues to the infamous Night Owl murders. Did I mention Kim Basinger won an Oscar for her performance? Kim’s Lynn Bracken is delightfully mysterious and blunt at the same time, forcing us to catch anything that might uncover a clue to what she might possibly be up to. Additionally, the supporting characters exceed their expectations and stereotypes, putting us in a trance we can’t get out of until the finale.
This film tackles everything I love: mystery, deceit, and crime. It will keep you guessing until the very end. The violence is perfectly realistic and the performances are exceptionally nuanced, rewarding a re=watch immediately after. A+ writing, acting and directing, LA Confidential is a masterclass in filmmaking. Huge shout out to Curtis Hanson for this divine piece of cinema.
8. The Big Lebowski (1998)
A Coen brothers masterpiece, The Big Lebowski is in the upper echelon of comedies. The film follows The Dude, one of the most iconic characters of all time. Alongside him is the equally transfixing Vietnam war vet, Walter Sobchak. These two make for the most hilarious duo in cinema history. Jeff Bridges and John Goodman‘s chemistry is once in a lifetime, every line, every ad-lib, on point and delivered to perfection. Beneath all of what is those two is a mystery that makes no sense. And it doesn’t have to. We are so invested in the characters by the time the mystery kicks in, we’re already in for the ride. From Steve Buscemi to another Coen Brother’s staple, John Turturro, we are fed a delicious meal and then dessert even though we didn’t ask for it.
The overall aesthetic allows you to disappear back into the 90s bowling alleys, pungent with smoke and sweat. On the contrary, Roger Deakins‘ photography is like a breath of fresh air. The dream sequences are electrifying and dizzying.
I could literally watch this film any day of the week. You can attribute that to the Coen’s ability to garner re-watches for symbolism and deliberate nuances. This is a timeless picture and should be forever worshiped throughout history.
7. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
In what I consider to be Matt Damon‘s best performance ever, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a film that flies under the radar to my dismay. Tom Ripley (Damon), is recruited by Herb Greenleaf (James Rebhorn) to convince his son, Dickie (Jude Law) to come back to America. Easier said than done as Ripley eventually befriends Dickie and his girlfriend, Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). This film has twists and turns like no other. You know exactly what’s going on while the subjects plod along, unaware of the horror they will (or will not) encounter.
Every actor in this movie is fantastic and captivating. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is hands down, the best pompous windbag I’ve seen in film. Paltrow shows off her dramatic chops as the film goes along. Cate Blanchett is the cherry on the top as she is on the outside looking in on Tom Ripley’s perceived life. Oh and I can’t forget..JAZZ!!!
To the the late Anthony Minghella: bravo to you, sir. In what is essentially a complicated story, Minghella leaves a crumb trail for the casual viewer. Plus, the fact we root for Damon by the end is a feat in itself.
6. The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Usual Suspects is the film that made me fall in love with movies. The dialogue is music to my ears. This is a top-tier psychological thriller that delivers gut-wrenching revelations as we follow five criminals as they attempt to stick it to the cops. Christopher McQuarrie‘s Oscar winning script paired with Kevin Spacey‘s award winning performance spearhead this gritty cast with effortless chemistry.
From the opening frame, we are succumbed to the story, glued to the mysterious man walking along the pier. Then we flash forward to being introduced to Benicio Del Toro, Kevin Pollack, Gabriel Byrne and Stephen Baldwin, along with Spacey. My favorite part of the film is the reveal of information and how it is revealed. The Usual Suspects is a mystery where every plot detail is essential to the final revelation. The clever screenwriting continually compels us to the point we’re hanging on every word.
Overall, the film is enjoyable, smart and captivating from the beginning. The suspense and chemistry between the team is grossly overlooked as well. This is a must-watch movie before you die and definitely deserves a re-watch.
5. Mulholland Dr. (2001)
David Lynch‘s 2001 masterpiece was the first film to really haunt me. His imagery and fantastical characters were unlike anything I’ve ever seen in cinema. Upon first viewing, I’d be surprised if “what the fuck is going on?” isn’t your reaction to most scenes. But damn this is a beautifully photographed film and includes a small role by Billy Ray Cyrus.
Naomi Watts‘ shines in her breakout role as a wide-eyed actress looking to strike it big in Los Angeles. Her range is put on full display as Lynch expertly directs her to heights Watts’ never expected to reach. Her counterpart, Laura Harring, dazzles as an amnesic woman who finds herself befriending Watts’ character after a car accident in the Hollywood hills. She plays her role with elegance and fragility alongside Watts. Other familiar faces (Justin Theroux, Patrick Fischler) appear in the film, each bringing their own surrealist elements to what is one of the best films ever made.
Mulholland Dr. is a must-watch for it’s storytelling and importance in cinema history. Rewatchable beyond measure, Lynch’s ability to scare, create unease and use sound design are essential to one of the best in the mystery genre. Don’t be a douchebag and watch this movie!!!
4. SE7EN (1995)
David Fincher is my second favorite filmmaker of all time and this is my second favorite Fincher film. A detective thriller that revolutionizes the genre, SE7EN is riveting from start to finish. During the movie, we follow two detectives, one almost out the door (Morgan Freeman) and a young gun (Brad Pitt), searching for a serial killer whose macabre techniques strike unease in our viewing.
Pitt and Freeman both give reserved performances as the two leads as they search for the killer, until the end.. They are constantly a step behind the psychopath while each struggles with their own ghost. Gwyneth Paltrow plays yet another supporting character as Pitt’s wife, whom constantly battles with Pitt about living in the big city of Los Angeles. All performances deliver and accentuate the climax of the film as we slowly discover what is truly occurring.
Fincher gives an absolute masterclass in directing (in his second feature FYI). Se7en lands on a lot of top 10 lists and rightfully so. It is extremely hard to make a procedural exciting and the people who worked on this make it look easy. This is a true work of art and filmmaking; unlimitedly rewatchable.
3. Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl is the adaptation of Gillian Flynn‘s best-selling novel by the same name. This film is the epitome of a film I aspire to make one day. It is dark, maniacal, and unnerving. In my opinion, Fincher‘s best work to date, this is the story of a narcissistic couple and their fallacies to remain spontaneous in their relationship—until Amy (Rosamund Pike) goes missing.
Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) shoulders most of the load as a bar owner who has to deal with the aftermath of his wife going missing. While the police investigate, Nick is forced to deal with the media and the outside world pressuring him from all fronts. With characters played by Emily Ratajkowski, Neil Patrick-Harris and Tyler Perry, Gone Girl is loaded with talent. The overall tone and manner of which Fincher directs the film is what makes me infatuated about it.
A psychological crime thriller for the ages, Rosamund Pike is the standout performer and was nominated for an Oscar for it. Each reveal is done at the right moment and every actor excels in their role. Huge shoutout to Gillian Flynn, the mastermind behind the screenplay as I will continue to follow her career. Gone Girl is gruesome and delightful.
2. Vertigo (1958)
Arguably Alfred Hitchcock‘s best movie, originally a box office failure, Vertigo has resurrected itself in recent years as one of the best of all time. A film filled with easter eggs and a profound use of color, Hitchcock does what he does best. The master of suspense entices the audience to become detectives ourselves as we try to solve the mystery that is Gavin Elster’s wife (Kim Novak).
As per usual, James Stewart‘s performance is GREAT. He suffers from vertigo and discovers it in one of the worst ways possible when the movie begins. He decides to quit being a detective but is shortly spun back into a job when his old friend Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore) requires Stewart to follow his wife. This proves to be deadly as the beautiful Madeleine (Kim Novak) has secrets no one can ever know. Hitchcock’s lingering camera is an additional character, squeezing out every last ounce of mise-en-scene he can.
From start to finish, I was invested in the story, all while exceeding expectations. Vertigo is a blueprint for a perfect movie. It’s a movie you must watch immediately although it doesn’t leave you with a great taste on your mouth but the visceral reaction you receive is worth every minute of runtime. An all-time great for a reason!!
1. Chinatown (1974)
The best script of all time, and in my opinion, the best movie. Chinatown is a mystery thriller that has character and unlimited symbolism embedded into its fabric. A story of deception, power and duality, it was ultimately the most enjoyable film for me to watch I’ve ever seen. Behind the backdrop of 1940s Los Angeles, Roman Polanski‘s texture of the environment alone is a spectacle.
Lead by J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson) and Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway), the rest of the cast steps up to the plate (John Huston, Perry Lopez and others). The prime years of Nicholson and Dunaway are on full display in Chinatown, as their relationship simmers throughout the story. Nicholson plays a private investigator, enjoying the finer things in life. He is hilariously put through a series of facades that lead to Dunaway’s Mulwray and it is there where the magic begins to happen. His journey dictates that water is not essential to life, but essential to death.
Chinatown‘s legacy will live on forever in my heart and is a perfect film that I can watch anytime, any day. An eventual loser to the Godfather Pt. 2 for Best Picture in 1975, Robert Towne‘s winning screenplay is the MVP of the film. He emphasizes a second, third and fourth rewatch. One day I’ll get the chance to watch this in a theatre and you’ll want to come too!!
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959), INGLORIOUS BASTERDS (2009), THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971), THE STING (1973), REAR WINDOW (1954), SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS (2012), THE GODFATHER (1972), INHERENT VICE (2014), BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997), BOURNE ULTIMATUM (2007), CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002), OCEAN’S 11 (2001).
APEX MOUNTAIN MOTION PICTURES 