Total Film's Top 100

Martin Scorsese has made many cinematic masterpieces in his career, but his greatest achievement is GoodFellas. Marty's creative film-making techniques and editing is what mainly makes the film so brilliant. He also brings out terrific performances from everyone of his cast, especially Pesci as the psychotic Tommy and De Niro as the cool Jimmy. GoodFellas takes the audience to places other gangster films will shy away from. A first-hand look at organised crime. GoodFellas is a film made by the greatest director in his best ever form. Perhaps the best movie ever?

A magnificent, complex, chilling, confusing film by the master of suspense. Like 'Chinatown' there are many twists which you can get lost in but it all makes sense in the end. Great performances by Stewart and Novak with terrific camera work that adds to the suspense, and a great score like 'Psycho'.

Like 'Psycho', its iconic score alone scares the audience. This film was able to keep people from swimming for many years. That's the mark of a great film maker, Spielberg should be proud.

Gritty, well-made thriller/black-comedy about materialism domination over a new generation of young people and their conflict. Excellent performances and expert direction and editing provide for a bleak miserable but also entertaining experience.

The best sequel ever made. Part I was about a man's inner struggle and change, how he attains power. In Part II he is a ruthless leader who rules with an iron fist. Pacino's portrayal as the tortured Michael is the best acting performance ever, while De Niro as young Vito is also compelling. Coppola's artistic direction excels that of Part I as he is able to weave two stories together in comparison with one-another. The film has a dark and sinister feel which is grimmer than Part I. It's a masterpiece.

Is Citizen Kane really the Greatest Film Ever? Is it really better than Kubrick's 2001? Or Scorsese's Raging Bull? Or 2 Godfather masterpieces? Or Jackson's Lord of the Rings? It isn't easy naming the Greatest Film Ever because there are several great films that are on the same level of greatness. It's subjective. In my opinion Kane isn't better than any of the aforementioned films, but there is no doubting that this is a masterpiece. The AFI twice named Kane as The Greatest, and that reflects that this film, which is over 60 years old, has held up well over time. It deserves its place in movie history as a great film. It's about the story of the life and times of a millionaire tycoon. The great thing about the film is the cinematography, with its innovating use of deep-focus photography, eerie sillouettes, low-angle shots, and some clever editing for time compression Welles' directorial debut is forever fascinating. It has a great ending.

This is the best of all Star Wars movies. It must have blown 'A New Hope' out of the water when it first came out. This one puts the three prequals to shame...shame prequals, shame! It also has the best ever twist in cinematic history, better than Saw, Fight Club and Planet of the Apes, this twist is so famous that your head might explode while watching it. Such a good movie, BLAHHH!

Stunning and beautiful. This instant masterpiece has terrific characters, compelling story, thrilling sequences (Gandalf fights Balrog: You Shall Not Pass!) and state-of-the-art directing, acting, and cinematography. The music score is beautiful and the New Zealand setting provides an equally beautiful Middle Earth. The acting is fantastic, from Wood's worried facial features, to Blanchett's soulful narration. Truly one of the great films.

Hawks' fast comedy is just about the sharpest film I've seen. Russell and Grant were fantastic. They were so full of energy that it could only be actors with their level of skill who could make their entertaining exchanges work.

It's funny how the greatest example of film-noir comes from the 70s rather than the 40s or 50s. 'Chinatown' has a fantastic multi-layered script involving love, investigation, corruption, and incest. The film is packed with twists and turns that keep on surprising you. The film's hero, Jake Gittes, is played perfectly by Jack Nicholson. He doesn't simply repeat the typical private eye roles of the past (Bogart), but brings his own mannerisms in the performance. It's the best I've seen from him, even better than 'Cuckoo's Nest'. It's a great psychological thriller, beautifully shot by Polanski and written by Towne. It also has a brilliant ending.

Woody again directs a movie with wit and heart. His romance for New York is shown with his great visuals of the city. Great performances from Allen and Diane Keaton and Mariel Hemingway.

Robert De Niro's terrific performance as the lonesome sociopath Travis Bickle drives Martin Scorsese's first masterpiece. Scorsese sets a dark miserable tone in his character study of alienation and sickness.

Magnificent film which demonstrates the value of human life and love. James Stewart's performance is outstanding and shows what a great actor he is with great range. It's touching and gets me teary-eyed.

Lemmon gives one of his best performances in this terrific film by Wilder that demonstrates how a man must decide where his morality lies. Lemmon, as Baxter, is the lovable loser who must make a stand against his boss who takes advantage of him.

One of the best Western, or Spaghetti-Westerns, ever made. Leone continues his fine form from 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly' to this brilliant epic. Like 'The Good...' there are three main male characters: Frank (Fonda), Cheyenne (Robards) and Harmonica (Brosnan). Each of these actors give brilliant performances. Fonda makes a great villain with his sadistic killer, Robards as the ambiguous outlaw, and Brosnan as the mysterious man-with-no-name type. Cardinale is also exceptional as the pretty widow. Leone's direction is mesmerising and uses all his powers to create a grand story.

Music and movement. If done correctly it creates a wonderful piece of imagery for cinema. 'GoodFellas' for example accomplished this, and so has this movie. When you see the opening of this movie you just know you are in for something special. The use of 'The End' by The Doors is just the beginning of several pieces of music and movement which look wonderful. Also, the movie is a masterpiece thanks to its director who decided on a 'Nam film which doesn't focus on the war as much as the main character's mission. Like Scorsese, Coppola achieved 3 masterpieces worthy of being titled the greatest films ever with this and the two Godfathers.

One of the most iconic movies ever, tells the story of the youngest son of a mafia overlord whose initial refusal to become apart of the family's business of crime changes as he is thrown into it after his father is wounded in an attempted assassination. He slowly loses his innocence as he climbs the ranks to become the new leader of the family. This great story is shown in operatic fashion. The haunting music score drives this notion as does Coppola's direction, giving the film a mythical feel, somewhat Shakespearean. The cast is magnificent. Marlon Brando's Vito and Al Pacino's Michael were the two who stood out, but everybody gives career best performances, from James Caan to Dianne Keaton. While the sequel even surpasses this movie's brilliance, I will never forget the greatness of the original and the impact it had on me the first time I watched it. Cinematic royalty.

Hitch once said that he likes to play the audience like a piano, and he certainly did that with 'Rear Window'. The story of a man who spies on his neighbours and believes that one may have committed murder is about the probable disillusionments that may come from obsession and how voyeurism can take over your soul. It has a fantastic build up and climax.

A brilliant satire on Hollywood, directed by Billy Wilder (Some Like it Hot). A former movie queen who's not-all-there and a man who's down on his luck as a screenwriter, meet in an unsual circumstance and she traps him in her web. William Holden and Gloria Swanson are terrific and Wilder's direction creates a dark themed movie with compelling visuals.

A classic comedy that is heads-and-shoulders above any other film where men dress in drag.

Raging Bull follows the career and domestic life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose paranoia leads to his self-destruction. Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese once again leave audiences shocked and amazed. This is both savage and majestic, a true masterpiece by the world's best director/actor collaboration.

Quentin Tarantino's debut film has stood the test of time and can rightly be recognised as a great movie. Los Angeles gangster, Joe Cabot, and his son "Nice Guy" Eddie gather six strangers, using aliases Mr. Blonde, Mr. White, Mr. Pink, Mr. Orange, Mr. Brown and Mr. Blue, to pull off a jewel heist. These are the Reservoir Dogs. After the heist goes wrong, the Dogs soon believe there is a "rat' amongst them and that the heist was a police set-up. But who amongst them is the "rat"? This simple plot sets up for a perfect vehicle for Tarantino. Using only a few locations and a minimum use of props and costumes, QT is able to cram a range of ingredients into only 99 minutes. This is a good example where sometimes less is more. The dialogue is irreverent yet entertaining, which has since become a regular trait in Tarantino films. In the opening sequence where we see the Dogs gathered around a diner table, they discuss what may seem like random conversations about tipping waitresses and what is the true lyrical meaning of Madonna's 'Like A Virgin'. However, subtlety, QT is revealing everything we need to know about the gangsters. For example, Mr. Pink's rant about not tipping gives genuine insight into his weaselly psyche. Mr. Blonde jokingly suggests shooting Mr. White, which is an indication of his psychotic murderous nature. So the dialogue is not only for entertainment value. Another Tarantino trait that features here is that the film is not shown chronologically. He messes with the structure, jumping to the getaway from the crime scene, to the planning of the heist, to the present where the Dogs come to grips with the botched heist. We never see the actual heist. The cast, featuring some of the most underrated character actors are flawless. Harvey Keitel (Mr. White) is fierce and sets the standard for the other castmembers. Steve Buscemi is at his paranoid weaselly best as Mr. Pink, who demands that the other Dogs act "professional" and suspects anyone could be the rat. Michael Madsen is the psychotic monsterous Mr. Blonde. He creates one of the all time memorable movie villains thanks to one scene in which he tortures a cop while dancing to Steeler's Wheel's 'Stuck in the Middle With You'. 'Reservoir Dogs' really succeeds because of the character construction, the brilliant writing and directing talents of Tarantino, and the amazing acting skills of its cast.

The one that started it all. A great story with fun characters and a thrilling adventure.

This is one of the most uniquely fascinating films I've seen. The plot-structure is incredible, the special effects are mindblowing, and the story is almost incomprehensible. The themes explored are of life and humanity. Stanley Kubrickhas here created an absolute masterpiece and leaves us with a lot of unanswered questions. A brilliant psychedelic sci-fi odyssey.

(Great music too).

Britain's greatest comic team at their funniest. Great take on the King Arthur story.

Spielberg shows he is the king when it comes to films of wonder. A heart-warming movie for all ages.

Makes me sad, but it's great

The story about a cop tracking down a crook might sound cliche, but 'Heat' is so much more than that. It's about the similarities between two men on opposite sides of the law, how dedicated they are at what they do, how their work means more to them than their women, how remarkably professional and how good they are at their jobs. They form a mutual and genuine respect for one another, and who could be more perfect at playing these characters than Al Pacino and Robert De Niro?

Michael Mann's cinematography is just as
important to the film. He shoots silhouettes that symbolise isolation. He uses loud cracking gun-shots in the street shoot-out to create realism. That scene, the shoot-out, is one of the best executed action scenes ever. Watch Val Kilmer reload his weapon with preciseness. Or how even cops, and not just crooks, get shot while there is a gun battle.

This film is about choices. There is no black and white/right and wrong, just the decisions you make and the consequences that come from it. At times you cheer for De Niro's character rather than Pacino's. That is how Heat is.

A witty and intelligent romantic-comedy in which Woody succeeds in using clever techniques to create classic humour. A cross between 'When Harry Met Sally' and 'Seinfeld', and has influenced many other comedies.

It's not Scorsese's first film, but it's the first film that he introduces us to his trademark movie-making techniques; a gangster story, New York setting, Italian-American life, a doco-style of story telling, violence, religion, slo-mo shots, a rock soundtrack with The Rolling Stones, and casting De Niro and Keitel. It's not his best work but it is very good. Sets up for great movies to come.

Not only is it one of the greatest Sci-fi films ever, but it's one of the greatest FILMS ever. It explores the themes of what is humanity?

Tyrell creates replicants (androids) for the use of slavery. Replicants are given a life-span of only 4 years. The replicants develop feelings and emotions and escape. A blade runner named Deckard is sent to 'retire' them (effectively kill them).

There is a beautiful moment during the spectacular climax in the film. Replicant leader, Roy Batty, explains to Deckard the horrors and beauties he has seen, which humans just wouldn't believe. And how these moments will be lost in time when he dies. That is when he understands the meaning of life and humanity. Through death. Director Ridley Scott here achieves a thought-provoking and unique cinematic experience that is deep and meaningful. Quite different to his other Sci-Fi film (Alien...which was also good).

The dance moves are gobsmacking. The way these people move look almost physically impossible but also brilliant. Very fast too. The humour was top notch and the characters were like caricatures of real Hollywood celebrities. The story involves the evolution of movie-making, from silent film to movies with sound. The movie within a movie is also brilliant.

QT cleverly intertwines three stories to create one classic movie. It is able to tribute and pay homage to former classics and remain deliciously original at the same time.

A fantastic change to the first film. It's less horror movie and more action blockbuster, but in a good way. Fantastic visual effects way too good for its time with great acting from Weaver. The film is of epic length and the aliens look nastier. James Cameron has exceeded Ridley Scott's film immensely like he did with his own Terminator with T2-Judgment Day.

Another strong and powerful anti-war movie set during the 'Nam war. It focuses on how the war broke up the free-spirit the main characters showed at the start of the film. It achieves this by showing how happy they were at the start, then by contrast, showing some scenes of the war, then how depressed it left them. There is a shocking scene that will stand down in history as one of the most powerful in cinema. Also, De Niro, Walken and Savage are fantastic in delivering the emotions that soldiers feel during war.

Not an ordinary gangster film. It's a rich, funny yet tragic, exploration into the heart of 30s America. A complex story where people are betrayed and you loose track on who's on whose side. There are beautiful settings, great dialogue and the best use of hats ever.

A beautifully constructed film about injustice, friendship and hope. Gives insight to prison life and how hard it is. In this movie the prisoners are the heroes and the prison gurads and warden are the villains.

This is what an action movie is meant to be.

Lynch presents an average small-town American suburb as a clean safe and happy place, then explores beneath the surface and reveals a dark horrible evil underworld. 'Blue Vlevet' is a bold piece of film making, presenting graphic nudity in a disturbing manner. The film has so much symbolism. The actors and brilliant, including MacLachlan, as the first innocent college-boy, Hopper as the evil distasteful Frank Booth, and Rossellini, as the tortured damsel.

The film starts off with the murder of farmer Josey Wales's (Eastwood) family. From there it seems that this film is going to be like Eastwood's other films where he seeks revenge and shoots 'em up and rides off alone. But here Eastwood's character befriends several misfits and forms a sort of surrogate family where he finds redemption. It's a more heartfelt western than most.

Masterful slasher movie that originated the sub-genre. Its fantastic camera work, music score, and suburban setting all contribute to its suspense. Michael Myers, wearing a white ghostly mask and a jump-suit, is terrifying thanks to the idea of him that surrounds the movie.

One of the most influential movies of the past ten years. Almost every action film since 'The Matrix' has used its fantastic and amazing techniques. For its time, these special effects were groundbreaking and incredible.

Fincher's precise direction is finally realized with this creepy serial killer mystery movie. The film is unsettling and gloomy thanks to his directing.

Ahh the original. Great start to the trilogy thanks to an imaginative premise, cool characters, lots of explosions, and Arnie as a creepy unstoppable beefed-up emotionless tank of a cyborg! Hamilton was so sweet in this compared to the sequel. This is more simple than the sequels, which is why I like it so much. T2 was the better and my favourite however.

A documentary that follows the lives of two teenage African-American boys who dream of one day playing in the NBA. It's themes involve poverty, racism, family, hardship, and of course basketball. As the story unfolds and the film evolves we get a close and personal look at these boys who strive hard and conquer their demons in their attempt to reach their goal, we understand that the basketball is not just a sport to them, but it's their lives. The fact that this was not even nominated for Best Documentary at the Oscars is shocking. It's a highly inspiring film and is worth the long duration.

An exhilarating, exciting, fun action/adventure that blends the action with humour. The Lucas/Spielberg classic is a must see for anyone who loves movies. The sequels are great too! Ford has never suited a role better than Indy.

Despite it being long and slow-paced, it has an imaginative plot which is different from usual sci-fi films. One word to describe it: strange.

"heeeeeeeres JOHNNY!" Jack Nicholson is terrifying as the psychotic Jack Torrence, caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. Watch as he transcends from a regular man to a crazed murderous animal who tries to kill his own family! Is it all in his lost mind? or is the hotel actually making him do these things? Watch this Stanley Kubrick/Stephen King classic to find out!

Charlie Kauffman's witty and strange trippy script is beautifully shown under the direction of Michael Gondry. So, not only is the plot well-written, but it is visually impressive. The scenes inside Joel's (Jim Carrey) head erasing his memories are just like what dreams are, very random and always changing. Carrey is good in another serious role, but Kate Winslet is remarkable with her cute cooky performance.

No childhood should go without this movie

'The King of Comedy' is a social commentary on the public over-worshipping the celebrity. Presented as a dark-comedy, there are moments where you laugh but also moments where you feel humility and insecurity. Rupert Pupkin, played by an extraordinary Robert De Niro, is a deranged sociopath who is obsessed with celebrity talk-show-host Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis in one of his best dramatic performances). While it may appear that Rupert wants to be like Langford, he actually wants to outdo him, become more famous, whereas Langford just wants his privacy to be respected, like any normal person. Rupert is a strange fellow, who obviously suffers from some form of lonliness and paranoia. He is an interesting case, but what is perhaps most disturbing is he is a caricature on society, there is a little bit of Pupkin in everyone.

A weird and confusing film that underlines the human need for love. It has great camera work and amazing acting.

Steady western-film by Howard Hawks about camaraderie and friendship. Great humour and action scenes as well.

Even today this sends chills down the spine so back then it must have been absolutely terrifying. Some horrifying scenes have gone down in film history along with an even more scary music score.

Zemeckis's fun and exhilarating adventure to the past shines with '80s charm.

Oliver Stone's other war picture of 1986. Like 'Platoon', it has a documentary-like style where it seems the viewer is being thrust into the battle scenes, giving a cold hard look at what's going on. It follows a cynical photojournalist (James Woods, in his finest performance) who attempts to capture atrocious-but-valuable images of civil war in El Salvador, realising a long-buried compassion in his soul.

PTA's well-constructed piece of cinema. The cast are brilliant with the likes of Tom Cruise and John C. Reilley giving some of their best performances. It's a miserable and sad film with most of the cast experiencing hell on Earth, but the film deals with themes of hope and humanity. PTA is in great form inter-cutting and intertwining the several character's stories linking them together and creating one long story. The highlight being an unexpected climax, which I believe is among one of the greatest moments in the history of cinema. This is a very very long film.

A smart, cool thriller with a great cast and superb direction. The screenplay is mind-boggling and will have you guessing until the end revelation. One of the greatest twists in the history of cinema.

Rob Reiner's film adaptation of Stephen King's book 'The Body' is the definitive coming-of-age movie as it shows four different friends embark on a gripping journey that'll change there lives forever.

An extremely quotable 1940s classic that has stood the test of time. Bogart and Bergman are magnificent in this tale of broken love.

It has all the ingredients for a Bond film: maniacal villain, beautiful women, good plot, witty script, great song, plenty of action, cool gadgets, and the man himself. It has been parodied numerous times and it's the definitive Bond movie and will never be topped.