As my last article for the Omega, I wanted to count down my top ten favorite films of all-time. Although this list is constantly changing, I managed to narrow it down to a top ten.
- Saving Private Ryan (1998)-Directed by Steven Spielberg
Probably the best war movie of all-time. Spielberg masterfully directed Saving Private Ryan to make it feel believable, emotional, and intense. It’s brutally realistic and by focusing on its core character’s sacrifice, it becomes more than just an action movie.
- Logan (2017)-Directed by James Mangold
In my opinion, Logan is one of the greatest superhero movies of all time. It takes apart all of the fluff of the X-Men and breaks it down to the core. Logan is dark, gritty, and violent, and an excellent character study into one of Marvel’s most iconic characters.
- Fight Club (1999)-Directed by David Fincher
Despite its name, Fight Club is more than a simple fighting movie. The film explores themes such as masculinity, consumerism, and chaos. It’s a film that requires multiple rewatches to understand the full extent of what is going on. Brad Pitt and Edward Norton also deliver excellent performances.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse (2018)-Directed by Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, and Bob Perischetti
Easily one of the greatest animated films of all-time, Spider Verse is on my list due to its elite character development and groundbreaking animation.
- Whiplash (2014)-Directed by Damien Chazelle
Whiplash doesn’t miss a beat. The film, like its drummer, is perfectly paced. It does an incredible job at examining the consequences of unchecked ambition through the psychological downfall of Miles Tellers’ character. JK Simmons also delivers the best performance of his career.
- The Matrix (1999)-Directed by Wachowskis
The Matrix is an interesting movie for me. It blends so many aspects in a unique way. The film has amazing CGI, top notch action sequences, and a dramatic hook that keeps you engaged the whole way through.
- The Truman Show (1998)-Directed by Peter Weir
The Truman Show examines the impact of the media, surveillance, and personal freedom. In this film, Jim Carey delivers his most serious and dramatic performance to date. The film is filled with intrigue, suspense, and defiance, and it continues to grow in both relevance and importance.
- Back To The Future (1985)-Directed by Robert Zemeckis
Back to the Future is a perfect film for me. There is nothing wrong about it. It remains a classic yet simply told story about time travel that is elevated by charming actors, smart storytelling, and a great set-up.
- The Dark Knight (2008)-Directed by Christopher Nolan
I didn’t want to put too many Christopher Nolan films on this list, but I had to put one of his films. The Dark Knight is that movie for me. Although it can be fairly argued that he’s made better films than the Dark Knight, whether it be Inception or Memento, The Dark Knight is still my favorite. Throughout the entirety of the film, it is paced perfectly. Nolan’s epic cinematography and editing pairs perfectly with the rollercoaster of this plot. Heath Ledger delivers a mindblowing performance as the terrifying Joker, and the contrast between Batman and Joker is done extremely well. For me, this is the best superhero film ever.
- Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)-Directed by George Lucas
Coming in at number one, I have A New Hope. This movie shattered records for its time. It also inspired countless science fiction filmmakers to get involved in the industry. To me, A New Hope works simply because it combines countless myths and modernizes them in a mass market yet cinematic way.
