I’ve always wanted to make a top 10 of my all time favourite films but then I thought
why do a top 10 when I can do a top 30. This video begins a 3 part series counting down
my top 30 favourite films of all time. The films that mean the most to me that I can
enjoy endlessly. The single rule is that I’m only allowed one film per franchise.
30. Jurassic Park
I was exposed to this as a young age long after it originally came out and it genuinely
scared me. Seeing it repeatedly as I grew up made me come to appreciate the intricacies
of the film more and more. Yes the dinosaur effects are awesome and still hold up, the
action moments are thrilling and there’s no shortage of different kinds of dinosaurs,
but the reason Jurassic Park works so well regardless of these things is that they are
used to support a brilliant and fascinating story featuring interesting characters. I
get just as much enjoyment, if not more from the dialogue heavy scenes with my favourite
being the debate about the future potential of the park. Just as much effort has been
put into the smaller details as the big bombastic moments. As far as I’m concerned, Jurassic
Park is the definitive film about dinosaurs.
29. K-Pax
What I find most bizarre is that a film I studied in my high school english class has
gone on to become one of my all time favourites. K-Pax is a mystery story, an examination of
the nature of belief, a character study, you may even call it a sci-fi film and maybe a
feel-good film. Kevin Spacey plays the enigmatic character of prot, a man arrested in Grand
Central station who is then admitted to a psychiatric hospital for claiming he is an
alien from the planet K-Pax. Jeff Bridges plays Dr. Mark Powell who is tasked with curing
prot of his delusions. But are they delusions? This is a question the film asks of both Mark
Powell and the viewer. Depending on your own personal perspective the film will mean something
different to you than it may do to someone else, and I mean in terms of plot and narrative,
more overt than something on a symbolic or thematic level. I find this fascinating and
K-Pax remains a film that love to show someone without buildup just to see their personal
reaction to it. Thank you high-school english, you’ve given me a film that I’ll hold
onto forever.
28. La Habitacion de Fermat or as it’s known in english, Fermat’s Room
A film about maths, completely in Spanish. Fermat’s Room focuses on four mathematicians
who respond to a mysterious invitation to attend a mathematics convention for only the
very best mathematicians in Spain. However, upon arrive they discover that this convention
isn’t what they expected. The four find themselves locked in a room and are forced
to answer enigmas in order to save themselves from the closing in walls. Fermat’s Room
weaves the thrill of the immediate threat of having to answer enigmas or be killed with
a more intricate and complex story as the four mathematicians find out more about each
other and the reason why they have found themselves in this situation. Safe to say, not everything
is as it seems. The rapid fire interplay with a script that doesn’t waste a single line
of dialogue makes Fermat’s Room feel at times like a well crafted stage play that
has the budget of a film.
27. Guardians of the Galaxy
An understandably recent addition to this list, Guardians of the Galaxy is perhaps the
film I need to talk about the least due to its overwhelming popularity and place in the
public eye. Striking a wonderful balance between futuristic and retro, the film successfully
brings an incredibly obscure band of characters into the mainstream while combing action and
comedy in equal measure. I adore that more than any other film in the Marvel Cinematic
Universe, Guardians of the Galaxy is so unquestionably a product of its director’s vision. James
Gunn clearly cares about the characters and the universe and his raw talent shines through
even when given a big budget hollywood blockbuster to work with. Guardians of the Galaxy is the
culmination of so much talent and I have so much fun watching it.
26. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Scott Pilgrim’s world is a surreal and almost juvenile version of the real one where emotional
conflicts aren’t settled by discussion and understanding but by fighting with videogame-like
excess. Scott falls for the new girl in town, Ramona Flowers but find out that before he
can properly date her he has take on her 7 evil exes in gloriously inventive Boss Battles,
to use a video game term. Outside of the fighting the film has a large and inventive cast of
characters who are insanely good fun to be around. Edgar Wright provides his own distinct
direction style that make Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World visually striking, unashamedly awesome
and one of my favourite films!
25. Frozen
It’s been well over a year since Frozen came out and became the gargantuan success
of the moment and at the time I was right there with everyone else. All this time later
my feelings towards Frozen haven’t changed, if anything they’ve just solidified. The
animation is gorgeous, the music and songs are catchy, original and have clever lyrics,
the story is inventive and genuinely surprising at times and the characters are all loveable.
I also adore that Disney were brave enough to step outside some of their tried and
true tropes and instead focus on the importance of family relationships. It’s the best Disney
musical in years and one of my favourite musicals period. Frozen is very deserving of its place
on this list.
24. Star Wars, Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith
Picking a favourite Star Wars film actually isn’t hard for while I do adore all 6 Star
Wars films, that’s right, all 6, Revenge of the Sith is by far the one I have the biggest
connection with. Depicting Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side, the deterioration of
his relationship with Obi Wan as well as the conclusion of The Clone Wars, Revenge of the
Sith has the biggest emotional impact on me. It’s not a happy film, not at all but I
think that’s one of the reasons I love it so much. There’s a futility to the proceedings.
It also features both the best space battle and best lightsaber duel in the series. Revenge
of the Sith may be atypical Star Wars but for me it’s the best Star Wars.
23. The Avengers
Ok, I know I said one film per franchise but the MCU is technically a combination of several
different franchises so this is allowed. The Avengers is the film equivalent of a celebration
lap. It’s a damn brilliantly written and thrilling celebration lap but it’s still
Marvel Studios saying “we did it!” for 2 and quarter hours. The film could have been
just ok and the joy of seeing Marvel’s heroes come together for the first time would have
at least carried it but “just ok” wasn’t something that director and writer Joss Whedon
was interested in and he created something that far exceeded the sum of its parts. Also,
when I say well written I don’t mean it has the most intricate and clever plot but
plot can be simple while still being well written. The genius is in Whedon’s writing
of the characters and the direction of the action. In fact, if you want 2 seconds of
justification for why I love this film so much, that moment where Captain American reflects
Iron Man’s beams off of his shield, that’s why! Your argument is invalid!
22. Singin’ in the Rain
A film about making films that’s a musical with loads of tap dancing featuring tap dancing
legend Gene Kelly? It’s like they took my brain and turned it into a film! Singin in
the Rain depicts in a humorous way the introduction of sound technology to the cinema industry.
While not exhaustive it takes an interesting look at some of the problems many actors faced
during this transition. However the story and setting are also a backdrop for some of
the best musical numbers ever put to film. Make em Laugh, Moses, Good Mornin’, Singin’
in the Rain, Broadway Melody they come thick and fast and they’re all masterpieces. I’ve
watched this film continuously as I’ve grown up and it’s been my consistent inspiration
to work hard at tap dancing. I’m sad that I’ll never get to see Gene Kelly and Donald
O' Conner perform live but I’m thankful that they were involved in such a wonderful film.
21. Hot Fuzz
Easily my favourite of the three flavours cornetto trilogy, which is a series of 3 narratively
unrelated films directed by Edgar Write, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, Hot Fuzz a loving
homage to the action genre. The reason it works so well is that while being a comedy,
it never sacrifices the seriousness of its story. It never stops being funny but also
simultaneously never stops being serious. I get genuinely wrapped up in the mystery
thriller plot elements as much as I look forward to the next moment of hilarity. I consider
it to be Wright and Pegg’s masterpiece and the perfect balance of comedy and action.
This is the end of part 1. Click my face to start part 2 where I count down through films
20 to 11. And click below for my Top 5 good things about Cube 2: Hypercube video.