TOP 150 MOVIES

Several years after director David O. Russell last released a film, The Fighter repositioned the once maligned figure to a filmmaker of high quality work.

Based on the true story, The Fighter centres on half-brothers Dickie Eckland (Christian Bale) and Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), Boston boxers whose once inseparable bond is tested when Dickie’s drug addiction leads to near tragedy.

With O. Russell in excellent form behind the lens, and the likes of Bale, Wahlberg, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams delivering exceptional performances, The Fighter proved to be a boxing movie that packs a mighty wallop.   

A heart pounding and engrossing crime action movie that has rarely been equalled, The French Connection proved director William Friedkin (The Exorcist) was a force to be reckoned with.

Loosely based on true events, The French Connection tells the story of Popeye Doyle (an excellent Gene Hackman), an uncompromising narcotics detective whoinvestigates a mysterious French drug kingpin (Fernando Rey) who plans to export a massive amount of heroin into New York City.

A potent blend of gritty police procedural and innovative action thriller, The French Connection set the standard for action packed crime movie filmmaking that is still felt to this day. Friedkin brought his documentarian mindset to not only the films police procedural elements that felt raw and real, but also to a now legendary chase scene in which Doyle takes no prisoners in his pursuit of a hitman who has taken escape on an elevated train.

Fritz Lang’s classic noir M is an iconic film for many reasons, among them that it gave us a chilling monster in the form of Peter Lorre’s whistling child murderer Hans Beckert. It was Lorre’s first leading role that would subsequently lead the Hungarian born actor to be typecast as a villain in numerous Hollywood films.

Despite the film being over 90 years old, M still packs quite a punch. Not many scary movie moments have been able to top the chilling scene where Hans studies his reflection in the mirror, nor have many serial killer movies tackled the emotions of grief and anger from the victim’s families as M does in its final scenes.

An American remake of M was released in 1951. Justifiably, it bombed both commercially and critically.

Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity is an engrossing and thrilling staple of the film-noir genre. 

Fred MacMurray stars as an insurance salesman who is coerced to murder by the wife of a client (Barbara Stanwyck, expertly portraying the femme fatale). When a top-notch claims investigator gets too close to reveal their crime (an excellent Edward G. Robinson), the tension reaches fever pitch.

Double Indemnity is a sterling film-noir that does not contain a false step in story or pacing. On top of being a stylish and well-acted film, it is also quite a clever one filled with finely tuned twists and fleshed out characters. 

The Coen brothers already had five great features to their name, yet it was Fargo that truly marked their arrivals as a powerhouse duo of quirky, brilliant storytelling.

Set in wintry Minneapolis, Fargo centres on a down on his luck car salesman (William H. Macy) whose decision to hire two criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife leads to unintended violent consequences. It is up to heavily pregnant police chief Marge Gunderson to solve the case, and in that role Frances McDormand delivers a pitch perfect performance worthy of the many accolades bestowed upon her.       

With Fargo, Coen brothers Joel and Ethan delivered a film of unique tone and highest quality, blending comedy, violence and eccentric (yet never annoyingly so) characters to make for a truly memorable cinema experience.

The Martian is a highly engrossing and moving tribute to scientific ingenuity, the tenacity of the human spirit, and the trust in faith to see dark times through.

Based on the bestselling novel by Alex Weir, The Martian stars Damon as Mark Watney, an astronaut and botanist who is stranded on Mars after a manned mission goes pear shaped when a fierce storm separates him from his crew. Meanwhile on Earth news of Watney’s survival sparks a frantic rescue plan.

With a great script by Drew Goddard, excellent direction from Ridley Scott (Alien), and a rousing charismatic performance from Matt Damon, The Martian succeeds as an edge of your seat sci-fi thriller where hope is portrayed with genuine feeling.

Although winning the Best Foreign Language award at the 2011 Oscars, there are still those oblivious to the existence of the near Argentine masterpiece The Secret in Their Eyes. 

Based on the book “The Question in Their Eyes” by Eduardo Sacheri and adapted to the screen by writer/director Juan José Campanella, this haunting crime mystery focuses on a retired criminal investigator (Ricardo Darín) who decides to write a novel based on a 25-year-old murder case.

Transitioning between past and present, The Secret in Their Eyes works as a police procedural, political thriller and redemptive drama, filled with hypnotic performances by Darín, Soledad Villamil, and a scene stealing turn by comedian Guillermo Francella. Most impressive of is Campanella’s visual prowess, invoking the likes of an in-form Brian De Palma with his sweeping camera and voyeuristic sensibilities. 

As soon as Anthony Portos’ mournful score played over the opening credits, it was clear that Animal Kingdom would not be the usual Australian crime film.

For too long throughout the 2000s, filmmakers have been stuck in a post Guy Ritchie haze of flash visuals, glamorous violence, and gangster caricature. Finally, a filmmaker arrived in David Michôd who refused to follow the well-worn road layered with crime genre conventions, and as a result came one of the best crime movies seen in some time.

Yet Animal Kingdom is more than cops and robbers. This is a film about family, loyalty, and how far people are willing sell their souls to survive. Jackie Weaver received well deserved kudos for her supporting role of the Ma Barker to a family of criminals, but let’s not forget the spectacular turns by Ben Mendelsohn, Guy Pearce, and young James Frecheville whose innocence anchor the film.

The third entry in the original Star Wars trilogy, The Return of the Jedi continues the same rousing adventure spirit in its story of the continued fight against an intergalactic empire set on tyrannical rule.

Bouncing back with a lighter tone when compared to the previous The Empire Strikes Back, this Richard Marquand directed film displays cinematic heroism at its finest, with young Luke Skywalker now a battle-ready Jedi with some daddy issues to sort out.

The Return of the Jedi doesn’t reach the same heights as its two groundbreaking predecessors, yet it is still an epic adventure tale that many would kill to emulate and a fitting end to the intergalactic saga.

Featuring an ensemble all-star cast of American (Steve McQueen, James Garner) and British (Richard Attenborough, Richard Harris) talent, The Great Escape works as both war film and escape from prison thriller, revelling in the infectious camaraderie of its spirited performances and John Sturges’ fluid direction.

Based on true life events, The Great Escape displays the honour and horror to be found in war, while also establishing itself as one of the truly great entertainers filled with many iconic moments that can be watched again and again.

McQueen’s cool presence and the film’s careful build toward the breakout give it a lasting energy, while the mix of tension, humour, and tragic consequence keeps the story grounded. It remains a model of how to balance large-scale action with character.