#top movies

[the-memphista]

VHS classics by David Schumann 📼

[just-b-wilde]

Your top 3 favorite movies with Bryce Dallas Howard?

[the-odd-ducks]

Unyielding Spirit: Why The Pursuit of Happyness is a Must-Watch Masterpiece

The Pursuit of Happyness is a heartwarming and deeply inspiring film that resonates with audiences through its powerful portrayal of perseverance, determination, and the human spirit's unyielding resilience. Directed by Gabriele Muccino and released in 2006, the film is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who faces insurmountable challenges in his quest to provide a better life for himself and his young son.

Box Office Collection

The movie was a commercial success, grossing over $307 million worldwide against a modest budget of $55 million. The film's strong performance at the box office is a testament to its universal appeal, as it struck a chord with audiences across different cultures and backgrounds. Its success was also fueled by positive word-of-mouth and critical acclaim, making it one of the most memorable films of the year.

Popularity

The Pursuit of Happyness gained widespread popularity for its moving story and the exceptional performances of its cast. The film's relatability and emotional depth helped it gain a lasting place in the hearts of viewers. Over the years, it has remained a favorite for many, often cited as a must-watch for those seeking motivation or a reminder of the power of perseverance. The film's popularity also extends to television broadcasts, streaming platforms, and home video sales, where it continues to find new audiences.

Star Cast

Will Smith delivers a career-defining performance as Chris Gardner, capturing the character's struggle, determination, and love for his son. Smith's portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and solidified his reputation as one of Hollywood's most versatile and talented actors.

Jaden Smith, making his acting debut, plays Christopher Gardner Jr., Chris's young son. Despite his age, Jaden delivers a mature and heartfelt performance, perfectly complementing his real-life father's role.

Thandie Newton plays Linda, Chris's wife, who eventually leaves him due to the pressures of their financial struggles. Newton’s portrayal adds complexity to the story, highlighting the strain that economic hardship can place on relationships.

The Message

The core message of The Pursuit of Happyness is one of hope, determination, and the relentless pursuit of one's dreams, no matter the obstacles. The film emphasizes that success is not defined by wealth or status but by the effort and persistence one puts into overcoming challenges. It also sheds light on the harsh realities of poverty and homelessness, particularly in the context of the American Dream, while also offering a powerful message about the importance of family and the sacrifices parents make for their children.

Chris Gardner's journey from being homeless to becoming a successful stockbroker is a testament to the idea that no matter how bleak the circumstances, with enough determination and hard work, anything is possible. The film also encourages viewers to cherish their loved ones and to remain hopeful, even in the darkest of times.

Why Everyone Should Watch It

The Pursuit of Happyness is more than just a movie; it's an emotional and motivational experience. It teaches valuable life lessons about resilience, the importance of never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude. Will Smith's performance, coupled with the real-life story of Chris Gardner, makes the film both inspiring and relatable.

Whether you're facing personal challenges, seeking motivation, or simply looking for a movie that will move you emotionally, The Pursuit of Happyness is a must-watch. It serves as a reminder that success is not guaranteed, but the pursuit of happiness is a journey worth taking, no matter the odds. The film's emotional depth, powerful message, and stellar performances make it a timeless piece of cinema that resonates with viewers of all ages.

Read the original book from which the movie was inspired

The Pursuit of Happyness (US)

The Pursuit of Happyness (IN)

[lcatala]

My top 6 movies discovered in 2023

I watched 52 new-to-me movies in 2023. Not nearly enough , as I could only find 6 movies that stood out sufficiently to be worthy of a personal top, in what was otherwise a pretty meh year — yes I'm a picky watcher — and yeah The Boy and The Heron didn't make the top, you can read the long rambling I wrote about it if you want to know why; I haven't watched Barbie, Oppenheimer or the Super Mario Bros. Movie, and haven't watched any Marvel-related movie since 2015.

6: Nimona (2023)

I didn't really expect to like the animated adaptation of N. D. Stevenson's comic, and I went in reluctantly, only because a lot of people who seemed trustworthy recommended it. Despite having some of the flaws I've come to expect in modern 3D animation, this was a very good surprise. You can read my detailed review here.

5: Suzume (2022)

The plot of Suzume stays very much within the bounds of the "modern artsy anime film", with a rather predictable 3+1 acts structure and an exploration of themes and human interactions which has some subtlety and nuance but overall stays very safe and on-the-surface. Nothing offensive, but nothing truly groundbreaking either.

But.

Suzume had, by far, the best animation of any movie I've seen this year. This movie is an absoluteely beautiful, every-frame-a-painting kind of deal. If I was to rank every animated I've ever seen solely by the quality of their animation, Suzume would easily be in the top 10.

4: Cape Fear (1962)

American cinema achieved maturity during the New Hollywood era that started in the late 1960s, marking a shift toward more naturalistic and more adult filmmaking and themes. But there were a few notable precursors before that.

The most famous of those is of course Psycho (altho tellingly, it was from a British director). But Cape Fear followed close behind, and is another example of an early 60s movie which you don't expect to be this dark and this raw, starring an absolutely get-under-your-skin-terrifying Robert Mitchum — if you thought he was creepy in The Night of the Hunter, you haven't seen nothing yet…

3: The Outwaters (2022)

This was the biggest surprise of the year, watched the same day it was recommended to me, having heard absolutely nothing about it before that (I didn't even know this movie existed). I got treated to a no-budget yet beautifully-shot found-footage horror movie — in fact the best found-footage movie I have ever seen, with a lot of attention put toward making the gimmick plausible, making the characters realistic and likeable, making this look like the kind of actual footage you'd find on a personal camera — while also having amazingly beautiful cinematography — all while slowly building up the tension.

Because that's just the first half.

Oh yeah, it's one of these horror movies in which you think you know where the story is going, and then second half just explodes in your face and becomes completely, utterly batshit insane. This is on par with Men (2022) for how weird and fucked up the climax is. Don't expect any kind of explanation or closure here, the second half of this movie turns into one of the most fucked up and bizzare horror movies you'll ever see.

2: Godzilla Minus One (2023)

Yeah so this one was a surprise late-year hit for everyone, not just me. First live-action Japanese Godzilla film in 7 years, with rather tempered expectations — we all knew that Shin Godzilla was an odd one out, that the average Japanese Godzilla movie is not like that, that we shouldn't expect this kind of quality on a regular basis.

Well we played ourselves.

This was incredibly well made as a blockbuster — Japanese cinema has completely caught up on American cinema, for a fraction of the budgets — one of the best Godzilla movies ever made from an action and visuals point of view, and a reminder that Godzilla, as a character, can also be scary, a terrifying incarnation of destruction and disaster.

But somehow this also managed to be a powerful and well filmed drama — no lazy endless shot/reverse shot dialogues here, a lot effort is put into framing choices, blocking… — a movie that actually touches on difficult questions and goes against the message of many other war or action blockbusters.

When so many stories glorify the idea of sacrifying your life for a greater cause, here's one movie that says "hey maybe expecting people to sacrifice their life for your cause is actually pretty fucked up, and maybe it's actually better to choose to live for the sake of your loved ones than to die for the sake of your own pride". Yeah a Japanese movie is saying that, a Godzilla movie is saying that.

1: Skinamarink (2022)

So, speaking of low-budget independent horror, back in 2022 I had foolishly overlooked Skinamarink. I had vaguely heard that it was good, but no particular detail was mentioned that would have picked my interest, and the poster looked fairly generic, so I skipped it, even tho I should have been more intrigued — 2022 was already shaping up to be a really good year for horror films…

Skinamarink was a tough proposition from the get go, in the "experimental" kind of tough: an entire film made in the analog horror genre — usually short videos made to ressemble old media from the 80s and 90s, advertisements, warning messages, weather channels, documentaries and informercials, with a disturbing twist; a format usually made of short segments. Trying to tell a film-length story in that fashion is an entirely different exercise, but that's fine, I've sat thru Begotten (1989), I can do this.

Right away, this is not framed like a movie: it's more as if someone had negligently left an old camera on the floor — but this is not even found-footage, there is no camera in-story, we just happen to be seeing this world thru stolen, furtive points of view. The image is grainy, the sound is bad quality (subtitles are provided), the frames are often askew, you never even see the actors' faces. We get no narration, no exposition, just a succession of disjointed scenes that slowly form a story.

This shouldn't work. And for many people, this will not work. Most will turn this off not even 5 minutes in. But if you're among the exceptions, then howdy does it work. The format is not a gimmick at all — it's completely in service of the story. The grainy image, the low quality sound prey on your pattern recognition, never quite certain if something is there or not; the framing by a "forgotten" camera contributes to make the atmosphere hyper-real in its intimacy, yet alienating and uncanny.

The director of Skinamarink deals with one very specific topic: nightmares. Not the idea of nightmares, not the heightened nightmares of fiction, but the literal nightmares that real people have; he started by making short videos representing common nightmares that people would tell him about. When it came time to make a full-length feature film, he kept the same approach. Skinamarink doesn't really use any of the classic themes or structures of horror movies; it largely ignores that folklore and instead focuses on deep childhood fears, the kind of stuff your mind used to conjure up long ago and that you have forgotten but not erased from your brain.

If you manage to enter into this very peculiar format, this very unusual and seemingly disjointed way to tell a story, and if you identify with the kind of fear material the movie is drawing on, this is a truly scary experience. Not really in a jump scare or suspense way, more like a deeply haunting and unsettling atmosphere, a strong ambient uncanniness where things are almost normal but just broken enough to give you a constant feeling of unpleasantness, of wanting to run the hell out of here while being trapped, a sense of horrible lurking threat while having nothing concrete to fight against or protect yourself from.

Of course, this isn't exactly a fun experience. This is very, very intense, I'm talking Antichrist-levels of playing with your nerves, and the story, as simple as it is, is tragically harrowing and cruel — you're essentially watching two young children getting psychologically (and eventually physically) tortured by a sadistic, unseen entity for a hundred minutes.

It's hard to recommend, and yet recommendations is how this movie ended up grossing 2 millions on a 15k budget — promotion included ! Most people actually didn't like the movie, but those who liked it liked it so much they can't shut up about it (case in point!) It's one of those horror movies that completely break the boundaries of the genre and do something truly new and unique. It's what horror should be for: imagination gone wild, format-breaking fantasy, and realism thrown out of the window.

[ciegeinc]

CIEGEINC’s TOP 5 FILMS OF 2023

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Avatar: The Way of Water

Guy Ritchie's The Covenant

The Burial

Oppenheimer

Honorable mentions:

The Creator, A Thousand and One, Dead Shot, Tetris and The Pale Blue Eye

[pagbig]

Best New Movies in 2024

[perandoripilaf]

Can't rate it...

[film-in-my-soul]

10 Movies I Love:

I was tagged by @glitterisblue, so here we go!

1. Sunshine (2007)

Some of the best cinematography I've seen, with a group of compelling characters and a beautiful science-fiction story that doesn't let up once it really starts. Danny Boyle is one of my favorite directors, and this film is at the top of my recommendations every time.

2. Spotlight (2015)

My teacher showed us this film in our pre-production class the year it was up for the Oscars; only 1 scene, and I went home that day itching to watch it. I then proceeded to watch it three days in a row because I was blown away.

3. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

I'm not usually one for dramatic romance films, and I knew going into this one, even as young as I was when watching it, that it was going to hurt, but never have I been so emotionally devastated. A story that grips you and rips you apart with some of the most compelling acting I've seen.

4. Love Actually (2003)

Any of my friends will tell you that romcoms are not my go-to film genre, but this movie has it all. From complex relationships and an amazing theme that is explored through so many different stories. There are tears and laughs and those little "aw" moments wrapped up in a genuinely amazing and lighthearted (for the most part) film.

5. Pride and Prejudice (2005)

I've seen as many iterations of this story as I can get my hands on (with zombies and in the style of Bollywood), and I can't seem to get enough. There's a reason that Elizabeth and Darcy's romance is a classic, and I love it.

6. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Come on, are any of us surprised? Top Gun: Maverick sunk its claws in me and delivered a film experience I think has really been missing in the mainstream for the last few years. I think it's clear the time and attention that was paid to both the technical and story aspects of this movie, and it's well deserving to be praised.

7. The Shape of Water (2017)

To pick 1 Guillermo del Toro film is nearly impossible, but I think The Shape of Water is both the freshest and one that incorporates everything I really love about him as a filmmaker into one cinematic masterpiece. From his use of color and reliance on stellar actors, this film is such an experience that keeps my faith that film can really excel past the current standards.

8. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

I love werewolves and werewolf movies, and the first one I always think of is An American Werewolf in London. It revolutionized monster makeup and monster transitions, and it plays with such interesting ideas and the true physiological horror that the werewolf presents. It's a classic and holds up, even over 40 years later.

9. October Sky (1999)

Another film I was shown in school, though this time it was junior high. I fell in love with the simple and inspiring story. The atmosphere and the relationships between the characters have such a good feeling, and even though there are moments of heartbreak, it's just a phenomenal watch that I think anyone could enjoy.

10. Doom (2005)

Look, I know what you're thinking. But I will be the first one to tell you that I love popcorn movies. I love sitting down to put on a mindless sci-fi horror with A-list actors that are filled with silly one-liners and stupid characters. Popcorn movies have such a special place, and I think if people aren't putting at least 1 popcorn film on their lists, they're not being completely honest with themselves. A movie doesn't need to be a masterpiece to be loved; you just have to feel good and have a good time when you watch it.

~

I'm gonna go ahead and tag some people. Looking forward to seeing your movies :3 - @thestarlitnight @icemav86 @mistmarauder @blackestglass @cristinuke

[tipsheda]

A Quick List of the Best Movies I Watched in 2023

Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse Bones and All (2022) The People's Joker Godzilla -1.0 We're All Going to the World's Fair (2021) The Outwaters (2022) Skinamarink (again) The Invisible Man (2020) Blackberry Past Lives Blow the Man Down (2019) Moonstruck (1987) Candyman (1992)

I have snippets of thoughts logged on my Letterboxd for all of these and more https://letterboxd.com/tipsheda/

[nourinareviews]

Movie: Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour

Watch Full Movie Free: https://bit.ly/taylor-swiftthe-eras-tour

[peptalkradio]

[just-b-wilde]

Your top 3 favorite movies with Sam Rockwell?

[wanderlustlens]

[mkvmoviespoint]

Must-Watch Movies of All Time: A Cinematic Journey Through the Best Films Ever Made

Cinema has the unparalleled ability to evoke emotions, transport viewers into new worlds, and leave an indelible mark on popular culture. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed blockbusters, poignant dramas, or visually stunning masterpieces, there are certain films that every movie lover should experience at least once in their lifetime. From timeless classics to modern gems, here’s a curated list of must-watch movies of all time that showcase the very best of what the film industry has to offer.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Director: Frank Darabont

Genre: Drama

A tale of hope, friendship, and resilience set in a brutal prison, The Shawshank Redemption is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made. Starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the film follows the story of Andy Dufresne, a man wrongly imprisoned for murder, who forms an unlikely bond with fellow inmate Ellis Redding. The themes of hope and perseverance resonate long after the credits roll.

Discover the 15 Best Movies to Add to Your Watch List

[puppyyesterday]

Top Movies I watched in 2024 (part 1/3)

Overall: Viy (1967)

Independent: Layla (2024)

Superhero: Monkey Man (2024)

Horror: The Wicker Man (1973)

Rom-Com: All About Steve (2009)

Bio-Pic: Oppenheimer (2023)

[the-odd-ducks]

Titanic (1997): A Timeless Classic

Director: James Cameron Release Date: December 19, 1997 Genre: Epic Romance / Disaster Running Time: 195 minutes

Star Cast:

Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson

Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater

Billy Zane as Cal Hockley

Kathy Bates as Molly Brown

Frances Fisher as Ruth DeWitt Bukater

Bill Paxton as Brock Lovett

Gloria Stuart as Older Rose

Storyline Overview

Titanic is a blend of romance and historical disaster that takes place aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. The story is set in 1912 and follows a young, aristocratic woman, Rose DeWitt Bukater, and a poor artist, Jack Dawson, who fall in love despite the class differences that separate them. Their blossoming romance is challenged not only by societal expectations but also by the looming tragedy as the Titanic hits an iceberg and begins to sink.

The film is framed as a recollection of an elderly Rose (played by Gloria Stuart) narrating her experience on the ship to treasure hunter Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) in 1996. The love story between Jack and Rose drives the emotional core of the movie, contrasting their intimate, personal struggle with the grand-scale disaster.

Why Titanic Became One of the Top-Rated Films

Epic Love Story: At the heart of Titanic is the love between Jack and Rose, which resonates with audiences worldwide. Their romance, crossing class barriers, captures both the excitement and tragedy of young love.

Technical Innovation: James Cameron’s use of cutting-edge CGI and practical effects brought the Titanic’s sinking to life in breathtaking detail. The recreation of the ship and its fateful voyage set a new standard for visual effects at the time.

Historical Resonance: The story of the Titanic’s sinking is already one of the most tragic events in modern history. The film captures the grandeur of the ship’s construction, the excitement of the voyage, and the horrifying reality of its destruction, connecting emotionally with audiences.

Memorable Soundtrack: Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” became an iconic piece of music, symbolizing the eternal love between Jack and Rose. The score by James Horner enhanced the emotional weight of the story and became one of the most recognizable soundtracks in film history.

Emotional Impact: The combination of romance and disaster created an emotional rollercoaster for viewers. Cameron’s ability to humanize such a large-scale tragedy through Jack and Rose’s intimate story made the sinking of the ship hit even harder.

Box Office Collections

Titanic was not just a critical success, but also a monumental box office hit. It grossed over $2.2 billion worldwide, making it the first film to cross the billion-dollar mark. At its peak, Titanic held the title of the highest-grossing film of all time until James Cameron’s Avatar surpassed it in 2009. The movie remained in theaters for months due to sustained public demand and continues to be one of the highest-grossing films in history.

Awards and Recognitions

Titanic swept the 70th Academy Awards with 14 nominations, tying the record set by All About Eve (1950). The film won 11 Oscars, including:

Best Picture

Best Director (James Cameron)

Best Original Song (“My Heart Will Go On”)

Best Visual Effects

Best Sound Editing

Best Sound Mixing

Best Original Score (James Horner)

Best Art Direction

Best Cinematography

Best Costume Design

Best Film Editing

This achievement made Titanic one of only three films in history to win 11 Academy Awards, along with Ben-Hur (1959) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

Beyond the Oscars, Titanic also earned four Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture — Drama, Best Director, and Best Original Song.

Cultural Impact

Titanic transcended the typical box office blockbuster to become a cultural phenomenon. The love story of Jack and Rose captivated audiences across the world, making Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet household names. Titanic dominated popular culture in the late ’90s and early 2000s, inspiring countless parodies, discussions, and fan tributes.

The film’s re-release in 3D in 2012, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the real Titanic’s sinking, only added to its legacy. The re-release was highly successful, bringing in an additional $350 million at the box office, proving its timeless appeal.

The Team Behind Titanic

James Cameron (Director, Writer, Producer): Cameron’s vision for the film was integral to its success. Known for his perfectionism and ambition, he created a film that balanced romance with spectacle and grounded historical accuracy.

Jon Landau (Producer): Worked closely with Cameron to manage the monumental production, keeping the film on track despite going over budget.

James Horner (Composer): His score for Titanic is one of the most beloved in cinematic history. The main theme, “My Heart Will Go On,” performed by Celine Dion, won the Oscar for Best Original Song and remains an iconic piece of music.

Conclusion

Titanic remains a timeless classic, a perfect mix of romance, drama, and spectacle. Its combination of historical tragedy with a heart-wrenching love story, coupled with state-of-the-art visual effects, captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide. Even over two decades after its release, Titanic continues to be a cultural touchstone and an essential part of film history.