Power Rankings: Top 10 Biggest Thrills

---Recently, Zach told me that he had revamped his all time top 10 list, which got me thinking about doing the same. Mine is always fluctuating, so I came up with the idea of doing a series of power rankings of AFI categories (as well as some of my own) leading up to the unveiling of my all time list. These lists will include Cheers (inspiring), Peers (on-screen couples), Fears (scariest), Tears (emotional), Jeers (worst), Thrills, Laughs, and finally my top 10 films of all time. Note: My lists are not going to be even a fraction as objective as AFI’s lists. They are solely my personal preferences and experiences. Enjoy!---

This is a list of the movies that provided the biggest thrills to me, particularly ones whose thrills can be carried over to subsequent viewings. For the sake of not being repetitive, I am going to exclude horror films from this list. AFI’s list was topped by Psycho (1960), Jaws(1975), and The Exorcist (1973), along with non-horror thrillers like North by Northwest (1959), The French Connection (1971), and The Silence of the Lambs (1991). Will any of those make an appearance on this list? Find out below!

Blind spots (notable unseen films): Deliverance (1972), Harry Potter saga (2001-2011), King Kong(1933), Marathon Man (1976), The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Others receiving votes: The Day of the Jackal (1973), Drive(2011), Fight Club (1999), The Killing (1956), The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

10. White Heat (Raoul Walsh, 1949)

Of all of the early Cagney gangster movies, this is the only one that truly transcends the genre. Back when it came out, he considered it “just another gangster flicker”, but it is so much more. It is a thrill ride from beginning to end. It delves into the mind of the volatile and magnetic main character, and scene after scene it is simply explosive and brilliant entertainment.

Memorable sequence: “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!”

9. Pulp Fiction (Quentin Tarantino, 1994)

This is not a thriller in the classic sense of the word, but to watch the movie is as exhilarating and thrilling as any. Tarantino’s screenplay of interconnecting, non-linear stories is a marvel. Each scene is crafted with enough precision that every shot seems like something absolutely vital. Perhaps the greatest edited movie of all time, Pulp Fiction is a blur of a 150 minute movie, and one that will constantly keep the audience on the edge of their seat and deliver the goods, even when the view count gets up to 10 or 20 or 30…

Memorable sequence: Lance’s house

8. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back(Irvin Kershner, 1980)

I could have included the entire first trilogy, but in my eyes, this is by far the best movie of the entire franchise. This movie has one of the all time great twist endings, and every line, every shot, every character just seems classic. It is one of those movies that if you start watching any segment of it, you will be there for the duration. There is nothing like the Star Wars saga anywhere, and without this vital chapter in the story, it would have never gained the status that it has.

Memorable sequence: AT-AT Walkers attack the rebel base on Hoth

7. Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku, 2000)

Before there were Hunger Games, there was Battle Royale. This is a crazy, absurd, luridly entertaining, and painfully funny thriller. Putting junior high classmates on an island, forcing them to kill each other until there is one remaining, is as dark of a story I have ever seen onscreen. Following the news-like opening sequence, we are left with our jaws on the floor for the rest of this furiously exciting movie. The intensity is only heightened as it goes along, as the time, space, and number of students shrinks. The movie will get in your head and not leave for quite some time.

Memorable sequence: Lighthouse

6. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (James Cameron, 1991)

In another case of the second film trumping the original masterpiece in almost every aspect, Terminator 2 is perhaps the greatest pure action movie ever made. It uses the first movie as a reference and plays off of it to some extent, but unlike so many other film sequels, this one can stand on its own. Each scene has a setting that makes it absolutely memorable, and visually the movie is as impressive as it gets. It is a ride that you will never forget, and one that you will want to continue to take from time to time.

Memorable sequence: Galleria shootout

5. The Departed (Martin Scorsese, 2006)

It is difficult to maintain a tense atmosphere for the duration of a 150 minute movie. This, however, is the most breathtaking one of its kind, one where there is never a false note or scene that is not absolutely thrilling in every way. In what Marty called his “first movie with a plot”, he crafted a movie that will be looked back on in 50 years as the one film to define the crime genre for this generation of filmmaking. It is a furious, heart-pounding crime epic with unforgettable characters and astonishing visual aspects. It is one of a kind.

Memorable sequence: Chase through Chinatown

4. Runaway Train (Andrey Konchalovskiy, 1985)

As far as relentless pure actions movies go, everyone has a favorite. Terry’s is Die Hard. Zach’s is Speed. Mine is unquestionably Runaway Train. It is a movie that from the opening shot until the credits begin rolling the audience is glued to the screen for some insane stunts and action sequences held together by Jon Voight and Eric Roberts acting their asses off. The “runaway train” plot vehicle is not exactly groundbreaking, but this is not Unstoppableor something of the like. This is a fantastic, thoughtful, and exhilarating ride.

Memorable sequence: Suicide mission outside F-Unit

3. Memento (Christopher Nolan, 2000)

I didn’t necessarily know what I was getting into at the start of this movie. When it started, I was intrigued. As it went along, I was spellbound. When it ended, I was left breathless, as I am with each addition viewing. This movie is as brilliantly written and edited as any mystery thriller. Once you get a hold of what the movie is trying to do, trying to piece it together is nearly impossible since every moment and every word is so vital to the experience. There is no movie that is like Memento, and there probably never will be. If one attempts to copy its style, it will fail. This is a master class in inventive filmmaking.

Memorable sequence: Natalie (ab)uses Leonard

2. Kill Bill (Quentin Tarantino, 2003-2004)

Words cannot express what I felt watching these movies for the first time. Volume 1 is an edge-of-your-seat action picture that does not give you a chance to breathe, but then the second one is a much quieter but equally intense experience. There was a time when I felt Volume 2 was the best movie I had ever seen. Making a movie where the audience knows about how long about the it is going to be because of obvious checkpoints (like a Death List Five) makes for an even greater and more exciting experience because it develops a paranoid-type energy, not knowing what is going to happen next, but knowing that something significant certainly will. This is just filmmaking at its finest, and Tarantino’s best movie by far. Hopefully Volume 3 will not spoil it. Just kidding... no chance QT would do that to The Bride and her story.

Memorable sequence: “Elle and I”

1. The Usual Suspects (Bryan Singer, 1995)

In terms of mystery thrillers, it does not get better than The Usual Suspects. You would think that the first time watching a movie like this (with such a complex puzzle of a screenplay and a twist ending) that it would not hold up on additional viewings. That would be incorrect. This movie only gets better. The first viewing makes for a furiously thrilling experience. After that, you notice more little things that add to the story, and everything can somehow maintain that level of uncertainty even when you know how it is all going to wind up. For a mystery to be able to accomplish that feat, it is something truly astounding. This used to be my #1 of all time, and every time I catch it on DVD or cable, I wonder why that ever changed.

Memorable sequence: Police trafficking “taxi service"

It may be a bit blasphemous to not mention “The Master of Suspense” Alfred Hitchcock on a list of thrills, but other than Psycho (horror) and North by Northwest (overrated), I consider the majority of his movies as more mysteries of intrigue rather than thrills. What are your thoughts, comments, and most thrilling films? Post below.

Previous Articles:

Cheers (Most Inspiring Movies)

Peers (Best On-screen Couples)

Fears (Scariest Movies)

Tears (Most Emotional Movie Experiences)

Jeers (Worst Movies)

Coming up next: Top 10 Laughs, my final ranking before unveiling my revamped Top 10 Films of All Time!

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Terry's Top Ten Films of 2012

It always takes me a little longer to get my top 10 list of the year out than my two companions.  This is mainly because I have more trouble finding time to view the top films of the year before the come out on DVD.  Eventually I see them all and am able to put out a strong top films of the year.  This last year was one of those years where I think the Academy got it pretty right with who they honored at the Oscars.  This not only makes for a much more enjoyable Oscars ceremony, but also gives me increased faith in the awards systems.  Eight of the Best Picture nominees can be found in my top ten.  The one that is not I have yet to view (Beasts of the Southern Wild) but I feel confident enough in the ten that I have to go with it without viewing this one yet (Update: I saw Beasts and it did not crack the list).  So far, I have given out nine 4 star ratings for 2012 which is my lowest total since 2009 when there were eight 4 stars.  However, with that said, I believe this was a good year for movies because of the quality of the these ten movies at the top.  With all that said, here is the list.

Honorable Mention

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Haywire

Skyfall

This Is 40

10.  Amour (Dir. by Michael Haneke)

Let me start by saying this type of film is not my cup of tea.  I am usually not a fan of quiet subtle character studies.  I usually differ to Todd or Zach to discuss the greatness of this genre.  However, Haneke's latest achievement about an elderly couple dealing with the trials and struggles of the twilight years impressed me so much I had to put it on my list.  I still didn't necessarily "like" this movie in the traditional sense of the word, but I was fascinated by it and by the beauty of its subtlety.  The screenplay is brilliant because of everything it doesn't say.  There isn't much plot in the story, but most of the events that advance the plot are not seen or heard.  The film is not about what is happening, but about how people react to and cope with those events.  The beauty is in the non-verbals which led to two amazing performances from the Oscar-nominated Emmanuelle Riva and Jean-Louis Trintignant.  If nothing else, this film shows the incredible artistry of a unique filmmaker.

9.  The Avengers (Dir. by Joss Whedon)

This is probably the closest thing to a polar opposite that you could find to the last film on the list.  However, I would be lying if I didn't say the superhero mega-movie event wasn't one of the most enjoyable movie-going experiences of the year.  Individually, some characters made decent films (Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger) and some didn't (Thor) but together they made an explosive team that saved the world.  I could watch this movie over and over and over again.

8.  Lincoln (Dir. by Steven Spielberg)

I love a good historical drama.  When you add to that one of the better directors of the last 30 years, one of the best actors of the last 25 years, and one of the most beloved characters in American history, you are bound to have a masterpiece.  That is exactly what this combination brought.  Daniel Day-Lewis once again gave a career-defining performance (I believe this makes 5 career-defining performances for him) as he became the embodiment of the character instead of simply playing him.  Add to that some of the best supporting performances of the year from one of the most impressive casts of the year, and you really can't find anything to complain about.

7.  Les Miserables (Dir. by Tom Hooper)

When I heard they were making a movie version of my favorite musical of all time, my only reaction was, "Don't screw it up."  What I realized after watching the film was you really can't screw it up.  It was not a perfect movie.  I had some issues with some of the casting decisions and some of the performances, however when it came down to it the story is so good and the music tells the story so well that less than perfect still produced a masterpiece.  I give Tom Hooper a lot of credit for this because he realized the best way to bring this musical to the screen is to not mess with what made it a great musical, and that is the music.  By keeping the singing throughout and allowing the actors bring their characters to life through song, it gave the film the emotion and epic scale that makes the musical so beloved.

6.  Looper (Dir. by Rian Johnson)

This was one of the best kept secrets of last year.  However, by the time saw this movie, I had heard from everyone that had seen it that it was the most underrated film of the year.  So the hype had definitely built up.  With that said, it lived up to all the hype.  What a unique and original movie!  As all great sci-fi films do, it establishes its reality quite well, but what makes this one stand out is the reality we are forced to live in for two hours.  The unique and fascinating premise is so thought-provoking in itself that when the plot starts taking its twists and turns, you are hooked and on the edge of your seat for the duration.  Looper redefined time travel movies in a way District 9 a few years ago redefined alien movies.

5.  Django Unchained (Dir. by Quentin Tarantino)

It seems that no matter when Tarantino makes a film, it ends up on my top films of the year no matter how ridiculous the film is.  Django is a perfect example.  If you were to hear about a film with this premise, you would think it was a joke.  A slave right before the Civil War is freed to work with a bounty hunter to hunt down and kill slave owners.  What a terrible sounding, offensive movie!  This film should never be made!  Then you're told that Quentin Tarantino is making it.  All of a sudden it becomes one of the movie events of the year and a soon-to-be masterpiece.  It almost seems like Tarantino wants to see how far he can push it before he gets run out of Hollywood.  This will never happen though.  First, Tarantino would run away from Hollywood before he would be considered a part of it.  Second, he makes films in a way no one else does.  His screenplays and dialogue are so unique and his plot lines are so original, he has practically created a genre of his own.  Because of that, every time we see Tarantino work we see something we have never seen before.  This is what makes films like Django so great.  I'm sure if we saw films like these everyday then Tarantino wouldn't wow us so much.  But we don't, so they do.

4.  Zero Dark Thirty (Dir. by Kathryn Bigelow)

It is rare that such a moment of recent history is brought to the screen so quickly and so effectively.  Kathryn Bigelow has built a reputation for herself that I don't think anyone else should ever make a film about the Middle East besides her.  I really don't like a lot of the movies that are coming out about the wars in the Middle East, but Bigelow has now succeeded in making two masterpieces on the subject.  This film about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden is so honest and suspenseful that it draws you in from the very first scene.  The last half hour of the movie is one of the greatest war sequences I have ever seen.  It is definitely a film that takes you for a ride.

3.  Life of Pi (Dir. by Ang Lee)

This film surprised me more than any other this year.  I knew nothing about it going in except there was a boy, a boat, and a tiger.  I also knew that it was getting more recognition than I looked like it should by the awards season.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  Yes, it is a story about a boy, a boat, and a tiger, but it is so much more than that.  It is a story about faith, survival, and imagination.  And when you put an imaginative story like this into the creative hands of Ang Lee, you are bound to have one of the greatest movie experiences you can find.  I loved everything about this movie.  The story is incredible, which you almost forget about because the film is so beautiful to watch which is a given when Ang Lee is at the helm.  On top of all this, the film ends in a way that keeps you thinking for days.  It is one of those films where you need to have a discussion with someone to debrief after you are done watching it.  This is a film I will never get tired of talking about.

2.  Silver Linings Playbook (Dir. by David O. Russell)

Out of all the films on this list, this is the most human story with the characters you relate to the most with the best overall acting job of the year.  This film about a bipolar finding his way to be normal in the world is quirky, heartbreaking, funny, serious.  In short, it is life.  Few films capture life in all its dynamics like this does.  In a lot of ways (and my counterparts will hate me for this), it is a lot like Sideways in this way.  There is a real life story told with flawed, complete characters in a way real life actually is.  However, Silver Linings would have been nothing if not for its stellar cast.  Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence show they can do a lot more than what the general public recognize them for, and when you can round out your cast with a living legend you have a perfect cast.  I know some of you were thinking the living legend was Chris Tucker, but it's not.  It was Robert De Niro.

1.  Argo (Dir. by Ben Affleck)

If any of you have read any of my other posts or know what my favorite movies are, you will know that my all-time favorite type of movie is a 20th Century American History film.  Whether it's Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, or Frost/Nixon, there is something about this time period that appeals to me.  Argo is the latest film I can add to this list.  Ben Affleck is quickly becoming one of the best directors we have with this film being his masterpiece about the rescue mission of the Americans who escaped before the hostages were taken in Iran.  This movie feels like an instant classic, and instantly became one of my favorite movies of the last number of years.  I really don't know how to describe it other than: awesome.

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Power Rankings: Top 10 Jeers (Worst Movies of All Time)

---Recently, Zach told me that he had revamped his all time top 10 list, which got me thinking about doing the same. Mine is always fluctuating, so I came up with the idea of doing a series of power rankings of AFI categories (as well as some of my own) leading up to the unveiling of my all time list. These lists will include Cheers (inspiring), Peers (on-screen couples), Fears (scariest), Tears(emotional), Jeers (worst), Thrills, Laughs, and finally my top 10 films of all time. Note: My lists are not going to be even a fraction as objective as AFI’s lists. They are solely my personal preferences and experiences. Enjoy!---

Making a list of the worst movies I have seen is difficult. First, I have tried to erase these movies from my mind, so comparing them is interesting and somewhat random. There are two different kinds of horrible movies, as well. There are the ones that are trying to be bad and are, and there are the ones that have aspirations and fail miserably. This is going to be a mix of those two categories. It is also going to be filled with movies that many people may not have seen, because honestly, I have seen a ton of bad movies, some of which I am not too proud of.

Let’s see, I have only seen 3 films on IMDb’s Bottom 100, which are Ed (#83), Gigli (#86), and It’s Pat (#93). Will any of those make this list? Disaster Movie (#1), The Hottie & the Nottie (#3), and Birdemic: Shock and Terror (#7) highlight their bottom 10. Yeah, this is going to be fun…I hope. Check it out!

Others receiving votes: Antichrist (2009), Daredevil(2003), Malibu’s Most Wanted (2003), Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008), Say It Isn’t So (2001)

10. Street Fighter (Steven E. de Souza, 1994)

Well, is there really any reason to discuss this? We got Van Damme playing Guile in the middle of his…heyday, an incredibly over-the-top M. Bison by way of Raul Julia, and some of the stupidest dialogue in the history of movies. I think “Street Fighter EX Plus Alpha” had more story depth than this, the worst of all video game adaptations.

IMDb Rating: 3.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 13%

9. Virginia (Dustin Lance Black, 2010)

After his beautiful, sentimental, Oscar-winning script Milk, Dustin Lance Black uses that clout to direct some of our best actors in one of the worst movies I have ever seen. It is an aggressive, offensively bad movie that thinks it is being an edgy indie. Actually released in theaters in 2012, it came out the same year as a similar type of terrible movie The Paperboy, but at least there is a bit of glorified guilty pleasure in that mess. Virginia’s working title was “What’s Wrong with Virginia”. Basically everything, is my answer.

IMDb Rating: 5.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 4%

8. It’s Pat (Adam Berstein, 1994)

Having not seen MacGruber, this clearly takes the place as the worst “SNL” spin-off of all time. It is a classic case of a movie having one joke and stretching it out through a feature length film. This is as bad and painful to watch as it gets. At least I know the word “zythum” now. Don’t ask me why I remember that. I wish I didn’t.

IMDb Rating: 2.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 0%

7. In & Out (Frank Oz, 1997)

I will never understand why this movie was actually well-received. It is another example of a one-joke movie and another case of it not working. At no point are any of its stereotypes or gags at all funny, and the actors phone it in like never before. I have liked some movies by Frank Oz, and I love all of the actors, but I feel ashamed by the fact that I own this on VHS. I should burn it. I guarantee I will have more fun doing that than I did watching this atrocious wannabe comedy.

IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 73%

6. Dirty Love (John Asher, 2005)

So, I know you are thinking, “Why did you see that?” I don’t even know. It is as disgusting and terrible as anything I have ever seen. I figured that at least Jenny McCarthy would be hot and topless in it, but nope. In fact, we are punished for even thinking that. The only scene that comes close, she is covered in vomit. I feel like the movie actually had good intentions, but no one should be subjected to watch this garbage. It should be used for torture, A Clockwork Orange-style.

IMDb Rating: 3.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 4%

5. Rocky V (John G. Avildsen, 1990)

So, the only really good movie of Rocky films is the first one, directed by Avildsen. The next three lesser ones were directed by Stallone, and then Avildsen returns for the worst sports movie ever. Interesting…more interesting than this movie probably. With Rocky V, the story had become so worn-down that any movie involving these characters would have been tiresome. I never would have expected this one to be this bad, this poorly-constructed, and potentially one of the worst acted movies ever. At least Stallone redeemed himself with the very good Rocky Balboa, so this doesn’t have to live as the worst final chapter in the history of any film series.

IMDb Rating: 4.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 27%

4. Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever (Wych Kaosayananda, 2002)

This is a case where an action movie was so action-packed, that it made it completely unwatchable. I actually basically fell asleep during this because all I was seeing on screen were explosions and gunfire. It was so constant that it was almost soothing. Watching this movie is like watching paint dry, only it winds up hurting our ears. It is about as terrible as it gets, and I have seen a ton of bad action movies. There is not even a decipherable plot here, just explosions and phoned-in performances, if you can even call them performances.

IMDb Rating: 3.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 0%

3. The Doom Generation (Gregg Araki, 1995)

I realize that this movie has developed some sort of cult following, but I could not for the life of me tell you why. It is ultra-violent, heavy-handed, and absolutely brainless. It tried to be all Natural Born Killers in terms of its tone and visual style, but to even put it in the same sentence as that movie is a disgrace to a real movie. This is more like a talented director (see Mysterious Skin if you don’t agree) throwing as much trash at the screen at once and hoping people give him the benefit of the doubt. Well, we don’t.

IMDb Rating: 5.4/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 47%

2. Date Movie (Aaron Seltzer, 2006)

I was basically forced to watch this movie with friends, and I will never forgive them for that. This is the most unfunny comedy I have ever seen (I have stayed away from all these types of movies past Scary Movie 3 and will never touch Meet the Spartans, Epic Movie, etc.). There were about two parts in this agonizingly long 83 minute movie where I thought about smiling at a gag, but I didn’t want to. I had to think about it, and upon further judgment, it was the right decision. I didn’t want to give the movie the pleasure of me approaching mild amusement. It doesn’t deserve even that.

IMDb Rating: 2.7/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 7%

1. The Libertine (Laurence Dunmore, 2004)

So, here is the worst movie experience in my life. This movie is absolutely unwatchable. The talented people involved cannot help but go over-the-top with every line, creating an atmosphere that I could not even focus on. There may have been some nice artistic elements, but we will never know because the movie is so dimly-lit that we can hardly see anything. The movie is as inept as any movie that has ever surfaced. It is slow, ugly, annoying, stupid, and forgettable (I wish, anyway). I have no desire to ever come close to this movie again, and nobody should be subjected to sit through it. Do not be fooled by a movie having Johnny Depp, John Malkovich, and Samantha Morton in a period drama. There are zero redeeming qualities here. ZERO!

IMDb Rating: 6.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 33%

At last, the carnage is over! What do you think? What are your most excruciating movies of all time? Let me know…so I can stay away from them.

Previous Articles:

Cheers (Inspiring Movies)

Peers (On-screen Couples)

Fears (Scariest Movies)

Tears (Most Emotional Movie Experience)

Coming up next: My Top 10 Movie Thrills! Stay tuned.

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Power Rankings: Top 10 Tears (Most Emotional Movie Experiences)

---Recently, Zach told me that he had revamped his all time top 10 list, which got me thinking about doing the same. Mine is always fluctuating, so I came up with the idea of doing a series of power rankings of AFI categories (as well as some of my own) leading up to the unveiling of my all time list. These lists will include Cheers (inspiring), Peers (on-screen couples), Fears (scariest), Tears (emotional), Jeers (worst), Thrills, Laughs, and finally my top 10 films of all time. Note: My lists are not going to be even a fraction as objective as AFI’s lists. They are solely my personal preferences and experiences. Enjoy!---

If a movie can truly move me to the point that I am nearing tears, then that is truly something special. An emotional connection to movies is critical for them to be effective. This is a list of my most emotional movie-watching experiences, whether that emotion is being depressed, heartbroken, or whatever. This is obviously a very personal list, but I am sure that I am not alone on most of these. Check it out!

Others receiving votes: The Elephant Man (1980), Good Will Hunting (1997), The Messenger(2009), On Golden Pond (1981), The War Zone (1999)

10. Toy Story 3 (Lee Unkrich, 2010)

This is one of the most heartfelt and beautiful conclusions to any story. Any remote fan of the series will be in tears by the end. Kudos to Michael Arndt for using just enough nostalgic content from the series and mixing it with something that made the film completely current and genuine. The final act is absolutely brilliant, yet the movie does not ask for your tears. It just pulls them out because of our incredible fondness for the material.

9. The Passion of the Christ (Mel Gibson, 2004)

This is probably the most overpowering emotional movie experience I have ever had. It doesn’t matter what anyone believes; this movie will win over any audience with its incredible and unflinching vision. There is no way to get around the swell of emotion and power that the movie creates. I cannot see any movie really rivaling this in terms of appeal and affection toward such a brutal film.

8. 21 Grams (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, 2003)

Of all Inarritu’s films, this is the one that sticks out as being his most haunting effort. It may not be his best film (or even his second best), but it packs a punch that is rare in modern movies. It is stocked with pain, grief, and powerful acting to bring about such a bleak and raw experience. It is a fascinating and at times excruciating watch, but there is no denying its power. It has an effect on the audience that is impossible to shrug off.

7. Nights of Cabiria (Federico Fellini, 1957)

This is a movie that really caught me off guard when I saw it. I was completely sucked in to this mildly depressing emotional journey. It may be dreary in nature, but it is so precise and full of life that it lingers around in the mind for long after the credits. It is like any great road trip-type movie that is a discovery of a character that is just dumped on at every turn. It makes for one of the more unforgettable movie experiences without really seeming to try too hard at it. It is a special film and arguably Fellini’s finest hour.

6. The Wrestler (Darren Aronosky, 2008)

In terms of a movie that was just made by the right person with the right star at the right time, this movie is and always will be unmatched. Knowing the back-story of Mickey Rourke and how it relates to Randy “The Ram” makes this something truly extraordinary. It isn’t even the poignant story about him trying to reconnect with his daughter. It is everything with Cassidy that makes the movie such a wonder. The final scenes are as perfect as anything in the last decade. “I’m here…I’m really here.” That was as affecting and effective of a line that I have ever heard at the cinema.

5. Far from Heaven (Todd Haynes, 2002)

If I were making a list of movies that are closest to perfect, then this would have to be right at or near the top. Never has a movie so seamlessly taken the audience out of the present day and into another era. Watching everything unfold (I won’t spoil anything) is one of the most beautiful and lasting experiences you will ever have. If you are not in or nearing tears in the end, then I don’t even know what to say.

4. Monster (Patty Jenkins, 2003)

Again, I do not know what it is about this movie. Aside from a few films with twist endings, this is the most haunted I have ever been by a movie. Watching Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci giving career-defining performances in such a bleak story is something truly unforgettable. The movie gets more and more unsettling as it goes along. The audience cares more and more about the characters. By the time the gut-punch of an ending comes along, we cannot get the movie or the performances out of our heads. The phone call, the courtroom, the eerie final shot…those are things that will never leave my mind.

3. Tae Guk Gi (Je-kyu Kang, 2004)

There is really nothing like this movie anywhere. The Korean War is rarely touched in movies, but this is a top 5 military film of all time. Its story may be a bit typical, but the care and feeling that the filmmakers use makes this one something that is impossible to shake. The lightness of the first act followed by the brilliance of the second act make the final scenes just a devastating and heartbreaking wallop. The confrontations and climaxes do not even need words to make them effective. The atmosphere is so well established and precise that we feel it regardless. After watching this, I felt like I got slugged in the face. For a movie to mess me up like Tae Guk Gi did, that is the mark of greatness.

2. Leaving Las Vegas (Mike Figgis, 1995)

This movie is one that is so in touch with its tone and characters that it doesn’t even matter what format the story takes. Watching the slow, agonizing decline of such an interesting character makes for a gut-punch for the ages. It is a lyrical and incredibly depressing portrayal of a terrific story. This is not the type of movie that is really made to bring about tears from the audience, but more of one that aims to make the audience connect with a couple characters and tell an honest and slightly romantic story. It is perhaps the silence and confusing actions of the characters that makes the movie so compelling and that leaves the audience so down and broken-hearted.

1. The Deer Hunter (Michael Cimino, 1978)

I have never had an emotional experience watching a movie than when I first saw The Deer Hunter. I watched it in its full four-hour, commercial-interrupted version and it still got to me more than any movie ever. The movie is an emotional rollercoaster. The first hour establishes the characters as being very likable s they almost become friends of the audience by the time they are shipped out. From that point on, we are left shocked, depressed, and frustrated as we are strung along this journey with some of the finest characters ever put on screen. In particular, both roulette scenes, the homecoming scene, the hospital scenes, the final scene…oh forget it. The entire second half of the movie is the most emotional experience in all of film. It is an experience that I will never forget. All it takes is to see a clip of the film, and all of those feelings come rushing back. There was absolutely no hesitation in putting this movie at the top this list.

So, what is on your list of emotional movie-going experiences? Thoughts and comments on mine? Hit me up below.

Previous Articles:

Cheers (Inspiring)

Peers (On-screen couples)

Fears (Scariest movies)

Coming up: Top 10 Jeers, the worst movies I have ever seen! Stay tuned.

 

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Power Rankings: Top 10 Fears (Scariest Movies)

---Recently, Zach told me that he had revamped his all time top 10 list, which got me thinking about doing the same. Mine is always fluctuating, so I came up with the idea of doing a series of power rankings of AFI categories (as well as some of my own) leading up to the unveiling of my all time list. These lists will include Cheers (inspiring), Peers (on-screen couples), Fears (scariest), Tears (emotional), Jeers (worst), Thrills, Laughs, and finally my top 10 films of all time. Note: My lists are not going to be even a fraction as objective as AFI’s lists. They are solely my personal preferences and experiences. Enjoy!---

I am not exactly a horror film enthusiast. Only in the past few years have I really gained enough admiration for them to really make them watchable. I never really understood the appeal of them because only in extreme cases am I even partially scared when watching a horror flick. For me, the ones that I most gain a fondness for are the ones that make me feel uncomfortable. When a film is able to do that, it certainly gains my respect. Anyway, I am not as well-versed in the genre as I would like to be, so this list will have exclusions that may frustrate the most avid of fans. NOTE: I have only seen The Exorcist once, and I hated it and laughed at how ridiculous it was. It probably needs a rewatch, so it will not be making an appearance on this list. There, you have been warned.

Blind spots (notable unseen films): The Changeling (1980), Friday the 13^th (1980), Insidious (2010), The Omen (1976), Poltergeist(1982), Ringu (1998), Rosemary’s Baby (1968), The Strangers (2008)

Others receiving votes: The Evil Dead (1981), Halloween(1978), Misery (1990), A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), The Thing (1982)

10. Requiem for a Dream (Darren Aronofsky, 2000) 

This may not be a real horror movie, but it is terrifying. There are certain moments that are as hideous and off-putting as anything in any horror movie. In particular, the botched drug deal scene as well as the final 20 minutes or so are brutal and disturbing. The movie aims for something much deeper than simple shock value. It is shot in a way that makes it feel undeniable real, and it gets under our skin the way any great scary movie does.

9. The Blair Witch Project (Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez, 1999) 

As far as I am concerned, minimal budgets make horror flicks even more eerie to me. This movie does not have the usual scary movie checkpoints. It basically created a new genre of shaky camera documentary-style horror filmmaking. We do not exactly see anything particularly frightening, but the atmosphere is so well established that we can actually imagine the horrors that may or may not be going on. It is like the audience is with the characters. And because they are scared, we are scared.

 

8. High Tension (Alexandre Aja, 2003)

As far as slasher bloodbaths go, this one is the most effective. It has a fairly typical plot, about two friends traveling to a country home in the middle of nowhere, but it manages to avoid clichés most of the time. It actually is somewhat of a salute to classic slasher pictures, with a sinister serial killer story lingering in the background until it takes over the story in bloody brilliant fashion. There is just this sense of terror with the gruesome violence and the unrelenting carnage portrayed on screen. It is an ending I will never forget, and once the chainsaw is brought out, we are glued to the screen, even though we want to look away.

7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (Wes Craven, 1984)

With the first movie featuring horror film favorite Freddy Krueger, the modern horror genre was defined. Sure it has the typical horror movie ticks, but seldom were they better on display than in this movie. There is one of the most disturbing villains in terms of appearance ever. There is Johnny Depp getting imploded, or something. It is just this really interesting movie that really taps into the minds of the audience and freaks us out. I have not seen any of the sequels or the remake, and I don’t really want to. This one stands well enough alone.

 

6. The Descent (Neil Marshall, 2005) 

This is a movie where the premise really helps in giving the movie its effectiveness.  Basically the whole movie takes place in an underground cave with horrifying creatures. The movie is able to establish this claustrophobic atmosphere that really got to me. Trying to survive against predators in the dark...doesn’t get much more uncomfortable than that. We essentially only see what the characters do, so we can’t brace ourselves. My heart was actually pounding more during this movie than any similar type movie I have ever seen. The shock value is high, as is the intensity and terror. The movie is one that aches for a sequel, and while movie that ended up being pretty disappointing, it is still worthwhile just to see one take on where the story could have gone from there.

5. Psycho (Alfred Hitchcock, 1960)

I could not make a list of horror flicks without the granddaddy of all slashers, could I? This movie still stands its ground to this day as being one of the most sinister and creepy movies ever made. The atmosphere is unmatched. The compelling characters are unique and unforgettable. The ending still has that surprise value that has not been diminished despite tons of movies trying to capitalize on its inventiveness. The sequels are all solid (especially Psycho II), and I cannot wait for the premiere of Bates Motel. I cannot get enough of Norman, one of the all time great movie characters.

4. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (John McNaughton, 1986)

This is basically the only movie I have ever seen that has actually made me feel physically ill. The movie is so disturbing and real. We actually feel like we know people like Henry, who seems to be quiet and reserved in public, but behind doors he is one of the more sadistic murderers ever. It is not just the fact that he films himself raping and murdering people, but the fact that we see it through the grainy handheld camera he used, giving us the impression that we are watching it live. The sheer thought of the movie makes me feel unclean. Your stomach may turn during the movie, but it is worth it if you like that sort of horror sensation. Movies this effective don’t come around very often. You won’t be able to shake it.

3. Audition (Takashi Miike, 1999)

This is one of the stranger movies I have seen. It starts off like a light romance, but then it takes a turn and becomes one of the more shocking revenge horror flicks of all time. From the moment you see the main character hunched over in the middle of the floor and a sudden movement by a burlap sack behind her, you are locked to the screen. There are some of the most painful, cringe-inducing scenes I have come across, but for some reason my eyes were locked to the screen. It is something that only a talent like Japanese horror maestro Miike could accomplish. I have never really seen anything like this.

2. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Tobe Hooper, 1974)

This is probably the most grotesque horror movie ever made, and I mean that in the best way possible. It is a low budget slasher that really absorbs the audience in its terror and intelligence. The villains are among the more haunting and vicious ever been put on screen. The bleak production qualities make the movie even more disturbing and realistic. The part that gives the film its status is that it is almost completely without blood. It implies violence, and we are left to imagine what happens. We can only help but think the worst. This is a movie that got under my skin and I could not brush off for days. Again, I have not seen any sequels or prequels or remakes. I just don’t want to tarnish the experience of watching this movie.

1. [Rec] (Jaume Balaguero & Paco Plaza, 2007)

If I were to rank my most surprising movie-watching experiences in my life, this would have to be on that list. This movie heightened my enthusiasm for the found footage-style of filmmaking. We are watching the movie through the eyes of a cameraman, so we only see what he sees. It is essentially in real time, which only adds to the realism. If you are not locked to the screen for the duration of this intense, shocking, brilliant horror-thriller, then there is something wrong. I have never had a heart-pounding experience like when I first saw this. The first sequel (essential viewing for anyone who liked this movie or is at all curious about how stories end) would have made an appearance on this list if I hadn’t wanted to mix it up. The second sequel is stupid, but it almost doesn’t even feel like the same series. The American remake Quarantinedoes a credible job at recreating the atmosphere in basically a shot-by-shot remake, but not nearly as effective as [Rec]. It is an experience I will never forget, and one that actually holds up on multiple viewings.

Ok, so let me have it. What did I miss? What are your scariest horror movies? Anyone else love [Rec]like I did? Let me know!

Past articles:

Cheers (Inspiring)

Peers (On-screen couples)

Coming soon: Tears, my most emotional movie-going experiences!

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