1. The Godfather Part II (1974)
What can I say that hasn’t already been said. In my opinion, a perfect film in every aspect. Not Pacino or DeNiro’s best performance, but they work within the story. Flawless direction by Coppola, great music by Rota, cinematography, supporting cast, all just meshes together perfectly. Not to mention, what I consider to be the most intriguing, thought-provoking, interesting, well-written story in all of cinematic history. My favorite scene is Fredo's rant in the boathouse.
Direction – 20/20
Acting – 20/20
Story – 15/15
Rewatchability – 15/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 10/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 100%
5/5 Stars
2. The Godfather (1972)
For me, the only reason that this is #2 and PtII is #1 is simply because of PtII's story, which I dont think PtI can compare to, but put it up against anything else, still blows it away, and like its sequel, absolutely perfect in every other aspect. My favorite scene is the Baptism massacre.
Direction – 20/20
Acting – 20/20
Story – 15/15
Rewatchability – 15/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 10/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 100%
5/5 Stars
3. Goodfellas (1990)
I always feel like I'm doing this film a wicked injustice not ranking it as #1, considering I feel as though this one too, is a perfect film. For my top 5, it basically just comes down to the type of film it is, as I feel that all 5 are the best of their kind. Goodfellas too, exemplifies perfection in areas of music, cinematography and lighting, camera work, acting, and most of all, direction. I feel as though Scorsese must have locked himself away for 10 years with the Goodfellas script and methodically plotted each scene out frame for frame, because it doesnt seem like there's anything out of place. I love how the film is able to seem like two different films combined into one, as the beginning feels like a good old 1940's/50's/60's mob story, and the second part is completely different, the coked out 70's and 80's. My favorite scene is probably Henry's last day before he is arrested, fantastic editing by Thelma Schoonmaker (sp?) and direction by Scorsese, here especially.
Direction – 20/20
Acting – 20/20
Story – 15/15
Rewatchability – 15/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 10/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 100%
5/5 Stars
4. Heat (1995)
Clearly Michael Mann's best work, this epic cops/robbers drama gets it all right. No need to repeat myself I guess, I consider this film perfect in every aspect. Mann's direction made me fall in love with LA. The infamous bank robbery, the final showdown, stellar performances from Pacino, DeNiro, Kilmer, Sizemore, Voight, etc, etc. My favorite scene is obviously the bank robbery shootout.
Direction – 20/20
Acting – 20/20
Story – 15/15
Rewatchability – 15/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 10/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 100%
5/5 Stars
5. Forrest Gump (1994)
A fantastic film, seems to tell the story of America and the tumultuous 60's and 70's through one man's story. Hanks is at his best, and as much as I hate to say it, Robert Zemeckis' direction is perfect as well. Never becomes too cheesy or too serious, a perfect blend of everything, the 5th and final perfect film on my list.
Direction – 20/20
Acting – 20/20
Story – 15/15
Rewatchability – 15/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 10/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 100%
5/5 Stars
6. The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001)
Even I'm kind of surprised to see this film way up here at #6 but I recently realized upon a rewatch just how truly great it is. Beautiful black and white photography, lighting reminiscint of Citizen Kane, a well-paced meticulous story, a likeable yet emotionally-distant main character, perfectly acted by Billy Bob Thornton. The story seems to transcend the boundaries of the main character's life and his struggles to apply to all of mankind. Questions of normalcy, instinct, truth, family, love; really a much deeper film then you might see it on a 1st viewing. Probably what I consider to be the most underrated film of all time. My favorite scene is the intro to Tony Shaloub's character.
Direction – 20/20
Acting – 19/20
Story – 15/15
Rewatchability – 14/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 9/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 97%
5 Stars
7. American Beauty (1999)
A surprisingly mature and excellent film from rookie director Sam Mendes. I feel like I probably like this and Forrest Gump more then some others might because of how much they reflect the American way of life. Gump holds a fairly optimistic point of view, whereas the opposite is true here. Kevin Spacey is brilliant, my favorite performance of his. My favorite scene is the one where Spacey almost spills beer on the couch as he and Annette Bening are about to kiss, and the ensuing conversation.
Direction – 19/20
Acting – 20/20
Story – 15/15
Rewatchability – 15/15
Music – 9/10
Depth – 10/10
Cinematography – 4/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 97%
5 Stars
8. Casino (1995)
Upon my intial viewing, I had the same feelings that many others seem to have about Casino; too long, too much like Goodfellas, confusing story at times. But after watching this about 20 more times, I started to come around. No one can argue that Scorsese is at his best in the technical aspects of this film; perfectly lit, edited, framed, and although the story may seem a bit dragged out and muddled at times, I really feel like after taking it all in a few times, the story really comes togethor. My favorite Joe Pesci performance. My favorite scene is the scene in Ace's house where Pesci yells at him about his TV show and stuff.
Direction – 20/20
Acting – 20/20
Story – 13/15
Rewatchability – 13/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 10/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 96%
5 Stars
9. Pulp Fiction (1994)
The only thing I have against Pulp Fiction is the fact that at times Tarantino doesnt seem to chose his shots too carefully and sometimes holds the same shot for too long, but not in a good way like the Copa tracking shot in Goodfellas. Great music, great acting, amazing story, probably only 2nd to GFII, Tarantino's best. My favorite scene is all of Vincent and Jules's conversation on the way to Brett's in the beginning.
Direction – 19/20
Acting – 20/20
Story – 15/15
Rewatchability – 15/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 7/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 4/5
TOTAL = 95%
4.5 Stars
10. Traffic (2000)
Soderbergh's best, great ensemble piece, Benecio Del Toro really stands out. Traffic pulled off the multi-layered storytelling format much better then Magnolia or Syriana I thought. The cinematography and lighting really stand out here. I love the fact that this film was shot with mostly natural lighting and with an unmounted camera usually being handled by Soderbergh himself. This type of guerilla filmmaking really works excellently. My favorite scene is probably when Benicio Del Toro is sitting watching the baseball game at the end.
Direction – 20/20
Acting – 19/20
Story – 14/15
Rewatchability – 13/15
Music – 10/10
Depth – 9/10
Cinematography – 5/5
Supporting Cast – 5/5
TOTAL = 95%
4.5 Stars
And in case you were wondering, I consider Pacino's best performance to be Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, and DeNiro's best to be Max Cady in Cape Fear.
