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These are the best movies I’ve seen:

•    2001: A Space Odyssey,
•    Koyaanisqatsi,
•    The Third Man,
•    Casablanca,
•   Fog of War,
•    La Strada,
•    The Draughtsman’s Contract,
•    City Lights, and
•    Blade Runner

2001: A Space Odyssey

I first saw 2001 when I was 15. I went to see it for the special effects, but after seeing it, I knew that I had missed something important. I went back to see it again, maybe 20 times, read the book 3 or 4 times, and even wrote a high school essay on it. I eventually decided that I understood it. Years later, I saw more in it that I didn’t see earlier, so now I am not so sure that I really understand it. It changed my whole view of the world. It made me want to be a movie maker.

Koyaanisqatsi

I first saw Koyaanisqatsi when my brother showed me a videotape he had rented. It wasn’t until many years later that I saw it in a theatre. I saw it three times on the big screen, once at a live performance of the score by Philip Glass. The movie seemed to me to be completely abstract, yet it held my fascination every time I watch it. It does have a “story” and a “message”, but I’m not sure you can really put them into words.

The Third Man and Casablanca

I find that both of these movies have somewhat sad endings, in that the protagonists don’t get what they really wanted. Even so, they survive and maybe grow as people. I just wrote a blog where I talked about my fascination with this kind of plot. http://dynamiclethargyfilms.ca/blog/?p=170

I’d heard of both of these movies many years before I watched either of them. I never saw either on the big screen. I find both movies affect strongly at an emotional level.

I noticed that Roger Ebert has an image from The Third Man on his Twitter page. He also uses the Third Man Theme for his TV show.

Fog of War

Fog of War is an extended interview with Robert S. McNamara, who was the US Secretary of Defence during the Vietnam War. Sometimes it could be a horror movie, and other times a philosophical discussion. I never saw it on the big screen.

La Strada

Federico Fellini’ La Strata is the only movie of his that I really like. I saw it first in a movie appreciation course. It is about a brute of a man and the woman that travels with him. The end is both sad and surprising. This is another movie that I never saw on the big screen.

The Draughtsman’s Contract

I wanted to see this after seeing the review on Siskel and Ebert, but I didn’t see it for many years after. The first time I saw it was in a theatre. The woman I took to see it did not like it, and she asked me to apologize to her for taking her. I’ve seen it several times since and it grew on me. It is a sort of mystery, but one that isn’t really solved. I think it is that uncertainty that draws me to the movie. The director has crammed this movie full of many little details. I am sure there is still much more to see in this movie than I have so far.

City Lights

I saw this the first time in the mid 1970s when they rereleased several of Charlie Chaplin’s movies. It didn’t stick in my mind at the time, but years later I watched a documentary about Chaplin which showed out cuts from the movie. I think nearly an hour was devoted to City Lights. It was after that experience that the movie began to touch me emotionally. The last scene means so much more once you understand how the characters reached that point.

Blade Runner

I didn’t appreciate this movie until I began to talk to other people about it. Blade Runner asks what does it mean to be human. The movie uses hints at the nature of the hero to ask this question. These hints have fuelled many a long discussion. It is something of an intellectual and philosophical puzzle to be solved.

Reflecting on these thoughts, I see that most of these movies appeal to my intellect. They ask questions that get me thinking.

There are many movie theaters to suit the varying tastes of audiences in Chicago. There are the old school and classic theaters showcasing art-house and independent flicks. There are new multiplexes featuring digital cinemas and 3D blockbusters. It’s all about the diversity. The location where you watch the movie matters in the wholeness of your cinema experience. And trying out the best ones in the city is always something to look forward to.

Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema (2828 N. Clark St.)

Featuring seven auditoriums with unobstructed views and wall-to-wall screens, the Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema boasts of a state-of-the-art and architecturally unique facility to provide the best movie experience to the audience. It has provided the first all-stadium seating theater showcasing independent and foreign language films in the Chicago area. It is one of the city’s most innovative and exciting new theatre locations providing venues with unobstructed sightlines and top caliber sound technology. Aptly situated into the fourth, fifth and sixth levels of the Century Shopping Centre, it is surrounded by award-winning restaurants and deluxe shopping opportunities. The Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema offers theater rentals for private screenings. From digital camera from the good old years to the 8mm movies now transferred into DVDs, it provides people with a suitable place to relive those cherished memories with family and friends in a full theater atmosphere. A luxury birthday gift to game aficionados can be the experience of playing games on the big screen.

The theater can provide a cool place for gamers who want a larger than life encounter with their favorite games by hooking up the game system with the digital projectors and surround sound system. And for a romantic treat, the theater can also provide a perfect setting for a classic date—whether you reserve the theater to yourselves or invite friends along. More than just a pleasant movie experience for colleagues, clients and employees, business meetings are also welcome in the theater. It is equipped with full screen digital projection capabilities where powerpoint presentations can be utilized for big screen viewing. The theater can also provide a range of audio-visual choices to suit the company event including easels, wireless microphones and podiums for a plush and meaningful business affair. Catering services can also complement the event. Independent filmmakers can also rent a theater showcase films to the cast, crew, friends, producers and prospective distributors. It also offers Academy Award Qualifying Rentals where the indie artists can show their films in their quest to achieve world-renowned recognition.

Navy Pier IMAX Theatre (600 E. Grand Ave.)

Navy Pier has been a top amusement destination in Chicago for more than a decade. It is a place where locals and tourists alike come together to enjoy the beauty  of Lake Michigan and Navy Pier’s fun amenities. One of its top entertainment spot is the larger-than-life cinema at The IMAX Theatre. It offers a 440-seat theater featuring Chicago’s largest flat movie screen with a soaring six-storey, 60 x 80-foot screen, the largest in the city, designed to enhance both 2D and 3D films. Undoubtedly one of the Pier’s biggest attractions, it offers unparalleled image and sound quality for both the newest and hottest blockbuster 3D movies and also classics like a Stanley Kubrick or Steven Spielberg masterpiece. Navy Pier also features spectacular fireworks displays to seasonal special events, so it’s a good time to go there for a whole day bonding affair with family and friends.

There are a number of Navy Pier Fun Packages with value deals for all your preferred attractions that may include the Navy Pier AeroBalloon, The Chicago Childrens Museum, Cruises, The Navy Pier Store, and of course, The IMAX Theatre. You can also enjoy theatrical productions courtesy of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the Cirque Shanghai acrobats at the Pepsi Skyline Stage and hundreds of free shows, concerts and special events for all ages.

AMC’s Ford City 14 Theaters (7601 S. Cicero Ave.) The Ford City 14 Theaters has a pretty interesting history. It’s originally known as the Ford City initially operated by General Cinema. During that time, it was utilized as two different theaters, the six-screen Ford City and the triplex Ford City East nestled in the Ford City Mall in the southwest side of Chicago. In 1990, the theater has become known as Ford City 14 Theaters. It’s one of the largest megaplex theaters during its heyday. And given its market value, the famous movie theater chain AMC found interest to it and took over the theater until today. It is very accessible with various transportation options and it has nearby food and entertainment establishments to maximize a patron’s film day.

Just like with most AMC movie theaters, the Ford City 14 boasts of top quality audio-visual equipment and services. From theaters with standard 35mm projection to digital cinema theaters, it provides the viewers with luxury comfort with its design and features. It houses its own IMAX Theatre with towering screens for visually stunning images and technologically advanced surround system for that ultimate 3D movie-going experience. It also features the RealD 3D experience with its mind-blowing digital approach to see the movies with amazing depth and clarity. It provides a number of theatrical services to its patrons including theater rentals for private and business functions, cinema suites, premium theaters, alternative content, gift and cards merchandise and a rewards system to bring more perks for the loyal movie-goers.

Musicbox Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave.)

With an eclectic melange of artistic fantasy and Italian and Spanish architecture, the Musicbox Theatre has decades of history of providing both the locals and tourists a taste of art and independent films. From Fritz Lang to Federico Fellini to Akira Kurosawa, the theater’s Weekend Matinees with classic films has become a part of the sub-culture of movie-going through this downtown theater. It is also known for its Midnight Movies where two films typically play during midnight weekends. Known for its large theater space operated full time in the city, the Music Box Theatre creates a true culture of its own with its physical trademark of having an atmospheric ambience. It has dark blue, cove-lit ceiling with twinkling stars and moving cloud formations suggesting the night sky. The side walls have plaster ornaments, along with round towers, laid-back marbles parts and organ chambers providing the feel of an Italian courtyard. And the overall design makes the movie patrons have the feel of actually watching a film in an open air palazzo with a beautiful night sky enveloping their movie experience.

For around 20 years, this vintage theater has become a top premiere Chicago venue for independent, art-house and foreign films. Independently owned and operated by the Southport Music Box Corporation (SBMC), it has its own Music Box Films division which also distributes foreign and independent films in the theatrical, DVD and television markets throughout the US. The theater is easily accessible from the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) Train’s Red Line and Brown Line and also from the CTA Bus.

Davis Theater (4614 N. Lincoln Ave.)

The Davis Theater situated in the heart of Lincoln Square has been a local favorite for over 80 years of serving the hottest Hollywood movies. What’s good about this theater is that it has kept a good pace in showing first-run blockbusters and also first-rate indie films at amenable prices. It further exudes a culture of its own. In Chicago, it has been described as “your neighborhood movie theater” with its excellent customer relationship that has definitely grown with the times. It has a charming and cozy ambience without losing its old school character. The lobby is filled with old movie posters and candy vending machines. Another thing that makes film enthusiasts come back to this classic theater is its excellent value, especially for matinee runs. Most films shown tend to hang around a little longer in Davis than in corporate multiplexes.

The Theater 4, better known as the Davis Art, occasionally showcases art-house movies and indie flicks. It also organizes some special weekend programs for midnight films. Davis Theater has lived with the Chicago film patrons for most of their lives. It is a walk away from various restaurants, schools, book stores, art centers, business establishments and major transportation options.

Every single Pixar movie is special in its own way and worthy of recognition. Pixar has produced the best animated feature films in the last twenty years of filmmaking. I cannot think of any other film-maker in the industry that has successfully captivated the audience with its simplicity, storytelling and emotional depth. Every Pixar film is a masterful work of art that exceeds most of our expectations. With that in mind, here is my ranking of the top 10 Pixar movies. The following list is not based on public polls or official ranking. Feel free to share your list of top 10 Pixar movies.

1. Up

The movie was directed by Pete Docter. Up was released May 29, 2009 and grossed ,108,790 on the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 98% overall approval rating. Up made 3,004,164 in domestic box office receipts

2. Toy Story

The movie was directed by John Lasseter. Toy Story was released November 22, 1995 and grossed 29,140,617 on the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a #100 approval rating. Toy Story made 1,796,233 in domestic box office receipts.

3. WALL-E

The movie was directed by Andrew Stanton. WALL-E was released June 27, 2008 and grossed ,087,526 on the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 96% overall approval rating. Wall-E made 3,749,872 in domestic box office receipts.

4. Monsters, Inc.

The movie was directed by Pete Docter and co-directed by David Silverman. Monsters, Inc. was released November 2, 2001 and grossed ,577,067 on the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 95% overall approval rating. Monsters, Inc. made 5,873,250 in domestic box office receipts.

5. Toy Story 2

The movie was directed by John Lasseter. Toy Story 2 was released November 19, 1999 and grossed 5,852,179 in domestic box office receipts. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 100% overall approval rating.

6. The Incredibles

The movie was directed by Brad Bird. The Incredibles was released November 5, 2004 and grossed ,467,623 on the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 97% overall approval rating. The Incredibles made 1,441,092 box office receipts.

7. Ratatouille

The movie was directed by Brad Bird. Ratatouille was released June 29, 2007 and grossed ,027,395 on the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 96% overall approval rating. Ratatouille made 6,445,654 box office receipts.

8. Finding Nemo

The movie was directed by Andrew Stanton. Finding Nemo was released May 30, 2003 and grossed ,251,710 on the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave a 98% overall approval rating.

9. Cars

The movie was directed by John Lasseter. Cars was released June 9, 2006 and grossed ,119,509 on the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 75% overall approval rating.

10. A Bug’s Life

The movie was directed by John Lasseter. A Bug’s Life was released November 20, 1998 and grossed 2,798,565 in domestic box office receipts. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 91% overall approval rating.

Feel free to share your list of top 10 Pixar movies.

Dog movies are an American staple. When listing the five best movies of all time you  may think that it would be the ones that made the most at the box office, but this leave out many classic dog movies. The five best dog movies of all time are: Old Yeller, Homeward Bound, Marley and Me, Best in Show, and Benji.

Old Yeller, perhaps one of the biggest tear jerker movies of all time,  is a well loved classic adapted from the 1956 novel. This is the story about a family in the antebellum south. The father is away trying to earn money.  Old Yeller is a stray dog who befriends the family and even defends them from a rabid wolf. This movie is popular among adults and children alike. This is the first movie that focused on the love between a boy and his dog, and it spurned many other films and books with a similar theme.

Homeward Bound: the Incredible Journey is a great family movie. This 1993 film is a remake of the lesser known 1963 film The Incredible Journey. Homeward Bound is about the journey of two dogs and a cat as they make their way home. The animal personalities rule the film. Chance, the American Bulldog, is a scrappy wanderer who tries to put out an air of not needing anyone. Shadow, the loyal and older Golden Retriever is a caring soul who watches out for the other two animals. Sassy, the long haired cat, is a prissy, pampered pet who longs to return to the comforts of home. Together these three have funny adventures as well as heart rending ones in their journey to find their loved ones. This movie helped to establish the idea of animals having individual personalities as many pet owners will attest to.

Marley and Me, the newest film on this list, is guaranteed to be a classic. Based upon the book by John Grogan, this film depicts the lovable but worst dog ever, Marley. Marley gets into disaster after disaster from tearing his home apart to shaking in his boots at every thunderstorm that rolls across Florida. Marely and Me depicts the life of Marely from puppyhood up to old age and the journey he has with his family along the way. The love for a dog that never seems to do the right thing is one that many pet owners will connect with.

Best in Show, the 2000 mockumentary about contestants in a dog show, is a hilarious look into the world of dogs and their owners. This movie is more about the people who love their dogs than about the dogs, but dog owners everywhere will love it anyway. There are five dogs featured in the film: a Norwich terrier, a Bloodhound, a Weimaraner, a Shih-Tzu, and a Poodle. These dogs represent pretty common entrants into dog shows.  Their owners back stories, however, are what really brings personality to the film from the over-obsessive yuppy pet parents to the Weimaraner to the quirky owners of the Norwich terrier.

Benji, a classic dog movie from the 1970’s, is a great one for anyone who has ever adopted a stray, mixed dog.  This movie includes as a great mystery as Benji works to save two children who have been kidnapped. This film is guaranteed to be loved by the whole family as much as Benji, the stray dog, is loved by so many people in his town.  Benji was such a popular dog character that his character was reprised for additional films all the way up to 2004, thirty years after the first Benji film debuted.

Dog movies are an American staple. When listing the five best movies of all time you  may think that it would be the ones that made the most at the box office, but this leave out many classic dog movies. The five best dog movies of all time are: Old Yeller, Homeward Bound, Marley and Me, Best in Show, and Benji.

Old Yeller, perhaps one of the biggest tear jerker movies of all time,  is a well loved classic adapted from the 1956 novel. This is the story about a family in the antebellum south. The father is away trying to earn money.  Old Yeller is a stray dog who befriends the family and even defends them from a rabid wolf. This movie is popular among adults and children alike. This is the first movie that focused on the love between a boy and his dog, and it spurned many other films and books with a similar theme.

Homeward Bound: the Incredible Journey is a great family movie. This 1993 film is a remake of the lesser known 1963 film The Incredible Journey. Homeward Bound is about the journey of two dogs and a cat as they make their way home. The animal personalities rule the film. Chance, the American Bulldog, is a scrappy wanderer who tries to put out an air of not needing anyone. Shadow, the loyal and older Golden Retriever is a caring soul who watches out for the other two animals. Sassy, the long haired cat, is a prissy, pampered pet who longs to return to the comforts of home. Together these three have funny adventures as well as heart rending ones in their journey to find their loved ones. This movie helped to establish the idea of animals having individual personalities as many pet owners will attest to.

Marley and Me, the newest film on this list, is guaranteed to be a classic. Based upon the book by John Grogan, this film depicts the lovable but worst dog ever, Marley. Marley gets into disaster after disaster from tearing his home apart to shaking in his boots at every thunderstorm that rolls across Florida. Marely and Me depicts the life of Marely from puppyhood up to old age and the journey he has with his family along the way. The love for a dog that never seems to do the right thing is one that many pet owners will connect with.

Best in Show, the 2000 mockumentary about contestants in a dog show, is a hilarious look into the world of dogs and their owners. This movie is more about the people who love their dogs than about the dogs, but dog owners everywhere will love it anyway. There are five dogs featured in the film: a Norwich terrier, a Bloodhound, a Weimaraner, a Shih-Tzu, and a Poodle. These dogs represent pretty common entrants into dog shows.  Their owners back stories, however, are what really brings personality to the film from the over-obsessive yuppy pet parents to the Weimaraner to the quirky owners of the Norwich terrier.

Benji, a classic dog movie from the 1970’s, is a great one for anyone who has ever adopted a stray, mixed dog.  This movie includes as a great mystery as Benji works to save two children who have been kidnapped. This film is guaranteed to be loved by the whole family as much as Benji, the stray dog, is loved by so many people in his town.  Benji was such a popular dog character that his character was reprised for additional films all the way up to 2004, thirty years after the first Benji film debuted.

Check out hundreds of photos of dogs at the popular dog website http://www.dogsonline.com

It is quite difficult to just create a list of the 10 best movies to watch on a snowy day. It really depends on whether you are by yourself, with your better half, with your children or just trying to survive the day. So I grouped my favorite choices into 4 categories, depending on what my situation is

Manly Chick Movies – For Romantic Times

I call this group the “Manly Chick Movies” as these are Movies that are really Chick Movies, but it’s ok as a “guy” to watch them with your girlfriend or wife without running the risk of looking like a wimp.

Casablanca

My all time favorite. Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogart) a distinguished but cynical coffee shop owner in World War II Casablanca, Morocco somehow gets a hold of two letters of transit, which during Nazi times was like getting a stay of execution. Things start heating up when a Nazi Major is trying to arrest underground leader Victor Laszlo, who happens to be traveling with Rick’s long lost love Ilsa. After first being cold and distanced to his former lover, Rick warms up to her again and selflessly helps her get away with Laszlo. Timeless. Watch it it with your girlfriend or wife, and you will surely have a romantic night, while the snow is falling outside your window

Singing in the Rain

Another classic, guaranteed to create the right setting for a wonderfully romantic time with your better half.

Set in 1927 Hollywood, two Silent Movie Stars  Don Lockwood (played by Gene Kelly) and Lina Lomont (played by Jean Hagen) are struggling with the rapidly changing movie world that envelopes them as movies start to have sound. Not surprisingly their movie is set to be turned into a musical, but truth be told, while Don can sing and speak, listening to Lina is just painful whether she sings or  speaks. To the rescue comes a charming aspiring actress, Kathy Selden (as played by Debbie Reynolds). Now amidst all these wonderful uplifting songs a twisted love story develops between Don and Kathy.

The music is great, the story is flat but watching it with your better half when it is freezing outside works for me every time.

Feuerzangenbowle

I know most of you are going to call me crazy or outright weird with my next choice. But this is another classic and there is nothing better than sipping a Feuerzangenbowle, while watching the movie when it is really, really cold out there.  You don’t know what a Feuerzangenbowle is? It is basically a piping hot drink  prepared by burning a rum drenched sugar cone into a bowl of mulled red wine. Amazingly delicious. Slowly sip it with your better half in your arm, snuggled in a warm blanket together, watching the snow fall outside. Is there anything better.

The story is really not that important. It is about a guy, Johannes Pfeiffer (played by Heinz Ruehmann) who is drinking Feuerzangenbowle with his friends, while talking about all the adventures Johannes missed, because he didn’t attend school some decades ago. As I said the story doesn’t really matter, the movie is funny and you are watching it for the drink. Cheers.

Family Movies

Now it is a totally different story if you are spending the snow day with your family including kids. I am divorced but my children spend most of the time with me. Normally I would say, “go out and play”, but i know there are situations you just can’t take your kids out in the snow, so for these situations these are  my favorite movies for an indoors snow day with my kids

Alvin and the Chipmunks

The perfect movie when it is gray and dark outside, or when it snowing so heavily that you can’t go outdoors. My kids and me, we love the songs, we know the lyrics and we sing and dance along. Watching this movie together is sure to make us forget the snow outside.

The story is about a three chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore, that not only can sing but also dance and compose songs. They meet up with depressed loser songwriter David Seville (played by Jason Lee) and finally hook up with David, after first trashing his house. David and the chipmunks present their songs to ueber evil record producer Ian (played by David Cross) and become an overnight worldwide sensation (not surprisingly: Singing Chipmunks – Hello!). But evil greedy Ian wants more and more from the chipmunks and alienates them from David by piling on presents and toys on the chipmunks. But of course we have a happy ending.

Polar Express

This incredibly beautiful animated movie about a boy who embarks on an adventure to regain his believe in Christmas and Santa Clause is set on a magical train going to the north pole. During the train ride the boy meets other children and ghosts who slowly take the boy on a journey to discover that the world is a wonderful place as long as you are open to believe.

I just love the morale of the story. My kids can’t get enough of this movie. It beautiful. The graphics and landscapes are amazing, it transports you and your children to a magical winter wonder world and reminds you to open your eyes and enjoy the wonders of this world.

Guy Wipe Out Movies

I call this category the guy wipe out movies, because these are the perfect movies to watch on a blizzard snow day in your pajamas, for 24 hours non-stop, ignoring everything that is going on around you and everybody that is around you, forgetting who you are and becoming one with the hero in your show, and finally saving the world! And you can do all that without leaving your sofa for a minute…

24

Fast pace action tale about a day in the life of hero terrorist hunter,  Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland). We are led to believe that we follow Bauer along during his regular workday while embarking on a global terrorist hunt that involves amazing conspiracies and terror plots that thankfully are way too complicated for real terrorists. But even though the story line is always over the top the action is hypnotic, Bauer is a likeable hero which you can easily identify with, and he makes moral questions like whether torture is wrong seem irrelevant. His favorite words are “time is running out” and the threat grows to monumental proportions from episode to episode. It is addictive, hypnotic and fun to watch. I could watch all seasons nonstop while a Blizzard is passing me by.

Twilight Zone

Ok, if you are not in the mood for terrorist hunting but you still want to wipe out, Twilight Zone (created and narrated by Rod Serling)  is the series for you. An endless supply of episodes, 156 in total, allow you to immerse yourself in a dark and frightening world of supernatural and extraordinary situations. Every episode is completely different than the others and most have a surprising ending that adds a morale to the story. 156 episodes, that is almost 7 days of nonstop mystery. You can wait out even the longest Blizzard in the Twilight Zone.

Stargate SG 1

When I was a child my favorite adventure wipe out was endless stories about explorers and pirates heading out to new worlds, embarking on adventures in strange places, meeting strange and exotic people. Now eventually I had to grow up. You can’t seriously tell anyone that you love pirate stories anymore when you are grown up, but if you tell them you love science fiction everything is ok.

Stargate SG 1 is the mother of all Science Fiction stories. A group of hero adventures start traveling the Universe through a wormhole generating Stargate that was left on Earth and throughout the Universe by a strange and extinct species called the Ancients. Endless episodes, a total of 214, telling stories about explorers and space pirates, good and evil aliens and humans, exploring strange new worlds, living through adventures in strange places, meeting strange and exotic people and aliens. Sounds familiar? That’s why it is now my favorite wipe out and with 214 episodes you won’t see me for 2 weeks straight.

Action, Drama & Adventure

Sometimes you are not in the mood for romance, your kids are gone and you don’t feel the need to wipe out. In that case would go for either a good action/adventure movie or a engulfing drama. Here are my two top choices.

Schindler’s List

One of the most disturbing, but at the same time strangely fascinating movies I have ever seen. It tells the true Story of a Nazi Businessmen, Oskar Schindler (brilliantly played by Liam Neeson) who is down on his luck in Nazi Germany and seeks fortune by moving to Nazi occupied Poland. There he cynically convinces a few rich Jews to finance his factory, manufacturing weapons and ammunitions for the Nazis. He witnesses the brutal and violent excesses against the Jewish and Polish Population that get exceedingly more barbaric and cruel the farther the war progresses. Coached by his Jewish Foreman Itzhak Stern (played by Ben Kingsley) Schindler starts allowing Itzhak to turn his factory into a refuge for Jews. Ultimately Schindler ends up using all his money and influence saving over thousand Jews from certain death in Nazi concentration camps. While the story is being told, the genius director Steven Spielberg, injected a girl dressed in a fire red dress, into the otherwise black and white movie. This girl appears every time the violence and the brutality reaches new levels. She wanders helplessly and aimlessly over the killing fields around her, watching the black and white slaughter in her fire red dress. In her eyes you can see that she can’t understand what is going on…

That’s a movie that puts tears in my eyes, even just writing about it. Perfect for a snow filled day.

Braveheart

And finally another all time favorite of mine is the story of a Scottish Rebel William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) who leads the Scottish against the British in a bloody rebellion in the 14th century. Heartwarming and mesmerizing story about Honor, Love, Courage and Freedom set in the beautiful Scottish Country Side. This long movie is sure to keep your thoughts of the snow outside.

There are lots of movies being shown every month, but if you are too busy, you tend to miss some of those good films. Sure you can buy CDs and DVDs everywhere but still you have to wait for a month or so to buy it and watch it at home. Why wait when you can watch movies online. Searching the title of your favorite movie online, you see a lot of websites that has it.

Some sites require a certain fee but others offer it for free. Watching movies online for free is possible; however do not expect to watch the full length blockbuster for free at all the websites. You can find only few sites that will allow you to download and watch blockbuster movies in full.

To watch movies online, you first have to install video software that is compatible to your computer like Windows Media, Real Player and others. In general, these come as pre loaded with your PC, if not you can download it for free. Next, search online for websites that offer free movie download or allows you to watch movies online for free. Once you have found a website, go through the list of available movies. You just have to remember that these websites may or may not have the movie that you are looking for. If you found what you are looking for, download the movie. Just make sure that your computer has the right software for that specific movie. To watch your favorite movie without internet interruption, save the movie on your computer. If you can not save the movie by clicking save then check the websites instructions on how to save their movie on your computer. Other websites have their own save link.

If downloading the movie still seems to be an issue, you can always download video download firefox plugin like videohunter (and there are many more) and downloading anything will be as easy as counting one to four.

Though there could be many reasons why people prefer to watch movies online at home, the most prevalent reason is that people don’t have time to go to theatre due to their work load. To keep them up to date and entertained in free time, they prefer to search the web and watch movies online in their office or in the comfort of their own home. This is great because you won’t have to spend money just to watch. No noisier movie goers and no more kicking of your chair.

Anyone can watch movies online free irrespective of your geographical location. To enjoy the perfect streaming, you should have fast broadband connection. Having a fast internet connection will make the downloading of the movie faster and viewing it online without any interruption.

You also have to be responsible in downloading the video, though some websites offers it for free, you are not certain that downloading movies will not harm your computer. So keep your antivirus updated. However, there are some websites that are safe wherein you can watch movies online and download it without worrying about these issues.
 

Narrowing down a list of the best movies of the 80s to just 20 was pretty challenging. Though it is a decade that produced some very questionable fashion, some strange music and more than its fair share of odd sayings the 80s certainly didn’t lack when it came to quality movies. Yes, there were plenty of duds and bad sequels, but there were plenty of all time classics, as you will see as you proceed down this list. Curious to see if your favorite 80s movies made the list? Read on to see what flicks made the cut on my list of the top 20 best films of the 80s:

20 – Bull Durham – A baseball comedy marks the start of the top 20 best movies of the 80s. Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon star in a bizarre love triangle with a backdrop of minor league baseball. Kevin Costner has made a habit of starring in baseball movies in his career and both Bull Durham and Field of Dreams could have made this list. I chose the former because I think it has probably has greater appeal to the women in the crowd.

19 – The Breakfast Club – If there is one movie that is synonymous with the 80s then The Breakfast Club is that film. A story about a group of students from all different walks of life who are forced to sit in detention together one fateful Saturday seems on the surface to be a pretty thin plot. However, it is the characters, however stereotyped, who really make this movie, and anyone who grew up in the 80s and experienced the social pressures and prejudices of high school in that era can identify with one or more of the characters.

18 – Amadeus – Though perhaps not as popular among the teenage crowd back in the 80s it is hard to keep this 8 time Oscar winning film off the list of the best movies of the 80s. Tom Hulce is not exactly a Hollywood name but his portrayal of music genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in this 1984 biopic stands as one of the crowning acting achievements of that decade. For those who are little more shallow the movie also gave us the huge 80s Falco hit, Rock me Amadeus.

17 – Moonstruck – This Oscar winning film would definitely be at or near the top of a list of the best romantic comedies of the 80s. Love triangles were apparently popular plotlines in the 80s as this film uses this plot device as well. The multi-talented singer and actress Cher gives the performance of her career in this classic 80s love story.

16 – Rain Man – As good as Dustin Hoffman was in Tootsie there can be little argument that his best work of the 80s came as his portrayal as an autistic man in 1988’s Rain Man. Tom Cruise stars alongside Hoffman and the chemistry between the two is fantastic right from the get-go. Though the subject matter might sound a bit heavy there are plenty of light moments, including a few that will make you laugh out loud, in this thought-provoking film.

15 – Scarface – With starring roles in films like The Godfather, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Heat, and Scent of a Woman Al Pacino can certainly throw his hat in the ring when it comes to picking the best actor of the past 40 years. His role as Cuban drug lord, Tony Montana can stand among all the aforementioned movies as some of his best work as an actor. “Say hello to my little friend!” is one of the most quoted lines in movie history. There is plenty of violence and mature subject matter in this one, but if you like your films gritty then Scarface is not to be missed.

14 – The Color Purple – Though I wanted to keep this list of the top 20 80s movies as light and fluffy as possible these Oscar nominated films just keep slipping onto the list. Based on the Pulitzer prize winning novel by Alice Walker the film details the life of a young African American woman and her trials as she grows up in the early 20th century. Whoopi Goldberg is magnificent as Celie, the main character in the film, and talk show megastar Oprah Winfrey also shows her amazing acting ability in the role of Sophie, landing an Oscar nomination for her performance.

13 – Ordinary People – Better known for his work as an actor director Robert Redford nabbed himself an Oscar for his work on this extraordinary film about ordinary people who must deal with the pain of losing a loved one. The movie is emotionally powerful and the performances by Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore and Timothy Hutton as the family members left behind are all genuine and superb. If you are in the mood for a strong dramatic film definitely pick this one up.

12 – Airplane! – About as far to the opposite end of the spectrum from Ordinary People as you can get Airplane! is nothing but constant laughs. A parody of airline disaster movies, Airplane! should stand at or near the top of any self-respecting comedy fan’s list of the funniest movies ever made. Leslie Nielsen, Lloyd Bridges and Robert Hays all star in this endless quotable comedy classic.

11 – On Golden Pond – Henry Fonda, Katherine Hepburn and Jane Fonda star in this film about a father and daughter, long estranged, who work to repair their relationship. Henry Fonda is brilliant as the cantankerous Norman Thayer, and screen legend Katherine Hepburn is just as good as his inhumanly patient wife Ethel. Their acting was so good that the pair earned the rare double win as best actor and best actress at the Academy Awards. If you are worried it sounds a little dramatic for your tastes rest assured that this isn’t just a one dimensional film. There are plenty of laughs along the way particularly in the bickering between the old couple.

10 – Gandhi – Finally, we reach the top 10 movies of the 80s. Ben Kingsley gives the performance of a lifetime as Mahatma Gandhi, the famous pacifist who orchestrated a massive campaign of non-violent protests for the rights of Indians in South Africa. The film was a runaway winner for Best Picture that year, and Kingsley earned a deserving Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Though the film is more than a quarter century old its message is still as powerful as ever. It is a movie every person should see at least once, regardless of race, religion or gender.

9 – The Terminator – Arnold Schwarzenegger delivers one of the most iconic villains of all time in his role as the terminator in James Cameron’s 1984 classic sci-fi film. Sent back through time by the machines to assassinate the woman who will give birth to the child who will lead the human resistance in the future, Schwarzenegger is chilling as a cyborg killing machine hell-bent on assassinating Linda Hamilton. The film’s sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is arguably even better than the original, but since it didn’t come out until 1991 it is ineligible for this list.

8 – Aliens – Wow, these last couple of entries make it sound like I am creating a list of the best sci-fi movies ever made. Aliens starring Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, the toughest chick in space is as much a horror movie as a science fiction thriller, and the monsters in the film are impressively realistic, especially considering this movie is nearly a quarter century old. The original film, Alien is almost as good, but contrary to the usual Hollywood formula the sequel is actually a little bit better than the original and so gets the nod on this list.

7 – Back to the Future – Continuing with the science fiction theme, this quirky time travel film starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly is not only one of the funniest movies of the 80s, but one of the best films in any genre. Christopher Lloyd is absolutely perfectly cast as Doc Brown, a mad scientist who invents a time travel machine in the form of a DeLorean sports car. McFly becomes his willing guinea pig and takes the car to the past where he meets up with a much younger Doc Brown who must figure out a way to get him back home. To complicate things Marty ends up the object of affection of his own mother (a much younger version of course) and must play matchmaker between her and his father lest they never fall in love, causing him never to exist. Quite a conundrum to say the least!

6 – Blade Runner – This is the first time we’ve seen Harrison Ford’s name on this list, but you can bet it won’t be the last. In this Ridley Scott masterpiece Ford plays Deckard a Blade Runner (special police force unit) who has the difficult task of tracking down and killing replicants, or human clones. Dark and gritty with a post-apocalyptic feel Blade Runner is a must see for any sci-fi film buff.

5 – Platoon – During an era that produced several quality war films including Full Metal Jacket and Hamburger Hill, Oliver Stone’s masterwork Platoon stands alone as the best war of its era, and is certainly in the conversation as the best war movie of all time. Uncomfortably realistic Platoon gives the audience a front row seat of the horrors that took place during the Vietnam War and the incredible psychological effect on its participants.

4 – E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial – Steven Spielberg’s E.T. is a far different creature than Ridley Scott’s Aliens. The cutest creature ever to come from outer space, all this extra terrestrial life form wants to do is enjoy some M&Ms and make the occasional (really) long distance phone call home. A massive hit, E.T. set a box office record back in 1982 grossing just a hair under 0 million domestically before Titanic finally surpassed it in 1997. Be sure to watch for a young Drew Barrymore in the film.

3 – Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back – It took George Lucas 3 years to release the sequel to his stunning 1977 smash hit Star Wars, but the wait was well worth it. Easily the best of the 6 movies in the series the film is darker and more realistic. Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia and the rest of the gang really take a beating in this one, and by the end of the film fans were left wondering if the resistance was doomed to fail. Fortunately, as Return of the Jedi showed us, it didn’t. Unfortunately, this was in large part due to Ewoks. Ugh.

2 – Raiders of the Lost Ark – It tough putting this classic adventure movie in the runner up spot on the list of the best 80s movies. Harrison Ford makes his 3rd appearance in the top 10 with his iconic character Indiana Jones and his adventure to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis get their hands on it. Take tons of action, great special effects, sprinkle in some mystery, romance and humor and you have the recipe for a classic. There have been 4 Indiana Jones movies to date, but much like the Die Hard series the first and the third installments are the best.

1 – Raging Bull – As much as sentimentality tempted me to give Raiders of the Lost Ark top spot on the list of the top 20 best movies of the 80s, objectivity made me realize that this incredible Martin Scorsese boxing film starring Robert De Niro actually deserved the title. Ironically, the film, unlike many other inferior films on this list, did not land an Oscar for Best Picture, and Scorsese was snubbed for best director. The Academy Awards weren’t a total loss though, as De Niro did pick up the hardware for Best Actor. Gritty, dark, and even disturbing, Raging Bull stands not only as the best boxing film of all time, but as the best sports movie period.

Coming up with a list of the top 40 best movies of all time is sure to stir up a hornet’s nest, but the great thing about these sorts of lists is that they create heated debate among those who are passionate about movies. With this list I have tried to be as objective as possible while attempting to represent all genres and eras. Read on to discover which flicks made my list of the greatest films of all time.

40 – Gandhi – Ben Kingsley gives the performance of a lifetime as Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian rebel leader whose non-violent protests against the British in order to try and secure India’s independence. The film won 8 Oscars in 1983, including Best Picture that year.

39 – The Graduate – The 1967 film that really launched Dustin Hoffman’s career as a film actor is one of the best romantic comedies of all time. Hoffman finds himself in a bizarre love triangle and Anne Bancroft is fantastic in the role of film icon Mrs. Robinson.

38 – Dog Day Afternoon – This list seems to be a personal competition between Jack Nicholson, Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. It is Pacino’s turn this time around, earning an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of a gay man who tries to get money for his lover’s sex change operation by robbing a bank. Amazingly the film is actually based on a true story.

37 – The Wild Bunch – Another classic western this 1969 film follows the adventures of a group of outlaws who wind up in a bloody battle for their lives after making a deal with a bloodthirsty Mexican general to rob a U.S. train.

36 – The Exorcist – Arguably the best horror movie of all time, The Exorcist is one of those films that is so powerful it has the ability to physically sicken viewers. People left movie theaters in droves back in 1973, unable to watch the disturbing subject matter playing out on screen.

35 – Monty Python and the Holy Grail – The legendary British comedy troupe delivers non-stop laughs in their take on the Arthurian legend. Graham Chapman stars as Arthur and he and his knights must deal with rude Frenchmen, an unkillable Black knight and a ferocious rabbit in their quest to procure the legendary chalice.

34 – A Clockwork Orange – Not only one of the best movies of all time, but also one of the strangest as well. Stanley Kubrick directed and also wrote the screenplay for this film adapted from the Anthony Burgess novel of the same name. Brilliantly dark, violent and twisted the film is arguably Kubrick’s best work.

33 – Forrest Gump – Tom Hanks shows his incredible versatility as both a dramatic and comedic actor in this 1994 Best Picture about one man’s incredible journey through life and all that he experiences and accomplishes despite the fact his IQ is only slightly higher than the box of chocolates he enjoys talking about so much.

32 – It’s a Wonderful Life – If this was a list of the best Christmas movies of all time this tremendous 1946 film would certainly be at #1. James Stewart delivered many memorable performances during his long, distinguished career but perhaps none as good as his turn as George Bailey in this fantastical holiday film.

31 – Goodfellas – Though this one might not be a huge hit with the ladies, I don’t know a single guy who doesn’t absolutely love this film. Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro team up yet again, and Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci give some of the best performances of their career in what is arguably the best gangster film outside of the Godfather movies.

30 – Rear Window – Three legends team up in this thriller. Alfred Hitchcock directs both James Stewart and Grace Kelly in this 1954 classic about a wheelchair-bound man who thinks he has witnessed a murder while spying on his neighbors.

29 – The Silence of the Lambs – Anthony Hopkins brings to life one of the most frightening characters in the history of film with his chilling portrayal as the murderous cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter. Jodie Foster plays the FBI agent Clarice Starling who must match wits with the diabolical killer in order to track down another serial murderer before he can claim his next victim.

28 – Terminator 2: Judgment Day – Though some might prefer the original, there is little question in my mind that James Cameron’s 1991 sequel was superior in every way. A special effects tour de force with much better acting than the original Terminator 2 will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish and can easily hold up to today’s standards for action movies nearly 20 years after its release.

27 – Midnight Cowboy – Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman star in this 1969 classic about a Texan who finds life on the mean streets of New York City to be far more difficult and dangerous than he’d imagine. Won the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.

26 – To Kill a Mockingbird – Writer Horton Foote and director Robert Mulligan bring Harper Lee’s groundbreaking novel to the big screen. Gregory Peck stars in the lead role as Atticus Finch, earning an Oscar for his fine work portraying a lawyer who defends a black man falsely accused of rape.

25 – The Grapes of Wrath – Another movie based on a classic American novel. John Steinbeck’s book about a family of farmers who endure terrible hardships just to survive during the Great Depression is brought to the big screen by director John Ford and screen icon Henry Fonda stars in the lead role as Tom Joad.

24 – North by Northwest – Alfred Hitchcock is back again, this time directing Cary Grant who gets mixed up in a dangerous misadventure due to a case of mistaken identity.

23 – The Dark Knight – For some reason many people seem opposed to putting “new” movies on a best movies of all time list, perhaps believing the need to age in order to settle into their place in history. However, in my opinion, 2008’s The Dark Knight is so good it should have that unofficial wait waived. Dark, gritty and as believable as a superhero movie can get the film features top notch acting by multiple Oscar winners, interesting characters, tremendous action, and fantastic special effects. New or not, it is one of the best movies ever, plain and simple.

22 – The Maltese Falcon – This 1941 classic has had nearly 70 years to settle into its place in history. Based on the detective novel by Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon brings to life the iconic character Sam Spade, played to perfection by the incomparable Humphrey Bogart.

21 – Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb – Though he is best known for his iconic character Inspector Jacques Clousseau from the Pink Panther movies, Peter Sellers best work arguably comes in this 1964 Stanley Kubrick comedy. Sellers works triple time portraying a British captain, the President of the United States, and a brilliant former Nazi scientist now consulting for the Americans, all trying to stop a rogue General from starting a nuclear war.

20 – Chinatown – Nominated for 11 Oscars, this Roman Polanski directed murder mystery marks our entry into the top 20 movies of all time. Jack Nicholson makes yet another appearance, starring in the lead role as private investigator J.J. Gittes.

19 – Aliens – Though many prefer the original, I think the sequel exceeded it in all ways. Sigourney Weaver returns to do battle with hordes of the stomach bursting aliens. More violence, more suspense, more terror make for a better movie in my opinion.

18 – Lawrence of Arabia – This epic desert film based on the life of T.E. Lawrence and starring Peter O’Toole won an impressive 7 Oscars, including for Best Picture back in 1963.

17 – Some Like It Hot – One of the best comedy movies of all time, Some Like It Hot stars blond bombshell and celebrity icon Marilyn Monroe. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon provide the laughs, dressing in drag to join an all girls band to evade the mob.

16 – Raging Bull – Forget Rocky, this is the greatest boxing movie of all time. Martin Scorsese is robbed again as best director and Robert De Niro turns in another incredible performance as boxer Jake La Motta.

15 – A Streetcar Named Desire – Screen legends Marlon Brandon and Vivien Leigh co-star in this 1951 classic set it New Orleans. The film features richly detailed, conflicted characters with real depth sorely lacking in the cardboard cutout characters Hollywood normally delivers. Based on the play by Tennessee Williams.

14 – The Wizard of Oz – We are getting into some true classics on the list of the best movies of all time. Judy Garland stars as Dorothy in this tale of a girl and her dog who get caught in a tornado and are transported to the magical land of Oz. One of the best loved classics ever made The Wizard of Oz was nominated for Best Picture that year, and only lost due to the incredible competition it faced that year, including the epic eventual winner Gone with the Wind.

13 – Psycho – Despite his numerous classic films few would argue that Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece is the 1960 horror film Psycho. This chilling tale would rank high on a list of the best horror movies ever made, and the decision to cast Anthony Perkins in the role of disturbed motel owner Norman Bates might be the best casting decision in Hollywood history.

12 – Raiders of the Lost Ark – Written by George Lucas, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Harrison Ford this film had an absolute ton of star power associated with it. Ford is perfect as Indiana Jones, an adventurous archaeologist who is determined to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can get their hands on it.

11 – The Shawshank Redemption – Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins both give the performances of their distinguished careers in this unique prison movie about the friendship and the spiritual growth of two men. Based on a short story by Stephen King.

10 – On the Waterfront – It seems appropriate that Marlon Brandon stars in the film that marks the entry to the top 10 movies of all time. Brando stars as Terry Malloy, an ex-boxer working the docks who draws upon his experience in the ring to stand up to the corruption in his union. One of the most decorated films of all time, the movie captured 8 Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Brando.

9 – Star Wars – This space opera set the film industry on its ear back in 1977. Written and directed by George Lucas the film is arguably the best loved film in movie history, developing a cult following of rabid fans unparalleled by any other movie franchise.

8 – Godfather: Part II – Al Pacino takes the reins as Don Corleone in this Francis Ford Copella masterpiece, based on the novel by Mario Puzo. The movie, which some claim was superior to the original Godfather film was awarded the Oscar for Best Picture in 1975 and earned a young Robert De Niro his first Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

7 – Casablanca – Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman star in this complex tale of love and war set in Africa during World War II. Won the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Director.

6 – Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring – The opening third of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved classic novel Lord of the Rings comes to vivid life on the big screen, thanks to the incredible vision and work ethic of director Peter Jackson. Though Return of the King took home the Best Picture award in my opinion it was the groundbreaking first installment that was the best of the movie trilogy.

5 – Schindler’s List – Arguably the greatest work of Steven Spielberg’s illustrious career Schindler’s List tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a man who went greedy business tycoon to a penniless hero who saved more than a thousand Jews from death at the Auschwitz concentration camp. Won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director and Liam Neeson earned an Oscar nomination for his masterful portrayal of Schindler.

4 – Citizen Kane – Considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made, this incredible film written by, directed by and starring the legendary Orson Welles was a technical leap in filmmaking for its day, and though action junkies might complain at its slow pace it remains a classic that every movie fan should have in their collection.

3 – The Empire Strikes Back – It’s not often that you see a movie where the good guys take it on the chin. However, George Lucas bucked the normal Hollywood happy ending trend with The Empire Strikes Back. Luke loses a hand, Han Solo gets frozen, and Yoda dies as the rebellion faces its darkest hour. Yes, the original was great, but I think the sequel managed to outstrip it (barely).

2 – Gone with the Wind – Forget about Titanic or Star Wars, if you adjusted for inflation this great American classic’s box office take would blow the competition out of the water. Starring Hollywood icons Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara it is widely considered Hollywood’s greatest love story. Beat out The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Of Mice and Men among others to win best picture that year.

1 – The Godfather – Two of the greatest actors of their respective generations – Marlon Brando and Al Pacino – team up in Francis Ford Coppola’s incredible adaptation of Mario Puzo’s best-selling novel. With 11 Oscar nominations and 3 wins, including Best Picture and Best Actor The Godfather is one of the Academy’s most decorated films. Though I’m sure many may disagree I believe this film stands alone atop the list of the best movies of all time.

Halloween is only a few weeks away and what better way to prepare for this pointless holiday than watching some of the best horror movies ever made. I have narrowed the list down to 15 films and I know that there are many more that are great and some that might be better than those listed but I personally like these. I wanted to choose movies that were not only scary or tense but had good storylines and were well made. Some horror movies simply shock you upon first viewing but don’t resonate with you very long afterwards. All of the ones listed are ones that I go back to time and again when I’m in the mood for horror movies and I think that most people will enjoy them all as well.

The Exorcist- The Exorcist was released in 1973 and was directed by William Friedkin. It became one of the highest grossing movies of all-time and easily one of the scariest. The film still holds up really well after all of these years and countless parodies of it haven’t totally blunted the impact it can have on viewers. This will always have a place on the list for me just based on my first viewing of it when I was seven or eight and how frightened I was to be alone for a day or two after. I can still watch it now as an adult and enjoy the experience even if it doesn’t completely freak me out like it did that first time. Regan while possessed is still one of the most evil characters on film.

Alien- One of the greatest science fiction films? Yes. One of the greatest horror films of all-time too? You bet. Alien is a definite classic not only in those two genres but just general movies. I doubt that there are many plots more terrifying than being stuck aboard a space ship with a killer alien and nowhere to flee. Ridley Scott does a wonderful job directing and setting up an atmosphere of absolute terror.

Dawn of the Dead- This 1978 film by George Romero is the second installment of the Living Dead series and is awesome from start to finish. The dead have been reanimated and cause society to essentially collapse, the group of humans that we follow barricade themselves inside of a shopping mall with the constant threat of zombies breaking inside to feast on them. It is definitely gory and sick but so much fun to watch.

Halloween- Alright this is still a good movie even if the plot has basically been done a million times since in some stupid sequels and other movies. Michael Myers is a horrifying character both silent and relentless in his pursuit to kill. There isn’t a whole lot of blood actually shown in the movie but the setting on Halloween night with a psychotic killer and creepy music makes this one of the best horror movies.

Night of the Living Dead- This is the first of the Living Dead series by the aforementioned Romero and another movie that scared me as a child. I don’t know I guess it was the black and white cinematography that made me scared then but now the movie is just entertainment rather than frightening. I still maintain that the little girl Karen that comes back as a zombie is the scariest character she just looks evil.

The Shining- Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the Stephen King novel is tense, methodical and the scenery absolutely consumes you as a viewer. Jack Nicholson’s descent into madness is brilliantly acted and equally scary. While it doesn’t have the same quick pace as other movies on the list the way it builds to the climax demands that it be considered amongst the best horror movies ever.

Nightmare on Elm Street-What if you weren’t safe from a killer even in your own dreams? That’s what the 1984 film Nightmare on Elm Street is all about. Freddy Krueger was a child murderer who is killed by the town’s parents and now seeks his revenge by killing their kids while they sleep. Sure, some parts of it look kind of corny now but it’s still a great horror movie and is the first movie with Johnny Depp in it.

Psycho- This film by Alfred Hitchcock is an undeniable classic that is filled with suspense and iconic imagery. Even people who have never seen the movie know the infamous shower scene and can hum the music that accompanies it. Norman Bates is a very disturbing character and the fact that he could be a real person makes it all the more disturbing.

The Evil Dead- This is a low budget film that really delivers in the gore department and is very violent, naturally this works well for a horror film. The plot centers on a group of students who stay in a cabin in the middle of the Tennessee wilderness and unwittingly unleash evil spirits by listening to an audio tape. What follows is a series of demonic possession and murder. Great movie.

Ringu- You may have seen the American adaptation of this movie called The Ring but the Japanese original is a bit better and scarier than its counterpart. The basic premise is that there is a videotape that after you watch it you immediately receive a phone call and will die exactly seven days later. Part of what makes this movie so good is finding out about the tape’s origins and the ending which is pretty damn good.

Carrie- Carrie is an outcast at her high school and is constantly tormented by her classmates. She also doesn’t get any refuge at home from her very religious and domineering mother. However, Carrie does have a special telekinetic gift which she uses to exact revenge on those who have made her life a living hell. Carrie is an old movie now and seems pretty dated with its portrayal of youth culture but it still packs a punch when it comes to being a good horror movie.

TexasChainsaw Massacre- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is brutal as hell and downright terrifying to watch. Leatherface in that mask with a hook or chainsaw in hand is the thing of nightmares. The fact that it was portrayed a being based on true events helped to push it popularity and turned the extremely low budget film into a massive success.

The Descent- The Descent is a newer horror film being released in the United States in 2006 after its run in British theaters but it is very well made and scary to boot. Six women are taking a trip in the caves of Appalachia a year after a tragic accident claims the husband and daughter of one of the women. Little do they know a society of cave dwelling hominids live in the same place they are exploring and soon find out how much of a mistake it was going there. The ‘Crawlers’ as they are called look like monsters but are definitely a similar species to us just evolved underground. If you haven’t seen this one since it’s still recent I suggest you check it out.

The Howling- I had to put at least one werewolf movie on the list and The Howling grabs itself a spot. A colony full of werewolves that can change at will without the need for a full moon is much more interesting than only being able to change under the right circumstances.

Rosemary’s Baby- A horror movie with a conspiracy plot and the spawn of satan is that dark enough for you? Roman Polanski directed this movie in 1968 and it still provides some good scares today and is very entertaining.

Check out the following list of Morgan Freeman’s top 10 movies. The ranking includes rating, release date, opening weekend numbers, production budget, domestic total gross, approval rating and worldwide box office gross. The list shows the highest rated movies starring Morgan Freeman. The source is based on estimates by professional researchers and movie industry writers. Movie information is subject to change. To see the detailed box office page for Tom Hanks’ best movies, click here.

1. The Shawshank Redemption
The movie was rated R and directed by Frank Darabont. The Shawshank Redemption was released September 23, 1994 and grossed ,402,549 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 88% overall approval rating. The Shawshank Redemption grossed ,341,469 in total domestic box office.

2. Glory
The movie was rated R and directed by Edward Zwick. Glory was released December 14, 1989 and grossed ,683,350 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 93% overall approval rating. Glory grossed ,828,365 in total domestic box office.

3. Unforgiven
The movie was rated R and directed by Clint Eastwood. Unforgiven was released August 7, 1992 and grossed ,018,007 over the opening weekend. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 96% overall approval rating. Unforgiven grossed 1,157,447 in total domestic box office and generated 9,157,447 worldwide.

4. Million Dollar Baby
The movie was rated PG-13 and directed by Clint Eastwood. Million Dollar Baby was released December 15, 2004 and grossed ,265,482 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 91% overall approval rating. Million Dollar Baby grossed 0,492,203 in total domestic box office and generated 6,763,646 worldwide.

5. Seven
The movie was rated R and directed by David Fincher. Seven was released September 22, 1995 and grossed ,949,807 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 84% overall approval rating. Seven grossed 0,125,643 in total domestic box office and generated 7,311,859 worldwide.

6. Lean On Me
The movie was rated PG-13 and directed by John G. Avildsen. Lean On Me was released March 3, 1989 and grossed ,032,605 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of million.  Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 64% overall approval rating. Lean On Me grossed $ 31,906,454 in total domestic box office.

7. Driving Miss Daisy
The movie was rated PG and directed by Bruce Beresford. Driving Miss Daisy was released December 15, 1989 and grossed ,705,721 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of .5 million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 78% overall approval rating. Driving Miss Daisy grossed 6,593,296 in total domestic box office and generated 5,793,296 worldwide.

8. Invictus
The movie was rated PG-13 and directed by Clint Eastwood. Invictus was released December 11, 2009 and grossed ,611,147 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 77% overall approval rating. Invictus grossed ,945,079 in total domestic box office and generated ,645,079 worldwide.

9. Gone Baby Gone
The movie was rated R and directed by Ben Affleck. Gone Baby Gone was released October 19, 2007 and grossed ,501,406 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 94% overall approval rating. Gone Baby Gone grossed ,300,218 in total domestic box office and generated ,619,699 worldwide.

10. Nurse Betty
The movie was rated R and directed by Neil LaBute. Nurse Betty was released September 8, 2000 and grossed ,145,950 over the opening weekend. The movie had a production budget of million. Rotten Tomatoes gave the movie a 85% overall approval rating. Nurse Betty grossed ,170,054 in total domestic box office and generated ,360,400 worldwide.

To see the detailed box office page for this ranking, click here.

Source:

RottenTomatoes.com

Boxofficemojo.com

the-numbers.com