A collection of movies I particulary enjoyed across all genres. I try to discover new movies with a friend but as we've learned, obscure movies have a higher chance of being extremely pretentious lol. If you don't really watch movies beyond the occasional cinema visit, I guarantee you won't be disappointed with any one of these.
This list is in no particular order!!!
Let's start the list with some HORROR! LNWTD is a found-footage horror in the setting of a late night talk show. Jack Delroy invites several supernaturally-inclined individuals to his talk show for his halloween special. Unexplained phenomena occur, but it's all just smoke and mirrors, right?
The film is shot entirely through the perspective of TV cameras and presents questions that keeps you engaged throughout the run time. It's presentation and effects are just campy enough that audiences who aren't very good with horror can still enjoy it. I do think the effects start to get a little too ridiculous near the end, but it's such a unique take on found footage horror that it's still an easy recommend for both horror enjoyers and newbies.
9/10
What can I say? It's arguably the best super hero film ever produced. Despite being a Spider-Man movie, a decent chunk of it is spent on the life of Peter Parker. As every opportunity and good thing seems to slip through his fingers, Peter Parker learns the price of being Spider-Man, and the true weight of the words "With great power, comes great responsibility."
It's got a ton of great action and the entire train sequence showcases such creativity with how Spider-Man's arsenal can be used. I could rewatch this any time and always enjoy it.
10/10
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING, the Final Cut was released in 2007.
And thus, Cyberpunk was born. Blade Runner follows Rick Deckard, a BLADE RUNNER who is called to hunt 6 rogue Replicants, who have escaped and trespassed to Earth.
Blade Runner is immersive. Its environments are a fusion of dank, hustling and bustling streets and retro futurism, creating a world that feels truly lived in. The film poses the question of what makes us truly human, or put another way, what makes something deserving of empathy? Memories? Flesh and blood?
The film is slow burn and while there is action, it isn't it's focus. If you have the patience for it, I highly recommend Blade Runner.
9.5/10
All Quiet On The Western Front is bitter. Many war movies are, but they also paint clear sides. Those are the bad guys, we are the good guys. AQOTWF does not make this claim, for it does not matter to those fighting. The film follows Paul Baumer from his enlistment into the German army till the end of WW1 as he turns from an idealistic young man to a jaded war veteran.
Some of my friends have a fatalistic view that humanity is doomed to repeat its mistakes. "Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men", as they like to say. It's catchy, easy to cling on to, but like most over-generalising platitudes, the holes in its theory start to show when you look closer. WW1 did not create the Greatest Generation, it created the Lost Generation. As WW2 slowly fades from the psyche of society, we have the resources and technology now more than ever to show people the mistakes of our forefathers. We need not go through their hell, instead merely learn from them. AQOTWF paints a raw, ugly painting of war with beautiful cinematography and poignant storytelling. There is no honour, there is no valour, there is only death.
10/10
I love mafia movies. I also get really hungry watching mafia movies for some reason? The Goodfellas is the best one I've seen. The film follows Henry Hill as he enters the mafia world at a young age and becomes more entrenched in the dirty work of the organisation.
I really enjoyed how the film first showed off the mafia being gentlemen that lived lavish lifestyles and slowly lifted the facade little by little. It's what happens when you live a life where your closest friends can turn on you in a dime; where everyone only looks out for themselves. It's a little long, but it keeps you engaged throughout the whole thing.
9.5/10
Personally, it's Makoto Shinkai's magnum opus. The story follows Tachibana Taki and Miyamizu Mitsuha, 2 students that wake up in each other's bodies. As they go about each other's lives and learn more about each other, a romance that transcends time and space blooms.
Young love has always been a big theme in Makoto Shinkai's films, and I feel Your Name. portrays blooming romance the best among his more recent work. The protagonists are given time to learn about each other and also literally put themselves into each other's shoes, which makes their transition into romantic partners very believable. As always, the visuals are absolutely STUNNING and the accompanying music from RADWIMPS is also top notch.
9.5/10
A true classic that aged like fine wine. If you ever had the misconception that "family friendly" movies were boring, this one will change your mind. Marty McFly returns to the past in a time machine to save his friend, the scientist Doc Brown after a terrible incident.
The plot is so feel-good and the performances are so charismatic and entertaining, you can't help but be swept up by its charm. The other 2 sequels are fantastic as well, but the first one stands as the best of them. Fun fact: the film is decently popular in Japan! It even had its own collab cafes in 2015.
9.5/10
Extremely fun and highly rewatchable. Scott Pilgrim has to battle through Ramona Flowers' 7 evil exs in order to win her heart.
I enjoy this film so much. There's always something new you didn't notice every time you watch it, and the movie oozes so much style. There are plenty of memorable quotes and moments that are iconic to this day. The soundtrack is filled with garage rock which is a personal favourite of mine. Also features a star studded cast before they blew up in popularity like Chris Evans, Michael Cera, Aubrey Plaza and several more. The Netflix anime is also a great sequel to this movie that features the same cast reprising their roles!
9.5/10
The Quintessential Horror Film. The story follows a group of U.S Researchers in the Arctic who come across a dog from a nearby Norwegian station. For the sake of those who haven't seen the film, I won't elaborate any further.
The film takes a bit to get going, but once it does, it does not let up for the rest of the run time. It also uses mostly practical effects and it still outshines a lot of modern horror CGI. I strongly suggest going in blind if you know nothing about the plot. A horror classic.
10/10
Nope. Go in blind.
Would you look at that? The Blade Runner sequel is on this list too.
Blade Runner 2049 follows K, a Replicant BLADE RUNNER who discovers he might be more than what he thinks he is.
Both Blade Runner films are top tier, but it's 2049's cinematography that puts it on top for me. If you've seen some of Denis Villeneuve's work like DUNE, you'll know he is phenomenal at showing the sense of scale of megastructures and bringing artists' ArtStation concepts to the big screen. I also enjoyed K's character arc more than Deckard's from the original.
The film is still a slow burn and if you didn't enjoy the first one, I doubt this one will change your mind. Personally, it's an easy
10/10
Yeah yeah yeah I see the eye rolls, but COME ONNN.
The penultimate movie to end the MCU's phase 3. It SOMEHOW managed to put in every single player from they've been building up from previous movies without it feeling too bloated or paced strangely. Not to mention Josh Brolin's excellent performance as Thanos, probably the most iconic villain in modern film.
Admittedly, it's best experienced on the big screen with an enthusiastic audience, but it's still highly enjoyable with home viewing.
9.5/10