A Cinephile’s Choice

Cinema is arguably the most significant medium to have emerged in the last century (actually at the end of the 19th century in France but let’s not quibble!) I have compiled this list from the hundreds of films I have seen in my life, mostly over the past 15 years or so. These are films which I have watched again and again and which give me great pleasure whenever I watch them. For various different reasons each of these films sticks in the mind. I could have picked as many again but I forced myself to stick to a manageable number. These are not in order but to make it a bit easier I have grouped them according to their language and region of origin in the world. I have also tried to represent films from all over the world. So, let me know what you think. I’m sure many of you will have a totally different Top 50. Let’s discuss then.

Films from the Indian Subcontinent or films shot in Urdu or Hindi:

1. Mughal e Azam.
2. Pakeezah
3. Umrao Jaan Ada
4. Chaudhvin ka Chand
5. Muhaafiz (In Custody)
6. Agneepath
7. Mera Naam Joker
8. Vaastav
9. Monsoon Wedding
10. Maula Jatt (Pakistani)

Films from the Orient (China, Japan, Hong Kong):

11.Hero
12. House of Flying Daggers
13. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
14. Hard Boiled
15. Gohatto (Taboo)
16. When the Last Sword is Drawn
17. Kagemusha (The Shadow Warrior)
18. In the Mood for Love
19. Farewell My Concubine
20.The Drunken Master

Films from the United States or Filmed in English:

21.The Godfather
22. Goodfellas
23. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (it is really one long film).
24. Before Sunset
25. The Matrix
26. Kill Bill (Volume 1 and 2) --since it’s really just one long film.
27. Reservoir Dogs
28. The Last Emperor
29. Enter the Dragon
30. Terminator 2.

French Films:

31. L’Appartement (1996)
32. Trois Couleurs: Bleu (1993)
33. Trois Couleurs: Rouge (1994)
34. Le Pornographe (2001)
35. Les Innocents (The Dreamers) (2003)
36. Dobermann (1997)
37. Le Parfum d’Yvonne (1994)
38. Ridicule (1996)
39. La Haine (1995)
40. Les Amants Criminels (1999)

Other Miscellaneous Movies from Around the World:

41. Laila Ma Raison – (Tunisia/France)
42. Lucia y el Sexo – (Spanish)
43. Juana La Loca (Spanish)
44. Der Untergang (Germany)
45. Irreversible (Italy/France)
46. Hellraiser (USA)
47. Ben Hur (USA)
48. Lion of the Desert (Libya/USA)
49. Y Tu Mama Tambien (Mexico)
50. Shogun Assassin (Japan)


Information about all these films can be found at the excellent Internet Movie Database.