My Top 10 Films of All Time

If you're anything like me then film has been a part of your life for longer than you can remember. My Dad always enjoyed film and he encouraged me and my sister to follow suit. He wasn't shy about showing us films way beyond our age range. An 18 rated film wasn't off the table when I turned 9. I remember sitting at around that age and watching Assault on Precinct 13 for the first time. But, it's where my love for film took off. I'm not someone that takes in all the independent and foreign films, so I'm hardly an expert in what makes a good film. This list simply takes a look at 10 films that influenced my life, or left a lasting impression. Also in no particular order except the top three.

10) Happy Gilmore

Now, not many top 10 lists will start with Happy Gilmore, but hear me out on this one. Everyone has that one film that they watch when they don't fancy anything else. You've just made some food and are struggling to find a film, so you back to your 'safety film'. Happy Gilmore is that for me. I've seen it so many times and I'm always entertained by it. It's early Adam Sandler, it's goofy, it's fun and easy to follow. Just what you need from your comfort film.

9) Warriors

A cult classic that I became obsessed with. I wanted to be them and when I was able to get the video game version, I played it endlessly. It's a simple concept if you think about. A gang trying to 'bop' their way back to their own turf. It's set in 70’s New York City where gang crime was a major issue. The spin that it took was that all these different gangs had titles. The Warriors, The Gramercy Riffs, The Baseball Furies and so on. Delving further into the plot, it's centred on the The Warriors being framed for the murder of Cyrus. The one who organised a peaceful gathering of all the New York gangs. It details their struggle to get from the Bronx back to Coney Island.

The whole setting, the music and the atmosphere of the film were absolutely nailed. If you like a good cult film, this is the one for you.

8) American Graffiti

Sticking with the American theme, this film also encapsulates a period in time I would have adored to live through. Set in the early 1960's, in California, it documents a group of teenagers and their last night together before setting off for college or whatever lies ahead for them. I'd say one of the best soundtracks put to film with classics from the 1950's and 1960's. With George Lucas at helm, and Francis Ford Coppola producing, it's gone down as one of the greatest films of all time. Being selected for preservation in the National Film Registry speaks volumes.

It's a feel good film and if you enjoy early 60's American culture, then it's perfect for you.

7) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

If I could include all three films in here I would, but I want to establish some range. The Lord of the Rings is my favourite trilogy of all time. Selecting my favourite of the three proved extremely difficult, because they're all as good as each other. However, Return of the King just edges it for me. Probably because it's the longest and more Lord of the Rings is always better. If you haven't yet watched any of them, then please just get on and do it. You need to witness an adventure like no other.

I watched the trilogy all the time as a kid and was always the one at school who preferred it to the Harry Potter franchise.

6) Ferris Bueller

This film is just a lot of fun to watch. Anyone who has seen the film wanted to either be Ferris, or his friend. The premise of the story is three friends all bunking from school and living an 'adult' life for a day. Ferris Bueller being the mastermind behind it all and really pulling out all the stops to get away with it. Outsmarting the school principle along the way and leaving him looking foolish on many occasions. Even if you just watch the parade scene in which Ferris performs his own rendition of Twist and Shout. It’s a worthwhile and extremely fun watch.

5) Platoon

Moving away from the feel good genre and coming in with a real tough watch. It was close between Platoon and Full Metal Jacket, but Willem Dafoe's role helped swing my opinion in the favour of the former. Set during the Vietnam war, it documents a young soldiers growth within a US platoon. Charlie Sheen was cast in that role and I feel like he really mastered it. Being that fresh faced soldier who is the outcast of the platoon and turning into a natural born killer, with the help of Sergeant Elias (played by Dafoe).

The film captures the horrors of the Vietnam war and just how brutal The US were. Some scenes will make your skin crawl, and others will make you feel sick, but it's what it was like. Platoon also includes one my favourite scenes of all time, accompanied by a piece of music which I adore. I won't spoil it for anyone, but you'll know when you watch it.

4) Blade Runner: 2049

The original Blade Runner was absolutely incredible and includes another one of my favourite scenes, but it's the most recent installment that really does it for me. I'm thankful I saw it in cinema because it's one of those that looks epic on the big screen. I know I talk a lot about music, but I really do feel like a good soundtrack can make or break a film and it's been absolutely nailed in this. What makes this film stand out amongst others is the scenery and shots that are used. If anyone knows Denis Villenueve and his body of work, you know he produces some truly stunning scenes.

It's a long film and action isn't around every corner, but the film doesn't need it in all honesty. If you stick with it, you'll come away awe-struck by its beauty.

3) Master and Commander

The top three are now in order and coming at number 3 is Master and Commander. Set in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars, it takes us aboard HMS Surprise, which is captained by Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), and their pursuit of the illusive French frigate ship, The Acheron. The film is a brilliant snapshot into life aboard an English warship during the Napoleonic Wars. It takes into account all crew members and shows us just how tough it was on the high seas.

Again, it's a film that needs to be seen on the big screen, or at least with a good sound system attached. It'll make you feel like you're part of the crew. It was my Dad's favourite film of all time and I quickly learned why. Music again has its influence, even down to the songs they sing on the ship. A true masterpiece and possibly a genre-defining film.

2) Gladiator

Russell Crowe features again in my top three, and it's with good reason. Gladiator is one of very few films that will genuinely make me a shed a tear or two, more likely a few. Period films about the ancient world are a particular love of mine and Gladiator is my pick of the bunch. It’s gritty, but it’s also uplifting and has you seriously fighting back the tears. You find yourself rooting for The Spaniard, or Maximus Decimus Meridius, in a battle with the very powerhouse that he served. The Roman Empire.

Joaquin Phoenix is particularly good as Commodus who plays the son of Marcus Aurelius. It’s just superb acting all around with excellent scenery.

1) Apocalypse Now

Topping the list is another Vietnam war film and this one just blew me away. I can’t watch it often, in fact I haven’t watched it for years, but it’s because it’s such a mentally demanding film to watch. It holds possibly my favourite opening scene of all time and of course the legendary Ride of the Valkyries. It makes an excellent war film before it’s descent, but it’s that descent that really makes it stand way out above the rest. The plot of the story is for a small unit of American soldiers to go in search of an AWOL Colonel Kurtz who is believed to have gone insane.

Apocalypse Now, like Platoon, really captures the horrors that went on in Vietnam and Cambodia. The cinematography is epic and you really feel the sense of fear that slowly takes over the small band of soldiers. Starring the likes of Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen and Robert Duvall. This is the Vietnam war film to watch.

That’s it! That’s my top 10 films of all time! I hope you enjoyed the list and while I could have explained each entry in immense depth, I would rather you just go and watch them. Thank you for reading.