...as i see it. Review on Ten Best English Movies

An often abused topic, I am sure...wonder how many of you will get around to read this one; especially if I put 10 in there!! I will describe 5 in detail, and merely list the other...

However, here goes. A few words on the criteria I have chose to select my top 10.

1. Entertainment : Guaranteed to entertain even the most unwilling audience

   
   




2. Story : If you have read my review on 2 offbeat books, you know of my fetish for cool stories

   
   




3. Acting

   
   




4. Overall : I need to be left thinking. Each one of the following ten have caused me to think about the movies for at least the immediate week, for one reason or the other. I have not bothered to rank amongst them, they are in no particular order. Put together, the best 10 english movies I have seen

   
   




5. JFK : A chilling storyline, this movie explores the true (?) story of a DA in the US who tried to uncover the truth behind the JFK assasination. The movie dares to throw blame on both the FBI and the CIA, is very well made in technical terms, and sees the best performance ever by Kevin Costner. Also in my opinion, Oliver Stone's best film. Watch if: In the mood for an intense, intellectually stimulating cinematic experience

   
   




6. Braveheart : As moving as they come, Mel Gibson debuts as director, and ends up delivering his best acting performance ever! The tru story of a Scottish freedom fighter who fought against the English king only to be brutally hanged in public, Braveheart pulls the chords of your heart as no other. Do not miss the speech which Mel delivers to his waiting army, as they undertake a seemingly impossible task. Will leave your heart thudding. If you leave the cinema hall unmoved, your girl friend is right when she says ur heartless!!

   
   




7. Scent of a woman : Al Pacino rules, in the Oscar winning role of a blind colonel who rediscovers the meaning of life over the weekend with his 'guardian', a college kid who needs pocket money. Al returns the favour in a sensational climax, as he delivers one of the best speeches in cinematic history to save Charlie's future. Move aside, Scarface, watch this movie for dazzling Al !!! His mannerisms and dialogue delivery are strictly first class.

   
   




8. The thin red line: An intense, abstract movie, with a phenomenal starcast and very different treatment from the director. If Saving Private Ryan is the beatles, this movie is floyd. Need I say more? The director looks at the story of a battalion landing on an island somewhere in the south pacific to tear apart the idyllic life there with the ravages of war. Set merely over 2 days, it takes an objective look at war. It is the closest I have seen cinema some to poetry. Don't watch this move if you tend to worry about the state the world is in, it will tear you apart...

   
   

5. Mr Holland's Opus : Glen Holland is a budding musician who gives up his place in his band to move to a small town and teach music. Objective? So he can get enough time to write his symphony. Unfortunately, Mr Holland gets sucked into his new proffession, and never finds the time. A beautifully narrated tale of Mr Holland's influence on the various students that pass through his class and his tribulations through life. A virtuoso performance by all actors to boot! I am not going to reveal more of the story, see this sweet, sweet movie for yourself. Be sure to have your 'significant other' sitting next to you for this one!!

Phew, am exhausted. Pardon me if I merely list the other 5 ? Ok, maybe a perfunctory description?

1. Fight Club: Starkest movie I have seen, superb twist in the tale. Outstanding performance from Pitt

   
   




2. A beautiful mind: Wonderfully told true story of a schizophrenic scientist John Nash. After watching this, I have begun to agree that Russell Crowe is one of the best actors of our generation

   
   




3. Life is beautiful : Roberto , roberto...you are amazing in this one. People, carry lots of tissues, and marvel at a superb story of courage. ( Jewish family caught in ghetto, father saves son from germans...)

   
   




4. Platoon : What a debut by Charlie Sheen!! Phew.. Clearly the best 'Vietnam' film ever.

   
   




5. The usual Suspects : How I love Kevin Spacey. Fantastic performances in this one and seven, but this one is special for its screenplay and direction. Best 'con' movie ever!

   
   

Others I struggled to keep out:

1. Saving Private Ryan

   
   




2. My Cousin Vinny

   
   




3. Reservoir Dogs

   
   




4. Gladiator

   
   




5. A bridge too far

   
   

I could not include the following, for I haven't seen them ( I am told they are outstanding) :

1. Dr Zhivago

   
   




2. Bridge on the river Kwai

   
   




3. Ben Hur

   
   




4. Roman Holiday

   
   

Temme what you think, guys and gals...there ain't enough comments in this place!!! Cheers!