Let me begin by saying – I have always loved watching movies. I used to think that there are no bad movies – there are only ok, good and great movies. No other creative medium touches an average brain like mine more than the audio-visual medium of cinema.
My journey as a movie lover had very humble beginnings – with the weekly Hindi film that came on DD1. I still remember the eagerness with which I (and my entire family) awaited the Saturday evening movie which came on the national and the only channel back in the early 90s – Doordarshan. Even the numerous ad breaks seemed exciting then. The burst of cable television magnified my exposure to the wealth of Hindi movies – special thanks to Zee Cinema and Set Max – on which I watched the same movie many times over till I memorized most of the dialogues. The infrequent visits to cinema halls with my family for cult movies like a Hum Aapke Hain Kaun or a DDLJ only added fuel to my infatuation with films. But, I truly fell in love with cinema during my four years at IIT Madras. As an engineering student with very little social/extra-curricular skills the endless and more importantly free supply of films on the college LAN was nothing less than a blessing. I spent hours watching movies – English, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, zulu (thanks to the concept of subtitles)
My love for movies was provided further fillip by the deep interest in cinema that my then-girlfriend and now-wife had. She introduced me to new genres like Iranian cinema, Satyajit Ray’s works, the French new wave and many more. Our weekly pilgrimage to the National Film Archives in Pune to watch some of the best movies I have ever seen had a major role to play in our becoming a couple. Thanks to her I graduated from a Zee Cinema movie watcher to a more serious cinema aficionado. I started appreciating good movies and developed an opinion on films. I started realizing the fine differences which made an ordinary movie, extra-ordinary. In the last 28 years of my life, I have seen many movies – on various platforms – TV, Desktop, Laptop, iPad, Shady theatres, Swanky multiplexes, classy film festivals et al. I have always wanted to go down the memory lane and list down my favourite movies of all times. Let me give it a shot with a couple of lines on why each movie is in this list of mine and I am sure this list will only grow with time. (Movies mentioned in no particular order or preference)
1. The Shawshank Redemption:
One of the most inspiring movie ever. I remember watching it back to back – thrice. I will never forget some of the dialogues of Red (Morgan Freeman) from this movie. Sad that it lost out the Best movie Oscar award to another great movie (next on my list). Undoubtedly the best movie ever which didn’t win a best film Oscar.
2. Forrest Gump:
Before watching this movie I liked Tom Hanks, after watching this movie I respect him. Powerhouse performance and exceptional handling of human emotions. One of the best Oscar winning films of all times.
3. Sholay:
It is difficult not to like Sholay. The impact this movie had on me when I first saw it as a 10 year old kid is hard to put down in words. Perhaps the best commercial movie made in India ever. Sholay has it all that a movie fan in India expects – stellar star-cast, revenge, friendship, romance, drama, comedy, music and yes the baap of all villains ‘Gabbar Singh’.
4. Anand:
Never cried more after watching any other movie. Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s best and career defining performance by Rajesh Khanna, not to forget the excellent performance by Mr. Bacchan in his first portrayal of the now legendary ‘Angry Young Man’.
5. Bawarchi:
One of the simplest yet beautiful movies ever made. Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Rajesh Khanna at their very best. This movie is a testimony of how simple, non-melodramatic hindi movies can also be all time greats.
6. Golmal (Original one):
The best comedy movie ever. The comic timing of Utpal Dutt matched by the simplicity of Amol Palekar’s acting. Another Hrishikesh Mukherjee classic with unforgettable situational comedy made out of everyday situations.
7. Castaway:
A moving portrayal of innate human feelings – the need for companionship proving that man after all is a social animal. Brilliant work by Tom Hanks. A must watch to understand the power and perseverance of human spirit against all odds.
8. Baran:
I watched this movie thanks to my wife. And I am glad that I did. Iranian cinema at its best. Without any drama, any masala, any provocative scenes or hardly much dialogues, Baran is a visual treat. With minimal background score and effortless storytelling, this movie proves that simplicity is the highest sophistication in cinema. Hats off to Majid Majidi – a true modern day master of the craft called cinema
9. Seven Samurai:
Watched it after reading that this was the original inspiration for Sholay. Realized why Kurosawa is after all Kurosawa. Amazing depiction of rural Japanese life. Must watch for any movie lover
10. Agantuk:
The last movie of one of the greats of world cinema; Agantuk is often not rated as one of Ray’s greats, but I found this movie thrilling. The story, the rendition and the performance by Utpal Dutt took this movie to an altogether different level. A fitting closure to an extraordinary career in cinema
11. The Apu trilogy:
My first tryst with the works of Ray. Undoubtedly his best works. Each scene is so powerful. If Pather Pachali is pure cinematic art, Aparajito is tragedy at its best and Apur Sansar is the best cinematic depiction of human emotions – of love, of loss and of redemption.
12. Bariwali:
My favorite from amongst the works of Rituporno Ghosh. I have written a more detailed account of this movie here in another post. But in short, an extra-ordinary handling of a woman’s feeling by the modern master of Bengali cinema
13. Life is beautiful:
The most inspiring film ever. A lesson on how tragic settings like the Holocaust can be converted into a life inspiring movie, this film is a moving saga – not to be missed!
14. Schindler’s list:
Spielberg’s tribute to the holocaust victims. This is an epic movie – which is sure to move you. Shot in black and white, this is Hollywood at its best.
15. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag:
One of the best portrayals of a real life character in Indian cinema. Farhan Akhtar got deep into the skin of Milkha Singh. One of the best Hindi movies that I have watched in a long time. Could have been a little shorter in length but still very much worth the time
16. The scent of a woman:
I realized what ‘powerhouse performance’ meant after watching Al-Pacino’s performance in this movie. Such performances differentiate good actors from great actors. The actors monologue in the school hall towards the climax is jaw droppingly good.
17. Pursuit of Happyness:
Simple, full of life and one of the most inspiring movies of all times. A director’s movie with soul touching music and great performances by both the senior and the junior Smith.
18. Shakti:
Realized why Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bacchan occupy the positions that they do in the pantheon of Indian cinema. Watch it to see the showdown between these two great actors who converse even in their long silences in the movie.
19.Titanic:
James Cameroon is the master of scale. Titanic is commercial cinema at its very best. A must watch for the visual delight and the attention to details by the director.
20. Argo:
Hair raising thriller with a stomach-in-your-mouth climax. Difficult to imagine that a very ordinary actor like Ben Affleck directed a film like Argo. A very deserving Oscar winner for the brilliant treatment of a real life story made with strong research and fine attention to every detail.
21. Koshish:
Gulzar’s best, Sanjeev Kumar’s best and Jaya Bacchan’s best – one of the best Hindi cinema ever. Need I say anymore
22. Barfi!:
Copied or not, a great movie full of human emotions. Haunting music and great performances by the leads does complete justice to a heart rendering story. Backgrounds of pristine North Bengal have been beautifully used. Must watch – set to move even the most unmoving of hearts.
23. LOTR series:
Undoubtedly the best in fantasy genre and also among the very few classics in which the movie is even better than the original book. Must watch irrespective of age to understand the scale of cinema magnified more by modern technology – an epic series.
24. One flew over the cuckoo’s nest:
Born to play the role of the maniac, Jack Nicholson at his very best. The contrast in the characters of the two leads is gripping. Class act
25. Pulp-Fiction and Django Unchained:
Any movie list without these Tarantino classics is incomplete. Absolute drama, violence, style, revenge, background music, these films have it all. Christopher Waltz is a force to reckon with and finds justice only with Tarantino at the helm.
26. The Dark Knight Trilogy:
Each movie is a class act. Nolan is a master of commercial cinema. Watch these for screen presence of the characters and the handling of convoluted and dark plots with finesse.
27. Twelve Angry Men:
This movie proves that for making a great movie, bare essentials are sufficient if the plot, characters, actors and direction is good. Shot entirely in a small room with minimum paraphernalia, stellar performances and crisp direction creates some of the most gripping dramatic scenes in the history of Hollywood.
28. The Lunch Box:
Arguably the best Indian movie in the last couple of years. Class act – simple, heart warming, no frills, into-the-character act by the leads – a touching movie. Irfan Khan at the peak of his skills.
29. Se7en:
My all time best actor award in a negative role goes to Kevin Spacey for Se7en. High impact, exceptional climax and the short but extraordinary role of Spacey makes this a must watch, at the top of crime/thriller genre.
30. UP:
I am not a big fan of animation movies but then Up is something else. One of the most touching movies ever made, soothing music and simple yet powerful story, watch it just to feel good about life.
31. Into the Wild:
Great book and a great movie. Desolation, loneliness portrayed brilliantly. But rather than being depressing this movie helps us realize the greatness of companionship, of having friends to share our happiness with
32. A beautiful mind:
One of the best biopic ever made. Powerful performance and terrific direction, this movie inspired me to read about the works of John Nash and suddenly made me interested in Mathematics and Noble prize history. The Noble acceptance speech by Nash (i.e. Russel Crowe) towards the end is one of my favorite cinematic moments.
33. Jurassic Park:
I will never forget that scene from this movie when the visitors first get into the Jurassic Park and the huge brontosaurus appears peacefully strolling. Childhood treat, way ahead of its time and a true pioneer for use of CGI and special effects. This movie made dinosaurs and science in general popular across the world.
34. Mr. India:
It will be a sin not to put this childhood favorite movie up here. India’s best attempt on Sci-fi movie ever. Kudos to both the Kapoors – Shekhar and Anil for pulling this class movie through despite the many avoidable song and dance sequences. This movie had its heart at the right place and yes it did introduce India’s second most awesome villain ever in the form of ‘Mogambo’.
35. Sadma:
Kamal Hassan is one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema. Period. Watch this movie if you think otherwise
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