My favorite 100



98. Once(2006)


97. Do Bigha Zamin(1953)

96. Shaun of the Dead(2004)

95. Wall-E(2008)

94. Cool Hand Luke(1967)

93. All About My Mother(1999)

92. The General(1926)

91. The Shawshank Redemption(1994)

90. V For Vendetta(2005)

89. Amour(2011)

88. Double Life of Veronique(1991)

87. Raging Bull(1980)

86. Amelie(2001)

85. Apocalypse Now(1979)

84. Paris, Texas(1984)

83. The Conversation(1974)

82. Black Narcissus(1947)

81. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf(1966)


80. Children of Heaven(1997)

79. In Bruges(2008)

78. Frost/Nixon(2008)

77. Life of Brian(1979)

76. Satya(1998)

75. The Sound of Music(1965)

74. Roman Holiday(1953)

73. Rear Window(1953)

72. Network(1976)

71. Pan's Labyrinth(2003)

70. Juno(2007)

69. Shame(2011)

68. The Usual Suspects(1995)

67. Before the Devil Knows You are Dead(2007)

66. Fanny and Alexander(1982)

65. 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days(2007)

64. Magnolia(1999)

63. A Separation(2011)

62. Waltz with Bashir(2008)

61. Ikiru(1952)

60. Sarfarosh(1999)

59. To Kill a Mockingbird(1962)

58. Manhattan(1979)

57. Pather Panchali(1955)

56. The Silence of the Lambs(1991)

55. Taare Jameen Par(2007)

54. Requiem for a Dream(2000)

53. Hunger(2008)

52. Gone Baby Gone(2007)

51. A Clockwork Orange(1971)

50. Sunset Blvd(1950)

49. The Seventh Seal(1957)

48. A Streetcar Named Desire(1951)

47. Schindler's List(1993)

46. No County for Old Men(2007)

45. Se7en(1995)

44. Psycho(1960)

43. The Wages of Fear(1953)

42. Three Colours: Red(1994)

41. Judgment at Nuremberg(1961)

40. A Wednesday(2008)

39. Sex, Lies and Videotape(1989)

38. The Social Network(2010)

37. The Departed(2006)

36. Wild Strawberries(1957)

35. Vertigo(1958)

34. Seven Samurai(1954)

33. Dog Day Afternoon(1975)

32. The Lives of Others(2006)

31. Viridiana(1961)

30. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb(1964)

29. The Hill(1965)

28. Inglourious Basterds(2009)

27. The Celebration(1998)

26. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest(1975)

25. Sunrise(1927)

24. Incendies(2011)

23. The Matrix(1999)

22. In the Mood for Love(2000)

21. The Sweet Hereafter(1997)

20. Saving Private Ryan(1998)

19. 8 ½(1963)

18. The Dark Knight(2008)

17. Memento(1999)

16. Metropolis(1927)

15. Casablanca(1942)

14. The Apartment(1960)

13. Grave of the Fireflies(1988)

12. City of God(2002)

11. Lord of the Rings Trilogy(2001/02/03)

And We are down to Top 10,

10. City Lights(1931)

9. Goodfellas(1990)

8. The Godfather(1972)

7. Bicycle Thieves(1948)

6. Notorious(1946)

5. Rashomon(1950)

4. 12 Angry Men(1957)

3. Pulp Fiction(1994)

2. There Will Be Blood(2007)

And HERE WE GO !!! TOP PRIZE Still belongs to...

1. Inception(2010)

44 comments:

  1. Sam FragosoMarch 12, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    I've seen exactly 50 of these films.

    Surprised by your #1 pick.

    Some great stuff here,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGMarch 13, 2012 at 8:23 AM

      I know Inception will have a little divided opinion. But it has a lot to do with whole experience of anticipating a movie for long time, going through every poster every article every trailer and then countless heated discussions after watching it. I never had such experience for any other movie.

      Thanks for comment, Sam. BTW, Did you see There Will be Blood yet ??

      Delete
  2. ilovethatfilmMarch 12, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    I've seen 71 of these and damn keen to see quite a few of the others. Awesome list, some great choices. You've got City of God, Requiem for a Dream, Schindler's List, LOTR, Memento and Seven which are probably all in my top 10. Sad to see no Fight Club or La Haine... two of my very favoutites!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGMarch 13, 2012 at 8:27 AM

      Well, I haven't seen La Haine yet. One of the countless movies in my To Watch list and I am sorry but not a big fan of Fight Club. Everything else you mention is simply brilliant, no way I could have left any of them out.

      Thanks for your kind words Pete. Good to see you approve.

      Delete
  3. RuthMarch 15, 2012 at 12:56 AM

    So many great films!!! So awesome to see Waltz with Bashir in there - so amazing. Lots I've seen, lots I haven't! I was debating whether I should have the Lord of the Rings trilogy listed as three separate films or just one on my own list (which is no where near completion!) but I think I'm going to have to do what you did with it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGMarch 15, 2012 at 9:07 AM

      Thanks Ruth !! To tell you the truth, I CANNOT differentiate between three LOTR Films(so much that I have to think which one is 2nd and which is 3rd haha). Even when I see them, I always see them all at one time, 11 hours straight. It's crazy but I have done it at least 15 times. :)

      And Do Your List !! take your time but do it. I will love to see it.

      Delete
  4. NeverTooEarlyMPMarch 15, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    A great list. I haven't seen as many of these as I should have, but did manage to catch your top 3!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGMarch 15, 2012 at 9:09 AM

      Thanks !! So you haven't seen 12 Angry Men ?? Let me just tell you that I don't know a person who doesn't love it. Not like it, LOVE it. If possible, please give it a chance. You will not regret it.

      Delete
    2. NeverTooEarlyMPMarch 24, 2012 at 8:14 AM

      Thanks. I really have been meaning to see that one, as I've read several really good reviews of it recently. It also sounds like the type of film that I would legitimately LIKE, even if it was released today and wasn't on the must see list for classics reasons.

      Delete
  5. Courtney SmallMarch 16, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    I still need to see about 23 of these films. Solid choices overall though! I wonder how long it would take me to comprise a list of my own? I think trying to organize the rankings would be the hardest part.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGMarch 17, 2012 at 8:13 AM

      Well, according to your Letterboxd acc, I have seen like sixth of the films you have seen and it took me months to do this. I reckon it should take more time if you have more options to choose from. So now you calculate. :)

      Thanks for the comment CS !! It goes without saying that I recommend every one of these 23.

      Delete
  6. Murtaza Ali KhanMarch 17, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    Wow! I must say that it's a great assemblage of movies. It has inspired me to come up with a similar feature on my blog. Some of my all time favorite movies that I thought missed your list are Stalker, Solyaris, Once Upon a Time in America, El Aura, Ran, Dersu Uzala, and The Return (2003).

    As far as the ones that I am yet to get my hands on, I have added them to my Bucket List. Thanks a lot, Shantanu for coming up with such a brilliant feature on your highly informative blog.

    ReplyDelete
  7. SDGMarch 17, 2012 at 3:06 PM

    Thanks Murtaza !! You are too kind.

    Well, we have already talked about Ran and Dersu Uzala. About others, I actually haven't seen them except Once Upon a Time(So, they have gone to my bucket list) and I did consider Once Upon a Time in the list initially but then it went off.

    Are you talking about Russian movie, The Return? If yes, it is in my Netflix Queue. I will get to it soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Murtaza Ali KhanMarch 18, 2012 at 12:57 PM

      Well, the pleasure is all mine! Yes, the one directed by Andrei Zvyagintsev, who is widely regarded as the contemporary Tarkovsky.

      Delete
  8. MyerlaMarch 19, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    A fellow Incendies lover! An extraordinary film that was. Overwhelming at times. I like your list, a great blend of art house, blockbuster and mainstream (not saying this in a bad way) but I do find your exclusion of Back to the Future scary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGMarch 19, 2012 at 6:56 PM

      Thanks Myerla. Incendies was brilliant, just knocked me out completely. And about Back to the Future, It turns out that I haven't seen them yet(Did I scare you even more now ??). 80s and Me, don't get along too well.

      Delete
  9. Alex WithrowMarch 20, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    AWESOME list, my friend. Pulp Fiction is my second favorite movie of all time - cool to see that it ranks so high among our favorite films of all time. Seriously great picks here.

    ReplyDelete
  10. SDGMarch 20, 2012 at 4:45 PM

    Thanks a lot !! Well, Pulp Fiction IS that awesome right ?? Which is number 1 BTW ?? Also, one more Random question, Is there a movie in this list you haven't seen(I obviously have an impression you have seen almost everything)? Don't count Indian movies off course. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Alex WithrowMarch 22, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    Ha, okay, my Top 5 of all time is:
    1. Taxi Driver
    2. Pulp Fiction
    3. Persona
    4. The Deer Hunter
    5. 2001: A Space Odyssey

    And movies I haven't seen on this list (not counting Indian flicks)... just one, Mary & Max. It's good?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGMarch 22, 2012 at 1:26 PM

      Wow !! That's heavy stuff. I will watch Taxi Driver and Persona at least 5 times before I will say a word about them. Deer Hunter has some stunning performances in it, 2001 also way ahead of its side.

      Mary and Max is an animation but if you cared about Waltz with Bashir and Persepolis, I think you will like this one as well. It's Adam Elliot, if you have seen Harvey Krumpet - very similar in feel. It's on Instant if you want to give it a go.

      Delete
    2. Alex WithrowMarch 26, 2012 at 3:36 PM

      Good stuff, I think I'll do just that! That way I can say I've seen your Top 100. Now, about those Indian movies...

      Delete
    3. SDGMarch 26, 2012 at 9:29 PM

      Right. Finding them might be little tricky. But for a start, A Wednesday is on Instant watch. Some of the others are on YouTube if you want them.

      Delete
  12. MetteApril 22, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    Wow, this is a very, very surprising list! But it seems very honest. I like that you dared include a lot of blockbusters and even romantic comedies or "chick-flicks" (hate the term) like Easy A and The Devil Wears Prada!
    Also not many Indian films - I was surprised to see Sarfarosh! Guess I'll have to re-watch it, I remember not really liking it.
    And as for your #1; absolutely unexpected. On a whole a very likable list to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGApril 22, 2012 at 9:44 AM

      Thanks Mette !! Well, there are many blockbusters yes but I doubt there will be many people who won't call them good films. At least I hope so. :) and I am not sure if I will call Devil wears Prada a Chick-flick.

      About Indian movies, Yes. Only 6. Sometimes I do feel like I am being little too critical on them. I actually just went through your list. Indian movies in our lists are mutually exclusive. I will love to hear your opinion about 6 here like Sarfarosh.

      I will actually love to hear more on what is so surprising about Inception and list as a whole as well. Thanks Again though !!

      Delete
    2. MetteApril 24, 2012 at 9:21 AM

      The Devil Wears Prada is not a real chick flick, that's true... but it has elements of the genre.

      To your question(s): Well, there are just so many extremely different films... some that I've never heard of and some that are very known but I haven't seen in many favourites lists. I just really like your list, it shows that you're a multi-facettet (?) person.

      Of the remaining 5 Indian films I've only seen Taare Zameen Par, which I did like a lot, but wouldn't re-watch I think. It was so long and at times a little boring. But Satya is one of the films I've been wanting to see for a long time. Plus I've just rented A Wednesday.

      Delete
    3. SDGApril 24, 2012 at 5:46 PM

      Wow !! That might just be the one of the best compliment I have had !! Thanks !!

      As for Satya, if you can do without sub-titles, here you go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H782gXat2WQ. It's a full movie.

      Let me know what you think of A Wednesday. I am trying to put it as mildly as I can but I am interested to see a non-Indian reaction to it. Again, I am really sorry if it is offensive in any way.

      Delete
    4. MetteApril 28, 2012 at 11:25 AM

      Not at all! I'll watch it some time in the next few days. Also thanks for the Satya-link - sadly it doesn't work in Germany because of copyrights, but I'm sure I'll find another way to watch the movie.
      Be looking out for my A Wednesday post :)

      Delete
  13. Shane SlaterJuly 6, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    Hmm, nice list. I think we have pretty similar taste! I'm working through my own top 50 list and I think we will have a lot of similar films.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGJuly 6, 2012 at 9:29 PM

      Thanks !! I shall look forward to your list eagerly !!

      Delete
    2. Shane SlaterSeptember 2, 2012 at 11:38 AM

      Here's my list: http://filmactually.blogspot.com/p/my-top-50-films.html

      Btw, I watched Inception for the 5th time yesterday and it still thrills me. I even caught on to some new things this time. I have no qualms with you putting it at #1, this movie is EVERYTHING! That last 3rd part of the movie is just transcendent.

      Delete
    3. SDGSeptember 2, 2012 at 2:28 PM

      Great ! I will have a look sometime today.

      @Inception: It sure does fella. That movie IS everything. :)

      Delete
  14. MPAugust 31, 2012 at 12:22 PM

    Nice selection of films! Some interesting and many surprising choices too! An interesting aspect of a list like that is how it evolves when someone discovers new films through time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGAugust 31, 2012 at 1:26 PM

      I agree with you. I have seen so many Great movies after making this list that I know for a fact that whenever I will revise this list, it will change drastically. So much that it might even be better to start from scratch.

      Thanks for stopping by !

      Delete
  15. AnonymousFebruary 18, 2013 at 6:01 PM

    I have to say you've almost got a completely list here - a few films overlooked like maybe the jacket, sunshine, The Fountain, The Tree of Life, American Beauty just to mention a few. Saying that I doubt I could come up with so many good titles in such a large quantity. Fantastic job. I'm working my way through the few I've not yet seen :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGFebruary 23, 2013 at 11:50 AM

      Thanks !! I am glad you like it. And after all, there can only be 100. Some are bound to sip through the cracks, though I have to say most of your choices are good as well.

      Delete
  16. AnonymousFebruary 19, 2013 at 9:10 AM

    also man on fire, leon, taxi driver, the pianist, the machinist

    ReplyDelete
  17. Murtaza Ali KhanApril 16, 2013 at 3:45 PM

    Hi Shantanu,

    Here is my latest Top 100... would love to hear your thoughts on it :-)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Murtaza Ali KhanApril 16, 2013 at 3:46 PM

    Oops... here's the link for the same:

    http://www.apotpourriofvestiges.com/2013/04/all-time-best-100-movies-editors-pick.html

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownJuly 27, 2013 at 1:36 PM

    Hi Shantanu,

    I this you also need to check following movies -
    1) The Shining(1980)
    2) 3-Iron(2004)

    Also you do not seem to be a Spaghetti Western fan :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SDGAugust 13, 2013 at 10:59 PM

      Have seen both. The Shining gets better every time but it hasn't cracked top 100 yet. And for Spaghatti Westerns as well, I like them but not as much to be in this list. :)

      Delete
  20. AnonymousAugust 3, 2014 at 8:35 PM

    I am a huge film lover and I am so happy I found some else who's favorite movie is Inception. I feel like most films fans ride it off with too much action and say it's "too modern." You just made my day!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Mark WoollonOctober 2, 2015 at 11:29 AM

    Not a fan of Nolan- at all. Cannot see any of the love for TDK or Inception- especially over all the rest. That being said: Memento is a superb film. Great that you like it :D Love the rest of the list though. Adore a lot of these movies myself and you are clearly VERY well versed in cinema. Considering your picks for Bergman, ever tried a Tarkovsky movie? Well worth it :)

    ReplyDelete

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