My All Time Favorite Movies

Always thought everybody has his “My All Time Favorite Movies” list. At least when you browse the net you come across so many of them that it seems so. So I asked myself do I have such list. After thinking for a minute the answer that came was: “Not really.” I mean I like some movies a lot but if I want a proper list which lists movies which I like as

1. ZYX

2. UVW

3. ….

No. I can’t put it that way. But then it is not normal. Right? I mean if so many people have “My All Time Favorite Movies” list, then the norm is that normal people have “My All Time Favorite Movies” list. And my ambition of lifetime is to fit in a so-called category: “Normal”. So I started out on the quest of making the “My All Time Favorite Movies” list. And the rest of this post is result of my valiant effort to produce the “My All Time Favorite Movies” list.

1. Titanic

I can almost here your uninterested response, “Oh, OK. Everybody likes Titanic. Boy be original.” But in my case it’s not like that. It is the movie which had a profound impact on life. It changed me from a “Kick ass action rocks!” kind of movie fan to a “Romantic movies are the best!” kind of fan. [ Now that's not the complete truth. Another cause of this "profound" change is I read somewhere that girls like romantic men. ;-) ]

And whether I am original or not. The movie is a original. (I know there are 3 or 4 movies which are based on the sinking of the Titanic. You see, I do visit IMDb from now and then. But I haven’t seen any of them. So for me and for most of my generation this one is the original. It’s a question of perspective.) Whenever I watch a good, original romance movie, I think that’s the last original one. How many variation can one produce of the basic “boy meets girl” theme? But every time a film like this shows that the genre is still alive. And good writers can give you stories that are novel and enjoyable.

Another reason I like this movie is Leonardo DiCaprio. I just loved him in the movie. No I am not a gay. Don’t have slightest doubt about that in your mind. The reason I love him in that movie has nothing to do with his handsome looks. It’s more about the way he stands on the railings of the ship, spread his hands wide and shouts, “I’m the king of the world!” That shot left me mesmerized.

Titanic was released in 1997 and James Cameron hasn’t directed a movie since. (Though he made a few documentaries). From 1997 to 2007 that is 10 years. I don’t know the real reason for this break but I think he didn’t find anything as great as Titanic. Same for me.

2. Forrest Gump

Only three words are enough to describe this movie. “A true masterpiece”. This movie directed by Robert Zemeckis is one of the most inspirational movies I have ever watched. Yes world changes when you see it through the eyes of Forrest Gump. It becomes more easy to accept the life. This movie taught me how to be positive no matter what.

And Tom Hanks is simply great!

3. Lage Raho Munna Bhai & Rang De Basanti

Well there is tie for the third post. Both the movies were released in 2006. Both the movies deal with the current situation in India such as corruption and youth. But the solution provided is totally opposite. The movies apply the solutions suggested by two of our greatest freedom fighters. Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh. Well I writing about movies here so I won’t comment on whose philosophy is better. That will take another post in itself. But I must say both the movies are great.

5. Underworld

I know many of you will pan me for putting underworld in the same category of Titanic and Forrest Gump. But I will defend my choice to death ( I know it won’t go to that far ;-) ). I like the movie very much and I think it deserves a place here. (And this has got nothing to do about the fact that Kate Beckinsale had dressed to kill in the movie.).

I agree that the second movie in the series was big disappointment. But I like the first one for the simple reason that it was one of the most ingenious take on the ‘Romeo & Juliet’ I have ever seen. Ok now you will ask how Underworld is like ‘Romeo & Juliet’? Well, a love story on the backdrop of two clans fighting for superiority. Endless number of movies have been made on the theme. But I think the director Len Wiseman got this one right. Also the action was very aesthetically done. I never understood why critics normally don’t rate action flicks as good as other genres. For me underworld makes it.

Ok that’s it. Finally I have made the “My All Time Favorite Movies” list. Now tell me where is yours?