My Favourite Films of All-Time

What is the greatest movie of all-time?

It’s a challenging question every film critic has been forced to answer. It’s challenging to pick one film as the greatest movie ever made. Whether its redemptive prisoners or great gangsters, I’ve seen many movies that have impacted me. Given the number of films I have seen, choosing one that stands head and shoulders above the rest is impossible. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies ever made.

1. The Shawshank Redemption

Hope is something that I’ve often found hard to find life. As far as I remember, I’ve never been a hopeful person. Due to the excruciating hardships that I have been through, I have often adopted a negative point-of-view. Several years ago, my life hit a crushing low when I began failing classes in school causing sorrow. Unable to cope with the demanding pressure posed by high school studies, I experienced intense anxiety. During a painful time, it was impossible for me to see a bright light at the end of the pitch-black tunnel. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the importance of hope allowing people to achieve redemption as powerfully as “The Shawshank Redemption”. Following its release in 1994, Frank Darabont’s prison drama has stood the test of time as a commemorated classic that movie-goers adore. Following a pair of hopeful prisoners forming a commemorated friendship over the years, it’s an emotional film that has always left me in tears. Ultimately, what makes “The Shawshank Redemption” may favourite film of all-time is its meaningful message. It delivers an extraordinary message emphasizing the importance of being hopeful during times of trouble. Watching Andy Dufresne questioning whether he should get busy living or get busy dying gave me strength to cope with a time that was depressing. Nearly 30 years after the release of a commemorated classic about hopeless inmates that question whether they should get busy living or get busy dying searching for redemption in a terrifying prison, it remains a life-affirming reminder about the sheer importance of finding hope in every dark situation.

2. The Godfather

Fathers are powerful figures that ensure children’s success rather than failures. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always shared a bond with my father. An inspiring role model, he has motivated me to achieve dreams that I am pursuing. Without his words of wisdom, I may not have achieved dreams I am passionate about. As someone treasuring fond memories of my father, I adored “The Godfather”. Released in 1972, Francis Ford Coppola’s captivating crime classic offered a compelling look at the formidable fathers of crime dynasties. Boasting exquisite production-design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a film that’s perfect in every way. Francis Ford Coppola’s film painted a powerful portrait of gangsters. Not only did it lay foundation for the mob genre, but it launched careers of legendary actors in Cinema. Al Pacino and Marlon Brando are phenomenal in roles that launched their careers years ago. Ultimately, though, what makes “The Godfather” a great film is its powerful message about family. Unlike most gangster movies, the film tackles universal themes everyone would relate to. The film delivers a powerful message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. The iconic wedding scene exemplifies this theme about family. Watching Michael bonding with his family at a wedding reminded me of my bonds with my father that shaped my identity. 40 years after the release of a commemorated film about cruel gangsters that made headline news, it’s an offer no movie-lover can refuse.

3. Schindler’s List

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject that affected my teacher. Several years ago, I was taught about the genocide by a Jewish teacher whose parents died in a ghetto. During college, I attended classes taught by an inspiring professor with Holocaust knowledge. He always believed that movies seeking to entertain could rarely capture a genocide that caused pain. That being said, he always considered “Schindler’s List” to be an exception. Ever since its release in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as a Holocaust masterpiece. Drawing from his own personal experience as a Jew affected with ties to the Holocaust, Spielberg painted a portrait of the genocide that’s compelling. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Ralph Fiennes, who transforms into a merciless Nazi commander. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” a masterpiece is its message. It delivers a powerful message resonating with everyone facing trauma at an early age. 90 years after a gruesome genocide, it’s a beautiful tribute to a historical event that changed the world from a director whose movies give audiences pride.

4. Forrest Gump

Childhood crushes are lovers that rarely last forever. At an early age, I fell in love with a girl in school with dreams of marriage. We always got along well by spending precious time drawing in art classes together. However, forces of fate ended our relationship forever. The decision to immigrate forced me to separate from a childhood companion I had grown to appreciate. As someone treasuring fond memories of a childhood crush that left a lump in my throat, I adored “Forrest Gump”. Ever since its release in 1994, Robert Zemeckis’ film has stood the test of time as a coming-of-age classic. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance from Tom Hanks, who embodies a man growing up in America. Ultimately, however, what makes “Forrest Gump” one of my favourite films is its message. As delicious as a box of chocolate, it’s one of those rare movies that everyone would be able to appreciate. It delivers a powerful message about fate that affects relationships between lovers which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a film about veterans in Alabama recounting stories on park benches with nostalgia, it’s a riveting reminder of a classic film I will forever treasure for contributing to my love of Cinema.

5. Goodfellas

Martin Scorsese is a legendary filmmaker that I’ve always loved dearly. I remember forming a strong bond with a cousin that was a huge fan of the filmmaker. He often spoke fondly about a filmmaker that shaped his identity. We would often spend precious time together watching movies made by a world-famous director we grew to treasure. We adored all the movies made by Martin Scorsese, but “Goodfellas” was always our personal favourite. In the greatest film of his career, Scorsese captured the uphill battles of real-life gangsters that committed crimes causing despair. Scorsese is one of those filmmakers that has always had an aptitude for capturing the lives of gangsters, and “Goodfellas” showcased his strengths as a director. For instance, the iconic Copacabana scene in which viewers are introduced to gangsters in a nightclub in one tracking shot is one of the most memorable moments of the director’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Goodfellas” one of my favourite films of all-time is its message. The film delivers a profound message about finding belonging which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years following the release of a commemorated film about gangsters seeking to be somebody in neighbourhoods full of nobodies, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a filmmaker whose timeless movies I treasure for shaping my identity.

6. The Dark Knight

Batman is a beloved comic-book hero that shaped my brother’s identity. Several years ago, I formed a strong bond with a brother that was a big fan of the superhero. Through his lifelong love for Batman, my brother gave me an appreciation for a hero I have grown to value. As someone treasuring fond memories of a brother that loved the caped crusader solving crimes at night, I adored “The Dark Knight”. Ever since its release in 2008, Christopher Nolan’s movie has stood the test of time as a comic-book classic. Packed with breathtaking action sequences, sharp storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comic-book movies ever made. A breathtaking tribute towards a commemorated comic-book character that changed the world forever, it remains a remarkable reminder of a celebrated superhero that I will always treasure.

7. Pulp Fiction

Few filmmakers that achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Quentin Tarantino. Ever since his career began in the 1990’s, Tarantino has made several memorable movies. I’ve always loved all the movies Tarantino has made, but “Pulp Fiction” remains my personal favourite. Ever since its release in 1994, Tarantino’s film has become a crime classic audiences adore. What sets the film apart from other movies Tarantino has made is its meaningful message. The film delivers a profound message about the importance of forgiveness that has always resonated with me. It’s a film that I’ve seen so many times that I have almost lost count. A powerful portrait of pulp gangsters that are fond of reciting Bible chapters seeking redemption, it’s one of those rare commemorated films that I will always regard with appreciation.

8. Psycho

Alfred Hitchcock is a filmmaker I’ve always loved dearly. As far as I remember, I’ve always been a huge fan of the world-famous filmmaker. I grew up watching the films made by the legendary filmmaker in Hollywood that became a part of my childhood. I adore all the movies that Hitchcock has made, but my personal favourite has always been “Psycho”. Released in 1960, Alfred Hitchcock’s movie forever changed the world through its depiction of serial killers. Hitchcock showcased his talent for building suspense through ingenious use of sound. For a film made in the 1960’s, “Psycho” remains terrifying today. Nearly 60 years following the release of an iconic film about psychotic killers committing murders that are catastrophic, it’s a fantastic reminder of a director whose movies audiences consider iconic.

9. Jaws

Sharks are scary creatures which have always terrified me. Ever since I was a young child, I’ve always been afraid of sharks with jaws that are wild. At an early age, I became terrified of stepping foot into waters that posed damage. This lifelong fear of sharks began when I first watched “Jaws”. Ever since its release in 1975, Steven Spielberg’s movie has stood the test of time as a jaw-dropping classic. Spielberg created a terrifying film that made audiences afraid of stepping foot into waters. Unlike most movies made during the 1970’s, it has aged beautifully. Nearly 40 years after the release of an iconic classic about sharks with sharp jaws seeking to break laws, it’s a powerful reminder about a groundbreaking film that changed the world produced by one of the world’s greatest filmmakers whose timeless movies deserve a round of applause.

10. The Breakfast Club

Teenage years are a formative time in life when everyone faces fears. I remember the time when I was a teenager. Looking back in reflection, it wasn’t a time of happiness. I was anxious about failing classes, being bullied and finding social acceptance from my peers in school. As someone treasuring fond memories of my teenage years, I adored “The Breakfast Club”. Released in 1985, John Hughes’ commemorated film offered realistic depictions of adolescents. It’s the most relatable movie ever made about teenagers. It’s a film that resonates with me because it brings back heartwarming memories of teenage years shaping my identity. As memorable as detentions in which the Breakfast Club take part, it’s a riveting reminder of movies being a powerful art-form that will forever hold a precious place in my heart.