Top 50 Films
5. Inception
This rating is determined by an average of the Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, Metacritic, and Google ratings
What the Internet Thinks: 8.5/10
Top 5, let's go!
Another film on most people's recommended list, Inception is another Nolan masterpiece this time exploring the realm of dreams. Often used to mean "something within something", Inception is actually a reference to planting an idea deep in ones subconscious by invading dreams inside of dreams. The film finds complications around timing dream navigation as to avoid insanity or being trapped in a coma several levels down, and convincing the recipient to believe or divulge information in the same way that we believe the reality of our dreams.
Every time you watch it you pick up something new that changes how you comprehend it all.
4. Hot Fuzz
This rating is determined by an average of the Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, Metacritic, and Google ratings
What the Internet Thinks: 8.5/10
Edgar Wright is back, baby! It took a long time for me - as a die-hard Shaun of the Dead fanatic - to grow to prefer Hot Fuzz, but when you see it you'll totally get what I mean. This is another "cosy" film (which is an odd description considering some of the graphic murders our crime fighting duo are investigating) set in a charming and small English City. We follow an over-achieving police officer as he relocated to low crime Sandford in an effort to subdue his crime fighting streak; but this is short lived as our protagonist stumbles upon a dangerous small town conspiracy.
In typical Wright fashion, we get the luxury of losing our self in laughs at the always clever writing and falling immersive victim to the mysterious plot.
3. Whiplash
This rating is determined by an average of the Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, Metacritic, and Google ratings
What the Internet Thinks: 8.9/10
Satisfying is an understatement. Whiplash is a film that grants insight into the gruelling and cutthroat lifestyle of a professional musician; in this case, that of a drummer. Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons demonstrate explosive synergy with incredible portrayals of stress being stretched to its extent. The film capitalises on its musical theme with rhythmic pacing vibrant exchanges of dialogue (mostly J.K. Simmons showing off his vocal chords and no, I'm not talking about singing). It has a killer ending, a gripping underdog narrative, definitely earned a solidified spot in my top 5.
2. Interstellar
This rating is determined by an average of the Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, Metacritic, and Google ratings
What the Internet Thinks: 8.1/10
As Nolan's last contribution to this list, Interstellar satisfies my itch for a compelling space exploration adventure. As usual, Nolan explores another theoretical potential, this time in the form of relativity, the gravitational constant, and reality distortion; and obviously there's only so much scientific truth to the story he's fabricated (which in Nolan's case is more than he gets credit for), so don't be that critic hunting down his films for their physical legitimacy and just embrace it as a manifestation of his passion for wonder.
Interstellar discusses the issue of the potential unsustainability of Earth's food production and turning our focuses to space and to locate an inhabitable planet to resource from. I won't go any further than that, go check it out and get lost in the adventure.
1. The Grand Budapest Hotel
This rating is determined by an average of the Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, Metacritic, and Google ratings
What the Internet Thinks: 8.7/10
Here we are, numero uno.
Wes Anderson has stolen my heart with this masterpiece. The powerful and iconic Anderson cast is back, this time with powerful additions of Jude Law and an absolutely flawless performance by famous Harry Potter villain, Ralph Fiennes. The directional style, the writing, the set design and wardrobe, the music scores are all exceptional and can be summarised perfectly with "delightfully charming" in Anderson's unmistakable style.
Another classic Wes Anderson feature of this film is finding an interesting plot in a seemingly bland topic or cinematically unorthodox environment: The history of a magnificent hotel and how its attainment originated from the scandal of a wealthy and corrupt family when they cross the path of an under privileged lobby boy.