Top 100 of all time - #26-30

Moving into the top 30, we have a heavy influence of the 1970's and 1980's as well as one from the 1990's. We start to delve a bit out of the critically acclaimed and into more innovative mainstream fodder as well as some outstanding acting and direction.

#30 - Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981.

Steven Spielberg, Lawrence Kasdan, and George Lucas unveiled one of the most iconic and recognizable name in film; Indiana Jones. Harrison Ford shone as the cocky adventure-seeking archaeologist, and we got a little taste of religious folklore mixed with Nazis and snakes. What more could you ask for? I probably watched this movie 50 times between the ages of 5 and 9, and I wanted nothing more than to be Indiana Jones, I even pranced around in my dad's fedora from time to time.

#29 - Scarface, 1983.

If Tony Montana taught us anything, it's that anyone can become a drug kingpin with a little dedication, and a lack of scruples. Written by Oliver Stone and directed by Brian De Palma, you can feel the pulse of the early 1980's in Miami with excess cocaine, bad music, and even worse fashion. Scarface has a few highly memorable scenes and some great actors who bask in the rich dialogue and opulent scenery.

#28 - Star Wars, 1977.

We've seen Return of the Jedi on the list, but the original episode that introduced us to the fascinating characters and the paradoxical "Long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" idea is better and this is why. There was no hype, expectation, or ego to prove that the characters are engaging. There was no audience expectation for box office success or need to tie a nice ribbon around the ending. No, Star Wars was raw and bold. George Lucas took a chance (and 20th Century Fox) on an $11 million dollar film that would go on to gross over $775 million. Not bad.

#27 - A Clockwork Orange, 1971.

A lot of people don't appreciate or enjoy Kubrick and his genius, but I do. Just like some people don't appreciate David Lynch or Federico Fellini (I don't). A Clockwork Orange is based on the novel by Anthony Burgess and ultimately glamorizes the dystopian future where sex and violence are law. Malcolm McDowell plays the antagonist, who has some oddly endearing qualities, but ultimately just scares the hell out of us. Kubrick leads my director list with 5 entries in the top 100, which is incredible considering he only directed 16 films in his 48 year career. I would put him right at the top of all time visionaries, and A Clockwork Orange is a disgusting masterpiece of anarchy. You get an uncomfortable feeling watching it, but that's the intent.

#26 - Braveheart, 1995.

The winner of 5 Oscars in 1996, say what you will about Mel Gibson, but this is an epic piece of storytelling, and although bloody and dirty, the themes run cleanly throughout. A man fearlessly leading his people against the tyranny of the crown. An inspiring ending and some action sequences that no doubt influenced Gladiator and Ridley Scott. Gibson has fallen hard from the A-list recently. Fast. But, Braveheart will always be a very impressive piece of work.

More to come...