Top 100 of all time - # 6-10

Moving into the top 10, these films are outstanding in so many ways. The direction, acting, story originality (writing), lasting impressions, contributions to my own life as well as the film industry. Three films on this particular entry are personal favorites, ones that I have seen over and over again, memorizing scenes, lines, and images. Influential is the only word to describe them.

Here we go. Top 10.

#10 - Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, 1980.

I may have only been 2 at the time of its release, but I vividly remember going to Cinerama with my mom and grandma and watching a marathon of all 3 Star Wars films in downtown Seattle after Return of the Jedi was released. Empire Strikes Back is such a dark turn in the Star Wars universe, with the ice planet of Hoth, Yoda's home planet of Dagobah, and the climactic showdown in Cloud City, it was the first film I had ever seen where the heroes didn't win. Luke is deformed and his world is shattered, and every child's favorite bad-ass of the 1980's, Han Solo is frozen in carbonite. It didn't leave a child in a happy place, but it was ultimately a necessary segment to complete the trilogy that shaped so much of the science fiction genre, and the magic of film. The second greatest sequel of all time.

#9 - Aliens, 1986.

This is the best James Cameron film ever made. I was maybe 9 or 10 when I first saw it, I had read the book and begged my parents for months to let me see it. There is just something about the idea of the alien that H.R. Giger brought to life, and that Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett conceived that resonated so strongly with me. I've probably seen the film 50 times, and it never gets old. Not given quite as much credit as it should, it is a masterpiece that transports you to that desolate colony planet where the aliens lie in waiting, and the marines have no idea what's waiting for them. The 10 year old in me puts this as #1.

#8 - No Country for Old Men, 2007.

Sitting in the theatre on opening day, this Coen brothers film was one of the most anxious and anticipative I've ever been before viewing a film. I was not disappointed at all. Flawless execution of the Cormac McCarthy novel that won them numerous awards, deservedly. McCarthy's novel is second only to his gory epic, Blood Meridian in terms of sheer literary excellence. Blood Meridian has been kicked around Hollywood for years, but will likely never be adapted due to the extreme nature of the content, and the unlikelihood that it will be done justice. Anyhow, No Country was so meticulously done that there have been books written about the Coens' interpretations, and although shelved by many and forgotten for the time being, No Country for Old Men remains in my mind the best film of the 21st century.

#7 - Patton, 1970.

The epic WWII biopic of one of the most eccentric and effective military leaders in American history is stunning. Mostly due to the performance of George C. Scott, who owns every minute of his screen time. He captures the epitome of method acting, and oddly refused to accept his Oscar because he didn't believe in comparing acting performances, which is an interesting idea. Patton as a film is mostly in this position due to the performance of Scott. From the moment he steps on the stage at the beginning and delivers one of the most inspiring monologues in history, until he sadly acknowledges the end of WWII, there is no separation of the man from the actor. This is probably in my mind the single greatest performance in film history. Great film. Interestingly, Patton was written by Francis Ford Coppola, for which he earned his first Oscar.

#6 - Apocalypse Now, 1979.

Speaking of Francis Ford Coppola, Apocalypse Now, based on Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, is an opus of epic proportions for the time. It was legendary in its range of production problems; From running over budget, to accidents on set, to Brando's peculiar behavior, it's an example of life imitating art in a war-time nightmare. What makes the film remarkable, besides its compelling story and its raw authenticity, is how soon after the Vietnam War ended that it was made. The novel has a different time, setting, and even theme, but it is translated beautifully to fully embrace the horror of Vietnam and the struggle to maintain humanity, however futile it is. Apocalypse Now is full of metaphor and allegory and gets darker and darker the farther down river the boat gets. Brando is amazing as the infamous Colonel Kurtz, and Martin Sheen is fantastic as Captain Willard, who finds himself being slowly swallowed up by the madness around him. Supporting cast members include a young Laurence Fishburne, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Harrison Ford, and Scott Glenn (among others). It's a truly moving cinematic experience. If you haven't seen it, get the director's cut and carve out some time to sit down and immerse yourself. It's worth it.

Only 5 films left to go...