One for the Movie freaks... A list of top 10 movie Flicks..

Here is something for the movie freaks, one that I suspect is known to one and all but just that it adds a lot of glamor to a blog. I wouldn't dare to rate them and undermine my love for each one of them, but I would definitely like my audience to rate them on their own and may be drop a couple of comments to help me decide my rating.

TITANIC(1997)

It was the first Hollywood movie I watched, and trust me had it had it not been for TITANIC, I would not have watched another Hollywood flick. This James Cameroon classic depiction of the worst shipping of modern times had left many a people weeping. Be it the classic poor boy & rich girl love affair between James (Leonardo Di Caprio) and Rose (Kate Winslett), or the dramatic sinking of RMS Titanic, this movie really did strike a few emotional cords among its audience. A movie which won 11 Oscars can never be a fluke can it be?? A must watch for one and all.


SCHINDLER's LIST(1993)

Well World War II has certainly been a magnificent plot for Hollywood Classics and who better than Steven Spielberg to exploit such a scenario. A humanitarian side of a mean, greedy businessman Oscar Schindler who uses cheap Jewish labour and makes a fortune. But he ends up penniless after saving a thousand Jewish labourers from being by the Nazis at the Auschwitz concentration camp. He turns his factory into a refuge from the rampaging Nazis. A movie worth each of the 7 Oscars it won. Watch it and live the times we were fortunate not to witness.

The Independence Day(1996)

What would you expect from a movie whose tag lines read

"We've always believed we weren't alone. Pretty soon, we'll wish were."

The alien invasions on earth had neither been so attractive nor had the use of animations ever been so dazzling. The scenes of the alien attack bursting through the buildings and raising cities to dust were fantastic to say the least. The added emotional touch was lent by the First Lady's premature death. The altercations between the President Thomas Whitmore(Bill Pulman),Captain Steven Hiller(Will Smith) and David Levinson(Ian Malcomn) added a pinch of comedy to the otherwise serious environment.

The famous quote by the President before the counter attack could ring in your ears for days after you have watched it. It sounds something like "Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world. And you will be launching the largest aerial battle in the history of mankind. "Mankind." That word should have new meaning for all of us today. We can't be consumed by our petty differences anymore. We will be united in our common interests. Perhaps it's fate that today is the Fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom... Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution... but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. And should we win the day, the Fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day the world declared in one voice: "We will not go quietly into the night!" We will not vanish without a fight! We're going to live on! We're going to survive! Today we celebrate our Independence Day!"

It mayn't have the most number of awards to its credit but it still is a must watch if you ask me.

The Godfather(1972)

A strong storyline by a well renowned writer(Mario Puzo), an impressive star casting Hollywood biggies like Marlon Brando,Al Paccino and Robert Duval and a collection of cool dialogs and a lot of strong voices to deliver them.
THE GODFATHER had it all to deliver a memorable box office hit and it didnt disappoint. Its success can be gauged by an IMDB rating of 1. Gangwars, dialogs, romance & action; the Godfather has it all. Watch it and I doubt you will find something more interesting.


Terminator 2- The Judgement Day(1991)

In the days where Sci-fi movies had not yet used the advances of technology, James Cameroon came forward with the ultimate sci fi extravaganza. Starring muscle man Arnold Schwarzeneger and erstwhile heart throb Linda Hamilton, the movie has scenes to freeze the blood in your veins.The movie has it all; style(the incredible firing style of the shot gun), flair , time travel and most importantly a positive ending. Terminator surely did live upto its tag line which read "I am back". The cyborg who had been sent to kill Sarah Connor in T1 returns to save her and help her prevent the war between man and machines. A perfect Paisa Vasool!!!


Lord of the Rings Trilogy(2001,2002,2003)

The story of the middle earth epitomizes the oldest philosophy known to mankind: Good triumphs over Evil. Exotic sets, magic, war cries, archaic dialogs, contemporary costumes, incredible animations and incomparable cinematography have made this series a must watch. The actors have made justice to the epic by JRR Tolkien and no doubt it has turned out to be one of the biggest money crunchers Hollywood has ever produced. Having gobbled up 17 Oscars between themselves, the LOTR trilogy surely is a mouth watering treat for audience of all ages.



Hotel Rwanda(2005)

Hotel Rwanda is a historical drama about the hotelier Paul Rusesabagina (played by Don Cheadle) during the genocide in Rwanda in which about 800,000 people (militants and civilians alike). Shot almost completely in South Africa and Kigali(capital of Rwanda), Hotel Rwanda highlights the true story of hotel manager Paul who fights the resurgent Tutsi rebels (with cash, beer and bribes ; not ammunition ), who repeatedly wish to ransack the refuges at the hotel. With repeated negligence by foreign superpowers and complete inaction by the United Nations clearly evident, Rusesabagina takes it upon himself to protect the refuges in his hotel. Ranked 73 on the list of IMDB's best movies; HOTEL RWANDA is a must watch.

Forrest Gump(1994)

A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events - in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. Yet, despite all the things he has attained, his one true love eludes him. "Forrest Gump" is the story of a man who rose above his challenges, and who proved that determination, courage, and love are more important than ability.
"Forrest Gump" played by Tom Hanks, has an ordinary IQ 75 has been at some of the world's defining moments but is too stupid to realise their significance. Being helped around by his "Mama" and only childhood friend Jenny(Robin Wright Penn), Gump limps through the highs and lows of life.
A movie for which Tom Hanks won the Oscar for the Best Actor (Male) , Best Director (Robert Zemeckis) inclusive of a total of 6 Oscars. An IMDB rating of 53 is a true tribute to this wonderful movie.

Gladiator(2000)

An action,adventure filled drama centered in the later Roman era.The movies protagonist is Maximus(Rusell Crowe) , the Roman general who thumped the supremacy of aging king Marcus Aurelius. With the kingdom at stake the unworthy, corrupt prince Commodus (Joaqim Phoenix) kills the bedridden emperor and frames Maximus for the conspiracy. Expecting retaliation from the general, he burns his family and waits for the general to come home. He captures him and orders his execution, but Maximus escapes.
Maximus is rescued by nomads who take him in as a Gladiator. Magnificient fights and action sequences featuring Roman chariot fighters and tigers add the extra spice to an enthralling script. Superior fighting skills end up taking Maximus and his gladiators to the Colloseum at Rome where he kills the Champ.
The movie ends with a fight to death between the Emperor Commodus and Maximus where the later prevails only to succumb to a poisonous wound.
Overall the movie makes a thorough entertaining and emotional viewing. The movie ended up with 5 Oscars including the Best Actor's Award to Rusell Crowe for a scintillating performance.


The Shawshank Redemption(1994)

Well this movie is the tenth one I would suggest but it is the most fitting climax to this amazing collection. A movie about two convicts in the Shawsank prison who bond and find hope in the most dire of situations. Andy Dufresne(Tim Robbins) and Ellis Redding(Morgan Freeman) meet at Shawsank and and give each other hope of the unprecedented. Immaculate planning by an erstwhile successful banker and the resourcefulness of the prison "fixer" lead to an unprecedented escape from the depths of the dungeons.


An IMDB ranking of 2 sings lots about the credentials of this movie and I personally feel the reason it has no Oscars to its name is not because it doesn't deserve one , but there was a movie named Forrest Gump which simply swept through the awards.

Well this was my list of top 10 Hollywood flicks. How about suggesting your own? Do leave me your choices as well...