How is the best movie

The best movies evoke tears, laughter, terror, reminiscence, and/or mystery in a truly personal way. Anything less (AKA, around 98% of all movies) serves no purpose other than to shove mindless, forgettable fodder in our face and line Hollywood’s pockets (Be afraid Michael Bay, be VERY afraid). This is that other, sacred 2%—the Holy Grail of cinema.
Note: “Memorable Moments” may contain spoilers.

100. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

While there is no general agreement upon the greatest film, many publications and organizations have tried to determine the films considered the best. The films mentioned in this article have all been mentioned in a notable survey – be it a popular poll or critics' poll. Many of these sources focus on American films or were polls of English-speaking film goers, but those considered the greatest within their respective countries are also included here.
None of these citations should be viewed as scientific measures of the film-watching world. They are often influenced by vote stacking or they survey a population with skewed demographics. Internet-based surveys have a self-selecting audience of unknown participants. The methodology of some surveys may be questionable. Sometimes (as in the case of the American Film Institute) voters were asked to select films from a limited list of entries.

The Lincoln Lawyer

Essential Killing

Project Nim

The Movie: Documentary looking back on the 1970s experiment to teach a chimpanzee to speak.  All human (and animal) life is here: funny, creepy and ultimately very moving.
Impact: James Marsh proves, after Man On Wire, to have a rare knack for finding great real-life stories and getting the protagonists to open up.  It's also worth noting, between this and a certain simian blockbuster, that apes definitely rose in 2011.
The Movie: Taliban fighter Vincent Gallo does a runner into a gruelling Arctic landscape he has no experience of. Jerzy Skolimowski's pared-down survival thriller proves all you need to make a decent action movie is an actor and a camera.
Impact: Turns out Gallo is actually likeable when he keeps his mouth shut…and, yes, that includes assaulting a pregnant woman for her breast milk.

 

The Movie: Slick, amoral lawyer Mickey Haller (Matthew McConaughey) finds his 'I'll defend anybody' manta coming back to haunt him when he takes on smug rich kid Ryan Philippe. This is that rare beast: a mainstream legal thriller you won't want to object to.
Impact: Of all the year's unlikely comebacks, McConaughey is the best. Ditching the rom-coms and playing to his strengths as Mr Suave might be the best move he ever makes - there are plenty more Mickey Haller novels still to film.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

The Movie: David Fincher takes on Stieg Larsson's modern classic, with Rooney Mara taking on Noomi Rapace to make the character of Lisbeth Salander her own. Think Se7en, but darker.
Impact: Only #50? Consider it an honourable mention, as it's not out until Boxing Day. But it's already shaking the film world after New Yorker critic David Denby broke the review embargo. His verdict - "mesmerising," apparently.
Logline: An eccentric pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), and a savvy blacksmith, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), embark on a quest to save Elizabeth Swann (and a treasure) from the clutches of cursed Captain Barbossa.

Memorable Moments: Jack almost reaches Port Royal, but his ship springs a leak. In a moment of hilarity, the only part of the ship that remains un-submerged by the time he reaches the harbor is the mast, which he sails in on.

Why People Love It: For many, Depp clearly steals the show. For those who actually enjoy—oh, say plot or fine acting—PoTC is a fun-filled, action-packed adventure on the high seas.

Best Quote: Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp): “Me, I’m dishonest. And a dishonest man you can always trust to be dishonest. Honestly. It’s the honest ones you want to watch out for. Because you can never predict when they’re going to do something incredibly…..stupid.”

99. Cinderella Man (2005)

Logline: In the 30′s, James Braddock (Russel Crowe) is remembered as a rising boxer. Having fell from grace, though, and—facing near-destitution and threat of becoming a has-been—Braddock gets a rare second chance, rising to legendary proportions in the ring.

Memorable Moments: Braddock must watch on video one of the most feared boxers (Baer) doing the almost unthinkable (even for the violent world of boxing): hitting his opponent so forcefully that his brain comes loose and he dies.

Why People Love It: Cinderella Man is one of the highest acclaimed, most inspirational movies ever that chronicles a near has-been and how he receives the very rare opportunity to redeem himself.

Best Quote: Joe Gould (Paul Giamatti): “Jesus H. Christ! Jesus Mary and Joseph! All the saints and martyrs and Jesus! Did I mention Jesus?!”

98. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Logline: Years after Indy captured the Ark of the Covenant and survived the Temple of Doom, he’s at again. His father Henry in tow, the Joneses traverse Europe to find the Holy Grail, but won’t attain it without fending off evil Nazis—who want it for their own nefarious reasons.

Memorable Moments: The scene where Indy and his father, Henry (Sean Connery), find themselves tied together, with Nazi Colonel Vogel punches Indy in the face before departing. Not long after,  the room is engulfed in fire.
Why People Love It: Because it’s Indiana Jones, and few people have grown older not loving the adventurous, witty-humor-filled Indy flicks (save for, perhaps, the last one).

Best Quote: Indiana Jones (Ford): “I’m like a bad penny, I always turn up.”

97. The Lion King (1994)

Logline: Young Simba, a lion cub that’s tricked into thinking he caused his father’s (King Mufasa) death, retreats into the wilderness–enabling the evil Scar, the King’s brother, to assume the throne. Years later, grown Simba is convinced to return to his land and reclaim his rightful seat on the throne. 

Memorable Moments: In an early scene—cue Elton John’s Circle of Life theme—where Simba, King Mufasa’s newborn son, is taken to a rocky ledge and is proudly displayed to the creatures of the Circle of Life.
Why People Love It: Most adults love it because it’s loved by children—and keeping them quietly occupied is no doubt a benefit, either. However, both love it because it takes all-too-familiar human dilemmas and personifies them with the help of lions, birds, hyenas and more.

Best Quote: Scar (Jeremy Irons): “Oh, Zazu, do lighten up. Sing something with a little—’bounce’ in it!”

96. The Sixth Sense (1999)

Logline: Young Cole Sear (Osment) has a problem: He sees dead people. And apparently they’re in denial about being that way. Now, it’s up to child psychologist Malcom Crowe (Willis) to help the boy and to determine what’s troubling him so.

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