Welcome to the third part of our Top 100 Movies of All Time. These are movies that I’ve watched time and time again and have found a place in my heart.
(21) Star Wars Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Three years into the Clone Wars, the Jedi rescue Palpatine from Count Dooku. As Obi-Wan pursues a new threat, Anakin acts as a double agent between the Jedi Council and Palpatine and is lured into a sinister plan to rule the galaxy.
This is the film that laid the framework for the original trilogy giving us the answers to how the Empire rose to power, how Vader was born, and what the hell happened to all the Jedi. The storytelling’s complicated with a lot going on but by the end of the film it delivers with emotional depth and two of the best lightsaber battles. It’s tragic but does leave off on a hopeful ending. Yeah, it’s got its share of problems but no one can walk away from this movie and say it isn’t entertaining. And that score.
Release Date: 2005
Directed by George Lucas
(22) Troy
The film follows the assault on Troy by the united Greek forces and chronicles the fates of the men involved.
Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to see Brad Pitt as a Greek warrior? Definitely watch this movie. But aside from Pitt, there are a lot of great actors and actresses in this movie and they give solid performances. The action sequences are brutal, fast past, and well shot.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by Wolfgang Petersen
(23) The Chronicles of Riddick
Hiding for five years, Richard B. Riddick has been hiding from bounty hunters and mercenaries. But he comes out of hiding only to find himself caught up in a war against an empire called the Necromongers who plan to convert or kill all humans in the universe.
Pitch Black was a good introduction to an interesting character. But this sequel not only expands on him but also the universe. This time around we see Riddick take on alien invaders who destroy the worlds of those it conquers. It’s great from the story aspect, interesting characters, badass fight sequences, and a great soundtrack.
Release Date: 2004
Directed by David Twohy
(24) The Long Kiss Goodnight
Follows an amnesiatic schoolteacher who sets out on a journey to find out who she is with the help of a private detective until they discover a dark conspiracy.
Geena Davis hasn’t really been on my radar but she completely nails it here. Davis plays a woman with amnesia who gradually remembers that she’s a lethal secret agent. The movie has a lot of charm to it with a good amount of violence, Davis being sexy, and good comedic timing by Samuel Jackson. It’s definitely a solid action thriller. Not to mention it shows just how much those who work in government are self centered assholes.
Release Date: 1996
Directed by Renny Harlin
(25) Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
A machine from a post-apocalyptic future travels back in time to protect a man and a woman from an advanced robotic assassin to ensure they both survive a nuclear attack.
Did not like this movie upon my first viewing but after watching it several times I’ve come to see it as a solid Terminator movie. The movie follows John Connor and how he’s lived his life after the events of Terminator 2. I liked seeing the emotional toil John’s destiny holds on him and how it keeps him from living a normal life. Kristanna Loken is the new bad guy, the T-X, and a female robot assassin has never looked sexier. Does it have the emotional depth of its predecessor? No. But it’s got charm, there are meaningful moments, there are great action sequences, and I think it does a good job of building up to Judgment Day.
Release Date: 2003
Directed by Jonathan Mostow
(26) Fargo
Jerry Lundegaard’s inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen’s bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.
Fargo is straight up a good movie. It’s dark but it’s got charm. The characters are actually good. Not particularly likable but good. It’s got a pretty good story and I really enjoyed the talented cast including William Macy, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Stormare. Frances McDormand just steals the show as a pregnant police woman named Marge.
Release Date: 1996
Directed by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
(27) Batman: Under the Red Hood
Batman must go toe-to-toe with a mysterious vigilante, who goes by the name of Red Hood. Subsequently, old wounds reopen and old, once buried memories come into the light.
There’s a new player in Gotham City who believes that the only good criminal is a dead one. Naturally, he crosses paths with the Dark Knight. There’s a lot to love about this movie. As a Batman fan the movie tells a really engaging story, one that’s filled with emotion, some really good action, and insight into some really cool characters such as the Red Hood and the Joker. It’s easily not a good movie but one of the best Batman movies.
Release Date: 2010
Directed by Brandon Vietti
(28) Star Trek
The brash James T. Kirk tries to live up to his father’s legacy with Mr. Spock keeping him in check as a vengeful Romulan from the future creates black holes to destroy the Federation one planet at a time.
My interest in the franchise has come and gone over the years but when they stated a reboot with a younger crew and a cast that I actually liked, I was all for it. And I wasn’t disappointed. Yeah, this might be a thorn in the side of those hardcore fans but I actually loved the movie. Visually the movie is stunning and the score is beautifully crafted. There are some meaningful moments and the action is the best that it’s ever been. Plus, the movie does feel bigger in scale.
Release Date: 2009
Directed by J. J. Abrams
(29) Star Wars Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
After the Rebels are brutally overpowered by the Empire on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker begins Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader and a bounty hunter named Boba Fett all over the galaxy.
How do you top one of the most memorable films of all time? You make the Empire Strikes Back. This sequel does what a sequel should do. It focuses on the characters, giving them more screen time while developing the story and the upping the stakes. Of course, the mysterious Vader gets more shine and we get more of a sense of the character. There are a lot of memorable moments, the soundtrack is great, and we get a cool light saber battle between Luke and Vader.
Release Date: 1980
Directed by Irvin Kershner
(30) The Rocker
In the 1980s, a drummer is abandoned by his band just before they become rock superstars. Twenty years later, the drummer sees his second chance at stardom arise when he is asked to perform with his teenage nephew’s high school rock band.
I didn’t think I’d like this movie but Rainn Wilson does it for me. He plays this drummer who gets screwed over by his band and forms another with a group of teens. There’s a lot of comedy that works and I do really like cast. The songs are actually good and add not only to the coming-of-age storyline but also to the focus on rock music.
Release Date: 2008
Directed by Peter Cattaneo
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