JR Late Night Blogs debuts the All Time 25 lists. JR Late Night Blogs' All Time 25 lists JR's favorites and picks for random categories ranking them in his own tastes and preferences and giving them a brief reason why he included such. In JR's first All Time 25 list, JR gives you an idea on what are his 25 Favorite Feature Films encompassing all years of movie release and all types of movie genres. The films listed on the list have been watched by JR from start to finish and are deemed by him as aesthetically beautiful in terms of story, cinematography, editing, and musical score. These movies are his favorites and shall therefore not be representative as the best films of all time. As there are a lot of movies that have not yet been watched by JR, JR may wish to re-release the list soon with new films definitive of his wants in a movie.
By the way, SPOILER ALERT!!! JR presents to you his All Time 25 Movies.
JR's ALL TIME 25 - MOVIES METHODOLOGY:
1. For a movie to qualify in the list, it must first be watched by JR from start to finish.
2. It must pass JR's standards on story, cinematography, editing and musical score.
3. No more than five feature films per year are to be included.
4. Only five films per movie genre are included. The following are those genres:
>>> Animation
>>> Action / Crime
>>> Drama / Comedy
>>> Fantasy / Sci-Fi
>>> Horror / Thriller
5. In cases of movie franchises, only one film will be selected. Spin-offs included.
6. No tv show/anime/video game adapted movies were included in the list.
7. Only films which premiered in cinemas are included in the list. No films which premiered on TV included.
8. In cases of re-releases or remasters, JR will make mention of his pick in the list.
9. All films selected are international films, they should be known and acclaimed universally.
10. All data in the list were as of blog editing - 24 May 2014. All box office numbers were rounded to nearest thousands.
2. It must pass JR's standards on story, cinematography, editing and musical score.
3. No more than five feature films per year are to be included.
4. Only five films per movie genre are included. The following are those genres:
>>> Animation
>>> Action / Crime
>>> Drama / Comedy
>>> Fantasy / Sci-Fi
>>> Horror / Thriller
5. In cases of movie franchises, only one film will be selected. Spin-offs included.
6. No tv show/anime/video game adapted movies were included in the list.
7. Only films which premiered in cinemas are included in the list. No films which premiered on TV included.
8. In cases of re-releases or remasters, JR will make mention of his pick in the list.
9. All films selected are international films, they should be known and acclaimed universally.
10. All data in the list were as of blog editing - 24 May 2014. All box office numbers were rounded to nearest thousands.
JR'S ALL TIME 25 - MOVIES
Summary of the List:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25
Intro | Methodology | Data Sources | Photo Credits
JR's All Time 25 - Movies
| Rank |
Movies
|
Movie Genre | Year of Release |
| 1 | Horror | 2005 | |
| 2 | Sci-Fi | 2013 | |
| 3 | Action | 2007 | |
| 4 | Animation | 2010 | |
| 5 | Drama | 2010 | |
| 6 | Thriller | 1991 | |
| 7 | Animation | 2006 | |
| 8 | Sci-Fi | 2007 | |
| 9 | Thriller | 1993 | |
| 10 | Crime | 1983 | |
| 11 | Crime | 1972 | |
| 12 | Sci-Fi | 2010 | |
| 13 | Comedy | 1985 | |
| 14 | Thriller | 2009 | |
| 15 | Animation | 2003 | |
| 16 | Action | 1962 | |
| 17 | Sci-Fi | 1991 | |
| 18 | Animation | 2010 | |
| 19 | Drama | 2001 | |
| 20 | Thriller | 2014 | |
| 21 | Action | 2000 | |
| 22 | Fantasy | 2011 | |
| 23 | Drama | 1997 | |
| 24 | Animation | 2001 | |
| 25 | Drama | 1999 |
#1
|
SAW II
(2005) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$147,700,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Horror
|
Director/s:
|
Darren Lynn Bousman
|
Producer/s:
|
James Wan, Leigh Whannell
|
Writer/s:
|
Darren Lynn Bousman, Leigh Whannell
|
Distributor:
|
Lionsgate
|
MPAA Rating:
|
R
|
Total Running Time:
|
1 hour, 31 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$4 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Donnie Wahlberg, Erik Knudsen, Beverley Mitchell, Dina Meyer
|
Saw II has always been my favorite movie. Don't get me wrong but the reason I love this film and the film franchise is its ability to capture my mind and heart into a topic which is highly disputed, the value of our existence or life in its full form, presented in a gruesome and twisted way. The main character in the film is a serial killer named Jigsaw who puts people who "have not used their lives wisely" in challenges that would test their strength, guts and wits to see if they really value life in its entirety. In the entire franchise, I chose Saw II because of its unique and touching story amongst the rest. Saw II places a police officer to the test of patience as his son is placed in a deadly series of traps with other known criminals or fugitives. Torture porn? Well I guess that's the first thing you have in your mind when you watch Saw. The difference of Saw from other horror films is its use of machinery, engineering and medicine in testing the serial killer's victims. Saw II will always be my favorite because of its uniqueness in story amongst all horror / serial killer / slasher films.
#2
|
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
(2013) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$864,600,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Sci-Fi
|
Director/s:
|
Francis Lawrence
|
Producer/s:
|
Nina Jacobson
|
Writer/s:
|
Michael Arndt, Simon Beaufoy
|
Distributor:
|
Lionsgate
|
MPAA Rating:
|
PG-13
|
Total Running Time:
|
2 hours, 26 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$130 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Jena Malone, Amanda Plummer, Sam Claflin, Donald Sutherland, Lenny Kravitz
|
Normally, it's weird to place a very recent film in the list at the top spot because sometimes the emotion towards that film slowly depreciates as you watch new movies. Since the list only includes one film per franchise, in The Hunger Games franchise I would chose the one which is the better among the two (only two have been premiered yet, sorry Mockingjay). Initially if the list were to be published last year, I would have placed The Hunger Games on this spot but rather after the premiere of the second film, there is no doubt that I have a lot of favorable emotions towards the second film because the second film was purely what I have read in the book, probably the most complete of any book adaptation film. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire places a heroine, Katniss Everdeen, for the second time in a row in a battle of district supremacy. The games known as The Hunger Games places young adults in an arena full of traps and weapons where the goal is to kill those other competitors in the game in order for you to bring fame and glory to your district. The thing is, the movie sparks the rebellion all districts have been wanting for against the Capitol. Let's see if the two part finale of Mockingjay can trump the supremacy that is The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
#3
|
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM
(2007) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$442,800,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Action
|
Director/s:
|
Paul Greengrass
|
Producer/s:
|
Patrick Crowley, Doug Liman, Frank Marshall
|
Writer/s:
|
Tony Gilroy, George Nolfi, Scott Burns
|
Distributor:
|
Universal
|
MPAA Rating:
|
PG-13
|
Total Running Time:
|
1 hour, 51 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$110 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Matt Damon, Julia Stiles, David Strathairn, Scott Glenn, Paddy Considine, Albert Finney, Joan Allen
|
What's hard in selecting my most favorite film in a movie franchise is the fact that all are my favorites. That was the case in this movie right here, it took me a long time to decide which was the best among the Bourne franchise. The reason why I love the Bourne series in the first place is because of its story, its main character's personality, its fight scenes, and its car chases taking place at various countries. Taking note of all my wants in the Bourne series, I think that The Bourne Ultimatum presents everything that I want in the franchise in the grandest way possible. The Bourne Ultimatum seems to me as the conclusion of the series because it was where Jason Bourne finally discovered his identity, and it was the final time we were able to see him. The Bourne Ultimatum, set in New York City, finally pits Jason Bourne in his desire to know his true identity, to know how he became a spy, and to know what the CIA is really up to. I would suggest though that you watch the movie series from the beginning in order for you to understand how Jason got into the point where he is almost knowing his identity.
#4
|
TOY STORY 3
(2010) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$1,063,200,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Animation
|
Director/s:
|
Lee Unkrich
|
Producer/s:
|
Darla Anderson, John Lasseter
|
Writer/s:
|
Michael Arndt, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
|
Distributor:
|
Buena Vista
|
MPAA Rating:
|
G
|
Total Running Time:
|
1 hour, 43 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$200 million
|
Voice Cast Overview:
|
Tom Hanks, Michael Keaton, Joan Cusack, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, John Ratzenberger, Whoopi Goldberg, Wallace Shawn, Timothy Dalton, Bonnie Hunt, Ned Beatty, Jodi Benson, Richard Kind, Jeff Garlin, Lee Unkrich
|
The first animation film to be in JR's list - Toy Story 3. Toy Story 3 despite being my favorite animated film is also no doubt the best animated film of all time. I really enjoyed watching this film for the first time on screen because it was the only Disney Pixar film I have watched on the big screen (the others I have watched through DVD). With the first film's highlight being Buzz Lightyear's discovery that he was a toy and the second film's highlight being Woody's supposed placement in a museum, the third film explores probably the worst scene a toy has to face - the time when their owner would finally say goodbye to them. I don't know but Toy Story 3 kind of given me the idea that non-living things have life of their own making us think of their value and importance after they are gone. Toy Story 3 is really a touching story for me, as despite being fictional is a very realistic take on the things that we gain and lose in growing up.
#5
|
THE SOCIAL NETWORK
(2010) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$224,900,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Comedy / Drama
|
Director/s:
|
David Fincher
|
Producer/s:
|
Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, Scott Rudin
|
Writer/s:
|
Aaron Sorkin
|
Distributor:
|
Sony / Columbia
|
MPAA Rating:
|
PG-13
|
Total Running Time:
|
2 hours, 0 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$40 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rooney Mara, Rashida Jones
|
The Social Network is a biopic of Mark Zuckerberg's rise to fame after he has built the social media giant, Facebook. Facebook has been an interesting topic for me ever since it gained its worldwide boom in the time between 2008, 2009. Come 2010, and I anticipated this film so much because I want to perceive visually on how the giant got its birth. The film for me is really comedic not really dramatic, honestly. Jesse Eisenberg's impression of Mark Zuckerberg is funny. How Mark Zuckerberg disrespects her somewhat girlfriend through his blogs is funny. How Eduardo Saverin got his first sexual experience is also funny. And add up those legal conversations between the Winklevoss brothers, Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg regarding the ownership shares of the company which is also funny. With me watching The Social Network, I really got an impression that Facebook's history is unique and eccentric different from those with storied yet serious histories such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, Twitter, etc. Facebook has became a part of my life ever since and knowing partly how it started is special (though Mark Zuckerberg credits the film as not fully true). Mark Zuckerberg is an inspirational person for me, and watching The Social Network gave me an idea on who he really was and how he gained that status the whole world came to know of at present.
#6
|
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
(1991) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$272,700,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Thriller
|
Director/s:
|
Jonathan Demme
|
Producer/s:
|
Gary Goetzman
|
Writer/s:
|
Thomas Harris, Ted Tally
|
Distributor:
|
Orion Pictures
|
MPAA Rating:
|
R
|
Total Running Time:
|
1 hour, 58 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$19 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins
|
Any movie with a serial killer in it is interesting for me (considering I placed Saw on top of the list) but not one captured my attention more than the serial killer that is Hannibal Lecter. Silence of the Lambs is more of a semi-documentary as it focuses on the stories of a serial killer and how he became as such. We are tallking here about Hannibal Lecter who develops an interesting relationship with Clarice Sterling, a detective tasked to identify the possible characteristics and motives of another serial killer in the film named Buffalo Bill through a series of personality tests and interviews with Hannibal Lecter. The movie is so spine-chilling, really. Don't want to spoil a lot of those scenes but there is one that I really remember in this film, the stand-off between Clarice Sterling and Buffalo Bill in the movie's ending. It's so spine-chilling that I can't sleep the night I watched the film. By the way, "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti." You'll get that when you watch the movie.
#7
|
CARS
(2006) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$462,000,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Animation
|
Director/s:
|
John Lasseter
|
Producer/s:
|
Darla Anderson
|
Writer/s:
|
Dan Fogelman, John Lasseter
|
Distributor:
|
Buena Vista
|
MPAA Rating:
|
G
|
Total Running Time:
|
1 hour, 56 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$120 million
|
Voice Cast Overview:
|
Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Keaton
|
Another Pixar film makes my All Time 25 list. Cars is another of those Disney films that I really love considering I have a desire for cars. (My dream car being actually a McLaren P1, sorry just sharing). Other than that, Cars just takes place in an awesome fictional universe that I dream to be a part of in real life - a town where everything seems to be simple, quiet and free from outside disturbance. Regardless of the cars and Radiator Springs, Cars is just for me a masterpiece. The animation of the cars, the scenery, everything in the film purely gave me awe as the story progresses. The story for me was not the highlight but rather the artistry behind all those environments and characters in the film. Cars deals with a racecar named Lightning McQueen who only cares about winning in racing competitions, about earning fans and sponsorships, and about his appearance towards others. This personality changes once he enters a neighborhood where everything seems not to be modern, not contemporary and outside of technology and media.
#8
|
SPIDER-MAN 3
(2007) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$890,900,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Sci-Fi
|
Director/s:
|
Sam Raimi
|
Producer/s:
|
Kevin Feige, Stan Lee, Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad
|
Writer/s:
|
Alvin Sargent
|
Distributor:
|
Sony / Columbia
|
MPAA Rating:
|
PG-13
|
Total Running Time:
|
2 hours, 20 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$260 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Elizabeth Banks
|
Probably the only superhero in the list, Spider-Man is, no doubt, my favorite comic book hero. Considering all Spider-Man films out there, those made by Sam Raimi and those which are reboots of the first (those which have "The Amazing Spider-Man" in their title), Spider-Man 3 is my pick as the best. Why, you ask. It's because there are four villains in this film - the New Goblin, Sandman, Venom, and Spider-Man's alter-ego. That's a lot of people to beat in just one film, amazing isn't it. Spider-Man's alter-ego is the one that highlights the film's content as it is the one that Spidey is struggling with because it is destroying him, his relationships, his image as Peter Parker, and his image as Spider-Man. If I were to choose which was better, the three original Spider-Man films or the reboot we have now, there is no doubt that the Sam Raimi versions of Spider-Man were the best because it easily captures the hearts of the people in its story (story of Peter Parker, the death of Uncle Ben, the love story between Peter and MJ, and those touching goodbyes made by the villains at the peak of their defeat/death) unlike the reboot focusing only on beating the bad guys (I actually felt no emotion in the first reboot, honestly). Why only Spider-Man in the list, no Iron Man, Superman or Batman, because I see Spider-Man reflecting my personality and character (and I guess that would also be the reason why other people select such superhero which may or may not be Spidey). With great power comes great responsibility, that is my most favorite and most memorable quote coming from a movie.
#9
|
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
(1993) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$75,100,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Thriller
|
Director/s:
|
Henry Selick
|
Producer/s:
|
Denise Di Novi
|
Writer/s:
|
Tim Burton, Michael McDowell, Caroline Thompson
|
Distributor:
|
Buena Vista
|
MPAA Rating:
|
PG
|
Total Running Time:
|
1 hour, 16 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$18 million
|
Voice Cast Overview:
|
Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix, Ken Page, Ed Ivory, Paul Reubens, Danny Elfman
|
This may be a violation to my rule because there should only be five animated films in the list and I listed Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas under the Thriller genre. The thing is the first time I watched this film, I felt thrills running through my bones. I watched this movie when I was a kid and felt the fear that a normal kid would in watching a scary movie flick. Well, now that I am grown, I treat this film as only an animated one not scary and thrilling. So, if you wonder why I listed this under thrillers it is because that is how I perceive it when I watched it the very first time. As a kid, you would really fear the appearance of Jack Skellington, Oogie Boogie, The Mayor, and Dr. Finkelstein. Add up the time when Oogie Boogie gets beaten by Jack Skellington and you see those flying creepy crawlers moving out of the body of Oogie. The Nightmare Before Christmas is about Jack Skellington's plan to create a Halloween-themed Christmas which in the end turned out bad. You would really see the beauty of stop-motion in this film.
#10
|
SCARFACE
(1983) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$65,900,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Crime
|
Director/s:
|
Brian De Palma
|
Producer/s:
|
Martin Bregman
|
Writer/s:
|
Oliver Stone
|
Distributor:
|
Universal
|
MPAA Rating:
|
R
|
Total Running Time:
|
2 hours, 50 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$25 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer
|
Just love and admire the guy that is Scarface. Who would not want to have a life like Tony Montana, a multi-billion dollar mogul who even owns a property unlike no other. Scarface is set in an 80's sun-soaked Miami Beach where some Cuban immigrants are coming in the area to live the American Dream. Tony Montana is one who truly achieved that American dream but the type of business he engaged in is swarming with corruption, mafia violence, and business betrayal. It's like a compact version of Miami Vice or Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (in fact, both were inspired by this film). I actually watched this film because of curiosity, my mom and dad have a special edition of the movie at home. After I watched, damn, I really love the story, the character that is Tony Montana, and the setting that is Miami. The twists and turns in the movie is what you will love the most. I sometimes dream of living the American Dream in Miami because of Scarface but not the way that Tony Montana did, I'll die early. Say hello to my big friend, Scarface!
#11
|
THE GODFATHER
(1972) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$245,100,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Crime
|
Director/s:
|
Francis Ford Coppola
|
Producer/s:
|
Albert Ruddy
|
Writer/s:
|
Mario Puzo, Francis Ford Coppola
|
Distributor:
|
Paramount
|
MPAA Rating:
|
R
|
Total Running Time:
|
2 hours, 55 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$6 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton
|
No top movies list is complete without any of the three "The Godfather" movies. The Godfather is probably the best movie franchise of all time, but the best would be the first film because it has Marlon Brando and because it focuses on the mafia business more than the two other films. The Godfather is highly acclaimed and praised by both the critics and the media. The cinematography, the story, the musical score, everything is perfect in The Godfather. Despite not being my most favorite, I highly praise it for being the perfect example of what feature films should be. Sometimes movies from the past which are far simpler with minimal editing are far more superior to present movies which are high budget and full of computer editing because of its uniqueness in story and cinematography. Simple is better as they say. The Godfather is a pure reflection of how an American mafia works. The Godfather has various political and moral issues that are worth taking note of, such being dirty politics and corruption, family loyalty, illegal forms of businesses including drugs and weapons trade, gang violence, and territorial ownership. In the end, the choice will always be, to continue the legacy of your family or to start your own new legacy? The Godfather is just that. Watch all three movies. I tell you, it's worth it.
#12
|
TRON LEGACY
(2010) |
Worldwide Box Office:
|
$400,100,000
|
Movie Genre:
|
Sci-Fi
|
Director/s:
|
Joseph Kosinski
|
Producer/s:
|
Sean Bailey, Steven Lisberger, Jeffrey Silver
|
Writer/s:
|
Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis, Brian Klugman, Steven Lisberger, Lee Sternthal
|
Distributor:
|
Buena Vista
|
MPAA Rating:
|
PG
|
Total Running Time:
|
2 hours, 5 minutes
|
Production Budget:
|
$170 million
|
Cast Overview:
|
Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Bruce Boxleitner, James Frain, Beau Garrett, Michael Sheen
|
As soon as I learned that Tron would be having a remake, I got really excited. Tron for me is a unique experience, you are taken inside a computer system where every program and code are treated as individuals having a life of their own. The story is a bit confusing, honestly, but what I love in the film is the unique environment that the movie is set on. Everything is crisp and detailed, even the characters' appearances are distinctive and noticeable. Add up Daft Punk's music into the mix, you would truly enjoy the experience that is Tron Legacy. This is what makes Tron as one of my favorites. It's kind of amazing to live in a universe like that in Tron.
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JR Late Night Blogs: All Time 25 Movies (Part 2)