The last ten!

On a wet Whitsun I proudly present to you my final collection to complete the 'best 50 movies of all time'!? Ha! 

A Christmas Carol - The classic version featuring Alastair Sim in the role of Scrooge. His face is so expressive in the scenes where he is torn between the two paths offered him, and it remains a beautifully uplifting story, perfect for Christmas. This is the definitive adaptation (although the Muppets did a pretty good job too!) Everyone must have seen this. If you haven't then wait until next Christmas and do.

A Matter of Life And Death - More magic from the Powell and Pressburger partnership. And this is the best. Amazing visually; a cast of legends; and a brilliant story. The opening scene with Niven talking to 'June' across the airwaves is completely captivating. There's so much that goes on. It's wonderful. Truly wonderful. Don't die before seeing this(!)

Altered States - Something reminiscent of the 60s, but from the 80s. Has the feel of '2001'. A bizarre mixture of religion, drugs, and science. William Hurt is manic and driven as the central character, and supported by the gorgeous and talented Blair Brown. A strange film indeed, but thought-provoking, and entertaining. I fear it might not have aged well, but there's a scene in it clearly stolen by the director of Ah-Ha's "Take On Me" video, so watch at least for that!

Angels with Dirty Faces - Cagney was a mesmeric screen presence, who portrayed a man on the edge of violence at any moment beautifully. Here, mirrored by Ed O'Brien, he's the hard nosed gangster from the wrong side of the street, doomed to a premature death. His character is not at all sympathetic; a thug and a killer. But it's the final scene where he sacrifices his reputation to save his doting young followers that lives with you. Hard to beat. 

Apocalypse Now - There's not a lot that hasn't been said about this film. Brando is barely featured, but dominates throughout. Sheen is superb, together with a cast of Coppola regulars, that take on the daunting task of tracking down the almost deified rogue colonel. Of course there's the music, and Duvall barking mad in the mornings. It's long and confusing, but bold and ambitious. Brilliant too, of course.

Before Sunrise - Torn between a cheat of including the sequel as a 'pair' I've settled on the first of Linklater's films. This is wonderfully scripted, acted, and observed. Vienna presented as a fascinating backdrop to an unlikely meeting that turns into a night that neither character will ever forget. It's never too obviously romantic, sticking hard to how people act and react. And people do talk about ideas. It's a movie you can't turn away from whenever it's on, edited brilliantly, so you never lose interest in what will or won't happen. Delpy and Hawke are outstanding. Quiet, warm, romantic, intelligent. The sequel almost matches it, and I hope for another match-up before too long! 

Diva - One of those utterly French, utterly beautiful (visually and aurally), utterly bizarre film noirs, that oozes cool class from every pore. The story of a misunderstanding (the hero has a recording of a studio-shy Diva in concert; the villains think his tape holds damming evidence of their crimes) typical of the best thrillers, which features an array of chic characters, weird villains, and elegant set-pieces. Classy.

El Dorado - There are many great John Wayne films. He was an underrated actor, and not often given the greatest material. However, ignoring his bigger roles, I love his traditional "heroes holed up in a jail" stories (if you've ever seen 'Assault on Precinct 13' you'll know where Carpenter got the story from). This Hawks film is brilliant at what it is - Wayne, Mitchum, and the début of James Caan. All of the classic elements are here - Mitchum drunk; feisty females; duplicitous vamps; Wayne shooting left-handed. It's all there. All magnificent.

Execution of Private Slovik - Okay, nobody has seen this film I dare say'. It stars a young Martin Sheen in the true story of the only GI shot for desertion during the second World War. I think it was a 'TV Movie' and has rarely been shown. Sheen is completely amazing in this film. His portrayal of guilt, fear, and hope is superb. You can't take your eyes off him. This film placed Sheen firmly as one of my favourite actors of all time. In 'Film 9n', he gave an interview on the set of the film 'Stockade' where he described Duvall and De Niro as the "heavyweights" of acting ... "I'm not in their league; I'm a middle-weight". Cut back to the study, and Barry Norman responded with "some middleweight - he's the Marvin Hagler of acting." I agree with the sentiment.

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle-stop Café - I love this 'chick flick'. It's funny, fast, exciting, hopeful, and eventually, happy. Beautiful performances by MSM and Mary-Louise Parker. The original set-up with the 'modern' story juxtaposed with the 'older' tale relates the two trials of the search for independence and freedom intelligently. Great cast. A lovely, feel-good film.