Day TWO

Share your Top 10 Favorite Movies

Hi everyone! Here is a list of my top 10 favorite movies. (I love hundreds of movies, but these really left impressions in my mind, and some, my heart.)

1. The Shining (1980)

Director: Stanley Kubric
Mains: Jack Nicholson 

Plot summary: A family decides to take a holiday at an isolated hotel where an evil spirit decides to tamper with Nicholson's (who is the father) head, leading him into violence. Meanwhile, their psychic son discovers images of the past and future in the house. The mother and son try to escape while the father is violently trying to kill them. 

Why I love it: It's not just horror. It's a psychological thriller with occasional horror scenes. AMAZING acting and dialogues. I liked the pace, the setting, the use of repeating numbers (which apparently does scare you at a psychological level as an audience), the camera wide angles that inflict suspense and SO MUCH MORE. This film was made even before I was born but I've watched in more than 3 times now.

2. JAWS (1975)

Director: Steven Spielberg

Mains: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss

Plot Summary: A great white shark arrives on the coast of New England and makes vicious attacks on people. This continues and terrorizes the entire population, until a team of marine biologists arrive and hunt the "monster" down. 

Why I love it: Yes, it's because I LOVE sharks and are completely in awe of them. Just kidding, that's not the only reason. I love this movie because it's a classic. Gotta say, the theme music still haunts me. If I hear it, it freaks me out. The editing works well, because for at least an hour into the film, the tension of a shark (or mechanical shark, whatever) fin teases the audience to conjure up an image of the Great White and keeps up the anticipation. I also love the film techniques used - the wide angle shot, the zooming in and out, the characters expressions zoomed in etc. A CLASSIC!

3. Gone Girl (2014)

Director: David Fincher

Mains: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris 

Plot Summary: Nick Dunne (Affleck)  comes home to find his wife missing. After inspection, fingers are pointed at Nick that he may have murdered his wife. Turns out, she is alive and has changed her identity. The term "Gone Girl" has a double meaning - she is missing and also, she is absolutely CRAZY. Watch the film, and you'll understand why. 

Why I love it: It's all kind of crazy put together. The girl is a total psycho but I love the way it happens because throughout, its a psychological thriller again (oh shit, I think I have a film type) and you can't guess the ending AT ALL. All throughout, you're hooked onto the sequence of events and acting. Also, I LOVE Ben Affleck - hot, tall, great actor. What's not to love?

4. Train to Busan (2016)

Director: Sang- Ho Yeon

Mains: Yoo Gong, Soo-An Kim, Yu-mi Jung 

Plot Summary: A father who barely gives time to his child promises to take her to see her mother on the little girl's birthday (the parents are divorced). While heading on the train to Busan, a zombie terror strikes out and a mysteriously girl jumps onto the train. Already bitten, she turns into a zombie and turns everyone else into one.- Domino Effect, you know. 

Why I love it: THE ACTING! That's the best and main part. I'm not kidding, there wasn't one bit I didn't like. The story line was a little unrealistic, come on but it's a movie. My heart felt multiple emotions from joy, to fright, to mystery, to love. At one point, I even clutched onto my seat and loudly rooted for the main characters. There is so much to this film, and it's not a typical film with romance, but love between father and child. It is absolutely beautiful. Please watch it! 

5. Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

Director: Karan Johar

Mains: ShahRukh Khan, Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan and Amitabh Bachchan. 

Plot Summary: A family saga which completely shatters when Rahul (Khan) decides to marry Anjali (Kajol) who is a middle class woman out of their social circle and Yashvardhan (Bachchan) is TOTALLY against it. He breaks ties with his son and Rahul and Anjali move to London. Meanwhile, the younger son Rohan (Roshan) goes to London many years later and tries to win his brother back and bring him home.

Why I love it: This is typical K-Jo. A family drama filled with dramatic dialogues, heartwarming family scenes and lots and lots of bollywood songs. I cried at so many points in the movie (and I don't cry THAT easily). The acting of all characters were on point, with Shahrukh's and Kajol's being my favorite. There is every genre in this movie, and it's a total classic. Surely, everyone has seen it. 

6. Mean Girls(2004)

Director: Mark Waters

Mains: Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey and many more. 

Plot Summary: Typical high school movie where a girl Cady (Lohan) moves to a new place and school, and tries to fit in. The "plastics" give her a tough time and she goes out of her way to try and fit into that clique. She finally fits in, but makes a mistake of falling for Regina George's (McAdams) ex- boyfriend and that's when Cady's life turns hell. 

Why I love it: Okay, let's be honest. I love the whole drama scene, the funny dialogues, the whole high-school feel to it, each person matches their characters so well. Also, it's a narrative monologue too (at the start) so it makes it a little different to other films. There are SO many quotes that still live with us till today such as "You go Glen Coco!" or "On Wednesdays, we wear pink." Overall, it's a modern classic that never fails to make the audience laugh. 

7. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)

Director: Aditya Chopra

Mains: Shakrukh Khan, Kajol, Amrish Puri 

Plot Summary: A story of two people raised in London, but meet in Switzerland randomly on a holiday and fall in love. However, Simran's (Kajol) traditional father takes her back to India to fulfill a promise made when she was a child to marry another man. Basically, a story of true love and how Raj (Khan) and Simran (Kajol) fight for love. 

Why I love it: Again, it's a CLASSIC! I've seen this film at least 8 times and to me, the characters are so loveable. The lines are witty and some scenes are hilarious. Takes place in different countries (India, Switzerland and London). Shahrukh and Kajol are the ultimate couple (I still wish they were together) and there is so much romance, love, tears, and everything in between. You start to feel for each character. Oh and of course, the songs from this movie are still some of my favorites!!! 

8. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Director: Frank Darabont 

Mains: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman

Plot Summary: A story about Red (Freeman) and Andy (Robbins) who bond in the Shawshank Prison over the years and eventually find solace in each other.Andy is put in jail due to "belief" that he killed his wife and her lover but maintains his innocence. Despite several hardships and turmoil, the two bond with each other and help each other gain a sense of freedom.


Why I love it: A movie that is innocent and pure. Teaches you so many life lessons, like picking yourself up after you fall. Teaches you the value of friendship, how to adjust to difficult situations and how to care and nurture someone in need. It focuses on the taste of freedom. The acting is phenomenal, the characters become like home and SO likeable where you can actually empathize with every situation they're in. 

9. The Blind Side (2009)

Director: John Lee Hancock

Mains: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron and Tim McGraw

Plot Summary: A caring woman and her family take in a troubled and homeless boy into their home - and turn him into a football NFL player.

Why I love it: This movie is full of emotions. The boy is troubled and you feel for him. Every moment is precious between the boy and the woman. I like that although it's a related sports movie, the sports aspect takes a backseat in the film and focuses on the relationships instead. I also love the fact that the lead character is so strong and selfless, and of course, is a woman character! It's a nice new change. Lastly, watching this movie just inspires me for some reason. To know that there is hope, and that there are good people out there. 

10. The Dark Knight (2008)

Director: Christopher Nolan
Mains: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Aaron Eckhart


Plot Summary: I think this is pretty self explanatory. The Joker (Ledger) wreaks havoc across Gotham City, crime after crime so Batman and the district attorney and lieutenant help in capturing and trying to evict this evil mastermind. The plot continues when the Joker manages to bring Harvey on his side and Batman has to try and stop not one, but two madmen.

Why I love it: Come on. This is Batman. The Dark Knight. What's not to love? He is the epitome of heroism (at least to me) and has always been my favorite superhero. Brains, mystery and psychology put in one? Yes please. The movie has so much action, jam packed with energy and pulsating moments. The beginning itself starts with a crime in Gotham City, which leaves the audience excited for the outcome already at the beginning of the movie. The best part is, when watching it, you feel involved, and a part of the citizens of Gotham City.

What are your top movie picks? Leave a comment! 

Xoxo

Larisha