Neo-noir/Dark comedy/Crime/Spy/Horror: The Best of the Best
Just thought I'd try and come up with a list of some of my favourite films of some of my favourite genres. I may have missed some classics out, either because I haven't seen them yet or because I wrote this list late at night and forgot to mention them. Also, I'm well aware that the horror category falls short. I only included it to be able to add certain films that can only be classified as such. Finally, I haven't included any Bond films, because I'm a huge fan and I didn't want this list to go on forever. Sometime soon I'll try to get round to ranking the Bond films from best to worst.
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- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.Oh, come on, of course it's number 1!
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsJeff BridgesJohn GoodmanJulianne MooreJeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.Easily the best ever American crime comedy, with the most beautifully quotable lines ever, this neo-noir film will come top of many people's list. "Yeah, well, that's just, like, your opinion, man."
- DirectorBruce RobinsonStarsRichard E. GrantPaul McGannRichard GriffithsIn 1969, two substance-abusing, unemployed actors retreat to the countryside for a holiday that proves disastrous.This classic British comedy defines the idea of a cult film- beautiful themes, amazing acting and a script to rival The Big Lebowski. Without a doubt, one of the finest films available to humanity!
- DirectorRobin HardyStarsEdward WoodwardChristopher LeeDiane CilentoA puritan police sergeant arrives in a Scottish island village in search of a missing girl, who the pagan locals claim never existed.Like many of the films on this list, this horror classic enjoys a love/hate relationship with viewers. But give it a try- the killer acting, superb twist and chillingly surreal atmosphere might just blow your mind...
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsHarvey KeitelTim RothMichael MadsenWhen a simple jewelry heist goes horribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.Whilst the plot may be somewhat lacking in a conventional sense, Quentin Tarantino's directorial debut features unbelievably good acting, ambience, dialogue and soundtrack, and became an instant hit with movie buffs and budding directors alike. A crime thriller for discerning viewers with a sense of quirky fun.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason StathamBrad PittStephen GrahamUnscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.Basically the British answer to Pulp Fiction, but even funnier. "Do you know what nemesis means?"
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsDaniel CraigSienna MillerMichael GambonA successful cocaine dealer gets two tough assignments from his boss on the eve of his planned early retirement.Matthew Vaughn has recently come to light as a worthy rival of crime comedy directors like Guy Ritchie, the Cohen Brothers, and even the great Quentin Tarantino himself, and his directorial debut is perhaps his best work to date. Witty, stylish and sexy (Sienna Miller stripping off to the Rolling Stones? Oh yeah!), it was the film that put Daniel Craig in the running to be the next James Bond, and if that doesn't make it cool, I don't know what will.
- DirectorJonathan GlazerStarsRay WinstoneBen KingsleyIan McShaneBrutal gangster Don Logan recruits "retired" safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.Who can forget Ben Kingsley in this? In my opinion, this film should have brought him more fame than his portrayal of Ghandi did. A very classy and slightly surreal crime thriller, with great acting all round.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsGeorge ClooneyBrad PittJulia RobertsDaniel Ocean recruits one more team member so he can pull off three major European heists in this sequel to Ocean's Eleven (2001).I will never understand why critics panned this film- it is by far the best of the excellent Ocean's trilogy. The acting is fantastic, the dialogue is hilarious (if listened to carefully) and the film embodies the word "Sophistication". It should have been an instant cult classic. (By the way, watch Ocean's 11- the modern version, not the Sinatra one- first, or you won't understand what the hell's going on!)
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsKevin SpaceyGabriel ByrneChazz PalminteriThe sole survivor of a pier shoot-out tells the story of how a notorious criminal influenced the events that began with five criminals meeting in a seemingly random police lineup.One of the best complex psychological crime thrillers ever! This film is dark, clever and superbly acted, and firmly deserves its status as a cult classic. Nobody saw that ending coming!
- DirectorMary HarronStarsChristian BaleJustin TherouxJosh LucasA wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.It's not for everyone, but if you can see the extreme violence for what it is- a vehicle to bring across a very pertinent criticism of certain lifestyles- you'll doubtlessly enjoy this complex, surreal satire of yuppie materialsm in the '80s, as well as Christian Bale's wonderful acting.
- DirectorMike HodgesStarsMichael CaineIan HendryBritt EklandWhen his brother dies under mysterious circumstances in a car accident, London gangster Jack Carter travels to Newcastle to investigate.Mike Hodge's gritty gangster classic may be slow-paced by today's standards, but some of the themes it deals with are way before it's time, earning this entertaining (and sometimes disturbing) crime thriller a well-deserved place in the hearts of many neo-noir fans.
- DirectorMike HodgesStarsClive OwenNick RedingNicholas BallAn aspiring writer is hired as a croupier at a casino, where he realizes that his life as a croupier would make a great novel.Another Mike Hodges classic, this film is the definition of neo-noir, with a stellar performance from a young Clive Owen. Like many neo-noirs, the plot (though captivating in its own right) is second to the beautifully dark ambiance that the film exudes.
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsJodie FosterAnthony HopkinsScott GlennA young F.B.I. cadet must receive the help of an incarcerated and manipulative cannibal killer to help catch another serial killer, a madman who skins his victims.By far the darkest and most subtle and realistic of the Hannibal Lecter films, Anthony Hopkins gives his all in his first and most chilling portrayal of the cannibalistic genius, with excellent supporting roles by Jodie Foster and Ted Levine.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason FlemyngDexter FletcherNick MoranEddy persuades his three pals to pool money for a vital poker game against a powerful local mobster, Hatchet Harry. Eddy loses, after which Harry gives him a week to pay back 500,000 pounds.An earlier, darker crime comedy very similar to Snatch, and a must-see for all fans of the genre.
- DirectorShane BlackStarsRobert Downey Jr.Val KilmerMichelle MonaghanAfter being mistaken for an actor, a New York thief is sent to Hollywood to train under a private eye for a potential movie role, but the duo are thrown together with a struggling actress into a murder mystery.Combine The Big Sleep with The Big Lebowski and you get this gem of a comedy neo-noir, with excellent acting and histerically funny dialogue. Watch this film!
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsAl PacinoMichelle PfeifferSteven BauerMiami in the 1980s: a determined criminal minded Cuban immigrant, becomes the biggest drug smuggler in Florida, and is eventually undone by his own drug addiction.Come on- why haven't you watched this yet?! The mother of all drugs movies is without a doubt one of the best-loved and most oft-quoted movies EVER! "Say hello to my little friend!!!"
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJonah HillMargot RobbieBased on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.It holds the record for most f-words in a film ever, and makes drug-taking, sex addiction and fraud look cool. Throw in some unbelievably good acting and a killer soundtrack, and what more do you want from a film?
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseRebecca FergusonJeremy RennerEthan and his team take on their most impossible mission yet when they have to eradicate an international rogue organization as highly skilled as they are and committed to destroying the IMF.Mission: Impossible I and Ghost Protocol would be high contenders, but I think by far the best of the series is the (as of when this list was written) latest installment. Hilarious and action-packed.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroSharon StoneJoe PesciIn Las Vegas, two best friends - a casino executive and a mafia enforcer - compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.It may be nearly three hours long, but this Scorsese classic is an unmissable treat for crime movie fans. The plot is grippingly complex, the atmosphere is fantastic, and the performances of DeNiro, Pesci and Stone are sublime.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsBrad PittDiane KrugerEli RothIn Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner's vengeful plans for the same.Another gem from the mind of Quentin Tarantino, this tragic, hilarious and action-packed WWII adventure features Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz and Melanie Laurent at their scintillating best.
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsSimon PeggNick FrostMartin FreemanAn overachieving London police sergeant is transferred to a village where the easygoing officers object to his fervor for regulations, all while a string of grisly murders strikes the town.By far the best of Edgar Wright's hilarious Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, Hot Fuzz is undoubtedly one of the funniest action comedies ever. Fellow fans of British television and film should have as much fun spotting all the various cameos as I did!
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsChristian BaleHeath LedgerAaron EckhartWhen a menace known as the Joker wreaks havoc and chaos on the people of Gotham, Batman, James Gordon and Harvey Dent must work together to put an end to the madness.I'm not a fan of superhero movies or comic books, but I have to say that the second film in Christopher Nolan's gritty reboot of the caped crusader is a true masterpiece. RIP Heath Ledger- your last work was definitely your greatest.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsLeonardo DiCaprioJoseph Gordon-LevittElliot PageA thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O., but his tragic past may doom the project and his team to disaster.Another great film from Christopher Nolan, it sports atmospheric music, stunning sound effects and brilliant acting, as well as a plot so complex that I still don't completely get it after my fith viewing!
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsKurt RussellZoë BellRosario DawsonTwo separate sets of voluptuous women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans.In the eyes of many, Death Proof is the worst Tarantino film, and I can see their point: the film is far from spectacular, either in terms of plot or action. However, I have to say I really enjoyed this one. It is a must-see for fans of the carsploitation genre, and offers up witty dialogue, excellent acting, thrilling car chases, and an overall atmosphere of "cool". Try it and see- you don't have to listen to the critics!