Way back in May 2017 after a discussion with my nephew Andrew and his fiancé Danelle we commenced watching the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Top 100 Movies. At the time they have temporarily move in with me while saving for their wedding and a future house. While they didn’t quite make it to the end after moving out I did and due to the unfortunate COVID-19 situation I watch the last 66 movies over five months.

So after starting with Yankee Doodle Dandy (ranked 100) and finishing with The Godfather Part II (ranked 13) on Friday 4 September 2020 this turned out to be highly enjoyable and exposed me to many great films I would never have experienced.

Overall the IMDb Top 100 listing was exceptionally strong which was what I was hoping for. Nineteen of the movies I rated 9.5 or 10 out of 10. Of these nineteen films I had previously only watched 8 of them including my only rated 10 /10 film the great Schindler’s List.

There were only three real disappointing films which were still passable, with two of these films were focused on the wealthy (The Philadelphia Story and A Place in the Sun) which I struggled to invest in and the other (The French Connection) was extremely slow and was based on cops with questionable morals.

Probably the most eye opening film was 12 Angry Men which was basically shot just in a jury room and had amazing dialogue which examined the psychological composition of individuals when you put strangers together.

The Pianist was also a masterpiece that I’m not sure how I missed watching when it came out. Casablanca was also another film that I knew was great but had just never got around to watching, I was so glad that it lived up to to it’s reputation.

Regarding actors I now finally understand why Marlon Brando is considered a great having now seen his first film (A Streetcar Name Desire) and three other very strong performances (Apocalypse Now, On The Waterfront, and The Godfather). I also enjoy watching Al Pacino in his prime.

The Top 100 Movie listings was very diverse in subject matters and using the full range of visuals, sound and music. If there was one common factor in the majority of these movies was the amazing cinematography and great sound tracks to more your emotions.

Films at their best can take you to different worlds, explore ideas you haven’t considered, and help you remember important moments in history or important messages like in Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator.

What’s next?
I might start watching the Academy Awards winners for the last 20 years as at first glance their a few I have missed.

My Top Rated Movies (9.5 or 10 / 10)
Schindler’s List (1993), The Godfather (1972), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Casablanca (1941), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), 12 Angry Men (1957), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), Unforgiven (1992), To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), My Fair Lady (1964), The Pianist (2002), The Deer Hunter (1978), All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), Fargo (1996), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), The Green Mile (1999), Pulp Fiction (1994), Good Will Hunting (1997), North by Northwest (1959).

My Lowest Rated Movies (6 or worse / 10)
A Place in the Sun (1951), The French Connection (1971), The Philadelphia Story (1940)