10 Greatest Films of All-Time (Joseph Braverman)

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Having to come up with a list of your ten favorite/greatest films of all-time may seem a daunting task at first. In all honesty, if you look inside yourself and hone in the unforgettable feelings that were derived from select films throughout your movie-going experience, the list forms itself without a thought or hesitation. To me, motion pictures are as personal an experience as you can ever have with an inanimate object. At their most basic level, movies are nothing more than images played in motion on a screen. However, the emotion that is transcended from screen to human viewer is a magic I still have yet to comprehend. It’s a sustainable power that has lasted over a century, beginning at the end of the 1800s with the Lumiere Bros. till present day, with auteurs such as Terence Malick and Darren Aronofsky carrying on the legacy of cinema’s founding fathers. Every movie — be it documentary, fiction, or experimental — has one thing in common: the ability to make us truly, deeply feel based upon the moving images seen before our eyes. This core trait is what has allowed me to come at this list with pure and unapologetic subjectivity. My list is a personal one, because to me movies are unarguably, indisputably, and undeniably…personal.

I have chosen ten films that I not only consider to be the ten greatest films ever made, but also ones that have shaped the moviegoer I am, as well as the person I’ve come to be. Whether you agree or disagree with my “10 Greatest Films of All-Time,” I just hope that by the end perhaps you’ll learn a little more about me, Mr. Joseph Braverman, in the process. I believe each film that finds its spot on a person’s “Best Of” list says a great deal about that person, about their tastes, and the ways in which they interpret the cinematic form.

Here are the ten films I consider to be unparalleled in quality across the millions of films that have graced our world…

10. The Dark Knight (Directed By: Christopher Nolan, 2008)

To me, The Dark Knight was the superhero film/Batman film I had been waiting my entire life to arrive. I foolishly believed there could be no greater Batman film adaptation after Nolan’s inaugural Batman Begins, but I count my lucky stars every day for being wrong in this regard. As a huge fan of Batman: The Animated Series, I yearned for a version of Batman that would mirror the program’s neo-noir style and deep understanding of complex villainy. The greatest sets of characters are the ones who don’t find themselves solely trapped in the “good” or “evil” camp. A character of irrevocable worth should always remain flexible amongst the camps. That is why anti-heroes are so much more fascinating than your average do-gooder; it is also why the greatest of villains seem the most tragically human. Never in a film have three leading characters been so elastic with their morality and human nature than Christian Bale’s Batman, Heath Ledger’s Joker, and Aaron Eckhart’s Two-Face/Harvey Dent. Those coming to Nolan’s second Batman film were expecting escapist entertainment that touched all the right nostalgic notes for comic book devotees. Instead, moviegoers left the theater with much more, unable to comprehend the magnitude of the story that had unfolded for those 2+ hours. The high level of acting, immaculate direction, and shocking narrative twists certified The Dark Knight as an instant classic immediately following release. The Dark Knight was nominated for 8 Academy Awards, and left with a giant win for Heath Ledger’s incomparable portrayal of The Joker. However, it failed to nab a “Best Picture” nomination. That frustration, mirrored throughout the world, spurred forth a new rule change from ten “Best Picture” nominees to five. If that’s not a total upheaval of Hollywood tradition by a film, I don’t know what is. To this moviegoer, The Dark Knight managed to uphold Batman as my favorite movie hero of all-time, much less my favorite comic book superhero, and took me places in a film I would never dream of going. The destruction of a core romance via death is so-anti Hollywood, I found it absolutely bold, effective, and brilliant. The Dark Knight stood out by spinning conventions of epic film-making on its head and pushing the PG-13 rating to the furthest level of stretchability. Heroism and villainy is unmatchable in The Dark Knight, and for that mastering of two of the greatest archetypes in fiction, the film preserves its spot in my “Top 10 Films of All Time” list.

Favorite Quote:
The Joker: You wanna know how I got these scars? My father, was a drinker, and a fiend. And one night, he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn’t like that. Not. One. Bit. So, me watching, he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. He turns to me and says, “Why so serious?” Comes at me with the knife. “WHY SO SERIOUS?” He sticks the blade in my mouth… “Let’s put a smile on that face.” And…
[glancing at thug]. Why so serious?

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

*Many of the clips I present contain SPOILERS, so click at your discretion with that in mind…*

9. L.A. Confidential (Directed By: Curtis Hanson, 1997)

Los Angeles, Film-Noir, and Hollywood: three components of the movie industry that I absolutely live for. Curtis Hanson took each of those elements and merged them to create one of the best crime stories ever put to celluloid. One has to thank James Ellroy for his hard-boiled detective novel that served as the launching point, but it was Curtis’ interpretation of Ellroy’s crime-ridden universe that revitalized a dying film genre. At that point in time, pure noir was considered to be all but extinct. It was lost after the post-World War II paranoia had died down, and America had moved on to brighter days and white picket fences. Films like Blade Runner and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? tried to incorporate the lost genre through a postmodern approach known as “neo-noir,” but true “hard-boiled noir” seemed lost forever. L.A. Confidential pulled off the unthinkable by modernizing “noir” by using contemporary film techniques without abstaining from the trademarks that codified essentialist “noir.” You had your femme fatale, two detectives who fight over the same girl but have an unrequited respect for one another, and crime that pervades the most honorable of law enforcers. All of these components could not have worked without the perfect cast of actors in each of their designated roles. In my eyes, Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe, James Cromwell, Kevin Spacey, and Kim Basinger deliver the best work of their careers in Hanson’s film. Every character is concrete, definable, and layered with depth and intrigue. They are so wonderful, in fact, that I would argue each actor got their career breakthrough from this very film. If not for the groundbreaking success of Titanic, L.A. Confidential would have easily won the Academy Award for “Best Picture.” What I love more than anything, though, is that the plot is so complex and intricate, I myself admit to not fully understanding it, even to this day. I pop in the film every few years just to solve a little more of the puzzle that I’ve yet to fully put together. Such a film should leave some viewers frustrated beyond belief, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with my narrative confusion. If anything, it gives me an infinite amount of time to spend on a film I revere in all its complex glory.

Favorite Quote:
Captain Dudley Smith: I doubt you’ve ever taken a stupid breath. Don’t start now.

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

8. Minority Report (Directed By: Steven Spielberg, 2002)

Without question, Minority Report is the most underrated film of all time. This is a postmodern genre piece that never gets it dues for its one-of-a-kind photographic filtering, timeless score, and being the closest a film has ever come to evoking the great spirit of Alfred Hitchcock. Nope, Steven Spielberg — by and large — is not my favorite of directors. I don’t even consider him an auteur, since each of his films are more for the sole purpose of the genre at hand, and less about the style or artistry of its director. But for some reason, Spielberg let his paintbrush go on a frenzy with Minority Report. All the groundbreaking effects that Spielberg’s films have contributed to cinema almost seem unimportant after witnessing the grandeur in effect detail littered throughout Minority Report. Besides its euphoric visuals, Minority Report’s screenplay by Scotty Frank, Jon Cohen, and John August forces you to remain breathless for the complete duration of the film. I literally took a lungful of breath in once the credits had finally begun to roll; I was that engaged by the narrative. Is John Anderton really going to murder someone? What happened to his son? When will these bastards stop chasing Tom Cruise so he can catch his breath? Minority Report provided a roller-coaster ride that I never wished to see end. Tom Cruise and Samantha Morton deliver superb work here, proving themselves to be two of the most dedicated and passionate actors in the history of cinema. Furthermore, the film’s plot does a number on your psyche and ramps up the suspense-meter to the max. Hitchcock is beaming down from wherever he is with pride at the magnificent work Steven Spielberg accomplished with this tour-de-force. Roger Ebert and I seem to be one of the few who felt that Minority Report was 2002′s finest film. Unlike Ebert, though, this masterpiece of a film actually made my “Top 10 of All Time.” I couldn’t be more honored by its inclusion.

Favorite Quote:
John Anderton: [yells] Don’t you *ever* say his name!

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

7. The Matrix (Directed By: Andy and Larry Wachowski, 1999)

Who could have ever predicted that The Matrix, an R-rated science fiction film that came out of nowhere, would be the defining film that led us into the new millennium? The film’s plot of machines taking over mankind echoed the change our world was undergoing with the rise of the internet. The Matrix was the first example of what digital technologies could do for a film in the 21st century, and while traditional filmmakers were fearful, those of my generation (I believe) could not be more enthused. Bullet-time became a new staple of film technique, and Neo became the first postmodern film hero without a definable race. Was he Asian, American, white? It didn’t matter — Neo was the hero of the future. No more John Waynes, no more Arnold Schwarzeneggers or Harrison Fords. According to The Matrix, The future film protagonist in the digital age of cinema would be nerdy, tech-savvy every-men. If anything, this movie proved that everything we thought was possible in film, wasn’t. No, we had merely scratched the surface, but for some reason movies nowadays aren’t as risky or bold as  The Matrix when it comes to pushing the boundaries of film’s capabilities. The film’s complex narrative sprung forth online communities that came together to unravel its secrets. I myself was so hungry for deeper knowledge of The Matrix that I popped in the film countless times over. In total, The Matrix may be one of the few films I can nearly speak line for line in each scene. The film played a defining role in my generation’s movie-going experience, and set a precedent in visual effects that few films afterward have managed to live up to. With an eclectic score, memorable characters, quotes that could fill up a pocketbook, and visuals that still manage to stun, The Matrix is too perfect to leave off my “Best of All-Time” list. Sequels aside, The Matrix is movie-going at its most fulfilling.

Favorite Quote:
Trinity: Dodge this.

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

6. The Prince of Egypt (Directed By: Simon Wells, Brenda Chapman, and Steve Hicker, 1998)

I don’t consider myself to be a religious person. My Bolivian-born mother was raised Catholic but converted to my father’s Jewish faith before the two had married. I guess you could say I’m an agnostic who has a deep respect for Jewish traditions. When I watch a film, religious subject matter has no bearing on whether I love it or not. I even thought The Passion of the Christ was Mel Gibson’s finest directorial effort. However, The Prince of Egypt might be an exception to the rule. I’ve never had a spiritual experience in my life, save for watching this film. I guess if you can have one, why not at the movies? I wouldn’t even describe my relationship to this particular film as religiously-geared. It was more that I had a clearer sense and understanding of the struggles my ancestors had to endure as slaves in Egypt. It’s a slice out of history that somehow connects with me more profoundly than any other story I can imagine coming across. The way this particular film handled faith, heavy drama, and biblical mythology impacted me in way that I can only describe as “spiritually fulfilling.” The Prince of Egypt is what Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments was trying to be, except the latter film was focused more on the costume-drama grandiosity of the Exodus story. As a result, the characters had little to no depth, and the entire film had not a fiber of emotion. The Prince of Egypt contains so many varying levels of emotion that it ceases to become a story about religion — human existentialism is really at the heart of the narrative. With some of the best voice acting in an animation film thanks to the excellent work by Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Sandra Bullock, The Prince of Egypt has characters who come alive just through the words they say and the expressions they elicit. Speaking of expressions, The Prince of Egypt’s animation is flawless. Every character is drawn with such realism that they cease to become cartoons. I love the angular design of the character models, particularly Michelle Pfeiffer’s Tzipporah whose sharp features combine toughness and sensuality. Dreamworks’ The Prince of Egypt, in my opinion, is the most beautifully crafted animated film of all time. Its design and vivid colors whisk you away to a time period that was so fascinating, and yet melancholy all the same. Bonus points to the extra layer of depth given to the Exodus story by focusing on the relationship Moses has with his Pharaoh brother, Rameses. The two characters have a dynamic on-screen presence, especially at the beginning of the film, and it shattered my world knowing their paths would separate so harshly. Emotionally stirring to the core, and a film that provided my first ever spiritual experience, The Prince of Egypt is proof that miracles do happen…at the movies.

Favorite Quote:
Miriam: Moses, hear what I say. I have been a slave all my life. And God has never answered my prayers until now. God saved you from the river, He saved you in all your wanderings, and even now, He saves you from the wrath of Pharaoh. God will not abandon you. So don’t you abandon us.

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

5. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (Directed By: Robert Zemeckis, 1988)

My poor, poor VHS player that was so badly abused by my repeated viewings of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? as a child! This is the film that got me hooked on film-noir, and what a first introduction it was to my favorite movie genre! This is a film that relies so heavily on postmodernism, you almost imagine it will crumble by the pressure of juggling multiple genres, but somehow it succeeds on all levels. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is a great animated film, a timeless period piece, and neo-noir’s most successful film of the modern era. Between Bob Hoskin’s perfect hard-boiled persona to Jessica Rabbit’s incredible homage to legendary femme fatale actresses ranging from Barbara Stanwyck to Rita Hayworth, noir enthusiasts will have nothing but a nostalgic treat here. As a kid, I found this film completely gratifying as a slice of animated fun, but I was also a bit scared at the same time. Judge Doom gave me several nightmares, especially after his transformation near the film’s end, but I believe that is part of why I admire the film so much. It matured me as a movie-goer, and pushed the boundaries for what my eyes could withstand in a film. Starting off with a cartoon short was genius on Zemeckis’ part. It was a great way to shock everyone into believing the film only had one side to it. Not so, my friends, not so at all! Kathleen Turner’s voice acting of Jessica Rabbit is the single most impressive female voice-over in animated film history. Move aside Ellen Degeneres, because Kathleen Turner’s sultry, boob-threatening portrayal of Jessica Rabbit should’ve sparked Oscar talk en masse. I was so enamored by Jessica Rabbit as a character that I actually wrote two college papers about Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, with Jessica at the center of both thesis’s. If you’d like to read these essays, please shoot me an email and I’d be happy to send them your way for a read. A film that kick-started my passion for film noir and matured me as a movie-goer in the process, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? will always remain a favorite of mine. Come ten years time, and it may even climb further up the list.

Favorite Quote:
Jessica Rabbit: I’m not bad. I’m just drawn that way.

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

4. Beauty and the Beast (Directed By: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, 1991)

According to my parents, Beauty & The Beast was the first movie I ever saw in theaters. I was two years old at the time of its release, and I’ve only grown fonder of it as the years pass. The Lion King once was my favorite animated film, but now that I’ve really studied both films, it’s clear to me that  Beauty & The Beast is the stronger of the two, with a love story that stands the test of time, a villain that is gruesome despite his charm, and an ending that will have you weeping before a smile breaks through. Belle is unquestionably the best heroine in a Disney film. She one of the few Disney Princesses who actually has no royal claim, and is an entirely independent woman. Belle isn’t superficial, ditzy, or obsessed with finding true love and a rich husband she can spend the rest of her days with. She’s the every-woman who finds love like most do — unintentionally and, some may say, by fate. Robby Benson, the voice actor who plays Beast, perfectly captures his monstrosity, as well as his caring nature. Few Disney Princes are quite as flawed as Beast is, and arguably not as interesting either. Belle and Beasts’ honest and unfiltered love for one another makes Beauty & The Beast my favorite romantic story in all of cinema. I cannot think of two characters with stronger chemistry, and who fall in love in such a pure and non-traditional way. The supporting cast is also excellent, especially Jerry Orbach as Lumiere. The original score and songs for the film, while not Disney’s overall best, are pretty damn incredible nonetheless. The technical accomplishments of Beauty & The Beast are balanced by its timeless romance and gripping narrative, and as a result it gave animation its first ever “Best Picture” nominee. If the fates had aligned properly, Beauty & The Beast would have rightfully won, but as a nominee I can honestly say there is no animated film that comes as close in heart and quality.

Favorite Quote:
Belle: He’s no monster, Gaston, *you* are!

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

3. West Side Story (Directed By: Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, 1961)

I’m no fan of musicals, but there was something about this love story and the music in the film that sent shivers down my spine; I simply could not stop coming back. West Side Story is — prepare yourself Shakespeare fans — a better told story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet than its original play version. Why, you ask? The way the movie handled Shakespeare’s classic narrative amidst a racially divided block in Manhattan was relevant to the civil rights struggle that governed the decade. Even back in the 1960s, interracial couples were seen as somewhat deplorable in society, and so it was fascinating that Hollywood decided to adapt the popular Broadway hit into a feature film. What came forth was the best scoring and use of orchestra in a film, elevated by two amazing leads and even more engaging supporting characters. Perhaps a large reason why I’m drawn to this film is that my parents have a special place in their heart for it. They are an interracial couple, and even shared with me that the first time they laid eyes on one another felt eerily similar to Maria and Tony’s first encounter of the love kind — the entire room disappeared, and my parents were only cognizant of one another. Moreover, the Puerto Ricans remind me of my own Hispanic relatives on my mother’s side. They love to dance, sing, party, and live life to the fullest. Like Prince of Egypt, this film resonated with me on a more personal level due to the ethnic bonds I formed with the characters. Kudos has to go to the screenwriters who give their stars lines that will live on in infamy. George Chakiris and Rita Moreno’s mastery of their dialogue, dance moves, and singing garnered them the highest accolades of their careers — Oscar wins in the “Best Supporting Actor/Actress” category. At the Marilyn Monroe exhibit opening I attended a week and a half ago, I actually saw George Chakiris in person. He is a living legend, and his role as Bernardo is one of my all-time favorites, so to say I was starstruck would be a massive understatement. Everything about this musical is uncompromising, and I completely appreciate that. It is one long film, but it makes no apologies for it, and it doesn’t need to — the music and screenplay kept me entertained for almost three hours, and yet it still wasn’t enough. West Side Story is the Gone with the Wind for musicals, and its epic quality never ceases to amaze me.

Favorite Line:
Anita: Sometimes I don’t know which is thicker…your skull or your accent.

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

2. Vertigo (Directed By: Alfred Hitchock, 1958)

Alfred Hitchock is my favorite director because he knows precisely how to work every emotion in one’s body, rising them to temperatures that threaten to boil over. Psycho and Rear Window, while powerful and timeless in their own right, had some flaws that I will admit to noticing. Vertigo, despite its poor box office and Academy standing, is a platter served with all of Hitchcock’s delicious ingredients, cooked to perfection. You have suspense, elements of noir, a tumultuously unfolded plot, a female character that radiates in both beauty and power,  and best of all…the great acting legend that is James Stewart. Vertigo succeeds because its intent is to destroy every semblance of rational thought in your mind. Nothing makes sense, the situations seem impossible, and yet…the viewing experience feels the exact opposite. Without giving anything away, Vertigo is the biggest mind-trip you’ll ever have with a film. It’s a mind trip that comes back to you after spending some time away from it, like I did. Even knowing the entire story front to back, I’m always flabbergasted when the big mystery is unveiled. My eyes widen like saucers, and I keep whispering to myself, “No…no way. That can’t be…What? Wow…” over and over again. I’ve never encountered a film that so fiercely sent my psyche into a whirlwind. Thank you Hitchcock for having me interact with a film on a more introverted, subconscious level. Hitchcock buries his tale of love, betrayal, and crime so deeply into my gut that it’s made a permanent dent in my mind, a  mental scar if you will, that I’m proud of having. James Stewart, who himself turns into somewhat of a crazed lunatic in the film, is so utterly genius playing a man crippled by acrophobia, that his madness becomes our madness. His fears become our fears. We are trapped, helpless, afraid, and loving it at the same time. Hitchcock, take me prisoner, do what you will with me, because mental torture has never felt so pleasurable. Vertigo is the best psychological thriller to ever come my way, and I doubt any other film could ever match its ability to gleefully torment my mind.

Favorite Quote:
Midge: I talked to the woman in musical therapy, and she said that Mozart’s the boy for you.

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

1. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (Directed By: George Lucas, 1977)

We have arrived, everybody. Yes, Star Wars is my favorite film of all time, and though it may seem unoriginal and slightly anti-climactic as a list-topper, I honestly cannot change my sentiments toward this movie. Star Wars was my childhood. Everything I read, to every game I played, to every action figure I owned was — you guessed it — Star Wars-based. My love for the merchandise would never have come to fruition had it not been for George Lucas’ classic space opera. I find myself quoting every line of dialogue in a scene each time I view the film. Chills run through my body with every orchestral note that John Williams’ score hits, and the cast of memorable characters are the standard by which all movie camaraderie should be held to. Have you ever seen a group of actors so comfortable around each other than Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill? They don’t take things too seriously, but their camaraderie and deep love for one another makes viewers care instantaneously about characters that have been introduced mere minutes before. Yet, perhaps more than anything, it is Star Wars that developed my passion (some may say obsession) for movies. Star Wars demonstrated what the power of films and film-making can do when maximized to their potential. Thanks to George Lucas’ universe, I was transported to another plane of existence with movies, where escapism wasn’t just an excuse to take a break from life — it was a realm which one’s life could thrive on. I knew from the moment I had seen and fully grasped the impact Star Wars was having on me, movies were to become my destiny. Someway, somehow, my career and life’s passion would be centered around the film medium. As a child, my goal was to graduate college with a Film Degree, move to Los Angeles, and build a career for myself that juxtaposed my life’s true passion. I’ve met all my goals, and now my dreams are finally coming true. And what do I have to thank for that, when it comes right down to it? Star Wars, ladies and gentlemen, that’s what. Star Wars has brought me before you all. It is the reason why I love what I do, why movies have become the cornerstone of my livelihood, and why someday I hope to make a movie as equally timeless as this masterpiece. If a farm boy from a desolate planet was able to rise up and destroy a massive space station, I imagine I can probably offer my own contribution to film history somewhere down the line.

Favorite Quote:
Obi-Wan: The Force will be with you. Always.

Scene That Clinched My Love Forever:

Well, that is my list for what I feel are “The Greatest Films of All-Time.” I hope everyone enjoyed reading and watching the clips (if you were able to do so). I look forward to submitting more of these types of articles in the future! It’s been fun, and never hesitate to stick to what you believe in, even if others may criticize your film tastes.

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