..Movies

Going to be very hard, key pointers before I begin -

1. The list takes into account how much enjoyed watching it, number of times I re watched it and how much it affected me in the long run.

2. I refer to IMDB very often while selecting which movies to watch, not to say that I am obsessed with a particular website or something but it is a good place to start. So don't be surprised if 90% films are those in the top-250 because -

• They are in top-250 because most people like it and it is likely that I liked some of them too.
• I am not really a movie 'buff' (unlike some who actually think they are while in reality they have only watched fast and furious and transporter). I used to be, a couple of years ago. These days it takes a huge amount of effort on my part to get myself to watch a movie. So, when do watch a movie, I want to be as assured well in advance as much as possible that it is worth the time I am putting in, this makes me rely on t250,
• Sure, I don't like all the top-250 or like them in the order that they are listed there but the chances of me liking a top-250 are more than me liking any other randomly selected movie.

3. The list is very dynamic, I cannot be in a mood to watch lotr or tdk all the time, all my life. Sure, there are phases of days or months when I would like to watch a movie over and over but not always. So, I might have missed some at the time of writing this which I will try to include later on but ....you get the essence I suppose.

And finally, the countdown begins -

11. The Social Network - Probably my single most viewed movie of all times - at least 30 times. From 'In Motion' by R&R to harvard dorms to facemash to the *refreshes* in the end, it kept me engaged, leaving a sweet sour taste in the end. It sure does makes you wanna be an entrepreneur.

10. The Matrix - I first watched some 7-8 years ago, hardly understood the storyline but the action got me through. Re- watched it a couple of years ago and the story sunk in. It sure has given me a lot aliases.

9. American History X - Watched it at the time when I could have watched any Edward Norton film but luckily, it wasn't just any Norton film. I sat in silence for a good long hour after the movie ended.

8. OldBoy - Took him multiple viewings and a course on far eastern cinema to fully appreciate. This would be ranked higher up had I not not watched 'Zinda'  in the bus from Delhi to Manali back in 08'.

7. The Departed - This probably wouldn't be here had I watched Infernal Affairs first but remake or not, difficult to look past DeCaprio and Wahlberg, dropkick murphys played their bit well.

6. Fight Club -  I am again accused of watching a movie too early for my age. My first viewing made me conclude that insomnia and fighting constituted the main theme of the movie and it still impressed me.Reviewing it a few years later really stirred it in my head. Although I would have preferred had they not altered the original ending.

5. Requiem For a Dream - Only watched it a couple of hours ago and it has effortlessly walked in. Add Lux Aeterna to the story-line and it majorly fucks you up.

4. Into The Wild - Greatly influences me to date, Eddie Vedder adds to the flavor.

 

3. Lord of the Rings - Perhaps the only movie that justifies text, and that is saying a lot given the author is Tolkien. Especially the Fellowship, I watch it whenever I am feeling down.

2. The Dark Knight - I got goosebumps all through the movie and my jaw dropped by the end - true in literal and metaphorical sense. It re put Batman in the same bracket as poor Spidey for me.

The first one remains kind of obvious now but just to rubber-stamp it -

1. The Shawshank Redemption - If a suicidal guy came to me for a movie, this would be my pick, it really makes you want to live and live the moment.

Subs - Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, October Sky, Rush, Prestige, LA Confidential, Good Will Hunting, Intouchables, October Sky, The Man from Earth, 1969:A Space Odyssey, Anand, Taare Zameen Par, Truman Terminator-2

hasta la vista baby