Artoo's Top 10 Movies of all Time

1. Cinema Paradiso (1989): To me, this is the ultimate movie about love - love of an old friend, love of a cherished lover, love of the movies. For director Giuseppe Tornatore, this is his masterpiece. Beautifully shot with very strong lyrical images supporting the story throughout, he magically captures the essence of "bein in love" on a every levels. The beautiful soundtrack for the film was composed by Ennio Morrecone. Should you have the option of watching the original theatre version or the longer international version, I would strongly suggestthat you watch the shorter theatrical cut as it is a much tighter piece. In no way is the essence of the film compromised.

Plot summary: A famous film director returns home to a Sicilian village for the first time after almost 30 years. He reminisces about his childhood at the Cinema Paradiso where Alfredo, the projectionist, first brought about his love of films. He is also reminded of his lost teenage love, Elena, who he had to leave before he left for Rome.

2. Bridges of Madisson County (1995): Life isn't always as simple as it looks. I am reminded a line from a Pete Townshend song which says: "Now and then you see a soul, and you fall in love - cou can't doa thing about it". Adapted from the novel by Robert Waller, this is the story of love that happens just once in a lifetime -- if you're lucky. Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep are superb in the main roles. The ciematography is grandiose (filmed in Iowa) and the music is simply beautiful (also one of my favorite soundtrack CDs). It is really better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all? For me, this film illustrates my thought on life, people. and relationships. We are all on this journey where we meet all these great people. From time to time, if the stars are right, magic can happen... Every decision has a baring on how the rest of the story will go (...and we do have to live with these decisions for the rest of the journey). What a wonderful film!

Plot Summary: Photographer Robert Kincaid wanders into the life of housewife Francesca Johnson, for four days in the 1960s. They fall in love, but she's married with children.

3. Trois Couleurs: Rouge (1994): Wow, what to say about "RED". It's the third part of the Trois Couleurs trilogy by Krzysztof Kieslowski, a polish film maker. Beauliful metaphores are intertwined throughout this film.

Plot Summary: Valentine is a young model living in Geneva. Because of a dog she ran over, she meets a retired judge who spies his neighbours' phone calls, not for money but to feed his cynicism. The film is the story of relationships between some human beings, Valentine and the judge, but also other people who may not be aware of the relationship they have with Valentine or/and the old judge. Redemption, forgiveness and compassion...

4. The Seven Samurai (1954): The most watchable 203 minute of film ever made by one of the best Directors of cinema: Akira Kurosawa. A film about will, survival and human drama. One of the best strategy/war film ever made.

Plot Summary: A veteran samurai, who has fallen on hard times, answers a village's request for protection from bandits. He gathers 6 other samurai to help him, and they teach the townspeople how to defend themselves, and they supply the samurai with three small meals a day. The film culminates in a giant battle when 40 bandits attack the village.
5. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977): What to say about the most famous sci-fi film of all time. I would have to agree with people that say that the Empire Strikes Back is a better film than A New Hope but a film experience is more than just the film sometimes. To me, SW: ANH ranks much higher than Empire because i grew up with the film. I played with the toys, read the pop-up books, dressed as Darth Vader for Halloween. I remember being very young and running through the long hallway at my grandparent's house yelling like Han Solo in persuit of a bunch of Stormtrooper on the Death Star. Pure Magic.

Plot Summary: Part IV in a George Lucas epic, Star Wars: A New Hope opens with a rebel ship being boarded by the tyrannical Darth Vader. The plot then follows the life of a simple farmboy, Luke Skywalker, as he and his newly met allies (Han Solo, Chewbacca, Ben Kenobi, C-3PO, R2-D2) attempt to rescue a rebel leader, Princess Leia, from the clutches of the Empire. The conclusion is culminated as the Rebels, including Skywalker and flying ace Wedge Antilles make an attack on the Empires most powerful and ominous weapon, the Death Star.

6. Signin' in the Rain (1952): So many great songs. So many great numbers. A great ensemble cast. A great script. What else coul you ask for? Magic? Well it's there too. Debbie Reinolds is amazing in this film and Gene Kelly is well... an actor's actor who can do it all. It's a film about entertainment... and entertain it does. It's one of those films that will put you in a good mood when you're feeling down. A keeper - for sure.

Plot Summary: In 1927, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont are a famous on-screen romantic pair. Lina, however, mistakes the on-screen romance for real love. Don has worked hard to get where he is today, with his former partner Cosmo. When Don and Lina's latest film is transformed into a musical, Don has the perfect voice for the songs. But Lina - well, even with the best efforts of a diction coach, they still decide to dub over her voice. Kathy Selden is brought in, an aspiring actress, and while she is working on the movie, Don falls in love with her. Will Kathy continue to "aspire", or will she get the break she deserves ?

7. North by Northwest (1959): The best Hitchcock i've seen so far. It is the film that made me discover Cary Grant who has since become one of my favorite actors. Eva Marie Saint is simply stunning in this film. This is a great suspense with a great plot. The film has an excellent pace and is a fun ride.

Plot Summary: Middle-aged Madison Avenue advertising executive Roger O. Thornhill is mistaken for a government agent by a gang of spies. He gets involved in a series of misadventures and is pursued across the States by both the spies and the government whilst being helped by a beautiful blonde. (Guess I always had a thing for cute blondes)

8. Infernal Affairs (2002): One of my first steps in the universe of Hong Kong films and it jumped into my top 10 list of films. This film has an incredible ensemble cast - a who's who of HK cinema. It cen be a little confusing at first but once you figure the first half hour, it is pure genius. THere is a dramatic moment in the film where someone dies and your heart litterally stops when you realize what this death means to another character. The film is also supported by a beautiful score. A gem! The prequel and sequel (Infernal Affairs II and II are also excellent - see it before Hollywood remakes it next year).

Plot Summary: A story between a mole in the police department and an undercover cop. Their objectives are the same: to find out who is the mole, and who is the cop.

9. Chasing Amy (1997): A film that touched me in a different way. It is my favorite Kevin Smith movie. It's the sorty of a guy who fall for a girl and stumbles as he figures out his feelings. There are fefinately parts of Banky and Holden in my personality. Holden's speech in the car under the rain resonnates very strongly with me.

Plot Summary: Holden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything's going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she's a lesbian.

10. Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (2001): Great french film that has a certain "je ne sais quoi". I love the way this film is told. I love the way this film is presented and I love the way this film looks astetically. It's hard to believe that the director also made one of the Alien movies.

Plot Summary: Amelie, an innocent and naive girl in Paris, with her own sense of justice, decides to help those around her and along the way, discovers love.