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The list of 15 movies below includes most of my very favourites. I would highly recommend any of them to most adults (though many of them may offend more sensitive viewers). No doubt, I could have come up with many additions to this list, and while I love to hear other people's opinions on great movies, I'll stick with my selections. All of the films listed above can be purchased through Amazon.com, of which I am an associate, by clicking on the links below (VHS versions listed, DVD also available). I own all of these movies or have seen them multiple times. If you have any questions about any of these films, or suggestions for other movies I might like, do not hesitate to contact me.

cover Being John Malkovich: A highly quirky film by Spike Jonze, an intelligent fantasy that is remarkably well-executed. Through the device of a portal that enables individuals to enter into the body of John Malkovich for 15 minutes, it explores the nature of self and mind. Numerous excellent performances, most notably from the title actor himself. MAAAALKOOOOVIIIICH!
cover Brazil: Terry Gilliam's first truly mature film - a comically dark look at a dystopian future England where bureaucracy runs amok. It is a bleak and black satire that almost never got released, being ironically rejected by studio executives for its worldview. Today, it is swiftly on its way to becoming a cult classic.
cover A Clockwork Orange: Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Anthony Burgess' classic novel of the same name. The movie and book both have their points of interest (I prefer the movie, personally) but share a fundamentally pessimistic attitude about the ability to mould individuals through science. Very mature matter - not for the faint of heart.
cover Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Probably the best Chinese martial arts fantasy (wuxia genre) film ever. While the effects are incredible, the movie would be nothing without its intelligent dialogue and gentle - even understated - performances from Chow Yun Fat and Michelle Yeoh, which is a testament to director Ang Lee's talent. The soundtrack by Yo Yo Ma is exquisite.
cover Dr. Strangelove: Kubrick's first masterpiece, and perhaps his greatest. A dark satire on the perils of nuclear war and military incompetence, as timely today as it was forty years ago. The performances by George C. Scott and Slim Pickens, while excellent, cannot compare to the talent of Peter Sellers in playing three distinct and essential characters, including the title role.
cover Fight Club: An unabashedly over-the-top take on masculine stereotypes and violence in the postmodern world. The basic premise of white-collar men fighting one another in underground boxing matches barely scratches the surface of this movie, which presents anarchy and social decay in a disturbingly surreal manner. Action-packed and darkly humorous.
cover Monty Python's Life of Brian: The best of the Monty Python films and the most controversial. Life of Brian is a satire on religious fanaticism of all sorts. It tells the story of Brian of Nazareth, born in Roman Judea one December eve and mistaken for a messiah by his hapless followers. It is incredibly funny in the intellectual way for which Python is known.
cover Memento: Quite possibly the movie with the most unusual script ever written. It tells the story of a man who has lost the ability to form long-term memories, using the gimmick of short scenes told from the ending backwards to the beginning. It is unnerving and engrossing at the same time, and undoubtedly worth many viewings.
cover One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: The compelling tale of one man's resistance to conformity and the establishment within the confines of a mental asylum, played admirably by Jack Nicholson. Based on the groundbreaking novel by Ken Kesey, this movie practically swept the Oscars, and remains remarkably poignant.
cover Seven: A film noir bordering on dark psychological horror. Some of the most disturbing scenes ever filmed in Hollywood are found in this movie, which is many notches above the average serial killer / detective story. It explores with intellectual depth the nature of sin and is difficult viewing even for the steeliest of viewers.
cover The Shawshank Redemption: Probably the best movie adapted from the fiction of Stephen King. This carefully paced and subtle story about a man's efforts to retain hope after having been convicted of murders he didn't commit is not flashy, but is unforgettable and demands a second viewing. This film highlights Morgan Freeman's reserved acting style very well.
cover South Park - Bigger, Longer & Uncut: This crass send-up of movie musicals is a small gem that unfortunately will be rejected by those who find its humour infantile or who reject animated film on principle. While it's not for everyone, those with a slightly off-kilter sense of humour and tolerance for profanity will find it hilarious.
cover 12 Monkeys: A modern classic science-fiction film by Terry Gilliam - thus visually ingenious, darkly humorous, and sharply satirical. An apocalyptic tale of one man's efforts to redeem himself and humanity by using time travel to prevent a plague from forcing humanity into underground hovels, it works on many levels, and is very entertaining.
cover The Usual Suspects: As far as I'm concerned, the best of the modern film noir genre and the best movie of the 1990s, featuring a stunning performance by Kevin Spacey as part of a star-studded ensemble cast. The twist ending should blow you away, but the pacing and performances in this thriller are enough to satisfy any audience.

I hope you have found this site to be useful. If you have any corrections, additions, or comments, please contact me. Please note that I am not able to respond to all requests. Please consult a major dictionary before e-mailing your query. All material on this page © 2007 Stephen Chrisomalis. Links to this page may be made without permission.

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