As I said, it requires quite a bit of effort to narrow down the top 10 Hollywood movies of all time, from a huge heap of so many movies of the past and of recent times. Precisely, it is like finding a needle in a haystack. Every movie is a unique piece of excellence, hard work, and imagination of the movie maker, in itself. The filmography of each is an amazing achievement. This is the reason, in an attempt to list down just the top 10 Hollywood movies of all time, it is inevitable that many others would-be left out – those which are also well-deserved to be chosen. If you ask me, then a great movie is one which can be enjoyed again and again, without having the feeling of redundant entertainment. Such movies are like the evergreen trees in my hometown – always green, always beautiful…
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All-Time Top 10 Hollywood Movies
The below list of the top 10 Hollywood movies has been provided in no particular order. I am listing down the reviews of the names which are coming into my mind, randomly. Here goes…
1. The Shawshank Redemption
So the first name to hit my memory, and I am sure, yours too is none other than Frank Darabont’s masterpiece,’The Shawshank Redemption’. This film is inspired by the novel Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, a work of Stephen King. The storyline hangs over the Shawshank State Prison and Andy’s friendship with a fellow inmate. It is amazing to know that this humble work of fiction, has still maintained its youth even 15 years after its initial release. A truly deserving name to be included in the top 10 Hollywood movies of all time.
2. Schindler’s List
Next in the queue of my memory, is the ‘Schindler’s List’. If any movie has been able to give the abstract sense of passion and sacrifice, it is this one. Steven Spielberg is a man who goes deep down the sea of thoughts and finds just the pearl he needs, to put the entire world in amazement. The way the film represented the legacy of six million massacred Jews, would have never been the same if it did not have the sweat of Spielberg. And if you still haven’t watched it, then you have missed one of the most appreciated and of course, the top 10 Hollywood movies of all time.
3. Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks plays the character of ‘Forrest Gump’, in this film, directed by Robert Zemeckis. Forrest is showed to be a little than average-kind of the boy, whose IQ is 5 below what is considered normal. But this, as we call it ‘mental impairment’, turned out to be a blessing for Forrest. It gave him the liberty to have childlike thinking, helping him to lead a charmed life. The film has shown the blend of freshness, optimism, an agonizing heart, and strewn pieces of laughter. Watch it and trust me, you will want to watch it again!
4. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Bringing it down the fourth segment in this article on the top 10 Hollywood movies list, it is the ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’. This film has all the spices and sweetness that a perfect Western theme is canvassed of. Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef played the title roles. The story revolves around a treasure hunt theme, which is complemented by a great cocktail of gunfights, hangings, chaos, etc.
5. Titanic
To describe the beauty of this film, words are not enough! Even if I cover all dimensions of this piece, there is always something to unearth. Love knows no boundaries, and this is what happens with the beautiful and belonging from a well-to-do family Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) and the raffish Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio). Although the entire film kept me engaged, there is this scene when Jack, almost immersed in the ice-cold water of the Atlantic ocean, speaks with Rose. I could feel the rush of coldness that was running through Jack’s nerves. He knew that he wouldn’t make it, and his last wish was to save Rose. After some time, Jack goes to sleep, never to awaken ever. And when Rose lets go of his hand, I could feel my hands getting cold… A gripping story of love, a great disaster of the Titanic, and a belief that the heart that love goes on forever, is what this beautiful make of James Cameron was made of.
6. The Dark Knight
I would be a sheer injustice to this article if this particular film is not mentioned in the top 10 Hollywood movies of all time. Personally, I feel, this flick is not about the Batman Saga, that we have been reading about and watching. I don’t know about other people, but the movie shifted my focus on the complete “awesomeness” of the Joker (Heath Ledger). He couldn’t have been more perfect. His voice, the expression that he threw, and the cold feeling that he created, was enough to steal the credits of this film being appreciably known to be one of the top 10 Hollywood movies of all time. If you haven’t watched the film, I would say ‘Why so late?’.
7. Psycho
If you are a movie buff for horror and suspense, then this should be the right pick for you. This piece has done so immensely well, that it gave rise to so many sequels and remake. However, the charm and grace of the original can never be matched. If you have watched it, then I am certain that the shower scene sure gave you the shudders! And if you haven’t, then I would suggest you get yourself horrified!
8. The Godfather
If I hadn’t mentioned ‘The Godfather’, you would have said ‘What’s wrong with this guy?’ Again, it is one of those films which also deserves to be mentioned in the top 10 Hollywood movies of all time. Based on a crime theme, this 1972 film, was made under the direction of Francis Ford Coppola. It was inspired by Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name, in 1969. In American cinematic history, the movie has been honored with the recognition of being the second greatest film.
9. Pulp Fiction
Even the name fascinates me! Quentin Tarantino presents a recipe for the choicest of dialogs and a fine blend of humor and violence. The elements of the film, gave it the recognition of a fine example of a postmodern film, by the critics. The film got nominated for the Oscars, seven times, and it also served as a major turning point for John Travolta.
10. Inception
The best movie I have ever seen and appreciated with all superlatives, and without any dubiousness, is ‘Inception’. I regard this film as synonymous with ‘gripping’ and ‘excellence’. It is not possible to predict the dimension of creativity in Christopher Nolan’s mind. How did this man come up with such a thing? Dreams in dreams and when you realize that it is actually not a dream, you land up convincing yourself that is in fact a dream. Every bit of this film is commendable, and not a single moment goes out of track. Superb actors, phenomenal acting and an unforgettable awesome storyline and all that crowns a movie to be in the top 10 Hollywood movies of all times, happen to the building blocks of ‘Inception’. I have watched it 5 times, and I can still go on with that number.
