Number 100
The Truman Show
The Truman ShowWho would've ever thought when this movie came out that reality tv would be as huge as it is today? Jim Carrey is outstanding as Truman Burbank, a man who's been on a reality tv show his whole life and has no idea. The idea is very original and it raises many hypothetical ethical questions about reality tv and the dangers it might bring about.
Also Recommended Viewing: Pleasantville, Groundhog Day, Vanilla Sky
Number 99
The Man Who Wasn't There
The Man Who Wasn't ThereBilly Bob Thorton plays Ed Crane, a barber who tries to escape his normal life by blackmailing his wifes boss, Big Dave, with whom he suspects she's having an affair. It's a great story about a lonely man who goes through his life rather unnoticed. Modern film noir done nearly to perfection by the Coen Brothers who I'm always rather fond of.
Also Recommended Viewing: L.A. Confidential, Punch Drunk Love, Sunset Blvd.
Number 98
Black Hawk Down
Black Hawk DownYou hear many war movies that try to show "the gritty realities of war." Well, this movie succeeds in ways other war movies can only dream of. Directed by Ridley Scott, Black Hawk Down is the true story about Army Rangers who get their helicopter shot down in Somalia and must be extracted by another team of Army Rangers. Very in your face and very realistic feeling, this movie will leave you feeling a special sense of pride for those who put their lives on the line.
Also Recommended Viewing: Saving Private Ryan, The Patriot, Platoon
Number 97
Love Actually
Quirky British romantic comedies are a dime a dozen, but rarely does one succeed like this. An ensemble cast and about a billion different storylines make this a little less cheesy and blah like your typical romantic comedy. Before I get grief for including this on the list, let me just say this. I *know* this isn't one of the 100 greatest films on the list. This is my favorite list and this movie is one that I consider a favorite... plus, I'm a sucker for anything British (see: obsession with Keira Knightely)
Also Recommended Viewing: My Best Friend's Wedding, When Harry Met Sally, Joe Versus the Volcano (think anyone's reading this?)
Number 96
Ocean's Eleven
A quirky little caper film that is actually a remake of a sixties movie starring the Rat Pack. A great cast and clever direction by Steven Soderbergh make this movie worth checking out. I love the music and the mix of comedy, drama, and suspense make this movie one of the better "popcorn movies" that has come out in the past few years.
Also Recommended Viewing: Italian Job, The Score, Catch Me If You Can
Number 95
Carlito's Way
In some ways, this almost seems like a sequel to Scarface. As in, if Tony Montana would've grown up and grown out of his "The World is Mine" phase, what would've become of his life? Great performances by Pacino and Penn make this drama worth watching. A very forgotten, yet not to be missed movie of the 90s.
Also Recommended Viewing: Scarface, Road to Perdition, Boiler Room
Number 94
Road to Perdition
If this movie comes out in December instead of the early part of the year, I promise you it gets some Oscar nomiations. The followup to American Beauty for director Sam Mendes is nearly every bit as good and in some ways better.
Also Recommended Viewing: Clockers, Donnie Brasco, Leon the Professional
Number 93
Glengarry Glen Ross
You'll hear people rave and rant about Alec Baldwin's great speech in Glengarry Glen Ross. Besides being quite possibly his only fine moment ever caught on film, most people forget that the rest of the movie is great as well! The cast is one that almost can't be topped! The story is great even though you are left "kinda sorta" in the dark as to what is actually happening. This movie reminds me a lot of a better made Wall Street.
Also Recommended Viewing: Wall Street, Boiler Room, The Usual Suspects
Number 92
The Matrix
Oh, if it wasn't for the lackluster sequels, I'm sure this movie would've been a little higher on the list. One of the greatest actors that's ever lived (and in case you didn't know, I'm talking Keanu Reeves here!) stars as computer hacker Neo who learns that the world has been taken over by machines and he is living in a false existance (The Matrix). It's very well thought out and the action was very innovative, but the sequels made the series feel tired and somewhat generic. Still, this is probably one of my favorite Sci-Fi flicks of all time.
Also Recommended Viewing: Swordfish, Equilibrium, Ghost in the Shell
Number 91
Gandhi
Based on the true story of Mohandas Gandhi, this movie depicts the rise of a lawyer to a man who leads India through his non-violent protests. An absolutely remarkable, and if I didn't know any better unbelievable, story about a great historical figure. Ben Kingsley always is good, but this is as fine as you'll ever see him.
Also Recommended Viewing: The Passion of the Christ, Lawrence of Arabia, Schindler's List
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