50 may sound like a lot, but it’s not. I filled out the 50 spaces without even thinking very hard. I’m sure I’ve missed some, even after going over the list again and again. This is going to be a 10 post series, and I’m sure by the last week I will have changed the previous weeks in my head time and time again.

As I couldn’t list them in a normal 50 – 1 list, I decided to group them up, with only the last 2 weeks being films that I consider my top 10. Anything from weeks 1 – 8 could be in any order from 50-11. It’s impossible to list them otherwise.

These are my favourite films, not meaning that they are the best films. Some of them are objectively bad. If you are looking for the best films ever made, then this isn’t the right place for that. IMDB can probably help. I can guarantee that I haven’t even seen most of what are considered the best films ever made. I’ve seen Citizen Kane, which is most often considered the best film ever made, and while I enjoyed it, Kane doesn’t make the cut for my list.

So here we go, and not in any order at all, the first 5 films that are part of my ever-changing list of favourites:  

The Way (2010)

I loved this film from about 5 minutes in. It’s sombre, funny, heartfelt. This is an almost life-changing experience that has stayed with me since I first watched it. I think about it quite often, and this was almost in my top 10, ask me tomorrow and it probably will be. This is a film about dreams, not being too old to live and a father – son relationship. It’s emotional and well crafted. Martin Sheen is spectacular in it and I can’t say enough good things about it. If you haven’t already, watch it. This is more than just a film, it’s a journey, as cliché as that sounds. This is one of the few films that have ever inspired me to go out and do stuff that I’ve always wanted to.

The Godfather (1972/1974)

Would any list be complete without The Godfather? I’m combining 1&2 into this spot. It’s my list, my rules. There’s nothing that can be said about this that hasn’t been said before. Excellent performances, a gripping story and one hell of a score. They are both almost perfect films and one of the few examples where the sequel is arguably better than the first one. Both of then constantly sit high on IMDBs list of best films ever. I watched this then when I was about 13 years old and loved it. A lot of the nuance in the story probably went over my head, but I was hooked and watched it again and again. I even liked the third one, which most people don’t, but wanted to stick to just 1 and 2 here.

Dog Day Afternoon (1979)

This is the quintessential hostage/bank robbery and anti-hero film. Al Pacino is excellent. The film moves at a quick pace, never dragging for a moment. The story is gripping and full of emotion. I love this film. My dad showed it to me when I was 18 and I loved it straight away. Both of my parents used to show me films they love when I was growing up and this is one of the last ones I watched when living with my dad. This is also my favourite Pacino film, his performance is strong and believable. From start to finish this is a captivating tale and a film that doesn’t get as much recognition now adays as it deserves.

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Wes Anderson and his Anderson best. This is the heartfelt tale of two children who fall in love and run away together. It’s quirky and strange and presented in a childish way. This is an amazing film with a spectacular cast. It’s funny and heart-warming. Every shot is perfect and presented in the theatrical way that makes it recognisably Anderson, with its use of camera angels, colours, and effective music. This is the perfect film to watch on a winter’s night with popcorn and be taken away on a cinematic tale.

Once upon a time in Hollywood (2019)

For me, this is Tarantino’s best film. I love most of his work, apart from Death Proof, but OUATIH is the best of the bunch. It’s a love letter to cinema, and a fairy tale what if… alternative to one of the most horrific murders in recent history. The cast is great. I know a lot of people criticise this one for being too long, but I don’t feel it here. I loved every second of it and could honestly watch more. It’s meandering and feels loose on plot, but I love being taken away into the world that Tarantino creates with rose-tinted glasses. It’s pure escapism. I watched it the day it came out in cinemas in August, got the Blu Ray for Christmas and watched it Boxing Day morning. It’s not often I re-watch films so soon, but this one is special.

And that’s the first 5 films from my top 50. I can’t stress enough that these are in any order and a lot of them are a lot closer to 1 than 50. Have you seen any of the films above? Love them/Hate them? Let me know in the comments. I’ll be back next Friday with 5 more.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Ashley