My 99th Post: Top 99 Episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Greetings, reader!

I can't believe that after one and a half years of writing this blog of mine, I'm just one week away from my one hundredth post. While post #100 will be quite a spectacle, I'm beginning the festivities early: my 99th post is quite special as well. I'm ranking the ninety-nine best episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-Present). Since my blog generally follows the rule of "the longer a list is, the shorter my descriptions have to be", and this is by far the longest list I've posted to date, I'm limiting each description to just one sentence. Let's go!

SPOILER ALERT: spoilers for seasons 1-6 (I haven't seen 7 and 8 yet, as they're not on the Finnish Netflix) will ensue, as the list is written chiefly for people who have watched the series.

99. Your Honor (Season 4, Episode 19)

Captain Holt referring to his mother as "Your Honor" is pretty hilarious.

98. Kicks (Season 5, Episode 3)

The first episode after Jake and Rosa got out of prison is a nice pivot back to the show's usual routine.

97. Jake and Sophia (Season 2, Episode 6)

Before finding everlasting love with Amy Santiago, Jake had a nice (if short-lived) romance with an attorney named Sophia.

96. Return to Skyfire (Season 5, Episode 8)

In this sequel to season 4's Skyfire Cycle episode, guest character D.C. Parlov returns as members of the 99th precinct go undercover at a fantasy convention.

95. Into the Woods (Season 3, Episode 6)

Jake, Boyle and Terry getting stuck in a giant hole while camping is quite a memorable set-piece.

94. Boyle-Linetti Wedding (Season 2, Episode 17)

Family ties are complicated and amusing as the parents of ex-lovers Boyle and Gina tie the knot.

93. Cop-Con (Season 4, Episode 17)

The subplot where Scully finds his soulmate is silly and heartwarming.

92. Return of the King (Season 6, Episode 15)

After Gina Linetti had left the show, she returned for this bizarre episode that feels like a fitting testament to her character.

91. Serve & Protect (Season 4, Episode 14)

Hijinks ensue as Jake and Rosa work a case on the set of a police TV show they follow.

90. The Favor (Season 5, Episode 11)

Not any particularly memorable laughs, but very solid storytelling as the multi-episode arch involving mob boss Seamus Murphy's threat to Captain Holt continues to escalate.

89. The Puzzle Master (Season 5, Episode 15)

The show goes back to its roots as Jake and Amy try to track down a criminal who communicates in puzzles, while their relationship faces a tough test of jealousy.

88. Det. Dave Majors (Season 2, Episode 21)

Just a few episodes before the show's best couple Jake and Amy would finally end up together, the romantic tension in this instalment could be cut with a knife as their destiny starts to feel more and more inevitable.

87. Paranoia (Season 3, Episode 20)

What begins as a straight-forward bachelor party episode ends up being quite a thriller, as the build-up towards season 3's endgame begins with the reveal of a threat on recurring character Adrian Pimento's life.

86. Sal's Pizza (Season 1, Episode 9)

A simple but sweet season 1 adventure, with the highlight being Jake Peralta's incredible amount of blind love for his local pizzeria.

85. Lockdown (Season 2, Episode 7)

The precinct going into lockdown on Thanksgiving is the recipe for multiple laughs and lots of shenanigans.

84. The Slump (Season 1, Episode 3)

While the early episodes of the first season definitely have some growing pains, Andy Samberg's immense comedy chops and a delightful guest appearance from a young Pete Davidson help this episode stand out.

83. The Mattress (Season 3, Episode 7)

Jake and Amy have some great moments reminding the viewer of just how well-written their love story is, while Boyle has a funny b-story that keeps the episode balanced.

82. The Apartment (Season 1, Episode 18)

While I never really warmed up to Gina Linetti as a character, my favorite part about her is her genuine friendship with Jake, which is on full display in this feel-good episode.

81. Adrian Pimento (Season 3, Episode 17)

While the debut episode of Jason Mantzoukas's recurring character loses points for its PTSD jokes being in poor taste, it's an otherwise solid episode that introduces us to an important character who would get a lot better in the seasons to come.

80. USPIS (Season 2, Episode 8)

This episode is best remembered for Ed Helms's laugh-inducing guest appearance as USPIS agent Jack Danger.

79. Ava (Season 3, Episode 8)

Terry's wife Sharon gives birth to their third child - naturally, at the precinct, with all the main characters present for the surprising occasion.

78. Mr. Santiago (Season 4, Episode 7)

Jimmy Smits was a fantastic casting choice for the role of Amy's dad, and his uncomfortable chemistry with Andy Samberg is comedy gold.

77. Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)

Far from perfect and not even half of how great the series would grow to be, the first-ever episode is nonetheless massively important (and it does have its share of legitimately funny moments).

76. Gray Star Mutual (Season 5, Episode 18)

After being M.I.A. for a long time, Adrian Pimento returns as much-improved character, with his new job as an insurance agent fitting him like a glove.

75. Casecation (Season 6, Episode 12)

An entertaining Jake&Amy adventure, with the trademark quality writing and consistent dialogue of the sixth season coloring an otherwise semi-forgettable plot.

74. White Whale (Season 5, Episode 21)

Amy and Rosa team up on a case, leading to sweet moments of friendship and some seriously badass sequences.

73. NutriBoom (Season 5, Episode 16)

Jake and Boyle stumble upon a pyramid scheme, and the show's satirical humor is at its peak.

72. Maximum Security (Season 3, Episode 21)

The multi-episode endgame of the third season continues to unravel, with twists and turns including a memorable villain and a fake funeral.

71. Stakeout (Season 2, Episode 11)

Jake and Boyle's friendship is put to a test when they have to spend a crazy amount of time together - hilarity ensues.

70. The Bimbo (Season 6, Episode 13)

The dynamic between Holt and his husband Kevin is funnier than ever, in this episode that proves once again that Kevin is an underrated character who desperately needs more screentime.

69. The Slaughterhouse (Season 4, Episode 20)

Season 4's plot thickens towards the end, as Jake and Rosa stumble upon a mysterious case that will take many episodes to solve.

68. The Wednesday Incident (Season 2, Episode 16)

While the main storyline is a bit forgettable, the subplot where Boyle arrests an innocent-seeming old man and no one else believes that he's guilty is absolutely hysterical.

67. Tactical Village (Season 1, Episode 19)

An above-average season 1 episode, due to its memorable setting and many hilarious Jake moments.

66. Windbreaker City (Season 2, Episode 15)

Similar to the previously mentioned episode, but slightly better because of comedy maestro Nick Kroll's guest appearance as a cocky Homeland Security agent.

65. Skyfire Cycle (Season 4, Episode 8)

The bulk of the episode is below average for the series, but Skyfire Cycle earns its ranking here due to the "Full bullpen" cold open, which is one of the show's funniest scenes.

64. 48 Hours (Season 1, Episode 7)

The origin of the "Jake screws up and spends the rest of the episode fixing his mistake" formula, this episode is a real trailblazer for the show's conventions.

63. Bachelor/ette Party (Season 5, Episode 19)

Amusing character interactions and heartfelt moments ensue as Jake and Amy celebrate their bachelor/bachelorette parties simultaneously.

62. The Tattler (Season 6, Episode 3)

Jake and Gina visit their high school reunion, and the stage is set for Gina's imminent departure from the show as she finds her way onto a new path in life.

61. The 9-8 (Season 3, Episode 15)

Damon Wayans Jr. guest stars in this episode about precinct rivalry, with the episode's highlight being the scene where Jake and his old partner rap together but are cut short when they realize they forgot Boyle back at the precinct.

60. Chasing Amy (Season 4, Episode 18)

Amy disappears right before her sergeant's exam, and Jake using his immense knowledge of her to track her down is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.

59. The Swedes (Season 3, Episode 9)

Jake and Rosa's deep and well-written friendship faces a test, and the titular Swedish detectives are very funny with their over-the-top antics.

58. The Road Trip (Season 2, Episode 9)

Classic sitcom awkwardness ensues as Jake organizes a surprise double date for himself, Sophia, Amy and Teddy, not knowing that Amy is planning to break up with Teddy.

57. Beach House (Season 2, Episode 12)

The dynamic between the ever-serious Captain Holt and his never-serious employees is on full display, as the boss's presence at the 99's weekend getaway makes everyone uncomfortable.

56. House Mouses (Season 3, Episode 16)

A delightful episode focusing on Hitchcock and Scully, two hilarious supporting characters who are often on the sidelines and rarely in the spotlight.

55. Captain Peralta (Season 2, Episode 18)

We meet Jake's father for the first time, highlighting how the protagonist's heartbreaking and well-written father issues run deep and explain a lot about his behavior.

54. The Jimmy Jab Games (Season 2, Episode 3)

Classic Brooklyn Nine-Nine hijinks ensue in an episode that is exactly as goofy as the title suggests.

53. Unsolvable (Season 1, Episode 21)

Jake and Terry is an oddly uncommon team-up, so it's fascinating to follow this power duo working an "unsolvable" case.

52. The Therapist (Season 6, Episode 11)

An otherwise silly episode gets an emotional conclusion, when Jake confronts some of his psychological issues and Andy Samberg gets to showcase his more dramatic acting chops.

51. Christmas (Season 1, Episode 11)

A fun Christmas atmosphere, important character development for Terry, and a riveting final act that feels equal parts Lethal Weapon (1987) and Police Academy (1984).

50. The Vulture (Season 1, Episode 5)

A memorable introduction to recurring character The Vulture, who fans love to hate.

49. Four Movements (Season 6, Episode 4)

A fitting swan song for Gina - while I'm not a huge fan of the character, I do appreciate how her final episode captures her essence and gives her a very Gina-esque farewell.

48. DFW (Season 5, Episode 17)

Otherwise a very run-of-the-mill episode, but the "I want it that way" cold open is one of the funniest things I've seen on television.

47. The Last Ride (Season 4, Episode 15)

A sentimental testament to Jake and Boyle's friendship, and to their love for the Nine-Nine.

46. Old School (Season 1, Episode 8)

Jake punching the guy who used to be his hero, after he makes fun of Holt's homosexuality, is an amazing and fist-pump-worthy moment.

45. 9 Days (Season 3, Episode 12)

The best episode to re-watch during quarantine, 9 Days follows Jake and Holt as they come down with a bad case of the mumps, leading to all sorts of hilarity.

44. The Golden Child (Season 6, Episode 9)

Lin-Manuel Miranda guest stars as Amy's over-achieving brother, making for some hilariously intense sibling rivalry and some unforgettable moments.

43. Show Me Going (Season 5, Episode 20)

Rosa responds to an active shooter alert, and the rest of the squad's love for her is very moving as they spend much of the episode worrying about the situation and desperately hoping that nothing bad happens to their friend.

42. The Night Shift (Season 4, Episode 4)

A wonderfully fun crossover with New Girl (2011-2018), with amusing interactions between characters from both shows.

41. The Chopper (Season 2, Episode 22)

The second-last episode of season 2 does a great job setting up the finale, while also containing some laugh-out-loud moments from Jake and Holt.

40. The Party (Season 1, Episode 16)

Here we first meet Holt's husband Kevin, and the squad being horribly awkward at their fancy dinner party makes for cringe humor worthy of The Office (2005-2013).

39. New Captain (Season 3, Episode 1)

Season 3 begins on a strong note, with my favorite part undoubtedly being the guest appearance by my all-time favorite comedian Bill Hader in the (literally) short-lived role of Captain Seth Dozerman.

38. The Bet (Season 1, Episode 13)

This season 1 gem is the episode where the flirtatious chemistry and genuine caring between Jake and Amy truly reared its head, making every viewer invested in their eventual romance.

37. Undercover (Season 2, Episode 1)

The second season starts with an adrenaline-filled follow-up to season 1's cliffhanger ending.

36. The Negotiation (Season 5, Episode 13)

Even the least good Pontiac Bandit episode is quite excellent, as the character Doug Judy is simply so amazing and his enemy/friendship with Jake never gets old.

35. Honeymoon (Season 6, Episode 1)

The best season of the series begins with a memorable episode, filled with zany character interactions and hysterically funny moments.

34. A Tale of Two Bandits (Season 6, Episode 5)

The Pontiac Bandit's sixth appearance puts yet another twist on the character and his ever-changing morals, while broadening the Judy family tree.

33. The Honeypot (Season 6, Episode 7)

One of those instalments where the setting itself isn't all that memorable, but the episode is absolutely filled with above-average humor and a crazy amount of quality jokes.

32. The Bank Job (Season 4, Episode 21)

The penultimate chapter of season 4 is full of twists and turns, ending on a major cliffhanger for the finale to unravel.

31. Pontiac Bandit (Season 1, Episode 12)

The first appearance of one of television's finest recurring characters is a delicious debut, especially memorable for its twist ending.

30. Cinco de Mayo (Season 6, Episode 16)

While I greatly appreciate the writers' attempt to keep the Heist tradition fresh with a new twist, there's no escaping the fact that the Cinco de Mayo heist isn't quite as epic as the original Halloween Heists (while still being spectacular).

29. The Big House, Parts 1&2 (Season 5, Episodes 1-2)

Jake and Rosa in prison makes for decent storytelling, a memorable setting and a great opening for season five!

28. Sicko (Season 6, Episode 17)

The cliffhanger where Jake assembles a "Suicide squad" of old enemies in order to defeat a larger threat is a marvelous cliffhanger that leaves one drooling for the subsequent season finale.

27. Bureau (Season 3, Episode 22)

24 alumnus Dennis Haysbert guest stars as Holt's old boss in season 3's thrilling penultimate episode, which ends on a massive plot twist / cliffhanger as Haysbert's character turns out to be a bad guy.

26. The Pontiac Bandit Returns (Season 2, Episode 10)

The Pontiac Bandit's second outing is hilarious and well-written, as his moral spectrum and his dynamic with Jake continue to grow.

25. Suicide Squad (Season 6, Episode 18)

The season 6 finale is a chaotic, high-tempo climax that once again ends the season on quite a cliffhanger, as Holt is demoted all the way to traffic duty.

24. The Crime Scene (Season 6, Episode 6)

Jake obsesses over a case while Rosa undergoes about a million different hairdos, making for a wonderful balance between psychology and silliness.

23. Ticking Clocks (Season 6, Episode 14)

Sean Astin of Lord of the Rings fame guest stars in this intense concept episode where events occur in real time!

22. The Cruise (Season 3, Episode 13)

At this point, the Pontiac Bandit was such a beloved and much-hyped character that the writers really knew how to make the most of his dramatic return, dialogue with Jake, and eventual getaway.

21. Greg and Larry (Season 3, Episode 23)

The season 3 finale is one of the best episodes for B99 as a crime/police show, as the race against the clock feels real and suspenseful despite the plentiful moments of goofy comedy in between.

20. Halloween IV (Season 4, Episode 5)

Even the least good Halloween Heist is packed with fantastic moments of over-the-top antics, making for a great addition to the annual tradition.

19. Yippie Kayak (Season 3, Episode 10)

Jake gets to live his own version of Die Hard (1988) in this yuletide tribute to everyone's favorite Christmas film.

18. Halloween (Season 1, Episode 6)

The original Halloween heist isn't important just because it started the tradition that would make for the highlight of multiple seasons, but also because it proved early on just how great the series could be despite its shaky start.

17. Charges and Specs (Season 1, Episode 22)

The season 1 finale starts with an eyebrow-raising flashforward, and ends with the same scene (but with context this time), making for a nice full-circle effect and the first of many season-ending cliffhangers.

16. Safe House (Season 5, Episode 12)

The only thing funnier than Jake and Kevin's dynamic throughout this hysterical episode is the running gag where Holt sends text messages with correct grammar and "Sincerely, Raymond Holt" at the end.

15. The Oolong Slayer (Season 3, Episode 4)

Holt making his grand return as Captain of the Nine-Nine, after being away for what felt like a very long time, is an extremely smile-worthy payoff.

14. Crime & Punishment (Season 4, Episode 22)

Every season has ended on a cliffhanger, but none of them quite as brutal as season 4's ultimate shocker, as Jake and Rosa are framed for bank robbery and sentenced to prison.

13. Coral Palms, Parts 1-3 (Season 4, Episodes 1-3)

Season four opens with an absolutely delightful three-parter, packed with sharp social commentary, memorable guest appearances, and about a thousand jokes about Florida (each more savage than the last).

12. Johnny and Dora (Season 2, Episode 23)

The second season's finale is an emotional one, as Jake and Amy finally end up together, while Holt is forced out of the Nine-Nine by his arch enemy Madeleine Wuntch.

11. Halloween II (Season 2, Episode 4)

The second-ever Halloween Heist ups the ante, with even more twists and turns and hijinks than the original, proving that this was going to be a tradition that just keeps on giving.

10. The Fugitive, Parts 1&2 (Season 4, Episodes 11-12)

The hands-down best Pontiac Bandit episode, as the character's flair for dramatics and his dynamic with Jake are at their absolute peak.

9. Hitchcock & Scully (Season 6, Episode 2)

From the surprising cold open to the explanatory ending, everything in this episode about a young Hitchcock and Scully cracking a case in the 1980's is quite golden.

8. Jake & Amy (Season 5, Episode 22)

Jake and Amy's wedding episode is filled with hilarity, familiar faces and touching feel-good moments (including a speech by Captain Holt that is equal parts tear-jerking and laugh-worthy).

7. Halloween III (Season 3, Episode 5)

Upping the ante even further in the realm of Halloween Heists, the third instalment of the once-per-season tradition is an extravaganza of the highest order.

6. Game Night (Season 5, Episode 10)

The show's 100th episode is a great one, and will be discussed further in next week's post.

5. He Said, She Said (Season 6, Episode 8)

A gripping look at sexual harassment in the workplace, proving how capable the series is at dealing with serious issues despite its tendency for goofiness and shenanigans.

4. The Box (Season 5, Episode 14)

The dynamic between Jake and Holt, as well as the show's 'crime drama' element, are at their absolute best in this thrilling and unforgettable interrogation episode.

3. 99 (Season 5, Episode 9)

The show's 99th episode is a fitting tribute to the show and its characters, with everyone having some amazing moments and Amy Santiago saving the day in what is undoubtedly the greatest-ever moment for her as a character.

2. Moo Moo (Season 4, Episode 16)

The show's first and best 'serious episode' deals with racism within the police in a heartbreaking and sobering manner, bound to leave one speechless.

1. HalloVeen (Season 5, Episode 4)

Not only is this the most thrilling, most over-the-top and best-written Halloween Heist based on its heist merits alone, but the climactic twist (Jake's epic proposal to Amy) makes it into one of the greatest sitcom episodes of all time.

Thank you for reading! Tune in next week for my one hundredth post: a list of the greatest 100th episodes of long-running television shows!

Top 100 Movies of all time, Part 10 out of 10: The Top 10

Greetings, reader!

"It's been a long road, getting from there to here"

- Rod Stewart, Faith of the Heart

After ten long weeks, I've finally arrived at the conclusion of my Top 100 countdown, which is also in many ways the ultimate post that I've been leading up to for one and a half years and nearly 100 posts - after all, the name of the blog is 'Top 10 Movies with Veikko Hoffman', so no topic is quite as fitting as - literally - the Top 10 Movies. Of all time. I've seen hundreds and hundreds of movies in my lifetime, so picking the ten very best ones of them all was quite the challenge. But now it's all done.

But first, a word about Denis Villeneuve's Dune (2021). The ambitious adaptation of one of my favorite books was my #1 anticipated movie of 2020, and after it was delayed due to Covid-19, it was my #1 anticipated movie of 2021. When the premiere finally arrived, I dropped everything and travelled to Helsinki mid-week so that I could catch the very first showing at 10:30 A.M. with a good friend and fellow Dune enthusiast. And let me tell you, sci-fi fans can rest easy from now on, for the era of skepticism that Dune can't be properly adapted into cinema is over. This is 100% the adaptation that Frank Herbert's novel deserved. Everything looked, felt and progressed exactly as it should. Had the film come out earlier, or had I started my Top 100 Movies of All Time countdown later, Dune definitely would've made it into my countdown - very possibly as high as the Top 30 or Top 20. I wouldn't even hold the Top 10 out of question, depending on how further reflection and upcoming re-watches will mold my opinion of the film.

With that off my chest, I will now proceed to today's list. These are, in my opinion, the ten greatest movies ever made.

10. Adaptation. (2002)

"To begin...to begin...how to start? I'm hungry. I should get coffee. Coffee would help me think. Maybe I should write something first, then reward myself with coffee"

Now this is my kind of movie. More than any other, in fact - while this Charlie Kaufman -penned masterpiece is not quite at first place on my list, I can't think of any other movie that seems as tailor-made for my specific taste than Adaptation. I have a passion for creative storytelling, meta fiction and art that breaks new ground and goes beyond the barriers of convention, and this film bathes in such elements with its insane premise and the sheer lengths that the script goes to in order to truly stand out.

What started as an idea to simply make a cinematic adaptation of Susan Orlean's book The Orchid Thief took some serious turns, when the brilliant mind of Charlie Kaufman had the idea to make a film about making a film about The Orchid Thief instead. Adaptation (2002) somehow manages to be the story of making the film Adaptation (2002), with much of Kaufman's actual thought process on making the film making it into the film about making the film. Thus, the film's main character is Charlie Kaufman, and in order to avoid the movie being an endless tirade of voice-over monologues about the thoughts inside his head, Kaufman wrote a part for his non-existent twin brother, Donald Kaufman. The credits claim the real film to be written by Charlie & Donald Kaufman, and when this mind-boggling work of art got nominated for the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay (very deserved, albeit "Adapted" is a bit of a stretch), the nomination officially went to Charlie and Donald, making the made-up Donald Kaufman the first fictional person to get nominated for an Oscar.

Naturally, the actor chosen to play both twin brothers was Nicolas Cage, whose sometimes-terrible, sometimes-genius acting chops of sheer chaos are absolutely perfect for the role. Naturally, he too got an Oscar nomination for his dazzling double performance, making him the only actor to get nominated for an Oscar for playing two different people who also got Oscar nominations for writing the same movie despite the fact that one of them doesn't exist. All in all, if you've ever read my blog or just know me as a person, you'll se how this complete and utter mind-fuck is the perfect movie for me.

9. Blue Velvet (1986)

"I'm seeing something that was always hidden. I'm in the middle of a mystery and it's all secret"

"You like mysteries that much?"

"Yeah. You're a mystery. I like you very much"

The camera panning to show bright-red roses, in front of a white fence, to the backdrop of a blue sky, as the Bobby Vinton song Blue Velvet plays in the background, is easily my favorite opening shot in all of cinema. David Lynch's use of colors and their contrast makes for such a striking and memorable image, which creates the tone for the rest of the film. A central theme in pretty much all of Lynch's best works has been "The light within the dark", as the filmmaker likes to create incredibly dark and unsettling settings for his stories, only for powerful instances of hope and goodness to emerge from the unlikeliest places. Along with my all-time favorite television series Twin Peaks (1990-1991; 2017), this mystery movie is among the top tier of Lynch's use of this powerful theme.

At its darkest, Blue Velvet is a violent and gruesome film, which makes the moments of beauty and kindness feel extremely powerful and earned. While Dennis Hopper's character Frank Booth is one of the most vile and disgusting movie villains ever created, the protagonist Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan) is the pitch-perfect antidote to him with his innocent charm and curious demeanour. It's no wonder that Lynch ended up casting MacLachlan as main character Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks a couple of years later, as this film proves that there is no one better for such a role. Isabella Rossellini and Laura Dern provide dynamite supporting performances, while Angelo Badalamenti's score radiates intrigue and feels perfect for the film's atmosphere of diving down a rabbit hole of mystery. Blue Velvet is a peculiar, artistic and ultimately beautiful film, brought to a point of perfection by Lynch's impeccable directing.

8. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

"Go back, Sam. I'm going to Mordor alone"

"Of course you are. And I'm coming with you"

They said it could never be done. For decades, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings books were seen as so epic, so large-scale and so unique that they simply couldn't be successfully adapted into cinema. But with the help of the grand vision of director Peter Jackson, a grandiose budget, an insanely fitting cast and tons of other elements, this view was proved to be wrong (and I just have to point out that the exact same thing happened with Denis Villeneuve's Dune just last week - we are living historical times). The Lord of the Rings films are the greatest movie trilogy of all time, and exactly the adaptation that Tolkien's books deserve - and it all begins with The Fellowship of the Ring.

Nominated for 13 Academy Awards and winning four of them (Best Visual Effects, Original Score, Cinematography and Makeup), the first Lord of the Rings film certainly met the critical acclaim it thoroughly deserved. The visuals are staggering for the early 2000's, even though I'd argue that the greatest asset to the film's signature look and aesthetic was the genius choice to shoot the trilogy in New Zealand. The landscapes of iconic fictional locations like The Shire and Rivendell come alive in an awe-inspiring manner, and the atmosphere is brought to further glory by Howard Shore's score that varies between heart-melting comfort and exciting heroics. Tolkien's fictional world of Middle-Earth is the setting for my favorite stories of all time, so watching it come to life brilliantly on the silver screen is a special sensation, definitely worthy of an all-time Top 10.

7. Star Wars (1977)

"I have a very bad feeling about this"

The original Star Wars is considered by many to be one of the most important films in modern cinematic history. It served as an absolute game-changer for the world of science fiction, brought the genre straight into the mainstream to change people's perceptions of what kinds of films can be cool, popular and critically acclaimed, and it spawned a massive franchise with a dangerously passionate fanbase. But the film's impact on the film industry isn't the reason for it being my seventh-favorite movie of all time. The reason for that is that Star Wars is the greatest adventure movie of all time, and the perfect film in its own right.

Seriously, there's nothing wrong with this movie in my honest opinion. Nothing I would change. Every element, from George Lucas's creative directing and John Williams's larger-than-life soundtrack to the amusing dialogue between the main characters and the casting of the likes of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Alec Guinness - it's all perfection. If you're looking for a pure and fun adventure film, with likable heroes and badass villains and cool moments, you can't do any better than Star Wars.

6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

"We accept the love we think we deserve"

"Can we make them know they deserve more?"

"We can try"

No film has resonated with my personal life experiences as much as The Perks of Being a Wallflower - in fact, no other film even comes close in that category. In addition to being a piece of quality cinema with a talented cast and tight directing by Stephen Chbosky, this is a film that had a healing effect on me when I saw it for the first time, and has continued to feel just as therapeutic every time I've watched it.

When I first saw the film, I thought I was in for a regular, run-of-the-mill high school comedy, and boy, was I wrong - while it does have a multitude of comedic moments to balance everything else out, Perks is far from being a typical high school flick let alone a comedy. It is a film that deals with serious issues such as loneliness, anxiety, bullying, and much more, all in a realistic and healthy manner - some of the film's themes haven't touched my own life at all but are powerful nonetheless, but it's especially the parts that do resonate with my own experiences from my youth that really make the film into an incredibly moving viewing experience for me.

Logan Lerman is amazing in his heartfelt and gripping lead performance, while Ezra Miller and Emma Watson nail their supporting roles - not to mention Paul Rudd, who is a tad more serious than in his usual roles, but every bit as lovable as ever. While parts of The Perks of Being a Wallflower are extremely grim and heartbreaking, the film does end up being an ultimately uplifting experience with a strong message about friendship, mental health and the ability to overcome trauma. The film's final scene, with Charlie (Lerman) doing a voice-over monologue that pretty much sums up my own worldview in a way more eloquent and powerful manner than I could ever come up with, is one of my all-time favorite movie scenes and never fails to bring a tear to my eye. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is wholesome, immensely touching, and full of important life lessons we all could use from time to time.

5. Inception (2010)

"You're waiting for a train. A train that'll take you far away. You know where you hope this train will take you. But you can't know for sure. Yet it doesn't matter. Now, tell me why"

With its creative action set pieces, entertaining fight sequences and intricate choreography, Inception is one of the best action films I've seen. With its unique premise of planting an idea into a man's dreams and the heart-pumping race-against-time feel, Inception is one of the best heist movies I've seen. With its insanely clever script and ideas about entering different levels of dreams (not to mention limbo), and the way these ideas come to life through some truly staggering visual effects, Inception is one of the best science fiction movies I've seen.

And, with its dynamite A-list cast and state-of-the-art directing by the one and only Christopher Nolan, not to mention the trademark blaring horns and large-scale orchestral arrangements of Hans Zimmer intensifying the soundtrack, Inception is quite simply one of the best movies I've seen. The fifth-best of all time, to be exact. Come for the exciting concept of people going into other people's dreams, stay for the mind-bending action sequences and insanely intense final act - and scratch your head at the film's genius ambiguous ending, truly crowning this magnificent cinematic achievement.

4. Dead Poets Society (1989)

"We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance love...these are what we stay alive for"

So, here in Finland, we end our high school careers with a set of difficult and stressful matriculation exams, which play a part in determining which schools we may or may not get into in the future. The exam on the subject of Finnish is held in especially high regard, and many students spend much of their senior year stressing out about it. The night before I faced that particular exam, I watched Dead Poets Society for the first time. And while having a history of reading and writing, getting decent Finnish grades throughout my studies and having good teachers guiding me all certainly played a part in the fact that I happened to write the best essay of my life that day and ended up getting the maximum amount of points, I like to think that watching this particular movie also played a part. No, really. I've never seen a movie quite as inspiring as Dead Poets Society, and I saw it at the best possible time.

When discussing Dead Poets Society, people always focus on the iconic performance by the late Robin Williams as Professor John Keating, and rightfully so - it is one of my favorite performances in all of cinema. But we don't talk enough about the realism, energy and likability in the performances by the younger castmembers as the film's central group of schoolboys - Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles all knock it out of the park with lovable and lively performances that will tug at your heartstrings. The film's Oscar-winning script really resonates with my worldview, with its central message about the beauty of art, poetry and self-expression, and the importance of being true to oneself and not conforming to norms.

I would also like to point out that Kurtwood Smith is woefully brilliant in the role of Mr. Perry, the worst human being in the history of cinema, in a role that will fill any viewer with blind rage at just how horrible the human race can be. But, as an antidote to this absolute spawn of Satan, we have Robin Williams's performance reminding us about the very best of humanity, and how much of a difference kindness and inspiration can play in each others' lives. Dead Poets Society is an emotional rollercoaster with its glorious ups and heart-shattering downs, but when all is said and done, you'll very likely feel pumped up and ready to change the world. That's a powerful piece of cinema right there.

3. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

"Open the pod bay doors, HAL"

"I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that"

A conventional review just won't do for 2001: A Space Odyssey, as its brilliance just can't be put to words. Therefore I will simply describe my experience and the thoughts that ran through my head when I watched Stanley Kubrick's magnum opus for the first time - I've enjoyed every re-watch immensely, but there's no beating the first time and the sheer amazement that it caused.

At first, absolute confusion. Complete bafflement. I didn't know what to expect when embarking upon this 2-and-a-half-hour behemoth, other than its reputation as a sci-fi classic. I did not expect the first half an hour or so to be literally monkeys. No dialogue, no clear or conventional narratives - just various sequences of monkeys. For whatever reason, this strange way of beginning the film had me absolutely glued to the screen; I couldn't wait to see what the group of apes would do next and how the story would continue. When Richard Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra started to play, creating a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere with its glorious magnitude, I just knew I was in for one of the best movies I've seen.

When the narrative shifted completely, my intrigue only grew, my mind full of theories on what the meanings behind this strange storytelling and the mysterious monoliths might be. By the time the narrative had jumped once again, into the infamous sequence of supercomputer H.A.L. 9000 taking over a spaceship on a fascinating mission, I was on the edge of my seat - not out of in-story excitement or investment in the characters, but because I was simply so curious to see what would happen next in this masterpiece of unparalleled creativity. Already at this point, I felt that no other film I've seen had been quite as barrier-breaking and unconventional as this one.

And then, that final sequence took things to a whole new level. Without a doubt the most mind-bending sequence I've seen in all of cinema, this series of events absolutely blew me away and shattered any pre-conceived notions on what movies can do and how far science fiction can go in terms of breaking new ground and taking one's imagination to the maximum. I sat still in awe of the visual psychedelia, interpretational storytelling and larger-than-life feel that Kubrick's genius mind had created, feeling inspired with the takeaway that there are no limits to where one's creativity can take them.

2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

"Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an Elf"

"What about side by side with a friend?"

"Aye. I could do that"

Whether it's the books or the movies you're discussing, it is difficult to compare the three instalments of The Lord of the Rings to each other, because they work so well as a whole. Most of the accomplishments of one Lord of the Rings movie are accomplishments that the other two share: Howard Shore's score, the realization of Peter Jackson's ambitious vision on adapting Tolkien's imaginative world and the spot-on casting are present throughout the entire trilogy. But still, The Return of the King manages to stick out. No matter how insanely good the first two parts of the trilogy are, there's no escaping the fact that the third one is even better. The Return of the King is the culmination of the trilogy, and in some ways, I regard it as the culmination of cinema itself in terms of what can be accomplished.

The trilogy's unmatched combination of intricate and large-scale set design, costume design, visual effects, action choreography and several other elements is at its very best here, as grandiose events like the Battle of the Pelennor Fields are brought to life with frightening intensity. The absolute best moments from the books, such as the final stand-off at Mount Doom and the emotional interaction at the Grey Havens, are translated beautifully from book to screen, not to mention moments original to the film that are so powerful that you'll forget they weren't in the book (Aragorn's (Viggo Mortensen) iconic battle speech, anyone?).

And that's just it. Return of the King is, along with its technical wizardry worthy of the ELEVEN Academy Awards it won, full of heart. There are countless moments that will move you to tears time and time again - I'm committed no to do any full-on spoilers, but I reckon that quotes such as "Death is just another path - one that we all must take" and "I can't carry it for you" will resonate with fellow enthusiasts. All in all, The Return of the King is a cinematic masterpiece of the highest order, and I will never get tired of re-watching the over-four-hour-long extended edition.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

"The funny thing is - on the outside, I was an honest man, straight as an arrow. I had to come to prison to be a crook"

"I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'"

"I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a gray place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man in Shawshank felt free"

Yeah, there's no way in hell that I was going to choose only one line of dialogue to represent the greatest film of all time - just narrowing my favorites down to three (when excluding the very best ones, due to their spoilerous nature) was such a chore. Some fellow cinephiles may find it anti-climactic or 'basic' that at the end of this massive countdown, my #1 favorite film of all time is the #1 highest rated movie on on IMDB. But that's just how it is for me, if I'm being honest with myself - this is the greatest movie ever made. The Shawshank Redemption is a story about friendship, hope and yes, redemption. It is a film that pretty much everyone should see, and I do sincerely believe that everyone would get something out of it - you don't score a 9.3 average from 2.5 million reviewers by rubbing people off the wrong way. The rating really does make sense - while I respect everyone's opinion, it's just really difficult to imagine someone watching The Shawshank Redemption and going "Eh, I didn't like it". If someone does hold such an opinion, I'd be very curious to hear more about it.

Through the lens of Morgan Freeman's narration and Thomas Newman's stoic yet powerful soundtrack, we're introduced to the world of Shawshank Prison. At its darkest, the film is grim as all hell, which is exactly how it needs to be, in order for the events at the end of the film to work. I can't go into many of my favorite elements in the film, including the presence of my favorite movie scene of all time, as there are spoilers involved - and if there's one film in the world that shouldn't be spoiled, it is this one. Oh, what I'd give for a chance to see Shawshank for the first time again.

What I can say without spoilers is that the film's atmosphere and story manage to find light in the darkest places, thus tapping into the very ideals of hope and redemption, in an extremely powerful fashion. Realistic prison setting or no realistic prison setting, parts of the film feel downright cozy, due to the chemistry between the actors and the honest way in which the film portrays themes from gallows humor to unlikely friendships. Shawshank is a fantastic cinematic production, and a cleverly told story that has a profound impact on the viewer, with a unique atmosphere that ends up feeling larger than life. That is what makes The Shawshank Redemption, in my honest opinion, the greatest film ever made.

Thank you for reading! It almost feels strange to continue doing this blog now that I've unveiled the 'ultimate movies list' - but I'll still keep at it for sure, as this is so much fun and new topics and ideas (not to mention recommendations from my readers) are coming to me all the time. Furthermore, I couldn't possibly stop now that I'm so close to hitting the 100-post-mark. If you're wondering why I didn't save this list to be my 100th post, the answer is that I have an even better idea. I won't spoil the topic yet, but I've known for a long time what my 100th post will be and it's gonna be a good one. Until then, tune in next week as the festivities begin with my 99th post: the Top 99 Episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-Present). Stay tuned!

Top 100 Movies of All Time, Part 9 out of 10: Movies #20 - #11

Greetings, reader!

And so we reach the penultimate instalment in my countdown of the greatest movies of all time. This has been quite the project, and next week it shall reach its conclusion. But first, here are the immensely praiseworthy, pretty much perfect all-time favorites that very barely missed out on the top 10!

20. Bowling for Columbine (2002)

"If more guns make people safer, then America would be one of the safest countries in the world. It isn't"

Kicking off today's portion of my mega-list is my favorite documentary of all time. In this honest, factual and heartbreaking exploration of the gun epidemic in the United States, Michael Moore uses the school shooting in Columbine, Colorado as a case study in just how fucked up America's gun situation is. The documentary explains the background of the baffling culture of gun worship in my dear second homeland, all while hitting us with hard and cold facts and statistics that leave little to be argued with.

Whether he's helping victims sue the Walmart from which the Columbine shooter casually bought his bullets (you know, how people tend to do in normal and healthy societies), confronting the head of the N.R.A. and making him look at the picture of a young girl who isn't with us very much due to the N.R.A.'s actions, or boldly going after President Bush and the Iraq war in his acceptance speech for the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature that he deservedly won, Michael Moore is somewhat of a hero to me largely due to this film.

There are many things wrong with the world, but almost none as egregiously and outrageously immoral than the fact that my second home country is run by people who value the unchecked rights to own weapons made to kill more than they value the lives of innocent children, and this documentary is a hellishly strong testament to just how deep this problem goes. As long as they keep driving their pro-mass-shooting legislation, I reckon every Republican senator should be strapped to a chair and forced to watch this film - and if you think this sounds extreme, I recommend you watch Bowling for Columbine as well, and chances are that after seeing it you just might agree.

19. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

"After all this time?"

"Always"

Now that I got today's societal rant out of the way, it's time to shift the tone into the love I have for the Harry Potter franchise, as both the books and their cinematic adaptations are a huge favorite from my childhood and continue to impress me to this day. Just like in their literary counterparts, the Potter movies managed to save the best for last, as The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is easily my favorite out of the many great instalments in this magical franchise. Not only does it capture many of the book's best parts with perfection (the Gringotts heist, the otherworldly King's Cross sequence and especially the massively emotional Pensieve sequence come to mind), but it deviates from the literary material in a very smart fashion.

This is especially evident in the final duel between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), which is one of those extremely rare instances where a scene is even better in the movie adaptation than in the original book. I won't go into detail as to avoid spoilers, but the way this climax goes down was the one thing that fell a bit flat in the otherwise perfect final book, but it's a lot more powerful and fitting in the film. All in all, an astonishingly well-made final chapter for a beloved and nostalgic franchise. Speaking of childhood nostalgia...

18. Home Alone (1990)

"This is my house. I have to defend it"

There is a poetic feel to my ultimate childhood favorite being right next to the last Harry Potter film in this all-time ranking; especially when considering the fact that Home Alone was directed by Chris Columbus (not the one who slaughtered all those Native Americans, but the one who also directed the first two Harry Potter films, thus being responsible for many warm childhood memories). It speaks to the nature of the subjectivity of my list that I have Home Alone ahead of the likes of Citizen Kane and Casablanca, but for the type of cinema enthusiast that I am, that's exactly as it should be: critical acclaim, production value and the overall technical side of filmmaking is certainly a huge part of what makes movies great and why I love cinema, but I find the notion of those being the only meaningful factors to be quite depressing. I believe the best movies are the ones you can't imagine life without.

I'm an emotional viewer, so often the factor of utmost importance in films is the emotional response they provoke, whether it be the manifestation of an important value or life lesson, the emotional investment in the story of a well-written character, the account of a heartbreaking or perhaps uplifting true story, or any number of things. Therefore, the fact that watching Home Alone every other Christmas (I watch Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (1992) in the in-between years to keep things fresh) makes me shed tears of joy every damn time as the film is so tied to my childhood, my family and my weirdly deep-running love for Christmas, is something immeasurable and certainly worthy of an all-time Top 20.

Home Alone is my ultimate comfort film, and it is further boosted by the fact that it is a pretty damn good movie even when looking beyond my personal connection to it: Chris Columbus certainly knows how to direct a quality family flick, the John Williams score goes from eerie to glorious, the chemistry between Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as cinema's most hilarious villains is hysterical, and the adrenaline rush of the final act where Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) takes the crooks down with a series of clever booby traps is downright exhilarating. Then there's the immensely moving sequence of events in the film's final scenes, thus the waterworks every time I re-watch the film.

17. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room!"

Quoted above is my #1 favorite movie line of all time. Stanley Kubrick's feelings about the senselessness of war come across many of his works, from Paths of Glory (1957) to Full Metal Jacket (1987), but never as thoroughly as in Dr. Strangelove, as the ingeniously ironic War Room quote demonstrates. This obscure 60's classic criticizes the cold war through the lens of dark comedy and sharp societal satire, as we follow a fictional but troublingly real-seeming scenario where one mistake leads to an escalating series of events at the brink of a full-scale nuclear war.

Peter Sellers plays the triple role of military captain Lionel Mandrake, U.S. President Merkin Muffley, and nuclear war expert Dr. Strangelove. Here's how great he is at making each role his own (and how well the film's make-up and costume departments did their job): when the film's closing credits started to roll, I hadn't realized that those three major roles were played by the same actor. Apart from Sellers' magnificent acting and Kubrick's state-of-the-art directing, Dr. Strangelove is a classic first and foremost for how powerfully it criticizes the Cold War and overall military culture, and how well it balances hysterical comedy and serious world issues. Truly one of the best.

16. Top Gun (1986)

"Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a flyby"

This 80's action classic is certainly beloved in its own way, but I'm guessing it doesn't make it into many all-time top twenties in movie circles. It's difficult to analyze just why I like this film so much more than is conventional, especially since I'm not into aviation at all. Something about the combination of subjective nostalgia (I've seen this film countless times, the first few being when I was so small that my Dad would skip a certain emotional death scene so that I wouldn't get traumatized), kick-ass soundtrack and overall cool action atmosphere just really works for me. Top Gun is adrenaline and speed, excitement and rebellion, with a touch of heroics and a ton of heart put into the mix as well. Simply put, it's a film that just gets to me each and every time.

No other film has a soundtrack as badass as this one - the Kenny Loggins classic Danger Zone adrenalizing the opening sequence, the Cheap Trick banger Mighty Wings making multiple flying scenes infinitely cooler, the Berlin ballad Take My Breath Away winning the film an Oscar for Best Original Song, the integration of the Righteous Brothers song You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' into the story and the iconic scene where the main characters jam to Jerry Lee Lewis's Great Balls of Fire are just a few examples, not to mention Harold Faltermeyer's ice-cold instrumental score. To this rocking soundtrack, Top Gun provides awesome action sequences, legendary Tom Cruise moments, and some surprisingly powerful scenes - not just the aforementioned death scene, but possibly even more so the scene where Viper (Tom Skerritt) tells Maverick (Cruise) the truth about his father.

All in all, if you feel the need for speed, I highly recommend watching this film and checking out its upcoming sequel when it's finally released! I, for one, am extremely excited that one of my all-time favorite films is getting a sequel, which looks extremely true to the original based on the trailer.

15. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

"Avengers...assemble"

There have been quite a few comic book movies in my all-time Top 100, proving just how far the genre has come in terms of quality cinema. And here, at fifteenth place, is the crown jewel of superhero cinema: Avengers: Endgame. There are few things in storytelling that I appreciate more than a good, well-built payoff, and that is what the climactic Avengers film accomplishes to a staggering degree. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, spanning over 20 movies in its interconnected storytelling, is one of the most unique and well-built film franchises of all time, as nothing of the sort had been done before. And after these films had taken the slowly built grand-scheme-of-things story to a point of climax, Endgame took it home and did so quite gloriously.

The film isn't just a good ending for the so-called "Infinity Saga", even though that is the film's primary function. At first, it takes us on an unexpected journey as we get an excellent Marvel film that would work as a standalone story, with well-written time travel and great action sequences et cetera. Endgame is also a masterclass in balanced writing of a large ensemble cast: few films have as many major characters as this gargantuan coming-together of all MCU heroes, but everyone seems to get just the right amount of screen time and their own fitting character arch. But, yes, the film's greatest accomplishment is just how great of an ending it is for the Avengers story - if you've followed my Top 100 countdown this far, you'll know that I'm a sucker for good endings. Emotional payoffs and poetic moments ensue, as the massive story is brought to a fitting end.

14. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

"I'm the answer to a fucking Trivial Pursuit question"

Fun fact: Alejandro G. Iñárritu's Birdman isn't the only film in today's selection of 10 films that was filmed with a one-shot technique. Any film successfully consisting of one long camera take (or a few long ones, seamlessly woven together to seem like just one) gains a whole lot of points for ambition and technical wizardry alone, but there are two such films that have tons of substance in them in addition to being absolute technical marvels, and they both found it into my all-time Top 20. Read the whole post to find out what the other tracking-shot masterpiece is - but first, Birdman.

This odd and quirky Best Picture winner follows the weeks leading up to the opening night of a Broadway play - more accurately, a fictional stage adaptation of Raymond Carver's What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, written and directed by Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton), a washed-up former superhero flick star who is trying to get the public to take him seriously again. Birdman's comedic side features sharp and often hilarious dialogue, coupled with hard-hitting satire of show business and theater critics, while its artistic side delves into some memorable symbolism and deep ponderings on themes such as legacy, the value we put on appearances, and the chaos dominating our lives.

The film's cast is one of the best ensembles I've come across in cinema - Michael Keaton provides a dynamite lead performance, Edward Norton is sheer perfection as carefree actor Mike Shiner, Emma Stone is fantastic as Riggan's daughter Sam, Zach Galifianakis combines his trademark humor with the trademark stress of pre-opening night theater in his role as Riggan's lawyer Jake, and Naomi Watts is her usual amazing self as actress Lesley. While the remarkable cinematography, envisioned by Iñárritu and realized by cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, may be the film's greatest strength, it is brought to further glory by the ever-talented cast, the sharp humor and intriguing themes, as well as the film's fantastic ambiguous ending.

13. Interstellar (2014)

"Mankind was born on Earth. It was never meant to die here"

Whenever I listen to a piece of Hans Zimmer's mind-bending score to Interstellar, I'm brought back to the exact feeling that I had when I was sitting in the cinema, watching this science fiction masterpiece unfold for the first time. The atmosphere of the film is so unique and the viewing experience so memorable, that the rush of feelings and thoughts when first experiencing it is something I'll always remember and cherish, at least whenever those memories are triggered by hearing the (insanely magnificent) soundtrack.

The A-list cast, the genius script by Christopher Nolan and his severely underappreciated brother Jonathan, and the Oscar-winning visual effects make for one hell of a spectacle. The way the film introduces whole new worlds, while toying with the concepts of space and time, makes for a film that represents science fiction at its very best; despite the deeper and darker themes of Interstellar, it is an adventure film at heart, with humankind "going where no one has gone before" in the tradition of Star Trek (1966-) and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - but with updated visual imagery and Nolan's limitless imagination giving new twists to the formula. A truly breathtaking film if I ever saw one.

12. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

"It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why"

I suppose that the presence of two of the Hobbit films earlier in my Top 100 countdown was a dead giveaway to the fact that all three Lord of the Rings movies would be found much, much higher on this list. And here we arrive. Just how good is Peter Jackson's cinematic adaptation of Tolkien's legendary fantasy novels? Well, the least good instalment of cinema's greatest trilogy is right here, sitting comfortably on the #12 spot on my list of the all-time greatest films. That's quite something.

But seriously, they all deserve to be in the absolute top tier on cinema. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is, as a whole, a work of ambitious art that accomplished the impossible and gave Tolkien's books the film adaptation they deserved. In this second instalment, we follow multiple storylines as Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) make their way closer to Mordor with the help of the treacherous Gollum (Andy Serkis), while Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and company become involved in the war between the kingdom of Rohan and the rise of Saruman's (Christopher Lee) Isengard. Many of the best chapters in the Two Towers book, such as the Three Hunters encountering the mysterious "White Wizard" in the woods and the battle of Helm's Deep, come alive in a brilliant fashion. Whatever changes are made from the books are all made in good taste, while always retaining the feel of Tolkien's fantasy world even when deviating from the source material.

Jackson's grandiose vision, the expert set design and visual imagery of his take on Middle-Earth, and Howard Shore's heart-melting and fist-pumping score are as awe-inspiring as they are throughout the entire trilogy. My favorite moment from the film just has to be Sam's speech to Frodo, a part of which is quoted above as the line I chose to represent this film. Sean Astin acts the hell out of that scene, and the substance of the speech taps into the very essence of the core values and themes in the Lord of the Rings books and Tolkien's overall lore. The Lord of the Rings truly is one of the stories that really mattered.

11. 1917 (2019)

"They're walking into a trap. Your orders are to deliver a message calling off tomorrow morning's attack. If you fail, it will be a massacre"

And so we arrive at today's other masterclass of one-shot cinematography, and the very slightly better of the two films in question. With 1917, the concept of the film reading like one long camera take is far from just a trendy stylistic choice - writer and director Sam Mendes felt a deep connection to the subject matter as the film was inspired by stories told to him by his late grandfather Alfred, and Mendes felt that this style of shooting the film would best capture the intensity of the war and the feel he was going for.

And boy, was he right. With its sledgehammer cinematography in its grim setting, 1917 makes for a brutally intense look at the war, as we really get into the mindsets of the two young soldiers whose journey is followed. The amount of work that went into building the sets, coordinating the massive action set pieces and making the practical effects work, all while fitting it into several long camera takes, is beyond comprehension. Adding to the film's sense of mounting tension is the absolutely brilliant, heart-pumping score by Thomas Newman - the track Sixteen Hundred Men, creating the soundscape for the most intense and emotionally powerful moment in the film, is one of the greatest pieces of music ever written for a movie. All in all, 1917 is a harrowing cinematic journey, with its technical achievements and thematic choices mixing to create an unforgettable viewing experience.

Thank you for reading! Be sure to tune in next week for the culmination of this series: my top 10 favorite movies of all time. Films from six different decades, nine different directors and ten different genres have made the cut. Stay tuned!

Top 100 Movies of All Time, Part 8 out of 10: Movies #30 - #21

Greetings, reader!

The rear end of my Top 100 countdown is slowly dawning upon us, with just 30 movies left to go. Today's post goes through movies #30 to #21. Without further ado, let's go!

30. American History X (1998)

"And I kept asking myself all the time, how did I buy into this shit? It was because I was pissed off, and nothing I ever did ever took that feeling away"

Chances are that American History X is one of the most raw and real movies you'll ever see, and thus one of the most gripping ones as well. It is the story of two brothers, the older (Edward Norton) of whom is a former skinhead who has just come back from prison, while the younger (Edward Furlong) has found his way into the same Neo-Nazi circles during his brother's absence. Throughout its gritty and rough lens, American History X offers a realistic and powerful look at redemption, learning one's way out of the cycle of hatred, and finding oneself after getting truly lost.

Director Tony Kaye's excessive use of methods like slow motion might seem over-dramatic in nearly any other movie, but with this particular subject matter and story, it feels just properly dramatic as it really puts things into scope. Headlined by extremely powerful performances by Edwards Norton & Furlong, not to mention the inspiring supporting performance by the great Avery Brooks, American History X is a deep and unforgettable modern classic.

29. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

"But you know happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light"

My love and childhood nostalgia for the Harry Potter books and their cinematic adaptations has been on display in my blog multiple times, including last week, as the very first Potter movie made it into my all-time Top 40. Oddly enough, the third instalment of the franchise is even better. In addition to the goes-without-saying elements that make every Potter film work (the impeccable cast, the whimsical soundtrack et cetera), there are many elements that make The Prisoner of Azkaban in particular stand out, and they can be tied to one common denominator: director Alfonso Cuarón. The Potter movies have had a total of four different directors, and while they all have their strengths (Chris Columbus's family-friendly style was perfect for the first two films, while David Yates's darker take fit the last ones like a glove), none of them made the Wizarding World feel quite as unique and magical as Cuarón, in the only Potter film he directed.

In The Prisoner of Azkaban, the world that J.K. Rowling envisioned comes alive in an even more vibrant fashion than the previous films, which were very vibrant to begin with. You can just sense the wonderful and magical feel of the Potter universe in every scene, with so much detail put into zany and whimsical things happening in the background to create a fantastical atmosphere. The film also has the strength that it is based on one of the better Potter books, and I'm so glad that this was the instalment that Cuarón directed, because his style is so perfect for the sense of adventurous mystery and the delicate balance of silliness and dark undertones that define The Prisoner of Azkaban. All in all, a huge childhood favorite with infinite re-watch value.

28. The Prestige (2006)

"Now you're looking for the secret...but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to work it out. You want to be fooled"

And then for a different kind of magic movie. As you may expect from a script by Christopher Nolan and his less-known but equally devious brother Jonathan, this is a film that I had to watch not one, not two, and not three but four times in order to properly understand the plot. The out-of-order narrative that we see in many Nolan films is only the tip of the iceberg here, as the real bafflement comes from the final twist that is not only mind-blowing but extremely complicated in all its implications. The film's character archs, dark themes, plot devices regarding science and illusions, and many other elements combine to make for a many-sided ending that will have you constantly scratching your head and searching for clues when you re-watch and re-re-watch the film.

Of course, you don't become the 28th-greatest movie of all time by just being complex - like any Nolan flick, The Prestige is complex in just the right way and with style. Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson and Michael Caine all provide dynamite performances while Nolan's directing keeps the atmosphere mysterious and compact throughout the film's runtime. The full-circle effect between the first and last scenes is always a nice touch in plot-driven movies and TV shows, and hardly ever has this trope been as rewarding and poetic as it is in The Prestige. Watch this film once in order to be completely baffled (like Caine's character Cutter says, "You want to be fooled"), and then watch it again and again in order to be slowly rewarded as you begin to grasp the full scope of the intricate and genius plot.

27. The Straight Story (1999)

"Even if you get that mower runnin' again, it might still break down"

"Well, you're a kind man talkin' to a stubborn man"

You know that urge that we all get from time to time, to just pack up your stuff and ride a lawnmower from Iowa to Wisconsin in order to make up with your long-estranged brother before your pass away? Well, that is exactly what 73-year-old Alvin Straight did, and this peculiar true story was bound to get a cinematic adaptation. And who was chosen to helm such a bizarre project? David Lynch, naturally.

Despite the inherent strangeness of the true story in question, Lynch didn't apply his usual methods of unconventional and cryptic directing into this film. The Straight Story is, appropriately enough when considering its title, a very straight-forward movie with a beautiful and sentimental flow to it. Parts of the film seem to tap into the very essence of Midwestern America, as there are many long scenes of Straight (played in a tour-de-force performance by Richard Farnsworth) simply talking and swapping stories with various characters he comes across during his journey. The Straight Story is a slow-paced, mellow and ultimately delightful and even tear-jerking cinematic journey, quite unlike any other.

26. The Lighthouse (2019)

"How long have we been on this rock? Five weeks? Two days? Where are we? Help me to recollect"

Robert Eggers' first feature film, The Vvitch (2015), was an above-average horror flick with a rather unique atmosphere. His second feature film, The Lighthouse, knocked it out of the park and into the realm of my all-time favorite films. Needless to say, I'm quite keen to see what the visionary mind of Mr. Eggers comes up with next.

First off, The Lighthouse is a technical marvel and a piece of cinematic art if I ever saw one. The black-and-white cinematography, the vintage 1.19:1 aspect ratio and Jarin Blaschke's overall job as director of photography make for a meticulously crafted milieu, with pretty much every shot being worthy of being framed and hung on one's wall (apart from the instances of overtly sexual and disturbing imagery, unless you're into that sort of thing). Add to this the creepiest sound design I have ever come across in a movie, and two absolutely mesmerizing lead performances by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson (easily both one's best individual performance of their career), and you have quite the cinematic gem on your hands.

But this psychological thriller isn't in my top 30 for technical reasons alone. The film's story is wonderfully interpretational, with everything left open and up for the viewer to analyze. Who exactly is the unreliable narrator, and what parts are dreamed and imagined as opposed to the ones that really happen? Is the film a realistic depiction of two men going mad in isolation, with all of the supernatural imagery being only symbolism, or is it a fantasy-horror flick where maritime lore really does play a frightening role? And what exactly is the function of the actual light at the top of the lighthouse? There are no clear and correct answers to these questions, but they will mess your brain after seeing the film and keep you intrigued and full of theories when re-watching it. Ambiguous storytelling at its finest.

25. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

"I love you"

"I know"

It's a classic and a game-changer in its own category. It's certainly one of the greatest sequels ever made. And while it's slightly edged out by the two other films of the original Star Wars trilogy in my subjective opinion, I do see why The Empire Strikes Back is often regarded as the greatest movie in this iconic sci-fi franchise.

The exciting story that began with Star Wars (1977) continues, as the tone is darker than in the first film in order to make it stand out and feel more mature, while still retaining the sense of fun and adventure that has always made Star Wars so lovable. George Lucas's imaginative storytelling and John Williams's powerful score continue to dazzle the viewer, and Irvin Kershner proves to be a worthy director for such an ambitious film. Episode V is full of iconic dialogue, unforgettable characters, fascinating settings and mind-blowing moments, to the degree that one can watch this film over and over again without ever getting sick of it. A true gem.

24. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

"It's a trap!"

Yes, the second and third instalments of the original Star Wars trilogy are so incredibly neck-to-neck in their respective greatness, that they are literally next to each other in this ranking where every movie I've ever seen is eligible. That is quite something. And while I recognize this to be the significantly less common opinion, I can't help but choose Return of the Jedi (very barely) as my favorite out of these two masterful sequels. As a story of its own, as a continuation of the Skywalker saga, and as a final chapter to one of the greatest trilogies ever told in fiction, Episode VI simply gets the job done and does so with style.

The signature atmosphere of the Star Wars world, where a dramatic scope of epic high-stakes good vs. evil power struggles is combined with a light-hearted sense of adventure and fun, is at its very best in moments such as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) receiving his lightsabre from his trusted droid R2-D2 moments before walking the plank on Jabba's (Larry Ward) slave barge, thus gloriously escaping execution at the last moment and saving his friends in the process. This legendary moment, much like many other classic scenes throughout the film, are made infinitely better by John Williams's score, which radiates pure excitement. When all is said and done, Return of the Jedi takes the original trilogy home and ends it on a high note, thus edging out the middle instalment of the trilogy, if only slightly. Films of this quality should be enjoyed together more than compared to each other, anyways. Speaking of great endings to great trilogies...

23. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

"I never cared who you were..."

"And you were right"

"...But shouldn't the people know the hero who saved them?"

"A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a young boy's shoulders to let him know that the world hasn't ended"

I know that most people see The Dark Knight (2008), the middle instalment of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy, as the franchise's ultimate high point. But I'm not most people, and for whatever reason, I've always liked the final chapter of the saga even more. I'm a huge fan of good endings, as is witnessed by the staggering amount of various franchise finales in my Top 100, and hardly any movie franchise has ended on as epic of a note as this state-of-the-art trilogy.

Hans Zimmer's relentlessly heart-pumping score, Tom Hardy's spine-chilling performance as the villain Bane and Nolan's overall intensity in his directing style make for an atmosphere that keeps you thoroughly invested and at the edge of your seat throughout the film, with the desperate high-stakes story getting more and more dire, until it all unwinds in the most amazing fashion with the film's riveting final act. Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman and Marion Cotillard all provide sublime performances, driving home the point that the Dark Knight films were less "Comic book movies" and more quality cinema than anyone could've expected. A bombastic, poetic and indeed epic ending to a terrific trilogy.

22. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

"With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it don't seem like such a bad thing to me to want to put a little bit of it back together"

I could count the films that have resonated with my worldview as much as (or more than) this film with one hand. Hacksaw Ridge is an account of the true story of Desmond T. Doss, a religious pacifist who wanted to serve in World War II after the Pearl Harbor attacks but refused to kill. After facing a nightmarish series of different forms of discrimination, Doss was finally allowed to serve as a medic who doesn't carry a gun - he then proceeded to save numerous lives in the Battle of Okinawa, becoming the first man in history to receive the Medal of Honor without firing a single shot.

Hacksaw Ridge is a tale of bravery, whether in the form of Doss standing up for what he believed in against his own army's demands, or in the form of him charging into the midst of gunfire without a weapon, putting his own life on the line time and time again in order to save as many wounded soldiers as possible. Andrew Garfield's performance as Doss is immensely moving, and the film does what all great war films should do by drawing a neat balance between not shying away from the brutality and senselessness of war and still managing to pay tribute to the bravery of the people thrust into the battlefields. Cinema is full of powerful World War II movies, but no other has touched me quite as deep as this one.

21. Do the Right Thing (1989)

"Let me tell you the story of Right Hand, Left Hand. It's a tale of good and evil. Hate: it was with this hand that Cain iced his brother. Love: these five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man. The right hand: the hand of love. The story of life is this: static. One hand is always fighting the other hand, and the left hand is kicking much ass. I mean, it looks like the right hand, Love, is finished. But hold on, stop the presses, the right hand is coming back"

Throughout his filmography, Spike Lee has looked at race relations through many different narrative devices: telling true stories of people like Malcolm X or Ron Stallworth, looking at the serious implications of racism and inequality in the world of sports or the world of jazz music, or taking these themes into grim contexts like the Vietnam War or post-9/11 New York. However, the film that has arguably spoken to people the most and stood the test of time the best, out of all the many great films Lee has done, is this comedic flick that looks at race relations through the lens of the residents of a vibrant and diverse neighborhood, trying to make it through an incredibly hot day.

This simple premise makes for the perfect framing device for the central themes of Do the Right Thing. It all takes place during the course of one day, in the midst of an exceptional summer heat wave, as the worsening weather conditions line up perfectly with the rising racial tensions on the Brooklyn street that the film follows. There are clear pre-existing tensions between the area's Italian-American, African-American, Asian-American and Latino populations, and these tensions begin to bubble and overboil as everyone is on the edge due to the unbearable hotness of the day.

Lee balances humor with seriousness in a perfect manner, as the dialogue between the zany characters make many parts of the film feel like an above-average chill summer comedy, yet the real and hard-hitting racial themes are ever-present and gripping. The film's ensemble of major characters is one of the most unique and memorable character groups in all of cinema, as unforgettable individuals like Sal (Danny Aiello), Da Mayor (Ossie Davis), Buggin Out (Giancarlo Esposito), Mister Señor Love Daddy (Samuel L. Jackson) and Mookie (Spike Lee himself) all take turns stealing the show with memorable lines and unique outlooks on life and race. An untypical masterpiece, but a masterpiece nonetheless.

Thank you for reading! Tune in next week for the second-last post of my Top 100 Movies of All Time series, as I go through movies from #20 to #11. These will include settings from World War I Europe to Broadway, IMDB ratings from a mere 6.9 to an impressive 8.7, and soundtrack masterclasses from Newman and Shore to Williams and Zimmer. See you then!

Top 100 Movies of All Time, Part 7 out of 10: Movies #40 - #31

Greetings, reader!

My Top 100 countdown is getting closer and closer to its conclusion every week, as today's post is the fourth-last one. Here are the movies from my all-time 40th-favorite all the way to my all-time 31st-favorite!

40. The Matrix (1999)

"You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes"

I have a special place in my heart for sci-fi films that are legitimately mind-bending, as such a sensation is one of the more powerful reactions a movie can cause - the feeling of truly having your brain messed with after seeing a creative and mind-blowing science fiction film is a feeling I absolutely love. And there aren't hardly any films that cause this feeling as strongly as The Matrix. This masterpiece by the Wachowski sisters is one of those very original movies that might feel clichéd to someone who has seen a lot of films from the genre, because the movie is so influential that tons of movies afterwards have tried to replicate it. The Matrix seems cliché because it is the film that created the clichés seen in 2000's sci-fi action cinema over and over again.

The movie's premise isn't just insanely creative and intriguing, but also downright frightening (especially when you consider that it technically could be happening as we speak and we'd have no way of knowing). In The Matrix, humankind has been taken over and enslaved by machines, but the machines have created a fabricated reality to simulate normal life for humans - while they are working for the machines without any free will whatsoever, the program tells them that they are living their regular lives, buying groceries and seeing friends et cetera. As the premise starts to unravel through the journey of Neo (Keanu Reeves) as he dives deep into the rabbit hole of what's really going on, the viewer's mind keeps getting blown by the film's creativity and ambition. The Matrix also has some seriously badass action sequences, choreographed and directed with perfection. With its odd but amazing mixture of philosophy, Kung fu and Keanu, The Matrix is one of the all-time greats in the realm of science fiction.

39. Pulp Fiction (1994)

"And you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with cheese in Paris?"

"They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with cheese?"

"No man, they got the metric system. They wouldn't know what the fuck a Quarter Pounder is"

"Then what do they call it?"

"They call it a Royale with cheese"

"A Royale with cheese. What do they call a Big Mac?"

"Well, a Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it Le Big Mac"

If there's one film from which I could've literally chosen any line of dialogue to represent it in this post, it's Pulp Fiction - I decided to go with the classic Big Mac conversation after long consideration, but seriously, any other quote or conversation from the film's two-and-a-half-hour runtime would've sufficed, because they're all so good. Pulp Fiction has, and I'm not exaggerating here, the best dialogue out of all the movies I've ever seen. While there are many strengths to Quentin Tarantino's magnum opus and many reasons for it being this high in my Top 100, the number one reason has to be the entertaining, timeless and simply unparalleled dialogue. Mr. Tarantino certainly has a way with words.

Apart from the wonderful conversations and the chill atmosphere they create (to a backdrop of significantly less chill violence), Pulp Fiction is quality cinema in a bizarre fashion. It has been called "The masterpiece without a message", which is a perfect description: Pulp Fiction doesn't have, doesn't try to have and doesn't need the sort of profound themes and life lessons that the very greatest movies often tend to have: it is simply an incredibly well-directed, well-acted, well-produced and immensely entertaining piece of cinema where things just sort of happen. The chemistry between main stars John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson is on par with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd in Back to the Future (1985), with these two pairings being the two greatest instances of chemistry between actors that I have ever laid my eyes upon.

38. Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991)

"Come with me if you want to live"

The king of the delicate "movie sequel that is actually better than the original" category, and the overall perfect action film. While the original Terminator (1984) is an excellent action classic that wasn't far from making it into my Top 100 as well, the sequel improved on pretty much everything. First of all, the action is even better, as James Cameron does a pitch-perfect job putting together elaborate action set pieces, exhilarating chase sequences and intense fight scenes that will keep you thrilled throughout the film's runtime. The ice-cold score by Brad Fiedel, not to mention the frequent use of the badass Guns N' Roses song You Could Be Mine in the soundtrack, make for a perfect backdrop to the many, many great action sequences of the film.

But then you have the fact that Terminator 2 is a lot more than just an action flick sequel. Whereas Arnold Schwarzenegger's T-800 character was the villain of the first film, Judgement Day sees the same Terminator model being sent back in time by the hero John Connor, in order to protect his young self against an even larger threat. The young John Connor, played by Edward Furlong, forms a connection with the Terminator that is immensely more moving than you'd expect anything to be in a film titled Terminator 2: Judgement Day. In contrast to all of the action, the film has a lot of heart, with the bond between Connor and the Terminator making for a multitude of raw yet sweet coming-of-age moments. The final scene is honestly one of the most emotionally powerful movie endings I've seen, and it has moved me to tears every time. Come for the state-of-the-art action, stay for the surprisingly touching plot.

37. The Shining (1980)

"Here's Johnny!"

Shifting gears completely, we arrive at Stanley Kubrick's infamous adaptation of Stephen King's iconic horror novel. Now, I still haven't gotten around to reading The Shining (yes, I know, I really should), so I don't really have anything to say about the controversy that the movie is apparently extremely different from its source material. When I first saw The Shining, I didn't know what to expect apart from the picture I'd gotten from the classic The Simpsons (1989-Present) episode with "The Shinning". What I watched was not a typical horror film, but a film so uniquely haunting, so dazzlingly well-acted and so artistically directed, that it ended up becoming my all-time favorite from the vast spectrum of horror cinema.

I still can't get over just how cool and genius Kubrick's way of directing horror is. Instead of relying on usual tropes like shadows and jump scares, the absolute madman created a creepy atmosphere by messing with his set design - essentially, objects in the background disappear, re-appear or are moved around in between camera shots. The regular first-time viewer doesn't actively register this, but it creates a strong feeling in their subconscious that there is simply something very wrong with the Overlook hotel. This affects some viewers more than others, which is why many call The Shining the scariest movie ever made while many others don't find it much scary at all. I myself don't find it quite as scary per se as many others from the genre, but the film's signature atmosphere is just so incredibly unsettling and disturbing that I'd definitely call Kubrick's vision a success.

Also, Jack Nicholson's performance as Jack Torrance is one of my top 3 favorite acting performances in all of cinema, so there's that.

36. BlacKKKlansman (2018)

"America First. America First. America First. America First"

Interestingly, the line quoted above is spoken in the film (and was spoken often in real life as well) by David Duke, notorious white supremacist and former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Quite a funny coincidence how the same tagline was constantly used by former President Donald J. Trump, wouldn't you say? Go figure.

Truthfully, if you really do see this as a coincidence and don't see a connection between white supremacy and the current-day Republican Party, then you desperately need to see this movie (and maybe read a few history books (watching news from an objective source is also highly recommended)). Filmmaker Spike Lee loves to shed light on important issues and flaws in our society, and he does so in an especially powerful manner with BlacKKKlansman, which I chose as the number one definitive movie of the Trump Era.

Released poignantly in the middle of Trump's presidency, the film tells a powerful true story from the 1970's but isn't exactly subtle (nor should it be) about how the same themes play out today. By the end of the film, I was flowing with tears, because it such a gripping and powerful testament on just how hurtful Trump's election win, presidency and constant defending of his fellow neo-Nazis was to people of color in the United States. A majority of the film was surprisingly fun to watch for a movie that deals with racism, because Lee's trademark humor is at full swing and the true story of a black man infiltrating the KKK is quite empowering, but the ending scene will break your heart. Thank God for people like Spike Lee, for bravely calling out the flaws in our society to a large audience and working to make the world a better place for everyone.

35. The Godfather (1972)

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli"

If Citizen Kane is the Citizen Kane of movies, then this 1972 classic truly is the Godfather of movies. Hey, analogies aren't my strong suit.

Jokes aside, watching The Godfather is for a movie buff like reading Shakespeare's most classic plays is for a literature nerd (Trust me, I've experienced both sensations and the similarity is striking). What I mean by this is that The Godfather has changed the game so much and influenced so many films and filmmakers, that the viewer will sit in awe of just how historical of a film they're watching. The character archetypes and their dramatic relations to one another, Francis Ford Coppola's directorial decisions and overall atmosphere, and the extremely quotable dialogue are something that incredibly many filmmakers strive towards or at least take notes from in their work, and it feels quite magical to watch something so deeply stooped in cinematic history.

Apart from the film's value as a game-changer in cinema history, it's just a damn good movie. There's good reason for The Godfather being the film that is always thrown into conversations and jokes as the archetypical example of a perfect film (How many times have you heard phrases like "It isn't exactly The Godfather"?). The 3-hour mafia epic really is quite flawless, from its perfectly paced script to its vastly talented ensemble cast. What really makes the film stand out for me is just how incredibly classy it feels - Nino Rota's score, the impeccable costume design and the slow-paced and dialogue-oriented narrative ooze an untouchable sort of elegance.

Also, remember how I said that Nicholson in The Shining is one of my Top 3 acting performances in cinema? Well, Al Pacino's role as Michael Corleone in this film and its sequels is literally #1 on that list.

34. 13th (2016)

"We knew we couldn't make it illegal to be either against the war or black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and blacks with heroin, and then criminalizing both heavily, we could disrupt those communities, we could arrest their leaders, raid their homes, break up their meetings, and vilify them night after night on the evening news. Did we know we were lying about the drugs? Of course we did"

This admission, spoken by no less than John Ehrlichman, former advisor to the Nixon administration, speaks to just how powerful of a documentary 13th is. There's no hearsay, no assumptions, no over-dramatization: the film uses cold and hard facts to expose the extreme degrees of racism in the history of the U.S., and the shapes they still take in the country's systems today.

If you're having trouble understanding systemic racism as a concept, this film will explain it in an accessible, no-nonsense manner. If you're not sure about who to believe in the current debates over the grasp of racism in our societies and where the blame lies, this film will likely give you some answers. Overall, 13th is a documentary that more or less everyone could benefit from watching, as it exposes many of our societal flaws in a thorough and overall shocking but important manner. Definitely one of the most powerful films I've seen, and one of the best-made documentaries I've witnessed.

33. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

"What makes you think she's a witch?"

"She turned me into a newt!"

"A newt?"

"...I got better"

When people think of powerful movies, their minds most likely go to films like Schindler's List (1993) or 12 Years a Slave (2013), that will leave you in shambles about just how fucked up our world can be. But it also works the other way - one of the most powerful things a film can do is make one laugh, thus bringing light and joy into the aforementioned fucked-up world. And no film makes one laugh quite as much as Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I have watched this film time and time again, and each time it has had me rolling in laughter from scene to scene. The bizarre, lovable and extremely British humor of the Monty Python comedy troupe is at its absolute best in this untouchable comedy classic, that has stood the test of time and continues to cause fits of hysteria to this day.

There is no doubt in my mind that this is the funniest film I've ever seen. Running gags like the random mixture of modern-day policemen into the medieval setting and the invisible horses that everyone gallops on due to budget constraints, unforgettable characters like the Black Knight (John Cleese) and the Bridgekeeper (Terry Gilliam), and insanely funny jokes like the escalation of the opening credits and the whole thing with the killer rabbit and the Holy Hand Grenade, are examples of a whole next level in the realm of comedy. The scene where the King of Swamp Castle (Michael Palin) tries to instruct his guards (Eric Idle and John Cleese) to guard Prince Herbert (Terry Jones) but they continuously misunderstand his orders, is in my opinion the single funniest scene I have witnessed in movies or television. If you're looking for a good laugh, you can't do any better than this film.

32. Gandhi (1982)

"When I despair, I remember that the way of truth and love has always won. There may be tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it: always"

Directed by the steady hand of Richard Attenborough and headlined by a sublime Ben Kingsley performance, this biopic of Mahatma Gandhi didn't win eight Academy Awards for nothing. A story like Gandhi's is a real dream scenario for any filmmaker making a biopic, as the real events were so powerful and dramatic that there was no need for the over-dramatization and fact-jumbling that we often see in such films. The movie tells Gandhi's story as it happened, from the racial discrimination he faced as a young lawyer all the way to the incredible pacifist movement he spearheaded against British rule in India, and later in the name of unity between India and Pakistan.

In its 3-hour runtime, Gandhi features though-provoking dialogue on oppression and equality, faith and religious freedom, nonviolence and many other important topics, always with a strong undertone of optimism and hope. The film's score, composed by legendary Indian musician Ravi Shankar, lifts many of the scenes to further greatness as it combines many exotic and unique aspects of traditional Indian music with certain conventions of Hollywood soundtracks. All in all, Gandhi is an emotional powerhouse of a film, detailing an incredible true story that deserves to be told time and time again.

31. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies - but a great deal more to stand up to your friends"

I remember watching the first 15 minutes or so of this film as a very small child, before my parents had allowed me to read the books or watch the movies, as a sort of teaser - my older brother was watching the film with my Mom, and I was allowed to tag along for the few first scenes before going to sleep. After my time was up, I snuck up behind the stairs and secretly watched about another half an hour or so before my Mom busted me and sent me to bed. I just couldn't get the film's feeling of magic and mystery out of my head. Some time later, I think when I turned 7 years old, I was finally allowed to read the first Harry Potter book, and I read the whole damn thing through in two days, after which I repeated the same but in English. Then, I was finally allowed to see the movie as well, and it fulfilled all of my expectations.

Book-to-movie adaptations don't get any better than this. Of course, many of the book's parts are omitted and the cinematic adaptation can't quite reach the same level in all aspects as can be expected from a whole different medium. But the film adaptation's first and foremost job was to make it possible to experience Harry's journey on the big screen, with actors matching their literary characters and visuals matching J.K. Rowling's zany descriptions, thus bringing to life the feel and atmosphere of the books. And this is 100 per cent what director Chris Columbus (not to be confused with Christopher Columbus, who was less "Let's adapt this popular children's book into a series of fantastic movies!" and more "Let's slaughter these Natives and steal their land!") accomplished.

I'm getting all nostalgic and emotional just thinking about how insanely well John Williams's score and the film's set design and visual effects fit the atmosphere of Rowling's novels. The magical locations look just like they should, and don't even get me started on the casting. Dame Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall? Just right. John Hurt as Mr. Ollivander? Perfection. Richard Harris as Dumbledore? Unreal. Young talents such as Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as the main trio of Harry, Ron and Hermione? Absolutely visionary. In addition to being a nostalgic childhood favorite, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a textbook example on how one should make a cinematic adaptation of a novel, as it thoroughly understands its source material and captures its essence with magnificence.

Thank you for reading! Tune in next Thursday as I dive right into the top 30, all the way to the 21st place. Next week's selection of ten films includes a childhood favorite, a movie I had to watch four times in order to understand it, a movie that only features two actors, and two films from the same franchise. Stay tuned!