My Top 100 Films of All Time: Part 5, 60-51

Part of: Ross Miller's Top 100

60. The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960)

Anyone out there who doesn't like Jack Lemmon in this film is simply inhuman. He is one of the most likeable, charming, endearing characters I have ever seen in a film. Yet again it was one of those "classic" films that I didn't see until fairly recently and I am infinitely glad I took the time out to watch it. This is a film that I go back to whenever I feel down, it always puts a smile on my face.

59. The Matrix (The Wachowski Brothers, 1999)

The film that pushed special effects to the next level, this is still as astounding to watch as it was almost ten years ago. Yes, Keanu Reeves isn't the greatest of actors but despite him being the main character it's the action and visuals that take precedence over everything else. Some may say that's a bad thing but I would disagree, at least in this case. Sci-fi was never the same again after this, but this will be one of the examples of the genre, one that I will continue to go back to time and time again.

58. True Romance (Tony Scott, 1993)

My utter love for this film stems from my liking for its writer, Quentin Tarantino, and its director. Even though Tarantino was only the writer it still feels a lot like one of his films, which in my books is only a positive thing. Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette are compelling protagonists and supporting actors like Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper are just added bonuses. Oh, and look out for an early performance from one Brad Pitt as a stoner.

57. Dumb & Dumber (Peter Farrelly, 1994)

Probably the ultimate example of a film on this list that is purely on here because of my love and enjoyment of it and not necessarily because of its quality. This is about the only comedy that I can go back to again and again and I still laugh my ass off. I know it's immature, I know it's juvenile, and I know it's just plain dumb but isn't that what it's supposed to be?

56. American History X (Tony Kaye, 1998)

Edward Norton is a phenomenal actor. You just need to look at this film to see evidence of that. He delivers one of cinema's all-time greatest performances; I am still in sheer awe of him every single time I watch this and it's one of the main reasons I love the film so much. Outside of Norton this is powerful stuff, and an especially impressive debut from Tony Kaye. And a true example of tackling a sensitive subject with the correct balance of boldness and restraint.

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Article Author: Ross Miller

I am a film critic and blogger, and have been so since late 2007, going from starting my own movie review website, Movie World (which is still running), and then moving on to writing for various movie blogs.

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