I was asked last nite by a friend what I though the five greatest films of all time are. The question is a classic one, & I couldnt stop thinking about it today, so here is my top sixteen (why sixteen? ive no idea):

1. À bout de souffle (Breathless) – 1960

Jean-Luc Goddard’s about a young Parisian idolizing Humphrey Bogart & hiding from the police after murdering an officer is 87 minutes of character building & existential questioning usually reserved for pages of Dostoevsky. A pure triumph in every sense.

2.Chinatown – 1974

The mystery & layering psychological dilemmas in Polanski’s masterpiece, compounded with flawless performances by Nicholson & Dunaway make every moment of the film gripping, using its noir roots perfectly. A beautiful ending, as well.

3. Casablanca – 1942

The electricity between Bogart & Bergman makes this easily the greatest romance ever filmed. Beautifully filmed scenes & terrific dialogue give the film more iconic moments than any other movie, too.

4. The Graduate - 1967

Absolutely hilarious & a compelling coming of age tell, too. & who doesnt love that soundtrack?

5. Vertigo – 1958

Hitchcock here creates the greatest thriller of all time. Terrific James Stewart performance, as well. Why this movie wasnt praised upon its release is anyone’s guess.

6. Ladri biciclette (Bicycle Thieves) – 1948

De Sica’s neorealist film captures the image of poverty perfectly, helped greatly by the casting of Lamberto Maggiorani – at the time an actual factory worker. Absolutely brilliant.

7. Ordinary People – 1980

The directorial debut of Robert Redford did something rarely done – not show psychiatry in a terrible light. As a family recovers from the death of one son & the subsequent suicide attempt of the other one, a stirring & beautiful image of the strength of family is created. Terrific performances thruout.

8. Double Indemnity – 1944

I love film noir, & this adaptation of the James Cain novella is the best, by far. Flawless cinematography.

9. Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma – Salo, or the 120 Days of Sodom - 1975

The most disturbing film ever created, bar none. Pasolini’s changing the story of the Marquis de Sade’s libertine classic to fascist Italy gives the endless scenes of horrifying sexual acts of violence a compelling social spin. Banning this film is more dangerous than ignoring its power.

10. Sholay – 1975

Bollywood at its most extravagant. The overblown spectacle is visually stunning.

11. The Godfather – 1972

Dont worry, I wouldnt leave this one out. Impeccably directed by Coppola. Brando & Pacino’s characters are rightfully put on pedestals in American culture. Just dont forget the cannoli.

12. Office Space - 1999

Being perhaps the funniest movie ever made makes it easy to forget that its also a perfect satire of the dull working world in the endless landscape of cubicles.

13. 2001: A Space Odyssey – 1968

The Zarathustra opening is only way to begin a film of this grand of a scale. The greatest sci-fi effort, ever, as well as arguably the greatest villain in HAL. Every scene in the epic is absolutely beautiful.

14. Annie Hall – 1977

Bergman-esque isnt usually a term given to rom-coms, but Woody Allen’s use of the motif of childhood is perfectly placed & thought out.

15. The African Queen – 1951

Bogart & Hepburn give the performances of their respective careers to make this gin-soaked drama in the African jungle a classic. I feel like on that boat with the two of them every time I see it.

16. Being There – 1979

Not enough can be said about the constant barrage of terrific scenes in this movie, best of all being the infamous bear rug scene. Its too funny to spoil, tho. An absolutely mind-blowing ending, too. Released shortly before Peter Seller’s death gives the film some added mystique.

The ones that just missed the cut:

The Wizard of Oz, Star Wars, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Броненосец Потёмкин(The Battleship Potemkin), Hiroshima Mon Amour, Papillion, 8 1/2