Exciting movies I've seen
These are basically any films which are thrilling in nature (Action, thriller, war etc.) ranked with a short review each. Enjoy!
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- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsMartin SheenMarlon BrandoRobert DuvallA U.S. Army officer serving in Vietnam is tasked with assassinating a renegade Special Forces Colonel who sees himself as a god.Haunting, horrifying and truly insane, this is mad, audacious filmmaking of the best kind which takes you right into its story and never lets you go. Jaws will drop.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneTakashi ShimuraKeiko TsushimaFarmers from a village exploited by bandits hire a veteran samurai for protection, who gathers six other samurai to join him.With its great characters, amazing direction and superb story, this is a mind blowing piece of art and the best foreign language film of all time.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKaren AllenPaul FreemanIn 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.One of my favourite ever movies, this is exhilarating, enthralling, perfectly paced and wonderfully executed adventure heaven, which is more thrilling than a roller coaster and one of the most rewatchable films ever.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroVal KilmerA group of high-end professional thieves start to feel the heat from the LAPD when they unknowingly leave a verbal clue at their latest heist.Deeply human, ferociously intense and utterly compelling, this virtually flawless crime drama is a powerful, thrilling character study. If you looked up 'masterpiece' in a dictionary you'd find this film under it. Despite all of those positives, the most jaw dropping part of the film isn't a shootout. It's De Niro and Pacino having coffee.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsTatsuya NakadaiAkira TeraoJinpachi NezuIn Medieval Japan, an elderly warlord retires, handing over his empire to his three sons. However, he vastly underestimates how the new-found power will corrupt them and cause them to turn on each other...and him.Not so much an epic as an epic, haunting, magnificent work of art outshining everything else in the national art gallery, this turns its source material into a sober, haunting and powerful meditation on loyalty and chaos complete with brilliant acting and amazing battle scenes.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsIsabella RosselliniKyle MacLachlanDennis HopperThe discovery of a severed human ear found in a field leads a young man on an investigation related to a beautiful, mysterious nightclub singer and a group of psychopathic criminals who have kidnapped her child.The most terrifying film ever- ever- makes every single other horror film ever made look like an episode of Thomas the Tank Engine in comparison. David Lynch's perfect direction, Dennis Hopper's terrifying performance and a frightfully chilling screenplay make this the real definition of cinematic fear.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsGuy PearceCarrie-Anne MossJoe PantolianoA man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife's murderer.Memorable, monumental and masterful, this incredible film is confusing but unlike certain other films (Donnie Darko I'm looking at you) this is a powerful and relentlessly thrilling movie which will thrill and move its audience.
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisAlan RickmanBonnie BedeliaA New York City police officer tries to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.The perfect action film. In other words, the perfect combo of amazing set pieces, great direction, a smart script, claustrophobia, a great hero, an even better villain, humour and genuine character. 26 years on it hasn't aged at all.
- DirectorCarol ReedStarsOrson WellesJoseph CottenAlida ValliPulp novelist Holly Martins travels to shadowy, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime.With its amazing music, flawless acting, stunning direction, jaw dropping cinematography and great script, this is a British gem that has to be seen to be believed.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsChoi Min-sikYoo Ji-taeKang Hye-jeongAfter being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days.Oldboy is a devastating, pulse pounding revenge movie that defies every convention, strips the depths of emotion bare, traps its enthralled, riveted audience into a beautifully bleak nightmare and also shows how to eat a live octopus.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMatt DamonTom SizemoreFollowing the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.Again, a bit too long, but Spielberg creates some of the most harrowing and terrifying battle sequences ever filmed and also creates a moving, sobering story with great acting. How could it have been more intense? Only if we were actually there. Should have won best picture 1998.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsClint EastwoodEli WallachLee Van CleefA bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery.Not wasting a moment of its huge length, this is complex, thrilling and spellbinding cinema with the best soundtrack of all time, a great storyline and stunning direction. One of the few movies of Netflix you absolutely have to see.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantEva Marie SaintJames MasonA New York City advertising executive goes on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and falls for a woman whose loyalties he begins to doubt.Another masterpiece from Alfred Hitchcock, this is a first rate thriller which gets pretty much everything right in a way few other adventure movies have.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartGrace KellyWendell CoreyA wheelchair-bound photographer spies on his neighbors from his Greenwich Village courtyard apartment window and, despite the skepticism of his fashion-model girlfriend, becomes convinced one of them has committed murder.This film shows off edge of the seat suspense, a compelling mystery, great dialogue and some excellent acting and it only takes place in one room!
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsNaomi WattsLaura HarringJustin TherouxAfter a car wreck on Mulholland Drive renders a woman amnesiac, she and a Hollywood-hopeful search for clues and answers across Los Angeles in a twisting venture beyond dreams and reality.A maddeningly brilliant cinematic mystery which justifies confusing its audience and driving them insane through a brilliant story filled with thought-provoking themes, mesmerizing visuals and a serious emotional core. If this movie was linear with a coherent plot it'd be a brilliant drama about Hollywood, but it's better not knowing and having the spell this movie casts ruined with explanations.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsDaniel CraigJavier BardemNaomie HarrisJames Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her past comes back to haunt her. When MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.The best Bond movie ever. Forget Casino Royale, this is perfect. Combining the modern day action film with the James Bond action film with ease, and featuring endless entertainment and surprise emotional power, this is one film where there literally isn't a dull moment. And it's 2 and a half hours long.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordKate CapshawKe Huy QuanIn 1935, Indiana Jones is tasked by Indian villagers with reclaiming a rock stolen from them by a secret cult beneath the catacombs of an ancient palace.It may be overly dark but in terms of nail biting thrills, fun characters and great sets it can't really be beat and it's got more speed and thrill than the mine carts racing through the mine in one of cinema's best chase scenes.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsChow Yun-FatTony Leung Chiu-waiTeresa MoA tough-as-nails cop teams up with an undercover agent to shut down a sinister mobster and his crew.Endless, adrenaline fuelled insanity and jaw dropping set pieces that have to be seen to be believed leave nearly every other action movie ever made lying in the mud.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsMorgan FreemanBrad PittKevin SpaceyTwo detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his motives.Visually stunning, emotionally devastating and ultimately unforgettable, this is the murder mystery to rule them all and is a harrowing journey into the abyss you'll never forget. A masterpiece.
- DirectorMike HodgesStarsMichael CaineIan HendryBritt EklandWhen his brother dies under mysterious circumstances in a car accident, London gangster Jack Carter travels to Newcastle to investigate.This amazing British thriller is a relentlessly gritty, hauntingly bleak and utterly captivating masterpiece with Michael Caine giving one of the best performances in film history. With its bleak portrayal of Newcastle you'll never look at Geordie Shore the same way again, but it's a near unbeatable example of how to make a depressing movie thrilling.
- DirectorYimou ZhangStarsJet LiTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungA defense officer, Nameless, was summoned by the King of Qin regarding his success of terminating three warriors.With emotion, character, thrills and visual splendour in every frame, Hero is a masterful work of art to rival Van Gough.
- DirectorGeorge MillerStarsTom HardyCharlize TheronNicholas HoultIn a post-apocalyptic wasteland, a woman rebels against a tyrannical ruler in search for her homeland with the aid of a group of female prisoners, a psychotic worshiper and a drifter named Max.A mind blowing atom bomb of an action movie complete with jaw dropping action scenes, brilliant visuals and superb production design, yet also a well told and feminist post apocalyptic drama. This kind of thing should win Best Picture, not all of those tedious Oscar baiting dramas.
- DirectorPeter WeirStarsHarrison FordKelly McGillisLukas HaasWhile protecting an Amish boy - who is the sole witness to a brutal murder - and his mother, a detective is forced to seek refuge within their community when his own life is threatened.With Harrison Ford in a surprisingly effective dramatic role and an interesting fish out of water premise combined with tense thrills this underrated thriller is both moving and thrilling.
- DirectorFrank MillerQuentin TarantinoRobert RodriguezStarsMickey RourkeClive OwenBruce WillisAn exploration of the dark and miserable Basin City and three of its residents, all of whom are caught up in violent corruption.An explosion of amazing style with unexpected substance and brilliant acting, Sin City brings Frank Miller's comic book world to visually awe inspiring life and never loses its grip.
- DirectorJan de BontStarsKeanu ReevesDennis HopperSandra BullockA young police officer must prevent a bomb exploding aboard a city bus by keeping its speed above 50 mph.This film is so much fun it's almost absurd. It's one of the best action movies of the 90s and a joy to watch. Although some may feel it's just 3 action sequences stuck together, it's 3 brilliant action sequences stuck together. Likable characters but no unnecessary backstories, no sentimentality. Just pure fun.
- DirectorFritz LangStarsPeter LorreEllen WidmannInge LandgutWhen the police in a German city are unable to catch a child-murderer, other criminals join in the manhunt.I have never seen a more ferociously chilling and masterful detective movie before, nor one with such interesting social commentary and brilliant visuals. M is for masterpiece.
- DirectorGuy HamiltonStarsSean ConneryGert FröbeHonor BlackmanWhile investigating a gold magnate's smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve.The best of the classic Bond movies and the one which introduced the formula we know and love. It's still the best example, and it is simply some of the best escapism one can have.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsHarvey KeitelTim RothMichael MadsenWhen a simple jewelry heist goes horribly wrong, the surviving criminals begin to suspect that one of them is a police informant.With more energy than a powerhouse, this is a riveting, ferociously tense drama filled with some of the best dialogue ever written.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsTommy Lee JonesJavier BardemJosh BrolinViolence and mayhem ensue after a hunter stumbles upon the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and over two million dollars in cash near the Rio Grande.Not all best picture winners deserve the prize, but this certainly did. This combination of thought provoking themes and a palm sweating cat and mouse chase will thrill, provoke thought and make its audience terrified of bowl cuts, coin tosses and motels in the best motel set scenes since Psycho.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.A subtle, powerful and strangely beautiful explosion of art-house action which speaks volumes with its minimalist script and triumphs as a work of modern art.
- DirectorEdward ZwickStarsMatthew BroderickDenzel WashingtonCary ElwesRobert Gould Shaw leads the U.S. Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices from both his own Union Army, and the Confederates.The outstanding performances, sublime script and wonderful production values combine in a thrilling and moving historical epic that will thrill, move and blow away its audience.
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsBen AffleckBryan CranstonJohn GoodmanActing under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1979.It seems to have faced some backlash for its best picture win, but what was going to win? Zero Dark Thirty? This brilliantly directed and splendidly written thriller is so tense it's more stressful than rush hour on the tube, but more importantly it's got a script crackling with dark humour and developed characters.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsDennis WeaverJacqueline ScottEddie FirestoneA business commuter is pursued and terrorized by the malevolent driver of a massive tractor-trailer.Truly astonishing. The best TV movie ever made. Hands down. Delightfully ambiguous, wonderfully tense and brilliantly directed, this will do for driving what Jaws did for swimming.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsJames StewartKim NovakBarbara Bel GeddesA former San Francisco police detective juggles wrestling with his personal demons and becoming obsessed with the hauntingly beautiful woman he has been hired to trail, who may be deeply disturbed.It's not the greatest movie ever made but it's an excellent film. A brilliantly acted and visually striking masterwork which is less a film, more a terrifying drop ride into obsession, fear and multi-coloured spirals.
- DirectorTerence YoungStarsSean ConneryRobert ShawLotte LenyaJames Bond willingly falls into an assassination plot involving a naive Russian beauty in order to retrieve a Soviet encryption device that was stolen by the organization Spectre.One of the very best 007 films, this is an electrifying cold war thriller with a very interesting plot, memorable characters and suspenseful action. Utterly thrilling and Sean Connery simply is the best.
- DirectorLewis GilbertStarsRoger MooreBarbara BachCurd JürgensJames Bond investigates the hijacking of British and Russian submarines carrying nuclear warheads, with the help of a K.G.B. agent whose lover he killed.While the Roger Moore era was pretty weak, this is big dumb and fun escapism so entertaining it's almost surreal. While it's totally silly, the amazing (everything) make this a joy to watch.
- DirectorDavid LynchStarsBill PullmanPatricia ArquetteJohn RoseliusAnonymous videotapes presage a musician's murder conviction, and a gangster's girlfriend leads a mechanic astray.I don't care what anyone says. I love this mind-bending Rubix Cube of a movie. I doubt David Lynch will ever reveal the answer to this cinematic puzzle, but it's a brilliantly made mystery you'll always be happy to try and unravel.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsFarley GrangerRobert WalkerRuth RomanA psychopathic man tries to forcibly persuade a tennis star to agree to his theory that two strangers can get away with murder by submitting to his plan to kill the other's most-hated person.Chilling, suspenseful and visually stunning, this is yet another must see movie from Alfred Hitchcock. Utterly brilliant.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsTom CruiseJamie FoxxJada Pinkett SmithA cab driver finds himself the hostage of an engaging contract killer as he makes his rounds from hit to hit during one night in Los Angeles.A hauntingly brilliant action thriller which is another effortless fusion of emotion and action from Michael Mann.
- DirectorChristopher NolanStarsFionn WhiteheadBarry KeoghanMark RylanceAllied soldiers from Belgium, the British Commonwealth and Empire, and France are surrounded by the German Army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.As a purely cinematic experience, as a tribute to heroism and as a terrifying war epic, it's a masterpiece. The lack of character development only improves the film instead of weakening it as some have claimed. Also, Harry Styles is very good in it. Who saw that coming?
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMachiko KyôMasayuki MoriThe rape of a bride and the murder of her samurai husband are recalled from the perspectives of a bandit, the bride, the samurai's ghost and a woodcutter.Although it can be repetitive, incredible acting, innovative structure and Akira Kurosawa's great direction make this a well crafted and deep masterwork.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneEijirô TônoTatsuya NakadaiA crafty ronin comes to a town divided by two criminal gangs and decides to play them against each other to free the town.An endlessly cool movie despite being over 50 years old, this sees Kurosawa on amazing form as always and it's no surprise so many other directors wanted to copy this movie, even if the finale is a little too short.
- DirectorBen AffleckStarsMorgan FreemanEd HarrisCasey AffleckTwo Boston area detectives investigate a little girl's kidnapping, which ultimately turns into a crisis both professionally and personally.Sobering and achingly suspenseful, this fascinating thriller is a brilliant directional debut and excuses all of Ben Affleck's past mistakes.
- DirectorGareth EvansStarsIko UwaisYayan RuhianArifin PutraOnly a short time after the first raid, Rama goes undercover with the thugs of Jakarta and plans to bring down the syndicate and uncover the corruption within his police force.An intense, mind blowing thrill ride with the subtlety of a car smashing through a wall, it is overlong but it stands tall as one of the best action movies of all time.
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsPierce BrosnanSean BeanIzabella ScorupcoWhen a powerful secret defense system is stolen, James Bond is assigned to stop a Russian crime syndicate from using it.This fantastic Bond film brings Bond into the modern era with swagger and style, and the result is yet another ridiculously enjoyable movie which provides ace escapism.
- DirectorDenis VilleneuveStarsHugh JackmanJake GyllenhaalViola DavisWhen Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts.Although it's a bit overlong, this ferociously tense and deeply haunting movie was criminally overlooked and if you want to be on the edge of your seat for 2 and a half hours, watch this film.
- DirectorAndrew DavisStarsHarrison FordTommy Lee JonesSela WardDr. Richard Kimble, unjustly accused of murdering his wife, must find the real killer while being the target of a nationwide manhunt led by a seasoned U.S. Marshal.The rare action movie that gets nominated for best picture, this is an intense, relentless and genuinely thrilling knockout with top performances and memorable set pieces.
- DirectorGuillaume CanetStarsFrançois CluzetMarie-Josée CrozeAndré DussollierAn accidental discovery near a doctor's estate stirs up some painful memories eight years after his wife's hideous murder, and now, things are bound to take a turn for the unexpected. Does the good doctor know more than he's letting on?An underappreciated and masterful French thriller which combines emotional depth and realistic, suspenseful action scenes to great effect. Tell everyone about this movie.
- DirectorOtto PremingerRouben MamoulianStarsGene TierneyDana AndrewsClifton WebbA police detective falls in love with the woman whose murder he is investigating.Wonderfully written, twisty and overall super smart, this is a hugely entertaining and unpredictable noir which emphasizes why film noir was so popular.
- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsTom HanksBarkhad AbdiBarkhad AbdirahmanThe true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the U.S.-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years.Although the pace drops a little during the middle, this is a truly fantastic movie and a smart showcase for Paul Greengrass' brilliant use of handheld cameras and Tom Hanks' flawless acting.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsRussell CroweJoaquin PhoenixConnie NielsenA former Roman General sets out to exact vengeance against the corrupt emperor who murdered his family and sent him into slavery.Like most historical films it's too long but the great action, convincing performances, powerful storyline and skilled direction make this probably the coolest history lesson of all time.
- DirectorTony ScottStarsDenzel WashingtonChris PineRosario DawsonWith an unmanned, half-mile-long freight train barreling toward a city, a veteran engineer and a young conductor race against the clock to prevent a catastrophe.Powering along like the train in the centre of its story, this perfect slice of popcorn entertainment is some of the most fun you can have in 98 minutes.
- DirectorLen WisemanStarsBruce WillisJustin LongTimothy OlyphantJohn McClane and a young hacker join forces to take down master cyber-terrorist Thomas Gabriel in Washington D.C.Although this got a lot of backlash, it's an extremely enjoyable movie which is bigger than the others and features some great characters and stunts, although it does sometimes feel like a superhero movie (not in a good way).
- DirectorJohn McTiernanStarsBruce WillisJeremy IronsSamuel L. JacksonJohn McClane and a Harlem store owner are targeted by German terrorist Simon in New York City, where he plans to rob the Federal Reserve Building.At times it feels more like a game of Simon Says than a film, but it's still endlessly fun and full of humour, and Samuel L Jackson steals the show.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsWoody HarrelsonJuliette LewisTom SizemoreTwo victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.Over-the-top and frenzied, this is arguably flawed in some ways but its twisted, insane nature only makes it even more effective and psychologically complex. A ferociously intense classic that speaks an unmistakable truth.
- DirectorJohn GuillerminStarsPeter UstinovMia FarrowSimon MacCorkindaleAs Hercule Poirot enjoys a luxurious cruise down the Nile, a newlywed heiress is found murdered on board. Can Poirot identify the killer before the ship reaches the end of its journey?Like many things it's a bit too long, but this all star, vastly entertaining murder mystery is one of the most fun detective movies ever made.
- DirectorBryan SingerStarsKevin SpaceyGabriel ByrneChazz PalminteriThe sole survivor of a pier shoot-out tells the story of how a notorious criminal influenced the events that began with five criminals meeting in a seemingly random police lineup.It's a bit hollow, but it's one of the smartest films you'll ever see and has the best rug pull in movie history. You'll never see it coming.
- DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsLeonardo DiCaprioTom HardyWill PoulterA frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.Certainly not a cheerful or easy watch, but as a devastating, utterly harrowing and visually stunning survival story featuring a brilliant performance from Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant is a triumph.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsJeff BridgesMatt DamonHailee SteinfeldA stubborn teenager enlists the help of a tough U.S. Marshal to track down her father's murderer.The movie could have been better paced, but it's a visually stunning and entertaining Western with Jeff Bridges redeeming himself after Tron Legacy and rare good Matt Damon and child actor performances.
- DirectorJoseph SargentStarsWalter MatthauRobert ShawMartin BalsamFour armed men hijack a New York City subway car and demand a ransom for the passengers. The city's police are faced with a conundrum: Even if it's paid, how could they get away?Far better than the remake, this light but also genuinely tense thriller is an under seen 70s gem and a palm sweating, completely enjoyable movie.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsRay MillandGrace KellyRobert CummingsA former tennis star arranges the murder of his adulterous wife.It's not Hitchcock's most well known film, but it's an excellent, intelligently minimalistic and effective mystery thriller which, as usual, has some palm sweating suspense.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsCary GrantIngrid BergmanClaude RainsThe daughter of a convicted German spy is asked by American agents to gather information on a ring of German scientists in South America. How far will she have to go to ingratiate herself with them?Another triumph for the master of suspense, this showcases some of Hitchcock's most interesting direction and is full of fine performances and great writing.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsHarrison FordSean ConneryAlison DoodyIn 1938, after his father goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones finds himself up against the Nazis again to stop them from obtaining its powers.Although the last 20 minutes dissolve into anti-climax and silliness, this is yet another ridiculously fun blockbuster with enough entertainment to blow most modern action movies out of the water.
- DirectorMartin CampbellStarsDaniel CraigEva GreenJudi DenchAfter earning a licence to kill, secret agent James Bond sets out on his first mission as 007. Bond must defeat a private banker funding terrorists in a high-stakes game of poker at Casino Royale, in Montenegro.It's too long and sometimes needs to realize there's a difference between James Bond and Jason Bourne, but it's explosive, gritty and more importantly human, and this class thrill ride, with more ace than a pack of cards, is what we needed after Die Another Day.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsBrad PittEdward NortonMeat LoafAn insomniac office worker and a devil-may-care soap maker form an underground fight club that evolves into much more.With an incredible screenplay, amazing direction and deft performances, Fight Club is a truly incredible movie, and however you interpret it, it's a masterpiece. How did this not get nominated for best picture?!
- DirectorRon HowardStarsDaniel BrühlChris HemsworthOlivia WildeThe merciless 1970s rivalry between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda.Despite it's occasional detours into generic territory, the amazing racing sequences and powerfully written, well acted screenplay add up to an excellent sports movie where you don't need to like F1 to enjoy it.
- DirectorGareth EvansStarsIko UwaisAnanda GeorgeRay SahetapyA S.W.A.T. team becomes trapped in a tenement run by a ruthless mobster and his army of killers and thugs.Watching this film is like being in the hammer fight scene from Oldboy, and after a while it becomes overwhelming. It's a 90 minute action scene (Literally) but it's one of the most thrilling of the 21st century, and it leaves other modern action flicks (The Expendables anyone?) in the dust.
- DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsHarrison FordGary OldmanGlenn CloseCommunist radicals hijack Air Force One with the U.S. President and his family on board. The Vice President negotiates from Washington D.C., while the President, a veteran, fights to rescue the hostages on board.Air Force One may be preposterous but it takes off and soars thanks to its thrilling and delightful mix of great acting, claustrophobic fight scenes and sky high mayhem.
- DirectorTom TykwerStarsFranka PotenteMoritz BleibtreuHerbert KnaupAfter a botched money delivery, Lola has 20 minutes to come up with 100,000 Deutschmarks.It may be more a running montage than a film, but it's visually stunning, vastly enjoyable and manages to find humanity within the thrills.
- DirectorTerrence MalickStarsJim CaviezelSean PennNick NolteAdaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during the second World War.It has its wanderings and aimless moments, but this mixture of nature photography which would make the national geographic channel green with envy and intense war sequences is one of the greatest war poems (in cinematic form) of all time.
- DirectorLewis GilbertStarsSean ConneryAkiko WakabayashiMie HamaJames Bond and the Japanese Secret Service must find and stop the true culprit of a series of space hijackings, before war is provoked between Russia and the United States.It hints for the first time the absurdity to come in later movies, but messy story aside YOLT is a kinetic, energetic and delightful Bond outing with the first- and still the best- evil lair.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsDaniel Day-LewisMadeleine StoweRussell MeansThree trappers protect the daughters of a British Colonel in the midst of the French and Indian War.A blazing war movie led by commanding direction from Michael Mann and a strong Daniel Day Lewis performance which transports viewers right into the action, although it's not as impressive as Heat.
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsMel GibsonSophie MarceauPatrick McGoohanScottish warrior William Wallace leads his countrymen in a rebellion to free his homeland from the tyranny of King Edward I of England.It certainly wasn't made by historians and follows the best picture guidebook (Historical, too long, indulgent, it has to be emotional, it can't be the best movie of the year) with great enthusiasm but it's brilliantly made and does affect you on an emotional level. A silly movie, but don't let that make you forget it's also a very good one.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsMatthew ModineR. Lee ErmeyVincent D'OnofrioA pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the Vietnam War has on his fellow recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting in Hue.The first half is perfection and when we get to the actual war it's virtually a relief. Although the later scenes lack the power of the earlier ones, it still has some awesome improvisation, suspenseful moments, and cinema's greatest insults.
- DirectorJustin LinStarsVin DieselPaul WalkerDwayne JohnsonDominic Toretto and his crew of street racers plan a massive heist to buy their freedom while in the sights of a powerful Brazilian drug lord and a dangerous federal agent.Far better than it had any right to be, this is action at its most thrilling, likable, engaging, moronic and enjoyably written. It's the rare movie where stupidity is a good thing, and it just doesn't care. Ironically, that improves everything.
- DirectorHenri-Georges ClouzotStarsYves MontandCharles VanelPeter van EyckIn a decrepit South American village, four men are hired to transport an urgent nitroglycerine shipment without the equipment that would make it safe.So tense it's somewhat sadistic yet also thematically strong and emotionally powerful (despite the excessive length), this is the kind of suspense thriller that will make movie producers jealous they didn't make it.
- DirectorKinji FukasakuStarsTatsuya FujiwaraAki MaedaTarô YamamotoIn the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill one another under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act.A brutal and breathless Hunger Games for adults. While The Hunger Games is the superior of the two thanks to a better plot, this ferocious and kinetic controversy magnet is well worth seeing.
- DirectorCurtis HansonStarsKevin SpaceyRussell CroweGuy PearceAs corruption grows in 1950s Los Angeles, three policemen - one strait-laced, one brutal, and one sleazy - investigate a series of murders with their own brand of justice.Despite somewhat workmanlike direction at times, this is a highly successful love letter to film noir featuring superb period detail, a great plot, awesome performances across the board and a sharp, punchy and beautifully written script.
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsRobert DonatMadeleine CarrollLucie MannheimA man in London tries to help a counter-espionage agent, but when the agent is killed and the man stands accused, he must go on the run to save himself and stop a spy ring that is trying to steal top-secret information.Although not Hitchcock at his absolute best, this twisty and tense thriller hints at his future brilliance and it's a great mystery story.
- DirectorTony ScottStarsGene HackmanDenzel WashingtonMatt CravenOn a U.S. nuclear missile sub, a young First Officer stages a mutiny to prevent his trigger happy Captain from launching his missiles before confirming his orders to do so.While a bit long, great acting and neverending tension will keep you on the edge of your seat for most of the runtime.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsJohn TravoltaNicolas CageJoan AllenTo foil a terrorist plot, FBI agent Sean Archer assumes the identity of the criminal Castor Troy who murdered his son through facial transplant surgery, but the crook wakes up prematurely and vows revenge.It may be a bit too weird for some, but few people will be unable to enjoy 2 of Hollywood's most OTT actors blowing everything up in John Woo's typically amazing action sequences filled with slow motion, Mexican stand-offs and doves. Very difficult not to enjoy.
- DirectorJohn GuillerminStarsPaul NewmanSteve McQueenWilliam HoldenAt the opening party of a colossal, but poorly constructed, office building, a massive fire breaks out that threatens to destroy the tower and everyone in it.It shouldn't have been nominated for best picture but while many disaster movies are stupid affairs, this got most things right and is one of those rare movies that blows stuff up with grace and style.
- DirectorJames WanStarsVin DieselPaul WalkerDwayne JohnsonDeckard Shaw seeks revenge against Dominic Toretto and his family for his comatose brother.This one broke box office records, the speedometer and our hearts with its touching tribute to Paul Walker. It's a mess in many ways but it's a miracle a coherent product got out of the gate at all. This will make you punch the air.
- DirectorJohn GlenStarsRoger MooreCarole BouquetTopolSecret service agent James Bond is assigned to find a missing British vessel equipped with a weapons encryption device and prevent it from falling into enemy hands.It's not the most memorable or well known entry in the series, but despite some very annoying characters, the lack of silliness, strong Roger Moore performance and great action make this the second best of the Moore era.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsTom CruiseJeremy RennerSimon PeggThe IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name.It doesn't exactly reinvent anything or offer anything new but it's an inventive, swaggering action epic with heart pounding action scenes and a genuine sense of tension with one of the best action sequences of recent years.
- DirectorRonald NeameStarsGene HackmanErnest BorgnineShelley WintersA group of passengers must embark on a harrowing struggle for survival after a rogue wave capsizes their cruise ship at sea.While it has its flaws, this 70s disaster flick never sinks thanks to its great cast, genuine tension and good characters, making this one of the better disaster movies out there.
- DirectorKathryn BigelowStarsPatrick SwayzeKeanu ReevesGary BuseyAn F.B.I. Agent goes undercover to catch a gang of surfers who may be bank robbers.A well oiled and ludicrous adrenaline machine filled with high octane fuel and daring set pieces, this is how you do an action film. Don't bother with the remake.
- DirectorGeorge Roy HillStarsPaul NewmanRobert RedfordKatharine RossIn 1890s Wyoming, Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid lead a band of outlaws. When a train robbery goes wrong, they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. After considering their options, they escape to South America.One of the most likable Westerns in cinema history thanks to its star power and mixture of comic and tragic elements. Marred only by its slightly slow pace, it succeeds thanks to William Goldman's excellent script.
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsTom CruiseRebecca FergusonJeremy RennerEthan and his team take on their most impossible mission yet when they have to eradicate an international rogue organization as highly skilled as they are and committed to destroying the IMF.The franchise continues going from strength to strength with this monumentally fun popcorn action epic.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsChow Yun-FatDanny LeeSally YehA disillusioned assassin accepts one last hit in hopes of using his earnings to restore vision to a singer he accidentally blinded.A flawed but overall excellent fusion of action and art, and one of John Woo's best films.
- DirectorSebastian SchipperStarsLaia CostaFrederick LauFranz RogowskiA young Spanish woman who has recently moved to Berlin finds her flirtation with a local guy turn potentially deadly as their night out with his friends reveals a dangerous secret.A 2 and a half hour technical marvel, Victoria's USP is obviously the single take format but there's enough drama and tension here to make the film very worthwhile as a whole, even if it is overlong.
- DirectorDavid FincherStarsDaniel CraigRooney MaraChristopher PlummerJournalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for 40 years by young computer hacker Lisbeth Salander.A well-acted and atmospheric adaptation with Fincher's always outstanding direction and a clever plot making this highly watchable despite a couple of very unpleasant scenes and an overlong length.
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsWilliam H. MacyFrances McDormandSteve BuscemiMinnesota car salesman Jerry Lundegaard's inept crime falls apart due to his and his henchmen's bungling and the persistent police work of the quite pregnant Marge Gunderson.If it's not quite a masterpiece, it's certainly a highly impressive combination of a tense, brutal crime story and dark comedy with Shakespearean levels of depth.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsTerence StampPeter FondaLesley Ann WarrenAn extremely volatile and dangerous Englishman goes to Los Angeles to find the man he considers responsible for his daughter's death.Although it's slightly uneven, Steven Soderbergh's crime thriller is a gripping fusion of commercial and arthouse cinema. It's got a unique and clever aesthetic that represents human thought very well and a compelling and violent revenge story anchored by a great performance from Terrence Stamp, although Peter Fonda is weak as the villain.
- DirectorMatthew VaughnStarsColin FirthTaron EgertonSamuel L. JacksonA spy organisation recruits a promising street kid into the agency's training program, while a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.Suave, stylish, subversive and hugely entertaining, this doesn't reach the heights of Kick-Ass but it's one of the best straight forward good times you'll have at the movies this year.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsLung TiLeslie CheungChow Yun-FatA reforming ex-gangster tries to reconcile with his estranged policeman brother, but the ties to his former gang are difficult to break.One of John Woo's earlier movies, this comes up slightly short on action but still delivers on some excellent set pieces and combines them with a heartfelt story.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsRobert Downey Jr.Jude LawRachel McAdamsDetective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.Although Benedict Cumberbatch is the one we'd rather be watching, the fabulous set pieces, strong direction and genuine charm make this a very enjoyable adaptation.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsMatt DamonKate WinsletJude LawHealthcare professionals, government officials and everyday people find themselves in the midst of a pandemic as the CDC works to find a cure.Although mismarketed and slow, it's a very chilling and realistic movie which may lack big thrills but it's probably the best disaster movie of recent times and far more chilling than most recent horror flicks.
- DirectorSteven SpielbergStarsTom HanksMark RylanceAlan AldaDuring the Cold War, an American lawyer is recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy in court, and then help the CIA facilitate an exchange of the spy for the Soviet captured American U2 spy plane pilot, Francis Gary Powers.Not one of Spielberg's absolute best movies, but a very good one and superior to Lincoln. A very well crafted Cold War thriller, this manages to keep the tension and interest levels up throughout successfully and features a great performance from Mark Rylance.
- DirectorMichael AptedStarsPierce BrosnanSophie MarceauRobert CarlyleJames Bond uncovers a nuclear plot while protecting an oil heiress from her former kidnapper, an international terrorist who can't feel pain.If you try and ignore the flat humour and Dr Christmas Jones who is more annoying than Jar Jar Binks and you have a gripping, interesting and explosive Bond movie and the most underrated of the franchise.