15 Movies You Need To See Before You Die

Now before we continue, reread the title. This is NOT a Top 15 movies list so don't say what should have been on here and what shouldn't have. These are just some great iconic movies, that have defined or even redefined a genre. Movies you either love or hate. Nevertheless they are timeless classics that deserved to be seen by as many people as possible. Some of these movies are polarizing, instantly sparking debate, but controversy is what makes some of them so great. Whether based on a true story or pure fictional, these are masterpiece's of movie making and undoubtedly some of top movies you need to see before you die.



#15: THE SANDLOT

If you were a kid you watched this movie. If you were a kid, you loved this movie. Narrated by the main character 'Smalls' as an adult, as he recalls the greatest summer of his childhood. This movie is all about kids just being kids. The simple life of being young and only wanting to have fun playing the best game in the world (to them). You cant help but watch this movie and recall great childhood moments of your own.

#14: CASINO ROYALE

The Bond franchise is the longest running in the movie industry. And at #21, Casino Royale is perhaps the finest in its history and deserved to be here. It is named for James Bond's creator, Ian Fleming, first book featuring the British secret agent. The movie strays from the traditional characteristics of older Bond movies; overuse of sexual innuendo, one-liners, and crazy gadgets, which it replaces with a more raw and deeper portrayal of the iconic character. We see Bond reach 00 status with an early sequence and embark on his first mission where he eventually falls for his partner Vesper. Its this relationship which gives the movie its weight and eventually leads to a direct sequel, a first for the franchise.

#13: Inglourious Basterds

Writer/Director Quentin Tarantino's alternate vision of World War II, where we follow a small band of Jewish american soldiers as they are dispatched behind enemy lines with the sole purpose of killing Nazi's and ultimately Hitler.The movie in fact is comprised of two parallel story lines, the other following a young who saw her family in front of her and has the opportunity to exact revenge on her killers. But the character that steals the show is Colonel Hans "The Jew Hunter" Landa played by Christoph Waltz. Besides being filled with excellent dialogue, and an alternate (and more satisfying) vision of history, it is Waltz who absolutely steals this movie and makes him one of the greatest movie villains of all time. The only gripe I have with the movie is that The Basterds themselves didn't get enough screen time. Honestly, it should have been called 'The Jew Hunter'. In the end, still masterful.

#12: Se7en

Without a doubt the darkest, most chilling, and brilliant thriller I have ever seen. Set in a grim and depressing New Your City, two detectives investigate a serial killer who chooses his victims based on their offense of committing one of the seven deadly sins. Overflowing with moral and religious implications, Seven pushes the boundaries cruelty to ones eyes as scenes with mutilated victims and crime scenes are not easily forgotten. If the exploits of the killer throughout the movie aren't enough the ending leaves you utterly shocked and ultimately depressed. Kevin Spacey managed to make his character "John Smith" one of the best movie villains as well.

#11: The Dark Knight

IF HEATH LEDGER DIDNT HAVE THE BEST ON SCREEN PERFORMANCE FOR A SADISTIC, INTELLIGENT SOCIOPATH, THEN I WILL DELETE THIS BLOG AND MY TWITTER AND SAY FUCK EVERYTHING. HE DIED BECAUSE OF THIS ROLE.
But seriously, this movie is that great, not just for a comic based hero genre, but for crime drama's in general. This is another movie whose title should have been changed for the villain because it was the Joker that stole the show. I can only imagine the transformation Heath had to go through to portray the Joker. You think any actor could just put on some makeup and change his for voice to play that role? NO (not even J Depp). He had to become a completely different person. A person that led to his mental instability, drug abuse, and untimely death. But out of that tragedy came one of the greatest performances of our generation.
RIP Heath

#10: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Possibly the best martial arts film ever made. Most people measure a martial arts film based on the quality of its fight scenes. This is quite flawed. The combination of story and fight scenes is what makes a movie in this genre great and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is in a category of its own. Upon deeper analysis of the movie you come to realize it isn't a martial arts film at all. Its a tragic love story. This masterpiece won instant acclaim the time it was released. With superb choreography, special effects, and acting, this is a film you must see preferably with a lightskin lady friend.

#9: FULL METAL JACKET



I actually had to post a clip this movie. The first 6 minutes of one of the best war movies ever made. Stanley Kubrick's vision of life as a soldier in Vietnam, from basic training to the front lines. The movie is simultaneously chilling and memorable tight from the beginning as the standout performance of R. Lee Ermey, a real life drill instructor, plays a terrifying hard ass drill sergeant who will absolutely make you think twice about ever joining the marines. The rest of the movie takes place in Vietnam as the soldiers experience the reality of war first hand. The clip above alone should make you want to see this movie.

#8: The Star Wars Saga

The biggest movie franchise in history spanning more than 3 decades, this saga spans 6 films of science fiction greatness. George Lucas was forever cemented in history with the release of Episode IV in 1977 and made it the highest grossing film of its time. From the trademark text scroll at the beginning of each film to the film score, these movies will remain a part of movie history forever. Watch from episode I as an innocent young slave boy ages and transforms into the most feared and powerful Jedi, then Sith, in the galaxy. Its an adventure, a love story, a tragedy, and an epic that you must see before you die. (yeah its 6 movies not one. sue me)

#7: INCEPTION



Unquestionably my favorite movie (next to Dark Knight)(yeah i have 2 favs so what?). Like many other directors on this list, Christoper Nolan is a visionary genius. This is probably one of the most polarizing films I can think of. Either you love it or you hate it. There really is no grey area with this movie. Described as a thinking mans action movie, its plot is so complex and scenes so visually stunning, its takes more than one viewing to take in the everything the movie has to offer. A minimum must see twice. Criticized for its many plot holes, I feel the majority of its opponents were just too slow and ultimately left too confused to enjoy it. Hopefully you got to enjoy this in IMAX as I did. This films score also deserved awards for its suspenseful and heart-pounding sounds which masterfully complimented the beautiful visuals and special effects. To fully appreciate it at home you should be watching on blu-ray on a full 1080p flat screen with full surround sound with the bass up. Anything less would be disrespectful. Don't disrespect me bro. GO watch this movie right now. Please and thank you.

#6: A BRONX TALE

A great drama directed by De Niro himself tells the story of a young boy, De Niro's son, who witnesses a murder by local wiseguy Sonny. Sonny befriends the boy a shows him the perks of mob life. Although the boy  idolizes Sonny, he also loves and respects his father, who tries hard to keep him away from mob life. Torn between two worlds it isn't until the boy comes of age and suffers tragedy that he realizes what he wants to do with his life.

#5: CASINO

Arguably the best crime/ mob drama of all time. Definitely Joe Pesci's best movie and one of De Niro's best. The film chronicles the story of Sam Rothestein, Nicky Santoro, and Ginger and their rise to prominence and power in Vegas and ultimate downfall. A story of vice and violence, Casino is superb in story-telling and acting with the 3 main characters born to play their respective roles. Few crime dramas made since can even be mentioned in the same sentence as Casino.

#4: GLADIATOR

One of the greatest movies ever made. Gladiator is just perfect in virtually every sense. Drama, action, tragedy, betrayal, revenge, this movies has it all. An excellent performance by Joaquin Phoenix, the film's antagonist, top this movie off as one the finest of its kind. Russell Crowe plays a prominent Roman army general who comes to lose everything he has ever held dear, taken away by the devious new Emperor Commodus played by Phoenix. He escapes his execution only to sold into slavery, but eventually given a chance to win his freedom and exact his revenge on the emperor. I really can't say enough of this movie. Just go watch it already.

#3: THE GODFATHER TRILOGY

The pinnacle of film-making and the greatest mob movie of all time. A classic. A masterpiece. *Insert another label for greatness you can think of here*. The 2 in the series were virtually flawless films. Acting and storytelling by some of the best to ever to do it. The first film tells the story of Michael Corleone's rise to power. And the second tells two stories. One goes back in time as we get to see a young immigrant Vito Corleone, come to America and make a name for himself and start a mob family. The second is Michael's continuing story as head of the family, as he makes his first attempts to go fully legit and hold his marriage together. After extended absence of over 15 years the Godfather 3 was released to less than stellar reviews. In its defense its pretty hard to follow the first two films. But everything that made the first two so great, namely Michael Corleone and his struggles with mafia life and his family, are kind of lost in the 3rd. I don't want to bash he film but since it is a trilogy so watch all three. But the true greatness of the trilogy is in the first two films.

#2: THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

Based on a story by Stephen King, Shawshank tells the sotry of Andy, recently convicted of murder, is sentenced to life in prison. Narrated by Morgan Freeman, who also stars as inmate "Red" and Andy's first friend, he helps tell of the harsh realities and life of Andy inside the prison. Constantly harassed and underestimated, Andy never breaks and ultimately wins favor with many inmates and later on the Warden and guards. The climax comes in Andy's greatest achievement; escape from the prison. In the end anyone who wronged Andy in prison got what was coming to them. A powerful and very uplifting movie, Shawshank is expertly acted and told and should be seen by anyone with a television.

#1: CITY OF GOD

By putting City of God number 1 you might be thinking I believe this is the best movie on this list or my favorite. Not all. But it is one of the best movie's you will watch if you do indeed watch it. And I put is as number 1 because not enough people know of the movie or how great it is. I put my own bias aside when making this list (kind of) and felt City of God deserved the top spot because of its "underground" and foreign appeal, it gets overlooked by movie watchers. Based on a true story, City of God tells the story of life in one of Brazil's most dangerous favelas in the 1960s, told by the main character nicknamed 'Rocket'. The violence is the most powerful tool used to tell its story. The lawlessness of time in the favelas is portrayed with shocking realism. Kids are biggest gangsters and perpetrators of this violence which actually makes the movie scary. Nothing is censored in this epic story and the narration by its main character are more than welcome as his words try and make sense of the chaos that is life in Brazil. See this movie first. It deserves your praise.