Top 20 American Films of Pure Substance
These are probably the best of the American Films that i have come across these includes films by some of the best of the Directors.
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- DirectorTerrence MalickStarsBrad PittSean PennJessica ChastainThe story of a family in Waco, Texas in 1956. The eldest son witnesses the loss of innocence and struggles with his parents' conflicting teachings.This Terrance Malick's film is not only one of the best that i have come across in cinema it's a experience that i will cherish few films have done it for me as far as i can remember. One of the rare films that stretches the medium.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsKeir DulleaGary LockwoodWilliam SylvesterAfter uncovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, a spacecraft is sent to Jupiter to find its origins: a spacecraft manned by two men and the supercomputer HAL 9000.Kubrick's mind is beyond Technology i feel. I am sure this film will remain relevant in the years to come. One of the finest Cinematic works that i have across and most importantly my favourite Kubrick.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.The emotional attachment that i have had with De niro' s character is unparalleled. Scorsese is indeed one of cinema's all time greats and for this film remain the best that i can count among his rich body of work. The Black and White Visuals of this film remain as fresh as ever in my subconscious mind since the time i viewed it first 6 years back.
- DirectorFrancis Ford CoppolaStarsAl PacinoRobert De NiroRobert DuvallThe early life and career of Vito Corleone in 1920s New York City is portrayed, while his son, Michael, expands and tightens his grip on the family crime syndicate.Rarely that i have come across in Cinema (Fiction) where the sequel is superior to its predecessor. This particular film has that rare quality. Its a Gem in Film History and i am sure it will remain so.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsLillian GishMae MarshHenry B. WalthallThe Stoneman family finds its friendship with the Camerons affected by the Civil War, both fighting in opposite armies. The development of the war in their lives plays through to Lincoln's assassination and the birth of the Ku Klux Klan.One of the early Masterworks of the Cinema and my Favourite Griffith.
- DirectorJohn CassavetesStarsGena RowlandsPeter FalkFred DraperAlthough wife and mother Mabel is loved by her husband Nick, her mental illness places a strain on the marriage.One of my favourite works to have emerged out of the new American film movement of the 1970's, Caasavetes's absorbing and brooding look at the nature of marriage. The film eventually stood the test of the time and is regarded among the Cinephilles as a classic.
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsAl PacinoJohn CazalePenelope AllenThree amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robbery: Walk in, take the money, and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.Al Pacino's finest performance for me as was masterfully guided by the Legendary Sidney Lumet with equally marvellous screenplay from Frank Pierson. Sonny is as fresh as ever.
- DirectorJean RenoirStarsZachary ScottBetty FieldJ. Carrol NaishThe life of the poor Tucker family who worked as cotton pluggers and decided to get their own ground, but nature was against them.Jean Renoir the master filmmaker's best work of his Hollywood days. Though if one looks at the style of this film especially those who are familiar with his early works it will look firmly as an french film but eventually turned out to be an American Film.
- DirectorTerrence MalickStarsJim CaviezelSean PennNick NolteAdaptation of James Jones' autobiographical 1962 novel, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during the second World War.I remember being struck by Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (1998) at the time when i first encountered it. Little did I was aware that a film called The Thin Red Line has also been released in the same year. Today when i am writing this Mr Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan holds a little cinematic value for me whereas, The Thin Red Line well its there already as a top cinematic work.
- DirectorJohn FordStarsJohn WayneJeffrey HunterVera MilesAn American Civil War veteran embarks on a years-long journey to rescue his niece from the Comanches after the rest of his brother's family is massacred in a raid on their Texas farm.This John Ford Film coming at the fag end of his Illustrious Carrier is a delightful as well as refreshing watch and certainly ranks as among the best of his works a cinematographic delight adding to a rich character studies which are never much revealing by adding mystery to the story.
- DirectorTerrence MalickStarsRichard GereBrooke AdamsSam ShepardA hot-tempered farm laborer convinces the woman he loves to marry their rich but dying boss so that they can have a claim to his fortune.One of the early works of Terrance Malick a pure Cinematic delight.
- 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.The Finest work of David Fincher for me.
- DirectorSergio LeoneStarsRobert De NiroJames WoodsElizabeth McGovernA former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan 35 years later, where he must once again confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.The Importance of Money in People Lives and its values. A Cinematic delight from Sergio Leone pitch perfecting from every aspect of production.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsMalcolm McDowellPatrick MageeMichael BatesIn the future, a sadistic gang leader is imprisoned and volunteers for a conduct-aversion experiment, but it doesn't go as planned.My Second Favourite Kubrick and rightly so it had the qualities to fit in among the best of the American Films. Besides that there is lot of a personal take off from this film.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroRay LiottaJoe PesciThe story of Henry Hill and his life in the mafia, covering his relationship with his wife Karen and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito.One of the best films to have come out on the subject of Organised Crime. A Top Notch Scorsese. It deserves the recognition it has got over the years.
- DirectorMichael CiminoStarsRobert De NiroChristopher WalkenJohn CazaleAn in-depth examination of the ways in which the Vietnam War impacts and disrupts the lives of several friends in a small steel mill town in Pennsylvania.One of the best American Production's revolving around the Vietnam War. A Gruelling examination on the disruption and the impact on the people in Pennsylvania supported by some of Cinema's most powerful actors.
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsAl PacinoSean PennPenelope Ann MillerA Puerto Rican former convict, just released from prison, pledges to stay away from drugs and violence despite the pressure around him and lead on to a better life outside of N.Y.C.Brian De Palma's a master of these kind films and this i rate among the best of his works. The first few minutes of this film is sheer magic. An emotional and engaging crime drama.
- DirectorErnst LubitschStarsMaurice ChevalierClaudette ColbertMiriam HopkinsAn amorous lieutenant is forced to marry a socially awkward princess, though he tries to keep his violin-playing girlfriend on the side.One Hell of a film and one of the lessons for Indian Film Directors on how to make a musicals. Immortal.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsBette DavisHerbert MarshallTeresa WrightThe ruthless, moneyed Hubbard clan lives in, and poisons, their part of the Deep South at the turn of the twentieth century.William Wyler's little foxes introduced a new grammar in cinema where the spoken words played a very important role and thereby lies a tremendous appeal on the audience in me. A very important piece of cinema.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsDaniel Day-LewisPaul DanoCiarán HindsA story of family, religion, hatred, oil and madness, focusing on a turn-of-the-century prospector in the early days of the business.Paul Thomas Anderson's finest work for me. And honestly this is that one film after Fight Club in the span of 8 years churning out from Hollywood that impressed me greatly. And needless to say it has got one of my Favourite actors in it (Daniel Day Lewis).