Top Movies
Like any “Top 10” list of anything, this list is by no means exhaustive but a selection from hundreds of great movies that impacted a generation and left us with a deeper understanding of manhood, growing up and the consequences of our actions.
As young men who grew up in the late 80’s and 90’s, the launch of the DVD and flat screen TV’s changed how we watched movies. No longer did we have to go to the theater to get the cinematic experience. No young mans life is complete without great movies, and the list below, in no particular order, is of the 10 movies that every young man must watch.
10 Outstanding Movies Every Man Must Watch
1. Goodfellas
If I had to choose any movie amongst the many gangster movies such as Casino, Carlitos Way, Scarface and Once Apon a Time in America, I have to choose Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece, Goodfellas. Apart from an incredible cast of Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta, the story of real life gangster Henry Hills rise from a teenager interested in the local gangs, to becoming a real life gangster himself is told with Scorsese’s precise use of period music and cinematography, as well as the entire cast complementing each other in every way. Goodfellas explores the criminal life in gruesome detail and tells in with great humor, and realism.
2. Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump is not a smart man but in his own words ‘Stupid is as stupid does’. We follow his life from a childhood filled with bullying to a life filled with first-hand experience of some of the most important events of the last century. Apart from meeting multiple US presidents, Elvis Presley, and speaking at the Anti-War Rally at the Washington Monument, Forrest also serves on the front line of the Vietnam War and beats the Chinese ping pong team. The most important aspect of this movie is that Forrest is never trying and merely accidentally stumbles into these strange and wonderful experiences with good intentions. He never forgets his young love, Jenny, and points out that destiny may play a bigger role in our lives than we know.
3. Blow
Based on the real life of George Jung, dope runner turned Cocaine boss in the 1970s/80s, Blow takes us on a journey of starting as a small time dope dealer, to dealing with Colombian drug cartels and making millions. George is played brilliantly by Johnny Depp and through him, we are told the story of his hopes, dreams, greed, success, betrayal and of course his eventual demise. A great cast including Penelope Cruz (as his beautiful Latina wife) and Ray Liotta (as his hard working blue collar father) make this a movie that you can watch over and over again.
4. Godfather I, II, and III
No list of top movies is complete without the Godfather Trilogy. Where does someone start with a review of the Godfather? The cast, of Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and so many more. The story, of the Corleone family and their merciless rise is beautifully told. This movie is epic and has influenced a generation of movie goers and movie makers. With glorious acting and storytelling, this movie has everything and the trilogy is the best way to spend a Sunday. Or every Sunday.
5. Gladiator
Ridley Scotts incredible Gladiator is a demonstration of all that is good and bad in the world. General Maximus Decimus Meridius is powerful, honorable, and courageous. His rival, the emperor Commodus is a coward, dishonorable, and weak although he wields power after his fathers (Emperor Marcus Aurelius of Meditations fame) death who Commodus murdered. The epic battle scenes in this movie are unrivaled and the story will stay with you long after you watch the movie.
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