1) The Shawshank Redemption
There's a reason this film is so critically acclaimed, proven by it's spot as the top rated movie by IMBD with a well deserved user rating of 9.3 out of 10. Basically if you are yet to see this movie then do so immediately by any (legal) means possible.
Adapted from a Stephen King novel, the film tells the story of life in Shawshank prison, revolving around the view of banker Andy Dufresne who has been sentenced for life for the murder of his wife, despite his claims of innocence.
We follow Andy through good times and bad at Shawshank whilst also being introduced to other prisoners including fellow inmate and narrator of the film Ellis Boyd 'Red' Redding. Played by Morgan Freeman there could not be a more perfect actor to narrate such a emotionally dramatic and overall amazing film.
2) Inception
Technically Inception should appear more than once on this list, for the simple reason that you will have to watch it over and over to completely understand every single occurrence in the film and what it means.
Luckily, Inception is another fantastic film and is well worth watching many more than one time.
The film bases its story around dreams. Set in a world where it is possible to infiltrate a targets dream, or subconscious, there are many possibilities for corporate thieves such as the films main character Dom Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.
Along with a team of specialists, including Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Ariadne (Ellen Page) and Eames (Tom Hardy), Cobb is tasked with infiltrating a subconscious in order to commit inception, giving the target an idea in their dream which they will retain and stand by when they awake.
However this is seen as impossible and to even stand a chance the group must attempt something completely new, creating a dream inside a dream inside another dream.
I did tell you it would get confusing!
Add in the fact that Cobb has an untold past involving his dead wife Mal, and the fact that if anybody dies inside the dream they are banished to Limbo where they may never return, and you are watching a highly tense but unmissable sci-fi stunner.
3) The Dark Knight
Following Inception comes another Christopher Nolan film, the second in his Batman trilogy. Standing out, in my opinion, as the best Batman movie of all time is almost completely down to the performance of the late Heath Ledger as The Joker. Ledger perfectly captures the villains deranged and lunatic personality with his actions, monologues and catchphrases.
The plot to the film is clever, chilling and action packed as the eponymous Dark Knight must attempt to stop the Jokers mad but dangerous 'games' which he creates in order to mess with head and heart. With returning help from Commissioner Gordon, Lucius Fox and Alfred the Butler, played expertly by Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine respectively, Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne must put an end to The Joker by once again becoming the vigilante Batman,
Armed with amazing special effects, tremendous acting and one of the greatest opening scenes of all time, The Dark Knight is another must-see movie.
4) The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Ok so I may be cheating here, involving three films under one slot but to truly appreciate any singular film from Peter Jacksons trilogy you must see the entire story.
The franchise is set in Middle-Earth, a land inhabited by elves, dwarves, orcs, hobbits, men and more. A medieval land where disputes are handled by combat, good must overcome evil and where the dark lord Sauron intends to rule.
The story starts far from this however, in The Shire, where hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is celebrating his eleventy first birthday! However something unusual is in the air and when Bilbo disappears into thin air a series of events, spanning over ten hours of film, unfolds.
If you ask me this trilogy creates the ultimate fantasy franchise with its stunning visuals, amazing soundtrack and loveable characters (and Frodo!) The Battle of Helms Deep remains one of my favourite scenes in film ever and the films themselves are up there with the best.
5) Pulp Fiction
For some strange reason I had not seen Pulp Fiction until a fortnight ago when I decided this had to change. Another critically acclaimed film, recommended by so many had to be good right? So I loaded up Netflix and was not disappointed. Not only was Pulp Fiction 'good' it was outstanding! I found myself loving the characters, the story, the music, everything about it added up to create an essential to view film.
The film follows a range of characters, such as Vincent Vega, Jules Winnfield, Butch Coolidge, Mia Wallace and Winston Wolfe, played by big names including John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis and Uma Thurman, through a series of violent, dramatic and sometimes even funny events.
6) Guardians of the Galaxy
The most recently released film on this list, Guardians of the Galaxy is the best superhero movie since The Dark Knight and, in my opinion, is the best Marvel movie ever, rivalled closely by 2013's The Winter Soldier.
The thing that makes Guardians of the Galaxy so down to earth is its loveable characters.
First you have Peter Quill aka Starlord, played by Chris Pratt who is known for his comedic role of Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation. Pratt is hilarious and perfectly plays Starlord in a variety of ways, alternating from funny and playful to smart and serious in a matter of seconds.
Backed up by Bradley Cooper's super smart Rocket Raccoon, living plant Groot who speaks just three words (I am Groot), Drax who doesn't understand metaphors and finally Gamora, the bad guys daughter, the guardians team up to save the galaxy.
