https://preview.redd.it/r3za34sw3fge1.jpg?width=580&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=66a1101332d21c907544a421e9a1bdd0a4596114

Hey everyone! As we get closer to the 2025 Academy Awards, I thought it would be fun to share my list of the “Overall Best Film of the Year” from the past 25 years. I’d love to see your picks too!

This is just my personal opinion, and I’ve based it on a mix of things like critical acclaim, box office success, originality, my own tastes in movies, and how I felt during those years (rather than what I think looking back now).

There were so many amazing films to choose from, but I’ve picked my favorites for each year as a passionate film lover across different genres. I put an asterisk next to the years with some strong contenders and included my honorable mentions in the footnotes. If a year had particularly outstanding films, you’ll see two or three asterisks! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

1.        2000- Gladiator

2.        2001- Amélie *

3.        2002- 28 Days Later *

4.        2003- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 

5.        2004- The Aviator **

6.        2005- Match Point

7.        2006- Little Miss Sunshine **

8.        2007- Atonement *

9.        2008- Slumdog Millionaire *

10.  2009- The Princess and the Frog

11.  2010-  The Social Network ***

12.  2011- Margin Call *

13.  2012- Les Misérables **

14.  2013- Snowpiercer *

15.  2014- Interstellar *

16.  2015- The Big Short

17.  2016- La La Land *

18.  2017- Revenge *

19.  2018- Bohemian Rhapsody *

20.  2019- Parasite *

21.  2020- Mank

22.  2021- CODA

23.  2022- Elvis

24.  2023- Oppenheimer **

25.  2024- Touch *

 Honorable mentions: 2001- Donnie Darko; 2002- Minority Report; 2004- Million Dollar Baby, Mean Girls, Ray; 2006- Devil Wears Prada, Children of Men; 2007- Juno; 2008- The Dark Knight; 2010- Inception, The Black Swan, The King’s Speech, Shutter Island, Tangled (I cannot even pick this was just an AMAZING year!) 2011- The Help; 2012- Dark Knight Rises, Silver Linings Playbook, Pitch Perfect; 2013- 12 Years A Slave (Snow Piercer was released in South Korea in 2013, but not in US until 2014- release date disputed) 2014- Snowpiercer*, Grand Budapest Hotel; 2016- Lion; 2017- I, Tonya, Manchester by the Sea; 2018- Revenge* (release date disputed from French to US release), A Star is Born; 2019- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood; 2023- The Holdovers, Poor Things; 2024- The Apprentice, Conclave

*Poster: Revenge, 2017 (French Subtitled Film).

I have noticed young people are being sold an alternative society; thinking only depressing/edgy/CGI new movies are worth watching. Here are 20 epic/fun and essential watches to change their minds. (Some are rated 18.)

In no particular order:

Taking Care of Business

The Lost Boys

Total Recall (original)

Ghostbusters (original)

The Blues Brothers (original)

The Crow (original)

Enchino Man

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Trading Places

Demolition Man

12 Monkeys

Private Parts

Labyrinth

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

James Bond - The Spy Who Loved Me

The Warriors

Pretty Woman

Tremors

Starship Troopers

Here's a wild story about Tom, Cruise, who faced an unexpected challenge when he was just 18. He had a role where he had to eat chocolate cake, which he was initially excited about. But things quickly turned sour.

During an interview with Graham Norton, Tom shared his experience working with director Francis Ford Coppola. For this particular scene, Tom decided his character would eat chocolate cake. What he didn't expect was that Coppola wanted to get the perfect take—so much so that they filmed it for three entire days!

Tom ended up doing around 100 takes of the scene, meaning he had to eat a lot of cake. At first, he enjoyed it, saying, "It was so good, I have to eat it. It was so moist." But as the takes dragged on, he desperately hoped they had the right shot, saying, "Oh my gosh, did we get it?"

After three days of hearing "Let's do it again" from Coppola, Tom was in sugar shock and ended up vomiting. That's an extreme example of a director's perfectionism!

• Phantasm II
• Phantasm
• Phantasm IV: Oblivion
• Phantasm III: Lord Of The Dead
• Phantasm V: Ravager

How I'd rank this series, which is probably my all-around favorite Horror series despite it not being all that mainstream among the general public. They're cult favorites but sadly never really got anywhere near the big exposure as the other major league Horror series did. Wonder if there's any other fans of them here and if so, curious to see your rankings.

The series is quite the mix of Horror, Sci-Fi, Action and truly bizarre surrealism. Notable for it's iconic and terrifying lead villain, The Tall Man, portrayed perfectly by the late, great Angus Scrimm. The flying death spheres are iconic and even people who haven't seen the films recognize them. The series is brilliant as a whole, and 2 has always been my favorite by a good margin.

These are some of my personal favorites in Raunchy and Late Night Comedy genre. Some of the movies are not well known I guess, cause I have never heard anyone mention those movies(I might be wrong here as well). Below order is not in the order of my preference.

1. Superbad
2. Eurotrip
3. Sex drive
4. 17 Again
5. 21 and Over ( underrated)
6. Take me home tonight (underrated)
7. Jump Street - both 21& 22
8. Grown ups - both 1 & 2
9. Scary Movie - 1,2,3
10. The Sitter ( underrated)
11. Risky Business
12. Fast times at Ridgemont High
13. Accepted
14. Project X
15. Dude, where’s my car.
16. Not another Teen movie
17. Cruel Intentions
18. Package
19. Movie 43

I will keep updating the post once I remember more. Please do comment some more movies in this genre. Thanks and Cheers.

Hey all! I love rom-coms & anything romantic. During the pandemic and increased isolation, I've considered myself to have explored quite a number of movies in the genre, so I'm putting some QUALITY recommendations out there for anyone who might not have seen some quality movies.

1. When Harry Met Sally (most have probably seen this, but damn it's just so good)
2. Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight -- Trilogy (realistic, stream of consciousness, a bit unconventional dialogue and character personality)
3. There's Something About Mary (witty, unconventional, Laugh-Out-Loud Hilarious. So good.)
4. Pride & Prejudice (2005 version with Kiera Knightly &Matthew MacFadyen. Dramatic and just sooo good. Perfect brooding energy.)
5. Broadcast News (unconventional, strong female lead, intelligent, love triangles. Fast and interesting ending).
6. Lady Bird (coming of age)
7. Tootsy (Unconventional & laugh-out-loud funny. Oh my gosh. Must see.)

Others With some Caveats

1. Coyote Ugly (a good one for some more energy, exciting but somewhat shallow plot)
2. Bridget Jones's Diary (classic, relatable, more brooding from Colin Firth)
3. Pretty Woman (It's a good one if you haven't seen it.)
4. Holidate (with Emma Roberts. Just a classic girl meets guy and fakes romance. But it's just good Lol)
5. *Copenhagen (interesting plot with a depth-filled lesson. Can make many very uncomfortable and doesn't necessarily involve a romantic plotline, nor should it. But this movie was too good to leave out. Read the movie description before watching)
6. Someone Great (more of a breakup anthem with elements of nostalgia and romance. Really good if you are in a contemplative and serious mood but still want something with longing)
7. 6 Years... (sadder, but deals with romance. Similar to the above. )
8. Yes God Yes (coming of age story of a young girl who discovers her sexuality. Its hilarious. Im a woman in my upper 20's so i really appreciated the honest comedy of this. A little inappropriate!!)

This is all I have for now. Will update if I think of more.

Here's my list of Valentine's Day movies. Feel free to recommend others in the comments.

Love & Basketball (2000)

East Side Sushi (2014)

Girl (1998)

Really Love (2020, 2021 on Netflix)

Mermaids (1990)

Love Jones (1997)

Ghost (1990)

The Photograph (2019)

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)

Poetic Justice (1993)

Say Anything (1989)

Save the Last Dance (2001)

Fever Pitch (2005)

Love, Guaranteed (2020)

Juwanna Mann (2002)

Always Be My Maybe (2019)