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Essential Films

·5 mins
Table of Contents

My Film Philosophy #

This is my collection of essential films - it’s a blend of favourite movies and a list of films that must be seen. I’m drawn to drama that makes you think and feel deeply, quality sci-fi that isn’t derivative and inspires thought, and martial arts films with compelling storytelling and exceptional choreography.

It’s very rare that I like a popcorn movie, but if it hits all the right points for a bit of vacuous fun without any groan-inducing moments or preachy, moralistic messaging, I’m in.

Selection Criteria #

  • Drama: Stories that provoke thought and genuine emotional response
  • Quality Sci-Fi: Films that explore ideas, challenge assumptions, and avoid tired tropes (e.g., Arrival)
  • Martial Arts: Compelling narratives with choreography that serves the story (e.g., Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)
  • Occasional Popcorn: Pure entertainment that doesn’t insult intelligence (e.g., Clerks)
TitleYearIMDBRuntimeGenresDirectorWhy It's Essential
2001: A Space Odyssey19688.3149Adventure, Sci-Fi, Adventure EpicStanley KubrickPhilosophical masterpiece that redefined sci-fi cinema
Akira19888124Action Epic, Adult Animation, AnimeKatsuhiro ÔtomoGroundbreaking anime that influenced cyberpunk cinema
Alien19798.5117Horror, Sci-Fi, Alien InvasionRidley ScottClaustrophobic masterpiece that redefined sci-fi horror
Aliens19868.4137Action, Adventure, HorrorJames CameronPerfect sequel that shifts from horror to action
Arrival20167.9116Drama, Mystery, Sci-FiDenis VilleneuveThoughtful exploration of communication and time
Being John Malkovich19997.7113Comedy, Drama, FantasySpike JonzeSurreal masterpiece of identity and celebrity obsession
Blade Runner19828.1117Action, Drama, Sci-FiRidley ScottDefinitive cyberpunk questioning humanity
Blade Runner 204920178164Action, Drama, MysteryDenis VilleneuveWorthy sequel that deepens the original's themes
Children of Men20067.9109Drama, Sci-Fi, ThrillerAlfonso CuarónDystopian masterpiece about hope and humanity
Clerks19947.792Comedy, Buddy Comedy, SatireKevin SmithSharp, dialogue-driven indie comedy that launched a career
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon20007.990Action Epic, Adventure Epic, EpicAng LeePoetry in motion with profound emotional depth
Drive20117.8100Action, Drama, Car ActionNicolas Winding RefnStylish neo-noir with perfect pacing
Drunken Master II19947.5102Action, Comedy, Kung FuChia-Liang LiuJackie Chan's finest hour of comedic kung fu
Enter the Dragon19737.6102Action, Crime, ThrillerRobert ClouseBruce Lee's masterpiece blending philosophy and combat
Ex Machina20147.7108Drama, Sci-Fi, ThrillerAlex GarlandThought-provoking AI thriller with philosophical depth
Fearless20067.6104Action, Biography, DramaRonny YuJet Li's philosophical farewell to martial arts cinema
Ghost in the Shell1995883Adult Animation, Anime, Cop DramaMamoru OshiiCyberpunk anime exploring consciousness and identity
Heat19958.3170Action, Crime, DramaMichael MannEpic cat-and-mouse thriller with perfect character depth
Her20138126Drama, Romance, Sci-FiSpike JonzeTender exploration of love and technology
Hero20027.9107Action, Adventure, DramaYimou ZhangVisually stunning wuxia film with layered storytelling
Interstellar20148.7169Adventure, Drama, Sci-FiChristopher NolanEmotional space epic grounded in real science
Ip Man20088106Action, Biography, DramaWilson YipWing Chun mastery with historical gravitas
Mad Max: Fury Road20158.128920Action, Adventure, Action EpicGeorge MillerPure cinema - action as visual storytelling
Memento20008.4113Drama, Mystery, ThrillerChristopher NolanInnovative reverse narrative exploring memory and truth
Memories of Murder20038.1131Crime, Drama, MysteryBong Joon HoDarkly comic investigation of incompetence and truth
Minority Report20027.6145Action, Crime, MysterySteven SpielbergPre-crime ethics wrapped in stellar action
Moonlight20167.4111Drama, Coming-of-AgeBarry JenkinsIntimate portrayal of identity and human connection
No Country for Old Men20078.1122Crime, Drama, ThrillerEthan CoenHaunting meditation on fate and morality
Oldboy20038.467Action, Drama, MysteryPark Chan-wookRevenge thriller with philosophical undertones
Pan's Labyrinth——118Drama, Fantasy, WarGuillermo del ToroDark fairy tale blending fantasy with Spanish Civil War brutality
Parasite20198.5132Drama, Thriller, Dark ComedyBong Joon HoMasterful class commentary wrapped in genre perfection
Rec20077.478Horror, Mystery, ThrillerJaume BalagueróClaustrophobic found-footage horror done right
Ring19987.296Horror, Mystery, Supernatural HorrorHideo NakataJ-horror classic that redefined supernatural terror
Seven Samurai19548.6207Action, Drama, Action EpicAkira KurosawaEpic tale of honour, sacrifice, and masterful filmmaking
Sicario20157.6121Action, Crime, DramaDenis VilleneuveBrutal, uncompromising border thriller
Spirited Away20019.3124Adventure, Animation, FamilyHayao MiyazakiMiyazaki's masterpiece of imagination and environmental themes
The Godfather19729.2175Crime, Drama, EpicFrancis Ford CoppolaPerfect storytelling and character development
The Handmaiden20168.1145Drama, Romance, ThrillerPark Chan-wookElegant psychological thriller with stunning visuals
The Matrix19998.7136Action, Sci-Fi, Action EpicLana WachowskiReality-bending philosophy with groundbreaking action
The Prestige20068.5130Drama, Mystery, Sci-FiChristopher NolanIntricate puzzle box about obsession and sacrifice
The Raid20117.6101Action, Crime, ThrillerGareth EvansRelentless action with Indonesian martial arts excellence
The Raid 220147.9150Action, Crime, ThrillerGareth EvansExpands the first film's world with epic scope
The Social Network20107.7128Biography, Drama, DocudramaDavid FincherSharp dissection of ambition and betrayal
The Wailing20167.4156Drama, Horror, Body HorrorNa Hong-jinAtmospheric horror that questions faith and certainty
There Will Be Blood20078.2158Drama, Epic, Period DramaPaul Thomas AndersonDevastating character study of American capitalism

This list continues to evolve as I discover films that meet these criteria. Each entry represents cinema that respects its audience’s intelligence while delivering exceptional craft.

Data Management #

This page is automatically generated from structured data. To update:

  1. Add movies: Edit data/movies.yaml with new entries (just title, imdb_id, and why_essential)
  2. Update all data: Run python3 scripts/update_all_movies.py to fetch current IMDB data for ALL movies
  3. Rebuild: Run hugo to regenerate the table with updated data

The update script fetches year, rating, runtime, genres, and director from IMDB.