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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 Epic, Artificial Intelligence, EpicStanley KubrickPhilosophical masterpiece that redefined sci-fi cinema
Akira19888124Action Epic, Adult Animation, AnimeKatsuhiro ÔtomoGroundbreaking anime that influenced cyberpunk cinema
Alien19798.5117Alien Invasion, Body Horror, CyberpunkRidley ScottClaustrophobic masterpiece that redefined sci-fi horror
Aliens19868.4137Alien Invasion, Cyberpunk, Monster HorrorJames CameronPerfect sequel that shifts from horror to action
Arrival20167.9116Alien Invasion, Psychological Drama, Sci-Fi EpicDenis VilleneuveThoughtful exploration of communication and time
Being John Malkovich19997.715Body Swap Comedy, High-Concept Comedy, Psychological DramaSpike JonzeSurreal masterpiece of identity and celebrity obsession
Blade Runner19828.1117Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Thriller, CyberpunkRidley ScottDefinitive cyberpunk questioning humanity
Blade Runner 204920178164Action Epic, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber ThrillerDenis VilleneuveWorthy sequel that deepens the original's themes
Children of Men20067.9109Dystopian Sci-Fi, Epic, Psychological DramaAlfonso CuarónDystopian masterpiece about hope and humanity
Clerks19947.792Buddy Comedy, Satire, ComedyKevin 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
Drive20117.8100Car Action, One-Person Army Action, ActionNicolas Winding RefnStylish neo-noir with perfect pacing
Drunken Master II19947.520Kung Fu, Martial Arts, SlapstickChia-Liang LiuJackie Chan's finest hour of comedic kung fu
Enter the Dragon19737.6102Kung Fu, Martial Arts, One-Person Army ActionRobert ClouseBruce Lee's masterpiece blending philosophy and combat
Ex Machina20147.7108Artificial Intelligence, Psychological Thriller, DramaAlex GarlandThought-provoking AI thriller with philosophical depth
Fearless20067.6104Docudrama, Kung Fu, Martial ArtsRonny YuJet Li's philosophical farewell to martial arts cinema
Ghost in the Shell1995883Adult Animation, Anime, Artificial IntelligenceMamoru OshiiCyberpunk anime exploring consciousness and identity
Heat19958.3170Action Epic, Cop Drama, EpicMichael MannEpic cat-and-mouse thriller with perfect character depth
Her20138126Artificial Intelligence, Psychological Drama, DramaSpike JonzeTender exploration of love and technology
Hero20027.9107Martial Arts, Wuxia, ActionYimou ZhangVisually stunning wuxia film with layered storytelling
Interstellar20148.7169Adventure Epic, Epic, Psychological DramaChristopher NolanEmotional space epic grounded in real science
Ip Man20088106Docudrama, Kung Fu, Martial ArtsWilson YipWing Chun mastery with historical gravitas
Mad Max: Fury Road20158.128920Action Epic, Adventure Epic, Car ActionGeorge MillerPure cinema - action as visual storytelling
Memento20008.4113Psychological Thriller, Suspense Mystery, DramaChristopher NolanInnovative reverse narrative exploring memory and truth
Memories of Murder20038.1131Dark Comedy, Police Procedural, Serial KillerBong Joon HoDarkly comic investigation of incompetence and truth
Minority Report20027.6145Conspiracy Thriller, Cyber Thriller, CyberpunkSteven SpielbergPre-crime ethics wrapped in stellar action
Moonlight20167.4111Coming-of-Age, Drama, Back to topBarry JenkinsIntimate portrayal of identity and human connection
No Country for Old Men20078.1122Contemporary Western, Psychological Thriller, Serial KillerEthan CoenHaunting meditation on fate and morality
Oldboy20038.45Dark Comedy, One-Person Army Action, Psychological DramaPark Chan-wookRevenge thriller with philosophical undertones
Parasite20198.5132Dark Comedy, Psychological Drama, Psychological ThrillerBong Joon HoMasterful class commentary wrapped in genre perfection
Rec20077.45Body Horror, Found Footage Horror, Supernatural HorrorJaume BalagueróClaustrophobic found-footage horror done right
Ring19987.296Supernatural Horror, Horror, MysteryHideo NakataJ-horror classic that redefined supernatural terror
Seven Samurai19548.6207Action Epic, Epic, Period DramaAkira KurosawaEpic tale of honour, sacrifice, and masterful filmmaking
Sicario20157.6121Contemporary Western, Cop Drama, Drug CrimeDenis VilleneuveBrutal, uncompromising border thriller
Spirited Away20019.3124Anime, Coming-of-Age, Fairy TaleHayao MiyazakiMiyazaki's masterpiece of imagination and environmental themes
The Godfather19729.2175Epic, Gangster, TragedyFrancis Ford CoppolaPerfect storytelling and character development
The Handmaiden20168.1145Dark Romance, Erotic Thriller, Psychological ThrillerPark Chan-wookElegant psychological thriller with stunning visuals
The Matrix19998.7136Action Epic, Artificial Intelligence, CyberpunkLana WachowskiReality-bending philosophy with groundbreaking action
The Prestige20068.5130Period Drama, Steampunk, TragedyChristopher NolanIntricate puzzle box about obsession and sacrifice
The Raid20117.6101Gun Fu, Martial Arts, ActionGareth EvansRelentless action with Indonesian martial arts excellence
The Raid 220147.9150Cop Drama, Gangster, Martial ArtsGareth EvansExpands the first film's world with epic scope
The Social Network20107.7128Docudrama, Epic, Legal DramaDavid FincherSharp dissection of ambition and betrayal
The Wailing20167.4156Body Horror, Folk Horror, TragedyNa Hong-jinAtmospheric horror that questions faith and certainty
There Will Be Blood20078.2158Epic, Period Drama, Psychological 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.