With Cleopatra The Mummy now a full script, along with Kulo-Luna, Treasure Island is due to be a first draft by January of 2025, to complete a trilogy. One those stories are in production, The Holy Compass is likely to be the first of a 2nd series. Titles subject to change. Could these become Hollywood classics.

When you start thinking about it, it's incredibly difficult to rate your all time favorite 100 films.  There are some movies we can watch over and over again.  These will always remain our core movies, but may not be in our top 100 for various reasons.  Hence, we've had to append another 100 or so films to our original top 100 list, which is work in progress as updates from new releases hit the table.

Meantime, you can see the best films from:

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020  

2021  

2022

2023 Waiting for year end before declaring the best film

2024 Upcoming contenders for the best title

2025 The world is your Oyster

The Bond movie in 2006 had been long in the making, after suffering funding setbacks. That aside, we guess that after the poor reviews for Quantum of Solace, that EON will have pulled out all the stops to recover the pizzazz they found with Casino Royale - in our opinion one of the best Bond movies ever made - getting back to that wonderful Sean Connery feel, with that extra something the Daniel Craig brings to the party.

Unlike Prometheus, which we were disappointed with, Skyfall hit the mark, pulling back to Casino Royale standards, even with 'M' parting company in a slightly unbelievable sequence - oh well, perfection is a hard target. M leaving the franchise did draw a tear. To our mind a great pity. One hopes it was for the benefit of Judi Dench. The film was nicely directed by Sam Mendes and despite Oscar anonymity, should go on to be a classic.

Since then a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. We wonder if 'No Time To Die' will make up for 'Spectre' being difficult to stay awake through. Directors really should learn that humans only have an attention span of sol long. Don't try to include the kitchen sink and expect rave reviews.

We're very fond of adventure sea tales, yet it takes a whole raft of settings (no pun intended) to cater for our tastes in a modern world.  Some films we like because we first saw them when we were young and they remind us of special times, such as The Wizard of Oz at Christmas when a child.  Inevitably, a good new film will beat a good oldie, just because the special effects and shooting techniques are now so clever.  However, that is not always the case and sometimes the classic style that made an oldie an oldie, will never be repeated, such as the 39 Steps and Psycho.  We would have put King Kong in this category, but with the Dec 05 re-make we think this Kong with Jack Black and Naomi Watts is a masterpiece that finally tops the original - the last one didn't come close.  Mind you it cost a staggering $207 million to produce - the most expensive movie at that time (Dec 05).  Correct us if we're wrong. But today, $200 million dollars is not so staggering when you consider the $billion plus dollar returns of Harry Potter, Finding Nemo, Spiderman and Star Wars (Phantom Menace). It seems that the more you invest in production, the better the returns in the long run - especially if you create a classic.

We seem to like popular films judging by the box-office earnings.  we're not that keen on horror or gangster films, unless they are stunning and superbly made, such as The Road to Perdition.  We prefer a bit of science fiction to stretch our imagination and ripping thrillers.  But, they have to be done well and be believable.  Then there is always a good court room drama, or a western (a dying breed).  True stories also work for us - they are sometimes the best of all, such as Seabiscuit and Erin Brockovich.  We're also romantics, although you'd never guess it from this list. Lastly, we really enjoy a good comedy, the more ridiculous the better - Naked Gun and Hot Shots never fail to make us laugh. Depending on your mood, films like this can have you crying - Austin Powers too and Blades of Glory can be dangerous for giving you the stitch from laughing.

Not that we've anything against a good remake, but we'd rather see more new stories made into films, even if this is more risky for film companies as investments. Fortunately, there are many good new books and film scripts written every year and films represent superb investments, outperforming traditional investments like shares and property many times over. So keep writing everyone and one day your story may make it onto celluloid.  Max.

One of the most famous films of all time, "Gone With The Wind." Don't let an opportunity pass you by like poor Scarlet. Try to recognize what you have, before it is too late.

1. GLADIATOR - Russell Crowe - (2000, Ridley Scott) Joaquin Phoenix

2. KING KONG - Naomi Watts, Jack Black (Dir. Peter Jackson)

3. MASTER and COMMANDER (2003) - Russell Crowe

4. TITANIC - Kate Winslett & Leonardo di Caprio

5. SEABISCUIT - Jeff Bridges, Tobey Maguire, Chris Cooper

6. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN - Johnny Depp - P2 DEAD MANS CHEST  - Keira Knightley - Orlando Bloom

7. ALIEN - 1, 2 & Alien Vs Predator - Sigourney Weaver, Ian Holm & John Hurt script review

8. TROY - Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eric Bana

9. THE TERMINATOR (1984, James Cameron) 2 & 3 - Arnold Shwazenneger script review

10. MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY - Marlon Brando

11. OVERBOARD - Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell

12. A PERFECT STORM - George Clooney

13. HORNBLOWER - Gregory Peck

14. BABE - James Cromwell

15. JURASSIC PARK 1, 2 & 3 - Sam Neil

16. DEAD CALM - Nicole Kidman & Sam Neil

17. ZULU - Michael Cain & Stanley Baker

18. THE MUMMY & MUMMY RETURNS  - Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo

19. SPIDERMAN 1 & 2 - Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst

20. THE THING - Kurt Russell

21. CON AIR - Nicholas Cage

22. RAMBO - First Blood - Slyvester Stalone

23. THE DAMBUSTERS - B&W 1954

24. THE SOUND OF MUSIC - Julie Andrews

25. THE 39 STEPS - B&W - Richard Hannay 1935

26. MAN ON FIRE - Denzel Washington

27. LEON - Jean Reno

28. WHAT WOMEN WANT - Mel Gibson

29. BRAVEHEART - 1995,   Mel Gibson

30. ROB ROY - Liam Neeson

31. THE COUNT OF MONTE CHRISTO - Gerard Depardieu

32. THE PATRIOT - Mel Gibson

33. PAYBACK - Mel Gibson

34. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991, Jonathan Demme)  Anthony Hopkins  script review

35. ERIN BROCKOVICH - Julia Roberts

36. WAR OF THE WORLDS - Tom Cruise

37. NATIONAL TREASURE - Nicholas Cage

38. IRON MAN - Robert Downey Junior, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow

39. CATWOMAN - Halle Berry

40. BATMAN - Michael Keaton and Christian Bale

41. STAR GATE - Kurt Russell

42. ROXANNE - Steve Martin

43. ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975, Milos Foreman)

44. CAST AWAY (2000, Robert Zemeckis) Tom Hanks

45. JAWS (1975, Steven Spielberg)

46. BACK TO THE FUTURE 1, 2 & 3 - Michael J Fox

47. UNFORGIVEN - Clint Eastwood

48. THE WORLDS FASTEST INDIAN - Anthony Hopkins

49. MEN OF HONOUR - Robert de Niro - Charlize Theron

50. TREASURE ISLAND ( Come on Hollywood - waiting for a decent one )

51. DISCLOSURE - Michael Douglas, Demi Moore

52. MEDICINE MAN - Sean Connery

53. THE QUIET MAN - John Wayne

54. JAMES BOND - Goldfinger - all, latest first - Sean Connery  Daniel Craig Judi Dench  Mads Mikkelsen  Eva Green  Roger Moore  Pierce Brosnan (Babara Broccoli)

55. CROCODILE DUNDEE - Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski

56. PSYCHO (1960, Alfred Hitchcock) - Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh

57. WIMBLEDON - 2004 - Paul Bettany, Kirsten Dunst

58. SHORT CIRCUIT - 1986 - Steve Guttenberg & Ally Sheedy

59. THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT - Michael Douglas & Annette Bening

60. WAR OF THE WORLDS - Tom Cruise

61. MEET JOE BLACK - Brad Pitt

62. THE LITTLE MERMAID - Walt Disney

63. JUST LIKE HEAVEN - Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo

64. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - Walt Disney

65. FAR AND AWAY - Tom Cruise & Nicole Kidman

66. PLANET OF THE APES - Charlton Heston

67. OCEANS 11 - George Clooney

68. CASABLANCA (1942, Micheal Curtiz) - Ingrid Bergman, Humphrey Bogart

69. PINOCCHIO (1940, Walt Disney)

70. THE GREEN MILE - Tom Hanks

71. DEATH MACHINE - 

72. SLEEPY HOLLOW - Johnny Depp

73. THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY (1966, Sergio Leone) - Clint Eastwood

74. ROBIN HOOD PRINCE OF THIEVES - Kevin Costner

75. BEN HUR - Charlton Heston

76. UNDER SEIGE - Steven Segal

77. THE SOUND OF MUSIC - Julie Andrews

78. FLY AWAY HOME - Jeff Daniels 1996

79. SPEED - Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock

80. ROBOCOP - 1987 - Peter Weller, Nancy Allen & Ronny Cox

81. 20,000 LEAGUES BENEATH THE SEA - James Mason & Kirk Douglas

82. LIGHT AT THE END OF THE WORLD - Kirk Douglas & Yul Bryner

83. PHENOMENON - John Travolta

84. SOMETHINGS GOTTA GIVE - Jack Nicholson & Diane Keaton

85. TOP GUN - Tom Cruise

86. PEARL HARBOUR - Ben Affleck

87. APOLLO 13 - Tom Hanks

88. DOLORES CLAIBORNE - Kathy Bates

89. THE MASK OF ZORRO - Anthony Hopkins & Antonio Banderas

90. FORREST GUMP (1994, Robert Zemechis) - Tom Hanks

91. SUPERMAN 1 & 2 - Christopher Reeve

92. 2001:SPACE ODYSSEY (1968, Stanely Kubrick)

93. THE STAR WARS TRILOGY (1979-1983, Irvin Kershner) - Harrison Ford

94. RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981, Steven Spielberg) - Harrison Ford

95. THE MASK - Jim Carrey, Cameron Diaz

96. THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS - Steve Martin

97. TRADING PLACES (1983, John Landis) - Eddie Murphy

98. GONE IN 60 SECONDS - Nicholas Cage - Angelina Jolie

99. FACE OFF - Nicholas Cage and John Travolta

100. TRUE GRIT - John Wayne and the new one with Jeff Bridges - heart wrenching ending

100 is never enough - another 100 films +

OTHER FILMS OF NOTE

1. FRENCH KISS - Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline

2. PRETTY WOMAN - Richard Gere and Julia Roberts

3. ATONEMENT - Keira Knoghtley and James McAvoy

4. OFFICER and a GENTLEMAN - Richard Gere

5. TRANSFORMERS - 

6. TRADING PLACES - Eddie Murphy and Dan Ackroyd

7. FINDING NEMO - 

8. 50 FIRST DATES - Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore

9. JUST LIKE HEAVEN - Reese Witherspoon & Mark Ruffalo

10. THE FUGITIVE - Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones

11. THE FLY - 1986 Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis

12. BLADE RUNNER - Harrison Ford

13. THE FOG - (John Carpenter) Jamie Lee Curtis

14. GODZILLA - Mathew Broderick script review

15. NAKED GUN and Leslie Neilson

16. AUSTIN POWERS and Mike Myers (all)

17. MISERY - Kathy Bates

18. RACE THE SUN - Halle Berry and James Belushi

19. GHOST - Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore

20. SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994, Frank Darabont)

21. BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S - Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard

22. SCHINDLERS LIST (1993, Steven Spielberg)

23. A CIVIL ACTION - John Travolta

24. DIE HARD - Bruce Willis

25. MARS ATTACK - Jack Nicholson

26. WOLF - Jack Nicholson & Michelle Pfeiffer

27. AUSTIN POWERS - Mike Myers

28. BLADES OF GLORY - 

29. WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE - The Rock, Dwayne Johnson

30. SEVEN (1996, David Fincher) - Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt

31. EVERY WHICH WAY BUT LOOSE - Clint Eastwood

32. NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959, Alfred Hitchcock)

33. BRIDGET JONES DIARY - Rennie Zellwegger

34. THE MASK - Jim Carrey

35. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND

36. THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939, Victor Fleming) - Judy Garland

37. ET -  Richard Dreyfus  (1977 Steven Spielberg)

38. DIE HARD - Bruce Willis

39. A MAN CALLED HORSE - Richard Harris

40. BORN FREE - 1966

41. THE AVIATOR - Leonardo di Caprio

42. SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTIC - 

43. JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (1963)

44. CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG - Dick Van Dyke

45. WATERLOO BRIDGE - Vivien Leigh and Robert Taylor

46. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN - David Niven and Kim Hunter

47. FREE WILLY

48. THE AWAKENING - Charlton Heston

49. DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS - Steve Martin and Michael Caine - Comedy

50. MAD MAX: BEYOND THUNDERDOME (1985, George Miller)

51. WALL STREET (1987, Oliver Stone)

52. STIR CRAZY - Gene Wilder and Richard Prior

53. WESTWORLD - Yul Bryner

54. MINORITY REPORT (2002, Steven Spielberg) - Tom Cruise

55. FLIPPER - Paul Hogan

56. APOCALYPSE NOW (1979, Francis Ford Coppola)

57. KING KONG - Faye Wray B&W 1933

58. OUT OF TIME - Denzel Washington

59. ROBOCOP - 

60. MOBY DICK - Herbert Melville's tale of a whale that gives as good as it gets.

61. THE ROAD TO PERDITION - Tom Hanks, Daniel Craig and Paul Newman

62. REAR WINDOW (1954, Alfred Hitchcock) - James Stewart

63. THE HULK - 2003  Eric Bana & Jennifer Connelly

64. AMERICAN BEAUTY (1999, Sam Mendes) - Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening

65. THE KINGS SPEECH - Colin Firth

66. TAKEN - Liam Neeson

67. NANNY MCFEE - Emma Thomson, Colin Firth

68. THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER - Sean Connery, Alec Baldwin

69. TWELVE MONKEYS (1995, Terry Gilliam) - Bruce Willis

70. CHINATOWN (1974, Roman Polanski) - Jack Nicholson

71. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (1962, David Lean - 

72. THELMA and LOUISE - Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis

73. DANCES WITH WOLVES (1990, Kevin Kostner)

74. BILLY ELLIOT - Jamie Bell and Julie Walters

75. ROCKY (1976, John Avildsen)

76. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946, Frank Kapra) - James Stewart

77. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990, Tim Burton) - Johnny Depp

78. THE SHINING (1980, Stanely Kubrick) - Jack Nicholson

CARTOONS OF NOTE

1. THE LITTLE MERMAID

2. SHREK

3. FINDING NEMO

4. TOY STORY

5. THE LION KING

6. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

7. DUMBO

8. DONALD DUCK

9. MICKEY MOUSE

10. ICE AGE

So, what makes a good film?  A film is a story told in such a way that it captures the imagination.  It may also be informative as a portrayal of a particular human characteristic or event - love, strength, skill.  Hence, you need a good story to begin with and this is where it gets complicated.  But, before we get lost in storylines, you also need great actors.  People who can breath life into a script.  Then you need great production, and this starts with directors and producers.  Producers, recognise they have a good story and put all the ingredients together; actors, locations, special effects and finance.  Directors, turn words on a page into pictures, then paste them together to keep the story moving.  It is an art.  It is also an expensive art where the rewards are well worth the investment, provided you have that something special to begin with.

There are still so many good films to be made.  New stories will always come along to inspire a film.  Equally, some good 'old' films need remaking, and that is the reason why the list above is forever changing.  

We've created this website to capture projects of significant interest, some of which are national treasures, summing up all the values of the countries that contribute to make our planet such an interesting place. It is a great shame that life on earth will one day wither and die. Films and other artifacts if preserved in space, may enrich the lives of other species.  It is not the winning that matters, it is the taking part - in what appears to be an intergalactic saga spread over millenniums.

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