Time for a film

Continuing from Part 1 of my Nolan/Fincher movie love, today I’ll be sharing my favourite 8 movies from these two great directors. I think the top 2 will be very surprising to most.

-#8: Se7en (Fincher)
Se7en is so gripping and widely regarded as one of Fincher’s best ever (it’s #27 in IMDB’s Top 250). I almost gave this another watch before putting it 8th as it’s a movie I don’t fully remember. Still, the epic build up to the end is amazing and ultimately satisfying. The heartache Pitt goes through is so immense. I loved the idea of the seventh sin being what it was.

-#7: Batman Begins (Nolan)
The first of what will most likely be my favourite trilogy of all time, Nolan really burst out of the blocks with this one. The first Batman may live in the shadows of the Dark Knight but I thought it was almost as good. There’s really not that much to say, I enjoyed it immensely. 

-#6: Memento (Nolan)
When it comes to the best movie editing and concept ever I think Memento takes the cake. The way it tells us a story is so innovative and clever, the constant twists throughout, the constant piecing together of the puzzle. It’s just such a well made, well executed (and well acted) movie. After rewatching it this week I found myself loving Joe Pantoliano’s line of ‘Lenny’ more and more. Guy Pierce is also awesome. The one thing that stops me absolutely adoring Memento is that I didn’t feel that much emotion. Sure, the final scene is a bit emotional in how it plays out and made me think about the concept a lot – but I just didn’t feel that much. I still loved it though and it’s a must, must see.

-#5: The Social Network (Fincher)
When this movie was made the amount of social relevance was so high, I think it must have helped in a big way. I haven’t watched it again since seeing it in the cinemas but the way Fincher told the story was so superb. To think it’s basically a true story is awesome too, but the movie wasn’t a sucess based on that, it was a sucess due to the way the film crew went about making it. An awesome soundtrack as well, it definitely deserves it’s place in my Top 5.

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#4: Inception (Nolan)
When Inception came out it was revolutionary. The dream world Nolan creates is simply amazing and I’m so glad he got to make this movie inbetween the two Dark Knight’s. I think the brilliant part about this movie is it’s so gripping and engrossing. It really makes you want to believe it’s real, and it actually feels that way too. An awesome cast and awesome soundtrack definitely helps. On 2nd viewing I still really enjoyed it but did find it a bit long. It may turn out that it’s a movie that isn’t worth watching multiple times but is awesome the first time round. I love the open ending too.

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#3: The Dark Knight (Nolan)
An instant classic, this movie is highly regarded as a masterpiece. It smashed Box Office records and quickly entered IMDB’s Top 10 of all time. To think it only came out 4 years ago is crazy. I watched this last week as well and it’s constant high climax level is riveting. There is not much that needs to be said, I’m sure everyone has seen it but if you haven’t you need to (after Batman Begins of course!). It really set the bar high for The Dark Knight Rises.

So we are down to my Top 2. One is a Fincher movie, One is a Nolan movie and I spent a decent amount of time deciding which I liked more. When it came down to it, I’d seen one multiple times and never got sick of it, whereas I have only seen the other once and not sure if I would be keen to watch it multiple times anytime soon. For that reason it has entered at #2

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#2: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Fincher)
I had heard a lot of mixed things before watching this movie with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Many people loved it but many have been very critical of it. I sit in the love section and was probably a bit surprised how much I loved it. It had me so emotional, the idea, the concept, thinking about it. Similarily to Inception, the movie just feels so real. Nothing ever makes me doubt what really should be a concept that is unrealistic. It has a long runtime, something which usually bothers me, but I barely noticed it at all. I was hooked and ever since watching it I’ve felt a lack of emotion for any character in any other movie. It’s made me respect Brad Pitt so much too, he was superb. I don’t think many would have this as their favourite Fincher movie, but it is clearly mine!

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#1: The Prestige (Nolan)
My favourite Nolan film and probably my favourite film of all time, The Prestige is a movie that makes you think and then pieces together brilliantly. I loved Michael Caine in it, I loved Christian Bale, I loved Hugh Jackman and I loved Scarlett Johannson. It’s a movie I never get tired of, the idea of magic is something I found really cool but then it gets deeper and has underlying values that I just found so interesting. Obsession, jealousy, deceit, competitivness – it was just a movie I was enthralled by. As always, Nolan has an epic ending, probably my most loved one of all his movies. On 2nd and 3rd (and 4th!) viewings it makes even more sense and you pick up on little things. Similarily to Benjamin Button, it’s a movie that some love but others aren’t as keen on. But for me it will be hard to top.

Thanks for making it this far and I’d love to hear all about your thoughts on Fincher and Nolan. Which one do you prefer? What’s your Top 5?