30 Zodiac (2007 / David Fincher)
David Fincher’s best film concerns a cartoonist’s obsessive hunt for the Zodiac serial killer. Satisfyingly complex, Jake Gyllenhaal has never been better and Mark Ruffalo confirmed his standing as one of the finest current actors with his performance. The 70s feel and locations are terrifically captured.
29 Rear Window (1954 / Alfred Hitchcock)
It might seem impossible to make such a thrilling film from the basic scenario of Rear Window, but, of course, Hitchcock can do that! The perfect casting of James Stewart in the lead role helps too…
28 Peeping Tom (1959 / Michael Powell)
The film that was so shocking that it just about ended Michael Powell’s career. Superior to the similarly themed Psycho, it is, in retrospect the director’s one great masterpiece.
27 The Verdict (1982 / Sidney Lumet)
I think that Paul Newman, probably because he was so handsome, was an underrated actor. Here, late in his career, his delivers his best performance as an alcoholic lawyer trying to regain his self respect when he takes a medical malpractice case.
26 A Streetcar Named Desire (1951 / Elia Kazan)
Yes, it shows its stage play roots, but this sweaty adaptation of the Tennesse Williams story is an acting masterclass from Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh and Kim Hunter.
25 King Kong (1933 / Merien C Cooper & Ernest Schoedsack)
The original and best creature feature. You can question its attitudes to women and other races, but all these years on, it is still a thrilling watch.
24 The Godfather (1972 / Francis Coppola)
An undeniable classic. An intelligent, endlessly re-watchable film that it seemed impossible to better at the time…
23 The French Connection (1971 / William Friedkin)
A gritty and well acted – primarily by Gene Hackman – cop thriller, featuring one of the three best car chases ever committed to screen (along with those in Bullitt and Ronin) as well as one of the worst posters ever!
22 Fail Safe (1964 / Sidney Lumet)
An utterly life like depiction of how a nuclear attack may happen. Lumet makes of the tensest films ever, despite the lack of action scenes. Henry Fonda is excellent as the US president.
21 La Grande Illusion (1937 / Jean Renoir)
Normally, I’m more interested in the second world war, but this film about 2 French prisoners of war in the first conflict really struck a chord with me.
20 Mulholland Drive (2001 / David Lynch)
It’s rare that I want to or have time to see a film twice in the cinema, but I did that with Mulholland Drive to try to work out exactly what was going on. It didn’t help, but it seemed just as great the second time around!
19 Glengarry Glen Ross (1992 / James Foley)
I don’t think that there has ever been a better ensemble cast gathered for a movie. Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Ed Harris, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Spacey. They do not disappoint, though it would be hard to with such a brilliant script by David Mamet. Remember, always be closing…
18 A Man for All Seasons (1966 / Fred Zinnemann)
This beautifully realised version of Robert Bolt’s stage play makes an interesting and contrasting companion piece to the recent magnificent Wolf Hall.