90.The Host (2006)
As will become apparent as this list unfolds, I love a good monster movie, and Korean flick The Host is one helluva monster movie. Set in Seoul, it follows a disfunctional family as they seek to rescue a young girl from the clutches of the eponymous creature. Hugely enjoyable.
89.Die Hard With a Vengeance (1995)
I remember going to the cinema to see this one. I wasn't expecting much (I'd been mildly disappointed by Die Hard 2), but came out exhausted from the latest action-packed adventure in the life of New York cop John McClane. Samuel L Jackson (re-invigorated after Pulp Fiction) is a huge bonus and the movie boasts some brilliant lines to go with the unrelenting pace. Only an insipid and slightly odd ending lets the movie down.
88.Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1951)
In addition to monster movies, I'm also a huge fan of classic science fiction. Ever since I watched every movie of some BBC2 season as a 10 year old, many of these 50's and 60's films hold a special place in my heart. Body Snatchers is one of my favourites, and touts one of those famous old staples, on this occasion, the fear of communism.
In addition to monster movies, I'm also a huge fan of classic science fiction. Ever since I watched every movie of some BBC2 season as a 10 year old, many of these 50's and 60's films hold a special place in my heart. Body Snatchers is one of my favourites, and touts one of those famous old staples, on this occasion, the fear of communism.
87.Shrek
With its cunning take on fairy tale stories to go with a daft line in humour, the original Shrek remains the best film of this enduring franchise by some distance.
86.Where Eagles Dare
I read a lot of Alastair McClean when I was a kid. They were boys own adventure stories, but with a dash of grittiness that - at least to a 14 year old - made them seem so very real. This was my favourite, and the film had Clint Eastwood in it. What more could you want?
85.Deep Rising
Another monster movie, and such an ashamed b-movie that you've gotta award it points just for its bare-faced cheek. Starring Treat "bloody tax bill" Williams and ex-Bond girl Famke Jannsen,
Deep Rising is set on a luxury cruise liner invaded by a many-tentacled creature that sucks out its victim's bodily fluids (oo-er). Boasting ludicrous dialogue, terrible acting and dubious special effects, Deep Rising is a guilty pleasure from start to finish. And you may never sit on a toilet again.
84.Assault on Precinct 13
No, don't panic, not the terrible remake but the 1976 original. Tight, taut and lean, John Carpenter's light Rio Bravo remake is a lesson in less is more. Great soundtrack, too.
No, don't panic, not the terrible remake but the 1976 original. Tight, taut and lean, John Carpenter's light Rio Bravo remake is a lesson in less is more. Great soundtrack, too.
83.Duel (1971)
Steven Spielberg's first full movie, and another example of how a simple concept can make a fantastic movie if well implemented. I loved the ending as a kid; they'd never risk that sort of ending these days.
82.The Relic (1997)
Did I say I liked monster movies? Well here's another - this time set in a museum and starring a typically gruff and grumpy Tom Sizemore as the cop investigating some gruesome murders. Once more the special fx leave a lot to be desired, but for sheer creepiness and fun, The Relic is a winner.
81.The Taking of Pelham 1,2,3 (1974)
Again, not the awful remake, but the original starring Robert Shaw and Walther Matthau. A fantastic heist movie with a brilliant turn from the haggard Matthau.
For those of you not smarting in disgust that I put Star Wars at a lowly 99, more next week!
