21. Breaking the Waves, Directed by Lars Von Trier
Starring Emily Watson, Stella Skarsgard, & Katrin Cartlidge
Emily Watson gives an extraordinary debut performance in Lars Von Trier's powerful, controversial, and much talked about vision of sacrifice and salvation. Refusing to pander to the limitations of the "politically correct," Von Trier introduces us to Bess, an unconventional female character who is portrayed with great grace and care by Watson. A must-watch.
Favorite Character- Bess
22.Tyrannosaur, Directed by Paddy Considine
Starring Peter Mullan, Olivia Colman, & Eddie Marsan
Powerful. Gritty. Raw. Extremely well-acted. Paddy Considine's directorial feature film debut is not for the faint of heart, but for gutsy fans of extraordinary filmmaking this tale of a man consumed by rage and an abused Christian charity shop worker proves worth every grueling minute. Peter Mullan is fantastic as an initially despicable loose cannon, while Olivia Colman provides steady support as a victim of her psychotic husband (Eddie Marsan)'s abuse. Contains animal killing scenes that are not for sensitive viewers.
Favorite Character- Hannah
23. An Infinite Tenderness, Directed by Pierre Jallaud
Starring José Guerra, Jeanne Lennox, & John Ainsworth
Highly moving and virtually unknown fake documentary about two mentally handicapped children in a institution-like setting in an unspecified time or place. The kids, who are confined to their wheelchairs and are unable to write or talk, find joy in their common surroundings. Lack of dialog and color might put off some people, but this is a journey well worth taking.
Favorite Character- Simon (Main Kid)
24. Taxi Driver, Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, & Harvey Keitel
A disturbed anti-hero wanders the streets as "God's Lonely Man" in Scorsese's 1976 classic, still a potent study of urban discontent and alienation. More a long close look at the mind of the protaganist than the revenge fantasies we are presented with today, "Taxi Driver" still contains some harsh violence, controversial for the time it was made. De Niro gives a good performance, and young Jodie Foster backs him up as a 12-year-old prostitute.
Favorite Character- Travis
25. Dead Alive (AKA Brain-Dead,) Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring Timothy Balme, Elizabeth Moody, & Diana Peñalver
My mom hates this film with a passion. What she doesn't understand is that the bad acting, ridiculous dialogue, and overall cheap production are not a deterrent but a strength. The cheeseball goodness and fun characters are what make this really worth watching, not to mention all the gore. A lot of lines and scenes that make you go, "Ooh, did they really just do that?" A cult classic.
Favorite Character- Lionel
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