Empire Top 500: 1-4

I have decided that I will watch all of Empire's top 500 movies in turn... And here I will give you a little summary of what I think!

Empire's top 500 movies is the most accurate movie rating system yet (in my opinion). Basically they are a magazine, and they asked all their readers to vote for the best movie of all time, the poll spanned over 10,000 people. But that wouldn't make the "Best" movie ranking system, so they brought in 150 actors, directors, composers, etc, to give their vote (Obviously their vote waas a lot more heavy than a general reader), and in adition 50 professional movie critics were invited to vote. So in my opinion it is eassily the best ranking system of all time. Though, like any poll, there's always a few points in which it fails, which I will point out later on.

1. The Godfather This is a pure classic and can be enjoyed by anyone, including people that aren't particularly fans of the genre (like me). The movie follows one of the families of the Mafia, and is much more than just a "shoot him down" movie. It beautifully explores the concept of family, and is a very gentle movie letting you take it all in at your own pace, without being tedious... It certainly deserves it's place as The Best Movie Ever though I would have said that about a few other really good movies!


2. Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark George Lucas and Steven Spielberg's first Indianna Jones movie (though perhaps I'm not the right person to ask about this as I prefered the 4th one... sure I'm going to get loads of comments now!


3. Star Wars 5: The Empire Strikes Back This is easily the best movie ever and I'm very pleased it got so high on the list, please be quiet Star Wars haters, just take this as a cool movie, it was never meant to be a scientific enigma!


4. The Shawshank Redemption

Featured Actor: Doug Jones

Doug Jones

The famed American actor has acted in over 50 roles, and still holds much potential!

Well Known for his roles as Abe Sapien in Hellboy, El Fauno in Pan's Labyrinth, and as The Silver Surfer in Marvel's Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Distinguishing caracteristics are that he often acts under heavy make-up, and is very agile in his acting roles!

In Jones' most recent movie: Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, he played 3 characters (Abe Sapien, The Angel of Death, and The Chaimberlain).

Jones is currently anticipating reprising his role as The silver surfer in next year's Silver Surfer. So another movie for you marvel fans to keep in your diaries!

Actor of the year: John Hurt

I name John Hurt actor of the year for 3 exceptional performances this year.

Professor Seldom in The Oxford Murders

John Hurt plays an Oxford mastermind who helps his young student unravel a mysterious muder case. Brilliant acting, and a brilliant film, well worth the watch if you can get hold of the DVD.

Professor Oxley in Indiana Jones 4

Hurt plays a mad-man, you could almost believe Hurt was mad himself, certainly look this film up, your missing something if you don't.

Professor Broom in Hellboy 2

Hurt again comes back to play the beloved role of the professor in charge of the BPRD. This time he narrates his own story. Exceptional!

Now that I notice it, his characters have all been professors!