I have tried to make this list as comprehensive as possible. There are some more “must watch” movies that I need to catch up on which haven’t been included in this list. Please don’t look at this list with the expectation of finding Bollywood or the so-called “commercial” or “popular” movies. Some of these movies have received lots of recognition in the form of various awards, but many of them have not. However, this doesn’t make them any less special in my eyes. I’m sure if you’re a real cinema lover, then you’ll like at least some of the movies on my list. 
If you feel that our tastes our similar, then please feel free to drop me a comment recommending any good movies that you’ve watched.
Drama
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
Amadeus (1984)
American Beauty (1999)
American History X (199 
Gandhi (1982)
The Hours (2002)
Monsoon Wedding (2001)
Monster (2003)
A River Runs Through It (1992)
Schindler’s List (1993)
Lost in Translation (2003)
Little Children (2006)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Dear Frankie (2004)
Notes on a Scandal (2006)
The Shipping News (2001)
Foreign (Non-English)
The Decalogue (1987)
Trois Couleurs (1994)
The Bicycle Thief (194
Children of Heaven (1999)
Life is Beautiful (1997)
City of God (2002)
Cinema Paradiso (198
The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)
Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Ran (1985)
Salaam Bombay (198
Umberto D. (1952)
Chandni Bar (2001)
The Lives of Others (2006)
Amores Perros (2000)
Y Tu Mama Tambien (2001)
The Orphanage (2007)
After the Wedding (2006)
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
V for Vendetta (2006)
Action
Batman Begins (2005)
Lord of the Rings- All the parts
Thriller
The Butterfly Effect (2004)
Classics
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Paths of Glory (1957)
Vertigo (195
Documentary
Born into Brothels (2004)
Uncovered: The War on Iraq (2004)
After Innocence (2005)
Comedy
Manhattan (1979)
Annie Hall (1977)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Special Mention:
Love Actually (2003)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
The Omen (1976)
Rashomon (1950)
The Remains of the Day (1993)
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
The Graduate (1967)
The Illusionist (2006)
Over rated Movies:
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Crash (2004)
The Departed (2006)
All chick flicks (Whatever that includes)
Hats off to a brilliant list!
@bap- Thanks! I still need to include some more movies…
Butterfly effect was really a crazy movie…
I understood pretty late wats happening in the movie…
grt idea..i must say…
Good work Ruhi..
so these are movies you *haven’t seen? or the must-watch movies for any movie person
@nitin, thanks
I agree…Butterfly Effect is quite bizarre!
@patrick, These are my all time favorite movies. I’ll keep adding more from time to time.
Good job!
Made me realise… havent seen most of them!!!! 
@Nova, You can start right away…it’s never too late
i can find u gave an awsome list and some of which are my fav…
p.s:-pirates of the caribbean overrated…..sob sob…..i love that series ,may be the depp factor…..
@Rohan, Thanks for stopping by! I know that I’ve offended several people because of this list, but it’s just what I feel.
among over-rated movies id definetly put “babel”…
among non-english movies do check out “no man’s land” and “amelie”…
other good movies id recommend are spielberg’s “munich”(which i thght was simply brilliant) , “the terminal”, “the worlds fastest indian” , “north country”, “mystic river”, “the godfather”….
@ulag:
I saw Babel and quite liked it. It was all right. No Man’s Land and Amelie are also very good, I agree. Same goes for Munich and The Godfather.
I haven’t seen the World’s Fastest Indian; should check that out. I saw North Country and didn’t like it though. It was too melodramatic for me. Hehe. Mystic River is also OK.
You seem to be an avid movie buff yourself. Do you have a blog?
yeah i do watch a lot of movies…nope i dont have a blog, yet….i just surf blogs n bug ppl with my comments
@ulag:
Ahh I see! You should start one then
Anyway, you’re welcome to bug me. How did you find my blog? I’m just curious.
i was googling stuff about MBA when i came across ur post….
i’m impressed!!! this is the 1st time i’m visiting ur blog.. thru Ish’s blog..
very interesting… in any case, i’m a movie buff myself!!!
@ulag, Ahh…I see!
@vaishno, Thank you for stopping by
You should make a cinema page too.
and u dont hav ne favourites in regional indian movies like in tamil or kannada? just asking since u know abt the bad ones like those of vijaykanth’s :P…..
Atleast half of the movies you listed will figure in my best movies list too. I agree that Departed was an overrated movie of last year..Babel was much better that year..
..The same way as Salman Rushdie’s novels figure in many people’s list..although many dont understand him..
I wonder about Eternal sunshine of spotless mind..I always thought it was a very abstract movie and probably figures in some people’s list because of that reason only..
But, Iam impressed with your list..I think it’s quite on the spot..
Also, Woody Allen’s movies are more like cereberal comedies rather than plain comedies..
I have now linked your blog in my blog
Just to add further..Iam surpised that you dont have any old Indian classics in your list..movies of Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, Raj kapoor etc..Havent you watched them or you didnt find them interesting.??.
Btw, Bicycle Thief will be in my list of top 5 all time movies..
@lallopallo:
Sorry for replying so late. I have been really caught up with some studies and work
Not many people liked Eternal Sunshine. I’ve hardly found anyone who liked it, to tell you the truth. I tried reading Satanic Verses by Rushdie, but gave up.
Midnight’s Children was easier to read and is one of my favorites.
Thank you for linking me from your blog
Appreciate it.
I have seen some indian classics, but I found them to be boring
I like Satyajit Ray movies. Haven’t seen much of Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt etc. Probably I will, someday. You should recommend me some good ones. What say? 
You dont need to be sorry for replying late
Bimal Roy’s Do beegha Zameen and Devdas, Gur Dutt’s Pyasa and Kaagaz ke Phool should be ones which you should watch as soon as you get an opportunity..
First watch these ones and then we will talk ..
No problem in linking your blog..I guess you linked mine too..
@lallopallo:
Cool
Thanks a lot for those recommendations. I’ll try to get hold of those DVDs.
Hmmm. Interesting list & blog.
I agree on the quality of most of the films listed (at last someone else who “gets” Virginia Woolf ). The choices I totally disagree with are few and far between(Rings Trilogy & V for Vendetta being primary; as well as your pegging Little Miss Sunshine an overrated film).
Given your taste, I recommend you check out Persepolis & Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, if you haven’t done so already.
@Dawkin
Hi! Thanks for stopping by
I love that movie on Virginia Woolf. There’s another one called “The Hours”. Have you seen it? I’m surprised that you didn’t like the LOTR trilogy…of course, it’s nothing compared to the book. V for Vendetta- It’s quite possible you didn’t like it. Lots of people didn’t.
I didn’t like Little Miss Sunshine because I think that it was a little towards the ‘brainless comedy’ side.
I have heard a lot about Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead…I’ll order it soon. Will take a look at the other movie too. Thanks a lot for your recommendations
Do you have a blog or a cinema list?
Finally got the time to see ur list. A grade list.
I saw Lost in Translation two days back. Loved it. I’d also like to recommend a few movies to you. Do watch them if you haven’t already.
I have seen Pan’s Labyrinth, which is very good. Haven’t heard of the others. I’ll read some reviews and add them to my movie queue. Thanks for the recommendations.
- Pan’s Labyrinth
- Memento
- About Schmidt
- Spirited away
- Terms of Endearment
Ruhi: Thanks Amit!
good list…i believe, I haven’t seen any on the “foreign” list. Actually kind of funny to see hindi movies under the category of Foriegn especially from an indian…but I guess (non-english) explains it.
Maybe mine would be somewhat similar, if I see some of them…..except for
The Butterfly Effect and Love Actually, which I think is underrated. and “Lil’ Miss Sunshine”- which I think is not underrated. That movie stays close to my heart.
Finally a blog which post reviews on movies, which I might not agree upon( just b’cos I see Little Miss sunshine in the underrated category. That makes my enthusiasm in movies even exciting.
Great blog.
Have you seen “The Assasination of Jesse James by…. I felt that the movie was amazing. Just when I felt that Tom Wilkinson was amazing in Micheal Clayton, I see Cassey Affleck in The Assasination of jesse James….
Ruhi:
I noted your observation on “chick flicks”. I daresay that a post-feminist perspective from someone in the 20s does not surprise me (not anymore and besides you areyet to experience the harsh realities of the corporate world first hand which will probably change your view on the “post” bit in post-feminism but I digress…).
Here is an article from March 2008 issue of Vanity Fair which I think you will like. Particularly note the distinction between women’s pictures and chick-flicks and how the terms and the pictures they describe actually reflect the zeitgeist.
http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/03/chickflicks200803
PS: So was Brokeback Mountain a gay film? A film for men? Something else? Likewise for chick flicks and I notice only men get hot and bothered about being dragged to watch them.
@ Ruhi
I dunno whether it would qualify 4 all time fav but i guess every woman must see Mona Lisa Smile’ Julia Roberts has done a gr8 job although I v nt seen d end
@ Shefaly
Dunno if u hav read this or nt but men do like chick flicks but r embarrased 2 admit it…lol
@Amon.by.the.sea
Thank you for your kind comment
Little Miss Sunshine is definitely not underrated. In fact, it got all the media attention. It was even nominated for the Oscars (even though I didn’t personally like the movie one bit). Haven’t yet seen the Jessie James movie, but I plan to, some time soon for sure. I’ve put the Hindi movies int he Non-English list because I found it very difficult to come up with an entire list of Hindi movies that I might have enjoyed.
@Shefaly
Thanks for the link. I read the article, though I don’t really agree with what the writer’s got to say. I don’t know about post-feminism. People associate the word feminist with all kinds of meanings, but I would like to believe that I’m a feminist. I believe that men and women are equal. Nobody is superior / inferior and I don’t indulge in cat fights. But anyway, this has nothing to do with my movie watching. Could you tell me which movies acc. to you are “women’s movies” and which are “chick flicks”?
Perhaps, I’ll be better able to understand your taste then. 
@Shruti
Yes, I’ve seen Monalisa smile. I’m not a big Julia Roberts fan. The movie was all right, and it showed some of the realities of the American era in the ‘50 and ’60s. I did find some of the scenes to be disturbing and insulting though. But it was worth a watch. And you are right about men and chick flicks- They even evnjoy saas bahu serials, but won’t admit it.
Oh yea, I totally love Saas-bahu serials. Tulsi is so damned hot, and she’s been married like 6 times already so she wouldn’t mind marrying me either! So cool!
@ ish:
6 times? Are you serious? And I can’t believe that you find her hot.
You are a sad case.
Oh!! I am sorry. I am not much of a refined writer. I just type down what come comes through my mind and submit without thinking twice.
Sometimes I forget that all of us have different opinions.
I see you are quite a kubrick fan. I have heard of kubrick from friends. I am quite of an film enthusiast myself, but I have always stayed away from kubrick movies thinking that it would make a lasting impression on my mind.
But I will see it one day.
Kingdom of Heaven…*The Directors cut* is a good. I couldn’t believe the difference . I remember mentioning that the movie was not too great when it released.
I’d want to check out the uncut version of the ‘Lord of the Rings Trilogy’. There is atleast 30 minutes added to each movie. That’ll be fun to watch.
@Amon.by.the.sea
Please don’t apologize
You didn’t say anything that hurt me. And it’s always best to hit the “Submit” button without reviewing what you’ve written. At least, that’s what I do.
I’m a big Kubrick fan. I’ve seen almost all of his movies, including the first few ones. You need to watch his stuff…Space Odessey, Full Metal Jacket…such gems. Really. You’ll want to watch them again and again. So many times, I just go to IMDB and re-read the memorable quotes.
Kingdom of Heaven is good..agree with you. ) And I’ve seen the uncut version of LOTR. Nothing compared to the book, but it’s still good. I like Fantasy kind of movies and lengthy films generally don’t deter me, if they’re good.
The Hobbit is also being made into a movie (or has already been made?). Btw, do you plan to watch Persepolis? It’s based on that graphic novel. I’m dying to watch it.
Jesus Christ Ruhi, I was being sarcastic.
And yes, 6 times.
YES, i do want to watch Persepolis, but I can’t expect it to release over here. So I’ll either buy a pirated one or mostly i’ll read it. I love comics/graphic novels.
guess I’ll give kubrick a watch. but before that I’ll see my first David Lynch movie-’Lost Highway’
Yesterday I was watching Anand (rem babumoshai) n i thought isn’t one great classic? Its all about being happy even when you know your end is near. The whole film i guess was summarised in this poem
Maut tu ek kavitaa hai
mujhse ek kavita ka vada hai milegi mujhko
doobti nabzon mein jab dard ko neend aane lage
zard sa chehra lekar jab chaand ufaq tak pahunche
din abhi paani mein ho, raat kinaare ke kareeb
na andhera na ujaala ho, na abhi raat na din
jism jab khatm ho aur rooh ko jab saans aaye
mujhse ek kavita ka waada hai milegi mujhko
The story dialogues screenplay everything was jus too classy
Ish- I know
I was just joking.
Amon.by.the.sea- Even I haven’t seen any David Lynch movies, except for maybe Eraserhead, which he’s written, I think.
I do have a soft copy of Persepolis, if you’re interested. I’ll forward it to you.
Shruti- Lovely poem and a very good film
You remember the entire poem? I’m surprised. I haven’t watch much Hindi classics, I’m afraid. Probably I need to do that some time.
Okay, you were also joking. My sense of humor seems to have hit something really low then. I can’t comprehend anything!
hey, that would be cool. I wouldn’t have to buy the book then. Could you send it to esquecido.mathews@gmail.com ?
Ruhi: Will do
No problem. Just give me a day. It’s already mid night here. Will email you the link tomorrow.
@ Ruhi
Not reallly picked up online…but the strangest part is after having seen the movie soo many times it was actually the first time I had heard the poem in the movie
interesting , no hindi movies here?
I do have some semi-Hindi movies like Salaam Bombay and Chandni Bar listed. I even liked 1-2 others, but they are not among the top of the crop.- Ruhi
Have you seen Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men? Its sci-fi and its pretty good.
Yes, I have. Brilliant brilliant movie!
I saw The Last Emperor recently and I was amazed by the cinematography and the general canvas of the movie. Have you seen it? - Ruhi
Oh no i havent seen it. Will try to watch it sometime….
I like your list, though I don’t agree a hundred percent. But that keeps the flavour in life, doesn’t it?
Anyway, things I’d recommend - if you don’t know them already - would be The Prestige (http://imdb.com/title/tt0482571/) and Hayao Miyazaki (http://imdb.com/name/nm0594503/), especially Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke. Also, you should have a look at Terry Gilliam (http://imdb.com/name/nm0000416/), Brazil and Twelve Monkeys are amazing.
Btw, I’d say Love, Actually, Little Children and The Shipping News would qualify as chick flicks.
Hey thanks for visiting my blog.
I haven’t heard of these movies. Will try to take a look for sure. Thanks for your recommendations! I like Little Children because of Kate Winslet and The Shipping News, because it’s based on a lovely novel by Anne Proulx. Because I’ve read the novel, I was interested in watching the movie. Love Actually…saw it a long time back. It was quite mushy, yes. - Ruhi
Sure thing [the visiting]! I wanna know who drops by at my place as well. I’m curious…
A good chick flick is a good chick flick. And Love, Actually definitely qualifies.
But I use the term chick flick quite lovingly, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Anne Proulx is a really good read. I remember that I liked the Shipping News as well. Although it did take a way a bit of Brokeback Mountain. I read BM first and thought that her spartanic use of words was really fitting for the characters. When I read SN and it was written in the same style, it was a bit disappointing because she didn’t only use this style for BM, but it just was her style. [Does that make any sense to somebody else but me?]
Let me know how you liked the movies. I always have some more recommendations
Hello,
Just bumped into your blog and I could help notice “The Departed” in the “Over Rated” Category…. I dont wanna start a fight or anything but give me one good reason why you feel Departed is over rated ??
some more ….
1) Office Space
Requiem for a Dream
2) One Flew Over Cuckoo’s Nest
3) Fight Club ( I am surprised it’s not there on your list)
4) The Silence Of the Lambs
5) Psycho (The old version)
6) Taxi Driver
7) Raging Bull
9) Sin City
10) Chung Hing sam lam ( Foreign )
I can probably fill this whole space with movie list…
regards
vc
VC- I don’t know why, but I didn’t like it.
Typical Hollywood over-the-top hero-giri. Didn’t appeal to me. And that’s a good list. Some of them are my favorites too. Haven’t seen that foreign movie though. Should check it out. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Well, your individual view is YOUR INDIVIDUAL view….i m not going to argue with you on that :D….
You must watch that mandarin movie…its called Chung Hing Express….Mind blowing movie….Oh ! I forgot….try watching Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas….
vc