10 Movies Every Film Buff Should Have Seen Already

3. Tokyo Story (1953)

A number of the worlds most creative film makers were born in Japan, so it's fitting that another Japanese director's work makes an appearance on this list. Some film buffs may balk at the omission of Akira Kurosawa's movies, but this one film in particular should be essential viewing for anyone who has a deep rooted love for cinema. Tokyo Story is a simple tale of an ageing couple who visit their grown children in the country's capital. Many of the films mentioned so far on this list are recognized by film buffs for their artistic direction and technical prowess, but Yasujiro Ozu took a different approach for his most celebrated masterpiece, stripping away all stylistic devices associated with the camera. For the most part, Ozu's camera remains static throughout, simply portraying humble scenes of the family interacting with one another in a way that allows the dialogue to breathe without distraction. To maintain this tone, Ozu also kept the editing process simple, only using direct cuts rather than the dissolves, fades and wipes that many film makers were utilizing at the time. It's hard to imagine a movie which shows its most important events off screen maintaining audiences interest, but Tokyo Story is a captivating work of art which is quietly stunning to behold. Ozu's innovative approach and emphasis on realism has been hugely influential worldwide, guaranteeing it a regular spot among critics most celebrated movies of all time. If you haven't seen Tokyo Story yet, don't expect a Michael Bay style action packed extravaganza. Further Recommendations: The Bicycle Thieves (1948), Late Spring (1949), Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... And Spring (2003)