44 - Ghost in the Shell
Another classic 90s anime that came to our shores via the distributor Manga. Ghost in the Shell is truly one of my favourites, having spawned a stunning sequel and a TV series. Based on the manga (Japanese comic) written by Shirow Masamune, Ghost in the Shell is set in a future post world war 3 Japan. It is an era dominated by the internet and cybernetics and follows the exploits of the cyborg Major Kusanagi, a beautiful and incredibly skilled special agent in a special forces anti-terror unit. Ghost in the Shell has a prophetic quality to it, written before the rise of the internet, many things it portrays have already come true. What hasn't, doesn't even feel that fantastic almost 20 years on. Ghost in the Shell was also one of the primary 'influences' of The Matrix as well. Plugging into a network via the back of your neck? Check. Superhuman rooftop chases and gun fights? Check. Illegible green scrolling text? Check check.
Best bit: The truly stunning opening credits which show a montage of a cyborg body identical to Major Kusanagi's being built.
43 - Enter the Dragon
Bruce Lee made only a handful of films and while they are all considered classics of the genre, they were actually pretty shoddy for the most part. Low production values and the fact that Hong Kong was way behind America in film making makes them seem much older than they are. Enter the Dragon was Lee's last completed film and unlike his previous films, it was Hollywood backed. What you get is a mixed bag of kung fu action and a 70s Bond esq spy thriller. Even though all of Bruce Lee's films had great fights, Enter the Dragon features the best of them. Choreographed by Lee, the action is perfectly orchestrated to show off his talents. An early cameo from action legend Sammo Hung makes a great opening bout but it is only once Lee makes his way to Han's martial arts island that things really kick off. Featuring about every stereotype you can think of, Enter the Dragon is a great slice of classic exploitation.
Best bit: Bruce Lee vs Karate champ Bob Wall. Nothing like a back flip kick to the face.
42 - Ong Bak: The Beginning
From the 70s kung fu boom to a modern day martial arts epic that takes the best of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li and roles it into a bone crunching package known as Tony Jaa. The pseudo prequel to Jaa's big hit Ong Bak; Ong Bak: The Beginning takes the action back to more ancient times. An orphaned prince is adopted by a group of martial artists from around the world who train him in each of their unique styles. The result; a total badass. The story; pretty s**t. Who cares, the guy back flips off elephants. The fights are some of the most amazing to ever be filmed and while the film ends on a totally bogus cliffhanger, it is still a wild ride.
Best bit: Jaa's tribute to none other than The Drunken Master.
41 - Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
So many films have tried to recreate video games. Some are moderately successful such as Mortal Kombat but most are total dross. It is ironic that the most video gamey film ever made is based on a comic. Scott Pilgrim is at heart a romantic comedy but set in a Nintendo fever dream. In Scott's world, pretty much anything is possible; hot girls can roller blade through his mind, swords can be pulled out of his chest and being vegan just makes you....better than other people. Scott must face Ramona Flowers' 7 evil ex's in a battle to, I asume the death as they explode into coins. It is a metaphor for the battle every new boyfriend must make in standing up to past lovers, but more than that, it is awesome fun. The cast is about as good as it is possible to get, featuring amazing comic turns from straight actors like Chris Evans and Brandon Routh and a career high from Michael Cera. Edgar Wright may have been more successful with Shaun of the Dead, but Scott Pilgrim is his best film to date.
Best bit: Scott Vs Matthew Patel and his demon Bollywood dancers.