Director: Frank Darabont
The Shawshank Redemption is an example of brilliance in a story being unfold; from screenplay, to cinematography to brilliant acting and memorable scenes and dialogues, it’s a complete film.
2. Scent of a Woman (1992)
Director: Martin Brest
My father had recommended me to watch this while I was growing up, to understand quality cinema. It seemed to be his favourite film. When I saw it, I understood why. It’s a classic with Al Pachino at his best; equally recommended for all romantics and rebels.
3. Mission: Impossible – Rogue
Nation (2015)
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
I recommend Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation purely for thrill and action. This is entertainment at its best.
4. The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises (2008, 2012)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan’s Batman leaves you with more than just an action hero. It’s a thought, a philosophy. The same mythology of good and evil, broken down into more than just ‘the good guys vs the bad guys’ trope.
5. Birdman (2014)
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Once in a while, a movie comes out that just blows your mind away and leaves you in awe; it’s direction, acting … almost everything from the first frame till the last. And if you’re into the art of film-making then you can study this for days and days and still find yourself craving for more.
6. Fight Club (1999)
Director: David Fincher
Everyone knows why. It’s ‘THE’ movie! If you haven’t seen this, you haven’t reached puberty.
7. Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2003, 2006)
Director: Rajkumar Hirani
These films tell us how to keep it fun and entertaining without looking preachy and melodramatic.
8. Forrest Gump (1994)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
With the feather falling into Forrest’s lap in the first shot, you too start floating like one through the marvellous journey of this character and are left spellbound forever.
9. The Godfather (1972)
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Watch and learn!
10. Tere Bin Laden (2010)
Director: Abhishek Sharma
Because I am in it!
11. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Allow me to take the liberty of also recommending A Clockwork Orange. It’s a trip for those who like to go on one.
The writer is a singer-songwriter and actor, currently working on his first Pakistani feature film along with a Bollywood feature starring Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt and Kunal Kapoor. He tweets @AliZafarsays
Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2016.
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