My favorite films

Here is a quick overview over my (25) favorite films:

Magnolia

“If I had to choose just one film, it would be this one. It is probably the most touching, personally moving and also one of the most thought provoking experiences I ever had at the movies. A 3 hour miracle that combines multiple storylines about life, love, fears and dreams ending with a biblical climax that will leave you breathless” - Elias

Memento

“A small, complex, intriguing, challenging, philosophical, independent film-noir psycho thriller. In this early Nolan movie, he toys with the audience minds in a most precise and most clever way. It's perfect.” - Elias

Pulp Fiction

“This is one of the best and probably the most influential movie of the 90s. Tricky stories perfectly arranged, great dialogue, great characters, great style, great soundtrack. Not only revolutionized the movies but also influenced pop culture. Represents a moment in time!” - Elias

No Country For Old Men

“A perfectly crafted thriller by two of my favorite directors: the Coen Brothers. Grotesque, funny, brilliant. Some scenes are so good you could watch just these bits over and over again ...” - Elias

Taxi Driver

“One of my favorite Scorsese movie is this New Hollywood-Classic. A film about loneliness and alienation. A shattering nightmare in the wonderfully portrayed Streets of New York City with an amazing, chilling performance by Robert DeNiro at its center.” - Elias

Donnie Darko

“Another complex indie movie. Surreal, interesting journey with lots of very sympathetic characters.” - Elias

Se7en

“40s style film noir crime-thriller that set new standards for the genre. Dark, gritty atmosphere, great chemistry between the protagonists and a brillant script lead up to one of the most infamous endings I can think of!” - Elias

A Serious Man

“In a way, this was more satisfying than any other Coen film to me. I love it. The script is so fantastically written and funny. It's an odd movie without mainstream appeal, I guess. But with a universal message. I also try to be a serious man...” - Elias

Boogie Nights

“Altman meets Scorsese in this wonderful portrayal of the rise and fall of a porn star in the 70s/80s.” - Elias

The King of Comedy

“A criminally overlooked masterstroke by Martin Scorsese. Probably my favorite of his. The film was a financial flop but is up there with his very best ones. A tragic story about a lonesome schmuck who loses himself in his obsession” - Elias

American Psycho

“I think this is an underrated one. Christian Bale is certainly one of my favorite actors and in this satire he gives one of his best performances. Mean, weird, twisted and even thought provoking. 
It's a laugh riot ...” - Elias

American Beauty

“A razorblade satire about suburban life and the horrors behind our closed doors. As tragic as it is laugh out loud funny.” - Elias

Happiness

“If you like American Beauty, you may like this one as well. Even though by comparison, American Beauty is a feel-good story. Very offbeat ensemble drama about lonely people on their search for happiness in a society of oppressed emotions, needs and desires. Seek it out, it's brillant” - Elias

Being John Malkovich

 “Charlie Kaufmann is surely one of the most original and ambitious screenwriters around. With director Spike Jonze he creates a sweet story from a very unusual perspective” - Elias

Adaptation

“Ambigious and multilayered narrative treat by Charlie Kaufmann about a poor screenwriter struggling with writers block and ending up writing himself into his own story” - Elias

Birdman 

“Technical perfection meets a tragic comedy exploring existential human needs. I love it” - Elias

The Big Lebowski

“The dude is not only a character but represents an attitude. Hilarious, grotesque comedy by the great Coen Brothers. Cult.” - Elias

Inception

“One just can't deny the appeal of an insanely, entertainingly complex film like this. Even though parts of it may feel a bit too conventional Nolan's project remains a challenging, sophisticated stroke of genius that is a fascinating experience on literally multiple layers!” - Elias

City Lights

“This has always been my favorite among Chaplin's famous works. One of the sweetest romances in the history of film.” - Elias

City of God

“An electrifying indie-drama! Incredibly well made, rich story about life, corruption and crime.” - Elias

One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest

“Wonderful film and statement for life and freedom.” - Elias

Oldboy

“Extraordinary. Inventive and colorful, bizarre and beautiful, violent and funny. A dark and extremely powerful revenge drama.” - Elias

In Bruges

“This wonderfully sweet, emotional story about three hitmen reflecting their life and profession blew me away when I saw it the first time. I am still not sure if it holds up though.”

Her

“This most recent film has impressed me more than any other fiction film in the last two or three years. What a sweet, intelligent and surprisingly funny love story of the near future.” - Elias

A Clockwork Orange

“My favorite by visonary director Kubrick.
This bizarre, unique piece is a funny (in a dark way) study of violence, gives insight about human nature and criticizes society.” - Elias