Tintin's Top Ten
Apocalypse NOW!
With today's world ending prophecy in tow, I have decided to write a top ten countdown based on the Best Apocalyptic and Post Apocalyptic movies. The apocalypse has been a focal point in cinema, it is the sole reason as to why we have Zombies today with George Romero's Living Dead series. While there have been tons of apocalypse movies, it is the post-apocalyptic bunch that provide great depth in storytelling so as viewers can be immersed in a world with the situation of the last living man/woman concept. Here are my top ten Apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic films:
10. I Am Legend
While it's older version The Last Man on Earth (1964) is a much better film, this one isn't that date and it has Will Smith. Based on Richard Matheson's novel of the same name, I am Legend sees Will Smith's character Robert Neville searching for the cure for the virus that destroyed most of the population of the world including his family. Smith also faces infected beings called 'Darkseekers' and meets two other survivors along the path to creating the cure and saving the world. The scope of the movie is epic, and it mostly lives up to it. It is interesting to see an empty New York creating a haunting vibe, a fun reference is the giant poster of a batman/superman team-up movie. Smith is the central focus, as he provides a toned down and burdened performance which elevates the film especially in it's messed up second half. Watch I am Legend for a serious Will Smith performance and the visuals of a devestated and empty New York.
9. Zombieland
The hilarious comedy sees 'Colombus' (Jesse Eisenberg) on a road trip with 'Tallahasee' (Woody Harrelson) headed of to their namesake destinations in search for his family after a mad cow disease hits the world and everyone become zombies. Along the way they meet up thief duo 'Wichita' (Emma Stone) and 'Little Rock' (Abigail Breslin) who after some trouble end up together to fight off Zombies and realize that they are the only family they have left. The movie includes quite a bit off interesting quirks including Eisenberg's rules of survival, a scintillating Bill Murray cameo and a star turning performance from Woody Harrelson.
8. Matrix
The movie that for a point changed the action and Sci-Fi genre. The heady themes, bullet time and long monologues were relishing to see. Then the sequels came, and I unfortunately saw Matrix in a different light. The use of wiring in action scenes was aped by multiple movies and made them look really poor, one such example is over excessive use of wire action in X-men and the black leather suits. But the new light in which I see it also strengthened the performances whether it was the typically emotionless Keanu Reeves or the bad-ass Laurence Fishburne. The most amazing performance was that of Hugo Weaving's Smith which transcended even the poor sequels.
7. Seeking a Friend for The End of the World
A tender movie which revels in not the apocalypse itself but finding love in this terrible situation. Steve Carell's Dodge is a man who sees his wife walk away as the apocalypse is announced, with this turn off events he wishes to search for his high-school sweetheart Olivia. He enlists the help of his neighbor Penny (Keira Knightley) in finding Olivia in return for a way to get her a flight to England to visit her family. Although typical, the two fall in love and face death among the apocalypse forever. It is the performances and the chemistry between the leads that stand out and make the movie a good picture from an average one. 
6. 12 Monkeys
Bruce Willis is a convict in a destroyed future due to a disease spread from the year 1996. He jumps at the chance to go back in time to prevent the disease and get it in it's pure form so as to send it back to scientists to devise a cure. He is to fend off the Twelve Monkeys organization believed to have been the ones to release the virus. This is a taut thriller with impactful performances from it's leads including Brad Pitt as a mental patient claiming to be extreme animal rights activist. The shock ending is one of the best and it's fun to see the patterns it forms in terms of Bruce Willis career as part of suspense movies inclusive of Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Looper.
5. Planet of the Apes
No! not the Tim Burton turd starring good ol' Marky Mark, but the original 1968 sci-fi classic based on the novel by Pierre Boulle. Planet of the Apes sees three astronauts collide on a planet in the year 3978. They get captured by Gorillas and are taken to 'Ape City' where role reversal ensues with talking ruling apes and non-talking enslaved humans. Among the astronauts, Taylor escapes and discovers that humans were conquered by the Apes, and in turn discovers his true destination and the shocking secret to this world. One of the biggest plot twists in the history of cinema. While not as entertaining and shocking compared to the originals, the sequels are a thrill to watch and also introduce Caesar. The ape made famous by Andy Serkis in the Apes prequel Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Also do not watch the 2001 PoTA remake.
4. Wall E
The sincere and beautifully animated love story on the backdrop of a wasteland that is our own Mother Earth. Wall-E presents the answer that the way humanity is going we might as well be the reason as to why the apocalypse occurs. The first half is a subtle yet lovingly crafted tale based on Wall-E and EVE's romance. While the second half lags with the inclusion of humans, the swiveling dancing sequence and the lesson learned by the humans provides a heart warming tale overall. It clarifies why Pixar are the heavyweights of Hollywood animation films.
3. The Road
A dank and despair filled tale, which sees a father trying to keep himself and his son alive. The bleakness of the situation in a world devastated by an unknown cause, makes the movie more gut-wrenching to watch. Viggo Mortensen gives another class performance and captures the grim visage and haunting attitude of his characters as well as the protective fatherly nature. Performances aside it is the cinematography that shines in presenting the post-apocalyptic world with the realism it deserves, there is no gloss look and instead presents the actual grim and grit which would hit a real life Earth after a full scale devestation. A recommended movie for those who feel they can handle the sad tale and are up for some serious poignant cinema.
2. Mad Max Trilogy
A dystopian Australian outback featuring a gruff former patrolman Max (Mel Gibson). This is the movie that made Mel a superstar. While the first movie involved a Max facing off against a biker gang which eventually ended in the loss of his wife and kid, the second presents an apocalyptic world where oil is the most sought after commodity. In the fight against another gang Max protects a colony working on an oil refinery. I unfortunately have yet to watch the third movie Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. This is one of the best trilogies in films and will extend onwards with the fourth film Mad Max Fury Road starring Tom Hardy as the titular Max.
1. Shaun of the Dead
A brit-tastic spoof on the George Romero Dawn of the Dead. The trio Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright began the three flavors of Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End) with this movie and also the spectacular sub-sub-sub genre of Zom-Com's. As Shaun (Simon Pegg) with his friend Nick Frost during the Zombie apocalypse heads off to save his mother and girlfriend and then go hiding in their favorite bar for a last stand. The hilarious movie may feel comedy or even horror but it's the surprise package of a romantic tale which makes this movie epic in proportions. Simon Pegg is charming and witty, Bill Nighy produces a stellar cameo but it is the scenery chewing Nick Frost that makes this movie a laugh out loud riot and this a special Apocalypse movie.
There are quite a few other post-apocalyptic movies worth watching, hopefully you have enough hours to see them before the day ends and our world dies; Dawn of the Dead and the Living Dead franchise, 28 Days Later, Children of Men, Invasion of the body snatchers, Terminator series and more
'Nuff Said
Aneesh Raikundalia
5. Planet of the Apes
No! not the Tim Burton turd starring good ol' Marky Mark, but the original 1968 sci-fi classic based on the novel by Pierre Boulle. Planet of the Apes sees three astronauts collide on a planet in the year 3978. They get captured by Gorillas and are taken to 'Ape City' where role reversal ensues with talking ruling apes and non-talking enslaved humans. Among the astronauts, Taylor escapes and discovers that humans were conquered by the Apes, and in turn discovers his true destination and the shocking secret to this world. One of the biggest plot twists in the history of cinema. While not as entertaining and shocking compared to the originals, the sequels are a thrill to watch and also introduce Caesar. The ape made famous by Andy Serkis in the Apes prequel Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Also do not watch the 2001 PoTA remake.4. Wall E
The sincere and beautifully animated love story on the backdrop of a wasteland that is our own Mother Earth. Wall-E presents the answer that the way humanity is going we might as well be the reason as to why the apocalypse occurs. The first half is a subtle yet lovingly crafted tale based on Wall-E and EVE's romance. While the second half lags with the inclusion of humans, the swiveling dancing sequence and the lesson learned by the humans provides a heart warming tale overall. It clarifies why Pixar are the heavyweights of Hollywood animation films. 3. The Road
A dank and despair filled tale, which sees a father trying to keep himself and his son alive. The bleakness of the situation in a world devastated by an unknown cause, makes the movie more gut-wrenching to watch. Viggo Mortensen gives another class performance and captures the grim visage and haunting attitude of his characters as well as the protective fatherly nature. Performances aside it is the cinematography that shines in presenting the post-apocalyptic world with the realism it deserves, there is no gloss look and instead presents the actual grim and grit which would hit a real life Earth after a full scale devestation. A recommended movie for those who feel they can handle the sad tale and are up for some serious poignant cinema. 2. Mad Max Trilogy
A dystopian Australian outback featuring a gruff former patrolman Max (Mel Gibson). This is the movie that made Mel a superstar. While the first movie involved a Max facing off against a biker gang which eventually ended in the loss of his wife and kid, the second presents an apocalyptic world where oil is the most sought after commodity. In the fight against another gang Max protects a colony working on an oil refinery. I unfortunately have yet to watch the third movie Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. This is one of the best trilogies in films and will extend onwards with the fourth film Mad Max Fury Road starring Tom Hardy as the titular Max.
1. Shaun of the Dead
A brit-tastic spoof on the George Romero Dawn of the Dead. The trio Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright began the three flavors of Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End) with this movie and also the spectacular sub-sub-sub genre of Zom-Com's. As Shaun (Simon Pegg) with his friend Nick Frost during the Zombie apocalypse heads off to save his mother and girlfriend and then go hiding in their favorite bar for a last stand. The hilarious movie may feel comedy or even horror but it's the surprise package of a romantic tale which makes this movie epic in proportions. Simon Pegg is charming and witty, Bill Nighy produces a stellar cameo but it is the scenery chewing Nick Frost that makes this movie a laugh out loud riot and this a special Apocalypse movie.There are quite a few other post-apocalyptic movies worth watching, hopefully you have enough hours to see them before the day ends and our world dies; Dawn of the Dead and the Living Dead franchise, 28 Days Later, Children of Men, Invasion of the body snatchers, Terminator series and more
'Nuff Said
Aneesh Raikundalia
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