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Best Evil Children films ever made (10+1list)

Best Evil Children films ever made

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Evil Children films ever made: Children are a blessing, a gift from God, guiltless and cute and vulnerable and naive and …. and sometimes pure evil!

In certain movies children are depicted as young psychotic demons or criminal master minds who can manipulate and influence other children or even adults into sheer devastation. Disguised under the cape of playful innocence they can make your life a living hell!

Here are some of the Best Evil Children films that surely won’t let you sleep peacefully tonight. So, beware of the little ones!

10. The Good Son (1993)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI4n1g8opmA

Evil-Children-filmsMacaulay Culkin the cute mischivous boy from Home Alone have managed to turn himself into one of the many faces of evil!

A story of a boy with an innocent face and sinister intentions who likes to control the fate of the people around him and drives their lives towards sheer disaster.

Directed by Joseph Ruben, a movie both freaky and scary for the right reasons. Also starring Elijah Wood.

9. Who Can Kill a Child? (1976)

¿Quién puede matar a un niño? (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUwo3I9eas4

Evil-Children-filmsIt’s not a good idea for tourists to visit an island where there are no adults (left) but only starry-eyed children who wants to murder you! And if you want to defend yourself then you have to kill them nut then – Who Can Kill a Child?

Directed by Narciso Ibáñez Serrador, this Spanish flick is creepy enough to hold your attention. Another film based on similar concept is Children of the Corn (1984)

8. Case 39 (2009)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok-5lWGBQr8

Evil-Children-filmsRenée Zellweger, a social worker rescues ten year old abused girl Jodelle Ferland from her parents and tries her best to comfort the child.

But soon the whole perspective of the abused and abuser changes!

Directed by Christian Alvart, a thriller with some superb unexpected twists that will engage you till the very end.

7. Joshua (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpeTkVEJqDE

Evil-Children-filmsA highly talented 9-year-old kid shows disturbing behavioural signs since the arrival of a newborn girl in his family – jealousy and the urge to get back his parent’s attention soon turns the little boy into a psychotic monster!

Directed by George Ratliff, and brilliant performances by Sam Rockwell, Vera Farmiga and the kid Jacob Kogan. The brilliant music by Nico Muhly makes the film a great eerie experience.

6. Them (2006)

Ils (original title)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFTbcDRkG1o

Evil-Children-filmsA group of young hooded assailants attack a couple in their peacefully isolated country house, it seems they want to play a dangerous game, and thus begins a night of unimaginable terror!

Directed by David Moreau and Xavier Palud, a great suspense thriller with superb background scores. And the most chilling part of the film is that this is based on a true story!

5. The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK4za8v8_YI

Evil-Children-filmsA 13-year-old girl lives in a secluded house, seems like her parents are never around to meet anyone or may be she is hiding some dark secret from the entire neighbourhood. And it’s better for the neighbours not to be too curious for their own safety.

Directed by Nicolas Gessner and a brilliant performance from young Jodie Foster, a superb thriller full of suspense and Martin Sheen!

4. Village of the Damned (1960)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AUBlW5EWnI

Evil-Children-films‘People, especially children, aren’t measured by their IQ. What’s important about them is whether they’re good or bad, and these children are bad.’

You don’t want to end up in a small English village swarming with creepy children who stare at you and can make you do horrible things.

Directed by Wolf Rilla, a surprisingly brilliant creepy film.

3. The Bad Seed (1956)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooy8HTb8izw

Evil-Children-films‘Children can be nasty, don’t you think?’

Probably a mother’s worst suspicion will be that her sweet innocent eight year-old daughter have committed a murder! But what if she has committed more than one murders and still be entirely remorseless about them?

Directed by Mervyn LeRoy, great acting by Nancy Kelly and Patty McCormack – this one is a classic!

2. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV7Y5cylhNc

Evil-Children-filmsKevin, a troubled child gets more psychotic as he grows up and his estranged relationship with his mother Tilda Swinton gets even more complicated and threatening which eventually builds up to a frightening climax.

Directed by Lynne Ramsay, an absolutely brilliant movie, highly disturbing and thrilling at the same time. Certainly the most though provoking film in this list.

  1. The Omen (1976)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7CEbd7ffNw

Evil-Children-filmsCertainly the most popular and successful ‘evil-child’ movie till date.

Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, a couple who needed a child finally adopts one but through a series of sinister events they eventually realise that the child is no ordinary. Can the young kid be the son of the Devil?

Directed by Richard Donner, a true horror classic that demands your attention!

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch)

+1. Orphan (2009)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ywOPNNii9w

Evil-Children-filmsA 9 year-old girl recently adopted by a loving couple seems to have problems – as the poster says ‘there’s something wrong with Esther.’

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, a film full of surprises – the orphan child with a mysterious past is apparantly not what she claims to be. Isabelle Fuhrman as the kid, Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard as the parents – all at their very best. 

Similar Interest: Best Child Psychology Films ever made

Poster courtesy: www.imdb.com.

Best Court room drama films (10+1list)

Best Court room drama films.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Back in 1928 director Carl Theodor Dreyer made an epic film The Passion of Joan of Arc and although the movie was unique in many other aspects but it was also probably the first ever cinema to showcase the dramatization inside a court room.

And since then, there has been several brilliant contributions made to the ‘courtroom drama’ genre.

The Judge, the jury, the lawyer, the accused and the witnesses. Guilty or Not guilty?

Sometimes the primary focus is on the lawyer’s intellect and determination while other films deal more with the accused or the suspense of the final verdict. 

The list below consists of some of the best Courtroom drama films ever made.

So, Order! Order!

10. 12 Angry Men (1957)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7CBKT0PWFA

12-angry-men-posterWhen you say ‘courtroom drama’, the first film that comes to your mind is this one, and why not?

An epic film directed by Sidney Lumet featuring a murder trail where 12 jury members have to come to a decision unanimously.

Almost shot inside a single room, 12 characters and their unique approach to the case. Henry Fonda‘s best role.

Another brilliant film by the same director on this genre is The Verdict (1982). A must watch.

9. The Paradine Case (1947)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGt4VvcSfjU

pardine-case-posterNot one of his best suspense thrillers, but nevertheless Alfred Hitchcock‘s contribution to the courtroom drama genre.

A lawyer risks his own marriage and reputation as he falls for the beautiful female client accused of murdering her own husband!

Gregory PeckAnn ToddCharles Laughton and Oscar nominated Ethel Barrymore all at their best.

8. Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsVN1hv9D5c

witness-prosecution-posterThis time it’s director Billy Wilder who joins the courtroom drama.

Brilliant performances by Tyrone PowerMarlene DietrichCharles Laughton

The film’s suspense is so vital that the audience before entering the hall had to sign, cards that read, ‘I solemnly swear I will not reveal the ending of Witness for the Prosecution.’! 

7. Primal Fear (1996)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnmTi7hSjrA

primal-fear-posterA priest murdered and an alter boy is accused for killing him. But the real truth is not what it seems to be.

Directed by Gregory Hoblit, this one is a superb drama with some pretty unexpected twists.

Richard Gere and Laura Linney give awesome performances but the one to look for in the film is Edward Norton, a star was born.

Another cool film by the same director on this genre is Fracture (2007). A good watch.

6. Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfOgZXIQ6fo

Judgment-Nuremberg-posterFour Nazi judges are to be judged for their war crimes, but before the cold-war people are willing to forget the past very easily.

Director Stanley Kramer creates this terrific American courtroom in occupied Germany of 1948 and tells the intense tale of judgement. 

Probably the film of most historical significance in this list.

Another awesome film by the same director on this genre is Inherit the Wind (1960)

5. Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAVLvGP25uQ

Anatomy-Murder-posterCan temporary insanity be the reason for committing murder?

My favorite actor James Stewart gives a great performance along with Lee Remick and Ben Gazzara.

Directed by Otto Preminger, there was controversy because the film uses words like ‘bitch’, ‘contraceptive’, ‘panties’, ‘penetration’, ‘rape, ‘slut’ and ‘sperm’ for the first time on screen!

4. Philadelphia (1993)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl4B9AU45P4

philadelphia-posterTom HanksDenzel WashingtonRoberta Maxwell all together in this superb drama.

A lawyer takes the case of a man who press charges on his employee on the ground that he was fired just because he had AIDS.

Directed by Jonathan Demme, this is one remarkable film based on a true incident.

3. …And Justice for All. (1979)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQzYNoLANrg

And-Justice-All-poster‘You’re out of order! The whole trial is out of order! They’re out of order!’

One of Al Pacino‘s classics, a film that is intense and indeed makes you doubt the true meaning of justice.

A lawyer is forced to defend a judge who seems to be guilty.

Directed by Norman Jewison, one of the best court drama ever made. 

2. The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFwE3UgCMIk

Lincoln-Lawyer-posterA wealthy client, a talented defense lawyer with a conscience and then there is a full proof plan to beat the system!

Matthew McConaughey at his best as usual along with Marisa Tomei and Ryan Phillippe.

Directed by Brad Furman this one is one of the best court dramas of recent times.

  1. A Few Good Men (1992)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePo91pMcu94

few-good-men-posterDirected by master director Rob Reiner, this film has one thrilling court drama.

A Navy lawyer determined to defend two Marines who have been accused of murdering a colleague. But things doesn’t look as simple as they are.

Great performances by Tom CruiseJack NicholsonDemi MooreKevin Bacon – you can’t miss this one.

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most unique one. A must watch).

+1. OMG: Oh My God! (2012)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nUwpoTrWFk

OMG-Oh-My-God-PosterAn earthquake destroys an atheist shopkeeper’s shop and so he takes God to the courtroom.

Directed by Umesh Shukla, a film that is so innovative and probably the only film that so aptly deals with commercialization of religion in our current social scenario.

Akshay KumarParesh Rawal and Mithun Chakraborty – couldn’t have been better on the performance basis. 

Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comhttp://www.koimoi.com and www.bollywoodmdb.com.

Best Hollywood Classic Romantic Films (10+1list)

Best Hollywood Classic Romantic Films

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Hollywood Classic Romantic Films: Love is in the air! When the blissful heart thumps too loud, the glowing smile doesn’t leave your face and your thoughts are always connected to someone special, don’t you dare deny it – you ARE in Love.

And if not, by the time you have finished watching all these films, i am sure you will be!

Well, here are some of the best Hollywood classic romantic films that are considered as the best love-stories ever told.

Let’s shower some love.

10. Gone with the Wind (1939)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dTsfsr6-X8

gone-with-the-wind-poster

Nearly four hours long but it’s totally worth it because of Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh and their brilliant on screen chemistry.

Directed by Victor Fleming (and also George Cukor uncredited), this was the first color film to win the Best Picture Oscar.

Considered to be one of fifteen films that changed American cinema (for the good).

9. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urQVzgEO_w8

breakfast-at-tiffanys-posterFashion icon and superstar Audrey Hepburn was the highest paid actress at the time, her salary for the film was a whooping $750,000!

George Peppard and her chemistry was remarkable in the film, supported by eternally beautiful songs like the ‘Moon River’.

Based on Truman Capote‘s novel and directed by Blake Edwards, a love story to remember.

8. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOiIGUg6yLI

singin-in-the-rain-posterGene KellyDonald O’ConnorDebbie Reynolds in one the most famous romantic musical ever!

Directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, interestingly the script of the film was written after the songs, and so the writers had to generate a plot into which the songs would fit.

In 2007, the American Film Institute ranked this as the #5 Greatest Movie of All Time.

7. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewe4lg8zTYA

its-wonderful-life-posterDirector/writer Frank Capra at his best, a film that has the most uncommon script and yet so emotional and romantic.

James Stewart at his career best performance and Donna Reed is amazing as well. 

It was nominated for five academy awards and won none. But that doesn’t make the film any less classic value than it deserves. 

Other romantic films by the same director It Happened One Night (1934) and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936).

6. An American in Paris (1951)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2WAMZRCbpU

american-in-paris-posterThis is one such film that makes you nostalgic and long for everything that was once so pure and classic.

Along with Leslie Caron and Oscar Levant, it’s so musical, so romantic and so Gene Kelly

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, there is a 17-minute dance sequence at the end of the film that took a month to shoot. It cost half a million dollars!

Other romantic films by the same director Gigi (1958) and The Bad and the Beautiful (1952).

5. Casablanca (1942)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkL9l7qovsE

casablanca-poster1With songs as melodious as ‘As Time Goes By’, with hunky Humphrey Bogart and the ever beautiful Ingrid Bergman – a love story that can’t go wrong. 

Directed by Michael Curtiz, the film has many unique qualities – the ‘The Battle of the Anthems’ scene, the last airport sequence and of course the chemistry between Rick and Ilsa!  

My personal favorite in the list.

Other romantic films by the same director The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and White Christmas (1954). 

4. Roman Holiday (1953)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GzCG6lpFUw

roman-holiday-posterGregory Peck with Audrey Hepburn in one of the most famous love story ever shot.

The film not only made Audrey Hepburn world famous but also rocketed the sale of Vespa scooter!  

Directed by brilliant William Wylerwho still holds the record of more people nominated to the Oscar sweepstakes for his films than any other director.

Other romantic films by the same director The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) and Funny Girl (1968).

3. An Affair to Remember (1957)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFWwFfRvClM

affair-to-remember-posterCary Grant and Deborah Kerr after falling for each other agrees to meet in six months at the Empire State Building. 

Well, lovers proposes and God disposes!

Great script, awesome acting and an emotional ending, director Leo McCarey‘s An Affair to Remember” is a film exclusively for the hard core romantics.  

2.  The Shop Around the Corner (1940)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr3nsHRKZJA

The-Shop-Around-the-Corner-PosterMargaret Sullavan and James Stewart hate each other but then of course without realizing that they are falling in love after all.  

Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, this one is a very next-door-kind-of love story, of two very common people with whom the audience can very easily relate to.

Sweet and romantic, with great script and brilliant acting all around.

Other romantic films by the same director Trouble in Paradise (1932) and Ninotchka (1939).

  1. My Fair Lady (1964)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYPZ2C4sOE

my-fair-lady-poster

A movie that was advertised as ‘the most eagerly anticipated production since Gone with the Wind‘.

The film was based on the unique drama Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.

Directed by George Cukor, and starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison – one of the biggest grossing films of the time.

Other romantic films by the same director The Philadelphia Story (1940) and Adam’s Rib (1949).

and now, (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. Some Like It Hot (1959)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI_lUHOCcbc

some-like-it-hot-posterSuper hot Marilyn Monroe along with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, all together in this one; more of comedy than romance but again one of the all time favorite cinema.

Directed by Billy Wilder, in 2007, the American Film Institute ranked it #22 Greatest Movie of All Time. 

And it was also Voted #1 on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 Funniest Movies.

Other romantic films by the same director A Foreign Affair (1948) and The Apartment (1960).

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Poster courtesy: www.impawards.comhttps://en.wikipedia.org