Top 10s

Anthony Bourdain’s Top 10

Anthony Bourdain’s Top 10

American chef and art-film epicure Anthony Bourdain is chef at large at New York’s Brasserie les Halles; the author of ten books, including Kitchen Confidential and No Reservations; and the host of the Travel Channel’s Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. Photo courtesy of the Travel Channel.

The Friends of Eddie Coyle #1 The Friends of Eddie CoylePeter Yates

This is a superb and uncompromising adaptation of George V. Higgins’s bleak masterpiece of low-level criminality—and possibly Robert Mitchum’s finest performance.

Eyes Without a Face #2 Eyes Without a FaceGeorges Franju

Georges Franju’s eerie, face-transplant melodrama has stuck in my memory since the first time I saw it as a freaked-out kid on late-night TV.

The Battle of Algiers #3 The Battle of Algiers Gillo Pontecorvo

The film that politicized me overnight. It’s riveting, multidimensional agitprop with a compelling documentary feel—still relevant and still the best of its kind.

Chungking Express #4 Chungking ExpressWong Kar-wai

I could watch the work of Wong Kar-wai (and the brilliant cinematographer Christopher Doyle) all day long. I don’t have to understand what’s going on . . . I don’t care. Beautiful people, photographed beautifully. His films are the best, most romantic out there.

Kiss Me Deadly #5 Kiss Me DeadlyRobert Aldrich

Easily the ugliest, greasiest, darkest, and most influential noir of its day. Love it.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence #6 Merry Christmas Mr. LawrenceNagisa Oshima

Nagisa Oshima will probably be remembered best for his groundbreaking and beautiful hardcore film In the Realm of the Senses, but this is a wonderful one. Breathtakingly shot, with a fantastic, memorable score, and great performances by David Bowie, Tom Conti, and “Beat” Takeshi Kitano.

Withnail and I #7 Withnail and IBruce Robinson

One of the funniest goddamn films ever made—with an amazing performance by the brilliant Richard E. Grant.

Army of Shadows #8 Army of ShadowsJean-Pierre Melville

A hard, unflinching look at what it was like to resist during wartime France. Personally, I prefer Bob le flambeur, but any Melville is good Melville. And this is very, very good.

House of Games #9 House of GamesDavid Mamet

Mamet’s best film. Joe Mantegna’s best film. A suspense film about the big con. With a tight, delightfully convoluted script, great dialogue—and Ricky Jay!

Sullivan’s Travels #10 Sullivan’s TravelsPreston Sturges

It’s simply one of the best films ever made—and it perfectly conveys everything you need to know about film. The scene of the convicts watching cartoons is a timeless, classic, and life-enriching moment.