10 Movies That Prove Guy Ritchie’s Impeccable Taste

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Enthusiasts of Guy Ritchie’s work have plenty to look forward to! It appears that the highly anticipated second season of his popular Netflix series, known as “The Gentlemen”, is set to begin filming this coming spring. As reported by star Theo James, the sequel will deliver a more substantial and ominous narrative. Given how wild the initial season turned out, this development certainly piques curiosity. Featuring stars like Vinnie Jones and Giancarlo Esposito, the series currently enjoys a 75% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 84% audience score, making it one of Ritchie’s most critically acclaimed projects to date.

Richie’s filmmaking efforts have had varying degrees of quality throughout, yet there’s no disputing his dedication as a cinematic artist. So far in the 2020s, he has completed four films and one TV series, with two additional movies in the pipeline. Filmmaking isn’t merely a profession for Guy Ritchie; it’s also a passion that he openly expresses. During his conversations with Film Threat and First Showing, he admitted to being a cinephile. He has seen numerous works, but only a select few continue to astonish him today.

10
‘The Long Good Friday’ (1980)

In a fresh take,

In the movie “The Long Good Friday,” Bob Hoskins plays Harold Shand, a powerful London crime boss. He’s been proposing plans to the American mafia, and now they’re planning to visit for more talks. However, it’s crucial that he appears well-organized. Unfortunately, someone has started explosively targeting his businesses, which is making things difficult. The question remains: who’s behind these attacks, and what do they hope to achieve?

Someone’s Messing up the Business

This captivating tale thrives on a crisp ’70s ambiance, vivid color cinematography, and the magnetic charm exuded by Bob Hoskins, who was recognized with a Best Actor nomination at the British Academy Awards. Guy Ritchie labels it as “cool and edgy,” confessing, “I wouldn’t have been able to make that film.” He also references it in “The Gentleman.

9
‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’ (1966)

Typically, outlaws like Tuco (Eli Wallach) and bounty hunters such as Blondie (Clint Eastwood) have an adversarial relationship. However, in the movie “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly“, they find themselves in a unique situation when they discover a hidden treasure of $200,000 in gold buried within a cemetery. Recognizing their mutual interest, they decide to join forces, but there’s a catch: Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), a formidable gunman, is also hot on the trail of this valuable loot.

The Tastiest Spaghetti Serving

This Western masterpiece, as Ritchie put it, is truly remarkable and rightly so. Beyond the iconic Ennio Morricone soundtrack, director Sergio Leone skillfully weaves a gripping, intelligent narrative that delves into various topics, including the economic struggles caused by the Civil War and the questionable justice system of the era. The cinematography, with its dynamic movement, beautifully showcases the landscapes, while Leone’s knack for humor creates some unforgettable movie lines. Essentially, it’s a fantastic film.

8
‘Beowulf’ (2007)

In the epic tale of Beowulf, legendary hero Beowulf (Ray Winstone) ventures to Denmark, offering aid to King Hrothgar (Anthony Hopkins) in ridding his kingdom of the monstrous creature, Grendel, who wreaks havoc on his feasting hall. However, their troubles are far from over as Grendel’s vengeful mother (Angelina Jolie) seeks retribution.

A Deeper Psychological Meaning

In this captivating reimagining of the ancient Old English saga, Hopkins delivers a perfectly balanced portrayal of his character, exuding an understated aloofness. Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie, enhanced with CGI, delivers a remarkable acting performance. Director Ritchie refers to Beowulf as the “rebel.” He mentions that he’s watched it three times and believes the film represents the audience: “It’s about your ego, and the dragon symbolizes your ego. It’s about the empty triumph of the material world.

7
‘Seven Samurai’ (1954)

In Akira Kurosawa’s film “Seven Samurai,” the excitement starts when a group of villagers recruit seven masterless samurai, or Ronin, to protect them from yearly bandit attacks. A succession of challenging battles unfolds, with each one becoming increasingly difficult, but the samurai remain resilient, determined not to disappoint the villagers as they strive relentlessly for peace.

Kurosawa Never Went Wrong

The classic film “Seven Samurai” is renowned for being one of the most frequently remade movies in cinema history, and after viewing it, you’ll quickly understand why other directors feel compelled to replicate its magic. Each performance is exceptional, and coupled with a sharp script that offers valuable insights into the Sengoku era of Japanese history, the movie becomes a powerful and enlightening journey. Richie expressed his admiration succinctly: “I adore ‘Seven Samurai’,” he stated.

6
‘Excalibur’ (1982)

The story of Excalibur follows the journey of the legendary sword, Excalibur, across different episodes in Arthurian legend. Starting from the tumultuous grasp of King Uther Pendragon (Gabriel Byrne), it passes on to his son, Arthur (Nigel Terry), and several others. Throughout this sequence of events, the sorcerer Merlin keeps a watchful eye.

The Greatest Arthurian Myth Movie

As the recipient of the Best Artistic Contribution award at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival, this imaginative film is part of the esteemed lineage of King Arthur movies and continues to deliver a powerful emotional punch. It delves deeply into themes such as archaic social hierarchies and avarice. Director Guy Ritchie fondly remembers watching Excalibur as a child, confessing that by the end of the film, he was unsure of what exactly transpired, but he was captivated by it. So enamored was he that he went on to create his own King Arthur film.

5
‘The Incredibles’ (2004)

In “The Incredibles,” I find myself reminiscing about Bob Parr, once a renowned superhero, better known as Mr. Incredible (portrayed by Craig T. Nelson). After a decade and a half of suburban life, where he was forced to hide his extraordinary abilities due to government regulations that outlawed the use of superpowers because of the potential infrastructure harm, he encounters a more sinister adversary, infamously known as Syndrome. Fortunately, just when things seemed dire, his incredibly gifted offspring swoop in to lend a hand.

The Incredible Movie

Even if you’re not particularly fond of animated superhero films, this Pixar masterpiece, which Ritchie deemed “genius,” is still worth enjoying. The action-packed fight and flight scenes are skillfully arranged, while the humor remains consistent, even in grim situations. Michael Giacchino’s orchestral soundtrack will undoubtedly captivate you as well. It’s no surprise that the movie earned over $600 million worldwide.

4
‘Once Upon a Time in the West’ (1968)

In an earlier era, a ruthless railroad magnate yearns for territorial growth, as portrayed in ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’. However, a firm-willed homesteader refuses to budge from his land, creating an obstacle for the tycoon. To bypass this hurdle, the antagonist recruits gunman Frank (Henry Fonda) to eliminate the landowner. But lo and behold, the woman who inherits the property subsequently shows up. Will she too pose a challenge?

Leone Never Disappointed

Critics claimed Sergio Leone wouldn’t be able to create another masterpiece like “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly“, but they were proven wrong. Even after more than forty years, “Once Upon a Time in the West” continues to shine as exceptional entertainment. The cinematography is impressive, and while the acting may appear somewhat stiff at times, the narrative and subplots captivate, propelling the story swiftly towards its fast-paced showdown finale.

Regarding it, Ritchie expressed, “I found it absolutely fantastic when I initially watched it.” Yet, he acknowledges certain aspects of it don’t hold up as well over time. Despite this, he continues to endorse it, so feel free to watch it and make up your own mind.

3
‘Fight Club’ (1999)

In the film “Fight Club,” an insomniac office employee named Edward Norton and a charismatic soap salesman, Brad Pitt, form an unlikely friendship. Instead of sticking with their monotonous daily lives, they establish an underground fighting ring as a means of escape. However, it’s important to note that things aren’t always what they appear to be. The story carries a strong psychological undertone, and everything you witness in the film has deeper significance.

Fighting Inner Demons

Following the release of “Fight Club”, Brad Pitt’s performance left an indelible impression on audiences, proving he was not to be underestimated. However, there are numerous aspects that elevate the film beyond Pitt alone. Topics such as emasculation and nihilism offer rich layers for intellectual exploration. Over time, interpretations of the movie have evolved, but director Guy Ritchie sums it up succinctly: “Very good indeed.” We concur with this assessment and eagerly anticipate another captivating performance from Pitt in the future.

2
‘Oldboy’ (2003)

The movie titled Oldboy focuses on the character Oh Dae-su (played by Choi Min-sik), who finds himself locked up in a room reminiscent of a hotel for more than fifteen years, unaware of his captor’s identity and motive. Upon his release, he becomes determined to seek vengeance; however, the task proves challenging indeed.

The Best of Korean Cinema

As a film enthusiast, I can confidently say that the masterpiece “Oldboy” offers an unparalleled blend of sharp dialogues, stunning visuals, and gripping acting. This South Korean action-thriller swept numerous accolades, including the prestigious Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival, and garnered high praise from industry heavyweights like Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie. Ritchie himself acknowledged its merits, stating that it contains “some good stuff in there, good set pieces in there.” Among these set pieces, the single-shot corridor fight sequence is particularly noteworthy.

1
‘300’ (2006)

Will Zack Snyder create another movie as impressive as 300? We’ll see. The film is a dramatized account of the historical Battle of Thermopylae during the Greco-Persian Wars. In this story, King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) leads 300 Spartan warriors into battle against the Persian “God-King” Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive army of 300,000 soldiers. Who will ultimately emerge victorious?

This is Sparta!!!

Guy Ritchie expressed that he found 300 fantastic, and many others agreed. Based on Frank Miller’s 1998 comic book series with the same title, this captivating story brims with chivalry and energy. Butler masterfully leads the film with an aura of assurance, while the CGI team truly excels. The appeal of the characters reaches even the smallest roles, ensuring a delightful viewing experience.

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2025-03-02 03:03