Leonardo DiCaprio Shares His Five Essential Movies List with Esquire

In the latest issue of Esquire magazine, Leonardo DiCaprio opens up about his thoughts, views as well as very stunning photos of himself. The cover interview features a more candid DiCaprio who kindly shares his pick of five essential movies. The exceptional films that made his five essential movies list include Sci-fi favorite Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey, Vittorio De Sica's The Bicycle Thief, Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver, Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 and Elia Kazan's East of Eden.

DiCaprio said when describing his thought about Kubrick and Clarke's film, "It's beyond a movie-it's a spiritual experience. You have to submerge yourself in it with the idea that Kubrick's intent was to make us understand our relationship with the universe. The more you watch it the more questions it asks." After reading this list of essential films conveyed by one of Hollywood's most esteemed and finest actors/producers, I came up with a five essential movies list of my own.

Topping my list is Doctor Zhivago (1965) film starring Omar Sharif as Yurf the Russian doctor/poet who falls in love with the stunning Julia Christie as Lara. In spite of being married, Yurf becomes utterly taken with Lara. Sadly, much like in real life some love is destined for doom and gloom. This epic tale delves into the underlining aspect of pain vs. ecstasy that often goes hand and hand within the most intense moment of love.

Not even Lara's passion for the revolutionary man she went onto to marry deterred the driving force and depths of love Yurf felt for Lara. It was as if he only became a whole man in her presence and enveloped within her love. Doctor Zhivagois an awe-inspiring epic film complete with the breathtaking scenery of Russian winter backdrop. Long after watching Doctor Zhivago is continued to wonder if I could ever settle for a love less than utterly and completely all consuming.

The Deer Hunter (1978) directed Michael Cimino starred Christopher Walken as Nikonar "Nick" Chvotarevich, Robert De Niro as Michael Vronsky, and John Savage as Steve. This film can send chills up and down your spine no matter how many times you watched it previously. This heralding tale about three friends working in a Pennsylvania factory simply touched me to the very core. The theme of love and worst love of all being the love two men have for one woman resounds throughout the movie. The three endured treacherous condition only to be taken captive by the Vietcong. This film draws you in from minute one and holds you silently until the very end.

Blade Runner (1982) is a sci-fi adventure flick that was most certainly before its time when it was released in 1982. Directed by the immensely talented Ridley Scott, his vision of a world of Blade Runners was haunting and exceedingly visual at the same time. This film is described as a cyberpunk vision of the future world and beyond. The brilliance of director Ridley Scott brought forth what can only be described as a masterpiece. Starring Harrison Ford and Rutger Hauer, Blade Runner took cinematic feature length films into a new realm of its own. Harrison Ford gave a stunning performance as Deckard, a blade runner, sent to track down and terminate 4 replicants aka the bad guys. The film that took movie goers by storm went onto received 2 nominations for Oscars.

Deliverance (1972) both horrid and astounded me utterly that I truly feared never being the same again once the credits rolled. The Deliverance starring Burt Reynolds, Ronny Cox, Ned Beatty and Jon Voight, is considered a real classic film. The film is directed by John Boorman who happens to be one of my most favorite directors in addition to Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott. If you have not seen this film yet then the Deliverance movie is definitely one to put on the list. The film received 3 Oscar's nominations and is based on the 1970 novel of the same name by American author James Dickey. Deliverance features a cameo performance from author Dickey who appears in the film as one of the sheriffs. Deliverance was elected into the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress" due to its "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" in 2008. This is one of the greatest honors a film could ever receive other than an Oscar. The Deliverance movie certainly is deserving of top honor and praise.

The Godfather (1972) directed by Francis Ford Coppola comes in at number five on this list. This film is the ultimate epic family saga/drama of its time. It does not take long before you are completely mesmerized and horrified by the mere presence of "Don" Vito Corleone on the silver scene. His character was literally larger than life. As the head of a New York Mafia "family," he commanded respect, fear and loyalty in all who encountered him. The inter working of the extraordinary lives of these characters both boggled the mind and at the same time planted a secret seed for desired power in the subconscious mind. Don Vito lived his life on his terms making little or no concession of anyone not even for his own flesh and blood. It will forever resonate highly on any list. What would your essential five movies be?

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