The Best Foreign Movies Ever

Foreign movies are finding acceptance in mainstream American cinema. This acceptance has been a long process in the making and even then there are still a large number of American moviegoers who can't name ten foreign movies let alone ten of their favorites. I used to own a DVD rental store for three years and my eyes were really opened when I started stocking Criterion Collection movies. Watching these movies opened up a whole new world of cinema that I didn't know existed. The following is my list of best foreign movies ever!

1) Seven Samurai - Akira Kurowsawa co-wrote, edited, directed this masterpiece in 1954. This movie has been remade countless times, most notable The Magnificent Seven. Kurosawa was doing amazing things with moviemaking at the time and very few noticed outside of Asia. His work his emulated even today. When you sit down and watch this movie, try to remember Seven Samurai was made 50 years ago, then you might appreciate how even modern filmmakers copied this classic work.

2) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - This movie is important in so many ways. This was the first time many American viewers saw the likes of Chow Yun-Fat, Michelle Yeoh, and Zhang Ziyi. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon also introduced us to Ang Lee and his superb directing style. Aside from winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Film this movie was nominated for 9 other Oscars during the 73rd annual festival. Also more importantly, Wo Ping Yuen was introduced behind the scenes. He was the fight choreographer for this movie and almost every movie you like to watch with cool fight sequences in it. Kill Bill, The Matrix movies, Unleashed, Black Mask... Just to name a few.

3) Run Lola Run - Tom Tykwer wrote and directed this intriguing movie about choices we make and consequences that follow. Expertly done with three choices shown over the course of the movie. Franka Potente stars, as Lola and she must save her boyfriend from certain disaster. You might recognize her in her American debut, Blow or more widely know as Matt Damon's love interest in The Bourne Identity. Heart pounding and exciting this movie delivers the goods.

4) El Mariachi - Not his first movie but maybe his best, Robert Rodriguez makes filmmaking accessible to all with this low-budget masterpiece. This movie spawned Desperado and a directing career that includes Sin City, Planet Terror, From Dusk Till Dawn, and the Spy Kids franchise. Shot, Chopped, and Scored by Rodriguez this movie is an important piece of independent filmmaking and foreign movies.

5) The Seventh Seal - Ingmar Bergman introduces us to Death in an unusual way with a showdown in a chess match. The stakes are high and the story is enticing as you watch and learn about questions of life. Very cool film from 1958 that should not be missed.

6) Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels - This movie brought cool back to the UK as Guy Ritchie directs a motley cast through the streets. Ritchie is best know for Snatch starring Brad Pitt and being married to Madonna of all things. Once upon a time he could be innovative and took the robbery type movie to a new fun level, then he married Madonna and his career fizzled. Though I'm sure he's happy, even after Swept Away was panned by everyone, everywhere. Nonetheless Lock Stock is a fun and exciting movie.

7) Drunken Master - I'm trying not to put too many Kung-Fu movies on this list but this movie practically started the Martial Arts phenomenon and gave birth to an international star, Jackie Chan. The man does all his own stunts (except in America, where red-tape and insurance companies cause him to employ a stunt double). The Legend of Drunken Master came out 20 years later and is much more fun but this movie is a classic and needs to be watched more than once to fully appreciate its place in foreign cinema lore.

8) Nightwatch - Not since Sergei Eisenstein have people been excited to see a movie from Russia (that's about 50 years ago if your keeping track). This movie employed cutting edge effects and made a huge splash among sci-fi and horror fans. A trilogy in the making (Daywatch, and the third installment Twilight Watch) this film is a classic light versus dark, evil versus good movie. You will have to wait till 2009 to finish up the trilogy but it wouldn't hurt to watch the other two a couple of times before hand to follow the sometimes confusing plot.

9) Oldboy - I don't know what to say. This movie shook me to the core. Mind boggling and disturbing at the same time. Yet beautiful and to the point. This movie is the Asian answer to The Count of Monte Crisco. "Revenge is dish best served cold" (Kill Bill). A man is locked away for 15 years and suddenly free. He now has 5 days to find out why he was held captive all that time.

10) Amelie - I got a soft spot for this movie. It's simply fantastic, fun, and something you can share with others. Perhaps one of the best French movies of all-time. Audrey Toutou brings life to this role of a women who lives in a world that doesn't seem real but is all too real. A very fun and loving flick to share with your significant other.

I have to give an Honorable Mention to Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth. I've watched it twice now and each time it amazed me. These are my favorite foreign movies of all-time. Watch them now or later, it doesn't matter, as long as you watch them. Do not let American cinema dictate your movie experience. And please, please no dubbing!