I definetly watched the following movies more than 3 times, but I shall mention them in order of my all time favourite movies.
3) THE MISSION
The theme of redemption and self-sacrifice isn't just what attracted me to the movie. The film's faithful rendering of the Spanish colonial times, solid acting by Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons, the cinematography and the haunting theme music by Ennio Morricone makes this one of the best film in my collection.
2) ALIENS
Few sequels made can match its predecessor, even fewer surpasses them. Director James Cameron continued from the original ALIEN movie and intensified the sequel with more action and more emotions.The whole movie cleverly uses the idea of 'showing less is more' concept to create suspense and fear among the audiences. Special effects and set production was commendably believable (the producers engaged a military advisor to create the soldiers of the future, down from the pulse rifle to the drop ship) for a movie that was made in the 80s. Stellar performance by Sigourney Weaver won her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
1) HEAT
Many critics have compared 'THE DARK KNIGHT' as an epic on the same level as Michael Mann's 'HEAT'. But in my opinion, HEAT is still one of those classic that remains unsurpassed. A cop and robber movie that defies all tradition from the action oriented genre. Instead, Mann gave us a layered look into the film's 2 lead character (Robert De Niro & Al Pacino). Both as men driven by obsessions, yet both are victims of isolation because of their pursuits. Avoiding the flashy look and going instead for the gritty street realism. HEAT also gave what many said and agreed 'was the greatest gun battle scene ever filmed'. Without a doubt, it is a true masterpiece that I will only watch over and over.