Top 5 Movies that Reside Rent-Free in Our Mind

There are movies, there are good movies, and there are movies that leave such an impression that their impact stays with you for a long time. Whenever you think of something that you had watched and that left you spellbound, you remember those films. Here is a list of such 5 movies that reside rent-free in our minds:

1. Sophie's Choice: When an author befriends Sophie, a Polish immigrant, he slowly learns about the harrowing past she had been through, including her period in a Holocaust camp. Meryl Streep as Sophie is extraordinary. Her expressions, or lack of them, at the times when she accepts whatever she is going through, are haunting. Just as she sees a ray of hope, something painful reappears, as if living is a curse for her. This film is a prime example of an actor's ability not only to carry but to elevate the performance to such a high level that the movie becomes a memorable experience for life. The film was directed by Alan J. Pakula

2. Shawshank Redemption: If living by hope, with hope and for hope is a statement, this film lives by this motto. An ex-banker, convicted of murdering his wife and her lover, gets a life term and befriends another inmate. Their journey, friendship and living life only through one ingredient - hope is what the film is about. Frankly, hope becomes an ideology in the movie and forms the main character. Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman give us an engaging drama we never want to let go of. This film was directed by Frank Darabont.

3. Schindler's List: Where do I even start? One of the most impactful films ever made, this movie by Steven Spielberg is a forerunner in the realm of memorable films. Liam Neeson stars as Oskar Schindler, a German noble with a heart of gold, and Ralph Fiennes ' Amon Goeth is one of the most vile characters in cinema. The black and white pictures and that stunning scene of a little girl wearing red amongst German soldiers are haunting visions that one can never unsee.

4. Atonement: Don't kill me, it's partially for the lead actor, James McAvoy ( no, my lists are not complete without him, ever). But this movie is a great example of grievingly beautiful. When beauty lies in sadness, and you keep thinking after watching that the narratives could be changed, but then you start wondering whether it would have been so impactful, that's where the film wins. A stupid mistake of a little girl can ruin lives, destroy hope and shatter the most beautiful love- watch the film, and we can talk. Joe Wright's direction is wonderful, and the chemistry of Keira Knightley and James McAvoy feels real.

5. Life is Beautiful: Again, I have lost count of how many blogs I have written about this film, but I still can't stop praising it, for what it brings to the table- hope! A father's way of guiding his son through gruelling Holocaust captivity forms the main topic of the film. How he makes the small boy pass every moment by turning tough times into a game that must be played to win a ride on one of the war tanks. Roberto Benigni's direction and performance make the beautiful story a magical experience, one that should not be missed.