If you are a movie nerd, like myself, then you have many different movies that have provided such an experience. Whittling my favorite films down to 50 proved quite a challenge, but in doing so I learned a lot about my movie-watching habits. For one, I realized I need to work on watching movies made before 1970; there ended up being very few of those. Also, I may like George Clooney a little too much. Then again, why is that bad thing?
Trying to compile this list reminded me of movies that, while I adore, I have not seen in years. It also helped me reaffirm my love for certain films. Hopefully, some of your favorites are on this list as well. If not, at least you have fifty new films to add to your watch list.
#50: Mystic River (2003)
Director- Clint Eastwood
Probably one of the greatest performed crime dramas ever. Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins, and Laura Linney all do an excellent job slowly showing the all-too-human flaws their characters possess. And Sean Penn is at his absolute best, portraying a grief-stricken father hellbent on getting vengeance for the murder of his daughter. It is dark, disturbing, and an excellent story of what the horror of death does to otherwise good people.
Watch the trailer here:
#49: Gone Girl (2014)
Director- David Fincher
Perhaps there is no more polarizing character in film than Amy Dunne. In a landmark performance by Rosamund Pike, Amy is a character that you don't know if you want to root for her or kill her. More so than the wonderful screenplay and cast, I love the cinematography in this film, which perfectly captures the emotion behind every scene. Oh yeah, and then there's the bedroom scene. You won't be ready for it, I promise.
Watch the trailer here:
#48: You Can Count On Me (2000)
Director- Kenneth Lonergan
Laura Linney might just be my favorite actress ever. She is perfect in everything she does. In this heartwarming classic, her chemistry with a young Mark Ruffalo is something to behold. Together, they play a pair of polar-opposite siblings, with each having experienced their own mix of heartbreak and tragedy. Like any Lonergan film, the screenplay jumps out at you, with every line serving the purpose of illustrating the complex relationships within this rather simple story.
Watch the trailer here:
#47: Patema Inverted (2013)
Director- Yasuhiro Yoshiura
A severely underrated anime film, this drama shows the dangers that come with labeling and rejecting others for their physical appearance. The characters avoid typical anime cliches for the most part (although the main villain is a it campy), and the story is one of most complicated and well thought out of any anime I have seen. A perfect anime to rival any Miyazaki.
Watch the trailer here:
#46: The Dark Knight (2008)
Director- Christopher Nolan
This is the best superhero movie, ever. Period. There is no debating. What Christian Bale and Heath Ledger manage to do with these legendary characters is nothing short of extraordinary. What's amazing about Nolan's Batman trilogy is that, while obviously fiction, they feel so utterly tangible. He makes the stuff of science fiction appear realistic. In case you ever doubted the Ledger's acting prowess, just watch an interview of him, any will do, and then watch this film. It seems like two completely different people.
Watch the trailer here:
#45: The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Director- Drew Goddard
In the world of horror, this film is revolutionary. Simultaneously celebrating and critiquing the various stereotypes that plague the genre (idiotic college kids, foreboding strangers that warn idiotic college kids, monsters that kill idiotic kids, etc.), Cabin in the Woods entertains from start to finish. Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford are hilarious as the bumbling idiots in charge of a disturbingly gruesome stage.
Watch the trailer here:
#44: Persona (1966)
Director- Ingmar Bergman
I never realized that movies this old could be so insanely messed up. The best film by Swedish auteur Ingmar Bergman, Persona is a rabbit hole of madness. From the very beginning, the film assaults the viewer with a barrage of disturbing images, ranging from the slaughtering of a lamb to a crucifixion. This seemingly random sequence (it's not, believe me) sets the tone for a tense and terrifying relationship between a neurotic actress and her nurse. I'm not exaggerating, this stuff is straight out of your worst nightmare.
Watch the trailer here:
#43: Spaceballs (1987)
Director- Mel Brooks
After watching it dozens of times, this film still makes laugh just as hard. Whether you love Star Wars, hate it, or have never even seen it, this parody contains enough humor to have you rolling on the floor. Rick Moranis and John Candy pull out some of their best performances. Being a Mel Brooks film, Spaceballs routinely borders on the absurd, often breaking the fourth wall in some very creative ways. It's always refreshing to see a movie that does not take itself to seriously. And it's so quotable, which is always a plus.
Watch the trailer here:
#42: The Prestige (2006)
Director- Christopher Nolan
During high school, this film was a movie night regular. We would always watch it every time someone new joined us, because watching their reactions always made it worth it. Based on the 1995 novel of the same name, the story centers around two incredibly ambitious magicians at the turn of the 19th century. Each one tries increasingly dangerous tricks, while also doing their best to sabotage their rival's work. This movie is classic Nolan, with the story stripped of any typical storyline. Plus, David Bowie is in this flick. That's right, David Freaking Bowie. That right there should be enough to convince you to see it.
Watch the trailer here:
#41: Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Director- Edgar Wright
The first in Edgar Wright's Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, fuses elements of horror, romantic-comedy, and action for a one of a kind spectacle. Simon Pegg stars as a man down on his luck, who tries desperately to get his sad life figured out right in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. The chemistry between Pegg and regular co-star Nick Frost is absolutely legendary. Of course, there is Wright's excellent camera skills, which adds to the hilarity of two nitwits fighting of hordes of the undead.
Watch the trailer here:
#40: Cinema Paradiso (1988)
Director- Giuseppe Tornatore
Winner of Best Foreign Language Film at the 62nd Academy Awards, this movie is 100% pure magic. This Italian drama focuses on the relationship between a little boy and an elderly movie theater manager. The ups and downs of their friendship are examined with such exquisite beauty. Added on top is an epic musical score by Ennio Morricone, honestly one of the best I have ever heard. The final scene always, always, always leaves me in tears.
Watch the trailer here:
#39: The Sunset Limited (2011)
Director- Tommy Lee Jones
I'll admit, the premise of this film doesn't sound to exciting on the surface. Two men, one a white college professor and the other a poor black janitor, sit in a tenement and talk. For the whole movie. However, the fact that these two men are played by Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson, and that the script is written by Cormac McCarthy, makes this film so engaging. The two men, complete polar opposites, talk about life, religion, love, and a myriad of other worldly topics. Even with a lack of physical action, the film hooks you in with its thought-provoking dialogue that might just tear down everything you thought you knew about the world.
Watch the trailer here:
#38: Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Directors- Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris
Meet the Hoovers, perhaps the unluckiest family in America, who just happen to live in New Mexico. Go Figure. This quirky movie shows the members of the family attempting to better their lives while driving to Los Angeles for youngest child Olive's beauty pageant competition. This film is as heartfelt as it is funny, with career best performances by the likes of Steve Carrell and Alan Arkin. Actually, it's not fair to name specific actors, because they all do amazing. Seriously, not a bad performance out of all of them.
Watch the trailer here:
#37: The Pianist (2002)
Director- Roman Polanski
It took a Holocaust survivor to make the best movie about the Holocaust ever. Polanski comes through on his greatest film, which depicts famed Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman as he struggles to survive in the cruel and inhuman world of the Warsaw ghetto. Adrien Brody's depiction of Szpilman shows a man in a constant state of composed horror. When I watch this story, I feel a pit in my stomach, because even though I want the characters to make it out alright, I know it probably won't happen.This film provides a unique insight into the greatest tragedy the world has ever seen.
Watch the trailer here:
#36: Blame It on Fidel (2006)
Director- Julie Gavras
This entertaining French film centers on nine-year old Anna, whose life is upended when her upper-middle class parents decide to abandon their privileged lives to become radical Communists. Set in the early 1970's, we watch Anna, performed excellently by Nina Kervel-Bey, cope with her newly chaotic lifestyle, from having a personal nanny to a bunch of Fidel Castro look-alikes in her home. It is an honest account on how the passions that come from ideology can have unintended consequences on those around us.
Watch the trailer here:
#35: Taxi Driver (1976)
Director- Martin Scorsese
"You talkin' to me?" This psychological thriller by Scorsese highlights the nightmarish effects of PTSD, and the havoc it can wreak upon society. Robert DeNiro stars as Travis Bickle, a former marine and insomniac, who becomes a taxi driver to make it through the sleepless nights. He soon encounters an entire underworld of grungy New Yorkers with all kinds of depravities. He also begins to dangerously obsess over a woman named Betsy. A 13 year old Jodie Foster also makes a surprisingly mature performance. There is a reason this film is as iconic as it is.
Watch the trailer here:
#34: American Psycho (2000)
Director- Mary Harron
Oh, Christian Bale. Serial killers never looked so good. In this thriller, Bale plays Patrick Bateman, a New York businessman obsessed with fancy restaurants, business cards, and, well, killing people. This is arguably Bale's best performance ever, creating a characters so suave and psychotic at the same time. The film wonderfully satirizes corporate businessmen who care way too much about money and personal appearance. This movie is also educational, as well as exciting. You'll learn more about Huey Lewis and the News than you ever wanted to.
Watch the trailer here:
#33: Michael Clayton (2007)
Director- Tony Gilroy
I was really caught aback by how good this movie really is. George Clooney plays a lawyer who must handle the crisis of one of the firm's partners having a mental breakdown, due to a huge scandal involving corporate corruption in a civil lawsuit. Clooney plays opposite to Tilda Swinton, who took home a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as a ruthless businesswoman. Watching Tom Wilkinson's portrayal of a man on the brink of insanity continues to leave me in absolute awe.
Watch the trailer here:
#32: The Incredibles (2004)
Director- Brad Bird
This is, without a doubt, Pixar's greatest movie. Not only does it feature the stellar animation that the company has become renowned for, but it also contains one its most complex and mature themes. Bob and Helen Parr, along with their children, possess super powers that once made them the greatest heroes on Earth. However, society rejects them, and forces them into hiding, unable to reveal their powers to anybody. I might me be reading into this too much, but I definitely think there are similarities between the superheroes in the movie, and homosexuals in the 1950's. Both were forced to hide their true identities and pretend to be like the rest of the population in order to escape legal prosecution. It is such an interesting take on the world of superheroes, and one of the more thought-provoking animated movies ever.
Watch the trailer here:
#31: Tangerine (2015)
Director- Sean Baker
A film shot entirely on iPhones, Tangerine is one of the most entertaining LGBT movies in recent years. It's based around two friends, Sin-Dee and Alexandra, who are both transgender sex workers. The story follows the two of them in their daily lives as they try to survive on the streets of Los Angeles, with Sin-Dee causing all kinds of trouble along the way. It is a hilarious film, but also contains a good amount of serious moments, showing the troubled life that all too many transgender people face on a daily basis.
Watch the trailer here:
#30: In Bruges (2008)
Director- Martin McDonagh
In the world of comedy, In Bruges is about as dark as moonless night. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson play two assassins forced to hideout in a tourist-ridden village in Belgium following a botched hit. McDonagh's witty screenplay continuously exploits the pair's misery and boredom for comedic purposes. The best parts of this film, though, are in the more serious moments when Farrell's character must come to terms with the awful mistakes he has made.
Watch the trailer here:
#29: Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
Director- James Foley
This star-studded flick contains profanity so rich and thick, you could drizzle it on a cake. Five miserable salesman (Al Pacino, Alan Arkin, Jack Lemmon, and Ed Harris) must compete to get the most sales or run the risk of getting fired. We watch as each of them continuously demean themselves in order to possibly sell pieces of land to people. The flick, of course, contains the iconic scene featuring Alec Baldwin, in which he yells, "Coffee's for closers only!" Watching these actors spar with carefully curated profane sentences reminds me of Roman gladiators in the Coliseum.
Watch the trailer here:
#28: In the Loop (2009)
Director- Armando Ianucci
Like the film that precedes it in this list, In the Loop is a film known mostly for its vulgar dialogue. A precursor to Veep, it shows that absurd and chaotic world known as politics, with the some of the most narcissistic and clueless characters every to grace the big screen. It leaves one wondering how anything gets done in politics. If you're looking for some dry political satire, with Dr. Who swearing like a senile grandfather, this movie is for you.
Watch the trailer here:
#27: Manchester by the Sea (2017)
Director- Kenneth Lonergan
This film haunts me. Watching the trailer, I thought I knew what to expect. And yet, it was so much more disturbing and magnificent then I every could have imagined. Casey Affleck shines, not through the words he says, but through the subtle mannerisms he works into his damaged character. It's one of the best movies on grief every made, mostly by taking the unusual moral that sometimes things just don't get better. Not an uplifting takeaway, but very much a real one.
Watch the trailer here:
#26: Up in the Air (2009)
Director- Jason Reitman
Ryan Bingham, played by George Clooney, makes a living firing people for bosses to scared to do so. He lives his life based on a philosophy of owning as little as possible and not setting up roots in order to live a freer life. The movie is an examination of one's personal philosophy, something many people have, and what that person does when that philosophy is stripped from them. This film includes excellent performances by Anna Kendrick and Vera Farmiga.
Watch the trailer here:
#25: Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Director- Ang Lee
Based on the 1997 Annie Proulx short story (which everyone should read), this is THE gay movie of the century, maybe in film history. And there's good reason for this. Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) defy conventional gay stereotypes, showing that even tougher-than-life cowboys can be gay as well. This movie is not just for gay people, though. Anybody who has ever loved someone they can't have can relate to it as well. Honestly, though, how did this lose to Crash? Does anybody even like Crash?
Watch the trailer here:
#24: Office Space (1999)
Director- Mike Judge
You ever have that one boss that just drives you crazy? The one that always asks you to do the most menial, tedious crap ever? You should watch this movie then. The comedy that perfectly encapsulates the monotonous hell that is a desk job, Office Space depicts what happens when employees, stuck in this never ending rat race, finally crack. I should warn you, though, that this movie will unleash work scars you didn't know you had. An absolutely spot on satire.
Watch the trailer here:
#23: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Directors- Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones
One of the greatest comedies of all time, British sketch geniuses Monty Python unleash some of their best material that pokes fun not only at history, but every authoritative institution known to man. For some reason, when I tell people about this film, they know what I'm talking about maybe 20% percent of the time. However, if they're a Boy Scout, they always know it. Seriously, every Boy Scout I have met knows about this movie. I have no idea why. All I know is that everyone should watch this film.
Watch the trailer here:
#22: Memento (2000)
Director- Christopher Nolan
When film critics talk about non-linear plot structures, they're probably referring to this movie. This unique film focuses on Leonard Shelby, a man unable to create new memories due to a tragic accident. Because he is only able to experience the world in snapshots lasting a couple minutes, this is how to movie is presented to the audience. However, what seems chaotic at first forms into an actual pattern, as we begin to figure out how Leonard's life is even sadder than we first imagined. It's neo-noir at its finest.
Watch the trailer here:
#21: American History X (1998)
Director- Tony Kaye
The first time I saw this movie, I was 13 years old flying home from DC on JetBlue. Right from the get go, I was stunned. Taking place in the highly racialized environment of 1990's Los Angeles, American History X contemplates why it is that angry and frustrated white males embrace radical neo-Nazi ideology. I love Edward Norton in this film, who plays a young leader of a white supremacist gang who finds himself disgusted at what he and his family have become as a result. One of the better films on racism in America, this film rips you out of your bubble and throws you headfirst into the darker side of American culture.
Watch the trailer here:
#20: The Shining (1980)
Director- Stanley Kubrick
Let's face it, if Kubrick directed it, it's probably a masterpiece. This rings true especially for his genre-defining classic The Shining, one of the most eerie and unsettling motion pictures ever created. Jack Nicholson's slow descent into madness as the keeper of the Overlook Hotel is one of the most captivating and startling acting performances in history. I love this film, because, while it is a horror, Kubrick utilizes the talents of his actors and a wonderfully written script to make it scary, instead of just using a bunch of rudimentary jump scares. You could spend hours debating the symbolism and meanings of the film. In fact, entire documentaries have been made about it. Whatever conclusions you draw from it, it is sure to have you gripping you chair by the end. Unless you're name is Stephen King; then you hate it for some reason.
Watch the trailer here:
#19: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Director- Milos Forman
Another Nicholson masterpiece, this classic critiques the regular psychological abuse inflicted upon those in mental hospitals. The movie consists of an ongoing battle between the extremely strict Nurse Ratched and rebellious inmate Randie McMurphy. McMurphy tries various ways to improve the lives of his fellow inmates, but is continuously blocked by Ratched who demands absolute obedience. It's a sobering revelation on the multiple injustices faced by the metally ill.
Watch the trailer here:
#18: The Imitation Game (2014)
Director- Morten Tyldum
I don't think I've cried harder over a movie than I have with this film. Based on a true story, it follows the journey of Alan Turing, who worked tirelessly in order to crack a Nazi coding device known simply as Enigma. Alan, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, clearly has some sort of autism and therefore finds it difficult to socialize anybody, including those on his team. Sometimes, you just find a cinematic character who relate way too much with. It's almost as though someone saw you and decided to put your life into film. That's how I feel with Alan Turing in this film. If I write anymore about it, I'm going to start crying again, so I'll leave it there.
Watch the trailer here:
#17: Breathless (1960)
Director- Jean-Luc Godard
One of the best film to come out the French New Wave movement, Breathless was shot with a hand-held camera, and used almost no artificial light, something almost unthinkable in the black and white era. What this does, though, is make you feel right at the center of the action, as you follow the suave Michel Poiccard on the run from the police. Michel is your typical old-school film bad boy: he's handsome, charming, cares too much about his looks, sleeps with many women, and always has a knack for getting in trouble. My personal favorite performance in this film is Jean Seberg as Patricia, the main love interest. She speaks French with an unapologetic American accent, which adds to overall quirkiness of her character. She also seems to be the only one to tame Michel, and is one of the most captivating characters in French film. The final scene is especially wonderful, but you'll have to watch it to find out why.
Watch the trailer here:
#16: American Beauty (1999)
Director- Sam Mendes
This film has it all: a compelling story, talented actors, a beautiful score, and a theme that transcends the lives of nearly every human being. Kevin Spacey stars as Lester, a man who finds himself in the middle of a mid-life crisis, following an unhealthy infatuation with his daughter's best friend. He rejects the cozy the suburban life he has constructed for himself to live a more exciting and care-free life. I believe that this movie is relatable for any age group, from rebellious teenagers to adults who suddenly wake up to find themselves in their mid-40's. It's a film about the various restrictions we unknowingly impose on ourselves, and how we spend our lives struggling to break free of them.
Watch the trailer here:
#15: Goodnight, and Good Luck (2005)
Director- George Clooney
A reminder that the freedom of the press is a delicate thing, and it only takes a few powerful people to make it go away. David Strathairn plays famed television news anchor Edward R. Murrow, who was repeatedly accused of being a Communist for criticizing Senator Joseph McCarthy's campaign to kill communism in America. Director George Clooney does an excellent job in showing just how scary a time this was in American history, when those who critiqued the government found themselves lambasted by it. Sound familiar?
Read my full review here: http://uffdaculture.blogspot.com/2017/02/goodnight-and-good-luck-2005-review.html
Watch the trailer here:
#14: As Good As It Gets (1997)
Director- James L. Brooks
My favorite Nicholson film, good old Jack plays a profane and obsessive compulsive writer named Melvin who dislikes every single human being. Seriously, I don't know if you could be more pessimistic. But after meeting waitress and single mom Carol, played by the marvelous Helen Hunt, he begins to rethink his universal hatred of everyone, and tries opening up for the first time. Greg Kinnear also shines in this film, playing a gay artist who is also neighbors with Melvin, and therefore a frequent victim of his verbal insults. I love watching Melvin, because it's fascinating watching a man trying so hard to be likable, and still manage to put his foot in his mouth.
Watch the trailer here:
#13: Leon: The Professional (1994)
Director- Luc Besson
It's one of the more unique dynamics in film. Professional assassin Leon and 12-year old Mathilda, brought together by the murder of Mathilda's family at the hands of corrupt DEA agents. Mathilda insists that Leon teach her how to become an assassin so she can exact revenge on the agents, headed by the certifiably insane Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Natalie Portman, in her major motion picture debut, plays a kid far more mature than most her age, not deterred by the reluctance of Leon, who'd rather not have a little kid around at all times. It's incredibly exciting, with no shortage of thrills, but what excells this movie to greatness is Leon and Mathilda's relationship grow stronger as they become the family that neither of them have ever had.
Watch the trailer here:
#12: No Country for Old Men (2007)
Directors- Joel Coen and Ethan Coen
Based on the stirring novel by Cormac McCarthy, this Coen Brother's masterpiece turns the typical western narrative on its head, while rewriting the rule book on how to make movies. The plot centers around the actions of three men: Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), and Sherriff Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones). In a story involving a briefcase stuffed with thousands of dollars in drug money, each of these characters examine their own unique moral compasses and weigh it against the rest of the world. It really is an examination on morality, and how it differs among all kinds of people. This film is also unique in that there is no music whatsoever. But rather than ruin the mood, it adds to random chaos of the plot, to all of the people who die for no real significant reason. This film shatters any concept of a divine plan.
Watch the trailer here:
#11: The Salesman (2016)
Director- Asghar Farhadi
If I could some up this movie in one word, it would be tense. Unbelievably tense. One of the best directors in the world, Asghar Farhadi surpassed his masterful A Separation with a story showing a couple reeling after a terrible tragedy. In the aftermath of this event, Emad and Rana try desperately to normalize their life once more, but find this impossible due to the trauma both have received. Eventually, Emad decides to take matters into his own hands, by exacting revenge on those who wronged him and his wife. This film is a classic example of show-not-tell, when the awkward silences that fill conversations become absolutely deafening.
Read my full review here: http://uffdaculture.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-salesman-2016-review.html
Watch the trailer here:
#10: Moonlight (2016)
Director- Barry Jenkins
The surprise winner of this year's Academy Award for Best Picture, Moonlight is like no other film. Barry Jenkins delivers to the world a tender and soft-spoken tale about Chiron, a boy living in Liberty City, Miami, who must come to terms with his identity and his place in the world. I remember seeing this in theaters for the first time, and being unable to speak afterwards. I felt as though none of my words at that moment could do this movie justice; I'm still not sure if they can. What's most amazing is that Chiron is played by three different actors. These actors never worked together on set, and yet they all exhibit the same mannerisms that define the character, a black man who has put up a shield to block out the world that continuously hurts him. Also, Nicholas Britell creates one of the best musical scores I have ever heard, period.
Watch the trailer here:
#9: Fargo (1996)
Director- Joel Coen
This Coen Brother's flick contains some pretty heavy topics, with no shortage of scandals and senseless murders. Normally, this would make for a pretty heavy film, but just throw in some Minnesota "yah, you betcha" accents, and that edge will slide right off. This film is the perfect combination of the serious and the comical in a story that sees a pathetic man looking to get rich by having his own wife kidnapped. It can be downright absurd at times, which plays greatly with the cartoonish and ridiculous set of characters. Frances McDormand puts on a show stopping performance as Police Chief Marge Gunderson, who's probably the most polite police officer you'll ever meet. This movie is the hunky-dory murder mystery you didn't know you needed.
Watch the trailer here:
#8: Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Director- Wes Anderson
Featuring American auteur Wes Anderson's unique cinematic style, Moonrise Kingdom is the coming-of-age film of the decade. Set on the fictitious New England island of New Penzance, 12-year olds Sam and Suzy, both known for their short tempers, fall in love and decide to run away together to live apart from the oppressive adults in their life. They must outrun Suzy's overbearing parents (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), Police Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis), and a social services agent (Tilda Swinton). There's also Sam's hell-raising Khaki Scout troop, who should be relatable for any Boy Scouts out there. This is just a really sweet film overall, about two kids who want nothing more than to be with one another. It's difficult to find a more simple and worthwhile goal than that.
Watch the trailer here:
#7: Spotlight (2015)
Director- Tom McCarthy
I don't know if it says more about me or the film that I've seen it at least ten times since it came out two years ago. To me, it speak what a captivating story it is, that I can watch it over and over again without tiring of it. It's based on the true story on how some reporters at the Boston Globe lifted the lid on the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal that rocked the world. Every actor gives a career-best performance, from the persistent Mark Ruffalo to determined, yet caring Rachel McAdams. Spotlight inspires me to be a journalist, to speak for those that have been wronged by society. It ought to be shown in every beginning journalism class for how to ethically pursue and write an article, and how just one article can change the world.
Watch the trailer here:
#6: The Usual Suspects (1995)
Director- Bryan Singer
This was my favorite film for the longest time. Even now, I am still floored by how gutsy of a movie it is. One moment, it will pull the rug from under you. You think that's it, but then it'll open the trap door underneath the rug. All I can really say about this movie is that you MUST pay close attention. If you don't you will be very confused. Key details are inserted so subtly that you might just miss them. After all, murders involving 27 dead men at one scene are rarely simple.
Watch the trailer:
#5: The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Director- Wes Anderson
What a fucking delight this movie is. I cannot comprehend that there are people in this world who do not like this movie, it's just impossible. The color schemes, the music, and all the camera angles are so meticulously thought out. It remains one of the most visually striking movies I have ever seen. We mostly follow around M. Gustave, concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel, and his lobby boy Zero. Through the devious action of others, Gutave finds himself implicated in the murder of a former guest of the hotel. He and Zero are forced on the run while trying to clear his name. The characters thrive on Anderson's insanely witty dialogue, making for one his funniest films yet. This film warms my heart every time I see it, because the emotive world it exists in seems like something out of a dream. Also, Ralph Fiennes creates one of the most uniquely captivating characters when playing Gustave. How did he not win an Oscar?!
Watch the trailer here:
#4: Ida (2013)
Director- Pawel Pawlikowski
God, how do I even begin describing this film? For one, the emotions displayed are immense. Not that the characters are terribly emotive, but the pain they try so desperately to hide can be seen on their worn faces. In 1950's Poland, Anna prepares to become nun and officially join the convent, which she has lived in since infancy. However, she must first meet her last living relative, an aunt named Wanda. She learns that she her name is Ida, and she is Jewish. She now has to re-examine her own identity, as well as find out what happened to her original family. I get goosebumps just thinking about Ida; it's so utterly dark and tortured. Movies won't look the same after watching this.
Read my full review here: http://uffdaculture.blogspot.com/2017/03/ida-2013-review.html
Watch the trailer here:
#3: A Single Man (2009)
Director- Tom Ford
What happens when famed fashion designer Tom Ford tries his hand at film making? He creates a masterpiece, of course. The movie takes place over one day in the life of George Falconer (Colin Firth), an English professor slowly losing his will to live after the death of his lover, Jim. Based off the 1964 novel by Christopher Isherwood, A Single Man features a wonderful performance by Julianna Moore, who plays George's best friend. As he goes about his day, George reflects on his time with Jim, his death, and how his future looks. Being that Tom Ford is a fashion designer, of course the film would be absolutely visually stunning. Every shot looks so sleek, almost like it came out of a page in Vogue. Abel Korzeniowski writes a brilliant score, perfectly capturing George's despair, which seems to grow every minute. If you have ever struggle with the loss of a loved one, this film is as therapeutic as they come. It's like watching a painting being created stroke by stroke right in front of you.
Watch the trailer here:
#2: The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Director- Jonathan Demme
This is the perfect film. No exaggeration. I have yet to find a singular flaw with this film, and even if one existed, I wouldn't change my mind. Every line holds significance. Every shot is chosen for a reason. There is no filler, because every single aspect of this film serves a purpose. Anthony Hopkins gives his character, the serial killer Hannibal Lecter, the ability to lock you into a trance. He's a truly terrifying character, one that makes your skin crawl every time you see him. Made the same year that Jeffrey Dahmer was caught. Silence of the Lambs introduces us to a terrifying serial killer by the name of Buffalo Bill, who becomes renowned for skinning his victims after killing them. Still in the FBI Academy, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is determined to apprehend him. She seeks help from Hannibal Lecter in order to achieve this. Every time I watch it, I find new things I never noticed before. It scares me to death to know that there actually are people like that evil that exist in the world.
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#1: Trainspotting (1996)
Director- Danny Boyle
Ever since I saw this film for the first time when I was 15, I knew it was my favorite. Now that I've seen close to thirty times, I can say that that hasn't changed. Not even slightly. It's my belief that truly exceptional films capture the time in which they are set perfectly. Trainspotting IS 1990's Great Britain. From the acid house clubs, the hundreds of unemployed drug addicts, and the AIDS crisis, Danny Boyle's greatest flick captures the spirit of a generation. The film focuses on five friends in Edinburgh, Scotland, many of whom are addicted to heroin. They commit an uncountable amount of crimes in order to fulfill this habit. There's plenty of good humor here, with the friends going to extreme lengths to embarrass/humiliate one another. However, the movie also reveals the extreme dark side that comes when living a drug fused lifestyle. The main character is Renton (Ewan McGregor) who repeatedly tries to get off of heroin and live a normal life. His friends, though, continuously drag him back into the dangerous habit. This film is grimy, disgusting, eye-opening, and downright shocking. It shows not only the deplorable conditions that many addicts live in, but also the institutions that cause it to happen while doing little to nothing to stop it. To me, this is such an important movie, especially now that the US is facing its own opioid epidemic. Besides its relevancy, though, it also provides some of the most entertaining bunch of characters in film, each with their own little intricacies that ultimately determine their fates. Also, the accents in the movie are pretty thick, so you're going to want to use subtitles. Just a warning.
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