Part 2
60: To Kill a Mockingbird
Drama Of: Scout, her family, her community.
The Film: A classic film adaptation of the classic novel. Through the viewpoints of kids and adults, the film provides a rounded and invoking view of racism and prejudice within an American community (if not society overall). The film gets heavy during certain scenes, but other parts are quite charming and endearing, and it embodies the best and worst of us overall.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------Drama Of: Scout, her family, her community.
The Film: A classic film adaptation of the classic novel. Through the viewpoints of kids and adults, the film provides a rounded and invoking view of racism and prejudice within an American community (if not society overall). The film gets heavy during certain scenes, but other parts are quite charming and endearing, and it embodies the best and worst of us overall.
My current score: 4/5
59: The Wave (Die Welle)
Drama Of: Rainer Wenger, teacher...or dictator?
The Film: A straightforward film with a stark and thought-invoking premise: a school teacher turns his class into a mini-dictatorship that spirals out of control. It's not as crazy as it seems, not only because the film mirrors Nazi Germany, but also because it's based on a real-life case. The film illustrates just how scarily easy it can be for people to slip into conformity under a fascist rule, and the results are quite hard-hitting.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: A straightforward film with a stark and thought-invoking premise: a school teacher turns his class into a mini-dictatorship that spirals out of control. It's not as crazy as it seems, not only because the film mirrors Nazi Germany, but also because it's based on a real-life case. The film illustrates just how scarily easy it can be for people to slip into conformity under a fascist rule, and the results are quite hard-hitting.
My current score: 4/5
58: Anna and the King of Siam (1946)
Drama Of: Anna Leonowens, putting up with King Mongkut.
The Film: Certainly not as cheery, sugar-coated, or romantic as the later musical, this version of the story simply focuses on telling the story, and it is an interesting tale of cultural clashes, with themes of civility and ignorance. Rex Harrison steals the show as the King, but Anna's struggles are enough to maintain interest, and the film overall looks great.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: Certainly not as cheery, sugar-coated, or romantic as the later musical, this version of the story simply focuses on telling the story, and it is an interesting tale of cultural clashes, with themes of civility and ignorance. Rex Harrison steals the show as the King, but Anna's struggles are enough to maintain interest, and the film overall looks great.
My current score: 4/5
57: Carlito's Way
Drama Of: Carlito Brigante, an ex-gangster trying to live clean.
The Film: Pretty much the opposite of Scarface, which showed a man's descent into corruption and madness; here, Al Pacino plays a man trying to rise out of the life of crime, but is inevitably dragged back down by others around him. What makes his conflict so engaging is not only the sporadic violence and gunfighting, but the romance and the overall pathos, which flips the classic archetypes of gangsters on its head and makes Carlito one guy we can root for to the end.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: Pretty much the opposite of Scarface, which showed a man's descent into corruption and madness; here, Al Pacino plays a man trying to rise out of the life of crime, but is inevitably dragged back down by others around him. What makes his conflict so engaging is not only the sporadic violence and gunfighting, but the romance and the overall pathos, which flips the classic archetypes of gangsters on its head and makes Carlito one guy we can root for to the end.
My current score: 4.5/5
56: The Wrestler (2008)
Drama Of: Randy Robinson, wrestler.
The Film: It's a rough-looking film that shows no restraint or compromise in exploring the last days of this wrestler. The core struggle he has is whether he should give up fighting and live out his days like a normal person, or risk death to do what he loves doing. Thanks to a heartfelt performance by Mickey Rourke, the character's experiences resonate well and make his story one worth telling.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: It's a rough-looking film that shows no restraint or compromise in exploring the last days of this wrestler. The core struggle he has is whether he should give up fighting and live out his days like a normal person, or risk death to do what he loves doing. Thanks to a heartfelt performance by Mickey Rourke, the character's experiences resonate well and make his story one worth telling.
My current score: 4.5/5
55: Bringing Out the Dead
Drama Of: Frank Pierce, paramedic
The Film: I'd say this is one of Martin Scorsese's most underrated films; it's a pretty trippy experience full of brooding emotions, with manic bursts of style and comedy. It all tracks the ups and downs of a paramedic's night shift, and his ongoing guilt over the lives he failed to save. The film is a pretty unique experience as it is, but the characters' expressions make it rather compelling. This might also be one of Nicholas Cage's best performances.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: I'd say this is one of Martin Scorsese's most underrated films; it's a pretty trippy experience full of brooding emotions, with manic bursts of style and comedy. It all tracks the ups and downs of a paramedic's night shift, and his ongoing guilt over the lives he failed to save. The film is a pretty unique experience as it is, but the characters' expressions make it rather compelling. This might also be one of Nicholas Cage's best performances.
My current score: 4/5
54: Cool Hand Luke
Drama Of: Luke Jackson, the coolest man in the chain gang.
The Film: Despite all his insolence, it's hard not to root for Luke, for he is a confident dude who likes to stick it to the man. His struggle against his stern, potentially abusive overseers is a pretty fun thing to watch in itself, but the film treads into some interesting allegories as Luke continuously defines himself as the ultimate rebel. The film and performances are all quite well-done too.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: Despite all his insolence, it's hard not to root for Luke, for he is a confident dude who likes to stick it to the man. His struggle against his stern, potentially abusive overseers is a pretty fun thing to watch in itself, but the film treads into some interesting allegories as Luke continuously defines himself as the ultimate rebel. The film and performances are all quite well-done too.
My current score: 4.5/5
53: Cast Away
Drama Of: Chuck Nolan, stranded on a desert island.
The Film: It starts off a little slow, but once Chuck's plane crashes, his struggle becomes gripping, intense, and profound. The film lingers on the simple problems of finding food, shelter, clothes, tools, and the means to leave the island. It lasts for years, transforming Chuck in profound ways before he confronts the sea, and possible other forces at work. The film looses some steam during its denouement, but it is all a worthwhile storytelling experience.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: It starts off a little slow, but once Chuck's plane crashes, his struggle becomes gripping, intense, and profound. The film lingers on the simple problems of finding food, shelter, clothes, tools, and the means to leave the island. It lasts for years, transforming Chuck in profound ways before he confronts the sea, and possible other forces at work. The film looses some steam during its denouement, but it is all a worthwhile storytelling experience.
My current score: 4/5
52: Upstream Color
Drama Of: Kris and Jeff, victims of a brainwashing thief.
The Film: This is a rather moody, surreal experience that never truly gives a straight answer, but it is perhaps most intriguing because it remains so enigmatic. It is an expressionist film that relays its story more through interesting images than through actual actions. Regardless of whether you can follow it or not, the struggle of the characters are what makes it watchable. They go through a pretty freaky experience, and spend the rest of the film coping with it. Everything else is left up to the viewer's imagination and interpretations.
My current score: 5/5
--------------------The Film: This is a rather moody, surreal experience that never truly gives a straight answer, but it is perhaps most intriguing because it remains so enigmatic. It is an expressionist film that relays its story more through interesting images than through actual actions. Regardless of whether you can follow it or not, the struggle of the characters are what makes it watchable. They go through a pretty freaky experience, and spend the rest of the film coping with it. Everything else is left up to the viewer's imagination and interpretations.
My current score: 5/5
51: Magnolia
Drama Of: A bunch of characters whose lives are affected by some pretty random events.
The Film: It's a very broad scope that encompasses a number of seemingly-random people, all with their own share of intriguing drama. With the central theme of a greater force influencing us all with random events, each story is tied up and glued together to form a compelling mosaic.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: It's a very broad scope that encompasses a number of seemingly-random people, all with their own share of intriguing drama. With the central theme of a greater force influencing us all with random events, each story is tied up and glued together to form a compelling mosaic.
My current score: 4/5
50: The Blind Side
Drama Of: Michael Oher, the boy who rose out of the gutter and became one a successful NFL player.
The Film: A pretty straightforward dramatization of the real-life story, but it is nonetheless inspiring. The film digs into just enough detail to make the story resonate, but is never excessive or distasteful. Performances are great all around, and help make the characters sympathetic through their rough journey.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: A pretty straightforward dramatization of the real-life story, but it is nonetheless inspiring. The film digs into just enough detail to make the story resonate, but is never excessive or distasteful. Performances are great all around, and help make the characters sympathetic through their rough journey.
My current score: 4/5
49: Forrest Gump
Drama Of: Forrest Gump.
The Film: A modern-day tall tale that spans across all the generations of the latter-20th century. The audience follows in the worn shoes of the simple-minded, happy-go-lucky Forrest Gump, who just kinda goes from one crazy thing to another like a feather caught in the wind. The film has its share of themes, but it's best watched for its charming characters and the outlandish events they go through.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: A modern-day tall tale that spans across all the generations of the latter-20th century. The audience follows in the worn shoes of the simple-minded, happy-go-lucky Forrest Gump, who just kinda goes from one crazy thing to another like a feather caught in the wind. The film has its share of themes, but it's best watched for its charming characters and the outlandish events they go through.
My current score: 4/5
48: The Perfect Storm
Drama Of: The crew of the Andrea Gail, caught in the "Perfect Storm" of 1991.
The Film: This film can be excessive with its special effects and the overbearing sentimentality, but it is still a harrowing experience and quite the tear-jerker. It takes a while for the storm to hit, but the portrayal of swordfishing is intense as it is, and the drama continues all the way through the dark and terrifying onslaught of waves.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: This film can be excessive with its special effects and the overbearing sentimentality, but it is still a harrowing experience and quite the tear-jerker. It takes a while for the storm to hit, but the portrayal of swordfishing is intense as it is, and the drama continues all the way through the dark and terrifying onslaught of waves.
My current score: 4/5
47: Mesrine Part I: Killer Instinct and Part II: Public Enemy Number One
Drama Of: Jacques Mesrine, gangster.
The Films: This massive two-part saga runs through the life and career of this notorious criminal: a man who robs, kills, runs, and never gives up, even when hunted by authorities and after spending time in the most inhumane prison imaginable. The character is as tough and raw as every other gangster on this list, and Vincent Cassel brings him to life perfectly.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Films: This massive two-part saga runs through the life and career of this notorious criminal: a man who robs, kills, runs, and never gives up, even when hunted by authorities and after spending time in the most inhumane prison imaginable. The character is as tough and raw as every other gangster on this list, and Vincent Cassel brings him to life perfectly.
My current score: 4/5
46: American Hustle
Drama Of: Con artists who help the FBI take a bite out of crime.
The Film: Some would call this overrated and a "con" in itself. Maybe that's the point. Even then, the film is phenomenally stylish and bursting with quality performances. Each character is brought to life vividly and memorably, and they all drive a complex and dynamic plot. In spite of all that, I find it phenomenally entertaining.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: Some would call this overrated and a "con" in itself. Maybe that's the point. Even then, the film is phenomenally stylish and bursting with quality performances. Each character is brought to life vividly and memorably, and they all drive a complex and dynamic plot. In spite of all that, I find it phenomenally entertaining.
My current score: 4/5
45: Powder
Drama Of: Jeremy "Powder" Reed, an albino with an extraordinary mind and extraordinary powers.
The Film: Despite its mixed reception, I remember this was quite a powerful and moving film in its day, and I think it's a shame that it seems to have fallen into obscurity. It has some pretty brutal bullying scenes, but it is also a strong character study full of emotional and spiritual power. Strong themes of prejudice emerge more and more as Jeremy endures, and ultimately rises above, the brunt of human fear.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: Despite its mixed reception, I remember this was quite a powerful and moving film in its day, and I think it's a shame that it seems to have fallen into obscurity. It has some pretty brutal bullying scenes, but it is also a strong character study full of emotional and spiritual power. Strong themes of prejudice emerge more and more as Jeremy endures, and ultimately rises above, the brunt of human fear.
My current score: 4/5
44: Trainspotting
Drama Of: Mark Renton, heroin addict.
The Film: The film has some pretty wacky parts, some funny parts, and then there are some seriously messed-up and disgusting parts. The cast is groovy, the soundtrack is really hopping, and the settings are effective. Overall, it's a funny-but-sad account of all the ups and downs of heroin addiction.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: The film has some pretty wacky parts, some funny parts, and then there are some seriously messed-up and disgusting parts. The cast is groovy, the soundtrack is really hopping, and the settings are effective. Overall, it's a funny-but-sad account of all the ups and downs of heroin addiction.
My current score: 4/5
43: Doubt
Drama Of: Father Brendan Flynn and Sister Aloysius Beauvier...who's right, who's wrong?
The Film: This picture will keep you guessing the whole time; you could watch it one moment and lean to one side of the given argument, but then you could watch it again and think the other way. The film doesn't give you a resolution, just a conundrum which really challenges the faith of the characters, and perhaps the faith of the viewers. Decent performances from the whole cast gives both sides of the story creditable and invoking voices.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: This picture will keep you guessing the whole time; you could watch it one moment and lean to one side of the given argument, but then you could watch it again and think the other way. The film doesn't give you a resolution, just a conundrum which really challenges the faith of the characters, and perhaps the faith of the viewers. Decent performances from the whole cast gives both sides of the story creditable and invoking voices.
My current score: 4/5
42: New Jack City
Drama Of: Nino Brown, crime lord, and Scotty Appleton, the detective trying to bring him down.
The Film: Very much on-par with the best gangster films, not only with the brutality of the criminal world, but also with its sprawling narrative that tracks the good guys, the bad guys, and their overall struggle on both sides of the war on drugs. The film in particular emphasizes the destrucrive nature of crack, and the characters who fight to spread it, stop it, or succumb to it.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: Very much on-par with the best gangster films, not only with the brutality of the criminal world, but also with its sprawling narrative that tracks the good guys, the bad guys, and their overall struggle on both sides of the war on drugs. The film in particular emphasizes the destrucrive nature of crack, and the characters who fight to spread it, stop it, or succumb to it.
My current score: 4.5/5
41: Of Mice and Men (1939)
Drama Of: Lennie, a man with a plan, and George, the man who wants nothing more than to pet mice and bunny rabbits.
The Film: This early adaptation of John Steinbeck's awesome novel is pretty much spot-on. Maybe not as disquieting as the 90s version, but this film is well-made with solid photography and solid performances. The story is inherently deep and compelling turn of events, with a lot of parts that are sweet and a hard-hitting finale that's pretty bitter. The storytelling makes this essential viewing, in my opinion.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: This early adaptation of John Steinbeck's awesome novel is pretty much spot-on. Maybe not as disquieting as the 90s version, but this film is well-made with solid photography and solid performances. The story is inherently deep and compelling turn of events, with a lot of parts that are sweet and a hard-hitting finale that's pretty bitter. The storytelling makes this essential viewing, in my opinion.
My current score: 4.5/5
To be continued...
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