Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
20: Love Exposure (Ai no Mukidashi)
Drama Of: Yū Honda, pervert.
The Film: This is probably the oddest, wackiest, and most extreme film on this list. Even though it runs for four hours, it's never dull, and it tells a long, tight, and intriguing story that explores the relationship between sin, perversity, and religion, all in the shadow of cult fanaticism. Even after wallowing through so much oddness and filth, love prevails in the end, and it is as endearing of a tale as it is unique.
My current score: 5/5
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18: Cloud Atlas
17: Gran Torino
16: The Elephant Man
15: The Prestige
14: American Beauty
13: The Green Mile
12: The Shawshank Redemption
11: Donnie Darko
10: Enter the Void
9: Titanic
8: Taxi Driver
7: The Grapes of Wrath
6: Schindler's List
5: American History X
4: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
3: Requiem for a Dream
2: Stand By Me
1: It's a Wonderful Life!
The Film: This is probably the oddest, wackiest, and most extreme film on this list. Even though it runs for four hours, it's never dull, and it tells a long, tight, and intriguing story that explores the relationship between sin, perversity, and religion, all in the shadow of cult fanaticism. Even after wallowing through so much oddness and filth, love prevails in the end, and it is as endearing of a tale as it is unique.
My current score: 5/5
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19: City of God (Cidade de Deus)
Drama Of: Buscapé, photographer.
The Film: The titular City of God, within Rio De Janeiro, is probably one of the scummiest places you can see on film. Shot on location in the various favelas, with a large cast of local, non-professional actors, the film exudes nothing but authenticity. In this grungy, real setting, the film dives deep into the cruel, violent criminal underworld, before showing how Buscapé avoids the temptations of gang life, and uses his talents to rise above adversity. It is as compelling of a story as it is relentless and inspiring.
My current score: 5/5
--------------------The Film: The titular City of God, within Rio De Janeiro, is probably one of the scummiest places you can see on film. Shot on location in the various favelas, with a large cast of local, non-professional actors, the film exudes nothing but authenticity. In this grungy, real setting, the film dives deep into the cruel, violent criminal underworld, before showing how Buscapé avoids the temptations of gang life, and uses his talents to rise above adversity. It is as compelling of a story as it is relentless and inspiring.
My current score: 5/5
18: Cloud Atlas
Drama Of: Six different people, six different eras.
The Film: Folks might gripe that this complex, entwining drama that spans centuries will be too convoluted and messy to handle. While the movie strains a bit on the logic of the plotlines involved, it is a faithful adaptation of the book, and it is a spectacular-looking film. Performances are decent, and their characters provide the heartfelt centerpieces to each vignette of human history, which collectively underscores the ongoing struggle between civility and savagery.
My current score: 5/5
--------------------The Film: Folks might gripe that this complex, entwining drama that spans centuries will be too convoluted and messy to handle. While the movie strains a bit on the logic of the plotlines involved, it is a faithful adaptation of the book, and it is a spectacular-looking film. Performances are decent, and their characters provide the heartfelt centerpieces to each vignette of human history, which collectively underscores the ongoing struggle between civility and savagery.
My current score: 5/5
17: Gran Torino
Drama Of: Walt Kowalski, grumpy old man who doesn't like people on his lawn.
The Film: When you slap an old war veteran with racist tendencies next to a family of Korean immigrants, there's bound to be some kind of clash. In this case, however, the story moves into some endearing territory as Walt is made to relate to, and ultimately fight for, his foreign neighbors. While it's easy to root for Clint Eastwood's character when he's growling and pointing shotguns at people, he's at his most endearing when he overcomes personal hatred and finds a new family in the most unlikely place.
My current score: 5/5
--------------------The Film: When you slap an old war veteran with racist tendencies next to a family of Korean immigrants, there's bound to be some kind of clash. In this case, however, the story moves into some endearing territory as Walt is made to relate to, and ultimately fight for, his foreign neighbors. While it's easy to root for Clint Eastwood's character when he's growling and pointing shotguns at people, he's at his most endearing when he overcomes personal hatred and finds a new family in the most unlikely place.
My current score: 5/5
16: The Elephant Man
Drama Of: John Merrick, deformed man (based on the real-life elephant man, Joseph Merrick).
The Film: Parts of this film can be weird (mostly the opening shots), but this is still one of the sanest movies made by David Lynch. It is a stylish black-and-white film with a lot of great imagery and great performances. Best of all, it lets the characters speak for themselves, to underscore the compelling struggles of the title character trying to become part of society.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: Parts of this film can be weird (mostly the opening shots), but this is still one of the sanest movies made by David Lynch. It is a stylish black-and-white film with a lot of great imagery and great performances. Best of all, it lets the characters speak for themselves, to underscore the compelling struggles of the title character trying to become part of society.
My current score: 4.5/5
15: The Prestige
Drama Of: Two rival magicians.
The Film: This stylish and mind-mending tale presents two rivals struggling in unusual ways to outdo each others' magical performances. While the story ventures into some fantastic territory, it is told in a fantastic way that reveals more and more behind the characters, up to its thoughtful ending. The film is a fascinating study of characters and their drive for vengeance, and it is presented with solid showmanship.
My current score: 5/5
--------------------The Film: This stylish and mind-mending tale presents two rivals struggling in unusual ways to outdo each others' magical performances. While the story ventures into some fantastic territory, it is told in a fantastic way that reveals more and more behind the characters, up to its thoughtful ending. The film is a fascinating study of characters and their drive for vengeance, and it is presented with solid showmanship.
My current score: 5/5
14: American Beauty
Drama Of: A man going through a mid-life crisis, much to the chagrin of his seemingly-perfect family.
The Film: Stylish and smooth, this film explores the hidden desires and transformation of an average middle-class man going through some rough changes. The film's turn of events can be rather extreme, but it's all about eschewing the superficial, materialistic aesthetics of modern suburbia and exploring the true hidden beauty of the world. Some people understand, some don't, and it builds up to a rather bittersweet climax.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: Stylish and smooth, this film explores the hidden desires and transformation of an average middle-class man going through some rough changes. The film's turn of events can be rather extreme, but it's all about eschewing the superficial, materialistic aesthetics of modern suburbia and exploring the true hidden beauty of the world. Some people understand, some don't, and it builds up to a rather bittersweet climax.
My current score: 4/5
13: The Green Mile
Drama Of: John Coffey, a prisoner with a very special gift.
The Film: Adapted closely to Stephen King's six-part novel, this story has a tremendous and heartfelt focus on a whole bunch of characters. Some are good, some are evil, but they all revolve around John Coffey, whose gifts provide a deeper insight to everybody else and help them rise from the adversity of the painful world they inhabit. The picture strikes a bittersweet tone, and it is emotionally hard-hitting.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: Adapted closely to Stephen King's six-part novel, this story has a tremendous and heartfelt focus on a whole bunch of characters. Some are good, some are evil, but they all revolve around John Coffey, whose gifts provide a deeper insight to everybody else and help them rise from the adversity of the painful world they inhabit. The picture strikes a bittersweet tone, and it is emotionally hard-hitting.
My current score: 4.5/5
12: The Shawshank Redemption
Drama Of: Andy Dufresne, wrongfully convicted of murder.
The Film: This film probably tops most people's list, but it's easy to see why. It's a well-paced prison drama with characters we can relate to, and a powerful ending that invokes themes of finding freedom and redemption. Andy's struggles may as well reflect everybody's struggles through their lowest points in their life, and there's nothing more inspiration than to see him emerge triumphant in the end. All in all, a well-made drama with endearing characters.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: This film probably tops most people's list, but it's easy to see why. It's a well-paced prison drama with characters we can relate to, and a powerful ending that invokes themes of finding freedom and redemption. Andy's struggles may as well reflect everybody's struggles through their lowest points in their life, and there's nothing more inspiration than to see him emerge triumphant in the end. All in all, a well-made drama with endearing characters.
My current score: 4.5/5
11: Donnie Darko
Drama Of: Donnie Darko, troubled teen lost in a tangent universe.
The Film: A very strange and surreal experience that weaves high school drama with bizarre concepts involving time travel and alternate universes. At its core though, Donnie is a frustrated young man who lashes out against hypocritical teachers, pretentious schoolmates, his own family, and pretty much the entire world he lives in. At the same time, he finds enough good in the world to literally save it from the threat of universal destruction. Donnie's tale is as strange as they come, but thanks to the film's focus on the character, it's rarely convoluted or disconnected, and it's certainly an interesting story.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: A very strange and surreal experience that weaves high school drama with bizarre concepts involving time travel and alternate universes. At its core though, Donnie is a frustrated young man who lashes out against hypocritical teachers, pretentious schoolmates, his own family, and pretty much the entire world he lives in. At the same time, he finds enough good in the world to literally save it from the threat of universal destruction. Donnie's tale is as strange as they come, but thanks to the film's focus on the character, it's rarely convoluted or disconnected, and it's certainly an interesting story.
My current score: 4.5/5
10: Enter the Void
Drama Of: Some kid who gets himself killed. In spiritual form, the film then explores the people who knew him, past present and future.
The Film: What a trip. Gaspar Noé's lengthy film very ambitiously takes a step to the other side of mortality, and allows us to experience an out-of-body experience that dives deeply into the main character's life, death, and rebirth. It is a continuously-flowing film, using wild camera tricks and SFX to stitch the film together in a manner that could put Hitchcock's Rope to shame. The movie gets into some very seedy material though, as it wanders in and around the dark neon-lit alleys of Tokyo and lingers on some rather graphic sex scenes. In the end though, it is a hell of an experience that literally puts the audience into the character's shoes, and beyond.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: What a trip. Gaspar Noé's lengthy film very ambitiously takes a step to the other side of mortality, and allows us to experience an out-of-body experience that dives deeply into the main character's life, death, and rebirth. It is a continuously-flowing film, using wild camera tricks and SFX to stitch the film together in a manner that could put Hitchcock's Rope to shame. The movie gets into some very seedy material though, as it wanders in and around the dark neon-lit alleys of Tokyo and lingers on some rather graphic sex scenes. In the end though, it is a hell of an experience that literally puts the audience into the character's shoes, and beyond.
My current score: 4.5/5
9: Titanic
Drama Of: Passengers of the RMS Titanic.
The Film: I can hear everybody groaning now, griping about how overrated this film is. Even I will admit that it is a long film with a lot of emphasis on romance and characters lashing out unreasonably; I should find it really sappy and daft. But even after all these years, I still find the film endearing. It covers a lot of the same ground as A Night to Remember, given the focus on the facts behind the Titanic's first and last voyage. It all serves as a backdrop for a love triangle between a wealthy woman, a charming low-class scoundrel, and a rather snooty upper-class aristocrat. It is a bit of a contrived set-up, but the film rarely overstays its welcome as it tends to mix things up with a little bit of everything: you wind up coming into the film to witness the disaster scenes, which are visually impressive, but you stay for the drama, which is compelling enough.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: I can hear everybody groaning now, griping about how overrated this film is. Even I will admit that it is a long film with a lot of emphasis on romance and characters lashing out unreasonably; I should find it really sappy and daft. But even after all these years, I still find the film endearing. It covers a lot of the same ground as A Night to Remember, given the focus on the facts behind the Titanic's first and last voyage. It all serves as a backdrop for a love triangle between a wealthy woman, a charming low-class scoundrel, and a rather snooty upper-class aristocrat. It is a bit of a contrived set-up, but the film rarely overstays its welcome as it tends to mix things up with a little bit of everything: you wind up coming into the film to witness the disaster scenes, which are visually impressive, but you stay for the drama, which is compelling enough.
My current score: 4.5/5
8: Taxi Driver
Drama Of: Travis Bickle: the lonely taxi driver who becomes a punk.
The Film: This film is all about character, and Travis is one unique character. It's easy to relate to him as he wanders around the urban cityscape, finding little solace in its seedy underbelly, and struggling to connect with others. He is ultimately driven to lash out in more outlandish ways, transforming into a disillusioned activist, and ultimately an anti-hero. The film, and character, both have a serious amount of grit to them, but both are endearing and unique to the end.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: This film is all about character, and Travis is one unique character. It's easy to relate to him as he wanders around the urban cityscape, finding little solace in its seedy underbelly, and struggling to connect with others. He is ultimately driven to lash out in more outlandish ways, transforming into a disillusioned activist, and ultimately an anti-hero. The film, and character, both have a serious amount of grit to them, but both are endearing and unique to the end.
My current score: 4.5/5
7: The Grapes of Wrath
Drama Of: The Joad family.
The Film: A pretty ballsy story for its time, John Steinbeck didn't shy away from exposing the hardships of Oakies during the Great Depression era. The film follows the original novel most of the way, showing the basic struggles of finding work, food, and a place to stay. The film emphasizes these hardships pretty well, immersing the audience in the gritty, desolate world the Joad family is forced to live in. It is a compelling story that's well-told, and hasn't been matched since.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: A pretty ballsy story for its time, John Steinbeck didn't shy away from exposing the hardships of Oakies during the Great Depression era. The film follows the original novel most of the way, showing the basic struggles of finding work, food, and a place to stay. The film emphasizes these hardships pretty well, immersing the audience in the gritty, desolate world the Joad family is forced to live in. It is a compelling story that's well-told, and hasn't been matched since.
My current score: 4.5/5
6: Schindler's List
Drama Of: Oskar Schindler, and the victims of the holocaust.
The Film: Perhaps the most definitive holocaust film of all time, for this is a fine quality film that covers the history of the events and never once shies away from showing how brutal and heartless the whole affair was. The film's most memorable and hardest-hitting scenes focus on the holocaust victims, but Oskar Schindler's struggle is the centerpiece and provides the best possible narrative structure. It is a hard film to watch, but it is worth seeing.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: Perhaps the most definitive holocaust film of all time, for this is a fine quality film that covers the history of the events and never once shies away from showing how brutal and heartless the whole affair was. The film's most memorable and hardest-hitting scenes focus on the holocaust victims, but Oskar Schindler's struggle is the centerpiece and provides the best possible narrative structure. It is a hard film to watch, but it is worth seeing.
My current score: 4.5/5
5: American History X
Drama Of: A former white supremacist who's trying to prevent his brother from succumbing to racial hatred.
The Film: A hard-edged and hard-hitting exploration of racism in the perspective of NeoNazis, and it isn't a pretty picture. The characters do some pretty nasty things, but through the main character's eyes, we come to understand his ordeals through prison and the drive to find redemption. The picture is none too subtle about underscoring the root causes and motivation of racism, but overall, the presentation is incredible and the story is a must-see.
My current score: 5/5
--------------------The Film: A hard-edged and hard-hitting exploration of racism in the perspective of NeoNazis, and it isn't a pretty picture. The characters do some pretty nasty things, but through the main character's eyes, we come to understand his ordeals through prison and the drive to find redemption. The picture is none too subtle about underscoring the root causes and motivation of racism, but overall, the presentation is incredible and the story is a must-see.
My current score: 5/5
4: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Drama Of: Mac McMurphy, madman, or genius?
The Film: A bit dry perhaps, but this film presents a very compelling cast of characters and a compelling competition between the forces of order and the forces of chaos. It's easy to root for McMurphy, trying to upset the institution, and Nurse Ratched is one of the best villains we love to hate. The film has a number of episodes that are great to watch, but the ending really ties it all together thematically and pushes it to levels of brilliance.
My Score: 5/5
--------------------The Film: A bit dry perhaps, but this film presents a very compelling cast of characters and a compelling competition between the forces of order and the forces of chaos. It's easy to root for McMurphy, trying to upset the institution, and Nurse Ratched is one of the best villains we love to hate. The film has a number of episodes that are great to watch, but the ending really ties it all together thematically and pushes it to levels of brilliance.
My Score: 5/5
3: Requiem for a Dream
The Drama Of: Four individuals who succumb to substance abuse.
The Film: Requiem for a Dream is through and through the mourning song for the death of ambition and the obliteration of goals; all things that normally make human beings persevere, but in this film, it's all flushed into a downward spiral of suffering and despair. And the film drags the audience down with it, forcing us to follow these characters and endure their suffering.
That's right, this film is as depressing and painful as they come. Some may find it distasteful, most would only be willing to endure it once, but the experience is a valuable one for all, because this film is a shadowy mirror that shows how drug abuse (or, perhaps, any form of obsession or "dream") can ravage human lives in multiple ways. Most of the film focuses on a young dude, his girlfriend, and his best buddy, who all get involved in the drug business with the best intentions (because it feels good and there's money in it). At the same time, there's a parallel story involving the dude's mother, whose desire to lose weight leads her to an addiction to diet pills. When everybody's efforts backfire, they all become plunged into a world of hurt, and the entire last act of the film is a harrowing montage of scenes where all the characters endure some kind of suffering.
What really amplifies this film's effect is its style, which is completely unique and powerful. It is loaded with hip-hop montages, which really pump the images out at rapid-fire speed, but in a sublime manner. All the actors exude the proper emotions, as does Clint Mansell's epic music score. In the end though, I think director Darren Aronofsky excelled at taking the source material (a novel I considered to be incredibly incomprehensible) and extrapolating a tangible narrative.
My Score: 5/5
--------------------The Film: Requiem for a Dream is through and through the mourning song for the death of ambition and the obliteration of goals; all things that normally make human beings persevere, but in this film, it's all flushed into a downward spiral of suffering and despair. And the film drags the audience down with it, forcing us to follow these characters and endure their suffering.
That's right, this film is as depressing and painful as they come. Some may find it distasteful, most would only be willing to endure it once, but the experience is a valuable one for all, because this film is a shadowy mirror that shows how drug abuse (or, perhaps, any form of obsession or "dream") can ravage human lives in multiple ways. Most of the film focuses on a young dude, his girlfriend, and his best buddy, who all get involved in the drug business with the best intentions (because it feels good and there's money in it). At the same time, there's a parallel story involving the dude's mother, whose desire to lose weight leads her to an addiction to diet pills. When everybody's efforts backfire, they all become plunged into a world of hurt, and the entire last act of the film is a harrowing montage of scenes where all the characters endure some kind of suffering.
What really amplifies this film's effect is its style, which is completely unique and powerful. It is loaded with hip-hop montages, which really pump the images out at rapid-fire speed, but in a sublime manner. All the actors exude the proper emotions, as does Clint Mansell's epic music score. In the end though, I think director Darren Aronofsky excelled at taking the source material (a novel I considered to be incredibly incomprehensible) and extrapolating a tangible narrative.
My Score: 5/5
2: Stand By Me
The Drama Of: A bunch of kids who hike through the country to see a dead body.
The Film: A seminal coming-of-age film that forces a bunch of kids to literally look at death in the face. Adapted liberally from Stephen King's novella, this simple tale puts us in the shoes of a few endearing (if not rather obnoxious and foul-mouthed) kids. The film rolls ahead briskly and is always engaging, in both plot and character.
More than the destination, it is the journey they take that's most memorable; the film is at its best when the kids are just being kids, goofing off and talking smack at each other. They have a number of perilous encounters, including bad run-ins with a vicious dog, a train, and a bunch of teenagers. In between, the characters take the time to tell vulgar stories, or reflect on their hardships.
In the end though, each character comes out a stronger, wiser, more mature individual; this is the journey that wound up shaping their lives, and it is a journey that mirrors all of ours in some ways as well. Whether living life or facing death, however, the film shows that friendship can help us all endure the best and worst of it.
My Score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: A seminal coming-of-age film that forces a bunch of kids to literally look at death in the face. Adapted liberally from Stephen King's novella, this simple tale puts us in the shoes of a few endearing (if not rather obnoxious and foul-mouthed) kids. The film rolls ahead briskly and is always engaging, in both plot and character.
More than the destination, it is the journey they take that's most memorable; the film is at its best when the kids are just being kids, goofing off and talking smack at each other. They have a number of perilous encounters, including bad run-ins with a vicious dog, a train, and a bunch of teenagers. In between, the characters take the time to tell vulgar stories, or reflect on their hardships.
In the end though, each character comes out a stronger, wiser, more mature individual; this is the journey that wound up shaping their lives, and it is a journey that mirrors all of ours in some ways as well. Whether living life or facing death, however, the film shows that friendship can help us all endure the best and worst of it.
My Score: 4.5/5
1: It's a Wonderful Life!
The Drama Of: George Bailey, the man, the myth, the legend...
The Film: Well, as much as I love a lot of the other films already listed, I realized that they're all as depressing as they come, and I needed to cap this list with something positive for a change. It just doesn't get much more inspiring than this: the story of a man who tried so hard his whole life to leave town and explore the world, but had to settle for an average life. Then, when everything seems to be at its worst and he considers taking his own life, he is shown a stark vision of how everything would have changed if he was never even born.
The film takes its time to lay out George Bailey's life story, so we learn and understand him on the most fundamental level. The final act brilliantly flips everything on its head, showing how everything in the rest of the film becomes undone and evil winds up prevailing. The film understands that nobody lives in a vacuum; all our lives connect to each other in complex ways, and removing one person will alter the destiny of many others. Even when life doesn't seem to be going well, when everybody seems to be against you and you never seem to reach your true ambitions, there's always something around the corner. Especially for George, whose good actions rewards him in the end. It doesn't even matter that he may never get to see the world or become financially successful; he has his health, his family, his community, and that's all he needs to be truly happy.
The film's Christmas settings and focus on angels makes this a classic for the holidays, but the film's messages are profoundly universal and endearing. I truly do believe that everything that goes around comes around, and all our lives impact other lives in ways we can't even perceive. In itself, the film's title relays the most positive and inspiring message: it is indeed a wonderful life.
Watch the film; it is a must-see. Above all, be inspired to live your life to the fullest and enjoy all that you've been gifted with.
My Score: 5/5
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Want more drama in your life? Feel free to check out my list of honorable mentions, to see even more great drama titles I thought about (or might have neglected) that are still worth seeing at least once.
The Film: Well, as much as I love a lot of the other films already listed, I realized that they're all as depressing as they come, and I needed to cap this list with something positive for a change. It just doesn't get much more inspiring than this: the story of a man who tried so hard his whole life to leave town and explore the world, but had to settle for an average life. Then, when everything seems to be at its worst and he considers taking his own life, he is shown a stark vision of how everything would have changed if he was never even born.
The film takes its time to lay out George Bailey's life story, so we learn and understand him on the most fundamental level. The final act brilliantly flips everything on its head, showing how everything in the rest of the film becomes undone and evil winds up prevailing. The film understands that nobody lives in a vacuum; all our lives connect to each other in complex ways, and removing one person will alter the destiny of many others. Even when life doesn't seem to be going well, when everybody seems to be against you and you never seem to reach your true ambitions, there's always something around the corner. Especially for George, whose good actions rewards him in the end. It doesn't even matter that he may never get to see the world or become financially successful; he has his health, his family, his community, and that's all he needs to be truly happy.
The film's Christmas settings and focus on angels makes this a classic for the holidays, but the film's messages are profoundly universal and endearing. I truly do believe that everything that goes around comes around, and all our lives impact other lives in ways we can't even perceive. In itself, the film's title relays the most positive and inspiring message: it is indeed a wonderful life.
Watch the film; it is a must-see. Above all, be inspired to live your life to the fullest and enjoy all that you've been gifted with.
My Score: 5/5
--------------------
Want more drama in your life? Feel free to check out my list of honorable mentions, to see even more great drama titles I thought about (or might have neglected) that are still worth seeing at least once.
