80: East of Eden
Drama Of: Cal Trask.
The Film: A solid film and a solid adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel, complete with a captivating performance by James Dean. It's the story that makes it good though, and it is a deep, fascinating tale that mirrors the original legend of Cain and Abel. There's nothing more dramatic than themes of original sin permeating through the clash of characters.
My current score: 4/5
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79: The Social Network
78: 12 Angry Men
77: Shame (2011)
76: Sling Blade
75: The Outsiders
73: The Godfather Part II
72: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
71: The Untouchables
70: Tree of Life
69: On the Waterfront
68: Contact
67: Hunger (2008)
66: The Illusionist (2006)
65: The Wild One
64: Rebel Without a Cause
63: Raging Bull
62: The Place Beyond the Pines
61: Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
To be continued...
The Film: A solid film and a solid adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel, complete with a captivating performance by James Dean. It's the story that makes it good though, and it is a deep, fascinating tale that mirrors the original legend of Cain and Abel. There's nothing more dramatic than themes of original sin permeating through the clash of characters.
My current score: 4/5
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79: The Social Network
Drama Of: Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin, founders of Facebook.
The Film: In 2010, nobody could have thought that a movie about Facebook would amount to much, but David Fincher took a simple subject and made it interesting. Part of it is the style - the film looks good, has decent performances, and a swell soundtrack. Above all, the film's emphasis on conflict between the characters keeps the drama rolling hard and fast. In the end, it's an interesting character study that makes you question Zuckerberg's intentions.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: In 2010, nobody could have thought that a movie about Facebook would amount to much, but David Fincher took a simple subject and made it interesting. Part of it is the style - the film looks good, has decent performances, and a swell soundtrack. Above all, the film's emphasis on conflict between the characters keeps the drama rolling hard and fast. In the end, it's an interesting character study that makes you question Zuckerberg's intentions.
My current score: 4/5
78: 12 Angry Men
Drama Of: 12 jurors.
The Film: The story by nature is gripping, as one juror goes up against eleven to raise a shadow of a doubt and invoke a passionate debate. The clash of personalities reveals this simple courtroom drama to be a microcosm, with all the jurors representing the different perspectives and personalities that stands behind judgement. With quality filming and performances, the movie has cemented itself as a classic for good reason.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: The story by nature is gripping, as one juror goes up against eleven to raise a shadow of a doubt and invoke a passionate debate. The clash of personalities reveals this simple courtroom drama to be a microcosm, with all the jurors representing the different perspectives and personalities that stands behind judgement. With quality filming and performances, the movie has cemented itself as a classic for good reason.
My current score: 4/5
77: Shame (2011)
Drama Of: Brandon Sullivan, the man obsessed with sex.
The Film: This is a film that doesn't hold back. By that, I don't necessarily mean the graphic sex (of which there's some, but it's not overbearing, especially when compared to Nymphomaniac). It's the raw emotions that are blasted at full strength; Michael Fassbender's performance exudes passion and desperation as his obsessions take him through so many ups and downs, before inevitably ruining his life and everybody else around him. It is a quality film, but it is also pretty heavy-duty.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: This is a film that doesn't hold back. By that, I don't necessarily mean the graphic sex (of which there's some, but it's not overbearing, especially when compared to Nymphomaniac). It's the raw emotions that are blasted at full strength; Michael Fassbender's performance exudes passion and desperation as his obsessions take him through so many ups and downs, before inevitably ruining his life and everybody else around him. It is a quality film, but it is also pretty heavy-duty.
My current score: 4/5
76: Sling Blade
Drama Of: Karl Childers.
The Film: Billy Bob Thornton worked in front of and behind the camera to tell this bittersweet tale of a mentally-stunted man struggling to fit into society. The character really takes the spotlight and becomes somebody we can care about, before the film takes some rather gnarly twists. Despite the bleak outcome, it is a good story told in a straightforward fashion.
My current score: 4/5
-------------------- The Film: Billy Bob Thornton worked in front of and behind the camera to tell this bittersweet tale of a mentally-stunted man struggling to fit into society. The character really takes the spotlight and becomes somebody we can care about, before the film takes some rather gnarly twists. Despite the bleak outcome, it is a good story told in a straightforward fashion.
My current score: 4/5
75: The Outsiders
Drama Of: Greasers.
The Film: A solid, fairly gripping, and endearing portrayal of gang violence in the 60s. The film has its share of violence, but it's inherently touching to watch these kids come together through the thick and thin of it to support and protect each other. Some make it out unscathed, some don't, but their experiences overall make for some decent drama.
This film has been re-released as a "Complete Novel" edition, which boasts 22 minutes of new scenes, plus a redone soundtrack. Purists may not care for this version, but I didn't think it was bad at all.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: A solid, fairly gripping, and endearing portrayal of gang violence in the 60s. The film has its share of violence, but it's inherently touching to watch these kids come together through the thick and thin of it to support and protect each other. Some make it out unscathed, some don't, but their experiences overall make for some decent drama.
This film has been re-released as a "Complete Novel" edition, which boasts 22 minutes of new scenes, plus a redone soundtrack. Purists may not care for this version, but I didn't think it was bad at all.
My current score: 4/5
74: Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka)
Drama Of: Seita and Setsuko, orphaned children in a time of war.
The Film: Few films are as tragic as this. For much of the film, you grow to love the characters in all their childhood innocence. But when war rears its ugly head and forces them to try and survive on their own, it becomes a depressing tear-jerker. It's easy to label this as an anti-war film, but it also also carries a stark moral concerning responsibility, community, and sympathy.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: Few films are as tragic as this. For much of the film, you grow to love the characters in all their childhood innocence. But when war rears its ugly head and forces them to try and survive on their own, it becomes a depressing tear-jerker. It's easy to label this as an anti-war film, but it also also carries a stark moral concerning responsibility, community, and sympathy.
My current score: 4/5
73: The Godfather Part II
Drama Of: Michael Corleone, picking up where his father left off.
The Film: Easily one of the best sequels ever made; this film is very much on-par with its predecessor, if not better. The continued struggle of Michael Corleone is loaded with intense struggle and conflict. The occasional flashback scenes are pretty awesome. It all adds up to a rather bitter climax, which underscores the rise of power and the fall of morality within the criminal underworld.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: Easily one of the best sequels ever made; this film is very much on-par with its predecessor, if not better. The continued struggle of Michael Corleone is loaded with intense struggle and conflict. The occasional flashback scenes are pretty awesome. It all adds up to a rather bitter climax, which underscores the rise of power and the fall of morality within the criminal underworld.
My current score: 4/5
72: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Drama Of: Benjamin Button, the man who was born old and died young.
The Film: I never truly loved this film until revisiting it, but I've come to see that the film is a beautiful piece of work. The imagery is great throughout, and the performances are good. The story doesn't have much conflict to it, but it is a bizarre yarn, and the film digs up some touching themes regarding life and the passage of time.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: I never truly loved this film until revisiting it, but I've come to see that the film is a beautiful piece of work. The imagery is great throughout, and the performances are good. The story doesn't have much conflict to it, but it is a bizarre yarn, and the film digs up some touching themes regarding life and the passage of time.
My current score: 4/5
71: The Untouchables
Drama Of: Eliot Ness, who teams up with Jimmy Malone to bring down Al Capone.
The Film: A classy production with quality performances and some great setpieces. The hunt for Al Capone has never looked so good, and has never been so intense. The characters are likable and determined, and their struggles against crime and a corrupt system are constantly engaging because of it.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: A classy production with quality performances and some great setpieces. The hunt for Al Capone has never looked so good, and has never been so intense. The characters are likable and determined, and their struggles against crime and a corrupt system are constantly engaging because of it.
My current score: 4.5/5
70: Tree of Life
Drama Of: The O'Brian family throughout the years...and the cosmos.
The Film: If nothing else, this is one beautiful film with loads of incredible imagery. Why, this film even diverges into the birth and death of the universe. Most of the film's actual drama focuses on a family in rural Texas, and their interactions generally lay out the best and worst of human life in general. It's a very random movie, but it is a compelling stream of consciousness with some invoking metaphysical themes.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: If nothing else, this is one beautiful film with loads of incredible imagery. Why, this film even diverges into the birth and death of the universe. Most of the film's actual drama focuses on a family in rural Texas, and their interactions generally lay out the best and worst of human life in general. It's a very random movie, but it is a compelling stream of consciousness with some invoking metaphysical themes.
My current score: 4/5
69: On the Waterfront
Drama Of: Terry Malloy, dockworker.
The Film: One of the great classics, this film sports great-looking locations, great photography, and great performances. The film focuses on the corruption plaguing longshoremen, and it builds up to a rather intense and bloody climax.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: One of the great classics, this film sports great-looking locations, great photography, and great performances. The film focuses on the corruption plaguing longshoremen, and it builds up to a rather intense and bloody climax.
My current score: 4/5
68: Contact
Drama Of: Dr. Eleanor "Ellie" Ann Arroway, the scientist who makes first contact.
The Film: The film is most impressive for its style and visual effects, which include a fantastic opening scene that takes us across the breadth of the universe. However, the film's drama is what keeps is going hard and strong. It is an inherently intense struggle as Ellie faces pushback at every turn, from people stealing her thunder, fanatics trying to sabotage the mission, political and legal battles, and more. It is satisfying when she finally gets to go where no man has gone before. There are a few sappy parts, but the film overall is quite the solid and invoking journey.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: The film is most impressive for its style and visual effects, which include a fantastic opening scene that takes us across the breadth of the universe. However, the film's drama is what keeps is going hard and strong. It is an inherently intense struggle as Ellie faces pushback at every turn, from people stealing her thunder, fanatics trying to sabotage the mission, political and legal battles, and more. It is satisfying when she finally gets to go where no man has gone before. There are a few sappy parts, but the film overall is quite the solid and invoking journey.
My current score: 4/5
67: Hunger (2008)
Drama Of: Bobby Sands, member of the IRA who led a hunger strike in prison.
The Film: This film has a few rough parts, its pacing is pretty slow, and it can be tough to watch the main character waste away like he does (it is especially remarkable how much weight Michael Fassbender lost in this role for those scenes). However, it is an interesting study of non-conformity, and the film paints a surprisingly beautiful picture of a slow and agonizing death.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: This film has a few rough parts, its pacing is pretty slow, and it can be tough to watch the main character waste away like he does (it is especially remarkable how much weight Michael Fassbender lost in this role for those scenes). However, it is an interesting study of non-conformity, and the film paints a surprisingly beautiful picture of a slow and agonizing death.
My current score: 4/5
66: The Illusionist (2006)
Drama Of: Eisenheim, man of illusions.
The Film: Coming out at the exact same time as The Prestige, it's hard not to compare the two. While I personally prefer Nolan's film, this one is a pretty decent drama with its own share of unique twists. It's well-made, it has good performances, and it's just good overall.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: Coming out at the exact same time as The Prestige, it's hard not to compare the two. While I personally prefer Nolan's film, this one is a pretty decent drama with its own share of unique twists. It's well-made, it has good performances, and it's just good overall.
My current score: 4/5
65: The Wild One
Drama Of: Johnny Strabbler, biker dude.
The Film: Things get interesting fast when these characters roll into town and start whooping it up, to the chagrin of the locals. Marlon Brando is as cool as ever as the main character, and the film has a heck of a style that makes it stand out even to this day.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: Things get interesting fast when these characters roll into town and start whooping it up, to the chagrin of the locals. Marlon Brando is as cool as ever as the main character, and the film has a heck of a style that makes it stand out even to this day.
My current score: 4/5
64: Rebel Without a Cause
Drama Of: Jim Stark, a kid just trying to find his way.
The Film: This is the film that really makes James Dean a household name. His performance as Jim is an earnest and compelling one, which allows the audience to sympathize with him as he continuously defies all figures of authority (parents, teachers, and even the police) and has to always prove something to the punks around him. No real reason is given to Jim's outbursts, other than he's just another teenager trying to get along. That in itself is a fundamental and compelling drama, and it's handled well in this film.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: This is the film that really makes James Dean a household name. His performance as Jim is an earnest and compelling one, which allows the audience to sympathize with him as he continuously defies all figures of authority (parents, teachers, and even the police) and has to always prove something to the punks around him. No real reason is given to Jim's outbursts, other than he's just another teenager trying to get along. That in itself is a fundamental and compelling drama, and it's handled well in this film.
My current score: 4/5
63: Raging Bull
Drama Of: Jake LaMotta, boxer.
The Film: While the story of Rocky is a continuously inspiring one, the story of Jake LaMotta is a pretty bizarre experience that feels more like a descent of morality. Jake's story is not all about boxing, as he consorts with mob bosses and dabbles in the nightlife often, in a manner not too dissimilar to other Scorsese pictures. It is a well-made film with some interesting ups and downs, and it is a worthwhile experience overall.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: While the story of Rocky is a continuously inspiring one, the story of Jake LaMotta is a pretty bizarre experience that feels more like a descent of morality. Jake's story is not all about boxing, as he consorts with mob bosses and dabbles in the nightlife often, in a manner not too dissimilar to other Scorsese pictures. It is a well-made film with some interesting ups and downs, and it is a worthwhile experience overall.
My current score: 4/5
62: The Place Beyond the Pines
Drama Of: A bank robber, a cop, and their children.
The Film: In three distinct acts, this film takes its time to chronicle two generations of cops and robbers. Ryan Gosling provides an invoking, heartfelt portrayal of a man just trying to provide for his family, no matter what. Bradley Cooper plays the cop trying to do his job, confronting not just the crime, but also the corruption. The offspring of these two characters come together in the last act to twist around the moral roles, to the point where it's hard to tell where the role of a cop or robber really comes from. Even though the last act loses some steam, the storytelling overall is apt, intriguing, and the film looks mostly splendid.
My current score: 4.5/5
--------------------The Film: In three distinct acts, this film takes its time to chronicle two generations of cops and robbers. Ryan Gosling provides an invoking, heartfelt portrayal of a man just trying to provide for his family, no matter what. Bradley Cooper plays the cop trying to do his job, confronting not just the crime, but also the corruption. The offspring of these two characters come together in the last act to twist around the moral roles, to the point where it's hard to tell where the role of a cop or robber really comes from. Even though the last act loses some steam, the storytelling overall is apt, intriguing, and the film looks mostly splendid.
My current score: 4.5/5
61: Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Drama Of: Bonnie and Clyde. They rob banks.
The Film: It's a pretty rough and bloody affair; Bonnie and Clyde are a violent and mischievous pair who gleefully defy all law and order to become legendary outlaws. With a solid filming style and solid performances, the film stands out as a tough and entertaining account of this infamous duo.
My current score: 4/5
--------------------The Film: It's a pretty rough and bloody affair; Bonnie and Clyde are a violent and mischievous pair who gleefully defy all law and order to become legendary outlaws. With a solid filming style and solid performances, the film stands out as a tough and entertaining account of this infamous duo.
My current score: 4/5
To be continued...
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