To Be or Not to Be
To Be or Not to Be is a uniquely fun screwball comedy that handles its subject matter well with plenty of irreverent laughter without ever actually stepping into the realm of making light of the struggles of others, earning a clear spot among the Greatest Films of All Time as it does so.
Son of Saul
While Son of Saul is not quite as ubiquitously digestible as Spielberg’s Schindler’s List or Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful, it still offers yet another unique and impactful take on the Holocaust that goes beyond showcasing its horrors or garnering sympathy for its victims to celebrate the will of those who lived through it, earning this film also a spot among the greats.
Mrs. Miniver
Mrs. Miniver’s cast lends a much-needed sense of weight and emotion to this film about surviving the turmoil of the early days of World War II, earning it a spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Great Escape
The brilliant pacing, storytelling, and character work done by all those involved in The Great Escape have turned it into one of the most iconic and Greatest Films of All Time.
Love and Death
The way that Woody Allen interposes his own style within the world and expectations of Russian period dramas and the other influences of Eastern Europe feels so seamless and hilarious that the placement of Love and Death among the Greatest Films of All Time feels more fitting than just about any other film from the writer/director.
M*A*S*H
The true success of M*A*S*H lies not so much in its humor or characters but in the authentic sense of disconnectedness that permeates the film, leaving the audience with the sense that these soldiers, joking though they may be, deserve our sympathy, marking the film as one worth remembering in cinematic history.
Hotel Rwanda
Hotel Rwanda does the important work of showing audiences that the Rwandan Genocide was carried out by actual people as the result of European colonization of the nation, all of it with engrossing performances from its lead man and chief supporting lady, warranting recognition as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Hacksaw Ridge
Led by Andrew Garfield, populated by Gibson’s directorial vision, and ultimately driven by Doss’s own convictions in favor of peace and pacifism, Hacksaw Ridge undeniably earns its place among biopics, World War II films, and, ultimately, the Greatest Films of All Time.
Life Is BeautIFUL
Life Is Beautiful stands the test of time thanks to its strong central performance from actor/writer/director Roberto Benigni that speaks to the film’s message of fighting back against tragedy and oppression through celebrations of life and love, ultimately making the film one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Born on the Fourth of July
Born on the Fourth of July features a masterclass performance from Tom Cruise in the leading role that ties the film together, allowing it to present its thoughts on veterans and the military industrial complex to the audience in a compelling way that earns the film a place of greatness.
Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour serves as a vehicle for one of the great performances of the current century in Gary Oldman’s Churchill, earning it a spot among the greats.
Taxi to the Dark Side
Taxi to the Dark Side presents a clear and unpleasant look at American military intelligence gathering practices, offering a clear moral (and sometimes practical) condemnation of our current modes of torture and incarceration, which earns the film recognition as a bold and great documentary.
The Last of the Mohicans
Wes Studi anchors the film’s third act with an excellent turn as its antagonist, helping motivate the action that makes the ending of The Last of the Mohicans so memorable and the film so successful.
Full Metal Jacket
Iconic performances from Ermey and D’Onofrio carry a hard-hitting first act that transitions into the condemning look at the Vietnam war from the perspective of insiders that are the film’s final two acts, bringing the film together into a cohesive piece.
Downfall
Bruno Ganz’s portrayal of Hitler is the rotting heart at the center of the titular downfall that engrosses audiences as they witness the collapse of Nazi Germany with all of the chaos and death that goes along with it in Downfall, solidifying its place as an undeniably great film.
Beasts of No Nation
As a well-crafted study of masculinity and dangerously charismatic leaders, Beasts of No Nation shines thanks to strong performances from both Abraham Attah and Idris Elba, who help the film communicate its message effectively.
