Birdman of Alcatraz
Birdman of Alcatraz’s supporting characters help flesh out its themes of imprisonment and rehabilitation, lending to a deeper discussion of both against the background of the flawed U.S. prison system.
The Two Popes
As a film about the interconnectedness of humanity based around a niche story of two different approaches to religious leadership portrayed by two great actors, The Two Popes earns its place as a Great Film.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Tom Hanks’s award-worthy performance as Fred Rogers combines with production design and storytelling that capture the world and message of Mr. Rogers beautifully in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
American Gangster
Topical issues handled with tact and an absolute powerhouse performance from Denzel Washington are the building blocks that have made American Gangster into one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Fruitvale Station
Strong performances from Spencer and Jordan support a well-crafted message of humanity and the need for police reform in Fruitvale Station, making its place among the Greatest Films of All Time unquestionable.
The Motorcycle Diaries
The film’s two strong leads help shape its story of friendship and growing up into something great, making The Motorcycle Diaries’s place among the Greatest Films of All Time make perfect sense.
Bill Cunningham New York
By combining this lingering optimism with fun, new information, and consistently moving action throughout, Bill Cunningham New York crafts a near perfect documentary for any viewer.
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
Intentional theming to match its subject’s own works and some creative storytelling highlighted by artful cinematography are the pieces that, when put together, make Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Buddy Holly Story
Phenomenal music from start to finish blends well with Busey’s performance as the titular Buddy Holly and makes The Buddy Holly Story one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Heavenly Creatures
Gutsy directorial choices and incredible breakout performances from its leads are the elements that shine forth and make Heavenly Creatures worthy of its place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Wind Rises
The Wind Rises is a delightful fantasy biography, artfully blending truth and fiction into one of the best animated films of the last ten years.
Project Nim
Project Nim works well as a documentary that challenges some preconceived notions of good science and our interactions with other animals.
The Song of Bernadette
Skillful acting from its young lead and a message of personal faith overcoming societal pressures make The Song of Bernadette worth watching.
What’s Love Got to Do with It
Powerful messaging about overcoming abuse and abusers to go along with stellar performances from Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne as Tina and Ike Turner make What’s Love Got to Do with It a difficult, but compelling watch.
Steve Jobs
An impressive script combined with skillful acting performances throughout help create a unique biopic that does more to explore the character of Steve Jobs than to give a summary of his life or to pass judgement on the man who made Apple what it is today.
tick, tick… BOOM!
tick, tick… BOOM! is one of the best films from 2021 thanks to a strong leading performance from Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, very fun and catchy musical numbers, and a heartfelt story about human connection.
