Before Sunrise
Through the chemistry and delivery of Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke and the brilliant writing of Richard Linklater and Kim Krizan, Before Sunrise sets itself apart in the world of romantic dramas, elevated to a place of greatness that only improves with its sequels.
Husbands and Wives
Judy Davis’s strong turn as the wildly entertaining Sally only does so much to distract the audience from Woody Allen’s well-written defense of his own troubling life choices, which make this film great, but probably shouldn’t earn it a spot on anyone’s must-watch list.
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
With two quality performances, tactfully done explorations of human relationships, and an infectious amount of authenticity baked into its every moment, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore distinguishes itself as a highlight in Scorsese’s filmography and truly one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Class
The Class’s experiential take on education from the point of view of a single teacher gives the audience a unique but very authentic take on the world of the classroom that feels more real than just about any other film made on the subject, earning it a much-deserved spot among the greats.
Incendies
Adapting Mouawad’s play of the same name, Incendies benefits from a strong nonlinear story that gives each of its three main characters plenty of space to play in the haunting and war-torn world of the film that Villeneuve and Turpin worked hard to create on the screen, warranting it a spot solidly among the greats.
A Star Is Born (1937)
In what is the first of many films of this name, A Star Is Born (1937) establishes its universal story of hopes, dreams, love, addiction, and heartbreak with the help of two fantastic leading performances from Janet Gaynor and Fredric March.
The Magician
In The Magician, Bergman has crafted his own sideshow, blending genres and subplots and skillful camerawork together into a singularly unique and entertaining piece of film, deserving of mention among the greats.
Mulholland Drive
David Lynch’s iconic ode to the dreams and realities of making it in Hollywood makes its place among the Greatest Films of All Time with the help of its two leading ladies and its ability to continually engage new audiences with each watch and rewatch.
The China Syndrome
The China Syndrome is a satisfying and thought-provoking journalistic thriller that reaches the heights of greatness thanks to strong showings from Michael Douglas, Jane Fonda, and Jack Lemmon.
Hold Back the Dawn
Hold Back the Dawn attains its place of greatness thanks to the well-acted and compelling dramatic love triangle at its heart and its tangential portraits of immigrants that challenged current policy stances and serve as a solid reminder of America’s need for immigrants.
Maria Full of Grace
Catalina Sandino Moreno’s powerful and dynamic leading performance carries Maria Full of Grace to a place of greatness, worthy of its recognition as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
McCabe & Mrs. Miller
Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller is a highly effective darker take on the western genre, headed by two strong performances from Warren Beatty and Julie Christie that make it into the great film that it is.
The Verdict
Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, and James Mason give some excellent performances in The Verdict, allowing its message of justice winning the day to shine through, cliché though it may be, earning the film its place among the greats.
Parallel Mothers
The story that Almodóvar places at the heart of Parallel Mothers is powered by his two leads – Cruz and Smit – and serves to enrapture the audience in such a way that the film’s place among the Greatest Films of All Time is undeniable.
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans rides the performances of its leads and the uplifting story that they portray to a place of all-time greatness, not just for its notable performance at the first Academy Awards, but for the execution of a truly great silent film.
The Blue Angel
Josef von Sternberg adapts the work of Heinrich Mann well, bringing out the best in his two leads – Jannings and Dietrich – as they weave the tale of a fall from grace in classic style, achieving a place among the greats.