Journey to Italy
Ingrid Bergman and George Sanders are the ideal leads to bring Rossellini’s film about the more mundane side of marriage and holding it together or watching it fall apart to the big screen, and together the team makes a film that stands the test of time and earns a spot among the greats.
Young Mr. Lincoln
Between Henry Fonda’s excellent portrayal of the iconic president’s early years in law and the fascinating case study presented in the film’s legal drama, Young Mr. Lincoln cements an easily rewatchable spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem is carried by its lead actress/co-director/cowriter in the titular role, leaving a mark on international and feminist cinema that has to hold a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Shane
Shane stands out among classic westerns as a film that explores the direct impact of violence, never celebrating it as something great, even when it results in frontier justice being brought to the most villainous of characters, which makes it unquestionable as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Kids Are All Right
Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right hits the right notes in its examination of the complex nature of family thanks to the combination of her writing and the perfect trio of leading performers to make it sing, earning it a place among the greats.
Erin Brockovich
As a vehicle for Julia Roberts’s leading performance, Erin Brockovich shines, shaping every bit of itself toward cementing its leading lady’s place in history (both the real Brockovich and Roberts for her performance), more than earning itself a place among the Greatest Films of All Time in the process.
Local Hero
The blend of comedy, message, and optimism contained in Local Hero make it an easy and memorable film that deserves its place in the spotlight.
A Patch of Blue
A Patch of Blue delivers its much-needed message of tolerance through the powerful performances of its four central characters and the musical score that plays behind all their actions, reminding us of the human need for acceptance, which earns this film a spot on the list.
Promising Young Woman
Carey Mulligan’s leading performance pairs perfectly with Emerald Fennell’s script and story in Promising Young Woman to give audiences a film that captures the outrage of victims of sexual assault across the world who have been silenced because of the inconveniences of their plights, making this one of the most necessary and greatest films ever made.
Persona
Without spending thousands of words breaking down each scene of Persona piece by piece, I don’t know how else to convince you of its greatness other than by saying that the film might be the prime example of a director in full mastery of his art working with his ideal script and two incredibly talented performers.
Fiddler on the Roof
It really is the interplay between Topol’s phenomenal performance as Tevye and the gorgeous camerawork of Morris that turn Fiddler into one of the all-time greats, rewarding the audience for the time they have invested.
If Beale Street Could Talk
Barry Jenkins brings forth a beautiful homage to James Baldwin’s novel in his adaptation of If Beale Street Could Talk thanks to the work of his actors and cinematographer and his faithful adherence to the first two acts of the story, earning the film a spot among the greats.
Paris, Texas
While imperfect in its first act, the story that Wenders tells with his screenwriters in the second and third is one of the most human stories ever told, sure to leave an impact on any audience, which is why this film stands the test of time as one of the greatest ever made.
Eyes Without a Face
The haunting realism and religious imagery of Eyes Without a Face carve it a unique niche within the greater horror pantheon and, therefore, a guaranteed spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Y Tu Mamá También
In these two tales told side by side, Cuarón has crafted one of the most devastating looks at young adulthood and growing up and friendship that still manages to escape nihilism through the life of its most doomed character, earning it an undeniable place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Les Misérables
The emotional and thematic resonance of the music and story of Les Misérables are amplified by some strong performances from its supporting cast to make it into a truly iconic film deserving of recognition among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Selma
In a film driven by its director and lead actor, Selma gives its audience a moving look at the struggle for voting rights in the 1960s, as spearheaded by MLK, portrayed excellently by David Oyelowo, in a film that captures the exact essence of what director Ava DuVernay hoped to, earning it recognition as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.