Great Freedom
Great Freedom’s thematic exploration of humanity and the impact of both incarceration and companionship on our humanity is one of the most profound bits of filmmaking in recent years, stepping beyond its premise to tell a broad truth about people and the systems that we inhabit, achieving greatness in the process.
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures elevates itself above its peers of overly sweet portrayals of the victories of the Civil Rights era with three powerful and memorable performances from Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, whose portrayal of these noteworthy women from history earns this film a place of greatness.
One Night in Miami…
Regina King’s directorial debut holds up thanks to some creative work from her and excellent performances from her four leads, who come together to tell the story and portray the themes of One Night in Miami… in quality fashion, warranting a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Inherit the Wind
Incredibly modern and important themes couched in a brilliantly written and excellently acted two hours and eight minutes (give or take credits) earn Inherit the Wind a place of prominence among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Los Angeles Plays Itself
Andersen’s opus on the use, portrayal, and erasure of Los Angeles by the Hollywood film industry offers a unique perspective on that particular aspect of film history and film culture, inserting itself through a use of great films into a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Argentina, 1985
Both of the film’s leading actors help tell the story that Argentina, 1985’s script so excellently seeks to portray, reminding us of the historical violence of fascism and the activism that is necessary to keep it from returning to the mainstream in Western political culture, making the Argentinian film truly one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Fences
August Wilson created a truly moving piece of literature with his play Fences, and Denzel Washington’s direction and the performances of the film’s featured actors do a quality job of capturing that work on the screen, achieving a deserved place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Woman King
A cast that gives dedicated lead and supporting performances and some excellent technical work in bringing its setting to life make The Woman King a film worthy of a spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities is a well-acted and fairly faithful adaptation of Dickens’s prolific novel, bringing the characters and story to life in a way that leaves its audience impacted by the emotional weight of the tale.
Mississippi Burning
The film’s plethora of solid performances, highlighted by two Oscar nominees, go a long way in helping deliver the film’s undeniable message about the indoctrinated nature of racism in America, earning it a spot among the greats.
The Gatekeepers
The Gatekeepers is an entertaining game of espionage, doublespeak, and contradictions that ultimately leads to a place of potential change and growth for both its subjects and the audience.
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.
The Longest Day
The Longest Day is a triumph of war filmmaking, filled with cinematography that continues to inspire future generations of filmmakers, and held together by character moments that remind the audience of the humans at the heart of the invasion.
Jodorowsky’s Dune
Jodorowsky’s Dune highlights the potential of an unmade film, its impact despite not being made, and the reasons for its rejection by Hollywood, crafting a documentary that has plenty to say and does justice to its subject matter.
The Last King of Scotland
With a solid outing from James McAvoy, an awards-winning performance from Forest Whitaker, and a historical narrative that also brings its audience to the edge of their seats, it is easy to see how The Last King of Scotland achieves greatness.
The Death of Stalin
Chock-full of its characteristic dark humor and impeccable acting performances, The Death of Stalin makes a strong case to be included among the Greatest Films of All Time.
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.