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.
Sherpa
You hate to say that Sherpa benefitted from an act of nature when that act of nature left sixteen people dead, but that act also provided the film with a much-needed catalyst to present the horrors of the reality that it wants to show the audience, ultimately earning it a spot among the greats.
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.
Ball of Fire
Stanwyck’s leading performance works perfectly in the story and script from Billy Wilder to turn Howard Hawks’s film from just any other screwball comedy into one that stands the test of time to earn a spot among the greats.
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.
The Beaches of Agnès
The Beaches of Agnès provides a wholistic look back at the filmmaker’s life and work, offering the audience a look inside the head of one of the most prolific and unique filmmakers in history, earning itself a spot among the greats in the process.
Better Days
A strong leading duo and innovative additions of romance and crime to the typical trappings of an anti-bullying high school drama make Better Days a refreshingly original film from Hong Kong filmmaker Derek Tsang that is worthy of its place among the greats.
You Can Count on Me
In a film driven by its characters, You Can Count on Me is overflowing with human performances that lend themselves to a feeling of realness rarely seen in dramedies like this one, something that Lonergan excels at, and which makes this one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Guardians of the Galaxy
An iconic soundtrack brings together thrilling sci-fi action sequences, a fun team-up, and quality jokes in Guardians of the Galaxy, making James Gunn’s first MCU film not just one of the best in the franchise, but also one of the best superhero films ever and one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Amores Perros
Amores Perros presents the audience with a brutal breakdown of social, economic, and relational gaps that highlights the central need of all people to be loved by and connected to other humans, resulting in a film worthy of a place among the greats.
Paris Is Burning
Paris Is Burning wins the day thanks to the authenticity of its marginalized central players who remind the audience why they are worth telling a story about over and over with the anecdotes and dreams that they share with us, making this a wildly successful documentary and one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Only Yesterday
Takahata’s examination of the ways that our childhoods (good, bad, and average) are inseparable from our adult lives elevates the sometimes-simplistic narrative of Only Yesterday and makes it into something great, worthy of mention among the greats.
Amy
Amy’s celebration of Winehouse’s music, life, and career does justice to the incredibly talented young star who was taken too soon while also serving as a critique of the increasingly vocal public and our response to anything other than “perfection” from our celebrities, making it a documentary worthy of a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.