The 39 Steps
Hitchcock manages to pull off a winning formula for early greatness in The 39 Steps, utilizing a relatively innovative (for the period) style that blends lightness with suspense and a charismatic leading man tying it all together to cement the film’s place in history.
Mean Streets
Scorsese’s first widely touted crime flick, Mean Streets, has earned its reputation thanks to Harvey Keitel’s strong delivery of Scorsese’s story of youth in Little Italy and De Niro’s unhinged wrench in the works that turns the whole thing on its head.
Memories of Murder
The greatness of Memories of Murder lies in its excellent execution of so many facets, with well-acted leading performances and a story that is one of the most compelling and engaging of its genre, deserving a place of recognition.
War for the Planet of the Apes
War for the Planet of the Apes is not just an excellent closing of a trilogy, it is a fantastic representation of the action genre in three of its subgenres, delivering some of the best of all three – war, revenge, and breakout – by the time it’s all said and done, earning a spot alongside the greats.
The Sixth Sense
Osment, Collette, and Willis lead Shyamalan’s derivative but still creative and touching story about overcoming challenges to make The Sixth Sense one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Killer (1989)
John Woo’s action masterpiece The Killer is highlighted by an incredible variety of action set pieces – all excellently choreographed – and some authentic character relationships that keep the audience engaged, earning its reputation as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Wait Until Dark
Alan Arkin and Audrey Hepburn provide a much-needed lift to the straightforward crime thriller that is Wait Until Dark, making it a film deserving of a spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
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.
Sicario
With one of the best thriller sequences in film history, strong performances from its leads, award-worthy music and cinematography, and a poignant message about the nature of violence, it is easy to understand how Sicario continues to earn recognition as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Ex Machina
Ex Machina’s questions of morality in technology and the nature of humanity remain impactful and elevated thanks to some strong writing from Alex Garland and quality performances from the three actors at the center of his tale.
After Hours
Martin Scorsese is the perfect director for After Hours, bringing all of his cinematographic skill and passion for stories about businessmen and high-stress situations to bear in a quick, heart-racing thriller that certainly earns its place among the greats.
The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy is brought to a satisfying and exciting conclusion in The Dark Knight Rises – a film full of thrilling action sequences and plenty of closure for one of the greatest trilogies ever made.
The Celebration
Excellent characters played well by some talented actors help elevate the simple Dogme style of Vinterberg’s family drama to a place worthy of consideration among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Deep Red
Dario Argento’s unique directorial style, full of color, P.O.V. sequences, and eerie music, helps make Deep Red into the iconic piece of giallo filmmaking that it is, influencing the future of Hollywood slashers in the process, and earning itself a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.