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.
Born on the Fourth of July
Born on the Fourth of July features a masterclass performance from Tom Cruise in the leading role that ties the film together, allowing it to present its thoughts on veterans and the military industrial complex to the audience in a compelling way that earns the film a place of greatness.
Once Upon a Time in the West
Excellence in its cinematography, score, story, and casting have made Once Upon a Time in the West one of the Greatest Films of All Time – a film consistently making its way toward the top of the favorite films lists for most people who’ve seen it.
The Terminator
The Terminator is a classic of the sci-fi/action/thriller genre, introducing us to James Cameron’s world of cyborgs, artificial intelligence, time travel, and Sarah Connor in satisfyingly original fashion, anchored by a portrayal of 1980s L.A. that cements its place in dystopian stories and gives it a spot among the greats.
In Cold Blood
The film adaptation of Capote’s In Cold Blood earns its place among the greats with cinematography and pacing that feel beyond their time and an exploration of the criminal mind and the justice system that seeks to punish them that should still raise discussions today.
Winter’s Bone
Winter’s Bone succeeds on the merits of its top performers and a dedication to tell an authentic story in a setting that feels real and lived-in from writer/director Granik, earning it a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Darkest Hour
Darkest Hour serves as a vehicle for one of the great performances of the current century in Gary Oldman’s Churchill, earning it a spot among the greats.
Searching for Bobby Fischer
Searching for Bobby Fischer offers viewers a direct critique of the pressures parents place on their gifted children, showcasing in a poignant way the positive and negative impact that parental interactions can have on their children, setting itself apart from similar sports films and earning a spot of greatness.
Young Frankenstein
Mel Brooks’s blend of homage and comedy make Young Frankenstein a masterful parody that captures the wonder and technical achievements of the classic films while also introducing a basic level of comedy that elevates the whole thing to a place of greatness alongside the films it seeks to mimic.
Eighth Grade
A welcome blend of authentic humor and drama suffuse Burnham’s script that then receives an even bigger boost from the performance of Elsie Fisher, taking the whole film to a place of all-time greatness.
Another Round
Vinterberg’s Another Round is the perfect dark buddy comedy for a modern audience, using alcohol, authentic teacher experiences, and great acting to convey a universal reminder about the beauty and fragility of life and its need to be lived.
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.
Short Term 12
The ensemble cast of Short Term 12 help make Destin Daniel Cretton’s beautifully real film into something truly great, full of emotion, originality, and humanity, as it earns a spot on this blog’s list.
David Copperfield
Oliver and Fields deliver the memorable performances that David Copperfield needs to elevate its simple retelling of Dickens’s novel and earn it a spot among the greats.
