Aaron's 100 - 2019 Edition: Honorable Mention
It’s time, once again, for me to share with you my 100 favorite movies. I have a lot of fun keeping track of this list (I actually keep a note on Evernote throughout the year). Lists can be a little silly, but they are so much fun. I started this last year, and you can find last year’s version by heading over to my Movie Journal. On this year’s edition, I’ll make a note of where each film showed up the previous year (HM stands for Honorable Mention and NR stands for Not Ranked). The list will come in increments of 25, with this first post focusing on the honorable mentions. Keep in mind a few things: 1) these are my personal favorites, so I'm not saying these are the 100 objectively best films ever made and 2) I am not giving a blanket recommendation for every film on this list. You should certainly keep in mind age and content maturity when viewing some of these films (for more info on that, check out this post). Also, this series will only focus on feature films, so you won't see any documentaries. Finally, for any films that I have previously reviewed, there will be a button below the title for you to click through to the original review.
Before we get started, the following movies are ones that made it on last year’s list as either an Honorable Mention or a Top 100 pick but are not on this year’s list: The Other Guys, A Time to Kill, Meet the Parents, Skyfall, Columbus, The Thin Red Line, Shutter Island, Smiles of a Summer Night, Ocean’s Eleven, Zero Dark Thirty, Pulp Fiction, The Passion of Joan of Arc, The Lion King, United 93, Signs, The Bourne Ultimatum, Dead Poets Society, Boyhood, Million Dollar Baby, The Wizard of Oz, and Synecdoche, New York. It pains me to leave all of them off the list, but that just means the rest of the movies are just that good! With that out of the way, let's get to the list! Here are the 25 honorable mention films that almost made the cut...
25. Crazy, Stupid, Love.
Crazy, Stupid, Love. - Glenn Ficarra, John Requa (2011) This is one of my favorite romantic comedies. It’s one of those movies I just have a soft spot for. Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell are so great together. This film juxtaposes its characters so much to the point that it could easily get convoluted, but it never does. Directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa handle the material well. I also love the way this film ends - on a note of nuance. Things don't always get tied up in neat little bows, especially when you're dealing with relationships. Emma Stone is great here as well, and you can see the chemistry with Gosling that will show up in another film later on in this list. Also, Julianne Moore - enough said. Last year’s ranking - HM #3
24. A Few Good Men
A Few Good Men - Rob Reiner (1992) This is my favorite film from one of my favorite writers - Aaron Sorkin It is best remembered most for being the vehicle of one of the most famous movie lines in history. But more than that one quote, this scene showcases Sorkin's mastery of allowing his characters to give their point of view. Col. Jessup (Jack Nicholson) believes wholeheartedly that we live in a world that calls for people on the fringes to make choices to protect the unknowing folks back home. No matter how reprehensible we may feel Jessup's views are - and no matter what Sorkin may feel personally as the writer - he allowed Jessup to give his point of view in that scene. The courtroom is the perfect location for Sorkin's trademark dialogue, and this is one of the great courtroom dramas ever made. Last year’s ranking - HM #12
23. Apollo 13
Apollo 13 - Ron Howard (1995) It's the best Ron Howard film, and very nearly the best Tom Hanks film, in my opinion. The historical event is fascinating, and the tension is palpable. Howard paces the film beautifully, and the acting performances are stellar. The scene where Jim Lovell (Hanks) sees the surface of the moon so close while knowing he won't be able to make it there is absolutely gut-wrenching. The space film genre became quite crowded in the 90's and on, but few films have navigated the final frontier as well as this one. Last year’s ranking - HM #8
22. Gladiator
Gladiator - Ridley Scott (2000) It is epic. It is brutal. It is dramatic. The winner for Best Picture in 2001, this film starring Russell Crowe as a Roman soldier bent on revenge brings a wave of emotions throughout its 155-minute runtime. Crowe is fantastic, as is Joaquin Phoenix as the conniving Commodus. And any film that has Derek Jacobi in a supporting role automatically jumps in quality and significance. I love the music in this film, from the incredible mind of Hans Zimmer. And though Ridley Scott has had a legendary career full of incredible films, this one is my personal favorite of his. Oh, and you can't talk about Gladiator without mentioning the line that has spawned memes and GIFs for years now. Yes, we are entertained. Last year’s ranking - HM #2
21. Toy Story
Toy Story - John Lasseter (1995) I said that Apollo 13 was "very nearly" the best Tom Hanks film because this Pixar classic takes the top spot. It launched one of the most powerful creative dynasties in recent film history, and it was the first computer-animated film ever made. Woody (Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) are two of the great characters in animated movie history, and younger me would have had this film much higher on my list. Its nostagia factor for me is very high, and it holds up well despite the advances in animation. "To infinity, and beyond!" Last year’s ranking - HM #7
20. Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse
Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse - Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman (2018) Sometimes you have a theatrical experience that just remains in your head for a while. I had just that experience when I watched Spider-Verse for the first time. Its visual style is incredible, and it’s just so much fun to watch. This is what superhero films should be but most never come close to achieving. It has a strong message, and it is a technical and visual marvel (pun intended). There is only one superhero film I have ranked above this one the rest of the way. Last year’s ranking - NR
19. Ace in the Hole
Ace in the Hole - Billy Wilder (1951) We often use the term “powerhouse” to describe performances that exude sheer power and force. Few have had the power and force of Kirk Douglas in this classic film from genius writer/director Billy Wilder. Here you see the early threads of our current culture’s propensity to seek salacious details over cold, hard facts. You also see the threads of media manipulation that would be mined by another classic film that will find its way up to the very top of these rankings. For now, fire up this film and be amazed at the filmmaking and acting on display. Last year’s ranking - NR
18. The Big Heat
The Big Heat - Fritz Lang (1953) Film noir is one of the most essential genres in film history, and this is one of the absolute best examples of film noir. What I love most about this is that it takes chances. This is an ambitious work from one of the all-time great directors in Fritz Lang. It takes twists and turns that must have felt jarring for its day. Characters are faced with impossible choices that make them blur the lines between good and evil. Last year’s ranking - NR
17. Zoolander
Zoolander - Ben Stiller (2001) A film about a male model who gets chosen by fashion overlords to carry out an assassination based purely on the fact that he is dim enough to be brainwashed may sound too "out there" to work. Maybe it should be, but Zoolander will always be one of my favorite comedies. Yes, it's silly and zany, but Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) has to be one of the great comedy film characters of recent memory. There are so many memorable lines and scenes. Mer-man, Eu-goog-oly, and Blue Steel. The Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good, Derelict, and ambi-turners. Makes me laugh every time. Last year’s ranking - HM #4
16. The Grand Budapest Hotel
The Grand Budapest Hotel - Wes Anderson (2014) Those colors. Wes Anderson's incredible eye for set and color design has never been better than in this 2014 film. The plot is labyrinthine, but with a cast like this I'd be entertained no matter what. This is my favorite Ralph Fiennes performance, and all of Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Tilda Swinton, F. Murray Abraham and Tom Wilkinson turn in wonderful supporting performances - and that's not even the entire cast! This is a delightfully funny film, and it is my personal favorite film of Anderson's. Last year, it missed the Top 100 by the narrowest of margins, and it slipped a bit this year. But it will always be a film I love, nonetheless. Last year’s ranking - HM #1
15. Bicycle Thieves
Bicycle Thieves - Vittorio De Sica (1948) This is a film that routinely gets mentioned in lists of great classic films from around the world. To me, it highlights one of the best uses of the art form of film - to help us empathize with the viewpoint of someone in a different walk of life from us. This film achieves that in a twofold way. We as the audience experience this, but the characters onscreen experience it as well. They think one way about the people around them at the film's beginning, but the hardships of life change their perspective in nuanced ways as the film continues. This remains one of the great Italian films, and one of the great films from any country. Last year’s ranking - #98
14. Nosferatu
Nosferatu - F. W. Murnau (1922) This is the oldest movie on my list, and it remains one of the most influential films ever made. I am not much of a fan of the horror genre, but it is undeniable that this film drastically impacted the next 50 years of horror filmmaking. It is also legendary for its production, as the studio did not get the rights for adapting the Dracula story from Bram Stoker's family. They simply changed names and places and basically copied the main story. As such, this film was mired in legal battles and was nearly obliterated from history. But a few copies were preserved and passed down through the years. It certainly is not as scary as many modern horror films, but it is far superior in quality. Max Schreck's performance as the vampire, Nosferatu, remains one of the most memorable performances in silent film history. Last year’s ranking - #95
13. The Italian Job (2003)
The Italian Job - F. Gary Gray (2003) At one time, this would have been at the very top of my list of favorite movies. I loved this one growing up, and I think it still holds up pretty well, thanks in large part to its cast. Mark Wahlberg is certainly in his element here as mastermind thief Charlie Croker. The supporting cast is incredibly talented, from Charlize Theron to Donald Sutherland to Jason Statham. It handles its action set pieces very well, especially the famous Mini Cooper car chase sequence. This film is fun and very rewatchable. Just don't say that it's "fine." Last year’s ranking - #92
12. The Hangover
The Hangover - Todd Phillips (2009) I think this film has waned in acclaim in recent years thanks to its absolutely trashy sequels. Even this film gives hints at the lows to which the following films would go in its credit sequence (feel free to skip it, in my opinion). But it is not the raunchiness and the ludicrous plot that made the original film such a success. That's what the sequels get wrong. This is a great film because of its characters. I mean, what more can be said about Zach Galifianakis' performance in this film? It's one of the best comedy performances in recent memory, and he absolutely commands the film. But the other performances are strong as well, and it's really the writing of the film that takes it to places most other comedy films don't go. There's actual character work being done here, and those characters make it one of the best comedies around. Last year’s ranking - #91
11. Dumb and Dumber
Dumb and Dumber - Peter Farrelly (1994) So many quotes. Jim Carrey at the peak of his talents. Jeff Daniels showing why he's one of the most versatile actors around. And simply some of the great comedic scenes in movie history. Think of the diner scene where Lloyd (Carrey) throws the salt over his shoulder, which sets up the hilarious scene where Lloyd and Harry (Daniels) get pulled over. "So you're tellin' me there's a chance!" has to be one of the great comedic lines. Lloyd and Harry are an incredible comedic duo, and this film will still make you laugh all these years later. Last year’s ranking - #85
10. Lady Bird
Lady Bird - Greta Gerwig (2017) I didn't quite appreciate the power of Lady Bird's screenplay the first time I saw it. But then I saw it again...and again...and again. First off, it's an incredibly-charming film, one that invites repeated viewing. And each time you watch it, you catch more of the subtlety in the relationship between Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) and her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). I love Jon Brion's music in this film, but - above all - it is Greta Gerwig's laser-focused screenplay that drives this film. It's so wonderfully-written, and I can't think of a movie that more artfully explores the mother/daughter relationship. I also appreciate that this film chooses not to frame its coming-of-age story around a romantic relationship, but rather a familial one. There are so many wonderful directorial choices from Gerwig here, and that is why this was one of the best films from 2017. Last year’s ranking - #77
9. Mudbound
Mudbound - Dee Rees (2017) Though it wasn't quite as acclaimed as Lady Bird, I found Dee Rees' moving epic Mudbound to be one of 2017's best films as well. In fact, if I had a vote (which I most certainly do not), I would have given Dee Rees the Oscar for Best Director. She weaves so many storylines together seamlessly, and she finds the beauty in the landscapes of the Mississippi Delta. Thankfully, Mudbound's cinematographer Rachel Morrison was nominated for an Oscar for her work on the film, becoming the first woman to be nominated for Best Cinematography. The acting performances here are incredible, too. Garrett Hedlund, Carey Mulligan, Mary J. Blige (Oscar-nominated), and Jason Clarke all put in fine work. But it is Jason Mitchell who gives the film's best performance as Ronsel Jackson. It's a long film and it's tough to watch at times, but Mudbound has treasures in store at every turn. Last year’s ranking - #76
8. Lincoln
Lincoln - Steven Spielberg (2012) Daniel Day-Lewis gives another incredible performance in this historical drama directed by the great Steven Spielberg. Every performance from Day-Lewis is breathtaking, but this one is astounding for how he absolutely embodies one of the most important and infludential figures in American history. As I've said before, I love David Strathairn; he's fantastic as William H. Seward. And any movie with Tommy Lee Jones in it automatically gets extra points with me. He's one of my all-time favorite actors, and his performance as Thaddeus Stevens is one of the best in his storied career. While this may not be Spielberg's most visually-ambitious work, I think it is the script from Tony Kushner that vaults the film into the stratosphere. The dialogue is beautifully written, and the script is well-focused when it easily could have attempted to cover too much of the enormity of Lincoln's accomplishments. Last year’s ranking - #83
7. It’s a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life - Frank Capra (1946) Classic. What other word is there for this film? It was entered into the public doman in 1974 due to a clerical error which kept the film's original copyright owner from filing a renewal. Because of this, from the mid-70s on, it was routinely shown on network television around Christmastime. This gave it a second life after it was critically-acclaimed but not well-received by the public upon its initial release. In the years since, it has become an absolute classic. George Bailey (James Stewart) is simply one of the all-time great movie characters. And Capra's direction is, for lack of a better word, wonderful. Once you see this film, it is nearly impossible to keep from being enchanted by it. Last year’s ranking - #90
6. Gangs of New York
Gangs of New York - Martin Scorsese (2002) You wanna know why Gangs of New York is such a good film? Daniel Day-Lewis. Surely Scorsese's skill behind the camera deserves a great deal of the credit, too, but Day-Lewis gives a mountain of a performance here as Bill the Butcher. It's titanic. From the moment he steps into view (which might just be the best character introduction ever), you know he owns the story. Look, Liam Neeson is an incredible actor, but the simple fact is that you could have put Marlon Brando opposite Day-Lewis in that first battle scene and it wouldn't have mattered. His performance overpowers everyone else, including a fine supporting turn from Leonardio DiCaprio. The film's ending is searingly emotional. The entire movie will make you consider the foundation of America - not the one we're taught in schoolbooks, but the one that came through the blood, sweat, and more blood spent by immigrants and natives. In many ways, we're still fighting the battles portrayed in this film. Gangs of New York will keep you thinking, and the talent on display will entertain you at the same time. Last year’s ranking - #84
5. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Beauty and the Beast - Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise (1991) It is the best Disney film, in my opinion. This was the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture, and it cemented Disney's resurgence. For the next 20 years, they would dominate the movie landscape, and it's hard to see any of that happening if not for the success of this film. I love that Belle loves books and reading. I love the music. I love the story. It is as enchanting as ever no matter how many times you've seen it. Disney has made some wonderful films since this was released, but I don't think they've ever topped it. Last year’s ranking - #88
4. Interstellar
Interstellar - Christopher Nolan (2014) Christopher Nolan is one of the most talented and influential directors of our time. Whether you love his films or not, a new Nolan film has become a must-see event. His 2014 film Interstellar is one of my personal favorites of his. I remember seeing it multiple times with my then-girlfriend, now-wife, Sarah, in the theater. We were both gobsmacked by it. This is a film with ambition, and I would always prefer such a film - even if it falls a bit short - over a vanilla film that doesn't try very much. But I don't think Interstellar falls short at all. Nolan's trademark time-warp storytelling fits perfectly into this space-time drama. Matthew McConaughey is great, as is Jessica Chastain. There's even a supporting role for current critic darling Timothee Chalamet. The whole cast is great, but it is Nolan's vision and direction that make this film so memorable. Last year’s ranking - #86
3. Up in the Air
Up in the Air - Jason Reitman (2009) I am an unabashed George Clooney fan. He's a fantastic actor, and he's just so charming. He instantly makes any film he's in that much more interesting. Clooney has been called the modern day Cary Grant, and I think it's an apt comparison. Here, however, you can make the case that he gives the film's third best performance. Vera Farmiga (an actress who I think is vastly underappreciated) and Anna Kendrick were both nominated for Best Supporting Actress for their roles in this film. I think one of them should have won, and my vote would probably have gone to Farmiga. All three performances merge together to create a film that you can never quite size up because it's always one step ahead of you. This film has a high rewatchability factor, and it artfully considers the busy lifestyle that capitalism encourages. Last year’s ranking - #79
2. North by Northwest
North by Northwest - Alfred Hitchcock (1959) This film slid down my list a bit, but that is certainly more a testament to the other films around it than any kind of a knock on the film itself. Alfred Hitchcock is known as the "Master of Suspense" and he certainly knew how to thrill an audience. In many of his films, you could say that he finds the fears within all of us about what we might do in situations that are out of the ordinary. Certainly Roger O. Thornhill (Cary Grant) finds himself in a situation here that we would deem "out of the ordinary." Grant's performance, along with a wonderful supporting turn from the legendary Eva Marie Saint, add depth to the film, but it is Hitchcock's direction that makes it a classic. So much has already been said about the crop duster scene, but it bears mentioning that this is one of the best showcases of Hitchcock's ability to use visual tricks in setting up his scenes. That plane was nowhere near Cary Grant during filming, but you wouldn't know that from watching the sequence. Last year’s ranking - #67
1. Mad Max: Fury Road
Max Max: Fury Road - George Miller (2015) This was one of those movies that just barely missed out on being featured last year. At that point I had only seen it once. While I was blown away by the technical achievement on that first watch, the totality of the story did not hit me until I watched it again. There’s a reason this has started showing up on lists of the greatest action movies ever. The stunts are absolutely incredible, and the cinematography is breathtaking. Add in a fantastic performance from Charlize Theron, and you have an unforgettable film that misses out on the Top 100 by the narrowest of margins. Last year’s ranking - NR
So, there you have it. Those are the films that just barely missed out. Check back next week for numbers 100-76. For now, leave me a comment below or tweet at me to let me know what films you think I missed. Thanks, friends!