Aaron's 100 - 2019 Edition: No. 75 - No. 51

I love lists. I also realize that, when it comes to ranking films, lists can be somewhat silly. I mean, how can you rank a comedy as compared to a heavy drama? But hey, I can't help that my brain works this way. I actually keep a running list on my phone of my 100 favorite films, and the list is constantly changing. I decided that, rather than keep it to myself, I should share it with you. So, over the next few weeks, I'll be posting my 100 favorite films of all time. 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).

They'll come in increments of 25, with this post featuring numbers 75-51. 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 each title for you to click through to the original review. My plan is to post this series every year to see how my rankings have changed. But enough intro, let's get to the list! Here are numbers 75-51...

75. Zodiac - David Fincher (2007) I recently re-watched this film, and it reinvigorated my love for it. It is a long film, yes, but the pacing doesn’t make it feel like one. There are few examples of obsession in the movies that are as good as Jake Gyllenhaal's portrayal of author and cartoonist, Robert Graysmith. It was Graysmith who was part of the original team at the San Francisco Chronicle who tracked the Zodiac killer in the late 1960s. For the next 20 years, he was obesessed with the case, and he wrote the book on which this film's storyline is based. The film's opening scene is one of my favorite uses of music to set the mood for a sequence, and it lays the foundation for the feel of the film as a whole. Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr. are both solid in supporting roles, but this is Gyllenhaal's film. And director David Fincher's flair and style have rarely been better suited for a film than they are here. Last year’s ranking - #89

74. Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb - Stanley Kubrick (1964) "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here. This is the War Room!" This has to be one of the funniest films ever made. Just the scene of President Merkin Muffley (Peter Sellers) on the phone with the Russian president is enough to have me rolling on the floor in laughter. A farce about an accidental nuclear crisis may sound iffy at first, but Kubrick and company handle the material perfectly. Sellers plays three roles in the film, but there is another story about its production that has always fascinated me. Kubrick and George C. Scott had competing ideas regarding Scott's portrayal of Gen. "Buck" Turgidson. Kubrick asked Scott to do some zany, over-the-top takes that he assured the actor he wouldn't use. However, unbeknownst to Scott, Kubrick left the cameras rolling. These takes were the ones that ended up in the film, and Scott vowed never to work with Kubrick again. While the film is obviously a farce, it may have gotten a little closer to the truth than anyone in the U.S. defense command would have like to admit. I also wrote a capsule review of this film for Filmotomy's British cinema series. Last year’s ranking - #65

73. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy - Adam McKay (2004) You should feel free to tweet at me with any feedback you have on this list. However, let me stop you before you start berating me for ranking this 2004 comedy over whatever film you deem to have been snubbed. First of all, this is a bona fide great film with one of the best comedic performances (Will Ferrell) ever. The Ron Burgundy character is now, well, a legend. Second, there are few films that have implanted themselves into my memory like this one. All my friends knew the quotes. I've seen it countless times. I even dressed up as Brick Tamland (Steve Carell) for a college costume contest (which my friends and I won, by the way). So you can tell me I'm wrong all you want. I'll simply sit back and remark - "Well, that escalated quickly." Last year’s ranking - #53

72. Broadcast News - James L. Brooks (1987) I guess we’re on the “comedies about the news business” section of the list. Director James L. Brooks has long been one of the best writers of romantic comedies in the entire film industry. This is my personal favorite of his films, and it boasts an all-star cast of comedic talent. At the top of that list is Holly Hunter, who commands the screen as TV producer, Jane Craig. William Hurt and Albert Brooks are both fantastic as well, and this is an indelible example of 80’s comedy film genius. Last year’s ranking - NR

71. Marty - Delbert Mann (1955) Paddy Chayefsky may just be the best screenwriter that the movies have ever seen. He remains the only person to win three Academy Awards for screenwriting having been the only credited writer for each. His first such win came for this film, an Oscar underdog if there ever was one. It doesn't tell an epic story. It had a small budget, and its acting lead (Ernest Borgnine as the title character) was known more for his supporting roles to that point. Not after his performance here. Borgnine would go on to beat the likes of Spencer Tracy, James Dean, Frank Sinatra, and James Cagney for Best Actor. This is a film that is executed perfectly by the cast and crew alike. We feel Marty's loneliness in a palpable way. This is mainly a testament to Chayefsky's wonderful screenplay, but that material is elevated by the acting and the technical prowess displayed. Last year’s ranking - #59

70. The Shining - Stanley Kubrick (1980) Kubrick. Nicholson. These two names came together to adapt Stephen King’s famous novel into arguably the most influential horror film of all time. However, I think Shelley Duvall often gets overshadowed by these icons of cinema when we discuss this film. Kubrick’s treatment of actors on the set of this film has become notorious for its perfectionism. He often made them do 75 takes or more. In a story that is so unnerving and shocking, Duvall plays a key part and she absolutely knocks it out of the park. Yes, Nicholson’s performance is rightfully praised, but these scenes would not be as iconic without Duvall’s work alongside him. The music is also a key element, becoming almost as unnerving as Kubrick’s images. Almost. Last year’s ranking - NR

69. Remember the Titans - Boaz Yakin (2000) This is a nostalgic pick for me. There was a time where I listed this as my favorite film. Growing up, there was no film that I had seen more than this one. In fact, this may still be the film I've seen the most times. It is incredibly rewatchable, and even though it is a Disney film and certainly appropriate for all ages, it deals with themes that are mature and thought-provoking. It uses music so well, from its soundtrack of 70s hits to its rousing score. And I'm not sure I've ever seen a bad Denzel Washington performance. He always delivers, and he certainly does so here as coach Herman Boone. As I've gotten older, my movie tastes have changed and my love for football has waned a bit, but this will always be a film that is near and dear to my heart. Last year’s ranking - #50

68. Home Alone - Chris Columbus (1990) Talk about nostalgic! My brother and I watched the Home Alone films so much growing up. This is basically a kid's dream - to run the house on your own. I appreciate the perspective of the younger sibling, though my family was not nearly as large as Kevin McCallister's (Macaulay Culkin). Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are hilarious as the classic crime duo - the Wet Bandits. This film is funny and charming at times, but it is at its best when it looks at themes of family and friendship through the eyes of its young lead. And hopefully this was a cautionary tale that kept parents from leaving their kids at home. Last year’s ranking - #49

67. All the President's Men - Alan J. Pakula (1976) The Watergate investigation is one of the seminal events in recent history. Its impact is still being felt today - both in the political sphere and in the movies. We've seen a few major "newspaper movies" come out in the last few years. All of them - except for one - are in the shadow of this 70s classic. You have two great performances from Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman in the lead roles, and an even better performance from Jason Robards in a supporting role as Ben Bradlee Sr. The headline here, however, is the script from the late, great William Goldman. This film handles its material so well. Think of all the different avenues this story provides. It navigates the pitfalls that have plagued other journalism films by staying focused on its main story - finding the truth. There are few better examples of that search than the work done by investigative journalists Bob Woodward (Redford) and Carl Bernstein (Hoffman). This film is a classic for a reason. Last year’s ranking - #58

66. The Departed - Martin Scorsese (2006) First off, I always read this film's title as "The De-PAH-ted". The Boston setting makes for many great accents from this incredible ensemble cast - particularly Boston natives Mark Wahlberg and Matt Damon. This cast really is fantastic from top to bottom. Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga and Martin Sheen all give wonderful performances. But I can't help but focus on Scorsese's direction even with the enormous and star-studded cast. This was Scorsese's first film to garner him Best Picture and Best Director wins at the Academy Awards. While I don't find it to be quite as good as some other Scorsese classics, those awards were certainly well-deserved. This is a film that spins us ever deeper into its story before unravelling in compelling ways. And it is impossible to stop watching once you put it on. Last year’s ranking - #46

65. Cold War - Pawel Pawlikowski (2018) This film is intoxicating. It sweeps through the Cold War era by focusing on two lovers in postwar Poland. The story moves in and out of their lives with gaps and rapturous moments of losing each other and finding each other once again. Joanna Kulig is absolutely incredible, and I would have given her the Best Actress Oscar last year. Foreign films don’t often get much love from the Academy outside of the Best Foreign Language category, but this film is so good that it garnered Pawlikowski a Best Director nomination. The film is available on Amazon Prime, and you will not regret watching it. Last year’s ranking - NR

64. Pan’s Labyrinth - Guillermo del Toro (2006) Director Guillermo del Toro weaves a beautiful story full of wonder and childlike innocence in the face of war and brutality in this modern classic. It has religious undertones that I found to be quite interesting, and the visuals are astounding. I would not necessarily say this is a film for children due to some of its scenes of violence and even some elements of horror. However, I think this is a great film for families who want to start discussions together. There’s a lot to unpack here, and del Toro is an absolute master storyteller. Last year’s ranking - NR

63. True Grit - Ethan Coen and Joel Coen (2010) Here is the first movie from the Coen Brothers to show up on my list, but it certainly won't be the last. Full disclosure - I haven't seen the original for which John Wayne won a Best Actor Oscar. While that means I have no framework for how closely this remake follows that film, I do know one thing - this film is incredible on its own. First and foremost, you have a gritty and, at times, hilarious performance from Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn. Matching him step for step is Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross. This was Steinfeld's breakout role, and she nailed it even as a 14 year-old. The Coens are masters of their craft, and their talent is clearly on display here. This is a film that is easy to rewatch and has more treasures in store every time. Last year’s ranking - #52

62. Rear Window - Afred Hitchcock (1954) Here is a film that considers the uses of the camera and the visual medium of film itself in telling a story. Hitchcock is often considered the greatest director who ever lived precisely because he had this mastery of visual storytelling. Jimmy Stewart plays a bedridden character who can only look out his back window through binoculars. The remainder of this murder mystery plays out mainly through visuals alone - we see the evidence in front of us. It is an audacious vision, and Hitchcock realizes it completely. In a career full of great films, this is one of Hitchcock’s best. Last year’s ranking - NR

61. Brief Encounter - David Lean (1945) On paper, you wouldn't think that an extramarital interaction over the course of a couple weeks would make for a great visual narrative. Such stories showcased in modern films often seek out the overly-salacious aspects, but there is no overt sexual content in this film and certainly no nudity. The story is revealed through subtext, at first, and then gradually we get more information about the relationship between Laura Jesson (Celia Johnson) and Dr. Alec Harvey (Trevor Howard). Again, none of that sounds like the makings of a great film. But in the hands of the legendary David Lean, what doesn't look intriguing on paper becomes an enthralling story. Lean is most famous for his grand epics (one of which is still to come on this list), but he brings that same mastery of cinematic technique to this story which focuses on small moments and interactions. The black and white shots of the smoke filled train station are strikingly beautiful, and the characters make you feel for their inner turmoil. At the same time, it is Johnson's incredibly-evocative performance that elevates the material to new heights. This is another film that I've reviewed for Filmotomy, and it is a wonderful example of the art of filmmaking. Last year’s ranking - #74

60. Inception - Christopher Nolan (2010) That ending is famous. I still remember the cultural discussion that surrounded it upon its release. Everyone wanted to know if you had seen Inception and what you thought of its ending. Putting its puzzle of a plot to the side for a moment, this is simply an incredible film. Nolan's direction is fantastic. The music from Hans Zimmer is some of the best he's ever created throughout his storied career. And the ensemble cast is wonderful throughout. The lead performance from Leonardo DiCaprio gets the headlines, but look at all the acting talent riddled throughout this cast - Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy, Ken Watanabe, and the legendary Michael Caine. Cotillard is, I think, deserving of specific praise. Considering the plot of the film, it may be too much to say her performance is "dreamlike" but there is certainly an ethereal quality to her work here. No matter what you think of the ending, this film as a whole is one we will be watching and discussing for years to come. Last year’s ranking - #51

59. Se7en - David Fincher (1995) Few films choose a mood and stick to it as well as David Fincher's gritty 1995 crime drame Se7en. This film is dark, and it knows that. It pulls no punches and refuses to spare us from the gritty details our heroes encounter. There are elements of the buddy cop genre here, too, but Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt) and Detective Lt. William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) do not find themselves an obvious pairing. One is a young up-and-comer, the other a soon-to-be-retired veteran. They have vastly different ideas of how to approach this case, but each makes important contributions. This film is famous for its ending, which is certainly impressive. Personally, I think this is Fincher’s best film, which is saying quite a bit. Last year’s ranking - #48

58. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre - John Huston (1948) This is a bona fide cinema classic. You have one of the great directors of classic Hollywood in John Huston accompanied by arguably the greatest star of that era in Humphrey Bogart. We also get one of the classic lines in movie history. I was most struck by this movie’s depiction of greed and the ways it can consume a person. As are most films with him in them, this is Bogart’s picture. He gives a great performance. I wouldn’t argue with anyone who says this is his best performance. Bogart did not win the Oscar for his performance, however, the film did received wins for Huston in both Director and Adapted Screenplay as well as for his father - Walter Huston - in Best Supporting Actor. Last year’s ranking - NR

57. The Revenant - Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (2015) This film is a visual splendor thanks to the immaculate combination of director Inarritu and cinematographer Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki. This was part of Inarritu's back-to-back Oscar wins for Best Director, but Chivo had him bested with three wins in a row for Best Cinematography, including his work here. They decided to shoot this film only in natural light, and it makes for some absolutely incredible visuals. Of course, this film also represented the first ever Oscar win for Leonardo DiCaprio. His acting here is visceral. He even ate real bison liver in one scene to add to the verisimilitude. One thing is sure after watching this film - I never want to meet a grizzly bear in the wild. Last year’s ranking - #56

56. Faust - F. W. Murnau (1926) Few films have made me appreciate the history of the movies quite like this one. I was absolutely floored upon watching it for the first time. How in the world did Murnau create such imagery with the tools on hand in the mid-20s? He is surely one of the great directors, and this film is a perfect example. Its story is one that has been handed down for generations, and if you've ever heard of a "Faustian bargain" you basically understand it. The demon Mephisto (Emil Jannings) makes a bet with an archangel (Werner Fuetterer) that the goodhearted Faust (Gosta Ekman) can be corrupted. In an attempt to save his plagued village, Faust makes a deal with Mephisto and we watch as he descends into darkness. Along the way, Murnau treats us to what must be some of the most incredible images ever committed to film. I simply don't understand how he did it, but I will never stop marvelling at his unique achievement. This is another silent film, and while I wouldn't label it as "scary" necessarily, it does deal with some frightening themes. However, if you're a fan of striking imagery, you absolutely must see this classic from the silent era. Last year’s ranking - #60

55. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - Steven Spielberg (1989) For a long time, I've gone back and forth over which Indiana Jones film is my favorite. I remember watching the films with my family when I was a kid and being simply enthralled by the music, the story, and the character so wonderfully embodied by Harrison Ford. This is the film from the original trilogy that I have seen the most. It is so much fun, and I personally love the interplay between Ford and Sean Connery. I vividly remember watching the closing scenes as our hero takes the path of the "penitent man." And this film may contain the most classic closing shot of all-time. Too bad Indiana Jones didn't actually ride off into the sunset but made us sit through Kingdom of the Crystal Skull instead. Last year’s ranking - #45

54. The King of Comedy - Martin Scorsese (1983) Marty is known for other films besides this one. While it certainly has a dedicated following, it doesn't seem to get the acclaim of some of his more famous films. However, I think it holds up quite well to any film the masterful director has ever made. Here, Scorsese and Robert De Niro are satrizing our culture's thirst for celebrity. Scorsese uses "dream" sequences to throw us off and make us question whether we're seeing the real story or not. No matter what you think of the film, one thing is clear when you watch it - Rupert Pupkin is one of the most memorable characters you will meet. I reviewed this film for Filmotomy's retrospective on the year of film in 1983. Last year’s ranking - #44

53. Roma - Alfonso Cuaron (2018) This film should have won Best Picture last year. It is absolutely beautiful, with jaw-dropping cinematography. The acting performances are also fantastic - particularly from lead actress Yalitza Aparcio. She, along with supporting actress Marina de Tavira, received Academy Award nominations, and rightfully so. This is a startling picture into everyday life in 1970s Mexico City. It is incredibly moving, and it is a visual marvel. This is an absolutely stunning picture. You can also read my full review of the film at InSessionFilm.com. Last year’s ranking - NR

52. Glengarry Glen Ross - James Foley (1992) Language is a fascinating thing. As a communication major in college, I took a few classes where we considered the power of language, but few films have investigated the ways this power can be twisted quite like Glengarry Glen Ross. From the genius mind of writer David Mamet (who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning play upon which the film is based), we see how these real estate salesman have so cauterized their hearts that everything they say is meant to coerce or convince. Here, language is a weapon - and I'm not just referring to the many four-letter words that dot Mamet's dialogue. No, the very words these salesmen use are weapons in their warfare of commerce. They stage these battles from their dingy office, and they emerge as weary soldiers leaving us to wonder about the point of it all. The acting in this film is impeccable, especially by Al Pacino and Jack Lemmon. And the film contains some of the best movie monologues ever written. Mamet is an absolute genius with the pen. Last year’s ranking - #38

51. When Harry Met Sally - Rob Reiner (1989) It's the best rom-com. From the intercutting interviews with couples to the back-and-forth romance of its main characters, When Harry Met Sally is classic in every sense of the term. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are electric as one of the great on screen couples. And this film has some scenes that have been etched into movie history. Of course, there's the diner scene. But the New Year's Party scene is even better. There's many great quotes. It's just a great film. It's the kind of film that, when you watch it, you just know. Like you know about a good melon. Last year’s ranking - #30

So, there you have it. We are well into the main list! Check back next week for numbers 50-26. For now, leave me a comment below or tweet at me to let me know what films you think I missed. Thanks, friends!