Aaron's 100 - 2020 Edition: No. 100 - No. 76
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 in 2018, and you can find past versions of the list 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 100-76. 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 100-76...
100. Winter Light
100. Winter Light - Ingmar Bergman (1963) I've had an interesting relationship with this film. The first time I watched it, I certainly did not appreciate it as much as I do now. After watching it again, its power overwhelmed me. I previously referred to this as “Bergman at his darkest.” Since then I’ve watched a few more Bergman films, and I don’t think I would say it is quite his darkest. While it is dark, Bergman still lets the light alluded to in the film’s title break through at key moments. He uses the story of a doubting minister to wrestle with his own conflicted feelings about faith and religion. But those moments of light breaking through have continued to sit with me after watching this film multiple times. It is up to us to parse the relationship between light and dark. I also reviewed this film for Filmotomy, as part of their Ingmar Bergman series. Last year’s ranking - #95
99. Annihilation
99. Annihilation - Alex Garland (2018) Let me start out by saying that I saw this movie twice...in the same theater...on the same day. It gripped me that much. I definitely think this is a film that demands to be seen in the theater - the visuals and themes are just so large and breathtaking. Natalie Portman gives a moving performance, and Oscar Isaac is (as always) fantastic in his supporting role. The closing to this film wrecked me emotionally. Part of that is the incredibly-moving score from Geoff Barrow and Ben Salisbury. Part of it is the performance by Portman. Part of it is the writing and direction by Garland (adapted from a novel by Jeff VanderMeer). To read my original review, simply click on the button in the image above. I also reviewed this film for Filmotomy, as part of their first half recap of 2018. Last year’s ranking - #93
98. The Dark Knight
98. The Dark Knight - Christopher Nolan (2008) While this movie fell once again this year, it actually jumped quite a few films that were ahead of it last year. There’s a reason it remains in my Top 100 - it is clearly the best comic book film ever made (though Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has closed that gap considerably). I remember seeing The Dark Knight in the theater and the cultural tsunami that coincided with its release. It is simply undeniable that Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker is not only one of the best villains ever, but it's one of the best performances ever, bar none. I also enjoy seeing how Christopher Nolan pays homage to his influences, particularly a specific Michael Mann film that shows up later on in this list. It is a long film, but Nolan’s pacing keeps it from feeling that long. However, I can never fully forgive this film for containing one of the dumbest moments in any movie I can think of. Are there really that many nurses running around Gotham General with The Joker’s makeup that Harvey Dent needed to wait for him to take off the mask to know who it was? Last year’s ranking - #92
97. Heat
97. Heat - Michael Mann (1995) Maybe I’m getting a little too cute here, but this is the aforementioned film to which Christopher Nolan owes a great debt of inspiration for The Dark Knight. All you need to know about this film to be intrigued is the fact that this was the first film where Al Pacino and Robert De Niro appeared on screen together. They are two of the greatest actors of all-time, and they are both incredible in this film. Even so, this film is far more than just a vehicle for these two actors. Its narrative is strikingly unique in the way it looks at law enforcement and criminals - especially the effects of their jobs on their relationships. Michael Mann's direction here is so stylish and inventive. And the final scene is absolutely incredible, both visually and thematically. Last year’s ranking - #84
96. The Fighter
96. The Fighter - David O. Russell (2010) This film was an instant favorite of mine when it first came out. Then when I watched it again earlier this year, I was reminded of why I love it so much. This film contains some of the finest ensemble acting you'll see. Mark Wahlberg is great in the lead role of Micky Ward, but Christian Bale's performance as his half-brother Dick Eklund is the headliner. Amy Adams is also astounding as Micky's love interest, Charlene, and Melissa Leo won an Oscar for her portrayal of the family matriarch, Alice. This came during David O. Russell's string of Oscar successes, and it's my personal favorite of his films. It is gritty and heartwarming at the same time - just a wonderfully unique film. Last year’s ranking - #87
95. Citizen Kane
95. Citizen Kane - Orson Welles (1941) If you were frustrated by the seemingly low ranking I gave to The Dark Knight, let this ranking go to show that I can be equally annoying to hardcore cinephiles too. Orson Welles’s incredible directorial debut is commonly listed as the greatest film of all time. Do not let this ranking indicate that I am disrespecting this film in any way. It is incredible. It is visually interesting and thematically powerful. It contains some of the most famous images in film history. "Rosebud" is forever etched as one of the great movie plot lines. It's a classic, no doubt about it. This is another film that I've only seen one time, and I didn't resonate with it emotionally as much as the films ahead of it on my list. But it certainly would not surprise me if this film moves up my rankings in the future. Last year’s ranking - #86
94. Vertigo
94. Vertigo - Alfred Hitchcock (1958) From Orson Welles to Alfred Hitchcock. I had the pleasure of seeing this film on the big screen, and it made me appreciate it far more than when I first saw it at home. Hitchcock's use of color is surreal, and it draws you into this story of obsession and intrigue. There are many great scenes in the film, but I am always astounded by the scene where Scottie (James Stewart) saves Madeleine (Kim Novak) from the water with the majestic Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Stewart and Novak are both incredible in this film. While it is almost impossible to pick which of Stewart's performances marks his career best, this might just be it. Finally, I cannot help but remark on the inimitable talents of two Hollywood legends - score composer Bernard Herrmann and costume designer Edith Head. Herrmann created some of the most indelible scores in film history, and the music here is haunting and beautiful at the same time, much like the film as a whole. The costumes that Head creates evoke different shades of each character, and they add to the film's entrancing use of color. Last year’s ranking - #85
93. Blade Runner 2049
93. Blade Runner 2049 - Denis Villenueve (2017) Few science fiction films in recent memory have been as masterful as Blade Runner 2049 - the sequel to the 1982 cult classic. It's not often that a cinematographer deserves top billing for a film, but when you're talking about Roger Deakins I think it's warranted. This may be his career-best work, though that is an impossible choice to make. He won his first Oscar for his work on this film, but he should probably have about seven by now. In any case, his futuristic stylings are simply breathtaking here. The score, too, by Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch is absolutely incredible. Last year’s ranking - #90
92. The Assassination of Jesse James
By the Coward Robert Ford
92. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Andrew Dominik (2007) Did I mention Roger Deakins? Personally, I think this film represents his best work, though there are multiple films of his remaining on the list. His work on this film is astounding. It was one of two films for which he was nominated for the Best Cinematography Oscar that year (you’ll have to be a little more patient to see the other one on this list). The film is also fascinating in its portrayal of Jesse James as someone who began the early threads of cultural fascination with sensational and criminal behavior. Last year’s ranking - #83
91. Widows
91. Widows - Steve McQueen (2018) Here is a film that has a lot going on but is somehow able to keep it all together. The film’s main storyline centers around widows who must pay off the debts their husbands owed to nefarious criminals. But this film uses that story to touch on themes of race, class, gender, politics, and the overall nature of good and evil. This is a powerful film, one that I did not think was given its due by critics. Last year’s ranking - #82
90. Rope
90. Rope - Alfred Hitchcock (1948) So many of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies involve following characters who are in pursuit of the perfect murder. This is another example, and I think it’s one of Hitch’s best. It’s also famous for being shot in such a way that the film seems to be one long take. That adds another level of stylistic flair to the film. I also love it because it puts Hitchcock together with Jimmy Stewart, who is one of my all-time favorite actors. Last year’s ranking - #81
89. Experiment in Terror
89. Experiment in Terror - Blake Edwards (1962) This is a film that I discovered while perusing the Criterion Channel. I knew Blake Edwards as the director of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Pink Panther films, so a gritty noir film from him was a pleasant surprise. Lee Remick is great here, and the storyline is absolutely riveting. It seems to have been a daring film for its time, and it definitely holds up when viewed now. Last year’s ranking - #80
88. The Social Network
88. The Social Network - David Fincher (2010) Aaron Sorkin is one of my favorite writers, and this is the film for which he won his Oscar. The script is incredible, and it seems even more timely today. This film is endlessly rewatchable, and it has a bevy of acting talent. Many look back and say this film should have won Best Picture in 2010. While I’m not sure I agree (you’ll see some other films from that year later on in this list), there’s no doubt that this film is an all-timer in its own right. Last year’s ranking - NR
87. Little Women (2019)
87. Little Women - Greta Gerwig (2019) This is the first of multiple films released last year that will be showing up on this list. I wasn’t sure if Greta Gerwig would be able to top Lady Bird, but any doubts I had were washed about by this incredible film. From the music, to the acting performances, to the script that deftly jumps around on a shifting timeline, this movie has it all. I think this film put on display just how spectacular an artist Gerwig is. After crafting an original film that was just about perfect, she went to a literary classic that has been adapted multiple times. Despite all that, she was able to put her own unique touch on it and bring a modern perspective to this story. Last year’s ranking - NR
86. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
86. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood - Marielle Heller (2019) Some of the most talented directors working today are women, and Marielle Heller is certainly one such director. Here, she masterfully creates a story about sincerity, with one of the most sincere figures in pop culture history - Fred Rogers - as part of the story. But this is not really his story, and the way Heller brings that to life is fantastic. This film, unfortunately, went under the radar a bit when it came to awards. But I thought it was clearly one of the best films of the year and one of the best I’ve ever seen. Last year’s ranking - NR
85. 8 1/2
85. 8 1/2 - Federico Fellini (1963) One of the best films about filmmaking to ever grace the screen, this classic from Italian master Federico Fellini is intoxicating from beginning to end. Fellini had such a wonderful eye for visuals, and creates some legendary ones here. Legendary Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni gives a wonderful performance as aging director Guido Anselmi. If you are a cinephile, this is a movie that must be on your list to watch. It has interesting things to say about the art of filmmaking itself, and it is one of the best examples of the type of art to which filmmaking can aspire. Last year’s ranking - #79
84. Red Beard
84. Red Beard - Akira Kurosawa (1965) We go from Fellini to Akira Kurosawa - another titanic director of cinema history. Given that it's a Kurosawa film, it goes without saying that Red Beard is visually interesting. There are many powerful shots, including the header image above from a scene with visuals that stuck in my head for days after watching the film. It is long, coming in at over three hours. But its profound storyline never lets it feel arduous. Here we watch as the young Dr. Noboru Yasumoto (Yuzo Kayama) comes to a local clinic to care for the sick there. As the film begins, he sees the patients as simply dirty and sickly. But as the film continues, he - along with we as the audience - begin to consider the humanity of everyone we see. I also reviewed this film for Filmotomy as part of their World Cinema Project. Last year’s ranking - #78
83. Wings of Desire
83. Wings of Desire - Wim Wenders (1987) What an emotional film this is. It won Wim Wenders the Best Director award at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. It centers around angels who help people in and around Berlin. Wenders uses the camera to pull us into the film’s unique perspective. It is that perspective that supports the emotional impact of the film’s story. The acting is incredible across the board, as well. For more on this film, you can check out my review for Filmotomy’s leadup series to the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Last year’s ranking - #77
82. Rashomon
82. Rashomon - Akira Kurosawa (1950) Here’s another masterpiece from Kurosawa - one of the masters of cinema. Here, he toyed with narrative structure in a way that would be copied for years to come. This influenced the use of nonlinear stories, unreliable narrators, and competing narratives that have become commonplace in modern cinema. In fact, Kurosawa didn't only influence movie making with his revolutionary techniques in this film. In legal circles, there is a specific name given to the phenomenon of two eyewitnesses giving contradictory statements. Know what it's called? The "Rashomon effect." (For more information on this film's impact, I'll direct you to this wonderful article from Criterion.) Here, multiple characters tell the story of the same crime but in different ways. We are allowed to "see" the crime from each perspective and come to our own conclusions about the truth. Kurosawa is a legend, and this is one of his finest films. Last year’s ranking - #76
81. The Farewell
81. The Farewell - Lulu Wang (2019) Here is another female-directed film from 2019. Lulu Wang created a masterpiece for this story of a Chinese family dealing with the news of the deteriorating health of their matriarch. It hit me in a special way, as I lost my own grandmother in 2019. The story is expertly crafted, and the acting is fantastic. This is a film I plan on revisiting many times. Last year’s ranking - NR
80. It’s a Wonderful Life
80. It's a Wonderful Life - Frank Capra (1946) Classic. What other word is there for this film? It was entered into the public domain 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 - HM #7
79. The Lord of the Rings
The Two Towers
79. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Peter Jackson (2002) Here it is, the first of the LOTR trilogy to appear on my list - but certainly not the last. Surely arguments will continue for decades as to how to rank the films in this trilogy. The bottom line - each film is fantastic, and they all helped change the way visual effects would be used over the next decade of filmmaking. The Two Towers has one of the best sequences in the entire trilogy (Helm's Deep), and its opening scene is incredible. The sheer undertaking upon which Jackson and his team of creators embarked is utterly astounding. While I prefer the other two films in the trilogy, this remains one of my favorite films ever made. I will always have a soft spot for this trilogy. Last year’s ranking - #88
78. Zodiac
78. 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 obsessed 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 - #75
77. Dr. Strangelove
Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
77. 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 - #74
76. Anchorman
The Legend of Ron Burgundy
76. 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 - #73
So, there you have it. We are well into the main list! Check back next week for numbers 75-51. For now, leave me a comment below or tweet at me to let me know what films you think I missed. Thanks, friends!