Aaron's 100 - 2022 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 in 2018, and you can find the previous 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).

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 Big Heat, Le Samourai, Bicycle Thieves, The Bourne Ultimatum, and Mudbound, . 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. - Glenn Ficarra, John Requa (2011) This is a romantic comedy that I believe to be incredibly underrated. I’ll always have a soft spot for this one, and can you blame me with this cast?! Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Steve Carell, AND Julianne Moore! Not to mention Marisa Tomei and one of my favorite character actors - John Carroll Lynch. Is it a perfect film? No. But it gives you much more than most romantic comedies, and it just gets me every time. The chemistry between Stone and Gosling is what carries the film, and it won’t be the last time they show up on this list together… Last year’s ranking - HM #11

24. Nosferatu - F. W. Murnau (1922) You won’t find many horror movies on my list, but this is one of them. It is also the oldest movie on my list, and it remains one of the most influential films ever made. The film’s production history has reached legendary status among cinephiles, 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 - HM #22

23. 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 re-watchable. Just don't say that it's "fine." Last year’s ranking - HM #21

22. Beauty and the Beast - Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise (1991) It is the best Disney-animated 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 - HM #19

21. Cries and Whispers

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21. Cries and Whispers - Ingmar Bergman (1972) Ingmar Bergman's 1972 film Cries and Whispers is a wonderful example of the power that quality set design and cinematography can have on a film's impact. Sven Nykvist (cinematographer) and Marik Vos-Lundh (art director) support Bergman's story and visual narrative with the juxtaposition of the striking red walls of this mansion and the pure white of the costumes. This is a story about pain and our attempts to deal with it. The acting performances are incredible, especially from Bergman regular Harriet Andersson. This is another film that grew on me after watching it a second time, as there is so much here to unpack. The closing scene ties the film's thematic elements together beautifully, and this is yet another example of Bergman's complete mastery of the art of filmmaking. I reviewed this film for Filmotomy, as part of their Bergman 100 retrospective. Last year’s ranking - HM #17

20. Tokyo Story - Yasujiro Ozu (1953) This one commonly shows up on lists of the greatest films ever made, and for good reason. It has a simple beauty all its own. And the performances are incredibly moving as this story of a family facing life’s struggles unfolds. Japanese cinema has given us some of film’s great artists, and Ozu is right at the top of that list with Akira Kurosawa. This is the only Ozu film I’ve seen, so I’m very intrigued to continue to engage with his filmography. Last year’s ranking - HM #15

19. Thief - Michael Mann (1981) Michael Mann is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors. This is the first film of his to show up on this year’s list, but it certainly won’t be the last. The lead performance by the late, great James Caan is arguably his best. This was Mann’s debut feature, and it is better than most directors could do after years of experience. His trademark style is already evident. And the music is fantastic. This is a fantastic film that would not surprise me if it shows up even higher on future iterations of this list. Last year’s ranking - NR

18. 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 are even supporting roles for one of Hollywood’s current it-men, Timothee Chalamet, and one of the handful of greatest actresses of all-time, Ellen Burstyn. The whole cast is great, but it is Nolan's vision and direction that make this film so memorable. Last year’s ranking - HM #14

17. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg - Jacques Demy (1964) This has become one of my all-time favorite movie musicals. From French director Jacques Demy, this enchanting film stars Catherine Deneuve and Nino Castelnuovo as star-crossed lovers. Its claim to fame is that every word in the film is sung (as opposed to the more common choice in musicals of having characters speak and then break into song). It was a major influence on later musicals (La La Land most of all), and its ending is so poignant and unique. The colors in this film are simply astounding, too. Once you get past the initial jolt of having all the words sung to you, you'll realize just how incredible of a film this is. Last year’s ranking - HM #13

16. Wild Strawberries - Ingmar Bergman (1957) I've already mentioned my love for Bergman, and his career is simply astounding. Take the year 1957, for instance, when he created the all-time classic The Seventh Seal *and* Wild Strawberries, which shows up here as an honorable mention. Again, we’re splitting hairs here when doing rankings like these, but I do feel that Wild Strawberries is one of Bergman’s more re-watchable films. Swedish legend Victor Sjostrom gives a fantastic performance as retired doctor Isak Borg, a man who is on a trip to receive an award for his lifetime achievement. Along the way, he meets people that make him consider his past in interesting ways. This is one of Bergman's most accessible films and one of his most moving. In a career spanning decades and containing multiple all-time classics, Wild Strawberries stands up as one of Bergman's best. Last year’s ranking - HM #12

15. Ex Machina - Alex Garland (2014) Alex Garland is such a fascinating director. His films are cerebral yet visually stunning at the same time. Ex Machina incorporates a profound investigation of what it means to be human through the story of a master coder (Domnhall Gleeson), a tech magnate (Oscar Isaac), and the world's first true artificial intelligence, named Ava (Alicia Vikander). I absolutely love the ending to this film, and the entire story left me thinking for a long time. I’ve now watched it multiple times, and it certainly holds up to repeat viewings. If you'd like to see more of my thoughts on Ex Machina you can head over to my capsule review of the film for Filmotomy's British cinema roundup. Last year’s ranking - HM #10

14. Annie Hall - Woody Allen (1977) It's hard to know exactly what to do with the films of Woody Allen. On the one hand, he's clearly one of the best writers the medium of film has ever seen. But the sexual assault allegations against him (of which he was acquitted in court, but his adoptive daughter continues to affirm) are impossible to overlook. That is especially true considering he had an affair with and ended up marrying his ex-wife's adopted daughter and so many of his films contain a storyline where he dates younger women. There was a time when I would have said Annie Hall was my favorite romantic comedy. While I can't change the feelings I had about the film upon first seeing it, I'm certainly conflicted about it now. It shows up here on my list because it fully displays Allen's talent for direction and writing. This is an incredible film, and it certainly represents the work of many people besides just Allen. However, Allen's films (including this one) are so tied to his own persona, and I wouldn't begrudge anyone who says they can no longer watch his films. My favorite film critic - Matthew Zoller Seitz - wrote a great piece about this difficult topic. I'm still processing how to navigate this going forward. Last year’s ranking - HM #9

13. Winter Light

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13. 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 - HM #8

12. Annihilation

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12. 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 - HM #7

11. The Fighter - David O. Russell (2010) This film was an instant favorite of mine when it first came out. It 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 - HM #6

10. The Dark Knight - Christopher Nolan (2008) This is always one of the more controversial rankings for me. For the second year in a row, it falls out of the 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 - HM #5

9. 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. 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 - HM #16

8. Vertigo - Alfred Hitchcock (1958) Well, if I made the comic book fans mad earlier, I’m making the cinephiles mad with this one. 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 - HM #4

7. Blade Runner 2049

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7. 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 - HM #3

6. 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 - HM #2

5. 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 - HM #1

4. Experiment in Terror

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4. Experiment in Terror - Blake Edwards (1962) I discovered this film 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. If you enjoy crime thrillers and classic noir, you’ll like this one. Last year’s ranking - #100

3. Steve Jobs - Danny Boyle (2015) I find this movie to be endlessly rewatchable. It comes from one of my favorite writers - Aaron Sorkin. Other than his acclaim as the creator and showrunner for The West Wing, Sorkin has become known for writing movies about the great men of our times. More accurately, his screenplays unearth how the greatness of their accomplishments belies deep flaws in their character. When writing a movie about Steve Jobs, it would be easy to follow the tried-and-true method of the “greatest hits” style biopic. Instead, Sorkin goes for a story that subverts the biopic template and glides over major points in Jobs’ career. What results is a fascinating film that creates space for one of Michael Fassbender’s greatest performances - and that’s saying a lot! Last year’s ranking - #99

2. 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 - #93

1. 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 - #92

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!