Aaron's 100 - 2023 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: Crazy, Stupid, Love., Nosferatu, The Italian Job (2003), Beauty and the Beast, Cries and Whispers, and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg . 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. Reservoir Dogs - Quentin Tarantino (1992) The move that put Tarantino on the map. With that trademark dialogue, this film’s opening scene rocketed Tarantino from former movie store clerk to a premier directing talent. He had written scripts for other films before this, but this was his directorial debut. And what a debut it was! The “Stuck in the Middle with You” scene still affects me as much as the first time I saw it. Tarantino has gone to some incredible heights in his other films, but few have topped this one. Last year’s ranking - HM NR

24. 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 #20

23. 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. Last year’s ranking - HM #19

22. 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 #16

21. 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 #14

20. Winter Light

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20. 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 #13

19. 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 #11

18. The Dark Knight - Christopher Nolan (2008) Nolan is currently riding high off the performance of his latest epic film - Oppenheimer. But he has been creating must-see viewing for years. This is one of his most popular films. 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 #10

17. 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 #9

16. 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 #8

15. Blade Runner 2049

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15. 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 #7

14. Babylon - Damien Chazelle (2022) Here is the first film from 2022 on the Honorable Mentions. Chazelle is one of our best directors working today, and he will show up multiple times on the main list. His most recent films have been polarizing for myriad reasons, and this one most of all. It was not well-received on its release. However, I think this will be revisited as a masterpiece in later years. He weaves an incredible story full of fascinating characters that puts on the screen the sordid dichotomy that is Hollywood. We can be transfixed by the magical elements that we see on the screen. But behind that is a seedy underbelly of darkness. Even the magical light that breaks through the darkness of the theater for us to see films on screen is not powerful enough to break through the darkness of the people that put that film on screen. Last year’s ranking - NR

13. 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 #6

12. 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 #5

11. Women Talking - Sarah Polley (2022) This film is the newest entrant to the list, as I saw it for the first time only weeks ago. The power of the screenplay amazed me. It deservedly won Best Adapted Screenplay at the the most recent Oscars ceremony. This is the story of a group of women who have had their agency completely removed by rapists in a claustrophobic religious community. They must make the harrowing decision between staying and fighting or leaving. Because of the nature of this decision, they must make it together. The film portrays their discussions. Though it mostly takes place in one location, the conversations are riveting. This is a powerful film that will sit with you long after you are done watching. Last year’s ranking - NR

10. Experiment in Terror

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10. Experiment in Terror - Blake Edwards (1962) I discovered this film while perusing the Criterion Channel years ago. 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 - HM #4

9. The Banshees of Inisherin - Martin McDonagh (2022) Here is the highest ranking for a film from 2022 on this year’s list. I saw this by myself at a theater in Chicago and was absolutely floored by it. This film is an emotional gut punch and hit me in a deeper way than any of McDonagh’s previous work. The acting is impeccable across the board. Specifically, there is one scene where Barry Keoghan displays some of the best work in recent memory. You might not think much of a film on a remote island off the Irish coast about the disintegration of one solitary friendship. But I think you should. Last year’s ranking - NR

8. 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 - HM #3

7. 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 - HM #2

6. 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 - HM #1

5. 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 - #100

4. Rashomon - Akira Kurosawa (1950) Here’s a masterpiece from Kurosawa - one of the masters of cinema. In this film, he toyed with narrative structure in a way that would be copied for years to come. Rashomon 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 - #99

3. 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 #15

2. Rear Window - Alfred 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 Hitch’s best. Last year’s ranking - #98

1. 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 - #96

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!