Aaron's 100 - 2024 Edition: No. 50 - No. 26

It’s time, once again, for me to share with you my 100 favorite movies.

This year, the entire endeavor is tinged with deep sadness. My father, with whom I shared a close relationship and many wonderful moviegoing experiences, passed away on August 16, 2024. Making a list of my favorite movies seems pretty meaningless in light of it all.

And yet, here I am.

Movies help me process things. They help me practice empathy. They make me think (at least, the good ones do). So, I think there is importance in continuing to talk about them.

Before we go any further, a few housekeeping notes:

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.
These are my personal favorites, so I'm not saying these are the 100 objectively best films ever made.
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.

But enough intro, let's get to the list! Here are numbers 50-26...

50. Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - Irvin Kershner (1980) One of the greatest sequels ever made. One of the greatest plot twists of all time. One of the most famous movie lines ever, though it often gets misquoted. This film is classic in every sense of the word. On my most recent rewatch, I appreciated the inner turmoil of our hero, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) even more. For the film’s cliffhanger of an ending to work, we must believe that there is a chance, however small, that Luke might be seduced by the dark side. Hamill handles this well, and it sets up one of the great movie endings. What is great about this film is that it sets up the final installment of the trilogy without falling prey to what I’ll call the “Infinity War” syndrome. This film works as its own movie, something I don't think Avengers: Infinity War was able to replicate. Setting up future films is fine, but you have to do it in a way that allows this film to be its own entity. The Empire Strikes Back does that as well as any second film in a trilogy ever has. Last year’s ranking - #33

49. The Parent Trap (1998)

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49. The Parent Trap - Nancy Meyers (1998) Sometimes nostalgia wears off. But here’s the thing - even when the nostalgia wears off - this is still an undeniably great film. I remember revisiting this film in college for the first time in years. I was wowed by the fact that I loved it just as much if not more as an adult. Say what you will about Lindsay Lohan, but this film shows her incredible talent. At a young age, she played two different characters with two different accents. Not only that, but when the girls pull their switcheroo, she had to augment those accents slightly since she was now playing someone who was playing someone else. I also love the soundtrack to this film. It all works for me. This will forever be a favorite of mine. I also reviewed this film for InSession Film. Last year’s ranking - #50

48. L.A. Confidential - Curtis Hanson (1997) This film has to be on the shortlist for the greatest screenplays ever written. Its plot is labyrinthine and populated my many intriguing characters, but it never careens out of control. That is because the script gives us just the right information exactly when we need it. Specifically, this film does an incredible job of always keeping the intentions of its characters in mind. When characters make a decision, we understand why they did that. At the same time, the plot still manages to throw us for some major loops at times. This is a hard-boiled detective story and a seedy tale of corruption all rolled into one. The acting performances are pristine, particularly from Kim Basinger as the femme fatale Lynn Bracken. She won an Oscar for her performance, and it was well-deserved. She subverts many of the tropes of the typical femme fatale role by showing vulnerability and compassion and ultimately being an active agent in helping our protagonists achieve their goals. This is a fantastic noir that is endlessly re-watchable. It also should have won Best Picture at the 1998 Oscars (sorry, Titanic fans). Last year’s ranking - #48

47. Doubt - John Patrick Shanley (2008) Want to see one of the best acting ensembles ever assembled? This film has incredibly-acted scene after incredibly-acted scene. That’s what happens when you put Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and Viola Davis in the same movie. The scenes between Streep and Seymour Hoffman are particularly intense. That stems from the storyline - the principal of a Catholic school (Streep) suspects a priest (Seymour Hoffman) of having improper relations with a student. But nothing is ever confirmed, and so the film moves forward with the cloud of its title constantly hanging over the characters. As good as the scenes with Streep and Seymour Hoffman are, the scene where Streep confronts Viola Davis’ character is one of the best-acted scenes I’ve ever watched. Last year’s ranking - #42

46. Whiplash - Damien Chazelle (2014) Rushing or dragging? Talk about an unforgettable performance! Once you've seen J.K. Simmons in this role, you will. not. forget. it. Thankfully, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his work here. Rightfully so. He dominates the film as Fletcher, the music teacher to Andrew (Miles Teller). Here is a story about obsession and work ethic. If you've been given a great talent, how are you supposed to go about developing it? Is that better achieved through tender love, or through grueling repetition? I think this film has a lot to say there, and I think we're left to consider the ramifications. Along the way, we're treated to some of the best movie music there is. I had the pleasure of seeing this film on the big screen for its 10th anniversary this year, and it was as amazing as ever. I think this film is best summed up by letting a quote from Fletcher take the stage. "There are no two words in the English language more harmful than 'good job.'" Last year’s ranking - #47

45. Spotlight - Tom McCarthy (2015) What an incredible ensemble cast this film has! Mark Ruffalo turns in a career performance as journalist Mike Rezendes. John Slattery is a favorite of mine, Liev Schreiber has an understated brilliance, Stanley Tucci is (as usual) a scene-stealer, and Rachel MacAdams gives the best performance of her fantastic career. Despite its difficult subject matter, I find this film incredibly rewatchable. That is a testament to the script by Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer, who is one of my favorite writers thanks to his work here and on The West Wing. The film is so taut, moving along at a pace that you might not associate with a movie that focuses so much on stuffy newspaper offices and even spreadsheets. The writers won Best Original Screenplay at that year’s Oscars, and I think it was well-deserved. In fact, I think this is one of the greatest screenplays of all time. Last year’s ranking - #45

44. On the Waterfront - Elia Kazan (1954) Want to see an acting clinic? Watch Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint in this film. It's some of the finest acting you'll see. Kazan remains one of Hollywood's most influential directors long after his passing due to his co-founding of the Actors Studio in 1947. Along with the likes of Robert Lewis, Cheryl Crawford, and Lee Strasburg, Kazan helped introduce "method acting" to the United States. Kazan is also famous for testifying as part of the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952 when fears about Communist infiltration were at their height. This film - with a main character who testifies against the mob - is thought by many to be Kazan's answer to those who ridiculed him for his own testimony. That political context adds another level of intrigue to this film, but it is a classic in its own right, thanks to the incredible talent across the board. Last year’s ranking - #49

43. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Peter Jackson (2001) I have a deep love for the Lord of the Rings films. Having read the books as a kid, Tolkien’s story is seeped into my consciousness. But I also love this trilogy for the care that was taken in its production. These films will always stand as an encouragement to me to go the extra mile. Think of all the miniatures that were created to ground the visual effects in reality. Peter Jackson and crew didn’t take the easy way out. They took the time to do it right, and the result is one of the great cinematic achievements. This film sets up its characters and places beautifully, and it also knows what to leave out from the book’s voluminous story (though I do love Tom Bombadil, that section wouldn’t have worked in the film). This certainly has to be one of the greatest adaptations ever. This is a beautiful movie, and one that I will forever love. Last year’s ranking - #39

42. Fargo - Joel and Ethan Coen (1996) Everyone starts by talking about the Minnesotan dialect and accents, but that is such a key element of the film. The Coens are always masters of rooting their stories in a place, and this may just be the best example of that. We wonder how such horrible things can happen in such a nice place and to such nice people. But those things do happen, and every day. I feel like I keep saying this every time a Coen Brothers movie comes up on this list, but its true - they simply create incredible characters. Marge Gunderson (Frances McDormand) is one of the most memorable characters of recent movie history. Fargo has so captivated audiences that is has even now been turned into a major television series. When your story has staying power like that, you know you've got something good. I also reviewed this film for Filmotomy's series on Joel and Ethan Coen. Last year’s ranking - #46

41. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark - Steven Spielberg (1981) Here's the film that started it all. The unforgettable lead character. The hat. The whip. The indelible music by John Williams. One of the great movie trilogies began with this story of our hero chasing after the Ark of the Covenant. I vividly remember watching this film as a kid. Back then, I appreciated the fun storyline and the memorable music. I still appreciate those things, but the film holds up so well because there is even more to appreciate as you continue to watch it. From the callback to Casablanca in the early scene at Marion's (Karen Allen) bar to Spielberg's wonderful direction of the film's set pieces, this is an absolutely classic film. Not only is this my favorite Indiana Jones film, but it is very nearly my favorite Spielberg film. Hold on for that one… Last year’s ranking - #32

40. Heat - Michael Mann (1995) 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. My love for this film has grown to an almost compulsive point. I’ve re-watched it many times over the last couple years. Unlike the other films that show up in this similar range, I wouldn’t call this one perfect. And yet, it reaches heights that overshadow its imperfections and make it truly great. Last year’s ranking - #26

39. Some Like it Hot - Billy Wilder (1959) Hilarious, absolutely hilarious. I've already discussed my love for Billy Wilder's writing and Jack Lemmon's acting, and the two combine perfectly once again in this film. Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe give fine performances as well, but it is Wilder's writing that takes center stage. Set aside for a second the closing line (which must obviously be one of the most famous ever written), the film as a whole is an incredibly-intricate farce. Mrs. Doubtfire, an honorable mention on previous iterations of this list, plays juxtaposition for laughs, but the trick was made into legend here. In fact, I highly doubt that a film like Mrs. Doubtfire would have been made if not for this comedy classic. You can try to top it, but you probably won't succeed. That’s okay, nobody's perfect. Last year’s ranking - #38

38. The Shawshank Redemption

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38. The Shawshank Redemption - Frank Darabont (1994) Just before the publication of this list, I had one of the great moviegoing experiences of my life. I saw this film in a theater after getting to meet Sir Roger Deakins and his wife, James. Deakins’ work on this film is one of many examples of why he is considered, arguably, the greatest cinematographer to ever live. He gives beautiful visual language to the writing from Frank Darabont by way of Stephen King. The story is adapted from a novella by King, and Darabont does a fine job of adapting the material. These characters are some of the most memorable in recent movie history - from main characters Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) and Red (Morgan Freeman) to smaller characters like Brooks (James Whitmore). This film has two shots in particular that are some of the most famous in movie history. There’s the shot that is featured in the header image above, and there’s the shot of the warden (Bob Gunton) finding Andy’s secret behind the poster. This is one of those films that, when you see it pop up on TV, it’s impossible to change the channel. Last year’s ranking - #44

37. Jaws - Steven Spielberg (1975) This film lives up to all the hype. It’s riveting. This is Spielberg at his near-best, which is quite a sight to see. The music, the quotes, the split-diopter shots - it all works. This is also a movie that changed the film industry by almost single-handedly ushering in the era of blockbusters. Moviegoing and moviemaking have never been quite the same. Though many blockbusters have tried to replicate this film’s success, very few have been anywhere close to it. Last year’s ranking - #65

36. Citizen Kane - Orson Welles (1941) Some will say this is still frighteningly low for the film often considered to be the greatest ever made. Orson Welles’s incredible directorial debut is commonly listed as the greatest film of all time. This is an incredible film. 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. After now seeing this film multiple times, I’ve resonated with it in far more ways than I did on initially watching it. One thing is clear - it absolutely earns its vaunted place in cinema history. Last year’s ranking - #41

35. Lawrence of Arabia

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35. Lawrence of Arabia - David Lean (1962) When I first saw this film, I didn’t fully appreciate it. Then, I had the distinct privilege of seeing it on the big screen. Here is a film that simply has to be viewed in this way. You cannot appreciate it fully without having the enormity of the story and the technical prowess wash over you. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t the cinematography or the editing (though both are some of the finest examples in movie history) that stood out the most when I saw it in the theater. What stood out the most was how Lean and legendary actor Peter O’Toole developed the character of T.E. Lawrence throughout the film. That this movie was even made is an absolute marvel. It is surely one of the gems of movie history. Last year’s ranking - #51

34. Singin' in the Rain - Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly (1952) When you hear Gene Kelly start humming as he walks out into the rain in that iconic scene, you can't help but sing along. There's no other way to describe this movie except to say that it is absolutely magical. The musical numbers are some of the most classic that Hollywood has ever created, and the performances are endearing. It's also a fascinating look at a time of great change in Hollywood - the advent of "talkies" and the move away from silent pictures. The cinematography and the choreography work together so well and create a magical world that sucks us right in. There's a reason this film is so universally praised. "What a glorious feelin' I'm happy again." Last year’s ranking - #37

33. Se7en - David Fincher (1995) Few films choose a mood and stick to it as well as David Fincher's gritty 1995 crime drama 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. But the best scene in the film, and one of the best scenes in any movie, is the diner scene between Somerset and Tracy Mills (Gwyneth Paltrow). Personally, I think this is Fincher’s best film, which is saying quite a bit. Last year’s ranking - #36

32. Raging Bull

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32. Raging Bull - Martin Scorsese (1980) The rest of this list will be peppered with Martin Scorsese films. Is there a better opening credits sequence than Raging Bull? The music and the visuals here set up the storyline that will ensue. This is Marty's look at violence, and not just the kind that Jake La Motta (Robert De Niro) endures in the ring. That same violence carries over into Jake's personal life. I can think of few scenes that shook me as viscerally as the scene of Jake in his prison cell near the end of the film. Joe Pesci also gives a wonderful performance here. From my very first time seeing this film, it was clear that this was a masterful achievement. The black-and-white cinematography is so beautiful, too. This is simply an incredible film. Last year’s ranking - #35

31. Jurassic Park - Steven Spielberg (1993) This is my favorite Spielberg film. It’s incredible to think that he made this at the same time as Schindler’s List. While Spielberg’s famous sentimentality may detract from some of his other films, it’s measured here. At the same time, his flair for visuals is on full display. How classic is the shot of the glass of water before the T-Rex scene? It’s an incredible way to visually build tension. And I must mention the score by John Williams. He has made some of the most famous movie themes ever, but this one is my favorite. When the music swells as we see the dinosaurs for the first time, I am always moved. That scene is one of the great examples of pure awe in a movie, for me. This is just a bona fide great film, and it showcases a great director at the height of his powers. Last year’s ranking - #30

30. The Apartment - Billy Wilder (1960) In the pantheon of great film writers, Billy Wilder must certainly be near the top. His skills are on display beautifully here. In fact, with The Apartment, he became the first person to win Academy Awards as writer, director, AND producer for the same film. Jack Lemmon is one of my all-time favorite actors, and this has to be one of his best performances. However, from an acting perspective, this film belongs to the legendary Shirley MacLaine as elevator operator, Fran Kubelik. The film's closing is able to tie together everything that came before it in a way that can only be described as genius. Although the closing line from Some Like It Hot gets more acclaim, the last line spoken in The Apartment is perfect in its own right. Last year’s ranking - #28

29. The Seventh Seal - Ingmar Bergman (1957) This is probably Bergman’s most famous film. The idea of playing chess with death has been parodied many times, but it started here. This film wrestles with large themes like faith, doubt and death, but it never feels arduous. There is a great story here about a knight returning from the Crusades that keeps the film’s narrative moving along. At the same time, the visuals are incredible. Here, Bergman worked with Gunnar Fischer - one of the two cinematographers with whom he most-famously collaborated. The scenes with Death (played by Bengt Ekerot) are fantastic, but my personal favorites are the scenes with the jester, Jof (Nils Poppe). It is his character who sees the spiritual happenings around him. Despite the darkness of the some of the film’s themes, I find great comfort in Jof’s character. This film was part of Bergman’s “Faith Trilogy” along with Winter Light and Through a Glass Darkly. In it, I find the powerful reminder that the spiritual realm is there for us to see, if we will only look. Last year’s ranking - #40

28. 2001: A Space Odyssey - Stanley Kubrick (1968) When you're talking about visually-striking science fiction films, the conversation begins with this Kubrick classic. It changed filmmaking in ways that have been reverberating ever since. Nearly every science fiction film released after 2001: A Space Odyssey has been influenced by it in some fashion. It stands alone in the genre for its early use of special effects and its profound themes. You can certainly tell the difference between the effects used here and the CGI effects of modern films - but that's what is so amazing about this film. With tactics that would be deemed rudimentary by today's computer-enhanced standards, Kubrick, cinematographer Geoffrey Unsworth, and visual effects supervisor Douglas Trumbull were able to create jaw-dropping scenes like the famous Stargate sequence and some of the most memorable images in the history of cinema. I would love to see this film on the big screen someday. Last year’s ranking - #29

27. Drive - Nicholas Winding Refn (2011) So cool, so stylish. Ryan Gosling’s character in Drive - known only as The Driver - has to be one of the great movie characters. This character draws greatly on Jean Pierre Melville’s neo-noir film Le Samourai. For so much of the film, he just simmers. We know there’s something inside him (even lyrics in a song from the film’s soundtrack tell us this), we just don’t know what. And then the film cranks everything up in its final third. Tonal differences like this are hard to achieve within the same film, but it works here. This film is all about considering human nature and whether or not it can be changed. That theme is even supported by the costume design with The Driver’s famous scorpion jacket. I enjoy when films don’t give us all the pieces to the puzzle, and though the frog and the scorpion story is never actually told in the film, we understand its meaning within the themes. The Driver doesn’t think he can change, and just wants to make sure that the right people get stung. Last year’s ranking - #19

26. Glengarry Glen Ross - James Foley (1992) 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 - #16

So, there you have it. We are well into the main list! Check back next week for the Top 25. For now, leave me a comment below to let me know what films you think I missed. Thanks, friends!