Aaron's 100 - 2024 Edition: No. 100 - No. 76

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 100-76...

100. Strangers on a Train - Alfred Hitchcock (1951) My first time seeing this Hitchcock classic remains one of my favorite moviegoing experiences. I saw it with my Wife and my Mom at the delightful Artcraft Theater in Franklin, Indiana. It was like going back in time with old-time popcorn machines and the small town feel. Into that quaint setting sprang this firecracker of a film. You must begin by talking about Robert Walker’s incredible performance as the villainous, Bruno Antony. Here also is possibly Hitchcock’s best example of the theme that shows up often in his films - the attempt to plan the perfect murder. This film is taught and thrilling and is very nearly the best film from the man that many consider to be the greatest director to ever live. Last year’s ranking - #69

99. 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. And the continuous shot from outside the SUV as Colin Farrell’s character is being chauffeured around Chicago is an all-timer. It was one of many films that will show up on this list that was criminally underrated upon its release. Last year’s ranking - #86

98. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy - Adam McKay (2004) You should feel free to comment below 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 - #98

97. 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 - #95

96. 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 as 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 - #82

95. Requiem for a Dream - Darren Aronofsky (2000) This may just be the saddest film ever made. I watched this film for the first time alone at my house. By the end, I had tears in my eyes. You can’t help but feel for these characters who are absolutely broken. Darren Aronofsky has made a career out of striking yet difficult filmmaking. I find that I have appreciated his style repeatedly, and there will be another of his films later on this list. This film remains one of the most memorable first watches I’ve ever had. When I revisited the film this year, it held up masterfully and it pops up once again in the Top 100. Last year’s ranking - #81

94. The Farewell - Lulu Wang (2019) Whew. I watched this movie again soon after my Dad’s passing. This movie had already been an emotional experience for me, as I could find similarities here to my own relationship with my paternal grandmother, Vera, in the relationship at the core of this film. My Grandma Charles passed away in 2019, the year this film was released. Now, my father has passed. This film deals with grief in such a powerful way. Lulu Wang created a masterpiece for this story of a Chinese family dealing with the news of the deteriorating health of their matriarch. The story is expertly crafted, and the acting is fantastic. Despite how deep my pain still is, this is a film I plan on revisiting many times. Last year’s ranking - #99

93. The Green Knight - David Lowery (2021) This is one of only two films from our current decade to show up on this list. I thought it was woefully underrated upon its release. I was a big fan of David Lowery’s earlier film, A Ghost Story, and he takes things to even new heights here. The cinematography is gorgeous. Dev Patel’s lead performance is fantastic. Compelling supporting turns come from Barry Keoghan and Joel Edgerton. And the story takes twists and turns that will keep you engaged the entire runtime. It may not be for everyone, with its care for Arthurian dialogue and legend. But I feel that level of attention to detail only makes it stronger. Last year’s ranking - #100

92. The Graduate - Mike Nichols (1967) This film has long been deemed a classic, but it took me multiple watches before its greatness truly hit me. Dustin Hoffman’s performance as Benjamin Braddock is one of the greats. Mike Nichols stormed onto the film scene the year prior with Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. He had already made a name for himself as a theater director. After this film came out, his legacy was cemented. It spoke to a generation, and it continues to do so. The blank stares from the film’s two main characters in the closing scene say so much. Last year’s ranking - NR

91. Asteroid City - Wes Anderson (2023) This remains my favorite film from last year, and it was a shame that it garnered zero awards love (though I thought Oppenheimer was greatly deserving of Best Picture). This is also my favorite Wes Anderson film. As is usual with Anderson, the cinematography and set design are spectacular. The acting is incredible as well, particularly from Jason Schwartzman and Scarlett Johansson. This film is funny, thought-provoking, and moving. It has something for everyone without being too broad. It’s a magic trick that I’m still not sure how Anderson pulled off. Last year’s ranking - #93

90. Disobedience - Sebastian Lelio (2017) As I sit here writing this, the end credits of this film are literally playing on the screen. On my first watch, I resonated greatly with its claustrophobic story of religious tradition. Now, the goings on of a community dealing with the loss of a beloved father figure hit home for obvious reasons to anyone who has read the earlier parts of this list. I do not come from a Jewish background as the characters of this story do. However, the power of the film’s writing is that it connects with anyone who has felt shut out by a group who should love them - whether that group be religious or not. Rachel Weisz is one of our finest actresses, and she is at the top of her game here. Rachel McAdams gives a much more reserved performance, but it is powerful in its own right. The film was adapted from a fantastic novel by Naomi Alderman, but this is one of the rare movies that goes beyond its source material to achieve something even greater. Last year’s ranking - #97

89. Reservoir Dogs - Quentin Tarantino (1992) The movie 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 #25

88. Uncut Gems - Josh and Bennie Safdie (2019) I remember seeing this in the theater for the first time. While I loved it on first watch, it took a couple more viewings until it really settled in for me. What is clear the first time you see the film is that Adam Sandler’s lead performance is one of the best that has been committed to screen in recent memory. That he didn’t win the Oscar - and wasn’t even nominated - is one of the great miscarriages of justice in Oscar history. Howard Ratner is such a great character, and Sandler is the only one who could have played him. Why? Because Sandler has an innate likability that the film depends on to succeed. Ratner cannot get out of his own way, and yet we don’t hold it against him. We continue to root for him even when we know he’ll let us down. Last year’s ranking - #91

87. Cold War - Pawel Pawlikowski (2018) I think 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 in 2019. Until recently, foreign films haven’t often gotten much love from the Academy outside of the Best Foreign Language category. This film is so good that it garnered Pawlikowski a Best Director nomination. The film is available on Amazon Prime, and you will not forget watching it. Last year’s ranking - #94

86. Melancholia - Lars von Trier (2011) Here is another emotional gut punch of a film, one I also chose to rewatch after my Dad’s funeral. It deals with grief and depression in stark ways. It took a couple viewings for this one to really sink in. Lars von Trier is a notoriously difficult director, and this is a difficult film. One thing is clear - Kirsten Dunst gives one of the best lead female performances of all time. Unfortunately, von Trier’s disgusting comments at Cannes that year usurped any hopes she had of major awards contention. She should have won all the awards for this one. Last year’s ranking - #96

85. 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 - as Oppenheimer clearly proved last year. 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 gob smacked 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 - #90

84. Annihilation

Read My Original Review

84. Annihilation - Alex Garland (2018) Here is another film that focuses on depression, but I think this film addresses it in an even more fascinating way than Melancholia. 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 - #88

83. Cleo from 5 to 7 - Agnes Varda (1962) Director Agnes Varda is correctly labeled an iconic filmmaker from the French New Wave. My introduction to her work came from Faces Places - the collaboration between her and the French artist JR. I finally watched this film on the Criterion Channel last year, and I understood all the accolades. The entire film takes place as Florence (Corinne Marchand) - known professionally as Cleo - awaits the results of a biopsy. The beauty in the film juxtaposed with possible impending death has much to say about what we all carry around with us each and every day. Last year’s ranking - NR

82. Lady Bird - Greta Gerwig (2017) I didn't quite appreciate the power of the Lady Bird screenplay the first time I saw it. But then I saw it again...and again...and again. First off, it's an incredibly-charming film, one that invites repeated viewing. And each time you watch it, you catch more of the subtlety in the relationship between Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) and her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf). I love Jon Brion's music in this film, but - above all - it is Greta Gerwig's laser-focused screenplay that drives this film. It's so wonderfully-written, and I can't think of a movie that more artfully explores the mother/daughter relationship. I also appreciate that this film chooses not to frame its coming-of-age story around a romantic relationship, but rather a familial one. There are so many wonderful directorial choices from Gerwig here, and that is why this was not only one of the best films from 2017 but also one of the best films from any year. Last year’s ranking - #87

81. Little Women (2019)

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81. Little Women - Greta Gerwig (2019) It’s back-to-back for Greta Gerwig! I wasn’t sure if she 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. Also, anyone who says that it’s impossible for the viewer to keep track of the timeline is not paying close enough attention. Gerwig gives enough visual cues for the audience to know where the story is. Last year’s ranking - #85

80. 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 - #83

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 - #79

78. Zodiac - David Fincher (2007) Zodiac 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 - #78

77. The Insider - Michael Mann (1999) You already know that Michael Mann is one of my favorites, and here is yet another of his films to show up on my list. Mann injects style into each of his films. For this one, however, he takes a more workmanlike approach to tell the story of a journalist on the story of a lifetime - the corruption of one of the largest tobacco companies in the world. This is the true story of the 60 Minutes special that brought down Brown & Williamson for their immoral business practices. Al Pacino and Russell Crowe are fantastic together, and this film just keeps pulling you in. Last year’s ranking - #77

76. 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 receive 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 - #76

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 to let me know what films you think I missed. Thanks, friends!