Top 100 Films: 60-51

60. The Shining (1980, dir. Stanley Kubrick)

Stanley Kubrick's 1980 chiller redefined the standards of gothic horror and is one of the most cerebrally terrifying films ever made. Jack Nicholson's performance, which some have criticized as being excessive or even hammy, is in my opinion a masterclass of slowly building insanity.



59. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988, dir. Martin Scorcese)

Martin Scorcese once said that Taxi Driver was Paul Schrader's film, Raging Bull was Robert DeNiro's, and Last Temptation of Christ was his. That doesn't mean Last Temptation of Christ is his best film, but I think it should at least be considered. It's an astonishingly vivid and full-fledged depiction of a religious narrative that literally billions are familiar with, but there has not been a bolder or more involving rendering of the subject matter than this. The fact that this film was so intensely criticized upon its release in 1988 for its distinctly human representation of Jesus is almost laughably ironic. Scorese's film is not an indictment of religious values or even the narrative of Jesus Christ. In fact, it may one of the most profoundly spiritual films in recent memory. All in all, a powerful and thought-provoking work that should be required viewing in Catholic schools.



58. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001, dir Wes Andersen)

It's hard to overstate the importance of the Royal Tenenbaums in modern cinema. In terms of its exacting, singular stylism, Wes Anderson's third film is quite possibly one of the most influential of the 21st century. Not only that, but it also happens to be an incredible, wholly original comedy filled with great performances.



57. The Exorcist (1973, dir. William Friedkin)

I don't think it's going too far to say that this is William Friedkin's last great film (I hope I'm not offending any Jade fans out there). But what a film. Other horror films since have attempted to capitalize on the deep-seated fears surrounding possession, but none is as effective as The Exorcist, which was nominated for best picture in 1973. In it, Friedkin masterfully constructs a hyperrealistic atomphere in which the fully audience accepts the prospect of demonic possession. Truly, a stunningly crafted and powerful horror.

56. My Left Foot (1989, dir. Jim Sheridan)

I don't know why Jim Sheridan decided to direct 50 cent in Get Rich or Die Tryin', because the man is certainly capable of producing great work. My Left Foot is one such work. Daniel Day Lewis' performance is rightfully applauded as an incomparable example of method acting genius. Yes, genius. Not only is his performance physically precise, but his emotional embodiment of Christy Brown is astoundingly real.

55. Fargo (1996, dir. Joel Coen)

Fargo is a unique film even for the Coen brothers. It's superb synthesis of the darkly comic and the genuinely dramatic is nearly unparalleled in its greatness. The performances are uniformly great, and many are even iconic (Frances McDormand as the spunky sheriff, William H. Macy as Jerry Lundergard).

54. Jaws (1975, dir. Steven Spielberg)

The beauty of this Steven Spielberg film is not necessarily in its thrills or its scares, although certainly they are; rather, it is in how surprisingly moving and emotionally nuanced the film is. The quiet moment between Brody and his son at the dinner table, the eerily affecting scene on the boat when the man share their scars... these moments are what makes this movie stand out as a masterpiece among blockbusters-as well as Spielberg's brilliant direction.

53. Edward Scissorhands (1990, dir. Tim Burton)

This was a benchmark film for Tim Burton. It solidified his reputation as a fantastical, uniquely expressive artist, but even more importantly it demonstrated his work's deeply emotional power. This is the most heartrending film of Burton's career, and I think his best.

52. Silence of the Lambs (1991, dir. Jonathan Demme)

As much about the depth of childhoold trauma (and the uniqely American character of serial killing), Demme's Silence of the Lambs is an expertly crafted thriller featuring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins in the best performances of their careers.

51. The Godfather (1972, dir. Francis Ford Coppola)
I know it would be standard practice to rank The Godfather in the top 20 in the very least, but this is where I honestly place it. This shouldn't take anything away from it. It's a remarkable film-possibly, the best single collection of performances of any movie. Coppola handles the subject matter with dexterous skill, but at times I think the film's restrained aesthetic is too much. Personally, I think Coppola' best work as a director is after this film. But other aspects of the film are nearly perfect. As I said before, almost all of the performances are great and the relationships are as finely developed as any of the great works of fiction.