Top 100 Films

Recently, a friend asked me to give her a list of my favorite films. Now, I had already a list compiled, but it had been months since it had been updated so I decided to give it a full-blown make-over. I started by making a huge list of films I loved and then narrowed to a raw list of 100. Then, starting from 100, I began ordering the list to 1. I decided to present the new list on my blog ten selections at a time. Here it is:

Honorable Mentions (these were the last five films eliminated to get to the list of 100)

105. Escape from New York (1981, dir. John Carpenter)
John Carpenter's dystopic thriller is an imminently entertaining and compelling film that I would argue has been more influential than it is given credit for.

104. Peeping Tom (1960, dir. Michael Powell)
This unsettling and well-directed film has rightfully risen from obscurity in recent years, due in no small part to the efforts of filmmaker Martin Scorcese. It's a brilliantly disturbing portrait of a man's tortured psyche, but I happen to believe that Hitchcock's Psycho is a more effective depiction of a voyeuristic killer.

103. Little Children (2006, dir. Todd Field)
When one thinks of the best filmmakers of the 21st century, certain names probably come to mind: Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorcese, Peter Jackson, Danny Boyle, Paul Thomas Anderson. I might suggest that Todd Field should be considered in that group for the two films he has directed since 2000, In the Bedroom and Little Children. Field's second film, Little Children, is an bracingly insightful and moving look of the longing emotional dysfunction of modern suburbia.

102. Salvador (1986, dir. Oliver Stone)
In some ways, this highly independent feature may contain Stone's most effective political statements as a filmmaker. The film, follows world weary combat journalist Richard Boyle as he journeys through war-torn El Salvador and witnesses the carnage being inflicted on population by a United States-backed right-wing regime. Directed with stunning immediacy by Stone, this film communicates more than any other I've seen the folly of Reagan's South American foreign policy.

101. Manhunter (1986, dir. Michael Mann)
Unfortunately ignored when it released in 1986, Mann's film might be one of the most intelligent and richly made serial killers films ever.

Now for the actual list:

100. This is Spinal Tap (1984, dir. Rob Reiner)
Undoubtedly, one of the most purely funny and influential comedies ever made, this film solidified the mockumentary as a vibrant film genre.

99. The Wizard of Oz (1939, dir. Victor Fleming)
Although this film contains a childish coyness representative of its time, it's difficult to deny how restlessly creative and entertaining this movie is.

98. The Fisher King (1991, dir. Terry Gilliam)
The first half of this film is close to being a perfect fantasy comedy, containing a collection of wonderful, brave performances from Jeff Bridges, Mercedes Ruehl, and Robin Williams, and outstanding direction from Gilliam. Although personally I think the film falters slightly in the second half, it's still a remarkable movie.

97. Belle de Jour (1967, dir. Luis Bunuel)
Directed by the so-called father of surrealist cinema, Belle de Jour is a superbly artful and innovative work.

96. Beetle Juice (1988, dir. Tim Burton)
A wildly entertaining and imaginative comedy with a fantastic performance by Michael Keaton.

95. Serpico (1973, dir. Sidney Lumet)
Despite Charlie Day's brilliantly ridiculous impersonation of Pacino's Frank Serpico in "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia", there should be no mistake: Sidney Lumet's film is gritty and powerfully absorbing and deserving of more praise than it receives.

94. The Truman Show (1998, dir. Peter Weir)
With Jim Carey's finely nuanced, touching, and completely funny performance, The Truman Show succeeds as one of the best and most interesting comedies of the 90s.

93. Dead Ringers (1988, dir. David Cronenberg)
This is possibly Cronenberg's most adult film that still contains his tell-tale themes of bodily invasion and profound human alienation. It's stunningly well-realized and Jeremy Irons dual performance is phenomenal.

92. The Matrix (1999, dir. Andy and Larry Wachowski)
Although the Wachowski brothers never lived up to the promise of their first features, there's no denying this film is both groundbreaking and wonderfully thrilling.

91. Million Dollar Baby (2004, dir. Clint Eastwood)
This emotionally profound and heartbreaking film, directed with breathtaking poignancy by Clint Eastwood, is certainly one of the best films of the 21st century.

Next selection will be 90-81.