Rank: 5
Release Year: 1927
Genre: Romance
Plot
Summary: A married farmer falls under the spell of a sultry city woman
who tries to convince him to drown his wife so that he can be with her.
What
Makes It Special: Sunrise is stunningly beautiful. Its cinematography is
groundbreaking and incredibly dynamic. In addition to being a visual marvel, it
has a wonderfully deep emotional narrative as well. Love is at the center of
the story, as German Expressionist filmmaker F.W. Murnau leaves behind some of
his overbearing symbolism and politics to focus more acutely on the narrative
of a man torn between the allure of the city and his simple life on the farm.
The film is extraordinary in every way, with superb performances, directing,
and unforgettable visuals.
Rank: 4
Release Year: 1968
Genre: Sci-Fi Drama
Plot
Summary: After humanity finds a mysterious object buried beneath the lunar
surface, believing it is of alien origin, they set off on a quest to discover
new life, bringing along the ultra-intelligent computer H.A.L. 9000.
What
Makes It Special: Stanley Kubrick forever changed sci-fi cinema with
2001: A Space Odyssey, dramatically influencing everything to come after it. The
film epitomizes our modern aesthetic for Space. Tonally, the film is also a
masterpiece of suspense, tension, and atmosphere – the use of silence and
darkness are as terrifying as any film monster (along with H.A.L.’s glowing red
eye). 2001: A Space Odyssey marks the height of Kubrick’s style and directing
prowess.
Rank: 3
Release Year: 1941
Genre: Mystery/Drama
Plot
Summary: With his final words, publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane
uttered “Rose Bud”. Intent on discovering the meaning, newsman Jedediah Leland
goes on an investigative assignment.
What
Makes It Special: Coming from theatre, Orson Welles brought a whole new
style and aesthetic to cinema, challenging everything. Citizen Kane remains
today a profound work of art, Welles and his collaborators setting out to do
everything different and more interesting. The result is a majestic film, both
artistically and narratively. The film is loosely based on William Randolph
Hearst, but the brilliance of the narrative comes from its story of a man who
had everything except the one thing he really wanted, something that he lost
long ago to his grand ambition. Citizen Kane is not just an influential film;
it is the film that rewrote the language of artistic cinema. It is a touchstone
of today’s movies – it is essential.
Rank: 2
Release Year: 1958
Genre: Mystery
Plot
Summary: Retired police detective, Scottie Ferguson, who now suffers
from acrophobia due to an accident involving the death of an officer as well as
almost his own death, is hired by a wealthy old friend to follow his wife
around San Francisco. She is behaving peculiarly, but as Scottie follows her around
he begins to become obsessed with her.
What
Makes It Special: Vertigo was a complete critical and commercial failure
upon its release. The film is incredibly dark, as Scottie’s obsession with Madeleine
Elster is just plan creepy. Yet, Alfred Hitchcock’s film is profoundly
compelling as well. Hitchcock has the audience on Scottie’s side completely,
even though his behavior is disturbing. The film peers into our own souls,
revealing something a bit ghoulish in us all. In addition to the film’s magnificent
aesthetics, music, performances, writing, and directing, Hitchcock also offers
one of cinema’s most fearless endings. It may have been a failure in 1958, but
today it shines as the embodiment of cinematic narrative, character, and emotional
mastery.
Rank: 1
Release Year: 1962
Genre: Adventure/War
Drama/Biography
Plot
Summary: British officer T.E. Lawrence achieves wonders during his
service in the Middle East during WWI.
What
Makes It Special: David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia fulfills the promise
of cinema in every way. It is a grand epic, featuring many of film’s most
iconic and spectacular scenes. It is visually breathtaking, with startlingly
beautiful photography and Lean’s flare for employing an ambitious and striking camera.
Its music is absorbing and rousing. Peter O’Toole gives possibly the greatest
film performance, and the supporting cast is excellent throughout. It is a film
that challenges its viewer with its themes and ideas, while wholly entertaining
and thrilling with its adventure, action, comedy, drama, and glorious
locations. It is simply the finest film the medium has to offer.
