Top 100 Movies of All Time, 81-90

90. Big (1988)

Directed by Penny Marshall; Written by Gary Ross & Anne Spielberg
Starring Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins & Robert Loggia
Greatest Award/Nomination: Golden Globe winner for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) - Tom Hanks
"Big" is the kind of movie you like as a kid and the kind of movie you love as an adult. It's smart, funny, and Tom Hanks is remarkably perfect. Combining childhood magic with mature situations and a great script AND the scene where Hanks and Loggia play the giant piano, this film is an all time favorite.



89. The Sound of Music (1965)
Directed by Robert Wise; Written by Howard Lindsay, Russell Crouse & Ernest Lehman
Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer & Peggy Wood
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture
This is how musicals should be: outstanding music, great performances, breath-taking scenic cinematography, and a world turned upside-down. The story shifts so suddenly from happy hills of music to a dark time of decadence and turmoil. Julie Andrews, as usual, fits impeccably as Maria, the wannabe nun turned wife, and although I usually dislike Rodger's & Hammerstein's musicals, "The Sound of Music" is their best. Not to mention it's a true story.



88. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Directed by Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris; Written by Michael Arndt
Starring Abagail Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Steve Carrell & Alan Arkin
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay
I know, if you look back to my 2006 top ten, this didn't exactly hit the top of the list, however, "Little Miss Sunshine" is one of those films (like "Juno") that really sticks with you. It's so funny, so smart, so dry, and very surprising. Arkin certainly deserves the Oscar he won for his ridiculous role as the grandpa, and Breslin breaks out with a growling performance. Oh, and who knew someone could pull off a character that doesn't speak for half the story? Paul Dano knows.



87. The Dark Knight (2008)
Directed by Christopher Nolan; Written by Christopher & Jonathan Nolan
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman & Michael Caine
Greatest Award/Nomination: Golden Trailer winner for Best Summer 2008 Blockbuster Poster (I'm thinking this will improve come award season)
So exactly a week ago I was only an hour into seeing this film. And, yes, it is that good that it is number 87 on my list. Read the review below, go see the movie for the second or third time, and you'll understand why it can only go up from here.



86. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Directed by Baz Luhrmann; Written by Craig Pearce & Baz Luhrmann
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Claire Danes, John Leguizamo & Pete Postlethwaite
Greatest Award/Nomination: BAFTA winner for Best Adapted Screenplay
When Mrs. Taylor (my 9th grade English teacher) made the entire freshmen class watch this movie in the auditorium, everyone HATED it. Why? Because they were idiots. Luhrmann lures men and women (ha) into his cinematic-story-telling grasp and won't let go. His style is incredible and enchanting. This interpretation of Shakespeare's classic love tragedy surpasses most of any other analysis of the Bard's work. Plus it's easily my favorite Claire Danes film.



85. No Country for Old Men (2007)
Written & Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen
Starring Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Woody Harrelson & Kelly Macdonald
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture
"No Country for Old Men" is going to be one of those timeless films that lasts longer than the rest. In nearly every which way, it is the consummation of excellence. Every shot, every scene, every angle, every line, and every pull of the air pressure tank delves deeper into the audience's skin. The cast is flawless as well, especially a nightmarish performance by Bardem as the psychotic killer.



84. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Directed by Billy Wilder; Written by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder & D.M. Marshman, Jr.
Starring William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim & Nancy Olson
Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Writing, Story & Screenplay
Gloria Swanson, Gloria Swanson, Gloria Swanson. What a freaking performance! Playing the delusional silent film diva, she steals the show, creeping into her scenes like a disease or Michael Myers. However, Holden, von Stroheim and Olson make up the rest of the picture, giving us an unconventional idea of Hollywood, possibly the true Hollywood at the time. Once you're time is up and as long as you made enough money, you can just pull up a chair in the Hills and relive your golden years when you were loved. Nowadays, those washed-up has-beens are in supermarket tabloids across America and the attention has shifted. Shame. If Swanson's Norma Desmond wanted attention, all she had to do was shave her head and become a lesbian.



83. Donnie Darko (2001)
Written & Directed by Richard Kelly
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, James Duval, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle & Maggie Gyllenhaal
Greatest Award/Nomination: San Diego Film Critics Society winner for Best Screenplay
After the first viewing of this cult film, I've never been so confused, frightened, and entranced by a film ever. It is eerie, though-provoking, funny, and uses the camera in an extremely original way. Kelly's masterpiece has had a large underground fan base that builds every year, allowing him to bring us other insane projects... cough cough "Southland Tales."


82. The Truman Show (1998)
Directed by Peter Weir; Written by Andrew Niccol
Starring Jim Carrey, Laura Linney, Natasha McElhone & Ed Harris
Greatest Award/Nominee: Golden Globe winner for Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) - Jim Carrey
Fuck "EdTV." That said, "The Truman Show" examines America's obsession over entertainment, innocence lost, and the classic bildungsroman tale. Carrey embodies the kid becoming a man - even though he's a man becoming a smarter man. Linney kind of creeps me out in this film (in a good way) and Harris shines as the godlike creator of Truman's life. It's one of those movies that doesn't get old.



81. Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983)
Directed by Terry Gilliam & Terry Jones; Written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones & Michael Palin
Starring All of the above
Greatest Award/Nomination: BAFTA nominee for Best Original Song - "Every Sperm Is Sacred"
Running boobies, corporate warfare, running boobies, an exploding man, running boobies, Catholic children in musical numbers, running boobies, real life sex ed., running boobies, the grim reaper, running boobies, talking fish, running boobies, meaningless livers, and yes, running boobies.

Top 100 Movies of All Time, 91-100

Jennie and I are releasing our Top 100 Movies of All Time. The best, our favorites, in all genres from every time period. Every Monday and Thursday we will release 10, so this will be a five week extravaganza! Here are 100 to 91:

100. Memento (2000)

Written & Directed by Christopher Nolan

Starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss & Joe Pantoliano

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Original Screenplay

"Memento" is one of those films that is so original and intricate that for most it's hard to follow, but in the end is an incredible film. The style is brilliantly out-of-sync with its backwards storytelling and Christopher Nolan makes his name known as an up and coming director.

99. A Simple Plan (1998)

Directed by Sam Raimi; Written by Scott B. Smith

Starring Bill Paxton, Bridget Fonda & Billy Bob Thorton

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Supporting Actor - Billy Bob Thorton

An intelligent thriller that sets four small-towners in a money-tight situation. When Bill Paxton's character comes across an airplane full of money, there's no turning back. It's gripping and leaves you on the edge of your seat, plus Billy Bob Thorton gives the performance of his life. There isn't any other movie that will make you sick to your stomach for every single decision greed brings to a human being.

98. The Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

Directed by Gore Verbinski; Written by Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio

Starring Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom & Geoffrey Rush

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Actor - Johnny Depp

Pretending that they never made a trilogy out of "Pirates," the original is by far the most entertaining, adventerous, and funny. Depp is mesmerizing as Captain Jack Sparrow, and the effects are phenomenal. Who knew Disney could make a great PG-13 film?

97. An Affair to Remember (1957)

Directed by Leo McCarey; Written by Delmer Daves, Donald Ogden Steward & Leo McCarey

Starring Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Cinematography

A terrific romance that pushes the envelope of cheaters and secret love affairs. Grant & Kerr are great on the screen together, and all seems well until Kerr's Terry has an accident that prevents her from meeting with Grant six months after their love boat affair. Filled with fun characters and plot twists, "An Affair to Remember" isn't one that most believe is a great film, but it's a classic to me.

96. Brick (2005)

Written & Directed by Rian Johnson

Starring Josephy Gordon-Levitt, Lucas Haas, Nora Zehetner & Emilie de Ravin

Greatest Award/Nomination: Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize Award for Dramatic Feature

This film is astonishing in its ability to captivate the film noir in such a way that brings the classic genre to life in the present day. Gordon-Levitt is phenomenal as Brendan Frye, the Bogartian teen "detective" who wants to discover the truth about his love's death. Full of fascinating performances by all of the supporting cast members, Rian Johnson's debut feature film ranks high in the books of new millenium movies.

95. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)

Directed by Wes Anderson; Written by Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson

Starring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwenyth Paltrow, Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson & Bill Murray

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Original Screenplay

Wes Anderson surely makes blasé situations and acquiescence hilarious. Under his script and direction, this tremendous cast unfolds a story of a genius family gone bad, and getting worse. Hackman stars as Royal, a father, a liar, and an unaffectionate husband who wants to make peace with the kids and his wife. Everything about this movie is unique and astonishing to watch.

94. Juno (2007)

Directed by Jason Reitman; Written by Diablo Cody

Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Gardner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons & Olivia Thirlby

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Original Screenplay

Although it just came out in December, this out-of-this-world comedy draws so much inspiration from almost every single coming-of -age tale. Cody's screenplay is by far one of the most eccentric ever made and Ellen Page will never find another role like Juno. With laugh-out-loud lines, an amazing supporting cast, and one of the coolest soundtracks for company, "Juno" is a hit that deserves this spot in my Top 100.

93. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

Written & Directed by Robert Benton

Starring Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander & Justin Henry

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture

The late 70s & early 80s really focused on character, situations and dialogue rather than beautiful breath-taking cinematography and effects. "Kramer vs. Kramer" keeps the roots of the theatre alive in film, with powerhouse performances by Hoffman & Streep, and an amazing script. It's a small film that sends big messages and analyzes the American family, both men forced into stereotypical female roles and women becoming independent, despite the casualies.

92. The Departed (2006)

Directed by Martin Scorcese; Written by William Monahan

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen & Jack Nicholson

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award winner for Best Picture

Although Scorcese should have won an Oscar long before "The Departed," he won for the right reasons. It's one of those movies in which you're not sure who you want to win. Every man is a liar, a snake, a crook, a rat. So who will come out on top? The script is excellent, and Wahlberg was never better.

91. Anchors Aweigh (1945)

Directed by George Sidney; Written by Isobel Lennart & Natalie Marcin

Starring Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson, Frank Sinatra & Dean Stockwell

Greatest Award/Nomination: Academy Award nominee for Best Picture

If you think "Singin' In the Rain" is where it's all at, you're mistaken. I'll admit, the part with Tom & Jerry is a bit out of hand, but as a kid it was the best! Gene Kelly & Frank Sinatra are a duo for the ages and Grayson is gorgeous and sounds spectacular. The cameo with Jose Iturbi shows that the film is about having fun, letting loose, and finding love. Screw you if you think the Tom & Jerry scene is lame!

WALL-E, Hancock, Wanted, & The Dark Knight

WALL-E
Voiced by Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Fred Willard, Sigourney Weaver & John Ratzenberger

Honestly, Pixar can do no wrong. Even "Cars," my least favorite of the Pixar lineup was really good. "WALL-E," full of compassion, humor and a new hope for a better future, clocks in as one of the mega-animating companies finest. The computerized artwork is so advanced and intricate that it will blow you away. The story is one for the books as well: a classic passive character trying to reach his dreams... love. Awww isn't it cute? The originality factor is the fact that he's a robot created with much inspiration from E.T. Oh yeah, it also has an environmental plug. Very timely.

Grade: A


Hancock
Starring Will Smith, Charlize Theron & Jason Bateman

"Hancock" is a fun, comical twist on the recently crowded superhero film genre. Smith and Bateman bring the movie to life - it would be horrible without them - and Charlize is hot as ever. However, it was predictable. Too predictable. But fun!

Grade: B-


Wanted
Starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie & Morgan Freeman

With a cast like this, the movie is badass enough. But throw in some crazy effects and stunts and it just adds to the pot. It was kind of like a melting pot of "Fight Club" and "Lucky Number Slevin," and it holds onto some of the philosophies in Dotoevesky's "Crime & Punishment"; if you kill one, you're saving many. However, compared to an action film like the one below, I prefer real effects and stunts rather than the popular computer animated ones, but the end was great because main characters die.

Grade: C+


The Dark Knight
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine & Morgan Freeman

Christopher Nolan brings Batman back with many familiar faces from "Begins" and a few brilliant new ones. (Yes, this review is going to rave about Heath Ledger's monumental depiction of The Joker.) The film surpasses Nolan's first take on the Batman series by a long shot. It's powerful, emotional, dark and full of exploding hospitals, flipped 18-wheelers, and intense "social experiments." Two-and-a-half hours seems short for this non-stop thrill ride. The script is smart and allows one-sided characters such as Two-Face to come to life.

Bale, once again, brings us a Batman that is not a hero, but a keeper of Gotham. Eckhart makes us hate Harvey Dent for being the perfect man, someone everyone loves and the mob hates. He's better than Batman. But the character transforms so perfectly into Two-Face that it's scary. Gyllenhaal, faced with a feat of playing a role someone has already played (Katie Holmes), does a fine enough job as Rachel Dawes and is really stunning in the film. The fate of her role is surprising and unforgettable as well. And totally necessary. Then there's Oldman who allows Lieutenant Gordan to be the least stoic of characters in the film, allowing the audience to breathe a bit. Caine and Freeman are excellent as usual, though not as note-worthy as the performance by Ledger.

Heath Ledger will win an Oscar as The Joker; mark my words. This performance is raw, uncontrollable, creepy beyond all words, demented, so dead-on funny, and in every sense: perfect. Every time he was on screen I was captivated, and every time the scene shifted away from him, I wanted him back. He allowed himself to embody so much freedom with the role, and when an actor does that, he or she is unstoppable.

Even though it only released three days ago, I've seen "The Dark Knight" twice (and will probably see it again) and it is ranked as one of the best films I've ever seen.

Grade: A