During the pandemic of 2020, we reached out to our fanbase to send in their top ten movies of all time. Our listeners, readers, fans, and followers responded by sending in their lists with thoughts on the best the movie industry had to offer. With that in mind, and a large group of lists in hand, we tabulated everyone’s vote into a supreme list of 100 films we can say are your favorites (plus four more that had the same score as #100). So without any further delay, let’s take a look at this great set of films…
29. Batman (1989, Warner Bros. 126 minutes, Directed by Tim Burton)- Superhero movies moved beyond just the “Man of Steel” with the first big-budget look at the “Caped Crusader”. Michael Keaton took on the role of Batman and with Burton’s direction (and a devilish turn as the Joker from Jack Nicholson), the superhero movie genre in the late 80s/early 90s was elevated to a new level.
28. Blue Valentine (2010, Weinstein, 112 minutes, Directed by Derek Cianfrance)- Showcasing another performance from a then-rising actor in Ryan Gosling, Blue Valentine showcases the relationship between Gosling’s character Dean and Cynthia (Michelle Williams) from two different periods of time. From the best of times to the worst of times, Cianfrance’s directing leads this movie relationship from the early beginnings to its troubled end. It’s not the romance or rom-com you may have been looking for, but it does highlight the undeniable talent Gosling and Williams would show more prominently in bigger movies to come.
27. Braveheart (1995, Paramount/20th Century Fox, 178 minutes, Directed by Mel Gibson)- Chronicling the rise in the 13th century of Scottish warrior William Wallace, Mel Gibson leads this epic as it spans the rise of Wallace and his clashes with English rule. Wallace’s (Gibson) defiance in the face of authoritarian demands fueled an uprising that he was willing to sacrifice his life for. It’s Gibson’s direction and commanding performance that allows this film to truly take heart (pardon the pun).
26. Field of Dreams (1989, Universal, 107 minutes, Directed by Phil Alden Robinson)- “If you build it, they will come” is one of the unforgettable quotes from a film that has continued to be remembered fondly for generations. Backed by Kevin Costner’s star power, the movie mixes in the love for baseball and the supernatural to create a heartwarming story not seen often enough in cinema.
25. The Godfather Part II (1974, Paramount, 200 minutes, Directed by Francis Ford Coppola)- Quite often considered as the best of the Godfather trilogy, Coppola weaves a narrative of epic proportions as it continues the saga of the Corleones. Why two is often considered the best is because it allows ample opportunity to showcase the talent of Al Pacino (Michael Corleone) and Robert DeNiro (Vito Corleone). And with two of the greatest actors of all time involved as they were both reaching their extended prime, a case can certainly be considered for just how great The Godfather Part II truly is.
24. Kingdom of Heaven (2005, 20th Century Fox,144 minutes[theatrical] 194 minutes[director’s cut]- Directed by Ridley Scott)- Depending on who you speak to, this is either Ridley Scott’s magnum opus showcasing his epic excellence as a director, or as a reminder of how big-budget filmmaking can sometimes go awry. While the views on this film remain mixed, no one can deny its most ardent followers love the grand spectacle director Scott presents this film in as it reimagines the events of the Third Crusade.
23. Magnolia (1999. New Line Cinema, 188 minutes, Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson)- In the late 90s and early 2000s, Hollywood fell in love with the star-studded ensembles that tried to weave several storylines together into a cohesive narrative. Certainly one of the most notable of these attempts, Magnolia follows characters in Southern California as they interact with one another through crime, love, marriage, and despair. How it utilizes a fictional quiz show and a truly unique weather-related ending is what makes Anderson one of the best directors of that era.
22. North by Northwest (1959, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 131 minutes, Directed by Alfred Hitchcock)- In a film described by many as originating the big-budget spy action thriller, North By Northwest puts Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) into a tale of espionage and intrigue due to mistaken identity and leaves him on the run and desperate to save one of his few allies (Eva Marie Saint) and reclaim his good name. While director Hitchcock is credited with creating several of the greatest movies ever of the 20th century, North By Northwest needs to be included as it holds up with the rest of his legendary work.
21. Superfly (1972, Warner Bros., 91 minutes, Directed by Gordon Parks Jr.)- One of the defining films of the Blaxploitation genre, Superfly is the story of a man (Ron O’Neal) seeking to escape his life and drugs and crime. It’s the stylistic path in how O’Neal’s character distances himself from organized crime that makes this movie so well-remembered and selected for preservation by the National Film Registry (Library of Congress) for its cultural and historical significance.
20. The Good Humor Man (1950, Columbia, 80 minutes, Directed by Lloyd Bacon)- Remembered fondly by our fans as a fun movie that helped define 1950s films, this movie while not being put in the spotlight of other 50s classics never ceases to charm. Part comedy, part crime thriller, it exemplifies much of what was being portrayed in movies of that time in what many consider to be a golden age for Hollywood.
Pop Culture Cosmos 