Rank: 90
Release Year: 1984
Genre: Revenge Drama
Plot
Summary: Talented composer Antonio Salieri tells the story of his rival
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (whom he reveres and hates in equal measures) in
confession from his room in an asylum late in life (through flashbacks).
What
Makes It Special: Amadeus is phenomenal is every facet. Musically, it revels
in the brilliance of Mozart’s work. Visually, it is astounding with beautiful
candle-lit sets and delightfully lavish costume design. And from a performance
standpoint, F. Murray Abraham gives one of cinema’s best as Salieri – a man consumed
by his own legacy and mediocrity. Yet, it is Milos Forman’s exploration of
jealously, envy, and revenge that are the film’s most intriguing aspect. It is
utterly engrossing.
Rank: 89
Release Year: 1946
Genre: Drama
Plot
Summary: Three WWII veterans return home to their small town in America,
only to discover that they feel uncomfortable around their families and that
everything has changed.
What
Makes It Special: WWII is mostly considered to be pretty black and white
with clear villains and heroes along with a strong moral reason for why so many
sacrificed their lives (unlike say The Vietnam War for example) – and yet, The
Best Years of Our Lives taps into the difficulty that returning veterans still experienced,
coming back to a country that had moved on without them. In many ways, the film
is utterly heartbreaking. These men gave everything, but in many instances came
back to nothing (in addition to being forever mentally and physically scarred
by the horrors they witnessed). The film beautifully expresses the adversity
faced as they try to socially re-adjust. It has a timeless quality as it
resonates just as strong today as it did in 1946.
Rank: 88
Release Year: 1996
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Plot
Summary: Renton is a heroin addict, as are most of his friends. However,
Renton has a plan to kick junk and get clean – that is, unless his friends pull
him back down.
What
Makes It Special: Trainspotting is one of the great indie films to come
out of the 1990s that completely revitalized cinema and introduced the world to
a new generation of fresh auteur filmmakers. While mostly American directors
had been leading the revolution (Quentin Tarantino, Wes
Anderson, Paul
Thomas Anderson, and the Coen Brothers to name
a few), Trainspotting gave brilliant British filmmaker Danny Boyle a global
stage and along with Kar
Wai Wong the indie transformation of Hollywood an international feel.
Trainspotting is wonderfully subversive, gleefully funny, and aesthetically
vibrant. Like most of these great indie films of the 1990s, its influence is
felt in many of today’s films and filmmakers. Plus, it has of the 1990’s most
iconic soundtracks.
Rank: 87
Release Year: 1950
Genre: Drama
Plot
Summary: Eve wants nothing more than to be a star. Seeing an opening,
she inserts herself into a circle of theatre friends hoping to find a place in
their company. From there, she starts to subtly edge out the aging star of the
company Margo (but not without a fight).
What
Makes It Special: Simply put, All About Eve is a drama built upon the
masterful performances of its stars Bette Davis (who is in one moment a booming
volcano of furry, and the next a deflated, beaten pawn asking for the audience’s
pity) and Anne Baxter (who at first beguiles with preserved goodness and nativity,
only to later fully reveal her true killer instinct). It is a screenwriting
sensation as the backstage backstabbing and other shenanigans all play out with
quick wit and sharp tongues. There may never again be a character drama as well
written or acted.
Rank: 86
Release Year: 1954
Genre: Crime Drama
Plot
Summary: Former prize-fighter Terry Malloy enjoys the perks afforded to
him by his job as a longshoreman, benefitting from the corruption of his union
bosses and his status in the community. However, he finds himself in a tough
position after witnessing a murder, struggling internally with whether or not
he should stand up to the union bosses in protest.
What
Makes It Special: On the Waterfront is a powerful character drama,
taking place in the dark, ugly places of society with rough characters. Lead by
Marlon Brando’s iconic performance, the cast in full is absolutely phenomenal, every
scene teaming with dramatic weight. Yet, it is Brando’s portrayal of Malloy
that seems to resonate for viewers. His struggle to stand up or not is intensely
affecting – and as a result On the Waterfront continues to be one of cinema’s
greatest character dramas.
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