Today we resume our countdown to our #1 film, and this week we give you numbers 81-90 of the Cinemavens' Top 100 Films List. If you missed numbers 91-100 from last week, click here to catch up. Remember to comment below, or like us on Facebook to stay updated!
And so we begin this week's list with #90:
“A Separation” depicts an Iranian couple’s impossible situation – whether to stay in Iran and look after a parent with Alzheimer’s or leave the country to improve their boy’s life – in a setting and culture
that is very foreign to us Westerners. Every character faces a unique challenge
in this dialogue-driven, family drama. The story builds and builds, becoming
more interesting every minute, and each character is sympathetic and all share
some guilt in the unfortunate situation. The human drama is heavy, and “A Separation”
shows how divorce, pride, and lies can destroy families and devastate the lives
of the innocent.
“50/50”,
directed by Jonathan Levine, is a drama-comedy based on a true story that tells
of a young man, Adam(played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who discovers he has a
rare cancer which has a 50/50 chance of survivability. He claims at first that
he his fine and is handling with his illness well, but he slowly loses control
as the reality of his condition sets in. The story deals with how he, his
friends, and his family handle the situation. While heartbreakingly sad, the
movie is also very funny as his best friend Kyle(played by Seth Rogen) tries to
keep his life exciting. The drama and the comedy both make “50/50” relatable
and real.
Alfred Hitchcock, the
Director of Suspense, brought to film one of the most iconic films of all
time. Despite its’ lack of accolades, it’s
one of the best films to come out of 1960.
Cary Grant is as brilliant as ever in this roller coaster ride as he is
framed for murder and mistaken as a government spy by foreign groups. Academy Nominee James Mason is grippingly
chilling in his antagonist role. If you
like suspense and adventure, this is definitely a film for you.
“Psycho”,
directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a classic among classics and is generally
considered to be one Hitchcock’s greatest films. “Psycho” is a film about a generally innocent
woman who happens to steal $40,000 from a client and flees, and on her way stops at a motel for rest. Her mental state slowly deteriorates with the guilt
and paranoia. It was not the acting in the movie that has made this film so
famous, nor was it the famous shower-knife scene, but Hitchcock’s ability to
manipulate the audience and focus on the fears of the people. “Psycho” jump
started the thriller genre.
“Once”
is an Irish musical film, set in Dublin that follows the relationship between
two people and their connection through music. “Once” consists of a simple
story line that deals with connection, friendship, inspiration, and love. What
makes “Once” unique is that the main actors are not actually actors but musicians (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) who composed the entirety of the
film’s music themselves. In 2007 “Once” won an Academy Award for Best Original
Song, “Falling Slowly”. The film perfectly combines the simple story and
beautiful music to make magic, and it is a must for music lovers.
“You
talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me?” It’s classic line from a classic movie. Director Martin Scorsese's neo-noir film, “Taxi
Driver,” features Robert De Niro as Travis Binkle, an unstable Vietnam veteran
who returns to New York and nabs a job driving a cab. Binkle becomes increasingly
deranged as he drives the streets of a depraved New York City and then takes it
upon himself to violently clean up the City’s scum and impurity. De Niro is
at the top of his game in “Taxi Driver,” and he flawlessly portrays a
character who is interesting, sympathetic, and terrifying at the same time.
Director
and writer Christopher Nolan’s unique and unorthodox style in “Memento” makes
the film a superb psychological thriller and one that will keep the audience
guessing until the credits roll. Guy Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, a man who
loses his short-term memory after he is attacked by a man who murders his wife. Shelby vows to track down his wife’s killer, but he must
write notes, take Polaroid photographs, and pen tattoos on his body to
remember the details of his pursuit. What makes “Memento” clever is its
storytelling; rather than progressing forward in time, the storyline travels backward. And, of course, Nolan pulls it off masterfully.
In one of the most atmospheric films ever crafted, Ridley Scott directs a
masterpiece with just his third feature film. "Blade Runner" perfectly
blends the science-fiction and film noir genres, resulting in a
methodical and visually absorbing
movie. It features solid performances from the likes of Harrison Ford,
Sean Young, Rutger Hauer, and Daryl Hannah, who each inject an
appropriate level of haunting sadness into their respective characters.
It is a dark and melancholy world that these individuals
inhabit, one that is underlined by the movie's somber tone. Beyond
these aesthetic highlights, the film is elevated into greatness by its
insights into the nature of humanity. It questions the very meaning of
human existence, and in doing so cements its
place among the best sci-fi films of all time.
“The
Graduate” is perhaps the best coming-of-age movie ever filmed. Dustin Hoffman
plays Benjamin, a disaffected and aimless college graduate who is seduced by an
older woman, Mrs. Robinson. As the two carry on their illicit affair, Benjamin falls in love with Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine. Benjamin’s journey of
finding meaning and direction in his life while navigating through his troubled love life is emotional, funny, and a pleasure to
witness. It is also worth mentioning that “The Graduate” boasts one of the most
famous soundtracks in history. Simon & Garfunkel recorded the music, and
their melancholic melodies capture the film’s mood perfectly. (Have you heard
of the song “Mrs. Robinson?” Yeah, that
came from this movie.)
With its wonderful premise -- a man whose entire life has
been broadcast on the ultimate reality program -- "The Truman Show"
critiques modern America's obsession with observing the lives of others.
Released on the advent of the explosion of reality TV, the film both predicts
and satirizes the widespread use of this form of television. We witness
the oddities of Truman's life, brought to the screen brilliantly by Jim Carrey,
by viewing both the mundane and extraordinary aspects of his artificial world.
Carrey is extremely effective in a role that allows him to explore a dramatic
pathos, a portrayal far superior to some of his more simplistic comedic
endeavors. There is even room for the actor to insert his quirky charm
into the character, creating an individual who is relatable and memorable.
What did you think of our list so far? Feel free to comment below or on our Facebook page!
Next week we will unveil numbers 71-80 in our Top 100, so please stay tuned! Also, if you missed our recent review of Haywire and our Oscar picks, be sure to read them by clicking on their links.
