Reversal of Fortune
The leading performances of Reversal of Fortune are what have earned it a place among the all-time greats, but none stand taller than Jeremy Irons’s Oscar-winning portrayal of Claus von Bülow, which keeps the audience guessing and almost rooting against the narrative at every turn while staying fully hooked into how it’ll all play out.
An Education
Between its artful, innovative, and unique coming-of-age story and the wonderful performance from Carey Mulligan, An Education more than earns its place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
I, Tonya
Bolstered by a message that goes beyond the negative effects of sex, drugs, and rock and roll and by a leading cast that collectively give some of the best performances of their careers, I, Tonya is elevated above the typical biopic fare to be a film that fully deserves a place among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Intolerance
Credit is owed where it’s due, and for D.W. Griffith’s Intolerance, credit is owed greatly to its filmmaking techniques that gave audiences a historical epic interwoven with a tale of the Christ, a French historic melodrama, and a modern parable of legalism and capitalism, earning it a place among the greats.
Bloody Sunday
Told with such a gripping style, Bloody Sunday showcases its greatness and Greengrass’s skill as a filmmaker by refusing to let you look away from the atrocities that it seeks to depict, cementing a place beside the Greatest Films of All Time as it does so.
BlackBerry
Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton shine as the leads in BlackBerry, giving contrasting performances that elevate its historic tale to levels of dramedy excellence, earning the film a place among the greats.
The Straight Story
The Straight Story features an excellent combination of execution from actor and director with Farnsworth’s grounding performance allowing Lynch’s surrealist sensibilities to shine and vice versa, giving audiences a tale that’s equal parts relatable and thought-provoking, earning a place of greatness.
The Great Escape
The brilliant pacing, storytelling, and character work done by all those involved in The Great Escape have turned it into one of the most iconic and Greatest Films of All Time.
Dead Man Walking
With his two shining leads in Sarandon and Penn, Tim Robbins delivers a truly nuanced and heartfelt look at the death penalty, emphasizing the universality of human dignity and the need of all people for love in the process, earning this film a place among the greats.
Walk the Line
With Johnny Cash’s music underpinning the whole thing, Walk the Line shines among 21st century biopics thanks to its director’s (and subject’s) willingness to air out all the dirty laundry and thanks to the unforgettable performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon in the leading roles.
Young Mr. Lincoln
Between Henry Fonda’s excellent portrayal of the iconic president’s early years in law and the fascinating case study presented in the film’s legal drama, Young Mr. Lincoln cements an easily rewatchable spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Erin Brockovich
As a vehicle for Julia Roberts’s leading performance, Erin Brockovich shines, shaping every bit of itself toward cementing its leading lady’s place in history (both the real Brockovich and Roberts for her performance), more than earning itself a place among the Greatest Films of All Time in the process.
Hotel Rwanda
Hotel Rwanda does the important work of showing audiences that the Rwandan Genocide was carried out by actual people as the result of European colonization of the nation, all of it with engrossing performances from its lead man and chief supporting lady, warranting recognition as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Hacksaw Ridge
Led by Andrew Garfield, populated by Gibson’s directorial vision, and ultimately driven by Doss’s own convictions in favor of peace and pacifism, Hacksaw Ridge undeniably earns its place among biopics, World War II films, and, ultimately, the Greatest Films of All Time.
The Wild Child
The three leads of The Wild Child bring a deep level of emotion and humanity to the pages of research and history that bring the story to life in a way that will resonate with audiences as Truffaut so often accomplishes.
The Big Sick
In exploring the genre’s capability to tell true stories, The Big Sick elevates romantic comedy to a truly moving place in showcasing its writers’ relationship and its rocky beginnings in fully satisfying fashion, earning it recognition as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Hidden Figures
Hidden Figures elevates itself above its peers of overly sweet portrayals of the victories of the Civil Rights era with three powerful and memorable performances from Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, whose portrayal of these noteworthy women from history earns this film a place of greatness.