Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Solid acting performances from some of the U.K.’s most awarded actors help bolster Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’s weak first act and propel it forward to a satisfying conclusion for a quality spy thriller.
Seven Days in May
A classic political thriller, Seven Days in May triumphs through its skillful acting and consistently resonant themes of hope in democracy and peace over fascism and militarism.
Paddington
One of the most wholesome and hopeful films of the last decade, Paddington manages to go beyond being a basic family film into something that resonates deeply with the human spirit.
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War is one of the most ambitious films in the history of film, managing to bring together ten years of worldbuilding into one satisfying film with a seriously iconic villain.
I Lost My Body
I Lost My Body’s unique structure and premise are what make it so great. Simple narrative, basic themes, and a mildly problematic attempt at romance keep it from rising higher on this list, but originality makes it a film that still bears watching.
Boiling Point
Stephen Graham’s skilled performance as Chef Andy and the film’s genuinely stressful one-shot cinematography help the audience see past Boiling Point’s lack of major statements about the many issues that dance around its periphery.
What’s Love Got to Do with It
Powerful messaging about overcoming abuse and abusers to go along with stellar performances from Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne as Tina and Ike Turner make What’s Love Got to Do with It a difficult, but compelling watch.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Quality exploration of relevant themes and well-crafted makeup and costumes help sell Planet of the Apes as one of the greats.
The Breadwinner
The Breadwinner serves as a reminder of the importance of story to a world in crisis and an encouragement to those living under extremism and oppression that resistance is possible and a good thing to do.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Solid anime action combined with a deep exploration of what it means to be human keep Ghost in the Shell relevant more than twenty-five years after its original release.
East of Eden
The universal nature of East of Eden’s story, its fresh take on the biblical Cain and Abel narrative, and the phenomenal performances of James Dean and Jo Van Fleet establish the film as a truly Great Film.
We are the Best
A film that truly understands what it is to be punk and be a young teenager, We Are the Best, compels its audience to recall their own middle school days and friendships and to never give up on a dream.
Julia (1977)
Award-winning performances help keep Julia among the ranks of great films despite a convoluted story and lack of thematic cohesion.
Wonder Woman
Despite some minor plot holes and a less-than-satisfying final fight, Wonder Woman delivers a solid, funny, engaging superhero origin film with some of the best action sequences from the last ten years.
A Simple Plan
Compelling themes and solid story-work create the framework for a Great Film in A Simple Plan, despite hit-and-miss acting and a tough-to-stomach story
Spellbound (1945)
Thanks to a unique take on its genre, strong leading performances, and the tried-and-true formula of Hitchcock, Spellbound forms itself into a film worthy of the title “Great”.
Steve Jobs
An impressive script combined with skillful acting performances throughout help create a unique biopic that does more to explore the character of Steve Jobs than to give a summary of his life or to pass judgement on the man who made Apple what it is today.
tick, tick… BOOM!
tick, tick… BOOM! is one of the best films from 2021 thanks to a strong leading performance from Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, very fun and catchy musical numbers, and a heartfelt story about human connection.
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Consistently well-acted and written with universally impactful themes, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner manages to impress despite some not-so-well-aged tropes.
