This is part 4 of this list.
400. Touch of Evil (1958)
Orson Welles / USA
One of Wellesâ most narratively structured film is still an exciting oddity with Charlton Heston playing a Mexican. The perfect film for a 50s drive-in theater and a large bag of popcorn.
399. Iphigenia (1977)
Mihalis Kakogiannis / Greece
The classic greek tragedy of Iphigenia. A tale in which a King is forced to sacrifice his eldest daughter to save Troy. Starring the beautiful Tatiana Papamoschou who gives a phenomenal performance here. Greek mythology is fascinating!
398. Malcolm X (1992)
Spike Lee / USA
Spike Lee can be a bit of a mixed bag, but he did the right thing with his Malcolm X biopic. The best thing about this was that Lee never let the message get in the way of his artistic freedom. Kinda sickening that racism is still such a BIG issue in the world *lesigh.
397. Ăl (1953)
Luis Buñuel / Mexico
Buñuel tells a tale of domestic violence, that is sadly far too common throughout history, especially within machismo societies. My mother went through a similar situation which made this film particularly difficult to watch. It has that Buñuel touch to keep it unusual, yet it is one of his most grounded works of realism.
396. Face to Face (1976)
Ingmar Bergman / Sweden
Bergman made so many great films that itâs easy to overlook a few of his later gems, and Face to Face is an excellent psychological terror about a mentally ill psychologist. Liv Ullmanâs exquisite plunge into madness is all one can ask for.
395. My Own Private Idaho (1991)
Gus Van Sant / USA
A tragic film starring River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves as hustlers that play beautifully off of each other. “I really wanna kiss you, man” rest in peace River.
394. Sophieâs Choice (1982)
Alan J. Pakula / USA
Even with the bummer ending, the actors in this film ESPECIALLY Meryl Streep simply carried the story by giving one of the all time best performances. A misleading title that is bound to⊠destroy its audience.
393. The Ballad of Narayama (1958)
Keisuke Kinoshita / Japan
I got to see the ’83 version first, and they both are nearly equal in power. I suppose the brutality of Imamura’s version gives it a slight lead but Kinoshita’s is artistically superior. Narayama utilized color and scene transitions superbly. Much of the story is told through song in voice-over which adds to the overall poetic tragedy of the Narayama.
392. The Crowd (1928)
King Vidor / USA
One of the greatest Hollywood films of the 1920s, it is practically a crime that one canât find this in great quality anywhere. One to make you laugh and cry for its entire duration.
391. Double Indemnity (1944)
Billy Wilder / USA
The purest film noir imo, it excels at what the genre is all about with the dark fascinating characters, doomed love affair, moody, dark and sexy atmosphere and just an overall pretty decent story. Iâve grown less fond of the genre over time, but doubt iâll ever get tired of Wilderâs Sunset Blvd and Double Indemnity.
390. Bram Stokerâs Dracula (1992)
Francis Ford Coppola / USA
Coppolaâs classic gothic retelling of Dracula, campy in all the right ways with lush production values, a fantastic cast minus Reeves accent, and generally a vampire loverâs wet dream. Ambitious and endlessly entertaining.
389. A Ghost Story (2017)
David Lowery / USA
Name a more iconic film about a floating bed sheet with holes in it, iâll wait! The Tree of Life for the dead. Now I can happily cry while eating a whole pie plus “I Get Overwhelmed” is a crowd-pleaser.
388. Arabian Nights (1974)
Pier Paolo Pasolini / Italy / France
There certainly are problematic aspects to this film, but the mere fact that it exists and was filmed over 40 years ago in Arabic Africa, to me is incredible. Pasolini was brave and if you look past the semi-inappropriate underage nudity, there are some fascinating stories to be found.
387. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Stephen Chbosky / USA
“I swear we are infinite”. This film means so much to the inner teenager within me. I can relate far too much to the main protagonist, and Come on Eileen is my jam! It might suffer from some cliches but I adore it and wonât apologize for it!
386. A Page of Madness (1926)
Teinosuke Kinugasa / Japan
Japanese cinema has been one of the driving forces in the world of film, and you could say that this is the first Japanese masterpiece. And the first truly notable film about one of my favorite subjects; insanity. Lyrical as it is haunting.
385. Pickpocket (1959)
Robert Bresson / France
Essential Bresson that follows a man choosing to become a pickpocketer by rejecting societal expectations. There is beauty to be found in this simplistic film lacking sentimentality.
384. Mandala (1981)
Im Kwon-taek / South Korea
Spiritual films can be all over the place, often boring, preachy and lacking much cinematic value. But Mandala was none of that. Its characters felt real and honest, the script was sharp and the cinematography stunning. One of the best spiritual films i’ve seen so far.
383. Happiness (1998)
Todd Solondz / USA
A hilarious dark comedy that makes light of some pretty controversial subject matters. Bound to offend someone and is unapologetic about it. Uncomfortably funny which is how I enjoy my humor the most.
382. Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (2010)
Apichatpong Weerasethakul / Thailand
A highly unusual film in which at one point a catfish goes down on a princess, but the rest of the film focuses on dying, conversations with the dead and Buddhist philosophy. Itâs one of those films geared towards an audience that looks for originality rather than entertainment.
381. Easy Rider (1969)
Dennis Hopper / USA
The ultimate hippy/anti-American establishment film. It was even anti-conventional editing and broke much of the film grammar that Hollywood was following. Does feel awkward in parts but the heart of Easy Rider was born to be wild. Ps the Venture Bros season 1 finale did a notable spoof on its ending.
380. A Man Escaped (1956)
Robert Bresson / France
Prison break Bresson style, a claustrophobic film that plays mostly inside a prison cell and the protagonistâs mind, so much so that we feel just as trapped as him. It steps away from glorified cliches in prison films, and crafts the point of view of a man desperate for a way out.
379. Pandoraâs Box (1929)
Georg Wilhelm Pabst / Weimar Republic
The film that made us all fall in love with the infamous Louise Brooks even nearly a century later, Brooks was a femme fatale of silent cinema. In her most iconic role she brings incredible energy to the screen and the camera clearly loved her.
378. O Sangue (1989)
Pedro Costa / Portugal
An astonishing debut that despite its simplistic story feels out of this world. A film you can easily get lost in its silent beauty, mainly notable for its depiction of brotherly love. Can’t wait to delve deeper into Costa’s work.
377. The Exterminating Angel (1962)
Luis Buñuel / Mexico
Surrealist Buñuel follows a group of rich snobs that are trapped inside a house for no particular reason and it slowly breaks down their characters to the core. Claustrophobic, exhausting and ultimately rewarding and perhaps Buñuel’s most original film.
376. Sans Soleil (1983)
Chris Marker / France
A trippy-dreamlike meditation on film, the human experience in abstract art. Sans the brutal slaughtering of a Giraffe all else was magical.
375. Umberto D. (1952)
Vittorio De Sica / Italy
De Sica’s post-war neorealist about an old suicidal man and his loyal dog. Such profound human/animal relationships are a rarity.
374. Nosferatu (1922)
F.W. Murnau / Weimar Republic
The father of vampire films got nearly destroyed for being an unauthorized Dracula adaptation. Nearly a century later and Max Schreck remains one of the most iconic faces of silent cinema.
373. Roma (2018)
Alfonso CuarĂłn / Mexico
Cuaron finally returns to his roots! It feels very 60s Italian-neorealist but with a modern Mexican spin. Plus it contains the best naked martial arts sequence in film history.
372. Ivan the Terrible, Part II: The Boyarsâ Plot (1958)
Sergei M. Eisenstein / Soviet Union
The second of a projected trilogy, fell victim of film censorship – banned for 12 years only to be released after the death of Stalin, and unfortunately also Eisensteins. Visually just as impressive as part 1, exploring more of Ivanâs pure madness. Flamboyant soviets dancing for the Tsar is an aesthetic we all need in our lives.
371. WR: Mysteries of the Organism (1971)
DuĆĄan Makavejev / Yugoslavia / West Germany
A bizarre part-documentary about sexual liberation, the human orgasm and politics. But itâs also a comedy/musical with penis sculpting and murder. The 70s just seemed like such a fun time to be around for the making of films.
370. The Great Dictator (1940)
Charles Chaplin / USA
Chaplinâs infamous uncompromising faux Hitler imitation. Even those unfamiliar with cinema mustâve seen his speech on facebook at some point in their lives, thatâs just because it is relevant even today. Chaplin did not waste any time with his first true talkie.
369. Son of the White Mare (1981)
Marcell Jankovics / Hungary
This Hungarian animated folktale is like an intense psychedelic experience. Perhaps the best use of color i’ve ever seen in animation, any screenshot from the film could be used as a poster on your wall. It opened all my chakras.
368. Gate of Flesh (1964)
Seijun Suzuki / Japan
If Mizoguchi directed âWomen of The Nightâ in the 60s while on psychedelics. A film that is deeply tragic at its core, yet can be so colorful, lush and ridiculously entertaining. Essentially about prostitution, love, post-war survivalism, and torture BDSM-style. Exploitative cinema at its artsiest.
367. Three Colors: White (1994)
Krzysztof Kieslowski / France / Poland / Switzerland
The lightest of the color trilogy, a passionate tale of love and revenge. Great performances and easily the funniest film by Kieslowski.
366. LâAtalante (1934)
Jean Vigo / France
Vigo was a film prophet that died at the age of 29, but would later inspire the French New Wave significantly. LâAtalante was a highly ambitious cinematic film that fought the censorship, despite suffering a little from being an early experimental talkie it is bound to leave a mark.
365. La Dolce Vita (1960)
Federico Fellini / Italy / France
Felliniâs eloquent warm up for 8Âœ. One that celebrates Italy and proves that Fellini knew how to party. Depressing at its core, yet so fun to watch if only for the energy it brought. Anita Ekberg walking around with a kitten on her head is LE CINEMA!
364. Laurence Anyways (2012)
Xavier Dolan / Canada
Xavier Dolan is a modern LGBT hero, this film focuses on a proud trans individual and the camera compositions are stylized af. Dolanâs best visual work so far.
363. Room (2015)
Lenny Abrahamson / Canada / Ireland / UK
This movie broke me, I remember reading about such stories as a child and it always struck me as a fate far worse than death. Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay were magnifique.
362. The Wind Journeys (2009)
Ciro Guerra / Colombia / Germany / Netherlands / Argentina
I found this gem a few years ago while searching for Colombian films that weren’t typically drug-crime related and immediately fell in love with Ciro Guerra, who proved to me that Colombian cinema can be beautiful and thoroughly original. This film is basically a road trip film starring an enchanted accordion. All aspiring Colombian filmmakers should see this.
361. Ran (1985)
Akira Kurosawa / Japan / France
Kurosawaâs third Shakespeare adaptation and final epic, set in medieval Japan about the power struggles between three brothers and father which all leads into a bloody massacre. Family can be a pain.
360. The Fall of the House of Usher (1928)
Jean Epstein / France
A moody atmospheric beautiful gothic Poe adaption by avant-garde French master. It sure is a fun spooky little acid trip from the 1920s.
359. A Moment of Innocence (1996)
Mohsen Makhmalbaf / Iran / France
Most fascinating aspect of Iranian cinema is the mixture of documentary with fiction. In this film Makhmalbaf attempts to recreate an event that happened in his life, starring the real-life cop he stabbed when he was younger. Most of the film is improvised and fictionalized, based on true events and it makes for a completely unique cinematic experience.
358. Pauline at the Beach (1983)
Ăric Rohmer / France
Typical Rohmer, a very simple film about pretty young people going to the beach, having hormones and doing things young pretty French people do. How utterly captivating!
357. The Man Who Laughs (1928)
Paul Leni / USA
Conrad Veidt is most known for Dr Caligari, but to me his most notable performance was as the good joker, a man disfigured from childhood who canât help but to laugh eerily. A campy 20s Gothic classic right there.
356. Grey Gardens (1975)
Albert Maysles / David Maysles / Ellen Hovde / Muffie Meyer / USA
The most cult-esque of docu films. It follows the adventures of a mother/daughter duo and formerly upper-class women, who live in the ruins of their mansion. A fine line between tragedy, as well as pure cult-entertainment. A precious time capsule where the mother died shortly after and the property got sold.
355. Red Desert (1964)
Michelangelo Antonioni / Italy / France
A futuristic nightmare in which factories have turned the planet into a toxic wasteland. Perhaps Antonioniâs most unique gem that both excels artistically and is a solid commentary on a not entirely impossible future from ours.
354. Black Orpheus (1959)
Marcel Camus / Brazil / France / Italy
A Brazillian twist to the Greek tale of Orfeu and Eurydice in the midst of the Carnival in Rio. It went on to win the Palme Dâor, the Oscar and Golden Globe for best foreign film and recently used as a visual representation of Arcade Fireâs album Reflektor and its sublime.
353. Forbidden Games (1952)
René Clément / France
A coming of age film starring two French kids growing up in WWII and around death. They open up their own pet cemetery and the rest is history. A standout film about children during war and why adults are the WORST.
352. The Return (2003)
Andrey Zvyagintsev / Russia
A sharply shot and written coming of age tale about two brothers that go on a hellish holiday trip with their estranged father. Itâs Russian so it turns into a beautiful disaster. It’s worth noting that the eldest child actor drowned at the same location where the filming took place not long after.
351. Carrie (1976)
Brian De Palma / USA
Iconic horror about what itâs like to be a teenage girl with telekinesis. The payoff is just so bloody satisfying. Every prom should end like the one in Carrie.
350. Akira (1988)
Katsuhiro Ătomo / Japan
Epic anime with explosive action, motorcycles, telekinesis, giant creepy teddy bears and superhuman teenagers that turn into giant blobs. 80s Japanese kids had it best!
349. Yi Yi (2000)
Edward Yang / Taiwan / Japan
An intimate and voyeuristic meditative Taiwanese masterpiece about a family and their relationship with life.
348. The Pianist (2002)
Roman Polanski / France / Germany / Poland / UK
Polanski is better at horrifying people than most, and with a WWII film he portrayed the worst type of human suffering. It may be less polished than Schindlerâs List, but just as unpleasant. Brody’s nose is the true MVP.
347. Ballad of a Soldier (1959)
Grigori Chukhrai / Soviet Union
During a time where Soviet cinema was on fire, this is a phenomenally shot war flick focused on a young soldier who meets his first love while on the way to visit his mother. Director Grigori was a war veteran himself and captured a close and personal relationship to war through a human experience rather than being on the battlefield.
346. Christiane F. (1981)
Uli Edel / West Germany
Based on the true story of the title character. This was the first film about drugs that I ever saw as well as my introduction to David Bowie, so it holds a special place in my heart.
345. Poetry (2010)
Lee Chang-dong / South Korea
Both hopeful yet somber, tender yet harsh. It follows an older woman that decides to take on poetry classes after early signs of Alzheimer. Does not shy away from uncomfortable and painful situations yet is quite inspiring overall.
344. The Life of Oharu (1952)
Kenji Mizoguchi / Japan
A bleak yet sensitive look at the life of Oharu, a Geisha in 17th Century Japan. Mizoguchi paints a cruel tale of fate about a woman who just could not catch a break. Mizoguchi’s finest visual work.
343. Interview With The Vampire (1994)
Neil Jordan / USA
Yes this is a total guilty pleasure from my childhood, about sexy gothic vamps raising child vamp Kristin Dunst who loves to suck blooode. A delightful macabre that largely influenced my early obsession with vampires. SO underrated!
342. Pigs and Battleships (1961)
Shohei Imamura / Japan
My first Imamura and it was love at first sight. How the hell hadn’t I seen him before? It feels freeing from the general quiet/emotionally cold Japanese films that came out around the same time. The characters are invigorating and the film is truly an unforgettable human experience on what it was like to live in US-occupied Japan.
341. Mysterious Skin (2004)
Gregg Araki / USA / Netherlands
At its best, it is both disturbing and emotionally devastating. Seen it a couple of times and never escaped the ending without some emotional trauma. It hurts so good.
340. Roma (1972)
Federico Fellini / Italy / France
Felliniâs bizarre love letter to Rome, mixing absurdism with the magic of 70s arthouse Italy, including a whore house and a catholic fashion show. Made me want to catch a flight to Rome right after watching it.
339. Before Sunrise (1995)
Richard Linklater / USA / Austria / Switzerland
Typically the most beloved of the Before trilogy, as it is the most romantic. For that reason, it is my least favorite BUT it captures the electric chemistry between the two leads that led to an enchanting trilogy. One feels like a third wheel tagging along on their perfect first date.
338. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Quentin Tarantino / Germany / USA
Nazi slaughter in grand style. Tarantino’s most enjoyable exploitative film imo, nazis playing The Name Game is an aesthetic we all need in our life.
337. Rear Window (1954)
Alfred Hitchcock / USA
The cheap looking sets hurt the film, but the sharp dialogue and great characters elevate it. The film succeeds at instilling a claustrophobic dread, as well as the simple pleasures of voyeurism. Oh and Grace Kelly.
336. The Piano Teacher (2001)
Michael Haneke / France / Austria / Germany
Isabelle Huppertâs performance is an all-time greatest, as the masochist cougar obsessed with a younger pupil. Explores the darkness of sexual repression.
335. Children in the Wind (1937)
Hiroshi Shimizu / Japan
I adore Shimizu and itâs unfortunate that his (imo) best films are relatively unknown outside the cinephile community. It was a miracle to even find this, a really touching coming of age film about two brothers that get separated after their father is accused of stealing money from his company. Shimizu understood kids better than almost any other director ever has.
334. Vagabond (1985)
AgnĂšs Varda / France
Varda is perhaps the most rejoiced female director, and one would understand why after viewing Vagabond. Story of a young girl that hitchhikes form place to place, doing whatever she wants and refusing to take any responsibilities. Vardaâs perspective is what makes it such a stand out film. Has a bit of a Bressonian quality to it.
333. The Idiots (1998)
Lars von Trier / Denmark / France / Italy / Netherlands / Spain / Sweden
The second Dogma 95 film, part of a movement where no artificial lights or any type of effects and music were allowed. The Idiots is an explosive film depicting a group of adults pretending to be mentally handicapped for their own personal gratification. A zany film that pushed the boundaries of filmmaking.
332. The Miracle Worker (1962)
Arthur Penn / USA
A film depicting Helen Keller’s childhood in utter darkness. Patty Duke was such a talented young girl, and her ârevelationâ of awareness is an incredible moment. An exhausting, emotional and rewarding experience.
331. The Mourning Forest (2007)
Naomi Kawase / Japan
A meditative emotional catharsis. Kawase’s most delicate film yet, with topics of old age and loss. It follows the relationship between a young nurse overcome by grief, who decides to take an old patient with Alzheimer’s on a field trip. Eventually, they get lost in the forest and their journey of release unfolds.
330. The Lion King (1994)
Roger Allers / USA
Saw this in the theater around the age of 4 where I bawled my eyes out screaming. Then proceeded to rewatch the film for the rest of my childhood. Itâs a perfect blend of great characters, animation and songs. Canât wait to traumatize my kids with it some day.
329. Baraka (1992)
Ron Fricke / USA
Baraka is the ultimate of the travel-around-the-world non-narrative documentaries because itâs not just a feast to the eyes, but it genuinely is an enlightening experience. It shows beauty through all religions, and of all the wonders and miseries of the world.
328. Cabaret (1972)
Bob Fosse / USA
Singing Nazis, a bisexual love triangle and a star that is Liza Minnelli. Did I mention singing Nazis? Tomorrow belongs to me âȘâȘ
327. Welcome to the Dollhouse (1995)
Todd Solondz / USA
The story of a painfully awkward dork that is trapped in childhood hell. Uncomfortably funny 90s American cinema at its finest.
326. Norte, the End of History (2013)
Lav Diaz / Philippines
My introduction to Lav Diaz and wow. I gotta admit that i’m not sure if I liked that ending, but regardless the film surpassed all expectations. Some of the film’s suffering may be too much for some, but to me all the beautiful, quiet moments that we share with the characters make the rough parts all the worth it. These fictional people were better fleshed out than most people I know.
325. Confessions (2010)
Tetsuya Nakashima / Japan
Itâs rare these days that anything leaves me somewhat speechless and Confessions certainly does that. Did I like the film? Not particularly, but what an innovative modern revenge masterpiece. Cinematically stylish and thematically DARK. Not an easy film to swallow and thatâs ultimately what sold me on it.
324. The Ballad of Narayama (1983)
Shohei Imamura / Japan
The Ballad of Narayama is an unforgettable, grueling and often hilarious tale that follows the long forgotten villagers that lived up in the mountains in Japan. It shows the reality of what it was like to live, and more importantly die, in that life. Not as visually stunning as the â58 version, but its brutality makes it more memorable.
323. Shoeshine (1946)
Vittorio De Sica / Italy
The film that inspired Los Oldivados, and every other film about street kids. It shows how the justice system failed many children and indirectly turned them into juveniles in post-war Rome. An essential of the neorealist movement.
322. The Hours (2002)
Stephen Daldry / UK / USA
A profound lesbian drama following three different women from different times. The film opens up with one of them committing suicide so you’ll know what’s waiting in store. A+ for acting.
321. The Silence (1963)
Ingmar Bergman / Sweden
Sex and death. The last of Bergmanâs powerful faith trilogy is in some ways the most intense and possibly darkest. I love the entire trilogy, but The Silence affected me the least emotionally despite being the most visual. But overall itâs a Shining-esque psychological terror with dwarfs.
320. All About Eve (1950)
Joseph L. Mankiewicz / USA
âFasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy nightâ – One could say that Davis carried this film, but the entire cast is quite phenomenal even the Monroe cameo. Itâs a sharply tight script on the competitive and deceitful world of theater. Neither Swanson nor Davis winning the Oscar is⊠shocking.
319. The Lighthouse (2019)
Robert Eggers / USA / Canada
Eggers is already in the running to become my favorite modern horror movie director. The Lighthouse only has small elements of terror and gore, the rest is a stunning art film with phenomenal cinematography, great onscreen chemistry, repressed hormones and wtf-erie. It reminds me of what cinema can be and that arthouse is still alive and well.
318. A Scanner Darkly (2006)
Richard Linklater / USA
Paranoid schizophrenia: the animation. When filmmakers decide to take a bunch of acid while rotoscoping. Iâm all for experiencing Linklarter’s crazy mind that makes me question my own sanity. Definitely a stoner movie!
317. At Five in the Afternoon (2003)
Samira Makhmalbaf / Iran
It follows a young woman going back to school after the fall of the Taliban, interested in politics and with dreams of becoming a female president someday. There’s a lot of beauty to be found in this film. The cinematography is particularly impressive as well as the sensitivity focusing around the basic struggles of being a woman in a chauvinist environment.
316. The Flowers of St. Francis (1950)
Roberto Rossellini / Italy
Powerful film on faith and humility. Two standout scenes include St. Francis embracing a leper, and one where another monk is used as human jump rope by savages. Rossellini made great religious films that remained predominantly unbiased.
315. Trainspotting (1996)
Danny Boyle / UK
Now this is a buddy film! With junkies, toilets and dead babies. An exciting fast-paced 90s drug trip.
314. We the Animals (2018)
Jeremiah Zagar / USA
A super overlooked and beautiful coming of age story between three Hispanic brothers, and more importantly one coming to grips with his sexuality. With stunning cinematography and moments of hand-drawn animation. Hope this gem gets more recognition as time goes by~
313. Persepolis (2007)
Vincent Paronnaud / France / USA / Iran
The rise and fall of Iranian freedom to the Islamic fundamentalists seen through the eyes of a young girl. The film keeps it relatively PG but does not shy away from depicting what it was like to go through it. Informative and charming at the same time. A standout animation.
312. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick / UK / USA
âHeeeereâs Johnnyâ! Remember that fun little 80s horror in which a director mentally tortured a woman to make a movie! Fun stuff. Gotta love cinema and Kubrickâs filmmaking. Redrum redrum redrum!
311. Mr. Arkadin (1955)
Orson Welles / France / Spain / Switzerland
A completely schizophrenic film-watching experience where Welles was at his most inventive and insane. It was poorly received due to its chaotic and impossible narrative structure, but thatâs why I freaking love it. An unstoppable glorified train wreck.
310. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Denis Villeneuve / USA
A sequel I didnât know I needed, itâs rare for me to enjoy a futuristic sci-fi let alone a sequel over 30 years after the original. But it was a riveting ride full of surprising cameos. A thing of beauty, and like the original, criminally underrated. Canât wait for part three by the time iâm sixty.
309. The New Babylon (1929)
Grigori Kozintsev / Leonid Trauberg / Soviet Union
The most extravagant of the Soviet silents, itâs just sooo over the top, both in performances as well as cinematically. A dramatic viewing experience that is not for everyone, but I appreciate its tremendous energy and visual intensity. Vive la commune!
308. The Great Beauty (2013)
Paolo Sorrentino / Italy / France
This film made me want to go to an Italian dance club. One big celebration of life, art, cinema and being Italian. The closest thing to a modern-day Fellini.
307. Ashes and Snow (2005)
Gregory Colbert / Canada
This is more of a cinematic poem than an actual film. But wow is it a feast to the eyes and ears from start to finish. Based on the spiritual connection between humans and animals, starring dancing with whales, sleeping on elephants and posing with cheetahs. Save your money on a museum and watch this instead.
306. Woodstock (1970)
Michael Wadleigh / USA
If you love hippies and classic rock and the good life and the 60s and music festivals and good music and good fun then this is for you. Relive the one and only â69 Woodstock.
305. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (1945)
Elia Kazan / USA
Wow Kazam knows how to make a classic Hollywood drama and âA Tree Grows in Brooklynâ is perhaps my favorite of his that Iâve seen. Great cast, particularly the young actress Peggy Ann Garner (why havenât I seen her before?) brought the film to life and pulled on those heartstrings. Easily one of the best American films of the 40s.
304. Drowning by Numbers (1988)
Peter Greenaway / UK / Netherlands
Basically Greenawayâs most feminist film in which he depicts women who drown men in the most casual yet Greenaway way possible.
303. Strike (1925)
Sergei M. Eisenstein / Soviet Union
Eisensteinâs phenomenal debut shot in the same year as Battleship Potemkin. The cinematography and music flow like water, depicting what leads up to a violent strike. Couldâve done without the animal cruelty, but Eisenstein used it as part of its turbulent metaphors. A film that hugely influenced the famous Soviet montage.
302. Under the Skin (2013)
Jonathan Glazer / UK / USA / Switzerland
Misunderstood at the time of its release but has since garnered a large cult following. This is a quiet, existential film disguised as a horror and is worth revisiting multiple times.
301. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Stanley Kubrick / UK / USA
A sexy erotic thriller starring Cruis and Kidman. First saw this before I even knew who Kubrick was, and the eerie piano tune is what stuck with me the most! Great film to nicely bookend his filmography.
300. The White Ribbon (2009)
Michael Haneke / Germany
A dark, relentless and emotionally draining film. We feel trapped with the characters within the small German town where oppression and emotional abuse ruled. Unpleasant at its core but it does a meticulous job at conveying the emotions in a subtle yet highly effective way.
299. The Defiant Ones (1958)
Stanley Kramer / USA
A buddy romance starring two escaped prisoners, Poitier and Curtis who are chained together in a racially charged spectacle. Seriously ahead of its time and possibly my favorite on-screen romance between two straight men. Poitierâs best imo.
298. Ed Wood (1994)
Tim Burton / USA
My favorite Burton. Bless his soul for making a film about the unfairly maligned Ed Wood Jr. A tribute to the bad cinema we all secretly love and Depp is almost too adorable in it.
297. Marketa LazarovĂĄ (1967)
Frantisek VlĂĄcil / Czechoslovakia
VlĂĄcilâs most visually beautiful medieval hellhole. Something about the brutally and stench of the middle ages appeals to me, and thatâs something VlĂĄcil marveled at with LazarovĂĄ. One to watch alongside Andrei Rublev and Hard to Be A God. A+ for its hypnotic score.
296. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Lewis Milestone / USA
One of the first ever Oscar winners is hands down also one of the best. It typically starts as a patriotic American war flick that quickly becomes anything but. For 1930, something so anti-war seems almost unamerican and is highly effective.
295. 1900 (1976)
Bernardo Bertolucci / Italy / France / West Germany
At over 5 hours this feels like the Italian âGone With the Windâ, following the friendship between two men from childhood through fascist occupied Italy up until their old age. As per usual with Bertolucci, it is a highly sexual and dramatic epic. Just watch the Italian version, the English voice acting is absolutely rubbish.
294. Itâs Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
Don Hertzfeldt / USA
One that caught me by surprise, at first its a cleverly animated comedy that suddenly morphs into a horrifying film about schizophrenia. Be prepared to shed tears over a stick figure.
293. Vertigo (1958)
Alfred Hitchcock / USA
Hitchcockâs most visually polished film has all the qualities of an iconic cult classic. Rich colors and an interesting mystery, starring the wonderful Jimmy Stewart.
292. The Swimmer (1968)
Frank Perry / USA
Basically a film about Burt Lancaster swimming from pool to pool and interacting with all the people he comes across. A strange, nightmarish surreal event that makes pool water seem more appealing than it actually is.
291. There Will Be Blood (2007)
Paul Thomas Anderson / USA
I recognize this as an excellent movie that is heightened tremendously by its performances. But I never know what to say about it other than âI drink your milkshake!â.
290. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
Sergio Leone / Italy / West Germany / Spain / USA
The best of Leoneâs spaghetti trilogy. Everyone and their mother could recognize its epic soundtrack and poster. The voice acting is troublesome but the whole final act is quite spectacular as far as westerns go.
289. Dead Man (1995)
Jim Jarmusch / USA
Iâm still unfamiliar with Jarmusch but if the rest of his work is anything like Dead Man iâll dig it. A quirky little western starring Depp on the road to death, and the most lovable and unique Native Indian in a western ever by the name of âNobodyâ.
288. Demons (1971)
Toshio Matsumoto / Japan
Wow I was speechless by how relentlessly dark this film got without losing its dope artistic nature. The story plays off like a Greek tragedy, with some added gore and psychological torture. It was the right amount of everything dark.
287. Les Misérables (2012)
Tom Hooper / UK / USA / France
Perhaps one of my most controversial favorites, and I can comprehend why ugly crying while singing for nearly 3 hours is not for EVERYONE. BUT IT SO IS FOR ME LOL! I watched this about 4 times in the cinema and played the CD on my roadtrips. The songs and story just resonate with me (Empty Chairs at Empty Tables <3) and refuse to apologize for all the tears iâve shed! I LOVE PAIN!
286. Being John Malkovich (1999)
Spike Jonze / USA
Jonze is often more of a miss than a hit for me but this film is a unique portal into the mind of John Malkovich. A bizarre concept that somehow works and only gets crazier as it goes along.
285. The Last Picture Show (1971)
Peter Bogdanovich / USA
Poignant small-town American nostalgia. A great essay on what life in a dying American town was like and its effect on the youth and the old.
284. Death by Hanging (1968)
Nagisa Ăshima / Japan
A critique on the death penalty and imperialism, following a Korean man in Japan, accused of rape and murder undergoing the most unusual and surreal trial involving role-playing and amnesia. A darkly comedic viewing experience.
283. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
Quentin Tarantino / USA
My favorite Tarantino in style and story, only slightly outshined by vol II. The animated sequence of O-Renâs childhood is a thing of beauty.
282. Fantasia (1940)
Norman Ferguson / James Algar / Samuel Armstrong / Ford Beebe Jr. / Jim Handley / T. Hee / Wilfred Jackson / Hamilton Luske / Bill Roberts / Paul Satterfield / Ben Sharpsteen / USA
The film that got me to fall in love with classical music. A timeless animation with several episodes, each unique from dancing hippos to flying horses to the devil himself. Each purely told through classical music. One that all parents should watch with their kids.
281. Oldboy (2003)
Yimou Zhang / South Korea
The best of the Vengeance Trilogy. Beyond random little revenge tale with enough violence, irony and tragedy to keep everyone happy. The stranger the better I say.
280. Girlhood (2014)
CĂ©line Sciamma / France
Woah! Câest magnifique! Le cinema! Girlhood represents a demography not often depicted, certainly not like this. The music and dancing, between the fights and the angst gave a voice to these girls failed by the system. Powerful film and how ironic that it came out the same year as Boyhood.
279. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Nicholas Ray / USA
YOUâRE TEARING ME APART LISA! The classically cursed film that doomed its three leads to die horrible deaths and low-key inspired the legendary Tommy Wissau. Bless it and its over the top cheesy greatness. A cult classic to behold!
278. Post Tenebras Lux (2012)
Carlos Reygadas / Mexico / France / Netherlands
This film is like looking through the eyes of god. A world where evil and purity exist hand in hand. A meditative experience that is worth reflecting upon deeper.
277. Johnny Got His Gun (1971)
Dalton Trumbo / USA
A story of a fate worse than death. Also worth watching Metallicaâs âOneâ, one of the greatest songs ever. War is hell, kids.
276. Die Nibelungen: Siegfried (1924)
Fritz Lang / Weimar Republic
Transcending early silent cinema. First part of Langâs cinematic epic based on the German folktale, in part one you witness Siegfriedâs rise and fall. Insane that this was shot over 90 years ago and still looks so freakinâ incredible.
275. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Andrew Dominik / USA
The most artsy fartsy western iâve ever seen, and loved every vignette and silhouette there was to see. Casey Affleck made a perfect Robert Ford.
274. Fish Tank (2009)
Andrea Arnold / UK
Fish Tank captures the beauty of teen angst, about a young dancer that becomes obsessed with her momâs hot new boyfriend, played by Fassbender. Captured by the eyes of the talented Andrea Arnold. Truly a stand out full of life and emotional bewilderment.
273. SalĂČ, or the 120 Days of Sodom (1975)
Pier Paolo Pasolini / Italy / France
What can be said about SalĂČ? First saw it as a 14 year old and could not figure out whether I was disgusted or (somewhat) aroused by what I was witnessing, but I for sure would never forget it. Pasolini was a bold director that may or may not have been assassinated because of this film, in which he exposes a truly dark side of humanity. Absolutely essential cinema.
272. Profound Desires of the Gods (1968)
ShĆhei Imamura / Japan
A giant of a story set in a peasant/superstitious island in the late 60s that is being forced into modernization. There’s a lot going on, with a never-ending range of emotions. Some tragic, others hilarious. A film to experience.
271. Elevator to the Gallows (1958)
Louis Malle / France
The 400 Blows and Breathless are often cited as first/best of the French New Wave, but we shouldnât forget that Mallesâ Noirish masterpiece came before them. A crime story at first glance, doused in originality, sensuality and French-legend Jeanne Moreau.
270. Before Sunset (2004)
Richard Linklater / USA
Hawke and Delpy reunite nine years after Before Sunrise and somehow manage to have an even stronger spark than the first go. The script is a little sharper, funnier and more mature. Having us wait for another 9 years after this brief reunion was simply cruel.
269. Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott / USA
Nothing quite like this retro 80s sci-fi, visionary beyond belief with a great story and atmosphere that spawned an equally strong sequel 35 years later. It literally invented crying in the rain.
268. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Jim Sharman / UK / USA
First caught this on tv when I was a kid and thought it was a dirty movie, but it was just a bunch of men and women dressed in kinky clothing and singing rock and roll music! The cult musical you’ve been looking for all your life.
267. Let the Right One In (2008)
Tomas Alfredson / Sweden
A poignant relationship between two âchildrenâ except that one is a vampire. Captures the freezing cold and loneliness of the winter in Stockholm.
266. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Wes Anderson / USA
The average Anderson film tends to leave me in indifference. But the charming Mr. Fox on the other hand is simply delightful, with beautiful animation, a sharp script and a great cast of characters. One of the finest modern American animations.
265. Song to Song (2017)
Terrence Malick / USA
This might seem like a high placement but in my heart, it still feels far too low! Song to Song is similar to Malickâs previous works, comparing love and relationships to the flow of song. Mesmerizing its audience with some of cinemaâs most stunning images, that tenderly take one on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Malickâs cinematic language is not for everyone, but I can easily lose myself in it any time of the day. Itâs nice to see film fanatics that appreciate Malickâs later work as much as I do.
264. No Regrets for Our Youth (1946)
Akira Kurosawa / Japan
One of Kurosawaâs most important, yet least celebrated. And arguably Setsulko Haraâs greatest performance as a vigorous young woman who chooses to live the life she wants regardless of what it may throw at her. The entirety of the film was a literal slap in the face as a reminder that we should not be fearful of taking risks, rather than continuously pursuing the safe route. Sometimes we must dirty our hands to experience what living truly means.
263. Amadeus (1984)
Milos Forman / USA
Raise your glass if you love Wolfgang Amadeus and his dorky high pitched laughter. The music is a feast to the ears.
262. Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Yimou Zhang / China / Hong Kong / Taiwan
A film about the oppression of women through polygamy in 1920s China, mainly focusing on the quarreling between four wives when a new one is added to the fold. A historically and cinematically important film that gave a new life to the cinema of China.
261. LĂ©on: The Professional (1994)
Luc Besson / France
âThis is for Matilda..â another childhood favorite that left a serious impact on four-year old me during the slaughter of little Portmanâs family. One of the best action films, that is heightened by the friendship between an introverted assassin and a little girl. Also love Alt-Jâs tribute song to this film.
260. LâAvventura (1960)
Michelangelo Antonioni / Italy
During a lovely Italian Holliday one woman goes missing, causing her friend to go through an existential crisis and begin an affair with the friendâs husband. Classic Antonioni and classic Italian cinema. Suffer thy beautiful Italians.
259. Bellissima (1951)
Luchino Visconti / Italy
Bella bellissssima stars the irresistible Anna Magnani as the ambitious mother forcing her basic daughter into becoming a child prodigy, and unknowingly causing her child great distress. Despite the simple plot thereâs nothing quite like this? A film with 50s Italian child star problems, explosive performances and a love for cinema.
258. Bambi (1942)
James Algar / Samuel Armstrong / David Hand / Graham Heid / Bill Roberts / Paul Satterfield / Norman Wright / USA
A starter kit for child therapy. Still remember my experience as a two year old watching Bambiâs mother being shot. The animation is really quite exceptional, as are all the cute animals falling in love and then dying in a fire.
257. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Stanley Kubrick / UK / USA
A war tale of two stories; first half the psychologically draining military training, and then the loss of humanity in the midst of the Vietnam war. Kubrick did a few films on wars and this was his best.
256. The Color Purple (1985)
Steven Spielberg / USA
Plays with all of my damn emotions. Everyone in the cast brought their A-game, rarely have I ever wanted someone to succeed more than Whoopiâs character but what a crushing journey it was. But also hopeful, and lovely and at times with the added Spielberg cheese. It was robbed by the racist Oscars.
255. Love (2015)
Gaspar Noé / France / Belgium
Pornographic art. Love is an incredibly underrated film about love, the complexity of relationships, unfaithfulness, jealousy, passion, sexual liberation. Thereâs so much going on in this film, including ayahuasca and fatherhood. Some critics simply shunned it for the explicit sexual content but thereâs a great deal more to it than that.
254. Throne of Blood (1957)
Akira Kurosawa / Japan
Kurosawa masters Shakespeareâs Macbeth. A beautiful epic with Samurais, vengeful spirits, witches, betrayal, insanity and death by arrows.
253. Still Walking (2008)
Hirokazu Koreeda / Japan
A modern-day Tokyo Story that deals with all the same topics of inter-family dynamics, old age, holding on to your parents, dead siblings etc and captures a similar magic. A profound film that reminds us not to take our parents for granted while theyâre still with us.
252. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
Sergio Leone / USA / Italy
The Godfather but as a dreamy, magical Italian crime/love epic. Easily my favorite gangster flick because of its lavishing atmosphere and childhood sequences.
251. Mother (2009)
Joon-ho Bong / South Korea
A South Korean crime-suspense family drama about a mother willing to do anything to protect her son, and naturally things get a bit out of hand in a very Hitchcockian manner. âMotherâ hooked me right away with its opening sequence and Kim Hye-ja’s superb performance.
250. Stromboli (1950)
Roberto Rossellini / Italy
I did not connect with the rest of the Rossellini/Ingrid Bergman collaborations, but Stromboli hit all my cinephile spots with the neorealism/postwar/trapped feminist vibes and the unforgettable tuna finishing scene. Possibly the most dynamic Bergman performance too, the entire volcano sequence? Brilliant.
249. How Tasty Was My Little Frenchman (1971)
Nelson Pereira dos Santos / Brazil
A delightful and romantic little cannibal film. I’m also a strong supporter of nudity in film, and the entire cast is practically naked throughout the entire duration. The story is about the historical Tupinambas cannibal tribe and their captured French soldier who is soon about to be their meal. The film feels authentic and super casual about eating delicious human flesh.
248. Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)
Ingmar Bergman / Sweden
If The Virgin Spring is Bergmanâs darkest, Smiles of a Summer Night is his most cynically comical and overall most entertaining. The blunt upper class humor and excellent set of characters made it Bergmanâs first big international success. So much sexual tension from everyone for everyone throughout the entire thing.
247. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Quentin Tarantino / USA
While perhaps not as visually accomplished as Vol 1, it contains the epic fight sequence between the Bride vs Elle, as well as the emotional reunion of the Bride finally facing Bill. Let alone the amazing end credits with the song âMalagueña Salerosaâ <3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BybcP7o6qs
246. Lost Highway (1997)
David Lynch / France / USA
Gothic Lynch that makes me want to pull out all my Nine Inch Nails CDs. Plus two Patricia Arquettes for the price of one!
245. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Tobe Hooper / USA
The most terrifying American horror film. Despite not being as gory as its remakes and sequels, and much of modern day horror films. The deaths all seem too real and leave a disturbing and lasting impact. Angry Leatherface against the backdrop of a sunset is a beautiful thing.
244. Onibaba (1964)
Kaneto ShindĂŽ / Japan
Onibabaâs literal translation is Demon Hag. It transcends the horror genre, set in medieval Japan about two women who survive by killing injured/lost Samurais and stealing their valuables. Until they come across one with a demonic mask. A dark, carnal beauty that is all about poetic justice and karma being a witch.
243. Good Morning (1959)
YasujirĂŽ Ozu / Japan
Ozuâs lightest, most comical and charming film on childhood. Reminiscing his silent âI Was Born, ButâŠâ only this time with color, fart jokes and television. The plot is very simple, about two boys who refuse to speak to their parents unless they buy them a tv, and another boy that continuously craps his pants. Charming with the right amount of silly.
242. The Skin I Live In (2011)
Pedro AlmodĂłvar / Spain
Iâm not big on Almodovar or films heavily relying on a big plot twist, but holy crap did this one catch me by surprise. Itâs beyond messed up but in a *chef kiss* type of way.
241. Two English Girls (1971)
François Truffaut / France
Jules and Jim reversed, this time about two sisters in love with Jean-Pierre LĂ©aud. A delightfully experimental Victorian love triangle done as a late French New-Wave. Plays as a Truffaut love letter to himself. Who does the same thing twice and succeeds?
240. The Man of the Sea (1920)
Marcel LâHerbier / France
A somewhat forgotten expressionist masterpiece and the oldest film that iâd rank among favorites. LâHerbier mastered the visual aspect of visceral filmmaking before anyone else, and yet his work is overlooked. The main character is despicable and gets you riled up. Also it contains the most beautiful use of color tinting that iâve ever seen.
239. Cold War (2018)
PaweĆ Pawlikowski / Poland / France / UK
Saw this right after rewatching Muranu’s Sunrise and there were moments where I forgot that I was watching a different film. Cold War is a classical tragedy filmed in modern times. The combination with its sensual score and brilliant performances made this an instant classic.
238. Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)
Werner Herzog / West Germany
Herzogâs Nosferatu is a homage to the original but with an added bonus of Gothic beauty in full display. Itâs eerie, sexy and visually perhaps the most remarkable yet simplistic vampire film ever made.
237. The Graduate (1967)
Mike Nichols / USA
“Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me!” A Hollywood comedy with a most perfect soundtrack. Itâs ridiculous and silly in all the right ways, which solidifies Dustin Hoffman as a legend.
236. The Bridge (1959)
Bernhard Wicki / West Germany
Based on a true story where a troop of eager but wholly unprepared young German boys is unnecessarily thrown to their demise right before the end of war. One that depicts the easily manipulated minds of the youth under the Nazi regime, and similarly to Das Boot, shows the commonly unrepresented side of the horror. War is hell x 1000.
235. L’Enfant (2005)
Jean-Pierre Dardenne / Luc Dardenne / Belgium
Lâenfant follows a young couple with a newborn child. When the opportunity appears to make money through the selling of the child, Renier takes it and chaos ensues. The Dardenne brothers manage to snatch my wig consistently with their emotional terrorism and raw portrayal of human behavior.
234. Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee / USA
Spike Lee is mostly known for making films that are confrontational and aggressive, showing some of humanityâs worst in order to make a point and he certainly nailed it with Do The Right Thing. Not only is it artistically bae, with its lush colors and sharp cinematography, but he got his point across that nothing good comes from hatred and prejudice.
233. Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Kenneth Lonergan / USA
There are three moments in this film where I felt my heart shatter, and that is an impressive amount of times. Casey is just a phenomenal actor but everyone brought their A+ game. Thanks for the memories of me crying in a cold theater.
232. Summer with Monika (1953)
Ingmar Bergman / Sweden
Summer with Monika is the first exceptional film by Bergman starring the gorgeous Harriet Andersson as the fun-loving, sexually liberated belle. Lighter and more sensual than the average Bergman, following a young couple in Stockholm whose lives are affected by pesky grown up problems. More of a grounded story and thus easy to get into for people unfamiliar with his heavier work.
231. The Revenant (2015)
Alejandro Gonzålez Iñårritu / USA
A never-ending tale of survival and revenge, the one that finally earned DiCaprio an Oscar thanks to that CGI bear. For me it was all about the intense ride, just non-stop shit going wrong. Plus Emmanuel Lubezki is my personal cinematic Jesus.
230. Badlands (1973)
Terrence Malick / USA
Debut of my favorite living director. Malickâs simplest and most accessible film about two outlaws on the run reflecting much of the revolting youth of 70s America. Chemistry between the two leads was fab. Plays out like a typical high school love story, except this time Carrie and Clyde have guns and shoot people for fun.
229. HĂ€xan (1922)
Benjamin Christensen / Sweden / Denmark
A fascinating look into superstition and the ignorant minds of the past. A non-satirical take on witchcraft from nearly a 100 years ago full of wonderful demonic images of Satan possessing innocent women.
228. The Devils (1971)
Ken Russell / UK
Sex crazed masturbating nuns, exposing the corrupt catholic church, 17th century torture devices, and unjust burning at the stake; these are a few of my favorite things.
227. In the Mood for Love (2000)
Wong Kar-wai / Hong Kong
After an overly stylized 90s phase, Wong steps back and focuses on the simple beauty of love, loneliness and desire. The most accomplished and tragically romantic film heâs ever done.
226. The Third Part of the Night (1971)
Andrzej Ć»uĆawski / Poland
70s Ć»uĆawski is some of the most intense and original work ever made, period. His films are both the best and worst to watch high as theyâre freakishly nightmarish and weird, but also maddeningly exciting. Plot of this film? Not even sure, but whatever it was it sure brought me to wonderful, terrifying places.
225. Mommy (2014)
Xavier Dolan / Canada
Witness Xavier nailing the aspect ratios! An intense ride into the life of an aggressive hyperactive teen and his struggling single mother. Pretty sure iâve rewatched the imaginary wedding and final scene a hundred times. The soundtrack could not be any more Xavier Dolan if it tried.
224. Ivan the Terrible, Part I (1944)
Sergei M. Eisenstein / Soviet Union
Eisenstein on Russiaâs infamous Tsar, Ivan the Terrible. Starring the masterful, thoroughly creepy Nikolai Cherkasov and his devilish beard. Along with the deep shadows, it captures the world of a tortured Tsar who initially has good intentions but through circumstance becomes a cold-blooded murderer. Eisenstein focused more on composition than dialogue which created a strange, dream-like visual experience that has hardly been topped.
223. The Hole (1998)
Ming-liang Tsai / Taiwan
Tsai loves filming Taiwanese men in tighty whites and thatâs a fact. But he also likes random elevator musical numbers and sad lonely people in claustrophobic decaying places. The Hole is about an apocalyptic Taiwan where two people’s sole connection to one another is through a hole in their roof/floor.
222. Isle of Dogs (2018)
Wes Anderson / USA
Anderson once again captures the magic and art of stop motion animation. And while there are a ton of films about dogs, i’ve yet to see one that portrayed the unbreakable bond between human and dog better than this one and it made me immediately want to get a dog. Minus half a star for the typical portrayal of cats (I’m a cat person).
221. Rodrigo D: No Future (1990)
VĂctor Gaviria / Colombia
Inspired by Umberto D but with Colombian punkers. The first Colombian film to be submitted into the Cannes Film Festival and receive international acclaim. Both a fascinating look at punk rock as well as survival on the streets of Medellin. Most cast members were from the street and several of them died during the production of the film. One that hits close to my heart and is special to me in a very deep way.
220. Germany Year Zero (1948)
Roberto Rossellini / Italy
Last of Rosselliniâs War trilogy, this time following a young German boy among the rubbles of a German-occupied Rome. Neorealism at its most effective and filmmaking that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. A film like this could never be recreated the same and that is why it is so precious. The despair of loss of young life was partially inspired by Rossellini losing his own son two years earlier.
219. The Red Turtle (2016)
Michaël Dudok de Wit / France / Belgium / Japan
A near-silent animation providing much of the delicate beauty animation can bring. Simply thinking about it makes me long to a life on an island with my red turtle.
218. Faces Places (2017)
AgnĂšs Varda / JR / France
My first Varda documentary and the most iâve been impressed by her. It carries an endless charm and shows the grand spirit that resides in that tiny Varda package. JR is also very likable, and together they make a wondrous pair of artists. Damn that Godard.
217. Landscape in the Mist (1988)
Theodoros Angelopoulos / Greece / France / Italy
Angelopoulos is depressing yet distant, raw but artistic, and tragic yet peaceful. Landscape was my introduction to him and it left me thoroughly impacted by the experience. His films are segments and moments of the characterâs journey, and in this film it follows two children in the search for their father knowingly that they may never find him.
216. The Long Day Closes (1992)
Terence Davies / UK
A long beautiful contemplative musical number relating to childhood and sexual awakening. Nostalgia never felt more simple, dreamy, sweet and confusing.
215. Once (2007)
John Carney / Ireland
Fall in love and have your heart broken all over again! Sing while crying to every song! EVEN better than Les Misérables!
214. Good Time (2017)
Ben Safdie / Josh Safdie / USA
More like Bad Times am i rite? A series of never ending bad decisions that only keep intensifying as they progress. Didnât even realize the Safdie brothers were in it until after the fact, and got mad respect for them as filmmakers AND actors. The film was on FIRE and causing visually inducing anxiety is its biggest strength.
213. Blow Out (1981)
Brian De Palma / USA
The intro and ending are perfection, everything else in-between is pretty solid also. One of the most entertaining crime-mysteries and De Palmaâs best directorial work.
212. The Cremator (1969)
Juraj Herz / Czechoslovakia
The Cremator is weird, creepy, oddly entertaining and a genuinely unique little film about a cremator during a Nazi-occupied Prague whose murderous impulses get a bit out of hand. A close look at what deranged evil might be like, and itâs very exciting to say the least.
211. Farewell My Concubine (1993)
Kaige Chen / China
Leave it to Leslie Cheung for stealing and breaking our hearts in this piece on Chinese opera and the cultural revolution of China. It remains the only Chinese film to win the Palme dâOr.
210. The Celebration (1998)
Thomas Vinterberg / Denmark
First and best of the Dogma 95 movement. Shot with a Sony DCR-PC3, once you get past its initially ugly look youâll get involved with a never ending explosion of characters airing out their dirty laundry at their fatherâs 60th birthday. An exhausting but brutal experience that for a moment makes you feel pretty good about your own family.
209. Land and Shade (2015)
CĂ©sar Augusto Acevedo / Colombia / France / Netherlands / Chile / Brazil
Released in the same year as âEmbrace of the Serpentâ which is probably why it didnât get more buzz, but artistically I may prefer this one over it. Itâs a simple story, and a sad one too. But the world and characters are so rich you can for a brief moment experience their life, perhaps more than in any other film from Colombia. It also serves some serious Tarkovsky teas.
208. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
John Ford / USA
âA fellow ain’t got a soul of his own, just a little piece of a big soul, the one big soul that belongs to everybodyâ – My cinephile heart generally disagrees with Ford, however Grapes of Wrath is a huge exception. A historical film based on the great depressionâs best-selling book at the time of glamorous Hollywood. Real, raw and poignant.
207. Dogtooth (2009)
Giorgos Lanthimos / Greece
Lovely bizarre dark comedy that is easily one of the strangest films iâve ever watched. Basically on how not to parent 101. Also I love Greece.
206. Spirited Away (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki / Japan
Miyazakiâs most treasured animation. A beautiful, enchanting, very odd experience. No-face is the best creepy bulimic stalker spirit in anime history!
205. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Michel Gondry / USA
Winslet is the perfect manic pixie girl and a serious Jim Carey proved to be surprisingly great. A fun little film about lobotomizing the memories of your doomed relationship. The subconscious mind can be a cheeky bastard and love is grand.
204. Winter Light (1963)
Ingmar Bergman / Sweden
Religion was a common factor in Bergmanâs work, but in none more stronger than Winterâs Light, as it focused on a Pastorâs struggle with his deteriorating faith. Perhaps Bergmanâs most personal of the faith trilogy focusing more on humanityâs incapacity to believe rather than god itself.
203. Life, and Nothing More… (1992)
Abbas Kiarostami / Iran
The supposed director of “Where Is the Friend’s Home?” and his son go looking for the child actor who starred in the film after an earthquake rampaged his city, but instead meets with victims along the way. This film is like a slice of life, everything is so real that you forget a director staged certain events. Fascinating and original work. Best of the trilogy!
202. Eraserhead (1977)
David Lynch / USA
KILL IT WITH FIRE!! Iâve seen a handful of messed up films in my life but few made me feel as uneasy as Eraserhead. David Lynch mustâve gone through some heavy shit to come up with this. Put it in the background while asleep and youâre guaranteed to have memorable dreams.
201. Wings of Desire (1987)
Wim Wenders / West Germany / France
Whenever I read the title of this film the song âFreed from Desireâ immediately comes to mind. Anyways, great film about our guardian angels and the desire to feel love in Germany. About understanding what itâs like to be human and about listening to our innermost thoughts. An extremely unique film.