Top 100 of all time - #16-20

Working quickly down the list, here are the next 5 films as we inch closer and closer to number 1. Of all time. Ever.




#20 - The Dark Knight, 2008.

Chris Nolan hit the mark with this one. With the mindblowing casting and performance of what will certainly go down as one of the eeriest form of life imitating art by a villain in cinema history, Heath Ledger owned 2008. Posthumously awarded the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and rightly so, The Dark Knight did so much more than just showcase the greatest superhero bad guy ever; it changed the way that the Oscars are conducted. 2008 was the last year of 5 Best Picture candidates, and the whispers and behind-the-scenes chatter was that The Dark Knight was snubbed. There' simply no room for blockbuster action films when there are only 5 nominees, even if, in TDK's case, it is deserved. This film gave me one of those feelings that can truly only be felt upon first viewing in an IMAX theatre. Probably the most worthwhile admission price I've ever paid. Also, this film is the best sequel-in-a-trilogy of all time. Better than The Godfather, Alien, Terminator, or Star Wars (or Blade if you ask Jimmy N). And those 2nd films were all significantly better than the originals (except the Godfather).

#19 - Fargo, 1996.

When I was 18, I didn't truly appreciate the Coen Brothers and their unique film making style. In retrospect, Fargo was a work of genius. Frances McDormand and William H. Macy give performances of their respective careers and the story is dark, and not for everyone, but the Coen brothers have steadily proven to be among my favorites, and they are getting the critical acclaim that they deserve. I always look forward to their work. Their next directorial piece stars Justin Timberlake and Carey Mulligan, so I don't know exactly how I feel about that one yet. Fargo though, is a modern classic.

#18 - Citizen Kane, 1941.

Often synonymous with the top of the "best of all time" lists, I find Citizen Kane to be great, and absolutely superior for a film made in 1941, but I don't find it to have the same effect that 17 other films do. Orson Welles is a bit of an enigma in the film world, achieving massive success in his third film of an illustrious career with almost 120 acting roles, and over 40 written works and directorial credits. The kind of success he achieved in 1941 was the apex of his career that would last for almost 40 more years. Unfortunately, he was the voice of Unicron in Transformers the movie just before his death. What a way to go. Anyhow, Citizen Kane is prophetic in many ways about capitalism and corporate greed, and that one little word echoes long after you watch the film. "Rosebud..." The end is both a letdown and a punch in the gut. Oh, and the Best Picture winner that year? How Green Was My Valley. Oh how the academy regrets that.

#17 - Casablanca, 1942.

For some reason, I just can't separate Citizen Kane from Casablanca. There is something about the pair of films that ties them together. Maybe it's the whimsical magic of their stories or the legacy of their critical success. Either way, Casablanca used to be number 2 on the AFI list, but has fallen in subsequent publications. Containing many of the most quoted lines in cinema, and an unrequited love story involving exotic locales and Nazis. Great story. Definitely Bogart's best, no offense to the African Queen. Winner of the standard trifecta of Picture, Director, and Writer, it is a classic love story with only one making a stronger case in history (see #13).

#16 - American Beauty, 1999.

Kevin Spacey's Lester Burnham was as interesting a character as you could find during the years surrounding American Beauty, and Annette Benning as Lester's wife Carolyn was the perfect complement to their dysfunctional household. Sam Mendes is a rock star of a director, having really hit the mark in 4 of his 5 films to date, and he's going to bring James Bond to a new level in this November's Skyfall. American Beauty asked us to look closer, but what we found was a reflection of the typical American family and the problems that they hide away from plain view despite cheery outward appearances. Non-conformist conclusion, and some very uncomfortable themes, but effective and delicately executed.

Almost to the top 10 folks, can you guess what films remain? I'd love to hear your comments. You can anonymously (or not) post to the blog, or share your thoughts on my Facebook.