Top 100 of all time - # 91-95

Moving on with the list, our next film is a classic thriller by John Frankenheimer, starring Frank Sinatra in his acting prime.

#95 - The Manchurian Candidate, 1962.


Sinatra sizzles and Angela Landsbury is absolutely frightening in this psychological thriller about a former Korean war POW caught up in brainwashing and politics. Timely in its political aggressiveness, we are trapped in a nightmare and as the tension builds, we wonder if Sinatra's Bennet Marco will figure things out in time. The 2004 remake with Denzel Washington updated to the Persian Gulf, and was much grittier and violent, but Jeffrey Wright was fantastic. See the original first.

#94 - The Hurt Locker, 2008.

The Best Picture winner of 2008 also introduced us to Jeremy Renner as an A-list star. A ticking time-bomb of tension, we follow a bomb disposal squad through the streets of Iraq led by a cavalier man who may or may not have a death wish. It's powerful and austere, and Kathryn Bigelow becomes the first female Best Director, beating her ex-husband, James Cameron.

#93 - Road to Perdition, 2002.

Sam Mendes puts together an exceptional cast in this stylish film noir adaptation of a graphic novel about a mob enforcer who is put in danger after his son witnesses a hit. Tom Hanks steps out of his typical affable character to play Michael Sullivan, a loyal and devoted company man, and Paul Newman plays the boss in his final feature film role.

#92 - The Avengers, 2012.

The culmination of the Marvel Superhero universe is a fun and action filled ride. Joss Whedon handles the behemoth with style and savvy professionalism. Already climbing the all-time box office list, it is superhero fun to the extreme. They finally got the Hulk right, and Robert Downey Jr. is just plain fun to watch.

#91 - Dead Poet's Society, 1989.

Coming on the heels of Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poet's Society introduced us to the kinder and gentler Robin Williams. The story takes us back to the 50's to a stuffy East Coast prep school where he inspires his boys to question conformity and follow their dreams. It's a great coming of age story and Williams is the glue that holds it together.