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100 Greatest Films 2010-2019 Part 1

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100. The Hateful Eight (2015) Dir. Quentin Tarantino, 176 mins.

Set some years after the American Civil War, the film follows eight travellers who seek refuge from a blizzard in a stagecoach stopover but are greeted by four strangers and realise that they may not reach their destination of Red Rock, Wyoming. Due to some uneven parts it’s perhaps a lesser work from Tarantino, but there is still much to admire about its aesthetic and narrative.


99. Arrival (2016) Dir. Denis Villeneuve, 116 mins.

There were few doubts that Villeneuve was the right man to helm the sequel to Blade Runner thanks to the success of his previous sci-fi effort. Some may find Arrival slow and lacking in action but others will find it intelligent, sophisticated and by the end emotionally affecting. Amy Adams delivers maybe her best performance yet as the linguist trying to communicate with aliens. Watch


98. Black Swan (2010) Dir. Darren Aronofsky, 103 mins.

Psychological horror film that revolves around a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake by a prestigious New York City ballet company. Natalie Portman plays the ballerina who is consumed by a love of dance but loses her grip on reality when she faces competition for the main part from a new arrival. Overly melodramatic but gripping none the less, Black Swan is a technical marvel and has some wonderful performances. Watch


97. The Master (2012) Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson, 144 mins.

It tells the story of Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix), a World War II veteran struggling to adjust to a post-war society, who meets Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a leader of a religious movement known as “The Cause”. Dodd sees something in Quell and accepts him into the movement. Freddie takes a liking to “The Cause” and begins travelling with Dodd along the East Coast to spread the teachings. Some terrific performances from the two leads but it’s arguable that the end of the film doesn’t match up to the fascinating build up.


96. Mustang (2015) Dir. Deniz Gamze Ergüven, 97 mins.

The film is set in a remote Turkish village and depicts the lives of five young orphaned sisters and challenges they face growing up as girls in a conservative society.


95. Mysteries of Lisbon (2010) Dir. Raúl Ruiz, 272 mins.

It follows a jealous countess, a wealthy businessman, and a young orphaned boy across Portugal, France, Italy and Brazil where they connect with a variety of mysterious individuals.


94. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) Dir. Joel & Ethan Coen, 105 mins.

Set in 1961, the film follows one week in the life of Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac in his breakthrough role), a folk singer struggling to achieve musical success while keeping his life in order.


93. The Wind Rises (2013) Dir. Hayao Miyazaki, 126 mins.

The Wind Rises is a fictionalised biopic of Jiro Horikoshi (1903–1982), designer of the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft and its successor, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero, used by the Empire of Japan during World War II. Buy


92. Manchester by the Sea (2016) Dir. Kenneth Lonergan, 135 mins.

The film’s plot follows a man’s relationship with his teenage nephew as he cares for him after his brother, the boy’s father, dies.


91. La La Land (2016) Dir. Damien Chazelle, 128 mins.

Famously losing out to Moonlight for the Best Picture Oscar, La La Land stars Ryan Gosling as a jazz pianist and Emma Stone as an aspiring actress, who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles while pursuing their dreams. Watch


90. The Social Network (2010) Dir. David Fincher, 120 mins.

Adapted from Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal, the film portrays the founding of social networking website Facebook and the resulting lawsuits.


89. The Artist (2011) Dir. Michel Hazanavicius, 100 mins.

The story takes place in Hollywood, between 1927 and 1932, and focuses on the relationship of an older silent film star and a rising young actress as silent cinema falls out of fashion and is replaced by the “talkies”.


88. A Hidden Life (2019) Dir. Terrence Malick, 174 mins.

The film depicts the life of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer and devout Catholic who refused to fight for the Nazis in World War II.


87. The Favourite (2018) Dir. Yorgos Lanthimos, 120 mins.

Set in the early 18th century, the story examines the relationship between two cousins vying to be court favourites of British monarch, Queen Anne.


86. Joker (2019) Dir. Todd Phillips, 122 mins.

The film, based on DC Comics characters, stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and provides an alternative origin story for the character. Set in 1981, it follows Arthur Fleck, a failed clown and stand-up comedian whose descent into insanity and nihilism inspires a violent counter-cultural revolution against the wealthy in a decaying Gotham City.


85. The King’s Speech (2010) Dir. Tom Hooper, 118 mins.

Colin Firth plays the future King George VI who, to cope with a stammer, sees Lionel Logue, an Australian speech and language therapist played by Geoffrey Rush. The men become friends as they work together, and after his brother abdicates the throne, the new king relies on Logue to help him make his first wartime radio broadcast on Britain’s declaration of war on Germany in 1939. Watch


84. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019) Dir. Quentin Tarantino, 161 mins.

Set in 1969 Los Angeles, the film follows a fading character actor and his stunt double as they navigate the rapidly changing film industry, with the looming threat of the Tate-LaBianca Murders hanging overhead.


83. 13 Assassins (2010) Dir. Takashi Miike, 126 mins.

Loosely based on historical events, the film is set in 1844 toward the end of the medieval Edo period. In the story, a group of thirteen assassins, composed of twelve samurai and a hunter, secretly plot to assassinate the savage leader of the Akashi clan, Lord Matsudaira Naritsugu, before his appointment to the powerful Shogunate Council.


82. Before Midnight (2013) Dir. Richard Linklater, 108 mins.

Co-written by Linklater and lead actors Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, the film is the third of the director’s trilogy featuring their two characters. It picks up the story nine years after the events of the second film Before Sunset, where Jesse (Hawke) and Céline (Delpy) spend a summer vacation together in Greece.

81. The Dark Knight Rises (2012) Dir. Christopher Nolan, 164 mins.

Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, merciless revolutionary Bane (Tom Hardy) forces an older Bruce Wayne to resume his role as Batman and save Gotham City from nuclear destruction. A disappointingly uneven effort when compared with the heights reached in the previous film, but there’s still some great action and compelling performances.

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The Pendragon Society’s 1000 Greatest Films (2019) 880-861

Introduction

880. Embrace of the Serpent (2015) Dir. Ciro Guerra, 125 mins.

Embrace of the Serpent features the encounter, apparent betrayal and finally life-affirming friendship between an Amazonian shaman (the last survivor of his people) and two foreign scientists. Strikingly original, Guerra’s gripping film is a brilliantly poetic fable that’s often breathtaking to behold. Watch

879. The Child (2005) Dir. Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Lucy Dardenne, 95 mins.

The Belgian Palme d’Or winner follows a teenager surviving on welfare cheques who gives birth to a baby boy. The baby’s father, a small-time thief who shows know interest in wanting the child, sells the infant against the mother’s wishes on the black market. Authentic characters and a complex narrative combine to create an affecting film about how desperation can lead to all the wrong choices. The film was named the fourteenth “Best Film of the 21st Century So Far” by The New York Times in 2017. Watch

878. The Great Beauty (2013) Dir. Paolo Sorrentino, 142 mins.

Journalist and ageing socialite Jep Gambardella (the marvellous Toni Servillo) has charmed and seduced his way through the lavish nightlife of Rome for decades. Since the legendary success of his one and only novel, he has been a permanent fixture in the city’s literary and social circles, but when his sixty-fifth birthday coincides with a shock from the past, Jep finds himself unexpectedly reflecting on his life. Sorrentino’s art film plays homage to the likes of Fellini and Antonioni and is poignant, sad and beautiful to behold. Was listed among the BBC’s 100 greatest films since 2000. Watch

877. Selma (2014) Dir. Ava DuVernay, 128 mins.

It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis. Watch

876. The Innocents (1961) Dir. Jack Clayton, 100 mins.

Based on the novella The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, the plot follows a governess who watches over two children and comes to fear that their house is haunted by ghosts and that the two children are being possessed. A British psychological horror that is smart, creepy and features a notable performance by Deborah Kerr as the governess. Buy

875. Arrival (2016) Dir. Denis Villeneuve, 116 mins.

There were few doubts that Villeneuve was the right man to helm the sequel to Blade Runner thanks to the success of his previous sci-fi effort. Some may find Arrival slow and lacking in action but others will find it intelligent, sophisticated and by the end emotionally affecting. Amy Adams delivers maybe her best performance yet as the linguist trying to communicate with aliens. Watch

874. V for Vendetta (2006) Dir. James McTeigue, 132 mins.

Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, the film is set in an alternative future where a neo-fascist regime has subjugated the United Kingdom. Hugo Weaving portrays V, an anarchist freedom fighter who attempts to ignite a revolution through elaborate terrorist acts, and Natalie Portman plays Evey, a young, working-class woman caught up in V’s mission. While Moore, damaged by previously poor adaptations of his work, wanted his name removed from the production, V should still be seen for its stunning visual style and the thought provoking, subversive narrative. Watch

873. Mother Joan of the Angels (1961) Dir. Jerzy Kawalerowicz, 105 mins.

The story takes place in and around a seventeenth century Polish convent. A priest, Father Józef Suryn (Mieczyslaw Voit), is sent to investigate a case of demonic possession at the convent after the local priest, Father Garniec, was burnt at the stake for sexually tempting the nuns. Buy

872. Big Deal On Madonna Street (1958) Dir. Mario Monicelli, 106 mins.

Among the masterpieces of Italian cinema, Monicelli’s comic satire follows a group of small-time thieves and ne’er-do-wells who bungle a seemingly simple heist to burgle a state-run pawn shop in Rome. Spoofing Jules Dassin’s masterful Rififi, the film features a terrific pre La Dolce Vita & 8½ performance by Marcello Mastroianni. Buy

871. Taste of Cherry (1997) Dir. Abbas Kiarostami, 95 mins.

Mr Badii (Homayoun Ershadi), a middle-aged man, drives through a city suburb looking for someone who can burying him after he commits suicide in return for a large amount of money. While Roger Ebert, in particular, hated the film others consider it hypnotic and profound. Buy



870. Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013) Dir. Abdellatif Kechiche, 179 mins.

The film follows Adèle (Adèle Exarchopoulos), a French teenager who discovers desire and freedom when an aspiring painter (Lea Seydoux) enters her life. The film charts their relationship from Adele’s high school years to her early adult life and career as a school teacher. Watch

869. Swing Time (1936) Dir. George Stevens, 103 mins.

The sixth of RKO’s Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers pairings of the 1930s, Swing Time starts off with bandleader Astaire getting cold feet on his wedding day. Astaire’s bride-to-be Betty Furness will give him a second chance, providing he proves himself responsible enough to earn $25,000. Astaire naturally tries to avoid earning that amount once he falls in love with dance instructor Ginger Rogers. Watch

868. The Darjeeling Limited (2007) Dir. Wes Anderson, 91 mins.

Three brothers reunite on board a train called The Darjeeling Limited, having not seen each other since their father’s funeral a year earlier. They travel through a stunning Indian backdrop hoping to re-connect. While probably not Anderson’s best work, it is funny, melancholic and has a great soundtrack, particularly the songs by The Kinks. Watch

867. Tabu: A Story of the South Seas (1931) Dir. F.W. Murnau, 84 mins.

The film is split into two chapters. The first, called “Paradise”, depicts the lives of two lovers on a South Seas island where nature and their community are in harmony, until they are forced to escape the island when the girl is chosen as a holy maid to the gods. The second chapter, “Paradise Lost”, depicts the couple’s life on a colonised island and how they adapt to and are exploited by Western civilisation. Murnau didn’t live to see the film’s premiere, the failure at the box-office or its subsequent acclaim as he died in hospital after a car accident a week before its first showing in New York City. Buy

866. Black Swan (2010) Dir. Darren Aronofsky, 103 mins.

Psychological horror film that revolves around a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake by a prestigious New York City ballet company. Natalie Portman plays the ballerina who is consumed by a love of dance but loses her grip on reality when she faces competition for the main part from a new arrival. Overly melodramatic but gripping none the less, Black Swan is a technical marvel and has some wonderful performances. Watch

865. Elizabeth (1998) Dir. Shekhar Kapur, 124 mins.

Kapur’s visually exciting political thriller sees a young Elizabeth Tudor (Cate Blanchett) elevated to the throne of a divided England on the death of her half-sister Mary I, who had imprisoned her. Elizabeth’s reign over the bankrupt realm is perceived as weak and under threat of invasion by France or Spain. For the future stability and security of the crown she is urged by adviser William Cecil (Richard Attenborough) to marry a foreign prince, but she prefers the company of the charming Lord Dudley (Joseph Fiennes). It’s a vivid recreation of Elizabethan England, intelligently written and with a star making turn from Australian Blanchett. Geoffrey Rush is the best of an interesting supporting cast as spymaster Francis Walsingham. Watch

864. Brideshead Revisited (1981) Dir.  Charles Sturridge, Michael Lindsay-Hogg, 659 mins.

An adaptation of the novel Brideshead Revisited (1945) by Evelyn Waugh, the made for TV serial follows, from the 1920s to the early 1940s, the life and romances of the protagonist Charles Ryder (Jeremy Irons) including his friendship with the Flytes, a family of wealthy English Catholics who live in a palatial mansion called Brideshead Castle. Buy

863. My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) Dir. Stephen Frears, 97 mins.

The story focuses on Omar, (Gordon Warnecke), a young Pakistani man living in London, and his reunion and eventual romance with his old friend, a street punk named Johnny, (Daniel Day-Lewis). The two become the caretakers and business managers of a launderette originally owned by Omar’s uncle Nasser.

862. The Master (2012) Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson, 144 mins.

It tells the story of Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix), a World War II veteran struggling to adjust to a post-war society, who meets Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a leader of a religious movement known as “The Cause”. Dodd sees something in Quell and accepts him into the movement. Freddie takes a liking to “The Cause” and begins travelling with Dodd along the East Coast to spread the teachings. Some terrific performances from the two leads but it’s arguable that the end of the film doesn’t match up to the fascinating build up.

861. On the Silver Globe (1989) Dir. Andrzej Zulawski, 166 mins.

Falling somewhere between Tarkovsky and Jodorowsky, Zulawski’s weird and visually extravagant sci-fi deals with a group of space researchers who leave the Earth to find freedom but their spaceship crash lands on an Earth like planet. Only one crew member survives into old age and becomes both hated and revered as a sort of demi-God by the new society he and his fellow travellers had created. The film had a hugely troubled production history and was shut down by Poland’s vice-minister of cultural affairs when only 80% complete. Fortunately the film studio and members of the cast and crew preserved the existing reels and the film was eventually released after the end of communist rule. It consists of the preserved footage plus a commentary to fill in the narrative gaps.



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The Pendragon Society’s 1000 Greatest Films (2018) 1000-981

Introduction

1000. The Ten Commandments (1956) Dir. Cecil B. DeMille, 220 mins.

Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 biblical epic, a remake of his own 1923 version, is still notable for its sublime Oscar winning effects and great performances. While it has some daft moments and often veers away from the biblical narrative of Exodus, the near 4 hour film’s popularity has never waned. Recommended particularly for the parting of the Red Sea sequence that remains one of the greatest special effects of all time.

999. Return of the Jedi (1983) Dir. Richard Marquand, 134 mins.

The third instalment of George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy has never received the acclaim of its two predecessors (some were not taken with the cuddly Ewoks) but it’s still action packed stuff.  Ultimately we care far more about these characters than those in Lucas’s later trilogy and Return of the Jedi gives us the sort of thrilling entertainment often missing from the 21st century’s CGI laden Sci-Fi films.

998. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Dir. Henry Selick, 76 mins.

Produced and conceived by Tim Burton this stop-motion classic is as magical for adults as it is for little people. The film follows Jack Skellington who leaves his home in Halloween Town and goes through a portal to Christmas Town. Humour, romance and great Danny Elfman songs produce a fabulous and original entertainment.

997. Stand By Me (1986) Dir. Rob Reiner, 89 mins.

Four Oregon friends go on a hike and come across a dead body in Reiner’s nostalgic coming of age drama. Featuring a notable performance by River Phoenix, the film is an affectionate look at that tricky time between childhood and adolescence and is one of just a handful of successful adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

996. Mary Poppins (1964) Dir. Robert Stevenson, 139 mins.

With terrific songs from the Sherman Brothers and an Oscar winning performance from Julie Andrews, Mary Poppins remains one of the most beloved musicals of all-time. Andrews plays the nanny who floats into London to improve the lives of the dysfunctional Banks family. Even Dick Van Dyke’s laughable attempt at a Cockney accent couldn’t prevent the film becoming the only Disney production made during Walt’s lifetime to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

995. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) Dir. Wes Anderson, 110 mins.

The absurdist and ironic humour will annoy some but those who embrace The Royal Tenenbaums will delight in it’s eccentricities. A stellar cast tells the whimsical tale of three once gifted siblings and the attempts of their estranged father, a terrific turn by Gene hackman, to reconcile with them. It was listed by the BBC as one of the 100 greatest films of the 21st century.

994. Dazed and Confused (1993) Dir. Richard Linklater, 103 mins.

A coming of age comedy following Texas teenagers during their last day at school in 1976. A strong cast, including Matthew McCounaughey plus that moustache, and a director who manages to find the tone of the era combine to create an amusing and affectionate look at the end of high school. Quentin Tarantino picked it for his 2002 Sight & Sound ballot.

993. Drugstore Cowboy (1989) Dir. Gus Van Sant, 102 mins.

Matt Dillon plays the leader of a group of drug addicts who support their habits by robbing pharmacies and hospitals. As one would expect from Van Sant its lyrically and stylishly shot and is seen as the director/writers breakthrough film.

992. The Incredibles (2004) Dir. Brad Bird, 115 mins.

The Incredibles follows a family of superheroes forced to hide their powers and live a quiet suburban life. Brad Bird moves slightly away from the normal Pixar formula but his dysfunctional family tale provides plenty of wit, a great deal of entertainment and some amazing animation. A sequel was released in 2018.

991. The Last King of Scotland (2006) Dir. Kevin Macdonald, 123 mins.

Propelled by Forest Whitaker’s Oscar winning performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, The Last King of Scotland delivers a taut and satisfying (partly fictional) drama. James McAvoy plays the Scottish doctor who naively falls in with a monster.



990. A Man For All Seasons (1966) Dir. Fred Zinnemann, 120 mins.

Paul Scofield delivers a career defining performance as Thomas More, repeating the role he played on stage. Catholic More rejects Henry VIII’s (Robert Shaw) breaking away from the church in order to divorce Anne Boleyn. An intelligent and stirring film.

989. The Jungle Book (1967) Dir. Wolfgang Reitherman, 78 mins.

The film follows feral child Mowgli, who having been raised by wolves, journeys through the Indian jungle with the help of the panther, Bagheera and bear, Baloo. His new friends must convince him to go to the human world before he falls into the clutches of the evil tiger, Shere Khan. Memorable songs and fun characters, particularly Phil Harris as the ‘bare necessities’ singing Baloo, make The Jungle Book one of the most entertaining of Disney animations.

988. Zero Dark Thirty (2012) Dir. Kathryn Bigelow, 157 mins.

Following the success of The Hurt Locker the former Mrs. James Cameron, Kathryn Bigelow returned to the subject of war in the middle east. The film dramatises the international manhunt for Al Qaeda leader Osama Bid Laden the mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist atrocities. Not without controversy (some felt it featured pro-torture propaganda) the film is a gripping and suspenseful thriller with an ending that will remain long in the memory.

987. Argo (2012) Dir. Ben Affleck, 120 mins.

Directed and starring Ben Affleck the film follows a CIA operative who leads the rescue of six U.S. diplomats from Iran, under the guise of filming a science fiction film during the 1979–1981 hostage crisis. Growing as a filmmaker Affleck delivers both a gripping thriller and a satirical look at Hollywood.

986. The Blue Angel (1930) Dir. Josef von Sternberg, 124 mins.

Directed in Berlin by the Austrian-American von Sternberg, the film was a co-production of Germany’s Ufa and Hollywood’s Paramount. Emil Jannings, back in Germany after his brief but highly successful stint in Hollywood silents, stars as the respectable straitlaced professor who transforms into a cabaret clown and descends into madness. Jannings is good but it’s Marlene Dietrich who steals the show as the magnetic temptress who ensnares him. The film made Dietrich an international superstar and remains, over 85 years later, an enthralling tale of love and obsession.

985. Pauline at the Beach (1983) Dir. Eric Rohmer, 94 mins.

Teenager Pauline vacations with her supposedly maturer cousin Marion and finds her feet during a summer of romantic experiences. Once again director/writer Eric Rohmer manages to generate charm and emotional energy from a minimal plot line.

984. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) Dir. Blake Edwards, 115 mins.

The film features Audrey Hepburn’s most iconic role as Holly Golightly the naive and eccentric socialite. The future A-Team star George Peppard plays the lonely neighbour and writer who becomes enchanted with her. The overall charm (particularly the cat named ‘Cat’) will allow most viewers to forgive the dafter parts.

983. Arrival (2016) Dir. Denis Villeneuve, 116 mins.

There were few doubts that Villeneuve was the right man to helm the sequel to Blade Runner thanks to the success of his previous sci-fi effort. Some may find Arrival slow and lacking in action but others will find it intelligent, sophisticated and by the end emotionally affecting. Amy Adams delivers maybe her best performance yet as the linguist trying to communicate with aliens.

982. 300 (2007) Dir. Zack Snyder, 116 mins.

Based on the 1998 comic of the same name, Zack Snyder’s film is a fictionalised retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae where Spartan King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) leads 300 warriors against a Persian army of 300,000. While some dismiss it as overly violent and with little characterisation, few could argue that 300 doesn’t deliver dazzling visuals and plenty of enthralling action.

981. Easy Rider (1969) Dir. Dennis Hopper, 95 mins.

Director Dennis Hopper and producer Peter Fonda star as two bikers who travel southern America with the proceeds of a drug deal. Their journey carries them to a hippie commune and to an encounter with an alcoholic civil rights lawyer, portrayed by Jack Nicholson. While now looking dated, Easy Rider, helped along by the popular rock song soundtrack, still holds on to a notable place in cinema history for helping to start the New Hollywood era and for encapsulating 1960s counterculture.



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