95. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Eternal Sunshine is one of the most unique films I’ve ever seen in both its subject matter and its style. It’s ultimate message about how relationships are worth remembering even if they’ve ended badly is ultimately pretty simple, but it’s told in a way that makes it extremely effective.
It should come as no surprise that this won the Academy Award for best original screenplay; it should be a surprise, however, that it received no nomination for best picture. I don’t get it.
Anyways I don’t want to give too much of this movie away because it’s such an original viewing experience. Ask any of your friends; it seems like everyone who’s seen this movie absolutely loves it. It’s emotionally powerful, well acted, well directed, is extremely imaginative, and has a good bite of subtle humor.
94. Rudy (1993)
Rudy is basically your generic inspirational sports film. It’s better than most movies in this category, but I don’t think I can call it a great movie. However, I grew up in a Notre Dame household and I’ve seen this movie almost as often as any other movie, so it’s in here for sentimental reasons more than anything else.
Rudy is an emotional movie, and you will most definitely find yourself rooting for Sean Astin’s character. Of course, this is why some people dislike these kinds of movies; it almost seems too pull on the viewer’s heartstrings. But it’s effective and that’s difficult to disagree with.
You first cheer for Rudy as he attempts to transfer into Notre Dame. It’s a bit melodramatic in the sense that literally everyone says he doesn’t stand a chance—his father, his asshole brother, his teacher, his girlfriend…it’s kind of ridiculous. But once he gets in, it’s awesome, and then he devotes his life to making the football team.
The tryout scenes are the best in the film, as they are filmed very well, and extremely well accompanied by a great Jerry Goldsmith score.
This is worth watching if you want to feel good, really. It’s a little manipulative but it works. Also worth watching for Sean Astin’s career’s second-best performance and an early appearance by Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau.
93. Rio Bravo (1959)
I’m a western fan. They’re fun movies. They’re awesome because it’s a time so different from today, where being tough gets you everywhere, law is just a word, and order an abstract idea. Rio Bravo is one of the best.
It stars John Wayne as a sheriff holding a murderer in prison while the town chooses to revolt against him. Hired guns come in and the Duke recruits Dean Martin, a recovering drunk, to battle against far superior opponents.
While it lacks the emotional intrigue of other westerns such as Unforgiven and The Searchers, Rio Bravo is indeed a great movie. Dean Martin steals the show in a brilliant performance, and with some memorable characters and rich direction by film legend Howard Hawks, this is certainly a movie worth watching.
92. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)
The Bourne movies are all pretty similar. There’s certainly a formula working in which there’s a mystery Bourne needs to unfold, there’s an elongated fight between Bourne and an assassin, and a great car chase. However, while The Bourne Supremacy is undoubtedly the low point of the series, this is probably the best.
The highlight of the film comes fairly early on when Bourne is giving directions over the phone to a journalist who’s being sniped by an assassin. It’s suspenseful as hell because while there seems to be nothing Jason Bourne can’t handle—and he proves his badassness time and time again throughout the film—this is out of his control.
The fight between Bourne and an assassin is excellent, the car chase is good. The ending is a little confusing but whatever.
It’s just a very fast-paced action film with excellent stunts and camerawork and taut direction.
91. The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
The quintessential American novel is one of Hollywood’s quintessential American films. John Ford directed one of his first classics in the film that made Henry Fonda a star.
It’s a powerful and thought-provoking film about poverty and the American dream, filled with great characters and performances. My favorite character is easily John Casy, played by John Carradine, in his most memorable role.
This is a very bittersweet movie. It’s sad because it’s all about poverty but at the same time you are proud of Tom Joad (Fonda) and all he does as he becomes a great hero.
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