Top Movies 74-76 in Brief

76. “Peeping Tom” (1960) 
The horror that came out the same year as Psycho and disturbed in similar ways. But this one is about the psychological damage that documenting every aspect of life and childhood in images can do. Relevant to today’s smart phone, self-obsessed culture?

76. “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974)
Still the best film adaptation of Christie’s masterpiece. Exploring the issues of justice and revenge, it is not any easier to process—maybe even harder in today’s culture. (As evidenced by the 2017 adaptation’s philosophical shakiness.)

76. “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010) 
Edgar Wright’s second-best film is not as solid on message, but the visual flair and creativity is hard to top.

75. “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) 
This isn’t exactly a musical nor a straight-up comedy, but it is effective as both. I love the scene where George Harrison interacts with the magazine editor.

75. “Hoosiers” (1986) 
My second (?) favorite sports movie. They are a bit like romantic comedies in their formulaic nature. This is a perfect example of the formula played out in top form.

75. “The Insider” (1999) 
Mann takes what should be a boring news hour report and infuses it with tense suspense and drama. And it has one of my favorite film scores of all time.

74. “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) 
As a western this feels all off. But the performances of the leads transcend the drama and make for a great couple of hours.

74. “Men in Black” (1997) 
The whole trilogy is entertaining, but this first one is original and some of the best world-building in summer blockbusters. None of the rest of Smith’s summer films (or many other action comedies) have such a well-developed concept. And the villain is truly creepy.

74. “Super 8” (2011) 
As a child of the eighties, I am a sucker for the eighties-group-of-kids on an adventure story when it is well-done. And this is a well-done recreation/tribute, done well before Stranger Things, It and their like.

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