The 35th Best Films

Some of the greatest films are the ones that—while expertly crafted and entertaining—force us to reflect on important issues or cause us to take a hard look at our own cultural ideals.

Pre-1973 



The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) Robert Wise 
Sci-fi at its best. A great story with layers of meaning. And this is not your B level work. This is from the guy who directed The Sound of Music. So there is vision and art to the delivery. There are elements of Noir in the style. And it asks us to get away from tribalism and isolationism for the sake of our future, so it is timely still.

1973-1998 



L.A. Confidential (1997) Curtis Hanson 
Neo-Noir—another genre work—but again, with layers. Hero worshipers that we are, this story asks us to consider if anyone is worthy of such worship. Even the most well-meaning and idealistic men are still mere men.

Post-1998 



Munich (2005) Steven Spielberg 
Spielberg at his darkest. How do we respond to the evil we encounter in the world? Are any of us truly immune to it?