thatnathanguy.bsky.social
Husband, 🐕 dad ×2, crossword puzzle whiz, MN sports sufferer, love good 📚, 🎞,🍺, son of 🎅 I got dad jokes and dad bod minus the kids.
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He watched Ladybugs and thought it was a documentary
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I'm hoping Rich Hill keeps sticking around so I can still say there's an MLB player older than me
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I nominate commissioner shayla
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1. All About Eve (1950)
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders
I agonized over whether to put this #1 or The Godfather. Ultimately it came down to rewatchability for me. Davis was an absolute presence. Baxter plays Eve with subtle cunning. Perfection.
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2. The Godfather (1972)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall
It's Brando's performance that lifts this film above the sequel for me. It has depth and intimacy like no other film. It is visually stunning and Coppola's direction is nuanced.
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3. Schindler's List (1993)
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes
Absolutely gut-wrenching, a story told with sensitivity. A beautifully powerful roller coaster of emotional depth. Amazing cinematography and stunning acting. Pure perfection all around.
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4. Casablanca (1942)
Directed by Michael Curtiz
Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid
A timeless classic that balances romance, intrigue, and political tension with effortless grace. The direction is elegant and restrained. It gets better with each rewatch--never showing its age.
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5. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Directed by Jonathan Demme
Starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn
Thrilling and insightful. It is a master of manipulation with its use of tone, composition, framing, lighting to create an atmosphere of anticipation. Hopkins's Lecter is eerily great
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6. The Godfather Part II (1974)
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Starring Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert De Niro
You could argue it's better than the first one--but in my opinion it's not quite there. It's still stunning and utterly spectacular, with impeccable performances.
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7. Parasite (2019)
Directed by Bong Joon-ho
Starring Song Kang-ho, Lee Sun-kyun, Cho Yeo-jeong, Choi Woo-shik
Cleverly and well-written with an absolutely shocking ending. The set is amazing, the acting is phenomenal, the direction is outstanding. It is a tour de force from beginning to end.
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8. The Apartment (1960)
Directed by Billy Wilder
Starring Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray
So funny and creatively written. Such great character development and Lemmon turns in a sympathetic portrayal. He's both charming and witty, and his chemistry with MacLaine is undeniable.
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9. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Directed by David Lean
Starring Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn
Rich characters and top-tier technical merits. Lean's direction is incredible-- there's not a single wasted scene. Breathtaking and powerful. The absolute definition of a masterpiece.
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10. Moonlight (2016)
Directed by Barry Jenkins
Starring Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe
An absolutely stunning film. Excellent storyline and superb acting. It handles a complex issue with empathy and understanding. Simply captivating and breathtaking. A masterpiece.
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Tomorrow will be the conclusion of my rankings with the unveiling of the top 10. Which film will take the top spot? The answer may surprise you.
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11. Oppenheimer (2023)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr.
Who would have guessed a 3-hour biopic about a nuclear physicist would be so fascinating? Fast-paced, strategic cinematography, and phenomenal score give the film an unrelenting intensity.
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12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
Directed by Miloš Forman
Starring Jack Nicholson, Brad Dourif, Louise Fletcher
Nicholson is great, but it's Fletcher's portrayal as Nurse Ratched that elevates the film. She masterfully captures the antipathy and subtle menace of the character.
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13. It Happened One Night (1934)
Directed by Frank Capra
Starring Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Walter Connolly
Some gender dynamics are slightly cringe today, but taken with a grain of salt, it's a fun, light, frilly film. It's the prototype of every romantic comedy since then.
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14. Amadeus (1984)
Directed by Miloš Forman
Starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge
A magnificent historical drama, with fart jokes thrown in for good measure. Abraham perfectly embodies Salieri's all-consuming jealousy. The direction is flawless, with great attention to detail.
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15. No Country for Old Men (2007)
Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Starring Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin
Bardem's portrayal as a ruthless killer is hauntingly good. He has such an unnerving presence. The whole atmosphere makes you uncomfortable yet captivated. A brilliant thriller.
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16. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Directed by William Wyler
Starring Dana Andrews, Fredric March, Harold Russell
Surprisingly modern and relevant today, yet also a bit like opening a time capsule. This is the closest I'll get to understanding what it was like immediately post-WWII.
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17. On the Waterfront (1954)
Directed by Elia Kazan
Starring Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Lee J. Cobb, Eva Marie Saint
An incredibly emotionally resonant film, Brando is nothing short of remarkable, full of charisma. Plus a great story and excellent cinematography make this an all-time classic.
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18. Annie Hall (1977)
Directed by Woody Allen
Starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts
Putting aside Allen's legal issues, this film rests on the irresistible charm of Keaton. Witty dialogue, ironic subtitles, celebrity cameos, fourth wall breaking--it all works to tell an indelible tale
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20. Spotlight (2015)
Directed by Tom McCarthy
Starring Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams
Direction is fantastic, script is brilliant, and the cast is magnificent. The scene with the kids singing Silent Night is chilling. A sensitive topic tackled with delicacy.
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21. The French Connection (1971)
Directed by William Friedkin
Starring Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, Roy Scheider
Great and exciting film, good plot and full of atmosphere. Hackman plays Doyle for what he is: a flawed hero, which gives the film actual stakes instead of a smooth ending.
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22. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen
The best of the trilogy is a cinematic masterpiece all around. It really captures the essence of Tolkien's world. The ending has such emotional depth. Powerful.
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23. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Directed by David Lean
Starring William Holden, Alec Guinness, Jack Hawkins
Strong direction by Lean, interesting story, engaging characters, and stunning locations. Saito is shown as a compassionate character rather than generic Japanese villain.
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24. The Departed (2006)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
The camera work, sound, and editing are so chaotic and mesmerizing. The characters are complex and the acting is superb. The unpredictable twists are the icing on the cake.
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25. Titanic (1997)
Directed by James Cameron
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane
A film that gets unfairly maligned. I fell into that camp at first, but subsequent watches reveal depth of emotion and stunning visuals that stay with you. Would be higher if not for cheesy dialogue
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26. Gone with the Wind (1939)
Directed by Victor Fleming
Starring Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland
Yes, it's problematic in its revisionist history, but it's undeniably spectacular, romantic, with some of the best-written characters ever seen on film. Love the film, hate the message
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27. Rebecca (1940)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders
Quite possibly the best cinematography of any film in history. Haunting, traumatic, mysterious, and ravishing. So many mind-blowing twists until the fiery climax. Hitchcock at his finest.
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28. Unforgiven (1992)
Directed by Clint Eastwood
Starring Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman
Stunning cinematography, from the Western vistas to the dark shadows. The movie is a slow-burn, but never dull. Hackman plays the villain wonderfully. Intelligent Western that defies the genre.
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30. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Directed by Lewis Milestone
Starring Louis Wolheim, Lew Ayres, John Wray
Still astounding, moving, and inventive. Harrowing with many striking images and biting commentary. The final scene is perfect. It's still one of the best anti-war films ever made.
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31. Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
Directed by F.W. Murnau
Starring George O'Brien, Janet Gaynor, Margaret Livingston
Yes, it is technically not a Best Picture winner, taking home the one-and-done Best Artistic film at the first Oscars. Sublimely shot and edited. And that drunk pig!
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32. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Directed by Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan
So beautiful. It nails just about everything. Some adjectives to describe this: audacious, funny, original, dazzling, resonant, bonkers, genius.
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33. The Sound of Music (1965)
Directed by Robert Wise
Starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker
Enjoyable musical numbers. This could easily be overly saccharine, but the script never lets it get there. Andrews is practically perfect in every way (sorry, wrong film).
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34. West Side Story (1961)
Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins
Starring Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno
Gorgeous cinematography, brilliant costume design and production. Meticulous dance numbers and memorable songs. Sadly the issues are still relevant today.
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35. Rocky (1976)
Directed by John G. Avildsen
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young
I don't even care about boxing, but this film makes me care about Rocky's rise. Compelling underdog story, even if not very groundbreaking. The cinematography really captures the grittiness.
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36. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
Directed by Norman Jewison
Starring Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger, Warren Oates
The murder of the film is only like the eighth most important part of the film. Everything is about the setting, characters, and mood. Poitier is incredibly engaging in every scene.
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37. Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Directed by John Schlesinger
Starring Jon Voight, Dustin Hoffman, Sylvia Miles
A raw, gritty film showing the seedy underbelly of New York. Hoffman is at his best, and Voight is excellent as well. Even though it's dark, there are still elements of sweetness and humanity
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38. Marty (1955)
Directed by Delbert Mann
Starring Ernest Borgnine, Betsy Blair, Esther Minciotti
A sweet romance with subtle comedy elements. Borgnine and Blair have great on-screen chemistry. For a thin story, it is engaging and packs an emotional punch. Marty is such a likeable character.