46. Apocalypto
Year: 2006
IMDB rating: 7.8
Awards: 3 Oscar Nominations
The Story: We are in Mayan times, watching a mysterious tribe civilization on the brink of extinction, as ruthless invaders disturb the lands. A man hides his wife and son, as the new lords are looking for slaves and human sacrifices and, while lucky enough to escape imminent death, he sets on a dangerous journey to save his beloved ones.
Why is it on the list: Because at the time of its release, the movie convinced even the most skeptical of us that Mel Gibson is both brilliant and crazy and he should receive the credit as he deserves. Secondly, because voices all over the world rose and protested against a movie that had as main purpose to disturb the living bejesus out of us with tons of unjustified violence. And they were wrong. The movie can be subject to criticism for almost any reason, but nobody can deny it had characters we learned to like and grow fond of, it is a classic good vs. evil story with a deep immerse into a strange culture we all crave to learn more about. Because the light, the filming angles, the costumes, the make up, the atmosphere and the music gave us the chills and because the violent scenes are not as gruesome as they said.
Quintessential quote: “A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.” W. Durant (title card)
47. The Shining
Year: 1980
IMDB rating: 8.5
Awards: –
The Story: Jack Torrance is a man with a former alcohol problem who’s trying to set his life straight, although his wife and little son didn’t quite forget a physical abuse episode towards little Danny. But once Jack takes a job at the Overlook Hotel for the closed season period, thing seem to shine the Torrances’ way. The hotel, however, is not what it seems to be and neither is Danny, a very sensitive kid blessed with the gift of the shining, the ability of seeing things beyond the veil of reality and communicating by telepathy. Soon the atmosphere inside Overlook Hotel progressively changes and Jack is the first one affected.
Why is it on the list: Because even if Stephen King didn’t like the movie (and actually hated it if you are to listen to the gossip), it is a classic for horror movies and one of Jack Nicholson’s best performances, as you can see the subtle but significant changes he undergoes until he loses it. Because “Heeere’s Johnny!” is that kind of memorable quote that gets stuck to you. Because it’s worth re-watching, especially since it took King 30 years to write the sequel.
Quintessential quote: “Some places are like people: some shine and some don’t” (Dick Hallorann)
48. Y tu mamá también
Year: 2001
IMDB rating: 7.6
Awards: 1 Oscar Nomination
The Story: Tenoch and Julio are two teenage boys who are not at ease with the idea of their girlfriends taking a trip to Europe before going all together to college, but this doesn’t stop them to try to impress Luisa, an older but attractive woman whom is somehow of a relative to Julio, but also the boys’ subject of desire. They lie to her about a trip they planned to take to the most beautiful and secluded beach in Mexico, but when Julia tells them she’d like to come along, the boys have to invent anything possible to leave for a place it doesn’t exist. The trip will change the lives of them three.
Why is it on the list: Because they say it’s a drama, but it can still make you laugh. Because it is that kind of road trip fulled of unpredicted events, weird moments, short conversations or long moments of silence, typical Southern American movies atmosphere, where always something is about to happen and whatever you expected, you probably were wrong, because the nonexistent beach symbolizes an unknown destination we all set for sometime in our lives. Because the twist is brilliant and the ending leaves you thinking about a lot of things, friendship, maturity, love, sex and choices among all.
Quintessential quote: “Life is like the surf, so give yourself away like the sea” (Luisa)
49. Children of Men
Year: 2001
IMDB rating: 7.9
Awards: 3 Oscar Nominations
The Story: It’s 2027 and humanity is powerless in front of its imminent extinction: women have become infertile and the youngest of their citizen just died. But somewhere, somehow, a pregnant woman is found and hope is restored, provided she makes it in safety to a sanctuary at sea, and Theo Faron is the one who has to complete this mission.
Why is it on the list: Because this is English dystopia at its best, with a director vision that scrapes genius and a cast who did an excellent job. Because you can feel the despair of everybody as it would be your own and because making the saving journey together with the characters won’t leave you cold. Because you understand everybody’s point of view on things, even if they are completely opposed and because this movie deserves the “thriller” label more than many others, as the tension is built progressively, your mind is spinning, the violent scenes makes your spine chill. And because Clive Owen proved once again he’s not only very handsome, but also very talented.
Quintessential quote: “The world was stunned today by the death of Diego Ricardo, the youngest person on the planet, the youngest person on earth was 18 years, 4 months, 20 days, 16 hours, and 8 minutes old” (TV Reporter)
50. Psycho
Year: 1960
IMDB rating: 8.6
Awards: 4 Oscar Nominations
The Story: Miss Marion Crane sees the opportunity one day, when her trusting employer lets Marion to bank quite an impressive amount of money, knowing his secretary is a professional, trustworthy employee. What he doesn’t know is that the beautiful woman will steal his money and run to California, only to end up missing. An investigation finds her trace at the Bates Motel where Marion was last seen by young motel keeper, Norman.
Why is it on the list: Because this is one of the few movies (together with Citizen Kane), where the plot develops around a missing (and actually dead) main character. Because the shower scene is a classic not only for horror movies, but for cinematography itself. Because Norman Bates became the symbol of the pure psychopath and because Alfred Hitchcock played the Multiple Personality Disorder card so well, it became a lite motif for many future great thrillers, Primal Fear being a reputable candidate. And because nobody ever could forget that music.
Quintessential quote: “It’s not like my mother is a maniac or a raving thing. She just goes a little mad sometimes. We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven’t you?” (Norman Bates)