76. To Kill A Mockingbird
Year: 1962
IMDB rating: 8.4
Awards: 3 Oscar Awards
The Story: Atticus Finch is a white man and lawyer who in a segregated and discrimination- prone South has to defend an innocent black man on the accusation of rape, while trying to teach his own children that prejudice isn’t helping anyone.
Why is it on the list: Because you’ve seen movies revolving around the black – discrimination era and movies featuring innocent men defended by brilliant lawyers, but few movies comprised both concepts in such great manner. Because the book was so good and marked so many important issues regarding American history, culture and society development, that you probably had it as a mandatory read in high school. Because it’s hard to forget Finch’s closing argument and his wise words and teachings he provides his children with. Because maybe you’ve seen or heard about Jane Elliot’s “Blue Eyes – Brown Eyes” experiments trying to propel an anti-discriminatory attitude and if you did, you know this movie would make a solid research and teaching material even today.
Quintessential quote: “Now, gentlemen, in this country, our courts are the great levelers. In our courts, all men are created equal. I’m no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and of our jury system – that’s no ideal to me. That is a living, working reality! Now I am confident that you gentlemen will review, without passion, the evidence that you have heard, come to a decision and restore this man to his family. In the name of GOD, do your duty. In the name of God, believe… Tom Robinson” (Atticus Finch)
77. Singing In The Rain
Year: 1952
IMDB rating: 8.4
Awards: 2 Oscar Nominations
The Story: We’re in 1927 and the movie industry is in development. Two on-screen lovers try to make the best out of their careers, while on a personal level, she thinks the romance is real in real life too, while he is a man who has almost everything he wished for and needs no other additives. But soon their professional statuses are about to change, as their last movie is turned into a musical. Lina can’t sing, while Don executes his part perfectly. Aiming for success, the producers bring a young debutant – Kathy – to dub Lina’s voice, only for Don to fall in love with her.
Why is it on the list: Admit it, you saw it more than once and every time it rains, you’re inclined to sing in the rain. Because it is a beautiful movie, both visually, acoustically and from the directing point of view. Maybe it’s not the greatest love story of them all, but Gene Kelly’s performance is unforgettable. Because the movie talked about voice-over and dubbing dialogues which were not possible with that time’s technology, so you can consider it visionary too, in terms of developing cinema.
Quintessential quote: “Movies are entertaining enough for the masses but the personalities on the screen just don’t impress me. I mean they don’t talk, they don’t act, the just make a lot of dumb show. Well, you know… like that” (Kathy)
78. A Clockwork Orange
Year: 1971
IMDB rating: 8.4
Awards: 4 Oscar Nominations
The Story: In a dystopic futuristic Britain, charming psychopath and delinquent Alex DeLarge spends his days together with his thugs basking in violence and power display over innocent people, until he is jailed and volunteers for a governmental experimental program meant to reduce aversion and violence in order to cure society, only to find out that not all things go according to a plan.
Why is it on the list: Because it became a classic in the genre of disturbing movies, sending a controversial message about the justification of violence, free will and having sympathy for the devil, although the original novel had a somewhat different purpose. Because it was one of those movies people talked about so much, it became a cult, because it was very courageous as inducing chills on the viewers’ spines and because it is still a classic. Because if now you’ve recently seen “The Purge”, although different, it can’t make you ponder about a man’s deepest animal instincts and about the society that nurtures such monsters. Very appraised by the public and the critics altogether, the movie remains a humanitarian statement above all.
Quintessential quote: “It’s funny how the colors of the real world only seem really real when you viddy them on the screen” (Alex)
79. No Country For Old Men
Year: 2007
IMDB rating: 8.2
Awards: 2 Oscar Awards
The Story: Llewelyn Moss thinks the Heavens smiled to him the day he finds two million dollars from a drug deal that ended up wrong. But instead, Hell breaks loose, as psychopath serial killer Anton Chigurh starts hunting him down, murdering everything that stands between him, his pray and the loot. And the sheriff investigating the case has a lot of trouble in trying to put a stop to the mayhem.
Why is it on the list: Tommy Lee Jones makes a good sheriff, probably the best of his career, although he had many other great roles before. Because the best part of the movie is Anton Chigurh, one of the most consistent, best developed and convincing psycho killers in the last years. It’s hard to beat Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter, but Javier Bardem got really really close. Because the Cohen brothers may have reached with this movie the peak of their directing career, while the thriller in general can keep anyone glued to the chair skipping heartbeats. Because you’re kinda used to action movies, but this one will still be spoken of in a few years. And because it is quite rare and strange that an action movie set in rural Texas to collect so many Oscars…
Quintessential quote: “I always figured when I got older, God would sorta come inta my life somehow. And he didn’t. I don’t blame him. If I was him I would have the same opinion of me that he does” (Ed Tom Bell)
80. O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Year: 2000
IMDB rating: 7.8
Awards: 2 Oscar Nominations
The Story: Everett, Pete and Delmar are three convicts, who in 1930′ Mississippi, manage to escape and follow Everett’s plan of finding a hidden treasure that is said to bring them fortune and fame, while a heartless officer hunts them down.
Why is it on the list: Because if you know who the Cohen brothers are, you know this is not just an adventure movie. Because you were used to see George Clooney all dressed-up, power-suited, playing charming characters and very polished villains. But how about following him as he looks rugged, dirty, hunted and funny as hell? The movie is a brilliant story following in some vague manner the story of Ulysses, as our three characters meet and team up with the strangest of characters, including modern types of sirens and cyclops, end up in a political conflict, form a singing band (and you should feel ashamed of yourself for not knowing the song played by the three – ”Man of Constant Sorrow”, which is a masterpiece within the movie) and finally find their treasure. Because it is comedy at full potential, satire, parody and thriller all in the same time. Because you love to see Clooney’s character being obsessed with his hair and famous bank robber George Nelson making a short, but interesting appearance in the three heroes’ path. And because you can count Homer’s Odyssey references in this movie until you get bored and still not finish finding incredibly smart clues and puns.
Quintessential quote: “Since we been followin’ your lead, we ain’t got nothing but trouble.” (Pete)