For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here 40) Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), directed by Nagisa Oshima A pair of character foils anchor this movie, which lacks the household recognition of Bridge on the River Kwai but which is superior in most aspects. (The music is no exception. Give me… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 40-36
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here 45) Hamlet (1996), directed by Kenneth Branagh The only Shakespeare adaptation I’ve put on this list is almost certainly the longest. I’ve expressed my admiration for Olivier’s Hamlet before, which is exciting and well acted on top of having really fascinating production design… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 45-41
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here And we’re back! Halfway through, let’s keep rolling. 50) Howards End (1992), directed by James Ivory As sumptuous as the sets of Howards End are, and as lovely the costumes, all of it enhanced by some seriously underrated photography by Tony Pierce-Roberts, this… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 50-46
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here 55) Sabotage (1936), directed by Alfred Hitchcock I wasn’t ready for Hitchcock to do it, and then he did it anyway. That sounds naive, but the man was called the “Master of Suspense,” not the “Master of Dropping the Hammer,” and Sabotage is… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 55-51
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here 60) Alien (1979), directed by Ridley Scott Last year I was in my living room with a cockroach. I thought I saw it duck out from behind my curtains and then run back behind them, and I wasn’t entirely sure that… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 60-56
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here 65 Straw Dogs (1971), directed by Sam Peckinpah Why didn’t they call it The Violent Bear Trap It Away? Hee hee. Seriously, though, when that thing finally goes off I gasped. It was not a cute “Oh, merciful heavens” gasp, but one… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 65-61
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here 70) The Mission (1986), directed by Roland Joffe If a movie features the most beautiful piece of music ever written for a film, does it deserve to make a list like this without question? The Mission is a very good movie on… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 70-66
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here. 75) Gregory’s Girl (1981), directed by Bill Forsyth There’s a kid in a penguin costume running around in this movie, and I thought for sure that we would find out why, but of course we don’t. It couldn’t matter less why he… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 75-71
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here. 80) The Last Emperor (1987), directed by Bernardo Bertolucci Nothing says communism like a dull color palette: one hundred and fifty shades of gray, dead blues, dried puke greens, dried snot yellows, orange that’s been out in the sun too long,… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 80-76
For a brief introduction and a running list of movies covered in this project, click here. 85) 49th Parallel (1941), directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger One way to avoid the trouble of making an action-adventure movie that’s just loosely tied setpieces is to lean fully into the naturally episodic tendencies of the… Read More Better than BFI’s Top 100: 85-81
Seeing Things Secondhand 