Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Cyrano, we’re counting down our favorite movies featuring a man’s name in the title! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
My third favorite movie of all time is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Although many believe Raiders to be the better film, I personally like Last Crusade more for several reasons. To start, I love everything about this character, from his headstrong, inept cockiness as a kid, to his more experienced cockiness as an adult. Harrison Ford brings every ounce of charm that he has to this role and after multiple outings he has really evolved the character to be even more engaging than when we first meet him in Raiders. This movie above the other entries is by far the most humorous, from Indy’s interactions with his father, showcasing Sean Connery and Ford’s excellent chemistry, to smaller gags like the man in the library stamping the books. Connery fits right into this franchise so well that it’s a shame he is only in just this one. In fact, the whole cast is great, and they are so fun to see playing off each other in the final tank chase. But overall, this movie has a fast, fun, and intriguing plot full of treasure hunting, puzzle solving, espionage, chases, and gun fights. Coincidentally, this week’s topic is practically tailor made for The Last Crusade, as it’s the movie that we finally learn Indy’s real name, because as we all know, they actually named the dog Indiana! (Nick Ferro)
In recent years it has become all the more common for smaller, more artsy films to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Outside of a few minor exceptions like Black Panther we don’t even see big box office draws getting nominations for the Academy’s top prize. However, in 1994 Forrest Gump took the world by storm, earning over $677 million at the domestic box office, second that year only to The Lion King, and it went on to win the top prize of Best Picture. To say that Forrest Gump was a phenomenon would be an understatement. It was inescapable. It’s a charming story spanning almost three decades from the mid-‘50s to the early ‘80s about a simple man who just wants to find love and purpose, and in searching for that he inadvertently impacts the course of history. Although it may have taken a bit of a modern negative revisionist hit from some, overall this is still quite beloved. Having Robert Zemeckis at the helm with a captivating performance from Tom Hanks only serves to cement its legacy. Hell, the film has permeated pop culture so much that it feels like you can’t even go a month without someone comparing life to a box of chocolates. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Because you never know what you’re gonna get. (Heath Lynch)
What is so important about a name? A name can be representative of so many different things. It can represent your culture. Your religion. Your community. Your family. A name can be powerful along with all the weight that it carries. One’s reputation lives on with their name. One such powerful name is Ben-Hur… Judah Ben-Hur. This is a princely name, as Judah is a man of his people. Ben-Hur tells the tale of this man whose name is torn down and his reputation destroyed. The name of Hur soon represents unrelenting vengeance instead of the leadership it once did. This holy epic (told parallel with the tale of Christ) takes its hero through unrelenting trials. Charlton Heston is towering in his portrayal of this prince-turned-slave. This is a film full of epic scale, thrilling action, and layers of themes that will leave you emotional and longing to process the horrific events that tore down the House of Hur. There is a reason this epic has the most Oscars of all time… it is a cinematic triumph. (Shane Conto)
I would like to start out by admitting an embarrassing truth: I did not fully get or understand the pun in this title until I was almost fully an adult. I know, I’m a monster. That said, it’s got to be one of the most classic movie pun titles ever, right? It helps that it’s a phenomenal movie to boot. When we think of movies from the ‘90s and the impact they had, I think it would take only a short time to get to Good Will Hunting. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck showing off their writing muscles on a script that stands the test of time, as well as really introducing us to two of what would become some of the biggest names in the industry. It also has Robin Williams flexing his dramatic chops, dropping some of the most incredible lines in cinematic history, while portraying one of the better therapists depicted on screen from this era. It’s overall just a beautiful story. It’s somehow simultaneously relatable, hilarious, heart-warming, and gut wrenching. It’s a high recommendation from me, and if you don’t end up at least liking it, I have just one thing to say: It’s not your fault. (Nashua Doll)
Aladdin can be credited as one of the ‘90s films that brought about the resurgence of Disney as a powerhouse of animation. The brilliance of the film can be found throughout the entirety of its production, whether it be animation, voice performances, score and its superb script. Aladdin as a character is brilliantly realized and is a great protagonist to back as he navigates through Agrabah. Along with his trusty monkey companion Abu, they scrape by to eat and try not to let their daily woes get them down. The true heart of the film is the relationship shared between Aladdin and the all powerful Genie, voiced by the late Robin Williams. The way they play off of each other throughout the film and the evolution of that relationship is heartwarming, especially in the fully realized musical numbers that are beautifully animated, hilarious and overall vibrant. The musical segment for “A Whole New World” allows the viewer to gaze into the budding romance of the primary leads in exquisite fashion. Aladdin will take you on a magic carpet ride that you will never want to see end. (Joe Vargas)
The Truman Show is one of those beloved ‘90s movies that I really didn’t like when I first saw it. But after many people told me to rewatch as an adult, it became one of my favorite Jim Carrey movies. The movie tells the story of Truman (Carrey) who has lived his entire life as the star of the world’s favorite reality show, The Truman Show, a 24/7 live broadcast of Truman’s life, all done without his knowledge. I won’t reveal any more about the plot, because this is a movie that you go watch right now if you haven’t seen it, and then come back. This movie definitely deserves all the praise it has gotten over the years, and Peter Weir did an excellent job bringing Andrew Niccol’s story to life. Everyone in this movie is fantastic and truly makes an excellent dramatic comedy. I cannot praise this movie enough for what it does, what it says about life, and what it says about our lives being spent in front of the TV. (Austen Terry)
This week, I’m going to do another instance of watching a movie off my unwatched list, with the 1984 historical epic Amadeus. Now, I’m a fan of classical music and to put it simply, this is nothing short of pure bliss for me on the musical front. Depicting a partially fictionalized version of the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his relationship and rivalry with court composer Antonio Salieri, you have some dynamite performances with some absolutely phenomenal camerawork that truly sets the stage for each scene. F. Murray Abraham in particular just goes to another level with his performance as Salieri, telling the story from his perspective of a man who cannot understand why the gift Mozart received is not his, while grappling with the fact that his rival’s music will forever outshine his own. This, coupled with some amazing acting and a phenomenal set and costume design, makes this movie feel like you’re back in the time when Vienna was the center of music and art, and just how transformational Mozart’s music was. So, if you’re a music fan like me or just want to see a masterclass in acting, just be like Falco, say, “rock me Amadeus,” and put this film on. (Joseph Davis)
Boasting a large cast, Saving Private Ryan has arguably the greatest opening 30 minutes in cinematic history. It’s certainly the most visceral and confronting, to the point that actual veterans had to walk out of the film suffering from PTSD. Playing the titular Private Ryan, this is yet another film where Matt Damon has to be rescued because he is always getting himself into some kind of mischief. Led by Tom Hanks, a crew of soldiers are assigned to find, and bring home, Ryan safely as all of his brothers have been killed during the war. Steven Spielberg crafted an emotional journey that culminated in an epic, and equally emotional, finale that now has its place in classic cinematic history. (Adam Ritchie)
During my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to take a film and lit class. The first film we watched was Citizen Kane. I had heard about Citizen Kane from AFI listing it as the greatest film of all time. The expectations were pretty high. What I saw was a beautiful story of ambition getting the best of people, a technical achievement that was cutting edge and so wildly ahead of its time, and a timeless tale of a man and his most treasured possession. I was one of three students defending it as a cinematic masterpiece, while the other students argued it was boring and dated. They didn’t understand how great of an accomplishment Citizen Kane is to modern cinema. Orson Welles pulls double duty as the director of a triumph of technical scope. The shots, the pans, the transitions (oh my!) make this a marvel that would set the stage for other directors to play catch-up. Welles also plays the larger-than-life Charles Foster Kane, a media mogul of the days when newspapers were the primary form of news (remember those days?) whose passing triggers a deep dive into the life of a titan. Citizen Kane deserves all the praise it gets and is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, films ever made. (Mike Hilty)
Schindler’s List is one of those movies that sticks with you for life. In the hands of one of the greatest filmmakers ever, Steven Spielberg, the story of Oskar Schindler came to help a generation of people truly understand the horrors that hatred can have on a group of individuals. Schindler’s journey is truly remarkable, as he was part of the Nazi party, yet he saved the lives of 1,200 Jewish people. Powerhouse performances anchor the cast as Liam Neeson transforms himself into Schindler to portray his ambition, his compassion, and his guilt. Ralph Fiennes portrays Amon Göth, a villain befitting of the actual atrocities that occurred during Nazi occupation in Europe. Fiennes is chilling, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest actors that portrayed villains. Ben Kingsley gives a performance of the ages as Itzhak Stern. This is a film that has iconic imagery, as well as a story about a man whose actions didn’t warrant time in history books, but whose story demanded to be told. The beautiful black-and-white cinematography, the choice use of colors, and the script shape Schindler’s List as one of the most beautiful and powerful movies ever made. I’ve only seen it a few times — by no means is it an easy movie to get through, but it’s an important movie that demands attention, deserves accolades, and should be required viewing for anyone interested in film, history, or compassion. (Mike Hilty)
Logan
So recognizable is the character, played by Hugh Jackman over the course of 17 years and eight previous movies, Logan is the first X-Men movie not to include “X-Men” in the title, or at the very least the codename, Wolverine. As the first R-rated X-film, Logan is as visceral as it is violent, a graphic, intensely brutal love letter to the portrayals of Wolverine and Professor Charles Xavier, the latter played by Sir Patrick Stewart. The film is heartbreaking, seen through the geriatric eyes of once indestructible, now weatherworn mutants, at the end of their respective stories. Logan is aging terribly; his adamantium skeleton, once such a strength, is now slowly, painfully poisoning him beyond the point that his failing healing abilities can counteract. For Charles, the decline of his body has also resulted in the far more consequential decline of his capacity to control his mutant powers, but it’s the tortured relationship between he and Logan that lends the movie its heart and humanity. The final key ingredient to Logan’s success is the addition of Laura (Dafne Keen), an uncommunicative, ferocious Wolverine clone whose past is as tragic as the X-Man himself. With all the grit and grime of a Western, Logan is a complete devotion to tragedy, the end of the line for a man, a mutant so iconic that his first name holds more weight than any superhero designation ever did. (Jonathan Fedee)
Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko is a wonderfully hard-to-describe film that is equal parts horror, science-fiction, and coming-of-age. A young Jake Gyllenhaal delivers an excellent performance as our title character, and director Richard Kelly’s eerie tone is unmatched. Kelly directed this film to perfection with creative cinematography, an outstanding soundtrack, and some seriously unnerving horror imagery. For many film fans, including myself, Donnie Darko is one of the first films we watched which required multiple rewatches, conversations with friends, and a serious amount of late-night Google searches to piece it together. To some, this film is an ambitious, but flawed, early 2000s psychological thriller. But to others like myself, Donnie Darko is a uniquely formative movie-watching experience that can never be replicated. (Foster Harlfinger)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
The Harry Potter series does what many major film franchises fail to do and sticks the landing completely. The Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a brilliant denouement that resolves virtually everything that was previously open-ended and gives our favorite characters the endings they deserve. This was only the second Harry Potter film I was able to see in a cinema, but it remains one of my best theatrical experiences, simply because of the emotional catharsis and jaw-dropping spectacle it provided. The entire cast is at the absolute top of their game, the visual effects are nothing short of stunning, and the payoff is some of the most satisfying I’ve ever seen. It is (and shall remain) the perfect cap to one of the best film series of all time. (Rowan Wood)
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
I have, of course, seen many movies in the theater during my life, but it is rare for me to remember my experience of seeing a movie in the theatre beyond just the movie itself. But when I think of Borat, the first thing I think of is watching it in the theatre and laughing my head off with many other people. When it comes to laugh-out-loud comedies, nothing will ever top this. If the other people in this had been actors, Borat’s (Sacha Baron Cohen) odd behavior would probably have come across as a bit cringe, but the fact they were all real people giving genuine reactions gave the whole experience an extra level of humor. People seemed willing to accept pretty much everything he does because they believed he was from another culture, even though many of the things he does show a fundamental lack of human decency. The humor won’t be for everyone, and it’s the kind of comedy that thrives on being outrageous; in a sense, it being outrageous is the joke! Not everyone will see the funny side of what he does to real people; they will feel bad for them and those he is offending. But if that doesn’t bother you, and as long as you know that’s what you are getting into before you start watching, I can’t recommend it enough. (John Tillyard)
John Wick: Chapter 2
For me, John Wick: Chapter 2 is to this date, the best film out of this series. Why? It took everything we knew and loved from the original John Wick and made it bigger, flashier and better. Am I saying the sentence every exec must have said at least 1,000 times to different filmmakers, when convincing them to make a sequel to a movie that in most cases, didn’t need it? Yes. And you could say John Wick was one of those films. But I am glad they made it and somehow managed not to fall into the same traps as other films trying to make everything “bigger, flashier, and better.” I’ve always said the biggest reason for that was the change of scenery — John going to Italy for a part of this movie made it more intriguing and fun to watch. Plus, this is where Keanu reunites with Morph— I mean Laurence Fishburne, in what was a pretty funny scene without tipping their hat off to that fact. That is something I appreciate about John Wick franchise — they all brilliantly dance on the line in between serious and cheeky, and John Wick: Chapter 2 does it the best. And the ending…! Love it. (Luke Burian)
Ocean’s Eleven
Move over Rat Pack. As much as I love the original 1960 Ocean’s Eleven, I still have to go with the remake as being my Oceans. The year is 2001. Do your best to find a film from this era that has an ensemble cast that can match the power that we were hit with when this gem came to the screen. You’ve got the likes of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and I will run out of words if I keep going through what a star-studded cast this features! Between Pitt literally chewing through scenery for, well… every scene, and Clooney charming his way through every moment, we were gifted one of the greatest heist films possible. No matter how many times I rewatch, this one never gets old! (Matt Lawson)
Michael Clayton
We’re talking an awful lot about the perceived death of the movie star these days, and while I don’t necessarily ascribe to that line of thinking, it’s very easy to see why it exists at times. George Clooney is without a doubt one of the actors who has the undefined it when it comes to stardom. Full of gravitas, charm, and comedic timing, it’s sometimes easy to forget he’s also an incredible actor. 2007 was full of fantastic movies, and Michael Clayton somewhat flew under the radar with a lot of people. In it, Clooney plays the titular character, a fixer for a law firm who specializes in doing whatever it takes to save face, repair damages to the firm’s reputation, and altogether make sure that things are going smoothly in the midst of crises. It might seem like dry subject matter when the movie revolves around one of the firm’s lawyers suffering a mental breakdown in the middle of representing a chemical company in a billion dollar lawsuit, but the movie is chock full of fantastic performances from Clooney himself, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton and Sydney Pollack, and is the kind of legal thriller I want to see more of. If you’re one of those people who extolls the virtues of 2007 as one of the greatest years in film history and this is not on your list, be sure to add it as soon as you find it. (Chris Bakker)
Jerry Maguire
“Help me help you.” “Show me the money!” “You had me at hello.” These lines and several more have made their way into popular culture and the American vernacular thanks to one of the best films of the 1990s: Cameron Crowe’s fifth feature, Jerry Maguire. The film was a huge hit at the box office and garnered five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, Tom Cruise’s titular performance, and a Supporting Actor win for Cuba Gooding Jr. This film has a stellar cast beyond Cruise and Gooding, including Renee Zellweger, Kelly Preston, Regina King, Bonnie Hunt, Jay Mohr, Jerry O’Connell, Beau Bridges, and a very young, very adorable Jonathan Lipnicki. The film finds Jerry Maguire, a powerful sports agent, at a crossroads. After a drastic change of heart, Jerry writes a mission statement about the immoral woes of his profession, distributes it to the whole office, and gets fired. He starts his own agency, bringing along Dorothy Boyd (Zellweger) and grows closer to her and her son Ray (Lipnicki). This film is well-paced, hilarious, endlessly captivating and heartwarming, and perfectly showcases Cruise’s incredible performance. Jerry’s rapport with Dorothy and Ray, his bombastic interactions with Rod Tidwell (Gooding), the stellar supporting cast, and the fantastic script all add to this film becoming a modern classic. (Jacob Kinman)
Napoleon Dynamite
If you were to look up “quirky” in the dictionary, you’d probably just find a picture of Napoleon Dynamite. The 2004 indie comedy darling was the feature debut of Jon Heder and made the actor a surprise star for the subsequent few years. Both Heder and Napoleon Dynamite blew up, and much of it is down to Heder’s iconic portrayal of an awkward and alienated teenager helping his new friend run for class president. It wasn’t just Heder that caught on, though. The references about tots, Tina the llama, Uncle Rico’s arm strength, “Vote for Pedro” t-shirts, and dove hands were everywhere. I sported a cheesy mustache during my middle and high school years and definitely had a bit of a Pedro vibe going. As someone who was initially perplexed by this seemingly stupid movie, it took me some time, but its charm eventually worked on me, too. The appeal of this offbeat comedy is hard to put into perspective for those who didn’t live through its unlikely rise to something more than cult classic status. If you give it a chance, though, you just might find yourself fist pumping harder than Kip after another solid bumper-assisted roll at the bowling alley. (Jake Bourgeois)
Klaus
With it being February and all, I thought it would be appropriate to speak on a very timely film: A Christmas movie! But in all seriousness, Klaus, named after the large, gruff character played by J.K Simmons,is about as heartwarming of a movie as you can get. It’s a kind of origin story for the idea, myth, and traditions of Santa Claus and Christmas; it’s also one of the few original films that exist in this specific frame of theme. It’s honestly just a really lovely film that has a great amount of care and compelling story ensuring it’ll become one of your next favorites. That’s not to mention the stunning and unique animation style that just helps pull this whole film together in a way that warms the soul. (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
Sherlock Holmes
I never thought I would enjoy a film about a quirky, unhinged detective from the late 1800s until 2009’s Sherlock Holmes. Guy Ritchie put his spin on 1890s London with the private detective, played amazingly by Robert Downey Jr. He and his companion Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) are hired by a secret society to stop Lord Henry Blackwood’s (Mark Strong) plot to gain control over Britain through supernatural means. Ritchie’s directing style — the fast-cutting, plan within a plan, and the slow motions to build up his films — actually works with Sherlock Holmes, especially my favorite scene in which Holmesmakes calculations in his head on how to win a fistfight. The film is chaotic, but a good time. The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Law is perfect and believable. Also, the back and forth between Holmes and his former adversary and love Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) is a nicely done subplot. Strong makes the villainous and creepy Blackwood convincing with the screen time he is given. The visuals are over the top, the action sequences are entertaining, and the supporting cast delivers quality performances. The feature ends with Sherlock Holmes going after his infamous adversary Professor Moriarty, thanks to Irene, but that’s another film all in itself. If you’re looking for a good Sherlock Holmesstory, this is the one. (Chantal Ashford)
Robin Hood (1973)
Robin Hood is one of cinema’s most recognizable archers — he’s certainly its most prolific. While I did find myself impressed at how well Errol Flynn’s classic portrayal holds up, I will defend Russell Crowe’s shot at the role, and I even found Sean Connery’s turn in Robin and Marian fun enough, nostalgia’s a hell of a drug. For that reason, I prefer my Robin with four legs instead of two. That’s right, we’re Disneyfying this thing. It’s a weird entry in the Disney canon as it’s one I’ve generally thought of as being among the studio’s underrated classics, but I’ve changed my tune in recent years. It appears a lot of people around my age have a soft spot in their heart for it, and why not? It gives a fun take on the classic band of misfits, and the villains (particularly Peter Ustinov’s Prince John) are delightfully hateable. It’s the classic tale you remember, just with animal versions of the characters and some great music. “The Phony King of England” is a banger, and I won’t hear otherwise. Though the fact that I just called something a “banger” means that probably nobody is calling them that anymore. (Jake Bourgeois)
Don Jon
Everybody already loves Joseph Gordon-Levitt; who doesn’t want to be his best friend? So it is no surprise that Don Jon, directed, written and starring JGL, should be considered in the upper tier of romantic comedies. Playing the titular role, Gordon-Levitt tells a unique story about a man who has his routine and has a hard time breaking it. Don Jon’s daily habits includes cleaning his apartment, working out, and much to his detriment, an addiction to pornography. As a single bachelor, this does not present much of a problem. It is only when his high maintenance new girlfriend Barbara (Scarlett Johansson) finds out about his reliance on pornography that he must decide what is really important to him. A wrinkle is introduced when Julianne Moore’s character of Esther makes an unexpected entry into Don Jon’s life. It is only after Don Jon starts talking to Esther that he is able to confront his addiction to porn and begin learning what it feels like to have a meaningful relationship. This has to be considered in the top five romantic comedies because of what everyone brings to the table. Johansson is brilliant and manipulative, but somehow also reasonable. Her reaction to Don Jon watching porn is fair from her viewpoint, but then she starts putting him down for wanting to clean his apartment himself, and you start to wonder whose side you can agree with. And if that doesn’t convince you, just saying the film’s title of Don Jon is an enjoyable experience. (Scott Batchelor)
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