Here at SiftPop, we like to get creative with the topics we come up with for Best Ever Challenges and Guy Ritchie’s new film, Wrath of Man gave us the opportunity to do just that. 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 new release. So this week, we’re doing a topic that’s about as specific as you can get — best ever movies featuring a three-word title with the word “of” in the middle. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Before I ever really got into movies, baseball was my first love (and it still is, to an extent). So the reason I first saw Field of Dreams wasn’t to catch up on an all-time great film, but rather because it was about baseball and had a scene at Fenway Park (the Red Sox are my favorite team). The simplicity of the three-word title lends itself nicely to the simplicity of the film. It never tries to overexplain how dead baseball players are coming out of the cornfield. Instead, it uses them to interact with the movie’s themes of forgiveness and closure. If you still haven’t seen Field of Dreams, it should be high on your watchlist. It’s one of the ultimate feel-good sports movies of all time. (Robert Bouffard)
Over eight years ago, Ang Lee took on the challenge of directing Yann Martel’s novel, Life of Pi, a story about a teenage boy from India who gets stranded at sea with a Bengal tiger. It seemed like a tough book to adapt, but Lee couldn’t have pulled it off any better, providing a faithful adaptation of Martel’s spectacular book. Suraj Sharma delivers a tough and emotional performance as the title character, displaying a genuine connection with the CGI tiger, almost making it seem like he’s acting alongside a real one. The special effects and cinematography provide breathtaking views that absorb you in the boundless wonder of what Lee is able to accomplish, and he takes you on a spiritual journey that unfolds beautifully on the film’s grand visual scope, making this one of the best movies of 2012. Despite this movie being released when the 3D craze had been tiresome for a while, this was one of the few occasions where viewing this movie in that extra dimension heightened the experience. However, if you haven’t yet seen this movie, watching it on a television screen doesn’t dilute the magic of its technical wizardry, and you’ll see that Pi’s life is stunning to behold. (Vincent Abbatecola)
Wes Anderson’s most recent venture into stop motion is nothing short of a triumph. An incredibly unique movie that tackles racial tensions, political warfare, overarching conspiracy… and dogs. What else could you possibly want?! And this is not to mention its stellar cast! With voices like Bryan Cranston, Frances McDormand, and ScarJo, it’s a regular A-list fest. All that aside, this is truly a stunning film, with each detail thought to until its umpteenth detail. Although you always know you’re in for an aesthetic treat when you go into any Anderson flick, it’s always nice to see that he’s trying to top his last venture by doing something a little bolder, and a little different — and this is no exception. All the way down to its sneaky title, Isle of Dogs will have you loving dogs, traditional animation styles, and speaking so quirkily, you’ll think you’re the smartest one in the room. (Alice Micheli)
Edge of Tomorrow intertwines a lot of familiar elements of sci-fi and action as well as game design to deliver a well-paced thrill ride. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) inherits the ability to relive the same day over and over again when he perishes. Cage, with no combat experience, is thrusted in the middle of a war against a superior alien force known as Mimics, with only the guidance of Special Forces Soldier Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt). The premise of this film is excellently executed and is further bolstered by two great leads. Based off a manga series (All You Need is Kill), you can see the influence in the aesthetics and gives you the feeling that you are in the middle of a really intriguing live action anime. The portions of the film that really pop are the ExoSuit battle sequences and seeing Cage’s skills evolve over time. It truly feels like a video game during these moments, where little by little he makes further progress in his mission alongside Rita. He learns new tactics and advances his skills becoming a well trained soldier. Each death feels like a rogue-like game as he obtains all of his knowledge and skills, but is brought back to the start of his mission. Great sci-fi/action films are not easy to come by and Edge of Tomorrow is in a league of its own. (Joe Vargas)
Frank here to talk about Sound of Metal, the movie about a drummer dealing with going deaf. If I was a member of any group that voted for Best Pictures, this would have been the one I voted for across the board. Starring Riz Ahmed (Star Wars Episode III.IV: Raising Hope) who gives a very powerful performance, it’s on Amazon Prime and you need to go see it. I was able to relate to this flick in a big bad way and the story is a universal tale anyone can relate to. It’s dealing with loss and one’s own acceptance. I cried, okay? There, I said it.
A quick sidebar. Quantum of Solace was on the list as an option to write about, and I feel like it was a trap to try and get me to write about it. Well as you can tell, I didn’t fall for it.
Frank: 1
SiftPop Higher-Ups: ∞
(Frank Kemp)
I only beat you up because I care about you. After Parasite, I needed to watch as much Bong Joon Ho as I possibly could. The film that immediately stood out was Memories of Murder, which really made him a name in Korea. Memories of Murder follows two detectives, one who is a specialist sent from the outside and one who is the exact opposite of what a “good cop” looks like. Loosely based on a true story, this disturbing film winds up also being fascinating, both in terms of its disturbed rapist/killer and the tortured detectives that deal with the case that will push them harder than any case of their career. If you are expecting a Murder on the Orient Express or Sherlock Holmes, you are going to be severely disappointed because while this is about detectives working a murder case, it is really more about how we deal with the world around us. (Aaron Schweitzer)
You may know of the time the late, great Kirk Douglas worked with one of the greatest directors of his time, Stanley Kubrick, for the 1960 epic Spartacus, but you may not know that this was actually the second film that they worked on together, preceded three years earlier by the film Paths of Glory. Set in the French army during the First World War, Kubrick tackles two distinctly important areas of the war at the same time: the futility of trench warfare, and that those concerned only with promotion and personal glory often lay the blame, and punishment, on the troops sent over the top to the meat grinder of no man’s land. Douglas does a phenomenal job in this film as one of the only truly honorable characters we see, firmly believing the trial for cowardice (punishable at the time by death) is a farce as he tries to save the three men on trial, while the supporting cast from the generals to the privates permeate this film with a unique view on war. This film is also very well shot for its time, from the time in the trenches to the ultimate fate of the three soldiers whose lives hang in the balance, it increases tension as you inch closer and closer to the end of the film. It may not be one of Kubrick’s most well-known works, but for a distinct view on the First World War, Paths of Glory is the right road to travel by. (Joseph Davis)
This week, we’re crossing off another film on the List of Shame, and one that has been on the list for quite some time, with Lawrence of Arabia, a nearly four-hour epic that is a perfect example of a film where it’s a marathon and not a sprint. This film tells the story of T. E. Lawrence, played by Peter O’Toole (one of the most controversial and perhaps consequential figures in history) and of his time during the Arab Revolt and the often forgotten Middle Eastern theater against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War, one of the most, if not the most, consequential wars during the twentieth century. While some aspects, such as Sir Alec Guinness (perhaps best known for his roles in Star Wars, Bridge on the River Kwai, and Raise the Titanic) portraying an Arab character do not sit well with me, as much as I love Guinness’s acting prowess, this Best Picture winner is well worth the time spent watching, if only to become aware of the British officer with piercing blue eyes who helped to change the course of history. The camera work is stunning, the effects are amazing for the time, the soundtrack is beautiful, and each character and their motivations are deep and complex, fitting for a story of one of the most complex figures in history. Sitting through a nearly four-hour film is a daunting task, but to see the big break of the man with the most Oscar nods for acting without ever winning, not a single second feels out of place. (Joseph Davis)
What makes Alfonso Cuarón one of the best directors working today? Is it his ability to breathe humanity into any story? Is it the rawness of the characters and emotions that he packs into every film? Is it the incredible eye for filmmaking that he utilizes every time he takes the reins on a film? All of these hallmarks of his craftsmanship can be seen in his modern sci-fi classic, Children of Men. A film ignored for substantial praise in the year of its release, this dystopia delivers a world way too close to home. Clive Owen is a bureaucrat who must protect the life of the first pregnant woman in years. Awe-inspiring long takes, tangible world building, and harrowing poignancy of emotion combine to create one of the most impressive films of the 21st century. (Shane Conto)
If you’re a film fan, it’s a good bet you’ve seen your fair share of gangster flicks. However, this Brazilian epic is different. Set in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, it follows two kids: one becomes a photographer and the other, a kingpin. The Brazilian setting adds something unique to the story. It’s amazing what a little change of scenery can do, but that’s not the only reason this film works. It looks gorgeous and there’s a reason it was nominated for four Oscars (director, adapted screenplay, cinematography, film editing). Oddly, Best International Feature Film was not one of them. It’s not just the critics that love this one — it’s number 22 on the IMDb Top 250. One of the best films of the 21st century, it’s well worth your time investment. (Jake Bourgeois)
Bridge of Spies
Steven Spielberg directing Tom Hanks in a Cold War thriller written by the Coen brothers. Nothing more needs to be said, really. I certainly didn’t need any further convincing to check this one out. In case you do, however, Hanks plays an American lawyer recruited to defend an arrested Soviet spy (Mark Rylance) and helps facilitate an exchange for a captured American spy plane pilot. It served as my first introduction to Rylance and he’s spectacular in a role that earned him an Oscar. It’s a fascinating story that makes for a solid thriller. No one is going to argue this is either Hanks or Spielberg at their best, but even their middle of the road efforts are better than most. (Jake Bourgeois)
Kingdom of Heaven
I love a good sword and kings and horses movie. And now you might be thinking, “Then why the heck are you writing about Kingdom of Heaven?!”My response to that would be to tell you to watch Ridley Scott’s extended director’s cut and get back to me. Coming in at 194 minutes, the director’s cut gets at some heavy themes about religion, right and wrong, and monarchies. It’s presented in Scott’s typical style five years after Gladiator and the action is bigger and more bombastic. If you only ever saw the theatrical version of this movie, I’d recommend checking out the director’s cut. I think you’ll get a lot out of it. (Robert Bouffard)
Man of Steel
Man of Steel retells the story of Kal-El, a.k.a. Clark Kent, as he becomes Superman. It starts with the death of his planet Krypton (along with his parents, tragically) and shows how Kent is a hero but doesn’t care to be recognized for it. He is just man doing great deeds until he finds his calling and dons the suit. This time around, it’s not one of those feel-good comic book movies. MoS has a darker tone and works well. With a standout performance, Henry Cavill is a great Superman, definitely a looker, and can pull of a disguise in a pair of glasses. Rounding out the cast, you have Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, and Russell Crowe, who all had a great performance, alongside the “everything’s on fire” and crazy fight scenes. I believe this the reboot of Superman we needed. (Chantal Ashford)
Also See: School of Rock, End of Watch, Lord of War, Terms of Endearment, Quantum of Solace, Out of Africa, State of Play, Body of Lies, Out of Sight, Den of Thieves, Lords of Dogtown, Knight of Cups