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 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, we’re counting down our favorite movies featuring rings! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
The Olympic rings are some of the most symbolic symbols in the history of logos. Everyone around the world knows what they mean. A worldwide competition dating back to 1896, the coverage of winter and summer Olympics is the most talked about event for two weeks every two years. Along with such renowned coverage comes an endless amount of incredible feats of athleticism, and some of the most stunning controversies in sports history. In modern times, Tonya Harding is one of the most controversial figures in Olympic history. This black comedy attempts to tell the story from Tonya Harding’s (Margot Robbie) point of view in a mockumentary style filming. I, Tonya does the impressive job of making this hated figure sympathetic by making Tonya and husband Jeff Gillooly (Sebastion Stan) the narrators, albeit unreliable ones at that. The character work is what really stands out. These actors fully immerse themselves in the roles and perform almost perfectly a true depiction. Who I believe really steals the show however, and quickly becoming one of my favorite actors is Paul Walter Hauser as Shawn Eckard. Go and watch this movie and then watch interviews with Shawn Eckard and you will see how amazing Hauser is as an actor. (Scott Batchelor)
People sure love their boxing movies. Rocky was an Oscar darling and has become a permanent fixture in our culture (especially for us Philly area folk). It made perfect sense that when Million Dollar Baby came around, people expected Rocky with a female protagonist! But… they sure were wrong. Clint Eastwood’s drama is so much more and so much darker than a reimagining of your standard underdog boxing story. There is no happy ending but a film full of depth and themes that will challenge you. The whole cast is masterful, including Eastwood who might be giving his greatest performance of all. Hilary Swank was on the top of her game and at the height of her popularity and Morgan Freeman was at his peak with Eastwood. There is a reason why this drama became an Oscar darling itself and it certainly has to do with the poignant drama inside and outside the boxing ring. (Shane Conto)
The Departed marks the first, and so far only, Academy Award winning film from legendary director Martin Scorsese. It is a remake of the terrific Hong Kong film, Infernal Affairs, and it depicts the Boston Police going toe to toe with the Irish mob with mole agents being placed in each unit. We also get all-time performances from an all-star cast consisting of Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Vera Farmiga, Martin Sheen, Alec Baldwin, and Mark Wahlberg. With this arsenal of heavy hitters, Scorsese delivers drama and theme work like you’ve never seen him do before. This isn’t just another gangster movie reveling in the lifestyle, this is a high anxiety crime thriller. The Departed even gives us the two for one special as it is a movie about a drug ring but it also has an iconic phone ringing scene at the climax of the film. This is purely one of the greatest crime films ever made, and you should absolutely give it a watch soon if you haven’t seen it lately. (Heath Lynch)
Before boxing movies turned into predictable cliches or more Rocky sequels/spin-offs, there was one that dared to be different. And it’s all because Martin Scorsese couldn’t tell who was boxing who, on his tiny screen, while growing up an avid box fan in the ‘50s. True story, when asked about why he decided to have the camera climb into the ring with the actors, that is what he said. And what a great decision. But Raging Bull is so much more than a simple boxing movie. It’s one of the first instances of the “rise and the fall” formula, that we all know and… love? Learned to tolerate? Based on the book by the boxer himself (Jake LaMotta) Martin Scorsese tells a compelling story about a really broken individual, who was outstanding at one thing. Scorsese also established himself firmly in the annals of movie history, won Robert De Niro his second Academy Award, and gave us a boxing movie that hasn’t been knocked down as of yet. And trust me, there were plenty of competitors in that ring, but only one, problematic, complicated, yet compelling is a true champion, by a cold KO. (Luke Burian)
City of God is a film about a boy growing up and his involvement in two separate drug enterprises (or rings as you may call them) in the slums of Rio De Janeiro. While the film’s poster makes this out to be a romantic movie, this is actually a gritty crime drama that has a bit of romance in it. In an autobiographical tale of Paulo Lins (author of the novel this is based off), we follow Rocket, who learns to navigate the slums and tries to pursue his passions of photography and romance while also working to make it out of the slums alive. With increasing tensions between rival drug gangs that finally comes to a head in one of the most tense scenes you’ll ever see and an absolutely brutal last act, City of God still manages to be a movie of hope, which is perhaps its greatest accomplishment. (Aaron Schweitzer)
Something special happens when you let a young, ambitious, up-and-coming director make whatever their heart desires. You might get The Sixth Sense, Donnie Darko, Shaun of the Dead, Pulp Fiction, or The Evil Dead, but you’ll be sure to receive a healthy portion of boldly creative choices along with it. Such is the case with the Wachowskis’ second feature, The Matrix. The choices this movie makes could only be made by filmmakers unpolluted by typical show business cynicism. From the sunglasses and leather coats to the wild techno-metal-rock-rave soundtrack, The Matrix is filled with unabashedly zany choices, but somehow the Wachowskis made it all work. All it takes is one opening scene — culminating in a last-minute escape via ringing phone booth — for you to place your trust in their hands. With top-notch action, an incredible science fiction premise, and a scene-chewing villainous performance from Hugo Weaving, The Matrix has all you could ever want from a film. (Foster Harlfinger)
Save perhaps one, I doubt any other ring (as jewelry) has garnered as much conversation among cinephiles as Cobb’s wedding ring from Inception. We’ve all either gone down a YouTube rabbit hole of theories about Cobb’s true totem, read articles, or just rewound the final scene numerous times. Don’t act like you haven’t. The fact that more than a decade later, debate still rages around the ring is both a testament to director Christopher Nolan’s feverish fanbase and the quality of the film as a whole. The premise of implanting ideas in another’s mind by entering their dreams is one of the more unique premises to come along in cinema history. I don’t know if anyone else could pull it off as successfully as Nolan does here. That it’s considered one of the director’s best, given the overall quality of his filmography, speaks volumes. I don’t suspect the discussion over this ring will die down anytime soon. (Jake Bourgeois)
It’s a Wonderful Life is, deservedly, is in my top 100 favorite movies of all time. At the ripe old age of 36 I can safely say, I’ve seen it at least 36 times, but in truth that number is probably higher. As a kid, my parents would put it on a lot during that week between Christmas and New Year’s and I have distinct memories playing with toys, building Legos, and eating cookies while watching this beloved classic. As I grew older, the message of the movie really struck a bell for me more and more. This past year when I watched it with my kids and Zuzu (Karolyn Grimes) proclaimed: “Teacher says, ‘Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.’” I definitely got choked up. It’s such a beautiful story of a man who is so wrapped up in helping others, in lieu of his own dreams, and was too blind to see how important he was to others. There is a strange selfishness of wanting to experience what George Bailey (James Stewart) goes through at the end. But I can’t say I haven’t wondered how the world would have changed without me and to be given the gift of knowing your true impact on those around you. George received that gift and learned the true lesson of life, love, and friendship. (Nick Ferro)
It has often been said that the Lord of the Rings trilogy aren’t individual films, but in fact three entries that make up one whole, and I would concur with that. It’s hard to separate out one to talk about here, especially considering this week’s BEC focuses on rings. However, I have attempted to do so here with the final installment, Return of the King. The culmination of one of fantasy’s most epic tales, this film sees Frodo complete his quest to destroy the One Ring, the ultimate MacGuffin, and somehow every moment of this three-plus hour epic is thrilling, I mean there’s a reason it won Best Picture at the Oscars. From the cinematography, stellar performances, CGI that still holds up almost 20 years later, and absolutely compelling story arcs, this is honestly one of the best films in modern cinema history. So why is it on this list? Well its relation to the topic is so obvious, there’s really no need to elaborate. However its position on this list is due to it having achieved what seldom other franchises have been able to: wrap up a saga in a way that is satisfying, epic and exceeds all expectations. If, for some reason, you’ve been living under the biggest rock in creation, I recommend that you buy the box set (extended editions, not theatrical), pick a weekend, turn off all communication devices, and get ready for the journey of a lifetime. (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
When the opportunity to rewatch The Godfather presents itself, you leave the gun, take the cannoli, and put it on. This is a fascinating story of one Michael Corleone’s rise in the Corleone crime family and sets up the remainder of The Godfather trilogy. Francis Ford Coppola does a brilliant job with how he depicts life in the New York Mafia of the ‘40s and ‘50s. From how Michael carries himself through the film to how kissing the ring of the Godfather shows his superiority, this slowly burning story manages to hold your attention for the nearly three hours it takes to reach a stunning climax, leaving dozens to sleep with the fishes. Between the story, acting, and set design, this is an immersive story from beginning to when Michael passes the point of no return as others kiss the ring of the Godfather. So if you have never seen this excellent piece of cinema, please find the time to do so. This is an offer you cannot refuse. (Joseph Davis)
Creed
Both the Rocky franchise and the character of Rocky Balboa are iconic. So, it’s quite an accomplishment when he’s merely a supporting character in the franchise’s best effort, in my humble opinion. In Creed, our main character is Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis, son of Apollo Creed. He recruits the aforementioned Balboa to train and mentor him. For a franchise about boxing, at least at surface level, no film before it, nor the sequel after it, has captured the action inside the ring so well. Case in point: the one-shot fight with Leo “The Lion” Sporino. I’d never seen any boxing scene like it, and I still haven’t since. The lead performances from Jordan and Sylvester Stallone are, of course, fantastic. However, director Ryan Coogler just elevates things to the next level with the way he chose to shoot the film — particularly those set in the boxing ring. (Jake Bourgeois)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
I love the Harry Potter universe. The books and movies are all great and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is no exception. This movie gives us the set up for the finale of the series by introducing us to the Horcruxes, mainly the ring and locket. This movie has a lot of wonderful exposition and grandeur storytelling with several new special effects to truly show us the wonders of the magical world. Dumbledore destroyed the ring, but at the cost of a curse to his hand. Therefore it is imperative that he hand the responsibility of destroying the Horcruxes over to Harry. This story also includes the death of a main character which begins to solidify that no character is safe in the world of Harry Potter. I highly recommend checking out the Harry Potter universe if and when you have time. They truly are a wonderful story. (Austen Terry)
Doctor Strange
In the 14th film of the MCU, we step into the world of magic, sorcery, and more CGI action sequences. Doctor Strange is the story of a neurosurgeon who learns the mystic arts after a career-ending car crash. Stephen Strange, who wants his life back, goes on this psychedelic journey through other dimensions by the Ancient One until he becomes a reluctant sorcerer. He’s given a sling ring, which is a mystical ring, which helps open up different portals or other dimensions to travel through (I wouldn’t mind having one of those myself). The film is fun, serious, action-packed, has a superior cast, and is aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. A few times, it feels like Tunnel of Terror, as in Willy Wonka, but more like the tunnel of mystical, alternate dimensions. Doctor Strange is one of my favorite MCU films. No shame to admit, it’s probably in my top 10 and in March 2022, the sequel will be there too. (Chantal A.)
Iron Man 3
Seeing as we’re talking about some rings, it seems fitting that we mention where it all started. I’m of course talking about the highly underrated sequel that is Iron Man 3. I remember there being a huge backlash whenever this came out, especially due to the fact that the big twist involving a specific comic character that was played more as a joke. But that never stopped me from enjoying what I think is the perfect sequel to Iron Man’s story after the events of the first avengers. Here we have a Tony Stark, who has just realized how much bigger his world really is after coming back from the battle of New York. He’s working late, constantly being set off by stress and constant anxiety. It also gives us a chance to see what Tony is like when he’s locked out of his suit and forced to rely on his brains for getting him out of tough situations. I love it so much and I just don’t think this movie is appreciated as much as it should be. I always only hear about how disappointing the twist is for the villain, who wears plenty of rings, but never hear about how good Robert Downey Jr is at bringing us this PTSD filled version of Tony Stark, or about how he goes beyond relying on his tech and using his knowledge to get him through some situations. (Alex Henderson)
The Greatest Showman
I have zero background in music, and only have a ukulele in my attic from that one time I thought “hmm maybe I’ll learn an instrument.” So naturally, I have never really been interested in watching musicals in general and thus didn’t bother seeing The Greatest Showman when it came out in theaters. However, upon hearing the soundtrack and the finale of “The Greatest Show” while on a road trip, along with my love of how versatile Hugh Jackman is in any role, I decided to give this one a try. I. Was. Not. Disappointed! Problematic issues of the real story of P.T. Barnum aside, if you take this film at face value as a fantastic musical about a flawed person chasing their dreams, you are going to have an absolute blast! The soundtrack alone is amazing, and throw in the mesmerizing choreography (looking at you “The Other Side” bar scene), and I’m hooked. P.S.: Words aren’t possible to describe the joy you get from witnessing an all-star cast of Jackman, Zac Effron, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, and the criminally underrated Keala Settle. If you want to laugh, cry, and have a fantastic soundtrack to go back to again and again, this won’t let you down. (Matt Lawson)
Rocky III
Inspirational stories of two titans squaring off in the boxing ring are incredibly enthralling. This is even more so the case when the lovable Mook/boxer, Rocky Balboa is involved. Rocky III is a story about reclaiming the intensity and focus that drove you to be your best and the unlikely places you will have to go to reclaim that. As champion, Rocky has started to be complacent and domesticated, the ferocious and fiery Clubber Lang (Mr. T) emerges and brutally strips him of his title. Before stepping in the ring for the anticipated rematch, Rocky must reclaim the “Eye of the Tiger” seeking the help of frenemy Apollo Creed. The training montage to follow is one of the best of the series and develops the relationship between the two former champions. The song “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor perfectly encompasses Rocky’s journey to find that fire in his gut that made him so special to begin with. The film culminates in an epic confrontation between the two behemoths with Rocky reclaiming the title and most of all, his self worth. Rocky III reveals the relationships built in and around the boxing ring and how intimate the boxing world can be. (Joe Vargas)
Phone Booth
The concept behind Phone Booth might seem foreign by today’s standards as most people walk around with cell phones in their pockets. If you asked someone who was 20 years old or younger whether they’ve ever even seen a phone booth in their life, you’d likely be surprised by their answer. Regardless of its dated premise, Phone Booth as a movie delivers a high anxiety thriller in a single location bottle setting. Colin Farrell delivers a powerful performance as the man in the booth, while Kiefer Sutherland’s voice is haunting as the man on the phone. It’s all endlessly captivating, and compels you to keep watching. The film delivers compelling choices of morality with high stakes life or death scenarios. It challenges the viewer by stating: What would you do? Will you answer when the phone rings? (Heath Lynch)
The Ring
Yes, yes, I know the original The Ring from Japan is considered the better movie, but I haven’t seen it, so I can’t review it. BUT, I have seen the 2002 American version and I unironically love this movie. Its link to this week’s topic should be quite apparent but, just in case it is not, the premise here is that seven days after watching a cursed video tape (for the under-20s that would be one of those rectangular plasticky things with the film inside that your parents, quite rightly, won’t let you touch) you will die, and the last thing you see before you die is a ring. “Ooooooohhh spooky,” I hear you cry in faux-surprise. Actually, yes, it is very spooky! I will keep this spoiler-free, despite it being a film that is now two decades old (sighs in ‘mid-life’ crisis) but it is the origin of, and surrounding tragic tale behind, the vexatious VHS that sets The Ring apart from most 2000s horror in particular. The tape itself is a disturbing mix of seemingly incongruent images supported by a fantastically anxiety-inducing score. Instead of said images being randomly disturbing, what is satisfying for me is that our protagonist Rachel Keller, played by Naomi Watts, is able to use them as a bread crumb trail to the tape’s horrifying origins. At this point Samara, ‘The Ring girl’, and her distinctively unnerving gate is forever embedded as one of the creepiest manifestations in the horror genre. But, for me, the most unnerving element of this film is the final frozen visage of the tape’s victims. If you are able to sleep soundly after those terror-stricken faces have been emblazoned on your mind, I would worry for your soul that nothing could keep you up at night. (Ian Whittington)
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