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 upcoming release of the new Scream, we’re counting down our favorite movies with one-word titles that start with the letter S! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Going back to my modus operandi for the BEC, I’m watching the 1992 film Sneakers for the first time as I take on a challenge of watching a movie per day for 2022. Starring one of my favorite actors in Robert Redford, and many greats along the lines of Dan Akyroid, Mary McDonnell, and the late Sidney Poitier, this movie has everything in it that appeals to me on the surface, and I was very much looking forward to watching this one. Post-viewing, I can safely say that I love the plot, where a group of men who are hired to find flaws in security get wrapped up in events and with secrets that in the wrong hands could lead to unfathomable dangers in the world. This concept, and the characters provided, are unique and fun to watch as they live in this world and as they work to rectify a mistake that they make with global consequences. While there are some parts of this movie that feel unnecessary, as a whole I absolutely loved my time with it. Great acting, a compelling story, and many entertaining moments, I can give nothing but a full throated recommendation for Sneakers. (Joseph Davis)
Suspiria is one of the most classical horror movies of its time. Dario Argento’s use of colors and the setting make for creepy visuals on their own. But I won’t lie, I was struggling to get into the mood for this film for a while. That was until the last 20 minutes started, and that is when the movie from 1977 managed to terrify me. But what’s more impressive is that it wasn’t a jump scare(s) that did it. The entire film was building towards something, and you know it’s coming. But the visuals from the late ‘70s are half cheesy and half terrifying because of how they look alongside the music, the colors, the story… it just all comes together towards the end and will leave a lasting impression. I have only seen this film once, but I won’t hesitate to revisit it to see whether I misjudged the first half of the film. But one thing is for sure — Suspiria is a legend for a reason. If you haven’t seen this story about witches, ballet, and color red, give it a try. (Luke Burian)
Movies with one word and beginning with “S” are not unusual. As you can see, this list has a plethora, but only one should really stand out as a must: Sideways. I wish I knew a droplet of anything compared to what Paul Giamatti’s Miles knows in this love letter to wine. The character of Miles is one of the most relatable characters I have ever been drawn to. Former writer-turned English teacher still chasing that dream of writing something with any substance, I too feel the need to just get away from it all, which is why Miles takes soon-to-be wed Jack (Thomas Haden Church) through the Santa Ynez Valley, better known as wine country. It is here through their interactions you are able to truly appreciate Giamatti’s finest form, waxing poetic in eloquent monologues and dishing out life advice even if Jack ignores all and just wants to have one last romp as a “single man.” One of the greatest joys of film is watching actors speak about subjects that you give no second thought to. When Miles shares with his love interest what makes a bottle of wine perfect, it makes me want to sit with him and talk about anything. (Scott Batchelor)
Sometimes reality can be far more terrifying than fiction, and this is clearly illustrated in the film Sicario. Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) is a dutiful and naive FBI Agent who is in over her head. She is enlisted to be on a government task force to assist with the ever-growing war against drugs at the border of the U.S. and Mexico. This crime drama is filled to the brim with tension due to various components of the film that include direction by Denis Villeneuve, the heart pounding score provided by Johann Johannsson and the brilliant cinematography by the legendary Roger Deakins. Despite being classified as more of a crime film, the sense of dread in this film is that of a horror film at times. In each scene the viewer can feel the sense of danger around the corner and you fear for the very safety of Macer as she gazes farther into the abyss. Due must also be given to Taylor Sherian and his excellent script, both when dealing with plot and the characters he has put to paper. Sicario is a film that can be difficult to watch due to the harsh reality it provides, but can be an excellent watch for those who enjoy crime dramas. (Joe Vargas)
Almost 20 years ago the world was struck with a brand new fantasy tale, one that went against conventional wisdom and subverted expectations. In that moment a new family classic was born that spawned an entire franchise including spinoffs. Shrek was a smash success, setting box office records, and even winning the inaugural Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It’s a classic fairytale story with relatable morality mixed with smart voice acting from Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, while also being laced with adult humor. It’s endearing to kids and adults alike. To this day people still enjoy this film, and Shrek himself has almost become a living meme. Make sure to take the time to enjoy it when you can, and remember… You’re an all-star. (Heath Lynch)
The espionage spy genre of action films is riddled with a multitude of classics. But whether that is a one-off film or a franchise featuring the same spy continuously, none are more world renowned than the James Bond films. And when it comes to Agent 007, there is no greater film in my eyes than Skyfall. It is the absolute zenith of espionage thrillers. It takes all that was once great about the franchise and remodels it for a new era. It examines themes around reinvention and fighting against the inevitability of old age. It has some of the best acting the franchise has ever seen, in particular from Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, and the great Dame Judi Dench. It is exquisitely directed by Sam Mendes with gorgeous cinematography from Roger Deakins. The action sequences are tremendous too, with noteworthy moments like a fist fight atop a skyscraper silhouetted by neon lights, a chase through the streets of London, or a Home Alone-esque final confrontation. Plus, the theme song from Adele still kicks to this day. Absolutely make sure you give Skyfall a chance; it’s one of the best ever made. (Heath Lynch)
Off into the unknown is where real danger and adventure happens. Long before Alex Garland took a crew of women into a strange and alien land in Annihilation, Andrei Tarkovsky (adapting the novel by Arkadiy Strugatskiy) takes three men into the Zone in one of Russian cinema’s great films, Stalker. What starts in a stark black-and-white future gives way to a colorful and haunting land full of confusion and temptation. It is hard to describe exactly what the Zone is, but Tarkovsky brings it to life in such a vivid and alluring way. Forget big action and explosions, this science fiction is raw and philosophical. Give in to this haunting film and lose yourself in the thought-provoking and mind-bending experience that few filmmakers could achieve. (Shane Conto)
I, for one, am really enjoying Pixar’s Existential Period. Perhaps not as well-known as Picasso’s Blue Period, having made it through their preteens in Inside Out and questioned their entire purpose in Toy Story 4, the studio skipped straight to the mid-life crisis in Soul. The 2020 film follows a New York jazz pianist who finds himself trapped between his life on earth and the afterlife after finally landing his dream gig. The film’s exploration of what it means to find your purpose is done with Pixar’s usual mastery. Add to that the Oscar-winning music and the fact that this is the most gorgeous looking film in the studio’s catalogue to date, and you’ve got another top-tier film from a studio that appears largely incapable of producing anything less. (Jake Bourgeois)
When it comes to thrillers, it doesn’t get much better than Se7en. The film follows a pair of detectives — rookie Brad Pitt and a seasoned veteran nearing retirement Morgan Freeman — as they try to track down a serial killer murdering based on the seven deadly sins. I’m a sucker for serial killer tales, and the premise of this one immediately grabs your attention. Both Freeman and Pitt are fantastic, and the introduction of Kevin Spacey as John Doe cranks things up to 11. We may know now that David Fincher is a master of his craft, but upon Se7en’s release, his only other feature film was Alien 3, which is a far cry from his best work, to put it nicely. The atmosphere he creates here is a masterclass in tension. Stellar performances, world-class directing, and an ending for the ages make this one an all-time great. (Jake Bourgeois)
Let’s get this out of the way: first, and foremost this movie is on the list because the one-word title does in fact begin with an ‘S’. However, Spotlight’s prominence is due to its unmistakable quality and impact that is still felt today. From the powerhouse performances to the impeccable storytelling, the movie manages to pull you right into the Catholic Church abuse scandal and keep you watching as you desperately wait for the outcome. This is ultimately achieved by its refusal to move beyond the humanity at this film’s core, as at the end of the day, this is a movie about what it means to be human and to have that central part of yourself stripped away from those in power, and of course what it means to uncover such an act — tenfold! Honestly, this was probably my favourite film of 2015, and I was thrilled to see it walk away with the most prestigious award of Best Picture at its Oscars ceremony. Deserving, important, and also just a really great film, I highly recommend you run (not walk) to your nearest movie seller, and pick up a copy for yourself to add to your library. Like our journalists’ mission, it’s so very worth it. (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
Shane
Can you tell why this one might mean something to me? Being named after a film gives a certain level of expectation for when you finally see it. This classic western lives up to the hype. Shane is about the titular gunslinger who wants to put that life behind him when he becomes the hired hand on a small homestead. But when some sinister men (including a young Jack Palance as a dangerous man in black) try to take the land from these defenseless families, Shane must fire his pistol once more. Alan Ladd is an iconic figure in the western genre along with some great performances including young Brandon De Wilde. You just might love it so much that you could be yelling, “Don’t go!” by the end as well! (Shane Conto)
Silence
What is the most important theme that has penetrated the works of Martin Scorsese for decades? Faith. His alternate life as a priest has led him to explore his own faith throughout his films. One of his most overlooked gems in his later years is Silence. A film epic in length and intimate in its exploration of faith, it boasts some incredible work by Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver as two Jesuit priests sent on a mission. Their mission? To find their mentor, portrayed by Liam Neeson, who has gone AWOL in Japan. Beautiful settings, striking filmmaking, and deeply emotional struggles pull the audience in for a truly affecting experience. Don’t make the same mistake that most did and not experience one of Scorsese’s most personal and masterfully created projects. (Shane Conto)
Superbad
It can be easy to take for granted that we are living in a decent era of comedy films. I say this because from the late ‘90s through the 2000s, comedy films sort of fell into a predictable rhythm. There were some diamonds in the rough, but it felt like a lot of rough. Then came Superbad, a film co-written by up-and-coming star Seth Rogen, and it felt like there was a seismic shift on the scene. It caught the world by fire and quickly became one of the most beloved comedies to come from the new millennium. Superbad caught fire because it took a somewhat tired concept of a high school movie and molded it into a fresh and hilarious new take on the genre. The writing was kinetic, with a constant stream of jokes that begged rewatches and later quotations. Jonah Hill and Michael Cera are perfectly cast as the leads, bringing the characters so much life and realism. Rogen, Bill Hader, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Emma Stone all appear in early film roles, all with their own great individual moments. Superbad just has all the markings of a classic comedy. (Nashua Doll)
Serenity
The first time I saw Serenity was when it came out on DVD, and I had no idea what it was other than a Sci-fi movie starring a bunch of people I had never heard of other than one of the guys from Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place and Steve the pirate from Dodgeball. Other than having a very slight feeling like maybe this was a sequel and I had somehow missed the original, I had an absolute blast. I first and foremost loved the characters who all felt so fully realized, which lent to that “is this a sequel” feeling I was getting, from their interpersonal relationships to their individual quirks. I loved the action, which at the time I just thought was awesome, and now I know is also really well shot with good choreography and enhanced by Summer Glau’s abilities as a trained dancer who did 95% of her own stunts in the film. But the biggest take away for me was the villain, the Operative(Chiwetel Ejiofor). He was menacing, yet the type of character I instantly wanted to see more from. Half of his lines have stuck with me over the years as either quotes or ideas worth pondering. I am embarrassed to say that I didn’t learn of Firefly the TV show until a year later when some friends of mine introduced me to it and I was like, “LIKE THE MOVIE?!?” and they laughed and laughed at me. But I didn’t care because I was about to start what I could only assume was the best and longest running show in history! RIGHT!? [Sobs uncontrollably] (Nick Ferro)
Shadow
If you’re fortunate, you’ll connect the name Zhang Yimou to wuxia films like Hero and House of Flying Daggers. If you’re all kinds of unfortunate, you might remember the name from the Matt Damon vehicle The Great Wall. The director’s 2018 return to form Shadow is luckily much closer to those first two than the latter, and it has all the markings of a director who made a movie with a giant budget for the mainstream market that made a well-deserved critical faceplant. Shadow is a slow burn of political strategizing in China’s Three Kingdoms period that ultimately erupts into the wuxia-style that Zhang’s better-known movies are remembered for. The film is beautifully contemplative with its pace, and the costume and set design reflect the idea of balance in the famous Yin-Yang symbol. Together with the muted color grading, the movie exists visually just above a greyscale, and it makes for a multitude of striking shots and scenes, especially when combined with the trademark slow motion shots that help turn fight scenes into dances. Among excellent recoveries after faltering with the previous movie, the giant leap from The Great Wall to Shadow deserves to be in the running, though even onto itself, Shadow is an engaging, stunning movie that should be experienced for its own merits. (Chris Bakker)
Snowpiercer
Snowpiercer is the rare case in which the source material (a French graphic novel), the film adaptation (directed by Parasite’s Bong Joon-ho), and the television adaptation (now in its third season on TNT) are all distinctly amazing and well-done in very different ways. The film stars Chris Evans and Jamie Bell as residents of “the tail” of the train containing the last vestiges of humanity (all after a snowy apocalypse), and works brilliantly on many levels. If you’ve seen any of Bong Joon-ho’s other films, you know how stylish and epic his visuals can get, but also how restrained and philosophical his vision is. Snowpiercer is a real coalescence of the insane talent involved, and further proves that no matter what genre he chooses to dabble in, Bong Joon-ho can do no wrong. (Rowan Wood)
Speed
Pop quiz, reader. What is the answer to every seemingly insurmountable obstacle in your way? Speed(the rate of movement kind; not the other stuff). At least, that’s what Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) taught me in the 120 minutes of nail-biting action that was the smash hit Speed. 1994 saw young Keanu and Sandra Bullock bring to the screen one of the most tense and thrilling action movies the ‘90s could offer. Reeves’ Jack Traven, a young L.A. cop ready to take on every risk no matter the danger, must team up with unassuming Annie to prevent catastrophe from maniacal jaded bomber Howard Payne, played perfectly unhinged by none other than Dennis Hopper. This movie has everything you could ask for in an action flick, whether it’s perfect one-liners, snarky Keanu, or the most vehicular collisions put to film ever (by my unofficial count). While rewatching this for the first time in a long time, it was amazing to see just how much tension every scene still induces. The chemistry and charm of Reeves and Bullock playing off each other throughout the bus ride is delightful and so telling of the great careers they had in front of them. It’s no wonder this was a smash hit that still holds a fantastic rating with audiences. Oh, and did I mention, they jump a bus off a freeway? (Matt Lawson)
Snatch
Guy Ritchie (great surname — I will not make this gag) is clearly at his best with the gangster genre. He has proven over and over his adept hand at writing and directing interwoven plots filled with nefarious and interesting characters known only to the seediest underbelly. Snatch stars Brad Pitt, who is great in a totally unintelligible role, as well as good turns from Benicio Del Torro, Jason Statham, Denis Farina, and the usual Ritchie suspects. Keep an eye out for a squeaky dog, and a complete cluster… ahhh… bomb of comedic errors. If this one is on your list of shame, do what you can to rectify your oversight ASAP. (Adam Ritchie)
Shazam
To me Shazam! is still the number one DCEU movie (with The Suicide Squad in at a close second) with its nearest competition maybe being the upcoming Flash movie. Pretty much I’m saying that once you stop worrying about sequel building and just have fun with it, these movies can sing! Directed by David F. Sandberg and written by the assistant of one of the writers of Spider-Man 3 (no not that one; the one with Tobey Maguire), and combined with the ever-lovable Zachary Levi and a cast of amazing kids, this movie is a great one-word title that starts with ’S’. It’s actually funny, because most of the DCEU movies always makes me think of another word that starts with “S”. (Frank Kemp)
Spider-Man
Back in 2002, Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire teamed up to make a movie that would inadvertently change the movie landscape. Of course, that movie is Spider-Man (and yes, hyphenated words are one word). It’s somewhat jarring, but mostly refreshing to go back and watch this movie because while it’s so different from the superhero fare that we’ve gotten used to today, it’s still very secure in what it wants to be. It’s unapologetically a goofy, yet serious drama about a kid who gets bit by a spider and has to deal with the ramifications. The action is fun and inventive, the humor holds up, and the emotions hit deep. The original Spider-Man still stands as one of the best comic book movies of all time. (Robert Bouffard)
Scream
Very few horror movies within the past 25 years have had the same level of impact that Wes Craven’s 1996 masterpiece, Scream, has. Craven created one of the most perfect examples of movie magic out there, from its simplistic and intriguing cold open, to its commentary on the horror movie genre and its various tropes seen throughout that century. Not only that, it still makes people laugh due to Craven’s attention to campiness and tongue-in-cheek humor, but does not make it an outright comedy. Even to this day, Scream finds a way to please new fans of the genre by making it the most accessible, because not only does it introduce audiences to a horror icon that of “Ghost Face,” but also gives them the opportunity to understand what makes horror, at its core, still scary to an audience from its tension and buildup. Scream has become a staple in the horror realm and has become influential from up-and-coming filmmakers to bring their visions to life. There is no perfect movie like Scream in our generation, and it will be hard to find one that could perhaps top it. (John Bizub)
Stripes
Stripes is a film that has everything. Released in 1981 and directed by Ivan Reitman, the film stars Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John Candy, Warren Oates, P.J. Soles, Sean Young, and a bunch of other recognizable faces of comedy. The story? Bill Murray has the worst day of his life and realizes it’s going nowhere, so in an act of why-the-hell-not, he (and his best friend) join the ARMY. With a cast like this, you know this isn’t a serious Bill Murray movie, but a classic one. Filled with some of my career favorite moments from each of these actors, Stripes is an all-time classic. (Aaron Schweitzer)
Split
There’s a hit and miss for M. Night Shyamalan’s films. For me, it was more misses than hits, but when he released a standalone sequel to one of my favorites, Unbreakable, I was a little skeptical. Boy, was I proven wrong. Split, preferred as the first supervillain origin story,is about Kevin Wendell Crumb, a man diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder and living with 24 different personalities, who kidnaps three teenage girls in an underground facility. From beginning to the end, this film is definitely one of Shyamalan’s best. The man returned to his The Sixth Sense era. James McAvoy is a crazy force as Crumb. To watch this man play this many characters in 117 minutes, was tense, menacing, and wild. The portrayal was over-the-top, but executed well. The man was perfect. I’m still upset there weren’t any kind of awards for his performance. Like, what were they thinking? Anya Taylor-Joy, as one of the victims, Casey Cooke, plays a key role for Crumb. I saw her as a final girl and I love her, so bias here. Shyamalan had something on his hands with Split. It’s definitely in my top 20 and is one everyone should watch at least once… or twice. (Chantal Ashford)
Spencer
On the heels of her snub from the SAG Awards, I’m here to sing Kristen Stewart’s praises for a film that released very recently in 2021: Spencer. This is a biopic, but not in the dull, samey sense that we’ve come to know. Stewart doesn’t do an impression of Princess Diana; rather, she plays a character the way she would be in this situation. The situation in question? Christmas with the British royal family. Diana doesn’t want to be there, but as an already highly scrutinized member of this family, she has no choice. Taking place at the Queen’s lavish Sandringham Estate, the beautiful architecture and decorations feel more like prison walls than those of a welcoming family home for Diana. Director Pablo Larraín layers so much into this story and this character study that I’m sure I’ll notice so many new ideas once I get around to my second viewing. Haunting in more ways than one, this really is a masterpiece in every area of filmmaking. (Robert Bouffard)
Saw
I generally say I am not a horror fan because I do not think most horror movies are good. But I think I need to change that and say I am a horror fan because I genuinely want to like the genre. Saw was the first horror film I fell in love with. The film has a simple concept of two men having to figure out how to survive and escape being locked up in a large room. That alone was enough to intrigue me, but this film has more layers than any early 2000s horror film had any right to. Saw balances story depth and story expansion in a way that I always feel invested and can never take my eyes off the screen. (Aaron Schweitzer)
Snowden
If you have been alive the last 10 to 15 years, then you probably have heard of Edward Snowden. Now we all probably have our personal views on the man, and I am not here to talk about him, but I am here to talk about the 2016 film Snowden. This is only the second Oliver Stone film I have ever watched, and it tells the story of Snowden’s time in the Intelligence Community, and his exposure and whistleblowing of what the Intelligence Community was doing. Stone expertly directs this story by telling it mostly through flashbacks as Edward (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) tells his story to the reporters who expose his story. Along for the ride are Shailene Woodley, Zachary Quinto, Rhys Ifans, Nicholas Cage, and many others who help bring this story more to the public eye. Woolley and Levitt really work well together and show good chemistry on screen. This film even inspired me to look up more about Snowden, and learn more about his story and what happened here. If this is an Stone film you haven’t seen, then go check it out; it is really good. (Austen Terry)
Scrooged
This retelling of A Christmas Carol is headlined by height-of-his-powers Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a greedy TV executive at a flailing channel. His big idea is to do a live showing of A Christmas Carol to be broadcast all over the world. Along the way, he is told that he’ll be visited by three ghosts to show him what he has experienced, is currently experiencing, and what he will experience if he does not change his ways of selfishness and jerkitude (patent pending). The comedy alone from Murray makes this a standout, but heavy hitters like Bobcat Goldthwait as fired, down-on-his-luck Eliot Loudermilk, David Johanson as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Carol Kane as the Ghost of Christmas Present take the comedy to a whole new level. In addition to the comedy, the moments of drama really catapult the movie to new heights. The scenes that the ghosts choose to show Murray are highlighted with tear-jerking and heart-wrenching moments that will make others emotional. Murray’s speech at the end about how every day can be a Christmas miracle is on par with some of the greatest speeches about Christmas (or in general) in film history. This is a staple for me every Christmas, but it has moments that are worthy year round. (Mike Hilty)
Sinister
Sinister is a top-five horror movie of all time, and is quite possibly the scariest. Directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke, this is a film that continues to give me hope for what horror movies can be. Hawke plays a washed-up writer who is looking for a breakthrough, so naturally, he moves his family into a home in which one of the most gruesome murders has taken place. Oh, but he doesn’t tell his family that this is the home. As he is digging deeper into the story, he finds film of other just as horrifying murders and starts to put together the pieces linking them all. The films themselves are the most impressive thing I’ve seen in horror movies, as they’re shot 100% practical on super 8 film. Sinister does not rely on jump scares, and instead holds you in suspense through its narrative, performances, and use of sound and lighting. (Aaron Schweitzer)
Suspiria (2018)
If there is one sentence that sums up this film to a T, it would be “remake done well,” because the people behind it aren’t remaking this material just to blindly follow it and put some modern, oftentimes unnecessary twist on it. They took the structure (witches, ballet) but went a slightly different direction with that. The result is something that’s unique, stunning, and functions on its own. You don’t have to see the original film to appreciate this one. And in the same vein, if you happen to see this remake first, you should go and check out the original and you won’t be disappointed either. Because even though their “bones” are the same, both movies make different decisions when it comes to telling the story. And it needs to be said — Dakota Johnson shines in this film. If you only know her as Anastasia Steele from the trilogy of films that shall not be named (and I hope not), please do yourself a favor and watch her give her all in this beautiful, captivating, and often chilling film. If all remakes looked and played like this one, the world would be much better place. (Luke Burian)
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