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 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, we’re counting down our favorite movies with a hyphen in the title! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Who loves some action mixed in with some comedy? Director Matthew Vaughn shows his confidence in mixing the two together with his 2010 film Kick-Ass. Thanks to his love of comics, ordinary teen Dave Lizewski, a.k.a Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), builds himself to become a superhero to fight crime. He eventually teams up with Damon Macready, a.k.a Big Daddy (Nicolas Cage), and his daughter Mindy Macready, a.k.a Hit-Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz). Dave also forms a friendship with Chris D’Amico, a.k.a Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), who is another butt-kicking vigilante. The friends find themselves battling against crime boss Frank D’Amico, Chris’s father (Mark Strong). Thankfully, Vaughn had a lot of creative freedom to make this a darkly humorous, very violent, action-packed film. The movie does a good job setting viewers up with Dave’s aspirations when we are introduced to him, thanks to hs narration. While it might be a turnoff to have an underage child committing Avengers-like kills and spitting out expletives, that doesn’t takeaway Moretz’s performance with some of her stunts. The plot thickening puts you at the edge of your seat when Dave starts to find himself in conflict with Frank. Dave really seems to find himself and his place in society by putting himself through the superhero phase. (Christian Grullon)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince typically falls in the middle of most Potter fans’ film rankings despite having some of the most impressive filmmaking in the series. It was here that David Yates fully embraced his moody Wizarding World aesthetic, no doubt aided by his one-time collaboration with cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel. Most recently known for his unforgettable work on The Tragedy of Macbeth, Delbonnel’s inspired visual style earned the Wizarding World franchise its only cinematography Oscar nomination to date. The film is also one of the most well-scored of the series, thanks to the severely underrated Nicholas Hooper. Most viewers associate Half-Blood Prince with featuring the franchise’s most heartbreaking moments, but it is easy to forget that the first two-thirds also contain many of its biggest laughs as well. As dynamic as it is moving, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a worthy entry into one of the most consistent franchises around. (Foster Harlfinger)
When it comes to body horror, there is one film that always pops into my head: Stuart Gordon’s Re-Animator, most notably starring Jeffrey Combs, who plays the eccentric Herbert West, a kind of oddball amongst his peers in Medical School. He has strong opinions that don’t fit right with instructor Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale). Herbert is conducting bizarre experiments concerning the reanimation of dead tissue, and happens to drag in poor Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott) into his radical experiments. Of the film’s components that is most enjoyable is the black humor, paired with the gruesome body horror seen throughout. While there are not an abundance of these scenes, when they transpire, they are memorable to say the least. Herbert is by far the most entertaining character, and you can’t help but laugh at this comically cold individual. Re-animator is a film that is always fun to randomly watch for its visuals and dark comedic tone. (Joe Vargas)
We are all familiar with the were-wolf, but do you know all the other crazy human/animal creatures out there? Those who play D&D probably know plenty, but Aardman Animations gives us the most terrifying one of all… the Were-Rabbit! Wallace & Gromit has delighted audiences for years with their British humor and fun Claymation. But they hit the big time with The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the feature length film that even grabbed the Academy Awards’ attention. Wallace and his trusty pooch, Gromit, get into the action when strange things start happening in their garden. This creature feature comes to life surrounded with enjoyable characters and action that pushes the boundaries of what stop-motion animation can do. It brings together the stars of the original shorts, and even adds some of the best talents in the U.K. like Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes. Wonderful animation, refined humor, and a bonkers adventure makes this an absolute delight. (Shane Conto)
Times were simpler at the beginning of comic book movies, before the MCU ruled the world. With the introduction of the X-Men franchise, which spawned three sequels and four prequels over 20-plus years, the stories were neverending. But out of the seven films, 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past stands out. The fifth installment of the franchise, a sequel to The Last Stand and First Class, focuses on two time periods. Logan (Hugh Jackman) is sent back to the past, with the reluctant help of young Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) to prevent Raven Darkhölme (Jennifer Lawrence) from causing a deadly event that will alter their lives forever. There’s always a war to fight, and we’re always rooting for the mutants, but with Days, it felt like the end of the X-Men. But at the very last minute, they overcome their differences and understand the bigger picture to give themselves a better future. The nostalgia kicks in, as familiar characters (Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Halle Berry) mix with the new (Nicholas Hoult, Evan Peters, Omar Sy, Bingbing Fan), along with the original theme in the open credits. The story is cohesive and holds emotional depth even still. Director Bryan Singer returns behind the camera and gives a fast-paced, satisfying, action-packed film with the familiarity of X-Men, while still feeling new. If I had to choose which X-Men movie is my favorite, you already know the answer. (Chantal Ashford)
In 2002, visionary director Paul Thomas Anderson released Punch-Drunk Love, and chose none other than comedic master Adam Sandler to be his leading man, Barry Egan. To this point, Sandler had starred in comedies exclusively, and had established himself as a superstar of the genre. But Anderson discovered the rage that the actor could hone in his comedic style, and wrote the film specifically for him. One night, Barry gets lonely and calls a phone sex line, which leads to some complications, orchestrated out of a Utah furniture store by sleazy owner Dean Trumbell (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Barry’s sister Elizabeth (Mary Lynn Rajskub) sets Barry up with a coworker, Lena (Emily Watson). Through an exploitation of a promotion from Healthy Choice, Barry has obtained several frequent flyer miles, which he uses to follow Lena on a business trip to Hawaii, and solidifies their relationship further, only to be met with more complications from the furniture store when they return. Punch-Drunk Love is, by definition, absurdist. There are just as many bizarre and comedic moments as there are uncomfortable and dramatic ones. Barry is both relatable and ridiculous; he is sympathetic yet enigmatic. The life he leads is both mundane and outlandish. Anderson wants us to know that there is comedy found in the drama of life, and vice versa; there is insanity in the ordinary. Sandler, as the neurotic and troubled Barry, portrays this masterfully in a beautiful and touching film. (Jacob Kinman)
Disney really brought out all the stops with the video game nostalgia in Wreck-It Ralph. It’s an homage to the evolution in gaming since they became mainstream in the 1980s. It’s also a love letter to the old school arcade, something that is slowly dying now that shopping malls are closing down. Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) is an endearing character who everyone should root for. Reilly shines, bringing his comedic timing and charm to the role. Sarah Silverman also does some of her best work, showing an energetic and sweet performance as Vanellope. I challenge anyone who doesn’t think animated movies can be powerful to watch Wreck-It Ralph when he starts reciting the villain support group creed and not tear up. Wreck-It Ralph is a joy to watch, and a film that Disney needs to explore more of ASAP. Also, the Fix It Felix Jr. game that was on iOS was fantastic! (Mike Hilty)
Before the MCU set the “golden standard” for the superhero genre going forward, there was Sam Raimi and his take on one of the most beloved superheroes of all time. And even though we have seen “a few” other Spider-Man films and different takes on Peter Parker since then, Spider-Man 2 is still my favorite. Everything here works, from the themes to the villain (Alfred Molina rules), and most importantly, Raimi brings his unique skills from making lower-budget horror films and implements them here. That is why some scenes can feel darker than your average superhero movie of today. I also liked how this movie and the original Spider-Man are both “complete” films. What I mean is that you can watch them on their own or back to back, and even though we continue Peter’s story from the first film, you don’t have to watch the first film to enjoy this one. Because all themes and stories are merely expanded upon, but those themes are universal — responsibility, power, and being good. Also, neither film ends with a cliffhanger. Spider-Man 2 showcases how you can make a sequel and make it feel better, bigger, and somehow still fresh and exciting. That is why I consider it to be one of the best sequels of all time, and the best Spider-Man film to date. (Luke Burian)
When a movie is arguably at the top of Steven Spielberg’s legendary filmography, it is going to do well on a lot of overall rankings, too. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is Spielberg at his best with humor, heart, clever camera work and special effects, character development, suspense, and more. The story is equal parts a coming-of-age tale, a family drama, and a sci-fi epic. Spielberg brilliantly utilizes the lessons learned out of necessity during Jaws of building suspense by knowing when implying rather than showing yields the best result. You only get fleeting glimpses of E.T. in the opening 10 minutes, but you already empathize by feeling the terror of being chased, and the hopelessness of being abandoned. E.T.’s struggle to reunite with their family is thematically paralleled with Elliott’s difficulty coping with his parents’ divorce. Movies depending on a child lead role live and die by their casting, and this one thrives thanks to Henry Thomas, not to mention a great performance from Drew Barrymore. Spielberg also relies on his usual cheat code of John Williams, as his dynamic score yet again drives the tempo and emotional beats. This movie paved the way for much of modern science fiction and for child-driven narratives, none so more than Stranger Things. You empathize with Elliott’s emotional journey and with E.T.’s homesickness. While the nature of the story guarantees a bittersweet resolution, it’s well worth every tear shed along the way. (Jason Mack)
Ben-Hur as a movie is a lot of things. The novel by Lew Wallace was subtitled A Tale of the Christ for its reference to Jesus, who makes an appearance in the story, and is often referred to by its characters. It’s also a political drama revolving around Rome and the people of Judea, as well as the story of Judah Ben-Hur as played by Charlton Heston, his work as a politician, his rivalry with childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd), and his subsequent enslavement after Messala’s betrayal. With a runtime of three-and-a-half hours — not counting the deliberate insertions of an overture and intermission — there’s a lot of movie here, but one can be forgiven for letting it all fall by the wayside for that one enormous set piece in the hippodrome. The chariot race that’s at the center of the movie is spectacular for today’s standards, let alone 1959, and it’s the main reason its $15 million budget was the biggest movie budget ever at the time. It’s an epic tale that simply doesn’t get made anymore, and a lot of that is due to the pacing. Moments are allowed to breathe, and time is taken for the construction of the plot and its characters. It’s a long watch, but in an age where we binge entire seasons of television in a weekend, it’s also a great use of your time to tell a single, engrossing tale, no matter its age. (Chris Bakker)
Kon-Tiki
Although it was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2013, Norway’s Kon-Tiki does not garner nearly enough appreciation. I first watched this film while living in Norway in 2017, and I was immediately smitten. Telling the story of scientist/adventurer Thor Heyerdahl (Pål Sverre Hagen) as he sets out on an expedition to attempt to prove that Polynesians originated from South America rather than Asia, Kon-Tiki is an exciting adventure that shows how far one man will go to try to prove a point. Hagen gives a great performance in the lead role as the charming and nuanced Thor, a man so obsessed with his ideas that he loses track of the sacrifices that must be made to realize them. While the film is certainly not without its flaws, most notably some stilted writing and pacing issues, it’s got some beautiful cinematography, surprisingly realistic visual effects, and a great score by Johan Söderqvist. The film is also notable for its unique production — instead of making a traditional English dub, almost every scene was shot twice: once with the actors speaking in their native Norwegian, and then again with them speaking English. While I do find that the Norwegian performances are a bit more compelling, this unique technique makes this one of the most watchable English versions of a foreign language film available, and you can find it streaming free on YouTube. (Jake Hjort)
Ant-Man
It’s understandable that some people can get what is commonly referred to lately as “Marvel fatigue,” meaning that there is too much Marvel Studios content being released, to the point that its overwhelming. However, I think one of the films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe that avoids that feeling is the Phase Two finisher, Ant-Man, released in the summer of 2015 and starring Paul Rudd in the titular role. After being released from prison and deciding to do one last heist to get enough money to see his daughter again, Scott Lang (Rudd) breaks into the home of Hank Pym — former S.H.I.E.L.D. and Pym Technologies founder — who orchestrated the entire heist for Scott to see if he is worthy enough to helm the long-rumored Ant-Man suit, a suit that gives the wearer the ability to shrink down to the size of an ant and communicate with ants to do their bidding. This film surpasses its expectations and delivers a fun and exciting story that can be viewed both within the context of the larger MCU and independently. Rudd is incredibly charming and funny, playing very well off of Douglas’ strict, no-nonsense Pym, and having favorable chemistry with Evangeline Lily’s Hope Van Dyne. Even in the sequel, that same energy continues to be present, and makes for an enjoyable viewing and rewatch. I will be excited to see how these dynamics play into the next film in the franchise! (Jeff Alan)
Cry-Baby
If Grease and Rocky Horror Picture Show had a baby, it would be John Water’s Cry-Baby. Its over-the-top campiness makes it entertaining and endearing. Johnny Depp stars as “Cry-Baby” Wade Walker, a bad boy with eyes for sweetheart Allison (Amy Locane). But, Cry-Baby and Allison’s societal differences get in the way of their romance. The couple must overcome town gossip, stereotypes, and disapproving friends to be together. It’s not the most profound plot, but it’s lighthearted and fun. The soundtrack is the film’s strongest point, with songs that’ll be stuck in your head for days to come. You’ll be adding “Please Mr. Jailer” to your playlist. Plus, there are plenty of quotable lines to go around in this script. Depp proves his versatility as an actor in this role. He’s not afraid to let loose and lean into the ridiculousness of the plot. And he’s got great chops. The late Susan Tyrrell also wows as Cry-Baby’s grandmother, Ramona Rickettes. She was made for the role — wild and carefree with just the right amount of insanity. Is Cry-Baby the greatest movie ever made? No. But, if you’re in the market for an easy watch with catchy tunes and laughs, it’s a cult classic that won’t disappoint. (Diana Gebbia)
Non-Stop
Liam Neeson has done a lot of action movies since the release of Taken in 2008. Some (read: most) aren’t very good, but that just makes the ones that are stand out even more. Non-Stop is one of the good ones. Neeson plays Bill Marks, an air marshal on a long flight, who has to save the passengers on the plane without even knowing who is threatening their lives. Non-Stop does a great job of packing in excitement, thrills, and action into not only its fairly lean runtime, but into the confined space of a transatlantic plane as well. Some solid direction from Jaume Collet-Serra and a very good performance from the always-committed Neeson give this a solid baseline of quality, but with its mystery and strong supporting cast, it’s able to become something even better. (Robert Bouffard)
The A-Team
If you’re in the mood for some dumb action and fun antics from a pre-superstardom Bradley Cooper, Rampage Jackson, and prime Old Man Neeson, you should watch The A-Team! For real. This movie has been lost in the shuffle of action movies and remakes because of the success of the MCU, John Wick, and Mission: Impossible. It’s honestly a great time. The stars have some funny and wacky dialogue. The plot is straight forward and gets out of the way so we can have good action sequences. I have pleasant memories of plopping down on the couch and watching this overlooked flick with my dad and brother. We made for a great team watching and quoting it together. (Sam Nichols)
The Break-Up
Before Peyton Reed brought us the pint-sized hero, he directed an interesting comedy in 2006 called The Break-Up. The film simply tells the story of a couple who break up, and neither wants to give up their luxury condo in Chicago. So they decide to live together to see who will cave first. Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn star as the couple, and comedy ensues throughout. This film has mostly been forgotten, except recently one of the couple’s arguments has become a TikTok sound, bringing the movie to a viral market. The film brings in several other talented comedic actors to make it a decent watch if you’re alone during the week of love. With the likes of Jon Favreau, Joey Lauren Adams, Justin Long, Jason Bateman, and John Michael Higgins, you can almost be guaranteed to find some good comedy. There are definitely some laugh-out-loud moments that will stick with you. (Austen Terry)
The Change-Up
In what could easily be mistaken for a Judd Apatow endeavor (seriously, it has everything from Leslie Mann to the Heavyweights go karts ), The Change-Up is a racy, raucous romp with a fresh take on what has become a tired cinematic trope. This iteration finds friends Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) and Dave (Jason Bateman) switching bodies following a mystical event reminiscent of Big. Bateman and Reynolds both turn in spirited yet on point performances as each other, matching up beat for beat, from facial mannerism to the animated inflection of their tones. Once swapped, Bateman plays Mitch as if Van Wilder changed majors, got married, had kids, and practices law like a foul-mouthed character in a procedural drama, while Reynolds as Dave embraces the free-wheeling lifestyle of a hunky, obligation-free bachelor indulging in, well, everything. While the plot generally follows the typical Freaky Friday playbook of each party coming to appreciate their own lives, as well as the struggles of the other, this twist of adult friends being swapped combines with the outlandishness of the performances to make this one fun watch. If you’re in the mood to turn off your brain for a bit and enjoy a bawdy and Wilde time (Yes, Olivia is in this too!), The Change-Up is for you. (Patrice Downing)
Scooby-Doo
With the spotty track record of live-action adaptations, even if you look at more recent attempts, the fact that we got a decent Scooby-Doo movie more than 20 years ago now is no small achievement. The gang, alongside the titular canine, with Matthew Lillard as Shaggy, Sarah Michelle Gellar as Daphne, Linda Cardellini as Velma, and Freddie Prinze Jr. as, well, Fred, inhabit their characters from the classic cartoon well, without feeling like cheap imitations. Lillard’s portrayal is so spot-on that he has even become the go-to as Shaggy’s voice over actor, too. The mystery, co-penned by James Gunn, which takes place on the aptly named Spooky Island, also feels in line with a classic Mystery Inc. investigation. It’s a fun enough time for those who feel nostalgic for the franchise — and it won’t even cost you 10 chariot races of your time. (Jake Bourgeois)
Semi-Pro
There are a few things unavoidable in life: death, taxes, and Will Ferrell starring in an absurd comedy with an admittedly unique premise. This is where we find ourselves in 2008’s Semi-Pro, where Will stars as Jackie Moon, the owner, player, and coach of the Flint Tropics in the ABA, which is a somewhat ridiculous name that rivals some of the funniest in fiction, such as the California Atoms, Charlotte Biscuits, or Brooklyn Nets. In seriousness, I firmly believe this is one of Ferrell’s best performances, helping to carry the film on his back (who doesn’t like the idea of the Flint Michigan Megabowl). Sometimes silly, sometimes cheesy, the whole time a fun movie to just tune out the world and laugh at dumb humor. (Joseph Davis)