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 The Green Knight, we’re counting down our favorite movies with colors in the title. Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
When it comes to under-appreciated directors that helped shape the future of movie-making, I feel like John McTiernan is high on the list. While Die Hard is easily his best film, I think it would be unwise to forget how fantastic The Hunt for Red October is. I first saw the movie relatively recently upon doing a deep dive into McTiernan’s filmography, and I was absolutely floored by it’s quality. Having known it took place in the Jack Ryan universe and having seen others in the series, I was expecting a mid-level action thriller. Something enjoyable, but ultimately not something that sits with you long after. Needless to say, I was wrong. The Hunt for Red October is thrilling from the onset. The story itself is well composed and the set pieces are fun and grounded. We are treated to some classic performances from an all-star cast. I specifically want to call out Scott Glenn, who has had a sneakily great career, turning in another fun performance here. It’s just all around a well made film in an environment that doesn’t always bode well for great movies. I would venture to say that this is without question the best submarine-based movie out there, and you would be doing yourself a favor to give this one a watch. (Nashua Doll)
So last week I came to you with the story of one of the finest hours in U.S. military history with the joint operation with British, French, and Canadian forces storming Normandy. This week, I come to you with a more recent operation — this time a film depicting one of the lowest moments in U.S. military history: Black Hawk Down. Set during the Battle of Mogadishu, it tells the story of the U.S. soldiers who, as part and with the help of United Nations peacekeeping force, must fight their way to crashed Blackhawk helicopters in an attempt to rescue their own after a mission goes awry. Director Ridley Scott does a good job at portraying the events of battle, while the cast (which has a lot of solid actors in it) does an equally solid job in their roles. There are some parts I don’t think hold up well which, along with the fact that this came out some eight years after the actual events in an act that I can only describe as “too soon,” hold the movie back, but it’s still an enjoyable enough film to watch. This is also the film in which Tom Hardy got his debut role, and that is something we can all appreciate. (Joseph Davis)
“Once more into the fray. Into the last good fight I’ll ever know. Live and die on this day. Live and die on this day.” The moment I spotted The Grey on the list for this week’s topic, I knew I had to take it. But then it dawned on me that it’s been almost 10 years since I’ve last seen it. Well, I have corrected that mistake the day after choosing it, and to quote my girlfriend, “damn, that’s an intense movie.” She wasn’t wrong. The Grey is, to put it simply, a masterpiece. It’s a film that’s cold, harsh, and can come across as almost uninviting at times, because it is not something you categorize easily. It’s not an action movie, as people were led to believe when it came out. It’s a stunning drama, where one man (Liam Neeson is brilliant, just sayin’) goes from nearly killing himself at the beginning, to wanting to live. To the point, he’s willing to fight for it, both metaphorically and literally, until his last breath. It’s about the pure power of human will to survive. What I also loved were the flashback scenes, that (surprisingly) don’t take you out of the movie, but enhance your experience (the resolution about his ex-wife is something I wasn’t prepared for). Thank you, SiftPop, for making me re-visit this film. I don’t regret my choice. And if you give this a chance and won’t expect dumb action film like “Liam Neeson kicks ass and beats up some wolves,” I suspect neither will you. (Luke Burian)
Ocean bound movies are famously difficult to make; they’re expensive, hard to film, and prone to disaster. It’s strange, then, that Disney green-lit a movie like that based on nothing but a theme park ride, with so much else available in the way of source material. Even now, almost 20 years after the first film, the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is oft-maligned for the drop in quality over the course of the series. It should not be forgotten, though, that The Curse of the Black Pearl was enough to spawn a whole new era of Johnny Depp’s outrageous characters, four sequels to date, and an enormous amount of revenue for Disney — and with good reason. The first film in the series is a throwback to swashbuckling adventure films like everybody keeps saying they’ don’t make anymore, with larger than life characters, masterful set and costume design, and an old-fashioned movie star performance at its center. The Curse of the Black Pearl is blockbuster entertainment to a T, and to this day it is absolute magic. (Chris Bakker)
One of the key strengths of The Green Mile is that director Frank Darabont delivered an aesthetic to match the films of the era the film is set in. It’s poetic, charming, and enthralling. I’m not sure there is a better director/novelist combination than Darabont and Stephen King. They’ve combined three times and are a clear three-for-three in quality. The Green Mile is a lot of things: sweet, charming, and funny, but also brutally emotional and at times shocking (pun intended.) Lead by Tom Hanks, the supporting cast is fantastic. The familiar ‘90s figure of David Morse offers great support, but Michael Clarke Duncan steals the show with his heartbreaking performance as John Coffey. “Like the drink, but spelled different.” Sam Rockwell is also a standout for me as evil incarnate Billy Wharton. Doug Hutchison is also superb playing the aggravatingly great villain Percy Wetmore. How beautifully apt it is, that before he gets to sit in ol’ sparky, Coffey’s last wish is to see “one of them flicker shows” that he’d never seen before. This grows in stature with each watch. (Adam Ritchie)
Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple is one of the most remarkable works in history. Spielberg’s film is exceptional and is based on the classic novel written by Alice Walker. Tears will shed, and the film has an extraordinary cast as Whoopi Goldberg gives her best performance ever. The film is incredibly emotional and reflects back at the hardships of what 20th century African-Americans faced. It explores many themes including incest, sexism, and racism. It’s a beautiful piece of Spielberg’s collection despite its flaws and criticisms the film has faced. (Kristin Ciliberto)
I know hearing the title A Clockwork Orange always garnered a specific type of response from people. Shock… disgust… fear. What kind of film could have such an impact? Well… one of the most controversial films in the history of cinema. Few directors out there are quite like Stanley Kubrick, who knew no boundaries when it came to his art. The ultra violence permeates throughout this classic piece of dystopian cinema. This vibrant and evocative journey sees Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell) and his Droogs commit the worst offenses for fun, but then Alex must endure the worst torture of his life in prison to “fix” him. This shocking film challenges audiences at every turn as we see this twisted journey that Alex goes on. But don’t you worry… in the end, Alex is fixed, alright. You do not want to miss out on this unique experience. (Shane Conto)
Black Swan is the film where Natalie Portman said, “I am here and you will not ignore me!” A powerhouse performance as a ballerina on the edge, this is a film that represents the worst in self flagellation and expectation. It’s a psychological thriller in the truest sense of the genre, and my God is it interesting. Put all that aside and you also have a really well-told movie that keeps you captivated for its entire runtime, as you desperately try to unravel the intricate story threads being presented to you. Horrifying, magical, and transformative, Black Swan is unique in every sense of the word, and if you haven’t seen it yet I highly recommend you give it a shot. You won’t regret experiencing a secondhand descent into madness; I promise. (Alice Micheli)
I remember being so excited to hear that T’Challa was getting his own movie after his debut in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. When Marvel sets up a character for more down the line, they almost never disappoint. As you can tell, Black Panther not only didn’t disappoint, but was also a movie that meant so much more to many after it’s release. Director Ryan Coogler did such an amazing job bringing Wakanda to life. It had been hinted at before now, but we’re actually able to see it realized and it’s quite gorgeous. There’s also no way I couldn’t skip over talking about the late Chadwick Boseman. Just like many others before him in the MCU with their roles, Boseman completely embodies the character of T’Challa. His legacy will forever be associated with this iconic character and may he rest in peace. (Alex Henderson)
It is no exaggeration to say that Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is one of the five most influential movies of all time. Snow White is not only the first animated feature from Disney, but it is also the first traditionally animated feature-length film. It is difficult to ignore the dozens of film and television properties that have been influenced by Snow White. When watching this movie in the 21st century, it feels like you are watching an important piece of film history come to life. If that makes revisiting this classic sound like a chore, never fear, because this movie is a delight! The beautiful hand-drawn animation and stellar character designs are endlessly charming, and the classic tunes are sure to put a smile on your face. Snow White has a great sense of humor, memorable characters, and a timeless story that set the template for every animated feature moving forward. (Foster Harlfinger)
White Christmas
White Christmas is my favorite movie of the holiday season. I have watched this film at least once a year for as long as I can remember. I asked my parents when the annual tradition began and I was informed this started well before I was born in 1986. Directed by the acclaimed Michael Curtiz, this melds the lively atmosphere of a Broadway musical with the cinematic experience of film, and it’s all bundled together in a quaint post World War II package. All of these pieces create a great canvas for Danny Kaye, Vera-Ellen, Rosemary Clooney (yes, ancestor of that Clooney), and the legendary Bing Crosby to thrive with humor, pageantry, dance, and song. Oh, the songs. Though the titular “White Christmas” originally debuted in an earlier Irving Berlin seasonal film, Holiday Inn, it finds new life and appreciation here. As well, you have catchy hits like “Sisters,” “The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing,” and “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep),” though “I’d Rather See a Minstrel Show” definitely has obvious issues. Still, White Christmas is a timeless classic bursting at the seams with great jokes, colorful performances, and some of the defining songs of the season. (Heath Lynch)
Blue Ruin
Revenge as an act is often glorified in film, with the exception of a few filmmakers willing to show its messy reality. Writer and Director Jeremy Saulnier reveals how vengeance can fuel a person to such lengths that everything else in life can appear trivial by comparison. Blue Ruin introduces you to an in-over-his-head protagonist in the timid and melancholy Dwight. When the meek and disheveled Dwight claims vengeance, it isn’t glorious and cathartic as he expected. It’s chaotic and primal, with blood being sprayed profusely throughout the room as he struggles to murder the man that wronged him to his core. The film does an exceptional job of showing the ripple effects of such savagery and that acts of violence only begets more violence. He even fails to consider the well-being of his estranged sister and her family, disregarding their safety in order to accomplish his sole mission. This is a cautionary tale about how vengeance can consume one’s life to such a degree that the individual becomes an empty shell of a person. Blue Ruin isn’t interested in making its subject matter flashy or relieving, but shows the harsh reality of walking this miserable path. (Joe Vargas)
Blue Valentine
Raw. This is probably the best way to describe Blue Valentine. It captivates its audience with performances for the ages from Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. They play young lovers who go too fast into their relationship and don’t really ever get time to be a real couple. As a child of divorce, this resonated with me in a relatable, uncomfortable, but all too real way that people who are just not compatible with one another long-term try to stick it out for frivolous reasons. This is especially true for our young couple, who unfortunately are moving in different directions professionally and personally. Cindy (Williams) is trying to get her life together whereas Dean (Gosling) is stuck and rudderless. It builds to a rough final fight that rivals the fight in Marriage Story among two pros who are giving it their all. This is filed under movies to watch, but maybe not movies to watch all the time territory. The performances alone make this one worth watching. (Mike Hilty)
Green Room
I discovered Green Room purely by accident — it was in one of those DVD discount bins you come across in many stores. In the eyes of a life-long, and die-hard Trekkie, the combo of Sir Patrick Stewart and the late Anton Yelchin was well worth the £2.50 price tag. It turned out to be the best individual £2.50 purchase I have ever made. The elevator pitch for this movie must have been one of those rare few that makes everyone present forget which floor they were going to and why. In short, a struggling punk band accepts a last-minute gig at a middle-of-nowhere bar, realizing all too late that it’s run by a group of Neo-Nazi skinheads who use it as a cover for a concealed drug lab. Yup, Professor X is the head of said Nazis. If you love watching your reluctant protagonists accidentally themselves into a desperate situation that they then have to improvise their way out of with nothing more than a guitar amp and a box cutter, then this is the movie for you, my friend! Be warned, like most A24 films, this one does not shy away from some pretty graphic bodily harm. You’re going to want to count your fingers after this one. (Ian Whittington)
Ash is Purest White
Anyone who has read my series Out of Market should know how I began my dive into global cinema with the Chinese film Ash is Purest White. This storytelling of the underbelly of crime in China over the span of several years is a beautiful story as over time, our two main characters’ stories slowly reverse as they continue to cross paths. This film has amazing camera work, which makes you feel as if you are part of the movie. You feel a connection with Zhao Tao as she does everything she can and gives up a lot to help a man who, more often than not, doesn’t pay her back in kind. It’s just the kind of slow burn that draws you in close and keeps you interested until the bitter end. That and of all musical numbers you can jam along to, The Village People’s “YMCA” has its day in the shade in the early parts of the film, which helps bring you in just a bit more. So when you stay at the YMCA, take a chance and pop this film into the DVD player. (Joseph Davis)
Men in Black
“A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals, and you know it.” In 1997, the film Men in Black dared to ask, what if aliens lived among us and we didn’t even know it? The film is about a covert government agency protecting the earth from the aliens. Agent J (Will Smith) and Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) come together when a dangerous alien attacks and almost causes earth’s total destruction. Men in Black was one of the best action movies of 1997 and pulls off feats of special effects some movies today wish they could do. Besides the action and great special effects, the dialogue is just fantastic and several lines are still quoted by fans today. Men In Black is a super recommendation, and if you haven’t checked it out before, what are you waiting for? Do it now. “You know the difference between you and me? I make this look good.” (Austen Terry)
The Blues Brothers
If you have ever been to a minor league baseball game then you know that fun theme nights are a huge part of the draw. As a young child, I had the joy of being at a Chattanooga Lookouts game on a transformative night featuring none other than The Blues Brothers (a nine year old me would later learn I was a few decades late for the actual Blues Bros to be present) complete with the Bluesmobile ripping through the warning track. While I may not have had any clue who the Blues Brothers were at the time, the next night my father was more than glad to sit me down and provide an introduction to what would become a film staple of my nostalgia and explain to me why my autographed mini-bat said, “we’re on a mission from God.” For that I am forever grateful. In addition to showcasing the all-time comedic greatness of the duo of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, this was also my introduction to some of the greatest musical and well choreographed scenes to this day, and I stand by that. It’s impossible not to have chills hearing Aretha Franklin remind you to “Think,” James Brown enlighten you that it’s time to get the band back together, or want so badly to jump into an impromptu flash mob at Layaway Ray’s. Throw in Princess Leia wielding a machine gun in a final showdown with Jake in a tunnel, and what more crazy fun could you ask for? If this hasn’t become a regular staple in your yearly viewing, do yourself a Chicago-sized favor by throwing on a black suit, sunglasses, and enjoy this classic! (Matt Lawson)
GoldenEye
The first 007 movie to come out after the breakup of the Soviet Union, GoldenEye reset the stage when it came to the Bond franchise. Pierce Brosnan brought the sexy back to a series that had let it slip with prior Bond films, and despite not being based on any of Ian Fleming’s books, the script wisely returned to the trifecta that had made Sean Connery such a breakout star: impossible gadgets, fun action scenes, and beautiful women. However, GoldenEye is not one-sided when it comes to the female cast: Famke Janssen has to be one of the most entertaining villains in a Bond movie since Jaws, and Dame Judy Dench, brought in as the first female M, has plenty of chances to call out her agent on his carousing, at one point referring to him as a misogynist dinosaur! GoldenEye is such a cultural phenomenon that when discussing it, one must clarify if you are speaking about the movie or the video game. That in and of itself should guarantee top billing in this BEC! (Donald Skidmore)
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
H&KG2WC came out when I was in college in Philadelphia (not West, wasn’t born and raised) across the river from New Jersey, so late night White Castle trips were VERY relatable. I instantly fell in love with this flick down to its core! I mean in, it had a lot to say about Asian representation in cinema (and in pop culture in general). When the movie starts, it feels like an early 2000s typical white comedy. It begins following two generic white guys working their fancy jobs and run into the standard fare of, “oh no one wants to party and get laid but can’t because of work sad face emoji.” The movie could have followed them, but it shifts to Harold (John Cho) who gets the work dumped on to him and it’s off from there. Does the movie hold up? Well, it has some cringe, but it’s a classic. Oh, and playing Kumar is Ex-Principal Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Kal Penn! (Frank Kemp)
Red Dragon
Sir Anthony Hopkins returns to the iconic role of Hannibal Lecter for a third time in the Red Dragon to and finish off his trilogy of Lecter films by circling back the first novel (previously adapted as 1986’s Manhunter.) Is it as good as The Silence of the Lambs? No, but “not as good” isn’t the same as “not good.” Hopkins is once again giving it his all, particularly in his back and forth with Edward Norton as Will Graham, the FBI agent who caught him. It’s a tense thriller heightened by some great performances. It helps when you’ve got one of the best ever at villainous roles, Ralph Fiennes, sending chills down your spine as serial killer and main antagonist Francis Dolarhyde. The rest of the cast is filled up with great character actors, including the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds. If you’re a fan of the Lecter character, this one is a must. (Jake Bourgeois)
Red Dawn
Red Dawn was a movie that I was extremely late to the party for with my first viewing. I saw it shortly after the 2012 reboot was announced, curious as to what all the hubbub was about, and I’m pleased to report it floored me. I thoroughly enjoyed it despite the occasional stiff acting and the heavy political undertones. It felt like the true definition of “intense and gritty” that so many films tried to do in recent years, and this movie did it perfectly in 1984. Red Dawn, in a weird way, shares a commonality with zombie movies: A group of survivors are hiding and fighting a vast enemy that cannot be reasoned with and the conflict is seemingly unending. You get sucked into this thought of, “Could I survive and fight back, like the kids in the movie, if it happened to me?” The thrill that this thought provokes consistently engages you throughout the film. Because of this movie, if I find any type of victory in my everyday life, I can’t help but shout, “Wolverines!” (Nick Ferro)
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