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 Ridley Scott’s second big release of the year, House of Gucci, we’re counting down our favorite Ridley Scott movies! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
For a good number of people — a number your writer counts himself among — there’s no greater example of a director’s cut of a movie elevating the movie than Ridley Scott’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven. There’s between 30 and 45 additional minutes of footage, taking the total runtime over three hours, and it’s three hours that build upon the fate of Jerusalem during the crusades so much better than the theatrical release did. The story of Orlando Bloom’s Balian is more fleshed out, Edward Norton and Eva Green get more development, and the pacing and flow of the movie feel so much more natural. As historical epics go, Kingdom of Heaven may not immediately be on many people’s Best Ever lists, but there’s so much more to the complete feature than many would know from watching the original release. It’s become something of a theme for Blade Runner for a new cut to surface, but Kingdom of Heaven only needed one clean-up to be one of the greatest things Ridley Scott has ever done. (Chris Bakker)
I remember watching an episode of South Park where Santa’s sleigh is shot down in Iraq. The line, “we got a red sleigh down” came on and I immediately thought of Black Hawk Down. It help solidify the effect this film had on society and pop culture as a whole. Based on the real life mission in Somalia in 1993, Black Hawk Down is a who’s who of military movie actors. There were so many great actors and action sequences in this movie. I remember seeing this in theaters and thinking it was not only the loudest movie I’ve ever seen in theaters, but also one of the most tense feelings I’ve ever felt watching a movie. There’s a sense of dread going into this mission in Mogadishu, but once the helicopter goes down, it’s non-stop action. Standout performances from Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, and Eric Bana anchor the cast, and this film won two well-deserved Oscars for sound and editing. There are a lot of great lines in the movie that really make you think, in addition to themes of duty to the mission, duty to your team, and questioning decisions and orders. This is definitely one for military movie lovers, but also movies based on true events and movies where you can say “hey it’s that guy from X,” and you’d probably be right somehow. (Mike Hilty)
Ridley Scott has become one of my favorite directors and that’s just off Alien alone. So when I found out about Prometheus, I was pretty excited. Even though it’s not a direct prequel to Alien, it is in the same universe. Set in the late 21st century, a crew aboard the spaceship Prometheus are seeking the origin of humanity on a distant planet, but in return, they find a threat that could destroy them all. Scott gives us the familiarity of Alien, especially with the android who goes bad, David, with a phenomenal performance by Michael Fassbender, sabotaging the expedition with his own motive. The cinematography and incredible performances by Noomi Rapace and Charlize Theron, along with the rest of the cast, held it together. The suspense is there, along with the horror, but it’s close to the third act when everything goes to hell. We get to witness a scene we’re all familiar with, as the chest-burster goes through the Engineer’s chest before cutting to black. I felt that was one of the best endings I had seen in a while. Prometheus isn’t the best “prequel,” but it’s one of the greats. (Chantal Ashford)
The freshest Ridley on the list, and sadly, already his most underseen and under appreciated gem. Don’t let Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s 14th century haircuts get in the way of seeing this period piece with the most contemporary and legitimate societal issue of the last few years. It’s got a screenplay likely to get a ton of awards season buzz, Damon and Affleck reunited (and it feels so good), the busiest actor in Hollywood today doing his usual stellar work in Adam Driver, topped off with a standout performance from Jodie Comer. Oh, and the actual last duel is literally breathtaking. (Adam Ritchie)
Ridley Scott’s award-winning debut feature is one that might have easily gone overlooked. However, in the age of experts breaking down how accurately their craft is portrayed on film, The Duellists seems to have gained a second life for its accurate depiction of sword fighting. The film follows our titular duellists, officers in the Napoleonic Wars played by Harvey Keitel and Keith Carradine, whose rivalry escalates in multiple encounters over more than a decade. The film is an adaptation of The Duel by Joseph Conrad. For those used to the Hollywood-ized nature of duels in film, the action might take some adjusting to. However, despite its less-than-frantic pace, Scott is able to craft a tense tale on the perils of pride. It’s worth a watch for those interested in seeing where a legendary career began. (Jake Bourgeois)
Out of all the films from Ridley Scott’s long and illustrious career, there has arguably not been a single one as successful as Gladiator. The sword and sandal epic received 12 Oscar nominations, taking home five wins, including Best Picture. It’s his second most commercially successful film ever, only behind The Martian, earning over $460 million at the box office. To this day, it is still lauded for its costumes, original score, production design, cinematography, acting, and engrossing narrative. The movie tells the gripping tale of a disgraced Roman general who defies Caesar in a quest to earn his freedom and restore whatever is left of Rome’s soul. This is achieved by powerhouse acting from Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. To say this movie is gripping would be an understatement. It’s been over two decades since Gladiator’s release and I still have it ranked in my personal top 30 films of all time, and I rewatch it at least once a year. To me, I will always consider this Scott’s best work, and one of the greatest films ever made. (Heath Lynch)
For much of my life, I have considered Ridley Scott to be one of my favorite directors. The man’s output is crazy high, releasing what seems like a movie a year, and the movies he makes often cover a vast range of subject material. There may perhaps be no other Scott movie that surprised me as much as Thelma & Louise. While I do not think I would personally say this is my favorite Scott film, I think an argument could be made that it is one of his most important. He flexes some serious directing muscles in the movie, deftly embedding incredibly difficult and intense subject matter with wonderful moments of comedy and levity. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis give two career-best performances, as well as two performances that have lasted the test of time as being two of the greatest women in film. It also happens to potentially have one of the most iconic ending shots of all time. To put it simply, I do not think there are many movies that can compare in scale to the conversation this movie helped inspire. It’s now considered a landmark feminist film that provides a unique interpretation into the lasting effects of trauma as well as the powerful bond of female allyship. It’s a movie that may challenge a first time viewer to a degree, but I think it is for this reason that Thelma & Louise remains one of not only Ridley Scott’s best films, but one of the best feminist films to come out in the last 50 years. (Nashua Doll)
“Mars will come to fear my botany powers.” The Martian is the movie adaptation of the book by Andy Weir that tells the story of Mark Watney (Matt Damon), who is left alone on the planet Mars after an accident causes him to be left by his crew. That’s about all I can say without spoiling anything. This, however, is the second Ridley Scott film I have seen. I finally watched it after many, many people telling me how good it is. One of the best things is the overall camera work. Even though they shot this in Jordan, it feels like you are on Mars or in space. The other great thing is the stacked including Jeff Daniels, Sebastian Stan, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Sean Bean, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Donald Glover, and Mackenzie Davis. This is one movie I wish I could see in IMAX, or even just a theater, one day. It is intense, and according to Dr. Neil DeGrasse Tyson, is very scientifically accurate — you’ll feel smarter when it’s done. You will laugh. You will cry. This is one not to miss, check it out whenever you are able to do so. It just keeps getting better every time I watch it. (Austen Terry)
Rain, unicorns, and Harrison Ford in a role that was vastly different from what audiences were used to from him in 1982, Blade Runner is a cult classic. However, I used to have a rough time understanding why it’s a cult classic, and this movie and I “didn’t see eye to eye” for some time, because the first version I saw was the “normal” one. For those unfamiliar, that is the version that doesn’t work and the studio tampered with it. Ever since then, we’ve had “director’s cut” (much better) and “the final cut.” And this is where I finally understood why this film was so beloved. Ridley Scott created something complex, something that is not exactly viewer friendly, and went against everything. Think about it from 1982 perspective — the sci-fi films people were used to at the time was a little franchise that was just about to be finished called Star Wars. And Blade Runner is the polar opposite of that — dark, moody, rainy, and philosophical at times. But once you get into it (and I beg you, make the effort and see “the final cut”), you will hopefully understand why this film is one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time. After all, you can see the influence on half the sci-fi content of today. Also, Rutger Hauer’s (RIP) final speech always gets me and that Vangelis soundtrack… Blade Runner is a true unicorn — often imitated, never replicated. (Luke Burian)
When you watch a classic sci-fi horror film in the comfort of your own home… can anyone hear you scream? Ridley Scott jump started his early career with a bang when Alien hit theaters. A perfect trailer and perfect tagline captured the imagination of the audience and prepared them for a terrifying experience deep in space. Boasting a pitch perfect ensemble, every character is memorable in their own way, including the iconic Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), who would become the face of this franchise for years to come. A perfect balance of science fiction ideas with alien creatures and androids mixed with the dark and damp eeriness of this claustrophobic horror, Alien is one of the greatest films of both genres. Into the future, these horrifying creatures will haunt your dreams. (Shane Conto)
Matchstick Men
Movies with con artists are usually fun, but Matchstick Men is one of my favorites. Starring Nicolas Cage, as a character who suffers from crippling anxiety, he not only delivers an outstanding performance, but also keeps the level of fun you have while watching at an all-time high. Ridley Scott has a very creative eye when it comes to the way this movie is filmed by changing the exposure or using the camera in unique ways to emphasize the pain that Cage experiences as his anxiety worsens. In many movies, this can be distracting or displeasing, but here it works very well. The relationship that Cage has with his newfound daughter (Alison Lohman) is both sweet and charming, and is the heart of the movie. Sam Rockwell is, as always, incredibly fun and well-cast as Cage’s partner/protégé, but I am always disappointed when he doesn’t get more screen time in movies. A bad con artist movie would waste time showing you how the con at the end was put together and accomplished, and I like how this one doesn’t feel the need to hold the audience’s hand and allows them to put the pieces together on their own. I really had fun with this movie and think you will too! (Nick Ferro)
Alien: Covenant
I have to admit, I’ve gotten to the point where I am a little apprehensive whenever I see a franchise that has been dormant for a while being brought back in some form, due in part to the fact that these usually result in films that leave me feeling somewhere between, “meh, that was ok” to, “wait, why the heck did you do this!?” I like to think Ridley Scott read my thoughts and decided it was time to change my mind via expanding on what has been one of my favorite horror franchises since the moment I saw the original Alien. In Alien: Covenant, Scott shows just that he’s just as creative and incredible as ever, as he delivers a fresh, perfectly tense, and terrifying look into the history of the xenomorphs that have been making us scream even when no one could hear. Set 11 years after the events of Prometheus, Alien: Covenant follows the crew of the colonizing ship Covenant when they are awakened early by their onboard synthetic, Walter (Michael Fassbender), after a shockwave damages the ship, prompting the crew to explore a nearby habitable planet. Upon arrival, they are greeted by the worst welcome party ever in the form of David (also Fassbender) and his ever-evolving flock of murderous xenomorphs. Along this thrill ride, we are treated to a mesmerizing performance by Fassbender as he pulls double duty brilliantly as both David and his newer, more humanity-friendly version, Walter. A penultimate fight scene with the most persistent xenomorph ever delivering some of the most tense visuals and inventive ways of using a crane you’ve ever seen are the cherry on top to demonstrate Scott’s ability to still keep you on the edge of your seat nearly 40 years later! (Matt Lawson)
Hannibal
Filling the shoes of Jonathan Demme for the sequel to the Best Picture-winning The Silence of the Lambs can’t have been an easy task for Ridley Scott (following up his own Oscar-winner), but he does a commendable job. Minus Jodie Foster, Julianne Moore takes over as Clarice Starling who’s fallen on hard times at the FBI. Her path crosses again with Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), now abroad, after he is targeted by the vengeful Mason Verger (Gary Oldman). While it may not rise to the level of its predecessor, it’s buoyed by a pair of fun performances. Hopkins is always fantastic as Lecter, and Oldman is chewing ALL of the scenery. It also has the distinction of featuring Oldman at his most unrecognizable, which is quite a feat given his filmography. The film also gets bonus points for coming up with a better ending than its source material. If you’re a fan of Hannibal Lecter, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by skipping out on this entry. (Jake Bourgeois)
Legend
Ridley Scott is well known for being an unparalleled visionary director, and his 1985 fantasy/adventure film Legend proves this in spades. The ethereal set design, paired with the whimsical and dreamlike score of Tangerine Dream (theatrical cut score) drifts the viewer off into another world. While Legend is light on plot, it more than makes up with it’s immersive world building and an atmospheric fantasy tone. Jack (Tom Cruise) and Lili (Mia Sara) are suitable as the primary protagonists/romantic leads, but the performance that shines on all levels is Tim Curry as Darkness. The devilish detail of the makeup to the acting talents of Curry warrant multiple viewings of the film alone. The dance sequence with Lili in the black dress is one of the most memorable sequences of the film and shows her embracing a darker aspect of herself. The costume coupled with the score have both an eerie, yet beautiful feel to it. Legend is a film that has survived the test of time due to its exquisite visuals and Curry’s eye-catching performance as Darkness. (Joe Vargas)
Exodus: Gods and Kings
For as many all-time classic movies that Ridley Scott has directed, it seems like he has the same number of forgotten, or even hated, films. While Exodus: Gods and Kings is perhaps chief among those, and despite Scott’s highly disappointing comments about the film’s casting, I still think it is among his best movies. It tells the story of the biblical Exodus, but from a very nonreligious standpoint. If you look at the movie through that lens, it makes for a very interesting, and even thought-provoking, watch. Plus, the visuals and swords, sandals, and horses action sequences are as good as in any other Scott movie out there. Don’t go into Exodus expecting something on par with Alien, but do go in receptive and ready to experience something truly magnificent. (Robert Bouffard)
Also See: Someone to Watch Over Me, Black Rain, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, White Squall, G.I. Jane, A Good Year, American Gangster, Body of Lies, The Counselor, Robin Hood, All the Money in the World
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