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 Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, we’re counting down our favorite movies with “Story” in the title! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
The Neverending Story is trauma and nostalgia wrapped into one perfect, storybook-shaped bow. We all have moments of this movie that helped define us due to the horror elements that still dance around in our heads from time to time. Mine is the Artax scene — if you know, you know. Oh, and let’s also not forget the giant flying space dog that is Falcor; I’m honestly quite surprised that we managed to take this film seriously at all. All that aside, as a formidable part of my childhood content, it holds a special place in my heart, as I’m sure it does for anyone that experienced it at even a vaguely impressionable age. It’s an expansive tale, told through the frame of a young boy hiding from the world. Once again, this is something that many of us could relate to, which makes this film an all-encompassing, absolutely crazy ride of fantasy whimsy that is extremely peak ‘80s. One for the ages, for certain! (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
A Ghost Story will go down as one of those movies that I had no expectations for when I decided to watch it, but blew me away with how good it actually was. It’s a beautiful exploration of what it means to be alive and what is truly left behind when someone dies. Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara both give great performances. Affleck spends much of his time not saying anything, but you can tell the emotion he has by his actions. Mara is heartbreaking as someone who recently experienced a loss and doesn’t know how to handle it. The scenes with Affleck watching his wife while she attempts to move on really mess with you a little. It makes you question what you think would happen in this current situation. A Ghost Story is a deep, philosophical, and beautiful film, even though it can sometimes be hard to watch because of how emotional it can be. For anyone who has ever experienced loss, grief, and moving on, this one is for you. (Mike Hilty)
One of the best Star Wars films we’ve gotten since the Disney acquisition, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story had to convince me at first after hearing the plot’s details (an entire film about how the rebels have stolen the Death Star’s plans? Really?). But since then, I have seen this film twice, and each time, I love it more. It’s mainly due to its detachment from the “core” material, and the fact we don’t have to go to any of the old favorite characters for the majority of the film. And when one of our favorite villains shows up, it doesn’t feel cheap; it feels right. On top of that, it gives us one of the best action sequences with this character in the Star Wars universe ever. What also speaks volumes about this film’s quality is that they developed a TV show around Diego Luna’s character called Andor, and it is excellent (a brief plug, if you gave up on Star Wars shows: Andor is worth it). Rogue One: A Star Wars Story could have been just a quick cash grab, but since they gave it to people who cared about it, it turned into a movie that quickly became a favorite of the newer Star Wars films for many fans. And who knows, maybe after one more viewing, it shall be mine too. (Luke Burian)
As I’ve pushed to watch more classics over the past couple of years, few names have popped up as frequently as the great Audrey Hepburn. Though I’ve perhaps enjoyed her early rom-coms, like Roman Holiday or Sabrina, more, The Nun’s Story might be her best acting performance I’ve seen so far. It follows Sister Luke (Hepburn) from her start as a young girl from a well-off family through her trials and tribulations after she joins a convent. It’s a fascinating study of religion and faith as you watch a young nun struggle first to adjust to cloistered life, clashing with her superiors and the meaning of “humility,” butting heads with a cynical doctor, and what happens when her faith is tested by war. It’s a film that made me both angry and empathetic as you watch her struggle against the way politics and faith interact with both those inside and outside of the church. It may not be a film that gets the spotlight as often as other Hepburn films of the time (despite its eight Oscar nominations), but it’s worth more modern attention for a powerful performance. (Jake Bourgeois)
A classic in its own right, and one of the best Christmas films of all time, A Christmas Story brings joy to our homes every holiday season. It’s the story of one particular Christmas of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a nine-year-old boy who only wants one present: a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200-shot Range Model air rifle. But of course, “you’ll shoot your eye out, kid!” As we watch Ralphie find intricate ways to get his parents to realize the gift he wants, the family deals with his antics. The Old Man (Darren McGavin) has to deal with their next-door hillbilly neighbors, The Bumpuses, with their hounds taking over, and the neverending fight with the malfunctioning furnace. Also, The Old Man has won a prize: a table lamp shaped like a woman’s leg with a fishnet stocking, which Mrs. Parker (Melinda Dillon) loathes. The family’s matriarch does everything she can to keep the world from seeing it. Almost 40 years later, A Christmas Story is the family’s favorite, not only for its nostalgia but for its infamous moments — “I triple dog dare ya,” “I can’t put my arms down,” and “Ohhhh fudge.” There is a sequel, streaming soon on HBO Max, continuing the journey with an older Ralphie returning home. I’m not sure about this sequel, but at least, A Christmas Story will always have my heart. (Chantal Ashford)
How many musicals can boast that they have been adapted into two separate cinematic masterpieces? Steven Spielberg came roaring back with one of his best films in decades with West Side Story. You can even argue that it is a better film than the 1961 version from Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. But… it all began with that film, which just might be the most iconic musical on film of all time. This adaptation of Romeo & Juliet is quite impactful and timely. Forget the renaissance Italy that Shakespeare brought to life, as the streets of New York vibrantly erupt on screen with West Side Story. The love story might be quick and simple, but that traditional love story has not been done better than it was with Tony and Maria. This cast of talented young actors makes for a generational experience. Rita Moreno embodies the journey and spirit of this musical as she transcends generations and stars in both films. But it is the music. The music is timeless and iconic. One note and you will be lost in this wonderful world of immigrants, love, and tragedy. (Shane Conto)
What makes Noah Baumbach a proficient writer and director is his ability to create such engaging, character-driven stories, and Marriage Story is his most recent volume in his library of expertly crafted narratives. What makes Marriage Story as compelling as it is, is not only the outstanding performances, but the story itself that unfolds over the course of this two-hour-and-seventeen-minute drama about a young couple ending their marriage, while navigating their demanding careers and raising a young son on top of it. Using the experience in his personal life to base this story on, he’s crafted each character with such care and attention that you see each character’s point of view as valid in their divorce battle. He’s able to accurately depict the separation of two former lovers and artists, which culminates in a heartbreaking and emotionally devastating conclusion that shows the ending of marriage at its lowest and saddest point. However, at the end of it you don’t feel sorry for either one of them. Instead, you still feel the sense of love that these two people have for each other, though it may not be romantic love, it is still love nonetheless. Over his career, Baumbach has become an expert at telling truly captivating character centric stories, and with his coming directorial venture White Noise releasing late this fall, I will be first in line to see if his skills as a storyteller continue to shine in this new project! (Jeff Alan)
Life is a precious thing that can easily come and go. It’s important to treasure those we love while we still have them. Director Yasujirô Ozu illustrates this to perfection in his 1953 film, Tokyo Story. Shukichi (Chisû Ryû) and Tomi (Chieko Higashiyama) are an elderly couple from a small town in Japan visiting their children and grandchildren in Tokyo, and they are made to feel like somewhat of a nuisance with their visit. As the years go on, individuals get so wrapped up in their own lives and routines that they fail to reach out and care for those who raised them. While their children are less than charitable with their time during their visit, their widowed daughter-in-law, Noriko (Setsuko Hara) is more than willing to host the couple. Despite not having much, she is warm and inviting, willing to show them around and welcome them into her home. It could be the fact that she has suffered great loss that she values time with loved ones and is overall a pleasant individual as a result. While Tokyo Story can be melancholy in tone at times, there is a lot of heart and humanity to it’s story. (Joe Vargas)
The original movie about wedding crashers, coming 65 years before Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson popularized the concept, 1940’s The Philadelphia Story is a star-studded romantic comedy based on a Broadway play with the same name released just a year prior. This remarriage story offers a plot rife with opportunities for witty banter and drama as Katherine Hepburn’s Tracy Lord prepares for her wedding, while her ex-husband and a tabloid reporter both vie for her affections. Hepburn was coming off a string of box office flops, and the resulting lack of faith from the studio became the audience’s gain as two additional stars were hired, with Cary Grant playing ex-husband C.K. Dexter Haven and James Stewart playing reporter Mike Connor. Hepburn is so charismatic as the carefree socialite Tracy that it’s easy to believe she’d have so many suitors. Grant is delightful with a touch of maniacal to keep you guessing about the purity of his motivations, and Stewart provides some of the best drunk acting ever, as Mike’s evening with Tracy compounds her doubts. Virginia Weidler was a great bit of child casting as younger sister Dinah Lord, who schemes in favor of her former brother-in-law. The script from Donald Ogden Stewart deservedly won Best Adapted Screenplay for its steady stream of clever dialogue, and director George Cukor makes the most of a limited setting showcasing beautiful visuals around the mansion. (Jason Mack)
On November 22, 1995, Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story hit theaters, and movies as we know them changed forever. This movie, based on the beautifully simple concept of a child’s love for his toys, managed to leave an incredible mark on cinema, pop culture, and the lives of anyone born after the late ‘80s. As a child, you can’t help but wonder what happens when toys are left alone. Toy Story plays with that thought, dreaming up a world where unattended toys lead productive lives. A boy named Andy, and his favorite toy, Sheriff Woody (Tom Hanks), are inseparable — until Andy’s gifted a new toy for his birthday: a space ranger named Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). Woody grows jealous and resentful of all the time Buzz and Andy are spending together, and plots to become the number one toy again. But his plan backfires, which leads to an adventure that results in one of most beloved friendships in film history. Whether you’re two or 32, this movie will make you laugh, cry, and hold your toys a little tighter. Its lovable characters, beautiful animation, and heartwarming story kept us running back for more — three more sequels, to be exact! But perhaps the most special thing about Toy Story, is that it launched the success of Pixar Animation Studios. Without it, there would be no Monsters Inc., Up, Finding Nemo, or several other movies that shaped our childhood. And life just wouldn’t be the same. (Diana Gebbia)
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
While I haven’t yet seen the movie of inspiration for this week’s list, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, I have a suspicion that the film is going to take a specific approach to dealing with the musical biopic: parody. So I thought that there was no better film to discuss this week’s theme than possibly the greatest musical biopic parody ever: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. It follows the life of the titular Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) as he follows the long road of stardom, navigating the many decades, musical styles, drug addictions, and love interests along the way. Part of the genius of the film is that, while it does pull heavily from the lives of real people, i.e. Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, it’s not attempting to mock or ridicule the people. It focuses instead on the clichés of how their lives have been portrayed in the media and film. This allows Reilly to play Dewey with an unexpected level of sincerity. But let it be known, this movie is hilarious. The jokes come a mile a minute and it begs for multiple rewatches to catch them all. A special shout out also needs to go to the music. The soundtrack has songs that are of course very funny, but the songs are also just legitimately really excellent on their own. I’ve been so happy to see the growing love for Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Few comedies from that era deserve it more. (Nashua Doll)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!” is just one of many iconic lines that the late, great, Rip Torn delivers in the 2004 sports comedy, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. This Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn comedy is truly a classic that I was delighted to revisit (and not just because I consider it a secret sequel to Disney’s Heavyweights). Dodgeball is incredibly self-aware and could even be considered inspiration for the sports comedies that we’ve seen crop up over the last two decades. Although there are some lines of dialogue that would not work in a film today, there is a sense that the writers were aware of the line they were crossing and were doing so not out of ignorance, but out of truth of the situation. A few choice comments in poor taste aside, this movie holds up surprisingly well. The characters are all incredibly fun and ridiculous; there is a good balance of comedy and seriousness, and at a cool 93 minutes, the movie doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. There are hilarious cameos and excellent character actors that pop up throughout, but the standouts are the two announcers played by Gary Cole and Jason Bateman. These two steal the show in a way that has stood the test of time and has been memed endlessly. If you haven’t had a chance to rewatch Dodgeball, then I suggest you grab the bull by the horns and give it a go, metaphorically, but also literally! (Nick Ferro)
It’s Kind of a Funny Story
Before John Green or Suzanne Collins, Ned Vizzini got in on the young adult novel-to-film boom with It’s Kind of a Funny Story, an adaptation of his 2006 novel. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, it follows Craig (Keir Gilchrist), a gifted high school student who, after losing his crush to his best friend, and feeling immense pressure to get into a prestigious summer school, is suicidal and checks himself into a psychiatric ward. Craig befriends Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), another patient in the ward, who is set to leave soon and is nervous about an interview to get into a group home, while also struggling with the reality of being separated from his young daughter. The story is mostly driven by Craig’s narration that also serves as his inner monologue. One of the greatest things about this film is the variety of visual flourishes that are added to make this so much more interesting. Fleck and Boden are all over the map, but in an eclectic way. It turns what could be boring exposition into something so unique and fun. There’s even a fantasy glam rock/lip sync sequence to “Under Pressure” when Craig and the group participate in a musical exploration program, which I especially loved. It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a fun, quirky comedy that also is so effective in its exploration of mental illness through the eyes of a teenager, with supreme direction and stellar performances to boot. (Jacob Kinman)
Eurovision: The Story of Fire Saga
Will Ferrell’s passion for the Eurovision Song Contestshines through in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, as he and Rachel McAdams try to pull off a true underdog story. As a casual fan of the contest, I can tell this is an actual love letter to the event’s spirit. The look and sound of the songs would all feel right at home in a real Eurovision competition, as does Graham Norton’s commentary. While the Spinal Tap-style debacles on stage aren’t something I’ve seen in the real contest, almost all the costumes, props, and performances on stage certainly are. Many people not familiar with this contest might think this is a parody, but if anything, the actual contest is even more bizarre. The story has a good balance of comedy and drama that makes you care about Ferrell and his dream to win the contest. I’m not sure it needed a villain or the last-minute romance, but I enjoyed the sibling-type bond between the two leads. With such a solid feel-good factor to this, it was just what the world needed as a global pandemic was starting to set in. The real contest has always had a feel-good factor, so you could almost think of this as an alternative to the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest. Especially since, in typical sod’s law fashion, the first time Eurovision is cancelled is the year this came out. (John Tillyard)
A Cinderella Story
The Cinderella story has been told over and over again, to the point of each generation having their own version. For me, it was A Cinderella Story. This film is a modern take on the Cinderella story, which follows Sam (Hilary Duff), who dreams of going to Princeton to get away from her stepmother Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge) and live her dreams. Sam connects online with someone else who wants to go to Princeton and follow his dreams, and he turns out to be the most popular boy in school Austin (Chad Michael Murray). This movie is very 2005, but rewatching it today makes me all nostalgic. Sam’s dad saying, “Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game,” has stuck with me, and is a quote I still need to remember in my life today. This movie isn’t as cheesy as people think, or maybe remember it being. It’s one I hope to always enjoy. (Austen Terry)