50 Classic Movies to Watch (Part 3)
The Sixth Sense
M. Night Shayamalan launched his storied, albeit inconsistent, career with this ground breaking thriller / horror film about a kid who sees dead people. Buried under the cultural phenomenon that this movie became, was a budding filmmaker with a unique perspective on the world. Your mileage may vary on Shayamalan’s projects since this film, but it will always hold its place as a film that gave a generation something to talk about when films weren’t so easily spoiled in online forums.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
In perhaps one of the best buddy movies of all time, Spielberg turned a genre on its head with this story about an alien who falls to earth and befriends a little boy. Besides the delightful set pieces, this movie transcends its time with groundbreaking practical effects and quite possibly the first-ever film that caused us to fall in love with an extra terrestrial.
Vertigo
To some, Vertigo is Hitchcock’s crowning achievement. The twisty plot, stunning imagery, and charismatic-as-ever James Stewart performance is enough to bring this film forward as one of the auteurs’ best works, though I’d personally put it a notch below Psycho and Rear Window. The story is dripping with intrigue as it follows a recently retired police detective who becomes obsessed with two women whose mysterious identities are slowly uncovered in the measured, tension-building fashion that the iconic filmmaker is known for.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
This film, adapted by the book of the same name, has been one of the more disturbing films to sweep awards season when it won best picture in 1976. The story which follows a man who is subjected to the horrors of a mental institution when he pleads insanity after his run in with the law, is a career-defining moment for Jack Nicholson. The film brilliantly threads the needle between humor and tragedy and beautifully brings to the forefront the humanity of a group that has been discarded by society.
The Shawshank Redemption
Despite some criticism in recent years about this film, there are a few inspiring notes in the Stephen King adapted film. Many cite The Shawshank Redemption as their favorite movie and it is ranked at the top of the iMDb Best Movies Of All Time list. I wouldn’t go that far, but the film has some enduring qualities that makes it a worthy watch.
North By Northwest
North By Northwest was my first foray into the wild world of Alfred Hitchcock in my high school film class. It’s a great introduction to the director’s filmography. The film maintains a classy atmosphere on a thrill-ride of espionage, mistaken identity, and a timeless romance between Carey Grant and Eva Marie Saint. The movie has some of the most iconic scenes, music, and visuals from the era.
The Best Years of Our Lives
One of the more underrated Best Picture winners, The Best Years of Our Lives is a moving portrait of WWII veterans but one of the more significant achievements from director William Wyler was telling the story through the lens of entire families and communities that are impacted by the soldier’s trauma. It’s an inspiring and honest film and one of my favorites from the era.
Sunset Boulevard
A truly perfect portrait of the an aging Hollywood darling, Sunset Boulevard is dripping with melodrama. The story follows a washed up actress who enters a dicey romance with a much younger screenwriter who she hopes will give her career a much needed overhaul. The film boasts 11 Oscar nominations and 3 wins with an especially impressive set design (which it won the Oscar for).
Sophie’s Choice
If you haven’t had a chance to enjoy some of Meryl Streep’s early work, this film is a great showcase of the scale of her talent. In the film, she plays a Polish immigrant and Holocaust survivor at the height of WWII who is trying to start a new life. The film is cushioned in some problematic sexual politics, but the acting is a true masterclass and inspired a popular phrase that we still use in our modern vocabulary. I won’t spoil it if you haven’t seen it, but when you find out what “Sophie’s Choice” actually is, you’ll truly understand the weight of the film’s themes and message.
King Kong
Hands down the best iteration of Kong, (and there are some really good ones) this is the one that started it all. The 1933 film has surprisingly impressive special effects for the time and the purest Kong / Ann Darrow infatuation. At a crisp 100 minutes, this oldie but goodie is definitely worth your time.