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All in Crime
This week, we find ourselves in October. And you know what that means? Scary films! Week three brings us back to the director who gave us Seven and Gone Girl (both on the top 250). More of a thriller/crime procedural, this film nonetheless has at least one of the scariest scenes ever put to film. Zodiac (2007), directed by David Fincher.
It’s September, and to celebrate the fall season, we are doing a month of David Lynch movies. Lynch is criminally under represented in the Top 250, so we wanted to honor the legendary film maker with a run of some of his most acclaimed work. This week, we dive right in with Blue Velvet (1986). Let’s go for a ride.
This week, we watch the classic that changed the film industry forever. Indie attempts to copy the formula defined most of the rest of the 90s, but nothing came close to what this film achieves. This films iconic status has not diminished over the years, and it remains one of the funniest films of all time. Pulp Fiction (1994), directed by Quentin Tarantino.
This week, we watch a huge cast of A-listers dive into peoples dreams. For business purposes. And you can jump between peoples minds. But limbo is always in Leo’s head. Don’t ask questions, just watch the cool action. Inception (2010), directed by Christopher Nolan.
This week, we watch the highest rated Scorsese movie on the list, as well as arguably the most influential gangster movie of all time. This film could define “good movies about bad people”, which is the acclaimed directors bread and butter. Goodfellas (1990), directed by the Martin Scorsese.
This week, we watch a masterpiece of style. This slow-burn thriller bleeds cool from all sides, as each actor delivers a perfect performance and the soundtrack blares synths over LA at night. Drive (2011), directed by Nicholas Winding Refn.
This week, we watch a film that has what might be considered the best plot twist in movie history. Kevin Spacey leads an ensemble cast where everyone seems to be trying to chew up the scenery harder than the others. The Usual Suspects (1995), directed by Brian Singer.
Part 2.
This week, we watch the highest rated Hitchcock film, and what is considered widely to be the film that modernized horror. Come for the shower stabbing, stay for the controversial use of a toilet, a woman in a bra, and the utterance of the word “transvestite”. Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
This week, we watch Jimmy Stewart sit in a chair and stare out his back window. This film holds up as a tight thriller, which blends mystery with comedy in a fantastic way. It doesn't feel like a film that is nearly celebrating its 70th birthday. Rear Window (1954), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
This week, we watch the quintessential Boston film. Based on a combination of the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger and the Chinese crime drama Infernal Affairs, Scorsese finally wins his best picture/director award with this movie that is soaked in unmatched violence and terrible Boston accents. The Departed (2006), directed by Martin Scorsese.
This week, we watch the ground breaking debut feature from Christopher Nolan, who would go on to become one of the biggest directors of a generation. Moving both forwards and backwards in time, this film plays as a noir with a heaping dose of storytelling through editing. Memento (2000), directed by Christopher Nolan.
This week, we watch the movie Guillermo del Toro decided to make after his Best Picture win with The Shape of Water. Based on a 1946 Novel (and made into a movie in 1947), this film has incredible star power - but is that enough to make another classic? Nightmare Alley (2021), directed by Guillermo del Toro.
This week, we watch Tarantino’s eighth film. Drawing heavily from The Thing, this film showcases the director at his most indulgent, with long scenes of dialogue and buckets of blood to rival his other works. Kurt Russell’s mustache stars in The Hateful Eight (2015), directed by Quentin Tarantino.
This week, we watch a movie where a tooth getting removed by a hammer is not the most disturbing scene of the film. This film contains amazing acting and filmmaking, so it is highly recommended to those with a strong tolerance for disturbing images and ideas. Oldboy (2003), directed by Chan-wook Park.
This week, we watch the second film in the Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy. In another genre film/comedy mash-up, this outing takes us to a small town with a dark secret. Comedy and shootouts ensue. Hot Fuzz (2007), directed by Edgar Wright.
Part 2
This week, we watch the legendary Italian film makers final film. Clocking in at nearly 4 hours long (originally meant to be 6 hours), this film contains some of the most graphic content we’ve seen so far on the list. While we would find it hard to recommend to most people, its impossible to not be impressed by the cinematography, sets, and epic period piece details. Once Upon A Time In America (1984), directed by Sergio Leone.
This week, we watch the legendary Italian film makers final film. Clocking in at nearly 4 hours long (originally meant to be 6 hours), this film contains some of the most graphic content we’ve seen so far on the list. While we would find it hard to recommend to most people, its impossible to not be impressed by the cinematography, sets, and epic period piece details. Once Upon A Time In America (1984), directed by Sergio Leone.
