We have now reached the midpoint of this list, and subsequently the middle of the alphabet. Hence the very original title. I’ll do better next time, Scout’s honor.
41. Leave No Trace (2018)
Leave No Trace tracks the lives of a father and his daughter living off the grid in a serene Oregon state park. When they are forced to leave their home, the movie examines the reasons why they abandoned conventional society and their attempts to reenter it. Leave No Trace is important because of its subject material, but it works as a movie thanks to the remarkable performances from its 2 leads: Ben Foster and Thomasin MacKenzie. A deep exploration of familial bonds, coping with tragedy, and accepting change, this film takes us on a journey beyond our comfort zone to a place of sympathy and healing.
42. The Lego Movie (2014)
When an animated movie is released that is based on a popular toy line, one would assume that it will serve as a cash grab that mildly entertains children, but nothing more. No such laziness can be found in The Lego Movie. In fact, it’s bursting at the seams with creativity. This movie refreshes the conventional hero’s journey with ingenious worldbuilding, tongue-in-cheek humor, and a surprisingly great twist. Every-Lego-man Emmitt (Christ Pratt) leads our colorful cast of characters as they race to stop Lord Business from unleashing the Kragle upon their world. Don’t be turned off by the built-in marketing, and give this uproariously funny and uncompromisingly optimistic movie a watch.
43. Les Miserables (2012)
When adapting a broadway musical, the question is always, should it be faithful to the source material, or should it tell the story in a way that is entirely cinematic? 2012’s Les Miserables deftly toes the line between the two, capturing both the massive scope of the narrative and the intimate emotions of the characters. Though the vocal chops of the cast varies, the performances are all on key, with Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, and Samantha Barks standing out above the rest. The on-set live singing, production design, and visual flair all add to this movie-stage hybrid, which, in my opinion, makes for a must-see experience.
44. The Little Mermaid (1989)
Allow me to briefly depart from the typical alphabetical ordering, as we begin a twin-bill of the Disney Renaissance with the movie that started it all: The Little Mermaid. On the brink of financial ruin, Disney Animation discovered a style that would breath new life into their features: taking the framework of past hits and filling it out with the musical and emotional frills of Broadway. The Little Mermaid pays off this idea immediately, with unforgettable songs, screen-stealing side characters, and an ageless tale of self-discovery. We rightfully revere The Little Mermaid for its place in cinematic history, but we should recognize it as the great, individual movie that it is.
45. The Lion King (1994)
The Little Mermaid is the beginning, but The Lion King is the best. As the sun raises high over the Pridelands, so does Simba, heir to the animal kingdom, son of the noble Mufasa, and nephew to the sinister Scar. The Lion King’s narrative was a game changer, packing an adult story into the simple and colorful confines of a classic Disney tale, but the best thing about this film is that there’s no one “best thing.” The incredible animation, the hit songs, the moments of sadness, and the moments of whimsy are all incredible, but they’re seamlessly blended in such a way that none of them stand out. All of them come together to form this incredible synergy, this singular unit that stands out as one of the best pieces of filmmaking that we’ve ever seen.
46. M (1931)
The father of the psychological thriller, M is the groundbreaking story of a small German town’s determination to capture an unknown figure who is abducting and murdering their children. Don’t worry, it’s not as dark as the premise may suggest, and it’s certainly not violent, but it is a movie that was far ahead of its time. This film takes on difficult moral and social questions, the likes of which we often discuss today but were rarely seen in movies before this point (and not frequently until the 1960s). Even the way that this movie is shot and edited feels shockingly modern. Thrilling, chilling, and timeless, M is a masterpiece, even by today’s standards.
47. Mary Poppins (1964)
“Practically perfect in every way.” Though maybe a bit of an overstatement for Mary Poppins, it is certainly one of the most influential and best children’s movies ever made. The best part of this film is the titular character herself, a magical nanny summoned to take care of the wayward Banks children. This threesome plus the lovable Burt are whisked away on daily adventures that teach the children life lessons along the way. Over time we learn that Mary isn’t just there to instruct the children, but the entire Banks family, as they all learn that sometimes the best action you can take in life is enjoying life itself.
48. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
One of a long line of seafaring adventures that didn’t make much money at the box office, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a naval voyage that is well worth discovering. We sail with Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe), a wild and determined leader of men who tests his crew’s limits in pursuit of a famed French war vessel. This cerebral adventure has such an authenticity to it, from the grueling life depicted on actual wooden ships, to the visceral action scenes, to the hard decisions made by the captain and crew. Crowe counterbalances this tone with his bravado and charm, creating a grounded yet exciting experience that is sure to put wind in your sails.
49. Millennium Actress (2001)
For the second time on this post, I broke a self-imposed rule, as a still image was unable to capture the engrossing surrealism of Millennium Actress. An enthusiastic documentarian and his cameraman travel to the home of a famous actress who hasn’t been seen in nearly 30 years. What starts out as a normal interview transforms into a visual recreation of the life of the actress, from the point of view of scenes from the actress’s movies, her personal memory, the documentarian’s memory, and the cameraman’s interpretation of all of this. Sound confusing? It probably should have been, but director Satoshi Kon seamlessly weaves these perspectives into one and crafts both a unique cinematic experience and a deeply profound story.
50. Franchise Spotlight: The Marvel Cinematic Universe- Phase 3
“We lost a part of ourselves. Today we have a chance to take it all back…. No mistakes, no do-overs…. This is the fight of our lives, and we’re gonna win. Whatever it takes.” Steve Rogers, Avengers: Endgame
Marvel made an unspoken promise to its fans way back in 2012: The Avengers is just the beginning. We will create a vast comic book world with scope and stakes the likes of which a movie screen has never seen. Thanos is coming.
The MCU made good on that promise with Phase 3 in their shared universe, both expanding and coalescing this world with more diverse characters, more daunting villains, and the culmination of a storyline that traces all the way back to the beginning. The first Infinity Stone was introduced in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, and 14 movies later, the race to collect all 6 stones begins.
Most comic book movies threaten world-changing implications if the worst happens, but never follow through. Most prop their villain up as this undefeatable being, only to be easily handled in the third act. Marvel had the boldness to follow through on these promises, shaking our heroes to their very core and challenging them to work together to right their wrongs. What the MCU set out to do was ambitious, but a lot of movie studios have big plans. Ambition is only as good as its execution, and in the MCU’s Phase 3, its execution is as good as it gets. Part of the journey is the end, and yes, Phase 3 is the end of Marvel’s Infinity Saga, but this may only be the beginning of the vast and imaginative comic book world that we have grown to know and love.
Watch Order: Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man & The Wasp, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, and Spider-Man: Far From Home
What did you think of part 5? Let me know in the comments below, and be on the lookout for part 6 tomorrow!
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