Andrew Robinson
As a reviewer, I’m big on lists. Favorite movies, favorite TV shows, favorite sports, favorite teams, favorite actors… the lists go on and on. As for television and film, I actually have two lists that document my favorites. Presented here will be the top 25 films as voted by me. In a few weeks, the top 25 TV shows will follow.
So, for anyone that is looking for a few good movies to check out as summer draws to a close and fall begins, look at the films below.
Films ranked from my 25th-favorite to my all-time favorite.
25. Juno (2007)
Released in 2007 and starring the wonderful Ellen Page and hilarious Michael Cera, as well as Oscar winners Allison Janney and J.K. Simmons, Juno follows a teenager who deals with an unexpected pregnancy. The lovable PG-13 comedy has as many heartwarming moments as jokes.
24. The Squid and the Whale (2005)
Hitting screens in 2005, The Squid and the Whale follows two kids as they deal with their parents’ divorce in 1980s Brooklyn. The R-rated comedy drama starring Jesse Eisenberg, Owen Kline, Laura Linney, and Jeff Daniels is not for kids. It is quite disturbing at points, yet a very moving look at the impact that divorce can have on children.
23. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
The 2000-released film stars Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans, and Ellen Burstyn, who was nominated for Best Lead Actress for her portrayal of Sara Goldfarb. Requiem for a Dream, one of the most disturbing non-horror films ever released, follows four individuals who take different types of drugs for different reasons. Rainbows and unicorns quickly become darkness and pain as the addictions run deeper. The R-rated film is a hard 18+, but is essential viewing for adults everywhere.
22. Stand By Me (1986)
Stand By Me is based on a Stephen King novel, but is anything but horrific. The adventure drama follows four preteenaged boys (Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell) as they go on a journey to see a dead body. The comedic scenes are aplenty, and the R-rated coming of age film is nostalgia at its finest. Featuring strong language and a few sexual references, Stand By Me is a great film to watch with teenagers.
21. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Bridge to Terabithia is lovable, brilliant, and just flat-out incredible. Starring a young Josh Hutcherson (Hunger Games series) and AnnaSophia Robb, this 2007 film is all sorts cute and speaks to the innocence of youth. The fantasy world that the two preteens come up with is shattered, however, near the end of the film. Watch this PG-rated movie with your kids. You won’t be disappointed, and it’ll give you something to talk about.
20. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Rated as the 16th-best movie of all-time by IMDb voters and winning five Oscars, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is amazing. When a criminal (Jack Nicholson) pleads insanity after his latest crime and is sent to a psychiatric ward led by the terrifying Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), he attempts to lead a rebellion. Nicholson, Fletcher, and Will Sampson (Chief Bromden) lead a cast of wonderful actors in a film that inspires fairness and equality.
19. Carrie (1976)
Stephen’s King first published novel is also one of his best. Made into a movie just two years after the book was published, Carrie quickly became a poster child for horror. The acting is so good, in fact, that Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie were nominated for Oscars – a rare occurrence for horror films. Following a high school girl as she goes through life friendless and under the thumb of her religion-crazed mother, telekinetic powers and utter hatred come into play rather quickly. For anyone looking to foray into horror, Carrie – the original, not the 2013 remake – is a good start.
18. We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
We Need to Talk About Kevin is all sorts of disturbing. As the audience watches a mother (the always-fantastic Tilda Swinton) try to love her child as he grows into more and more of a psychopath, the viewer is left to wonder: how would I have acted differently? When the film, which takes place mostly in the past, finally gets to the present-day, the viewer is left shocked. We Need to Talk About Kevin is made for adults, and leaves many questions for the viewer to ponder.
17. Captain Phillips (2013)
It is very hard to go wrong with Tom Hanks. Captain Phillips does not, and is nominated for six Oscars for its trouble. Telling the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking of his cargo ship by Somali pirates, watching Captain Phillips makes for an intense, thrilling ride. Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi (Muse) shine in this PG-13 thriller.
16. IT (2017)
Stephen King’s IT is not for everyone. Those afraid of clowns should beware. However, the R-rated horror film can also be described as a coming-of-age movie, as I argue here. It’s funny, the kids are lovable and bullied, and the plot forces them to come together and lose whatever innocence they have left in order to face an unspeakable evil. The child actors are superb and their chemistry is evident, making the film nearly as good as the book it is based on. IT Chapter Two which will likely be nearly all horror-based, unlike its predecessor, premieres on September 5th. The success of IT will forever be tied to Chapter Two, but the 2017 film is fantastic and worth the watch for horror fans and simply fans of film.
15. Wonder (2017)
The first of two Jacob Tremblay-led films to make this list, Wonder is as heartwarming as they come. The family film tells the tale of August Pullman (the unmatchable Tremblay), a fifth-grade boy with facial differences who attends public school for the first time. Tears are aplenty as Auggie faces bullies, makes friends, and attempts to live a normal life. Tremblay carries the film just as he carries every film he’s in, but Wonder doesn’t need carrying. Also starring Owen Wilson, Julia Roberts, Izabela Vidovic, and Noah Jupe, Wonder is a family film for the ages.
14. Eighth Grade (2018)
Bo Burnham’s film directorial debut is an instant classic. Starring Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, and Emily Robinson, the R-rated comedy drama captures 2018+ youth culture in a way that this reviewer has never seen before. Fisher was a long-shot contender for a Best Actress Oscar nominee at the young age of 15, and for good reason. She epitomizes what our youth go through on a daily basis. For more on the film, read my full (spoiler-free) review here. Eighth Grade is a film to watch with teenagers, but despite its hilarity, be prepared for some devastating, hard-to-watch scenes. After all, it captures youth culture in its entirety.
13. Despicable Me (2010)
Can one find a better animated children’s film than Despicable Me? It has it all: positive messages, comedy, action, three little orphan girls in search of a home, a crazy dog, and cute little yellow minions. Oh, and a self-proclaimed supervillain trying to steal the moon.
Coincidentally, Eighth Grade star Elsie Fisher lends her voice as Agnes. Also lending their voices are Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Julie Andrews, Russell Brand, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Dana Gaier, and Miranda Cosgrove, among others, making for a hilarious film.
Despicable Me has something for everyone – the parents, teenagers, and children. A fantastic choice for a family movie night.
12. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Slumdog Millionaire is one of the most impressive feats of storytelling in recent memory. After a Mumbai teenager (Dev Patel) is accused of cheating on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” flashbacks show just how he – a kid from the slums of India – makes it on the show at all. Complete with romance and some violence, the R-rated film will make you cry.
The winner of eight Oscars, Slumdog Millionaire is all it’s cracked up to be and then some.
11. The Tale (2018)
The Tale is the most upsetting film I’ve ever watched. Released exclusively on HBO, it follows Jennifer (Laura Dern), as she begins to question her relationship with her horse riding instructor and running coach when she was a child. The TV/MA film is as upsetting and nauseating as they come. Isabelle Nelisse is utterly fantastic as 13-year-old Jenny, while Elizabeth Debicki and Jason Ritter put forth terrifying portrayals of their own. The Tale isn’t a horror film – there aren’t clowns or demons or Michael Myerses. It’s as real as it gets. In fact, the director – Jennifer Fox – based it off a story she wrote as a 13-year-old; off her own realization that she was horrifically abused. For more information on The Tale, read my review here. It is as spoiler-free as possible.
The Tale is essentially an autobiography. Anyone we meet could have gone through something as horrifying as what is detailed in the film. And that’s what makes it more upsetting – more terrifying – than any film I’ve ever seen. Watch it if you can stomach it. But it’s rated TV/MA for a reason. No one under 18 should watch it. It’s simply too upsetting.
10. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The Conjuring 2 is the follow-up to the massive success that is The Conjuring. Featuring the same paranormal activity investigators as from the original – Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) – The Conjuring 2 sees the couple travel to London to help a single mother with four children who claim they have a supernatural spirit haunting their house. Based on the memoirs of the real-life Ed and Lorraine, The Conjuring 2 is quite scary, and quite good. For horror-lovers, the fact that the film garners an R rating simply due to its scariness is a welcomed sign.
9. The Accused (1988)
Jodie Foster makes The Accused what it is. After a brutal gang rape in a bar, Sarah (Foster) has to determine if she wants to try to prosecute. A prosecutor decides to help her in prosecuting not only the men who raped her, but also the ones who cheered them on.
Unsurprisingly, The Accused is a tough film to stomach. The acting, however, is remarkable – Foster won Best Actress for her portrayal. And the story is important in the fact that we are responsible not only for our actions, but also for who we choose to back. The people who cheered on Sarah’s rape are just as despicable as the ones who raped her. The Accused attempts to show this. Another R-rated film that is only meant for adults, The Accused is worth the watch.
8. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence) (2014)
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Innocence) is a satire of show business. Featuring Michael Keaton as a washed-up superhero actor, Birdman watches him attempt to revitalize his career by writing, directing, and starring in his own Broadway play. Also featuring the incredible Edward Norton, Emma Stone, and Zach Galifanakis, Birdman is a darkly humorous look at show business as a whole. Winner of four Oscars, the film isn’t for everyone, but has its own niche in those who enjoy black comedy. And the acting is excellent.
7. The Green Mile (1999)
Another non-horror Stephen King work, The Green Mile is a must-watch for everyone. For workers on Death Row, life is forever changed when John Coffey – a black man accused of raping and murdering two young girls – is brought to the facility. In typical King fashion, Coffey also seems to have a mysterious gift.
Michael Clarke Duncan gives the performance of his career as Coffey, and Tom Hanks is brilliant, as always. Stephen King himself reportedly referred to the film as the most faithful adaptation of one of his works, and audiences everywhere love it; it clocks in at #31 on IMDb’s top 250. The messages present are breathtaking, and the storytelling, particularly the ending, will leave viewers breathless.
6. The Conjuring (2013)
Just like its successor, the original Conjuring features Ed and Lorraine Warren. Both Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are veteran actors of horror, and it shows through their fantastic performances. The great James Wan (Saw) directs the film about a young family that is terrorized by a malevolent presence in their farmhouse. Lili Taylor is haunting as the mother, Carolyn, and there are some legitimate jump scares, yet the film doesn’t fall into the trap of relying on said jump scares. It allows the horror to speak for itself in many instances, making it an outlier in today’s age of horror.
The Conjuring is a good place to start for those looking to get into modern horror.
5. Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump is timeless. Featuring a story that is refreshingly original, it follows Forrest (Tom Hanks), a simple man who finds himself present at many of history’s important moments. Forrest Gump can be described as a love story – Forrest’s precious Jenny is his main focus. However, the interweaving of historical events is remarkable, and makes the film much, much more than just a love story. Forrest is perhaps the most lovable character in the history of American cinema, and his actions and comments will make the viewer smile. Tom Hanks plays the part to perfection.
Forrest Gump won six Oscars and is rated as the 12th-best movie of all-time by IMDB for a reason. Watch it.
4. Boyhood
If originality is what you’re searching for, then look no further than Boyhood. All of the actors in the picture to the left are of Ellar Coltrane. Boyhood takes viewers on a 12-year journey of one boy’s (fictional) life. Also featuring Patricia Arquette, who won Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mason’s (Coltrane) mother, four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke (Mason’s father), and Lorelei Linklater (Samantha), Boyhood takes viewers on an incredible journey that many wouldn’t even dream of attempting. Director Richard Linklater simply getting the cast and crew together year after year for a film that wouldn’t be released for over a decade after its initial filming is amazing in itself. The fact that the R-rated film is as great as it is makes it another thing entirely.
Watch Boyhood for its innovation and originality.
3. To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
To Kill A Mockingbird is, perhaps, the most necessary watch on this list. Telling the story of the Finches, Tom Robinson, and racism in the 1930s South, TKAM features the best hero of all-time, Atticus Finch. The winner of three Oscars, the film is nearly as good as the book, which also happens to be one of the most important books ever written. It relays a simple message: everyone is created equal. A message that we all need to hear all the time. Gregory Peck gives the best speech in the history of cinema (spoilers), and he does so in A SINGLE TAKE.
TKAM is one of the most important stories ever told. Everyone should read the book, and everyone should see the film.
2. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl catches the viewer by surprise. It’s an indie darling – a funny, drama-filled film with a strange, yet catchy, title. Following Greg (Thomas Mann), a self-loathing high school senior as he meets Rachel (Olivia Cooke), a girl recently diagnosed with cancer, and continues to make movies with his co-worker Earl (RJ Cyler), Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is drop-dead hilarious. The wittiness of the characters – the dryness of the humor – is on full display for the entire 1 hour and 45 minute runtime. Nick Offerman’s presence as Greg’s dad makes everything even better.
The PG-13 comedy drama is full of jokes, yet also poignant and utterly believable. Teenagers and up will love Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.
1. Room (2015)
Room is an absolute masterpiece. Brie Larson – the newest Marvel darling as Captain Marvel – gives a performance that wins her an Oscar for Best Actress. Jacob Tremblay gives the best child acting performance I’ve ever seen; the Academy’s refusal to acknowledge the then-nine year old with a Best Actor nomination is forever a point of anger for me.
Telling the story of a woman (Larson) and her child, Jack (Tremblay), held captive in a shed (“Room”), Room is told from the perspective of Jack, complete with occasional narration. When Jack turns five, Ma starts planning their escape.
Very quickly, Ma and Jack become like friends to the viewer. Their struggles are heartbreaking to watch; Jack’s inability to understand things that are going on around him are devastating. Their every struggle becomes the viewer’s every struggle. That is what makes Room as fantastic as it is. The characters don’t feel like characters. The events don’t seem like fiction. The overwhelming messages of love and protection are perfect.
Without Larson and Tremblay, Room likely wouldn’t be what it is – this viewer’s all-time favorite movie. With them, however, it is a movie that everyone needs to watch, and one that I can watch again and again and again.
