100 Lesser-Known Movies to Watch at Home 2: The New Batch

In early 2020, when we found ourselves trapped in lockdown as COVID began to rear its ugly head, I put together a lengthy list of a hundred films to check out from the comfort of your own home (here if you missed it). Two years later, we’re still sheltering a bit as life hasn’t quite returned to normal — who knows if it ever will. So I present to you another hundred titles you may not be familiar with, all available to stream at the publication of this post. Hope that you find a few new gems in here — a good resource for finding where they are streaming or rentable is justwatch.com. If you like the list, please share with others!

Also, please give me a follow on letterboxd — it’s a great site for reviewing and cataloging movies and connecting with other loves of film! The previous list is on there as well as this one.

1. All is Lost (2013)

“I'm sorry. I know that means little at this point, but I am. I tried, I think you would all agree that I tried.”

Robert Redford commands the screen in one of his best performances in this harrowing tale of survival at sea from J.C. Chandor (“A Most Violent Year”). A sailor on a solo voyage in the Indian Sea awakes to find his boat taking on water after colliding with a rogue shipping container. Ruining his navigation and radio equipment, he finds himself heading straight towards a massive storm. This nearly dialogue free (only the opening has a tiny bit of voice over) adventure is a strong addition to the man-against-nature film cannon (as is the following entry on the list; I guess if it’s a survival film, it starts with “A” – I’m also looking at you, “Alive”). Redford conveys a lot with saying literally nothing. Although it got an Oscar nom for sound, and a Golden Globe nod for Redford, it never quite found the audience it deserves.
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2. Arctic (2018)

“They are looking for you, don't worry. They'll be here tomorrow…. Or the day after tomorrow. Don’t worry.”

I've been a sucker for survival films ever since seeing "Alive" as a teen. No cannibalism in this one -- though with Hannibal himself as the lead, who knows what happened pre-opening scene. Mads Mikkelsen can act his way out of anything, even the vast frozen tundra. Mads plays Overgård, a man stranded in the arctic after a plane crash. After an accident lands another in his care, he has to decide if he should wait for an unlikely rescue, or make a long seemingly impossible trek to find help. In a largely wordless performance, he's mesmerizing in every frame -- his facial expressions say more than enough. It's a fantastic directorial debut for Joe Penna, who keeps you engrossed the whole 98 mins. I only wish I had been able to see this on a big screen -- the scenery is both brutal and breathtaking. Turn off your devices and give it your full attention.
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3. Band of Robbers (2015)

“I’m Greg!”

I had two favorite books growing up: “Treasure Island,” and “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” So I really dug this loose, imaginative modern retelling of the Twain classic, with a game cast including Adam Nee and Kyle Gallner (as Tom and Huck), Matthew Gray Gubler, Melissa Benoist, Johnny Pemberton and a scene-stealing Hannibal Buress.
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4. Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (2020)

“A TV that transcends time!”

Such a fun, goofy time-travel-loop comedy from Japan, with a simple (yet headache-inducing) concept executed perfectly for a brisk 70 minutes. Kato (Kazunari Tosa) discovers a two-minute time loop between his cafe and apartment via his TV. With the help of friends, he discovers how to see further into the future, and the immediate trouble it brings into his life. Shot on an iPhone (don't miss the behind the scenes footage midway through the end credits), it's a single take marvel with its own circular logic that's best to just surrender to and enjoy. And if this doesn't make sense, I'll be back to explain it to myself in two minutes.
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5. Blue Collar (1978)

“Credit's the only thing you can get free from the company. Got a house, fridge, dishwasher, washer-dryer, TV, stereo, motorcycle, car... 'buy this shit, buy that shit.’ All you got's a buncha shit.”

Paul Schrader’s directorial debut is an absolutely astounding look at union practices, race, and the difficulties to survive under the thumb of those above you. Richard Pryor, Harvey Keitel and Yaphet Kotto star as three autoworkers at a plant in Wayne County, Michigan, struggling to make ends meet. Fed up with their mistreatment from management and union bosses, they hatch a plot to rob a safe at union headquarters – but what they find starts a series of events that’ll test all of them. The film succeeds as a drama, thriller and comedy, with the three leads doing some of their best work of their careers, particularly Pryor who shows what great dramatic chops he had. Powerful and scathing, it’s one of the best unheralded movies of the 70s. Also starring Ed Begley, Jr., Cliff DeYoung, Lane Smith and Harry Bellaver.
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6. Boy (2010)

“She reckons it's better to risk your money on something big and be real poor, than sit around being a bit poor.”

This early, hilarious Taika Waititi film has his trademark whimsy and playful fantasy elements along with engaging performances and moments of effective drama. The title Boy (James Rolleston) is a spunky 11-year-old with an active imagination and a Michael Jackson obsession living in a small New Zealand town. Having idolized his absent father (Waititi) his whole life, his expectations come crashing down when the deadbeat hoodlum suddenly resurfaces. Don’t miss the end credits dance sequence. Also starring Waititi regular Rachel House.
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7. Brigsby Bear (2017)

“Everyone says they're trying to help me but nobody can find me the new episode of Brigsby.”

Kyle Mooney’s weird and brilliant comedy works by staying true to the world created by the protagonist and heart of the film, James (Mooney). Raised off the grid by his parents (Mark Hamill and Jane Adams), James is obsessed with the children’s TV show Brigsby Bear. When he once again enters society (for reasons I won’t go into here), he has a hard time adjusting but never loses site of the one thing that means more to him than anyone. Mooney plays it straight and really commits to his skewed reality, and the rest of the cast is aces – Beck Bennett, Matt Walsh, Michaela Watkins, Greg Kinnear, Claire Danes, Tim Heidecker, Nick Rutherford, Andy Samberg and Ryan Simpkins. Directed by his Good Neighbor castmate, Dave McCary.
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8. A Brilliant Young Mind (x+y) (2014)

“When somebody says they love you it means they see something in you they think is worth something... It adds value to you.”

Leave it to the unimaginative execs in Hollywood to change the title to "A Brilliant Young Mind" stateside. “x+y” (original UK title) is an astounding, gentle and effective look at the struggles of those on the Autism spectrum. A very good Asa Butterfield plays Nathan, a young man who only finds comfort in numbers and patterns. After losing his father in a car accident, his mother (Sally Hawkins, always great) struggles to connect with him, but nurtures his gift of maths along with his teacher Martin (Rafe Spall, flashing some shaggy dog charm here), who helps him earn a spot on the UK squad in the International Maths Olympiad. It's full of little human moments and details that make it such a rewarding watch. The ensemble also includes Eddie Marsan, Jo Yang, Alex Lawther and Jake Davies (who gives a real standout performance as a teammate who struggles to fit in more than Nathan does).
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9. Chu and Blossom (2014)

“I want to show you something. This is my view.”

Likable indie comedy drama anchored by a winning performance from Charles Chu as a Korean foreign exchange student torn between his studies and familial expectations and his budding friendship with a performance artist (Ryan O’Nan). The two have inspired fish out of water chemistry, and there’s good support from Alan Cumming, Annie Potts, Mercedes Ruehl, Melanie Lynsky, Richard Kind and a charming Caitlin Stasey (who plays Chu’s photography classmate and potential love interest).
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10. Coherence (2014)

“If the chicken tastes like tuna, then it must be Miller’s Comet.”

Micro-budget sci-fi mindbender debut from James Ward Byrkit follows a group of eight friends at a dinner party when a comet passes overhead and, well, stuff happens. The largely improvisational film is tough to make sense of, but that’s part of the fun, with a solid cast (who only knew their character motivations each day) led by the excellent Emily Baldoni piecing things together along with the viewer. With Nicholas Brendon, Maury Sterling, Elizabeth Gracen, Lorene Scafaria, Alex Manugian, Hugo Armstrong and Lauren Maher.
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11. The Collector (1965)

“You could fall in love with me if you tried. I've done everything I could to make it easy. You just won't try!”

A young Terence Stamp goes full-on psycho in William Wyler’s adaptation of the novel by John Fowles. It follows Freddie (Stamp, quietly terrifying), an awkward man and entomology hobbyist who stalks and abducts an art student (a terrific Samantha Eggar, who received an Oscar nomination for her performance) and stashes her in his newly-acquired farmhouse, in a room equipped with the basics and art tools. A tumultuous relationship of some sort begins between them, and the two actors excel while pitted against each other. It’s disturbing, well-crafted filmmaking, and also received Oscar noms for its screenplay and Wyler’s direction.
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12. Colossal (2016)

“You're gonna keep working at the bar, or I'm gonna come back here tomorrow, and destroy an entire neighborhood.”

Just another weird sci-fi dramatic kaiju dark comedy – sure are getting tired of those! This intoxicating genre mashup follows Gloria (Anne Hathaway), a writer with a serious alcohol problem who moves back to her hometown in New Hampshire after breaking up with her NYC boyfriend (Dan Stevens). She reconnects with her childhood friend Oscar (Jason Sudeikis), who offers her a job at his bar. She soon discovers she’s linked to a giant monster appearing in Seoul, South Korea – and that that isn’t the only monster in her life. Hathaway is excellent, as is Jason Sudeikis, who charms – until he doesn’t. It doesn’t all work, but when it does it’s an incredible, unique film experience. With Tim Blake Nelson and Austin Stowell, written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo (“Timecrimes”).
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13. Columbus (2017)

“You grow up around something, and it feels like nothing.”

First feature from writer/director/editor Kogonada (who also helmed the recently released “After Yang”) is a hypnotic, beautiful meditation on familial responsibility, creativity, and the struggle of following your own path. John Cho plays Jin, who has journeyed to Columbus, Indiana to watch over his architect father who has fallen into a coma. He meets Casey (Haley Lu Richardson), a librarian who is similarly stuck there, taking care of her recovering addict mother (Michelle Forbes). The two walk and talk a lot, with the town’s intricately designed modernistic buildings as backdrops. Every shot is meticulously composed by cinematographer Elisha Christian, with the gray skies coloring the somber mood of the piece (also punctuated by the subtle score by Hammock). It’s a film where a little says a lot, and even though the pace is more of a rainy day stroll than a sprint, the feel of it lingers well after the credits have rolled. Also starring Parker Posey and Rory Culkin.
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14. Copshop (2021)

“I drew you a dick. It just got weird.”

Stylish, fun over-the-top action movie from Joe Carnahan is chock full of clever one-liners, with shades of “Assault on Precinct 13.” On-the-run shady con-man Teddy (Frank Grillo) gets himself incarcerated to hide out from a bevy of hitmen and crooked cops, including assassin Viddick (Gerard Butler, showing some charm here) and a scene-and-movie-stealing psychopath played by Toby Huss. Alexis Louder shines as Officer Young, a no-nonsense rookie cop who should have her own action franchise (she’s that good). It takes a minute to get going, but once it does, it’s a ridiculous ride if you surrender to it.
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15. Damsel (2018)

“Regular horses don't have names, they're just, uh, you know, regular.”

Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska star in this odd, feminist dark Western comedy from the Zellner Brothers (whose “Kumiko the Treasure Hunter” shows up later on this list). Pattinson plays Samuel, a smitten guitar playing cowboy who journeys with his miniature horse Butterscotch and a pastor to find, rescue and marry Penelope (Wasikowska) – who doesn’t need saving. Leisurely paced (it ambles along at a speed that might frustrate some viewers), well shot and full of offbeat scenes and performances (Pattison and Wasikowska are both fantastic here, and Robert Forster kicks things off in a memorable extended cameo), it’s a unique and challenging film that subverts expectations. Also starring directors David Zellner and Nathan Zellner, Joseph Billingerie, Gabe Casdorph and Russell Mael of the band Sparks.
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16. Dating Amber (2020)

“You look like a shite version of the guy from Blur.”

Sweetly funny and effective coming out film from Ireland follows two closeted teens – Amber (Lola Petticrew) and Eddie (Fionn O’Shea), who agree to date each other until school is over to avoid ridicule from their classmates. A great friendship is born, and as Amber begins to embrace her queerness, Eddie pushes away from it. The two leads have an easy chemistry and excel in their roles – their journey together is brilliantly constructed over a brisk 90 minutes. Speaking of 90’s, the film is set smack dab in the middle of ‘em, and the period details are on point. With Sharon Horgan, Barry Ward, Lauryn Canney and Simone Kirby.
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17. Days of the Bagnold Summer (2019)

“I’m afraid you’re stuck with boring old me for six weeks, but we’ll have fun.”

Finally, a movie that combines Belle and Sebastian and Metallica! Charming directorial debut from The Inbetweener's Simon Bird, based on the graphic novel by Joff Winterhart, follows single mom Sue (Monica Dolin) and her teenage son Daniel (Earl Cave, son of Nick) during one long summer, having a hard go of it together after his absent father flakes on him. It captures that teenage negativity perfectly, when anything and everything you do with your mom is "embarrassing" or "the worst." Light on plot but heavy in funny human moments, it's worth a watch. Also starring Rob Brydon, Alice Lowe and Tamsin Greig. #SkullSlayerForever
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18. The Death of Dick Long (2019)

"What'd they do in Pulp Fiction?"
"They called Anthony Kiedis."
"No, you're thinking of Harvey Keitel, Anthony Kiedis was in the Chili Peppers."

Super dark comedy from Daniel Scheinert (one half of the Daniels, the team behind "Swiss Army Man" and "Everything Everywhere All At Once") follows two bandmates (Michael Abbott, Jr. and Andre Hyland, who excel in their roles) trying to cover up the unusual death (that's putting it mildly) of their buddy after a wild night. Comparisons to "Fargo" and "The Hangover" are apt, with laughs being mined out of the idiot decisions Earl and Zeke continue to make as things spiral out of control -- and a bit of convincing drama as information begins to be revealed. There's definitely a lot of anxiety-riddled cringe moments, which may turn off some viewers, as well as some sensitive plot points that I won't begin to go into, but it's a pretty rewarding watch from the A24 canon. With Sarah Baker, Virginia Newcomb, Sunita Mani, Jess Weixler, Roy Wood, Jr., the covered music of Staind and Nickelback, and the director himself in the ill-fated title role.
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19. Diani and Devine Meet the Apocalypse (2016)

“Oh, hi. We were just looking for some deserted homes to loot.”
“Honey, it’s looters!”

Ok, so I’m a little biased as I have a role in the film, but Gabriel Diani and Etta Devine’s kickstarted wonder is a really fun end-of-the world comedy. The two star as versions of themselves, a comedy duo in LA unprepared to deal with the sudden oncoming apocalypse. What follows is a super entertaining road film, with the two coming across all sorts of odd characters, including unusual hunters (played hilariously by Barry Bostwick, Armin Shimerman, Harry Groener, Kitty Swink and more), a friendly yet weirdly off couple who welcome them into their home (Jonathan Silverman and Janet Varney), well-armed hippies (Kirsten Vangsness and Ayre Gross), a myopic butler (John Apicella), and a real estate agent more concerned with selling a property than surviving (uh, me, Cole Stratton). Cleverly written and well made, it’s a goofy and enjoyable time. Also check out their first film, “The Selling,” which is lots of fun as well. With Jocelyn Towne, Robert Pine, Dawn Didawick, Amir Talai, Ramon De Ocampo and America Young.
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20. Dope (2015)

“If Neil deGrasse Tyson were writing about Ice Cube, this is what it would look like.”

Writer / Director Rick Famuyiwa crafted this lively, funny and dramatic look at three teens growing up in Inglewood, CA. At the center is Malcolm (a great Shameik Moore, who more than adequately carries the film), a self-professed nerd who embraces 90s Hip Hop culture and dreams of heading to Harvard. Along with his pals/bandmates Jib (Tony Revolori) and Diggy (Kiersey Clemons), he becomes embroiled in a plot centering around his backpack and illegal good stashed there during a raid at a party. The film feels fresh and vibrant at all times, and marries the comedy with a strong dramatic POV brilliantly. The killer soundtrack helps too, with music from A Tribe Called Quest, Digital Underground, Eric B. and Rakim, Naughy By Nature, Black Sheep and more, with original songs penned by Pharrell Williams. The rest of the uniformly good cast features Zoë Kravitz, ASAP Rocky, Blake Anderson, LaKeith Stanfield, Roger Guenveur Smith, Kimberly Elise, Chanel Iman, Tyga, Vince Staples and Forest Whitaker as a laid-back narrator.
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21. Driveways (2019)

“You know what I wish? I wish we could do it all over again. Be a little more deliberate. Take our time.”

I love Brian Dennehy – the shot of him walking away from the blazing barn in “Silverado” is forever etched into my mind. As is this little, quiet and magnificent film – a fitting send off for one of the greatest unheralded actors of all time. Dennehy stars as Del, an elderly widower and war vet who lives quietly in upstate New York. Enter Kathy (a perfect Hong Chau) and her young son Cody (Lucas Jaye, who gives a real strong, naturalistic performance), who arrive to clean out her deceased sister’s hoarder house next door. Slowly, they build a relationship with the reclusive Del, with Del and Cody forming a serious bond. Released at the start of the pandemic, it’s a film about kindness, decency and connecting with your neighbors, which was in short supply in early 2020. Directed by Andrew Ahn, with supporting turns from Christine Ebersole, Jerry Adler and Stan Carp.
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22. The Dry (2020)

“Suburbia in the country? Worst of both worlds.”

Solid Australian mystery thriller with Eric Bana essentially solving two murders twenty years apart. Meticulously plotted and well acted by the ensemble, it’s a slow burn that pays off and gets under your skin. Based on the book by Jane Harper, directed by Robert Connolly. With Bruce Spence, Genevieve O’Reilly, Keir O’Donnell, Miranda Tapsell and James Frecheville.
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23. The Exchange (2021)

“These are your friends? They look sad.”
“Uh they’re The Smiths.”

Tim Long and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Couple Months. This charming Canadian indie works, thanks largely to the likable performances, ‘80s setting and character-based humor. Avan Jogia’s portrayal of French exchange student Stephan is hilarious — his confidence and kindness sort of reminded me of an over-sexed Ted Lasso. Ed Oxenbould makes a good foil, Jayli Wolf is an adorable goofy nerd and Justin Hartley hams it up as a big fish in a small town track coach. A fun 90 minutes.
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24. Experimenter (2015)

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”

Michael Almereyda’s unusual and fascinating biopic of famed experimenter Stanley Milgram (well played by Peter Sarsgaard) chronicles his controversial study on obedience behavior in the early 60s – with a bevy of fantastic character actors taking part including Anthony Edwards, John Leguizamo, Anton Yelchin and Jim Gaffigan. The film itself is a bit of an experiment on the viewer – the fourth wall is routinely broken, with a fake-bearded Milgram narrating his own story and even breaking into song; several sequences are shot on sets in front of rear-projection; and a literal elephant in the room wanders across scenes. It’s an informative and interesting watch, even if it loses some steam in its last third. With Winona Ryder, Taryn Manning, Dennis Haysbert (as Ossie Davis), Kellan Lutz (as William Shatner), John Palladino, Lori Singer, Edoardo Ballarini, Josh Hamilton and Vondie Curtis-Hall.
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25. Extra Ordinary (2019)

“Why don't we see ghosts every day? The truth is ghosts are around us all the time, but most hauntings are so small they go unnoticed. For example, a pen, a pen lid, a gravel, a trapped sound, a child's ball or balls, a wheeled bin.”

Charming and stupid (I mean that as a compliment) Irish horror comedy is a great vehicle for Maeve Higgins (catch her stand-up sometime, she’s fantastic). She plays Rose, a driving instructor who also has supernatural abilities that she tries to ignore. When a washed-up rock star (Will Forte, chewing scenery) makes a deal with the devil, Rose has to help a father (Barry Ward) save her possessed daughter. Absurdly funny, occasionally scary, and pretty entertaining. With Claudia O’Doherty, Jamie Beamish, Terri Chandler and Emma Coleman.
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26. Family (2018)

“I’m usually in this place where I hate myself, but I still think I’m better than everyone else, you know?”

Taylor Schilling (“Orange is the New Black”) stars as Kate, a career-oriented woman who is also a total mess. After a family emergency, her brother Joe (Eric Edelstein) asks her to babysit her tween niece Maddie (Bryn Vale). She reluctantly agrees to help, and somehow finds common ground with her – even though all she wants to do is run away and become a Juggalo. There’s lots to like here in the directorial debut by Laura Steinel, especially the supporting cast featuring Kate McKinnon, Allison Tolman, Matt Walsh, Jessie Ennis and Bryan Tyree Henry, and the Juggalos themselves. Crack open a two-liter of Faygo and have a great time.
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27. Fast Color (2018)

“The world’s gonna die. I can feel it.”

Julia Hart’s excellent character-based Sci-fi film follows Ruth (the always solid Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a woman with supernatural abilities on the run from a creepy scientist (Christopher Denham). She returns home to her mother Bo (Lorraine Toussaint) and estranged daughter Lila (Saniyya Sidney) to attempt to harness her powers, reconnect with her family and stay out of the clutches of the government. It’s an incredible superhero origins story, with women of color at the forefront. Well-crafted and acted, and featuring solid special effects, it also stars David Strathairn.
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28. Flipped (2010)

“You know, Bryce... one's character is set at an early age. I'd hate to see you swim out so far you can't swim back.”

Underappreciated Rob Reiner film that functions like a pre-teen He Said / She Said – the story follows Juli (Madeline Carroll) who meets Bryce (Callan McAuliffe) in second grade and immediately falls in love with him, though he doesn’t feel the same way – until he does. It’s a gentle, nostalgic feel-good romance set in the 50’s and 60’s, and the device of seeing things from both perspectives works well here. Also starring Rebecca De Mornay, Anthony Edwards, John Mahoney, Penelope Ann Miller, Aidan Quinn and Kevin Weisman.
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29. The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)

"Who would win in a fight to the death -- me, or a bird?"

Charming, often hilarious, and touching film with Paul Rudd as a damaged man working as a caregiver to a wisecracking teen (Craig Roberts) who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy. They go on an unforgettable road trip together to see terrible roadside attractions, meeting other damaged souls along the way, including Selena Gomez as a runaway trying to get to Denver. Rudd and Roberts have a great rapport, and the dialogue really sings -- I found myself smiling the whole time and often laughing out loud (and I can be a tough audience). The film also deals with familial loss and strained ties effectively and emotionally. It's a lean and rewarding 90 minutes.
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30. George Washington (2000)

“I'm a hero because I like to save people's lives. Stuff like that.”

First film from writer/director David Gordon Green is a powerful, atmospheric look at group of kids in a poor North Carolina town, whose friendship is tested after a tragic accident one summer. Beautifully shot and skillfully acted by the unknown cast (the main trio of Candace Evanofski, Curtis Cotton III and Donald Holden are phenomenal), it slowly hooks you in and gets you on an emotional level.
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31. The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008)

“People must know that they're going to die, and yet they live as though they never will. Hilarious.”

Korean action western that’s a stylish, energetic and full-on-fun homage to Leone, the film is a breathtaking, exhilarating ride. Taking place in 1940s Manchuria, three very different men seek a treasure map – The Good (Jung Woo-sung), a bounty hunter; The Bad (Lee-Byung hung), a hitman; and The Weird (Song Kang-ho), a thief. To find the buried riches, they’ll battle the army, bandits, and each other. Beautifully shot, with fantastic set pieces, and a wry sense of humor, it’s one of the best westerns to come from the east. Directed by Kim Jee-woon.
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32. Grace of My Heart (1996)

“I don't want to burst your bubble, but not only do we have someone like you. We are trying to get rid of the someone like you.”

Allison Anders’ terrific showcase for the wonderful Illeana Douglas is a spirited look at a young singer in the Brill Building 1960’s struggling to break through. Edna (Douglas) records a demo but is constantly turned down by labels. Her songwriting stands out and she is signed by Joel (John Turturro), who creates a new persona for her, and she begins to find success writing tunes for other artists. She continues to do well, but can’t find the spotlight for herself. The music is fantastic (mostly penned by Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach, and also including hits of the era), and the supporting cast is phenomenal – including Bridget Fonda, Chris Isaak, Eric Stoltz, Matt Dillion, Patsy Kensit, Richard Schiff, Bruce Davison, David Clennon and Jennifer Leigh Warren.
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33. Grand Piano (2013)

“You're not in control, Tom. The audience is control. And right now, I'm your audience.”

Damien Chazelle (pre “Whiplash”) wrote this completely ridiculous yet entertaining yarn that owes a ton to Brian DePalma. Elijah Wood stars as Tom Selznick, a piano prodigy struck with stage fright after a concert meltdown five years earlier. Now married to a famous actress (Kerry Bishé), he’s coaxed into playing a show honoring his late teacher on his beloved piano. With his wife and friends in attendance, he suddenly finds himself the target of a sniper (John Cusack, mostly in voice over) with a vested interest in Tom playing a perfect show. Sort of like “Phone Booth” for the Classical set, it moves with silly precision as a cat and mouse game begins between the two. Surrender to the absurdity and you’ll enjoy its quick 90 minutes. Also starring Alex Winter, Dan McManus, Allen Leech and Tamsin Egerton.
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34. The Grand Seduction (2013)

“We must all become cricket aficionados. It's kinda like baseball, but it's only got two bases and, uh, no one wears gloves.”

The always reliable Brendan Gleeson stars as Murray, a resident of the Newfoundland harbor town Tickle Head, who hatches a plan to lure a young doctor (Taylor Kitsch) to town to help entice an oil company looking for a place to set up shop and create jobs the depressed town desperately need. Shades of “Local Hero” permeate this pleasant, amiable ensemble comedy (a remake from a 2003 Quebec film) with fun turns from Gordon Pinsent, Liane Balaban and Mark Critch. Directed by Don McKellar.
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35. Greener Grass (2019)

“I have Julian here. He’s a dog now.”

This one won’t be for everybody, but this incredibly bizarre comedy builds its odd world and dares you to live in it – a place where all the adults have braces, a soccer ball passes for a baby, and a boy can turn into a dog just by falling into a pool. There’s something hypnotic about the ridiculousness of it all, and its full of great comedic performers from SNL and UCB – D’Arcy Carden, Mary Holland, Beck Bennett, Neil Casey, Dot-Marie Jones, Jim Cummings, John Milhiser, Janicza Bravo and writer/director/stars Jocelyn DeBoer and Dawn Luebbe.
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36. The Guest (2014)

“I’m a soldier, man. I like guns.”

Adam Wingard’s stylish dark thriller is batshit in the best possible way – elements of comedy, drama and horror mesh well together in the underrated film. Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens headlines as David, a soldier who knocks on the door of the Peterson family, claiming to know their son who was killed in action. Thrilled to have him there, David stays in the home and begins to build relationships with their teenage kids – Anna (Maika Monroe) and Luke (Brendan Meyer). When a body count starts happening around town, they Petersons start to realize they may have gotten more than they bargained for. Stevens is both icy cold and charming at the same time, fully embodying the role. The synth score is a great 80s throwback, and the production design is by my ol’ high school buddy Thomas S. Hammock! Buckle up for a fun, warped ride. With Sheila Kelley, Leland Orser, Ethan Embry, Joel David Moore, Tabatha Shaun and Lance Reddick.
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37. The Gunfighter (1950)

“How come I've got to run into a squirt like you nearly every place I go these days? What are you trying to do? Show off for your friends?”

One of Gregory Peck’s best unsung performances, he plays the title gunfighter, Jimmy Ringo, who is trying to put his past behind him and give that life up. Everywhere he goes, young guns are looking to be the one to put him down. He heads to Cheyenne hoping to see his estranged wife and the son he’s never met and takes up in the corner of an empty saloon in wait, where his past once again catches up with him. It’s a wonderful meditation on living in your own shadow and celebrity, and Peck plays the role with a weathered gravitas. A highlight of Henry King’s directed films, it’s starting to be recognized as the top-notch classic that it is. With Karl Malden, Helen Westcott, Millard Mitchell, Richard Jaeckel and Jean Parker.
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38. Harper (1966)

“Your husband keeps lousy company, Mrs. Sampson, as bad as there is in L.A. And that's as bad as there is.”

Paul Newman as a 60’s California Private Eye – what more do you need? How ‘bout fun turns from a stellar supporting cast including Lauren Bacall, Julie Harris, Robert Wagner, Janet Leigh, Shelley Winters, Arthur Hill, Pamela Tiffin and Strother Martin? Newman embodies Lew Harper (aka Lew Archer, from the great pulp library of Ross Macdonald), a wise-cracking, sarcastic investigator in the throws of a divorce, who navigates a missing millionaire case that (of course) is more than it seems. It’s a fun Chandler-esque throwback and is the first screenplay from one of the masters, William Goldman. Newman returned to the role in “The Drowning Pool,” which is pretty average but worth a look if you like this one. Directed by Jack Smight.
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39. The Hill (1965)

“We're all doing time. Even the screws.”

Sidney Lumet’s masterful and underappreciated military prison drama features one of the best turns by Sean Connery. He plays Joe Roberts, a soldier accused of assaulting his superior officer, who arrives at the British compound in the North African desert during WWII. There he classes with sadistic guards, primarily the inhumane Sgt. Williams (Ian Hendry), who makes the inmates repeatedly climb a massive dirt hill in the heat, killing one. It’s up to Joe and the others to try to gain control of the prison – and save their humanity. The cast is uniformly excellent, especially Ian Bannen as a sympathetic Staff Seargent and the great Ossie Davis as Private Jacko King, dealing with racial mistreatment along with everything else. Brutal, engrossing, and shot in sometime 115 degree heat, it’s a powder keg of a movie that will stay with you. Also starring Sir Michael Redgrave, Harry Andrews, Alfred Lynch, Roy Kinnear and Jack Watson.
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40. How to Deter a Robber (2020)

“Why does everything have to be a drinking game? Can’t you just drink, and play a game?”

Basically adult “Home Alone” meets “Fargo,” this briskly fun home invasion comedy stars “Gilmore Girls” alum Vanessa Marano as Madison, a college-bound young woman who, along with her goofy boyfriend Jimmy (Benjamin Papac) and cool Uncle Andy (Chris Mulkey, so good here), works to thwart a couple of robbers (Sonny Valicenti and Abbie Cobb) during Christmas. The dialogue is fun, and Cobb steals every scene she is in – a segment involving her attempting to serve water is particularly amusing. With Gabrielle Carteris, Jonah Ray and Leah Lewis.
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41. I Declare War (2012)

“Once you're dead, you go home. You can't be interrogated. It's a rule.”

This playful and sometimes pretty dark actioner gets inside the imagination of kids at war — sticks in hand turn into sub machine guns, a water balloon a grenade, a lighter a flame thrower. The films pulls all the tropes of war films on display — the teens spew four-letter expletives and attack each other with the highest stakes imaginable. Shades of “Lord of the Flies” permeate the exercise, making for an intriguing and fun watch.
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42. I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore (2017)

“I Don’t want a pay off.”
”Then I’m confused — what do you want?”
”For people not to be assholes.”

Macon Blair’s directorial debut is a dark comedy thriller with a bonkers final act that I found entertaining though I’m sure it’s divisive. Melanie Lynskey carries the movie beautifully, Elijah Wood adds wonderful support as an endearing oddball, and my pal Gary Anthony Williams steals scenes as a detective going through a divorce. A worthy companion-piece to “Blue Ruin,” which Blair starred in.
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43. I Went Down (1997)

"Sometimes, the benefit of the doubt can save your life."

Indie Irish black comedy buddy crime flick from playwright Conor McPherson is super enjoyable, largely thanks to the two leads -- Peter McDonald as Git and Brendan Gleeson as Bunny Kelly. Essentially a two-hander, the duo is tasked with retrieving some money for a shifty crime lord. A precursor to "In Bruges," they hit the road and banter endlessly, making this an often times hilarious character piece worth seeing.
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44. I’m Not Scared (2003)

“Monsters don’t exist. It’s men you should be afraid of, not monsters.”

Terrific Italian thriller told through the eyes of a 9-year-old boy set in the hottest summer on record in 1978 in the fictional southern town Acqua Traverse. While playing one day, Michele discovers a hole in the ground obscured by a sheet of metal – containing a young boy named Fillipo. Can Michele save the kidnapped kid before it’s too late? Taking place during the “Years of Lead” and loosely based on a true story, it mirrors the turmoil that was taking place at the time, where snatchings were at an all-time high in the country. Based on the book by Niccolò Ammaniti, it’s a tense, suspenseful coming of age tale, well-paced and performed by its largely young cast. Directed by Gabriele Salvatores (“Mediterraneo”).
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45. In a Valley of Violence (2016)

“Those men left me with nothing. I'm gonna leave them with less.”

Ti West, a horror auteur, delves into the Western with this clever homage to the genre, while peppering it with some really fun dialogue, playfulness and outbursts of violence. Ethan Hawke stars as Paul, who is heading to Mexico with his beloved dog Abbie (doing some of the best dog acting on par with the pup from “Love and Monsters” – more on that later). After an altercation with an obnoxious deputy (James Ransome) in a tavern, Paul is later ambushed, and what follows is a revenge tale a la John Wick but with shotguns and spurs. John Travolta plays a Marshall (and the Deputy’s father) who squares off against Hawke, whose men (including Toby Huss) just might be overmatched here. Karen Gillan and Taissa Farmiga plays (very different) sisters and Burn Gorman plays a sketchy priest. It goes a bit off the rails in the last act which adds to the fun.
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46. Kabluey (2007)

“Alright, now, which night-light? Annubis, Egyptian Jackal God? Or melted football shape?”

Groundling Scott Prendergast wrote, directed and stars in this lovable goofball of a movie. Salmon (Prendergast), a nice guy just kinda wandering through life (he was fired from his last job at a copy shop ‘cuz he kept laminating everything in the store), moves in with his sister Leslie (Lisa Kudrow), to help watch over her kids while her husband is deployed in Iraq. She gets him a job at her company wearing a ridiculous blue mascot outfit, which starts him on the road to finding a purpose in his life. Weird and funny, and full of snappy random dialogue, I originally saw this in the LA Film Fest when it premiered and found it pretty delightful. The supporting cast is stacked as well, including Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Teri Garr, Chris Parnell, Christine Taylor, Conchata Ferrell and Angela Sarafyan.
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47. The Kid Detective (2020)

“Experience is overrated. The world has enough assholes.”

Adam Brody stars as Abe Applebaum, a former kid sleuth with a heroic reputation in a small Canadian town. Many years later, he’s become a bit of a joke, still taking on small cases while being haunted by the big one he couldn’t crack. When the teenage Caroline (Sophie Nélisse) hires him to track down her boyfriend’s killer, Abe finds himself embroiled in complicated, dangerous plot that might just find him purpose and redemption. Brody is in top-form as the flawed protagonist, and the script has layers of sly comedy peppered in with the satisfying and somewhat dark mystery at its core. With Tzi Ma, Wendy Crewson and Peter MacNeill, written and directed by Evan Morgan.
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48. Kumiko the Treasure Hunter (2014)

“I only need page 95. It is my destiny.”

Rinko Kikuchi mesmerizes as the title character in this fantastic film from the Zellner Brothers, bringing to life a popular urban legend. Kumiko, a soft-spoken office worker, lives in Tokyo with her pet rabbit Bunzo, and is convinced the briefcase of cash at the end of the film “Fargo” is still buried and awaiting discovery (after all, it’s “based on a true story”). She uses a stolen company card and goes to claim it. Kikuchi brilliantly navigates the complexities of a character suffering from depression and disillusionment – so much is going on behind her downcast eyes that the viewer stays in step with her the entire way. Visually striking with an offbeat score from The Octopus Project, it’s a darkly comedic journey worth taking. Also starring Nobuyuki Katsube, Kanako Higashi, Shirley Venard and writer/director David Zellner as a deputy that tries to help her in her quest.
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49. The Lady in the Van (2015)

“In life, going downhill is an uphill battle.”

The treasure that is Maggie Smith owns this delightful adaptation of playwright Alan Bennett’s memoir. Smith stars as Mary Shepherd, an elderly woman who lives in a dilapidated van, who proceeds to park it in Alan’s driveway and stays there for 15 years. Alex Jennings (Bennett) and Smith have a great rapport, and the script is full of stingers, delivered by Smith with aplomb. Deftly directed by Bennett’s oft collaborator Nicholas Hytner, it also stars Jim Broadbent, Frances de la Tour, Roger Allam, James Corden, David Calder and Claire Foy.
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50. The Legend of Baron T’oa (2020)

“My dad had his back in the day ways, but this isn’t back in the day.”

Fun NZ action comedy with enough lens flares to make J.J. Abrams jealous. Uli Latukefu stars as Fritz, who returns to his Tongan neighborhood where he has always lived in the shadow of his well-regarded wrestling legend father Baron (John Tui). When his late dad’s championship belt is stolen by a local gang, it’s up to Fritz to get it back. It takes a while to get where it's going, but there are flashes of engaging comedy as it goes along to make it worth the journey. The final thirty minutes amp up the martial arts meets wrestling fights to a fever pitch.
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51. Liberty Heights (1999)

“But a lot of images fade, and no matter how hard I try, I can't get them back. I had a relative once who said that if I knew things would no longer be, I would have tried to remember better.”

Part of Barry Levinson’s collection of films about Baltimore, it’s a loving semi-autobiographical look at the Kurtzmans, a Jewish family living there in the 1950s. There are a few different subplots, but the most engaging is the budding friendship between son Ben (a young, excellent Ben Foster) and his black friend Sylvia (Rebekah Johnson, equally good), at the start of racial integration in the neighborhood. There’s lots of great little moments that linger, and a winning cast from top to bottom including Adrien Brody, Joe Mantegna, Bebe Neuwirth, Orlando Jones, Carolyn Murphy, David Krumholtz, James Pickens, Jr. and Anthony Anderson.
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52. Limbo (2020)

“In Afghanistan, we have story of bird who forgot how to sing.”
“What happened?”
“It died. Of sadness.”

Offbeat comedy/drama tinged with sadness and a wry sense of humor, it’s a sympathetic and loving portrait of Omar (Amir El-Masry), a Syrian refugee awaiting asylum in a remote coastal Scottish town. He carries around his family’s oud (and all the responsibility that comes with it), and kills time with his flat mates, including Farhad (a great comedic foil played by Vikash Bhai). Much like the wind that constantly pelts the area, they numbly await their fates, watching pirated “Friends” episodes, following a postal truck around, and taking a cultural class taught by Helga (Sidse Babett Knudsen) and Boris (Kenneth Collard). Shot in boxy 4:3, it emphasizes the trapped feeling the characters have, with each shot masterfully composed by director Ben Sharrock, reminiscent of a morose Wes Anderson.
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53. Little Fish (2020)

“I was so sad the day I met you. I don’t remember why.”

Chad Hartigan’s cinematic gut-punch is a heartbreaking tale set during a future pandemic and made more powerful by its timing in the new world we all live in now. Emma (Olivia Cooke) and Jude (Jack O’Connell) live together in Seattle when a devastating memory loss disease called NIL starts sweeping the masses. When Jude begins showing symptoms, Emma starts to make a record of their love for each other before it’s too late. Beautifully shot and emotionally scored by Keegan DeWitt, the two have a magnetic chemistry which makes this all so much more affecting. You might want to have some tissues handy. With Raul Castillo and Soko.
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54. Love and Monsters (2020)

“Don’t settle. You don’t have to. Even at the end of the world.”

A pleasant surprise in a sea of shitty releases during quarantine, “Love and Monsters” is a fun, creative genre film that's incredibly entertaining. Dylan O’Brien plays Joel, who lives underground with the some of the few remaining humans after a bevy of monsters take over the planet. Scared and indecisive, Joel finally ventures out to try to find his girlfriend, starting a dangerous road trip that he’s unlikely to survive. O'Brien is allowed to finally show some of that humor and charm he had on display in “Teen Wolf “(we don't need “American Assassin” Dylan O'Brien, thank you), the monsters are cool looking and well-rendered, and Hero & Dodge (the pups who play "Boy") give the greatest animal performance since Bart the Bear terrorized Alec Baldwin and Anthony Hopkins in The Edge. Also starring Michael Rooker, Jessica Henwick and Bruce Spence.
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55. Lucky (2017)

“The only thing worse than awkward silence: small talk.”

A fitting final showcase for the character actor of character actors, Harry Dean Stanton finds himself front and center and the heart of the amiable meditation on mortality finely directed by John Carroll Lynch. Lucky (Stanton), a chain-smoking 90-year-old war vet living alone in a small desert town, goes about his daily routines of doing the crossword puzzle at the diner, buying cigarettes and hanging out at a local bar (which includes a great appearance by David Lynch talking about his escaped pet rabbit named President Roosevelt). It’s a slow burn character study with Stanton truly owning the screen – a reminder of just how truly great he is. The supporting cast includes Tom Skerritt, Beth Grant, Ron Livingston, Ed Begley, Jr., Barry Shabaka Henley, James Darren and Bertila Damas.
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56. Lucky Grandma (2019)

“Discount bodyguard, discount rate.”

Grandma Wong (Tsai Chin), after a prognostication of riches to come, hits it big at a casino and then finds herself in the middle of a gang war. Anchored by an amazing performance by Chin, Lucky Grandma is a super enjoyable crime romp. It’s a brisk 87 minutes with parts comedy, action and drama.
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57. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)

“He hates calling people his friends. Dude's got issues.”

One of the indie darlings of 2015 that somehow didn’t find much of an audience, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is at once charming, touching and sad. Thomas Mann stars as Greg, who spends his time making home movies with his friend Earl (R.J. Cyler). Greg’s parents (Nick Offerman and Connie Britton) ask him to spend time with his classmate and old childhood friend Rachel (Olivia Cooke), who has recently been diagnosed with leukemia. Despite initial awkwardness, the two grow very close. It’s a tender coming-of-age story and look at not letting your circumstances define you, and the trio of leads are incredibly strong. Written by Jesse Andrews, adapting his own book, and an assured directorial debut from Alfonso Gomez-Rejon. Also starring Molly Shannon, Jon Bernthal, Matt Bennett, Katherine Hughes and Bobb’e J. Thompson.
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58. Memories of Murder (2003)

“What kind of detective sleeps well?”

The second film from Bong Joon-ho is a gritty, atmospheric slow burn police story following Korea’s first serial killer. Taking place in the late 80s, it follows local cops Park (Bong’s usual leading man, Song Kang-ho) and Cho (Kim Roi-Ha), who take a sledgehammer approach to coaxing confessions out of suspects. Enter Seo (Kim Sang-kyung), a more professional detective from Seoul who takes a personal interest in the brutal murders of women happening in the small town. The case takes twists and turns, with cops being bested at every step of the way. Masterfully directed and acted, it’s a Zodiac-esque story with the nagging feeling that everything just won’t be ok. Plus, there’s a lot of drop kicking!
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59. Miracle Mile (1988)

“People are gonna help each other, aren't they? Rebuilding things?”
“I think it’s the insect’s turn.”

Steve De Jarnatt’s brilliant end-of-the-world romantic thriller follows Harry (Anthony Edwards), who meets Julie (Mare Winingham) at the La Brea Tar Pits and it’s love at first sight. They make a date to meet up at the diner she works at when her shift ends after midnight, but a power outage has him miss his alarm and she goes home. He tries to apologize from a payphone, but answers a call of a distraught man saying the world is going into nuclear war in less than 70 minutes. Told mostly in real time, Harry tries to get to Julie before it’s too late. With an excellent soundtrack by Tangerine Dream, it’s genuinely tense and terrifying at times and will stick with you. With Mykelti Williamson, Denise Crosby, Raphael Sbarge, Kelly Jo Minter, Peter Berg, Kurt Fuller and O-Lan Jones.
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60. Miss Stevens (2016)

“Don’t be sad! Don’t be sad! Don’t be sad!”

Lily Rabe gives a fierce and funny performance at the front of this excellent character study from first time director Julia Hart (who also co-wrote with Jordan Horowitz). She stars as the titular Miss Stevens, who is tasked with chaperoning three students at a drama competition over a weekend (played by Lili Reinhart, Anthony Quintal and Timothée Chalamet, who flashes the star quality that he’d soon be known for). There’s a scene early on where Rabe and Chalamet bond over America’s Sister Golden Hair, and I knew this film was speaking my language. It confronts grief and depression in an optimistic way, and the journey Rabe takes over the quick run time is fascinating to behold. Also starring Rob Huebel and Oscar Nuñez.
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61. Mississippi Grind (2015)

“Get this man a Woodford!”

A bit of a spiritual companion to Altman’s “California Split,” Ben Mendelson and Ryan Reynolds team up for this shambling look at a pair of gamblers who find kindred spirits in each other after a chance meeting at a bar and end up traveling towards a high-stakes Poker showdown in New Orleans, chasing that high of the big win at casinos, racetracks, you name it. The two have great chemistry and bounce well off each other, and Mendelson really shows you why he’s one of the best actors working today. Leisurely paced, it’s a character study that rewards you if you stick with it. Directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Bowden (“Half Nelson”).
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62. Motorama (1991)

“Look at yourself. You're acting like a little kid. What, did you think it would be easy or something?”

This absurdist dark road comedy, written by Joseph Minion (“After Hours”), is one of the trippiest, weirdest and wickedly fun 90 minutes you’ll ever spend scratching your head while glued to the set. Jordan Christopher Michael stars as Gus, a ten-year-old obsessed with winning a gas-station sticker collection game called Motorama, for a supposed prize of $500 million. He steals his parents Ford Mustang and hits the road, coming across a collection of odd characters as he hits various petrol stations looking for elusive letters, for a game that is impossible to win. Peppered with a who’s-who of cult actors and musicians like Flea, Meat Loaf, Garrett Morris, Martha Quinn, Michael J. Pollard, Shelley Berman, Drew Barrymore, Dick Miller, Allyce Beasley, Mary Woronov and Jack “Eraserhead” Nance, with a score by The Police’s Andy Summers, it’s a surreal experience and one of the most bizarre movies of the 90s.
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63. The Narrow Margin (1952)

“What're you gonna do, go out and shoot us some breakfast?”

Terrific and often overlooked film noir stars Charles McGraw as a cop tasked with transporting a Mobster’s wife from Chicago to LA to testify in a trial. Can he hide her and keep her safe aboard a train full of killers trying to snuff her torch? The largely unrecognizable cast excel in their roles and keep you guessing on loyalties as the cat and mouse game escalates splendidly. Other than occasional incidental music, there’s no score which adds to the tension, and director Richard Fleischer’s handheld camera work (not used often at the time) adds to the claustrophobia of it all. Got the loose remake treatment in 1990 with Gene Hackman and Anne Archer (not half bad), but this one definitely stands on its own. Also starring Marie Windsor, Jacqueline White, David Clarke, Peter Virgo and Don Beddoe.
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64. Old Henry (2021)

“It can be hard to tell who and what a man is, he's got a mind to convince you otherwise.”

So good to see Tim Blake Nelson in a leading role, and he carries this “don’t poke a sleeping bear” western also starring Stephen Dorff, Trace Adkins, Gavin Lewis and Scott Haze. Nelson plays quiet farmer Henry, who lives an isolated life with his son Wyatt. When a horse shows up with no rider, a chain of events begins that forces Henry to relive his past. Beautifully shot and composed, it’s a Nelson acting masterclass.
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65. The One I Love (2014)

“So we met at a party and… it was magic.”

Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass star in this bonkers indie comedy full of fun and surprises. On the brink of divorce, Sophie and Ethan are sent by their therapist (Ted Danson) to a relaxing weekend away at a lovely vacation home in hopes of rekindling their love for each other. I’ll leave it at that – go in knowing as little as possible for maximum enjoyment. Maybe don’t even watch the trailer below. Directed by Charlie McDowell.
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66. Only The Animals (2019)

“Love is giving what you don’t have.”

Twisty French thriller from Dominik Moll follows several different narratives all tied into one central disappearance. The “Fargo” meets “Rashomon” comparisons are apt -- the wintery French countryside fills in for North Dakota here and is a character unto itself (you know how they always say that New York is a character in Sex in the City? Yeah, like that, but like NYC's cold, bitter, depressed little brother). Broken into character chapters, its methodically paced but has several intriguing moments. Bordering on too many coincidences, it's an ambitious if uneven viewing that will reward fans of moody murder mysteries.
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67. Plus One (2019)

“The truth is, if you spend your whole life waiting for perfect, you end up with nothing.”

A lot of Romcom’s recently have left a lot to be desired, but “Plus One” is a fresh, clever, funny surprise. Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine play longtime single friends who decide to be each other’s dates to ten weddings they have to go to one summer. She’s reeling from a recent breakup; he’s obsessed with a former classmate. You know where this one is going, but the journey is the fun part. With great performances and clever repartee, “Plus One” is engaging from frame one, due to the phenomenal chemistry between the two leads. Also on hand lending great support are Beck Bennett, Ed Begley, Jr., Jessy Hodges, Rosalind Chao, Finn Whittrock, Maya Kazan and Perrey Reeves. Written, produced and directed by Jeff Chan and Andrew Rhymer.
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68. Real Life (1979)

“Oh Lisa has a test!”

Albert Brooks skewers reality TV and the PBS show “An American Family” with this prescient look at a family’s narrative being controlled by the filmmakers. Brooks portrays, well, Albert Brooks, who starts filming The Yeagers, an average US family headed by Warren (Charles Grodin) and Jeannette (Frances Lee McCain) and kids Lisa (Lisa Urette) and Eric (Robert Stirrat). Capturing all moments of their lives, the Yeagers find themselves regretting ever taking part, as Albert and crew start inserting themselves more and more into the “documentary.” Hilarious, early, prime Brooks – the cameras alone are hysterical (and one of the cameramen, never seen and rarely heard, is Harry Shearer).
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69. The Red Riding Trilogy (2009)

“The Devil triumphs when good men do naught.”

Ok, it’s three films in one post, but they really do function as one, and I recommend watching them within a day of each other. Technically feature-length television episodes from the BBC, each one takes place in a different year, all connected by cold-case murders attributed to the Yorkshire Ripper. The first (1974) follows a reporter (Andrew Garfield) investigating missing school girls, a murder, and an unscrupulous land developer (Sean Bean). The second (1980) follows a by-the-book constable (Paddy Considine) tasked with catching the killer, and the conclusion (1983) introduces a soliciter (Mark Addy) also trying to figure it all out. Dealing with police corruption, the church, and a serial killer, it’s a moody, atmospheric and complicated set of films that will reward fans of procedurals who piece it all together. Oh, and you might want to turn the subtitles on – the Yorskhire accents are pretty thick. Also starring David Morrissey, Rebecca Hall, Daniel Mays, Sean Harris, Robert Sheehan, Tony Pitts and Peter Mullan.
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70. Riders of Justice (2020)

“But if everything is merely coincidences, isn’t the most natural reaction then to feel that nothing matters? Then where do we go with all our sorrow, all our anger, all our fears and loneliness?”

It's parts dark comedy, drama about loss and moving on, violent revenge thriller, and meditation on coincidence, chance and algorithms. Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, it’s thrilling from start to finish -- all the characters are eccentric and well-drawn, the acting top notch, and Mads Mikkelsen continues his streak of phenomenal performances in above average films. I’ve rarely seen a movie balance so many different tones beautifully. Don't let the poster art throw you -- it's not your predictable Liam Neeson vs. the world kinda fluff; it’s truly one of the best films of 2020.
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71. Ruby Sparks (2012)

“Quirky, messy women whose problems only make them endearing are not real.”

Zoe Kazan wrote and stars as the titular character in this fantastic, sly comedy from directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (“Little Miss Sunshine”). Paul Dano stars as Calvin, a young writer blocked after penning a classic. When he creates his dream girl on paper, he’s shocked to find her the next day on his couch, in the flesh. Armed with his typewriter, he uses it to change things about her to suit her to him. Dano acts the part well, navigating the character evolvement from hero to monster, but it’s Kazan who is the real standout here, both as Ruby and writer, who takes male screenwriters to task for writing unrealistic women who exist to feed the men in their pieces as well as their own egos. The supporting cast all have some great moments, including Elliott Gould, Annette Bening, Antonio Banderas, Alia Shawkat, Steve Coogan, Deborah Ann Woll, Aasif Mandvi and Chris Messina.
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72. The Sapphires (2012)

“90% of all recorded music is shite. The other 10% is soul!”

The true story of the Cummagunja Songbirds, an Aboriginal sisters girl group in 1968 from New South Wales, who end up entertaining American troops during the Vietnam War. “Discovered” and managed by a very-good Chris O’Dowd and renamed The Sapphires, the sisters fight societal prejudice and – at times – each other as they venture out into the world. The four actresses are all excellent – Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell and especially Deborah Mailman, the feistiest of the group, and the music and comedy keep it bopping along, excelling in the dramatic moments as well. Directed by Wayne Blair, and also starring Tori Kittles, Eka Darville and Kylie Belling.
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73. Save Yourselves! (2020)

“The pouffe! It pouffed us!”

Amusing, breezy end-of-the-world comedy stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds as a millennial Brooklyn couple who decide to unplug from their devices and get away to a cabin upstate – only to find their vacay interrupted by a low-key alien invasion (the aliens, knick-named “pouffes” are just slightly more sinister Tribbles). Bright dialogue and winning performances between the two leads highlight this goofy film that shows just how all of us are really unprepared to handle anything like this. Also starring NYC comedy darlings John Early and Jo Firestone.
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74. Shithouse (2020)

“You’re like the girl from 13 Going on 30.”
“Jennifer Garner?”
“No, I’m talking about the movie 13 Going on 30, there’s like, the girl with like the little house.”
“Yeah! That’s Jennifer Garner – you’re talking about Jennifer Garner right now. She’s – she’s awesome in that movie. What are you talking about?”

Writer/director/star and presumed caterer Cooper Raiff knocks it out of the park with his debut films that achingly nails the growing pains of going to college and being away from home from the first time. He plays Alex, a freshman with no friends despite his good looks and kind eyes. After a party at the Shithouse, he ends up spending the night walking and talking with Maggie, his RA (Dylan Gelula, fantastic), perfectly capturing those magical nights when two young minds connect. What begins as mostly a Linklater-esque walk and talk then transitions into the awkward-after, and the pain and confusion that comes with it. For anyone who lived in the dorms at school trying to find themselves, this will definitely strike a chord as it did for me. Raiff is one to watch. Also starring Amy Landecker and Logan Miller.
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75. The Silent Partner (1978)

“I feel as though I know you very well.”
“Then you know I’m ready to kill you.”

Curtis Hanson penned this Canadian thriller starring Elliott Gould as Miles, a bank teller who is held up at the holidays by a killer dressed as Santa Claus named Reikle (a very, very scary Christopher Plummer). Anticipating the theft, Miles pockets the money for himself, and starts a wicked cat and mouse game between the two. Well plotted and pieced together and highlighted by the sparring of the two leads, it escalates into some truly shocking violence. With Susannah Yorke, Celine Lomez, Michael Kirby and a young John Candy.
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76. Small Engine Repair (2021)

“If I’m a Chihuahua then you’re a fucking Corgi.”
“That’s not a burn, Packie. You gotta one-up me with a smaller dog.”
“Corgi is a smaller dog.”
“Corgi is practically a regular-sized dog. They just got wicked short legs.”

John Pollono gives his off-Broadway play the big-screen treatment with this crackling meditation on toxic masculinity that’s best seen knowing as little as possible (don’t watch the trailer – I mean, there’s a link to it below, but it gives away too much). Childhood friends Swaino (Jon Bernthal), Packie (Shea Whigham) and Frank (Pollano), who live in Manchester, NH (or as it’s called derisively, Manchvegas), get together for a night they’ll never forget. I don’t want to say too much, but the acting is absolutely incredible, with the three leads bringing a convincing ease to their live-wire characters. It’s exhilarating, thrilling and frustrating all at once. Also starring Jordana Spiro, Ciara Bravo, Spencer House, and brief cameos from the stars of the stage play James Badge Dale and James Ransome.
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77. Small Town Crime (2017)

“Most mornings I’m about as useful as a park bench in Hell.”

John Hawkes headlines this modern noir yarn as alcoholic ex-cop Mike Randall (booze played a role in his firing from the force) who spends his days barhopping, driving his Chevy Nova around, and waking up in strange places. When he finds a woman left for dead at the side of the road, he’s compelled to look into what happened to her, finding some direction in life as he gets in over his head. It’s pulpy fun, with tones of Rockford Files – I’d be totally down for more Randall mysterious if this had only found more of an audience. The supporting cast is uniformly strong and includes Clifton Collins, Jr., Octavia Spencer, Anthony Anderson, Michael Vartan, Dale Dickey, Robyn Lively, James Lafferty, Daniel Sunjata, Jeremy Ratchford and Robert Forster, stealing every scene he’s in. Written and Directed by The Nelms Brothers.
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78. Some Mother’s Son (1996)

“You know something? I've never seen things as clearly before as I can see things now.”

Helen Mirren gives a stirring performance in Terry George and Jim Sheridan’s harrowing dramatization of the 1981 hunger strike in the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland. Mirren plays Kathleen Quigley, whose son Gerard (Aidan Gillen) is among the IRA prisoners fasting along with Bobby Sands. Along with another mother, Annie Higgins, (Fionnula Flanagan, excelling here), she fights to keep her son alive and understand the movement. Moving and incredibly well acted by an amazing ensemble (also featuring Ciarán Hinds, John Lynch and Tom Hollander), it’s a powerful depiction of a difficult time.
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79. Spontaneous (2020)

“I'm just so glad I didn't explode all over you.”

One of the biggest surprises of 2020 for me, this at once delightful and horrifying film is anchored by strong charismatic performances by its two leads – Katherine Langford and Charlie Plummer. A small town is tossed into turmoil when students literally start exploding in school – just full on combusting all over the place. Crawling with scientists trying to figure out what’s up, seniors Mara (Langford) and Dylan (Plummer) are caught up in a budding romance, all the while not knowing if each day will be their last. The dialogue is whip smart and darkly funny, while the randomness of the violence is a commentary on school shootings. Can’t recommend this one enough. Also starring Piper Perabo, Hayley Law and Rob Huebel. 
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80. The Standoff at Sparrow Creek (2018)

“Got anything from Holden Caulfield?”

Taut and ingenious debut thriller from writer/director Henry Dunham is a meticulously plotted, well-crafted chamber piece. After an attack on a police funeral, ex-cop Gannon (James Badge Dale) meets up with others from the militia he now belongs to and finds an assault rifle is missing. One of them is responsible for the attack and what follows is a series of accusations, interrogations and razor-sharp Mamet-esque dialogue as the truth tries to find its way out. Shot mostly in a darkly lit warehouse, the actors feel like animals in a cage, clawing at each other -- and what a great ensemble it is. Brian Geraghty, Patrick Fischler, Robert Aramayo, Gene Jones, Happy Anderson and the always good Chris Mulkey bounce off each other terrifically.
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81. Stir of Echoes (1999)

“Don't be afraid of it, Daddy.”

David Koepp’s superb and underrated paranormal thriller is deftly made, atmospheric and full of intriguing ideas. It follows Jake (a very good Kevin Bacon), a blue-collar father who gets hypnotized at a party and suddenly finds himself in communication with the beyond. The film goes beyond jump scares and instead ratches up the tension as Jake tries to figure out what he’s supposed to do to stop the visions and help the spirit in contact with him. Lost in the shuffle behind “The Sixth Sense” (they opened close together), Koep’s script is a cut-above, which isn’t surprising from the scribe of such classic blockbusters like “Jurassic Park” and the first “Mission: Impossible.” Also starring Illeana Douglas, Kevin Dunn, Kathryn Erbe, Jennifer Morrison and Zachary David Cope.
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82. Stoker (2003)

“He used to say, sometimes you need to do something bad to stop you from doing something worse.”

India (Mia Wasikowska) grieves the death of her father (Dermot Mulroney) at their expansive southern estate with her cold and unstable mother (Nicole Kidman). An appearance by Charlie (Matthew Goode), an uncle she never knew she had, spirals everything out of control. This film is bonkers in the best way -- surrender to the madness and you’ll be glued to the screen. A total technical marvel with transitions that are unparalleled, it’s a dazzling English language debut from Park Chan-wook (“Oldboy”). Written by Wentworth Miller.
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83. Strike! (1998)

“Up your ziggy with a wa-wa brush!”

Previously titled “The Hairy Bird” and “All I Wanna Do,” “Strike!” is a criminally neglected 90s feminist teen comedy with sharp writing, anchored by its stacked young cast. In 1963, Odie (Gaby Hoffman) is forced into Miss Godard’s Preparatory School for Girls after her parents find out she plans to sleep with her boyfriend. She becomes part of an eclectic group of students – the rebel Verena (Kirsten Dunst), promiscuous Parker (Monica Keena), aspiring biologist Momo (Merritt Wever), and Tweety (Heather Matarazzo), a young psychology student with an eating disorder. When the headmistress (the superb Lynn Redgrave) finds out they are going to merge with a local boys school, it’s up to them to hatch a plan to keep their academy the way it is. The first title is “A Film By Everybody Who Made It” – what’s not to love? Written and directed by Sarah Kernochan. Also starring Rachel Leigh Cook, Vincent Kartheiser, Thomas “You’re killing me Smalls” Guiry, Matthew Lawrence, Caterina Scorsone, and a blink-and-you’ll-miss it Hayden Christensen and Shawn Ashmore.
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84. Sword of Trust (2019)

“Is this Antiques Road Show for racists?”

Final film from the great Lynn Shelton is a hilarious, largely improvised tale of a group trying to sell an antique sword that is supposedly proof that the South won the Civil War. There’s a giddiness to the ridiculousness of the proceedings as the sword starts to make its way to a potential buyer, with the four leads (Marc Maron, Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins and Jon Bass) all terrifically trading off-the-cuff barbs. Bass’s flat-earther monologue is a hoot, and the always reliable Toby Huss once again steals scenes as a middleman named Hog Jaws. Also starring Dan Bakkedahl and the late writer/director herself.
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85. Take Shelter (2011)

“Sleep well in your beds. 'Cause if this thing comes true, there ain't gonna be any more.”

Excellent psychological-horror thriller from Jeff Nichols (“Midnight Special,” “Mud” and “Loving”), it’s an absorbing masterclass of dread and anxiety anchored by an incredible performance from Michael Shannon. He plays Curtis, plagued with recurring apocalyptic dreams and waking hallucinations. Is it a prophecy, or is he losing his mind? He starts building a shelter in his backyard, putting a strain on those close to him, including his wife (an equally good Jessica Chastain) and deaf 6-year-old daughter. This is one that gets under your skin and stays a while. With Shea Whigham, Katy Mixon, Kathy Baker, Ray McKinnon and Lisa Gay Hamilton.
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86. A Taxi Driver (2017)

“You promised, to tell people. It needs to be broadcast, so people will know.”

Based on a true story, Korea’s submission for best foreign film is a breathtaking and heartbreaking look at the Gwanju Uprising. Struggling cab driver Kim Sa-bok (the always excellent Song Kang-ho, who shows up on this list like a hundred times) pirates an expensive fare to take a German reporter (Thomas Kretschmann) to Gwanju from Seoul, but doesn’t realize the danger he’s about to drive into. With the roads all blocked and the army and media covering up what was really happening there, we see Kim’s struggle as he is pulled further into the protests and absolutely devastating violence surrounding him. Lightly comedic in tone initially, it shifts into a powerful, mesmerizing drama chronicling average people making sacrifices to do what’s right. Directed by Jang Hoon.
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87. The Thieves (2012)

"One man sows and another man reaps. Come on, smile."

Basically a Korean "Ocean's 11," this well-executed heist thriller features a sprawling cast (including "Squid Game" star Lee Jung-jae), clever plot mechanics and some truly terrific action sequences -- especially one staged on the side of an apartment building. Yes, the side. With Kim Yoon-seok, Kim Hye-soo, Jun Jyi-hun, Simon Yam, Kim Hae-sook, Oh Dal-su, Kim Soo-hyun and Angelica Lee.
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88. This Is Martin Bonner (2013)

“I’m trying to restart my life and I feel like if I don’t get on the train at the get-go, I’m going to miss it.”

Second feature from Chad Hartigan (whose latest, “Little Fish,” also appears on this list) is a quietly mesmerizing character study following the title Martin Bonner (a great Paul Eenhoorn), a recent Reno transplant from Australia by way of Maryland, who works for a program to help recently released prisoners acclimate back into society. One such case is Travis (a super strong Richmond Arquette, yes of those Arquettes), who strikes up a friendship with Martin, as the two are both starting their lives over, albeit in different ways. It moves very leisurely – about the most action you’ll get is Martin lip syncing to his own song from a 60s garage band he fronted back in Perth – but it’s always engaging, and a scene of familial reconnection at a Carrows between Travis and his estranged daughter Diana (played brilliantly by Sam Buchanan) is one of the most real, awkward yet hopeful segments I’ve ever seen. Also starring Demetrius Grosse, Robert Longstreet and Jan Haley.
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89. This Must Be the Place (2011)

“Have you noticed how nobody works anymore and everybody does something artistic?”

Director Paolo Sorrentino's Italian/French/Irish co-production is a marvelous, amiable road dramedy starring a fantastic Sean Penn as Cheyenne, a retired, burnt out rock star living in Dublin with his wife (Frances McDormand) and teenage daughter (Eve Hewson). When his father dies, he journeys to the US to find the Nazi war criminal who humiliated his dad at Auschwitz. With music by David Byrne and Will Oldham (and shades of Byrne’s “True Stories” love of Americana), outstanding visuals, and an intriguing, gutsy lead performance from Penn, it shines in its sly comedic moments and hooked me from the start. With Judd Hirsch, Harry Dean Stanton, Kerry Condon, Fritz Weaver and Joyce Van Patten.
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90. Thunder Road (2018)

“Just because somebody leaves... just because somebody chooses to leave, that doesn't mean they didn't want to be here with you. It means they had a hard time with things. It's a lot for some people.”

What a tour de force for Jim Cummings. The film manages to be funny, sad and cringy at the same time while watching a man completely break down. It’s a fascinating, sometimes challenging watch that packs a lot into its lean 90 minute run time. That opening monologue *chef’s kiss.*
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91. Together Together (2021)

"Don't name your kid Jesse. I know a Jesse and he doesn't even know what tumble dry low is."

Pretty lovely film anchored by a star-making performance by Patti Harrison. She plays Anna, who is hired as a surrogate for Matt (Ed Helms), a single man in his 40s who wants to be a dad. Harrison and Helms have a great chemistry (though his character can be a bit insufferable at times), and Julio Torres is hilarious as always as her co-worker. I love that they took back the Woody Allen font for the film.
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92. The Vast of Night (2019)

“I listen to your broadcast every night. I think you're very good and I hope you can get far away from here.”

Ultra-low-budget, but very moody and effective, this alien-invasion sci-fi drama stars Sierra McCormick and Jake Horowitz as teens in a small New Mexico town in the 1950s who discover an odd radio frequency and all that comes with it. Told in long takes, with a lot of voice over from the radio show callers, and one incredibly impressive tracking walk-and-talk that would make Aaron Sorkin proud, it compensates for its limitations by creating an atmospheric “Twilight Zone” riff that’ll hook you in. Turn the lights off, grab some popcorn, and surrender to the mood and you’ll have a great time.
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93. Victoria (2015)

“I’m not a bad guy, I just did a bad thing.”

This gutsy German thriller is a nearly 2 ½ hour single shot – no cuts, tons of locations, and a super realistic feel, from its character development to its tense escalating turns. At the center (in an incredible performance) is Laia Costa as the title Victoria, a Spanish woman in her 20s who has moved to Berlin (despite not speaking the language). At the start, she is at a dance club and meets Sonne (Frederick Lau) and his buddies Boxer, Blinker and Fuß. They drunkenly traverse the city in the wee hours, with an attraction building between the two. But what begins as a “Before Sunrise” soon turns into a messy crime caper with no way out. An outstanding technical achievement, it sucks you in and makes you feel like part of it all, and you’ll be as exhausted and exhilarated as the characters. Vibrant, pulsating filmmaking. Directed by Sebastian Schipper.
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94. We Are Little Zombies (2019)

“They told us these were the remains of our parents. Two human beings stuffed into a tiny pot. It’s crazy.”

Dazzling Japanese film following four young orphans who meet at their parents’ funerals and form a band. Framed as an 8-bit video game, featuring astounding camera work and creative shot choices, the film is at once bonkers and meticulously planned out. A little long, but always involving, and the chip tune soundtrack will be stuck in your head after, as will the film itself. I’ll be thinking on this one for a while.

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95. Wild Rose (2018)

“No one wants to see a convicted criminal up there.”
“Johnny Cash was a convicted criminal, you ball bag.”

Jessie Buckley shines in this music-filled drama following a young, troubled country singer from Glasgow named Rose-Lynn. Saddled with two kids and a penchant for getting in trouble, the head-strong musician works to get herself to Nashville to pursue her dream. Difficult at times, but also stirring and exhilarating whenever Buckley is on the mic, Wild Rose is a great addition to fish-out-of-water stories of redemption and triumph. Julie Walters is terrific as her long-suffering mother, as is Sophie Okonedo as a woman who hires Rose-Lynn as a maid and then champions her talent. Directed by Tom Harper.
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96. Wild Tales (2014)

“Shoot this, Néstor.”

Argentinian filmmaker Damián Szifron’s darkly funny anthology flick showcases six tales of revenge, all entertainingly done with confidence and panache. From a case of road rage that goes to 11 (heck more like 12), to a hit-and-run family drama, to an unforgettably bleak and hilarious wedding, there’s shades of Tarantino and Coen Bros. in this Oscar-nominated gem that flew a bit under the radar stateside. Starring Ricardo Darin, Oscar Martínez and a film-stealing Erica Rivas.
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97. The Winning Season (2009)

“My whole life I felt apart from other people. I don't feel apart from you girls. And no matter what happens tomorrow I'll always be proud of you.”

Sam Rockwell stars as a washed up high school basketball star, coaxed into coaching the varsity women’s team at his alma matter by his friend and school principal (Rob Corddry). An aimless divorced alcoholic with a strained relationship with his own daughter, he finds a purpose while helping the team find an identity of their own. It’s the underdog sports story you’ve seen many times, but it’s a good watch thanks to the performances from Rockwell and the strong ensemble featuring Emma Roberts, Rooney Mara and the great Margo Martindale.  
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98. The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020)

“Hey officer? If you do find him, don't arrest him. Shoot him. Shoot him until you can see the ground through his face.”

Pretty fantastic genre mashup from director/writer/star Jim Cummings (of “Thunder Road,” appearing earlier in the list) that’s a comedy, creature-feature and a portrait of a man having a meltdown (a Jim Cummings specialty). A small mountain town is panicked as grisly murders keep happening during the full moon – is it a man, a wolf, or a werewolf? Also starring Riki Lindhome, Jimmy Tatro and the late great Robert Forster (who might have the most appearances on this list).
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99. Woman at War (2018)

“But no one has been hurt, except our country and our planet.”

Exquisite Icelandic film that’s at once witty, touching and edge of your seat thrilling. Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir stars as Halla, a choir teacher who secretly moonlights as an environmental activist known as “The Woman of the Mountain,” sabotaging the aluminum industry by destroying electrical towers in the countryside. Beautifully shot, creatively scored (with the musicians popping up nearby whenever the accompaniment starts) and incredibly acted, it’s a commentary on climate change that’s incredibly effective. Directed by Benedikt Erlingsson.
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100. The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)

“If the butterflies in my stomach were cows, I'd be able to start a dairy farm.”

Entertaining sports drama biopic from New Zealand chronicles the eccentric Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins, in a winning performance), who rebuilt a 1920s motorcycle and ventured to American to try to set a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. A colorful character who manages to charm those he encounters along the way, Hopkins brings him to life marvelously (even if he doesn’t attempt the Kiwi accent). Written and directed by Roger Donaldson (who also did the excellent “Thirteen Days”) and co-starring Bruce Greenwood, Diane Ladd, Walton Goggins, Jessica Cauffiel, Joe Howard, Paul Rodriguez and Chris Williams.
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And that’s it! Everyone loves a trilogy, so look for another one hundred final recommendations in another two years or so. Please share this list if you can — and please be nice in the comments, as I just did this for fun and it was a lot of work. Thanks for checking it out!

100 Lesser-Known Movies to Watch at Home

Like most of us, I’ve been sheltering in place for a few months now. I’ve caught up on most everything on my DVR and playlists on various streaming platforms, and the algorithms keep suggesting the same things over and over. I turned to the internet for lists of films to watch, but nearly all of them suggest the same mainstream stuff over and over – like, I’ve seen Blade Runner, most of us have seen Blade Runner, or at least are very aware of Blade Runner and can find Blade Runner should we want to see Blade Runner. Blade Runner. 

I thought a useful tool could be a list of films a little more off the beaten path – from overlooked studio pictures, to little indie gems, to movies that somehow failed to find a large audience but have small factions that swear by them. And, more importantly, where they can be found. I adore or at least enjoyed all of these. So, in alphabetical order, I present to you my picks for hopefully new entertainment to help pass the days stuck inside, along with the various services where they can be found to rent or stream. (A handy guide can be found at justwatch.com). Also, there’s some bonus entries at the end that I just can’t find as streamable online, but I wanted to notate them there.

1.    36 Hours (1964)
Written and directed by George Seaton and based on a story by the great Roald Dahl, this tense, entertaining psychological thriller stars James Garner as an American Major taken by the Germans in WWII, who brainwash him and convince him he’s in a hospital and the war is over, while trying to get him divulge Allied plans. Also starring Eva Marie Saint, Rod Taylor and Werner Peters. Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / Microsoft / DirecTV

 2.    Appaloosa (2008)
Directed, written, starring and probably catered by Ed Harris, this terrific character-driven Western feels vintage in its storytelling. Harris and Viggo Mortensen star as lawmen brought into the town of Appaloosa to take on villainous rancher Jeremy Irons. Also starring Renee Zellweger, James Gammon, Timothy Spall and Lance Henriksen. Roku / Fandango Now / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YoutTube / Vudu / Microsoft/ redbox / DirecTv

3.    The Arrival (1996)
Ok, you’re probably thinking “Why would I want to watch a 90s sci-fi film with Charlie Sheen?” but this underrated intriguing film from David Twohy has some great sequences and some fun twists. Sheen plays an astronomer who discovers an extra terrestrial radio signal and finds himself in the middle of an on-earth alien conspiracy. Ron Silver makes a great heavy and Teri Polo, Richard Schiff and Lindsay Crouse round out the cast. YouTube / Hoopla / Vudu / Tubi / Pluto TV / Redbox / Amazon / Google Play / Fandango / Microsoft

4.    Attack the Block (2011)
Speaking of aliens, South London teens defend their turf from vicious creatures in Joe Cornish’s brilliant sci-fi action flick. John Boyega (in a star-making turn), Jodie Whittaker and Nick Frost are all on-hand, but the real stars are the furry toothsome baddies who are brought to life with practical effects instead of CGI. Fubo / DirecTV / Pluto TV / Fandango Now / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / Microsoft / FLIX Fling

5.    Basquiat (1996)
A bit like a painting itself, this wonderful biopic stars Jeffrey Wright as Jean-Michel Basquait, and is one of the benchmarks of 90s indie cinema. David Bowie plays Andy Warhol and Gary Oldman plays his friend and artistic rival Albert Milo (who isn’t a real person, but rather a depiction of the director himself, Julian Schnabel). Also featuring Christopher Walken, Parker Posey, Benecio Del Toro, Dennis Hopper, Claire Forlani, Courtney Love, Michael Wincott, Tatum O’Neal and, in the role of “Thug,” Sam Rockwell. Hoopla / Amazon / Fandango Now / Microsoft / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu

6.    The Big Heat (1953)
Fritz Lang is probably best known for “Metropolis” and “M,” but this slice of film noir is more than satisfying. Glenn Ford plays a cop taking on mobsters and corrupt police (There’s a scene where his Chief asks him for his badge and gun which is almost laughable) aided by Gloria Graham as an ex-gangster moll. Lee Marvin is scary as hell as the aforementioned mobster. You’ll never look at coffee the same way again. Also starring Jocelyn Brando and Jeanette Nolan.  Criterion Channel / Crackle / Fandango Now / Vudu / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / DirecTV

7.    The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars and Motor Kings  (1976)
Billy Dee Williams plays the titular role in this fun baseball comedy. Tired of the treatment by his Negro league team owner, Bingo assembles his own squad and takes to the road barnstorming and playing local teams. The uniformly excellent cast also features James Earl Jones, Richard Pryor and Stan Shaw. Directed by John Badham.  Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / DirecTV

8.    Blue Ruin (2014)
This gripping thriller stars newcomer Macon Blair as a homeless drifter who returns to his home town to carry out an act of vengeance, setting off a chain of events there’s no coming back from. Writer/Director Jeremy Saulnier followed this up with “Green Room,” another acclaimed taut indie film. Oh, and it also features Eve Plumb (yes, that Eve Plumb) playing a very non-Jan Brady character. NETFLIX / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft

9.    The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)
Wonderful fable of a movie with Lucy Deakins as Millie, who, along with her family (Bonnie Bedelia & Fred Savage), move in next door to an autistic teen named Eric (Jay Underwood). It’s touching and often dreamlike, and the B-story following Fred Savage and his goal to ride his bike around the block without running into the local bullies is super funny. The cast also included Fred Gwynne, Colleen Dewhurst, Mindy Cohn and Jason Priestley. HBO Max / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / DirecTV

 10.    Cache (2005)
Set in France, this is a top-notch chilling thriller from director Michael Haneke. A couple (Juliette Binoche  & Daniel Auteuil) who begin receiving video tapes of their family in the mail, along with childlike drawings. With the police being no help, they take it upon themselves to figure out who is stalking them. A little slow at first, but stick with it, cuz the shocks and twists are well worth it. Amazon / Fandango Now / Vudu / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Micosoft / DirecTV

11.    Children of Men (2006)
One of the best films of the 2000s, this one is pretty beloved and yet there are those who haven’t watched it yet, so I’m including it here. Bleak, harrowing, engrossing, damn near perfect. Alfonso Cuaron’s chronicle of a future where people haven’t been able to reproduce in nearly 20 years stars Clive Owen as a bureaucrat who has to protect the key to the human race. Featuring bravura single shot takes and one of the most thrilling car chasing that moves at less than 20 mph, Children of Men is truly unforgettable. Still not sold? Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Charlie Hunnam and Michael Caine are also in it. Just see it already. STARZ / DirecTV / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / DirecTV / AMC Theatres On Demand

12. City of Ember (2008)
Fun futuristic young adult film with great worldbuilding, it follows two teens (Saoirse Ronan & Harry Treadaway) trying to save their underground civilization and unlock a long-dormant secret. Bill Murray plays an eccentric Mayor, and the movie has character actors to spare including Tim Robbins, Toby Jones, Martin Landau, Mary Kay Place, Mackenzie Crook and Marianne Jean-Baptiste. Directed by Gil Keenan (“Monster House”). DirecTV / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu

13. The Company Men (2010)
Speaking of character actors, John Wells’ drama about corporate downsizing has some heavyweights who all turn in excellent performances in a film that feels especially prescient now. Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones, Maria Bello, Craig T. Nelson, Rosemarie DeWitt, John Doman star and Kevin Costner turns in one of his best performances to date. NETFLIX / DirecTV / Redbox / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / FLIX Fling

14. Criss Cross (1949)
Burt Lancaster, Yvonne DeCarlo and Dan Duryea headline this excellent crime caper involving an armored truck robbery done from the inside, directed by Film Noir auteur Robert Siodmak (“The Killers”). Double crosses abound, but no Kriss Krosses, who will make you jump, jump. (Sorry not sorry). DirecTV / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft

15. Critical Care (1997)
A lesser-known dark comedy/drama from one of the masters, Sidney Lumet, it was met with critical and audience indifference when it was first released, but there’s a lot to like here. James Spader plays a hospital resident doctor stuck in the middle of a battle between two sisters (Kyra Sedgwick and the always good Margo Martindale) and their comatose father on life support. Albert Brooks steals every scene he is in as a grouchy administrator, and the rest of the cast is stupid good – Helen Mirren, Anne Bancroft, Jeffrey Wright, Phillip Bosco, Colm Feore, Edward Herrmann, and Wallace Shawn.  MAX Go / DirecTV / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu

16. Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
I’m a sucker for old LA period pieces, and Carl Franklin’s detective picture didn’t get the attention it deserved. Denzel Washington stars at Easy Rawlins (hero of multiple Walter Mosley penned mysteries), a WWII veteran turned P.I. who is hired to locate a missing woman (Jennifer Beals) and finds himself in the middle of crooked cops, politicians and gangsters. Denzel is great as expected, but the real break out here is Don Cheadle as his unhinged child-hood friend Mouse – you can’t take your eyes off of him. Also starring Tom Sizemore, Maury Chaykin and Terry Kinney. STARZ / DirecTV / Amazon / Fandango Now / Vudu / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft

17. Dirty Pretty Things (2002)
Fresh off of “Amelie,” Audrey Tautou goes far away from that in this grimy, mesmerizing thriller from Stephen Frears (“The Grifters”). Tautou and Chiwetel Ejiofor play undocumented immigrants working at a London hotel and struggling to make ends meet. A doctor during the day and a receptionist at night, Ejiofor stumbles upon an illegal and immoral scheme that could help him get legalized – but at what cost? Also starring Benedict Wong and Sophie Okonedo. Hoopla / MAX Go / DirecTV / Amazon / Fandango Now / Micosoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu

18. Draft Day (2014)
I like a feel-good sports drama, so a few will be making appearances on this list. Kevin Costner plays the GM of the Cleveland Browns (hey remember football? Er…sports in general?) who has the first pick in the NFL Draft. Pressure is on to draft a franchise quarterback, but Costner has other plans. It builds up significant suspense in the actual draft portion of the film, and, like Moneyball (which would be on here except it’s pretty known), has you rooting for the guys in the front office doing the math. Chadwick Boseman, Jennifer Garner, Frank Langella, Terry Crews, Ellen Burstyn, Denis Leary, Tom Welling and Sam Elliott co-star. Prime Video / Tubi / Apple TV / Amazon / Redbox / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango / Vudu / Micosoft / AMC Theatres On Demand

19. Eddie the Eagle (2015)
Taron Edgerton nails the nuance and mannerisms of Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards in this true story based on the unlikely ski-jumper from Britain who became a sensation at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Hugh Jackman co-stars as his reluctant mentor and Christopher Walken makes the most of a few scenes. Directed by Dexter Fletcher, and produced by Matthew Vaughn, who decided to make it after showing “Cool Runnings” to his kids who lamented, “Why don’t they make movies like this anymore, dad?” Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / DirecTV

20. Eve’s Bayou (1997)
Kasi Lemmons made a mark with her directorial debut, a complex southern family drama that is both haunting and beautiful and a slow burner that stays with you. Jurnee Smollett plays Eve, who witnesses her father (a great Samuel L. Jackson) engaged with another woman back in 1962 Louisiana, and the effects it has on her sprawling family. Incredibly well-written with dynamite performances from Lynn Whitfield, Meagan Good, Debbi Morgan, Diahann Carroll, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Branford Marsalis. HBO Max / HBO Go / DirecTV / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft

21. Father Goose (1964)
I confess that I watched this a bunch as a kid and I always found it charming and fun. Cary Grant stars as an aimless beachcomber with a penchant for whisky who gets conned into manning an uninhabited island and spotting enemy planes during WWII. He soon gets company in the form of a French schoolteacher (Leslie Caron) and her young charges and sparks fly. You’ll be whistling “Pass Me By” before it’s over. Also starring Trevor Howard. Pluto TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Apple TV / DirecTV

22. The Fortune Cookie  (1966)
Billy Wilder directed this first pairing of Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau which doesn’t have the acclaim it deserves!  Lemmon plays a sideline TV cameraman who is run into by star football player (Ron Rich). Lemmon’s ambulance-chasing brother-in-law (Matthau) convinces him to feign a serious injury for a lawsuit, which he’s against until his ex-wife comes into the picture. With Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond’s sharp dialogue on display, it’s a funny, whip-smart picture. Prime Video

23. Frank (2014)
Lenny Abrahamson (“Room”) directs this odd and enchanting tale of a struggling musician (Domhnall Gleeson) who happens into eccentric band lead by Frank, who wears a giant paper mache head everywhere he goes. It’s maybe Michael Fassebender’s most charming performance, and he’s behind a fake head. The opening bit chronicling Gleeson’s attempt to write a song looking at the world around him was enough to hook me early. Great supporting work from Maggie Gyllenhaal and Scoot McNairy. I love you all. FLIX Fling / Hoopla / Kanopy / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / Redbox / Apple TV / Microsoft 

24. Gattaca (1997)
The pacing and feel of this smart sci-fi film are magnificent – too bad it went kinda quietly at the box office when it opened. In the future, genetic engineering is used to create the “perfect” baby – while those born naturally are assigned menial jobs. Ethan Hawke plays Vincent, whose genes crush his dreams of being an astronaut, until he uses a DNA broker to borrow the identity of Jerome (Jude Law), who has the right makeup but is paralyzed. Throw in a murder and a detective (Alan Arkin) poking around, and Vincent’s true identity is threatened constantly. There’s a ton of great ideas being explored here, a wonderful score by Michael Nyman, and a killer cast including Uma Thurman, Tony Shalhoub, Gore Vidal, Loren Dean and Xander Berkeley. Fubo / IMDB TV / DirecTV / Sling / Pluto TV / Amazon / Fandango Now / Vudu / Redbox / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / AMC Theatres On Demand

25. The General (1998)
Real-life story of Irish criminal/folk hero Martin Cahill from director John Boorman (“Point Blank”) is a funny and dramatic portrait of a larger than life character, played brilliantly (as always) by Brendan Gleeson. Originally released in black and white (watch it that way if you can), but mostly available in monochrome color. Jon Voight and Maria Doyle Kennedy also star. IMDB TV / Roku  / Tubi / DirecTV / EPIX / Pluto TV 

26. Gifted (2017)
Mckenna Grace is the real deal. She’s front and center of this touching drama as a child prodigy being raised by her uncle (Chris Evans), who wants her to have a normal childhood. A vicious custody battle ensues with her grandmother (Lindsay Duncan) who wants more for her. Ace support comes from Octavia Spencer and Jenny Slate. Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / DirecTV

27. Hard Eight (1996)
The debut film from Paul Thomas Anderson is a killer character study headlined by criminally underrated actor Philip Baker Hall as Sydney, a professional gambler who takes broke aimless soul John (John C. Reilly) under his wing. Add Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow) to the mix, a waitress John falls for and complicates things dramatically. Featuring Samuel L. Jackson and a bevy of Anderson’s corral of regulars including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robert Ridgely and Melora Walters. Prime Video / Tubi / Kanopy / Crackle / Pluto TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV

28. Hearts Beat Loud (2018)
Music is powerful. It connects us, it’s a shared language, and it brings people together from all walks of life. This sweet film centers on Sam (breakout Kiersey Clemons), who is about to leave for college, and her single father Frank (Nick Offerman), owner of an indie record store in Red Hook who is faced with closing it down. With the prospects of losing his store and his daughter, Frank and Sam find strength in making music together. Will make you want to put headphones on and listen to your favorite albums after. Also starring Toni Collette, Blythe Danner, Ted Danson and Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy as, uh, Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. Hulu / Hoopla / Kanopy / Amazon / Vudu / Redbox / Fandango Now / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube

29. Hell or High Water (2016)
Cops and robbers story but so much more than that. Chris Pine and Ben Foster (never better) play brothers who take up bank robbing to try to save their farm. Spiraling out of control, they are pursued relentless by two Texas Rangers (Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham). A meditation on familial responsibility and morality, it’s suspenseful, tense and exhilarating all at once. Directed by David Mackenzie and written by Taylor Sheridan (“Sicaro”), it also stars Katy Mixon and Dale Dickey. Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / DirecTV / AMC Theatres On Demand

30. Hostiles (2017)
Bleak but engrossing western follows a US Cavalry Captain (Christian Bale), assigned to escort an ailing Cheyenne chief  (West Studi) to his tribal home in Montana. With a history of battling them, he is opposed to the order but has to carry it through. The party soon comes across Rosalee Quaid (Rosamund Pike, giving a towering performances), traumatized by the massacre of her family. Bale does a great job of conveying the battle of duty vs. anger, and the rest of the cast is phenomenal – Ben Foster (hey he’s back and he will be again), Rory Cochrane, Timothee Chalamet, Scott Wilson and Q’orianka Kilcher. NETFLIX / Fandango Now / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / DirectTV / Vudu / AMC Theatre on Demand

31. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
One of the lesser-known entries in the Coen Bros. oeuvre, I’ve always loved this whimsical period comedy. Sure, all the expected CB eccentricities are there, and it’s sweetly funny and super entertaining. After the head of Hudsucker Industries commits suicide, the Board of Directors decide to appoint a schmuck to run the company in hopes of devaluing the stock and then snatching it up. That schmuck is wide-eyed mailroom clerk Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins), who has bigger ideas than they hoped for. You know, for kids. Co-starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bill Cobbs, Steve Buscemi, Bruce Campbell, Charles Durning and the great Paul Newman. DirecTV / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox

32. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) Taika Waititi’s endlessly creative and charming comedy drama stars Julian Dennison as Ricky Baker (a name you won’t get tired of saying in a Kiwi accent), a rebellious kid from the city who ends up being fostered by Bella (Rima Te Wiata) and Hec (a delightfully grumpy Sam Neill). When Bella passes away, Ricky goes on the run to avoid a return to the orphanage, and a reluctant Hec helps him stay off the grid. Also starring Rhys Darby and the director himself. Hulu / Hoopla / Kanopy / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Apple TV

33. In Bruges (2008)
Playwright Martin McDonagh wrote and directed this dark comedy about a pair of hitmen (Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson) told by their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes, chewing scenery) to lie low in the fairytale like Belgian town Bruges. The dialogue is razor sharp and Farrell and Gleeson make an incredible team. This is one of those movies I will always leave on should I run into it on cable. You’re an inanimate f*&king object! HBO Max / HBO Go / DirecTV / AppleTV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / FLIX Fling / AMC Theatres on Demand

34. Johnny Guitar (1954)
Nicolas Ray’s Western masterpiece plays with gender roles, sexuality and McCarthyism to great effect in this entertaining oater. Joan Crawford as a gunslinger. I mean, what else to you need? I guess I’ll throw in Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge, Ward Bond and Ernest Borgnine. Totally unique and unforgettable. Prime Video / Hulu / Epix / Sling / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV

35. The Kid (2019)
Another Western (I swear there’s just a handful or two on the list but I do love ‘em), this directorial debut of Vincent D’Onofrio (who also has a bit part) takes a look at Billy The Kid (Dane DeHaan) mythology through the lens of two kids on the run (Jake Shur and Leila George), who cross paths with Billy and his gang who are just a step ahead of Sheriff Pat Garrett (Ethan Hawke). More character oriented than action packed, it also showcases Chris Pratt playing against type as a really nasty heavy. Prime Video / Hulu / Hoopla / DirectTV / Epix / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu

36. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)
Starring Robert Downey Jr. in a role that got him back on the map and set him up to play Iron Man, this Shane Black outing is a meta action comedy with ridiculously quotable dialogue. Downey plays Harry Lockhart, an unreliable narrator who finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation alongside Detective Gay Perry (Val Kilmer) and his childhood crush Harmony (Michelle Monaghan) in Los Angeles at Christmas Time (because it’s a Shane Black movie and that’s what he likes to do!). With Corbin Bernsen, Larry Miller, Ariel Winter and Rockmond Dunbar. Fandango Now / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / DirecTV

37.  Kung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)
Totally stupid, in the best way possible. Comedian Steve Oedekerk takes an old Kung-Fu movie and, through CGI, inserts himself into the film as The Chosen One, who seeks to avenge the death of his parents at the hand of the villainous Master Pain. Oedekerk dubs all the dialogue and creates a new story – it’s often laugh out loud funny, and at a crisp 82 minutes, you’ll get a lot of bang for your comedy buck (or free, if you have Hulu). Hulu / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / DirecTV

38. The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019)
Both a love-letter and a letter-to-the-editor to San Francisco, Joe Talbot’s first feature is an incredibly beautiful poetic drama. From the opening bravura sequence, you’ll be hooked by the atmosphere and absolutely breathtaking cinematography. Jimmie Fails plays a version of himself, a third generation San Franciscan, who, like many others, was pushed out and now crashes with his friend Mont (Jonathan Majors) and his blind grandfather (Danny Glover) in Hunter’s Point. Jimmie is obsessed with reclaiming his childhood home, built by his grandfather, as he regularly fixes it up much to the chagrin of the current residents. A stunning look at gentrification and a city in flux, if you’ve ever spent time in the Bay Area this will definitely resonate with you (as it did me, since I spent over a decade there).  Prime Video / Kanopy / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Redbox / DirecTV / Vudu / Microsoft 

39. Leave No Trace (2018)
Hey, it’s Ben Foster again! The guy just makes great little indie movies, and this one is no exception. Foster plays Will, a soldier suffering from PTSD who lives off the grid in the wilderness outside Portland with his teenage daughter Tom (Thomasin McKenzie, from “JoJo Rabbit,” who is fantastic). They are forced into social services and try to fit in or find a way back to the forrest. Written and directed by Debra Granik (“Winter’s Bone”). Prime Video / STARZ / Kanopy / DirecTV / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / AMC Theatres on Demand

40. Living in Oblivion (1995)
The quintessential 90s indie film sending up quintessential 90s indie films, Tom DiCillo’s black and white on-set comedy  (only color when they are in the film themselves) is a bit inside baseball but captures the non-studio movie making process to hilarious effect. With Steve Buscemi as the frustrated director, Dermot Mulroney as a one-eyed DP, Catherine Keener and James LeGros as actors who don’t like each other much, Kevin Corrigan as an assistant cameraman and Peter Dinklage as actor Tito, who laments the role of little people in movie dream sequences. HBO Max / HBO Go / Kanopy / DirecTV / Pluto TV / Microsoft / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now

41. Living Out Loud (1998)
A sweet little film about unlikely friendship and finding yourself a bit later in life, Holly Hunter stars as Judith, recently divorced by her cheating husband, who gravitates towards Pat (Danny DeVito), her building’s elevator operator. Also starring Queen Latifah, it’s a film of little human moments that stay with you. From writer/director Richard LaGravenese (who penned “The Fisher King” and “Bridges of Madison County”). Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / DirecTV

42. Local Hero (1983)
This movie gives you all the feels. A magical fable of a movie if there ever was one, Bill Forsyth’s classic follows a Texas businessman names Mac (Peter Riegert), sent by his eccentric Oil company boss (a hilarious Burt Lancaster) to Scotland to buy up a little village so they can put refineries there. The townspeople are eager to sell, save for one. Co-starring a young Peter Capaldi, Dennis Lawson (Wedge!) and The Northern Lights. Fandango Now / Microsoft / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu

43. The Long Goodbye (1973)
Robert Altman’s take on Chandler’s Philip Marlowe is not with its dissenters, but Elliot Gould is fantastic in the role. It’s your standard detective fair, with Marlowe trying to help a friend and instead getting involved in a murder plot, set apart by Altman’s great use of naturalistic tone and setting – Marlowe feeding his cat is especially great. With Sterling Hayden, Nina van Pallandt, Henry Gibson and, yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Prime Video / Amazon / Vudu 

44. The Lookout (2007)
Overlooked modern noir caper film with Joseph Gordon-Levitt playing a star athlete named Chris Pratt (yep, Chris Pratt – who auditioned thinking he was a shoe-in with that moniker) with a brain injury who does night time janitor work at a small town bank.  Chris can’t remember much and keeps a notebook with him to help. He soon is targeted by a crew looking to rob the place, led by Matthew Goode, and the film’s femme fatale Isla Fisher. Throw in a bearded Jeff Daniels and an excellent supporting cast – Carla Gugino, Bruce McGill and Alex Borstein, STARZ / DirecTV / Redbox / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu

45. Mad Hot Ballroom (2005)
Adorable documentary chronicling 11-year-old NYC school kids who have a passion for Ballroom Dance and compete in junior competitions. Funny and endearing, you’ll have your favorites that you’ll root for.  Directed by Marilyn Agrelo. The Criterion Channel / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV

46. The Matador (2005)
Brilliant comedic turn by Pierce Brosnan highlights this sly indie comedy from Richard Shepard. Brosnan plays Julian, a lonely hitman, who meets Danny (Greg Kinnear), a salesman, at a bar in Mexico City. The two become unlikely friends and creep into each other’s lives in unpredictable ways. Hope Davis, Adam Scott, Dylan Baker and Philip Baker Hall co-star. Amazon / Google Play / YouTube

47. Midnight Special (2016)
Second pairing of Michael Shannon and director Jeff Nichols, who previously teamed on the wonderful “Take Shelter” (very much worth renting). This sci-fi drama follows a father (Shannon) and his son (Jaeden Martell) with otherworldly powers who go on the run from the law and a cult who are interested in his gifts. The movie owes a lot to “Starman” with a similar feel and sense of wonder, and the performances are really great. Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Sam Shepard, Bill Camp and Paul Sparks round out the cast. HBO Max / HBO Go / DirecTV / Fandango Now / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / YouTube / Amazon / Google Play / Vudu

48. Modern Romance (1981)
Had to include something by my comedy hero Albert Brooks on here, and “Modern Romance” felt like one most might not be familiar with (ditto “Real Life” which is also excellent, and of course “Defending Your Life” and “Lost in America” if you haven’t already). Brooks plays a neurotic film editor who can’t seem to figure things out with his patient girlfriend (Kathyrn Harold). Chock full of great dialogue (“You’ve heard of a no-win situation, right? No? Vietnam? This?”) and a ridiculous sequence involving sound EFX post work of the Hulk running down a corridor. Oh, and Albert’s late great brother Super Dave Osborne makes an appearance as a sporting goods salesman. With Bruno Kirby, James L. Brooks and George Kennedy. Amazon / Fandango Now / Vudu / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / DirecTV

49. Monsters (2010)
Director Gareth Edwards got tapped to helm the Godzilla reboot after the release of his small, creepy creature-flick. Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able play a journalist and an American tourist making their way through an infected zone in Mexico after an Alien Invasion, heading for safety at the border. The alien effects are really impressive considering the small budget of the film, and it’s always interesting. FLIX Fling / Roku / Hoopla / Tubi / Magnolia / Pluto TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Redbox / Apple TV / Microsoft

50. Moon (2009)
Sam Rockwell plays the sole inhabitant of a lunar station, who’s only companion is a computer named GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey, but don’t hold that against it). He’s signed a three year contract and dreams of getting home to his wife and daughter – but the time is wearing on him and hallucinations are starting to occur. An accident occurs and everything changes. Directed by Duncan Jones (son of David Bowie), this sci-fi psychodrama is chock full of fun twists, breathtaking cinematography and an incredible central performance from Rockwell. Fubo / Showtime / DirecTV / Fandor / Amazon / Fandango Now / Vudu / Redbox / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / AMC Theatre on Demand

51. Motherless Brooklyn (2019)
Edward Norton adapted Jonathan Lethem’s novel and changed the time period to the 1950s in this atmospheric detective story. Norton stars as Lionel, a P.I with Tourette’s Syndrome (which wasn’t diagnosable in the 50s, so he describes it as “like having glass in the brain. I can't stop pickin' things apart... twistin' 'em around, reassembling 'em”). He tries to solve a friend’s murder and ends up in a thick plot affecting the whole city. Norton’s mannered performance is extraordinary, as is the work by a stacked supporting cast including Willem Dafoe, Bruce Willis, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Cherry Jones, Bobby Cannavale, Dallas Roberts and Michael Kenneth Williams. Plus a great moody piano ballad by Thom Yorke used to great effect. DirecTV / Vudu / Apple TV / YouTube / Fandango Now

52. My Favorite Year (1982)
Peter O’Toole got an Oscar nomination for his towering comedic performance in this love letter to the golden age of TV comedy. O’Toole plays a fallen matinee idol with a drinking problem named Alan Swann, who is guesting on a popular variety show. Benji Stone (Mark Linn-Baker, from “Perfect Strangers”) is the junior writer assigned to keep tabs on him. This much-beloved and near-perfect comedy from Richard Benjamin is still one of those movies a lot of folks seem to have missed. With Joseph Bologna, Jessica Harper, Bill Macy, Selma Diamond, Lou Jacobi and a scene-stealing Lainie Kazan as Benji’s mother. Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / DirecTV

53. The Naked Spur (1953)
Brilliant but overlooked suspenseful Western from acclaimed director Anthony Mann. James Stewart stars as a bounty-hunter, long chasing an outlaw (Robert Ryan) and his girl (Janet Leigh), who is forced to take on two untrustworthy partners (Ralph Meeker and Millard Mitchell) to help apprehend them. The massive bounty tests alliances and splinters the group apart. The Criterion Channel / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu

54. Never Let Me Go (2010)
Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel is brought to the screen beautifully by screenwriter Alex Garland (“Ex Machina”) and director Mark Romanek (“One Hour Photo” and a million music videos). This bleak sci-fi drama follows three childhood friends (Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley) and their growing feelings for one another, despite the horrible future in store for them. It’s a powerful kick in the gut that stays with you. Also starring Domnhall Gleeson, Andrea Riseborough, Charlotte Rampling and Sally Hawkins. Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / DirecTV

55. Open Range (2003)
Kevin Costner stars and directs this character-driven oater with flashes of brilliantly executed action. Costner and Robert Duvall play former gunslingers leaving a peaceful life tending to cattle until they meet a corrupt sheriff and rancher (James Russo and Michael Gambon) who draw them back into a life of violence. Also starring Annette Bening, Diego Luna, Michael Jeter and Abraham Benrubi. HBO Max / HBO Now / Max Go / DirecTV / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft

56. The Paper (1994)
Ron Howard directed this amusing newspaper office comedy (hey, print – remember that?) starring Michael Keaton as an editor who has to make some tough ethical decisions when a breaking story occurs.  The cast is bonkers – Glenn Close, Robert Duvall, Marisa Tomei, Jason Robards, Spalding Gray, Catherine O’Hara, Jason Alexander, Randy Quaid, Roma Maffia, and, of course, Clint Howard. Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / DirecTV

57. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
My favorite film of 2019 – this wonderful Twain-esque “on the road” picture stars Zack Gottsagen as Zak, a man with down syndrome who idolizes a wrestler named the Salt Water Redneck. Stuck in a nursing home, he escapes one night and starts his journey to meet his hero. His path crosses with Tyler (Shia LaBeouf, doing career-best work here), a fisherman on the run and they become unlikely travel companions. Dakota Johnson plays the social worker trying to find Zak, while a nasty John Hawkes pursues Tyler. Funny and touching, it pulls at the heart strings without manipulating the viewer. Also starring Bruce Dern, Thomas Haden Church and Jon Bernthal. DirecTV / Epix / AppleTV

58. A Perfect Getaway (2009)
Thoroughly enjoyable thriller from David Twohy, which goes off the rails in the best way in the last third. Milla Jovovich and Steve Zahn play a couple on their honeymoon backpacking in Hawaii. They encounter some grouchy hitchikers (Marley Shelton and Chris Hemsworth) and a pair of free-spirited lovers (Timothy Olyphant and Kiele Sanchez) on the trails, and soon learn of a series of grisly murders in the area. Who can they trust? And are they being followed? Often funny, always suspenseful, and a really good time.  With Dale Dickey and Holt McCallany.  STARZ / DirecTV / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox

59. Philomena (2013)
Stephen Frears (“The Grifters”) directed this drama with some great moments of levity. Steve Coogan stars as a journalist who learns of the story of a woman (Judi Dench, in the titular role) who had her son taken away as a teen in a Catholic convent, and works with her to find him as he covers the quest for a magazine. Coogan and Dench have a likable chemistry together, but this is Dench’s movie, who reminds you just how amazing of an actor she truly is. FLIX Fling / IMDB TV / Roku / Hoopla / Vudu / Tubi / Pluto TV / Apple TV / Amazon / Fandango Now / Microsoft / DirecTV

60. Predestination (2014)
Based on a short story by Robert A. Heinlein, Ethan Hawke plays a temporal agent who travels through time to try to stop a heinous bomber who has eluded him at every stop. The crux of the movie lies in the relationship between Hawke and a character known as The Unmarried Mother, played by Sarah Snook in an outstanding piece of acting. Twisty, complicated, and a total mindf*#k, it’s surprising and incredibly rewarding if you stick with it. If you enjoy it, also watch “Dark” on NETFLIX, as the two feel like kindred projects. FLIX Fling / DirecTV / Fandango Now / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / DirecTV / AMC Theatres on Demand

61. Pride (2014)
Lovely comedic drama centers on a squad of Gay Activists in 1984, who band together to support striking miners in a little Welsh town. The film celebrates diversity and how people from disparate walks of life can find common ground and come together to fight injustice. A bevy of Britain’s best character actors including Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Andrew Scott, George Mackay, Russell Tovey and Paddy Considine work together beautifully for this can’t miss little film. Prime Video / Hoopla / Amazon / Fandango Now / Vudu / DirecTV / Redbox  / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Micosoft / AMC Theatre on Demand

62. The Professionals (1966)
A rip-roaring, action-packed Western from Richard Brooks, it stars Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Woody Strode and Robert Ryan and a band of gunslingers who are hired by a rich Texan (Ralph Bellamy) to find his wife (Claudia Cardinale) who was snatched by an outlaw (Jack Palance). But has she really been kidnapped? The opening introduction for each character is brilliant, and the film moves at a brisk clip. Outside of “Silverado,” I can’t think of a Western adventure that’s more fun. Pluto TV / Amazon / Vudu / Redbox / Apple TV / Google Play / Microsoft / DirecTV

63. Promised Land (2012)
Gus Van Sant’s unheralded look at fracking and small town livelyhood stars Matt Damon as a corporate salesman who is assigned to get townsfolk hit by the recession hard to allow drilling on their properties. Aided by his sales partner (a hilarious Frances McDormand), he meets resistance in the form of a retired school teacher (Hal Holbrook) and an environmental activist (John Krasinski).  The script raises some great moral questions and the game cast really brings it to life – including Titus Welliver, Rosemarie DeWitt, Tim Guinee, Lucas Black, Scoot McNairy and Terry Kinney. NETFLIX / DirecTV / Microsoft / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Redbox

64. The Proposition (2005)
Nick Cave wrote and scored this brutal Australian outback drama with Guy Pearce as Charlie, one of a band of outlaw brothers captured by Captain Stanley (Ray Winstone, chewing scenery). Stanley gives him nine days to hunt down and kill his older brother who is still at large (Danny Huston), or they will execute his younger brother (Richard Wilson). It’s a gripping, white-knuckle tale of family bonds and betrayal that can be hard to stomach at times, but it’s so deftly directed by John Hillcoat and acted by a uniformly excellent cast. With Emily Watson, John Hurt, Noah Taylor and David Wenham. Prime Video / Roku / Vudu / Tubi / Kanopy / Crackle / Pluto TV / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Microsoft / Apple TV

65. Queen of Katwe (2016)
Spiritual cousin to my favorite film of all time (more on that later), Mira Nair (“Monsoon Wedding”) helms this inspirational true story from the Mouse House that tells the tale of Phiona Mutesi (played by newcomer Madina Nalwanga), a teenage girl living in the slums of Uganda who finds she has a master-level understanding of chess. David Oyelowo plays her teacher who sees a way out of the slums and into university for her, while Lupita Nyong’o (excellent as always) plays her mother who worries she’ll forget where she came from. Incredibly well executed and engaging from frame one, it’ll have you cheering. Disney+ / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play  / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / DirecTV / AMC Theatres on Demand

66. Quick Change (1990)
Totally underrated comedy from Bill Murray (who also co-directed), it’s chock full of laughs and fun situations and great chemistry from its trio of stars. Murray plays Grimm, fed up with NYC who plots to rob a bank dressed as a clown. Aided by Phyllis (Geena Davis) and Loomis (Randy Quaid), the three need to get out of town and to the airport before a police chief (Jason Robards) catches up to them. Easier said than done. A ton of great comedic actors have fun character bits including Tony Shalhoub as a cab driver who doesn’t understand English, Stanley Tucci as a mobster, Phil Hartman (man I miss him) as an apartment owner and Philip Bosco as an uptight bus driver. Vudu / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Microsoft / Redbox / DirecTV

67. Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002)
Peter Gabriel scored this moving drama chronicling three half-white, half-Aboriginal girls who escape from a life of indentured servitude and set off on a harsh journey through the Australian Outback in 1931, in an era known as the “Stolen Generation.” Kenneth Branagh plays the government official working to stop them with the help of a Constable (Jason Clarke) and an Aboriginal tracker (David Gulpilil). Beautifully shot and paced by director Phillip Noyce, it’s a wonderful piece of filmmaking. Hoopla / Amazon/ Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Apple TV

68. Robot & Frank (2012)
He’s always been great in everything, but it’s nice to see Frank Langella front and center in this amiable comedy/drama. He plays Frank, a retired jewel thief who is battling dementia. His son (James Marsden) gets him a robot caretaker (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard), but Frank finds the robot to be a good aide in returning to a life of crime. A meditation on aging and loneliness, Langella shines here in one of his best roles ever. Also starring Liv Tyler, Susan Sarandon, Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Sisto and Ana Gasteyer. Prime Video / Roku / Hoopla / Vudu / Tubi / Kanopy / Amazon / Fandango Now / Redbox / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / AMC Theatres on Demand

69. Rocket Science (2007)
One of the first starring roles for Anna Kendrick, this charming high school comedy about overcoming your challenges and taking chances is delightful.  A boy with a bad stutter (Reece Thompson), joins the school debate team after being recruited by the overachieving Ginny (Kendrick), who mentors him and he falls hard for her. A great coming of age story, it also stars Nicholas D’Agosto, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Denis O’Hare and the amazing Margo Martindale. HBO Max / HBO Go / DirecTV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Apple TV

70. Role Models (2008)
David Wain’s hilarious comedy rides the bromance between Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott and a genuine love for Live Action Role Playing. Rudd and Scott play Danny and Wheeler who get sentenced to community service in the Big Brother program. Their charges – the awkward Auggie (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) and fast talking Ronnie (Bobb’e J. Thompson) – don’t like them at first, but grudgingly win their respect, culminating in a giant LARPing game. A genuinely good-hearted movie with lots of great one-liners and hilarious supporting actors Ken Jeong, Elizbeth Banks, Ken Marino, Kerri Kenney, Jane Lynch, Jo Lo Truglio, A.D. Miles, Matt Walsh and Keegan-Michael Key. Oh, and the best Wings song that never existed. FLIX Fling / STARZ / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox /DirecTV / AMC Theatres on Demand

71. The Rover (2014)
The movie that made me go, “Oh, Robert Pattinson is a really good actor.” A decade after a global collapse, a man (Guy Pearce) travels through the Australian Outback (boy, there seem to be a lot of outback movies on this list) trying to find the gang that stole his car. He finds himself taking one of them in tow for the journey – Rey (Pattinson), a young man with intellectual disability. A slow build that simmers with intensity, director David Michod (“Animal Kingdom,” also excellent) has crafted a simple yet effective action drama, elevated by the two leads and a cast that includes Scoot McNairy (I should tally how often he pops up in movies on this list), Tawanda Manyimo and David Field. NETFLIX / Kanopy / Amazon / Vudu / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Microsoft / DirecTV / FLIX Fling

72. Safe Men (1998)
“Sweet ‘stache. Thanks bro.” Just one of many ridiculous quotable lines from this silly indie comedy starring Sam Rockwell and Steve Zahn as two bad lounge singer, mistaken for pro safe crackers by a gangster (Michael Lerner), who orders them to crack three safes. His yes-man Veal Chop (a hilarious Paul Giamatti in clothing you won’t believe) keeps tabs on them as they try to figure a way out. It’s got a bunch of great 90s comedians and indie actors – like Mark Ruffalo, Josh Pais, Harvey Fierstein, Michael Showalter, Christina Kirk, Peter Dinklage and that kid that played “Gummo. -- How can it get more 90s than that? Directed by John Hamburg (writer of “Meet the Parents”). Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / DirecTV

73. Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
I couldn’t do this list and not include my all-time favorite movie. It’s got everything – touching family drama, incredible performances, moving cinematography by Conrad Hall and a killer score by James Horner. Directorial debut by acclaimed screenwriter Steven Zaillian (“Schindler’s List”), it’s one of those rare movies that “gets kids right” and manages to make chess exciting. Featuring a naturalistic performance by Max Pomeranc as Josh, a child chess prodigy who learns from a master (Ben Kingsley) and a street player (Laurence Fishburne). Joe Mantegna and Joan Allen play his parents who want to help him use his gift, but remain a kid. It’s pure magic and I can watch it endlessly. Oh, and it also features William H. Macy, Dan Hedaya, Laura Linney, Tony Shalhoub, Austin Pendelton, David Paymer and Anthony Heald. Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / DirecTV / Apple TV

74. Seconds (1966)
John Frankenheimer (“The Manchurian Candidate”) helmed this unsettling classic drama John Randolph as a middle aged man bored with his life who is offered the opportunity to be “reborn” in the body of a younger man, played by Rock Hudson. With his new identity and body, he finds himself set up in Malibu in a new exciting life. Only it doesn’t come without consequences… Shot in black and white with tons of dutch angles and fisheye lens camera work by the great James Wong Howe, it’s riveting, upsetting and unforgettable. The Criterion Channel / Kanopy / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV

75. The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
A jaw-dropping family film from John Sayles (“Matewan”) that’s full of the wonder of myths and fairy tales. Set in a small Irish fishing village, a young girl named Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents by her grief-stricken father after the death of her mother and disappearance of her baby brother. She soon finds herself part of an unfolding fable as her brother is spotted on the Roan Inish, the island of the seals. It’s a marvelous, moving and truly cinematic experience for all ages. Prime Video /  Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu

76. Seems Like Old Times (1980)
One of my favorite comedies of all-time, this Neil Simon-penned story stars Chevy Chase as Nick, reclusive writer forced to rob a bank by criminals. On the run, he turns to his ex-wife Gloria (Goldie Hawn) for help. She’s a public defender, but is now married to a prosecutor named Ira (Charles Grodin) who has it out for Nick. The three leads play so well off each other – this is my favorite Grodin performance. The dialogue is vintage Simon, the situations are hilariously farcical, and the supporting cast also includes T.K. Carter and Robert Guillaume, who utters one of my most quoted lines – “Love that Chicken Pepperoni!” Pluto TV / Amazon / Fandango Now / Vudu / Redbox / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / DirecTV

77. Seraphim Falls (2006)
Incredibly well done, unique revenge western. Just after the Civil War has ended, Carver (Liam Neeson) doggedly chases Gideon (Pierce Brosnan) across the west, with a posse in his pocket. Unwavering in his quest to hunt him and kill him, Carver and Gideon play a savage game of cat and mouse. The characters are well drawn and you find yourself not quite sure who to root for as their connection is slowly revealed over the course of the film. With Michael Wincott, Anjelica Houston, Xander Berkeley, Wes Studi, Jimmi Simpson and Ed Lauter. Fubu / Showtime / Amazon / Vudu / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / DirecTV

78. The Sessions (2012)
John Hawkes gives an incredible performance as Mark, a man in an iron lung due to polio, decides he no longer wants to be a virgin (he’s 38), so he hires a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt, a match for Hawkes scene for scene) to help him. Based on a true story, the relationship that develops between them is well-drawn and multifaceted. The two have great chemistry, and the film is both funny and dramatic. William H. Macy co-stars as a priest Mark confides in. Also with Rhea Perlman, W. Earl Brown, Moon Bloodgood, Robin Weigert and Adam Arkin. Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / DirecTV

79. Shaolin Soccer (2001)
Stephen Chow’s ridiculous, over-the-top sports kung-fu comedy is delightful from frame one until the end. Chow plays Sing, a man trying to rekindle the traditions of Shaolin kung-fu, who teams up with a disgraced soccer coach to re-teach his brothers their skills, all the while applying it to the pitch. The hilarious CGI is eye-popping, and set the stage for Chow’s “Kung Fu Hustle” to come shortly therafter. Fubo / DirecTV / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV /  AMC Theatres on Demand

80. Shoot ‘Em Up (2007)
Speaking of over-the-top, this laughable actioner shoots the hell out of subtlety. A man named Smith (Clive Owen), delivers a baby during a shoot out and spends the next 90 minutes protecting it from a gang lead by Hertz (Paul Giamatti, gleefully embracing the villain role). The movie is hilariously tongue-in-cheek and a fun way to spend an afternoon. With Monica Bellucci and Stephen McHattie. Roku / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / DirecTV

81. Short Term 12 (2013)
An incredibly powerful and engrossing dramatic look at the foster care system, it stars Brie Larson as Grace, a counselor at a facility for at-risk teens, who takes a particular interest in Jayden (a sensational Kaitlyn Dever) who has a history of self-harm. The cast has so many amazing actors who all went on to bigger things – including Rami Malek, LaKeith Stanfield (then just Keith), Stephanie Beatriz, Melora Walters and John Gallagher, Jr. Written and Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, it was one of the best films of 2013. Prime Video / Peacock / Hoopla / Vudu / Tubi / Pluto TV / Amazon / Google Play/ YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Apple TV / Microsoft

82. Sing Street (2016)
This was the one that really resonated with me in 2016 – a sharp, funny, music-filled coming of age tale from John Carney (“Once,” “Begin Again”). Ferdia Walsh-Peelo plays Conor, a young man in 1980s Dublin struggling with his new school situation and his parent’s divorce. He falls hard for Raphina (Lucy Boynton), and forms a band to get her attention. Mentored by his older-brother Brendan (a scene-stealing Jack Reynor), Conor finds himself through music. The songs are all catchy and great (many written by Carney, Gary Clark, Glen Hansard and Adam Levine) and I found myself overcome with emotion at the end. With Maria Doyle Kennedy, Kelly Thornton and Aidan Gillen.  Roku / Tubi / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Apple TV / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / AMC Theatres on Demand

83. Slow West (2015)
Don’t let the title dissuade you – yes, it’s a character based western, but it moves at a good clip and is only 84 minutes long. Kodi Smit-McPhee plays a young Scottish man who follows the girl he loves to America. Over his head, he takes up with a drifter (Michael Fassbender, chomping a cigar) who helps guide and protect him along his journey. Great performances and incredible scenery highlight this little film, with Ben Mendelsohn as a fur-wearing baddie. Also starring Caren Pistorius, Tawanda Manyimo, Rory “The Hound” McCann. NETFLIX / Hoopla / Kanopy / Amazon / Vudu / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Microsoft / DirecTV / FLIX Fling

84. Smoke Signals (2008)
Sherman Alexie’s novel comes to life in this sweet and funny look at American Indian culture. The film follows Victor Joseph (Adam Beach), who lives on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation in Idaho. Learning his estranged father (Gary Beach) is dead, he travels to collect his remains along with his friend Thomas Builds-The-Fire (Evan Adams) in Phoenix, where he meets Suzy Song (Irene Bedard), who helps fill in the gaps about his past. Storytelling abounds with gentle humor in this unforgettable movie, part of the National Film Registry. Directed by Chris Eyre. Hoopla / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon/ Vudu / AMC Theatres on Demand

85. Son of Rambow (2007)
Man do I love Will Poulter (we’ll see him again towards the end of the list). Set in the 80s during an English summer, it follows two boys (Bill Milner and Poulter) who, armed with a VHS camera, make a war film inspired by “First Blood.” Anyone who made little movies with their friends growing up will certainly identify as I sure did, as the charming film is full of creativity and imagination. It’s sparked a quest in me to dig up my old VHS endeavors I made with my trusty Panasonic. Directed by Garth Jennings. Prime Video / Roku / Tubi / Kanopy / Pluto TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / Microsoft / Apple TV / Fandango Now

86. Stardust (2007)
I’m a big fan of Neil Gaiman, whose work can be complicated to bring to the screen, but this adaption truly soars thanks to Gaiman’s screenplay and Matthew Vaughn’s deft direction. A fairy tale following a boy (Daredevil’s Charlie Cox) and a falling star (Claire Danes) has everything you’d want in this kind of film – action, romance, comedy, you name it. If you’re a fan of “The Princess Bride,” this is right up your alley. And the cast is full of heavy-hitters, including Michelle Pfeiffer as a witch tracking the star down, Robert DeNiro as a feared Pirate captain putting on a façade, Ricky Gervais as a shifty merchant, Peter O’Toole as a dying king and memorable turns from Sienna Miller, Rupert Everett, Mark Strong, Ben Barnes, David Kelly, Henry Cavill and Ian McKellen as the Narrator. FLIX Fling / NETFLIX / DirecTV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV

87. Starter for 10 (2006)
Set in the 80s with a killer New Wave soundtrack, the film follows Brian (James McAvoy), who enrolls at Bristol and tries out for “University Challenge,” a quiz team, and falls for Alice (Alice Eve). The warm romantic comedy is a bit like a Brit John Hughes film, and is stacked with a who’s-who of character actors including Benedict Cumberbatch, James Corden, Mark Gatiss, Rebecca Hall, Catherine Tate, Dominic Cooper, Charles Dance, Lindsay Duncan and Simon Woods. HBO Max / HBO Go / DirecTV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Apple TV

88. The Station Agent (2003)
Incredible comedy/drama from Tom McCarthy (who also gave us the wonderful “The Visitor”), Peter Dinklage stars as a lonely man who moves to a New Jersey train depot after his only friend dies. Reclusive, he gradually lets in a fast-talking hot dog vendor (Bobby Cannavale), an artist (Patricia Clarkson), and a love interest (Michelle Williams). The chemisty is amazing between all the leads, and the amiable film is a joy to watch. Hoopla / MAX Go / DirecTV / Amazon / Vudu / Redbox / Google Play / YouTube

89. Still Crazy (1998)
This fantastic rock n roll comedy managed to fly under the radar, despite it’s handful of Golden Globe nominations (which happened before it was released stateside). Tony (Stephen Rea) endeavors to reunite his band “Strange Fruit” twenty years after they broke up. All doing menial jobs now, they reluctantly decide to give it a go, reigniting past love and rivalry. In a precursor to his role in “Love Actually,” Bill Nighy is a hoot as the clueless lead singer, and the rest of the band is top notch – Timothy Spall, Jimmy Nail and new recruit Hans Matheson. Co-starring Billy Connolly, Juliet Aubrey and Helena Bergstrom.  Pluto TV / Amazon / Fandango Now / Apple TV / Vudu  / Google Play / YouTube / Microsoft / DirecTV

90. Strictly Ballroom (1992)
Early film from Baz Luhrmann is a stylish and hilarious celebration of dance starring Paul Mercurio as Scott Hastings, champion of the Australian Ballroom circuit, until he starts dancing his own steps and is outcast. Enter Fran (a wonderful Tara Morice), the proverbial ugly duckling, who might just be the partner he needs to get back. The two have great chemistry and the dancing is phenomenal. With Gia Carides and Barry Otto. Hoopla / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV

91. Tell No One (2006)
Intriguing French thriller based on the book by Harlan Coben (if you want fun cliffhangers, watch his various series on NETFLIX), it stars Francois Cluzet as Dr. Alexandre Beck, whose wife Margot (Marie-Josee Croze) was murdered eight years ago. When two bodies are found where she was murdered, the case is reopened, and Alexandre is a suspect – and things get really complicated when he receives an email from Margot, who evidently is still alive. What follows is a twisty, Fugitive-like mystery that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. With Kristin Scott Thomas, directed by Guillaume Canet. Hoopla / Kanopy / Mubi / Fandor / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / Microsoft / Apple TV

92. Three O’Clock High (1987)
Fun 80s comedy from Phil Joanou (“State of Grace”) who uses a bunch of camera tricks to make it feel like it’s constantly moving. It stars Casey Siemaszko as Jerry, a soft spoken nerd who inadvertently pisses off the new-in-school Buddy Revell (Richard Tyson), who commands him to fight him at 3pm after school.  With a rap sheet and rumors that he’s “killed a guy,” Jerry spends the day trying to figure a way out of the skirmish, only to make things worse. With Annie Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor, Stacey Glick, Philip Baker Hall, Yeardley Smith and Paul Feig as a Hall Monitor. STARZ / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / DirecTV

93. Time After Time (1979)
H.G. Wells vs. Jack the Ripper in 1979 San Francisco – what more do you need? Nicolas Meyer (“Star Trek II”) helmed this sharp sci-fi thriller, with Malcolm McDowell as Wells and David Warner as Jack, and Mary Steenburgen as the woman who might just get Wells to stay in the future, if Jack doesn’t get to her first. Manages to be tense, funny, and romantic all in one. Fandango Now / Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu / DirecTV

94. The TV Set (2006)
Sly comedy from Jake Kasdan is a inside-baseball skewering of the entertainment industry, starring David Duchovny as a TV writer working on a pilot that gets noted to death by the network, including their insistence on a terrible leading man (Fran Kranz). Sigourney Weaver is brilliant as the cutthroat network boss – indeed everyone in the higher-ups are clueless to how it all works, and Mike has to try to make it work without completely selling out his vision. Lindsay Sloane, Ioan Gruffudd, Judy Greer, Justine Bateman, Simon Helberg, Willie Garson and Lucy Davis round out the star-studded cast. Peacock / Roku / Hoopla / Tubi / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Apple TV / Vudu

95. The Upside of Anger (2005)
Mike Binder’s sharp comedy about family bonds stars Joan Allen as Terry, left to raise her four independent daughters after her husband disappears, who soon finds herself involved with her ex-baseball player neighbor (Kevin Costner). Allen and Costner play well off of each other, but it’s the mother/daughter relationships that are exciting to watch – all four are played well by Erika Christensen, Alicia Witt, Keri Russell and Evan Rachel Wood. Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / DirecTV

96. Velvet Goldmine (1998)
Fans of the Glam Rock era will be enthralled with Todd Haynes’ musical fantasy, starring Christian Bale as a journalist covering two rockers (Ewan McGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, channeling Iggy Pop and David Bowie), challenging the norms of persona and sexuality. Music by Eno, Shudder to Think, Slade, T-Rex, Bryan Ferry, Pulp, Thom Yorke, Grant Lee Philips and more. To be played at maximum volume. Also starring Toni Collette, Janet McTeer and Eddie Izzard. Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Vudu

97. We’re The Millers (2013)
Surprisingly cutting and funny comedy from Rawson Marshall Thurber (director of “Dodgeball”).  A small-time pot dealer (Jason Sudeikis) creates a “family” to help move it across the border, with Jennifer Aniston posing as his wife and Emma Roberts and Will Poulter as his teenage kids. Laugh-out-loud dialogue pairs with some great outrageous moments – and it’s a treat to see Will Poulter rap his way through “Waterfalls.” Also featuring a scene-stealing Mark L. Young as Scotty “No Ragrats” P., Nick Offerman, Kathryn Hahn, Ed Helms, Thomas Lennon, Ken Marino and Luis Guzman. Fubo / DirecTV / Sling / TNT / Amazon / Apple TV / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / Redbox / DirecTV / Microsoft

98. Win Win (2011)
Paul Giamatti stars in another Tom McCarthy entry on the list as a struggling attorney and volunteer high school wrestling coach who finds a star athlete (Alex Shaffer) while doing a sketchy deal with his grandfather (Burt Young). He mentors him, all the while wondering if everything he is doing is moral. Shaffer is very convincing, and the cast around him is phenomenal – Bobby Cannavale and Jeffrey Tambor as assistant coaches, Amy Ryan as Giamatti’s understanding wife, and memorable work from Margo Martindale, Melanie Lynsky and Nina Arianda. Microsoft / Redbox / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube / Fandango Now / Vudu / DirecTV

99. Young@Heart (2007)
Sweet, funny, sad and touching documentary about the Young At Heart choir, comprised of senior citizens singing songs by Jimi Hendrix, Sonic Youth, The Clash, The Ramones, Allen Toussaint and more. You get to meet most of the choir and see how music unites them all and gives them something exciting in their golden years. You lose some new friends along the way, and you’ll never hear a more emotional rendition of Coldplay’s “Fix You.” IndieFix / Microsoft / Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / You Tube / Fandango Now / Vudu / DirecTV

100. Zero Effect (1998)
Bill Pullman shines as eccentric detective Daryl Zero in Jake Kasdan’s fun neo noir crime comedy. Ben Stiller plays his long suffering assistant, who does his best to aid him in as he tries to deduce who is blackmailing a wealthy executive (Ryan O’Neal). Quirky, genuinely surprising and well-constructed, it’s a shame it didn’t inspire a series of Daryl Zero mystery films. Apple TV / Amazon / Google Play / YouTube /  Fandango Now / Vudu / Microsoft / Redbox / DirecTV

And here’s the list of titles that would have been included but weren’t on streaming devices:

American Movie, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, The Hot Rock, King of the Hill, Mirage, Series 7: The Contenders, State of Grace, Terri, The Sure Thing, A Thousand Clowns, Trekkies and The Wrong Guy.

That’s it – hope you find some new favorites! Please pass this on, and don’t be a jerk – picks are subjective and I did this just for fun. Thanks!

COLE'S VINTAGE MOVIE POSTERS #3: A THOUSAND CLOWNS

A Thousand Clowns (Dir. Fred Coe, 1965)

Original 1-sheet. One of my favorite all time films -- great performances from Jason Robards and Barry Gordon. I used to use one of Nick's monologues when I was a kid at auditions. Also believe it's one of Jesse Thorn's favorites. #colesposters

COLE'S VINTAGE MOVIE POSTERS #2: SIXTEEN CANDLES

Sixteen Candles (Dir. John Huges, 1984)

Original Australian Daybill poster, with 16 as a numeral instead of spelled out. I love the comic panel look of it. Loved this movie when I was a kid, though a lot of it hasn't aged all that well. Killer soundtrack, too, especially that closing Thompson Twins track. #colesposters

COLE'S VINTAGE MOVIE POSTERS #1: THE GREAT RACE

I have a bunch of vintage movie posters, most of which never see the light of day as my walls are full. So I thought I would start a project and post photos of them with a little bit about each poster/film. So here's the first one:

The Great Race ("La Grande Course")

(Dir: Blake Edwards, 1965): Original French release poster. It's MASSIVE, would take up most of a wall and be way too expensive to custom frame, and it's falling apart. Love the art on this. I used to watch the pie fight scene over and over again when I was a kid. Tony Curtis walking around in his spotless white outfit, avoiding the flying pies until the very end always killed me. Plus Jack Lemmon! Natalie Wood! Peter Falk!

2014/15 Oscar-themed snacks

Just in time for the big Movie Trophy show tomorrow! Some nominated-film inspired snack ideas! Check out the gallery!

Big Gyro 6

(Gyros)

American Sniperogies

(Pierogies)

Citizenfour Cheesepizza

(Four Cheese Pizza)

Gone Girl Scout Cookies

(Thin Mints, Tagalongs, etc.)

The Grand Budapesto Hotel

(Pesto Pasta)

The Imitation Krab Game

(California Rolls with Imitation Krab)

Inherent Vice Cream Sandwiches

(Ice Cream Sandwiches)

Loxcatcher

 (Deviled Eggs with Smoked Salmon)

Selmac and Cheese

(Mac and Cheese balls)

Whiplash Drum Cake

(Rum Cake)

Two Thumbs Way Up: An Appreciation of Roger Ebert and Life Itself

Life Itself
2014, 115 mins
Rated R
A

"I had a colonoscopy once, and they let me watch it on TV. It was more entertaining than The Brown Bunny." -- Roger Ebert

As a life-long film lover, Roger Ebert was a major influence on me growing up. His infectious enthusiasm for film inspired me to write and talk about movies from an early age; while my peers had posters of Ken Griffey Jr. and Ricky Henderson gracing their walls, I papered mine with hand-me-downs from a nearby video store -- I was probably the only ten year old with one-sheets from films like Get Shorty, Nadine, A Fish Called Wanda and Lost in America and giant cardboard standees for Broadcast News, Willow and Dirty Dancing. I wrote a review of The Lost Boys and submitted it to The Werehouse's in-store video magazine when I was 14; it was published and I received a Pirates of Dark Water kite for my trouble, much to my chagrin (I really wanted an MGM sweatshirt and mug, which was an example prize). During high school, I interned at my town's primary paper The Davis Enterprise, eventually coordinating a bi-weekly page called Youth Beat in which I chronicled exceptional local teens and reviewed films. I came at my subject matter the same way I imagined Ebert did; from a place of pure affection and joy for the medium that had filled countless hours of my formative years. Since then, I've often fallen down the rabbit hole of reading his reviews on rogerebert.com, or plowing through online vids of episodes of Siskel & Ebert for hours on end.

Film criticism, and criticism in general, is a tough road to travel -- the reviewer is stating an opinion, their opinion, fully aware that many will disagree with them. Roger Ebert approached film criticism with unabashed love and zeal. When a movie was bad, especially when produced by top-shelf filmmakers and actors, Ebert was justly disappointed, like a parent whose children had just acted out in a way that felt like a betrayal. When it was great, he used his massive pull as a columnist with the Chicago Sun-Times and his syndicated TV juggernaut with partner Gene Siskel to encourage people to see them. And when it was a small film, he aggressively worked to make sure it found an audience, such as Errol Morris' great doc Gates of Heaven and Steve James' Hoop Dreams.

It seems fitting that James should helm the touching and engrossing new documentary based on Ebert's own memoir Life Itself, chronicling the last act of Ebert's life as he battled, and eventually lost his life to,  jaw cancer. With his wife Chaz by his side, Ebert allowed James access to capture his days in the hospital (including some icky scenes involving some suction, which Ebert, ever the optimist, tries to make less painful with some Steely Dan). There's some touching scenes with Ebert's grandkids, and lots of amazing documentation on his romance with Chaz, whom he met in AA. There's footage of Ebert and Siskel -- who had a very competitive and often antagonistic relationship -- feuding and chiding each other as they try to knock out some intros to their show, which felt a lot like walking in on our your parents fighting. But their competitiveness created some truly memorable conversations and discourse about film -- each thought they were right in their assessment and tried super hard to change the other's mind. The film chronicles his rise from college newspaper columnist to one of the most powerful and influential critics in the world, but more importantly, his transition to beloved family man.

The film is littered with examples of aspiring filmmakers that Ebert went to bat for and inspired -- one young woman met Ebert as an eight-year-old on the red carpet at the Oscars; many years later, she made a film that Ebert championed. Producer Martin Scorsese also attributes Ebert to molding and influencing him as well; in one particularly amusing sequence, Ebert trashes The Color of Money, which Scorsese admits to being devastated by. Agree or disagree with him, you could always respect him. Life Itself is a compelling and touching tribute to a brilliant and complicated man. Be forewarned: it may make you as weepy as the the last reel of Cinema Paradiso (and if you immediately know what I mean by that reference, then I guarantee that it will). Thumbs up on a life well lived, Roger, and a big thank you from the bottom of my heart.

2013/14 Oscar-themed snacks!

Every year, we have a small Oscar party in which we attempt to provide snacks based upon the nominated films and performers -- we make little film-posters with the snacks integrated and put them out next to the food. Here are the posters for this year's shindig. Enjoy!

Welcome to the new colestratton.com!

Welcome to the new home of all things Cole Stratton -- I'll be posting my live show info, pics galore, news items and random musings from time to time. Thanks to the folks at Squarespace for setting me up! Here's a pic of me as a tiny businessman. ALWAYS BUSINESS.