Reprise: Top 150 Movies of All-Time 100-51

By Mark Pukalo

Rating the most entertaining, thought-provoking and powerful movies of the last 50 years is way more difficult than putting a list of your favorite songs together in order.

Enjoying a film can often be about timing, your mood and expectations. I have often gone to the theater to watch, or rented, a movie not expecting much and been pleasantly surprised. But then after viewing it again, I was not as impressed.

The embarrassing memory I have was back in the mid 80s when I recommended we rent - along with a few other tapes - this mildly cute movie called "Short Circuit" when I was with my relatives in Ohio. Once we got 20 minutes or so into the movie, I could not imagine why I thought everyone would love it. It obviously just caught me in the right mood the first time. Or, maybe I merely had a wild crush on Ally Sheedy.

The ones that stick with you are special, whether you want to watch them over and over or you thoroughly enjoy an occasional viewing that justifies your fondness for the film.

I changed my mind a lot during the first 100 on my list of the best movies in 50 years. I don’t expect everyone to agree with the choices but, again, if I can introduce one or two great films for someone to add to their Netflix list. ... that’s awesome.

I will start the top 50 on Monday and there will be many classic films, along with some personal favorites, featured in the next 100 or so days. By my count, you could probably call 20 of the final 50 dramatic classics which would be listed in many critics’ top 100. You could consider about 15 or 16 of them comedies.

Below is a reprise of 100-51, if you missed any of my writeups.

100. Mallrats - Love, smart and goofy comedy, bad language, Claire Forlani, a hidden sailboat and a Hartford Whalers victory. What more would you want in a movie? Jason Lee is at his crude best as he tries to repair a relationship with Shannen Doherty at the mall with a lot of things going on in Kevin Smith's film. Silent Bob's quote to remember: "Adventure, excitement, a Jedi craves not these things."

99. Serendipity - Apparently it means "a fortunate accident." Talk about fortunate, how about having a choice between Bridget Moynihan and Kate Beckinsale? You...can't... lose. John Cusack has that tough decision in this likable romantic comedy. Jeremy Piven also plays a key role as Cusack's friend in the film that ends on the ice in New York City.

98. The Tillman Story - The amazing, but disturbing, 2010 documentary follows the tragic death of Pat Tillman and the controversial aftermath. The former Arizona Cardinals defensive back, who gave up his NFL career to join the army, was found to be killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan - a fact that was originally covered up before his family helps to reveal it. Richard Tillman, Pat's brother, makes a memorable speech at the funeral.

97. The Hunger Games - The first of four in the trilogy of adapted novels from Suzanne Collins is based in a post-apocalyptic society of the haves and have nots. Jennifer Lawrence shines as the heroic Katniss, who volunteers in the last-person-standing brutal contest in place of her younger sister. While the sequels are solid, the debut of the series was shocking, powerful and heartwarming.

96. Fever Pitch - The Farrelly Brothers' 2005 film is loosely based on Nick Hornby's book and movie "Fever Pitch, A Fan's Life" about his time rooting for Arsenal in the English Premiership. The Farrellys adapted it to the life of one of God's most pathetic creatures - Boston Red Sox fans - with Jimmy Farrell in the lead role. The movie ends with the Curse of the Bambino. "Remember when Roger Moret went catatonic?"

95. Jackie Brown - Director Quentin Tarantino's third film is a crime caper about "colorful low-life characters" as Roger Ebert put it. Samuel L. Jackson uses flight attendant Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) to smuggle his money in from Mexico. Jackie outsmarts everyone by teaming with smitten veteran bail bondsman Robert Forster, who was deservedly nominated for Best Supporting Actor as Max Cherry. A just-out-of jail Robert DeNiro and a ditsy Bridget Fonda add humor.

94. Across the Universe - A young Irishman named Jude (Jim Sturgess) travels to America to find his US serviceman father and meets a diverse group of people, including the love of his life (Evan Rachel Wood). Julie Taymor's unique musical drama is told through Beatles songs and with a backdrop of the Vietnam War in the 1960s. While it veers off course a few times, it produces one of the best endings in movie history.

93. Say Anything - Cameron Crowe's directorial debut is this romantic comedy that revolves around an average high school student named Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack), who boldly asks out the pretty valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye). The complicated relationship has its ups and downs until Dobler puts a boom box above his head to play Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes." Originally, the song Cusack was playing? Fishbone's "Bonin' in the Graveyard." LOL.

92. Ex Machina - A creepy rich recluse (Oscar Isaac), who owns a search company, recruits a programmer (Domhnall Gleeson) to his secluded mountain home to give the Turing test to his new creation - a beautiful AI. Alicia Vikander should have won the Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the amazing Ava instead of  for "The Danish Girl." It is a fascinating, unique, science fiction film with one heck of an ending.

91. Fletch - Chevy Chase reportedly said this was his favorite movie role as a crack investigative reporter for the LA Times working on a drug trafficking story who gets embroiled in a devious plot. Irwin Fletcher's witty remarks make the movie, especially in his romance with a millionaire criminal's wife (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson) at the club. Just charge your next bill to the Underhills' tab.

90. Independence Day - The science fiction film won an Academy Award for best visual effects in 1996, but it was ultimately just a fun ride with a great cast. Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum blow up and punch the nasty-looking creatures while Bill Pullman makes impossible decisions as President before a rousing final speech. The sequel was not good, but the original was one of the most entertaining of its genre.

89. Live and Let Die - My second favorite Bond film (1973) was the first for the late Roger Moore, who took over for Sean Connery and saves the mystical and beautiful Solitaire (Jane Seymour). Bond uncovers a heroin trafficking ring through Harlem and a Caribbean Island, fighting off some strange characters. It was all topped off by Paul McCartney's brilliant song.

88. Return of the Jedi - Episode VI from 1983 is my second favorite in the Star Wars saga as it brings to a close the legacy of Darth Vader. Vader ends his life by departing the dark side to help his son Luke live on to lead the Jedi. The action scenes on Endor with the rebels and Ewoks fighting the Emperial forces are some of the best in the series.

87. The Replacements - It might not be a masterpiece of cinema, but who hasn't watched this fun football farce about 100 times on late-night TV? Keanu Reeves' best two roles, in my opinion, are as washed up college quarterbacks who make good and he shines as Shane Falco, the leader of the motley crew. Pretty Brook Langton rocks as Falco's love interest and Gene Hackman as his heady coach.

86. Meet the Parents - Gaylord Focker (Ben Stiller) makes a comedy of errors in an attempt to impress his scary future father in law, played by Robert De Niro. Losing the beloved Jinxy and a fated pool volleyball spike don't help Focker join the "circle of trust." Naomi Watts was originally slated to play Pam, but Teri Polo proved perfect for the role - and in Playboy afterward.

85. Bowling for Columbine - While director Michael Moore can be polarizing and push the envelope at times, his portrayal of our country's baffling gun culture in his 2002 film was right on target. The Academy Award-winning documentary is chilling, sad - and occasionally humorous - as he tries to find answers to why many Americans live in constant fear for no reason. The Columbine footage is heartbreaking and shock rocker Marilyn Manson is one of the most sane people interviewed.

84. The Shawshank Redemption - The 1994 film follows the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), a man wrongly-accused of a double murder who finds a way to cope with prison life and wins in the end. The movie was not a huge hit out of the gate, but became more popular as time went on. It might be higher on many lists, but I understand the power of the film and Morgan Freeman's performance is amazing. "Hope is a good thing."

83. Bulworth - Warren Beatty plays a burned-out California Senator (Jay Bulworth) who has planned to stage his own murder, but he changes his mind after meeting a young Halle Berry and discovering his talent for rap music. Bulworth finds his soul when he realizes honesty is the best policy. Wouldn't it be nice if politicians could all do that?

82. Lord of War - The under-rated 2005 film stars Nicolas Cage as Yuri Orlov, an illegal arms dealer from Brighton Beach who becomes a major player in the world. Orlov makes deals with horrible dictators, along with his drugged-out and conflicted brother (Jared Leto), while fooling his dream woman (Bridget Moynihan) into marrying him. An agent (Ethan Hawke) is constantly on his tail.

81. Into the Wild - Sean Penn's gripping 2007 film follows the journey Chris McCandless, who leaves his family and a normal life to travel across the country without a car on his way to the Alaskan wilderness. Emile Hirsch is outstanding as McCandless and Hal Holbrook earned a Best Supporting Actor nomination as one of the people he meets along the way. You go through many different emotions through this film and there's some great Eddie Vedder music as background.


80. The Town - Director Ben Affleck co-wrote and stars in the 2010 crime drama based on Chuck Hogan's book "The Prince of Thieves." A group of long-time friends from Charlestown, Mass. rob banks in the area and Affleck falls for one of the managers (Rebecca Hall), who may be able to identify them. Jon Hamm and Jeremy Renner are also terrific in their roles.

79. The Man With the Golden Gun - Bond films get rated vastly different by the critics, but this is my favorite as Roger Moore hunts down Francisco Scaramanga and battles him on a small secluded island in Chinese waters. You're not going to find many better Bond girls than Maud Adams and Swede beauty Britt Ekland, who plays the aptly-named agent Mary Goodnight. It is 007 fun from start to finish.

78. Wedding Crashers - Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn have fun crashing weddings and finally meet their matches at the ceremony for a congressman's daughter. Rachel McAdams and Isla Fisher draw the two goofs out of their fantasy world and make them better people, but there is plenty of comedy to be had along the way. Will Ferrell makes perhaps his best cameo performance as Chazz, who crashes funerals to meet women.

77. We Are Marshall - The emotional 2006 film depicts the aftermath of the tragic plane crash that killed 75 people in 1970, including 37 players from the Marshall football team. Matthew McConaughey plays charismatic coach Jack Lengyel, who starts from scratch to help lift the Thundering Herd from the ashes - along with the student body in the most inspiring scene of the movie.

76. 2001, A Space Odyssey - Director Stanley Kubrick's science fiction drama, based on a story by Arthur C. Clarke, is a psychological journey through the universe and the origins of humanity. The depiction of space travel in the 1970 film is way ahead of its time. You are forced to interpret the mysterious things that occur, including the mental breakdown of the unforgettable computer named Hal.

75. Once - Director John Carney's first of three brilliant films (also Begin Again and Sing Street) is about a Czech immigrant and an Irish street singer who meet by chance and make beautiful music together. Non-actors Glen Hansard and the gorgeous Marketa Irglova add authenticity to the story with outstanding performances. "Falling Slowly" won Best Original Song at the 80th Academy Awards.

74. Apollo 13 - Tom Hanks plays astronaut Jim Lovell in the true story of a 1970 mission to the moon that had to be aborted, and the daring route home. One of director Ron Howard's strongest efforts was masterfully detailed and filled with tension, especially on re-entry, and earned a Best Picture nomination in 1995. "Houston, we have a problem."

73. Best in Show - Eugene Levy and Christopher Guest co-wrote this hilarious mockumentary of a national dog show with some crazy characters. Fred Willard makes the film go with his goofy commentary on the show and Levy shows off his two left feet, literally. Parker Posey also shines as the neurotic owner of a beautiful competitor in the show.

72. The Bourne Identity - The first and best of the spy drama series with Matt Damon playing brainwashed soldier Jason Bourne, who must be eliminated after his black ops mission fails. Damon befriends a beautiful German woman (Franka Potente) and he uses his special talents to evade the bad guys. Bourne apologizing to the Neski girl is amazing scene.

71. Fast Times at Ridgemont High - Cameron Crowe wrote this 1982 classic California high school comedy which touched on many different issues while making us laugh. Sean Penn was Spicoli while Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold and, yes, the great Phoebe Cates, were outstanding. Jackson Browne, Joe Walsh, Don Henley and others contribute to a strong soundtrack as well.


70. Sleepless in Seattle - OK, a little sentimental here, but director Nora Ephron co-wrote this appealing little romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Sam (Hanks) is a widower whose son Jonah (Ross Mallinger) calls a radio show to see if he can get help finding his dad a new wife and picks Annie (Ryan). The ending on the top of the Empire State Building still makes my eyes water. I can admit it.

69. Point Break - The 1991 film, directed by Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty), has gotten more popular with age and fans can recite the best lines. "He's not coming back." Keanu Reeves stars as FBI agent Johnny Utah, a former college quarterback, who infiltrates a group of surfers/adrenaline junkies led by Patrick Swayze that rob banks. Utah jumps out of a plane without a parachute, but gets the girl (Lori Petty) and his man.

68. Radio Days - "Sleeper" made me laugh while "Annie Hall" and "Hannah and Her Sisters" were memorable, but my favorite Woody Allen movie is this old-style classic. The 1987 film has a great cast and remembers the days when radio was king. Mia Farrow is strong as Sally White and Larry David even makes a cameo as a communist, but Julie Kavner has the best line as searchlights looked for German planes - "What a world. It could be so wonderful if it wasn't for certain people."

67. Platoon - Oliver Stone's Vietnam War drama won Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 1986 and provided some incredible images along with strong performances. The story follows Charlie Sheen through his first tour of duty and the horrors he encounters while trying to stay sane. The scene where dead bodies are pushed into a hole by bulldozers is one of the most numbing few minutes in movie history.

66. War Games - The 1983 film stars Matthew Broderick as an innocent young hacker, who easily works his way into a government computer and plays a dangerous game. Every guy in my age group's crush Ally Sheedy plays Broderick's girlfriend as he rushes to save the world from "thermal nuclear war." Words to live by from computer Joshua - "A strange game. The only winning move is not to play."

65. Philadelphia - It's rare when a movie has the ability to adjust your philosophy on issues - even slightly - and late director Jonathan Demme's film about a man dying of Aids is one. Tom Hanks took Best Actor for his portrayal of Andrew Beckett, a gay man who is fired after his disease is discovered, and Denzel Washington provides one of his best performances as his lawyer. The movie is filled with powerful scenes and beautiful music.

64. Birdman - Former super hero star Riggan Thompson (Michael Keaton) tries to find legitimacy on the Broadway stage in this fast-moving, unique "black comedy" directed expertly by Alejandro Inarritu. It won Best Picture in 2014 and Keaton should have won Best Actor after his masterful effort, but Emma Stone and Edward Norton make the movie go with their performances.

63. The Breakfast Club -John Hughes directed this memorable high school movie from 1985 about a group of five teenagers who spend Saturday detention together and form unlikely friendships. Ally Sheedy, Molly Ringwald, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez were apparently nicknamed the "Brat Pack," at the time. None became superstars, but two show up in movies higher than this on the list.

62. Moneyball - The 2011 film is based on a book by the same name from Michael Lewis about the 2002 Oakland Athletics, who won 20 in a row, and their general manager Billy Beane. Brad Pitt provides one of his best performances as Beane, who tries a new style of scouting through statistics (sabermetrics) to help put together a competitive team with a limited budget while battling his manager and old-school scouts.

61. Malcolm X - The first of two Spike Lee films in the top 100 is a three-hour, 22-minute epic. Denzel Washington is extraordinary as the controversial Nation of Islam leader, evolving from small-time hustler to a powerful figure before his death in 1965 at the hands of some of the very people he led. The final scene in which he moves toward the site of his murder to Sam Cooke's brilliant song "A Change is Gonna Come" is breathtaking.


60. Some Kind of Wonderful - The 1987 film was written by John Hughes and directed by Howard Deutch, who later married the star (Lea Thompson) and the duo produced a good little actress named Zoey Deutch (Everybody Wants Some, Before I Fall). It's the story of an average student named Keith (Eric Stolz) as he dares to ask out the popular and newly-available Amanda Jones (Thompson). The rest is a smart, fun journey through high school life.

59. The Sum of All Fears - The 2002 spy drama is based on a book from Tom Clancy by the same name. The story concerns a Neo-Nazi group attempting to start Nuclear War between the US and Russia while Jack Ryan (Ben Affleck) works to uncover the truth. Apparently the reviews for this film were not great overall, but I thought it was powerful and quite believable.

58. Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Crafty Ferris (Matthew Broderick) skips school and sets off on a strange, fun journey through Chicago with his girlfriend (Mia Sara) and best buddy (Alan Ruck) in another great John Hughes film. "Life moves fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

57. The Commitments - A young music fanatic Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) puts together a soul band with some diverse characters to play on the north side of Dublin. Imelda Quirke (Angeline Bell) and Natalie Murphy (Maria Doyle) grace the screen as part of the Commit-ettes and Joey "The Lips" Fagan (Johnny Murphy) gives the group cred. Joey says when the band breaks up abruptly, "Sure, we could have been famous and made albums and stuff. But that would have been predictable. This way, it's poetic."

56. Armageddon - No, you probably couldn't land a spacecraft on an asteroid, drill a hole, load a nuclear weapon in there and split it perfectly in two. But, heck, who cares? It's a movie and it is fun from start to finish as Bruce Willis leads a motley crew to try and save the world. The ending is quite emotional and Liv Tyler's pouting face gets me every time. "Permission to shake the hand of the daughter of the bravest man I've ever met." Tears.

55. Airplane! - The wacky comedy parody still draws the same amount of laughs as it did when it first hit the big screen in 1980. Julie Hagerty and Robert Hays play the lead roles, but the automatic pilot steals the show. Kareem Abdul Jabbar puts forth his finest movie performance while Leslie Nielsen is hilarious with every line or facial expression as the doctor, and don't call him Shirley.

54. The Departed - Martin Scorsese won his only Best Director honor at the Academy Awards with this 2006 crime drama that is apparently a Boston-style remake of the 2002 Hong Kong film "Internal Affairs." Leonardo DiCaprio goes deep undercover to try to find evidence on mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) and Matt Damon plays the slimiest of police moles.

53. The Big Short - Some people quibble with the facts or say they are exaggerated (NOT ME), but director Adam McKay (Anchorman) does a strong job turning Michael Lewis' book about the horror of the 2007-2008 financial crisis into an entertaining film. Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt and Christian Bale hit home runs with their performances while telling the story of fund managers and a banker who predicted the collapse of a still fraudulent system.

52. The Hangover - The first and, by far, the best installment of the series follows a group of friends who take their bachelor party to Vegas where chaos reigns. A tiger, Mike Tyson, a stripper with a baby, a stolen police car, a satchel, a stun gun and a chicken (still haven't figured that one out) are all part of the fun. The "wolf pack" retraces its steps to try and find the lost groom.

51. 10 Things I Hate About You - The 1999 romantic high school comedy was reportedly written as a modern day version of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." The late, great Heath Ledger attempts to tame Julia Stiles and a young Joseph Gordon Levitt courts Stiles' cute, quirky sister Bianca. Larry Miller has the best lines in the film. When Bianca whines, "It's just a party daddy." Miller retorts, "and Hell is just a sauna."