The mafia or mob, has captivated society, both in reality and in the world of film. Many films and TV shows have been made to tell mafia stories. The mafia is responsible for all kinds of organized crime in this country and abroad, and in reality, have been responsible for committing heinous crimes. But for some reason, we as society can’t get enough. We can’t look away from our tvs when guys like Al Capone or John Gotti are on the screen. So if we can’t get enough of the mafia in reality, of course we just watch more mafia content via films or television shows. There’s something about these guys that’s intoxicating. They’re criminals, but family men. They kill and fight with rival mob families, but they also build up their local communities. They break the law, but often not in a way in which it upsets society. The mafia may be well beyond its prime nowadays, but the legacy they’ve built in this country lives on through film. Some of the greatest films ever made, if not the greatest crime films made, have been about the mafia. Legendary characters, gripping stories, and expert film work, has come from classic mob films. There’s so many good ones, that a ranking of such had to at least include 10. Obviously, the ranking is my opinion, but I tried to be as unbiased as possible.What’s important to note here, is though the mafia is organized crime, this ranking is not about the 10 best organized crime films, it’s about the mafia. For example, a film like American Gangster doesn’t count here. It’s an incredible film that would be on the rankings, but the core focus is about Frank Lucas, who is not part of the mafia. Therefore, it doesn’t count as a mafia film. These are all films that are completely centered around the mafia, despite the different forms and places the mafia takes on. With that being said, let’s get started with the rankings.

#1 – The Godfather Part 1

Alright now, is this really even a discussion? In my opinion, this is the greatest film of all-time, so it has to be number 1 here. I know some of you will think my number 2 is deserving of 1, and I get it. But everything about this film is so timeless, fantastic, and remarkably well-done. This film, and the entire trilogy, does an amazing job of portraying the mafia. You see the tradition of the mafia, it’s roots, it’s purpose, and you become immersed into what life in the mob is like. Of course it’s fictional, but rarely will you find a film that portrays the origins of the mafia so perfectly. Furthermore, some of the best acting and cinematography of any of these films, is on display here.  An obvious number 1, and honestly the reason mob films are even a thing. The Godfather Part 1, is forever the best mafia film of all-time.

#2 – Goodfellas

In comes another film classic. Goodfellas is the true story of Henry Hill, a former mobster and the worst thing you could ever be in the mob, a “rat.” We know about his story and those he was affiliated with, because he gave others up to protect himself and enter witness protection, and has since told his story to the world. Think what you want about what he did, but without him, we wouldn’t have been blessed with this amazing mob film. Another great job depicting what the mafia is really like, Goodfellas makes you feel like you’re in the mafia yourself. The acting in this film, is simply incredible. Robert De Niro is perfect, in a role that fits him so well. Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta help takes this film to another level, and have you begging for more and more. This film being at number 2, is only a testament as to how good the Godfather Part 1 is. Goodfellas is another film that’s much more than a mafia film, and it’s part of the reason our society is obsessed with these groups of criminals.

#3 – The Godfather Part 2

King Pacino. Without Al Pacino, this film is not sitting here at #3. In Part 1, he was a vital character and did a remarkable job, but that film also has several other characters who put together some of the best acting seen in one film. Part 2 however, is all Pacino. Probably the best, or one of the best sequels of all-time, The Godfather Part 2 continued the brilliance seen in the first film. Much of the greatness that was on display in Part 1, remains in the second film. The plot changes and evolves, but the dominance continues. The Godfather Part 2 is simply incredible.

#4 – Scarface

I promise this isn’t a piece just about Al Pacino, he’s just that damn good. If Godfather Part 2 was all about Pacino, then Scarface is Al Pacino. Scarface is different from these other films, it’s not as slow-paced and it doesn’t portray the mafia as these people that you’re unsure if they’re good or bad. No no no, Tony Montana (Pacino) is a BADDD man. But wow, do you love him as a viewer. Fear isn’t a concept for Montana, and you follow that through his rise and eventual fall. What Scarface does so well, is show what happens so often, when criminals get addicted to power. This concept and dynamic however, is beyond just criminals, it’s a tale we all know too well. But that’s what makes Scarface so good, is the telling of a story everyone can relate to and feel. Scarface is a huge change of pace from these other films, but it’s a damn good film and deserves it’s spot at 4.

#5 – The Departed

Ok, I’ll be honest, I was really on the fence on whether or not to include The Departed on this list. Generally, when referring to the mafia, what comes to mind is the Italian mafia organizations, as that’s where this notion of the “mob” came from. The Departed however, is about the Irish mob. Though that’s not necessarily the “mafia” in regards the origins of the mob, the Irish mafia has been a very real and powerful presence in this country. Anyways, that’s a debate for a different time and place, The Departed is part of this list whether anyone likes it or not. But let’s talk about this film, because it’s damn good. It all starts with the LOADED cast here. We got Leo Dicaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin, Vera Farmiga, and believe it or not, much more. Pretty hard to mess up a film with that cast, right? But hold up, I forgot to mention, that the legend Martin Scorsese directed it. This film was destined for greatness, and it did not disappoint. An often underrated film, The Departed is arguably the best crime film of the 21st Century. It’s well deserving to be on this list, and many other rankings of great films.  

#6 – Donnie Brasco

Well, would you look at that, another film with Al Pacino, how surprising?! Yes, Al Pacino is one of the lead actors in Donnie Brasco, but this film isn’t all about him. In fact, it’s more so about Johnny Depp. Depp plays Donnie Brasco, who was an undercover cop who infiltrated the mob. It’s a remarkable true story, and this is yet another film that portrays the mafia so accurately, arguably doing so better than any other film. It’s a great story about the mafia, what it takes to be part of the mafia, and what mobsters are like in reality. It’s one of those mob films, that makes the viewer develop likeness for those in the mob. You even see Depp’s character struggle to turn against the mobsters he had to get so close with. A great film that will keep you glued to your seat, Donnie Brasco gets the number 6 spot for it’s high-degree of accuracy and strong acting.

#7 – A Bronx Tale

I’m sure this one caught some of you by surprise, but A Bronx Tale is completely deserving of this spot. This film, shows us a different angle of the mafia, with a different focus. The film is about a kid who grows up in the Bronx, with hardworking, clean-cut parents. The streets and neighborhood however, are run by the mafia. Calogero, the young boy, respects his father to the utmost degree, but also admires the power the mobsters have. The film follows him as he struggles to find balance between the two influencing parties. It again shows us a mafia that is very likeable. Sure, we see them commit crimes, ones in which we would never think of doing. But we also see how much they care about the community, and give help where it’s needed. The neighborhood respects them for that, and always has their back. Calogero shows us how easily, in a neighborhood like this, kids could find themselves gravitating towards a life in the mafia. A Bronx Tale is more of a drama than it is a crime film, and for that it’s deserving of this spot. It told a story surrounding the mafia that was more than just the crimes they commit. It told a story that was moving, real, and powerful. A Bronx Tale is not only an amazing mafia film, it’s a great film about life in much of America, back in the day and now.

#8 – Casino

Again we see some actors that continue to define mob films, that’s Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. Casino again tells another true story, and it’s highly entertaining. Casino shows us another aspect of the mob again, focusing on their role in casinos in Las Vegas. Just like most of the mob films they’re in, Pesci and De Niro don’t even seem like they’re acting, the characters fit them that well. This film is great because it focuses on this specific criminal activity the mafia was engaged in, and leaves you amazed as to the power they held. It’s shocking how outwardly involved the mafia was in the casino business years ago, and how that was relatively just accepted. Casino shows us another view of the mob, but perhaps won’t leave you with that same feeling of likeness towards these individuals, as other films on this list do.

#9 – The Godfather Part 3

Just when you thought he was done, I pulled him back in! For those of you who don’t get that reference, watch the legendary scene from this film below. We’re not done with The Godfather series and Al Pacino just yet. The ending to this trilogy was a damn good one. Often it gets overshadowed by the first two films, but don’t be mistaken, Part 3 is very good. If it was a standalone film that didn’t require the information from the other films, it would remain a great film. The ending to this trilogy is an interesting one, and honestly not what many would have predicted. But you know what, it works. Maybe it’s not the ending everyone dreamed for, but it’s realistic and gives you closure. As a massive Godfather fan, this was one of the few endings I was pretty satisfied with. Despite the greatness of the first two films, The Godfather Part 3 remains great in it’s own right.

#10 – The Untouchables

Last but not least, we have The Untouchables. Yet another true story and another film with the legend Robert De Niro. This film is about Al Capone (De Niro) and Elliot Ness, the detective determined to take him down. It’s an amazing story about taking down a seemingly untouchable force, in Al Capone. It’s a shocking story as to how much power and influence Capone had, and despite his vast criminal activities, he couldn’t be stopped. Everyone has heard about Al Capone, but not everyone knows about this unbelievable story of bringing him to justice. The Untouchables takes us into the early days of the mafia, and the control Al Capone had on the city of Chicago. The screenplay and plot is why this film had to be on the list. The acting and other characteristics of the film were solid, but it’s the remarkable story it tells that makes it so great.

Moonlight won Best Picture at the 2017 Oscars, and it was one of the most deserving films of the past several years. What makes this film so great, is how it was able to tell a story that has a strong impact on the viewer. Few films come to mind, that have the same ability to get a viewer to be more empathetic in their judgements and actions of others. Moonlight doesn’t just focus on one minority, one group of underrepresented people, or certain kinds of outcasts. Rather the film focuses on challenges people of color, the impoverished, homosexuals, and drug addicts face. The setting of Moonlight, is an impoverished area of South Florida. An area that to any viewer, seems unfortunately all too familiar to many areas throughout America. Early on, as a viewer, you feel as if your set into scene that is real in this country. The tone from the beginning is serious and it continues throughout, but what’s Moonlight all about?

Moonlight does an incredible job of taking the viewer behind the scenes, to see what it’s like for certain individuals, groups, and communities in our country. While it takes us deeper into these realms and makes us more privy to the hardships that come with them, Moonlight also shows us the power of community. Moonlight follows Chiron through three stages of his early life, splitting him up into three characters and the film into three portions. We see Chiron as a young boy, teenager, and young man. Everything is stacked against Chiron, but a select few in his community remain by his side to get him along. Chiron grows up in the worst parts of Miami, with a mother who’s addicted to drugs. He’s a shy, quiet boy, who often gets picked on. Not only does he have to deal with the hardships of coming from poverty, being a person of color, and having a mother who is addicted to drugs, he’s also homosexual. As we know, homosexuality has only recently become a more accepted characteristic in this country, and at the time Chiron is growing up, being gay was often something you’d be scared to let be known, especially in the rough parts of his Miami neighborhood. Despite these terrible odds, Chiron finds help in the most unlikely of places. In his younger years, this help comes in the form of a drug dealer. You’d think Chiron would want nothing to do with a man who sells the drugs that hold his mother captive, but this man is different. Mahershala Ali plays the role of this drug dealer, but he plays a character that’s unlike what most of you may be picturing right now. He’s the only man, or person really, who takes responsibility to look after Chiron. He and his girlfriend feed him, look after him, and help to raise him to be better than the life around him. Moonlight is one of the most powerful films of this decade, in my opinion. I say that because of it’s messages, meaning, and impact. Moonlight shows the world what is like, from a personal perspective, to be an individual with any of the barriers I mentioned, confronting you. It shows you the power of community, and being there for those with whom you live your life amongst. It shows us that no matter how many times you get knocked down, told you don’t belong, or don’t feel loved, that you can still make it in this world. For myself, I felt the most important thing Moonlight does as a film, is generate a powerful feeling of empathy from the audience.

Empathy is a characteristic that has tremendous power in life, yet unfortunately isn’t a characteristic that everyone possess. Before I go into why Moonlight elicits empathy from the audience, I need to be clear on the point I’m trying to make. In no way am I trying be political here, when I say people need to be more empathetic towards these groups of people. I believe in this country, people do need to be more empathetic towards these groups, but even more so, towards each other in general. This piece isn’t about getting into politics, but I think everyone can agree that our country isn’t at it’s best place in terms of how we treat each other. Beyond that, empathy is a powerful thing to have in life, regardless of our current social status. The point I’m getting at, is Moonlight shows us that things aren’t always as clear-cut as they seem. Sometimes we make judgements on people when we really have only seen the surface of how they are and what they’re life is like. Moonlight is powerful because it takes us beyond the surface level and gives us a view as to what goes on behind the scenes. Beginning with the setting, of what would be classified as an American “ghetto” in South Florida. Impoverished areas like this and the people that inhabit them, can often be misjudged or overlooked by people in our country. When we’re not from there or haven’t experienced or seen this kind of life first hand, we struggle to understand it. We struggle to understand decisions people make and the motive for doing so. For example, Moonlight highlights drugs in America, in these areas in particular. We all agree that these drugs are destructive, but we fail to understand anything beyond that. Moonlight shows that the unfortunate part of life in these kind of areas, is sometimes being a drug dealer seems like the only option. Though this may not be the case in reality, for those in these areas, this is how it seems. Mahershala Ali’s character does a great job of showing this, because this isn’t the drug dealer you might think you know from TV or other films. This is a guy with a good heart, who is just trying to put food on the table. He has deep shame in what he does, but he at least uses his money for good. The point is that we can still disagree with decisions people like Ali’s character make, but Moonlight shows us that the decision to live that kind of life is deeper than it looks from the surface. One of the biggest focusses of the film, is Chiron’s homosexuality. Throughout the majority of the film, we see Chiron as the victim of heartless abuse, and we see the psychological damage it does to him. We never see him comfortable in his own skin, and we see how painful such treatment can be. Moonlight shows us that whether you agree or disagree with homosexuality, you at very least should have the decency to let people live their own lives. No one deserves the kind of abuse Chiron goes through, and despite where your views lie, Moonlight will make you think about not only how you treat homosexuals, but any outcasts. Moonlight is incredibly powerful because it gives you a different perspective on how things really may be, especially if you’ve never experienced these situations. Moonlight will make you second guess yourself before you make judgements on others, it’ll make you try to put yourself in others shoes more often. In other words, Moonlight will help you to further develop empathy in your life.

Roma is a film that reminds us of the various forms art can take. People don’t often think of films as works of art, but in reality they are. Roma however, is an artistic gem. It shows us that film can be much more than what we’re typically used to seeing in the theaters. The power of raw, pure, and authentic storytelling is on display here. While I won’t use this piece as a platform to argue for Roma being the film of the year (though it very well may be), I will attempt to get across how beautiful this film truly is. To be clear, not everyone will love this film and have the same appreciation for it as I and others do. But that’s art, isn’t it? Art isn’t about creating something everyone will love. It’s about expression, telling a story, and doing so in a way that fits. Roma requires focus, it’s not going to lay out everything in complete clarity. It’s not going to give the viewer the perfect, happy ending they may long for, and it requires an appreciation for the art. If you fail to or don’t like to focus on the artistic features of films, then this film won’t have the same effect on you. Roma isn’t like your typical film. It’s different and unorthodox, but it’s original and authentic. Everyone has their own personal preferences, and that’s okay. It just helps to be aware of what you’re getting before you watch the film. However, even if what I described/will describe doesn’t sound like your typical watch, I implore you to give Roma a try. This film can help to expand one’s boundaries, especially if they pay attention to the particular facets I point out here.

One of the most unique and obvious aspects of this film, is that it’s black and white. It’s hard to know what the rationale is for black and white films nowadays. The director may have various reasons for doing so, and sometimes it doesn’t fit all that well. For Roma however, it was perfect. One of the biggest reasons for this, is the film is really slow paced. The move from scene to scene is slower than usual, and shots of a given scene or setting are much longer than usual. The pace of the film and length of shots, fits perfectly with the black and white display. It makes for some beautiful shots, and fits the tone of the film. As stated, this film is raw and authentic, but it’s serious as well. It’s serious because it shows life in a realistic lense. The black and white display and the slowed down pace, allow for the viewer to settle into this story. It puts the viewer in a state of mind that makes you more drawn to story. This story aims to be moving, deep, and touch at our most sincere emotions, but to do so, requires the right display. It requires setting the right tone, matching visuals with that tone, and properly sequencing every move. Roma did that in an extraordinary fashion, that’s why it won the Oscar for Best Cinematography and Alfonso Cuaron won Best Director. While that’s all great, it also needed a proper storyline for it to all come together.

Roma is one of the realest and pure stories out all of the big-time films of the past year. Unlike most films, it’s not about some unbelievable story that just had to be told. If you were given a paragraph summary of what the story is about, with no details on how it will be filmed, you probably wouldn’t be that drawn in. That’s because this film is about telling a story of real life, unfabricated and original. That’s not to say it’s a true story necessarily, but it shows life how it actually is, especially in the setting it took place. The setting is Mexico in the 1970’s, as political and social unrest is sweeping the country. The story is about Cleo, a domestic worker for a wealthy doctor and his family. Cleo is soft-spoken, with a big heart and a strong work ethic. She has a real love for the children she takes care of, and does what she has to, to get by. The film hits hard on the reality that is life, when the wealthy doctor runs off with his mistress. While Cleo also becomes pregnant, and is left to deal with it on her own. Roma doesn’t care to sugarcoat anything or paint a prettier picture, rather it aims to shows the harshness and reality that can come about in life. Women in 1970’s Mexico, or most places for that matter, were not treated as equals to men. Roma depicts the pain that many women have and continue to face in that regard. While this film isn’t the perfect, happy ending, it’s realistic and moving. It’s not all gloomy and depressing. With Cleo and the wife of the family she works for, we see strength. We see women who persevere, despite the odds being against them. We see these women, and the children of that family, come together to move on in life. Roma is incredibly powerful and beautiful, in that no matter who you are, you connect on an emotional level with this film. You’re immersed in the culture, language, and social class dynamics of Mexico in the 1970’s, again revealing the fine artistic characteristics that makes you part of this film. Roma paints an exquisite message of courage, perseverance, and love. It shows us despite how the odds may be stacked against, despite what hardships we may face, we can overcome these obstacles through love and strength. Roma shows us that we’re not alone in pain we feel in life, despite how we may feel. Others out there feel the same, but together we can get through. Not only do we as people and the world of film need more directors like Alfonso Cuaron, we need more films like Roma.

When I say the name Edward Norton, most people will recognize the name. Some may know exactly who I’m talking about, others may be confused as to why they know the name, and others simply may have no idea who that is. Edward Norton is an actor who often flies under the radar, and this was never more apparent than at the end of the 20th Century. He has of course, been in most of his films in the 21st Century, but his best work came in the late 90s. His work as the lead actor in American History X and Fight Club, is some of the most underrated work in the world of film, in my opinion. There is most likely a few reasons for this. First of all, these films weren’t necessarily mainstream flicks. Fight Club is considered one of the best cult classics of all time, and American History X can fall into this category as well. They also both had touchy topics, Fight Club centered around an underground fight club that eventually developed into a terrorist-type organization. Whereas with American History X, the storyline was about neo-Nazi brothers, and one of the brothers (Edward Norton) having a change in his beliefs. The point is that while these films may have received praise after the fact, they weren’t big box office flicks. The films and Edward Norton were also overshadowed by the incredible competition at the time. In 1998, when American History X came out, classic films like Titanic and Good Will Hunting dominated the headlines. When Fight Club came out in 1999, Shakespeare in Love and Saving Private Ryan also came out. As a big fan of Edward Norton and his work, I felt it was imperative to do a piece highlighting him. What’s interesting, is how much of his best work came just before the turn of the Century. I want to highlight those two films in particular, but will also be sure to briefly mention other quality performances by Norton in the late 90s.

Fight Club

MASTERFUL. This film and Edward Norton in it, are simply masterful. Personally, I think it’s an absolute disgrace that he didn’t win an Oscar for Best Actor and that the film didn’t win Best Picture. But neither was even nominated! I won’t even say what I feel about that. But that’s how good he and this film are. Controversy and criticism surrounds this film and Edward Norton’s character, but I implore all of you to see and decide for yourself. In Fight Club, Norton plays a character who also narrates the entire film, but serves as central protagonist. The character, who is unnamed, suffers from insomnia and depression, and attends support groups of which he doesn’t even suffer from the various diseases and ailments. He then find Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), and Fight Club is formed. Then the club takes on a wild, rapid progression that one cannot anticipate. Throughout the film, you get this vibe that something is off with Norton and this Tyler Durden, but I’m absolutely not spoiling that. The one thing you know for sure, is Norton’s character is truly not well mentally. He’s confused throughout the film and since he’s the narrator, so are you as the viewer. It all comes together in the end, and when it does, it makes you appreciate how wonderful of a performance Edward Norton put on. Fight Club is another one of those films where you are literally shocked at the end, and don’t know what to think. But I guarantee you one thing, you’ll always know and remember who Edward Norton is after you watch it.

American History X

American History X is a film with so much depth. It goes into controversial areas regarding the social climate in America, it has action, drama, and more. Edward Norton leads the way in this film, and it’s one that’ll leave you with little to say after. It’s a powerful film that makes you ponder race relations and crime in our country, and it does so in a very raw way. Paying attention is key, as it’s a nonlinear film. This setup and Norton’s performance, have you feeling different emotions towards him throughout. The basic plot line, is centered around Norton and his brother who come from a family in which their dad was a cop with racial inclinations and ended up being murdered by African-Americans in a drug raid. The film follows Norton and his brother from these early moments, to their progression in the neo-Nazi movement, then to his reformation in prison, and finally to his attempt to change his brother and get away from this destructive group. Norton was asked to wear several different hats in this film, and he did so remarkably. Few times in a film, will your feelings toward a character vary as often as they do with Edward Norton in American History X. In this film, he proved that he is an actor with incredible range and an innate ability to be raw. The touchy subject of this film and his character, have downplayed the greatness present. For anyone who even has a slight appreciation for film, watch this film and Fight Club. After doing so, I’d be shocked if you didn’t think Edward norton is one of the best actors out there. But, like I said before, these weren’t the only films in the late 90s in which Norton put on strong performances.

Rounders & Primal Fear

Rounders and Primal Fear came out in 1998 and 1996 respectively, and further display the range that Norton has. Rounders is a film that centers around illegal, high-stakes poker, in which Norton’s character is the bad influence that gets his friend who is trying to get away from gambling, right back into the action and danger. Again we see Norton as a sort of bad guy in a film, but here he is less violent and more mentally stable. Norton displays his foundation as an actor, of being a witty, convincing, and “bad guy” character, but does so in a way unique to himself. Primal Fear was different from these other films, it that it was a box office success. This was essentially a debut for Norton, and he made it a big one. This film – like many Norton is in –  is absolutely wild. Norton plays the character of a young altar boy accused of murdering a beloved Archbishop. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, we then learn the Archbishop really wasn’t such a great person and was very destructive to Norton’s character. Then we see the brilliance of Norton, as he plays a character that suffers from a multiple personality disorder, in which he’s not really aware of what he does when he’s one person versus the other. Norton is young in this film, but his performance matches that of a well-established, well-versed actor. Yet again another film that’ll leave you shocked, Primal Fear is a highly entertaining film.

Edward Norton deserves to be a household name like so many other actors. His work is masterful, yet underappreciated. While this piece focuses on his work at the turn of the Century, don’t make the assumption he has done much sense. The point is that he put some brilliant performances on at the time, and they didn’t get the appreciation they deserved. If you have a likeness or interest in film and acting, then you must check out these films and see Norton’s greatness on display.

The three films pictured above, center mostly around violence and a high degree of intensity. But as a viewer, you can’t get enough. Even if you just look at those film covers, you can infer how violence and intensity might be core themes of the films. For those who have seen these films, you may be wondering why they’re grouped together in this piece. That’s a very valid thought, as each of these films are very unique in their own right. However, my point was to take a more broad point of view. Whether it be television or films, not everyone can handle violent, intense productions. For some, it’s overwhelming and maybe even scary. But others are unphased, in fact some actively seek out films with such violence. I wouldn’t say I actively seek it out, but it also doesn’t bother me, and I think that lots of people are the same. Therefore, I wanted to focus on three films in particular, that despite being very intense and heavy with violence, are really strong films. Not to mention, each has strong casting as well. If you don’t mind violence and intensity, or seek it out, then surely you’ll enjoy these three different films. But even if you don’t like those characteristics, I invite you to at very least read this piece. I will aim to give you a better perspective as to what you can expect from each film, and who knows, you might be inclined to check one out.

Seven

Seven….phew, this film is gonna take you on a wild ride. Arguably the most intense film on the list, Seven is one of those films that you need time after to digest what you just watched. Perhaps one of the most wild endings there is to a film, Seven portrays a thrilling, disturbing, yet highly interesting film. The main plot line, is someone is going around brutally murdering individuals that represent each of the 7 deadly sins. The murders are violent, successive, and utterly disturbing. The combination of a high-energy Brad Pitt and methodical Morgan Freeman as detectives searching for the killer, is simply perfect. It’s a Yin and Yang duo that at first, has no chance of working, yet they come together on this quest. Out of all the films, this has the most visually intense and disturbing feel. Unlike the others, it has a slight undertone of being a thriller/horror film, yet as a whole, it is not. If you can’t handle gruesome stuff, then either avoid this film or watch with it someone during the day time. But I urge you to highly consider this film. Despite the intensity and disturbing nature of the film, it’s one that you can’t stop watching. Plus, if you like films with crazy endings, then you won’t get much crazier than the ending of Seven. Give it a try if you can bear it, and know that while it’s a great film, it’s about the furthest thing from being a feel good story.

No Country for Old Men

No Country for Old Men is based off of a novel, and it’s a films in which that is evident, given the depth of the film. Javier Bardem, the actor who played the villain pictured above, is absolutely terrifying in this film. I cannot stress this enough, but I don’t think I’ve ever watched a film in which someone in the film had such a strong effect on me, to the point that I hope to never see this man. He’s a great actor too, but I’ll never be able to look at him the same way. In the film, Josh Brolin plays a man who essentially finds a briefcase full of money and he keeps it, yet he quickly begins to get chased down by Mr. Bardem’s character, who is a ruthless killer. This man kills whoever he wants, whenever he wants, with absolutely no mercy. He has this way about him, where you can feel the ruthlessness in his eyes. The film is very very good and another that you can’t stop watching. Despite the prevalence of murder in the film, I wouldn’t say it’s as gruesome as Seven. The difference with Seven, is the style and undertones of the film, make it feel not real in a way, but not with this film. What’s scary about this film, is you feel like this man is actually out there. That he may walk amongst us, and that’s the terrifying part. Besides maybe taking a few moments to look around a room after you turn the lights on, this film won’t have any damaging effects on you. Just know that the killer is terrifying, but the film is extremely worth the watch and enduring his wrath.

Hell or High Water

Okay, for all of you who feel nervous and on edge after reading about these violent and disturbing films, Hell or High Water is a little bit better. Violence and a high intensity are still themes of this film, but this film isn’t as disturbing and is no way a thriller/horror film. Rather, it’s a story about two brothers who come from nothing, and basically are robbing banks in hopes of setting their families up for a long time. One brother is more desperate, while one is more violent. The violent one does things in the film that make you not want to pull for the brothers anymore, but for most part, you still do. Most people should be able to handle this film, it’s not really one that’ll give you nightmares. But it is a film that makes you think about what might drive people to do the things they do. You wonder, could I be as violent and ruthless if I had to live the same lives that they did? Obviously, I don’t think so. But it’s a film that feels very real and makes you think about yourself and even situations in our country. Most should be able to handle the violence and intensity in this film, and it’s very worth it. Out of the three films, one could very well argue that this film has the best overall plot line. It’s evident that with each film, you’re getting something different. So, if you’re someone that appreciates a stronger plot line and maybe even dislikes violence, then you should be able to enjoy this film.

V for Vendetta is a film that everyone needs to watch at least once. This is not just because it’s a great film and you’ll be highly entertained. While that may end up being the case, it’s the message and thought-provoking nature of the film that makes it a must-watch. But before I get into that stuff, it should be made clear that film itself is very good. It’s not just a boring film that only brings value in it’s message and impact on the viewer, it’s a really good watch too. As a viewer, the film keeps you highly engaged from the very beginning. It’s heavy with action throughout, but it has much more depth than just being an action film. It incorporates a lust for  romance, raw emotion, and a narrative that there is someone out there that can/does care for you, though it may feel like no one else does. While what makes this film a must-watch is the thoughts it provokes and message it delivers, the viewer will almost certainly be entertained as well. With that being said, let’s get into the backbone of this film.

This film is one of those films, where after you’re done watching, you might end up staring at a wall for the next half hour. Your mind will probably have a lot going on, and you’ll need a little bit to digest. Why is that? Well, though this film is fictional and presents a dystopian world, it really hits home. It shows us a world in which a government has a stronghold over everyone’s lives. Plagues and war nearly destroyed civilization some years prior, and the government created a new regime that centers around power and control. The people don’t push back because they’re grateful to be alive, and they feel as if there is nothing they can do. The government has so much control, that people rarely know when false narratives are being pushed, or they don’t even want to know. The film is highly political as it centers around the actions of the government, but it doesn’t need to have direct political implications regarding differing views we see currently, unless the viewer chooses to view it as such. But this world that’s presented, gets flipped upside down, and that’s where V comes in. V sees right through this government and their lies, deception, and thirst for complete power. He acts out in a way the whole country can see, whether it being through destruction or killing the most corrupt of the corrupt. There is however, a method to his madness and a reasoning for killing the people he does, but I won’t give that away. The main point of the film, is to make people question their governments. It makes you question how much power they should have. How much should we let our government into our lives? How honest do we want them to be about actions they undertake to run the country? It makes you wonder, how powerful are we? You sit there as a viewer and think, if events like what happened in the world they showed us happened here, would we fall into the same trap these citizens did? Would we even know were following into this trap? The film brings out all of these thoughts, because the reality of these events happening, aren’t that far-fetched. The film isn’t just about scaring people by thinking about all of these things. In the end, sorry for the spoil, it’s the people who prevail. The message at the end is very powerful, and is one at the heart of every revolution. That is, the power truly lies with the people. It should be mentioned, that not everyone may like this film. Some won’t be in favor of a film that might make them question our own government. That’s completely fine, my point here is not to get everyone to want to revolt against the government. My point is that the thoughts this film provokes, are thoughts everyone in any nation, democratic or not, should think of.

Beyond the thought-provoking aspect of this film, it also has powerful messages in a more general sense. Core messages and themes of this film, are about overcoming fear and societal norms. The main character V, shows us how we can be our own worst enemy, in a way. He shows that fear within us, often limits us from being our best and true selves. That sometimes in life, we need to confront our fears head-on, as confronting them is the only way we can overcome them. He shows us that by doing so, we can live a much more liberating life, in which our every action is determined not by what we fear, but rather what we want. It’s a powerful message for anyone, and one most people could benefit from. Additionally, the film also alludes to the notion of breaking free from societal norms. All the citizens in the film are conformed almost to be this single entity, but they don’t even realize it. But then V comes along, and he  brings back this sense of identity to the people. It’s not to say that our society is the same, but it addresses the notion of societal norms. There are many things we do as people, because it’s what everyone else does. Not to say that’s always wrong, but it can lead down a dangerous path. This film makes you question whether you act in the best interest of yourself and those you care about, or if you act more so in a way that society deems acceptable. The film makes you think about how fear plays a role in your life. It makes you wonder if your life is controlled by this fear of being different from society. Again, some of these thought processes aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But everyone should at least let these thoughts enter their mind, and ponder them for a bit. For some, it might do nothing. But for others, it could be an eye-opening experience, and that’s why V for Vendetta is a must-watch for everyone.

Quentin Tarantino is considered one of the best writers and directors in the film world. He’s known for a unique, unmatched style, in which he challenges the boundaries of films. Many people have seen one or a few of his films, but generally for those who are big film people, you either love or hate Tarantino. You could probably guess, that I’m personally a Tarantino fan, but this piece isn’t about me. It’s about you, the reader, and Tarantino’s films. I was thinking of a way to do a piece on some of his best films, without just a generic review or ranking. That led me to giving each film a personality trait. But why a personality trait? Well, it’s kind of up to you as the reader to decide what these traits mean to you. For those who haven’t watched any or most of his films, then this piece might give you a better direction as to which might be best for you. For those who have seen all or most of his films, this piece might tell you something about yourself. Maybe you embody one of these traits? Maybe you just like films that have a theme centered around these traits? Maybe you don’t like films with certain themes? Or maybe these do nothing at all for you. Take the following as you will, but it serves as a different way to take a brief look into each of these films and the work of Tarantino. Before getting started, a few things need to be made clear. For one, not all of his films are in here. That does not mean the other ones are not good, but rather these are the films I felt most comfortable classifying. Finally, disagreements for traits are expected, and as I’m sure fans of him can understand, it’s pretty difficult to think of one word to describe these loaded films. With that being said, let’s start with a Tarantino cornerstone: Pulp Fiction.

Pulp Fiction – Unconventional

If there was a dictionary in which words were described via films, Pulp Fiction would be under the word unconventional. Everything about this film wasn’t normal or status quo. It was out of order. It was telling several different stories all at once, yet they seemingly merge together, that is if you as the viewer can connect the dots. Violence and humor seem to be connected at the hip in this film, and it seems as if one always happens with the other. Sure this crime film, if you will, has “good” guys and “bad” guys, but in a real world setting, they’re all bad! The film is all about people who really aren’t good people, or are they? You don’t know what you feel as the viewer, but you sure as hell love them. The screenplay is different, the directing is different, the acting is different, everything is different! But that’s what makes this unconventional film a masterpiece. If you don’t like the status quo and like changes in perspective, then Pulp Fiction is for you.

Reservoir Dogs – Greedy

Yet another film that’s out of order, Reservoir Dogs is a Tarantino classic. The characteristic that defines the plotline in this film the most, is greed. The film centers around a diamond heist and the events before and after. The basic gist is that someone has flipped, and little by little, the viewer learns more as the characters seemingly fade away. This film is good for those who like stories about greed or maybe are even greedy themselves! But don’t be misled, this film has much more depth than just a typical robbery gone bad because someone wanted too much. The film is unorthodox and considered an indie classic, in which humor again is tied with violence, mystery fills the air, and the viewer is again asked to connect the dots themselves.

Hateful Eight – Mysterious

Mystery Mystery Mystery. The Hateful Eight is your ultimate “who done it” film. Every second of the film screams mystery and has you as the viewer desperate for answers. But in typical Tarantino fashion, it’s also a Western at the same time, and it’s incredibly violent. Like usual with Tarantino, you take this violence with a grain of salt, as it’s almost so ridiculous and over the top, that it becomes funny and not disturbing, in a way. If you love mystery stories, then this film is an absolute must watch for you. For those of you who are Tarantino fans that haven’t got around this film, you really should. It incorporates all the classic themes and characteristics of a typical Tarantino film, and includes some of his favorite actors/actresses as well.

Inglourious Basterds – Audacious

Audacious is defined as “showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.” Again, where’s my dictionary that uses films to describe words, because if audacious doesn’t perfectly describe what Tarantino did with Inglourious Basterds, then I don’t know what does. Tarantino decided to re-write one of the most important and impactful aspects of our world’s history: Hitler’s Nazis. Tarantino’s new version is unapologetic, gruesomely violent, yet somehow humorous, in which a band of Jewish-Americans led by a country-boy (Brad Pitt), get their revenge on the Nazis and Hitler. This is a film that takes a highly sensitive topic and spins it off in a way that leaves you shaking your head at times, but relieves shame through humor. The humor aspect is key, and makes the viewer feel better that they’re enjoying the film. It’s a film that essentially captures what many feel and wish they could do deep down, when they hear about what Hitler and the Nazis did to so many. This film is not for the sensitive type or those who get offended easily, but what Tarantino film is? If you can take the film with a grain of a salt, and can handle films that cross the hypothetical “line” quite a bit, then Inglourious Basterds is for you.

Django Unchained – Resilient

Like all Tarantino films, you can see aspects of other films made by him in Django Unchained. This film essentially serves as a marriage between the Hateful Eight and Inglourious Basterds. Django might be one of the most resilient, determined characters ever presented in a Tarantino film. Beginning the film as an enslaved African-American in the 1800’s, Django gets his freedom and finds himself working as a bounty hunter for a German, Dr. King Schultz. Schultz and Django form a partnership based off necessity and Django leads a mission to get his wife freed of enslavement. Django is one bad dude, and seemingly can’t be stopped on his quest. Django Unchained is yet another Tarantino film filled with violence and extreme profanity. Tarantino continued down his unapologetic rewriting of history with this film, and it’s a great watch for those who can appreciate it and like a story of resiliency.

Jackie Brown – Suave

Cool as the other side of the pillow baby, that’s Jackie Brown. I’m not just talking about the the main character, who’s name is Jackie Brown, but the film as a whole. This film and each of its characters center around being suave.  Jackie Brown catches herself in a tough situation when caught smuggling money, say nothing and go to jail or cooperate and fear for her life? But not worry, Jackie’s too cool to not get her way out of this debacle. However, she finds help in the most unlikely form. While Max Cherry might seem to be a bland bondsman, he matches Jackie’s suave demeanor to help get her out of this mess. One of the most underrated aspects of this film, is the role Robert De Niro plays as a supporting actor. I’m not going to spoil it, but trust me, you’ve never seen De Niro like this. Goodbye Goodfellas, Casino, and Raging Bull, Jackie Brown shows a new side of De Niro as an actor. Striking the most similarities with Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown incorporates typical Tarantino characteristics, but to less of a degree than usual. One of his most underappreciated Tarantino films, Jackie Brown is a great fit for those of you who like a cool, calm hustler, or perhaps are one yourself.

In this past year in the world of film, two very popular and successful films had similar core focuses: race relations in America. BlacKkKlansman and Green Book were both nominated for Best Picture at this years Oscars Award Ceremony, among other nominations.  While both had plots that were built around race relations in our country, the films are very different in their own right. Green Book ended up winning the Best Picture Oscar, which sparked some controversy. Obviously, no matter who wins Best Picture, there is always others trying to make an argument for the other nominees. But while the arguments are fair and possibly justified for the other films, the argument of one over the other is a different matter with BlacKkKlansman and Green Book. They both have that same focus of race relations and have other similarities, yet for the most part, they took on very different perspectives and styles on this area. Therefore, this piece is about presenting arguments for and against BlacKkKlansman winning Best Picture over Green Book. The reader should keep in mind, the point of view in this piece is a subjective one. The purpose is simply to outline what the general argument could be for and against BlacKkKlansman beating out Green Book, not to give my own social and political opinions. It’s also important to remember that both of these films were based upon true stories, which is truly remarkable. With that being said, let’s look into an argument for BlacKkKlansman winning Best Picture.

For BlacKkKlansman

Before we get into why BlacKkKlansman was a great film and why it could be argued to win over Green Book, it must be said that regardless, this film was worthy of the Best Picture nod. Like the other nominees, it truly deserved to be at very least considered, yet this isn’t always the case with some nominations. One thing going for BlacKkKlansman that Green Book didn’t have, was the style of the film. If you know Spike Lee, you know he’s no mainstream kind of guy. He’s quite a unique character, and his films reflect that. This film, like others he has done, had that indie vibe and style to it, similar almost to a Tarantino-type approach. It’s unorthodox and isn’t the kind of film you typically see performing well at the box office and at the Oscars, but BlacKkKlansman was just that good. Some may dislike this style, and that’s fair, but wouldn’t you say the Best Picture winner should be unique? Doesn’t the award go to the film that did something or a combination of things that no other film did? But besides the style, this film had lots of other things going for it. For one, it was an unbelievable story, one of those you truly have to see to believe. I mean the basic plotline is about an African-American police officer infiltrating the KKK in the 1970s…like what? Right of the bat, this film had the viewers begging for more, regardless of how well the film was actually done. It’s not surprising that the film took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. But then there’s the acting, which was damn good. Headlined by young, upincoming stars John David Washington and Adam Driver, these two brought a cool mix of humor and toughness to their characters. They fit so well with the vibe of the film, which was a serious, action-oriented film that was also laced with humor, in typical indie style. Despite all of these obvious aspects that made this film unique and deserving of Best Picture, there was also an underlying message in the film that was of equal importance to those who created it, and the audience. It was mentioned before, a core focus of this film (which is obvious given the plot), is race relations in America. Spike Lee and the other producers involved didn’t sugarcoat a damn thing about this area, and the KKK in particular. The film was extremely blunt, and unlike what we typically see in mainstream Hollywood. The ending of this film makes the motives behind the film completely clear, but I won’t spoil it. All that should be known, is this film clearly was aimed at making change socially and changing people’s perspectives. This film, unlike Green Book, didn’t end with a happy ending where all is well with race relations in this country. In fact, it alluded to just the opposite. It’s purpose was to basically say “yeah things were terrible back then, but they’re still not good.” This was a rarity for a big-time film, often we see lots of people in Hollywood who claim to be socially involved, but few who are as bold as Spike Lee to actually make a targeted film like he did. Green Book, while a great story and does have bluntness, it has the same feel-good ending we usually see in Hollywood productions. Additionally, how can any plotline top that of BlacKkKlansman’s? Green Book’s was incredible too, and we’ll get into that, but how can you beat that? You can’t. Much of these points presented are supposed to be subjective and up to the individual to decide where they lie, yes opinion creeps in, but you’ll see in the next section, it does with Green Book as well.  

Against BlacKkKlansman

To get us started on this otherside of the argument, it needs to be known that Green Book was a great film in its own right, and one I felt was still deserving of winning Best Picture. It’s more than just a feel good story, it’s a very well executed film. Starting with the plotline, though I said it loses out to BlacKkKlansman in the uniqueness aspect, it’s still a damn good story. The film is about a through-and-through Bronx, blue-collared, Italian man in the 1960s, who is tasked with driving a world-renowned, highly educated African-American musician to all of his performances. But besides the remarkable clashing of those two polar opposite characters, all of the shows he’s driving him to, are in the Deep South. The film follows the incredible journey they went on in which they become friends, learn from one another, and encounter the harsh realities of the Deep South at that point in time. It’s an incredible story with two remarkably different and unique characters. That brings us to acting, which was absolutely outstanding. I mentioned how BlacKkKlansman featured to upincoming stars who did a really good job, well Green Book featured two solidified stars who did a great job in their performances. Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali headlined the film, and did a phenomenal job. In fact, Ali took home yet another Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. While the acting was very solid in BlacKkKlansman, it didn’t really require as much range as Green Book did, and Ali and Mortensen delivered on what was needed of them. This film didn’t have the unique-feel to it like BlacKkKlansman had, but it did have a sense of legitimacy around it that BlacKkKlansman did not. A difference with the indie style versus the more mainstream, is the indie style makes so you know for a fact you’re watching a film. Often they aren’t done on true stories, and when they are, you’re not sure if you can believe what you just saw. Whereas with Green Book, it felt like you were watching something in real time, and you don’t question the reality of anything you just watched. It again remains a personal preference thing, but Green Book’s style provided more seriousness and legitimacy to the story it was attempting to tell. In regards to the social impact the film had and/or was attempting to have, they’re similarities and differences to BlacKkKlansman. It’s similar in that there was a significant degree of bluntness during the film, it didn’t shy away to show some of the vulgar actions committed by white people, they didn’t try to downplay much. It was more so the underlying tone and ending that differs between the two. BlacKkKlansman was in your face about it all the way through the end, in a way like it or not, some people may not enjoy. Green Book has a nice ending where it feels good and basically whites and blacks overcome their differences despite the environment. While this is true in the story and no way a bad thing to show, it isn’t exactly going to spark change, per say. It might however, push people to think about how bad things were back then and how that might influence the actions of individuals now. Either way, as has been stated before, it’s up to the viewer in which you prefer. Some don’t want a film that has an aim of social movement, they just want a good story, and vise versa. Regardless, both films were incredible and absolutely deserving of the high praise they’ve received.

Queen is one of the greatest musical groups of all-time, and arguably the best rock group of all-time. Not to mention, they were headlined by one of the most famous lead singers ever: Freddie Mercury. Given all of this, it’s only fitting that a biographical film on the group was a masterpiece. Bohemian Rhapsody isn’t just the name of a legendary Queen song, but it also titled a film that was released this year. There was lots and lots of hype around this film, and it did not disappoint. Of course, as with every film, there will be haters. But many had very high praise for this Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic, and so did this year’s Oscars. Bohemian Rhapsody won a total of four Oscars, including Rami Malek’s win for best actor in his role as Freddie Mercury. In fact, the only Oscar it didn’t win that it was nominated for, was best picture, which many disagreed with (as always). There were several things that made this film particularly powerful, all of which will be analyzed in further detail in the following. These core elements are Realness, Acting, and the Plot, let’s take a look.

Realness

For many reasons, this “realness” element was a key factor in the greatness of the film. So what’s meant here by realness? Realness is focusing on truthfulness and lack of over-dramatization in the film, as well as the recreation of actual performances. Often, with these kinds of biopic films, the viewer gets a lack of actual truth as to how events really transpired. The issue is that generally the studios funding the films, are more concerned with telling the best story that will perform in the box-office, not necessarily the true facts. Different people will have different interpretations on this notion, but regardless, it happens a lot. Personally, I feel that telling as close of a story to the truth in biopics is best, but sometimes the truth isn’t as good of a story as others. However, with the story of Freddie Mercury and Queen, this was not the case; the true story of Queen is a fantastic one. Most of the times, the viewer can tell if the truth is being stretched a little. In this film, you can feel the realness here. They don’t hide the unflattering details of Freddie Mercury’s life and the relationship of the Queen members. A big reason for this, is most likely that Brian May and Roger Taylor (two Queen band members), have been involved with this project since the beginning. They’ve stated how important they thought it was to portray how things really were, especially with Freddie Mercury, and their presence really shows. Another big aspect of this “realness” element of the film, was the recreation of live performances. It’s absolutely no surprise that this film took home the Oscar for best sound-editing, as it’s some of the most remarkable sound work I’ve personally ever seen done in a film. The film had many legendary Queen performances, and as a viewer, it genuinely feels like you’re watching these performances live. The best of this work is at the end of this movie, when Queen is performing in the Live Aid concert. The concert series was a world-renowned event and all-time great Queen performance. I personally believe it could be argued as one of the greatest concert scenes ever done in a film. While the realness was a key element, it only matters so much without some incredible acting.

Acting

Obviously, it’s rare that you have a great movie without some great acting. Bohemian Rhapsody is no different, except one could argue acting was even more crucial for this film. That’s not just for the obvious reasons of having to portray the unique character that was Freddie Mercury. It was also important that other band members and key characters were correctly portrayed. Part of what made Queen so great, was this combination of unique, different characters, that all seemed to work well with one another. Brian May and Roger Taylor have praised the work and dedication these actors put into portraying themselves and other members, and that it truly shows when you watch the film. Lots of times, when watching biopic films, the viewer might be watching thinking “oh, that’s not (blank)” or “that’s not what he/she is really like.” Especially if one is watching a film on a group or individual they themselves were passionate about, you can spot if the acting isn’t up to the standard of truly portraying the individual. This film has no moments like that whatsoever. All involved really bought into their characters and you feel it, better yet, they even look like them as well. It should come as no surprise, that one stands out among the others, and that’s Rami Malek. I mean he did when the Oscar for Best Actor. But regardless of the fact, there was no harder role than having to play Freddie Mercury. A big reason he and Queen reached worldwide fame, wasn’t just their incredible music, but the character and aurora that is THE Freddie Mercury. There is no one else like him, and that’s why he was a true star. So to say Rami Malek had his hands full, is an understatement. But he answered the call. His role of Freddie felt so true from the stage performances to his intimate personal interactions with others. Every year at the Oscars, the nominations for Best Actor and Actress, always includes great performances. Each nominee is always deserving of being there and of winning, and generally, just like with many other awards, there’s some controversy as to who won/should’ve won. But every so often, we have what we had this year with Rami Malek. We have a scenario in which it would be a Goddamn disgrace if this person, film, etc. didn’t win the award. He nailed a portrayal of Freddie Mercury, everyone else nominated never stood a chance, and that’s saying something, because there was some great performances. Ok, so we have a strong realness element to the film and we know the acting was incredible, but what ties it all together? The plot.

Plot

Leading up to the film’s debut, many wondered what the plot would include. Where would the story start? How would it end? What would they include and what would they leave out? There’s so much that goes into what Queen was and all the people involved, so either way, key elements to their story and members would be left out, but that’s films. Films aren’t television series, that have several seasons covering every little detail. No, they’re about telling a story that in a short time, will captivate and move an audience. Bohemian Rhapsody flows very nicely because they focus primarily on Queen in their prime years. Freddie is introduced first and after a few, short scenes, the formation of Queen begins to happen. They do a good job of covering all the key moments in their rise and height of their fame. But one of the best parts about how they chose to tell this story, was the ending. There had been lots of speculation on how the film would end, as it had been leaked it doesn’t end with the actual death of Freddie and his battle with Aids. Before seeing the film, I was bothered by this and felt it wouldn’t do Queen’s story justice. However, I was wrong. Yes, they introduced his battle with aids to the point where they showed subtle signs of sickness, until he eventually announced it to his fellow band members at the end. But the film doesn’t end with him on his deathbed, like many basic films would. It ends with a moment of glory, with Queen’s performance at Live Aid in Wembley. Arguably their greatest performance for many reasons, and on the biggest stage they would ever perform on. It was such a great way to end the film because it leaves the viewer with an outlook on Freddie’s legacy as it should be. He shouldn’t be remembered for dying of Aids, he should be remembered as one of the greatest musical performers to ever live. That’s what this film gives us at the end, and that’s what Freddie Mercury deserves.

For those of you that love sports movies, you know there is there is a lot of great football films. There’s so many good ones, that it’s kind of overwhelming. That’s why this list attempts to cutdown the bodies of work that are present, by focusing primarily on true stories. Obviously each of these films stretched the truth in some regard, but what “true-story” film doesn’t. Despite attempting to simplify this process, this was still a difficult list to rank and there are bound to be disagreements. There is no pre-set criteria for this list, it’s just based upon personal opinion and what feels right. However, I think most will find the list to be respectable, despite expected disagreements. Enough with the introduction, let’s dive into the rankings:

1 – Remember the Titans

Denzel and the young, star-studded cast of Remember the Titans come in at number 1. This one was tough because of all the competition, but at the end of the day, it seemed too hard to put another film above this one. This film has it all. It’s an incredible, heart-warming story of the power sports, and football in particular, have to bring a team and community together. This film tells the story of T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, back in 1971 when the school was forced to integrate, bringing whites and blacks to the same school. Despite the hostility and anger in the community, and initially with the team, this group of young men eventually came together and their success on the field changed the tone within the community. Denzel Washington proved why he’s one of the best in the business with this film, playing the head coach Herman Boone. The film sends a powerful message to this day and inspires the viewer to look beyond differences and be one with the community around you, a well deserved number one here.

2 – RUDY

RUDY! RUDY! RUDY! Sorry, I got a little excited there. Everytime I think of this film, I can’t help but to want to cheer for Rudy, just like everyone else. I’m sure some of you are mad at me for not putting this at number one, and I get it, I really do. Despite our differences, we can all agree that this film can be no lower than number two. Talk about inspiring, that’s RUDY. This film is about Rudy Ruettiger and his dream of playing football for Notre Dame. Rudy grew up in a small, industrial town of Illinois and dreamed his whole life of playing for Notre Dame. But Rudy was small and not recruited whatsoever, he didn’t have the academic record for Notre Dame, and everybody around him constantly told him to give up his dream. But no, not Rudy. This film follows his incredible journey of him overcoming his academic hurdle, making the team as a long-shot walk-on, and eventually dressing a game for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The film was made so well, and made sure to show all the hardship Rudy went through and how he always got back up. As one of the most inspiring films of all-time, Rudy had to be at least top two on the list.

3 – Friday Night Lights

Number three is Friday Night Lights, I’m talking about the movie here, not the TV show. This film is also just a phenomenal story. The focus here was on a high school football team in Texas and their quest for a state championship. It shows the unbelievable pressure these young kids face in Texas, especially in small towns. The film does a great job displaying the realness of not just this story, but many other communities all over Texas. Throughout the state, many low income towns have nothing but their high school football, and these kids feel that pressure and know it my be their only way out of there. Friday Night Lights is full of great action shots, arguably the best of any football movie, and it does an amazing job of portraying what high school football is like in Texas. The acting is incredible and all aspects of production were spot on to make it feel as real as possible.

4 – Brian’s Song

Brian’s Song comes in at number four and is by far the most emotional film up here so far. The film tells the amazing story of Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. The two played for the Chicago Bears in the 60s and were roommates and close friends. They both played in the backfield, which even strengthened their relationship, despite the racial divide in the country. However, Piccolo gets diagnosed with terminal cancer. The film tells the story of their unlikely bond that continued through his diagnosis. This film also shows us how powerful sports and football can be.The film is emotional and sad, but leaves you as a viewer appreciating friendship, football, and life itself.

5 – The Blind Side

Last but not least…we have The Blind Side! I’m sure that at this moment, you may be rejoicing or cursing, but The Blind Side remains at 5. The film is a heart-warming journey that inspires you to help those in need. The film tells the story of Michael Oher, and the family that changed his life: The Tuohy’s. Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy lived well off lives with their two children in Tennessee. Michael Oher was a high school kid with nowhere to live and was out on his own. He grew up bouncing around foster care and experiencing things a child never should. But one day, the Tuohy’s took him in after seeing him on the side of the street after a sporting event, then the rest is history. Upon learning of his situation, they provided food, clothing, shelter, school, and eventually football for Michael. He was a massive guy, that everyone naturally assumed played football. But given his upbringing, he never did. The film tells the story of Michael and the Tuohys, his journey with football, and how he ended up being a first-round NFL draft pick. The Blind Side is a feel good movie that displays the power of community and helping others, as well as the power of sports to bring new opportunities in life.

Honorable Mention

Undefeated – The Oscar-winning documentary deserves to be mentioned, only missing the list because it was a documentary. An inspirational story of football helping kids find meaning in their lives and pushing them out of poverty.

We Are Marshall – Another great film that just missed the cut. We Are Marshall tells the seldom talked about story of tragedy when nearly the entire Marshall University football team and staff died in a plane crash, but built themselves backup with the help from the community and a courageous coach.

Invincible –Essentially the NFL version of RUDY, Invincible tells the story of Vince Papale and his journey to go from an ordinary guy to a player for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sorry to Gridiron Gang, Radio, and The Express, all incredible movies and favorites are mine, but you just missed the cut.