440 JFK (1991 / Oliver Stone)
Stone has been an erratic film maker, but he has made 2 great biopics of American presidents. This one is awash with conspiracy theories regarding Kennedy’s death, most of which don’t hold up to much scrutiny, but they are presented in such a bravura, breathless style that you won’t mind whilst watching it.
439 The Killing Fields (1984 / Roland Joffe)
Award laden at the time, this film doesn’t get that much attention these days. However, the story of a photographer uncovering genocide in Pol Pot’s Cambodia still delivers an emotional punch. Featuring career best performances from Sam Waterston and John Malkovich.
438 The Bourne Supremacy (2004 / Paul Greengrass)
The original trilogy of Bourne films breathed new life into the action genre. Surprising as they are based on old fashioned thriller novels, and also because each one is better than it’s predecessor. This, the second in the series, was the first directed by Greengrass who brought the same kinetic style as he used in United ’93 .
437 Tampopo (1985 / Juzo Itami)
One of a number of great foreign language films centred on food that were released in the 80s and 90s (see also Babette’s Feast and Eat, Drink, Man, Woman), Tampopo is a touching, multi layered story of a trucker helping a family set up a noodle restaurant. Other food and love related plots feature in this warm movie.
436 Tony Rome (1967 / Gordon Douglas)
Frank Sinatra’s film career is, these days, overshadowed by his musical legacy. But often back in the 50s and 60s it was his film career that was more successful than his musical one. This movie appeared late in that period, cashing in on the revived fashion for private eye movies. Sinatra is arguably a little too old for the role and it has some questionable social attitudes, but it is also cool, funny and has a cracking pace. The sequel, Lady in Cement is also recommended.
435 Z (1969 / Costa-Gavras)
A typically political movie from Gavras. Based on a true story, the death of an activist in Greece is investigated by one man who uncovers a government conspiracy. Hugely controversial at the time of its release, Yves Montand the lead actor was only allowed into the US in the custody of the FBI and there were stories of cinema audience members being followed and investigated. Multiple Oscar nominations and a win for best foreign language film helped bring this to a wider audience.
434 Fort Apache, The Bronx (1991 / Daniel Petrie)
1981 saw a move towards presenting more realistic police procedure on the big screen and small. Hill Street Blues started on American TV, and this movie, as well as Sidney Lumet’s Prince of the City were released at the cinema. Presenting New York of the 80s in all its faded glory, the co-operation of ex New York cops in the making of the movie make this feel totally real. It was also boosted by excellent performances from Paul Newman and Ed Asner.
433 Helldrivers (1957 / Cy Endfield)
A staple of daytime TV for many years, it is easy to neglect the place this film should take in the history of British social realism on screen, alongside the more celebrated kitchen sink dramas. This gritty drama of a truck driver trying to expose his crooked bosses is clearly influenced by American pictures Thieves Highway and They Drive by Night. it is, nonetheless, a definitive British look at life in the 1950s and features a dream cast (Gordon Jackson, Sid James, Alfie Bass, Sean Connery, Herbert Lom, William Hartnell) supporting the great Stanley Baker.
432 Jesus of Montreal (1989 / Denys Arcand)
Inventive retelling of the life of Christ, involving a bunch of actors putting on a passion play, who find parallels with their own lives. Engrossing and intelligent, you don’t have to be religious to appreciate this film.
431 Carlito’s Way (1993 / Brian De Palma)
Much less well known but much better than the previous Dr Palma and Pacino collaboration, Scarface. Pacino plays a drug lord released from prison and trying to go straight. Pacino is at the top of his game, De Palma displays his visual flair and Sean Penn is great in a supporting role.
430 Roger and Me (1989 / Michael Moore)
Moore has made his reputation as a provocative documentarian. Fahrenheit 911 was close to making this list and Bowling for Columbine, Capitalism a Love Story and Sicko are all recommended too. This is his debut film, and his most straightforward as he tries to track down General Motors CEO, Roger Smith, to question him about the damage he did to Moore’s home town when he closed a factory there.
429 Carry on Cruising (1962 / Gerald Thomas)
I make no excuses for loving nearly all of the carry on films from their black and white cosy comedy beginnings through the period comedies and to the raunchier style of the 70s. Cabby, Screaming, Spying and Girls all came close to making the top 500, but this is the first of 2 entries. Less heralded than many others this is a hilarious romp and although admittedly missing some regulars, it has one of the best scripts of the series.
428 One Eyed Jacks (1961 / Marlon Brando)
Marlon Brando’s only directorial effort. This is a messy, sprawling western, with Brando starring as a bank robber seeking revenge after being double crossed by his partner, an outstanding Karl Malden. Brando delivered a 5 hour cut to the studio after running over time and over budget. The studio reduced the length by over a half and Brando was not given the chance to direct again.
427 All About Eve (1950 / Joseph l Manciewicz)
Best picture Oscar winner in 1950, and starring Bette Davis in her best screen role of an ageing actress being befriended by a young seemingly naive rising star. George Sanders also excels as the critic who sees through the newcomer. If you do watch this one, remember to fasten your seat-belt as it is going to be a bumpy ride!
426 Distant Voices, Still Lives (1988 / Terence Davies)
Stunning autobiographical drama from Davies, set in Liverpool in the 1940s and 50s. With its carefully composed frames and judicious use of music this is no straightforward family drama, though the story elements featuring funerals, weddings and children trying to fit in may make it seem so.
425 Bend of the River (1952 / Anthony Mann)
No list would be complete without at least one Anthony Mann / James Stewart western. The plot of crosses and double crosses whilst a man tries to guide a wagon train to safety is not original, but Stewart is no clean cut hero, and the supporting cast including Rock Hudson and Arthur Kennedy are also very good. It also features some stunning cinematography by Irving Glassberg.
424 Portraits Chinois (1996 / Martine Dugowson)
Dugowson does a tremendous job of pulling together multiple storylines in this smart French drama. The ensemble cast are all good with the stand out being Romane Bohringer, a terrific actress who put in a series of great performances between 1992 and 1996 but has been little seen outside of France after that.
423 Ae Fond Kiss (2004 / Ken Loach)
Approaching his sixties at the time, Loach was in a particularly creative point of his career by the middle of the last decade, producing a brilliant film every couple of years or so. This, a collaboration with his frequent screenwriter Paul Laverty, is an interracial love story set in Glasgow. As usual, Loach extracts great performances from an inexperienced cast, and the script is raw and emotive.
422 Road to Morocco (1942 / David Butler)
Bob Hope and Bing Crosby made 7 “Road To” movies, all of which are highly enjoyable. The final one, “Hong Kong” is the weakest, but this one just beats out “Utopia” and “Zanzibar” to the top 500. Not all of the topical references will be recognisable to today’s audiences, but the zany style with much improvised dialogue still seems fresh.
421 She’s the One (1996 / Edward Burns)
Ed Burns is a neglected talent in America. After low budget success with Brothers McMullen he was able to make a few higher profile movies, before he again had to return to making ultra low budget films, most of which don’t get distributed at cinemas. This is his most commercial work with big stars (Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz) and superficially a straightforward rom-com plot. However, this is much more subtle and cleverly plotted than the norm in that genre.
