‘METROPOLIS’ (1927)
This visionary silent classic has influenced tons of sci-fi films (as well as Madonna’s “Express Yourself” video, which was directed by David Fincher.)
‘SUNSET BLVD.’ (1950)
Billy Wilder’s brilliant and bleak film, about the dark side of the Hollywood dream, ends with this famous last line as the leading lady descends into madness: “Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my closeup.”
‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’ (1962)
A landmark American film that’s still enthralling, more than 50 years later. Gregory Peck won a Best Actor Oscar for his career-defining performance as noble lawyer Atticus Finch, who defends a black man (Brock Peters) unjustly accused of rape.
‘THE GODFATHER’ (1972)
Francis Ford Coppola’s mob masterpiece swept the Oscars with Best Picture, Best Director and (of course) Best Actor for Marlon Brando as Don Corleone.
‘THE GODFATHER, PART II’ (1974)
One of the rare sequels that’s as good (or arguably better) than the first film. We meet young Don Corleone (Robert De Niro, who won an Oscar for his performance) and watch as an increasingly cold-hearted Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) deals with a traitor in his own family.
‘JAWS’ (1975)
Steven Spielberg’s nail-biting thriller makes all other man vs. nature movies look like chum.
‘PEE-WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE’ (1985)
Pee-wee (Paul Reubens) goes on an epic quest to find his stolen bike in this classic comedy, which marks the feature debut of director Tim Burton.
‘FULL METAL JACKET’ (1987)
You say you’ve never seen Stanley Kubrick’s in-your-face, highly quotable Vietnam war drama: What is your major malfunction? It’s damn good, if disturbing, cinema.
‘THE THIN BLUE LINE’ (1988)
Long before true-crime series like “Making a Murderer” and “Serial,” this dazzling documentary by Errol Morris examined the case of a convicted cop killer — and proved his innocence. It’s a landmark of documentary filmmaking.
‘DEAD POETS SOCIETY’ (1989)
If you’ve never seen this classic in which Robin Williams plays a life-changing English teacher, well, carpe diem. Just have a big box of tissues handy.
‘HOWARDS END’ (1992)
This essential Oscar-winning Merchant-Ivory film follows two sisters (Helena Bonham Carter and Emma Thompson) who fall for two men from very different classes… with tragic results.
