Top10nerScore80.792 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Stanley Donen
WRITERS: Marc Behm, Peter Stone
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Charles Lang
STARRING: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn
GENRE: Thriller, Mystery, Romantic Comedy, Whodunit
After Regina Lampert falls for the dashing Peter Joshua on a skiing holiday in the French Alps, she discovers upon her return to Paris that her husband has been murdered. Soon, she and Peter are giving chase to three of her late husband’s World War II cronies, Tex, Scobie and Gideon, who are after a quarter of a million dollars the quartet stole while behind enemy lines. But why does Peter keep changing his name?
Charade is a suspenseful delight, expertly crafted by Donen. Hepburn and Grant’s chemistry, combined with witty writing and Hitchcockian elements, result in a timeless thriller set against a memorable Parisian backdrop, making it an enduring favorite among film enthusiasts.
Top10nerScore81.063 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Georges Franju
WRITERS: Pierre Boileau, Thomas Narcejac, Claude Sautet, Jean Redon, Pierre Gascar
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Eugen Schüfftan
STARRING: Pierre Brasseur, Alida Valli, Édith Scob, Juliette Mayniel
GENRE: Psychological Horror
Dr. Génessier is riddled with guilt after an accident that he caused disfigures the face of his daughter, the once beautiful Christiane, who outsiders believe is dead. Dr. Génessier, along with accomplice and laboratory assistant Louise, kidnaps young women and brings them to the Génessier mansion. After rendering his victims unconscious, Dr. Génessier removes their faces and attempts to graft them on to Christiane’s.
Eyes Without a Face is a hauntingly atmospheric and beautifully composed exploration of identity and sacrifice. Its pioneering surgical scenes remain chillingly effective, while the film’s influence on the horror genre endures, proving its timeless resonance.
Top10nerScore81.225 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Michelangelo Antonioni
WRITERS: Michelangelo Antonioni, Tonino Guerra
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Carlo Di Palma
STARRING: Monica Vitti, Richard Harris, Carlo Chionetti
GENRE: Psychological Drama
Amid the modern wastelands and toxic factories of Italy, wife and mother Giuliana desperately tries to conceal her tenuous grip on reality from those around her, especially her successful yet neglectful husband, Ugo. Ugo’s old pal, Corrado, shows up in town on a business trip and is more sensitive to Giuliana’s anxieties. They begin an affair, but it does little to quell Giuliana’s existential fears, and her mental state rapidly deteriorates.
Red Desert is an ambitious exploration of existential angst, marked by Antonioni’s striking visuals and Monica Vitti’s captivating performance. The film delves deep into the alienation of the modern world with a keen eye for industrial landscapes and human emotions.
Top10nerScore81.258 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: František Vláčil
WRITERS: František Pavlíček, František Vláčil
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Bedřich Baťka
STARRING: Magda Vášáryová, Josef Kemr, Nada Hejna, František Velecký, Jaroslav Moučka
GENRE: Period Drama, Medieval, Epic
Mikolás and his brother Adam end up with a young German hostage of noble blood during a robbery. While their clan prepares for the wrath of the German king, Mikolás is sent to pressure his neighbor Lazar into a defense pact. Persuasion fails and he abducts Lazar’s daughter Marketa on the eve of her initiation as a nun in an act of vengeance.
In an arresting blend of medieval epic and poetic realism, Marketa Lazarová captivates with its raw beauty and haunting narrative. Vláčil’s masterful direction and stunning cinematography paint a mesmerizing portrait of love and strife. An unparalleled cinematic achievement.
Top10nerScore81.790 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Michael Powell
WRITERS: Leo Marks
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Otto Heller
STARRING: Karlheinz Böhm, Moira Shearer, Anna Massey, Maxine Audley
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, Psychological Horror
Loner Mark Lewis works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he’s making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen, the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making.
Peeping Tom is a pioneering psychological thriller, lauded for its creative camera-work and daring exploration of voyeurism. Powell’s bold vision challenges societal norms, provoking introspection while delivering a gripping narrative. Critics applaud its lasting impact on the genre.
Top10nerScore81.807 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Sergei Parajanov
WRITERS: Sergei Parajanov, Sayat Nova
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Suren Shakhbazyan
STARRING: Sofiko Chiaureli, Vilen Galstyan, Melkon Alekyan, Giorgi Gegechkori
GENRE: Experimental, Biopic, Surrealism
The life of the revered 18th-century Armenian poet and musician Sayat-Nova. Portraying events in the life of the artist from childhood up to his death, the movie addresses in particular his relationships with women, including his muse. The production tells Sayat-Nova’s dramatic story by using both his poems and largely still camerawork, creating a work hailed as revolutionary by Mikhail Vartanov.
The Color of Pomegranates is a visually arresting cinematic tapestry that intricately weaves together the life and culture of the enigmatic Armenian poet Sayat-Nova. Parajanov’s meticulous attention to historical detail and symbolic imagery creates a mesmerizing and immersive experience.
Top10nerScore81.818 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Michelangelo Antonioni
WRITERS: Michelangelo Antonioni, Tonino Guerra, Edward Bond
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Carlo Di Palma
STARRING: David Hemmings, Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles
GENRE: Mystery, Drama
A successful mod photographer in London whose world is bounded by fashion, pop music, marijuana, and easy sex, feels his life is boring and despairing. But in the course of a single day he unknowingly captures a death on film.
Blow-Up’s enigmatic narrative mirrors its protagonist’s quest for truth. Antonioni’s visual poetry captures the essence of ’60s counterculture, challenging audiences to unravel its mysteries. A captivating blend of style and substance, it remains an enduring enigma of cinema.
Top10nerScore81.821 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Robert Aldrich
WRITERS: Robert Altman, Lukas Heller
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ernest Haller
STARRING: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono, Maidie Norman
GENRE: Psychological Thriller
Two aging film actresses live as virtual recluses in an old Hollywood mansion. Jane Hudson, a successful child star, cares for her crippled sister Blanche, whose career in later years eclipsed that of Jane. Now the two live together, their relationship affected by simmering subconscious thoughts of mutual envy, hate and revenge.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? captivates with its haunting performances from Hollywood legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, weaving a chilling tale of sibling rivalry and psychological suspense. Its enduring influence on the thriller genre remains unmatched.
Top10nerScore81.969 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Masaki Kobayashi
WRITERS: Yoko Mizuki
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yoshio Miyajima
STARRING: Tatsuya Nakadai, Rentaro Mikuni, Tetsuro Tamba, Keiko Kishi, Takashi Shimura, Michiyo Aratama
GENRE: Anthology Film, Kaidan, Supernatural Horror
Taking its title from an archaic Japanese word meaning “ghost story,” this anthology adapts four folk tales. A penniless samurai marries for money with tragic results. A man stranded in a blizzard is saved by Yuki the Snow Maiden, but his rescue comes at a cost. Blind musician Hoichi is forced to perform for an audience of ghosts. An author relates the story of a samurai who sees another warrior’s reflection in his teacup.
With Kwaidan, Masaki Kobayashi transports viewers to a mesmerizing realm where folklore comes to life. Through stunning visuals and haunting narratives, this cinematic odyssey captivates with its eerie beauty and profound exploration of the human spirit.
Top10nerScore82.016 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski
WRITERS: Gérard Brach, Roman Polanski
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gilbert Taylor
STARRING: Catherine Deneuve, Ian Hendry, Yvonne Furneaux, John Fraser, Yvonne Furneaux
GENRE: Psychological Horror, Psychological Thriller
In Roman Polanski’s first English-language film, beautiful young manicurist Carole suffers from androphobia (the pathological fear of interaction with men). When her sister and roommate, Helen, leaves their London flat to go on an Italian holiday with her married boyfriend, Carole withdraws into her apartment. She begins to experience frightful hallucinations, her fear gradually mutating into madness.
Repulsion masterfully explores the disintegration of the mind through Deneuve’s haunting performance. Taylor’s innovative visuals enhance the psychological horror, creating an enduring classic that delves into the unsettling depths of isolation and mental unraveling.
Top10nerScore82.021 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Arthur Penn
WRITERS: David Newman, Robert Benton
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Burnett Guffey
STARRING: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard, Gene Hackman, Estelle Parsons
GENRE: Biopic, New Hollywood, Crime, Road Movie, Romance
In the 1930s, bored waitress Bonnie Parker falls in love with an ex-con named Clyde Barrow and together they start a violent crime spree through the country, stealing cars and robbing banks.
A cinematic revolution, Bonnie and Clyde redefined crime drama with its bold storytelling, electrifying performances, and visceral direction. Dunaway and Beatty’s chemistry captivates, while its raw, unapologetic portrayal of violence left a lasting impact on Hollywood.
Top10nerScore82.154 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Ingmar Bergman
WRITERS: Ingmar Bergman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sven Nykvist
STARRING: Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Björnstrand, Max von Sydow, Lars Passgård
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Family Drama
Karin hopes to recover from her recent stay at a mental hospital by spending the summer at her family’s cottage on a tiny island. Her husband, Martin, cares for her but is frustrated by her physical withdrawal. Her younger brother, Minus, is confused by Karin’s vulnerability and his own budding sexuality. Their father, David, cannot overcome his haughty remoteness. Beset by visions, Karin descends further into madness.
Through a Glass Darkly strikingly explores familial dynamics amidst mental illness. With haunting cinematography and intense performances, the film adeptly delves into relationships, earning acclaim for profound psychological insights and innovative narrative in the early 1960s.
Top10nerScore82.253 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Jean-Luc Godard
WRITERS: Jean-Luc Godard
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Raoul Coutard
STARRING: Brigitte Bardot, Michel Piccoli, Jack Palance, Giorgia Moll, Fritz Lang
GENRE: French New Wave, Drama, Postmodernism
A philistine in the art film business, Jeremy Prokosch is a producer unhappy with the work of his director. Prokosch has hired Fritz Lang (as himself) to direct an adaptation of “The Odyssey,” but when it seems that the legendary filmmaker is making a picture destined to bomb at the box office, he brings in a screenwriter to energize the script. The professional intersects with the personal when a rift develops between the writer and his wife.
Contempt is lauded for its innovative narrative structure and powerful examination of existential themes. The film’s bold visual style, coupled with Bardot’s compelling performance, creates an indelible cinematic experience that transcends conventional storytelling boundaries.
Top10nerScore82.268 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Ingmar Bergman
WRITERS: Ulla Isaksson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sven Nykvist
STARRING: Max von Sydow, Birgitta Valberg, Birgitta Pettersson, Gunnel Lindblom
GENRE: Period Drama, Medieval
Devout Christians Töre and Märeta send their only daughter, the virginal Karin, and their foster daughter, the unrepentant Ingeri, to deliver candles to a distant church. On their way through the woods, the girls encounter a group of savage goat herders who brutally rape and murder Karin as Ingeri remains hidden. When the killers unwittingly seek refuge in the farmhouse of Töre and Märeta, Töre plots a fitting revenge.
The Virgin Spring is a haunting exploration of morality and vengeance in medieval Sweden. Nykvist’s visually striking work complements Bergman’s profound storytelling, crafting an unforgettable narrative that delves into the complexities of human nature with gripping intensity.
Top10nerScore82.382 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Michelangelo Antonioni
WRITERS: Michelangelo Antonioni, Tonino Guerra, Elio Bartolini, Ottiero Ottieri
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gianni Di Venanzo
STARRING: Alain Delon, Monica Vitti, Francisco Rabal
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Romance
This romantic drama by Michelangelo Antonioni follows the love life of Vittoria, a beautiful literary translator living in Rome. After splitting from her writer boyfriend, Riccardo, Vittoria meets Piero, a lively stockbroker, on the hectic floor of the Roman stock exchange. Though Vittoria and Piero begin a relationship, it is not one without difficulties, and their commitment to one another is tested during an eclipse.
In Antonioni’s L’Eclisse, every frame is a poetic revelation, capturing the ennui of modern life with breathtaking elegance. Its haunting visuals and introspective narrative linger, offering a profound meditation on human connection and disconnection. A cinematic triumph of existential cinema.
Top10nerScore82.425 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Éric Rohmer
WRITERS: Éric Rohmer
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Néstor Almendros
STARRING: Jean-Louis Trintignant, Françoise Fabian, Marie-Christine Barrault, Antoine Vitez
GENRE: French New Wave, Drama, Romance
The rigid principles of a devout Catholic man are challenged during a one-night stay with Maud, a divorced woman with an outsize personality.
My Night at Maud’s is a cinematic triumph, seamlessly blending Rohmer’s astute direction with Trintignant’s nuanced performance. The film explores complex moral dilemmas with sophistication, offering a profound meditation on love, philosophy, and human nature.
Top10nerScore82.450 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Jack Clayton
WRITERS: Truman Capote, William Archibald
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Freddie Francis
STARRING: Deborah Kerr, Martin Stephens, Pamela Franklin, Peter Wyngarde, Megs Jenkins, Michael Redgrave
GENRE: Haunted House, Gothic Horror, Psychological Horror, Mystery
A young governess for two children becomes convinced that the house and grounds are haunted.
The Innocents captivates with its haunting atmosphere and impeccable cinematography, seamlessly adapting Henry James’ ‘The Turn of the Screw’. Clayton skillfully crafts a psychological horror that lingers, fueled by Kerr’s nuanced performance and a chillingly effective score.
Top10nerScore82.574 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Luis Buñuel
WRITERS: Luis Buñuel, Jean-Claude Carrière
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sacha Vierny
STARRING: Catherine Deneuve, Jean Sorel, Michel Piccoli, Geneviève Page, Pierre Clémenti
GENRE: Drama
Beautiful young housewife Séverine Serizy cannot reconcile her masochistic fantasies with her everyday life alongside dutiful husband Pierre. When her lovestruck friend Henri mentions a secretive high-class brothel run by Madame Anais, Séverine begins to work there during the day under the name Belle de Jour. But when one of her clients grows possessive, she must try to go back to her normal life.
Ingeniously crafted, Belle de Jour tantalizes with its enigmatic storytelling and Catherine Deneuve’s captivating performance. Buñuel’s deft exploration of desire and societal constraints leaves an enduring impression, marking it as a quintessential piece of cinematic intrigue.
Top10nerScore82.767 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Toshio Matsumoto
WRITERS: Toshio Matsumoto
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tatsuo Suzuki
STARRING: Shinnosuke Ikehata, Yoshio Tsuchiya, Osamu Ogasawara, Toyosaburo Uchiyama
GENRE: Japanese New Wave, Psychological Drama, Queer Cinema, LGBTQ+, Postmodernism
In 1960s Tokyo, Gonda owns a bar in which the gay, cross-dresser, and trans scenes meet. Gonda is in a relationship with the madam of the bar, Leda. As the younger Eddie starts a passionate affair with Gonda, she ignites the jealousy of Leda, unaware of another kind of history between them.
Funeral Parade of Roses deftly navigates avant-garde cinema, melding together documentary elements and experimental narrative. Matsumoto’s innovative visuals and societal commentary reveal a deep grasp of the era, making it a groundbreaking exploration of identity and rebellion.
Top10nerScore83.102 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Yasujirō Ozu
WRITERS: Yasujirō Ozu, Kōgo Noda
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yûharu Atsuta
STARRING: Chishu Ryu, Shima Iwashita, Keiji Sada, Mariko Okada
GENRE: Drama, Family Drama, Shōshimin-eiga
Shuhei Hirayama is a widower with a 24-year-old daughter. Gradually, he comes to realize that she should not be obliged to look after him for the rest of his life, so he arranges a marriage for her.
An Autumn Afternoon stands as a poignant reflection on societal changes in post-war Japan. Through meticulous framing and subdued performances, Ozu crafts a bittersweet meditation on familial bonds and cultural shifts, cementing its status as a classic in Japanese cinema.
Top10nerScore83.234 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Akira Kurosawa
WRITERS: Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Ryūzō Kikushima, Masato Ide
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Asakazu Nakai, Takao Saitō
STARRING: Toshiro Mifune, Yuzo Kayama, Reiko Dan, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Kyoko Kagawa, Miyuki Kuwano
GENRE: Jidaigeki
Aspiring to an easy job as personal physician to a wealthy family, Noboru Yasumoto is disappointed when his first post after medical school takes him to a small country clinic under the gruff doctor Red Beard. Yasumoto rebels in numerous ways, but Red Beard proves a wise and patient teacher. He gradually introduces his student to the unglamorous side of the profession, ultimately assigning him to care for a prostitute rescued from a local brothel.
Red Beard garners acclaim for its profound exploration of compassion and social injustice, brilliantly brought to life by Kurosawa’s expertise and Toshiro Mifune’s captivating performance. Its timeless themes resonate deeply, making it a quintessential classic of cinema.
Top10nerScore83.417 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: François Truffaut
WRITERS: François Truffaut, Jean Gruault, Henri-Pierre Roché
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Raoul Coutard
STARRING: Jeanne Moreau, Oskar Werner, Henri Serre, Vanna Urbino, Marie Dubois
GENRE: French New Wave, Drama, Romance
In the carefree days before World War I, introverted Austrian author Jules strikes up a friendship with the exuberant Frenchman Jim and both men fall for the impulsive and beautiful Catherine.
With its innovative narrative style and emotionally resonant performances, Jules and Jim is a timeless exploration of love, friendship, and the complexities of human relationships. Truffaut’s direction captures the essence of youthful exuberance and heartache
Top10nerScore83.804 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Robert Rossen
WRITERS: Robert Rossen, Sidney Carroll
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Eugen Schüfftan
STARRING: Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, Piper Laurie, George C. Scott
GENRE: Drama, Sports
Fast Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary Minnesota Fats to a high-stakes match.
The Hustler is a gripping tale of ambition and integrity, marked by powerful performances and intense drama. Rossen’s direction, coupled with Newman’s charismatic portrayal, crafts a compelling exploration of the human spirit and the high stakes of the pool hall world.
Top10nerScore83.833 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Ken Loach
WRITERS: Ken Loach, Tony Garnett, Barry Hines
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Chris Menges
STARRING: David Bradley, Brian Glover, Colin Welland, Lynne Perrie
GENRE: Coming-of-Age, Drama, British New Wave
A young, English working-class boy spends his free time caring for and training his pet falcon.
Kes is an exemplary work of British social realism, skillfully capturing the struggles of a working-class youth. Loach’s keen observation and Garnett’s authentic adaptation of Hines’s novel result in a poignant and resonant portrayal of societal challenges during the late 1960s.
Top10nerScore83.873 / 100
p>DIRECTOR: Jacques Demy
WRITERS: Jacques Demy
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ghislain Cloquet
STARRING: Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Gene Kelly, Jacques Perrin, Danielle Darrieux, Michel Piccoli, George Chakiris, Grover Dale
GENRE: Musical, Romance, Comedy
Delphine and Solange are two sisters living in Rochefort. They are both looking for love, without being aware that their ideal partner is very close…
The Young Girls of Rochefort dazzles with its vibrant colors, catchy music, and exuberant performances. Demy’s direction infuses the film with a sense of joy and romance, creating a whimsical world where love and dreams intertwine amidst the picturesque backdrop of Rochefort.