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Top10nerScore86.644 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
WRITERS: Rainer Werner Fassbinder
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jürgen Jürges
STARRING: Brigitte Mira, El Hedi ben Salem, Barbara Valentin, Irm Hermann, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Karl Scheydt
GENRE: Romance, New German Cinema, Melodrama
Emmi Kurowski, a cleaning lady, is lonely in her old age. Her husband died years ago, and her grown children offer little companionship. One night she goes to a bar frequented by Arab immigrants and strikes up a friendship with middle-aged mechanic Ali. Their relationship soon develops into something more, and Emmi’s family and neighbors criticize their spontaneous marriage. Soon Emmi and Ali are forced to confront their own insecurities about their future.
Ali: Fear Eats the Soul is a poignant exploration of societal prejudices through an unlikely love story. With exquisite visuals, profound character development, and a nuanced examination of post-war Germany, it stands as a compelling and socially relevant cinematic achievement.
Top10nerScore87.183 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Chantal Akerman
WRITERS: Chantal Akerman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Babette Mangolte
STARRING: Delphine Seyrig
GENRE: Slow Cinema, Drama, Slice of Life
A lonely widowed housewife does her daily chores, takes care of her apartment where she lives with her teenage son, and turns the occasional trick to make ends meet. Slowly, her ritualized daily routines begin to fall apart.
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles has captivated cinephiles with its precise long takes and deliberate pacing, offering a thought-provoking exploration of domesticity that challenges traditional cinematic norms, marking it as an avant-garde triumph.
Top10nerScore87.241 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Sidney Lumet
WRITERS: Paddy Chayefsky
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Owen Roizman
STARRING: Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy, Beatrice Straight
GENRE: Satire, Drama, New Hollywood, Black Comedy
When veteran anchorman Howard Beale is forced to retire his 25-year post because of his age, he announces to viewers that he will kill himself during his farewell broadcast. Network executives rethink their decision when his fanatical tirade results in a spike in ratings.
Network is an electrifying social commentary that remains eerily prescient. Chayefsky’s incisive screenplay, Lumet’s dynamic direction, and a stellar ensemble, notably Finch and Dunaway, converge to create a riveting exploration of media manipulation and societal disillusionment.
Top10nerScore87.293 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Ingmar Bergman
WRITERS: Ingmar Bergman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sven Nykvist
STARRING: Liv Ullmann, Erland Josephson, Bibi Andersson
GENRE: Romance, Family Drama, Drama, Chamber Film
Johan and Marianne are married and seem to have it all. Their happiness, however, is a façade for a troubled relationship, which becomes even rockier when Johan admits that he’s having an affair. Before long, the spouses separate and move towards finalizing their divorce, but they make attempts at reconciling. Even as they pursue other relationships, Johan and Marianne realize that they have a significant bond, but also many issues that hinder that connection.
Scenes from a Marriage captivates with its raw intimacy and profound exploration of human relationships. Through remarkable performances and evocative direction, Bergman crafts an emotionally resonant masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences decades later.
Top10nerScore87.535 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Francis Ford Coppola
WRITERS: Francis Ford Coppola
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Bill Butler, Haskell Wexler
STARRING: Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Cindy Williams, Frederic Forrest
GENRE: Psychological Thriller, New Hollywood, Mystery, Drama
Surveillance expert Harry Caul is hired by a mysterious client’s brusque aide to tail a young couple. Tracking the pair through San Francisco’s Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple are in danger.
The Conversation masterfully navigates the complexities of surveillance and morality, showcasing Coppola’s prowess. Hackman’s mesmerizing performance captures the tension and ethical dilemmas with subtlety, while the intricate plot keeps audiences engaged from start to finish.
Top10nerScore87.924 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Werner Herzog
WRITERS: Werner Herzog
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Thomas Mauch
STARRING: Klaus Kinski, Helena Rojo, Del Negro, Ruy Guerra
GENRE: Period Drama, Adventure, New German Cinema
A few decades after the destruction of the Inca empire, a Spanish expedition leaves the mountains of Peru and goes down the Amazon river in search of gold and wealth. Soon, they come across great difficulties and Don Aguirre, a ruthless man who cares only about riches, becomes their leader. But will his quest lead them to “the golden city”, or to certain destruction?
Aguirre, the Wrath of God is an arresting cinematic journey, navigating the tumultuous depths of ambition and madness. Its haunting imagery and Kinski’s unrelentless performance captivate, crafting an enduring exploration of human obsession and the unforgiving power of nature.
Top10nerScore87.955 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Sidney Lumet
WRITERS: Frank Pierson
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Victor J. Kemper
STARRING: Al Pacino, John Cazale, Charles Durning, Chris Sarandon
GENRE: Heist Film, Drama, New Hollywood, Biopic, Satire
Based on the true story of would-be Brooklyn bank robbers John Wojtowicz and Salvatore Naturale. Sonny and Sal attempt a bank heist which quickly turns sour and escalates into a hostage situation and stand-off with the police. As Sonny’s motives for the robbery are slowly revealed and things become more complicated, the heist turns into a media circus.
Distinguished by Sidney Lumet’s dynamic command and Al Pacino’s tour-de-force performance, Dog Day Afternoon captivates with its gripping portrayal of a real-life bank heist, skillfully blending suspense, social commentary, and a nuanced exploration of complex characters.
Top10nerScore87.957 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Michael Cimino
WRITERS: Deric Washburn, Michael Cimino
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Vilmos Zsigmond
STARRING: Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken, Meryl Streep, John Savage, John Cazale, George Dzundza
GENRE: War, Drama, New Hollywood
A group of working-class friends decides to enlist in the Army during the Vietnam War and finds it to be hellish chaos – not the noble venture they imagined. Before they left, Steven married his pregnant girlfriend – and Michael and Nick were in love with the same woman. But all three are different men upon their return.
The Deer Hunter captivates with its raw portrayal of human resilience amid the brutality of war. Its poignant narrative unfolds with haunting authenticity, drawing audiences into a profound exploration of friendship, sacrifice, and the enduring power of hope.
Top10nerScore88.111 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones
WRITERS: Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Thomas Malory
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Terry Bedford
STARRING: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
GENRE: Absurdist Comedy, Adventure, Parody, Medieval
King Arthur journeys across England assembling the Knights of the Round Table. When God instructs them to seek the Holy Grail, they are led on a series of surreal and comical quests.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail delights with its irreverent humor and genius satire. Its comedic brilliance knows no bounds as it ingeniously parodies the Arthurian legend, leaving audiences in stitches while offering clever insights into society and the absurdity of human nature.
Top10nerScore88.276 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Woody Allen
WRITERS: Woody Allen, Marshall Brickman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gordon Willis
STARRING: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Paul Simon, Shelley Duvall
GENRE: Romantic Comedy, New Hollywood, Drama
Alvy Singer, a divorced Jewish comedian, reflects on his relationship with ex-lover Annie Hall, an aspiring nightclub singer, which ended abruptly just like his previous marriages.
Annie Hall is an intellectual triumph, seamlessly blending Allen’s neurotic humor with Keaton’s endearing charm. The film’s non-linear narrative, Willis’ innovative cinematography, and insightful exploration of relationships make it a seminal work in the romantic comedy genre.
Top10nerScore88.621 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Andrei Tarkovsky
WRITERS: Andrei Tarkovsky, Fridrikh Gorenshteyn
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Vadim Yusov
STARRING: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jüri Järvet, Anatoliy Solonitsyn, Vladislav Dvorzhetsky
GENRE: Science Fiction, Psychological Drama, Mystery
A psychologist is sent to a space station orbiting a planet called Solaris to investigate the death of a doctor and the mental problems of cosmonauts on the station. He soon discovers that the water on the planet is a type of brain which brings out repressed memories and obsessions.
Solaris enthralls with its atmospheric exploration of love, loss, and the enigmatic depths of the human psyche. Tarkovsky’s visionary crafts a hauntingly beautiful narrative that transcends the boundaries of science fiction, inviting audiences on a profound journey through the cosmos.
Top10nerScore88.729 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Steven Spielberg
WRITERS: Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Bill Butler
STARRING: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, Murray Hamilton, Lorraine Gary
GENRE: Natural Horror, Thriller, New Hollywood
When an insatiable great white shark terrorizes the townspeople of Amity Island, the police chief, an oceanographer and a grizzled shark hunter seek to destroy the blood-thirsty beast.
Jaws revolutionized cinema with its innovative blend of suspense and spectacle. Spielberg’s mastery, coupled with John Williams’ iconic score, paved the way for a new era in blockbuster filmmaking. Its impact on the industry and cultural significance endure to this day.
Top10nerScore90.254 / 100
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DIRECTOR: John Cassavetes
WRITERS: John Cassavetes
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Al Ruban, Mitch Breit
STARRING: Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk, Fred Draper, Katherine Cassavetes, Lady Rowlands, Matthew Laborteaux
GENRE: Psychological Drama, New Hollywood, Family Drama
Mabel, desperate and lonely, is married to a Los Angeles municipal construction worker, Nick. Increasingly unstable, especially around others, she craves happiness, but her volatile behaviour convinces Nick that she poses a danger to their family and decides to commit her to an institution.
In A Woman Under the Influence, Cassavetes captures the raw essence of human emotion with unparalleled depth. Rowlands delivers a tour-de-force performance, effortlessly embodying the complexities of mental health. A poignant exploration of love, sanity, and societal expectations.
Top10nerScore91.356 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Stanley Kubrick
WRITERS: Stanley Kubrick
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John Alcott
STARRING: Ryan O’Neal, Marisa Berenson, Patrick Magee, Hardy Krüger, Leonard Rossiter
GENRE: Period Drama, Epic
In 18th Century Europe, a charming Irish rogue eager for the wealth and privilege of nobility sets about climbing the social ladder in order to get what he wants, facing many setbacks along the way.
Barry Lyndon is a sumptuous visual journey through 18th-century Europe, meticulously crafted by Kubrick. Its cinematography evokes the era’s elegance, while Ryan O’Neal’s portrayal adds depth to the titular character, making it a captivating historical drama.
Top10nerScore91.552 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Roman Polanski
WRITERS: Robert Towne
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John A. Alonzo
STARRING: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez, John Hillerman
GENRE: Neo-Noir, Mystery, Crime, New Hollywood, Drama
Private eye Jake Gittes lives off of the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-World War II Southern California. Hired by a beautiful socialite to investigate her husband’s extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together.
Chinatown seduces with its shadowy allure and impeccable performances. Polanski masterfully navigates a labyrinthine plot, while Nicholson’s gritty charisma anchors a tale of corruption and deceit in 1930s LA. A triumph in suspenseful storytelling and cinematic elegance.
Top10nerScore91.584 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Stanley Kubrick
WRITERS: Stanley Kubrick
CINEMATOGRAPHY: John Alcott
STARRING: Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, Warren Clarke
GENRE: Dystopian, Crime, Satire
In a dystopic future Britain, Beethoven-loving Alex heads the ‘Droogs’. A gang of proto-punks whose ultra-violent tendencies dictate their macabre nightly adventures in crime. When captured, Alex submits to equally torturous methods of psychological conditioning to earn back his freedom.
Kubrick’s adaptation of A Clockwork Orange, is a cinematic tour de force exploring the dystopian interplay of morality and free will. Its innovative use of classical music, striking visuals and a bit of the old ultra-violence cements its status as a challenging and enduring work of art.
Top10nerScore91.975 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Andrei Tarkovsky
WRITERS: Andrei Tarkovsky, Aleksandr Misharin
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Georgi Rerberg
STARRING: Margarita Terekhova, Oleg Yankovsky, Philipp Yankovsky, Ignat Daniltsev
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Experimental
In 20th-century Russia, a poet’s life unfolds before his eyes during his final rays of consciousness. His visions are filled with scenes from childhood, wartime, and marriage—mingling pivotal moments in Soviet history with the beautiful minutiae of everyday life.
Critics laud Tarkovsky’s Mirror for its lyrical exploration of memory and identity, seamlessly blending poetic visuals with a poignant narrative. Its non-linear storytelling challenges viewers, inviting introspection on universal themes. A timeless cinematic achievement.
Top10nerScore92.905 / 100
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DIRECTOR: George Lucas
WRITERS: George Lucas
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gilbert Taylor
STARRING: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Peter Cushing, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, James Earl Jones, Peter Mayhew
GENRE: Space Opera, Epic
Princess Leia is captured and held hostage by the evil Imperial forces in their effort to take over the galactic Empire. Venturesome Luke Skywalker and dashing captain Han Solo team together with the loveable robot duo R2-D2 and C-3PO to rescue the beautiful princess and restore peace and justice in the Empire.
Lucas catapulted audiences into an intergalactic adventure with Star Wars. Its groundbreaking special effects and mythic narrative redefined cinema, captivating generations with its iconic characters and timeless themes of heroism and hope. A landmark in science fiction cinema.
Top10nerScore94.146 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott
WRITERS: Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Derek Vanlint
STARRING: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton
GENRE: Science Fiction, Horror, Extraterrestrial
During its return to the earth, commercial spaceship Nostromo intercepts a distress signal from a distant planet. When a three-member team of the crew discovers a chamber containing thousands of eggs on the planet, a creature inside one of the eggs attacks an explorer. The entire crew is unaware of the impending nightmare set to descend upon them when the alien parasite planted inside its unfortunate host is birthed.
Alien redefines sci-fi horror with its atmospheric tension and groundbreaking practical effects. Scott’s direction evokes primal fear, amplified by H.R. Giger’s haunting designs. A timeless blend of suspense and innovation, it remains a benchmark in cinematic fear-factor.
Top10nerScore94.660 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Martin Scorsese
WRITERS: Paul Schrader
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Michael Chapman
STARRING: Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Harvey Keitel
GENRE: Psychological Drama, New Hollywood, Crime
Isolated ex-marine Travis Bickle applies for a job as a taxi driver, hoping that the night-time work will alleviate the effects of his insomnia. But as he ferries passengers across New York, and embarks on a mission to save a teenager from prostitution, his sense of place and purpose steadily warps.
Taxi Driver is a riveting exploration of urban alienation and moral ambiguity, anchored by De Niro’s haunting portrayal. Scorsese delves deep into gritty New York, offering a stark social commentary that resonates even today. A film of raw power and enduring relevance.
Top10nerScore94.698 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Andrei Tarkovsky
WRITERS: Andrei Tarkovsky, Arkadiy Strugatskiy, Boris Strugatskiy
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Georgi Rerberg, Aleksandr Knyazhinsky, Leonid Kalashnikov
STARRING: Alexander Kaidanovsky, Anatoly Solonitsyn, Nikolai Grinko
GENRE: Psychological Drama, Slow Cinema, Science Fiction
A hired guide leads his two clients—a writer looking for inspiration and a professor seeking scientific discovery—through a hazardous wasteland and into the heart of the Zone, the restricted site of a long-ago disaster. Within the Zone is the Room: a place rumored to fulfil one’s deepest desires.
Stalker s lauded for its profound philosophical exploration, mesmerizing cinematography, and hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack. Its enigmatic narrative invites contemplation, while the performances evoke a sense of raw authenticity, leaving an indelible mark on cinema history.
Top10nerScore94.771 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Miloš Forman
WRITERS: Bo Goldman, Lawrence Hauben
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Haskell Wexler
STARRING: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Will Sampson, Danny DeVito, Brad Dourif, Christopher Lloyd
GENRE: Drama, New Hollywood
A petty criminal fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental ward rather than prison. He soon finds himself as a leader to the other patients—and an enemy to the cruel, domineering nurse who runs the ward.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest masterfully juxtaposes Nicholson’s magnetic performance with Fletcher’s chilling Nurse Ratched. Forman brilliantly captures the disturbing truth of institutionalization, crafting a compelling examination of institutional life’s harsh realities.
Top10nerScore96.552 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Francis Ford Coppola
WRITERS: Francis Ford Coppola, John Milius, Michael Herr
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Vittorio Storaro
STARRING: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper, Frederic Forrest, Albert Hall, Laurence Fishburne, Sam Bottoms
GENRE: War, Psychological Drama, New Hollywood
At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, “does not exist, nor will it ever exist.” His goal is to locate – and eliminate – a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.
Apocalypse Now unfolds as a cinematic odyssey led by Coppola’s visionary prowess and Sheen’s captivating performance. The film skillfully navigates the harrowing journey into the heart of darkness, vividly capturing the surreal and haunting landscape of war-torn Vietnam.
Top10nerScore99.089 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Francis Ford Coppola
WRITERS: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gordon Willis
STARRING: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo
GENRE: Gangster Film, Drama, New Hollywood
In the continuing saga of the Corleone crime family, a young Vito Corleone grows up in Sicily and in 1910s New York. In the 1950s, Michael Corleone attempts to expand the family business into Las Vegas, Hollywood and Cuba.
The Godfather: Part II is a timeless masterpiece, seamlessly interweaving Michael Corleone’s ruthless ascent with Vito’s humble beginnings. Coppola’s dual narrative captivates with its intricate character dynamics and haunting portrayal of power’s corrupting influence.
Top10nerScore99.926 / 100
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DIRECTOR: Francis Ford Coppola
WRITERS: Francis Ford Coppola, Mario Puzo
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gordon Willis
STARRING: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire
GENRE: Gangster Film, Drama, New Hollywood
Spanning the years 1945 to 1955, a chronicle of the fictional Italian-American Corleone crime family. When organized crime family patriarch, Vito Corleone barely survives an attempt on his life, his youngest son, Michael steps in to take care of the would-be killers, launching a campaign of bloody revenge.
The Godfather stands as an unparalleled cinematic masterpiece, weaving a compelling narrative with exceptional performances. Coppola’s visionary direction, coupled with Brando and Pacino’s iconic portrayals, creates an enduring classic. Its cultural impact, impeccable storytelling, and timeless relevance solidify its status as…
The Best Film of the 1970s
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