Part 6: CAPERNAUM | WALL-E

Movies I watched for the first time: Capernaum, Coco, Your Name., Oldboy, Princess Mononoke, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Witness for the Prosecution

75. Capernaum (2018)

• IMDb plot summary: While serving a five-year sentence for a violent crime, a 12-year-old boy sues his parents for neglect.

• Some quick thoughts: This quite heavy film is beautifully made and smartly directed by Nadine Labaki and manages to bring in the kind of social critique I expect to see from films like this. However, despite the notable beauty, this movie suffers from issues of pacing, editing, and framing. Making this whole film about a court case (as established in the opening scenes), to then spend inordinate amounts of time with the 12-year-old Zain’s usually dialogue-free struggle to survive, and then to breeze through his incarceration and miraculous phone call from jail feels like a misstep.

• Does it belong? No, but it’s quite a fine film.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 7.5/10

74. Once Upon a Time in America (1984)

• IMDb plot summary: A former Prohibition-era Jewish gangster returns to the Lower East Side of Manhattan 35 years later, where he must confront the ghosts and regrets of his old life.

• Some quick thoughts: I first saw this movie earlier this year, and I was amazed by it. It earns every minute of its 229-minute runtime (I want to see the version that’s even longer), and I cannot fathom how its American distribution company put out a 2.5-hour, chronological cut. No wonder Sergio Leone’s final masterpiece, a movie that I consider a small step behind The Godfather I, II, Goodfellas, and The Irishman in terms of thematically rich American crime epics wasn’t nominated for a single Oscar. Fire this up immediately, and prepare to be moved, hurt, and amazed by what a masterful director, cast, and production can do.

• Does it belong? It belongs in the top 50. I’m not joking.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 9.6/10

73. Aliens (1986)

• IMDb plot summary: Fifty-seven years after surviving an apocalyptic attack aboard her space vessel by merciless space creatures, Officer Ripley awakens from hyper-sleep and tries to warn anyone who will listen about the predators.

• Some quick thoughts: How do you take an all-time great horror/sci-fi classic and make a worthy sequel? Create an adrenaline blast of action inside a claustrophobic, futuristic war movie. James Cameron made one of the best sequels ever (not his only time doing so), one of the best action movies ever (not his only time doing so), and something truly ageless in Aliens. This film was also ahead of its time in its action heroine and doubled down on the first film’s thoughts about capitalism. Sometimes critical consensus, popular acceptance, and base action appeal all align in terms of a movie’s lasting reputation: it just kicks ass.

• Does it belong? I keep this ranking handy for close encounters.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 9.2/10

72. Coco (2017)

• IMDb plot summary: Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his ancestor, a legendary singer.

• Some quick thoughts: This film got a lot of praise for its setting in the world of Mexican culture, and rightly so! Its visuals are eye-popping, and the world feels very fresh for a Disney/Pixar outing, even if its plot devices and story beats are completely rote. A child who wants to do something, but for unexplained reasons involving the family elders, they can’t do it? Check. A daffy animal being silly and causing messes onscreen? Check. A limited amount of time to fix a curse, whose resolution coincides with reconciliation with their family? Check. Once you’ve seen enough, you’ve really seen enough, which is why entries like Up, Inside Out, Wall-E, and Toy Story feel so special as time continues to pass.

• Does it belong? No, but it's cute enough.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 7.5/10

71. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

• IMDb plot summary: Eight years after the Joker's reign of anarchy, Batman, with the help of the enigmatic Catwoman, is forced from his exile to save Gotham City from the brutal guerrilla terrorist Bane.

• Some quick thoughts: Look. I love Nolan, and this movie is great blockbuster entertainment, but it’s just not Nolan’s best. Tom Hardy rocks as Bane, and it’s a great conclusion to a great trilogy, but fails to reach the thematic depth that The Dark Knight reaches and that it so clearly strives for. All that said, I prefer this over most IP-based entertainment, the deluge of which was just around the corner when this movie was in theaters. What a time 2012 was.

• Does it belong? I think rankings are my ally – perhaps I merely adopted them?

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 7.8/10

70. Your Name. (2016)

• IMDb plot summary: Two strangers find themselves linked in a bizarre way. When a connection forms, will distance be the only thing to keep them apart?

• Some quick thoughts: Lots of animated features in this section. I was intrigued by this film since, for the most part, I’ve really enjoyed the Miyazaki movies that this list has exposed me to, despite me not really being into anime. There are some visuals that are fantastically rendered in this movie, but it felt like the product of a generation that grew up on Ghibli films as opposed to something special in its own right. Its body swap/light time travel plot is interesting but not unique enough to overcome the mood falling often into an emo pop fantasia vibe that is just a little too niche for me.

• Does it belong? No, but I was happy enough to flex outside my comfort zone

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 7.3/10

69. Oldboy (2003)

• IMDb plot summary: After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must find his captor in five days.

• Some quick thoughts: Violent revenge films rarely work for me, but this film is stylish enough to hurdle its gnarlier portrayal of violence and relentlessly bleak atmosphere. Controversial yet visionary director Park Chan-Wook flexes his muscles all over this piece of nasty business, in a way that both punctuates its nastiness and softens it. The mix of style and grime is even baked into the physical production design of the film’s sets, creating an atmosphere I was thrilled to be in albeit one that makes me want a shower now that I’m done watching. The performances are ultra-committed, and this movie is a great reminder that Bong Joon-Ho isn’t the only terrific Korean filmmaker working today.

• Does it belong? No – this movie doesn’t rise above the trappings of its genre, even though it’s super stylish.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 7.8/10

68. Joker (2019)

• IMDb plot summary: In Gotham City, mentally troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter-ego: the Joker.

• Some quick thoughts: When I first saw this movie, I really liked it – I think I still do? It’s certainly entertaining, well-made, and I appreciate the adult orientation that it has in terms of its themes and depictions of violence. The fact that it’s aimed at adults, however, doesn’t mean that it’s the sophisticated film it purports to be nor the one that people seem to lift it up as. It wants so, so, so badly to be Taxi Driver and nothing will ever be that great. It is so busy cramming itself with thoughts that it forgets to make time to actually say anything. If you’re looking for a different, edgier brand of comic book-adjacent movie I’d recommend it, but if you’re looking for a movie that meaningfully tackles mental illness or anything in general, I wouldn’t.

• Does it belong? Ranking used to be a tragedy, but now I see it’s a comedy. No.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 7/10

67. Princess Mononoke (1997)

• IMDb plot summary: On a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.

• Some quick thoughts: Yet again, this list compels me to watch a Studio Ghibli film, and yet again I’m not prepared for how good it is. Like the other Ghibli productions that I’ve seen, this film explores concepts such as nature being corrupted by man, albeit through a far more morally complex setting. The antagonist of this movie is hatred itself, as even the dastardliest figures have redeeming qualities. This film is also more markedly mature, while revolving around a very simple theme, due to its bloodier depiction of action. If you introduce these to your kids, start with Totoro, then move to Howl’s and Spirited Away, then introduce this to them around 10 or 11.

• Does it belong? Yes, but lower than Howl’s and both belong out of the top 100.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 8.7/10

66. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

• IMDb plot summary: An insane American General orders a bombing attack on the Soviet Union, triggering a path to nuclear holocaust that a war room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop.

• Some quick thoughts: Having already made The Killing, Paths of Glory, and Spartacus, grandmaster Kubrick’s crafted yet another masterpiece in yet another genre that’s uniquely Kubrickian – a feat unto itself. This black comedy examines what could theoretically happen if a rogue and paranoid U.S. general were to believe fake science and push us to nuclear war with Russia; strangely enough this concept hasn’t aged! It’s a propulsive piece of work that cuts the tensions of the times right to the bone, featuring an all-time iconic performance from the legendary Peter Sellers playing three different parts with equal levels of skill. It may not always be laugh-out-loud slapstick, but it is the smartest, deepest satire that I’ve ever seen.

• Does it belong? [George C. Scott voice] HELL YEAH MR PRESIDENT!

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 9.2/10

65. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

• IMDb plot summary: Teen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.

• Some quick thoughts: As time goes on, this movie seems like it’s emerged as the most significant animated movie the past decade, with an entirely unique style, fresh storytelling sensibility, and a wittiness that was able to charm me far more than I thought possible. Its amazingly deep cast nails their respective parts, and it really must be seen to be believed. I’m quite apprehensive about the recently announced sequel; we shouldn’t mess with perfection. Dollars are dollars unfortunately, so I guess we’ll see what Across the Spider-Verse holds.

• Does it belong? Absolutely, and the top 100 isn’t all that ridiculous!

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 8.9/10

64. The Shining (1980)

• IMDb plot summary: A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where a sinister presence influences the father into violence, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from both past and future.

• Some quick thoughts: Generally, I don’t like horror. However, last year I did a deep dive on my three favorite horror movies, which are also just three of my favorite movies regardless of genre; The Shining was among them and is a film I love to revisit. Kubrick is in absolute control of every second of this weird, startling, slow-burn, hysterical, beautiful, illogical descent into madness in the Rockies. There is an irresistible trance about this movie, but it’s such a severe experience and effectively scary that the idea of returning to the Overlook feels illicit. And yet, I always return; all work and no play makes John a dull boy, after all.

• Does it belong? Come rank with us, Danny. Forever, and ever, and ever.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 9/10

63. Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

• IMDb plot summary: A veteran British barrister must defend his client in a murder trial that has surprise after surprise.

• Some quick thoughts: This movie is still a lot of fun for those looking for an enthralling courtroom drama, murder mystery, and acting showcase. Charles Laughton and Marlene Dietrich absolutely bring the house down, with the ever-reliable Billy Wilder in control as director. However, this movie isn’t quite the achievement that his very best are, nor is it one of the better courtroom dramas; it’s just a great time at the movies, harking back to when great times were manufactured for adults.

• Does it belong? Alas, it does not – it is a wicked good time.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 7.6/10

62. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

• IMDb plot summary: The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation puts an end to the universe.

• Some quick thoughts: Since the majority of MCU movies feel the same to me, I’ll just say the same thing that I usually say when I see one: It’s alright. It was a big deal at the box office. Black Panther is far superior. It’s been 3 years and I hardly remember what happens in this one – I think some people get snapped away?

• Does it belong? Not even close.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 7/10

61. WALL-E (2008)

• IMDb plot summary: In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.

• Some quick thoughts: Even among the canvas of Pixar, this film really stands out as special. Its very sophisticated story tackles some relatively mature films for a children’s movie, including warnings about unbridled capitalism and human apathy. There’s also an adorable little love story at its center, and long stretches of the film play as essentially a silent movie due to WALL-E’s limited ability to communicate vocally. This is not to be overlooked.

• Does it belong? Yes, and on the shortlist of the best animated films ever made.

• IMDb User Rating: 8.4/10

• Rymer’s Rating: 9/10