Cinematography is a versatile art form and as a result not everyone will always be happy with the films they see. Some films may not be appreciated on first viewing, but may increase in value over time. Others can be instantly loved.
However, certain movies stand the test of time and only get better with age. These movies can have deeper themes that take on more meaning over time, and their performances become more vivid in our memories. Here are ten movies loved by an audience that ages like fine wine.
10/10 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is a drama film directed by Frank Darabont, in which Tim Robbins plays Andy Dufresne, a man falsely accused and imprisoned for the murder of his wife and her lover. In prison, he forms a close bond with Ellis Redding (Morgan Freeman) and the two find comfort and ultimately redemption through acts of humanity. The film is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences to this day. With its well-developed story, compelling characters and powerful scenes,
The Shawshank Redemption leave a lasting impression on viewers. The film gives a realistic view of life in prison and highlights the range of human emotions and experiences that can provide hope and fulfillment. Despite initially performing poorly at the box office, the film has since been recognized as a timeless classic.
9/10 The Breakfast Club (1985)
The breakfast club is a comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by John Hughes, who is known for his work in films that explore universal themes. The film follows five vastly different high school students in detention, and over time they shed their egos and become friends. The themes in the film are relatable to many viewers who have graduated high school or are currently in high school as it explores the familiar dynamics of making unexpected friends in a high school setting.
Expertly acted, the film has a simple yet effective setting, shot primarily in one building and room, adding to its charm. Even today, TheBreakfast club is still considered superior to many of the teen comedy films that came after it, adding to its enduring reputation and popularity.
8/10 Goodfellas (1990)
Good day is a biographical crime film directed by Martin Scorsese, which tells the story of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta) and his associates as they rise through the ranks of organized crime in New York City from 1955 to 1980. The film is a masterfully crafted period drama that has stood the test of time.
The film accurately recreates the atmosphere of the era in which it is set, thanks to the use of an eclectic soundtrack featuring various artists, authentic costumes, vintage cars and fourth-wall-breaking moments. The film’s themes are bold and the editing is fearless, making it hold up well in contemporary films.
7/10 Schindler’s List (1993)
Schindler’s List is an epic historical drama film produced by Steven Spielberg. The film focuses on Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a businessman who supports the Nazi Party, as he becomes determined to save his Jewish workers from the Holocaust after witnessing the persecution of Jews in Poland. Despite his reputation for using state-of-the-art filmmaking technology, Spielberg took a more minimalist approach for this film, using both stationary and portable cameras and filming some scenes in real-life Holocaust extermination camps in Poland. The film is deeply personal to Spielberg and touches on his Jewish heritage.
The film was shot in black and white, similar to the World War II archival footage. Despite being released in 1993, the movie is set in the 1940s, which gives it a timeless quality. It remains a powerful and moving film, and the fact that Holocaust denial still exists only adds to its significance.
6/10 Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction is a crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, who has been widely acclaimed for his work on the film, particularly screenwriting. It is considered his masterpiece. The film tells various crime stories in Los Angeles, California, and follows the lives of two petty criminals, a mobster’s wife and a boxer, whose lives become intertwined after a series of events. The film’s title refers to pulp magazines popular in the mid-20th century and known for their graphic content and crisp dialogue. The film has an unconventional structure, is brilliantly acted with extensive references and satire, and is regarded by critics as a benchmark for postmodern cinema.
Many elements set Tarantino apart from other filmmakers, but his dialogue is often regarded as his most impressive skill. Pulp Fiction has many scenes where the dialogue feels poetic and stays with audiences long after watching, which is why the film continues to be quoted verbatim many years after its release.
5/10 Days of Heaven (1978)
Days of Heaven is a romantic drama film written and directed by Terrence Malick. The film tells the story of Bill (Richard Gere), a farm worker, who asks Abby (Brooke Adams), the woman he loves, to marry their wealthy but dying employer so that she can inherit his fortune after he dies. The film is a masterfully crafted historical drama that stands the test of time and is regarded as one of the most visually stunning films ever made. The director tells a story of loss that can move even the most emotionless viewer. The predictable plot is heightened by the setting, which works like magic to deepen the characters’ experiences.
Much of the film’s footage was shot near sunrise and sunset, when there are no shadows and the sky is a single tone. The music is nostalgic, full of loss and regret, and the combination of evocative landscapes and emotional yearning creates an elegiac atmosphere rarely found in films, making the film a timeless treasure.
4/10 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
The good the bad and the ugly is a classic spaghetti western film directed by Sergio Leone. The story follows three gunfighters as they battle to uncover hidden treasures amidst the chaos of the American Civil War. The film belongs to a generation of spaghetti westerns known for their raw, exaggerated, deliberate, slow style and simple plots. Despite this, The good the bad and the ugly stands out for its epic storytelling, captivating pace, and a clear goal set early on. The main characters are archetypal and the soundtrack is widely recognized. The cinematography captures breathtaking landscapes, shot up close with super-wide lenses, adding to the film’s epic scale.
The film’s visuals, characters, music and iconic ending make it regarded as one of the greatest Westerns of all time, and it continues to attract new audiences even more than half a century after its release.
3/10 Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
Big problems in Little China is a fantasy action comedy directed by John Carpenter. The film follows Jack Burton (Kurt Russell), a truck driver, as he helps his friend Wang Chi (Dennis Dun) save his fiancé from bandits and is dragged into the supernatural underworld beneath Chinatown, where they face off against an ancient wizard. The film’s sound and visual effects are excellent, even by today’s standards.
Carpenter skillfully combined strong CGI with practical effects to create striking and impressive visuals for the time. The film is fast paced, inventive and chaotic, with solid acting that lives up to high expectations. Despite initially underperforming at the box office upon release, the film has since built a worldwide fanbase and is now considered a cult classic that has stood the test of time.
2/10 The Night of the Hunter (1955)
The night of the hunter is a noir thriller directed by Charles Laughton. The story follows a corrupt mock preacher who marries an unsuspecting widow to get her executed husband’s hidden loot. At its core, the film is a dark and twisted fairy tale with elements of cruelty, greed, death, poverty, and guilt. It also has moments of dark humor, such as when the young character Pearl innocently repeats a hangman’s melody that other children sang about her father.
The story is dreamy and evokes a sense of childhood innocence, yet is skillfully portrayed in a relatable way. When first released, the film was met with indifference, but over time it has come to be regarded as a landmark of American cinema.
1/10 Citizen Kane (1941)
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Burger Kane is a drama film directed and produced by Orson Welles. The film follows a reporter who investigates the final last words of a wealthy newspaper magnate, uncovering conflicting and intriguing stories about his life. The film has been critically acclaimed for its innovative and groundbreaking editing, music, cinematography and narrative structure. The film may seem like an exciting mystery with mediocre elements on first viewing, but later viewings reveal the deeper layers. The narrative structure, which uses flashbacks, changed the course of filmmaking forever.
It can take a while for the characters to bond, but once they get involved they prove compelling, complex and worth studying. The setting of the film is also timeless and influential. Filmed in black and white, the use of shadow and light, clashing graphic shapes and textures make Citizen Kane a fresh and contemporary film that stands the test of time.