Op-Rob Top 50: 20-11

20. “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”

TWL: In truth, I first watched the 1920 West German expressionist “Caligari” because of a funny skit on “Portlandia”. After getting used to the inter-titles and bizarre cinematography, what I found was a mind-bending, thrilling horror masterpiece.

19. “Cool Hand Luke”

TLR: Paul Newman is flawless in this story of hope and unrelenting positivity in the face of hard times. Those who have seen and loved “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” will find similar themes, in a much subtler and smarter story.

18. “High Noon”

TLR: “High Noon” may come off as a bit too idealist for cynical viewers, especially in 2018. However, this classic western paints a portrait of a hero and leader we all want to believe exists.

17. “Still Walking”

TLR: A pitch-perfect film from Hirokazu Kore-eda about universal family struggles. Incredibly complex and touching messages seep through the simple setting and dialogue driven plot at every turn.

16. “There Will Be Blood”

TLR: “There Will Be Blood” tackles issues of ambition, and its potential toxicity led by Daniel Day-Lewis’ all-time best performance. In terms of backdrop, this is perhaps the most beautiful film on the Op-Rob Top 50.

15. “Citizen Kane”

TLR: There is a reason “Kane” is often cited as the GOAT film. Orson Welles’ masterpiece is a riveting story fueled by the real life of William Randolph Hearst, not to mention the numerous groundbreaking cinematic aspects that went into its production.

14. “Ex Machina”

TLR: Low-budget, trim in length, and low-key overall, “Ex Machina” is a film that thrives on the strength of its ideas. This is the best film I have seen in theaters in the past five years, and begs for more and more relevance as complex AI becomes a reality.

13. “Dirty Harry”

TLR: “Dirty Harry” is the archetype for the great neo-Western. Clint Eastwood is singularly perfect for the role, and I also love how director Don Siegel utilizes San Francisco giving the viewer a vivid sense of the city.

12. “Goodfellas”

TLR: The greatest American gangster film of all time, and by a length. “Goodfellas” offers a step-by-step narrative of the rise and fall of an Italian mobster, with study-worthy direction by Martin Scorcese and memorable performances by Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci.

11. “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb”

TLR: “Strangelove” is a genius satire of MAD Theory (among other things) directed by the great Stanley Kubrick. The film perfectly tackles any number of issues about the Cold War, and does so in a funny, creative, and thoughtful way.