Film 101

Film 101 is In Reel Deep’s commitment to an in-depth re-examination of cinematic classics — old and new. The list was compiled using ratings and rankings from IMDB, American Film Institute and British Film Institute.

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'Seven Samurai'

Seven Samurai is brilliant on its own merits, and even moreso when considering its place in the cinematic canon.

'Star Wars'

Wrap your arms around the biggest film of all-time.

'Casablanca'

Both miraculous and universal, there is a reason Casablanca is so beloved.

'The Searchers'

One of John Ford's masterpieces remains compelling because of the subtle messages buried within.

'Schindler's List'

The power of Steven Spielberg's masterpiece feels more urgent than ever.

'The General'

Why The General, of all of Buster Keaton's films, after all of these years?

'Some Like It Hot'

Subsersive, and yet still light as air, this is the perfect vehicle for understanding Marilyn Monroe's greatness.

'Taxi Driver'

Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver smacks of modernism decades after it was released.

'2001: A Space Odyssey'

Stanley Kubrick's tale tackles nothing smaller than the universe and our place in it.

'Singin' in the Rain'

Subversion, sarcasm and a celebration of Hollywood's Golden Age are all rolled in to one.

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST

SUNSET BOULEVARD

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

REAR WINDOW

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