1943

best film:  The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp is still my #1 powell and pressburger film and a very fine choice for the best film of the year. It’s a masterpiece, amongst both the

1942

best film:  Casablanca. I think I’ll actually get more complaints about this than some would guess. Many cinephiles hold the magnificent ambersons in supremely high regard. I have to keep Casablanca as my #1 film

The Big Sick – 2017 Showalter

It’s a very good film- funny with strong writing. However, about 45 minutes into the film Ray Romano and Holly Hunter come along and elevate the film—and save it from falling into some of the

1941

best film:  citizen kane. It truly is the year of citizen kane. There are countless shots and sequences that are both so innovative and so well executed. It’s a visual showpiece from beginning to end.

1940

best film:  The Grapes of Wrath. This was one of the toughest years as there’s no clear front-runner. Honestly the top 5 films are all right there but if forced to choose I’m going with

Remember My Name– 1978 Rudolph

First archiveable film from prior Altman assistant director Alan Rudolph- it’s a great first archiveable film The lingering camera and long takes gives off a sense of eeriness Half conversations heard for much of the

Sleepless in Seattle – 1993 Ephron

It’s not worthy of the out-of-character 4 star review from travers but it’s a very good film- largely in the archives based on the skill of the writing and the two leads- Hanks and Meg

Dunkirk – 2017 Nolan

There’s a tangible impact of 70mm/IMAX cameras and no CGI It’s a walk-out-of-the-theater masterpiece (my 5th of the decade I believe) but you’re not aware of it in the first 20 minutes like birdman or

1939

best film:  The Rules of the Game is renoir’s lyrical masterpiece of pure perfection. He glides in and out of the lives of an enchanting ensemble giving us the best film of the entire decade.

Clueless – 1995 Heckerling

Indelible characters, charming self-awareness and a solid satire is what gets this fringy film in the archives Alicia Silverstone is wonderful and to date would never find a role/film to match this—it was also smart

1938

best film:  Bringing Up Baby is perhaps Howard Hawks greatest achievement along with the greatest achievement of the screwball comedy genre (or all of comedies genre films for that matter). It also may be the

Blackmail – 1929 Hitchcock

As you can see on the poster it was the first British sound film but it’s more than just a technological landmark, it’s a damn fine film Early on we see the criminal/suspect on the

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