1. "Road to Perdition"
Probably the most popular film on my list, "Road to Perdition" was just one of many excellent films to be released in 2002 ("Chicago", "The Pianist", "Adaptation", just to name a few). While it was recognized by the Academy in several categories and won the Oscar for Best Cinematography, the film for the most part went under the radar by the public. Its theme (the bonds between sons and fathers) may be nothing new but the execution is flawless. Director Sam Mendes, coming off his critically acclaimed debut "American Beuaty" that netted him the Best Director Oscar (and also won Best Picture), brings the 1930's gangster scene to life but instead of using violence as the method goes for the more intimate approach of a hitman fleeing with his son after the son witnesses what his father does for a living. The direction is top notch, the acting by all (Tom Hanks, Jude Law, Daniel Craig, and especially Paul Newman in his last Oscar nominated role) is excellent, and the score by Thomas Newman is beautifully engaging and touching. But the highest accolades go to Conrad Hall, who died before he was able to claim the Oscar for Best Cinematography that this film won and richly deserved. Bringing the period to life through excellent use of lighting and camerawork, it is a fitting end to Hall's illustrious career. "Road to Perdition" is a beautifully crafted film, one that should have gotten more attention when it was released and should be seen for just how good it really is.
2. "Glengarry Glen Ross"
If you like dialogue-heavy films, great ensemble acting, and plenty of expletives, then "Glengarry Glen Ross" is for you. Released in 1992, the film has since gone unnoticed by today's generation, who are more caught up with films that entertain than films with true skill. Focusing on the happenings of a real estate office, "Glengarry Glen Ross" is an adaptation of the play created by David Mamet, who wrote the screenplay for the film. Though the premise may seem terribly boring to moviegoers today (especially my generation), this is without a doubt one of the underrated films of the 1990's. Featuring a script to die for and a cast for the ages - Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Ed Harris, Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin, and Alan Arkin - does it get any better?
3. "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford"
In my opinion this is the most underrated film of the past decade. 2007 will go down in history as having been a very good year for films - "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" are cinematic masterpieces worthy of the highest praise; "Juno" has already gathered a cult following; "Michael Clayton", "Atonement", and "Into the Wild", among others, add to the depth of that year. But this long-named film should not be forgotten when it comes to the great films of the year. "The Assassination of the Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" looks at the life of Jesses James and the obsession, and ultimately the disdain, with which Robert Ford, a youngster with dreams of being famous, has for his childhood idol. A box-office failure when it was released, it was recognized by the Academy in only two categories: Best Supporting Actor (Casey Affleck) and Best Cinematography. Had this film come out any other year those two nominations may have resulted into wins. Affleck is at his absolute best here, giving Ford a nervous, even pathetic edge that is a result of his desperation to be known and appreciated, and the cinematography by Roger Deakins is among the best you will ever see, with the train robbery scene standing out in particular. The acting as a whole is excellent, with Brad Pitt portraying James as a confident yet increasingly paranoid man. The pacing may be too slow for some, but in this case the film works best as a slow portrait of the life of one of the Midwest's greatest outlaws. And though it was hardly noticed in 2007, I would be willing to bet that history will look back on this film as easily being one of the best of its year and a hidden gem of its decade.
4. "Midnight Cowboy"
Of the five movies on the list "Midnight Cowboy" is not only the most critically acclaimed but also the hardest to watch. Not because it is the oldest, though I'm sure some will be put off by its 1969 release date. Rather, this film is the most controversial film on my list. It has plenty of sexual scenes along with some of drug-induced trips that plunge the viewer into unease. That being said, "Midnight Cowboy" rightfully deserves its place on AFI's Top 100 American films of all time. Despite being the first X-rated film to win Best Picture (the rating has since been lowered to R), it is a powerful character study that not only explores the gritty underbelly of urban society during that time period but also served as an effective "buddy" film. Joe Buck is a cowboy, a man from out West who dreams of making it big in New York City as a "hustler". However, when things don't go as planned, he finds himself paired with Ratso Rizzo, a crippled con-man who knows the ways of the streets. They work together in hopes of one day making it to Florida, where hopefully all of thier troubles will be cleard. The skill of director John Schlesinger is apparent through the interwoven tales of urban depravity and the power of friendship. The editing is superb, especially during the disorienting drug scenes and during Joe's flashbacks. Both Dustin Hoffman as Ratso and Jon Voigt, a relative newcomer at the time, as Joe are astoundingly efficient in their Oscar nominated roles. The film has lost some of its edge due to the increasinging amount of sex in movies today, but its effectiveness as a tale of two loners in need of companionship in the midst of a harsh and uninviting environment has now lasted 40 years, and it has taken its rightful place among the screen classics.
5. "Magnolia"
Paul Thomas Anderson can never be accused of not having ambitious goals. His first film, "Boogie Nights", tackled the porn industry during the 1970's and 1980's, a controversial topic that has never been conveyed with as much skill and daring. His second major film was even more ambitious and in the end even more memorable. "Magnolia" tracks the interweaving stories of several people over a few days in San Fernando Valley as they search for happiness, forgiveness, and meaning. Featuring an astounding ensemble cast with the likes of Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Philip Seymour Hoffman, William H. Macy, Jason Robards, and a career best performance from Tom Cruise to go along with a deep and riveting script, PTA's most confusing yet intriguing film is yet another example of why he is one of our generation's finest filmmakers.
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