56. The Pianist (2002)
Logline: A devout Jewish musician and pianist, living in Nazi-occupied Poland, must witness his family being systematically kidnapped and forced into labor (death) camps. He escapes capture and is forced to hide by living amongst the the ruins of destroyed Warsaw.
Memorable Moments: Fast Forward to the scene when Wladyslaw (Adrien Brody), scraggly and sporting a full beard, brilliantly plays Chopin’s Ballade No.1 in G Minor “for” a German officer. Perhaps no other scene from the movie is more powerful.
Why People Love It: Well-acted and very poignant, The Pianist is one of Roman Polanski’s crowning achievements. The Pianist captures more of the individual human element of the war instead of attempting to cover the larger picture.
Best Quote: Obscure Radio Announcer: “Poland is no longer alone.”
55. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Logline: During World War I, a suave (yet very questionable) military official, Thomas Edward Lawrence, forms a militia-style army in the Arabian desert to destroy the Turks and the Ottoman Empire.
Memorable Moments: Soon after the prologue when Sherif Ali Ben Kharish (Omar Sharif) meets with Lawrence in, maybe, one of the most epic ‘I-arrive-fashionably-late’ entrances in ever.
Sherif Ali Ben El Kharish (Omar Sharif, making one of the most spectacular entrances in movie history) and draws up plans to aid the Arabs in their rebellion against the Turks.
Why People Love It: Boasting seven Academy Award wins, Lawrence of Arabia is a four-hour long picture whose performances, gorgeous cinematography, and majestic scope possibly equal that of the modern day LOTR trilogy.
Best Quote: T.E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole): “There may be honor among thieves, but there’s none in politicians.”
54. Up (2009)
Logline: Carl Fredrickson (Ed Asner), an elderly man that hits a construction worker, is sentenced to live in a retirement home. Before he’s taken to it, though, his house floats away with him and a young boy (Russell) in tow on a wild adventure.
Memorable Moments: Either the during-and-after scenes when Carl and Ellie marry, or, of course, when Carl’s house soars into the air (young Russell in tow) with the help of dozens of balloons.
Why People Love It: Funny, thought-provoking, and even tear-inducing: Up is a once-in-a-lifetime animated film that comes packed-full of meaning and substance that kids and adults alike can appreciate.
Best Quote: Russell (Voice by Jordan Nagai): “The wilderness must be explored. CA CA! RRAAWRRRRR!”
53. Wall-E (2008)
Logline: In a far-off time, a waste collecting robot (WALL-E) is inadvertently thrust on a cosmic journey that will ultimately determine man’s fate. With the “help” of a ‘reconnaissance’ robot named EVE, WALL-E and others rush to save planet Earth from the devastation caused by an evil corporation.
Memorable Moments: WALL-E has a small Igloo-style cooler filled with, among other items of Earth’s past, a spork and a Rubik’s Cube and appears to be watching Hello, Dolly! on an improvised TV.
Why People Love It: Together with phenomenal visuals, this gem—one that ultimately seeks to moralize people to the dangers of polluting—is hugely popular to many because it portrays that which could become a reality one day.
Best Quote: Captain (Jeff Garlin): “Wait, that doesn’t look like Earth. Where’s the blue sky? Where’s the-the grass?”