Aaron's 100 - 2025 Edition: Honorable Mention

It’s time, once again, for me to share with you my 100 favorite movies.

Before we go any further, a few housekeeping notes:

I started this in 2018, and you can find the previous versions of the list by heading over to my Movie Journal. On this year’s edition, I’ll make a note of where each film showed up the previous year (HM stands for Honorable Mention and NR stands for Not Ranked).
The list will come in increments of 25, with this first post focusing on the honorable mentions.
These are my personal favorites, so I'm not saying these are the 100 objectively best films ever made.
I am not giving a blanket recommendation for every film on this list. You should certainly keep in mind age and content maturity when viewing some of these films (for more info on that, check out this post).
Also, this series will only focus on feature films, so you won't see any documentaries. Finally, for any films that I have previously reviewed, there will be a button below the title for you to click through to the original review.
The following movies are ones that made it on last year’s list as either an Honorable Mention or a Top 100 pick but are not on this year’s list: Women Talking, Experiment in Terror, and Dumb and Dumber. It pains me to leave all of them off the list, but that just means the rest of the movies are just that good!

With that out of the way, let's get to the list! Here are the 25 honorable mention films that almost made the cut...

25. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Andrew Dominik (2007) Personally, I think this film represents career best work from the legendary cinematographer, Roger Deakins. There are multiple films of his remaining on the list, but the visuals in this film are on another level. It was one of two films for which he was nominated for the Best Cinematography Oscar that year (you’ll have to be a little more patient to see the other one on this list). The film is also fascinating in its portrayal of Jesse James as someone who began the early threads of cultural fascination with sensational and criminal behavior. Last year’s ranking - HM #22

24. Winter Light

Read My Original Review

24. Winter Light - Ingmar Bergman (1963) The push and pull between faith and doubt is seeped into this film. In my darkest moments, I have seen the light break through just as it does in the beautiful windows at the end of this film. The great Ingmar Bergman uses this story of a doubting minister to wrestle with his own conflicted feelings about faith and religion. But those moments of light breaking through have continued to sit with me after watching this film multiple times. It is up to us to parse the relationship between light and dark. I also reviewed this film for Filmotomy, as part of their Ingmar Bergman series. Last year’s ranking - HM #25

23. Rope - Alfred Hitchcock (1948) So many of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies involve following characters who are in pursuit of the perfect murder. This is another example, and I think it’s one of Hitch’s best. It’s also famous for being shot in such a way that the film seems to be one long take. That adds another level of stylistic flair to the film. I also love it because it puts Hitchcock together with Jimmy Stewart, who is one of my all-time favorite actors. Last year’s ranking - HM #21

22. Saving Private Ryan - Steven Spielberg (1998) While I have always appreciated this film, it was not until my most recent watch that it vaulted into one of the true greats, for me. Many artists have shown that telling the story of great movements of history is best done through small moments involving individual people. A small moment in this film unlocked it for me. Private Ryan (Matt Damon) is talking to Captain Miller (Tom Hanks) about his inability to remember his brothers’ faces. Captain Miller tells him, not to try to remember the faces, but to remember something they did together. The multiple scenes of cutting from or to Captain Miller’s eyes shows that their final moment on the bridge cemented Captain Miller’s face in Private Ryan’s memory. After losing my father in 2024, that hits home for me. Though a different war film from 1998 will show up higher on this list, Saving Private Ryan is worthy of all its own accolades. Last year’s ranking - NR

21. Roma - Alfonso Cuaron (2018) This film slipped a bit from last year, but don’t take that as a slight. It is absolutely beautiful, with jaw-dropping cinematography. The acting performances are also fantastic - particularly from lead actress Yalitza Aparcio. She, along with supporting actress Marina de Tavira, received Academy Award nominations, and rightfully so. This is a startling picture into everyday life in 1970s Mexico City. It is incredibly moving, and it is a visual marvel. This is an absolutely stunning picture. You can also read my full review of the film at InSessionFilm.com. Last year’s ranking - HM #4

20. Vertigo - Alfred Hitchcock (1958) So much has been said about this film, and it earns all the accolades. Hitchcock's use of color is surreal, and it draws you into this story of obsession and intrigue. There are many great scenes in the film, but I am always astounded by the scene where Scottie (James Stewart) saves Madeleine (Kim Novak) from the water with the majestic Golden Gate Bridge in the background. Stewart and Novak are both incredible in this film. While it is almost impossible to pick which of Stewart's performances marks his career best, this might just be it. Finally, I cannot help but remark on the inimitable talents of two Hollywood legends - score composer Bernard Herrmann and costume designer Edith Head. Herrmann created some of the most indelible scores in film history, and the music here is haunting and beautiful at the same time, much like the film as a whole. The costumes that Head creates evoke different shades of each character, and they add to the film's entrancing use of color. Last year’s ranking - HM #24

19. Audrey’s Children - Ami Canaan Mann (2024) I had the distinct pleasure of seeing this film at a special screening during the International Conference of Ronald McDonald House Charities. This is the story of Audrey Evans, one of the founders of this global non-profit for which I work. It is directed by Ami Canaan Mann, the daughter of one of my all-time favorite directors (Michael Mann). She forges her own path in this impeccable film. It will inspire you with the narrative and with the incredible lead performance from Natalie Dormer. Seeing this at the Chicago Theater with my colleagues from around the world will forever be a cherished memory. Last year’s ranking - HM #18

18. Conclave - Edward Berger (2024) The production design team for this film recreated the Sistine Chapel. That alone speaks to the detail and care that goes into Conclave. It takes the secretive process of selecting the next pope and weaves a story of tension between religious conservatism and progressive application of sacred texts. Ralph Fiennes is incredible, as always, and the supporting cast is peppered with actors of high stature. This is one I will revisit many times, I’m sure. Last year’s ranking - NR

17. 8 1/2 - Federico Fellini (1963) One of the best films about filmmaking to ever grace the screen, this classic from Italian master Federico Fellini is intoxicating from beginning to end. Fellini had such a wonderful eye for visuals, and creates some legendary ones here. Legendary Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni gives a wonderful performance as aging director Guido Anselmi. If you are a cinephile, this is a movie that must be on your list to watch. It has interesting things to say about the art of filmmaking itself, and it is one of the best examples of the type of art to which filmmaking can aspire. Last year’s ranking - HM #11

16. Wings of Desire - Wim Wenders (1987) What an emotional film this is. It won Wim Wenders the Best Director award at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. It centers around angels who help people in and around Berlin. Wenders uses the camera to pull us into the film’s unique perspective. It is that perspective that supports the emotional impact of the film’s story. The acting is incredible across the board, as well. For more on this film, you can check out my review for Filmotomy’s leadup series to the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. Last year’s ranking - HM #9

15. Red Beard - Akira Kurosawa (1965) We’ve seen Hitchcock, Fellini and now Akira Kurosawa - another titanic director of cinema history - on the list so far. Given that it's a Kurosawa film, it goes without saying that Red Beard is visually interesting. There are many powerful shots, including the header image above from a scene with visuals that stuck in my head for days after watching the film. It is long, coming in at over three hours. But its profound storyline never lets it feel arduous. Here we watch as the young Dr. Noboru Yasumoto (Yuzo Kayama) comes to a local clinic to care for the sick there. As the film begins, he sees the patients as simply dirty and sickly. But as the film continues, he - along with we as the audience - begin to consider the humanity of everyone we see. I also reviewed this film for Filmotomy as part of their World Cinema Project. Last year’s ranking - HM #10

14. Blade Runner 2049

Read My Original Review

14. Blade Runner 2049 - Denis Villenueve (2017) Few science fiction films in recent memory have been as masterful as Blade Runner 2049 - the sequel to the 1982 cult classic. It's not often that a cinematographer deserves top billing for a film, but I’ve already explained some of why Roger Deakins deserves such high praise. This film is a visual wonder. Deakins won his first Oscar for his work on this film, but he should probably have about seven by then. In any case, his futuristic stylings are simply breathtaking here. The score, too, by Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch is absolutely incredible. Last year’s ranking - HM #23

13. Thief - Michael Mann (1981) Here is the first film of Michael Mann’s to show up on this year’s list, but it certainly won’t be the last. The lead performance by the late, great James Caan is arguably his best. This was Mann’s debut feature, and it is better than most directors could do after years of experience. His trademark style is already evident. And the music is fantastic. This is a classic film. Last year’s ranking - HM #17

12. Rashomon - Akira Kurosawa (1950) Here’s another masterpiece from Kurosawa - one of the masters of cinema. In this film, he toyed with narrative structure in a way that would be copied for years to come. Rashomon influenced the use of nonlinear stories, unreliable narrators, and competing narratives that have become commonplace in modern cinema. In fact, Kurosawa didn't only influence movie making with his revolutionary techniques in this film. In legal circles, there is a specific name given to the phenomenon of two eyewitnesses giving contradictory statements. Know what it's called? The "Rashomon effect." (For more information on this film's impact, I'll direct you to this wonderful article from Criterion.) Here, multiple characters tell the story of the same crime but in different ways. We are allowed to "see" the crime from each perspective and come to our own conclusions about the truth. Kurosawa is a legend, and this is one of his finest films. Last year’s ranking - HM #8

11. Babylon - Damien Chazelle (2022) This film was woefully underrated upon release. Damien Chazelle is one of our best directors working today, and he will show up multiple times on the main list. His most recent films have been polarizing for myriad reasons, and this one most of all. However, I think this will be revisited as a masterpiece in later years. He weaves an incredible story full of fascinating characters that puts on the screen the sordid dichotomy that is Hollywood. We can be transfixed by the magical elements that we see on the screen. But behind that is a seedy underbelly of darkness. Even the magical light that breaks through the darkness of the theater for us to see films on screen is not powerful enough to break through the darkness of the people that put that film on screen. Last year’s ranking - #16

10. The Age of Innocence - Martin Scorsese (1993) Here is another director that you will see many more times on the list. This one doesn’t get talked about nearly enough as one of Marty’s best. Think of the courage it takes to be known for gritty dramas and decide to pivot to an Edith Wharton period piece. Marty is able to find his way into the story through the isolated man at its core - a recurring theme in Scorsese’s work. That man is Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) who is to be married to May Welland (Winona Ryder). The only problem? Newland loves Countess Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer). This may be the greatest telling of unrequited love in movie history. Scorsese gives it the visual touch for which he is known. It is endlessly impressive. Last year’s ranking - HM #14

9. The Banshees of Inisherin - Martin McDonagh (2022) I saw this for the first time by myself at a theater in Chicago and was absolutely floored by it. This film is an emotional gut punch and hit me in a deeper way than any of McDonagh’s previous work. The acting is impeccable across the board. Specifically, there is one scene where Barry Keoghan displays some of the best work in recent memory. You might not think much of a film on a remote island off the Irish coast about the disintegration of one solitary friendship. But I think you should. Last year’s ranking - #13

8. Steve Jobs - Danny Boyle (2015) I find this movie to be endlessly rewatchable. It comes from one of my favorite writers - Aaron Sorkin. Other than his acclaim as the creator and showrunner for The West Wing, Sorkin has become known for writing movies about the great men of our times. More accurately, his screenplays unearth how their accomplishments belie deep flaws in their character. When writing a movie about Steve Jobs, it would be easy to follow the tried-and-true method of the “greatest hits” style biopic. Instead, Sorkin goes for a story that subverts the biopic template and glides over major points in Jobs’ career. What results is a fascinating film that creates space for one of Michael Fassbender’s greatest performances - and that’s saying a lot! Last year’s ranking - HM #12

7. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood - Marielle Heller (2019) Some of the most talented directors working today are women, and Marielle Heller is certainly near the top of the list. Here, she masterfully creates a story about sincerity, with one of the most sincere figures in pop culture history - Fred Rogers - as part of the story. But this is not really his story, and the way Heller brings that to life is fantastic. This film, unfortunately, went under the radar a bit when it came to awards. But I thought it was clearly one of the best films of its year and one of the best I’ve ever seen. Last year’s ranking - HM #1

6. Ex Machina - Alex Garland (2014) Alex Garland is such a fascinating director. His films are cerebral yet visually stunning at the same time. Ex Machina incorporates a profound investigation of what it means to be human through the story of a master coder (Domnhall Gleeson), a tech magnate (Oscar Isaac), and the world's first true artificial intelligence, named Ava (Alicia Vikander). I absolutely love the ending to this film, and the entire story left me thinking for a long time. I’ve now watched it multiple times, and it certainly holds up to repeat viewings. If you'd like to see more of my thoughts on Ex Machina you can head over to my capsule review of the film for Filmotomy's British cinema roundup. Last year’s ranking - HM #7

5. Rear Window - Alfred Hitchcock (1954) Here is a film that considers the uses of the camera and the visual medium of film itself in telling a story. Hitchcock is often considered the greatest director who ever lived precisely because he had this mastery of visual storytelling. Jimmy Stewart plays a bedridden character who can only look out his back window through binoculars. The remainder of this murder mystery plays out mainly through visuals alone - we see the evidence in front of us. It is an audacious vision, and Hitchcock realizes it completely. In a career full of great films, this is one of Hitch’s best. Last year’s ranking - HM #6

4. Pan’s Labyrinth - Guillermo del Toro (2006) Director Guillermo del Toro weaves a beautiful story full of wonder and childlike innocence in the face of war and brutality in this modern classic. It has religious undertones that I found to be quite interesting, and the visuals are astounding. I would not necessarily say this is a film for children due to some of its scenes of violence and even some elements of horror. However, I think this is a great film for families who want to start discussions together. There’s a lot to unpack here, and del Toro is an absolute master storyteller. Last year’s ranking - HM #5

3. True Grit - Ethan Coen and Joel Coen (2010) Here is the first movie from the Coen Brothers to show up on my list, but it certainly won't be the last. Full disclosure - I haven't seen the original for which John Wayne won a Best Actor Oscar. While that means I have no framework for how closely this remake follows that film, I do know one thing - this film is incredible on its own. First and foremost, you have a gritty and, at times, hilarious performance from Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn. Matching him step for step is Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross. This was Steinfeld's breakout role, and she nailed it even as a 14 year-old. The Coens are masters of their craft, and their talent is clearly on display here. This is a film that is easy to re-watch and has more treasures in store every time. Last year’s ranking - HM #3

2. Zoolander - Ben Stiller (2001) A film about a male model who gets chosen by fashion overlords to carry out an assassination based purely on the fact that he is dim enough to be brainwashed may sound too "out there" to work. Maybe it should be, but Zoolander will always be one of my favorite comedies. Yes, it's silly and zany, but Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) has to be one of the great comedy film characters of recent memory. There are so many memorable lines and scenes. Mer-man, Eu-goog-oly, and Blue Steel. The Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good, Derelict, and ambi-turners. Makes me laugh every time. Last year’s ranking - HM #2

1. Strangers on a Train - Alfred Hitchcock (1951) My first time seeing this Hitchcock classic remains one of my favorite moviegoing experiences. I saw it with my Wife and my Mom at the delightful Artcraft Theater in Franklin, Indiana. It was like going back in time with old-time popcorn machines and the small town feel. Into that quaint setting sprang this firecracker of a film. You must begin by talking about Robert Walker’s incredible performance as the villainous, Bruno Antony. Here also is possibly Hitchcock’s best example of the theme that shows up often in his films - the attempt to plan the perfect murder. This film is taught and thrilling and is very nearly the best film from the man that many consider to be the greatest director to ever live. Last year’s ranking - #100

So, there you have it. Those are the films that just barely missed out. Check back next week for numbers 100-76. For now, leave me a comment below to let me know what films you think I missed. Thanks, friends!