Scott Tobias
Critic
USA
Voted for
| Film | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen Kane | 1941 | Orson Welles |
| The Umbrellas of Cherbourg | 1964 | Jacques Demy |
| Vertigo | 1958 | Alfred Hitchcock |
| Tokyo Story | 1953 | Yasujirō Ozu |
| Taxi Driver | 1976 | Martin Scorsese |
| Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles | 1975 | Chantal Akerman |
| The Night of the Hunter | 1955 | Charles Laughton |
| Modern Romance | 1981 | Albert Brooks |
| Blow Out | 1981 | Brian De Palma |
| In the Mood for Love | 2000 | Wong Kar Wai |
Comments
Citizen Kane
The former champion still feels like a grand summation of film's early development as an art form and a glimpse of the future, too. At the same time, it's a hugely entertaining portrait of the media narcissism and demagoguery that underscores American politics.
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Apart from being an utterly unique and emotionally convulsive movie musical, Demy's film is as wise about the ebbs and flows of love as any film, regardless of genre.
Vertigo
A worthy new #1 from the last poll, because it feels like we're finally catching up to it.
Tokyo Story
"Isn't life disappointing?" It certainly is.
Taxi Driver
We live in Travis Bickle's world. Scorsese and De Niro put us in his head.
Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
One of those films that alters your metabolism and changes your idea of what a movie can be.
The Night of the Hunter
The greatest directorial one-off in history, an enveloping Southern Gothic that exposes our attraction to charismatic grifters and the dangerous world we create for the most vulnerable among us.
Modern Romance
Savagely self-deprecating and funny as hell, with comedy's premier deconstructionist picking apart romantic dysfunction.