Films can also be endlessly divisive just because they involve so many different and potentially competing elements. Many nearly great movies have gone off the rails due to needlessly wordy dialogue, the wrong shooting location, a jarring soundtrack, a poorly executed accent, or an attention-seeking performance. Like four sledgehammers driving home the same tent stake, word, sight, sound, and performance must work in perfect harmony and synchrony.
This is a celebration of masterpieces that continue to stand the test of time – nearly perfect movies that help us remember and treasure the power of cinema. This list is far from exhaustive, but here are ten:
