25 From 25: A Quarter Century of Great Movies Part 3 of 5

As hard as it might be to believe, the 21st century will soon be 25 percent over.

(L–R) Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel Adams), Robby Robinson (Michael Keaton), and Matt Carroll (Brian d'Arcy James), in "Spotlight." Open Road Films

During the last week of every month through this November, I'll be listing my 25 favorite movies of the last 25 years (five per month, listed in chronological order).

This month’s titles are distinguishable from all other sets in this series because it also includes the most (two) Academy Award Best Picture winners. Other than most critics and movie nerds, a Best Picture Oscar means little to most of us so it’s rare when we (meaning me) agree with the winning choice. To have two of these occur in a single five-year period has never happened before and likely will never happen to me again. Also, this set contains the sole documentary on the list.

‘Looper’ (2012)

Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Sara (Emily Blunt), in "Looper." TriStar Pictures

After his stunning debut feature effort (“Brick”) and before the “Knives Out” murder mystery trilogy, filmmaker Rian Johnson delivered perhaps the finest sci-fi mystery thriller of all-time. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis co-starred as the same looper (Joe) at different points of time in 2044 and 2074.

A looper is an assassin that assassinates criminals sent back in time from the future. The big catch: Eventually the looper is going to have to murder an older version of themselves from the past. Unlike far too many sci-fi movies, this one establishes its own set of unique rules early on and never once breaks them in order to force-fit a late-in-arriving weak plot twist. Pulling this off in itself was a minor miracle.

The movie also features a wrenching performance from Emily Blunt as Sara, a tougher-than-nails single mother and Kansan farmer who knows no limits when it comes to protecting her targeted preschool son Cid (Pierce Gagnon). This overwhelmingly powerful parent-child bond is beyond moving and inspirational.

‘12 Years a Slave’ (2013)

(L–R) Patsey (Lupita Nyong'o), Epps (Michael Fassbender), and Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), in "12 Years a Slave." Fox Searchlight Pictures

Based on the 1853 memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup, British director Steve McQueen’s sprawling pre-Civil War epic is as raw, visceral, and ear-pinning as one could imagine. Nominated for nine Oscars (and winner of three), it stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup, a free New York black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery.

Turning in superb support are producer Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Michael Fassbender as a beyond-evil slave owner, and Lupita Nyong’o in an Oscar-winning performance as the slave Patsey.

The depictions of violence and cruelty in the movie are jarring and intense; they are far more graphic than any other movie depicting the events of that era. McQueen exhibits immense restraint and never drifts into exploitation territory. It will chill you to the bone before thoroughly melting your heart.

‘Spotlight’ (2015)

(L–R) Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel Adams), Robby Robinson (Michael Keaton), and Matt Carroll (Brian d'Arcy James), in "Spotlight." Open Road Films

For his seventh feature, actor turned writer-director Tom McCarthy (“The Station Agent”) took on subject matter many thought to be unfilmable, or at the least, commercially unsalable. Michael Keaton leads a superb ensemble cast as Walter “Robby” Robinson, the editor-at-large at the Boston Globe for 34 years.

In 2001, Robinson and his “Spotlight” investigative team embarked on a multi-year-long assignment to get to the bottom of the decades-old scandal involving Catholic priests and minor children. It is presented with the utmost care and delicate restraint.

Without getting too heavy with biblical allegory, the movie is a modern day “David & Goliath.”

‘Deadpool’ (2016)

Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds, L) and Colossus (Stefan Kapicic), in "Deadpool." 20th Century Fox

This is the only comic book adaptation in this series; during its first theatrical run, it became the highest grossing “R” rated movie of all time. Co-producer Ryan Reynolds stars as the title character, an irreverent, trash-talking, wisecracking mutant who reluctantly becomes a shunned member of the X-Men. The crack supporting cast includes Leslie Uggams, Gina Carano, Ed Skrein, and Morena Baccarin as Deadpool’s love interest.

Loaded to the rafters with obscure pop culture references and barbed jabs at the comic book community, the movie, at its core, is a superb romantic comedy and a razor-sharp parody of the very genre it sprang from. Worth seeing but not quite as engaging are the obligatory sequels from 2018 and 2024.

‘Apollo 11’ (2019)

Neil Armstrong in the documentary "Apollo 11." Universal Pictures

Released mere months before the 50th anniversary of the first space mission where man walked on the moon, “Apollo 11” is a documentary that eschews many of the genre’s typical staples (especially narration). The result is one of the most exciting, engrossing, entertaining, and informative movies you’re ever likely to experience.

If you are of certain age, you’ll remember everything that happens in this movie actually transpired. For those who fit that description and might want to pass on the film citing a “been there done that” mindset, please reconsider. While a great deal of what is shown in “Apollo 11” is something you’re probably already familiar with, over half is from different perspectives which you’ve never seen.

I was in shock and awe the entire time, which was likely due to the fact I saw it in “true” IMAX. A true IMAX screen, known as 1.43:1 aspect ratio or IMAX GT, is much larger and taller than a standard screen, with typical dimensions being around 60 to 80 feet tall and wide. These are distinct from the smaller “lieMAX” screens, which have a standard widescreen aspect ratio and are significantly smaller.

Bar none, “Apollo 11” is the finest documentary feature film ever produced.

Check out the first and second sets of great films of the last 25 years. All titles are available on physical home video. For streaming options, visit www.justwatch.com. Please be sure to check back towards the end of October for the fourth set of five great 21st century titles.

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