Heavenly dramas often involve themes of afterlife, divine intervention, or spiritual journeys, exploring existential questions through fantastical narratives. 1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed. Why it’s great: 2. Heaven […]

Generation gap films explore the conflicts and misunderstandings between different age groups, often focusing on parent-child relationships or societal changes. 1. Rebel Without a Cause (1955) A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding friends and enemies. Why it’s great: 2. The Graduate (1967) A disillusioned college graduate finds […]

Film à clef movies are works of fiction that represent real-life people or events under the guise of fiction. 1. Citizen Kane (1941) Following the death of publishing tycoon Charles Foster Kane, reporters scramble to uncover the meaning of his final utterance: ‘Rosebud’. Why it’s great: 2. All the President’s Men (1976) Two Washington Post […]

Feminist films explore women’s issues, challenge gender norms, and often feature strong female protagonists. 1. Thelma & Louise (1991) Two best friends embark on a road trip with unforeseen consequences. Why it’s great: 2. Erin Brockovich (2000) An unemployed single mother becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused […]

These films typically focus on women who have transgressed societal norms or expectations, often exploring themes of redemption and societal judgment. 1. Camille (1936) A Parisian courtesan must choose between the young man who loves her and the rich man who can support her. Why it’s great: 2. Jezebel (1938) In 1850s Louisiana, a free-spirited […]

Euro-spy films, popular in the 1960s, are European-produced spy movies often inspired by the success of the James Bond series. 1. The Ipcress File (1965) A British spy takes on the task of finding a missing scientist, uncovering a sinister plot in the process. Why it’s great: 2. Danger: Diabolik (1968) International man of mystery […]

These films chronicle the experiences of families from specific ethnic backgrounds, often spanning multiple generations and exploring themes of identity and cultural heritage. 1. The Godfather Trilogy (1972, 1974, 1990) The multigenerational saga of the Corleone family’s rise in organized crime in America. Why it’s great: 2. Fiddler on the Roof (1971) In prerevolutionary Russia, […]

Ensemble films feature a large cast of characters, often with interconnected storylines, showcasing multiple perspectives and relationships. 1. Magnolia (1999) An epic mosaic of interrelated characters in search of love, forgiveness, and meaning in the San Fernando Valley. Why it’s great: 2. Crash (2004) Los Angeles citizens with vastly separate lives collide in interweaving stories […]

These films focus on characters dealing with illnesses or disabilities, often exploring themes of resilience, acceptance, and the human spirit. 1. The Theory of Everything (2014) A look at the relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking and his wife. Why it’s great: 2. Rain Man (1988) Selfish yuppie Charlie Babbitt’s father left a fortune […]

Diary films, often in documentary form, present personal experiences and reflections, typically chronicling the filmmaker’s life or a specific period of time. 1. The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) During World War II, a teenage Jewish girl named Anne Frank and her family are forced into hiding in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. Why it’s great: 2. […]