Hamzeh Al-Afghani.

101 Movies

102 essays, one film at a time. First published on LinkedIn in 2022.

  1. 1 101 Movies or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Listen to My WifeHow the series began, and film 1: Dr. StrangeloveAnd I know in my heart that when my wife says wait, she has an idea!
  2. 2 In the Mood for LoveIt's a work of art and perfection from whichever side you look at it. 2000
  3. 3 Cinema ParadisoIf Cinema Paradiso is a love letter to cinema, this, is my love letter to Cinema Paradiso. 1988
  4. 4 The Social Networkthis is THE HARVARD OF CINEMA! 2010
  5. 5 CasablancaSo what makes Casablanca an all-time masterpiece? 1942
  6. 6 Punch-Drunk LoveDepending on what you're in for, this is the type of film that you either love so much or hate so much. 2002
  7. 7 Bicycle ThievesBicycle Thieves is a true masterpiece that authentically captures the true essence of the human experience. 1948
  8. 8 The Wolf of Wall StreetAnd capitalism speaks for itself. 2013
  9. 9 2001: A Space OddessyI never wished I were smarter so much in my life 1968
  10. 10 The IntouchablesThis is a feel-good movie made right. 2011
  11. 11 Raging BullTomorrow's film is larger than most films, larger than life, larger than me. 1980
  12. 12 A SeparationAnd coming from the Middle East, no cinema is more relevant to me, my people, and my society, speaks to me touches my heart like Iranian cinema. 2011
  13. 13 The ShiningGrab a drink, make sure there's at least one person in the next room (like I did), and let cinema shine over you. 1980
  14. 14 Spirited AwayPlease do experience this in its original spoken language. 2001
  15. 15 La StradaO MY HEART, DO ITALIANS DO IT BETTER! 1954
  16. 16 Portrait of a Lady on FireOnly few 21st century motion pictures look as beautiful and haunting on the aesthetic and artistic levels as this French melodrama. 2019
  17. 17 Life is BeautifulThis is a story about love, human spirit, and freedom. 1997
  18. 18 HerHer is a cinematic A on all levels. 2013
  19. 19 It's a Wonderful LifeThis is the type of film that brings the whole family together, no matter how many times you have seen it, it never gets old. 1946
  20. 20 Frances HaGreta Gerwig, who also co-wrote the film with her partner Noah Baumbach, gives a vibrant performance and one of the best monologues of the decade. 2012
  21. 21 StalkerThough it is stunningly beautiful I founded the hardest to watch, however my perspective on cinema, on life is never the same after watching it. 1979
  22. 22 WhiplashThis is a perfection about perfection. 2014
  23. 23 Full Metal JacketThis is Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece about war and the duality of man. 1987
  24. 24 500 Days of SummerThis is the perfect story about imperfect love. 2009
  25. 25 The 400 BlowsThis is a story of an adolescent who expected to understand, navigate through, and thrive in life without anybody else's help and guidance... 1959
  26. 26 Inside Llewyn DavisInside Llewyn Davis is a folk song, a relatable realism, and a brilliant comedy. 2013
  27. 27 La Dolce VitaThis is a film that is bigger than all films. 1960
  28. 28 ZodiacThis is a perfectly constructed, edited and directed motion picture about the horrific true events and America's most elusive killer. 2007
  29. 29 Children of HeavenChildren of Heaven is a heartwarming song of love and innocence, a sincere love letter for the children of the world, the children of heaven. 1997
  30. 30 Children of MenAlfonso Cuarón outdoes himself as a filmmaking genius crafting an exuberant cinematic masterpiece. 2006
  31. 31 The Umbrellas of CherbourgHappy and heartbreaking, beautiful and melancholic, real and fictional. 1964
  32. 32 La La LandA perfect balance between the glamorous dreams and the harsh reality of life. 2016
  33. 33 The Grand IllusionA film of people and about people, above all borders and differences. 1937
  34. 34 MoonlightMoonlight is the main reason why cinema as an art form exists. 2016
  35. 35 Tokyo StoryNearly 70 years after its release, this masterpiece of Japanese cinema continues to echo as an universal work of art. 1953
  36. 36 In BrugesThis is black comedy at its finest. 2008
  37. 37 Ali: Fear Eats the SoulI would often perceive the words 'happiness' and 'art' as synonyms 1974
  38. 38 The LobsterThis is a story of a different kind, a love letter to the free who rebel against the rules, blind obedience, and the dictation of society. 2015
  39. 39 Pather PanchaliThis is a coming-of-age story of family, poverty, and the ongoing cycle of change and struggle. 1955
  40. 40 Blue JayAs simple as it is Blue Jay is as sentimentally packed as (I am going to say it) Casablanca. 2016
  41. 41 The Red ShoesThis is as Shakespearean as Romeo and Juliet. 1948
  42. 42 DogtoothThis is a study of nature versus nurture, a satire on the human experience, blind obedience, education and influence. 2009
  43. 43 Paths of GloryThis is a story about the real cruelty of war, the horror poor soldiers live (and die) through in favor of degenerate higher-ups living in mansions. 1957
  44. 44 DeparturesThey say action speaks louder than words, I say music speaks louder than both. 2008
  45. 45 AmarcordAmarcord is a carnival of cinema, a bitter-sweet canvas made with time, a mesmerizing Italian masterpiece of sight and sound. 1973
  46. 46 Moonrise KingdomMoonrise Kingdom is an unconventional masterpiece of cinema for the young and for the adult. 2012
  47. 47 Grave of the FirefliesI can't remember I cried so much, almost for the entire runtime, like I had during this heart-wrenching melodrama. 1988
  48. 48 AmourA modern masterpiece about life, death and the little love in between. 2012
  49. 49 The Sound of MusicIf you have never seen it, you'd probably heard its music. And if you haven't had both, you'd probably want to fix that ASAP. 1965
  50. 50 TheebHonoring my homeland in the first Arab feature film in this series. 2014
  51. 51 Once Upon a Time in the WestThis is a spaghetti western at its finest. 1968
  52. 52 PKPK is a meditative satire on the human experience. 2014
  53. 53 GoodfellasHaving gained cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, Goodfellas is one of the greatest films ever made, a true masterpiece of cinema. 1990
  54. 54 AmélieTo all the introvert hearts of the world, this is love letter to you. 2001
  55. 55 BreathlessThis is groundbreaking cinema at its peak. 1960
  56. 56 Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)Is this art or is it the unexpected masterpiece of 21st century cinema?! 2014
  57. 57 12 Angry MenThis is the closest cinema has gotten to perfection. 1957
  58. 58 City of GodCity of God is compelling 21st century masterpiece of world cinema that translate pain into art. 2002
  59. 59 Hiroshima Mon AmourThis is poem of love in a time defined by war. 1959
  60. 60 Little WomenThis is a tale of four sisters on the threshold of womanhood, a feminine and playful energy, and an unconventional, authentic romance. 2019
  61. 61 The Tree of LifeIf there can only be one artist in the domain of visual arts and storytelling in the world, my vote will go to Terrance Malick. 2011
  62. 62 The ApartmentThis is a film about those who walk home alone, a melodrama of the days when it's cold outside and inside. 1960
  63. 63 ParasiteIn the year 2019 in the world of art, culture, politics and economics there was the little South Korean film Parasite and there was everything else. 2019
  64. 64 A Clockwork OrangeThis is dystopian cinema at its finest. 1971
  65. 65 Fantastic Mr. FoxThis is a cinematic adventure with style, a tale of family and friendship, community and responsibility, underground tunnels and burning things. 2009
  66. 66 The Battle of AlgiersThis is a heartbreaking depiction of war and the horror of war. 1966
  67. 67 Good TimeThis is love story of a different kind, a cinematic twisted pleasure. 2017
  68. 68 ManhattanThis is a love poem to New York City. 1979
  69. 69 The Room & The Disaster ArtistThis is cinema reminding us that at the end of the day, good artists and bad artists, aspire to...
  70. 70 Barton FinkThis is a cinema for the mind where you are invited into the artist's world of imagination, paradox, and dream-like nature. 1991
  71. 71 IncendiesI remember watching this for the first (and only) time about 5 years ago, this cinematic experience still echos in my heart today. 2010
  72. 72 The Godfather I & III had to skip school the next day to watch The Godfather Part II
  73. 73 Dancer in the Darkthis is the cinema of the hearts. 2000
  74. 74 When Harry Met Sally...so hilarious that you want to have what they're having. 1989
  75. 75 The Living TrilogyFor those who appreciate the art of satire and surrealism, this is your heaven.
  76. 76 The Rules of the GameThe Rules of the Game is a masterpiece of the game, the game of cinema and storytelling that be watched, studied... 1939
  77. 77 The PianistThe Pianist is a beautiful yet emotionally devastating cinematic masterpiece, a portrait of the human spirit. 2002
  78. 78 Vertigoit's a love story within a mystery within a love story. 1958
  79. 79 Inglorious BastardsI think this just might be Tarantino's "masterpiece"! 2009
  80. 80 Nights of CabiriaThis is about the pain and hope of finding a meaning at a time defined by the lack thereof. 1957
  81. 81 DriveThis is about boy who meets girl. 2011
  82. 82 Le Grand AmourAnd is it in the heart or is it in the trousers? 1969
  83. 83 Mad Max: Fury RoadThis is as committed as epic cinema can and should be. 2015
  84. 84 ViridianaViridiana is an unorthodox examination of art, religion, and society, a beautiful work of art and a masterpiece of world cinema. 1961
  85. 85 Inside OutHe creates a cinema of wonder that respects the mind of its viewer and leaves them blown away from the inside out. 2015
  86. 86 FargoThis is a shakespearen tale of morality, greed, and violence, a bizarre satire on the human troubled condition. 1996
  87. 87 Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and SpringThis is a meditation within a meditation within a meditative masterpiece of cinema. 2003
  88. 88 The Holy MountainThis is an examination of the human condition, an oddessy into the metaphysical realm of existence. 1973
  89. 89 InterstellarCinema was born on earth, it was never meant to stay here! 2014
  90. 90 Eyes Wide ShutThis is a story of eyes wide open and eyes wide shut. 1999
  91. 91 1917This is cinematic journey where - just like life - the only way to go is forward. 2019
  92. 92 The LeopardThis is an exquisite motion picture about the love that's arranged for us and the love we choose. 1963
  93. 93 CapernaumCapernaum is 21st century portrait of 21st century realism from 21st century world cinema. 2018
  94. 94 MalènaThis is acting at its most prestigious. 2000
  95. 95 The Hateful EightThis is old-fashioned cinema at its most golden. 2015
  96. 96 The Big LebowskiJust take it easy, man! 1998
  97. 97 The MasterThis is a work of art and craftsmanship in sight and in sound. 2012
  98. 98 8½This is celebration of art and those who live and die making it. 1963
  99. 99 5 Broken CamerasThis is a chronicle of witnessing and resistance. 2011
  100. 100 Barry LyndonThis is the most beautiful film ever shot. 1975
  101. 101 RomaLet's see if I can manage to convince her of another 101 Movies instead. 2018
  102. 102 Stanley Kubrick's Napoleon: The Greatest Movie Never MadeBonus essaythe best film is yet to be made, it's the film I am dreaming of making myself, it's the next film.