The Criterion Closet is simply that: a closet full of films on Blu-Ray and DVD for people to buy and keep for themselves. If this is not known, many actors and directors visit the Criterion Closet and pick about three or four movies that they get to keep. While picking their movies, audiences get to listen to them speak in admiration for the film, how it was made, and how it effectively impacted their careers in the film industry. Although I am neither an actor nor director, I would still love to visit this closet and choose a few films, and maybe even have my own. Here are five films that would be featured in my movie closet.

     Casino (1995)

     ‘Casino,’ directed by the famous Martin Scorsese, is set in the early 1970s in Las Vegas and tells the story of two best friends and a socialite as they compete against each other for a gambling empire. One thing to keep in mind is that this film is loosely based on a true story. Adapted from Nicholas Pleggi’s non-fiction novel, ‘Casino: Love and Honor in Las Vegas’, the book divulges in the true story of mob-run casinos in the 1970s, and the characters in the film are based on real people. The story follows protagonist Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein, played by Oscar winner Robert De Niro, who is based on real-life mobster Lefty Rosenthal, as he tries to juggle the operation of his Las Vegas casino, his hot-headed and mob connected best friend Nicky Santoro, played by Joe Pesci, based on mob enforcer Tony Spilotro, and his hustler wife Ginger, played by Sharon Stone. At a run time of just about three hours, this film never gets boring. Full of surprises, breathtaking costumes, witty and hilarious dialogue, and phenomenal editing, which was done by Scorsese’s long-time collaborator Thelma Schoonmaker, keeps the story flowing and never slows down. I had just recently discovered this film this summer, and I can’t get it out of my head. It’s an underrated classic by Scorsese, and dare I say, his best film. I am incredibly proud to have this film in my closet and have it listed as my favorite film of all time.

     Heat (1995)

     Michael Mann’s ‘Heat’ is considered to be one of the greatest heist films of all time. Starring Robert De Niro as the protagonist Neil McCauley, a master thief planning his last score, and the great Al Pacino as Vincent Hanna, the LAPD lieutenant who is obsessed with catching McCauley and his crew. The cat-and-mouse game between  them is all over the place, full of violence, and even a deep understanding between the two of them. Both men deal with their work lives intertwining with their home lives, and how they must choose between their family or their professional life. This film is amazing. The performances, specifically Pacino’s erraticism, the cinematography, the shootout scenes, the dialogue, the score, the visuals; it’s just a perfect movie. Most heist films are all shootouts and bank robberies, and people never really get to know the protagonist and antagonist as well as audiences would like to. ‘Heat’ brings many humanizing features to both of the men, and by involving their personal lives, the audience remembers that these men are human, too. They endure marital struggles, gambling issues, and loneliness just like everyone else. Without this in-depth look into their lives, ‘Heat’ would just be another generic heist film that ends with the bad guy in jail and the cop getting a medal for their hard work. Although its run time is, again, just about three hours, it’s not a movie to skip over. It’s phenomenal and has made its impact on the film industry, as well as my perception of film.

     Brokeback Mountain (2005)

     Adapted from Annie Proulx’s short story, ‘Brokeback Mountain’ directed by Ang Lee, tells the 20 year love story of Ennis Del Mar, portrayed by the late great Heath Ledger, and Jack Twist, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. Starting in 1963, where the two men met in Wyoming on a sheep herding job on Brokeback Mountain and end up falling in love, to 1983, when the men last see one another, it shows the men’ s personal lives and struggles after they marry their longtime sweethearts and have children while also finding the time to see one another in private. Coming in at two hours and 15 minutes, this film is anything but a drag. Without the outstanding performances by Ledger and Gyllenhaal, this film wouldn’t be as amazing as it is. Both of their raw, real, and emotional performances really bring to light how much the men longed for one another but couldn’t have each other. Alongside them, Michelle Williams, who played Ennis’s wife Alma, and Anne Hathaway, who played Jack’s wife Lureen, both give breathtaking performances as the women in the middle of the extramarital affair. I am incredibly surprised that none of these four actors won an Academy Award for their performances. I was also mesmerized by the beautiful score, breathtaking visuals, costume design, and cinematography. Even though the film is beautifully made, it was controversial at the time of its release due to the love story between the two men. This film is still heavily criticized to this day. Regardless, this film is incredibly moving and very personal to me. 

     Seven (1995)

     David Fincher’s second feature film, ‘Seven,’ details the story of Detective David Mills, played by Brad Pitt, and his partner Detective William Somerset, played by the famous Morgan Freeman, as a serial killer taunts their city over the course of a week and bases his victims on the seven deadly sins. The complexity of this film is something to note before diving headfirst. It gets thrilling and even scary at times, but never drags and doesn’t give off the impression of an average serial killer flick. Most of the film, if not its entirety, is very dim and dark, warranting viewers to pay closer attention and fully take in the film’s message. Full of the biggest twists and turns, mainly at the end of the film, symbolism, and wonderful performances by Pitt and Freeman, as well as Kevin Spacey’s performance as John Doe, the villain, the film keeps viewers on their toes and keeps them guessing. It’s a great film to watch on a rainy day and is underrated in regards to Fincher’s work. In the end, Seven’s dark tone, plot, and infamous ending make it stand out from any other thriller film I’ve ever seen.

     The Godfather Part ll (1974)

     Last but not least, Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed sequel to one of the best films of all time, ‘The Godfather’, ‘The Godfather Part ll,’ continues the story of the Corleone family, bouncing back and forth from the past of Vito’s early life and transcendence into crime and the present as Michael tries to turn the family legitimate but deals with mishaps. Al Pacino reprises his role as Michael Corleone, the new head of the family, and Robert De Niro plays a young Vito Corleone after he has immigrated to America from Italy in the early 1900s and slowly begins his descent into crime. There are not enough words to describe this film. With a runtime of three hours and 22 minutes, this film surpasses its predecessor and uses a dual structure that explores the Corleone family legacy and how it was built. The film’s pace is fairly slow, but that’s on purpose. Every scene is full of implications and emotional depth that deserves a slow pace. The performances by Pacino and De Niro, De Niro ended up winning a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award for his performance, have very huge contrast which helps the audience understand the characters that they are portraying. Pacino’s performance is full of quiet and blank stares with the occasional outburst, while De Niro’s performance is very quiet yet determined. With these timelines side by side, audiences may feel like they are watching a dynasty being born and destroyed at the same time. This film is considered to be one of the greatest sequels of all time, even winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Overall, it’s a beautiful piece of film, and it’s a definite favorite of mine. 

     All in all, these five films are why cinema matters to me deeply. Each one gives theatergoers something to think about. These films remind people that great movies don’t just entertain but challenge and move  viewers in ways that are unexpected. I highly recommend all of these films to everyone, movie lover or not.