Glazed Cinema

Directed by Merian C. Cooper and released in 1933, King Kong follows a film crew, venturing to the far away island Skull Island to film footage for their next movie. In dong so, however the leading lady is taken as tribute to the island's God, a giant gorilla named Kong. The crew, fearful for the young starlet's safety sets out on a rescue mission that soon gets corrupted by greed and fa...

Directed by Tim Burton and released in 2003, Big Fish tells the many tales of Edward Bloom. Edward Bloom is a man who has many stories to tell as he's lived a full and adventurous life. It's a story as much about Edward's life as it is about the reconciliation between father and son. Told by a master of the fantastical Big Fish is an entertaining feast for the senses and one with a...

Directed by Sidney Lumet and released in 1957, 12 Angry Men follows twelve jurors who must deliberate the facts of a murder case to reach a unanimous verdict. With a great cast, flawless execution, and wonderful writing and cinematography, it is among the most beloved films of all time and one that continues to entertain audiences to this day.

Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky and released in 1975, Mirror is an art film by one of the great auteurs of cinema. Driven by a narrator, Mirror tells the tale of a man on his deathbed, recounting moments from his life as well as others from his mother's and grandmother's lives. Told through breathtaking imagery, wonderful acting, and beautifully poetic narration, Mirror is an art film all i...

Directed by Andzrej Wajda and released in 1958, Ashes and Diamonds follows an assassin in the Polish resistance. On the night his country celebrates the end of WWII in Europe, he lies in wait for his target. While hiding in plain sight he spends time befriending an attractive bartender and conversing with his friend Andzrej, all the while keeping a watchful eye out for his moment to strike. A beau...

Directed by John Ford and released in 1956, The Searchers is a one of the greatest films ever made by a cinematic master. Following two men, Ethan Edwards and Martin Pawley as they embark on a search for Ethan's only surviving family member, his niece Debbie after she's capturing by Native Americans in a raid that killed her family. A movie with a lot of layers, complexity, and visual be...

Directed by Roy Ward Baker and released in 1958, A Night to Remember is a film that tells the tragic tale of the R.M.S. Titanic. Based on a novel by Walter Lord of the same name, the film takes a respectful approach to the subject with honesty and care. It is widely respected and its influence can still be felt to this day. 

Directed by Marc Forster and released in 2006, Stranger Than Fiction follows a tax auditor named Harold Crick through a unique moment in his life. A moment defined by a voice, narrating his actions, thoughts, and feelings. A wonderfully layered film, it's an experience I enjoy watching often and one worth pressing play on.

Directed by Steve James and released in 1994, Hoop Dreams follows two young basketball players named Arthur Agee and William Gates. From the eighth grade to college we see their basketball careers develop and what life on and off the court is like for a player scouted from a young age, trying to realize a dream. One of the best documentary films ever made, Hoop Dreams is a must-see for any film fa...

Directed by Marjane Satrapi and released in 2007, Persepolis is a film based on a graphic memoir of the same name. Using animation inspired by the illustration style of the book, it uses a mix of stark black and white and vibrant color to unfurl its plot. With themes of identity, perseverance, and courage it's an emotionally gripping and poignant tale we can all take something from and an exp...

Directed by Leontine Sagan and released in 1931, Madchen in Uniform follows a teenage girl named Manuela who enters an all-girls boarding school. As she makes friends and learns the rules of the strict school,  she soon develops a crush on a young female teacher. A movie boasting an impressive number of firsts in cinema, it opened a lot of doors for women and the LGBTQ+ community in film.

Directed by George Tillman Jr. and released in 1997, Soul Food follows a family in Chicago, whose ties that hold them together begin to come loose when the matriarch, Big Momma Joe, falls ill. Ahmad, the youngest plans to bring them together again to strengthen their ties with a tried and true solution, the Sunday meal. A story that celebrates the complexities and bonds of family, it's a grea...

Directed by Barbara Kopple and released in 1976, Harlan County USA is a documentary about a coal mining strike, called 'The Brookside Strike'. Showing empathy toward the workers, protesting we get a glimpse of what it means to be a coal miner in Harlan County at that time. Documenting many aspects of the strike, Harlan County USA is an important historical document about labor and human...

Directed by Peter Medak and released in 1980, The Changeling is a horror film that brings a fresh look at the haunted house genre. With an eerie atmosphere, fantastic acting, and an intriguing story, it's sure to keep you on your toes. It's a multi-dimensional horror film filled with frights, surprises, and great moments sure to entertain you during the spooky season of the year.

Directed by Benjamin Christensen and released in 1922, Häxan is a film about the history of witchcraft. Acting like a film essay that blends documentary and fiction, it results in an experience uniquely its own. Banned shortly after its release for depicting controversial content, its history is a rocky one. At 100 years old, Häxan packs quite the punch and is a silent era wonder.

Directed by Sylvain Chomet and released in 2010, The Illusionist is an animated film that follows an aging magician named Tatischeff as he travels from place to place, performing for sparse crowds. Upon landing in a foreign land he makes a friend with whom he begins travelling with. Based on a screenplay by a legendary French writer and director, it's a wonderfully animated film that provides...

Directed by Akira Kurosawa and released in 1964, Yojimbo is a film about a wandering ronin, who upon arriving in a new town learns of the bad state it's in. Run by two rival gangs, he decides to try and help the town by pitting the two sides against each other. A legendary film made by a cinematic icon, it's a highly entertaining film for any film fan.

Directed by Michel Gondry and released in 2004, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a modern classic blending science fiction, drama, and romantic comedy. A tale about a man erasing the memory of his girlfriend from his mind, and trying to salvage what he can upon realizing his love for her in the process. With a great cast, direction, music, and cinematography there's a lot to love abou...

Directed by Stanley Kubrick and released in 1957, Paths of Glory follows Colonel Dax, an officer in the French army during World War One. After a failed attack that was doomed from the start, three of his men are tried for cowardice under penalty of death. A lawyer himself, Colonel Dax, played by Kirk Douglas must defend his men being prosecuted by his commending officers. A film regarded as one o...

Directed by Vera Chytilova and released in 1966, Daisies is a story about two young girls named Marie, living in Czechoslovakia, causing mischief and having fun. This inventive film and product of the fantastic Czech New Wave is a wonder of individualism. Directed by the first female director of Czechoslovakia, it continues to entertain and influence viewers more than fifty years after its release...

Directed by Jim Jarmusch and released in 1986, Down by Law follows three men who are all strangers to each other. Each of them are arrested on the same night and thrown in a jail cell together. This deadpan gem follows them as they bump heads, bond, and plot their escape to freedom together.

Directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 1975, Jaws is a legendary film about a beach front community terrorized by a shark around the 4th of July holiday. Iconic in so many ways, Jaws has been entertaining audiences and influencing filmgoers for over four decades.

Directed by Marc Singer and released in 2000, Dark Days is a documentary film that follows a group of homeless people living in the subway tunnels beneath New York City. A tight knit community, each comes up to the surface to find food and money and retreats back to be home in the safety of darkness. An uplifting documentary with quite the story to tell both on and off screen, its a highly regarde...

Directed by John Carpenter and released in 1988, They Live tells the story of an out of work drifter, who finds construction work in Los Angeles. Befriending a man named Frank he finds a home in a shantytown and a pair of sunglasses. When he tries the shades on however, he finds they do more than just protect his eyes from the sun. A science fiction gem, They Live is an entertaining watch for any...

Directed by Michael Haneke and released in 2009, The White Ribbon tells the story of a German village plagued by seemingly random accidents that become more intense over time. Coinciding with the arrival of the Baron and Baroness, the town adapts with a watchful eye as to who is behind the acts. Winner of the prestigious Palme D'Or, The White Ribbon is among the best movies released in the pa...