Throughout the past century, the art of film and cinema has had a tremendous impact on society, providing a voice for writers to communicate their perspectives and opinions through an innovative form of art and allowing individuals to find comfort and community within the televised realms of characters and stories depicted on the screen. To appreciate the contributions of this beloved industry, the Nestline presents an assortment of some of the world’s most legendary productions over the course of decades from the silent pictures of the 1920s to the cinematic masterpieces of the 2010s.
1920s – The Kid (1921)
Produced, directed and starring renowned English comic actor Charlie Chaplin, The Kid is a classic representation of the era of silent film that was extremely popular during this time period. The Kid was Chaplin’s rise to fame and set a high precedent for the future of film with its clever screen language, relying on the portrayal of emotion through truly actions and not words. The film follows Chaplin as a reluctant tramp who rescues a baby abandoned by his mother and attempts to raise him for a number of years. The plot thickens when the child’s mother returns years later to take the child back and the tramp and child embark on a journey to escape. The Kid is a beautiful combination of comedy and emotion, certain to leave a smile and a couple tears at the end. The Kid is available to watch on Max today.
1930s – Gone With The Wind (1939)
Regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, Gone With The Wind is an American historical romance film adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell. Set in the American South, the film follows the life of Southern belle Scarlett O’Hara as she navigates the turbulent waters that is the American Civil War, residing on her family’s plantation. The film centers on Scarlett’s entangled love affairs with Rhett Butler and Ashley Wilkes. The film, although heavily controversial for its African American representation in context of the time period, set a precedent with its well crafted storytelling through its vibrant production design and the gripping chemistry between leads Vivienne Leigh and Clark Gable. GWTW is sure to leave viewers entranced with the story till the very finale. Gone With The Wind is available to stream on Max and Hulu today.
1940s – Citizen Kane (1941)
Deemed ‘culturally significant’ to America’s film heritage, Citizen Kane is rendered worldwide to be a film of rarity for its captivating mystery and aesthetics, a characteristic, according to critics, that would be ‘unthinkable’ to portray again in a remake. The film centers on the rise and fall of publishing magnate Charles Foster Kane. The film begins with a dying Kane on his deathbed as he utters his final word, ‘Rosebud’ When a reporter is assigned to decipher the significance behind ‘Rosebud’, he uncovers the fascinating life of Kane and the harsh truths that diminished his career. However, there is an elusiveness even the reporter seems stumped to solve and he wonders whether the reality of Kane’s life and identity will ever step into the light. Stream Citizen Kane on Prime Video or Max today.
1950s – Singing In The Rain (1952)
A film depicting the change from silent films to ‘talkies’, Singing In The Rain is a romantic comedy musical following budding actor Don Lockwood as he steps into the spotlight with his recent breakthrough in the film industry as a silent film actor. However, Don finds his life spinning when he has been cast in a musical remake of his latest film with his longtime co-actress. However, Lina seems to be lackluster in terms of her musical talent and Kathy, a bright and aspiring actress is hired to sing for her role. Don finds himself falling in love with Kathy and as she embraces her feelings too, the pair learn to navigate their romance in the wide and wondrous world of film and fame. Singing In The Rain is a heartwarming film with the musical’s soundtrack and dance being top tier and the film being universally acclaimed for the vibrance of Hollywood glam that adds the perfect final touch. The musical is available to watch on Max. Prime Video and Hulu today.
1960s – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Directed by acclaimed writer Stanley Kubrick, this groundbreaking sci-fi film follows a space mission to Jupiter, where astronauts encounter a monolith that might be the key to human evolution. Combining innovative special effects with philosophical storytelling, 2001: A Space Odyssey set a legacy for the future of science fiction in cinema. It is considered one of many masterpieces in filmmaking and is sure to captivate audiences with its stunning visuals and thrilling tale. Watch 2001: A Space Odyssey on Max today.
1970s – Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (1977)
Released in 1977, Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope was the origin of a cultural phenomenon of a franchise that has continued to the present day. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the cruel and demeaning Darth Vader holds Princess Leia hostage in order to crush the rebellion against the Galactic Empire. Starring Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, the film follows the journey of young Skywalker and his android companions C-3PO and R2-D2 as they embark on an adventure through space to rescue the princess and restore peace to the galaxy. The film is available for viewing on Disney+.
1980s – Top Gun (1986)
Starring esteemed actor Tom Cruise, Top Gun follows the story of hotshot fighter pilot Maverick when he is accepted into the Top Gun Naval Fighter Weapons School where the best of the best train to polish their aviation abilities. However, Maverick steps into hot waters when he lets his recklessness and cocky attitude get the better of him, pitting him against his fellow pilots. As Maverick competes for the top fighter pilot position and the keeper of the beautiful Charlotte Blackwood’s heart, he learns the reality of what it takes to be a true fighter pilot. Top Gun was a box office success and gained so much popularity for its story, its sequel Top Gun Maverick was released in 2022. Watch Top Gun on Prime Video or Paramount+ today.
1990s – Titanic (1997)
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as the ill-fated couple Jack and Rose, Titanic recaptures the real life tragedy of RMS Titanic that crashed into an iceberg in the North Atlantic, ending the lives of the 1,500 passengers on board. The action-packed romance film was regarded as an astounding motion picture for its capability to capture the events of April 12th, 1912 in a meticulous manner. The film redefined the effect of a movie’s story on its audience, as Titanic tugged on the heartstrings of its viewers with its depiction of a tragic ending, and was praised with many accolades for DiCaprio and Winslet’s outstanding acting. Titanic is available to watch on Hulu, Prime Video and Paramount+ today.
2000s – The Dark Knight (2008)
Based on the DC Comics mysterious superhero Batman, The Dark Knight brings the world of Gotham City to life. The film’s success resulted in a booming franchise and lead Christian Bale is heavily applauded for his role as Batman today. When the menacing Joker wreaks havoc on the people of Gotham, Batman must face one of his biggest challenges yet. With the help of police lieutenant Jim Gordon and district attorney Harvey Dent, Batman seeks to put a stop to the villain’s life of crime, while struggling to maintain his reputation as a hero to Gotham as he dangerously treads the line between savior and vigilante. Watch The Dark Knight on Prime Video, Hulu or Max today.
2010s – Inception (2010)
Inception is a mind-bending sci-fi thriller that explores the concept of dream manipulation and subconscious inception. Directed by visionary filmmaker Christopher Nolan, the film follows Dom Cobb , a skilled thief who is able to enter and extract information from people’s dreams. Cobb is offered a chance at redemption when he is tasked with implanting an idea in someone’s mind rather than stealing one. As he dives deeper into the complex layers of dreams within dreams, Cobb must navigate a dangerous landscape of his own guilt and memories to complete his mission. Inception is praised for its stunning visuals, intricate plot, and thought-provoking themes about the nature of reality and perception. Inception is available for streaming on Hulu and Prime Video today.
