The 18 best films I've seen in the last 250. part 6

#9: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (1965)
Excellent anti-Bond film with Richard Burton absolutely nailing the multi-layered role of the burned out secret agent.  This movie actually takes the time it needs to be fully realized and it provides a stark atmosphere that absorbs you into the film.  The final scene is a perfect finale to a wonderful drama.  And the "courtroom" scene is perfectly tense.

#8: Out of the Past (1947)
A wonderful film noir! It's got all the right elements: the femme fatale, the suave but flawed mob boss, the winding plot line, and Robert Mitchum.  And man is he ever fun to watch in this one! His stoner eyes and cynical attitude fits the character perfectly.
The plot is worth following, even if at the time it appears to be going nowhere.  It's all worth the journey at the end.  And the dialogue! Wonderful back-and-forth that puts heist and action films of today to shame.

#7: Happy Go Lucky (2008)
A wonderful performance by Sally Hawkins (who should've been up for Best Actress) and a great, plainly spoken script that really captures the annoying, yet lovable, character of this 30-something kindergarten teacher.  It's a lot of fun slowly getting to know her in this film.  It's hard to start off looking annoying and immature and end up being lovable at the end.  There are a lot of scenes where I wasn't sure whether to laugh but I got over that pretty quick and ended up laughing my head off all through the second time watching it.
There are several spot-on tender scenes that take this comedy to another level.  A truly great film that gets better every time I think about it.

#6: Destry Rides Again (1939)
You can read a previously posted review for this here.

#5: Rachel Getting Married (2008)
You can read a previously posted review for this here.

#4: One Two Three (1961)
One of Billy Wilder's funniest and greatest achievements.  Every joke hits its mark and they come every 5 seconds.  Why this isn't as popular and "Some Like it Hot" or "The Apartment" is beyond me.  James Cagney plays one of the greatest roles of his career (and his last starring role) and the supporting cast compliments him perfectly.
And all of that doesn't even mention the satirical view on communism and capitalism and how we're all basically the same.  Nothing is sacred here as Nazism, infidelity, and treason are all laughed at.  Just watch the darn thing.  I can't imagine a sane person not getting enjoyment out of this iron curtain romp.

#3: White Heat (1949)
You can read a previously posted review for this here.

#2: The Dark Knight (2008)
You can read a previously posted review for this here.

So, that leaves just one victim of overselling and diminishment left to go...