'Good Boys' Earns $21 Million Opening, Becomes 2nd Original Film to Top Box Office This Year

Universal’s “Good Boys” has done something that is becoming increasingly rare with its $21 million No. 1 opening at the box office. Not only is it the first original R-rated comedy in three years to top the box office charts, it is also only the second original film of any kind to open at No. 1 this year.

“Good Boys” was positioned by Universal to take advantage of this quieter August period after Spider-Man, Simba and Thanos have taken their share of summer moviegoers’ money. But Universal has also become a studio that has consistently found success with comedy at a time when so many titles in the genre have failed.

While a “Hangover”-level hit remains elusive, “Good Boys” joins films like “Night School,” “Ride Along 2” and the $115 million-grossing “Girls Trip” as Universal mid-budget comedies that have turned a profit in the last three years.

Also Read: 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' to Pass $1.1 Billion Global Gross, Becomes Sony's Top Box Office Hit

Beyond comedies, Universal’s strong August continued with “Hobbs & Shaw,” which came second this weekend with $14 million, bringing its domestic total to $133 million. The film also opened in Korea and earned the highest opening day total for the “Fast & Furious” franchise, giving it a $436 million global gross total as it gets ready to open in China next weekend.

With these results, Universal has now passed $1 billion in domestic grosses this year, holding a market share of approximately 13%. While Disney’s total dwarfs that figure, Universal stands alongside Disney as the only studio with six films that opened No. 1 in 2019.

It is also the studio that has released the only two original No. 1 films this year: Jordan Peele’s “Us” and now “Good Boys.” “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” has the second highest opening weekend for an original film this year with $41 million, but opened No. 2 behind “The Lion King” last month.

Also Read: Why Paramount Will Keep Mining Viacom's Vaults After Modest 'Dora' Movie Box Office

Unfortunately, the good news doesn’t extend to the rest of this weekend’s new releases. Four other newcomers were beaten on the charts by “The Lion King,” which is approaching $500 million domestic and $1 billion overseas, having earned just under $12 million in its sixth weekend in North America. Also in the Top 5 is Lionsgate/CBS Films’ “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” which earned $10 million in its second weekend, a decent 52% drop that gives it a $40 million 10-day total.

In a virtual tie with “Scary Stories” is Sony’s “The Angry Birds Movie 2,” which opened on Tuesday to take advantage of families that haven’t gone back to school yet, but has only earned $10.7 million this weekend and a 6-day opening of $16.2 million from 3,869 theaters against a $65 million budget.

While that total meets studio projections, it is still well below the $38 million 3-day opening of the first “Angry Birds Movie” in May 2016 despite having better reviews with a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 4/5 on Postrak.

Also Read: 'The Kitchen' Serves Melissa McCarthy a New Box Office Low One Year After 'The Happytime Murders'

On the bright side for Sony, “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” is continuing to leg out well with $7.6 million in its fourth weekend and a $114 million domestic total, while “Spider-Man: Far From Home” is now the studio’s highest grossing film ever with over $1.1 billion grossed worldwide, passing the record held for seven years by the 007 film “Skyfall.”

Outside the Top 5, Entertainment Studios’ “47 Meters Down: Uncaged” opened to $9 million from 2,859 screens. That result is down from the $11.2 million opening earned by the first “47 Meters Down” and received a C+ on CinemaScore to go with 50% Rotten Tomatoes score.

The biggest flops of the weekend were two adult comedies that aimed for older moviegoers than “Good Boys” did: Annapurna’s “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” and Warner Bros./New Line’s “Blinded by the Light.” Both films came from directors with established track records, with “Bernadette” being made by “Boyhood” director Richard Linklater and “Blinded” being made by “Bend It Like Beckham” filmmaker Gurinder Chadha.

Also Read: 'It: Chapter Two' Projected to At Least Match Predecessor's Horror Record Opening

“Bernadette” had its fate sealed by tepid critics reviews, receiving just a 43% Rotten Tomatoes score. Without the strong reviews needed to boost pre-release word-of-mouth, the film only opened to $3.5 million from 2,404 screens this weekend, continuing the struggles for Annapurna after the critically-acclaimed “Booksmart” failed to meet box office expectations earlier this summer.

“Blinded by the Light” was another story. Since its premiere at Sundance and subsequent screening at CinemaCon, Chadha’s true story dramedy about a British Pakistani teen who finds hope in Bruce Springsteen’s music has earned very strong reviews with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and an A- on CinemaScore. But that has failed to spark the film’s fortunes, as it only opened to $4.1 million from 2,307 screens, placing 10th on the charts.

New Line and WB purchased “Blinded by the Light” at Sundance for a reported $15 million in a rare festival buy for the major studios. It’s a second straight weekend of disappointment for a New Line film with a diverse cast and crew, as “The Kitchen” also tanked this past weekend and only has a 10-day total of $10.3 million.

New Line is expected to have a big turnaround next month with “It: Chapter Two,” which is currently projected to at least match the $123 million horror record opening weekend of the first “It” from 2017.

With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Paramount Pictures
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Amazon Studios
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Detour Filmproduction/The Criterion Collection
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Detour Filmproduction/ESPN
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Paramount Pictures
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Lions Gate Films
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Freestyle Releasing
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Twentieth Century Fox
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Sony Pictures Classics
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Warner Independent Pictures
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
20th Century Fox Film Corp.
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Millennium Entertainment
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Paramount Pictures
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Orion Classics
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Gramercy Pictures
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Columbia Pictures
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Sony Pictures Classics
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
IFC Films
With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.
Warner Independent Pictures

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With "Last Flag Flying" arriving in theaters, we're taking on the not-so-simple task of ranking the movies of genre-hopping director Richard Linklater. The top titles on this list could rightfully be called modern classics, but every one of his films somehow evokes the heartfelt philosophy of his hypnotic "Waking Life": human interaction is the highest form of spiritual communion.20. "Bad News Bears" (2005) The 1976 original was a true product of its time, with an all-star lineup led by Walter Matthau and Tatum O'Neal, but this unnecessary remake just felt like it was trying too hard. By 2005, the sight of an aggressively un-PC Little League coach (Billy Bob Thornton) encouraging outrageous behavior in his young team seemed less subversive than sad.19. "Fast Food Nation" (2006) When truth is stranger than fiction, why turn it into fiction? Linklater admirably attempted to create a multi-course meal out of Eric Schlosser's bestselling book, but the movie's many threads felt disconnected and lacked the power of Schlosser's stomach-churning fast-food facts.18. "Last Flag Flying" (2017) An impressive cast (Steve Carell, Laurence Fishburne, Bryan Cranston) is ill-served in this stagy drama about weary Vietnam vets reuniting to reflect on their lives. Earnest, but underwhelming.17. "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988) Linklater's experimental debut is hard to find and tough to get into. But if you can track it down (try Criterion's "Slacker" set), it's a pretty cool precursor to the aesthetic and philosophical themes that still interest him. As the director wanders through life and the country, we're invited to tag along on the journey. Plotless, but hardly pointless.16. "Inning by Inning: A Portrait of a Coach" (2008) The title says it all: this doc about Linklater's friend Augie Garrido is a straightforward tribute to the former Texas Longhorns baseball coach. It doesn't transcend its focus, but it succeeds on its own terms and is worth a watch for anyone interested in the subject.15. "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016) A boys-will-be-boys lark, in which a bunch of mostly-likeable unknowns play collegiate baseball stars in 1980. Without any truly standout moments, though, it ultimately comes across as a minor-league "Dazed and Confused."15. "Tape" (2001) A love it-or-hate it experience that will depend largely on your tolerance for being locked in a single room, in real time, with grandstanding frenemies Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard. Uma Thurman provides a necessary balance, and there's no doubt this one sticks with you afterwards.14. "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019)Fans of Maria Semple's bestselling novel may find this adaptation a regrettably streamlined affair, heavily reliant on Cate Blanchett's star power to replace the literary stylings Linklater leaves behind. But those who arrive without any preconceptions will appreciate the assets of a modestly engaging and gently touching dramedy.13. "Me and Orson Welles" (2008) The "Me" is Zac Efron, as a wide-eyed young actor who stumbles into a major Broadway production in 1937. But if you see this nostalgic theatrical bauble, do it for the "Orson Welles," as played by Christian McKay with an unforgettable ferocity.12. "The Newton Boys" (1998) Linklater's understated Western is as easygoing as Matthew McConaughey's drawl. The payout isn't huge, but it's fun to follow the bank-robbing brothers (played by McConaughey, Ethan Hawke, Skeet Ulrich, and Vincent D'Onofrio) as they try not to behave too badly.11. "SubUrbia" (1996) Linklater has always been an actor's director, and it's undeniably entertaining to watch him deftly juggle differing personalities in this adaptation of Eric Bogosian's play about post-adolescent angst. Parker Posey, Steve Zahn, and Giovanni Ribisi are among the disillusioned twentysomethings with nowhere to go and nothing to do.10. "A Scanner Darkly" (2006) This trippy adaptation of a Philip K. Dick story revisits the innovative rotoscope animation of "Waking Life," but adds a lot more action. Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder are among the apparent drug addicts in a nightmarish dystopia that constantly doubles back on itself. Of course, this is a Linklater movie, so the sci-fi set pieces are less Michael Bay than "My Dinner with Andre."9. "Waking Life" (2001) It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for Linklater fans. No movie he's made better encapsulates his themes than this inventively animated, existentialist rap session. Best watched in a college dorm room, late at night.8. "Bernie" (2011) This layered dark comedy provides an ideal showcase for Jack Black, as a beloved Texas mortician who shocks everyone by befriending an unpopular small-town widow (Shirley MacLaine). Of course, it's what happens later that really counts. A still-hidden gem, and well worth discovering.7. "School of Rock" (2003) If only all family films were actually this much fun for the whole family. Jack Black couldn't be more in his element, as a middle-school substitute who teaches his students how to rock, while learning a few lessons from them, too.6. "Slacker" (1991) Linklater's surreal calling card served as a mash note to the weirdness of his beloved Austin, an affectionate call-out on Gen-X self-absorption, and inspiration for a generation of indie filmmakers. A decisively specific time capsule that still feels insightful, original, and utterly relevant.5. "Dazed and Confused" (1993) You didn't have to graduate in 1976 to relate to the characters in this timeless celebration of adolescent madness. Whether you connect with the stoners, the jocks, the new kids, or the outcasts, there's no denying that Linklater perfectly captures the heady nightmare we call high school. The pitch-perfect cast includes newcomers Matthew McConaughey, Parker Posey, Ben Affleck, and a blink-and-you'll-miss-her Renee Zellweger.4. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Anyone who's ever fallen in love will relate to the pure exuberance of the first entry in Linklater's "Before" trilogy. It's in the surprise that suffuses Ethan Hawke's face, after he realizes he's experiencing something new. It's in the tentative joy behind Julie Delpy's eyes, as she wonders whether to trust in someone else. Even their irritating narcissism is indispensable; it's the honesty that makes these movies so essential in the first place.3. "Before Midnight" (2013) It's one thing to thrill to the exhilarating connection of new love. But will you also have the patience and courage to revive it once it fades? That's a tough question, and this is surely the toughest of the "Before" movies to watch. (Each was shot nine years after the last.) It's also the most incisive and -- depending on one's stage in life -- the most haunting, too.2. "Boyhood" (2014) It would be easy for a formally experimental filmmaker to prioritize style over substance. But Linklater succeeds on all fronts here, having filmed his cast over the course of a remarkable 12 years to capture the titular experience. (Thanks to poignant turns from Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, the movie might just as aptly have been called "Parenthood.")1. "Before Sunset" (2004) It comes down to this: Has cinema ever given us a more substantive expression of romantic love than the "Before" trilogy? Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, Linklater's collaborative soul mates, find their purest connection here, in the brief but beautiful space between youthful naiveté and middle-aged cynicism. Throughout the movies' decades-long history, their intimacy and truthfulness have repeatedly served as the ultimate retort to Hollywood bombast.

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