'Good Boys' Surprises Box Office With Best Original Comedy Opening of 2019

A great August for Universal continues this weekend with the release of “Good Boys,” an R-rated comedy that is surprising at the box office with an estimated $20.8 million opening from 3,204 screens. That will make the Seth Rogen-produced raunchfest the first R-rated comedy to top the charts since “The Boss” in April 2016.

On Friday, “Good Boys” earned $8.3 million and did well with audiences, earning a B+ on CinemaScore to go with its 79% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics. The film had been projected for a modest $11-12 million opening this weekend, but will now continue Universal’s streak of comedies like “Night School,” “Girls Trip” and “Blockers” as solid, mid-budget successes at a time when so many adult comedies have failed to take off in theaters.

Also Read: 'Toy Story 4' Crosses $1 Billion, Fifth Disney Film to Hit Global Box Office Landmark in 2019

Universal will take their third straight No. 1 weekend, as “Hobbs & Shaw,” which has been at the top of box office charts the past two weekends, is estimated to earn $13.5 million in its third weekend to bring its total to $133 million. That will also be enough to push Universal’s domestic revenue past the $1 billion mark, having reached that mark this year with the help of other $100 million-plus grossers like “Glass” and “Us.”

Disney’s “The Lion King” takes third with an estimated $11 million in its third weekend, bringing it less than $5 million away from hitting the half-billion mark in domestic grosses and $9 million away from passing the domestic run of the “Beauty and the Beast” remake. Lionsgate/CBS Films’ “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” is in fourth with an estimated $9.8 million in its second weekend for a 10-day total of $40 million.

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

Below “Scary Stories” are several wide releases with opening weekend totals below $10 million. In the No. 5 spot is Sony’s “The Angry Birds Movie 2,” which is performing better with critics and audiences than the first “Angry Birds Movie” with a B+ on CinemaScore and a 75% Rotten Tomatoes rating. But the $65 million-budgeted film, which opened on Tuesday is projected to earn just $8.8 million this weekend and $14.5 million six-day opening from 3,869 screens, well below the $38 million opening earned by its predecessor in 2016.

Next is Entertainment Studios’ “47 Meters Down: Uncaged,” which is estimated to earn $7.6 million from 2,853 screens and is tied for the No. 6 spot with the second weekend of Paramount’s “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.” “Uncaged” had been projected before the weekend to match the $11 million opening of the first “47 Meters Down,” but will fall short as it receives a C+ on CinemaScore and a 50% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

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

Finally, there’s Annapurna’s “Where Did You Go, Bernadette” and WB/New Line’s “Blinded by the Light,” both of which are now estimated to open to under $4 million. “Bernadette,” the latest film from Richard Linklater, did well with audiences who saw the film with a B on CinemaScore, but is not doing well with critics with 43% on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s another wide release disappointment for Annapurna, which has faced financial struggles over the past year and told its staff in a memo that it is “restructuring” its financial deals.

“Blinded by the Light,” which was bought by New Line at Sundance this year for $15 million, earned strong reviews with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score and an A- CinemaScore grade. But pre-release word of mouth hasn’t picked up as much as WB has hoped, and the film is now looking at an estimated $3.5 million opening from 2,307 screens, putting it outside the top 10 this weekend.

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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