The Godfather (1972)

Looking back over the multitudes of movies recommended in this column, I discovered these glaring omissions in American masterpiece cinema:

The Godfather (1972) is directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Without the vision and perseverance of Coppola, The Godfather would have been a much lesser film. It’s a movie about a close family and their business associates, who all happen to be mobsters. It has forever set the bar for the mobster genre.

The Godfather: Part II (1974) is directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Part II is one of the best sequels in cinema history, and this time without a book adaptation for guidance. Coppola and original author Mario Muzio crafted a riveting backstory and the amazing events that follow Part I. The reward is a perfect double feature for your living room enjoyment.

12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men (1957) is directed by Sidney Lumet. Almost exclusively set in a jury deliberation room, Lumet’s cinema creation is one of the finest ensemble pieces of all time. A sole juror must convince his stubborn colleagues to reevaluate the evidence in a criminal case.

Pulp Fiction

Pulp Fiction (1994) is directed by Quentin Tarantino and is perhaps the most original movie of its time. With its gritty dialogue and intricate story structures, a harmonious yet complicated dance is birthed in Pulp Fiction. Asserting that it is memorable is a gross understatement.

Sling Blade

Sling Blade (1996) is directed by Billy Bob Thornton, who also stars in the film. Karl is a simple man who is released from his long stay at an asylum. Without clear expectations for the future, he travels back to the same small town where he grew up as a child. Sling Blade boasts amazing character work and is a dramatic feast.