Abbey Bender

Abbey Bender

Articles (7)

Discover the 100 best movies of all time

Discover the 100 best movies of all time

Are we back? Are movies a big deal again? Maybe they’re not at the centre of culture like they used to be, but coming out of both the pandemic and the strikes, there are signs that films are starting to matter again, particularly to a younger audience, from the popularity of platforms like Letterboxd, the rise in repertory screenings and the omnipresence of the Criterion closet on social media – to say nothing of the big box office for fresh stories from rising filmmakers, from Ryan Coogler’s Sinners to Zach Cregger’s Weapons. With the interest in both current movies and movie history growing, it feels like an ideal time to make use of our list of the greatest films of all-time. After all, we’ve always thought of it less as a definitive canon than an educational tool – a jumping-off point for burgeoning cinephiles to fill in the gaps of their knowledge, while also spurring discussion among more experienced film buffs. It covers a lot of ground: over 100 years, multiple countries, and just about every genre imaginable, from massive blockbusters to intimate cult films, silly comedies to bloody horror, action-packed thrillers to thrilling action flicks.   It won’t satisfy everyone, we know, but that’s not our intention. We just hope it gets you talking – and more importantly, watching.   Jump to list: 100-91 |  90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1 How we chose our 100 best movies of all time Admittedly, the process is not an exact science. Mostly,
55 pelĂ­culas que hay que ver al menos una vez en la vida

55 pelĂ­culas que hay que ver al menos una vez en la vida

Cada uno tiene sus preferencias, asĂ­ que cualquier debate sobre cuĂĄles son los mejores largometrajes de todos los tiempos se puede alargar horas y horas. ÂżPuede haber algĂșn listado que los agrupe todos? Es difĂ­cil, pero hemos intentado incorporar desde las revoluciones cinematogrĂĄficas mĂĄs clĂĄsicas hasta las mĂĄs modernas, grandes estrenos, todos los gĂ©neros, paĂ­ses, Ă©pocas... cine para todos los gustos, haciendo equilibrios entre la racionalidad y el sentimentalismo. El reto ha sido enormemente complicado, pero no nos hemos podido resistir a elaborar una buena lista, nuestra lista, de las pelĂ­culas que hay que ver, al menos, una vez en la vida. Decidnos hasta quĂ© punto nos hemos equivocado. ÂĄY, ah, prohibido repetir directores! RECOMENDADO: Las 50 mejores pelĂ­culas para ver en familia. 
The best thriller movies of all time for a suspense-packed film night

The best thriller movies of all time for a suspense-packed film night

When considering the best thrillers ever made, you’ll encounter many different kinds of thrills: from political intrigue and espionage to conspiracy, manipulation, gaslighting, and, of course, lots and lots of crime. As a movie genre, the thriller is also loosely defined – under its umbrella, you’ll find examples of science fiction, horror, heists, action, even comedy, along with the ever-nebulous ‘psychological thriller’ subdivision. The exact definition of a thriller may be hard to pin down, but you know one when you’re watching one. You’ll feel it, too – in your clammy palms and under your armpits, in your teeth as you grind down the enamel and your restless leg. When done right, a thriller prompts a visceral response more than just about any other genre. Here are a hundred great thrillers guaranteed to make you sit up, widen your eyes and leave your head spinning.  Written by Abbey Bender, Joshua Rothkopf, Yu An Su, Phil de Semlyen, Tom Huddleston, Andy Kryza, Tomris Laffly & Matthew Singer RECOMMENDED: đŸ•ŻïžÂ The 35 steamiest erotic thrillers ever made😬 The best thriller movies on Netflix💰 The 60 most nerve-racking heist movies ever🧠 The greatest psychological thrillers ever made 
Las 57 mejores pelĂ­culas de la historia (y dĂłnde verlas)

Las 57 mejores pelĂ­culas de la historia (y dĂłnde verlas)

Cada uno tiene sus preferencias, así que cualquier debate sobre cuåles son las mejores películas de todos los tiempos se puede alargar horas (o, en nuestro caso, toda la vida). ¿Puede haber alguna lista que las agrupe a todas? Es difícil, pero hemos intentado incorporar desde las revoluciones cinematogråficas mås clåsicas hasta las mås modernas, todos los géneros, países, épocas... cine para todos los gustos, haciendo equilibrios entre la racionalidad y el sentimentalismo. El reto ha sido enormemente complicado, pero no nos hemos podido resistir a elaborar una buena lista, nuestra lista. Decidnos hasta qué punto nos hemos equivocado. Ah, para que no tengåis excusa, os hemos añadido las plataformas digitales dónde podéis verlas, ¥mås fåcil imposible! NO TE LO PIERDAS: El top 10 de la cartelera de cine de Barcelona Clica aquí si quieres mås información sobre nuestros eståndares editoriales y nuestras directrices éticas para crear este contenido
Les 54 millors pel·lĂ­cules de la histĂČria del cine (i on veure-les)

Les 54 millors pel·lĂ­cules de la histĂČria del cine (i on veure-les)

Tothom tĂ© les seves preferides, per aixĂČ qualsevol debat sobre quines sĂłn les millors pel·lĂ­cules de tots els temps es pot allargar hores (o, en el nostre cas, tota la vida). Hi pot haver alguna llista que les agrupi a totes? És difĂ­cil, perĂČ hem intentat incorporar-hi des de les revolucions mĂ©s clĂ ssiques de la histĂČria del cinema fins a les mĂ©s modernes, tots els gĂšneres, paĂŻsos, Ăšpoques i per a tots els gustos... tot fent equilibris entre la racionalitat i el sentimentalisme. El repte ha sigut enormement complicat, perĂČ no ens hem pogut resistir a elaborar una bona llista, la nostra llista. Feu-nos saber fins a quin punt ens hem equivocat. Ah, tambĂ© us posem en quines plataformes digitals la podeu veure... mĂ©s fĂ cils impossible! NO T'HO PERDIS: El millor de la cartellera de cine de Barcelona Fes clic aquí si vols mĂ©s informaciĂł sobre els nostres estĂ ndards editorials i les nostres directrius Ăštiques per crear aquest contingut.
The best feminist movies you need to watch

The best feminist movies you need to watch

From horrors exploring ageism to musicals saluting female friendship, feminist films are hitting the big screen in increasing numbers. Coralie Fargeat's The Substance proved that a graphic body horror from a female French director can be a worldwide hit, while Wicked put the complex relationship between two diverse women at the centre of the story. This is also the era of female directors railing against sexual assault, from documentary (Shiori Itƍ’s Black Box Diaries) to darkly comic thriller (Zoë Kravitz’s Blink Twice). Indian women directors have brought fascinating female stories: Payal Kapadia’s award-winning All We Imagine As Light, Sandhya Suri’s Santosh and Schuchi Talati’s Girls Will Be Girls all explore distinctive women's experiences. While male tales are stil the norm in Hollywood, these films give hope for a more equitable future – as does renewed interest in late great directors such as Chantal Akerman, the subject of a 2025 BFI season titled Chantal Akerman: Adventures in Perception, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Jeanne Dielman. What makes a film feminist? Must a movie be heavily steeped in theory to be considered 'feminist'? Of course not. Need it be empowering? It helps, but not necessarily. In truth, the only parameters for a feminist film is that it centres women and their stories, whether it serves as a rousing call to arms or a pointed critique of the patriarchy and female subjugation. As you'll see, this list contains everything from philoso
The 100 best movies of all time

The 100 best movies of all time

Everyone has their favorites – that’s why any debate over what makes the best movies of all time can take hours (or, in our cases, a lifetime). Can there ever be one list to rule them all? A canon, as critics like to call it, updated with today’s game changers, that would glance upon all tastes, all genres, all countries, all eras, balancing impact with importance, brains with heart? The challenge was daunting. We just couldn't resist. Our list includes some of the most recognized action, feminist and foreign films. Please let us know how wrong we got it. Written by Abbey Bender, Dave Calhoun, Phil de Semlyen, Bilge Ebiri, Ian Freer, Stephen Garrett, Tomris Laffly, Joshua Rothkopf and Anna Smith RECOMMENDED:– The best movies on Netflix right now– The 100 best comedy movies– The best romantic movies of all time– The 101 best action movies ever made– The best documentaries on Netflix

Listings and reviews (13)

Book Club

Book Club

3 out of 5 stars
Aunque a ratos su tono puede parecer viejuno, 'Book club' nos ofrece un retrato enternecedor de un grupo de jubiladas. Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen, Candice Bergen y Jane Fonda encarnan un grupo de amigas veteranas que deciden animar sus vidas leyendo la saga de 'Cincuenta sombras de Grey'. La trama es previsible: cuatro señoras de cierta edad que juegan con el fuego de la pasiĂłn, hablan de sus relaciones pasadas y empiezan otras nuevas, mientras resuelven las frustraciones amorosas con botellas de Pinot Noir. Pero hay frases divertidas, en especial cuando una dice que una vagina desatendida es como una pelĂ­cula de Werner Herzog, y el carisma de las actrices –en especial Jane Fonda en estado felino y Diane Keaton con su vestuario andrĂłgino habitual– levanta la funciĂłn.
Book Club

Book Club

3 out of 5 stars
Tot i que a estones el seu to pot semblar carrinclĂł, 'Book club' ens ofereix un retrat entendridor d’un grup de jubilades. Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen, Candice Bergen i Jane Fonda encarnen un grup d’amigues veteranes que decideixen animar les seves vides llegint la saga de 'Cinquanta ombres d’en Grey'. La trama Ă©s previsible: quatre senyores de certa edat que juguen amb el foc de la passiĂł, parlen de les seves relacions passades i n’enceten de noves, mentre resolen les frustracions amoroses amb ampolles de pinot noir. PerĂČ hi ha frases divertides, en especial quan una diu que una vagina desatesa Ă©s com una pel·lĂ­cula de Werner Herzog, i el carisma de les actrius –en especial Jane Fonda en estat felĂ­ i Diane Keaton amb el seu vestuari androgin habitual– aixeca la funciĂł.
Nico, 1988

Nico, 1988

3 out of 5 stars
Rock biopics are notoriously hard to get right. How does one dramatize a rock star’s life without veering into cheesiness or excessive poetic license? When there’s a built-in fan base and a real artist (or their estate) to take into consideration, the pressure’s on. Nico, 1988 takes a somewhat novel approach to the subgenre, focusing on the darkest days of a musician who has too often been romanticized as a muse. Director Susanna Nicchiarelli’s strategy is purposefully alienating: Casual fans who know Nico (Trine Dyrholm) only from her association with the Velvet Underground may find the total avoidance of that era to be more frustrating than elucidating. Fans of her later music—the dark period—are well served, although Nico, 1988 doesn’t offer much biographical detail or plot. It’s essentially a road movie following the artist on her final tours. Trine Dyrholm, who does all her own singing, captures Nico’s distinctive drone and drug-addled wariness. There’s no melodrama in this portrait of a tragically fated icon, and Dyrholm isn’t afraid to act prickly. While the film deserves praise for its unglamorous approach to a sad-girl icon, the narrow focus can be tiring, and Nico’s relationships with the other characters, including her estranged son, are frustratingly enigmatic. Even Nico enthusiasts might wish this claustrophobic character study offered a little more breathing room.
Mamma Mia! Una y otra vez

Mamma Mia! Una y otra vez

2 out of 5 stars
Si vau veure la primera 'Mamma mia!', potser ja us podeu imaginar per on van els trets en aquesta segona part, 'Mamma mia! Una y otra vez'. Hi ha paisatges de postal, llum d’hora bruixa, amors sense compromĂ­s i moltes cançons d’ABBA interpretades per una colla d’estrelles notables. És l’escenari perfecte per a un 'divertimento' d’estiu. El problema Ă©s que el guiĂł Ă©s una pĂ­fia, amb frases ridĂ­cules i situacions inversemblants que li asseguren l’estatus de producte kitsch. És una comĂšdia sentimental que no s’amaga de les seves influĂšncies del teatre musical, i aixĂČ que en aquest cas el repertori estĂ  incrustat en l’argument de manera esforçada i maldestra. El mĂ©s nou, aquĂ­, Ă©s l’Ășs dels flashbacks. La trama principal es combina amb escenes de la joventut del personatge de Donna, la matriarca bohĂšmia i divertida a qui va donar vida Meryl Streep, i que en els salts temporals interpreta Lily James, amb lluminosa calidesa. Aquests flashbacks reconstrueixen la histĂČria de la paternitat de Sophie, que era el conflicte de la primera pel·lĂ­cula, i aporten una mica de ritme a una cinta que, d’altra banda, tĂ© ben poc interĂšs. En aquest passat, Donna s’embolica amb tres homes diferents i quan es queda embarassada no sap qui Ă©s el pare. És digne de menciĂł el fet que la pel·lĂ­cula no la jutgi ni la castigui. Al cap i a la fi, Mamma mia! Ă©s un conte de fades sanejat: tothom Ă©s optimista, sempre hi ha bon rotllo. Ni tan sols la clĂ ssica figura de la madrastra (paper de Cher, com no podia ser
Mamma Mia! Una y otra vez

Mamma Mia! Una y otra vez

2 out of 5 stars
Si visteis la primera 'Mamma mia!', tal vez ya os podĂ©is imaginar por dĂłnde van los tiros en esta segunda parte, 'Mamma mia! Una y otra vez'. Hay paisajes de postal, luz de hora mĂĄgica, amores sin compromiso y muchas canciones de ABBA interpretadas por un grupo de estrellas notables. Es el escenario perfecto para un 'divertimento' de verano. El problema es que el guiĂłn es una pifia, con frases ridĂ­culas y situaciones inverosĂ­miles que le aseguran el estatus de producto kitsch. Es una comedia sentimental que no se avergĂŒenza de sus influencias del teatro musical, y eso que el repertorio estĂĄ incrustado en el argumento de manera esforzada y torpe. Lo mĂĄs nuevo, aquĂ­, es el uso de los flashbacks. La trama principal se combina con escenas de la juventud del personaje de Donna, la matriarca bohemia y divertida a quien dio vida Meryl Streep, y a quien en los saltos temporales interpreta Lily James, con luminosa calidez. Estos flashbacks reconstruyen la historia de la paternidad de Sophie, que era el conflicto de la primera pelĂ­cula, y aportan un poco de ritmo a una cinta que, por otro lado, tiene poco interĂ©s. En este pasado, Donna se enrolla con tres hombres diferentes y cuando se queda embarazada no sabe quiĂ©n es el padre. Es digno de menciĂłn el hecho de que la pelĂ­cula no la juzgue ni la castigue. Al fin y al cabo, 'Mamma mia!' es un cuento de hadas saneado: todo el mundo es optimista, siempre hay buen rollo. Ni siquiera la clĂĄsica figura de la madrastra (papel de Cher, no podĂ­a
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

2 out of 5 stars
If you’ve seen the first Mamma Mia!, that most wholesome tale of uncertain paternity, you’ll probably have a solid idea of how the sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, will play. There are postcard-ready landscapes, airy romances, and a whole lot of ABBA songs sung with gusto, if not finesse, by movie stars. It all makes for an intermittently pleasant summer diversion, but a preposterous screenplay filled with wild coincidences and lines like ‘I’m gonna make some memories’ ensures its status as frustrating kitsch. Like its predecessor, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again is proudly schmaltzy, wearing its musical theatre influences on its sleeve, but watching all those forced music cues isn’t always fun. The most novel part of the film is its use of flashbacks: The story is threaded with scenes of Meryl Streep’s character Donna, the fun-loving bohemian matriarch, as a young woman. Lily James’s performance as the young Donna is warm, and while the cutting between the present and the past is often cheesy, it keeps the movie bustling along. These flashbacks build up the paternity story that was at the centre of the first movie and it’s noteworthy that while the conceit is built around Donna having affairs with three different men and becoming pregnant and uncertain as to the identity of the father, there’s no slut-shaming here. The film is like a sanitised fairytale: everyone is positive, and the three potential fathers all get along. Even the classic evil maternal figure (as embodied b
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

2 out of 5 stars
Quem tiver visto o primeiro Mamma Mia!, realizado por Phyllida Lloyd em 2008, sabe com o que contar neste segundo filme, dirigido desta feita por Ol Parker. O mais interessante acaba por ser o uso de flashbacks de Donna (a personagem de Meryl Streep) em jovem, interpretada aqui por Lily James, mas os cortes entre o passado e o presente acabam por ser um pouco foleiros. De resto,‹ Ă© o que espera: hĂĄ paisagens de postalinho, romances airosos e mĂșsicas dos Abba cantadas com gosto, ainda que nem sempre com jeitinho, pelas estrelas. Uma distracção veraneante, a espaços prazenteira, mas frustrantemente kitsch. Por Abbey Bender
El rascacielos

El rascacielos

2 out of 5 stars
Un 'blockbuster' cacofĂłnico, similar a muchos otros que ya habrĂ©is visto o seguramente evitado. Dwayne Johnson hace de Will Sawyer, lĂ­der de un equipo de rescate de rehenes del FBI desplazado a China con toda su familia, donde hace de asesor de seguridad de un rascacielos. No os hacemos ningĂșn spoiler si os decimos que el edificio en cuestiĂłn, un monstruo fĂĄlico de alta tecnologĂ­a, resulta mĂĄs vulnerable de lo que parecĂ­a. Este es el escenario de una historia previsible sobre un tipo que intenta salvar a su esposa y a sus hijos de explosiones y tipos malos. No diremos que Johnson no tenga salidas simpĂĄticas, como cuando hace uso de su pierna ortopĂ©dica para defenderse, pero la mayor parte de la pelĂ­cula no tiene ningĂșn tipo de alma. Los niños son lindos, pero en el esquema de la acciĂłn resultan totalmente accesorios. Y el personaje de Neve Campbell, que tantos buenos momentos de tensiĂłn nos dio en cintas de los 90 como 'Scream' y 'Juegos salvajes', aparece aquĂ­ como una damisela en peligro. El momento mĂĄs indignante es la lucha en un salĂłn de espejos digitales, tibio tributo a 'La dama de Shanghai'.
El rascacielos

El rascacielos

2 out of 5 stars
Un blockbuster cacofĂČnic, semblant a molts altres que heu vist i segurament evitat. Dwayne Johnson fa de Will Sawyer, lĂ­der d'un equip de rescat d’ostatges de l'FBI desplaçat a la Xina amb tota la seva famĂ­lia, on fa d'assessor de seguretat d’un gratacel. No us fem cap espĂČiler si us diem que l'edifici en qĂŒestiĂł, un monstre fĂ l·lic d'alta tecnologia, resulta mĂ©s vulnerable del que semblava. Aquest Ă©s l'escenari d'una histĂČria previsible sobre un paio que intenta salvar la seva dona i els seus fills d'explosions i paios dolents. No direm que Johnson no tingui sortides simpĂ tiques, com quan fa Ășs de la seva cama ortopĂšdica per defensar-se, perĂČ la major part de la pel·lĂ­cula no tĂ© cap tipus d’ànima. Els nens sĂłn bufons, perĂČ en l’esquema de l’acciĂł sĂłn totalment accessoris. I el personatge de Neve Campbell, que tants bons moments de tensiĂł ens va donar en cintes dels 90 com 'Scream' i 'Jocs salvatges', apareix aquĂ­ com una damisel·la en perill. El moment mĂ©s indignant Ă©s la lluita en un salĂł de miralls digitals, tebi tribut a 'La dama de Xangai'.  
Skyscraper

Skyscraper

2 out of 5 stars
‘Skyscraper’ is a cacophonous blockbuster, in the Die Hard wannabe (plus obligatory 3D and pricey special effects) mold, the likes of which you’ve probably seen (or perhaps avoided) many times over. Dwayne Johnson plays Will Sawyer, a former FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader currently on assignment in China with his family, in his new job as skyscraper safety assessor. It’s no spoiler to say that this skyscraper, a tech-laden, phallic monstrosity, doesn’t turn out to be so safe, and the film quickly turns into an occasionally tense but mostly predictable tale of a man taking risks to save his family from explosions, devious suits and terrorists. Johnson is obviously a bankable star, and his charisma lightens up a few moments, as when he makes creative use of his character’s prosthetic leg to save himself, and has a satisfied reaction. For the most part, though, touches of humanity are largely absent. Sawyer’s two children are cute, but they’re pretty much pawns in the action scheme here, and we know Johnson will serve a big heroic ending. Sawyer’s wife, Sarah, is largely depicted as a woman in peril–which is a shame, given that she’s played by Neve Campbell, who brought such shrewdness to roles in ‘Scream’ and ‘Wild Things’ back in the ‘90s. Campbell is given a couple moments to shine (as when she shows she knows Chinese, to the surprise of the officers helping her), but they’re few and far between. The most egregious moment in ‘Skyscraper’ just might come during a fight scene s
Book Club

Book Club

3 out of 5 stars
The wine-mom film of the year, ‘Book Club’ is a somewhat cheesy but occasionally charming portrait of women of a certain age. Starring Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen, Candice Bergen and Jane Fonda as a group of longtime friends who spice things up by reading the ‘Fifty Shades’ trilogy, it definitely scratches an itch: With Hollywood constantly pandering to the interests of teenage boys, it’s nice to see something targeted to a demographic that’s often overlooked (even if it’s still kind of pandering). The plot machinations are predictable, with the ladies taking risks, assessing their relationships and forming new ones, whether that’s through online dating or a meet-cute with a wealthy pilot (a mischievous Andy Garcia). There’s not a lot of conflict here, which is part of the point. ‘Book Club’ is a piece of Nancy Meyers-esque escapism, in which musing about romantic frustration is only a bottle of pinot and a picturesque view away from being neatly resolved. Given the title and premise, there’s surprisingly little book-clubbing on display. And since the final ‘Fifty Shades’ novel came out years ago, there’s a definite vibe that the movie is arriving past its sell-by date. At the end of the day, ‘Book Club’ is a showcase for its quartet of charismatic actors. Fonda wins laughs with her sassy, sexually frank role (with shiny, form-fitting outfits to match) and Keaton delivers a likable riff on her typically awkward, androgynously-dressed self (a scene in which her friends chid
I Feel Pretty

I Feel Pretty

2 out of 5 stars
During its almost-two-hour runtime, 'I Feel Pretty' doesn’t once achieve the smart and sassy potency of Amy Schumer’s standup routine. The story follows Schumer as Renee, a New Yorker who struggles with low self-esteem and toils away at an unglamorous remote job for a beauty company. Then one day at a spin class, she slips off her bike and a head injury causes her to believe she’s exceptionally beautiful, though her looks haven’t changed at all. The extent to which Renee’s friends, co-workers and dates play along with her newfound perspective is the movie’s plot; ultimately, the lesson we learn – hey, beauty comes from within and confidence is more important than how we appear! – is totally predictable. 'I Feel Pretty' is a curious mĂ©lange. Female comedians have been self-deprecating about their attractiveness for decades, but the film’s corporate sheen and feminist lip service feel all too 2018. If the script committed more ardently to absurdity, it could have been enjoyable but, as co-directed by Abby Kohn and Marc Silverstein, 'I Feel Pretty' lacks visual inspiration and runs on the fumes of one not-particularly-funny joke (this regular-looking girl thinks she’s super-hot). Truth be told, it’s a bit depressing. As proven in the early seasons of her TV show, Schumer is a talented performer, and her physical comedy here draws some chuckles (as does Michelle Williams’ turn as Schumer’s helium-voiced ditz of a boss), but 'I Feel Pretty' is consumed by an annoying premise that