2020 Updated! TSPDT THE 21ST CENTURY’S MOST ACCLAIMED FILMS (2020 Edition)

The film is set in Hong Kong in the early 1960s and follows the story of two neighbors, Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen, who forge a friendship when they realize that their spouses are unfaithful. As they spend more time together, their connection becomes increasingly emotional and their attraction is evident, but they do not want to emulate their spouses. Often considered a cinematic masterpiece, this is a beautiful film, full of scenes that stick in your memory, with a beautiful soundtrack and skillful use of editing.

This mind-bending psychological thriller directed by masterful filmmaker David Lynch, follows the story of two women, Betty and Rita, as they navigate the blurred lines between reality and fantasy in Los Angeles. With a haunting atmosphere, the movie immerses you in a world where dreams and memories intertwine, challenging your perception of reality. This cinematic masterpiece will demand your attention and reward you with an extraordinary and immersive experience.

A Taipei family's quiet existence is shattered by the weight of unresolved pasts and uncertain futures. At his brother-in-law's wedding, NJ encounters a lost love, stirring memories and regrets. His wife, Min-Min, is engulfed by grief as her mother slips into a coma. Their daughter Ting-Ting struggles with guilt, while young Yang-Yang begins to see the world through a lens that captures hidden truths. Each member grapples with life's elusive balance.

Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this historical drama film is based on the 1927 novel “Oil!” by Upton Sinclair. With an exceptional soundtrack by Jonny Greenwood, the movie delves into the obsession and desolation of Daniel Plainview, a charismatic oil prospector consumed by greed and isolation. Through stunning performances and meticulous direction, this cinematic masterpiece immerses viewers in a dark and intense narrative, making it a must-watch for its powerful exploration of the human psyche and the nature of capitalism and greed.

Could a lost soul in the modern world make peace and reconcile his complicated relationship with his father? From the beginning of the universe to the present, this film questions the existence of faith and the search for what it means to be human, showing family relationships through different generations and how they cope with love and loss.

A masterpiece of animated storytelling from the acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki. The movie follows a young girl named Chihiro who becomes trapped in a magical world and must navigate a series of challenges to save herself and her parents. This film is a must-see for fans of animation and fantasy, with stunning visuals, a captivating story, and memorable characters.

In this romantic drama, two individuals, portrayed by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, navigate a passionate but turbulent relationship. After a painful breakup, they opt for a radical procedure to erase each other from their memories, leading to a thought-provoking exploration of love and the essence of human connections. Directed by Michel Gondry, the film received universal acclaim for its emotional depth, nonlinear narrative, and exceptional performances by Carrey and Winslet, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.

Set in France, Georges is a TV Literary Reviewer and lives in a small yet modern town house with his wife Anne, a publisher and his young son Pierrot. They begin to receive video tapes through the post of their house and family, along side obscure child-like drawings. They visit the police with hope of aid to find the stalker, but as there is no direct threat, they refuse to help. As the tapes become more personal, Georges takes it upon himself to figure out who is putting through his family through such horror. A true Michael Haneke Classic.

'Tropical Malady' explores the passionate relationship between two men with unusual consequences. The film is divided in two parts. The first half charts the modest attraction between two men in the sunny, relaxing countryside and the second half charts the confusion and terror of an unknown menace lurking deep within the jungle shadows.

Dying of kidney disease, a man spends his last, somber days with family, including the ghost of his wife and a forest spirit who used to be his son, on a rural northern Thailand farm.

Nader and Simin are a married couple in crisis: Simin wants to move abroad thinking about the future of their daughter Termeh; Nader feels he must stay in Iran to take care of his father with Alzheimer's disease. Simin decides to divorce and leave the country with his daughter. A tense family drama that resonates after the film is over and does not rely on clichés.

Bill Murray stars as Bob Harris, a fading movie star, and Scarlett Johansson as Charlotte, a young graduate, both navigating alienation in Tokyo. Through Coppola's brilliant direction, exceptional performances, and a unique exploration of human connection, the film challenges conventional norms, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of loneliness, cultural displacement, and the profound impact of unexpected bonds.

The film follows the enigmatic life of Mr. Oscar, played brilliantly by Denis Lavant. As he transforms into different characters throughout a day in Paris, the film takes us on a surreal exploration of identity, performance, and the hidden facets of human existence. What sets this film apart is its imaginative storytelling and Lavant's incredible range as an actor. The film invites you to question the boundaries of reality and art, making it a must-experience for those seeking a unique cinematic adventure.

1889. German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche witnessed the whipping of a horse while traveling in Turin, Italy. He tossed his arms around the horse's neck to protect it then collapsed to the ground. In less than one month, Nietzsche would be diagnosed with a serious mental illness that would make him bed-ridden and speechless for the next eleven years until his death. But whatever did happen to the horse? This film, which is Tarr's last, follows up this question in a fictionalized story of what occurred. The man who whipped the horse is a rural farmer who makes his living taking on carting jobs into the city with his horse-drawn cart. The horse is old and in very poor health, but does its best to obey its master's commands. The farmer and his daughter must come to the understanding that it will be unable to go on sustaining their livelihoods. The dying of the horse is the foundation of this tragic tale.

Step into the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where two kids choose contrasting paths – Buscapé finds hope amid violence, while the other becomes a crime kingpin. Watch their destinies collide in this gripping Oscar-nominated Brazilian crime drama, offering a remarkable cinematic experience depicting life in Rio's slums like never before. Don't miss this unforgettable journey!