It’s difficult to name a film equivalent to the Mona Lisa, but here's my selection of ten significant American movies from the past half-century, presented without ranking: _The Godfather_, _Apocalypse Now_, _Raging Bull_, _Pulp Fiction_, _Blade Runner_, _Raiders of the Lost Ark_, _Mulholland Drive_, _Tree of Life_, _Boyhood_, _Short Cuts_. Really? _Short Cuts_? Is it even Altman's finest work? The truth is, many of the distinctive and groundbreaking elements found in the other films on this list had already been explored... by Altman. (Did he not attempt everything?) And a comprehensive understanding of Altman’s career can be distilled into _Short Cuts_. Five of these movies adhere to established genres: crime, war, biography, science fiction, and adventure. Lynch operates outside genre conventions altogether—he's a master of creating intrigue and subverting expectations. _Pulp Fiction_ is postmodern noir with considerable style, _Tree of Life_ is an ambitious and profound poem, and _Boyhood_ represents a remarkable demonstration of dedication and commitment. _Short Cuts_ seems less easily categorized; it’s primarily an examination of lives and relationships. But what insightful observations! What compelling lives! What touching compassion. All underscored by a pervasive pulse connecting countless paths, constantly on the verge of disaster, threatening to erupt—which happens in a devastating planetary event. There's no better way to unite people than through a natural catastrophe. A tremor, just enough to remind us of our place within history and the larger universe. Enough to bring us back down to earth, reset our egos, and offer multiple viewpoints into perspective. Enough to appreciate simply existing. A truly masterful director is at work here, weaving together contrasting narratives and themes with remarkable precision. Several storylines converge under a single, overarching framework. And under Altman’s guidance, the performers are free to experiment, playful and genuine, ironic and sincere. Characters in one narrative briefly appear in another, paradoxically connected and detached from themselves, their families, their communities, and life itself. Boundaries dissolve, and people become lost. We're essentially all alike because we don't understand our needs or even our purpose. There’s nothing left to say except that everything is exceptional, limitless, and empty. And time passes quickly. _Short Cuts_ offers glimpses of scenes, stories, words, actions, desires, love, loss, deception, faith, wonder, and devotion. I would gladly watch it again just for Tom Waits and Lily Tomlin’s performances. Some films claim to be endlessly entertaining, others insist they can be rewatched without losing their initial appeal, some assert that they never age—I know of only one film that could rightfully make all those claims. _Short Cuts_ is like falling in love. It unfolds gently, beautifully, naturally, tenderly, simply and profoundly.

Source on TMDB