Films Across Eras Lauded as Masterpieces

Critics and filmmakers continue to hail films across eras as cinematic masterpieces for their cinematography, production design and storytelling. Quentin Tarantino has singled out Brian De Palma’s Blow Out as one of the greatest films ever, citing De Palma’s influence on his work. Terrence Malick’s 1978 Days of Heaven is widely praised for its natural‑light cinematography, Cannes recognition and preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919) remains a seminal example of German Expressionism that builds psychological horror through set design and surreal imagery. Mel Gibson’s Braveheart (1995) and Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York are still lauded as immersive, emotionally resonant historical dramas despite historical liberties, the latter anchored by Daniel Day‑Lewis’s performance and rigorous production design.