THE BIRTH OF A NATION (1915)

It’s the very first blockbuster, but unfortunately I can’t emphasize enough how racist it is. However racist you think it is, it is way more racist than that.

INTOLERANCE (1916)

Maybe the first big blockbuster, somehow still leaving viewers flabbergasted a century later. Also one long missive about “cancel culture,,” basically.

SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS (1941)

One of the best remembered comedies of the great Preston Sturges, about a director who is tired of making comedies.

KING KONG (1933)

The original monster movie continues to thrill when it comes to its giant gorilla. The rest of the movie has not aged as well.