Critically-acclaimed filmmaker Oliver Stone has revealed five of the most extraordinary movies he’s seen in recent times.
The often-times controversial director is known for his Vietnam War dramas, including 1986’s Platoon and 1989’s Born on the Fourth of July.
He also helmed political thriller JFK, which, considered a ‘conspiracy classic’, examines the investigation into President Kennedy’s assassination by a district attorney who came to believe there was a conspiracy to assassinate Kennedy, and that Lee Harvey Oswald was a scapegoat.
Taking to his Facebook page, Stone shared some of his favorite films with fans – ranging from this year to the 1980s – ‘in no particular order’.
Francis Coppola’s Megalopolis (2024)
Adam Driver and Nathalie Emmanuel star in Megalopolis (Lionsgate)
First on Stone’s list is Megalopolis, which, set in an alternate 21st century New York City, named New Rome, follows a visionary architect as he clashes with a corrupt mayor who wants to turn the city into a futuristic ‘Megalopolis.’
Stone says of the film: “On a visual scale, it’s one stunning scene after another… and the main character (Adam Driver) has the heart of Tucker.”
But of Megalopolis‘ narrative, he reckons: “Many have knocked the film, and I cannot say I followed it completely, but enough to want to see it again, because I believe Francis was sincere in his exploration of a future, which is beyond what our society still doesn’t understand — that we can have a humanitarian society.”
Paolo Sorrentino’s Parthenope (2024)
Celeste Dalla Porta in Parthenope (Pathe/Warner Bros)
Based on Greek mythology, Parthenope follows a siren’s search for happiness in 1950s Naples in the ‘deeply romantic story of a lifetime’.
Stone says seeing this movie once ‘isn’t enough,’ and praises the film’s ‘mind-blowing’ ending.
“I need to see it again and again,” Stone stresses, adding: “The closest thing I can think of to it stylistically was Poor Things (2023) with Emma Stone, which I much admired.”
Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice (2024)
The Apprentice examines Donald Trump’s career as a real estate businessman (Nordisk Film/StudioCanal UK)
Next up on Stone’s list is Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice. Donald Trump’s career in real estate and his relationship with cutthroat attorney Roy Cohn is examined throughout the movie.
Stone writes that he admires its ‘feel for corruption and stink, and how life corrodes the soul — in a very entertaining way, of course!’
He notes: “It works incredibly as a tight film, but of course will be judged as politics. It isn’t. Forget the moment. See it as a character study. Go for the ride alone — it’s something to see!”
Sorrentino’s Youth (2015)
Michael Caine and Harvey Keite star in Youth (Pathé/StudioCanal UK)
A movie that Stone couldn’t help but rewatch instantly was Youth, which follows a retired composer on vacation with his longtime friend as they work on a final screenplay to perform in front of the Queen.
Stone commended actors Michael Caine, Harvey Keite, and Rachel Weisz for their performances in the film, adding: “The dialogue is encrusted with jewels throughout – and wisdom as well – and the music – oh, the music – soars with a surprising but warranted appearance from the great Korean soprano Sumi Cho. It’s exquisite.”
He adds: “It puts Mr. Sorrentino at the very top of the European cinema, in my mind…”
What more of a glowing recommendation could you want!?
John Boorman’s Excalibur (1981)
Excalibur retells the legend of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table (Warner Bros)
Stone hails fantasy film Excalibur as the ‘best rendering of magical realism I’ve seen of Camelot,’ a legend taken from the Mort d’Arthur stories from the Middle Ages.
Stone writes: “The greatness of the story carries it all… It’s a strange tale, soaked in Boorman’s Irish mysticism, but certainly worth remembering. That dream of peace must never die.”
