#4 American Beauty by Sam Mendes

Here is without a doubt one of the most acclaimed contemporary classics in American cinema that is bound to forever be a trademark in the "American tragedy" genre. In this film about a lonely man living a suffocating life, we see what is one of the most dysfunctional and sad families put on screen, and then we realize "my goodness...thats me" in some degree. At the same time the director gives us relief and release in moments of heartbreaking insight and heart swelling beauty. Truly a complex masterpiece of the American culture and cinema.