76 Years After Citizen Kane: Has Any Film in the Last Decade Matched Its Mastery?*

It’s been seventy-six years since Citizen Kane first graced the silver screen, and like a fine wine, it seems to get better with age, further solidifying its reputation as one of the greatest films ever made. Every passing year only strengthens its mystique, making it harder for modern cinema to rival its innovative storytelling, groundbreaking cinematography, and profound themes.

I’ve often been criticized for favoring classic films over the new, but in my modest opinion, it’s been far too long since a truly captivating picture came along—one that stirs excitement months before its release, sparking anticipation and debate. Today, it seems cinema bloggers and critics are more eager to tear down terrible films on opening weekend than to celebrate a masterwork. Where are the movies we anxiously await, hoping they’ll become instant classics?

We no longer have the stars who brought a sense of gravitas and magnetic allure to every project. In the golden age of Hollywood, we had the likes of James Cagney, Jimmy Stewart, Orson Welles, Marlon Brando, Cary Grant, Audrey and Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and so many more. These were stars who elevated the material with their performances, their very presence promising something special. Now, the pool of truly iconic performers feels small, with the likes of Meryl Streep standing out year after year. Don’t get me wrong—Streep is a brilliant actress, one of the finest of her generation. But there are times when her performances receive excessive praise, even when they’re merely “good” instead of great.

These days, the conversation around films seems to focus more on box office returns than artistic merit. Take Adam Sandler, for example. Despite churning out movies widely criticized for their lack of substance, people continue to flock to his films. It’s no surprise, then, that even a heavyweight like Al Pacino ends up taking a role in Jack & Jill. And what about Robert De Niro—a personal favorite—choosing to star in Dirty Grandpa? It leaves one wondering, what was he thinking? The sad truth is that many famous actors seem to be chasing easy money, even at the cost of their artistic integrity.

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