9. A Clockwork Orange
Kubrick's seemingly insurmountable classic is a keen observation of 1970's contemporary dystopia. The upheaval of the decade was a battle between authority and unrest, between ideology and its antithetical apathy. Well, guess what. It applies even more so today.
Why We Need It: With war, natural disaster, economic downturn, rapid political progression, and endless political debauchery, A Clockwork Orange might be ready for a reinvention given today's global political climate.
But With Who?: Ryan Gosling, duh. The man's a rebel as well as a sincere, vulnerable performer. He'd fit perfectly as main character Alex, the potty-mouthed chauvinist whose sociopathic acts of violence lead him to a life of subservience to his conscience. And Gaspar Noé directs. The French director understands emotional dementia better than any out there.
The Spin?: Noé is unapologetically overstated, mastering a balance of lucid sedation and psychosomatic frenzy--traits required to bring to life a contemporary version of the classic. Noé's understanding of color and sound is a jolt of fresh energy enough to ensure not much about the story or style should change.