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What defines the greatest films of our still-young century? When The New York Times published their reader-selected Top 100 Films of the 21st Century, we couldn't resist diving into this cultural touchstone that had over 200,000 cinephiles weighing in on what matters most in modern cinema.

With Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" claiming the top spot and Christopher Nolan dominating with five entries (including both "Interstellar" and "The Dark Knight" in the top 10), the list reveals fascinating patterns about what resonates with today's audiences. We explore the international appeal of the selections, from "Spirited Away" at #8 to "In the Mood for Love" at #12, while questioning the noticeable absence of Black filmmakers like Spike Lee and the limited representation of female directors.

The conversation takes unexpected turns as we debate which films deserve higher placement (could "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" crack the top 10?), which should be removed entirely (does "Everything Everywhere All at Once" belong at #13?), and what crucial omissions we'd add to create a more representative canon. From questioning the recency bias that elevates new releases like "Oppenheimer" and "Dune Part Two" to lamenting the underrepresentation of horror and comedy, we offer our unfiltered takes on what this list gets right and wrong.

Whether you're a casual moviegoer or a dedicated cinephile, this episode provides both a roadmap for essential viewing and a framework for thinking critically about what makes a film truly stand the test of time. Join us for this passionate celebration and critique of the films that have defined our century so far – and let us know which rankings you'd fight to change!

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