Top US Films of All Time

America may have released a staggering amount of movies throughout history, but only a small number of these films have staying power, and continue to be watched and talked about to this day. From classic dramas to crime thrillers, these are some of the top US films of all time.

Citizen Kane (1941)
Written, directed and produced by Orson Welles, Citizen Kane is considered by many critics to be the greatest film ever to be made. Welles was given a huge amount of creative freedom with this movie, and its success is perhaps due to the fact that so much of it came from such an artistic genius. With a number of incredible performances, as well as creative cinematography and narrative structure, Citizen Kane is considered to be extremely innovative and ahead of its time. The movie features Welles playing the role of Charles Foster Kane, with the movie depicting his life in the publishing world, as well as his subsequent pursuit of power. Although the film was not a commercial success at the box office, largely due to its delayed release and limited distribution, it received unanimous praise from critics and special editions are still being released today.

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The Godfather (1972)
Unlike Citizen Kane, The Godfather was the box office leader for the year that it was released, and is regarded by many to be one of the greatest films in world cinema. The film stars Al Pacino and Marlon Brando as the leaders of the fictional New York Corleone crime family, and every role in the movie has been so perfectly cast that you simply cannot imagine anybody else playing those characters. The movie resonates with many due to the way in which it focuses on immigrant life, bringing the gangster theme into it in an extremely clever way. The cinematography is also widely revered, as is the overall moral message that the movie conveys.

Casablanca (1942)
Casablanca, an American romantic melodrama, finds its way onto so many different top ten film lists, and while it may not have done spectacularly well when first released, it earned its reputation over time. The movie stars Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and, set during the second world war, depicts a love triangle in which both men are vying for the love of the same woman. While the film may focus on something quite inconsequential when compared to the war going on in the background, it is full of loaded political messages that give viewers a fantastic insight into the military situation at that time. The dialogue boasts several memorable lines, and the musical score is full of suspense, adding a rich element to the film. Whether you enjoy a romantic movie plot or not, Casablanca’s charm is sure to steal your heart.

Not only are these movies the top US films of all time, but they are also considered to be some of the greatest films in the world. Each of these movies have had a huge impact on its viewers, and, with such strong staying power, they are likely to continue having an influence on generations to come.

Most Inspirational Women

There are always days when each and every one of us could do with some inspiration, to encourage us to be the best that we possibly can. Throughout time, there have been certain women who have hugely influenced society in a positive way, due to the work that they have done or the ways in which they dedicate their lives to helping others. OROGOLD brings you some of the most inspirational women that are continuing to make the world a better place.

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Oprah Winfrey
The first self-made billionaire in the world, Oprah Winfrey came from a difficult background, where her family had no flushing toilets and could rarely afford to buy her shoes. Now, she is one of the most influential women in America, if not the world, and spends her hard-earned fortune on trying to improve the lives of others. From creating millions of new readers with her book club, to founding a school in South Africa, to setting up Oprah’s Angel Network, which hands out educational grants, Oprah is dedicated to helping others. If that wasn’t enough, she personally donated $10 million to help to rebuild homes for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

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JK Rowling
While you have all likely heard of Harry Potter, and know that JK Rowling is the best-selling author behind the series, you may not know about the struggles that she went through early on in her life. A single mother who needed her welfare money each week in order to survive, JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book in a small coffee shop in her spare time. Since then, in addition to encouraging millions of people, both children and adults, around the world to fall in love with reading, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books have sold over 400 million copies, inspired movies that have grossed over $5 billion, and have even resulted in theme parks being created to honor this much-loved character.

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Venus Williams
When it comes to females in the world of sport, Venus Williams has inspired many, including her own sister, who used to aspire to be just like Venus. With 43 WTA titles, 7 grand slams and 5 Wimbledon titles, Venus Williams has taken the tennis world by storm. If that wasn’t enough, Williams also has her own interior design company, as well as her own fashion line.

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Hillary Clinton
A highly respected American politician, Hillary Clinton was the US Secretary of State from 2009 to 2013, but began fighting for gender equality long before that as a university student, firmly believing that the rights of women and girls was still unfinished business that needed to be brought to attention. Passionately dedicated to women’s rights issues all over the globe, Hillary Clinton has a truly inspirational way of carrying herself in the messy world of politics. In addition to this, the way in which she remained dignified during the troubled times of her husband’s affairs has inspired many women all over the world who have unfortunately found themselves in a similar position.

From JK Rowling’s creation of one of the most-loved fiction characters that the world has ever seen, to Hillary Clinton’s constant fight for women’s rights, the world is full of amazing women that we can all take inspiration from. Whether you are able to help others, or simply work hard to be the best person that you can be, OROGOLD hopes that you are as inspired as we have been by these truly incredible women.