Verdict with Ted Cruz: America's Birthday - The 30 Best Movies of the 21st Century
Podcast Information:
- Title: Verdict with Ted Cruz
- Host: Senator Ted Cruz
- Co-Host: Ben Ferguson
- Episode: America's Birthday: The 30 Best Movies of the 21st Century
- Release Date: July 4, 2025
Introduction and Context
On this special Fourth of July episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," co-host Ben Ferguson sets the stage for a lighthearted yet critical discussion about a recent New York Times (NYT) list ranking the top 30 best films of the 21st century. The episode delves into Senator Cruz's strong opinions on the list and his alternative selections, emphasizing his preference for movies that resonate with mainstream audiences over what he perceives as Hollywood's politicized choices.
Ben Ferguson (00:00):
"We're going to have a little fun with today's show because it is, look, Fourth of July, a lot of families hanging out, having fun, watching movies."
Critique of the New York Times' Top 30 List
Senator Ted Cruz launches into a scathing critique of the NYT's list, labeling it as the "worst list" he has ever seen. He accuses the selection committee of being "politicized, woke, effete, out of touch Hollywood types," arguing that their choices do not align with what general moviegoers actually watch and enjoy.
Senator Ted Cruz (00:43):
"This is a list of a bunch of politicized, woke, effete, out of touch Hollywood types. And no wonder the movie business is in trouble because most of these movies nobody's seen and the movies that people go to don't make the list."
He proceeds to read the NYT's top 30 films, expressing disappointment that many mainstream and beloved movies are absent.
Analyzing the NYT List with ChatGPT
Cruz references a Twitter conversation where a user named Mike Henry utilized ChatGPT to analyze the NYT's list for thematic "wokeness." The AI categorized films into tiers based on their ideological content, highlighting themes such as anti-capitalism, black queer identity, and anti-fascism.
Senator Ted Cruz (03:14):
"According to ChatGPT, number five, Moonlight is about black queer identity, poverty, masculinity, deconstruction... Number one, Parasite is about anti capitalism class warfare, rich equals evil symbolism."
This analysis reinforces Cruz's argument that the NYT's list prioritizes ideological messages over quality storytelling.
Senator Cruz's Alternative List: Academy Award Nominees
Frustrated with the NYT's selections, Cruz proposes his own list of 30 excellent movies from the past 25 years. He bases his list primarily on Academy Award nominees for Best Picture, emphasizing films that are both critically acclaimed and popular among audiences.
Highlights from Cruz's List:
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Gladiator (2000)
Senator Ted Cruz (05:33):"Gladiator, one of the best movies ever made. It is in my top 10 all time, if not top 5. And these idiots didn't put Gladiator on the list."
-
The Patriot (2000)
Cruz praises its uplifting narrative, noting its absence from both the NYT list and Academy Awards. -
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
He acknowledges it as a powerful and touching movie but laments its exclusion from the NYT list. -
Chicago (2002)
Acknowledges the film's musical excellence and Richard Gere's performance. -
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2003)
Celebrates the trilogy's faithful adaptation and storytelling prowess, despite their omission from the NYT list. -
Amazing Grace (2006)
Senator Ted Cruz (09:58):"Amazing Grace is the true story of William Wilberforce... It is inspirational, it is powerful. And do you know where the title comes from, Ben?"
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Saving Private Ryan (1998) (Referenced)
Cruz shares a personal connection, highlighting its realistic portrayal of war and its impact on veterans. -
Inglourious Basterds (2008)
Appreciates Quentin Tarantino's craftsmanship and the film's pro-American narrative. -
Moneyball (2011)
Discusses its influence on sports management and his appreciation for true-story movies. -
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Praises its depiction of America’s operation against Osama bin Laden. -
12 Years a Slave (2013) and Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Commends both for their true stories and impactful narratives. -
American Sniper (2014) and The Imitation Game (2014)
Highlights their true-story basis and historical significance. -
Hidden Figures (2016) and La La Land (2016)
Celebrates family-friendly and entertaining narratives. -
The Darkest Hour (2017), Black Panther (2018), Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019), Top Gun: Maverick (2022), Oppenheimer (2023), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
Includes a mix of historical dramas, superhero films, and blockbuster hits that resonate with broad audiences.
Senator Ted Cruz (27:57):
"It's brutal. It doesn't paint a pretty unsanitized picture of history, but it is our history has moments of brutality, moments of evil and oppression, and Scorsese can tell a story as well as anyone in the business."
Senator Cruz's Alternative List: Top Box Office Films
Expanding his criteria, Cruz incorporates the top 10 highest-grossing films from 2000 to 2025 to ensure his list reflects popular preferences.
Top Highlights:
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Avatar (2009)
Senator Ted Cruz (29:11):"Avatar on my list because it's a great film. It really was novel how it sort of stretched but brought you into an entirely different world."
-
Avengers: Endgame
Acknowledges its monumental box office success and quality as a superhero film. -
Top Grossers Including:
- Avatar: The Way of Water
- Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens
- Avengers: Infinity War
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Ninja 2 (Note: Cruz admits unfamiliarity with this title)
- Inside Out 2
- Jurassic World
- The Lion King (2019)
Senator Ted Cruz (29:08):
"None of the top 10 grossing films are on Hollywood's list. You have number three is Avatar, the Way of the Water... There's a real disconnect there."
He criticizes the NYT list for ignoring blockbuster hits that clearly resonate with audiences, suggesting a misalignment between critical acclaim and popular success.
Personal Anecdotes and Movie Preferences
Throughout the episode, Cruz shares personal stories and preferences that illustrate his appreciation for mainstream and impactful cinema.
Favorite Movies for a Desert Island:
When posed with the hypothetical scenario of being stranded on a desert island with only five DVDs, Cruz enthusiastically lists:
- The Princess Bride
- The Godfather Trilogy
- Scarface
- Fletch
- Beverly Hills Cop or Trading Places
Senator Ted Cruz (15:29):
"My number one favorite movie is The Princess Bride. I've probably seen it 100 times or more."
He engages in a playful debate with Ferguson over the comedy classic "Fletch," eventually convincing him to give it a watch.
Experience with "Saving Private Ryan":
Cruz recounts a meaningful encounter with veterans who were affected by the film's realistic portrayal of war, highlighting its emotional and psychological impact.
Senator Ted Cruz (13:30):
"It's the power of cinema to transport you to a different life, a different time, a different world. And it's powerful and beautiful. If it's not just an agenda for left-wing propagandizing."
Family and Movie Choices:
He emphasizes the importance of movies that foster family togetherness, contrasting them with what he perceives as the NYT's agenda-driven selections.
Senator Ted Cruz (11:05):
"You think of the words of Amazing Grace... It's from a book by Eric Metaxas. Fantastic movie. Of course, not on the New York Times list."
Conclusion
Senator Ted Cruz wraps up the episode by reiterating his dissatisfaction with the NYT's list, advocating instead for a compilation based on Academy Award nominations and box office success. He underscores the disconnect between Hollywood's critical assessments and what the general public enjoys, championing films that offer compelling storytelling, true-life inspiration, and broad audience appeal.
Senator Ted Cruz (29:24):
"It really is sad. There used to be a time... What’s fun about going to the movies, you'll notice themes. So I like true stories. I like war movies... When I go to the movies, I want to tell me a story."
He also shares a humorous personal anecdote about a friend turning his bedroom into a Star Wars-themed room, showcasing his love for the franchise and its cultural impact.
Ben Ferguson (32:39):
"This is an iHeart podcast."
Notable Quotes
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Senator Ted Cruz (00:43):
"This is the worst list I have ever seen."
-
Senator Ted Cruz (03:14):
"Politics instead of good movies, instead of movies people like, instead of movies that inspire you."
-
Senator Ted Cruz (15:29):
"My number one favorite movie is The Princess Bride."
-
Senator Ted Cruz (29:08):
"There's a real disconnect there."
Final Thoughts
This episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" offers a robust critique of what Cruz perceives as elitist and ideologically driven selections in Hollywood's acclaimed film rankings. By presenting his own criteria focused on both critical and commercial success, Cruz advocates for a more inclusive and relatable approach to celebrating cinema that aligns with mainstream values and audience preferences.