The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Pretty much defines 'crackerjack.' Despite some bumpiness (I have no idea what Janet Leigh's character is doing in the film, though I like Roger Ebert's theory) and a smattering of spell-it-out dialogue, this remains an expert treatise on how to make an effective paranoia thriller. Works as satire as well, which is doubly gratifying. Demme's got some big shoes to fill with this one.

Grade: A-