I have decided to try out a new type of list on the site – one where you (the readers) pick the content. This isn’t a top ten however. The aim here is for you to discuss the question at hand and share your views with the rest of the site. If the idea takes off, I will consider making these a regular part of the site.
The format will be: I ask the question, I give my answer and reason, and then I open the floor to everyone here to give their answers and reasons. So – onward, to our first installment of Your View.
What is the best movie ever made, and why?
I think the best movie ever made is The Godfather.
I think it is the best movie because every time I watch it (and I have watched it many times) it really manages to draw me in – I become totally absorbed and feel like I am part of a real scene playing out around me. Also, the film has amazing cinematography and direction, and the acting is top-notch!
NOTE: Because this is our first try at “Your View” – let me know whether you think this is a good idea or whether we should forget about it. This will not replace any lists and we will continue to write lists as usual.
Wow, a lot of the suggestions definitely should NOT ever be considered for greatest film. Not to be condescending, but when you look at Citizen Kane, Godfather, Casablanca, Clockwork Orange and Dr. Strangelove, very few films approach the importance of these films. Who remembers the 2nd person to climb Everest, 2nd to discover America, to discover relativity…
The fact is, people like Griffiths (albeit a racist psycho), Dreyer, Cocteau had such a blank canvas at the time that almost anything they did was revolutionary. Kubrick, Coppola and Welles happened to work in an era when film traversed at a high point for film, when technology and storytelling fed off each other. It’s a bit like music in the ’60s-’70s. The pendulum has swung too far towards the “business” side and art is not supposed to challenge or inspire, but simply to entertain and get butts in the seats.
Let me try to explain my little screed on the value of cinema by enlarging the music *****ogy. To me there are 4 levels of music (and yes, they are subjective). There are the songs you loved the first time you heard them, and now years later you still love. These are classics. They are the apex. Then there are the songs you weren’t sure about the 1st time. You thought they were alright, but it took a few more listens before you really “got” them. They challenged you, but ultimately the challenge payed off. These are the great songs. Then there are the songs that caught you the 1st time you heard them. They had a great beat, or a great hook, or clever lyrics. Whatever it was, it caught you right away and made you smile or tap your toe or whatever. By about the 10th or 20th listen, the lustre started to fade, but that didn’t matter because another piece of “musical candy” had come along. These are good songs, and most of what you hear on the radio. People enjoy them and they have their place, but they’re not “art.” In 50 years, people will still listen to the Beatles & Elvis, but will be as puzzled by the name Christina Aguillera as with Lulu or Katrina and the Waves. Oh yeah, then there’s the 4th group, which is just crap. Mostly modern rap, R&B and country. Sry, had to take that cheap shot.
In closing, years from now, people will watch Casablanca and Citizen Kane. Many will think they were great stories that were entertaining to watch, while others will see deft acting, clever writing, brilliant camera work and a multilayered story which tells us something about the human condition and, ultimately, ourselves and our lives. So, my vote: Bio-dome. Sheer brilliance.
Wizard of Oz!
Kai4a – I think the way our society and culture are rapidly deteriorating, alot of the “crap” music and movies will be considered classics and all time greats
i think a “best movie” should include all the elements – story, cinematography, editing, sound, popular/favorite subject, romance, action, comedy, great acting, and something you can watch over and over again.
hence, my vote for best movie is…The Princess Bride.
Wow, a lot of you people are movie snobs.
I
I think it would be hard for someone my age, college student, to appreciate some of the older classics such as the Godfather, Goodfellas, etc. although they are excellent movies. Recently, the best movies of the last 15 years would have to be The Matrix, Fight Club, and Pulp Fiction. Just my 2 cents worth.
A lot of people have decide to throw out faves rather than “best.” It’s tough to choose but here are a few that in my humble opinion belong:
Citizen Kane (yes, yes, trendy pick but for good reason.)
The Third Man
Double Indemnity
Out of the Past (no one is cooler than Mitchum)
The Haunting (original – great book also)
High and Low (amazing drama)
and just so you all know I like movies in color too…
Unforgiven
United 93 (you know the story but it made my heart pound)
and…
Jaws (my personal fave. There is not a wasted frame in the film! What is amazing that if you watch the documentaries on the production, everything that went wrong; from Lee Marvin turning down the role of Quint to the shark not working, helped!)
I loved Stardust but, as always, the book was better.
Mom:
Trust me, you don’t want my life. It needs a lot of work.
But come on. All these movies can be had from Netflix, I’m told (I don’t use Netflix myself–rather, I own my own copy of most of the ones I mentioned).
But I confess–I did take a few film classes in college. Got me exposed to a lot.
pjdigger; I had forgotten about The Haunting….I’m gonna get me a copy soon, thanks for the remind.
Randall; See I’m a walking, talking advert for either birth control or abstinence. 4 Boys, much sports, no time for movies…oh but someday….
Kai4a: Great post, though I’m not sure I’d entirely buy your music *****ogy… and by the way, most of what we hear on the radio isn’t “good” unless you’re listening to some oldies station. Most of what we hear on the radio falls into the “crap” category. Similarly, most films are crap. Most books are crap. And so on.
Joss: Why are we “movie snobs?” Because we have standards and taste? I’m sick of know-nothing, will-watch-anything types calling others “snobs” because they insist on standards. Get out of here.
I can’t really disagree with Randall about Casablanca, it’s pretty much a perfect script, perfect acting, direction, photography et al. I think the same case can be made for Citizen Kane.
Personally there’s about 100 movies that I never get tired of, but probably wouldn’t classify them in any ‘greatest’ category. They’re just good movies that entertain every time.
am i the only person that doesn’t really like watching movie?
i have a netflix account, and it’s just slowly eating money, and i’m getting nothing in return. (my fault, i’ve had the same movie for about 6 months)
anyway, i really like 3 Iron, Gone with the Wind and Elizabeth. (not making any claims to their greatness or crappiness)
and this isn’t film snobbery. many of the movies mentioned are very good movies, and most people who have a decent knowledge of movies would agree.
I don’t get all these people spouting Princess Bride. Great movie, but the question is the greatest. Jeez, I know some gal who thinks Top Gun is the best movie ever made and I can’t talk her out of it.
Mind numbing when you think about it.
Randall; I can be a movie snob, or not. Depends on the mood I’m in…Sometimes I want Coq au Vin, sometimes I want a Big Mac.
The African Queen, Annie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Longball: Unfortunately, you’re right. But isn’t it a self-fulfilling prophecy?
Eddie: I don’t know if I’d characterize it as “hard.” Certainly more difficult than just blindly walking into the megaplex and buying a ticket for the latest Adam Sandler movie. I saw Casablanca when I was in Jr. High in the mid-’80s. I was home sick from school and my mother rented it for me. I was a bit puzzled by her choice, because it was a “classic” (meaning old, boring film), but watched it anyway. I loved it instantly. When I watch it now, I see more in it than I did then, so in a way the film grew as I did.
Sure it’s harder to watch an older film, but it’s harder for me to jog a mile than a typical college student. That’s because I’m 35 and sedentary. To quote Emo Philips, “life is like a sewer. What you get out of it depends on what you put into it.” When you put a little energy into seeking out a classic film and focusing on it, actually think about what you’re watching, it’ll give you more than your typical modern Hollywood film. And, the more you do it, the easier it’ll get. Sometimes I like to turn my brain off and be entertained but the best “fun” movie doesn’t hold a candle in real value, and will be passed out of the brain within a day like so much McDonald’s food through the colon…
Randall: Thx. I guess what I mean is that film and music are both art and entertainment. The best films, the best music have artistic value while being entertaining. The “runners-up” aren’t as entertaining, but still have real merit. The next level, although not offering much on an artistic or philosophical level, are still entertaining. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, they’re just disposable and way too proliferate today.
I’d also like to throw a little love out to David Lean and nominate The Bridge on the River Kwai. Awesome performance from Alec Guinness; a script that has a point of view about the world, and about the war, about the mind of a soldier; incredible action;a sympathetic antagonist; and a kick-ass climax.
I also think Princess Bride is a close to flawless film. I would venture to say there isn’t anyone who won’t enjoy it from beginning to end.
Kai4a; hard or more difficult? A great movie, either classic or modern, should not be hard to watch. It all boils down to the story, symbolism and all the other ‘classic’ techniques must serve the story. If its hard to watch (and I don’t mean by making you uncomfortable), it can’t be a great movie.
Eddie: YOU ESPECIALLY I want to address my boy. You can be saved. I hope.
I mean… what IS this nonsense? “I think it would be hard for someone my age, college student, to appreciate some of the older classics such as the Godfather, Goodfellas, etc.” To begin with, I’m trying to get my head around someone calling “Goodfellas” an “older classic” (or a classic at all–I didn’t care for it, but that’s just me) …regardless of your age, Eddie, you ARE aware that there was history PRIOR to the last thirty years, right? Films have been around since about 1900, in fact, Eddie. Calling “Goodfellas” or even “The Godfather” an “old classic” is a bit silly. No. A LOT silly.
But I’m not here to pick on you. Honestly. I’m here to help. See, Eddie… I was in college myself once. I was your age once. And at that time, 19 or 20… I loved and appreciated old movies–*really* old movies–movies that to me, then, were already 50 years old, or so… give or take a decade or two. I wasn’t alone. Lots of my friends loved old movies. Lots of people I knew who’d never seen old movies liked some of them once they were exposed to them.
See Eddie, you have to get your mind away from this false idea that because something is old, it can’t be relevant to you. People haven’t changed Eddie. Not in 20 years, not in 50, not in 100, not in hundreds. Maybe not in thousands. Oh yes, technology changes, fashion changes, tastes change, social views change. But individual people haven’t changed, or haven’t changed much. Love, grief, life, death, success, failure, facing aversity, dealing with problems… crime, honor, justice, etc. etc. etc.—people have been living with all these things since people were invented, Eddie. And the best stories, whether they’re novels or films, are about these things.
Old movies can be incredibly cool. There’s nothing as cool and aloof and tough as Bogart in “The Maltese Falcon”… trust me. Rent a copy and watch it. Watch how Bogart’s character deals with Peter Lorre’s. It’s not only cool, it’s funny. There’s countless examples like this.
If this doesn’t convince you, Eddie.. my DAUGHTER loves these truly old movies–and she’s 13. And not sappy, chick-flick old movies. She loves the crime flicks of the 40s and the old screwball comedies of the Marx Brothers and on and on. If a 13 year old kid can find something to like, can find relevance, in old movies—then so can you. And really, it should be easier for you, seeing as you’re a college student–after all, a college student is supposed to be opening his/her mind to new things, to all sorts of ideas and concepts, to be *willing* to expose himself or herself to intellects and arts they’ve never encountered before, to be moved by these things and open their walls through encountering them. Otherwise, I’d ask you what you’re in college for?
dmarmion; I can’t watch Bridge on the River Kwai anymore. Not since learning about the actual true facts pertaining to this atrocity.
The Korean film Oldboy by Park Chan-wook. It’s simply awesome.
Wtf over, Randall.
1) I was teasing
2) That was ridiculously rude
The greatest in my opinion is the 1979 movie, The Warriors, by Walter Hill. It was incredible. It documents a night in a reality that New York City was taken over by hundreds of gangs (law enforcement can’t fight them off), and the struggle of one gang, The Warriors, to make it back to the saftey of their home turf while being hunted down after being framed for the murder of the president of the city’s largest gang after said leader was rallying to unite all gangs into one gigantic group.
It really made an impact on me. Great fight scenes (especially The Warriors VS. The Baseball Furies) and a great change from the norm (the gangs are technically criminals, yet you can’t help but support one of them, The Warriors, in their struggle to clear their names).
The movie made such an impact that when it was released in theaters, it encouraged real-life gangs to fight each other, even in the theaters! It was the Grand Theft Auto III of the movie industry. Ironically, the guys who made Grand Theft Auto (Rockstar Games) made a very faithful game adaptation of The Warriors.
Joss: And just how was that “teasing”?
And if you thought what I said was “ridiculously rude,” you should get out more.
Mom: I think we’re in a bit of a “Blind Men and the Elephant” moment. I agree with you fully. “Hard” and “Difficult” are pretty much synonymous. In the end, the point is that the greater the value, the greater the effort required.
Oldboy is an amazing film.
It was teasing. As in, this is a laid back, community-oriented site that promotes CIVIL, INTELLIGENT conversation. I made a silly remark on how people are taking this subject so freaking seriously. From what I can remember, even the bible thread didn’t get this *****y.
Plus, that comment wasn’t directed at anyone in particular. I glanced around at a couple posts, saw that some movie critic feelings were getting hurt and voila, my horrible, ignorant post was born.
1. (1) tease, teasing, ribbing, tantalization
(the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances; “he ignored their teases”; “his ribbing was gentle but persistent”)
If you think taking a couple film classes in college makes you an expert, that’s fine. Have fun with that.
Shawshank Redemption hands down. There are very few movies if any in the world that you can watch stop the dvd and watch it all over again. It’s tied with the Godfather for first all time on IMDB but with 100,000 more votes. From the moment the warden throws the rock through the poster to the end of the movie has to be the greatest 30 minutes on film.
Joss; I have had the same problem, tone and attitude does not translate well on the internet. I read an article last week that stated (sorry can’t remember where I read it)that over half of all comments/chat are misconstrued. Without the visual and aural cues we all rely on……
and Randall wasn’t being rude, just trying to educate…Lord I have a hard time getting my kids to even watch the Indiana Jones films and they thought American Werewolf in Paris lame…
beatin’ my head against a wall
Fight Club, great acting and script,
:D
Mom: I do agree that Randall wasn’t being rude in his actual posts. “Joss: Why are we “movie snobs?” Because we have standards and taste? I’m sick of know-nothing, will-watch-anything types calling others “snobs” because they insist on standards. Get out of here.”
In my opinion, that’s rude. Perhaps I’m odd.
I think The Godfather is a great choice: Stunning cinematography, compelling characters, brilliant acting and some very memorable scenes and lines. I mean, come on, the Horse’s head scene is possibly one of the most recognizable, parodied and iconic scenes of American cinema.
I might also say Star Wars (original trilogy), because it spawned a massive fanbase, it really broke sci/fi out to the masses in a way movies before it hadn’t, and it had such a simple yet engaging morality play plot that’s approachable and interesting.
Well, I’m not much of a movie person, so I haven’t seen the vast majority of films mentioned here.
One sort of recent critically acclaimed movie I enjoyed was the Aviator. I started watching it almost by accident and ended up staying put through the whole thing. Not normally the type of film I’d watch but I liked it all the same.
I’m glad The Princess Bride has been mentioned already, that’s my favorite movie and I didn’t want to be the only one bringing it up! I just think it’s brilliantly done, I get lost in it whenever I watch it. It has comedy, drama, action, romance – everything I want in a film! (Plus Cary Elwes! *swoon*)
*makes a mental note to rent Stardust*
Joss, Randall; I’ll concede, maybe standards and taste was a little over the top…
We all need to remember that standards and taste evolve as we age. When I was a kid I thought Billy Jack was the best movie ever….I caught it again on one of the old movie channels…
I was embarrassed, OMG, it is baaad. Hackneyed, cliched, and crappy ass acting….
Billy Jack was awesome.
Oh, I almost forgot: Mildred Pierce! Not for best film ever, but for a good, solid noir-y melodrama with a lady lead. Joan Crawford is win.
Ooh, maybe everyone should read through this list to find one great film they’ve never seen, and try to watch it this weekend.
Magnolia
Great script, acting, direction, music, cast. It is a must see behind Goodfellas and The Brady Bunch movie.
phunniemee: Billy Jack?
Randall: I am very sorry that my post offended you. Perhaps it would help to know that I refer to myself as a snob of all sorts. A foam snob (it has to be the rich, creamy kind), a children’s book snob, a makeup snob.
I do think that you went a little over the top in forcing your movie tastes and opinions on others. You know, it’s fine when someone thinks differently than you do. It’d be boring otherwise.
le samourai
GAGGGHHHFFF!
Pardon my wretching, but I don’t think Magnolia should be on the same list as Casablanca or Citizen Kane
Shawshank Redemption is not only my favorite, but I also think the best movie ever made. Though any movie list like this without Godfather in the top 3 is in trouble.
jfrater: about an earlier comment… I think Schindler’s List did its job on you. You were supposed to see it as over-the-top.
Roman Holiday and Casablanca are the greatest movies of all times. I also love Reservoir Dogs and Memento. and from the recent movies, The Departed and Zodiac.
DOn’t get sick over MY opinion Bucslim
Pre-digested chicken sandwich chunks on the keyboard are a real ***** to clean out.
One very good one I left out earlier is Four Feathers (NO not just because Heath Ledger was in it and there is a raging hoop-la about him right now). The writer/director is a genius! Watch the special features when they interview him, he makes some beautiful points. Another good one is Rabbit Proof Fence, and the Proposition (an Australian/western with Guy Pearce). Best scary movie I’ve ever seen that still scares the snot out of me is Event Horizon. But hands down best still goes to Boondock Saints (in fact I’m going to watch it a few dozen more times as St. Patty’s approaches). Gosford Park is on my list, too.
How about ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ It is one of the few adapted movies I’ve seen that lives up to the book.
OH MY GODD!!!! How could I ever have forgotten Donnie Darko? It is most excellent.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, too.
didn’t read all 161 posts but i haven’t see There Will be Blood anywhere.i think i’m going with citizen kane though.
Maybe you should do a funniest superbowl commercial list. I’m sure that would create some more debate.
khen – thank you for enabling me to swallow my lunch again.
Joss, grow up. You’re the one who started out injecting a lame-ass comment which you are now turning around and disavowing because you were called on it. Give me a break. Be a man and admit you said something stupid and were wrong.
I didn’t take offense Joss, I read what you said for what it was. Yeah, people think art and taste in art is important. It matters. I’m sick to death of people mis-using the term “snob”—i.e., calling other people “snobs” when what they really mean is, “I’m either not smart enough or too lazy, or both, to put thought and energy into considerations of what has value in art (or anything for that matter) and so I’m going to mock others for being able to do so, and imply that they’re not cool or are snobs, etc.”
A movie snob, Joss, would be someone who thinks ONLY foreign films are worthy, or only *old* movies, or only films made by certain directors. Get the idea? People who, on the other hand, simply take film (or music or any other art) as a subject seriously, who feel there *are* such things as standards, are not “snobs.”
I don’t need a definition of “teasing,” Joss. You need to know that teasing is usually something done in context. Your original remark offered none. The fact is that many times on this site, people have called others “snobs” in this sort of situation, and what I was doing was calling you on it. If you didn’t mean it, well hey, sorry to have gotten down your neck about it.
I’m perfectly willing to concede that I jumped on you, (I have a temper) but as you say you teased with no one in particular in mind, what I was doing was standing up for everyone here who would like to carry on intellectual debates without being called “snobs.” So let’s make nice and realize we were both wrong and yet were both acting harmlessly.
Lastly though, I am not aware of having “forced” my movie tastes and opinions on others. Again, this is a comment section. I offered my choice for the greatest movie, as solicited–as we were all solicited, and followed up with a list. I don’t see where that qualifies as “forcing” anything. And I NEVER said anything about having taken film classes in college as some greater qualification for my opinions. That WOULD be snobbish. What I said (DIRECTLY, by the way, to “mom424″–my statement was meant only for her, in answer to what she said to me) was that I had managed to SEE a lot of artsy films in my life partly because I had taken a lot of film classes which had exposed me to such films. Nothing snobbish or high-falutin’ about that. So get off it.
I don’t know about commercials. Funniest Superbowl moment: Belicheat running back to the locker room before the game was over. LMAO!
(Sorry Pats fans, nothing personal)
bucslim; magnolia shouldn’t be on any list….lol
I’m all for off the radar stuff that takes a chance. And, despite my gastrointestinal problems, I know some folks really really like Magnolia. Paul Thomas Anderson’s got talent – this year’s offering of There Will be Blood is evidence of that.
Metaphorically speaking, I was one of the frogs crushed on the pavement. And for those of you who don’t know what I’ve just said, don’t ruin your life by renting/buying the movie to figure it out.