Top 10 Films of All Time

[J.R. Hudson]

Practicing ? They'll be saying the same thing about Scorsese in 100 years

Blasphemy.

 

[Herman Witkam]

Lists like these are pointless, and hard to compile. When reviewing them later, I always have the urge to edit them (which I won't).

1) Ivan the Terrible 1+2
2) 'Woman in the Dunes' or 'The Face of Another'
3) Andrej Rublev
4) Persona
5) Ran
6) Otto e Mezzo
7) Playtime
8) Metropolis (Lang)
9) Hadako no Shima
10) Eraserhead

In classical cinema, I think that Japan and Russia are terribly underrated.

 

[ExtremeSleuth]

I've seen Kane. I love it. It's in my top 20 films of all time. Great film. I love the film. Its just I like the other films more.

Casablanca's writing is contrived? Bad acting? WTF? Different strokes for different folks, but wow. I'm just going to stop here so I don't say something that'll get me banned

 

[pdsage10]

How about this, what if films like, Citizen Kane, Joan of Arc, etc.... were made today with the same acting and filming techniques that were used to make them when they were originally produced. Would they be veiwed as greats?

Also, its not that I have not had exposure to these films. I have had years of classes on film history and have seen many of the classics multiple times. I just dont like to accept someone elses opinion as my own just because its the popular opinion(among instructors and art house enthusiasts). Education sometimes breeds enlightenment, other times it breeds conformity.

 

[krestofre]

How about this, what if films like, Citizen Kane, Joan of Arc, etc.... were made today with the same acting and filming techniques that were used to make them when they were originally produced. Would they be veiwed as greats?

In most cases I can honestly say yes. There are some classic films that are great because of their historical context. Others are just great. If Kane or Casablanca were released today I would find them just as great. Kane especially has a remarkably modern asthetic to it, which I've talked about before at great lengths.

 

[Weston]

The Village
The New World
Schindlers List
Star Wars Episode IV
Lord of the Rings
The Sound of Music
Raiders Of the Lost Ark
Apocolypse Now
A Hard Days Night
Kill Bill Vol.1

 

[Kirk Gillock]

This is tough. But seeing everyone elses answers helped. I had to go back and change my list and add some alternates. Can't believe I forgot Raising Arizona. That movie is perfection.


And am I the only one who liked Amelie? I figured that would be a filmmakers favorite. Every frame is a work of art and the music is amazing. Come on, show some love for Amelie. But not TOO MUCH love. I'm a jealous boyfriend and she's ALL MINE!

 

[DeSica]

How about this, what if films like, Citizen Kane, Joan of Arc, etc.... were made today with the same acting and filming techniques that were used to make them when they were originally produced. Would they be veiwed as greats?

What do you think some of these directors are trying to do? Exactly what you have stated. When you hear a guy like Socrcese talk about the great films that have inspired him, you see how they resonate through his work in some way or another. When you read his stuff in Cahiers Du Cinema, or wherever, you get a glimpse into the greatness that inspires further greatness. They aspire to the level of the artists that have inspired them.

Also, its not that I have not had exposure to these films. I have had years of classes on film history and have seen many of the classics multiple times. I just dont like to accept someone elses opion as my own just because its the popular opinion(among instructors and art house enthusiasts).

I agree. I watched hundreds and hundreds of films before I ever took a film class. In my teens I watched a good deal of crap, and some good stuff, too. I'm ashamed to even admit to myself that I enjoyed Cobra, nevermind in a public forum. As I grew older, I came out of my funk, and began to seriously appreciate well made films. My friends hated seeing movies with me because I was so critical, and I hated seeing films with some of them because they would pay money to seestuff like Housesitter.

Most of the people I met in film school were watching stuff like Charlie's Angels, which I got dragged to and hated. Worst two dollars I ever spent. No teacher told me what to like. I made up my own mind. I laughed at The Waterboy and I liked There's Something About Mary. Just thinking about them makes me want to watch A Day At The Races. That film was genius...though I could do without the musical interlude, but it still cracks me up.

I think The Pope of Greenwich Village is an excellent film...one of my faves. I'd put it in my personal top ten. Most people wouldn't agree. I think Rumblefish is a wonderful film...one of Coppola's best. Most people would probably disagree. Right now Sexy Beast beckons to me yet again, though I have seen it a dozen times. I'd put it in my top ten favourites. I doubt anyone else on here would.

I think Michael Mann's Thief is one of the greatest American films ever made, and perhaps one of my top three, if not my absolute favourite. I once watched it every morning at 6am for five days straight. My father would get up to report to set for a film he had a bit part in (a glorified extra), and ask me why I was watching it again...and then sit down and start watching it with me. My mother would have to keep reminding him he was late before he would get up and leave. This happened every day. Most people haven't even heard of it.

I didn't enjoy Kubrick's 2001, but I did like Eyes Wide Shut, and I think Paths of Glory may be his best film. I am clearly in the minority there.

Public opinion says Independence Day was a good movie, and a co-worker recommended it to me. I saw it. It sucked hard. I'm talking Home Alone hard. So did Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, American Pie...all of them blockbusters, and all of them widely praised by joe moviegoer. Watch Turkish Star Wars and maybe you'll understand how I felt seeing some of those films.

Education sometimes breeds enlightenment, other times it breeds conformity.

Absoluetly. Schooling prepares one to fit in to society and a job. Thinking for yourself isn't really as accepted as people believe.

 

[SPZ]

How about this, what if films like, Citizen Kane, Joan of Arc, etc.... were made today with the same acting and filming techniques that were used to make them when they were originally produced. Would they be veiwed as greats?

Also, its not that I have not had exposure to these films. I have had years of classes on film history and have seen many of the classics multiple times. I just dont like to accept someone elses opion as my own just because its the popular opinion(among instructors and art house enthusiasts). Education sometimes breeds enlightenment, other times it breeds conformity.

Interesting point. I believe that this is the moment where we discuss the Art of Film. Because, if we see, most of the movies people nominated are "auteur" films, in one point or another. Bergman's films like the Seventh Seal, for example, would probably be shot in a different more pleasant to the eye way by todays standards, if young Bergman was Born today. But the message would be the same, and the language would probably be very similar. A Bergman movie is a Bergman movie, with its own unique language, and that value is timeless.

The same goes to major auteur movies. Sometimes, a big non auteur movie can achieve greatness, because all elements just work incredibly well together, like Casablanca. Casablanca is like a timeless POP song. They do exist, and they have their mark in the history of music, much like the biggest classical or "academically accepted" educated music.

Its about comunication, about individual visions, and about many "languages" coming together in one single comunicative effort.

My (immediate, not much tought out) top 10, in no particular order except for the first one

1- In The Mood For Love (Masterpiece. Narrative, editing, camerawork, mise-en-scene. Master storytelling. Intimate, Romantic. Music, Image, acting, narrative... All blend in this romantic... masterpiece. )

2- La Strada ( A Realist Fairy tale by Fellini. Its a movie done by a Fellini that still believed, despite of the sad ending, on the magic of relationships. Its the movie that announced the appearance of the desilusioned bohemian in La Dolce Vitta, and the desilusioned filmmaker in 8 1/2. Its a magical movie, with a sad end- announcing Fellini's journey in life. His films are incredibly personal, but also accessible. )

3- La Vita é Bela ( A movie by a poet of the people. Its a poem to Love, life, parenthood and war. More powerful than any war movie to date, in my opinion)

4- Moulin Rouge! (If love could be filmed, it should be this movie. The movie I know I wouldn't be able to do. A Masterpiece)


5- Kingdom (Von Trier Series- He uses his "dogma" style in a creative fictional direction, taking the themes he likes to expose in his movies in a new and extremelly powerful direction. )

6- Fist of Fury (why? Never seen such actor presence in a movie untill today. Its a B movie, with terrible acting, but nothing comes close in therms of screen presence. A movie that almost single handedly created the spirit of the people of one town- the Hong-Kongers- even tought the movie portraits Xanghai! )

7- Persona (Bergman's fantastic character study. Incredibly shot and written. Non-Linear storytelling that is as fresh today as it was back then)

8- A Straight Story (David Lynch's best, and most underrated movie, IMO)

9- Rocky (a Honest, flawed- like any human- story about believing and being positive. About non conformism and about principles. In a world of individuality, of conformism and desilusions, this is the definitive "Man's" movie.)

10- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind- simple yet complex, accessible yet deep. Excelent analogy to Love and relationships. (Another romantic movie... Yeah, I know...)

EDIT- See, that's the problem of top 10's... I feel it would not be fair to skip The Bicycle Thieves, The Aviator, Taxi Driver, The Village (Blasphemy!), and on, and on, and on....

 

[hvpz]

More than 10 but who cares !! )
In no particular order and all n°1 in my heart. Depending the moment and the mood.

1 - Underground (kusturica)
1 - Black cat/white cat (kusturica)
1 - Time of the Gypsies (kusturica)
1 - Blade runner
1 - Die hard 1
1 - 12 angry men
1 - 8 1/2
1 - Gattaca
1 - The Good, The Bad, The Evil
1 - Brazil
1 - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Terry Gilliam is a genius)
1 - 12 monkeys
1 - Back to the future
1 - Leon - The professional
1 - Alien
1 - Elephant man
1 - 7 samourais
1 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1 - Rear Window
1 - The Graduate
1 - Blue Velvet
1 - Midnight express
1 - Pi
1 - Save the Green Planet (Jeong Jun-Hwan / South Korea) one of the funniest movie ever made
1 - Oldboy
1 - 3-Iron (Kim Ki-duk is a genius too)
1 - Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring

I didn't include french movies excepted "the professional" but I can build a list as long as this one with french movies.

"Citizen kane" is overrated imo, I prefer much more "touch of evil" and not only for the opening shot.

 

[capitalP]

I just dont like to accept someone elses opion as my own just because its the popular opinion.

Well said.

 

[danadigital]

my opinion is that people will have their opinions. I have watched the classics, some I liked some not so much. I respect what people have to say about them but most of the time I go to or watch a movie its mainly for entertainment purposes. I will sit down and study a movie if it catches my creative eye but those movies dont often make it in my top ten.

 

[Luis Caffesse]

Yeah - hell, why not....becauase I'm certain everyone was sitting around saying "I wonder what Luis' top ten movies are?"

Well I won't keep you in suspense any longer.
In NO particular order:


Lawrence of Arabia
2001
Being There
Citizen Kane
Good Fellas
Raising Arizona
One, Two, Three
City Lights
Apocalypse Now
Network


At least...that's my top ten today.

Hmmm, even as I write this I see some glaring ommissions (i.e. Brazil).
But, at least those are 10 films I can watch over and over and over....

 

[ExtremeSleuth]

for those who think a Top 10 isn't enough, i invite you to do a top 100 films of all time list. i have mine, ready to post, but i wanna see if anyone else has theirs first

 

[cinealma]

It's kind of a tough one because there's a big difference in what I see as my top 10 films as far as filmmaking and top 10 films as far as my favorite movies to watch.

Off the cuff, in no particular order:

Eraserhead
Raging Bull
Chinatown
Midnight Cowboy
Sunset Boulevard
Persona
8-1/2
Pulp Fiction
Alien
My Life to Live


There's probably a few hundred more.

 

[bosindy]

My top 20 American Films,, The 70's really was the golden age of film in my view.


The Godfather - beautiful

The Deer Hunter - heart breaking

Deliverance - horrific. (Burt Reynolds could have been one of the greats)

The Godfather II - Compelling

Cool Hand Look - cool

The Graduate - hilarious

Jaws - first ever summer block buster

Taxi Driver - dark genius

Eyes Wide Shut - my favorite Kubrick film (and I love all his films)

Apocalypse Now - brilliant use of conrad's work

 

[tmpafilmer25]

Some of my favorites:

-Gladiator
-It's a Wonderful Life
-Stand By Me
-The Green Mile
-The Last Samuari
-The Matrix
-Sixth Sense
-Lord of The Rings ROTK
-Back to the Future
-Office Space

And many more...

 

[Batutta]

Okay, there are films I think are great (Schindler's List), and then there are films I know I'll watch repeatedly before I die. They are--

The Empire Strikes Back - (The Best Star Wars Film. Period)
Godfather (Part one is perfection, I always lose interest in Part Two somewhere in the middle. The kind of film that reminds you of what can be achieved in a movie.)
Galaxy Quest (Sue me. It just makes me happy)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (I hope they don't screw up part 4)
Dr. Strangelove (Comedy doesn't come any blacker or funnier)
2001 (One of the few films that truly gets better every time I watch it. Hated it as a kid, when I wanted literal storytelling, now I just let its brilliant imagery seep into my pores. In 70mm it's a religious experience.)
Aliens (Cameron's only masterpiece)
Goodfellas (Taxi Driver touches me more profoundly, but this one's more entertaining. )
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Not perfect all the way through, but hugely satifsfying. The only extended edition I like is of part one, which fleshed out the Aragon / Boromir relationship fully and made some of the action more coherent. The 2 and 3 extended editions are full of repetitive and redundant scenes.)
The Matrix (the sequels really tarnished its luster, but the first one is still great.)

 

[DeSica]

More than 10 but who cares !! )
In no particular order and all n°1 in my heart. Depending the moment and the mood.

1 - Black cat/white cat (kusturica)

This was a really good film. Nice pick.

1 - Blade runner

Excellent movie. Director's cut benefits from lack of voice over and is actually five minutes shorter.

1 - Die hard 1

Another good one. They should have quit with the first one.

1 - 12 angry men

Amazing drama. Some of the best actors ever all on one set in basically one room.

1 - Gattaca

Nice.

1 - The Good, The Bad, The Evil

I used to go to school late for english because I was watching this every morning in highschool. My english teacher was my drama teacher, so he didn't mind so much.

1 - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Terry Gilliam is a genius)

Huge fan of this film. Depp was great.

1 - 12 monkeys

Also good.

1 - Leon - The professional

Own it. Love it. Cost me over 50 bucks to buy it.

1 - 7 samourais

Classic.

1 - Oldboy

Genius. I have turned some people on to this little known gem, as well as the first 'Vengence' film. Have you seen the third one?

"Citizen kane" is overrated imo, I prefer much more "touch of evil" and not only for the opening shot.

Heston could give some great performances in the hands of the right director. It was cool how you could see the difference between a seasoned actor and a hack when Chuck replaced Ted Turner in that scene from Wayne's World 2.

Nice picks.

 

[AloysiusK]

Luis,

Nice pick with Being There. Hal Ashby was a beautiful person. Coming Home and Harold & Maude are also classics.