Top 10 Films of All Time
- Thread starter ExtremeSleuth
- Start date
Not to say that the movies you have mentioned are not great, but the main reason why people say that they are the greatest is because they were the first. But being first should not automatically give them a spot in the top films of all time. It is a stepping stone from which most films of today can be traced back to (story, filming techniques), but if you take a look, you will see that many films of the past twenty years have met and surpassed the level of Citizen Kane.
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capitalP
Veteran
pdsage10, good call on A.I. I think we're the only two people who liked this movie.
I agree with you, don't know why I didn't list the original, but the acting was so much better in the original still a great love story in either language.
I'll check the thread out.
But, I gotta see that Pan's Labyrinth, it seems to be in alot of everyone's top ten.. I gotta see what I'm missing.
And not to start a Citizen Kane War, but I saw this movie, sure it's considered to be a masterpiece by most, but the basic element of loving a film is the story. And I thought the story wasn't that good. As for it being great film making, maybe it should be on another list by itself like the top ten technical film, but not the top ten film... now ofcourse this is only my opinion:grin:
I agree with you, don't know why I didn't list the original, but the acting was so much better in the original still a great love story in either language.
I'll check the thread out.
But, I gotta see that Pan's Labyrinth, it seems to be in alot of everyone's top ten.. I gotta see what I'm missing.
And not to start a Citizen Kane War, but I saw this movie, sure it's considered to be a masterpiece by most, but the basic element of loving a film is the story. And I thought the story wasn't that good. As for it being great film making, maybe it should be on another list by itself like the top ten technical film, but not the top ten film... now ofcourse this is only my opinion:grin:
You make a good point with regards to some films, but I have never seen anything remotely close to surpassing 8 1/2, Lawrence of Arabia, Raging Bull, The Third Man, La Dolce Vita in context to what those film were doing. Maybe with a Citizen Kane, sure.
When making best of lists and talking about choices there are always going to be sweeping generalizations that kind of throw off focus.
Please give an example of how a movie has used similar techniques to the aforementioned films and done it better. I can't think of any. I think that is why they are so timeless and astonishing.
When making best of lists and talking about choices there are always going to be sweeping generalizations that kind of throw off focus.
Please give an example of how a movie has used similar techniques to the aforementioned films and done it better. I can't think of any. I think that is why they are so timeless and astonishing.
Mark Harris
Pain in the ass
Ha ha, this thread is AWESOME. But beyond "There is a great deal that can be learned." (thanks for making it sound like school, Erik
), there are genuinely great films from the whole history of the medium. Greed is still one of the most powerful films I have ever seen.A common problem though is that many folks are incapable of overcoming their own prejudices and tastes to even know how to look at something that is not what they are used to, meaning something that looks like THEM. This is the result of a lack of education (not only in films, but in everything else as well). I'm sure there are many people in the world today who would rank Harry Potter books as better than Tolstoy or Dickens or Faulkner.
Anyway, not trying to be a dick, but for the love of God people, listen to Erik and go take part in that thread and watch some films!!!
And trust me, my own education in European Film is nothing short of pathetic.
I'll take a my top films off the top of my head:
Greed
Ran
His Girl Friday
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Talk to Her
Once Upon a Time in the West
Mother Night
2001
The Conversation
I have watched Raging Bull about five times, but cant even recall a techique that was used that I have not seen before. Help me out here and tell me what specifically you are looking for.
Mark,
You have moved solidly into my Circle of Favorites with the inclusion of Greed in your all-time top 10.
Eventually, we'll depart from the AFI 100 Years 100 Films list in favor of even more challenging material - say, for instance, three consecutive Jean Vigo films over three months.
When I started the 100 Films Discussions, I was thinking, "Okay, this is like a DVXUser Critical Film Studies Course 101 By Amatuers for Everyone".
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You have moved solidly into my Circle of Favorites with the inclusion of Greed in your all-time top 10.
Eventually, we'll depart from the AFI 100 Years 100 Films list in favor of even more challenging material - say, for instance, three consecutive Jean Vigo films over three months.
When I started the 100 Films Discussions, I was thinking, "Okay, this is like a DVXUser Critical Film Studies Course 101 By Amatuers for Everyone".
e
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Technique was the wrong word. What I was trying to ask was which films have met and surpassed the films listed? And are they better films? If you just meant Citizen Kane, then I agree with you.
I do think that films copy techniques and surpass them on a technical level, but rarely do they have the story and drama to make the technique only an element of greater whole. These films have the whole package in my opinion. No weaknesses.
On a side note, one of the most impressive things about Raging Bull is how convincingly they execute showing Jake's character over a long span of time. I really feel like he is getting older, and I know that it is Deniro, but still I am convinced. But that is only one element of the film.
Edit: And if you do know a film that is like La Dolce Vita or 8 1/2 but better, please let me know 'cause I will be heading to video store in 2 shakes.
I do think that films copy techniques and surpass them on a technical level, but rarely do they have the story and drama to make the technique only an element of greater whole. These films have the whole package in my opinion. No weaknesses.
On a side note, one of the most impressive things about Raging Bull is how convincingly they execute showing Jake's character over a long span of time. I really feel like he is getting older, and I know that it is Deniro, but still I am convinced. But that is only one element of the film.
Edit: And if you do know a film that is like La Dolce Vita or 8 1/2 but better, please let me know 'cause I will be heading to video store in 2 shakes.
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DeSica
Well-known member
Really? How so?
How are these films among the first? You know they have been making films for over 100 years, right? Did you see any Lumiere brothers stuff on the list? The Great Train Robbery was wildly innovative and a technical milestone back in 1903, and I have seen it, but it wouldn't make the top ten on any day for me.
I just saw The Passion of Joan of Arc a week or so ago...almost 80 years after it was made, and I thought it was amazing. after seeing it, i found out that the original negative was destroyed, and that this version was pieced together with cuts that Dreyer had originally discarded. The guy made a better film with what he was going to chuck than most direcors have made with their "best" of twelve takes.
I may have to agree with Pauline Kael when she says Renee Falconetti's performance "may be the finest performance ever recorded on film." It really was that good.
As for Kane, it isn't my favourite film, but it does seem to creep into my posts, largely due to it being brought up for one reason or another. I grew up on the films from the last 25 years. I have seen more films than just about anyone I know, including directors and movie executives, and maybe even a few of my instructors. Not just good movies, but some real crap, too. I had inkling of wanting to make movies since I was 18 or so, but when I saw Hud at 19 or 20, I knew I loved films, and that I would only truly be happy if I could one day make them.
I was 26 years old when I saw Kane, I had already heard all the talk and the hype, and I was still blown away. The choice of angles and shot composition in relation to emotion and narrative alone could merit a week's worth of discussion. Todays' stuff often has dutch angles and exaggerated shots without any regard for what they are supposed to mean in relation to the events on screen. There's a whole bunch of style for style's sake.
I have been moved by many films, and there are a great number of films I watch repeatedly because I am drawn to them for some reason, but nothing has ever made the impression that Kane did (except maybe The Bicycle Thieves). It was like a slap in the face, and it made me want to cry, as Caesar did at 24 when he thought of all that Alexander had achieved at 18, because I knew I had just seen greatness, and that I myself may never come close to it in anything I ever manage to do.
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J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
It is hard for generations to appreciate the works before them if only due to lack of exposure I think.
I'm a 70's baby, and most of my 'favortie ever's' are from the 70's - 90's and a bit O 00's
I love cinema, period.
I have been known to shun the art house guy; the one who swears Tarkovsky is the best ever and all is s hit. I appreciate anything that kicks ass, why not like Tarkovsky and Spielberg ?
And yes, Lawrence of Arabia and Raging Bull are epic. That's why I hate TOP 10 lists; too short. : /
I'm a 70's baby, and most of my 'favortie ever's' are from the 70's - 90's and a bit O 00's
I love cinema, period.
I have been known to shun the art house guy; the one who swears Tarkovsky is the best ever and all is s hit. I appreciate anything that kicks ass, why not like Tarkovsky and Spielberg ?
And yes, Lawrence of Arabia and Raging Bull are epic. That's why I hate TOP 10 lists; too short. : /
Jg Marceaux BestBetter
Active member
It's my top pick. Words really can't describe how phenomenal this movie is. It's a modern day masterpiece.
This movie had me thinking about it for weeks afterward. This is the closest experience, cinematically, that you can have to reliving someone else's dream.
DeSica
Well-known member
For some, yes. That's why I wonder at how some pople don't think past a certain level. If you enjoy a certain band, don't you start to explore their influences? Why not explore the films that your favourite film person finds fascinating?
Same here. Lots of my favourites are from during my lifetime.
I was maybe 7 or 8 years old when Raging Bull came out. I saw it the night before I was set to return home after spending a couple of months in Italy when I was 19 (I think I may have seen it once before). When I landed, after a 12 hour flight, I had my father pass by a video store and we watched it that night. I must have watched it like 6 times in the next two weeks.
Exactly.
You can. Who said otherwise?
Not merely epic...timeless.
For sure.
Phil Maker
Well-known member
I saw Kane. It sucked. Saw Casablanca too. Wasn't much better. In the days of those films they were still practicing. I've yet to see a great film from that era.
Phil Maker
Well-known member
Raging Bull was great, but the best ever? I liked Goodfellas and Taxi Driver both better.
Phil Maker
Well-known member
I didn't say it sucked. I said it wasn't much better. It was ok. I didn't relate to it. The ending wasn't so good. The acting was fake. The writing was contrived.
J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
Majority of that list, Blaine could easily be mine on any Sunday.
krestofre
Knight of the Holy Order
I think we've had more discussion on Citizen Kane in this thread than we did in the original 100 Films Discussion thread.
For reference, here it is.
http://66.225.214.124/~dvxuser/V6/showthread.php?t=85801&highlight=films+citizen+kane
Never too late to resurrect one of those threads and carry on the conversation.
My list?
1: Raiders of the Lost Ark
2: Blade Runner
3: Star Wars - 1977
4: 2001: A Space Odyssee
5: The Godfather
6: Apocalypse Now
7: Citizen Kane
8: Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind
9: Annie Hall
10: M
With mild fluctuation, but even then it still leans embarrassingly modern.
For reference, here it is.
http://66.225.214.124/~dvxuser/V6/showthread.php?t=85801&highlight=films+citizen+kane
Never too late to resurrect one of those threads and carry on the conversation.
My list?
1: Raiders of the Lost Ark
2: Blade Runner
3: Star Wars - 1977
4: 2001: A Space Odyssee
5: The Godfather
6: Apocalypse Now
7: Citizen Kane
8: Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind
9: Annie Hall
10: M
With mild fluctuation, but even then it still leans embarrassingly modern.