Sunday, November 23, 2008

Totally Subjective Film Lists

While reading a blog of a friend I saw some lists of great films that he threw down. It inspired me. I realized that most of my posts lately have been about things I dislike and I thought I should spend some time on things I do like.

So I present to you the following lists. Yes, this is copying Jeff's post, but it is not a rebuttal to, nor in competition with Jeff's post. I just thought it would be fun to do.

The Ten Greatest Silent Films
(yes, I modified this one a bit, Jeff, but only because I can't get enough of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin)

1.
Metropolis - This film is intense every time I see it.

2. The General - My first real experience watching a full-length silent film.

3. Sunrise - A beautiful and emotional film about the struggles of an average married couple.

4. City Lights - One of Charlie Chaplin's best.


5. Phantom of the Opera - A horrifying and much darker version than the popular musical.

6. Sherlock Jr. -
The jumping through the window scene is utterly awesome!

7. The Kid - My wife loved this one when I showed it to her - and I don't blame her.

8. Steamboat Bill Jr. -
Buster almost gets flattened by a house in an iconic storm scene.

9. The Gold Rush -
I always wonder if I'd ever be hungry enough to eat my shoe.

10. Nosferatu -
Sure, it's slow in parts, but that creature is terrifying!


The Ten Greatest Films
(These are not my favorite films, per se, but ones that tell amazing stories in amazing ways. I tried to base it on the quality of the film as well as its impact on our culture.)


1. The Wizard of Oz - Beautiful visuals, memorable music and a story for all ages.

2. Gone with the Wind -
It's long, it's epic, it's beautiful and it's emotional.

3. Star Wars -
A phenomenal film that started a phenomenon.

4. Casablanca -
Yes, it's a cliche to have this on the list, but it's also a very good film.

5. The Matrix -
A mind-blowing story with special effects that have been copied ever since.

6. 2001: A Space Odyssey -
It's hard to believe this complex film was made in 1968.

7. Psycho -
Alfred Hitchcock's best film - pure suspense!

8. Metropolis -
This film was far beyond it's time - a masterpiece.

9. Dr. Strangelove -
A memorable comedy that takes on big issues.

10. Raiders of the Lost Ark -
It's amazing when you think that NONE of that was CGI.

Honorable Mention: M, Groundhog Day, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Sixth Sense, It's a Wonderful Life and Jaws


My Personal Top 10 Films
(
These are movies that I can watch over and over again without getting sick of them. This list is subject to change at any time.)

1. Shaun of the Dead - It's a romantic comedy with zombies! What's not to love?

2. Raising Arizona -
The Coen Brothers' finest work, in my opinion.

3. Psycho -
Love this film! It's practically perfect.

4. Shawshank Redemption -
Everytime I see this on TV I sit down and watch it - even though I own it.

5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off -
Still makes me laugh. Always will make me laugh.

6. Beetlejuice -
A bizarre horror/comedy that is a lot of fun.

7. The Hudsucker Proxy -
A fast-talking film about an extruded plastic dingus.

8. Moulin Rouge -
A crazy and dramatic film that is visually breathtaking!

9. Three Amigos -
One of the funniest films of all time.

10. Waking Ned Devine -
This movie just makes me feel good every time I watch it.

Honorable Mention: Fletch, Love Actually, Maverick and Serendipity


Wow. That wasn't easy. It's hard to narrow down favorites into a list of ten and try to put them in some kind of arbitrary order.

Did I miss any that you thought should be on here? Did I put any in that you don't agree with? Even if you don't agree with some of these films being on these lists, I'd recommend ALL of them for viewing - at least once.

Feel free to comment and/or make a list of your own - it's fun for the whole family!

6 comments:

--jeff * said...

that's a pretty dang list there, mate. i didn't realize you knew that much about silent movies.
i've seen everything but three: "the kid", "steamboat bill jr.", and "shawshank redemption"- and i own the latter two....
your general "best ever" list doesn't have a lot of the usual suspects on there, but they're still all good choices and well defended.
i especially like your silent list. "phantom of the opera" is seriously aweome.

--jeff * said...

addendum:
I. your "best ever" list does, actually, have a fair amount of the usuals, and i don't say that in a bad way. any list with "2001" gets my vote.

II. regarding "metropolis", do you prefer the traditional score or the "disco version"?
(i read that they recently discovered a print in argentina that had 20 more minutes of new footage).

The Former 786 said...

Why thank you, Jeff. You inspired this list.

The funny thing is that I fought against 2001 being on my list. I like the middle movie with Dave and HAL, but that movie is bookended with weird art movies that confuse and bother me. However, I kept hearing the words of Darl Larsen ringing through my head "No movie has been the same since 2001 was made in 1968" and I couldn't deny it's impact on filmmaking.

And I don't think I've seen the "disco" version of Metropolis. Any good?

BTW, Jeff, you need to see Witness for the Prosecution. I saw it on AFI's top ten list of greatest courtroom dramas and I was really impressed - a very well done film.

Man I miss talking film with you!

--jeff * said...

me, too.

if you become #786 again, i'll come hang out at your desk...

Ryan Croker said...

No Pumaman?

The Former 786 said...

Mere lists can't contain the Puma Man (pew-may-man)!