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:
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.
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).
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!
me, too.
if you become #786 again, i'll come hang out at your desk...
No Pumaman?
Mere lists can't contain the Puma Man (pew-may-man)!
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