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Post by thwhtguardian on May 1, 2018 10:44:27 GMT -5
I was talking about this today on break at work, I love so many films that picking a "number one all time best" is just too damn hard but if you break it down by decade it's much easier to pick a favorite. So I thought, "What are the Classic Comics Forum's favorite films by decade?" My favorites go back to the 20's but if that's not you're cup of tea you're not obligated to go there.
My list:
1920's: The Thief of Bagdad(1924)
I have always loved old Hollywood swashbucklers and among those this is my absolute favorite( though Errol Flynn's 1938 Adventures of Robin Hood comes close!). It has a stunning array fantastical effects, beautiful set design and Fairbanks action scenes are some of the best around, which together make it a real romp of a journey.
1930's: King Kong(1933)
If you really held my feet to the coals, and placed bamboo splints under my finger nails this is probably the film I'd say is my absolute favorite. Like the Thief of Bagdad, Kong is a true spectacle with it's lush sets and amazing effects it just stuns the senses and completely immerses you in it's world. It's a prime example of the power of film, sure you could describe Kong in a book and if it was well written it would spur your imagination which is wonderful and skilled but on film it's real. Kong is right there in front of you on the screen, you can see him and hear him and you feel like if you could just reach through the screen(or vice versa!) you could feel him too. It's just magic in the first degree.
1940's: Casablanca(1942)
This is another film that depending on the day, and the type of torture applied, I might point to as my all time favorite if really pressed. Again, this is a piece that really creates a feeling of a whole world to explore; the seedy casino/bar, the shadowy streets, the danger, the intrigue...it all just wraps you up in the experience. You want to go to Rick's and live the excitement. On top of that the actors are all top flight making a star studded affair that just makes you smile.
1950's: Tie between Rashomon(1950) and North by Northwest(1959)
I know, I know, splitting it up by decades was supposed to be away to avoid ties in picking a favorite film but these two are just too good. Rashomon weaves a complex, multifaceted story full of rich characters that just draws you in and really makes you think, while North by Northwest builds suspense and intrigue to an extent that I've never felt before.
1960's:2001: A Space Odyssey(1968)
Like a Thief of Bagdad this is another favorite genre film for me, in this case science fiction. I've always been drawn to sci-fi, with it's mix of the fantastic and the real it makes for a perfect dream of tomorrow to get lost in and 2001 is no different. With it's space craft that don't look much more advanced than our own and realistic sets that look like they are right out of footage from the international space station it's easy to get lost in the fiction.
1970's:The Exorcist(1973)
William Friedkin's The Exorcist is truly horror(another favorite genre of mine!) at it's finest. It's a film that terrifies you not with it's jumps or, the head twisting, or pea soup vomiting(though they are fun) but by meticulously crafting a mood of overwhelming dread and despair that slowly creeps up on you and seeps unknowingly into your very being. It makes you truly feel dread and fear that speaks to that little kid deep down inside you that still fears the dark and the shadows on the wall and the creaks in the night.
1980's: The Goonies(1985)
This is a film that's just plain fun. It's a kid's action adventure film that recreates one of those adventures you always dreamed you and your friends had while growing up. For two hours you get to be a kid again, and that kind of escapism is never a bad deal.
1990's: Groundhog Day(1993)
This is probably my favorite comedy of all time; it's got Bill Murray who can pull funnier faces than anyone else, a farcical, screw ball ball romance plot and a concept that really makes you think played for laughs. It's that juxtaposition of serious philosophical thinking and comedy that really makes this film stand out. You wouldn't think those two elements could exist cohesively in a single work but they do here and surprisingly the more seriously it delves into the questions of immortality and consequences of our life choices and how you should live your life...the funnier it gets.
2000's: Wall-E(2008)
This is a film that has it all, sci-fi, romance, action, comedy...and it's animated. This is one of those films that shows you that you can do a movie suitable for children and not have it be mindless fun. You can have a film be "for kids" and still tell a real story with depth and meaning, and full of complex emotions...and it can be fun at the same time. Full disclosure: I openly cried when Wall-E left behind his cockroach buddy to go in search of EVE.
2010's so far: Shutter Island(2010),True Grit(2010),Guardians of the Galaxy(2014) and Shape of Water(2017)
Unlike my selection from the 1950's where I feel my tie was a but of a cheat I think that since the decade isn't over yet it's totally fine to be undecided, which explains the explains the wide variety of tones and genre presented. Basically, right now these are films that I've watched multiple times since they came out and have scenes that were truly memorable. If tortured I don't think any of these films would come spewing out of my mouth as an all time favorite but they're each a lot of fun in their own ways and well worth mentioning.
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Post by brutalis on May 1, 2018 13:34:49 GMT -5
I can't even begin to work through the logistics of deciding things by decades. Movies, books, comics, music all have sooooo many great things. I simply try to enjoy them all as often as possible. Very seldom do i ever look at the "age" or "date" of products unless it is food stuffs for expiration dates.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 14:14:11 GMT -5
hard for me to peg down a single favorite, as my tastes and preferences change depending on mood, but I can narrow down to some contenders...I've bolded the one among them I would choose at this moment. Ask me tomorrow and the list will change and I'll remember something I forgot to include this time.
1930s-Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn
1940s-hard for me to pick between Citizen Kane, Casablanca and Maltese Falcon as all three are perennials in my top 10 films of all time list.
1950s- again a hard choice-Creature from the Black Lagoon, African Queen,Twelve Angry Men or Seven Samurai would be vying for the top spot
1960s-2001: A Space Odyssey, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and It's A Mad, MAd, MAd, Mad World are contenders
1970s- Star Wars, Alien, Apocalypse Now
1980s-Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blues Brothers, Princess Bride, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Glory
1990s-Braveheart, Dances with Wolves, Goodfellas, Amistad
2000s-Lord of the Rings trilogy, Iron Man
2010s too close and really I have only seen a handful of genre (Marvel, Star Wars & DC) films this decade, I haven't watched a lot of other recent stuff. If I had ot pick one it would be Black Panther or Wonder Woman so far.
-M
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2018 14:36:45 GMT -5
1920 – The General – 1926This is a truly a masterpiece film back then and I've seen this film over 30-50 times in my life and appreciate the efforts and the charms of Keaton's performance in this film. My favorite film in the 20s -- bar none. 1930 – King Kong - 1933A truly an awesome film and never, ever gotten tired of it. Gorgeous Photography and the pace of this film is excellent. 1940 – Gilda - 1946I just to watch this scene just for sheer fun and it's a Rita Hayworth's Masterpiece; and my favorite movie star of all time! 1950 – North by Northwest - 1959A Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint gem, and its has so many twists and turns -- it's keeps you on the edge of your seat! 1960 – It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World - 1963Comedy of Comedies -- So many Stars and its has so much fun ... I watch this film 2 times a year to get me out of my "blues" and it's a perfect rainy day film. 1970 – Patton – 1970Loved this Film -- it's captured Patton's Spirit and Drive -- George C. Scott was born to play Patton! 1980 – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - 1982Another great film and it's has that charm that makes you feel good all over !!! Loved E.T.!  Loved this Scene! 1990 – Saving Private Ryan – 1998Loved this film, very realistic and it's has great determination and desire to find "Private Ryan" ... to me, it's a Tom Hanks best movie. 2000 – Gladiator – 2000 Hearing this was truly EPIC! 2010 – To be determined
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Post by Slam_Bradley on May 1, 2018 16:59:02 GMT -5
1920s - The Gold Rush (1925) A towering accomplishment in 1925. Chaplin gives us comedy, pathos, drama...everything we could hope for in a film. I'm not sure it's my favorite Chaplin film, but it may be.
1930s - Horse Feathers (1932) This one is hard as there are so many amazing films from the 30s. I love The Marx Brothers. And this may not be their best film. But it's my favorite. I can watch it over and over. And it has a special place in my heart as my youngest son dressed as Groucho for his Gifted and Talented program's "Night of the Notables" in grade school and sang "Whatever it is, I'm against it."
Contenders: M, Modern Times, Gunga Din, The Adventures of Robin Hood.
1940s - Casablanca (1942) This was a no-brainer. This and my pick for the 1950s vie for being my favorite film of all time. This is just the perfect blend of drama and romance. Every performance is pitch perfect. The script is gold. I watch this film at least once a year.
1950s - The Searchers (1956) The other film that can be my favorite. John Ford's masterpiece. This is the greatest western ever. And John Wayne's greatest role. I think Wayne really only stretched himself when he played a villain (The Searchers, Red River). The cinematography in this film is just stunning. And the alienation of Ethan in the films fade-out is palpable.
1960s - The Dirty Dozen (1967) Another tough one. I really love this film. Great ensemble cast. Great action. Great adventure. Another film I can watch over and over just for the sheer fun of it.
Contenders: The Great Escape. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. Cool Hand Luke. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
1970s - The Godfather (1972) Another movie I never get tired of. A stellar script with so many great moments. A stellar cast, from Brando and Pacino down to the small roles. Everything that serious 70s cinema was meant to be.
Contenders: Chinatown. Blazing Saddles. Young Frankenstein. Shaft.
1980s - Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Possibly the most fun movie I've ever seen. The ultimate adventure film. And Indiana Jones...that says it all.
Contenders: Die Hard. The Blues Brothers. Caddyshack. Blade Runner.
1990s - Toy Story (1995). This one is two-fold. First, it's a fabulous story with great voice acting and it was an absolute revelation in animation when it came out. Probably more importantly it was the first movie that I went too after my son Nathan was born. And then it was his favorite movie when he was little (also Connor's). I have seen this movie far more than any other. Literally hundreds of times. And I'm still not tired of it.
Contenders: Goodfellas. Reservoir Dogs. Pulp Fiction. Fargo.
2000s - O Brother Where Art Thou (2000). Upon further review...I think this is the stand-out film of the 2000s for me. The Coen Brothers are among my favorite film-makers. And this is a movie that I can watch over and over. The cast is great. The re-setting of the Odyssey to the deep south is brilliant. And OMG...the soundtrack I can listen too every day until I die.
Contenders: Shaun of the Dead. Hot Fuzz. Inglourious Basterds. Wall-E (I actually think the first half of Wall-E may be the greatest film ever). The Incredibles
2010s - Toy Story 3 (2010). This one kind of bookends with Toy Story. This one came out as Nathan was going into high school. So it kind of hit home that he was almost grown, just as Andy was going off to college and giving up his toys. And it's a great film. To be fair though...there aren't a lot of films from the 2010s that I've watch more than once or twice.
Contenders: The Martian. Django Unchained. Get Out.
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Post by Warmonger on May 2, 2018 13:28:47 GMT -5
1930s: Frankenstein/King Kong/The Wizard of Oz
1940’s: Casablanca/It’s a Wonderful Life
1950’s: High Noon/Seven Samurai/The Searchers
1960’s: For a Few Dollars More/The Good, the Bad and the Ugly/Bullitt
1970’s: Jaws/Taxi Driver/Apocalypse Now/Dawn of the Dead/The Exorcist
1980’s: Blade Runner/The Shining/Raiders of the Lost Ark/Blue Velvet
1990’s: Jurassic Park/Goodfellas/The Silence of the Lambs/ Saving Private Ryan/Se7en/Fight Club
2000’s: No Country for Old Men/There Will Be Blood/28 Days Later/Children of Men
2010’s: Mad Max: Fury Road/Logan/Blade Runner 2049
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Post by thwhtguardian on May 2, 2018 18:44:26 GMT -5
1920s - The Gold Rush (1925) A towering accomplishment in 1925. Chaplin gives us comedy, pathos, drama...everything we could hope for in a film. I'm not sure it's my favorite Chaplin film, but it may be. 1930s - Horse Feathers (1932) This one is hard as there are so many amazing films from the 30s. I love The Marx Brothers. And this may not be their best film. But it's my favorite. I can watch it over and over. And it has a special place in my heart as my youngest son dressed as Groucho for his Gifted and Talented program's "Night of the Notables" in grade school and sang "Whatever it is, I'm against it." Contenders: M, Modern Times, Gunga Din, The Adventures of Robin Hood. 1940s - Casablanca (1942) This was a no-brainer. This and my pick for the 1950s vie for being my favorite film of all time. This is just the perfect blend of drama and romance. Every performance is pitch perfect. The script is gold. I watch this film at least once a year. 1950s - The Searchers (1956) The other film that can be my favorite. John Ford's masterpiece. This is the greatest western ever. And John Wayne's greatest role. I think Wayne really only stretched himself when he played a villain (The Searchers, Red River). The cinematography in this film is just stunning. And the alienation of Ethan in the films fade-out is palpable. 1960s - The Dirty Dozen (1967) Another tough one. I really love this film. Great ensemble cast. Great action. Great adventure. Another film I can watch over and over just for the sheer fun of it. Contenders: The Great Escape. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly. Cool Hand Luke. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. 1970s - The Godfather (1972) Another movie I never get tired of. A stellar script with so many great moments. A stellar cast, from Brando and Pacino down to the small roles. Everything that serious 70s cinema was meant to be. Contenders: Chinatown. Blazing Saddles. Young Frankenstein. Shaft. 1980s - Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Possibly the most fun movie I've ever seen. The ultimate adventure film. And Indiana Jones...that says it all. Contenders: Die Hard. The Blues Brothers. Caddyshack. Blade Runner. 1990s - Toy Story (1995). This one is two-fold. First, it's a fabulous story with great voice acting and it was an absolute revelation in animation when it came out. Probably more importantly it was the first movie that I went too after my son Nathan was born. And then it was his favorite movie when he was little (also Connor's). I have seen this movie far more than any other. Literally hundreds of times. And I'm still not tired of it. Contenders: Goodfellas. Reservoir Dogs. Pulp Fiction. Fargo. 2000s - O Brother Where Art Thou (2000). Upon further review...I think this is the stand-out film of the 2000s for me. The Coen Brothers are among my favorite film-makers. And this is a movie that I can watch over and over. The cast is great. The re-setting of the Odyssey to the deep south is brilliant. And OMG...the soundtrack I can listen too every day until I die. Contenders: Shaun of the Dead. Hot Fuzz. Inglourious Basterds. Wall-E (I actually think the first half of Wall-E may be the greatest film ever). The Incredibles 2010s - Toy Story 3 (2010). This one kind of bookends with Toy Story. This one came out as Nathan was going into high school. So it kind of hit home that he was almost grown, just as Andy was going off to college and giving up his toys. And it's a great film. To be fair though...there aren't a lot of films from the 2010s that I've watch more than once or twice. Contenders: The Martian. Django Unchained. Get Out. I can't believe I forgot O, Bother Where Art Thou! That's a really great film, and you're right that sound track was amazing. Man of Constant Sorrow was one of my must have songs at my wedding. |
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Post by codystarbuck on May 2, 2018 18:44:42 GMT -5
Can't do it like that; too many favorites, too many genres. I have favorites for different reasons, whether story, performance, character, plot, mood, nostalgia or some other connection.
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Post by coke & comics on May 4, 2018 3:51:46 GMT -5
1890s: La lune à un mètre (The Astronomer's Dream) --Georges Méliès, 1898
Not a decade I know well and not a decade known for its narratives. People were still trying to figure out what to film. Méliès was the first to try to bring imagination to life. This is a strong contender for being the first science fiction films, though it's really more fantasy. And anyway all takes place within a dream. More than worth 4 minutes of your time to check out on Youtube.
1900s: Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon) --Georges Méliès, 1902
Often regarded as the first science fiction film, as scientists build a ship to fly to the moon. But it's really no more grounded than Astronomer's Dream. And is really pure fantasy. Another triumph of imagination. The ending fascinates me. The film is too long ago for me to tell if the film is critiquing colonialism or celebrating it unironically.
1910s: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea --Stuart Paton, 1916
The second adaptation of the book. The first by Méliès was another work of music and imagination that bore little connection to the book. This tries a bit harder to capture some of the book. It remains largely a novelty as the book would be better adapted in the future. It spends a lot of time on undersea photography, and was an early big action epic.
1920s: The Mark of Zorro --Fred Niblo, 1920
The first superhero film. Though Zorro is really a masked adventurer. More of a Batman than a Superman. Or perhaps Batman is more of a Zorro. Swashbuckling action. Stirring speeches. It really is recognizable as a superhero film, just with less talking. It's probably the oldest film that I really enjoy. It really is great. While there was a clear answer, this was the first decade with real competition.
Contenders: Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Metropolis
1930s: King Kong --Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1933
The first decade I'm not certain about the answer. But I think this is the right answer. Hell of a story. Hell of an epic. Hell of an ending. Full of great moments. Lost World beat this film in terms of showing a "lost world" film on screen. But this is such a higher quality film.
Contenders: Things to Come, M, Only Angels Have Wings, Young Mr. Lincoln
1940s: Bambi --David Hand et al, 1942
I could have answered this one as a child and haven't changed my mind 30 years later. It's just life up there on screen. Growing up. Charmingly presented. The cutest characters. Free of excessive plotting. Just beauty up on screen.
Contenders: Red River, Casablanca, Laura
1950s: 12 Angry Men --Sidney Lumet, 1957
Getting into a decade with lots of films I love. Science fiction as we know it finally took off and I love dozens of films. But I also love courtroom dramas, as this list will make clear. My favorite thing in film is when two good actors argue passionately with each other and you can see where each is coming from. This film is full of passionate argument. It's a writer's film. Which I also love. The screenplay is the centerpiece, rather than an afterthought.
Contenders: The Man in the White Suit, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Destination Moon, Singin' in the Rain, Rashomon
1960s: Judgment at Nuremberg --Stanley Kramer, 1961
It asks the questions I think the world still needs the answer to. I see pieces of this film darkly reflected in today's reality. Occasionally somebody will make a comment eerily similar to comments on this film. "I'm not political." It has 3 famous and powerful monologues. One to help understand the fear that lead to the rise of Naziism. One that argued that all humanity shared in the guilt of the Holocaust. And one that argued for the value of a single human life. I think it might be the most important movie for our current times.
Contenders: Fail-Safe, Psycho, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harakiri, The Wrong Box
1970s: Alien --Ridley Scott, 1979
One of the greatest sci/fi films ever. Definitely the greatest scifi/horror blend. Perhaps the greatest horror film. Scott creates an atmosphere on a spaceship that is haunting long before danger appears. It is just a stunning vision of space. And a stunning vision of something truly alien. Something not at all recognizable, except perhaps from our collective nightmares.
Contenders: Rocky, Star Wars, Jaws, World on a Wire, A Clockwork Orange
1980s: Blade Runner --Ridley Scott, 1982
Scott again. The single greatest science fiction film, with no contenders. Pretty close to my favorite film ever. The death of Roy Batty is my favorite scene in the history of film. I like to liken the plot to the story of humans who storm heaven seeking to demand longer life from God. Perhaps akin to the Numenorians assaulting Valinor to demand immortality.
Contenders: Die Hard, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Princess Bride, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
1990s: A Few Good Men --Rob Reiner, 1992
A favorite decade. 15 of the 50 films I have given 5 stars come from this decade. Yet another legal thriller. Pretty close to my favorite movie ever. The movie I consider most underrated by the film critic community. Just a masterpiece of scripting, score and direction. The famous courtroom face-off between Cruise and Nicholson is one of my favorite scenes in film.
This decade has 10 of my 15 favorite films ever:
Contenders: Jurassic Park, The Usual Suspects, The Lion King, The Big Lebowski, Toy Story, The Paper, Newsies, Clerks, Apollo 13.
2000s: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring --Peter Jackson, 2001
The trilogy in extended form is my favorite thing in movies. There are no contenders. This is my favorite film in the trilogy. I'll point to two scenes I love. One, only appearing correctly in the extended form, is Bilbo's "Concerning Hobbits" speech. Nothing puts a smile on my face like that. And then one of my favorite scenes in film history is when Sam jumps into the river after Frodo. "I made a promise Mr. Frodo, a promise."
Contenders: The rest of the trilogy, Serenity, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Love Actually, Memento, Spider-Man 2
2010s: The Martian --Ridley Scott, 2015
And now the present. 10 of my 50 5 star ratings come from this decade, the second most. It's also the decade in which I've seen the most films, currently about 518. It's also the decade I'm the least certain of the answer. The test of time really helps. And I love superhero films, and this is the best decade for them thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Science fiction seems to be having a bit of a renaissance. And I just saw the best documentary ever, concerning Mr. Rogers. Plus there was a truly awesome Star Wars movie last year.
But I think this is the answer. Notably my 3rd Ridley Scott film to grace this list. And another movie for our times. After you've watched Judgment of Nuremberg to understand the evil we face, watch this to understand the solution to our times. A triumph of humanity as people come together in common cause.
Contenders: Won't You Be My Neighbor, Black Panther, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and a lot of superhero films
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Post by thwhtguardian on May 5, 2018 12:02:14 GMT -5
1890s: La lune à un mètre (The Astronomer's Dream) --Georges Méliès, 1898 Not a decade I know well and not a decade known for its narratives. People were still trying to figure out what to film. Méliès was the first to try to bring imagination to life. This is a strong contender for being the first science fiction films, though it's really more fantasy. And anyway all takes place within a dream. More than worth 4 minutes of your time to check out on Youtube. 1900s: Le Voyage dans la Lune (A Trip to the Moon) --Georges Méliès, 1902 Often regarded as the first science fiction film, as scientists build a ship to fly to the moon. But it's really no more grounded than Astronomer's Dream. And is really pure fantasy. Another triumph of imagination. The ending fascinates me. The film is too long ago for me to tell if the film is critiquing colonialism or celebrating it unironically. 1910s: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea --Stuart Paton, 1916 The second adaptation of the book. The first by Méliès was another work of music and imagination that bore little connection to the book. This tries a bit harder to capture some of the book. It remains largely a novelty as the book would be better adapted in the future. It spends a lot of time on undersea photography, and was an early big action epic. 1920s: The Mark of Zorro --Fred Niblo, 1920 The first superhero film. Though Zorro is really a masked adventurer. More of a Batman than a Superman. Or perhaps Batman is more of a Zorro. Swashbuckling action. Stirring speeches. It really is recognizable as a superhero film, just with less talking. It's probably the oldest film that I really enjoy. It really is great. While there was a clear answer, this was the first decade with real competition. Contenders: Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Metropolis 1930s: King Kong --Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1933 The first decade I'm not certain about the answer. But I think this is the right answer. Hell of a story. Hell of an epic. Hell of an ending. Full of great moments. Lost World beat this film in terms of showing a "lost world" film on screen. But this is such a higher quality film. Contenders: Things to Come, M, Only Angels Have Wings 1940s: Bambi --David Hand et al, 1942 I could have answered this one as a child and haven't changed my mind 30 years later. It's just life up there on screen. Growing up. Charmingly presented. The cutest characters. Free of excessive plotting. Just beauty up on screen. Contenders: Red River, Casablanca, Laura 1950s: 12 Angry Men --Sidney Lumet, 1957 Getting into a decade with lots of films I love. Science fiction as we know it finally took off and I love dozens of films. But I also love courtroom dramas, as this list will make clear. My favorite thing in film is when two good actors argue passionately with each other and you can see where each is coming from. This film is full of passionate argument. It's a writer's film. Which I also love. The screenplay is the centerpiece, rather than an afterthought. Contenders: The Man in the White Suit, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Destination Moon, Singin' in the Rain, Rashomon 1960s: Judgment at Nuremberg --Stanley Kramer, 1961 It asks the questions I think the world still needs the answer to. I see pieces of this film darkly reflected in today's reality. Occasionally somebody will make a comment eerily similar to comments on this film. "I'm not political." It has 3 famous and powerful monologues. One to help understand the fear that lead to the rise of Naziism. One that argued that all humanity shared in the guilt of the Holocaust. And one that argued for the value of a single human life. I think it might be the most important movie for our current times. Contenders: Fail-Safe, Psycho, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harakiri, The Wrong Box 1970s: Alien --Ridley Scott, 1979 One of the greatest sci/fi films ever. Definitely the greatest scifi/horror blend. Perhaps the greatest horror film. Scott creates an atmosphere on a spaceship that is haunting long before danger appears. It is just a stunning vision of space. And a stunning vision of something truly alien. Something not at all recognizable, except perhaps from our collective nightmares. Contenders: Rocky, Star Wars, Jaws, World on a Wire, A Clockwork Orange 1980s: Blade Runner --Ridley Scott, 1982 Scott again. The single greatest science fiction film, with no contenders. Pretty close to my favorite film ever. The death of Roy Batty is my favorite scene in the history of film. I like to liken the plot to the story of humans who storm heaven seeking to demand longer life from God. Perhaps akin to the Numenorians assaulting Valinor to demand immortality. Contenders: Die Hard, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, The Princess Bride, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial 1990s: A Few Good Men --Rob Reiner, 1992 A favorite decade. 15 of the 50 films I have given 5 stars come from this decade. Yet another legal thriller. Pretty close to my favorite movie ever. The movie I consider most underrated by the film critic community. Just a masterpiece of scripting, score and direction. The famous courtroom face-off between Cruise and Nicholson is one of my favorite scenes in film. This decade has 10 of my 15 favorite films ever: Contenders: Jurassic Park, The Usual Suspects, The Lion King, The Big Lebowski, Toy Story, The Paper, Newsies, Clerks, Apollo 13. 2000s: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring --Peter Jackson, 2001 The trilogy in extended form is my favorite thing in movies. There are no contenders. This is my favorite film in the trilogy. I'll point to two scenes I love. One, only appearing correctly in the extended form, is Bilbo's "Concerning Hobbits" speech. Nothing puts a smile on my face like that. And then one of my favorite scenes in film history is when Sam jumps into the river after Frodo. "I made a promise Mr. Frodo, a promise." Contenders: The rest of the trilogy, Serenity, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Love Actually, Memento, Spider-Man 2 2010s: The Martian --Ridley Scott, 2015 And now the present. 10 of my 50 5 star ratings come from this decade, the second most. It's also the decade in which I've seen the most films, currently about 518. It's also the decade I'm the least certain of the answer. The test of time really helps. And I love superhero films, and this is the best decade for them thanks to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Science fiction seems to be having a bit of a renaissance. And I just saw the best documentary ever, concerning Mr. Rogers. Plus there was a truly awesome Star Wars movie last year. But I think this is the answer. Notably my 3rd Ridley Scott film to grace this list. And another movie for our times. After you've watched Judgment of Nuremberg to understand the evil we face, watch this to understand the solution to our times. A triumph of humanity as people come together in common cause. Contenders: Won't You Be My Neighbor, Black Panther, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and a lot of superhero films After Del Toro, Méliès is probably my favorite director. |
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Post by Hoosier X on May 5, 2018 16:27:55 GMT -5
1911 - 1920 - Judith of Bethuliah
1921 - 1930 - Pandora's Box
1931 - 1940 - Dracula (1931) (King Kong, Duck Soup, Animal Crackers, Bride of Frankenstein, City Lights, Footlight Parade, 42nd Street, M, Stagecoach, Wizard of Oz, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Women and about a dozen others were all considered)
1941 - 1950 - Casablanca (Suspicion and The Big Sleep were both contenders)
1951 - 1960 - The Bad Seed (followed very close by La strada and Smiles of a Summer Night)
1961 - 1970 - Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (Yojimbo is a close second, followed by The Birds, The Dirty Dozen and The Wild Bunch)
1971 - 1980 - Monty Python and the Holy Grail
1981 - 1990 - Polyester (or maybe Blade Runner)
1991 - 2000 - Ed Wood (with very heavy competition from The Big Lebowski and Office Space)
2001 - 2010 - Kill Bill
2011 - 2018 - Either Seven Psychopaths or The Hateful Eight
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Post by Hoosier X on May 5, 2018 16:29:30 GMT -5
I've seen a lot of Melies, and I think he's great! But I couldn't even begin to pick a favorite, so I didn't put anything for 1901 to 1910.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2018 16:35:23 GMT -5
I don't have a favorite in 2011 to 2018 -- None of them really excites me at all.
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Post by Jesse on May 6, 2018 12:03:56 GMT -5
1920s - The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)
1930s - Freaks (1932)
1940s - The Third Man (1949)
1950s - Umberto D. (1952)
1960s - Yojimbo (1961)
1970s - Eraserhead (1977)
1980s - Scarface (1983)
1990s - GoodFellas (1990)
2000s - City of God (2002)
2010s - Captain America: Civil War (2016)
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Post by The Captain on May 6, 2018 13:13:23 GMT -5
This is a little harder for me on the older films, just because I am not as much of an aficionado of them as many of you are.
1930's - The Wizard of Oz
I remember growing up and watching this on TV the one time it aired every year, back before VCRs and video stores and cable TV and Netflix.
Honorable mention to Snow White.
1940's - Casablanca
This is a complete movie from start to finish. Will watch it any chance I get.
Honorable mentions to Citizen Kane, Fantasia, Meet Me in St. Louis, and The Maltese Falcon.
1950's - Witness for the Prosecution
A big part of my love for this film is that I performed in the stage version of this in high school as Leonard Vole, the accused killer played by Tyrone Power in the movie. Once I got into college, I hunted down a copy of it and really saw how it was supposed to be done.
Honorable mentions to North by Northwest, Singin' in the Rain, Some Like It Hot, and Sunset Boulevard.
1960's - The Apartment
Honorable mentions to The Sound of Music and To Kill a Mockingbird.
1970's - Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Will watch this movie any time I can. Simply absurd and quotable as all get-out.
Honorable mentions to Star Wars and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
1980's - Die Hard
This is where things get really hard to choose. I'm going with Die Hard because it is just such escapist nonsense and because Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber was probably the first villain that I ever wanted to see get away with it, because he was just so slick and cool.
Honorable mentions to Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Real Genius, and The Empire Strikes Back.
1990's - The Nightmare Before Christmas
Honorable mentions to Army of Darkness, Chasing Amy, Office Space, and The Matrix.
2000's - Shaun of the Dead
Honorable mentions to High Fidelity, National Treasure, Serenity, and The Incredibles.
2010's - Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Honorable mentions to Ant-Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America: Civil War, and The Lego Batman Movie.
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