1)Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942) - Ok, what to say about this. This film encompasses everything, great cinematography, acting, directing, writing, story. One of the greatest romances of all time, is also one of the greatest Film Noir's of all time. Line after quotable line, and and ending that will tear you apart and make you smile at the same time. The embodiment of a classic.
2)Dancer in the Dark (Lars Von Trier, 2000) - Everyone who knows me, knows I HATE musicals. However, that being said, this movie is brilliant. A heart-wrenching film, with great music and an original look. Has the look of an English BBC picture, but comes through as intentional. I've never been more depressed after a movie with the exception of Requiem for a Dream.
3)American Beauty (Sam Mendes, 1999) - I think the best "embrace life" film ever made, this movie deservedly won best actor, director, cinematography, original screenplay and picture oscars. The super sweep. It's sentimental, without being cheesy, Conrad Hall's cinematography has rarely been topped (see Road to Perdition and Marathon Man as great other examples of his work), and just flat out makes you think.
4)The Godfather (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972) - Cliche, I know. Fine. There's a reason why this is IMDB's #1 film of all time. It's epic, but personal at the same time. Examines the inner workings of family and loyalty, as well as being an extremely entertaining, quintessential mafia film. Along with the Godfather 2, it's the only movie ever to have a character nominated for best actor by two different actors (Marlon Brando and Robert DeNiro). Forget that Godfather III was ever made. Please.
5)The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Sergio Leone, 1966) - I can't say enough about the way a Sergio Leone film looks, but jesus is it beautiful. The music by Ennio Morricone gives goosebumps and the pacing of this is brilliant. By far the best western ever made. This is one of the few great westerns not based on a Kurosawa film, which in turn are generally based on a Shakespearean play. Although, I think the name of this film should be the neutral, the evil, and the truly evil (and i put the ugly as the truly evil.)
Honorable Mentions - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Traffic, La Grande Illusion, Magnolia, Sunset Boulevard, Citizen Kane, The Wizard of Oz, Pulp Fiction, Hero, Mulholland Drive.
3 comments:
First I want to give you props for the Godfather. I am embarrased to say that I have not seen the first 2 movies on your list. I guess I need to see Casablanca because everyone seems to think it is the best movie ever. I would like to say that I would have to see your top 2 before putting them in a top 5, because I really dont like old movies. Older movies yeah "their classics" my ass they were great for their time and are great movies but the theatrical acting just doesnt do it for me. I have a hard time getting in to a movie that feels like it could easily be done on stage. Yes I know "that is the way they acted then" but it doesnt mean I have to overlook it. Again I have not seen either and will someday breakdown and see them (propbably by your hand) with an open mind and then I will cast my judgement of them. American Beauty was an extremely great movie it has a rare feel to it that others try to pull off and they cant do it. It is easy to relate to and seemily know what Spacey is going through, even if you have never been in his situation. I think it is an arguable top 5 pick but that is still saying alot. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly was also a great movie and everything you said about it is true and it is probably one of the best westerns I have ever seen. But the acting wasnt top notch, hell Clint did alot better job in Unforgiven which I think is a better movie. I also want to gives major props on the honorable mentions 3 of which are better movies than 3 that you picked.
You are wrong about your top 5.
I find it fairly hard to argue with this list. We obviously agree on the #1 film, although Kane not being here would be a shock to traditional critics everywhere.
American Beauty is probably one of the best American films in the last 30 years, and I completely agree with your assessment of The Godfather as both personal and epic simultaneously.
But come on - a top 5 film with a "singer" who wears crane-dresses on the Red Carpet?? Ok, admittedly I haven't seen the film, and would like to, so I'll withhold judgment.
Kane made my honorable mention list. I love it. I think his sort of later failures somehow diminishes the film for me. I know that's not fair. Everyone talks about Touch of Evil, and I love film noir so much, but jesus that movie just bored me. Maybe if I were to watch it again I wouldn't hate it so much. I've also got a quasi-mentary called F for Fake that I've never watched. Well, I watched 20 minutes of. hmmmm.
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