Time Magazine Names the Top 100 Movies Ever Made
Summary
Time Magazine film critics Richard Corliss and Richard Schickel have put together a list of the All-Time Top 100 Movies. Lists like these are usually the domain of the American Film Institute (AFI), but the Timekeepers do a fairly interesting job with their list... Back to Article
Time Magazine film critics Richard Corliss and Richard Schickel have put together a list of the All-Time Top 100 Movies. Lists like these are usually the domain of the American Film Institute (AFI), but the Timekeepers do a fairly interesting job with their list... Back to Article
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on May 23 2005 12:11 PM No Fargo? Oh well, I guess that they have to distinguish themselves from AFI in some way. (Reply to this) |
on May 23 2005 04:04 PM Farewell My Concubine should be on the list! They made a good choice! It's a special Chinese film! (Reply to this) |
on May 23 2005 04:10 PM [b]where the hell is Ben Hur!!![/b] The Best Film ever didn't make it. The list is shit. Where's The Bridge on the River Kwai?, where's Spartacus?, where's Patton?, where's North by Northwest? (Reply to this) |
on May 23 2005 04:56 PM Where's The Garbage Pail Kids Movie? (Reply to this) |
on May 23 2005 05:20 PM In reply to this comment (#822371) Hey, I saw that. Used to collect them. Hehe... (Reply to this) |
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on May 23 2005 05:21 PM Glad to see Drunken Master II there. (Reply to this) |
on May 23 2005 06:01 PM [b]Is anyone else sick of lists????[/b] It's just a big publicity stunt people. Paying great attention to this kind of inane stuff will just propagate more of the sort. (Reply to this) |
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on May 23 2005 06:11 PM In reply to this comment (#822374) Can you write a list of the most inane lists?! That would be great! (Reply to this) |
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on May 23 2005 07:26 PM [b]Thanks for Playing![/b] I think the difference between a good movie and a great movie is lost on the good people at Time Magazine, because some of these picks just don't add up. I think the biggest surprise for me came with the listing of Finding Nemo, which - while a good film - lacked that certain je ne sais quois that many of these spectacular films possess. It's a bizarre choice, especially with "Pinocchio" already on the list. There is more of a case for the Toy Story series - or any of Disney's fine coming-of-age tales like Aladdin or The Lion King - that would easily make them as much, if not more, of a candidate for this list than Finding Nemo. Several other films on this list prove questionable - namely, Unforgiven, Psycho, E.T., A Hard Day's Night, and - here's where I earn the wrath of movie fans everywhere - the Lord of the Rings saga. All of these films have niche value, certain scenes or gimmicks that they're remembered for, but nothing that defines them as a -great movie-. For great movies, try this: Local Hero - A solid 100% score on the Tomatometer, the off-beat, smart laughs in this comedy are arguably the set-up for the work of directors like Wes Anderson. The Apartment - A great film featuring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacClaine, it's innovative for it's attempts to combine multiple film genres into one sweeping script that's oddly believable. The acting is solid. The Big Lebowski - Something contemporary, this Jeff Bridges vehicle is a hit-or-miss work: but if it hits, it hits hard. The dialogue is spectacular, and the story is a unique one. Lost In Translation - A kind-of-love-story that's believable, and that's what makes it so appealing. There are no plot twists or contrived developments in this movie - it's a natural flow, just like real life. Shoot the Piano Player - The sequel (I think) to The 400 Blows (Listed), it's the in-depth perspective of a man with a broken spirit. Requiem for a Dream - EASILY the most depressing movie of all time. This is an excellent film to watch if you wish to kill yourself, it's that well-done. A dry and gritty look at drug use in society, you won't forget it any time soon. You'll want to, but you won't. Only a few, others should recommend their top picks that were so callously omitted. See, Time Magazine? It's not so hard to come up with ideas that make sense. The Fly. What the hell. (Reply to this) |
on May 23 2005 10:33 PM [b]The Sad Fate Of Magazines...[/b] The internet has pretty much made magazines obsolete when it comes to delivering information, so now every magazine relies on "lists" to stir debate and sell themselves as conversation pieces. Apparently now even Time. (Reply to this) |
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on May 23 2005 11:58 PM I think part of the fun is just seeing which flicks were picked and why. I don't think that any publication or group is claiming that THEIR "Top 100" is definitive. It's just fun stuff for the folks who put the lists together, and something for the movie geeks to talk about. That's all these lists are to me, anyway. (Reply to this) |
on May 24 2005 01:07 AM [b]Having a top 100 is stupid...[/b] the list needs to be more specific. I'd be far more interested in seeing a top 100 most 'influential films'.... as in, what films really changed the way things headed or films that pioneered a new style or genre. THE LIST DIDN'T EVEN HAVE INDIANA JONES!!!! OR DEBBIE DOES DALLAS!!! (Reply to this) |
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on May 24 2005 10:19 AM [b]stop the list hatin' yo!!![/b] so mags create top lists to get attention..big deal, we all do things for attention.... and i actually enjoy the discussions that are created by these lists...anytime you're actually discussing quality films versus blockbuster crap is a-okay with me... even if i disagree with them for the most part.. no westsidestory? [slowely walks away and weeps] (Reply to this) |
on May 24 2005 10:37 AM [b]no credibility[/b] any list of top movies that leaves out The Usual Suspects has no credibility. Putting Drunkien Master 2 and Finding Nemo above that film is ludicrous. Wasn't "Toy Story 2" better than "Finding Nemo" anyway? Time did inject qualifiers itself by saying top MOVIES, not FILMS. (Reply to this) |
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on May 24 2005 11:42 AM No Das Boot? (Reply to this) |
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on May 24 2005 02:39 PM no 2001: A Space Odyssey??? (Reply to this) |
on May 24 2005 02:45 PM [b]That is a sad list...[/b] Too many old movies, skipped most of the great films of the 70's, and went towards the obscure in an effort to come off as 'cerebral.' A film had to be seen by a few people to be considered great and influential, correct? So what are about 25% of those flicks doing on a 'greatest films' list? And, no, that does not mean that a box-office hit is equals a great movie, 'Sith' being a good case in point, but at least marginal or a cult-classic to have had some impact on people and the film industry. I take my top fifteen over their 100 anyday... (Reply to this) |
on May 24 2005 03:49 PM In reply to this comment (#822376) ET, Psycho, and Lord of the Rings will be all time classics and will be remebered for at least 50 years after its debute. But Lost in Translation sucked terribly (be honest, how many people will remember that in lets say 15 years) and the Big Lebowski, while good, isnt material for top 100 films ever. When designing top 100 lists u need to ask yourself just one question, will this film be remebered in 50 years (or even a 100 in the greatse of the great cases). If so then yes, it is one of the top 100 films ever made, and Lord of the Rings will be remembered in 50 years. So will star wars (all but maybe episods I and II), indiana jones, the godfather, ET, and Jurrassic Park (just the original). (Reply to this) |
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on May 24 2005 03:59 PM two words shawshank redemption (Reply to this) |
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on May 24 2005 08:13 PM In reply to this comment (#822385) Well, gee, RDawg, if we're going on public appeal, I have some additions to your list! Titanic - I'll give you a hint. The boat doesn't make it. Batman and Robin - Hey, since we're doing sagas like LOTR and Star Wars, why forget one of the greatest superhero sagas EVER?! This movie alone should have been sufficient to make sure Arnold could never run for office ever. Ever. Striptease - Look at the title. Enough said. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie - Nobody will ever forget this. It's that good. A.I. - While we're giving Steven Spielberg verbal fellatio, why not add this to the fire sale? A mediocre movie, lost in its own complexity. BUT HE MADE IT SO IT MUST BE GOOD LOLZ. Son of the Mask - I swear to God, this movie received more promos than any movie I've ever seen. I developed a morbid fascination with it, and at this point, I think Time should give it a look. The list is the Top 100 Movies ever made, not the Most Memorable Moments or Franchises. Good movies aren't made by people blindly nodding away, they're made by solid, clever screenwriting, original cinematics, a firm ambience and - here's one we're rapidly forgetting - good acting. Star Wars was originally ridiculed for having jilted dialogue and corny character development - we haven't seen that anywhere recently, right? - but the rabid fanboyism and sense of nostalgia have affected peoples' memories. I'll give you a movie that failed to make the list - The Princess Bride. Many people haven't seen this movie yet. It isn't filled with big name celebrities: Cary Elwes and Andre the Giant fill two principal roles. And it's not likely going to be well known in even 10 years. But does that make this a bad movie? Not at all. People will remember Grease. And Scream. And Arachnophobia. Hell, maybe even Space Jam. Just because films are remembered doesn't make them good. The fact that they're good is independant. By the way, go see Sideways. It's awesome. (P.S.: RDawg, I can tell from your choices - Star Wars, Indiana Jones, ET, and Jurassic Park, that you like action flicks. So I can understand why someone like you would dislike Lost in Translation; a film notably devoid of explosions. May I suggest another fine Spielberg effort that you happened to omit, Jaws? It's a giant shark. What's not to like?) (Reply to this) |
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on May 24 2005 09:43 PM In reply to this comment (#822387) Im not sayin just because it will have good public oppinion will make it on the top 100, im sayin if people remember the movie a generation or 2 later, than yes it deserves the top 100. Not one of those movies u mentioned (with the possible exception of Titanic) will be remembered in 20 years. Other genious movies left out: Jaws (as u said), The wizard of Oz, The Silence of the Lambs, Gone with the Wind, and Ghost. (Reply to this) |
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on May 25 2005 12:01 AM what about one flew over the cuckoo's nest? (Reply to this) |
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on May 25 2005 02:54 AM Everyone could go on naming their favourite movies that have been left out and the truth is even if just one person were to list their favourite 100 movies, they'd probably look back one day and think, 'oh crap I left out so and so'.... This is why it'd be cool to list movies that had, say, the top 100 on screen romances, or love scenes; the top 100 action scenes or something more specific where its more explanatory why the movie is on the list. I'd like to know which movies people think are the most impacting on films in general... then we'd probably have films like Snow White, The Matrix, Star Wars, Stanley Kubrick's films and I'd even go as far as to say Donnie Darko... they all bring something new to the table as far as films go. (Reply to this) |
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on May 25 2005 03:17 AM I appreciate any top 100 list that leaves off that overblown soap opera Gone with the Wind. (Reply to this) |
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on May 25 2005 06:48 AM In reply to this comment (#822388) You know, I think it's hard to predict what's going to be remembered in 15 years. How about Men in Black, which is - I believe - nearing the 10 year mark now? For years, people were clamoring for a sequel, and that was a mistake. However, the visions of men in black suits and grim expressions, the little red flash, the little gun with a big bang, all of that will probably be remembered. But the movie itself hardly belongs in the top 100. So how does it fit into your logic? (Reply to this) |
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on May 25 2005 09:06 AM blue velvet. (Reply to this) |
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on May 25 2005 12:28 PM In reply to this comment (#822393) [b]List smist[/b] Why do we even need lists??? Do you think any of these directors even gave one thought "Wow I might be on a top 100 list someday for this work" ? Who cares........ (Reply to this) |
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on May 26 2005 02:39 AM I think Time Magazine's Top 100 is in my top ten list of Top 100 Lists (Reply to this) |
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on May 26 2005 04:32 AM In reply to this comment (#822395) [b]heh heh[/b] good call (Reply to this) |
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on May 27 2005 01:47 PM In reply to this comment (#822396) I have to say I liked AFI's top 100 better. Not necessarily their choices, but overall I think it was a better list. AFI's list was a big undertaking, made with the purpose of spurring interest in classic films (hey, it worked with me). Time's list feels like the editors just asked their movie reviewers to throw a list together for an article. Another thing about the list: it feels too much like a "Favorite Movies" list. There's a difference between "best movies" and "favorite movies." A favorite movie is a movie you happen to like. The best movies are not just movies that you like but there is a concensus that it is a great movie. My final qualm: no Saving Private Ryan. Shame, shame. (Reply to this) |
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on May 28 2005 12:49 PM No American Beauty?? Wtf!?! (Reply to this) |
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on May 28 2005 01:04 PM I would agree with RDAWG. If i were compile a list of movies, I would have to take into acount their impact on both the industry, and society. some movies have had huge impact on society as a whole ( i.e. starwars) while some have had impact on the industry, such as the matrix. Both of these have to be taken into acount. and while on the indi film scene, there are alot of realy really good movies, they have had almost no impact on either. so lets take for example of favorite of mine, " The Virgins Suicide". an excelent movie. Or lets take another one " waking Life". I think that one is also extremely thought provoking ( though its not really a story). but I wouldn't put iether on a list such as that cuase while they may of had an impact on me as an individual, they have had nearly no impact on the industry or society. Though the biggest omision in my opinion is fight club. But old fart critics dont' get that movie. (Reply to this) |
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on May 28 2005 01:07 PM So the question in my mind is what are ( or should ) the criteria be for such a list ? (Reply to this) |
on May 30 2005 06:10 PM "Star Wars was originally ridiculed for having jilted dialogue and corny character development - we haven't seen that anywhere recently, right? - but the rabid fanboyism and sense of nostalgia have affected peoples' memories." Accually Time Magazine boasted that Star Wars was the best movie of the year. Other critics also gave it praise, at least the ones who could accept it for what it is. It was nominated for a ton of Oscars...even for acting (supporting actor - Alec Guiness), and defied the standards of filmmaking of that day. It holds up to a modern audience, and deserves it's spot on the list. My only complaint is that The Empire Strikes Back wasn't put of the list instead of Star Wars(ESB is a flat out better movie IMO), or just listed the as the Star wars trilogy. But I guess the name "Star Wars" is more presentable. With that being said, I'd qustion the validity of E.T. (Jaws or Raiders are both better Spielberg films, ) Blade Runner (good flick, Alien was better), Finding Nemo, It's a Wonderful Life, or Lord of the Rings. BTW - With the exception of Titanic none of the other movies you mentioned are even popular with audiences. If you wanted to rag on action flics couldn't you at least have picked on more popular ones? Like maybe, Terminator, Alien, Back to the Future, Die Hard, Batman, Rocky? (Reply to this) |
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on Sep 05 2009 08:31 PM What the hell is Finding Nemo doing on there? (Reply to this) |
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