Noticeably, many film critics and many of you up and inspiring film critics like me are doing top 100 lists for films. These lists are of course what critics think are the best 100 movies they have seen in their life (or their favourite films in which they highly recommend). Two of my favourite film critics, James Berardinelli and Leonard Maltin, have done top 100 lists for films. One of my other favourite movie critics, Roger Ebert, hates top movies list, especially top 100. He has his own great movies collection list, which consists of just under 340 films. I like doing some top movie lists, but top 100, I also hate!
I am not saying that you guys should not do these. This is just my opinion. I have seen now just over 500 films and it will continue to grow of course. I have rated over 150 of these as 5 stars (100%) and I strongly feel they deserved these ratings. I suppose that I have the ability to do a top 100 list just based on the fact that I have seen at least 100 great films. However, I will not for several major reasons.
First, I have not seen enough films. I feel a top 100 should be made someone who has seen at least 1500 to 2000 films and I am no where near those numbers and won't be for at least a few years.
Second, I feel that I don't need to do this list because there are so many other top 100's lurking around around. I feel my additional opinion is really not needed, although my reviews should not be valued as lesser quality.
Finally, I find it too hard to do one. The number of films applicable for a top 100 for which I have seen is growing. There are also many potential great films that I have not seen that may make the top 100 and I will have to frequently adjust the list as a result (perhaps every year).
I also can't do top 100 because I can't even do a top 20. I will admit though I have a top 10. These are my top 10 favourite films of all time and they are:
1. 101 Dalmatians
2. Rear Window
3. To Catch a Thief
4. Double Indemnity
5. Vertigo
6. Psycho (1960)
7. Notorious (1946)
8. The Big Sleep
9. The Apartment
10. The Manchurian Candidate.
What are the next 10. Well that can't be done. There are too many films between the rankings from 11 to 20. I have too many favourite films that are applicable for these rankings. Most are equally as good.
From the 1930's there is only one film that I have so far seen that will make the top 20 and that is "Gone With the Wind," one of the most gorgeous spectacles of all time. It is so well done, especially for the fact that it is from 1939 and special effects are first rate, as well as the acting and set pieces.
So that is one. From the 1940's there are quite a few more. Alfred Hitchcock's "Foreign Correspondent" and "Shadow of a Doubt" deserve to be in the Top 20. That's now thirteen and there's more. The Best Picture winners of 1943 and 1946 of "Casablanca" and "The Best Years of Our Lives," respectively, deserve to be in the top 20. Then there is "Mildred Pierce," "The Third Man," "White Heat," "To Have and Have Not," and "On the Town." They also deserve a spot. Now comes to a total of 20, but I haven't done the 1950's. My favourites will exceed the count.
Starting with the 1950's and actually the year 1950, two of greatest films of all time deserve to be in my top 20: "All About Eve," and "Sunset Boulevard." I love these films and they should not be left out. I adore the musicals of "An American in Paris" and "Singin' in the Rain." I can't leave them out as well. The Westerns "Johnny Guitar" and my favourite one of the genre, "Shane," I can't ignore either. My favourite foreign film "The Seven Samurai" I can't leave out, nor Charles Laughton's "The Night of the Hunter." Orson Welles' sinister "Touch of Evil" should also be there plus Douglas Sirk's fascinating melodrama "Written' on the Wind" and Otto Preminger's courtroom great "Anatomy of a Murder." That is another 11 films, which total 31 and, of which 21 of these deserve be part of the rankings from 11 to 20.
From the 1960's, there are number of great films that can't be ignored. This includes "Repulsion," "Bonnie and Clyde," "The Wild Bunch," "The Leopard," "La Dolce Vita," "Peeping Tom," "Goldfinger," and "Breathless" all deserve to be there. That's another eight films. From the 1970's, "The Conversation," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Alien," "The Deer Hunter," "The Last Picture Show," "Patton," "Taxi Driver," "Mean Streets," and "Network" all deserve a part of the 20. Another nine. From the 1980's, of which many potential great films I have not seen, may be worthy of the top. The ones that do deserve it from my person opinion are "Raging Bull," "Fanny and Alexander," and "E.T. Extra Terrestrial." Another three movies deserve the top 20. That totals to 51 that deserve to be in the top 20! Yikes!
From the 1990's, which there are still many possible great films I have not seen that may deserve praise, the ones I would put in are "The Silence of the Lambs" and "JFK." I have not seen "Goodfellas" and "Pulp Fiction," so when I see them, they may make it as well. The only film that could deserve the top 20 from the 2000's is "The Pianist," but again, I need to see more films. There's another three.
The grand total is 54 that deserve to be in the top 20. I already have my top 10 picked. Which ones of the remaining 44 should I put in the next 10? The answer is, I am NOT going to rank them. It is too hard. All them, plus others not mentioned for which I have seen, deserve to be there. This is why I can't do top 100 because it would not be fair to the films. They are all great in different ways which I cannot use rankings with them.
I will admit I do rankings of films per year. That's easy because it is one specific year and noticeable quality differences between those films from that year. I have also done top 10 films per decade, with some decades no where near complete. That is also relatively easy. Doing top 100 for all films is hard, because you miss certain films which you deem as great and I know I would miss some.
If I did do a top 100 for films, it would least be consistent with ratings. They will be five stars, not 4.5 or lower. One of my big BEEFS with certain top 100's is that all those films are perfect ratings. With James Berardinelli, and this what I would call embarassing, is that he has rated more 3000 films and around 150 received 4/4 stars from him. Less than half made his top 100, which means a whole wack of 3.5 star films made the top 100. That is a strange consistency issue which I don't get! Same with Leonard Maltin, but less embarassing. About 10-15 of his top 100 films received 3.5 stars out of 4, but he has rated more than 300 films as 4/4. That doesn't make sense. (His list by the way is called "Leonard Maltin's 100 Films" while James Berardinelli's list is called "Berardinelli's Top 100.")
So that is my problem with doing a top 100 and I will not do one! Thanks for reading.
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So I have completed the 1940's, 1960's, and 1970's...and also 1950's. I have finally seen all of the Best Pictures winners from one of the golden decades of cinema. The question now is, were the Best Picture winners picked right...well we'll see. Here are the Best Picture winners in chronological order:
1950: All About Eve
1951: An American in Paris
1952: The Greatest Show on Earth
1953: From Here to Eternity
1954: On the Waterfront
1955: Marty
1956: Around the World in 80 Days
1957: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1958: Gigi
1959: Ben-Hur
Before I get to my critisicm, I have to say that the 1950's is my favourite decade for films. There are so many great ones, so I have unusual opinions on the winners of the various years. Now there are some interesting (and perhaps regrettable) picks from this decade and my thoughts on these winners.
10. Around the World in 80 Days: based on the book of these two men who decide to travel around the world in alotted time period stated in the title of this film. Sad to say, I rank as the worst Best Picture winner of the decade and one of the worst of all time. It is too long and tedious and pretty annoying. What other films were released in 1956? I really have no say on the nominees of that year accept for "Giant" which took home Best Director for George Stevens and it was a very good film. The other nominees were "The Ten Commandments," "The King and I," and "Friendly Persuassion" (that film has dissapeared off the radar). My favourite from that year is Douglas Sirk's "Written' on the Wind." Most others favourite from that is "The Searchers." As well, "The Invasion of the Body Snatcher" and "The Forbidden Planet" were released that year. Best Picture definately awarded wrong!
9. Gigi: a film about the maturity of girl (Leslie Caron) is a nauseating and annoying combination of sweetness and snobbiness. The songs, as well as the film, are not memorable. This film did not work and it took ten Academy Awards. Yikes! What other films were released that year...well one of the greatest films of all time: Hitchcock's "Veritgo." Another great film from that year: "Touch of Evil." Did I need to say any further of the choice? I think not!
8. The Greatest Show on Earth: Cecille B. Demille's overblown circus drama that lacks pretty much everything from plot to acting. A mess of a film! Like "Gigi's" year, one of the greatest films of all time was released: "Singin' in the Rain." This was named the greatest musical of all time and it hardly got a nod at the Academy Awards. Two nominations: Best Supporting Actress (Jean Hagen) and a Original Music Score. No song nominations, acting nom. for Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor, hardly anything. Other films ripped that year were "The Quiet Man," "The Bad and the Beautiful," "Ikiru," "Umberto D," and "High Noon." Considered a worse choice than the two I had already mentioning.
7. The Bridge Ove the River Kwai: not a preferred film of mine, but at least a good one and one that deserved the awards it received. The building of a bridge during World War II in Myanmar is well liked by many people, so I can support its win. However, there are number of films I do prefer more, include "Paths of Glory," "Sweet Smell of Success," "Wild Strawberries," "Throne of Blood," and "Witness for the Prosecution." Despite my favourites, I can accept this as a Best Picture winner. My godfather has different opinion and his hatred towards it is quite funny.
6. Marty: a film about an ugly man who has obvious social problems and at the same time, wants to take a woman to a dance. This is a very likeable and unusual Best Picture. It works for me. The problem is not so much this film, but the nominees from that year. All of them have been forgotten and I only one I have seen is "Mister Roberts," a film which I did not like. "Marty" is also not the best film from 1955. My favourite of that year "To Catch a Thief." Most people's, and my second favourite, "The Night of the Hunter." Other great films: "Rebel Without a Cause," "Bad Day at Black Rock," and "Kiss Me, Deadly." "Marty" is a very good film, but not 1955's best. I also have to note, 1955 is a great year for films.
5. On the Waterfront: considered one of the greatest films of all time. Marlon Brando is Terry Malloy, a longshoreman who wants to make a change among thugs working alongside him at the docks, only to face more turmoil. This is a great pick for Best Picture, because it well-acted, filmed, and just generally, loved. It is not my favourite film from that year. "Rear Window," my second favourite of all time is obviously the top for of that year. Other films from that year: "The Seven Samurai," "Johnny Guitar," "Silver Lode," and "La Strada." I really have no problem with "On the Waterfront" taking Best Picture. It is a very good film. 1954 was also a great year for films.
From Here to Eternity: the days preceding the attack of Pearl Harbor follows the lives of soldiers at a military base in Honolulu. Some have said this film is dated. I don't agree. I think it is a well-acted, well-cast, and very well-filmed, with astonishing footage at the end. However, this is not my favourite film from that year. My favourite is George Stevens' gorgeously shot "Shane." In fact, that is my favourite western of them all. In addition, "Tokyo Story," "The Wages of Fear," and "The Big Heat" I feel are superior films. It was such a good year, so I actually don't have problem with film winning either.
Ben-Hur: the grand scale epic film, spanning more than 3 hours, outlining the title character (Charlton Heston) journey through wealth, prison, and a beautiful chariot race. To some, this film is way to long and does not compare to other epics, such "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Gone With the Wind." To me, it is a great film. I actually found most of the very memorable and very entertaining. In addition to the chariot race, I also loved the war scene at sea; the leprocy affecting Ben-Hur's relatives; and crucification of Jesus. It deserved every Academy Award received, making it one of three films to win the most of all time (the other two being "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King"). From this year, many movie buffs favour "Some Like It Hot" and "North By Northwest." My favourite is the courtroom drama "Anatomy of a Murder." I also loved "Rio Bravo," "Sleeping Beauty," and "The 400 Blows." Another great year for films.
2. An American in Paris: "Singin' in the Rain" is the greatest musical and my favourite musical. "An American in Paris" is second. I know the film has been critisized for its plot, but I don't care. It is so memorable and I was beaming from ear to ear in happiness. Unlike "Gigi," this film is not forgettable and songs of Gershwin are superb. It also my favourite film from the 1951, although there are so many famous films including "A Streetcar Named Desire," "The African Queen," "Strangers on a Train," and "The Day the Earth Stood Still."
1. All About Eve: I'd would put it as the best film to win Best Picture from the 1950's. The story of a woman (Anne Baxter) who steals the career of a famous broadway star, Margo Channing (Bette Davis) never gets old thanks to the beautiful script and terrific acting. This one of the greatest films of all time, with a powerful cast (including Marilyn Monroe). Now it was released in the same as another lengendary film, "Sunset Boulevard." This is one of those rare years were the two best films are tied, in my opinion. As well, another great film was released: Akira Kurosawa's "Rashomon." Other very good films include "In A Lonely Place" and "The Asphalt Jungle." I would say 1950 was another fine year for films.
So there you have it. This is my rankings for the Best Picture winners of the 1950's. There are definately some notable duds of this decade, but there are also some great films. I know a few of you will definately debate with me on my opinion on some of these films, and that's fine. Every opinion is important.
So altogether, I have seen 59 Best Pictures, of which I have 24 left. I am not sure which decade I go through next, but there are still, I believe, some great Best Pictures left.
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Because of my strong love for watching films these days, I am embarking on a ongoing project. This project involves making a "Best of" list for films from each year from 1930 to today (2011 and future years to come). These lists are just to compare with major critics' lists and the nominees for Best Picture, as well as their rating on RT.
Now the reason I am starting with 1930, and I do apologize to those you who are big fans of these movies, I am not such a big fan of silent films. I think they are okay and I don't care for watching them. I find there soundless features to be uninteresting. Although some of the subsequent years (1930 and after) do have some silent films. It doesn't mean I won't watch silent films period. I just find them currently hard to sit through.
Anyways, this how my top five evaluation methods go. First, any film that makes my top five has to score 4, 4.5, or 5 stars out of 5 (80%, 90%, and 100% on RT respectively) from me. Films that are less than 4 stars for me don't cut it. Second, all of these top five years are preliminary. Note list is set in stone for any year. I may see a film that could shift the rankings. Finally, no top 5 for a year is appropriate without me watching the Best Picture winner. Some years, the Best Picture easily makes the top 5. Others, not so much.
I started this project approximately six months ago and for a number of years, I have already completed a top 5. In fact, it's at least half. I have a top 5 for 1937, 1939 through to 1976, 1979, 1999, and 2010, which comes to a sum total of 42. Though it seems easy, some of these years are quite hard to find a top 5, especially in the 1930's. Although there are some random years, such as 1977 which seem like it was not the best year for films. Some of these years, the top 5's do not include any films of which I have awarded 5 stars to (actually 1968 so far; I awarded 4.5 stars to the classic "2001: A Space Odyssey" and 4 Stars to "Rosemary's Baby" and I have not seen "Planet of the Apes" yet). Some years are compiled of films in which all were not nominated for Best Picture (this does not mean, however, the nominees weren't bad). Some years are compiled of only 5 star films, of which I have loved all the movies I had watched. I call these years "Blue Ribbon" years (don't ask why I came up with that name; it's just random). Here is an example of "Blue Ribbon" year (1960):
1. Pyscho
2. The Apartment
3. Peeping Tom
4. La Dolce Vita
5. Breathless (A Bout de Souffle)
There is actually a sixth great film from that year and thats "Inherit the Wind" but it got booted out by "Breathless." This, to me, an indication of a great year for films. This also indicates that not every film is safe.
Any type of film can make the top 5, from any genre (mystery and suspense, drama, comedy, western) to any type (live picture, documentary, animated) from any country (Japan, Sweden, Italy, Brazil). Anything is applicable.
Now this "top 5" project will hope be completed by the end of the year. I am not for certain, but I have a strong hunch. When I have completed this, I will start a top 10 project, which will last a long time. Again, the criteria is the same, with the exception of one rule: for a top 10 to be complete, I will have had to see all the nominees for Best Picture of that year, plus the recipients of the Best Actor and Actress in Leading Role performances. I have three years with top 10's, although two of them, I have not seen all the nominees. Those two years are 1946 and 1953. The year of the top 10 I have seen all the nominees is 1948 and the top 10 is as follows:
1. The Treasure of Sierra Madre
2. The Red Shoes
3. Red River
4. Hamlet
5. The Search
6. The Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di Biciclette)
7. Key Largo
8. Johnny Belinda
9. Rope
10. The Lady from Shanghai
The nominees for that year were "Hamlet" (winner), "The Treasure of Sierra Madre," "The Red Shoes," "Johnny Belinda," and "The Snake Pit." As you can see, "The Snake Pit" did no make the top 10, but it is still a pretty good film. There are actually only two years I have seen every Best Picture nominee: the other one is 1975 (winner of that year was "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest").
I have to admit I love lists and I love looking at "Best of" lists. Roger Ebert released a top 10 movies of each year starting 1967 (for which he started his career at the Chicago Sun Times newspaper). I was influenced and wanted to start my own. I encourage all you readers to do so as well, just for the fun of it. Whether the films are well known, good, bad, ugly, it doesn't matter. It is just so cool what you guys thought of certain movies in particular years.
I also wouldn't mind you guys giving me advice on this listing criteria or more movie recommendations. I have many films to watch, but the more to know about, the better.
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- Mood:
- Frustrated
Recently, the film "High Noon," which has just over 40 reviews, was finally given a Critical Consensus, which read:
"A classic of the western genre that broke many of the traditions at that time, 'High Noon' endures---in no small part thanks to Gary Cooper's defiant, Oscar-winning performance."
It took years for a film with this many reviews and that left a legacy on the Western genre to receive a Critical Consensus. A consensus, by the way, is the summarization of critical reviews in association with the movie to which they are describing. This is one of my many problems with Rotten Tomatoes. A number of films with review totals greater than 30 do not have Critical Consensuses. I have no idea why.
In addition, there are number of films, ones that I are not nearly as popular as others, that have. For instance, the first film with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, called "Woman of the Year" has a consensus, with only 19 reviews. Another, "The Pride of the Yankees," also starring Gary Cooper, has only 22 reviews and a Critical Consensus. How about this one? A minor Disney work called "Melody Time" has a consensus but only 8 reviews! A worse one is "Fun and Fancy Free" which has a consensus and 6 reviews. Ugh! A much more famous film, Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo," which has 55 reviews, has no consensus. This is an annoying inconsistency.
In this report, I will supply consensuses to the films that have greater 30 reviews, at least the ones to which I have seen and really liked. In brackets, the number of reviews for the film that are currently counted. Here are some of my consensuses for films:
Vertigo (55): One of Alfred Hitchcock's most fascinating mysteries, Vertigo is one of the director's best films, boasting fine performances from James Stewart and Kim Novak.
To Catch a Thief (33): Though mininal on mystery, To Catch a Thief succeeds thanks to the gorgeous cinematography and terrific chemistry between Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.
Double Indemnity (44): Boasting outstanding performances from Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, and Edward G. Robinson, Double Indemnity remains to be one of the finest film noirs of all time, as well as one of Billy Wilder's best films.
The Big Sleep (47): One of the most convulted films of all time, The Big Sleep is a outstanding film noir under Howard Hawks direction, with defining performances from Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.
Strangers on a Train (41): one of the most disturbing mystery and suspense films from the 1950's, Alfred Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train is another great one done by the master.
The Red Shoes (42): filmed in lavish technicolour and passionate in its storytelling, The Red Shoes remains to be one of the best films done around the ballet.
Spellbound (30): though some may find it bizarre, Alfred Hitchcock's psychological mystery is worth a watch, just for the unusual dream sequences and doors-within-doors scene.
M (40): Fritz Lang's 1931 masterpiece, chronicling the life and capture of a child killer in Germany, is one of the most disturbing films of all time.
Rebel Without a Cause (42): With iconic performances by James Dean and a very young cast, Rebel Without a Cause is one of the most best movies to deal with teenage angst.
Bonnie and Clyde (46): Setting the stage for violence in the future of cinema, Bonnie and Clyde is an extremely ambitious, though entertaining biography of the famed criminal pair, with powerful performances from its all-star cast.
The Wild Bunch (38): Violent, beautifully filmed, and perfectly cast, Sam Peckinpah's lavish film wonderfully integrates brutality with storytelling in one of the most famous westerns of all time.
Dirty Harry (42): Well paced and beautifully filmed, Don Siegel's famed Dirty Harry remains as a fascinating study of cop who tracks down a psychotic killed in San Francisco, with Clint Eastwood in a career defining role.
Network (45): Vicious, evil, and outrageous, Sidney Lumet's satire combines comedy and drama so wonderfully, with an outstanding cast that includes Oscar winning performances from Peter Finch and Faye Dunnaway.
Being There (40): Hal Ashby's satire on a simple-minded man blends comedy and drama into a powerful, moving film, with a great performance from Peter Sellers.
Dr. No (42): The first of the many James Bond films, Dr. No indicated that one of the most humourous, charming heroes had made it into the films.
From Russia With Love (46): The second film in the James Bond trilogy, the thrills cease to end with Sean Connery superbly playing one of greatest heroes of all time.
Goldfinger (49): Perhaps the greatest of the James Bond films, Goldfinger is one of the most entertaining, lavishly produced of the long-running series.
To Kill a Mockingbird (40): Boasted by Gregory Peck's finest and Oscar winning performance, To Kill a Mockingbird remains one of best adaptions on one of the most famous books of all time.
The Quiet Man (34): John Ford's Irish great is beautifully shot and one of the most joyous films from the early 1950's, exemplifying great chemistry between John Wayne and Maureen O'hara.
A Streetcar Named Desire (48): Elia Kazan's take on Tennessee Williams' famous play transitions wonderfully from stage to screen, with outstanding performances in particular from Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh.
The African Queen (34): Featuring Humphrey Bogart's Oscar winning performance and superb one from Katherine Hepburn, The African Queen is a highly entertaining action and adventure film set during World War I.
Paths of Glory (40): One of Stanley Kubrick's earliest works and one of his best, Paths of Glory is an unflinching, painful account of a suicide mission during World War I, with an outstaning performance from Kirk Douglas.
The Bicycle Thief (Ladri di Biciclette) (47): Vittorio de Sica's simple, affecting film is a breathtaking work that is powerful in emotion, storytelling, and acting.
Breathless (A Bout de Souffle) (53): One of the most famous films of the French New Wave, Breathless is a thrilling and powerful work that looks quite fresh even for today.
Jules and Jim (Jules et Jim) (31): One of Francois Truffait's most famous works, Jules and Jim is a tragic, wonderfully made love story that shows the director and film critic at the height of his career.
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane (38): Robert Aldrich's combination of aging stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford provided a unique, fascinating look at the deterioration of the famous stars, with fine performances from both of them and Victor Bruno.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (31): Though perhaps a little stagy, Richard Brooks take on the famous Tennesse Williams' play is quite a fascinating look at a bunch of lecherous, snobby people, boosted by fine performances from Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman.
Giant (35): Even though it is quite long, George Stevens' sprawling epic is beautiful to watch and contains impressive performances from all its cast.
La Strada (31): Frederico Felini's breakthrough drama concerning a travelling act remains an iconic, wonderful piece of work by the master.
La Dolce Vita (53): Despite its length, Felini's La Dolce Vita is an entertaining and fascinating look at a news reporter's week in Rome, with a strong performance by Marcello Mastroianni.
Rio Bravo (33): Howard Hawk's answer to High Noon, Rio Bravo is one of his most accomplished works, with great performances from its entire cast.
The Searchers (41): Featuring one of John Wayne's greatest performances, John Ford's classic western remains of the most beautiful of the genre.
Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bette) (42): Jean Cocteau's take on the classic fairytale is imaginative, inventive, and beautifully shot, and performed well by its cast.
Dog Day Afternoon (35): One of Sidney Lumet's and Al Pacino's best films, Dog Day Afternoon is spellbinding thriller of the process of two criminals robbing a Brooklyn bank.
Easy Rider (39): Dennis Hopper's directional debut on a pair of bikers' travels to Mardi Gras may be dated, but remains to be one of the best road trip films of all time.
I will end it there. These are my suggested consensuses for the films that deserve one though lack it. Of course, there are many other films that should be given consensuses, especially with a number of reviews for them. What I love from my readers are two things: 1) help write more consensuses; and 2) find a way to implement more consensuses on the classic or very famous films. Here is list of other films that should have consensus, in which some I have seen, but I feel that I should not write the summarizing statement:
Some Like it Hot
City Lights
The Shawshank Redemption
Rambo (First Blood)
Five Easy Pieces
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Duck Soup
The Night of the Opera
East of Eden
The Great Dictator
The Killers
Rope
Nashville
Mash
Aguirre: the Wrath of God
McCabe and Mrs. Miller
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Deliverance
Barry Lyndon
...and so on.
I would really love you guys to help and put some input into this discussion. Thank you very much.
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- Mood:
- Ripe
When I got into watching movies religiously over the past couple of years, one of the lists that I went by, and still do, is the "1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die." As one can tell, it is a very long list. When I had started to go by this list a couple of years ago, I had only seen perhaps 30 of the films. Not very many. Today, I have now seen many more, and according to my list on Rotten Tomatoes, I have seen 232 films. That list is out of date. I currently use a Word Document to indicate how many films I have seen before I die: 271 or 27% of the grand total!
This list is essentially a book. All of the films have descriptions, sort of like reviews, attached to them, and many also have pictures. One notable critic from the Chicago Reader, Jonathan Rosenbaum, even wrote several reviews for these films, including one of my favourites, "The Best Years of Our Lives" (in which there is an error that says the film took home 9 when was actually 8 Academy Awards). Unfortunately, the book itself has a number of mistakes, including naming the films "All The President's Men" and "Dog Day Afternoon" as a Best Picture winners. Sadly, no. That was in 1976 and 1975, respectively, and those years' winners were "Rocky" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," again respectively.
Many iconic famous films are listed within this book. In addition, the two other films other than "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" that took home the Big Five Academy Awards (Picture, Director, Screenplay, Actor, Actress) are definately in there: "It Happened One Night" and "The Silence of the Lambs." The movie considered the greatest film of all time by the American Film Institute is here, of course that being "Citizen Kane." 56 of the Best Picture winners found within the book including "Casablanca," both "Godfathers," "Gone With the Wind," "On the Waterfront," "The Deer Hunter," "Schindler's List," "Titanic," just to name a few.
A number of Hitchcock's most famous films are in there, including "Psycho," "Rear Window," "Vertigo," "North by Northwest," "Notorious," "Rebecca," and "Strangers on a Train." A number of Scorsese's films are on the list, such as "Mean Streets," "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull," "Goodfellas," and "The Departed." Seven animated Disney films are included: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves," "Fantasia," "Pinocchio," "Dumbo," "The Jungle Book," "The Lion King," and "Toy Story." Of the AFI's Greatest Movies List, 99 out of 100 of the films selected, both on the 1997 and 2007 editions are on the list (1997 missing one is "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" while 2007's is "Sophie's Choice"). Many groundbreaking films are included, such as "The Wizard of Oz," "Sunset Boulevard," "Bonnie and Clyde," "The Exorcist," "Raging Bull," and "Pulp Fiction." As you can tell, it is a big list. I don't even know if I can make it to the halfway point by the end of this year.
Now, this list is FAR from perfect. There are a few films that do not deserve to be here, or at least in my opinion they should not be. I do not believe the film "Captains Courageous" deserves a section. It is dated and ridiculous! Vincent Minnelli's "Gigi" is also not a great film, although I understand its inclusion since it is a Best Picture. I question, though I have not seen, the inclusion of several films not well regarded on Rotten Tomatoes or by critics in general, such as "Indenpendance Day" or "The Passion of the Christ" or "Farenheit 9/11."
There are a number of films that I believe should be on the list. My favourite film of all time "101 Dalmatians" should be there. I think it is far better than nearly all the Disney films they picked. In addition, the Disney films of "Sleeping Beauty," "Beauty and the Beast," "Cinderella," and "Toy Story 2" should also be there, especially "Toy Story 2," since it is the highest rate film on this website (thanks to RT manipulation). I also find it a surprise that "Mary Poppins" was not included, especially since it is better regarded than the other Julie Andrews film "The Sound of Music" which did make it on the list.
I strongly believe that Hitchcock's "To Catch a Thief" and "Foreign Correspondent" should be included, since they provide excellent entertainment. Billy Wilder's "Witness for the Prosecution" and "Stalag 17" are really good films that deserve recognition. William Wyler's films "The Letter" and Best Picture winner "Mrs. Miniver" are both very good films (the latter being a great film) that should be included. Two directors were completely given the cold shoulder: Richard Brooks, who did classics such as "In Cold Blood" and "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof;" and Sam Wood, who directed "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Pride of the Yankees." My list of snubs goes on: Akira Kurosawa's "Yojimbo," Jean Pierre Melville's "Army of Shadows," Laurence Olivier's stunning adaption of Shakepeare's "Hamlet" (Best Picture winner of 1948 in fact); Stanley Kramer's "Inherit the Wind;" Richard Donner's "Superman;" and Fred Zinneman's "The Search."
In addition, other very famous, well regarded films are not included. "The Blues Brothers," "Catch Me If You Can," "The Aviator," "Lost in Translation," "National Lampoon's Animal House," "Million Dollar Baby," and so many more. Many famous films are indeed missing.
That is the breakdown of the list. The list is a book, by Steven Jay Schneider, and it is from the year 2007, so nothing afterwards, such as "The Dark Knight," "Avatar," or "Slumdog Millionaire" are there (probably the next edition). Like I said, the list is far from perfect but it is interesting. If you are interested in finding some new titles, I would say this is a good collection of films to go by. All types are included from all over the world. You can find this book at Barnes and Noble (United States), Chapter's (Canada), Smith's (The United Kingdom) or other bookstores in your nation.
If you would also like to know if your favourite is on here, contact me. I will quickly provide an answer.
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As many of you now know, the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor has passed away at the age of 79, due to congestive heart failure. She was one of the most famous stars of cinema, with a career that lasted more than six decades.
In my house, I learned about her at the age of six. I discovered her georgeousness, as I will call it, at probably the age of seven. I wondered about her films over the next few years. I remember in 2006, her famous interview with talkshow host Larry King and stating that she was not DEAD and was still ALIVE. I also discovered that her and I shared an interesting similarity: both of us had suffered scoliosis. This is the double-curvature of the spine, a non-fatal disorder that is likely inherited by the person's parents. Thankfully, it is a recoverable disorder and both of us had survived.
I started watching the significant films of Taylor within the last two years. Most were viewed on Turner Classic Movies. I have selected several big hits from her repetoire that I liked the most. Here they are:
Who Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966): this film showcases Taylor in her Academy Award winning performance as the fat, chain-smoking, heavy drinking Martha. Guess who's she married to in this film? Richard Burton. In addition, George Seagel and Sandy Dennis play a younger couple that get caught in the older couple's psychotic games. I personally found the film a little agressive in its presentation, a little too crude at times, but it was well acted. Taylor showcased that she was willing to play any type of character, beautiful or as ugly as sin. I couldn't even recognize her at first. Dennis also won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The other two cast members were nominated too but did not win. It is a pretty good film.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958): an unusual soap-opera like film, with a lot trashy people. Elizabeth Taylor and Paul Newman are a couple, plagued by the major drinking issues of Newman. In addition, Newman's father, played Burl Ives, has a fatal disease and when he dies, they will all inherent a fair some of money. Judith Anderson plays Newman's mother. It is a very well-acted film and I one of the best films from 1958. Taylor exemplifies how gorgeous she is in this film, both by looks and by acting.
Giant (1956): another very good film under Elizabeth Taylor, as well as Rock Hudson, Mercedes McCambridge, and James Dean. The film follows the lives of Taylor and Hudsons' characters as they get married and move out to the great plains of Texas, where they change industries and become wealthy, starting with cattle raising and then dealing with oil. It is really interesting film, seeing the characters age gracefully as the years pass by. Elizabeth Taylor is stunningly beautiful and acts in one of her finest roles (surprisingly, she was not nominated for Best Actress that year). Though lengthy, it is another good film for Taylor and all involved.
A Place in the Sun (1951): I personally believe this is the best film starring Elizabeth Taylor. It is terrifically filmed, well-acted (by also Montgomery Clift and Shelley Winters), and a fascinating story. It is about a man (Clift) who falls in love with two girls: one wealthy (Taylor) and one poor (Winters). He then leads a double life which ultimately leads to tragedy. Now reviewers have said that it is not that good because it does not follow the books it's based on, An American Tragedy. I don't care, because it is entertaining, though-provoking and shocking. To me, this is my favourite Taylor film, who again here, was not nominated for an acting award.
So those are the best Taylor films I have seen. I have also seen "Father of the Bride (1951)," "The Elephant Walk (1954)," and "The Flinstones (1994)," but I did not like these films. In particular, Taylor was miscast big time as Wilma Flinstones' mother. So sadly, I am reluctant recommend these films and I am also reluctant to watch the sequel to "Father of the Bride," "Father's Little Dividend." Sorry Taylor fans.
I still have many other films I would like to watch including "Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)," "Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)," "National Velvet (1945)," "Lassie (1943)," "Ivanhoe (1952)," and her other Academy Award winning performance film "BUtterfield 8 (1960)." I also would not mind watching "Cleopatra." The next film I will be watching of hers is a minor hit from 1948 called "A Date With Judy," where she is along side Jane Powell, Robert Stack, Xavier Cugat, Wallace Berry, and Carmen Miranda (a musical is what this film is). She may not have been my favourite actress, but she was very good one.
In addition, to all those who want to experience more of Taylor, Turner Classic Movies is to air a marathon of the late star on April 10th. It will be 24 hours of Taylor films, with the exception of one film, "A Place in the Sun." It is going to be aired a little later after April 10th, in restored format and is to be re-released on a DVD. I will sadly not watch this marathon because I do not get TCM on my television. However, I would love you guys to watch it, to get a taste of the late actresses' work.
We will miss you Elizabeth Taylor.:(
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I was recently influenced by a quote leading to a review of the film "Top Hat," written by film critic Roger Ebert, that said this:
"Because we are bound by gravity and the limitations of our bodies, because we live in a world where the news is often bad and the prospects disturbing, there is a need for another world somewhere, a world where Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers live."
I am not a big of the world of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and I had recently seen the film "Top Hat," directed by Mark Sandrich in 1935, and its good, not great. However, this small quote had inspired to write my own review on pairing of directors, whose careers started in the 1940's and have their own world. They, however, did not collaborate on every film that I saw. This pair of directors was Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.
Powell was born in the United Kingdom (specifically Worcester, England) while Pressburger was born in Miskolc in northeastern Hungary (formerally the Austro-Hungarian Empire) and had a Jewish background. Both of their lives started out differently, but eventually lead to film careers. Powell worked a variety of jobs, including screenwriter, cinematographer, photographer, and even a general studio hand. In a few instances, Powell paired up with director Alfred Hitchcock in this early films, including "Blackmail" and "Champagne," and the two had become lifelong friends. Pressburger began as a journalist and eventually got into filmaking in the 1930's. He began his work in Germany, but because his background was Jewish and the uprising of the NAZI's was happening during this time, he fled and went to France to film. He eventually ended up in England. He met Powell on the set of a minor film called "The Spy in Black" in 1939 and soon, their callobaration began. The formed a partnership under the title "The Archers."
Powell and Pressburger released some stunning works during the 1940's, of which many were in colour. To shorten this essay, I will only mention their absolute famous works, of which most I have seen. Their first big hit was "The Thief of Bagdad," a take on the classic tale, filmed in beautiful colour, packed with inventive special effects, and a very interesting storyline. It was a hit! Their next major film was "49th Parallel." This was an extremely ambitious film, set in Canada and about a German U-boat that ends up off the coast of Manitoba in the Hudson Bay. The German soldiers end up on land and cause hell for a small Indian town nearby. What is truly odd, and many others have noted this, is the casting of Laurence Olivier as a French fur trader. It is quite funny, actually, and definately one of the silliest roles of Olivier's lifetime. At the time, the film was critisized for their portrayal of Canadians as too friendly (since I am Canadian, I suppose Powell and Pressburger were complimenting us) and today, this film is considered propaganda. Yet, I commend it for being quite unusual and risk-taking, and it is also entertaining.
Their third major film in 1943 was "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp." Another quite unusual film by the two, which is a frantic and somewhat touching autobiography of a general that served during WWI and even worked into the days of WWII. In addition, Deborrah Kerr portrays three different roles in the three different decades for which the film is set in. It is a good film, but that a bit too long (160 minutes approximately). Their next film in 1944 was "A Canterberry Tale," a minor one for which I have never seen, so I have no opinion on (I will eventually watch it, of course). After this in 1945, they released their film "I Know Where I'm Going," in which I thought was just okay, not great. I am afraid, it is bit dated.
Finally, in 1946, came a beautiful film called "A Matter of Life and Death" or "Stairway to Heaven" (two interchangeable titles). It is one of the most exciting and unusual fantasy films to be released from the 1940's, in which a WWII soldier (David Niven) cheats death even though his fighter plane is rapidly decending into the English channel. It gets more exciting when the celestial Gods decide that he should have died and try to bring him to heaven for which he is supposed to be. It is an amazingly touching, original film and a controversial one for that matter. It is also the only film I have seen for that includes an American cast member (Kim Hunter, most famous for "A Streetcar Named Desire").
In 1947, came, in my opinion, their most spectacular film, "Black Narcissus." It is about a group of nuns, lead by Deborrah Kerr, that head to the Himalayas to run a convent, only to face many, many problems in the process. The film is jaw-dropping in its cinematography and storytelling, and also has a superb performance by Kerr (sadly not nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress). For me, this is my favourite film from Pressburger and Powell. It is perhaps one of the best films in colour of all time.
1948 provided another huge hit for the Powell and Pressburger called "The Red Shoes." Like "Black Narcissus," this film boasts fine colour and a very tragic storyline, a ballet dancer (Moira Shearer) torn between her fiancee and being a dancer, under a strick boss. Film critic Roger Ebert stated that "you don't watch [The Red Shoes]...[y]ou bathe in it." It is a wonderful film and one of the best films to integrate dance into a storyline. It was also the first film I had ever seen under the direction of the duo.
After this, their success wained. None of their releases were able to leave a legacy or influence as much as their previous hits. They eventually broke their partnership in the late 1950's. However, Powell directed another film that left a legacy. It was called "Peeping Tom" in 1960, a really disturbing, cringe induced movie (it is about a filmer who kills his victims and at the same time, films their deaths). This film almost ruined Powell's career and was not a hit with critics or audiences alike. None-the-less and thankfully, Roger Ebert and Dave Kehr acknowledged that it was a great film years later and it has gained much more recognition.
When you think of the 1940's in directors, the ones that come into your head right away are Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, Howard Hawks, Michael Curtiz, John Ford, John Huston, and William Wyler. Powell/Pressburger were from the overseas and I never knew of their world until "The Red Shoes." Then I discovered more of the wonderful world of their direction throughout the latter half of 2010. What a duo and they definately should be considered among the most famous 1940's directors. In fact, one could say them they have released some of the finest films of all time. I have four favourites from their world of beauty:
The Red Shoes
Black Narcissus
A Matter of Life and Death
Peeping Tom
If you have time to spare, take the plunge into the world of Pressburger and Powell. It is well worth it.
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As I said after I wrote my blog for the 1970's last week, I have now seen all the Best Picture winners of the 1940's. Perhaps not as well as picked that decade, but there are some great films none-the-less. Here is a recap of the ten films that took home the gold:
Rebecca
How Green Was My Valley
Mrs. Miniver
Casablanca
Going My Way
The Lost Weekend
The Best Years of Our Lives
Gentleman's Agreement
Hamlet
All The King's Men
Some great, but also some very interesting choices to take home the gold. The most famous of the lot, topping most greatest film lists, is of course "Casablanca." There are also some other great films to be mentioned alongside this quintessential masterpiece. Here is my rankings, from least favourite to most favourite of these ten winners:
10. Gentlemen's Agreement (1947): It is a significant film, but not by any means a great film. The topic of the film chiefly deals with anti-semitism, with Gregory Peck's character, a newspaper writer, pretending to be a Jew to show off how much racism they take. The film of course is taken place in the years just following WWII and reflects on the vast disliking towards them. Unfortunately, I took a bit of disliking to this film, because it was not all that interesting. There was not much in the way of entertainment and the performances were relatively boring. Another film released that same year was Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburgers' gorgeous "Black Narcissus," which contains stunning cinema and wonderful performance by Deborrah Kerr. The Academy missed that year!
9. All The King's Men (1949): I suppose significant at one point, but this film has not aged well. For me, it lacked any impact and at many times, entertainment value. It is about a congressman (Broderick Crawford) who is trying to push for difference, only to face steep opposition from a number of others, who will go as far to kill him if they have to. I found Crawford's performance to be relatively weak, and he pulled off an Oscar for this, unfortunately. Mercedes McCambridge, whoever, has a strong, Oscar winning performance. There were many other better films from 1949, including "White Heat," "On the Town," "Gun Crazy," "The Heiress," and of course, "The Third Man" (although it qualified for the Academy Awards in 1950). Again, I think the Academy missed here.
8. Going My Way (1944): this is a pretty good film. It is about a priest (Bing Crosby) who joins a church run by Barry Fitzgerald, but while being part of the establishment, unfortunately, they have to mend some differences that separate them apart. I thought the film was charming, well-acted, and photographed well. There were two reservations though. I thought the first hour of the film was too long, and it was not a musical. I was shocked that there weren't more songs and singing done by Crosby. He was a very good singer in hay day. Unfortunately, it did not deserve Best Picture. The best film of 1944 is Billy Wilder's "Double Indemnity," one of the most influential film noirs of all time. Other great films include "To Have and Have Not," "Laura," and "Meet Me in St. Louis."
7. How Green Was My Valley (1941): again a pretty good film, a bit better in fact than "Going My Way." It is a character study, photographed quite nicely, of a Welsh family who faces hard times, death, and the departure of family members. There are few storylines happening, but the chief character examined is Roddy McDowell's. It is a well acted film, with an interesting, though sometimes, slow plot. Unfortunately for this film, its crowning of Best Picture has put it on the bottom of lists, that is "Worst Best Picture" lists. That is due to two major films released that same year: "The Maltese Falcon" and "Citizen Kane." Funny though, both are good, but neither are on my favourites list.
6. Hamlet (1948): starting with the great films of the Best Picture winners. This is the first time I have seen an adaption of Shakepeare play done on screen that I thoroughly enjoyed. I am not a fan of Shakepeare, and if you saw my grades in English as a result of dealing with his plays in high school, you would understand. Laurence Olivier made his script coherent, and inserted beautiful set pieces and art direction into this gorgeous movie. Olivier's performance is astounding, powerful, and unforgettable, and Jean Simmons also pulls a riveting performance. In addition, 1948 was great year to films, with some other fine ones including "The Treasure of Sierra Madre," "The Red Shoes," "Red River," "Key Largo," "The Bicycle Thieves," and a relatively unknown film directed by Fred Zinneman called "The Search."
5. Rebecca (1940): I have already described how great this film is on my blog of Alfred Hitchcock. For Best Picture worthiness, this is tough. "The Grapes of Wrath" was released that year, and it is also a powerful film. This is hard year to judge, but I do like "Rebecca" better. My favourite from 1940, however, is Hitchcock's "Foreign Correspondent," which was also nominated for Best Picture.
4. The Lost Weekend (1945): Wilder was delayed a year for his Best Picture and Direction Award for "Double Indemnity" so he got those awards for this film. It is a grim character study of a writer (Ray Milland) who is a serious alcoholic and goes on ultimately disastrous several day drinking binge. It is one of the first films to deal seriously with the effects of alcohalism negatively, not in a humourous portrayal. It is not only an accurate film, but also a highly entertaining one with a great performance by Milland. I also did not mine Wyman's as well. The ending is a bit sudden, and that was due to the sensors from the 1940's, but I am sure Wilder would of preferred differently. Two other great films, and I like both these better, were also released: Michael Curtiz' "Mildred Pierce" and Alfred Hitchcock's "Spellbound." However, just because of its significance and spellbinding performance, "The Lost Weekend" deserved Best Picture.
3. Mrs. Miniver (1942): William Wyler's portrait of British family getting through the attrocities of the Germany bombing the United Kingdom is often considered a piece of excessive propoganda, and really, who cares? It is a great film, none-the-less, and the only one I know of that shows a family getting through the WWII ambush. It is beautifully photographed, well-acted (Oscar winning performance from Greer Garson specifically), and is a really, entertaining story. I do treasure this film. It is funny how it is not in my 1001 Movies Guide and it should be!
2. Casablanca (1942): a little clarification here. "Casablanca" was released in 1942, yet it won Best Picture for 1943, which I find a little unusual. However, it was a deserving recipient of this award. What a film! Of course, many of you know the plot. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) operates a bar/night club in the largest city on Morraco during World War II and an old flame, Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) walks in with a new man. The characters, the plot, the acting, the photography, and everything are masterful. What a beautiful film.
1. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946): although "Casablanca" is the greatest Best Picture of 1940's, my favourite is this masterpiece by William Wyler. Also dealing with WWII, it is about three soldiers (Frederic March, Dana Andrews, Harrold Russell) returning to their small hometown somewhere in the midwest United States. However, they cannot cope with normal life since what they went through at their various staging points overseas. It is the first film that I can actually say I enjoyed crying through. The performances are superb, the plot is well done, and the overall message of this film is accurate. It is all involved, including William Wyler's, best film. It is also my second favourite Best Picture winner after "The Apartment" from 1960. Ironically, it is not my favourite film from 1946. This was a good year for films and many other fines ones were released. However, the Best Picture is was deservably so.
So these are my rankings for the Best Picture winners of the 1940's. The only two to make the 100 Years...100 Movies List were the top two favourites of mine. None of the eight others did, which I find a bit strange. Oh well.
I would overall say that the Best Pictures were well picked, although there are many other great films from the 1940's. I suppose now I should work my way through the 1950's. I only have "Around the World In Eighty Days" to go.
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Like the 1960's, I have seen all the Best Picture winners of the 1940's and 1970's. I will do a blog first on 1970's, because I have some thoughts I'd liked to express on these 10 films chosen as best of their respected year. A re-cap of the films is as follows, chronologically from 1970 to 1979:
Patton
The French Connection
The Godfather
The Sting
The Godfather Part II
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Rocky
Annie Hall
The Deer Hunter
Kramer Vs. Kramer
Of these picks, most of them were great, and perhaps well picked as the receiver for Best Picture. On Rotten Tomatoes, the highest rated Best Picture winner of the decade was "The Godfather." In fact "The Godfather" is the highest rated Best Picture winner of them all (1928-present) on this website. Most of the other films here have ratings well over 90% as well. Here is my list in rankings of these Best Picture winners:
10. Annie Hall: this Woody Allen is one of the most respected of his career and in cinema history. It is about Allen's character and a girl named Annie Hall (Diane Keaton, Best Actress recipient) who have a bizarre love relationship. I was not a major fan of this film, although I see many on my 'Friends' on my list are. The film was okay to me. Some it was funny, but it was not as funny as I had wanted. For me, it is the least favourite of the decade, though not a bad film by any means. I also prefer his crazy "Sleeper" from 1973 so far.
9. Rocky: as I had recently wrote a review on RT, I think it is one of the silliest films to win Best Picture, but it was not bad of a film. At times it was funny, more funny than "Annie Hall" surprisingly. It had a strangely tender side to it, most particuraly with the relation between Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) and Adrian (Talia Shire). It is not a great film, but it is a decent one. Unfortunately, it being a Best Picture winner is one that I have a problem with. That same year, three other delicious great films were released: "Taxi Driver," "Network," and "All The President's Men." I had much preferred if one of these took home Best Picture over "Rocky." They have aged much better and they are far more powerful!
8. Kramer Vs. Kramer: a film about the divorce of a couple (Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep) and the fight over child custody of their son. It was a strong film from that year, with very good performances from all cast members and a nice film editing to make it more natural and life-like. The storyline was also pretty good. I had wished, though, they had developed more of Meryl Streep's character, in which we understood more of her problems, and for that, it missed greatness. In addition, there are two other films better than Kramer vs. Kramer from that year: "Apocalypse Now!" and "Being There."
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: starting with the GREAT Best Picture winners with a film taking place in a mental institution, based on the famed 1962 novel of the same name. Jack Nicholson is petty criminal posing as a mental patient and getting under the skin of nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). A fantastic work because of its performances by Fletcher, Nicholson, and the remaining cast (Devito is very early role of his career) and the fact that the film is both funny and sick (maybe fun of people in a mental position is just plain evil). In addition, I love when films cause me to think. I argue whether or not the real villain is Nicholson or Fletcher, because to me, Nicholson faked his way into the institution, pretending he was mental in order to avoid a prison farm, and you know he wants to cause trouble. Fletcher is cold hearted of course, but she took the nurses job in the first place in order to help people and she does have respect at the establishment. A fascinating film.
6. The Godfather: a look at an organized crime ring found on the streets of New York City, led by the lengendary Godfather (Marlon Brando). It is a beautifully filmed work and one of the most famous pieces of cinema of all time. The performances are superb and, despite the fact it is three hours, the relaxed pace builds tension and there are some spurts of great excitement. You can see the problems associated with Al Pacino's character Michael Corleone arise and he becomes more corrupt as the film series progresses. A very well picked cast for this fantastic film.
5. The French Connection: an exciting, tense thriller of a cop named Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) who is on the hunt for French criminals trafficking drugs into New York City. The film is fantastic to watch, with a memorable car chase scene under a subway and with a eerie climax at the end (at least I thought it was eerie). It is also an examination on a cop named Doyle, who is quite aggressive in his take down on criminals, a little too aggressive for the police force of New York. Despite his good intentions, Doyle is quite corrupt to add to thrills of the wonderful work. However, even though "The French Connection" is terrific, my favourite film from 1971, its year of release, is "The Last Picture Show."
4. The Godfather Part II: a bit longer continuation of the infamous trilogy, I am not sure I am in the majority her but I do like the second film more than the first one. There are two stories: one is the problems with Al Pacino's empire and how it crumbling under his leadership because of some opposing criminal groups and evil employees; the other is the origination of the Godfather, what home life was like and travels from Italy to the United States (Marlon Brando's character played magnificently by Robert de Niro). It is a beautiful film to watch, and even though the original is a great film, this one for me, is an even better one. However, it may be a great film, but it is not my favourite from the year of its release. My favourite from 1974b is another Francis Ford Cappola film called "The Conversation" with Gene Hackman, which is also my favourite film from the 1970's.
3. The Sting: a highly entertaining, slightly contrived film. This is actually one of the first films I watched from the 1970's and the first Best Picture winner to see from this decade. It is a fascinating look at a money laundering ring, led by Robert Redford and Paul Newman, during the 1920's. It is a very unusual Best Picture winner, which some have been repelled by, but it so much fun to watch, making the film run by quite fast. I personally prefer from 1973, the best film to be "Mean Streets," but "The Sting" is a great entertainment source and has a fantastic plot.
2. The Deer Hunter: a triumph of a film. It is about three friends who enlist in the US Army and head to Vietnam, in which they are left permantly damaged from their grueling experience. The film runs in three episodes: the first showing their lives before their shipped out; the second showing their beyond frightening experience in Vietnam; and the final showing their lives after their awful term is over. Robert de Niro is main character within the film, but his performance is so great through its naturalness and it is easily one of his best films. The performances by much of the rest of the cast is also superb, with particular note of Meryl Streep and Christopher Walken. The film is very slow paced, but time flies when viewing a work this good. The film has also been critisized for its length of three hours and one-sided point of view, yet it is not overlong at all and the point of this film is to look at the American soldiers' pain from serving in Vietnam. I also liked this film (and also Apocalypse Now!) because I have been to Vietnam and it tocuhes me more so to see the re-anactment of the attrocities that this rapidly developing nation had to face (going there today, you would never know this happened). The Russian Roulette scenes within the film, by the way, are some of the most intense scenes I have ever scene on reel. Great, great film. Also, like Walken, De Niro and Streep should have received acting Oscars for their stunning performances.
1. Patton: a beautifully done autobiography on George S. Patton (played in an outstanding role and Oscar winning role by George C. Scott), a general who leads a number of assaults during World War II. The film is brutal in exposing his life as a General, how he ignored other commanders in their requests in leading assaults and being strick with his crew members before battles were to begin (in one instance smacking a rightfully scared soldier with his helmet). There are also some glorious battle scenes within the film and a underrated, fine and quite performance by Karl Malden (second in command to Patton). The opening monologue is also very powerful. An absolutely beautiful film!
So these are my opinions on the Best Picture winners of the 1970's. Many of you may disagree on my rankings, likely putting either "The Godfather (s)" or "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" as the best Best Picture winners of the decade. I thoroughly enjoyed most of these films, along with many others of the 1970's. I have to say that most of the Best Picture winners of that decade were very well picked. In fact, all of these films are in the 1001 Movies Guide book, so I would say all of them are well-picked. Also, seven of these film were put on the American Film Institute's 100...100 Movies 10th Anniversary List: both "Godfathers," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "The French Connection," "Rocky," "Annie Hall," and "The Deer Hunter." As well on the original list from 1997, "Patton" was also on there and should have stayed. Most of these films are a must-see.
A blog on the 1940's Best Picture winners come up very soon.
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A director whose career spanned approximately 50 years in six different decades, Sir Alfred Hitchcock is one of the most creative, inventive, and well respected directors of all time. He has many, many films under his belt. Most of them were fine and exciting, and his specialty type of film was of course, mystery and suspense.
Hitchcock easily comes as my favourite director. I have watched more than two times the numbers of any other director, which in total comes to 22. I have seen films as early as 1935 and as late as 1972. However, within that range, 12 films specifically jumped out at me, and I particularily loved as a result:
12. The Birds (1963): it is a frightening, gory graphic film of the master that I find particular interesting due to its subject matter, plot and special effects. The plot is quite neat how it starts with a woman (Tippi Hendren) stalking a man (Rod Taylor, the voice of Pongo from the "101 Dalmatians") whom she meets at a pet store to small Pacific town north of San Francisco called Bodega Bay. This plot is then intercepted by many psychotic birds and they are then fighting for their lives, along with everyone else within the town. The special effects make me laugh a bit at first, but than somehow, they get highly scary and Hitchcock's film becomes surprisingly intense. An iconic film under the master.
11. Rebecca (1940): I would say this film, being highly different from the others because it has little to do with murder and a surprising plot under Hitchcock, is an unusual one. It is unusual for one thing, because it is his only film to win Best Picture. None-the-less, it is a great film of a woman (Joan Fontaine) getting involved and marrying a widower (Laurence Olivier) and discovering what a corrupt man that he and his housemaid (Judith Anderson) are and that they have a secret about something. What I loved about this film is the acting. Fontaine, Anderson, and Olivier, who usually has a commanding presence on screen. All were nominated; none sadly one.
10. Suspicion (1941): Though this a light film, and the only Hitchcock film to net an acting award (Joan Fontaine for Best Actress), I really enjoyed this Hitchcock film. I liked the suspense, the acting, and the storyline. It follows the lives of Fontaine and Cary Grants' characters, who have met and then marry (similar to that of "Rebecca." Unfortunately, Fontaine fears everyday of her life, thinking Grant maybe more than what he seems, because of all the financial trouble her gets into and the film revolves around her paranoia. I find this to be one of Hitchcock's underrated great films.
9. Strangers on a Train (1951): This is an intense psychological thriller by Hitchcock and one of his most famous. It follows a tennis player (Farley Granger) who meets a stranger (Robert Walker) while riding a train, and somehow, gets mixed up in a murder mystery, where Walker's character kills Granger's estranged wife in what I call one of the most grimmest scene I have ever seen on screen. What a scene. In addition, the control and fear Walker has on Granger is utterly disturbing and makes the course the film haunting. In addition, Hitchcock's ending scene in Strangers on a Train is a shock and may make viewers fearful of carnivals. A must-see film.
8. Spellbound (1945): One of Hitchcock's most unusual and perhaps considered today as a failure, this film somehow has a hypnotic effect on myself. It is highly unusual in sense of combining Hitchcock with actor Gregory Peck, who we of course associate with character Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird." The film is about a doctor specializing with working in a mental hospital, who acts quite bizarrely and is uncovered to have some peculiar secrets by fellow doctor, played by Ingrid Bergman. I loved this Hitchcock film, just because it was so utterly bizarre and unique it was for the director. The doors within doors scene designed by Salvador Dali is equally exciting and also the score is magnificent (Oscar winner).
7. Foreign Correspondent (1940): Hitchcock's other release from 1940 and I believe the first one to use American actors (Joel McCrea among them), this Hitchcock spy thriller is an unbelievable piece of entertainment. Though lesser well known, I liked it better than his other release "Rebecca." It follows a life of an American reported who is sent to the United Kingdom when it is on the brink of World War II. He witnesses an assassination and falls victim to harrassment and attempted murder. An intense, thrilling Hitchcock film, where you can see elements which inspire further Hitchcock films later on his career. The set pieces are astonishing, especially in the windmills and the ending clips (which I will not reveal). George Sanders part is also good (he also had a good performance in "Rebecca").
6. Shadow of a Doubt (1943): I remember on December 31, 2009, I had the option of watching this film on Turner Classic Movies, in which they were running a Hitchcock marathon. I did not watch it and I regret that. Then I got hold of the film 7 months later and watched it, with a stunned look. The suspense in the film built effortlessly and it was a shock to watch. What I find amazing about this film is Hitchcock is he is not afraid of relating a venomous criminal (Joseph Cotton) to a big family, with a nosy, later frightened niece (Teresa Wright), both named Charlie. The acting is good, the story is disturbing and psychologically complex, thought simple. Hitchcock chose this film as personal favourite; it is indeed a great, great film.
5. Notorious (1946): Hitchcock's black-and-white masterpiece boasts unreal photography, plot, and especially great acting. It is another unusual plot for Hitchcock, involving espionage, where a daughter of a Nazi (Ingrid Bergman) is recruited by an agent (Cary Grant) to spy on a Nazi in Brazil (Claude Rains). Hitchcock picked an utterly fascinating topic of conspiracy. The are so many scenes of magnificence in the film. The on-screen chemistry between Grant and Bergman is superb. One scene in particular is when there embracing a party for Bergman and Rains engagement (of course put on by Cary Grant and the others). The cheek to cheek interaction plus the lighting are outstanding. The scene at the beginning of the film with Bergman driving drunk with Cary Grant is also sensational. This film ranks at the top Hitchcock's films. Notably, Notorious was only nominated for a screenply Oscar and Best Supporting Actor Claude Rains. The year was released was a great year for cinema. If it had been released the next year, it may have gotten more nominations, such as Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, Cinematography, and Sound. Too bad for "Notorious."
4. Psycho (1960): One of Hitchcock's most famous films of all time. An innovative great under the master. There are literally two plots in the film. The first one follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh), who steals over forty thousand dollars and goes on the run. The second plot, after the infamous shower scene, concerns Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) who is kind of strange and we suspect is the murdered of Marion Crane in the shower. An utterly ground-breaking film. I love it because of its plot, suspense, thrills, and continuous pace. Disturbing and unforgettable. Excellent Hitchcock film!
3. Vertigo (1958): Hitchcock at his most beautiful, using excellent use of colour, combined with psychological suspense and an interesting fear: acraphobia, fear of heights. It follows the life of a police officer turned detective (James Stewart in one of his greatest roles) spying on a woman suspected of committing suicide. Nothing in this turns out to be what it seems. Everything was surprising. It is an absolute shame that it was not the success it deserved to be in 1958, only respected by a few critics, including, of all people, New York Times writer Bosley Crowther. If it garned the respect it has today, it would have hopefully beat the ridiculous musical "Gigi" for Best Picture, but no, it was not even nominated. This film is one of the most screwed movies from the Academy Awards, because of its brilliance.
2. To Catch a Thief (1955): Although it is considered, unfortunately, a minor work, I would call this one of his masterpieces. I would also call this a possible inspiration for James Bond films, due to its wittiness, beautiful colour and cinematography, and astounding chemistry between Cary Grant and Grace Kelly (Bond usually knew how to treat a woman). The film follows Grant, a retired jewel thief, who is believed to be a burglar in the French Riviera. He tries to clear his name and gets involved with Grace Kelly and her mother (Jesse Royce Landis), both as love affairs. This move is sexy, thrilling, and funny. One particular scene I love is the car chase along the dangerous road (eligidly the same one in which Grace Kelly met her untimely death in a car accident) and the way it ends, which a French police officer crashing his patrol car to avoid a chicken, alerting his collegues back at the station "Poulet! Poulet!" Of course, French for chicken. I also feel this film inspired me to start driving. Wonderful Hitchcock film!
1. Rear Window (1954): Easily one of the greatest films of all time. Absolute inventive on every level. A film seen photographed from only one place: the protagonist's apartment. It is sick and at the same time sensational, following an injured reporter's quest (James Stewart) who believes his neighbour (Raymond Burr) across the courtyard has murdered his wife. With the likes his of girlfriend (Grace Kelly) and nurse (Thelma Ritter), they try and convince everyone about his neighbour's psychotic acts. The viewing of Rear Window is one of the most enjoyable film going experiences anyone can through. The performances are great, the visuals are spectacular, the isolation feeling is astonishing. Everything about this film is done to perfection and that is why I pick this as the greatest Hitchcock film of all time. Most people are familiar with the plot, but it just spectacular to watch, with some many things going on with the neighbours in the courtyard. I love voyeurism. Cannot be beat.
These are my favourite, top of the line Hitchcock films. I loved each and every one of them. However, I should not leave others ought. I really liked "Lifeboat," how Hitchcock managed to make the whole setting of the film in a small floating piece of wood on the Atlantic Ocean. I did like "North By Northwest," "The Man Who Knew too Much (1956)," "The Wrong Man," "Frenzy," "The Lady Vanishes," and "The 39 Steps." They are good, just not my favourites. "Dial M for Murder" and "Young and Innocent" were okay, nothing significant. I will need to re-watch the film "Rope" to get a better opinion on the film.
I have to admit I am not fan of Hitchcock before 1940. The three films I have seen before that year were not his best, though interesting. However, that does not mean I won't watch more films from before 1940. I still need to see "Blackmail (1929)" and "Sabotage (1936)" and perhaps also the original "The Man Who Knew too Much" with Peter Lorre.
In addition, I also have to see "Marnie," "The Trouble With Harry," and "Family Plot," which seem to be somewhat popular. In addition, I will aslo watch "Stagefright" and "I, Confess." I am not sure I want to see "Topez" or "Torn Curtain," because they are not all that popular, but perhaps. Well, what ever I do, I will try to watch many more of Hitchcock's films. A smart man he certainly was.
Definately, the greatest director of all time!
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Brantastic16 on 7/02/11 at 12:54 AM
I completely understand. I have a favorites list, but I often feel like it's impossible to order. I've scrapped the list many times. I've tried reordering it too, but I'm never satisfied with it. I love them all so much and I feel like they all belong in the top 20, but that's impossible. But I realize that my favorites list is not quite accurate, and I'm all right with that. And like you, I haven't seen nearly enough films to make a "best" list.
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Wisenheimer on 7/02/11 at 01:08 AM
Great (and long) blog Adrian. I'm not planning on doing this either, but I feel that it is inevitable for some.
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Myerla on 7/02/11 at 02:12 AM
Casablanca won the Oscar for 1942. I agree, creating these lists is so hard. Well putting them in order is.
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Adrian B. on 7/02/11 at 01:51 PM
No. It won the Oscar for 1943, but it was released in 1942. Mrs. Miniver won in 1942.
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Myerla on 7/02/11 at 01:55 PM
Oh. Sorry. I stand corrected.
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Adrian B. on 7/02/11 at 02:32 PM
Not a problem. It looks really confusing since Casablanca was released in 1942, yet one for 1943.
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Daniel R. on 7/02/11 at 04:54 AM
I'm with you. I know what my 2 all time favorites are, but from 3 on it's a total toss up. I could probably figure out my top 20, but after 1 and 2 there'd be no particular order. Like Ebert, I just say they're great films and move on.
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Earth Giant on 7/02/11 at 08:43 AM
It would be like trying to pick 100 lovely flowers out of a field of daffodils. Enjoyed your blog and the fact that you love Hitchcock as much as I do.
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Mr. Hulot on 7/02/11 at 12:01 PM
Great blog.
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Monsieur Rick on 7/02/11 at 08:32 PM
yeah, those lists are pretty laughable coming from 10 year olds. In your sixties films you did not mention Lawrence of Arabia, if I read it right. You have missed perhaps one of the top 10 films of all time by many. Funny how every RT person I ever spoke too never saw the film.
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Adrian B. on 7/02/11 at 08:35 PM
I saw Lawrence of Arabia last summer. I am not big fan of Lawrence of Arabia. I gave it 4.5 stars out of 5. As epics go, I much prefer Gone With the Wind and Ben-Hur way over Lawrence.
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MAMOVIES on 7/02/11 at 08:57 PM
Really good. My toughts exactly
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Film Master Thomas on 7/03/11 at 11:07 AM
It is pretty much impossible for me to make top 50 lists for films because I feel different about them all the time and I just can't put them in 'likeness' order.
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PranafilmsMessageCenter on 7/03/11 at 06:03 PM
Making a top 100 list is fine, but I don't think you should have a set order. Doing it would be impossible for most films. Favorites are usually different from what you think is great (most of the time) and you can even make other top 100 lists of other movies that you like just as much as the movies from other list. But, no problem man.
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Mr. Taylor on 7/03/11 at 09:45 PM
101 Dalmatians? Wow that's a new one. Anyway, whats thats the difference in Top 100 and Top 10? They are very similar, listing favorites. Also, Ebert actually has a Top 10 list he submitted in 2002 I think. It includes 2001, Apocalypse Now, and Raging Bull. Interesting blog.
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Adrian B. on 7/03/11 at 10:27 PM
A top 10 list was easier because I have at least for a year known what my top favourites are. Also, Top 100 is just to big for me to handle. Top 10 is more compact. I understand where you are coming from though. It was difficult. I also agree with you that 101 Dalmatians as #1 is an odd choice, but I adore it because it was the foundation of my interest for thrillers, mystery and suspense, and villains. I have seen the top 10 list of Roger Ebert, which he reluctantly did, which also includes Vertigo, Aguirre: The Wrath of God, Tokyo Story, The Decalogue, La Dolce Vita, The General, and his favourite film of all time, Citizen Kane. Of those, I have not seen The General and The Decalogue.
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Dave J on 7/05/11 at 03:37 PM
Interesting blog and as person whose seen a considerable amount of films as well- I don't even remember half of them anymore, especially the ones I want to forget. At the same time I wouldn't be offende if one of them did a top 100!
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