The greatest film of all-time, in your humble opinion

[real low mind]

Yeah, it's a super generic thread, but someone was going to make it eventually so I figured I'd get it out of the way.

Post one (1, I) movie and only one. None of this tie bullshit, no top 5s, you have to choose.

Feel free to talk about your movie and rant about how shitty and pretentious everyone else's selections are, so this might become an actual discussion thread instead of people just barking titles at eachother.

Viridiana (Luis Buñuel, 1961) -- perfect in every way. Switchblade crucifixes, incestual near-rape of a nun, bums fucking shit up orgiastically to the tune of Handel's "Messiah", deeply cynical but in a way that's actually interesting and not at all cliché or bitchy or gloomy, necrophilia, surrealism, absolutely deadpan humor and irreverent satire, filmed in beautiful black-and-white 16mm, banned by the Vatican, endlessly complex and rewards multiple viewings, and fucks with one's worldview in a very big way.

That's not even why it's perfect, but that part's always hard to explain.

Next!

[ScaryGary]

one person cannot claim the greatest film of all time. but I'll mention my personal favorite:

Apocalypse Now.

[real low mind]

one person cannot claim the greatest film of all time. but I'll mention my personal favorite:


"Greatest film of all-time in your opinion" = favorite film of all-time. I just used that phrase because I'm gunning for greatness.

[Monkmaster]

2001: A Space Odyssey.

You can't watch that movie only once. The imagery and visual effects are superb for it's time and it's use of sound as narration gives it a universal and ambiguous appeal.
It takes effort to watch, you can't simply plug it in and go.

[Dionysus]

Taxi Driver.

[Rocko]

Con Air.

[Acedia]

+1 for Taxi Driver

[oranges]

American Beauty. Love it.

[Vizier]

Con Air.

Lol.

I'd go with Clockwork Orange.

[Kwinnie Bogan]

I can't pick one, but Shawshank Redemption is better than anything suggesed yet, I rekon, by miles and miles.

[Illuvatar]

+2 for taxi driver
V for Vendetta
The count of Monte Christo

[Dog]

From a visual standpoint: The Fall (I like The Fountain too, but mainly just for the music)
Otherwise: Apocalypse Now

[Th0r]

The Matrix.

[lostmyface]

American Beauty. Love it.

this is a great movie, as is Taxi Driver.

i nominate Fargo as one of the greatest movies.

[colorsoc]

Midnight Cowboy.

[InThePathOfTitans]

Saving Private Ryan

[hooloovoo]

Viridiana (Luis Buñuel, 1961) -- perfect in every way. Switchblade crucifixes, incestual near-rape of a nun, bums fucking shit up orgiastically to the tune of Handel's "Messiah", deeply cynical but in a way that's actually interesting and not at all cliché or bitchy or gloomy, necrophilia, surrealism, absolutely deadpan humor and irreverent satire, filmed in beautiful black-and-white 16mm, banned by the Vatican, endlessly complex and rewards multiple viewings, and fucks with one's worldview in a very big way.

That's not even why it's perfect, but that part's always hard to explain.

Next!

I really enjoyed watching that film- caught it on Turner Classic Movies a couple years ago (how I miss TCM access- damn cable companies!). It really drew me in, yet had that sort of Brechtian effect where I was completely distanced emotionally from all the terrible things happening on screen.

I always respond to the "one favorite movie" question with "Amadeus." It's a great film and I will always love it- "In Bruge" came close to knocking it off the top this year, but nah.

[real low mind]

I really enjoyed watching that film- caught it on Turner Classic Movies a couple years ago (how I miss TCM access- damn cable companies!). It really drew me in, yet had that sort of Brechtian effect where I was completely distanced emotionally from all the terrible things happening on screen.


Wow, it was on TCM? Doesn't strike me as their kind of classic movie, but props to them for showing it.

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I agree on the Brechtian alienation thing, you can see that kind of approach in a lot of Bunuel's stuff (especially The Exterminating Angel, another one of my faves by him) -- his visual style in particular, with these absurd and surreal images that tend to jolt the viewer out of passively absorbing the film and instead try to see what's going on behind the lens, so to speak.

I was lucky enough to actually see it in a revival theater awhile back. I wish I had waited to see it there for the first time, it's so much more striking in that environment.


I always respond to the "one favorite movie" question with "Amadeus." It's a great film and I will always love it- "In Bruge" came close to knocking it off the top this year, but nah.

I haven't seen Amadeus for a long time, I'll have to rewatch that soon. As I remember it, the scenes with Salieri talking to the priest really stole the show. In Bruges was a good one, I just saw that recently -- it definitely redeemed Colin Farrell in my eyes, although I don't think I can ever forgive him for fucking up Ask the Dust (not entirely his fault of course, but still, what a mess).

[BornToKill]

Lol.

I'd go with Clockwork Orange.

I'll second that; it is perfect in every way.

[hooloovoo]

Wow, it was on TCM? Doesn't strike me as their kind of classic movie, but props to them for showing it.


I'm glad you enjoyed it. I agree on the Brechtian alienation thing, you can see that kind of approach in a lot of Bunuel's stuff (especially The Exterminating Angel, another one of my faves by him) -- his visual style in particular, with these absurd and surreal images that tend to jolt the viewer out of passively absorbing the film and instead try to see what's going on behind the lens, so to speak.

TCM could show a pretty broad spectrum of films later at night or on themed days. I pretty much became addicted after taking my first history of film class, I once watched an all-night marathon of Tod Browning's ("Freaks") silent films- (pretty messed up stuff, my favorite was "The Unknown" where a circus performer posing as a no-armed man actually has someone cut both his arms off for real so some girl he likes won't find out he was a fake.)

I actually haven't seen any other Bunuel films, but I've heard of quite a few listed on his IMDB page. I'll have to check them out.

[Cliche Guevara]

okay how about private parts: the howard stern movie.

i think i saw it for the first time when i was like 13 and i saw the scene where this hot girl calls howard stern and is like i wanna have sex with you, so he tells her too turn up the bass on her subwoofer and mount it and he starts making this buzzing noise causing the speaker to vibrate and she cums over the radio.

its actually a very good movie.

[Jordan]

I can't say there's a "greatest" movie ever, but Blow is denfinately up there on my list of awesome movies.

[Cegstar]

okay how about private parts: the howard stern movie.

i think i saw it for the first time when i was like 13 and i saw the scene where this hot girl calls howard stern and is like i wanna have sex with you, so he tells her too turn up the bass on her subwoofer and mount it and he starts making this buzzing noise causing the speaker to vibrate and she cums over the radio.

its actually a very good movie.

I was like 11 I think... or younger... and the news advertised an interview with him and said "Howard Sterns shows his private parts" and I flipped the channel really fast.

I really enjoyed the movie Se7en, but I can't think of "the best".

[Captian Spectacular]

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas ftw. fuckin' hilarious movie. and it's really well done.

[ScaryGary]

2001: A Space Odyssey.

You can't watch that movie only once. The imagery and visual effects are superb for it's time and it's use of sound as narration gives it a universal and ambiguous appeal.
It takes effort to watch, you can't simply plug it in and go.

eh, I have watched it atleast twice. but it was hard enough that first time, alone. man, what a boring fucking movie. don't get me wrong, it's great. I love it. infact, I own it. but ugh, it's so boring.

[ArmsMerchant]

"Greatest film of all-time in your opinion" = favorite film of all-time. I just used that phrase because I'm gunning for greatness.

At the expense of accuracy and precision? Seems like a poor trade-off.

That said, I'd have to nominate the LOTR trilogy.

[Cliche Guevara]

the 25th hour anyone?

[bond92]

Pulp Fiction is the greatest film of all time in my opinion. Funny as hell, full of action, and it has a great story.

[Vargus]

Stalker.

It's more of an experience than a movie.

[negz]

Chungking Express.

It's a Chinese film. Everything about it is good. From the music selection to the acting to the camera work.

http://www.mininova.org/tor/554089

[Mellow_Fellow]

Maybe... Withnail & I, The Big Lebowski, True Romance or Trainspotting? It's hard to choose just one! :cool:

[VVeathers]

Can't pin down an all time fave, HOWEVER, a film which I enjoyed a lot more than I expected is Equilibrium.

[crazy cave man]

okay how about private parts: the howard stern movie.

i think i saw it for the first time when i was like 13 and i saw the scene where this hot girl calls howard stern and is like i wanna have sex with you, so he tells her too turn up the bass on her subwoofer and mount it and he starts making this buzzing noise causing the speaker to vibrate and she cums over the radio.

its actually a very good movie.

same here man, good to see i'm not the only howard fan here

shawshank redemption is ONE OF the greatest movies of all time

Fight Club was also a pretty great movie, it's hard to decide.

also grandma's boy was pretty funny, best comedy to date.

[Feed_on_abortions]

Pulp Fiction, motherfucker, do you watch it?

[PenguinsMakinLuv]

Underworld, thats all I have to say, it's my all time favorite movie.

[Theorem]

V for Vendetta is pretty epic.

[i poop in your cereal]

I can't pick one.

[The New Guru]

If I had to choose one, probably Oldboy.

[whocares123]

That Viridiana movie is on youtube, I'm assuming, in its entirety. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ2NouIgXmo

Though they like to be assholes and cut out chapters of movies that show graphic content...but seeing as how this is so old, I'm guessing it can't be all that graphic. I'll have to watch it today.

For me, my pick is based on how many times I've been able to rewatch a movie and still like it. And I think that would have to be Napoleon Dynamite. Though A Clockwork Orange and American Psycho are close behind, Napoleon Dynamite has a nice giggly feel to it that the other two obviously lack.

edit: But I wouldn't say that's the greatest film of all time. That phrase implies some kind of epicness to the movie. It's just a favorite of mine.

[ACE_187]

there are different genres. but if i had to pick one it would be the outlaw josey wales.

[Face Ache]

I am a bit of a loser when it comes to films...

My favourites are Schindler's List, Lila Says (french film), Educating Rita... Thank you for Smoking...

Loads of films actually. I can't pick a single favourite.

Actually...

One flew over the cuckoo's nest is pretty amazing. And on the theme of mental institutes... Girl Interrupted.

[P_R_Deltoid]

2001: A Space Odyssey.

You can't watch that movie only once. The imagery and visual effects are superb .

Bullshit reason for liking an old movie. Nostalgia is bad.

Anyways, Jesus Christ Superstar

And, honorable mentions because I'm a sucker for surreal movies: City of Lost Children and Brazil

[Nerd Fangs]

Bullshit reason for liking an old movie. Nostalgia is bad.

Anyways, Jesus Christ Superstar

And, honorable mentions because I'm a sucker for surreal movies: City of Lost Children and Brazil

Brazil was insane.

[HektikNinja]

Planet Earth, period.

[sabian]

crank

[pho]

The Godfather part 2.

[---Beany---]

It's gotta be between:

American Beauty
Natural Born Killers
Matrix

They are all pretty much perfect as far as me is concerned.

Fifth Element deserves a mention.

[Th0r]

The Godfather part 2.

That was arguably the best in 'The Godfather Trilogy'!

[Born/Dead]

i love the movie snatch, i've seen it at least 20 times, and i'd say it remains my favorite.

[spl1ff]

2001: A Space Odyssey.

You can't watch that movie only once. The imagery and visual effects are superb for it's time and it's use of sound as narration gives it a universal and ambiguous appeal.
It takes effort to watch, you can't simply plug it in and go.

it does take effort to watch. i couldn't get more than 30 minutes into it. they show the ships docking soooooooo slowwwwwly for what seems like hours. i understand that this is to allow the viewer to appreciate the beauty of humanity and space, but it just bores the hell out of me.

my favorites
a clockwork orange
apocalypse now
trainspotting

american beauty is worth mentioning, but it is nowhere near the best

[Fish]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

Epic plot, great characters, beautiful cinematography and an iconic score, all done in a hugely influential style.

I'd agree with this. It might not be the greatest of all time, even, but it's definitely one of my favorites.

[DAT_KUSH]

The Godfather

[Midnight Sun]

natural born killers




/columbine

[ScaryGary]

i love the movie snatch, i've seen it at least 20 times, and i'd say it remains my favorite.

Hey, hell yeah; that's another favorite of mine.