BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Riginslinger
Date: 11 Aug 07 - 12:31 AM

There must have been one.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Cluin
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 10:35 PM

Yes, TRUBRIT. The only example I can think of where the movie was actually better than the book.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 10:33 PM

yes 100 times over to The Committments.....

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: kendall
Date: 10 Aug 07 - 09:15 AM

I liked Dr, Zhivago because I am a history buff. The main character was a candy ass, and I never did like Omar Shirif.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Cluin
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 11:14 PM

I only have 14 of those movies, either on VHS or DVD. But I ain't done collecting yet. I see a few on the list I want to get.

But not "The Sixth Sense". Very disappointed in that one. Actually in all of M. Knight Shlymahoivenen's films.

A few I'd add: The Field, Jeremiah Johnson, Support Your Local Sheriff, Adventures of Robin Hood, The Committments, Arsenic and Old Lace, O Brother Where Art Thou, Ringu, Local Hero, John & the Missus, Forbidden Planet, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, The Innocents...

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 10:49 PM

I am so glad you agree. I think it should be on that list too -- Judi Dench's performance is terrifying and mesmerizing..........

I thought Cate Blanchett and Bill Nighy were terrific too (not to mention the actor who played the boy whose name escapes me). I particularly liked the scene where Nighy is confronting Blanchette about the affair and keeps asking - WHY. Her response was -- I just wanted him! To which Nighy responded -- don't you think we all see people everyday 'we just want' -- but we DON"T DO IT.....his confusion and unhappiness were so well portrayed.   He's very underrated -- it is good to see him getting so much more attention and he is darn funny in Piates 2 and 3.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: RangerSteve
Date: 02 Aug 07 - 09:57 PM

Judy Dench's performance in Notes on a Scandal gave me the creeps. I thought about that movie for days after I saw it. When they put together a list of 100 best over in the UK, Notes on a Scandal should be on the list.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 01 Aug 07 - 11:36 PM

Just seen a really wonderful film - Notes on a Scandal....starring Cate Blanchette, Judi Dench and Bill Nighy......really terrific. Blanchette plays a teacher who gets involved with a student -- Nighy is her (much older) husband who got involved with her when she was a student but she was of legal age. Judi Dench plays an evil witch who sits on the sidelines and watches all this -- is a lesbian and secretly coveting Cate Blanchette -- and blackmailing her with knowledge of the affair with the 15 year old student. Sounds sordid (it is a bit ) but a really terrific film and well worth watching......

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Jul 07 - 04:04 PM

As I recall these are basically American films. They may have been photographed in England or somewhere else - but they were financed in America. As Deep Throat said in "All the Presidents Men" - Follow the Money.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: 282RA
Date: 20 Jul 07 - 03:59 PM

Of course great foreign movies are neglected as though they don't matter when most of them are better than the drivel listed.

But those shot Britain are mentioned. But of course.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: The Walrus
Date: 20 Jul 07 - 02:32 PM

The thread has drifted slightly (and naturally) from discussing the list provided to trying to provide our own.
If we are going to sort out the hundred best films we need some selection criteria otherwise as has been repeatedly stated, it's all opinion.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Scoville
Date: 20 Jul 07 - 09:57 AM

The French Connection sucked. Or, at least, it wasn't that great.

I cannot believe Das Boot wasn't on there. The Iron Giant is as good a candidate as Toy Story, and I would have to nominate John Sayles' Lone Star and Matewan, and add The Field.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Jul 07 - 03:26 AM

Ask 100 people what their favorite film of all time is and you'll get 200 answers.

The biggest box office smash may never make it to the small screen, but the better film may be the 'straight to video'.

Personally, films have different meanings for me, depending on when and where I saw them and who I was with at the time, and what my mental state was. To me 'Pirates of the Caribbean, Curse of the Black Pearl' is a great film because playing it repeatedly on DVD helped me to not kill people. Literally.


LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 20 Jul 07 - 02:49 AM

I don't know if "Shirley Valentine" has been mentioned but that film means so much to so many people. A lovely film beautifully acted and scripted.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 10:41 PM

Ah, yes! That was a good one.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Riginslinger
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 09:44 PM

Was "The Summer of '42" on there?

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 06:22 PM

Casablanca
From Here to Eternity
His Girl Friday
Dr Strangelove
All Quiet on the Western Front
The Godfather
12 Angry Men
On the Waterfront
Little Big Man

for a start

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 02:33 PM

Thanks - one of my nicknames is "Master of the Bleedin' Obvious".

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 01:59 PM

Yes, he has a gift for recognizing absolute crap when he sees it. ;-)

I agree. "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" was an abysmally bad movie. It should stand as an eternal testament to just how stupid Hollywood can be.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Riginslinger
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 01:52 PM

"And it was written in part by Roger Ebert."

               Now we know why he became a critic.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Donuel
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 11:44 AM

Fail Safe
Dr Strangelove

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 11:32 AM

The other night while channel surfing I stumbled across the last 20 minutes of what has to be one of the worst movies ever made. "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls". You wouldn't believe me if I told you about it. And it was written in part by Roger Ebert.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Riginslinger
Date: 19 Jul 07 - 11:26 AM

McCabe and Mrs. Miller

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:54 AM

Yeah, and

"Wisdom - is the province of the aged - but the heart of a child is pure."

and

"Thirty days hath September...
October, June, and February.
All the rest got twenty-nine...
Except my brother
who got six months."

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:36 AM

"Birdie Num-nums? Vant some birdie Num-nums?"

"In India, vee do not t'ink who vee are...vee KNOW who vee are!"

LOL!!! Love that movie!

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:30 AM

Oh goody - another lover of "The Party". Sounds like we share a similar sense of humour, LH!

I agree that kind of emotional intelligence is very valuable and unfortunately I've found it extremely rare. What a shame I lost contact with Brian. Don't know where he is now.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:16 AM

You hit it right on the nose, JennyO. It's the situation that's the funny part those movies most of the time, not the punchline. I could also watch "The Party" any number of times.

The kind of emotional intelligence you speak of might just be the most valuable thing a person can have. It's relatively rare, I find.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: JennyO
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 12:06 AM

Thank you for your compliment Mickey191.

I actually enjoy putting together my thoughts on movies that I love. Don't get much of a chance to talk about them at home, as the person I live with isn't at all interested in movies. I grab most of my chances to see one when he has gone to bed. If I want to go out to a movie, I would rather go with a girlfriend.

Many years ago I used to go out with a rather sweet guy called Brian. He was very simple and straighforward - a little like Forrest Gump. But behind the seeming low intelligence there were signs of great wisdom. I've read there are different types of intelligence, and when it came to emotional intelligence, he had it in spades. He was very sensitive to the needs of people around him and when it came to movies, he could always see past the superficial to the deeper meaning. It was a pleasure to go to movies with him and discuss them after. I'm pretty sure he would have loved "As Good As It Gets" as much as I did. It was just his kind of movie.

Someone further back mentioned "Harold and Maude". That's another one I love and will always watch when it comes on. It has a lot to say too.

I also noticed someone said that the trouble with comedies is that they are not so funny once you know the punchline. Most of the comedies I can think of aren't funny because they have a 'punchline' - it is more because of the situation - there are some funny scenes in movies that are priceless. The fact that I know what is coming doesn't seem to diminish them at all for me. In fact in some ways, knowing what is coming ADDS to the enjoyment.

I can think of a number that I never tire of watching. The Pink Panther comes to mind - especially "The Pink Panther Strikes Again", and "The Party", also Peter Sellers. I've seen "The Party" so many times I practically know the thing off by heart, but I still enjoy it just as much every time.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 06:34 PM

I believe it was Spaw who started all that Neil Young nonsense...and I think he did it because he's fond of Neil and likes his music, while recognizing at the same time that Neil can be a bit odd at times. I could say the same about Shatner...I like him, but he's fun to make jokes about. And yeah, he was a hunk at one time.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Mickey191
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 04:56 PM

Funny that you mention Shat. He once was a HUNK. Saw him on Broadway in "World of Susie Wong." He was great & he did start a wee heart flutter. Now when that happens it's probably angina.

Speaking of people who are taken to task here-(I've always wanted to ask this) what is the reason for Neil Young's inclusion on the Mudcat S--T list?"

You are certainly right about Chakiris(sp?) & Moreno.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 03:20 PM

Yes, well, you must remember, Mickey191, that I have never seen the stage play, specially with the original cast. All I have to go on is the movie. The movie was flawed by the fact that the male lead was badly miscast, as you say. Nevertheless, for the time in which it came out it was a memorable film with a lot of strong points. The Hispanic gang leader and his sister were extremely well played. "Maria" was also well played. The songs and choreography were pretty neat. The story was a good one.

That's why I'd still call it a "pretty good movie", despite the miscasting of Richard Beymer. It could, however, have been a truly great movie with somebody better suited to that part, so it's unfortunate how that happened.

Look, it could have been worse, right? They might have had the part played by Jerry Lewis...or by the young William Shatner. Think about it.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Mickey191
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 03:00 PM

My appologies To you Walrus. I should have noticed the italics-but alas-I was caught up with loss of logic in the piece. Have a good one!

Mickey191-F.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: The Walrus
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 02:34 PM

Mickey191,

"...Trying to understand your thoughts on "West Side Story."..." etc.

I missed a line space

The section of my post in italics was a quote of Little Hawks post of 13 Jul 07 - 10:30 PM.

W

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all tim
From: Mickey191
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 01:07 PM

Walrus, Trying to understand your thoughts on "West Side Story." (7/14-5:21AM) If one of the two persons playing the lead _doesn't ring true_ how can the story, the love songs and the empathy for the lovers still add up to "a pretty good story?" He (Richard Beymer) was so miscast nothing rang true for me. It would be like Red Skelton playing Hamlet. He might have the soliliquy down pat-but as you watched you keep saying "What the heck is this jerk doing in this play?" The whole of the drama's every aspect is ruined by this subordinate actor. IMO   

I did enjoy your "Maria" joke mucho!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jenny O, Your 7/13- 10:26am thoughts on "As Good as It Gets" mirror my feelings totally. I love this movie-I can never _not_ watch it if I come across it on tv. Someone further back expressed disdain for it. I wanted to respond in its defense-but couldn't get my thoughts together. You did a great job. Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Riginslinger
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 09:36 AM

The movies I never got were the space extravaganzas like "Star Wars" and "A Space Odyssey." "Schindler's List" didn't do anything for me either. But most of my favorite movies aren't even on the list.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: autolycus
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 05:49 AM

LOL

   And I don't feel ignored or anything.






       Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: The Walrus
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 05:21 AM

"...Having not seen West Side Story with the original cast, I was rather well impressed with the movie. The main thing wrong with it was that the guy who played "Tony" just didn't ring true. As a movie, it was a pretty good one..."
I couldn't get over the fact that 'Tony' runs through Spanish Harlem shouting "Maria" and only one woman puts her head out of the window.

W

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 04:11 AM

I think part of the problem is defining 'what makes it an American film'?

Is it the director or producer?

Is it the funding?

Is it the company that made it?

Is it the cast?

Is it the book/script writer?

Many of the films in the first list are not exclusively American. 'Sound of Mucus' has a mostly English cast. 'The Lord of the Rings trilogy' was produced and directed by a New Zealander. 'Vertigo was directed by an Englishman. 'Schindlers List (or Ark)' was written by an Australian and had a mostly English cast... the permutations are endless.

There are some great films there. There are some mediocre films listed too... I have seen 40 of them, own on DVD or VHS 19 of them and have the books or stories they were based on for 10 of them - most of which I got before they were filmed.

If this is a list of the top 100 AMERICAN films, it's flawed. If it's a list of the top 100 films WATCHED by Americans, it's probably closer to the mark.

I'm not entirely sure if I should be proud to say I've never seen 'Citizen Kane', any of the 'Godfather' movies or 'On the Waterfront'. On the other hand... I feel the same way about saying I HAVE seen 'Toy Story', 'Snow White' and 'Tootsie'.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Folk Form # 1
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 03:24 AM

When I was a teenager in the 70s, I use to love the Pink Panther films. When I watch them now, they don't seem funny at all.I did get the Marx Brothers, but only Groucho.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 01:39 AM

Hmmm. I never "got" the Marx Brothers for some reason. Specially Groucho. He just seemed like an obnoxious jerk to me.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Riginslinger
Date: 14 Jul 07 - 12:03 AM

"...but there were some very gifted comedians..."

          LH - I can remember being 16 years old and seeing the Marx Brothers movie, "The Night of the Opera," for the first time.
I'd never laughed so hard in my life. I laughed so hard my chest hurt, my whole body hurt.

          Maybe the funiest thing was, all through the movie, Harpo was sneaking along in the orchestra area, doing something with the music--nobody knew what he was doing--then, at just the right moment, everybody turned the page on the musical score, and they started playing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."

          I watched the same movie again, years later, and it didn't seem funny at all.

          I think there's something really magical about comedy.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 11:40 PM

Memorable, but perhaps not great- a British film about several English misfits being matched with Filipino brides. A comedy with happy ending, but the theme concerns the need of everyone to have a partner.
Does anyone remember it? The title "Filipino Baby" comes to mind but I can't find anything but the country song under that name.
Any information would be appreciated.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: rangeroger
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 11:07 PM

Missing from these lists is one of my favorites;"Harold and Maude" with Bud Cort and Ruth Gorden.

rr

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 10:30 PM

Having not seen West Side Story with the original cast, I was rather well impressed with the movie. The main thing wrong with it was that the guy who played "Tony" just didn't ring true. As a movie, it was a pretty good one.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Stringsinger
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 10:17 PM

"Dr. Strangelove".....a classic.

Bergman's "Seventh Seal", "Wild Strawberries" and although he dismissed it himself I loved "Smiles of a Summer's Night" (not American)

"Black Orpheus" (not American)

"Lavender Hill Mob" (not American)

Aside from "Schindler's List" most American films are flawed. In "Kane" I think Orson went over the top. "Gone With The Wind" was an overblown....well you know. "The Third Man" was Orson again over the top.

"King of Hearts" was a sleeper-charmer.

Olivier's "Hamlet" was commendable as was "Henry V"

Of the musicals, "Forty-Second Street", "Broadway Melody of 1940" because of the breathtaking dance combo of Eleanor Powell and Fred Astaire.

Most book musicals just don't work for film because of the naturalistic medium. The only exception where the film version was better than the stage musical was "Cabaret". That's because the show wasn't great on Broadway. But not top 100.

Peter Brook's "King Lear" and "Mahabarata" were exceptional films though not American.

I thought that "Close Encounters" was a much better film than the "Star Wars" cartoons.

Many of the AFI's recommendations were weak. If you ever saw "West Side Story" with the original cast, the movie would be a let-down.

There is a strong Hollywood bias in the selections. We could nit-pick their selections but what would be the point?

Reflecting on many of the above choices, in some they display character inconsistencies,
continuity flaws and writing with holes in it.

"Breaker Morant" was an Aussie film, I believe.

"The Blue Angel" was an interesting film with Emil Jannings debuting Dietrich.

About twenty or so of the list seem to be accurate.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 08:31 PM

100!

How appropriate.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: The Walrus
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 08:16 PM

Raedwulf,

"...Nothing wrong with debate, but the fact that All Quiet On The Western Front seems to be missing says that it's less than definitve..."
I do hope that you are referring to the original (1930, Lew Ayres) version and not the 1979 Richard Thomas ("John Boy Walton") version (although it was one of the few films in which Ernest Borgnine 'disappears' into his role).

Walrus

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 07:15 PM

Ah, yes...the Three Stooges.

Remember the one where they were involved in some demolition work (the perfect job for those guys), and they got in a struggle with a guy in the next building over, trying to pull his phone line through the wall?

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Riginslinger
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 06:10 PM

I guess I never got beyond The Three Stooges.

Subject: RE: BS: The 100 greatest movies of all time
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Jul 07 - 05:10 PM

"Laugh-In" worked for me sometimes, didn't work at other times. It would probably seem dreadfully dated now, but there were some very gifted comedians on that show.

Another comedy I could see again and again with the same enjoyment was "Love At First Bite".