Skepsis' 100

[honeykid]

Too soon, in fact. :p

*Sorry, I'll stop now*

[Skepsis93]

Just when I want to dole out some neg rep, Yoda takes it away.

:p

[Godoggo]

Fantastic last set except for the LOTR entry. Not a fan of that.

[honeykid]

Tee-hee. There's three of us now. :cool:

[Skepsis93]

Well, you know what's coming up in the top 10. And y'all ain't gonna like it one little bit. :p

In the meantime...

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/FHyCMtY.jpg http://i.imgur.com/XHdPtPv.jpg

10. Back to the Future
Robert Zemeckis, 1985
Screenplay by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd & Lea Thompson

"Wait a minute, Doc. Are you telling me that you built a time machine... out of a DeLorean?"

Do I really need to explain the virtues of Back to the freakin' Future? Alright, for the uninitiated, if there are still any of you out there: Whip-smart. Imaginative. Compelling characters. And above all, a veritable CRAPLOAD of fun. Take the very first couple of scenes – right off the bat, we have an exploding amplifier and skateboarding to the nostalgic strains of Huey Lewis and News' The Power of Love. And that's far from my favourite sequence in the film.

One of the film's greatest strengths is that it's just smart enough in how it deals with time travel. Zemeckis and Gale made it complex enough for us to suspend our disbelief, but they never get bogged down in details; they make it the setup, not the star of the show. Maybe it's a strained comparison, but the recent Looper did exactly the same thing – Bruce Willis' character remarking, 'I don't want to talk about time travel because if we start talking about it then we're going to be here all day talking about it, making diagrams with straws'. The same sort of ethos is clearly in the fabric of Back to the Future.

http://i.imgur.com/izs9aKo.jpg

"If my calculations are correct, when this baby
hits 88 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious s**t."

It's the characters and the way they're brought to life by the cast that really makes this film, though. Everybody raves, and rightly so, about Christopher Lloyd's madcap portrayal of Emmett "Doc" Brown – everything about it screams "mad professor" but he also brings buckets of heart to the role. Michael J. Fox is on fine form as the now iconic Marty McFly, a character of unlikely complexity. The support, in the form of Lea Thompson, the perfectly eccentric Crispin Glover and Tom Wilson are all spot on as well. I think the producers assembled pretty much the perfect cast, at the perfect time, for the perfect project.

Which brings me, finally, to my favourite moment. Marty's rendition of Chuck Berry's legendary Johnny B. Goode has become iconic in its own right and has been referenced countless times in pop culture. It also contains just one of many examples of the movie's razor-sharp wit and fantastic imagination – I think the much-quoted moment when "Marvin" calls up an alternate-reality, inspiration-deprived Chuck Berry is a stroke of genius. The sequence is a wonderful, supremely entertaining snippet, my personal highlight of a film full of them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1i5coU-0_Q

Back to the Future has rightly become a cultural touchstone, a shining example of how good old-fashioned Hollywood storytelling can produce magnificently entertaining, smart and funny movies, without pandering to the lowest common denominator.

Now that you know #10, feel free to try and predict the rest. I'd love to know how predictable (or not) I am. :p

[seanc]

Love Back To The Future. May be the film I have seen more times than any other. Infinitely quotable. Holds up really well, even if the sequels don't.

[HitchFan97]

I'm a big Huey Lewis fan, so obviously I loved Back to the Future. Haven't seen it in ages though.

[Miss Vicky]

Been a long time since I last saw this one, but I do remember liking it a lot as a kid.

[Daniel M]

I watched Back to the Future the other day on one of the ITV channels, watched it many times before but I was surprised by how great I found it after many viewings, a great choice :up:

[honeykid]

Well, before the horrid stuff comes up, it was nice to see something I really like turn up. :)

[Skepsis93]

It's all horrid? Or just LOTR?

[mark f]

He can't answer that, but it's never stopped him before.

[honeykid]

Well, I can answer it because I meant LOTR. I don't know whether it'll all be horrid or not. However, considering it's Skepsis, I doubt it'll all be horrid.

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/rFrQyHs.jpg http://i.imgur.com/vMu1UCR.jpg

9. Singin' in the Rain
Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly, 1952
Story & Screenplay by Adolph Green & Betty Comden
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O’Connor
Music & Lyrics by Nacio Herb Brown & Arthur Freed

"She can't act, she can't sing, she can't dance. A triple threat."

Singin' in the Rain might be the only film that is more purely fun than Back to the Future. Easily one of the best musicals to come out of the Hollywood studio system, my favourite film of the 1950s and one of the most entertaining, heart-warming films ever made.

Gene Kelly was a great actor and a phenomenal dancer and his performance as Don Lockwood is probably his most sensational turn. He's brilliantly charming as the silent movie star in flux. The supporting players, too bring something unique and magnetic to each of their characters. The goofy charm of Donald O'Connor, whose Make 'em Laugh is a relic but no doubt an interesting one, showcasing his physical talents, and the cute-as-a-button Debbie Reynolds as the innocent but ambitiously strong-willed Kathy. The three of them have fantastic chemistry, perhaps never more apparent than in the wonderful Good Morning.

http://i.imgur.com/AYo3gOr.jpg

"You have to show a movie at a party. It's a Hollywood law."

The majority of the praise rightfully goes to the music, of course. It's a perfect musical, mixing the romantic, the upbeat, and the downright insane, conveying it all through beautifully written and, for a couple, now rightly-iconic songs. I'm certainly no expert or even, usually, an enthusiast when it comes to dance, but here, for some reason, I'm a sucker for it. The choreography is endlessly pleasing, and each actor brings something different to the table. Kelly's expertise, Reynolds' enthusiasm, and O'Connor's wild energy make for a fantastic combination. To that end not much is ever said about the narrative, but it's a lovely, simple one, a self-referential, somewhat meta one, a film about film, that allows for a lot of humour, as well as pathos, and sets up each musical number with a deft hand.

Maybe I'll try to add a video of a favourite scene or moment in every entry of my top ten, like I did with Back to the Future, if I can find something. Singin' in the Rain's titular number has burrowed itself deep into pop culture's subconscious, but my personal highlight is the wonderfully catchy, upbeat and energetic Good Morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB2yiIoEtXw

[JayDee]

Well you've certainly started your top 10 very strongly. :yup: As you know I adore Back to the Future so that was a great way to kick it off and Singin' in the Rain is a fine follow-up. Two of the most purely fun, escapist films you're likely to come across.

[Skepsis93]

Well you've certainly started your top 10 very strongly. :yup: As you know I adore Back to the Future so that was a great way to kick it off and Singin' in the Rain is a fine follow-up. Two of the most purely fun, escapist films you're likely to come across.

Thanks. :D If there's a word to sum these two movies up, it's escapism.

[mark f]

Smart pure escapism.

[Skepsis93]

#8 is a new addition to the top 10, might be easy to guess though. Still need to finish off the write-up, so I'll post it tomorrow. :)

[JayDee]

I can think of a few films from your old top 50 that I don't believe have shown up yet, but think there must be quite a few new entries to your top 10. Curious to see what you've got for us

[honeykid]

See, I told you it wouldn't all be horrid. Singin' In The Rain is great.

[Skepsis93]

See, I told you it wouldn't all be horrid.

I knew this all along. :p

[honeykid]

I was talking to mark. :D

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/9uQX5VK.jpg http://i.imgur.com/XbaSIvJ.jpg

8. Lawrence of Arabia
David Lean, 1962
Screenplay by Robert Bolt & Michael Wilson based on the writings of T. E. Lawrence
Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif & Alec Guinness

"I pray that I may never see the desert again. Hear me, God."

Knowing where to start with this one is difficult because it's extremely hard to find a single aspect of Lawrence of Arabia that is anything less than brilliant, let alone sub-par. I guess the most obvious place is with the titular character. As extraordinarily unlikely as the film is, it may have crossed the line into downright impossible to make work without a scintillating character at the heart of it all. T. E. Lawrence might just be the most well-developed yet mysterious, most brilliantly conceived, perfectly written, and crucially, of course, most brilliantly-portrayed character in the history of film. Peter O'Toole is perfectly cast, and he brings an exciting rebelliousness and large helpings, but just enough, eccentricity and flamboyancy to him. In a long running time, we're treated to a perfectly arced rise and fall of the man, an epic emotional descent into egomania.

Visually, I don't think I've seen anything else so stunningly vibrant and technically accomplished. The images of the desert are awe-inspiring, capturing the vastness of the desert with remarkable skill, perhaps never more evident that in the famous "Mirage at the Well" scene. I can't find the source, but I think I'm paraphrasing Tarantino when I say that one of the great pleasures of film is experiencing the perfect match of image and music, and Lawrence of Arabia is the epitome of that idea. The match between the beautiful cinematography and Maurice Jarre's sensational score could not be better and evokes wonderful swells of emotion.

http://i.imgur.com/k6xG7HL.jpg

"Truly, for some men nothing is written unless they write it."

"Epic" is a word that's thrown about a lot these days but I think this and Gone with the Wind are among the few films that really deserve the title. As I mentioned, the look and feel of the film, the length and scale of the narrative provokes the use of the word but it's the complexity of its story, themes and characters that truly makes this an epic. It just deals with so much. So many characters come and go, each more riveting than the last. Bolt, Wilson and Lean pack an immense amount of material into the 216 minutes, but it never once feels poorly paced or loses my interest. It deals with themes as wide ranging as existential struggle, political conflict, the morality of war and national and personal identity.

A clip on YouTube will not do it justice but hopefully for those who haven't seen it, it'll give you a taste and maybe encourage you to see this miracle of a film for yourself. Please do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSZ90GMlvHQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX3bqRemW8U

[Pussy Galore]

Well thanks for the suggestion I wanted to watch it for a long time, but never take 4 hours of my time to do so. Your description is motivating me to watch it

[Guaporense]

Lawrence of Arabia is a strong candidate for the title of best movie that ever won the Oscar.

[honeykid]

Lawrence Of Arabia is one of those films I'd love to see on the big screen.

[Godoggo]

I need to give Lawrence of Arabia another chance. I just couldn't get into it when I watched it for whatever reason.

[JayDee]

Lawrence of the Arabia is one I still haven't attempted as of yet, mostly as a result of its length. However it is one I plan on getting to quite soon.

[Skepsis93]

Well thanks for the suggestion I wanted to watch it for a long time, but never take 4 hours of my time to do so. Your description is motivating me to watch it

Thanks, that's the aim! :)

Lawrence Of Arabia is one of those films I'd love to see on the big screen.

Absolutely. I've heard seeing Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen called the holy grail for film fans. I really hope I get the chance to one day.

I need to give Lawrence of Arabia another chance. I just couldn't get into it when I watched it for whatever reason.

Lawrence of the Arabia is one I still haven't attempted as of yet, mostly as a result of its length. However it is one I plan on getting to quite soon.

Yeah, you have to be pretty invested to really enjoy it. Not something you can just throw on, especially for the first time you see it.

[fuze931]

I need to see it, also. I have really enjoyed following your list, although I still need to see quite a bit of them. Great work!

[mark f]

Lawrence of Arabia flies by, although I've heard some people complain that it and 2001 are both boring. 2001 has maybe seven or eight minutes of females on screen while Lawrence has none!

[Skepsis93]

I need to see it, also. I have really enjoyed following your list, although I still need to see quite a bit of them. Great work!

Thank you very much. :)

Lawrence of Arabia flies by, although I've heard some people complain that it and 2001 are both boring. 2001 has maybe seven or eight minutes of females on screen while Lawrence has none!

2001 is pretty boring is a lot of senses. Not sure how anyone could justify calling LoA boring, though.

[JayDee]

2001 is pretty boring is a lot of senses. Not sure how anyone could justify calling LoA boring, though.

Did you not have 2001 on your old list? So it's safe to assume that's one that's dropped out. And if so, on behalf of myself and honeykid may I say well done. :up: :D

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/810Mmmh.jpg http://i.imgur.com/h3YgiYn.jpg

7. Before Sunrise & Before Sunset
Richard Linklater, 1995/2004
Screenplay by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan (Sunrise) / Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy & Ethan Hawke (Sunset)
Ethan Hawke & Julie Delpy

"But then the morning comes, and we turn back into pumpkins, right?"

Here's what I wrote about Before Sunrise in the movie tab back on April 8th of last year:

I'll labour through the fiddliness of writing a short review on my phone (only source of internet at the moment) because I felt like I needed to share some thoughts on this absolute gem. Without a supreme level of both dialogue scripting and chemistry between the leads, this film falls flat on its face. It's stunning to me how they managed to make it so enrapturing with such dialogue-heavy sequences but I found myself literally hanging on to every word, and what beautiful words they were. It walks a very thin line between actual intellectual and faux-intellectual, but at worst it's always believable and at its best, it borders on prophetic, commenting subtly on love and life itself. The atmosphere is palpable, the emotional impact enormous, and the 90 minutes flew by, just as Jesse and Celine's fleeting romance did. The sequel is on its way to me as we speak, I can only hope I enjoy it as much.

And about Before Sunset on the 12th:

Like the first installment, Before Sunset absolutely works as a standalone film, with all the charm, humour and emotional power of its predecessor. The chemistry between Hawke and Delpy seamlessly carries over even though the two films were made 9 years apart, and the superb script with Linklater's stream-of-consciousness dialogue and the subtle camera and editing techniques combine once again to produce a hyper-realistic experience.

It's not so much a follow up as a completion, as I realised part way through how incomplete Before Sunrise now feels with the addition of a second meeting. The same would be true, I think, had I only seen this one. There's something tiny lacking from both, and the simplest way I can put it is that they lack each other. Together they're the closest to a perfect romantic tale that I've seen.

As Jesse remarks at the start of the film, in the context of his book, ambiguity is a good test of whether a person is a romantic or a cynic. The film ends so suddenly that for a while I felt taken aback, but realised that the conclusion was simply echoing Jesse's sentiments from the very start. It's a perfect note to end on, really, as the utterance of those words, "I know", could mean so many things. For the cynics among us, the final moments must be strikingly similar to the first film. To the idealists and those with a more romantic view of the world, it's starkly different.

http://i.imgur.com/rjHfujW.jpg

"Memories are wonderful things, if you don't have to deal with the past."

My view of these films is no different now than it was back then. As romance, as drama, as deep meditations on the facets of existence, they're an absolute knockout - films that touch the heart and the mind. I love these films separately, but as a pair I adore them like few others, which is why they're the only "cheat" on my list. They work best together. Whether that changes with the addition of Before Midnight this year remains to be seen, but I do know I'm looking forward to it immensely.

[Skepsis93]

Did you not have 2001 on your old list? So it's safe to assume that's one that's dropped out. And if so, on behalf of myself and honeykid may I say well done. :up: :D

I did. I think I've said a few times around here I don't think anywhere near as much of it as I did at first, though. I appreciate its artistry, but it's not something that inspires me to see it over and over.

[Mingusings]

Love Sunrise and Sunset. Both are absolutely mesmerizing.

Boo on no 2001 though. :(

[Cobpyth]

Before Sunrise and Before Sunset are very special movies. It's quite an experience when you're into the story. I'm looking forward to Before Midnight, where they are actually a couple after their last meeting in Paris and that GORGEOUS final scene in the second movie!

+1

[honeykid]

You know you're getting + rep from me for Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Of course, I prefer them the other way around, but I honestly think that's because I had to wait 9 years for the sequel and now another 9 years for the next. :D

[gandalf26]

I always think that it's a bit of a cheat to list 2 entries in 1 slot.

[Skepsis93]

Did you read my reasoning for it? It's not like I put two completely different movies together.

:shrug:

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/dTtEV9M.jpg http://i.imgur.com/T49Mpgd.jpg

6. Lost in Translation
Written & Directed by Sofia Coppola, 2003
Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson & Giovanni Ribisi

"Let's never come here again because it would never be as much fun."

The focus on atmosphere and self-contained observational vignettes worked around a fleeting platonic relationship make its plotlessness completely irrelevant.

Coppola shows remarkable confidence in a mellow, subtle yet beautifully artistic visual style, the cold technical prowess underlying a sharp eye for colour and detail recalling both representations of Japan itself and the nature of Bob and Charlotte's unlikely friendship.

http://i.imgur.com/6lAunj0.jpg

"You're probably just having a mid-life crisis. Did you buy a Porsche yet?"

And it's said friendship that drives the film along its melancholic, funny, and touching path. There's an surprisingly strong chemistry between Murray and Johansson that allows for a dynamic between the characters that reveals itself to be incredibly complex, thought-provoking, and meaningful. They are seemingly at almost opposite ends of the spectrum in everything surface-level - financially, physically, career-wise - but crucially, they are both found in the right place at the right time in the same lonely, misanthropic place emotionally and that allows them to connect on the deeper level than anything else.

Simply put, an incredibly heartfelt, impeccably acted and directed, bittersweet yet uplifting film that blows me away every time I see it.

[seanc]

I think some films are meant to be experienced that way. I put star wars and lord of the rings in this category. Depending on what day you catch me any of the three could be my fave in the trilogy.

[Skepsis93]

I think some films are meant to be experienced that way. I put star wars and lord of the rings in this category. Depending on what day you catch me any of the three could be my fave in the trilogy.

You're referring to Sunrise/Sunset? Yeah, I agree. They're great separate but together, they're just perfect. I considered putting LOTR into one entry too, not sure why but I was able to separate them fairly distinctly. If I was forced to split up Sunrise & Sunset they would go one after the other, and I couldn't tell you in what order.

[Gabrielle947]

I enjoyed Back To The Future but I haven't seen it in a long time.Lost In Translation impressed me a lot.
I don't think I would like the other films from your top ten but you never know. :)

[Skepsis93]

I don't think I would like the other films from your top ten but you never know. :)

Give them a try. If you like Lost in Translation, there's good chance you like Sunrise/Sunset because it depicts a similar sort of relationship in a similar way, and everyone should like Lawrence of Arabia and Singin' in the Rain. :D

[Cobpyth]

Lost in Translation is very well made. I'm a big fan of atmospheric movies, so you can imagine how much I liked this one! It's also my favorite movie from a female director. Great choice!

[seanc]

You're referring to Sunrise/Sunset? Yeah, I agree. They're great separate but together, they're just perfect. I considered putting LOTR into one entry too, not sure why but I was able to separate them fairly distinctly. If I was forced to split up Sunrise & Sunset they would go one after the other, and I couldn't tell you in what order.
I was. Have not seen them so I was pointing out movies I experience that way. I am looking forward to seeing these, should be on the way this week.

[Godoggo]

You know I love Lost in Translation. I've seen Before Sunrise, but I have to see it again. Unless I see movies multiple times, I don't remember them very well.

[Skepsis93]

I was. Have not seen them so I was pointing out movies I experience that way. I am looking forward to seeing these, should be on the way this week.

Awesome, let me know what you think. :)

[fuze931]

Great pick! Huge Murray fan, so you know I am digging it! Such a well made movie with brilliant acting on all spectrums. I want to go watch it again now!

[honeykid]

I always think that it's a bit of a cheat to list 2 entries in 1 slot.
You're right, gandalf, it is a cheat. Despite that, I had to + rep it because one of them was Before Sunrise.

[donniedarko]

So far in your top ten I've seen Back to the Future and Lost in Translation, both are alright movies. Lawrence of Arabia and Before sunrise/set look like films I'd enjoy though.

[Daniel M]

I've got Lost in Translation ready to watch, might do in the next few days if I can. Before Sunrise/Sunset I think I would also enjoy and will try and watch when I get round to watching more Linklater films, which I've been meaning to do for a while.

[Mr Minio]

Lost in Translation has excellent music, performances and mood. Great pick!

[Skepsis93]

Thanks people. :) The rapid pace at which I'm putting these out might slow down a bit for the final five since I go back to Uni tomorrow and have a crapload of work to get through in about a month. I'll definitely post them though, don't want a repeat of last time. :p

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/Ze87ktd.jpg http://i.imgur.com/gCGvArj.jpg

5. American Beauty
Sam Mendes, 1999
Screenplay by Alan Ball
Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening & Thora Birch

"I feel like I've been in a coma for the past twenty years. And I'm just now waking up."

Plays out in an endless variety of potential ways: at once a scathing satire of the american dream and the shallowness of suburbia, a novel sexual and social fantasy, a family drama, a sharply witty comedy and comment on drugs, sexuality, mental health, and the dangers of consumerism and cheap vanity.

Not one - and I say this having general distaste for Thora Birch as an actress - of the actors gives a substandard performance. I only put the three stars at the top of my posts but I have to mention Chris Cooper, Allison Janney, Wes Bentley, Peter Gallagher and the brilliantly twisted Mena Suvari.

http://i.imgur.com/k3FGIdA.jpg

"Welcome to America's weirdest home videos."

Of course, I'm being unoriginal when I say that Kevin Spacey delivers easily one of the best performances of the 90s. He is darkly obsessed, he is funny, he is a ball of rage and he is absolutely riveting as Lester Burnham.

What really makes this film special to me, though, is the dark, morbidity that runs through its heart. Something about the juxtaposition between those opening lines and what we know from that, and Lester's emotional ascent lends the film a blackly comic atmosphere, something made only better by an excellent soundtrack and a sleek visual style.

These two scenes probably best capture what is so great about American Beauty, to me:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6is2BURvi3c

[Cobpyth]

American beauty is a delicious black comedy/drama. Good choice! :up:

[Daniel M]

American Beauty is good, although it's been a while since I've seen it, I really enjoyed it and especially Spacey's performance, I probably need to watch it again actually.

[Masterman]

Great choice.

[fuze931]

I need to definitely revisit that. It has literally been years. I do remember it being really good, though. Great list :)

[JayDee]

A fantastic way to start off your top 5. :yup:

[Miss Vicky]

I've never understood the love American Beauty gets. It's a decent film, but never stood out to me as being anything special.

[HitchFan97]

Well damn, this was already top priority viewing for me before I submit my 90s list to Harry Lime. Guess this is extra incentive :D

[honeykid]

I've not seen this since around it's release, but I really liked it. These days, mainstream art films, for want of a better phrase, are more common, but at the time this was quite the rarity.

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/qBbBXCS.jpg http://i.imgur.com/blXAVdO.jpg

4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Peter Jackson, 2003
Screenplay by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien
Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen & Viggo Mortensen

"Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?"

I really believe that this trilogy is the closest any film or series of films has gotten to manifesting the definition of that intangible idea known as "movie magic". There are countless other movies that have done one or two things superbly well; confined themselves to a concept or an aim - and all the better for it - that have become favourites of mine and, I'm sure, yours. But the Lord of the Rings series is the only one I've yet encountered that has everything yet doesn't try to do too much.

The majestic ensemble acting is the first thing that come to mind. In addition to the three "leads" listed up top, we have, and it's a long list:

Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Ian Holm, Dominic Monaghan, John Noble, John Rhys-Davies, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Brad Dourif and Miranda Otto...

...and there is not a single bad or even below-average showing. They are all consummate performances, however large or small, because they are all vitally important in creating this world.

http://i.imgur.com/IxWcJ2s.jpg

"They had no honor in life. They have none now in death."

Visually, these films are among the most beautiful, the most brilliantly realised cinematic creations I have ever seen. Flawlessly shot and with magnificent art, set direction and costumes, again delivering a large part of what makes LOTR so engrossing and transporting. There's something wonderful about the look and feel of these films, mostly due, I think, to the meticulous attention to detail in how Middle Earth is presented to us on screen.

Finally, of course, these are films that leave very little behind thematically and in terms of story. There's so much that could be said here had I some more time, but suffice to say that I think it's absolutely miraculous that it manages to give the sufficient attention to each of its multitude of stories, that it covers so much ground thematically and emotionally, yet never feels overlong or even remotely boring or long-winded. Every battle scene is stirring and epic and each character's path brings stunning pathos.

There are an incredible amount of individual moments in Return of the King that are awe-inspiring on their own - Aaragorn, Legolas and Gimli's trip down the Paths of the Dead, Shelob's lair, the siege of Minas Tirith - it would be too difficult to name them all. The ending always gets me though. Some say it's dragged out but personally, I see a masterfully constructed finale that brings the experience to a close in superb fashion.

[fuze931]

Still have not seen the full trilogy, I should probably do that, no?

[Skepsis93]

Still have not seen the full trilogy, I should probably do that, no?

Nah, they're average. Didn't you know this was Skepsis' Top 100 Pretty Decent But Missable Films?

[fuze931]

;) All kidding aside, I plan on a marathon this weekend to finally watch them in sequence. I have only seen the first, and was not fully impressed until the last hour, and I must say I am excited to check it out now just thinking about it. I may start now! Great list, either way, kudos on American Beauty and Lost in Translation.

[Masterman]

Never seen the lord of the rings movies.

[Gabrielle947]

I have only seen the first, and was not fully impressed until the last hour
the first part is my least favorite so I had a feeling that I will dislike other two films but I ended up loving them and later the first one grew on more,too.So give it a try. ;)

[fuze931]

Never seen the lord of the rings movies.

I only saw 1, impressive scenery, but just couldn't get into it as much as others.

[The Rodent]

;) All kidding aside, I plan on a marathon this weekend to finally watch them in sequence.


Do it with the Extended Cut of each film. Pushing 12 hours of film-watching joy right there.

[honeykid]

Never seen the lord of the rings movies.
My God, I envy you. I wish I could say that.

[Guaporense]

The Lord of the Rings movies are the best blockbuster movies made in the last 30 years. In fact, they are the best movies ever made on a >= 100 million dollars budget. Wan't a movie with top notch special effects, battles and epicness? Nothing beats Lord of the Rings.

They are the pinnacle of Hollywood entertainment and it's plays on Hollywood's strongest qualities (huge budgets, top notch special effects, epic casts and crew) while minimizing hollywood's usual flaws (artificial characters, simplistic and moralistic).

[fuze931]

Watching movies I have yet to see on your list, starting with My Dinner With Andre.

[Skepsis93]

Good to hear! :)

[Skepsis93]

Relative to most of the other films in my top 10 I've got a couple coming up here that you guys might be less likely to have seen. If nothing else I hope it encourages you to see them and hopefully love them as much as I do. :)

[Cobpyth]

Relative to most of the other films in my top 10 I've got a couple coming up here that you guys might be less likely to have seen. If nothing else I hope it encourages you to see them and hopefully love them as much as I do. :)

I'm curious!

[Daniel M]

Relative to most of the other films in my top 10 I've got a couple coming up here that you guys might be less likely to have seen. If nothing else I hope it encourages you to see them and hopefully love them as much as I do. :)

Sounds good, I think I know what one of the lesser known films is but for the life of me I can't remember what the others might be :rolleyes:

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/BXzLlEX.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SaoHI8W.jpg

3. The Savages
Written & Directed by Tamara Jenkins, 2007
Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Linney & Philip Bosco

"Maybe dad didn't abandon us. Maybe he just forgot who we were."

A tour-de-force of acting and writing, a small but immensely powerful film that finds humour in the most unlikely of places. Jenkins' story is one of tough realism, about the realities of the human experience, but one from which she pulls a remarkable amount of bittersweet humour and unsentimental pathos, a film that shocks you with its dark wit and sneaks up with an emotional kick to the gut. It hits you in the heart, in the stomach, and in the mind.

http://i.imgur.com/MyunQ4R.jpg

"We're not in therapy now, we're in real life."

Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney are easily two of my very favourite actors and it's an unrelenting pleasure for me to watch them work together in this context; a joint-lead performance that displays great dynamism and chemistry. They each possess a rare commodity in the acting world - many performers please us with their comedic chops or emotional intensity but Hoffman and Linney are among the few, at least for me anyway, who consistently deliver performances grounded in an emotional reality that makes us feel as if we are watching real people on screen. The Savages is the perfect platform to showcase this energy, a character-driven film about real people in a very real situation.

If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing this yet, I can't recommend it enough. It's not broad but I do think it has something that everyone will be able to appreciate, even if you don't love it as unabashedly as I do.

[Godoggo]

Good choice with The Savages.

[JayDee]

Wow did not see that one coming. Not seen it myself but perhaps I should one day.

Oh and obviously great pick with Return of the King. :up:

[Skepsis93]

Wow did not see that one coming. Not seen it myself but perhaps I should one day.

Shows how much attention you pay to my favourites list then, it's been there for ages. :p

[wintertriangles]

I remember this one, twas a random video store(!) pick-up, I liked it well enough, unique.

[Miss Vicky]

I picked The Savages up super cheap when Blockbuster closed, but haven't gotten around to watching it. I'll have to give it a go soon.

[jackv]

8. Lawrence of Arabia
David Lean, 1962
Screenplay by Robert Bolt & Michael Wilson based on the writings of T. E. Lawrence
Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif & Alec Guinness

"I pray that I may never see the desert again. Hear me, God."

Knowing where to start with this one is difficult because it's extremely hard to find a single aspect of Lawrence of Arabia that is anything less than brilliant, let alone sub-par. I guess the most obvious place is with the titular character. As extraordinarily unlikely as the film is, it may have crossed the line into downright impossible to make work without a scintillating character at the heart of it all. T. E. Lawrence might just be the most well-developed yet mysterious, most brilliantly conceived, perfectly written, and crucially, of course, most brilliantly-portrayed character in the history of film. Peter O'Toole is perfectly cast, and he brings an exciting rebelliousness and large helpings, but just enough, eccentricity and flamboyancy to him. In a long running time, we're treated to a perfectly arced rise and fall of the man, an epic emotional descent into egomania.

Visually, I don't think I've seen anything else so stunningly vibrant and technically accomplished. The images of the desert are awe-inspiring, capturing the vastness of the desert with remarkable skill, perhaps never more evident that in the famous "Mirage at the Well" scene. I can't find the source, but I think I'm paraphrasing Tarantino when I say that one of the great pleasures of film is experiencing the perfect match of image and music, and Lawrence of Arabia is the epitome of that idea. The match between the beautiful cinematography and Maurice Jarre's sensational score could not be better and evokes wonderful swells of emotion.

"Truly, for some men nothing is written unless they write it."

"Epic" is a word that's thrown about a lot these days but I think this and Gone with the Wind are among the few films that really deserve the title. As I mentioned, the look and feel of the film, the length and scale of the narrative provokes the use of the word but it's the complexity of its story, themes and characters that truly makes this an epic. It just deals with so much. So many characters come and go, each more riveting than the last. Bolt, Wilson and Lean pack an immense amount of material into the 216 minutes, but it never once feels poorly paced or loses my interest. It deals with themes as wide ranging as existential struggle, political conflict, the morality of war and national and personal identity.

A clip on YouTube will not do it justice but hopefully for those who haven't seen it, it'll give you a taste and maybe encourage you to see this miracle of a film for yourself. Please do.



Agree, one of the most glaring aspects of Lawrence of Arabia is how it conveys the burning sands of Arabia with vast beauty.

[honeykid]

The Savages was one of the few films of that, or any recent year, that I actually wanted to see.

[Skepsis93]

The Savages was one of the few films of that, or any recent year, that I actually wanted to see.

You didn't get round to it?

Almost finished now. It's been a month since I started this thread, I figure it's about time I wrapped it up! :p

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/oiFOnPI.jpg http://i.imgur.com/Y6p2fiP.jpg

2. Super
Written & Directed by James Gunn, 2010
Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page & Kevin Bacon

"People look stupid when they cry."

You ever see a film and get the feeling that you're the only person the director made their movie for? Like every facet is perfectly matching up with your sensibilities? That's the experience I've had every time I've seen James Gunn's Super.

It's hard for me to write about it in the same way I've written about the other films on my list because I know the reasons I love it so much are far from universal. On an objective level I'm sure you could find many, many technical flaws and the mishmash of themes and tones are sure to throw a lot of people off. It's as polarizing a movie I've ever been on the side of loving. It speaks to me on every level – as a fantasy, as a romance, as a drama, as a comedy.


http://i.imgur.com/GD8320j.jpg

"How am I supposed to tell crime to shut up if I have to shut up?"

The gritty, washed-out realism of the handheld cinematography coupled with darkly surreal comedy. The unabashed, cartoonish violence in very real, everyday situations, playing out like a sick revenge fantasy. The injection of pathos that comes with watching Frank D'Arbo's immensely strange yet intense emotional journey and Gunn's ability to seamlessly, nonchalantly flick between each, and finally, the wild performances from Wilson, Page, Bacon and Tyler.

It's a very personal film to me, something I find difficult to explain but it's definitely there. I've visited it many times and it has only ever gotten better. It encompasses so much to me and there's something new there every time. Love it.

[Skepsis93]

Oh, and I think we all know at this point what #1 is, so I won't keep you waiting too long. I'll try to have it up tomorrow. :)

[mark f]

I thought you just wanted to see Ellen Page have sex in a super hero costume! ;)

[Skepsis93]

I thought you just wanted to see Ellen Page have sex in a super hero costume! ;)

I enjoy every part of the movie. :p

[Skepsis93]

http://i.imgur.com/OsRfbwa.jpg http://i.imgur.com/AYoVZbu.jpg

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Michel Gondry, 2004
Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman
Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet & Elijah Wood

"What a loss to spend that much time with someone, only to find out that she's a stranger."

I saw this film for the first time when I was 13 or 14 and I didn't get it. I was expecting another wacky Jim Carrey comedy and was sorely disappointed. Then I revisited it. It's about two years now since I started looking at film in a new light, the beginning of a passion that has lasted me until now and shows no signs of slowing down, and it started with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Not only is this my favourite film, it also kick-started a sort of renaissance in my tastes, a period that has made me look at art and life with new eyes.

http://i.imgur.com/sZU6gcD.jpg

"Joel, hide me in your humiliation!"

I knew immediately after seeing it for that second time that it was something incredibly special. An actor whom I had previously admired only for his comedic chops (and he has them, don't get me wrong) was up there on the screen delivering an emotionally complex, deeply felt performance – a sensational one. I started thinking about actors and their craft in new ways. The beautifully melancholic atmosphere still stuns me to silence, it was presenting romance in a bittersweet way I had never experienced before. And the trippy weirdness that permeates almost every facet of the picture – the surreal visuals, the non-linear chronology, the blurring of dream and reality – was something completely new to me; I had never exposed myself to something like that before. It was awesome. Its comments on love, life, technology, relationships, and reality vs. fiction are incredibly intelligent and real yet accessible and moving. Many viewings later and it always hits me in the same ways, but new ways as well. Every performance is fantastic. It's beautifully written by one of my (now) favourite screenwriters with grace, humour and incredible pathos, built around a sensational concept. It always provokes new ideas. It's gloriously smart yet brilliantly entertaining. Its pleasures are endless.

I could go on for days about this film, but I think I'll keep it short and sweet. A HUGE thanks to anyone that commented, +repped, or even looked at my list, it's much, much appreciated. Really. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it and got something out of it, whether it's a new perspective on a film, or one you want to check out, I'll feel as though I've done some good.

Thanks for reading!

[fuze931]

Great way to end a great list, my friend :)

[Skepsis93]

Great way to end a great list, my friend :)

Thank you! :)

[Miss Vicky]

Fantastic film!!!

[gandalf26]

Kudos for "Super" at no.2 although I don't think it's as good as Kick Ass. Just watched it again the other day for 2nd time. Funniest part for me is his ****** car that matches the colour of his costume. Some really funny parts, especially the Cinema que jumper scene. LOL.

Bit of a chick flick at no.1 though.

[gandalf26]

Never seen the lord of the rings movies.

Wut!!:eek::eek::eek:

[Miss Vicky]

Wut!!:eek::eek::eek:

He's not missing anything.

[HitchFan97]

I still haven't seen Eternal Sunshine - gonna have to fix that now :p Great list Skepsis, you've given me a lot of viewing ideas.

[Skepsis93]

I still haven't seen Eternal Sunshine - gonna have to fix that now :p Great list Skepsis, you've given me a lot of viewing ideas.

Thanks, and glad to hear it! :)

[Guaporense]

Overall a very good list.

My ratings:

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 4
Slightly overrated in my book. Even though I understand why people love it I didn't manage to connect with this movie that much.

2. Super 4 +
Way underrated and an excellent and very interesting choice.

3. N.W.
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 5
I love epic movies and in terms of epic factor very few movies stand next to the Lord of the Rings.

5. American Beauty 3_5
A good movie, but I didn't understand what made it a great movie.

6. Lost in Translation 4
A very good movie that seeks to connect to the innermost emotional depth. Though I didn't love it I understand why someone might love it.

7. N.W.

8. Lawrence of Arabia 5
A classic epic, like LoRGs one of those movies that are simply too epic to receive less than a perfect rating.

9. Singin' in the Rain 4
A very enjoyable comedy but I think it was excessively praised.

10. Back to the Future 5
One of the most underrated films of all time (even though it has 8.5 on the IMDB, it is much loved by critics), Back to the Future is a must watch.

11. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 5
Se 4th.

12. Donnie Darko 3_5
One of those films that people loved but which I found to be only amusing, though that rabbit scared the hell out of me.

13. Cidade de Deus 5
The last masterpiece produced in Brazilian territory by a Brazilian filmmaker.

14. N.W.

15. Harold and Maude 4 +
A very interesting and moving picture. Though I didn't love it that much I understand why it would move people.

Adding a few more masterpieces here, with LoRG, Back to the Future and Lawrence of Arabia. That's brings your list with 7 movies (considering that Lord of the Rings is a single movie released in three parts): Taxi Driver, La Jetee, Lord of the Rings, Back to the Future, Lawrence of Arabia, Mullholand Dr. and There Will Be Blood, that are also in my top 100.

[Skepsis93]

A few stats (I like this part):

Popular Directors (2 or more movies)
Paul Thomas Anderson (4) - There Will Be Blood, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love, The Master
Quentin Tarantino (3) - Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill: Vol. 1, Inglourious Basterds
Robert Zemeckis (3) - Back to the Future, Back to the Future Part III, Forrest Gump
Peter Jackson (3) - The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Richard Linklater (3) - School of Rock, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset
Alfred Hitchcock (3) - North by Northwest, Psycho, Vertigo
Peter Weir (3) - Picnic at Hanging Rock, Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show
Pete Docter (2) - Up, Monsters, Inc.
David Fincher (2) - The Social Network, Se7en
Woody Allen (2) - Midnight in Paris, Annie Hall
Coen Brothers (2) - O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Fargo
Darren Aronofsky (2) - Requiem for a Dream, Black Swan
Sidney Lumet (2) - 12 Angry Men, Network
David Lynch (2) - Mulholland Drive, The Straight Story
Andrew Stanton (2) Wall-E, Finding Nemo

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rF2MaMEvrB8/UGosqt0MdUI/AAAAAAAADBU/tmWGx5CB6ZA/s1600/the+master9.jpeg

More later, maybe

[HitchFan97]

PTA :up:

[fuze931]

Just went out and bought Super after checking it out last night, I had to have it. Amazing film, I usually review a couple days after, but I did intsantly on my other thread, easily a 4.5

[JayDee]

Congrats on completing the list Skepsis. :up: A fine choice for #1. :yup: And I'll need to give your beloved Super another go one day. :D

Not checked it against your old list yet but just from memory I know a few that didn't pop up that I was expecting - 500 Days of Summer, Man on the Moon, Hesher etc

[Skepsis93]

Just went out and bought Super after checking it out last night, I had to have it. Amazing film, I usually review a couple days after, but I did intsantly on my other thread, easily a 4.5

Great! So glad you liked it. :up:

Congrats on completing the list Skepsis. :up: A fine choice for #1. :yup: And I'll need to give your beloved Super another go one day. :D

Not checked it against your old list yet but just from memory I know a few that didn't pop up that I was expecting - 500 Days of Summer, Man on the Moon, Hesher etc

Thanks man. Yeah, there's a couple there that just missed the cut. Hesher was on the previous list mostly on a whim, I still haven't seen it again. Man on the Moon I rewatched just before compiling the list and it's gotten very gradually worse for me as a film, although Carrey's performance is still terrific. I still like it a lot, just not enough to include it here.

[TheUsualSuspect]

Love Eternal Sunshine, great write up on it.

[Skepsis93]

Love Eternal Sunshine, great write up on it.

Thanks TUS. :)

[Skepsis93]

Some honorable mentions. First a couple that would have made it had I seen them before I compiled the list.


http://i.imgur.com/Z7CBkqy.jpg

Heavenly Creatures
Peter Jackson, 1994
Kate Winslet, Melanie Lynskey & Sarah Peirse

"We have decided how sad it is for others that they cannot appreciate our genius."

______________________

http://i.imgur.com/WfaSZ4r.jpg

The Purple Rose of Cairo
Woody Allen, 1985
Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels & Danny Aiello

"I just met a wonderful new man. He's fictional but you can't have everything."

[rauldc14]

Just thoroughly looked over your list, Skep. Looks awesome, I've written down a bunch that I'd like to see. Today I made my top 100 on my word document. Looks good and is a lot different from my top 100 from 3 years ago. Just think I need a bit more sorting and I may be good to go.

[Skepsis93]

Just thoroughly looked over your list, Skep. Looks awesome, I've written down a bunch that I'd like to see. Today I made my top 100 on my word document. Looks good and is a lot different from my top 100 from 3 years ago. Just think I need a bit more sorting and I may be good to go.

Thank you very much. :) I hope you enjoy the ones you've written down. Any you're particularly looking forward to catching?

Looking forward to seeing your new list!

[rauldc14]

Super, Back to the Future, City of God, Black Swan, The Graduate, Annie Hall, Dead Poets Society, O Brother Where Art Thou, The Straight Story are the ones I have written down.

[Skepsis93]

Awesome, enjoy. :up:

[Tyler1]

Congrats for finishing your list, Skepsis. Eternal Sunshine is also one of my favourite films of all time. Now I have to see Super and The Savages.

[CelluloidChild]

Good for you for putting Eternal Sunshine in the top spot.

It's definitely one of my favorite movies, and reading your review of it reminded me that Charlie Kaufman is my favorite screenwriter.

Have you watched Synecdoche, New York? I find it one of the most fascinating movies ever - one that unfolds further and more delightfully with each re-watching. It's a highly underappreciated film. Too bad, because Kaufman is having trouble coming up with funding for his second screenwriting-directorial combo.

[Skepsis93]

Have you watched Synecdoche, New York? I find it one of the most fascinating movies ever - one that unfolds further and more delightfully with each re-watching. It's a highly underappreciated film. Too bad, because Kaufman is having trouble coming up with funding for his second screenwriting-directorial combo.

Yes, but only once and a while ago now, I have to revisit it. Kaufman and Hoffman are a match made in heaven, two of my favourite people working in film. I did like it (I think I gave it 4 at the time) but I definitely need to give it a rewatch soon. I feel like it has a lot of good stuff under the surface that I haven't discovered yet.

[jiraffejustin]

Obviously I find your number one to be a fantastic film. I haven't seen either of the honorable mentions, but I'll be seeing Purple Rose soon. Heavenly Creatures is on my watchlist though.

[HitchFan97]

Just saw Eternal Sunshine (finally). I loved it! Definitely one of the most unique and moving romantic dramas I've seen.

[Skepsis93]

Some more honorable mentions:

http://i.imgur.com/5duPbGf.jpg

Boogie Nights
Paul Thomas Anderson, 1997
Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore & Burt Reynolds

"I'm gonna be a great big bright, shining star."

______________________


http://i.imgur.com/ROvT0ZQ.jpg

500 Days of Summer
Marc Webb, 2009
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel & Geoffrey Arend

"Roses are red, violets are blue... F**k you, whore!"

______________________


http://i.imgur.com/k690ohT.jpg

Hannah and Her Sisters
Woody Allen, 1986
Mia Farrow, Michael Caine & Barbara Hershey

"For all my education, accomplishments and so-called wisdom, I can't fathom my own heart."

______________________


http://i.imgur.com/etF6CWE.jpg

Man on the Moon
Milos Forman, 1999
Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito & Courtney Love

"You're insane, but you might also be brilliant."

______________________


http://i.imgur.com/FnTZqmD.jpg

Thelma and Louise
Ridley Scott, 1991
Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis & Harvey Keitel

"I don't ever remember feeling this awake."

[gandalf26]

"Roses are red, violets are blue... F**k you, whore!"



Due to this one line I will be seeking out this movie at the earliest possible convienience.

[Daniel M]

Boogie Nights is fantastic film and one of my very favourites :)

[honeykid]

+ rep for Boogie Nights and Man On The Moon.

[fuze931]

Damn you, Skepsis. I have watched Super 5 times since last week. Way to ruin my life man! ;)

[Skepsis93]

Damn you, Skepsis. I have watched Super 5 times since last week. Way to ruin my life man! ;)

Glad you love it so much!

[Skepsis93]

Last set of honorable mentions... maybe. Might do one more. :p

http://i.imgur.com/1UgW3Y4.jpg

Sin City
Frank Miller & Robert Rodriguez, 2005
Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen & Bruce Willis

"I love hitmen. No matter what you do to them, you don't feel bad."

______________________


http://i.imgur.com/6UEgAz5.jpg

High Fidelity
Stephen Frears, 2000
John Cusack, Iben Hjejle & Todd Louiso

"I can't fire them. I hired these guys for three days a week
and they just started showing up every day. That was four years ago."

______________________


http://i.imgur.com/9oUeVpC.jpg

Back to the Future Part II
Robert Zemeckis, 1989
Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd & Lea Thompson

"Marty, be careful around that Griff character.
He's got a few short circuits in his bionic implants."

______________________


http://i.imgur.com/0KBahbe.jpg

Chicago
Rob Marshall, 2002
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger & Richard Gere

"This trial... the whole world... it's all... show business."

______________________


http://i.imgur.com/JY5lJ1i.jpg

Brief Encounter
David Lean, 1945
Celia Johnson, Trevor Howard & Stanley Holloway

"It's awfully easy to lie when you know that you're trusted implicitly.
So very easy, and so very degrading."

[TheGirlWhoHadAllTheLuck_]

Absolutely. I've heard seeing Lawrence of Arabia on the big screen called the holy grail for film fans. I really hope I get the chance to one day.


I saw it in the cinema last year! It is an amazing experience to watch it on a cinema screen...almost religious. I guess epics are made for the big screen after all.

[Gideon58]

Nice to see some love for KINSEY...Liam Neesom and Peter Saarsgard were amazing in that movie.