The MoFo Top 100 Musicals Countdown

[iluv2viddyfilms]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/nightjarprod/content/uploads/sites/192/2023/08/15115926/lyDXkvG53ldz6Cf7dbjJl7TaoP5.jpg

An American in Paris was number 11 on my list. I almost… almost put it in my top 10, but figured I already had two of Gene Kelly’s musicals in my top 10 and to have three in there might be crowding it a bit too much at the expense of my other great picks. This despite the fact that Gene Kelly is the GOAT. One of my other Kelly picks I couldn’t bring myself to swap An American in Paris out with because it’s such an underseen and underappreciated film and I wanted to give it some chance to place on the list. The other Kelly musical that made my top 10 is almost a given to be in the top 10 musicals on any countdown. I did however, very seriously consider swapping said Kelly film (yeah, huge mystery I know) out for An American in Paris and putting the more obvious pick in my 11 spot, but didn’t. Both of the gold standard Gene Kelly musicals have things they do slightly better and not quite as well when comparing one to the other.

Two big things where I prefer An American in Paris over the unnamed Gene Kelly musical, that for the sake of not giving away a film I had in my top ten, we shall call… Croonin’ in the Precipitation are the music itself by George Gerswhin and the Gene Kelly love interest played beautifully and s’wonderfully by Leslie Caron. I thought Kelly had so much more chemistry with Leslie Caron, who was “discovered” by Kelly as a ballet dancer, not a film actress, to play opposite him than he did with Debbie Reynolds in Croonin’ in the Precipitation. As great as Reynolds is, I find her performance more polished, mechanical, and flawless than Caron’s, who as a non-actress gives a more rough around the edges and seemingly less rehearsed-feeling and as such more of a genuine and naturalistic presence on film.

https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6344fd699d2447e18c9710df/66679518f8cb001d11e1ac8b_14%20(75).jpg

As the book-wormish ingenue, Caron also really shines in her role, at first rejecting Kelly’s advances, but eventually finding herself won over by his charm and his dorky sense of humor. It’s all so sweet and beautifully done and yes, by today’s standards some would argue that it’s “problematic” but I say” to the barber’s with your beard!” as far as that criticism goes. I prefer Kelly when paired with actresses like Judy Garland, Vera-Ellen (On the Town), and Caron more than his pairings with Debbie Reynolds and Cyd Charisse who fit more of the classical standard of beauty in Hollywood actresses of the era. Also, the sequence in which Caron’s character is introduced is so well done and funny and genuinely racy, even by today’s standards let alone 1951. Apparently, that whole sequence in which she’s being described, had trouble making it past the censors.

The George Gershwin jazzy band music with writing by the great Alan Jay Lerner (who is responsible for my top one pick on this countdown) is just lightning in a bottle and all too spectacular. And it’s not just the musical numbers that are great, but also the music that plays throughout as a theme. The 17-minute ballet dream sequence, which became something of a Gene Kelly musical trademark, is one of the absolute best sequences ever captured on film in which the film’s story is encapsulated through music, dance, and storytelling with a backdrop of the brilliant set and costume design to capture some of Paris’ greatest artwork and artists including Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec. It’s a dream sequence that plays at the perfect moment in the film and is led into by an extreme zoon-in on Kelly’s face as he stands there resigned watching the girl he loves get into the car with another man, his friend, realizing he may never see her again and really can only escape into his dreams. The “Love Is Here to Stay” number is very poetic and warm and even though it could easily have come across as silly or overly sentimental love story cliche’ it doesn’t ring that way, not at all. The “I Got Rhythm” number in the street with the street urchin children is a genuinely fun and whimsical piece and duet “S’Wonderful” is great too, especially considering unbeknownst to each other, both men singing it have fallen for the same girl.

The only real weaknesses I find in An American in Paris, and trust me, I’m nitpicking here, are the fact that it wasn’t filmed on location Paris, but rather studio lots and for some reason the “Stairway to Paradise” never really did as much for me as the rest of the film.

Now of course great films and great art hit a person on different levels and An American in Paris is no different for me in that regard. Something else I really, really appreciate is the subtext of the theme of American GI’s post-World War 2 struggling to “find their place” in a post war world. Being a musical, it certainly doesn’t get grim or overly serious in a Best Years of Our Lives type of fashion, but it’s there nonetheless as Kelly plays a struggling WW2 vet living in Paris trying his best to make a go at his passion of painting and attempting to sell his works. One of the best performances in the film belongs to Nina Foch who plays the wealthy lonely single lady who finds Kelly’s starving artist and decides to sponsor him. Like so much in the movie there’s a lot of subtext here and implication that is executed through wonderful writing and while it does directly address the issue of Kelly’s character desperately not wanting to be a “kept man” it cleverly includes without overtly showing the darker implications of that.

https://pointemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/gene-kelly-classic-an-american-in-paris-is-coming-.jpg

The last thing I should mention too is that clever and delightful opening sequence where we are introduced to Kelly’s character in an elaborate bit where we see him wake up in the morning, get dressed, and prepare himself for the day ahead. Kelly’s movements are perfect and how he interacts with objects in such a cramped space is likely something only he could pull of so well. In fact, I was listening to a film podcast on Spotify around this time last year and the late Gene Kelly’s widow, Patricia Ward-Kelly (still very much alive), was actually talking about An American in Paris and how he, even as an old man, would move around the house in that very same fashion as he did in the opening scene of An American in Paris. One thing Ward-Kelly did address in that podcast is how she doesn’t always see An American in Paris as the “dark” Gene Kelly musical as it has sometimes been labeled. I get where she was coming from, but I disagree in the sense of also looking at the film from the Nina Foch’s character’s perspective too, as well as several of the undertones I’ve stated. Now, if memory serves, and it’s been about a year since I listened to that podcast (which still may well be up on Spotify), I think… THINK mind you his wife said she actually prefers An American in Paris over Singin’... I mean, Croonin' in the Precipitation.

In any event, it is genuinely a great film AND a great musical. I voted for it in my number 11 spot, but had I known what I know now with its, to be blunt and perfectly honest, shameful placing at 41 here on the countdown, I would have swapped it out with one of the other Gene Kelly films for my number three spot instead. I figured that An American in Paris was an absolute clench for the top 25, so yeah it’s sad to see such a great film and wonderful piece of art way down on the list at number 41. Oh well. I’ve done my part. I voted and have now given my “two cents” worth, so that’s all I can do.

Grade: A+

—--

Postscript: Also regarding the whole thing about An American in Paris winning best picture for 1951’s films and it somehow being seen by film nerds and historians as a “lesser” of the Academy Award best picture Oscar winners… I think that’s a complete misreading and an unjustified assessment of the film. While I likely would have voted for A Place in the Sun, another great movie, An American in Paris is a sound winner and I can completely get behind it.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Count me among those surprised to see An American in Paris come up this early. I thought it was a delightful musical with an interesting story. I think Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron were great together, and the musical numbers and dances were gorgeous. I had it at #7.


SEEN: 17/60
MY BALLOT: 6/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14.
15.
16.
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18.
19.
20.
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22.
23.
24.
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)


I agree on all points and of all the Gene Kelly leading lady pairings there's only one I like slightly more in a particular film, which at this point I'm sure has zero chance of making the countdown. Actually, originally I predicted maybe six or seven of my picks wouldn't make the countdown, but now I'm guessing that'll be nine or ten.

At this point, I'm really curious to see how the top 10 will look and the chronological order of films for this particular countdown, which to be fair I have invested far more time into for whatever reasons, seems so much more random and eclectic than some of the others. With An American in Paris showing up so far down the list, I'm sure there will be at least one WTF pick in the top 10. And if, God forbid, it's a Barbara Streisand musical that makes the top 10, I'm either quitting MoFo and "moving to Canada" or I might just change my avatar to Robert Smith of The Cure and completely spam this thread with The Cure songs, and get banned from MoFo in the process, to chase away Streisand... mecha or otherwise.

[kgaard]

I thought An American in Paris was fine, but I was slightly underwhelmed with it relative to its reputation. C'est la vie.

In college I became a devoted Floyd fan: I've seen the band--sans Waters--twice and seen Waters solo several times, including a performance of The Wall in its entirety. But the movie ... I've just never liked it. Emotionally the film always feels very flat to me, whereas the album has soaring peaks and stomach-dropping descents. Ultimately I think the imagery fails to live up to the music.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Found it. Hopefully this link works to Spotify. This is the podcast where Gene Kelly's widow is talking about An American in Paris:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7fnpgpzhAXAr5ns5YX0QqM?si=tsrkeco4TAmWnAAgRox3CQ&t=771

[MovieFan1988]

After looking up all the popular musical movies online, here are my guesses for the rest of the countdown

La La Land
Singin in the Rain
Grease
The Sound of Music
West Side Story
Rocky Horror
Cabaret
Chicago
The Wizard of Oz
Mary Poppins
Beauty and the Beast
The Lion King
The Blues Brothers
Mama Mia
Hairspray
Hedwig and the Angry Itch
The Color Purple
Sing (2016)
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Moulin Rouge
Les Parapluies De Cherbourg
Fame
Rent
Dream Girls
The Nightmare Before Christmas
All That Jazz
Hamilton - Not eligible for the list - Replaced with The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Les Miserables
Meet Me in St. Louis
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Enchanted
Fiddler on the Roof
The Phantom of the Opera
Pitch Perfect
Bye Bye Birdie
The Music Man
My Fair Lady
Victor/Victoria
Pocahontas
Footloose
Rock of Ages

I had 2 other movies (A Hard Day's Night and The Umbrellas of Cherbourg) on this list but took them off since we got a movie that wasn't on this list, Pink Floyd The Wall. They could still make it though not saying they won't. I had An American in Paris on the list though.

What do you guys think?

[Miss Vicky]

What do you guys think?

I don’t think you should’ve deleted Umbrellas. Also, Hamilton was not eligible for the countdown.

[MovieFan1988]

I don’t think you should’ve deleted Umbrellas. Also, Hamilton was not eligible for the countdown.

Then I'll replace Hamilton with Umbrellas, thanks for telling me

[rauldc14]

You have a few big misses but I'm not going to say what they are :)

[Citizen Rules]

After looking up all the popular musical movies online, here are my guesses for the rest of the countdown



What do you guys think?I think I prefer to be surprised, so I didn't look at your list. Obviously the biggies will make it but I'm hoping for some more surprises.

[MovieFan1988]

You have a few big misses but I'm not going to say what they are :)

yea I figured, but oh well I don't think I'll be right on all of them

[MovieFan1988]

I think I prefer to be surprised, so I didn't look at your list. Obviously the biggies will make it but I'm hoping for some more surprises.

No problem, I would love to see which ones that I didn't get on the list, It'll be interesting as I keep taking movies off and suddenly they make it :D:D

[Citizen Rules]

No problem, I would love to see which ones that I didn't get on the list, It'll be interesting as I keep taking movies off and suddenly they make it :D:DIt's cool:)

[Little Ash]

Yeah that list should be a Top 100, why didn't do that? But what the hell The Umbrellas of Cherbourg isn't even on the list.

The AFI typically doesn't include non-American films in their lists (it's no Sight & Sound/BFI in that regard).
I don't have an answer for why only 25 instead of 100, other than not all lists of films are 100 films long.

[Miss Vicky]

Also I’m no musicals expert, but I do see one pretty glaring omission from that list of predictions.

[Little Ash]

I thought An American in Paris was fine, but I was slightly underwhelmed with it relative to its reputation. C'est la vie.

I know An American in Paris often gets listed as one of the great American films (by AFI types), but whenever I hear critics talk about it now, it always sounds... "only fine" (and I get the vibe that it's not my type of musical).

It did not cross my mind The Wall was a musical (which it sounds like it's not). I haven't seen it.

[Citizen Rules]

The AFI typically doesn't include non-American films in their lists (it's no Sight & Sound/BFI in that regard).
I don't have an answer for why only 25 instead of 100, other than not all lists of films are 100 films long.Thanks I was wondering if that was an American only list.

[MovieFan1988]

Also I’m no musicals expert, but I do see one pretty glaring omission from that list of predictions.

I'm no musicals expert as well, I just went on a site for popular musicals and those were among the popular ones, I'm sure I got some misses just like today when I got one wrong.

[rauldc14]

yea I figured, but oh well I don't think I'll be right on all of them

Not a big deal. I think there's also a few mofo surprises in store.

[MovieFan1988]

Not a big deal. I think there's also a few mofo surprises in store.

Oh, I'm sure there is ;)

[MovieFan1988]

There was another movie that I was gonna add to list but not sure if it was eligable, Bohemian Rhapsody?

[rauldc14]

There was another movie that I was gonna add to list but not sure if it was eligable, Bohemian Rhapsody?

It's eligible

[MovieFan1988]

It's eligible

Damn that's probably gonna be one of the misses :D:D

[Thief]

Why are we putting Pocahontas in the predictions?? Did I miss the memo where they notified us that film stopped being crap?

[MovieFan1988]

Why are we putting Pocahontas in the predictions?? Did I miss the memo where they notified us that film stopped being crap?

It's not that deep, I just read it off a site that had a list of popular musicals :D:D

[Thief]

It's not that deep, I just read it off a site that had a list of popular musicals :D:D

Geez, what is that site?

https://media.tenor.com/ajvuVV0S11wAAAAM/ok-eye.gif

:D

[MovieFan1988]

Geez, what is that site?

https://media.tenor.com/ajvuVV0S11wAAAAM/ok-eye.gif

:D

More like multiple sites, I must have got Pocahontas when I was looking at Disney musicals, I was looking at those too. :D:D

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-musical-movies-of-all-time/
https://parade.com/1219550/samuelmurrian/best-movie-musicals-of-all-time/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls074356392/ - Disney Musicals

[Thief]

More like multiple sites, I must have got Pocahontas when I was looking at Disney musicals, I was looking at those too. :D:D

https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/best-musical-movies-of-all-time/
https://parade.com/1219550/samuelmurrian/best-movie-musicals-of-all-time/
https://www.imdb.com/list/ls074356392/ - Disney Musicals

I'm just yanking your chain :D


...although I do think Pocahontas is pretty bad and not memorable at all :shifty:

[MovieFan1988]

I'm just yanking your chain :D


...although I do think Pocahontas is pretty bad and not memorable at all :shifty:

Imagine what most mofos would be like if that made top 10, :laugh::laugh::laugh:

https://i.postimg.cc/JnGVdvyz/daANJS.gif

[PHOENIX74]

42. An American in Paris (1951) - I reached a certain stage a few years ago where I decided that I'd go through all the old musicals, and An American in Paris is one I've got to. I liked it - enough to score it 7/10 at any rate. On Letterboxd I wrote : "There wasn't much in this MGM musical to dislike, aside from some of the awkward monkeying around Gene Kelly gets up to with Oscar Levant and Georges Guétary. Even the fact that Gene Kelly, nearing 40 in '51, gets himself a teenage love interest - I mean, it's a little icky, but that love interest is the wonderful Leslie Caron. Caron is still alive today, 91-years-old and her last theatrical appearance was in 2020. This film has a real bravura ending segment which is all interpretive dance with costumes and wild sets to match - beautiful colours, and a great note to end on. The songs are great too, with "'S Wonderful" and "I Got Rhythm" getting things moving. It was a little old fashioned for me though, and it won Best Picture at the Oscars, beating A Streetcar Named Desire and A Place in the Sun - two of my all-time favourite films. In the meantime, The African Queen wasn't even nominated. 1951 was a great year for film - and this was one of the attractions.

Also - a quick note - I was really pleased that an American film would embrace France and French talent so readily. MGM didn't have to cast Guétary, Caron or the French-born Eugene Borden. A shame they didn't film in Paris though, instead choosing the MGM lot, with it's multitude of "Parisian" sets." Leslie Caron is still alive by the way - she's now 93 years of age. This didn't make my ballot.

41. Pink Floyd - The Wall (1982) - Pretty dark for the visual representation of a concept album, but The Wall is a pretty dark album. A terrifying depiction of mental breakdown, misanthropy, depression, anxiety and suicide - I'd expect that would send any record executive or Hollywood producer running for the hills, but I seem to recall the album being pretty successful! One of the best-selling albums of all time, and the record holder for being the best-selling double album of all time. The movie gets wonderfully freaky, with Gerald Scarfe's animation particularly incredible and unforgettable. Bob Geldof was a bizarre casting choice for the central character, "Pink", but everything about Pink Floyd - The Wall is bizarre. A sensational film as far as I'm concerned - I had it at #6 on my ballot.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seen : 39/60
I'd never even heard of : 10/60
Movies that had been on my radar, but I haven't seen yet : 11/60
Films from my list : 8

#41 - My #6 - Pink Floyd - The Wall (1982)
#44 - My #13 - Oliver! (1968)
#47 - My #14 - Hair (1979)
#59 - My #5 - Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
#60 - My #23 - Annie (1982)
#72 - My #22 - Yellow Submarine (1968)
#92 - My #8 - Tommy (1975)
One-pointer - My #25 - Shock Treatment (1981)

[PHOENIX74]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=42111&stc=1&d=1519356208
Pink Floyd - The Wall (1982)

"A confined but troubled rock star descends into madness in the midst of his physical and social isolation from everyone."


This took me back...straight back to the early 1980s and the album release of Pink Floyd's opus, The Wall. It was odd how the movie immobilized me, I scarcely moved a muscle for the duration...But why? Was it the movie? Was it the images? No...it was the music. It was the songs that I've heard a hundred times before that made me remember what was...and what isn't, anymore.

The Wall, I know what this story is about, it's about all the hurt we feel from the day we first enter into this world and it's about the injustices we suffer. Each one of those painful instances is a brick that we must carry. And when we have a cart load of bricks, we build a wall to layer ourselves away.

Most of us have our own personal walls and I can see them too in others. I can see them in averted glances. I can see them in the defensiveness and deflections that people put up as barriers. I can even see walls through the blocks of text that appear on discussion boards where a pseudo world of connection without any real connection exist. We all have our walls.

Maybe that's why Pink Floyd's album The Wall has remained my favorite work of music.

I remember the first time I heard the The Wall. I was in high school and I had a car, a cool one too, I had drove over to my friends house to pick him up for school. Just as we were about to leave, a neighborhood kid came over, who for all the world looked like a young Pete Townsend...He was like this rocker kid who was really into music. He pulls this cassette out of his pocket like it was a switch blade and says, 'man, you guys got to check this out.' ...We had like 20 minutes to get to school but the house was empty as the parents were gone. So we kicked back and said screw school and listened to The Wall twice through on the big stereo with the volume cranked on high. I don't know why but I can remember that morning like it was yesterday and yet it was decades ago.

So flash back to now, and I watched The Wall for the first time in like 35 years. I had went to the theater when the movie first came out and had seen it a couple more times in my youth during the 1980s. I always thought it was special. After all these years the music still resonated with me and I did enjoy watching it, but my youthful viewpoint had changed about the film. I set and watched all the credits role by on the screen at the end of the film and I never usually do that...it was like years slipping through my hands.

rating_5

Wow! I really enjoyed reading that - a really neat piece of reminiscence.

[Takoma11]

Why are we putting Pocahontas in the predictions?? Did I miss the memo where they notified us that film stopped being crap?

Well someone clearly isn't painting with all the colors of the wind!

Yeah, it's . . . not great. Even setting aside the historical accuracy part.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Well someone clearly isn't painting with all the colors of the wind!

Yeah, it's . . . not great. Even setting aside the historical accuracy part.

C'mon now. It's a masterpiece, honest trailers even tells us this much. I really hope it doesn't make this countdown:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyspEl3a4YA

[dadgumblah]

Despite my love for old classic musicals, with Gene Kelly or not, I have never seen An American in Paris. Want to, just haven't. This is turning out to be a glaring problem with me on this countdown. "Haven't seen it. Want to." *sigh*

As for Pink Floyd: The Wall, see above. This was a huge album right out of the gate the Fall after I graduated from high school. So my best friend and I were always listening to it in our vehicles driving around before we got serious about jobs. Everybody else was listening to it, too. But for some reason, I've never seen it or had the opportunity to, outside of buying and I don't really want to do that.

I don't know how to hope for whether something else on my list makes it or not because as seanc said, the placement of this countdown is all over the map! It does make it very interesting, though

So far:
#1. On the Town #93 (list proper)
#6. Easter Parade #78 (list proper)
#10. Gigi #85 (list proper)
#12. Calamity Jane #84 (list proper)
#14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers #71 (list proper)
#18. The Muppet Movie #45 (list proper)
#25. Neptune's Daughter (one-pointer)

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Despite my love for old classic musicals, with Gene Kelly or not, I have never seen An American in Paris. Want to, just haven't. This is turning out to be a glaring problem with me on this countdown. "Haven't seen it. Want to." *sigh*



Since you had On the Town as your number one, I'd imagine you'd really REALLY dig An American in Paris.

[MovieFan1988]

rauldc14 - Forgot to mention but I was gonna add South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut to the list also, but thought it could be too late for that since were almost at #40 spot. It would be nice if it made it though.

[Hey Fredrick]

Quick check in:

I had Top Hat at 14, Hair at 24 and The Wall at 11. The Wall is the only movie from my ballot that doesn't really fit my definition of musical but I love it and it was eligible.

There were two movies that I really wanted to see before submitting a ballot. A Star is Born (1954) was one of them the other hasn't made an appearance...yet. Didn't get a chance to see either of them. I did get a re-watch of The Muppet Movie in, for the first time since I was a kid, but aside from the cameos it didn't do much for me.

So Far:
11. The Wall #41
14. Top Hat #58
15. 42nd Street #76
16. The Band Wagon #80
24. Hair #47
25. The Forbidden Zone DNP

[Gideon58]

Very pleased to see Hair made the list

[Harry Lime]

Sorry been away for a bit - family matters. The list is looking pretty good so far. Here are the musicals from my list that made the cut:

3. This Is Spinal Tap (1984) - I love this movie. It's hilarious, influential, and the songs are top notch.
6. Duck Soup (1933) - Ummm...I love this movie. It's hilarious, influential, and the songs are top notch.
11. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) - Sure why not...I love this movie. It's hilarious, influential, and the songs are top notch.
15. Amadeus (1984) - Already said in this thread "It is a great MUSICAL."
19. The Meaning of Life (1983) - Glad we got it on the list and ahead of some TV movie about Cinderella too!

I think that's it. So what are we saying? South Park #1? South Park #1!

Also regarding Pink Floyd: The Wall - watched this when I was a teenager on acid and went into a 2001-style trip through time (before I ever saw 2001 and it became my #1 film). While I can watch the latter over and over I have avoided rewatching/actually watching The Wall ever since. As you can understand. Still I believe based on the above I have earned the right to check it off when Yoda posts it in the Mofo Lists section despite not being present on this planet for a good part of it. Maybe I've seen more of it than most of you can ever imagine...

[honeykid]

That was the ballet sequence I posted, well of what I could find of it in youtube. It runs for 15 minutes or just over I think.
There's a 15 minutes dance sequence and you're wondering why it's #41? So am I. How's it that high? A 15 minutes dance sequence? Is that all in one go? 15 minutes?! Of dancing?...

Just wow.

Seen neither of the last two and AP has even less chance of me seeing it now. :D

[iluv2viddyfilms]

There's a 15 minutes dance sequence and you're wondering why it's #41? So am I. How's it that high? A 15 minutes dance sequence? Is that all in one go? 15 minutes?! Of dancing?...

Just wow.

Seen neither of the last two and AP has even less chance of me seeing it now. :D

After this comment I had to check out your top 10. Interesting because it includes a film about some dude who drives around at night complaining and creeping on people for the whole two hours and also some film about a spoiled southern brat who pines after some effeminate dude who doesn't even like her and she just whines about it for four hours. Gosh after thinking about that, I wouldn't think a 15 minute dance sequence would be too bad. And yeah, it's all in one go. The whole 15... 17 minutes of it. What torture!

[Thursday Next]

7lists94pointsSing Street (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/369557-sing-street.html)Director
John Carney, 2016

Starring
Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Ben Carolan

[Thursday Next]

6lists99pointsNashville (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/3121-nashville.html)Director
Robert Altman, 1975

Starring
David Arkin, Barbara Baxley, Ned Beatty, Karen Black

[MovieFan1988]

Got two wrongs from prediction list, we need to get some rights come on now :D:D

[Miss Vicky]

I watched Sing Street on Holden's recommendation and, while I didn't love it, I thought it was a very solid film with some really good music and an interesting story. I also thought it was more engaging than Carney's better known film, Once (which I'm sure will make an appearance later), and probably overall on par with Begin Again (which appeared earlier in the countdown) but IMO this has better music.

Sing Street sneaked onto my ballot at #23 and was one of three movies to get my vote that I hadn't seen prior to preparing for this - the other two being Stingray Sam and a movie that will certainly appear later in the countdown.

Here's my review:
https://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/NewMFPics/singstreet.gif

Sing Street
(John Carney, 2016)

I went into this movie pretty much blind, having done absolutely no research on it before adding it to my watchlist, so I had absolutely no idea what to expect.

On the surface, it's about a dorky teenaged boy named Conor who, after having to change schools, pieces together a band of fellow dorks and starts writing songs in order to impress the girl he likes. Meanwhile, his college dropout stoner older brother tries to give him an education in good music, offering words of advice like “No woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins” (Screw you, movie. I like Phil Collins!). But it's actually about more than that. It's about about Conor's struggles to find his identity while his life is falling apart - he's had to change schools because his parents are too broke to afford the one he was at, his parents are fighting all the time and about to separate, and his home has been put up for sale.

I do have to say it took me a bit to settle in to this one. In the beginning of the movie, when things were more happy-happy than happy-sad, it all felt a bit silly and even a little superficial. Its 1980s setting, fashion, and music felt at first like it was trying a little too hard to cash in some nostalgia points. But as it went on I became a lot more invested in the struggles and triumphs of Conor and his friends, things began to feel more natural and less of that 80s flash and artifice, and I really began to enjoy myself. Perhaps most importantly for this exercise, I also quite liked the music the kids were playing. I also appreciated the way the movie ends - hopeful, but uncertain.

I didn't love this movie on this first watch, but I did like it a lot and I do think there's room for it to grow on me if I ever revisit it. But even if I never come back to it or if I do and my experience stays the same, I definitely like it enough to give it a vote - which makes it the first definite of my first-time watches so far.

3.5

I haven't seen Nashville.

My Ballot:
2. Charlotte's Web (#79)
4. Stingray Sam (#46)
6. Walk the Line (#95)
12. Corpse Bride (#61)
15. The Jungle Book (#63)
20. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
21. Alice in Wonderland (#48)
23. Sing Street (#40)
25. Joe's Apartment (One Pointer)

[Thursday Next]

Got two wrongs from prediction list, we need to get some rights come on now :D:D

I think some people were using a broader definition of musical than you were using to compile your predictions :)

I watched Sing Street the other day. I liked some aspects of it. The concept of the band changing their look/sound based on different strands of 80s music was good (although the historical inaccuracy lets it down a bit). The pastiche 80s songs are good. I had issues with how neatly some things were resolved including the ending and I thought there were some tonal issues struggling to balance more serious issues with the more fun side.

[KeyserCorleone]

There was a time when Nashville was in my top ten movies of all time. That was months ago. But I never pegged it as a musical.

[Torgo]

Awesome! Sing Street was my #10 and still my favorite first-time watch of this year. Here (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2470159-sing-street.html) is something I wrote about it.

"City of Stars," Academy? P'shaw. Should have given it to "Drive it Like You Stole It" instead.

[stillmellow]

A lot of titles I haven't seen. Although I have been meaning to see An American in Paris. I just haven't gotten around to it.


I'm a longtime Pink Floyd fan, and I like the movie the Wall. But I didn't see it as a musical. Now that I think of it, it probably should count. It probably wouldn't have made my list though. There just aren't enough characters, besides our main one.

[rauldc14]

Sing Street was 7 for me! Like Miss Vicky said, great songs! And I really dig the story!

[Gideon58]

Another movie I’ve never heard of

[MovieMeditation]

What has happened!? ANOTHER REVEAL!

How many have I seen? NEITHER!

[Thief]

I saw Sing Street a couple of days before submitting my ballot, but it easily made its way to it. I had it at #14. Great music, likable and lovely characters, and a very touching coming of age story that hit me in the heart (here is my review (https://www.movieforums.com/reviews/2483318-sing_street.html)).

I haven't seen Nashville.


SEEN: 18/62
MY BALLOT: 7/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14. Sing Street (#40)
15.
16.
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18.
19.
20.
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22.
23.
24.
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)

[Miss Vicky]

I saw Sing Street a couple of days after submitting my ballot, but it easily made its way to it. I had it at #14.

How does that work? Did you just know? ;)

[John-Connor]

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/yB35bWnl0hBsc7bgMrO98d4s3Kj.jpg

Sing Street has a great cast of fun and likable characters with good and often funny dialogue. Most ‘feel good’ compared to the other two Carney musicals. Loved all the eighties inspirations and references. Back To The Future, Michael Jackson’s Beat It video, The Cure, Duran Duran, Hall & Oates and a-ha. Somehow slipped my mind while compiling a ballot. Glad to see it made top forty regardless. Good job MoFos.

Drive It Like You Stole It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eyrBf00VIE

[dadgumblah]

I'd only vaguely heard of Sing Street somewhere, somehow, but I didn't know it had the lovely Lucy Boynton it, so it's a must now!

Nashville is one of my favorite Robert Altman films (and that's a short list, sorry fans!) and despite it being chock-full of people performing songs in concert and in bars, I never though of it as a musical. Cool that it made it. Sing Street is on my watch list now.

So far:
#1. On the Town #93 (list proper)
#6. Easter Parade #78 (list proper)
#10. Gigi #85 (list proper)
#12. Calamity Jane #84 (list proper)
#14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers #71 (list proper)
#18. The Muppet Movie #45 (list proper)
#25. Neptune's Daughter (one-pointer)

[Little Ash]

Sing Street - I think I had something of a movie watching burnout causing a watching draught, during the months leading up to the ballot, because Sing Street was on my watchlist, it was vaguely far down on my general watch list for the past decade, and I still didn't get around to it for my ballot. It's safe to say, still unseen, if I had watched it, it probably would have made my ballot.

Nashville - I think there's a case to make for Inside Llewyn Davis as a musical, but kind of didn't consider it. I know people sing and everything in Nashville, but I'm struggling on interpreting it as a musical. Maybe I just don't remember enough of the performances or how they played out in their scenes.

[cricket]

Nashville is great but what little I remembered told me it was not a musical so I couldn't vote for it.

I did vote for Sing Street.

5. Charlotte's Web (#79)
7. Stingray Sam (#46)
10. The Lure (#51)
14. A Star is Born 2018 (#43)
15. Sing Street (#40)
17. Calamity Jane (#84)
20. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
21. A Star is Born 1954 (#67)
23. Pink Floyd - The Wall (#41)
25. 42nd Street (#76)

[rauldc14]

How does that work? Did you just know? ;)

You can ask for edits. They were flexible this time. I had Sting Ray on my list but flipped it for Brave Little Toaster after careful consideration.

[seanc]

You can ask for edits. They were flexible this time. I had Sting Ray on my list but flipped it for Brave Little Toaster after careful consideration.

Did you decide webisodes shouldn’t be elgible

[Citizen Rules]

Nashville a musical? Who knew!

[Miss Vicky]

You can ask for edits. They were flexible this time. I had Sting Ray on my list but flipped it for Brave Little Toaster after careful consideration.

This surprises me. Not that you traded it for BLT, but that you considered Stingray Sam at all (your 2.5 review wasn't exactly a glowing endorsement) and that they allowed edits after votes were submitted. Usually countdown votes are final unless something ineligible gets voted for.

Did you decide webisodes shouldn’t be elgible

It had a theatrical release, played at several film festivals including Sundance, and was released on DVD (which is sadly no longer available). It was also at one time available to stream on Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Nashville (1975, Robert Altman)

https://durnmoosemovies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/n1.jpg

I haven't seen Nashville in years, and it is certainly due for a re-watch again, but it's a film I do love quite a bit - albeit more on an intellectual level than on a raw emotional level. Regarding whether or not it is a musical, as the question has popped up here, according to the rules of having at least three musical numbers and it showing up as musical on either wiki or IMDB, it meets all the criteria. Also the fact that the musical numbers happen on stage in "real time performance" akin to something like maybe Cabaret, doesn't bother me at all. By this I mean that it's not like typical musicals where people burst out into song at random, but would reflect situations and locations in real life where we expect to hear people singing.

Nashville is a great film and a very unique film in that it has all the hallmarks of the Robert Altman sound montage and the ensemble cast multiple storylines and characters whose lives and circumstances intersect at some point and the cause-effect of actions. It's different because there's no real main protagonist or antagonist - certainly some characters are better people than others and follow a stronger moral compass, but it doesn't fit into the normal plotline of narrative fiction.

I also appreciate the focus on country music and gospel music which is a genre and culture that doesn't always get representation in film. Another one I can think of off the top of my head that is somewhat akin to Nashville in that regard is the Jennifer Jason Leigh picture, Georgia, which is also decent, but certainly not as singular and special or trendsetting as Nashville was. In addition I admire the attention to showing how the world of politics, individuals following their dreams no matter how futile they are, and the world of the Nashville country music scene intersect. Music and politics have of course always gone hand-in-hand especially in the time period of the 1960s and 1970s with the insanity of the Vietnam War, LBJ's radical new policies that uprooted the culture, and the tragedy of the high profile assassinations of the time, most prolific of which obviously being JFK, RFK, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X - lesser higher profile ones happened to with Medgar Evers and the George Wallace attempt. This of course here in 2024 is every bit as poignant today as we have a former President and current Presidential candidate, love him or hate him, who has tragically had two publicized assassination attempts on him.

https://alexonfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/nashville2.jpg

So Nashville, for my money, is a film that might be difficult to get into with the high cost of entry of narrative that were not used to, sound montage that were not used to, and the way the musical numbers are staged that isn't conventional, but it's a great and meaningful and powerful film all the same. It's worth taking a chance on and I completely get why it might not be everyone's thing. It's not my favorite Robert Altman film - that always has and will forever belong to McCabe & Mrs. Miller, but it's still one of his best and a lot of people would be well justified in arguing that it's his best film. Of course the most important director today who is the spiritual successor of Robert Altman is Paul Thomas Anderson who for anyone that has seen and loved Boogie Nights and Magnolia can easily see the influence of Nashville on those films.

I voted Nashville in my number 16 spot and I am glad to see it make this list, as it's a film I wasn't sure would make it now that we're nearing the top of the list. Also considering only six people voted for it, I imagine it must've made a couple of people's top 10 which is cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktCIr_DMGOI

[rauldc14]

One pointer for Fredward almost.

[SpelingError]

Haven't seen Sing Street.

Nashville is pretty good, but it's been some time since I've seen it. Like a few Altman's, I feel I'd need to rewatch it to fully appreciate it.

[Thief]

How does that work? Did you just know? ;)

https://i.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExdW5jcnMyZ2lkYnN3aHl3eHBmd3c5d294Zmc3dzM3aGU3aTRreTV2bCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/vluNVr1MY6omkfPbNo/giphy.gif

[Allaby]

I love Nashville, but don't consider it a musical, so I didn't put it on my ballot. I like Sing Street, but didn't have room on my ballot for it.

Seen: 60/62

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Sing Street is a film, I've never heard of until this thread. From the premise, it looks like it has potential AND it appears to be streaming on Netflix. Should be worth a watch.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

I like Sing Sing

Seen: 60/62

Sally Tomato doesn't like Sing Sing, but he makes it work, somehow he does he does with the help of Holly Golightly and the weather report!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EswzxZz0MkI

[PHOENIX74]

40. Sing Street (2016) - When I watched Sing Street it was in the unfortunate position of being hyped up to an unreasonable degree of expectation that I'd go insane with love for it, and when I saw that it was just a movie I had to think to myself "Why isn't it happening?" It never does when I watch underdog movies which have wall to wall ecstatic reviews and recommendations. I'm really going to have to give it another go one day, with those expectations dialed way down - the same happened with me regards Once. Or maybe I'm just a sour misfit with a black heart - but I so want to fall in love with movies that other people have guaranteed me I'll fall in love with. When my reaction is just, "Yeah, it was okay" I feel cheated by my own need for these movies to creep up on me completely unexpectedly. The 1980s was my era too. Maybe it was because I'm not musical. My father is naturally gifted musically - and the joke's on me because I can't carry the simplest of tunes. Not on my ballot.

39. Nashville (1975) - I've reviewed Nashville on my Robert Altman thread here (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2338109#post2338109), and of course I really went into things at length trying to say everything I'll ever want to say about a movie in my reviews. It's another movie I didn't think of as a musical for my ballot, because if I were including the likes of Inside Llewyn Davis and Nashville on quality alone they'd sure be in the top 25. I've actually got a different Altman film that I'm 100% sure now won't show up - unfortunately. You can call this a musical if you like - I don't mind, especially if you were running short of options. I think it's more of a musical than Inside Llewyn Davis was for some reason. Just the vibe. Really intelligent film this one, while at the same time free-flowing and natural like many of Altman's films are. Not on my ballot either.

Seen : 41/62

[Holden Pike]

102233

Nashville was #43 on the MoFo Top 100 of the 1970s.

[Thief]

With Sing Street at #40, John Carney becomes the eight director to have more than one entry in the countdown. He had already placed Begin Again at #89. He surely will have at least one more in what's left of the countdown.

[John-Connor]

Top Ten songs from the movies revealed so far?
Here are mine in random order:
When Doves Cry (Purple Rain)
I Would Die 4 U (Purple Rain)
Purple Rain (Purple Rain)
Let's Go Crazy (Purple Rain)
Man of Constant Sorrow (O Brother, Where Art Thou?)
Drive It Like You Stole It (Sing Street)
Tell Me If You Wanna Go Home [Rooftop Mix] (Begin Again)
Coming Up Roses (Begin Again)
The Bare Necessities (The Jungle Book)
How Far I'll Go (Moana)


SEEN 22/62
BALLOT 4/25

Prediction for my ballot:
1. 100%
2. 0%
3. 100%
4. 60%
5. 100%
6. 20%
7. 0%
8. 20%
9. 80%
10. 0%
11. 0%
12. The Jungle Book (1967)
13. 5%
14. 0%
15. 5%
16. 40%
17. Moana (2016)
18. 100%
19. Purple Rain (1984)
20. 0%
21. 70%
22. 0%
23. 20%
24. 0%
25. Anastasia (1997)

Prediction for tonight's reveal:
38. Harum Scarum :p
37. Mama Mia :D

[kgaard]

Sing Street was the one film I really wanted to get to before voting, but alas, I did not manage it. All the more reason now.

Nashville was my #24, one of the small number of films I voted for that are less clearly musicals. But there is a lot of music in it and it is an excellent movie, so in it goes.

[Miss Vicky]

Top Ten songs from the movies revealed so far?


Loosely ordered using only original songs, linked to YouTube:

Fredward (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PNhXYmJ0G8c) (Stingray Sam)
Veritable Smorgasbord (Reprise) (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xE4RRKaCifU) (Charlotte's Web)
The Lullaby Song (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d5s0Qk93MQY) (Stingray Sam)
Remains of the Day (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j4p9WKnDQzQ) (Corpse Bride)
Mother Earth and Father Time/Charlotte's Farewell (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LqXJ6ssJxPc) (Charlotte's Web)
Drive It Like You Stole It (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fuWTcmjnEGY) (Sing Street)
The Bare Necessities (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6BH-Rxd-NBo) (The Jungle Book)
Let's Duet (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oflbCHWZCBU) (Walk Hard)
Peg-Legged Father (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=15NCl6T4u7I) (Stingray Sam)
You're Welcome (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=79DijItQXMM) (Moana)

I kind of hate "You're Welcome" because it gets stuck in my head, but it is really catchy.

[Thief]

"Drive It Like You Stole It" is probably the most iconic song from Sing Street, but you gotta love this big "F*** You" at the end. Lots of fun...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHG6t6dMiR4

[Thursday Next]

8lists104pointsSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/408-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs.html)Director
David Hand, 1937

Starring
Adriana Caselotti, Lucille La Verne, Harry Stockwell, Roy Atwell

[Thursday Next]

9lists110pointsPhantom of the Paradise (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/27327-phantom-of-the-paradise.html)Director
Brian De Palma, 1974

Starring
William Finley, Paul Williams, Jessica Harper, George Memmoli

[Miss Vicky]

I've seen both. I respect Snow White but don't actually like it. I liked Phantom of the Paradise but not enough to vote for it.

[kgaard]

Okay, cool, here are two more of mine. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was my #16. The first and still among the best of Disney's animated features. Phantom of the Paradise is pretty nuts which is like red meat for me--flawed but plenty of fun, fun enough to make my list at #21.

[Thursday Next]

Phantom of the Paradise is the highest placed film I haven't seen yet. I keep meaning to get round to it.

[Thief]

Not a big fan of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as far as story goes, but it is indeed gorgeously animated and some of the songs are catchy. I have a review written that I might post in here later, but the gist of it is that my adult self wanted a bit more meat in the story. That said, I know I need to reconcile that with the fact that this is, first, a 90+ year old film and, second, primarily aimed to children. So I'll post my review but I think it might be up for reevaluation.

I haven't seen Phantom of the Paradise.


SEEN: 19/64
MY BALLOT: 7/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14. Sing Street (#40)
15.
16.
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18.
19.
20.
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22.
23.
24.
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)

[Thief]

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
(1937, Hand)

https://i.imgur.com/LPMbhl0.jpeg


"Famed is thy beauty, Majesty. But hold, a lovely maid I see. Rags cannot hide her gentle grace. Alas, she is more fair than thee."



Jealousy and envy are two emotions that many of us feel, but usually refuse to admit it. It can drive us from denial to fear and anger in no time. In the worst cases, jealousy can even drive people to murder. That is the backdrop behind Disney's first animated feature film, but obviously, catered for children with a simple, black-and-white approach.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs follows the titular princess (Adriana Caselotti), who happens to be mistreated by her stepmother, the Queen (Lucille La Verne), because of her beauty. When her Magic Mirror (Moroni Olsen) reveals to the Queen that she finally isn't the "fairest" in the land, the Queen decides to take things to the last consequences by ordering a huntsman to kill her. Luckily for Snow White, the Huntsman does have a conscience and decides to let her go, forcing her to seek shelter deep in the forest with seven dwarfs.

Anyway, we all know the story, but regardless, I don't remember seeing this whole in my life. Putting it in the context of the times, one can see why the film was groundbreaking, in terms of animation and blowing up a simple story into a full feature film for kids, which was a genius strategy from Disney that we all know paid off. But taking all that aside, the film was quite underwhelming, particularly for an adult. The story is thin, and stretched out to the point of tediousness, and there is literally no depth to the characters.

On the plus side, the voice performances are quite good. Caselotti is competent and serviceable, but La Verne is pretty good. Most of the actors voicing the dwarfs are also pretty good and manage to somewhat keep things afloat during the long stretch of the middle act. Also, the songs are fun and enjoyable. Finally, the animation is top-notch, with the peak moments being in the first act when Snow White flees into the forest, and the last act when the dwarfs chase the Queen up the mountain.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs happens to be an interesting and worthy watch for any cinephile, but as far as entertainment goes, there are many that are more fair than thee.

Grade: 2

[WHITBISSELL!]

I've actually watched both of these even though it's been years and years. Probably decades for Snow White. Neither were on my ballot though.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

I haven't watched Snow White since I was a little kid. I'll always remember it as the musical that plays in Gremlins.

As far the other movie, I haven't see it. Although I will say, from this point on I'm going to be wondering... OK, this is a film that ranks higher than An American in Paris?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K94NoRGbevg

[KeyserCorleone]

I voted for both of these. Snow White reinvented the animation department, so even though I don't eatch it often, I hold a special place for it. Phantom of the Paradise just barely made my ballot. I watched it right before I submitted it. The story's good, but the style's amazing.

[Holden Pike]

102242
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was #17 on the MoFo Top 100 of the 1930s and #31 on the MoFo Top 100 Animated Films.

[exiler96]

"This isn't Dallas. This is Nashville!"

The Altman was my #8 and Snow White was my #2 :)

[Robert the List]

Reading the reviews, Snow White seems to have had an even bigger impact at the time than Wizard of Oz, Gone With the Wind and Adventures of Robin Hood. It seems to have been in that bracket anyway.

[rauldc14]

I like Snow White. It's the first movie I ever saw in theaters

[exiler96]

I like Snow White. It's the first movie I ever saw in theaters
It's the first movie I ever saw, period. It's opening titles are among my earliest visual memories.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

I think by most accounts from film historians and critics, Snow White is generally considered the greatest Disney film, if not the greatest animated film of all time. It should be on the list and I'm glad it showed up.

[Citizen Rules]

Get ready for this because you will not believe it
I have actually seen Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and that's my big post of the day:p

[cricket]

I'm a De Palma fan so I had Phantom of the Paradise on my watchlist but I didn't get to it.

Haven't seen Snow White in decades so I don't know.

[dadgumblah]

I did not vote for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but I love it and I consider it one of the greatest animated films of all time.

Phantom of the Paradise is a super film and loads of fun. I saw it for the lovely Jessica Harper and the hilarious Gerrit Graham, but it's got a lot more to offer. Glad to see it make the list.

So far:
#1. On the Town #93 (list proper)
#6. Easter Parade #78 (list proper)
#10. Gigi #85 (list proper)
#12. Calamity Jane #84 (list proper)
#14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers #71 (list proper)
#18. The Muppet Movie #45 (list proper)
#25. Neptune's Daughter (one-pointer)

[MovieMeditation]

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is just too much of a classic not to include. So I had it on my list at #11.

Not seen the other one.

[Takoma11]

Phantom of the Paradise is a solid, darkly funny movie with really strong music content. It's also quite an oddball of a film and I'm surprised/delighted that it placed this high!

[Wooley]

I'm a couple days behind.
Oliver! was my No.6.
When I think of the best musicals ever made Oliver! is on the shortest list. Which is to say that even though it's at No.6, I could easily bump my No.5 for it if I could only have 5.
I re-watched it not that long ago and I think the songs are among the best I've ever heard in any musical. And the fact that the movie has a darkness to it as well really doesn't hurt.
But man is Oliver! a good movie.

[Wooley]

I probably could have made room on my ballot for The Wall if I'd thought of it but I didn't.

I love Phantom Of The Paradise but its great weakness is that it has exactly one actually good song so I just couldn't put it on a list of the Best Musicals even if I love it as a movie.

[MovieFan1988]

I kinda figured Snow White was going make the list, one right from the prediction list. Disney is making a good showing on here :)

[Takoma11]

I love Phantom Of The Paradise but its great weakness is that it has exactly one actually good song so I just couldn't put it on a list of the Best Musicals even if I love it as a movie.

Interesting. I really liked the music in Phantom of the Paradise. It fits the film incredibly well.

[PHOENIX74]

38. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) - Still haven't seen this Disney classic, and I'm not in any particular hurry to do so - though I'd like to one day.

37. Phantom of the Paradise (1974) - It made it! Although now I know it has, I wish it had appeared even higher. Maybe if more people had of seen it. Back in 1993, my brother David noticed that I was really into the likes of Shock Treatment and Jessica Harper and recommended Phantom of the Paradise to me, which coincidentally happened to be on television one night soon after. He recorded it for my benefit - and it became one of my absolute favourite films of all time. David would go on and die suddenly in 1995 - in his sleep due to bronchial pneumonia at 35, and I always think of him when I think of Phantom. It's a deliriously fun movie, somehow encapsulating all manner of styles of music, types of movie genre and variety of themes and homages. It's a modern comedy mixture of Faust, The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Phantom of the Opera that at the same time goes off in it's own peculiar direction, and it was so obscure when I first got into it - but now has a growing cult following that keeps getting larger by the day it seems. It helps that a legend such as Brian De Palma made it, during his early days of filmmaking. It's horror, science fiction, musical, comedy, drama and everything in-between. I've seen it around 1000 times, and it was a lock for the #1 spot on my ballot.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seen : 42/64
I'd never even heard of : 10/64
Movies that had been on my radar, but I haven't seen yet : 12/64
Films from my list : 9

#37 - My #1 - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)
#41 - My #6 - Pink Floyd - The Wall (1982)
#44 - My #13 - Oliver! (1968)
#47 - My #14 - Hair (1979)
#59 - My #5 - Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
#60 - My #23 - Annie (1982)
#72 - My #22 - Yellow Submarine (1968)
#92 - My #8 - Tommy (1975)
One-pointer - My #25 - Shock Treatment (1981)

[SpelingError]

I've seen and enjoyed both films, with Phantom of the Paradise taking the cake, but neither made my ballot.

[stillmellow]

Two examples of great films that didn't make it into my ballot.


Snow White isn't quite top tier, but I don't think it deserves any flakk either. It's from the time period where the princes were barely in the movie though, which I felt was its weakest aspect.


Phantom of the Paradise is such a delightfully bizarre film, that repeatedly defies both conventions and expectations. To have our hero go so far to get revenge, only to pathetically fall over and over. It makes him far more sympathetic than any other Phantom, Faust, or Count of Monte Cristo. Paul Williams is fantastic, and also steals every scene he's in.


But the movie is extremely goofy, intentionally way over the top, and the heroine has zero agency.


Both would've made my top 40 musicals, but not 25.

[gbgoodies]

Oliver! is another movie that was pretty much a lock for my list from the start. I've seen it many times, and it just gets better and better every time. It was #16 on my list.


I like the 2018 version of A Star Is Born, but it's not my favorite version. I prefer the 1954 version with Judy Garland.


I love An American in Paris, but I think Leslie Caron was too young for Gene Kelly, which takes it down a very small notch for me, and with so many great musicals that I wanted to include on my list, that was just enough to keep it off of my list. But I'm glad to see that it made the countdown anyway.


I saw Pink Floyd - The Wall back when I was in college because I didn't want to see Rocky Horror for the umpteenth time, and it was the only other midnight movie playing in the movie theater every weekend. As much as I disliked Rocky Horror, I disliked The Wall even more.


I watched Sing Street twice for this countdown because several people raved about it, but I couldn't figure out why. I thought it was okay, but I don't really understand what everyone else sees in it.


I watched Nashville for the 1970s countdown, but I didn't like it. I haven't rewatched it since.


I wanted to include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on my list, but I just couldn't find room for it. It was one of several animated musicals that I was considering for my #25, but it just didn't make my list. I'm glad that it made the countdown without my help.


I'm not sure, but I think I saw Phantom of the Paradise many years ago, but I don't remember much about it except that Paul Williams was in it and it was a very strange movie. But I think I watched it on TV before we had cable, so I probably saw a version of it that was edited for television.



My list so far:
5. Oklahoma! (1955)
9. 1776 (1972)
12. The Greatest Showman (2017)
16. Oliver! (1968)
17. Anastasia (1997)
25. Frozen (2013)

[Allaby]

I've seen Snow White and Phantom of the Paradise and liked both, but didn't vote for either.

Seen: 62/64

[honeykid]

After this comment I had to check out your top 10. Interesting because it includes a film about some dude who drives around at night complaining and creeping on people for the whole two hours and also some film about a spoiled southern brat who pines after some effeminate dude who doesn't even like her and she just whines about it for four hours. Gosh after thinking about that, I wouldn't think a 15 minute dance sequence would be too bad. And yeah, it's all in one go. The whole 15... 17 minutes of it. What torture!
And at which point in those two films is there a 15 minute dance sequence between the pining or the creeping? Because I've seen both numerous times and I've yet to spot it in either of them.

As for "What torture!" my point exactly. 15 minutes. Well, I thought 15 when, according to you, it's 17! Of dancing, and it's not even disco or something where the music would be good or, given it's reputation and time of making, really silly/stupid which would, at least, entertain for some of that time.

I like Singin' In The Rain, and there's far too much dancing in that, but 17 minutes straight? It's too much, man. It's too much. :D


As far the other movie, I haven't see it. Although I will say, from this point on I'm going to be wondering... OK, this is a film that ranks higher than An American in Paris?
Does it have a 17 minute dance sequence? No. And that'll be your answer why. :p:D


I have the Phantom show up at #20. I'm not much of a De Palma fan, but his style works here as the whole thing is so OTT and so it feels more in keeping/doesn't stand out as much as his usual 'Look at me! I've got a camera!' thing does. The whole film is mental in a fun, very 70's way and, controversial opinion(?) it's better than The Rocky Horror Picture Show which will, no doubt, end up a lot higher.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

And at which point in those two films is there a 15 minute dance sequence between the pining or the creeping? Because I've seen both numerous times and I've yet to spot it in either of them.

As for "What torture!" my point exactly. 15 minutes. Well, I thought 15 when, according to you, it's 17! Of dancing, and it's not even disco or something where the music would be good or, given it's reputation and time of making, really silly/stupid which would, at least, entertain for some of that time.

I like Singin' In The Rain, and there's far too much dancing in that, but 17 minutes straight? It's too much, man. It's too much. :D



Does it have a 17 minute dance sequence? No. And that'll be your answer why. :p:D


The point being, which apparently you missed, if you can sit through Taxi Driver and Gone With the Wind you should have no trouble with An American in Paris, but apparently giving it a watch is out of the question for you because of the ballet sequence.

Also... you like Singin' in the Rain? You've seen Singin' in the Rain? You watched all of it? You didn't miss any particular sequence or saaay... any particular 17 minute stretch of it?
I'm just going to leave that there, and yes... yes it does to answer your last question.


Wow.



Just wow.

Also to reduce An American in Paris to pining and creeping is a complete misreading and misrepresentation of the film... so wait... you have seen it then?

[Thursday Next]

8lists111pointsThe Young Girls of Rochefort (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/2433-the-young-girls-of-rochefort.html)Director
Jacques Demy, 1967

Starring
Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Jacques Perrin, Gene Kelly

[Thursday Next]

6lists112pointsFantasia (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/756-fantasia.html)Director
Ford Beebe Jr., 1940

Starring
Deems Taylor, Walt Disney, Julietta Novis, Leopold Stokowski

[Thursday Next]

Yes, Fantasia was the movie mentioned at the start with no singing. But considering that there's barely any on-screen singing in The Wall and a few of the other entries were pushing the definition of musical anyway, here it is. You can't really argue with 112 points from 6 lists.

[Thursday Next]

And look, a foreign film! And more Gene Kelly! All at the same time!

[Thursday Next]

Les Demoiselles de Rochefort was my #16. There's just something so fun and vibrant about it.

[Gideon58]

Love The Young Girls of Rochefort and Fantasia but neither made my list.

[Miss Vicky]

I haven't seen The Young Girls of Rochefort and have no intention of rectifying that. I don't consider Fantasia a musical, but even if I did I wouldn't have voted for it because - while it's gorgeous - it's kind of boring. I respect it, but I don't like it.

[Citizen Rules]

I seen and liked The Young Girls of Rochefort but didn't vote for it.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29824&stc=1&d=1492046617
The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

Les demoiselles de Rochefort (original title)


I enjoyed it! Visually sweet with color splashes that coordinate with each scene. My raspberry beret is off to the art director! I just loved the look of this film, even the buildings received a Monet-esque makeover.



https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=31836&stc=1&d=1498268197


My favorite movie color was the deep turquoise, it's everywhere. My favorite set, the cafe where mom served French Fries with a cheery dissipation, despite having lost the love of her life because she didn't like his last name....oui, that's fickle:p

Catherine Deveau....woohoo! hey that rhymes. Does she have screen presences or what! Though my favorite girl in the film wasn't even young, it was the twin's mom. I can't remember her name, but she was so lively and lit up the screen when the camera was on her. I really liked her and cared more for her storyline than anyone else.

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=29821&stc=1&d=1492046236


And I see Bernado actually survived the knife fight and moved to France, where he lost his artificial tan and learned to be dubbed too. The guy get's around;) George Chakiris is real good here and a smooth dancer too. It was neat seeing Gene Kelley but he was a bit underused in this film.

Oh and I don't know why but the waitress in the cafe was interesting even though we never really get to know her, she seemed to have a story of her own.

Lots of fun lines in the movie, but the funniest part was when the gaiety turns dark with talk of carving up a murdered woman to stuff her in a box! Very clever of the director, or is that cleaver?;) Just when the audience needs a break from all that squeaky clean fun, the movie introduces a killer at large. I liked that too. I liked everything about the movie.

rating_4

.

[Allaby]

The Young Girls of Rochefort is a wonderful film and was my #16. Fantasia is excellent, but I didn't consider it for my ballot because I don't classify it as a musical.

Seen: 64/66

[Miss Vicky]

Also to reduce An American in Paris to pining and creeping is a complete misreading and misrepresentation of the film... so wait... you have seen it then?

He never said there was any pining or creeping in An American in Paris. You used those words to describe two of the films in his top ten ("a film about some dude who drives around at night complaining and creeping on people" and "some film about a spoiled southern brat who pines after some effeminate dude") and he stated that at no point in their pining and creeping in those movies do they break out in a 17 minute dance sequence.

Chill out, dude.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Miss Vicky - yes he did say pining and creeping. They sure as Hell weren't my words. Here it is AGAIN because you know... you like to state TLDR with my posts. Apprently that's true, but you have no issue to responding to things that you TLDR.

between the pining or the creeping?

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Also, for anyone paying attention, Taxi Driver is my 2nd favorite film and Gone With the Wind is also one of my favorite films of all time too so I was being fasticious when commenting how it's odd that anyone who can sit through Taxi Driver and four hours of Gone With the Wind would have trouble with a 17 minute sequence in An American in Paris. That must have got lost in translation somehow or just went above your heads.

[Citizen Rules]

Also, for anyone paying attention, Taxi Driver is my 2nd favorite film and Gone With the Wind is also one of my favorite films of all time too so I was being fasticious when commenting how it's odd that anyone who can sit through Taxi Driver and four hours of Gone With the Wind would have trouble with a 17 minute sequence in An American in Paris. That must have got lost in translation somehow or just went above your heads.I love Gone With The Wind, I never get bored with it. I can watch it in one setting and don't need to play with a phone while I watch it either. It holds my attention... I really liked An American in Paris too and the ballet number was beautiful but as it went on and on I got bored. It's human nature for many to get bored with anything that goes on past a certain point. Not everyone of course, maybe some could enjoy the ballet number in An American in Paris even if it was 30 minutes long. We're all different and have different tolerance levels.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

The Young Girls of Rochefort is a film I really need to see especially since I absolutely love Demy's previous film. I think it is streaming on Criterion now.

[Miss Vicky]

Miss Vicky - yes he did say pining and creeping. They sure as Hell weren't my words. Here it is AGAIN because you know... you like to state TLDR with my posts. Apprently that's true, but you have no issue to responding to things that you TLDR.

I like how you conveniently edited out the part that shows you're wrong. Here's what he actually said:

And at which point in those two films is there a 15 minute dance sequence between the pining or the creeping? Because I've seen both numerous times and I've yet to spot it in either of them.

"Those two films" referring to his favorites, not An American In Paris.

And they are your words:

After this comment I had to check out your top 10. Interesting because it includes a film about some dude who drives around at night complaining and creeping on people for the whole two hours and also some film about a spoiled southern brat who pines after some effeminate dude who doesn't even like her and she just whines about it for four hours. Gosh after thinking about that, I wouldn't think a 15 minute dance sequence would be too bad. And yeah, it's all in one go. The whole 15... 17 minutes of it. What torture!

[John W Constantine]

IWe're all different and have different tolerance levels.
What about when it passes the boredom stretch and just becomes funny because it goes on for a ridiculous amount of time.

[seanc]

Young Girls was my #2. Just loved everything about it first watch.

Fantasia is fine I guess. Just not my type of thing.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

I like how you conveniently edited out the part that shows you're wrong. Here's what he actually said:



"Those two films" referring to his favorites, not An American In Paris.

And they are your words:

OK Miss Vicky... reading comprehension time!

"And at which point in those two films is there a 15 minute dance sequence between the pining or the creeping?"

That is what he said

those two films = Gone With the Wind and Taxi Driver.

"At which point... is there a 15 minute dance sequence between the pining or the creeping?"

Tell me Miss Vicky, what is the antecedent of the OTHER FILM in question that we are discussing that... according to him, UNLIKE Gone With the Wind and Taxi Driver DOES have pining and creeping?

Yes, that would be, An American in Paris!

This is why reading comprehension is important Miss Vicky. But again, FOR THE THIRD TIME, you have responded to my posts multiple times in multiple threads with smart ass comments followed by TLDR.

But since you feel the need to go and respond to so many of my posts, and this is getting to be a bad habit of yours, in just a completely asinine, rude, and flippant manner AND not only that but since you completely misrepresent at best and lie at worst about what I say or am stating and in doing so you're completely living up to your own title by self admission, I'm just going to go ahead and put you on my ignore list AND I recommend that you go ahead and put me on your ignore list too. Thank you!

[rauldc14]

Fantasia deserves to be on the list even though I don't care for it a ton.

The same can be said for Rochefort

[Miss Vicky]

OK Miss Vicky... reading comprehension time!

"And at which point in those two films is there a 15 minute dance sequence between the pining or the creeping?"

That is what he said

those two films = Gone With the Wind and Taxi Driver.

"At which point... is there a 15 minute dance sequence between the pining or the creeping?"

Tell me Miss Vicky, what is the antecedent of the OTHER FILM in question that we are discussing that... according to him, UNLIKE Gone With the Wind and Taxi DOES have pining and creeping?

Yes, that would be, An American in Paris!

This is why reading comprehension is important Miss Vicky. But again, FOR THE THIRD TIME, you have responded to my posts multiple times in multiple threads with smart ass comments followed by TLDR.

But since you feel the need to go and respond to so many of my posts, and this is getting to be a bad habit of yours, in just a completely asinine, rude, and flippant manner AND not only that but since you completely misrepresent at best and lie at worst about what I say or am stating and in doing so you're completely living up to your own title by self admission. I'm just going to go ahead and put you on my ignore list AND I recommend that you go ahead and put me on your ignore list too. Thank you!


You're the one lacking the reading comprehension. I get that he was talking about Taxi Driver and Gone With the Wind. I do. But considering this was your response to him talking about those movies:
Also to reduce An American in Paris to pining and creeping is a complete misreading and misrepresentation of the film... so wait... you have seen it then?

Do you get it? Because it sure doesn't seem like it.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

The same can be said for Rochefort

I just checked and indeed it is streaming now on Criterion Channel:

https://www.criterionchannel.com/the-young-girls-of-rochefort

[Citizen Rules]

What about when it passes the boredom stretch and just becomes funny because it goes on for a ridiculous amount of time.That's called funistical:p

[stillmellow]

I've never even heard of the young women of Rochefort. I'll have to check it out.


I'm with the consensus that I don't see Fantasia as a musical, but I could almost see it as a compilation film of multiple unrelated musical numbers.


I really like it but didn't vote for it.

[KeyserCorleone]

Yes, Fantasia was the movie mentioned at the start with no singing. But considering that there's barely any on-screen singing in The Wall and a few of the other entries were pushing the definition of musical anyway, here it is. You can't really argue with 112 points from 6 lists.


Fantasia was my number 4. I knew it was the one as soon as I saw the posts, and Thursday even messaged me about its legitimacy before I had the chance to embarrass myself by openly asking the question on the thread. Excellent timing.


Young Girls of Rochefort didn't make my ballot, but it came close. I was interested in finally seeing it on one of our official lists, though.

[Thief]

Haven't seen any of these, although I think I've seen most of Fantasia in bits and pieces.


SEEN: 19/66
MY BALLOT: 7/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14. Sing Street (#40)
15.
16.
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18.
19.
20.
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22.
23.
24.
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)

[mrblond]

Some of the latest reveals not on my list:

#42 - An American in Paris (1951)
Saw it specially for the countdown. It is just meh, considerably dated.

#40 - Sing Street (2016)
Saw this movie when it came out because it was included in the awards season. It is OK, some nice moments...

#39 - Nashville (1975)
It was briefly on my watch list when I scanned Robert Altman's works about ten years ago. Couldn't get to it.

#36 - The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)
I planned to see this film for the countdown but couldn't find it.

[Citizen Rules]

I've only seen like three classic Disney animated movies and all of them because they were nominated in different HoFs. As I've said so many times before, I did not grow up with Disney and only seen those few classics as an adult. I liked them sorta.
https://67.media.tumblr.com/0ccc0b53add2d2c030b2f0f9ec0f828a/tumblr_nywv3iaxnt1ru72gvo1_500.gif


Fantasia (Disney, 1940)

Interesting. I had never seen it before. My favorite segment was the pixies, which was very artistically done. As I watched this I realized this animated 1940's movie was very arthouse style and very conceptual. I had no idea that's what it was like, so that's impressive. My favorite music score was from the Nutcracker. Not really my cup of tea, but it was ground breaking film making.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

Fantasia is great and I would put it with Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and The Little Mermaid on a short list of animated Disney films... for my money, that would be worthy of a top 100 musical films list.

[MovieMeditation]

I’ve seen Fantasia, but did not vote for it.

Not seen the other one.

[cricket]

I finally watched The Young Girls of Rochefort for this countdown. I didn't love it but I loved enough about it to give it 2 points.

I'm not crazy about Fantasia.

5. Charlotte's Web (#79)
7. Stingray Sam (#46)
10. The Lure (#51)
14. A Star is Born 2018 (#43)
15. Sing Street (#40)
17. Calamity Jane (#84)
20. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
21. A Star is Born 1954 (#67)
23. Pink Floyd - The Wall (#41)
24. The Young Girls of Rochefort (#36)
25. 42nd Street (#76)

[kgaard]

I said before that Sing Street was the one film I wanted to see for this countdown, but I guess a second one would have been The Young Girls of Rochefort.

I think it's fine to call Fantasia a musical but I just don't like it that much, although I appreciate the attempt to do something a bit different.

[dadgumblah]

The Young Girls of Rouchefort is one that I haven't seen but it certainly looks good, so I'll give it a try one fine day.

Fantasia is one of my favorite films of all-time, Disney or not. The classical music set to wonderful animation was a great idea for a film and I think it totally stands the test of time, like good animation and classical music does. Love it so much that I saw it when it was re-released to the cinemas a few decades ago. Love it so much that I confess that I have a Sorcerer's Apprentice Beanie Mickey setting atop one of my DVD shelves. All that said, I did not vote for it, as, once again, there are no animated movies on my list. Mistake on my part.

So far:
#1. On the Town #93 (list proper)
#6. Easter Parade #78 (list proper)
#10. Gigi #85 (list proper)
#12. Calamity Jane #84 (list proper)
#14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers #71 (list proper)
#18. The Muppet Movie #45 (list proper)
#25. Neptune's Daughter (one-pointer)

[beelzebubble]

#42 - An American in Paris (1951) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2503561#post2503561)
#41 - Pink Floyd - The Wall (1982) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2503562#post2503562)

#40 - Sing Street (2016) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504008#post2504008)
#39 - Nashville (1975) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504009#post2504009)
#38 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504317#post2504317)
#37 - Phantom of the Paradise (1974) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504318#post2504318)


Wow! I have only seen two of these movies: An American in Paris and Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was on my ballot. An American in Paris was not, because the other one was. :D
This is my favorite scene from An American in Paris.
https://youtu.be/HVvGEBDioHg?si=F_mHqePAm53YvY6W

[PHOENIX74]

36. The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967) - I haven't gotten around to seeing this yet, although it's an awfully big and enticing target for me to have left alone for such a long time. I really hope and expect it's famous sister film makes the grade further up, and although I'm sure it will I'm still aware of how surprising these countdowns can be.

35. Fantasia (1940) - I've seen Fantasia 2000, so it kind of feels like I have seen Fantasia - but in the end I have to put this down as one I haven't seen - at least fully. It'll be interesting to read everyone's comments on this - I've never been quite sure of what to make of it.

Seen : 42/66

[SpelingError]

The Young Girls of Rochefort was #7 on my ballot. Though Umbrellas of Cherbourg will undoubtedly make it higher, I stand by this one as being the superior film.

Fantasia is really good, but it didn't make my ballot.

[SpelingError]

4. The Burden
6. Inside Llewyn Davis
7. The Young Girls of Rochefort
8. Top Hat
12. Duck Soup

[Little Ash]

Phantom of the Paradise was my #4 of 18. Is it really a shock, given everything else I've said so far. Musicals, really not my genre outside a literal handful still. We'll remember you forever Eddy...


Snow White and the Seven Dwarves - A movie I don't really have any interest in seeing as an adult.



Fantasia - I really wouldn't have interpreted as a musical, but I guess contributes to my theory that what people clock as musicals is less the singing and more the dance number or the music heard (be it singing or just rhythm) in some way is centered as being the focus of the story.


The Young Girls of Rochefort - I didn't get to this one. I know it's one of the famous ones and it's somewhere in the S&S top 250 (I think), so it's on the "eventually, watch this," list. However, I didn't feel the urgency for this, as I was kind of mixed to middling for Cherbourg (for when we get to this) and the stills I see of this gives me a sense of a bright and poppy, "fun" movie (not my thing) -but I could be wrong! (Or maybe it'll manage to work despite not being my typical thing). But yeah, didn't manage to build up the energy to watch this.

[Wooley]

Interesting. I really liked the music in Phantom of the Paradise. It fits the film incredibly well.

But I mean, other than "Life At Last" is there really a song you're gonna sing in the car or at a party like one might have from a classical musical in its day or even a contemporary thing like Rocky Horror or Jesus Christ Superstar or more modern like Hedwig?
I submit there is not. Even "Life At Last" would be the least song in Rocky Horror and maybe 5th in Hedwig.
So that puts it in a tough spot.
I mean, I can say without hesitation, that while it is not a great movie, the music in Shock Treatment beats Phanotm's ass to a pulp.

[Wooley]

Les Demoiselles de Rochefort was my #16. There's just something so fun and vibrant about it.

Mine too.

[Wooley]

The Young Girls Of Rochefort was my No.16 and is my Demy for this list. I liked the other famous one that we'll certainly see soon a lot but not as much as this.
True story, some nights when I get home late and I'm high, I'll just put on like the first 20 minutes of YGoR and then go to bed.

[Little Ash]

But I mean, other than "Life At Last" is there really a song you're gonna sing in the car or at a party like one might have from a classical musical in its day or even a contemporary thing like Rocky Horror or Jesus Christ Superstar or more modern like Hedwig?
I submit there is not. Even "Life At Last" would be the least song in Rocky Horror and maybe 5th in Hedwig.
So that puts it in a tough spot.
I mean, I can say without hesitation, that while it is not a great movie, the music in Shock Treatment beats Phanotm's ass to a pulp.


The opening song, Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye and Someone Super Like You, which precedes Life At Last often go into the Halloween seasonal music rotation for me. I think some of it just stems from affection of the movie, and that goes for Rocky Horror for me as well. Just for whatever reason, Rocky Horror doesn't really go into my Halloween seasonal movie rotation in the same way Phantom does, and I guess somewhat unsurprisingly, its OST hasn't worked its way in either.

[Omnizoa]

Been meaning to rewatch Fantasia for a long time. I have very strong memories of it, but I'm also sure it could have dragged in places.

[Thief]

Fantasia is the one with Wizard Mickey and the walking mops/brooms carrying water buckets, right? At least one of the segments.

[Thursday Next]

7lists115pointsLes Misérables (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/82695-les-misérables.html)Director
Tom Hooper, 2012

Starring
Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried

[Thursday Next]

9lists115pointsMeet Me in St. Louis (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/909-meet-me-in-st.-louis.html)Director
Vincente Minnelli, 1944

Starring
Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer

[Miss Vicky]

I initially saw Les Misérables when it was in the theater because the Russell Crowe fangirl in me wouldn't allow me to ignore it. I went in totally expecting to hate it, but was pleasantly surprised. Despite my hatred for musicals, it's somehow still held up on repeat viewings and I had it at #11 on my ballot.

Here's what I wrote when I rewatched it for the countdown:
https://www.angelfire.com/music6/walteregan/NewMFPics/lesmis.gif

Les Misérables
(Tom Hooper, 2012)

I saw this movie during its original theatrical release and I vaguely remember liking it. I also vaguely remember buying the DVD, watching it again, and still somehow liking it. I don't think I've seen it since then, couldn't really remember any details about it, and until now its length and the fact that it is musical has kept me from refreshing my memory of it.

Having now seen it again, I rather enjoyed myself. I'm a sucker for a good period film and this is certainly a good period film. I really appreciated the sets and costumes and I also really liked the cinematography and overall look of the film. The story kept me engaged and I thought the casting and performances were really strong - and, to my surprise, I was not at all bothered by the singing. I've seen a lot of people online complain about the performance from Russell Crowe, but I think he did just fine. I thought his physique gave the character an imposing air that fit well, his facial expressions really conveyed the conflicted emotions of his character, and I felt his unpolished singing voice suited the character as well. Having said that, of course, I acknowledge that I am very biased in that man's favor. I'm a big fan. He was briefly my absolute favorite actor and I've long been familiar with and enjoyed his singing - I own several of his music CDs and in 2001 even saw him in concert with his old band Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lm5SUP0cDic).

But I definitely don't love this movie. The singing didn't bother me (perhaps the overabundance of singing and the lack of dance removes the cringe-factor that makes me hate most musicals?), but I also wouldn't say I liked the songs. There was also one particular character that I absolutely hated - Marius. Now, I'm not trying to bash on Eddie Redmayne. I thought his performance as Marius was good, but Marius's infatuation with Cosette bothered the hell out of me. Eponine was a far more interesting character than Cosette and Samantha Barks is a far more beautiful woman than the pasty, doe-eyed Amanda Seyfried. Yet even with what Eponine did for him, Marius's thoughts were still firmly on some girl he'd met twice and didn't even know. What an a-hole.

Overall, I think this movie is more of a 3.75 than a 4 for me but I'll be generous and round up because I didn't hate the songs.

4

I haven't seen Meet Me In St. Louis.

My Ballot:
2. Charlotte's Web (#79)
4. Stingray Sam (#46)
6. Walk the Line (#95)
11. Les Misérables (#34)
12. Corpse Bride (#61)
15. The Jungle Book (#63)
20. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
21. Alice in Wonderland (#48)
23. Sing Street (#40)
25. Joe's Apartment (One Pointer)

[Thursday Next]

Les Miserables is my favourite musical... just not my favourite musical movie. I had it at #6.

I really love the musical. It took time to grow on me, but I really think it rewards repeat viewings/listenings. As well as the story of Jean Valjean, there is a whole ensemble cast of characters with their own stories of love and honour or dishonour, sacrifice and redemption. (I would do my top 5 deaths in Les Mis, but you know, spoilers). It's a serious and sweeping story, if a little unbalanced narratively at times. And the music is fantastic. Alongside the bangers (including Do You Hear the People Sing?, Bring Him Home, On My Own and, of course, One Day More) the repeating instrumental and narrative-singing themes are really excellent.

Of course all this is there in the film version and I've watched it many times and could watch it again many more. I could reel off the cast list down to some of the most obscure characters. There are also some really nice touches such as blink and you'll miss it nods to the novel and casting some of the original West End cast in small roles.

But a couple of the film-making decisions stop it from being quite a top-tier movie. Mainly the live singing and the close-ups. It's like Tom Hooper didn't trust the music. In trying to make it 'more emotional' it actually detracts from the musical power of some of the songs. I regularly listen to Les Mis cast recordings.... but never the movie soundtrack version. And the constant close-ups make it seem smaller when it should be expansive.


Meet Me In St. Louis was one of the very last cuts from my list.

[Thief]

I liked Meet Me in St. Louis and had it on my short list. On hindsight, I could've included it at the bottom of my list, but I decided to give those spaces to some less popular musicals, even if I didn't fully love them. Still, I knew it would show up.

I haven't seen Le Miserables...


SEEN: 20/68
MY BALLOT: 7/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14. Sing Street (#40)
15.
16.
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18.
19.
20.
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22.
23.
24.
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)

[seanc]

Les Mis was my 11. Count me among those who went for it. Feels like it only has two camps.

Don’t remember a thing about Meet Me In St Louis, which seems odd for a Garland musical.

[Citizen Rules]

Yahoo, once again!:D One of today's reveals was on my ballot and I bet you can guess which one;)


I had at #16. Meet Me in St. Louis (1944).
https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=32162&stc=1&d=1499044663
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
About: The Smith family is looking forward to attending the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904. However their dreams are interrupted when the father announces he's moving the family to New York.



Review: It's a classic all right! It's a heartwarming look back to the 'good ole days' of 1904, made for an audience who in 1944 was dealing with a horrific world war.

So no wonder this movie is pure escapism. And that's why the Halloween scene is there, it's fanciful, escapism. I thought it was funny in a macabre way. I mean what's cuter than little Margaret O'Brien saying she's 'killing people' on Halloween and then throwing a dummy in front of a trolley in hope of derailing it, ha! Naughty little brat! In some ways the best part is how Margaret O'Brien is completely the opposite of the oh so nice family. I mean she sings a sung about getting drunk! I Was Drunk Last Night.


Judy Garland is great of course, she sings her little heart out, pouring more emotion into her songs than is humanly possible. I loved The Trolley Song and how it was staged. The very cute duet of Judy and Margret doing the Under the Bamboo Tree, complete with a little dance number. And of course Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas which is one magnificently depressing song.

Vincent Minnelli always knows how to deck out the movie sets in rich color and detail. And the Victorian house and it's furnishings look authentic and lived in. Though I can't say I was a fan of Judy Garland's hair color, but I got a kick out of the scene with her and Lucile Bremer discussing their hair coloring.'

Marjorie Main the housekeeper is a gem, as was the dad, Leon Ames. The rest of the family was kind of a blur, but that's understandable... as this is Judy's and little Margret's picture.

rating_4

[Takoma11]

But I mean, other than "Life At Last" is there really a song you're gonna sing in the car or at a party like one might have from a classical musical in its day or even a contemporary thing like Rocky Horror or Jesus Christ Superstar or more modern like Hedwig?
I submit there is not. Even "Life At Last" would be the least song in Rocky Horror and maybe 5th in Hedwig.
So that puts it in a tough spot.
I mean, I can say without hesitation, that while it is not a great movie, the music in Shock Treatment beats Phanotm's ass to a pulp.

So ideally, to me, songs feel really engrained in the world of the movie AND they are songs you'll remember two days later.

I agree that Phantom does not pass the "singing in my car" test (and it did not make my personal ballot). But I really loved the way that the music was a part of the story and the characterization in the film.

[cricket]

I don't remember Meet Me in St. Louis, but according to my records I at least liked it a little.

Les Miserables was on my watchlist but I didn't get to it.

[kgaard]

Huh, I could have sworn that I've seen Les Misérables, but I can't find any record of having done so. Then again, that was the year my son was born and I spent half of it crazed from sleep deprivation, so who knows? Well, I didn't vote for it either way.

I liked Meet Me in St. Louis, but it did not make the cut.

[rauldc14]

I had Les Miserables at 8 and Meet Me in St. Louis at 21!

[MovieMeditation]

I’ve seen Fantasia*, but did not vote for it.

Not seen the other one.
Les Miserables*

But otherwise, same old same old for me.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

I liked Meet Me in St. Louis and had it on my short list. On hindsight, I could've included it at the bottom of my list, but I decided to give those spaces to some less popular musicals, even if I didn't fully love them. Still, I knew it would show up.

I haven't seen Le Miserables...


SEEN: 20/68
MY BALLOT: 7/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14. Sing Street (#40)
15.
16.
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18.
19.
20.
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22.
23.
24.
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)


I haven't seen Le Mis either. I wouldn't object to watching it, but the story and musical has never been a draw for me.

Meet Me In St. Louis is delightful and a sweet film. It's not my favorite of the Judy Garland pairings with Vincent Minnelli and it didn't make my list. A previous entry, Easter Parade showed up on both this list and my list, and I had one more Garland and Minnelli pairing on my list that I would be shocked if it shows up. Meet Me in St. Louis is a beautiful film and certainly would be an essential viewing for anyone who even moderately calls themselves a fan of musicals. "The Trolley Song" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" are wonderful standards.

My issues are mostly nitpicky, and I've responded to them in an earlier post that I think was in this thread. My first was the Halloween scene with Margaret O'Brien drags on a bit too much and feels awkwardly inserted and messes with the pacing a bit as the story sidetracks away from Judy Garland's character for about 10 minutes or so. The film does have a great female cast led by Garland of course, but O'Brien is so good and would certainly show up on a very VERY short list of all time memorable and wonderful child performances in film. Marjorie Main, who plays the same character in every film she is in, is simply magnetic on film and chews the scenery, but she's such a force you can't help but enjoy her. Mary Astor I really liked to in these types of roles, especially since my introduction to her was in the noir The Maltese Falcon.

As great as the female characters and cast are, I can't help but think the film does lag a bit when it comes to their male counterparts. Sure the father was fine, but other than that, they seemed to be paper thin. The love interest of Garland... can't think of his name, is passable, but just kind of there and bland, so when Garland is pining for him, it isn't as powerful as what it could be. And while I do love the "Merry Christmas" song and sequence at the end, especially when O'Brien goes on her rampage, how it all pans out with the father deciding suddenly not to move to New York for his new job, it all feels... just a bit sudden, forced, contrived, and dare I say it does somehow rub me the wrong way that the film does move into dangerous, DANGEROUS dime-a-dozen paint by numbers Hallmark Christmas movie territory. Obviously this was decades before Hallmark Christmas Movies were unleashed like a great plague or giant kraken on to the world, but still.

I put Meet Me in St. Louis in the B-range for grading/evaluating. Still, sooo much better than some of the entries here that have appeared.

[MovieFan1988]

Got 2 right on prediction list let's keep it up :), I'm sure there's more surprises to come

[dadgumblah]

It's wild that Les Miserables made the cut today, because I was just on Instagram and there was a movie site that was showing a short clip and it was the Oscars where Hugh Jackman pulled Anne Hathaway out of the crowd and they sang, so I started thinking of the movie. Then I immediately came here and here's their movie making the grade! I really enjoyed the film when it came out but I never considered it for my list.

Meet Me in St. Louis is #8 on my ballot. I love this movie and I'm onboard with Citizen Rules from his review concerning Judy and Margaret owning the movie. Judy is lovely and in fine voice, and Margaret as little sister Tootie steals the movie for me, with her twisted way of playing. From burying her dolls to "killing" people on Halloween, to throwing a dummy on the trolley track, she's one sick-but-sweet little gal! My favorite shot is her stunned little face walking back from the neighbor's house after she's "killed" him by throwing flour in his face and saying, "I hate you!" Then the other kids branding her a hero. Something so funny I never expected from this musical. Oh yeah, the songs are great, too!

So far:
#1. On the Town #93 (list proper)
#6. Easter Parade #78 (list proper)
#8. Meet Me in St. Louis #33 (list proper)
#10. Gigi #85 (list proper)
#12. Calamity Jane #84 (list proper)
#14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers #71 (list proper)
#18. The Muppet Movie #45 (list proper)
#25. Neptune's Daughter (one-pointer)

[stillmellow]

I'm afraid Les Miserable never worked for me in any form, but it might have to do with it being so popular and unavoidable when I was young.


The good are far too good. and hopelessly tragic. The bad are too outrageously bad, and everything is so UNFAIR to the heroes. It just feels immature and shallow to me. I had the same problem with Oliver, and Man of La Mancha. At least Oliver wasn't taken nearly as seriously.


I've never seen Meet Me in St. Louis.

[SpelingError]

Les Miserables was one of my favorite films growing up, but it's been way too long since I've seen it, so it didn't make my ballot. Not sure how it would hold up now.

Meet Me in St. Louis was #16 on my ballot.

[SpelingError]

4. The Burden
6. Inside Llewyn Davis
7. The Young Girls of Rochefort
8. Top Hat
12. Duck Soup
16. Meet Me in St. Louis

[Allaby]

I have seen and liked both, but neither made my ballot.

Seen:66/68

[PHOENIX74]

34. Les Misérables (2012) - On Letterboxd I've sorted all 349 Academy Award Best Picture-nominated films I've watched in order of most to least favourite, and Les Misérables comes in at #348. Hey! At least it didn't snag bottom spot - that was reserved for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. It's ironic when you're Australian and two of your least favourite actors are Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe, but that's just the start of a list of annoyances and things that didn't mix well with me to the point where I really didn't enjoy this version of Les Misérables when I watched it (don't get me started on how long it runs and lingers on for.) I had no idea that this many people liked it as much as this. Obviously not on my ballot.

33. Meet Me in St Louis (1944) - I watched this one very recently (I think the countdown had already started!) and enjoyed it a whole hell of a lot. On Letterboxd (and here) I wrote : "I don't have the words to describe how sweet and warm this colourful, endlessly engaging musical is - a mood enhancer no matter how dark your feelings may be. Judy Garland really sparkles as one of eight Smith family members (not including the maid) we encounter here through the seasons in 1903 - the year preceding the St Louis World's Fair. Here I found where "The Trolley Song" comes from, along with "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," which I read once had very depressing lyrics ("Have yourself a merry little Christmas / It may be your last / Next year we may all be living in the past.") If I love the music and the visuals, you can pretty much do anything and I'll enjoy watching it - so once sucked in I was ripe to put my cynicism and jaded mindset to one side and enjoy an old fashioned celebration of family, tradition and music. Beautiful set decoration and production design. Beautiful costumes. When you get it right, it doesn't matter how hokey you might otherwise sound - it simply feels more genuine and heartfelt." I hadn't seen it while compiling my ballot, and who knows, it might have had a chance of making it.

Seen : 44/68

[Thief]

Vincente Minnelli is the only director so far with more than two (2) entries in the countdown. He has placed:


#33 - Meet Me in St. Louis
#42 - An American in Paris
#80 - The Band Wagon
#85 - Gigi



Also, since Disney's directing logistics were a bit different back in the day, it's worth noting that several directors were credited either as co-directors or sequence directors in several of their films that have come up so far. For example:


Ben Sharpsteen - Director in Fantasia and Alice in Wonderland, Sequence director in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Wilfred Jackson - Sequence director in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Director in Fantasia and Alice in Wonderland
David Hand - Supervising director in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Director in Fantasia
Hamilton Luske - Director in Fantasia and Alice in Wonderland

[Citizen Rules]

Vincente Minnelli is the only director so far with more than two (2) entries in the countdown. He has placed:


#33 - Meet Me in St. Louis
#42 - An American in Paris
#80 - The Band Wagon
#85 - Gigi


That's an impressive showing for Minnelli, he's one of my all time favorite directors. If I had my druthers I would have these Minnelli directed musicals make the countdown:

Cabin in the Sky (1943)
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
The Pirate (1948)
An American in Paris (1951)
The Band Wagon (1953)
Brigadoon (1954)
Gigi (1958)

[Thief]

That's an impressive showing for Minnelli, he's one of my all time favorite directors. If I had my druthers I would have these Minnelli directed musicals make the countdown:

Cabin in the Sky (1943)
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
The Pirate (1948)
An American in Paris (1951)
The Band Wagon (1953)
Brigadoon (1954)
Gigi (1958)

Yeah, I had high hopes for Cabin in the Sky, but if Meet Me in St. Louis and An American in Paris already made it, I doubt it'll show up.

[Citizen Rules]

Yeah, I had high hopes for Cabin in the Sky, but if Meet Me in St. Louis and An American in Paris already made it, I doubt it'll show up.
I think Cabin in the Sky would've made it if more people had seen it. It has a lot of historical performances by famous and should've been famous performers.

[Daniel M]

Quick thoughts to catch up...

#65 - Duck Soup (1933)

Made my list near the bottom I think.

#63 - The Jungle Book (1967)
#62 - Frozen (2013)

Decent films

#53 - Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Great film, not a musical

#49 - The Little Mermaid (1989)
#48 - Alice In Wonderland (1951)

Decent films

#42 - An American in Paris (1951)

Great film, think it was around the middle of the list. I've already mentioned this but I'm a big Gene Kelly and Vincente Minnelli fan.

#41 - Pink Floyd - The Wall (1982)

#39 - Nashville (1975)

Masterpiece, not a musical.

#38 - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Great film, think it was on my list.

Fantasia

Great film, made my list somewhere. Was my favourite film as a very young kid.

Meet Me In St. Louis

Amazing film, made my list. From what I remember I was blown away by the depth it packs in its seemingly simple premises. A handful of scenes conveying so much information.

The film I need to watch the most is The Young Girls of Rochefort which I think I'll love.

[Citizen Rules]

...The film I need to watch the most is The Young Girls of Rochefort which I think I'll love.That's the one movie on the countdown so far that I think needs to be seen. I'm sure you'd enjoy it from different perspectives: film making process, set/color design, the film's flow & editing and it's flat out a good fun movie too.

[seanc]

The film I need to watch the most is The Young Girls of Rochefort which I think I'll love.

Dude, should be your next watch! You will adore it. It has the seanc gurantee. Every good mofo knows that carries absolutely no weight around here. You especially will love it though.

[Thief]

While we wait, here is "The Trolley Song", from Meet Me in St. Louis; probably the most entertaining musical numbers from the film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwP6kNIDg30

...although I admit I had the title number stuck in my mind for a while after watching the film.

[Thursday Next]

9lists115pointsYankee Doodle Dandy (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/3087-yankee-doodle-dandy.html)Director
Michael Curtiz, 1942

Starring
James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, Richard Whorf

[Thursday Next]

7lists123pointsThat Thing You Do! (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/9591-that-thing-you-do.html)Director
Tom Hanks, 1996

Starring
Tom Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Johnathon Schaech

[Thursday Next]

No, I wasn't expecting these two this high either.

[Thief]

I really didn't care much for Yankee Doodle Dandy. I have something written about it that I will post here in a while, but yeah... your typical enjoyable biopic, just not something I was that drawn to.

I've heard mostly good things about That Thing You Do!, but I've never taken the jump.


SEEN: 21/70
MY BALLOT: 7/25


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14. Sing Street (#40)
15.
16.
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18.
19.
20.
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22.
23.
24.
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)

[Yoda]

That Thing You Do! is lovely. It's just great fun. The cast is overpowered to its demands, which leads to that breezy Ocean's Eleven feel, where talent outsized to the task, rather than stooping to it, just elevate the whole thing instead. Which is not to say it's not well-written, too. It's very well-written, with genuine drama and a lot of wit.

And, of course...the music. Fantastic stuff. Holds up as music, which should hardly be surprising since the title song was written by the late Adam Schlesinger, an actual musician known for his effortlessly catchy pop songs.

https://i.imgur.com/WN6arzU.gif

One of those films I loved when I was younger, and love as much or more even after having seen many, many more films.

It was #5 on my list.

[Miss Vicky]

That Thing You Do! is cute and I considered it for my ballot, but ended up cutting it. I haven't seen Yankee Doodle Dandy.

[Thief]

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY
(1942, Curtiz)

https://i.imgur.com/SF6usNN.jpeg


"I guess the first thing I ever had my fist on was the American flag. I hitched my wagon to thirty-eight stars. And thirteen stripes."



With war looming in the horizon of the US during the early 1940s, films were used as a vehicle to try to boost American morale and foster support for the military. One of the best examples of this is Michael Curtiz' biopic Yankee Doodle Dandy. The film follows the life of Michael Cohan (James Cagney), an American entertainer, playwright, composer, and singer that became known as "The Man Who Owned Broadway". Starting with his birth on the 4th of July, the film follows Cohan's growth as an entertainer from his early hits with his family as The Four Cohans, to his rise as a successful stage actor.

Before starting this TCM course on musicals, I didn't even know this was a biopic. Regardless, I had been reluctant to check this out, mostly because I wasn't up for an excessively jingoistic, "America rules" film. To my surprise, I didn't think the film fell into much patriotic excesses. Sure, it's made to put America's image on a pedestal, but that's the story, and being loosely based on a real life story, helped ease the subject for me. The thing is that it was far more sober than I was expecting.

My main issue with the film is that I wasn't that drawn to it. I would've preferred that some of the relationships in the film would've been fleshed out more, most notably Cohan and his father (Walter Huston). But also, Cohan's relationship with partner Sam Harris (Richard Whorf), and even with his wife Mary (Joan Leslie), could've been more fleshed out. Cagney is pretty good in the role, portraying the real evolution of Cohan from a cocky young man to a more mature and introspective adult man. However, the film seemed more worried on checking pivotal moments off a list, to take the plot from A to B, instead of letting things flow more organically.

I still enjoyed the film to some extent. Curtiz' direction is a plus, and all of the performances are solid. The musical numbers were fun, although not that memorable (with all the musicals I've been seeing this month, I've had a handful of songs stuck in my mind, but I can't even remember one from this film). After watching 9 musicals during last month, this one is far from my favorite, but put in perspective against the cultural backdrop of the times, it is a worthy and necessary watch.

Grade: 2

[Thief]

Stats: Pit Stop #7
https://i.makeagif.com/media/7-20-2015/VsDudk.gif

-

Now that we've hit the seventh pit stop (30), here are some stats:

Decade Breakdown


1920s = 0
1930s = 6
1940s = 5
1950s = 12
1960s = 6
1970s = 8
1980s = 8
1990s = 5
2000s = 6
2010s = 12
2020s = 2


No 1950s entries in this last batch, which allows for the 2010s, who had two (2) entries, to tie at the top with 12 entries each. Strong showing by the 1940s, with three (3) taking it up to 5 entries, and the 1970s, with two (2) taking it up to 8 entries.


Recurring Directors


Vincente Minnelli = 4
Ben Sharpsteen = 3*
Wilfred Jackson = 3*
Michael Curtiz = 2
John Carney = 2
David Hand = 2*
Hamilton Luske = 2*
Milos Forman = 2
John Musker & Ron Clements = 2
Stanley Donen = 2
Vincente Minnelli = 2
Tim Burton = 2**
Coen Brothers = 2


Michael Curtiz joins the list with today's Yankee Doodle Dandy. He had already placed White Christmas at #82. John Carney also joined the list early in this batch (Sing Street and Begin Again). But as mentioned earlier, Vincente Minnelli still reigns, with four (4) total entries.

* I reiterate an earlier post from today, regarding the logistics of some early Disney animated films that featured people like Ben Sharpsteen and Wilfred Jackson as co-directors of either the whole film or sequences from it.

** Tim Burton shared directing credits of Corpse Bride with Mike Johnson.

Two (2) more animated entries with Snow White and Fantasia to bring the total up to 12.

[Thief]

Updating my predictions...

1. 100%
2. 100%
3. 100%
4. 90%
5. 100%
6. 95%
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8. 100%
9. 30%
10. 20%
11. 100%
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14. Sing Street (#40)
15. 35%
16. 85%
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18. 100%
19. 100%
20. 95%
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22. 5%
23. 20%
24. 0%
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)

[WHITBISSELL!]

Watched both Yankee Doodle Dandy and That Thing You Do with YDD my #7 pick. TTYD was in heavy rotation in my house for quite a spell. And Steve Zahn became one of those actors you always take note of no matter what project he's in.

[Citizen Rules]

I planned on rewatching Yankee Doodle Dandy as its been almost two decades since my one time viewing. So I can't really say much about it except I sure wish it was filmed in technicolor. I've not seen the other one of course;)

[exiler96]

I raved about Cagney's performance in the the last great performance thread enough - which everyone is totally paying attention to! seriously guys, stop it! - but the movie itself was...eh? typical biopic formula... shoudn't have been this high imo.

[seanc]

Was absolutely shocked at how much I enjoyed Yankee Doodle Dandy first watch. Shocked enough to put it at 24.

I was not expecting That Thing You Do this high, if it all. Wanted to give it some recognition, because I have thought it was delightful since that first theater watch. It’s delightful despite the playing over and over of one song. It’s funny. It’s the reason I am cooI like Liv Tyler, Steven Zahn, and Tom Everett Scott. Even though it’s entirely possible I don’t actually like any of them. It’s also the one movie I broke my rule for, because it’s probably not really a musical. I had it at 10.

[iluv2viddyfilms]

More later, but Yankee Doodle Dandy was number 13 on my list and I absolutely love it. It was the first film I watched a couple years ago when I subscribed to the Criterion Channel and prior to that it had been an old favorite.

Yes, it's got the America rah rah rauh MURICA! thing going for it, but who cares. I think it's solid filmmaking and storytelling and wonderful music.

It was one of, what I consider, to be the three big propaganda pictures of 1942 as we were getting into WWII. Yankee Doodle Dandy, Sergeant York, and Casablanca. Each one very different from each other, but each one equally great and each one is an A+ film in my mind.

I would also add To Be or Not to Be by Ernst Lubitsch into that category, but really his film is in a realm and league of its own. And no propaganda is NOT inherently bad by definition. The form and style CAN be used to good ends. Now who determines good ends... sure that's a discussion worth having, but I think history and the facts of the time indicate that America did have a role to play in an increasingly "shrinking" and global world at the time and even if we didn't have a huge military interest in the war in Europe, we certainly had an economic interest, but that's a whole different discussion.

Yankee Doodle Dandy is great filmmaking! Glad to see it up on the list.

[John-Connor]

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/vxhnRV7jGncAZmf0FFHMs6rFHWn.jpg
Watched That Thing You Do! for the first time not so long ago and loved it. An instant addition to multiple favorite lists. Had it @ # 9.

SEEN 26/70
BALLOT 5/25

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/8LDVAMImGuMrNvyUWctvF4qkHwQ.jpg https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/yspPkeBWScMxqhjoKdRa4P2Em3v.jpg https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/uWRbjdJ0z16yfMDar0dbKaIt8bg.jpg https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/wbpOfs3k0VyUH15xwpDORLWz7ZV.jpg https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/gm6Uw5fFGvnzLusTtYdT1js27JT.jpg

25. Anastasia (1997)
19. Purple Rain (1984)
17. Moana (2016)
12. The Jungle Book (1967)
09. That Thing You Do! (1996)

[WHITBISSELL!]

Have watched 21 of 70 with 8 so far on my ballot. You would think with as many times as Meet Me in St. Louis has been on in my house I would have watched it but no dice. That and The Harvey Girls.

That Thing You Do
Yankee Doodle Dandy (#7)
Fantasia
Phantom of the Paradise
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The Wall
The Muppet Movie
Alice in Wonderland (#20)
Inside Llewyn Davis (#8)
Corpse Bride (#24)
The Jungle Book
Duck Soup
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Yellow Submarine
Purple Rain (my #9)
White Christmas
The Burden
Gigi (#17)
Tommy (#15)
Amadeus
Cinderella (#5)

[MovieMeditation]

Amount of today’s reveal seen: neither.

[kgaard]

I'm pretty meh on Yankee Doodle Dandy (and I'm not the only one, it seems). That Thing You Do is a lot of fun but I didn't vote for it.

[cricket]

I watched Yankee Doodle Dandy for the 40's countdown. I don't remember it well but I gave it a good rating. What I do remember was being impressed with Cagney's talent with previously only knowing him from gangster films.

I've not seen That Thing You Do.

5. Charlotte's Web (#79)
7. Stingray Sam (#46)
10. The Lure (#51)
11. Yankee Doodle Dandy (#32)
14. A Star is Born 2018 (#43)
15. Sing Street (#40)
17. Calamity Jane (#84)
20. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
21. A Star is Born 1954 (#67)
23. Pink Floyd - The Wall (#41)
24. The Young Girls of Rochefort (#36)
25. 42nd Street (#76)

[Allaby]

I've seen both and liked them fine, but neither was in contention for my ballot.

Seen 68/70

[dadgumblah]

Yankee Doodle Dandy is a classic that I've watched since I was a preteen. Even at that early age, I was watching Cagney gangster films all the time, my Dad and brother having introduced me to them. Then my Dad suggested I watch YDD for Cagney's dancing, and I did and was transfixed. I enjoyed it for the performances, the music and songs, the family story, but mostly for Cagney. This was the first time I'd seen him dance and he blew me away. Of course, he was a self-taught hoofer, not doing "normal" dancing like in most musicals, but that made it all the more charming. I'd not seen him in the other few films where he'd hoofed, so this was a great primer. It was my #9

I like That Thing You Do! very much and it perfectly captures a much more innocent era of young adults in a band, with only one hit, straining to go beyond it and not making much headway. The performances all are fine, but my favorite is Tom Everett Scott as the band's drummer and the one who really loves music other than rock and roll, and gets to meet one of his heroes along the way. Tom Hanks also does great as the band's manager and he does a fine real-life job directing this movie. Didn't vote for it, but it's one of those movies that, if flipping through channels I see it on, I'm staying put!

So far:
#1. On the Town #93 (list proper)
#6. Easter Parade #78 (list proper)
#8. Meet Me in St. Louis #33 (list proper)
#9 Yankee Doodle Dandy #32 (list proper)
#10. Gigi #85 (list proper)
#12. Calamity Jane #84 (list proper)
#14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers #71 (list proper)
#18. The Muppet Movie #45 (list proper)
#25. Neptune's Daughter (one-pointer)

[Wooley]

The opening song, Goodbye, Eddie, Goodbye and Someone Super Like You, which precedes Life At Last often go into the Halloween seasonal music rotation for me. I think some of it just stems from affection of the movie, and that goes for Rocky Horror for me as well. Just for whatever reason, Rocky Horror doesn't really go into my Halloween seasonal movie rotation in the same way Phantom does, and I guess somewhat unsurprisingly, its OST hasn't worked its way in either.

That's really interesting to me since Rocky Horror is literally Frankenstein. In an old English castle. With an actual "Monster" and Mad Scientist.
When I think of the most quintessential Halloween movies for adults, I think of RHPS as like Top 3. I cannot imagine an October without it.

[Wooley]

So ideally, to me, songs feel really engrained in the world of the movie AND they are songs you'll remember two days later.

I agree that Phantom does not pass the "singing in my car" test (and it did not make my personal ballot). But I really loved the way that the music was a part of the story and the characterization in the film.

I'm fine with that. Look, I love the movie, absolutely love it. I just always, every single time I watch it, feel so let down by the songs. Hell, whatever Phoenix's big song that she sings that supposed to be such a big deal that Swan killed a guy for it (or thought he did) and had to find just the right person to sing it and that Winslow kills someone else for singing and all that... I mean, it's gotta be one of the biggest let-downs in a musical I can think of. It's a complete non-thing. I don't think there's a hook anywhere in the song. Every single song on the RHPS soundtrack and most of the ones from Hedwig are much better.
That's just hard for me to get over. It doesn't ruin the movie for me but it does make the movie all about the movie and almost not at all about the music. Which makes it a tough sell as a Great Musical.
Except for "Life At Last", which rocks. But is still actually not even as good as "Sword Of Damocles" from Rocky Horror and that song didn't even make that movie's soundtrack.

[Wooley]

While we wait, here is "The Trolley Song", from Meet Me in St. Louis; probably the most entertaining musical numbers from the film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwP6kNIDg30

...although I admit I had the title number stuck in my mind for a while after watching the film.

Just fantastic. Blows 80% of all musical songs away.

[Takoma11]

I'm fine with that. Look, I love the movie, absolutely love it. I just always, every single time I watch it, feel so let down by the songs. Hell, whatever Phoenix's big song that she sings that supposed to be such a big deal that Swan killed a guy for it (or thought he did) and had to find just the right person to sing it and that Winslow kills someone else for singing and all that... I mean, it's gotta be one of the biggest let-downs in a musical I can think of. It's a complete non-thing. I don't think there's a hook anywhere in the song. Every single song on the RHPS soundtrack and most of the ones from Hedwig are much better.
That's just hard for me to get over. It doesn't ruin the movie for me but it does make the movie all about the movie and almost not at all about the music. Which makes it a tough sell as a Great Musical.
Except for "Life At Last", which rocks. But is still actually not even as good as "Sword Of Damocles" from Rocky Horror and that song didn't even make that movie's soundtrack.

Yeah, agreed.

Like I said, I think that the music in Phantom serves more as part of the narrative/characterization than it does as music (does that make sense?), but it does a very good job in that way.

[Wooley]

Meet Me In St. Louis was my No.15. Great musical and heart-warming and moving.

I have never seen Les Miserables because I found the stage production drab, and dreary, and depressing, and exhausting. Which, I understand, is what it was going for but it's not for me so I'm not going to sit through the movie.

Yankee Doodle Dandy was my No.19 on the strength of its songs and its dancing and its nostalgia. And maybe I just really like seeing Cagney play sincere rather than menacing.

I absolutely love That Thing You Do and have seen it maybe a dozen times... but it comes back to what people see as musicals because I can't even wrap my head around the idea that anyone thinks it is a musical. Oh well.

[Wooley]

Yeah, agreed.

Like I said, I think that the music in Phantom serves more as part of the narrative/characterization than it does as music (does that make sense?), but it does a very good job in that way.

Yes that very much makes sense to me and I actually completely agree with you. Except that I wish it just did a better job.

[Takoma11]

Yes that very much makes sense to me and I actually completely agree with you. Except that I wish it just did a better job.

Agreed. If this music hit harder as music, it would be an all-timer for me.

[Wooley]

Agreed. If this music hit harder as music, it would be an all-timer for me.

100.

[SpelingError]

Yankee Doodle Dandy is pretty good, but it didn't make my ballot.

I've never heard of That Thing You Do.

[PHOENIX74]

32. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) - I'm aiming to see all the big musicals of the mid-20th Century, so this one is in my sights - but I'm not yearning to see it because with that title it sounds both silly and jingoistic. I'm not an American, so if an American filmmaker is aiming for patriotism it simply goes straight through me doing nothing. "I'm a Yankee doodle dandy!"? Dude. Get a hold of yourself - you've had enough to drink already and you're not making any sense.

31. That Thing You Do (1996) - I've always steered clear of this film because I thought it wasn't meant to be very good - but by it's placing in this countdown perhaps I should reconsider that vague verdict. I mean, it wasn't a movie I was particularly averse to seeing, it's just that I've never heard anyone praising it - I'm about to read the various comments here and will be very interested in what's said about it.

So - seen neither.

Seen 44/70

[stillmellow]

Seen Yankee Doodle Dandy. The songs were memorable, but otherwise it was kinda meh.


I've never seen That Thing You Do. I've heard about it, but I didn't expect it to even make the top 100, let alone this high.

[seanc]

I've never heard of That Thing You Do.

Today’s mofo post that makes me feel 100 years old

[Miss Vicky]

I might have watched Stingray Sam for a fifth time last night... :D

[rauldc14]

La La Land
Wizard of Oz
Cabaret
Singin in the Rain
West Side Story
Beauty and the Beast
Lion King
Sound of Music
My Fair Lady
Grease
Hedwig
Little Shop of Horrors
Rock Horror Picture Show
Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Willy Wonka
Mary Poppins
All That Jazz
Nightmare Before Christmas
Blues Brothers
Dancer in the Dark

I'm 95% confident on this.

[honeykid]

Another from my list blows in with Meet Me In St. Louis, which I had a #5. It deserves to be that high for the Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas scene alone, which is just heartbreaking in all the right ways and, for a few years, this was a Christmas must. The Trolley Song is good too, it feels like it goes on a bit sometimes, but there's something about the drama in this which just works really well for me and that's why I like it so much. It has it drawbacks, virtually all films do let alone musicals, but it has so much goodwill with me that it carries me over them quite comfortabley more often than not. I don't think I've seen any of the others since my last visit.

I think that's 7 of my list so far. I usually only get to about 12-15 and I think I should reach that amount with this list, too.

[Thursday Next]

9lists125pointsMoulin Rouge! (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/824-moulin-rouge.html)Director
Baz Luhrmann, 2001

Starring
Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent

[Thursday Next]

8lists127pointsThe Music Man (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/13671-the-music-man.html)Director
Morton DaCosta, 1962

Starring
Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Ron Howard

[Allaby]

I like both Moulin Rouge and The Music Man, but neither made my ballot.

Seen: 70/72

[seanc]

Watched both of these for the list, and felt both were pretty middle of the road unfortunately.

[Gideon58]

LOVE The Music Man...played Marcellus Washburn in summer stock. I have the movie memorized.

[Citizen Rules]

The Music Man...my number #1 on my ballot.

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w780/urXv48loBPvUDf8CF1YtYjmRECW.jpg
The Music Man (1962)

On my third watch of The Music Man, I experienced something that I hadn't really felt before...Besides all the colorful characters and witty songs and charming musical numbers, I got a sense of sadness to the music man Harold Hill (Robert Preston). Under his broad smile and can-do salesman ways, he has a dream and it's always about the band, he says so in the film while standing on the bridge and staring at the water below. There he sees in his mind's eye a magnificent marching band with him leading the way. He wants to be something more than he's been. Marion too has a dream to open herself up to the right man but she's too scared to live her life, so she seals herself off from the world, sequestered in the library. Her brother (Ronnie Howard) is also afraid to enter the world and has retreated by not talking to anyone. It takes Harold Hill coming to the town that doesn't believe in itself, to awaken them to the possibilities and the power of having a dream. And here I thought this was just a fun colorful movie, well it is! And it's so much more.
rating_5

[Miss Vicky]

I watched The Music Man for a Hall of Fame back in 2019. (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2042009#post2042009) It has since held the position of my least favorite movie ever. I attempted to watch Moulin Rouge many years ago, but couldn't get through it. I did not try again.

Seen: 34/72

[KeyserCorleone]

I bought Moulin Rouge at a swap meet, liked it quite a bit, but haven't gotten around top it again because I felt like it gave me everything I wanted on the first go. Didn't vote for it, but roughly 8.5.

[Thief]

Wow, way too early for Moulin Rouge! as far as I'm concerned, BECAUSE IT'S MY #1! I saw it shortly after it came out on video and, although I think I found myself overwhelmed by it on a first watch, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by pretty much everything in it... set design, production values, the music, cinematography, its use of color, light and shadows, how frenetic it is! and of course, the performances and the songs. Everybody talks about Nicole Kidman, and she's great, but I was always captivated by Ewan McGregor's performance AND voice. I think I saw it two or three times that weekend. Bought the soundtrack shortly after as well, and still listen to it often. So yeah, I had hopes that this would crack the Top 20, but c'est la vie.

I haven't seen The Music Man.

Anyway, here's where I stand...


SEEN: 22/72
MY BALLOT: 8/25


1. Moulin Rouge! (#30)
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. An American in Paris (#42)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Inside Llewyn Davis (#53)
13. Moana (#68)
14. Sing Street (#40)
15.
16.
17. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (#66)
18.
19.
20.
21. The Band Wagon (#80)
22.
23.
24.
25. Hallelujah (One-pointer)

[Thief]

This is a crappy video transfer, but it's probably my favorite musical bit from Moulin Rouge!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH0VmCBbO8s

The whole sequence is a masterclass in cinematography, and the use of light and shadows.

[MovieMeditation]

I pretty much hated Moulin Rouge… visually it was like if Michael Bay directed a musical.

Not seen The Music Man.

[dadgumblah]

I've also only seen Moulin Rouge! once and I really liked it, and thought that was one of the last times (sorry) that Nicole Kidman looked great before she did whatever to her face. She and Ewan McGregor did a decent job on singing and the movie itself looked fantastic, plus the famous songs they sang were already almost guaranteed to hit the public with familarity. It was an entertaining job all the way around and I thought it was guaranteed to make the countdown. That said, I didn't vote for it.

The Music Man is one that I'm very familiar with, knowing many of the songs from it, but I've only seen parts of it. I'm very keen to watch it all the way through. It was one of my Mom's favorite musicals, and I love almost all the cast so there's that. But, alas, it did not make my list. I'm glad to see it here, though.

So far:
#1. On the Town #93 (list proper)
#6. Easter Parade #78 (list proper)
#8. Meet Me in St. Louis #33 (list proper)
#9 Yankee Doodle Dandy #32 (list proper)
#10. Gigi #85 (list proper)
#12. Calamity Jane #84 (list proper)
#14. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers #71 (list proper)
#18. The Muppet Movie #45 (list proper)
#25. Neptune's Daughter (one-pointer)

[Gideon58]

I watched The Music Man for a Hall of Fame back in 2019. (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2042009#post2042009) It has since held the position of my least favorite movie ever. I attempted to watch Moulin Rouge many years ago, but couldn't get through it. I did not try again.

Seen: 34/72

Have you liked anything that has appeared on this countdown?

[Citizen Rules]

Moulin Rouge...I liked what I saw, but unfortunately I hated what I heard. I tried twice to watch it and twice I walked away from it. I just can't gel the modern soundtrack with a period piece film, that's like ketchup on ice cream.

[exiler96]

I have fond memories of Moulin' Rouge. It's probably shit, but I watched it young and swinged with it's very out-there style and game cast. Doesn't hurt that Kidman is... a whole lotta woman in it either.

https://media.tenor.com/3ga_oA9QcSUAAAAM/or-smoldening-temptress%3F-nicole-kidman.gif

[Miss Vicky]

Have you liked anything that has appeared on this countdown?

Obviously, yes.

Nine of the movies from my ballot have shown up so far as well as a few that I considered, but didn’t vote for.

[Gideon58]

Sorry, I just haven't seen you saying anything positive about any of the movies revealed so far.

[mrblond]

#30. Moulin Rouge!
Saw this film in theatre when it came out. I remember the hall was two-thirds empty. It was mostly Ewan McGregor who brought my company to the theatre. The only thing I remember of this event is boredom...

[cricket]

Watched Moulin Rouge for this countdown. I liked Kidman and some of the music but didn't care for the movie.

I liked The Music Man more than most musicals.

[Miss Vicky]

Sorry, I just haven't seen you saying anything positive about any of the movies revealed so far.

Then you haven't actually been reading my posts.

Yep, I was the highest vote.

Once it was made clear that movies about musicians would be eligible, there was never even a shred of doubt that Walk the Line would be on my ballot and placed quite high. It features some really great (and award-winning) performances in which the cast did all of their own singing and I really love the soundtrack. I'm a little disappointed at its low placement, but I'm happy that it made the cut.


I liked Begin Again (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2480788#post2480788) and considered it for my ballot, but ultimately didn't vote for it.

Templeton is my spirit animal, I've always loved Charlotte's Web, and it was #2 on my ballot.

I go back and forth on Moana. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't, but I've never loved it. If I had stuck with my original intention of not doing any preparation for this countdown, I probably would've voted for it. But I did prepare and it eventually got cut.

There are things I love about Sweeney Todd and things I hate about it, but my overall impression was positive enough to land it at #20 on my ballot.

The Jungle Book is fun and the songs are really catchy. I had it at #15 on my ballot.

Corpse Bride is creative and fun. If it had a stronger soundtrack I might even like it better than The Nightmare Before Christmas. But as it is I still liked it enough to put it at #12 on my ballot.

The Little Mermaid is one of Disney’s better animated musicals, but I don’t like it enough to vote for it.


I was never a big fan of [Alice In Wonderland] as a kid, but it's grown on me a lot in my adulthood. I voted for it at #21.

It wasn't quite instant love, but I liked Stingray Sam a lot on first watch and ended up watching it three more times and liking it more each time. I love it now, it has quickly become one of my favorite movies, and it landed on my ballot at #4 - though I considered putting it even higher... I'm absolutely ecstatic that it ranked this high!

I might have watched Stingray Sam for a fifth time last night... :D

I watched Sing Street on Holden's recommendation and, while I didn't love it, I thought it was a very solid film with some really good music and an interesting story. I also thought it was more engaging than Carney's better known film, Once (which I'm sure will make an appearance later), and probably overall on par with Begin Again (which appeared earlier in the countdown) but IMO this has better music.

Sing Street sneaked onto my ballot at #23.

I liked Phantom of the Paradise but not enough to vote for it.

I initially saw Les Misérables when it was in the theater because the Russell Crowe fangirl in me wouldn't allow me to ignore it. I went in totally expecting to hate it, but was pleasantly surprised. Despite my hatred for musicals, it's somehow still held up on repeat viewings and I had it at #11 on my ballot.

[beelzebubble]

LOVE The Music Man...played Marcellus Washburn in summer stock. I have the movie memorized.


That's so funny. I played Ethel Toffelmeier in an amateur production.


#36 - Les Demoiselles de Rochefort (1967) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504553#post2504553)
#35 - Fantasia (1940) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504554#post2504554)
#34 - Les Miserables (2012) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504804#post2504804)
#33 - Meet Me In St. Louis (1944) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504805#post2504805)
#32 - Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504987#post2504987)
#31 - That Thing You Do! (1996) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2504988#post2504988)

#30 - Moulin Rouge! (2001) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2505291#post2505291)
#29 - The Music Man (1962) (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=2505292#post2505292)


I have seen all of these movies. I love Fantasia, Meet Me in St. Louis and The Music Man. I certainly enjoyed Les Miz, That Thing You Do!, and Moulin Rouge. None of these were on my list because of technical difficulties and time constraints but The Music Man and Meet Me in St Louis definitely should have been.

[kgaard]

I liked Moulin Rouge! well enough, just not well enough to put it on my list.

The Music Man, on the other hand, is great fun with good, classic musical music, if you follow me. Also, it's of course the inspiration for a song parody, probably the greatest ... oh, it's not for you, it's more of an r/movies song parody...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDOI0cq6GZM

The Music Man was my #11.

[Wooley]

31. That Thing You Do (1996) - I've always steered clear of this film because I thought it wasn't meant to be very good - but by it's placing in this countdown perhaps I should reconsider that vague verdict. I mean, it wasn't a movie I was particularly averse to seeing, it's just that I've never heard anyone praising it - I'm about to read the various comments here and will be very interested in what's said about it.



It is very good.

[Wooley]

The Music Man...my number #1 on my ballot.

You have great taste.

[Wooley]

I pretty much hated Moulin Rouge… visually it was like if Michael Bay directed a musical.

Not seen The Music Man.

FWIW, that is very much how I felt about it on my first (theatrical) viewing, to the degree that I actually kept going to the lobby to take breaks from it.
I have had cause to re-watch it a few times over the years and I have come to a place of feeling pretty positive about it, despite my loathing of Jukebox Musicals, which I refuse to even validate as musicals.

[Citizen Rules]

You have great taste.:)That lifts my blues from the last two days.

[Wooley]

So The Music Man was my No.2 and has been since I saw my No.1.
I cannot think of a better example of what a musical should be than The Music Man.
(Of course, that's, in a way, why my No.1 is my No.1.)
I was actually told that I would have to leave a high school performance of it once if I did not stop reciting the entire play, verbatim, as it was happening. I was only 14 years old.
I have seen this film so many times I cannot guess and I have seen it very recently and confirmed that I had been right every time.

[Wooley]

:)That lifts my blues from the last two days.

Happy to help.

[SpelingError]

I like Moulin Rouge well enough. Its frenetic, over-the-top style did shut me down initially, but I felt the film either toned down after the first half hour or I gradually adjusted to its wavelength and, therefore, enjoyed it more. Not sure I'll ever rewatch it, but it certainly has its fans.

The Music Man was #17 on my ballot. It's both my Mom's and my late grandfather's favorite musical of all time, so I've seen it on television a handful of times over the years. If I had time to rewatch it for this countdown, it might've made it higher.

[SpelingError]

4. The Burden
6. Inside Llewyn Davis
7. The Young Girls of Rochefort
8. Top Hat
12. Duck Soup
16. Meet Me in St. Louis
17. The Music Man

[PHOENIX74]

30. Moulin Rouge! (2001) - I saw this at the movies when it came out, and I really enjoyed it. Happened to start a relationship not long after, with someone who was a huge Moulin Rouge! fan, so some of the movie became kind of like "ours", and meant something extra special. When we broke up two years later I threw my copy of Moulin Rouge! in the bin. Maybe, after all this time, I'm ready to watch the movie again and like it. I haven't seen it since way back then. I'm not a fan of Baz Luhrmann, but up on the big screen it was pretty dazzling. Not on my ballot.

29. The Music Man (1962) - I know absolutely nothing about this one, but having skimmed a few comments already I feel like it's something I should keep my eye out for. Look forward to it.

Seen : 45/72

[Thursday Next]

8lists133pointsLabyrinth (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/13597-labyrinth.html)Director
Jim Henson, 1986

Starring
David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson

[Thursday Next]

11lists133pointsSouth Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (https://www.movieforums.com/movies/9473-south-park-bigger-longeruncut.html)Director
Trey Parker, 1999

Starring
Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mary Kay Bergman, Isaac Hayes

[MovieMeditation]

I’ve seen Labyrinth. And while I like Bowie and have always appreciated practical effects of all kind, I remember this to be a tad too much wacky tacky stuff. I felt overwhelmed and wasn’t really as spellbinded as I had hoped.

I’ve not seen the South Park movie and in general I’m not really a fan of the show. So haven’t had any interest in the movie.

[Takoma11]

I saw Labyrinth on the big screen (a double bill with The Dark Crystal!!) about 15 years ago and it was a ton of fun.

I know that Moulin Rouge really tends to split people. The modern music + the frenetic style is . . . a lot. But I did really enjoy it both times I saw it in the theater when it came out. It's a very talented cast.

[Citizen Rules]

I've seen the South Park movie, I liked the TV series better back in the day...is it even still on?
Haven't seen Labyrinth.
That's all I got for today.