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Full Metal Jacket...the first half at boot camp is genius and R. Lee Ermey is one nasty drill sargent! The second half of the film is blase. It meanders without aim and the urban fighting scenes with the lone sniper has more of WWII about it than Vietnam. The only good part of the second half is the 'me so horny' bit. Kubrick said he was 'lost' while making the film and it shows in the second half.
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Nope! Not on my list. I don't know why. Maybe its because I it's a story of male camaraderie. Maybe its the darkness of Kubrick. I don't know.
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I got Saving Private Ryan as a blind buy on VHS many years ago, started it once, never finished it and then my VCR broke and was never replaced. I doubt I'll ever give it another try. I've never attempted to watch Full Metal Jacket and probably never will.
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Full Metal Jacket...the first half at boot camp is genius and R. Lee Ermey is one nasty drill sargent! The second half of the film is blase. It meanders without aim and the urban fighting scenes with the lone sniper has more of WWII about it than Vietnam. The only good part of the second half is the 'me so horny' bit. Kubrick said he was 'lost' while making the film and it shows in the second half.
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Saving Private Ryan is okay, but was never in the running for my list.
Full Metal Jacket ... yeah, the criticism that the first half far outshines the second is commonplace, but it's exactly how I feel every time I watch it. That first half is really, really good, but not enough to get on my list. Sorry, Stan!
Full Metal Jacket ... yeah, the criticism that the first half far outshines the second is commonplace, but it's exactly how I feel every time I watch it. That first half is really, really good, but not enough to get on my list. Sorry, Stan!
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Full Metal Jacket was #20 on my ballot. I went from thinking it was a great film to a really good film in my mid to late teen years before finally settling on the opinion that it was a great film. Given the criticisms the second half gets though, I figured I'd write a defense on it as the main arguments I hear (the action isn't impressive, its too meandering/aimless) don't really get at the heart of the film's themes.
Dehumanization and the infantilization of the killer male psyche is at the heart of the entire film. This theme is pretty clear in the first half. Sgt. Hartman's purpose is to strip the soldiers of their identity and to dehumanize them for the war, thus making them into obedient killers. This is shown in the feminization of their guns and them treating girls as currency, which is reflected through the Vietnamese prostitutes in the second half. Animal Mother is also portrayed as being barely more stable than Pvt. Pyle. Bearing witness to the various extensions of the infantilized behavior of the soldiers, especially when one considers the taste the first half leaves, is where the greatness of the second half lies. This all culminates in the sniper scene in the final act. That the sniper (arguably the most dangerous enemy they encounter) is a young woman isn't just an accident. This is an intentional choice from Kubrick since it serves to undermine the psychological damage done to the soldiers during their time in boot camp. Joker putting her out of her misery in spite of his squadmates telling him not to shows that he found respite from the psychological damage he showed all throughout the second half, hence his prolonged stare into the camera. Not sure why it's so hard to recognize this as a central part of the film's themes. Finally, the Mickey Mouse chant in the final scene is another example of the contrapuntal scoring which Kubrick was famous for. Given everything we see of the soldiers throughout the film, having them sing a children's song while walking through the ruins of a burning city matches the infantilized behavior we saw of them throughout the film very well. Paired with Joker's final monologue (which, given the "world of shit" remark, has some similarities to Pvt. Pyle's comments at the end of the first half), makes for a powerful scene to end the film on. So, my advice for those who don't care for the second half would be to rewatch it with these themes in mind throughout your viewing. If you still don't care for the second half, then fine. However, like I said at the start, the main arguments I see people raise towards the second half don't really have much to do with the central ideas of it, or why it's a necessary extension to the first half.
Dehumanization and the infantilization of the killer male psyche is at the heart of the entire film. This theme is pretty clear in the first half. Sgt. Hartman's purpose is to strip the soldiers of their identity and to dehumanize them for the war, thus making them into obedient killers. This is shown in the feminization of their guns and them treating girls as currency, which is reflected through the Vietnamese prostitutes in the second half. Animal Mother is also portrayed as being barely more stable than Pvt. Pyle. Bearing witness to the various extensions of the infantilized behavior of the soldiers, especially when one considers the taste the first half leaves, is where the greatness of the second half lies. This all culminates in the sniper scene in the final act. That the sniper (arguably the most dangerous enemy they encounter) is a young woman isn't just an accident. This is an intentional choice from Kubrick since it serves to undermine the psychological damage done to the soldiers during their time in boot camp. Joker putting her out of her misery in spite of his squadmates telling him not to shows that he found respite from the psychological damage he showed all throughout the second half, hence his prolonged stare into the camera. Not sure why it's so hard to recognize this as a central part of the film's themes. Finally, the Mickey Mouse chant in the final scene is another example of the contrapuntal scoring which Kubrick was famous for. Given everything we see of the soldiers throughout the film, having them sing a children's song while walking through the ruins of a burning city matches the infantilized behavior we saw of them throughout the film very well. Paired with Joker's final monologue (which, given the "world of shit" remark, has some similarities to Pvt. Pyle's comments at the end of the first half), makes for a powerful scene to end the film on. So, my advice for those who don't care for the second half would be to rewatch it with these themes in mind throughout your viewing. If you still don't care for the second half, then fine. However, like I said at the start, the main arguments I see people raise towards the second half don't really have much to do with the central ideas of it, or why it's a necessary extension to the first half.
Last edited by SpelingError; 09-29-23 at 11:22 PM.
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My updated ballot:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. To Be or Not to Be (#41)
6. The Battle of Algiers (#24)
7.
8. The Best Years of Our Lives (#21)
9. From Here to Eternity (#30)
10. The Ascent (#33)
11. The Thin Red Line (#17)
12. Pan's Labyrinth (#54)
13. The General (#64)
14. Kanal (#61)
15. Red Angel (#100)
16. Underground (#43)
17. The Shop on Main Street (N/A)
18. This Land is Mine (N/A)
19. Barry Lyndon (#50)
20. Full Metal Jacket (#7)
21. The Fifth Seal (N/A)
22.
23. Johnny Got His Gun (#97)
24. Night and Fog (#48)
25. The Deer Hunter (#25)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. To Be or Not to Be (#41)
6. The Battle of Algiers (#24)
7.
8. The Best Years of Our Lives (#21)
9. From Here to Eternity (#30)
10. The Ascent (#33)
11. The Thin Red Line (#17)
12. Pan's Labyrinth (#54)
13. The General (#64)
14. Kanal (#61)
15. Red Angel (#100)
16. Underground (#43)
17. The Shop on Main Street (N/A)
18. This Land is Mine (N/A)
19. Barry Lyndon (#50)
20. Full Metal Jacket (#7)
21. The Fifth Seal (N/A)
22.
23. Johnny Got His Gun (#97)
24. Night and Fog (#48)
25. The Deer Hunter (#25)
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Didn't Make the List (4/4)
1. The Travelling Players (1975)
Alright, so I knew at the start that this film had no chance of making the list. After I checked my favorite's list and saw that this was a few spots higher than the film which I originally thought was going to be my #1, I briefly considered putting it at #2, but I ultimately decided to remain loyal to this film. I won't pretend that it's for everyone, but it was completely up my alley and I was blown away by it when I watched it. Here's what I wrote on it in one of the Hall of Fame threads:
This is my second time watching this film and it's just as great as I remember it being. In regards to Angelopoulous, the only other film I've seen from him is "Landscape in the Mist", which I also really enjoyed, but I like this one much more. "Landscape in the Mist" is definitely the more accessible of the two films since it has a greater emphasis on characterization, but while I enjoyed that film quite a bit, I prefer this film for its greater focus on its mysterious charm.
I stopped caring about the story and the characters about half an hour into this film and instead focused on the film's style. Angelopoulos seamlessly blends personal and political history in a number of hypnotic ways in just about every single sequence. And this is accomplished despite the film being almost four hours long! Throughout all the long takes in the film, Angelopoulos managed to drop my jaw a number of times. For one, he found all kinds of creative ways for the various political figures and set pieces to creep into the frame and intrude on or interrupt the characters lives. For example, the film sometimes showed the sounds of a patrol of Nazis or a political march in the distance get louder and louder until the characters eventually entered the frame. Also, sometimes when the characters would exit from the frame of a shot, it would linger in that location for a while until a soldier or a military vehicle would enter the frame, often indicating the film is jumping from past to present. This unconventional shooting style gave a hypnotic style to the film which I found quite mesmerizing and poetic.
The way violence is shown in this film is also impressive, specifically in regards to which bits are shown onscreen and which are shown offscreen. A recurring aspect to the violence was that, right when a violent bit would start, the characters would run away from the frame and the sounds of gunfire, explosions, or screaming could be heard in the distance, creating a strong sense of claustrophobia and (at times) fear of the unknown in the process. In many other cases, the violence served to prevent the actors from performing time and time again. The main highlight to the violence though is a lengthy sequence in the middle where the actors come across a gunfight between a patrol of Nazis and a group of Communists while sneaking through a town at night. The way the violence and the military units in this sequence are framed (they're only shown through the gaps between various houses and stores), in addition to a dose of surrealism, is nothing short of perfect.
Really, this film kept me glued to the screen from beginning to end in a way that few films have accomplished, and that it accomplishes this in spite of its length makes me all the more impressed by it. Some people may take issue with its lack of characterization, but I didn't mind that at all since it contributed to the film's mysterious power. Of course, I understand that many people will be intimidated by this film's length (which is understandable as I was worried it would be a chore to get through when I first watched it), but I still recommend giving it a chance anyways.
Most likely to enjoy this: @crumbsroom
1. The Travelling Players (1975)
Alright, so I knew at the start that this film had no chance of making the list. After I checked my favorite's list and saw that this was a few spots higher than the film which I originally thought was going to be my #1, I briefly considered putting it at #2, but I ultimately decided to remain loyal to this film. I won't pretend that it's for everyone, but it was completely up my alley and I was blown away by it when I watched it. Here's what I wrote on it in one of the Hall of Fame threads:
This is my second time watching this film and it's just as great as I remember it being. In regards to Angelopoulous, the only other film I've seen from him is "Landscape in the Mist", which I also really enjoyed, but I like this one much more. "Landscape in the Mist" is definitely the more accessible of the two films since it has a greater emphasis on characterization, but while I enjoyed that film quite a bit, I prefer this film for its greater focus on its mysterious charm.
I stopped caring about the story and the characters about half an hour into this film and instead focused on the film's style. Angelopoulos seamlessly blends personal and political history in a number of hypnotic ways in just about every single sequence. And this is accomplished despite the film being almost four hours long! Throughout all the long takes in the film, Angelopoulos managed to drop my jaw a number of times. For one, he found all kinds of creative ways for the various political figures and set pieces to creep into the frame and intrude on or interrupt the characters lives. For example, the film sometimes showed the sounds of a patrol of Nazis or a political march in the distance get louder and louder until the characters eventually entered the frame. Also, sometimes when the characters would exit from the frame of a shot, it would linger in that location for a while until a soldier or a military vehicle would enter the frame, often indicating the film is jumping from past to present. This unconventional shooting style gave a hypnotic style to the film which I found quite mesmerizing and poetic.
The way violence is shown in this film is also impressive, specifically in regards to which bits are shown onscreen and which are shown offscreen. A recurring aspect to the violence was that, right when a violent bit would start, the characters would run away from the frame and the sounds of gunfire, explosions, or screaming could be heard in the distance, creating a strong sense of claustrophobia and (at times) fear of the unknown in the process. In many other cases, the violence served to prevent the actors from performing time and time again. The main highlight to the violence though is a lengthy sequence in the middle where the actors come across a gunfight between a patrol of Nazis and a group of Communists while sneaking through a town at night. The way the violence and the military units in this sequence are framed (they're only shown through the gaps between various houses and stores), in addition to a dose of surrealism, is nothing short of perfect.
Really, this film kept me glued to the screen from beginning to end in a way that few films have accomplished, and that it accomplishes this in spite of its length makes me all the more impressed by it. Some people may take issue with its lack of characterization, but I didn't mind that at all since it contributed to the film's mysterious power. Of course, I understand that many people will be intimidated by this film's length (which is understandable as I was worried it would be a chore to get through when I first watched it), but I still recommend giving it a chance anyways.
Most likely to enjoy this: @crumbsroom
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My updated ballot:
1. The Travelling Players (N/A)
2.
3.
4.
5. To Be or Not to Be (#41)
6. The Battle of Algiers (#24)
7.
8. The Best Years of Our Lives (#21)
9. From Here to Eternity (#30)
10. The Ascent (#33)
11. The Thin Red Line (#17)
12. Pan's Labyrinth (#54)
13. The General (#64)
14. Kanal (#61)
15. Red Angel (#100)
16. Underground (#43)
17. The Shop on Main Street (N/A)
18. This Land is Mine (N/A)
19. Barry Lyndon (#50)
20. Full Metal Jacket (#7)
21. The Fifth Seal (N/A)
22.
23. Johnny Got His Gun (#97)
24. Night and Fog (#48)
25. The Deer Hunter (#25)
1. The Travelling Players (N/A)
2.
3.
4.
5. To Be or Not to Be (#41)
6. The Battle of Algiers (#24)
7.
8. The Best Years of Our Lives (#21)
9. From Here to Eternity (#30)
10. The Ascent (#33)
11. The Thin Red Line (#17)
12. Pan's Labyrinth (#54)
13. The General (#64)
14. Kanal (#61)
15. Red Angel (#100)
16. Underground (#43)
17. The Shop on Main Street (N/A)
18. This Land is Mine (N/A)
19. Barry Lyndon (#50)
20. Full Metal Jacket (#7)
21. The Fifth Seal (N/A)
22.
23. Johnny Got His Gun (#97)
24. Night and Fog (#48)
25. The Deer Hunter (#25)
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Yet another surprise! Along with Saving Private Ryan, this is another I was sure would crack the Top 5. Anyway, I've seen this film countless of times since I was a teenager, it is my second favorite Kubrick film, and obviously one of my favorite war films. I think it does a great job of showing the dehumanization of those that enlist so they can serve the "war machine"; all with Kubrick's unique humor.
I know it is a common trend to slice the film in two and say "the first half is better", but I really can't think of one without the other. All the actions that we see in that second half are direct reactions to what we saw in the first half, and I love that duality. The performances are great and also the production values! For those that don't know, the movie was filmed in London, and Kubrick went to great lengths to make it look like Vietnam by flying in palm trees and other stuff.
Anyway, it was my #1. I really could've had it at #2 or #3, but I thought this would be the one to need more help from the three I had at the top.
Seen: 46/94
Ballot: 16/25
I know it is a common trend to slice the film in two and say "the first half is better", but I really can't think of one without the other. All the actions that we see in that second half are direct reactions to what we saw in the first half, and I love that duality. The performances are great and also the production values! For those that don't know, the movie was filmed in London, and Kubrick went to great lengths to make it look like Vietnam by flying in palm trees and other stuff.
Anyway, it was my #1. I really could've had it at #2 or #3, but I thought this would be the one to need more help from the three I had at the top.
Seen: 46/94
Ballot: 16/25
My ballot:
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7. Full Metal Jacket - Another one from my list - a very unique war film, and a very unique great film. How many movies of this magnitude have such an incredible first half and okay second half? At the halfway mark, Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket is perhaps the greatest movie ever made - and the first few times I watched it the second half didn't even register - I was too busy thinking about what I'd just seen. We go to Parris Island where new recruits are being turned into killers by a vicious, unflappable drill sergeant (played by real-life drill sergeant Lee Ermey) - which ends up being more terrifying and tough than actual battle. There, Leonard Lawrence (Vincent D'Onofrio) is driven to madness by the relentless bullying the instructor and fellow recruits dole out to him. He does end up being turned into a killer though. We see this through the eyes of J. T. Davis (Matthew Modine), a more laid-back, observant writer who manages to get a gig writing for newspaper Stars and Stripes. Once in Vietnam, he's expected to comply with his superiors, who want propaganda instead of reporting. Obvious the whole film is great - but it sure overshadows itself with that first half/second half disparity. I still thought it deserved a spot on my ballot though - as far as the Vietnam war is concerned, it has the most nuanced meaning and authentic feel to it. I had it at #18. That's 7 in a row - will tomorrow make it 8?
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Seen : 72/94
I'd never even heard of :12/94
Movies that had been on my radar, but I haven't seen yet : 10/94
Films from my list : 19
#7 - My #18 - Full Metal Jacket (1987)
#8 - My #10 - Saving Private Ryan (1998)
#9 - My #6 - Das Boot (1981)
#10 - My #8 - All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
#11 - My #3 - Schindler's List (1993)
#12 - My #9 - Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
#13 - My #12 - Downfall (2004)
#15 - My #21 - Inglourious Basterds (2009)
#17 - My #11 - The Thin Red Line (1998)
#20 - My #17 - The Cranes Are Flying (1957)
#27 - My #15 - The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959)
#31 - My #20 - 1917 (2019)
#33 - My #2 - The Ascent (1977)
#34 - My #4 - The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961)
#38 - My #23 - Glory (1989)
#49 - My #24 - The Guns of Navarone (1961)
#51 - My #7 - The Human Condition II : Road to Eternity (1959)
#70 - My #14 - The Caine Mutiny (1954)
#74 - My #16 - Shoah (1985)
Overlooked films : Breaker Morant, Fail-Safe, Night and Fog, Casablanca, The Travelling Players
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Seen : 72/94
I'd never even heard of :12/94
Movies that had been on my radar, but I haven't seen yet : 10/94
Films from my list : 19
#7 - My #18 - Full Metal Jacket (1987)
#8 - My #10 - Saving Private Ryan (1998)
#9 - My #6 - Das Boot (1981)
#10 - My #8 - All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
#11 - My #3 - Schindler's List (1993)
#12 - My #9 - Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
#13 - My #12 - Downfall (2004)
#15 - My #21 - Inglourious Basterds (2009)
#17 - My #11 - The Thin Red Line (1998)
#20 - My #17 - The Cranes Are Flying (1957)
#27 - My #15 - The Human Condition I: No Greater Love (1959)
#31 - My #20 - 1917 (2019)
#33 - My #2 - The Ascent (1977)
#34 - My #4 - The Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961)
#38 - My #23 - Glory (1989)
#49 - My #24 - The Guns of Navarone (1961)
#51 - My #7 - The Human Condition II : Road to Eternity (1959)
#70 - My #14 - The Caine Mutiny (1954)
#74 - My #16 - Shoah (1985)
Overlooked films : Breaker Morant, Fail-Safe, Night and Fog, Casablanca, The Travelling Players
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Last edited by PHOENIX74; 09-30-23 at 12:28 AM.
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Full Metal Jacket is my #11 and it's a monumental film from Kubrick. I love the whole film but R. Lee Ermey's Gunney Sgt. Hartman is a towering performance and you do miss him when he's gone from the movie. You also miss Vincent D'Onofrio when he's gone from the film. But I love the 2nd half almost as much. Matthew Modine's continual sarcasm is welcome in this half. This is strong stuff and is one of my favorite Kubrick films.
#2 Platoon "Barnes been shot seven times and he ain't dead. Does that mean anything to you, huh? Barnes ain't meant to die. The only thing that can kill Barnes is Barnes." #16
#4 1917 "Look, its just a bit of bloody tin. It doesn't make you special. It doesn't make any difference to anyone." #31
#5 Saving Private Ryan "I just know that every man I kill the farther away from home I feel." #8
#6 Das Boot "They're drinking at the bar, celebrating our sinking! Not yet, my friends. Not yet!" #9
#7 The Longest Day "In this darkest hour, in the gloom of night, we must not despair. For each of us, deliverance is coming!" #36
#8 Hacksaw Ridge "Please Lord, help me get one more. Help me get one more." #67
#9 We Were Soliders "If any of you sons of bitches calls me grandpa, I'll kill you." #104 DNP
#10 The Hurt Locker "The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug."#58
#11 Full Metal Jacket "You best unf*** yourself or I will unscrew your head and s### down your NECK!" #7
#12 Dunkirk "Seeing home doesn't help us get there, Captain." #47
#15 Patton "Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!" #28
#17 The Best Years of Our Lives “I had a dream. I dreamt I was home. I've had that same dream hundreds of times before. This time, I wanted to find out if it's really true. Am I really home?” #21
#18 The Dirty Dozen "Killin' generals could get to be a habit with me." #32
#20 The Steel Helmet "First we'll eat; then we'll bury 'em," DNP
#21 Tora! Tora! Tora! "It looks good on paper, but for God's sake... that's not a paper fleet sitting out there." #63
#23 The Deer Hunter "Stanley, see this? This is this. This ain't something else. This is this. From now on, you're on your own." #25
#2 Platoon "Barnes been shot seven times and he ain't dead. Does that mean anything to you, huh? Barnes ain't meant to die. The only thing that can kill Barnes is Barnes." #16
#4 1917 "Look, its just a bit of bloody tin. It doesn't make you special. It doesn't make any difference to anyone." #31
#5 Saving Private Ryan "I just know that every man I kill the farther away from home I feel." #8
#6 Das Boot "They're drinking at the bar, celebrating our sinking! Not yet, my friends. Not yet!" #9
#7 The Longest Day "In this darkest hour, in the gloom of night, we must not despair. For each of us, deliverance is coming!" #36
#8 Hacksaw Ridge "Please Lord, help me get one more. Help me get one more." #67
#9 We Were Soliders "If any of you sons of bitches calls me grandpa, I'll kill you." #104 DNP
#10 The Hurt Locker "The rush of battle is often a potent and lethal addiction, for war is a drug."#58
#11 Full Metal Jacket "You best unf*** yourself or I will unscrew your head and s### down your NECK!" #7
#12 Dunkirk "Seeing home doesn't help us get there, Captain." #47
#15 Patton "Rommel, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!" #28
#17 The Best Years of Our Lives “I had a dream. I dreamt I was home. I've had that same dream hundreds of times before. This time, I wanted to find out if it's really true. Am I really home?” #21
#18 The Dirty Dozen "Killin' generals could get to be a habit with me." #32
#20 The Steel Helmet "First we'll eat; then we'll bury 'em," DNP
#21 Tora! Tora! Tora! "It looks good on paper, but for God's sake... that's not a paper fleet sitting out there." #63
#23 The Deer Hunter "Stanley, see this? This is this. This ain't something else. This is this. From now on, you're on your own." #25
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Last edited by dadgumblah; 09-30-23 at 03:15 PM.
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Full Metal Jacket was #10 on the MoFo Top 100 of the 1980s.
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99%
MF: Top Musicals
100%
MF: Top Noir Films
100%
MF: Top Films of 70s
100%
MF: Top Westerns
It's kinda sad, all six remaining films I have on my list. There's also some really notable oversights on my part. For instance I bought Das Boot on DVD years ago and have never watched it. I really ought fix that. Only three from my list won't make it, and I figure only one of them had a chance.
At #7 I had No Man's Land, with its mix of absurdism, existentialism, and satire, and it's a gripping story to boot.
#17 Father Goose. This is very much a longtime favorite. I watched it every chance I got as a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s. In one of his last roles Cary Grant is great as the cynical alcoholic (the "filthy beast") who finds himself looking after a teacher (Leslie Caron) and a group of school age girls on a deserted island after he's been tricked into watching for Japanese planes during WWII. It's a sentiment favorite.
#18 Five Graves of Cairo is Billy Wilder not at his best, but for whatever reason this charms the heck out of me and it's got a little of everything going on. An enjoyable movie.
That's it that didn't make it. My list as of now:
1.
2.
3. The Great Dictator (#22)
4. Casablanca (#14)
5. From Here to Eternity (#30)
6. Inglourious Basterds (#15)
7. No Man’s Land (DNP)
8.
9.
10. A Man Escaped (#83)
11. Stalag 17 (#35)
12. Ran (#18)
13. Letters from Iwo Jima (#60)
14. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) (#10)
15.
16. The Grand Illusion (#44)
17. Father Goose (DNP)
18. Five Graves of Cairo (DNP)
19. Platoon (#16)
20. Schindler's List (#11)
21. Shame (#89)
22. The Best Years of Our Lives (#21)
23. The Cranes Are Flying (#20)
24. Downfall (#13)
25.
At #7 I had No Man's Land, with its mix of absurdism, existentialism, and satire, and it's a gripping story to boot.
#17 Father Goose. This is very much a longtime favorite. I watched it every chance I got as a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s. In one of his last roles Cary Grant is great as the cynical alcoholic (the "filthy beast") who finds himself looking after a teacher (Leslie Caron) and a group of school age girls on a deserted island after he's been tricked into watching for Japanese planes during WWII. It's a sentiment favorite.
#18 Five Graves of Cairo is Billy Wilder not at his best, but for whatever reason this charms the heck out of me and it's got a little of everything going on. An enjoyable movie.
That's it that didn't make it. My list as of now:
1.
2.
3. The Great Dictator (#22)
4. Casablanca (#14)
5. From Here to Eternity (#30)
6. Inglourious Basterds (#15)
7. No Man’s Land (DNP)
8.
9.
10. A Man Escaped (#83)
11. Stalag 17 (#35)
12. Ran (#18)
13. Letters from Iwo Jima (#60)
14. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) (#10)
15.
16. The Grand Illusion (#44)
17. Father Goose (DNP)
18. Five Graves of Cairo (DNP)
19. Platoon (#16)
20. Schindler's List (#11)
21. Shame (#89)
22. The Best Years of Our Lives (#21)
23. The Cranes Are Flying (#20)
24. Downfall (#13)
25.
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I liked "Full Metal Jacket" but haven't seen it in a long time.. I thought saving private ryan was pretty stupid...
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I've been away for the last couple of weeks so I'm just going to speed through what I've missed. Anything I voted for is highlighted in blue.
The Dirty Dozen - watched once, liked it, definitely mean to revisit it.
1917 - watched once. Mendes' previous film Spectre opened with an oner lasting several minutes that did little more than track James Bond walking through a crowded street and onto a hotel roof before cutting as the actual action kicked in, which did seem like an omen for just how ponderous and ineffective a full feature of that approach to technique over all would get. I don't care for it.
From Here to Eternity - watched once, thought it was very good.
Army of Shadows - #17 on my ballot. Always interesting to see a war film that draws on the filmmaker's own wartime experiences and this grimly fatalistic tale about the decidedly unromantic and jaded but still fundamentally necessary practice of resistance tactics resonates for those reasons and many more.
Patton - watched once, liked it and intend to revisit it. Those three-hour runtimes are daunting, though.
No Greater Love - #6 on my ballot. Still give the edge to A Soldier's Prayer, but this arguably has the Fellowship bump of being the first part in a planned-out trilogy that has to stand on its own no matter what and it most definitely does that in telling its grim tale of life in a labour camp.
Braveheart - watched twice. Probably one of the worst Best Picture winners if I'm being honest.
The Deer Hunter - watched once. I put this on my top 100 back in 2005 but I've never gotten around to revisiting it - feels like it was supplanted by a certain other film I voted for that will definitely not make it onto the list at this rate, but I would like to rewatch it at some point.
The Battle of Algiers - #13 on my ballot. If "urban guerrilla warfare" can be considered a sub-genre of war movie, then this is its zenith.
The Pianist - watched once, liked it quite a lot but I get the sense I'll never get around to revisiting it.
The Great Dictator - watched once. Chaplin's fine, but he's always been an artist I respect more than actually enjoy even as this shows him reaching a new level to his work as a filmmaker.
The Best Years of our Lives - watched once and thought it was excellent, though it is another one of those films where I always question whether I really want to carve out three hours to revisit it.
The Cranes Are Flying - watched once, thought it was great.
The Great Escape - watched once, liked it well enough but have no desire to revisit it.
Ran - if I'd known this was eligible, this would've been top 5 on my ballot, but I did not use IMDb to verify it. A shame, as that would definitely have put it at least one very well-deserved spot higher.
The Thin Red Line - watched once and liked it, very much due for a rewatch of it and most other Malick films.
Platoon - #22 on my ballot. Not quite the be-all and end-all of war films, but not for a lack of trying.
Inglourious Basterds - #9 on my ballot. Watched this three times in theatres alone (never mind however many outside of that) and, while I'd pick something else for a favourite QT, you could definitely make the case for it being his quote-unquote masterpiece.
Casablanca - watched it at least twice, it's one of the greatest films ever made and all but that doesn't mean I really love it.
Downfall - watched once, never feel like I have to watch it again.
Grave of the Fireflies - #8 on my ballot. Tragedy, pure and simple.
Schindler's List - watched it at least a couple of times, most recently this year. I revived an old thread of mine over my issues with how Williams' typically elegiac score seemed to compromise the rest of the film's stark depiction of the Holocaust, but that's arguably a minor flaw in the grand scheme of things.
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) - watched once, but I vividly remember how striking it was, especially for a film of its vintage. I could do with a rewatch or even reading the book (especially after the recent adaptation proved fairly middling).
Das Boot - #10 on my ballot. The length does make it a tough sit, as does its claustrophobic setting, but that's still very much a testament to its power.
Saving Private Ryan - probably watched it a few times by this point. All I'm saying is that there's a reason I can't think of this without immediately thinking of this extremely critical essay by William Goldman.
Full Metal Jacket - #11 on my ballot. What can I say, Stan is the man.
The Dirty Dozen - watched once, liked it, definitely mean to revisit it.
1917 - watched once. Mendes' previous film Spectre opened with an oner lasting several minutes that did little more than track James Bond walking through a crowded street and onto a hotel roof before cutting as the actual action kicked in, which did seem like an omen for just how ponderous and ineffective a full feature of that approach to technique over all would get. I don't care for it.
From Here to Eternity - watched once, thought it was very good.
Army of Shadows - #17 on my ballot. Always interesting to see a war film that draws on the filmmaker's own wartime experiences and this grimly fatalistic tale about the decidedly unromantic and jaded but still fundamentally necessary practice of resistance tactics resonates for those reasons and many more.
Patton - watched once, liked it and intend to revisit it. Those three-hour runtimes are daunting, though.
No Greater Love - #6 on my ballot. Still give the edge to A Soldier's Prayer, but this arguably has the Fellowship bump of being the first part in a planned-out trilogy that has to stand on its own no matter what and it most definitely does that in telling its grim tale of life in a labour camp.
Braveheart - watched twice. Probably one of the worst Best Picture winners if I'm being honest.
The Deer Hunter - watched once. I put this on my top 100 back in 2005 but I've never gotten around to revisiting it - feels like it was supplanted by a certain other film I voted for that will definitely not make it onto the list at this rate, but I would like to rewatch it at some point.
The Battle of Algiers - #13 on my ballot. If "urban guerrilla warfare" can be considered a sub-genre of war movie, then this is its zenith.
The Pianist - watched once, liked it quite a lot but I get the sense I'll never get around to revisiting it.
The Great Dictator - watched once. Chaplin's fine, but he's always been an artist I respect more than actually enjoy even as this shows him reaching a new level to his work as a filmmaker.
The Best Years of our Lives - watched once and thought it was excellent, though it is another one of those films where I always question whether I really want to carve out three hours to revisit it.
The Cranes Are Flying - watched once, thought it was great.
The Great Escape - watched once, liked it well enough but have no desire to revisit it.
Ran - if I'd known this was eligible, this would've been top 5 on my ballot, but I did not use IMDb to verify it. A shame, as that would definitely have put it at least one very well-deserved spot higher.
The Thin Red Line - watched once and liked it, very much due for a rewatch of it and most other Malick films.
Platoon - #22 on my ballot. Not quite the be-all and end-all of war films, but not for a lack of trying.
Inglourious Basterds - #9 on my ballot. Watched this three times in theatres alone (never mind however many outside of that) and, while I'd pick something else for a favourite QT, you could definitely make the case for it being his quote-unquote masterpiece.
Casablanca - watched it at least twice, it's one of the greatest films ever made and all but that doesn't mean I really love it.
Downfall - watched once, never feel like I have to watch it again.
Grave of the Fireflies - #8 on my ballot. Tragedy, pure and simple.
Schindler's List - watched it at least a couple of times, most recently this year. I revived an old thread of mine over my issues with how Williams' typically elegiac score seemed to compromise the rest of the film's stark depiction of the Holocaust, but that's arguably a minor flaw in the grand scheme of things.
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) - watched once, but I vividly remember how striking it was, especially for a film of its vintage. I could do with a rewatch or even reading the book (especially after the recent adaptation proved fairly middling).
Das Boot - #10 on my ballot. The length does make it a tough sit, as does its claustrophobic setting, but that's still very much a testament to its power.
Saving Private Ryan - probably watched it a few times by this point. All I'm saying is that there's a reason I can't think of this without immediately thinking of this extremely critical essay by William Goldman.
Full Metal Jacket - #11 on my ballot. What can I say, Stan is the man.
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Iro's Top 100 Movies v3.0
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Last edited by Iroquois; 10-01-23 at 01:41 AM.
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I've always considered Full Metal Jacket to be a top 5 war film but by now I've just seen it so much that it's lost its impact. I now watch it, or parts of it, for humor. Still had to have it on my ballot.
1. Downfall (#13)
2. Ballad of a Soldier (#68)
5. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
7. Grave of the Fireflies (#12)
8. From Here to Eternity (#30)
9. The Deer Hunter (#25)
11. Das Boot (#9)
14. Red Angel (#100)
15. Platoon (#16)
16. Waltz with Bashir (#45)
17. Underground (#43)
19. Schindler's List (#11)
20. Johnny Got His Gun (#97)
21. Full Metal Jacket (#7)
22. The Best Years of Our Lives (#21)
24. Wings (#79)
25. The Cranes are Flying (#20)
1. Downfall (#13)
2. Ballad of a Soldier (#68)
5. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
7. Grave of the Fireflies (#12)
8. From Here to Eternity (#30)
9. The Deer Hunter (#25)
11. Das Boot (#9)
14. Red Angel (#100)
15. Platoon (#16)
16. Waltz with Bashir (#45)
17. Underground (#43)
19. Schindler's List (#11)
20. Johnny Got His Gun (#97)
21. Full Metal Jacket (#7)
22. The Best Years of Our Lives (#21)
24. Wings (#79)
25. The Cranes are Flying (#20)
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