The Movie Forums Top 100 of All-Time Refresh: Countdown

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What are the 5/6 [movies about musicians] you'd put above [Once]?
The Commitments, That Thing You Do!, Sing Street, and Almost Famous if we are keeping it an even narrower topic of non-Biopics or no real bands/musicians. Which excludes the likes of A Hard Day's Night and The Blues Brothers, fictional narratives about real bands.

But Once is wonderful. Have you seen the stage Musical adaptation?
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"Film is a disease. When it infects your bloodstream it takes over as the number one hormone. It bosses the enzymes, directs the pineal gland, plays Iago to your psyche. As with heroin, the antidote to Film is more Film." - Frank Capra



So here's my list

1) Dr. Strangelove OHILTSWALTB [N 12]

2) The Godfather [N 2]

3) Blader Runner 2049 [DNF]

4) Brazil [N 100]

5) In Bruges [DNF]

6) The Motorcycle Diaries [DNF]

7) The Godfather Part 2 [N 35]

8) The Great Escape [DNF]

9) The Place Beyond The Pines [DNF]

10) Pather Panchali [DNF]

11) Raging Bull [N 49]

12) Goodfellas [N 3]

13) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [N 92]

14) Manchester By the Sea [DNF]

15) 12 Angry Men [N 22]

16) Citizen Kane [N 10]

17) Memories of Murder [DNF]

18) Princess Mononoke [DNF]

19) Spirited Away [N 39]

20) Life of Pi [DNF]

21) The Pianist [DNF]

22) Dial M for Murder [DNF]

23) The Dark Knight [DNF]

24) Seven [N 29]

25) Whiplash [DNF]



The trick is not minding
I love Once, but as wonderful as it is, even just in terms of movies about musicians it'd be somewhere like sixth or seventh for me.

Count me in as a huge fan of Once. Of and when we ever do a musical countdown, rest assured it will have a place on my list



A system of cells interlinked
Will post my list soon, but for now, here are the films I still need to see:

Stalker
Come and See
The Night of the Hunter
Andrei Rublev
A Woman Under the Influence
Paris, Texas,
The Apartment
Ikiru
Caberet
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The Commitments, That Thing You Do!, Sing Street, and Almost Famous if we are keeping it an even narrower topic of non-Biopics or no real bands/musicians. Which excludes the likes of A Hard Day's Night and The Blues Brothers, fictional narratives about real bands.

But Once is wonderful. Have you seen the stage Musical adaptation?
That Thing You Do is a lot of fun and I obviously love Almost Famous. But Once is really special to me. The Commitments looks interesting and Sing Street has been on my watchlist for ages.

I didn't see the stage adaptation but I would have loved to.



Welcome to the human race...
How many other cool people had already seen every film on the list before it dropped?
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Iro's Top 100 Movies v3.0



Thanks Yoda and TUS for all the hard work and great presentation! And here's my full list.

1. Unforgiven (#43)
2. Casablanca (#4)
3. North by Northwest (#57)
4. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (#23)
5. McCabe & Mrs. Miller (Robert Altman - 1971)
6. Taxi Driver (#14)
7. Blade Runner (#7)
8. Playtime (Jacques Tati - 1967)
9. Synecdoche, New York (Charlie Kaufman - 2008)
10. A Clockwork Orange (#32)
11. The 400 Blows (Francois Truffaut - 1959)
12. Miller’s Crossing (Ethan and Joel Coen - 1990)
13. Journey to Italy (Roberto Rossellini - 1954)
14. Jackie Brown (Quentin Tarantino - 1997)

15. Metropolis (#73)
16. M (Fritz Lang - 1931)
17. Modern Times (Charlie Chaplin - 1936)

18. Manhattan (Woody Allen - 1979)
19. 12 Monkeys (Terry Gilliam - 1995)
20. Woman in the Dunes (Hiroshi Teshigahara - 1964)

21. Enter the Dragon (#97)
22. High and Low (Akira Kurosawa - 1963)
23. Parasite (Bong Joon-ho - 2019)

24. There Will Be Blood (#60)
25. Persona (#45)
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rbrayer's Avatar
Registered User
Here's my list of movie gems

*1 Citizen Kane (1941)
*2 West Side Story (1961)
*3 Stalker (1979)
*4 Gone with the Wind (1939)
*5 Blade Runner (1982)*Theatrical Cut
6 In a Lonely Place (1950)
7 Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
8 Ben-Hur (1959)
*9 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
10 The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
11 All About Eve (1950)
*12 Psycho (1960)
*13 Casablanca (1942)
14 A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
15 Double Indemnity (1944)
16 East of Eden (1955)
17 Oklahoma! (1955)
18 It Happened One Night (1934)
19 Solaris (1972)
20 Forbidden Planet (1956)
21 Mildred Pierce (1945)
22 My Man Godfrey (1936)
23 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
24 The Road Warrior (1981)
25 Starship Troopers (1997)
Lots of great choices here! Especially appreciate #s 6, 7, 21, and 22 !!





I'm not overly surprised that no MCU titles made the list. If filmmakers like Robert Altman, John Huston, and Christopher Nolan have trouble making the list presumably because they have four of five top titles splitting the vote among their admirers, what do you do with the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? How many movies was that: 23, 25, 117? When support is split pretty evenly just between Infinity War and Endgame what do you expect when you then throw in ALL the rest? Diluted support is what I expect.

As for the recency bias that didn't really rear its head on this list but did on the last, I think part of the difference is what I would guess is a much higher median age of the voter. Some of the regulars that were in their teens and early twenties back then have grown up, as has their taste. Movies like Mystic River, Moulin Rouge, Million Dollar Baby, Signs, Gladiator, Dark City, and Quills are all good movies but not the kind that resonate for a decade plus. This is why films aren't even eligible for the prestigious Sight & Sound poll until they are at least a decade old. Which is again why I want to do a proper 2000-2009 list before we tackle 2010-2019. That first 21st Century crop of films now has had an appropriate cooling period to see what is truly great.

It was also a much smaller voting pool for that first list so if a few people named something high on their ballot it broke through (hello, Quills). It took more than that to make it with nearly a hundred ballots being submitted.

But I think the big ingredient that hasn't been mentioned is the cumulative power of these group list exercises. That isn't being accounted for. Lots of MoFos take these lists pretty seriously in that they cram for them and will watch fifteen or thirty or - for the super dedicated (and you know who you are) - closer to a hundred new movies or rewatches in preparation for each of the decade and genre lists. When you are expanding people's exposure that much their taste will inevitably broaden. It is by far my favorite thing about these lists. Even those who weren't around to participate see the finished lists, making some really fine, really long sets of suggestions.

Not that there aren't countless threads and private messages around this community with limitless film recommendations, with discussions and debates that inflame interest, because there are. But these lists and the preparation for them are like mainlinig enthusiasm for cinema.

Carry on, MoFo.



rbrayer's Avatar
Registered User
Firstly, a huge, massive thanks to Yoda and TUS for organising this and spending their precious time just so we can rejoice when a film matches our list and moan when it doesn’t. This site is nothing without hard work.

Secondly, as for the list – there are so many brilliant nominated films and great choices all the way to #1, but ultimately for me the list is a bit of a let down (personally I mean – not in the grand scheme of things). I think I’m right in saying that:

-Every film in the top 20 has a main language of English.
-Every film in the top 20, bar 1 is produced in the USA. Perhaps even the same city.

I think this is the first list of this type that I have ever seen that has a top 20 of entirely English language films. It’s pretty unfathomable that of all the hundreds of thousands of films ever made, every single one of the top 20 are all in the same language and lack any sort of geographical diversity. I had hoped that this being a community of film enthusiasts would result in a real mix of films, perhaps dissimilar to those on popular Western internet sites like IMDB. But it’s much the same. Even the IMDB Top 250 has a non English language film in the top 20, so arguably this list is even less diverse.

Approximately 85% of the films in this list were made in the USA. That’s some going. You have to wonder whether some people took this seriously if they voted for the three Lord of the Rings movies in the top 3 slots. This feels like a list of ‘The 100 most famous films ever’. Perhaps as Yoda suggested people interpreted this countdown as the 100 most ‘watchable’ films of all time instead of the ‘best’. There are very few (if any?) films from the most important and pioneering film movement in history (in my opinion) – the French New Wave movement. Techniques and tropes from those films are still being used in Hollywood blockbusters today. Come to think of it – is French cinema represented on the list at all?

Steven Spielberg 5 – 0 France

Also no Kieslowski, Bresson, Ozu, de Sica, Truffaut, Kiarostami, Antonioni, Wong kar wai? We have ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Dazed and Confused’ but no Ozu? That’s a real shame.

I think perhaps at the end of the day, I have to realize that maybe my film tastes are in the minority compared to most, and somewhat niche or unpopular.

I do hope that this message isn’t taken in the wrong way and doesn’t diminish from what is a great piece of work, after all 2001 a Space Odyssey is certainly a film that I have no problems with being touted as best ever. But I would be being dishonest if I hid my disappointment.

But, my thanks to the organizers far outweighs my disappointment.

I'm definitely with you even if my list did not include those artists (several came close, most notably Bresson, Ozu, and Antonioni) - it did have quite a few non-US films, including Persona, Ikiru, 8 1/2, Wings of Desire, Le Samourai, Playtime, Local Hero, and Yojimbo



Sorry if I'm rude but I'm right
My list:

1. ひそひそ星 (2015)
2. 山椒大夫 (1954)
3. 赤ひげ (1965)
4. 人間の條件 完結篇 第五部死の脱出/第六部曠野の彷徨 (1961)
5. 田園に死す (1974)
6. 水の中の八月 (1995)
7. はがね (1994)
8. 카페 느와르 (2009)
9. 高海拔之戀II (2012)
10. 花筐 (2017)
11. 忍ぶ川’ (1972)
12. 我的父亲母亲 (1999)
13. ポストマン・ブルース (1997)
14. ぼくは明日、昨日のきみとデートする (2016)
15. 阿弥陀堂だより (2002)
16. 東京暮色 (1957)
17. 病院で死ぬということ (1993)
18. 芙蓉镇 (1986)
19. 三月のライオン (1991)
20. 息子 (1991)
21. 茱麗葉與梁山伯 (2000)
22. 野菊の如き君なりき (1955)
23. ハッピーアワー (2015)
24. 0.5ミリ (2014)
25. ロリータ・バイブ責め (1987)
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Look, I'm not judging you - after all, I'm posting here myself, but maybe, just maybe, if you spent less time here and more time watching films, maybe, and I stress, maybe your taste would be of some value. Just a thought, ya know.



rbrayer's Avatar
Registered User
Will post my list soon, but for now, here are the films I still need to see:

Stalker
Come and See
The Night of the Hunter
Andrei Rublev
A Woman Under the Influence
Paris, Texas,
The Apartment
Ikiru
Caberet
I've seen all of these but Cabaret - brother, you're in for a treat. But don't watch Come and See. It's a great film but it's soul crushing. You've been warned.



rbrayer's Avatar
Registered User
Thank you, Yoda, and TheUsualSuspect, for the ride. For the time and effort put into this, so that we film fanatics have even more to debate, and discuss, and lament about the inclusion and exclusion (No Platoon, It Happened One Night, The Grapes of Wrath, or The Maltese Falcon!).

Surprised at the lack of Fellini, Herzog, andTruffaut.

I think we can all agree this went by too fast! On to the next one!
8 1/2 did make it, albeit way too low...



Giving some more love to my last three outcasts...


The Usual Suspects (1995)


One of those films that I managed to see when I was still a teenager back in the 90s. No spoilers and it just blew me away. But taking away the famous twist, the film is so well made. Singer's direction is flawless and almost every performance is excellent. I've seen it lots of times, and every time I find myself peeling away at it, wondering and thinking...

L.A. Confidential (1997)


Another one that's full of great performances from a nearly flawless ensemble. I'm always surprised that Basinger was the one that ended up with the nom/win because, to me, she's the "weak" spot. Everybody else, from Pearce to Cromwell, is flawless. And that twist? Whoa. Made me jump in my seat. Love it.

The Maltese Falcon (1941)


Is there any other actor as cool as Humphrey Bogart? Even though this film is a showcase of his abilities, this is yet another excellent film that relies on a solid ensemble to deliver. From Bogey and Astor to Greenstreet and Lorre, they are all flawless. And the dialogue? So perfect. I was talking about this on my podcast, and how it is one of the most impressive directorial debuts.
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The trick is not minding
8 1/2 did make it, albeit way too low...
One film still makes it lacking. I would have expected La Dolce Vita as well.
Well, the foreign countdown should rectify that I imagine



My list:

1. ひそひそ星 (2015)
2. 山椒大夫 (1954)
3. 赤ひげ (1965)
4. 人間の條件 完結篇 第五部死の脱出/第六部曠野の彷徨 (1961)
5. 田園に死す (1974)
6. 水の中の八月 (1995)
7. はがね (1994)
8. 카페 느와르 (2009)
9. 高海拔之戀II (2012)
10. 花筐 (2017)
11. 忍ぶ川’ (1972)
12. 我的父亲母亲 (1999)
13. ポストマン・ブルース (1997)
14. ぼくは明日、昨日のきみとデートする (2016)
15. 阿弥陀堂だより (2002)
16. 東京暮色 (1957)
17. 病院で死ぬということ (1993)
18. 芙蓉镇 (1986)
19. 三月のライオン (1991)
20. 息子 (1991)
21. 茱麗葉與梁山伯 (2000)
22. 野菊の如き君なりき (1955)
23. ハッピーアワー (2015)
24. 0.5ミリ (2014)
25. ロリータ・バイブ責め (1987)
Got some really weird sounding translations here, dude.

1. The Whispering Star (2015)
2. Sansho the Bailiff (1954)
3. Red Beard (1965)
4. A Soldier's Prayer Complete Part 5 Escape from Death / Part 6 A Soldier's Prayer (1961)
5. Die in the countryside (1974)
6. August in the Water (1995)
7. Steel (1994)
8. 카페 느와르 (2009)
9. Romancing in Thin Air II (2012)
10. Hanagatami (2017)
11. The Long Darkness ’(1972)
12. My Father and Mother (1999)
13. Postman Blues (1997)
14. I will date you yesterday tomorrow (2016)
15. News from Amidado (2002)
16. Tokyo Twilight (1957)
17. Dying in the hospital (1993)
18. Hibiscus Town (1986)
19. March Comes In Like Lion (1991)
20. My son (1991)
21. Juliet in Love (2000)
22. She Was Like a Wild Chrysanthemum (1955)
23. Happy Hour (2015)
24. 0.5 mm (2014)
25. Lolita Vibe Blame (1987)



My list:

1. ひそひそ星 (2015)
2. 山椒大夫 (1954)
3. 赤ひげ (1965)
4. 人間の條件 完結篇 第五部死の脱出/第六部曠野の彷徨 (1961)
5. 田園に死す (1974)
6. 水の中の八月 (1995)
7. はがね (1994)
8. 카페 느와르 (2009)
9. 高海拔之戀II (2012)
10. 花筐 (2017)
11. 忍ぶ川’ (1972)
12. 我的父亲母亲 (1999)
13. ポストマン・ブルース (1997)
14. ぼくは明日、昨日のきみとデートする (2016)
15. 阿弥陀堂だより (2002)
16. 東京暮色 (1957)
17. 病院で死ぬということ (1993)
18. 芙蓉镇 (1986)
19. 三月のライオン (1991)
20. 息子 (1991)
21. 茱麗葉與梁山伯 (2000)
22. 野菊の如き君なりき (1955)
23. ハッピーアワー (2015)
24. 0.5ミリ (2014)
25. ロリータ・バイブ責め (1987)
I hope that the effort you went through with this was worth the pats in the back you're giving yourself.

For the benefit of everyone...

1. The Whispering Star (2015)
2. Sansho the Bailiff (1954)
3. Red Beard? (1965)
4. Human Condition III: A Soldier's Prayer (1961)
5. Pastoral: To Die in the Country (1974)
6. August in the Water (1995)
7. Steel? (1994)
8. Cafe Noir (2009)
9. Romancing in Thin Air (2012)
10. Hanagatami (2017)
11. The Long Darkness (1972)
12. The Road Home (1999)
13. Postman Blues (1997)
14. My Tomorrow, Your Yesterday (2016)
15. Letter from the Mountain (2002)
16. Tokyo Twilight (1957)
17. To Die in the Hospital? (1993)
18. Hibiscus Town (1986)
19. March Comes in Like a Lion? (1991)
20. My Sons? (1991)
21. Juliet in Love? (2000)
22. She Was Like a Wild Chrysanthemum (1955)
23. Happy Hour (2015)
24. 0.5mm (2014)
25. Lolita Vibe Torture? (1987)

Not sure about a couple, but let me know if I got any wrong.


EDIT: Rodent beat me to it.