ScarletLion's Top 25 films

I feel like making one of these threads. Maybe it's an ego thing! Maybe I want to create some content as I haven't done much on this site for a while. Anyway, I'm going to start my list of my top 25 films of all time. This list keeps changing and with each amazing film I watch it evolves into an updated list, which was last updated just this week.

I'll update it as and when I get round to it I expect.



25. The Conformist
24. Rome Open City
23. Le Trou
22. In the Mood for Love
21. Vertigo
20. Woman in the Dunes
19. Raging Bull
18. Nosferatu
17. Werckmeister Harmonies
16. Casablanca
15. Sansho Dayu
14. Stalker
13. Night of the Hunter
12. Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
11. A Moment of Innocence
10. Three Colours Blue
9. 12 Angry Men
8. I am Cuba
7. 2001: A Space Odyssey
6. The Passion of Joan of Arc
5. Seven Samurai
4. Citizen Kane
3. Persona

What I wrote at the time:

Haven’t changed my opinion on this film. It’s the best from Bertolucci that I’ve seen. Mesmerising.

Cinematography aside, I was left cold by The Conformist, but I wouldn't mind revisiting it in the future.

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Well, that's a huge aside as visuals are one of the most important parts of a film.

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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.

I can see why it may leave a viewer cold. It's essentially a film about treachery and bad traits. But I don't really let that bother me. I was just stunned by it's beauty and Jean-Louis Trintignant was so good. Come to think of it he's sublime in everything I've seen him in.

For what it's worth, I watched it a handful of years ago when I was still in my "story above all else" phase, so I imagine it would fare better with a rewatch. In regards to visuals, I think what I mainly value is what a film makes me feel. And visuals can certainly contribute to a film's feel, but it's not the only element which matters to me. Rather, I take several factors into account. For instance, I felt the recent Doctor Strange film had great visuals when I saw it in the theaters, but I still found the movie incredibly dull and boring.

The Conformist was a 10/10 for me when I watched it a while ago. Absolutely first-rate, and a very thoughtful and intelligent film. The kind you keep seeing more and more in on subsequent watches - many layers and lots of meaning.

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Well, yeah. It's about conformism (duh) and it's still relevant (always will be) because conformists will always be around us.
Cool beans. Good to see you grew out of your "story above all else" phase.

The story is hardly an “aside” to a film, and arguably just as important as the visuals.
Wouldn’t you agree? Or do you feel the visuals should be placed above all else?

Depends on the movie and what the filmmaker set out to do.

I can agree with that, on a case by case basis. Or a film by film basis, as it were.

No. 24: 'Rome, Open City' (1945)

Directed by Roberto Rossellini

I was highly enthused when I watched this 3 years ago:

The abandonment scene is especially devastating. I have Rosellini's 'Post War Trilogy' on Blu Ray and while 'Paisan' and 'Germany Year Zero' are both very good films, 'Rome, Open City' is just that bit more emotive, raw and devastating. Truly brilliant film.

His post-war trilogy is definitely great. As much as I love Rome, Open City though, I'd probably give a slight edge to Paisan. However, as for anthologies in general, Soy Cuba remains the high water mark.

Yeah I can't think of a better anthology film than Soy Cuba either.

I only watched this a few weeks ago, so I'm hoping it is not here due to recency bias, but I was rather blown away by it. This is how I reviewed it:

Genuinely brilliant, gripping film.

Le Trou is really great.

No. 22: 'In the Mood for Love' (2000)

Directed by Wong Kar Wai.

Christopher Doyle's shimmering cinematography elevates this dreamy rainy nightscape of a film to amazing heights. It's one of the best this century and combines the framing of Ozu with the close ups and intimacy of Resnais' 'Hiroshima, mon Amour'. The melancholy nature of the story and pace somehow makes the film better. Stunning film.

I felt the same about The Conformist as SpelingError. I was mesmerized by the technical achievements, but overall, felt pretty disconnected to the rest of the film.

In the Mood for Love is a classic film.

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ITMFL also has a great score

This is the only one I’ve seen & enjoyed in your list so far.

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I’m here only on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. That’s why I’m here now.