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Most of you people have a lot of film watching to do

posted 9 years ago by jrl0726
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After browsing these top 10 lists it is apparent that most of those who made a list have a lot of film watching still to do. Talking films have been made for 88 years and those early ones formed the blueprint for all the others to follow. When one watches a film that was made in the 1930s the viewer has to take into account the time the film was made and what kind of technology was available to the film maker. Film acting was a brand new art form and greats like Paul Muni, Frederic March and Louise Rainer created film acting on the fly. If one thinks of him or herself a true film buff then these early masterworks must be seen to fully appreciate anything done after.

My top 10 American films
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre 1948
Midnight Cowboy 1969
E T the Extra-terrestrial 1982
The Good Earth 1937
The Wizard of Oz 1939
Dr Stranglove or .... 1964
Paths of Glory 1957
The Godfather 1902-59:The Complete Epic 1981
M*A*S*H 1970
The Maltese Falcon 1941

Top 10 English Speaking Performances
George C. Scott "Patton" 1970
Dustin Hoffman "Rainman" 1988
Walter Huston "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" 1948
Louise Rainer "The Good Earth" 1937
Anne Bancroft "The Pumpkin Eater" 1964
Humphrey Bogart "The Caine Mutiny" 1954
Anthony Quinn "Requiem for a Heavyweight" 1962
Billy Bob Thornton "Sling Blade" 1996
Peter Sellers "Dr. Strangelove or...." 1964
Robert De Niro "The King of Comedy" 1983 (tie)
Marlin Brando "A Streetcar Named Desire" 1951 (tie)

Paul Muni had at least six great performances 1932-59
His best performance: "I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang" 1932
His best film: "The Good Earth" 1937

The two greatest double lead performances:
D.Hoffman-J.Voight "Midnight Cowboy" 1969
F.March-S.Tracy "Inherit the Wind 1960

[–] doughazelrigg 9 years ago

I like your list, 4 of them are also on mine (and I could easily add Oz to make it 5)

[–] MystMoonstruck 9 years ago

I've seen every one you list many times, several 100+ times. I'm not sure that I'd list too many of them among my own favorites.

I doubt that my movie-viewing experience is unique, as these are mainstream films.

(W)hat are we without our dreams?
Making sure our fantasies
Do not overpower our realities. ~ RC

[–] enzo_corte_vieira 9 years ago

My Ten Favourite films are:

-Her
-The Prestige
-Le Samouraï
-Fantastic Mr. Fox
-The Great Dictator
-12 Angry Men
-Birdman
-The Darjeeling Limited
-Dr. Strangelove
-The Graduate

[–] J-No 9 years ago

Decent top 10 list, respectfully. As far as being your favorites, there's no argument. If, however, you're referring to essential viewing, I'd point out you make no mention of Chaplin, Hitchcock, Welles, or Wilder. Midnight Cowboy, The Good Earth, and MASH should easily be replaced by any number of films from these directors. Two Kubrick films and no 2001?

Your top acting performances:
DeNiro was fine in The King of Comedy. Raging Bull and Taxi Driver contained his best lead work.
Brando's performance as Terry Malloy is generally considered his best.
Ratso ahead of Raymond is a viable case for Hoffman's best.

Some same-sex double leads I would slide ahead of yours:
Baxter/Davis: All About Eve
Schell/Tracy: Judgment at Nuremberg
Abraham/Hulce: Amadeus
Dean/Hudson: Giant
Clift/Lancaster: From Here to Eternity
Davis/Sarandon: Thelma and Louise
Finch/Holden: Network
Courtenay/Finney: The Dresser
MacLaine/Winger: Terms of Endearment

I'm not even counting lead actor/actress pairings such as Olivier/Fontaine, Allen/Keaton, Bogart/Hepburn, Burton/Taylor, Nicholson/Dunaway, Hepburn/Tracy, Beatty/Dunaway, Colbert/Gable, Foster/Hopkins, Cooper/Wright, Nicholson/Fletcher, Stewart/Hepburn, Hoffman/Bancroft, Brando/Leigh, Holden/Swanson, Grey/Minnelli, Fonda/Hepburn, and others.

-In a perfect world, Shane came back.

[–] super-joey 8 years ago

This is why I make a distinction between "Greatest movies ever" and "My favorite movies ever."

I mean, the 1933 "King Kong" marked a lot of cinema firsts. It was made by true pioneers. I love that movie with all my heart. But I also love the cheesy 1976 remake, produced by Dino DeLaurentiis (far from a pioneer). It's one of my favorites, though certainly not one of the best movies ever made. It boils down to one thing: When watching movies, I am the only one I need to concern myself with. I don't owe an explanation to anyone for why I like what I like. If I ever made a list of my 100 favorite films, I have no doubt there would be a lot of B-Grade nonsense on that list that would make your blood boil.

You'd say, "You think The Tingler is better than Citizen Kane?"

Nope. But I do enjoy The Tingler more. Why? I dunno. I just do. And, again, when it comes to my personal film viewing habits, I'm the only one that matters.