The Top 10 Films of All Time
October 28th 2007 23:12
Is this your favourite film?
A while ago, I discovered I have this pop-looking book called The Australian Edition Top 10 of Everything 2006 by Russell Ash. It’s been lurking and hiding on my bookshelf for at least a year. I only vaguely remember buying it.
It consists of lists and explanations of all sorts of Top 10 subjects varying from The Top 10 Worst Earthquakes to The Top 10 Bestselling Cars in Australia. Some topics are fascinating, some not so much, for example I have no interest in the Golf Top 10 Lowest Four Round Winning Totals in Major Competitions.Just the title makes me want to snore....
I was pleased to discover a whole section on films. I’ve been aiming to use one as a post inspiration for a while, but haven’t got my bum into gear. But today I am, it’s Monday, a new week, time to be more energetic.
I know this could look like I’m leaping on Michaelie’s popular Fifty Film Frustrations bandwagon, but I’m not...no-one could top that list.
So, I just chose a list that seems interesting and hopefully enlightening in some way. I’ve added some of my thoughts (of course).
So here we have it, the Top 10 Films of All Time. I think you might guess that this isnt my list:
1) Titanic (1997) – not a surprise I guess.
3) Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – the Harry films don’t do that much for me. I’ve tried but I’m left quite emotionless.
4) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2003) – I think I was more confused that anything in this trilogy, but the scenery was definitely incredible. Maybe I should’ve read in the books in school after all? Ah well...
5) Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phanton Menace (1999) - again I was confused.
6) Shrek 2 (2004) – I preferred the first one.
7) Jurassic Park (1993) – I was scared in this one.
8) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) – I quite liked this one.
9) The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings (2001) – still confused.
10) Finding Nemo (2003) – haven’t seen this one.
So, what do you think? Feel free to comment, disagree or add what you think should be on the list.
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Comment by ER
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Titanic was an expesive Chic Flick where the highlight was letting Jack drown to save her self.
Glug glug glug...
Comment by JoH
In my humble opinion to make a great film, you need great acting. A film like ' The Remains of the Day' with Anthony Hopkins is much more list-worthy than any of the films listed there.....
Very interesting post Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
None of them are in my Top 10 and I found the list quite predictable.
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Some of them are OK, but definitely not in Top 10.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
That’s what I noticed too, it vexes me. I get fed up of these big budget films taking over cinemas (and in their mind, the world). I agree:
I would also add an involving, effective storyline with a proficient director.
Thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
. . . and personally I wouldn't rate any of them. Some I find it hard to believe would make the top 50 let alone a top 10.
Guess that's what makes us all different though huh.
MNG
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
I'm going to have to add my voice to this 'anti - ' chorus... perhaps with the exception of the Complete Lord of the RIngs trilogy as a whole, which probably would have made No 10 or 11, on my list, as an amazing piece of work by PJ... artistically speaking - things like Hobbitown being built and left to grow over for a couple of years before filming; and the incredible detail of authenticity and faithfulness to the original icons and emblems - like buckles on clothing and ...costuming... wow. Vista's, views and makeup... Really, even the acting was pretty special.
As for Titanic (still laughing at Damo's comment) it was absolute crap for me too... at the time I was quite embarrassed not to be a part of the general enraptured hoo-har ... just more fodder for the "I really don't fit" fire... it's nice to have found you guys who finally agree!
Feeling good.
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
You have the same book? What a coincidence.
Yeppie, none of the films mean that much to me, but then I can be a bit of a contrary character, if the world is getting excited about a new film, book, event etc, I don't listen to anything about it, see it or read it. It's a 30s version of adolescent rebellion that I never did.
Nice to see you,
Tracy
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
If you go to imdb.com ... which is based on votes from members, you get a different list, not all together, but it's based on opinion rather than box office takings.
If you read the director's and critics lists of all time best films published sporadically by reputable magazines like Sight & Sound ...
Of the list posted I'd rate only the Tolkien trilogy as actually worthy of being considered in a Top Ten.
In the early 90s the Top Ten films (based on box office figures) was made up almost entirely of movies either written, produced or directed by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas (ie Star Wars, Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, ET, Close Encounters, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws ... I think Home Alone was inexplicably up there ... )
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
None of the others would make my top 100 though.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Aren't you sweet and slightly delusional. Lol. Thanks mate!
I agree with everyone generally. I think Bryn's right with the box office figures - surely these don't rate as all time favourites?! They would have had to survey or something wouldn't they... and from the sounds of the other top tens the book has it's more based on things that are already measured in sales, scores, etc?
I also agree with Bryn and Lilla - if LOTR counted as the whole trilogy it would be up there somewhere - still probs not in my top ten though.
I like Harry Potter, but not that much, and echoing JD - none of the others would be in my top 100...maybe not even 200.
Michaelie
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, it is based on box office figures, so I agree it gives it a different outcome. But then I guess the same can be said for audience sampling, it can be subjective. I guess what I’m burbling about is that I usually question sources and then their outcomes.
This doesn't surprise me:
Although I found the LOTR trilogy confusing (sometimes I have the brain attention of a newt), the acting, scenery and direction were superb, so it wasn't a surprise to see them in there. I was shocked about Titanic....don't people know the ending?!
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hope you’re well. Yes, I think the trilogy was incredible and definitely worthy of being appraised. I’m really not keen on the others though.
I'm perplexed that Shrek 2 made it, rather than Shrek the original. It's usually the other way around.
Yes, it is good to vent and see what others think,
Byeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Good to see you, yes I am definitely slightly delusional
Yes, the list is based on box office figures, so I guess that explains it. If people were asked I would say the results would be quit e different.
The LOTR trilogy is certainly praise-worthy for many reasons, but it still wouldn’t ne in my personal Top 10.
Some of the Harry Potheads films ( I get them all mixed up) are pretty good, but I’m not one for hype, it puts me
off. I wouldn’t have them in my Top 10 either.
Byeeee
Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I'm afraid it was box office ratings....
And this is a good point:
AND why are there NO films on there released before 1997?????
Apparently prior to 1997, no film had ever made more than $500 million worldwide. Since then, 35 films have done so.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, it is...but so are many 'successful' films nowadays. Thank goodness for the independent sector.
Tracy
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
JZ
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I loved Titanic, saw it 7 times....Not just the romance of the characters but the ship herself. "Take her to sea, Mr Murdoch!" and they go down into the bowels to show you those powerful gears moving. Great stuff! Great costumes, great acting.
But for the top 10 o0f all time? It should have been Leo's Romeo and Juliet. Takes a lot of skill to act it the way they did.
I also saw the cartoon version of Tarzan about 7 times....
Pulp fiction should be up there. Natural Born Killers. Something with some substance you know?
But I agree with Jurassic Park!
Ooo....Fight Club too.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I don’t think the book is the gospel of the film world (I wish there were such a thing), but it does seem to have some authenticity.
It prefaces that the facts are ranked according to how much the films have earned internationally. It says it is not subjective, rather based on numbers as up-to-date as possible.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I can definitely see why the LOTR trilogy is in there but I don’t think that much of the others. Some are OK, but not worthy of being in the list. I guess they are all the ones that raked the dosh in.
Byeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Hi Kleo
It’s good to hear from someone who likes some of the films. It sounds like Titanic is one of your faves.
Ah yes, that version of Romeo and Juliet was good.
Yes, the list needed more substance, your suggestions are great, especially Pulp and Fight Club.
Bye and thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Sheree
Cliche Murder
When Titanic first came out we went to see it at the cinema. I was probably 8 years old. I was sick by the end of the screening. I'd like to think my 8 year old self had good taste in films, hence the need to be ill.
That Godard and De Sica don't feature is A CRIME. Oh god. How pompous do I sound.
But at the very least The Godfather (Coppola). Even Fight club as someone mentioned. Oh god there are hundreds of films that should take precedence over Finding Nemo. Sure it was cute but whatever. and harry potter? COME ON PEOPLE. I love the books, but the films annoy me (with the exception of Alfonso Cuaron's third film and that doesnt even make the cut)
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I didn't know who Godard and De Sica were so I looked them up, I'm always happy to learn more about films and directors.
Do you think it Titanic that made you sick or just a coincidence? Maybe it was all that water action that made you queasy.
Yes, there are so many other films that could be in there...but these are the ones that brought the money in.
Ah well, thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Sheree
Cliche Murder
ha no it was most likely a combination of the dramatic water drowning scenes, the extreme length of the film and possibly eating too much popcorn!
It's interesting that fantasy films tend to bring in the moolah. I'd like to see some more films from different genres/time periods and different countries make the cut.
cheers,
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, I'd just like to see more of a variety in there too... I don't think they are all rubbish (well, some are), it's just that they don't seem worthy of being in a Top 10.
Byee
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
my redrawn list...
Citizen Cane,
Repulsion, (saw it when 12!),
The Bicycle Thief,
Blackboard Jungle,
To Kill A Mockingbird,
12 Angry Men,
In The Heat Of The Night,
Seven Samuari,
One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nest,
Psycho,
Vertigo
The Seventh Seal, (Bergman)
Metropolis, (Fritz Lang)
2001: A Space Odyssey,
Day for Night,
The Red Balloon,
Satyricon,
Fahrenheit 451
Lawerence of Arabia, (met Peter O'Toole!)
Five Easy Pieces,
Dr.Strangelove,
The Godfather,
Gone With The Wind,
Breakfast At Tiffanys,
My Fair Lady,
High Society,
Kind Hearts and Coronets,
These are just the ones off the top of my head...there are sooo many more I found were a fabulous experience watching. And, although some films here would seem dated to young people of today, when they were released, like the Blackboard Jungle and In The Heat of the Night, they were making big statements about society in America at the time.
As for my other choices, they cover a broad spectrum of what I find entertaining in a film, from cinematography, to direction and acting, to script, to escapism and fun, and importantly, social comment.
The idea of a list is totally subjective, as you know. Executive Producers would like the box office type of list, especially if one of their films were in it...but few others would. Box office receipts is the ultimate objective view of a film, but it lacks the kind of passion we get from the filmic experience, so we rarely agree with it.
cheers me lovely,
fog
P.S. Out of respect to your recent incident with flies, I did not include Lord of the Flies!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
5) Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phanton Menace (1999) - again I was confused.
6) Shrek 2 (2004) – I preferred the first one.
This is soooooooooo wrong!
Rent Finding Nemo it is cute but named in the top ten?
Mis
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thank-you for your comments and list. Sorry it’s taken a while to get back to you but after I lost my last post, I was disillusioned for a bit.
You have named some excellent ones in your list, I particularly agree with:
To Kill A Mockingbird
One Flew over The Cuckoo's Nest,
Psycho
Vertigo
Metropolis,
2001: A Space Odyssey,
Some of them I haven’t seen but would like to like to:
Citizen Kane
The Bicycle Thief
Dr.Strangelove
and a couple of others.
Some of the ones I haven’t mentioned I have heard of but haven’t seen, yet I’m sure they are worth a look.
I agree:
Yeppie, I agree Fog de Force!!
Thanks for popping in,
Trace de Face
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Good to see you.
Yes, the films might be OK, but the fact that they raked the money in and then were in a Top 10 is disturbing. I would love to disagree with the list but it is going by earnings, so it’s hard to dispute. But what about films based on original ideas that take a chance, deviate from the norm? Where are they? It seems the sad fact is that they don’t bring the hoards of people in and the money.
Ah well.....
Byeeeee
PS Don’t get me wrong, I do like some fluff occasionally but I know what they are, what I use them for and I don’t expect them to be high-earners...yet they seem to be...eeekkk.
Comment by Anonymous
Am going to have to write out my top ten now!!