Have to say that 'The Kings Speech' looks pretty damn convincing for a raft of Oscars. Watched it on DVD 2 nights ago, and damn - it was good for 4.5 kuai. Mrs Chinese Zak says "can't take my eyes off it" (the movie, not 'it') and I give the movie 9.8/10.

We shall see.

Buzzd wrote:@ Stark

Chinatown? Guess you didn't get the memo stating that none of these films are allowed to be more than 12 years old. Seriously, people. How short are your collective memories?

No Brando? No Dean? No Bogart or Bacall? No Hithcock? Polanski? Truffault? Godard? I could go on, and on, and on...

From these lists, you'd think all movies came from Hollywood post 1990. Fitting though, considering American's impression that the greatest president of all time was Ronald Reagan. Alas, I digress. Ignorance is indeed bliss.

Well, I'm post 70's (barely), and the older movies just don't resonate with me. I've seen a bunch - I like Dr. Strangelove, and Godfather should have been in my 'good movie' list - but other classics like Seven Samurai or Citizen Kane are - in my opinion - overrated. I've come to enjoy the polish and poise of modern movies done by good directors. Many of the classic movies just seem so amateurish. And don't forget, the movies you scoff at now will be the 'classics' in forty years.

By the way, Ronald Reagan was a complete clown.

Oh, and Larry:

Chinatown (according to its Wiki entry): "Chinatown has been called one of the greatest films ever made. It was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, winning in the category of Best Original Screenplay for Robert Towne."

LA Confidential: "Critically acclaimed, the film holds a 99% rating at Rotten Tomatoes with 78 out of 79 reviews positive, as well as an aggregated rating of 90% based on 28 reviews on Metacritic. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards and won two, Basinger for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and Hanson and Helgeland for Best Screenplay - Adapted."

If you see these movies, pick them up. You will not be disappointed.

2001: A Space Odyssey
Dr Strangelove
Chinatown
The Producers (the original, not the remake)
The Pianist
West by Northwest
Die Hard (Whacky choice? Hardly. This is one of the best action movies ever made, with incredibly good acting performances, a brilliant script, and ultra-tight direction and editing.)
LA Confidential

That's just a quick list of some of the movies I've enjoyed over the years. There are so many more...

@ Stark
I was actually complimenting you on your addition of Chinatown.

I'm not scoffing at many of these films simply because they are new. I'm scoffing at them because their inclusion in a posting on "greatest films of all time" is ridiculous. Gattaca, Donnie Darko, and The Big Lebowski really jump out at me in this regard. Popular cult hits perhaps, but the greatest ever? Hell no.

And as for the "amateur" qualities of old films. I'm guessing that Wikipedia would be fairly informative on Citizen Kane, for example. Orson Wells literally created much of the modern film vocabulary in that single and epic pic. Groundbreaking and genius beyond belief.

In a nut, I think this thread should be titled "What are your favorite films?". I truly enjoy The Big Lebowski. It's damn good and damn entertaining, but it's not even the Coen Brothers' best comedy, let alone their best film.

In conclusion, we've got people on this thread throwing out their opinions on The Greatest Films of All Time who haven't even heard of Chinatown?! Submit your favorites people, but please, leave the greatest comments for the experts.

When searching for "Chinatown" two versions pop up...

1. Chinatown (1974)
2. Chinatown Cheerleaders 3

Which of them are you talking about?

Vic, I'm not an expert by any means, but you just hit my top 2 favorites of all time (not in that order)!

Revenge of the Nerds

You can't please everyone, but you can always pick your own nose, or however the old saying goes.

maybe its "You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose"

From these lists, you'd think all movies came from Hollywood post 1990.

Good observation.. very few movies stick with us. I saw all the old ones, but in the wake of hyper realistic action and special effects and directors who built on what was done earlier in Hollywood.. the old ones don't stand a lot of chance to be remembered except by real movie buffs.

Lock, stock, two smoking barrels and Pulp Fiction.

The best movie I have ever seen is Big Trouble in Little China. If you do not appreciate this movie like I do, then you do not understand film.

^ Haha, that movie's a riot.

You are obviously a man of fine taste who understands the art of film.

Usually a great actor makes a great movie. Anything with Peter Sellers or Mel Brooks is gold. I digJeff Bridges and Bill Murray, too. Natalie Portman gave a great performance in Black Swan, so she's in my mind these days. Actually, my pirated DVD entitled the movie 'Black Sean' lol

^^ I haven't seen it since around the time it was made - mid-late 80's ? - when I saw it twice. I remember loving it and am quite sure I was stoned both times I saw it. I reckon I'd still love it today, some 25 years on down the road. Might just have to download that one. Thanks for dredging up those memories!

Logan's Run.... I became obsessed with this film and it introduced me at an early age to Science Fiction (well, besides Star Trek). The movie was ahead of its time and really made you think about society choices.

Another one was Damnation Alley - still not released on DVD yet but I am just waiting until I can see it again.

greeneyedlady wrote:Logan's Run....

Heck yes! That's what I'm talking about. I love that movie.

Q.Tarantino's Pulp Fiction + Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange

Clockwork Orange made me feel icky inside.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Jackass 3D

As Good As It Gets

"You make me want to be a better man"

"When you first entered the restaurant, I thought you were handsome... and then, of course, you spoke."

both Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt deserves the Oscars.. best movie of all time..

In my list also Casablanca, Silence of the Lambs, Pretty Woman......

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