Movie lists are nothing new. In fact, I’d dare you to find a movie website that doesn’t contain one. The most well known movie list manufacturer is probably the American Film Institute. Those bastards just love turning out lists, most likely with a goal of putting every movie ever made on some type of list.
AFI’s biggest list is the 100 Greatest American Movies. Not to be outdone, others have come up with their own 100 movie lists, such as Time’s All-Time 100 Movies. These lists are nice and all, but trying to list the best movies is so subjective that the lists really aren’t more than a soon forgotten conversation piece.
But Yahoo might have come up with a list that is, for lack of a better word, perfect. 100 Movies to See Before You Die. As I read through the list, I couldn’t argue against the inclusion of any movie. Sure there are some I would have added, but none I could remove. How could you argue against Animal House or Die Hard? You don’t usually see Groundhog Day on these kind of lists, but there’s no way I’d take it off. Or The Matrix. Or This is Spinal Tap. Yeah it’s got the usual suspects like Casablanca and Citizen Kane, Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark, but what balls on these list-makers to include Titanic as a must-see. And you should see it at least once, even if it’s just to be confused about how it made so much money. The list has even got Enter the Dragon.
Movie lists are a dime a dozen or cheaper, but this one really stands out for it’s honesty. Everyone should see all 100 of these movies before they die, so some of us really need to get busy.
nice site… and very good information!
I have to admit that it’s a great list because it suggests movies that people would like, rather than what critics consider to be the “best movies”…
great list.. it looks at favourite movies from real people.. great comment Chase
Yahoo did do well here. They put suggested such a diverse range of movies. I always enjoy going through lists like this and checking off how many I have already seen (35 and counting).
Hmmmm i think i like this. So this means i better be getting ready to watch all this movies. I have to admit this is a good list.
there are a few I disagree with, but for the most part this is a great resource.
I’m going to add many of these films to a list that I began with my wife 2 years ago. I love when the same films appear on every list — unanimous appreciation!
It’s always interesting to me when these lists are created to tell you what the classics are — does that mean what are the most popular (and accessible), or the best made films?
“This is Spinal Tap” is a good example of a polarizing film that would certainly not make every list, but those who appreciate it would definitely include it.
“This is Spinal Tap” should be on every list
Surprisingly I have seen quite a few of these movies
Great movies!
Many of those flicks are my all time faves. You can tell that this list was made by a true film lover. Great post!