Hmmm…I’m not sure about this. If we used the word “fun” I might see more of a distinction. But I would say the movies I like the best are the ones I think are best. Otherwise, what criteria are we to use?
So in a list of the highest caliber movies ever made, would you include any summer blockbusters? I personally would not, even though I find some of those mindless popcorn flicks a rollicking good time and enjoy them quite a bit.
Sort of like how I enjoy McDonald’s on the rare occasion I eat there, but wouldn’t put it anywhere near a list of best food. I’m seeing the movie equivalent of McDonald’s in some of the movies named in this thread.
I would! Being a summer blockbuster does not disqualify a movie from being of high quality. My favorite movie of all time is Raiders Of The Lost Ark, and I also think it’s among the highest caliber movies. Some of those blockbusters got that way because of amazing direction; if only the screenplay determined quality then we could just read those instead.
I can’t argue with Raiders of the Lost Ark. Well played.
I linked to my list upthread. Of the top 40 that represent my 10 out of 10, “perfect” films, the Godfather movies were huge. Maybe Blade Runner also?
The Big Short was so so good that I watched it again immediately after I saw it the first time. I haven’t done that with a film for years.
Honorable mention goes to The Grand Budapest Hotel which was impeccably acted, full of wonderful wit and wisdom, and poignant and heartwarming without ever verging on Hallmark Channel movie territory.
The Godfather movies weren’t summer blockbusters for several reasons. First, they didn’t come out in the summer. (March and December for parts I and II.) Second, they predate the phenomenon currently known as the summer blockbuster, which originated with Jaws in 1975. And third, they aren’t part of the genre known as “summer blockbusters.” (It’s not just a description of performance; it’s a genre of movies.)
Another example of a massive moneymaker that is definitely not a summer blockbuster is Passion of the Christ.
Fair enough! Consider me suitably chastened. :o
It’s an interesting question, then. Perusing my top 224 (since the ones in that range below #40 are still 9/10 on IMDb and, most importantly–since I take their recommendation engine very seriously–5/5 on Netflix), I don’t find any remotely plausible candidates for consideration in this category until #110, Deadpool. But that was released in February, so technically not eligible (although surely it meets the other criteria). Therefore the first surefire case is X2, at #117, followed closely by the first *Avengers *movie at #123. Others: *Alien *(#146), *Prometheus *(#155), Star Wars (“A New Hope”, #190), and The Amazing Spider-Man (#201).
ETA: Interesting that half of those six, plus Deadpool, while not making the “past three years” cut, were released in the past *five *years. Good sign for blockbuster quality.
I have now watched The Congress.
It was great in the opening 45 minutes. Absolutely loved it. I found the animated section was like a poor man’s Paprika. I think they thought they were being artistic and weird, but they failed for the opening 30 minutes or so of it. I did like the part after she is brought back out of freezing and the guy gives her the pill to go back to the real world.
I also liked everything after she returned to the real world. The final 40 minutes were pretty good.
I want Charlie Brooker to buy the rights to this movie and re-write it and film it for an episode of Black Mirror.
This mention intrigued me, so I looked it up and added it to my Netflix disc queue. Looks totally like something up my alley, as among my all-time favorites are trippy animated films like Waking Life and Spirited Away. Thanks!
I saw Sicario twice at the theatre and I own a DVD. So, yes, I loved it. I also enjoyed Interstellar.
Only two films made over the last few years really stand out for me: Whiplash and Ex Machina.
Paprika is one of the finest animated movies of all time. Please report your thoughts here. Note: You may find yourself depressed that the director died of pancreatic cancer very suddenly. He only produced a few works.
Two films I *really *love as well. Maybe you can help (not as an echo chamber), I don’t get the praise for the rebooted Mad Max film? I thought it was okay, liked the guitar spewing fire, wasn’t really involved in the prisoner bits. I guess I’m missing some things which are vital to the story. Any thoughts?
Watched that a couple of days ago and laughed my tits off. Sam Neil was sublime in the second and third act, the dialogue was immediately risque and a nice antidote to a lot of output from Hollywood, the kid did his part very well. The only part I felt wasn’t played right was the social services woman; was she a psycho, was she a jobsworth, was she just trying to do her job??
The car chase homage was nice, overall I really liked the whole film.
I saw Fury Road. Good action flick, but overall it didn’t do a whole lot for me. I don’t have a burning desire to see it again. But perhaps I’m missing something and should give it another viewing…
Huh, never heard of this but I see it’s got very strong reviews at Rotten Tomatoes. Added to my disc queue–thanks for the tip.
(I also learned a nifty new bit of British slang from your post: “jobsworth”.)
That utterly slayed me, such a great joke for New Zealanders.
I have now seen the Witch as well.
It was OK, but I was expecting more at the climax. I was almost suspecting one of the family members was a witch, actually. I thought the final 10 minutes were interesting, but not worth all the build up.
I’m not a New Zealander. What’s the joke?
I am surprised nobody here has mentioned Predestination. I thought it was a brilliant movie. What a mind-bender!
I also liked Whiplash, The Martian and Interstellar which seem to be the popular choices.