# Movies Required to be a film buff **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 6, 2000, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751 "2000-04-06T14:01:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Danimal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Danimal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danimal)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2000, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/41 "2000-12-06T16:06:45Z")
I am not going to post my own list, since going by the lists I see here I am clearly not a film buff. I have seen: 5 from Guy Propski’s list. 0 from Rodd Hill’s list. 6 from RealityChuck’s list. 0 from Eve’s list. 8 from Kellibelli’s list. 1 from Ukulele Ike’s list. 7 from Max Torque’s list (unless you include the AFI Top 100 citation, in which case it goes up to 53). 0 from Mr.Knowitall’s list. 7 from Rackensack’s list. 3 from Eve’s list of musicals (maybe more, I’ve seen some that might be by Eddy, but I’m not sure). 0 from Miss Bunny’s list. 0 from the Scarlet Pimpernel’s list (damned elusive, those films). 14 from Lexicon’s list. 6 (all!) of Billehunt’s list (and \* The Manchurian Candidate \* is good stuff; don’t know about \* El Mariachi \*). 0 of Archiveguy’s list. 0 from TistofFate’s list. 1 from Ukulele Ike’s 2 Russian films _(Aleksandr Nevsky)_ ---
**Author:** ![Booker57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Booker57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Booker57)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2000, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/42 "2000-12-06T16:20:39Z")
You must suffer to be a film buff. Plan 9 from Outer Space. ---
**Author:** ![Danimal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Danimal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danimal)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2000, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/43 "2000-12-06T16:21:54Z")
On Wendell Wagner’s list I’ve seen 75. My ranking is 86.5. ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2000, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/44 "2000-12-06T16:27:46Z")
I am so proud of myself. Thanks to the silent cinema class I took this semester, I have seen at least an example from all points on Eve’s first list, (except that documentary, which I will check to see if my store has tonight) and a number of the ones on Ike’s list. And the foreign directors, Eisenstein, Murneau, Lang et all. I LIKED Eisenstein. What does that say about me? (probably that I’m a psych major and the concept of juxtaposing two different images for maximum responce in your audience is facinating. He studied Pavlov, you know.) ---
**Author:** ![SwimmingRiddles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SwimmingRiddles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SwimmingRiddles)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2000, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/45 "2000-12-06T16:31:19Z")
Ooooh, I have an idea. Let’s start a film club. We’ll decide on a movie once a month, and in our intellectually superiour way, discuss said film. And before one of our darling Mods yells at me (hi, boys!) I’ll start a thread over in IMHO Entitled SD Film Club. ---
**Author:** ![Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/779978/32.png) [@Zumba\_The\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zumba_The_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2000, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/46 "2000-12-06T18:05:21Z")
I have seen 59 of the movies on Wendell Wagner’s list. Since I am still (mostly) young that makes my score a 71. I am working on it. I watch tons of movies now that I have my Direct TV. It is going to take me awhile to catch up. ---
**Author:** ![Ivar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ivar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ivar)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2000, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/47 "2000-12-06T18:49:24Z")
No one has mentioned the Coen Brothers films. I like Miller’s Crossing or Fargo as their best examples. Their first film, Blood Simple, was also excellent. In the foreign category from Sameland (Lappland, northern Scandinavia) “Pathfinder” from the former USSR, “Dersu Uzula” Both films tell old stories, and are beautifully filmed across incredible landscapes. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2000, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/48 "2000-12-06T18:51:10Z")
You must see The Red Balloon. (and if you are human…cry) See some Documentries as well. When We were Kings, Hoop Dreams, and Roger and Me should give you a start. Just see every film nominated for an Academy Award. Wait a sec. Just what kind of film buff do you want to be? Someone who just knows alot about movies? The kind who always thinks that the French version was soooo much better then the American. (they are usually right) Do you want to talk film with the crowd at the Oscars or at Sundance? For the Oscars just see everything that made more than 80 million domestic. Sundance see everything that made less than 15. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/49 "2000-12-13T14:28:18Z")
I am proud to say I have seen 105 of the films on Wendell’s list of 200, giving me a mrblue index of 72. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/50 "2000-12-13T14:33:09Z")
[Festen (_The Celebration_)](http://us.imdb.com/Details?0154420) is a definate must-see. ---
**Author:** ![Melpomene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Melpomene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melpomene)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/51 "2000-12-13T15:51:21Z")
So many wonderful movies, classic and recent have been mentioned already so I am going to attempt naming some that probably haven’t been said yet. Although I do second just about all the movies mentioned so far. I’m trying not to repeat one already said, but if there _is_ a repeat or two…sue me… 😉 I base my judgement calls on overall direction, performance, artistic direction, writing, character development. _Foreign_ ~Babette’s Feast (Denmark) ~Cinema Paradiso (Italy) ~La Cité des enfants perdus (“City of Lost Children” France) ~My Life as a Dog (Sweden ver.) ~Raise the Red Lantern (China) _More Recent_ ~Baghdad Cafe (obscure little movie, lots going on under the surface) ~Harold and Maude ~Schindler’s List ~Shawshank Redemption ~The Excorcist ~The Last Emperor ~The Piano ~Titus ~Usual Suspects ~When Harry Met Sally _“Oldies”_ [sub]although this category was very comprehensively covered already[/sub] ~Bridge on the River Kwai ~Mr. Smith Goes to Washington ~The Philadelphia Story I’m 20 and I’ve seen 85 of the movies. So, my “score” is 100 on the nose. Just barely a Film Buff, according to the ratings! Not bad though, for being 20. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/52 "2000-12-13T16:23:02Z")
You have to sit through at least one film by **[Andrei Tarkovsky](http://www.skywalking.com/tarkovsky/)** to be a true film buff. Staying awake is optional though. My score? 120 ☹ I need to get a life! ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/53 "2000-12-13T18:59:41Z")
I’m actually amazed people haven’t been suggesting the true classics for this film club. \*Monkey and Another, Boxing \* Who here wouldn’t want to see a primate and an unknown figure go at it in a ring? This is a cult classic of epic proportions! _Duncan Smoking_ Oh that Duncan. What kind of mischief did he get into this time? We study the psychological tension, the true drama that is Duncan as he went through this ritual. You’ll be rivited. _Duncan and Another, Blacksmith Shop_ Duncan becomes so popular, he stars in this sequel. Is it the same “another” who boxed? That is the question film critics have been debating for decades. _Duncan or Devonald with Muslin Cloud_ If you thought se7en or Unusual Suspects was full of plot twists and suspense, you just HAVE to watch this film. Despite his famed popularity, you won’t know until right up until the very end whether it is truly Duncan or Devonald on the Muslin Cloud. And what is the Muslin Cloud? Oh no…you must savor this story for yourself. These are the true cinematic masterpieces film buffs must watch to consider themselves cultured. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/54 "2000-12-13T19:35:16Z")
My score is 140. I have very pale skin. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/55 "2000-12-13T19:49:35Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Ukelele Ike_ > …'cause I hate Eisenstein. Hey, there’s more to Russia than Eisenstein (I’m not a big fan either; _Strike_’s probably my fave). Vertov’s _Man with a Movie Camera_ trumps anything by Sergei any day, and don’t forget Dovzhenko and Pudovkin (OK, maybe it _is_ mostly Eisenstein 🙂 ) > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Zebra_ > Just see every film nominated for an Academy Award. No No NO NO **NO!** This would mean seeing piles of crap while missing these **unmissable** films (none of which earned a single Oscar nod): _His Girl Friday Night of the Hunter A Night at the Opera The Big Sleep The Man from Laramie King Kong Rio Bravo Modern Times The Searchers Ride the High Country Bringing Up Baby Trouble in Paradise Sullivan’s Travels Sweet Smell of Success Footlight Parade Paths of Glory Love Me Tonight Gun Crazy Letter from an Unknown Woman The Incredible Shrinking Man Man’s Castle On Dangerous Ground It’s a Gift Point Blank Force of Evil Intruder in the Dust The Pajama Game Scarlet Street The Naked Kiss Make Way for Tomorrow The Shop Around the Corner The Big Combo Mean Streets Men in War Blonde Venus_ and that’s just scratching the surface of only American films ignored. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/56 "2000-12-13T19:56:51Z")
I’ll second the \*\*Miller’s Crossing \*\* and \*\*Fargo \*\* . Miller’s Crossing has an added bonus because: A)There is a plot. b) Hi Opal!. c) Gabriel Byrne (hubba hubba hubba) I haven’t seen anyone add this and damnation, do I have to be the only one, besides DRY, who has seen this film in my lifetime? \*\*Lion in the Winter \*\* Katherine Hepburn, Peter O’Toole, Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton all fight and plot for the control of the throne. Swiddles, if you can,try to watch the films in themes. I went through a Western Theme and watched nearly all the major John Wayne films in order that they were made. Did the same when I went through my Mafia phase, and watched James Cagney ( hubba hubba) Bogart and cruised downward to the Godfather Series ( Godfather 3 was simply ruined by Sophia Coppala.) ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/57 "2000-12-13T19:59:43Z")
Crap, hit enter too early. as I was saying, if you watching them clumped together like like, I found it interesting to see the progression of either characters, plots or how society changed in general. ---
**Author:** ![dustMagnate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/fbc32d/32.png) [@dustMagnate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dustMagnate)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/58 "2000-12-13T22:07:51Z")
For film buffdom to set in you must see the entire available catalog of a particular directors work. I’ve seen everything by Kubrick. I tried to follow Costas-Gavras but got lost about ‘the music box’ IMDB is immensely helpful in tracking down your favorite directors. I tried to see everything Werner Herzog ever did (even dwarfs started small through fitzcarraldo and then the repertory theater closed) I tried to see Altman’s catalog but he kept on making movies that I didn’t see. Streamers was awesome. Dr T? Hmmm. If you follow a directors path you get an inside track. Some of them make shit just to keep working and then whammo a masterpiece. Some of them have two great movies in them and then make crap after crap (Ridley Scott). ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Baroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/76d3ee/32.png) [@Billy\_Baroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Baroo)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2000, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/59 "2000-12-13T22:58:29Z")
Out of lurkdom for this cool thread. For sheer watchability, check out some of David Mamet’s filmography, e.g. The Spanish Prisoner, House Of Games, The Untouchables, Glengarry Glen Ross. What an engaging writer. He’s one reason I’m avidly anticipating Hannibal. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2000, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751/60 "2000-12-14T05:57:16Z")
Here’s an “A” list of required movies: Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Abbott and Costello Meet The Mummy Abigail’s Party The Abominable Dr. Phibes The Absent Minded Professor Absolute Beginners The Accused Adam’s Rib The Addams Family Addams Family Values The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother Adventures in Babysitting The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension The Adventures of Huck Finn The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert The Adventures of Robin Hood Advise and Consent An Affair to Remember The African Queen After Hours The Age of Innocence Agnes of God Aguirre, the Wrath of God Airplane! Aladdin Alexander Nevsky Alfie Alice Adams Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore Alien Alien Nation Aliens Alive All About Eve All of Me All Quiet on the Western Front All That Heaven Allows All the King’s Men All the President’s Men All This and Heaven Too All Through the Night Alligator Altered States Always for Pleasure Amadeus Amarcord American Beauty American Dream The American Friend American Gigolo American Graffiti American Heart American Hot Wax An American in Paris American Pie An American Tail An American Werewolf in London The Americanization of Emily Anastasia Anatomy of a Murder Anchors Aweigh And God Created Woman And Then There Were None Andrei Rublev The Andromeda Strain Andy Warhol’s Bad Angels with Dirty Faces Anguish Annie Hall Another State of Mind The Apartment Apocalypse Now The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz Arachnophobia Around the World in 80 Days Arsenic and Old Lace Arthur Artists and Models Ashes and Diamonds The Asphalt Jungle Assault on Precinct 13 At Close Range Atlantic City Atomic Cafe Au Revoir Les Enfants Auntie Mame The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Autumn Leaves The Awful Truth Some good. Some bad. All examples of some point in movie history. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/movies-required-to-be-a-film-buff/15751.md?page=4)