# Name a movie you think EVERYONE should see at least once in their life. Everyone! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [February 13, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287 "2025-02-13T22:19:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/81 "2025-02-15T12:02:11Z")
**Melancholia** (2011) _: Melancholia_ depicts a doomsday that mirrors the profound existential dread and depression many of us feel about the modern climate crisis. But, unlike the film’s inescapable, no-win planetary collision, the real-world crisis of global warming is still within our power to address—at least for now. Mitigating the looming mass extinction event (Holocene) we are currently hurtling toward, largely driven by human activity, demands collective responsibility through systemic reform, education, and policy change. As a compelling follow-up to the film’s bleak vision, watching Carl Sagan’s [Senate testimony](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp-WiNXH6hI&t=1s) on climate change offers both a sobering reality check and a reminder that hope—and action—are still within reach. ---
**Author:** ![f.coli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/82 "2025-02-15T12:40:14Z")
Either of the Monty Python comedies: The Holy Grail or The Life of Brian. No funnier movies were ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/83 "2025-02-15T20:09:27Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Knowing how to influence a jury by introducing novel theories of the crime and evidence not presented in court is certainly a useful skill. I got yelled at by my wife and son when we watched the movie for pointing out exactly that. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/84 "2025-02-15T20:30:05Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > I got yelled at by my wife and son when we watched the movie for pointing out exactly that. As much as lawyers hate on [_Runaway Jury_](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0313542/), it basically fits into the archetype of _Twelve Angry Men_. For my next offense, let me tell you about _Casablanca_… Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/85 "2025-02-15T20:57:52Z")
Perhaps where it’s explained why the Nazis don’t walk over to Laszlo’s table and just shoot him? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2025, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/86 "2025-02-15T21:02:20Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > For my next offense, let me tell you about _Casablanca_… One of the best comedies ever made. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/87 "2025-02-16T01:31:18Z")
Death In Venice. There’s that famous quote by…. Uh, been drinking. Something like: > There may be better movies made, but no movie will ever be a greater work of art. I’m comfortable with that. j ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/88 "2025-02-16T04:59:17Z")
Cinema Paradiso. I recommend the original Italian. 10m minutes in, you forget you are reading subtitles. If any film ever celebrates the love of film, it’s this one. There’s two versions. If you only watch one, make it the theatrical cut. The director’s cut is for a subsequent viewing, as it completely changes the tone of the film and how you feel about the characters and situation. Most Director’s cuts are just indulging in extra footage, but this one is different. It actually impacts the story. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/89 "2025-02-16T05:38:04Z")
Who’s the king of animals in Africa? Kimba, the white lion is his name. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/90 "2025-02-16T06:16:47Z")
Because it’s December 1941 in Unoccupied France. It would have been counterproductive. They don’t get really nasty until November 1942, when they move in and take complete control of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/91 "2025-02-16T06:32:15Z")
Morocco. The Free French took control there in November, 1942. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/92 "2025-02-16T06:33:16Z")
And until then, the Vichy French were in control. ---
**Author:** ![Sooner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sooner/32/7875_2.png) [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/93 "2025-02-16T08:12:02Z")
The Last Picture Show - it is meaningful to me. But I am from that part of the world, and I seemly know those characters. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/94 "2025-02-16T08:30:17Z")
If “knowing those characters” is a thing, then I’d suggest _The Breakfast Club_. We know, or knew, all of them, back when we were at high school: the Princess, the Jock, the Brain, the Criminal, and the Basket Case. But that’s all we knew them as. We may not have actually known them the way we get to in the film, when the actors’ characters reveal their foibles and fears. As someone once said, they enter as stereotypes to us, and leave as individuals to us. In other words, there can be a lot behind the facade they adopt. A good lesson for young people, even today, I’d suggest. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/95 "2025-02-16T09:20:39Z")
_The Rocky Horror Picture Show_. A cult classic with unforgettable music and flamboyant performances—led by Tim Curry’s iconic Dr. Frank-N-Furter—that should be seen in a movie theater with theatrics and audience participation at midnight. A one-of-a-kind cinematic event that perfectly blends movie-watching, theatricality, and pure communal fun. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/96 "2025-02-16T16:40:44Z")
> [@Tibby](#): > > **Melancholia** (2011) One of my favorites hand in hand in with [**Only Lovers Left Alive**](https://cineccentric.com/2019/02/09/love-and-understanding-in-only-lovers-left-alive/) Otherwise I feel the 1930’s were an era of great movies that should be seen. Captains Courageous It Happened One Night Mr Smith goes to Washington Wizard of Oz Freaks King Kong Bride of Frankenstein And more… ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/97 "2025-02-16T21:04:33Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > A great film for sure, although the lessons where somewhat undone by the sequel . . . As a kid, watching _TWoK_ and then _The Search for Spock_, I suspect I never picked up on your earlier point: > [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > . . . the deeper theme is the inevitability of loss and tragedy; Having seen the discrete elements of loss: - Loss of identity in loss of Command by ‘promotion’; - loss of youth in physical aging (requiring glasses); - loss of honor/integrity in having to publicly acknowledge one’s cheating; - loss in pride in having one’s mistakes come back to life to literally shoot you in the face (_Reliant_ phasering up _Enterprise_); - loss in emotions meeting a son you’d never known you had (lost time and bonding) - the personal loss of one’s best friend; in forty-some-odd years, I never put them all together . . _Thank you!_ Tripler Jeebus, now this movie seems like the ultimate _downer!_ ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/98 "2025-02-16T22:22:24Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > _Sometimes a Great Notion_ (the book) is a far superior work of art next to Cuckoo’s Nest. And I thought Cuckoo’s Nest was really good. Read them both, seen both movies. Cuckoo’s Nest wins in both media. > [@Locrian](#): > > Comedy goes to AIRPLANE! How did I not list that one? There’s definitely an argument for its being the funniest movie ever. (I prefer MP&HG, but I realize that there are people in this world that don’t grok Pythonesque humor.) > [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Death In Venice. Speaking of movies I saw but didn’t grok… > [@Spoons](#): > > If “knowing those characters” is a thing, then I’d suggest _The Breakfast Club_. > > We know, or knew, all of them, back when we were at high school: the Princess, the Jock, the Brain, the Criminal, and the Basket Case. It’s a very good movie, but no, I didn’t know any of them in high school. Those categories just don’t match up well with my high school as it was then. The categories were more achievers (any potential Brain we had was female, I knew two of them well), hippie freaks and dopers (didn’t know any basket cases though), rednecks, and normies. There were jocks and cheerleaders, but they weren’t a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2025, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/99 "2025-02-16T22:37:11Z")
Until I’d read down to post 70 (or so) I’d intended to say _Duck Soup_. It’s funny and smart. And, yes: political. If I’d been first to the thread I’d probably have said _The Grapes of Wrath_, in addition to _Duck Soup_. TGOW doesn’t have a slow moment, and it’s…well, also smart about people and how easily they rationalize exploiting others. Continuing with the political theme–it’s hard to put it aside, these days–I will mention one that hasn’t been cited yet: De Palma’s 1987 masterpiece _ **The Untouchables** _. The glamour of evil is well-depicted, as well as the ease with which corruption can take over an entire political entity. Lastly, I agree with this pick: > [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > …_Gone With The Wind_. In addition to being an iconic film, it reveals some insight into the persecution complex and romanticized self-concept of white southerners. Not that any of it is justified, but it’s useful to understand why some people inhabit the fantasy worlds that they do. Great–and timely–analysis. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2025, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287/100 "2025-02-17T01:31:45Z")
Oh, also, just for the sake of seeing a movie that is meaningless beauty, everyone has to see _Lost in Translation_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-movie-you-think-everyone-should-see-at-least-once-in-their-life-everyone/1014287.md?page=6)