And everyone who clerked for Clarence Thomas had to watch The Fountainhead.
I think the topic is just too broad. I mentioned The Grapes of Wrath, which is not my favorite film. However, the story of the Okie migrants in 1930s America has parallels throughout human history, in every nation including this one, and continues today. It’s the story of people being forced from their lands by war or oppression or greedy interests. Look what we did to Native Americans in the name of Manifest Destiny. It isn’t called the Trail of Tears for nothing. Does the idea being floated about Gaza have a similar ring to it? Forced migration of oppressed or poor people has been a constant throughout the history of the world.
I’m finding this to be an interesting topic. My only objection is when I see a title thrown out with no reason given for why everyone or anyone would benefit from seeing that particular film.
“Abandon Ship!” (also known as “Seven Waves Away”), 1957, stars Tyrone Power…It also takes place in a life boat and seems to be forgotten. Maybe because it’s too much like “Life Boat” and everyone slavering over Tallulah Bankhead.
I’ve always said that every red-blooded American male should watch FATAL ATTRACTION.
Temptation. It’s a thing.
Erin Brokovich. It’s so necessary to understand what corporations can and will do for naked profit. Now more than ever.
That was going to be my choice. In its place I will suggest a movie of a similar vein, Baraka.
This may be unpopular and a bit controversial, but 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.
Well, if we are onto political films, Bulworth is classic.
Along the same lines, I’ve always thought that anyone, male or female, who is interested in working as a radio DJ should be sat down and made to watch “Play Misty For Me.” Believe me, there are listeners like that, and it’s no laughing matter. I knew of a woman who had an obsessive listener who stalked her to the point that she had to take out a restraining order against him. He responded by coming to the station and smashing all the windows on her car. And that’s only half the story, which ended extremely tragically.
I think everyone should see Atomic Cafe. It’s a collection of interviews, public information films and cartoons that were made at the beginning of the development of nuclear weapons. It is both hilarious and chilling to see just how clueless everyone was then about the realities of what could happen in a nuclear war or even a nuclear accident.
Duck Soup. Just because it’s so damned funny, and it’s the Marx Brothers at their best.
Not to mention, “if you think this country’s bad off now, just wait 'til I get through with it” has a certain contemporary relevance.
Also in the “just because they’re so damned funny” category, Blazing Saddles, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Monkey Business.
Seen it. Didn’t make much of an impression on me then, and can barely remember it now.
Our local theatre group will be performing 12 Angry Jurors (will have jurors of more than one gender) later this year. I’ll be looking forward to it.
I thought that was a valid choice also.
Indeed! I read it in the late '70s, after I (and everyone else around town) had seen the film. A great novel with a surprising change of the narrator’s POV. Ken Kesey was a great writer, he had a strong sense of how a story should flow organically; it was very engaging for me despite knowing how it would end. Thanks 4the Idle Thought 
.
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.
Man, too hard to name ONE film, others mentioned, I agree with.
To Kill a Mockingbird is always first for me, Princess Bride, magnificent.
Jaws is my suspense film vote because anyone who wants to make a motion picture, this is it. Psycho, as well.
Comedy goes to AIRPLANE!
Musical goes to The Blues Brothers. Possibly my favorite film.
For animated? That’s a tough one. I’d go with The Lion King.
I’m adding Patterns to my list. Written by Rod Serling, it’s a refreshingly adult drama. It’s not funny, touching, or inspirational; in fact, it’s tense and downright depressing. But it does teach the naive a lot about life and what they should expect once they’re out in the real world.
No, it really isn’t. Spirited Away is it. Way better than some Kimba the White Lion knock off…