The Online Film Community’s Top 100 Movies Of All Time

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Ahhhh … you can just smell the geekishness on this list.

Half of the top 20 films of all time are science fiction/fantasy/horror films … amazing!! LOL

I just LOVE “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” being so high - BARF - and “Run Lola Run” in the TOP HALF!! Bizarre.

Comment by Ray | July 30, 2007

[...] Our boy Matt Holmes from Obsessed With Film posted the results of the Online Film Community Top 100 Films, which was compiled in response to the recent AFI Top 100 list. You can see Matt’s article here. [...]

Pingback by The Rec Show | July 30, 2007

Yeah…and a lot of people think “whats so great about Citizen Kane?” but pretty much all of those people aren’t educated in film history–its not that Citizen Kane is the most entertaining film you’ll ever watch, its that it is pioneering in its form and technique (although i find it to be simultaneously involving on an emotional level, and I think thats what makes it all the more important–it totally works as a drama and holds up to modern standards but its also very innovative in context of history). Thats why Picasso is so important–people will look at his work and say “so what?” but they say that with contemporary hindsight and not looking at its context in history. I think the problem is that film is–or at least can be–also entertainment in a more direct way that painting or traditional fine art, thus “best movies ever made” is often misconstrued as “most entertaining movies ever made”, and such a list as the latter is so subjective as to make it quantifiably impossible. A lot of people call critics and the like “movie snobs” because their “top 100″ films list don’t include Bad Boys 2 or Pirates of the Carribbean (not that I’m insinuating anyone here is guilty of that). I think critics are more qualified to make such a list than viewers since they not only have a better grounding in film history and context but also see more films and are exposed to more than the ones in blockbuster video, although this list does contain quite a few “classics” (but where the hell are Wong Kar Wai, Akira Kurosawa, Francois Trauffault or Ingmar Bergman?? Rated below Fargo, Ghostbusters and Memento it seems…)

Comment by Michael Kaminski | July 30, 2007

these lists to me are always utter shit. it never ceases to amaze how underappreciated foreign films are. i understand that the AFI list was “American” films, but this list seems to be films in general as a few foreign films are scattered throughout. fellini not until 89? and no godard? 95% of that list was influenced by Godard’s “Breathless”. This joke of a list is just another reason why they simply are mere entertainment.

Comment by jake hendricks | July 30, 2007

@ Michael: You make some good points there. I personally think that certain aspects of film ARE quantifiable - story structure, character development, dialogue, editing, and cinematic influence. Other aspects - like performance or direction to some degree - are much more subjective, and hinge more directly on personal taste and feeling.

If one were to start judging the films on this list from those quantifiable aspects, then many of the films on this list must be removed. “Run Loal Run,” “Ghostbusters,” and others definitely should not be on the list, or much lower, while monumental films like “Nosferatu” should be much higher. I don’t see “Metropolis” on here. I don’t see “Birth of a Nation” on here. I don’t see “Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” on here. If we want newer films, then “Children of Men” or “Pan’s Labyrinth” are better than some of the films here.

Comment by Ray | July 30, 2007

I guess you can’t argue with the list since it’s a collaboration of so many peoples thoughts. But personally - I HATE that top 10! Seriously, only one of those movies (Dr Strangelove) would come even close to my own personal top 10.

And I still just don’t ‘get’ the whole Godfather thing. I’ve watched it 3 times now, at various stages in my life, and I still can’t see how the hell it continuously comes out on top in these lists.

Comment by Peter Willis | July 30, 2007

Actually, out of all the things… I don’t mind the Top 10.

The list wasn’t just about what the great movies were but it was also about looking into our own hearts and choosing what movies meant the most to us.

Jaws, The Empire Strikes Back, Blade Runner, Citizen Kane, The Godfathers, Raiders of the Lost Ark are some of my favourite movies of all time and I’m not surprised to see so many other people think so too.

No-one can complain about The Godfathers and Citizen Kane’s place surely? And Jaws is the perfect and original summer blockbuster, Raiders of the Lost Ark the best ‘adventure’ movie, Blade Runner one of the most rewarding sci-fi movies ever… what is their to complain about?

Comment by Matt Holmes | July 30, 2007

What is there to complain about????

You think “Alien” - which is a fine movie - is in the Top 10 of all time?? “Raiders of the Lost Ark” is number 4??

But the list is ridiculous for so many reasons…

Are you SERIOUSLY going to try to defend choices like “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” at number 35??? The Princess Bride” at number 37??

Both of them - ahead of “Raging Bull” at number 40??

I mean, c’mon … “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” ranks - and by ranks I mean stinks - number 25, ahead of “The Matrix” and “Wizard of Oz” - both of which changed films forever.

Ya know, just because you geeks watched “Princess Bride” over and over agian on cable T.V. when you were eating your SpaghettiO’s as a kid doesn’t mean it suddenly belongs at number 37, over more legitimate and important choices.

Comment by Ray | July 30, 2007

I think the question asked of them may have been “list your top 100 films” rather than “list the 100 top films of all time”, simply because if I had to make a list of personal 100 films it would be somewhat close to this but very different than a “100 top films” list.

Comment by Michael Kaminski | July 30, 2007

Okay, Michael … but they specifically built this list in response to the AFI list, which is definitely a “Best 100 Movies of All Time” list.

Hell, if it was just some personal list, then they should have made it clear that it was not supposed to represent the best in cinematic achievement …

…although … how many of these guys have actually seen “Seven Samurai” or “M” for them to place so high on a list of PERSONAL favorites?? Some of these choices seem less personal and more critic-oriented .. like “Brazil,” which was critically lauded at the time of its release, and yet, while it is a fine film, is probably a tad overrated … yet it placed very, very high on this list. I find it hard to believe that the people voting here just absolutely LOVE “Brazil” so much that it needs to place so high … I contend that, if this list is truly supposed to be a persoanl favorites list, conventional critical thought definitely influenced some of these bizarre choices.

This list makes little sense either way, frankly. I think I was expecting something more insightful and thoughtful from this group of online film lovers.

Comment by Ray | July 31, 2007

[...] there’s been some discussion and a little criticism towards the Online Film Community’s Top 100 list. Some people think the list is a little geeky but I think that was kind of the point with it. When [...]

Pingback by Obsessed With Film » Here’s the movies I voted for in the OFC Top 100 list… | July 31, 2007

Yes, you make a good point–I doubt many people would rank Citizen Kane as a personal favourite. I guess it just seemed like the only explanation as to how Die Hard, Shawshank Redemption, Eternal Sunshine and Back to the Future ended up in the top 30.

Comment by Michael Kaminski | July 31, 2007

Our listing by our 65 member ListServ differs dramatically.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/our-picks.htm
and is more representattive of the entire world.
Not to be offensive but this ‘Top 100 Movies of All Time’ is a ridiculous joke made by people who haven’t seen enough of what cinema can offer.
Regards,

Comment by DVDBeaver | May 25, 2008

Don’t you just love film snobs?

Comment by Matt Holmes | May 25, 2008

LOL, yes that’s very amusing but - No… I loved those who post lists that include
Alien (R. Scott, 1979), Pulp Fiction (Tarantino, 1994) and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in the Top 20 films of all time.
It’s a big world out there folks - entertainment doesn’t start and end in Hollywood. Take the blinders off…
This just about says it all - Run Lola Run ahead of The Bicycle Thief. Yeah, valuable list…
Cheers,
Gary

Comment by DVDBeaver | May 25, 2008

You guys have the right to post any ‘fanboy’ Top Film lists that you want - but I’m questioning the criteria on which these decisions are based.
I encourage the participants to view the the films of Fellini, Truffaut, Kurosawa, Ozu, Tarkovsky, Dreyer, Bresson and Antonioni for a start. It would seem impossible for anyone who has seen a fraction of those director’s collected ouvre not to include one of each somewhere in any Top list.
I like lists, but the point of lists should be to help expose new cinema - to push others to try new film experiences (not rehash the old tited Star Wars ones) - this list doesn’t really do much but proliferate many of the choices of the AFI. Who needs more of that?
Good luck all,
Gary

Comment by DVDBeaver | May 25, 2008

Gary, what exactly do you want people to do? They were asked to select their ‘top’ movies (the definition of what their ‘top’ movies were was entirely up to each voter). They did that, and thus the list includes movies which - perhaps - may well be seen as typical fanboy esq selections.

Everyone is NEVER going to agree on one ultimate defining list let’s be honest.

Comment by Peter Willis | May 25, 2008

Barry Lyndon over The Godfather?

Actually Barry Lyndon at all? I do like your list though and although I’ve seen maybe 3/4’s of the movies, I’m excited to hunt out the rest.

So I guess DVD Beaver are not interested in joining our latest list then?

You are welcome, we would love to see your picks and maybe help us venture out further into world cinema past and present.

Comment by Matt Holmes | May 25, 2008

[They were asked to select their ‘top’ movies]
My real query is ‘Who are they?” (I can see above) - but, I mean who are they to create such a list and flaunt it as The Greatest Films of all time?
If you want a list of the best, say, Fruit in the ENTIRE world you don’t choose people who have only eaten bananas, oranges and apples.
Perhaps the list should have been more descriminating and lifted its participants to a higher standard.
I mean, it’s your list but you may as well just look at IMdb’s voting to determine the most popular - it won’t vary too much from yours.
Some people live by ad adage that ‘Popularity is simply a sign of mediocrity’.
If you want a list to expose a multitude of new films - take a look at Jonathan Rosenbaum’s alternate AFI - most will not have seen even half of his choices. Or his top 1000 film list - there’s something to keep in your back pocket when you go buying DVDs.
Just my opinion - as you were,
G

Comment by DVDBeaver | May 25, 2008

The list is ‘flaunted’ as the “Online Film Communities” Top 100 Movies of all time. It is not billed as being a defining list of the “Greatest” films.

And the list is not about exposing new films… if it were, then perhaps it may be titled something more like “The Top 100 Movies You Have Probably Never Seen” as opposed to 50 bloggers own favourite movies, as it is currently.

Comment by Peter Willis | May 25, 2008

Those guys just happen to make up the big demographic of online film readers and we never flaunted the list as the Greatest Films of all Time.

They were our top movies, however each user defined it as such. I picked my favourite, I presume many others did too.

Perhaps the list should have been more descriminating but that’s not what we went for.

Our list was never intended to be an exploration of new films… ironically… at least how Obsessed With Film is concerned, that’s what the rest of the website is about!!!

We discuss hundreds of movies a year, not just Hollywood but other countries cinema too although I would love to be able to discuss foreign cinema more elaborately and on a more frequent basis.

Though I have to say DVDBeaver, you do know we live in a democracy (I’m from the U.K.) where we vote for who is in power.

And movies only get made if they can return a financial profit.

Like every other business.

Though I guess we do live in a kind of mediocre world.

So I ask again, have DVD Beaver declined to join our Community and instead chosen to be the kid in the corner who believes himself to be above the rest of the class?

Comment by Matt Holmes | May 25, 2008

[where we vote for who is in power]
Others might say ‘Mob rules’ in this case…
I find your list simply ‘popular’ not probing the heights and depths of which cinema is capabable of transporting people. God , it is such an amazing medium and the guy at the top is disappointed because Kill Bill isn’t on it.
If the list’s intent is not encouraging others to expand their cinema horizons - well, I find it fairly useless. We all might just as well stand up and yell “I LIKE STAR WARS!, I LIKE INDY…” and then be proud to expose our choices to others. Who the heck needs more people lauding ‘Raiders’? What is the purpose of that? isn’t there enough of that on the web?
You may use our collected list at
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/our-picks.htm
and ‘add me’ with those selections.
Must work.
Cheers,
Gary

Comment by DVDBeaver | May 25, 2008

[...] to the results of a poll conducted by the Online Film Community (of which we were apart of), THE GODFATHER still manages to be favoured above everything [...]

Pingback by A movie you just can’t refuse. THE GODFATHER tops Empire’s biggest ever poll | Obsessed With Film | September 24, 2008

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