Favorite movies

[Wayne Higgins]

Informal question.  I ask people this often.  I didn't want to put this on the "best of the decade thread".

In your opinion, what is the best movie ever made?

What is your favorite movie?

For me, Lawrence of Arabia is the best.  Screenplay, acting, directing, cinematography, music, ending of acts and I think the ending of the movie is perfect.  Nothing like it. 

The Creature from the Black Lagoon is my favorite.  I have seen this flick too many times to count.  I have spent many times at the location (Wakulla Springs, FL), and if it is being run in a theater nearby, I WILL go see it.

[LNerell]

I don't usually do best lists as I don't see films as sport. However I would probably go with Citizen Kane, probably because I've seen it on so many best of lists, and its also a great film. I wouldn't argue too long with your choice, its also a great film.

Personal favorite is My Dinner with Andre, with a close second being 2001.

[mgriffin]

Can't argue with either Citizen Kane, or Lawrence of Arabia.  Citizen Kane is certainly the "safe" pick, as so many critics agree.

I'd like to nominate Stanley Kubrick in both categories.

Best film of all time
2001: A Space Odyssey

My favorite film
A Clockwork Orange

On other days, I'd name different films.  2001 is kinda boring sometimes!  ;)

Just as often I'd say...

Best film of all time
The Godfather epic

My favorite film
Blade Runner

[Scott M2]

I can't declare the best movie ever made but my personal favourite is "Brainstorm".

It pushes all my buttons: makes me laugh and cry and examines relationships,
life and death, obsessions and fears, truly deep communication and the abuse and use
of technologies even to a spiritual level.

(Saw it first blown-up on an IMAX screen, so the virtual-action sequences had a real impact
which you won't get on TV, particularly in these post-Matrix days. It still has emotional power though.)

[mgriffin]

Douglas Trumbull is the freakin' man!

[LNerell]

I can't declare the best movie ever made but my personal favourite is "Brainstorm".

Wow, that's pretty funny as a friend of mine did the special effects for that film. I haven't thought of that film in ages. My friend didn't think to highly of it at the time because some behind the scene stuff that was happening.

[Scott M2]

It's not a "perfect" film but it hit me from a dozen directions.

All I knew about it before my first viewing was that Natalie Wood died during the filming.
I expected her part to be fragmented or reduced, but she's a full and key character throughout.

(The film was quite prescient by showing that one of the first uses of a fantastic new tool for communication was porn.)

[Brian Bieniowski]

Hard to pick "best movies of all time" because what's the best criteria?  I prefer to just think about what I like the best.  ;)

Here are 10 of my favorites from the last few decades, though I could go on forever:

Spirit of the Beehive (1973)
Flash Gordon (1980)
Badlands (1973)
Videodrome (1983)
Silent Running (1972)
Targets (1968)
Until the End of the World (1991)
Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974)

[Wayne Higgins]

no right or wrong, just opinions.  favorites.

I like asking this because of the interesting answers I get.  I've heard Clue, Preditor, The Wizard of Oz.

The most interesting item is that I have worked with two Russian women in my life.  Very different ages.  Both of the said The Red and the White.

Brainstorm is an interesting one.  I really like that one.  Silent Running, also Trumbull is another.  I met the sound recorder for that movie recently.

[Mikeyboy]

Flash Gordon (1980)

Haha, "Gordon's alive.....?"   :)

[michael sandler]

I loved Silent Running too. That film had a big impact on me. About the only thing sadder than when (SPOILER WARNING) the robot dies was when Tom Hanks got separated from his volleyball in the ocean in Cast Away.

[LNerell]

Flash Gordon (1980)

Haha, "Gordon's alive.....?"   :)

I liked Flesh Gordon better.  ;D

I also liked Silent Running.

Until the End of the World was good but I would have to say I thought Wim Wenders film Wings of Desire was better.

[uhurit]

No Country for Old Men was outstanding
I also think that somewhat controversial and very twisted Surveillance belongs to the top 10, IMO

[Brian Bieniowski]

I'm surprised nobody's brought up Tarkovsky yet!  I love the movies of his I've seen, especially Stalker and Solaris.

That Flash Gordon movie is the best.  That's one of the few movies I can watch all the way through no matter how many times it's on.

[mgriffin]

There's definitely something to be said for outright FUN movies like Flash Gordon and the Sinbad movies.  The movie theater nearest to my house must have owned a copy of Golden Voyage of Sinbad because they used it as a double-feature with everything else that came along, for years.

I remember seeing Midway and Golden Voyage of Sinbad, and another time Freaky Friday and Golden Voyage of Sinbad, as well as various Herbie the Love Bug movies and Golden Voyage of Sinbad, and at least one Bad News Bears installment and Golden Voyage of Sinbad.   I believe by the time they paired Golden Voyage of Sinbad with Krull, the print was wearing out and that might have been the last time I saw it in the theater.

[michael sandler]

I loved Silent Running too. That film had a big impact on me. About the only thing sadder than when (SPOILER WARNING) the robot dies was when Tom Hanks got separated from his volleyball in the ocean in Cast Away.

Let met add here 300. If you knew me in real life, this might surprise you, as I am not exactly an aggressive alpha male warrior type. But I love that movie.

MikeS

[Bill Binkelman]

No Country for Old Men was outstanding
I also think that somewhat controversial and very twisted Surveillance belongs to the top 10, IMO

We just watched this a few nights ago. You ain't kidding about it being twisted. That is a seriously fucked-up film but it's also somewhat ingenious and certainly unconventional. Guess it figures, too, since david Lynch's daughter directed it. IMO, it makes Se7en look like a Disney film.

[Antdude]

I would add Lawrence of Arabia, as my all-time favorite, and quite possibly the greatest film ever made. If you've ever seen it on a proper movie screen, you'll never forget that experience. Video simply can't do it justice. Columbia road-shows it every few years or so. I'm hoping to catch it again that way.
After that, I would say Ridley Scott's 'Alien' the best science-fiction film ever made. Saw it on the big screen many times and still see new little nuances when I bust out the 'Quadrillogy.'
I recently introduced my niece to the original 'Thief of Baghdad' starring Sabu. Not only was she thrilled with it, I was amazed at how well the film has aged.

[DeepR]

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

My favorite movie of all time since the first time I saw it.

[Blackinfinity]

my favorite film ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW8J5LvzeZI