What's your absolute favorite movie?

[Lufbery]

Hi all,

So what's your absolute favorite movie? For me, it has to be Lawrence of Arabia. The movie was released 11 years before I was born. I only saw it after I bought the DVD two years ago, yet it has quickly risen to the top of my list of favorite movies. I keep coming back to it and it's a wonderful experience each time.

I read Seven Pillars of Wisdom a few years ago, and Jeremy Wilson's biography of Lawrence last year. So, I'm well aware of the places where the movie plays fast and loose with the facts. Normally, the historical inaccuracies would bother me, but this movie is so well made that it eclipses such concerns. And anyway, Seven Pillars also plays fast and loose with some of the facts.

The version of the film that's on the DVD is close to the original theatrical release. Many cuts were made during the films run, and most of those have been restored. This is a long film, but I really can't imaging it being any shorter. Thankfully, unlike today's long films, there's an intermission.

Every frame of every scene is fantastic. In terms of the themes, it's interesting to see the British and French portrayed as antagonists. At the same time, the behavior of the Arabs, as portrayed in the film, has strong resonance with today's situation in the Middle East.

It's a great flick!

Regards,

[PeterL]

I find any question which begins "what's your favourite....." absolutely impossible to answer. If I were to submit a list, which I won't, Lawrence would certainly be on it, as would Memphis Belle, but my absolute favourite changes from moment to moment.

[Barker]

I'm with both of you.

Thought about this of & on today..
"The chase scene in Bullit"
B)
It varies by mood and subject matter/approach, as Peter has said.

Hard to pick a winner.
Even film critics go for 10.
There is a book out called "The 100 best movies ever made"
And, of course, it has at least 45 of the ones you like.

Lotta ways to go at this.

[Barrett]

To paraphrase Anthony Quinn's description of 'awrence, "The movie is not perfect." M1919 machine guns in hands of the Turks ferpetesake! Oh my achin'...(fill in the blank.)
But it is a keeper, isn't it?

My Favorite Movie: "The Wind & the Lion," the finest achievement in the history of the American Cinema.

My other favorite movie is anything with Jennifer Connolly.

[Barker]

Originally posted by Barrett@Jan 14 2004, 06:05 PM
[b]
My other favorite movie is anything with Jennifer Connolly.

and that means "anything"

Mullholland-Whatever-is-name-is is a good start.


I first studied her thespian elan in Rocketeer.
amazin'.

art.

[Shooter]

I was about to ask on first sight if it had to be a WWI flick to qualify, since this is not in the OFF TOPIC section, but I now see that it is not.

In any case, Barrett took my choice.


Shooter sends

[Barrett]

Haven't seen "House of Sand & Fog" yet (ROTK had precedence) but Jen's next up. I'll have popcorn WITH butter, by the way...

[JonathanS]

Fer me, alas I can't name just one, but my picks would be:

Lawrence of Arabia
The Wind and the Lion - and here I was thinking I was the only one to see this gem
The French Connection
Last of the Mohecans(sp?)

cheers,
JonathanS

As an aside,
last year my intro to pol/sci was a course called 'Politics, Society and War since 1812.' My prof usesd a combination of historical/political analysis to evaluate films dealing with international incidents. In order, they were: The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Wind and the Lion, All Quiet.., Casablanca, Dr. Strangelove, and the Green Berets. It was rather interesting to view how the directors interepreted the timeperiods on film. I would have to agree with Barret when he call TWATL "the finest achievement in the history of the American Cinema."

[Barrett]

"People are smart when they agree with you." B)

[Barker]

On Topic?

Death To Smoochy, hands down.