Best Film of 1981 (ongoing survey)

JonTurner · 04-25-02, 01:03 AM

A quick note:

Some people are now saying it's before their time, so they haven't seen enough to vote... If you've seen even one film that you really liked from the year, and thus you consider it the best you've seen (even if it's the only one you've seen), go ahead and vote. Heck, I was born in '82, so yeah, it's before my time too, but I've still got a favorite from most years back at least through the 70s, even if I've just seen 2 or 3 from the year.

I know we've got polls like this all the time around here, but I figure this one will be a little more comprehensive and perhaps even informative.

This thread will be for your pick for best film released during 1981 (think Oscar considerations for what's eligible). I'm not making it a poll because whether you like it or not, that would influence some people's choice.

Results will be posted in this thread, and all subsequent threads for each year, and they will be ongoing... so you can still vote here even weeks after other year's polls have begun.

Please start your post with your #1 film from 1981 (try to limit it to one - after all, that's the point - two at the most (I'll split the vote)), and yes, discussions are more than welcome!

Current Leader -- Raiders of the Lost Ark

All Years:
2000 -- Requiem For a Dream*
1999 -- Fight Club*
1998 -- (currently) Saving Private Ryan
1997 -- (currently) Boogie Nights
1996 -- Fargo*
1995 -- (currently) Braveheart
1994 -- Pulp Fiction*
1993 -- Schindler's List*
1992 -- Unforgiven*
1991 -- Silence of the Lambs*
1990 -- Goodfellas*
1989 -- (currently) Do the Right Thing
1988 -- Die Hard*
1987 -- Full Metal Jacket*
1986 -- (currently) Ferris Bueller's Day Off
1985 -- Back to the Future*
1984 -- (currently) Ghostbusters
1983 -- Return of the Jedi*
1982 -- (currently) E.T.
1981 -- Raiders of the Lost Ark*
1980

If you haven't voted on the previous years, feel free to go back and do so.

*Poll closed, winner declared.

JonTurner · 04-25-02, 01:04 AM

I've only seen 4 films from the year, but my favorite, by a long shot, is:

Body Heat - 10/10

Siskel:
1) Ragtime
2) My Dinner with Andre
3) Raiders of the Lost Ark
4) Mon Oncle d'Amerique
5) Gates of Heaven
6) Bye Bye Brazil
7) Prince of the City
8) Melvin and Howard
9) Body Heat
10) The French Lieutenant's Woman

Ebert:
1) My Dinner with Andre
2) Chariots of Fire
3) Gates of Heaven
4) Raiders of the Lost Ark
5) Heartland
6) Atlantic City
7) Thief
8) Body Heat
9) Tess
10) Reds

Sunday Morning · 04-25-02, 01:14 AM

1981

a no brainer...

#1. raiders of the lost ark

02. tess
03. reds
04. modern romance
05. body heat
06. prince of the city
07. who am I this time?
08. diva
09. blow out
10. an american werewolf in london

11. the decline of western civilization
12. christiane f.
13. meantime
14. the woman next door
15. arthur
16. escape from new york
17. superman 2
18. polyester
19. endless love
20. my dinner with andre

of note:
american pop
brooklyn bridge
excalibur
the french lieutenant’s woman
gates of heaven
gregory’s girl
the hand
mon oncle d’amerique
ms. 45
on golden pond
mephisto
pennies from heaven
the postman always rings twice
quartet
southern comfort
taps
time bandits
vernon, florida

Robert · 04-25-02, 10:43 AM

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Scot1458 · 04-25-02, 11:03 AM

RADIERS OF THE LOST ARK

Geofferson · 04-25-02, 11:20 AM

Raiders of the Lost Ark
An American Werewolf in London

randy1320 · 04-25-02, 11:37 AM

Without a doubt:
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

LBPound · 04-25-02, 11:58 AM

My Dinner with Andre

Goat3001 · 04-25-02, 11:58 AM

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Johnny Zhivago · 04-25-02, 12:44 PM

Might as well go ahead and close this... Raiders will win in a landslide.

That said, since these are starting to turn into "my favorite film" from each year instead of "best film" from said year... I'll vote for An American Werewolf In London.

Best film though was Chariots of Fire...

ToddSm66 · 04-25-02, 01:25 PM

1. Raiders of the Lost Ark
2. Time Bandits
3. Chariots of Fire
4. Excalibur
5. Stripes
6. S.O.B.
7. Victory
8. Arthur

Jeremy517 · 04-25-02, 01:49 PM

Poll closed, winner declared

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Sierra Disc · 04-25-02, 02:35 PM

Raiders it is.

cineman · 04-25-02, 04:22 PM

Raiders of the Lost Ark

garmonbozia · 04-25-02, 04:28 PM

While I am really tempted to vote for Polyester since it is my favorite John Waters film, I'm gonna go with Peter Weir's Gallipoli.

DVD Smurf · 04-25-02, 06:09 PM

Mephisto

This is acting!

Mountain Biker · 04-25-02, 06:21 PM

Raiders of the Lost Ark hands down.

funstan · 04-25-02, 06:53 PM

By partaking in this concert you are consenting to have your ugly f*****g likeness used in a motion picture. Now f**k off!!!!

First line of my fave from that year, "The Decline of Western Civilization."

Gdrlv · 04-25-02, 07:21 PM

Raiders of the Lost Ark...what else?

evanmd · 04-25-02, 07:29 PM

Raiders of the Lost Ark

DUH

evenflow · 04-25-02, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Johnny Zhivago

That said, since these are starting to turn into "my favorite film" from each year instead of "best film" from said year...

I agree. I still can't believe Return of the Jedi, the worst of the original trilogy, won for best film of 1983.
My worthless vote goes to Time Bandits, BTW. Nowhere near Gilliam's best but better than the other movies that came out that year, IMO. Runner up would be Raiders of the Lost Ark.

RobCA · 04-25-02, 09:13 PM

Arthur

Eddyhazkel · 04-25-02, 09:15 PM

Stripes !

Tuan Jim · 04-25-02, 10:00 PM

Chariots of Fire
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Gallipoli
Time Bandits

Tuan Jim

Hulkabrgr · 04-26-02, 12:17 AM

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Strpies
Chariots of Fire

04-25-02, 01:04 AM	#2
JonTurner DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,709	I've only seen 4 films from the year, but my favorite, by a long shot, is: Body Heat - 10/10 Siskel: 1) Ragtime 2) My Dinner with Andre 3) Raiders of the Lost Ark 4) Mon Oncle d'Amerique 5) Gates of Heaven 6) Bye Bye Brazil 7) Prince of the City 8) Melvin and Howard 9) Body Heat 10) The French Lieutenant's Woman Ebert: 1) My Dinner with Andre 2) Chariots of Fire 3) Gates of Heaven 4) Raiders of the Lost Ark 5) Heartland 6) Atlantic City 7) Thief 8) Body Heat 9) Tess 10) Reds Last edited by JonTurner; 04-25-02 at 01:10 AM.

04-25-02, 01:14 AM	#3
Sunday Morning DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: A little bit here and a little bit there. Posts: 2,644	1981 a no brainer... #1. raiders of the lost ark 02. tess 03. reds 04. modern romance 05. body heat 06. prince of the city 07. who am I this time? 08. diva 09. blow out 10. an american werewolf in london 11. the decline of western civilization 12. christiane f. 13. meantime 14. the woman next door 15. arthur 16. escape from new york 17. superman 2 18. polyester 19. endless love 20. my dinner with andre of note: american pop brooklyn bridge excalibur the french lieutenant’s woman gates of heaven gregory’s girl the hand mon oncle d’amerique ms. 45 on golden pond mephisto pennies from heaven the postman always rings twice quartet southern comfort taps time bandits vernon, florida Last edited by Sunday Morning; 04-25-02 at 01:25 AM.

04-25-02, 11:20 AM	#6
Geofferson DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Gracen & Gracen Posts: 31,829	Raiders of the Lost Ark An American Werewolf in London __________________ “Are we having fun yet?" Henry Pollard, Party Down

04-25-02, 11:58 AM	#8
LBPound DVD Talk Legend Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,666	My Dinner with Andre __________________ ultimatedisney.com

04-25-02, 12:44 PM	#10
Johnny Zhivago DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Korova Milkbar Posts: 5,123	Might as well go ahead and close this... Raiders will win in a landslide. That said, since these are starting to turn into "my favorite film" from each year instead of "best film" from said year... I'll vote for An American Werewolf In London. Best film though was Chariots of Fire... __________________ Now Playing Dilauded is pure sunshine wrapped in bacon and delivered straight to your pleasure center by a naked goddess. If I could get my hands on a gallon of it, I would start a new religion. - Cosmosguy

04-25-02, 01:03 AM	#1
JonTurner DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,709	Best Film of 1981 (ongoing survey) A quick note: Some people are now saying it's before their time, so they haven't seen enough to vote... If you've seen even one film that you really liked from the year, and thus you consider it the best you've seen (even if it's the only one you've seen), go ahead and vote. Heck, I was born in '82, so yeah, it's before my time too, but I've still got a favorite from most years back at least through the 70s, even if I've just seen 2 or 3 from the year. I know we've got polls like this all the time around here, but I figure this one will be a little more comprehensive and perhaps even informative. This thread will be for your pick for best film released during 1981 (think Oscar considerations for what's eligible). I'm not making it a poll because whether you like it or not, that would influence some people's choice. Results will be posted in this thread, and all subsequent threads for each year, and they will be ongoing... so you can still vote here even weeks after other year's polls have begun. Please start your post with your #1 film from 1981 (try to limit it to one - after all, that's the point - two at the most (I'll split the vote)), and yes, discussions are more than welcome! Current Leader -- Raiders of the Lost Ark All Years: 2000 -- Requiem For a Dream* 1999 -- Fight Club* 1998 -- (currently) Saving Private Ryan 1997 -- (currently) Boogie Nights 1996 -- Fargo* 1995 -- (currently) Braveheart 1994 -- Pulp Fiction* 1993 -- Schindler's List* 1992 -- Unforgiven* 1991 -- Silence of the Lambs* 1990 -- Goodfellas* 1989 -- (currently) Do the Right Thing 1988 -- Die Hard* 1987 -- Full Metal Jacket* 1986 -- (currently) Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1985 -- Back to the Future* 1984 -- (currently) Ghostbusters 1983 -- Return of the Jedi* 1982 -- (currently) E.T. 1981 -- Raiders of the Lost Ark* 1980 If you haven't voted on the previous years, feel free to go back and do so. Poll closed, winner declared. Last edited by JonTurner; 05-01-02 at 02:19 PM.*

04-25-02, 10:43 AM	#4
Robert DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,058	Raiders of the Lost Ark

04-25-02, 11:03 AM	#5
Scot1458 Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Chicago, IL, Posts: 6,935	RADIERS OF THE LOST ARK

04-25-02, 11:37 AM	#7
randy1320 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 373	Without a doubt: RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

04-25-02, 11:58 AM	#9
Goat3001 DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,475	Raiders of the Lost Ark

04-25-02, 01:25 PM	#11
ToddSm66 DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,437	1. Raiders of the Lost Ark 2. Time Bandits 3. Chariots of Fire 4. Excalibur 5. Stripes 6. S.O.B. 7. Victory 8. Arthur __________________ photos \| dvds

04-25-02, 01:49 PM	#12
Jeremy517 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 14,193	Poll closed, winner declared Raiders of the Lost Ark

04-25-02, 02:35 PM	#13
Sierra Disc DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: May 2000 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 5,009	Raiders it is. __________________ I blog therefore I is: http://spatulaforum.blogspot.com

04-25-02, 04:22 PM	#14
cineman DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: May 2000 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,637	Raiders of the Lost Ark __________________ Blue ink is evil...

04-25-02, 04:28 PM	#15
garmonbozia DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 5,917	While I am really tempted to vote for Polyester since it is my favorite John Waters film, I'm gonna go with Peter Weir's Gallipoli. __________________ "Little moments like that prove to me that there is some kind of all-powerful, all-knowing force that controls everything in the universe. And it's so fucking bored, it'll actually take time out to orchestrate a petty letdown like that." -- Georgia Lass

04-25-02, 06:09 PM	#16
DVD Smurf DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: May 2000 Location: Mouthweathercity, IL. Posts: 3,521	Mephisto This is acting! __________________ The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. -William Shakespeare Cinematica.org - Film Reviews, Top 10, Brilliant Films, Vote for Your 5 best films and more.

04-25-02, 07:29 PM	#20
evanmd Senior Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 563	Raiders of the Lost Ark DUH __________________ Keaton once said, "I don't believe in God, but I'm afraid of him." Well I believe in God, and the only thing that scares me is Keyser Soze. Kevin Spacey as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in The Usual Suspects.

04-25-02, 09:15 PM	#23
Eddyhazkel Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 438	Stripes ! __________________ If a tree falls in a forest... and kills a mime, does anyone care?

04-25-02, 06:21 PM	#17
Mountain Biker DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,993	Raiders of the Lost Ark hands down.

04-25-02, 06:53 PM	#18
funstan DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Columbia, TN Posts: 1,024	By partaking in this concert you are consenting to have your ugly f***g likeness used in a motion picture. Now fk off!!!! First line of my fave from that year, "The Decline of Western Civilization."

04-25-02, 07:21 PM	#19
Gdrlv DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,245	Raiders of the Lost Ark...what else? __________________ "What's so fine about art?" -Old 97's XBox Live and PSN Handles: RDGVegas

04-25-02, 09:13 PM	#22
RobCA DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Diego Posts: 6,252	Arthur __________________ http://rob.dvdaf.com My 2009 Holiday Challenge list

04-25-02, 10:00 PM	#24
Tuan Jim DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Where the sky is always Carolina Blue! (Currently N. VA) Posts: 5,053	Chariots of Fire Raiders of the Lost Ark Gallipoli Time Bandits Tuan Jim __________________ "We have sunk to a depth in which re-statement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men." -- George Orwell A healthy sense of variety.

04-26-02, 12:17 AM	#25
Hulkabrgr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Langhorne, PA Posts: 446	Raiders of the Lost Ark Strpies Chariots of Fire __________________ Incoming!!! Sgt. Hulka Gold Trader DVD Talk Old-Timer