A "Perfect" movie
 

The "Worst Movie" thread got me to think about this. Are there any movies you feel shouldn't be subject to people's opinions and should just be in a class of their own? Movies that you feel so strongly about that if someone were to say they didn't like them, you would question his/her intelligence? I think there are movies like this. Perfection is not the best word to use, but it will do. Two of mine to start: Godfather 2 and Aliens. Its not an opinion, but fact: these are Great movies.

I would throw in The Godfather, LA Confidential, Fargo and The Seven Samurai - on a more personal level, i think The Royal Tannenbaums might be "my" most perfect movie - i was almost in tears at the end, but left with a joyous feeling.

I like lots of movies, but I'm not elitist enough to start questioning the intelligence of people who don't agree with me.

Aliens wasn't a great movie, but it was pretty good. Just sayin.

I'll go with Raiders of the Lost Ark.

I only begin to question people's intelligence when they make comments like:

• 'I like newer movies because they tell the story quicker. Older movies just don't go anywhere' (overheard this weekend while out with a group)
  
• 'The history of cinema doesn't matter because it's just entertainment, not art' (paraphrased from a forum post).

It may be smart people making such claims, but the inferred closed-mindedness raises doubts. Usually if I have the chance to get into a deeper discussion, the comments turn out to be convenient generalizations. But in some cases... there's just no helping them.

As to my definition of pure, perfect cinema:

Barry Lyndon

...among others

Boo...

Not trying to be "elitist". Mostly done in jest.



Mostly....

While it's not my favorite movie, nor do I think it's the "best" movie ever, I consider <b>The Maltese Falcon</b> to be as close to perfection as possible. Every aspect - script, direction, acting, editing, is, IMO, beyond criticism. There's probably not a wasted frame in the whole movie, which is explained by Huston's approach, which was to treat every scene as it was the most important in the movie. I wish more directors took that approach.

you need to find a new group, sundog. :D

I'd agree almost with every movie mentioned above. And I would add to the list SE7EN, ARIZONA DREAM and BIG LEBOWSKI.

"A Christmas Story".

For the most part, I'm with Groucho.

I would add:

• any conversation that begins with "have you seen Norbit yet?"(my boss asked me that about a week ago, offered to let me borrow it)

:yack:

Well... Michael Bay treats every shot like it's the most important in the movie.

You should check out his work. I bet he's right up your alley...

:lol:

I'll definitely look into his stuff.

:lol:

I was ambushed!

(Don't worry, it was the day before your party).

It's only art if a Frenchman makes it. ;)

Zodiac

Ikiru

Godfather
Godfather Part 2
Good The Bad the Ugly
Casablanca
Double Indemnity
Jaws
Die Hard
Raging Bull
Psycho
The Deerhunter

Old Man and the Sea

Godfather 2

Animal House

Caddyshack

(Ok, maybe they aren't "perfect," but I could watch them a over and over and over...)

Dr. Strangelove is A "Perfect" movie for all to love and enjoy so is Blazing Saddles.

I was actually thinking about this exact question the other day. The 3 films I came up with were:

The Godfather
Lawrence of Arabia
Raiders of the Lost Ark

This reminds me of that joke from "Friends" or something -- "Lawrence of A Labia."

Now THAT is a perfect movie...

Die Hard is one that I've always thought of as a perfect action movie.

Raiders of the Lost Ark IS perfect. It has great acting, directing, adventure, suspense, romance, and more! I'm probably just rambling but you really got me thinking what a great film that was.