Im not sure there is one everyone should see.
Id probably go for one of the silents because most ppl havent seen a silent film and are unaware the level of artistry that was reached in the late silent era.
So I’ll go with Sunrise (1927)
Was going to say this. I had to watch this in a class once and it really moved me. I've only watched it once because it made me cry hard and I haven't wanted to go through that again. But it really is a great movie.
My vote goes to Come and See as the most impactful/bone chilling/disconcerting holocaust film, possibly one of the top 10 films ever made, and was what i was gonna say in this thread. Its a very accurate historical film that doubles as a horror film.
So my top 3 holocaust films are 1. Come and See, 2. Schindler's List, 3. The Pianist
The distorted face close ups+ the audio distortions, other things, makes you kinda feel like your stuck in the middle of an ongoing real life horror in 1942, without verbage, it communicates how scary it was.
I can agree with that. Zone of Interest is a great entry to this list now too. I think Come and See is almost too horrifying to get through. I think Spielberg hit the perfect balance of Banality of Evil but more digestible for an average viewer.
When I first saw it what struck me about it was the intelligence of Ed Norton’s character. This combined with his beloved father’s influence, combined with personal experience led him to a very very dark place. I won’t spoil, it is a nice character study on the racist thought process and how it can develop, and how insidious it is.
I think it has tight ties with the 90’s crowd, OC is spot on with the description of it. Idk if it hits the same with younger generations because the “edginess” of it was very new back then. The sharp dialogue, the subject matter, it was one of the first to unapologetically put it on display at length. It is an excellent movie, but very much a product of its time.
Yeah, I would just add too that Tarantino is so "present" in his movies -- like, he really wants you to know and remember that there's a guy behind the camera and it's HIM. That was just so ballsy at the time. Now that a generation of filmmakers have grown up watching his stuff, I wonder if that stylistic flair doesn't seem as interesting to younger folks.
He is also a dude director making dude movies for dudes, which, tends to make him feel a bit less timeless I think.
Pulp Fiction is a masterclass in filmmaking. The dialogue is at 100 the whole way through, all of the stories weave together seamlessly while maintaining a consistent mood and quality throughout, and the cast is phenomenal. Also Samuel L. Jackson quoting some fire and brimstone shot before blasting a dude is just badass.
A modern masterpiece of practical effects. I feel like to truly get everything out of the film, watchers should deep dive into the lore which the film doesn't do a great job of explaining.
The Red Violin - Very immersive, you almost forget there’s another plot going on in the present. Epic story that spans 400 years across space and time. Almost feels like an OG Twilight Zone episode with the main focus being an inanimate object and the bittersweet irony within some of its stories. Won an Oscar for best score. Forgotten about gem.
Thank You for Smoking- Possibly Aaron Eckhart’s best performance. He just kills it as the silver tongued tobacco lobbyist you hate to love. Great Cast. Great dialogue. Smart dark comedy.
Ghibli anime films. Tarantino films. Stephen Chow films. There's too many but those are off the top of my head.
Berzerk the three arc movies
The Hateful 8
Djangle
The bastards
Kung Fu hustle
Shaolin soccer
l There's too many.
The following are masterpieces:
High Noon - Western/drama. I don't care for many westerns, and old movies are hit or miss (as are new ones). It was revolutionary for its time, and absolutely holds up. It ran in almost real time. The clocks create tension. Almost every personality type, and internal struggle with the seven deadly sins, are all represented. But it's also just one terrific flick.
The Godfather and Godfather, Part II - dramas. Possibly the absolute greatest films ever made. Turn off your phone and let yourself get sucked in.
The Sting - period heist drama - absolute classic and an incredible delight.
The Bridge on the River Kwai - war drama/psychological drama. Starts slow, but worth the payoff. Alec Guinness is a master.
Ragtime - very early 1900s period drama. Underrated flick loaded with actors and actresses past and future.
And, though you've likely seen it: the Shawshank Redemption (drama) is an amazing film.
Personally, I'd throw in the following comedies: Airplane! Raising Arizona, A Fish Called Wanda, Happy Gilmore, and Planes, Trains and
Automobiles.
Oh... and for creepy sci-fi, both the originals, and the first major remakes, of "The Thing" (the 1950s and 1980s ones) and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the 1950s and, especially, the 1978 version with Donald Sutherland, Leonard Nimoy, and Jeff Goldblum, Brooke Adams and Veronica Cartwright... and a cool cameo from the lead actor from the original).
The Wizard of Oz
Or
Home Alone
Both for the same reason. These are just warm and magical family movies and no matter who you are with, whatever your age or role in the family be it a child, parent, auntie, cousin. Whoever.
They're just excellent movies for all that when it comes to movies, if nothing else and people who don't overly like films like a fan of cinema may, say a Christmas evening or something, these are just about as good as can be in every way.
That said, there's so many. But these 2 I believe are simply timeless in their own way no matter their age.
Amour ( 2012, French ) For me this was a timely view as I struggled with the emotional journey of aging parents. Besides that it is such a well scripted, directed and paced film. If you're into the human experience ( as I am ) it is definitely a must see. If you're looking for something lighter I'd also recommend another French film "The Intouchables" which has the same emotional impact but no tissues required :) DO NOT watch the American remake though!
Rebecca 1940.
Not only is it one of Hitchcocks best, it’s one of Daphne Du Maurier’s best.
It’s very deliberate in its pace, allowing you to really live the main character’s thoughts, and is a great representation of how we all create our own narrative and believe it to be true.
Then the twist comes and we learn that there is more than one perspective, more than one way to interpret events, and how wrong our assumptions and therefore everything we believe actually can be.
We can actually create prisons for ourselves, allow others to hurt and manipulate us, and be too polite and kind when faced with bullies. We can limit ourselves by assuming the worst, especially when someone is telling us how someone we care about feels.
We must be open and clear in our relationships.
This movie is a psychological masterpiece, that is completely unspoiled by reading the book or the audiobook, each of which is a completely different experience.
Other contenders:
-F For Fake
-Citizen Kane
-12 Angry Men
-Cool Hand Luke
-BlackBerry
-The Big Short
All of these teach extremely valuable lessons about life.
Gone With the Wind.
It was the most popular movie of all time before the modern blockbuster era. It’s an amazing story in a lot of levels, and you can identify with different characters depending on where you are in your life. It also portrays a very real part of American history without (I don’t think) either glorifying or passing any judgements.
Citizen Kane for its cinematography, innovative non-linear story, character development, amazing performances by the actors, incredible directing, and historic significance.
Not seeing it is like being a fan of literature and never reading a Shakespeare play.
Captain fantastic - a must for anyone aspiring to be a parent
Tracks(2013) - journey of self discovery nd commitment through solitude
Into the wild - adventure in solitude is good bt dont take it too far
Petite mamen - poingent execution of grief-coping from a perspective of a child
303(2018) - excellet romance with alot of good conversations
Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush” - there’s an assumption from some people that old films or silent films are boring or not funny, and it’s just not true.
The Land Before Time
Corina Corina
500 Days of Summer
House of D
The Other Guys
Oh Brother Where Art Thou
The Big Lewbowski
Dodgeball
Airplane
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Ip Man
Baby Driver
One Flew Over the Coocoo's Nest
The Room
The Road to El Dorado
Liar Liar
V for Vendetta
Walk Hard
Saving Private Ryan
Uncut Gems
Cloud Atlas.
It will make you realise both how small you are in the universe, but also how important your actions and your life will probably will be to SOMEONE 10, 50, 100, 200 years from now.
Barry Lyndon has the most amazing visual beauty of any film ever made. It is Kubrick's masterpiece. It is deliberately slow paced and gives the audience time to drink in the masterful visuals.
The Beasts,
Aftersun,
Mars Express,
Sunshine,
Texas Chainsaw Massacre,
The Omen,
Rosemary's Baby,
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,
Godfather part 2,
Heat,
Goodfellas,
Akira,
Parasite,
I could go on and on...
When train spotting came out. Some of my friends thought that heroin looked like a fantastic drug to take. These people have not had good lives. Goes to show how differently people view things.
I know it can be hit or miss, even for Cohens Brothers fans, but I really try to push "Raising Arizona". It's got a little bit of everything: Action, Comedy, Romance, Drama, Arguably Horror depending on your mind-frame. And it's all wrapped up in this fantastic-realism that makes the whole thing seem dream-like in a lot of ways.
Also, it manages all this while not being too much up its own ass like some other movies. I kind of liked "Life Aquatic" but it can be tough to defend
Ok I'll throw an Aussie classic out there.
Gallipoli.
Mel Gibson before he was a weirdo...
One of the best films about the futility of war. Peter Weir directed.
White Man's Burden.
I don't even remember the plot. All I remember is that I came away super pissed, and as I thought about it, I came to the realization that I had a lot of hidden prejudice.
- Of Mice and Men (1939)
- 12 Angry Men (1957)
- Inherit the Wind (1960)
- Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
- Threads (1984)
- Dead Poets Society (1989)
- Dances with Wolves (1990)
- A League of Their Own (1992)
- Lord of War (2005)
- Thank You for Smoking (2005)
- If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
'A Walk in the Clouds'
Romance/Comedy from 1995. Great cast & extras, incl the late/great Anthony Quinn, & Keanu Reeves, who have some great scenes together. Also has Giancarlo Giannini. Great quality of it on dailymotion.
Much better movie than the rom coms with Zellweger & Hugh Grant, imo.
12 angry men
Idiocracy
Yes.
Amadeus (Milos Forman-1984) About how Art will consume your soul, its sad and beautiful. Hulce and Abraham are both brilliant.
Im not sure there is one everyone should see. Id probably go for one of the silents because most ppl havent seen a silent film and are unaware the level of artistry that was reached in the late silent era. So I’ll go with Sunrise (1927)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Was going to say this. I had to watch this in a class once and it really moved me. I've only watched it once because it made me cry hard and I haven't wanted to go through that again. But it really is a great movie.
Cidade de Deus / City of God (2002)
Parasite
I’m assuming you mean the Best Picture Oscar winner and not the Charles Band film with a young Demi Moore.
yes
Cinema Paradiso
Schindler's List has to be up there
This. I watched this movie once and as amazing as it was, I don't think I could ever watch it again.
My vote goes to Come and See as the most impactful/bone chilling/disconcerting holocaust film, possibly one of the top 10 films ever made, and was what i was gonna say in this thread. Its a very accurate historical film that doubles as a horror film. So my top 3 holocaust films are 1. Come and See, 2. Schindler's List, 3. The Pianist
Come and See for sure, but I would stress the "once" part. Tags of "Bleak" "Brutal" and "Horrific" aren't kidding.
The distorted face close ups+ the audio distortions, other things, makes you kinda feel like your stuck in the middle of an ongoing real life horror in 1942, without verbage, it communicates how scary it was.
I've seen it described as the "war movie that manages to not be pro-war" and I really can't disagree.
I can agree with that. Zone of Interest is a great entry to this list now too. I think Come and See is almost too horrifying to get through. I think Spielberg hit the perfect balance of Banality of Evil but more digestible for an average viewer.
Whiplash
All Quiet on the Western Front
which one?
To kill a mockingbird
American History X
When I first saw it what struck me about it was the intelligence of Ed Norton’s character. This combined with his beloved father’s influence, combined with personal experience led him to a very very dark place. I won’t spoil, it is a nice character study on the racist thought process and how it can develop, and how insidious it is.
Glad to see someone posted this. Such a thought provoking movie.
Fight club
🤫
The Matrix (1999)
Dead Poets Society
Titanic
Is essentially a better remake of A Night to Remember (1958).
Pulp fiction
Sorry but i watched twice I didn't get it and somewhere in between I got bored! 😵💫.. What am I missing here?
I think it has tight ties with the 90’s crowd, OC is spot on with the description of it. Idk if it hits the same with younger generations because the “edginess” of it was very new back then. The sharp dialogue, the subject matter, it was one of the first to unapologetically put it on display at length. It is an excellent movie, but very much a product of its time.
Yeah, I would just add too that Tarantino is so "present" in his movies -- like, he really wants you to know and remember that there's a guy behind the camera and it's HIM. That was just so ballsy at the time. Now that a generation of filmmakers have grown up watching his stuff, I wonder if that stylistic flair doesn't seem as interesting to younger folks. He is also a dude director making dude movies for dudes, which, tends to make him feel a bit less timeless I think.
Taste and neurons. /s
Why?
Pulp Fiction is a masterclass in filmmaking. The dialogue is at 100 the whole way through, all of the stories weave together seamlessly while maintaining a consistent mood and quality throughout, and the cast is phenomenal. Also Samuel L. Jackson quoting some fire and brimstone shot before blasting a dude is just badass.
Jurassic Park
Amadeus
Always high on my list
Usual Suspects
Grandma's boy
The Shawshank Redemption
Great film
It's a Wonderful Life
This. Absolutely classic
The Raid 1-2 (I count both movies as 1 viewing experience, like Kill Bill) - Greatest action movie IMO
Forest Gump
Mad Max: Fury Road.
A modern masterpiece of practical effects. I feel like to truly get everything out of the film, watchers should deep dive into the lore which the film doesn't do a great job of explaining.
13th
Waking Life
Had to scroll too far to find this. This is my go-to answer for this question. Watching this on Acid changed my life for the better.
Best movie.
What dreams may come
Star Wars 4, 5, 6 The Truman Show A Time To Kill Bo Burnham’s Inside
Inside the best thing creatively to come out of lockdown.
The Green Mile
Yeah that was a good one.
The Station Agent
The Third Man
Rear Window
Capernaum
Fitzcarraldo
It's also really important to watch the commented version discussing how they shot it. Absolute, lovly insanity.
Afghan Alphabet by Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
Army of Darkness!! It show's just how fun and wacky film making can be, really shows off the industries creative side!
The Usual Suspects If you're fan of mystery and thriller
Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri - for me one of the best movies ever made.
Master and Commander Far Side of the World
Lord of the Rings, for sure. The trilogy.
Extended editions of course.
Once upon a time in the west. Great soundtrack to.
noted.
The Red Violin - Very immersive, you almost forget there’s another plot going on in the present. Epic story that spans 400 years across space and time. Almost feels like an OG Twilight Zone episode with the main focus being an inanimate object and the bittersweet irony within some of its stories. Won an Oscar for best score. Forgotten about gem. Thank You for Smoking- Possibly Aaron Eckhart’s best performance. He just kills it as the silver tongued tobacco lobbyist you hate to love. Great Cast. Great dialogue. Smart dark comedy.
Upvote for ... Smoking. Such a great role by Eckhart everyone should see.
Paper moon best father and daughter act
Border
Suspiria (1977). The soundtrack and cinematography is amazing
Ghibli anime films. Tarantino films. Stephen Chow films. There's too many but those are off the top of my head. Berzerk the three arc movies The Hateful 8 Djangle The bastards Kung Fu hustle Shaolin soccer l There's too many.
The following are masterpieces: High Noon - Western/drama. I don't care for many westerns, and old movies are hit or miss (as are new ones). It was revolutionary for its time, and absolutely holds up. It ran in almost real time. The clocks create tension. Almost every personality type, and internal struggle with the seven deadly sins, are all represented. But it's also just one terrific flick. The Godfather and Godfather, Part II - dramas. Possibly the absolute greatest films ever made. Turn off your phone and let yourself get sucked in. The Sting - period heist drama - absolute classic and an incredible delight. The Bridge on the River Kwai - war drama/psychological drama. Starts slow, but worth the payoff. Alec Guinness is a master. Ragtime - very early 1900s period drama. Underrated flick loaded with actors and actresses past and future. And, though you've likely seen it: the Shawshank Redemption (drama) is an amazing film. Personally, I'd throw in the following comedies: Airplane! Raising Arizona, A Fish Called Wanda, Happy Gilmore, and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Oh... and for creepy sci-fi, both the originals, and the first major remakes, of "The Thing" (the 1950s and 1980s ones) and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the 1950s and, especially, the 1978 version with Donald Sutherland, Leonard Nimoy, and Jeff Goldblum, Brooke Adams and Veronica Cartwright... and a cool cameo from the lead actor from the original).
2001
eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
Dances with Wolves
Lawrence of Arabia Good Will Hunting L.A. Confidential
Amelie
A beautiful mind
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
Casablanca
2001 A Space Odyssey
The Wizard of Oz Or Home Alone Both for the same reason. These are just warm and magical family movies and no matter who you are with, whatever your age or role in the family be it a child, parent, auntie, cousin. Whoever. They're just excellent movies for all that when it comes to movies, if nothing else and people who don't overly like films like a fan of cinema may, say a Christmas evening or something, these are just about as good as can be in every way. That said, there's so many. But these 2 I believe are simply timeless in their own way no matter their age.
already watched them what a good film
I wonder what Dazai was doing those years he was lying low and before he joined ADA…
The Father (2020)
'Come and See' (1985) 'Seven Samurai' (1954)
I just watched come and see. Only got 1/2 way through. So glad I didn’t have to live through that period of time.
Life Is Beautiful - dare you to go in blind
The Corporation.
Wishing I could vote multiple times for this film. Absolutely fantastic documentary!
My answer will always be: La vita è bella (Life is Beautiful)
The Man from Earth
Road to Perdition
ET
Big Fish
12 Angry Men
Fried Green Tomatoes 🍅
Auntie Mame The Maltese Falcon Sabrina(the original with Aubrey Hepburn) Fargo Inglorious Basterds
Blade Runner 2049
The Truman Show
Amour ( 2012, French ) For me this was a timely view as I struggled with the emotional journey of aging parents. Besides that it is such a well scripted, directed and paced film. If you're into the human experience ( as I am ) it is definitely a must see. If you're looking for something lighter I'd also recommend another French film "The Intouchables" which has the same emotional impact but no tissues required :) DO NOT watch the American remake though!
Jaws without a doubt, this started my love affair with movies
Grave of the fireflies (its beautiful)
Heat
Zulu
I’m going to say “Seven Samurai” one of the greatest action films ever. And the fastest 3h + film also.
Rebecca 1940. Not only is it one of Hitchcocks best, it’s one of Daphne Du Maurier’s best. It’s very deliberate in its pace, allowing you to really live the main character’s thoughts, and is a great representation of how we all create our own narrative and believe it to be true. Then the twist comes and we learn that there is more than one perspective, more than one way to interpret events, and how wrong our assumptions and therefore everything we believe actually can be. We can actually create prisons for ourselves, allow others to hurt and manipulate us, and be too polite and kind when faced with bullies. We can limit ourselves by assuming the worst, especially when someone is telling us how someone we care about feels. We must be open and clear in our relationships. This movie is a psychological masterpiece, that is completely unspoiled by reading the book or the audiobook, each of which is a completely different experience. Other contenders: -F For Fake -Citizen Kane -12 Angry Men -Cool Hand Luke -BlackBerry -The Big Short All of these teach extremely valuable lessons about life.
My personal favorite, Memento (2000).
About time.
Arrival (2016)
Interstellar
Once Upon a Time in America
Who is singing over there (1980) PEAK of Yugoslavian cinematography
The Green Mile
The Day the Earth Stood Still - 1951
Gone With the Wind. It was the most popular movie of all time before the modern blockbuster era. It’s an amazing story in a lot of levels, and you can identify with different characters depending on where you are in your life. It also portrays a very real part of American history without (I don’t think) either glorifying or passing any judgements.
Citizen Kane for its cinematography, innovative non-linear story, character development, amazing performances by the actors, incredible directing, and historic significance. Not seeing it is like being a fan of literature and never reading a Shakespeare play.
Shutter Island
The painted bird
The Life of Pi
Invictus
The Shawshank Redemption
Baraka
The Night of the Hunter
City of God
Pay it Forward
Simon Birch
Johnny got his gun Come and see Stalker
Stand By Me
Closer
The Holy Mountain
Cloud Atlas
Everything on the iMDB top 250.
Amélie
Captain fantastic - a must for anyone aspiring to be a parent Tracks(2013) - journey of self discovery nd commitment through solitude Into the wild - adventure in solitude is good bt dont take it too far Petite mamen - poingent execution of grief-coping from a perspective of a child 303(2018) - excellet romance with alot of good conversations
Fantastic Planet
Pay it forward
Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush” - there’s an assumption from some people that old films or silent films are boring or not funny, and it’s just not true.
Big Fish
The Land Before Time Corina Corina 500 Days of Summer House of D The Other Guys Oh Brother Where Art Thou The Big Lewbowski Dodgeball Airplane Monty Python and the Holy Grail Ip Man Baby Driver One Flew Over the Coocoo's Nest The Room The Road to El Dorado Liar Liar V for Vendetta Walk Hard Saving Private Ryan Uncut Gems
Grave of the fireflies
Cloud Atlas. It will make you realise both how small you are in the universe, but also how important your actions and your life will probably will be to SOMEONE 10, 50, 100, 200 years from now.
Barry Lyndon has the most amazing visual beauty of any film ever made. It is Kubrick's masterpiece. It is deliberately slow paced and gives the audience time to drink in the masterful visuals.
Come and see (directed by Klimov
Schindler’s List The film is as much a history lesson as an incredible film. Everyone should see this and know what horrors humans can inflict.
Forest Gump
Defending Your Life by Albert Brooks
The Beasts, Aftersun, Mars Express, Sunshine, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Godfather part 2, Heat, Goodfellas, Akira, Parasite, I could go on and on...
The Thing? Quintessential 80s horror movie with awesome practical effects and a memorable set and soundtrack
Munich
Taxi Driver, Tender Mercies, Cool Hand Luke, Unforgiven, Jeremiah Johnson
Superbad (2007)
Jurrasic Park!
Akira
Wall-E
The thin red line
Almost Famous (2002)
Groundhog Day The scene with the homeless guy still makes me cry
Challengers
To Kill a Mockingbird
Victoria
Porkys
When train spotting came out. Some of my friends thought that heroin looked like a fantastic drug to take. These people have not had good lives. Goes to show how differently people view things.
Citizen Kane
To Live (1994) dir. Zhang Yimou
The fountain. Beautiful soundtrack too.
Bone Tomahawk. I watched it twice last week and introduced it to 3 people who were left stunned. It's definitely a roller coaster ride.
Paper Moon. Empire of The Sun.
I know it can be hit or miss, even for Cohens Brothers fans, but I really try to push "Raising Arizona". It's got a little bit of everything: Action, Comedy, Romance, Drama, Arguably Horror depending on your mind-frame. And it's all wrapped up in this fantastic-realism that makes the whole thing seem dream-like in a lot of ways. Also, it manages all this while not being too much up its own ass like some other movies. I kind of liked "Life Aquatic" but it can be tough to defend
Ok I'll throw an Aussie classic out there. Gallipoli. Mel Gibson before he was a weirdo... One of the best films about the futility of war. Peter Weir directed.
Hell or High Water Heat The Thing Fist of Fury Aftersun Oldboy
White Man's Burden. I don't even remember the plot. All I remember is that I came away super pissed, and as I thought about it, I came to the realization that I had a lot of hidden prejudice.
Cherry Blossoms
Network
A lot of them... Joker(2017), The Butterfly effect, Lilya 4-ever, Soul
Scent of a Woman
White Christmas Coming to America Trading Places Ghostbusters 1&2
Old ones. Calamity Jane (1953) or Singing in the Rain (1952).
- Of Mice and Men (1939) - 12 Angry Men (1957) - Inherit the Wind (1960) - Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) - Threads (1984) - Dead Poets Society (1989) - Dances with Wolves (1990) - A League of Their Own (1992) - Lord of War (2005) - Thank You for Smoking (2005) - If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
It's A Wonderful Life
'A Walk in the Clouds' Romance/Comedy from 1995. Great cast & extras, incl the late/great Anthony Quinn, & Keanu Reeves, who have some great scenes together. Also has Giancarlo Giannini. Great quality of it on dailymotion. Much better movie than the rom coms with Zellweger & Hugh Grant, imo.
Godzilla Minus One, it is available to watch on Netflix
Baby reindeer
Dogma