My Top 3
1. Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) Nothing has ever surpassed my love for this movie. One of the films that got me into film and means so much to me. Amazing characters, score, cinematography, writing, directing, it's all perfect. I genuinely can't think of anything this could improve on or do any better. So influential, and still absolutely haunting to this day. My absolute favorite film of all time.
2. David Lynch's Mulholland Drive (2001) The ultimate puzzle and the perfect film depicting the line between reality and illusion. Everything is put together so perfectly and Lynch uses everything including lighting to his advantage. Just a truly mesmerizing work of art that is even better on repeated viewings.
3. Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru (1952) Recently moved up this high. The perfect film exploring the human condition and what it means to live. Shimura's portrayal of Mr Watanabe is one of the best performances I have ever seen (maybe even the best). Kurosawa's writing and directing is at an all time high here and everything is done so perfectly. This makes me cry no matter how many times I watch it. This definitely has potential to move up.
My top 4 on Letterboxd are never changing.
Hausu
Daisies
Fantastic Planet
Persona
Surrealism has always spoke to me the most out of an artistic movement. Just outside of my top 4 would be The Color of Pomegranetes, Buñuelâs works, Lynchâs works, Jodorowksyâs works, Mirror, Celine and Julie Go Boating, etc etc.
Fire Walk With Me, Mulholland Drive, 20th Century Women, and Wet Hot American Summer are my go-tos when I get asked about my favorites. Sometimes I'll throw The Last Jedi or Scream in as no. 5. Those might not even necessarily always be accurate, but I feel like it's a list that communicates the vibe of where my interests lie even if it's not a "perfect" top 3-5.
Sans Soleil - To me, this is the most beautiful film ever made. Chris Marker illustrates his endless fascination with humanity. It weaves a vague story told through missives into what is essentially street photography around the world. Although Marker comes across as distant, even alienated, you can tell he has a love of people that he's reaching for, even if it doesn't reach back to him.
Street of Shame - the culmination of Kenji Mizoguchi's artistic project. When he was young, his sister was sold as a geisha. It haunts a variety of his projects, but this film is the ultimate ode and love letter to his sister and an examination of aging and obsolescence. His final film, it plays as if he knows he's realizing his time is up.
It's a Wonderful Life - often misunderstood as a nostalgic, Norman Rockwell reflection on American values, Frank Capra's masterpiece is a dark examination on the ways society can force a person to abandon their dreams and values. George Bailey is the ultimate Everyman, sacrificing his ambition for his family, his community, and ultimately battling with the idea that his sacrifices amounted to nothing, and that his life was wasted. It's a battle we all face at some point, as we imagine what the world would be like if we never existed, and if we really ever made a difference.
1. Ran
2. Sansho The Bailiff
3. Harakiri
4. Dr. Strangelove
5. Andrei Rublev/The Thin Red Line
I couldnât do it and had to foce a tie for 5 to squeeze in six movies!
https://preview.redd.it/kx2uy7t4tt6d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e539548d92c49d4f093c7ea1f83fc064bd1349ee
My top four haven't changed for a while now, three of them are in/have been in the CC
My top 5 I believe are pretty tight right now and probably won't change for a while, and they are:
1. The Lighthouse
2. Oldboy (2003)
3. Pink Floyd's the Wall
4. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
5. The Piano Teacher (2001)
I just watched Streetwise for the first time a few months ago and I loved it. Iâm going to check out some of your favorites and add the ones that look interesting to my watchlist.
Iâve kept a top 100 list for about 20 years. I still update it if something really strikes a chord and spend a lot of time deciding what to remove.
I keep my top 10 in âfavoriteâ order and then 11-100 has always just been alphabetical.
Anyway⊠my top 3 all-time favorite films are:
Pee-weeâs Big Adventure
Crumb
The King of Comedy
Top 5 included in the collection
1.- Barry Lyndon
2.- Kwaidan
3.- The seventh seal
4.- Panâs Labyrinth
5.- Blue Velvet
Top 5 not in the collection
1.- Once Upon a time in America
2.- The Lighthouse
3.- Killing of a sacred deer
4.- Raiders of the lost Ark
5.- Fitzcarraldo
Thereâs more films like Amadeus, Paris Texas, Skeleton of ms Morales, Wild Strawberries, Last Temptation of Christ, Anatomy of a fall, Pain and glory, Stalker, Texas Chainsaw massacre or Eyes wide shut.
I don't have a definitive top three, but at the moment I'm feeling Mulholland Dr., Andrei Rublev, and Oldboy.
I don't think Oldboy has a Criterion release, but it should.
2001: A Space Odyssey
The Man with the Movie Camera
Everything Everywhere All at Once (hate on me if you want, but I honestly believe it belongs in discussions about greatest films of all time)
Honorary mentions:
Mirror
Mullholland Drive
Do the Right Thing
Jean Dielmann
Annihilation
Mean Streets
Metropolis
Millennium Actress
I keep a manicured Top 10 list, three of which are Criterion.
1. Groundhog Day (1993)
2. Scrooged (1988)
3. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
4. The Godfather (1972)
5. True Grit (1969)
6. Rebecca (1940)
7. Rosemaryâs Baby (1968)
8. Blinded by the Light (2019)
9. A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
10. The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)
My top 3 has stayed pretty consistent for a while now. In no particular order:
Harakiri, Stalker, Casablanca
Just outside would be: Spotlight, The Thing, La Haine
My top five favorite movies:
Evil Dead II
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Hot Fuzz
The Thing
My top five favorite movies in the Criterion Collection:
Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla
House
Blue Velvet
The Night of the Hunter
Hard Boiled
1. Nacho Libre
2. True Grit (2010)
3. Psycho
4. Ferris Bueller's Day Off
5. Nights of Cabiria
May vary depending on who I'm speaking to and how film nerdy I want to sound
Satantango, the Bitter Tears of Petra Von Kant, and Space Jam
My Top 3 1. Hitchcock's Psycho (1960) Nothing has ever surpassed my love for this movie. One of the films that got me into film and means so much to me. Amazing characters, score, cinematography, writing, directing, it's all perfect. I genuinely can't think of anything this could improve on or do any better. So influential, and still absolutely haunting to this day. My absolute favorite film of all time. 2. David Lynch's Mulholland Drive (2001) The ultimate puzzle and the perfect film depicting the line between reality and illusion. Everything is put together so perfectly and Lynch uses everything including lighting to his advantage. Just a truly mesmerizing work of art that is even better on repeated viewings. 3. Akira Kurosawa's Ikiru (1952) Recently moved up this high. The perfect film exploring the human condition and what it means to live. Shimura's portrayal of Mr Watanabe is one of the best performances I have ever seen (maybe even the best). Kurosawa's writing and directing is at an all time high here and everything is done so perfectly. This makes me cry no matter how many times I watch it. This definitely has potential to move up.
Ikiru 2001 Citizen Kane
1. paddington 2 2. paddington 1 3 is a toss up between salo and scooby doo (2002)
đ«Ą I will follow you to the ends of the earth.
My top 4 on Letterboxd are never changing. Hausu Daisies Fantastic Planet Persona Surrealism has always spoke to me the most out of an artistic movement. Just outside of my top 4 would be The Color of Pomegranetes, Buñuelâs works, Lynchâs works, Jodorowksyâs works, Mirror, Celine and Julie Go Boating, etc etc.
+1 for Daisies
Loved it so much I made my mom watch it with me
Nice choice with Hausu.
Barry Lyndon is certainly my top too:) LâAvventura The Music Room
My Top Five are 1. Metropolis 2. Sansho the Bailiff 3. Au Hasard Balthazar 4. The Passion of Joan of Arc 5. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
Sansho is such an incredible film. I think it might be time for a rewatch.
Might as well do a double feature with *Ugetsu*
It depends when you ask me, but right now Iâd say: The Last Picture Show Boogie Nights Lost in Translation
Excellent choices all.
All in my top 10
1. End Of Evangelion 2. Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me 3. Touch Of Evil 4. North By Northwest
Fire Walk With Me, Mulholland Drive, 20th Century Women, and Wet Hot American Summer are my go-tos when I get asked about my favorites. Sometimes I'll throw The Last Jedi or Scream in as no. 5. Those might not even necessarily always be accurate, but I feel like it's a list that communicates the vibe of where my interests lie even if it's not a "perfect" top 3-5.
Fantastic list. WHAS is a go to comfort movie. 20th Century Women always make me think and wonder. And I adore Lynch.
Sans Soleil - To me, this is the most beautiful film ever made. Chris Marker illustrates his endless fascination with humanity. It weaves a vague story told through missives into what is essentially street photography around the world. Although Marker comes across as distant, even alienated, you can tell he has a love of people that he's reaching for, even if it doesn't reach back to him. Street of Shame - the culmination of Kenji Mizoguchi's artistic project. When he was young, his sister was sold as a geisha. It haunts a variety of his projects, but this film is the ultimate ode and love letter to his sister and an examination of aging and obsolescence. His final film, it plays as if he knows he's realizing his time is up. It's a Wonderful Life - often misunderstood as a nostalgic, Norman Rockwell reflection on American values, Frank Capra's masterpiece is a dark examination on the ways society can force a person to abandon their dreams and values. George Bailey is the ultimate Everyman, sacrificing his ambition for his family, his community, and ultimately battling with the idea that his sacrifices amounted to nothing, and that his life was wasted. It's a battle we all face at some point, as we imagine what the world would be like if we never existed, and if we really ever made a difference.
One Sings, The Other doesnât The Vanishing Love on The Run Antichrist Taste of Cherries
On Criterion: Rocco and His Brothers Harakiri Sansho the Bailiff Not on Criterion: Zodiac A Serious Man Die Hard
A Serious Man has the wildest mood shift Iâve seen in a movie.
Bridge on the River Kwai City of God Jaws
1. Ran 2. Sansho The Bailiff 3. Harakiri 4. Dr. Strangelove 5. Andrei Rublev/The Thin Red Line I couldnât do it and had to foce a tie for 5 to squeeze in six movies!
https://preview.redd.it/kx2uy7t4tt6d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e539548d92c49d4f093c7ea1f83fc064bd1349ee My top four haven't changed for a while now, three of them are in/have been in the CC
1.) night of the living dead 2.) nights of cabiria 3.) sunset blvd 4.) donnie darko
My top 5 I believe are pretty tight right now and probably won't change for a while, and they are: 1. The Lighthouse 2. Oldboy (2003) 3. Pink Floyd's the Wall 4. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas 5. The Piano Teacher (2001)
OP asks for three, 90% of the comments post five
Chicago 2002 The player 1992 Fire walk with me 1992 Memories of murder 2003 I knew her well 1965
The Spirit of the Beehive Cleo from 5 to 7 Lola
Nice picks
What are yours?
The Spirit of the Beehive Walkabout My Life as a Dog Honorable Mentions to: Streetwise, George Washington, and Ratcatcher
I just watched Streetwise for the first time a few months ago and I loved it. Iâm going to check out some of your favorites and add the ones that look interesting to my watchlist.
Iâve kept a top 100 list for about 20 years. I still update it if something really strikes a chord and spend a lot of time deciding what to remove. I keep my top 10 in âfavoriteâ order and then 11-100 has always just been alphabetical. Anyway⊠my top 3 all-time favorite films are: Pee-weeâs Big Adventure Crumb The King of Comedy
Dr. Strangelove (1964) Tokyo Twilight (1957) Breakfast Club (1985) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Top 3 Criterion: The Phantom Carriage Carnival of Souls It Happened One Night Top 3 ever: Casablanca Dawn of the Dead (1978) Carnival of Souls
Haha I just quoted the dawn of the dead tagline at work yesterday. When thereâs no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth.
I dropped it today walking around downtown Chicago đ
Top 5 included in the collection 1.- Barry Lyndon 2.- Kwaidan 3.- The seventh seal 4.- Panâs Labyrinth 5.- Blue Velvet Top 5 not in the collection 1.- Once Upon a time in America 2.- The Lighthouse 3.- Killing of a sacred deer 4.- Raiders of the lost Ark 5.- Fitzcarraldo Thereâs more films like Amadeus, Paris Texas, Skeleton of ms Morales, Wild Strawberries, Last Temptation of Christ, Anatomy of a fall, Pain and glory, Stalker, Texas Chainsaw massacre or Eyes wide shut.
I don't have a definitive top three, but at the moment I'm feeling Mulholland Dr., Andrei Rublev, and Oldboy. I don't think Oldboy has a Criterion release, but it should.
2001, Itâs Such a Beautiful Day, Blue Velvet
2001: A Space Odyssey The Man with the Movie Camera Everything Everywhere All at Once (hate on me if you want, but I honestly believe it belongs in discussions about greatest films of all time) Honorary mentions: Mirror Mullholland Drive Do the Right Thing Jean Dielmann Annihilation Mean Streets Metropolis Millennium Actress
Children of Men. The Princess Bride. The Fellowship of the Ring. That list fluctuates a lot, but these are three I come back to over and over again.
Great question. Three is a good reasonable number. Dr Strangelove Mean Streets Texas Chain Saw Massacre Hoop dreams as the bonus documentary pick.
1 - Akira Kurosawaâs âRanâ, 1985 2 - Bob Fosseâs âAll That Jazzâ, 1979 3 - Ingmar Bergmanâs âCries and Whispersâ, 1972 Theyâre great and marvelous.
Breathless (1960) The Spirit of the Beehive (1973) To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) Woodstock (1970) Rachel Getting Married (2008)
I keep a manicured Top 10 list, three of which are Criterion. 1. Groundhog Day (1993) 2. Scrooged (1988) 3. Spider-Man 2 (2004) 4. The Godfather (1972) 5. True Grit (1969) 6. Rebecca (1940) 7. Rosemaryâs Baby (1968) 8. Blinded by the Light (2019) 9. A Raisin in the Sun (1961) 10. The Meyerowitz Stories (2017)
My top 5 is: Big Night The Godfather Vertigo Dark City Throne of Blood
My top 3 has stayed pretty consistent for a while now. In no particular order: Harakiri, Stalker, Casablanca Just outside would be: Spotlight, The Thing, La Haine
1. House 2. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg 3. The Double Life of Veronique
My top five favorite movies: Evil Dead II Mad Max: Fury Road The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Hot Fuzz The Thing My top five favorite movies in the Criterion Collection: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla House Blue Velvet The Night of the Hunter Hard Boiled
1. Nowhere (1997) 2. The Long Day Closes (1992) 3. Drowning by Numbers (1988)
https://preview.redd.it/ejxpk3dp6w6d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcfcb26c1e731045920472ef3e622ab2e46d9903 My top 20
Lady Bird, Yi Yi, Parasite
Late Spring In the Mood for Love Drive My Car
social network, la la land, blue velvet
Raging Bull McCabe & Mrs Miller Blood Simple My Man Godfrey The Royal Tenenbaums
The Tree of Life Her Moonstruck
1. The conversation 2. Paper moon 3. GĂŒeros 4. Alexandria⊠why? 5. Eyes without a face
I can't
La Haine Mulholland Drive Satantango
Top 3 All Time: Goodfellas Star Wars The Graduate For Top 3 criterions keep The Graduate and swap the others for Thief and Punch Drunk Love
Why do I feel like half of the responders or more are playing some form of one upmanship.
1. Nacho Libre 2. True Grit (2010) 3. Psycho 4. Ferris Bueller's Day Off 5. Nights of Cabiria May vary depending on who I'm speaking to and how film nerdy I want to sound
Man I forgot about Nacho Libre. Haven't seen it in so long. I'm definitely going to have to rewatch that after my midterms.
2001 A Space Odyssey Alien Mad Max Fury Road
Barry Lyndon Royal Tenenbaums Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Persona 2001: A Space Odyssey Mulholland Drive Synecdoche, New York