1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

sophie

Break My Heart
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Well, being in college, I find that despite the massive workload, I have quite a bit of time on my hands. I decided to put this time to good use by knocking off those kind of classic movies that are deemed "must see", but I still have not seen. Examples of this include "Citizen Kane", "How Green Was My Valley", "Psycho", "A Clockwork Orange", "The Maltese Falcon" and the like. Now being the lazy individual I am, I decided that compiling my own list would take way too much work, so I simply found such a list online:
http://www.listology.com/flogged/list/1001-movies-you-must-see-you-die

So, I've spent the last few days looking through the list, and documenting their availability on netflix according to their ease of viewing.

Yes, I realize this is a crazy venture, but I sincerely hope I finish it.

Now, as for discussion:
What do you think of the list itself. Is it thorough, or do you see some films that can be added?

Have you watched any movies on the list, and if so, what are your thoughts on them?
 
I'll start:

"Duck Soup"

I've seen this movie a thousand times before, but just for the sake of the list I went ahead and considered myself a blank slate in terms of movies. I watched it last night was thoroughly entertained. The Marx Brothers are true geniuses of comedy. The mirror scene managed to crack me (and the entire room of Marx novices watching with me) up without saying a single word; something I think today's comedy writers could stand to learn. Also, did anyone else notice the satire of FDR and socialism (perhaps government in general) in the big number at the beginning when Firefly talks about his planned policies?

Citizen Kane

This is the first time I've ever seen this movie and I was quite impressed. The cinematography was incredible, absolutely flawless. As for the big twist at the end, that goes without saying.
 
woops, pressed wrong button
 
Didn't bother to look at the list, but I just wanted to agree that Citizen Kane is a good movie.

You should also try to get a hold of Metropolis (1921 IIRC), if possible the lost, uncut version that was discovered in a library in Argentina two years ago. I still haven't seen the uncut version, but I would really like to.
 
Didn't bother to look at the list, but I just wanted to agree that Citizen Kane is a good movie.

You should also try to get a hold of Metropolis (1921 IIRC), if possible the lost, uncut version that was discovered in a library in Argentina two years ago. I still haven't seen the uncut version, but I would really like to.

1927. I dont actually know if they are done restoring the lost footage yet, so that may as yet be unavailable.

EDIT:

According to wiki
They announced in February 2009 that they had begun restoration work on the rediscovered film and had the "ambitious target" for the restoration to be completed by early 2010.[15] The restored original version is going to be shown on the occasion of the 60th Berlinale[16], on February 12, 2010 at the Friedrichstadtpalast in Berlin, at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt as well as on TV on ARTE, 83 years after its premiere on January 10 1927, also in Berlin. Copies for theatrical display will be published by Transit Film, Munich. A DVD release is planned for December 2010[17].
 
I honestly don't think I've ever seen a film I would be worse off for not seeing.
 
My suggestion and I'm picking one that most aren't going to pick, The Red Shoes (1948) with Moira Shearer

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For all those who love dance, life and love.
 
I know that nobody will read it, I was just bored:D

I have seen much more, but I dont know English names and lazy to translate. Some I identified, but not able remind plot so rather not included them

Masterpieces - not needed comment, you realy must see
141. Citizen Kane (1941)
152. Casablanca (1942)
278. The Seven Samurai (1954)
449. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
479. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
488. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
591. One Flew over the ****oo's Nest (1975)
728. Brazil (1985)

Liked it - good movies
30. Metropolis (1927) - design, feeling...all is great. Plot and others are outdated (and you will not find complete version because it was destroyed i think)
274. Rear Window (1954) - see below, only lower crew.
315. 12 Angry Men (1957) - without any technological specialities, discussion of 12 men in one room. Great?
432. The Shop on Main Street (1965) - great Czechoslovak thriller, but for majority is should seem boring.
459. The Graduate (1967) - great comedy if you want relax
462. Hombre (1967) - Paul Newman is great here, I love westerns
476. Closely Watched Trains (1967) - if you want try some Czechoslovak cinematography, this isnt bad choice. But I like more another ones
480. Planet of the Apes (1968) - I still remind last scene, one of my favorite movies
495. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) - yeah very funny, light comedy. Western plot is not necessary
525. A Clockwork Orange (1971) - because design and beining banned it should qualify for masterpice, but not best Kubrick´s movie
550. The Godfather (1972) - first great gangster movie imho.
562. Papillon (1973) - not boring, but also not masterpiece...similiar to Cool Hand Luke
587. The Godfather Part II (1974) - some say better than part I, dillema
595. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) - not best monthy python but still good
610. Rocky (1976) - Rocky rocks...but I find Rocky I more boring that some other parts
617. Star Wars (1977) - am not big fan of star wars, but yeah it was fun
618. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) - somewhat on edge, worthy to watch but also not close my heart
636. Grease (1978) - yeah, musicals havent best plots...but still great
652. Life of Brian (1979) - imho best monthy python´s movie
662. The Shining (1980) - good psychological horror, but must see? nope.
663. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - same as first episode
664. The Elephant Man (1980) - ugly outside, beautiful inside - not that original
668. Raging Bull (1980) - movie about boxer who is boxing in another way than in other sport movies, hero of this movie falls lower and lower
679. E.T.: The Extra-Terestrial (1982) - I liked it as kid!
682. Blade Runner (1982) - dark atmosphere, interesting plot
695. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) - still same as first epsiode
706. Once Upon a Time in America (1983) - just another good gangster movie
710. The Terminator (1984) - love it
726. Back to the Future (1985) - the same, one of my favorite, next episodes were great too
743. Aliens (1986) - most scary monster movie
748. Platoon (1986) - war makes monsters...worthy to see
796. Batman (1989) - I liked design and style, much more fun to me than recent batmans
813. Goodfellas (1990) - just another gangster movie, imho one of weaker ones, but I LOVE gangster movies
816. Dances with Wolves (1990) - loved it, I love western, indians, soldiers and helping weaker ones
822. Edward Scissorhands (1990) - same as in batman, Burton is master in making stylisation
824. Total Recall (1990) - arnie and crazy scifi movie? Yeah.
835. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - maybe better than first episode
836. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - good thriller, realy evil Hopkins
844. Reservoir Dogs (1992) - only movie from Tarantino which I find quite funny
859. Philadelphia (1993) - gay and aids, very sad, maybe too much
860. Jurassic Park (1993) - typical mainstream movie
863. Schindler's List (1993) - some very strong moments, should be mandatory movie in schools
878. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - strong movie, I enjoyed plot and message
886. Casino (1995) - just another gangster movie, I liked end
890. Braveheart (1995) - if I would be Scottish I would declare immediately independence after this movie
901. Dead Man (1995) - another untypical western movie, travelling for death
902. The Usual Suspects (1995) - nimble detective story
912. Trainspotting (1996) - mainstream movie about drugs, still enjoyed
915. L.A. Confidential (1997) - same as The Usual Suspects
917. Princess Mononoke (1997) - Japanese manga movie, this is one of more watchable
928. Titanic (1997) - same as jurassic park, liked it
931. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - first scene is great
945. The Blair Witch Project (1999) - not bad, more horror than majority of expensive horrors
953. Fight Club (1999) - interesting main plot, rest nothing special
958. The Sixth Sense (1999) - I enjoyed WTH moment
959. The Matrix (1999) - one word - bullet time
974. Memento (2000) - plot nothing special, special is form of narrative aproach
975. Dancer in the Dark (2000) - Björk in movie from von Trier about Czechoslovak emigrant in America? My dream should become true. It was ad absurdum musical I love von Trier and Bjórk, enjoyed his playing with emotions of crawd, but I like more his other movies. I hated musical inserts
990. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - same as jurassic park
991. A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001) - I liked it, but dont remind any great moment
993. The Pianist (2002) - another movie about life of jew in nacism, liked it but IMHO Czech ones are better

Nothing special - I didnt like them much, but still worthy to watch - majority love them, except Marketa Lazarova, thats masterpiece only for elites
341. Some Like It Hot (1959) - great dialogues but not funny now.
363. Psycho (1960) - great horror...before 50 years
472. Marketa Lazarova (1967) - boooring
651. Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) - fighting in marriage? well not my favorite plot for movie
709. Amadeus (1984) - too long to not get bored, maybe with some cuts...I understand why others like it, though
818. Pretty Woman (1990) - aargh, only for women! (rly?)
830. Naked Lunch (1991) - good for stoned people, not for me
845. Romper Stomper (1992) - I remind only good NAZI song, crap
865. The Piano (1993) - psychological depressing movie, more for women
870. Forrest Gump (1994) - I dont get why its considered as masterpiece
877. Pulp Fiction (1994) - Tarantino and me are incompatible
895. Seven (1995) - dark thriller, boring one
906. Independence Day (1996) - I tried play idiot to enjoy movie, but failed
913. Scream (1996) - same
934. Run Lola Run (1998) - name of movie says all, Lola runs. Huh.
955. American Beauty (1999) - it had some life message but I missed it
957. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) - psychological triller starring naked Kidman and Cruise
967. Requiem for a Dream (2000) - sad movie about drugs
977. Amelie (2001) - normal movie with more colours and little changed form of narrative aproach
982. The Piano Teacher (2001) - another psychological movie for women, strange
985. Moulin Rouge (2001) - greatly stylised musical, you have to play director´s play. I failed.
988. Mulholland Dr. (2001) - didnt get it
999. Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) - same as Pulp Fiction

Some well known ones which I have seen and considered them as masterpiece - Donnie Darko, 12 monkeys, K-PAX, Rain Man, Butterfly Effect, Neverending story, Dogville, Chinatown, Village, Life is beautiful, To live.
 
Salo is one of the most boring movies I've ever watched. The Italian language I find terribly annoying also; they declaim loudly all the time and it's really grating on the ears imo. And it's really quite tame compared to the actual book. Someone should film it now that we have better special effects... In 3D of course. 4,5 hours. Watch that, my dear gorehounds, and tell me you're not affected... :p

As for great movies, well, there's too many to mention. Much more than 1001. Movie lists don't take into account personal taste, so they're quite pointless imo. Well, they do work as general guidelines. Personally I found e.g. Requiem For A Dream boring (more like repetitious... How many times do they show that pupil dilatation shot?) and pretentious. Although whoever played that old woman did a phenomenal job. While I enjoyed immensely an obscure Swedish movie that had 5,5 points on IMDB.
 
After I cursory look, I don't very much agree with the list. You don't HAVE to see The Blair Witch Project before you die, not to mention quite a few others.

And dude, seriously, CITIZEN KANE SUCKED! I've never saw a more overrated, boring-arse movie in my entire life. You DO NOT need to see it, before you die.
 
Salo is one of the most boring movies I've ever watched. The Italian language I find terribly annoying also; they declaim loudly all the time and it's really grating on the ears imo. And it's really quite tame compared to the actual book.

you do realize it's not meant as a film version of the book, do you?
 
to quote wiki:

The setting and the emphasis upon perverse consumption connects the brutality of Fascism to what Pasolini saw as the brutalizing effects of the modification of sexuality under late capitalism.
 
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