So, I've been thinking about what makes the 'Best. Film. Ever', and about what my best film ever is. Largely I think about films when I'm meant to be doing something else, obviously I've been thinking about films a lot. I have a lot of BEST FILM EVER'S!!! some of which are not even close to being a best film ever, yet for some reason I am convinced they are.
So is there an actual pattern or design for a BFE (I'm shortening it, I can't be arsed writing that everytime)? Or is it just, a lot of people with mutual tastes declare a certain film 'BFE'? I'd be inclined to think it's a mixture. I mean, 'Shawshank Redemption' is a definite BFE, but it was a total flop when it came out cinematically. Once it reached a wider audience, that was when people recognised how great it was. 'Peeping Tom' is another example. Arguably one of the great horror films, it was reviled upon release, until filmmakers and horror aficionados demanded it got the attention it deserved.
I guess, the first thing to qualify as BFE is that the films themselves are actually good. So, I'm ruling out the likes of 'Step Up 1-76', romantic comedies starring Kate Hudson (I'm looking at you 'Bride Wars') or her similarly attractive repeat offender Matthew McConaghey and other such films. Any film made on the basis of advertising how attractive the leads are, rather than advertising the story does not qualify. Sure, those films are fun for a bit of mindless entertainment, but a BFE has to be more than that. Although, if the leads are attractive, that is a bonus. A BFE, has to actually have a cohesive story that pulls you in, people who can act and directing that moves a story forward. Since the films made just to show off pretty people generally only have 2 out of the 3 of those basic elements, they are outta here!
Talking about what makes the BFE is something that I could do for hours, and would do, if only people would listen to me. I am crap at picking my BFE, I need genres and then a top 10 list for each, otherwise I feel like I'm excluding some of my babies. So without further rambling, some of my own personal BFE'S;
Shaun of the Dead,
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang,
Breakfast Club,
Casablanca,
The Shining,
Peeping Tom,
Shawshank Redemption,
Poltergeist,
Streetcar Named Desire,
Rebel Without A Cause,
Pitch Perfect (and what?!),
Zombieland,
Easy A,
On the Waterfront,
Beauty and the Beast,
The Godfather,
Scream,
Joss Whedon's Much Ado (so good),
Wall.E,
Up!,
Toy Story1-3,
Fight Club,
Ed Wood,
Edward Scissorhands,
Monster's Inc.,
Pan's Labyrinth,
Amelie,
REC,
Inception,
Some Like It Hot,
Memento.
Okay, I think that's enough for now haha. I'll give my Top 10 of different genres another time when I shouldn't be doing something else :). So yeah, these are some of my BFE'S, let me know what you think, any of yours and drop me any recommendations.
Peace out!
Matthew mcconaghey in killer joe-that film with the kfc-the guy is trying to break free and look at you, shutting him into his stereotyped box ;-) poor pet
ReplyDeleteHahaha, you'll notice I said ROMANTIC COMEDIES starring him ;). I actually quite like him in Lincoln Lawyer as well. Not a contender for BFE, but still good!
ReplyDeleteDoes The Day After Tomorrow fit the BFE conditions?
ReplyDeleteHahaha, not even close :p
ReplyDelete