The perfect film?

[Greg Cox]

I'm looking forward to seeing THX 1138, as soon as I'm done trudging through the first 1137 entries in the series.

Just watch the even-numbered ones.

 

[Chris_Johnston]

Star Wars, but not The Empire Strikes Back? Oversight or choice?

Oversight. Fixed!

 

[AgentCoop]

Movies I wouldn't change a thing about: The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Star Trek 2: The Wrath Of Khan, The Fellowship Of The Ring, Superman, Batman, Pulp Fiction and Blue Velvet.

 

[Relayer1]

Silent Running

Oh well played Sir...

 

[Set Harth]

I'm looking forward to seeing THX 1138, as soon as I'm done trudging through the first 1137 entries in the series.

Just remember, watching them in numerical order is the way George Lucas always intended.

 

[theenglish]

I'm looking forward to seeing THX 1138, as soon as I'm done trudging through the first 1137 entries in the series.

Just remember, watching them in numerical order is the way George Lucas always intended.

I want to post this comment over in the DC comic book thread! Perhaps Lucas should have just kept calling the movies THX 0001 COLLECTOR'S EDITION.

 

[HaventGotALife]

Well, I have walked away completely satisfied from a lot of movies. Although, the technical aspects of film making are not my forte. I notice when there's no continuous movement or when there's a rough cut. But when it comes to lighting, sound, what's in the frame, etc. I am a novice.

My most recent examples: Atonement, Les Miserables (2012), 12 Angry Men, In Her Shoes, The Godfather, The Bicycle Thief, and Lady and the Tramp. As for science fiction and Fantasy, I think The Dark Knight was great, not good. Empire Strikes Back remains my favorite Star Wars film, and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is my favorite Star Trek movie. I also enjoyed 2001: A Space Odyssey and Phenomenon.

Phenomenon has a great love story in it. It's a very underrated movie, in my opinion. There's a lot of heart in it and it is definitely science fiction. The man can move things with his mind. I am thoroughly satisfied watching that movie.

 

[publiusr]

A film where I wouldn't change a thing? 2010: The Year We Make Contact.

Just something about it works on every level for me.

Agreed. I love 12 Angry Men as well.

 

[DBR]

Last of the Mohicans
Roger Rabbit
The Empire Strikes Back

 

[Ovation]

Last of the Mohicans

Which version? Michael Mann released several cuts on home video (not unlike Ridley Scott's tinkering with Blade Runner). Unless you mean the 1936 version.

 

[Mojochi]

It makes you think "Where has this been all my life?"

 

[Cato]

I'm posting this here even though it could just as easily have been in TV & Media. But since any genre can be discussed I figured it fit here best.

I can't think of any film that escapes criticism, and even before it's actually been released. So that begs the question:

Have you ever seen a perfect film? I mean a film where you walked away completely satisfied and found yourself thinking, "I wouldn't change a thing."


I think perhaps a lot might have to do with how much you have invested in the film (in terms of expectations and biases). There are films I love and I can still have quibbles over.

At least a few do come immediately to mind:
L.A. Confidential
Gladiator
The Shawshank Redemption
Unforgiven
Master And Commander
The Godfather
The Great Escape

But when it comes to genre and science fiction it starts to get dicey. I'm really feeling pressed to name genre films I found flawless. Maybe I just have to think about it more. The only ones that come immediately to mind are the original Planet Of The Apes, Alien, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, Terminator 2 and Aliens.


So anyone have a film they think was note perfect?

The Big Lebowski.

 

[Captrek]

Seven Samurai

 

[2takesfrakes]

To Have and To Have Not

Whilst I wouldn't call it "The" Perfect Film, I would call it "a" perfect film.

This movie has it all: Loosely based on a book from one of the greatest literary giants of the 20th Century - Ernest Hemingway. Bogie and Bacall meet for the first time and fall in love on & off screen. They not only have chemistry, but they are very memorable together. Unlike a lot of 1940's fare, "To Have & To Have Not" is not overtly sentimental, although it definitely has heart. It almost classifies as Film Noir, except that there is a hero and it does have hope - perhaps reflective of the fact that the War was coming to an obvious conclusion, even by this time. There's gestapo, international intrigue, romance, drama ... it's fun, exciting and sexy.

For Lauren Bacall's first, really big feature film, she had people helping her during the making of it who were some of the biggest names of the time. People who really had interest in seeing her shine in this picture and that she does. Even her appearance is awesome for the day - she's not wearing a ton of make-up and a French Cut, or wearing an overabundance of curls. She looks really cool and comes off that way, too.

 

[Galileo7]

Empire Strikes Back
TMP
WOK
Alien(1979)
Aliens(1986)
Raiders Of The Lost Ark(1981)
2001:A Space Odyssey(1968)
Silent Running(1972)
Thing(1951) (2011)(1982)
Andromeda Strain(1971)
Planet Of The Apes(1968)

 

[Admiral2]

Thing(1951) (2011)(1982)

Of these three I'd pick the 1951 movie. I know it's blasphemy to not pick the John Carpenter one, but what i like about fifties sci-fi movies is the dialogue and interactions, and The Thing From Another World has the best of both.

 

[Cato]

Ghostbusters

 

[sttngfan1701d]

There are only 4 movies that are "perfect" for me:

Raiders of the Lost Ark
Lost in Translation
Before Sunrise
Before Sunset