And the winner is . . .

[litlover12]

Interesting! It seems that Citizen Kane is no longer the greatest film ever made -- at least, according to the prestigious Sight & Sound poll. For the first time ever, it's been knocked out of the top spot. This time, Vertigo was voted the greatest film ever made. Articles are here and here. (Watch out for major Citizen Kane spoilers in that second one. If you don't yet know what Rosebud is, I'd hate to be the one to ruin it for you.)

I've always thought that if I had to pick the best film ever made -- the best, objectively speaking, not my favorite -- I would probably go with Casablanca. However, there's the indisputable fact that Vertigo is a Jimmy Stewart film . . . and a darned good one at that. So, I can definitely live with this pick. The fact that it's a Hitchcock film as well is just gravy.

One more thing: I hope it doesn't make me a total philistine that I've always found Sunrise and 2001 -- voted #5 and #6, respectively -- way overrated. I don't care how pretty it is to look at -- aside from the parts with the homicidal computer, 2001 is about as thrilling as watching whiteout dry.

Comments

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

Wow, some of these I had not even head the titles before, much less seen them.

But oh, man, I agree about '2001'! I ADORED that book! I wanted to scream and cry and throw things when I saw the movie! I've not read the book or watched the film in years, though. so perhaps doing so would give me a fresh perspective. But I doubt it.

*twitch*

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

I never read the book -- are there major differences from the movie?

Also, perfect icon is perfect. :-)

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

It's been years and years, so I can't recall specific differences between the movie and the book. But at least the book moves forward and has DIALOGUE and a coherent PLOT! I remember sitting there watching the movie and waiting and waiting and WAITING for the story to begin.

And then it was over! I just...

*sputters*

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I see what you mean!

[ever-maedhros.livejournal.com]

I love Vertigo, so I can live with that, even though I can't help thinking Citizen Kane had more layer and depth. (I need to re-watch both again.) I've never seen either Sunrise or 2001--though I may look up clips of the latter on YouTube, since my mom told me the computer was the best part. :D

[myrna-nora.livejournal.com]

Well, I personally never understood the hype around Citizen Kane. Vertigo, on the other hand, has enthralled and fascinated me since I was ten years old.

[katharhino.livejournal.com]

I think I'd rather watch the white-out, actually. Is there anyone who LIKES 2001? I've never met one.

I've always thought Casablanca the most perfect film, and Citizen Kane, while good, a little overrated. Vertigo is a good pick too, although I don't know that it's either my favorite Hitchcock or my fav Jimmy Stewart.

[stillsparkling.livejournal.com]

This is absolutely the best piece of news ever because Vertigo is my all-time favorite movie and I've always considered it the best ever made. (In my own little world. ^_^) It's so nice to see it represented that way.

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

I knew you'd be glad! :-)

[jadepilot.livejournal.com]

I can definately see 'Casablanca' as number 1. And I agree with you on Sunrise and 2001. Did 'Singing in the Rain' still make the top 10?

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

No, it was #21.

[jadepilot.livejournal.com]

THAT'S JUST WRONG!

[ibmiller.livejournal.com]

I hate myself for not liking older movies better...but really, that list is rather awful. Also: Citizen Kane is a pretentious, repetative film, and I think it's about time people knocked it off the top.

Casablanca is definitely one of the greatest movies of all time - it actually holds up today.

I've avoided Vertigo, since I'm not a huge fan of sadness and madness. But I do like the Stew, and the Hitch has some style.