Roger Ebert's reaction to London Magazine Spectator's Greatest Movies List. It's an interesting list and an interesting reaction. Specifically I appreciate Ebert's point that these lists are mostly arbitrary and useless in the sense of actually ranking films. What they DO provide is an excellent source for discovering films you may not know or sharing films you love with the world.
I was surprised to see Night of The Hunter at the top of the list. I don't think it would have ever occurred to me to rank that as a number 1. I do love that film though, Mitchum's performance alone is spectacular, and it made me smile to see it at the top.
I also have to agree that Sight & Sound's list is somewhat more useful than IMDB's.
Links for the original Spectator List as well as past Sight & Sound rankings can be found at the bottom of the article.
Ebert's posted his list of favorite movies from 2008. And rather than doing the normal list of 10 he's gone and made a list of 20. Good for him.
It's an interesting list. There's a lot on it I haven't seen yet but it encompasses a wide range, including everything from Iron Man to Ballast. I don't know if I agree with all of his selections but it's a fun list nonetheless.
Check it:
Roger Ebert's Best of '08
I'll link to the whole article, but mostly I wanted to point out this one bit:
I was instructed long ago by a wise editor, "If you understand something you can explain it so that almost anyone can understand it. If you don't, you won't be able to understand your own explanation." That is why 90% of academic film theory is bullshit. Jargon is the last refuge of the scoundrel.I have to admit, that made me giggle. Oh Film Theory, your BS is part of why I love you!
Here's the rest of it:
O, Synecdoche, my Synecdoche!
I love you.
Q. Yo dude, u missed out on "Disaster Movie," a hardcore laugh-ur-@zz-off movie! Y U not review this movie!? It was funny as #ell! Prolly the funniest movie of the summer! U never review these, wat up wit dat?
S.J. Stanczak, Chicago
A. Hey, bro, I wuz buzier than $#i+, @d they never shoed it b4 hand. I peeped in the IMDb and saw it zoomed to #1 as the low$ie$t flic of all time, wit @ lame-@zz UZer Rating of 1.3. U liked it? Wat up wit dat? The full article
Here.
About This Thing
This blog is about film and life in the wonderful world of LA. I'm a filmmaker just getting started; I'm navigating my way through the industry, trying to find work, and sometimes even managing to make a living.
I've worked across the country on projects big and small. Everything from an indie in PA shot during the dead of winter to one of the bigger reality shows involving Models and the things they do.
I also just love doing things*. I'm a writer, aspiring director, wannabe photographer and cook. I waste too much time on the internet and sometimes all I want to do is hang out with my dog.
Stick around and chances are you'll catch me writing about it all.
*I use the word "thing" a lot. An inappropriate amount. I can't help it. There are just so many different things to talk about. And I just kind of like it.
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