movies in the 90`s >>movies in the 00`s

[JoeChalupa]

The public tend to be ignorant when it comes to judging really great cinema, so the IMDb Top 250 is invalid. The fact that Kick-Ass ranks higher than Ikiru proves this. If it entertains them, chances are it will be rated high.

I'm not trying to be a snob, I just simply don't believe in the concept that all opinions are created equal. Sure, you can't empirically prove that one work of art is better than another, so it would seem that someone's opinion is just as valid as the next person's, but I never bought that idea.

A film critic who's spent his career watching, studying, and writing about film will have a far more informed and intelligent opinion about cinema than a soccer mom who takes her kids to go see Toy Story 3, or a frat boy who thinks The Hangover, Superbad, and The Pineapple Express should be canonized as some kind of cinematic holy trilogy, so I don't understand why I should consider their opinion on the same level as an Ebert, Pauline Kael, or Dwight Macdonald.

I understand that argument but I've never depended or relied on a so called "professional" film critic to determine whether or not I like a movie. I don't understand why their opinion should be on a higher level as mine since in the end it only really matters what I like. , you'll even find different opinions amongst the so called experts.

[JoeChalupa]

depends on what is being discussed.

A critic, film historian, or dedicated fan may have a deeper well to draw from in terms of reference or comparison. Or may be educated in concepts of film theory. Or perhaps even be educated in concepts of film technique and the technical aspects of composition and cinematography. All of which may lead to a deeper understanding of a film being definitively good or important. Sure.

but everyone is an expert of their own opinion and tastes. If someone tells you they enjoyed the out of sahara, or that it was legitimately one of their favorite films, you'd have no basis to call them wrong. Crazy, maybe, but not wrong. That's what imdb rankings are all about. More than likely, people give something 10/10 stars because that's how much they enjoyed it, rather than as a suggestion that _________ is really one of the best films ever made. Dubious as an indication of quality, but impossible to argue as an indication of popularity (amongst those who saw the film and took the time to vote, of course).

+1

[midnightpulp]

I understand that argument but I've never depended or relied on a so called "professional" film critic to determine whether or not I like a movie. I don't understand why their opinion should be on a higher level as mine since in the end it only really matters what I like. , you'll even find different opinions amongst the so called experts.

I'm in no way suggesting you rely on a film critic to determine what you like. That wasn't even close to the point I was trying to make.

Obviously their opinion matters not when it comes to your personal tastes and preferences, but once you enter the realm of public discourse, things change. You're no longer alone with your opinion. Simply by stating your opinion publicly, you're essentially trying to convince others of your position. And in the realm of public discourse where everyone's a salesmen of their own opinion, I'm going to "buy" the review of a film critic, historian, or even a knowledgeable moviegoer more often than not over that of a casual moviegoer.

Let's say I take a random 19 year kid off the street and tell him to review Seven Samurai. His review boils down to a poorly written essay on how the film was "boring" and he didn't like the way it was in black and white.

Why should his review be accepted with equal validity as an informed and intelligent review written by someone vastly more knowledgeable about cinema than him?

[JoeChalupa]

I'm in no way suggesting you rely on a film critic to determine what you like. That wasn't even close to the point I was trying to make.

Obviously their opinion matters not when it comes to your personal tastes and preferences, but once you enter the realm of public discourse, things change. You're no longer alone with your opinion. Simply by stating your opinion publicly, you're essentially trying to convince others of your position. And in the realm of public discourse where everyone's a salesmen of their own opinion, I'm going to "buy" the review of a film critic, historian, or even a knowledgeable moviegoer more often than not over that of a casual moviegoer.

Let's say I take a random 19 year kid off the street and tell him to review Seven Samurai. His review boils down to a poorly written essay on how the film was "boring" and he didn't like the way it was in black and white.

Why should his review be accepted with equal validity as an informed and intelligent review written by someone vastly more knowledgeable about cinema than him?

Because it is still an opinion and, IMO, being vastly more knowledgeable about cinema doesn't automatically make their opinion more right or wrong. It is still just their opinion and for some all the cinematic BS doesn't mean anything or make the movie any better simply because they say so.

[Medvedenko]

The Crow

I forgot this one in my initial post....

Usual Suspects
Goodfellas
Etc....too many to mention.

[hater]

80s movies:
Raging Bull
ET
Star Wars
Die hard
Terminator
Blade runner
Platoon
Amadeus
Indiana Jones
aliens
back to the future

[IronMexican]

Still haven't watched Raging Bull. Need to so bad.

[The Gemini Method]

One of those discussions where you don't and cannot have a true answer. However, with the logistics of the debate--you can have so much fun when you involve the factors like era, techonology, styles and such. I mean, if you go on some of the lists provided, you can make a strong case for either the '90s or '00s. One of my favorite movies of all-time is Brick. How many have seen that one? Definitely noteworthy if you're into the indie noir stories.

[Blake]

Waynes World 2 ftw