I went all out with my top 100. It is a complete reboot, although my top 10 may not seem to reflect that much. I took the 650 favorites from my ICheckMovies list, and then posted a ranking and a review for them all on Criticker. Then I took all the 90 and above ranked films on Criticker (250 films), and put that list in order. Took the top 100 off of that, and Bob's your uncle.
Then today I added a question to each film on my top 100. This question is one that comes from reflection on the film, but doesn't necessarily relate to a major theme of the film.
Before I give my list, I want to express my sorrow over the films that didn't make it:
Another Year or Vera Drake—If I was going to put in a Mike Leigh film, these are my favorites. But not a single film of his is really powerful enough for me to put in my top 100, on its own. I wish I could give Mike Leigh an award of honor for his work as a whole, though, its so powerful.
7th Heaven—It really stirred me, but it just didn’t make it.
The Wizard of Oz—It almost made it, but I had to take something out to fit The General in.
A Canterbury Tale—Amazing film, but I had to make room
Joyeux Noel—Dropped from last year. Probably the movie that emotionally moved me the most. But its flaws still kept it out.
Casino Royale—Alone with Die Hard and Terminator 2, the great action films. But they just didn’t make it.
Jack-Jack Attack—And Duck Amuck and a couple other cartoon shorts I adore. I decided not to put in cartoon shorts as much as I adore them. Wallace and Gromit almost made it, but not quite. There are a couple short films on my list, like The House is Black, but they were too powerful to be left off. These comic cartoons I left off were slight, but deeply loved anyway.
M, A Scanner Darkly, The Gods Must Be Crazy, AI: Artificial Intellegence, Sling Blade, Duck Soup, District 9—All films I had on my list last year and are missed. These are not the only ones that got dropped. It was a major reboot this year. But I am most sad about kicking them off.
All About Eve—Every year this one creeps up closer to the top 100. It’s a narrow miss this year. Perhaps next year it will make it.
Talk To Her—I am on a high after watching this one. Perhaps this is the Almadovar that will make it next year.
And now for our feature presentation:
The order is: Film title (year) Criticker rank question for the film
1. Spirited Away (2002) 100
What would a spirit world look like, both connected and disconnected with humanity?
2. The Double Life of Veronique (1991) 99
What is the line to be drawn between the corporeal and the aesthetic?
3. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) 99
What should be the relationship between nature and humanity?
4. The Mission (1986) 99
How does one respond to the open oppression of the innocent?
5. Finding Nemo (2003) 99
How protective should we be of our children?
6. Wendy and Lucy (2008) 98
In a world of callousness, who can survive?
6a. Rear Window (1954) 98
In what context is voyeurism a positive trait?
7. In America (2002) 98
What joys are to be found in urban poverty?
8. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) 98
How do we respond justly and kindly to systemic injustice?
9. Amélie (2001) 98
What is the joyful life?
10. 8½ (1963) 98
What is the relationship between playfulness and creativity?
11. The Tree of Life (2011) 97
How should we live: for ambition or mercy?
12. Apocalypse Now (1979) 97
How deeply does madness run within war?
13. Children of Men (2006) 97
What would an international crisis look like?
14. Citizen Kane (1941) 97
What is the cause of ambition in any individual?
15. His Girl Friday (1940) 97
How fast can two people talk and still be understood?
16. Groundhog Day (1993) 96
How would you live if you could do it over again?
17. Amadeus (1984) 96
What is the relationship between giftedness and piety?
18. The Dark Knight (2008) 96
What is the base nature of humanity?
19. The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) 96
What is the saints' response to martyrdom?
20. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) 96
How is heroism exemplified?
21. Léon: The Professional (1994) 96
How much should we sacrifice to protect another?
22. United 93 (2006) 96
How would we respond when we see death?
23. A Serious Man (2009) 96
Why does life crumble around us?
24. Mary Poppins (1964) 96
What is the responsibility of a parent?
25. Three Colors: Blue (1993) 96
What color is grief? What about forgiveness? Or trust?
26. Tideland (2005) 96
How resilient is the creative child?
27. WALL•E (2008) 96
How do we recognize love?
28. Ostrov (2006) 96
What must be done when seeking forgiveness, especially when we don't receive it?
29. Princess Mononoke (1997) 96
What is the relationship between ambition and sustainability?
30. Malcolm X (1992) 96
How do we react to an unjust society?
31. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) 96
How does one respond when all hopes crumble?
32. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) 96
Is obsession, even in a good thing, worth the cost?
33. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) 96
What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
34. The Godfather (1973) 95
Just how insidious is corruption?
35. I'm Not There (2007) 95
What does it take to be constantly creating?
36. In the Mood for Love (2000) 95
What does deep longing look like?
37. Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) 95
What are the best response to pure evil?
38. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) 95
Is it worth living the life we did not dream of?
39. The Lives of Others (2006) 95
What can do we do when complicit in an injustice?
40. In a Lonely Place (1950) 95
Can love endure under suspicion?
41. Seven Samurai (1954) 95
Is noble intention enough to stop injustice?
42. F for Fake (1973) 95
In aesthetics, is anything true?
43. Melancholia (2011) 95
What is the relationship between depression and crisis?
44. Network (1976) 95
What is the driving moral force behind mass media?
45. A Short Film About Love (1988) 95
Should we ever toy with another’s affection?
46. Ran (1985) 95
What is the result of bad judgment?
47. Sweet Smell of Success (1957) 95
What does a world look like where ambition alone rules?
48. The House Is Black (1963) 95
What is the face of the sorrowful life?
49. The Lion King (1994) 94
What responsibility do we have toward power we have but do not want?
50. Where the Wild Things Are (2009) 94
Are we responsible for our uncontrollable rage?
51. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotted Mind (2004) 94
Is love a choice or destiny?
52. Dancer in the Dark (2000) 94
How are the meek martyred?
53. The Emperor's New Groove (2000) 94
Wait, how did we get here?
54. Planet Terror (2007) 94
What is the perfectly imperfect film?
55. Hunger (2008) 94
How much sacrifice can one make? And it is worth it at all?
56. Rachel Getting Married (2008) 94
How do we deal with the one we love but can’t stand?
57. Red Beard (1965) 94
How important is compassion to healing?
58. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring (2003) 94
How do the stages of life relate to spiritual growth?
59. The New World (2005) 93
Is it better to be with the one you love or the one who loves you?
60. Once (2007) 93
Can working together with creativity create a lasting love?
61. Pan's Labyrinth (2006) 93
How can a child solve the injustices toward her mother?
62. Before Sunset (2004) 93
What is the nature of romantic relationship?
63. Dead Man Walking (1995) 93
What is the healing of the evil-doer?
64. I Heart Huckabees (2004) 93
What is the relationship between intellectual idealism and everyday life?
65. Pulp Fiction (1994) 93
What is the process of conversion?
66. The Man Without a Past (2002) 93
Who are we without our memory?
67. Caché (2005) 93
How responsible are we for what we did in another life?
68. The Castle in the Sky (1986) 93
How do we deal with inherited power that destroys?
69. Dog Day Afternoon (1975) 93
How do we retain our humanity when the worst happens?
70. Scenes from a Marriage (1973) 93
Are the very things that make a marriage work also that which destroys it?
71. The Apostle (1997) 93
Is emotive spirituality positive or destructive?
72. Barton Fink (1991) 93
What is hell for a writer?
73. Toy Story 2 (1999) 93
How far should loyalty for a friend go?
74. Taxi Driver (1976) 93
Is insanity the natural state of a New Yorker?
75. Millions (2004) 93
How does one live spiritually in a corrupt world?
76. There Will Be Blood (2007) 93
How far does ambition corrupt?
77. Being There (1979) 92
What does it mean when our leaders simply reflect our values?
78. Fight Club (1999) 92
What is the relationship between mental breakdown and revolution?
79. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) 92
What is perfect discipline? Is it worth it?
80. Memento (2001) 92
Is obsession under our own control?
81. The Princess Bride (1987) 92
Is true love worth all this?
82. The Red Shoes (1948) 92
What is the cost of art?
83. Paprika (2006) 92
Can we live in our dreams?
84. Brazil (1985) 92
How far must we go to obtain our dearest desire?
85. City Lights (1931) 92
How can you show love to one who cannot see?
86. Ordet (1955) 92
Is religion real?
87. The Player (1992) 92
Just how hypocritical is Hollywood?
88. American Splendor (2003) 92
Is the average life art?
89. Brick (2005) 92
Is truth worth the pursuit?
90. Certified Copy (2010) 92
Does a relationship actually change?
91. The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) 92
How is a man’s life measured?
92. Ace in the Hole (1951) 92
Does journalism report or create the news?
93. Spirit of the Beehive (1973) 92
Can a child break the spirit of oppression?
94. Chinatown (1974) 92
Can corruption be defeated?
95. Edward Scissorhands (1990) 92
Are the outcast ever truly welcome, even by the most well-meaning?
96. Ghostbusters (1984) 92
What do you say when a spirit asks you if you are a god?
97. Kung Fu Hustle (2004) 92
Just how far can the mystical powers of kung fu be stretched?
98. Lilo & Stitch (2002) 92
Can anyone be a part of family?
99. The General (1927) 90
What can a simple worker do to help his country?