And your next Top 100 compilation is...

[neverending]

And this is why we can't have nice things...

[totem]

Personally, I don't see the need for a debate. The concept of "Top" is pretty open-ended all by itself.

If we simply elaborate the name of the list to say HDC's:

Top personal favorites, or
Top drive-in flicks, or
Top date night horrors and so on, we'd all be clearer on the goal without the notion of some definitive 'top' that all of us must agree to.

I mean I'm a fan of Sharknado, but I've flushed things down my toilet that were better made. So 'best' movie? no, but personal picks? you betcha.

[_____V_____]

The whole objective of this compilation is to show the world out there that we, as passionate horror fans, can also give a definition to non-horror films as well.

All of them may not be the absolute best in their respective genres, and it may not be similar to many other top 100s out there which have THE absolute best films in their lot, but I hope there's enough quality in the final 100 to make the list stand out as one on its own.

The Godfather didn't make the cut in my top list as well. As great as it might be, it wasn't a complete entertainer in my view, IMO. I went for uniqueness/novelty of presentation over the rest - that's why a NeverEnding Story with it's rather special/unique premise and executed idea, and a Back To The Future Part II (not part I, mind you), made it into my top list.

Why Part II, you might ask? Because in my view, this film has the most unique storyline in all of cinema-dom. It's unique, it dares to be different, and it stands out from the rest. Good enough to tick all of my boxes. (besides being a huge teenage-year favorite)

[Kandarian Demon]

Originally Posted by The Villain

All I'm saying is there's a difference between a movie you enjoyed and a great movie.

In a way, I agree - BUT who gets to decide who is right and who isn't? I mean... most of us will feel that "I" am right when we judge a movie. Or maybe we feel that our opinions are more valid because we're older than the person that we're debating - or because we've watched a lot of movies, or know a lot about movie history.

But that's not nescesarily true. Just like so-called B movies are sometimes wonderful, and an award-winning "classic" might remind you of the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes".

But when that's said, there is definitely a LONG list of movies that I really enjoy, but wouldn't call great art... I KNOW (or do I?) that they're badly done, but I still enjoy them. I wouldn't nominate such a movie for a list like this.

[roshiq]

In my top 20 there are
1 from 20s,
1 from 40s,
5 from 50s (including 3 Asian movies!)
3 from 60s,
3 from 70s,
3 from 80s,
2 from 90s
&
2 from 00s.

Entertainment value wasn't only factor in my consideration, may be that's why TGF made into my Top 20. No Star Wars, no Casablanca and no Tarantino!

[Giganticface]

I think what it boils down to is are we judging art or are we judging entertainment? If we're judging entertainment, then the fact that I've watched Raiders of the Lost Ark like 20 times means something.

Have any of you guys seen the series that originally aired on TCM, and now is on Netflix streaming, called The Story of Film? I was enthralled by the entire series and found it very educational and fun to watch. The guy's approach is definitely an eclectic, artistic point of view, while still capturing all the important milestones and movements over the history of film, including how the ideas made it into the mainstream. Throughout my watching experience, I was adding movies to my IMDb watchlist that I now felt I needed to see.

The truth is, however, I haven't seen most of those films, and even if I did, as great as they are, I might not vote for them in this list. For me at least, determining the "greatness" of a film is for someone else to decide -- probably even some on this forum... I know Straker, ferretchucker, neverending and others have proven to have a deep appreciation and knowledge of film as an art form. Me, I'll mostly just tell you why I liked or didn't like it (which, frankly is more than some folks do when they reply to someone's review with nothing more than "That movie was crap"). I'm not saying I'm incapable of insight, just that the insight is based on enjoyment rather than academics.

For horror lists, however, I feel it's our duty to do the job like a bunch of horror freaks should. :) The 100 Years of Horror list was our opportunity to capture the most appreciated and influential films in horror history, from the perspective of folks who appreciate them the most, and we did an awesome job of it. People will come to this site for the sole purpose of learning about that. They won't come here to learn about film in general. That doesn't mean we can't have fun building the list.

[neverending]

Can we not enjoy a film because of its artistry? The Godfather is a film that people here keep pointing out as a great film they don't enjoy. I enjoyed the hell out of that movie and have rewatched it many times. Scorcese is a true artist whose work astounds me. Of course I enjoy being challenged, educated and enlightened by art. I keep getting reminded time and again that many people don't care for that. They just want to see things explode.

[Kandarian Demon]

You could have the best cook in the world prepare a meal for you with all the ingredients that you hate the most, but your tastebuds still wouldn't like it. This wouldn't mean that you have "no idea what good food is", neither would it mean that the cook didn't do a perfect job. There's nothing wrong with the ingredients either, and the guy at the table next to you isn't wrong for enjoying the same meal.

The same can be said about movies, or any other type of art.

[Straker]

Originally Posted by neverending

. Of course I enjoy being challenged, educated and enlightened by art.

This for me is the essence of what elevates a movie from 'something I have fun watching' to a great movie.

[neverending]

Originally Posted by Kandarian Demon

You could have the best cook in the world prepare a meal for you with all the ingredients that you hate the most, but your tastebuds still wouldn't like it. This wouldn't mean that you have "no idea what good food is", neither would it mean that the cook didn't do a perfect job. There's nothing wrong with the ingredients either, and the guy at the table next to you isn't wrong for enjoying the same meal.

The same can be said about movies, or any other type of art.

Sure, people can SAY anything.