I think it's safe to say you are that movie's biggest fan.

FL_Ag1998 said:

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Bruce Almighty said:

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The perfect movie doesn't have to be your favorite movie. Jaws is my #1, but it's got a mechanical shark that looks fake as Hell and an ending that isn't possible. As much as I love it, I can't call it perfect.

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Jaws is the perfect movie. Disallowing it because it aas limited by the technology at the time is just dumb.

Jaws is the original popcorn blockbuster that every one after it tries to emulate. Not a single frame or line in it that can be better.

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Even so, there's still the problem of blowing up the shark with the oxygen tank. Like I said, its my favorite movie, but to me, perfect equals flawless or no mistakes, and that keeps it from being perfect.

Also, I'll admit I'm probably looking at this thread differently than everyone else, but we've done the "list your favorite movies" thread 8 million times already and this thread has become 8 million and 1.

This whole discussion is opinion, anyway, but I think of perfect vs great as the difference between Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back:

Star Wars - A perfect movie:
- Original
- Complete story on its own with a compelling plot
- Creative/innovative storytelling
- Epic Score
- Immersive
- Great character development with satisfying story arcs

Empire Strikes Back - Widely regarded as better than Star Wars - Great movie, but not a "perfect movie"
- Even better score, special effects, character development
- Epic twist
- Great story, but incomplete
- Not original - never would have seen its success without the original

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

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Great movie, but not a "perfect movie"

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Ok, show your work here.

I think a fundamental detail here is people's definitions of "perfect" may be different.

To me, perfect doesn't imply a movie without flaws, as all movies have some. Whether it's due to technological limitations (as with Jaws and Star Wars), continuity errors, and stuff like that.

For me it's about having a good story without any major plot holes or conveniences, everything makes logical sense, characters have arcs, good story setups and payoffs, but also has to be entertaining. Everything beyond that is sort of "gravy" at that point, but if all the other stuff (such as music, cinematography, etc) is also top-notch, that makes something an all-time masterpiece.

Personally I think a movie like Back to the Future fits the bill due to its great, tight, funny script, plus the phenomenal performances, great score, on top of being wildly entertaining.

Then there's Empire Strikes Back and T2, which yes, both rely on previous films. But to me that doesn't detract from the stories those movies tell. Just because they couldn't exist in a vacuum to me shouldn't be a handicap.

Similarly for Fellowship. Sure, it doesn't have a proper "ending" because it's part of a larger story, but that doesn't take away from the arcs in that individual movie, as well as everything else being top notch.

A couple more that came to mind:

Gladiator
Halloween (May be slower for the current generation, but as a suspenseful thriller, it is perfect. And the cinematography is still an all-timer for me.)

2001: A Space Odyssey. It's the only movie that transcends just being a film to become an experience.

Haha

The hunt for Red October

Username does not check out.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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I think it's safe to say you are that movie's biggest fan.

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Are you crazy? Is that your problem?

Gladiator is on my perfect list because they never capitulated and made a sequel. Ditto BTILC. The Rock has been trying to make a "continuation" of the latter for several years but so far it's not happening. But it did inspire this marvelous quote from John Carpenter

"It's very early in the process. I haven't spoken to Dwayne Johnson about any of this," Carpenter told Speakeasy. "I'm ambivalent about a remake. On the other hand, it depends on how much they pay me."

How do you evaluate perfection? Let's see if we can build some parameters.

1. Characters are well defined and interesting
2. Characters stay true to their nature, unless a turn
3. Plot is cogent; and doesn't rely on mcgufffins or coincidence
4. Dialogue is well-thought out, not pedestrian or anachronistic (or both, like saying "okay" in middle earth)
5. The stakes are either high or engrossing (winning a grand prix isn't earth shattering, but you can get immersed into those stakes.)
6. Well shot/directed.
7. Does reception by audiences/critics matter? Does money matter? I think to some degree yes. But taco bell is not the best Mexican restaurant.

Two movies that I consider to be as close to perfectly made as can be are Apollo 13 and Master and Commander.

We must save sarah Conners life - high stakes
Can Harold and Kumar get to white castle - low stakes

I always mention it on threads like this, but American Beauty is so perfectly constructed and edited. Whether you're a huge fan of the movie or not, there isn't a wasted moment in it moving towards what they are trying to say. And so many unique moments too that still enhanced the story across comedy, romance, drama etc.

Dune (the original)

aggieactor01 said:

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TCTTS said:

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Personally, I think it's Fincher's best. A legit crime epic.

Tony Stark and Bruce Banner on fire throughout, just one year before the birth of the MCU.

A movie that feels like it took decades to research, obsessive in every way, in the best way.

And the perfect ending, with the "Hurdy Gurdy Man" callback.

I love it so, so much.

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I have never seen zodiac. I will have to watch it now. I can't remember why I didn't see it originally.

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Hell yeah.

TCTTS said:

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Personally, I think it's Fincher's best. A legit crime epic.

Tony Stark and Bruce Banner on fire throughout, just one year before the birth of the MCU.

A movie that feels like it took decades to research, obsessive in every way, in the best way.

And the perfect ending, with the "Hurdy Gurdy Man" callback.

I love it so, so much.

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Every time I hear "Hurdy Gurdy Man" I instantly think of the end of Zodiac.

Add the previously mentioned The Sting to your list, and it becomes perfect.

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Ditto BTILC

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I'll be honest, I always thought that movie and Escape From NY were part of the same series. Couldn't tell you one thing about either movie except Kurt Russel is in them.

I propose Inglourious Basterds and Pulp Fiction as well.

Naked Gun and Clue as perfect comedies.

Dumb and Dumber?

Sponge said:

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Naked Gun and Clue as perfect comedies.

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1+1+2+1

I think Master and Commander is a perfect period piece. Everything about this movie is just a pleasure to the eyes and ears.

I really can't think of anything wrong with that movie.

The Debt said:

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How do you evaluate perfection? Let's see if we can build some parameters.

1. Characters are well defined and interesting
2. Characters stay true to their nature, unless a turn
3. Plot is cogent; and doesn't rely on mcgufffins or coincidence
4. Dialogue is well-thought out, not pedestrian or anachronistic (or both, like saying "okay" in middle earth)
5. The stakes are either high or engrossing (winning a grand prix isn't earth shattering, but you can get immersed into those stakes.)
6. Well shot/directed.
7. Does reception by audiences/critics matter? Does money matter? I think to some degree yes. But taco bell is not the best Mexican restaurant.

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Maybe the best way to find a perfect movie is take one with multiple votes and try to poke holes in it. Why wouldn't it be considered a perfect movie?

Humorous Username said:

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Sponge said:

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Naked Gun and Clue as perfect comedies.

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1+1+2+1

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Blazing Saddles on line 1....

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Ditto BTILC

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I'll be honest, I always thought that movie and Escape From NY were part of the same series. Couldn't tell you one thing about either movie except Kurt Russel is in them.

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Well I hate to be brutal, but you have wasted your life up until now.

My definition of a perfect movie is - I wouldn't change a thing about it. But I have to disqualify anything from a series almost inherently, because other than the first of a series, you have to have inherent knowledge of what came before to call it perfect.

I'd definitely add Field of Dreams to my list.

There Will Be Blood
The Green Mile
Stand by Me
Born on the Fourth of July
Se7en

Rocky
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Nightcrawler

Secondhand Lions
Humor-Check
Adventure-Check
Drama-Check
Takes place in Texas-Check

You guys are doing well.

I'd add the good the bad and the ugly
Outlaw Jose wales
Conan the barbarian

The fugitive
Blues brothers

Cannonball run

Kelley's heroes

A bridge too far

Midnight run

Planes trains and automobiles

Trading places

Casablanca

Lawrence of Arabia

The wind and the lion

Fandango

Risky business

Blade runner

The Thing

Funky Winkerbean said:

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Dune (the original)

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