Imdb top 250 - popularity contest or movies to cherish for a lifetime

[Bytor2112]

Just a quick poll

[dallywhitty]

Popularity contest. The Shawshank Redemption above The Godfather? Really!? It only came about because fans of The Dark Knight were giving The Godfather poor ratings.

[fgomike]

Agreed. But then again, when is a poll not a popularity contest?

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by fgomike

agreed. But then again, when is a poll not a popularity contest?

+1

[Marcus Wright]

There are some movies that are there based solely on popularity (Inception) but overall, I think its a solid indication of what movies are really great.

Afterall, isn't the line between popularity and "greatness" really grey??
Just a thought.

[raven_32]

i haven't seen 159 of them but for the most part besides a few the ones i have seen on the list are most of my fav. movies but i still think its a popularity contest but there still great movies

[Foggy]

Both, the order of the movies is pure Popularity contest, while almost all films on the list are to be cherished for a lifetime. Though I would say there are more than 250 movies that are lifetime cherish-able.

[csdot]

no matter what your opinion may be, the list IS a popularity contest as it is determined by user votes. while some of them are movies to cherish i wouldnt use this list as the be all end all list, youd be missing out on a lot.

[Icedburden]

Inception and The Dark Knight are in the top 10. Enough said.

[raven_32]

Originally Posted by csdot

no matter what your opinion may be, the list IS a popularity contest as it is determined by user votes. while some of them are movies to cherish i wouldnt use this list as the be all end all list, youd be missing out on a lot.

do you know of a better list?

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by raven_32

do you know of a better list?

Better of without a list really, just watch films willy nilly and off the bat instead of ticking them off one by one on a list

[csdot]

Originally Posted by raven_32

do you know of a better list?

i wouldnt really bother with any list, they are mostly going to have the same stuff but in varying order. Empire magazine did a top 500 list a few years ago which was interesting. again more of the same mostly but there were some less obvious titles in there and nice little blurbs about each selection.
if you are interested in seeking out the best movies i would recommend just using films you already love as a stepping stone to ones you havent seen. if you think a movie is well made overall check out more films by that director (and find out what/who influenced them), if its the performances that make it stand out check out more films featuring that cast, etc. just doing a little research can lead you to things you might not ever find out about, thats what ive always done.

[J. J. Hunsecker]

Originally Posted by raven_32

do you know of a better list?

http://www.afi.com/100years/movies10.aspx

http://www.filmsite.org/greatlists.html

[TheForce8686]

Originally Posted by Icedburden

Inception and The Dark Knight are in the top 10. Enough said.

I agree with this guy. List of Greatest movies.

[wilky61]

About five years ago the list meant a lot more than it does now. It's still a pretty good list, though, just too heavy on current movies.

Call me a snob, but this is THE list: http://www.theyshootpictures.com/gf1...l1000films.htm

[sfmarine]

There's a lot of great films on there and well deserved but it is definitely a popularity contest.

[Adrock]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

There's a lot of great films on there and well deserved but it is definitely a popularity contest.

+1. Totally agree.

[Bytor2112]

Originally Posted by wilky61

About five years ago the list meant a lot more than it does now. It's still a pretty good list, though, just too heavy on current movies.

Call me a snob, but this is THE list: http://www.theyshootpictures.com/gf1...l1000films.htm

nice find, and some nice classics on that list, but Blade Runner at #26? its a good movie, but it should not be that high. IMO

real heavy on the current movies!!! a new movie comes out and every kid goes out and gives it 10 stars because it has awesome explosions and cgi. i shouldn't say every kid, cause some kids are switched on and know a good movie when they see it.

[Zarneverfike]

I considered box office returns to be a pure "popularity contest." I picked the latter option because I think imdb ratings are a much much better indicator of how good a movie is. Its not perfect, but I think most movies on that list and others rated highly are generally good movies. It is true its a bit weighted for newer flicks, but over time those movies tend toward fairer scores.

Also, a note about the poll itself: I think "actual great movies to cherish for a lifetime" is a bit hyperbolic, and may be skewing results. Kind of like the polls you hear on cable news shows:

conservative: "Should we build a border fence along the U.S. - Mexican border, or should Mexicans get free limo rides into the U.S.?"

liberal: "Is healthcare reform a good idea, or should we just euthanize destitute sick people?"

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Marcus Wright

but overall, I think its a solid indication of what movies are really great.

Overall, it's just showing the films that get the strongest media attention, and pretty much made in Hollywood. So IMDB tells us movies are only good in the Hollywood system and no one else makes films. THE LACK OF CINEMATIC EXPLORATION & EDUCATION is what is shown with public lists. Yeah there are a few "basic" foreign films in there and what not, but the fact people can't/won't take chances them self and rather go off a list for what is "good", tells alot. Make your own fav/best movies. There isn't a good or bad way to make a film. So when one is regarded higher than another and people suck into that OPINION, it's just funny.