DISQUS

Jim · 7 months ago

Roger Ebert suggested "The Blair Witch Project," narrowed the gap between amateur productions and big-budget studio films (to say nothing of the increasing general emphasis on handheld cameras).

In truth, there really haven't been any movies that notably advanced the form in the past thirty years. There have been high water marks ("Raging Bull," "Schindler's List," "Seven"), but most of the influential films in our generation have merely influenced trends. "Scream" and the post-modern horror films, "Lord of the Rings" and the return of epic Hollywood, "The Matrix" and dark-leather-action "cool."

Michelle_FSR · 7 months ago

If Blair Witch truly is to blame for the trend of horrible sequences filled with shakeycam effects, then I think someone should go back in time and stop it ever being made. It would save me alone large piles of money which I spent on painkillers after the stupid shaking caused me headaches!

huffmaster · 7 months ago

If I HAD to pick a film I would say "The Matrix" but I'm not sure it should be called influential.

ChiefSquirrel · 7 months ago

I think one could argue that Clerks really brought independent film mainstream and was a reasonably groundbreaking comedy. I would also say Saving Private Ryan is highly influential

Chille · 7 months ago

I really think Lord of the Rings should be up there

Michelle_FSR · 7 months ago

The Matrix was the first movie to pop off my tongue when thinking about influential, but what about Halloween? Didn't it inspire huge numbers of slasher movies? Not to mention 2001: A Space Odyssey or even Alien? How about influential animated movies? After all, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is not the only animated movie to have influenced what we see today!

Yes, TCM focused on only the most influential classic movies, but what defines a classic? Is it only age? Do movies have to be 30+ years old to be classics now? (Also, yikes - Star Wars is 32 years old this year). The word "classic" doesn't even refer to the age of something, the dictionary defines it as (among many other things) - "of the first or highest quality, class, or rank: a classic piece of work." Another definition? Definitive. Was "The Matrix" a definitive piece of cinema history? Absolutely. So are many other movies which have been released far more recently. Hell, each genre has a "classic" movie and the comic genre alone has a couple of "classic" additions in the last couple of years. How about "Wall-E" as a definitive piece of animation history?

This is the problem with publishing lists of the "best" movies under whatever category or employing whatever specification. Something is always going to be missed.

Michelle_FSR · 7 months ago

The Matrix was the first movie to pop off my tongue when thinking about influential, but what about Halloween? Didn't it inspire huge numbers of slasher movies? Not to mention 2001: A Space Odyssey or even Alien? How about influential animated movies? After all, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is not the only animated movie to have influenced what we see today!

Yes, TCM focused on only the most influential classic movies, but what defines a classic? Is it only age? Do movies have to be 30+ years old to be classics now? (Also, yikes - Star Wars is 32 years old this year). The word "classic" doesn't even refer to the age of something, the dictionary defines it as (among many other things) - "of the first or highest quality, class, or rank: a classic piece of work." Another definition? Definitive. Was "The Matrix" a definitive piece of cinema history? Absolutely. So are many other movies which have been released far more recently. Hell, each genre has a "classic" movie and the comic genre alone has a couple of "classic" additions in the last couple of years. How about "Wall-E" as a definitive piece of animation history?

This is the problem with publishing lists of the "best" movies under whatever category or employing whatever specification. Something is always going to be missed.

JMoney · 7 months ago

Fair points, but I classic can also be defined as: "Having lasting significance or worth; enduring"

And I think that is the definition they would use, and it is kind of hard to say a movie that is only 10 years old has lasting significance.

JMoney · 7 months ago

Fair points, but classic can also be defined as: "Having lasting significance or worth; enduring"

And I think that is the definition they would use, and it is kind of hard to say a movie that is only 10 years old has lasting significance.

Cole_Abaius · 7 months ago

I'd agree with that - it's difficult to tell whether something that was made in 1999 would be considered "classic" - let alone "influential."

I think it all depends on whether these films actually influenced filmmakers either directly or indirectly. That's something hard to quantify, although I do think that list is a stellar list of films.

But there are definitely a few films from the 1980s that have influenced the filmmakers of today. And I know it's off that topic, but is The Godfather not more influential?

Michelle_FSR · 7 months ago

It's true that it's difficult to say whether something will have lasting significance after only ten years, but surely that's dependent on the movie itself. If a movie has a large enough footprint of influence, even only within those ten years, the ripple effect continues on down the line. The Matrix had a similar effect on pop culture as Star Wars, and plenty of movie makers have been influenced by it. I'd say it will be on that sort of list in the next decade or two, though perhaps not one written by TCM.

MrDeath · 7 months ago

Actually I thought that too. It's kinda strange that The Godfather isn't on there, even though more and more filmmakers claim it's their greatest influence.

Cole_Abaius · 7 months ago

You're right about representing it fairly - I've changed the article to reflect the actual title. That's my fault for not catching it.

As for including films in the 80s, it seems like the new round of filmmakers grew up on those films. Makes sense that more than a few would be influential.

JMoney · 7 months ago

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...

Roger Ebert made the same mistake you guys did with the title, so I guess I can forgive you.

Quenfis · 7 months ago

These movies are definitely Film School fodder. I wrote an essay, even final term essays, on more than half of these films. But, I am amazed that Star Wars is the end all of the top 10 and the influential movies. Maybe I missed something. But, are these movies that influenced artists or the world? Not sure what influence these would have on say, world leaders or captains of industry. But, to the little kid growing up in the 80's, movies like E.T. and Indy were influential. As a twenty year old in the 90's, movies like Seven and even The Matrix (as mentioned by another poster above) were influential.

I guess it depends on how you would define the influence of movies to those who are now making movies, or looking forward to making movies. Aronofsky, Fincher, Coen Bros, Anderson, etc. are all making movies that inspire and motivate people to follow their dreams as a visual artist. TCM needs to dust off their cane and get in bed after a 3 PM dinner. The soft food is mushing up their brain.

dragonmum · 7 months ago

Star Wars was more influential to the industry, not so much to art. My hubby & I were just talking about this the other day... imagine trying to explain this to a 10yo tomboy who doesn't like sci-fi lol... You have to remember that when Star Wars came out, science fiction wasn't exactly mainstream, so the movie was a huge financial risk. We all know the stories... everybody was working on spec, at least half the desired effects had to be invented, only one real "name" actor, yadda spew. Imagine you're the studio who's being asked to bank that. And when it DID hit it big, movie merchandising got forever kicked into high gear, and science fiction was suddenly the hottest topic anywhere. Any studio with a few bucks backed every sci-fi property it could get its hands on. So in a way, I guess you could say Star Wars is responsible for most of the crappy sci-fi we've had to endure the past twenty years. Thanks, Lucas! lol

jack2jack · 7 months ago

I agree with you. I too had to write papers in my Intro to Film on these classics. Our Professor constantly had us watch a number of clips and interviews from the young Speilberg, Cohen, Fincher etc... commenting on some of the elder directors/producers styles and why they copied it in their movies. He even gave us music viedo examples of Madonna and other artist.

Problem is current lists are catering to the times. If you are going to make a list make sure you set paramaeters and stick to them. You are not going to please everyone. Viewers should walk away with a general agreement although maybe not the placement of some films. Not comment WTF was he smoking when he came up with this list.

jack2jack · 7 months ago

And remember who gave us TCM. Is this not the same person who thought some of these "oldies" should have "color" added yo them?

JMoney · 7 months ago

well I'd say in the next few years you will see that. I think it has somewhat to do with the general perception of the public/society. sometimes i find myself thinking, ahh the 80s werent that long ago, but then you take a step back and realise, holy crap its 2009. people kinda forget for a minute how long ago it was, maybe that has something to do with it, or maybe it's just me that thinks that way.

duck · 7 months ago

where the fuck is the pagemaster?

MrDeath · 7 months ago

Goodnight everybody!

phrenetik · 7 months ago

In my opinion: Finding Nemo (for starting the trend of quality animated films on the big screen), Goldfinger (for inspiring countless homages and references), The Godfather, 300 and The Dark Knight.

SoulHonky · 7 months ago

Unfortunately, I'd have to say "Independence Day". That film showed studio execs that they didn't need established stars or much in terms of a script as much as they just needed big effects and enough explosions/one liners to fill a trailer. I'd also go with "Happiness", a film which almost reveled in not being mainstream, something which indie films have really been running with every since. Maybe there's a better example, perhaps "Pink Flamingos". Or perhaps you could argue the opposite and go with something like "Taxi Driver", a film that proved that unrepentant art house flicks could cross over to the mainstream.

Adam_Since_1986 · 7 months ago

Oh of course people are going to say The Dark Knight. I don't see how that movie could be considered influential. But I really don't want to get into it. The Godfather should be on the list for sure, and I'm shocked that it is not.

In terms of films from the 90's I need to go with Toy Story because it really started the animated big screen push. At least it was the first one that I remember that really pulled people into the theaters. So it most definitely influenced the animated "Pixar" style of blockbusters that we see today.

dragonmum · 7 months ago

Blair Witch Project was my first instinct - for me at least, it was the first original horror movie I'd seen in a while. And the first that had truly scared me. Definitely Toy Story; it was the first CGI movie that made it to the big screen, opening up the door for others, and for Pixar to become as huge as they have; and it's a crime that The Godfather isn't here.

KC Masterpiece · 7 months ago

I will be honest and have only seen about half of these. One that I recently watched though and was very surprised with was Rashomon. I believe it was the first movie to tell the same basic story, but with altered events and perception because the story is told by different people.

I think it MUST have held up really well, because I have never seen it and I still really enjoyed it. I also don't mind subtitles.

flameyheadgear · 7 months ago

Not sure why 'The Godfather' isn't there. Not sure at all.

I also propose any of these: 'The Deerhunter', 'Hallowe'en', 'Memento', 'Star Wars', 'Apocalypse Now', 'Raging Bull', 'The Sixth Sense', 'Rocky'...

Adam_Since_1986 · 7 months ago

Why? I'm just not seeing it.

Chille · 7 months ago

I just figured it was a great influence in terms of special effects. I mean nobody thought that movie was possible before.