Yes, the Sight & Sound list is out , so we finally know what the best movies are. Our long national nightmare is over.
Jokes aside, the poll is important for one specific reason – because of the group of critics and filmmakers that it counts amongst its numbers. It provides a direct counterpoint to the IMDB and Flickchart lists that are wholly populist. Nothing wrong with that, just like there’s nothing wrong with the slow-moving consensus of a list that has trouble replacing old favorites for newer classics. It’s important to understand what fans hold in high regard, but it’s also fascinating to see what the best filmmaking and critical minds collectively believe are the best works of the seventh art. These lists are reflections purely of the taste of the group that’s voting.
While the entire “Best Ever” moniker is an impossible label for any movie to wear, there’s one thing that shouldn’t be up for debate: the movies included on the most recent list are all worth spending time with.
If you’re impatient and can’t wait for the rental store to open or the little red envelope to come in the mail, here’s how to immediately see the best movies of all time ever forever and ever until ten years from now. Go, Team Hitch.
Apple and Amazon links are all pay rentals. Hulu Plus and Netflix are, of course, for members and those looking to become members.
Vertigo – #1 on the Critics List and Tied for #7 on the Filmmakers List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
Citizen Kane – #2 on the Critics List and Tied for #2 on the Filmmakers List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
Tokyo Story – #3 on the Critics List and #1 on the Filmmakers List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
The Rules of the Game – #4 on the Critics List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans – #5 on the Critics List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
2001: A Space Odyssey – #6 on the Critics List and Tied for #2 on the Filmmakers List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
The Searchers – #7 on the Critics List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
Man with a Movie Camera – #8 on the Critics List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
The Passion of Joan of Arc – #9 on the Critics List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
8 1/2 – #10 on the Critics List and #4 on the Filmmakers List
Taxi Driver – #5 on the Filmmakers List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
Apocalypse Now – #6 on the Filmmakers List
The Godfather – #7 on the Filmmakers List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
The Mirror – #9 on the Filmmakers List
For Netflix Members Who Don’t Mind Waiting
Bicycle Thieves – #10 on the Filmmakers List
Over at IndieWire, they have a solid breakdown of the list and its statistical elements. Plus, Go Watch It has a detailed list of where to see the other films in the Top 50.
Did you know: You can own physical copies of movies? It’s true!