Defining the Best Part 1: Favorite vs. Universally Loved

Oh the Academy Awards, shall you shower us with your self-interest and pageantry that we may bask int he glory of fun film conversations.

Ok, Gravity brought us back to the question of "Best," even though it didn't win people were almost appalled at the film being in the discussion at all. That's not even to count the 6 wins that it garnered. It's still a bad movie, or so they say.

So let's start with a few deceptively easy questions, and we'll move on from there in the coming days:

1. What is your favorite film?
2. Why is it your favorite film?
3. What is, in your opinion, the most universally loved film?
4. Why is it the most universally loved film?

Serious answers only, I think we might all be interested in the debate. Just go from the gut. I'll start.

1. Throne of Blood
2. I think it's an intersection point for theater, film and literature, and that's a unique place to be. It has all the right pieces for a technically great film, the acting, editing, cinematography, etc., while also being rooted in a mythic history. It is a great journey, perhaps a sad one, that serves as a warning (almost like a fable). It was extremely innovative for its time, even after Seven Samurai, but was still restrained in approach. There isn't anything like this in Kurosawa's catalog, and not really in film. (I was debating between this Vertigo and City Lights, and Seven Samurai though).

3. The Wizard of Oz
4. That's a tough question to start - Casablanca, Wizard of Oz, Snow White, Gone With the Wind, etc. - but it really is the most crowd pleasing film if there ever was one. The fact that it was the first film to be in color only heightens its importance. And it used that to great effect. I just feel that no one can REALLY dislike it, or not marvel at it. The story is classic, the way it was presented was faithful and magnificent, just an all around crowd pleaser. While being technically competent, the acting kind of suffers (as does the script), but the innate charm makes it all seem...natural. The hokeyness and sincerity align with the fantastical nature of the world.