re: 100 Best Films of the 21st Century, BBC Culture

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However, I think Mad Max has an incredibly rich story and terrific world-building, it's just done with efficiency, something a lot of young directors could learn

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Completely agree until the payoff, which really felt cheap to me. Otherwise I thought it was brilliant. Max telling them they need to just turn around was a massive let down.

My response regarding plot and story telling was only to say that a simple action flick or comedy which buries its plot and character in flash or jokes doesn't deserve to be on the list.

But my belief that story is paramount is why I have little love for the Master and other movies on this list. They are a mess structurally, and survive on name and single aspects of the complete work (e.g. the turn of the actors). That's not enough. I'd rather see movies like the Fountain and the Prestige on there. Hell, I recently saw Dope and thought that a better movie than the Master.

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Also, agree with others about The Incredibles. My favorite Pixar film; one of my favorite films, period.

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The Incredibles was also a visionary film. It was before the whole superhero craze (it was in its infancy with Spider-Man and X-Men) and also saw the general projection of what society would prize in the long run, but it tells them to their faces on why they're wrong: When Everyone's Super...

I haven't seen Yi Yi. Is it any good?

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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind


Is this worth making a priority? I've never seen it but have always told myself I should. I didn't realize it was this well thought of.

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I didn't really enjoy it.

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Well that's 'cause you're nuts

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Anybody have Whiplash in their top 100?



Id hope so. It would possibly be in my top 10

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I hope Whiplash doesn't fade into obscurity.

It's a fine line...sometimes I think it will fade away and sometimes I think it will be a cult classic.

I find it highly re-watchable.

The acting is great.


ETA: And as I mentioned earlier, The Prestige is one of the most enjoyable best films since 2000. It's one of the few commercial films that should be top 10 even on artsy lists.

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But my belief that story is paramount is why I have little love for the Master and other movies on this list. They are a mess structurally, and survive on name and single aspects of the complete work (e.g. the turn of the actors). That's not enough. I'd rather see movies like the Fountain and the Prestige on there. Hell, I recently saw Dope and thought that a better movie than the Master.

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I do agree with you on the Master. That's a film that is such a structural mess that no amount of great acting can save it. It just meanders around and then ends. It would be one thing if that's the point of the movie, but it's really not. It's trying to make an argument, but can't pull the pieces together. A hugely disappointing film.

I would include comedies and action movies, which I think is the problem with these lists. Look, I love my share of snooty art films (I'm outraged that not a single Shane Carruth film made it, for example, and I was so thrilled by A Separation's high marks). But even the original Film is Art critics of the Cahiers du Cinema recognized the value of genre films. It's through their efforts that we elevated, say, Alfred Hitchcock and John Ford to the canon of great directors, and not just purveyors of suspense or westerns.

I don't like to see the same snobbery here. There should be comedies, action films, and yes, superhero films on this list. There's room in any well-rounded cinemaphile's diet for both Spider-Man 2 AND the films of Haneke (who I think is massively overrated, but still... you should see his movies to be "well read"). The fact this list completely ignores J-horror, one of the more influential and exciting subgengres of this century is, frankly, inexcusable. Not even a cursory inclusion of Audition? For shame.

But I'd also posit the theory that mainstream movie fans are even MORE snobbish than the pretentious film fans. We have nearly four pages of replies, and the majority are ripping the list for including movies they never heard of. Maybe, just maybe, you should look at this list as a chance to broaden your horizons instead of retreating into your own comfort zone.

I mean, I think there's tons of films they left off that could have or even should have been included (Primer, Audition, The Prestige, The Avengers, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Sexy Beast, Big Fish, Step Brothers, The Descent...), but that should be a fun dialog, not a condemnation of the list.

I guess what I'm saying is that the fans of blockbusters should consider maybe, just maybe, there are a lot of great films being made they don't know about. and film snobs should concede that not every genre film is a piece of garbage just because it's popular. Film criticism should be about proclaiming a love of movies, not slamming doors.

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Also, agree with others about The Incredibles. My favorite Pixar film

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It's really the only Pixar film I like. I typically do not like animated movies whatsoever, but I love The Incredibles. The Incredibles is incredible.

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I can't believe The Prestige didn't make it.

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Me either. The Prestige is prestigious.

I can't stand Mullholland Drive, so seeing it at #1 make me want to hurl.

Life of Pi, Ex Machina, Whiplash and The Prestige was left off the list.

This makes no sense IMO.