Top 10 Movies of ALL TIME (that I've seen)

In the latest episode of the #TeamNOLAFilm podcast, we discussed the recent change to the Sight & Sound Best Movies list, where "Citizen Kane" got bumped from number 1 by "Vertigo" - skip to 26:20:
During the discussion, we revealed our thoughts for best/favorite films ever. And, just a day or so ago, Sound on Sight asked its staff (including myself) to come up with individual Top 10 lists to be tallied for a comprehensive site list (coming soon).

So, with these two incidents happening side by side, I decided to just go ahead and post my slightly thought out and relatively pointless list of...

The 10 Best Movies of ALL TIME (that I've seen)!

1.(tie) "Apocalypse Now" and  Orson Welles' "The Trial"
- Yes, maybe it's a cop out coming up with a tie decision for the number 1 slot, but it is what it is. One may be the greatest war film made and the other may be the most absurd/hilarious comedy to be a depressing headache. Seek out both, and you will be automatically better for it.

3. Buster Keaton's "The General"
- Considering how far special effects and stunt work have come, this is truly amazing to watch. Back then, you had to do it FOR REAL. See where Jackie Chan draws his inspiration from.

4. "Once Upon a Time in America"
- You think Sergio Leone was only about the western? Pfft. If "The Godfather" is about family, then this is about memory, regret and friendship. Could've easily been at the top.

5. The Original "King Kong"
- One of the few movies to make me choked up in the end. You really end up caring about poor Kong. Another special effects wonder.

6. The Original "Metropolis"
- Not only has a wonderful message, but is dazzling and quite epic. It's a miracle that most of the missing scenes were found.

7. David Lynch's "Inland Empire"
- Lynch comes full circle from where he started with "Eraserhead". A 3 hour unofficial reinvention of "Alice in Wonderland", I like to think.

8. Abel Gance's "Napoleon"
- The only film on this list that I've NEVER FULLY SEEN. I read the book on the making of it, and knew it was among the best. Check out my earlier post on my optimism about its BluRay/DVD release.

9. "F for Fake"
- What? Another Orson Welles pick? Indeed. His final work (until "The Other Side of the Wind gets completed) is years ahead of its time. You can see where Oliver Stone got some of his techniques for "Natural Born Killers" (which almost made this list).

10. "Roman Holiday"
- I used to have a big crush on Audrey Hepburn, so I had to put this one on here. I love it when romantic comedies don't pick the easy way out, and go for bittersweet instead.

This is NOT meant to be permanent by any means, and even if it was, does it really matter? After all, these lists are really just meant to encourage discussion... So, with that in mind, please leave a comment!

Napoleonic Optimism

I forget exactly how I first came across Abel Gance's "Napoleon", but I do remember how I fell in love with it; by reading Kevin Brownlow's book. He chronicles the pre production, production and exhibition of, in my opinion, one of the greatest cinematic achievements ever - an opinion I formed from the book alone! The innovation in the project alone is breathtaking.

Thought lost for decades, Mr. Browlow slowly and painstakingly put together as close of a restoration as possible (now clocking in at almost 6 hours!) - a restoration that was screened just a week or so ago in this country. Being unable to attend - even suggesting to the promoters that the screening be streamed online - I started, as I had when I first finished the book, dreaming about an appropriate home video release.

And for that matter, why isn't Abel Gance's epic "Napoleon" on Criterion? http://j.mp/dpmzad
— Roger Ebert (@ebertchicago) May 27, 2010

Some years ago, it was almost impossible to think that a Criterion DVD of "Napoleon" would be released, considering the legal trouble between Francis Ford Coppola - who assisted with a version in the early 80's - and Brownlow over their respective cuts. But, considering the recent screening event being green lit by both parties, I think we may be closer than ever to watching a complete set of the film at home. Consider also the following from an interview with Brownlow on in70mm.com:

ML: In other words, there has been a rapprochement between all parties. 

KB: Yes, well the idea is that the Coppola version will be upgraded with our material and eventually we hope that our version will be on DVD. 

ML: On Bluray ?

KB: Yes.
ML: Hopefully this will be with the Carl Davies score. Has there been a compromise with the Carmine Coppola score?

KB: No! That will always be on their version.

ML: But they have given permission to release both versions?

KB: I think that the idea is that both versions will be available but, God, it is taking a long time.

And this little nugget from a NYTimes article:

"Mr. Harris agreed with the characterization of the festival screenings as a kind of a test run for the digital restoration, which suggests that he and Zoetrope (Coppola) have plans for future exploitation, including, maybe, a DVD and Blu-ray."

Sure, I've read a few articles where Brownlow suggests - and flat out says - that no DVD release is planned, but I refuse to accept that as the final answer. I think that the ultimate goal here ought to be in bringing the film to the attention of as many movie lovers as possible. If money is an issue, would a kickstarter like campaign be too naive?

I'm not trying to suggest that viewing the film - especially the grand triptych finale - on a TV would be the same as seeing it in a theater with a live orchestral performance; because it's not. And I understand that there is still some footage that has yet to be recovered. But, if "Metropolis" - a film that equally deserves theatrical presentation and also has some footage missing - can get a home video release and thus be enjoyed by just about anybody...

Will a Blu Ray/DVD release of "Napoleon" ever happen? I'd like to think so.