Films which are close to "perfection"

[2099net]

A perfect film doesn't have to be your favourite. For example I sort of like "Manos: The Hands of Fate" but it's nowhere near prefection. Likewise many think Kubrick's "The Shining" is perfection, but I don't have much affinity for it.

Anyhow, here's a list I've drawn up:

The Invisible Man
This is the black and white Universal film. I think this film is close to perfection for the following reasons. [1] It improves on the H G Wells original tale [2] It mixes thrills and comedy seamlessly [3] The special effects are stunning. Even today some are impressive. It must be impossible to imagine how moviegoers in the mid-30's would have reacted to them. [4] Claude Rains puts in a masterful performance, and 90% of the acting is dependent on his voice.

Stuart Saves His Family
A SNL spin-off and a critical and commercial disaster. But it's one of my favourite movies and the best SNL spin-off movie in my opinion. It's a class above most films and is really a drama-comedy. A wonderful script, it's a movie I can watch over and over and get more out of each viewing. That's pretty close to perfect in my book.

Amelie
Wonderful. This film is absolutely wonderful. Romantic, eccentric, happy and sad, this film has it all. Many films claim to be modern day fairy tales, this one is. Special mention must be made of the art direction throughout. Another film you can watch over and over and get more from each viewing. Everyone should watch this with their partner. VIVE LE FRANCE!

Duck Soup
A perfect film should stand the test of time. So should a perfect comedy. Duck Soup is both. Today Groucho's one liners put similar quips in modern movies to shame. Duck Soup will probably be remembered as the best comedy of all time.

Citizen Kane
This film is close to perfection. But everyone knew that already the amount of essays and articles written about it.

[Jack]

I believe that Psycho, Beauty and the Beast, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, though they be polar opposites, reach perfection. I can't think of one thing that could make them better movies.

There are several I could list that are close to perfection, however: Casablanca, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, The Empire Strikes Back, Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Pinocchio, the list goes on.

[STASHONE]

Jacob's Ladder.

Watch this a few times and you'll understand. It's a flawless film.

[Son of the Morning]

Some atypical choices here...

Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain
Casablanca
Nuovo Cinema Paradiso
Magnolia
The People vs. Larry Flynt
Pleasantville
Punch-Drunk Love[/i]

[Jake Lipson]

Here we are, in more or less alphabetical order. Comments will be following shortly, but in general I'd like to preface this list by saying that each movie acchieves "perfection" amongst its peers (ie, movies of the same type), and I know a lot of my choices here wouldn't qualify on other's lists. But, here is MY list.

<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0055254/ target=blank>101 Dalmatians</a> (1961)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0118617/ target=blank>Anastasia (1997)</a>
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0103639/ target=blank>Aladdin</a> (1992)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0034492/ target=blank>Bambi</a> (1942)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0101414/ target=blank>Beauty and the Beast</a> (1991)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0319061/ target=blank>Big Fish</a> (2003)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0120623/ target=blank>A Bug's Life (1998)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0264464/ target=blank>Catch Me If You Can</a> (2003)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0299658/ target=blank>Chicago </a>(2002)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0042332/ target=blank>Cinderella</a> (1950)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0033563/ target=blank>Dumbo</a> (1941)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0083866/ target=blank>E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial</a> (1982)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0338013/ target=blank>Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind</a> (2004)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0032455/ target=blank>Fantasia</a> (1940)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0120910/ target=blank>Fantasia 2000 </a> (1999)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0266543/ target=blank>Finding Nemo</a> (2003)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0061852/ target=blank>The Jungle Book (1967)</a>
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0048280/ target=blank>Lady and the Tramp</a> (1955)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0275847/ target=blank>Lilo & Stitch</a> (2002)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0110357/ target=blank>The Lion King</a> (1994)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0097757/ target=blank>The Little Mermaid</a> (1989)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0120737/ target=blank>The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring</a> (2001)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0167261/ target=blank>The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers</a> (2002)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0167260/ target=blank>The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King</a> (2003)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0076363/ target=blank>The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh</a> (1977)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0058331/ target=blank>Mary Poppins</a> (1964)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0133093/ target=blank>The Matrix (1999)</a>
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0198781/ target=blank>Monsters, Inc.</a> (2001)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0120762/ target=blank>Mulan</a> (1998)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0327056/ target=blank>Mystic River</a> (2003)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0055277/ target=blank>The Parent Trap (1961)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0046183/ target=blank>Peter Pan</a>(1953)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0032910/ target=blank>Pinocchio</a> (1940)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0325980/ target=blank>Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl</a> (2003)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0063442/ target=blank>Planet of the Apes</a> (1968)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0210945/ target=blank>Remember the Titans</a> (2000)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0053285/ target=blank>Sleeping Beauty</a> (1959)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0298148/ target=blank>Shrek 2</a> (2004)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0029583/ target=blank>Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs</a> (1937)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0059742/ target=blank>The Sound of Music</a> (1965)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0145487/ target=blank>Spider-Man</a> (2002)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0166813/ target=blank>Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron</a> (2002)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0245429/>Spirited Away</a> (2001)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0076759/ target=blank>Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope</a> (1977)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0080684/ target=blank>Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back</a> (1980)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0120855/ target=blank>Tarzan</a> (1999)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0088247/ target=blank>The Terminator</a> (1984)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0103064/ target=blank>T2: Judgment Day</a> (1991)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0120338/ target=blank>Titanic</a> (1997)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0114709/ target=blank>Toy Story</a> (1995)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0120363/ target=blank>Toy Story 2</a> (1999)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0298228/ target=blank>Whale Rider</a> (2003)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0055614/ target=blank>West Side Story</a> (1961)
<a href=http://imdb.com/title/tt0290334/ target=blank>X2</a> (2003)

[pinkrenata]

Amelie and Moulin Rouge. Of course, many would disagree.

[Sekaino Jasmine]

The Nightmare Before Christmas is flawless for sure.

[TheZue]

My list is largely based on Pure entertainment Value. These are the movies I can watch over and over again and still be totally facinated by.

Romeo & Juliet (the new one)
The Lion King
Beauty and The Beast
Alladin
Bug's Life
Traffic
Monty Python and The Holy Grail
Oceans 11 (new one) mainly due to eye candy
Troy
Schindler's List
Batman 2
The Joy Luck Club
Kill Bill
Minority Report
Star Trek 1st Contact

[Ludwig Von Drake]

Citizen Kane, Casblanca, and Beauty and the beast

[PatrickvD]

The Little Mermaid
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Emperor's New Groove
Moulin Rouge
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Kill Bill vol. 2
Monsters Inc.
Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban

of course those are close to perfect in my world. Because something like this totally depends on ones opinion. Most of these films are recent... I guess I havent watched that many movies in my life

[STASHONE]

Well this topic veered pretty quickly..

I think people have some misconceptions as to the definition of "flawless" and "favorite".

[2099net]

Films that are almost close to perfection, but missing out due to a fatal flaw:

The Mummy (1932 - don't get any wrong ideas!)

An excellent film. Personally I'd rate if over Bride of Frankenstein. It's a title that never seems to get the credit it is due. Probably due to the weak and phoned-in performance by David Manners for most of the film. His performance along drags this down from being "close to perfection"

Moulin Rouge
Again another excellent film. But for my liking there's a little to much quick camera cutting for me. (See I am getting old!)

Manos, The Hands of Fate
A wonderful film, with an not-at-all-obvious-but-still-a-bit-creepy-in-the-"Ewww, I feel dirty now"-sense-rather-than-the-"Aaaggghhh! That scared me"-sense-ending : everyone should see this masterpiece now! (Don't get the MST3K version, for some reason the gang think the film is a classic stinker and riff all the way through it. I don't know where they got that idea from). This film would be perfect, until I found out Manos means "hands". So the title is "Hands, the Hands of Fate" and that's just silly and stupid, thus dragging the film down from being "close to perfection"

I am joking about the last one, before anyone attempts do sue me for mental trauma after watching Manos on my "recommendation".

[Disney Guru]

Here Is My List

Guess Whos Coming To DInner
Adams Rib
Song Of The South
So Dear TO My Heart
Calamity Jane
Pillow Talk
Please Don't Eat The Daisies
Cinderella
BAMBI
Peter Pan
Happiest Millionaire
Love Bug )Origional(
One And ONly Genuine Origioanl Family Band

+ A lot More~

[Christian]

I could name several but A Christmas Story is one where I can't think of any way for it to be improved upon.

[Poppins#1]

This is a good topic. While many of you are totally missing the point by rattling off lists of your favorite movies. Here are a couple that I would say meet the criteria for perfection even though they aren't necessarily my favorites:
"Lawrence of Arabia" The second have of this movie puts me to sleep every time, but... if you study the incredible cinematography, the epic storytelling and subtle acting, it is defintely a flawless film.
"Monter's Ball" While the subject matter is depressing and it is definetely not a feel-good movie, there is not a false note in the acting or storyline.

[WOLFie]

I have one that stand out but many more I personaly think are flawless.


Band of Brothers the HBO series, even though I not sure it qualifies I think is perfection. Am I fired?

[DisneyChris]

Well, here's my list:

The Godfather (1972)
Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
Amadeus (1984)
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Ghost (1990)
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Aladdin (1992)
Jurassic Park (1993)
The Lion King (1994)
Toy Story (1995)
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Finding Nemo (2003)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

[STASHONE]

Another Id rate, while not very well recived, is Scorceses 'Bringing Out The Dead'.

The feelings and emotions it manages to induce of desperity and exhaustion mirrored through the perspectives of the protagonists who struggle to find distance and balance between their lives and surroundings as reflected and enhanced by their work through kaleidoscopic imagery of death and sickness, addiction, pain, negativity, etc. It's all so surreal yet perfectly amalgamated and resonated through this film and realisticaly embodied as the emotions transcend the characters on screen. It makes you feel uneasy and at times nauseous. It's not entertainment, it's honest filmmaking and Scorcese succeeded entirely in portraying these intense impressions beyond a purely one-dimensional similitude.


Also, if there's a more "perfect" film than Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange - Ive yet to attest.

[DisneyQuack]

What about such classics as Weekend at Bernies? Or BASEketball? Any takers???? Don't forget Freddy vs Jason.

MQ

[GOGOinVegas]

I think I understand what you mean by perfect.~ my list:

PULP FICTION ~ I love the way the story intertwines with itself, the cast is superb, it MADE Samuel Jackson, and brought back Travolta. Great funny script. Fearless violence. GREAT soundtrack, and I can always find something new whenever I watch it!!

STAR WARS 4 A NEW HOPE was also very well put together . The cast choices are obviously great as are the support from the droids and the villains. Still the best as far as Im concerned.

AMELIE. After watching this, I couldnt believe what I had seen! So beautiful, and charming, and creative on so many levels. Many lessons of life even manage come up. ::Spoiler:: When she booby traps the bosses house is particular clever.

The EXCORCIST : still scares me to death although the added stuff in the newer release is not needed. this movie raised th bar for me on horror flicks.


ALMOST PERFECT (for me )

STAND BY ME ~ the train jump always bugged me, too fake, and Gordys weird parents bug me. But still a classic to me.

The SHINING~ an incredible film, and sometimes better than the book which is obviously rare, but you can see the helicopter thats filming them in the opening credits.

CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON ~ another beautiful film, I just cant get over the ending! stunning visually and some of the best fight scenes.
what a cool title too.

TEEN WOLF 2 ~ I didnt like his suit in this one