I'm compiling a personal list of what I consider the best movies of all time, not just critical darlings but films that had a profound impact on me or the medium itself. I keep revisiting classics like "Citizen Kane" for its technical innovation and "The Godfather" for its narrative mastery, but I'm also trying to make room for more recent and international works that push boundaries in different ways. I'm struggling with the criteria, though—should historical influence outweigh pure personal enjoyment, and how do you even begin to compare a silent era masterpiece with a contemporary animated film? What are the essential lenses through which you evaluate cinematic greatness?
Love this project. A simple, solid starting point is to judge with three lenses: personal resonance, historical impact, and craft/innovation. It keeps cross-era comparisons honest rather than ranking by vibes alone.
Practical framework:
- Formal craft: cinematography, editing, sound, performance, and technical breakthroughs.
- Impact: how it shaped genres, inspired later filmmakers, or changed industry norms.
- Medium quirks: silent cinema relies on visual storytelling; animation demands timing and design mastery; contemporary live action blends many elements.
- Personal significance: what it still makes you feel or think.
Use a lightweight scoring sheet and decide how much weight you give each axis.
Example comparison: Citizen Kane vs Parasite. Kane wowed with camera work and narrative structure; Parasite shows cultural impact and global reach. Neither is 'better' in absolute terms; they excel in different dimensions. Map the strengths to your criteria and be explicit about trade-offs.
Two lists approach can help. One for 'historical influence' and one for 'emotional resonance'. Add a third 'bridges' list for films that sit between eras. That honors taste while keeping context front and center.
Yes to balancing the canon with personal picks. Remember, historical influence isn't always positive or universal, and personal joy isn't shallow if it reveals something meaningful about you. The trick is to be transparent about what you value and why.
Want to kick off? Share your current top 10 and I’ll suggest a balanced, globally diverse set that covers both influence and personal significance—with short notes on what each pick contributes.