what's the BEST movie you'e ever seen?

and why?

Star Wars: A New Hope

And the why is Complicated. It's just the best movie I've ever seen.

I'm going to go with "Amelie" and "Burnt by the Sun". I can't pick one. Amelie because it's the most beautifully filmed movie I've seen, the story line is simple but fantastic. I love it. And Burnt by the Sun because I just love it. It's a Russian film that takes place during Stalin's rule about a person who comes back into this family's life but not for something good. They made a sequel a year or so ago... I need to check it out.

Finding Nemo

It is the bar by which all other movies are measured.  Original story.  Funny.  Beautiful.  Poignant.

Or maybe I'm just saying that because I've seen it One Meelion Times, thanks to my 4 year old.

Actually, all the other movies I truly love are childrens movies, too.  Grown up movies just aren't as fun.  I can't wait to see WALL-E.

For me, it's a tie between "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Princess Bride."

The first because of a timely story and the epitome of a do-it-all movie star: Gene Kelly was the man.  He was good looking, he could sing, dance, act, choreograph, write, and direct.  And the funniest scene in a movie ever:  "Here's one thing I've learned from the movies!"(whop...pie in face).

The second because it's a wonderfully quirky love story, with some of the best lines ("...you miserable vomitous mass...."), my favorite cameo (Billy Crystal as Miracle Max) that has not be matched by any other since , IMO, and an ending that told you the movie was about something more than just a princess.  Okay, I've got to watch that again tonight...

Mannequin Too.

Best comedy ever for obvious reasons.

Original Post by santonacci:

For me, it's a tie between "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Princess Bride."

...

The second because it's a wonderfully quirky love story, with some of the best lines ("...you miserable vomitous mass...."), my favorite cameo (Billy Crystal as Miracle Max) that has not be matched by any other since , IMO, and an ending that told you the movie was about something more than just a princess.  Okay, I've got to watch that again tonight...

 That's #2 on my list, too.  Inconceivable!

Original Post by juliemae2:

 That's #2 on my list, too.  Inconceivable!

 Actually, the one I tend to use in normal conversation (if the mood is right and I'm feeling snarky):  "Truly you have a dizzying intellect."  I have to refrain from giggling if they thank me. 

This kind of poll is very revealing of personal preferences.  I mean, I recognize  movies listed by critics and others here as notably great movies that have influenced me (particularly Star Wars), but my personal "best movies" are always the same.

Amelie

Pan's Labyrinth

The Princess Bride

Terms of Endearment

Requiem for a Dream

I think that the score, and the cinematography really give a lot of emotion to a topic near and dear to my heart.  I love how it shows the progression of addiction, and how it affected different people in different ways.  It is a very beautiful film.

A lot of movies have ripped off some of the music written for this film because it is so beautiful... but for me it still envokes the emotions from this one.

My current favorite is Gladiator. 

Why?  Maybe its the riveting storyline and dramatic action sequences. 

Or maybe it's Russell Crowe.

"The Green Mile"

"The Notebook"

"Wedding Crashers"

Lord of the Rings (all of them, they were meant to be one book, so I see them as one movie, and usually watch them as such)

followed closely by Gladiator and then Braveheart

For me, it's Good Will Hunting. Everything in it just works for me. I love the plot, actors, etc. It makes me smile.

A close second is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It really makes you think & I like that. The soundtrack, actors, cinematography, everything is just great.

"Memento"

I can't explain it, you just have to see it.

Good Will Hunting

I love that movie!

Also- Snatch

I can't decide... Memento, Princess Bride, the Notebook, Braveheart, The Shining (the original) Shrek, I could really go on and on... I think I too, will be watching Princess Bride again tonight!

Amelie and Dogma are the first ones that come to mind ...

"Shichinin no samurai" - Seven Samurai

Akira Kurosawa is a genius. 

I purposefully neglect a lot of Japan's cultural exports because I find them, and the people who obsess over them, annoying to an astonishing level.  However, this film was released in '56, before stuff got weird and anime/magna/jap-pop nerds rose to prominence, and is one of the greatest cinematic achievements known to man.

I don't know about "best", but some of my favorite movies are:

My Fair Lady. Audrey Hepburn was so beautiful in this film (other than the first few scenes haha) and I loved the story and acting. It's one of the few old (pre 70's) films that I enjoy.

Lord of the Rings trilogy. I've been a fan of the books for YEARS, having read them 9 times over. I didn't think the movies were as good, but they were still superb in my opinion.

Spirited Away/My Neighbor Totoro. Hayao Miyazaki is a freaking genius. I love most of the films he's written/directed. Beautiful stuff.

Donni Darko. Crazy movie that really makes you think.

I also love love LOVE the Pirates of the Carribean trilogy. I used to have a major crush on Orlando Bloom.

King of Hearts and Love Actually are two of my favorites.

I also really love Sneakers.