Yahoo’s List of 100 Movies to See Before You Die
It’s kind of a strange coincidence that on the same day I purchased a book called 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die (edited by Steven Jay Schneider), Yahoo! posted their own definitive list of 100 Movies to See Before You Die. There have been plenty of lists like these before, and usually they seem to contain just the obvious classics but nothing particularly new or different. The book, however, impressed me with how much variety it has; there are all kinds of hidden gems, cult classics and foreign films included in the mix.
As for Yahoo!’s list, it is pretty obvious that 100 movies is an incredibly small number to limit yourself to. There are probably a good chunk of these that are almost indisputable, and it’s hard to argue against how important and influential most of these movies are. Also, unlike the AFI Top 100, it’s not just limited to American cinema. Do you agree with their choices? How many have you seen so far? If you’re looking for a starting point to educate yourself and expose yourself to some great films, the Yahoo! list is probably a good start. If you want more, I recommend checking out the aforementioned book. I’m hoping to get through it over the next 50 years or so! (You can actually see the full list on the 1001 Before You Die website.)
» Related Link: Yahoo!: 100 Movies to See Before You Die
Comments (12)
Titanic + a shitload of Steven Spielberg movies.
Sounds about right for Yahoo.
Posted by Henrik on March 23rd, 2009Seen 85
Not seen 13
Won’t see 2
I plowed through a bunch of these exactly for the reason stated as they are just ‘those ones you have to see’.
Overall, nothing super surprized at – mostly American, Awards-y stuff. They only broke that a bit but thrilled to see Raise the Red Lantern & Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown on there.
It’s pretty cool that they included Die Hard. That takes some guts.
Surprized at Goldfinger and Groundhog Day. Would have expected Dr. No and The Big Lebowski instead.
Not 1 film I’d not heard of though. I’ll have to revisit the 1001 titles for that!
Posted by Shannon the Movie Moxie on March 23rd, 2009I actually bought that book in 2005 (not that edition) and have been trying to get through all of the movies, on-and-off, since then. I believe I’m about 400-ish deep. It’s a pretty awesome experience, actually.
Posted by Richard on March 23rd, 2009You got me beat Shannon.
Not seen 20 – will not see Sound of Music probably.
Funny enough though, two of those I was planning on fixing this week sometime: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Almodovar!) and Do the Right Thing.
Henrik, does 5 really = “a shitload?”
Posted by Andrew James on March 23rd, 2009I’ve only seen 40. Of those, I’d say I only really liked half, and most of the others don’t really interest me enough to see them. I don’t really like these “must see before you die” lists, I think it overhypes the titles and only leads to disappointment. And it’s also a lot of the same movies over and over again, leaving so many lesser known gems to never be discovered by casual movie fans who might not otherwise hear about them, and it doesn’t allow them to be original in their own viewing choices. I’m all for list-making, but I wish there was a little more creativity. I guess I shouldn’t expect as much from such a broad venue as Yahoo.
Posted by Ashley on March 23rd, 2009I was surprised that I had seen a little over 60 of those titles, and well above 70 if you include movies that I’ve seen in bits and pieces, but not straight through. I’m going to have to try harder to avoid these movies.
I was happy to see Paths of Glory, King Kong and The Lady Eve make the list, but I would swap out Enter The Dragon, Bringing Up Baby, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and a few others whose cast, crew or genre are better represented by something else.
Posted by Wintle on March 23rd, 2009I’ve seen 83. And I will add the rest to Netflix. There is a reason they say you should see these before you die. It’s not “100 Movies You Should See Before You Die Unless the Movie Isn’t Your Style or If You Think You’ll Hate It Anyway.” Just watch ‘em. You might be surprised (or learn something).
Posted by Brett on March 23rd, 2009I usually click on lists only to hit the back button shaking my head, but this one gets a thumbs up. Finally Terminator 2 is on one of these Top 100 all-time lists. According to Yahoo my movie Bucket List is almost complete.
Posted by Ryan M. on March 23rd, 2009I’ve seen 88. The one which surprised me most was “Fast Times At Ridgemont High”.
Posted by David Munn on March 24th, 2009Wintle, what would you replace “Enter the Dragon” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” with?
Jay, have you seen “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” yet? Ha ha. It didn’t make Yahoo’s list, but it made the “1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die” list! We’ll have to watch “Seven Samurai” together sometime.
(For those too young to remember, Jay and I have this feud over whether or not it’s possible for one person to ever see all the “classic” films ever made. I say “Yes,” and Jay says “No.” Jay even got Roger Ebert to agree with him!)
By the way, I’m in the same boat with Wintle. I’ve seen 60 of the Yahoo films, and bits and pieces of 10 more.
Posted by Reed Farrington on March 25th, 2009I’ve seen 74 all the way through. i too was very happy to see fast times.. and paths of glory. the bicycle thief and usual suspects: sweet inclusions as well.
@Andrew James: 5 spielberg movies *absolutely* equals a shitload when it constitutes 5% of the whole list, and there is NO buster keaton, NO yasujiro ozu, NO powell & pressburger, only 1 altman, only 1 renoir, and only 1 godard. and this could go on….
fuck spielberg. and fuck this list!
Posted by Richard on March 26th, 2009Saw 95 of the Yahoo 100. Though it a good list but noticed Buster Keaton’s “The General” and Charlie Chaplin’s “The Gold Rush”were missing.
Posted by Mr Chips on July 23rd, 2010Leave a Reply