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orejones' challenge... the shocking results

I walked into another minefield by suggesting that BArry Lyndon was one of the best five fimls in history. Now he challenged me to identify the other four.

First, this is a rather stimulating challenge, bringing back many a memory. It is always enjoyable to page a great book.

But it also shows the near impossibility of any such task. Barry was easy - no matter whether you want fifty best, or twenty, or ten or five - it would be there. Three best? Yes. Two? Most likely. THE best? Well, possibly.

But how about the other four?

Some choices would be easy to make. As I mentally go around the globe, Bergman stands there as a monument. There must be at least one of his works. For the sort list of contenders for that one spot on the FIVE, I would have: The Seventh Seal (My wife's nomination), Persona (my pick) and Wild Strawberries. Just to get moving, let's me pick the Persona (OK, I'll buy my wife something nice...).

Italy deserves not one, but two spots. With so much to choose from the first decision is trivial - The Bicycle Thief. And the second one goes to one of the Fellini's greats. La Strada, Nights of Kabiria or 8 1/2... they all draw you in like a wirlpool. But we cantake just one... OK, La Strada it is.

With two more spots remaining, Mother Russia looks tempting. Eisenstein... Tarkovsky...several others... as much as I love some of their work, I would have to pass on that country... as those don't quite measure up to the trully great ones. The best I could do there would be the Mirror... but it still falls behind the top group.

So we keep going. Spain... Bunuel is a serious contender, and I would nominate hsi rather obscure Avenging Angel... but same story as with Russia - not quite there.

Germany... Germany... so many good ones, but none in that class.

France!!!!!!!! How many spots? I would love to give it two, but with the rest of the world still waiting, one she gets.

The competition is super-stiff. Rules of the Game. The Forbidden Games. Many others. Let's pick the Rules of the game and keep going.

It is that fifth spot that creates real problem. It is tempting to put Kurosawa in there, he is almost there, but..........

So, how about leaving that last one for now?

Shocking, I would say. With so many great ones, how come one spot remains empty? Perhaps this is just fitting.




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    Topic - orejones' challenge... the shocking results - Victor Khomenko 07:06:14 11/23/02 (27)


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