ILX All-Time Film and Morbsies Poll: RESULTS Thread for ILX's Favorite Movies, Films, Cinema, Flicks & Moving Pictures

Feel like this poll might turn out exactly the way Morbius would have thought it would, if I may indulge myself with such a speculation.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/044-blue-velvet.jpg

44. BLUE VELVET (David Lynch, 1986, USA) [822 points; 15 votes]
S&S: 61 | TSPDT: 89 | BOXD: DNP

MORBS SEZ: "Inland Empire is his most relentlessly daring feature, much more mature than Blue Velvet … never a big Blue Velvet fan."

Blue Velvet, only slightly better than The Blues Brothers because of Dennis Hopper.
― hstencil (hstencil), Friday, June 25, 2004 8:42 AM

I watched blue velvet this week and it was thoroughly meh
― Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ (dyao), Wednesday, February 24, 2010 10:43 AM

Blue Velvet (made by a Reagan fan, don't forget) is all the bullshit of '80s Americana, not just exposed (that's easy) but celebrated. Wallowed in. Lynch wants it both ways, the robins AND the beetles, Laura Dern's simpering blondie by day AND Isabella's fuck-me-hit-me brunette by night. And it lets its hero have both. It is a stupendously fucked-up movie, hypocritical and callow, like a Disneyland S&M weekend tour package. And like America, its hypocrisy is what makes it work. It's what makes it honest. I like to imagine Frank Capra emerging from a screening of Blue Velvet, horrified and blinking into the Hollywood sun, and Lynch hollering in his ear, "It's great, isn't it? Just like one of yours!" (Also, on a technical level, the colors and sound and blah blah blah, Lynch is a genius but you already knew that.)
-- gypsy mothra

Blue Velvet was the first movie that made me want to make movies. Do the Right Thing was the second.
― Pete Scholtes, Tuesday, August 2, 2005 5:21 PM

I hated Blue Velvet.
― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Friday, January 24, 2003 4:25 AM

BV is expertly paced. My problem with IE is he seems to have lost -- temporarily, on the evidence of the new Twin Peaks -- the ability to know when a scene runs too long.
― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Wednesday, August 16, 2017 9:06 PM

How cuet was MacLachlan in BV tho??!
― W4LTER, Monday, August 20, 2007 6:18 PM

Switched my Lynch vote because of last minute influence of tipsy mothra but I am a fan of this one.

I'm with Morbs on this one. Everything Lynch is about is done much better and fuller in other (later) works.

I know we did them ages ago, but the #1's of both the '90s & '80s polls have now already placed (as have the #2 & #3 of the '60s poll).

I am a fan of this one too. One of too-many Lynches on my long list. Rewatched it recently and while I don’t take back much in that quote above, I think it’s a deeper experience than all that suggests. Seen in the context of a whole career of endless pursuit of mystery, Blue Velvet is about that more than anything else — the idea of mystery, hidden things, the way things change in the dark. That can seem like a juvenile impulse but I think Lynch’s instincts go beyond the juvenile, in search of some kind of buried roots.

Also just a bravura filmmaking performance, and the whole cast nails the tricky tone. The scene in Dean Stockwell’s apartment alone could be a brilliant short.

But I also agree he did more with all of that later.

I marvel again at the perfection of the interior design. Example: Dorothy's apartment.

Who was it that called "Musicology" Prince's "Still Rock & Roll To Me"? That's what Velvet is to Lynch so far as I'm concerned.

I haven't been tracking how this poll's placers did in the earlier decade polls, but having taken a fresh look, there are definitely some surprise omissions in store.

Not that it'll assuage KJB any, but I think the only horror movie that showed up in my ranked top 25 was Texas Chain Saw Massacre. So don't blame me.

(Oh wait, I thought of another.)

Who was it that called "Musicology" Prince's "Still Rock & Roll To Me"? That's what Velvet is to Lynch so far as I'm concerned.

Doesn’t really track developmentally though. I’d put Lost Highway in that slot for Lynch. His most (only?) going-thru-motions movie. If we need a Prince analogy I’d say Blue Velvet is more 1999 — an early, arguably immature masterwork that was eclipsed by more mature ones.

I marvel again at the perfection of the interior design. Example: Dorothy's apartment.

― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn),

Flawless and the shot at the end with the Yello Man enhances the design.

Jacques Rivette was a fan of that bit of design:

I took a long time to appreciate Lynch. In fact, I didn’t really start until Blue Velvet (1986). With Isabella Rossellini’s apartment, Lynch succeeded in creating the creepiest set in the history of cinema. And Twin Peaks, the Film is the craziest film in the history of cinema. I have no idea what happened, I have no idea what I saw, all I know is that I left the theater floating six feet above the ground.

as usual rivette otm

I have trouble imagining Rivette lifting off the ground.

Maybe he took a little levitation pill beforehand to help him with that.

Doesn’t really track developmentally though.

I know, it's just such an efficient burn tho.

Pretty sure Rivette lifted a little upon seeing Showgirls iirc.

I marvel again at the perfection of the interior design. Example: Dorothy's apartment.

― So who you gonna call? The martini police (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, October 31, 2021 9:52 AM (twenty-one minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

something from the doc on the dvd that’s always stuck with me: david lynch microadjusting the dust bunnies underneath the chair in dorothy’s apartment, which don’t even show up on film

Pretty sure Rivette lifted a little upon seeing _Showgirls_ iirc.

I’d put Lost Highway in that slot for Lynch. His most (only?) going-thru-motions movie

hard disagree, but it is a rough draft for mulholland dr.

Trying to think of one, I meant to say.

Blue Velvet is perfect in every way. So exquisitely repulsive and horrifying. A high-wire act.

https://thelatestpictureshow.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/blue-velvet-david-lynch-11159886-800-340.jpg

https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Blue-Velvet-climax.jpg

we've all had those Friday nights

that purple-brown is the most disgusting colour.

His conception of 80s stand-up comedy in the BV deleted scenes might be weirder than anything in the final cut.

hard disagree, but it is a rough draft for mulholland dr.

I’ll buy that but still don’t rate LH, except for a few scenes.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/043-sans-soleil.jpg

43. SANS SOLEIL (Chris Marker, 1983, France) [825.25 points; 8 votes]
S&S: 71 | TSPDT: 101 | BOXD: DNP

MORBS SEZ: "I recall liking Sans Soleil... and don't remember anything from it."

There's no other director on whose wavelength I feel more at home.
― Tarr Yang Preminger Argento Carpenter (Eric H.), Wednesday, January 17, 2018 4:42 PM

fail.
― history mayne, Friday, September 4, 2009 6:27 PM

tried to watch Sans Soleil, but it was boring and Momus-y so I had to turn it off.
― Dan I., Sunday, April 6, 2008 4:01 AM

i could watch sans soleil every day of the year
― clouds, Saturday, September 29, 2012 11:01 AM

i like the zen fry cook in "sans soleil"
― amateur!!!st (amateurist), Monday, October 25, 2004 1:34 AM

i think sans soleil is one of like three movies where ive gone back and watched the bits i fell asleep through
― plax (ico), Friday, January 21, 2011 7:12 PM

I've tried to hack Sans Soleil a couple of times but it always puts me to sleep; I ought to rectify that sometime soon.
― Simon H., Monday, July 30, 2012 12:34 PM

Man, Sans Soleil. I could watch this forever.
― pun lovin criminal (polyphonic), Thursday, September 27, 2012 1:43 AM

ha i felt like i WAS watching it forever the first time but maybe i was in a bad place.
― jed_, Thursday, September 27, 2012 3:48 AM

gygax! once told me his favorite movie was either Sans Soleil or Muriel's Wedding, I have no idea how that fits into all that.
― Steve Shasta (Steve Shasta), Thursday, March 2, 2006 11:20 PM

Sans Soleil is my favorite movie of all time.
― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, October 21, 2004 3:31 PM

sans soleil is a romantic comedy when you think about it
― noballs (wins), Tuesday, August 12, 2014 1:48 PM

Those deleted scenes are p good but it’s better they were cut, particularly the prologue scenes which are like 20 mins I think? & then you look at how perfect the opening is as a piece of storytelling/editing right up to the finding of the ear, there just is no place for those scenes

I guess we aren’t seeing IE but holding out for another lynch

Lol at typical NRQ post

Yes, but it's the invocation of Momus that's peak chef's kiss ILX there.

XPs Mulholland Dr. was #1 in the different '00s polls we did, so it's definitely coming up.

Oh I forgot md doh

I love sans soleil

When putting in my ballot I hedged and gave Marker two slots in my top 25 (and did the same for a couple other filmmakers), adding Sans soleil. Turns out it was by a good length the more favored CM joint. I'm heartened that he's kind of got two slots in just about any top 100 nailed down.

idgi this one at all.

idgtoaa, rather.

I haven't been tracking how this poll's placers did in the earlier decade polls, but having taken a fresh look, there are definitely some surprise omissions in store.

This is the good stuff

sans soleil was in my top 5 iirc. cannot describe the degree to which it has influenced my work and permeated my conception of life

I only finally watched Sans Soleil recently (thx Criterion Channel) and loved it but I guess it hasn’t yet seeped in enough for me to have thought of it when it came to voting. I could have voted for it, though, probably should have over some of what I did. One line of the narration made me stop the movie just to write it down — “History only tastes bitter to those who expected it to be sugar-coated.”

The first minute alone contains a whole ethos.

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/042-stop-making-sense.jpg

42. STOP MAKING SENSE (Jonathan Demme, 1984, USA) [826.7 points; 10 votes; Morbs silver]
S&S: 1,176 | TSPDT: 1,258 | BOXD: DNP

MORBS SEZ: "Demme's is my favorite concert film … i'm pretty much not a Talking Heads fan save for Stop Making Sense"

Stop Making Sense will always be one of the top 5 things I have ever experienced. Pure Joy.
― Francisco Monar (fmonar), Wednesday, June 16, 2004 9:20 AM

Stop Making Sense is pretty much perfect.
― gbx (skowly), Thursday, April 6, 2006 10:03 PM

Stop Making Sense. Easily one of the greatest concert films ever.
― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, January 15, 2004 12:53 PM

I love the song in "Stop Making Sense" where Byrne dances with the floor lamp and his shadow gets thrown all over the place. Stop Making Sense rulez.
― n/a (Nick A.), Monday, September 26, 2005 9:19 AM

fat suits aren't funny? Haven't you seen Stop Making Sense?
― Anthony (Anthony F), Sunday, October 5, 2003 9:11 PM

Stop Making Sense is the best movie of '84.
― The Edge of Gloryhole (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, July 24, 2011 8:54 PM

There was a pretty hot guy in Josie. There are no hot guys in Stop Making Sense. I believe this debate has officially ended now with my stunning proof of supremecy.
― Ally, Friday, May 4, 2001 7:00 PM

Will this be the highest placed documentary?

Oh, I also would add Sans soleil to the experimental pile for purposes of the discussion earlier.

Guess my vote for Stop Making Senso will get lost in the supermarket.

^^Take it to the JBR screen names thread

Heh, knew that was coming,

I was just the right age to essentially discover Talking Heads via SMS, and most of its versions are my favorite versions of those songs (except the ones from Remain in Light, which I did already know from my dad’s LP). I wonder if it works now for people who don’t know the band? Would it hold anyone’s interest more than your average YouTube performance clip?

https://cansesclasseled.files.wordpress.com/2021/10/041-a-serious-man-1.jpg

41. A SERIOUS MAN (Joel & Ethan Coen, 2009, USA) [830.4 points; 15 votes]
S&S: 1,176 | TSPDT: 1,510 | BOXD: DNP

MORBS SEZ: "it's the most serious American film about Judaism I can recall since Mazursky's Enemies. Key ambiguous line: 'I didn't do anything.' … This is the film my jobless Irish Catholic ass most related to this year."

i keep thinking about this movie. the two keys for me are the opening scene -- a (fake?) folk tale, supposedly with a meaning and a lesson but providing neither really -- and the second rabbi's lesson of the goy's teeth -- ditto. who cares?. and that's the structure of the whole movie. more things happen. and then, this, and then, another thing. he has a dream. and then, the doctor calls. how does it end? it doesn't.
― goole, Wednesday, December 2, 2009 11:36 AM

This was AWESOME. The younger rabbi + "goy's teeth" sequences = every conversation I ever had with a rabbi. that peculiar kind of avuncular unhelpfulness, stories that go nowhere, etc.
― Wrinkles, I'll see you on the other side (Shakey Mo Collier), Tuesday, February 16, 2010 12:25 PM

Dybbuk, Schmybbuk: I Said "More Ham"
― M. Grissom/DeShields (jaymc), Sunday, October 18, 2009 1:18 PM

no1 is mentioning important thing: this film is hell of funny
― Greatest contributor: (history mayne), Tuesday, May 11, 2010 3:22 AM

probably my favourite cohen bros' film.
― Rave Van Donk (jim in glasgow), Saturday, February 22, 2014 11:26 PM

perfect right to the final frame. I remember watching it and thinking "oh shit how cool would it be if they just cut here" AND THEY DID. No spoilers for the yet-to-enjoy of course.
― attention vampire (MatthewK), Monday, May 15, 2017 10:28 PM

keep going, dudes, now i'll never see this fucking movie.
― by another name (amateurist), Tuesday, May 11, 2010 8:05 AM

everyone be quiet or amateurist will never see this :(
― sir gaga (s1ocki), Tuesday, May 11, 2010 8:50 AM

I ranked A Serious Man because for me it was like a magic trick, pulling a great movie out of thin air, as unexpected as a live rabbit pulled from a hat. It was crushingly funny and slyly true to life at the same time. Even better, the characters were foolish without ever being imbecilic, allowing for a kind of tenderness and deep understanding of the characters that's rare in a Coens' comedy. Just great stuff from start to finish. But you should have some familiarity with American jews to really appreciate everything they put in it.
― A is for (Aimless), Monday, May 15, 2017 10:15 PM

The quantum mechanics he is writing on the board in the lecture is not just bullshit symbols, so they clearly had some help, but it's wrong in quite a trivial algrebraic way. this must have been so obvious to whoever helped them that i suspect it is deliberate. Like he has gone nuts and forgotten that x - x = 0 (which is one of the mistakes). THANK GOD SOMEBODY ELSE NOTICED THIS especially since the line reading is PERFECT -- he says "bracket (pause) p squared - bracket p (pause) squared" -- so whoever coached him on the dialogue got it right -- but then he writes the wrong thing on the board! note this blackboard is part of a dream sequence -- you also see a graph labelled with an aleph and an ayin, not actually used in physics as far as I know -- so maybe we're being shown that something he thinks is substantive is actually, thanks to his mistakes, zero?
― Guayaquil (eephus!), Friday, July 15, 2011 12:04 AM

so I was totally verklempt. I don't want to spoil it for anyone but remembering the to-and-fro about the goyim neighbours, they may not have been friendly 24/7 but they did challenge the cops who came to hassle the Gopniks - and in one tiny scene you get my town, in a nutshell. School friend who went to film with me lived next door to the Meshbeshers, so we were in LOL heaven. Many of our town's stories end with a bill from that lawyer.
― viagra falls (suzy), Saturday, November 21, 2009 4:16 PM

Oh god, I miss the Lincoln Del.
― really senile old crap shit (Eric H.), Wednesday, December 2, 2009 11:16 AM