The best movie ever made

Baptist Press ^ | 12/21/2014 | Phil Boatwright,

[sakic]

Goodfellas

[Big Red Clay]

“Animal House”

Thank you sir, may I have another!

[CrazyIvan]

Big Fish
Secondhand Lions
Worlds Fastest Indian

(In addition to the fore mentioned)

[fr_freak]

I love "It's a Wonderful Life" and the end always seems to get me in the gut, but when one goes even just an inch past the surface in analyzing it, one is forced to realize that the movie fails to be a truly inspirational film because it relies too much on George Bailey's life being perfect to begin with. He had an extraordinarily beautiful wife who was completely devoted to him (she was an old maid in the alternate reality. An old maid!), plenty of fine children, a nice house, a good if struggling business, and friends all over town. Maybe he missed out on trips to Paris and being an architect, but so what?

The movie could have depicted true sacrifice. George's life in present day could have really sucked (no beautiful wife or kids, no friends all over town, etc.), but he could have been shown how his sacrifice benefited others. Then, at the end, George goes back to his little hovel, alone, knowing that he made a difference. Sure, it wouldn't have had the Disney ending, but it would have been a truer tale of "Christ's teachings being put into action by a Believer."

[Delta Dawn]

“Inconceivable”!!!

[mad_as_he$$]

Exactly!

[dynachrome]

“O Brother, Where Art Thou”

[Rodamala]

[onedoug]

The one I’m watching.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Found the worst, and not in a “Plan 9 From Outer Space Way.”

“FART:the Movie” (1991)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIB0GtbYpc4

You don’t need to watch any of it. Just know that it exists.

[montag813]

I am shocked that NBC doesn’t bleep out “God” when George Bailey says it (many times). Perhaps next year.

[BipolarBob]

Drama - Dersu Uzala
Comedy - Blazing Saddles with Used Cars a close second
Sci-fi - Blade Runner with Prometheus a close second

[.45 Long Colt]

“But I would submit that It’s A Wonderful Life shows Christ’s teachings being put into action by a Believer.

I concede that there is no scene showing George hearing the Gospel and responding to it, so I’m making an assumption. That’s another magic of the medium: the best movies let us project our sensibilities onto a film’s theme. But when you analyze the consistency of George’s caring nature that puts others first, is it really difficult to see him as a man of faith?”

I like the film, but I don’t totally agree with Mr. Boatwright. While George does pray in the film, his isn’t the prayer of a devout man of Christian faith. I might project my sensibility, my Christian worldview, and presume George is a Christian if it weren’t for his prayer. His prayer could be uttered by anyone of any faith with a naked belief in “God.”

This is what George says:

“God... God... Dear Father in Heaven, I’m not a praying man, but if you’re up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I’m at the end of my rope. Show me the way, God.”

Maybe George is on his way to Christian faith, but he’s not a believer yet. No Christian prays that prayer.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

“The Best Years of our Lives.”

[stylin19a]

Undercover Brother

[wally_bert]

Kelly’s Heroes, Vanishing Point, or Smoky and the Bandit 1.

[wally_bert]

Right along with the Blues Brothers.

[wally_bert]

How about the great Joe Don Baker cinematic epic and triumph of the human spirit - Mitchell?

[DuncanWaring]

:-)

[Boardwalk]

I’m going with Some Like It Hot.