“Greatest” ≠ “Favorite” Movies

I completely agree that “a ‘great’ movie doesn’t necessarily mean it is a ‘favorite’ movie.” My very first post was a list of the top ten best films I’ve seen so far in my lifetime, which I wrote simply because over years of movie-watching, I’d occasionally thought, “If I had a Top 10 list, this would be on it!” And around the time I decided to start a blog, I also realized I’d had this thought enough times to actually make the list. 🙂 I shared it a few places, and I was quite surprised how many people seemed to assume “best” and “favorite” were interchangeable – and how quickly a word like “best” or “greatest” can ruffle the feathers of those who haven’t considered all movie lists / rankings are completely subjective. You’ve articulated my thoughts perfectly, and I wish I had your words to share at that time.

If I want to be artistically inspired, I’ll likely turn to one of the films that made my list, but if I want comfort, I’ll go for a favorite movie. I’m sure I could make an actual (and probably sizable) list of those if I put a little thought to it, but a few favorites that come to mind immediately are The Wizard of Oz (my earliest favorite). If we’re thinking of movies as friends, this is the one I’ve had the longest, most history-filled relationship with. (In fact, the only reason it didn’t make my “top ten best” list is I know it well, I can spot its flaws.) More recent, but just as beloved, discoveries include Heaven Can Wait (the ‘70s Warren Beatty version), the Mamma Mia movies, and most of George Burns’ later films (some of which helped me through a rough time a few years ago). I’ve got such a fondness for each of these. I could watch them at any time – probably on repeat – and almost-instantly feel better about life. Now that I think about it, I have others I consider favorites in certain situations or moods (Mister Roberts is great for work stress, Some Came Running works when over-emotional or as therapy for relationship-disappointment). I very well may have listed ten right there. 🙂 I noticed you liked my post about Dean Martin. Pretty much all of his films are favorites of sorts, because I enjoy him and find him comforting. Same goes for Bing Crosby, whose mere presence makes any movie better. (Side note: “Gonzaga University Bing Crosby Student Center” – how cool is that?? 😀)

Also, you gave me a nostalgic chuckle over the ridiculous Y2K dread, which you also captured and articulated perfectly. 🙂 “The trend of releasing as many ‘Top,’ ‘Best,’ and ‘Greatest’ lists was exploding before the world itself was predicted to explode” – ha ha! 😀 I’d never thought about it before, but I bet that’s true. I was 14 at the time, and as someone who has always tended toward anxiety and catastrophe, I’m surprised I wasn’t terrified the world was going to end. If I was, I’ve blocked it 😉 – but I do remember being practically convinced that all computers (and everything run by them) would instantly stop functioning as one at midnight, since they wouldn’t be able to process the date “2000” – because that’s what my TEACHERS told me.

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