Here are the movies that I think will be considered “classics” 50 years from now. This is not based on my own wish-list – because if it were up to me, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind would be on that list. But I don’t know if it will make it.
Here is what I believe will stand the test of time (and some of the movies have already done so):
The Breakfast Club (this isn’t just a nostalgia thing – I believe that future generations will also get something out of this movie)
The Shawshank Redemption (It’s basically already happened)
Groundhog Day
When Harry Met Sally
Field of Dreams
Apollo 13
Schindler’s List (maybe. Time will tell. This is one that I believe is a classic and I hope will last the test of time. We’ll see)
I’m sure I’ll think of more. Hmmm. LA Confidential? I’m thinkin’ that might be on the list.
So what do you all think? Not just movies you love or you think DESERVE to be on the list … but movies that you think will last, regardless.
I don’t know. The movie I find myself going back to periodically is “Predator 2”. I don’t know why.
Well, OK, I’m a sucker for Gary Busey.
“Lions. Tigers. Bears. Oh, my.”
Any time frame here, Sheila? Like, in the last 25 years or something? Or is it just more open?
Yeah, let’s say 25!! Breakfast Club is 20 years old – so let’s say 25 years!
The three Lord of the Rings movies, natch.
Working Girl and Baby Boom, because they will come to represent the rise of women in the workplace (gag, but that’s how it works sometimes, I think – people look to movies to represent an era or a social change), and they’re both funny
Fatal Attraction – quintessential 80’s
Animal House, Porky’s and American Pie (modern versions of the Three Stooges comedies)
Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Shreck, Shreck 2, Monsters Inc (they’re for kids, and they represent the initial wave of CG animated features)
Running on Empty, because people will be in thrall over River Phoenix 50 years from now the way they’re still in thrall over James Dean today
Everything with Meryl Streep (see Alex’s post) because she will be remembered up there with Davis and Hepburn. There will be “The Streep Collection” and “The Streep Collection II” and “Streep: Accent on Drama” (a collection of her movies where she used an accent)
Everything with Val Kilmer, because he’s gonna be involved in some freakish serial torture/killer ring or other shocker
Stevie – i am so so glad that you put running on empty there! And I totally agree about Toy Story – awesome film.
You think Val Kilmer is going that route??? Oh, say it ain’t so!
Well maybe not Val Kilmer – maybe Jim Carrey? Which reminds me, everything Carrey’s done will be around 50 years from now. But I get the sense there’s a huge bloody meltdown coming for someone in Tinseltown (I sound like Rona Barrett). Maybe I’m channeling your clairvoyant character?!
:)
No,not Jim Carrey!!! Please! Love him!
Hmmm, but maybe you’re right … SOMEONE out there is due for some huge meltdown. maybe nic cage? Hmmm.
I would add Grumpy Old Men to the list. Obviously the outtakes at the end are priceless, but the movie is really good..hilarious and heartwarming. The sequel was pretty good, but the original was fantastic.
Stand By Me, love that one.
What about The Usual Suspects? or Reservoir Dogs?
Airplane!
Empire and Return of the Jedi
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Silence of the Lambs
A Christmas Story
This is Spinal Tap
Roo, Resevoir Dogs, absolutely! I’d add Pulp Fiction also because of the impact it had on pop culture at the time (much like The Usual Suspects).
dorakork, This is Spinal Tap. Excellent.
I would add
Blade Runner
Fight Club
Brazil
Seven
Terminator and T2 (because in 50 years we may very well be slaves to our robot masters)
I sure as hell hope Crash will be considered a classic.
Eternal Sunshine will be one of those cult classics. Great movie!
Say Anything
Saving Private Ryan
First movie that came to my mind was
“Unforgiven” with Clint Eastwood.
A modern epic western IMHO.
Regards
Hank
Hnn, I’d toss in the following:
Braveheart
Alien and Aliens
The Harry Potter flicks
Unforgiven
Fletch
A Fish Called Wanda
Heat
Hoosiers
Office Space. Can’t beat a cult classic. I would add Caddyshack and Ghostbusters for much the same reason, with ensemble casts that all know what they’re doing. (Caddyshack, admittedly, strrreeetttcchhhhhes the 25 years. Sorry.) There will probably also be a special Coen Brothers wing, specifically Raising Arizona (since it was first), Fargo, and O Brother. (Incidentally, I’ve only seen Raising Arizona, but the others just seemed to be talked about all the time.)
To this, add:
Clerks
Blair Witch Project
Scream
Beauty and the Beast (Disney)
Back to the Future (The first one, anyway)
Tombstone
Office Space
Hoosiers
I think L.A. Confidential will definitely stand up, along with The Usual Suspects, as our late-20th century attempt at film noir.
Also in that vein, I think Memento will be studied in the future, not only for its structure, but because it is a prime example of the trend in filmmaking in the past decade toward stories that question the nature of our perception of reality. There were a few years there where it seemed like every other movie was about the deceptiveness of memory or perspective.
(Unrelated, and certainly not a “great” film, but I think Robin Williams’ “The Final Cut” is actually worth a look, if you haven’t seen it. An imperfect film, but an interesting premise.)
I’d have to say Raising Arizona, Stripes and The Princess Bride. I NEVER get tired of watching them, and my neice loves them. I can call her (she’s 9) and she’ll quote them to me; too cool!
I’m gonna guess stuff like I Spit On Your Grave and Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death. Because I can.
Emily and I Spit on Your Grave together is amazingly frightening.
You know, your listing of “Brazil” got me thinking about Terry Gilliam (one of my favorite living film directors.) I loved “Twelve Monkeys.” What a beautiful film that was.
And though I’m really over Robin Williams of late, I’d have to say “The Fisher King” was my favorite film as a teen. Well, that and “Amadeus.”
Final thought: Baz Luhrman and his wife have devoloped a new kind of movie musical/gesamptkunstwerk. Consider “Moulin Rouge” “Romeo+Juliet” “Strictly Ballroom”…
The Matrix
Batman Begins
Open Range
The Outlaw Josey Wales (too old, I know)
Signs