IF you feel the need to differentiate between "favorite" and "best", go for it, I won't stop you.
HOWEVER
As much as I love The Godfather (and I do), I have noticed that I just can't seem to stop watching another movie lately. And I haven't seen had the urge to rewatch Godfather in a while. This movie, however, I have probably watched about once a month this year. When I was decorating my apartment, its movie poster was the first I knew that I wanted. Granted, it is one of the most iconic movie posters of all time, but still.
So, without further ado, my favorite movie of all time is Jaws. It's just perfect. Spielberg's best. I wouldn't change one frame.
What's yours?
#2
Hailey Knight
There is a difference between favorite and best in the sense that best is a measurement of prowess whereas favorite is a measurement of affection. Of course, you might have affection for something related to how good it is. But the words are different and the meaning is different, so it'd be wiser not to use them interchangeably.
And agreed on Jaws. One review I read summed it up best in saying there's no scene you could remove without damaging the film. Amazing how such a troubled production made such a masterpiece.
That said, my favorite is The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. I could criticize how the characters keep getting captured in the middle of the movie, or nit-pick how some of the lip-synching is off (and you can do that with Jaws, for example, mixing up dates, or people's rings and watches appearing and disappearing), but I have no reason to. It's a movie that gets more enjoyable every time I watch it.
#3
Jiarn
Of my very large list of favorite movies, both good and bad, there is one that I've seen more than any other. I've never tired of it, I know every line, it's by far my favorite film ever made:
Lord of the Rings
The extended edition trilogy. It is by far the most complete, most amazing story I've ever enjoyed watching over and over again. Visually, in spirit, and story told it surpasses them all to me.
Honorable mentions go to:
Dogsville. If you've seen it, you know why. Though I'd call it a play more than I'd call it a movie. Forrest Gump. Easily my favorite stand-alone film ever.
#4
SpecialKO
Best: Dial M for Murder, with the Godfather as a close second.
Favorite: LOTR, with the Fifth Element as a close second.
#5
Mathias
Dude, Where's my Car?
#6
Steve
Jaws is one of my all time favorites as well. I think I have a man crush on Robert Shaw. I thought he made the movie. I agree with you there's not one thing I would have changed with that movie. He can't go down with three barrels...not with three barrels on he can't. ...
#7
Philosopher B.
The more movies I watch, the more my favorite shifts around. However ...
Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn is my current favorite. The peak of the Evil Dead movies (IMHO), it is for my money the best horror comedy. When I first saw it, I freaked the fuck out. Since then, however, I've come to adore its manic, infectious energy. It doesn't have an amazing story, but it doesn't need one; it's a delightful, exhilarating demonstration of craft by those involved. Lovecraftian in its setup, it allows Raimi to riff expertly on the horror elements he already toyed with in the first movie.
Sam Raimi was in top form, with his inventive camera-work and host of cinematic techniques. Some people might find the effects and stop-motion animation sequences cheesy; personally, I eat that stuff up. Stop-motion is one of my hobbies, therefore I've always harbored a soft spot for it. And Bruce Campbell ... Bruce Campbell is fucking amazing. His expressions, his physical comedy (the possessed hand sequence is one of my favorite scenes committed to film) ... Ash may be a dick, but he's a hilarious dick, and there's nothing quite as awesome as when he busts out the catch-phrases and goes to war with the forces of evil. Everytime he whistles and says 'LET'S GO,' I just about shit my pants:
It pains me to pick a 'favorite,' especially when there are so many films that I both love and recognize as excellent examples of cinema all around, but I guess 'favorite' to me these days means the film that most inspires me to become a filmmaker myself. When I watch the Evil Dead movies, I immediately want to run out and make a horror movie. No other film has that effect on me to quite the same degree.
Another scene I absolutely adore:
#8
checkeredhat
It might be Back to the Future. I don't know, this is such a hard question for me! It changes every couple of months.
#9
Kovac
Indiana Jones
After all this time I can still watch it without being sick of it
This is related to a similar question I've been pondering: I think Portal 2 is "better" than Portal (in that it evoked a more compelling emotional experience in me) but that Portal is technically perfect in a way that Portal 2 isn't.
#11
Math242
Terminator 2
#12
Dave
Amadeus.
#13
sixpackshaker
Raising Arizona
#14
PatrThom
I think my favorite movie right now might be The Wizard of Speed and Time, but there are a handful of others eagerly waiting to take that spot if it decides to retire.
--Patrick
#15
Espy
Nothing touches Chinatown in my world. A perfect movie in every possible way.
Heavenly Creatures an easy second. I've probably watched this movie more than any other. Alien would probably third (but Jaws could be here as well, it's a tough call).
