I, personally, would take the latter
route to answering the question because if the person had wanted to know my
favorite film he/she would have been better suited being more direct by simply
specifying they were inquiring about my personal favorite film. No, to ask, “What is the BEST movie ever
made?”, the questioner is implying the need for careful consideration of all film
pieces that have ever been created. In
doing so one will pick up certain themes, motifs, and characteristics that have
made films memorable (basically what set them apart from the films created
during their time period, what made them stand out), successful, and in some
cases pushed the artistic creation into the rarely treaded territory of transcendence. To meet the questioner’s desire, we must find
one film that embodies the very idea of film.
A film that has utilized all materials available within said medium to
effectively accomplish the goals they set out for. A film that forced the hand of progression by
pushing the boundaries of the medium to its breaking point. The film opens doors for those who follow
because the film explored new ways of encompassing feeling within a fake
portrayal of human life or ideas sprouting from the human imagination. The film, being a moving picture, captures a
scene but unlike just a picture it has the most difficult task (in most cases)
of supplying dialogue that must sell the realness attached to what the viewers
see. If I asked, “What painting, sketch,
or piece of music is the BEST ever made?” one must take into account the time
period it was made in, the limitations associated with that time period, and if
and how the work reflects historical events of the time and do they do it
effectively. BEST can be defined as the
highest quality or standard or the most excellent type. Because Art is about conveying feeling and fabricating
feeling in its viewers it becomes both a subjective and aesthetic driven endeavor. Art will forever adapt and change its intent
to its surroundings as it is a product of human observation and
imagination. Though one would be better
suited to accept the latter route in attempting answer the original question,
it is a painstaking venture that involves research and the study of time
periods and the Art of film. It is
impossible to entirely remove bias from study as it is a natural human tendency,
we like what we like, however when inquiring as to the BEST film ever made we
look to the established standards previously set by knowledgeable people on the
topic. In doing so, we place our trust in a checks and balances type of system
that is intended to adapt to the Art of the future while keeping intact the
main established ideas believed to hold the standards of greatness.
I have brought you into an argument that can in fact not be
won; no one can solemnly state what the BEST film ever made is without evoking
a fiery rebuttal from millions. However,
standards need to be established so that Art can react, adapt, and force
change. Forcing people to create within
the confines of established standards unintentionally breeds destructive
characters. Like forest fires, destructive
characters are necessary to rid us of an existence that is decayed and
smothered by the multitude of minds obscured by conventional acceptance and in
the destruction set the stage for new growth.
Art movements often go unnoticed when looked at within the vastness of
human history, but progression in human expression owes a great deal of thanks
to the numerous destructive characters that forced change by challenge the banality
of mainstream acceptance.
Moral of the rant, The Amazing Spider-Man was CRAB-rific, but fell short of the CRAB-tastic. Experience it for yourself and form your own
opinions. Upon opening Rotten Tomatoes has certified it fresh
with a 74% overall rating and and audience rating of 84% so far.
Have a Crabby Day ya’ll and
remember to use the term BEST with caution,
-DiCrabrio
