Empire magazine, the populist film fan's Bible, has revealed the results of its poll of the 500 all-time greatest films, as voted for by Empire readers, Hollywood's finest (a curiously vague and interpretive grouping if ever there was one) and some 'key' film critics. Kicking off proceedings at number 500 is Ocean's Eleven (2001), and, via an oft-worn track, we arrive at the dubiously honorable Top Spot, whereupon we find The Godfather (1971) dwells in lofty regard.
With Empire readers making up the vast voting majority at a whopping 10,000 (as against 150 'finest' and 50 'key' critics,) it is unsurprising, then, that such a popu-list would be the result. Yes, at least it does make a change from Citizen Kane. (No, I've nothing against the film, it is indeed a rightful classic, but, in all honesty, it's become somewhat of the lynchpin of mindless filmic universality, a 'Coffee Table' film, if you will, much as the claim to favour another classic - Nosferatu.)
No, I am not suggesting an aim towards the pretentions of, say, Sight and Sound, where filmic contemporaries may well vote for the more obscure, art-enriching or politically-driven picture to impress their friends over a continental beer, discussing the wonders of l'art triomphal within the constraints of political repression before driving their Mercedes home to check they did good by The Guardian over an all-organic dinner.
What this list represents is your typically self-declarating Film Fan, and the nauseatingly samey, boring guff they always proudly shove down your throats in lieu of genuine, personal taste or passion. For a cross-section of supposed film lovers, it is remarkably devoid of affection. What it also is, is 'laddish,' and I don't mean that as a literal reference to tits and arse-laden content and a revilement of 'Chick Flicks.' It is laddish in the sense of a £20k-odd office manager who's talentless and boring and makes up for it with his arrogance and self-proclaimed 'intimidating' film knowledge and taste, for whom The Godfather, Fight Club, The Usual Suspects, Reservoir Dogs, and, for that edge of European Cinema awareness, Amelie, makes up his list of top films. Oh, and for that 'crazy cult choice,' a bit of Kevin Smith. These are the people who upon learning that I'm partial to a cult movie or two, will retort with "Oh my god, have you seen Donnie Darko?!" No, I am not saying these are not great films (with the exception of Donnie Darko, which is highly overrated, in my opinion,) what I am saying is that this is dull, tired, predictable bullshit from the people who care more about the size of their DVD collections than furnishing them with individualistic and inspired content. In fact, I barely see the point in a reader vote as it's pretty much a regurgitation of what they've read in Empire anyway.
