Thelma & Louise might be my second favorite Ridley Scott film, after Blade Runner, even though I only saw it this year, at the Shanghai International Film Festival. This was one of the first films I saw in a packed theater after Covid times, and man it really reminded me what a communal experience cinema was. We gasped when Louise shot Harlan (spoiler alert!), we applauded when Thelma glowingly told Louise the incredible sex she just had, we cheered when Thelma robbed the store on camera, and we were all in tears when the outlaw duo drove off the cliff holding hands. Best movie going time I had.
Sebastián Salazar - 3 years ago
Just like Alien and Blade Runner broke new ground for the horror and sci-fi genres, Thelma and Louise did so too for women in film. I think it would be very interesting to ask Ridley himself, which of his non-Alien or BR films he is most proud to have made. I voted T&L because I think it will be remembered and taught about in film history classes more than Gladiator, even though I really enjoyed that film along with The Martian. Gladiator may be the better film cinematically and technically, but Thelma and Louise has the bigger heart. Also, when I compare the most memorable lines from those two films (for me), they are "Are you not entertained?!" versus "The next time you hear a woman crying like that, she ain't having any fun!" I feel partial to choosing Ridley and Callie Khouri's story as the more important film, so it depends what you consider "the best film", as per your question. Thanks for these polls, Adam &Josh, they always create great discussions!
Jeremy B - 3 years ago
No Black Hawk Down, American Gangster or Matchstick Men? That's my whole tier two Scott. With Martian, Prometheus, Gladiator and etc being my tier three. You missed a tier. "Another flawed poll"! :)
Jeff Milo - 3 years ago
I think Gladiator is highly overrated. I think Prometheus is highly underrated.
I voted Thelma & Louise.
Will I elaborate?
Not at this time.
Justan Zimmerman - 3 years ago
I came here expecting to click Thelma & Louise, but then I saw The Martian among the options and remembered the absolute delight I felt while watching it. The Martian has the same verve, momentum, and sense of fun as a late-30s or early-40s Warner Brothers adventure flick directed by Michael Curtiz. Who knew Ridley Scott could have such a light touch? Maybe Matchstick Men hinted at it. Anyway, more like this please, and spare us any more the ponderous Alien reheats.
Andre Cadieux - 3 years ago
The Martian is great, if you don't mind the stakes and serious tone being undercut by Matt Damon doing stand-up for the camera. I never once felt like he was concerned that he was stranded on Mars and might never be rescued.
Rick Taylor (Kelowna, BC) - 3 years ago
I never understood why Prometheus is so under-rated (in this robot’s humble AI monomaniacal opinion). Sure it’s got a couple flaws - 4 eg that old guy looks like he was pulled out of a dumpster behind a cosmetic surgery clinic - but! consider the classic origin story, the epic themes, the cool tech, the wonderful acting (Noomi Rapace’s drive-thru abortion would give Ted Cruz nightmares I’m sure), & best of all “David’s” channeling of Lawrence of Arabia!
Of course the lack-lustre reviews hurt, but “the trick is not minding that it hurts.”
Dan Buckler - 3 years ago
Milwaukee, WI
I’m going with the silent plurality here. These other flicks are good and all, but they don’t feature Joaquin Phoenix whispering, “busy little bee”. Are you not entertained?
Rob MacGregor - 3 years ago
Not including Black Hawk Down is unforgivable. I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed... and mad.
Prometheus! It has beautiful steely cinematography as well as big and gloriously silly ideas delivered earnestly. A 21st century Forbidden Planet.
Jeremiah - 3 years ago
The Martian for me it’s just been the most rewatchable movie in recent memory. Matt Damon is perfect.
Jon Kristoffersson, Uppsala, Sweden - 3 years ago
No love for American Gangster here? In my opinion this is his best film after Alien!
Konrad - 3 years ago
Warsaw, Poland
For me it is Prometheus. One must appreciate the director's courage for making a prequel to Alien without actual alien (excluding the last scene in the movie). Sure, the movie has many flaws, but it's hard for me not to appreciate the vision and ideas in expanding the movie world in not obvious way like many prequels/sequels/rehash movies do. Scott used the alien's world to tell a story about the search for the origins of mankind and the sense (or nonsense) of doing so. He is looking at the roles between creator and creation and the responsibility of one towards the other.
My favorite scene is when android David (played by the great Michael Fassbender) asks why he was created, he hears: "We Made You Because We Could". To which he responds almost impassively: "Can you imagine how disappointing it would be for you to hear the same thing from your creator ?"
I have watched all of the Alien's movies multiple times and Prometheus is currently the second best for me in the franchise.
Randal McGavock - 3 years ago
Dallas, Texas
Ridley Scott's first film might be his best. Seriously, The Duellists isn't even in discussion? This outrage will not stand - I'll see you both on the field of honor at sunrise.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
David Kolb - 3 years ago
Voted Thelma & Louise, which is great and I hope it wins. But, add me to the chorus of those saying the Director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven is also great and deserves serious consideration.
Winnipeg, Canada
I wrote in Alien: Covenant for my "other" even though it's probably not my favourite of his other films, but I had to protest in its omission here in favour of Prometheus, which is easily the worst of his three Alien films. Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, Matchstick Men and American Gangster are all films I think belong in this conversation much more than Prometheus or Gladiator.
Amy Sullivan - 3 years ago
Yup. I’m another vote for the director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven.
Henrik Hansen - 3 years ago
Thelma and Louise is not only a strong, provocative story but it looks stunning. The majestic mountains and bright sun lit vistas were a firm rebuttal to the critic who said, “Ridley Scott couldn’t film a dry sidewalk if his life depended on it.”
Jack - 3 years ago
The director's version of Kingdom Of Heaven is so much better than Gladiator. Unfortunately, not enough people have seen it.
Patricia - 3 years ago
From Oxford, UK. What is Gladiator even doing on this list? Such a self-important, pompous, humourless movie. American Gangster, though - I know it also has Russell Crowe, which we'll have to overlook, but Denzel! and Londoner Chiwetel Ejiofor!
VV - 3 years ago
Matchstick Men= One of my favorite Scott movies and one of the most overlooked Nic Cage performances
The Martian.
Because it's got a better script than pretty much anything Scott has worked with in recent times.
And a terrific cast right through, but especially Matt Damon.
And they really do science the sh*t out of 2 hours, but in a freakin' fantastic way.
And disco music.
Thomas - 3 years ago
The Martian is outstanding and so, so rewatchable. I like Gladiator and some of his earlier classics a lot, but it wouldn’t occur to me to rewatch them on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But The Martian manages to be breeezy fun, and also genuinely suspenseful and thought-provoking. It earns its winning finale and does all of this without dumbing down for the back row. Damon is a delight. And of course Scott’s impeccable craft is icing on the cake. It’s by far my favorite movie of his in the last 30 years.
Kingdom of Heaven the Director’s cut is better than Alien or Blade Runner! I highly suggest you do a Sacred Cow review of THE DIRECTOR’S CUT! Yeah it’s a lot longer but it’s incredible! Eva Green would have won an Oscar but they cut half of her performance out. Also much more interesting work from everyone in the movie.
My own podcast covered it this year.
https://anchor.fm/tom-morris1/episodes/KINGDOM-OF-HEAVEN-----The-Nerdy-eqrr68
Jeremy Kennis - 3 years ago
Gladiator is fantastic, especially when viewed on the big screen. But I actually considered A Good Year. I enjoy this film on every re-watch. I can't get through it without an open bottle of wine, which is always empty by the end, so I suppose that could have something to do with my enjoyment level?
justin humbert - 3 years ago
I love the director's version of Kingdom Of Heaven. I thought this told a better version of telling the story of Moses here than he did in Exodus.
Jonathan Anderson, Denver CO - 3 years ago
I actually placed The Martian above Mad Max: Fury Road as my number one film of 2015, please cease your booing and jeering and don't lie to me and say you weren't. I would not make that same call now, but I stand by the film as one I have a great deal of love for.
Shoshana Rosenbaum - 3 years ago
I love Bladerunner and Alien, but Thelma & Louise continues to be a touchstone for women across generations— my teenage daughter and her friends watched it recently and loved it as much as I didin the 90s.
Wade McCormick - 3 years ago
Kansas City, MO
Alien is my favorite Scott easily, but in 2nd place is The Duellists, which I put even above Blade Runner.
Thelma & Louise might be my second favorite Ridley Scott film, after Blade Runner, even though I only saw it this year, at the Shanghai International Film Festival. This was one of the first films I saw in a packed theater after Covid times, and man it really reminded me what a communal experience cinema was. We gasped when Louise shot Harlan (spoiler alert!), we applauded when Thelma glowingly told Louise the incredible sex she just had, we cheered when Thelma robbed the store on camera, and we were all in tears when the outlaw duo drove off the cliff holding hands. Best movie going time I had.
Just like Alien and Blade Runner broke new ground for the horror and sci-fi genres, Thelma and Louise did so too for women in film. I think it would be very interesting to ask Ridley himself, which of his non-Alien or BR films he is most proud to have made. I voted T&L because I think it will be remembered and taught about in film history classes more than Gladiator, even though I really enjoyed that film along with The Martian. Gladiator may be the better film cinematically and technically, but Thelma and Louise has the bigger heart. Also, when I compare the most memorable lines from those two films (for me), they are "Are you not entertained?!" versus "The next time you hear a woman crying like that, she ain't having any fun!" I feel partial to choosing Ridley and Callie Khouri's story as the more important film, so it depends what you consider "the best film", as per your question. Thanks for these polls, Adam &Josh, they always create great discussions!
No Black Hawk Down, American Gangster or Matchstick Men? That's my whole tier two Scott. With Martian, Prometheus, Gladiator and etc being my tier three. You missed a tier. "Another flawed poll"! :)
I think Gladiator is highly overrated. I think Prometheus is highly underrated.
I voted Thelma & Louise.
Will I elaborate?
Not at this time.
I came here expecting to click Thelma & Louise, but then I saw The Martian among the options and remembered the absolute delight I felt while watching it. The Martian has the same verve, momentum, and sense of fun as a late-30s or early-40s Warner Brothers adventure flick directed by Michael Curtiz. Who knew Ridley Scott could have such a light touch? Maybe Matchstick Men hinted at it. Anyway, more like this please, and spare us any more the ponderous Alien reheats.
The Martian is great, if you don't mind the stakes and serious tone being undercut by Matt Damon doing stand-up for the camera. I never once felt like he was concerned that he was stranded on Mars and might never be rescued.
I never understood why Prometheus is so under-rated (in this robot’s humble AI monomaniacal opinion). Sure it’s got a couple flaws - 4 eg that old guy looks like he was pulled out of a dumpster behind a cosmetic surgery clinic - but! consider the classic origin story, the epic themes, the cool tech, the wonderful acting (Noomi Rapace’s drive-thru abortion would give Ted Cruz nightmares I’m sure), & best of all “David’s” channeling of Lawrence of Arabia!
Of course the lack-lustre reviews hurt, but “the trick is not minding that it hurts.”
Milwaukee, WI
I’m going with the silent plurality here. These other flicks are good and all, but they don’t feature Joaquin Phoenix whispering, “busy little bee”. Are you not entertained?
Not including Black Hawk Down is unforgivable. I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed... and mad.
Providence, RI
Prometheus! It has beautiful steely cinematography as well as big and gloriously silly ideas delivered earnestly. A 21st century Forbidden Planet.
The Martian for me it’s just been the most rewatchable movie in recent memory. Matt Damon is perfect.
No love for American Gangster here? In my opinion this is his best film after Alien!
Warsaw, Poland
For me it is Prometheus. One must appreciate the director's courage for making a prequel to Alien without actual alien (excluding the last scene in the movie). Sure, the movie has many flaws, but it's hard for me not to appreciate the vision and ideas in expanding the movie world in not obvious way like many prequels/sequels/rehash movies do. Scott used the alien's world to tell a story about the search for the origins of mankind and the sense (or nonsense) of doing so. He is looking at the roles between creator and creation and the responsibility of one towards the other.
My favorite scene is when android David (played by the great Michael Fassbender) asks why he was created, he hears: "We Made You Because We Could". To which he responds almost impassively: "Can you imagine how disappointing it would be for you to hear the same thing from your creator ?"
I have watched all of the Alien's movies multiple times and Prometheus is currently the second best for me in the franchise.
Dallas, Texas
Ridley Scott's first film might be his best. Seriously, The Duellists isn't even in discussion? This outrage will not stand - I'll see you both on the field of honor at sunrise.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
Voted Thelma & Louise, which is great and I hope it wins. But, add me to the chorus of those saying the Director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven is also great and deserves serious consideration.
Winnipeg, Canada
I wrote in Alien: Covenant for my "other" even though it's probably not my favourite of his other films, but I had to protest in its omission here in favour of Prometheus, which is easily the worst of his three Alien films. Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, Matchstick Men and American Gangster are all films I think belong in this conversation much more than Prometheus or Gladiator.
Yup. I’m another vote for the director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven.
Thelma and Louise is not only a strong, provocative story but it looks stunning. The majestic mountains and bright sun lit vistas were a firm rebuttal to the critic who said, “Ridley Scott couldn’t film a dry sidewalk if his life depended on it.”
The director's version of Kingdom Of Heaven is so much better than Gladiator. Unfortunately, not enough people have seen it.
From Oxford, UK. What is Gladiator even doing on this list? Such a self-important, pompous, humourless movie. American Gangster, though - I know it also has Russell Crowe, which we'll have to overlook, but Denzel! and Londoner Chiwetel Ejiofor!
Matchstick Men= One of my favorite Scott movies and one of the most overlooked Nic Cage performances
The Martian.
Because it's got a better script than pretty much anything Scott has worked with in recent times.
And a terrific cast right through, but especially Matt Damon.
And they really do science the sh*t out of 2 hours, but in a freakin' fantastic way.
And disco music.
The Martian is outstanding and so, so rewatchable. I like Gladiator and some of his earlier classics a lot, but it wouldn’t occur to me to rewatch them on a lazy Sunday afternoon. But The Martian manages to be breeezy fun, and also genuinely suspenseful and thought-provoking. It earns its winning finale and does all of this without dumbing down for the back row. Damon is a delight. And of course Scott’s impeccable craft is icing on the cake. It’s by far my favorite movie of his in the last 30 years.
Kingdom of Heaven the Director’s cut is better than Alien or Blade Runner! I highly suggest you do a Sacred Cow review of THE DIRECTOR’S CUT! Yeah it’s a lot longer but it’s incredible! Eva Green would have won an Oscar but they cut half of her performance out. Also much more interesting work from everyone in the movie.
My own podcast covered it this year.
https://anchor.fm/tom-morris1/episodes/KINGDOM-OF-HEAVEN-----The-Nerdy-eqrr68
Gladiator is fantastic, especially when viewed on the big screen. But I actually considered A Good Year. I enjoy this film on every re-watch. I can't get through it without an open bottle of wine, which is always empty by the end, so I suppose that could have something to do with my enjoyment level?
I love the director's version of Kingdom Of Heaven. I thought this told a better version of telling the story of Moses here than he did in Exodus.
I actually placed The Martian above Mad Max: Fury Road as my number one film of 2015, please cease your booing and jeering and don't lie to me and say you weren't. I would not make that same call now, but I stand by the film as one I have a great deal of love for.
I love Bladerunner and Alien, but Thelma & Louise continues to be a touchstone for women across generations— my teenage daughter and her friends watched it recently and loved it as much as I didin the 90s.
Kansas City, MO
Alien is my favorite Scott easily, but in 2nd place is The Duellists, which I put even above Blade Runner.