This was not an easy choice, as all three hosts had some great picks. The first "Godfather" may be as perfect as any film made, but I need to watch again for a renewed consideration. So, based on personal preference I ended up going with Sam - as he had both "One Flew over the cuckoo's nest" and "West Side Story" - two films which well could be on my personal top 30 of all time (same with "Casablanca", but again, Josh had too many recent picks for my conservative taste). I also have great admiration for both "All About Eve" and "Unforgiven".
That said, the one time I watched "Amadeus" it did not leave me as excited as Adam and Sam obviously are for the film (also, in my opinion "Once Upon In America" is the far superior film of 1984). Still, Sam had a balanced variety of era, as having one film from each decade the 50s through the 90s.
A suggestion for a revised Best Picture Winners-list would be to look at the context of the winners and see whether the movie winning was truly the best film of its year - almost always there is an English-speaking dominance, so I suppose in many cases it would NOT be (even "One Flew..." is probably only the third best film of '75, after "Nashville" and "Jaws" - Sight and Sound-listeners also have recently named "Jeanne Dielman..." of the same year as THE best film of ALL TIME, saying something of that being a magnificent year in film history).
Anyway, keep up the great work!
Patrick Banks - 3 years ago
Although it was close with the first four picks, I had to vote Josh for selecting Annie Hall. I had a similar experience discovering Annie Hall as did Adam. I was so obsessed I write a paper on the meta qualities of the scene where they stand in the movie line. I got an A on my paper and Josh gets an A for this pick.
Dan Buckler, Milwaukee - 3 years ago
I *really* wanted to reward Adam for the bold Godfather selections and for including my usual "if I have to choose a favorite movie it is this" selection, 'Awrence. And I loved Sam's big swing from his heart. But incinerator or desert island logic pulls pretty strong for Josh's lineup. Picking up my tickets soon for the Larsen Best Picture Festival!
Darryl K. Patterson - 3 years ago
3 reasons why I voted for Josh:
1. Casablanca - It was my beloved late grandfather's favorite film and he was the man that made me the cinephile that I am today.
2. Moonlight - The love I have for this film is damn near limitless, truly one of the most profoundly moving and beautifully filmed movies ever made. Moonlight was the first film that cracked my personal favorite Top 10 in its 20 years of existence.
3. Return of the King - It wasn't long after Josh joined Filmspotting that he proudly expressed his love for my favorite film in my all-time favorite film trilogy. Compared to the previous co-host who shall not be named, who reveled in their disdain for this trilogy, it was quite refreshing to hear someone show love for Director Peter Jackson's filmmaking masterpiece. For that I took an instant liking to Mr. Larsen and I'm very happy he's still with Filmspotting.
Major props to Sam for picking another one of my top 10 favorites: All About Eve. starring my all-time favorite film actress Bette Davis.
Also props to Adam for the Parasite selection. Aside from being a great film, it has a special place in my heart because I saw it in February 2020. Yes, the last film I saw before the pandemic shutdown and the last film I would see for more than a year. Truly a great pre-pandemic shutdown film to see in a theater.
Josh Baesler - 3 years ago
Great bonus show! Love the drafts. It was a tight choice. I need to revisit Unforgiven and All About Eve, as it’s been too long on both of those for me to have a clear enough opinion, which knocked Sam’s list down a bit for me. Adam and Josh were neck and neck but Josh’s variety won out in the end.
Josh was the clear winner for me because he had a wide selection of films. Sam's choices were solid for me, but Josh--I just couldn't get on board. Way too much Godfather for me. I do like Annie Hall, but I wouldn't rank it in the best picture category.
Colton Butcher - 3 years ago
For me, it was pretty close between all three of you. Ultimately I have to go with my heart and Josh's lineup has a Lord of the Rings film, the best Billy Wilder movie, my favorite Coen brothers film, the film that started Barry Jenkins' run of great films, and Casablanca also exists. That's the only one in Josh's lineup that doesn't excite me. Verses Adam's too much Godfather for me and Annie Hall....Adam....why? Sam was a close second, but the titles didn't hit me as hard as the ones Josh chose. I love these draft episodes! Thanks for all you guys do.
This was not an easy choice, as all three hosts had some great picks. The first "Godfather" may be as perfect as any film made, but I need to watch again for a renewed consideration. So, based on personal preference I ended up going with Sam - as he had both "One Flew over the cuckoo's nest" and "West Side Story" - two films which well could be on my personal top 30 of all time (same with "Casablanca", but again, Josh had too many recent picks for my conservative taste). I also have great admiration for both "All About Eve" and "Unforgiven".
That said, the one time I watched "Amadeus" it did not leave me as excited as Adam and Sam obviously are for the film (also, in my opinion "Once Upon In America" is the far superior film of 1984). Still, Sam had a balanced variety of era, as having one film from each decade the 50s through the 90s.
A suggestion for a revised Best Picture Winners-list would be to look at the context of the winners and see whether the movie winning was truly the best film of its year - almost always there is an English-speaking dominance, so I suppose in many cases it would NOT be (even "One Flew..." is probably only the third best film of '75, after "Nashville" and "Jaws" - Sight and Sound-listeners also have recently named "Jeanne Dielman..." of the same year as THE best film of ALL TIME, saying something of that being a magnificent year in film history).
Anyway, keep up the great work!
Although it was close with the first four picks, I had to vote Josh for selecting Annie Hall. I had a similar experience discovering Annie Hall as did Adam. I was so obsessed I write a paper on the meta qualities of the scene where they stand in the movie line. I got an A on my paper and Josh gets an A for this pick.
I *really* wanted to reward Adam for the bold Godfather selections and for including my usual "if I have to choose a favorite movie it is this" selection, 'Awrence. And I loved Sam's big swing from his heart. But incinerator or desert island logic pulls pretty strong for Josh's lineup. Picking up my tickets soon for the Larsen Best Picture Festival!
3 reasons why I voted for Josh:
1. Casablanca - It was my beloved late grandfather's favorite film and he was the man that made me the cinephile that I am today.
2. Moonlight - The love I have for this film is damn near limitless, truly one of the most profoundly moving and beautifully filmed movies ever made. Moonlight was the first film that cracked my personal favorite Top 10 in its 20 years of existence.
3. Return of the King - It wasn't long after Josh joined Filmspotting that he proudly expressed his love for my favorite film in my all-time favorite film trilogy. Compared to the previous co-host who shall not be named, who reveled in their disdain for this trilogy, it was quite refreshing to hear someone show love for Director Peter Jackson's filmmaking masterpiece. For that I took an instant liking to Mr. Larsen and I'm very happy he's still with Filmspotting.
Major props to Sam for picking another one of my top 10 favorites: All About Eve. starring my all-time favorite film actress Bette Davis.
Also props to Adam for the Parasite selection. Aside from being a great film, it has a special place in my heart because I saw it in February 2020. Yes, the last film I saw before the pandemic shutdown and the last film I would see for more than a year. Truly a great pre-pandemic shutdown film to see in a theater.
Great bonus show! Love the drafts. It was a tight choice. I need to revisit Unforgiven and All About Eve, as it’s been too long on both of those for me to have a clear enough opinion, which knocked Sam’s list down a bit for me. Adam and Josh were neck and neck but Josh’s variety won out in the end.
Josh was the clear winner for me because he had a wide selection of films. Sam's choices were solid for me, but Josh--I just couldn't get on board. Way too much Godfather for me. I do like Annie Hall, but I wouldn't rank it in the best picture category.
For me, it was pretty close between all three of you. Ultimately I have to go with my heart and Josh's lineup has a Lord of the Rings film, the best Billy Wilder movie, my favorite Coen brothers film, the film that started Barry Jenkins' run of great films, and Casablanca also exists. That's the only one in Josh's lineup that doesn't excite me. Verses Adam's too much Godfather for me and Annie Hall....Adam....why? Sam was a close second, but the titles didn't hit me as hard as the ones Josh chose. I love these draft episodes! Thanks for all you guys do.