The problem with big lists

Just now...I was reading James Gunn's blog. Who is he you may wonder? He is a writer/director who has produced one of my favourite debut films Slither. A mixture of dry, crass humour and gag inducing gore, with fine lead work from Nathan Fillion and Elizabeth Banks, and one of the greatest scene-stealers around - Gregg Henry.

But his work as a director is not up for discussion today. If so, Scooby Doo should probably be addressed. No his blog interests me. More importantly his Top 50 films of all time. It's a fine list. Not one that I particularly agree with, nor is it one where every title is one that I can immediately comment on knowingly despite the fact I am something of a sponge. But it got me thinking beyond my own sacred Top Ten films.

I love my top ten films. I think that if I could only watch ten films for the rest of my life those ten would be it (although I often question American Beauty's place on that list and hang onto it perhaps through nostalgia rather than absolute love). However let's expand that list for a minute.

It is easy enough to immediately have another twelve to fifteen names off the top of your head that you wish could have been in that sacred top ten. I found myself struggling to provide more range than just crime films when I first tried to compile a list.

So now you might have 25 favourite films. Try putting that to 50...suddenly not so easy. Then there's the ordering itself. Is Mad Max 2 a better film than JFK? If I had to choose between the two which one would I take....oh....so hard....erm....JFK....no wait! Where do they chart? Do I like Chasing Amy more than Raiders of the Lost Ark?

I think if you have to put a cap on a list like this that is meant to be so expansive then 100 is pretty much your limit. After a while it becomes more of a study than anything else...it feels clinical and needs explanation. Some titles will make it in that even you yourself will tell yourself you don't like that much. Devotion and affection dwindle and you are left with films you merely enjoy rather than lord over with worrying love.

I might try and complete a Top 50. I might go for a 100 some day. After that I'll write a book. Leave the blogging to people with more time than me. That said this post is taking longer than some coursework I have done...no names will be mentioned.