Not connected to Eric's movie poll.

It says three because I made an error.

But the no-prize hunter in me says it says three because Jackass 2 is not a movie, but a cinematic experience.

Going with Casablanca as the easy choice here. Not brilliant but dated, not brilliant but boring, not dim and juvenile.

4 way tie at 1!!

I think Eric voted for Jackass to mock my poll

That coulda been me, or stan or dan(the new stan).

Citizen Kane.

In fact, I did not. I have not yet voted. I have to think the three contenders over and made a case to myself before I can make it to others.

I picked Godfather, since Raiders wasnt one of the choices.

and Jaws continues to get no love.

Jaws gets exactly as much love as it deserves.

Mannequin and the two Weekend at Bernies movies should also be in this poll.

It's not in the poll, is it?

WhaddamImissinghere?

So anyway, this theoretical finals that never happened ...

First, I scratch out Casablanca. It's close among all three, but both Kane and the Godfather edge it out for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the cinematic bravado shown by those two films, something lacking in the otherwise extraordinary Casablanca. That film's main strength lies in script and characters. Kane and Godfather match up nicely on both, but ultimately add more to the mix.

So, Godfather and Kane. Quite difficult. I have a weakness for epics, so Godfather looks strong, yet Kane manages to be epic despite a lesser running time. Both had impact, great stories, strong scripts, fantastic performances, great visuals, crisp directing, great scores, and more. Hmmmm.

Okay, thinking this up on the fly:

Impact - Kane's impact is hard to measure, as it didn't really click until years later. It was both too far ahead of its time AND was crushed by William Randolph Heart, the man upon whom Kane was based. Godfather's was more immediate and more recent. It also spawned far more imitators. You can see Godfather in a mot of modern film, moreso than Kane. Edge: Godfather

Story - Kane is the tragic tale of a man consumed by the need to control all around him, until he ultimately drives away everything good in his life. Godfather is the tragic tale of a good man pulled into evil events, until he ultimately succumbs to the evil and becomes worse than that which he replaced. Neither man is sympathetic. Godfather's plot is probably more robust, Kane's more moving. Edge: Draw.

Script - Godfather is quotable as anything else you can name this side of Casablanca; it's also fairly straightforward. Kane's script is bold and inventive; its scattered narrative quite daring. What the hell was Welles thinking? Also, Kane’s is tighter, offering more information with less, more brisk dialogue. Edge: Kane

Characters - Kane is filled with great characters, not the least of which is Kane himself, but this is pretty clearly in Godfather's favor. Huge cast with few duds. Edge: Godfather

Performances - Welles' performance in Kane is one of the best ever. It really is. But Godfather has so MANY great performances it's impossible to overlook. Among the best ensembles ever. Edge: Godfather.

Visuals - Godfather is a visually lovely film. The shadows are well-used, and Coppola's compositions have a nice sense of scale yet remain intimate. Kane, though, broke the mold and remains nearly unmatched. Shot after shot after shot is dead brilliant. Forced perspective, great compositions, symbolism. No real contest here. Edge: Kane.

Directing - Coppola was young and bold and ignored the rules. So, too, was Welles. Welles' directing is more impressive to me - his choices are impeccable, and some scenes, such as the breakfast montage, are SO far and away beyond what was standard at the time, they’re STILL impressive. In three hours, it's impossible for Godfather to avoid an "ordinary" scene or two. No great knock, but it’s true. Kane has NONE. Edge: Kane.

Score - Tough call. The Godfather main theme is now legend. Coppola's dad did some great minimalist work here; very edgy and moody. Herrmann's is better, though. He scores with a wider palette of sounds and manages to keep together a more diverse narrative. Also, the newsroom party scene trumps the wedding scene. Edge: Kane

Entertainment - Guns. Killing. Murder. Action. Kane really doesn't have these things. Godfather has a forward motion to it that Kane does not, existing on that surface level in a way Kane really doesn't. Godfather is more “raw,” at times more “simple” in its storytelling, and thus more apt to succeed as pure entertainment. Edge: Godfather.

Damn. It’s 4-4, with one draw.

Yup, it’s that close.

Okay, one more category:

Breaking New Ground – Godfather was gritty and bloody in a way few films had been before, filled with anti-heroes and unseemly events. Bold for its time … but not unheard of. This realm was starting to become more common in cinema. Godfather took it to the next level and made it art, but Coppola was capitalizing on what came before. Kane is in a whole ‘nother realm. I’m not sure that a single film has ever been further ahead of its time or has broken more ground when it comes to cinematic techniques. Welles broke every rule in the book, created some new rules, then broke them, too. Edge: Kane.

And so … Citizen Kane it is.

the persistent complaints that Jaws was not part of any of Eric's polls. and now mine

weekend at bernie's was awesome. I laughed so hard watching it with my aunt, when her husband came home, we rewound and watched it again, and laughed harder!

I screwed up. I threw away my vote as a joke on Jackass so i could accuse Eric. Now Casablanca is losing by one vote

Judge WAN has forgiven you and corrected your sin.

Shark still looks fake.

FAKE SHARK!

Kane.

I went with Casablanca. It had a great story, great cast and great lines. It had a great ending too.