Klavan and Shapiro: Top 5 Movies and Books

[@TheVCRTimeMachine]

The Godfather is one of the all-time greats, but to say it's the last great film is silly. That's some get off my lawn stuff, right there.

[@billybatts8283]

The Lord of the Rings adaptation was a staggering achievement. And something we will never experience ever again.

[@nerevarchthn6860]

Dune feels the same for me (for now)

[@junglemoose2164]

No, it wasn’t. Peter Jackson has a shallow understanding of the source material and did not understand most of the characters. His portrayal of the Hobbits and Gimli are especially insulting. In the novels the Hobbits are sheltered but not foolish (except for Pippin) but Jackson twisted them and made them naive and impractical. He turned Gimli into a joke character. In the novels Gimli is a great warrior. In the films he’s portrayed as a bumbling, so-so fighter. Legolas is virtually a god in the films and many of his action scenes are unintentionally hilarious because they look like they’re out of a video game. The use of slow motion by Jackson is needless and makes serious scenes maudlin and hammy. He’s not a good director overall (though he is a decent director of action scenes).

[@hussain1921]

@@junglemoose2164 No adaptation is going to be perfect. Some liberities have to be taken for cinema purposes. Overall its a great adaptation.

[@stevem2323]

@@junglemoose2164 You are virtually wrong on all accounts, typical Jackson hater. Sure he changed some stuff because making a movie exactly like LOTR is absolutely impossible. You understanding of the characters in the movie is ludicrous, pompous and superficial. Most of us loved the characters from the book on another level after the movies, he made them visually and spiritually alive. Book fanatics are the worst, completely lost.

[@stevem2323]

@@hussain1921 Not great, absolute masterpiece.

[@mariamartinusz9699]

The Klavan-Shapiro book and film club rocks.

[@sawyeratkinson]

Totally agree

[@shawnaweesner3759]

👍❤️

[@danielgregory7212]

I have seen Shapiro book club, but there is a movie club?!

[@benjaminjeffery6873]

Lord of the rings is such an authentic, mythical and immersive experience that stands head and shoulders above everything else, it really couldn’t be made in the current social and or technology climate. It happened that the correct interval with just the right amount of grounded cgi; on location shooting; miniatures; make-up; costumes; faithful casting; romanticism landscape cinematography; uniquely, culturally and mythical musical score worthy of its own epic poem; and dialogue to quote until the end of days.

[@johndub3866]

Yeah I rewatched the trilogy recently, then watched something else. What immediately struck me was that the something else just simply didn't have the quality or investment of care of the LOTR, and the gap was enormous.

[@Parks179-h]

The books are even better in terms of story.

[@adamb8317]

Fantastic. Though the extended editions are the real movies IMO. Though I have to pretend they are different LoTR than the book trilogy.

[@td5604]

This was great! I would gladly watch Ben and Andrew talk movies and books for hours. Or once a week, whatever. Come on, Daily Wire. Make it happen. 😁

[@ryancairns139]

PragerU does have a book discussion, hosted by Michael Knowles. I've haven't gotten around to listening to any, unfortunately. Maybe today is the day.

[@vmasing1965]

Andrew is the real heavy hitter, he's the only true artist in DW (I mean, give credit where it's due) but yes, oddly enough Ben gives a really good counterbalance to it. So yes, can't agree more, this is a missed opportunity. Make it a series, a regular thing and people would definitely watch it.

[@lidlett9883]

@@ryancairns139 yeah but it's Knowles

[@tannahannson]

Retweet

[@philtheo]

From the video: Andrew Klavan Movies 1. Casablanca 2. The Godfather 3. Stagecoach 4. Vertigo 5. High Noon Books (fiction only) 1. Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky 2. King Lear (Hamlet and MacBeth are close) by William Shakespeare 3. The Ambassadors by Henry James 4. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy 5. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens 6. He mentions others like Jane Austen (e.g. Emma), and he said he could go on forever, but he stops himself here. Ben Shapiro Movies 1. On the Waterfront 2. Singin' in the Rain 3. Lord of the Rings trilogy Ben doesn't give his list of top 5 favorite fiction

[@tedus9773]

I have to shout out a huge thanks to Klavan. I “educated” myself by reading (audible) many of the books that he has recommended over the years. Has meant so much to me to get a glimpse of that world.

[@scottcarroll9201]

Holy crap. Klavan picked as his favorite movie and book my favorite movie and book: “Casablanca” and “Crime and Punishment.” The man has great taste.

[@vmasing1965]

Haha, appreciate the self irony. Nice touch, little bit of that "Klavan'i goodness" right there! 😄

[@Lawrence_Talbot]

I never understood the hype around Citizen Kane. Maybe it was a product of its time, but it was kind of slow and boring. If the dude wanted to go sledding so badly, he could’ve just bought a ski resort and ridden his “Rose Bud” down the hills all day

[@ithurtsbecauseitstrue]

@@Lawrence_TalbotCitizen Kane is amazing. And its not about the sled. And it changed cinema, so it that - it was a product of its time. But also so foundational -its impact is undeniable

[@Lawrence_Talbot]

@@ithurtsbecauseitstrue all cliché buzzwords with zero explanation

[@ithurtsbecauseitstrue]

@@Lawrence_Talbot You want me to explain the impact in a youtube message? Its not cliche to notice its impact on media, nor are they buzz words. The drama is good. And technically it was a first in a multitude of ways, from the deep focus, to putting the camera beneath the floor for scale, the seamless use of matte paintings, the fading transitions that fade backgrounds first and the foreground subjects. Filled with special effects one doesnt even notice today because they are so convincing and woven into the film. It was scandalous, provocative, career making, career crushing, industry changing and deep. Thats probably why you dont get it. Its not obvious and simple enough. He didnt buy a ski resort. Doh! You dont even grasp what the sled means - but were supposed to listen to you about Citizen Kanes place in cinema history, huh? Movies before were different than movies after. Even his legendary cinematographer was a student on set as they invented things. Reading a full explanation of Kane would fly way way over your head sled-boy.

[@ethanrichard4950]

I love the Lotr trilogy! The books are great too.

[@LHJC10]

First movie was pretty good and relatively true to the books, but did deviate in the next two especially some of character development. My gripe with PJ is he tends to drag a scene out and over bloat it, when it doesn't add to the story. One example being the chase through Mines of Moria with the collapsing stairs, on the flip side minus that scene I thought the Mines of Moria depiction in the film was the best bit in the trilogy.

[@ethanrichard4950]

@@LHJC10 Interesting. With the mines of Moria staircase, I felt that it added tension. Here they are trying to escape this monstrous beast that even Gandalf is afraid of, and they cant even travel a staircase without it breaking, or goblins firing arrows. The Balrog is getting closer and closer, but eventually, with some luck and brains, they get away from the danger as the bright orange glair gets ever closer. I will say that sometimes PJ might make scene longer, but I normally don't mind, as they feel like they're trying to create tension, or pull out your emotions. But yeah, I can think of one or two scenes where I'm like, does it need to be this long?

[@jonson856]

I gotta rewatch the trilogy again :D I also love the movies. But somehow I just couldn't get myself to like the Hobbit movies. 😂

[@ethanrichard4950]

@@jonson856 Yeah, me and my family watch the entire extended edition once a year. We do it in one day and for the last two years, we've done it on new years eve. As for the hobbit movies, while I genuinely like the first movie, the other just dip in quality so far, I don't like them. But Martin Freeman is great as Bilbo. though.

[@ah_helou2845]

@@ethanrichard4950 i think Desolation of Smaug is def the best Hobbit movie

[@mitchellnelms7572]

As far as westerns go, "Unforgiven" is the best I've seen. Honestly, it was a very real look at how death affects the mind and how emotionless we become when we've crossed that boundary. I'm ex-military, for reference.

[@VladimirTironi]

I'm with you man... Somehow it is impossible to explain. Ex military too.

[@mitchellnelms7572]

@@VladimirTironi yeah, I've been thinking about it all day. The movie American Sniper touched on the anger and rage you feel afterward.

[@VladimirTironi]

@@mitchellnelms7572 exactly. For me also the scene of fully stocked store in "The Hurt Locker".

[@mitchellnelms7572]

@@VladimirTironi yeah, I completely forgot about that movie. Good call.

[@bighands69]

Unforgiven is a great modern movie but compared to the likes of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance or The Searchers it seems to lack the cinematic scope or depth in characters. Unforgiven is a fantastic movie.

[@thejohnsonshomeschool]

Dear Editors, I love your work 99.99999% of the time but that clip at the end is from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women and not a Jane Austen film 💔

[@elizabethdavey3873]

Was about to post that too if it hadn't been mentioned already!

[@sjesson6979]

I was just scrolling to find this comment. The opening of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice would have worked just as well.

[@VersoLaltoProductions]

Haha I noticed that too!

[@maddybandowski1012]

came here to say this!

[@BishopWalters12]

Tombstone will always be my favorite western, it's not the deepest or the most groundbreaking but it's just so much fun.

[@machtnichtsseimann]

Quotable, great chemistry and presence in lead actors Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, solid cast overall, effective editing, tight narrative, and some very beautiful scenes supported by good writing, camera work, acting. ( The last scene with Wyatt and Doc always gets me in the gut. Profound. ) Highly entertaining film!

[@jonathancurtis5122]

Tolkien was the greatest writer of fiction

[@o00nemesis00o]

I would put him second to Shakespeare.

[@TheKangoutou]

@@o00nemesis00o Tolkien writes fantasy, Shakespeare writes drama. I would argue these two need separate categories!

[@quantumfizzics9265]

I would put Peppa pig up there

[@damo9961]

Dunno Frank Herbert was pretty good.

[@jonaFUN999]

The Children of Húrin is fantastic, cannot recommend enough for Tolkien fans

[@fredettaboutit]

Ben Shapiro has mentioned two of his other favorite movies as ‘The Lives of Others’ and ‘Amadeus’ . And Christopher Nolans Dark Night Movie/ Interstellar

[@bighands69]

"The lives of others" is amazing but I am not sure I would say it is the best of all time. Amadeus is a master piece but again not sure it would be best of all time. Nolan's movies are most certainly up there in terms of modern movies but I think that says more about the state of modern movies than the brilliance of Nolan.

[@andrewbradley3305]

@@bighands69 the dark knight is amazing. It’s a story of chaos and order

[@bighands69]

@@andrewbradley3305 It is amazing in the context of modern cinema but not when viewed in the context of classic era and new Hollywood era.

[@osmanyousif7849]

Amadeus was almost a perfection. Mainly due to me asking, why they didn’t go with scenes from the director’s cut.

[@christophercarrigg3775]

Don't forget whiplash

[@treesap2]

First, because every time Klavan suggests something... He's right.

[@johannakunze3300]

I carefully listened to him for several years and I only found one thing where he is wrong

[@treesap2]

@@johannakunze3300 You must be wrong. His answers are guaranteed to change your life.

[@beardybeardface]

@@treesap2 ah, but will it change your life for the better?

[@andrewbradley3305]

Dracula

[@brockframe7512]

Top 5 Movies 1.) No Country for Old Men 2.) Good Will Hunting 3.) Taxi Driver 4.) The Godfather 5.) Casablanca Books 1.) East of Eden ~ John Steinbeck 2.) Anthem ~ Ayn Rand 3.) A Farewell to Arms ~ Ernest Hemingway 4.) Julius Caesar- Shakespeare 5.) For Whom The Bell Tolls ~ Hemingway

[@ReligionOfSacrifice]

TOP TWENTY (20) BOOKS "The Holy Bible: King James Version" copyright 1967 1) "The Insulted and Humiliated" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 2) "Verbal Behavior" by Dr. B. F. Skinner 3) "Resurrection" by Leo Tolstoy 4) "The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 5) "Fathers and Sons" by Ivan Turgenev 6) Myth Adventures - series by Robert Asprin 7) The Chronicles of Narnia - series by C. S. Lewis 8) "Vilette" by Charlotte Brontë 9) "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy 10) "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 11) "Smoke" by Ivan Turgenev 12) "Chesapeake" by James A. Michener 13) "Poland" by James A. Michener 14) "Roots" by Alex Haley 15) The Silmarillion - The Hobbit, or there and back again - The Lord of the Rings - Middle Earth stories by J. R. R. Tolkien 16) "Even If This Love Disappears Tonight" by Misaki Ichijo 17) "Childhood, Boyhood" by Leo Tolstoy 18) Foundation Series - Isaac Asimov 19) "Eugene Onegin" by Alexander Pushkin 20) "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky TOP 25 FAVORITE MOVIES 1) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1982) 2) It's a Wonderful Life (1946) 3) The Prince who was a Thief (1951) 4) Narnia: the Lion, the witch, and the wardrobe (2005) 5) Let the Right One In (2008) - Swedish with English caption 6) A Silent Voice (2016) - Japanese with English caption 7) My Rainy Days (2009) - Japanese with English caption 8) A Brilliant Young Mind (originally known as "X+Y") (2014) 9) Silence (2016) 10) Spiderman: No Way Home (2021) 11) Beauty and the Beast (2017) 12) Goodbye, Christopher Robin (2017) 13) The Man who Invented Christmas (2017) 14) The Scarlet Pimpernel (1934) 15) Amen (2002) 16) Red (2010) 17) Fletch (1985) 18) Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) 19) Men In Black (1997) 20) Star Wars: the Empire Strikes Back (1980) 21) Star Wars: a New Hope (1977) 22) Back to the Future (1985) 23) X-Men (2000) 24) Mannequin (1987) 25) Life is Beautiful (1998)

[@ReligionOfSacrifice]

FAVORITE AUTHORS 1st) Fyodor Dostoevsky 1) “The Insulted and Humiliated” by Fyodor Dostoevsky 4) "The Idiot" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 19) "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 30) "Demons" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 65) "My Uncle's Dream" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 80) "The Heavenly Christmas Tree" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 113) "Poor Folk" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 130) "The Gentle Spirit" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 141) "The Gambler" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 149) "White Nights" by Fyodor Dostoevsky 173) "Netochka Nezvanova" (nameless nobody) by Fyodor Dostoevsky 2nd) Leo Tolstoy 3) "Resurrection" by Leo Tolstoy 9) "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy 17) “Childhood, Boyhood” by Leo Tolstoy 62) "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy 91) "A Confession" by Leo Tolstoy 3rd) Ivan Turgenev 5) "Fathers and Sons" by Ivan Turgenev 11) "Smoke" by Ivan Turgenev 23) "Virgin Soil" by Ivan Turgenev 41) "Torrents of Spring" by Ivan Turgenev 64) "First Love" by Ivan Turgenev 101) "Acia" by Ivan Turgenev 107) "The Watch" by Ivan Turgenev 132) "Rudin" by Ivan Turgenev 141) "On the Eve" by Ivan Turgenev 152) "Home of the Gentry" by Ivan Turgenev 172) "Clara Militch" by Ivan Turgenev 177) "The Inn" by Ivan Turgenev 4th) James A. Michener 12) "Chesapeake" by James A. Michener 13) "Poland" by James A. Michener 36) "Caribbean" by James A. Michener 37) "Hawaii" by James A. Michener 197) “Mexico” by James A. Michener 5th) Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 10) "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 28) "Cancer Ward" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 44) "In the First Circle" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 78) "The Gulag Archipelago, 1918-1956: an Experiment in Literary Investigation" by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

[@StepherRose]

Just have to mention that the clip that plays after they mention Jane Austen is from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women….

[@tessalister1226]

Yes and another great book.

[@gavinlitster7478]

Someone else noticed haha

[@stephanicrandall7797]

Yes thank-you! Also an amazing book, but I can't believe the editor made that mistake.

[@jackylee_jack]

I love it when Klavan talks about movies, literature and art.

[@Zathren]

Can we get Kavlan's top 5 video games? I'm genuinely curious considering I had no idea he's a gamer.

[@Likeyourbestbroorsum]

It honestly shocked me to hear he was playing through Mario and has already beat many other games.

[@keystrix3704]

@@Likeyourbestbroorsum Everyone knows and touched a Mario game at this point. What blew me away were the words "Devil May Cry" coming from him.

[@HarveyDangerLurker]

Morrowind

[@crobeastness]

@@keystrix3704 he's a grampas age. Your gramps's played Mario?

[@cyclone8974]

@@crobeastness My father was about 8 years older than Andrew and he played Fallout 1-3. Most of the Betrayal at Krondor series. A ton of turn based strategy games. Legend Zelda Ocarina of Time/Majoras Mask, Wind Waker. Metal Gear Swords and Serpents on NES.

[@benweatherstaff3157]

One of my favorites is Andrew Klavan's book When Christmas Comes. I just read it right before Christmas and I already am reading it again.

[@demurevilleneuvewinslet8235]

What is it about?

[@benweatherstaff3157]

@@demurevilleneuvewinslet8235 It is about an ex Army Ranger that murdered his girlfriend and plead guilty.

[@PaulAshley]

For Wayne westerns, The Searchers is fantastic.

[@bighands69]

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is amazing as well but not quite as cinematic as The Searchers.

[@nrkgalt]

McLintock was a western comedy that also had important lessons for modern businesses.

[@megclif]

Red River with the amazing Montgomery Clift which I viewed recently is also excellent and it's a role a little different to his usual ones.

[@johndub3866]

I love True Grit. Rooster is the role John Wayne was born to play.

[@Leonnie13]

Klavan actually talked about this movie in one of his past podcasts, I believe.

[@pp312]

For me it's Ben-Hur (59) (movie, not book. Book's a little clumsy). I just love those resonant lines like, "The stone that fell from this roof so long ago is still falling."

[@raylenenielsen5943]

That was my first thought.

[@mikehardgraves7887]

The scene where Masala is dying after the chariot race “It goes on Juda, it goes on!”

[@roelven1282]

the new Ben Hur (so...so ...so bad) was the complete opposite of the old Ben Hur (which i love!!!!!)

[@pp312]

@@roelven1282 You said it, Brother! 😁

[@qwikrick9934]

My favorite movie of all time Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Cinematography, funny moments, great character portraits, Strother Martin, Katherine Ross (be still my heart), and of course Newman and Redford. I'm approaching 50 views and it's still fresh.

[@bighands69]

I think it is a fantastic New Hollywood film but not quite at the level of say The Searchers or The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Shane is a fantastic western as well that sometimes gets forgotten about.

[@98pointseven]

One of my favorites too. Lots of fun in the kinky opening business--scandalous for audiences in 1969--in which Redford and Ross do a little bedroom S&M scene in which they pretend to be lust killer and innocent virgin.

[@richardrose2606]

Speaking of Newman and Strother Martin, you have to mention Cool Hand Luke.

[@josephscherer4581]

Great video guys! Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, The Godfather, High Noon. And yes Casablanca is the greatest movie ever. So much of my favorite stuff!

[@bighands69]

I would also add the likes of Vertigo and Rear Window. I love Charles Dickens Hard times.

[@josephscherer4581]

@@bighands69 I forgot to mention Rear Window in my comments! It is in my top 5 all time movies.

[@richardrose2606]

Greatest movie ever? For me it's Bertolucci's "The Conformist".

[@BillyGorst]

You can't leave out Conrad's Heart of Darkness!! Absolutely incredible insight into humanity

[@blue24563]

It was very good.

[@billruland1494]

I just finished listening to Heart of Darkness, recorded by the great Kenneth Branagh. Absolutely chilling.

[@williambrady9578]

And Apocalypse Now as a film adaptation

[@Leonnie13]

Maybe Heart of Darkness is a male thing.

[@machtnichtsseimann]

@@Leonnie13 - Could be. Stretch a lil'. If I can dig some chick flicks, you can dig some man movies.

[@samanthacanales9102]

LOVE THE ENERGY BETWEEN THESE TWO.

[@colincopland3665]

There’s the great contradiction of Hollywood’s silent films era- short films that said a lot about people and life without audibly saying anything. Some of my favorite movies look to silent films for inspiration: Singin’ in the Rain, Wall-E, and Up.

[@karanvirkooner1993]

my Top 5 favorite movies of all time 1 The Thing(1982) 2 Blade Runner 3 Jaws(1975) 4 Se7en 5 Heat(1995)

[@googlefashists4986]

not in the top 100

[@oambitiousone7100]

Jaws

[@mattsimnitt1420]

The thing is a nearly perfect movie. Probably also my all time fav

[@catherinelw9365]

Another myopic list.

[@EddieHenderson92]

@@catherinelw9365 We get it, you're so hipster and edgy.

[@huntertuggle2667]

I love the Silent Hill 2 cameo. Greatest horror game ever, and a story Klavan would really like.

[@cassiaprior453]

I find it extremely difficult to find a joy comparable to listening to another share your passion towards a subject. But I think these two sharing a conversation about books might be a close second... if it were for a longer period of time XD

[@JnEricsonx]

I can say one of my favorite movies of the last 25 years is LA Confidential. And I don't usually see period detective pieces/noir films, etc. But the story and the acting is on point.

[@johndub3866]

Its a masterpiece. And I love James Ellroy's books, dark as they are.

[@RB-mq6em]

So glad he said David Copperfield. It’s usually regarded as one of his lesser novels, but DC has always been my favourite of those I’ve read. And the first part of the book is set where I live, which makes me love it even more!

[@AS-yz2iz]

Thank you, Ben. I have a hard TE with Dickens. I love the story of A Tale of Two Cities, but he's so wordy, that it's a struggle sometimes. Absolutely love Jan Austen though. And even though it's overplayed, It's a Wonderful Life is a wonderful commentary on the sanctity of life, and how the world could be so different if just one person had never been born. Plus there are some really good one liners on that movie.

[@Pixie330-r1y]

Totally agree about 'Casablanca' being first - but surely 'It's a Wonderful Life' should be there too. Otherwise great choices. Also that 'Crime and Punishment' remains the greatest novel in Western Culture - but glad that Jane Austen makes the list - she should. Shakespeare remains in a league of his own -

[@whenraindropsfall]

I never understood the hype with “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It was wasn’t even alright movie for me, it was just underwhelming

[@benjaminskylerhill8276]

I’m on the younger side, so here are my top 5 books and movies: Movies: Alien (1979) The Iron Giant (1999) Die Hard (1988) Room (2015) Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986). Books: The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness The Road by Cormac McCarthy The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

[@hollydaze5625]

Love the Screwtape Letters!

[@catherinelw9365]

You need to broaden your movie watching. Limiting films to the 1980's to current is myopic.

[@benjaminskylerhill8276]

@@catherinelw9365 I never said I limited my movie watching to that time. These are just my favorites. I love it’s a wonderful life, north by northwest, eyes without a face, and mr smith goes to Washington, to name a few.

[@Hard_Boiled_Entertainment]

My top 5 movies: Pulp Fiction Double Indemnity The Magnificent Seven (1960) Singin In The Rain Enchanted Bonus 6 to 10 (no real order here): Ocean's Eleven (the Clooney & Pitt version) Man Of Steel Rio Bravo Rear Window Jackie Brown or The Black Dahlia

[@lieutenantflyboy]

The 2007 film Enchanted starring Amy Adams? I also love Man of Steel. Russel Crowe is Jor-El in that movie.

[@Hard_Boiled_Entertainment]

@@lieutenantflyboy YEP, that Enchanted!

[@Stranger_Than_Fiction299]

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE JANE AUSTEN! Had almost given up that you would mention her! Her books are proof that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Also- as Wonderful as the movies are the LOTR books are among my faves. I look forward to reading the other suggestions.

[@nocturnal101ravenous6]

One thing I love and kind of hate is when a person asks another person give me your top five of some general category of something, like books, movies, or music. Break it down into genres, what is your favorite Western Films, Horror FIlms, and/or SciFi films, it creates a fine stroke with choices rather than such broad choices.

[@vincentandrews301]

Great taste in movies and literature!

[@ThunderWarrior01]

The Good,The Bad And The Ugly is by far the greatest western. There’s no hero,no moral lesson,no message. It’s just a story of three men heading in the same direction,towards destiny and one hell of a pile of gold.

[@jgesselberty]

What is impressive is the wide range of this man.

[@rekaroob2589]

Nothing beats Casablanca of course❤️✨Klavan has an awesome taste😉

[@davidturkstra8239]

I enjoy this just for the fact that I know what books and movies are worth checking out. There is so much garbage peddled out there, but I find I trust these guys so much that I’ll take their word for it and check out their recommendations. I already did with some of their Christmas list. It wasn’t a mistake :)

[@bighands69]

Some of what they state is very high quality but it may not appeal to your individual tastes. I think it is important to recognise quality but at the same time be able to admit it is not something that you like personally. I see so many people say that such and such a book/movie/music is terrible but what they really mean is it does not appeal to them.

[@DonnyStanley]

I wish they would go over more modern movies too, just because most people already know of these classic films, even if they haven't seen them.

[@megclif]

There have been so few movies in the last couple of years that I've been the least bit excited to view, but one stood out - Wind River, Jeremy Renner starred and directed by Taylor Sheridan ( he also wrote screenplay for Hell or High Water, Sicario, two other favourites of mine and created Yellowstone ). Check it out - it will not disappoint.

[@DonnyStanley]

Thanks for the recommendation.

[@johndub3866]

Good shout. Wind River is great.

[@hithere9377]

He’s missing Shawshank Redemption.

[@mediamaniac898]

Arguably my favorite!

[@sketchwolfee1621]

I love how Andrew mentions Jane Austen but the editors showed a clip from Little Women! 😂

[@Peter.Young21]

The Godfather is the last great movie? Yikes that is a hot take. There have definitely been several great movies in the past few decades.

[@Liwaabeaini]

Fight club, Interstellar, the illusionist...

[@Peter.Young21]

@@Liwaabeaini Interstellar is actually my personal favorite movie ever. Not saying it is the best, but it is for me personally. All time greats since Godfather, you definitely have to have LOTR, Saving Private Ryan, Dune 2, Warrior, True Grit, No Country for Old Men, Good Fellas Fight Club, I mean, there are several. Some others recently like Prisoners, the Revanent, Avengers Infinity War, Top Gun Maverick, Iron Claw. You cant hate on these like Klavan did haha

[@suyogsonar]

​@@Liwaabeainishup up!!!!!

[@tygre7]

"The Searchers," Drew!

[@bostonpride1717]

Frankenstein is still my favorite book!

[@zacharysiple629]

Top 5 Favorite Movies: 5. The Courtship of Eddie's Father. 4. Citizen Kane. (Yes, it's better than Casablanca. And more important.) 3. 2001: A Space Odyssey. 2. Life Itself- The Roger Ebert documentary. 1. The Prince of Egypt + Other Faith Based Favorites. My Possible Top 5 Books(I don't rank books, not much of a reader): 1. The Bible. 2. Me Myself and Bob. 3. Of Mice And Men. 4. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. 5. Holly's Heart series.

[@winskypinsky]

Faulkner? Come on you guys. Faulkner! Light in August. Sanctuary. The Snopes trilogy. Sparkling literature.

[@sanniepstein4835]

Yes! I forgot Faulkner. But I couldn't make sense of him until I'd lived in the South.

[@edwardduarte7393]

As I Lay Dying...

[@saturnascendz]

Master and Commander, Saving Private Ryan, Serenity, Fellowship of the Ring, 13th Warrior(if you get past Antonio Banderas not being Arab, it's quite good). Honorable mention: Immortals. Just movies I can watch repeatedly and have had the most impact on my life. My list.

[@ScytheJackal]

Man, I love the Daily Wire

[@mitchharpenau786]

Lonesome Dove is the greatest western novel and movie.

[@anitaglasgow8275]

I love Dickens and Steinbeck.

[@anitaglasgow8275]

My picks: Napoleon Dynamite, Happy Gilmore, Strange Brew, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

[@JaketheJust]

Top 5 movies 1. Unforgiven 2. 13 Assassins 3. Life is Beautiful 4. King Kong (1933) 5. The Dark Knight Top 5 Books 1. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress 2. Animal Farm 3. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court 4. Farewell to Arms 5. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

[@NeonShores]

I find that foreign films are affecting me more as I get older. Andrei Rublev, Fanny and Alexander, and In The Mood For Love are sitting at the top of my list right now.

[@bighands69]

Foreign films (none english speaking) are great alternatives but they seem to lack the cinematic scope that the Best of America and British film offer. There is just no Foreign film that even comes close to the likes of Vertigo or Ben-Hur. And there is something different about the way characters come across in the great Hollywood films as well. Right now Foreign cinema is better than Hollywood no doubt about that but how hard would that be?

[@Read2Friends]

I've always felt an affinity with Andrew and this exchange only confirms what I've suspected for a while. With regards to Hitchcock, my personal favourite is Rear Window. I'm very fond of Casablanca too but we seem to have a fair bit in common in the books department. Love the Russian authors and the mention of Dickens. I imagine that Dickens to be the single biggest influence on subsequent generations of English language writers. It's particularly fantastic to hear somebody talk about Jane Austen with a genuine understanding of what she's on about. Jane Austen, particularly Pride and Prejudice has been a great influence on my own writing and my love for the English language. When it's casually referred to as chicklit, I roll my eyes and think here's another who has never actually read the books. I love Austen for her satirical bent and biting humour. Thanks for the opportunity to geek out.

[@chantalsimpendingheartatta9355]

Rear Window is in my top ten

[@richardrose2606]

Agree with Rear Window. It's so meta.

[@mariamartinusz9699]

My top 5 1. The legend of 1900 2. Andrei Rublev (that poor bell maker boy...) 3. Paradise lost (Hungarian) 4. It's a wonderful life (let's include one cheerful movie at least) 5. Come and see (best war movie, but wouldn't want to see it again) +1 Stargate ( yeah, I love sci-fi)

[@heinrichvoneschenbach2628]

More people need to watch Tarkovsky tbh

[@googlefashists4986]

not on the same planet

[@fredweisenmiller1328]

Great list Maria! Come and See is easily the most intense movie experience you can see. It's interesting it took so much out of the director Klimov he never made another film.

[@mariamartinusz9699]

@@fredweisenmiller1328 yep. The young amateur actor guy, who played the protagonist, his hair went gray by the time they finished shooting the movie. I almost went gray too watching it. (Erm wait, I'm already gray😀)

[@kjparlay]

I have exactly zero interest in superhero movies, and klavan just expertly pointed out why. I had never thought about it that way but he's exactly right.

[@bighands69]

I will list good superhero movies X-Men (2000), Darkman (1990), Batman Begins, Captain America, Iron Man and Batman (1989). Everything else is just like hearted nonsense that can entertain for a short period but have no real impact. The issue you may have is the fact you dislike the idea of a superhero movie and that may off put you. There are certain types of movies I may dislike as well even though they may be excellent movies. I am just not a fan of romantic movies and cannot bring myself to watch them even though I can handle a romance in a drama or thriller.

[@DonnyStanley]

I love them but I totally understand his criticism. At least he's not as harsh as Scorsese. Also, it makes perfect sense that the one he would love is Logan.

[@bighands69]

@@DonnyStanley I am not a fan of Logan as it is not really a Wolverine movie. If a person knew nothing about the character or the comics or previous movies then they may like it.

[@BishopWalters12]

They used to be fun and feel like an event but that's gone now. It's genre that has been beyond milked.

[@Plainview-tu7xn]

The only "superhero" I care about is Batman. Just "Superhero tries to save the world" is not enough.

[@roughhabit9085]

Very hard to pick five but the book I’ve read the most is Pride and Prejudice and the movie I’ve watched the most is Groundhog Day.

[@ryand730]

More book reviews please. I feel that every other channel on KZbin reviews movies but it’s rare to find book review channels.

[@JonathElemRechokim]

Klavan is someone I truly trust when it comes to his taste in books, not because of his political inclinations, but in general. I wish he’d make more videos about his favorite books. I read Henry James’ “The Portrait of a Lady” last year after hearing him mention it in this video. I loved it; it’s so beautifully written and is such a great story. Another book that I read based on his recommendation is “The Woman in White,” which was such an entertaining read with lots of gothic imagery. I want to read “The Ambassadors” soon. “Crime and Punishment,” “David Copperfield,” and “Anna Karenina” are already my top favorites. I am trying my best to delay reading ‘War and Peace’ because ‘Anna Karenina’ was so good that it made it difficult to choose my next read at the time. So, ‘delayed gratification’ is my goal with ‘War and Peace.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The Third Man The Godfather In the Heat of the Night Blow Up (1960's version) Paris, Texas 12 Angry Men Contempt (with Brigitte Bardot) Walkabout (Australia) Wake in Fright (Australia) Vertigo North by Northwest Singing in the Rain Unforgiven (Clint) Touch of Evil The Night of the Hunter Ran (Kurosawa) The Forbidden Planet

[@jonaFUN999]

Wow that list is like a tasteful nude. 😉 As a boy my dad used to apple pick for David Hemings from blowup! He’s also in barberella which we used to laugh at a lot And touch of evil is the greatest noir for me. It’s just chaos, and there’re moments in scenes where Heston is literally trying to hold his laughter in. Absolute hidden gem! Edit: oh and the forbidden planet has aged far better than the other 50s sci fis. War of the worlds looks very dated and body snatchers isn’t as fun

[@lupcokotevski2907]

@@jonaFUN999 Thanks for the comment. Barbarella is a lot of fun. Forbidden Planet has the first electronic soundtrack. Love the robot. The Day the Earth Stood Still with Gort is also a favourite. So many! Cheers, mate.

[@lorrainem.swartzentruber3077]

For recent film classics; LOTR (not the Hobbit), The Dark Knight and The Usual Suspects. All dive into the dark and light in man.

[@ionlybowtogod9268]

Rio bravo is my favorite John Wayne western movie and my favorite non-western movie of his is The quiet Man.

[@jonaFUN999]

I think mines stagecoach or the man who shot liberty valance. But I always remember the ‘that’ll be the day!’ lines in the searchers

[@JJ-nu8qi]

It's funny how most people consider stuff to be the best depends alot on how old they were when they first saw it.

[@SuburbiaScreen]

The Longmire books are great. Dark and gritty. Even if you've watched the show, you'll enjoy them. Walt actually has a great sense of humor. The showrunners made him humorless, but that was because they wanted something a bit different. Aside from Walt Longmire, my favorite characters in the book series are Henry Standing Bear, and Lucian Conally.

[@sprezzatura8755]

For musicals The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is excellent.

[@khfan4life365]

One of my favorite books and movies is Gone With the Wind.

[@haydenspears1741]

‘There Will Be Blood’? ‘Unforgiven’? Klaven, there are still great movies being made post-Godfather

[@lieutenantflyboy]

My Top 5 films: 1) 2001: A Space Odyssey 2) Lawrence of Arabia 3) Interstellar 4) Mad Max Fury Road 5) Blade Runner

[@googlefashists4986]

yeah not in the top 100 greatest.

[@bighands69]

@@googlefashists4986 2001, Lawrence of Arabia and Blade runner most certainly are in the top 100.

[@googlefashists4986]

@@bighands69 They are no Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Vertigo, ...

[@lieutenantflyboy]

@@googlefashists4986 Films aren’t great just because they’re 60+ years old.

[@googlefashists4986]

@@lieutenantflyboy And films arent great because most of the budget was spent on sfx. They told stories, they didnt need computers to make a movie.

[@babbisp1]

0:51 2:21 2:34 6:32

[@TheSnowmanvocals]

I hope Andrew and or Ben see this. My favorite novel is I Am The Great Horse by Katherine Roberts. It tells of Alexander the Great's conquests through the eyes of his horse Bucephalus. I first read when I was I think a freshman in high school. I read it twice in 3 weeks, and it's over 300 pages. Such a good book! I cannot recommend it enough!!!

[@googlefashists4986]

no

[@bighands69]

I think I would rather a book from the eyes of Alexander the great rather than a horse. Must eat more grass does not appeal to me.

[@Spiqaro]

Hey Andrew, the new Macbeth movie with Denzel Washington was pretty good.

[@megofiachra3247]

Vertigo!!!!!!! Yeah! If you’ve never watched it, so it now! 👍 Agree about the Shakespeare trilogy; MacBeth at my top. Yes, Austen is brilliant as is Jane Eyre. How about Count of Monte Cristo?

[@jhgfdsertuiokjhg]

6:03; thank you Ben

[@mikem597]

My top movie, High Noon. Beautiful, deep, moving, stellar cast.

[@kmcheesehead7953]

Guys! Talking about Jane Austen, but showed a clip of "Little Women?!" You have an intern doing the editing?

[@michaal105]

Casablanca is my favourite movie too! And Godfather (1 and 2) is literally my second

[@alexanderg1297]

Joel Coen just directed The Tragedy of Macbeth and it is the best adaptation of Macbeth. Definitely worth a watch.

[@Rowdy-r2d2-John.3.16]

Wasn't Macbeth white?

[@JDKingStratslinger]

Movies: Hitchcock, Capra, WC Fields, Laurel & Hardy. Books: Austen, Pym, Kingsley Amis, Twain, Highsmith, Raymond Chandler.

[@robertstarkand1530]

I think Joel Coen does a nice job with Macbeth. Denzel Washington and Francis McDormand are terrific.

[@taniapinky1]

Please have Andrew's full list on your site! Love you guys and your awesome recommendations!

[@tcgtpl]

I know the holidays are over, but there needs to be a deep dive discussion here where Mr Shapiro convinces Mr Klavan that Die Hard is a Christmas movie. That’s the kind of content we need to see, either now or next Christmastime.

[@bighands69]

It is a movie in a christmas period but not a movie that is really about christmas.

[@catherinelw9365]

Die Hard is overrated crap.

[@giantsillyman8999]

Love this discussion, but I’m so disappointed you didn’t mention Count of Monte Cristo!!

[@Stratacaster87]

The Michael fassbender & Marion Cotillard version of Macbeth was actually excellent

[@waynedurning8717]

Yeah? I thought it was one note. Depressing.

[@BereanBeliever86]

Throne of Blood is phenomenal. Kurosawa was an amazing director.

[@CornerTalker]

Fiddler on the Roof, Casablanca, Best Years of Our Lives. David Copperfield, The Good Earth, The Odyssey [Lattimore],

[@chriscontreraz2482]

Two things, 100% I agree on Drew’s take on Casablanca. Thank you Drew for being one of the few guys who praise Jane Austin. The books are indeed a great read.

[@Leonnie13]

I agree. I watched a lot of versions of Austin on film and I was surprised about how much more I loved the book. ❤️ Austin

[@katherineneville5304]

You had me at Casablanca

[@abbyfaulls8005]

So disappointed in the person that put a clip of Little Women in when talking about Jane Austen…

[@austinquick6285]

In regards to prose, and knowing what ticks most sensibilities, and senses of humour, Charles Dickkens is a freaking Master. i mean, i just can't believe the words that come out his characters mouths. They are more real than real.

[@rubeng370]

I have a hard time making a list. So my list changes all the time: I know my #1 movie is Star Wars Episode 5: Empire Strikes Back But after that it's hard to make a list that stays still for me: - Goodfellas - Hacksaw Ridge - Captain America 3 - Aliens - Back to the Future - the Blob (80s) - Battle Royale (2000) - Starship Troopers - Mitchells vs the Machines - Terminator 2 - Robocop - Ari Aster horror movies - Spiderman 2 - Django Unchained - Bong Joon Ho movies - Avengers 3 It goes on and on, with so many to pick in order, but here's a general idea of my list

[@catherinelw9365]

Another myopic list. Movies were made before 1980.

[@tinytim71301]

This might be my fave bit. Thanks gents.

[@rachelduarte1012]

They mention Jane Austen movies but they use a Little Women movie clip🙄. But completely agree....Jane Austen can often be considered an underated genius because of her subject matter. But she is definitely a genius writer!!

[@JHarder1000]

A truly great conservative novel was written an author who has gone into eclipse. Guard Of Honor, by James Gould Cozzens. It is, by far, THE greatest American novel to come out of World War 2.

[@neonatalpenguin]

Good discussion. But Klavan really misunderstood the ending to Crimes And Misdemeanours. It's not that Martin Landau gets away with murder because nothing matters. It's that he realises that he's going to have to live with the guilt of his actions.