To chris:

I'm happy soemone mentioned AMBERSONS too!  It's one of my favourites, but not one of the best films of all time (what a butchering!).  I find that this is a film that helps me decide whether I can trust a critic who makes a list "10 BEST" films.  If they do not mention any Welles films, I think I can trust them.  If they do not mention AMBERSONS or KANE, but choose TOUCH or CHIMES instead, I think I can trust them.  But, if they choose AMBERSONS and don't metion KANE also on their list, I am highly suspicious.  Have they really seen these movies?  Do they really watch the whole film or do they do what I do...skip the last scene altogether and go on to the credits.  That last, studio enforced scene, where everyone is happy, is hysterically fun and worse than the ending of A.I. (another film I admire, but think is majorally flawed).  Any critic who chooses AMBERSONS over KANE is trying to prove something and is not truly, objectively evaluating Welles' work.