h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Does it need to have a star name or two, or are lesser known actors equally capable of creating a real winner?

The characters have to be believable, lesser known actors may be better in this respect. Star names will be more likely to attract an audience but won't necessarily create a great film.

Do the best films usually have the biggest budgets (not counting Waterworld, of course)?

Definitely not. A small budget well spent may create a much better film. It's easy to spend lots of money to little effect.

Are there certain devices, such as a plot twist, that all great movies must have?

No, there's no common formula. More to do with getting absorbed in the story & really caring what happens to the characters, or giving one something challenging to consider.

Are non-Hollywood films often better because they don't require, say, a happy ending?

A happy ending is OK if it's plausible. Perhaps a satisfactory ending is important.

Does the director make the film, rather than the actors?

Good acting will probably shine through bad directing, but won't make a film great overall. A good director is more important than good actors.

Do all the best films have a great script, or can the likes of special effects more than compensate for cheesy one-liners?

Cheesy one-liners can make a film great! Special effects can create good entertainment, but a good script is vital for a great film.

Are your favourite films mostly based on books, or is not knowing the story already essential to your viewing?

I don't think I've ever known a film to be as good as the original book. That's not to do with knowing the story, more that a good book has been ruined by adaptation to the screen. A great film can be watched and enjoyed time & time again, so knowing the story doesn't matter.

Do the greatest films have mass appeal, or are you an art house enthusiast?

I guess that popularity is not the same as greatness. But a film one person rates as great, another may not. Probably needs to be a combination of both popularity and high rating to be unequivocally great.

Finally, are the best directors usually highly trained professionals, or often self-taught?

Bit of both - they have to have learned something of the craft, but that doesn't exclude a novice having the instinct needed for creating a masterpiece.

Agree with you in the first question. Something like Star Wars used lots of fairly new people and was a huge success.

Definately depends on lots of factors though. It has to be a great script and well acted, directed and filmed to work. You can get well known actors in lousy films and if the editing or the effects are bad, it wrecks it.