Six favourite films (Movies)

[Haffner]

Indeed.

The reason I put Revenge of the Sith first is that, as an overall conception from start to finish, it succeeds even more than ESB, in my view. But content-wise, perhaps "Empire" does go first.

Empire, for me at least, just had that dark edge...on the side. Get it? BWA-...!

_^sorry!

[Renfield]

Empire, for me at least, just had that dark edge...on the side. Get it? BWA-...!

_^sorry!

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

[I am watching 'Revenge of the Sith' - the Darth Vader theme appears in its complete form already in the 37th minute, when the Jedi Council decides against making Anakin a master...]

[The new erato]

A great fan of the original trilogy, the unbelievably bad acting of Hayden Christensen almost destroys part 2 & 3 for me. I find some of the scenes involving him almost painful to watch. How they came up with him has always seemed a mystery to me.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

A great fan of the original trilogy, the unbelievably bad acting of Hayden Christensen almost destroys part 2 & 3 for me. I find some of the scenes involving him almost painful to wauch. How they came up with him has always seemed a mystery to me.

They chose him presumably for his looks - he looks like the son he'll have, just like Padmée has the same hairstyle as her daughter.

I now have watched half of it. The battle scenes are very nice, but the script is terrible. Nevertheless, the story carries you along, and Anakin's development is not badly done. (Faint praise, I know...)

[Danny]

Another six;

'Pans Labyrinth.'

I think this film a masterpiece, but everyone else here hates the son of a bitch, so I'm in the minority around these parts to argue for its merits. 

'LA Confidential.'

The ending I found very lame; enjoyed the rest, but then again the style, subject matter and themes are near and dear to my heart.

[Renfield]

I now have watched half of it. The battle scenes are very nice, but the script is terrible. Nevertheless, the story carries you along, and Anakin's development is not badly done. (Faint praise, I know...)

Of course it is. I think Lucas has said more than once that it's deliberate on his part to make things sounds so "cheesy" (his word, IIRC).

But if you also look at the old trilogy with a more critical eye, isn't almost the entire script laughably simplistic as well?

Same about the acting. I'm always wondering how people are (rightly) very critical of Hayden Christensen's (in)ability to (seriously) act, but skate over the fact that most performances in the original trilogy as well were entirely sub-standard.

And Lucas says, "it was intended"; so he's either covering up six movies' worth of bad script (which is taking it a bit too far, in my view), or he really did intend it to be that way. I'm happy with the latter explanation, myself.

I think this film a masterpiece, but everyone else here hates the son of a bitch, so I'm in the minority around these parts to argue for its merits. 

I haven't seen that one, but I almost did, and I'm still rather curious to do so. So you think it's worth it, then?

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I happen to be watching 'Revenge' now (only 40 minutes to go). I think the scene where Anakin has to choose between the Jedi and the Chancellor is very strong. The massacre that follows is strong stuff, too, although Lucas clearly draws the line at actually showing the 'Slaughter of the Innocents' (Anakin, now Darth Vader, killing the Jedi children at the Temple).

(Later: at 1:34:25 he does show the victims.)

[DavidRoss]

In the matter of "willingness to suspend disbelief," you are my master.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

In the matter of "willingness to suspend disbelief," you are my master.

To be a master at anything is a matter of pride to me! 

[karlhenning]

Of course it is. I think Lucas has said more than once that it's deliberate on his part to make things sounds so "cheesy" (his word, IIRC).

What sort of ass writes a bad script, and tries to trumpet it as a supposed 'virtue'?

[karlhenning]

Same about the acting. I'm always wondering how people are (rightly) very critical of Hayden Christensen's (in)ability to (seriously) act, but skate over the fact that most performances in the original trilogy as well were entirely sub-standard.

Oh, I should never skate over such a fact, myself, you know.

I don't buy this line of reasoning at all, that for the movies to be (supposedly) "great," the script and the acting had to be amateurish at best, and abysmal at less-than-best.

I don't buy it, because I've seen too many great movies with great writing and great acting.

[Renfield]

Oh, I should never skate over such a fact, myself, you know.

I don't buy this line of reasoning at all, that for the movies to be (supposedly) "great," the script and the acting had to be amateurish at best, and abysmal at less-than-best.

I don't buy it, because I've seen too many great movies with great writing and great acting.

DavidRoss nailed the issue with mentioning "suspension of disbelief". It largely is an issue of what you expect from these movies.

My assertion about Lucas is that his claim that he intentionally wrote a shallow script (regardless of whether he could write anything else if he did try, which is a different matter altogether) could be valid.

If you want my "objective" appraisal of the Star Wars films, I'd say "they're better than the sum of their parts", most particularly when someone is willing to "go along with it". No more, no less.


Do note that I did not offer Lucas' statement as a justification of anything, but as a potential explanation. I enjoy and appreciate the Star Wars films, but that doesn't mean I consider them masterpieces of modern cinema; nor should it, for me.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

A final comment from me after seeing 'Revenge Of The Sith' again with as open a mind as I could muster...

As I said, the script isn't great. But as Renfield, rightly I think, remarks - the sum is greater than the parts. There is a strong story there with all kinds of mythological resonances. I was moved by some things in this film. The way in which Anakin, by wanting to avert a certain course of events out of fear and love, causes it by his own actions is managed very well. There is tragedy there, although neither the acting nor the words do it fully justice.

All in all - I enjoyed the film, and the way in which all the threads are tied together is masterly. 'I love it when a plan comes together'...

[Kullervo]

I think this film a masterpiece, but everyone else here hates the son of a bitch, so I'm in the minority around these parts to argue for its merits. 

I thought most people liked it. I thought it was awful.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Same about the acting. I'm always wondering how people are (rightly) very critical of Hayden Christensen's (in)ability to (seriously) act,

I can't remember in how far Christensens acting was good or bad, but I can say, I liked Senator Palpatine -> Ian McDiarmid most. The way he talked with Anakin especially. The timing of the words, the way he looks, "gleichgültig" I'd say in german. Like "acting very strong" but looking as if he doesn't care, emotionless.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

I can't remember in how far Christensens acting was good or bad, but I can say, I liked Senator Palpatine -> Ian McDiarmid most. The way he talked with Anakin especially. The timing of the words, the way he looks, "gleichgültig" I'd say in german. Like "acting very strong" but looking as if he doesn't care, emotionless.

Yes, Ian McDiarmid is the best of the lot. Playing highly intelligent crooks is something of a speciality of his - there is an excellent epsiode in the Inspector Morse series (Masonic Mysteries) where he plays a brilliant villain, too

[Renfield]

Yes, Ian McDiarmid is the best of the lot.

Agreed. In fact, I remember him saying that he was waiting for so long to do the Episode III events on film as Palpatine that, given his preparation for them, if he didn't get it right, he would be entirely alone to blame.

I dare say, he did get it right, and delivered likely the best performance in the saga, along with Alec Guinness' for Episode IV.


Christensen - and although he admittedly did have a few good moments in Episode III, in my opinion - generally just stood in for the role he was given, and dictated, by Lucas. Much like Mark Hamill, if you ask me.

[J.Z. Herrenberg]

Christensen - and although he admittedly did have a few good moments in Episode III, in my opinion

Agreed, too. Christensen did improve as the film progressed, though it will never rank as a stellar performance (perhaps, as you suggest, because Lucas had too much control over his brainchild...).

[Hector]

I think this film a masterpiece, but everyone else here hates the son of a bitch, so I'm in the minority around these parts to argue for its merits. 

The ending I found very lame; enjoyed the rest, but then again the style, subject matter and themes are near and dear to my heart.

I liked it because it was set during the Spanish Civil War and the nazty gets it! Having said that Del Toro, not for the first time in my experience, fashions something quite compelling!

As for 'LA Confidential' I cannot comment on the ending but it is 'Film Noir' in colour. Great cast, 'wasted' in the right way!

However, here's another six:

'La Strada.'

'Silent Running.'

'M.A.S.H.'

'The Conformist.'

'Viridiana.'

'The General,' no CGI for Buster when he made this!