This is the last of my "six favourite" threads for the time being:
2001 A Space Odyssey
Dead of Night
The Name of the Rose
Excalibur
It's a Wonderful Life (corny, I know)
Goodbye Mr Chips (original version with Robert Donat)
Mulholland Drive
Vertigo
Psycho
Ivan the Terrible
Lord of the Rings
Ben-Hur
"Il Vangello secondo Matteo" (Pasolini)
"Night of the hunter" (with Robert Mitchum)
"Ran" (Akira Kurosawa)
"Modern Times" (Chaplin)
"Picnic at Hanging Rock" (Peter Weir)
"Mr. Klein" (with Alain Delon)
Quote from: val on April 10, 2008, 02:03:23 AM
"Il Vangello secondo Matteo" (Pasolini)
"Night of the hunter" (with Robert Mitchum)
"Ran" (Akira Kurosawa)
"Modern Times" (Chaplin)
"Picnic at Hanging Rock" (Peter Weir)
"Mr. Klein" (with Alain Delon)
Night of the Hunter is a terrific film. The only one directed by Charles Laughton. Robert Mitchum is truly sinister as the deranged priest.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 10, 2008, 01:48:42 AM
Mulholland Drive
Vertigo
Psycho
Ivan the Terrible
Lord of the Rings
Ben-Hur
I don't know Mulholland Drive but the others could all be added to my favourites list, especially Ben Hur and Ivan the Terrible. Others that come to mind are The Seventh Seal, Casablanca, Double Indemnity.
Quote from: vandermolen on April 10, 2008, 02:17:50 AM
I don't know Mulholland Drive but the others could all be added to my favourites list, especially Ben Hur and Ivan the Terrible. Others that come to mind are The Seventh Seal, Casablanca, Double Indemnity.
'Mulholland Drive' is by David Lynch - it's a very Hitchcockian film, sometimes frightening, always absorbing, with dazzling twists. It resembles a complex novel that you can interpret in many ways. I think it is a masterpiece.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 10, 2008, 02:27:33 AM
'Mulholland Drive' is by David Lynch - it's a very Hitchcockian film, sometimes frightening, always absorbing, with dazzling twists. It resembles a complex novel that you can interpret in many ways. I think it is a masterpiece.
I just love Mulholland Drive, and basically most of what David Lynch has done. So here's my list (but this is a very difficult task):
1. Mulholland Drive (superb atmosphere and highly original)
2. Lord of the Rings (massive and the ultimate in film as entertainment)
3. Clockwork Orange (pure brilliance about ultra-violence)
4. Life is Beautiful (a combination of laughter and tears that is unique)
5. Godfather 2 (beautifully stylistic movie)
6. Schindler's List (I need one film related to the war on this list)
Many films are really close to these six!
Jaws
The Exorcist
2001: A Space Odyssey
Apocalypse Now: Redux
A Clockwork Orange
The Shining
Quote from: vandermolen on April 10, 2008, 01:44:52 AM
This is the last of my "six favourite" threads for the time being:
Too bad. These seem more worthwhile than disputing the relative rankings of Elgar & Dittersdorf. I learn more about whose general tastes are more sympathetic to my own--thus who's musical recommendations might carry more weight--and might pick up suggestions for interesting books, films, and...?
Six favorite films (not necessarily "most" favorite):
Casablanca
8 1/2
Walkabout
The Professional
Full Metal Jacket
The Shawshank Redemption
Citizen Kane
2001
A Clockwork Orange
The Exorcist
Raising Arizona
Lord of the Rings
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 10, 2008, 04:23:51 AM
Jaws
The Exorcist
2001: A Space Odyssey
Apocalypse Now: Redux
A Clockwork Orange
The Shining
Six really isn't enough. So many great films I love that haven't mentioned, and it just feels wrong not to list some of them:
The Pianist
Shawshank Redemption
Magnolia
Barry Lyndon
Good Fellas
American Beauty
There's been a thread like this, but it's time we had a new one for the members that have joined since.
Mine:
Blade Runner
Forbidden Games (Jeux Interdits)
L'argent
Ran
Spirit of the Beehive
Woman in the Dunes
Movies that may eventually be candidates but have yet to stand the test of time:
Umberto D.
Rififi
The Conformist
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 10, 2008, 04:35:18 AM
Too bad.
Six favorite films (not necessarily "most" favorite):
Casablanca
8 1/2
Walkabout
The Professional
Full Metal Jacket
The Shawshank Redemption
OK David, I shall reconsider! certainly I get a better response to these than my postings on Myaskovsky, Klauss Egge and Havergal Brian ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 10, 2008, 05:11:02 AM
Six really isn't enough. So many great films I love that haven't mentioned, and it just feels wrong not to list some of them:
The Pianist
Shawshank Redemption
Magnolia
Barry Lyndon
Good Fellas
American Beauty
Except for the last, those are all faves of mine, too! & love
Blade Runner, Ran, &
The Conformist. (In fact, I love virtually everything by these three directors!)
Quote from: vandermolen on April 10, 2008, 01:44:52 AM
This is the last of my "six favourite" threads for the time being:
2001 A Space Odyssey
Dead of Night
The Name of the Rose
Excalibur
It's a Wonderful Life (corny, I know)
Goodbye Mr Chips (original version with Robert Donat)
Have you not been to the cinema since 'The Name of the Rose'?
Here's half a dozen Hollywood films for your delectation:
Boogie Nights;
I 'Heart' Huckabees;
The Bourne Ultimatum;
Fargo;
Happiness;
The Silence of the Lambs.
An easy one:
Tarkovsky, Offret (the Sacrifice)
Tarkovsky, Mirror
Tarkovsky, Nostalghia
Tarkovsky, Andrei Rublev
Tarkovsky, Stalker
Tarkovsky, Solaris
Quote from: Hector on April 10, 2008, 05:58:25 AM
Have you not been to the cinema since 'The Name of the Rose'?
Here's half a dozen Hollywood films for your delectation:
Boogie Nights;
I 'Heart' Huckabees;
The Bourne Ultimatum;
Fargo;
Happiness;
The Silence of the Lambs.
Oh yeah.
The Silence of the Lambs.
Impossible. Partly because I don't tend to 'fasten' to films the way I am apt to with music; partly because I do enjoy a great many, so that a half dozen do not really break ahead of the pack.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 10, 2008, 06:07:09 AM
Impossible. Partly because I don't tend to 'fasten' to films the way I am apt to with music; partly because I do enjoy a great many, so that a half dozen do not really break ahead of the pack.
Yeah, I chose randomly. I'm more interested in books and music.
Here is my list:
The Godfather
Lord of the Rings (trilogy)
Casablanca
El Dorado
Pulp Fiction
Star Wars (original trilogy)
Honorable Mentions:
Monty Python and the Holly Grail
Reservoir Dogs
Quote from: Hector on April 10, 2008, 05:58:25 AM
Happiness
Very thought provoking film. Wonderful. Yet very disturbing.
Again, another great (and warped) performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Quote from: Keemun on April 10, 2008, 06:39:31 AM
Monty Python and the Holly Grail
D'oh! Forgot that one too.
If we built a large wooden badger . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on April 10, 2008, 06:07:09 AM
Impossible. Partly because I don't tend to 'fasten' to films the way I am apt to with music; partly because I do enjoy a great many, so that a half dozen do not really break ahead of the pack.
Different take on this - I have one film which stands a mile above any other, and then dozens of others. For that reason, I can't do six, only one: Nosferatu (Murnau). For a zillion reasons
Quote from: lukeottevanger on April 10, 2008, 06:53:10 AM
Different take on this - I have one film which stands a mile above any other, and then dozens of others. For that reason, I can't do six, only one: Nosferatu (Murnau). For a zillion reasons
Can I have a "do-over?"
Chinatown
This Is Spinal Tap
Chilly Scenes Of Winter/Head Over Heels
Interiors
Brazil
Jonah Who Will Be 25 In The Year 2000
I'm boring.
Amadeus
Rocky
The Shining
The Exorcist
The George Romero "Dead" Quadrilogy (haven't seen the 4th yet)
Song of Bernadette
Quote from: MN Dave on April 10, 2008, 06:57:30 AM
Can I have a "do-over?"
If it's up to me, I say you can.
Here you go, found you one.
(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:M9C8ZInRK_4smM:http://bp3.blogger.com/_k9rAcByVan0/R1O96XpxcmI/AAAAAAAAAJU/2bSLWkqIkxs/s400/hugo%2Bchavez%2Bdo%2Bover.JPG)
Off the top of my head, and I'm sure I'm missing a bunch...
Casablanca
The Empire Strikes Back
The Lord of the Rings
Dr. Strangelove
Lawrence of Arabia
Duck Amuck
Quote from: jwinter on April 10, 2008, 07:23:50 AM
Duck Amuck
Wait! Is this a
Daffy Duck movie? He's my favorite!
Star Wars saga, that's six movies. 0:)
Quote from: jwinter on April 10, 2008, 07:23:50 AM
Off the top of my head, and I'm sure I'm missing a bunch...
Casablanca
The Empire Strikes Back
The Lord of the Rings
Dr. Strangelove
Lawrence of Arabia
Duck Amuck
Casablanca - yes!
The Empire Strikes Back - yes!
The Lord of the Rings - yes!
Dr. Strangelove - yes!
Lawrence of Arabia - yes!
Duck Amuck - don't know...
Okay, now I remember Duck Amuck. This is like the penultimate 'toon!
Quote from: Haffner on April 10, 2008, 08:24:54 AM
Okay, now I remember Duck Amuck. This is like the penultimate 'toon!
That's the one where he gets into a battle with the animator who keeps changing backgrounds on him, right? Classic.
I notice a lot of Kubrick on these lists. Interesting, in that he was one of the directors most skilled at adapting existing music (usually classical) to his soundtracks.
Here is the old thread for this if anyone is curious.
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2329.msg60462.html#msg60462
I will not deny my fan-boy love for nearly every superhero movie ever made.
Quote from: 71 dB on April 10, 2008, 07:52:38 AM
Star Wars saga, that's six movies. 0:)
;D
Without thinking too much:
Cries and Whispers
400 Blows
Le Mepris
Dead Man
Inland Empire
Memento
Quote from: MN Dave on April 10, 2008, 09:06:01 AM
I will not deny my fan-boy love for nearly every superhero movie ever made.
Love the Reeves Superman trilogy!
Liked the more recent as well, with the baseball stadium scene,etc.
Some more:
Pay It Forward
As Good As It Gets
Misery
The Green Mile
Titantic (removing Celine Dion and the unnecessary Hollywood love story)
Braveheart
Quote from: Jezetha on April 10, 2008, 01:48:42 AM
Mulholland Drive
**Although I have trouble grasping David Lynch movies, I did find Mulholland Drive rather interesting.
And oh man........some awesome lesbian sex scenes. ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 10, 2008, 10:01:53 AM
**Although I have trouble grasping David Lynch movies...
I guess that is the point, they are not meant to be grasped but experienced.
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 10, 2008, 10:01:53 AM
**Although I have trouble grasping David Lynch movies, I did find Mulholland Drive rather interesting.
And oh man........some awesome lesbian sex scenes. ;D
Very tastefully done and only near the end. 0:)
Quote from: Hector on April 10, 2008, 05:58:25 AM
Have you not been to the cinema since 'The Name of the Rose'?
Here's half a dozen Hollywood films for your delectation:
Boogie Nights;
I 'Heart' Huckabees;
The Bourne Ultimatum;
Fargo;
Happiness;
The Silence of the Lambs.
;D As a History teacher I live in the past.
But I agree with you about Fargo, a great film. I also recently enjoyed the adaptation of The Kite Runner.
Quote from: vandermolen on April 10, 2008, 10:33:55 AM
But I agree with you about Fargo, a great film.
I saw the film twice, before seeing the trailer. Curiously, the trailer sports a blurb from some newspaper or other, "The funniest movie of the season!"
Well, I wonder about that summary of the film, frankly. The humor is (a) gristly in large part, and (b) one stratum, tributary to the overall tone of the film. Very well done, a most impressive achievement; and I think that overemphasizing its funny elements, is really poorly-pitched listening . . . .
Last night I also saw the 'making-of' short, "Minnesota Nice." After a very brief sense of artistic betrayal, I really came to enjoy the fact that the "based on a true story" plug is fraudulent.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 10, 2008, 10:48:03 AM
Last night I also saw the 'making-of' short, "Minnesota Nice." After a very brief sense of artistic betrayal, I really came to enjoy the fact that the "based on a true story" plug is fraudulent.
I'm waiting for the movie: "Minnesota Dave" 0:)
Quote from: MN Dave on April 10, 2008, 10:56:16 AM
I'm waiting for the movie: "Minnesota Dave" 0:)
But you're
living it, aren't you?
This list is easy..
A Matter of Life and Death
A Canterbury Tale
2001 : A Space Odyssey
Edge Of The World
Lost Horizon
I Know Where I'm Going
There's around another 50 that would be vying for the next few places
Quote from: Great Gable on April 10, 2008, 11:03:50 AM
This list is easy..
A Matter of Life and Death
A Canterbury Tale
2001 : A Space Odyssey
Edge Of The World
Lost Horizon
I Know Where I'm Going
There's around another 50 that would be vying for the next few places
I only saw A Matter of Life and Death recently for the first time. What a great film. Way ahead of its time...very moving and a fine music score too. David Niven's finest hour.
Touch of Evil
The Trial
Journal of a Country Priest
Wages of Fear
Mean Streets
Ivan the Terrible
As I invented this thread I'm the only one allowed to do another 6 >:D
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (Frederick March version)
Miracle on 34th Street (Original version)
Double Indemnity
The Cruel Sea
North by Northwest
Saving Private Ryan
Hey, if you want, you can have the 5 I didn't use up too!
Quote from: vandermolen on April 10, 2008, 01:16:55 PM
Double Indemnity
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/double_indemnity.jpg)
Amadeus
Eroica
A Hard Days Night
Apollo 13
City Slickers
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Quote from: karlhenning on April 10, 2008, 10:48:03 AM
Last night I also saw the 'making-of' short, "Minnesota Nice."
A tribute to passive-aggressiveness?
Quote from: MN Dave on April 10, 2008, 10:56:16 AM
I'm waiting for the movie: "Minnesota Dave" 0:)
Dave - maybe you can star in
Minnesota Fats and redo Gleason's role from
The Hustler? ;) ;D Dave
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/92/GleasonBBest.jpg/200px-GleasonBBest.jpg)
Quote from: orbital on April 10, 2008, 10:06:23 AM
I guess that is the point, they are not meant to be grasped but experienced.
In some ways, though, he's a very conventional filmmaker, strange as that may sound. His stories have a proponderance of happy endings, and
Mulholland Drive is basically a variation on the favorite plot device of third graders everywhere: "And then she woke up and found it was all a dream." (That's not meant as a criticism, BTW.)
6 more:
What about Bob?
Groundhog Day
Bull Durham
Notting Hill
Father Goose
Four Weddings and a Funeral
An impossible task, so I will double it:
1. Casablanca
2. The Maltese Falcon
3. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
4. October Sky
5. Glory
6. The Iron Giant
and my next seven:
7. Master and Commander
8. Rio Bravo
9. 12 Angry Men
10. Rear Window
11. The Wizard of Oz
12. Mission Impossible I (A definite guilty pleasure, but I have seen it probably 15-20 times and still have not tired of it yet.)
13. Das Boot
Numbers 4-13 shift poll positions from time to time, that is why 6 was impossible. The first three are now considered a lock. ;)
Two that I cannot believe I am leaving off: The Third Man and The Sweet Smell of Success. However, these need more viewings to justify me bumping off any of the above off my list.
Quote from: Danny on April 10, 2008, 01:13:50 PM
Touch of Evil (1958)
The Trial (1962)
Journal of a Country Priest (1950)
Wages of Fear (1953)
Mean Streets (1973)
Ivan the Terrible (parts i and ii), 1946
7) La Strada (1954)
8 ) Amarcord (1973)
9) Bicycle Thieves (1948)
10) Citizen Kane (1941)
11) Richard III (1956)
12) Third Man (1949)
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 10, 2008, 07:01:35 PM
6 more:
What about Bob?
Groundhog Day
Bull Durham
Notting Hill
Father Goose
Four Weddings and a Funeral
This is a joke, right?
One good film amongst a sea of dross (no pun intended).
The utterly dire 'Notting Hill' is unwatcheable and the last on your list would have been more satisfying if the second and third words of the title had been transposed!
You should see 'Love, Actually.' You'll love it!
Quote from: Hector on April 11, 2008, 04:30:17 AM
This is a joke, right?
And
I :-X can't imagine people posting lists here without even one
Tarkovsky film in it. I never met a film enthusiast who didn't think
Tarkovsky heaven and all the others just down-to-earth. 0:) 0:) ;)
Quote from: Christo on April 11, 2008, 04:48:22 AM
And I :-X can't imagine people posting lists here without even one Tarkovsky film in it. I never met a film enthusiast who didn't think Tarkovsky heaven and all the others just down-to-earth. 0:) 0:) ;)
Who is Tarkovsky? What are some of his films?
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 11, 2008, 04:49:18 AM
Who is Tarkovsky? What are some of his films?
Tarkovsky is all there is to say about film. He didn't live long enough to complete his series, but all of his seven major films are superb and stand apart.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrei_Tarkovsky
In Corey's earlier film thread Tarkovsky certainly figures...:
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2329.msg60623.html#msg60623
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 10, 2008, 07:01:35 PM
6 more:
What about Bob?
Groundhog Day
Bull Durham
Notting Hill
Father Goose
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Quote from: Hector on April 11, 2008, 04:30:17 AM
This is a joke, right?
One good film amongst a sea of dross (no pun intended).
The utterly dire 'Notting Hill' is unwatcheable and the last on your list would have been more satisfying if the second and third words of the title had been transposed!
You should see 'Love, Actually.' You'll love it!
The three in bold I can watch over and over again. I actually enjoy them a lot. Films of this genre are usually highly underrepresented on lists unless they are black and white from the Golden Age. Actually a very good call IMO here and directing our attention to some that a miffed at to be miffed at. Just my opinion of course.
Quote from: Hector on April 11, 2008, 04:30:17 AM
This is a joke, right?
One good film amongst a sea of dross (no pun intended).
The utterly dire 'Notting Hill' is unwatcheable and the last on your list would have been more satisfying if the second and third words of the title had been transposed!
You should see 'Love, Actually.' You'll love it!
Not surprising that you feel that way, since I generally find your tastes as execrable as you do mine.
Notting Hill with it's terrific ensemble cast of characters has held up amazingly well over many viewings--though I must admit I turned up my nose at it when my wife purchased it. It quickly won me over, however, as did
Four Weddings--something
Love Actually has yet to do. (Richard Curtis's only flop, in my view...well, not quite a flop, just disappointing.)
Quote from: Bogey on April 11, 2008, 04:55:21 AM
The three in bold I can watch over and over again. I actually enjoy them a lot. Films of this genre are usually highly underrepresented on lists unless they are black and white from the Golden Age. Actually a very good call IMO here and directing our attention to some that a miffed at to be miffed at. Just my opinion of course.
Thanks, Bill. I agree (obviously!). We all know how great
Kane is. Who was it said, "Dying is easy, comedy is hard?"
Quote from: Jezetha on April 11, 2008, 04:55:10 AM
In Corey's earlier film thread Tarkovsky certainly figures...:
http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2329.msg60623.html#msg60623
Yes, but when limited to six...
I would say
Mirror is my favorite Tarkovsky. Though I haven't yet seen
Nostalghia or
The Sacrifice, I can't imagine them topping that one.
Quote from: Corey on April 11, 2008, 05:03:37 AM
Yes, but when limited to six... I would say Mirror is my favorite Tarkovsky. Though I haven't yet seen Nostalghia or The Sacrifice, I can't imagine them topping that one.
To limit the Tarkovsky
magnificent seven to just six is a hard task indeed. ;) :'( ;D Yet, I did give it a try already:
Quote from: myself on April 10, 2008, 06:01:45 AM
An easy one:
Tarkovsky, Offret (the Sacrifice)
Tarkovsky, Mirror
Tarkovsky, Nostalghia
Tarkovsky, Andrei Rublev
Tarkovsky, Stalker
Tarkovsky, Solaris
Quote from: ChamberNut on April 10, 2008, 09:59:42 AM
Titantic (removing Celine Dion and the unnecessary Hollywood love story)
That's one way to whittle down the movie to less than an hour. :D
Quote from: rubio on April 10, 2008, 02:57:44 AM
1. Mulholland Drive (superb atmosphere and highly original)
2. Lord of the Rings (massive and the ultimate in film as entertainment)
3. Clockwork Orange (pure brilliance about ultra-violence)
4. Life is Beautiful (a combination of laughter and tears that is unique)
5. Godfather 2 (beautifully stylistic movie)
6. Schindler's List (I need one film related to the war on this list)
And some Europena films that I love:
1. The Return (Russia)
2. Red (Kieslowski - Poland)
3. Cinema Paradiso (Italy)
4. Stalker (Russia)
5. 400 Blows (Truffaut - France)
6. Kingdom (Von Trier - Denmark)
Loved the Double Indemnity speech bubble contribution.
"A Matter of Life and Death" free DVD with the Mail on Sunday in the UK today.
I'm watching 'I Am Legend' in a few minutes. Any thoughts?
Quote from: GGGGRRREEG on April 11, 2008, 04:02:48 PM
I'm watching 'I Am Legend' in a few minutes. Any thoughts?
Go watch "Night of the Living Dead" or "Dawn of the Dead" (original or sequel are fine). Check out "Return of the Living Dead" for creepy laughs. But chuck "I am Legend". Boring garbage, in my opinion. Will Smith just ain't making the horror scene.
Well, I've delayed my response to this thread; first, knowing that no one could really limit their choice to 6 movies only! ;) ;D
Second, also knowing that most our 'younger' members would pick films from the latter half of the 20th into the 21st centuries - of course, missing decades of early great movie making (although some of these films are appearing in the later postings); so, I'm going to just pick some of my favorite films from the '30s & '40s that I've watched repeatedly over the years & now own on DVD - might add some more later (and of course, can't just pick six!):
Adventures of Robin Hood, The (1938) (w/ Flynn, could add Captain Blood & The Sea Hawk)
Best Years of Our Life, The (1946) - Loy & March (and many others)
Casablanca (1942) - already mentioned (but other Bogey films, The Big Sleep & Maltese Falcon)
Destry Rides Again (1939- what a year!) - Stewart & Dietrich (spawned so many others)
Going My Way (1944) - Crosby as a priest (Oscar winner) (Bells of St. Mary's the next year)
Grand Hotel (1932) - Garbo & Barrymores - classic early 'wacky' comedy!
Grapes of Wrath, The (1940) - Fonda et al (outstanding Steinbeck production)
Great Dictator (1940) - Charlie Chaplain (one of his best, but so many others)
His Girl Friday (1940) - Grant & Russell just wonderful together - another '30s crazy comedy!
How Green Was My Valley (1941) - Pidgeon & O'Hara, and so many others.
It Happened One Night (1934) - Gable & Colbert - you have to love this one!
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - Stewart & Reed; already mentioned; a little corny but great when needed!
King Kong (1933) - Wray & Cabot - first GREAT 'stop action' film - got Ray Harryhausen started!
Lady Eve (1941) - Stanwyck, Fonda, & Coburn - a MUST see!
Laura (1944) - Tierney & Andrews - love this film, others may disagree, but Tierney looks GREAT!
Mildred Pierce (1945) - Crawford finally got some respect!
Miracle 34th Street (1947) - Wood, O'Hara, et al - can't beat this one @ Christmas time - all time fav!
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) - Cooper & Arthur - don't know HOW many times I've watched this one?
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) - Stewart & Arthur - I absolutely adore Jean Arthur (watch her!)
My Darling Clementine (1946) - Fonda & Mature - probably best of the Earp & Holiday films?
My Man Godfrey (1936) - Powell & Lombard - just another wonderful movie!
National Velvet (1944) - Taylor & Rooney (youngsters) - one of the original 'horse' stories!
Ninotchka (1939-again what a year!) - Garbo & Douglas - one of my all time favs!
Now, Voyager (1942) - Davis & Henreid - another GREAT Davis vehicle of sacrifice for love - must see!
Petrified Forest (1936) - Howard, Davis, & a bad Bogey!
Philadelphia Story, The (1940) - Hepburn, Grant, & Stewart (later High Society, Crosby & Kelly)
Pride of Yankees, The (1942) - Cooper & Wright - excellent Lou Gehrig bio!
Red River (1948) - Wayne & Cliff (young & beautiful!) - one of my fav westerns!
Sergeant York (1941) - Cooper & Leslie - WWI hero w/ Coop very believable (Alvin would only have him!)
Shop Around the Corner (1940) - Stewart & Sullavan (i.e. Margaret - I love this gal!)
Stagecoach (1939) - Wayne & Trevor - just an original!
Sullivan's Travels (1941) - McCrea & Lake - one of the BEST depression films ever made!
They Were Expendable (1945) - Montgomery & Wayne - an outstanding WWII film!
To Be or Not to Be (1942) - Benny & Lombard (re-made by Brooks) - original better!
Twelve O'Clock High (1949) - Peck & Jagger - another outstanding WWII 'flying' film!
You Can't Take It w/ You (1938) - Arthur, Barrymore, Stewart - another great comedy adventure!
Well, not too long a list of some great films from the 1930-40s only, plus these include only the commercial DVDs that I own (plenty of other great movies from these decades that I've burned off the TCM channel - maybe another list?); note also that I've not included 'musicals'! - now the 1950s, OH MY, so many from those years! ;D
Previous post has inspired me to add 6 more:
A Night at the Opera (Marx Bros)
Bicycle Thieves (wonderful)
Mr Hulot's Holiday
The Ladykillers (Ealing version not terrrible Tom Hanks remake)
Twelve O'Cock High (note correct, I hope, use of apostrophe)
The Omen
Quote from: vandermolen on April 12, 2008, 01:29:31 AM
Previous post has inspired me to add 6 more:
A Night at the Opera (Marx Bros)
Bicycle Thieves (wonderful)
Mr Hulot's Holiday
The Ladykillers (Ealing version not terrrible Tom Hanks remake)
Twelve O'Cock High (note correct, I hope, use of apostrophe)
The Omen
I'm more worried about the Freudian slip than the apostrophe!
Quote from: SonicMan on April 11, 2008, 05:09:38 PM
I'm going to just pick some of my favorite films from the '30s & '40s that I've watched repeatedly over the years & now own on DVD - might add some more later (and of course, can't just pick six
Nice selection, Dave! Most of those are favorites of ours, too. Thank God wifey's a fan of screwball comedies!
Six relatively recent goodies:
Breaking the Waves
Coup de Torchon
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith
The Marriage of Maria Braun
Secrets and Lies
Dersu Ursala
Quote from: Haffner on April 11, 2008, 04:35:29 PM
Go watch "Night of the Living Dead" or "Dawn of the Dead" (original or sequel are fine). Check out "Return of the Living Dead" for creepy laughs. But chuck "I am Legend". Boring garbage, in my opinion. Will Smith just ain't making the horror scene.
Well, I watched "I am Legend"...... and wow, has to be maybe even one of my favorite movies.
I didn't consider the movie to be a horror movie, more like action/adventure. And I love the contrast between other hollywood movies where it simply ends up where (nearly) everyone dies. It's all grim, probably it just helped to keep in mind cheesy movies while watching this one. And it's extremely sad, all the way through.
"Night of the Living Dead" or "Dawn of the Dead" I haven't seen. I'm only 20, and my parents wouldn't let me watch any R movies until I was the right age. ;D
Quote from: GGGGRRREEG on April 12, 2008, 05:28:07 AM
Well, I watched "I am Legend"...... and wow, has to be maybe even one of my favorite movies.
Now read the book by Richard Matheson. Different, better ending.
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 12, 2008, 03:53:56 AM
Secrets and Lies
Caught that one on its first run at the theater David as it was an Oscar nominee. My wife and I both enjoyed it.
Quote from: GGGGRRREEG on April 12, 2008, 05:28:07 AM
"Night of the Living Dead" or "Dawn of the Dead" I haven't seen.
Dawn of the Dead is excellent, I can attest. :)
In no particular order:
Touch of Evil
The Apu Trilogy (cheating, I know)
Vertigo
La Règle du jeu
Mean Streets
The Conversation
Subject to change at any moment.
Quote from: MN Dave on April 12, 2008, 05:34:04 AM
Now read the book by Richard Matheson. Different, better ending.
Oh yeah! Also the old Vincent Price movie, "Last Man On Earth".
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 12, 2008, 03:53:56 AM
Nice selection, Dave! Most of those are favorites of ours, too. Thank God wifey's a fan of screwball comedies!
David - yes, those 'screwball' comedies from the '30s certainly require a different perspective from the 'bathroom' humor of recent films - ;) ;D Dave
Vertigo
12 Monkeys
Seven Samurai
Night of the Hunter
Woman in the Dunes
American Beauty
Tough to limit to 6, especially considering my tendency to disregard rules.
Quote from: Great Gable on April 12, 2008, 01:42:58 AM
I'm more worried about the Freudian slip than the apostrophe!
What Freudian slip?
Also Lost in Translation was a great film IMHO. People seem to love or hate it.
Quote from: Christo on April 11, 2008, 04:52:47 AM
Tarkovsky is all there is to say about film.
luckily he's just one of many
QuoteHe didn't live long enough to complete his series
what series?
Quote1. The Return (Russia)
beautiful and wonderful, last week I saw it for the third time.
Mirror / Nostalgia - Tarkovsky
Last Year in Marienbad - Resnais
Satantango - Tarr
Le Feu Follet - Malle
The Passenger - Antonioni
Quote from: vandermolen on April 13, 2008, 12:59:10 AM
What Freudian slip?
Also Lost in Translation was a great film IMHO. People seem to love or hate it.
Count me high on the list of the latter. Actually, it's not the film that I hate so much--it's just a surprisingly racist bit of cinematic mediocrity that never would have gotten financed if the director's name weren't Coppola. Rather, it's the critics who praised this nothing--as they did her previous piece of dreck--whom I dislike.
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 13, 2008, 05:18:11 PM
Count me high on the list of the latter. Actually, it's not the film that I hate so much--it's just a surprisingly racist bit of cinematic mediocrity that never would have gotten financed if the director's name weren't Coppola. Rather, it's the critics who praised this nothing--as they did her previous piece of dreck--whom I dislike.
I despised the film for other reasons David, but yours will do nicely. :)
Didn't you really like this one
Sarge?
6 Greats that I own:
Fight Club
The Big Lebowski
High Fidelity
Ordinary People
Happiness
Through a Glass Darkly
(plus Family Guy, Volumes 1-5. I know, not a movie, but I store these with my movies.
Plus, I've gotten more mileage out of these DVD's than a cheap pair of sneakers) 8)
Quote from: Bogey on April 10, 2008, 07:37:37 PM
and my next seven:
7. Master and Commander
8. Rio Bravo
9. 12 Angry Men
10. Rear Window
11. The Wizard of Oz
12. Mission Impossible I (A definite guilty pleasure, but I have seen it probably 15-20 times and still have not tired of it yet.)
13. Das Boot
Quite a bit of Hitchcock has been mentioned, but you're the only person I've seen who mentioned Rear Window thus far. I have to say, it's my favorite of his.
Here's my list:
Top 3 in no order:
Eraserhead - David Lynch
2001: A Space Odyssey - Stanley Kubrick
Rear Window - Alfred Hitchcock
Pick any 3 for the remaining 3:
Psycho - Alfred Hitchcock
Taxi Driver - Martin Scorsese
Mulholland Drive - David Lynch
Dr Strangelove - Stanley Kubrick
Pulp Fiction - Tarantino
A Clockwork Orange - Stanley Kubrick
I'd probably add No Country for Old Men, but I have to give it some time and more viewings to make sure.
That's it. I gotta get me a Hitchcock box set. :)
Quote from: George on April 13, 2008, 06:47:12 PM
That's it. I gotta get me a Hitchcock box set. :)
I can say you won't be disappointed if you do.
I recommend this one
http://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Hitchcock-Masterpiece-Collection-Saboteur/dp/B000A1INJE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1208141700&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Hitchcock-Masterpiece-Collection-Saboteur/dp/B000A1INJE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1208141700&sr=8-1)
just slightly over the other box set because this one has Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, Rope, and Marnie. In my opinion, Marnie is one of his most underrated films, it's got some flaws, but it beats the pants off most other director's best films.
Quote from: andy on April 13, 2008, 07:04:10 PM
I can say you won't be disappointed if you do.
I recommend this one
http://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Hitchcock-Masterpiece-Collection-Saboteur/dp/B000A1INJE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1208141700&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Hitchcock-Masterpiece-Collection-Saboteur/dp/B000A1INJE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1208141700&sr=8-1)
just slightly over the other box set because this one has Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window, Rope, and Marnie. In my opinion, Marnie is one of his most underrated films, it's got some flaws, but it beats the pants off most other director's best films.
Thanks. I think the reason I don't have one is because I couldn't decide between the two. They cleverly distributed his best films between the two. :-\
I am not a huge film fan, but there's a handful of movies i have seen several times with the equal enjoyment on each occasion :
O Brother Where Art Thou
Usual suspects
Bullitt
4 Weddings and a Funeral
Leon
And the overall favourite of mine : Les Tontons Flingueurs (French 60's "gangster" comedy) 8)
A few special mentions on the French side that I like as well :
- Le Cercle Rouge
- Police Python 357
- Le Samourai
- L'Armée des Ombres
Quote from: andy on April 13, 2008, 06:41:34 PM
Quite a bit of Hitchcock has been mentioned, but you're the only person I've seen who mentioned Rear Window thus far. I have to say, it's my favorite of his.
Had to have a Hitch on the list. Rope was a close second....but Grace Kelly was the deciding factor. :D
(http://thisdistractedglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/Rear%20Window%20pic%201.jpg)
"Rear Window" is playing next Sunday at a local art theater; can't wait to see it on a big screen. Would rather see "Shadow of a Doubt" but beggars can't be choosers, I reckin'
Quote from: Danny on April 14, 2008, 02:30:36 PM
"Rear Window" is playing next Sunday at a local art theater; can't wait to see it on a big screen. Would rather see "Shadow of a Doubt" but beggars can't be choosers, I reckin'
"Shadow of a Doubt" - one of my favourites (not in the list, due to restrictions...) I don't know 'small-town America in the 1950s', but I always think I know it when I see this movie.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 14, 2008, 02:56:59 PM
"Shadow of a Doubt" - one of my favourites (not in the list, due to restrictions...) I don't know 'small-town America in the 1950s', but I always think I know it when I see this movie.
A friend and I watched this together and were discussing whether or not there was a sexual undertone in regard to Joseph Cotten's character and the girl. What do you think?
Quote from: andy on April 13, 2008, 06:41:34 PM
Quite a bit of Hitchcock has been mentioned, but you're the only person I've seen who mentioned Rear Window thus far. I have to say, it's my favorite of his.
It almost made my list, but I went for
Vertigo instead. A toss up, with
North by Northwest also in the running.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 14, 2008, 02:56:59 PM
"Shadow of a Doubt" - one of my favourites (not in the list, due to restrictions...)
Apparently Hitchcock's personal favourite of his own films.
Quote from: Corey on April 14, 2008, 03:40:37 PM
A friend and I watched this together and were discussing whether or not there was a sexual undertone in regard to Joseph Cotten's character and the girl. What do you think?
Of course there is. She is infatuated with her glamorous-seeming uncle, who is so much more a man than her own father. And her mother adores him, too, named her even after her brother (Charlie). Great movie, very subtle.
My next six:
Andromeda Strain, The (1970)
49th Parallel (1941)
Small Back Room, The (1949)
Green for Danger (1946)
It's A Wonderful Life (1947)
Sealed Cargo (1951)
Followed by my top six French films (some of which would make my all-time top 10)
Amelie
Cercle Rouge, Le (aka The Red Circle)
Death In A French Garden (aka Péril en la Demeure)
Diva
Flic, Un
Wages Of Fear, The (aka La Salaire De La Peur)
Quote from: Great Gable on April 14, 2008, 09:59:21 PM
My next six:
Andromeda Strain, The (1970)
49th Parallel (1941)
Small Back Room, The (1949)
Green for Danger (1946)
It's A Wonderful Life (1947)
Sealed Cargo (1951)
Followed by my top six French films (some of which would make my all-time top 10)
Amelie
Cercle Rouge, Le (aka The Red Circle)
Death In A French Garden (aka Péril en la Demeure)
Diva
Flic, Un
Wages Of Fear, The (aka La Salaire De La Peur)
Nice to see another vote for "It's a Wonderful Life" (correct use of apostrophe without Freudian slip ;D)
My next 6:
Amelie
Murder My Sweet
The Dish
The Masque of the Red Death
The Bride of Frankenstein
The Man who never was
You can see 'Shadow of a Doubt' here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCv5_l1UMG0
Quote from: Bogey on April 15, 2008, 05:32:39 AM
Love that one.
I actually preferred Dick Powell to Humphrey Bogart as Marlowe (you might not agree in view of your GMG name!)
Quote from: vandermolen on April 15, 2008, 11:21:14 AM
I actually preferred Dick Powell to Humphrey Bogart as Marlowe (you might not agree in view of your GMG name!)
I liked them both as Marlowe and cannot see either playing in the other's movie role because they are what they are at this point for me. Would change either at this point. :)
Quote from: Bogey on April 15, 2008, 11:34:30 AM
I liked them both as Marlowe and cannot see either playing in the other's movie role because they are what they are at this point for me. Would change either at this point. :)
I agree but "Casablanca" was, for me, Bogart's Finest Hour (and "The African Queen").
Quote from: vandermolen on April 16, 2008, 02:45:07 AM
I agree but "Casablanca" was, for me, Bogart's Finest Hour (and "The African Queen").
No, 'The Maltese Falcon' or 'The Big Sleep.'
Six more you should see after the school holidays are over:
'Delicatessen.' Who says the French do not have a sense of humour?
'Hero,'
'Memento',
'Insomnia' in the original version as well as the director of the above's remake,
'Shaun of the Dead.' Funnier the second time you see it (the use of the surviving zombies to stack supermarket trollies ;D),
'The Third Man' if only for Orson Welles' speech, as Harry Lime, on the Swiss!
Six aren't enough. I'll break it down by genre:
SIX WAR FILMS:
Castle Keep
Gettysburg
Zulu
The Bridge at Remagen
Apocalypse Now Redux
A Bridge Too Far
SIX B/EXPLOITATION FILMS
Faster Pusscat, Kill! Kill!
Thriller: A Cruel Picture
Furyô anego den: Inoshika Ochô (Sex & Fury)
Two Moon Junction
Vixen
Jackie Brown
SIX COMEDIES
Top Secret
Life of Brian
Duck Soup
Dogma
The Big Lebowski
A Shot in the Dark
SIX WOODY ALLEN FILMS
Manhatten
Annie Hall
Hannah and Her Sisters
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Love & Death
Play It Again, Sam
SIX CLASSICS (pre-1950)
Casablanca
Wizard of Oz
The Big Sleep
Arsenic and Old Lace
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
The Thin Man
SIX FILMS (post-1950)
Dr. Strangelove
Lolita
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Henry & June
Blow Up
The Dreamers
SIX ACTION/ADVENTURE FILMS
The Empire Strikes Back
Leon: The Professional
Last Action Hero
The Fifth Element
Casino Royale
Kill Bill
SIX FOREIGN FILMS (foreign from an American's perspective)
Ran
Shichinin no samurai (Seven Samurai)
Le Mépris (Contempt)
Le Genou de Claire (Claire's Knee)
Good Bye, Lenin!
Amelie
SIX TARKOVSKY FILMS (just so I won't piss off Christo ;D )
Offret
Mirror
Nostalghia
Andrei Rublev
Stalker
Solaris
Sarge
Good list, Sarge!
Quote from: Hector on April 16, 2008, 06:23:29 AM
No, 'The Maltese Falcon' or 'The Big Sleep.'
Sentimental attachment to
Casablanca aside (and I for one prefer Ingrid Bergman to Lauren Bacall any day), I agree that Bogart acts rather better in
The Big Sleep.
Quote'Hero'
Just snapped up a used copy of this; hope it's good 8)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 07:46:56 AM
SIX TARKOVSKY FILMS (just so I won't piss off Christo ;D )
Offret
Mirror
Nostalghia
Andrei Rublev
Stalker
Solaris
Your instinct for survival never ceases to amaze me. ;)
Quote from: Jezetha on April 16, 2008, 08:02:33 AM
Your instinct for survival never ceases to amaze me. ;)
It's how I survived 22 years in the army :D
Sarge
Quote from: Jezetha on April 16, 2008, 08:02:33 AM
Your instinct for survival never ceases to amaze me. ;)
He can also kill a man with one finger.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 08:04:25 AM
It's how I survived 22 years in the army :D
Sarge
Even 22 years in the army do not prepare a man for the Wrath of Christo.
Quote from: MN Doom on April 16, 2008, 08:05:28 AM
He can also kill a man with one finger.
Why he'd want to kill a one-fingered man, I'll never know.
Quote from: MN Doom on April 16, 2008, 08:05:28 AM
He can also kill a man with one finger.
Yes, the trigger finger.
Sarge
Quote from: MN Doom on April 16, 2008, 08:07:45 AM
Why he'd want to kill a one-fingered man, I'll never know.
Related to Groucho, are you?
Sarge
Quote from: Jezetha on April 16, 2008, 08:07:02 AM
Even 22 years in the army do not prepare a man for the Wrath of Christo.
The Wrath of Christo...they should make a film.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 08:08:59 AM
Related to Groucho, are you?
Sarge
That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. ;D
Groucho's Nurse: I'm afraid I'll wind up an old maid.
Groucho at 70-plus: Well, bring her in, and we'll wind her up together.
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
The witty repartee is flying around. We should be paid. ;D
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 08:10:51 AM
The Wrath of Christo...they should make a film.
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/febgmc/Christo.jpg)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 08:26:12 AM
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/febgmc/Christo.jpg)
;D ;D ;D
Another one of Sarge's red exes.
Till I get home. ;D
Quote from: MN Doom on April 16, 2008, 08:29:20 AM
Another one of Sarge's red exes.
Till I get home. ;D
Well, it's a beaut...
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 07:46:56 AM
SIX TARKOVSKY FILMS (just so I won't piss off Christo ;D )
Offret
Mirror
Nostalghia
Andrei Rublev
Stalker
Solaris
Sarge
Excellent choice! :-* (I can't imagine any other ... ) ;) ;D 0:) >:D ::):D ;) :) :o ;) :-* :-*
(http://www.gotye.com/img/LordChristo-AuthenticCalypso.jpg)
Quote from: Christo on April 16, 2008, 09:18:14 AM
Excellent choice! :-* (I can't imagine any other one ... ) ;) ;D 0:) >:D ::) ;D :D ;) :) :o ;) :-* :-*
(http://www.gotye.com/img/LordChristo-AuthenticCalypso.jpg)
Very good!! ;D
What a tough choice. I could come up with a list of 100 pretty quickly, so I deliberately chose six from different decades. (Alas, no Mulholland Drive, but it's nice to see it getting so much love.)
La Grande Illusion (Renoir, 1937)
The Third Man (Reed, 1949)
The Importance of Being Earnest (Asquith, 1952)
Chinatown (Polanski, 1974)
Blade Runner (R. Scott, 1982)
The Silence of the Lambs (Demme, 1991)
--Bruce
I found the task of narrowing a list down to 6 almost impossible. I had more than enough trouble limiting it to 40.
Here's my top 40 (in alpabetical order). At a push I'd probably select those in red as the best 6.
1 A Chump at Oxford (Laurel & Hardy)
2 A Town Like Alice
3 African Queen
4 Apocalpse Now
5 Battle of Britain
6 Bonnie & Clyde
7 Bridge on the River Kwai
8 Brief Encounter
9 Casino
10 Dambusters
11 Dr No
12 Duck Soup
13 Escape From Alcatraz
14 Fistful of Dollars
15 Full Metal Jacket
16 Goodfellas
17 Great Escape
18 In Which We Serve
19 Jaws
20 King Hearts and Coronets (Ealing Comedy)
21 Life of Brian
22 Mean Streets
23 Night at the Opera
24 Papillon
25 Platoon
26 Psycho
27 Reach for the Sky
28 Rocky
29 Scarface
30 Schindlers List
31 Shawshank Redemption
32 Sink the Bismark
33 Sons of the Desert/Fraternally Yours (Laurel & Hardy)
34 Star Wars
35 Taxi Driver
36 Terminator
37 The Graduate
38 Thelma & Louise
39 Titanic
40 Way Out West (Laurel & Hardy)
This is a thread in which I am a priori outmatched in cinephilic erudition, and I won't pretend I'm a serious moviegoer by any means.
If I were to choose six, however, I'd go for:
Silence of the Lambs
Dr. Strangelove (Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb)
Apocalypse Now
Scent of a Woman
Reservoir Dogs
A Beautiful Mind
If I could sneak in two more, they'd be "The Hunt For Red October", and "Gladiator". But not before any of the above.
And of movies I've seen recently (which have been very few since classical music decisively took over that niche of my spare time, a couple of years ago), I have a certain fondness for "V for Vendetta". And I loved "Chungking Express".
So there, a list of eight. Just throw in "The Lion King" and "The Revenge of the Sith" (actually my favourite of the six, though I'm generally a massive fan), and my odball top ten looks set, alright. 8)
Quote from: Renfield on April 16, 2008, 11:14:34 AM
This is a thread in which I am a priori outmatched in cinephilic erudition, and I won't pretend I'm a serious moviegoer by any means.
If I were to choose six, however, I'd go for:
Silence of the Lambs
Dr. Strangelove (Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb)
Apocalypse Now
Scent of a Woman
Reservoir Dogs
A Beautiful Mind
There's some really cool movies.
Nice to see a vote for "Sink the Bismarck". Just watched it the other day. Those were the days of British war films...."The Hood's gone sir" etc.
The Great Escape: YES
Quote from: vandermolen on April 16, 2008, 12:43:28 PM
The Great Escape: YES
Another great one that I never tire of seeing.
I keep thinking about a top 20 listing for film noir/neo noir but there's no way I can limit myself to that number.
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Quote from: Paul-Michel on April 17, 2008, 01:38:27 AM
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Any absolute favourites among those?
Quote from: vandermolen on April 16, 2008, 12:43:28 PM
Nice to see a vote for "Sink the Bismarck". Just watched it the other day. Those were the days of British war films...."The Hood's gone sir" etc.
Yes, a brilliant film about a very major event early in the War. The full story involving the May 1941 sinking of HMS Hood (largest British warship of that time, and the pride of the British Navy) by the Bismarck and its support vessels, and the subsequent pursuit and sinking of Bismarck a few days later by a battleship group led by HMS King George V is told HERE (http://www.hmshood.com/history/denmarkstrait/bismarck1.htm). The total loss of lives was over 3,500, both vessels sinking without trace except for thick oil slicks on the surface. After that experience, Hitler never again allowed his surface fleet to attempt such an ambitious operation in the North Atlantic.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 16, 2008, 07:56:22 AM
Sentimental attachment to Casablanca aside (and I for one prefer Ingrid Bergman to Lauren Bacall any day), I agree that Bogart acts rather better in The Big Sleep.
Just snapped up a used copy of this; hope it's good 8)
I think that he is as good in 'The Barefoot Contessa' an underrated film with a great cast in Ava Gardner, Edmond O'Brien and Marius Goring.
That can begin my next six in no particular order:
'Sweet Smell of Success',
'Some Like it Hot',
'The Meaning of Life' - "Just one more teeny weeny leetle meent, M. Creosote."
'Vera Drake' and I can believe that HM's Womens Prisons were full of middle-aged working class abortionists,
'Sleeper' made when Woody Allen was funny: "Here have a cigarette, we found that, together with chocolate, they are good for you."
Quote from: Hector on April 17, 2008, 04:22:35 AM
'Sleeper' made when Woody Allen was funny
Ah, before he really lived into his narcissism . . . it seems so awfully long ago . . . .
Quote from: karlhenning on April 16, 2008, 07:56:22 AM
Sentimental attachment to Casablanca aside (and I for one prefer Ingrid Bergman to Lauren Bacall any day), I agree that Bogart acts rather better in The Big Sleep.
Just snapped up a used copy of this; hope it's good 8)
This avatar is for you Karl!
Bill, you are princely! :)
Quote from: Topaz on April 17, 2008, 02:51:57 AM
Yes, a brilliant film about a very major event early in the War. The full story involving the May 1941 sinking of HMS Hood (largest British warship of that time, and the pride of the British Navy) by the Bismarck and its support vessels, and the subsequent pursuit and sinking of Bismarck a few days later by a battleship group led by HMS King George V is told HERE (http://www.hmshood.com/history/denmarkstrait/bismarck1.htm). The total loss of lives was over 3,500, both vessels sinking without trace except for thick oil slicks on the surface. After that experience, Hitler never again allowed his surface fleet to attempt such an ambitious operation in the North Atlantic.
Thanks for the exremely interesting link. I had no idea that there was an HMS Hood Association. There was a lot of stuff about this when they found the wreck of Hood some years ago.
Quote from: vandermolen on April 16, 2008, 12:43:28 PM
The Great Escape: YES
Quote from: Bogey on April 16, 2008, 04:36:51 PM
Another great one that I never tire of seeing.
Amen!
How about 6 films with high replay value?
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 19, 2008, 04:33:26 AM
How about 6 films with high replay value?
Great idea, someone start a thread.
Morning David and all! :)
I had a model of the Bismark when I was a kid. Also the KG V, the Yamato, the Missouri, the North Carolina and the Arizona. But my all-time favorite was the "pocket battleship" Admiral Graf Spee. I loved that one!
(http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/germany/photos/cruisers/admiral_graf_spee/admiral_graf_spee_05.jpg)
If the subject sounds interesting you might want to see the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger Battle of the River Plate, also known as Pursuit of the Graf Spee. It's not one of the best Powell films, though. Caution: It is, or can be seen as, rather pro-German. The portrait of Captain Langsdorff as nearly saintly is a bit hard to bear, though his prisoners did in fact vouch for his honorable treatment of them.
Quote from: Paul-Michel on April 17, 2008, 01:38:27 AM
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Hey, you've listed EIGHT movies ........ but the guidelines establish a limit of SIX ........
1. The Godfather
2. Pulp Fiction
3. Goodfellas
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
5. Akira
6. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Current favs are:
The Railway Children
The Graduate
English Patient
The Great Lebowski
My Life as a Dog
Lost in Siberia
Six with one, or two, things in common:
'Doctor in the House,'
'Victim,'
'The Servant,'
'Accident,'
'Death in Venice,'
'The Damned.'
Quote from: MISHUGINA on April 20, 2008, 07:32:44 AM
1. The Godfather
2. Pulp Fiction
3. Goodfellas
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail
5. Akira
6. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Goodfellas
Godfather
Life of Brian
Harold and Maude
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
[ ] (Placeholder)
Not that anyone who loves
Star Wars (or even, considers the six
Star Wars movies their supreme favorites) is not welcome to 'em . . . but
good God, this is surgically funny! (http://www.keepersoflists.org/index.php?lid=1906)
QuoteThat blast came from the pants! That thing's operational!
Quote from: karlhenning on April 24, 2008, 03:43:03 AM
Not that anyone who loves Star Wars (or even, considers the six Star Wars movies their supreme favorites) is not welcome to 'em . . . but good God, this is surgically funny! (http://www.keepersoflists.org/index.php?lid=1906)
So simple. So hilarious. ;D
Quote from: karlhenning on April 24, 2008, 03:43:03 AM
Not that anyone who loves Star Wars (or even, considers the six Star Wars movies their supreme favorites) is not welcome to 'em . . . but good God, this is surgically funny! (http://www.keepersoflists.org/index.php?lid=1906)
No doubt about it, the whole link is pants, in more ways than one.
However, does it top my top six of the most overrated, or just crap, films ever?
Here goes, in no particular order:
'Brief Encounter' - not brief enough. Nowadays he would take her behind that damned cafe and have a "knee-trembler." Unfortunately, the British middle-class didn't discover sex until the sixties.
'Star Wars' - take your pick. They're kiddies films, grow up!
'Harry Potter' - again, take your pick. Excrutiating acting. I cannot get past the first half-hour of any of them. Use the books as doorstops.
'Titanic' - that dire song from Celine Dion says it all. Besides anything with Billy Zane in...come on, now! :o
'Gone With the Wind' - frankly my dear I don'givvadamn. Must be good, it won Oscars ::)
'Forrest Gump' - I watched this tosh in opened-mouth disbelief. I thought that it had to be an "American thing" but, on reflection, it is a National insult.
Hector, I didn't care for Forrest Gump, either.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 24, 2008, 04:11:46 AM
Hector, I didn't care for Forrest Gump, either.
I can't stand that movie. It's odd; I can laugh at the blatant "duh-ism" of Beavis and Butthead. But when it comes to intentionally glorifying moronicism, I get extremely irritated. Even stranger, I usually happen to really like Tom Hanks.
The movie I liked Tom Hanks best in, somehow, was The Man with One Red Shoe. Admittedly he's done a fair volume of serious roles, and they're movies I just haven't happened to see. But I think I will likely give Charlie Wilson's War a crack.
Oh, and I pretty much liked Catch Me if You Can . . . .
Some of the best films (movies) are war films, whether WW2 or Vietnam, etc. I wonder how long it will be before we start getting material based on Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm not aware of anything of any significance so far? I guess the final outcome in these war zones is still so uncertain that it's difficult to anticipate a suitable theme. Anything too critical would probably attract political opposition, as too would anything too gung-ho. There's plenty of potentially interesting material for the future though.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 24, 2008, 04:11:46 AM
Hector, I didn't care for Forrest Gump, either.
Dumm movie.
Quote from: AndyD. on April 24, 2008, 07:00:43 AM
I can't stand that movie. It's odd; I can laugh at the blatant "duh-ism" of Beavis and Butthead. But when it comes to intentionally glorifying moronicism, I get extremely irritated. Even stranger, I usually happen to really like Tom Hanks.
Read the book. It's a terrific satire. Unfortunately the movie played it all too straight and sapped it up with sticky sentimentality. To do it right, instead of Hanks someone like Steve Buscemi would have had the lead. ;)
Quote from: Hector on April 24, 2008, 04:06:47 AM
However, does it top my top six of the most overrated, or just crap, films ever?
'Brief Encounter' - not brief enough. Nowadays he would take her behind that damned cafe and have a "knee-trembler." Unfortunately, the British middle-class didn't discover sex until the sixties.
Can't agree here. Lean was a superb director and his maturity and delicate handling of that story is why its an excellent film. The leads were also terrific.
Oh, how could I forget this one:
(http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTMyMjQ5NDI1NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTY4MTEyMQ@@._V1._SY400_SX600_.jpg)
And I must say I really like Star Wars, the latest one was pretty good (Episode 3). Great Scene when Anakin became Darth Vader.
I absolutely disliked the one with the overload of Binx childish bullshit.
Quote from: Wurstwasser on April 25, 2008, 12:19:16 AM
And I must say I really like Star Wars, the latest one was pretty good (Episode 3). Great Scene when Anakin became Darth Vader.
I absolutely disliked the one with the overload of Binx childish bullshit.
My sentiments entirely. Did you notice, by the way, how John Williams brilliantly let the Darth Vader theme evolve in the background, coming to fruition only in that very scene of Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader?
[Just a minor correction]
Quote from: Jezetha on April 25, 2008, 12:49:29 AMMy sentiments entirely. Did you notice, by the way, how John Willams brilliantly let the Darth Vader theme evolve in the background, coming to fruition only in that very scene of Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader?
Oh yes of course. Absolutely, a very very intense scene because of the music. The music - Lot of tension - a machine movement noise, ah no, some kind of battery loading noise[1] - Pause - Darth Vader breathing. Wow.
By the way 2, an absolutely gorgeous piece of music from the Star Wars soundtrack (not sure which episode) is "Anakins theme", which is a friendly and lovely piece of music, describing Anakin as a child, but with the dark Darth Vader theme is almost seamlessly shimmering through in the end. Very well done.
[1] Now I know it: It's like a defibrillator noise.
Quote from: Wurstwasser on April 25, 2008, 01:56:03 AM
Oh yes of course. Absolutely, a very very intense scene because of the music. The music - Lot of tension - a machine movement noise, ah no, some kind of battery loading noise[1] - Pause - Darth Vader breathing. Wow.
By the way 2, an absolutely gorgeous piece of music from the Star Wars soundtrack (not sure which episode) is "Anakins theme", which is a friendly and lovely piece of music, describing Anakin as a child, but with the dark Darth Vader theme is almost seamlessly shimmering through in the end. Very well done.
[1] Now I know it: It's like a defibrillator noise.
Look here!
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Anakin's_Theme
Quote from: Jezetha on April 25, 2008, 12:49:29 AMDid you notice, by the way, how John Williams brilliantly let the Darth Vader theme evolve in the background, coming to fruition only in that very scene of Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader?
http://www.youtube.com/v/c6bEs3dxjPg
Anakins Theme:
http://www.youtube.com/v/6_rzI7Y_NUs
The second clip hasn't loaded (yet), but the first has. This is only the second time I see and hear this - the first was in the cinema -, but it's still powerful stuff, and very moving. I don't think this is childish rubbish (although The Phantom Menace had terrible bits, catering to the kids...)
Just listened to the second clip. What I find very impressive about Williams's achievement is that he was able, in a very Wagnerian way, to root the music he had already written so many years ago in a musical past that then wasn't yet in existence... Anyone coming to the sextet of movies fresh, wouldn't know that all the musical material from the first trio was derived from the second. As a writer busy on a big literary project for 25 years I can only admire John Williams for being able to keep in style and find new things in the same material.
I really think he has surpassed himself here.
Of the 'second trilogy', I'd really only be interested in watching the third movie. But, I must admit, I'm in no hurry.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 25, 2008, 04:24:58 AM
Of the 'second trilogy', I'd really only be interested in watching the third movie. But, I must admit, I'm in no hurry.
I saw them all and don't think you've missed a thing, Karl. Better to spend your time with
Charlie Wilson's War, or the hundredth repeat viewing of
Casablanca!
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 25, 2008, 04:32:30 AM
I saw them all and don't think you've missed a thing, Karl. Better to spend your time with Charlie Wilson's War, or the hundredth repeat viewing of Casablanca!
I always liked the original trilogy, which the newer one doesn't surpass. I found the Phantom Menace terrible, at a first viewing. Attack of the Clones was an improvement, and the last instalment was the best. Then I watched the first two again to see if they were perhaps better than I at first thought. And they were.
But if you don't like it, you don't like it, whatever I say!
Quote from: Danny on April 24, 2008, 07:29:16 PM
Can't agree here. Lean was a superb director and his maturity and delicate handling of that story is why its an excellent film. The leads were also terrific.
He was a superb director but, like most, prone to the occasional bummer.
I've sat through 'This Happy Breed (1944)' twice in the past two years with ever-increasing annoyance.
Deirdre Irondrawers, sorry, Celia Johson, was in this one about a lower middle-class (the worse kind)family in the inter-War years. Co-starring Johnny Mills and the best Long John Silver there ever was, Robert Newton, and Stanley Baldwin, sorry, Holloway.
Another six;
'Seven' if only for the delicious thought of Gwynethh Pawltry's head in a box!
'The Proposition.'
'The Others.'
'Pans Labyrinth.'
'The Cook, the Thief, the Wife and her Lover'. This is a reason why some of us find Helen Mirren so adorable!
'LA Confidential.'
Working against the General Strike in 1926, voting Baldwin...ugh! Lean and Coward, who wrote it, antagonised the majority of their audience
Quote from: Jezetha on April 25, 2008, 04:37:09 AMI always liked the original trilogy, which the newer one doesn't surpass. I found the Phantom Menace terrible, at a first viewing. Attack of the Clones was an improvement, and the last instalment was the best. Then I watched the first two again to see if they were perhaps better than I at first thought. And they were.
Haven't had a repeated look at the first 2. Also liked the 3rd most.
Quote from: Wurstwasser on April 25, 2008, 04:56:01 AM
Haven't had a repeated look at the first 2. Also liked the 3rd most.
Btw - thanks for those two clips!
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 25, 2008, 04:32:30 AM
I saw them all and don't think you've missed a thing, Karl. Better to spend your time with Charlie Wilson's War, or the hundredth repeat viewing of Casablanca!
Or the 200th...... 8)
Quote from: Bogey on April 25, 2008, 05:12:04 AM
Or the 200th...... 8)
Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.
Quote from: Bogey on April 25, 2008, 05:12:04 AM
Or the 200th...... 8)
"I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Or would be, if it hadn't already begun. ;)
Gentlemen - I love Casablanca, too (the 'Marseillaise' scene is the absolute high point for me). So I'm quite cultured...
Quote from: Jezetha on April 25, 2008, 05:19:46 AM
Gentlemen - I love Casablanca, too (the 'Marseillaise' scene is the absolute high point for me). So I'm quite cultured...
I doubt that any of us who have enjoyed your thoughtful comments on a number of subjects would ever have imagined otherwise.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 25, 2008, 05:19:46 AM
So I'm quite cultured...
That was immediately apparent from your apprecition for the
Irreplaceable Doodles 8)
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 25, 2008, 05:23:55 AM
I doubt that any of us who have enjoyed your thoughtful comments on a number of subjects would ever have imagined otherwise.
I
was joking a bit, without sign-posting it by a smiley... But thanks for this vote of confidence all the same! ;)
Quote from: karlhenning on April 25, 2008, 05:27:05 AM
That was immediately apparent from your apprecition for the Irreplaceable Doodles 8)
"Show me
Irreplaceable Doodles, and I'll tell you who you are..."
Quote from: karlhenning on April 25, 2008, 04:24:58 AM
Of the 'second trilogy', I'd really only be interested in watching the third movie. But, I must admit, I'm in no hurry.
I need alot more distance before trying the second trilogy (you know, another dozen or so years). I thought the first two in the '70's (especially Darth's paternal proclamation) were really good, but the Ewoks pretty much sunk the "Return..." for me (wasn't particularly wild about Yoda either, now that I think of it).
Star Wars :P
The Empire Strikes Back was okay though.
Quote from: AndyD. on April 25, 2008, 06:13:52 AM
I need alot more distance before trying the second trilogy (you know, another dozen or so years). I thought the first two in the '70's (especially Darth's paternal proclamation) were really good, but the Ewoks pretty much sunk the "Return..." for me (wasn't particularly wild about Yoda either, now that I think of it).
Seconded!
Re: Star Wars, I also think Episode III was the series' apex, in many ways.
Although interestingly, I've only seen it a mere four times, next to 8 for Episode II, 12 for Episode I and 11 for the original trilogy in its various incarnations (I almost always watch those three "en suite"). :)
My second favourite is Episode V, and my least favourite is probably the Ewok half of Episode VI, or Episode II if I can only choose a whole movie. But as might have already become apparent, I really love the Star Wars films. 8)
Quote from: Renfield on April 25, 2008, 08:33:21 AM
Re: Star Wars, I also think Episode III was the series' apex, in many ways.
Although interestingly, I've only seen it a mere four times, next to 8 for Episode II, 12 for Episode I and 11 for the original trilogy in its various incarnations (I almost always watch those three "en suite"). :)
My second favourite is Episode V, and my least favourite is probably the Ewok half of Episode VI, or Episode II if I can only choose a whole movie. But as might have already become apparent, I really love the Star Wars films. 8)
'The Empire Strikes Back' is for me the best of the bunch - it has an epic feel, humour and tremendous variety. And 'Darth's paternal proclamation' (AndyD., the poster formerly known as Haffner) astonished me the first time I saw it. Apart from having become part of popular culture, it remains one of the great moments in film, I think.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 25, 2008, 08:44:46 AM
'The Empire Strikes Back' is for me the best of the bunch - it has an epic feel, humour and tremendous variety. And 'Darth's paternal proclamation' (AndyD., the poster formerly known as Haffner) astonished me the first time I saw it. Apart from having become part of popular culture, it remains one of the great moments in film, I think.
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.
Quote from: Renfield on April 25, 2008, 09:25:29 AM
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!
Quote from: AndyD. on April 25, 2008, 01:46:13 PM
Empire, for me at least, just had that dark edge...on the side. Get it? BWA-...!
sorry!
;D
[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...]
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.
Quote from: erato on April 25, 2008, 10:48:44 PM
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...)
Quote from: Hector on April 25, 2008, 04:39:27 AM
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. :-\
Quote from: Hector on April 25, 2008, 04:39:27 AM
'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.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 25, 2008, 11:03:27 PM
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. :)
Quote from: Danny on April 25, 2008, 11:38:06 PM
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? :D
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.)
In the matter of "willingness to suspend disbelief," you are my master.
Quote from: DavidRoss on April 26, 2008, 08:45:52 AM
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! ;)
Quote from: Renfield on April 26, 2008, 07:07:33 AM
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'?
Quote from: Renfield on April 26, 2008, 07:07:33 AM
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.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 26, 2008, 10:47:16 AM
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. :)
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'...
Quote from: Danny on April 25, 2008, 11:38:06 PM
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. :(
Quote from: Renfield on April 26, 2008, 07:07:33 AMSame 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.
Quote from: Wurstwasser on April 26, 2008, 10:49:45 PM
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
Quote from: Jezetha on April 26, 2008, 11:00:32 PM
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. :)
Quote from: Renfield on April 27, 2008, 07:01:19 AM
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...).
Quote from: Danny on April 25, 2008, 11:38:06 PM
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!
Quote from: Danny on April 25, 2008, 11:38:06 PM
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 it yet but would like to.
Another siX:
'Hiroshima mon Amou,'
'Last Year in Marienbad,'
'Blow Up,'
'Charge of the Light Brigade,'
'Missouri Breaks,'
'Rosemary's Baby,' - the little devil >:D
Quote from: Renfield on April 27, 2008, 07:01:19 AM
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. :)
Why, I'd dispute that dismissal of Mark Hamill's acting skills strenuously, if I could only think of any acting that Hamill has done apart from the rule of Luke
Starkiller Skywalker.
Or, more accurately, if I could only think of any acting that Hamill has done, full stop ;D
Quote from: karlhenning on April 29, 2008, 04:42:45 AM
Why, I'd dispute that dismissal of Mark Hamill's acting skills strenuously, if I could only think of any acting that Hamill has done apart from the rule of Luke Starkiller Skywalker.
Or, more accurately, if I could only think of any acting that Hamill has done, full stop ;D
;D
You
are right, though, Karl - Mark Hamill seems to be the quintessential one-role actor.
Even Hayden "This is my EVIL face" Christensen was in a few.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 29, 2008, 04:42:45 AM
Why, I'd dispute that dismissal of Mark Hamill's acting skills strenuously, if I could only think of any acting that Hamill has done apart from the rule of Luke Starkiller Skywalker.
Or, more accurately, if I could only think of any acting that Hamill has done, full stop ;D
To me, Hamill was believable. Christensen was not, but then nothing was in those dreadful "prequels." Other than
Star Wars, he's best known for the role of Mozart in
Amadeus on Broadway.
Hamill did well as the voice of the Joker in the Batman animated series.
For good or ill, Cesar Romero will always "be" The Joker for me 8)
(http://mantequillaconazucar.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/cesar_romero_joker.gif)
Quote from: karlhenning on April 29, 2008, 05:35:37 AM
For good or ill, Cesar Romero will always "be" The Joker for me 8)
Ill. ;D
Quote from: karlhenning on April 29, 2008, 05:35:37 AM
For good or ill, Cesar Romero will always "be" The Joker for me 8)
(http://mantequillaconazucar.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/cesar_romero_joker.gif)
He really was great. But I love the Nicholson also. I guess mostly just because I love Jack (both the actor and the Shining character; deliciously dess-PIC-able!).
Quote from: AndyD. on April 29, 2008, 06:41:19 AM
He really was great. But I love the Nicholson also. I guess mostly just because I love Jack (both the actor and the Shining character; deliciously dess-PIC-able!).
Willem Defoe (sp?) would have been the ultimate Joker--he has the face for it, but they made him the Green Goblin instead. Go figure.
Well, I haven't really thought about the old Adam West series for decades; but I think it has the great virtue of not taking itself over-seriously.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 29, 2008, 06:53:02 AM
Well, I haven't really thought about the old Adam West series for decades; but I think it has the great virtue of not taking itself over-seriously.
It definitely depends on your association to the Batman. Heh.
Quote from: karlhenning on April 29, 2008, 04:42:45 AM
Why, I'd dispute that dismissal of Mark Hamill's acting skills strenuously, if I could only think of any acting that Hamill has done apart from the rule of Luke Starkiller Skywalker.
Or, more accurately, if I could only think of any acting that Hamill has done, full stop ;D
I haven't seen any of the "first" three (last three released) of the Star Wars series. But there is something I've wondered about: If someone has never seen any of the films, how is one supposed to watch them? In what order?
If you watch them chronologically (in order of the plot, not of release date), then you lose the shocker ending of learning Darth Vader's identity in "Return of the Jedi". But my understanding is that the ending to "Revenge of the Sith" is a real downer, and it would also not be a satisfying experience to watch them in order of release (starting with "A New Hope.") It seems the only logical way to watch them is start with episodes IV -VI, forget about it for 16 years, then watch Episodes I- III. ???
Quote from: Shrunk on April 29, 2008, 10:54:36 AM
I haven't seen any of the "first" three (last three released) of the Star Wars series. But there is something I've wondered about: If someone has never seen any of the films, how is one supposed to watch them? In what order?
Good question. If you watch IV-VI first, Darth Vader's identity holds the interest the most. If you watch chronologically, the same trilogy will have as its main focus
when and
how will Luke and Leia find out who they are, and what does Darth Vader do with their re-appearance in his life?
A pity I can't do the experiment. But just wait for a new generation...
Well, I'd say the best order is IV-VI, then I-III. The ending of "Revenge" is far from a downer for me: it's a wrap-up. :)
Quote from: Renfield on April 29, 2008, 01:10:44 PM
Well, I'd say the best order is IV-VI, then I-III. The ending of "Revenge" is far from a downer for me: it's a wrap-up. :)
I agree about your order. I found the ending of 'Revenge' very strong. Everything has been put into place for IV to begin... If Lucas had
made the films in chronological order the accents would have been subtly different in the second trilogy.
Quote from: Jezetha on April 29, 2008, 01:15:13 PM
If Lucas had made the films in chronological order the accents would have been subtly different in the second trilogy.
Exactly. I fully agree.
Let's try a new angle. What were your six favorite films before you turned 16?
Not in any particular order:
1. The Ten Commandments
2. Force Ten from Navarone
3. The Planet of the Apes
4. The Outlaw Josey Wales
5. Dirty Harry
6. Rocky I
What were your six favorite films before you turned 16?
Not in any particular order:
1. Dawn of the Dead
2. The Exorcist
3. The Omen
4. The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing
5. Apocalypse Now
6. Rocky I
The others on Bill's list would have easily fit on my own extended version. Throw in Empire Strikes Back and Death Wish 1 and 2 while yer at it.
I turned 16 in 1977. I was more into books. The films I liked:
1. The Ten Commandments
2. Ben-Hur
3. Ludwig (Visconti)
And I must have seen some Hitchcock on tv...
Quote from: Bogey on April 29, 2008, 02:26:55 PM
Let's try a new angle. What were your six favorite films before you turned 16?
Bill - of course, that is a question of relativity! ;D
I turned 16 y/o in 1962, thus the sci-fi films from the '50s and movies from preceeding decades would be my only choices - earlier in this thread I posted a bunch of '30s & '40s flicks, may need to add a new list from the '50s & '60s which would cover this area of my life? ;) :D
Six more to die before seeing:
Rocky,
Rocky II,
Rocky III,
Rocky IV,
Rambo,
Rambo II.
Quote from: Bogey on April 29, 2008, 02:26:55 PM
Let's try a new angle. What were your six favorite films before you turned 16?
I grew up in towns with one cinema in an era before DVDs, VCRs, multiplexes, or even much in the way of movies on broadcast TV (before cable, too!). I didn't begin to appreciate movies until I started college.
Quote from: Hector on April 30, 2008, 03:44:44 AM
Six more to die before seeing:
Rocky,
Rocky II,
Rocky III,
Rocky IV,
Rambo,
Rambo II.
I agree with all but Rocky I and III. The third was hokey, but there were a couple of inspiring moments within that made it worth seeing,at least to me.
Quote from: Bogey on April 29, 2008, 02:26:55 PM
Let's try a new angle. What were your six favorite films before you turned 16?
1) Citizen Kane
2) Treasure of the Sierra Madre
3) Maltese Falcon
4) Lawrence of Arabia
5) Patton
6) Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Discovered classic films at about 14 or so; before that particular age I suppose
The Goonies would have topped the list. :P
Quote from: AndyD. on April 30, 2008, 09:17:56 AM
I agree with all but Rocky I and III. The third was hokey, but there were a couple of inspiring moments within that made it worth seeing,at least to me.
You ain't so BAD!!! ;D
What were your six favorite films before you turned 16?
For me, that was up to 1981.
Again, not in any particular order:
1. The Railway Children
2. Tales of Beatrix Potter (Royal Ballet)
3. Sleuth (Caine and Olivier, of course)
4. The Eagle Has Landed (Caine again)
5. A High Wind in Jamaica
6. King Kong (1933)
[/quote]
The Seven Samurai
Vertigo
Dark City
Being John Malkovitch
The Godfather
Magnolia
Quote from: AndyD. on April 30, 2008, 09:17:56 AM
I agree with all but Rocky I and III. The third was hokey, but there were a couple of inspiring moments within that made it worth seeing,at least to me.
I think that you should read what I put, again.
Six more of those to avoid at all costs:
Any adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. There must be six! Six novels, six films, right?
Yesterdays great literature is todays soap!
Quote from: Hector on May 19, 2008, 04:14:16 AM
I think that you should read what I put, again.
Six more of those to avoid at all costs:
Any adaptation of a Jane Austen novel. There must be six! Six novels, six films, right?
Yesterdays great literature is todays soap!
Thanks for the reminder--terrific recent films include Ang Lee's gorgeous adaptation of
Sense and Sensibility and the recent BBC productions of
Pride and Prejudice and
Emma. So refreshing in comparison to the all the pretentious crap many try foisting on us as "art!"
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 19, 2008, 04:28:46 AM
Thanks for the reminder--terrific recent films include Ang Lee's gorgeous adaptation of Sense and Sensibility and the recent BBC productions of Pride and Prejudice and Emma. So refreshing in comparison to the all the pretentious crap many try foisting on us as "art!"
Just picked up two for the Mrs. from the BBC set for Mother's Day David. She enjoyed them all. Some less than previous adaptations (thogh P&P was the Firth one), but it was a fun way to spend Sunday nights watching Masterpiece Theater (though they have deleted the "Theater" from their title...and changed the intro music! >:(
Before I was 16:
West Side Story
El Cid
2001 A Space Odyssey (saw 8 times at cinema)
Where Eagles Dare
The Great Escape
Sink the Bismarck!
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 19, 2008, 04:28:46 AM
Thanks for the reminder--terrific recent films include Ang Lee's gorgeous adaptation of Sense and Sensibility and the recent BBC productions of Pride and Prejudice and Emma. So refreshing in comparison to the all the pretentious crap many try foisting on us as "art!"
I squirm in my seat at the very thought.
The Beeb recently subjected us to a dramatisation of the 'Life.'
Guess what? Yeah, she was thwarted in love.
Tell yer wot, Jane, why don't you tell us about it?
However, if it ever goes outside these realms, try and get a look at 'Larkrise to Candleford' which was utterly beguiling and I normally hate costume-drama!
Embarassing list of childhood favorites:
Contact
GoldenEye
Star Wars Trilogy
Indiana Jones Trilogy
The Fifth Element
:D :-[
Quote from: Hector on May 20, 2008, 05:54:31 AM
I squirm in my seat at the very thought.
The Beeb recently subjected us to a dramatisation of the 'Life.'
Guess what? Yeah, she was thwarted in love.
Tell yer wot, Jane, why don't you tell us about it?
However, if it ever goes outside these realms, try and get a look at 'Larkrise to Candleford' which was utterly beguiling and I normally hate costume-drama!
Sounds as if you've not read her, except perhaps as a schoolboy too young to appreciate Ms Austen's droll comedies of manners. The good adaptations--like those I mentioned above--are neither costume dramas nor romances, though they might pass as such with the particularly shallow and dull...neither of which you seem to be.
Possible list of six chilhood faves (I say possible - it's too far back in the memory bank to know for sure)
Random Harvest
Mask Of Dimitrios, The
Ice Cold In Alex
Matter Of Life And Death, A
Double Indemnity
Green for Danger
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 20, 2008, 06:40:33 PM
Sounds as if you've not read her, except perhaps as a schoolboy too young to appreciate Ms Austen's droll comedies of manners. The good adaptations--like those I mentioned above--are neither costume dramas nor romances, though they might pass as such with the particularly shallow and dull...neither of which you seem to be.
True to an extent.
It is not so much the books that I object to but the never-ending filmed dramatisations!
Anyway, here's six more worth anyones time with one thing in common:
Bugsy Malone;
Midnight Express;
Alien;
Thelma and Louise;
Blade Runner;
Angela's Ashes.
Quote from: DavidRoss on May 20, 2008, 06:40:33 PM
Sounds as if you've not read her, except perhaps as a schoolboy too young to appreciate Ms Austen's droll comedies of manners. The good adaptations--like those I mentioned above--are neither costume dramas nor romances, though they might pass as such with the particularly shallow and dull...neither of which you seem to be.
The best Jane Austen adaptation, bar none:
(http://blog.lib.umn.edu/raim0007/gwss3307_fall2007/clueless.jpg)
Clueless
I love to watch
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Titanic
2012
Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires...
Sombody has gone thread spelunking. Looks like I missed the original thread.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Ed Wood
Barry Lyndon
The Third Man
Once Upon a Time in the West
Double Indemnity
Touch of Evil
Kind Hearts and Coronets
The Miracle of Morgans Creek
Eve and the Fire Horse
Blame It On Fidel
Whisper of the Heart
Double Happiness
Long Life, Happiness, and Prosperity
Angela
But really any great child acting performance.
I have a terribly girly taste, (luckily I'm writing in cognito )
- Gone With The Wind
- All about Eve
- Gentlemen prefer Blondes
- North by Northwest
- Doctor No
- Titanic
Hmmm, I don't think I ever posted here either. Here are some I could pick:
Gosford Park
Key Largo
Court Jester
Unforgiven
Cool Hand Luke
Singin in the Rain
Perhaps if I thought longer, I'd come up with others, but this is a pretty good list.
picking 6 is hard,but off the top of my head--
Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)
Ran
THe Seventh Seal
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
A Clockwork Orange
Brazil
Not the biggest movies that I have watched, but some humble, small favorites:
Wifemistress (1977)
The Year my Voice was Broke (1987)
The Others (2001)
Flirting (1990)
Heartburn (1986)
The Grifters (1990)
(http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/f8/1d/d274808a8da0c636e1448110.L.jpg)(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MsMI2Le-Dn0/TTwb6xwrPeI/AAAAAAAACxc/41HMdLdOKhI/s1600/yearmyvoicebroke.jpg)(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_e8qaKHUaCjs/TPGhwOMTzUI/AAAAAAAAK40/aNZY_g0hYEQ/s1600/the_others.jpg)
(http://nicolekidmanmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/flirting.jpg)(http://i51.tinypic.com/262a4vk.jpg)(http://la.curbed.com/uploads/2010_10_TheGrifters_DVDCover.jpg)
:)
Not necessarily the real top 6 but the Right Now Six:
The Producers (1968)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Amadeus (1984)
Juno (2007)
Vertigo (1958)
Sugar (2009)
Six more at random:
Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003)
Top Secret! (1984)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Up (2009)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Henry V (1989)
...and a bulletin from the future:
Cowboys and Aliens (2011) ;D
Quote from: Brian on February 09, 2011, 04:43:16 AM
Not necessarily the real top 6 but the Right Now Six:
The Producers (1968)
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Amadeus (1984)
Juno (2007)
Vertigo (1958)
Sugar (2009)
Six more at random:
Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara (2003)
Top Secret! (1984)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
Up (2009)
12 Angry Men (1957)
Henry V (1989)
...and a bulletin from the future:
Cowboys and Aliens (2011) ;D
I like your list(s). I had forgotton about Young Frankenstein - fantastic movie. A real favorite of mine. If I could pick my six faborite 'bits' from movies, the fist 10-15 minutes from Up would surely be there.
Quote from: terrence5 on January 13, 2011, 12:56:59 AM
I love to watch
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Titanic
2012
Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires...
haha, good one!
1) The Birds
2) Lemora, A Child's Tale of the Supernatural
3) A Christmas Story
4) The Ninth Configuration
5) Murder by Decree
6)
7)
Here are my 10:
1/ The lives of others (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck)
2/ Kagemusha (Akira Kurosawa)
3/ Black book (Paul Verhoeven)
4/ 2001 (Stanley Kubrick)
5/ Braveheart (Mel Gibson)
6/ Blade Runner (Ridley Scott)
7/ Unforgiven (Clint Eastwood)
8/ Apocalypto (Mel Gibson)
9/ Match point (Woody Allen)
10/ Downfall (Oliver Hirschbiegel)
Quote from: abidoful on February 03, 2011, 09:57:13 PM
I have a terribly girly taste, [....]
Nothing terrible about that.
I prefer to go to the cinema with women. IMO they have better taste in films than men. :P
Girly taste or not, I feel really bad about leaving out
Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, which is probably my fave feelgood movie so far. Also no movie selected with fave actresses like Jodie Foster or Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. Or a
Marx Brothers film. Or a Hitchcock. Or a film with Colin Firth. Or ..... (sigh).
Anyway, six movies that I like and love very very much:
CasablancaIl Vangelo secondo MatteoMonty Python's Life of BrianThe Elephant ManDangerous LiaisonsFesten
Quote from: Marc on February 09, 2011, 08:04:31 AM
Nothing terrible about that.
I prefer to go to the cinema with women. IMO they have better taste in films than men. :P
Girly taste or not, I feel really bad about leaving out Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, which is probably my fave feelgood movie so far. Also no movie selected with fave actresses like Jodie Foster or Valeria Bruni Tedeschi. Or a Marx Brothers film. Or a Hitchcock. Or a film with Colin Firth. Or ..... (sigh).
Anyway, six movies that I like and love very very much:
Casablanca
Il Vangelo secondo Matteo
Monty Python's Life of Brian
The Elephant Man
Dangerous Liaisons
Festen
:)
Six
is awfully few with so many good movies around; no room for Roger Corman and his Poe cycle (The Masque of the Red Death :) :) :) :) )
Yes, Dangerous Liaisons is a good one! Great actors. I like the ending where Glenn Close is whiping her makeup off.
Quote from: abidoful on February 09, 2011, 12:06:45 PM
Yes, Dangerous Liaisons is a good one! Great actors. I like the ending where Glenn Close is whiping her makeup off.
I prefer the part where Uma Thurman whips off her clothes 8)
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on February 09, 2011, 12:19:11 PM
I prefer the part where Uma Thurman whips off her clothes 8)
Sarge
That was grose; Uma and that dirty old man :o :o
So many, prepare for great amount of clichés.
Dollars trilogy (best one: il buono il brutto il cattivo)
Godfather 1 & 2
Citizen Kane (who didn't see this one coming?)
Star Wars: original trilogy (especially Empire strikes back)
Space Odyssey:2001
Timothy Dalton and Sean Connery Bond-movies (From Russia with love FTW)
Some others: Back to the future trilogy, Amadeus, Mask of Zorro, Monty Python and the holy Grail, PotC:Curse of the Black Pearl, Roger Moore Bonds, Jurassic Park, Star Trek 2:Wrath of KHHHHAAAAAAAAAAANNNNN, Psycho, Austin Powers trilogy, and Kenneth Branagh's 1996 Hamlet.
1. Hackers
2. Trick
3. Undertow (2009)
4. Un Secreto de Esperanza
5. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
6. Cloud Atlas
Roma, città aperta (Rossellini, 1945)
Du rififi chez les hommes (Dassin, 1955)
Le cercle rouge (Melville, 1970)
The Godfather I (Coppola, 1972)
Ran (Kurosawa, 1985)
The Shawshank Redemption (Darabont, 1994)
Hunger (Steve McQueen, 2008)
E: Talk about coincidences...
I judged twelve to be sufficiently difficult, so if the extra half dozen's a problem the miracle that is subtraction will set it right!
1. Blade Runner
2. Wings of Desire
3. La Belle et La Bête
4. The English Patient
5. Les Enfants du Paradis
6. Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
7. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg
8. Dreamlife of Angels
9. L'Atalante
10. Revanche
11. Wild Strawberries
12. The Third Man
Quote from: ZauberdrachenNr.7 on March 10, 2014, 06:55:54 PM
I judged twelve to be sufficiently difficult, so if the extra half dozen's a problem the miracle that is subtraction will set it right!
1. Blade Runner
2. Wings of Desire
3. La Belle et La Bête
4. The English Patient
5. Les Enfants du Paradis
6. Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
7. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg
8. Dreamlife of Angels
9. L'Atalante
10. Revanche
11. Wild Strawberries
12. The Third Man
Very nice list,
Zauber. The ones I bolded are special films no doubt. And it's been years since I've seen Dreamlife of Angels, will need to revisit it soon.
8 1/2 (Fellini)
In The Mood for Love (Kar-Wai)
The Thin Red Line (Malick)
Songs From The Second Floor (Andersson)
Contempt (Godard)
The Decalogue (Kieslowski)
These are the first six that popped into my head, I could however easily replace Decalogue with Three Colors Trilogy or Double Life of Veronique. And Woody Allen created most of my favorite American films, but I can't choose just one, I need my own Top 6 Allen films list for that. ;D
Quote from: ZauberdrachenNr.7 on March 10, 2014, 06:55:54 PM
1. Blade Runner
2. Wings of Desire
3. La Belle et La Bête
4. The English Patient
5. Les Enfants du Paradis
6. Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
7. Les Parapluies de Cherbourg
8. Dreamlife of Angels
9. L'Atalante
10. Revanche
11. Wild Strawberries
12. The Third Man
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 10, 2014, 08:52:34 PM
8 1/2 (Fellini)
In The Mood for Love (Kar-Wai)
The Thin Red Line (Malick)
Songs From The Second Floor (Andersson)
Contempt (Godard)
The Decalogue (Kieslowski)
These are the first six that popped into my head, I could however easily replace Decalogue with Three Colors Trilogy or Double Life of Veronique. And Woody Allen created most of my favorite American films, but I can't choose just one, I need my own Top 6 Allen films list for that. ;D
Nice lists, guys! Especially since most of them I haven't (yet) seen..
Hopefully
Octave finds his way here soon. :)
North Star and GSM - thank you, I could happily subscribe to your lists as well. The Three Colors Trilogy could just as easily have made my list as could the Decalogue Of the colors, I think like Red the best. Malick's Tree of Life I enjoyed every bit as much as Thin Red Line. GSM - you and I share an appreciation for 'Be Brave' by Shara Worden and My Brightest Diamond - I was going to post a link to it and found you had already done so. (She wrote it to deal with Gorecki's death, among other things).
Quote from: North Star on March 10, 2014, 09:48:45 AM
Roma, città aperta (Rossellini, 1945)
Du rififi chez les hommes (Dassin, 1955)
Le cercle rouge (Melville, 1970)
The Godfather I (Coppola, 1972)
Ran (Kurosawa, 1985)
The Shawshank Redemption (Darabont, 1994)
Hunger (Steve McQueen, 2008)
E: Talk about coincidences...
Interesting to find
The Shawshank Redemption among your faves! (I know its fan base is wide.)
[Hm, I should check the earlier posts in the thread, and see if I have not already posted in compliance with the
Thread Duty . . . .]
Quote from: ZauberdrachenNr.7 on March 11, 2014, 03:55:56 AM
North Star and GSM - thank you, I could happily subscribe to your lists as well. The Three Colors Trilogy could just as easily have made my list as could the Decalogue Of the colors, I think like Red the best. Malick's Tree of Life I enjoyed every bit as much as Thin Red Line. GSM - you and I share an appreciation for 'Be Brave' by Shara Worden and My Brightest Diamond - I was going to post a link to it and found you had already done so. (She wrote it to deal with Gorecki's death, among other things).
I didn't know the inspiration behind Be Brave, very interesting. I think My Brightest Diamond has a new album releasing soon, I follow them on Twitter and it's been mentioned.
And I agree with Red being the best from The Three Colors Trilogy,
Zauber. And I'm am always enamored with Zbigniew Preisner's music for Kieślowski's films, so beautiful and tragic.
8)
Quote from: karlhenning on March 11, 2014, 04:04:57 AM
Interesting to find The Shawshank Redemption among your faves! (I know its fan base is wide.)
How so? Too popular?
I see my original list of seven is
somewhat skewed into crime/prison movies. Not that these are that different...
Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves) (De Sica, 1948)
Tasogare Seibei (The Twilight Samurai) (Yôji Yamada, 2002)
Rashomon (Kurosawa, 1950)
Wow. Very impressive lists.
1. The Seven Samurai
2. M
3. 8 1/2
4. A Scene at the Sea
5. To Live
6. Kung Fu Hustle
Quote from: Baklavaboy on March 13, 2014, 03:40:57 AM
6. Kung Fu Hustle
Great film. Such a perfect mix of so many genres. Chow has a new film,
Journey to the West.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on March 13, 2014, 04:05:39 AM
Great film. Such a perfect mix of so many genres. Chow has a new film, Journey to the West.
I just watched it a couple of nights ago. He is not in it. He wrote, directed, produced. Frankly, a lot of it is a throwback to his 80s and 90s stuff with lots of recycling, and the lead has nowhere near Chow's charisma [or whatever the heck it is that makes him so fun to watch]. Still, as a big fan of Chow's bizarre humor, I laughed very hard at a lot of parts. It also (miraculously) managed to have a very moving scene near the end.
Revised list:
Alien
Dr. Strangelove
Star Wars original trilogy
Raiders of the lost ark
Hamlet (Branagh)
Once upon a time in the west
Cool list!
1. Man With A Movie Camera (Dziga Vertov)
2. The Long Day Closes (Terence Davies)
3. Mirror (Andrei Tarkovsky)
4. The Third Man (Carol Reed)
5. The World Of Apu (Satyajit Ray)
6. The Wind Will Carry Us (Abbas Kiarostami)
7. London (Patrick Keiller)
8. Round Midnight (Bertrand Tavernier)
9. Millers Crossing (Joel and Ethan Coen)
10. Brief Encounter (David Lean)
11. La Collectioneusse (Eric Rohmer)
12. Black Cat White Cat (Emir Kustarica)
Mine have changed a bit over time since posting back in '08 and with further multiple viewings. Here are 14 films that I have given 10 out of 10 stars over at IMDB based on what I enjoy (not what critics or other lists say). These films are ones that I can put on at any point and enjoy them without even a single scene losing my interest. The first three are my top three films with the other eleven changing places now and then based on when I last saw them:
1. Casablanca
2. Maltese Falcon
3. Rio Bravo
4. King Kong
5. Ten Commandments
6. Master and Commander
7. Wizard of Oz
8. Blade Runner
9. Star Wars
10. Sunset Blvd.
11. Mission Impossible I
12. Bells of St. Mary's
13. Alien
14. Iron Giant
Out of the 500 plus films I have rated at IMDB, there are 74 films that I gave 9 stars to. Within these, there are a few that may jump to the 10 star mark after further viewings (such as All About Eve). I know the likes of Mission Impossible I and Master and Commander are head scratchers for many to see on a list, but they are movies I truly love without apology.
Barry Lyndon (Kubrick)
Szindbad (Huszarik)
In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-wai)
Les Enfants du paradis (Carne)
Le Samourai (Melville)
La Dolce Vita (Fellini)
...
Il Gattopardo (Visconti)
The Falls (Greenaway)
The Docks of New York (Sternberg)
The Third Man (Reed)
Six Favorite Frivolous Movies
Earth Girls Are Easy
Hairspray
The Italian Job (Michael Caine, Noël Coward)
The Cheap Detective
The In Laws (Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Ed Begley Jr — though I do like the remake)
Yellowbeard
Forbidden Planet (1956)
The Big Sleep (1946)
Ostre sledovan vlaky (1966)
12 stulev (1971)
Rififi (1966)
8 1/2 (1963)
Quote from: NikF on July 20, 2015, 04:35:30 AM
The Big Sleep (1946)
What traits helped this one make your list? I have always been fascinated by the film, enjoy it a lot, but the plot always escapes me a bit.
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-big-sleep-1946
Quote from: Bogey on July 20, 2015, 04:38:28 AM
What traits helped this one make your list? I have always been fascinated by the film, enjoy it a lot, but the plot always escapes me a bit.
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-big-sleep-1946
In my case, the half-fog of the plot may actually be part of the allure; it may help to bolster the audience's confidence in or awe of Marlowe's wit in keeping ahead of the game. I certainly enjoy the Bogart-Bacall chemistry/tension in this one; and all the sharp lines in the script (which I suppose are attributable to the source).
Quote from: karlhenning on July 20, 2015, 04:42:47 AM
In my case, the half-fog of the plot may actually be part of the allure; it may help to bolster the audience's confidence in or awe of Marlowe's wit in keeping ahead of the game. I certainly enjoy the Bogart-Bacall chemistry/tension in this one; and all the sharp lines in the script (which I suppose are attributable to the source).
I agree completely. Besides the Bogey-Bacall interaction, I keep rewatching to see if I can piece it together. It also has one of my all time favorite Bogey scenes on film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqoxk3SrZRw
Quote from: Bogey on July 20, 2015, 04:50:58 AM
I agree completely. Besides the Bogey-Bacall interaction, I keep rewatching to see if I can piece it together. It also has one of my all time favorite Bogey scenes on film:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqoxk3SrZRw
I think I was helped, too, in that I first saw it on beautiful DVD restoration; in addition to the expert casting and script, it just
looks so damned good on the screen!
Quote from: karlhenning on July 20, 2015, 05:04:18 AM
I think I was helped, too, in that I first saw it on beautiful DVD restoration; in addition to the expert casting and script, it just looks so damned good on the screen!
*constant and positive nods of my coconut at the screen*
Quote from: Bogey on July 20, 2015, 04:38:28 AM
What traits helped this one make your list? I have always been fascinated by the film, enjoy it a lot, but the plot always escapes me a bit.
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-big-sleep-1946
Small moments and elements throughout. The opening exchange:
Carmen: "You're not very tall, are you?"
Marlowe: "Well, I, uh, I try to be."
- it kind of sets the tone and highlights the difference between Marlowe and those who inhabit the world he's just entered. And then soon after that it's driven further home with less subtely via the comment about orchids:
Sternwood: "Nasty things! Their flesh is too much like the flesh of men, and their perfume has the rotten sweetness of corruption."
During the bookshop scene with Dorothy Malone the pencil goes from being a passive prop to an active, suggestive symbol of her growing interest in Marlowe. Sure, it's telegraphed and is kind of a cheap device, but I think it's done so very well. If you get the chance watch the scene again, this time only looking at the pencil and how it's delivering her message. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqoxk3SrZRw
And the chemistry between Bogart and Bacall. Bacall looks like what she is - a fashion model turned actress - but she has her moments and can hold her own, even if it's simply by her poise.
As I said, it's an almost endless procession of small moments that seem to fall into place. Or perhaps I'm just being biased and less than objective. I'm happy to be easily pleased.
But yes, the plot...you know that when adapting the book a note was despatched to Raymond Chandler asking him to explain who killed the chauffeur? His reply ""Damned if I know."
Great post, Nik!
Quote from: Bogey on July 20, 2015, 05:36:34 AM
Great post, Nik!
Thanks. And thanks for asking why it made my list, because I believe it's important for me to avoid being lazy and instead remind and review exactly why I like or admire something.
Wow. Can't believe I haven't seen this thread before. Well, since others have listed more than 6 and most have been lazy and not given any reasons, I'll continue in that vein. All I'll say is that these are not necessarily my "top films," but they're some of the films that if I find them playing on TV or I pop them in the DVD player, I always stay to the end:
Bergman - Smiles of a Summer Night
Fellini Satyricon
Spielberg - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Lamorisse - The Red Balloon
The Wizard of Oz
Disney - Pinocchio
Disney - Fantasia
Hawks - His Girl Friday
Madden - Shakespeare in Love
deSica - Bicycle Thieves
Bergman - Wild Strawberries
Marx Brothers - A Night at the Opera
Ozu - Good Morning
Allen - Crimes and Misdemeanors
Axel - Babette's Feast
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on July 20, 2015, 05:57:51 PM
Ozu - Good Morning
I somehow wasn't aware of this Ozu film. Just added it to my queue. Thanks for the heads-up.
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek(1944)
Vertigo(1958)
Seven Samurai(1953)
My Man Godfrey(1936)
The Maltese Falcon(1941)
The More the Merrier(1943)
Genevieve (1953)
Quite a few more from the screwball era knocking at the door: Bringing Up Baby, The Lady Eve, Philadelphia Story.
And Galaxy Quest!
Quote from: SimonNZ on July 20, 2015, 06:21:39 PM
I somehow wasn't aware of this Ozu film. Just added it to my queue. Thanks for the heads-up.
I would never say it was on the artistic or emotional level of Tokyo Story or Autumn Afternoon or Floating Weeds, but it is a delightful little comedy (a genre Ozu is not usually associated with), with perhaps the funniest performance by a 7-year-old kid you'll ever see. The thread invites one to list "favorites," not necessarily the same as "greatest" in one's opinion.
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on July 20, 2015, 05:57:51 PM
Wow. Can't believe I haven't seen this thread before. Well, since others have listed more than 6 and most have been lazy and not given any reasons, I'll continue in that vein. All I'll say is that these are not necessarily my "top films," but they're some of the films that if I find them playing on TV or I pop them in the DVD player, I always stay to the end:
Bergman - Smiles of a Summer Night
Fellini Satyricon
Spielberg - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Lamorisse - The Red Balloon
The Wizard of Oz
Disney - Pinocchio
Disney - Fantasia
Hawks - His Girl Friday
Madden - Shakespeare in Love
deSica - Bicycle Thieves
Bergman - Wild Strawberries
Marx Brothers - A Night at the Opera
Ozu - Good Morning
Allen - Crimes and Misdemeanors
Axel - Babette's Feast
Maybe my favorite comedy of all time.
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on July 20, 2015, 05:57:51 PM
Axel - Babette's Feast
A hidden gem.
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on July 20, 2015, 05:57:51 PM
and most have been lazy and not given any reasons, I'll continue in that vein.
I do not believe the thread asked for this, but more than willing to hear why folks like what they like and happy at this end should anyone have a question about one on my list. And I will ask you. How did the Marx Brothers film make your list and why this one? I have never been able to get into them, but maybe with some insight from folks here who enjoy them, I might find a way to appreciate them more.
Quote from: Ken B on July 20, 2015, 06:34:24 PM
The Miracle of Morgan's Creek(1944)
Vertigo(1958)
Seven Samurai(1953)
My Man Godfrey(1936)
The Maltese Falcon(1941)
The More the Merrier(1943)
Genevieve (1953)
Quite a few more from the screwball era knocking at the door: Bringing Up Baby, The Lady Eve, Philadelphia Story.
And Galaxy Quest!
And maybe my second most favored comedy.
.. off the top quickly, some of the ones I love ..
Scorsese, Goodfellas
Polanski, The Pianist
Darabont, The Shawshank Redemption
Demme, The Silence of the Lambs
Spielberg, Jaws
Ridley Scott, Alien
Kubrick, Full Metal Jacket
Hitchcock, Psycho
Del Toro, Pan's Labyrinth
Raimi, Spiderman 2
Ramis, Groundhog Day
Lumet, Dog Day Afternoon
Mann, Heat
Martin, Mad Max: Fury Road
etc.,
Quote from: James on July 21, 2015, 02:27:03 AM
..
Mann, Heat
I find Heat to be one of the best American films, a classic that I think stands the test of time. I watched it on Blue Ray last month and you could've convinced me it was filmed in 2015, not 1995. It has aged very well.
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on July 21, 2015, 02:40:10 AM
I find Heat to be one of the best American films, a classic that I think stands the test of time. I watched it on Blue Ray last month and you could've convinced me it was filmed in 2015, not 1995. It has aged very well.
Yea Heat is great, all the films on my list are.
Quote from: karlhenning on July 20, 2015, 04:29:42 AM
Six Favorite Frivolous Movies
Earth Girls Are Easy
Hairspray
The Italian Job (Michael Caine, Noël Coward)
The Cheap Detective
The In Laws (Peter Falk, Alan Arkin, Ed Begley Jr — though I do like the remake)
Yellowbeard
Was I too "obedient" in keeping to six?
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension really begs to be added in here, but I cannot find it in my heart to displace any of these.
Oh, reasons, you ask? Mostly sentimental, but such as they are . . . .
Earth Girls Are Easy. My time in upstate New York was not always pleasant; but one of the best occasions was my old Wooster mate
Jeff visiting Rochester, and we took this in at the Little Theatre. I do not like any performance by
Jeff Goldblum any better than here, as "Mac"; and the low-key romance between him and
Geena Davis works very sweetly. The musical numbers are all good fun.
Jim Carrey is at his (perhaps) youngest and most purely entertaining.
Hairspray. Probably the only John Waters movie I may ever watch. Probably the only entertainment titled "Hairspray" I may ever take in. Apparently pure goofiness which does not trivialize the serious matter which drives the plot (and even a little more poignant in our day, given recent events in Baltimore). Any movie with both
John Astin and
Ric Ocasek is probably something I am going to enjoy.
The Italian Job. I still remember watching this with my late father; I think it must have been fairly freshly released at the time, yet my dad seemed to know it as an old favorite (I'll never suss that out).
Noël Coward: "Camp Freddie, everybody in the world is bent." Best Cliffhanger in Cinema, Ever.
The Cheap Detective. This one I like even better, now that I get the parodies not only of
Casablanca and
The Maltese Falcon, but
The Big Sleep, too. I don't always find
Neil Simon amusing (so sue me), but here I think he may be at his strongest.
Stockard Channing is unusually cute here, I think.
Madeleine Kahn, devastatingly amusing.
The In Laws. I cannot possibly be balanced and rational about this one. "Oh, God, please don't let me die on West 33
rd Street." The Paramus Philharmonic. Peter Falk doing barbecue in an apron bearing the legend
I'm Loaded With Options. The Guacamole Act of 1917. Best Use of the Phrase "Atonal Music" in Cinema, Ever. "I'm wide open." The Paramus Philharmonic. Serpentine. "The Bay of Pigs was my idea." The Paramus Philharmonic.
Yellowbeard. The late great
Graham Chapman threatening
Madeleine Kahn with nailing, with nailing something or other to the table, I seem to forget just what, at present.
Marty Feldman's final appearance.
Peter Bull in drag as Queen Anne (and
Spike Milligan advising
Eric Idle to "kneel upwind of her"). "She couldn't be your mother. No woman ever slept with me and lived."
Jn Cleese as Blind Pew (although he dismissed it as "one of the six worst films made in the history of the world"); states unequivocally that he accepted the role only as a favor to his old mate,
Graham Chapman.
Eric Idle, too, calls it one of the worst films he's ever done. Well, damn it, they can't
ALL be
Brian!
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension. I've almost got to like this for
Jn Lithgow,
Peter Weller, and the preposterous invented-comic-book-tie-in, alone.
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on July 20, 2015, 05:57:51 PM
Spielberg - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Disney - Fantasia
+1
I love in E.T. how they set up the government agents as if they are gonna be eeviiillll people who only want the alien for their diabolical purposes, helped by John Williams's ominous music... and then at the end they reveal they're not bad guys at all and (except for that one scene) don't go out of their way to purposefully hurt the kids. It kind of brings Disney's Lilo & Stitch in my mind, where is this social worker who looks big scary and tough but really, he's just doing his job and he shows understanding towards the tragedy of their situation. Similarities with Keys from E.T. also how this social worker used to be a government agent, IIRC.
And Fantasia is one of my all-time favorite Disney films. I also liked the sequel, even though I've heard reports of people facepalming when they saw Penn & Teller in a Disney film.
Quote from: karlhenning on July 21, 2015, 04:10:58 AM
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension. I've almost got to like this for Jn Lithgow, Peter Weller, and the preposterous invented-comic-book-tie-in, alone.
Quote from: Robt W. MonkView it without making too much of a judgement and you'll find yourself loving it, despite never really knowing what's going on. One thing that is for sure is that it looks like it was a hell of a lot of fun to make and this energy and excitement transfers to the viewer in fine style. Pure weirdness for its own sake.
RTWT
here.
I will go for those that can be watched more than once. There have been some wonderful films that are just difficult to watch more than once or maybe twice in a lifetime. So I have focused on those that changed me, inspired me, or just made me think. Anyway, it's the list (of 7) for me...
Court Jester - The first time I watched this, I laughed so much that my family laughed the same even though they didn't like it as much. I liked it so much that I mesmerized some of the best parts: the Vessel with the pestle; the dirk, the doge with the dirk (and the dagger, but don't forget the Dutchess!).
Wall-E - I considered Up and the Incredibles, and while both are fantastic, I find this little guy has wormed his way into my heart. The fact that there is no talking for so long allows this one to work its magic.
Singing in the Rain - What is there to say about this one. A great story, great and clever text, wonderful singing, memorable characterization, and top notch dancing. It always makes me happy.
Stand By Me - This is a wonderful coming of age story. It has River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton (he actually acts here), and Kiefer Sutherland. The important thing in this one is the journey. If you like the Wonder Years, you will probably like this one too.
Buck Privates - Starring Abbot and Costello, this is probably their best film. I used to watch them every Sunday and I know so much of their schtick by heart. They will always be special to me.
Gosford Park - This one beautifully captures and era. I considered others like Remains of the Day, but this one captures the nostalgia and the atmosphere as well as any. Amazing cast.
Young Frankenstein - I chose this one over Blazing Saddles. It's as funny as any movie ever made, and yet it is also quite dramatic. It is, for me, a joy. Two of my favorite scenes involve the following lines: 'Put the candle back' and 'you didn't touch your food'.
There are literally dozens of other great films that could have made this list, but these are the ones that have touched me most over the years.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on July 21, 2015, 09:51:44 AM
I will go for those that can be watched more than once. There have been some wonderful films that are just difficult to watch more than once or maybe twice in a lifetime. So I have focused on those that changed me, inspired me, or just made me think. Anyway, it's the list (of 7) for me...
Court Jester - The first time I watched this, I laughed so much that my family laughed the same even though they didn't like it as much. I liked it so much that I mesmerized some of the best parts: the Vessel with the pestle; the dirk, the doge with the dirk (and the dagger, but don't forget the Dutchess!).
Wall-E - I considered Up and the Incredibles, and while both are fantastic, I find this little guy has wormed his way into my heart. The fact that there is no talking for so long allows this one to work its magic.
Singing in the Rain - What is there to say about this one. A great story, great and clever text, wonderful singing, memorable characterization, and top notch dancing. It always makes me happy.
Stand By Me - This is a wonderful coming of age story. It has River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton (he actually acts here), and Kiefer Sutherland. The important thing in this one is the journey. If you like the Wonder Years, you will probably like this one too.
Buck Privates - Starring Abbot and Costello, this is probably their best film. I used to watch them every Sunday and I know so much of their schtick by heart. They will always be special to me.
Gosford Park - This one beautifully captures and era. I considered others like Remains of the Day, but this one captures the nostalgia and the atmosphere as well as any. Amazing cast.
Young Frankenstein - I chose this one over Blazing Saddles. It's as funny as any movie ever made, and yet it is also quite dramatic. It is, for me, a joy. Two of my favorite scenes involve the following lines: 'Put the candle back' and 'you didn't touch your food'.
There are literally dozens of other great films that could have made this list, but these are the ones that have touched me most over the years.
I like
Young Frankenstein best of anything
Mel Brooks has done.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on July 21, 2015, 09:51:44 AM
Young Frankenstein - I chose this one over Blazing Saddles. It's as funny as any movie ever made, and yet it is also quite dramatic. It is, for me, a joy. Two of my favorite scenes involve the following lines: 'Put the candle back' and 'you didn't touch your food'.
"Igor, help me with the bags."
Quote from: mc ukrneal on July 21, 2015, 09:51:44 AM
Wall-E - I considered Up and the Incredibles, and while both are fantastic, I find this little guy has wormed his way into my heart. The fact that there is no talking for so long allows this one to work its magic.
+1! My favorite Pixar movie, even my dad liked it and he almost never gives any movie whatsoever a recognition. Incredibles and Toy Story 2 are also in my top 3 when it comes to Pixar. While Up is not among my personal favorites (it had some longueurs), after a rewatching, I like it a lot more now.
Quote from: Alberich on July 21, 2015, 11:29:06 AM
+1! My favorite Pixar movie, even my dad liked it and he almost never gives any movie whatsoever a recognition. Incredibles and Toy Story 2 are also in my top 3 when it comes to Pixar. While Up is not among my personal favorites (it had some longueurs), after a rewatching, I like it a lot more now.
Up has arguably the best 10-15 minutes. The love story at the start of the movie is so beautiful. I find it amazing that they are able to pass along so much information about the characters, their character, their strengths and weaknesses, their motivation, and their life experiences. Up, Wall-e and Saving Private Ryan have some of the best opening sections to a film - at least the ones I admire most.
Quote from: mc ukrneal on July 21, 2015, 09:51:44 AM
I will go for those that can be watched more than once. There have been some wonderful films that are just difficult to watch more than once or maybe twice in a lifetime.
That is a good point. A film like Rossellini's "Roma, Città Aperta" is an incredibly intense experience, but (like Parsifal) not something you want to do every day.
I'll add a few more to my list:
Mike Leigh - Topsy-Turvy
Jacques Tati - PlayTime, Mon Oncle, M. Hulot's Holiday
Louis Malle - Au Revoir les Enfants
Eisenstein - Battleship Potemkin
Petri - Investigation of a Citizen above Suspicion
Olmi - Il Posto
Chukhrai - Ballad of a Soldier
Majidi - Children of Heaven (not to be confused with Carné's Children of Paradise)
In no particular order, a list eclectic and eccentric, and a great effort in trying unsuccessfully to stick with 6... $:)
King Kong 1933 - I find that Robert Armstrong's peformance as bigger-than-life impresario Carl Denham has held up well after 80 years.
Ben-Hur 1959 - Rumors of a remake are in the wind. To be sure, this was a remake of a silent version. The death scene of Messala ( Stephen Boyd is a marvel. Not to mention the chariot race!
War and Peace 1966 - Sergei Bondarchuk's c. 8-hour vision of Tolstoy's novel: incredibly, I understand the movie needs restoration, but that nothing is happening.
Every Man for Himself, and God Against All - aka The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser 1974 - Werner Herzog's version of the Kaspar Hauser incident. Hauser was discovered in Nuremberg at age 14 or so, unable to walk properly or to speak. It turned out that he had been kept away from all direct human contact since he had been a toddler.
Fantasia 1940 Leopold Stokowski and Mickey Mouse ! 0:)
The Water of the Hills: Jean de Florette, Manon of the Spring 1986 - Excellent movie of the novel by Marcel Pagnol which is not unlike reading a Greek tragedy by Sophocles.
Braveheart 1995 - Patrick McGoohan as the king of England, and Mel Gibson inadvertently causing a revolution in Scotland.
The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T 1953 - The first live-action Dr. Seuss movie is a satire on classical music. But the real reason to watch: Hans Conried really believes that he is a piano-obsessed villain. It is also the only children's movie that has a paean to cross-dressing! :laugh:
It's a Gift 1934 - W.C. Fields as the henpecked husband and incompetent shopkeeper trying to survive the Depression and his family and everyone around him
Horsefeathers - 1932 The Marx Brothers at a college, and chaos ensues: a good amount of satire on education and society which sadly still is relevant today! 0:)
Tough. Had to cut a lot of amazing movies to stay honest and list those that are truly special to me.
Blade Runner. It's engraved in my DNA.
Apocalypse Now. Pulls me upstream.
Master & Commander. The only movie than can reduce me to tears with a shot of iguanas. Also, the usage of Tallis Fantasia lured me into the classical world. I owe Peter Weir big time.
The Truman Show. Did I mention I owe Peter Weir a lot? A celebration of individuality.
2001: A Space Odyssey. Bigger than life.
Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Ditto!
And although none of their movies crept into my list, a big shout-out to Herzog, Gilliam, Lynch and Tarkovsky.
Quote from: Cato on July 21, 2015, 03:08:26 PMKing Kong 1933 - I find that Robert Armstrong's peformance as bigger-than-life impresario Carl Denham has held up well after 80 years.
Not enough to make the film .. and it is cartoonish, no one goes to see a film like this for that guy anyway .. the money shot is the monster, and it doesn't really pay off anymore in that film. It looks really dated. And the relationship between the beauty and the beast in that film could hardly be explored .. they didn't have the technology to really explore that. Just some thoughts.
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on July 21, 2015, 02:28:52 PM
Olmi - Il Posto
That's the one about the young office worker? Must watch that again. Olmi deserves to be much better known.
Quote from: SimonNZ on July 21, 2015, 06:04:54 PM
That's the one about the young office worker? Must watch that again. Olmi deserves to be much better known.
That's right. It was released in the US as "The Sound of Trumpets," which alludes to a very minor piece of dialogue in the family's apartment. But the title is rightly "The Job," and it's a delightful satire on the anomie and impersonality of the big corporations that were springing up in Italy during the post-WW2 boom. (And which haven't stopped springing up.)
Quote from: James on July 21, 2015, 04:34:59 PM
Not enough to make the film King Kong.. and it is cartoonish, no one goes to see a film like this for that guy anyway .. the money shot is the monster, and it doesn't really pay off anymore in that film. It looks really dated. And the relationship between the beauty and the beast in that film could hardly be explored .. they didn't have the technology to really explore that. Just some thoughts.
Well, I still find it a marvelous effort: our (dis)belief systems must be different. 0:)
Alpha by director. Going with 10 since everyone else has posted 15+. Subject to change by the day, hour, or minute!
Boogie Nights (Anderson, 1997)
The Producers (Brooks, 1968)
Young Frankenstein (Brooks, 1974)
Arsenic and Old Lace (Capra, 1944)
Modern Times (Chaplin, 1936)
Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (Jones, 1979)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Leone, 1967)
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (Powell & Pressburger, 1943)
Top Secret! (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker, 1984)
It appears that (thanks to Sarge sharing my love for Top Secret!) the only movie on my list that hasn't been mentioned so far is The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. David Mamet's favorite film, and one Martin Scorsese loves so much he helped finance the restoration. Also a favorite movie of Wes Anderson, Nick Hornby, David Chase, and Elvis Costello.
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2015, 12:37:08 PM
Top Secret! (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker, 1984)
It appears that (thanks to Sarge sharing my love for Top Secret!)
An all-around fave!
https://www.youtube.com/v/fZDrCXdiayk
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2015, 12:37:08 PM
Alpha by director. Going with 10 since everyone else has posted 15+.
I haven't!
(Have I?)
I think I only chose six. And to do so was an exercise in restraint!
Admittedly I read the first 8-10 pages, and in those pages, people like vandermolen, Sarge, and Sonic Dave all chose 25+!
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2015, 01:47:44 PM
Admittedly I read the first 8-10 pages, and in those pages, people like vandermolen, Sarge, and Sonic Dave all chose 25+!
I was always bad at math :(
Sarge
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2015, 12:37:08 PM
It appears that (thanks to Sarge sharing my love for Top Secret!) the only movie on my list that hasn't been mentioned so far is The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.
I bought Blimp a few months ago. Haven't watched it yet. Will rectify that soon.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on July 22, 2015, 01:52:18 PM
I bought Blimp a few months ago. Haven't watched it yet. Will rectify that soon.
Sarge
That's a good one, with Roger Livesey playing Blimp as he evolves from dashing young cadet to - well, fat-bald-mustachioed old blimp, and Deborah Kerr as all three of his love interests. Scorsese I believe also backed the restoration of Powell+Pressburger's (AKA The Archers') The Red Shoes.
Quote from: Brian on July 22, 2015, 12:37:08 PM
Alpha by director. Going with 10 since everyone else has posted 15+. Subject to change by the day, hour, or minute!
Boogie Nights (Anderson, 1997)
The Producers (Brooks, 1968)
Young Frankenstein (Brooks, 1974)
Arsenic and Old Lace (Capra, 1944)
Modern Times (Chaplin, 1936)
Vertigo (Hitchcock, 1958)
Monty Python's Life of Brian (Jones, 1979)
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Leone, 1967)
The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (Powell & Pressburger, 1943)
Top Secret! (Zucker, Abrahams, Zucker, 1984)
It appears that (thanks to Sarge sharing my love for Top Secret!) the only movie on my list that hasn't been mentioned so far is The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. David Mamet's favorite film, and one Martin Scorsese loves so much he helped finance the restoration. Also a favorite movie of Wes Anderson, Nick Hornby, David Chase, and Elvis Costello.
Blimp is wonderful. And Walbrook's big scene is some of the best acting I have ever seen.
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on December 29, 2016, 03:59:45 PM
Cremaster Cycle (probably weird nonsense to most people)
Cremaster I can imagine working much better as gallery instalations than they do as cinema films. Where you can watch as much as you care for wander away for ten minites and when you wander back it will be only one scene on from the last one you saw, and you've missed little new information that you hadn't already taken in.
Dracula (1931)- I love Bela Lugosi and I love vampires.
Amadeus- Love Mozart.
The Adventures of Robin Hood- My favorite Errol Flynn film.
Becket- My favorite Richard Burton film and Peter O'Toole portrays my 26 times great grandfather , King Henry II of England.
Twelve O'Clock High- All about my favorite airplane ever, the B-17 Flying Fortress.
House of Dark Shadows- Love Dark Shadows and did I mention that I love vampires.
Quote from: Christo on April 10, 2008, 06:01:45 AM
An easy one:
Tarkovsky, Offret (the Sacrifice)
Tarkovsky, Mirror
Tarkovsky, Nostalghia
Tarkovsky, Andrei Rublev
Tarkovsky, Stalker
Tarkovsky, Solaris
I've just got the DVD of Andrei Rublev which I will look forward to viewing.
Quote from: Hollywood on December 29, 2016, 08:37:13 PM
Dracula (1931)- I love Bela Lugosi and I love vampires.
Amadeus- Love Mozart.
The Adventures of Robin Hood- My favorite Errol Flynn film.
Becket- My favorite Richard Burton film and Peter O'Toole portrays my 26 times great grandfather , King Henry II of England.
Twelve O'Clock High- All about my favorite airplane ever, the B-17 Flying Fortress.
House of Dark Shadows- Love Dark Shadows and did I mention that I love vampires.
It's a shame you don't like vampires! >:D :P
Well, since this old thread appears to have revived in the last couple of days, I, as a baby newbie, will make free with with a non-musical contribution. And since, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Duck Soup have already been mentioned, and it's too soon since Debbie Reynolds' passing to decently name Singin' in the Rain, I can easily stretch my sentimental list to ten with barely a mention of Russian Ark:
The Fisher King
Koyaanisqatsi
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Secret Ballot
They Might Be Giants
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
Quote from: radicle on December 31, 2016, 07:45:10 PM
Secret Ballot
Though I love Iranian films I hadn't heard of this one. Looks great, thanks for the heads-up!
http://www.ferdyonfilms.com/2008/secret-ballot-raye-makhfi-2001/364/
Ludwig (Luchino Visconi) 8)
Dekalog (Krzysztof Kieslowski)
His Days Are Numbered (I giorni contati, directed by Elio Petri)
Curd Cheese (La ricotta, directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini)
Rashomon (Akira Kurosawa)
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau)
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Casablanca
Empire Strikes Back
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Asphalt Jungle
Once Upon a Time in the West
Quote from: radicle on December 31, 2016, 07:45:10 PM
Well, since this old thread appears to have revived in the last couple of days, I, as a baby newbie, will make free with with a non-musical contribution. And since, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Duck Soup have already been mentioned, and it's too soon since Debbie Reynolds' passing to decently name Singin' in the Rain, I can easily stretch my sentimental list to ten with barely a mention of Russian Ark:
The Fisher King
Koyaanisqatsi
Rabbit-Proof Fence
Secret Ballot
They Might Be Giants
The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit
I do need to watch
Rabbit-Proof Fence.
Quote from: North Star on July 23, 2015, 06:58:24 AM
There, now it's fixed ;)
Not sure!
I do need to watch
Blimp. I had it checked out from the BPL, but wound up needing to return it before I could sit down with it.
6 is very little.
Cristo si è fermato a Eboli, Francesco Rosi
Ran, Kurosawa
Les 400 coups, François Truffaut
Un coeur en hiver, Claude Sautet
Double indemnity, Billy Wilder
Gilda, Charles Vidor
Quote from: Spineur on August 13, 2017, 05:02:13 AM
6 is very little.
The impossibility of the endeavor, is part of the exercise 8)
Which should I list? Do all six need to be films I have "lived with" a long while, or can I include films I have only seen for the first time recently?
Well, it's all just impossible, isn't it?
This time I've listed the first six films that popped into my mind. ;D
Dushka (2007) directed by Jos Stelling https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duska_(film)
Wilder Napalm (1993) directed by Glenn Gordon Caron https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilder_Napalm
Volere volare (1991) directed by Guido Manuli and Maurizio Nichetti https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Want_to_Fly
Matinee (1993) directed by Joe Dante https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matinee_(1993_film)
Dreamscape (1984) directed by Joseph Ruben https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamscape_(1984_film)
À gauche en sortant de l'ascenseur (1988) directed by Édouard Molinaro https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Door_on_the_Left_as_You_Leave_the_Elevator
Quote from: NikF on August 13, 2017, 08:39:13 AM
This time I've listed the first six films that popped into my mind. ;D
That is what I should likely do!
QuoteDreamscape (1984) directed by Joseph Ruben https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamscape_(1984_film)
I remember that on in the cinemas! Really creeped me out then.
Okay, just going to release the first six I think of:
Twelve Monkeys
Moonrise Kingdom
Roman Holiday
Much Ado About Nothing (Branagh)
The Big Sleep
The Devil's Backbone
This thread reminds of some great films, one or two will no doubt fall into my list....
...once I decide what they are! 😊
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 13, 2017, 08:42:30 AM
That is what I should likely do!
And you should post the results. It would be interesting. But it needs to be the first six that comes to mind - and so if it must be 'Police Academy 1, 2, 3, 4, 5' and 'Boxing Helena' then so be it. ;D
Quote
I remember that on in the cinemas! Really creeped me out then.
Yeah, it had something about it in that respect.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 13, 2017, 08:45:43 AM
Okay, just going to release the first six I think of:
Twelve Monkeys
Moonrise Kingdom
Roman Holiday
Much Ado About Nothing (Branagh)
The Big Sleep
The Devil's Backbone
That's the spirit. :) And a fairly eclectic list you have there.
'Moonrise Kingdom' - I'll need to check that out.
Moonrise Kingdom could be on my list too.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Koyaanisqatsi / Powaqqatsi
Birdman
Downfall
There will be Blood
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Quote from: nodogen on August 13, 2017, 08:55:07 AM
This thread reminds of some great films....
Lots of fantastic films indeed. Among them, there are impressive films and directors (Tarkovsky, Bergman) who made mostly depressive films disconnected from reality. No matter how great directors there are, I just could not keep them in my final cut.
Quote from: Spineur on August 13, 2017, 09:36:11 AM
Lots of fantastic films indeed. Among them, there are impressive films and directors (Tarkovsky, Bergman) who made mostly depressive films disconnected from reality. No matter how great directors there are, I just could not keep them in my final cut.
Yes. I could have had Solaris in, a very disquieting film.
Roma citta aperta (Rossellini)
Les yeux sans visage (Franju)
Pickpocket (Bresson)
Le Cercle Rouge (Melville)
Seven Samurai (Kurosawa)
Hunger (McQueen)
For various reasons I haven't seen many films over the last few years. One main reason is that my local cinemas specialise in Hollywood films aimed at brain-damaged teenagers (and I'm not in that demographic).
Today's List:
2001: A Space Odyssey
It's a Wonderful Life
Double Indemnity
The Cruel Sea
Little Miss Sunshine
War and Peace (Bondarchuk)
Birdman is a fabulous film.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 14, 2017, 02:48:00 AM
Birdman is a fabulous film.
Knocked me out at the cinema and every time since.
Great drumming too!
Quote from: α | ì Æ ñ on August 17, 2017, 01:13:52 AM
What do you think of Brazil? :)
Love it. It was, in fact, the first
Gilliam (ex-
Python) film I ever saw.
Quote from: Christo on April 10, 2008, 06:01:45 AMAn easy one:
Tarkovsky, Offret (the Sacrifice)
Tarkovsky, Mirror
Tarkovsky, Nostalghia
Tarkovsky, Andrei Rublev
Tarkovsky, Stalker
Tarkovsky, Solaris
Don't change a winning horse.
Darn it, I forgot Cabaret, Schindler's List and The Matrix.
Now what are my favourite six?????
Quote from: α | ì Æ ñ on August 25, 2017, 02:02:19 AM
They're actually all really great films in their own right! The Matrix sequels ruined the fun for me but the first was pretty great :)
Good grief yes. By the end of the third one I wanted to kill myself just to put an end to it. Should have been disciplined and stuck to one; mega influential, bursting with ideas and a great basis for amateur philosophising. ☺️
Quote from: nodogen on August 25, 2017, 09:37:23 AM
Quote from: α | ì Æ ñ on August 25, 2017, 02:02:19 AM
They're actually all really great films in their own right! The Matrix sequels ruined the fun for me but the first was pretty great :)
Good grief yes. By the end of the third one I wanted to kill myself just to put an end to it. Should have been disciplined and stuck to one; mega influential, bursting with ideas and a great basis for amateur philosophising. ☺️
(https://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/matrix_revisited.png)
Perfect!
Six fav war movies
All Quiet on the Western Front (70s version)
Beneath Hill 60
Come and See
Downfall
Letters from Iwo Jima
Stalingrad
Six fav horror flicks
The Shining
The Witch
Legend of Hell House
Dawn of the Dead
Let the Right One In
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
Quote from: α | ì Æ ñ on August 31, 2017, 02:56:35 PM
The Witch
Black Phillip was robbed of an Oscar nomination.
Also, if I made a list of my favorite films of the this decade,
The Witch would definitely be included.
Hoy,
Sarge. While I meant the following comment:
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 07:46:56 AM
SIX WOODY ALLEN FILMS
Manhatten
Annie Hall
Hannah and Her Sisters
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Love & Death
Play It Again, Sam
Okay! I am giving Annie Hall a fresh chance!. . . I did just now note:
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 07:46:56 AM
SIX WAR FILMS:
Castle Keep
Gettysburg
Zulu
The Bridge at Remagen
Apocalypse Now Redux
A Bridge Too Far
Your having specifically mentioned
Redux has me looking forward to it now.
Also, glad to find someone else who thinks so well of
The Fifth Element.
Quote from: Christo on April 10, 2008, 06:01:45 AM
An easy one:
Tarkovsky, Offret (the Sacrifice)
Tarkovsky, Mirror
Tarkovsky, Nostalghia
Tarkovsky, Andrei Rublev
Tarkovsky, Stalker
Tarkovsky, Solaris
Nailed it. ;D
This thread just caught my eye, so:
2001: A Space Odyssey
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Airplane
The Sound of Music
I have other favorites, but if l had to choose six for that proverbial desert island, that's my list. 8)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on April 16, 2008, 07:46:56 AM
SIX WOODY ALLEN FILMS
Manhattan
Annie Hall
Hannah and Her Sisters
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Love & Death
Play It Again, Sam
Between your esteemed self,
Sarge, and Ebert (who calls
Hannah his best film, and if I do not agree
a. he says that for reasons and
b. I may be wrong 8) ) . . . I am returning to
H. and Her Sisters with a less encumbered mind.
Difficult. At the moment.
Barry Lyndon (Kubrick)
Szindbad (Huszarik)
In the Mood for Love (Wong Kar-wai)
L'Eclisse (Antonioni)
Le Samourai (Melville)
La Dolce Vita (Fellini)
and then knocking on the door trying to squeeze in ...
Il Gattopardo (Visconti)
Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano (Mikhalkov)
Les Enfants du paradis (Carne)
Chungking Express (Wong Kar-wai)
The Falls (Greenaway), or The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, or Belly of an Architect, or Baby of Macon, or Draughtsman's Contract
The Docks of New York (Sternberg)
The Third Man (Reed)
and I've probably forgotten someone ...
edit: I've forgotten the Japanese, and Trakovsky, and Vertov ...
My new list:
Double Indemnity
Little Miss Sunshine
The Lives of Others
Sophie Scholl, the Final Days
Carry on Don't Lose Your Head
Goodbye Mr Chips (Robert Donat version)
PS only one of these is from my original list.
Quote from: vandermolen on March 29, 2018, 03:37:07 AM
My new list:
Double Indemnity
Little Miss Sunshine
The Lives of Others
Sophie Scholl, the Final Days
Carry on Don't Lose Your Head
Goodbye Mr Chips (Robert Donat version)
PS only one of these is from my original list.
Good stuff.
One per director:
Huston: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Curtiz: Casablanca
Spielberg: Raiders of the lost ark
Kershner: The Empire Strikes Back
Ford: 3 Bad Men
Matti Grönberg: Kummeli Kultakuume (and I thought us Finns cannot make good movies!)
Are we allowed porn? >:D :P :laugh:
In order,
2001: A Space Odyssey
Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Edward Scissorhands
Kill Bill 1
Quote from: Bogey on March 29, 2018, 07:10:43 AM
Shameless selfie in front of Phyllis Dietrichson's house (used in shots). The little man in me said I needed this moment captured.
(http://forum.blu-ray.com/image.php?u=305790&dateline=1489887891&type=profile)
How exciting! Am most jealous. I couldn't, however, see the photo.
Quote from: Florestan on March 29, 2018, 07:02:35 AM
Are we allowed porn? >:D :P :laugh:
Certainly not!
You'll just have to start a 'Six favourite porn films' thread.
8)
Quote from: vandermolen on March 29, 2018, 07:48:05 AM
How exciting! Am most jealous. I couldn't, however, see the photo.
Reloaded. :)
(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/29543108_2043729889173358_2898854972433376804_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=206da5814c24111901cc0bade04e78aa&oe=5B6BE2AA)
Today it's -
The Big Sleep
Forbidden Planet
Un cœur en hiver
Duck Soup
Ostře sledované vlaky
12 Angry Men
Quote from: NikF on March 29, 2018, 08:09:15 AM
Today it's -
The Big Sleep
Forbidden Planet
12 Angry Men
Love all three.
Quote from: Alberich on March 29, 2018, 06:56:09 AM
One per director:
Huston: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Curtiz: Casablanca
Spielberg: Raiders of the lost ark
Kershner: The Empire Strikes Back
Ford: 3 Bad Men
Matti Grönberg: Kummeli Kultakuume (and I thought us Finns cannot make good movies!)
You don't like Aki Kaurismaki?
Quote from: Bogey on March 29, 2018, 08:07:28 AM
Reloaded. :)
Says system has been temporarily disabled.
:(
Quote from: SimonNZ on March 29, 2018, 03:47:27 PM
You don't like Aki Kaurismaki?
Can't say that I do. In general, I think Finns can make successful comedy films but when trying to create a truly serious work of art, it falls short. Kummeli naturally is comedy and I think it succeeds there outrageously well. Although maybe I should give more credit to screenwriters because the cinematography in that movie isn't particularly outstanding. It may not even be a good film in the traditional sense of the word. But it is entertaining as hell and after all, this is Six favourite films, not six greatest films.
There are good Finnish film directors (Renny Harlin) but I have hard time calling anything made in Hollywood a Finnish movie, no matter what nationality that of the director.