Gaming World Forums
General Category => Entertainment and Media => Topic started by: Bill Murray on September 25, 2006, 10:20:05 pm
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My Top Ten
Also known as: A few foreign films you should check out.[/b]
1. Infernal Affairs Triology
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Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai - Andy Lau - Anthony Wong - Eric Tsang - Leon Lai - Edison Chen - Shawn Yue - Daoming Chen - Sammi Cheng - Carina Lau
Director(s): Alan Mak - Andrew Lau[/size]
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Synopsis
The setting is the never-ending war between the police and the traids of Hong Kong. Chan is a cop who's been assigned to undercover work inside the traids for so long that he's been able to rise through the ranks to a position of some authority. Lau, meanwhile, is a secret member of the triads who has infiltrated the police force with an equal level of success. As they feed their bosses information on the plans and counter-plans of the organizations they pretend to serve, they both begin to feel the stresses of their double lives as they become torn between the oppressive obligations they owe to their superiors and the growing camaraderie they share with the foot soldiers around them. As the two organizations become increasingly aware of the moles in their midsts, the race is on for Chan and Lau to try and get out of the game alive.[/size]
My complete favourite. I've loved this film since I first saw it, i've seen it a little too many times, it is just plain great. The characters are fantastic, the acting is unbelievable, and the storyline is beautifully done. Great stuff.
2. Brotherhood
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Starring: Dong-Kun Jang - Bin Won - Eun-ju Lee - Hyeong-jin Kong - Yeong-ran Lee - Choi Min Sik
Director(s): Je-gyu Kang[/size]
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Synopsis
A group of Korean archeologists find a skeleton and identify it as Lee Jin-Seok. But Lee Jin-Seok is still alive and he is now an old man. It is his brother Jin-Tae who went missing in the Korean War. We travel from the present to 1950, when the Korean War started. Jin-Seok and Jin-Tae, Jin-Seok's brother, are young men who suddenly find themselves catapulted into a bloody world so different from their quiet, rural lives. As the war progresses, the war begins to poison Jin-Tae's mind. Jin-Seok is lost when he finds that he no longer knows who his brother is.[/size]
This is pretty much the Korean version of Saving Private Ryan. I'm not going to compare the two, usually people say this is better, but I'm not going to take sides. This film is one hell of an emotional bombshell. There's also a hell of alot of fighting. Some rambo-esque missions and smoothly done gore. All you want from a good war film. The shots are incredible, and the acting is brilliant. Say no more.
3. Happy Together
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Starring: Tony Leung Chiu-Wai - Leslie Cheung - Chen Chang
Director(s): Wong Kai Wai[/size]
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Synopsis
Yiu-Fai and Po-Wing arrive in Argentina from Hong Kong and take to the road for a holiday. Something is wrong and their relationship goes adrift. A disillusioned Yiu-Fai starts working at a tango bar to save up for his trip home. When a beaten and bruised Po-Wing reappears, Yiu-Fai is empathetic but is unable to enter a more intimate relationship. After all, Po-Wing is not ready to settle down. Yiu-Fai now works in a Chinese restaurant and meets the youthful Chang from Taiwan. Yiu-Fai's life takes on a new spin, while Po-Wing's life shatters continually in contrast.[/size]
Now, it might seem a bit weird that I have a film of a homosexual nature, but the film itself is just incredible. It's provocative (that would be the homosexual side), the acting is mind blowing, Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Leslie Cheung (RIP) together on screen is a masterpiece. If there was one, this would be classed as a hard boiled drama. It's gritty, it's hella emotional, lots of shouting, suicide attempts. It's all there. And it comes out as an incredible, incredible film. Well worth the watch, if you can pass the sex scene at the start.
4. All About Lily Chou-Chou
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Starring: Hayato Ichihara - Shûgo Oshinari - Ayumi Ito - Takao Osawa - Miwako Ichikawa - Izumi Inamori - Yû Aoi - Kazusa Matsuda
Director(s): Shunji Iwai[/size]
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Synopsis
Life isn't easy for a group of high school kids growing up absurd in Japan's pervasive pop/cyber culture. As they negotiate teen badlands- school bullies, parents from another planet, lurid snapshots of sex and death- these everyday rebels without a cause seek sanctuary, even salvation, through pop star savior Lily Chou-Chou, embracing her sad, dreamy songs and sharing their fears and secrets in Lilyholic chat rooms. Immersed in the speed of everyday troubles, their lives inevitably climax in a fatal collision between real and virtual identities, a final logging-off from innocence.[/size]
Now, this is the hardest film to describe. It's a teenage-drama, just filled with suicide, murder, rape and so on. I think the only word to describe this film is traumatic. It's not sad, it's really difficult to watch. The rape scene is really difficult to watch. But there's some dark beauty behind this, possibly from the mellow piano playing over most of the scenes. But this film is an experience, and definately a good one.
5. Election/Election 2
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Starring: Simon Yam - Tony Leung Ka-Fai - Louis Koo - Nick Cheung - Ka Tung Lam - Siu-Fai Cheung - Suet Lam - Tian-lin Wang - Maggie Siu
Director(s): Johnnie To[/size]
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Synopsis
A drama-thriller centered on a democratic election within an organized crime society.[/size]
I apoligise for the poor synopsis, blame IMDB. It's because it hasn't arrived in America or, anywhere for that matter. Election is plain amazing. Both films infact. It's the Hong Kong version of any gangster film around, and brings it up to another level. If there is one thing that brings the film down is the fact Johnnie To gives in to the mainland China censors. But he doesn't tone down the violence, he tones down the blood. So in some scenes from both films, where there should be blood, often theres not. If you're getting hit by a large and heavy blunt object, you're going to bleed. But that aside, Election is amazing. The cast is top-notch, the cast is pretty much a Hong Kong version of Oceans Eleven. Get ready when it hits the cinemas near you. You'll love it.
6. Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
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Starring: Kang-ho Song - Ha-kyun Shin - Du-na Bae - Ji-Eun Lim - Bo-bae Han - Se-dong Kim - Dae-yeon Lee
Director(s): Park Chan-Wook[/size]
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Synopsis
This is the story of Ryu, a deaf man, and his sister, who requires a kidney transplant. Ryu's boss, Park, has just laid him off, and in order to afford the transplant, Ryu and his girlfriend develop a plan to kidnap Park's daughter. Things go horribly wrong, and the situation spirals rapidly into a cycle of violence and revenge.[/size]
Sympathy for Mr Vengeance is the first in the Vengeance Triology. Many say Oldboy is the best, I disagree and favour the original. Why? I don't know. The gritty backdrop for the film, the gut-twisting violence and gore, the amazing acting. If you've seen Oldboy, and you havent seen this, you really need to. It's beautifully shot (something the Koreans seem to have in a bag) and the dark humour shines throughout. I highly recommend this film.
7. In The Mood for Love
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Starring: Tony Leung Chiu Wai - Maggie Cheung - Ping Lam Siu
Director(s): Wong Kar-Wai[/size]
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Synopsis
Set in Hong Kong, 1962, Chow Mo-Wan is a newspaper editor who moves into a new building with his wife. At approximately the same time, Su Li-zhen, a beautiful secretary and her executive husband also move in to the crowded building. With their spouses often away, Chow and Li-zhen spend most of their time together as friends. They have everything in common from noodle shops to martial arts. Soon, they are shocked to discover that their spouses are having an affair. Hurt and angry, they find comfort in their growing friendship even as they resolve not to be like their unfaithful mates.[/size]
Yes, even I, hardman Esh has a weak spot for the odd romance film. And this is the best of it's kind. Beautifully acted, beautifully told, everything is beautiful. If you do like the odd romance story, or period dramas, I do recommend. But I doubt there are any guys who do. All I can say is, if you like Wong Kar-Wai, check this film out.
8. Oldboy
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Starring: Choi Min Sik - Ji-tae Yu - Hye-jeong Kang - Dae-han Ji - Dal-su Oh - Byeong-ok Kim
Director(s): Park Chan-Wook[/size]
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Synopsis
On the day of his daughter's birthday, Ho Dae-su (Min-sik Choi) gets completely drunk and is arrested. His best friend No Joo-hwan (Dae-han Ji) releases him from the police station, and while calling home from a phone booth, Dae-su vanishes. Indeed he has been abducted and imprisoned in a room for fifteen years. One day, he is suddenly released, receives clothes, money and a cellular and meets the Japanese chef Mido (Hye-jeong Kang), and they feel a great attraction for each other. However, Dae-su seeks for his captor and the reason of his long imprisonment. While looking for revenge, Dae-su discloses deep secrets from the past.[/size]
It's really unsuprising this is on my list. It's one of the first to be mentioned for people who want to get into Asian cinema. Oldboy is breathtaking, the fight scenes are incredible, and it has humour and flair. And a beauty of a twist on the end. Saying that, it is indeed overrated. And I have to place it down here, and I know people won't agree, but 8th out of the many many films I have seen is a great feat. Oh well, amazing film, again I recommend.
9. Amelie
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Starring: Audrey Tautou - Mathieu Kassovitz - Rufus - Jamel Debbouze
Director(s): Jean-Pierre Jeunet[/size]
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Synopsis
Amélie is looking for love, and perhaps for the meaning of life in general. We see her grow up in an original if slightly dysfunctional family. Now a waitress in central Paris, she interacts curiously with her neighbors and customers, as well as a mysterious Photomaton-image collector and one of his even more mysterious photo subjects. Little by little, Amélie realizes that the way to happiness (and yet more subtle humor) requires her to take her own initiative and reach out to others.[/size]
This film is infectious. It's crazy, it's beautiful. If you've had a bad day, and are looking for a film to cheer you up, this does the job right from the first scene. Audrey Tautou is brilliant in this, and the cast is superb, especially the actor above. Recommended.
10. Battle Royale
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Starring: Takashi Kitano - Tatsuya Fujiwara - Aki Maeda - Chiaki Kuriyama - Taro Yamamoto
Director(s): Kinji Fukasaku[/size]
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Synopsis
At the dawn of the new millennium, Japan is in a state of near-collapse. Unemployment is at an all-time high, and violence amongst the nations youth is spiralling out of control. With school children boycotting their lessons and physically abusing their teachers, a beleaguered and near-defeated government decides to introduce a radical new measure: the Battle Royale Act Overseen by their former teacher, Kitano ('Beat' Takeshi) and requiring that a randomly chosen school class be taken to a deserted island and forced to fight each other to the death, the Act dictates that only one pupil be allowed to survive the punishment. He or she will return, not as the victor, but as the ultimate proof of the lengths to which the government are prepared to go to curb the tide of juvenile disobedience.[/size]
Again! This film is amazingly overrated. For a long time, this was my favourite film (before I discovered Infernal Affairs), the film is a cult classic, it's kids shooting each other? Why wouldn't you love it? But it gets so damn repetitive after a while. The cracks really do begin to show with this film. But it's still such a classic, and I do recommend it to people who hasn't seen it. But who wasn't?
So, there's my Top 10. Posted in such a ridiculous way that it took several hours. I do really question why I bother bulking it up with the graphics and so on, I do it with all my topics. And fail to win the 'Best Topicmaker' awards everytime oh well.
Point of this topic: What are your Top Ten films? And don't forget to discuss the films mentioned.
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i can vouch for #7. i watched it in my aesthetics of film class back in college. it's a spectacular film. as much as the two wong kar-wai films i've seen were particularly sappy(the other was Chungking Express (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109424/)), i really enjoyed both of them, particularly in the mood for love.
other ones off the top of my head that i really liked are The Sky Above Berlin (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093191/)(which is usually known by the awful english title wings of desire), A Man Escaped (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049902/), and Circle of Deceit (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082429/). i know there are more that aren't in english that i loved, but i'd have to dig up some of my college notebooks to see what i watched. much of my exposure to really great movies came from one particularly good professor i had in college.
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Hmm, regarding Wong Kar-Wai, I've seen In The Mood for Love, Chungking Express, 2046 and Happy Together. I really need to get a copy of Ashes of Time, but that'll have to wait for my next order.
He's an amazing director, all of the films I've seen of his are incredible, apart from 2046, which was still a great film. I am looking forward to his American debut. It should be interesting.
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I find this such a hard question. My favourite movies change every single day and there is no possible way I could put them in any order of favouritism. I will try and list some films which have at some point in time helf the slot somewhere in my top ten but I can't put them in any particular order. I'm also going to borrow some tips from Esh's formatting to make my post look nice, thanks Esh.
SO IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER
- 1. Pulp Fiction
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Amanda Plummer, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Bruce Willis, Quentin Tarantino
I remember the first time I watched this film I didn't know what to expect. I was watching it with my family and they were all talking about how it was the greatest film of all time having seen it before so I had high hopes. The film revolves mainly around three seperate storylines that are tied together. First is the story of Vince and Jules, two "hitmen" working for Marsellus. Then comes the story of "Butch" who is on the run from Marsellus after refusing to throw a boxing match and lastly is the side story between Vince and Mia, Marsellus's wife. This has held spot in my top ten list for a long time now, I know there are a lot of arguments for why it is such a terrible film, but i don't care because I enjoyed it.
Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAooMbUp22I)
- 2. Apocalypse Now
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Dennis Hopper
This film was pretty awe inspiring the first time I saw it. It's a surreal vietnam war film where an army captain (Sheen) is sent into the cambodian jungle aboard a small boat, crewed by spaced out hippies to take down Colonel Kurtz (Brando) who has become a demi-god in his own "Kingdom." It's pretty amazing stuff.
Apocalypse Now - Opening Scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOxVjtZujcU)
- 3. Reservoir Dogs
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, Chris Penn
I searched this out after seeing pulp fiction. I had heard it was one of the most violent films ever made in history. On this front I was pretty dissappointed because there is barely any on screen violence and I think you only ever see one person get killed throughout the whole film. With that said it still made it to my top ten list. Five total strangers are paired up for the perfect bank robbery but the group is sold out by a rat (one of the members) and the film revolves around them finding out who while holed up in a small warehouse.
Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbBDwdSc7Oo)
- 4. Blade Runner
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Daryl Hannah, Sean Young, Joe Turkel, Joanna Cassidy, Edward James Olmos
Amazingly atmospheric sci-fi movie. One of the first movies I got into as a child and it was pretty scary at the time of watching. An ex-cop is forced out of retirement to hunt down and kill four gen-en robots who escaped from an off world colony to hunt down and kill their creator before their short life span runs out.
Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lW0F1sccqk)
- 5. Indiana Jones Trilogy
Director: Spielberg/Lucas
Starring: Harrison Ford
Again, films from my childhood, they were amazingly fun adventure films and Indy just had an edge to him.
Trailer (DVD) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhAK2AmZk6w)
- 6. L.A Confidential
Director: Curtis Hanson
Starring: Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, James Cromwell, Kim Basinger,
This film was very stylish, It had a great amount of atmosphere and was very enjoyable to watch. Based after a shooting in an all night diner and set in 1950's L.A. The story revolves around three detectives each trying to solve the case in their own way.
Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws85e_AqR1c)
- 7. Sin City
Director: Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Benicio Del Toro, Clive Owen
When this film came out I was straight into the cinema to see it. My jaw was resting on the floor throughout most of the film. It had great atmosphere and it was VERY stylish. There are a lot of arguments of it not being a very good film and people being wowed by special effects but I enjoyed it and I'm pretty pumped for No.2. The film is set in Basin City, Based on the Graphic Novel by Frank Miller. It follows the story of three seperate citizens. Marv, Hartigan and Dwight dealing with the corruption of Sin City.
Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKFLrTYKIXk)
- 8. Citizen Kane
Director: Orson Welles
I didn't see this film until just recently actually but I was very impressed. Following the death of news tycoon Charles Foster Kane, news reporters scramble to uncover the meaning behind his last words. "Rosebud." ... Considered by some to be the greatest plot twist in film making and by others to be the greatest film ever made. I'm not sure I'd go that far but it is definitely one to see and it holds a spot on my top ten for now.
Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyv19bg0scg) (This is a terrible trailer btw)
- 9. Angel Heart
Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Robert DeNiro, Lisa Bonet
If I was writing this list in any order this film would hold the No.1 spot. Probably my favourite film of all time and I couldn't tell you why. I love the story, I love the atmosphere, I love the way everything is portrayed and the way everything is shot. (And I guess it's not even that good) Harry Angel is a private investigator. He is hired by a man who calls himself Louis Cyphre to track down a singer called Johnny Favorite. As he begins to investigate, all the people he contacts concerning Johnny are killed in mysterious ways. As he finds out more about himself and his client he discovers that he is fighting for his very existence and is forced to deal with the devil himself.
Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OwdZWxv_70)
- 10. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Director: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro
This film was pretty ground-breaking for me. Probably the trippiest film I had ever seen, I hunted it down after reading the book. It was both fun and dark covering many issues based around the life and writings of Hunter S Thompson. All I can do is quote IMDB and say: An oddball journalist and his psychopathic lawyer travel to Las Vegas for a series of psychadelic escapades.
Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5TBS1UOThQ)
And that's it.
There are so many more amazing and excellent films I could choose to list here or give mention to but I wont. What I will do is post a seperate post later because by the time tomorrow comes this whole list will have changed round. I enjoy so many films and there are so many great films it was hard for me to narrow down 10 in particular. I tried to be pretty broad with the films I chose and I know a lot of them are old/cheesy/specialeffectswhores but whether it's nostalgia or that I'm just easily pleased this will have to do.
I'm stickying this for 2 reasons. 1) Because it is a great topic that will no doubt be posted again if I don't sticky it and 2) so that whenever you get a new top ten list of films you can just come back and make a new post.
Excellent.
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Esh, You say Sympathy for Mr Vengeance is part of a trilogy with Oldboy but what is the third film? I really want to see Oldboy so I guess I should check out the other films too.
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1. Star Wars trilogy
You all know by now. Galactic civil war, empire V rebellion, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader. Do I really need to describe it?
This trilogy changed my world in more ways than one. But let's not talk about that. I think these have the record for being one of the few trilogys that actually make sense, (as opposed to "this is popular, let's make two more and claim that's what we intended to do) but anyways it was pretty revolutionary in terms of special effects, and it really spat in the face of 70's cinema where films were becoming adult-only, darker and using contempary soundtracks. Star Wars was family fun, original orchestrial score and a tribute to the old Flash Gordon stories from the 30's.
2.The birds
Posing as a bird shop assistant, a woman becomes flirtatious with a lawyer. She takes some birds down to his home town as a suprise present/trick but then something happens. The local birds start attacking people!
Love this film, it starts off as your typical "goofball comedy" of the time, but then about half way through when you start to think it's a normal film... BANG! Bird in the face!
From then on it becomes pretty freaky. Ony synthetic bird noises were used, and if you've seen how complex the shots were for it's time... unbelievable.
3.The Wickerman
Scottish policeman is called to an island to investigate the disapperance of a young girl, however the locals are less than helpful...
Pretty much THE classic film. Not quite horror, but it's something else. The teasing of the policeman by the locals is pretty cool, how he is completely unaware of what's seemingly obvious to the audience really makes it work. Also... Brit Eckland :blush:
4.Battle Royale
Kids stuck on an island, must kill each other etc.
I am no fan of gross-out violent films, but this works brilliantly because it's about the characters. Not the violence. Everyone has their own personality and it's great seeng how different people will do different things in the situation.
5.Ringu
Yeah. Cursed video tap, die in a week, well, no americans.
Fantastic. Exactly what I want from a horror film. No action, no BOO! no painfully obvious clues(like the American disgrace) and no patronising/needless swearing(again featured in the remake). The slow build up, not knowing how they die until the end when you see it. wow. That scene still gives me the creeps.
6.War of the worlds
Mysterious pod crashes near a peaceful town, martians, flying "swans" with "cobra heads" shooting fire. Military useless, barn house, crash, dodgy aliens.
Unlike the recent remake, the original had something called characters in it. Not people, but characters! As in they all had a personality and didn't end up ridiculous by trying to be contempary. Also the battle scenes are pretty awesome.
7.Aliens
Terraforming plant infested by aliens, colonial marines sent to investigate. lots of aliens.
Yeah! This is what sci-fi should be!Giger's designs are fantastic as ever, the alien queen looks vicious and it is a film of pure enjoyment.
8.You only live twice
Blofelt. Japan. Hidden volcano lair. Rockets. Bond. Ninja.
Everything a bond movie should be, and also the only decent performance of blofelt ever. Love this film!
9.Churchill the hollywood years
Everything you knew about churchill was a lie. He's actually an American GI who singlehandedly won WW2 for England.
Basically in the late 90's there were a few American films where they claimed they did EVERYTHING in WW2, and also claimed they were true stories. Upon the release of Enigma, The Comic strip decided to make a movie mocking the American's view of the war. We have everything a WW2 film should have. Cockney Nazis, Americans, Englishmen shooting americans, Hitler, The King, Rap etc. And the best thing about it is that the critics never got it! They all thought it was another american movie making more ww2 claims!
10.The Strike!
A former miner writes a movie about the miners strike, however the hollywood bigwigs decide to completely change the film to make it sell.
Kinda a precurser to Churchill... (and written like 15 years before... by the same guy) to prove a point that hollywood is shit. Staring all the Comic Strip regulars and Alexi Sayle , it's a fantastic reflection of hollywood's views. Such as giving 1980's england a Blacksmith or how Scargil must stop the miners from blowing up nuclear power plants. True british comedy.
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Well my top10 is your standard shit really. Films that everyone has seen and that have made huge bucks most of the time. There's a lot of good shit out there and I have a top10 list with a lot more than ten films. In fact nine places of my top ten is Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. But let's see if I can throw some shit out to make a "proper" list.
On shared first place:
1. Star Wars
Directed by: George Lucas, Irvin Kershner & Richard Marquand
Starring: Mark Hamill, Hayden Christensen, Harrison Ford, Ewan McGregor, Carrie Fisher, Natalie Portman, Alec Guiness, Liam Neeson, Ian McDiarmid, Peter Cushing, Frank Oz, David Prowse, James Earl Jones
When I say Star Wars I obviously think (like everyone else) that the new trilogy isn't all that good. However I'm still such a big fanboy and I live in denial that I'd throw in ALL the Star Wars films for a best-film piece. It has to do with childhood memories, when you want high-fantasy space opera, there's no place better than Star Wars.
1. The Lord of the Rings
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, Ian Holm, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving
I never really had any doubts before it came out. It seemed like the perfect thing and the thing I was hyped up to the extreme about. Before watching Fellowship I had put out the story in my mind, listening to the soundtrack and seeing the scenes how I'd make them in the movie version. In a way I had made a dream version of the story in my head and with that I entered the cinema to see what Peter Jackson and his crew had conjured up.
It was better than what I had in my head. It was even better than the original book. This may be a quite mainstream opinion and all that "list your favorite movies, oh you put in Lotr, how lame are you, EVERYONE has that yadayadayada". Well I'm not ashamed of that because the film is on the list of so many people because it really is that good.
Places 3-10 (or actually just in that general are below these two)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Directed by: Henry Selick
Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Cathering O'Hara
It's just so goddamn cute and the music is catchy. I rented this a long time ago and watched it a couple of times and it stuck very much into my head that I actually bought it when I finally found it. Unfortunately I only found on DVD and I didn't own a DVD player. I still bought it though. That's how much I love this film.
Der Untergang
Directed by: Oliver Hirschbiegel
verview, first billed only:
Starring: Bruno Ganz, Alexandra Maria Lara, Ulrich Matthes, Juliane Köhler, Thomas Kretschmann
I'm a huge fan of WWII, though I'm also a bigger fan of what happends outside of battle than what actual battling. Throw into this a startingly realistic picture of Hitler in his final days and the general despair found in Berlin as Hitler tries to move around armies that no longer exist. Nazis were people too.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Directed by: Michel Gondry
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst
A beautiful touching film I had heard good things about. About Jim Carrey that wants memories of his girlfriend erased after she erased him. Carrey is really great in it and Winslet isn't too bad either. And I also like the contrast between your usual SF-film where the operations are fairly clinical. This is low-budget memory-erasing by normal people.
A Very Long Engagement
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Dominique Pinon
Actually I could throw in just about any Jeunet film here. They're all pretty awesome but my fascination with the WWI/WWII era just makes this the one to showcase for now. It's a lovely detective story with all kinds of strange characters (as always in Jeunet). The visuals are as always gorgeous and the ending is satisfying, especially after all that hunting. This film works both in the details and in the overall arch.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
Directed by: Sergio Leone
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Lee van Cleef, Eli Wallach
Like with Jeunet I could probably throw in any Leone western and it would do good. I'll throw this one in though, because it has that classic piece of music in it. And that's all that is important right. The movie might be a bit slow-paced and silent to people who appreciate today's action films (like me), it's still pretty damn intense though.
Kill Bill
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Vivica A. Fox, Lucy Liu, Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah
All Tarantino is probably great. Even if you happen to dislike what he's doing because he happends to enjoy it and because it's cool to rip on Tarantino. I was completely blown away by Kill Bill though, it was one of those films I wasn't sure I wanted to watch because the trailer didn't seem that awesome but I decided to give it a shot anyway and I was hooked from the very first scene. It is style over substance, but I'm not really a substance guy anyway.
Sin City
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez & Frank Miller
Starring: Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Benicio Del Toro, Josh Hartnett, Rutger Hauer, Jaime King, Michael Madsen, Brittany Murphy, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Nick Stahl, Bruce Willis, Elijah Wood
Style over substance. Do I really need to say more?
The Life of Brian
Directed by: Terry Jones
Starring: Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Comedies don't usually make top10 lists, so I had to throw one in there. Holy Grail has more sketches that I love but this one works best as a film, which is why I chose to throw this in instead of Holy Grail. This shit is almost as good as the Marx brothers and it is a pointer to comedy all over the world. Nothing that comes out today can even come close to the awesomeness that is the Pythons.
Like BunnyMilk's my top10 changes over time as well. Not everything I'd like is on this list and even then I know there's stuff I've forgot that I'd love to put on this list. The only constant being Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. I'm sorry but I don't think anything will beat that anytime soon. For movie experience that is. An individual film may technically be better, but Star Wars and LotR is so much about the hype, the waiting and the stuff that goes around it. Films aren't just films anymore they're huge experiences, and to me the hype is very important in a film. As is how the director approach it. Peter Jackson, for example, with his extensive video diaries about the making of King Kong, during the making of King Kong. Fanservice is where it's at. Rodriguez is another nice example who has the right attitude about his filmmaking. Being a diva is no longer cool 8^)
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Tough question, I like many movies and can't compare them. So here are the ones I can remember in no particular order...
City of the Lost Children
This one is really weird, and good. It's a french movie about a mad scientist in a surreal city who kidnaps children in order to steal their dreams. This movie is visually stunning, and in a word, magical. Good cast (Dominique Pinon in particular), awesome music, a dark evil city, simple but powerful plot, City of the Lost Children has it all, and more!
Pulp Fiction
The last scene in the movie, enough said.
12 Angry Men
The 1957 version. There's a new TV version; not bad but not as good as the old one. It's about a jury in a murder trial discussing the case, which is more complicated than they first thought. It takes a lot of skill to pull off a movie with such a simple story and which is confined mainly in one room, and that's why I love this movie. 12 Angry Men is a 'deep' movie, it isn't about visuals, effects, music, etc. It's about good dialogue, good acting, and great everything!
Se7en
Will add something here later~
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Will add something here later~
Dark City
Will add something here later~
Jurassic Park
Will add something here later~
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds (and pretty much anything Miyazaki)
Will add something here later~
Braveheart
Will add something here later~
Something here...
It seems I'm too busy to add long paragraphs... I will when I have the time!
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1. LotR: All three! Too hard to choose!
Same reasoning as Shinan. These movies were just plain epic. Peter Jackson overdid himself.
2. Jurassic Park
I grew up with this movie, and I used to love dinosaurs when I was younger. Jurassic Park is really special to me.
3. Happy Gilmore
Above anything else, comedies are my favourite, I love to laugh. Happy Gilmore is my favourite Adam Sandler movie since it's a bit more realistic than his more far-fetched roles.
4. The Edge
Anyone ever see this? A group of guys (one being Anthony Hopkins) gets stranded in the north and they struggle to return to civilization? Amazing movie.
5. The Shawshank Redemption
I absolutely love this movie and never grow tired of it. Morgan Freeman still blows me away.
6. Forrest Gump
This movie has so much charm, and is undoubtedly one of Tom Hanks' best performances.
7. Death to Smoochy
Dark comedy. Robin Williams. Edward Norton. Danny Devito. Fuck yes.
8. The Terminal
More Tom Hanks. I think I enjoyed the premise of this movie more than the acting.
9. The Awakenings
Touching movie. Robin Williams as a kindhearted doctor, Robert de Niro as a man who has emerged from a vegetative state which he had been in since childhood.
10. Edtv
Once again, I liked the premise and idea of this movie. What if reality TV really does go too far someday?
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I have seen the Edge...I thought it was a pretty bad film but I agree with Jurassic Park. Definitely should be somewhere near the top 10.
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Esh, You say Sympathy for Mr Vengeance is part of a trilogy with Oldboy but what is the third film? I really want to see Oldboy so I guess I should check out the other films too.
Ah, yeah. It goes:
1. Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
2. Oldboy
3. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
I havent seen the third, so I can't really comment on it.
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I don't really have any favorite movies, but off the top of my head, here's ten that I especially enjoyed:
- Forrest Gump
- The Motorcycle Diaries
- Requiem for a Dream
- Nobody Knows
- Akira
- Original Star Wars Trilogy
- City of God
- Trainspotting
- Magnolia
- Enemy at the Gates (more for subject matter than film style)
They're in no particular order.
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Also, top ten television stuff:
- Band of Brothers
- Lost
- Seinfeld
- Prison Break
- Conan O'Brien
- Kino's Journey
- Paranoia Agent
- Futurama
- Undergrads
- Pretty much anything on the History Channel :sweat:
Again, no particular order.
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rather than just list my favorite movies, i will list the best 10 movies i have ever seen that i can remember. i am sure there will be some i have forgotten, but i will try it anyway.
1. The Trial (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057427/)
2. Asphalt Jungle (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042208/)
3. Der Himmel über Berlin (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093191/)
4. Rashomon (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042876/)
5. Citizen Kane (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033467/)
6. The Third Man (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041959/)
7. Being There (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078841/)
8. Treasure of Sierra Madre (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040897/)
9. Brazil (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/)
10.To Kill a Mockingbird (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056592/)
ggah this is a pretty awful list. i know i am forgetting tons of really great stuff too, as there are a few movies that realistically should not be on such a list. then again, i have difficulty finding movies that i think are UNDENIABLY GOOD. i can and often do find flaws in everything. also being there is probably not THAT good of a movie, but i kinda think that it's polite to include at least one comedy on such a list. i don't think film scholars really give superior comedies enough credit.
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You guys are gay. Jurassic Park sucks.
Also Esh Amelie is a pretty nice flick!
Back when I went to school we were forced to watch 100 times though which really killed it for me. But it's a really good flick nonetheless.
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4. Rashomon (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0042876/)
Rashomon was a pretty great movie. I remember we watched it in a film class I took two years ago and I was the only one who stayed awake through the entire thing. Everybody else thought it was boring. I thought they were assholes!
I'd make a list but I'm supposed to be writing an article for my school's newspaper and I keep stalling so off I go!
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Rashomon was a pretty great movie. I remember we watched it in a film class I took two years ago and I was the only one who stayed awake through the entire thing. Everybody else thought it was boring. I thought they were assholes!
yeah, i saw it for the first time in film class and the same thing happened. #2 on my list(asphalt jungle) was the same way, except some students were so bored by it that they went and complained to the professor afterwards. fortunately that professor was REALLY AWESOME and called them fucking retards to their face. i had him for a few classes afterwards and he managed to show it OVER AND OVER AGAIN to piss off the retards who sign up for film classes becuase they like QGUENTIN TARANTINOS AND MKNIGHT SHAYMAELAONS
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This is a pretty hard topic for me. I doubt I can list 10, but I can give it a shot.
1. Evil Dead 2
-Cheesy? Yes. Amateurish? You bet your ass. Hilarious(Even when unintentional)? GOD yes. One of the most brilliant films of all time? I couldn't think any less of it if I tried.
2. Seven Samurai
-Kurosawa is just magical. The timeless appeal of his films is incredible. The cast(Toshiro Mifune unf) make it even moreso. And the ending.
3. Citizen Kane
-I saw this moive for the first time a month or so ago, just to see what all the hubub was about. Yeah, it blew my mind. From the second they closed the opening scene onward.
4. A Clockwork Orange
-How do you make a serial rapist so lovable mr Kubrick.
5. Princess Mononoke
-Mindblowing, this movie is not. But its incredible on so many other levels. As an epic, I'd say its the best I've ever seen.
6. Ran
-Too much for words. Simply amazing.
7. Enter The Dragon
-I like Bruce Lee.
Okay. I'm not gonna force the rest out and I know I'm forgetting like EVERYTHING but this is the jist of it. I wish I had more sophisticated taste but I just can't help but love bad movies as much as I do the milestones.
Also,
1. The Trial
Holy shit why have I not seen this
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Holy shit why have I not seen this
because it is an extremely obscure movie! i found out about it almost completely by accident.
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Ok, I normally don't like to make Top 10 lists because I always have to change it every five minutes because I realized that I forgot a movie or something, but I'm sick now and I have lots of time so whatever.
1. A Clockwork Orange (http://imdb.com/title/tt0066921/)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
This is my favorite movie of all time. While not necessarily the best movie I've ever seen, it's still my favorite because it had such a great impact on me. This was the movie that really got me interested in film, so it holds a special place in my heart. The music, the directing, the story, everything in this film is just so perfect to me.
The book is really great, too (as long as you get the version with the translator in the back). I'm doing my senior thesis on it.
2. Fight Club (http://imdb.com/title/tt0137523/)
Directed by David Fincher
This is a really popular and well-liked film, but I think most people like it for... well, not the wrong reasons, but definitely not the reasons that make it such a brilliant film. Most of the people I know like it because it was COOL. But I don't think many of them have looked at the film beyond it's "coolness". It's an anti-commercialization movie with product placement. It criticizes the images produced by magazine models and movie actors ("Is that what a real man looks like?"), but it stars Brad Pitt. You would think that these are hypocrisies, but they actually emphasize the points in the movie and are meant to be ironic. The story is brilliant and very well written (there are thousands of subtle hints about the twist, some obvious, others not so obvious). This is one of the very few movies that I can watch and get something new out of it every single time.
The book is also really great, and I would have done my senior thesis on it, but apparently the book is more popular in my school than I thought!
p.s.: Just so you know, I REALLY hate product placement. The inclusion of one product can often ruin a movie for me completely. I hated Stephen Spielberg's War of the Worlds because of the scene where the camera zooms in on Tom Cruise's RAZR flip phone and Rolex watch. Ugh. Stephen Spielberg's not that great, anyway.
3. Jacob's Ladder (http://imdb.com/title/tt0099871/)
Directed by Adrian Lyne
I heard a while ago that this movie was a major influence on Silent Hill's visual theme, and since I have a major hard-on for Silent Hill, I made it a priority to see this film. Although it does have somewhat of a throw-away twist ending, it's still implemented very well. It has a very interesting story (although many people complain that it's a rip-off of short story called A Night at Owl Creek, or something similar to that), and it's one of the few horror movies I've seen that actually tries to scare you without resorting to cliched scare-tactics (like loud bangs and that stupid shit).
4. The Shining (http://imdb.com/title/tt0081505/)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
The first time I saw this movie I didn't like it because Shelley Duvall sucks and the story was completely different from the book. The second time I saw it, I changed my mind about Shelley Duvall (she was still ugly and annoying but I decided that that was a good thing since it helped you to identify with Jack's desire to kill her... hahaha), and I decided that people who complain about the story being different are stupid and shouldn't let that detract from the experience. But it wasn't until I read this (http://www.drummerman.net/shining/essays.html) that I decided that this was a great movie, and it has since become one of my favorite movies ever.
5. Kids (http://imdb.com/title/tt0113540/)
Directed by Larry Clark
This movie is scarier than any horror movie I've ever seen. I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend it. Unlike my other favorite movies, I try to get as many people as I can to see this movie, because I don't think it gets the recognition it deserves. I really don't know what else to say, just go see it!
6. Citizen Kane (http://imdb.com/title/tt0033467/)
Directed by Orson Welles
This movie is #1 on AFI's Top 100 Movies of All Time list for a reason. Although half of the list is complete bullshit (E.T. is higher than A Clockwork Orange? God damnit), I think they got this part right. This movie was revolutionary for its time, and it still holds up today. Some people complain that the twist isn't that great, but they usually don't understand the symbolism behind it, which is what makes it such a brilliant twist.
7. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (http://imdb.com/title/tt0073486/)
Directed by Milos Forman
I've never cried while watching a movie, but if there's any movie that's come close, it would be this one. The ending was so powerful, man. I know that sounds corny, but how else can I describe it? I don't know what else to say, just go see it.
8. Vertigo (http://imdb.com/title/tt0052357/)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
I took a film class two summers ago, and in it we watched three of the four Hitchcock classics. They were Rear Window, North by Northwest, and Psycho. Vertigo was left for us to watch on our own. On the last day of class, after watching North by Northwest, our teacher left us with one word to describe Vertigo: hypnotic. My friend and I rented it, and it was amazing. Jimmy Stewart has since become one of my favorite actors.
9. Psycho (http://imdb.com/title/tt0054215/)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Classic. I saw this movie at the AFI Silver theatre in Silver Spring, and it was one of the greatest movie experiences of my life. I especially love the shot near the end where an image of a skeleton (not going to say whose) is very subtly superimposed over Norman Bates's face.
10. The Wicker Man (http://imdb.com/title/tt0070917/)
Directed by Robin Hardy
This is a pretty goofy movie at first, but when you consider that the people of Summerisle are just really weird people, you realize that it's goofy for a reason. But whatever. The point is, this movie has the best ending to any movie ever. I don't want to spoil it, but holy shit it's so awesome. Of course, going by that logic, that would mean that the remake would also have the best ending to any movie ever made, but they probably changed it because the original ending was pretty harsh and American audiences would not like that!
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because it is an extremely obscure movie! i found out about it almost completely by accident.
Well I'm glad you brought it up! The idea of Orson Welles adapting Kafka makes me giddy in all sorts of places.
5. Kids
I really need to see this movie.
Edit: Watched Amelie this morning. Loved it.
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Esh:
Infernal Affairs, Brotherhood, Amelie, Battle Royale are all incredible. I haven't seen any of the other films but I'll look into them now considering the 4 you mentioned. Great films.
My Top Ten
- 1. Donnie Darko
- 2. Fight Club
- 3. Garden State
- 4. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
- 5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
- 6. City of God
- 7. Brotherhood
- 8. Battle Royale
- 9. This Is Spinal Tap
- 10. Y Tu Mama Tambien
- LOTR/Star Wars[/b] They're hard to place :confused:​
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Guys I have to add Little Miss Sunshine to my list. I went to see this film at the cinema yesterday and no film has ever made me want to laugh and cry so much at the same time. It's tragic, it's hilarious and it's incredibly moving.
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You guys are gay. Jurassic Park sucks.
I don't like you anymore Lars. :(
I didn't put Jurassic Park on my list because it is a quality film, because these days it really isn't.. But man, when it first came out it was new and amazing (real looking dinosaurs, holy shit!) and do you know how many little kids wet their pants in excitement to see the movie? It's just a really special movie. A lot of people like to hold onto it. :D
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I don't really like these sorts of lists but I'll give it a try. Btw It's nice to see similar interests in movies here on GW.
1. Ghost in the Shell
2. Sin City
3. Apocalypse Now
4. Kill Bill both Vol 1 & 2
5. Donnie Darko
6. Fight Club
7. Monty Python: Meaning of Life
8. Lord of the Rings
9. Garden State
10. Clockwork Orange
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Garden State is a really beautiful film. I rented it out a while back and I really enjoyed it. (It was a very moving piece.) It definitely belongs up there in the top 10 list somewhere but being as I don't have room I still reccommend anyone go see it if they can.
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Garden State is a really beautiful film. I rented it out a while back and I really enjoyed it. (It was a very moving piece.) It definitely belongs up there in the top 10 list somewhere but being as I don't have room I still reccommend anyone go see it if they can.
Yeh it was moving and unusual. I would put it up higher but the others are better. :)
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Garden State is a really beautiful film. I rented it out a while back and I really enjoyed it. (It was a very moving piece.) It definitely belongs up there in the top 10 list somewhere but being as I don't have room I still reccommend anyone go see it if they can.
Ick. I always felt Garden State was such a disgustingly overrated movie. It was insanely pretentious, horrible written, cliche, melodramatic. The plot took a back seat to all of Braffs "oh look how clever and surreal I am" scenes. The film treated the audience like morons, like we didn't need to see enough of Braffs badly acted poker face in order to understand he feels nothing, we have to see him in an empty white room (blatant symbolism for "my emptiness," of course), staring the ceiling. It was really bad. I couldn't understand why people were telling me the movie was amazing.
But I also heard this film was a bit of a love/hate kind of thing. So you know, to each his own really I guess.
1. The Trial
2. Asphalt Jungle
3. Der Himmel über Berlin
4. Rashomon
5. Citizen Kane
6. The Third Man
7. Being There
8. Treasure of Sierra Madre
9. Brazil
10.To Kill a Mockingbird
I'm also pretty amazed that someone had Wings of Desire on their list. That movie is a sign of taste. Brazil was brilliant too. I've always loved some of Gilliams stuff, although personally I've never exactly been a fan of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which is probably his most popular film. I've only seen The Third Man once, but never really saw what was so great about it in that viewing, other than Orson Welles being super fun to watch. I was thinking of maybe renting it again, as my opinion on movies tends to vary quite a bit as I grow older.
4. All About Lily Chou-Chou
Starring: Hayato Ichihara - Shûgo Oshinari - Ayumi Ito - Takao Osawa - Miwako Ichikawa - Izumi Inamori - Yû Aoi - Kazusa Matsuda
Director(s): Shunji Iwai
Synopsis
Life isn't easy for a group of high school kids growing up absurd in Japan's pervasive pop/cyber culture. As they negotiate teen badlands- school bullies, parents from another planet, lurid snapshots of sex and death- these everyday rebels without a cause seek sanctuary, even salvation, through pop star savior Lily Chou-Chou, embracing her sad, dreamy songs and sharing their fears and secrets in Lilyholic chat rooms. Immersed in the speed of everyday troubles, their lives inevitably climax in a fatal collision between real and virtual identities, a final logging-off from innocence.
Now, this is the hardest film to describe. It's a teenage-drama, just filled with suicide, murder, rape and so on. I think the only word to describe this film is traumatic. It's not sad, it's really difficult to watch. The rape scene is really difficult to watch. But there's some dark beauty behind this, possibly from the mellow piano playing over most of the scenes. But this film is an experience, and definately a good one.
Awwww. I always felt this movie was a bit of a secret for most film fans. I would seriously recommend it in a heartbeat. Very emotionally instense and suspenseful. The cinematography is simply amazing, especially for digital. The vacation sequence was insanely original, and the ending was very moving, in my opinion.
I'm kind of surprised I didn't find any films by Lars von Trier on some of your lists. Albeit it, some of his films can surpass a tasteful level of pretension, most are heart wrecking dramas. You would have to have a stone heart to finish one of his movies and not be emotionally drained.
I would recommend
Dancer in the Dark
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168629/
Dogville
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0276919/
Both are very unusual, yet still accomplish the most fundamental goal of film: They make you feel and empathize with the characters in ways you never would normally.
I'd also recommend a few films by Krzysztof Kieslowski, another master of emotional dramas. Some particularly amazing films by him are
A Short Film About Love
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095467/
A Short Film About Killing
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095468/
Although his Three Color Trilogy is what Kieslowski is most remembered for, I always personally found these two films better. Then again, I really haven't seen Blue, White, or Red in a long while, so my opinion might change later. In A Short Film About Love I found myself particularly able to empathize with the main character, creating such an emotional impact during certain scenes I was on the verge of crying, which doesn't happen to often.
.... also, sorry for the long post, I tend to carried away sometimes. :/
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Garden State is a really beautiful film. I rented it out a while back and I really enjoyed it. (It was a very moving piece.) It definitely belongs up there in the top 10 list somewhere but being as I don't have room I still reccommend anyone go see it if they can.
Yeah, it's definately in my 11-20 list. Grand film, loved it alot.
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I've only seen The Third Man once, but never really saw what was so great about it in that viewing, other than Orson Welles being super fun to watch. I was thinking of maybe renting it again, as my opinion on movies tends to vary quite a bit as I grow older.
to be honest, i can see how somebody would not be too impressed with what the third man set out to do, but i found it to be an interesting collision of culture and expressive visual techniques. i really can't think of a film that conveyed so much of its subtext and sheer emotion simply through where the camera was placed, all the while doing so in pretty simple ways. it's strange because the film isn't really MINDBLOWING, but i found really everything about it very effective. also, one of the big things i really appreciated was how international the film felt. practically every movie you would ever see(in my opinion) is very much a part of the country that the creators were from. even movies that feature characters in an entirely different cultural setting still very much ARE ABOUT the home country of the characters. third man isn't really like that. carol reed and graham greene were both british, but it doesn't feel like a british film. it's like they completely detached from that and just gathered together characters from different cultural backgrounds and put them in a location in which none of them really fit. anton karas' score really emphasized that for me, particularly in how it doesn't exactly fit in with any of the film's characters. it's strange because as much as the film is about THE THIRD MAN, i found the story itself to really be about the practically post-apocalyptic state of europe after World War II. it's like the story and the way the film visually works are deliberately working against eachother to create this feeling that everything is wrong. really the story and the subtext come together in that lyme has embraced the new chaotic nature of the new world, even though the rest of the people in the film haven't. i think, overall, that's what impressed me most about it. not only was it an interesting and engaging story, but it managed to have a very powerful and important subtext without addressing it actively in the storyline itself. like, reading the screenplay itself would not inform you of all the film was about, which is something that almost always impresses the hell out of me. directors and cinematographers usually do not possess that kind of power over the medium.
of course, that is just my reading of the film, and one i don't really expect everyone to give as much of a shit about as i do. as much as i was very much impressed by the structure of the film, it's something that i really understand that most other people would not value quite so much, even if they did have the same read of it as i did. i like jarring stories where different ideologies and cultures deliberately clash together. feels more real to me that way than the stories that go along way too smothly.
still, it is probably worth a second viewing. apart from being a pretty damn classic film imho, the third man is a pretty fun experience.
edit: also i like how it is one of the few films on the top 50 of the imdb that i think actually deserves to be there. i can only count 11 films on that list that i would actually agree with being that highly ranked. i think that always speaks a lot about how the film can appeal to both the casual viewer and also the rabid animal viewers like me that can find things wrong with literally every movie ever made, with the exception of maybe 4 or 5 films.
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I accidentally deleted Asphalt Jungle and have regretted it ever since because it looks so interesting and NOW I HAVE DOOMED MYSELF.
I did get that In The Mood for Love movie, and Brick (an SB recommendation). Next on my list is the Trial, if I can find it, and Like Water for Chocolate (same dilemma), so I'll probably get Asphalt then.
Also Dogville ARAGFDAFDSAFF DO NOT WATCH THAT MOVIE I HATE IT.
Well, compared to some people's lists, Dogville isn't that bad, but jesus christ I've never felt so fucking dirty watching a movie. It doesn't really have a strong point, and it's got this amazingly inaccurate anti-American view (I'm okay with that view, but the sheer levels this dude brings it to is stunning).
Also wasn't Sky Above Berlin remade as City of Angels or some other movie?
Anyways, my list is mostly been posted here (put To Kill a Mockingbird at the top though because I love that movie), and other than the Apu Trilogy which no one here will ever watch, I have nothing to contribute so far.
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best part of dogville is the post-rape balls shot
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Hmm. I expected to see Rules Of Attraction on SOMEBODY'S list...
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hasnt fucking anyone seen shrek...?
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hasnt fucking anyone seen shrek...?
Yeah man it's a pretty terrible movie. I really didn't enjoy it.
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I'd rather pour acid in my eyeball sockets than watch that again. I almost fell asleep halfway through.
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Anyways, my list is mostly been posted here (put To Kill a Mockingbird at the top though because I love that movie), and other than the Apu Trilogy which no one here will ever watch, I have nothing to contribute so far.
What's the Apu Trilogy about? Is it really good? Because I've always seen it in my library, and I remember thinking it looked really interesting, but whenever I go I almost never put in the effort to rent it for some reason. Maybe it's the ugly dvd covers or something. I don't know. :X
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I saw a part of one of the Apu films on a really obscure channel last year. From what I remember, it was really good, and had ALOT of long shots.
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Ah, yeah. It goes:
1. Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
2. Oldboy
3. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
I haven't seen the third, so I can't really comment on it.
I've seen all three, and I'd say the first and last one are both pretty horrible. It's all torture and gore with like little music-box melodies playing in the background. Perfectly distastefull, pretentious, and meaningless at the same time. Oldboy was cool, but god damn those Koreans and their fucking nonsense.
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Not to be a complete troll,
here are a few other non-American films I'd recommend;
Werner Herzog's Aguirre: The Wrath Of God (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068182/)
Probably my favorite movie next to Apocalypse Now. A very unpleasant story of a band of conquistadors who get lost in the jungles of south America while hunting for the land of gold.
Alfonso Cuarón's Y tu mamá también (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245574/)
Sort of an Easy Rider for the 80's generation. Two teenage guys take an older woman on a road trip towards a beach they've made up.
Lars von Trier's The Idiots (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154421/)
A brilliant mixture of humor and pure anguish. It's a story about a bunch of people who get together and pretend to be mentally retarded in order to escape from their ordinary lives.
Ingmar Bergman's Persona (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060827/)
In my opinion, the best Bergman movie. An actress and her maid live alone on an isolated island, and start to get into eachothers heads.
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I've seen all three, and I'd say the first and last one are both pretty horrible. It's all torture and gore with like little music-box melodies playing in the background. Perfectly distastefull, pretentious, and meaningless at the same time. Oldboy was cool, but god damn those Koreans and their fucking nonsense.
Uh.
Amazing to lose so much respect for one person in a single post.
What the fuck, man. Welcome to the film industry. People have been making films like this for many many years. Also, I can't speak for the third in the triology, but in the first, there's only one scene of torture, which is painful to watch, but that's the entire point of that scene, it's not meant to be an enjoyable experience. And there is alot more to the films than just gore and violence, I'd advise you to watch it again, but that would be pointless.
Man, I'd hate to see what you'd think of the Americans after watching films like Hostel. Jesus christ.
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god forbid someone form his own opinion on a movie
Anyway, I downloaded Oldboy a few days ago but I can't get the subtitles working. Does anybody know how to change the video renderer type in Media Player Classic? I know it's off-topic but I wanted to see if somebody could give me a quick answer so I don't have to make a whole topic about it somewhere else.
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What the hell? Nearly ALL the violence in Lady Vengeance happens off screen so I don't know what you are talking about.
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god forbid someone form his own opinion on a movie
hey thanks for reading!!
next time actually pay attention ok
Oldboy was cool' date=' but [b']god damn those Koreans and their fucking nonsense.[/b]
Man, I'd hate to see what you'd think of the Americans after watching films like Hostel. Jesus christ.
i wasn't bashing him for having his own opinion
i was bashing him since <enter random film here> doesn't make a countries film history ridiculous.
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It's just a matter of opinion, mate. I'm annoyed by the fact that those movies have gotten so much artistic respect. If you try to analyze it, it's basically just your average hollywood action flicks with cockiness and car chases replaced by psychological torture and slapstick knife fights. It's not art to build up scenarios to evoke the strongest possible emotions from the viewer without having any point behind it. At least the hollywood crap isn't pretentious.
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It's just a matter of opinion, mate. I'm annoyed by the fact that those movies have gotten so much artistic respect. If you try to analyze it, it's basically just your average hollywood action flicks with cockiness and car chases replaced by psychological torture and slapstick knife fights. It's not art to build up scenarios to evoke the strongest possible emotions from the viewer without having any point behind it. At least the hollywood crap isn't pretentious.
Since you havent grasped what I'm actually talking about, you do know Park Chan-Wook is one of the, if not the most extreme director from South Korea. Of course his films arn't going to be a walk in the park, they are going to be edgy, scarring and disturbing. It's the same with the Japanese, with Takashi Miike, his films include some scenes such as tearing a childs head off, necrophilia, incest, mass-murder, grevious bodily harm, limbs flying everywhere. But the fact his films include such scenes doesn't make the entire history of Japanese films ridiculous? So why would it be like that for South Korea?
Maybe you need to start watching some Korean films which arn't created by their most extreme director? Perhaps you should try checking out their beautiful period pieces? Chiwaseon, Spring.. Summer.. Winter and Spring Again, The King and the Clown?
There are other sides to these countries than just violence, torture etc.
And anyway, what are you on about? Hollywood crap isn't pretentious? You really need to check out Cabin Fever and Hostel. Kill Bill too. Cabin Fever was aclaimed as the best horror film in, what, 20 years? It's possibly the worst film I've ever seen. Now that's pretentious, mate.
Please try to back up your statements, man.
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Uhm, my point was that the mainstream stuff from Korea that makes it here is lame. You don't have to take it upon you to defend the entire Korean culture. There's probably a much more artistic branch of Korean cinematography, but the people I know who are into to Asian films aren't interested that. They want swords, guts and torture. Somehow they get that too seem intellectual because the actors aren't speaking English.
I'd gladly check out a few more sublime Korean movies if you think that would do me good. I've thought about downloading brotherhood, but I'm not much for war-movies. Chihwaseon, would that be a good starter?
Just don't tell me that I don't grasp what you're talking about. I've bickered about this shit many times before :)
PS: Glad to hear someone else thinks Kill Bill is fucking over rated!
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1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
2. Labyrinth
3. Legend
4. Clerks 2
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
6. Howl's Moving Castle
7. Interview with the Vampire
8. Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2
9. Indiana Jones Trilogy
10. Hellraiser
Most of my interest are based on what I recently saw or just something I was thinking about at the time.
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Uhm, my point was that the mainstream stuff from Korea that makes it here is lame. You don't have to take it upon you to defend the entire Korean culture. There's probably a much more artistic branch of Korean cinematography, but the people I know who are into to Asian films aren't interested that. They want swords, guts and torture. Somehow they get that too seem intellectual because the actors aren't speaking English.
I'd gladly check out a few more sublime Korean movies if you think that would do me good. I've thought about downloading brotherhood, but I'm not much for war-movies. Chihwaseon, would that be a good starter?
Just don't tell me that I don't grasp what you're talking about. I've bickered about this shit many times before :)
PS: Glad to hear someone else thinks Kill Bill is fucking over rated!
What Korean films have you watched?
And yeah, Chiwaseon is a beautiful film. That's always a good place to start.
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For years and years two of my favourite films were Labyrinth and The Princess Bride. They were just really great films for kids really. Excellent adventures and I still hold them close to my heart <3.
Also Esh made me watch Watership down and I think ALTHOUGH I AM NOW IN A TRAUMATIC STATE it was a really beautiful film.
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This topic reminds me of media studies at school, where we were asked to put down our fave films and some kids thought they were SUPER INTELLIGENT AND FUNNY by putting down LESBIAN ADVENTURES 2: SCHOOLYARD SESSIONS.
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I really have no idea where to start listing my top 10 but I just have to say The Departed is pretty high up there now. Great film!
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I really have no idea where to start listing my top 10 but I just have to say The Departed is pretty high up there now. Great film!
I have to force myself to watch this film, but that still doesn't change the fact I want to beat the hell out of you for saying that.
But yes, I really need to see if it's as good as the original. The director is very talented, so I'm expecting a good show.
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Man it's been awhile since I've seen Infernal Affairs (and I'm pretty sure it was dubbed so maybe that made it less good) but despite some very small plot problems at the end The Departed might be better than the original. I'd have to watch IA again to make sure though.
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I saw this topic a while ago but I took my time to actually think about what my top 10 favorite movies are. Most of that time went into determining what order they go in. Anyways!
#1, The Goonies. If you don't like The Goonies, then just what the hell is your problem? I have absolutely no moral qualms with running at and kicking someone down a stairwell from behind if they have seen this movie and don't like it.
#2, To Kill a Mockingbird. I read the book way back in grade 9, but I didn't see the movie until about a year ago. Normally I don't have the patience to sit through most films from the black and white era (not enough punch/kick/explosians) but if I catch To Kill a Mockingbird on TV, I will usually derail whatever plans I had until the movie is over. One of the things that really got my attention about this movie is that all of the actors they chose looked pretty damn near exact to how I pictured the characters in my head when reading the book (with the exception of one or two, but)
#3, Lost and Delirious. It's a movie about these two girls who go to a private school and are sleeping with each other, but nobody else knows about it at first except for their close friend (the narrator). But eventually, one of the girls' younger sister walks in on them, and word gets out (everyone at the school and their families are pretty conservative). She breaks up with the girl and cleverly downplays the whole thing to save face, but the other girl can't deal with this. She then tries to prove her love through a series of very public and self-destructive feats. If you have ever been a chump and in love, you will be able to relate very strongly to this movie!
#4, The Breakfast Club. I still haven't seen it in it's entirety, which is the only thing keeping it from being higher on my list!!!
#5, The Other Sister. Notable for being a movie about two mentally retarded people falling in love and getting married, without being a gross-out comedy starring Rob Schneider. I mean, it's kind of funny in parts, but not in a completely demeaning way!
#6, What's Eating Gilbert Grape. It's got some of the best acting I've ever seen. (Not to mention that Johnny Depp is a total dreamboat)
#7, The Addams Family. We got this for like $2 because there was some sort of promotional McDonalds thing where they were selling shitty old movies for really cheap with happy meals or something. I remember watching this as a kid, and rewinding/replaying the scene where they go down the slide enough times to make my parents yell at me.
#8, Apocalypse Now. Yeah, ¹I am pretty much one of those idiots who loves movies about war.
#9, Saving Private Ryan. (See ¹)
#10, Geez, I don't know. I couldn't think of anything else. Numbers 8 through 10 don't even really matter, do they?
EDIT: #10, RUMBLE IN THE BRONX
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1. Blues Brothers
2. Big Trouble in Little China
3. Army of Darkness
4. Fight Club
5. Save the private Ryan
6. Star Wars trilogy
7. Nightmare before Christmas
8. 12 angry men
9. The Matrix (only the 1)
10. Apocalypse now
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1. Terminator 2: Judgement day (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103064/)
I must have seen this movie 100 times. Ever since I was a kid, this film has topped my fave movies list while the rest of the list changed with the seasons. I never get tired of the intense action, the gripping drama and the incredible adventure that is Terminator 2. Robert Patrick as the T-1000 ranks as my favourite movie villian ever, and this is still the ONLY Arnie film that hasn't made me cringe atleast once to a poorly executed quip. T2 picks up more than a decade after the events of the first film. Sarah Connor has been committed to a mental institution, while her son, John Connor - destined to lead a future human resistance against a dominating army of machines - is in foster care and in denial of everything his mother taught him. From the future, an advanced machine assassin comes to kill John, and another comes to protect him.
2. Gattaca (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119177/)
Ethan Hawke delivers the best performance of his career as Vincent Freeman, and how he became Jerome Morrow. Born naturally-concieved in a world of genetic perfection where babies are concocted in laboratories. A world where a person's full potential is determined before conception, where life-expectancy and probable cause of death can be predicted at birth. With his own genes against him, Vincent exchanges his life and identity with Jerome Morrow; a man born perfect, now cripled and willing to give his genetic identity to someone who can better use it. Vincent becomes Jerome in order to achieve his goal of space exploration and defy his own fate. Great soundtrack too.
3. Chopper (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0221073/)
Eric Bana stars as Mark Reed aka "Chopper". Based on (though quite exaggerated in parts) the life of one of Australia's most notorious criminals, the film explores Chopper's time in prison (from being stabbed by his best friend, recieving death threats, and cutting off his own ears to convince a warden to transfer him to another prison) - as well as Chopper's struggle to assimilate with society after release. It's too hard to summarize the rest of this film. It has a fantastic dark humour about it, and an amazing array of one-liners. It's still amazing how such a feared criminal has become a best-selling author, and an Australian icon.
4. The Lord of the rings Trilogy (http://www.imdb.com/find?s=all&q=lord+of+the+rings)
I love all three films equally. I find it hard to seperate the three. I also don't feel like I need to summarize what LOTR is about.
And because I'm too damn fussy to pick ten (in full order) and write summaries for them all:
Fight Club
Memento
Medicine Man
The Matrix
The Manchurian Candidate (1963)
Saving Private Ryan
Patton
Aliens
Rocky
The Shawshank redemption
Boyz in the hood
The defiant ones
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I can't make a real list, but here's my favorites, in no order:
-Little Miss Sunshine
-Crash
-The Eye
-American Psycho
-Arthur
-Rules Of Attraction
Those would definetly be on the list. :P
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Making a list will take a long, time... too many good films so I'll name a few,
pulp fiction
almost famous
Donny darko
scarface
the matrix
the first three alien films
the mariachi
Apocalypse now
the deer hunter
jar head
princess mononoke
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
airplane 1/2
trainspotting
OK... maybe a list wont take too long :confused: sorry its more that ten :rolleyes:
(in no order btw)
and if anyone can think of any anamie films... let me know... i have a craving at the moment.
Thanks
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10-Pulp Fiction
9-Scarface
8-BraveHeart
7-Spiderman 1
6-Spiderman 2
5-Tokyo Drift
4-Green Mile
3-Army of Darkness
2-SinCity
1-Hostel
No particualar order.
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man, every time someone tells me that crash is a good movie, i die a little inside
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1. Little Nemo Adventures In Slumberland
2. Wizard Of Oz
3. Return To Oz
4. Beverly Hills Cop
5. Big Trouble In Little China
6. Escape From L.A
7. Escape From New York
8. The Goonies
9. Moonwalker (fucking amazing)
10. Labyrinth
There's no real order, although I told myself I would marry a girl who loved Little Nemo Adventures In Slumberland.
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Little Nemo was an awesome movie. I must have watched it over 300 times when I was a kid. Big Trouble in Little China was pretty good too.
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I use to love Return to Oz. That was such a hardcore movie, especially compared to the first one. And I used to think having those WHEEL HAND things would be totally rockin.
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The Return was seriously overlooked, especially since the musical was such a piece of gold. That movie had it all. I remember the guys with wheels for hands being really creepy, since I think I might have been pretty young when I seen it. I'm really big on characters, and the cast they used in the second movie was pretty awesome. You can't get stuff like that in movies now, because everything is CG and all that nonsense. At the end the scarecrow looks like a total douche unfortunately!
Both movies along with Nemo kinda inspired me to draw in the first place, so thanks movies!
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how about brotherhood of war o.O
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Okay, a more updated list, still in no order:
Requiem For A Dream
Little Miss Sunshine
Crash
The Eye
American Psycho
Arthur
Rules Of Attraction
The Life Aquatic
Reservoir Dogs
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how about brotherhood of war o.O
:cry:
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Man, I'd hate to see what you'd think of the Americans after watching films like Hostel. Jesus christ.
Augggh... Hostel is the most boring piece of shit movie ever made and has no right to be labeled "horror." It has got no redeeming qualities at all whatsover, it's not shocking, it's not horrible, it's not gory, it's not a good movie. I was waiting and begging for all of the people in it being slaughtered and I nearly fell asleep watching it. Nearly 1 hour of the snore fest is spend watching b grade porn with just a bit of nudity and tons of bullshit. Out of all the hateable characters, my least favorite character ends up surviving with my favorite being the first to die!! Seriously, why was this movie even made? It fails on every singel level. My mother, and she's a person who gets scared off movies usually LAUGHED AT THE EYEBALL MEETS BLOWTORCH SCENE!!! She laughed when the Kana girl's (Kana is chicken in Finnish. Which makes the fact that she was roasted that much more comical) eyeball was cut and yellow ooze flew everywhere. "Whoever made that surely doesn't know anything about human anotomy" she said and we both hated that the main idiot lost only few fingers and the villain is killed in horrible and bland fashion. Speaking of the villain, he blows.
My top ten will come later since I want to show pretty screenshots. :naughty:
EDIT BY BUNNYMIlk: YOU ARE LUCKY I AM IN A GOOD MOOD OR I WOULD HAVE ERASED fYOU FROM YTHE INTERNET FOR NOT USING SPOILERS. have a nice day
Edit by MISTER BIG T : For something being spoiled, that'd indicate someone would care of the said movie. And I don't think anyone would care about the outcome of Hostel and if they would, then it's a good thing I spoiled them and they do not have to sit through watching that movie.
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When I say add spoilers don't remove them okay. This counts for everyone.
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I didn't remove them... You never did put the spoilers before warning me... :confused:
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I did... Twice. And they dissappeared twice. But the warn is removed if that's the case.
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I did... Twice. And they dissappeared twice. But the warn is removed if that's the case.
I didn't remove the spoilers even once, so I don't know what's going on. For as you said, just because I do not like the movie it's not like I'd want to get a warning just to make a point.
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Okay, Well I'm sorry if I made a mistake, maybe i have been drinking/smoking too much but let's not derail this topic by discussing it any further.
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My top ten will come later since I want to show pretty screenshots. :naughty:
Now that is a very worrying thought.
how about brotherhood of war o.O
Yow, it's very overrated in my #2 spot, and has been from the start.
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1. Infernal Affairs Trilogy
2. Oldboy
3. The Warriors
4. Clerks II
5. Sin City
6. El Mariachi
7. Fight Club
8. Public Enemy
9. Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
10. Battle Royale
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fuck... too many good films... screw lists... i'd just miss out most of the movies i'v seen, and outting them in order would be murder... so scrap my list... too many good movies around. All of equal greatness.
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I saw Mulholland Dr. this morning and I'm definitely going to have to make some changes to my list. Man, that movie was fucking fantastic.
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I saw Mulholland Dr. this morning and I'm definitely going to have to make some changes to my list. Man, that movie was fucking fantastic.
What? Did I miss something in this movie? I mean it was good but "Fucking Fantastic" is a bit of an overstatement.
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Opinions, dear BunnyMilk, opinions.
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Yeah well I'll shove them.jttkn
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What? Did I miss something in this movie?
That's most likely the case.
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I'll probably get negative feedback on this like OH GOD THOSE MOVIES SUCK, but very few movies really catch my attention and these caught my attention the most.
1. Casino (http://imdb.com/title/tt0112641/)
d) Martin Scorsese
s) Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Sharon Stone
Definitely my favorite movie ever. I've heard a lot of bad comments on it, but I still love mafia movies, and this one has the best atmosphere of all of them. You'll notice a lot of the movies I like have this similar depressed and detached atmosphere to them.
2. Lord of War (http://imdb.com/title/tt0399295/)
d) Andrew Niccol
s) Nicolas Cage, Jared Leto, Ethan Hawke
I love the way the lines of good and evil are screwed around with in this movie. I've always loved movies where the "good guy" is really the "bad guy."
3. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (http://imdb.com/title/tt0120669/)
d) Terry Gilliam
s) Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro
What is not to like about a movie about two guys going to Las Vegas with a suitcase full of drugs and hallucinating. The added sort of intellectual bonuses are good as well.
4. Syriana (http://imdb.com/title/tt0365737/)
d) Stephen Gaghan
s) Alexander Siddig, George Clooney, Matt Damon
A lot of drama and politics going on in this movie and I love drama and politics.
5. Gladiator (http://imdb.com/title/tt0172495/)
d) Ridley Scott
s) Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Djimon Hounsou
Okay, so being a history buff, I should probably hate this movie since there are a number of glaring historical inaccuracies...but it is still an awesome movie if you take it for what it is: fiction.
6. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (http://imdb.com/title/tt0167260/)
d) Peter Jackson
s) Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood
This movie should be on anyone's top 10, really. Probably the best produced movie in history to date, amazing acting, wonderful directing, and a great atmosphere to go along with it.
7. Lost in Translation (http://imdb.com/title/tt0335266/)
d) Sofia Coppola
s) Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray
Another one of those detached movies. This and Solaris both have this same kind of effect on me.
8. Solaris (http://imdb.com/title/tt0307479/)
d) Steven Soderbergh
s) George Clooney
9. Death to Smoochy (http://imdb.com/title/tt0266452/)
d) Danny DeVito
s) Robin Williams, Edward Norton, Jon Stewart
Definitely my favorite comedy movie ever. Grim, sarcastic humor and Robin Williams is a deranged psychopath ex-children television star. What is funnier than this?
10. Hotel Rwanda (http://imdb.com/title/tt0395169/)
d) Terry George
s) Don Cheadle
Amazing acting and a compelling true story. What more can you ask for.
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Okay, after hours and hours of thinking, here is my top ten. Since I
am too lazy am unable to decide which one I like the most, these are only in the order in which I could remember them:
1. Fight Club
I'm planning on reading the book as soon as I'm finished with the current one I'm reading, but I saw this movie when it came out on VHS (the days before DVD *sigh*) and it blew me away. I didn't quite get the messages since I was only like 15, but it was an immediate favorite. Now that I do know more of what the hell is going on in this movie, I appreciate it even more. It has everything I want in a movie, from tits (not that great, but whatever) to unbelievable amounts of blood and violence. If I had to pick a movie for "greatest film of all time", this would be it.
2. Pleasantville
I remember loving this when I first saw it as well, but I recently watched it on DVD, and when it started, it was really cheesy. Then about half an hour to 45 minutes into it, the story started getting deeper and more intense. The soundtrack is also really amazing, and fits the changing style of the film very well. Overall, there's nothing bad I can say about this film. It's perfect.
3. Gattaca
This is science fiction at its best. It's about the perceived human limitations and that we can break them if we are willing. I don't know how many times I've seen this film, but I always cry at the end. It doesn't rely on special effects or action, but instead human emotions, which is what makes it really stand out from any science fiction film I can think of.
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
This movie is weird, and has some of the coolest visuals ever. The neatest part is that very few special effects in the movie are done with computers. It's also cool that Jim Carrey plays such a down-to-earth character while Kate Winslet is the hyper-active one. There are some really bizarre twists in the movie, and the ending was absolutely perfect. I loved it.
5. Pulp Fiction
This movie is long, but I never want it to end when I'm watching it. It never drags even though it's so long because there's plenty of action and comedy to keep it going. I don't think Tarantino will ever make a better movie than this masterpiece.
6. Fargo
William H. Macy and Steve Buscemi. What more does a movie need? The comedy and violence is a nice bonus. This is one of the darkest comedies ever, but the filming is fantastic. The cinematographers put as little onto the screen as possible, and the music fits the setting perfectly. I've thoroughly enjoyed this movie every time I've watched it, and I always cringe during some of the more intense moments even though I know they're coming.
7. Thank You for Smoking
This movie is fucking hilarious. If it doesn't win an Oscar, then I will forever hate the Oscars even more than I already do. It's like the only movie Cameron Bright will ever be in that doesn't suck, but that's because Aaron Eckhart steals all of the thunder from everyone.
8. Little Miss Sunshine
This movie is adorable, but sad, but funny. It's probably the best family comedy to ever be made.
9. Children of Men
I've only seen this once, so I'm not sure if it's really top-10 worthy, but it was one of the best theater experiences I've ever had. I think this is Clive Owen's best film, and he fits his role perfectly. The first part of the movie was kind of boring, but once it picked up, it didn't stop. This was definitely the most intense movie I've ever seen.
10. The Truman Show
This one I put here because I can't think of a tenth film. It's one of my favorite movies, but seeing it among Fight Club and Pleasantville just doesn't seem right. It's a very powerful movie, but Jim Carrey needed to tone down just a little more for it to be even better.
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I got bored and realised how terrible my ymdb.com Top 20 was looking, so I attempted to remake it. This is how it turned out. NOTE: DRASTIC CHANGES
1. Infernal Affairs
2. Memories of Murder
3. Happy Together
4. All About Lily Chou-Chou
5. Election
6. Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
7. In the Mood for Love
8. Oldboy
9. Amelie
10. My Sassy Girl
11. L.A. Confidential
12. Brotherhood
13. Ringu
14. Last Life in the Universe
15. Babel
16. Audition
17. Ichi the Killer
18. Watership Down
19. American Beauty
20. JSA
Man, that's such a terrible list I will need to remaster it again. :<
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I don't have a top 10, but my favorites are:
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West, Seven Samurai, Ran, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, Singin' in the Rain, 12 Angry Men, It Happened One Night, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It's a Wonderful Life, The Gold Rush, The Circus, City Lights, Modern Times, The Great Dictator, The General, Some Like it Hot, Life is Beautiful, Amélie, Princess Mononoke, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Departed, The Usual Suspects.
I love feel-good movies like Capra's and Singin' in the Rain.
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10. Hotel Rwanda
d) Terry George
s) Don Cheadle
Amazing acting and a compelling true story. What more can you ask for.
Man, I love this movie.
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Revised list...
1. Groundhog Day
2. What About Bob?
3. Spirited Away
4. Garden State
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
6. Adaptation
7. Fight Club
8. Being John Malkovich
9. Pan's Labyrinth
10. Of Mice and Men
I recently saw Garden State and was amazed. I saw Spirited Away about three years ago and did not get it at all, recently I rented it then bought it on DVD because I loved it so much. I saw it 3 times in one day. A classic, imo
My top 2 won't ever change, probably. Groundhog Day is a masterpiece, it is a classic!
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In no order:
Blue Velvet
Reservoir Dogs
Eraserhead
Clerks
Evil Dead 2
This is Spinal Tap
El Mariachi
Hellraiser
Raising Arizona
Day of the Dead (I don't care if everyone hated this one, it's my favorite Romero Movie)
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My list lacks any "depth", but I look for entertaiment first hand from movies. Of course deep stories and such can be entertaining but not the case here.
I know I'm missing some key movies, I'll just update once I remember.
1.Dawn of the dead (original)
Huge zombie fan, this is the greatest movie I've seen. Great pacing with everything also characters are really brought out.
2.Evil Dead 2
I'm a fan of Bruce Campbell and Evil Dead trilogy is naturally on the list. Just so funny. Campy humour, intended or not (propably yes).
3.Shaun of the dead
Zombie movies continue. Great british humour feels almost parody but zombies are kept relatively serious.
4.Land of the dead
Latest of Romeros legacy. I thought it was a brilliant movie even with the unusual setting.
5.Battle Royale
The idea is so great and nice gore. It's actually quite scary if you think about it (hard thing with all the other coolness)
6.The Warriors
I can't believe I forgot this movie! This movie has an awesome style going, even more so considering when this was made. It's about these (very colourful) gangs fighting against each other. Well more like The Warriors against rest of the world. Love the music, casting, story, characters, action.. pretty much a flawless movie.
6.Alien 2
I wanted to put first one instead, but frankly I don't remember anything about it. This ones great too.
7.Ong-Bak
Tony Jaa is such a cool guy. Also the humour in this one is pretty good. Warriors King (another big Tony Jaa movie) has better action, but this ones better overall movie.
8.Bride of the Re-Animator
Sort of zombie movie too, maybe not. Quite twisted stuff here. Tongue seems to be nailed firmly on the cheek.
9.Bubba Ho-Tep
More Bruce Campbell. The humour is sort of slow-motion evil dead. Very weird feeling overall, but I like it..
10.Dagon
It's not a block-buster or anything. I was actually expecting crappy 80's gore-fest from this. But it turned out to be very engaging movie. Only the ending lets it down, but I'm willing to block that from my mind. It's based on H.P Lovecrafts work. If you've played Call of Cthulhu, theres the hotel-rooftop chase which is in this movie too. Also pretty graphics gore here too.
10.Akira
Yeah.
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6.Alien 2
I wanted to put first one instead, but frankly I don't remember anything about it. This ones great too.
Please explain why nearly everyone I know thinks Alien 2 is better than the original Alien. I think as a trilogy the Alien films are fantastic, probably some of my favourite horror films but the first film was really revolutionary. It was pretty genuinely scary, it had a great storyline and dealt with the claustrophobia of being in space. Whereas the second film was an action fest just trying to play up to films like Predator and Rambo etc.
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They probably saw Aliens first. Which is what I did, when I was 10. It was a great great experience.
To be honest, I havent watched Alien through, but the sequel is top stuff.
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Please explain why nearly everyone I know thinks Alien 2 is better than the original Alien. I think as a trilogy the Alien films are fantastic, probably some of my favourite horror films but the first film was really revolutionary. It was pretty genuinely scary, it had a great storyline and dealt with the claustrophobia of being in space. Whereas the second film was an action fest just trying to play up to films like Predator and Rambo etc.
6.Alien 2
I wanted to put first one instead, but frankly I don't remember anything about it. This ones great too.
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Hellraiser makes me physically ill everytime i hear the name. i have no idea why i sat through it.
1. Pulp fiction
2. Reservoir Dogs
3. The Breakfast Club
4. Apocalypse Now
5. Platoon
6. Deer Hunter
7. Trainspotting
8. 28 Days Later
9. Alien 1 & 2
10. Sin City
11. Akira
12. The Matrix
13. Battle Royale
14. Infernal Affairs
15. The Shining
16. Monty Python: Life of Brian
17. Star Wars 8-]
18. Scar face
19. Jackie Brown
20. Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2
The back to the future series fits in there somwhere... but i just can't decide where...
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Oh yeah, Akira. That's definately the best anime I've seen (the first one too)
Why the heck do I have that dagon on my list !? :brow:
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Orange00, I love that your top 4 films have "dead" in the title.
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10. Star Wars (IV):
Starring: Mark Hamil, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, James Earl Jones
Directed by: George Lucas
Why? Perhaps the best execution of the Campbellian myth in cinematic history, influenced by and influencing nearly everything. The sequels were not that great, though.
9. Monty Python and the Holy Grail:
Starring: Monty Python
Directed by: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and quite a few llamas
Why? Quite possibly the funniest movie of all time, and the best paced and directed of the Python films.
8. Play Time:
Starring: Jacques Tati
Directed by: Jacques Tati
Why? Amazing set design and directing; satirical yet visual.
7. The Departed:
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Why? Great acting, script, directing... excellent all-around.
6. Dr. Strangelove:
Starring: Peter Sellers, Peter Sellers, and Peter Sellers
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Why? Excellent, witty film ahead of its time.
5. Memento:
Starring: Guy Pearce
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Why? Achronological, yet well paced.
4. Joyeux Noel:
Starring: Diane Kruger, Gary Lewis, many others
Directed by: Christian Carlon
Why? A touching, international, anti-war piece.
3. 12 Angry Men:
Starring: Henry Fonda
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
Why? Constantly engaging while remaining in a limited environment.
2. Children of Men:
Starring: Clive Owen
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
Why? A technical masterpiece, with excellent sound and visual design, while still remaining very moving.
1. Casablanca:
Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Why? Best. Screenplay. Ever.
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Really in no particular order:
- The Breakfast Club
- Primer
- The Matrix (just the first one)
- The Godfather
- Apocalypse Now
- Pursuit of Happyness
- Fight Club
- Braveheart
- Pulp Fiction
- Silence of the Lambs
Most of those are relatively well known movies, except for Primer, which is an independent film that is pretty damn interesting and conveys weird emotions.
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Orange00, I love that your top 4 films have "dead" in the title.
ahah, you should see my dvd-shelf :P
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Ok so my Top 10 has changed QUITE A BIT lately so I'm going to repost it. In no particular order (except for the first two):
1. A Clockwork Orange
2. Mulholland Drive
3. Lost Highway
4. The Shining
5. Eraserhead
6. Blue Velvet
7. Jacob's Ladder
8. La Jetee
9. Zodiac
10. The Wicker Man
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Alot of Lynch there, Roman.
God, I can't just name ten...... Mine:
1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
2. Taxi Driver (1976)
3. Magnolia (1999)
4. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
5. Almost Famous (2000)
6. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
7. Apocalypse Now (1979)
8. Schindler's List (1993)
9. The Shawshank Redemption (1995)
10. Life is Beautiful (1998)
11. American Beauty (2000)
12. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
13. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
14. Blue Velvet (1986)
15. The Lord of the Rings (2001 - 2003)
16. Fight Club (1999)
17. Psycho (1960)
18. City of God (2002)
19. 11:14 (2003)
20. Dr. Strangelove (1962)
21. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
22. Memento (2001)
23. The Usual Suspects (1995)
24. The Shining (1980)
25. Stand By Me (1986)
P.S. I really like Jeff's list, except for Death to Smoochy!
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I can name the best movie ever, but it's hard to put the rest in order...
1. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Shining
American History X
Fight Club
Pulp Fiction
..or to figure out ten movies that were the BEST. I honestly can't think of anything else right now. I need to start watching movies again.
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1. Infernal Affairs
2. Happy Together
3. All About Lily Chou-Chou
4. Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
5. Memories of Murder
6. Oldboy
7. In the Mood for Love
8. Amores Perros
9. 3-Iron
10. Cyclo
11. Chunking Express
12. Amelie
13. Audition
14. Brotherhood
15. Life is Beautiful
16. The Motorcycle Diaries
17. Election
18. Eternal Summer
19. Garden State
20. Su-Ki-Da
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my plot summaries are quoted directly from IMDB reviews and such I am lazy
1. The Big Lebowski
D: Joel Coen
S: Jeff Briges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi
It tells the shambling story of a man named Jeff Lebowski, who calls himself The Dude. The Dude's apartment gets broken into and a thief urinates on his rug. He finds out that the criminals were not looking for him, but looking for the OTHER Jeff Lebowski, the disabled millionaire. That's all I can tell you. The rest is really too bizarre and complicated to put into words; but it's bizarre and complicated in the best ways of the words.
2. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
D: Terry Gilliam
S: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro
An adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's novel of the same name. The film details a whacky search for the "American Dream", by Thompson and his crazed, Samoan lawyer. Fueled by the massive amount of drugs they purchased with an advance from a magazine to cover a sporting event in Vegas; they set out in the Red Shark. Encountering police, reporters, gamblers, racers, and hitchhikers; they search for some undefinable thing know only as the "American Dream" and find fear, loathing and hilarious adventures into the dementia of the modern American West.
3. Dr. Strangelove
D: Stanley Kubrick
S: Peter Sellers, George C. Scott, Slim Pickens
An insane general starts a process to nuclear holocaust that a war room of politicians and generals frantically try to stop.
4. Fight Club
D: David Fincher
S: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter
A nameless, desk working man becomes consumed in his emptiness until he meets a Tyler Durden, a cunning soap salesman. The two set off to form fight clubs and eventually turn onto a path towards anarchy and the total destruction of civilization.
5. Blazing Saddles
D: Mel Brooks
S: Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens
The Ultimate Western Spoof. A town where everyone seems to be named Johnson is in the way of the railroad. In order to grab their land, Hedley Lemar, a politically connected nasty person, sends in his henchmen to make the town unlivable. After the sheriff is killed, the town demands a new sheriff from the Governor. Hedley convinces him to send the town the first Black sheriff in the west.
6. Dead Man
D: Jim Jarmusch
S: Johnny Depp, Gary Farmer
Dead Man is the story of a young man's journey, both physically and spiritually, into very unfamiliar terrain. William Blake travels to the extreme western frontiers of America sometime in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Lost and badly wounded, he encounters a very odd, outcast Native American, named "Nobody," who believes Blake is actually the dead English poet of the same name.
7. Kafka
D: Steven Soderbergh
S: Jeremy Irons, Theresa Russell, Ian Holm (BILBO)
Kafka, an insurance worker gets embroiled in an underground group after a co-worker is murdered. The underground group is responsible for bombings all over town, attempting to thwart a secret organization that controls the major events in society. He eventually penetrates the secret organization and must confront them. The film is not a biopic, but takes Kafka through a mishmash of plotlines of several of his stories, notably The Trial and the Castle.
8. Lord of War
D: Andrew Niccol
S: Nicholas Cage, Bridget Moynahan, Jared Leto
An arms dealer confronts the morality of his work as he is being chased by an Interpol agent.
9. The Weatherman
D: Gore Verbinski
S: Nicholas Cage, Michael Caine
Clever and insightful movie on the subject of growing-up in upper middle class America. Dave Spritz, a weatherman without meteorological qualifications in Chicago, is confronted with his own rage that life hasn't proceeded as he had planned. A talented man who finds it difficult to see his own talent because he compares himself with his Pulitzer winning, distant father is at a low ebb. Not to mention that "fans" delight in recognizing him on the street and throwing food at him. The other problems in his life, an angry ex-wife, a daughter bullied at school and a son just leaving rehab don't help.
10. O Brother Where Art Thou
D: Joel Cohen
S: George Clooney, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson, John Goodman, Holly Hunter
Loosely based on Homer's 'Odyssey' the movie deals with the grotesque adventures of Everett Ulysses McGill and his companions Delmar and Pete in 1930's Mississipi. Sprung from a chain gang and trying to reach Everetts home to recover the buried loot of a bank heist they are confronted by a series of strange characters. Among them sirens, a cyclops, bankrobber George 'Babyface' Nelson (very annoyed by that nickname), a campaigning Governo
r, his opponent, a KKK lynch mob, and a blind prophet, who warns the trio that "the treasure you seek shall not be the treasure you find."
sorry for the hueg post (also my vote for Slim Pickens as best actor of all time)
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O Brother Where Art Thou was an amazing movie. I remember watching it when I was quite a lot younger and not really understanding it, then rewatching it again recently. The characters really do run through plays on a lot of real life people and situations of the time. One of the ones I found most hilarious was Tommy Johnson (I think this is the right character.) The black guitarist who sold his soul to the devil for the ability to play guitar.
I'm not sure I'd put it in my Top 10 favourite films of all time but I wanted to post to say it is probably a "must-see" movie.
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O Brother Where Art Thou was an amazing movie. I remember watching it when I was quite a lot younger and not really understanding it, then rewatching it again recently. The characters really do run through plays on a lot of real life people and situations of the time. One of the ones I found most hilarious was Tommy Johnson (I think this is the right character.) The black guitarist who sold his soul to the devil for the ability to play guitar.
I'm not sure I'd put it in my Top 10 favourite films of all time but I wanted to post to say it is probably a "must-see" movie.
I love shuffling in and out of the strange sideshow characters, such as John Goodman's character or "Baby Face" Nelson, and of course the governor and all that. The music is also really awesome.
also let me re-iterate... if you have not seen a movie with Slim Pickens in it, you must. he is awesome.
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1. GoodFellas (NOTHING beats this film)
2. Vanilla Sky (Everything about life in one film.)
3. American History X (A lesson to mankind? Or just a good film.)
4. The Beach (Proof that heaven does not exist on earth.)
5. Leon the Professional
6. Polar Express (LOL?)
7. Gladiator (Though at some points I found lumps of cheese)
8. Casino Royale (God I'm sinking very, very low now.)
9. Man on Fire
Cant think of others just off the top of my head.
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Freeway
Director: Mathew Bright.
Starring: Reece Withersoon. Keifer Sutherland.
Little Red Riding Hood takes a trip to the real world via Dark Comedy Lane. Totally unpredictable and totally fucking class.
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Here's a new list
- Groundhog Day
- Brazil
- Pulp Fiction
- Snatch
- 12 Angry Men
- The Truman Show
- Fight Club
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds
- The Fountain
- Big Trouble In Little China
- Der Untergang
- Lord of War
- Citizen Kane
- Akira
- Children of Men
- City of Lost Children
- Pan's Labyrinth
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail
- Metropolis (1927)
- A Beautiful Mind
- Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
- Edward Scissorhands
- M
- Hotel Rwanda
- Se7en
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1. Tie, Lost in Translation and Garden State
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Better Off Dead
4. Sideways
5. Dead Alive
6. Chasing Amy
7. Blade Runner
8. Anastasia
9. Mirror Mask
10. Eraserhead
I don't like long winded explanations and details but I do enjoying making lists of favorite things. ^_^
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This is kind of a tough call, and I don't think I could possibly pick an accurate order, because it would change with every given mood. Maybe I can do a top 3:
1) Once Upon a Time in the West
2) The Man Who Planted Trees (This is a short animation, but it is completely awesome. Coolest art style I've seen, and a stellar story.)
3) The Godfather Part II (Nobody mentioned any of these yet...?)
- A River Runs through it (I think this movie possibly deserves better, but I wasn't sure.)
- Amelie
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
- Papillion
- Millers Crossing
- No Country for Old Men (Instructions to everybody: Check this one out immediately, especially if you liked Fargo, or Cormac McKarthy for that matter.)
- Who Has Seen the Wind (I doubt anyone has seen this one, but I might be wrong.)
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- Papillion
Papillion was a bit predictable, and very, very, very overly fuzzy and warm. ^_^ It's one of my favorites, but I don't think I'd ever watch it again. :P
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Yet another re-working:
1. Infernal Affairs
2. Happy Together
3. All About Lily Chou-Chou
4. Sympathy for Mr Vengeance
5. Oldboy
6. In the Mood for Love
7. Memories of Murder
8. 3-Iron
9. Little Red Flowers
10. La Haine
11. Lost in Translation
12. Cyclo
13. Last Life in the Universe
14. Ichi the Killer
15. Chungking Express
17. Garden State
18. Fallen Angels
19. Ringu
20. Survive Style 5+
20. Su-Ki-Da
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Esh, lovin the first list, although im missing "2046" and "lady Vengeance"
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I just had to do this for a class so here are some of mine, in no particular order:
#. Director, Title
1. Chuan Lu, Mountain Patrol
2. Alfonso Cuarón, Children of Men
3. Tim Burton, Big Fish
4. Akira Kurosawa, Seven Samurai
5. Hayao Miyazaki, Spirited Away
6. George Lucas, Star Wars
7. Krzysztof Kieslowski, Trois Courleurs
8. Gaspar Noé, Irreversible
9. Jean-Jacques Annaud, Quest For Fire
10. Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
11. Elem Klimov, Come And See
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Irreversible? I kind of liked the film but at the time it was pretty distressing.
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it's probably the most distressing film ever, but that sheer power constitutes one of the many reasons i love it.