Perhaps some of you have seen it, if you havent... I HIGHLY recommend watching it. Its the kind of film that you'll probably either love, or hate. And if you hate it you should see it anyway. When I saw it in the theater it blew away every other movie that I had seen prior, and raised my standards for films. Its kind of a modern musical with music by Bjork who also plays the lead role. Its intensely emotional and very heavy so if you watch do it at a time when you can fully digest it.
Before I saw it I'd say about 80% of the films I went to see were hollywood films. Now its flipped, the majority of films I now see are foreign or independent. I've finally realized just how much better these films are. Most-not all, just most-of the stuff produced by hollywood is extremely mediocre. There're designed to make lots of money. And there's not nessarely anything wrong with that, but in order for them to make that money, they have to dumb-down their films so they can appeal to the largest possible audience. This may make for a profitable film, but it dose not produce a quality film. Films that are original, and advance the art of filmmaking are a rarity in hollywood, they dont like to take chances. Look at all of the sequels and prequels that are out now. these are so common because people are already familiar with these films and they make money. And in the end that really whats its all about.
That was an ok film . . . . Breaking the Waves was better . . . but generally I think Von Trier is overrated:
THe ABSOLUTELY best film to come out of the DOGME group (VonTrier's manefesto group: hand madish film making) was
The Celebration !!!!!!!!!
very intense, extremely well crafted . . . and, like most great European films, Acting that should make us hang our head in SHAME when we remember that Julia Roberts won an Oscar for best actress!!!!!!!
If you want to see truly GREAT acting then I recommend watching Fanny and Alexander the Bergman film on my other list, or, SatanTango by the Hungarian filmmaker Bella Tarr
SatanTango is a seven hour film that you should take a whole day to sit and watch . . . there is the most amazing scene with a little girl who practically tortures a cat . . . amazing!!!
It's not just a film its an experience that you undergo . . .
Can't help but agree with matsu about, not only that list above but alot of these lists . . . . but i'm just being an elitist pig opinionated art-video maker. .
I do think that BladeRunner is actually a very good film, and has had an ENORMOUS impact on subsequent sci-fi films, as well as, an impact on the whole artistic/intellectual discourse around cybernetics and artificial Intelligence.
------
Other Greats to add to the list:
Annie Hall by Woody allen
Stardust Memories also by Allen --a great homage to Fellini's 8&1/5 . . . excellent film excellent
<strong>American Beauty is not good. The Big Lebowski is classic.</strong><hr></blockquote>
How right you are, Groverat. The Big Lebowski is one of the most beautifully written, acted, and photographed movies ever. The repetition in the script builds to such a wonderful rhythm with classic lines such as "This agression will not stand..." and "...in the parlance of our times." Of course the brilliance of the script is only amplified by the amazing performances by among others: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, and Philip Seymour Hoffman (what a cast). And the shots of the bowling alley are stunning.
Also, for the Wes Anderson/Owen Wilson fans, don't forget Bottle Rocket. A great first movie. A touching story of love, friendship, and growing up. Again wonderfully shot, written, and acted. The thing I really like about Wes Anderson's work is that you can pause on virtually any frame and the shot works as a perfectly composed photograph. And it also has very quotable dialogue.
"And at that moment I realized that not only did I not want to answer that question. I never wanted to answer another question about water sports ever again in my life... Two days later I was on my way out to the desert."
i watched dr strangelove just the other night and "duck soup" right after. duck soup is even funnier now if you imagine bush, cheney, & rummy instead of groucho, harpo & chico.
[quote] The World According to Garp was a good movie.
The General (another criminal we can feel sorry for )<hr></blockquote>
World According to Garp is both an excellent movie and book. Are you referring to the Irish movie The General? If so my uncle is an extra in one of the court scenes.
Good? Meaning truth? Presenting a story and characters that affect you, others or the world around you? Makes us think and discuss them?
These are in no particular order:
1. Apocalypse Now (redux)
2. Jesus' Son
3. Magnolia
4. Requiem for a Dream
5. Happiness
6. Boys Don't Cry
7. Johnny Got His Gun
8. Menace II Society
9. Amelie
10.Baraka
No. These aren't really "feel good" movies (Amelie may stand out as one), but they have a message. Whether good or bad. But in most cases they make us change our way of thinking, feeling and viewing the world...and that can be good. Check them out if you haven't seen some.
My wife's parents got a DVD player for Christmas so my wife lends them some dvds to check out. Now, my wife's parents are pretty normal Jersey folks, they're both in their late fifties, so what's one of the movies she lends them? Requiem for a Dream?@#!* I don't know what she was thinking. They were good sports about it though and we all got a good laugth.
<strong>1. Apocalypse Now (redux)</strong><hr></blockquote>
i saw Apoc Now (non redux) and thot it was pretty good, tho i think i missed some of the skull matter. is redux a sequel or something? does it still have brando, duvall and sheen?
i saw Apoc Now (non redux) and thot it was pretty good, tho i think i missed some of the skull matter. is redux a sequel or something? does it still have brando, duvall and sheen?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes, and more. Scenes were cut out for length. One with Sheen having dinner with French Plantation owners is so important I don't know why it was omitted. It explains so much of why we went in there and why we still do the same stupid shit today...
Comments
Snatch was good
American History X was also a great movie.
Dancer in the Dark
Director: Lars von Trier
Starring: Bjork and Catherine Deneuve
Perhaps some of you have seen it, if you havent... I HIGHLY recommend watching it. Its the kind of film that you'll probably either love, or hate. And if you hate it you should see it anyway. When I saw it in the theater it blew away every other movie that I had seen prior, and raised my standards for films. Its kind of a modern musical with music by Bjork who also plays the lead role. Its intensely emotional and very heavy so if you watch do it at a time when you can fully digest it.
Before I saw it I'd say about 80% of the films I went to see were hollywood films. Now its flipped, the majority of films I now see are foreign or independent. I've finally realized just how much better these films are. Most-not all, just most-of the stuff produced by hollywood is extremely mediocre. There're designed to make lots of money. And there's not nessarely anything wrong with that, but in order for them to make that money, they have to dumb-down their films so they can appeal to the largest possible audience. This may make for a profitable film, but it dose not produce a quality film. Films that are original, and advance the art of filmmaking are a rarity in hollywood, they dont like to take chances. Look at all of the sequels and prequels that are out now. these are so common because people are already familiar with these films and they make money. And in the end that really whats its all about.
[ 02-13-2003: Message edited by: Wotan ]</p>
<strong>My #1 Favorite Film:
Dancer in the Dark
Director: Lars von Trier
Starring: Bjork and Catherine Deneuve
.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That was an ok film . . . . Breaking the Waves was better . . . but generally I think Von Trier is overrated:
THe ABSOLUTELY best film to come out of the DOGME group (VonTrier's manefesto group: hand madish film making) was
The Celebration !!!!!!!!!
very intense, extremely well crafted . . . and, like most great European films, Acting that should make us hang our head in SHAME when we remember that Julia Roberts won an Oscar for best actress!!!!!!!
If you want to see truly GREAT acting then I recommend watching Fanny and Alexander the Bergman film on my other list, or, SatanTango by the Hungarian filmmaker Bella Tarr
SatanTango is a seven hour film that you should take a whole day to sit and watch . . . there is the most amazing scene with a little girl who practically tortures a cat . . . amazing!!!
It's not just a film its an experience that you undergo . . .
Can't help but agree with matsu about, not only that list above but alot of these lists . . . . but i'm just being an elitist pig opinionated art-video maker. .
I do think that BladeRunner is actually a very good film, and has had an ENORMOUS impact on subsequent sci-fi films, as well as, an impact on the whole artistic/intellectual discourse around cybernetics and artificial Intelligence.
------
Other Greats to add to the list:
Annie Hall by Woody allen
Stardust Memories also by Allen --a great homage to Fellini's 8&1/5 . . . excellent film excellent
Moral...
Meaning...
Oh well, that's Hollywood for ya...
<strong>American Beauty is not good. The Big Lebowski is classic.</strong><hr></blockquote>
How right you are, Groverat. The Big Lebowski is one of the most beautifully written, acted, and photographed movies ever. The repetition in the script builds to such a wonderful rhythm with classic lines such as "This agression will not stand..." and "...in the parlance of our times." Of course the brilliance of the script is only amplified by the amazing performances by among others: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, John Turturro, and Philip Seymour Hoffman (what a cast). And the shots of the bowling alley are stunning.
Also, for the Wes Anderson/Owen Wilson fans, don't forget Bottle Rocket. A great first movie. A touching story of love, friendship, and growing up. Again wonderfully shot, written, and acted. The thing I really like about Wes Anderson's work is that you can pause on virtually any frame and the shot works as a perfectly composed photograph. And it also has very quotable dialogue.
"And at that moment I realized that not only did I not want to answer that question. I never wanted to answer another question about water sports ever again in my life... Two days later I was on my way out to the desert."
"You're really complicated? Aren't you?"
"I try not to be."
The General (another criminal we can feel sorry for
The General (another criminal we can feel sorry for )<hr></blockquote>
World According to Garp is both an excellent movie and book. Are you referring to the Irish movie The General? If so my uncle is an extra in one of the court scenes.
These are in no particular order:
1. Apocalypse Now (redux)
2. Jesus' Son
3. Magnolia
4. Requiem for a Dream
5. Happiness
6. Boys Don't Cry
7. Johnny Got His Gun
8. Menace II Society
9. Amelie
10.Baraka
No. These aren't really "feel good" movies (Amelie may stand out as one), but they have a message. Whether good or bad. But in most cases they make us change our way of thinking, feeling and viewing the world...and that can be good. Check them out if you haven't seen some.
[ 02-11-2003: Message edited by: Artman @_@ ]</p>
Mi Familia/My Family
Like Water for Chocolate
Better off Dead
I'm on a roll here
<strong>1. Apocalypse Now (redux)</strong><hr></blockquote>
i saw Apoc Now (non redux) and thot it was pretty good, tho i think i missed some of the skull matter. is redux a sequel or something? does it still have brando, duvall and sheen?
<strong>
i saw Apoc Now (non redux) and thot it was pretty good, tho i think i missed some of the skull matter. is redux a sequel or something? does it still have brando, duvall and sheen?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yes, and more. Scenes were cut out for length. One with Sheen having dinner with French Plantation owners is so important I don't know why it was omitted. It explains so much of why we went in there and why we still do the same stupid shit today...
And the last 40+ minutes are amazing. Must see...
<strong>I saw "Jesus' Son" mentioned. I've been meaning to see it. Quick, a mini review prease?</strong><hr></blockquote>
A journey. A love story. A redemption. That good? See it.
Baraka is good. The only (of many I like) documentary listed. I see it as a current time capsule of human civilization. Beautifully filmed.