Spartacus – I bought the criterion version and watched it once and was just bored and wanted it to end. I watched Ben Hur around the same time and loved it, so I know it’s not something against 50s and 60s epics.
The best example I know of a successful and superior remake is The Thing. Another example is Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Donald Sutherland, which, while not superior, is at least as good as the original.
Once Irreversible is mentioned, it’s hard to think of another movie with as much impact. But another that comes to mind is The Girl Next Door from 2006. The whole second half is right up there with the killing and rape scenes from Irreversible. Another one I just happen to have seen last night is called 5 Across The Eyes that is a low budget tour de force in realistic violence.
Sunshine
Stalker
Blade Runner
Stargate
Serenity
Alien
The Thing (Carpenter)
Forbidden Planet
Starship Troopers
Matrix
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
There’s probably at least a dozen I am missing. Invasion of the Body Snatchers was my favorite until I saw Blade Runner when it came out. Then came Stalker on vhs about 10 years ago. Those two have remained at the top but I think Sunshine after a couple viewings has joined them.
Oh, yeah. Bride of Frankenstein and the Invisible Man are also at the top of my list, at least for pre 50’s. Claude Raines skipping down the lane singing “Here we go gathering nuts in May” was brilliant and terrifying. I think that was the first time I saw a movie character that I thought was completely insane.
When asked my age, if there is a mountain somewhere in the background, I will point to it, and say “That was a small pile of dirt when I was young.”
45 and HS diploma
I have done it when a movie just turns out to be boring or otherwise not very good, but I have a slight interest in seeing how it ends. Usually a B action movie.
Here is what actress Pamela Green wrote on her shoot and about the scene being removed after the initial screening and subsequent panning from critics.
Monica Belluci
Jean Harlow
Catherine Deneuve
Faye Dunaway
Ava Gardner
Veronica Lake
Halle Berry
Jennifer Connelly
Kim Basinger
Louise Brooks
Raquel Welch
Monica Belluci
Jean Harlow
Catherine Deneuve
Faye Dunaway
Ava Gardner
Veronica Lake
Halle Berry
Jennifer Connelly
Kim Basinger
Louise Brooks
Raquel Welch
I can’t pick a single one, but none top Double Indemnity and Bicycle Thieves for me. They are both perfect movies that I can’t imagine anything being changed to improve them. I didn’t see Bicycle until Criterion released it and I was overwhelmed at how a movie starting so ordinary could turn into such a harrowing, gut wrenching experience.
And Fred Macmurray delivering the most cliche ridden lines in DI at the pace that he does is simply astonishing. On paper that movie should be third run B movie fodder. The final product is relentless.
I can’t disagree with any of the choices above. Some that stand out for me:
Lina Leandersson in Let the Right One In
Max Schreck in Nosferatu
Warren Oates in Bring Me the head of Alfredo Garcia
Boris Karloff in Bride of Frankenstein
Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde
Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men
Bruno Ganz in Downfall
Val Kilmer in Tombstone
Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird
Jeffrey Combs in Re-Animator
Ellen Page in Hard Candy
A book store in town is closing and I got Jules and Jim and La Strada (both Criterion) for $15 each. Get Smart Season 2 is next on my list ($17 at Target through tomorrow!)
Tombs of the Blind Dead. I’m a big fan of Eurohorror and this is my favorite. My brother even found an authentic Mexican lobby card and had it framed for me for Christmas last year.
in 1980 I was 17 and saw Altered States with my girlfriend. It was very powerful and I could not imagine any movie being able to follow it. The Elephant Man came on next and it ended up being a perfect follow up and one of the most satisfying movie nights of my life.
Movie's you just don't like. over 4 years ago
Spartacus – I bought the criterion version and watched it once and was just bored and wanted it to end. I watched Ben Hur around the same time and loved it, so I know it’s not something against 50s and 60s epics.
Go to Comment
The most beautiful films? over 4 years ago
The Fall and a second for Beauty and the Beast. The Good, The Bad and the Ugly comes to mind also.
Go to Comment
Guilty Pleasures over 4 years ago
John Carpenter’s The Thing.
Tombstone
Tomb of the Blind Dead
Feast and Feast II: Sloppy Seconds
Go to Comment
Remakes over 4 years ago
The best example I know of a successful and superior remake is The Thing. Another example is Invasion of the Body Snatchers with Donald Sutherland, which, while not superior, is at least as good as the original.
Go to Comment
The Best Canadian Films of all time? over 4 years ago
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Ginger Snaps.
Go to Comment
Which scenes have made your heart beat a mile a minute? over 4 years ago
Wages of Fear. – Oil slick scene
Wicker Man – dance scene through the wall
Ben Hur – chariot race
Girl Next Door – last 2/3 of movie
Go to Comment
Most violent films you've seen over 4 years ago
Once Irreversible is mentioned, it’s hard to think of another movie with as much impact. But another that comes to mind is The Girl Next Door from 2006. The whole second half is right up there with the killing and rape scenes from Irreversible. Another one I just happen to have seen last night is called 5 Across The Eyes that is a low budget tour de force in realistic violence.
Go to Comment
What film scenes really make you cry? over 4 years ago
Amazing Grace and Chuck has always left me crying after a certain characters death.
Go to Comment
SCIENCE-FICTION AS A GENRE - WHICH ARE THE BEST FILMS AND WHY? over 4 years ago
Sunshine
Stalker
Blade Runner
Stargate
Serenity
Alien
The Thing (Carpenter)
Forbidden Planet
Starship Troopers
Matrix
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
There’s probably at least a dozen I am missing. Invasion of the Body Snatchers was my favorite until I saw Blade Runner when it came out. Then came Stalker on vhs about 10 years ago. Those two have remained at the top but I think Sunshine after a couple viewings has joined them.
Go to Comment
SCIENCE-FICTION AS A GENRE - WHICH ARE THE BEST FILMS AND WHY? over 4 years ago
Oh, yeah. Bride of Frankenstein and the Invisible Man are also at the top of my list, at least for pre 50’s. Claude Raines skipping down the lane singing “Here we go gathering nuts in May” was brilliant and terrifying. I think that was the first time I saw a movie character that I thought was completely insane.
Go to Comment
Last movie you saw and rate it over 4 years ago
Blacula 8/10 This movie was a hoot and far better than I thought it would be.
Go to Comment
Age / Level of education? (An informal poll) over 4 years ago
When asked my age, if there is a mountain somewhere in the background, I will point to it, and say “That was a small pile of dirt when I was young.”
45 and HS diploma
Go to Comment
Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 4 years ago
Best Years of Our Lives
Paths of Glory
Go to Comment
Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 4 years ago
And also anything by David Lynch
And something by Mario Bava. Probably Black Sunday or I Vampiri, or possibly Black Sabbath.
Go to Comment
What was the first Criterion movie you watched? over 4 years ago
I purchased Carnival of Souls, Haxan and Kwaidan in the same week. I think I watched Carnival of Souls first.
Go to Comment
Watching Films on Fast FWD over 4 years ago
I have done it when a movie just turns out to be boring or otherwise not very good, but I have a slight interest in seeing how it ends. Usually a B action movie.
Go to Comment
Criterion DVD of "Peeping Tom" is NOT UNCUT!! over 4 years ago
Here is what actress Pamela Green wrote on her shoot and about the scene being removed after the initial screening and subsequent panning from critics.
http://www.pamela-green.com/tom.live
Go to Comment
The Auteurs "Sight & Sound" Poll over 4 years ago
I would like to register.
Troy Ros
Go to Comment
WHO IS / WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM ACTRESS EVER? over 4 years ago
Monica Belluci
Jean Harlow
Catherine Deneuve
Faye Dunaway
Ava Gardner
Veronica Lake
Halle Berry
Jennifer Connelly
Kim Basinger
Louise Brooks
Raquel Welch
Go to Comment
WHO IS / WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM ACTRESS EVER? over 4 years ago
Monica Belluci
Jean Harlow
Catherine Deneuve
Faye Dunaway
Ava Gardner
Veronica Lake
Halle Berry
Jennifer Connelly
Kim Basinger
Louise Brooks
Raquel Welch
Go to Comment
Directors who should be ashamed of themselves over 4 years ago
Peter Jackson. To go from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy to King Kong?!
Go to Comment
Favourite Movie About Music. over 4 years ago
Hail Hail Rock & Roll is a personal favorite.
Go to Comment
Best film of the 40's? over 4 years ago
I can’t pick a single one, but none top Double Indemnity and Bicycle Thieves for me. They are both perfect movies that I can’t imagine anything being changed to improve them. I didn’t see Bicycle until Criterion released it and I was overwhelmed at how a movie starting so ordinary could turn into such a harrowing, gut wrenching experience.
And Fred Macmurray delivering the most cliche ridden lines in DI at the pace that he does is simply astonishing. On paper that movie should be third run B movie fodder. The final product is relentless.
Go to Comment
Top performances of all time. about 4 years ago
I can’t disagree with any of the choices above. Some that stand out for me:
Lina Leandersson in Let the Right One In
Max Schreck in Nosferatu
Warren Oates in Bring Me the head of Alfredo Garcia
Boris Karloff in Bride of Frankenstein
Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde
Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men
Bruno Ganz in Downfall
Val Kilmer in Tombstone
Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird
Jeffrey Combs in Re-Animator
Ellen Page in Hard Candy
I could spend all night coming up with more..
Go to Comment
Recent Acquisitions. about 4 years ago
A book store in town is closing and I got Jules and Jim and La Strada (both Criterion) for $15 each. Get Smart Season 2 is next on my list ($17 at Target through tomorrow!)
Go to Comment
A Random Film You Like about 4 years ago
Tombs of the Blind Dead. I’m a big fan of Eurohorror and this is my favorite. My brother even found an authentic Mexican lobby card and had it framed for me for Christmas last year.
Go to Comment
GOOD DOUBLE BILLS about 4 years ago
in 1980 I was 17 and saw Altered States with my girlfriend. It was very powerful and I could not imagine any movie being able to follow it. The Elephant Man came on next and it ended up being a perfect follow up and one of the most satisfying movie nights of my life.
Go to Comment
What underappreciated filmmaker deserves an eclipse release? about 4 years ago
Terrance Fisher
Go to Comment
Obscure recommendations about 4 years ago
The Big Empty (2003) dir. Steve Anderson
Streets of Fire (1984) dir. Walter Hill
Go to Comment
Last movie you saw and rate it about 4 years ago
Timecrimes 8/10 – The best timetravel movie I have seen since Primer.
Go to Comment