All of my most immersive film experiences were as a child, when everything is completely real and taken at face value. There is no director making this. There are no actors. It’s difficult as an adult to reach that point of transcendence. So. . . Godzilla popping his head out of the water in god only knows what film as I watch from inside a cardboard box. A robotic foot loudly crushing a human skull in the beginning of Terminator 2, which I went to in the theater not having seen the first film and with no idea of what I was in for. The world of the Dark Crystal (Which didn’t really hold up for me as an adult). The Millenium Falcon going to lightspeed in Star Wars. These are my most “ecstatic” moments.
The Haunting (1963). Watching this alone at night for the first time was a pants-shittingly intense experience. Something about black and white photography with ghosts just scares the hell out of me.
I would be happy with a little more international diversity. I mean, it’s a pretty damn diverse catalogue in other regards! Where else could I find Solaris and Equinox as part of the same series? Here’s hoping.
Symbiopsychotaxiplasm had a black director. So we’re back up to 2.
Fair enough. It’s funny; Being fairly liberal myself, it actually annoys me to have liberal messages shoved down my throat as well, but for different reasons. I hate having my opinions poorly represented in bad propaganda (Bowling For Columbine), or bad serialized television (Law And Order).
Fredo, taking a quick gander at your favorite films I would have to recommend Shame. It has the rawness of Woman Under The Influence or Battle Of Algiers, and I think feels the most modern of the Bergmans I’ve seen, which could be a good gateway drug.
1. King Of The Hill
2. Out Of Sight
3. The Limey
4. Kafka
5. Che (Yeah, the second half was a neverending nightmare, but I’m constantly amused by Soderbergh’s seeming obsession with self sabotage)
I thought Leopard Man was great. The first murder is particularly scary. Friedkin commentary good, too.
Ghost Ship also really good, but don’t expect a horror film. Or ghosts! It’s more or a psychological drama, kind of like Crimson Tide.
On a completely unrelated note, the Dark Castle produced Ghost Ship (Not a remake) has a fantastic opening scene. The rest of the movie is garbage, but I would recommend the first 10 minutes.
Not me. He’s one of the few directors that I know with certainty I will enjoy his films before I see them. Even the ones that are kinda weaksauce for him. I’m looking at you, Space Cowboys.
The stories he tells are secondary. I just love his shot selection and pacing. It’s like hearing a war story from an old man; Drawn out but completely earnest.
For example, Burt Reynolds has been directed by Alex Payne, P.T. Anderson, Mel Brooks, Renny Harlin, Danny Huston, Andrew Bergman, Don Bluth, Woody Allen, John Boorman, Sergio Corbucci, Don Siegel, Mike Figgis, Uwe Boll and Burt Reynolds.
Spielberg only a businessman? The dude LOVES cinema, with a passion equal to Martin Scorcese. No, like him or loathe him, he’s the real deal.
His tone can fluctuate wildly in the middle of a story, he doesn’t care if his scripts make sense and he can’t help but have some Capra-esqe cheese in his movies. That being said, when he’s on, he’s ON. Duel, Jaws, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, E.T., Munich. . . Those are five of my favorite movies ever, and solidly constructed.
Don’t get me wrong; He’s made some shit I’ve hated, too. But all things told, I’m glad he’s around. I like that he’s willing to try new things out, and not just rest on his laurels. And I like that the flashy things he does are usually in service of the story, not just to show how big his cinematic dick is.
1. The Boondock Saints
2. Transformers (2007)
3. It Happened One Night
4. Antonia’s Line
5. Year Of The Comet
6. Gummo
7. Bamboozled
8. Gone With The Wind
9. Night Of The Living Dead, The John Russo re-edit
10. 400 Blows
300. It’s pretty much everything I hate about movies wrapped into one film, but I love how ridiculous it is. I’m also extremely shallow, and will watch anything that’s pretty, no matter how stupid. Like The Patriot.
I don’t think it was anywhere near groundbreaking. There were two big movies in 1999 with twist endings, and for the better part of the next decade EVERY FUCKING MOVIE has to have some stupid twist where either:
1. The villain pulls one over on the hero, or
2. You find out that the hero IS the villain
The ending here felt tacked on, like “Dude, wouldn’t it be sweet if. . .”. It doesn’t even hold up, if you think about it. Was she driving both cars? Ending aside, I was really that interested in this film anyway. Cecile De France is probably one of the sexiest women alive, however.
Love the rich, diverse world of cinema, but my heart is in the USA. Why? Partially nostalgia. No movies will ever effect me on an emotional level like the ones that I watched as a child. But even later in life I find that Hollywood has made some of my favorite films. They’ve also created a simplistic, but powerful template upon which to riff off of. Without the classic western, would we have The Seven Samurai? Without Casablanca, would we have Breathless? Without Dracula, would we have Hour Of The Wolf?
What Are Your Cinematic Moments of the "Ecstatic Truth"? almost 3 years ago
All of my most immersive film experiences were as a child, when everything is completely real and taken at face value. There is no director making this. There are no actors. It’s difficult as an adult to reach that point of transcendence. So. . . Godzilla popping his head out of the water in god only knows what film as I watch from inside a cardboard box. A robotic foot loudly crushing a human skull in the beginning of Terminator 2, which I went to in the theater not having seen the first film and with no idea of what I was in for. The world of the Dark Crystal (Which didn’t really hold up for me as an adult). The Millenium Falcon going to lightspeed in Star Wars. These are my most “ecstatic” moments.
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Scariest movie ever made almost 3 years ago
The Haunting (1963). Watching this alone at night for the first time was a pants-shittingly intense experience. Something about black and white photography with ghosts just scares the hell out of me.
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Which directors have the worst fanboys? almost 3 years ago
I do tend to hate people who love The Boondock Saints, so. . . Troy Duffy.
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Can Colored Folks Get Some Love at Criterion too? almost 3 years ago
I would be happy with a little more international diversity. I mean, it’s a pretty damn diverse catalogue in other regards! Where else could I find Solaris and Equinox as part of the same series? Here’s hoping.
Symbiopsychotaxiplasm had a black director. So we’re back up to 2.
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Favourite film of the decade (so far)? almost 3 years ago
The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford
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What are your thoughts on Scorsese's "After Hours"? almost 3 years ago
My favorite film that Scorsese has directed.
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Which movies would you like to see on The Auteurs? almost 3 years ago
The Day The Clown Cried. London After Midnight. Colin McKenzie’s Salome. ;-)
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Law and Order SVU: Bleeding hearts, feminism and lefties, OH MY! almost 3 years ago
These shows are quite obviously not grounded in reality at all. Quibbling over the little details seems like a losing battle.
I’m more intrigued as to why it bothers you so much? Did it piss you off when they had a black president in Deep Impact?
I’m not trying to be confrontational, I’m actually just curious.
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Law and Order SVU: Bleeding hearts, feminism and lefties, OH MY! almost 3 years ago
Fair enough. It’s funny; Being fairly liberal myself, it actually annoys me to have liberal messages shoved down my throat as well, but for different reasons. I hate having my opinions poorly represented in bad propaganda (Bowling For Columbine), or bad serialized television (Law And Order).
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What films were shot in or near your hometown? almost 3 years ago
Standing In The Shadows Of Motown
Secret Honor
The Upside Of Anger
Jumper
NOT YET RELEASED:
Youth In Revolt
Betty Anne Waters
Whip It
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Best Bergman Film to Start Out With almost 3 years ago
Fredo, taking a quick gander at your favorite films I would have to recommend Shame. It has the rawness of Woman Under The Influence or Battle Of Algiers, and I think feels the most modern of the Bergmans I’ve seen, which could be a good gateway drug.
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What director would you trust with your baby? almost 3 years ago
Spike Jonze. I just trust his instincts and adaptability (Hah!).
Steven Spielberg as an actual babysitter. I imagine him playing with toys at home, so he would probably get along great with the little ones.
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Most impressive one-take tracking shot? almost 3 years ago
Hard Boiled “Two minutes, forty-two seconds”.
And the aforementioned Passenger ending.
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which val lewton produced horror film do you like? almost 3 years ago
Curse Of The Cat People is my fave.
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Soderberg's best films almost 3 years ago
My favorites:
1. King Of The Hill
2. Out Of Sight
3. The Limey
4. Kafka
5. Che (Yeah, the second half was a neverending nightmare, but I’m constantly amused by Soderbergh’s seeming obsession with self sabotage)
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which val lewton produced horror film do you like? almost 3 years ago
I thought Leopard Man was great. The first murder is particularly scary. Friedkin commentary good, too.
Ghost Ship also really good, but don’t expect a horror film. Or ghosts! It’s more or a psychological drama, kind of like Crimson Tide.
On a completely unrelated note, the Dark Castle produced Ghost Ship (Not a remake) has a fantastic opening scene. The rest of the movie is garbage, but I would recommend the first 10 minutes.
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Time Travel almost 3 years ago
You just melted my brain. I can no longer process if this is a good thing or not.
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Anyone Else Sick of Clint Eastwood almost 3 years ago
Not me. He’s one of the few directors that I know with certainty I will enjoy his films before I see them. Even the ones that are kinda weaksauce for him. I’m looking at you, Space Cowboys.
The stories he tells are secondary. I just love his shot selection and pacing. It’s like hearing a war story from an old man; Drawn out but completely earnest.
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Which actor has worked with the most diverse assortment of directors? almost 3 years ago
For example, Burt Reynolds has been directed by Alex Payne, P.T. Anderson, Mel Brooks, Renny Harlin, Danny Huston, Andrew Bergman, Don Bluth, Woody Allen, John Boorman, Sergio Corbucci, Don Siegel, Mike Figgis, Uwe Boll and Burt Reynolds.
What are some other interesting careers?
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Ingmar Bergman makes a war movie... almost 3 years ago
Shame is tits. You could say that The Silence is kinda a war movie, too. Has a little Anne Frank vibe to it.
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About Spilberg. Is he a cinematic artist or a businessman looking to score a 'few' bucks. Film thorists...UNITE. almost 3 years ago
Spielberg only a businessman? The dude LOVES cinema, with a passion equal to Martin Scorcese. No, like him or loathe him, he’s the real deal.
His tone can fluctuate wildly in the middle of a story, he doesn’t care if his scripts make sense and he can’t help but have some Capra-esqe cheese in his movies. That being said, when he’s on, he’s ON. Duel, Jaws, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, E.T., Munich. . . Those are five of my favorite movies ever, and solidly constructed.
Don’t get me wrong; He’s made some shit I’ve hated, too. But all things told, I’m glad he’s around. I like that he’s willing to try new things out, and not just rest on his laurels. And I like that the flashy things he does are usually in service of the story, not just to show how big his cinematic dick is.
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Ten Worst Movies You've Ever Seen? almost 3 years ago
Most hated:
1. The Boondock Saints
2. Transformers (2007)
3. It Happened One Night
4. Antonia’s Line
5. Year Of The Comet
6. Gummo
7. Bamboozled
8. Gone With The Wind
9. Night Of The Living Dead, The John Russo re-edit
10. 400 Blows
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The Gultiest of Guilty Pleasures. almost 3 years ago
300. It’s pretty much everything I hate about movies wrapped into one film, but I love how ridiculous it is. I’m also extremely shallow, and will watch anything that’s pretty, no matter how stupid. Like The Patriot.
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Haute Tension: Ground-Breaking Horror Film or Wasted Opportunity or Both almost 3 years ago
I don’t think it was anywhere near groundbreaking. There were two big movies in 1999 with twist endings, and for the better part of the next decade EVERY FUCKING MOVIE has to have some stupid twist where either:
1. The villain pulls one over on the hero, or
2. You find out that the hero IS the villain
The ending here felt tacked on, like “Dude, wouldn’t it be sweet if. . .”. It doesn’t even hold up, if you think about it. Was she driving both cars? Ending aside, I was really that interested in this film anyway. Cecile De France is probably one of the sexiest women alive, however.
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What's your favorite country (by cinematical standards) almost 3 years ago
Love the rich, diverse world of cinema, but my heart is in the USA. Why? Partially nostalgia. No movies will ever effect me on an emotional level like the ones that I watched as a child. But even later in life I find that Hollywood has made some of my favorite films. They’ve also created a simplistic, but powerful template upon which to riff off of. Without the classic western, would we have The Seven Samurai? Without Casablanca, would we have Breathless? Without Dracula, would we have Hour Of The Wolf?
Go to Comment