Alien is one of those weird examples where I don’t start appreciating a film until the gap between my first and second viewings. Typically, a second viewing can change my mind, but every once in a while, I read reviews, essays, opinions from people on sites like this, or I’ve had time to ponder over it myself (great, complicated films can make you do that).
I’ll admit that I didn’t get Alien at al the first time, but I watched Aliens the same night, and it was midway through that that I realized how little I was enjoying it, and how brilliant the original was. I gave it a month or so before I watched Alien for the second time, and five minutes in, I knew my thoughts had changed.
Strange how that works. Perhaps I should’ve watched Alien 3 right after Aliens, and the same thing would’ve happened.
I picked up the Kurosawa boxset back during the half-off Criterion sale at B&N, but sadly haven’t watched any of the films yet. Don’t worry, I’ll get around to them. In the meantime, the Nikkatsu Noir box set looks tasty.
I was kinda dumbfounded by the mother’s decision to drive over the dip after the men told her not to, putting her and Sosuke in pretty ridiculous danger. I know it’s a Miyazaki film, but that part was a little much. Didn’t hinder my love for the film though. Brilliant.
I saw an article on IGN once about the worst commentaries. Apparently there was one DVD with a director/crew commentary, and the director left like halfway through.
For best, Ridley always does pretty insightful commentaries.
For unusal, there’s Memento. If you put in a code, the last 30 min has three different versions: one technical, one as if Teddy is telling the truth, and one as if Teddy is lying. It’s been a while, but I think that’s how it is.
For anyone who loves superhero films, the Bruce Timm-produced DC Original Animated movies have been quite good.
Superman: Doomsday
Justice League: The New Frontier
Batman: Gotham Knight (six anime short films)
Wonder Woman
Green Lantern: First Flight
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Sept 09)
All six are available on Blu-ray as well.
My absolute favorite is Batman: Mask of the Phantasm from the early 90s though. The DVD sucks, but the film is flawless. Great origin story comparable to Begins.
@Sacredchao You’re not thinking of Memento, are you? I know for a fact that was based on a short story by his brother Jonathan (called Memento Mori, which you can download). I wasn’t aware Following was as well, but you certainly might be right.
That was a real one a buddy and I saw listed on the TV Guide channel. The premise was, “Join Captain Jean-Luc Prick-hard on the Starship Intercourse.” I regret not purchasing that one.
Yet another thread claiming a film is one’s favorite, but not the best. I’m sorry, but I don’t see the distinction. If a film is your favorite, it’s the best film ever made. Only one person can give something that label. You.
Seems to me like it’s just a way for someone to rationalize why they love a movie (that is not widely acclaimed) so much. This is my favorite movie, but it’s not what I really think is good.
Oh, and to answer the question. The Empire Strikes Back for me.
I loved Sugar as well, but then again, I’m an enormous baseball fan. There were certainly plot points that felt very paint-by-numbers, but it was told in such a simple, realistic way that struck a chord with me.
I’ll venture out and say that I really loved Blueberry Nights. Not his best work (In the Mood for Love and Chungking have it beat by a mile), but the lush visuals and terrific music are classic Wong Kar Wai. Contrary to what Jazzaloha said though, the middle act is my favorite. I thought Strathairn and Weisz were remarkable, especially Weisz’s 3 or 4 minute monologue while sitting on the curb.
That said, as big a fan as I am, I really need to see more of his work. I’ve been very lazy lately.
I’m with you on the Austin releases. We do get a lot of great films here, but it still surprises me how damn long it takes sometimes. The Arbor gets some great films (and occasionally the Drafthouse and Dobie do their part), but as big a film town as this is, getting films the same week or even a week after NY and LA would be nice.
I honestly can’t think of any films I find guilty pleasures, in the sense that I know it’s bad, but for some reason enjoy it (not including its camp value).
If I’m allowed to venture into television though, Smallville fits that description. I’m an enormous Superman fan, and I know it sucks, but I tune in every week.
I just noticed that you can become a fan of an actor now, but is there a way to access a list of people you’re a fan of (like the auteurs one shows up on your profile)?
What is your favorite "pair" of people who work in films? almost 3 years ago
Christopher Nolan and his composer, David Julyan.
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Alien vs. Aliens almost 3 years ago
Alien is one of those weird examples where I don’t start appreciating a film until the gap between my first and second viewings. Typically, a second viewing can change my mind, but every once in a while, I read reviews, essays, opinions from people on sites like this, or I’ve had time to ponder over it myself (great, complicated films can make you do that).
I’ll admit that I didn’t get Alien at al the first time, but I watched Aliens the same night, and it was midway through that that I realized how little I was enjoying it, and how brilliant the original was. I gave it a month or so before I watched Alien for the second time, and five minutes in, I knew my thoughts had changed.
Strange how that works. Perhaps I should’ve watched Alien 3 right after Aliens, and the same thing would’ve happened.
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Best Eclipse Series so far almost 3 years ago
I picked up the Kurosawa boxset back during the half-off Criterion sale at B&N, but sadly haven’t watched any of the films yet. Don’t worry, I’ll get around to them. In the meantime, the Nikkatsu Noir box set looks tasty.
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Ponyo almost 3 years ago
I was kinda dumbfounded by the mother’s decision to drive over the dip after the men told her not to, putting her and Sosuke in pretty ridiculous danger. I know it’s a Miyazaki film, but that part was a little much. Didn’t hinder my love for the film though. Brilliant.
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"Inception" teaser.... the definition of less is more? almost 3 years ago
Trailer’s online now if you guys wanna see…
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810099246/video/15201197
EDIT: Sorry this isn’t a hyperlink. How do you do that?
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"Inception" teaser.... the definition of less is more? almost 3 years ago
‘Inception will be a contemporary science fiction action movie “set within the architecture of the mind.”’
That’s really all we know.
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"Inception" teaser.... the definition of less is more? almost 3 years ago
I believe Following was also written solely by Nolan.
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BEST AUDIO COMMENTARY almost 3 years ago
I saw an article on IGN once about the worst commentaries. Apparently there was one DVD with a director/crew commentary, and the director left like halfway through.
For best, Ridley always does pretty insightful commentaries.
For unusal, there’s Memento. If you put in a code, the last 30 min has three different versions: one technical, one as if Teddy is telling the truth, and one as if Teddy is lying. It’s been a while, but I think that’s how it is.
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IS THE "DIRECTOR'S CUT" ALWAYS BETTER? almost 3 years ago
Surprised Kingdom of Heaven hasn’t been mentioned. The 189 min director’s cut is leaps and bounds better than the 144 min theatrical cut.
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Is anyone else excited for Ridley Scott's return to the Alien series? almost 3 years ago
I’ll never turn down a Ridley Scott Alien film, but quite honestly, I was looking forward to The Forever War. I hope that project doesn’t disappear.
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Non-Disney Animation almost 3 years ago
For anyone who loves superhero films, the Bruce Timm-produced DC Original Animated movies have been quite good.
Superman: Doomsday
Justice League: The New Frontier
Batman: Gotham Knight (six anime short films)
Wonder Woman
Green Lantern: First Flight
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (Sept 09)
All six are available on Blu-ray as well.
My absolute favorite is Batman: Mask of the Phantasm from the early 90s though. The DVD sucks, but the film is flawless. Great origin story comparable to Begins.
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what did you watch today? almost 3 years ago
Sunshine Cleaning. Pretty good.
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Films You'd Like To See Restored almost 3 years ago
I second A Page of Madness.
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PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON - Oeuvre almost 3 years ago
Punch-Drunk Love is coming in three weeks (Sept 15).
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"Inception" teaser.... the definition of less is more? almost 3 years ago
@Sacredchao You’re not thinking of Memento, are you? I know for a fact that was based on a short story by his brother Jonathan (called Memento Mori, which you can download). I wasn’t aware Following was as well, but you certainly might be right.
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Greatest Film Taglines of All TIme. almost 3 years ago
I concur on the Girlfriend Experience one, Grey. Love it.
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Criterion Movies suitable for the whole family almost 3 years ago
In the Mood for Love!
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Favorite Movies that have better names as Pornos almost 3 years ago
Sex Trek VI: The Next Orgasm.
That was a real one a buddy and I saw listed on the TV Guide channel. The premise was, “Join Captain Jean-Luc Prick-hard on the Starship Intercourse.” I regret not purchasing that one.
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TOP 5 CHARACTERS IN FILMS WHOM YOU WANTED TO GET AWAY WITH THEIR CRIMES over 2 years ago
Roy Batty. He just wanted to live.
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Nausicaa vs Empire Strikes Back? over 2 years ago
Yet another thread claiming a film is one’s favorite, but not the best. I’m sorry, but I don’t see the distinction. If a film is your favorite, it’s the best film ever made. Only one person can give something that label. You.
Seems to me like it’s just a way for someone to rationalize why they love a movie (that is not widely acclaimed) so much. This is my favorite movie, but it’s not what I really think is good.
Oh, and to answer the question. The Empire Strikes Back for me.
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Jim Sheridan's Movies over 2 years ago
In America’s the only film of his I’ve seen, but I really enjoyed it.
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Parsing immemorable films over 2 years ago
I loved Sugar as well, but then again, I’m an enormous baseball fan. There were certainly plot points that felt very paint-by-numbers, but it was told in such a simple, realistic way that struck a chord with me.
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Opinions on Wong Kar-Wai over 2 years ago
I’ll venture out and say that I really loved Blueberry Nights. Not his best work (In the Mood for Love and Chungking have it beat by a mile), but the lush visuals and terrific music are classic Wong Kar Wai. Contrary to what Jazzaloha said though, the middle act is my favorite. I thought Strathairn and Weisz were remarkable, especially Weisz’s 3 or 4 minute monologue while sitting on the curb.
That said, as big a fan as I am, I really need to see more of his work. I’ve been very lazy lately.
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Antichrist Is Here over 2 years ago
@Zachary
I’m with you on the Austin releases. We do get a lot of great films here, but it still surprises me how damn long it takes sometimes. The Arbor gets some great films (and occasionally the Drafthouse and Dobie do their part), but as big a film town as this is, getting films the same week or even a week after NY and LA would be nice.
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What are your "Guilty Pleasure" films? over 2 years ago
I honestly can’t think of any films I find guilty pleasures, in the sense that I know it’s bad, but for some reason enjoy it (not including its camp value).
If I’m allowed to venture into television though, Smallville fits that description. I’m an enormous Superman fan, and I know it sucks, but I tune in every week.
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worst movie of 2009 over 2 years ago
He’s Just Not That Into You was pretty gutwrenching, save for Ginnifer Goodwin’s character.
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What films do you always catch shit for for not liking? over 2 years ago
One more vote for Fight Club. I honestly don’t see what everyone sees in this film, or in David Fincher for that matter.
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Ballet in Film over 2 years ago
I think Aronofsky’s Black Swan is going to make $900 million.
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Help make The Auteurs totally awesome over 2 years ago
I just noticed that you can become a fan of an actor now, but is there a way to access a list of people you’re a fan of (like the auteurs one shows up on your profile)?
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What is the greatest film title ever? over 2 years ago
I’m a Cyborg But That’s Okay
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