Eight great things I discovered because of Match-Cut

[Fezzik]

Hello everyone.

I haven't been posting a lot of late. Some of it is work. Some of it is outside influences, and a lot of it has to do with the fact that I just haven't seen a lot of movies lately.

But I still love this community and one of the main reasons I do is because of the sheer number of new things it's introduced me to. Things, that without Match-Cut, I probably never would have discovered, or would have shied away from.

So thanks, Match-Cut. I owe these great discoveries to you.

First post soon :)

[Dukefrukem]

number 8. (pun intended) Most Cops Suck

[MadMan]

Thou art here to offer thy support. Or somethin' of the sort.

[Fezzik]

Firstly, guys, I apologize for the delay. I wrote that intro post right before lunch today, and at lunch, my car overheated and I had to take it to the shop (again) so I've been out of it. But that's all behind me now, so let's get to the countdown.



8. BELL'S OBERON ALE


http://home.comcast.net/~kuelthador/top8/oberon.jpg


My thoughts, pre Match-Cut: Meh. Beer is beer. There are some I like, but really, unless it's a special occasion I'll just drink whatever's on tap. They're all pretty much the same anyway.

What changed my mind:

This post by bac0n (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=65316&highlight=Oberon#post65316), where I first saw Oberon mentioned, and then he'd mention it again...

"As for my personal tastes, it sorta varies by season. In the summer, I tend to gravitate toward the wheat beers, Bells Oberon in particular, and Belgian trappist-style ales such as Chimay, La Fin Du Monde & Summit Scandia." (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=109445&highlight=Oberon#post109445)

and again....

"Still, my favorite wheat beer is Bell's Oberon." (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=200535&highlight=Oberon#post200535)


and then others started to chime in: KF (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=228505&highlight=Oberon#post228505), The Plashy Bubbler (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=271874&highlight=Oberon#post271874), Spun Lepton (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=336551&highlight=Oberon#post336551) and others!

After reading all that, I decided to try it. I mean, beer is beer, right? What could be so special about this?

The Aftermath: This post. (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=230328&highlight=Oberon#post230328)

After trying Oberon, I've made it a point to try other, more obscure beer brands whenever I'm out. I rarely remember their names, but I always give them a try. I find that brands I find "obscure" aren't necessarily obscure to a lot of other people, but because of Oberon, I've also discovered Woodchuck Cider, Zombie Dust, Cable Car and a host of others. I'm not a fan of all of them, but because of Oberon, I at least try them now.

[Fezzik]

Since there's apparently no interest in this, I'm pulling the plug now.

Laterz.

[Raiders]

Since there's apparently no interest in this, I'm pulling the plug now.

Laterz.

What does this even mean?

[Scar]

Wat?

[Qrazy]

http://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/gallery/files/4/0/4/0/lol_wut_completely.jpg

[Spinal]

I haven't had that beer. If I had, I might have said something.

[Ezee E]

I'd keep posting. I like the setup you had, and I read it, but I had nothing to comment on, cause I haven't had said beer. I usually drink at bars where they don't have as exquisite a selection.

[Qrazy]

Anyway, yeah, we are reading. So post more. And post. Harder.

[Scar]

And post. Harder.

You should've said this to that chick last night.

[Russ]

Anyway, yeah, we are reading. So post more. And post. Harder.
Yeah, I had actually been awaiting your next post and was wondering where you had gone.

Great idea and thread. Don't let the lack of feedback stop you.

[Ezee E]

You should've said this to that chick last night.
ha.

[Qrazy]

You should've said this to that chick last night.

I don't believe she's as turned on by non sequiturs as you are.

[Lucky]

I haven't had that beer. If I had, I might have said something.

Likewise.

[Irish]

Fezz, keep going.

[Dukefrukem]

It's the weekend Fez. I rarely post on weekends.

[Watashi]

Well, I wanted you to stop.

[Raiders]

OK, I get it. I understand the response you were looking for:

YOU'RE WELCOME

Sincerely,

Match Cut

[Dead & Messed Up]

You should do what most of us do, and commit yourself to the list, even if, by the end, nobody's responding, and they've abandoned you for a different forum, and you have to post to yourself while crying to offer up the illusion of human interaction.

[Spinal]

The punishment for abandoning a list is that we finish it for you. I'm not saying that's what should happen here. I'm just saying I've seen it happen and it's not pretty.

[MadMan]

I've never, ever let people not responding to my threads stop me from creating them or updating them. I just get lazy at times. Hell I don't even let people ignoring my post stop me from posting-just ask everyone here :P

[Fezzik]

You guys have to understand something about me - I post lists as an attempt to get involved in the Match-Cut community, especially when I haven't been able to do so lately because of my lack of moviegoing.

When I saw that nobody was commenting, I just figured that the idea was of no interest to people so decided to cut it short.

If that's not the case, I will continue.

I am sorry for the misunderstanding.

[Fezzik]

7. THE COEN BROTHERS


http://home.comcast.net/~kuelthador/top8/coens.jpg


My thoughts, pre Match-Cut: "The Coens? They're the guys who make those quirky, off-center movies that people like to praise when they want to look smart. I haven't seen a single thing that makes me want to see anything they've ever made."

What changed my mind: The sheer number of comments about their films from people on here I usually trust, or at least see somewhat eye-to-eye on when it comes to movies and cinema in general.

The Aftermath: I found myself involved in a serious discussion about the Coens' No Country For Old Men (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=37913&highlight=Country+for+Old+Men# post37913), which I would have found impossible before. I've also voluntarily sought out and seen: Raising Arizona, O Brother Where Art Thou?, Fargo, Miller's Crossing, Burn After Reading, True Grit and just recently, The Big Lebowski, after putting it off for so long because I felt there was no way it could be as funny as everyone insisted. I was quite incorrect.

I now look forward to the Coens' new releases, and although I still haven't seen everything they've ever done, I do feel like an imbecile for blowing off their catalog like I did for so long.

[Gizmo]

I'm more of a reader than a poster, and my lack of moviegoing has kept me in the offtopic forums more. I like your start, gotta find somewhere I can try that beer myself.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Match-Cut is great for that kind of thing. It's like a forum full of gateway drugs, only with the destination being obscure cinema instead of rock cocaine.

[Sven]

The Coen Brothers... now that's a victory. I am both baffled and complimented that it was finally Match Cut that got you to drink the Kool-Aid.

Also, what others said: there isn't a lot of action on the weekends here. Continue on, I say.

[ledfloyd]

i also tried oberon because of match-cut and was pleased with the results.

[MadMan]

Match-Cut is great for that kind of thing. It's like a forum full of gateway drugs, only with the destination being obscure cinema instead of rock cocaine.Unless you enjoy mixing obscure cinema with rock cocaine :P

[Dukefrukem]

Fuckin Coen Brothers. I can't believe I've only seen Fargo, True Grit and No Country for Old Men. I need to get on their filmography.

[Fezzik]

6. IT'S OK TO LIKE ANIMATION (as an adult)


http://home.comcast.net/~kuelthador/top8/walle.jpg


My thoughts, pre Match-Cut: "I just love animated movies. Their art, their heart, everything about them. There is so much in them that people often miss because they dismiss them as cartoons...

"...but everyone says animation is for kids. They think I'm weird because I like Disney as much as I do and think I need to stop watching kid's stuff. Is there something wrong with me? IS this just kid's stuff? Do I need to grow up?"

What changed my mind: The general support of Match-Cut. (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=257110&highlight=porn#post257110) I have found someone who adores animation as much as I do (Watashi - although in a pinch, I'll reluctantly admit he's even more of a fan than I am), and everyone who's commented on it basically has said these people who say this stuff are plainly idiots.

The Aftermath: Not only do I still love animation, I champion it. I'm often militant about it, too. When I hear someone talking about animation as a 'kiddie' thing, I chalk it up to them just not understanding rather than it being a failure in myself.

Brad Bird is one of my three favorite directors (another will appear in this list, so no spoilers!), and since being convinced that no, there is nothing wrong with loving animation, I actually am able to find even more joy in them, and have actually written sample story treatments and am about to send them to Pixar. Hey, you never know, right?

[B-side]

I didn't comment initially because I don't drink beer, but I'm watching.

[Fezzik]

My next post will be tomorrow. I have a family dinner and then a rehearsal later in the evening.

So long till then!

[ThePlashyBubbler]

If it's summer, Oberon is the best beer.

[MadMan]

Yeah I'm with you Fez on animation. Even friends who like movies usually don't go to see animated ones cause they think they are just for kids, even Pixar movies that clearly aim for older audiences as well as younger audiences.

The Coen Brothers are awesome on general principle. I believe I only have four or five of their movies left to watch.

[Russ]

Not only is it OK to like animation, it's a prerequisite by which I judge a person's ability to be taken seriously as a reviewer.

OK, kidding a little. :)

But, apart from you, Fezzik, and Watashi, I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who appreciates the craft more than moi. That's why you may (or may not) have seen animated films show up in a lot of the lists that I post in various threads. I've always enjoyed reading your enthusiasm for animation, even though I may not comment on it. Just know that..um, you're not alone. Not by a long shot.

[Ezee E]

Pretty much all adults I know like the Pixar movies.

[Russ]

Pretty much all adults I know like the Pixar movies.

Granted, but let's remember that animation in general is a bit of a stigma for most adults (Pixar being a noteworthy exception, as they go out of their way to appeal to both kids and adults). What I like to draw attention to is the fact that there is a LOT of adult-themed animation (and no, not just tits 'n ass) that has been produced over the years that is well worth checking out -- plus a lot of work that would appeal to both young and old, (ala-Pixar) that is out there. Sadly, much of it gets lumped in with the brightly-colored, half-witted babysitter offerings that are all too prevalent. But diligent cineastes will always find the gold.

The problem, as most of you are aware, is in finding the diligent cineastes.

[Kurosawa Fan]

1. Oberon is awesome

2. The Coens are awesomer (my favorite working director(s))

3. Cartoons are fun


I'm definitely paying attention Fezzik, and am hoping that Spurs make your list.

[Dillard]

Ok the Oberon. Now you need to move on to aventinus: the best wheat beer in the world!

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ltT4YGDGBWA/S9dxNppPjbI/AAAAAAAAAG8/UnwWafBn-8Y/s1600/Schneider+Aventinus.jpg

[Spinal]

Pretty much all adults I know like the Pixar movies.

Most I know use the word Pixar to cover any computer-generated animation.

Ex:
"Have you seen How to Train Your Dragon?"
"No, but I love Pixar!"

[ledfloyd]

one of my friends moved to san francisco in order to get a job at pixar. he's interning there while in art school. so, halfway there?

[Morris Schæffer]

Read just now that Bacon mentioned this beer in 2008.

http://www.mudsweattrails.nl/sites/default/files/chimay-bleu.jpg

Pretty cool that Belgian beers are mentioned on this board!

[Raiders]

I've had the Chimay Red Cap many-a-time. Love it.

[D_Davis]

Pretty cool that Belgian beers are mentioned on this board!

They're the best beers in the world.

Belgian-style beers > all other beers

[bac0n]

It's about this time of the year that I really start jonesing for the Oberon too.

[Raiders]

Oberon is wonderful indeed, but it does not keep for a long time before turning bitter and even cloudier. I had bought like, three six packs in July and then drank all but about three by some time in August and kinda forgot about the last three when I moved on to different beers. About a month ago I tried one and it just didn't look or taste quite right.

[bac0n]

They're the best beers in the world.

Belgian-style beers > all other beers

This is a very hard statement to argue against.

Let me put it this way. Wine afficionados dream of vacationing in France. Beer afficionados dream of vacationing in Belgium.

[Fezzik]

5. YOU CAN BE A SERIOUS CINEPHILE AND STILL ENJOY 'STUPID' MOVIES


http://home.comcast.net/~kuelthador/top8/desp.jpg


My thoughts, pre Match-Cut: "I love a good film - a great film - as much as anyone, but sometimes I just feel like watching mindless crap for the fun of it. I don't feel guilty about it, but apparently the common thought is that true cinephiles only seek out art and shun these types of movies because they are stupid and don't have any redeeming qualities. Can I even call myself a film buff?"


What changed my mind: Too many comments and threads to mention where Cutters have admitted - without shame - their love of particular bad movies just because they were fun to watch. Believe it or not, the first couple of times I ran across that here, I was floored. I have a lot of respect for the filmic knowledge this community possesses. So much so, I found myself intimidated much of the time and would refrain from commenting on specific threads because I didn't want to look like an idiot.

Yes, perhaps I put the people of Match-Cut (or Axis Archives, as it was called when I first started) on some kind of unwarranted pedestal at first, but I was new here and was as wide-eyed and nervous as a schoolgirl in a Japanimation film.

It was refreshing to see the same people who I saw discussing framing, lighting, editing, atmosphere, etc turn around and talk about the inherent silliness of various 'lesser' films and unabashedly admit 'hey, this was fun.'

It made me realize film buffs like films, and like different films for different reasons, and aren't always looking for high art when they sit down to watch a movie.

The Aftermath: Now I watch whatever I want without worrying about it. Stupid movies, I find, are often the best ones to see with friends. We go to have fun. We're not looking for mise en scene or artistic construction of a shot (well, at least I'm not), we're just there to - as one of my friends Cynthia would say - see pretty people blow shit up. And there's nothing wrong with that.

[TGM]

Yes, this! I've been on countless film boards where you'll get burned to the ground if you dare admit your love for such "stupid" movies, but for the most part, that hasn't been the case here, which is really quite refreshing!

[MadMan]

I have a lot of guilty pleasures. Although liking Twilight crosses the line, methinks :P

I confess that I've only had stateside American brewed Belgian beers (I believe that Flat Tire and Shocktop aren't really exactly the ones you guys are referring to), but they make me interested in trying more of the sort. Its really tough to get a decent brew when your stuck in Iowa.

[Fezzik]

4. CHARLIE CHAPLIN


http://home.comcast.net/~kuelthador/top8/moderntimes.jpg


My thoughts, pre Match-Cut: "Chaplin? Yeah, I respect what he's done, but I really don't want to see anything he's made. I can't imagine a silent film being able to portray the emotions necessary for me to connect to the characters."

What changed my mind: The sheer number of cutters with his films in their top 25 and the unabashed love and adoration in the language and tone of the posts about him.


The Aftermath: This post (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=213459&highlight=Modern+Times#post213 459), which was made right after seeing City Lights, then this (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=241967&highlight=Modern+Times#post241 967):

"Before seeing City Lights, i never really 'got' why Chaplin was this big thing. It was naivete, of course, born from my lack of experience with his works, but I never thought silent film work could resonate emotionally or thematically as one with sound.

City Lights turned that on its ear, making me realize that having no sound was simply a limitation filmmakers of the time were used to dealing with, and Chaplin not only overcame them, but showed that he was a pretty fantastic writer, a genius of a director and just knew how to tap into the essence of what it means to be human.

Tonight, I saw Modern Times and I simply don't have words to describe my feelings on it. Seriously, I'm sitting here still teary-eyed thinking about it and if I had an inkling before, I'm sure of it now: Charlie Chaplin was one of the greatest artists to ever live.

Absolutely breathtaking experience. Parts were brilliantly hilarious (the feeding machine, the 'nose-powder' and the tramp finding a wedge to name a few) but underneath it all was a not-so-subtle warning to people to not become part of the machine. There was some scathing political commentary as well (The tramp had it better in jail than he did on the streets? that sounds familiar).

Timely? Yes, but more importantly - timeless. Chaplin played with universal themes that seem to resonate with more urgency today than they did when his films were released.

Additional notes:

Paulette Goddard was gorgeous and in many of her scenes, she looks like she could step onto a modern screen (it may be how she wore her hair).

The scene where the tramp picks up the dropped flag and starts chasing the truck that lost it - only to end up inadvertently leading a political march - made me fall off my bed laughing.

In closing. Chaplin = Genius. That is all."

[bac0n]

They're the best beers in the world.

Belgian-style beers > all other beers


I have a lot of guilty pleasures. Although liking Twilight crosses the line, methinks :P

I confess that I've only had stateside American brewed Belgian beers (I believe that Flat Tire and Shocktop aren't really exactly the ones you guys are referring to), but they make me interested in trying more of the sort. Its really tough to get a decent brew when your stuck in Iowa.
You should check out Peace Tree brewery, based outa Knoxville. Not exactly a stone's throw from Cedar Falls but I wouldn't be surprised if you can get the beer up there.

[number8]

one of my friends moved to san francisco in order to get a job at pixar. he's interning there while in art school. so, halfway there?

Do they go to my alma mater (http://www.academyart.edu/)? Because their animation department has a really good relationship with Pixar and an impressive ratio of graduates being hired there.

[number8]

5. YOU CAN BE A SERIOUS CINEPHILE AND STILL ENJOY 'STUPID' MOVIES

This is something I'm VERY grateful of about Match-Cut. I live in hipster Brooklyn, so running into serious cineastes and excitable geeks are super easy, but I have yet to meet anyone that can be both as effortlessly as the people here. Invariably, when one starts talking about the relevant subjects of the other, they'll start talking out their ass and I just mentally check out. I'd probably go insane if I don't have the movie discussions here to participate in.

[amberlita]

4. CHARLIE CHAPLIN

:pritch:

Awesome! I had a similar turn around on Chaplin though due to a college film class instead of Match-cut. Nevertheless, I feel a kindred spirit with those like myself who were previously mired in ignorance and indifference before one single exposure to Chaplin makes you realize the brilliance you've been missing. My first exposure was also City Lights and I can honestly say I've never had another film experience like it. There are no adjectives or superlatives adequate enough to describe how I felt. It's been on my Top 10 list ever since.

[Ivan Drago]

This is something I'm VERY grateful of about Match-Cut.

Agreed. I wouldn't have learned when to just have fun watching movies if it wasn't for this site.

[ledfloyd]

Do they go to my alma mater (http://www.academyart.edu/)? Because their animation department has a really good relationship with Pixar and an impressive ratio of graduates being hired there.
as a matter of fact he does.

[MadMan]

While my first true exposure to Chaplin was when I saw parts of The Great Dictator on AMC as a kid, it wasn't until I watched The Kid and Shoulder Arms on TCM in 2008 that I realized I truly loved the guy. Then that same year I saw his masterpiece The Gold Rush (1925) and realized how brilliant he was as a comedic/dramatic film maker. I followed that up with Modern Times (1936), another classic that I now own on Criterion. After that came City Lights and Limelight last year-City Lights being utterly amazing, Limelight being great.

That said, after I watch The Circus and then eventually track down King of New York and the other movie he made before he was forced into exile for good, I'll probably switch to Buster Keaton. Or maybe I'll do that during this time-I've only sadly seen The General, which is a great film.

[Morris Schæffer]

They're the best beers in the world.

Belgian-style beers > all other beers

So the consensus goes, but I didn't wanna brag.:)

[B-side]

I'm just gonna go ahead and take most of the credit for your #5 being derived from my love of Neveldine/Taylor and Tony Scott.:P

Not that I think they make films that are merely "fun."

[Qrazy]

I'm just gonna go ahead and take most of the credit for your #5 being derived from my love of Neveldine/Taylor and Tony Scott.:P

Not that I think they make films that are merely "fun."

It's true, they don't do that. ;)

[Qrazy]

While my first true exposure to Chaplin was when I saw parts of The Great Dictator on AMC as a kid, it wasn't until I watched The Kid and Shoulder Arms on TCM in 2008 that I realized I truly loved the guy. Then that same year I saw his masterpiece The Gold Rush (1925) and realized how brilliant he was as a comedic/dramatic film maker. I followed that up with Modern Times (1936), another classic that I now own on Criterion. After that came City Lights and Limelight last year-City Lights being utterly amazing, Limelight being great.

That said, after I watch The Circus and then eventually track down King of New York and the other movie he made before he was forced into exile for good, I'll probably switch to Buster Keaton. Or maybe I'll do that during this time-I've only sadly seen The General, which is a great film.

Check out Monsieur Verdoux if you haven't. It's his darkest film and substantially better than his final two films.

[MadMan]

Check out Monsieur Verdoux if you haven't. It's his darkest film and substantially better than his final two films.That's the one I was also thinking of, but I couldn't remember the title.

[Fezzik]

3. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER


http://home.comcast.net/~kuelthador/top8/buffy.jpg


My thoughts, pre Match-Cut: "I like Firefly, and I know Whedon is a good writer, but the premise just seems so overly goofy. And the movie was pretty stupid. A lot of people I know love the show, but I don't know if I can stomach it."

What changed my mind: This thread (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?t=2440), most especially Mara. It's impossible to read her passion for the material and not give the show a chance. After an admittedly rocky start (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=347574#post34 7574) (I almost quit half-way into season 1), I was assured that it got better (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=347574#post34 7599), and boy oh boy did it (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=352062#post35 2062).


The Aftermath: Buffy The Vampire Slayer is one of my top 2 or 3 television shows of all-time. Spike is my favorite character in any show ever (and Giles is 2nd), and I will forever have a crush on Emma Caulfield. Holy crap, I posted on the Buffy thread 66 times!

Favorite Episodes: "Becoming", "Band Candy", "Prom", "Fool For Love", "Hush", "Checkpoint", "Restless", "The Gift", "The Replacement", "Once More, With Feeling", "Tabula Rasa" and of course "The Body," which may be the best episode of TV ever produced.

(And I apologize for the choice of picture. I know its a bit washed out. But I had to make sure to find a cast picture that included Spike but not Riley, because Riley doesn't exist.)

[Lucky]

Mara, doing her best to make the world a better place.

There's a choice I can get behind, it's fun witnessing people watch through the series for the first time. Especially if they're spoiler-free.

[Mara]

3. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

YAY! I was hoping this was going to show up, but it seemed like a slim chance, since you were posting more generalized things (like "animation.")

I'm so happy now.


...and of course "The Body," which may be the best episode of TV ever produced.

Agreed. I wouldn't list BtVS as my favorite show of all time, particularly because of its consistency issues, but this episode was a gut-punch I have never really gotten over.


And I apologize for the choice of picture. I know its a bit washed out. But I had to make sure to find a cast picture that included Spike but not Riley, because Riley doesn't exist.)

Aaaaand rep.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Fezzik]

2. TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR


http://home.comcast.net/~kuelthador/top8/spurs.jpg


My thoughts, pre Match-Cut: "I get why people like soccer. At times, it's a beautiful game to watch. But I have no investment. I don't know who any of these people are so its hard to have a rooting interest. Plus, the games start at 8AM my time and are never on television."

What changed my mind: Catching occasional EPL games on repeat and The 2010 World Cup (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=267813#post26 7813).

The passion of the fellow football lovers here really helped, but the Cup was the catalyst, and I decided that I needed to take the next step and pick a team in EPL if I was going to really get invested. At first, I picked Chelsea because I knew the players (they are the team I played in FIFA 2010). I was told very quickly, that rooting for Chelsea was like rooting for the "Yankees, Part 2" (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=268983#post26 8983) and that turned me off. I didn't pick Man U because I equated them to the Yankees, so Chelsea was no good.

I got recommendations from all over the place: Arsenal from Spiff, Liverpool by shaun, Aston Villa and Everton from multiple people. I felt like a college recruit.

And then KF popped in with this (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=269045) post, so I started to look at Spurs. The only reason I hadn't considered them at first was because it was the team Bill Simmons had decided to 'adopt' but I was assured he wasn't a real fan (since then, I've come to realize this is correct).

The digging I did made me fall in love with the team. the soccer "chants" the fans sing during the matches gave me the giggles (especially the one they sing to Liverpool fans that ends with "please don't take our hubcaps away").

The origin of their team name sealed it though. The team was named after a Knight named Sir Henry Percy. He was a brash and impulsive knight whose family owned lots of land in what is now Tottenham.

His tendency to look at a battle and rush into what was surely the worst possible situation gave him the nickname "Harry Hotspur."

So the team was named after an insane knight. Point. Set. Match.

Plus, I was already used to "fan suffering" (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=271367#post27 1367) after following the Dolphins for so long, I figured Spurs were a spiritual match.


The Aftermath: COME ON YOU SPURS!!!! (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=271059#post27 1059)

Seriously, I can honestly say that other that my beloved Miami Dolphins, I love Spurs more than any other team on the planet. And because of my investment, my love of the sport overall has grown. I used to turn off matches if I didn't know the teams, but now my hand doesn't even more toward the remote. It's a beautiful sport and THIS is my club.

Gareth Bale, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Luka Modric are 3 of my top 10 favorite athletes in any sport, and blue and white has become a common color combination for me.

I even had a friend of mine who vacationed in London last year buy me an official Spurs scarf, so I have that on whenever they're on TV (or when its cold in Tallahassee, which is often enough).

I've even put out the money to get the Fox Soccer Channel on my DirecTV.

...And its really nice to be able to celebrate with people when they beat Arsenal. (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=302113#post30 2113)

[Dukefrukem]

Yes, this! I've been on countless film boards where you'll get burned to the ground if you dare admit your love for such "stupid" movies, but for the most part, that hasn't been the case here, which is really quite refreshing!

The original Torque discussion was the most fun discussion I've ever read on Axis/MC.

edit: Snakes on a Plane was pretty great too.

[Kurosawa Fan]

A Spurs mention gets automatic rep from me. Top three finish seems in the cards this year!!

[ThePlashyBubbler]

You've now included my favorite beer and my favorite soccer team!

[MadMan]

While I still haven't bothered to check out Buffy, I will admit that Match-cut's love of football (or soccer as us silly Yanks call it) has rubbed off on me a little bit. Watching the American women make it all the way to the World Cup last year was pretty exciting, even though they fell short.

[Ezee E]

Yup, it was the FIFA game that got me to go with Tottenham. I liked Everton at first cause they had Donovan and Howard, but that's literally about it.

Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Kyle Walker... Tottenham is the only team that I can name their entire lineup I think.

[Fezzik]

1. WONG KAR WAI


http://home.comcast.net/~kuelthador/top8/itmfl.jpg


My thoughts, pre-Match-Cut: "He's the guy who made My Blueberry Nights, right?"

What changed my mind: Want a list? My first run in with a Wong fan was actually here in my office. Unfortunately, sometimes you miss the message because of your feelings about the messenger, and this guy, to put it mildly, was a pompous, self-congratulatory prick.

After hearing us talking about movies, he asked what our favorites were. When I said Glory, you could practically hear a scoff. He derided me for being too mainstream and started talking about In the Mood For Love, which I'd heard of, but I didn't know who had directed it.

It was partially because of this jerk that I kinda wrote Wong out of my life for a while. Until everyone started talking about him here.

And then I started noticing just how many people had it on their Top 20/50/100 lists, and how many times I saw it atop lists in the "MC Yearly Consensus - 2000 (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?t=418)" thread.

That still wasn't enough, though (I am nothing if not stubborn). The language used to describe it was too effusive in it's praise, I thought. People were talking about it in such glowing terms, there was no way it could live up to it.

Despite ordering it from Netflix multiple times, I still didn't watch it - I'd always send it back, unwatched.

Then, I ordered it again and finally confessed my trepidation to Match-Cut (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=219390&highlight=In+the+Mood+For+Love #post219390).

The response was swift:

number8: "Fezzik, look at my face. This is the face of a man who will murder you if you don't grow a pair and watch that movie."

Adam: "Of course everybody should see In The Mood For Love..."

Kurosawa Fan: "I consider In the Mood for Love one of the ten best films I've ever seen. If praise like that isn't enough incentive to watch the film, I can offer nothing better."

Grouchy: "In the Mood for Love is the most powerful movie about romantic love I've ever seen."

Finally, I gave in (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=219507&highlight=In+the+Mood+For+Love #post219507).



The Aftermath:

Well... (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=219693&highlight=In+the+Mood+For+Love #post219693)

"Well, I finished watching In the Mood For Love about 20 minutes ago.

I don't know what to say, really. It's hard to put what I'm thinking into words, but I will try.

If this film is an indication (I havent seen any of his other films yet, something that will absolutely have to change after tonight), Wong is a master of atmosphere.

The entire film seemed drenched in a mood somewhere between resignation and desperation.

Both Chow and Chan seem to represent the pathetic nature of unhappiness - they both seem happier when playing pretend. The use of 'rehearsals' got me more than once, especially the one where Cheung was asking her husband if he had a mistress. Well played, Mr. Wong, well played.

The use of the color red was so stark and prevalent, it was almost a character in itself. There were so many shots (oh, and did I mention that the cinematography was ridiculously great?) that had the camera move behind a red curtain or divider and it was like a filter - showing the life the two WISH they could have instead of the life they were actually leading.

Another great thing about the film is that refuses to take a side on the moral question at hand. There's a ripple of what it was like in 1960s Hong Kong society, and despite the fact that these two people were already being victimized by cheating spouses did not automatically mean they should consummate a fling of their own - even after they realized that they were in love.

It lets each viewer decide whether loyalty to one's spouse in a somewhat repressive society should win out over obvious real love.

And the ending...oh dear God, Wong, you magnificent bastard.

The performances were strong throughout, as well. I'm not sure if I've ever seen Jeung before but he was incredibly understated in this, and its a great credit to him and Wong that he is able to convey so much emotion without saying a damn thing.

Cheung is almost Leung's equal, and Wong goes to great length to make her the sexual symbol of the film. The camera almost makes love to her shapely form when it focuses on her walking down a hallway or down a street. Not that I'm complaining at all () but its quite telling that just shots of Cheung walking is as sexy as this film needs to be.

In short, it's a staggering work that I am really glad I saw.

Thank you all SO MUCH for the recommendation.

And...its night's like this that I really appreciate Match-Cut as a whole. Without my association with this group, I may never have even been aware of this marvelous film."

Since then, I've discovered that Wong is very simply one of the best directors on the planet. I count both In The Mood For Love and Chungking Express (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=237128&highlight=Chungking+Express#po st237128) among my five favorite films of all time, and even when I come across one of his films I don't necessarily find brilliant (My Blueberry Nights for example), they're still better than many of a number of other directors' best efforts.

In retrospect, it was upon my watching of In the Mood For Love that my appreciation of this community really sunk in. I would be a different, less enlightened person without you guys to steer me sometimes. I learn about things I never otherwise would have even been aware of, and sometimes am given the push I need to decide to give something new a try. I love this place for many reasons, but this is the main one.

(and when the hell is The Grandmasters being released in the States??)

[number8]

Well, I feel productive today.

[Fezzik]

Well, I feel productive today.

:lol:

Hey, sometimes threats are the best incentive.

[Watashi]

I still like My Blueberry Nights and don't understand the hate.

[Lucky]

I still like My Blueberry Nights and don't understand the hate.

Same here.

[Fezzik]

I still like My Blueberry Nights and don't understand the hate.


and even when I come across one of his films I don't necessarily find brilliant (My Blueberry Nights for example), they're still better than many of a number of other directors' best efforts.

*looks for hate*

[Qrazy]

I'd have to agree with Mr. Self-Congratulatory. Glory is a bad film and Zwick is a terrible director. Kudos on your new found Wong love though :).

[number8]

Edward Zwick is an irish man's Jonathan Demme.

[Fezzik]

I'd have to agree with Mr. Self-Congratulatory. Glory is a bad film and Zwick is a terrible director. Kudos on your new found Wong love though :).

I obviously disagree :). I still love Glory, but for completely different reasons. Trip's flogging and the Storming of Fort Wagner are still two of the more emotionally powerful scenes I've ever laid eyes on, and the film succeeds in many ways despite Zwick's direction (I've seen some of his other films, and none succeed as well as Glory did. I call it a fluke).

[Ezee E]

I tried Match Cut, and I failed.

There was no Bell's Oberon Ale to be found at my Total Beverage store. :(

[Scar]

I tried Match Cut, and I failed.

There was no Bell's Oberon Ale to be found at my Total Beverage store. :(

Bell's isn't distributed in Colorado.

It is in Arizona, though. However, before you plan a road trip, see when its in season. Or just ask bac0n.

[Ezee E]

Bell's isn't distributed in Colorado.

It is in Arizona, though. However, before you plan a road trip, see when its in season. Or just ask bac0n.
NOOOOOOOOOOO