28 Film Discussion Threads Later

[number8]

Was gonna post this in the horror thread, but probably better here.

Without a conscious decision and only realized through a series of retroactive examinations, I've concluded that the movies I cherish most are the ones that make me sad, upset or angry. It might explain my continuing waning interest in comedies, cult movies and trashy horror, all of which I used to convince myself I adore. Either I've been fighting my original pretentious nature or I'm subconsciously preparing myself for an easily explainable mass murder.

[D_Davis]

Based on my recently updated Top 100, my top 10 for the decade looks like this:

1. Mind Game
2. Old Boy
3. Hero
4. Funky Forest: First Contact
5. Tekkonkinkreet
6. The Descent
7. Inglorious Basterds
8. Ping Pong
9. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
10. Exiled

[Spinal]

Asian cult!

[D_Davis]

Asian cult!

I know, right? I'm like a reverse banana.

[Watashi]

Based on my recently updated Top 100, my top 10 for the decade looks like this:

1. Mind Game
2. Old Boy
3. Hero
4. Funky Forest: First Contact
5. Tekkonkinkreet
6. The Descent
7. Inglorious Basterds
8. Ping Pong
9. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
10. Exiled

Needs more Pixar plz.

[number8]

I know, right? I'm like a reverse banana.

You are my Bizarro.

[D_Davis]

Needs more Pixar plz.

Well, there couldn't possibly be any less Pixar.

[Skitch]

This may be met with some hostility, but I can't ignore it any longer. I've come to the conclusion that outside of maybe Teddy KGB, John Malkovich is really only good at portraying John Malkovich.

[Sven]

The Zamfir pipes in Picnic @ H.R. drive me crazy, but otherwise the film is great. Oh, and the fat girl student... so annoying: "Miranda!" *shiver

[Mysterious Dude]

I sure haven't made much of an effort to see comedies these last few years: Superbad, The Hangover, Knocked Up, Tropic Thunder, Zombieland, Pineapple Express... all unseen by me.

I think it might be because when I was living at home, my mom had 500 channels, and I now I'm on my own and have only 70 channels or something, so before I moved out, there was a good chance I'd see something like Napoleon Dynamite or Meet the Parents eventually, so I didn't prioritize them. That's less likely to happen these days, so perhaps I should change my habits.

[megladon8]

Based on my recently updated Top 100, my top 10 for the decade looks like this:

1. Mind Game
2. Old Boy
3. Hero
4. Funky Forest: First Contact
5. Tekkonkinkreet
6. The Descent
7. Inglorious Basterds
8. Ping Pong
9. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
10. Exiled

You also very heartily recommend the "Tekkonkinkreet" comic, amirite?

[D_Davis]

You also very heartily recommend the "Tekkonkinkreet" comic, amirite?

Yeah - it's great.

[megladon8]

WB is remaking Deep Blue Sea.

WTF? Of all the movies to remake, why this on-...oh, wait a minute now...Rachel Weisz? In a wetsuit?

I approve.

[number8]

WB is remaking Deep Blue Sea.

WTF? Of all the movies to remake, why this on-...oh, wait a minute now...Rachel Weisz? In a wetsuit?

I approve.

Errrrrr, it's not the shark movie. It's a 1955 Vivian Leigh movie.

[megladon8]

Errrrrr, it's not the shark movie. It's a 1955 Vivian Leigh movie.

You see my dreams?

You step on them time and time again.

Soon I'm just going to stop baring them for you. And then where will we be?

[BuffaloWilder]

Yay, I might be writing for The House Next Door.

[megladon8]

I also see no reason why a remake of the '55 Vivien Leigh Deep Blue Sea could not prominently feature Rachel Weisz in a wetsuit.

[MadMan]

I also see no reason why a remake of the '55 Vivien Leigh Deep Blue Sea could not prominently feature Rachel Weisz in a wetsuit.

I agree 100%.

Was gonna post this in the horror thread, but probably better here.

Without a conscious decision and only realized through a series of retroactive examinations, I've concluded that the movies I cherish most are the ones that make me sad, upset or angry. It might explain my continuing waning interest in comedies, cult movies and trashy horror, all of which I used to convince myself I adore. Either I've been fighting my original pretentious nature or I'm subconsciously preparing myself for an easily explainable mass murder.

Hopefully the former, but probably the latter :P
But hey, when you complete the murder spree we'll all be able to look back and say "Whoa, I knew that guy. He posted on Match-Cut." No idea if that would be a good thing, but oh well...

[Dead & Messed Up]

Yay, I might be writing for The House Next Door.

Dude!

That's awesome!

[number8]

Don't worry, you'll be able to say the same thing when I win the Palme d'Or.

[Henry Gale]

I sure haven't made much of an effort to see comedies these last few years: Superbad, The Hangover, Knocked Up, Tropic Thunder, Zombieland, Pineapple Express... all unseen by me.

Honestly, for me, those are some of the most enjoyable mainstream comedies of the last few years. The Hangover, even though it's far and away the most successful of them, is the weakest of that bunch. But even then I've found myself throwing it on during a couple of lazy afternoons for light, mindless fun (helpfully fueled by Galifianakis' moments).

[StanleyK]

Burn After Reading remains hilarious, but it doesn't seem nearly as smart on a second viewing. The Coens place themselves and the audience as superior to the characters (the opening and closing scenes suggest some high intelligence swooping down to Earth, surveying a few of its locals and then leaving in disgust), and so the movie doesn't even bother trying to make something insightful from their zany misadventures, settling instead in a comfortable "look at how dumb these people are!" ironic misanthropy. It's certainly very well-shot, written and acted, as is to expected by the arguably best living mainstream directors, but considering their output (and particularly sandwiched as it is between the masterpieces No Country for Old Men and A Serious Man), it's really lacking.

[soitgoes...]

The Paleface (Bob Hope version) was horribly racist and unfunny.

I agree, though the racism goes hand in hand with a lot of early comedy. It was a waste of 90 minutes, and as my first exposure to Bob Hope's golden years of comedy, I'd have to say I don't quite get it. A couple chuckles here and there, but overall he seemed to be reaching. It doesn't help that Russell's only assets were her breasts. She was an awful actress.

[Spinal]

The Coens place themselves and the audience as superior to the characters (the opening and closing scenes suggest some high intelligence swooping down to Earth, surveying a few of its locals and then leaving in disgust), and so the movie doesn't even bother trying to make something insightful from their zany misadventures, settling instead in a comfortable "look at how dumb these people are!" ironic misanthropy.

The film allows you to understand each of the character's motivations and allows you to understand why they are acting the way they are. However, it suggests that from the outside, all of this stuff would seem crazy. I think it falls well short of misanthropy and is nothing to get worked up over. It's basically a paraphrase of 'Lord, what fools these mortals be.' You may as well accuse Shakespeare of misanthropy for writing A Midsummer Night's Dream. But then, you're the one who thinks Buster Keaton is a hateful asshole, so maybe you would.

[BuffaloWilder]

Dude!

That's awesome!

I know - huzzah!

ritch: