Favorite Movies

[RomanHans]

Most anticipated movies?

Daily Variety had a story a few days ago on the upcoming 'tentpoles' (blockbusters) that are due out this summer--which ones do you consider 'must-see' movies? Which ones do you have high expectations for? Which will you avoid at all costs?

May 2 X2 (sequel to X-Men)
May 9 Daddy Day Care (Eddie Murphy comedy)
May 15 Matrix Reloaded
May 30 Bruce Almighty (Jim Carrey as God)
June 6 2 Fast 2 Furious
June 20 The Hulk
June 27 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
July 4 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Legally Blonde: Red, White & Blonde
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (animated)
July 18 Bad Boys 2
Exorcist: The Beginning
August 1 American Wedding (sequel to American Pie 2)

Roman

 

[SuperShyGuy]

The Matrix Reloaded. If it is HALF the show the first one was it will still be one hell of a ride. Can't believe I left the Matrix off my list of favourites, I love all the effects in that one!

 

[RomanHans]

The Matrix Reloaded. If it is HALF the show the first one was it will still be one hell of a ride. Can't believe I left the Matrix off my list of favourites, I love all the effects in that one!

Have you (or anyone else) seen this short, 'Last Flight of the Osiris'--one of nine shorts that are supposed to link 'Matrix' and 'Matrix Reloaded?' It's showing as a trailer to that Stephen King flick 'Dreamcatcher.'

Roman

 

[SuperShyGuy]

Have you (or anyone else) seen this short, 'Last Flight of the Osiris'--one of nine shorts that are supposed to link 'Matrix' and 'Matrix Reloaded?' It's showing as a trailer to that Stephen King flick 'Dreamcatcher.'

Hmmm...can you say "DVD extra"?

 

[RomanHans]

Hate to answer my own question on a thread...but Eddie Murphy? Wouldn't it be nice to see him make a funny movie at least one more time? (Although 'Bowfinger' with Steve Martin was hysterical--that should probably be on my all-time faves list as well.)

Roman

 

[SuperShyGuy]

One more film I have to add, half because it's a great film and half because of it's social relevance to recent world events. "Dr. Strangelove Or: How I learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb". Great film. And I love Stanley Kubric's work. That man was a genius.

 

[VincentFloyd]

Re: Most anticipated movies?

Daily Variety had a story a few days ago on the upcoming 'tentpoles' (blockbusters) that are due out this summer--which ones do you consider 'must-see' movies? Which ones do you have high expectations for? Which will you avoid at all costs?

May 2 X2 (sequel to X-Men)
May 9 Daddy Day Care (Eddie Murphy comedy)
May 15 Matrix Reloaded
May 30 Bruce Almighty (Jim Carrey as God)
June 6 2 Fast 2 Furious
June 20 The Hulk
June 27 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle
July 4 Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Legally Blonde: Red, White & Blonde
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (animated)
July 18 Bad Boys 2
Exorcist: The Beginning
August 1 American Wedding (sequel to American Pie 2)

Roman

X Men 2 is a definite must see
Daddy Day Care? Eddie Murphy?? I think I'll rent Beverly Hills Cop instead
Matrix Reloaded is probably the MUST SEE movie of the summer no doubt.
Bruce Almigthy looks ok, but I probably won't see it till it comes out on DVD, too bad because I was once a huge Jim Carrey freak
2 Fast 2 Furious? Stupid ass name and I never saw the original so bleah
The Hulk, will probably end up seeing it, but it's not up there with the X-Men sequel
Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, the first is a guilty pleasure movie of mine so I'm gonna have to see it, and also cuz Cameron Diaz is my cousin
Terminator 3 is probably gonna suck major frog ass, but it's ARNOLD! I have to see it no matter what
never saw the original Legally Blonde, most likely won't see the new one
Sinbad? NEXT
Bad Boys 2? NEXT!
Exorcist The Beginning? I don't mind a usual horror flick, so if nothing else is showing I'll see it
American NEXT!

 

[VincentFloyd]

One more film I have to add, half because it's a great film and half because of it's social relevance to recent world events. "Dr. Strangelove Or: How I learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb". Great film. And I love Stanley Kubric's work. That man was a genius.

my least favorite Stanley Kubrick film was Eyes Wide Shut, which I thought was still a killer movie, goes to show you how great he was

Full Metal Jacket, A Clockwork Orange, and my absolute favorite, 2001 A Space Oddessy...just brilliant

 

[RomanHans]

One more film I have to add, half because it's a great film and half because of it's social relevance to recent world events. "Dr. Strangelove Or: How I learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb". Great film. And I love Stanley Kubric's work. That man was a genius.

And how have we survived this long without Peter Sellers? Anyone else ever see 'Being There?' That is an awesome movie as well...

Roman

 

[SuperShyGuy]

Peter Sellars is the most underapreciated actor in history. That man could do anything. By the way have you ever seen him in "The Party"? Funny, funny stuff.

 

[ESH419]

Oh my god i should have came to this thread earlier! It's heaven for a film student!!

I'm totally happy to see older stuff on the list like Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch and Dr. Strangelove. I could go on for hours about good movies and what makes them good. As for a fave movie, it all depends when you ask me because of mood and what i've seen recently and whatnot. But i usually answer with the very short list of movies i've rated a perfect 10 on imdb.com.

Amelie
Apocalypse Now
American Beauty
The Fifth Element
Run Lola Run
The Matrix
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Ok that's it. Someone mentioned if anyone had seen the Animatrix short and yes, i have. It was sooooooo sweet! Real emotional for a short too. I almost walked out after it tho because i read really bad things about Dreamcatcher but i stayed. I wasn't that impressed. Jason Lee's character was totally underdeveloped but he did have some good one liners. "Bitch 'n' a buzzsaw!" So it wasn't as bad as the reviews but not that great. I figure that would be why the animatrix short got put before it.

Anyways. I should stop now before i write an epic here.

~ESH419

 

[rockin500]

lord of the rings: fellowship of the rings

the original star wars trilogy

lord of the rings: the two towers.

 

[cocktail42]

Oh my god i should have came to this thread earlier! It's heaven for a film student!!
~ESH419

If you haven't seen it you should check out Darren Aronofsky's "Pi" - it's a perfect example of a film-maker making all his shortcomings (limited budget and all that entails) work for him.
I believe his source material was an old New Yorker article about two brothers who had turned their apartment into a giant computer and the film "Android" with Klaus Kinski

 

[ESH419]

If you haven't seen it you should check out Darren Aronofsky's "Pi" - it's a perfect example of a film-maker making all his shortcomings (limited budget and all that entails) work for him.
I believe his source material was an old New Yorker article about two brothers who had turned their apartment into a giant computer and the film "Android" with Klaus Kinski

I think i've heard of that. That's the kind of stuff that give film students hope that we won't be stuck working in a coffee bar trying to slip people scripts for 50 years. Clerks is something like that too even tho it was made for 55K. But that's because Kevin Smith paid 23K for the music rights.

Too bad Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was crap compared to his other films. The film he's working on right now stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. I hope he's not selling out but that last movie and the fact he's got lopez in his next film makes it look like he is. I'm still hoping he can return to his Dogma glory, that film being the best mix of creativity and commerciality.

~ESH419

 

[cocktail42]

I think i've heard of that. That's the kind of stuff that give film students hope that we won't be stuck working in a coffee bar trying to slip people scripts for 50 years. Clerks is something like that too even tho it was made for 55K. But that's because Kevin Smith paid 23K for the music rights.

Too bad Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was crap compared to his other films. The film he's working on right now stars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. I hope he's not selling out but that last movie and the fact he's got lopez in his next film makes it look like he is. I'm still hoping he can return to his Dogma glory, that film being the best mix of creativity and commerciality.

~ESH419

All film-makers are doomed to sell out - in fact the system demands it. O.K. there is John Sayles and his former master Roger Corman - except that Roger wants to sell out and has but makes more money doing it his way. John Waters, Henry Jaglom and the egotism of Michael Moore are other ways to go. The Europeans, South Americans, Africans all want to work in Hollywood, especially the ones that make a point of stating how much they hate Hollywood. Even Russ Meyer tried selling out before he returned to the Valley of large breasts.
I just finished being a Dir. of Photography / Co-Director on a $38,000 brilliant feature shot in mini DV. I want to sell out.

 

[ESH419]

I think i'm defining "sell out" differently. I'm not meaning it as being commercially successful. I deem a sell out as someone who has abandoned all individual creativity.

To use some of the biggest grossing movies of last year as examples....

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Massive sell out. Granted Lucas had some nifty special effects but there was very little in the way of story. It would not have been a good movie even if it didn't have to live up to the original Star Wars trilogy.

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Anything but a sell out. The adapted screenplay is wonderful, the camera work was amazing, the CGI stuff was sweet as hell, the acting was not Oscar worthy but definatly above average.

So yeah. You can still be filthy rich and not be a sell out. Sorry if i didn't clarify.

~ESH419

 

[cocktail42]

I think i'm defining "sell out" differently. I'm not meaning it as being commercially successful. I deem a sell out as someone who has abandoned all individual creativity.

To use some of the biggest grossing movies of last year as examples....

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - Massive sell out. Granted Lucas had some nifty special effects but there was very little in the way of story. It would not have been a good movie even if it didn't have to live up to the original Star Wars trilogy.

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - Anything but a sell out. The adapted screenplay is wonderful, the camera work was amazing, the CGI stuff was sweet as hell, the acting was not Oscar worthy but definatly above average.

So yeah. You can still be filthy rich and not be a sell out. Sorry if i didn't clarify.

~ESH419

No problem, I was a little bit tongue in cheek anyway. I agree about Lucas but he is playing for big stakes - He wants to own the whole ball of celluloid or should I say Digital tape. Lucas wants a digital cinema that can be transmitted via satellite to, at least initially, theaters. He would be the controlling distributor - all films would flow through Lucas.
The Two Towers were not as successful as the first part. But that is to be expected - the middle part of a story is a time of travel, consolidation and reorientation. I expect the end to be dynamite.
What film schools did you attend? I picked up a couple of Masters from Brooklyn College (ugh!) and U. of Wisconsin, Madison (yayyy to some degree - David Bordwell does not make my heart go pitter pat). I was ABD at the U. of Texas, Austin - a really great place.

 

[ESH419]

No problem, I was a little bit tongue in cheek anyway. I agree about Lucas but he is playing for big stakes - He wants to own the whole ball of celluloid or should I say Digital tape. Lucas wants a digital cinema that can be transmitted via satellite to, at least initially, theaters. He would be the controlling distributor - all films would flow through Lucas.
The Two Towers were not as successful as the first part. But that is to be expected - the middle part of a story is a time of travel, consolidation and reorientation. I expect the end to be dynamite.
What film schools did you attend? I picked up a couple of Masters from Brooklyn College (ugh!) and U. of Wisconsin, Madison (yayyy to some degree - David Bordwell does not make my hear go pitter patter). I was ABD at the U. of Texas, Austin - a really great place.

I totally agree that Two Towers wasn't as good as the first one. But they are so directly connected it could be argued that they are simply different parts of the same movie.

I haven't gotten my degree yet but i'm halfway thru it. I'm at Keene State College up in New Hampshire. The editor for the afore mentioned Lord of the Rings movies is a KSC grad.

~ESH419

 

[cocktail42]

I totally agree that Two Towers wasn't as good as the first one. But they are so directly connected it could be argued that they are simply different parts of the same movie.

I haven't gotten my degree yet but i'm halfway thru it. I'm at Keene State College up in New Hampshire. The editor for the afore mentioned Lord of the Rings movies is a KSC grad.

~ESH419

I thought I was arguing that. I congratulate you on working so hard for something that takes a great love. I am afraid that if I gave you my opinion of the film industry I would be far too cynical and negative - I tend to be a half empty kind of guy. If I can be of any help to you feel free to ask or PM me. I may still remember something from film school and I do sit on the bottom of the totem pole in Hollywood.

 

[ESH419]

I thought I was arguing that. I congratulate you on working so hard for something that takes a great love. I am afraid that if I gave you my opinion of the film industry I would be far too cynical and negative - I tend to be a half empty kind of guy. If I can be of any help to you feel free to ask or PM me. I may still remember something from film school and I do sit on the bottom of the totem pole in Hollywood.

Good to know there are some connections out there. Right now i'm working on getting the equipment on my comp to make my own short films. (KSC has a strong theater/acting department) I have a camera (really high quality Sony DV camera), the zoom microphone, tripod, other camera accessories, an illegal copy of some editing software and the fire wire hookup in my comp. Once i can get my hands on the camera to comp cable and a DVD burner i'm all set.

~ESH419

 

[cocktail42]

Good to know there are some connections out there. Right now i'm working on getting the equipment on my comp to make my own short films. (KSC has a strong theater/acting department) I have a camera (really high quality Sony DV camera), the zoom microphone, tripod, other camera accessories, an illegal copy of some editing software and the fire wire hookup in my comp. Once i can get my hands on the camera to comp cable and a DVD burner i'm all set.

~ESH419

Go for it - I will be rooting for you. We shot my little epic with a Sony VX-2000. I highly recomend getting a wide angle adapter and a promist 1 filter (only for indoor use - strong light tends to milk out the lens). I also liked playing with the white balance - I liked using strong colors - often using double blues or red gells on the lights. Shadows are great but since the camera tends to skew toward low light you have to be careful. I never used the auto exposure -it's much too bright. I would have loved the use of a good monitor to see what I was getting (I never got one) because the viewfinder and even the built in screen tend to make the image look darker and more dramatic.
Remember film schools main purpose is that you leave with a reel that will get you a job. Fuck the assignments, fuck semiotic analysis (there is time for that after you finish the film) and most of all break conventions - Jean -Luc Godard is just a schmock (?) who didn't know about screen direction or how to edit (I am exagerating of course). Get familiar with Brechtian distanciation theory.
If you are going to be innovative initiate your audience into your world. They must know the ground rules or else all you have is meaningless imagery. At the same time use cliche's - a good cliche' can save you hours of character development - in other words, don't be shy using the conventions. Don't be afraid to steal, as long as you have an original idea to begin with, ultimately it will all be considered a homage'.
I know this all sounds contradictory but it all comes together in the end. Good Luck!

 

[RomanHans]

Peter Sellars is the most underapreciated actor in history. That man could do anything. By the way have you ever seen him in "The Party"? Funny, funny stuff.

The entire sequence where Sellers is trying to find an unoccupied bathroom to take a piss is absolutely classic...and the look on his face when he finds one is priceless!

Roman

 

[ohblueyedlady]

Since you were just writing about Peter Sellers, one of my favorite movies is "Being There". Each time I see that it's on television I always watch it.

Another favorite movie is "Same Time Next Year". You can feel just how much these two characters are connected from their letters and how they look at one another when they are together.

I'll only name those two at the moment but there are so many more that "grab" me when I see them.

 

[Alas Poor Yorick]

I thought the thread could use a nice little *Bump*. So there it is. By the way, I just thought of a film that totally needs to be remade...Logan's Run . I love the orginal, Peter Usintov is awasome and the basic premise of the film is visionary, but I think it could to with an up date. I am not one to advocate the remaking of classic films, but I think the Idea of the movie could be mined further, with some of the book's elements returned to the plot. What do you all think of remaking classic films?

 

[RomanHans]

I thought the thread could use a nice little *Bump*. So there it is. By the way, I just thought of a film that totally needs to be remade...Logan's Run . I love the orginal, Peter Usintov is awasome and the basic premise of the film is visionary, but I think it could to with an up date. I am not one to advocate the remaking of classic films, but I think the Idea of the movie could be mined further, with some of the book's elements returned to the plot. What do you all think of remaking classic films?

Hey, if it worked with Planet of the Apes, it could work with this...of course, I've never seen the new version of Planet of the Apes, so maybe it didn't work!

In general, I'm in favor of modern-day remakes of campy classic films like Logan's Run. On the other hand, remakes of true classics almost never live up to the original--Sabrina, Meet Joe Black, Psycho, etc. Even if the remake is a decent movie, it will always be compared to the original, so why bother?

In most cases, I think that remakes are just an indication of how few original ideas folks in Hollywood are willing to greenlight for a major production.

Anyone else?

Roman