2003: Non-2003 Movies I Watched
Submitted by AAA on Sat, 02/08/2003 - 10:52
Tags:
- Halloween H20 (1998)
- Halloween (1978)
- Friday the 13th (1980)
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
- The King of Comedy (1983)
- Imitation of Life (1959)
- The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
- It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
- Stagecoach (1939)
- The Man With the Movies Camera (1929)
- The Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
- L.A. Story (1991)
- 8 1/2 (1963)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
- The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
- In Cold Blood (1966)
- Yi Yi (2000)
- Mildred Pierce (1945)
- Blowup (1966)
- Reservoir Dogs (1992)
- Freaks (1932)
- Peeping Tom (1960)
- The Omen (1976)
- The Searchers (1956)
- Rear Window (1954)
- Cape Fear (1962)
- Carrie (1976) - Exceeded my expectations by a mile or hundred. An interesting film whose themes and images are quite haunting. The death of Carrie's mother is pretty much burnt into my skull.
- The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - One of the few sequels to blow the first out of the water. Everything felt better about this film. The humor (absent in the first) works well in lessening the constant melodrama. The monster is given humanity without taking away its horror. In general, a great film.
- Frankenstein (1931) - I understand that the sheer number of interpretations of this movie is something to be impressed by, but I still found it to be a little less than what I had hoped. I enjoyed many scenes (the monster reaching up to catch the sun, the final showdown in the mill) but I think that the film as a whole is less than the sum of its parts.
- Sherlock, Jr. (1924) - Charming, lovely, and a visual wonder. One of the best romantic comedies ever made. I never stopped grinning while watching this one.
- King Kong (1933) - Expecting cheesy, hard-to-sit-through icon, got an entertaining, engrossing adventure that managed to remain exciting and even touching seventy years later. That final scene broke my heart.
- Double Indemnity (1944) - Of all of the recent classics I've watched, this is the film most likely to stay with me. I loved every single second of it. I loved the performances (a lot), the cinematography, and especially the oh-so-noir screenplay. I think that noir may be that special genre (like jgandcag's Westerns) that just happens to speak to me.
- The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919) - Influential and still a bit haunting. I loved this one, and I can see why so many critics and historians have cited it as the horror rosetta stone.
- Mommie Dearest (1981) - I suffered through most of this film, and I can see why it is so well loved by camp fans. Faye Dunaway tries so very, very hard to make the movie watchable, but she, unfotunately, makes it worse. This may be the best drinking game movie I've ever seen. Take a swig every time some one stares at the camera in a crazed manner. Drink every time someone says "Queen of Hollywood". Chug every time Joan hits her child with something. It would be great.
- The African Queen (1951) - Bogie and Katharine Hepburn share the screen...perhaps the best team-up of stars ever. The iconic status of the film may be a bit much, but it is still a great picture. The film is older, but highly accessible, and the stars have intense, funny chemistry.
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) - Modern science fiction doesn't hold my interest the way that this one did. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I never felt the rush let down. I've seen this story parodied many times, and I know the political context the movie is now seen in, but all I could do was watch, enthralled.
- Black Narcissus (1947) - Powell and Pressburger have shown up on some of the lists that I have checked out over the internet. Some lists have five P&P movies, but many more don't have any. I have some reservations, but I really liked this film. The colors and the passion are quite intoxicating, while the sets and natural landscapes (all studio work) are stunning. Visually, one of the best movies ever made. I'll have to wait and see how I feel about this one a few months from now.
- Taxi Driver (1976) - lbangs was right when he said this film was diseased. It plays like a terrible fever dream without any way out. I loved the cinematography, the music, the direction, and especially the acting. DeNiro is wonderful and Foster is almost equally so. One of the few 70's classics that lives up to its reputation. A worthy and disturbing film.
- Psycho (1960) - It wasn't planned, but I managed to get a Hitchcock double feature, and I am happy I did. To see the 1935 Hitchcock and 1960 Hitchcock so quickly highlights interesting growth, and lack thereof. I know that Psycho was a stark experiment, but it still was traditional Hitchcock in many ways. The twist at the end, the blonde who is murdered, the killer with the horrible psychosis...but it was all put together so perfectly. It was ultimate Hitchcock. I loved the film, and I loved the fact that despite having seen so much of the movie in TV specials and the like the film still had an impact on me. Those last couple of scenes are terrifying and great. A great film.
- The 39 Steps (1935) - Hitch seems to have certain obsessions. Spies, knives, shady women, trains, and twists. For one of his earlier films, all of his marvelous fetishes are very well established already. The plot is almost irrelevant, and Hitchcock's later fascination with psychological complexities is nowhere to be found, but this is an extremely worthwhile, if not great, film.
- Brazil (1985) - Fascinating film that gets better the farther I get away. I think that a second viewing is in order. I guess Orwellian is the only way to describe it, but I feel that it is quite a different vein altogether. Loved seeing Jim Broadbent.
- Edward Scissorhands (1991) - I loved this one. I was especially impressed with the the general feel of a storybook or fable. I was surprised by how original it felt considering the archetypal story. One of my favorites of the 90's.
- Spirited Away (2002) - I'm not sure how to describe this one, but no matter what you classify it as, it is a masterpiece. Surreal, beautiful, hypnotic, I've never seen anything like it. The film explores the idea of corrosive greed, love, and most interestingly, the idea of manners and human decency. It feels like an analyzation of the world we live in now, but neverhas our world looked so wonderfully wierd.
- Rabbit-Proof Fence (2002) - Phillip Noyce directed two film's last year, and while I haven't seen The Quiet American, I can tell you that this film is very interesting, and worth a view. The cinematography is beautiful, and the child actors are actually quite good.
- The Virgin Suicides (2000) - A very promising debut from Ms. Sofia Coppola. The film drips with a haunting sense of sad nostalgia, and the entire cast seems to fit in with the overall tone. Unfortunately, the film ends up rather badly in its second act. After the exit of Trip Fontaine (Josh Hartnett's first great performance), the film seems to become surprisingly traditional. But, I can't wait to see Ms. Coppola's next film, which comes out this year.
- The Iron Giant (1999) - Seeing this and Spirited Away in one week reinforces the idea that animation (traditional animation, that is) is far from dead as long as the right people are doing it. The reason I didn't see it on the big screen back in 1999 is that I thought the story sounded boring and trite. Little did I know that the story was incredibly moving and had a sweet lesson that Disney wouldn't dream of. I teared up twice, and both were very well earned moments, I didn't feel guilty falling into the emotions of this one.
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - So much better than the first film that I'm nearly willing to forgive Chris Columbus. I think the fact that the first film introduced all of the characters and the relationships made it very easy on the second film. The pace felt much quicker, and the characters felt less forced. I dunno, maybe it just helped that the kids were older.
- Prizzi's Honor (1985) - A well-written, well-acted, beautifully shot film that entertains for its entire two hour length. Unfortunately, the film doesn't stick with me, and it ends up feeling like a nice diversion, not a fully formed experience.
- Late Marriage (2002) - This is a must-see from last year that about two people saw. The story of a young Israeli man whose family searches high and low for a bride for their son. Told with such searing tension, the story slowly wraps you into its characters and conflict until you feel emotionally drained. This is last year's best debut, and I wish I could put it into my Best picture lineup, but with the recent viewing of Spirited Away, it moves even farther away.
- Secretary (2002) - I feel particularly conflicted when it comes to this film. You see, I found many things to like (Maggie Gyllenhaal's breathrough performance, the costumes, art direction) but I think that it sugarcoats an emotional disturbance that is dangerous. As sweet as the film tries to make the eventual love feel, it still smacks of abuse. The film was sadly not good enough to get me past these disturbing feelings.
- Happiness of the Katakuris (2002) - Weird, funny, stylized...odd. A horror/musical/comedy/family film that manages to be pretty captivating. Unfortunately, it fades in memory. Oh well.
- About a Boy (2002) - You know, a movie that is clever and moving without ever resorting to cliche is a very nice gift from the movie Gods. This is the second time I saw the film, and I liked it a lot more this time. Hugh Grant is still great, and Toni Collette is wonderful.
- Ringu (1997) - You know you're in trouble when the mediocre American remake is better than the original movie. While The Ring was no masterpiece (at all), Ringu is near-disasterous. No suspense, no thrills, nothing that is remotely interesting or scary. The American film did a much better job establishing the dread that hangs over the film, and had genuine shocks, while the Japanese film just plods along without any real purpose.
- Talk to Her (2002) - Simply one of the most moving films I've ever seen. The further away I got from the film, the more I think about it. The rich colors, the nuanced characters, the haunting music, it all has completely stayed with me after a week. Now, here's the interesting thing about Almodovar's film: it is actually open to interpretation! Is it a melodrama? Is it a dark comedy? Is it a straight narrative? Is it symbolic? I happen to think that the entire film works perfectly in its own right without categorization, so I'll leave it at that. By the way, I am so glad that Pedro beat Mrs. Vardalos at the Oscars. He deserved it.
- Personal Velocity (2002) - Oi! I understand that this is based on a series of short stories, but CHRIST! This film features the single most annoying use of voice-over narration that I've ever experienced in my life. The film is divided into three stories, each about a woman at a crossroad in her life, and unfortunately, instead of allowing us to slowly learn about each character by ourselves, the film shuffles along throwing narration at us to explain the inner workings of the characters minds. Luckily, Parker Posey escapes from this one smelling like a rose. That gal can act.
- Roger Dodger (2002) - This clever, head-spinning film really manages to trick you. You see, the plot and concept seem quite cliche, but once the film unspools, you realize that you're watching a true original. Roger is a bachelor who knows everything about marketing. This makes him a very smooth talker when he wants to be. Suddenly, his young nephew shows up asking for tips on how to deal with women. The movie flows so nicley, the dialouge is fast and fresh, and the performances are universally excellent, so it is not surprising at all that I loved this one. By the way, Campbell Scott is fantastic as Roger, seriously, he should have been nominated for (and maybe won) an Oscar.
- All or Nothing (2002) - Mike Leigh has a way of crafting characters who seem to have lived lives for years before you first see them on the screen. Very few writer/directors can do that as well as he can. While All or Nothing feels bleak for most of its running time, it manages to not bog the viewer down in its depression. Mike Leigh's use of static shots, and his everyday characters and dialouge remind me of many of the fine films coming from Asia. Most especially, All or Nothing reminds me of What Time is it There?, which I also loved.
- Heavenly Creatures (1994) - Peter Jackson was making great cinema seven years before Gadalf and company knocked us off our feet (except young AJ of course ;). My thoughts on this one are still not cohesive, but I can say that I loved it, and that it is one of the best films of the 90's.
- The Ring (2002) - I'll admit, I was quite scared during parts of this film. But notice that I said "parts" of the film. You see, certain scenes are so thrilling and shocking that the parts that aren't are pretty dissapointing. I also found myself dissapointed with Ms. Naomi Watts, who I watched just last night in Mulholland Drive. She felt mannered and forced, though she did scream well, and I think that she could end up giving a better horror performance is she had a better script. On the bright side, the visuals of the film are quite impressive, and I think that the gloss and detachment of the film work out most of the time. There are a few scenes in which the Hollywood style visuals deter from the film's effectiveness, but it is not very often.
- Mulholland Drive (2001) - This is still a great movie, and on the third viewing, I understood even more than I did originally. Naomi Watts' performance is still absolutely amazing, Laura Elena Harring does an almost equally wonderful job, and Angelo Badalementi's score is pitch perfect at all times. But, the real star of the show in this film is David Lynch. His guiding hand took a failed TV pilot and crafted it into this nightmarish modern tragedy, he is one of the best. Now, real quick, here are some spoilers: Spoiler: Highlight to viewWatching this a second time, I realized a few things. Firstly, I believe that the blue box that is found in Club Silencio is the opportunity for Betty/Diane to take all of her actions back. When Rita/Camilla opens the box, the entire dream is erased and Betty's aunt is back. The reason she blue key is involved, is that Diane wants to take back her arranged killing of Camilla. Later, when she asks the hitman what the key opens, he just laughs at her. The entire dream is Diane's attempt to stay with Camilla. Camilla is given amnesia so that she can't leave Betty like she did in real life. Betty even tries to transform Rita into Diane (the blonde wig, Camilla's recollection of Diane's apartment, the dead body of possibly Camilla inside) so that she can't leave. When she tells Rita that she loves her in bed, it is Diane desperately wanting to tell Camilla the same thing. I'm not sure why so many people were confused by this movie, it all seemed logical to me.
- The Gleaners and I (2001) - I'm not sure where the quote was, but I saw that somebody on Listology the other day described a movie as poetry in film. I think that title belongs to this doumentary. While the basic premise of the documentary is to follow gleaners (people who pick up unused food after the harvest) and study their lives, the film turns into a stream-of-consciousness essay in which Agnes Varda examines her descent into old age, watches the "dance of the lens cap", and tries to capture trucks in her fist. This is a beautiful work of genius, hyperbole completely intended, and I think that if this weren't a documentary, it might come close to topping my list of films in 2001.
- Shrek (2001) - I watched this while helping my best friend babysit her two young cousins, the kids were absolutely enthralled and delighted (their 7th viewing or something) but I found myself close to hating the film. This was my 3rd (though the more I think about it, it could be 4th) time seeing the film, and I really liked it the first time...but wow, I really didn't react well this time. I think I just found the jokes about Farquad to be hypcritical (let's mock how short he is, but we love all sorts of people), and the overall tone to be sorta mean-spirited. I guess I just really became fed up with the entire idea of making a kids movie filled with sexual innuendo (that wasn't funny in the least) and hypocritical messages. Oh well, I guess this one moves down a few tiers in my list.
- Antanarjuat: The Fast Runner (2002) - This may be one of the most ambitious debut films I've ever seen. Cloxking in around three hours, this epic retelling of an ancient Inuit legend manages to dazzle and nearly hypnotize. The film is shot on digital video, but the cinematography is still drop-dead gorgeous. The vast snowy landscapes are breathtaking, and the film's centerpiece, an escape on foot over miles of ice, is one of the most thrilling scenes of the year. In the end, The Fast Runner has its flaws, but the film manages to be beautiful and enthralling all the same.
- Road to Perdition (2002) - Well, I reacted almost exactly as I expected I would. This is a beautifully shot movie, with wonderful performances from the supporting cast, but Tom Hanks and Tyler Hoechlin were nowhere near as interesting as their surroundings. The truth is that the film focused on the wrong father/son relationship. The moral and lesson centered around the two Sullivan's, but Paul Newman's John Rooney outshone them both by miles. In fact, both Newman and Jude Law are so spectacular that the rest of the film feels deflated when they are not onscreen. Newman's performance was especially electric, you can tell that this man is not sleepwalking through the film. His anger, his love, his nobility, it was all great...it's a shame that the film wasn't about him. As a last note, Newman won't win, but dammit he deserves that Oscar.
- Bringing Up Baby (1938) - I liked this screwball comedy just fine. Funny, insane, and terribly entertaining. Katharine Hepburn is spectacular, and I think that this has its deserved place in history.
- Amadeus (1984) - I saw this once several years ago, but my recollection of it had dimmed, I just remembered being impressed. Well, the second time around I realized that this is a great film. This is once of the most deserving Best Pictures I've seen, and F. Murray Abraham is spectacular. I can't help imagine what the film would have been like had Ian McKellen played Salieri, considering that he did it on Broadway and won a Tony. Certainly one of the very best of the 80's.
- M*A*S*H (1970) - Maybe Altman's just my kid of guy, but this film really struck a chord in me. I know the jokes were puerile, and I know that there are better comedies out there, but this was a blast to watch. One of the best of the seventies for sure, I'm not sure about its overall placement in my head yet.
- The Hours (2002) - A second viewing of this film was necessary for me. Comparing my two viewings of the film, I must say that I liked the film a lot more the second time than the first. Ed Harris's performance seemed much less out of place, the music was not as constricting, and the screenplay seemed less clumsy. Overall, the film suffered from a bad headache of mine the first time I saw it. I must say, Nicole Kidman is really blossoming as an actress, and I think that we can expect more great things from her to come.
- Akira (1988) - Anime has never been one of my favorite styles of film. I always find that the gratuitous violence and misogyny that frequent the genre are quite off-putting. While I enjoyed and respected much of Akira, I cannot say that I loved it. I thought that it was overlong, and that the philosophical message located within it was merely justification for the use of extreme violence. In the end, Akira is quite a beautifully done film, but the "classic" status that it has recieved does not feel earned.
- Titus (1999) - This is definitely not one of Shakespeare's best works, but darn it if Julie Taymor didn't try her hardest to make it pretty. The costumes and art direction are pretty spectatcular (overdone in some cases) and Aaron the Moor is given great moments, but overall, a very dissapointing film. At times, the artiness of the entire thing is too much to handle, and the film lacks any real direction. If I want a visually dazzling reimagination of Shakespeare, I'll take Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet any day.
- Klute (1971) - Well, after seeing Harold and Maude (also from 1971), this was pretty underwhelming. Jane Fonda is great, and gives one of the few Oscar-winning performances that actually deserved the win. The problem with the film is that the story is nowhere near as interesting as it thinks it is. The party scenes are pretty ludicrous, but the rest of the film is so stylish that you forgive those brief moments of camp. Not a great film, but pretty entertaining.
- Harold and Maude (1971) - Well, this certainly is a remarkable film. My expectations for this were pretty high, and some comments here at Listology had given me some background, but this was spectacular. Firstly, the soundtrack was impeccable (better than The Graduate), and, like Wes Anderson after him, Hal Ashby really knew how to use music to great effect. Secondly, the film was full of life. I never once found Maude to be unbelievable, and I was invested in Harold 100 percent, which made the film's messages hit extra hard. If there was one scene that stuck out at me, it would be Maude's brief monolouge about seagulls. One of the best movies of the seventies...and of all time.
- Ran (1985) - There is a reason that Akira Kurosawa is Asia's most famous filmmaker. That reason is: he is perhaps the single best filmmaker of all time. Ran is a stunning adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, and even at two hours and forty minutes, the films seems over all too soon. There are very few epics in history that can possibly match this one (Lawrence of Arabia is the only one that comes to mind) and there are none that can match the incredible humanity displayed here. This is one of the all time greats, and is must-see for any self-respecting film fan.
- Requiem for a Dream (2000) - Holy mother of mercy. This is one amazing film. Arnofsky uses every piece of technology at his disposal to create this visceral, churning piece of film. The editing of this film is revolutionary, and let me tell you, visually, this film ranks up there with Moulin Rouge! for sheer artistry. Ellen Burstyn was robbed by Julia Roberts (whose performance wasn't bad by any means) at the Oscars. Go check my top ten of this decade and of the year, you'll find this one ranked highly on both.
- Chicago (2002) - Still a lot of fun. The third and second times around I discovered that the movie actually holds up quite well. Catherine Zeta-Jones is still wonderful, and "The Cellblock Tango" and "They Both Reached for the Gun" are still thrilling.
- Glory (1989) - Well I'm not a huge fan of historical dramas, and after this one, I'm still not. On the plus side, gorgeous visuals, and Denzel Washington is wonderful. On the down side, Mathew Broderick is completely miscast, and many of the emotional moments did nothing for me.
- Do the Right Thing (1989) - Wow! This was spectacular. The cinematography, the screenplay, the acting, everything just came together perfectly. One of the best films I've ever seen, no exaggeration.
On "Shrek": I guess it's okay to make fun of people who are mean, but it's not okay to make fun of people who only appear to be mean but are actually nice inside. Make sense? :-)
Yeah, but what's outside doesn't matter at ALL according to the film. Sure, he's evil, but that shouldn't give people the right to judge him by his stature. Also, Shrek and Donkey didn't even know him, yet they mocked him. Isn't that what the film preaches against?
I dunno, it just felt incredibly muddled to me.
I know, I was just joking with ya.
I enjoyed "Shrek" but still felt it was overrated by audiences and critics. Hell, I recall Ebert said that if not for the formation of the new category Best Animated Feature, "Shrek" might have had a chance of being nominated for Best Picture. Pffft. Best Picture, my ass.
Sorry, I'm so tired, I can't tell when anybody's joking at the moment.
The truth is, Dreamworks was pushing Shrek like mad. It had a great "For Your Consideration" campaign, it was getting rave reviews, and it was mainstream and bland; I don't know how it missed out on Best Picture.
It managed to grab an Adapted Screenplay nomination, so it had its supporters. Sigh...
Great list! I'm delighted you dove!
I'm very glad you enjoyed Do the Right Thing, Harold and Maude ( I just knew you'd dig that; it was my favorite film in high school, and is sitll high up on my list today ), Requiem for a Dream (with all the critics slamming that film, it is always good to see I'm not the only one who finds it brilliant), and Bringing Up Baby, which is a certain top ten film for me. Ran is also great. I think you also shared my reactions to Titus.
I really dug Klute, but I think it is a love-it-or-hate-it sort of film for many. I liked Glory more than you did, but to be honest, I haven't seen it since it was at the theaters, so maybe I should (or shouldn't) check it out again. And I'm trying, but I still can't get excited about Chicago...
As for Shrek, ah... I hate talking about the film to most, because, yes, I enjoyed it, but yes, it has been blow up to have a much larger critical reputation than it deserves. I always hesitate to say that, though, because I apparently have the strangest taste in animated films. I thought A Bug's Life kills the Toy Story films and Monsters, Inc. I thought The Wrong Trousers killed them all, and heck, I hate Hercules but loved The Hunchback of Notre Dame. So, frankly, I usually keep my big trap shut when it comes to the cartoons (although it is very nice to see all the love on this site for Beauty and the Beast).
I can hardly wait to rent Spirited Away though...
Anyway, keep up the great work! This is a great list!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I'm with you both on Do the Right Thing, Harold and Maude, and Ran. AAA, I also thought Amadeus was terrific. I also liked Glory when it came out, but that was a long time ago now.
I do think LBangs might be on his own in his putting A Bug's Life at the top of the Pixar stack, but I do agree that The Wrong Trousers may trump them all.
It's always nice to bask in the glow of affection for Beauty and the Beast. I'm curious: what did you think of Mulan?
We have a five-year-old, so of course I've seen Shrek a bunch of times and I still like it quite a bit, even if it is overrated. I agree that it muddies the message, but I can't really object to trashing the bad guy. As with any comedy, a big question is whether or not the humor works for you. It did for me, and Eddie Murphy continues to turn in his best recent work behind the microphone rather than the camera. I also appreciated the movie finding a voice distinctive from Disney and Pixar fare. No small feat. Still, I hear ya.
As for the rest of this list, it's also terrific, and is great fodder for my "to see" list. I'm particularly looking forward to The Fast Runner, and you've rekindled my interest in The Road to Perdition, which I had kinda written off. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go write a "me too" post to one of LBangs' posts on this list.
What did you think of The Iron Giant?
Jim, have you not seen the Iron Giant?
Yup, saw it, loved it. I was just wondering what AAA thought.
Wow, what a treat to wake up to 8 new reviews from you, AAA! I'm psyched you liked Spirited Away, as I just added that near the top of my Netflix queue. Have you seen any other Miyazaki movies (Princess Mononoke being the easiest one to track down on DVD)?
And of course I'm very glad to see you enjoyed The Iron Giant, one of my animation favorites.
If you take a look at my 1999 "best of" list, both Iron Giant and Princess Mononoke are there. Miyazaki is one of the only people in the world who makes truly magical animation.
Oo, cool. I'm looking forward to your comments on Edward Scissorhands and Brazil!
either tonight, or tomorrow, those reviews will be up.
Thanks! Glad you liked 'em! I have found that Brazil does improve with each watching. I love the woman that disintegrates over the course of the movie.
Damn AAA, you've been on a roll with the classics! I'd like to see reviews for any number of your recent entries, but I'm particularly looking forward to your review of The Searchers, which I recently saw myself.
Wow, you have been hitting the good stuff!
I also would love to see reviews for ANY of your recent viewings. I really enjoy the comments you have typed up.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Yow, Reservoir Dogs! Yet another movie I'd love to hear your thoughts on. Get cracking man! :-)
I wish I had more time on my hands Jim! Actually, wait a second, I just got out of school...expect these all to be reviewed by nest Wednesday. However, I make no promises about new additions in the meantime.
You're taking noir, eh? I was kinda saving that for a back-up in case the comedy thing fell through. Oh, well. What's your genre, Jim? lbangs? dgeiser13? taryn? Anyone else?
I think I'm going to have to be honest with myself and take the lowbrow road: I claim the action genre.
Hey, my prediction was right! Well, you do have that "Favorite Action Scenes" list and no "Favorite Comedy Scenes" or "Favorite Romantic Scenes" or "Favorite...um... Noirish Scenes."
But hey, when action movies are done right, they can be some of the best movies out there. They only get the reputation of being lowbrow because they are so often done wrong. But let's not hold that against the genre itself.
P.S. AAA, you need to make a "Favorite Noirish Scenes" list.
The thing is, while I love noir, the musical still holds a place in my heart. Am I allowed to have two?
PS: That's a great idea for a list! I'll start working on that.
Hmmm.... well.... alright, fiiiine.
:D
Thanks!
AAA, you are smoking! Scanning your other updates, I see you quite liked Yi Yi. Another fan!
Great film, eh?
I hope you are enjoying most of the films you have seen. You have some of my favorites on this list.
I am also THRILLED to find you liked King Kong. My, if only every SFX blockbuster was that good! A truly sneaky movie. I doubt few were expecting it to be nearly that moving.
I love King Kong, and I believe it was the first black and white movie I watched with my younger brother that he enjoyed. He couldn't have been much older than ten or eleven at the time...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I've certainly been enjoying myself with these films. I'm trying to see as many films as I can before I go away for July, and it seems to be working.
Yi Yi was a wonderful film, and I wish that I could put it up higher on the best of the 2000's list. This has been quite a good decade for film so far, and I expect that it shall continue that way.
King Kong was wonderful, and I think that when I do compose my top 100, it will have a cushy spot on the top half of the list.
Today, Rashomon and 8 1/2. Wish me luck!
Great!
Both films are favorites of mine, and 8 1/2 is one of my top five films. It is a love-it-or-hate-it, so I'll be very curious to read your comments. Certainly it is one to experience before understanding, sorta like 2001, although I think 8 1/2 sorts out clearer in retrospect.
Sneaking a peek at my top 100 film list (which I really need to work on here, but boy, have I been busy elsewhere), I see King Kong is 51, so it almost hits the top half of my list also!
Enjoy!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Funny, I just posted on your top 100. I implored you to update. I guess you already knew that you had to.
Ah, you play with me. You've seen 8 1/2, and you have left not a clue as to your reaction.
Are you trying to get back at me for being so tardy with my film list? ;)
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Well, you've caught me...;)
I loved 8 1/2 quite a bit. I think that it is by far one of the best of the 60's, and definitely one of the best of all time.
Wow, this list is incredible. And wow, are you behind with the comments, bucko!
I anticipate reading your reactions!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Part of the problem with these comments is that I've liked nearly everything I've seen in the past month. So, I'm afraid of sounding (in your words on one of your "Watched in" lists) like a cheerleader. I can tell you that out of the films I've watched, 8 1/2, It's a Wonderful Life, Imitation of Life, Rear Window, and The Man with a Movie Camera are the ones that I really loved. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre surprised me...I didn't expect to love it, but I did.
Yeah, sometimes I fear that I get that way on my recently watched movies list. But I figure, if you're watching this many classic movies, you're bound to like most of them, right?