Some Flicks & Why I like them
Submitted by buddy on Tue, 02/20/2001 - 09:16
Tags:
- The Usual Suspects - because I love a good story with strong character development, both of which this movie has in spades. Also, it has one of the most fascinating, formidable villains in recent memory.
- The Sixth Sense - because it completely satisfied my sense of form. Most movies tell a story with no real overall structure. This one rounded off very nicely, with very few extraneous scenes in the development. Also, M. Night Shyamalan did an excellent job of providing clear clues throughout the movie without really giving away anything. He didn't cheat, which can be very hard in a movie of this sort. I'm looking forward to more of his work.
- The Shawshank Redemption - because so many intelligent movies with a message are depressing or overly sappy. This was optimism with a subtle touch. Very refreshing. Some of Stephen King's work translates very well onto the big screen, though he rarely gets clear credit for his authorship of this stuff (ex. Stand by Me, The Green Mile)
- Apocalypse Now - because it's based on one of my favourite books, among thousands of other reasons. One of my favourite scenes is the Ride of the Valkyries blasting out of the helicopters. The use of this piece was very effective, unlike many other movies (tv show, commercials, etc.) that bastardize some very important and beautiful music.
- Half Baked - not a very good movie for storyline, directing, etc., but very quotable for those times when you need to shut off your brain for awhile ("You have smoked yourself retarded!")
- Office Space - same reasons
- Fight Club - because it taps something primal. The violence is not the usual shoot-em-up, pull a knife, blow stuff up kind of thing (though I realize they do blow stuff up, they just don't hurt anyone doing it). Plus, Ed Norton is a perfect everyman for this story, and Brad Pitt works best in roles that have an edge to them (I hate him in romantic situations)
- High Fidelity - because of the endless top 5 lists (I have a passion for lists). I also really like the realistic portrayal of the kind of snobbism that exists in every profession. There are lots of other reasons to like this movie, but mainly I just love John Cusack.
- Pulp Fiction - The Wolf, the adrenaline shot to the heart, Vincent Vega....the dialogue was fresh and funny, the characters memorable, and Tarantino's taste in music is quirky and wonderful.
- Vincent & Theo - Tim Roth is excellent
- Four Rooms - Only the last two vignettes. The kids who find the dead prostitute were hilarious, as was the highly affected performance of Antonio Banderas. The last story, though was the topper. Bruce Willis (unacknowledged) pacing in the background, and the original story line, with a superbly abrupt ending. You must see this with the right people, in the right environment, though (which I guess is the case with most movies)
- Shaun of the Dead - Not only is this funny in a way that only the English can be, it makes some comments about society (much like the zombie films it's honouring). Shaun walks around for an incredible length of time without ever noticing that there was a problem. All of the zombies who cross his path are dismissed as pissheads, lovers (outside the pub), or simply not noticed due to his own zombie-like state. And the denouement which shows that is so rich it fills me with glee.Spoiler: Highlight to viewzombies can actually be productive members of society
Author Comments:
This list is far from complete, and doesn't represent my favourite all-time movies. They're just off the top of my head to show the kinds of criteria I base my opinions on. Feel free to disagree, or add some suggestions - even try to change my mind. I will have more lists coming; I'll try to make them with more interesting topics than this one.
Enjoyed your remarks, especially about SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and APOCALYPSE NOW. One of the ugliest things commercial advertising does is mutilate great music.
If you liked the High Fidelity lists (a movie I'm looking forward to), you should check out this old Listology item that includes links to all the lists.
Nice contribution, by the way! Looking forward to a definitive "favorites" list, if one is in the cards. Or, if you're up to the challenge, a number of us have created "favorites by genre" lists, and I'd be curious to see yours.
Thank you both - I've spent the last couple of days reading through much of this site, getting familiar with the regulars. I've enjoyed both of your lists as well as your comments on numerous other lists.
I have checked out the High Fidelity list...thanks for the reference. I think I will take your challenge for the "genre" list, though I think my experience will be fairly limited in many genres. Hope I don't disappoint.
Buddy..Ysual Suspects doesn't really have good character development if you think about it. I mean, it has very interesting characters which serves the purpose well enough. But we really are thrust right into their situation without any real knowledge of who these people are. I mean, does that seem right or am I missing something?
I don't think that you need to know a character's background to have good development. All you need is a well rounded character who grows or changes in some significant way due to the events of the movie. Now that I think about it, you're right about this film not having much character development, just really good, interesting characters. I was probably too hasty with my wording.
A better movie for character development, I think, is The Shawshank Redemption for Red's character. He attains a new, brighter outlook on life (hope) because of his experience with Andy DuFresne. Yet we know very little about his background except that he is guilty.
As a brief sidenote, I was never really convinced of Jerry Maguire's sudden epiphany at the end of the film. I mean, he wants his wife at a game so suddenly his priorities are reorganized and he's really in love? I could go on about this one but I won't right now. Anyway, I hope this answers your question.
I point out that point about violence in Fight Club in my movie list too, people judge it by the title too much which pisses me off, my opinions on what the film are really about are quite long so i won't explain them here but you got some good taste! :D
Thanks! It's weird to look at these old lists and my comments. It's been quite a few years since I wrote these.