Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by W »

undeadmonkey wrote:
Ron Burgundy wrote: undeadmonkey
Pride and Prejudice (2005) - Didnt get through the whole thing, infact i think i may have fallen asleep. Dude english is your second language? What is your first? Where are you from?
German is my first language. Which if i try hard enough, i can still speak and understand. A dutch dialect is my second language, (we actually call it low german) i can speak that fine. and then when i was 5 we moved to texas. I still remember being put into a kindergarten class and not being able to understand a word or speak to anyone. Kindergarten up till 3rd grade, every year, they tried to put me into an ESL class but i refused to go. Which might be why i still get tongue tied sometimes and in hindsight, it would of helped me a lot probably, but i always felt inferior if i had to go to that class. so i didn't go.

I had never thought of this before now, but that might be one of the reasons for my love of film. Every friday the kindergarten classes would go to the auditorium and watch movies (wizard of oz, beauty and the beast, lion king, jungle book. all those goodies) and i remember always looking forward to friday, because even though i couldn't understand the language, i could understand what was going on emotionally and visually and eventually i could understand as well.
Ah, Ich sprecht kein kaput Deutsch. Ich habt zwei jahren im Deutsch klasses.

The biggest thing I got from German class wasn't the language (as you can see, I am awful), but something to concentrate my love of history on, not to judge everyone from the actions of a few, and my love of the Dallas Mavericks as I had to do a project on a famous German and he was just coming into his own at the time.

My great grandfather didn't speak English until he was in his mid-to-late teens. I can't remember if I was told they moved over here when he was two, or they moved here two years before he was born. Either way, it would have been about a decade before World War One. He's still alive, and will be 97 in April. He's still sharp as a tack, but his health may or may not be failing at the moment. My great-grandmother died in December, she was 95 and had dementia the last few years. Dwight Schrute's German grandfather lived until he was in his nineties as well. :)
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by Buscemi »

Wait, Monkey's German?
Everything on this post is strictly the opinion and only the opinion of Buscemi.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by Chienfantome »

I'm a bit late again !

#6

Shryke - The Incredibles
Can't say I'm surprised, Shrykey. Because I know you love Pixar, I know you love this one, and to be honest I love it too myself. It's a great adventure flick.

Surfer - Withnail & I
Ha ! That one I had never heard about before, again ! Well it's pretty clear now I need to see it ;)

arrow - Alice in Wonderland
A wonderful Disney film I watched quite a few times when I was a kid. The fantastical universe is fascinating.

tranny - The Departed
Wow, that high, huh ? I like it, it's a solid Scorsese, but man, it's so inferior to the original "Infernal Affairs" it's based on. You think the ending is shocking ? Watch the original, it's even darker.

Ozzy - Serenity
I have never seen "Firefly", but that did not keep me from seeing Serenity, and from loving every bit of it. A great space western filled with cool adventures and well crafted characters.

Ron B & Leestu - The Return of the King
Now you know how much I love LOTR. That last part filled me joy and brought sadness as it was the end of a cinematographic journey. Stunning.

Buscemi - Silence of the lambs
I did not list it in my Top 100, but with a more recent viewing, I might have. A gripping thriller very well executed.

Six - The Third Man
An amazing film which I regretted to forget in my Top 100. Welles' entrance onscreen is one of the most iconic in the history of cinema, and one I will never forget.

Banks - Coming to America
A film I enjoyed watching with my sis when we were kids. The french-dubbed version was cool ;)

Barca - Leon
I know you love french films Barca, but seeing this one so high on your list disappoints me. A passable one for me.

Geezer - The Blues Brothers
I think I've only seen it once when I was a teen. It was a cool film.

W - La vita è bella
I haven't seen it since theater, and it begins to be quite some time ago... But it was a very powerful film that really manages to mix humor and drama with sensibility.

NSpan - Caddyshack
Never seen it.

UDM - The curious case of Benjamin Button
I'm with you on this one, monkey. It's a fascinating story coming to life through the expert eye of Fincher. He deals with our relationship to time and death with a magical atmosphere. An amazing film, which could enter my Top 100 with a second viewing.

Erle - The Meaning of Life
Weirdly, while I have two Monty Python films high in my Top, I have never seen this one.
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by W »

Buscemi wrote:Wait, Monkey's German?
At least it explains his love for David Hasselhoff.
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by Buscemi »

That's Dirk's warm-up music.
Everything on this post is strictly the opinion and only the opinion of Buscemi.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by Chienfantome »

#5

Shryke - V For Vendetta
Beuuuuuuurk. I am shocked to see this forgettable film so high ;)

Surfer - E.T.
Here's one film I really need to revisit. I haven't not seen it since I was maybe 8 or 9 so I barely remember it.

arrow - Batman Returns
I think it's my favourite Batman film behind The Dark Knight. Burton really managed to mix his vision with Batman's universe perfectly in this one, better than in the first one.

tranny - The Godfather
Yes it is that good. Yes, it deserves to be so well regarded. Yes, it deserves to be in your Top 5 tranny.

Ozzy - Braveheart
I've only seen it once, and never really wanted to see it again...

Ron B - Trainspotting
Haven't seen it since I was 16. I wasn't high on it back then, maybe I'd be now, who knows ?

Buscemi - Memento
An excellent film from Nolan. If I had put a Nolan film in my Top, it probably would have been this one.

Six - Once upon a time in the West
Well, we were close to listing it on the same day it seems ;) Such a striking, powerful, fascinating piece of cinema. It transcends the genre of western and morphs into an essay on filmmaking. Yes, this is one of the greatest opening sequence ever.

Banks - The Warriors
I almost saw this at the french cinematheque a ffew years back, but in the end never have.

Barca - The Dark Knight
I went to see it twice in cinema. It's really a fascinating film. Ledger was mesmerizing, but Eckhart was great too, yes.

Geezer - The Boondock Saints
Yep, never seen it of course. I will, but I'm not sure it's going to be my thing...

leestu - Holy Grail
How come I don't have it on DVD ? I've seen it several times in cinema, but never owned it on DVD ! One of the greatest comedies ever ! I need to buy it !! (#29 in my Top ;))

W - Saving Private Ryan
And here's #50 from my Top :) A groundbreaking war film.

NSpan - Star Wars
Of course. I understand what you say about the imagery and the fantasies, even though I listed Empire higher. Amazing.

UDM - Pride and Prejudice
I'm surprised to see it so high, monkey, but I can't blkame you for loving the film. It was a genuinely good surprise, light, romantic, engaging. Highly likeable.

Erle - Edward Scissorhands
And #33 from my Top. What a great round. Burton's best film for sure. It's such a melancholic tale, both funny and highly emotional. A ravishing film.
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by Chienfantome »

#4

Shryke - The Dark Knight
Unsurprisingly, this film is getting more and more cited as we reach the top. An incredibly complex, dense and rich film, which goes beyond the unforgettable Heath Ledger performance.

Surfer - Back to the Future
I can only understand how you feel with all those childhood films. It's probably why I put this one myself, but not only. Because it's also, yes, a jubilatory and gripping time travelling adventure that never gets old. Fantastic film.

Arrow - Edward Scissorhands
I was just praising it a few minutes ago. Burton's very best (and you seem to be quite a lover of the filmmaker, huh ?). A film full of spleen and poetry.

transformers - Reservoir Dogs
I went to see an improvisation show tonight, and one of the songs of the film played at one point :mrgreen: An amazing debut from Tarantino.

Ozzy - Toy Story
And here comes the 10th appearance from the Pixar debut. I really need to rewatch it, it's been wayyyyy too long !

Ron B - LA Confidential
I haven't seen this one since theater either. But it ended up being in my Top 10 of '97, so yes, I loved it.

Buscemi - Wall-E
The first act of the filmis so amazing, the rest was a bit of a step back, but it's still an amazing film from Pixar. Again.

Six - 2001
Well, I'm afraid I'm in the camp that left the film bored. I've only seen it once because of that, in theater, a decade ago. I probably need to revisit it and see if I still feel the same.

Banks - Rear Window
One of Hitch's very best, no wonder to find it so high on a list.

Barca - Der untergang
It's very disturbing, but very powerful and fascinating film. Haven't sen it since theater, but it's quite a film.

Geezer - Star Wars
The boys we were never were the same after seeing Star Wars. This is a film that turns us into even bigger dreamers. A monument.

leestu - Life of Brian
Like you, I listed Holy Grail and Life of Brian very closely. They are both so amazing, how is it possible to really say which is the best ? ;)

W - Remember the Titans
I'm really not into US sports movies, but this is one I found thoroughly enjoyable. Great actors.

NSpan - Indiana JOnes and the Last Crusade
I'm with you on this one too, NSpan. This is adventure at its best and most enjoyable. I could watch it every week.

UDM - Howl's moving castle
Given I listed it #45 in my Top, you can guess I understand how you can love it that much ;) It's a film that creates such a fascinating world and atmosphere, I wish I could live inside of it.

Erle - Almost Famous
I've got a friend who considers Crowe one of the greatest (yeah, he's weird). But this is definitely his best film along with Jerry Maguire. Hoffman's character is great, and McDormand is perfect.
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by JohnErle »

Chienfantome wrote: Erle - Almost Famous
I've got a friend who considers Crowe one of the greatest (yeah, he's weird). But this is definitely his best film along with Jerry Maguire. Hoffman's character is great, and McDormand is perfect.
10 years ago there were an awful lot of people who would have agreed with your friend, myself included. For a while there Crowe seemed like the heir apparent to John Hughes with Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Say Anything..., and Singles, all seminal films for the youth/young adult audience I was a part of at the time. Vanilla Sky and Elizabethtown have hurt his reputation a lot, but there's no denying the impact his early work had.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by silversurfer19 »

MOVIE #5

Shrykespeare: V For Vendetta (2005) – A brilliant action movie, full of swathe and style, though it's political intentions are not as well realised as Moore intended with his comic. Still, a very well acted and directed movie. (9/10)

thegreenarrow: Batman Returns (1992) - I'm actually quite surprised this hasn't appeared until now. It seems the Nolan movies have put Burton's in the shade, when in fact they were very much equal. A very strong story with stunning visuals. One of Burton's best. (9/10)

transformers: The Godfather (1972) - I've said it a few times now, and I stand by my assertion that the ovie just didn't wow me as much as I hoped. I am almost certain it's mainly due to the genre though, as I watched Casino again the other day and I totally lost interest in it, I just can't connect with the mafia genre, now matter how well it is portrayed. (6/10)

englishozzy: Braveheart (1995) - Oh dear, I thought we'd seen the last of this... And in no way is he, or has he ever been, even close to the same talent as Eastwood, either in directing or acting. An overlong, bloated action movie which, even without historical inaccuracies is a complete let down. (4/10)

Ron Burgundy: Trainspotting (1996) - Indeed it is a movie which still packs a punch. But I guess you've never been to the UK, that toilet is typical of most... (10/10)

Buscemi: Memento (2001) - That was a pretty good week for your video store experiences! Usually the guys there recommend the worst movies ever, but to pick up those three movies in one week is pretty great. This made my list too, a spectacular concept and terrifically realised. (10/10)

Chienfantome: The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) – While I disagreed with those who listed some movies as one movie, I kind of agree with you for LOTR. It really is just one long extended movie, and one which was pretty much filmed in all one go anyway. As a whole, the movie really is quite special, as it's failings can be disguised by the moments of sheer magic. And those moments of magic certainly overshadowed the weaker points. A very good trilogy, one which will probably stand the test of time like the original Star Wars series (and much better than Harry Potter), and a worthy movie in your top 5. (8/10)
numbersix: Once Upon A Time In The West (1968) - Like I mentioned the other day, a stunning Western with a fantastic performance from many of the actors, but specifically Fonda. I still prefer the story of TGTBTU, but this is nevertheless a very watchable movie with fine performances, a memorable score and stylistic direction. And how can anyone ever forget the sound of that harmonica. (8/10)

Banks: The Warriors (1979) - I only watched this for the first time last year and I was mesmerised by it. A truly gripping story with a strong political message and a very provocative style. Brutal, thrilling and despite aging a little, still very entertaining. (8/10)

BarcaRulz: The Dark Knight (2009) - It just missed my top 100, but I certainly recognise just how great the movie is. A gripping crime drama with iconic characters. One of Nolan's best. (9/10)

Geezer: The Boondock Saints (1999) - I picked this up on the reaction of the film on here, and while it is certainly watchable, there are so many flaws in it too. Poorly acted, woeful dialogue (I mean really, some of the worst I have ever seen), and some pretty poor direction ensured that while entertaining, it had very little depth and not something I really need to revisit. I gave the sequel a chance too just as there was nothing on tv, and that was even worse. Unfortunately one of the few times a movie has been recommended on here which didn't live up to it's valuation. (5/10)

leestu: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) – While I prefer Life Of Brian, this is very funny stuff. And to have such an impact on audiences still today says something of how timeless this kind of comedy is. (8/10)

W: Saving Private Ryan (1998) - I agree, war movies are not to be all battles and action, there is plenty of room for the drama and philosophies of war, but while the opening sequence is a stand out of the genre, with a truly stunning sequence, for me the remainder of the film never matched that in terms of quality. Yes it was a different type of war movie, but it didn't even stand out in that sense against similar movies. So while the opening sequence stands out still today, the rest of the movie never quite managed that. Well acted, but just not as good as it could have been. (6/10)

NSpan: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – Of course I just listed it, so obviously I absolutely adore the movie. And I agree, no matter what Lucas does to the movie, unless he actually manages to change the story and the emotions that it stirred within me, no amount of dodgy cgi will distract for the movie being a stunning testament to the brilliance of cinema. (10/10)

undeadmonkey: Pride and Prejudice (2005) - As someone who avoids these kind of movies, mainly as I never liked the book, as well as being a hater of pretty much everthing Keira Knightley touches (I'm still waiting for a decent performance, doesn't even have to be great, which would justify the attention she has received), it's obvious I have never seen this. As I mentioned though, I'll give everyone's top tens a go though, so I'll swallow my pride and give it a go. (N/A)

JohnErle: Edward Scissorhands (1990) – Winona Ryder upskirts never hurt, do they.... A beautiful tale so tragically told. Burton at his very best. (10/10)

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by silversurfer19 »

numbersix wrote:
JohnErle wrote:I liked this movie very much and I also wondered why Rosamund Pike didn't become a star after seeing her in this and that atrocious Bond movie she was in.
You should see Barney's Version. Not a great film but Pike was really good in it.
Did anyone see Rosamund Pike at the Baftas? I doubt anyone would EVER give her a job after that performance!!

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by undeadmonkey »

W wrote:
Buscemi wrote:Wait, Monkey's German?
At least it explains his love for David Hasselhoff.

yes, i have a german heritage. i love david hasselhoff??


silversurfer19 wrote:
undeadmonkey: Pride and Prejudice (2005) - As someone who avoids these kind of movies, mainly as I never liked the book, as well as being a hater of pretty much everthing Keira Knightley touches (I'm still waiting for a decent performance, doesn't even have to be great, which would justify the attention she has received), it's obvious I have never seen this. As I mentioned though, I'll give everyone's top tens a go though, so I'll swallow my pride and give it a go. (N/A)

maybe you should swallow your prejudice too ;) . just kidding, but considering your tastes for films, i wont say you'll love it, but i think you could like it. At the least, i think you would appreciate the quality of the film.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by Shrykespeare »

Well, it's getting late, and UDM never sent me his #3. Hopefully he'll do it posthaste.


MOVIE #3

Big day for Hitch and Coppola.


Shrykespeare

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)
– Director: George Lucas; starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, Peter Cushing, David Prowse and James Earl Jones. Geezer pretty much said it all yesterday: “It’s freaking STAR WARS.” I remember when this first came out… in the great metropolis of Phoenix, AZ, there was exactly ONE theater that was playing this movie, a huge venue with a three-story screen called the Cine Capri. Of course, when you are seven years old, the notion of waiting in line for ANYTHING will make your shoulders slump and your tiny mind wander. But in retrospect, waiting for this movie (probably still the longest I’ve ever waited in line for a movie) was sooooooooo worth it. I mean, when you’re seven years old, it doesn’t take much to blow your mind, but nothing like Star Wars, albiet in size, scope and technical flair had ever been conceived up till that point. Never had an entire universe been created so expertly and awesomely, and in so easy a way for a young mind to become engrossed in. In an era when CGI was nothing more than a coalition of letters you might find floating in a bowl of alphabet soup, this film re-set the bar at just what could be achieved on the big screen. I doubt there was a preteen (or teen) in America who, after seeing this movie, wasn’t pretending to be Luke Skywalker, flying his pretend X-wing fighter down whatever invisible trench his imagination could create in his front yard or on the playground. Every stick or sawed-off tree branch instantly became a light-saber. And, of course, the empire (pun semi-intended) that this film created for Lucas, complete with its decade-long marketing and advertising blitz, raked in a gajillion bucks because I and millions of tykes like me just couldn’t… get… enough. Some (well, many) think that The Empire Strikes Back is the best chapter of the trilogy, but I just can’t. Even if Empire or Return of the Jedi had never been created, this film stands so perfectly on its own. It’s the film that pushed me hard into sci-fi, a genre that included Star Trek, Dr. Who and so many others. This movie WAS my childhood. How could it not be one of my all-time favorites? (5th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v5VahaEL7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQFrl5rpXMg
(Death Star battle scene, re-edited… quite possibly the most famous action sequence of all time)


silversurfer

Alien (1979)
- Director: Ridley Scott; starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt and John Hurt. Is there a more terrifying, thrilling movie ever than Ridley Scott's stunning chiller? Has a tagline ever had such an immediate impact? "In space, no-one can hear you scream." That line in itself sends shivers down my spine. A movie which tipped it's genre on its head, avoided the wonder and awe of science fiction and the future in favour of one which is isolated, haunting, claustrophobic and truly, truly fearsome. I can still remember that first time I watched the movie, which, like many movies which my parents were wary of allowing me to watch, had to be watched when I was a little older, probably around 8 or 9, and I literally felt a chill come over me, I went cold with the fear Scott induced within me. He crafted a truly stunning story, one which revels in its slow pace, decisive and alluring, and one filled with tension. Even before the now infamous chest bursting scene, we are introduced to a set of characters who are not at all at ease with one another, where in a prison-like, claustrophobic ship they respond to an SOS signal from a nearby planet. Those long, sparse moments as we Scott uses eerie camera movements to glance around the ship, building up the tension and anticipation for something which we are uneasy of, unsure of what is to come. And what indeed does come? Man, while we are rarely shown the terror which is unearthed from Hurt's chest, that only serves to make it all the more fearful, all the more terrifying, as they say you always fear what you cannot see. A phenomenal, ruthless and unstoppable force with no weaknesses, it truly is the ultimate weapon, and it's understandable why the corporation wanted to study it. But what I think separates this from the sequel was that the crew were a team of everyday people. They were not soldiers, they everyday guys like you and me, with their own human weaknesses, fears and motives. And I suppose that is why Ripley became such a worthy adversary to the alien. She is literally fighting for her life, deflecting all her fears back onto the alien with all her might. It makes for a thrilling battle, one which reflects your own fears, sending your heart rate into the stratosphere. But the fears are not stemmed from just these two characters, Scott's use of visuals to heighten the tension through the use of ominous light and shadows, Goldsmith's haunting score, H.R Giger's organic visuals and a script which evokes so much realism that it makes it all the more disturbing. There was a time Ridley Scott was the most innovative, interesting and influential director working, and we may never see him return again to that status, but for this suspenseful movie, which reveals all our own fears in a claustrophobic and isolated atmosphere, I will forever hold out hope. (5th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eIpvZsEky4


thegreenarrow

Rear Window (1954)
- Director: Alfred Hitchcock; starring James Stewart, Grace Kelly and Thelma Ritter. While a few have mentioned my obvious love for Tim Burton movies, even he can't come close to the iconic talent of Alfred Hitchcock. Hitch had an ability to tell a story with an unequalled style, and Rear Window is one of my favourites. The story of an injured photographer reduced to observing his neighbours as he sits bound to his apartment is a fascinating murder mystery movie, filled with intrigue, suspense romance and humour. There are so many subtleties to the movie, with numerous subplots adding to the story as you witness the goings on of the surrounding neighbourhood. For instance, the first 30 minutes or so, we simply get to know the characters. Grace Kelly is ideal in the role of his perfect girlfriend, who can never find a way to break down Stewart's reserve. The study of their relationship would have made a good movie by itself. Almost every action and every word between them is filled with meaning, and what they see in the lives of others is an interesting reflection of the tensions and possibilities in their own present and future. The action and suspense that occur later serves in large part as a catalyst that resolves some of the important issues between the two. Add to that the scenes of the numerous neighbours who inhabit the area surrounding Stewart's apartment and you have a film which plays so well on repeated viewings, revealing moments of intrigue within each relationship. But what makes the story so fulfilling is the manner in which Hitchcock directs it, he builds up the suspense so expertly, using a variety of camera angles which heighten the viewers intrigue and reveal the depth of the story. It's a thrilling psychological study and one which brings into question the morality and ethics of its characters, it asks the viewers the same questions in which we have become voyeurs of celebrity culture, eager to cast judgement using only a binocular sized viewpoint. But more than anything it's an entertaining movie which can appeal to so many different audiences, one which keeps you glued to the screen from beginning to end. (8th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kCcZCMYw38


transformers

Fight Club (1999)
- Director: David Fincher; starring: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter and Jared Leto. A lot of people tend to say “the book is better than the movie”, I am not much of a reader myself, but I did read the novel Fight Club and it's fucking fantastic. That being said the movie blows it out of the water and that's saying something considering how great the book is. What makes this movie so special is how batshit crazy it is. Tyler Durden is one of psychotic characters in movie history. Brad Pitt really brought Durden to life in an insane way and he is mesmerizing in the part. The whole film is just as clever as the book, with black comedy, wit and brutal violence worked ingeniously into the script. When it comes to endings. There is seriously none better than this (even though I knew what was coming), it's jaw dropping. (9th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ8imPmQ0js


englishozzy

Die Hard (1988)
- Director: John McTiernan; starring Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia, Paul Gleason and Reginald VelJohnson. Bruce Willis started something with the everyman action hero that has been repeated so many times, but unlike most of the failures Die Hard stands up as the pinnacle of every man's action movie. A reliable fixture in everyone's DVD collection there is not much to say about this film but just sit back, stereo up and prepared to be blown away by Willis' smart-mouthed cop who takes it upon himself to save the day. (10th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qxBXm7ZUTM


Ron Burgundy

Pulp Fiction (1994)
- Director: Quentin Tarantino; starring Samuel L Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, Harvey Keitel, Bruce Willis, Ving Rhames, Tim Roth and Phil LaMarr. Tarantino, will you ever make something similar to this again? Probably not, but does he need to? Sort of. This is one helluva awesome piece of cinema. Pulp Fiction has great and very cool characters, innovative editing, unforgettable scenarios and one sweet soundtrack. Whats there not to like? (ask my old man, he doesn’t like it, but wont tell me why). I’d also like to know the relationship between several of these actors and Tarantino, surely Travolta has a lot to be thankful for, QT must love Jackson, Thurman too, Willis and Rhames must have lots of respect for QT, and Keitel too. (11th appearance)

Dance contest scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik-RsDGPI5Y


Buscemi

The Godfather (1972)
- Director: Francis Ford Coppola; starring Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, John Cazale, James Caan and Robert Duvall. The first chapter of the greatest trilogy in cinematic history. Focusing on the rise of Michael Corleone into becoming the title character, the film is a masterfully written and directed work of art with excellent performances from everyone involved. The story (based on Mario Puzo's novel) is sprawling and gets us into the story immediately with Vito Corleone's "I believe in America" speech. Though these are characters that are flawed and do bad things, Coppola manages to get us to care and know these people and why they do the things they do. Not many gangster films can do that. Also the film teaches us that gangsters are like family and that they almost always stick together (unless you betray your own or do something unforgiveable). This helps make the film easy to relate to. Though the film has often been imitated and parodied (and made into a great video game styled after Grand Theft Auto), the original trilogy is still the way to go. (8th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAfWMr26KQk


Chienfantome

Amelie (Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain) (2002)
– Director: Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus, Jamel Debbouze, Dominique Pinon, Isabelle Nanty and Yolande Moreau. After all my ecstatic comments each time it has appeared in one of your Tops, it must come as no surprise to you that Amelie is placed so high in my Top. Believe it or not, Amelie has a lot of haters in France. To this day, I can only explain that by the lack of imagination, and a lack of the adventurous spirit. For Amelie really is an adventure. No film could ever embark you on a cinematographic journey like Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s. His film is for the dreamers, those willing to let imagination be part of our lives. It is a journey through life, and everything there is to love about it. The little pleasures. The friendships. The dreams. And of course love. Amelie travels through a reinvented Paris, a Paris where everything is possible. The hopes and dreams become palpable. Jeunet films them with such creativity and virtuosity. I’ve loved Amelie from the very first time I saw it because it’s a film you get out of a different person from the one you were just before. It breathes into you, it makes you look at life with a different perspective. It makes you believe that anything is possible. Amelie is a film for the dreamers, a film that makes you love life more than you ever loved it. That’s the effect it has on me each time I watch it. And each time I watch it, I love it even more. (8th appearance)

Here’s a sweet and hilarious clip (subtitled) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDuWnv8fovo


numbersix

Vertigo (1958)
- Director: Alfred Hitchcock; starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes and Tom Helmore. Hitchcock may have been erratic in terms of quality, but he made so many films in his 50 or so active years that there’s bound to be good and bad. What I love about Hitchcock was his attempts to take the cerebral (he read philosophy and psychology) and mould it into something anyone can enjoy, whether they get the references or not. And for me Vertigo is the ultimate achievement in this. Every element of the production, from costume to music to art design to framing, combines together to convey a story about obsession. The plot should be familiar: an ex-cop suffering from vertigo is hired by an old friend to trail his wife who is acting as if she’s possessed. There’s plenty of twists and turns (some convoluted, some not), but all of it amounts to Stewart’s obsession. When he loses the woman he’s tailing (and who he started to fall for), he finds someone similar that he attempts to mould into the original. It’s almost a cliché now but no one did it as effectively as Hitch in this film. There are all sorts of fucked-up ideas going on in this movie: desire for loss, irreplaceable desire that destroys subsequent relationships, and an unconscious drive towards death. All of which spells tragedy. While most thrillers contain betrayal and conspiracy, this film takes it to the extremes, showing that the consequences (i.e. guilt) go so deep that it can destroy someone. (4th appearance)

Here’s one of the greatest nightmare sequences I’ve ever seen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgBQyhrQJJo


Banks

The Matrix (1999)
- Director: The Wachowski Brothers; starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving. Sitting in the theater as a 12-year-old kid, staring in awe as Keanu zooms off in the air at the end of the movie, I had no idea what had just hit me – I just knew it was goddamn awesome. The Matrix mixes a great mythology of following your destiny and coming into your own as a person, threw in some of the best action set pieces known to man, added some very cool machines, and produced what is probably one of the great action films of all-time. Not to mention it introduced bullet-time, something nobody had ever seen before. From the tension filled escape from the office building to the always iconic lobby shootout, The Matrix never lets up, alternating action with one of the best “What If?” premises: what if everything we knew was a façade? The thought of machines that had taken over the Earth and were using humans as makeshift batteries, while those humans languished in a glorified computer simulation was something that Little Kid Me was not ready for. Even if the Wachowskis spun out of control with the twisted mythology of the two sequels, The Matrix will always remain as perfect as it was the day I saw it in 1999. (10th appearance)

Neo realizes He is the One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oHOv9p9dHQ


BarcaRulz

The Godfather Part II (1974)
– Director: Francis Ford Coppola; starring Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and Robert DeNiro. (Sorry, no comments, too busy today.) (4th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJr92K_hKl0


Geezer

Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- Director: Steven Spielberg; starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Adam Goldberg, Giovanni Ribisi and Jeremy Davies. I am completely stunned to read that anyone actually has anything to criticize about this film. Not only is it the greatest war film ever made, it’s truly in a class by itself. At no point in this breathtaking cinematic achievement have I found myself bored, disinterested, or anything but completely enthralled with what is happening on screen. The opening scene, where Spielberg expertly depicts the storming of Omaha Beach not only inspired me to become so interested by the D-Day invasions that I wound up doing not one but two of the largest school projects of my life on the subject, but it was the greatest 30 minutes of film I'd seen at the time, and probably ever. Most of you seem to agree that this portion of the film deserves its praise, but in my opinion, there is no drop off from the first scene to the rest of the film. The plot is excellent, emotional and deep. The acting from every single character is top notch. Tom Hanks is at his very best. Tom Sizemore, Barry Pepper and Edward Burns are superb in support. The battle sequences are the best in any film I have ever seen. The final sequence holds up just as well as the opening scene, perhaps even better due to the emotional attachment you have grown to know over the course of the film. Whenever I stayed home sick from school, this is the movie I'd put on to pass the time. It's my father's favorite movie of all time. There is not one single flaw, not one single down moment, not a single frame is wasted. Its the greatest film from the greatest director of all time. The fact that it didn't win Best Picture is the greatest injustice in a long line of tragic mistakes the Academy Awards has made. It's just perfect. (7th appearance)

Opening scene (Omaha Beach): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_0muwlB8tc


leestu

The Shining (1980)
– Director: Stanley Kubrick; starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd and Scatman Crothers. One of the first times my parents thought I was old enough to be left at home to look after myself while they went out for the evening we rented a couple of videos to keep me occupied. This was one of them and watching it alone at night in my early teens was an experience I’ll never forget. I’ll admit it scared the hell out of me (figuratively speaking of course) but for some reason I loved that. I loved that a movie could be that powerful that it breaks through your reason and affects your raw emotions. I think now that this experience might be a reason why I watch and like horror movies. Maybe I’m forever (safely) chasing that feeling of being that terrified again much like I imagine a junkie continually chases that first high again. For the record: the longer version is without doubt the superior version. (9th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgMdz2fe0CY


W

Elf (2003)
- Director: Jon Favreau; starring Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Bob Newhart and Ed Asner. Everyone's favorite Christmas film should probably have made their list, after all it's a "favorite." This fantasy comedy is easily Will Ferrell's best role in my opinion. He's zany, full of joy, and so innocent, similar to a child. He's got some of my favorite lines in a comedy like "You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa," and the way he says "Franciscoooo..." it really is fun to say. He really drives the film with the character. Other than that, Ed Asner and and Bob Newhart play a great Santa and Papa Elf. James Caan plays a great... well, what I imagine James Caan to be. And Zooey, who doesn't love that girl (probably Buscemi, he hates everyone :) ) And yes, it's schmaltzy at the end, but it wouldn't be a Christmas film if it weren't.

Buddy in New York: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6yYd6Pq7Ic


NSpan

Buffalo ’66 (1998)
– Director: Vincent Gallo; starring Vincent Gallo, Christina Ricci, Ben Gazzara and Mickey Rourke. Taking a cue from Paris, Texas, this passion project of Vincent Gallo's resulted in one of the most memorable, funny, and endearing films ever made. I think people oftentimes approach this movie in the wrong way. This is a comedy through and through. Sure, there are plenty of serious themes--and the humor itself is black as night... but, if you "get" it, you'll be laughing from start to finish. Anjelica Huston and Ben Gazzara are simply amazing--and they play off each other wonderfully. The dinner scene is, at once, hysterical and painful to endure. Gallo may be a bit of an ass in the real world, but every aspect of this movie came together so well, and he gets full credit for that. Between his score and the soundtrack itself, Buffalo '66 effectively utilizes music in a way few films do. My only explanation for the Brown Bunny is that the universe decided this: Vinny Gallo had made one of the best movies ever made; to maintain balance in the cosmos, he must then make one of the worst films ever released on the big screen. And, with that, we once again achieve harmony with nature. PS. If you love Buffalo '66, give Big Fan a watch--it captures a lot of the same dark humor.

Kidnapping scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfjlqZf6Aao


undeadmonkey

The Lion King (1994) - Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff; starring Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons and James Earl Jones. I remember when i first saw it. Sitting in a auditorium, middle row, to the left. it was movie-time friday at kindergarten. Was about 5 or 6. The opening sequence was fantastic, the imagery, the music. it was mesmerizing. For the longest time i expected africa to look like that. A little part of me still expects that when i finally get to see Africa i expect the animals to all bow down and the music to start. I still remember the majestic parts, scary uncle Scar, The funny side characters, Timon and Pumba, Zazu, Rafiki. The love, the friendship. My favorite part though, is the scene with Rafiki and Simba in the pasture, before and after Mufasa's arrival. Just that interaction between the two has always been very special and interesting to me. (6th appearance)


JohnErle

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
– Director: Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam; starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. I'd never heard of Monty Python until a friend of mine acted out the entire Black Knight sequence hopping on one leg in our high school parking lot. The Pythons inspire that kind of geekish obsession and I'll probably be able to quote from this movie until the day I die. "Can't I have just a bit of peril?" Just typing that quote made me laugh. (10th appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKhEw7nD9C4
Happy 60th birthday Jet Li! (4/26/23)

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NSpan
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by NSpan »

Is there a longer version of the Shining available in wide-distribution in the US? I just checked Amazon, and it looks like--despite different packaging or upgrades in resolution--they're all essentially the same version.
On the run from Johnny Law ... ain't no trip to Cleveland.

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numbersix
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by numbersix »

What a round. Full of classics.

MOVIE #3

Shrykespeare:Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – My earliest memory of Star Wars was having an operation when I was about 7 or 8 and while convalescing at home, my parents rented the entire trilogy which I watched over 3 days. Man, I was transported to another world and loved it. And while many films I loved as a kid have rightfully faded, there's still brilliance in these films.

silversurfer: Alien (1979) - Brilliantly tense. These films freaked the hell out of me as a child but I ended up loving Aliens due to the action, and then finally loving this due to the tension, the characters, the direction, and the story. I'm still wary of Scott doing a prequel but we'll see how it goes.

thegreenarrow: Rear Window (1954) - It was in my Top 20, so I have only great things to say about it. Good point about the relationship being a key and engaging factor in the film long before we get a sniff of a possible murder.

transformers: Fight Club (1999) - Some great ideas in there, I admit, but I wonder what do people think it's really about?

englishozzy: Die Hard (1988) - An undeniably iconic action movie. They don't (and haven't) get much better than this.

Ron Burgundy: Pulp Fiction (1994) - 11 appearances is just fine with me. The film that led me to look beyond mainstream cinema. Thanks, Quentin.

Buscemi: The Godfather (1972) - Well said about the gangster/family connection (in helps in this case when they actually are family). Perfectly developed characters and an emotionally chilling ending.

Chienfantome: Amelie (Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain) (2002) – Oh I've come across a French hater of the film. His argument was that it had no sense of society, which ultimately means that he's criticising it for being unrealistic, and that all films should be like Godard's philosophical and sociological treatises. What an idiot. Not only is this a fantasy film, and a wonderful one at that, but it's also about the problem of relating to people when you want to hide withint your own imagination. A beautiful film that goes beyond being quirky.

Banks: The Matrix (1999) - I saw the film at 16, and that last shot made me laugh so hard, not because it was funny but because it was so out of place, and ultimately silly. I'm sure a lot of people consider my taste in movies to be pretentious, but for me pretentious is trying to sound smart but without being so, and this film fits that definition perfectly. Lots of silly philosophical quotes that lead nowhere, lots of Alice in Wodnerland reference that mean little, especially when delivered by two of the worst performances I've ever seen (Reeves, who generally is useless, and Fishburne, who can do better). Good idea and good action sequences though.

BarcaRulz: The Godfather Part II (1974) – A brilliant sequel that shows the further descent of Michael Corleone, contrasted with Vito's rise to power. Not as good as the first, but very powerful.

Geezer: Saving Private Ryan (1998) - Not a frame should be cut, eh? Not even the obvious, leading modern day sequences? Personally I could have done without them, and some of the dialogue during the journey feels unnatural. But the opening and the closing battles are indeed harrowing.

leestu: The Shining (1980) – Love it. Kubrick made a scary and intelligent film out of King's messy novel. NSpan, there's a substantial difference betwen the edition of The Shining I knew for most of my life, and of the one you guys probably know. The European edition has 24 minutes less, and runs at about 2 hours, where the US edition runs at about 2.5 hours. A lot of the cuts come early, such as Wendy talking to the doctor, Danny talking to his imaginary friend, etc. But a lot of Jack's frustration and misogyny are alos cut, which almost cripples one of the film's themes. So yeah, I think I prefer the longer version, even if Kubrick disagreed.

W: Elf (2003) - Never seen it.

NSpan: Buffalo ’66 (1998) – An excellent black comedy. Gallo and Ricci's er.. relationship... is brilliant realised. I must watch this again as I've only seen it once.

undeadmonkey

JohnErle: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) – Love this flick. Absolutely hilarious, with virtually nothing to criticise about it.

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englishozzy
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #10): 10-2

Post by englishozzy »

3

Surfer - Never has a film scared me so much as this one, a true iconic horror/suspense movie than has been the backbone of the industry since its inception. #106 on my list. 8/10

Transformer - Probably the best performance from Pitt and Norton and a film that no matter how many times i have watched it, im still finding extra things which change my whole complexion on the movie. #16 on my list. 9/10

Banks - Probably the best choregraphed fight scenes i have ever seen in a movie, not to mention that i love apocalyptic films and the fact that mankind destroys themselves through their own curiousity. 10/10

JohnErle - I totally agree with you that this is the most quotable film ever, and to still be funny 40 years on is testament to the boys. #26 on my list. 8/10
"Then telephone for an axe"

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