Fantaverse Top 100 Movies of All Time (Thread #4): 70-61

[Shrykespeare]

MOVIE #68


Shrykespeare

Chicken Run (2000) – Directors: Peter Lord and Nick Park; starring Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha and Miranda Richardson. From the people behind Wallace & Gromit comes this truly endearing story about a gaggle of hens who seek to escape their dairy farm, which just happens to be run like a WWII P.O.W. camp. A definite parallel to The Great Escape, I think it is the greatest Clay-mation movie of all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVdlxwX6A7g


silversurfer

Night of The Living Dead (1968) - Director: George Romero; starring Judith O'Dea, Karl Hardman and Duane Jones. The granddaddy of all zombie flicks, it's hard to think it's been over 40 years since this first hit the big screen, as it's still as horrifying and socially relevant as it was when it first shocked audiences back then. Romero revolutionized horror movies, when in an age where the genre was generally set in haunted mansions or castles, he recognized that as his nation was fighting both physically and politically in Vietnam, America was looking nervously upon itself and so tapped into these anxieties by bringing terror right to the neighbourhood. It set a precedent, that the most familiar terror was most likely the one on its doorstep, and that claustrophobic notion terrified viewers. This was horror at its most probing, subversive and socially aware, with a truly harrowing ending that reveals the dangers of misdirected fear and prejudice, all wrapped up in some of the most terrifying enemies ever put onto the silver screen. However, this is not to say that the movie is only of it's time; no, it is still very much relevant in a post 9/11 world. I watched it again only last year and it still fits surprisingly well. You have probably seen countless imitations of the genre since, but to see the original NOTLD in all its gory detail is enough to make you believe that there really is life yet in intelligent independent horror.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gUKvmOEGCU


thegreenarrow

Alien (1979) – Director: Ridley Scott; starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton and Yaphet Kotto.

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


transformers

Saving Private Ryan (1998) - Director: Steven Spielberg; starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Edward Burns and Tom Sizemore. The first time I saw Saving Private Ryan I was absolutely floored by how realistic it was. The opening sequence portrayed the storming of Normandy, is one of the best sequences in the history of a film. The whole film is brutal and realistic. Spielberg does an excellent job directing and Tom Hanks give one of the best performances of his career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOpNFK14490


englishozzy

Ocean’s Eleven (2001) - Director: Steven Soderbergh; starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts and Bernie Mac. So often you watch a movie with an ensemble cast as impressive as this but end up watching a jumbled-up mess with each actor trying to outdo another. Fortunately we find with Ocean's Eleven it is the exact opposite; the experienced veterans such as Clooney, Pitt and Mac take a step back and letting the minor roles take centre stage. Elliot Gould and Carl Reiner put in the best performances of the film but it's the ensemble put together that really makes the film enjoyable. A very slick movie that never wastes a scene and the build-up to the actual heist is just as enjoyable as the final scenes. Some brilliant directing by Soderbergh with his trademark cutting working well for the film. (2nd appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7VTkceSsEw


Ron Burgundy

Scarface (1983) - Director: Brian De Palma; starring Al Pacino, Robert Loggia, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer and F. Murray Abraham. Some of the greatest lines ever come from this 80s epic crime caper, along with some of the best scenes. The story of Tony Montana is a great one, starting off at the bottom with the “cockaroaches” and going to the top of the drug game. And I loved that song; Push it to the Limit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-leaJrm_I0M
(ending gun battle, with “that” line)


Buscemi

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - Director: James Cameron; starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Robert Patrick, Edward Furlong and Joe Morton. One of the best sequels in cinematic history and a landmark in visual effects and action. Schwarzenegger shows us that he can be more than just a action hero and Cameron's writing and directing proves why he is considered "The King of the World". Linda Hamilton also takes a level in badass quite well (thanks to her acting combined with Cameron's uncanny ability to write female characters) and Robert Patrick is one hell of a villain. Not surprisingly, almost every modern summer blockbuster came about as a result of Terminator 2 (such as $100 million budgets, CGI effects and major scope and scale).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxgLwrW9h_A


Chienfantome

Un héros très discret (A Self-Made Hero) (1996) – Director : Jacques Audiard, starring Mathieu Kassovitz, Sandrine Kiberlain, Albert Dupontel, Anouk Grinberg. There was going to be a film by Jacques Audiard in my Top, of course. There could even have been several, from the man who’s slowly turning into one of the best filmmakers of his generation. Best known internationally for his most recent fare, Read My Lips, The Beat My Heart Skipped and A Prophet, the three of which were not far away from my Top 100, and which could all be included in a Top 200, probably, I have a particular fondness for an earlier film of his, Un héros très discret. It is mostly set during WWII, telling the story of a young nobody who became a Resistance hero… or at least claims to have been so. The film is told through testimonies, as if it was a documentary sometimes, a documentary dedicated to this mysterious “very discreet hero”, as the French title says. It is a powerful metaphor on the involvement of France in WWII, the disappointment of defeat, the opportunism of some and doubt cast over the country when the war ended and it was time to distinguish heroes and traitors. What makes the film so unique, beyond its narrative style, is the ability of Audiard to navigate between the tones, between seriousness of a film about collaborationism and self-declared heroism, and the silliness of a situation that brings lightness, and even laughter. The wonderful writing was awarded the Best Screenplay Prize at Cannes in 1996, deservedly so. I haven’t found anything on youtube, but here’s the French trailer on Daily Motion, without subtitles. But you get a good idea of what the film looks like, at least.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5pplv ... shortfilms


numbersix

Lost Highway (1997) - Director: David Lynch; starring Bill Pullman, Patricia Arquette and Balthazar Getty. Lynch is one of my favourite directors, not just for his uniqueness of vision but because of his ability to capture desire at its deepest level and construct a twisted story around it. Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive are similar films. In this, it’s about desire and its loss, portrayed in frustrated musician Bill Pullman who has lost his sexual confidence and then suspects his wife is unfaithful. She is found dead and he is thrown in jail, only to turn into a different person entirely. This new life is Pullman’s idealized character: young, sexually virulent, cool, powerful. But of course this “fantasy” is interrupted by external forces, such as his wife’s doppelganger making an appearance, being seduced yet still being beyond his control. So even in his ideal Pullman’s character can’t sustain what he wants. And that’s the tragedy of Lost Highway: our ideals can never be obtained.

In this scene Pullman encounters a sinister figure who is beyond space and time, a representation of his inner malicious desires: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shsoML0ioDQ


Banks

True Lies (1994) - Director: James Cameron; starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold and Bill Paxton. I caught True Lies when I was very little and haven’t stopped loving it yet. It’s got Arnie snapping necks in all his one-liner glory, Jamie Lee Curtis at probably her funniest, and a horse cop chase through a skyscraper. Tom Arnold and Bill Paxton are the standouts though. (2nd appearance)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBCcKzHr4bc


BarcaRulz

The Sixth Sense (1999) - Director: M. Night Shyamalan; starring Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, and Toni Collette. It doesn't matter what you think about Shamalamadingdong now, but this movie was fantastic. Had possible one of the best child performances ever, had an excellent plot, and one of the most suspenseful story twists I have ever seen in a movie. Amazingly, as much as the film hinges on its ending, it does not loose any of its appeal on repeat viewings despite people knowing the twists, something you cannot say is true of other twist-reliant films.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2sDw-XBuKc


Geezer

The Prestige (2006) - Director: Christopher Nolan; starring: Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson. Christopher Nolan once again proves how much of a genius he is, with a truly original, awe inspiring film. The script is tight, the ideas are mesmerizing, the acting is pristine, and it has a top 5 all time ending. I just bought this the other day, and I'll be re-watching it again soon. Nolan is a cinematic God.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4gHCmTQDVI


leestu

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) – Director Amy Heckerling; starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, and Phoebe Cates. Although I liked all of John Hughes’ 80s high school movies, none of them match this classic. Like so many others the trailer does not do the movie justice and probably would not make you want to see the movie if you haven’t already so here is a montage of Sean Penn’s Spicoli scenes instead. He was such a memorable character, although there is more to this movie than him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf5rIuJPTt0


W

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) - Director: Nicholas Stoller; starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell, Milas Kunis, Russell Brand and Jonah Hill. Hilarious movie I haven't had a chance to watch a second time. With multiple viewings, I have no doubt that it will make the 100. Jason Segel is starting to become a favorite of mine. And who didn't want to see the puppet Dracula opera when they first mentioned it? (link)

Dracula's Lament (from Craig Ferguson, so I hope its ok):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3SsYyTUu50&NR=1

[numbersix]

MOVIE #69

Shrykespeare: The Arrival (1996) – I'm pretty sure I saw this late one night on TV, and it just felt like an overlong Twilight Zone episode.

silversurfer & Buscemi - One of sci-fi's crowning glories, I can't get enough of this film. I even have the 5-disc DVD edition (still have to watch Scott's latest cut of it). Let me say this... ignore the original cut, it doesn't work and Scott and Ford hated it. It's the Director's cut (1992) that is the real Blade Runner film, what with the unicorn dream sequence and the origami scene - essential to the theme of the film, which is what is it to be a human. The irony of the film is that the replicants are more "human" than the humans, making this film far more than a beautiful portrayal of a dystopic future.

thegreenarrow: The Lady Vanishes (1938) – A very under-rated Hitch film. It may not be infused with psychological elements like Psycho or Vertigo, but as a thriller it's brilliantly made.

transformers: The Lion King (1994) - One of many classics I haven't seen.

englishozzy: Shane (1953) - Really need to check this out.

Ron Burgundy: The Matrix (1999) - I wouldn't be surprised to see this as the most common film in the Top 100s. I'm still underwhelmed by it, as there's too many problems to think of it as any more than a visual experience. And if the best you can say is its use of slo-mo that doesn't mean much to me.

Chienfantome: Full Metal Jacket (1987) – Great first half, but the second seems redundant. The loss of humanity is already proved by the first half, so even though the atmosphere of the war scenes is riviting, it just feels far from perfect. And this is coming from a huge Kubrick fan (I've 5 of his films in my top 100!).

Banks: Heathers (1989) - I know this is considered to be a cult classic, but I feel that it gets a little silly, so much so that its satirical edge is lost. Not bad, just not amazing.

BarcaRulz: The Lives of Others (2006) - A really great movie, and one I need to revisit. A great story, great characters, and a tragic ending.

Geezer: Major Payne (1995) - Still haven't seen it, still not interested.

leestu: Rocky (1976) – Remember what I was saying about classics I haven't seen?

W: John Q (2002) - This film got such poor reviews that it never made the cinemas over here.

[numbersix]

MOVIE #68

Shrykespeare: Chicken Run (2000) – As claymation goes, I think any of the Wallace and Gromit films are far better than this. I think it's far too referential to The Great Escape and it only really works as a kids film. there just doesn't seem to be much for the adults to enjoy. And as far as animated farmyard adventures go, Fantastic Mr Fox is better too.

silversurfer: Night of The Living Dead (1968) - I do love this film, as it did indeed completely re-invent zombie films. The sequel is better, as it's just better made and the social message is a tad stronger. But I do think the ending is amazing.

thegreenarrow: Alien (1979) – Absolutely terrifying. A brilliantly original horror movie.

transformers: Saving Private Ryan (1998) - I love the first 30 minutes of this film (and not just because it was filmed in Ireland). It's raw, powerful, and downright scary. However, the rest of the film feels a hell of a lot unrealistic after that, and some of the dialogue doesn't work.

englishozzy: Ocean’s Eleven (2001) - Awful, hollow, vacuous film. Like a 100-minute perfume advert.

Ron Burgundy: Scarface (1983) - A somewhat insane film, and while many see it as Pacino's peak, I see it as the start of his decline into caricature.

Buscemi: Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - It's only a pity every other blockbuster doesn't come close to this.

Chienfantome: Un héros très discret (A Self-Made Hero) (1996) – I loved A Prophet and The Beat that my Heart Skipped, so I need to see this.

Banks: True Lies (1994) - More Cameron, but this is a good one. Not as good as the Terminators, but very few films are.

BarcaRulz: The Sixth Sense (1999) - Good performances, but far too many plotholes. I've never got this love for Shyamalan.

Geezer: The Prestige (2006) - there's one huge plot contrivance (Jackman's character being led on a wild goose chase only to actually find what he's looking for), Bowie is awful, and Johnasson is wasted, but I do think this film stands up on multiple viewings, and the two leads are excellent.

leestu: Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) – Haven't seen it.

W: Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) - Saw it quite recently on TV, and I was pleasantly surprised. A decent movie with some good characters and a few good jokes, but not something I'd ever consider in my Top 100.

[Chienfantome]

#68

Shryke - Chicken Run
I haven't seen it since theater, I can't believe that was 10 years ago. I remember it was a fun little film, but like Six points out, it was a step back after the Wallace and Gromit aventures.

Surfer - Night of the living dead
I'm not a huge specialist on Zombie movies, and I have to admit I have never seen it.

greenarrow - Alien
And here comes another of those essential films that barely missed my Top. Ridley Scott has never directed better films than his first three, The Duellists, Alien and Blade Runner. No matter what some James Cameron fanatics think, this is the best Alien movie, by far. It completely shaped the sci-fi horror genre, and the only reason it isn't in my Top is because I haven't seen it in a looong time.

transformers - Saving Private Ryan
Two great films in a row. A masterful work from Spielberg, whose only defect is probably an unnecessary prologue and epilogue in the present. But it is such a powerful war film, it's easily forgivable.

Ozzy - Ocean's 11
Nope, still not convinced that this is a good Soderbergh film. It's too easy and too lazy to be really good.

Ron B - Scarface
I've only seen it once on tv a few years back, and was not exactly impressed by it. It can be interesting and enticing, but it's so OTT that in the end, the film has the opposite effect desired and does not last.

Buscemi - Terminator 2
Pffffffff... There's way too much James Cameron's films for my own taste... Another one ! Okay, T2 is one of his best films, and it is, yes, highly entertaining for most of its parts. But the happy ending always gets on my nerve.

Six - Lost Highway
A very, very good choice from you Six. There may be a few Lynch film that annoys me, but this is at the other end of the spectrum. This, I flat out love. Lynch has never been so hypnotizing and dark. Mulholland Drive is clearly in the same vein, and perfects Lost highway, but I love this one more.

Banks - True Lies
Damn, another Cameron film. And this one, contrary to T2, I don't like. I'm not especially a big fan of the french film it remakes, but this is the typical Hollywood remake who blows everything up when the original is less... less... wel it's less, but in a good way

Barca - The Sixth Sense
I had been to see this one twice in theater. First because I loved it the first time, second because I was really curious to see if it was as good the second time, while knowing the ending. And the truth is it definitely loses power once you know. But it's still a good film from Shyamalan, something that seems like ages ago...

Geezer - The Prestige
This is a book that enchanted me. I read Priest's book before Nolan turned it into a film, and it was a major fantasy book for me, one that really stayed with me and impressed me. I was excited and wary at the same time of a film adaptation. I suppose having read the book before, and knowing what would happen, certainly lessened the effect of the film on me. I wasn't really surprised, at least not scenaristically. But I still enjoyed the film a lot, as Bale and Jackman are perfectly cast and the atsmophere developped lives up to the expectation.

leestu - Fast times at ridgemont high
A friend of mine who was dying to see this film for ages showed it to me on dvd 5 or 6 years ago, while I wasn't aware of it. I had a great time. The dialogues are sharp, the characters funnily crafted. A great comedy.

W - Forgetting Sarah Marshall
A truly enjoyable comedy. It's surprisingly delicate and undelicately funny, which makes for a great mix.

[silversurfer19]

#68
Buscemi - Terminator 2
Pffffffff... There's way too much James Cameron's films for my own taste... Another one ! Okay, T2 is one of his best films, and it is, yes, highly entertaining for most of its parts. But the happy ending always gets on my nerve.

Happy ending? Is that before or after Arnie dips himself into the vat of molten steel?

[Chienfantome]

Don't tell me you consider Arnie sacrificing himself a bitter ending, surfer ! The happy ending comes right after that, yes ! When the world is saved and all traces erased with the death of Arnie, thus ensuring those damn machines won't bother us again. I mean, I like T2, but the ending kills the film.

[Geezer]

You wouldn't know a good film if they dropped it on your big toe!

[numbersix]

I remember the ending of T2 being slightly more ambiguous than being an outright happy film: "The unknown future rolls toward us. I face it, for the first time, with a sense of hope. Because if a machine, a Terminator, can learn the value of human life, maybe we can too." To me it's not definite. Plus, the sequels proved it wasn't too happy

[numbersix]

You wouldn't know a god film if they dropped it on your big toe!

What's a god film?

[Chienfantome]

But I can't consider the tone of an ending by looking at its sequels by directors that are not Cameron.
And yes, the line you cite Six confirms for me the happy ending. Because the "unknown future" refers to a future without the machine, which was the future they knew would happen but suddenly won't happen anymore. So now it's "Cool, there won't be a nuclear war after all, and if a machine can learn the value of life, maybe we can too, it's going to be super cool in the future now". Now, I know I exagerate, and I do that on purpose because it's funny to do so. But behind the exageration lies a truth

[numbersix]

Lol. Well, an unknown future isn't a good one either, it's one where something bad could happen. She has "hope" but that doesn't mean she's happy.. yet. There's a reluctance. She's a suspicious character, after all.

[silversurfer19]

What I find funniest is that Chien saw fit to spoiler the ending to T2, that's like spoilering the identity of Santa to a 30 year old...

[Buscemi]

You wouldn't know a god film if they dropped it on your big toe!

What's a god film?

Max von Sydow in The Greatest Story Ever Told. Ming the Merciless plays Jesus!

[Chienfantome]

What I find funniest is that Chien saw fit to spoiler the ending to T2, that's like spoilering the identity of Santa to a 30 year old...

Well, you never know
I know there are some films I should have seen but haven't, so I prefer to assume that possibly someone hasn't seen T2

[Chienfantome]

Lol. Well, an unknown future isn't a good one either, it's one where something bad could happen. She has "hope" but that doesn't mean she's happy.. yet. There's a reluctance. She's a suspicious character, after all.

Bof, I'm not convinced...
The reluctance is too light. You mentionned the sequels, well the best Terminator ending ever is the third one's But that's another story !