I know there are a few of us on here who are movie enthuiasts (Patricia, Tony, Jax?, etc). So, let's hear some good movie recommendations. The further away from mainstream, the better.
Alch,
I good indie movie that I found inspiring is called "Saint Ralph". Its on DVD and was released in 2004. Its about a young kid who is told he is nothing in life and his teachers are always telling him he'll amount to nothing and he is hyper-active. They get him involved in the school's track & field program and he hates it at first. Well, his mother is dying in the hospital and Ralph is told that "only a miracle can save her".
He diecides to run in the Boston marathon becuase he is told that "winning it would take a miracle" and he believes that if he runs and wins the race, his mother will be cured.
A good movie with some laughs and plenty of inspiration. I give it 2 thumbs up.
Well, 2006 is going to close out with some really, really impressive films in the theater.
I've seen, "The Fountain". And (have I mentioned this here?), it's a beautiful, beautiful haunting love story contained in a sci fi wrapper. After three long years waiting for this movie, was finally able to see it and...it's been in my thoughts since. I hope, really hope that Hugh Jackman receives nods for his acting in this film as it was one helluva raw emotional performance.
Coming up, this week, is Dreamgirls. Go see it, not for Beyonce, but for gal that was eliminated from "American Idol", Jennifer Hudson. My gawd. What pipes and she can act! This is a for sure entry into "Best Picture" and supporting and best actress catagories. Possible "supporting actor" nod to Eddie Murphy; at least there's buzz for that. Crazy.
Also:
Pan's Labyrinth. Genius Guilermo del Toro's latest and it's a beauty. Caught a bit while at this last Comic-Con and a good friend got to hang out with del Toro - color me a deep dark green of envy. This one has an awesome story and gorgeous art design. Oh yeah, go see this one.
Children of Men. Another sci fi drama - directed by Alphonso Cuaron; he who directed Little Princess (beautiful, absolutely stunning) and the best (so far) Harry Potter - The Prisoner of Azkaban. This one stars Clive Owen (who keeps choosing some really great compelling roles), and Julianne Moore. Simple synopsis: in the future, humankind is on the brink of extinction; women can't get pregnant. And there is one woman who is discovered is pregnant - and possibly holds the key to our survival.
300 - the new full trailer is out for this awesome flick. At least the trailers looks awesome and some news is leaking out of an early screening that drew lots of WOWs. This one is due for March. And it can't get here soon enough.
Uh...I've got more...but give me a bit...homework has been slacking and I gotta play catch up.
Edit to add: Eeeks! Forgot one - and it'll be released (wide) in a couple of weeks. Zhang Yimou's (Hero, Raise the Red Lantern, House of Flying Daggers ), "Curse of the Golden Flower. Stars Chow Yun Fat and China's best ever actress, Gong Li. Uh, so far, critics have not been kind. But the visuals from the film look gorgeous - as to expect from a Yimou film.
And don't forget that there's going to be "Hostel II" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". Also: The Good German (which looks REALLY good), and what might be interesting: "Factory Girl" - about Andy Warhol muse, Edie Sedgwick. Oh, and this summer: Spider-man 3!!!!!!!!!!!
There's going to be a huge mixed bag of films coming out through 2007. Great stuff!
A Christmas movie that is not recommended for kids. It's about a spontaneous Christmas Eve truce in the trenches during WW I. The French, German, and Scottish Armies have trenches so close to one another that they can't help but hear each other's Christmas celebrations and be drawn together. Based on a true story.
It was a very good and a very moving movie.
Beware, it's in French, German, and English, with poor subtitles. I don't mind subtitles, but these were incomplete. I think it was on purpose. There's enough for you to get the gist, but that's about it. Strange.
My only complaint was that it seemed like the Scottish were brainwashed to think that the other side needed to be wiped out, destroyed, annihalated at all costs (so that they would never trouble the world again), while the few subtitles of the Germans and French didn't seem to show that. I speak neither, so they may have been portrayed equally. I wish I knew.
Even with that (and my beliefs that war is terrible but sometimes necessary), I really liked the movie. It's important to know how bad war can be so we we don't engage in them lightly.
Have you seen, "A Midnight Clear"? The movie takes place towards the end of WWII; there's a German and American platoon - they're facing each other off in some isolated area and both are not aware that Germany's in it's "last throes" - both groups basically set aside whatever difference and celebrate Christmas together - before it all goes bad (the Germans, in the beginning, are refusing to surrender...).
It's a really good movie - directed by the excellent Keith Gordon (who directed the most recent episode of Dexter).
Oh, and here's one that's out on DVD. And I VERY VERY highly recommend this one: Brick.
Basically a 40's crime thriller noir set in a modern high school. Crazy good stuff!
"City of God" Excellent movie that shows the progression of crime from decade to decade in Brazil. It shows how a few people can effect an entire population, and effect a change in society. excellent. Subtitled
"Amores Perros" I own this, and went out and bought it when i read reviews of it because it was so intriguing. Fits a few stories together, and works them around a near fatal car crash, dog fighting, and the love of dogs for some people. Gritty, dirty, very realistic dog fighting set in Mexico. Subtitled
"La Jette" A very short, short film directed by chris marker in 1962. It's a favorite of film teachers, and is an extremely beautiful film. The entire film is comprised of still photographs with french narriation. There is only one scene in it that is an actual shot, and you can only tell by an eye flutter. You're going to have to check small movie stores for this as it's out of print, and a foreign film. It's available on the dvd short 2-dreams, but you'll end up paying an arm and a leg for it.
Have you seen, "A Midnight Clear"? The movie takes place towards the end of WWII; there's a German and American platoon - they're facing each other off in some isolated area and both are not aware that Germany's in it's "last throes" - both groups basically set aside whatever difference and celebrate Christmas together - before it all goes bad (the Germans, in the beginning, are refusing to surrender...).
It's a really good movie - directed by the excellent Keith Gordon (who directed the most recent episode of Dexter).
Oh, and here's one that's out on DVD. And I VERY VERY highly recommend this one: Brick.
Basically a 40's crime thriller noir set in a modern high school. Crazy good stuff!
brick was good, but extremely hard to follow with all the lingo. it definately lends itself to multiple viewings.
Alch,
I good indie movie that I found inspiring is called "Saint Ralph". Its on DVD and was released in 2004. Its about a young kid who is told he is nothing in life and his teachers are always telling him he'll amount to nothing and he is hyper-active. They get him involved in the school's track & field program and he hates it at first. Well, his mother is dying in the hospital and Ralph is told that "only a miracle can save her".
He diecides to run in the Boston marathon becuase he is told that "winning it would take a miracle" and he believes that if he runs and wins the race, his mother will be cured.
A good movie with some laughs and plenty of inspiration. I give it 2 thumbs up.
children of men looks real good. I enjoyed Y Tu Mama Tambien in the theatre, and i beleive he did the best harry potter b/c of how dark it was.
i can't remember if it was the one Lost mentioned or you, Patricia, but i remember seeing a preview in one of the movies for a war movie like that, and thought it was interesting. I'll add them to my netflix.
children of men looks real good. I enjoyed Y Tu Mama Tambien in the theatre, and i beleive he did the best harry potter b/c of how dark it was.
i can't remember if it was the one Lost mentioned or you, Patricia, but i remember seeing a preview in one of the movies for a war movie like that, and thought it was interesting. I'll add them to my netflix.
Hey, if you're at all interested in werewolves AND soldiers, check out "Dog Soldiers". One of the best werewolf movie I've ever seen.
The guy who directed that, went on to do the recent, "The Descent" - about a bunch of cave explorin' gals and it's all horror. Both of these are on DVD.
Another terrific werewolf horror flick: Ginger Snaps (or Gingersnaps). Parallels werewolf'ism and puberty. Also on DVD.
And glad you're also an Alphonso Cuaron fan - he's a terrific director and I know I'll always look forward to his flicks!
Hey, if you're at all interested in werewolves AND soldiers, check out "Dog Soldiers". One of the best werewolf movie I've ever seen.
The guy who directed that, went on to do the recent, "The Descent" - about a bunch of cave explorin' gals and it's all horror. Both of these are on DVD.
Another terrific werewolf horror flick: Ginger Snaps (or Gingersnaps). Parallels werewolf'ism and puberty. Also on DVD.
And glad you're also an Alphonso Cuaron fan - he's a terrific director and I know I'll always look forward to his flicks!
i don't think the decent is on dvd yet. i've had it on my netflix queue for like 2 months... comes out Dec 26. I'm itching to see it. Big horror fan.
i don't think the decent is on dvd yet. i've had it on my netflix queue for like 2 months... comes out Dec 26. I'm itching to see it. Big horror fan.
I'll check out those movies. thanks
Oh, crap - it's not out yet? Great flick.
Dog Soldiers will help in the meantime. It's got lots of gore and is just really creative and fun. Fun as in not in a "oooweee that was FUN!", but in a "holy crap this flick is great!!!!" fun.
I REALLY want to see The Fountain and after Pat's brief (albeit awesome) review, I am making it a point to seeing it ASAP.
Warning: Don't go to this flick on a date. Don't see it before you go on a date. From the middle of the movie (the scene in the tub - you'll know what I mean), I began crying. By the end (at the Hugh Jackman's character self-realization - you'll see what I mean), I was an all out blabbering mess.
This movie will touch on deep emotional crevices and open them up. It's really a MOVING film as you experience it totally.
This movie also deals with issues in a more eastern philosophical way - it's utterly fascinating, too.
As you can see, after two weeks of seeing this thing, I still can't get it out of my head. Best movie. Well, until Pan's Labyrinth.
Edit to add: The year's best music for a film has to be The Fountain. The music is as haunting as the film; it really sets the tone of the movie. You can get it on iTunes, too. But I haven't been able to as everytime I hear any bit of the music, I break out in tears. Someday, I'll get over this film.....someday.
Warning: Don't go to this flick on a date. Don't see it before you go on a date. From the middle of the movie (the scene in the tub - you'll know what I mean), I began crying. By the end (at the Hugh Jackman's character self-realization - you'll see what I mean), I was an all out blabbering mess.
This movie will touch on deep emotional crevices and open them up. It's really a MOVING film as you experience it totally.
This movie also deals with issues in a more eastern philosophical way - it's utterly fascinating, too.
As you can see, after two weeks of seeing this thing, I still can't get it out of my head. Best movie. Well, until Pan's Labyrinth.
hahahahahahaha. What are you trying to say? That I would cry on a first date? Sheesh......
ok guys, what's on your netflix queue or blockbuster.. whatever. Here's mine:
1. The Decent
2. Ikiru
3. The Devil and Daniel Johnston
4. Ran
5. Slither
6. Hostel
7. Murderball
8. Dirty Pretty Things
9. Elevator to the Gallows
10. Dog Soliders
hahahahahahaha. What are you trying to say? That I would cry on a first date? Sheesh......
dude, what movie was it that you cried in that everyone ribbed you (and still does)? I hope it was a cry worthy movie, like Finding Neverland or something
ok guys, what's on your netflix queue or blockbuster.. whatever. Here's mine:
1. The Decent
2. Ikiru
3. The Devil and Daniel Johnston
4. Ran
5. Slither
6. Hostel
7. Murderball
8. Dirty Pretty Things
9. Elevator to the Gallows
10. Dog Soliders
Loved Murderball. Just loved it.
RAN? Oh man, I own that baby. Will be adding Slither and The Descent to my collection. Oh yeah. Soon, maybe even Dog Soldiers.
Before you see Hostel, why not check out the "Hills Have Eyes" and "Wolf Creek" - these two are MUCH better and effectively scarier than Hostel. Another one is by the director of the Hills Have Eyes, and that's "High Tension". Another one I recommend.
Edit to add: since I've been on this horror movie binge, another flick I need to recommend is from Korea. And yes, it's a horror movie. "A Tale of Two Sisters". Creepy, beautiful cinematography and an awesome story.
And...with "Ikiru" and "RAN" - you're in a Kurosawa mood, eh? Cool. You know he was practically blind when he made "RAN"? Amazing to know this when watching the wonderful compositions of his scenes. You might want to check out a documentary about Kurosawa. It's also on DVD and highly recommended!
RAN? Oh man, I own that baby. Will be adding Slither and The Descent to my collection. Oh yeah. Soon, maybe even Dog Soldiers.
Before you see Hostel, why not check out the "Hills Have Eyes" and "Wolf Creek" - these two are MUCH better and effectively scarier than Hostel. Another one is by the director of the Hills Have Eyes, and that's "High Tension". Another one I recommend.
i saw the original hills have eyes by craven and enjoyed it. I heard wolf creek is very disturbing with the australian accent and everything.
i saw the original hills have eyes by craven and enjoyed it. I heard wolf creek is very disturbing with the australian accent and everything.
No real happy ending in "Wolf Creek" too - it's dark til the very end. It IS disturbing. In other words, a true horror movie.
The remake of "Hills..." is just....even MORE disturbing than Craven's original. He chose the guy to direct the remake, too. This guy is talented, that's for sure.
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