Favorite Movie

Monza860 · January 2009

Whats your favorite movie? It doesn't have to be Bond, for me Casino Royale.

TonyDP · January 2009

2001: A Space Odyssey

It's tough to pick only one, but 2001 really redefined the boundaries of moviemaking and storytelling. Its not often you can point to a movie and say that it helped shape you as a person but 2001 did just that, instilling in me a love of science, astronomy and computers that has stayed with me to this day. It's also a beautiful and thoughtful, almost poetic movie.

Nightshooter · January 2009

I fell asleep in the first five minutes of 2001 a few years ago (I was really tired), which is a shame, because I really wanted to see it. But Netflix streams it, so I will watch it again.

My favorite? A tie between Scorsese's Casino and Layer Cake.

Dan Same · January 2009

TonyDP wrote:

2001: A Space Odyssey

It's funny as 2001 (which I agree is a brilliant film) along with the Terminator films really made me scared of machines.

HAL must surely rank as one of the most terrifying fictional characters ever created; the cold logic that he espouses and the fact that he is willing to do anything to accomplish his objective is horrifying.

TonyDP · January 2009

Nightshooter wrote:

I fell asleep in the first five minutes of 2001 a few years ago (I was really tired), which is a shame, because I really wanted to see it. But Netflix streams it, so I will watch it again.

Yeah, its definitely a slow paced movie that takes its time to tell its story. You really have to be in the right frame of mind to be able to watch it in one sitting.

Dan Same wrote:

It's funny as 2001 (which I agree is a brilliant film) along with the Terminator films really made me scared of machines. HAL must surely rank as one of the most terrifying fictional characters ever created; the cold logic that he espouses and the fact that he is willing to do anything to accomplish his objective is horrifying.

Actually Dan, if you ever read the novels in the Odyssey series, you'll discover that HAL turns out to be quite a sympathetic character. The film never really bothered explaining why HAL did what he did (clearly his motivation was secondary to Kubrick) but Arthur C. Clarke's novels, especially 2001 and 2010, go to great details in giving up HAL's backstory and explaining the moral dilemma that led to his actions. The movie 2010 touches upon some of this but even that doesn't nearly do the novel justice. By the end of 2010 HAL even turns out to be something of a hero and at the end of 3001: The Final Odyssey, HAL and Dave actually save...well, you can read the books and discover what happens for yourself.

If you liked the movie, I'd strongly urge you to check out those two novels sometime as they really expand upon the story and Clarke's writing is, as always, fascinating and accessible.

Barry Nelson · January 2009

Tough choice, many films have resonated with me for various reasons, but if I had to pick one, I would say Straw Dogs. The 1971 movie directed by Sam Peckinpah stars Dustin Hoffman and Susan George. It's a psychological thriller that tells the story of a meek mild mannered man forced to violence to protect his home from some village hooligans. The movie really builds the tension which explodes in an orchestration of violence that only Peckinpah could do. The movie is either loved or hated by critics. Some complain about the violence, but the violence is key as Peckinpah attempts to prove, through a film, his theory that all man are violent.

The impact of the movie has always stayed with me.

Alex · January 2009

A Clockwork Orange. That one pretty much changed me for good.

I encountered it during the dawn of home video. A mesmerizing picture with never before heard, uncomprehendable Brit slang, and strong acts of violence set in an utterly bleak future. All pretty powerful stuff which gave me my first taste of classical music and Nazi ideology. It's been accused of misogyny and reveling in lead character Alex Delarge's ultra-violence but if you've read and understand the history of the novellete by Anthony Burgess then you'll begin to understand a little more of this disturbing movie.

Dan Same · January 2009

Alex wrote:

A Clockwork Orange.

You know Alex, you and I may be among the few members on this site to love this film.

If I remember correctly, several members attacked this film on a thread a while back in which Kubrick was mentioned (I remember the name of one of the members, but I will not name names. :v) Anyway, I agree with everything you said. My father gave it to me as a Hanukkah present many years ago, and I actually had to watch the film in two screenings as it disturbed me so much. The novel is also magnificent and is IMO a rare example of a great novel being made into an equally great (but different) film.

Napoleon Plural · January 2009

Alex wrote:

A Clockwork Orange. That one pretty much changed me for good.

For good?

Apparently it's been said that Kubrick ran into Gene Kelly at the Oscars the following year, and found himself blanked. Can't think why...

)

Barry Nelson · January 2009

Dan Same wrote:

Alex wrote:

A Clockwork Orange.

You know Alex, you and I may be among the few members on this site to love this film. If I remember correctly, several members attacked this film on a thread a while back in which Kubrick was mentioned (I remember the name of one of the members, but I will not name names. :v) Anyway, I agree with everything you said. My father gave it to me as a Hanukkah present many years ago, and I actually had to watch the film in two screenings as it disturbed me so much. The novel is also magnificent and is IMO a rare example of a great novel being made into an equally great (but different) film.

I have always liked a CLockworth Orange. What really surprised me, is when my late mother, a strict Catholic, told me see saw the movie on cable and really liked it. Can't imagine what she was thinking while viewing some of the early scenes when the gang was out on their rampages. Maybe she liked that the behavior modification worked.

Loeffelholz · January 2009

TonyDP wrote:

2001: A Space Odyssey

It's tough to pick only one, but 2001 really redefined the boundaries of moviemaking and storytelling. Its not often you can point to a movie and say that it helped shape you as a person but 2001 did just that, instilling in me a love of science, astronomy and computers that has stayed with me to this day. It's also a beautiful and thoughtful, almost poetic movie.

You and me both, Tony! {[] This film comes as close to pure art as a film ever has, IMRO...

My #2 is Sir David Lean's brilliant Lawrence of Arabia...

John Drake · January 2009

Dan Same wrote:

If I remember correctly, several members attacked this film on a thread a while back in which Kubrick was mentioned (I remember the name of one of the members, but I will not name names. :v)

I have a hard time picking one film. If I had to it would be a choice between Michel Soavi's Dellamorte Dellamore or Neil Jordan's Company of Wolves.

Willie Garvin · January 2009

For me,it's Casablanca.This one has everything:suspense,romance,intrigue,humor,a memorable score, and a collection of colorful characters.Additionally,Casablanca features a superb screenplay (filled with a number of quotable passages)interpreted by a group of talented performers.It's a classic that holds up over repeated viewings.

* * * *

Other favorites include:
1)Singin' in the Rain
2)The Adventures of Robin Hood
3)Scaramouche
4)Citizen Kane
5)The Bad and the Beautiful
6)The Mark of Zorro
and
7)The Magnificent Seven

Dan Same · January 2009

Barry Nelson wrote:

Dan Same wrote:

Alex wrote:

A Clockwork Orange.

You know Alex, you and I may be among the few members on this site to love this film. If I remember correctly, several members attacked this film on a thread a while back in which Kubrick was mentioned (I remember the name of one of the members, but I will not name names. :v) Anyway, I agree with everything you said. My father gave it to me as a Hanukkah present many years ago, and I actually had to watch the film in two screenings as it disturbed me so much. The novel is also magnificent and is IMO a rare example of a great novel being made into an equally great (but different) film.

I have always liked a Clockwork Orange. What really surprised me, is when my late mother, a strict Catholic, told me see saw the movie on cable and really liked it. Can't imagine what she was thinking while viewing some of the early scenes when the gang was out on their rampages. Maybe she liked that the behavior modification worked.

My father saw it with his former sister in-law when it came out in 1971. They had no idea what kind of film it was, but imagined that based on the title and that some people at the cienema were dressed up like Alex and his droogs, it ws some kind of kid's film or fairytale. Boy, were they wrong.

) (My father has never forgotten seeing the scene with the tramp.

)

BTW WG, Casablanca is an incredible film. :x

Mr Martini · January 2009

Monza860 wrote:

Whats your favorite movie?

Hands down, Pulp Fiction

Just a great movie with a great cast. Great script and great presentation.

Shatterhand67 · January 2009

Here is a list of my favorites. Quite the eclectic mix. The titles are in no particular order:

1) DONOVAN'S REEF: Starring John Wayne, Lee Marvin, Jack Warden, Dorothy Lamour and Elizabeth Allen. How I wish Elizabeth Allen had been a Bond girl. Absolutely gorgeous.

2) SLAP SHOT: Starring Paul Newman as player coach of a minor league hockey team in the mid 1970's. Also features Michael Ontkean...remember him from the 70's TV show The Rookies?

3) THE SAND PEBBLES: Starring Steve McQueen Richard Crenna, Richard Attenborough and a young Candice Bergen. This is a must see movie. Great cinematography.

4) THE ISLAND AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD: Starring Good Morning America's David Hartman. He plays an Ameican archeologist who, along with an Eskimo trapper (played by Mako...who's also in the Sand Pebbles) assists an English businessman in finding his son on a journey to an island forgotten by time that is run by Viking descendants. This is a Disney movie that came out when I was a kid. Those of you that didn't see it as a kid may not enjoy it as much.

5) 61*: Billy Crystal's HBO movie about the 1961 baseball season and the Mantle-Maris chase to eclipse Babe Ruth's single season home run record. As much as I love The Natural, Bull Durham and Field of Dreams; I consider THIS to be the best baseball movie I have ever seen. Thomas Jane and Barry Pepper are clones of Mantle and Maris.

6) FINDING FORRESTER: Starring Sean Connery. I think this is my favorite non-Bond Connery Role. He plays a reclusive author who assists a teen from the projects in developing his writing talent. Great lines in this one but none is better than, "You're the man NOW, DOG!"

7) IT'S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD: Star studded cast from early 1960's. This was my scoutmaster's favorite movie and he showed it to the troop every Christmas on his reel to reel projector. Jim Backus from Gilligan's Island fame provides my favorite line in this one as a drunk pilot, "I caaahn't see! I caaahn't see!

8) THE GREAT ESCAPE: I'm sure everyone has seen this one. A true classic.

9) LAWRENCE OF ARABIA: Another true classic. Peter O'Toole's defining role. (He got jobbed at the Oscar's on this one if you ask me.) Great cinematography and perhaps the most iconic score in movie making history.

10) CASABLANCA: No need to fill in any blanks for folks on this one either. This one probably leads the list for most people and certainly many film critics.

11) RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: Indy is the greatest action hero since Bond. Funny that it was made out of Spielberg's desire to do a Bond movie.

12) THIS IS SPINAL TAP: A rockumetary comedy. one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I guess I should have made this one number 11. Watch it and find out why.

13) THE QUITE MAN: Starring John Wayne. Another classic. Another all-star cast.

There's my baker's dozen.

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