I know. You don't need to get all defensive about it.

In it's entirety There Will Be Blood is absolutely amazing, but IMO the milkshake scene is practically the greatest accomplishment in American cinema in the last decade or so. I mean I watched it like.... 8954894589 times over and over again on youtube lol.

And I only called it the milkshake scene because I thought you'd all know instantly what I was talking about.

Touchy.

Film snobs club.

And thanks for the list, Nate. I am at least familiar with most of them.

You'll probably hate/reject most of my favourites, but what the hell. I've got nothing to lose.

So here are some of the movies I really enjoyed based on cinematography and overall storyline (in no particular order).

1. Beauty and the Beast (Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise ; 1991)
2. The Lion King (Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff ; 1994)
3. I Am Sam (Jessie Nelson ; 2001)
4. V for Vendetta (James McTeigue ; 2006)
5. Life is Beautiful (La Vita è bella) (Roberto Benigni ; 1998)
6. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Lasse Hallström ; 1993)
7. The Truman Show (Peter Weir ; 1998)
8. Amelie (Jean-Pierre Jeunet ; 2001)
9. Scent of a Woman (Martin Brest ; 1992)
10. Thirteen (Catherine Hardwicke ; 2003)
11. Fight Club (David Fincher ; 1999)
12. Infernal Affairs (Mou Gaan Dou) (Wai-keung Lau, Siu Fai Mak ; 2004)
13. Juno (Jason Reitman ; 2007)
14. Crash (Paul Haggis ; 2004)
15. Edward Scissorhands (Tim Burton ; 1990)
16. Big Fish (Tim Burton ; 2003)
17. Catch Me If You Can (Steven Spielberg ; 2002)
18. Hot Fuzz (Edgar Wright ; 2007)
19. My Sassy Girl (Yeopgijeogin Geunyeo) (Jae-young Kwak ; 2001)
20. Zoolander (Ben Stiller ; 2001) ------> just because it's so freaking brilliant

Haha I wasn't meaning to be touchy so much as enamored with the movie.

And when you referred to it as the milkshake scene I assumed it was mocking, haha. Apologies.

Word. You shouldn't definitely throw some thoughts and feelings our way (everyone else who is already a member can vote on applications: just reminding everyone), it'll help us evaluate your application. So far, you definitely have one of the better lists, I just really can't send you a "yes" without torturing you through some horror... or at least, I couldn't without a clean conscience.



None of this really moves me (albeit Annie Hall). It's not a wholly awful list, but it's certainly not good. The inclusion of Casablanca, The Godfather, and A Clockwork Orange still irritate me. A lot of the AFI Top 100 are represented here in perfect ho-hum-ness.

Pans Labyrinth was useless (aside from some super cool special effects and makeup). Waking Life is idiotically inferior to Linklater's Slacker. Everything is Illuminated blew my a-hole (nothing like Tim Burton meets Schindler's List meets "indie" hype to piss me off). And, I still feel like an a-hole for having never seen Harold and Maude... but, somehow, I seem to be caring less and less.



Way too many "auto-no's." Crash (2004), Thirteen, Big Fish, Zoolander, Juno, and V for Vendetta are all some of the worst films I have ever, regrettably, seen. Further, the lack of horror, or... f**k, anything good at all...

When the best films in your list were made by Disney you know you have a problem.

Haha, fair enough. To each their own, right?
And considering how I've only ever watched two 'horror' movies in my life (Jeepers Creepers and The Shining, which I fell asleep to)....

I just read your profile, and I must say... I'm quite surprised you have The OC in your list of TV shows. But Heroes and Veronica Mars? Niiiiice.

Blue Velvet: If you haven't seen it yet, you really truly must. Blue Velvet changed my life when I first saw it. It, how does that beautiful trailer put it...? "Opened" my "eyes to a world" I had "never seen before." Yeah, amazing movie and a great place to start broadening your horizon and exploring new tastes.

Even if you don't like the movie after watching it (p.s. it can take multiple viewings), it can still be a very worthwhile experience. Critically examine the film... find out exactly what you liked and didn't... etc. etc.

PEP TLAK FOVER.



Nerves kind of sensitive? I know a ton of people that can't really take the supposed "intensity" of it all. If you need something to train on, I highly suggest Clive Barker's Hellraiser (that's how I learned when I was like eight, through parted fingers and big blankets).



I was starting to lose my pitying admiration for The O.C., but then I was watching some last night, and I was pretty into it. So, I'm still good... but, to be honest, I'm surprise myself. Ahh ha.

P.S. Veronica Mars is like the best f**king thing ever. I'm so pissed off Rob Thomas wasn't permitted to take it as far as he had wanted.

^ Haha, nah it's nothing about my sensitivity. I've only watched those two movies because I'm a MAJOR scaredy-cat. I had nightmares for a month after The Shining, even though I fell asleep/closed my eyes at all the scary parts hahahaha.

Did you watch the season premiere that didn't get aired on TV? THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A KICK ASS SEASON!!!!

Half the premier got deleted from youtube, like, the day before I tried to watch I miss Veronica Mars.

Love love love the OC. I just finished watching my first season DVDs over again and I forgot how much I love it.

Veronica Mars, not so much. I don't know what it was about it. It just didnt shine for me. It was good enough for me to buy two seasons though, haha.

Some of my current favorites:

Patch Adams
V for Vendetta
Somethings Gotta Give
A Lot Like Love
Into the Blue

You remind me of that Count Pococurante guy from that Voltaire story and I am amused.

But seriously, how can you not completely adore Manhattan? I love it more than Annie Hall, I think. It saved me from living the rest of my life as a cynic.

And the Aronofsky! How does that not move you? After watching Requiem for a Dream, my film school friend exclaimed "it's like being punched in the cock with emotion!" And he's sooo completely right. That should've been the tagline.

There was indie hype about Everything is Illuminated? I just watched it because I dig the Jonathan Safran Foer novel.

Not complaining or anything, I'm just wondering is all.




Oh and like it or not, the world needs Disney movies.
Well, at least the old ones. Who gives a f**k about 3-D talking clownfish? Not me.

Jonathan Safran Foer is a brilliant author, and it is a perfectly good reason to watch the movie.

I'm poor.



I'm a cynic.



I tend to enjoy films that I grow to love, not movies that appeal most immediately in the spectacle. This is not to say that I dislike Requiem for a Dream (or that I find it exploitative, or that exploitation is bad). I simply feel that Aronofsky's film is too much of a song and a poem I've heard before... done with more precision and more power. It moves you when you see it, but its message lacks depth. The experience, though immediately affecting and visceral, is actually quite shallow; it's a clever trick, surely.

The long and short: I like it, but not really on a top anything list.



You can complain all you want - I f**king encourage it.

Questions: Why don't you like horror films?
Why don't you like Donnie Darko?
Give me five movies you use to like and now hate (and tell me why).
OR
Five best documentaries.




Not, although, a perfectly good reason to watch, like, and then add to a top 20 list... the movie.

That was meant to explain why there was indie hype in the first place; indie kids like reading and stuff, and that book was a very popular best-seller, and so a lot of indie kids would have read it, and so a lot of indie kids would be excited for the movie.

You shouldn't hold that part of it against BadCraziness.

So I've gathered.


I think Requiem for a Dream had a more lasting effect on me because I made myself read the book before I saw the movie. The message is a lot clearer and gets more attention in the book. With the whole death of the American Dream thing, it's a lot like Gatsby with junkies. Which is a recipe for WIN, imo.


btw ersatz have you Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close?
That book is my one true love~*
Well second to Franny & Zooey.

Yes, agreed, and yes to Franny and Zooey. Although...I'm feeling very partial to Catch-22 lately. It was just so well-written, and hilarious, really.

Nice book tastes. :D But this is the movies thread! :O

Umm...movies...I want Wes Anderson to adopt me!

I wish every movie had an instruction manual.

It's not an instruction manual - it's the same thing only lasting longer, like with most novels with film adaptations. Themes are almost always more overstated/prevalent in literature than anywhere else because from what I've gathered movies tend to be a lot more plot-driven and instantaneous.

Either way, you wouldn't need an instruction manual - the title pretty much gives everything away.





RIGHT um. Is there an official book snobs club anywhere? haha
Because if not we could totally make one and feel superior~*
Copyright violations aside.


BTW if you liked Catch-22 I think you'd like A Confederacy of Dunces, if you haven't read it already. Both are pretty much the most hilarious things ever written.

I don't think you understood my comment: I was saying that your refutation of Requiem for a Dream's shallowness was insufficient because it proposed supplementary materials in order to absolve its own deficiencies.

1 - I love horror films. I love the gore, I love the acting, I love the music. Note that this is a typical sentiment of horror films, not how I feel about all horror films. Like Keanu Reeves, they are just misunderstood. Actually, scratch that last statement. For the life of me I cannot understand why I defend that guy ("but he serves a purpose!")

2 - I do like Donnie Darko, but in moderation.

Movies I used to like but now hate:

Edward Scissorhands
I went through a Johnny Depp haze. He's one of the first actors that made me want to masturbate (sans scissors of course). The reason why I now dislike it is because I've been exposed to more and better. I think it's perfectly acceptable to go through phases when you like directors like Tim Burton, but at one point you grow out of it. Winona Ryder's acting is horrific and I still have nightmares about her hair. The story was so-so, a little too much dramedy for me and the ending was far more predictable than it was to me, when I liked the film.

Gone with the Wind
Yes, I know, it's a classic. Sue me. It's entirely too long and the protagonist doesn't have one likable quality, other than being attractive. I got sucked into "it's a classic" and felt obligated to enjoy the film. I'm not entirely sure that I ever did. I have a hard time with over the top acting (unless it's a horror film) and this film doesn't go a second without it. I'll admit that the film did make some strides in cinematic history, but that doesn't mean that it's a good movie.

The Matrix
Oh yes, I loved The Matrix. I loved Neo. I wanted a I love Neo t-shirt and a keychain with a button that when depressed, would say "whoa." I think I was high. No actually, there are entertaining moments in the film and I'd slaughter anyone who got in the way between me and Trinity's wardrobe but beyond that, it's shallow. Perhaps it's supposed to be shallow. I could forgive that, even appreciate that. However, since the Wachowski brothers insisted on something beyond a bubblegum movie, I find myself ticking while watching the movie because it's an insulting movie to me.

Valentine
It's a horror movie. It stars David Boreanaz. I have no other excuse. I can't get through the first scene now though. I think it's guilt. Not much more to say on that, my apologies.

Pillow Talk
The quintessential date movie. I got sucked into Rock Hudson (oh my god he died of aids!) and Doris Day. Doris Day. I'd like to bash her head in with a rock. I shouldn't have to sit through a movie and want to scream "shut the f**k up" the entire time, yet she has that exact effect on me. When I was younger, it was cute. I'm older and she's the anti Christ.

Yeah, not the best examples of reasoning, but it's been a long day.

You can add "proud" to that list.

P.S. I love how you answer nearly all the challenges, Rebecca. They are actually intended for specific applicants (for evaluative purposes). Whether you noticed that or not, it's still great that you answer them - makes this place better.

For you -

And I do what I can in these busy times. Besides, I love self mockery.

Ohhhhh.
I wasn't trying to refute or argue anything - I can see how the movie can be considered shallow. If I wanted to argue otherwise I would have stuck with the movie.

I was simply saying that the story in its entirety (and in novel form) isn't shallow at all.


Do I come off as ridiculously argumentative or something?

Ahh ha! No, I'm just a "total prick."

If you're still interested in membership, I suggest you meet your challenges.
Otherwise, I can't rightly give you a "yes" at this stage.

pfft. no one's a total anything, so don't .. . un-flatter yourself.

And okay, but hold on, because figuring out what my favorite documentaries are is going to take about a bajillion years.

Ugh having a favorite anything is so unnatural.

I was recently suggested to watch some movies directed by Lars Von Trier. I currently have Breaking the Waves and Dancer in the Dark sitting on my shelf waiting to be watched, but I just want to hear some thoughts on this guy and see what I'm in for.

And if you must know, the third of my blockbuster total access movies is Dead Zone.

I'll have to challenge this one and say that Battlestar Galatica is the best Fraking thing ever. Hope some of you are intently obsessed as I am.

But onto film news.

I am a Cinematography major and my short film that is due in a few weeks has the potential to be submitted in some of the popular film festivals. We are 3/4 shooting, and our viewing went relatively well, so as soon as we are done, I'll have a link for proper viewings of it.

Also.

I recently watched The Virgin Spring by Ingmar Bergman and I must say that the movie not only disturbed me but made me question some things in life. The film was shot completely with 22 actors/crew so its rather simplistic in its making, I watched it because Bergman recognizes the film as an award winner that jump started his career financially, any hardly ever mentions it in his book Bergman on Bergman but I think its one of his best pieces of work ever. Anyone else seen it?

It's not really like that...



I must admit, I've never seen a Lars Von Trier film (though I've wanted to see The Idiots for a long time now). But, just a note: A friend of mine is very proud of the fact that he cries like a baby every time he watches Dancer in the Dark.




I've been meaning to watch Battlestar Galactica for a while now. But, I'm in the middle of like five shows, ahh ha. I hear it's amazing.



That's very exciting. I'll definitely be anticipating that.



I've been meaning to see The Virgin Spring ever since 1) I started getting into Bergman, and 2) I found out that Wes Craven's The Last House of the Left was a remake. I have it and I just haven't watched it yet (this post is making me feel real lazy, ahh ha). Although, I will, given this gentle reminder, surely make time for it soon.

I like films that involves NoSex.

Hey, film prick - Is Thirteen REALLY that bad? I haven't seen it and I'm curious since one of the stars is in Twilight (that comes in December).

I challenge you to tell me WHY it is bad, if it is bad.

Watched Breaking the Waves and let me tell you, incredibly awkward. Like, not awkward in the sense that I couldn't watch it, but awkward in the sense that I felt a little dirty watching it. I can't say much about the directing, the whole thing felt very home movie-ish to me, but I can say that I didn't start going to my computer until about 2 hours into it. So it held my attention, quality overall movie, I wouldn't watch it again, or purchase it, but maybe that's just me.

There Will be Blood came out today on DVD. Got it. Lent it. I'm excited.

Quick Update.

Just watched Atonement again, I love it even more so the 2nd time around. Watched the featurette where they show you the process of the steady cam tracking shot, it is even more impressive then I thought, they did it all in 1 TAKE. They rehearsed it several times, but as for actual footage, it was only done once, completely through. Amazing I must say.

Also i watched Kurosawa's Rashomon, I enjoyed it but I don't think its Kurosawa's best. The simplistic design of the movie was entertaining and Toshiro Mifune was a great actor, I just thought it was rather bland for Kurosawa. Anyone else seen it?

I haven't seen Thirteen in a million years, but:
It's an emotionally dishonest PSA with a larger production value. The children are walking stereotypes and completely devoid of sympathizing realism or insight. The story is unmoving as it has no true urgency and an entirely fabricated sense of rawness (worse and more plastic than even Kids). The story, curiously, sounds as if it were written by a "moral crusader." And, beyond all of its folly, it is still just not an interesting piece. There is nothing particularly admirable about it - because of this, its shortcomings are that much more offensive.




Admittingly, I haven't seen much Kurosawa, however, I did quite enjoy Rashomon. For me, the depiction of a crime story re-told during a storm (near a fallen temple?) was so eerie, true to life, and perfectly symbolic that I was immediately engaged. The malice of the characters, the strangeness of the narration, and the cynicism for mankind, in the end, truly did it for me. That we are not, even in the end, sure of exactly what had conspired is of particular interest. And, of course, the black and white photography was beautiful.

Is that even POSSIBLE?

Dude, watch it.

Dude, it's in the queue.

My mom made me watch Thirteen when I was thirteen trying to persuade me to be a good kid.

Lets see this past week i've watched.


Oceans 13.
The fact that the entire Casino's exterior was CGI, extremely impressive. I love Soderburgh even though his movies are for entertainment purposes only, but then again whats exactly so wrong with that. Not every film can be a oscar winner.

Bonnie and Clyde
Wow..first time watching it, I was absolutely stunned. Incredible cinematography and the acting is brilliant, became one of my favorite films.

2001: A Space Odyssey
Whats not to love about Kubrick, people can argue that his movies are not that great, but I have such a high regards to his work, nobody can convince me otherwise.

Easy Rider
Depressing, yet highly enjoyable. Love the realism and use of a score throughout the movie was great. Acting from Nicholson,Fonda and Hopper was great, there chemistry was amazing.

Charlie Bartlett
I will say to defend Charlie Bartlett from the critical reception its similar take on Rushmore is spot on, I thought the acting while mediocre was really believable and over all just a fun movie to watch.

Juno
Still one of my indie favorites, I love the script and still feel that Cody deserves all the credit she got for this movie.

There Will Be Blood.
Finally finished it, because I am not a fan of P.T.Anderson but the movie was amazing, while I don't feel it should have won best picture, I think No Country or Atonement is much more deserving, the film deserves the critical reception its receiving, the brilliant acting,cinematography and score was incredible, every decision regarding the making of this film was EXACTLY how it should have been. Pure Classic


Anyone else watch anything, we've been quite inactive for a few days now.

Charlie Bartlett suuuuuuuuuuuucks.

The characters were awful. The mom was absolutely abhorrent. Not funny at all and rather annoying. Charlie and Susan having sex was the stupidest thing I've ever witnessed. If they were trying to make him so much like Max Fischer, they definitely went wrong there. Max would never give himself up for his first kiss (much less losing his virginity, in the same makeout session) with such a vapid, annoying, uninteresting teenage girl. Susan was nothing. What the hell was she? Like, "Ooooh, my dad barges into my room sometimes and it sucks, and I smoke, ooooh I'm a rebel." She had NO substance. The whole Susan's dad waving the gun scene was dull and overdramatic. There was no real conflict. His dad was in jail for tax fraud and they tried to make it seem like that was some horrible big deal. It's not. They pushed a dramatic situation on you that was completely unbelievable. It was all unbelievable, actually, and sometimes I don't mind that (Juno was a little unbelievable; no one really talks like that, but it was still alright...), but this movie just didn't work, altogether. The whole movie was them trying to make these mundane situations seem important and dramatic, and none of it really was. Who the hell cares if Susan's dad misses her singing (I HATE it when movies do that; insert parts where a character can sing so the actor can feel cool about themselves, and she wasn't that good anyway). Who cares if her dad IN THE PAST got drunk sometimes? Who cares if she smokes? Who cares if this guy's gonna lose his job? I didn't care about any of it. I just wanted to go home.

If anything I feel Charlie Bartlett is a coming of age teenage comedy that deals with rather adult themes, and no its not impressive in the sense of camera work, or even acting, but for a teenage comedy, its above average then other movies we've seen. This generation is HIGHLY medicated, and there isn't exactly a movie out there that embraces it with a touch of cynicism like this movie does. No, this movie wont become an instant classic, or a fan favorite (ie. Ferris Bueller, Harold and Maude) but thats not what Director John Poll was going for, he was going for a light hearted comedy that also touches on adult matters that even a high school student can understand and appreciate.

Hm. The kiss in the car wasn't his first kiss, btw.

Quick Update....little tipsy.

Saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and wow Gratuitous Male and Female Nudity. Raunchy Comedic elements, and possibly one of the best story lines for an Apatow produced movie, it was simply brilliant and great, the one liners were excellent and no character was overtly distracting by the actors talent, it was perfect in every way.

Oh, I thought it was. Either way.

Although I've been busy (and watching television with nearly all of my free time), I was able to watch a few movies this past week. I really need to start a routine again, but whatever:

Match Point
- I actually was really surprised by Match Point. Not only did it catch me off guard as a wholly original endeavor for Woody Allen, it was also quite good. The idea of luck, and chance happening as a real force in the human experience is powerful. The eroticism, though not nearly as heavy as I would have liked, between the two lead characters is fantastic. The ending is nearly impeccable.

Sweeny Todd
- f**k this movie. I love musicals. I like Johnny Depp. I hate Tim Burton. This was such a boring - one note - experience. The music was meandering and slow. The lack of color and variety in set/tone/etc. did not really emphasize the basic themes of the film, because the tragedy of our protagonist is not well-defined enough in the beginning. So, really, the gloominess of it all just enforced the blandness of the film. Wholly uninteresting.

Spiderman 3
- I don't think I can possibly understand why everyone was so unhappy with this installment. Sam Raimi, I feel, did an amazing job. I would argue that this is, at least, better than the second film. Even further, I might say this is the funnest and most engaging yet. Although I have a few criticisms, it is a Spiderman flick. Can't forget to mention - hilarious cameo by Bruce Campbell.

Through a Glass Darkly
- I believe this was entirely shot on the island that Bergman died on. It's beautiful. It's a tight character drama, very play-like (Bergman described it as a "chamber film"), which takes place over a mere twenty-four hour span. It's the beginning of Bergman's Silence of God trilogy, and deals, largely, with the absurdity of art, the fear of a godless world, and the frailty of the human mind. The illusion to Charlotte Perkins Gilman's The Yellow Wallpaper, is amazing (as it is one of my favorite short stories). The performances are stellar. The island has a life of itself, and it is captured quite well... even from the first few frames.





1. There Will Be Blood did not win best picture.
2. No Country for Old Men won best picture.
3. I think the only reason There Will Be Blood didn't win, is because it's so blasphemous.
4. There Will Be Blood is the only picture nominated (that I saw) that I felt deserved the award.

Oh i knew No Country For Old Men won Best Picture, but I am saying that a lot of critics thought There Will Be Blood should have won, and I disagree. I wanted Atonement to win, but since they won the BAFTA's they didn't stand a chance at the Oscars.

Watched Lars and the Real Girl.

Made me cry, seriously.

What is that movie about other than a guy loving a doll?....

Give it all away, I don't care. Spoiler tags, if you must...

I bought that, on a whim, since Juno had a 5$ coupon off of it.

I have yet to watch it... I haven't had time to watch a movie since the Caps made it into the playoffs. Hahaha.

Went and saw Forgetting Sarah Marshall twice (two different women). Loved it, definitely. Jason Segel is hilarious, a Mila Kunis is just wow, gorgeous. As is Kristin Bell.

I didn't cry because it was overtly sad, or romantic, or happy. The movie tugs on heartstrings in a odd way because of the fact its a doll. The premise of the movie is below in spoiler tags, though I highly recommend seeing this movie.

The movie about a guy who is lonely and has a disorder where it actually causes him pain to hug people. He creates in his mind that Bianca (the doll) is real, and it becomes an obsession to him. The Psychiatrist tells his brother and sister-in-law to go along with it, until Lars doesn't need the doll anymore, so the entire community gets involved with this because they all want to see Lars be ok. In the end Lars slowly starts talking and going out with a girl from work (who is Kelli Garner) which ultimately causes fights between Lars and Bianca. In the end Lars finally realizes that he doesn't need Bianca and she dies. It was really emotional.

Like I said the movie itself isn't overtly sad, it just makes you think and appreciate life and your relationships a little more then other movies with the same mission does. The acting is superb and this could be Ryan Gosling's best role to date. I wish this movie would have gotten a little more publicity but I understand its indie atmosphere, some people won't get this movie, and thats ok, its not for everyone to "get".

Hope you all enjoy it.

mhm

That was one of my top foreigns.



Although my write up wasn't nearly as descriptive (in fact, I'm reading the wording and ouch. I could have done way better. I forgive myself, since it was part of a "list").

By the way, I don't think that Spiderman 3 was a bad film, it was just grossly out of comic continuity. I know, big deal, right? I try to separate the two mediums, but sometimes it is very difficult to do so. I am actually terrified to see Iron Man.