Official Film Snobs Club, We have better taste than you. Options

[Cow-Moo]

Pocahontas OWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNS.
=]

She's been my favorite since I was 4.
So BOO YAH!

[ThunderEvermore]

Watching the Oscars right now and being reminded, constantly, by how much I despise the Academy. Ho hum.

Fairly predictable night.

Although how the bloody hell Tilda Swinton won Best Supporting Actress I'll never know.

[NoSex]

Although how the bloody hell Tilda Swinton won Best Supporting Actress I'll never know.

I actually didn't mind her winning - I think she is quite the master of subtlety, something I don't think I could say of most actresses. Not to mention, it isn't like any of the female roles were really fantastic this year.

I figured There Will Be Blood wouldn't win best picture (simply because of how blasphemous and ambiguous it was). No Country, that's alright. I like seeing the Cohen brothers with awards.

I'm pissed about Juno being nominated for anything in the first place, but I was really f**king pissed for it winning original script (I'm sure they could have found something, f**king something, better than that "too cool for school" shit).

P.S. Really happy that Once got original song.

[ThunderEvermore]

I actually didn't mind her winning - I think she is quite the master of subtlety, something I don't think I could say of most actresses. Not to mention, it isn't like any of the female roles were really fantastic this year.

I figured There Will Be Blood wouldn't win best picture (simply because of how blasphemous and ambiguous it was). No Country, that's alright. I like seeing the Cohen brothers with awards.

I'm pissed about Juno being nominated for anything in the first place, but I was really f**king pissed for it winning original script (I'm sure they could have found something, f**king something, better than that "too cool for school" shit).

P.S. Really happy that Once got original song.

I have to admit, while Juno yeah, had a ..well unique script, I thought it worked well with the setting. I mean, it was kind of witty. I laughed my ass off I know that.

I think they were trying too hard to fill a void left by Little Miss Sunshine, and so they went with the next best feel good yet wholly depressing comedy.

Granted, Michael Clayton was the shit, if it weren't Juno for original screenplay, I'd go with that.

As for Tilda, yeah, I dunno, she just didn't pop with me. I was thinking that Cate would get it, or at the very lease Amy Ryan.

[ersatz]

Cate never wins anything...terribly sad.

And that chick's name is Amy Adams. If she won, I'd be terribly sad.

[ThunderEvermore]

Cate never wins anything...terribly sad.

And that chick's name is Amy Adams. If she won, I'd be terribly sad.

Uh no, Amy Ryan from Gone Baby Gone.

Amy Adams wasnt nominated for anything.

[Djlunatix]

Uh no, Amy Ryan from Gone Baby Gone.

Amy Adams wasnt nominated for anything.

Amy Ryan was deserving as well, as Disturbing and Terrifying as Gone Baby Gone was, Amy Ryan's acting is excellent. Tilda Swinton should not have won FOR Clayton. I do think she has been snubbed in the past especially for her role in Adaptation. Clayton was a great movie, but not because of her. Tom Wilkinson should have been nominated as well. I called almost all the awards, except for Bourne Ultimatum, that was definitely the shock of the night. 3 Cheers for Diablo Cody, she deserved that award. I was happy for the Coen Bros. it was definitely there night to shine.

----

I was looking at my list, and I have noticed that my films are my favorites BECAUSE of my major. I have recently gone back and watched several of my top 20 list, and while I love every single one of those movies there are several that have been left out. Regardless of whether or not I am accepted into this club, I would gladly discuss any of my new yet more controversial top 10.

1.) Mean Creek
2.) Gummo
3.) A Guide to Recognizing your Saints
4.) The Machinist
5.) The Hole
6.) United States of Leland
7.) Bully
8.) Kids
9.) Hard Candy
10.)Paranoid Park

and one guilty pleasure (in the sense of casting, not storyline).
**Alpha Dog **

Once again don't consider this my reapplication, its more just a list of my own of films I deem worthy of my standards. No they don't exceed in camera angles, or have million dollar budget's. They suceed on story alone, and in my book thats enough.

P.S. Really happy that Once got original song.

If anyone actually though Enchanted was going to win... they were sadly mistaken. Once had it in the bag and they knew it. They also deserved it. Besides, Alan Menken has way to many awards anyways. :)

Count me IN!

(in no specific order)

3) Requiem For A Dream
9) Crash
19) Children of Men
20) Ghost

As you can see the ones I left above quoted I do feel deserve there spot in someone's top 20. While Ghost is a more shocking decision for me, its nice to see that some romantic drama's are worth of being in someone's list, and let's face it, Ghost was a good movie.

While a few of these are enjoyable to an extent, I wouldn't put them on a top ten list. I still think that Fight Club is horribly overrated. I refuse to watch a movie starring a leading actor or actress that has "Cruise" in their name and Vanilla Sky has two. I love Fifth Element for Chris Tucker's scream, if nothing else.

While I do agree that Fight Club is a highly overrated movie , after reading Chuck P's novel, THEN seeing the movie, the ridiculousness, the absurdities and common errors are all quite relevant to the story and movie. I do think the movie tries to appeal to a "younger" tweenage who only wants to see if for Brad Pitt but on a more adult note the movie does achieve what I wanted it to for an adaptation, surprisingly I enjoyed this adaptation more so then I did Atonement's, while Ian M's book is very short of an amazing read, and while the movie was spot on with it's accuracies, it just didn't live up to the books dramatic tension and passionate words. Where as both book and film of Fight Club made me blink twice.

------------

I miss conversing with you guys...something about East Texas film knowledge and my job at a local video store...really make me question what common America finds enjoyable..I am not sure if everyone agrees...but do we really need another Larry the Cable Guy movie?

[ThunderEvermore]

No, please no. I can't believe he's making movies. I mean, the last one HAD to tank!

Kudos on A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, one of my favorites. But you just can't lose with Shia, Robert Downey Jr., and of course Channing Tatum, who I believe acts far better than the movies he generally is in. Step Up? More like a step down.

[Djlunatix]

No, please no. I can't believe he's making movies. I mean, the last one HAD to tank!

Kudos on A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, one of my favorites. But you just can't lose with Shia, Robert Downey Jr., and of course Channing Tatum, who I believe acts far better than the movies he generally is in. Step Up? More like a step down.

Yea..I am thoroughly disaapointed with whatever company actually thinks of this movies...Witless Protection...srsly?

I think A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints is definitely one of the best performances Channing Tatum has been in. The movie is raw, passionate and the acting follows all the tension and dramatic dialogue perfectly. I saw Step Up, I saw She's the Man... its just sad that he has to do movies like that, when this movie could have made him a bigger star. I Do agree that the amatuer directing is definitely where the movie meets its flaws, but honestly with such a new director I didn't expect more then a great story, and for it to be based on his life was extremely impressive. The simplistic camera shots and art direction are shot brilliantly, and while its not a blockbuster hit, it suceeds in its portrayal of teenage urban society.

[ersatz]

Kids?! Haha, oh man...I've never seen it, but I've heard some people talking about it, and I'm gonna guess that you're gonna get a talking to for that one.

[Djlunatix]

Kids?! Haha, oh man...I've never seen it, but I've heard some people talking about it, and I'm gonna guess that you're gonna get a talking to for that one.

lol you make it sound like I am going to go to time out for watching or even enjoying it. I am a fan of Larry Clark's photography and directing styles, I enjoy the raw honesty of the movie. No its not a blockbuster hit, or even a B movie, but its indie style art direction appeals to me. Plus I like Chloë Sevigny and Rosario Dawson, so I can't help to be a little partial towards my critique. I like movies that aren't afraid to say things, regardless of how little those things really are. :)

[NoSex]

3 Cheers for Diablo Cody, she deserved that award.

Yo. I completely disagree. I thought that screenplay was rubbish. The dialogue was so obviously over-written, and, unfortunately, by a thirty something ex-stripper hell-shit-bent on still being a teenager. The story, to me, was overly simplified and moralized, which bored me. The characters, aside from maybe the yuppie couple and Juno herself, were all placeholders. And, worst of all, over the entire run time, I didn't laugh a single time. Aren't comedies supposed to be funny? I mean, it's teenage pregnancy! Funny right?! Not to mention quirky and so totally awesome indie. But, so funny!

Ahhhh crock of shit!

Yeah, I don't really like Juno.

1.) Mean Creek
2.) Gummo
3.) A Guide to Recognizing your Saints
4.) The Machinist
5.) The Hole
6.) United States of Leland
7.) Bully
8.) Kids
9.) Hard Candy
10.)Paranoid Park

Out of the five movies I've seen here, I only like one of them (Gummo). Larry Clark sort of pisses me off, although I did enjoy Ken Park. Bully is alright, and most certainly better than Kids (which I despise with an unyielding passion), but I still can't really rejoice in seeing it on any top anything list. The Machinist was just a wannabe twilight zone episode without any real feeling or captured social commentary (also just a sorry attempt at a similar personal failure, i.e. Session 9). Sure, Christian Bale was great, but that's it. I don't even want to talk about Hard Candy, cause I just never understood what everyone was shitting bricks about. However, Gummo is a mother f**king masterpiece - now there is one beautiful f**king poem (Julien Donkey-Boy is also quite nice).

As goes the others, unfortunately, I haven't seen them. However, I'm sure I will eventually (excluding only Paranoid Park, cause I hate Gus Van Sant).

However, in this shorter supplementary list, I can definitely see a lot more of your character. I don't love your taste, but, at least now, I can see it.

I miss conversing with you guys...something about East Texas film knowledge and my job at a local video store...really make me question what common America finds enjoyable..I am not sure if everyone agrees...but do we really need another Larry the Cable Guy movie?

Larry the Cable Guy? Oh f**k no.

lol you make it sound like I am going to go to time out for watching or even enjoying it. I am a fan of Larry Clark's photography and directing styles, I enjoy the raw honesty of the movie. No its not a blockbuster hit, or even a B movie, but its indie style art direction appeals to me. Plus I like Chloë Sevigny and Rosario Dawson, so I can't help to be a little partial towards my critique. I like movies that aren't afraid to say things, regardless of how little those things really are. :)

Here is some sarcasm for you:
Oh, shit yeah. Kids is so f**king brave. Like, you're going to get AIDS brave! Like, kids swearing and talking about sex brave! And, it just feels so much more real cause it's all handy-cam. Wow, that a-hole really knows what it's like on the mean streets as a kid. Like, you're going to get AIDS! Don't touch her, she's not consenting! Karmic retribution! Awesome!

Alright. More seriously:
I like Rosario Dawson a lot.

Also, I like you. And, I think you're very knowledgeable and have a lot of coherent and worthwhile things to say. I think you should be part of our club, if not only because you're one of the best contributors here - it would be stupid not to have you (seriously). So, would you be so kind as to grace us with your membership?


P.S. Innocence (2004) is a perfect little metaphor that makes me wish I were a girl. I think I want to take some women's studies courses one day.

[superstitious]

Besides the fact that I can't watch stone emoting (Chloë Sevigny), Kids is a terrible film. I was introduced to Kids when I was pregnant (haha) from someone who swore up and down that I would wet myself when I saw it. I still refuse to talk to him.

A film like Kids feels like it's trying far too hard to be avant garde. The contents of the film isn't anything new. It's basically a smooshed together After School Special with a bunch of unnecessary f**ks, drugs and ooooooo *gasp* Aids added to the mix. The whole thing just seems miserably contrived and forced. Chloë Sevigny makes me cringe, although I do agree that Rosario Dawson brought a smidgen of dignity to the film.

[NoSex]

I do agree that Rosario Dawson brought a smidgen of dignity to the film.

She has that magic.

[Djlunatix]

I would be glad to be apart of the film club. I sometimes feel my taste in movies and even music and books (mostly graphic novels...NO not manga..ugh) is sometimes out of the norm. Without even being a member, I still would converse with you guys, its actually one of the only places people DONT agree with me, but instead of just saying its stupid, they give reason. Its nice to have mature conversations about
movies that may or may not be liked by others, but still it opens a broad range of discussion and interesting topics.

But if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my bath






(lets see how many people caught the oscar reference above...oh renee zellweger)

[Teesa]

1.) Mean Creek
2.) Gummo
3.) A Guide to Recognizing your Saints
4.) The Machinist
5.) The Hole
6.) United States of Leland
7.) Bully
8.) Kids
9.) Hard Candy
10.)Paranoid Park

I absolutely loved Mean Creek..I thought the acting and storyline were just great.
I REALLY want to see The Machinist and United States of Leland (Ryan Gosling )
I also really liked Hard Candy..I haven't seen Juno yet, but Ellen Page was wonderful in it.

[NoSex]

I would be glad to be apart of the film club.

I'm glad.

P.S. You should all be reading this page (http://esotikafilm.com/). There are some fantastic reviews, and the short introduction to Eurotrash (under articles, entitled The Aesthetics of Eurotrash or a Primer to Watching European Genre Cinema), despite it's matter of fact-ness, really inspired my when I first read it, and it still echoes into my entire conception of film theory.

click to enlarge

Venus In Furs (Jess Franco, 1969)

[Teesa]

Oh! Here are some of my favorites, in NO particular order:

1.) The Green Mile
2.) American History X
3.) The Painted Veil
4.) Goodfellas
5.) Wag the Dog
6.) The Outsiders
7.) Mystic River
8.) Equilibrium
9.) Silence of the Lambs
10.) Little Miss Sunshine

[Djlunatix]

I just watched Garden State for the 4th time. And I must say that every time I watch it I fall in love with Natalie Portman's character, Sam. I have a lot of friends who are becoming Film Majors because of that movie, and I have to disagree with them. I think the movie is excellent but it succeeds with its Script, even Zach Braff's acting isn't that realistic. There wasn't a lot of unique camera shots, and barely any scene changes. I will say that the screenplay is brilliant. Anyone else seen it?

[ThunderEvermore]

I did see Garden State, wasn't a fan. Maybe I need to watch it again.

[Djlunatix]

I did see Garden State, wasn't a fan. Maybe I need to watch it again.

Like I said its not really an "impressive" movie. But I couldn't help but feeling good after it was over. Something about Natalie Portman's character just made me want to keep smiling, its definitely one of those movies to watch on a rainy day.

----

I am sooo excited about Michael Haneke's remake of Funny Games. I saw the 1997 French Version, and I am excited about the US remake of it! Its unique for a director to do the same film twice, I am already predicting a classic hit. Here is the trailer if you haven't seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec-70W_K77U

I am also a little excited about Tropic Thunder.
http://www.tropicthunder.com/

[*paperplane*]

1. Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain(Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2001)
2. The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson,2001)
3. The Science of Sleep (Michel Gondry, 2006)
4. Gone With the Wind (Victor Fleming, 1941)
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michael Gondry, 2004)
6. The Princess Bride (Rob Reiner, 1987)
7. Young Frankenstein (Mel Brooks, 1974)
8. Wet Hot American Summer (David Wain, 2001)
9. Heathers (Michael Lehmann, 1989)
10. Paris Je T'aime (Various, 2006)
11. Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola, 2003)
12. Dogma (Kevin Smith, 1999)
13. Chocolat (Lasse Halstrom, 2000)
14. Breakfast At Tiffany's (Blake Edwardsm 1961)
15. Ils se marièrent et eurent beaucoup d'enfants - Happily Ever After (Yann Attal, 2004)
16. 2 Days in Paris (Julie Delpy, 2007)
17. American Beauty (Sam Mendes, 1999)
18. Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942)
19. Love Actually (Richard Curtis, 2003)
20. Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly, 2001)

I know, but I like Donnie Darko. My list is probably fail. But I'll always have my music snobbery...

[Djlunatix]

2. The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson,2001)

10. Paris Je T'aime (Various, 2006)

I give you major props for having these on your list.

20. Donnie Darko (Richard Kelly, 2001)

I've give you props for having balls to put this on your list. :) I personally love the movie, but I'm only 1, several despise it, so watch out :)

[ThunderEvermore]

I was not a fan of the Royal Tenenbaums. I was recommended to see that, and I borrowed it from the kid. Can't say I liked it. I don't know what it is, considering I love everyone that was in that movie. It had it's funny parts but, I don't know, I just didn't really appreciate it.

Donnie Darko I liked, but I didn't find it to be the masterpiece everyone at my high school made it out to be. It was good, and pretty abstract, but it just wasn't fantastic.

Recently picked up memento on blu Ray. Amazing movie, love love love it.

[NoSex]

4.) Goodfellas

At least it's not The Godfather.

I just watched Garden State for the 4th time.

I've only seen it once, but I enjoyed it (if not just marginally). I thought it had a decent tone, but I'm not so impressed by the way it handled its themes. I would probably have to see it again before ever seriously analyzing it; it's been a while, I'm not so sure I remember the whole thing.

But, altogether, I thought it was a cute little movie.

I am sooo excited about Michael Haneke's remake of Funny Games.

Eh, I'm not really too interested. It seems sort of needless. Don't get me wrong, I like a re-visioning of a story. But, the same story, the same director, and practically the same script? Haneke himself has said it's just another way to get the movie out to a larger audience... just seems, superficial. I'll see it (if not just because of curiosity and Tim Roth), but I'm not exactly excited.

P.S. It's an Austrian film; not French.

My list is probably fail. But I'll always have my music snobbery...

Things I Like: The Royal Tenenbaums (was on one of the earliest top 20's), Lost in Translation, Young Frankenstein, Love Actually, and Heathers.

Things I Don't Like: Dogma (I would have been entirely pleased by Clerks), Casablanca, two Gondry films, Chocolat, and Amelie (the, "I actually don't watch foreign cinema film"), and the total absence of horror.

The rest is either things that could go either way for me or things I haven't seen (six movies). I'll be trying to make an effort to see a few of them, and I'll be thinking up a challenge for you soon. But, right now, my vote is pending. This list, for me, is quite a fence sitter. It's definitely not bad, but, in either case, you're lucky I like you.

I was not a fan of the Royal Tenenbaums.

I hated the movie when it first came out. A second viewing a year later stole my heart. Give it another chance, seriously. Wes Anderson has a magic of bringing out very real and visceral human emotion from immensely cartoon-ish characters. It's quite endearing, really.

Donnie Darko I liked, but I didn't find it to be the masterpiece everyone at my high school made it out to be. It was good, and pretty abstract, but it just wasn't fantastic.

I just think that Donnie Darko is a cute, fun, and hilarious little movie. It's definitely an enjoyable experience, but it isn't terribly brilliant, and to emphasize the sci-fi aspects of the movie, to me, is missing the point. When people struggle to make the movie into a mystery is when it fails - it's a f**king red herring. Love the characters, laugh with them and at them, period.

That's the most I have to say for Donnie Darko. That and Richard Kelly's newest film (Southland Tales) was not good.