What are your favorite movies?

[Michael]

Everyone has an opinion here. What are your favorite movies?

I'll start by listing Apocolypse Now - I absolutely love this movie and never get tired of seeing it over and over again. The 'directors cut' version is even better than the original (I think) due to the addition of the scene in the French colonial outpost. That scene adds a whole lot of depth and context to the message of the movie.

Other than that, I'm a big fan of LOTR, anything with James Bond in it, or the classic Pink Panther movies with Peter Sellers, or the original Raiders of the Lost Ark.

These are all timeless classics that I can watch over and over again. I think that's a key way to judge 'really good' movies. If you don't want to watch that movie a dozen times, then it obviously isn't all that good...

[partofme]

I love Stanley Kubrick films.

[Michael]

I love Stanley Kubrick films.

Oh yes... Clockwork Orange has to be one of his very best (I live for the 9th!). I also liked Hall and 2001, but his last movie was pathetic and pretentious (Eyes Wide Shut).

[partofme]

Oh yes... Clockwork Orange has to be one of his very best (I live for the 9th!). I also liked Hall and 2001, but his last movie was pathetic and pretentious (Eyes Wide Shut).

I would not say it was among his best but I did think it was worth seeing.

[partofme]

There are a few movies that come on HBO, Showtime, and Stars that I end up watching every damn time they are on. The Big Lebowski, Fargo, and Pulp Fiction are three that come to mind. If they are on I will start watching and think to myself that I need to change the channel and there is just no need to watch them again but I end up sitting through them the whole time. I keep waiting for a certain scene and then when it's over I will think: well this other great part is coming up and so on.

[Michael]

There are a few movies that come on HBO, Showtime, and Stars that I end up watching every damn time they are on. The Big Lebowski, Fargo, and Pulp Fiction are three that come to mind. If they are on I will start watching and think to myself that I need to change the channel and there is just no need to watch them again but I end up sitting through them the whole time. I keep waiting for a certain scene and then when it's over I will think: well this other great part is coming up and so on.

I'd say the same for the John Hughes 1980's trio of Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles. I just love these movies and if I flip through the channels on someone's tv with the movie channel and one of them comes on, I want to just sit there and watch it.

And speaking of fun 1980's classics, how about Ferris Buller's Day Off? Truly a classic! :)

[partofme]

I'd say the same for the John Hughes 1980's trio of Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink and Sixteen Candles. I just love these movies and if I flip through the channels on someone's tv with the movie channel and one of them comes on, I want to just sit there and watch it.

And speaking of fun 1980's classics, how about Ferris Buller's Day Off? Truly a classic! :)

Yes I have sat through that one many times.

[Greendruid]

I have to recommend Pi to all those math geeks out there. It will also appeal to all those interested in the mystical and the arcane. It combines both somehow in an intense journey through the life and mind of a socially awkward, mathematician in vivid true B&W (i.e., no greyscale) film experience. Don't adjust the volume and view it on the biggest screen you can find for the full effect of Aaronofsky's brilliant work.

Others in my collection:

The Breakfast Club (as Michael has already recommended)
The Station Agent
The Weeping Camel
Mujaan

[Donkey]

Oh yes... Clockwork Orange has to be one of his very best (I live for the 9th!). I also liked Hall and 2001, but his last movie was pathetic and pretentious (Eyes Wide Shut).

I've never seen Clockwork Orange but apparently me helping my roommate carve a pumpkin (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b145/camilosmurf/n1424010182_30093054_2182.jpg) is very evocative of it, or so I've been told. :lol:

I have to recommend Pi to all those math geeks out there. It will also appeal to all those interested in the mystical and the arcane. It combines both somehow in an intense journey through the life and mind of a socially awkward, mathematician in vivid true B&W (i.e., no greyscale) film experience. Don't adjust the volume and view it on the biggest screen you can find for the full effect of Aaronofsky's brilliant work.

Others in my collection:

The Breakfast Club (as Michael has already recommended)
The Station Agent
The Weeping Camel
Mujaan

Could you remind me what the Weeping Camel is? It sounds familiar and I think I've seen it.

One of my favorite movies is "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." I think it's seriously underrated, and I find it quietly hilarious.

Another one of the films that I would say is one of the "best" that I have ever seen is Underground (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114787/). Devastatingly funny and tragic, this is good without knowing a ton of Balkan history, and even better if you do.

[Greendruid]

Could you remind me what the Weeping Camel is? It sounds familiar and I think I've seen it.

Sure - I also had the title wrong - it's The Story of the Weeping Camel. It's a film about a camel that rejects her albino calf and the Mongolian family that sends their sons to the city to hire the services of a traditional musician to come to their encampment and re-unite the calf and her mother with music. It's a very touching movie and I seem to love Mongolian film-making as Mujaan is also a Mongolian film. I've yet to see The Cave of the Yellow Dog, also directed by Byambasuren Davaa, but it sounds like another touching "man and beast" story.

[Donkey]

Sure - I also had the title wrong - it's The Story of the Weeping Camel. It's a film about a camel that rejects her albino calf and the Mongolian family that sends their sons to the city to hire the services of a traditional musician to come to their encampment and re-unite the calf and her mother with music. It's a very touching movie and I seem to love Mongolian film-making as Mujaan is also a Mongolian film. I've yet to see The Cave of the Yellow Dog, also directed by Byambasuren Davaa, but it sounds like another touching "man and beast" story.
I have indeed seen it... now I just can't remember the circumstances at all! :ummm: You're right though, a beautiful film.

[Michael]

In honor of Paul Newman's death, I've watched Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting and The Hustler over the last week.

All three are excellent movies - very entertaining. :)

[wphelan]

I hate putting together a list like this because I know I'll leave out something that I really enjoy and have probably watched multiple times. Anyway, some of my favorites include: Shawshank Redemption, A River Runs Through It, La Dolce Vita, Once Upon a Time in the West, Fargo, Bottle Rocket, and Anchorman.

I find that I'm a big fan of certain directors as well. Chances are I really like a movie by any of the following directors: Joel and Ethan Coen, Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Michelango Antonioni, Sergio Leone, Federico Fellini, Martin Scorsese, and any comedy produced or directed by Judd Apatow.

I know I'm leaving some films/directors out, but these are the first that come to mind.

[Michael]

I hate putting together a list like this because I know I'll leave out something that I really enjoy and have probably watched multiple times. Anyway, some of my favorites include: Shawshank Redemption, A River Runs Through It, La Dolce Vita, Once Upon a Time in the West, Fargo, Bottle Rocket, and Anchorman.

I find that I'm a big fan of certain directors as well. Chances are I really like a movie by any of the following directors: Joel and Ethan Coen, Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Michelango Antonioni, Sergio Leone, Federico Fellini, Martin Scorsese, and any comedy produced or directed by Judd Apatow.

I know I'm leaving some films/directors out, but these are the first that come to mind.
You mention "River Runs through it" but didn't put Robert Redford on your favorite director list? I agree its a great film - and I really like Redford's work. Milagro Beanfield War and Quiz Show are other films of his that are pretty damn good. Seems like Redford always makes films with a 'social conscience'.

And I'm a big fan of the Coen brothers and Fellini films too! Not so much for Scorsese - I find his fetish for 'ritualized violence' to be tiresome.

* * *

I went to see "Religulous" last night - the film is totally Bill Maher. Absolutely hilariously funny (if you are an atheist). It has a similar quality to "Borat" the way Maher manages to get various religious officials to meet with him on camera to discuss religion (and makes them look so foolish).

Great film, though I can't imagine anyone but an atheist wanting to see it as it packs a rather powerful social message.

[Greendruid]

Seems like Redford always makes films with a 'social conscience'.

Redford is a big environmentalist/back to the earther. He appears in and writes occasionally for Mother Earth News.

[Americano]

I hate putting together a list like this because I know I'll leave out something that I really enjoy and have probably watched multiple times. Anyway, some of my favorites include: Shawshank Redemption, A River Runs Through It, La Dolce Vita, Once Upon a Time in the West, Fargo, Bottle Rocket, and Anchorman.

I find that I'm a big fan of certain directors as well. Chances are I really like a movie by any of the following directors: Joel and Ethan Coen, Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Michelango Antonioni, Sergio Leone, Federico Fellini, Martin Scorsese, and any comedy produced or directed by Judd Apatow.

I know I'm leaving some films/directors out, but these are the first that come to mind.

Shawshank Redemption is one of the few movies I don't mind watching on a repeat basis.

[Michael]

Shawshank Redemption is one of the few movies I don't mind watching on a repeat basis.
That's a Stephen King short story isn't it?

[Americano]

That's a Stephen King short story isn't it?

That it is.

[partofme]

I'm not a fan of most things Stephen King does other than The Dark Tower series but yes that was a damn fine movie.

[Michael]

I'm not a fan of most things Stephen King does other than The Dark Tower series but yes that was a damn fine movie.
Stand By Me was also a pretty damn good little film - and a short story by King.

Some impressive young 'debut' acting in that film.

[partofme]

Stand By Me was also a pretty damn good little film - and a short story by King.

Some impressive young 'debut' acting in that film.

True. I didn't think about that one. I didn't care for The Green Mile at all though.

[andrewl]

One of my all-time favorites is Dances with Wolves.

I can't really name anything from recent history except maybe the LOTR trilogy. Which is still to this day the only DVDs i have ever owned.

Andrew

[Americano]

One of my all-time favorites is Dances with Wolves.

Great movie.

I can't really name anything from recent history except maybe the LOTR trilogy. Which is still to this day the only DVDs i have ever owned.

Andrew

[partofme]

I wouldn't say it is one of my favorite movies of all time but Sweeney Todd is one of the best ones I have seen in some time. If you don't mind people getting their throats slit by the dozens. On the bright side it is a musical. :D

[bug]

Has anyone ever seen Waking Life? God, I love that movie. If the fact that it's thought provoking isn't enough, there's a dude in there that looks like Meatloaf who talks about lucid dreaming. Who could ask for more?

[Michael]

Has anyone ever seen Waking Life? God, I love that movie. If the fact that it's thought provoking isn't enough, there's a dude in there that looks like Meatloaf who talks about lucid dreaming. Who could ask for more?
One could ask for a movie without Meatloaf in it...

Speaking of awesome silly movies, I watched "Home Alone" yesterday (just because it was on tv). Great entertainment - quite a funny movie.

[partofme]

I would love to recommend some good movies that are recent but there just are not any. From time to time my wife and I will get a weekend without the kids and we always think it would be nice to go and see something but there is never anything on we have any interest in. The last good movie I saw at the theater was The Dark Knight and that was probably a year after the last good one we saw before that. It's pretty sad when you look at the critic's lists from 2008 and Wall E is number one by a huge margin. Not to knock that movie but what happened to good movies for adults?

[Americano]

I would love to recommend some good movies that are recent but there just are not any. From time to time my wife and I will get a weekend without the kids and we always think it would be nice to go and see something but there is never anything on we have any interest in. The last good movie I saw at the theater was The Dark Knight and that was probably a year after the last good one we saw before that. It's pretty sad when you look at the critic's lists from 2008 and Wall E is number one by a huge margin. Not to knock that movie but what happened to good movies for adults?

Makes me curious about technology expanding the market to where quantity became a requirement perhaps at the expense of quality. My wife, a movie freak, thinks our satellite package makes going out to the movies inconvenient. If we lived in a city with a cosmopolitan flair it would be an attractive option, but the shopping center multiplex and it's team members, with mostly great smiles, have zero personality.

[partofme]

Makes me curious about technology expanding the market to where quantity became a requirement perhaps at the expense of quality. My wife, a movie freak, thinks our satellite package makes going out to the movies inconvenient. If we lived in a city with a cosmopolitan flair it would be an attractive option, but the shopping center multiplex and it's team members, with mostly great smiles, have zero personality.

I would just like to see something good on the big screen from time to time. When I was younger movies where a much higher form of entertainment than television in my opinion. Now I would take a episode of House followed by a episode of Lost over any movie I can think of that is fairly new. I am looking forward to the new Star Trek movie and Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince this year.

[wphelan]

I would just like to see something good on the big screen from time to time. When I was younger movies where a much higher form of entertainment than television in my opinion. Now I would take a episode of House followed by a episode of Lost over any movie I can think of that is fairly new. I am looking forward to the new Star Trek movie and Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince this year.

I haven't seen it yet, but I'm really looking forward to The Wrestler. It's in limited release right now. I'm just hoping it makes to a theatre near me when it opens nationally. It's the latest Darren Arronofsky film (Pi and Requiem For a Dream) and stars Mickey Rourke as a washed up professional wrestler. If you're not a wrestling fan, don't worry. I've heard it's as much about wrestling as Raging Bull is about boxing.

Also, I think Revolutionary Road looks pretty interesting.

[partofme]

I haven't seen it yet, but I'm really looking forward to The Wrestler. It's in limited release right now. I'm just hoping it makes to a theatre near me when it opens nationally. It's the latest Darren Arronofsky film (Pi and Requiem For a Dream) and stars Mickey Rourke as a washed up professional wrestler. If you're not a wrestling fan, don't worry. I've heard it's as much about wrestling as Raging Bull is about boxing.

Also, I think Revolutionary Road looks pretty interesting.

I've heard a lot of buzz around it. I live in such a small area that unless it's a major release we won't get it other than in Paducah which is a 50 mile drive. If we happen to be there and have time I may check it out. Otherwise I'll probably have to wait for the rental.

[Donkey]

I would just like to see something good on the big screen from time to time. When I was younger movies where a much higher form of entertainment than television in my opinion. Now I would take a episode of House followed by a episode of Lost over any movie I can think of that is fairly new. I am looking forward to the new Star Trek movie and Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince this year.

We just saw Slumdog Millionare this week. It was really, really good. I've also heard excellent things about Milk and The Reader. I don't know how easy they would be to find in theaters though. We have a great theater on the East Side here that shows all sorts of offbeat and indie films.

[partofme]

We just saw Slumdog Millionare this week. It was really, really good. I've also heard excellent things about Milk and The Reader. I don't know how easy they would be to find in theaters though. We have a great theater on the East Side here that shows all sorts of offbeat and indie films.

Slumdog Millionare looks to be getting quite a bit of attention now that it won a Golden Globe. I still haven't gotten around to it. I watched Burn After Reading and I really liked it and think it is underrated. I think that may have to do with the high expectations do to all the big name actors and it being a Coen movie right after they won best picture.

[Americano]

My wife is the movie fan in our household with Slumdog Millionaire and The Wrestler definitely on her list. Fortunately for me, when they they appear in our satellite package.

[Michael]

Golden Globes have a way of influencing the Oscars. And an Oscar win or two usually sends the movie back out into wider release.

[phungus420]

I'll just list my favorite movies off the top of my head, there is no particular order to them:

For a Few Dollars More
The Seven Samurai
City of God
Fight Club
The Wild Bunch

I'm probably forgetting a couple, but these are the ones that immediatly spring to mind.

[Michael]

I'll just list my favorite movies off the top of my head, there is no particular order to them:

For a Few Dollars More
The Seven Samurai
City of God
Fight Club
The Wild Bunch

I'm probably forgetting a couple, but these are the ones that immediatly spring to mind.
Got a bit of a bloodlust there do you? :D

[partofme]

I'll just list my favorite movies off the top of my head, there is no particular order to them:

For a Few Dollars More
The Seven Samurai
City of God
Fight Club
The Wild Bunch

I'm probably forgetting a couple, but these are the ones that immediatly spring to mind.

If you like Fight Club you should try reading Chuck Palahniuk's early books. They are all good up until The Haunted which is awful and everything past that isn't worth starting.

[The Drunk Guy]

If you like Fight Club you should try reading Chuck Palahniuk's early books. They are all good up until The Haunted which is awful and everything past that isn't worth starting.
Speaking of Chuck, have you seen Choke? I liked the casting, but, from the trailer, the direction seemed subversive to the tone of the book. I'm interested to see what other Chuck fans think.

[partofme]

Speaking of Chuck, have you seen Choke? I liked the casting, but, from the trailer, the direction seemed subversive to the tone of the book. I'm interested to see what other Chuck fans think.

You know I haven't seen it. I was going to but it never came out in the theaters here. Is it out on DVD? I know I haven't heard anything good about it at all.

[The Drunk Guy]

You know I haven't seen it. I was going to but it never came out in the theaters here. Is it out on DVD? I know I haven't heard anything good about it at all.
I don't know about the DVD. To be honest, I hadn't thought about it in months until I saw a review of Rockwell's new movie on AVClub's Sundance review.

[links03rjean]

my favorite movies are:

van helsing
underworld
twilight
the unborn
the saw series
the chainsaw massacre

[Zarquon]

My tastes are more transient(perhaps due to the fact I'm still 'growing up'), so I tend to rate those movies the highest which I liked the best upon initial viewing, and can still enjoy reasonably well(though not in the same way).
My favorite movies are:
Network (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074958/)
Life of Brian (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079470/)
Taxi Driver (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075314/)
Serpico (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070666/)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071853/)
American History X (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120586/)
The Man From Earth (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0756683/)
Election (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126886/)
Memento (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209144/)
Persepolis (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808417/)
The Shawshank Redemption (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111161/)
Zelig (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086637/)
and Fight Club (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/)

[Michael]

Now there's a fun question - name your TOP FIVE favorite movies/films - the kind of movie you like to watch over and over again!

[Zarquon]

I find that to be redundant as you already know how the movie will unfold, nonetheless, I'm not entirely opposed to doing that provided a certain period of time has passed since I watched it.
These movies would be:
Zelig
Election
Fight Club
Life of Brian
and The Shawshank Redemption

But, I prefer to watch a new movie over one I've already watched.

[partofme]

I find that to be redundant as you already know how the movie will unfold, nonetheless, I'm not entirely opposed to doing that provided a certain period of time has passed since I watched it.
These movies would be:
Zelig
Election
Fight Club
Life of Brian
and The Shawshank Redemption

But, I prefer to watch a new movie over one I've already watched.

Election and Fight Club are great. Did you know they both came out in the same year along with American Beauty? I wish we would have another one of those years.

[Michael]

But, I prefer to watch a new movie over one I've already watched.
I would have said the same when I was 18.

Now, 99% of the new movies I see I consider a complete waste of time that could have been better spent re-watching an old favorite.

You are too young to appreciate the concept of watching a movie that you haven't seen for 10 or 15 years.

[The Drunk Guy]

I would have said the same when I was 18.

Now, 99% of the new movies I see I consider a complete waste of time that could have been better spent re-watching an old favorite.

You are too young to appreciate the concept of watching a movie that you haven't seen for 10 or 15 years.
I can do that, but it's stuff like Goonies or Short Circuit which are pretty fucking stupid. :shrug:

[Leah11]

I am interested about horror movies. Saw, Scream, Twilight are some of my favourite movies.

[The Drunk Girl]

Young vampires and undies...nice combo

[nanacat]

Can't do only 5, Michael--even off the top of my head! Here's 10 though.

Farewell, My Concubine
The Deer Hunter
Indochine
The Mission
Becket
Coming Home
The Little Drummer Girl
My Life as a Dog
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Breaking the Waves

Not in any particular order, and just to name what came to mind.

[Michael]

Can't do only 5, Michael--even off the top of my head! Here's 10 though.

Farewell, My Concubine
The Deer Hunter
Indochine
The Mission
Becket
Coming Home
The Little Drummer Girl
My Life as a Dog
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Breaking the Waves

Not in any particular order, and just to name what came to mind.

I find "Deer Hunter" to be somewhat out of place on your list. It is, as they say on Sesame Street, 'not like the others'.

Btw, "My Life as a Dog" is indeed a brilliant and mostly unheard of film.

[nanacat]

I find "Deer Hunter" to be somewhat out of place on your list. It is, as they say on Sesame Street, 'not like the others'.

Btw, "My Life as a Dog" is indeed a brilliant and mostly unheard of film.

Do you not like The Deer Hunter? It came out the same year as Coming Home, and was in contention with it for all the awards. Both powerful anti-Viet Nam movies. At the time, Coming Home was my favorite, though the critics preferred The Deer Hunter. As time passed though, I think I came to see Coming Home as less brilliant, more preachy than I originally thought.

And you're right. My Life as a Dog is a gem.

[Michael]

Do you not like The Deer Hunter? It came out the same year as Coming Home, and was in contention with it for all the awards. Both powerful anti-Viet Nam movies. At the time, Coming Home was my favorite, though the critics preferred The Deer Hunter. As time passed though, I think I came to see Coming Home as less brilliant, more preachy than I originally thought.

And you're right. My Life as a Dog is a gem.

I neither like, nor dislike The Deer Hunter. I was merely observing that it was a somewhat different style of movie than the others on your list. :)

I was a kid then, so Vietnam didn't mean much to me until later when I learned about what it actually was. Btw, for me, Apocalypse Now seems to be the definitive 'Vietnam' movie - simply because it essentially explains why USA couldn't win it.

[nanacat]

Saw two great movies while I was in NY---very different. One was the new Woody Allen movie,Midnight in Paris, which was absolutely charming. The other was the Canadian film, Incendies, a mystery, a political thriller, an anti-war movie, all in one. Excellent.

[kewin rox]

I have huge number of movie collection among those movies my favourites are:
Harry Potter
The Final Destination
Sanctum
A walk to remember
(All animation movies)

[johnray]

My favorite top 5 movies are:
1.Avatar
2.YIP Man
3.Flash Point
4.Torque
5.Biker boys

[mona88]

Well, generally speaking, I love horrible movies. My favorite is "Ju-on".