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Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 6:12 pm
by Goliath
Super Aurora wrote:Seems like Lazario and I Have extreme opposite taste in sci-fi/sci-fantasy genre. As I'm a Sci-fi guy so I love that stuff.

No wonder we argue a lot.
It seems he dislikes everything that's not horror.

Sorry, I had to say it. It's just an observation, not an invitation to a flamewar.

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:32 am
by Lazario
Goliath wrote:
Super Aurora wrote:Seems like Lazario and I Have extreme opposite taste in sci-fi/sci-fantasy genre. As I'm a Sci-fi guy so I love that stuff.

No wonder we argue a lot.
It seems he dislikes everything that's not horror.

Sorry, I had to say it.
Don't worry, that's okay. I could never be offended when someone mentions horror. I think what you mean is that I haven't seen a lot of non-horror movies made by the directors mentioned here ...So far. And really, of all the people who watch movies- I think some people watch a lot and some don't. I'm somewhere in the middle.

But the thing you have to remember about the horror genre is that it's one of the few film genres that is every other genre combined: suspense and mystery, drama and romance, comedy and animation, action and martial arts, foreign and art films - each of these other genres have been a huge part of horror since the beginning. Therefore, I've seen a lot of every genre already. And I can continue to point and laugh at the folks in the video store who think the people standing in front of the horror section are weirdoes. The great added bonus of the genre is experimentation with themes and music, groundbreaking social and political commentary, the newest advances in special effects, and people you can't stand dying off in horrible ways. If only Glee could have an episode where Jason Voorhees would show up and execute the entire cast... Bring a smile to many faces.

SuperA - isn't The Fly a science fiction movie? Most people who've seen The Brood and The Fury would call Scanners a horror film and I gave that a low rating.


Anyway, given the recent popularity of this thread - I think it's time for list 3 (why not?) (I forgot to say with List 2: if I forgot any movies, feel free to add them). Some future lists might have more than 5 directors.

The Directors:

Image
Nicolas Roeg:

Puffball: The Devil's Eyeball (2007)
Samson and Delilah (1996)
Full Body Massage (1995)
Two Deaths (1995)
Heart of Darkness (1993)
Cold Heaven (1991)
The Witches (1990)
Sweet Bird of Youth (1989)
Track 29 (1988)
Castaway (1986)
Insignificance (1985)
Eureka (1983)
Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980)
The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
Don't Look Now (1973)
Walkabout (1971)
Performance (1970)

-

Image
David Lynch:

Inland Empire (2006)
Rabbits (2002)
Mulholland Dr. (2001)
The Straight Story (1999)
Lost Highway (1997)
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)
Wild at Heart (1990)
Industrial Symphony No. 1: The Dream of the Brokenhearted (1990)
Blue Velvet (1986)
Dune (1984)
The Elephant Man (1980)
Eraserhead (1975)

-

Image
Clint Eastwood:

Hereafter (2010)
Invictus (2009)
Gran Torino (2008)
Changeling (2008)
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Mystic River (2003)
Blood Work (2002)
Space Cowboys (2000)
True Crime (1999)
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)
Absolute Power (1997)
The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
A Perfect World (1993)
Unforgiven (1992)
The Rookie (1990)
White Hunter Black Heart (1990)
Bird (1988)
Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
Pale Rider (1985)
Sudden Impact (1983)
Honkytonk Man (1982)
Firefox (1982)
Bronco Billy (1980)
The Gauntlet (1977)
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
The Eiger Sanction (1975)
Breezy (1973)
High Plains Drifter (1973)
Play Misty for Me (1971)

-

<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... SDwyer.jpg" width="335" height="250" border="0">
Jonathan Demme:

Neil Young Trunk Show (2009)
Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Jimmy Carter Man from Plains (2007)
Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006)
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
The Agronomist (2003)
The Truth About Charlie (2002)
Beloved (1998)
Storefront Hitchcock (1998)
Murder Incorporated (1995)
Philadelphia (1993)
Cousin Bobby (1992)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
New Order music video - "The Perfect Kiss" (1989)
Married to the Mob (1988)
Famous All Over Town (1988)
Swimming to Cambodia (1987)
Something Wild (1986)
Survival Guide (1985)
Stop Making Sense (1984)
Swing Shift (1984)
Melvin and Howard (1980)
Last Embrace (1979)
Handle with Care (1977)
Fighting Mad (1976)
Crazy Mama (1975)
Caged Heat (1974)

-

Image
Peter Weir:

The Way Back (2010)
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
The Truman Show (1998)
Fearless (1993)
Green Card (1990)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
The Mosquito Coast (1986)
Witness (1985)
The Year of Living Dangerously (1982)
Gallipoli (1981)
The Plumber (1979)
The Last Wave (1977)
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)
Three Workshop Films (1975)
The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
Whatever Happened to Green Valley? (1973)
Boat Building (1972)
Incredible Floridas (1972)
The Billiard Room (1972)
The Computer Centre (1972)
The Field Day (1972)
Three Directions in Pop Music (1972)
Homesdale (1971)
Man on a Green Bike (1969)
Stirring the Pool (1969)
Count Vim's Last Exercise (1968)
The Life and Times of the Reverend Buck Shotte (1968)

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:30 am
by Avaitor
David Lynch:

Blue Velvet (1986)- 9 Got a wide range of emotions out of me. Need to rewatch, since it's been a while

Clint Eastwood:

Gran Torino (2008)- 8.5 if Unforgiven was the end of Eastwood's Man with No Name character, this is his end to his Dirty Harry character, and I'm just as pleased with it. Damn fine film
Changeling (2008)- 8 not one for Angelina Jolie, but this made me a believer of her acting abilities. Solid crime story with a fine script by J. Michael Straczynski
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)- on my Netflix queue
Million Dollar Baby (2004)- on my Netflix queue
Mystic River (2003)- my mother owns this, but we haven't seen it yet. I'll edit with my opinion later if we do
Unforgiven (1992)- 8.5 a fitting conclusion to Eastwood's cowboy persona. Fairly worthy of the Best Picture award
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)- on my Netflix queue

Jonathan Demme:

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)- 9 Anthony Hopkins nails it as Hannibal. Another film that I should probably rewatch in the near future
Stop Making Sense (1984)- 10 everything I love about Talking Heads in one film. A must see for fans of the Heads and music in general

Peter Weir:

Dead Poets Society (1989)- 6 standard. All I can really say about it

Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:19 pm
by jpanimation
God dammit, I typed up my list and then accidentally deleted it right before I posted it. I don't feel like retyping it as it took me a long time the first time. To summarize, Clint is the only director with merit.

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:17 pm
by Avaitor
Aww man, I love reading your pieces, jp.

Hopefully you can at least retype up your scores at some point. I'll still be interested in seeing them. :)

Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 11:15 pm
by jpanimation
^Well, I guess if someone actually reads these...

Nicolas Roeg:

Who the fuck is this guy? I've never heard of him or seen any of his movies.

David Lynch:

I had a Lynch marathon almost a decade ago where I watched Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, and Mulholland Dr. It's been too long for me to comment on any of them. Dune, on the other hand, I just recently watched on my Dad's recommendation and I can tell you with complete confidence that it is SHITTY SHIT.

Clint Eastwood:

Hereafter (2010) -
I've got it on hold.

Invictus (2009) -
I have no interest in this

Gran Torino (2008) - 8
Excellent film, classic Clint (great both infront and behind the camera). I just have to say that I thought it was a movie about racing when I rented it, obviously got it mixed up with the PlayStation franchise Gran Turismo. The film I actually saw exceeded my expectations.

Changeling (2008) - 7.5
Some nice acting and drama, excellent direction. I'm a sucker for these 1930s period pieces.

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) - 8
VERY good film, the hands-down superior of the two WWII companion films Clint made in 2006. You will get totally invested in these characters.

Flags of Our Fathers (2006) - 6.5
Sloppy, all over the place editing just didn't allow me to enjoy it or get invested.

Million Dollar Baby (2004) - 7.5
Great character peice that doesn't give you a Rocky happy ending. Well developed relationship between characters.

Mystic River (2003) - 7.5
Another drama from the guy who wrote Gone Baby Gone and Shutter Island. A pattern you notice between these films is that the guy really knows how to make you hate the protagonist at the end. Anyways, great acting and direction.

The Bridges of Madison County (1995) -
I keep hearing I should see this and I keep not wanting to. No interest.

Unforgiven (1992) - 8
Excellent western. Not Sergio Leone good but definitely something worth that legacy. This was really the first time I began to notice Clint's talent as a director.

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) - 7.5
A nice little Civil War/western that becomes a chase flick. Very entertaining.

High Plains Drifter (1973) - 7
If I'm remembering right, the town does Clint wrong when he's their sheriff and he's left for dead. Years later, the town asks him for help when they're in trouble, completely unaware of who he is, and he gets his revenge. It was entertaining enough.

Jonathan Demme:

The Manchurian Candidate (2004) -
I don't remember liking this as much as the original

Philadelphia (1993) - 7
An OK courtroom drama that gets too concerned with getting it's message across instead of getting us invested. Nice acting though.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 8
I remember this movie being a lot of fun to watch. It's always fun when your protagonist is smarter then everyone else and yet they keep underestimating them.

Peter Weir:

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) -
I saw this back when it first came out and actually fell asleep out of boredom. I guess I owe it a re-watch.

The Truman Show (1998) - 7.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this.

Dead Poets Society (1989) - 7
An pretty good movie but I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I was sad to see the guy from HOUSE kill himself.

The Mosquito Coast (1986) -
I saw this back when I was a kid as my Mom loved Harrison Ford. I mainly remember it being depressing and feeling that they never should've left their home in America.

Witness (1985) - 7
Once again, it was good but I'm not sure what all the hype is about. Felt fairly standard.

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:28 pm
by Escapay
Nicolas Roeg:

Samson and Delilah (1996) - 7.5
Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980) - 8
The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) - 7
Don't Look Now (1973) - 8.5
Walkabout (1971) - 9


David Lynch:

Inland Empire (2006) - 6
Mulholland Dr. (2001) - 6
The Straight Story (1999) - 9
Lost Highway (1997) - 8
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) - n/a (every time I watch it, I never finish it)
Wild at Heart (1990) - 7
Blue Velvet (1986) - 8.5
Dune (1984) - 5
The Elephant Man (1980) - 10


Clint Eastwood:

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) - 8
Flags of Our Fathers (2006) - 7
Million Dollar Baby (2004) - 7
Space Cowboys (2000) - 8
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) - 8.5
The Bridges of Madison County (1995) - 6.5
Unforgiven (1992) - 9
The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) - n/a
Play Misty for Me (1971) - 9


Jonathan Demme:

Rachel Getting Married (2008) - 8.5
The Manchurian Candidate (2004) - 7.5
The Truth About Charlie (2002) - 5
Philadelphia (1993) - 8.5
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 9


Peter Weir:

The Truman Show (1998) - 6.5
Dead Poets Society (1989) - 8.5
The Mosquito Coast (1986) - 8
Witness (1985) - 7.5
The Year of Living Dangerously (1982) - 8
The Cars That Ate Paris (1974) - 7.5


albert

Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 6:56 pm
by Goliath
Lazario, your explanation about horror makes a lot of sense. Ironically, I have seen very few horror movies myself. It's the only genre of films that I don't really like. Still, I think you should check out more genres to broaden your horizon --because I think you would enjoy it. :)

-

David Lynch:


Mulholland Dr. (2001)- 8
One of the best films of the past decade. Typical Lynch, but not too weird --but yeah, still very surrealistic. Great performances and a sweet lesbian scene. Who could object?

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992)- 7.5
Emotionally exhausting movie. While visually the same as the tv series, it's different from it, in that it focusses mainly on the psyche of one central character. To experience what she goes through, is very demanding of the audience. Loses a few points because of the slow opening.

Twin Peaks (tv series)- 9.5
Since you included music videos, I'm going to include this, since it's simply the best tv series I've ever seen. I think every horror fan would be very pleased with the dark atmosphere, strange characters and supernatural phenomena going on here. Memorable characters, the most likable main character of all of television, great musical score, suspense, unforeseen twists and loads of hot young women make this a winner. Loses some points for four dull episodes in the middle of season 2, leading to the cancellation later on.

Blue Velvet (1986)- 6.5
Disturbing and surreal, with more than a few instances of cringe-worthy over-acting.

-

Clint Eastwood:


Gran Torino (2008)- 9
Superb, shocking and touching drama. One of the best films of the last decade.

Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)- 9
Totally different, daring approach to WWII.

Million Dollar Baby (2004)- 7.5
A bit overrated, and it had less impact in The Netherlands (what with the euthanasia theme and all), but still very good nonetheless.

Mystic River (2003)- 8.5
With Sean Penn and Tim Robbins, you can't go wrong. One of those rare movies where not one single second bores you.

Unforgiven (1992)- 8.5
Excellent anti-western.

-

Jonathan Demme:

Jimmy Carter Man from Plains (2007)
I didn't even know about this film! As a big supporter of Jimmy Carter and his quest for dignity for the Palestinian people, I would LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to see this one!

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)- 7
Far, far better from the abysmal original 1950's version. Denzel Washington is perfect.

Philadelphia (1993)- 7
A bit too over-sentimental and filled with more than a few Hollywood cliches, still a groundbreaking movie.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)- 8.5
I didn't really understand the ending (with Hopkins on the telephone), but all in all, great.

-

Peter Weir:


The Truman Show (1998)- 8.5
With reality shows going on 24/7, it's hard to imagine how original this was when it came out.

Dead Poets Society (1989)- 6
Mostly boring, but it had its moments.

Escapay wrote:Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992) - n/a (every time I watch it, I never finish it)
How come?

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 4:17 am
by Lazario
Goliath wrote:Lazario, your explanation about horror makes a lot of sense. Ironically, I have seen very few horror movies myself. It's the only genre of films that I don't really like. Still, I think you should check out more genres to broaden your horizon --because I think you would enjoy it. :)
Well, in a way, I have been. And I have seen Citizen Kane and loved it. I think I killed my little IMDb review of it. But I did one back in... 06? Something like that. And I liked The Graduate, within reason. And when my computer died back in November, I saw All About Eve and Imitation of Life. And a Hitchcock film. I keep meaning to dip into the Fellini, Bergman, Cocteau pool since Criterion have been putting their films up on Netflix but 8½ was a bit of a snooze. But I stopped watching it. Not even Barbara Steele could save it.

jpanimation wrote:Nicolas Roeg:

Who the fuck is this guy? I've never heard of him or seen any of his movies.
He's one of those directors who has several films in the Criterion Collection and if they could get Don't Look Now away from Paramount, that film would be there too. If you've never heard of Don't Look Now, it's world-renowned for having one of the most famous love-making scenes in the history of cinema. Walkabout is legend in the U.K. And The Man Who Fell to Earth is of course a very famous David Bowie movie (just checked: Performance stars Mick Jagger too). Almost all of the directors I've chosen because they've made a name of themselves with critics and/or (for many of the same reasons) their films have been seriously studied. Would you have had this same reaction if I'd listed: Pasolini, Herzog, Preminger, Fellini, etc.? Was kind hoping Goliath could come to my aid here since he watches a lot of European films if I'm not mistaken. Several of his films are in Netflix: Watch Instantly, so you might want to check them out. Especially Don't Look Now, which many critics famously count as the best adaptation of a Daphne du Maurier story (I mention that because of course Hitchcock adapted her too).


Nicolas Roeg:

The Witches (1990) - 7
This movie was the most intimidating thing as a kid. I thought it was probably this really deep masterpiece with a bunch of implications (because of all the weird camera angles, most likely psychological) of this and that. Now I just think it was a bit of fun they were having. As a kids' movie, I think they might have been taking things out that kids wouldn't understand. Not sure, but it certainly created a wonderful monster. Anjelica Huston's Grand High Witch belongs in the horror hall of fame.

Don't Look Now (1973) - 7
A horror film that isn't scary. So, no I didn't like it but it is remarkably well-made on all counts. I just don't see the point. Which of course means it's a must-see for every classy movie fan here.

-

David Lynch:

Lost Highway (1997) - 5.5
I need to see this in widescreen but I've seen it several times in full (oh, shut up: it was the 90's). Angelo Badalamenti's music score is one of the best I've ever heard. Robert Blake, Patricia Arquette, and the insufferably beautiful Balthazar Getty are amazing- but nearly everyone else is either hamming it up or overacting so badly, the movie becomes a joke. In fact, even the famous "I'm there right now, at your house" moment is laughable (one of my favorite lines in movie history is actually: "give me back my phone"). And of course: Marilyn Manson's part is way too short! (A porn star? Really?) Bill Pullman was a better victim in both Serpent and the Rainbow and The Last Seduction.

Wild at Heart (1990) - 5
Need to re-watch but I enjoyed so little about it that I probably won't.

-

Clint Eastwood:

Play Misty for Me (1971) - 8.5
Fatal Attraction wishes it were this complex. A rewatch could raise that rating but I really liked the movie.

-

Jonathan Demme:

Philadelphia (1993) - 3
Keith Uhlich in his review said everything I felt watching the movie. Just because Demme's heart was in the right place doesn't mean this is gripping stuff. The details of these men's real lives matter and yet, couldn't be more sweetened and Hollywood'd up, made too easy to swallow / P.C. Etc. And I honestly hate to think this was in any way born from misunderstandings people had in their reactions / interpretations of the killer's sexuality in Silence of the Lambs.

Here's what Uhlich said that really nails this movie: "The working title of Philadelphia—People Like Us—hints at Demme's failure to dramatize this situation beyond the superficial: the very specific use of "us" posits a false majority rule, a presumptive and prejudiced declaration that assumes gays and AIDS-sufferers want nothing more than to be absorbed into the pigskin-throwing purview of John Q. Hetero." "For Demme, a filmmaker whose raison d'être is the celebration of diversity, Philadelphia is an unfortunate misstep."

The Silence of the Lambs (1991) - 10
I admit I am attracted to incredibly dark subject matter and I defend the approach of using graphic violence in films that don't seem to be making a statement somehow. When it seems the most gratuitous and lacking in substance are usually the most fascinating cases. Some people seem to think it's really just an attempt to create a new cinematic monster rather than be an extraordinarily intriguing psychological film (be it horror, drama, suspense, mystery, etc) which also includes scenes of people being partially eaten and their bodies left skinned in gruesome, over-the-top shots. Lecter's dialogue alone really elevates this above a standard crime or detective film, even though the facts of the case and the emotional appeal is all very much standard. He just has a way of playing with it that creates a depth in what might otherwise seem mundane. There was a minor discussion in my Horror Digest threads about is this film horror or not. It's very much a horror film, and also one of the few in the 90's to bring back classical music scores that feel classical (add this to Misery and Candyman and you have a perfect bid for a return to the Universal classics). If it were judged as a drama, you'd notice it lacks details. We never really learn about Clarice's father- all the details she tells us are in one scene in which she's staring right into the eyes of probably the most diabolical killer in the history of cinema. Horror is about experience and this could even comfortably sit next to some of Mario Bava's work.

-

Peter Weir:

The Truman Show (1998) - 6.5
I still like this movie a lot. Don't get me wrong. But certain critical views of the film (by people I really admire) have made me re-think it. For example, for a film about egregious violation of another human being's rights - could this be avoiding the issue any more? Instead, it cuts to harmless shots of a bunch of losers (are these people really at all realistic?) watching this guy's life in their homes. This is actually what I like about it. But I would never defend it, other than to say Laura Linney is funny and perfectly stretched tight. And, if they're not going to really nail the film on the characters' wrongdoings, it could have been a lot creepier, ala - the real masterpiece in reference - The Stepford Wives. Where the whole place has a truly dark side to it. Instead, it's just goofy. Which I don't like, but what brings it back around to what I do like is the production values and music. This is a very fun movie to watch. Until, to bring it back around to the problems, Jim Carrey does something annoying. Which he does: especially the scene in the car with Linney where he's trying to show her something's wrong with their world. That scene could have been amazing but it's entirely disposable.

Dead Poets Society (1989) and Witness (1985) - n/a
I remember liking it a bit, but I haven't seen it since maybe '99. Witness...same.

Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) - 8.5
Since no one else here seems to have seen it, I just want to recommend it to anyone who disliked The Virgin Suicides. It's a beautifully creepy, elegant, and insane mystery. I have no idea what's going on. But I enjoyed it thoroughly.

The Cars That Ate Paris (1974) - 7.5
Horror film or dark comedy? You decide. (Just noticed, I have the same rating as Escapay.) Anyway, it's a trip. Like Hanging Rock, I had no idea what the heck was going on. But it seems to be about a kind of old-fashioned adult committee that was running a town and suddenly, chaos strikes in several scenes where people are crashing or being killed in strange auto accidents. The ending alone makes this a must-see, as well as really justifies the poster image of the car with very intimidating looking spikes covering it.

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:13 pm
by Goliath
Lazario wrote:Was kind hoping Goliath could come to my aid here since he watches a lot of European films if I'm not mistaken.
You hoped I would come to your defense? That would be a first! :P

Yes, I do watch a lot of European films. And Latin-American films, and Asian films, and African films. Heck, I've seen movies from Burkino Faso and Botswana and liked them! Film is such a universal medium; I can't understand people who say they're "movie fans", yet limit themselves to North-America or English-language pictures. (This wasn't targeted specifically at Lazario, but meant as a general comment.)

On-topic: The Witches is the only Nicholas Roeg movie I've ever seen, and that was thirteen years ago at age 12. I don't recall much of it.

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 6:15 pm
by Avaitor
On second thought, I probably did see The Witches when I was younger myself, but I don't remember it much at all if I did.

If I may make a suggestion, perhaps Goliath should recommend some movies for Laz to see, while Laz can give Mark a couple of horror suggestions. I think that would be good for the both of you and might help you guys settle some of your difference. :)

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:05 pm
by Goliath
Avaitor wrote:If I may make a suggestion, perhaps Goliath should recommend some movies for Laz to see, while Laz can give Mark a couple of horror suggestions. I think that would be good for the both of you and might help you guys settle some of your difference. :)
Believe me... our difference have nothing to do with seeing too little horror or arthouse movies! :P

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:11 pm
by Lazario
Goliath wrote:
Lazario wrote:Was kind hoping Goliath could come to my aid here since he watches a lot of European films if I'm not mistaken.
You hoped I would come to your defense? That would be a first! :P
This isn't personal, Goliath. Not for me. This is all related to the topic.

I obviously meant that I hoped as a film scholar who loves to toot his own horn about seeing important films you would have seen some of the Criterion type directors. Maybe when I get more into classy films, I'll have something else to call them by group- but I assume you get a general idea of what I mean. Should I even bother to line up the likes of Fellini, Cocteau, Traffaut? Or should my next list just be the most mainstream filmmakers from the 70's and up? I hardly think you'd accept me as the kind of person to give you recommendations to see Fellini, etc.


Next list comes tomorrow.

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:19 pm
by Escapay
Lazario wrote:Should I even bother to line up the likes of Fellini, Cocteau, Traffaut?
Yes. Along with Jules Dassin, Vittorio De Sica, and your aforementioned Pasolini, Bergman, Herzog, and Preminger (which I think I had on my recommended directors list in my first post).

albert

Re: Directors' Report Cards: Movie Ratings (List 1)

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:40 pm
by Disney's Divinity
Lazario wrote:Death Becomes Her (1992) - 7
Not as down-and-dirty as camp horror can get, so many just yawn this off and float over to Dead Alive instead. True, this can't hold a candle to that splatterfest but does have a flair with the Hollywood / musical diva bitch antics and is one of the only mainstream films to actually combine social climbing or glamour queens with over-the-top horror. Usually, you only get this kind of thing when someone's mink coat comes alive and tries to eat them (you're probably thinking Ghostbusters 2, but try: 1995's highly rare The Granny). Anyway, it may not be as gory as it could be but it is definitely very funny.
Oh, I loved that movie. Hawn and Streep were hilarious. And that final scene... :lol:

Anyway, when you mentioned The Granny, I was wondering if that was a movie I saw years ago, but could never find again. I didn't know the title, and I was a child then. It was mostly about a grandmother who dies, and all the family is waiting to get her money. I remember there was a kind of comical edge to it. I think there was a part where two cousins are flirting with one another in the grandmother's old closet (where the girl is trying on her furs), when they get killed. And then at the end, the granddaughter is possessed or something? I looked on wikipedia, but I'm not sure if that's the same movie or not. I hope that is the movie I'm thinking of. It's something I would like to see again now that I'm older.

Re: Directors' Report Cards: Movie Ratings (List 1)

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:00 am
by Lazario
Disney's Divinity wrote:Anyway, when you mentioned The Granny, I was wondering if that was a movie I saw years ago, but could never find again. I didn't know the title, and I was a child then. It was mostly about a grandmother who dies, and all the family is waiting to get her money. I remember there was a kind of comical edge to it. I think there was a part where two cousins are flirting with one another in the grandmother's old closet (where the girl is trying on her furs), when they get killed. And then at the end, the granddaughter is possessed or something? I looked on wikipedia, but I'm not sure if that's the same movie or not. I hope that is the movie I'm thinking of. It's something I would like to see again now that I'm older.
Ha: sure is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAYbl-U0dCU



The Directors:

Image
Mike Nichols:

Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
Closer (2004)
Wit (2001)
What Planet Are You From? (2000)
Primary Colors (1998)
The Birdcage (1996)
Wolf (1994)
Regarding Henry (1991)
Postcards from the Edge (1990)
Working Girl (1988)
Biloxi Blues (1988)
Heartburn (1986)
Silkwood (1983)
Gilda Live (1980)
The Fortune (1975)
The Day of the Dolphin (1973)
Carnal Knowledge (1971)
Catch-22 (1970)
The Graduate (1967)
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

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Image
John Woo:

Reign of Assassins (2010)
Red Cliff II (2009)
Red Cliff (2008)
The Robinsons: Lost in Space (2004)
Paycheck (2003)
Windtalkers (2002)
Mission: Impossible II (2000)
Blackjack (1998)
Face/Off (1997)
Broken Arrow (1996)
Hard Target (1993)
Hard Boiled (1992)
Once a Thief (1991)
Bullet in the Head (1990)
Yi dan qun ying / Just Heroes / Tragic Heroes (1989)
The Killer (1989)
A Better Tomorrow II (1987)
A Better Tomorrow (1986)
Ying xiong wu lei / Heroes Shed No Tears (1986)
Liang zhi lao hu / Run Tiger Run (1985)
Xiao jiang / The Time You Need a Friend (1984)
Ba cai Lin Ya Zhen / Plain Jane to the Rescue (1982)
Hua ji shi dai / Laughing Times (1981)
Mo deng tian shi / To Hell with the Devil (1981)
Qian zuo guai / From Riches to Rags (1980)
Hao xia / Last Hurrah (for Chivalry) (1979)
Ha luo, ye gui ren / Hello, Late Homecomers (1978)
Da sha xing yu xiao mei tou / Follow the Star (1978)
Fa qian han / Money Crazy (1977)
Shao Lin men / The Hand of Death (1976)
Dinü hua / Princess Chang Ping (1976)
Nu zi tai quan qun ying hui / Belles of Taekwondo (1975)
Tie han rou qing / Ninja Kids (1975)

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<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... sPH%29.jpg" width="335" height="250" border="0">
Joel & Ethan Coen:

True Grit (2010)
A Serious Man (2009)
Burn After Reading (2008)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Ladykillers (2004)
Intolerable Cruelty (2003)
The Man Who Wasn't There (2001)
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Fargo (1996)
The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
Barton Fink (1991)
Miller's Crossing (1990)
Raising Arizona (1987)
Blood Simple(.) (1984)

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Image
Elia Kazan:

The Last Tycoon (1976)
The Visitors (1972)
The Arrangement (1969)
America, America (1963)
Splendor in the Grass (1961)
Wild River (1960)
A Face in the Crowd (1957)
Baby Doll (1956)
East of Eden (1955)
On the Waterfront (1954)
Man on a Tightrope (1953)
Viva Zapata! (1952)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Panic in the Streets (1950)
Pinky (1949)
Gentleman's Agreement (1947)
Boomerang! (1947)
The Sea of Grass (1947)
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)

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Image
Sidney Lumet:

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)
Find Me Guilty (2006)
Strip Search (2004)
Gloria (1999)
Critical Care (1997)
Night Falls on Manhattan (1996)
Guilty as Sin (1993)
A Stranger Among Us (1992)
Q & A (1990)
Family Business (1989)
Running on Empty (1988)
The Morning After (1986)
Power (1986)
Garbo Talks (1984)
Daniel (1983)
The Verdict (1982)
Deathtrap (1982)
Prince of the City (1981)
Just Tell Me What You Want (1980)
The Wiz (1978)
Equus (1977)
Network (1976)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Murder on the Orient Express (1974)
Lovin' Molly (1974)
Serpico (1973)
Child's Play (1972)
The Offence (1972)
The Anderson Tapes (1971)
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970)
Last of the Mobile Hot Shots (1970)
The Appointment (1969)
The Sea Gull (1968)
Bye Bye Braverman (1968)
The Deadly Affair (1966)
The Group (1966)
The Hill (1965)
Fail-Safe (1964)
The Pawnbroker (1964)
Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962)
Vu du pont (1962)
Rashomon (1960)
The Iceman Cometh (1960)
John Brown's Raid (1960)
The Fugitive Kind (1960)
That Kind of Woman (1959)
All the King's Men (1958)
Stage Struck (1958)
Mr. Broadway (1957)
12 Angry Men (1957)

Re: Directors' Report Cards: Movie Ratings (List 1)

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 4:48 pm
by jpanimation
Mike Nichols:

Wolf (1994) -
Saw part of it and didn't really care to watch the rest

The Day of the Dolphin (1973) - 4.5
I still don't know why I watched this shit.

The Graduate (1967) - 7
It was alright but doesn't deserve the attention it gets.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) - 6.5
Nice acting but not much outside that.

John Woo:

Mission: Impossible II (2000) -
Didn't like the first one enough to watch the second.

Face/Off (1997) - 7
Standard 90s action flick, not bad.

Joel & Ethan Coen:

True Grit (2010) - 7
It's an entirely decent western, indeed it's better then the crappy original, but not by much (at least not as much as critics would have you think).

A Serious Man (2009) - 5.5
Seriously boring.

Burn After Reading (2008) - 5.5
A dark comedy neither funny or entertaining.

No Country for Old Men (2007) - 7
Entertaining and well constructed but misleading as to who the story is about.

The Ladykillers (2004) - 6
Crappy remake of a crappy movie

Intolerable Cruelty (2003) - 6.5
Their most commercial effort, that while cliched is still entertaining.

The Man Who Wasn't There (2001) - 6.5
Very interesting movie that has a nostalgic feel to it.

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) - 7
Fun movie.

The Big Lebowski (1998) - 7
Very hit ore miss comedy that defiantely has a certain flavor.

Fargo (1996) - 8
One of their best, stays close to reality and away from their usual weirdness.

The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) - 6.5
Great job at delivering the Capra-corn but the ending just gets too surreal.

Barton Fink (1991) - 6.5
Probably their most surreal film chock full of symbolism that gets a little too detached from reality to completely invest in.

Miller's Crossing (1990) - 7
It's been a while but I remember liking this.

Raising Arizona (1987) - 6.5
More weird then funny/entertaining.

Blood Simple(.) (1984) - 7.5
Still a great thriller that really holds up.

Elia Kazan:

Splendor in the Grass (1961) - 6.5
It was alright but I remember not really caring for the ending.

A Face in the Crowd (1957) - 7
Interesting look at just was our media can do to a person.

East of Eden (1955) - 6.5
It starts off well enough but drags towards the end.

On the Waterfront (1954) - 7.5
Great movie about standing up to corruption with some great acting.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) - 7
It's been a while and this needs a re-watch but I've never been impressed with this Tennessee Williams stuff. Great acting though.

Gentleman's Agreement (1947) - 6
Nice message against bigotry but the movie could've been more interesting.

Sidney Lumet:

Network (1976) - 7
Entertaining enough but could've been better.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975) - 7
Entertaining movie, I wanted them to get away with it but you knew it wasn't going to end well.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974) - 6.5
They all did it.

Serpico (1973) -
I saw this a long time ago and really need to re-watch.

Fail-Safe (1964) - 6
I remember this being a little boring at times. Not as entertaining as Dr. Strangelove.

12 Angry Men (1957) - 8.5
One of the best courtroom dramas out there.

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 6:21 pm
by Goliath
Lazario wrote:This isn't personal, Goliath. Not for me. This is all related to the topic.
It isn't personal for me either. Hence the :p emoticon.
Lazario wrote:I obviously meant that I hoped as a film scholar who loves to toot his own horn about seeing important films
If it's not personal, then why the attack? :?

Re: Directors' Report Cards: Movie Ratings (List 1)

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 6:43 pm
by Goliath
Mike Nichols:


Charlie Wilson's War (2007)- 7.5
Nice, but not too spectacular film about the US support of Afghanistan's mujahideen against the Soviets, who of course would later become known as the Taliban.

Closer (2004)- 7.5
Drama about modern-day relationships that tries really hard to come off more important than it really is. Fantastic role of Natalie Portman as a sexy stripper, though.

The Graduate (1967)- 8.5
Dry humor and touching drama fit comfortably together in this unique movie that (along with 'Bonnie and Clyde' of the same year) changed Hollywood forever. Dustin Hoffman steals the show and Simon & Garfunkel provide a wonderful and fitting soundtrack.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
I'm sad to say I still haven't seen this one... yet.

-

John Woo:

Face/Off (1997)- 8.5
Hollywood at its best. Top action and one of Cage's better roles.

-

Joel & Ethan Coen:


O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)- 6
Acceptable fare, but nothing more than that. In fact, I still think this rating is too good.

The Big Lebowski (1998)- 6.5
It has some good jokes, and John Goodman as Walter is hilarious, but overall it's rather boring. Oh, bonus points for having a Bob Dylan song in it (twice).

Fargo (1996)- 4
Can somebody tell me what the fuss is all about? This has got to be one of the most unfunny, unexciting movies ever.

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Elia Kazan:


East of Eden (1955)
On the Waterfront (1954)
Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten a chance to watch these...

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)- 6
Overrated.

-

Sidney Lumet:


Dog Day Afternoon (1975)- 9
One of the best 'gangster movies' ever, with an amazing performance by Al Pacino. It's brilliant how Lumet makes everything on the screen feel so natural, so real, which makes it feel like you're right there, with the characters.

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)- 7
Average fare. I've seen far better Agatha Christie adaptations. And Peter Ustinov will always be the one and only Hercule Poirot to me.

12 Angry Men (1957)- 8.5
Amazing how a film about 12 men debating back and forth in one room can be so exciting! As with DDA, Lumet makes you feel the heat in the room, the tense atmosphere, even the sweatdrops on the characters' faces, like you're there yourself.

Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 6:50 pm
by Avaitor
Mike Nichols:

Catch-22 (1970)- Love the book, haven't seen the movie yet. I should put it on my queue
The Graduate (1967)- 10 Deserves it just for the soundtrack alone. :wink: It's also a highly appealing comedy from it's era

John Woo:

Hard Boiled (1992)- 8.5 Awesome, if imperfect, action film. I'm reminded that I need to see more of his movies

Joel & Ethan Coen:

True Grit (2010)- Want to see, but might be too late now. Might add it to my queue once it comes out
A Serious Man (2009)- 5.5 Nothing really happened. This is basically the thesis of an average, confusing Coen brothers flick.
No Country for Old Men (2007)- On my Netflix queue
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)- 4.5 I seem to be the only person alive who can't stand this movie, and I love Homer. I found it horribly annoying, from the cast down to the soundtrack, and I'll never get why it's so popular
The Big Lebowski (1998)- 7.5 Jeff Bridges make this, and John Goodman lifts it. The closest thing to a good Coen film that I've seen
Fargo (1996)- 6.5 Parts of it are great. Frances McDormand was phenomenal, the husband character was interesting, and although I anticipated his ending, Steve Buscemi was funny. I just can't get into the whole of the thing
Barton Fink (1991)- 5 Quite possibly the most fucked up movie I've ever seen. And that's saying something.
Miller's Crossing (1990)- I've recorded this a few times from the Fox Movie Channel but never got the time to watch it and always end up deleting it. One of these days I'll sit down, record the whole thing, and watch it for myself.
Blood Simple(.) (1984)- On my Netflix queue, probably

Elia Kazan:

On the Waterfront (1954)- 5 Meh. Did nothing for me. Might require a rewatching though
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)- 5.5 Marlon Brando was great, yes, but he didn't save the dull narrative for me

Sidney Lumet:

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)- I bought this from my local Blockbuster when it closed down last year for about $2 or $3, but still haven't seen this yet. I will soon though.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)- On my Netflix queue I believe
12 Angry Men (1957)- Wow, this was his first film? What a way to start out apparently. I haven't seen it yet though, but it should be up on my queue