bad movies
Back in the 80's my dad was fond of buying extremely low budget movies from the corner shop. It truly was the golden age of cheese, the Oracle, the Univited and one particular gem called Street Trash. this is a film that's so awful it transcends all taste and film-making ability, becoming a genre unto itself, the ultimate toxic gore, z-grade mentalist flick. The plot involves the army? misplacing some canisters of goo and a tribe of homeless people being melted into puddles of ick. there's also some tits and bush, which to my teenage eyes rendered it umissable viewing. I'd forgotten about it for 20 years but last thursday I was chatting to a friend at work and he mentioned seeing this strange toxic waste tramp horror movie as a child, we both looked at each other and said at the exact same time "street trash!" needless to say, we went back to my house, dug it out of the cupboard, fired up the old vhs, smoked our tits off and laughed like we were kids again. It's as good/bad as I remember.
(Suddenly, zebras Safe and sound for eternity, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 18:41, 2 replies)

I really love...
Donnie Darko. Ever since I watched it a few years ago I've watched it again countless times, and never once got bored.

The Thing.
Battle Royale.
Goodfellas.
Scarface (Al Pachino version)
Pet Sematary.

Also, has anyone seen the animé Perfect Blue? I bought it a while ago but I still havn't got round to watching it.
(Xstopher, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 18:30, 2 replies)

Films eh?
When i was little, my mum used to be a cleaner in the local hotel. With no-one to act as childminder, and with my dad working all the time, I had to go with her. Sitting in an empty bar playing with the dominos on my own was the dullest way to spend a saturday possible for a boy.
One day, the owners took pity on me, and showed me into their "cinema" room. The walls were covered in shelves, all filled to capacity with vhs tapes. each had a little number on the spine. The guy showed me a school excercise book, which had a number on each page and listed all the films that were on that tape.
Several hundred tapes...there must have been thousands of films.
WOW.
We were poor. We had a 14" black and white telly at home and I had never been "into" films as a result. trips to the cinema were rare ( i think I went twice in my childhood - the disney version of Robin Hood was one of the ones I saw)
He showed me how to work the tv and video, and showed me how to wind the tapes forward to the right place (each film had the timer number written next to it in the book) and left me to it.
From then on my saturdays were changed forever, I loved going there.
I had no idea at all what the film titles were about, no idea what ones were recent or old, no idea what ones were rated for kids, or 18+, I just picked out tapes at random, or film names I liked the sound of.
I was aged about 10 or eleven at the time, but I can still remember those days perfectly clearly. They had one of those kitch coffee tables with the smoked glass top and the fibre-optic fluffy thing under the glass that changed colours. Awesome.
Anyway, This is how as a boy, I saw some of the best films I have ever seen.
Robocop - wow, an indestructable cyborg cop, big guns, car chases, a glimpse of ladyboobs in the shower, a guy getting melted by toxic waste. Had a few nightmares after this, but it didnt lessen my love of the film.
Mad Max - I think I held my breath for the whole opening chase sequence. Matchbox toy car chases acted out in real life... FANTASTIC, although I was rather shaken by the bit where Max`s wife and child were mown down by the biker gang :(
Ice Cold in Alex - OH NO, IVE BROKEN THE TV! then I realised it was supposed to be in black and white! what a cool film, A boys adventure comic come to life in my eyes.
Star Wars - Speechless. I was 100% transported to that far away universe. It seemed so beleivable to me.
Indiana Jones - another Boys Own adventure come real.
Alien - Terrified me, really scared me shitless, but I couldnt stop watching it from behind the cushions. Despite being scared to the edge of tears, I left the tape running to watch Aliens straight afterwards. Not as frightening as the first, but awesome sci-fi.

I could go on forever listing the stuff I watched that had an impact on me then. Every saturday, I would sit and watch 3 or 4 films, often skipping through the dull ones till I found something that grabbed my attention.
Now Im 30, I till love films, and watch anything I can at any opertunity. I have a pretty big dvd collection now, but am more interested in seeing new stuff than re-watching stuff I have already seen, apart from the real favourites.
The internet has opened up a whole new means of accesing stuff I want to see. logging on to limewire or similar sites always makes me think back to that excercise book with the numbered pages and the carefully written titles.
(dave likes cheese, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 18:08, Reply)

SWIMMINGPOOL


If a picture is worth a thousand words, a film is worth so much more.
(jessemoya, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 17:15, Reply)

Where Eagles Dare
What makes this a good film? Let's check the list:

- Nazis
- Explosions
- Machine guns
- Clint Eastwood kicking arse
- Dead Nazis
- More explosions

Yeah
( Tagnut loves pies, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 16:59, Reply)

Kevin and Perry Go Large
and Guest House Paradiso.

Both films make me wee my pants.

Candle IN THE EYE....
( Scary Mary The D'oh Fairy, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 16:19, 2 replies)

Just a few...
Cheers to baw__bag for bringing up a whole roster of Asian films. A Tale Of Two Sisters is actually one of my favourite films... so very well constructed. And Oldboy is bound to win over cautious viewers unfamiliar with Asian cinema. Visitor Q, on the other hand... if you've got a sick sense of humour, you might just love it.

My favourite film is Koyaanisqatsi. I guess you could term it an 'art film', but it's such compelling viewing that it transcends the genre. Essentially lots of footage sped up and slowed down to music, there's enough in there to have you thinking long after. Even if you don't want to have to think, it's gorgeous and hypnotic to watch.

Others I would recommend include:
Pan's Labyrinth (although I'm sure most have already seen it)
City Of God (again, probably been seen by most already)
13 Tzameti (ignore the Fight Club comparisons on the DVD cover, this is a great film in its own right)
Mulholland Drive (in fact, any David Lynch film)
3-Iron (deceptively simple Korean romance with a supernatural twist)
La Haine (a true-to-life film about street crime and race issues)
Y Tu Mamá También (sexy Mexican road-trip movie with very human characters)

I should stop. But those are films I'd recommend to most people regardless of who they are.
(creosote oh those cruel, heartless winds, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 15:38, 1 reply)

Deep Blue Sea?
I watched half this awful(?) thing at the theater with my friend. It was obvious that he couldn't stand it, either. I can't recall what idiotic thing occurred onscreen, but I erupted in laughter and I couldn't stop laughing. My friend grabbed me and pulled me out to the lobby. Now I have no idea whether I was going to laugh all the way to the end and see it as a great comedy or not. I suppose someone would have told me to shut up.
(NJtoTX, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 15:10, 2 replies)

Thanks mum
When I was but a wee girl my mother told me about a film. It sounded interesting. I was intrigued and wanted to watch this. Now most mothers would not let their children watch films where men in makeup and lingerie danced about while other characters just had sex all over the place, but not my mum.

So I was shown The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

And I loved it.

I've always been a shy, timid seeming girl so you'd never guess that whenever I hear the thrilling sound of the Time Warp or see the singing red lips I fill up with so much excitement there is a small risk of overjoyed explosion. I guess when they say it's always the quiet ones they mean it.

Thankyou so much mum for having no qualms about your children oggling transvestite aliens! Without you my favourite film would probably be some rubbish like Titanic.
( vix0r was not Matthew on, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 14:56, 1 reply)

The Cube 2:
a sequel that's better than the original.
(apeloverage committed the vile act of onanism on, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 14:56, 3 replies)

..some more to catch..
Most of my personal classics have been mentioned already, but off the top of my head 'Once were Warriors', 'Aguire, Wrath of God', 'Zatoichi', and 'Saturday night, Sunday Morning' are also worth a few minutes of your time.
(chesterdrawers, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 13:37, Reply)

Hard...
I think questions like this are best answered in terms of maybe 5 that would be in the top 50...
Does Frank Zappa's "Does Humour Belong in Music?" count? It is in my humble opinion, the best video of live music that has ever been made
Lebowski, and most of Cohen Bros' stuff likewise, Rules as you know

The Big Kahuna - As close as can be to a perfect character study. Spacey is masterful, DeVito is so poignant in this film. It's difficult to watch with company as you need to immerse yourself in the dialogue which is so well written as to seem almost perfect but not quite, just like as if the characters are real people. Larry and Phil. Lovely lovely people.

Amelie though. I've only watched it once. It is perfect. Perfect. Thrice perfect. Can't watch it again in case I find fault.

I dont get time to watch films much and life is too short to watch Mission Impossible 3 so thanks for all your recommendations!

City Of God btw also
(Snake (on a) Crane FKA thwack, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 12:59, 1 reply)

Donkey Punch
The new Brit flick about this sexual move, bodies pile up, I'm sure good times and hilarity ensues, except my local cinema won't be showing it.

Boo hiss!
( Moonraker isn't the droid you were looking for, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 12:44, 1 reply)

Hospitalised
This is a basic story of a Hollywood blockbuster I envision for the future. It is called 'Hospitalised' and would easily top the box office on its opening weekend. Before you ask - yes, a sequel does exist...


Hugh Grant plays Timothy Bottomley, an upper class English toff. So that’s Hugh Grant basically playing himself.

He tries to chat up the pretty blonde receptionist at the hospital. Damn he likes her. He is just about to get in the lift when ahhhh crap! In a scene that could be described as the most shocking ever seen, the Russians start bombing the hospital. Machine gunning the windows and generally blowing shit up.

Hugh Grant sees that the receptionist is essentially, fucked. So he runs out grabs her, mumbles ‘come with me’ and leads her to the lift. He presses for the top floor and up they go. They hold a discussion as they go up. It’s not important to be honest and has nothing to do with the plot except to suggest they may get together at the end. They won’t. Do not be fooled. They’ll confess their love for each other about 75 minutes in and then she will die.

They get to the top of the hospital building.. Up here! She says. They go up the stairs and find themselves on the roof of the hospital building. They look down and see that loads of army men are surrounding the building. A megaphone from the Russians states that any patients must be killed or give themselves up now. Evil laugh since he knows many are bed ridden. Hugh looks a bit queasy. They are unsure what to do next when a shout comes from behind them. ‘Psst’. They turn around. Patrick Swayze is standing there and tells them he owns the hospital. The receptionist confirms this by saying ‘Mr Ballamatron’. Zoom out on hospital. ‘Ballamatron Hospital’ is written on the building.

The threesome talk about a strategy. Swayze talks about the many secret passages he has put in the hospital knowing that one day the Russians would come for him. ‘Why?’ ‘We haven’t got time’ says Swayze. And flashes a toothy grin. He leads them to an emergency staircase and they run down it into a ward. Swayze lifts a carpet and reveals a trapdoor. They all go down into the room. The room is full of weapons and Grant demands answers. He bumbles a bit because this is Hugh Grant we are talking about. The woman talks for the firs time in a while. ‘It’s alright’ she says ‘ He’s from Memphis’. This answer is acceptable. It gets a laugh from everyone in the room. Swayze says they must act fast but states that this secret room is completely fool proof and that nobody will get in. However it comes at a cost; the longer they stay in the room, the more people will die and eventually, the Russians will get what they came for. Hugh Grant states they must act fast then. Swayze agrees. So does the woman. They arm themselves and prepare to fight. They each agree that they will work together to take the top floor and slowly work their way back down.

They exit the secret room via a tunnel, this tunnel comes out at a fake vending machine. Swayze states he must eat some. ‘Why?’ Says Grant. ‘Because death gives me a sweet tooth’ replies Swayze. He smiles. All is good. Just as Swayze is putting cash in the vending machine a guard rounds the corner. Grant pushes Swayze to the floor and pulls the woman behind the vending machine. He quickly fires his submachine gun and takes down the guard. ‘I owe you one’ says Swayze. ‘Don’t worry about it’ says Grant. ‘No I will, we’re even now though’ says Swayze as he places one M&M into his hand. ‘I think you owe me one too’ says the secretary provocatively with the glint in her eye that screams out ‘slut’. Hugh misses the point so hands her the M&M and rushes off telling Swayze and the girl he has an idea.

He comes back moments later with doctor’s uniforms. They put them on then proceed around the floor killing 3 more guards. Fortunately, one of the Russians was a female so they swap the doctor costumes for the Russian ones. They head back to the room for more ammo. They come back and find 4 more guards on the top floor. They take them out. They head downstairs and meet two more guards. Bang fucking bang! Two more down. Another has heard the commotion though and grabs the girl. She beats the shit out of him and they advance. ‘Where did you learn to kick like that?’ asks Grant. ‘I’ve had lots of boyfriends’ she says. Brilliant. If you were unsure before, you now definitely know she is a slut.

‘Come in Yuri’ goes the radio. Swayze picks up the radio and speaks perfect Russian back. Grant and lady are confused. How does he know Russian? ‘Cold War’ states Swayze when he sees their glances. They aren’t convinced. He leads them to another tunnel in a surgeons ward (in the cupboards.) Yet more weapons await them. They arm themselves again. Grant does the ammo for each person’s weapon. The lights flicker for no real reason – the secretary links this to the Russians accessing the computer systems. This is a problem. The computer system, if hacked correctly (and trust me, it will be), can bring up where the secret locations are. Can the secretary stop them? Obviously she can. Lucky they have her. Apparently, the computers are kept in Swayze’s office on the floor below. As Swayze guides them to his office, he also takes more radios from the secret base. He pretends he is many different Russian’s across the top 3 floors. Brilliant.

They take out a few more guards including a fight where Grant flies through the air and uses two pistols to shoot two different people dead. One unfortunately was a civilian casualty. Grant is upset but keeps his bottom lip quiver to a minimum. The lights flicker again. ‘They may have got through’ says the secretary. They rush to the office. Nobody is there. The lady taps away and states that she has successfully deleted the data. ‘Yes!’ they all cry. By now, Grant is low on bullets and asks to visit that floor’s hidden room. There are two apparently. They agree that going to just one is a good idea. On the way they try a payphone. ‘Out’ says the secretary. None have a mobile on them because it’s a hospital. Clever, eh?

Swayze then states that one hidden room is ‘in there’ but runs past it. The other two stop. Grant asks why they don’t go in it. ‘It hasn’t been stocked recently’ states Swayze. They run on to the next room. Another surgery room. They open the cupboards and three Russians jump out. Grant deals with them then accuses Swayze of leading them to that room to get killed. He set them up! Swayze protests his innocence but Grant doesn’t listen They have a fistfight and it ends with Grant using the heart attack pads on Swayze’s chest knocking him out. This is a clever reverse reference to Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie. ‘C’mon’ says Grant and they enter the secret hideout.

Inside they realise they haven’t got much time but this does not stop them sharing a very passionate kiss before reloading. ‘I can’t wait to see your gun’ says the Secretary. Slut. ‘Which one?’ says Hugh. He shows her the 3 guns on him. ‘The one in your trousers’ she states. ‘Oh the pistol.’ He withdraws this too. ‘Anyway c’mon!’ They rush off out of another tunnel. They come across some other Russians discussing some stuff. They run down some stairs but stop before hitting the floor. They are now on floor 5. This is not relevant really. They hear that the Russians are trying to get through to Yuri and his cronies. No response because Swayze is down! Ah! Madness! They curse their stupidity. What are the Russians after though? Well Hugh asks that to the secretary right after they take down the second in command on the fifth floor and annihilate the others around him. The whole idea that there is 4 guards a floor is preposterous but this is a film. Anyway, the woman says that she saved all the folders onto a memory stick before deleting crap for Swayze. They run to a computer, which happens to be in the next room and find out. Swayze has hoarded most of the Russian armies weapons since the cold war. And now they want them back. This explains the weapons rooms and also explains the random nukes that you would have seen in the weapons room. Grant probably references it within he first half hour but you forget because of the action and Swayze’s kick ass attitude.

The two decide they must get out and continue fighting to the different floors. They get to ground level and almost get to reception but they are faced with a huge array of Russian army men. He congratulates them on doing so well against his men. And then personally thanks the secretary for bringing Hugh Grant to him. ‘What?’ says Hugh Grant. Yep, the bitch was a Russian spy all along and had been working against Swayze for the past 6 months. After this display of shell shock on Hugh’s face, the Russian leader states they must bring it to an end. As now ‘I must kill you’. ‘This is a hello from Russia’ says the General as the woman goes and stands with him. Pause. He lifts the gun. ‘AND THIS IS A GOODBYE FROM MEMPHIS!’ scream Swayze. He bursts in, shouts to Hugh to jump and a rocket is fired. Kaboom! It blows up and kills most of the Russians. But the bitch is still alive. She aims at Swayze. A shot is fired and she falls down dead. ‘Like the feel of my gun, bitch?’ says Hugh Grant. The two relax. All is good with the world.

The End.

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

Apologies for length but he's from Memphis.
(Foz, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 12:28, 9 replies)

The films I remember from growing up.....
Although I don't necessarily consider these the best films, they are some of my most profound memories of what made me love film in the first place.

Watching Reservoir Dogs round a friends house. We were all young, and he stole it off his sister for the night. We watched it twice that night, as even at that age, I really appreciated and enjoyed the dialogue and constant banter between the characters.

Plus it felt like forbidden fruit watching something neither of us were allowed to watch. It was exciting.

I still love it, and don't care what anyone says about Tarantino, I think he's great fun to watch, no matter how many people he rips off in the process.

Next is a film I haven't seen in ages, and probably won't find as funny now;

National Lampoon's Senior Trip.

Back in the hazy days where getting high was still extremely fun and didn't turn me into a gormless mong, this film cracked me up every single time I watched it. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it just for the crazy crossing guy, namely him chasing a character called Miosky down the road...

There's loads more, such as watching Blair Witch on a pirated VHS for extra realism, and therefore, scariness.

Or watching any David Cronenberg film and just not getting it at all, but made me realise there was a lot more to film than just the usual crashing, smashing fun and frolics of kids films. (I think he's awesome now I can understand them a bit more. Emphasis on 'bit' though.)

I'll stop before I get lost. I love films.
(Scrumpy does not negotiate with terrorists,, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 11:54, Reply)

WALL-E
Go and see it. right now.

but my favourite movie of all time? Got to be Lebowski.
(poikes Bored sig, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 11:31, Reply)

Dr Strangelove
Stanley Kubrick's venture into the world of comedy has to be my among my favourite films of all time.

Peter Sellers, who rarely fails to deliver (The Pink Panther being well up there with the best) is so brilliantly cast as the three most influential characters, and helps deliver one of the most perfectly crafted comedy films ever written. He also gets to say one of the best lines I've heard in a film:

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here, this is a war room".

The fantastic Dr Strangelove himself is a brilliant character, but no matter how well performed Sellers' characters may be, the obsession of the USAF General, who triggers the attacks in the first place, with precious body fluids, and the Soviet ploy to contaminate them is such a wonderfully silly reason to launch the attack that is destined to set off the Doomsday machine that would ultimately destroy all animal and plant life on the planet.

If there is anyone out there still to watch this film, I recommend you cancel any plans you may have, get yourself a copy and prepare to laugh yourself silly.
( Moey, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 11:29, Reply)

The Colour Purple
Ok, it's a Whoopi Goldberg film, but very moving all the same.

It's about a woman who is beaten by her husband and seperated from her sister. Pretty much a chick flick.

I loved the story, the ending but most of all it was something i had in common with my step-mum. Whenever that film went on all arguing stopped and there was peace in the house :)

*edit* imdb link www.imdb.com/title/tt0088939/

because i'm a bit crap at describing plots
(panda_sam, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 11:29, Reply)

Tripe
I love shit films.

Kentucky Fried Movie - particularly the dead kid in the swimming pool

Weekend at Bernies - how much fun can you have with a corpse? Hilarity ensues!

Brain Dead - sheer genius

In retrospect I can see a recurring theme here
(mymilkshakebringsallthemongstotheyard poison hearts, poison minds - joining hate, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 10:50, Reply)

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
I watched Hedwig on the insistence of a friend who was obsessed with it in the way people usually are with Rocky Horror. I was with my parents, who had never heard of it, and we were entranced. Here is the plot synopsis:

"[Hedwig] tells the story of "internationally ignored song stylist" Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ’n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just "an angry inch." ... Using songs and monologues, Hedwig tells her story which began in the former East Berlin where as Hansel he meets Luther, an American GI who promises to take the young man to the States on the condition that he switch his sex. After the bungled operation, Luther abandons newly named Hedwig in a Kansas trailer park where she turns to music and meets geeky Tommy Speck, whom she takes under her wing and soon falls for. Tommy steals her songs, achieves rock star fame, and Hedwig is once again cast aside." (this is from a fanpage, so it's a bit fulsome, but that's basically it)

It's a really charming, heartwarming movie. We were so impressed we watched all the DVD extras showing the original musical, The Making Of, etc. Really, give it a shot, it's lovely. (Also the kid who plays Tommy Gnosis is totally hot.)
(Emily Bruce-Dickinson http://jovialfellow.blogspot.com/, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 10:24, 2 replies)

Fear and loathing in las vegas
I should say now ive only just got back from vegas.

I'd never seen the film before and only watched it the day before i left. I fricking loved it and watched it as soon as i got back.

The bats scence alone is worth the money of the dvd.

I just love it

Oh, and vegas fucking rules
(Lanceuppercut, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 10:17, Reply)

Deliverance
It is the most intense drama I have ever watched - Requiem for a Dream at least offers some limited relief by cutting between each characters' story, but with Deliverance you can't get away. For those of you who've done one of those Robert McKee courses, it has no B story. And, of course, you will never hear a banjo the same way again.

None of the guys I know have seen Deliverance, which as far as I'm concerned demonstrates that my cock is much bigger than theirs.
(Emily Bruce-Dickinson http://jovialfellow.blogspot.com/, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 10:13, 2 replies)

La Cabina - "The Phone Box"
A short Spanish film, made in the 70s. A bloke goes into a phonebox. Which locks, trapping him inside...
They ran this on the telly a couple of times back in the early 80s. The few people I've met that have seen it all say how fucked-up they thought it was. I haven't seen it anywhere since, which I find surprising, because it's a great little film.
(Snoogans, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 9:56, 2 replies)

unconnected, but...
I'm missing b3ta. Can anyone give me more details on this 'proxy' witchcraft that some people mentioned in order to let me bypass my employer's Net filter? Any such advice would need to be in terms of the most absolute simplicity, as I'm a technical retard and understand no IT terms whatsoever.
(frankspencer, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 9:53, 5 replies)

Repo Man
So far, most favorite. Seen it at least 100 times, I see more fun stuff each time. There are others of course, but I can't be bothered to list them as I'm off to peruse the lovely linky to Gilliam's top 10 posted by some upstanding wonderful b3tan.
(douchebarge, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 9:18, 2 replies)

Zulu.
.
Watched it for the umpteenth time last month and still never gets old.

The Welshmen singing Men Of Harlech as the Zulus storm towards them, the Zulus stabbing with their bloody big asseggis - "Ngadla!" (I have eaten), the haunting, beautiful sound of 10 000 Zulu warriors singing in the dawn before they attack.

The drunken Pastor screaming "You're all going to die" as he leaves the base in his wagon. The grizzled sergeant fighting hand-to-hand with the Zulus barking out orders as if he's on the parade ground "Stance!, Lunge!, Recover!".

Private Hook. Thief, drunk, coward and malingerer eventually becoming a reluctant hero.

And the final battle scene. Hundreds of Zulus jumping over the wall and racing towards the three ranks of British infantry.

Front rank - FIRE!
Middle rank - FIRE!
Rear rank - FIRE!

over and over as the Zulu dead pile up around them. It's fucking awesome. Makes you proud to be British.

Quite simply one of the greatest war films ever.

And yes I know that, historically, it's about as accurate as me trying to piss when drunk. But it's still a great film.

Cheers
( Legless Mister Stabby - shanks for the memory, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 9:07, 5 replies)

"For now, Godzilla, that strangely innocent and tragic monster, has gone to earth."
My brother and I were huge Godzilla fans when we were preteens -- I was 12, he was 11, and Dad was happy to rent every single Godzilla movie the local video shop owned.

Mothra, Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla, Rodan, Minya, Smog Monster, anything to do with the man in the rubber suit, we were there.

So, one day, because my mother has noticed our Godzilla obsession, and wants to show that she can be as cool as our dad, she rents us Godzilla 1985.

Unlike most of the Godzilla movies, this harkens back to the original, with the big monster smashing up Tokyo rather than other monsters. The Japanese have to destroy him, and, through a convoluted system, get him to a volcano, where he will remain trapped forever.

For at least five minutes, you get shots of Godzilla slowly falling towards a lava pit, intercut with shots of Japanese scientists crying. Godzilla falls, everyone cries, again and again, in slow motion.

His flailing arms can't stop him from falling. The scientists know that they have destroyed one of the finest creatures. For the good of the nation? For the good of humanity? But at what cost, people? What cost?

My mother walks into the living room to find both of us having complete fucking breakdowns. We can't stop crying, because this is it. Godzilla's dead, and there's no coming back. There are no more Godzilla movies, there is no more Godzilla.

She laughs at us and our pain, and goes back to bed. My brother and I wipe our tears and fitfully sleep, still upset over the loss of our most revered icon.

The next day, we visit a family friend, and what's on the TV? Godzila 1985. What scene is it on? Godzilla's descent.

"What's wrong?" they ask me, as I try to wipe away the tears.
"Nothing, nothing," as I look away from the screen.
( Sydney Bintstow, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 8:29, Reply)

Fight Club
I love the concept, story and can unfortuneately relate to males wanting to kick the shit out of each other as a form of therapy. The film is also so damm quotable and the twist is a staggering right to the jaw that surely you don't see coming.

A traditional QOTW story regarding the film? I happen to have one. I remember watching it one night and got far to into it. There's a bit where Tyler Durden remarks "The things you own end up owning you". I should mention I have OCD and have to have all my dvds and cds a certain way and it was at a point in my life where it was effecting me a lot. "Godammit i thought, that crazy son of a bitch is right" I systematically went about the business of taking all my 400+ cds from off their racks and my dvds and videos off my shelf piling them up to get rid of them. Until a few hrs later when i realised i actually quite liked having them. As well as having OCD i am also quite lazy which is a deadly combination, the films and cds laid about my room for at least 3 days pissing me off before i went about the mammoth task of putting everything back. Remember tis only a film!
(Joey_Stall, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 7:38, Reply)

les enfants du paradis.
or, children of paradise ~ children of the gods (there is merit in either translation). possibly the most gripping film ever made, unless you're addicted to spaceships and explosions. the writing and direction are top-notch, the acting sublime (and i do not use that word lightly) and the background of the film as rich as could be.

it was made in occupied france, and many of the principals were members of the resistance. sets, actors, supplies and shot film all had to be hidden from the occupying nazis and transported to safe houses at a moment's notice, and the entire production was feared lost a few times.

i knew of it before i ever saw it and was prepared for it to be less than it was hyped to be. it is, in reality, such a gorgeous, emotional document that it deserves its place in the grouping of 'best films ever made'. the criterion remaster from a few years back is worth seeing, by the way - clean print and some previously lost footage restored.

oh, and if that isn't enough of a recommend, it plays a big part in a great book with a classic/arthouse film plot and subplots called flicker (by theodore roszak), which is currently being made into a film. that movie will likely suck 99 kinds of ass, but the book is top fun (and the source of more than a few cryptic jokes and comments i've made here). oh, and terry gilliam loved it - it was one of his favourite films too.

mediocre mentioned another favourite: auch zwerge haben klein angefangen (even dwarfs started small), which is in my top 5 or top ten films.
( postbear has metal knees, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 7:21, Reply)

1971 B movie sleeper: Let's Scare Jessica to Death
Let's Scare Jessica to Death is a `B' movie sleeper horror flick from 1971, but it was surprisingly well executed and even now there is one scene in it that still scares the shit out of me.

Jessica is fresh out of the looney bin, recuperating with family in a country farmhouse. Then weird, creepy stuff starts happening. Is it real, or is it all in her head? We never really find out, and that's what makes the film work so well.
One day Jessica takes a swim in the lake nearby. She feels something touch her foot, ducks beneath the surface and to her horror sees a kelp forest of blue naked eyeless corpses, swaying in the current, their arms reaching up to drag her under....

Switch to close-up on the corpses' POV and we see Jessica's legs thrashing on the surface, just within arms' length. Truly malevolent. Better than the shark POV scene in Jaws.

Oh, and Return of the Living Dead, for a bit of scary light relief and Linnea Quigley's tits.

/likes horror movies and tits.
(Brian O'Blivion contains hazardous material, Sat 19 Jul 2008, 3:45, 1 reply)