oh
Les Égouts du paradis' French True story based Heist film, worth it for the ending alone.

36 Another French film. Vicious, violent cop film

My Favourite year Peter O'toole drunken slapstick

Singing in the Rain.
(ceebs, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:58, 1 reply)

One of my favorite moments...
watching Apocalypse Now late at night, and half dozing off during the foggy river scenes. It's a slow and surreal bunch of scenes to begin with, but when you're fading in and out of consciousness at the same time, it becomes very trippy indeed.
(Harry, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:57, 1 reply)

Layer Cake without question. End of.
You need to watch it three or four times to really 'get it'.

It really is genius. And it's like a personal shibboleth for me. If someone can't see why it's one of the best films ever made, then they're probably not worth talking to.

The reasons I like it, including but certainly not limited to are:

1. The story and script. Great story with nice twists plus there isn't a line of dialogue wasted, or one bit of dialogue that doesn't relate to another bit of the story somewhere else. There is no fat. At all.

2. Great soundtrack. It shouldn't matter, but it really does. If the Lisa Gerrard number at the end doesn't make you well up after the rollercoaster you’ve just been on, you're dead inside.

3. Great acting. There's not a person there who isn't at the top of their game. Daniel Craig was given the reigns of the Bond franchise on the back of that one film. Michael Gambon is the best baddie ever.

4. No weak points. A chain is as strong as its weakest link. You just get the impression that the script, directing, acting, editing, everything is all near-perfect and nothing let the film down. Matthew Vaughan did say he wanted to make a British ‘Heat’. Heat is an amazing film. The dynamics between the characters, including the much hyped DeNero/Pacino is great and the early Moby track at the end is wonderful, but over all, Layer Cake is stronger.

Most films leave me feeling cheated out of my time. Not Layer Cake.

It's all about honour and respect.
( cupboardy, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:53, 1 reply)

Cool
Hand
Luke - Paul Newman and George Kennedy at their best. Car washing, egg eating, digging holes in the ground and filling them back up again, fistfights, escapes from a roadgang, and some very poignant moments.

For a bizarre film try "I bought a vampire motorcycle" it stars half the cast of "Boon", Daniel Peacock, and a turd.
Also quite weird and stupidly funny are Eat The Rich, and Bad Taste (film budget - about 27p)
( social hand grenade I was a lurker before you were a lurker, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:50, Reply)

Films with a twist
There are many films with a clever twist at the end that enhance an already great film (unlike The Sixth Sense - what a pile of crap).

If you're lucky enough not to know what or who Rosebud is, go and watch Citizen Kane. You will find out and miss the chance to watch a true classic the way it was intended.

Same goes for The Sting.

Can anyone else suggest other great films with surprise endings that should urgently be watched before they're spoiled?
( djtrialprice, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:48, 3 replies)

French Comedy
I could reel off a list of my favourite films and we'd all feel good knowing that some other person sitting behind a computer has similar good taste or I can try to suggest you look at something you've never heard of before.

The French sense of humour is superb. It's sarcastic, tragic and beautifully comic. If there's anyone out there who's seen Amelie and thought, "Ah, that's brilliant" then allow me to inform you that the French made more than one film.

Le Placard ("The Closet" en anglais)

Go and see this sodding film. It is amazingly funny, clever and so light-hearted and whimsical. It's about a dull accountant who pretends to be gay to avoid unemployment. The star, Daniel Auteuil, and Gerard Depardieu are superb.

Taxi

So good they had to make a shite remake with Queen Latifa. This is an out-and-out action film. It's also a buddy movie and again, a very clever comedy.

La Tourneuse de Pages (The Page Turner)

OK this isn't a comedy but rather a slow build-up suspense - it's brilliant. Throughout the whole film you have no idea what the main character is thinking or what she's going to do. The subtle climax is well worth the wait.

I'm going to watch Le Diner de Cons next, haven't seen it but looks like another good one.
( djtrialprice, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:41, 1 reply)

I vote for
The shiny one that coated my last shite. Or Saran wrap.
(Chickenwire social lubricator extraordinaire, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:27, 3 replies)

Casshern
A film I would make b3tan's watch if I could. Honestly visually brilliant, the animation and cgi are out of this world, with a really good clone vs human story line (superheroes I might add), foreign language and a slice of (I think) Japanese goodness

www.imdb.com/title/tt0405821/
( SauronWibble I'll hold it, you lick it..., Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:26, 3 replies)

Musa The Warrior
Brilliant and epic martial arts film in the vein of Crouching Tiger, House of flying daggers, etc... But this is stunning and very brutal, Zhang Ziyi is always beautiful and this film is no exception. You honestly feel every arrow through the head and every swipe of the guys saber-thing. I always wondered why this is overlooked as a classic, I thought it was better than the two I mentioned above.
( SauronWibble I'll hold it, you lick it..., Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:20, Reply)

I had to nip out to a job interview earlier, so I'll carry on here.
Sweeney Todd - I really wasn't expecting to like this; Mr Maladicta saw the trailers back in January and jumped up and down to go and see it*, and as it features two of my least favourite criteria for a film: gore and singing, I was very reluctant to go. Unfortunately, he never made it to the cinema to see it, and instead bought the DVD the day it came out "you are going to watch this, and you are going to like it." In fact, it's an amazingly stylish film; you do expect a certain level of class from Tim Burton after all, but he really surpassed himself this time, I feel; especially with Johnny Depp in there as well: the man is a miracle-worker. Even the singing didn't get on my nerves.
* although I suspect this had as much to do with Helena Bonham Carter in a corset as anything.

Star Wars Some of you may know that I don't have the best relationship with my dad at the moment because he isn't very keen on the idea of me living away from home, but he raised me on Star Wars and he raised me well. I'm also one of the few people who doesn't violently hate Jar Jar.

Mrs Doubtfire A classic from my childhood with so many great one-liners: "See that, Nattie? That's called liposuction", "It was a run-by fruiting!", "Are you taking one-of-those personal ads: DWF seeks WWM with BMW into light B & D?" and of course the whole scene where he's playing with the dinosaurs. Legendary.

Léon I love everything I've seen that Luc Besson's made: this, Fifth Element, Taxi, The Transporter 1&2... but this one stands out particularly. It's heartwarming and tense and sad and dark all at once: she's so young, but she's already seen so much that no kid should have to deal with. The closing sequence made me tear up.

The Lion King is the pinnacle of Disney films: nothing will ever top it. I still tear up when Mufasa dies. It was one of the films Mr Maladicta and I watched when we first got together, because I'd not seen it for years, and even he sniffed at that bit.

Breakfast at Tiffany's I rarely like old films, really, but I make an exception for this. Admittedly, the book is so much better as the film downplays the darker parts of Holly's life somewhat, but you can't fault how fantastic Audrey Hepburn looks in every scene.

Deathrace 2000 I describe this on my Facebook page as "great in an I'm-definitely-going-to-hell-for-laughing-at-this way". It inspired Carmageddon, arguably a gaming classic (Mr Maladicta still plays it, gleefully splattering everyone in his path), and is the very blackest of black humour (especially the sequence at the hospital: 'euthanasia day'). The remake's only saving grace, I feel, will be that it will contain Jason Statham, who is classy.

The Water Babies Aside from the fact it features James Mason - a must for any Izzard fan to take the piss out of his accent - it also contains a gay seahorse called Terence, and without it b3ta would not have the use of the phrase Hi Cockalorum.

Van Helsing Werewolves, vampires and crossbows, oh my! I know it's shit. I know the critics panned it. But... camp Dracula ("I'd rather die than help you!" "Oh, don't be boring! Everyone who says that dies!") Hugh Jackman all stubbly and in a long leather coat (and for Mr Maladicta, if I can ever persuade him to sit through it, Kate Beckinsale in a corset). What's not to love?

The Notebook I watched this in Switzerland over MSN with ex-Mr Maladicta, and it's the only film that has ever made me bawl like a little girl.

Amélie I'm a former French student, of course I've seen this more times than I can count. However, unlike most films I had to watch for uni, I absolutely adore it. The hopefulness, the way Jeunet shows us fairytale Paris, Audrey Tautou being adorable, Matthieu Kassovitz as the other dreamer (and looking rather cute), and the wistful, mischievous nature make it my ultimate duvet film. I also got a First for an essay I wrote about Jeunet's vision of Paris in Amélie in my second year.

Length? It would be longer on betamax.
( Maladicta, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:10, 8 replies)

It's all about the right occasion
The Legitimate Day Off
Brain Dead, The Goonies

The Illegitimate Day Off
Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Igby Goes Down

The Date Film
Amelie, Juno

Feeling Reminiscent
Stand By Me, Grosse Point Blank, Almost Famous

Feeling Like A Scare
Ringu, A Tale Of Two Sisters, The Grudge, The Thing, Halloween

Feeling Like A Laugh
Evil Dead 2, Shaun Of The Dead, Napoleon Dynamite, The Big Lewbowski, Office Space

Feeling Down
Shawshank Redemption, O'Brother Where Art Thou, Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

Feeling Angry
300, Sin City, Old Boy, Dead Mans Shoes, Fight Club

Feeling Animated
Ghost In The Shell, Belleville Rendezvous, Princess Mononoke

Feeling Smart
Pi, Dogville, Primer

Feeling Lucky
Dirty Harry (sorry)
(ShiftyBastard won the World Cup on World Soccer Champs 2010!, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:07, 1 reply)

Ooh nearly forgot... The Bank Job
Rented it not expecting that much, but was curious because i knew it was at least loosely based on a true story.

Really thoroughly enjoyed it. Top performance from David Suchet especially. Jason Statham was as wooden as ever, though.

Didn't realise until afterwards, it was written by Clement and La Frenais, of Auf Wiedersehen Pet fame.

Can't recommend it enough.
( Lumpbucket tekcubpmuL, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:06, 1 reply)

The Life aquatic with Steve Zissou
Fantastic film, wicked visuals which you have to admire for their lo-tech greatness.
( SauronWibble I'll hold it, you lick it..., Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:05, 5 replies)

not going to give a massive list but if you have not seen any of these, watch them now!

Oldboy
Magnolia
Attonement
A Scanner Darkly
21 Gramms
Crash (NOT the one with James Spader in it!)


There is more but I think thats a good start
( Bamboo Steamer, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:04, Reply)

Runaway Train (1985)
Who needs Steampunk when an Alaska railroad can give you this much industrial gothic?

Screenplay by no less than Akira Kurosawa (of 7 Samurai fame), this is one of the most under-rated films ever, even though it got 3 Oscar nominations.

I'm not going to spoil the plot, but 2 escaped convicts (one played by the awesome John Voigt) and a railroad worker end up stuck on a runaway train thundering to its doom in snow-blanketed Alaska. The visuals and camerawork are amazing, the soundtrack is haunting and the final scene is one of the most moving in film history.

Watch this film.
(Axeman Jim, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:03, 2 replies)

The Bums Will Always loose
The big lebowski is the greatest film ever. That is all, I will go back to lurking now.
(mrazrockit, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 19:00, Reply)

THERE WILL BE BLOOD
30 minutes of no dialogue at the beginning, the promise of blood at the end (and there is) and it fucking sticks it to the Christians big time. RESULT!
(beaverwastemanagement a real company. I want to work for them!, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:58, 1 reply)

Ferris.
Still love it. Still sob like a girl in the art Gallery bit.
(tinypod will never learn. Ever., Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:54, 2 replies)

Boy eats girl
rented this expecting a crappy but fairly amusing teen america zombie film to find a piece of quality film making from the Isle of Man of all places.

fans of zombie films must watch this, if only for the bit with the tractor and the hedge trimming attachment
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:44, 1 reply)

Freddy got fingered
i'll say no more
( Mr Nerdy-Speccy-FuckNuts Ouchy ouchy wa wa!, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:42, 3 replies)

Or thinking about it.
And trying to be deliberately obscure!

The Crimson Rivers.

French film, with Jean Reno and Vincent Cassell. (Frenchman who have screen presence? Surely not!)
Martial arts, Nazis, Skinheads, Nuns, dope-smoking coppers, a serial killer, dismembered corpses, car chases, and a helicopter. (Which doesn't explode alas.)

It may have it's weak bits, (like a lot of it, and the 'what do you mean you never guessed' ending, but a bloody good try from the Gallic types.
(Mr Steve is jobless and fancyfree!, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:37, Reply)

Withnail & I
This film proves that you don't need tits, fast cars and explosions to make a good film. Not even a brilliant plot is needed. No, all you need is the some of the best dialogue ever and actors (or should I say 'thespians'?) who can pull it off.

Bruce Robinson, writer and director, I salute you.
(thick as a brick I think a no, I mean a yes, but it's all wrong, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:34, 1 reply)

If anyone
has a desire to see a fantastic werewolf film revolving around the elder of two sisters with a suicide pact getting her period, and shagging around after being bitten by a werewolf and passing the curse on, then I wholeheartedly recommend Ginger Snaps. Involves accidental death of the school bitch, and subsequent body hiding.
( Madam Marlboro wonders if you've found her yet, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:33, 7 replies)

I used to have a theory.
The theory was that there is no film out there that doesn't already involve a murderous cyborg coming back from the future, that couldn't be improved by the addition of a murderous cyborg coming back from the future.

Then Terminator 3 came out (which, despite the name and what the people behind it want you to think, does NOT count and is NOT part of the terminator franchise, there are only 2 terminator films), and i figured, murderous time-travelling cyborgs don't guarrantee a good film.

However, I still argue that a LOT of films could be improved this way; for example Home Alone, Pride & Prejudice, Big Mommas House, The Pacifier, When Harry Met Sally, Vice Versa, Honey I Shrunk The Kids... these are all films that would be much better with a time travelling killer cyborg.
( Lumpbucket tekcubpmuL, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:33, 1 reply)

Every week
I fake it that I was late for the end of the previous week's question.
( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:33, Reply)

That Film about...
The guy that sits at home,by his computer and wanks off to children's tv shows

oh no...

thats my life

length? not much longer....
( Mr Nerdy-Speccy-FuckNuts Ouchy ouchy wa wa!, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:32, 1 reply)

two to watch. make your own decisions.
the quiet earth. (finally out on dvd)

zombie flesh eaters. (for the banter)

maybe not an inspired qotw. but diverting.
(magictorch, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:30, Reply)

Anything with....
... and exploding helicopter in it. Honestly this is a sure-fire mark of greatness. Or a flying ship like in Stardust. Even my in-laws were glued to that and De Niro playing against type is a bit 'interesting'.
(Mr Steve is jobless and fancyfree!, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:29, Reply)

Croupier
with Clive Owen

about a novelist writing about a croupier, goes to work as one in a casino.

very low budget, but good I thought

made me go "hmm"
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:22, Reply)

This QOTW
reminds me of this

Real link BTW.
( Madam Marlboro wonders if you've found her yet, Thu 17 Jul 2008, 18:21, Reply)