The Clockwork Mansion

The Grand Hallway => The Outer Fortress => Topic started by: Rakala on November 09, 2008, 09:36:57 PM

Title: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 09, 2008, 09:36:57 PM
I only recently saw Forrest Gump all the way through, which I have been told by practically everyone I needed to see. There have been several classic/well known movies I haven't seen, like Pulp Fiction. Does this surprise anyone? I mean I'm only 17, not like I've had a lot of time. Are there any classic movies that anybody else hasn't seen? I know somebody who went on about me for not seeing Forrest Gump but he hadn't even seen the Godfather (part 1) yet.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Jairus on November 09, 2008, 09:42:43 PM
There are many classic movies that I have not seen yet. Gone with the Wind, The Godfather, Forrest Gump... there are a bunch of them. I'll probably see them eventually. Thanks to a pair of film classes, I've seen a bunch more films that I might never have seen otherwise, like Citizen Kane, Yojimbo, Ghost Dog.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Corgatha Taldorthar on November 09, 2008, 09:44:59 PM
I haven't seen Citizen Kane myself, but I'm fairly well accomplished in the classic movies department. *shakes fist at culturally demanding relatives*  For all of my whining though, I'm glad I watched them, a lot of the classics deserve their status. I heartily recommend for everyone Casablanca, On the Waterfront, 12 Angry Men, Red Alert, and  Doctor Strangelove. All black and white, but all brilliant.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 09, 2008, 09:50:13 PM
There is absolutely nothing wrong with black and white movies, unless they end up on Mystery Science Theater.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: superluser on November 09, 2008, 09:59:15 PM
For some stupid reason, I decided to watch both Seven Days in May and The Manchurian Candidate last night.  They were as good as when I saw them last.

I can also recommend All the President's Men and M.

I've heard good things about Our Man in Havana, though I've never seen it.

Be sure to see The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits.  Both are TV shows, but excellent.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 09, 2008, 10:00:34 PM
There is actually a Twilight Zone movie that I felt lived up to the original series.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Elieana on November 10, 2008, 01:00:58 AM
I haven't seen most classic movies for the simple fact that I'm extremely picky with movies .-. Most modern movies bore me. So, chances are, Forrest Gump will, too (which, I've never seen...nor do I want to ): )
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: superluser on November 10, 2008, 01:24:06 AM
Quote from: Elieana on November 10, 2008, 01:00:58 AMI haven't seen most classic movies for the simple fact that I'm extremely picky with movies .-. Most modern movies bore me. So, chances are, Forrest Gump will, too (which, I've never seen...nor do I want to ): )

This may provide a challenge!  What films have you liked?
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Elieana on November 10, 2008, 05:57:42 AM
Well... to tell the truth for me to like a movie it cannot have a few things...

1. It cannot be gory. I absolutely HATE seeing people killed in horrible ways. Death in a movie is fine, but it seriously can't be an over-the-top death... If I want to watch a horror movie I'll watch a documentary on WWII.
2. I need to be able to understand what they're saying. No, they don't have to be speaking fluent English in an African country... but if it IS in English, I cannot stand listening to people talk in slang. Slang = lazy talk = not real words = gibberish (that is my definition anyway..). So this pretty much cancels out "gangsta" movies all together.
3. Not too fast, too furious. Explosions, car chases, and things crashing doesn't impress me. In fact, in movies, it rather bores me. If it's a small part of the movie, it's fine. However, movies like "The Fast and the Furious", "Gone in 60 Seconds", ect. ect. are a real snooze for me, so I'd rather not watch them.
4. There has to be an actually meaningful storyline. If things are happening in the movie that don't make sense, or the main plot is just completed stupid (e.i. "Dude, Where's My Car?"), then I won't watch/finish watching a movie.

So yeah... <_< This really narrows it down but can you guess my favorite genre now that I've given my main guildlines for movies I like? If you guess it, then you give a cookie :3
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: superluser on November 10, 2008, 06:06:46 AM
Quote from: Elieana on November 10, 2008, 05:57:42 AMSo yeah... <_< This really narrows it down but can you guess my favorite genre now that I've given my main guildlines for movies I like? If you guess it, then you give a cookie :3

Based on that, I'd suggest political thrillers, but you don't want boring, either, so... humm, romance?

How are you on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Elieana on November 10, 2008, 06:09:40 AM
Yeaaaaaah romance :3 That's about the only thing that I'm stereotyped to as far as gender goes ^^ Romance is my favorite...everything o:

And I'm not really sure. I've heard of it, I've heard good things, but as far as personal opinions I can't tell you, for I have not seen it, sadly.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: superluser on November 10, 2008, 06:28:43 AM
Quote from: Elieana on November 10, 2008, 06:09:40 AMAnd I'm not really sure. I've heard of it, I've heard good things, but as far as personal opinions I can't tell you, for I have not seen it, sadly.

Well, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is pretty much the anti-romance, but they do enunciate quite well, there's no gore, there's no furious action and the storyline is magnetic.

I can't think of any romances to recommend.  There's Some Like It Hot, and The Graduate, but they're not remembered for the sort of things that romances are remembered for.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Zina on November 10, 2008, 06:49:00 AM
I'm shocked no one has mentioned The Goonies or The Sandlot.
There are very few movies I remember loving as a child and were still pretty awesome watching as an adult.
And A Christmas Story. I've also seen Rashomon 50 billion times, and never by choice.

Other than that, there's a lot of classic movies I haven't seen. Listing them all would be ridiculous, so I'll spare you. But I don't think I've seen a single film with Audrey Hepburn in it.
Also, I didn't see Alien until recently. Why it took me so long to see that movie, I have no idea. It was pretty cool. Same with Dr. Strangelove. Just saw it this summer, actually. And I saw The Exorcist sometime this year, and I must admit, it didn't do much for me. Maybe I'm just not scared of the devil, idk.


Also, I haven't seen a single Bond film. Not one.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: superluser on November 10, 2008, 07:01:48 AM
Quote from: Zina on November 10, 2008, 06:49:00 AMI'm shocked no one has mentioned The Goonies or The Sandlot.

I wouldn't call that from the classic era.  It's obvious that Rakala means more recent movies, too, but I guess that I'm just not inclined to think of those more recent ones.  Nonetheless, I second your recommendation.

And as to more recent films:

Ghostbusters
Animal House
Airplane!
Kentucky Fried Movie
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Army of Darkness
Big Lebowski (too recent?)
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Zina on November 10, 2008, 07:11:37 AM
I don't know, it depends on what you consider to be a "classic". I'd consider Titanic to be a classic, and that was made in 1997. Same with Forrest Gump or Jurassic Park. So really, I guess it depends.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Tapewolf on November 10, 2008, 07:16:32 AM
Arsenic and Old Lace.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 10, 2008, 07:17:34 AM
Personally, I don't think Alien has anything on Aliens, particularly the Directors Cut edition.

But they do appeal to slightly different markets, I spose.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Turnsky on November 10, 2008, 07:25:04 AM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 10, 2008, 07:17:34 AM
Personally, I don't think Alien has anything on Aliens, particularly the Directors Cut edition.

But they do appeal to slightly different markets, I spose.

Aliens was that rare case of the sequel been just as good, or better than the original.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Tapewolf on November 10, 2008, 07:30:57 AM
Oh, oh, Bladerunner.  And Company of Wolves.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Vidar on November 10, 2008, 07:42:34 AM
I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked that noone mentioned anything by Akira Kurosawa.
The Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, The Hidden Fortress, and Ran are all movies I highly reccomend.
They are in japanese, so get ready to read some subtitles. Most are also in black and white, but in this case, that just doesn't matter. The movies are so good that you can enjoy them without that newfangled 'colour' thingy.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Zina on November 10, 2008, 07:48:48 AM
Quote from: Zina on November 10, 2008, 06:49:00 AM
I've also seen Rashomon 50 billion times, and never by choice.


What now.

Also, checking wikipedia, Aliens was the movie I saw, not Alien. Show's what I know.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 10, 2008, 08:15:18 AM
Quote from: Tapewolf on November 10, 2008, 07:30:57 AM
Oh, oh, Bladerunner.  And Company of Wolves.

Mystery Men?
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: King Of Hearts on November 10, 2008, 10:04:28 AM
I absolutely loved Godfather 1... but for some reason I cant get myself to finish part 2...

I also hate scary stuff, but there is no denying that 'Silence of the Lambs' is a classic in every sense of the word.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Dannysaysnoo on November 10, 2008, 10:14:33 AM
I recently watched Full Metal Jacket. Ironic, consdering it was Rememberance Weeken.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Sofox on November 10, 2008, 10:26:58 AM
Classic movies are a mixed bundle for me. Just like any group of films I suppose.
I actually make an active effort to watch classic movies, they generally fall into two categories. In one instance, I wonder how the heck it became a classic, often it's boring, it doesn't do anything terribly interesting and/or there are glaring problems with it that I'm surprised that no one seems to mind. The reasons I come up with are that other movies at the time must have been boring, that tastes have moved on, that the timing of the movie was just right, that the general audience was just so naive and uncultured that they felt that this movie was "revolutionary" or that I just have my own tastes.
On the other side, I find gems of movies that really had their own thing going for it, that have twists, styles, sense of identity, interpretations, moods ways of going about things, a sense of art, even original thoughts and ideas etc. that shames many movies and media that comes out today. In sort, they're fantastic and even movies that take inspiration from these movies fail to truely capture what made them brilliant even in the many years since their release and all the technological progress since then.

In both types of movies, you'll also generally find the situations, quotations, character types and settings that have been ripped off by other movies and TV series constantly since their release. That actually turns out to be one of my main reasons for watching these classic movies, so I can actually get all these references to these movies and understand them from their original setting.
Oh, it also makes you realise how bereft so many writers are of ideas/characters etc. that they keep ripping off the same set of concepts from the same set of movies.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Esnel Pla on November 10, 2008, 02:37:13 PM
Wait, wait.. I'm a movie person. A few years of my life have been spent on my hands and knees makin' em and new rest of my years spent writing them and teaching them. Now, I'm no pretentious asshole, if anything I'm a philistine, but when I click on a thread marked "Classic Movies" and the movie in question is Forrest Gump, I just have to utter a big ol' "WTF!?" to myself.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 10, 2008, 02:39:11 PM
Well, anybody I asked it seemed to be a classic to them. After seeing the movie I disagree a little. It was a good movie that I think everybody should see, but hardly a classic. I just assumed everybody here thought similarly to everybody else I've spoken to.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Auragonian on November 10, 2008, 08:33:40 PM
What about Wizard of Oz? I'm surprised no one has mentioned it yet. also never seen Forrest Gump, I'm more into Fantasy and Comedies than whatever genre that movie is in.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 10, 2008, 08:38:05 PM
Uh... kind of a comedy for the most part. Anyways, I feel that comedies are amusing, but far from the greatest genre. All the movies I consider my favorites are serious on some level.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: DarkAudit on November 10, 2008, 11:34:17 PM
Sooo glad that DirecTV has Turner Classic Movies, Fox Movie Channel, and MGM HD. You've got the best of the best all right there.

They also carry AMC and Universal HD, but they have commercials, and AMC censors the movies, so they don't count.

Classic movie? Meaningful storyline? Not gory?

Well then. I give you several from different eras and genres.

Being There

Network

Fail-Safe

A Face in the Crowd
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: superluser on November 10, 2008, 11:42:04 PM
Quote from: DarkAudit on November 10, 2008, 11:34:17 PMFail-Safe

Is that good?  Having seen Dr. Strangelove, which has a similar plot, I've always wondered if that one were any good.

I know I've mentioned this one before, but When the Wind Blows was a great film.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Zorro on November 11, 2008, 03:29:44 AM
Monty Python Movies, all of them especially "Holy Grail" 
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Corgatha Taldorthar on November 11, 2008, 09:18:30 AM
Quote from: superluser on November 10, 2008, 11:42:04 PM
Quote from: DarkAudit on November 10, 2008, 11:34:17 PMFail-Safe

Is that good?  Having seen Dr. Strangelove, which has a similar plot, I've always wondered if that one were any good.

I know I've mentioned this one before, but When the Wind Blows was a great film.

Both Doctor Strangelove and Fail-Safe are adaptations of a book "Red Alert" (Forgetting the names at the moment, but the guy who wrote Red Alert sued both Kubrick and the guy who wrote Fail safe, settling out of court for considerable sums of money). Whereas Doctor Strangelove is a nasty comedy, Fail-safe is more of a suspense/thriller type movie, focusing much more on the distrust the Soviets have for the Americans, and the bickering between department leaders. And yes, it's very, very good.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 11, 2008, 10:58:49 AM
Quote from: Zorro on November 11, 2008, 03:29:44 AM
Monty Python Movies, all of them especially "Holy Grail" 

Holy Grail, maybe, but that seems to be all anybody knows of Monty Python. Less than a quarter of the people I know knew about Monty Python's Flying Circus before I met them. The Meaning of Life and The Life of Brian are even less known.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Corgatha Taldorthar on November 11, 2008, 11:03:22 AM
Which is a pity, because Life of Brian could kick Holy Grail's wet ass all over the tarmac.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 11, 2008, 11:23:34 AM
I felt the Meaning of Life was better than Life of Brian.

Although both are better than Holy Grail, I'll admit.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 11, 2008, 12:08:03 PM
Yeah, Holy Grail would probably be funnier if everybody hadn't seen it and quoted it to death. I swear I can perform the whole movie on my own with the voices and everything. The only part I might get wrong is The Castle Anthrax.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Alondro on November 11, 2008, 12:54:57 PM
Quote from: llearch n'n'daCorna on November 11, 2008, 11:23:34 AM
I felt the Meaning of Life was better than Life of Brian.

Although both are better than Holy Grail, I'll admit.

Heh heh, the gigantic fat guy barfing all over the place and then bursting from the after-dinner mint was sick and twisted and funny. 

A Mario Game from Nintendo a while back had a similar idea to it:  guy eats a whole lot while narrator describes all the extra stuff in the game.  Then he eats one more little bite, "How about a little bonus level?"  Then he explodes. 

One of my classic favorite movies was one lesser known than the mega-classic, "The Day the Earth Stood Still".   This one was called "When Worlds Collide", and I think it was very very well done considering the scientific knowledge of the time, even taking into account the gravitational effects of the approaching rogue red dwarf star, making its companion planet harbor only basic life (instead of plunking intelligent aliens on it as sci-fi is apt to do).

It was scientifically more plausible than the novel, but we can forgive the novel as it was written in the 1930's when even less was known.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Lysander on November 11, 2008, 02:52:09 PM
I'm not a fan of most classic movies, but I would agree that Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a great movie. I would never have guessed it was made before I was born until my film studies class.   :januscat
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: superluser on November 11, 2008, 02:59:20 PM
Quote from: Corgatha Taldorthar on November 11, 2008, 09:18:30 AMBoth Doctor Strangelove and Fail-Safe are adaptations of a book "Red Alert" (Forgetting the names at the moment, but the guy who wrote Red Alert sued both Kubrick and the guy who wrote Fail safe, settling out of court for considerable sums of money). Whereas Doctor Strangelove is a nasty comedy, Fail-safe is more of a suspense/thriller type movie, focusing much more on the distrust the Soviets have for the Americans, and the bickering between department leaders. And yes, it's very, very good.

Just a point of clarification:

Fail-Safe was its own novel, which may or may not have been based on Red Alert.  It was certainly in Kubrick's interest to claim that it was.  Also, I don't think Peter George (the Red Alert author) sued Kubrick.

Also

Quote from: Corgatha Taldorthar on November 11, 2008, 11:03:22 AMWhich is a pity, because Life of Brian could kick Holy Grail's wet ass all over the tarmac.

Especially with scenes like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb_qHP7VaZE) (couple of f-bombs).
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 11, 2008, 03:15:28 PM
Holy Grail is definitely one of their least funny things, however it is still hilarious and definitely a good way to introduce somebody to Monty Python. Best Monty Python skit ever: NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Dannysaysnoo on November 11, 2008, 03:30:49 PM
Quote from: Rakala on November 11, 2008, 03:15:28 PM
Holy Grail is definitely one of their least funny things, however it is still hilarious and definitely a good way to introduce somebody to Monty Python. Best Monty Python skit ever: NOBODY EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!

Nah, it has to be Fresh Fruit Defence.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 11, 2008, 04:34:31 PM
Also good. I also like when they're going through a list of "tin" words and "wood" words.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Dannysaysnoo on November 11, 2008, 05:27:16 PM
Quote from: Rakala on November 11, 2008, 04:34:31 PM
Also good. I also like when they're going through a list of "tin" words and "wood" words.

Caribou. Gorne.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Jairus on November 11, 2008, 06:12:11 PM
"It's not a balloon! It's a zeppelin!"

Come to think of it, choosing just ONE sketch from Monty Python is damned near impossible.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Corgatha Taldorthar on November 11, 2008, 06:13:52 PM
the blancmanges (sp?) from outer space who want to win Wimbledon!
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Jairus on November 11, 2008, 06:15:45 PM
Quote from: Corgatha Taldorthar on November 11, 2008, 06:13:52 PM
the blancmanges (sp?) from outer space who want to win Wimbledon!
Oh, you're no fun anymore.

The blancmanges are really Australians, trying the get the rights to the peyote rule book, from the Czech publishers!
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: DarkAudit on November 11, 2008, 06:50:20 PM
Getting back on track for a sec, I have when worlds Collide in my DVD collection, where it's sat for far too long.

Actually, that could be said about a lot of movies discussed so far. In my collection, and collecting dust.  :U
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Rakala on November 11, 2008, 09:25:31 PM
I have the same problem. All the movies I own are the ones I really like and watch to death. Then later I just watch them now and then.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Sunblink on November 14, 2008, 07:46:51 AM
The closest thing to a classic movie I've seen is 12 Angry Men... which I thought was awesome.

Oh, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I still love that movie.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Turnsky on November 14, 2008, 09:03:54 AM
The Thing. Classic horror flick.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Tipod on November 15, 2008, 01:57:16 PM
I can never think of many good old movies off the top of my head, but has anyone here seen Ralph Bakshi's Wizards? Definitely worth a rental if you're into vintage animation.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: DarkAudit on November 16, 2008, 04:52:35 PM
Quote from: Tipod on November 15, 2008, 01:57:16 PM
I can never think of many good old movies off the top of my head, but has anyone here seen Ralph Bakshi's Wizards? Definitely worth a rental if you're into vintage animation.

Seen it. Own the DVD.  :eager
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Tipod on November 16, 2008, 05:27:49 PM
Quote from: DarkAudit on November 16, 2008, 04:52:35 PM

Seen it. Own the DVD.  :eager

Fritz! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W7IOzb-LaQ) Love how emotive their hands are.
Even though there isn't much to the story, it's still a good watch.
Title: Re: Classic Movies
Post by: Nikki on November 17, 2008, 02:03:03 AM
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Godzilla (oldold version)
Star Wars (Original Trilogy)
Jurassic Park
Alien/Aliens

;P