Author Topic: What are your favorite movies? (Read 179,267 times)

TaoPhoenix · « **Reply #25 on:** February 13, 2013, 12:17 PM »

Tron is arguably one of the seven-ish signature movies that defined my childhood, as an early example of what later came and passed as "cyber-punk". So much so, that about 7 years ago I got hold of a special rare Text-To-Speech engine that sounded at least "sorta-close" to the MCP. My inside joke was in some alternate timeline the MCP has been repaired with a "patch" and is now a literature professor that reads audio books!

(The quality is far from perfect, but it's parsecs away from every other TTS engine I've heard that's racing to be as nondescript as vanilla pudding. If anyone really wants to have a giggle, maybe start a new thread and I can whip up a few phrases. It's a pity that the engine is discontinued with no plans of future developement though!)

40hz · « **Reply #26 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:04 PM »

Quote from: TaoPhoenix on February 13, 2013, 12:17 PM

If anyone really wants to have a giggle, maybe start a new thread and I can whip up a few phrases. It's a pity that the engine is discontinued with no plans of future developement though!

There are several open source TTS projects you might want to look at if you're in the mood to play with that and maybe make the effort a little more future-proof.

e:Speak and Festival come most readily to mind. But there are plenty more to explore if you do a search. More are listed here.

Attronarch · « **Reply #27 on:** February 13, 2013, 01:39 PM »

I see there are a lot of SF lovers, yet no one mentioned two works that are among the best (if not the best):

Solaris

Stalker

These two movies are truly engaging, no "holding-your-hand-explaining-what-is-going-on" crap. Another favourite of mine is:

Valhalla Rising

40hz · « **Reply #28 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:12 AM »

Quote from: Attronarch on February 13, 2013, 01:39 PM

I see there are a lot of SF lovers, yet no one mentioned two works that are among the best (if not the best):

Solaris

Glad you preferred the original Russian film to the 2002 Hollywood remake. Thought the way they handled Kris Kelvin's wife (Hari/Rheya) was better in the Sov version too.

Edvard · « **Reply #29 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:19 AM »

Haven't seen Old Boy, but that is the kind of movie I like. My netflix free trial runs out in two weeks...

40hz · « **Reply #30 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:22 AM »

Maybe somebody can help me out with this one. It's a 2009 American film called The Limits of Control..

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40hz · « **Reply #31 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:32 AM »

Here's two more if you like heist/caper movies. Both are brilliant semi-sleepers: Foolproof and The Score.

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mouser · « **Reply #32 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:43 AM »

A Few More From Me:

The Killer Inside Me
To Live and Die in LA
Frailty
Pontypool
Winter's Bone

ps. I used my Web Link Captor (disccussion thread here) program to search for and find IMDB links for entries for me, and automatically build me the bbcode to paste in my post. Finally I found a perfect use for that program.. (perfect except for it doesn't attach photos).

Renegade · « **Reply #33 on:** February 14, 2013, 05:45 AM »

Since we're posting so many, I'll add another and a note:

Life of Brian

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And pretty much everything else by Monty Python.

The only bad thing about Monty Python is that we can't get any more Monty Python.

But, rather than dwell on negativity, I think that we should always look on the bright side of life!

tomos · « **Reply #34 on:** February 14, 2013, 11:12 AM »

This is one that used be a favourite of mine years ago, but would nearly have to look at it again to see if it's still up there.

Being There
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It was Peter Seller's last film, very different from his other films, quite slow moving but with some absolutely classic scenes.

40hz · « **Reply #35 on:** February 14, 2013, 11:20 AM »

@Mouser - +1 for Pontypool. Nice bit of originality in a sea of me-too zombie themed movies. About the only zombie apocalypse treatment I ever found believable and genuinely scary. Didn't even mind the absence of the lovely and outrageously athletic Milla Jovovich (as Alice) in that one.

An interesting cross-genre riff with some zombie/possession (and H.P.Lovecraftian blending of science and religion) is John Carpenter's 1987 Prince of Darkness. This one has it all: sci-fi, horror, demonic possession, some allusions to the (then radical) notion of the relationship between mathematics, information theory and DNA...

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Suppose you could somehow capture the source of all evil and contain it in a reliquary kept hidden in the basement of an abandoned church. Suppose this evil was a tangible thing only temporarily imprisoned within a parallel dimension that was now beginning to replicate itself here in order break free within our own reality? That's the basic premise behind Prince of Darkness. An idea that got used quite effectively by Clive Barker when he penned his now legendary Hellraiser/Books of Blood series.

A university scientist-professor, along with his handpicked team of graduate students, is called in at the request of a priest to study something hidden and guarded by the church for centuries: a large glass container that was somehow sealed from the inside. It contains a swirling and radiant mass of...something. It used to be dormant. But as the priest points out - something inside has started to awaken. Something that is trying to get out...

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Renegade · « **Reply #36 on:** February 14, 2013, 11:45 AM »

I'll have to check out that Pontypool. Sounds pretty good.

As for Prince of Darkness... That was 1987... I'm pretty sure that I was drunk and/or high that year, or a good portion of it. I know I saw it, but...

And speaking of zombie flicks, this is a FANTASTIC one:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103873/?ref_=sr_1

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It's a romantic horromedy (horror comedy). It mashes up a love story inside of a zombie apocalypse, but keeps things in perspective and makes fun of everything!

FAIR WARNING: You will likely piss yourself laughing. You have been warned~!

I'd forgotten about that -- definitely one of the best zombie movies I've ever seen!

(Incidentally, it was directed by Peter Jackson - same dude that did the LotR.)

Hmmm... Come to think of it, Dead Alive was in 1992, and I'm pretty sure I was drunk & high that year too...

Must have been really good if I remembered it~!

Shades · « **Reply #37 on:** February 14, 2013, 11:50 AM »

Stardust:
Adventure, fantasy, (riskier) jokes, nice effects, decent storyline and last but not least a strong cast. I mean, who can say no to Michelle Pfeiffer with Claire Daines as backup?

Renegade · « **Reply #38 on:** February 14, 2013, 11:56 AM »

Quote from: Shades on February 14, 2013, 11:50 AM

Stardust:
Adventure, fantasy, (riskier) jokes, nice effects, decent storyline and last but not least a strong cast. I mean, who can say no to Michelle Pfeiffer with Claire Daines as backup?

That was a BRILLIANT movie! I loved it! It's probably the closest thing to The Princess Bride, and very much comparable, though I couldn't say which I liked more. I've see TPB more times than I could count. (Used to stick it in while working - nearly wore out the tape.)

40hz · « **Reply #39 on:** February 14, 2013, 12:11 PM »

To break away from the horror/sci-fi genre for a moment and enter into the realm of 'fantastic realism' (a place where I prefer to spend the bulk of my personal time) here's another two favorites of mine well worth watching: Big Fish and The Science of Sleep.

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Everybody has probably seen or heard enough about BIg Fish already. But I'm frankly surprised that The Science of Sleep has remained as generally unknown as it has.

The Science of Sleep is IMHO one of the most brilliantly conceived little movies ever made. Especially impressive is the use of junk cardboard stop motion animation that runs throughout the movie. Just goes to show that you don't need a half billion dollars worth of CGI and special effects to produce a great picture. Just a solid story, a talented cast, and a little ingenuity.

Here's the trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUCrM5i_W3c

tomos · « **Reply #40 on:** February 14, 2013, 12:24 PM »

Quote from: Renegade on February 14, 2013, 11:45 AM

[Dead and Alive]
It's a romantic horromedy (horror comedy). It mashes up a love story inside of a zombie apocalypse, but keeps things in perspective and makes fun of everything!

sounds good

Have you seen Shaun of the Dead
(sounds like all of the above mixed with *real* life - brilliant)

Renegade · « **Reply #41 on:** February 14, 2013, 12:34 PM »

Quote from: tomos on February 14, 2013, 12:24 PM

Have you seen Shaun of the Dead

+1 - That was GREAT! I loved it!

40hz · « **Reply #42 on:** February 14, 2013, 12:40 PM »

Quote from: Renegade on February 14, 2013, 11:56 AM

Quote from: Shades on February 14, 2013, 11:50 AM
Stardust:
Adventure, fantasy, (riskier) jokes, nice effects, decent storyline and last but not least a strong cast. I mean, who can say no to Michelle Pfeiffer with Claire Daines as backup?

That was a BRILLIANT movie! I loved it! It's probably the closest thing to The Princess Bride, and very much comparable, though I couldn't say which I liked more. I've see TPB more times than I could count. (Used to stick it in while working - nearly wore out the tape.)

+1. It was a great movie. Claire Daines hit the exact right note for her character. And Michelle Pfeiffer couldn't put in a bad performance if her life depended on it. She's an amazingly versatile actress. See her in White Oleander to catch a side of her acting talent most wouldn't suspect.

But if you really enjoyed Stardust, do yourself a favor and read the Neil Gaiman book (get a copy with the Charles Vess illustrations) it was based on.

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Renegade · « **Reply #43 on:** February 14, 2013, 12:56 PM »

Continuing in the departure from horror and sci-fi, how about movies that made you cry?

Old Yeller

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Not sure how old I was when I saw it, but probably around 7 or so.

It used to be common parlance to talk about crying to Old Yeller. Not so sure that it would evoke the same tears today though...

40hz · « **Reply #44 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:11 PM »

^Watched a relative's son and daughter sit through it a while back. They're 7 and 5 respectively. Not a tear in sight. Truth is, I think they were rather bored by it.

Renegade · « **Reply #45 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:39 PM »

Quote from: 40hz on February 14, 2013, 01:11 PM

^Watched a relative's son and daughter sit through it a while back. They're 7 and 5 respectively. Not a tear in sight. Truth is, I think they were rather bored by it.

Not sure whether that's a good thing or if I should cry again for Old Yeller...

Curt · « **Reply #46 on:** February 14, 2013, 11:54 PM »

Quote from: Renegade on February 14, 2013, 12:34 PM

Quote from: tomos on February 14, 2013, 12:24 PM
Have you seen Shaun of the Dead
+1 - That was GREAT! I loved it!

Was it a sequel? I liked Shaun better when he still was alive: movies.netflix.com/ShauntheSheep

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Chance was the Danish title of Being There. Perfect Book, and great Movie, but as tomos said, it has been quite a while, so a re-view is needed :-)

thumbs:

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Shane - The Silent Rider was a fav' book of my youth, and I still like the movie version big time as well:

thumb:

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GARP is an all time favourite as well, both as book and as moving pictures. The beginning of the film version The World According to Garp was extra wonderful:

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Several Danish, Swedish, and other not-English films as well. But what's the point in telling you about Ein Mann Geht Durch Die Wand, or Carl Th. Dreyer's Ordet, or ... or? As tomos said, that was then, how is it today? I haven't seen those two films in fourty years, and maybe it is for the best to not re-view them. The German one wasn't "great", but we analysed it in class, making it mean something to us. A film really doesn't have to be "great", (as proven by some of your lists!), it is more important if it appeals to something in you, I think.

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Renegade · « **Reply #47 on:** February 15, 2013, 12:20 AM »

Quote from: Curt on February 14, 2013, 11:54 PM

Was it a sequel? I liked Shaun better when he still was alive: movies.netflix.com/ShauntheSheep

Hahahaha~!

I also love Shaun the Sheep~! My wife and I sit down every so often and watch a few episodes.

(We have the DVD set.)

Renegade · « **Reply #48 on:** February 15, 2013, 01:10 AM »

Tinman reminded me of a great movie that really nailed a few things. Sort of an action/tragedy. A man is pushed past his breaking point, at which point he just snaps.

Falling Down

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tomos · « **Reply #49 on:** February 15, 2013, 10:14 AM »

Quote from: Curt on February 14, 2013, 11:54 PM

A film really doesn't have to be "great", (as proven by some of your lists!), it is more important if it appeals to something in you, I think.

good point Curt - in the last years I have thoroughly enjoyed some films that are really not so great. I mean the story or acting or something resonates with whatever is going on with me at that particular moment. OTOH a film can be super made or maybe technically brilliant, but not connect with the viewer - or simply not have much of a heart (last Almodovar film comes to mind - but maybe it 'connects' with someone else...)