January 23, 2012

  • Homework Assignment 1/16

    I really liked reading your answers to the last homework assignment.  I didn't reply because I was hoping to get more classroom discussion led by you but then I felt bad because people may have thought I was causing drama.  I was actually just trying to be funny with those stereotypes of people who support those political parties.  Thanks for participating, you all get an A.

    Now, your next assignment:

    Make sure you clearly tell me the five movies and WHY they are must see.

    My 5 movies:

    1.  American Splendor: I absolutely love this movie.  I just relate to all the characters, which isa strange thing to say because they are all real people.  I guess American Splendor really shows howlife isn’t all it is cracked up to be but you have to make the most of it andnot daydream about what is going to happen five years from now or when you aredead.

    2.  Requiem for a Dream: Requiem fora Dream exposes four paralleled individuals and their menacing addiction toheroin, cocaine, and diet pills (speed).  Iwas in awe the first time I viewed this film. It is very emotional and Aronofsky really ties you into the character’slives.  This movie is such a stark lookat drugs when many other movies glamorize abuse.  I wish today’s celebrities took the time towatch this movie.  One thought, if yourent this movie be warned that there are both an NC17 and R version.  Most rental stores only carry the R-ratedversion.  If you want to see anotherclassic Aronofsky production go to Wal-mart and Requiem for a Dream is featuredon a dual DVD with the movie, Pi.

    3.  American History X: This was a difficult movie to watch due to its graphic nature.  I just can’t understand racism but that iswhat the point of this movie is.  Takecaution when viewing.  Edward Norton mademe think he is a good actor after seeing this movie.  I do find it hard to watch My Name is Earlafter seeing one of the characters in this movie but I guess he can handlediverse roles.

    4.  American Beauty: I simply love thisfilm.  When I was in college many of myclassmates absolutely hated this movie. I don’t know why because they could never verbally voice theirpoints.  I guess I found this movie attimes to be a dark comedy because of its comments on the dysfunctional familythat I know oh so well.  Kevin Spacey is first-rateas Lester Burnham.

    5.  Dr. Strangelove: I absolutely adore this movie.  I think it is because Peter Sellers hasmultiple roles but it is well written and mimics history.  I find it ironic how this movie applies tomost every military action the US has become involved in since itsrelease.  Rent the DVD and be sure towatch any deleted scenes.  There is onethat was simply deleted due to the assassination of JFK.

    6.  One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: When most people compare a movie based on abook to the book they usually say they enjoyed the book better.  Not for me with this movie.  There were major differences but the filmversion has a tighter feeling.  The bookI had was good because it had a doctor’s commentary describing mental illnessesand their treatments.  Jack Nicholsongave one hell of a performance as McMurphy.

    7.  Fight Club:  I think this may be the best book to movie adaptation out there.  One of the greatest mindscrews in modern cinema but I shouldn't even be talking about this movie.

    8.  Batman Begins and The Dark Knight: These are the best Batman movies and anyone who is interested in Batman should watch these instead of the shit that came out in the 90s.

    9.  The Great Dictator: This is the first true talking movie Charlie Chaplin made.  It exposed the absolute absurdity of Nazi Germany and was only one of two films to condemn the Nazis and Hitler before the U.S. entered World War II.  Charlie Chaplin gives one of the best speeches in all of cinema.

    10.  Triumph of the Will: OK so I just got done condemning the Nazis and this film glorifies them.  I think it's a worthwhile watch so that you can see how people willingly followed Hitler.  All the politics aside the film was one of the most advanced for it's time given all of the different techniques employed.  The cinematography makes this one of the greatest films of all time.  Also there is one memorable scene that was copied by George Lucas for Star Wars.

    11.  American Graffiti:  This was George Lucas' second movie that he directed and wrote.  The movie is set in 1962 California and is nostalgic look at the lives of 1960s teenagers.  It's almost like one long music video because there always seems to be music playing and the movie seemingly revolves around the music.  It might be one of the best movies about teenagers ever to be made.  This style of movie has led to another similar movie that I love called Dazed and Confused.  American Graffiti was such a pioneering movie.  It only cost $750,000 to be made but has grossed over $250million worldwide, $78million of which was during the first run.  It was one of the first movies to use actual rock and roll music for the soundtrack instead of using a composed soundtrack.  It was one of the first movies to use cross-cutting in storytelling which has been replicated numerous times.  Also one of the reasons why I like this movie was how I was able to bond with my dad while watching it because the "kids" featured in the movie were the same age as what he was when the movie took place.  Oh and speaking of the "kids"...so many people in that movie became big stars.

    I did 11, you only had to give me 5.

Comments (40)

  • I can only think of two right now.  Schindler's List and To Kill a Mockingbird because they are riveting movies and show a little piece of history in a fictional movie.

  • 1) The Fellowship of the Ring - because it's a beautiful movie and has a beautiful soundtrack and it's a pretty fantastic rendition of a pretty fantastic book.

    2) Hotel Rwanda - Hijacking the reasons that   @ShamrockLover gave, it's a riveting movie and shows a piece of history in a fictional movie.

    That's all I've got for now. - 

  • dersa uzala- an akira kurosawa film about friendship and yet also personal choice- why it is important to what such a dreadfully slow film is this, you can't save someone from their choices no matter how much you care- sometimes to see this helps versus just knowing it's true. .  each generation has it's movie- it's moment of connection but to see say, the goonies or indiana jones' or star wars or the breakfast club or perhaps uncle buck they are just hallmarks from a day in time perhaps harry potter did that for the generation behind me even if i admit to reading allllll the books in hardcover swiftly :D so with this in mind pick the goonies because it was fun in that just perfect for that then.  - for me again the mosquito coast with Harrison ford moving away from action hero to dramatic actor proper is this piece quintessential to the attitude that was the time, while the impact can be duplicated in other films you're asking me and of my five so- to understand in a film for the first time persay that our attitudes lead a certain direction and also place is important- this film shows clearly where passion leads-the 80's attitude of disbelief and disillusion  shows that science is no better a substitute for the business of god both require choice and dedication to get past human nature-  mulan- disney films come and go and the bastardization or disnification of history is always a tragedy but let's face fact, Disney captivates just as well as it entertains but why this one- because girls can do it too! it's not enough to again know it's possible but to achieve the example to see it done- in a world of gender roles still meaning stuff eons old yet ladies work and still manage a family so this woman's place stuff- enjoy a disney film to be yourself perhaps that's to lefitimately be a bit "different" or maybe it's to remind others that it isn't fair to judge as we all are NOT the same- watch what can fairy tale disney sure makes them fairy tales can for a moment come true.  Mies vailla menneisyyttä or the English titled, "The Man without a Past" is a finish film wherein the premis is through a tragedy of a mugging and the amnesia of the injury shows yet again that there are  people who care often those who least can seemingly afford to but that who we are while affected in what choices we have as in I can't show you safely what kind of go go speedracer joshy is because i drive like crap due to lack of vision and other personal problems of poor attitude don't like my driving get off the sidewalk!...but in this movie you will not see my comedic tragic driving but a story that shows who we are as a person is just intrinsic to who we are not our circumstances

  • A great question as narrowing the list got to be really hard. But here's mine :

    1. A Few Good Men - The storyline is superb, the acters are Grade -A. I watch it anytime it comes on TV. It's that damn good.

    2. Identity - A great mind-fuck of a movie in my opinion that I recommend for anyone based on the whole plot twist at the end with the storyline. 
    3. Garden State - A very realistic movie that isn't elaborate much more than the chemistry that Zach Braff and Natalie Portman have on screen. A fascinating film in Garden State can give you much to think about in result.

    4. Fight Club - Another mind fuck, but maybe a movie for the males, but a must-see for anyone. The plot twist at the end makes it all the worth while amongst the macho fistacuffs.

    5. The Green Mile - An excellent compelling story that isn't a typical happy ending. Always a classic.

  • Back to the Future and Star Wars, if only because you will miss out on so many references in other media if you don't know them (also because they're awesome)

    2001: A Space Odyssey, for a little appreciation of what visual effects could be like pre-CGI, even pre-Industrial Light & Magic (Kubrick actually changed the story for the sake of the effects; the mission in the film was supposed to go to Saturn, but the FX people couldn't make a Saturn to his liking, so he switched it to Jupiter)

    No Country for Old Men, because a great film doesn't have to have a plot that wraps up neatly at the end; also because Javier Bardem is bad ass

    and Pulp Fiction because Tarantino has a way of telling a story that is unique and brilliant. That movie would be nowhere near as good if all the bits were presented in the right order.

    (and I'm gonna cheat and add a sixth: The Dark Knight, because Batman)

  • ok, let's see, just off the top of my head... The Prestige, WHY: Hugh Jackman, Shutter Island, WHY: Leonardo DeCaprio, The Hangover, WHY: Bradley Cooper, anything with Johnny Depp, WHY: Johnny Depp, (and i know this isn't a movie but...) Dexter, WHY: Michael C. Hall.

  • 1. apocalpyse now - let's see - brando, sheen, ford, fishburne, duvall, hopper... 
    2. crouching tiger hidden dragon (red firecracker, green firecracker; raise the red lantern) - because these chinese films are that good
    3. dead poet society/stand by me/rushmore - coming of age
    4. planes, trains & automobiles - john candy & steve martin at their finest...
    5. endless summer - because maybe someday i'll be a pro surfer... 

  • 1. Donnie Darko- It's about the constraints of time travel and saving the world.

    2. Cruel Intentions- It's my favorite movie. You could cut the sexual tension with a knife.

    3. What's Eating Gilbert Grape- First off, Johnny Depp, duh. :) Seriously though, it's about growing up and being accepting.

    4. The Nightmare on Elm Street- The original not the remake. (This also has Johnny Depp in it. :]) It's fear personified and is by far the best horror movie EVER.

    5. The Shawshank Redemption- It has Morgan Freeman in it and who doesn't like that guy? :) Seriously though, it's a classic.

  • Pride & Prejudice: Because it is a classic romance by a wonderful author put into vision and done well(w/ kiera Knightley)

    X-men Series: Because who doesn't like super hero type movies especially ones that are done so well??
    The Client: Just because it is a really good movie and Lee Jones is in it. He's awesome. 
    Star Trek: Even though i always like the show and doubted this movie it was really well done and i liked the story line. 
    Renaissance Man: Because it's funny.

  • I would like to add, an extra credit answer if I may. Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I believe this is perhaps the world's most valuable historical documentary on life in midieval England. This film should be required viewing for every student, so that we never lose our sense of who we are and where we came from, from a cultural, theological and historical perspective that is.

  • 1 Titanic - because it sucked so much you will develope a better appreciation for good films.

    2 The Wizard of Oz - because it will make you forget all about Titanic.

    3 Total Recall - 1 breast. 2 breasts. 3 breasts.

    4 Bambi Meets Godzilla - It's got Bambi. It's got flowers. It's got butterflies. It's got Godzilla. Need I say more?

    5 Avatar (at the Imax in 3d) - Oh my gog! I can't even begin to describe awesome visual and audio effects!!! DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT however watch it on your TV. All the awesome special effects are overshadowed by the listless and trite plot, cliched writting and bad acting. One would think after spending bukoo bucks on special effects they could have spent a few more dollars on a decent script writer.

  • I love romantic action adventures...  they make me happy so most of mine are going to be "because it makes me happy" lol  Easy enough why.
    I loved Stardust and the Princess Bride and Ella Enchanted.  for the simple reasons that they are fun and make me happy.
    I like the Labrynth because it's just awesome.  Great music and I can sing along to parts.  And it's just weird.
    I recently watched Cowboys and Aliens and it was just an awesome movie too.  I actually watched it 2 times right after each other.  I think my main reason in watching was the lead characters walk lol  Sexy walk. 

  • Pay It Forward

    Raising Helen

    Hotel Rwanda 

    Finding Nemo
    The first two provide a lesson. The third is.. of a brutal reality. And the fourth is just good. 
    What about you?

  • 1. To Kill a Mockingbird - I saw it as a child, and it changed my view of myself...helped me accept myself and my life. After I saw it I didn't feel so alone or different.
    2. You've Got Mail - It makes me laugh and satisfies the hopeless romantic in me.
    3. Hotel Rwanda - The amazing reminder that we should always try to help other people who are in need of our help...always have compassion.
    4. The Princes Bride - It is special because of the # of times I've watched it with my kids. And I can quote lines from it! "You've been mostly-dead all day."
    5. Life is Beautiful - A beautiful reminder that love, imagination and a sense of humor can help people even in the worst times.
    6. Crank - or any other Jason Statham movie!  Enough said!

    It was really difficult to pick just 5. So, I picked 6...
    Hey, I'm an overachiever!
    HUGS!

  • @Aloysius_son - Ha! You should go to the head of the class! Or, maybe the principal's office!

  • @AdamsWomanFell - Ni! Now bring me a shrubery!

  • @Aloysius_son - Yes, you must give us all a good spanking!

  • @spinner_mom - [The entire LOTR's trilogy- because it'll make you wanna read the books!]

    Ummmm...no. Absolutely not. Definitely not.

    Did I say no yet?

    I watched the first one at the theatre, and I almost left half way through.

    I could be wrong, but I believe the Frodo character is the protagonist. He's a total wuss. He spent the entire movie crying like a bitch, and then getting carried because he got injured (if I remember correctly.)  I'M A WUSS myself, so when I go to the movies, I want to see a badass take down an army with his bare hands. Give me vintage Clint Eastwood, Stallone, Charles Bronson, and Bruce Willis.

    I can't stand wussery like that. Sorry. But hey! To each his own!! 

  • It's not letting me rec!! FIX THIS SHIT, XANGA!!!

    Ok, here goes. They can't possibly be in order of preference.

    1. Schindler's List -- Compelling, crude, REAL.  Based on a true story.

    2. Scent of a Woman -- Al Pacino's performance is simply masterful. Great plot, too.

    3. Men of Honor
    -- Stellar performances by De Niro and Cuba Gooding, Jr.  A
    heart-wrenching true story about racism in the military, and one man's
    unwavering strength in the face of harrowing obstacles.

    4. Gladiator -- I find the story quite compelling. Great acting, great cinematography...the whole package.

    5. The Piano -- Again, awesome acting, story full of passion...blah, blah. LOL!

  • 1) Memento: Quite possibly my favorite Christopher Nolan movie. Christopher Nolan would be the reason to see this movie.

    2) 500 Days of Summer: This isn't a love story, but a story about love.

    3) Crash: "It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush
    past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're
    always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much,
    that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something."

    4) Ratatouille: A delightful animated Pixar film about love and passion for food.

    5) This may be a toss-up between "Shrek 2" and "The Holiday". Two very different movies, but both "feel-goods".

  • 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind- I've watched it a thousand times, and I get something new from it every time.

  • @ShamrockLover - I watched Schindler's List within the past month and it's just so hard to stomach that things like that happened and it's also so difficult to comprehend how I had family on both sides of the fence

    @my_little_niche - it has been such a long time since I saw Hotel Rwanda.  I will have to check it out at the library.

    @starmanjones - some of those I'm going to have to check out

    @TheSportsBlog_91990 - Identity is so good and to think that I got it by chance because it was attached to another movie I wanted which I bought at Walmart.

    @carolinavenger - I love No Country for Old Men.  I saw it in a theater and people booed at the ending.  That pissed me off.  I love Tarantino movies because of the dialogue.  Listening to the characters speak in his movies gives me chills.

    @Peridot21 - oh you, you make me laugh

    @xplorrn - oh man, Rushmore...I love it.  The first time I saw it I went to a theater in La Crosse, The Rivoli, and my friends hated it because they saw the commercials and thought it would be more slapstick.  They ended up walking out so I had to go.  I was cheered up with beer.  Never watch Apocalypse Now after drinking a bottle of cough syrup, especially not the tiger scene.

    @ItsAll_A_LoveWar - good movies, I have never seen Cruel Intentions.  I remember when it came out and all my friends said it was so awesome.  I just never got around to it.

    @StrawberrySunrises - I'm not much a fan of John Grisham but I do like the movies based on his work.  A few years ago I got a box set of all of the movies that had been released up to that point.  I think my favorite was A Time to Kill.  Oh and Renaissance Man...I like that one.  Too bad one of the soldiers in that movie was also on The Sopranos and he let the mafia thing go to his head and he helped kill a police officer and is now in jail.

    @spinner_mom - I always remember how years back when I think it was an anniversary, maybe 50th for Gone with the Wind, this one channel had a documentary about the movie and how they invited the last remaining Confederate veterans and one of them said that if the South had as many soldiers as what was depicted in the movie lying wounded in the street, the outcome would've been different.

    @Aloysius_son - Nice extra credit...Holy Grail was popular when I was in college...well watching it on VHS instead of socializing with girls was popular when I was in college.  For a homecoming video contest some friends and I made a video with one of our Korean classmates and we called it Monty Pakdam and the search for the holy girl.  Oh and Wizard of Oz with Dark Side of the Moon...YES!

    @LadyofWaters - I have seen Labyrinth and Princess Bride but not the others.  I do like Labyrinth but I like Pan's Labyrinth better

    @nov_way - I have seen all of those except Raising Helen.  I had to look it up.  It does sound like a good movie.  My list will be posted once I reply to all the comments so I'll keep you in suspense for like 10 seconds

    @AdamsWomanFell - I know what you mean about it being hard to pick 5.  I ended up with 10.
    I don't think I've seen Crank or You've Got Mail.  I think I avoided You've Got Mail because I'm not much into romance movies because they are painful to watch.

    @Unstoppable_Inner_Strength - Xanga has been so crappy the past week or so because they are too busy working on the apps for iPhone and Android to worry about the actual web based product.
    Those are great movies.  It's been a while since I've seen Men of Honor.  I have only seen it on TV so I think some of the racism gets erased so I'll have to check out a unedited version from my library.

    @mZdejavuZ - man those are good...well the first 4 because I haven't seen the ones mentioned in #5.  Memento is so good.  I have a copy on VHS and DVD.  I think I have checked out 500 Days of Summer from my library at least once a month.

    @LaughOutLoudLauren - that is a great movie mostly because I love the director Michel Gondry.  He makes such amazing visual movies and he doesn't use computers for his special effects.  Think of that the next time you watch that movie.  I have a collection of his music videos and those are excellent.

  • @godfatherofgreenbay - Your choices are great, Matty. I've seen most of those, but will have to watch the ones I've not seen. I love American Graffiti! I actually got to live in the area where part of it was filmed (years before). If I remember right, they show a theater in the movie and I've watched movies in that theater.

  • There have been two movies that i have watched and at the end, i was at first speechless and then i started crying uncontrollably for a good 30 minutes.  Those movies were Requiem for a Dream and Million Dollar Baby.  Just thinking about those movies now bring tears to my eyes.  So powerful and sad.

  • 1. forrest gump:  a simple man with an exciting life... and he doesn't even know how good he had it... looked at life in very positive ways from discrimination, being ostracized, and mocked growing up.

    2.  saving private ryan: rangers lead the way!  First movie that came close to the realist situations 
    3. Redtails: A movie that finally set the bar for black patriotism during WWII.  A budget from Lucas Film that put all it's other past movies combined to shame.  A great indepth view about the realities of war, discrimination, but the will to fight for a country they loved... even when the love wasn't returned.
    4. Hidden Blade:  Shows a life of a poor samurai.  Samurais have been immortalized as special beings... but the director shows the life of poor samurais in his trilogy of movies.  It's sadder than people think it is.
    5. The Departed:  SUSPENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • The first movie in your list reminds me of the book " Stumbling on Happiness " by Daniel Gilbert and why one's perception of their future-selves could be wrong. 'Could be' is actually an understatement when compared to what he actually said. 

    As for the entire list: I believe I've only watched the ones about batman (and I agree), but yes, good reviews. The side-notes were appreciated. And yeah, one can understand how a particular movie has a special meaning once associated to other people. 
    Ever considered having a column somewhere making movie-reviews? 

  • @BenelliMan - I really want to see Redtails.  My hometown has a small air strip named after one of the only Native Americans to fly in the Flying Tigers.

    @nov_way - I had thought of starting another Xanga for that purpose but I have enough on my plate here. 

  • @godfatherofgreenbay - I picked based on your "have to see at least once"  :) perhaps you'll "expand your mind" with what movies can be. :D   or get a great nap.

  • That is true.

  • I've only seen one of these movies all the way threw.  American Dream.  I was loving the imagry and then the end surprised me.  

  • @LadyofWaters - yeah that ending threw me off

  • None - 'cause I am not a movie person.

  • Check out Gaspar Noe's "Enter the Void"

    probably one of the most impressive newer movies i have seen

  • @godfatherofgreenbay - Haha! Omgosh, I'm so glad we have similar taste in movies! I totally agree with you: they're soo good! You should definitely check out "Shrek 2" or "The Holiday" when you have a chance. I'm usually very picky about movies I buy on DVD, but all those recommendations, I have copies of them! I was going to ask you what your choices were, but then I scrolled up and saw your list. Wow, you have a great list, too! How could I forget about Fight Club?! I have the book but lent it to my brother. He's yet to return it to me, so I'm still pestering him about that, because I want to read it. Edward Norton is one of my favorite actors. I couldn't watch some parts in American History X, but it was indeed an intense film. Have you seen "Primal Fear"? Edward Norton did a pretty good job in that movie, too. I'm really surprised a lot of people recommended "Lord of the Rings" Trilogy. I mean, it was a pretty good series, but there are so many more powerful, touching, intense movies out there that are "must-see's"... 

  • @mZdejavuZ - Fight Club got me into Chuck Palahniuk's writing and I haven't looked back although on of his recent ones didn't keep me gripped like his other stuff.  It was Tell All but I haven't read his most recent, Damned.  I have so the majority of his work on my ereader now and have been reading Fight Club.

    I haven't seen Primal Fear.  It's one of those movies that I've wanted to see because I have enjoyed Norton's work but I just haven't because I've come to dislike Norton because of his antics with Incredible Hulk.

  • @godfatherofgreenbay - Ah interesting. I'm currently reading his "Lullaby", and so far, it's okay, but not good enough for me to finish all the way through. Oh, what happened with Edward Norton and the Incredible Hulk?? 

  • @mZdejavuZ - that one I enjoyed probably because I was drawn in because I had a cousin who almost died of SIDS.  I say almost because he stopped breathing and what not while another cousin was holding him and luckily their neighbor was a paramedic.

    If I can remember correctly, Edward Norton didn't like the way Incredible Hulk was edited and how certain things were left out even though it may have made the movie 3 hours long.  Think of the opening sequence if you've seen the movie.  Also I hear he wanted a different ending.  When the company balked and made it the way they wanted which probably is going to lead to an Avengers movie where they hunt down the Hulk, Norton got all pissy and refused to do any promoting so they had to have Robert Downey Jr. promote it which spoiled the ending

  • @godfatherofgreenbay - Oh man, that's crazy...  That's incredibly lucky somebody was there to save him... I hope he's growing up and doing well now.

    Wow, didn't know Edward Norton was such a baby, I'm kind of disappointed in him. And no, I didn't see the movie. Maybe it's better that I didn't.

  • @mZdejavuZ - yeah, he owns a house, has a good job, but throughout his life he struggled because he lost his ability to speak.  He can mumble and say a few words but not fully strung sentences.  It's actually quite remarkable how far he's come in life with that holding him back.

    It's not a bad movie, it's just his antics outside of the movie brought my opinion of him down.  I've heard other people say he's impossible to work with and some directors won't work with him.  That version of The Incredible Hulk is much better than the Ang Lee version.

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