Favorite Movies ... that you would recommend

[Ea]

My list favourite films - in no particular order, and not necessarily exhaustive.

Blade Runner
Der Himmel über Berlin (Wings of Desire)
Lord of the Rings
Hero
Princess Mononoke
Orlando
Strictly Ballroom
Local Hero
13th Warrior
Elizabeth
Fantasia 2000

I tend to prefer the fantastic over the 'everyday drama' style.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by GypsyWoman

My favorites too. Everyone one of the Thin Man movies are great.

My other favorite movie series are the Charlie Chan movies. I prefer Sydney Toler to Warner Oland.

I also enjoy the The Saint and The Falcon movies too.

I love old "B" detective movies from the 30's-40's. I LOVE old "B" movies in general. My all time movie is "The Thing from another World". The acting is superb. John Carpenter's "Thing" is very good also, one of the few times the remake is good.

I always enjoyed the Charlie Chan movies. I realize they perpetuate a very painful stereotype for many Asians .... well, that and it bugs them no end that the character wasn't even played by an Asian actor. For those two reasons, they haven't gotten much play on most stations, I suppose it's understandable ... I still think it's a shame.

I also love all the old detective movies, and the original Thing (James Arness did such a great job as an evil vegetable).

I may have to see if the CC movies are available on Netflix. I'd like to watch them again, if only to see Keye Luke, who was an amazing actor.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by GypsyWoman

Anything with Humphrey Bogart is usually pretty good. Casablanca, Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, To Have and Have Not. All great films!

My favorite Bogart film will always be "The African Queen." There is nothing of his that I have not seen ... including some of the godawful stuff he did when he was first starting out.

"The African Queen" is a must have on my list of Top 10.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by _Ea_

My list favourite films - in no particular order, and not necessarily exhaustive.

Blade Runner
Der Himmel über Berlin (Wings of Desire)
Lord of the Rings
Hero
Princess Mononoke
Orlando
Strictly Ballroom
Local Hero
13th Warrior
Elizabeth
Fantasia 2000

I tend to prefer the fantastic over the 'everyday drama' style.

Several on your list that I have not seen. If memory serves, "Princess Mononoke" is anime?? If so ... I may put it on the list, but as I admitted in a prior post ... I find myself sort of pre-prejudiced against anime.

I didn't go see "Fantasia 2000" ... which is odd in that, I am a die-hard Disney freak. I'm going to have to check my DVD locker and see if I purchased it and just never watched it.

[Ea]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Several on your list that I have not seen. If memory serves, "Princess Mononoke" is anime?? If so ... I may put it on the list, but as I admitted in a prior post ... I find myself sort of pre-prejudiced against anime.

I didn't go see "Fantasia 2000" ... which is odd in that, I am a die-hard Disney freak. I'm going to have to check my DVD locker and see if I purchased it and just never watched it.

There's anime - and then there's anime. I guess I mean that while Japanese animated movies tend to share a certain style, they vary as much quality-wise, or style-wise to be nice, as for instance American animated films. I don't watch 'amine' myself, but I think when it comes to making animated films, Hayao Miyazaki, who've made, among others, "Princess Mononoke", can sweep the floor with Disney. Sorry There's a otherworldly magical quality to these films that you just don't find with Disney. Really great storytelling, and beatiful, detailed handmade animation. THey're all over very 'rich'.

'Princess Mononoke' has some themes that are best understood by older children or adults, but some of his earlier films, like 'My neighbour Tototo' are more children's films, and captures a wonderful childlike innocense.

I think the best one to start with would be 'Chihiro' ('Spirited Away'). It has some of both childish and the adult themes - probaly because the character herself is between child and adult), and I think it's one his absolute best films. It feels very complete. So don't don't watch it because it's 'anime', actually it's much more like a Disney film - I just feel Miyazaki's films has greater depth and nuance. They feel more like a work of art than a product.

There's the most beautiful short with flying whales in Fantasia 2000. And we get to meet Donald Duck on Noah's Ark. The short films are generally playing around with drawing and colouring styles to great effect. The original Fantasia is more conservative that way. The introductions by famous actors is a bit cheesy, but you can always skip that

What did you think of 'Local Hero' btw.? Hardly anyone I meet have seen it - it's always a surprise to me that someone else know of it.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by _Ea_

There's anime - and then there's anime. I guess I mean that while Japanese animated movies tend to share a certain style, they vary as much quality-wise, or style-wise to be nice, as for instance American animated films. I don't watch 'amine' myself, but I think when it comes to making animated films, Hayao Miyazaki, who've made, among others, "Princess Mononoke", can sweep the floor with Disney. Sorry There's a otherworldly magical quality to these films that you just don't find with Disney. Really great storytelling, and beatiful, detailed handmade animation. THey're all over very 'rich'.

'Princess Mononoke' has some themes that are best understood by older children or adults, but some of his earlier films, like 'My neighbour Tototo' are more children's films, and captures a wonderful childlike innocense.

I think the best one to start with would be 'Chihiro' ('Spirited Away'). It has some of both childish and the adult themes - probaly because the character herself is between child and adult), and I think it's one his absolute best films. It feels very complete. So don't don't watch it because it's 'anime', actually it's much more like a Disney film - I just feel Miyazaki's films has greater depth and nuance. They feel more like a work of art than a product.

There's the most beautiful short with flying whales in Fantasia 2000. And we get to meet Donald Duck on Noah's Ark. The short films are generally playing around with drawing and colouring styles to great effect. The original Fantasia is more conservative that way. The introductions by famous actors is a bit cheesy, but you can always skip that

What did you think of 'Local Hero' btw.? Hardly anyone I meet have seen it - it's always a surprise to me that someone else know of it.

OK .... I will give Miyazaki's films a try. And, since I already have a copy of "Spirited Away" ... I can probably start my education tonight.

I loved "Local Hero" ... it was such a strange film, but Burt Lancaster and Scots mermaids?? What's not to like??

I was in to pin collecting for awhile ... so I have all sorts of pins from Fantasia 2000. Doesn't really add anything to my reply, I know ...

[IceHand]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

I think the two things that bother me the most (and you can probably tell me if this is true of any of the anime films you've recommended) is:

1. What seems like endless periods of "talking heads" ... where the animation is frame after frame of pretty much nothing; and
2. The dialogue, which seems interspersed with gratuitous "Huh?" and "Uh!" exclamations ever few scenes.

No and no. Both Millenium Actress and Spirited Away have fluid animation, good dialogue and intelligent stories. Haibane Renmei is a series with 13 episodes total, ~20 minutes per episode and of course a lower budget than the movies, but it's still very good and with beautiful music.
You can watch the trailers, if you want to:
Sprited Away Trailer
Millenium Actress Trailer
Haibane Renmei Trailer ... sort of

[slayda]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

My favorite Bogart film will always be "The African Queen." There is nothing of his that I have not seen ... including some of the godawful stuff he did when he was first starting out.

"The African Queen" is a must have on my list of Top 10.

Great movie. Best of Bogart!

[GypsyWoman]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

I always enjoyed the Charlie Chan movies. I realize they perpetuate a very painful stereotype for many Asians .... well, that and it bugs them no end that the character wasn't even played by an Asian actor. For those two reasons, they haven't gotten much play on most stations, I suppose it's understandable ... I still think it's a shame.

I also love all the old detective movies, and the original Thing (James Arness did such a great job as an evil vegetable).

I may have to see if the CC movies are available on Netflix. I'd like to watch them again, if only to see Keye Luke, who was an amazing actor.

I'm almost sure that Netflix has the CC movies. A few years ago I bought quite a few CC movies that were finally released on DVD. I agree Keye Luke was great.

Another favorite of mine are the old Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple movies. Her expressions were priceless. I have these on DVD too.

[GypsyWoman]

Originally Posted by slayda

Great move. Best of Bogart!

Absolutely!

[Ea]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

OK .... I will give Miyazaki's films a try. And, since I already have a copy of "Spirited Away" ... I can probably start my education tonight.

I loved "Local Hero" ... it was such a strange film, but Burt Lancaster and Scots mermaids?? What's not to like??

I was in to pin collecting for awhile ... so I have all sorts of pins from Fantasia 2000. Doesn't really add anything to my reply, I know ...

I'll look forward to read what you think of "Spirited Away".

I love "Local Hero" for the understated, slightly dark humour. Maybe it's because it's a lot like Danish humour, but I think the humour is just great, and I loved the stars and sea theme. As you say, what's not to like about a Scottish mermaid?
It is just perfect. the film has even turned into a 'friend litmus test' for me. If you like it, you're all right

And if you can get around to it, you should watch Fantasia 2000 as well. There's some really great animation.

[Over]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Saw "Dr. Zhivago" more than once. Great film. "Blade Runner" deserves a place on my Top 10 ... if for nothing else but Rutger Hauer's beautiful speech just before he dies.

I haven't seen "In the Mouth of Madness" .... so that goes on the list.

Jon Carpenter's "In the Mouth of Madness" is inspired in Lovecraft's works. So expect some horror in his distinct style

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by IceHand

No and no. Both Millenium Actress and Spirited Away have fluid animation, good dialogue and intelligent stories. Haibane Renmei is a series with 13 episodes total, ~20 minutes per episode and of course a lower budget than the movies, but it's still very good and with beautiful music.
You can watch the trailers, if you want to:
Sprited Away Trailer
Millenium Actress Trailer
Haibane Renmei Trailer ... sort of

Thanks for the links. I will watch them later today. I'm listening to my George Carlin albums (I bought four of them the other day, and I'm having such a great time .... laughing my ass off).

I'm glad to know that all anime is not as awful as the stuff I've seen on tv. I suppose it's not different from Western animation ... there was gold among the dreck there too. Even some of the stuff I liked ... like Hanna Barbera ... at some point even I noticed that the background would just repeat every few frames.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by GypsyWoman

I'm almost sure that Netflix has the CC movies. A few years ago I bought quite a few CC movies that were finally released on DVD. I agree Keye Luke was great.

Another favorite of mine are the old Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple movies. Her expressions were priceless. I have these on DVD too.

The only problem I had with the Margaret Rutherford Miss Marple movies was .... well, she just wasn't how I pictured Miss Marple. She was much to ... physically intimidating somehow. Fine actress ... it's just that I can no more accept her as Miss Marple than I can Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poirot. Still liked the film ... but not on my favorites list for not being well cast ... they really should have conferred with me first .... right??

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by _Ea_

I'll look forward to read what you think of "Spirited Away".

I love "Local Hero" for the understated, slightly dark humour. Maybe it's because it's a lot like Danish humour, but I think the humour is just great, and I loved the stars and sea theme. As you say, what's not to like about a Scottish mermaid?
It is just perfect. the film has even turned into a 'friend litmus test' for me. If you like it, you're all right

And if you can get around to it, you should watch Fantasia 2000 as well. There's some really great animation.

Well .... you've got a leg up on my friends list just by being Danish. Ever since I read about King Christian X's treatment of the Danish Jews in WWII, I have been a big fan of the Danes. Any country that can produce a king like him is a country I can respect.

Will definitely watch Fantasia 2000.