We have our personal lists of films (and television programs) that we do not know whether to love them or hate them or that we would be ashamed to admit that we actually sat through. This discussion is open for you to praise or dump on controversial and little known films.
Apocalypse Now I don't know if you would call this a masterpiece or a monstronsity. when I saw it in the theater back in 1979, I had just gotten out of the army and I found the movie hallarious in many parts. I was laughing so hard my side ache. I spoke to other folks who were shocked at the film and what they had seen as Francis Ford Coppola tried to convey the horrors of war. Was he actually trying to be funny and was that the big joke on the audience?
Southern Comfort This crazy affair about a group of Louisiana Guardsmen on manuevers in the bayou who ends up incurring the wrath of some Cajun hicks and turn the field training exercise into a nightmare is interesting. Not as shocking as 1972's Deliverance and the characters are funny most of the time. It is meant to be serious and horrific but I found it rip roaring fun. Stars Powers Booth and Keith Carradine.
Scarface Brian DePalma directed this eighties classic starring Al Pacino in an over the top performance. This overly violent affair left us with such memorable lines as "Say hello to my little friend". Another one intended to shock the audience but only succeeds in making us bust a gut from laughter.
Hotel New Hampshire This quirky film was released in the sping of 1984.Based on the novel by the same title by John Irving It starred Jodie Foster, Beau Bridges, and an unknown Rob Lowe. It is shocking to say the least as it covers a wide range of controversial (and disburbing subjects) rape, incest, bestiality, terrorism, and lots of violent fatalities.
All I can come up with now but would be interested to hear your candidates or your opinions on the films I have listed.
Comments
Scarface is a fine movie, but from a last watch, drags on a little too long, and Pfieffer and others seem wasted, as Pacino's Tony Montana takes center stage. I haven't seen the other release
LMAO
I don't know what type of person can watch Apocalypse Now and not laugh at some of the parts. I mean come on.
"You stepped on my face"
" Thought you were dead"
"You thought wrong, dammit"
"Soldier who's in command here?"
"Aren't you?"
Guys surfing during an assault...
I had just gotten out of the army when this movie came out. And some of those scenes and the way soldiers and military personel talk to each other. Just brought it all back. I laughed my ass off. Actually, at the time most of my friends who had been ex military laughed at it too.
What does one say to someone like you? You probably took Bride of Frankenstein serious and North by Northwest as well.
I had more fun at this film than I had at DAF.
I haven't seen it in years, but I remember it being terrible.
Uhaha, what a story, @stirrednotshaken.
I second this recommendation wholeheartedly.
Wiseau is trying SO HARD, it's painfully hilarious.
"I eat green berets for breakfast and right now, I'm very hungry" etc
I'm going to get the book that Mark wrote at some point. Maybe Christmas.
I love that film, especially that explosive, explosive finale.
'Let off some steam Bennett.'
'Remember I promise to kill you last? I lied.'
Genius.
Couldn't agree more. Thuis movie had a stellar cast but it was DOA
I enjoyed Commando. Haven't seen it in years. I remeber Raye Dawn Choung looking hot. I remember seeing Alisa Milano as a pre teen in that movie....How she has grown up. Damn, makes me feel old as a mutha.
Many may say it's overrated but i say it's the best film in the history of the cinema. For once, everything just works. Every frame of picture is brilliant and every actor is just splendid. I do always get swept away by the story and by everything that happens in it.
Everyone who hasn't seen it should make no excuse but rent it/buy it/download it and just sit back and enjoy for almost three hours! It is worth it!
Agreed. Maybe the greatest movie in history, probably the most perfectly cast.
I can understand your opinion but I am always in awe of a few other movie that I consider better than an American fable about their crime families.
Le grand bleu(1988) is a beautifull and haunting movie
37°2 le matin(1986) is another movie that still haunts me to this day through its portrayal of love and a beloved one slowly going insane.
The Unbearable Lightness of Being(1988) another brilliant movie about loss and love in whatever sequence you prefer. Read the book, saw the movie. read the book again and noticed how well the movie was based upon the novel.
Trois couleurs: Bleu(1993) what a sad beautifull movie (actually all three are worth your time)
La double vie de Véronique(1991) a story of two similar women with different lives.
Once upon a time in the West/America (1968/1984) A view on the new world from the old world and visually almost never bettered with awesome soundtracks.
Volver (2006) life after the death of a beloved one, Penelope Cruz never has been as good in English language movies as in Almodovars movies.
Lucía y el sexo(2001) Life happens
Hable con ella(2002) haunting and beautifull
Le pacte des loups(2001) My favorite actioner, costume drama, scifi-esque movie, a big step up from the Crying Freeman.
Some Great movies from the old world that deserve attention as the discussion usually turn to the great movies from the US.
People who just slags of this film just as "another action film in Vietnam" don't know what they're missing out on!
But i can't say it's better than The Godfather I and II.
Yeah, it's one of the few films I could honestly classify as a masterpiece, and the making of the film is just as mesmerizing as the final product. You should read Heart of Darkness if you haven't, because without Conrad's work films like this wouldn't exist.
Whoever called the movie an "action film" obviously haven't seen a lick of it.
Story of my life.
Remember what Coppola said: Godfather isn't about mob (or just about it). It's a story about a King and his three sons.
I absolutely admire Apocalypse Now. In my opinion is the best war film ever (not war historically but philosophically.) But I've been always interested in the mob, organized crime and mafia in my reading time and with the movies. So I'm more attracted to the genre, in that way I understand you. Even so, I think Godfather Part II is closer to Apocalyps than I (or even III). And Part II is less a "mob" movie as it is about politics, social structures (the "layer cake") and, specially, power.
I'm more than aware of the film's themes. Apocalypse Now is a war film that is about more than war, so I don't see what argument you were trying to make for The Godfather with that statement. I mean, if any film is worthy of praise it should be able to elevate itself from the genre it is in and become something much greater.
The thing is that sometimes films are misunderstood, that's all. Not by you, as it is clear you just prefer Apocalypse.
Because I grew up with Godfather, sometimes I falsely assume that everybody else adore it as I do.
If you want to see the perhaps worst film of all time, check out BATTLEFIELD EARTH.
And, more pertinently Al Pacino gave a great and understated performance. Al Pacino 'understated'? Who would've thought it.
'Understated' went by the wayside once he did Scent of a Woman.