Analysis and questioning

[ealuscerwen]

It's a nice day today. I would like to be outside. The lights in the office keep turning themselves off in an irritating fashion because there's no-one walking around. A very nice colleague of mine who was in for the morning has bought me an enormous coffee from Starbucks. He is clearly one of the good guys.

Comments

[verlaine]

God, where to start?

I suppose it depends on which films you liked best out of Shawshank, the Star Wars Tilogy and the Godfather Trilogy. If it's not Godfathers I + II by a staggeringly long distance, I don't think my recommendations will be much use, as I think the other five films are pretty dreadful!

[ealuscerwen]

I did like Shawshank, but I preferred GFs 1 and 2 out of the small list I have supplied.

Star Wars was okay, much improved upon by the hugely enjoyable X-Box Lego Star Wars. I wouldn't necessarily dispute "pretty dreadful" as an attribute unless it automatically prevents attributing "can be enjoyable".

[cuthbertcross]

Hope and Glory (directed by John Borhman) made in the late 80s. A very entertaining childs-eye view of growing up in London during the second world war. Very moving and very funny by turns. Sebastian Rice Edwards plays the little boy (Billy).

ALso see Clue. It's also 80s, starring many fairly-famous people including Tim Curry as the butler; it's a comedy film version of the board game Cluedo. Strictly tongue-in-cheek.

[ealuscerwen]

Thank you. I shall put both of those on my List (tm).

[dr_bob]

Tough to put together a list, when having all films to choose from. So I'll try to offer some variety.
From the popular films, try the Back to the Future trilogy, Indiana Jones, X-Men and Lord of the Rings films.
Also try The Trueman Show and Pleasantville, which are excellent looks at crossing over between TV and real worlds.

On the more world cinema/offbeat films, Donnie Darko requires a lot of concentration (go for the director's cut if possible). From New Zealand, Rabbit Proof Fence and Whale Rider are great films, as is City of God from Brazil. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind from last year was another fine kooky film.

In the comedy world, Trading Places is a personal favourite, as are the Hot Shots films, although they have loads of film references (esp from Top Gun). Life of Brian is the best of the Python films, and O Brother, Where art Thou is (apparently) a curious but entertaining reworking of the Oddessy! Tim Burton's Big Fish is also a gently humourous fantasy set in the Mid-West

[ealuscerwen]

You have, amazingly, selected a lot of films I have seen. The ones I haven't seen (namely Rabbit Proof Fence, Whale Rider, City of God, X-Men 2 and Big Fish), are going on the list.

Did you actually enjoy Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, by the way? I thought it was awful... in fact, I even filled in a review on the film on LoveFilm, edited highlights of which include reference to watching paint dry and trying to find a way to say "up its own arse" politely.

[dr_bob]

I can understand why ESOTSM could grate, but I did enjoy it. Just liked it as a character piece, with a weird but compact plot. By the way, we have all the above xcept X-Men2 on DVD, should you wish to borrow them.

[bateleur]

I find most films disappointing, unfortunately. The only two I'd be prepared to recommend without reservation are:

* The Adventures of Maron Munchausen
* House of Games (the David Mamet one, not the unrelated 2004 film of the same name)

The former is humourous, the latter serious.

[ealuscerwen]

Excellent, on the List, thank you!

[condign]

Miller's Crossing
The Usual Suspects
Tampopo (but I know you've seen this)
Battle Royale (but just for fun)

[dr_bob]

The Usual Suspects got me thinking of some more fabulously plotted films: namely Fight Club and LA Confidential.

[smiorgan]

Tampopo - good choice. Haven't seen it in years.

[ealuscerwen]

Haven't seen Miller's Crossing and haven't even heard of Battle Royale, however I trust your judgement so will add them to the List, thank you!

By the way, are you around for long enough to grab a coffee/glass of wine before departing these shores?