Movie Recommendations

Post by **ubelaffe** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:47 pm

fastbilly1 wrote:
Russian Ark – The only feature film ever shot in one take

Return to Oz – The scariest movie ever made

Actually, the russian ark isn't the only one. Time Code is shot in 4 windows that run continuously for 90min. The plot was preconceived, but the dialogue was ad-libbed. The audio switches between the for shots to convey the importance in each, but none of the cameras stop rolling.

Return to Oz was one of my favorites as a younger lad. I've been meaning to re-watch it.

I'm a film studies major. If you'd like suggestions for slashers, snobby art school flicks or movies that defined the sci-fi, western, or noir genres, pm me.

Post by **Gamerforlife** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:16 pm

Did someone mention Oldboy?

God that is one of the most overrated pieces of pure garbage I've ever seen. Unfortunately, explaining why I hate it would involve spoilers for any who haven't seen it so I digress

Post by **ubelaffe** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:09 pm

no way man, it's really decent. It's totally over the top and violent. It's certainly not for everyone.

Post by **Ack** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 9:11 pm

It's also supposed to be the worst of the trilogy. I have yet to see Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, but Lady Vengeance was better than Oldboy in my opinion, and I enjoyed Oldboy.

Biggest problem I have with Criterion Collection is that they charge an arm and a leg for a DVD. I love the movies they put out, and the features are great, but it's still more than I want to cough up.

Pingfa, Kurosawa is amazing, always glad to see another fan. I'll definitely be looking into Hidden Blade, as well. And don't wait to watch Citizen Kane. Take a quiet evening, sit down with it, and enjoy it. It's seriously good stuff.

I still say Jack was the best character in Return to Oz.

Wasn't Hitchcock's Rope only filmed in like...3 takes, or 2?

Post by **ubelaffe** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:00 am

Ack wrote:
Biggest problem I have with Criterion Collection is that they charge an arm and a leg for a DVD. I love the movies they put out, and the features are great, but it's still more than I want to cough up.

Criterion goes through soooooooo much trouble to restore pictures and get the best prints out of the film. They're always out of my price range, but I would love to upgrade to some criterion editions. For instance, The Seventh Seal is an amazing re-vamp on the deteriorating film stock they had.

Post by **ott0bot** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:07 am

ubelaffe wrote:
Ack wrote:
Biggest problem I have with Criterion Collection is that they charge an arm and a leg for a DVD. I love the movies they put out, and the features are great, but it's still more than I want to cough up.
Criterion goes through soooooooo much trouble to restore pictures and get the best prints out of the film. They're always out of my price range, but I would love to upgrade to some criterion editions. For instance, The Seventh Seal is an amazing re-vamp on the deteriorating film stock they had.

Also I thought this was for Netflix suggestions! If you rent it and like it that much, then its worth the money. Also if you sign up for their mailing list you get discounts codes for Barnes and Nobles/Amazon every so often.

If you like the Russian Ark definately check out Andrei Tarkovsky's films. THe Mirror has some amazing 10-15 minutes takes and some of the best imagery I've seen on film.

Post by **Funk, E** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:10 am

Children of Men has some fantastic single-take shots in it as well, in battlefield scenes, no less.

Post by **ott0bot** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:21 am

Funk, E wrote:Children of Men has some fantastic single-take shots in it as well, in battlefield scenes, no less.

Indeed it does. Good film.... except the ending kinda felt blah to me. Alot of shots in there reminded me of Werner Herzog and Tarkovskys work.

Also another great filmaker I'd recoment is Volker Schlondorff. Awesome films like the Lost Honor of Katerina Blum and Legend of Rita.

Post by **Ack** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:09 pm

Well, I just watched Westworld, and I gotta say...I thought it was awesome. I didn't think Yul Brenner could pull off a killer robot, but he was excellent. Any of you guys ever seen it? Seriously, look into it, especially if you like science fiction, westerns, or anything Micheal Crichton has written.

Also, watched The Hidden Fortress last night. I really enjoyed it, the comedy was good and the story was great. The two greedy peasants were great characters, and I could definitely see how they would go on to later influence George Lucas. Personally, my favorite shot of the film was the Princess crying on the mountaintop with her clan's flag superimposed on her face. Absolutely beautiful shot.

I've tried watching Stalker before, but I only made it halfway. I was watching it with a group of guys, we were all drinking beer, and we'd expected a bit more action...it didn't go very well. I should give it another shot by myself, but I'm going to have to psyche up for it, as I really wasn't expecting the long shots and philosophical discussion. Perhaps I'll be better equipped to watch it this time.

Post by **ott0bot** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:23 pm

Ack wrote:Well, I just watched Westworld, and I gotta say...I thought it was awesome. I didn't think Yul Brenner could pull off a killer robot, but he was excellent. Any of you guys ever seen it? Seriously, look into it, especially if you like science fiction, westerns, or anything Micheal Crichton has written.

Also, watched The Hidden Fortress last night. I really enjoyed it, the comedy was good and the story was great. The two greedy peasants were great characters, and I could definitely see how they would go on to later influence George Lucas. Personally, my favorite shot of the film was the Princess crying on the mountaintop with her clan's flag superimposed on her face. Absolutely beautiful shot.

I've tried watching Stalker before, but I only made it halfway. I was watching it with a group of guys, we were all drinking beer, and we'd expected a bit more action...it didn't go very well. I should give it another shot by myself, but I'm going to have to psyche up for it, as I really wasn't expecting the long shots and philosophical discussion. Perhaps I'll be better equipped to watch it this time.

I haven't seen Westworld, I'll have to check it out. If you like the peasant comedy in Hidden Fortress I'd recomend Kirosawa's "Lower Depths" or "Red Beard" or maybe some early Shohei Imamura...although I like his later stuff better(The Eel & Black Rain).

Stalker is definately not a hang out and drink beer flick! To tell you the truth i usually get lulled into sleep everytime I watch a Tarkovsky film.....one of their charms.