Top 5 Films

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Harbinger
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Post by Harbinger »

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Rigel
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Post by Rigel »

Hot d***... that one's going to the top of my queue to watch :)
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Rigel
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Post by Rigel »

I noticed something when I asked an 18yo this question... all her movies were from the last 2 years.

Even when I was that age, I don't think my favorite movies were the recent ones.

Is it snobbish of me to be turned off by the fact that she's unaware of anything older?
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AjK
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Post by AjK »

Okay. Two caveats before I take a shot at this one:
1. I can't narrow any list down to five items (other than a "List of My Brain Cells that Still Work"). So I am intentionally omitting several that I consider classic.
2. I would prefer to label this list my "Favorite 5 Films" instead of "Top 5 Films" to be clear that some of my choices are clearly made without regard to artistic or cultural value.

Now that I have wasted time saying too much:

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder version)
Magical movie. Wilder is perfect. "So shines a good deed in a weary world." And anyone who loves this movie should watch the DVD version with the 5 grown child actors' commentary.

Blade Runner
Tremendous atmosphere and cast. I have to confess bias since I love Phillip K. Dick. Good bits of Rutger Hauer's dying speech were improvised including "like tears in the rain".

Animal House
This one narrowly edges out the likes of Blazing Saddles and Caddy Shack to occupy the comedy slot in this list. Probably the most oft quoted movie in my workplace. A sad commentary on us to be sure. "Nathaniel Simpson Day. You have no grade point average!"

The Last Samurai
Just barely edged out Fist of Legend and Gladiator. This movie falls into the genre "Films I Love Despite Not Being A Fan of the Lead Actor". Watanabe's performance was awesome. "Perfect. They are all perfect."

The Matrix
Same genre as The Last Samurai (not that I actively dislike Keanu. I am just not a fan.) Super slick visuals and probably my favorite antagonist of all time in Agent Smith. It could be argued that the movie was a little too heavy on symbolism but it worked for me.

Honorable mention to all the Clint Eastwood westerns, especially For a Few Dollars More, and Dirty Harry installments. And hats off to Vraith for including cult classic Liquid Sky.

Phew! *wipes brow*
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Post by Cybrweez »

In no order,

LOTR trilogy
Braveheart
Gladiator
Shawshank Redemption
Saving Private Ryan

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Post by Cagliostro »

AjK wrote: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (Gene Wilder version)
Magical movie. Wilder is perfect. "So shines a good deed in a weary world." And anyone who loves this movie should watch the DVD version with the 5 grown child actors' commentary.
I'm a huge fan as well. However, I think the movie would be improved by cutting out the "Cheer Up Charlie" song (I don't know if that is the correct title of the song though). The bits before the Chocolate Factory sag a bit in repeated viewing, and I just think cutting that song would make all the difference. My wife disagrees though.
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AjK
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Post by AjK »

Cagliostro wrote:However, I think the movie would be improved by cutting out the "Cheer Up Charlie" song (I don't know if that is the correct title of the song though). The bits before the Chocolate Factory sag a bit in repeated viewing, and I just think cutting that song would make all the difference.
Can't remember exact song title but I know which one you mean of course. Sung by his mother. Although none of it drags/sags for me I appreciate your point (possibly because I was so entertained by Wilder that I prefer the factory portion.) What I will say about the beginning was that [heresy] the movie didn't quite go to the same lengths to portray Charlie's impoverished condition. Sure the movie shows them eating "cabbage water" for every supper but the book makes it very clear that Charlie is literally starving to death. That is why when he finds the money in the street he eats the chocolate so ravenously. [/heresy]
Cagliostro wrote:My wife disagrees though.
Case closed. End of discussion. :biggrin:
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Post by TIC TAC »

1. Outland
2. Excalibur
3. The Right Stuff
4. Soylent Green
5. The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951)
THOOLAH - Nuff said.
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Post by Usivius »

off the top of my head, and in no order:

"Hidden Fortress"
"Dr. Strangelove"
"Maltese Falcon"
"Millers Crossing"
"Fifth Element"

These are the movies that I watch over and over again...
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Post by lorin »

I just watched Deer Hunter again,what a great film. I need a #6.
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