Joined LoveFilm (http://www.lovefilm.com) at the weekend, given the large number of films I'd like to see but wouldn't buy. Received the first one through the post yesterday - Pan's Labyrinth. I know Scott rates it highly, so I'm looking forward to sitting down and watching it. But then Scott also highly rates Hilary Duff...

Anyone got any recommendations as to films to add to my request list? What films have you seen recently, and what did you think of them?

no doubt there will be an alternative american in the pipeline. Ones on my list to watch 'This is England', 'Control' and though its got a bit of americanism to it one for the spring/summer releases 'Operation Wolverine'. Current releases that ive seen are Transformers (good effects remember the cartoon from the 80's) , simpsons - funny like an extended programme, 28 weeks later - ok similar to the first. still to watch bourne ultimatum will let you know.

To help Alan out, we could all post our top ten films. I did this a couple of weeks ago, so it's an easy task for me.

Se7en
Leon
City of God
Pans' Labyrinth
The Shawshank Redemption
The Bourne Ultimatum
Cube
American History X
Aliens
Reservoir Dogs

Hilary Duff has become a little to thin, by the way...

Interesting. Cheers, Scott. Two of my favourite three films of all time are in your list (Se7en and Shawshank). Leon and Aliens are also faves.

What's City of God?

I watched "Supersize Me" last night and was a little disappointed.

I could make a top ten list, but there would be a lot of relatively old stuff because I hardly ever watch contemporary films (I last went to the cinema in 1993).

mines a tough one so many good films (in no particular order and more than 10):
Schindlers list
american history x
pulp fiction
the usual suspects
Mp life of brian
Mp holy grail
Blazing Saddles
Airplane
platoon
raging bull
Apocalypse Now (redux)
The Pianist
Downfall (der undertag)
Das Boot

would put star wars and hannibal lecter triologies in the also like plus several war films from the 60's/70's and im sure ive missed a few.

Ive got cube on dvd as well and that is such a good original film, cant believe they tried and failed to make a sequel.

North by Northwest

Ooh, 2000 posts!

AlanS wrote

What's City of God?

It's actually based on a true story of some Brazilian street kids from a shanty town in Rio. They are followed to the point where they grow into young men, and most become involved in a drugs war.

Derek_Howe wrote

I watched "Supersize Me" last night and was a little disappointed.

Super Size Me is like all other film documentaries I've seen. It was alright up to a point, but the problem is to appeal to a cinema audience it is sensationalised to the point where it's not a proper documentary. That would be fine, if it was good enough to stand up on its own as a film.

deano_1007 wrote

Ive got cube on dvd as well and that is such a good original film, cant believe they tried and failed to make a sequel.

Hypercube is a horrible film. You could simplify things by saying they added a fourth dimension (time), and went about producing a poor remake of Cube. The company behind the original was relatively small, and the success and cult status surprised them somewhat. Hypercube appears to have been made purely to cash in.

They did actually go on to make a prequel, but I haven't bothered to watch it.

Derek_Howe wrote

I could make a top ten list, but there would be a lot of relatively old stuff because I hardly ever watch contemporary films (I last went to the cinema in 1993).

Do it!

I'd be interested to see what 'earlier' films you rate, 'cos the only way I'd ever see them is on someone's recommendation. Otherwise I tend to stick to films I have at least heard about.

Scott Dryden wrote

Pans' Labyrinth

I watched this earlier today. Strange film, not what I was expecting at all (which is a good thing). It certainly kept my attention throughout, with some amazing and/or harrowing scenes that will stay with me forever. I can definitely recommend this film to anyone who wants a change from your typical Hollywood fare.

OK then (but you are not going to like the old ones, Alan),

Old films:

City Lights (1931, Chaplin)
The Great Dictator (1940, Chaplin)
42nd Street (1933) - I normally don't like musicals
Brief Encounter (1945) - quintessentially British
All the Laurel and Hardy 1 reelers (20 minutes) from the early 30s.

And, not "old" but no longer contemporary:

Fargo
Goodfellas
The Butterfly Effect
Casino
Sixth Sense

And I have quite a number in common with Dean, which might count as a multiple recommendation:

Pulp Fiction
The Usual Suspects
Blazing Saddles
Airplane
Raging Bull
Das Boot

and Se7en.

AlanS wrote

I watched this earlier today. Strange film, not what I was expecting at all (which is a good thing). It certainly kept my attention throughout, with some amazing and/or harrowing scenes that will stay with me forever. I can definitely recommend this film to anyone who wants a change from your typical Hollywood fare.

I didn't think I'd enjoy Pan's Labyrinth nearly as much as I did. I'm the kind of person that thinks Green Mile was a little spoilt by all that magic crap. In the case of Pan's Labyrinth, though, it could be argued that the fantasy element to the story might have all been the result of Ophelia's imagination anyway.

Scott Dryden wrote

Derek_Howe wrote

I watched "Supersize Me" last night and was a little disappointed.

Super Size Me is like all other film documentaries I've seen. It was alright up to a point, but the problem is to appeal to a cinema audience it is sensationalised to the point where it's not a proper documentary. That would be fine, if it was good enough to stand up on its own as a film.

I just saw "Kurt Cobain, About a Son" That was a documetary that totally stood up on it's own. It was very moving, and very well arranged. I must admit I am a huge Kurt Cobain fan, but this film has gotten lots of awards, and is being considered one of the greatest Rock documents ever.

Derek_Howe wrote

OK then (but you are not going to like the old ones, Alan),

Old films:

City Lights (1931, Chaplin)
The Great Dictator (1940, Chaplin)
42nd Street (1933) - I normally don't like musicals
Brief Encounter (1945) - quintessentially British
All the Laurel and Hardy 1 reelers (20 minutes) from the early 30s.

And, not "old" but no longer contemporary:

Fargo
Goodfellas
The Butterfly Effect
Casino
Sixth Sense

And I have quite a number in common with Dean, which might count as a multiple recommendation:

Pulp Fiction
The Usual Suspects
Blazing Saddles
Airplane
Raging Bull
Das Boot

and Se7en.

Brief Encounter (prefer casablanca but i know what u mean)
Laurel and Hardy (like harold lloyd as well, not got into chaplin though i did see abit of the great dictator in the hols)

Fargo
Goodfellas
Casino

another interest is ealing comedies and sherlock holmes (basil rathbone & nigel bruce era) and hammer horror.

nearly forgot to add fight club.

A couple of new films ive bought are transformers and spiderman 3 which is very action and special effects. Bourne ultimatum not seen it yet.

I'll have to look out for the Kurt Cobain film. Nick Broomfield also did one a few years ago, but fell foul of Ms Love's lack of co-operation. I can remember exactly where I was when I heard my first Nirvana song - I was playing some lunchtime pool in a pub in Clevedon, when it played, I can remember thinking "this is something special".

My musical contribution is "Dig !" - about the rise of the Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. If you intend to watch it then it is essential to at least read the background sleeve-notes first, otherwise it just looks like a bunch of people being very, very silly.

And I really should have included Trainspotting in my list.

Derek_Howe wrote

And I really should have included Trainspotting in my list.

That was an awsome movie!!!!! . Little to close to home at points though!

Thought I'd update this thread with a couple of movies I've seen recently.

Firstly, there was Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd. A bit (!) of a strange film, this, as it's rare to find a musical that is so, well, dark. But I enjoyed it, even if bits of it make you go 'Eeeuurrgghh!'. Worth catching for something a little different. Jonny Depp was very good, even if parts of his performance were a little 'Captain Jack'.

Secondly, I watched 'The Prestige' on DVD last night. Fantastic film, first film in ages I'd give five stars to. I won't go into too much detail, other than to say it's about a couple of rival magicians and their attempts to get one over on the other. Doesn't sound much, but I don't want to spoil anything for you. Stars Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson.

Film which i will get next week is 'control' about ian curtis and joy division. Also one for the cinema not sure on its release is 'vantage point'.

Right eventually watch the film 'control' and its very good well worth watching especially if you like to listen to joy division. Got 'American Gangsters' to watch with denzel washington and russell crowe miht hopefully watch it over the weekend.

Step up 2 ''the streets''
Jumper

Watched the film 'the counterfeiters' very good film, similar to 'the pianist' and 'schindlers list' has some scenes that are horrific but not as bad as the other two. It is in german with english subtitles.

My top 10 in no particular order:

Die Hard
The Omega Man
Event Horizon
Raising Arizona
K-19: The Widowmaker
Snatch
3000 Miles to Graceland
Romeo is Bleeding
L.A. Confidential
Hard Boiled

I also (like Dean) never miss a Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes film if I can help it.

watched 'the lives of others' german film subtitled about the stasi, very interesting film.

Films I've seen at the cinema over the last few months:

Indiana Jones - was OK at the time, but my view of it has deteriorated since then, should have left it as a trilogy
Wanted - good fun, lots of silly/spectacular action, Angelina Jolie
The Dark Knight - very dark, will probably go see again to definitively make my mind up about it

Hmm, I really need to get to the cinema more often...

Anyone seen 'The Flying Scotsman', a film based on the life of Graeme Obree? Saw it on DVD last weekend, and really enjoyed it. So much so I've asked for his autobiography for Christmas. Steve, as a fellow cyclist, I think you'd appreciate it.

Saw the new Bond movie the day it came out. Not bad, but not as good as Casino Royale. Lacked a certain something, but have yet to put my finger on what it was.