good idea, sabine42!

[thehefner]

You all know I've seen an assload of movies. I try to always be on the lookout for obscure or neglected gems (sometimes at the expense of seeing classics that everyone else but me as seen). But I'm always on the lookout for more!

Respond with three (or more) movies you think I really should/need to see, and why. If you have no idea if I've seen them or not, then post three movies that make you think of me--and why.

Really, anything that your average person might have overlooked that deserves attention. It could be a cult movie, art house, shoestring budget, international, animated, documentary, musical, classic, anything.

I'm about to start up Netflix one of these days, so this'll help. Thankee, fellows.

Comments

[sabine42.livejournal.com]

Okay, most of these aren't obscure so to speak, so you may have seen most of them, but these are some of the more interesing movies I've seen...

Dirty, Pretty Things- Audrey Tautou and Chjitwel Edjiafor (I'm not looking up the spelling right now, so I know that's wrong, but the guy from Serenity and Love, Actually). Gritty, interesting British movie.

Millions- quirky family movie, about a young boy who talks to dead saints and finds a bag of stolen money just before the conversion to euros. Really interesting visual effects, very well flowed/directed film.

Manchurian Candidate- duh, it's a classic. I own both versions, but the original can't be beat, sure you've sene it, but it bears repeating.

Wait Until Dark- again, a classic. It's a brilliant stage play, but Audrey Hepburn and Alan Arkin really made it work on screen.

Bandits- not the Bruce Willis one, a German indie about a group of jail-escapees who form an all-girl rock band.

Restoration- lesser-known period film set in 1666 about redemption with Robert Downey Jr, Sam Neil, and Meg Ryan in one of her most non-Meg Ryan roles ever.

Mr. and Mrs. Iyer- a really good Indian film about a man and a woman for different religious sects who bond while their bus is put under a curfew due to outbreaks of violence.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Aha! I have only seen Millions and the original Manchurian, which is an all-time favorite for me. But I've not seen any of these others! Huzzah and thankee!

[little-dinosaur.livejournal.com]

I don't know what you've seen, but if "Six-String Samurai", "Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter" or "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" don't ring any bells, then you're missing out. Also, "Freaks". Sorry, that's four. And "The Warriors". Okay, I'll stop now.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I am ashamed to admit, I think I actually kinda hated Six String Samurai. I mean, it has so many elements of everything I love, but man, I just really dislike it. I hate the kid, I hate Buddy's voice, I hate the whole campy feel of the movie. And I should have loved it, because spiritually it's so "there" with Bub and Johnny! Alas.

I have seen Freaks and LOVE it. So fucking creepy.

I've seen chunks of Killer Klowns but have not actually sat down and watched it from beginning to end, but I will. It has evil clowns AND Christopher Titus!

I've heard of the wonder and glory that is Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter," and thank you for reminding me that I need to check that out.

The Warriors! Yes, that is a MUST for me to see. A must.

[little-dinosaur.livejournal.com]

I hate when that happens, when something I should have loved just doesn't happen. Oh well.
Yes, The Warriors is very essential. Also, I don't know if you're into Ralph Bakshi, but "American Pop" is pretty amazing, visually and as a movie.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

So far, Bakshi has not exactly had a stellar record with me (LOTR, which was as bad as it was made out to be, but still not great , WIZARDS pretty much only amused me for the "You killed Fritz!" scene), but American Pop is good? I may just have to give it a chance.

[fiveseconddelay.livejournal.com]

Hell in the Pacific

Night of the Living Remake

Little Big Man

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hmm, don't know when I'll ever have a chance to see those.

[fiveseconddelay.livejournal.com]

Say! I have an idea!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Brilliant! Let's have this idea with BEER!

[fiveseconddelay.livejournal.com]

And your MOM!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Well, I suppose I should have seen this coming ever since I told you that you were my best friend.

Note to self: next time, no more best friends ever. Get a dog instead.

[fiveseconddelay.livejournal.com]

Oh, now you are just leading me on. Fine! So when are you going to introduce me to your dog?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Well, I would have tonight, except now it's run away with Dave too. You weren't satisfied with Misty and my grandmother, were you?!

Dammit!

[fiveseconddelay.livejournal.com]

And I was all ready with "I don't know why all the puppies have curly red hair, maybe she was fucking Ronald McDonald?"

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Good night, everybody!

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Do you watch animated things? From other countries?

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeppers!

[eliyes.livejournal.com]

Then I recomment The Utena Movie, aka The Adolescence of Utena, aka Adolescence Apocalypse. The dub is pretty good. I watched it having seen the series, but it is pure crack and might be enjoyable without it. Also, it's an AU of the series... But there is a lot of pink and flowers and really bizarre architecture that moves and some nudity and murder and such. Anyway, give it a shot! I think everyone should watch this movie. :3 The dance scene is posted on my livejournal (link to youtube) if you want a preview, and the ending? Really has to be seen to be believed.

[gnort.livejournal.com]

Glory, The Usual Suspects...and....Plan 9 from Outer Space..I'm sure you've seen them but if not you should because the first two are damn good films and the last one is a cult classic

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I've seen the latter two, of course, but not Glory. Welp, another one for the list!

[mirthical.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned these to you, but they bear repeating:

My Neighbor Totoro
Spirited Away
Grave of the Fireflies
Princess Mononoke
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Porco Rosso
(all these being Miyazaki films)

....aaaaand, to continue with the anime theme, you should see Akira and Vampire Hunter D and Ghost in the Shell (which I have yet to see myself, drat it all).

And while this is technically not a movie, it is really awesome anime if you're a fan of William Gibson-esque stuff: Lain.

[mirthical.livejournal.com]

ooh, and a movie that isn't anime..

PlayTime. I can't remember the name of the director, but it's a French film from 1967 or thereabouts. No knowledge of French necessary. It's delightfully irreverent (and architectural!).

[2sick2pray.livejournal.com]

Some excellent films I've been watching for class:

La Haine (or "Hate" in English)

Head-On (German/Turkish film, winner of the Golden Bear award or something)

And:

Vanya on 42nd Street

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Thankee! I'll add 'em!

[swimpenguin.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I recommend this, but it is an "Interesting" movie-Silent Tongue, a 1994 western film by Sam Shepard-starring the late Richard Harris, Alan Bates, and River Phoenix-it's a western done as a greek tragedy. Also Affliction, with Nick Nolte and James Coburn, and Yossi and Jagger is a compact, sweet film about the romance between two guys at an Israeli army outpost-follws not just their romance in just 70 minutes, but the general feeling that these young people would rather being doing other things in the youth of their lives besides mandatory army duty.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I've seen and liked Affliction, but only for the alcoholic father stuff... I thought the movie was kinda weak otherwise. That said, I'll definitely check out Silent Tongue and Yossi. Thanks!

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

-Kamikaze Girls -Great little screwball Japanese comedy about the friendship between a lolita girl (frilly fashion style) and Yankee (female teenage gangster), very funny.

-Father Ted -Okay, this one is a TV series, not a movie, but you should still see it anyway. (It's on DVD now, so no excuses). It's a weird and often slightly surreal Irish comedy about three priests exiled to a tiny island. If you're a religious person it could be offensive, but for the most part it pokes fun at the people and not the faith. It's also filled with wonderful quotes that can be used to amuse yourself and annoy others later. Try and rent the Christmas special too.

-I'm just going to assume you've seen Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Wererabbit and the wonderful short films that precede it featuring this duo. If not: WTF is wrong with you man? SEE THEM. SEE THEM ALL!

There was also a terrific modern adaptation of Othello for Masterpiece Theater that's pretty recent, but I'm not sure if that's one dvd or not. It's the one starring Christopher Eccleston, not the Kenneth Branagh version.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

I have friends obsessed with Father Ted, so that's yet another vote.

And yes, I absolutely LURVE all the Wallance and Gromit movies! The Wrong Trousers is perhaps my favorite, because I love that evil chicke-daIII mean penguin! "GASP! It's you!"

Is that the modern version of Othello set in the world of cops? I saw one that looked modernized with modern language, not Shakespeare, with an OZ cast-mate as the lead, and I *think* that was the one with Eccleston? If it's good, I'll see it!

But to that, I tell you, you need to see REVENGERS TRAGEDY. Eccleston, Eddie Izzard, and Derek Jacobi in a just-post-Shakespearian tragicomedy! Directed by Alex Cox of SID AND NANCY and REPO MAN fame! Pure crack.

[morganashkevron.livejournal.com]

Dangerous Beauty - My favorite movie of any genre. It's a little heavy on the romance, but it tells the (mostly) true story of Veronica Franco, a courtesan from Venice who survives the Plague and the Inquisition while shaping international politics in her lacy underthings. She's also one of the first women in Europe to have her poetry published on its own merit rather than because of any personal wealth. Anyway, there's some brisk humor, witty remarks, fencing, sex, and political intrigue. The cinematography is gorgeous, the costumes are amazing, the acting is excellent. It stars Rufus Sewell (Dark City) and Catherine McCormack (Braveheart) as well as Oliver Platt, Moira Kelly and Fred Ward.

Red Dust is a classic from 1932 starring Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. I saw it once in Striner's film class and immediately loved it. The characters are strong and funny and the story-line is engaging. And, the dialogue is really refreshing and they describe the process of making rubber so it's also educational. Speaking of Striner's class, we also watched Mr Smith Goes to Washington and A Philadelphia Story that semester. If you haven't seen those, you should check them out. Both are just great stories.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I recall you and Chalas ravin' on about Dangerous Beauty. Thanks for the reminder, that one is totally goin' on the list! As is Red Dust, Mr. Smith, and Philadelphia Story, the latter two of which I am disgusted with myself for not having seen.

[misstoric.livejournal.com]

Hi,
you don't know me but I've been reading your posts on Scans_daily and I think you're one of the most intellegent posters there. If you don't mind me making some suggestions. I know you're a horror fan so...
1. Man Bites Dog, It's a Belgian film about a documentary crew following around a serial killer and making a movie about his exploits. It was made before the current reality tv craze, so it's oddly prophetic
2. Dementia 13, Francis Ford Coppla's first movie. It's about a string of murders taking place within an irish castle, and the secrets of the family. The creepy atmosphere is absolutely wonderful.
3.Kairo (Pulse) a terrifying japanese movie about...well, just see it. It's awesome.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks! Golly, that's one of the nicest things any random person has ever said to me!

Big thanks for the picks! I'll totally check 'em out. I saw DOG years, years ago under less than ideal circumstances, so I look forward to seeing it again without distractions.

Thanks again!