Movie Recommendations

Combat_Kyle · Post by **Combat_Kyle** » Thu May 11, 2006 10:32 am

We'll I'm a bit of a movie buff and I thought I'd start a thread were we can recommend movies that people may not have seen before. My first 3 are all British films and all are abour rganized crime and such.
Get Carter 1971 Starring Michael Caine. Great revenge flick, the tourism board in Newcastle wouldn't want people to see this.
The Long Good Friday 1980 Starring Bob Hoskins. Just a great mob caper, and a early role ffor Pierce Brosnan, a must see guy flick.
Sexy Beast 2000 Ben Kingsley, Ray Winstone. Great movie, Ben Kingsley so evil in this film you forget that he played Ghandi.

I plan on having about 3 recommendations each week, please feel free to add your own.
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Thu May 11, 2006 11:04 am

Man Bites Dog. Finally released on DVD by Criterion, this movie is a pseudo-autobiography chock full of neat violence and great lines. It is not an average film. Recommend watching it in the original language: French.
Versus. Wire-fu violence zombie killfest crossed with fantasy and a tinge of sci-fi. Add in elements of satire, and dark comedy, and this Japanese movie is a must, especially for zombie lovers. Definitely should watch in original language.
Metropolis. I cannot suggest this movie enough, but, one must get the extended, restored, authorized edition. There are few movies that define the medium, much less shape what would come after-- this movie does both. Absolutely must watch it in German, though.

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:08 pm

So what about us single language people? Should we still watch them in French/ German/ or Japanese?

miller6 · Post by **miller6** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:11 pm

Flying Guillotines (old kung fu/black belt theater, over-dubbed in english)
Big Trouble in Little China - "It's all in the reflexes."
The Shadow - "Oh, THAT knife."
Army of Darkness - "There, I said it!"
Excalibur - "Strikes like...Woah! Like Lightning, that's it!" Nichole Williamson was superb as Merlin
Dragonslayer - if only to see the best dragon ever in a film.
The Voyages of Sinbad - classics with Ray Harryhausen animation
Star Trek II - Wrath of Kahn - "I don't believe in the no-win scenario." The Kirk at his best
Highlander - The Kergin was the best bad guy ever in a movie, and excellent music by Queen
Knight's Tale - Heath Ledger's best movie and Paul Bettany was awesome as Chaucer. Well cast overall.

Those are just a few. I could name so many more.

Brian Miller

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:37 pm

Quote:
So what about us single language people? Should we still watch them in French/ German/ or Japanese?

Absolutely, you should. Movies are best when viewed in the native form, even if you don't always get everything they say (I guess I'm a sort of movie purist.) Versus especially, is more a watch than listen movie, but the others might be better served with subtitles or dubbing. If, though, you find it too difficult, all of them have English speaking and subtitles, so, that they can still be enjoyed.

miller6 · Post by **miller6** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:44 pm

Just thought of a couple foreign movies that were really good.
Shaulin Soccer- Chinese movie. Hilarious with cool special effects.
Brotherhood of the Wolf - French movie. Interesting storyline and hey, how 'bout that sectional wooden sword? Too cool.

Both come on DVD with an option for english over-dubbing.

Brian Miller

Treebore · Post by **Treebore** » Thu May 11, 2006 7:13 pm

Dog Soldiers

House of Flying Daggers (really love the use of color symbolism, or was that Hero?)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Ser,

I watch these in chinese with english captions. There is a lot said that isn't done in the English versions, is that the same case with the French and German movies you watch? Except Dog Soldiers. As far as I know it is originally English, and the best werewolf movie I have ever seen.

BTW, I like Brotherhood of Wolves too.

Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Thu May 11, 2006 7:17 pm

Here are 3 favorites off the top of my head:
The Trouble with Harry, a great Hitchcock dark comedy with John Forsythe and Shirley Maclaine in her screen debut. [Look for Jerry Mathers playing the kid].
Journey to the Center of the Earth. Great film classic I've been watching since I was a kid. I got my daughter hooked on this. It's a great family movie that has something for everyone - adventure, comedy, witty dialog, cool monsters and Pat Boone singing a Robert Berns poem! Superb movie. Also stars James Mason, Arlene Dahl and Alfred the Butler from the Batman TV show!
The Ninth Gate with Johnny Depp, Lena Olin (hot) and Frank Longella directed by Roman Polanski. Great mystery/thriller based on the book, The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte. I watched this on TV and was immediately hooked. I then rented it from the library a month later and then I bought it on Amazon for $6.00!
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Thu May 11, 2006 7:24 pm

Quote:
There is a lot said that isn't done in the English versions, is that the same case with the French and German movies you watch?

Translations are prone to mistakes and errors, so, there is often stuff left out, so, in general, I have to say: yes. However, these particular movies do a good job of staying true to the original.

dcs · Post by **dcs** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:02 pm

miller6 wrote:
Flying Guillotines (old kung fu/black belt theater, over-dubbed in english)

A good one (though I think there is only one "Flying Guillotine"), but not as good as the classic The Shaolin Hand Lock or Executioners from Shaolin
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Tadhg · Post by **Tadhg** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:29 pm

Treebore wrote:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Great movie, for sure. After watching this with the English dubbing, I then watched it again in Chinese with subtitles to pick up dialog missed in the dubbed version!
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miller6 · Post by **miller6** » Fri May 12, 2006 9:01 am

Quote:
A good one (though I think there is only one "Flying Guillotine"), but not as good as the classic The Shaolin Hand Lock or Executioners from Shaolin

And how about
Ten Flags (with the 10 assassins, one of the best)
Avenging Eagles (Golden Eagle Claw versus knife hand and 3-sectional staff)

or
5 Deadly Venoms (A classic)

And there was one, I think it was simple called "The Shaolin Temple" that covered training through the test of trials (against wooden men), ending with the defense of the temple against an invasion. I remember they had to stand on and stir huge pots in the kitchen while being attacked, lay out rice paper on sharp poles without making a hole, jump out of a pit with weights on their legs, and break firewood with their fingers. Do you recall this one? Can't find the darn thing anywhere.

Brian Miller

dcs · Post by **dcs** » Fri May 12, 2006 12:18 pm

miller6 wrote:
Do you recall this one? Can't find the darn thing anywhere.

No, I'm afraid I don't. Black Belt Theater was the best.
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Jyrdan Fairblade · Post by **Jyrdan Fairblade** » Fri May 12, 2006 2:36 pm

Versus is a great movie. I also enjoyed Samurai Fiction quite a bit.

"Don't denigrate throwing stones!"

serleran wrote:
Versus. Wire-fu violence zombie killfest crossed with fantasy and a tinge of sci-fi. Add in elements of satire, and dark comedy, and this Japanese movie is a must, especially for zombie lovers. Definitely should watch in original language.

Combat_Kyle · Post by **Combat_Kyle** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:30 am

Its been a while since my last post but here are some new recommendations. TV series this time.
Sharp's Rifles A BBC mini-series starring Sean Bean (Boromir in LOTR), he plays a British sergeant promoted to Lieutenant during the peninsula campaign of the Napoleonic Wars. He and his men are rouges and sharpshooters who act as a special forces unit. Fun for the whole family.
Firefly I'm sure many of you have seen this, but fans of sci-fi, westerns and pirates should check this out. It only lasted one season because the execs at Fox are heartless bastards. Anyway it is about the crew of of spaceship 500 years in the future.
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SirClarence · Post by **SirClarence** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 10:45 am

Combat_Kyle wrote:
Firefly I'm sure many of you have seen this, but fans of sci-fi, westerns and pirates should check this out. It only lasted one season because the execs at Fox are heartless bastards. Anyway it is about the crew of of spaceship 500 years in the future.

And for all you Traveller fans out there, this is a must too. This series (and the movie 'Serenity' too) reminded me a lot of the Traveller universe. I wonder if Joss Whedon knows the game....

Combat_Kyle · Post by **Combat_Kyle** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 11:15 am

Ok, time for another recommendation:
Battle Royal 2001. A Japanese film that is not for those with weak stomachs. The basic premise is: in the near future social unrest among Japanese youth has forced the government to institute a program where one high school class is selected each year to be taken to a island and forced to fight to the death, really cool movie and a little creepy.
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CK the CK
"My goddess touched me at an early age."

-Grikis Valmorgen, Paladin

The beginnings of my homebrew campaign world and info for my play by chat game:
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serleran · Post by **serleran** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:00 pm

Quote:
Battle Royal

You know, I saw this a while ago, and thought it was pretty neat. A bit flawed in some ways, but that's just because its the Japanese have a different take on cinema. However, I do strongly suggest seeing it, since its cool. Also, Versus.

tug · Post by **tug** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:15 pm

Treebore wrote:
Dog Soldiers

Isn't that the one with the Were-wolves?

If it is, I would so watch it again.

Omote · Post by **Omote** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:17 pm

It may be too main stream for you all, but I HIGHLY reccomend the brilliant film CAPOTE. This film studies Truman Capote in his most influential years as a New York socialite while penning his famous book In Cold Blood.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman is spectacular as well as his co-star Catherine Keener as Nelle Harper Lee.

An absolutely great film if you like character study.

.................................Omote

FPQ
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jman5000 · Post by **jman5000** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 1:43 pm

I simply cannot believe nobody has mentioned Herbie Fully Loaded yet?

Astounding....

cheers,

J.

Combat_Kyle · Post by **Combat_Kyle** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:35 pm

Omote wrote:
It may be too main stream for you all, but I HIGHLY reccomend the brilliant film CAPOTE. This film studies Truman Capote in his most influential years as a New York socialite while penning his famous book In Cold Blood.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman is spectacular as well as his co-star Catherine Keener as Nelle Harper Lee.

An absolutely great film if you like character study.

.................................Omote

FPQ

I'm not anti-mainstream films but I thought I would post some films that people may not have heard of, but are worth wathcing. I will concur that Capote is a great film.
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CK the CK
"My goddess touched me at an early age."

-Grikis Valmorgen, Paladin

The beginnings of my homebrew campaign world and info for my play by chat game:
http://kbdekker.googlepages.com/home

Catweazle · Post by **Catweazle** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 7:46 pm

Still Crazy: A beautiful, hysterically funny, and often touching movie by Clement and La Frenais, about Strange Fruit, a 70s rock band who try to get back together in the late 90s (the film was made in '98) and tour the Continent (well, some Dutch and Belgian clubs, anyway). The line-up of actors tells you everything you need to know, with Bill Nighy, Stephen Rea, Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall as the surviving "Fruits", with Billy Conolly as the veteran road dog Hughie. Features such great lines as "If it's tue that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, then drummers are from Pluto". Incredibly, it also has brand-new, period music courtesy of Mick Jones of Spooky Tooth and Foreigner fame, and Chris Difford from Squeeze. Sure it's a little before my time, but great music stays great.

Deftly directed and with a rock-solid script, this has to be Clement and La Frenais's best piece of work.

And that's saying something.
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Arioch · Post by **Arioch** » Tue Jun 20, 2006 10:00 pm

Knight riders

Rocky Horror Picture show

Silent running

I agree metropolis the fritz lang version is awsome and the Ninth gate is good as well

ken
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ZeornWarlock · Post by **ZeornWarlock** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:06 am

"Brain Dead" by Peter Jackson. (Not for the faint of heart!)

"Legend" With Tim Curry and Tom Cruise. One of my Fav. of all time. It is visually stunning!

ZW.

serleran · Post by **serleran** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 2:21 am

Quote:
"Brain Dead" by Peter Jackson.

In the US, that's called "Dead Alive." Its gory, and funny.

Emperor Xan · Post by **Emperor Xan** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 6:29 am

Solaris (Russian, 1972) Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. See this version, Soderberg and Clooney ruined the story in their version.

Thulcondar · Post by **Thulcondar** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:31 am

Since I'm gearing up for my own C&C campaign, I've been putting a bunch of my favorite fantasy/history movies in the ol' DVD. Yeah, most of them are schlokey 80's swords-and-sorcery flicks, but when it comes to fantasy, I kinda like that. In no particular order:
Hawk the Slayer

The Sword and the Sorceror

LOTR

The Vikings

Excalibur

The Dark Crystal

Legend

Labyrinth

Conan the Barbarian

The Beastmaster

The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger

The Golden Voyage of Sinbad

Dragonslayer

Jupp74 · Post by **Jupp74** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:08 pm

Ok, I'll try to give some European movie tips
Fun stuff:

Taxi and Taxi 2.

Pure fun action movies with that special French flair. A must see from Luc Besson

I am a total fan of the old Bud Spencer and Terence Hill Movies. I think I have all of them on either DVD or as a movie file. Perhaps it is pure nostalgia, but I love all of them
Very old stuff:

Das Kabinett des Dr. Caligari:

Expressionistic silent movie from the roaring twenties with a horror theme. Very weird and very cool.

Metropolis:

As someone earlier in this thread alreay said, a definite must-see.

Eine Stadt such einen Mrder (English title: "M"):

Another Fritz Lange classic, with an even more classic soundtrack. Peter Lorre in one of his best roles. When we are at it...go and get all those Fritz Lang movies, they are all worth the money
The Battleship Potyomkin.

Epic silent movie of the legendary director Sergej Eisenstein. A dramatic war movie set on a battleship of the russian naval fleet.

Romantic/Dramatic stuff:

"Novecento" - the legend of 1900. A beautiful movie from Francesco Tornatore, the same man that directed "Cinema Paradiso". If possible, get them both.

A boy is born on a ship crossing the Atlantic between America and Europe . The boy raises to manhood but never leaves the ship. He becomes the greates pianist the world has ever seen but still he would never leave the ship he was born on. One day the is meant to be taken out of service.

Roseannas Grave.

Beautiful drama/comedy that plays in Italy:

Jean Reno is the husband to a woman that is going to die soon. All she wants is to be buried next to her daughter that died earlier. The problem is that there is only one space on left on the local graveyard , and now Roseannas husband frantically tries to keep everyone alive until Roseanna dies to make her last wish come true.

Der Untergang.

Very impressive movie showing the last days of the 2nd World War. Not as good (IMO) as Das Boot, Stalingrad or Schindlers Liste, but still worth watching.

Just my 2 cents
Jupp