[Sonnie]

The All Time Favorite Film Thread

This was formerly the $2500 Cash Giveaway Thread where you could post your all time favorite movie and receive an extra entry into the giveaway. It has now been converted to The All Time Favorite Film Thread... so... tell us what it is for you... what is your ALL-TIME FAVORITE FILM?

 

[tonyvdb]

I have many favorite movies but one that stands out for me is the Fugitive with Harrison Ford.

Harrison Ford is in my opinion one of the few great actors still around. Movies like the Indiana Jones series, Clear and present danger, and of course Star Wars have proven this. The Fugitive is still to this day enjoyable to watch with plenty of action and suspense with no bad language or other offensive content, just a great all around film.
The first time I saw this movie I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't believe some of the stunts that were done, most memorable of course is the jump from the dam into the river below. Who would have thought that anyone wold have done that.
The special effects are very well done for the time and still can hold its own in todays special effects world. The train wreck was the only part that could have done some fine tuning as there is some parts that its obvious that a model was used however was done in a way that it was totally believable if it was done in a real situation.


On a side note I give an honorable mention to the Blues Brothers movie, still has to be one of the best car chases ever made.

 

[thsmith]

One of my favorite movies is Oh Brother Where Are Thou. This movie is loosely based on Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey". It takes place in the deep south during the 1930's. Three escaped convicts search for hidden treasure while a relentless lawman pursues them. The 3 convicts have many journeys with many twist and turns.

The music is rich with southern old timey music sung by Alison Krauss, Ralph Stanley, The Whites, John Hartford, The Cox Family and Gillian Welch.

Dan Tyminksi is the singing voice for George Clooney on "I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow", the Soggy Bottom Boys song that revives many poor religious people during tough times.

I had a chance to see many of these singers in Dallas and their performance was outstanding.

Cast consist of
George Clooney as Everett
John Turturro as Pete
Tim Blake Nelson as Delmar
John Goodman as Big Dan Teague
Holly Hunter as Penny
Chris Thomas King as Tommy Johnson
Charles Durning as Pappy O'Daniel
Del Pentecost as Junior O'Daniel
Michael Badalucco as George Nelson
J.R. Horne as Pappy's Staff
Brian Reddy as Pappy's Staff
Wayne Duvall as Homer Stokes
Ed Gale as The Little Man
Ray McKinnon as Vernon T. Waldrip
Daniel von Bargen as Sheriff Cooley

A great movie the entire family can watch together. I have never bought the soundtrack to a movie but this one was a must have.

 

[Richard W. Haines]

"2001: A Space Odyssey" 1968 140 minutes 70mm Cinerama six track stereo sound

Beginning in the silent era and continuing through the introduction of sound and
later widescreen, many film buffs believe the greatest motion pictures were those
that were uniquely 'cinematic' and could not be replicated in any other medium.
To this end, the most cinema savy filmmakers have always tried to find visual ways
of telling their story with a minimum of dialogue. A reaction shot or dolly up to
an important prop or location was always preferable to convey a feeling or mood
than someone talking. Early directors in the silent days that tried to tell a story
entirely visually with a minimum of subtitles include F.W. Murnau (The Last Laugh)
and Buster Keaton ("Sherlock Jr.). Sound directors like David Lean and John Ford
used their locations and compositions as characters in the narrative. Alfred
Hitchcock had many notable montages such as the "Psycho" shower scene and plane attacking Cary Grant in "North by Northwest".

But no one had ever attempted to make a big budget science fiction mystery
visually with very little dialogue until Stanley Kubrick's ground breaking
epic, "2001: A Space Odyssy" in 1968. There is only 40 minutes of extraneous
dialogue (much of it intentionally bland) in the 140 minute running time. The
rest of the story is told through it's imagery which makes you feel like
you are in zero gravity in outer space. In the "Blue Danube" segment, space
travel became lyrical. The climax even allowed viewers to experience the big bang, creation of the earth and other secrets of the universe.


This is a movie that not only must be seen on the biggest screen possible
but ideally should be watched in the original Cinerama format which generated a
peripheral illusion. It's the best 'rollercoaster ride' since the original "This
is Cinerama" premiere in 1952.


The structure of the movie is somewhat like a film noir mystery except that it takes
place in the future. Kubrick wisely refused to disclose the meaning of the movie or answer the questions viewers had. The film does have a resolution although it's open to multiple interpertations. Some of the narrative is genuining eeire and
unsettling. Kubrick used what sounds like sinister angel voices whenever the monolith
appears. The death of HAL by electronic lobotomy is one of the creepiest in the history of cinema.


When I think back on my favorite moviegoing experiences, this movie tops the list.
I saw it in 70mm and six track stereo at the Beach Cinema in Westchester when it was released on their enormous flat screen. Then I rushed out to buy the 'Making Of' book
and novelization to get some answers. They were there but you had to read
between the lines. Later I saw it in 35mm in each of it's re-issues. When I was
at NYU, the movie was re-issued in 70mm Cinerama twice at The Rivoli on 49th and Broadway which had a deeply curved Dimension 150 screen. Those were the most spectacular showings of the movie I attended.


How does the film play now in 2008? If you project the HD DVD or Blu Ray on a large
screen on a DLP it does simulate the peripheral vision of Cinerama even though the
image isn't curved. The cinematography and special effects are still superior to
contemporary CGE because Kubrick shot them in 65mm with large scale
miniatures which not only made them look razor sharp but created
a sense of dimensionality which is missing from those made by a computer. He also
lit the ships with deep shadows based on their position to the sun which was something
new at the time. The reason earlier space ships looked so artificial is that they were
fully lit. Kubrick's effects were not opticals in the conventional sense of the era.
He did most of them 'in camera' by rewinding the film and photographing each portion
(ships, stars, planets) of the shot on the original 65mm negative rather than shooting
them separately and combining them later in an optical printer (i.e. "Star Wars").


Like all aspiring filmmakers, this movie influenced me and was an inspiration to
become a director. It was usually cited as the prime example justifying the
'auteur' theory which advocated directors maintaining creative control of
all aspects of the production. The fact that Kubrick could make an experimental picture with a big budget and get financing from a major studio proved that you could accomplish anything if you really put your mind to it. The picture was so controversial it became a 'talking point' for critics, buffs and was even discussed in my science class in Middle School. Some reviewers condemned the feature then later revised their opinion after a second viewing. The narrative structure was so unique it threw them off balance.


Very few movies have ever caused such a stir when first released. The long term
impact this picture had on American culture is still being felt. Every realistic science
fiction feature (as opposed to space fanstasy) is usually compared to this one.
Kubrick took the genre out of "Flash Gordon" camp and re-defined it as
a legitimate adult art form. Serious sci-fi movies like "Close Encounters" and "Blade
Runner" would not have been possible if Kubrick hadn't lead the way.

 

[MatrixDweller]

I too have many favourites. Ones that stick in my mind the most are ones that my brother and I used watch when we were younger and repeat certain parts in the dialog (in character of course). John Carpenter's They Live was one such movie. It's funny, even though it's meant not to be. It's a about a guy who's down on his luck and meets up with another dude in the same boat. Of course they discover a huge extra terrestrial conspiracy. Cheesy acting by "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and backed up by Keith David. Others would include all of the Monty Python movies, anything with Schwarzenegger, and countless Kung Fu movies.

Of course I have other favourites when it comes to demoing my home theater. I like X-Men 3, The Hulk, LOTR (even though it's just DVD) and the list grows as new stuff comes out. I bought the Blade Runner bluray set and it's pretty sweet.

 

[tcarcio]

I also love many types of films but I watched a film not too long ago called Awakenings. It starred Robin Williams and although people think of him usually in the comic role he was excellent with this dramatic role. It wasn't long before I found myself very involved in this film and with all the characters.Robin plays a doctor trying to cure patients of an incureable malady that keeps them in an awake type coma with little or no response to outside stimulous. Robert DeNiro also was excellent in the patient role and was so believable it was hard to not feel real emotions for him and root for him to recover. This movie was a true story and one that will touch you. If you haven't seen it I suggest you check it out, you won't be sorry.......

 

[SteveCallas]

I had a really difficult time trying to determine which movie I would consider my favorite, but after finding myself repeating the same action a few times a month these past couple months, a winner essentially selected itself. The action I am referring to is finding myself watching Bloodsport on the VS channel no matter how late at night it ends up playing, even though I've already seen it over 50 times, own it on dvd, and can pretty much recite it word for word. I'm just drawn to watching it like a moth to a flame.

The fim is loosely based upon the real life events of Frank Dux - portrayed by Jean Claude Van Damme. During a flashback it is explained how Frank gets caught trying to steal a sword from Senzo Tanaka's house as a child, and ends up agreeing to be the sparring partner for Senzo's son Shingo in return for not getting in trouble. When Frank defends Shingo from bullies at school, a bond forms between Frank and the Tanakas. Senzo is devastated a few years later when his son dies and he no longer has anyone to pass on the martial arts skills that have been a part of his family for ages. Frank eventually convinces a hesitant Tanaka to train him in place of his son so that he may one day honor the Tanakas by competing at a world martial arts competition known as the Kumite.

After some amazing training sequences that show how Frank becomes a highly skilled martial artist, the film leaves the flashback and progresses toward the beginning of the Kumite. Each fighter in this competition is from a different part of the world and fights with their own unique style. The viewer is treated to a large variety of disciplines as the fights play out, each portrayed by a very skilled actor, making the fight sequences entertaining and memorable. Frank - the unknown American at this competition - wins fight after fight and makes his way into the final match vs last year's champion. The final fight is an epic, and when it's all over Frank becomes the new champion, fulfilling his promise of honoring the Tanakas.

What makes this movie stand out above all the cheesy 80's attempts at martial arts films? Plenty. The fight choreography, the fleshed out story, the music (top notch!), and dare I say it.....the production value is actually quite good. There isn't much in this film that will make you roll your eyes like what is so prevelant in a lot of the other martial arts films of the time. No flying kicks with a 20 second hang time, triple backflips, or dialogue that seems like the script was written in one day. It all just comes together very well and the final result is a film a martial arts fan can't help but watch over and over again. If you hate JCVD and you've never seen this film, you may have a change of heart.

 

[Ricci]

There are a bunch of movies I really love so it's hard to pick just 1. I'd have to go with...


Braveheart

I still remember watching this movie in the theater when I was in HS. I've probably seen it 50 times. No need to explain anymore.

Honorable mentions go to The Last of the Mohicans, Gladiator (Russell Crowe, Jouaquin Phoenix) and American Beauty.

All of the movies that do it for me have the following in common. A REALLY good soundtrack, villains that make you hate them they act so well, emotionally gripping scenes/storylines that make you laugh, angry, sad, awed, and so forth.

 

[Wayde]

All time fav!

Hmm... for a rockin' Home Theater system has gotta be T2.

For general long lived favourite - I recently compiled a top five favourite movies that influenced me in life:

Blue Velvet, Taxi Driver, Midnight Cowboy, Godfather II, Apocalypse Now.

 

[Ayreonaut]

My Dad read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe to me and my brothers when I was about eight or nine. I loved every minute of it and read the whole series several times. So when I heard that they were making a movie out of it, I was very excited. Then I was a little concerned that they might screw it up.

But they hit it out of the park! It resonated with me like almost no other movie I'd ever seen. I got choked up the first time when the title came up over the train, and it just kept on from there. The movie seemed to match my highest expectations at every point. It was just as I'd imagined it. Or it seemed so. I hadn't read the book in years.

Obviously, not everyone has the same deep seated connection to these stories from their early childhood that I do. But from an "insider's" perspective, this movie couldn't have been more right.

 

[MrDave]

Ah, good mention on Bloodsport.

It's something about movies like that, even though they are B class movies at best, make you feel like popping up some popcorn and just relaxing.

Sort of like Wayne's World.

 

[the_diyr]

Two Favorites of Mine are Space Cowboys and Any Star Wars Flick:T

 

[Jon Liu]

Whether or not it is my top or not, Memento, is among the top couple! It is the only one that comes to mind right away, when I think of top movies!

 

[SkaBooM]

Epp, that's a tough one!

Well, I don't think I can single it down to the all time best.
I think it is easier to do if you catagorize it with genres, IE:

Favorite war movie- Saving private Ryan (band of brothers was far better but thats not really a movie, now is it)

Favorite epic- LOTR

Favorite love story- What dreams may come...

Favorite remake- Halloween (rob zombie hit that sh*t with a ballpeen!)

Favorite scary film- The ring (there is just something not natural about this movie, it actually spooked me.)

Favorite mob flick- Untouchables or Scarface (its 50/50 for me)

Favorite foreign film- Pans Labrynth

Favorite animated- Waltz with Bashir.

Favorite "B" film- Chopper Chicks in Zombie town :rofl2:


I find that when you ask people what there favorite film is its usually pretty tough to come up with a difinitive answer , however when you ask them whats the worse film they ever saw they have an answer pretty much right away.

Worst film ever- Convict 762



*edit for spelling*

 

[lcaillo]

Saving Private Ryan and The World According to Garp. Both are among the very few movies to which I had an emotional reaction. I teared up at Tom Hanks "earn this" line and at when Robin Williams character was shot.

 

[nova]

Right off the top of my head,... I'd have to say,....

Mary Kate Danaher: Could you use a little water in your whiskey?
Michaleen Flynn: When I drink whiskey, I drink whiskey; and when I drink water, I drink water.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Ya, one right off the top of my head is: Young Frankenstein.

Black & White, but colorful nonetheless. :bigsmile:

 

[Lucky7!]

... so... tell us what it is for you... what is your ALL-TIME FAVORITE FILM?

This would have to be it, no question. I must have watched it 50 times, and read the book even more.

(Gotta love the Norman Rockwell painting)

I saw the 1984 Bill Murray version first and then spent years tracking down the 1946 original, first on VHS, then DVD. It's quite easy to get now, but around 2001 it wasn't.

Honourable mentions would be (in no particular order), Fantasia, Fight Club, Blues Brothers and the Matrix, all of which I've watched many times.

 

[Dale Rasco]

While many movies are on my list as "go to" reference movies, my all time favorite is a bit tougher to name. Three top my list as I can watch these movies any time, any place and in any mood. :T

Hot Fuzz
Army of Darkness
Big Trouble in Little China

 

[Freebooter]

Quigley Down Under

Hello all,
One of my favorite movies is Quigley Down Under. It is a great movie, good vs evil, shows some deep meaningful stuff in it like when poor ol Cora finally tells Quigley how she accidently killed her baby, what her husband did, how he never looked back, etc., which explains why she is half cracked, and how Quigley did look back, etc. Just a great movie.

And of course two of my favorite actors, Tom Selleck (Quigley) and Laura San Giocomo(Crazy Cora) play in it. I think Laura is a beautiful talented actress. I love her style, her manarisms, and her subtle humor. I like the guy who played Marston, a great actor two (he plays someone in Harry Potter too). I also liked the actress who played the aborigine woman whom Cora handed the baby she had rescued to. I wonder was she an actress playing that part or a real aborigine they got to play the part? A very nice looking woman to me!
Later,
Freebooter