My Suggestions Version 2.0 (The Top Five)

[deusdragonexx]

Contrary to what the title may suggest, this isn't a continuation of the first thread by which this one *borrowed* its name. This is for movies that Should be watched in general. I have lots of time on my hands, so I'm trying to composite a list of movie that I should see. So....hey, idea. List your top five movies here. That was, after about a month or so, there should be a fairly large collection of quality movies here.

Dogma
High Fidelity
Whale Rider
Bend It Like Beckham
The Princess Bride


There are my five. Now you....



[EDIT] Include movies by certain actors and/or directos as well. In fact, don't be shy of listing extras and stunt people as well

[FiveMileSmile]

Oh, this is going to be fun.

Time for me to get out my big hat of championing.

These are listed in no particular order, and certain films I've omitted (such as Donnie Darko) in the sure and certain knowledge that someone else will list them for me.

So, here goes.

1) Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead.

It's my favourite film ever. Go read my review to see why. Andy Garcia and Christopher Walken have a fight on screen to see who can be more my hero. The result is a tie so compelling that I keep watching it. Modern tragedy wrapped up in a gangster motif that sadly stopped people looking beyond the surface of the film to find the quality there.

2) Angel Heart

Want to see a scary, brilliant film noir? Watch Angel Heart. It's got Mickey Rourke, Voodoo, Nazi's, missing identites, lounge singers, lots of people getting killed, and Robert De Niro peeling a boiled egg with his fingernail and being absolutely terrifying at the same time.

3) The Crow

One of the very few graphic novel to film conversions done nearly right. As well as being the poster film for the subculture movement some people might label as 'goths' (and dont let that put you off), its a great supernatural revenge thriller which is compelling because it spends as much time developing the villains as it does the 'hero'. Plus, gravelly voiced Michael Wincott as criminal boss Top Dollar not only gets bags of good quotable lines, but also created in me a strange obsession with seeing his films. Oh, and its got a great soundtrack as well.

4) Strange Days

Which brings us nicely to Strange Days, which also features Michael Wincott. Strange Days is the closest to the true Blade Runner cyberpunk future any film has come since the original; its a backward conspiracy/whodunnit mess involving a kind of 'virtual reality', features Ralph Fiennes in a great role as a fast talking ex-cop turned black market VR salesman, and as well as being genuinely involving, it's genuinely disturbing at times. Oh, and it's got Juliet Lewis singing and semi-naked (not at the same time) if either of those is your thing.

5) Near Dark

The absolutely definitive vampire movie, as far as I'm concerned. It's got a cast of nobodies (Bill Paxton and Lance Hendrickson are the biggest names here), was made in the 80's, yet somehow manages to be brilliantly dark, scary ande funny all at the same time. The ending isn't great, but don't let the last 10 minute ruin what could be the best vampire film ever.

Other films I wanted to mention were Escape from New York, Beyond The Mouth Of Madness, Event Horizon, Big Trouble In Little China, and The Thing, but sadly, I had to limit myself to only 5.

- Rich

[DarthToad]

Top five movies you must see:

Waking Life
Any Monty Python movie
The Princess Bride
Brazil (just a chance to say Brazil )
The Matrix (just the first one of course)

[jenfrazer]

Pride and Prejudice. Wow. This is an amazing adaptation, and the direction and acting are top-notch. Colin Firth makes a name for himself here. If you like this, you will also like David Mamet's The Winslow Boy. Having seen this also makes Bridget Jones' Diary even funnier.

A Hard Day's Night. This is my favorite movie ever, and I'm not a Beatles fanatic. I love how carefree, funny, and sincere the mood is. The lads acquit themselves nicely as actors, and even though they're playing types, they come across as humans. The jokes are classic, and the cinematography is superb.

His Girl Friday. I heart Cary Grant. I don't think he shuts up for two seconds in the entire movie (adapted from The Front Page.) His chemistry with Rosalind Russell is electric. Maybe I love it so much because I was briefly involved in the newspaper business, and encountered similarly domineering editors. Keep an eye out for a young Ralph Bellamy.

Stop Making Sense. This is widely considered the best concert film ever made, and I'm inclined to agree. After watching this movie, it is difficult to argue against the artistry of the Talking Heads. Yeah, they're weird, but the performance is incredibly energized and dynamic.

Brazil. You heard me. Brazil. I don't know what you people are afraid of. It's visionary, brilliant, and chock full of talented performances. Feature release ONLY, people. For the love of Gilliam, stay away from the TV edit.

[Lissa]

Just cause the question is my Top 5...

Today's list is:

1.) Moulin Rouge! (That never varies from that spot, as of yet.)
2.) Bend It Like Beckham

Now's where we start getting fuzzy. So I'll skip some of the biggies (like LOTR or stuff like that) and go to the others.

3.) Amadeus
4.) Schindler's List (yes, I do actually rewatch this. But only on days I feel like being down.)
5.) Mulan

List is subject to change at any given moment

[Ms. Jellybean]

Oy vey. We can only pick five? Okay, I'll try my hardest.

1. Empire Records, simply because it is the best movie ever. EVER. I typed up all of Lucas' best lines and taped it to my door to remind myself of the infinite wisdom acheived by one who a) quotes the Doors and b) can revert from normal to "Chinese guy in The Karate Kid" in a matter of hours.

2. Almost Famous... mainly because of the music. It is the best collection of 70s music I have heard in my entire life! Plus, I have the director's cut and the deleted "Stairway" scene is one that I wish Cameron Crowe had used. So what if he wasn't allowed! He should have put it on the director's cut anyway.

3. Big Fish. Mostly because I consider Tim Burton a great visionary and a master at telling a story through film. His interpretation of the world and the characters he is working with is amazing, and Big Fish is no exception. Plus, I have a Ewan McGregor fetish.

4. Moulin Rouge. Just so you know, the numbers are random and do not suggest preference. Anyway, I lof this movie because of the aforementioned Ewan McGregor fetish and the music. Baz Luhrmann (sp?) is also a great visionary.

5. The Princess Bride. The scariest thing is, I can watch this movie and recite the lines with perfect timing whilst watching it. I can do select scenes without the movie. THE BOOK IS ALSO PURE GENIUS!!!!

Honorable mentions:

Real Genius, Rock n' Roll High School, the Lord of the Rings movies, Pirates of the Caribbean, Edward Scissorhands, Chocolat, Benny & Joon, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. In case you can't tell, I also have a Johnny Depp fetish. ;D

[Robert]

Im sorry to kick up old threads, but im awkward like that.

1) The Nightmare Before Christmas
This has been my favorite movie since I can remember.

2) The Rutles
I was watching the Holy Grail and Life of Brian to death, then when I heard there was something else done by one of the Pythons I went out and bought it and haven't stopped laughing since.

3) The Wicker Man
I love the macabre nature of this film and it's got Christopher Lee in is. Although it has always struck me, where the hell would you hide something as big as the Wicker Man?

4) Clerks
Like you need an explanation for this.

5) The Evil Dead
'We can't bury Shelly. She's our friend'.

[phantomdennis]

Submitted for your approval:

(and in no particular order)

(1) Airplane!--Pure comic genius and eminently quotable in a variety of situations.

(2) Babe (the first movie)--Aside from the evil high-pitched laughing and singing mice, this beautiful movie never fails to lift the spirit.

(3) The Manchrian Candidate--Creepy and intruiging, and I think Angela Landsbury could teach Hannibal Lector a few things about being evil.

(4) Mulan--Even with the Donny Osmond element, this movie is gorgeous and richly rewarding.

(5) The Empire Strikes Back--As a young phantomdennis watching the scenes on Hoth, I experienced such pure exhilaration! Very few films since have had that impact...(and I still have my coloring books--stored with love).

Most honorable mentions: Singin' in the Rain, The Matrix, LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring, 101 Dalmatians, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, While You Were Sleeping, Army of Darkness, Rocky 4 , and Superman II.