Classic Movies

[wang_chi7]

I just watched 2001: A Space Odyssey yesterday for the first time. It was on my list of things to watch for a very long time and I just never had gotten around to it. I did not like it at all.

I'm a Kubrick fan; Dr. Strangelove, Clockwork Orange, The Shining, Spartacus, and Full Metal Jacket are all amazing films. Some of the best I've ever seen. I just couldn't get into Odyssey though. It is stunning visually, one of the best looking films ever. And the use of music was amazing too. But the story just wasn't there. There was no character development, and very long segments with absolutely no dialogue. I can see why it is considered great, but I was just very bored from it pretty much the whole time. Way too abstract for my taste, and kind of confusing especially at the end. Its at the same time the best cinematography I've seen in a movie maybe ever, but one of the most boring films I've ever seen. It had a decent start to a story, but never really developed. I know I'm supposed to love this film as a film buff, but I just didn't like it at all.

Some other "classics" I didn't much care for were:

"War of the Worlds," I thought the ending seemed tacked on and too preachy and cheesy and the whole movie not very intersting and lets face it the special effects haven't held the test of time. I thought this movie was very poor on many aspects.

"Tootsie," it was kind of funny but isn't as relevent of a commentary as it was originally. I didn't see it until it was outdated, so thats probably why I didn't see it as amazing. Just seemed like another goofy comedy to me.

"The Sixth Sense," I'm not a big fan of Shymalan. His twists just are predictable to me. I had this one pretty much figured out right away, but it wasn't as bad as "Unbreakable" where it was so obvious to me that I thought the twist was just part of the understood plot until the ending and I was like "WTF, that was supposed to be a surprise, I thought it was just a part of the known plot." I thought Signs was decent though, in an almost good-bad movie sort of way.

"Citizen Kane," I do think this movie is great, just not the best movie of all time like it is labeled quite often. Maybe top 100 or 200.

"The Passion of the Christ," just couldn't get into a snuff film. I know its about Jesus, but I really didn't need to waste my time seeing the crucifixion on film. As a movie I thought it was very poor, if it was a story of a guy other than Jesus people would have hated it; thats how I try to judge historical films- if it could be the same story about an unknown would the movie still be interesting? As a Christian, I would rather read the Bible for the story but choose to focus on the man's life rather than his death as what was trully important. I also felt it was capitalizing on a sacred story. And shied away from the actual Gospels.

"The Graduate," I thought the movie was good up until he falls for the daughter. That part of the story just seemed to out of nowhere, only happen in order to make the story longer. I couldn't get into the last bit of the movie. The part of the movie where he falls for the mother is great though. They just needed to develop the second relationship more rather than how it is now where he is all of a sudden in love with her.

"The Godfather," just kidding. Parts one and two are two of my favorite movies of all time. Number 3 is better than its reputation.


Are there other movies that are considered classics that you guys didn't like? You like the movies I listed?

[BGM]

I agree that 2001: A Space Odyssey may be one of the best looking movies of all time. But it bores me to tears.

Have to disagree about Sixth Sense, and I saw it knowing what the plot twist was. But then, I kinda dig psychological thrillers and anything having to do with the supernatural.

I have always disliked slasher flicks, which can now be considered classics, I guess. I love John Carpenter, and Halloween was ok, but the Freddy movies and Friday the 13th stuff... ugh.

I never cared for The Deer Hunter. I know, all that acting talent... the Russian Roulette scene... I hated it.

And I am one of maybe three people who doesn't like Gone With The Wind. I can appreciate it's epic qualities, but I just don't like it. Too much of the breathless romantic pulp novel atmosphere for me.

BGM

[wang_chi7]

I'm not a fan of most slasher flicks either. Halloween is the exception, and I did love the remake (which I though was actually scarier.)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre is also a favorite of mine, but only as a good-bad movie. It is so bad that it is good. The sequal is hilarious, the acting is incredibly bad and the dialogue will make your sides split. Unintentional humor a lot of times is the best kind. "Incoming mail" is still a catchphrase in my house.

I thought the Deer Hunter was pretty good, not amazing. I love the russian roulette scene BTW. I'd rather watch Taxi Driver or Godfather II for DeNiro though. I didn't care for Raging Bull when I saw it in high school, I keep meaning to give it another try but don't get around to it. Its the only Scorsese film I have run into that I didn't like.

I've never actually sat thru Gone With the Wind. Seen much of it in history class in HS though. What I saw was a bit overly romantic as you said, but overall good.

[vikingman]

I would suggest watching a movie called "Somewhere in Time" with Christpoher Reeves and Jane Seymour. A great movie and makes you think about life after death.

[Colinito]

Some older movies to check out:

"Dog Day Afternoon" with Pacino and Fredo from Godfather (John Cazale).

"Brazil"

"Catch 22"

"Crimes and Misdemeanors"


Some of my favorites, and I'm often disappointed.

[wang_chi7]

Some older movies to check out:

"Dog Day Afternoon" with Pacino and Fredo from Godfather (John Cazale).

"Brazil"

"Catch 22"

"Crimes and Misdemeanors"


Some of my favorites, and I'm often disappointed.

Dog Day Afternoon is excellent. But then again I love just about anything with Pacino in it.

Brazil is in my Netflix queue, I will add the other two. I didn't know Catch 22 was a movie too.

[Knoxx]

When I first saw "2001 Space Odessy" I thought it was great. As a youngster back then it showed things about space travel which I hadn't considered. Like the boredom that would set in on a long voyage. The thought of a computer becoming self aware was also a new thing for me to wrap my young mind around. The whole idea that time may not be fixed and the way we preceive it may not be how it really is.

If I were to watch it now I think I would be bored to tears.

I do enjoy a occasional slasher flick. I find the old " Texas Chainsaw Massacre" as a great movie. Heck they had the first person shaky cam down to a fine art before Spielberg made it ground breaking. In my opinion the redone " Texas Chainsaw Massacre" doesn't hold a candle to the old one even though I like R.Lee Remey(spelling).

"Catch 22" is a good movie that didn't get much attention do to the movie M.A.S.H.. Bob Newhart is a nut in it and Alan Arkin really does a good job in this movie.

When I was young I was forced to sit and watch "Gone with the Wind". I wasn't impressed. In fact "Frankly I couldn't give a damn about it.". Now that I'm older I should watch it again. Maybe this time I would enjoy it more and see what others liked about the movie. All I can say as a kid it was like being sentenced to death by boredom.

I really enjoyed the movie "All Quiet on the Western Front". It is a very good anti-war movie from the viewpoint of the common soldier.

[wang_chi7]

I really enjoyed the movie "All Quiet on the Western Front". It is a very good anti-war movie from the viewpoint of the common soldier.

Haven't seen the movie, the book is very good though.

[Colinito]

Dog Day Afternoon is excellent. But then again I love just about anything with Pacino in it.

Brazil is in my Netflix queue, I will add the other two. I didn't know Catch 22 was a movie too.

Nice. You'll love Brazil, and be sure to check out other Gilliam films if you haven't. He's insane, and a master of putting what's in his head onto film.

Catch 22 is a very well done movie. It was one of Robert Altman's first films, actually. (I believe, am too lazy to check the imdb)

Crimes and Misdemeanors is my favorite Woody Allen movie. I know the guy is not for everyone, but this movie is one of his more serious types, and is very philosophical and cool. It also features a few Law and Order stars back when they were young---wait, they were still old even then!!!

Anyway, it is good to get my movie geek back on. I went through a phase of a couple years where I pretty much saw everything, but lately I haven't been putting in the effort. I guess that means I'll always take suggestions for newer movies that I may have missed...

PS. I agree with you about Godfather III not being as bad as everyone says it is. If they left out the whole church thing it probably would have been great. What was up with that?

[DanAS1]

Wang,

I'd like to answer your question, but it's hard because I can't get past the first discussion. 2001 is one of my favorite movies. I love it on so many levels. The main character is Hal, of course, but the key isn't any one character. It's the trajectory from (a) the ape (proto-man in his ghastly natural state), (b) Haywood Floyd et al. (modern man, repressed, willing to lie, seemingly a creature of his job, but under the surface we know that there is still that ape), to (c) Hal (a sort of Ubermench, part-man, part machine, accomplished beyond our wildest imagination ... and yet now we see the "ape" under the surface in terms of his willingness to kill and his whimpering state when he learns that he is being killed). Dave, the survivor, is really just a vehicle to point us to the next stage after we have resolved all our issues with repression ... which, of course, is the unknown.

Kubrick is a master at showing that (a) what seems to be so modern, so controlled, and so scientific (picture "the treatment" from A Clockwork Orange) is itself just a repressed form of man's selfish, animalistic nature, and (b) the only proper way to deal with it is to LAUGH YOUR F-ING #### OFF. When Hal sings daisy, it's really a joke ... just like when Little Alex tries, but could not snuff it, because if he had snuffed it, "he wouldn't be around to tell this tale."

2001 has amazing visuals. 2001 has amazing music. 2001 reflects a subtle and interesting philosophy. 2001 has multiple amazing scenes (the Ape scene, the Final scene). And Hal, in some respects, is one of the great characters in movie history. Just ask Anthony Hopkins, who patterned Hannibal Lecter (sp?) on him/it.

Is 2001 my favorite Kubrick movie? No. I give the nod to A Clockwork Orange. But I would be hard to name ten movies that I like as much as 2001, and every time I see it, I marvel at the accomplishment of making that movie.

That said, I once fell asleep watching it. So I know what you're saying, but some movies are best watched more than once.

[wang_chi7]

Wang,

I'd like to answer your question, but it's hard because I can't get past the first discussion. 2001 is one of my favorite movies. I love it on so many levels. The main character is Hal, of course, but the key isn't any one character. It's the trajectory from (a) the ape (proto-man in his ghastly natural state), (b) Haywood Floyd et al. (modern man, repressed, willing to lie, seemingly a creature of his job, but under the surface we know that there is still that ape), to (c) Hal (a sort of Ubermench, part-man, part machine, accomplished beyond our wildest imagination ... and yet now we see the "ape" under the surface in terms of his willingness to kill and his whimpering state when he learns that he is being killed). Dave, the survivor, is really just a vehicle to point us to the next stage after we have resolved all our issues with repression ... which, of course, is the unknown.

Kubrick is a master at showing that (a) what seems to be so modern, so controlled, and so scientific (picture "the treatment" from A Clockwork Orange) is itself just a repressed form of man's selfish, animalistic nature, and (b) the only proper way to deal with it is to LAUGH YOUR F-ING #### OFF. When Hal sings daisy, it's really a joke ... just like when Little Alex tries, but could not snuff it, because if he had snuffed it, "he wouldn't be around to tell this tale."

2001 has amazing visuals. 2001 has amazing music. 2001 reflects a subtle and interesting philosophy. 2001 has multiple amazing scenes (the Ape scene, the Final scene). And Hal, in some respects, is one of the great characters in movie history. Just ask Anthony Hopkins, who patterned Hannibal Lecter (sp?) on him/it.

Is 2001 my favorite Kubrick movie? No. I give the nod to A Clockwork Orange. But I would be hard to name ten movies that I like as much as 2001, and every time I see it, I marvel at the accomplishment of making that movie.

That said, I once fell asleep watching it. So I know what you're saying, but some movies are best watched more than once.

Yeah I pretty much understood all of that, but it was still a bore. I don't really get the ending though with the baby. I think its supposed to be the astronaut (the one that is very old at the end), but don't quite understand why.

Its one of the best made films ever, it just was boring at the same time. But I'm a very character oriented person. I like movies that are driven by the dialogue generally the best.

[DanAS1]

Yeah I pretty much understood all of that, but it was still a bore. I don't really get the ending though with the baby. I think its supposed to be the astronaut (the one that is very old at the end), but don't quite understand why.

Its one of the best made films ever, it just was boring at the same time. But I'm a very character oriented person. I like movies that are driven by the dialogue generally the best.

In my earlier post, I gave you a possible explanation for the baby (the birth of a "new man" after we have transcended the issues that were worked out during the course of the movie). But I'm quite sure that the baby scene is supposed to something that's left to our own imagination.

Sorry you found the movie boring. I thought the music/visuals were nice enough that I now enjoy even the parts that you considered to be most boring. As for the lack of dialogue, to me, that just added to the amazement of the movie -- how amazing it was that he can create such a compelling film WITHOUT much talking.

Anyway, to each his own.

[Canadian Viking]

Yeah I pretty much understood all of that, but it was still a bore. I don't really get the ending though with the baby.

2001 had an ending?? *grin* I have tried and tried and tried, but I have not been able to make it through that movie. I really want to like it, but the pace (which was intentional) is just too slow.

Other classics that you should check out are Cool hand Luke, The Seven Samurai and Das Boat.

Some lighter "classics" that you might want to check out:

His girl Friday
Some like it hot
A night at the opera

[PurpleMustReign]

Have you all seen Office Space? That is the most unheralded movie of all time, IMO. But it is so freakin funny...

"PC Load Letter, what the fu*k does that mean??"

[odinspeak]

I just ordered a movie calle The American Astronaut...you tube has some clips from it...here is the main website for it...looks cool...


http://www.americanastronaut.com/home.shtml