sebb@pyuxss.UUCP (S Badian) (09/30/83)
Now that we've gone through all the BAD movies( I really want to see some of those now!) let's start a discussion of some of the greats. Since someone suggested posting our favorite movies and I hadn't seen any yet I thought I'd start the ball(film?) rolling. I have two favorite movies. Definitely the tops is "It's a Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart. One of Frank Capra's classics. It makes me cry every time I see it. For sheer power and artistry I'd have to go with "Citizen Kane." Just love that fireplace! There actually are fireplaces that big at William Randolph Hearst's "castle" in San Simeon! Want to see lots of favorites so I know what to watch on the late show. S.Badian BTL Piscataway
jm@tekid.UUCP (Jeff Mizener) (10/04/83)
Sorry Folks,
I got a flood of "Are you serious?" and "Don't you
mean 'Wonderful' not 'Beautiful'??" letters. The
authors of those letters (and those who didn't write,
but passed me off as a harmless, demented, but well
meaning idiot) were ALL CORRECT!! I did mean
"It's a Wonderful Life", and yes I was serious about
the sequel. Someday I'll learn to think first...
"Hey, how's it goin, eh?"
Jeff Mizener
Confused at Tektronix
UUCP: {almost everyone}!tektronix!tekid!jm
ARPA: tekid!jm.tek@udel-relay
CSnet: tekid!jm@tekCSvax:Pucc-H:ab3@pur-ee.UUCP (10/05/83)
It's awfully hard to think back over years of movie-going and select my favorites, but... 2001 -- For the story and cinematography The African Queen -- Bogey and Hepburn! To Have and Have Not -- Bogey and Bacall! Network -- Brilliant satire. They Might Be Giants -- Woodward and Scott. All That Jazz -- Roy Scheider is brilliant. Sorcerer -- He's good in this, too. Blazing Saddles -- Mel Brooks ... Young Frankenstein -- ...is very funny. The Life of Brain -- Delightfully sacreligous. Monty Python and The Holy Grail -- Of course. The Blues Brothers -- Aretha steals the show. Excalibur -- The way it was meant to be. Marathon Man -- Dustin Hoffman. Death Wish \ The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly \ Bronson and Eastwood: High Plains Drifter / vintage violence. The Outlaw Josey Wales / Rocky I,II -- I can't help it, I like it! Darth Wombat
CSvax:Pucc-H:ab3@pur-ee.UUCP (10/07/83)
Someone (clyde!tgd) mentioned that it is easy to make
a list of favorite films, but rather pointless without noting
the reaons why one feels that way about certain flicks...well, Tom:
{Start undefendable irrational section}
2001
The cinematography is gorgeous; the story is captivating,
and they resisted the temptation to have sound propagate
through a vacuum. Music fits well, too.
The African Queen/To Have and Have Not
Bogart. Not to downplay Hepburn or Bacall, but the man
had talent.
Network
Even through the playwright (Paddy Chayevsky (sp?)) occasionally
uses Howard Beale (and other characters) to sound off,
I think the satire hits home, and hits hard. Required viewing
for any prime-time addicts.
They Might be Giants
George C. Scott and Joanne Woodward just work so well in this
film; I've always been a Sherlock Holmes fan, and even though
this is *not* in the whodunnit genre of the 30's/40's films, it has
a poignant story to tell, and some great characterizations.
All That Jazz
One of the few musicals (on film) that I've ever liked;
Scheider's conversations with the "angel of death" are fascinating,
and the dancing is marvelous.
Sorcerer
A haunting soundtrack; Scheider again, as an outcast, discarded
human being in a no-win situation; and well-cast suspense.
Blazing Saddles/Young Frankenstein
Some of the humor *is* sophomoric; but I can't help laughing at
it. The scene is BS with the Count Basie band in the middle
of the desert is priceless...
Monty Python and the Holy Grail/Life of Brian
The Pythons deliver some of their most biting sarcasm in
both of these films ("The Judean Peoples' Front?!") ("I
thought we were an autonomous collective.") They use
the backdrop of the Arthurian legends, and of the New
Testament to satirize everything in sight. Of course,
I have a special affection for "Life of Brian", since
various and sundry religious organizations tried to
squelch it.
The Blues Brothers
It's funny, it has some of the better blues performances on
film in it, and was filmed in/around Sweet Home Chicago.
*Trivia Time* Who played the cook county tax assessor clerk?
Excalibur
After seeing so many bits of fluff about King Arthur, et. al.,
it's refreshing to see a film that doesn't glorify the killing.
The subplots (Guinever/Lancelot, Merlin/Morgana) are well
developed and the characters are REAL. Enchanting.
Marathon Man/Death Wish
Both films exercise modern paranoia reactions; and both contain
tales of wrong-doing and revenge. Were the producers aiming
for character identification? I think so, and I think they
succeeded.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly/High Plains Drifter/Outlaw Josey Wales
"The Man With No Name" just has to be the most dangerous creature
ever put on film. Darth Vader, step aside. Great escapism.
Violent? Yes, certainly.
Rocky I,II
Ok, so he's a schmoo with lousy enunciation and bad grammar.
But he's backed with great music and nifty one-liners, and
he wins in the end. Haven't seen III yet...
{End ranting and raving}
Ok, who's next?
Darth Wombatjnj@mb2c.UUCP (Jim Jackson) (12/07/83)
Perhaps you mean "It's a Wonderful Life" mb2c!jnj