I cast "Raise Dead Film"

[Wayside]

Same reason I didn't mention it I loved it and everyone I know thought it was a great film. Its one of Bruce Willis best films and the only film Chris Tucker is any good in.

Not a fan of Friday eh? Shame. I'll assume there are no Half-Baked or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas fans here either then . Tell me I'm wrong, pleeeassee.

EDIT: Oh, and Mallrats is by far my favorite Kevin Smith film. I've probably seen it about 40-50 times. Brody was my hero when I was 16, naturally.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

Not a fan of Friday eh? Shame. I'll assume there are no Half-Baked or Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas fans here either then . Tell me I'm wrong, pleeeassee.

EDIT: Oh, and Mallrats is by far my favorite Kevin Smith film. I've probably seen it about 40-50 times. Brody was my hero when I was 16, naturally.

Enjoyed Half-Baked, loved Fear and Loathing. Read the book a month or two before it came out and thought, "How are they ever going to make a movie of this?". Get Terry Gilliam, that's how. If he made a film adaptation of the phone book, I'd line up opening night.

I loved Mallrats, but I identified more with Clerks. That film just spoke to me. I like all his work, but I kind of wish he'd make more slice-of-life films like those.

I watched about ten minutes of Friday on cable, and I literally could not understand any of the dialogue or any of the action. Maybe I'm just too white. But then again, I worship Superfly. Go figure.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I liked Half Baked....as for Kevin Smith films...I absolutly love Clerks, Dogma, and Mallrats...can't choose between them though.
You know, I just thought of another movie...any Reservoir Dogs fans out here?

 

[Wayside]

any Reservoir Dogs fans out here?

Yeah, although for some reason I've never much cared for Pulp Fiction. Much love for Mr. Pink though .

So I went to Borders to day and grabbed Donnie Darko for $12, only $1 more than Amazon, and no waiting for delivery. Anybody who hasn't seen this movie should definitely give it a spin. It was only better the second time around.

 

[reutbing0]

*looks around nervously*


I really like Glory Daze. http://us.imdb.com/Title?0116422

*runs back in to the shadows hiding his head in shame*

 

[Zenon]

These are a little out of the SF/F catagory, but:

Dead Men Don't Weap Plaid (1982) by Carl Reiner
staring Steve Martin, Rachel Ward

Parody/Comedy poking fun at the film noir 40's detective films. The story is interspersed with clips from detective films of the past making for some funny interplay between Steve Martin and stars like Humphrey Bogart.


The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother (1975) by Gene Wilder
staring Gene Wilder, Marty Feldman, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn

Always makes me laugh, done in a very "Mel Brooks" style, about what the title says.


Pizza Man (1991) by J.F. Lawton
starring Bill Maher

Bill Maher pokes fun at all the politics of the eighties. This is one you like or hate, I find it hysterical. Another parody of 40's detective style, but set in modern day. "All I want is my $15.23!"


Miller's Crossing (1990) by the Coen Brothers
starring Gabriel Byrne, John Turturro, Albert Finney.

1930's mob story, whenever I see it I want to play a Gangbuster's game.

and finally two SF/F ones that are on my shelf:

Strange Days (1995) by Katheryn Bigelow, written by James Cameron
starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Basset, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore

Cyberpunk style plot, (IMHO) a great story. Cameron always gets me involved with the characters.


The Abyss (1989) by James Cameron
starring Ed Harris, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn

People were disappointed in this one when it came out, expecting it to be an "alien invasion story". It isn't, it's a story about people. Another well written (IMHO) story by Cameron. If you're going to watch it, I recommend first finding and reading the novel adaptation before you do (which was penned by Orson Scott Card of Ender's Game fame and was written at the same time they were shooting the film. In the preface, Orson relates that Ed Harris and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio both read his book chapter on their character's background to ready themselves for the film. Also includes in the novelization parts that were cut from the film which enable you to understand just what the heck is going on).

 

[FraserRonald]

*looks around nervously*


I really like Glory Daze. http://us.imdb.com/Title?0116422

*runs back in to the shadows hiding his head in shame*

I picked it up from the library the other day (unemployed right now with lots of time on my hands) and I have to admit I liked it too. Of course, there were parts of many of the characters that I can identify with, it had Ben Affleck and Sam Rockwell, both good actors, and it had Alyssa Milano showing off her belly button, yum! As university movies go, I enjoyed it.

Do I need to hide in the shadows hanging my head in shame as well? Darn.

 

[FraserRonald]

Strange Days (1995) by Katheryn Bigelow, written by James Cameron
starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Basset, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore

Cyberpunk style plot, (IMHO) a great story. Cameron always gets me involved with the characters.

I agree this is a great movie, but it has one massive flaw, in my opinion. The rape scene. In all honesty, I felt that was a bit gratuitous. They show it once and after that they only show people's reaction to it. Now, I figure when you've got Ralph Fiennes there, why not start the scene, so we know what's going to happen, but before the actual rape, cut to Fiennes and his reactions to it.

Gratuitous sex, bring it on. Gratuitous violence can sometimes be fun, if in the John Woo style. Gratuitous violent sex, no thanks.

Other than that, Strange Days was indeed a great movie with a great story. Someone finally brought William Gibson to the screen. I mean, (hyperbole)this was as much stealing from Gibson as "Terminator" was stealing from Harlan Ellison.(/hyperbole) Still, great, great movie.

 

[Zenon]

I agree this is a great movie, but it has one massive flaw, in my opinion. The rape scene. In all honesty, I felt that was a bit gratuitous. They show it once and after that they only show people's reaction to it. Now, I figure when you've got Ralph Fiennes there, why not start the scene, so we know what's going to happen, but before the actual rape, cut to Fiennes and his reactions to it.

To each their own. I didn't particularly feel that it was a gratuitous scene, but felt it did have merit to be at that place in the story. It showed how "screwed up" the villian was (in the methods he used), it was there to revolt us (the audience) and it was also there as a commentary. You'll notice that although everyone who "watched" it had the capability to stop watching at any time, no one did. That's the human condition, like watching a train wreck. It's so terrible an act, but so few can turn away and not look.

Regardless, you do bring up a good point. Those who are offended by such should take note and be warned.

 

[FraserRonald]

To each their own. I didn't particularly feel that it was a gratuitous scene, but felt it did have merit to be at that place in the story. It showed how "screwed up" the villian was (in the methods he used), it was there to revolt us (the audience) and it was also there as a commentary. You'll notice that although everyone who "watched" it had the capability to stop watching at any time, no one did. That's the human condition, like watching a train wreck. It's so terrible an act, but so few can turn away and not look.

Regardless, you do bring up a good point. Those who are offended by such should take note and be warned.

I respect your opinion and I'm not trying to make you agree with me, I just wanted to more clearly illustrate my point.

That out of the way, I understand the point of the scene, as you have very ably illustrated above. I do not find the scene itself gratuitous, merely the manner in which it was presented on the screen, if that makes any sense. I believe that everything you mentioned above could have been accomplished without graphically presenting the rape onscreen. As I mentioned before, show us the precursor and then focus on Fiennes' reaction to it, IMHO, would have accomplished everything the scene is needed for.

But that's just me and I've never made a movie or even tried. Thanks for your thoughts.