zen Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 On 2/23/2023 at 8:55 AM, Sooda said: Mesmerised is a strong word, but I found myself quite riveted by the recent "All Quiet on the Western Front" . It is grim and bleak, the depiction of war is brutal (its whole point of course) all aided by a pretty sombre soundtrack. Yeah, a good adaptation of the classic book to depict the horrors of WW1. Vijy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijy Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 On 2/23/2023 at 8:55 AM, Sooda said: Mesmerised is a strong word, but I found myself quite riveted by the recent "All Quiet on the Western Front" . It is grim and bleak, the depiction of war is brutal (its whole point of course) all aided by a pretty sombre soundtrack. the book is an all-time great, and the movie did a good job of adapting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted March 8, 2023 Author Share Posted March 8, 2023 (edited) An honorable mention (as once I watch this film, I usually feel like watching it again) -> Stray Dog (1949). This is Kurosawa's pre-Rashomon (1950) film, therefore, maybe not be at the top of the mind recall for many. However, it is one of the best police procedural film noir (or film noiresque) films. It stars Kurosawa's regulars from that period - Toshiro Mifune and the usually brilliant Takashi Shimura. Both are police officers pursuing a killer. Mifune is an emotional greenhorn cop, while Shimura is experienced, wise, and calm. We have seen such a pair in many Hollywood films esp. buddy cops ones, however, this is not a buddy cops film as Mifune, the greenhorn, respects the wisdom-filled Shimura (the relationship is closer to that of Freeman and Pitt in Se7ev). We have seen such films including Memories of Murder (2003), where the two leads were battling each other to solve the case for much of the film. However, what separates Stray Dog is its relative seriousness (hardly any comedy scenes) and tight focus on the topic, where the cops are working as a team. I am not sure if it is currently available on Blu-ray (on DVD, yes). However, in Japan, it is expected to be released in 4k (unfortunately w/o Eng subs), so, hopefully, it would be licensed to other markets too (Criterion?). And once a 4K version is available, we might see it getting discussed relatively more. And from DVD to 4K UHD, what an upgrade that would be! PS Edited March 9, 2023 by zen ravishingravi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravishingravi Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 One of my favourites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chakdephatte Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 On 3/2/2023 at 1:38 AM, ravishingravi said: From the first frame it feels like a dream. Should put a Watch It Alone warning. I had a horrible experience, I can almost guess what happened. Probably the first Artsy film I watched, didn't understand it back then. Thought It was porno or something, now I am a fan of this as well as A Clockwork Orange, another Kubrick classic. ravishingravi 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chakdephatte Posted March 9, 2023 Share Posted March 9, 2023 (edited) • A clockwork orange (1971) • La montaña sagrada (1973)- quite an excruciating watch, mesmerizing because of it's wierdness. • David Lynch films • The seventh seal- The least absurd film by Ingmar Bergman. • Charulata (1964)- Cinematography is unbelievable for that era. • The exterminating angel- Boring, pretentious, but qualifies for what the OP asked for. Edited March 9, 2023 by Chakdephatte Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 Since I have 7 honorable mentions, let me round that list to 10. Arrival (2016) - the concept of linguistics and interactions with the aliens are engaging. The film is quite sophisticated ... It is designed to be watched in a dark environment and on a calibrated setup (or you may not see the picture clearly and/or mess up the contrast). 2 more honorable mentions to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bharathh Posted March 10, 2023 Share Posted March 10, 2023 Life of Pi for me. Visuals were stunning. Ditto for Avatar 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) Honorable mention #9 (in random order) - Goldfinger (1964) Goldfinger has some of the most iconic sequences in films. The pre-title sequence with Bond blowing up a plant, Bond checking his Rolex, and then wrestling his way out of an attempt to kill him. In Miami, one of the two Masterson sisters gets painted in Gold (an iconic moment in cinema). In the Swiss segment, the other Masterson loses her life. Goldfinger has that memorable exchange with Bond (I expect you to die ...). Not to forget the tricks that the now legendary Aston Martin DB5, which was introduced in Bond films at that point, performs. Add to all that the golf game, Oddjob with his weaponized hat, the intro of Pussy Galore on Goldfinger's private plane, and the theme song and the score. Tons of magical moments packed into a film! Edited March 10, 2023 by zen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 Honorable mention #10 - Apocalypse Now (1979) Have a thread on it -----> Link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zen Posted March 10, 2023 Author Share Posted March 10, 2023 (edited) Summary of the 10 honorable mentions in the order of release: Stray Dog (1949) Goldfinger (1964) Apocalypse Now (1979) Do the Right Thing (1989) The Remains of the Day (1993) Pulp Fiction (1994) In the Mood for Love (2000) The Secret in Their Eyes (2009) A Separation (2011) Arrival (2016) Edited March 10, 2023 by zen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tillu Posted March 14, 2023 Share Posted March 14, 2023 (edited) Probably the most watched movie by many people. Love Stephen Chow's movies. Edited March 15, 2023 by Tillu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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