Rediscovering Classic Films

[zen]

The thread is about rediscovering classic films. The films you watched now (2026 and onwards) for the first time or after a long long long time or the once you did not remember much. 

 

I will start with the one below that I watched recently. I didn't recall much about this film. I might not have even seen it earlier: 

 

Out of Africa (1985)

 

Available in a restored 4K Dolby Vision transfer. This is a slow burn so maybe not for everyone. I was blown away by the story, cinematography (it has some breathtaking sequences), location, and the score, which is by John Barry so some tracks have that 007 score feel similar to tracks in Moonraker (1978) and A View to a Kill (1985). Since A View to a Kill was released in the same year, John Barry was probably working on both around the same time. The film won 7 Oscars - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Score, Best Sound.  

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 11 by zen

[zen]

After the period film above, let's go to a science fiction taking place in a distant future: Gattaca (1997) 

 

Available in a restored 4K Dolby Vision transfer. Again this is a film I may have seen before or may not have seen.  It came across as one of the best films in its genre in my recent watch. The story is engaging. The production design is memorable. It is relatively a slow burn but keeps you hooked with its suspense and layers. The film was not a box office success at the time of its release but has gained cult status over the years. And I can see why. This is a notable film in its genre. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kepler37b]

 

 

This was in my top 3 20 years back and even now.  One of the greatest films ever made by western cinema.  

 

 

I will not put the movie name here. I HIGHLY encourage you folks to explore and find out. 

 

MASTERPIECE!!!!!!

 

Frank Darabont. You are a under-rated legend.

[singhvivek141]

20 minutes ago, kepler37b said:

 

 

This was in my top 3 20 years back and even now.  One of the greatest films ever made by western cinema.  

 

 

I will not put the movie name here. I HIGHLY encourage you folks to explore and find out. 

 

MASTERPIECE!!!!!!

 

Frank Darabont. You are a under-rated legend.

HOPE...it's a dangerous thing. 

[kepler37b]

4 minutes ago, singhvivek141 said:

HOPE...it's a dangerous thing. 

 

I hope I can make it across the border...

 

Get busy living get busy dying..

 

 

Peak writing by stephen king.

 

[zen]

This Property is Condemned (1966) 

 

Another film directed by Sydney Pollock (Out of Africa is already mentioned here), starring Natalie Wood and Robert Redford (he was in Out of Africa as well). It is based on a play by Tennessee Williams. 

 

Again this is not a film for everyone unless you are into emotions and a sense of melancholy. Much like Out of Africa, this can be said to be a woman centric film with Natalie Wood shinning. The last 20-25 minutes of the film takes place in New Orleans which lifts the film to make worth a mention!

 

 

 

 

[zen]

Oldboy (2003, Korean) 

 

This is an emotional powerhouse. It is difficult to make films like this. People have made remakes such as Zinda (2006, Hindi) and Oldboy (2013) but they tend to fall (way) short of the original.

 

In the past, I avoided the film due to its sad incest angle. Since its transfer got a 4K restoration, I watched it again, by now used to the sad angle.
 

Overall, I was blown away by the film as an impactful stylish package! It also brings good acting to its mix of elements that many action films overlook. The opening sequence on the rooftop works brilliantly to set the tone. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 14 by zen

[kepler37b]

13 hours ago, zen said:

Oldboy (2003, Korean) 

 

This is an emotional powerhouse. It is difficult to make films like this. People have made remakes such as Zinda (2006, Hindi) and Oldboy (2013) but they tend to fall short of the original. 

 

In the past, I avoided the film due to its sad incest angle. Since its transfer got a 4K restoration, I watched it again, by now being used to the sad angle.
 

Overall, I was blown away by the film as an impactful stylish package! The opening sequence on the rooftop works brilliantly to set the tone. 

 

 

 

 

This was one sick twisted movie. 

[zen]

11 minutes ago, kepler37b said:

This was one sick twisted movie. 

Yeah, I tended to avoid the film. Now I have accepted its “boldness” (to not play safe), which made me appreciate the film more. 
 

After watching it I felt like rewatching it esp. for its style.
 

 

Edited March 12 by zen

[zen]

Indochine (1992, French)

 

The film has a run time of close to 2 1/2 hours. So far,  I have watched just over an hour of it but I am already impressed. The reasons for me to check this film out were a) Catherine Deneuve, b) colonial Vietnam background, c) winner of the best foreign film Oscar. 

 

The film captures your attention with its cinematography, the  beautiful locations, and the score. This is relatively a slow burn film so again it may not be for everyone but it does cater to my taste! 

 

 

 

[kepler37b]

On 3/12/2026 at 12:31 PM, zen said:

Yeah, I tended to avoid the film. Now I have accepted its “boldness” (to not play safe), which made me appreciate the film more. 
 

After watching it I felt like rewatching it esp. for its style.
 

 

That photo album scene at the end is a classic. Creativity 

[zen]

5 hours ago, kepler37b said:

That photo album scene at the end is a classic. Creativity 

I also like the scene where Dae-su is trying to figure out the elevator code to go up to Lee’s penthouse when Lee and his henchman enter the elevator to casually punch in the code. They all go up to the penthouse. 
 

That sequence is cool and stylish too.

[zen]

Joy House (1964, French, English) 

 

This is a film that does not take itself seriously. The script is thin (or only a loose one). However, the film makes up by presenting engaging actors on screen in a Hitchcock type of film. On top of that you get good B&W cinematography in the picturesque French Rivera and a grammy winning jazz score by Lalo Schifrin. Add to that a vintage Rolls Royce with a glass roof that serves as a character. 

 

 

 

Edited April 28 by zen

[jf1gp_1]

My absolute favourite

[goose]

13 hours ago, jf1gp_1 said:

My absolute favourite

 

watch the bollywod rip off Dhamaal (2007) !

[zen]

Jean de Florette (1986, French)

Manon des Sources (1986, French) 

 

A French epic in two parts. One of the best examples of engaging story telling - script, acting, cinematography, rural 1920s Provence, and score. 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 28 by zen

[zen]

Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997, Hindi)

 

This is among the relatively sophisticated Bollywood films. It is less of a masala film and more of a focused musical love story with a modern touch.

SRK, Madhuri, and Karishma are more or less close to their best. They make most sequences highly watchable. SRK, at times, gives Shammi Kapoor vibes. 

 

The sets are pretty good, creating the appropriate atmosphere. The background score touches emotional chords. Songs are its major strength and are aligned with the story.
 

 

 

Edited April 28 by zen

[zen]

Chocolat (2000, English/French) 

 

A fairy tale like film set in a remote fictitious village in 1950s France.
 

Overall, a fun feel-good film.

 

 

Edited April 28 by zen

[zen]

Porco Rosso (1992, Japanese/English) 

 

An entertaining animated adventure fantasy film directed by Miyazaki, one of my favorite Japanese directors. Relatively speaking, this would fall into “masala” category among Studio Ghibli films. 
 

It is an homage to early aviation especially seaplanes. It also sports memorable lines such as “Better a pig than a fascist”. 

 

 

 

Edited April 28 by zen

[zen]

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)

 

A neo-noir mystery film set in 1940s Los Angeles. Denzel Washington, as is usual, is good to watch. 
 

The 4K restoration is excellent. It lifts the movie watching experience a few notches. 
 

 

 

Edited April 28 by zen