Friends In Your Head | Forums — The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (dbngaa) — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:32:52 +0000

Invid wrote:

Yojimbo is so much of a Western, though, and has lots of humor. Naturally, it will depend on who you're introducing and why.

That's a good point. Know your audience. For my Dad, who is a big Western guy, I'd start with Yojimbo or Sanjuro. My Mom, who is NOT a Western fan, would probably prefer Madadyo or Ikiru...nothing with a samurai or a period piece.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Invid) — Sat, 07 Jul 2012 01:39:15 +0000

Yojimbo is so much of a Western, though, and has lots of humor. Naturally, it will depend on who you're introducing and why.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Eddie) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 05:28:21 +0000

Best intro Kurosawa I'd actually say is Rashomon.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (paulou) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 03:24:51 +0000

Yeah but it's also weird as shit.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Owen Ward) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:18:25 +0000

Throne of Blood could be introduction to Kurosawa seeing as most people are familiar with the subject matter (it's based on Macbeth for those who don't know).

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (redxavier) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:37:58 +0000

I love both Seven Samurai and Hidden Fortress, as well as Sanjuro and Red Beard, and Ran and Kagemusha. To a certain extent though, I feel that High and Low might be more amenable to folks than the historical pictures which is why I always try to list it first when recommending Kurosawa. Some of the folks I run into (my parents regretably among them) tend to think samurai = chopsocky kung fu, so they don't really embrace the idea of watching Seven Samurai.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Owen Ward) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:50:51 +0000

The Hidden Fortress is probably my favourite of the Kurosawa films I have seen (which admittedly, is not that many).

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Doctor Submarine) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 13:01:28 +0000

I love High and Low, but I think I'd go with Seven Samurai to represent Kurosawa.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (redxavier) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:45:13 +0000

I agree, whilst I like Godfather, I don't think it's the best movie ever made. It has some really powerful scenes, but the story isn't that great (compared to something like Wizard of Oz or Casablanca). And I was really unimpressed with Godather Part 2, which admittedly I watched only a few years ago following years of raised expectations. I'd heard it being touted as one of the rare instances where the sequel was considered better than its predecessor.

I really liked Lawrence of Arabia, and recommend tracking down and seeing those last 20 minutes Faldor. David Lean's a master of scope, and he's definitely in my triumvirate of favourite classic directors along with Akira Kurosawa and John Ford - any of their films are a great balance between art, entertainment and story. What would I pick for each to represent them best? High and Low for Kurosawa, The Searchers for Ford, and Lawrence of Arabia for Lean.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (avatar) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 11:37:51 +0000

Anyone else think the Godfather is over-rated? From a plot perspective, it's just endless tit-for-tat violence. You killed one of our clan/family, now we kill one of yours. Other side: now you insulted my honour, you must pay. And so on, for hours.

The acting is great, the production values are superb, but the actual plot is just 'Fuck you. No fuck you. No fuck you. No fuck you'.

Yes, I realize it can be a metaphor for Israel / Palestine, or any lawless conflict between drug gangs or militia, etc. Just seems infantile after a while. Yes, a classic, but for not for the plot IMHO.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Faldor) — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:11:35 +0000

I saw Lawrence of Arabia when I was quite young then watched it on a plane coming back from Australia only to find we landed 20 minutes before the ending.

Balls.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Mr. Pointy) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 23:48:07 +0000

The Graduate is my favorite film of all time and to me, is a must in the "classic movies you should see".

I've never seen Lawrence of Arabia either, or Bridge on the River Kwai

A film I saw last year for the first time, that's considered a classic is Rashomon, and for damn good reason; such a great film, lived up to all the hype/accolades.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Doctor Submarine) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:03:58 +0000

I think Citizen Kane is great, but it doesn't stick with me nearly as much as the other four you listed. I'd be hard-pressed to name five really memorable scenes, even though the movie as a whole is fantastic.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (Zarban) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 23:50:20 +0000

Wizard of Oz
Godfather
Star Wars
Casablanca
Citizen Kane

Watch those five movies, and you'll have a solid foundation in American cinema and Western culture. Plus, you'll get nearly every movie reference on The Simpsons. Citizen Kane is the only one of those I don't adore.

Re: The Intermission - 005 - The Classics

null@example.com (bullet3) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 19:14:27 +0000

Godfather and Godfather 2 are also some of the most easily rewatchable movies. The dialogue and performances are so great in basically every scene, that I can catch any given bit of it on TV and just enjoy watching it for awhile.

I don't get how people can dislike either of those movies, unless you were going in expecting some kind of Christopher Nolan twisty/convoluted storyline. They're good, straightforward stories executed perfectly. And for people who thought Godfather 1 was too conventional, I really recommend trying the 2nd one, because the storyline is pretty intricate in that (I actually was pretty confused the 1st time I watched it), as Corleone basically has to double bluff his way towards figuring out who's trying to kill him.