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Post by jay on Mar 13, 2019 0:26:49 GMT -5
Indeed. Anything by Murnau, Fritz Lang, Georges Melies, or Segunda de Chomon must be seen at least once before you die. Sunrise is on YouTube--along with this excerpt. Oh, if only there were twice as many hours in the day. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunrise:_A_Song_of_Two_HumansIt's to bad that the available print is in pretty bad shape.
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Post by AGD on Mar 15, 2019 6:47:19 GMT -5
Silent movies that dispel the general perception of it all being jerky, badly acted slapstick (IMHO): Intolerance (1916 - Griffith) Broken Blossoms (1919 - Griffith) The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920 - Wiene)
Nosferatu (1922 - Murnau) Häxan (1922 - Christensen) Robin Hood (1922 - Dwan) The Iron Horse (1924 - Ford) Greed (1924 - von Stroheim)
The General (1926 - Keaton) Ben Hur (1926 - Ingram) The Wind (1926 - Seastrom) Wings (1927 - Wellman)
The Lodger (1926 - Hitchcock*)
Napoleon (1927 - Gance) Sunrise (1927 - Murnau)
Metropolis (1927 - Lang) The Crowd (1928 - Vidor) The Man Who Laughs (1928 - Leni)
Pandora's Box (1929 - Pabst) * yes, that one...
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Post by E on Mar 15, 2019 12:14:28 GMT -5
Great list - and I'd add The Last Laugh
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Post by AGD on Mar 15, 2019 12:35:01 GMT -5
Good call.
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Tilt Araiza
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Post by Tilt Araiza on Mar 15, 2019 13:16:56 GMT -5
I'll chip in Shooting Stars (Anthony Asquith 1927). Set c.1915, it's a sophisticated late period silent that looking back at jerky, badly acted slapstick (with a deadly twist). Also, it's a British silent not directed by Hitchcock. Over the past 20 years, there's been a rise in voices willing to defend and promote British silents. Matthew Sweet's* documentary Silent Britain is a great overview.
*not the one married to Susanna Hoffs
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Post by lizzielooziani on Mar 15, 2019 13:25:43 GMT -5
Silent movies that dispel the general perception of it all being jerky, badly acted slapstick (IMHO):
Broken Blossoms (1919 - Griffith) The General (1926 - Keaton) Ben Hur (1926 - Ingram) Wings (1927 - Wellman) Napoleon (1927 - Gance) Metropolis (1927 - Lang) Yes I've seen the above and can vouch for their greatness. Saw Napoleon and Metropolis at the movie theater with restored prints many years ago. I wish more of these could be shown in the Big Screen. Will check out the other films on your list.
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Mar 15, 2019 13:39:44 GMT -5
"Lonesome",1928 film, is adorable.
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Post by E on Mar 15, 2019 13:46:23 GMT -5
I also love Hitchcock's The Manxman from this period
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Post by AGD on Mar 16, 2019 14:43:08 GMT -5
"Lonesome",1928 film, is adorable. I didn't consider it because, as originally produced, there were a couple of talking scenes (same reason Modern Times was excluded).
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Mar 23, 2019 18:30:45 GMT -5
Fact: Jeremy Brett is the best Sherlock.
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Apr 9, 2019 10:44:56 GMT -5
kds - literally few blinks back read that John Woo is praised by many as best action/ thriller filmmaker. Is he really? Except "Face/Off", did he do anything this level? Discuss.
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Post by kds on Apr 9, 2019 11:01:23 GMT -5
kds - literally few blinks back read that John Woo is praised by many as best action/ thriller filmmaker. Is he really? Except "Face/Off", did he do anything this level? Discuss. I'm not really qualified to discuss John Woo movies as I've never watched a single one.
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Sept 24, 2019 19:53:03 GMT -5
I HATE "Wicker Man" (1973). If need be, can state it again. Any objections? If not, will keep being negative towards films I hate/ dislike as used to. EVEN if it's "CLASSIC", bwahaha. In shoutbox mentioned "Dead Silence". I read you praised it there, sockit, figured I'll ask you what precisely you like about it? Obviously, Donny Wahlberg is super good-looking than his weirdo ugly brother Mark. But...it ain't scary. Music is fine, I'll give it that, it's very cool & brings the mood. Other than that, it falls flat. 1stly, I fnd ventriloquist dummies very funny, even cute-looking. The old lady is sinister & fitting voice but I really wished dummy will play bigger influence than she. The main character is beyond dumb. The ending is imperfect, it should be like punchline in funny jokes, i.e. frightening you, leave you shocked...it didn't. & didn't look like father been dead, he moved mouth like people do. Not like puppet moving mouth with his young wife's help. & what's this about the wife feeding him & we see thru his back stomach contents, food sliding there? Even horror film ending should make at least 5% sense. What say you?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2019 20:58:25 GMT -5
Ok, BBF, you asked. Here it is! In fact, I'll address both movies you mentioned. THE WICKER MAN (1973)--I tossed out a 6/10 rating in the Shoutbox, because my feelings for the movie are fairly neutral. I didn't find it terrible, and I did find some elements in the movie that were executed effectively. I give it props for originality in story and cinematography, and not using the same old gimmicks that plague many of the horror movies from the early to mid-70s. There were a number of religious cult horror movies out around that time and some were really, really awful (anyone remember The Devil's Rain?). But at the end of the day, I don't feel the need to see this movie again anytime soon, and I don't have any desire to add it to my DVD collection. Some people really like it, some don't. I think we can agree it's not for everyone. DEAD SILENCE (2007)--First let me explain what I believe makes a good horror movie. The number one thing for me is the atmosphere. Story is important, of course, but I can tolerate a weak story if the setting, pacing, and overall cinematography is well done. Old abandoned places are an obsession of mine, so right off, the scenes in the old theater are the best part of the movie for me. I also like how this movie has a few startling scenes, but it doesn't overdo it by trying to make you jump every two minutes. The truly frightening parts for me are the slow suspenseful scenes--the creaking of the wooden dummy heads as they all turn in unison in the otherwise silent attic--the gradual lowering of the pitch of the music on the radio and the whistling tea kettle until there is silence in the apartment--the incessant buzz of the flashing neon sign shining through the motel room window as the dummy sitting on the chair is alternately highlighted in the dark. And for these reasons, even though I know the "surprise" ending, I still enjoy watching this movie fairly regularly.
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Post by kds on Sept 26, 2019 7:10:29 GMT -5
DEAD SILENCE (2007)--First let me explain what I believe makes a good horror movie. The number one thing for me is the atmosphere. Story is important, of course, but I can tolerate a weak story if the setting, pacing, and overall cinematography is well done. Old abandoned places are an obsession of mine, so right off, the scenes in the old theater are the best part of the movie for me. I also like how this movie has a few startling scenes, but it doesn't overdo it by trying to make you jump every two minutes. The truly frightening parts for me are the slow suspenseful scenes--the creaking of the wooden dummy heads as they all turn in unison in the otherwise silent attic--the gradual lowering of the pitch of the music on the radio and the whistling tea kettle until there is silence in the apartment--the incessant buzz of the flashing neon sign shining through the motel room window as the dummy sitting on the chair is alternately highlighted in the dark. And for these reasons, even though I know the "surprise" ending, I still enjoy watching this movie fairly regularly. I agree 100% about Dead Silence, and it's one of my favorite horror movies of the last 20-25 years. I honestly think it's James Wan's best movie, as some of his others are a little too reliant on jump scares, and at times seeing too much of the ghosts. But, this one is near perfect.
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Sept 26, 2019 11:15:48 GMT -5
Ok, BBF, you asked. Here it is! In fact, I'll address both movies you mentioned. THE WICKER MAN (1973)--I tossed out a 6/10 rating in the Shoutbox, because my feelings for the movie are fairly neutral. I didn't find it terrible, and I did find some elements in the movie that were executed effectively. I give it props for originality in story and cinematography, and not using the same old gimmicks that plague many of the horror movies from the early to mid-70s. There were a number of religious cult horror movies out around that time and some were really, really awful (anyone remember The Devil's Rain?). But at the end of the day, I don't feel the need to see this movie again anytime soon, and I don't have any desire to add it to my DVD collection. Some people really like it, some don't. I think we can agree it's not for everyone. DEAD SILENCE (2007)--First let me explain what I believe makes a good horror movie. The number one thing for me is the atmosphere. Story is important, of course, but I can tolerate a weak story if the setting, pacing, and overall cinematography is well done. Old abandoned places are an obsession of mine, so right off, the scenes in the old theater are the best part of the movie for me. I also like how this movie has a few startling scenes, but it doesn't overdo it by trying to make you jump every two minutes. The truly frightening parts for me are the slow suspenseful scenes--the creaking of the wooden dummy heads as they all turn in unison in the otherwise silent attic--the gradual lowering of the pitch of the music on the radio and the whistling tea kettle until there is silence in the apartment--the incessant buzz of the flashing neon sign shining through the motel room window as the dummy sitting on the chair is alternately highlighted in the dark. And for these reasons, even though I know the "surprise" ending, I still enjoy watching this movie fairly regularly. Thank you, sockit! Folks, this is what you treat different views like - with respectful disagreement & being OK with negative reviews. Film/ book/ restaurant food/ anything reviews, IF you'd seen the film, read the book, ate the food etc., are without exception credible & should be accepted easily & listened to easily,without telling this & that review is wrong just coz it's negative. Reviews differ, opinions differ - isn't it the beauty of communicating with people? Like I said in shoutbox, everybody's view is individual isolated experience. I see film without knowing some people in different sides of world think it's "classic". Same with each of 'em, i.e. seeing film with THEIR eyes & perceiving it with THEIR minds. But when I do find said film is "classic" to many, must I shift my view of it, do 180 degree spin about it? Obviously, like I hope everybody will, I'll stand by my impressions about film seen. That shouldn't change & people shouldn't be easily bent. I NEVER respect it in people - being easily influenced, like sheep. To put the emphasis to the bit in 1st paragraph, since I'd seen "Wicker Man" start to finish, my negative review counts as legit & should be respected. Who REALLY should be judged & talked down towards is trolls who just throw "It's bad", "Pure dreck" & such... who then admit "...but I didn't actually watch it, I just read few bad reviews, seen its trailer & decided it's really terrible movie". Yep, there's in fact people like that in the Internet. I read these many times.Anyhoo, back to things you'd written, sockit - very nice reviews, I like *detailed* reviews just like you, thanks again! It makes sense re: "Dead Silence", I get you. Actually, your explanation makes me better get why I really disliked it big time. I too shan't see "Wicker Man" again. We agree here. Which new films you checked this year or going to? I'd seen "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" & new "Lion King", liked both. Intrigued by "Midsommar" trailer by fledgling new horror director Ari Aster who's been gushed by now popular fellow horror filmmaker Jordan Peele (IIRC the name, "Us" fame) who actually been given private screening of "Midsommar", sans music & noise effects yet to boot! It's in youtube interview with his 2 main stars. What about you?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 21:19:38 GMT -5
As much as I enjoy movies, I will admit that I rarely go to see new movies. I haven't seen previews for anything lately that really piques my interest...and to be honest I don't care to go to theaters alone.
The most recent movie in my DVD collection is BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE from last year. I bought it merely because the trailer looked pretty good and I'm a big Jeff Bridges fan. I usually don't buy on impulse like that! But I was definitely not disappointed.
Now, I know we've been discussing horror movies, which this is not. It's more of a thriller. And I'll say right off that the story is not exactly original. Put simply, it's about a group of unrelated strangers who come together in an odd location, and you get to see how they interact with one another as you learn why each character is in this situation. Yes, it's been done a number of times, sort of a "And Then There Were None" kind of thing.
But this movie has a lot going for it--the ensemble cast, the late 1960s atmosphere, and the aforementioned character interaction. Drew Goddard as writer/director/producer is a name I'm unfamiliar with, but I'm impressed with what he's done here even if he's borrowed elements from the Cohen Bros, Tarantino, and a few others.
What really stands out in this movie is the attention to detail in recreating the era of 1969. That actual year is never mentioned in the movie, but I was able to use clues--the music, the clothes, the cars--to pinpoint 1969. Watching the behind-the-scenes features on the DVD, my guess was confirmed. Nailed it!
Another standout is cast member Cynthia Erivo. What a massively talented woman! I had never heard of her (what, am I living under a rock or something?) She has an amazing voice, as demonstrated by many of the old Motown hits she performs and rehearses throughout the movie.
I won't say much more, so as not to give out any spoilers, but I will say that the movie--as much as I like it--does have a few flaws. Something seems a little off about Chris Hemsworth as the 60s hippy cult leader. I'm not sure what it is. He just doesn't seem 1969-ish enough for me to believe in his character. That's the best way I can describe it. And the climactic showdown near the end seems to drag quite a bit. Stuff happens, but it seems like it takes a little too long to get there. And I like suspense. I just don't think it completely works here.
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Sept 28, 2019 6:47:10 GMT -5
Thanks to like my reply. Didn't expect. Anyhoo, it's interesting that that film is set in 1969, as Tarantino's new is set in 1969 as well - it's broadly Charlie Manson stuff but he gets just few really short screen times. But, I gather you either dislike Tarantino films or Charlie Manson films. Maybe both. Thanks to the recommendation. I do like few thrillers now & then. But really prefer horror. Speaking of, can we list weak popular horror films (preferably with ratings & few addendums here & there)? Shall start: "Rosemary's Baby" 4/10 "Wicker Man" 1/10 "The Innocents" 5/10 (book's better) "Gremlins" 2/10 "Poltergeist" 2/10 Various zombie films, b&w & recent 0/10 "Seconds" 5/10 (even if music really gives it character) "The Exorcist" 4/10 (funny at times, laughed at few scenes = not very good horror) "Dead Silence" 3/10 "Jeepers Creepers" 2/10 (meh) "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" 0/10 (boring) "Friday 13" 0/10 Look forward to your list!
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Post by Paul JB on Sept 28, 2019 8:41:47 GMT -5
Don’t care for horror movies but I do remember the music in the first (1979?)Halloween movie creeping me and a friend of mine out. We were walking home at around midnight after seeing it and I couldn’t get the creepy piano music out of my head. A good score is huge in many movies.
1964 The Haunting (Claire Bloom) is probably my favorite scary movie. Though dated (you could say that about dozens of classics) it still holds up. Atmosphere as you said, and some excellent cinematography. Netflix did a 10 part reworking of that material last year called The Haunting of Hill House. While some episodes were contrived a few were really good so I’d recommend that series as well.
Poltergeist was the only one on your list I’d seen. Thought it was fun back then...today maybe 5/10.
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Sept 28, 2019 11:55:27 GMT -5
While sockit thinks up his list , what do you like about that Claire Bloom film (I think, btw, she's good actress), Paul JB? I still didn't see it but it gets in various Best horror lists. What is it about it, other than atmosphere & such? Is there substance to it? Me, I don't usually like films built solely with atmosphere. Many ghost films tend to be that way. Maybe that's why I'm not big ghost horror fan. Thanks to the "Haunting Of Hill House" recommendation. I didn't hear about this series but I did see the 90s remake with Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson etc - pure dreck. But if you're curious & like to compare various versions of the same film like me (I think it's fun thing to do! ) - check it out. Yes indeed, we agree here that "Halloween" (1978) got creepy piano music. I too care about music in films a lot. Being musically wired, music is 1st thing I pay attention to. Did you like the film itself? I'd give it meagre 6.5/10.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 1:14:21 GMT -5
Speaking of, can we list weak popular horror films (preferably with ratings & few addendums here & there)? Shall start: "Rosemary's Baby" 4/10 "Wicker Man" 1/10 "The Innocents" 5/10 (book's better) "Gremlins" 2/10 "Poltergeist" 2/10 Various zombie films, b&w & recent 0/10 "Seconds" 5/10 (even if music really gives it character) "The Exorcist" 4/10 (funny at times, laughed at few scenes = not very good horror) "Dead Silence" 3/10 "Jeepers Creepers" 2/10 (meh) "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" 0/10 (boring) "Friday 13" 0/10 Look forward to your list! Well, how about just a straight list of horror movies without focusing on the "weak"? Here's mine, mostly good: Carnival of Souls 1962 8/10 (so-so story and acting but high marks on utilizing a legendary abandoned location) The Shining 1980 10/10 (an ultimate classic horror, even if it took many liberties with the book) Stephen King's It 1990 7/10 (even though the ending has always struck me as a bit unsatisfying, especially after 3+ hours, I give this high marks for an incredible cast) Note: So far I've only seen part one of the remake of It, and I was very impressed with the pacing and execution of the story. I'm not confident in giving a rating until I see part 2. Flatliners 1990 5/10 (a few spooky scenes, but overall a fairly ridiculous premise "in the name of science". Really, what were they trying to prove?) Sleepy Hollow 1999 7/10 (well made Tim Burton movie, although the pacing is a little slow in spots) The Haunting 1999 2/10 (pretty lame movie with a ton of digital effects. Sad waste of some very good actors) 1408 2007 8/10 (pretty spooky ghost flick)
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Sept 29, 2019 4:33:06 GMT -5
Here's mine, mostly good: Carnival of Souls 1962 8/10 (so-so story and acting but high marks on utilizing a legendary abandoned location) The Shining 1980 10/10 (an ultimate classic horror, even if it took many liberties with the book) Stephen King's It 1990 7/10 (even though the ending has always struck me as a bit unsatisfying, especially after 3+ hours, I give this high marks for an incredible cast) Note: So far I've only seen part one of the remake of It, and I was very impressed with the pacing and execution of the story. I'm not confident in giving a rating until I see part 2. Flatliners 1990 5/10 (a few spooky scenes, but overall a fairly ridiculous premise "in the name of science". Really, what were they trying to prove?) Sleepy Hollow 1999 7/10 (well made Tim Burton movie, although the pacing is a little slow in spots) The Haunting 1999 2/10 (pretty lame movie with a ton of digital effects. Sad waste of some very good actors) 1408 2007 8/10 (pretty spooky ghost flick) I'd seen "Carnival Of Souls" (alt. title "Corridors Of Evil") & really-really liked it! Youtube can be cool place to discover films. It's in public domain & full film posted there. I discovered it last year. Music is very beautiful, it starts very intriguing & like something crawls beneath the ripples in river the girls drowned. I recommended it to 3 friends. When they finished, they each told that they knew/ had feeling the main girl drowned with the other girls. They went by clues the film gave but it's impressive! Such apt film viewers, the friends! I didn't suspect in the slightest she's dead, I see she survived & went with it. Did you too know she's dead spirit or did you see the girl is alive &, like me, went with it? Stephen didn't like "The Shining" due exactly to reason you stated. In the 90s he took leadership in remaking it. Starrs pretty less famous actors. Check it out, it ain't bad. I definitely am going to see the next "It", I too viewed the 1st "It" remake with kids. Whilst I prefer kids in 90s TV series, I think here it's developed better. I did check the trailer to "It" when they're adults. Pretty weird, looks like it may be scarier. Each film you cited I'm familiar with save "Flatliners". Is it really popular horror? Did ask this elsewhere - is there any book you enjoyed reading that you thought "Wow, this could be really good film material", very adaptation-friendly narration & stuff like it? What will you tell?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 10:25:39 GMT -5
The first time I watched Carnival of Souls, I had missed the first half because it was on late night TV and I was channel-surfing. I started watching because I recognized the old abandoned Saltair Pavilion that once sat on the Great Salt Lake. I first tuned in when the girl was driving past it at night and you could see the silhouette of the building in the distance. First thing I thought was "Hey is that what I think it is?" A few scenes later, my inquiry is confirmed, and I find myself glued to the rest of the movie. I was familiar with Saltair and its history from some research I had done on abandoned locations, sort of a hobby of mine. My sister had visited the current building there and had picked up a detailed and photo-filled book about the history of the area, which she let me borrow. There had been four different Pavilions built there since the late 1800s, and each had been destroyed by fire, except for the smaller building that stands there today (that one almost got taken out by a flood). The Pavilion and amusement park that appear in the movie sat abandoned for over a decade until it burnt down in a devastating fire in 1970. There is a film clip of that on YouTube.
The "surprise" ending to that movie was in no way a surprise to me. I suspected it pretty early on. Still an enjoyable movie though.
I never saw the remake of The Shining. I might have to check it out sometime.
The only criticism I've heard on Part 2 of It, so far, is that it is quite long. That's not necessarily a bad thing in my book, it just depends on how well paced the movie is.
Flatliners (1990) is in no way a great movie, but it has a few creepy scenes. A group of medical school students (played by a very good cast) perform experiments on one another to study what happens when you die. As they take turns having their heart stopped and are then revived, they start bringing "spirits" back with them from the other side. Then it gets into this whole philosophical thing about things they've done wrong in their past. It's certainly not a movie for everyone. It was remade a few years ago, and I've heard absolutely nothing about it, so I passed.
I'm not much of a fiction reader. I read all the original Sherlock Holmes stories when I was a teenager, and thought each story would be great adapted to the screen. Then, some years later those short stories were turned into a TV series starring the incredible Jeremy Brett.
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Post by Beach Boys Fan on Sept 29, 2019 13:04:20 GMT -5
Cool pastime! It's interesting info, thanks. Yep, it's great building. I enjoyed mischievous behavior the girl displayed when speaking to minister in new place when they stopped by Pavillion, says "Can we look in there?", she wanted to trespass, my girl! To which dull minister said, seeing boarded abandoned house it's against law. She disobeyed. Ha! But thing I'm curious about & meant is, since the ending didn't surprise you, what kinda clues you took in the film that you knew she didn't survive? I'm interested in *how* did you figure it? Deduction skills & stuff. "It 2" is lengthy? Pity if it's true, it may've then got filler scenes. Hey you too Jeremy's Sherlock fan? In this page upthread I stated his Sherlock's the best. There's many-many feature film/ TV/ stage adaptations whilst I still think Jeremy looked perfect & played Sherlock with talent. Which film(-s) you'd seen many-many times, yet don't get tire seeing it again? To me, it's "Cat From Outer Space"! & "Police Academy 3". Maybe "Tom & Jerry". You?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2019 18:24:26 GMT -5
Which film(-s) you'd seen many-many times, yet don't get tire seeing it again? To me, it's "Cat From Outer Space"! & "Police Academy 3". Maybe "Tom & Jerry". You? Would I be correct in guessing you might be a fan of Disney's "That Darn Cat"? My list of all-time favorite never-get-tired-of-watching movies goes something like this: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY (1966) The greatest Western ever made! EASY RIDER (1969) The best "road" picture ever made, and an interesting commentary on the 1960s counter-culture. STAR WARS (1977) Will always be the greatest of the franchise with honorable mentions for the following two chapters. THE SHINING (1980) Certainly not a perfect horror movie, but genuinely scary and entertaining in my book. TOMMY BOY (1995) The funniest movie ever made, in my opinion! THAT THING YOU DO (1996) Great story, great humor, great music, and great representation of a carefree era in the mid 1960s. INCEPTION (2010) The most intriguing, mindbending movie in my collection. LOVE AND MERCY (2015) Needs no explanation! What other movies do you like, BBF?
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