I just found out that I haven't enough good movies that I really remember and that has made an impression on me.. Does anyone have any recommendations?
My all-time favs are "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and the Korean "Oldboy". Other favourites are "The usual suspects", "The Big Lebowski" and "Fight Club". I think what these movies have in common that makes them appealing to me is the fine mix of being humorous and being dead serious in how the movie acts out...
Does anyone have any recommendations on movies like this that I should watch? It can also be other kinds of movies that has just made an impression on you, be it because it's extremely funny or because it's so deep! :)
An excellent "dark comedy" as they're called, is the film "About Schmidt." It's a film that is funny because of it's simple truthfulness about life and how it works, with streaks of darkness about how ugly that truth can be. It's a film that will definately make you re-evaluate your own life.
Another good recommendation would be "Pleasantville." Again, very funny in spots but with a strong sense of underlying meaning and truth. Also an excellent commentary on the notion of heaven, Eden, and "sin."
That leads me to my third recommendation, "The Truman Show." Jim Carey provides the humor in another movie that comments on religion and god.
Dr. Strangelove or How I learned to stop worrying and love the bomb. It doesn't get much funnier (or darker) IMHO. And Team America: World Police... although it's way funnier when drunk than when sober.
Easyrider is one of my favourites, because it is totally different from all other movies, plus it is a relaxing road movie. And it has the best-ever on-drugs scene. Very recommended.
Also worth to mention is Eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. Full of flashbacks. If you like flashbacks, this movie is paradise for you. It's very challenging to understand it completely (which can be done!). The flashbacks are why to watch this.
Professional with Jean-Paul Belmondo is THE Belmondo movie. It has all things a Belmondo movie must have - car chases, police, secret agents, girlfiriend and so on. If you are a fan of Belmondo movies, this one is the one to watch. I personally think it is the best of them all. Sweet 80s.
The movie Conversation from 1974 is one very psycho thriller, kind of depressing, but very very nicely done. IMHO best Gene Hackman's role. It is not hurried, not much of talking, very interestingly plays with psychology and stress, this one is a must-watch.
Once upon a time in the west is IMHO one of the best movies ever made. The most important thing is that it is not hurried at all. They didn't want to put a whole bunch of things happening in one hour. That's very good about this. It's hard to explain why this film is so extraordinary, but I totally recommend it as one of the best movies of the world.
I think that's it. However, underground films that are totally unknown are the best anyway. If you have a chance to go to any film festival to watch some of forgotten underground cultish films, go! I have seen some and I can only tell it's a very big shame that I can't get them on CD's. You know, when I was carrying that film to the cinema in the box, I wouldn't normally even think about the fact that it was the last copy. It actually was.
"Forest Gump" has got both humour and serios stuff.
As for my personal opinion, I find "Memento" pretty good. It's also full of flasbacks.
EDIT: Oops, Memento's already mentioned. I guess, you really should watch it then.
As far as dark comedies, I'd second Dr. Strangelove.
My other recommendations (though not dark comedies) would be Collateral (http://imdb.com/title/tt0369339/), Memento (http://imdb.com/title/tt0209144/), and Run Lola Run. (http://imdb.com/title/tt0130827/)
First of all, stick with directors and screenwriters you like. Terry Gilliam, the Coen brothers, David Fincher and the others have made plenty of other films you'll probably like (if you haven't already seen them). Charlie Kaufman (
Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine..., Being John Malkovich) is another auteur to consume wholesale. Other than that, try:
- Heathers - Outsider/reluctant high school princess Winona Ryder meets brooding teen anarchist Christian Slater, and they start killing off the school jocks and cheerleaders. Has a surprising number of parallels to Fight Club. (Black comedy)
- Withnail & I - Two struggling London actors/alcoholics go on a country holiday by mistake. Features drunken hilarity mixed with real emotional desperation. (Comedy/drama)
- Amélie - I have a theory, based on no particular evidence other than my own intuition, that everyone who likes Fight Club also likes Amélie. The reverse is not true. (Romantic comedy)
- Requiem for a Dream - Drugs are bad, mmkay? But Jennifer Connelly and Jared Leto are oh so pretty. (Depressing drama)
- Repulsion - Early Roman Polanski movie. A beautiful but sexually repressed young woman goes insane in an empty apartment. (Psychological horror)
- Primer - Two garage inventors accidentally build a time machine. A very confusing (but, apparently, entirely consistent) plot ensues. (Drama)
- Jacob's Ladder - Vietnam vet sees demons, may have been subject to government experiment. With transcendental conclusion (avoid spoilers!). The granddaddy of wtfery film twists. (Horror/drama)
- Dead Ringers - Eccentric identical twin gynecologists fall in love with the same patient. (Disturbing drama)
- Final Destination 2 - An unrecognized modern classic. A bunch of cardboard characters are Rube-Goldberged to death in a number of hilarious ways. (Live-action cartoon comedy)
- Insomnia - Guilt and constant daylight keeps a dodgy detective from getting any sleep. In order to cover up his own crime, the murderer he's chasing forces him to be his accomplice. Get the original Norwegian version, not the Hollywooded remake. (Arctic film noir)
- A Simple Plan - Did you like Fargo? Then you'll like this movie. (Crime drama)
- Memento - I'm sure you've already seen this, so why bother with a summary? (Psychological crime drama/film noir)
I have to go with Strangelove (Peter Sellers we miss you) and because such good titles have been named I just want to mention Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive from director David Lynch, not as visible dark humour but it is all about it if you see both movies from a distant perspective.
Based on your favorites I could recommend Brazil (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088846/), The City of Lost Children (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112682/) and Delicatessen (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101700/). These are my all-time favorites :D
Oh and maybe Kafka (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102181/) and Dark City (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118929/) too. :)
All of these have nice surreal film noir feeling in them. Pretty much like adult fairytales. And boy do I like fairytales :)
Great suggestions so far, About Schmidt and Amelie are definately up there with my favourites. I'd also recommend David Fincher's The Game & Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo Del Toro. Both are must see films...
I second 'Withnail & I'. Freaking hilarious.
Quote from: Oliwerko on Sun 23/03/2008 15:24:36
Easyrider [...] Eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. Full of flashbacks. [...] Professional [...] The movie Conversation [...] Once upon a time in the west
Wow, Oliwerko, we have excactly the same taste! (I haven't seen Professional, I'll add that to my list.)
My suggestions:
Catch 22 It's a surreal WWII comedy.
"- It's catch-22: You can only leave this war if you're mad. If you want to leave, you're not mad.
- Then I want to stay! I'm mad!
- If you want tot stay what's the problem?"
If you can find it I also recommend
My Dinner with Andre, the title is the summary. The magic of storytelling in a 100 minute conversation.
Not because it fits your description but because it's a great movie and I'll spread the word every chance I get ;)
Quote from: Twin Moon on Sun 23/03/2008 21:05:20
I second 'Withnail & I'. Freaking hilarious.
Quote from: Oliwerko on Sun 23/03/2008 15:24:36
Easyrider [...] Eternal sunshine of a spotless mind. Full of flashbacks. [...] Professional [...] The movie Conversation [...] Once upon a time in the west
Wow, Oliwerko, we have excactly the same taste! (I haven't seen Professional, I'll add that to my list.)
My suggestions:
Catch 22 It's a surreal WWII comedy.
Well, I wouldn't think there's anyone with the same taste, I am actually very surprised. I have seen bits of catch 22 but I decided not to watch it after a while. It was much much worse than the book itself. I totally recommend to read the book, for me it's the best book ever written.
If you haven't seen Pan's Labyrinth (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457430/) already then you should put that somewhere near the top of your shopping list. It's a beautifully dark fairy tale. The young actress in that reminds me in some ways of the girl from City of Lost Children, which has already been mentioned (anybody played the game?)
Also, for pure comic nastiness I would recommend House of 1000 Corpses (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251736/) and Devil's Rejects (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0395584/). The beauty of these films is that they take the 'Texas Chainsaw-esque' movie and twist it so that the teenage victims are mere supporting cast and the Psycho family are the main characters... this makes it quite disturbing because at some points you find yourself on the same side as the bad guys because they are essentially the protagonists, while they butcher and maim their innocent victims... This role reversal leaves you with a dirty, guilty feeling that only watching porn with your mum can surpass.
Zeitgeist! OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
I recommand buckaroo banzai in the 8th dimension.
That s not specially a great movie but i like it :)
dont ask me why :)
Its funny a great distribution with actors who becames famous in the following years.
If you dont know it give it a try :)
Twelve Monkeys!
Movies are like art, games, books, beauty, etc. It's very difficult to recommend a movie or have one recommended to you and like it as much as the person that recommended it.
Example 1.: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Many guys I know love this cult classic -- I enjoyed it myself, but some women I know can't stand it.
Example 2.: Napoleon Dynamite
I laughed from the beginning to the end -- it was so stupid, but I thought it was funny. Some guys and gals downright hated it and couldn't see what I saw in it.
Example 3.: Shawn of the Dead
It was funny, but not worth going out buying. Maybe I should watch it again -- sometimes my first impressions are biased based on the mood I'm in at the time I watched the film. (I don't know.)
Example 4.: Serenity
I really loved this movie. It had humor and action! The story was a bit cliche but I thought it was well done.
Example 5.: Space Balls
There were some really funny moments in this parody flick. But again, I wouldn't recommend it to everyone.
I like a variety of films, but I have to be in the right mood when I watch them -- I base my rating on my first impression. (I know I shouldn't do that, but I do.)
Midnight Cowboy, Casablanca, and Voices of a Distant Star.
The last one isn't a movie but a 30 minute ova, but it left an impression on me which has provoked me to suggest it even now, years later.
Also, if someone's into quality french comedies, you must surely watch "The Visitors" (Les Visiteurs) 1 and 2. First is IMHO much more original, but the second one is also good.
And not to forget "Operation Corned Beef". Actually, this movie along with the two I have mentioned are filmed in the same era and with almost same actors! I totally like this combination of Jean Reno, Christian Clavier and Isabelle Renauld.
For movies that are funny but also deadly serious I reccommend most of Guy Ritchie's stuff. Purists like his movie "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" best, and while it is fantastic I just don't think that it matches up to the greatness that is "Snatch." Watch them both. Better yet, watch them in order, and see if you can pick out the in-jokes.
And though it doesn't really fit your description, Casablanca is the best movie ever made and if you haven't seen it you need to.
Of Mice and Men is a good watch. A Time to Kill is an excellent movie.
I agree with lots already mentioned (Memento, Pan's Labyrinth, Amélie, Fight Club, Twelve Monkeys...).
A few to add...
Children of Men - really interesting look at a world descending into chaos. Has some great single-take scenes in it.
City of God - gang life in the favelas of Brazil, based on a true story.
Sin City - brilliant visuals and gritty storyline. Rather gory, but if you can stomach that its definitely worth watching.
Airplane - well, you did say "extremely funny" movies...
A Chinese Martials Arts Film Of Some Description - like Hero, House of Flying Daggers, something along those lines.
The Matrix - If you haven't watched it, you'd better have the mother of all excuses.
The Shawshank Redemption - Cinematic masterpiece
Se7en - Another great Fincher
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - Classic, yet rather different western. And it has that ending.
I'm going to stop now.
Quote from: OneDollar on Wed 30/04/2008 21:23:19
Airplane - well, you did say "extremely funny" movies...
A Chinese Martials Arts Film Of Some Description - like Hero, House of Flying Daggers, something along those lines.
The Matrix - If you haven't watched it, you'd better have the mother of all excuses.
I couldn't not comment these ;)
Airplane only if you can turn your brain of and watch the whole police squad in marathon enjoying it.
Hero and House of Flying Daggers are more like chinese art films than martial arts films. This doesn't mean they're not good, on the contrary.
And The Matrix, yeah well. Not really a good movie, but a cult one that should on the seen list. For the sequals, if you have not seen them, don't bother :)
Quote from: Lionmonkey on Sun 23/03/2008 16:30:06
"Forest Gump" has got both humour and serios stuff.
As for my personal opinion, I find "Memento" pretty good. It's also full of flasbacks.
EDIT: Oops, Memento's already mentioned. I guess, you really should watch it then.
Funny, I was going to mention that, too...