wombat tries to watch movies again

[Choop]

I break my Lebowski-imposed exile because none of you have mentioned Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind have you? No! You will thrill, you will marvel, you will be convinced Jim Carrey AND Kate Winslet can act!

Fixed that for you.

This is very true. Eteernal Sunshine is a great movie too. Basically, I have discovered, anything written by Charlie Kaufman is awesome. Eternal Sunshine, Being John Malkovich, Adaptation (fantastic!)... Confessions of a Dangerous Mind might be good, but then Kaufman complained about Clooney running away and changing it without talking to him, and how he hates directors who do that, so I'm not holding out nearly as much hope for it. Must get round to it...

Highly entertaining film, as good as the book. Yes, Kaufman's a wonderful writer, but that doesn't mean everything that leaks out his typing fingers is perfect, and a screenplay is always -always- open for interpretation by the director. Why do you think it's so rare that someone writes and directs his own films? Because they turn out like Emilio Estevez's work in most cases. Anyway, Sam Rockwell's a hoot.

[CortJstr]

The original Italian Job was pretty entertaining and has a great chase scene with the 3 Mini Coopers.

The Cooler was one of my favorites from the film festival a couple years ago. It's really interesting and features nudity from people with body types not normally featured in movies. Plus how can you go wrong with William H. Macy?

[V-Adore]

On the vague subject of heist movies, I'm a big fan of the Ocean's 11 remake. It's not exactly high cinema, but it's enjoyable and quite well done for what it is.

[side_show]

See, wombat, with your aversion to violence, I was thinking maybe March of the Penguins would be the movie to suggest, but then I remember how I traumatized a couple four year olds because I forgot the part where the almost hatched baby penguins die, and also there's that one shot of a seal grabbing a penguin...  But it really is worth seeing, and doing the work you do, you are basically required to see it.  Seriously - if I want Morgan Freeman to follow me around and narrate my life.

I also vote for American Splendor and The Royal Tennenbaums/Life Aquatic and Being John Malcovich.  None of these are violent or sex heavy.  

When it comes to the ones with violence, depravity or sex in em' I have to agree with all of the above, especially Fight Club and Pulp Fiction.  I'd also add The Birds, Eraserhead, Blue Velvet,  A Clockwork Orange, The Crying Game, The Godfather, Psycho, , and Scarface to the list (sorry, some of these aren't all that recent, but they get referenced like crazy and are great).

Not that referenced, but still great are Edward Scissor Hands, The Professional, Bowling for Columbine.  Also, A Christmas Story never makes anyone's must see list, I think because they only think about it at Christmas... but it's just perfect.

Also Magnolia, Amelie, and the Hours are must see, but Tech Support will probably not want to watch these.

As for more recent culturally referenced movies, Broke Back Mountain (although I found it boring and contrived in parts) has been, and will continue to be referenced to death.  Same goes for Pirates of the Carribean, which I couldn't stomach at all.

[jough]

Magnolia is an important film for me, but remember, kids, we're talking about wombat's lack of cultural literacy and not just movies that we think are great.

In other words, if a film is really good (like Magnolia or Amelie) but haven't really become part of cultural references (although I guess Amelie had a little reach when it was out) then it doesn't belong on the list.

Basically Wombat and Tech Support want to understand what people are saying at social gatherings.  They're looking to appreciate the cinema patois of the natives.

[KeithHernandez]

Basically Wombat and Tech Support want to understand what people are saying at social gatherings.  They're looking to appreciate the cinema patois of the natives.

Snakes on a Plane! SNAKES ON A PLANE!!!

MOTHER FUCKlNG SNAKES ON A MOTHER FUCKlNG PLANE!

Well, at least where I hang out.

[jough]

So what great lines of dialogue or situations in the film do you and your hangers discuss?

I think if you've heard the title, and are aware of that one line that originated from some smart-ass on the internet, then you have all the information you need about Snakes on a Plane.

[KeithHernandez]

Uh...yeah, and that one time where that one guy kills the snakes.  Or that other time when the snakes kill those people.

Seriously though, as sad as it sounds, this movie was pretty big in my group of friends for about 2 days.  Soon enough I will have the Marine to wash away the memories in malt liquor and laughter.

[CortJstr]

Soon enough I will have the Marine to wash away the memories in malt liquor and laughter.

::weeps::

Please tell me you didn't watch See No Evil and won't be seeing The Condemned

[theinevitable]

in regards to Eternal Sunshine: did anyone go see The Science of Sleep? I really enjoyed it. partly because the main character's confrontation style is the same as mine! (Why don't you love me! You hate me! *runs away and sobs in bed like a 7-year-old*)

[wombat]

Basically Wombat and Tech Support want to understand what people are saying at social gatherings.  They're looking to appreciate the cinema patois of the natives.

Jough has the right idea, although of course there was no way this wasn't going to wander.  That's OK, reading it is probably better than watching movies.

I would like to say that I have indeed seen Dr Strangelove, and at least four of the movies Side_show mentions.  Also, Being John Malkovich, which is exactly the kind of movie I actually like.  But probably nothing else mentioned here.

[jough]

Then you have a lot of catching up to do, womby.

[KeithHernandez]

::weeps::

Please tell me you didn't watch See No Evil and won't be seeing The Condemned

My shitty taste in movies is acknowledged by me.  I really really do not like movies.  I have really horrible eyes and a pretty poor attention span (well, really only when it comes to movies).  I feel the same way about T.V.  It is just something about the way I take in information, I do it better through books and music.  Movies and T.V. just do not appeal to me.  In fact, I have never heard of either the movies you mentioned.  I only see movies, besides a select few, to get drunk with friends and watch crap movies.  I would say I go to the theater about 5 times a year and probably rent less than that.  The only movies I own are The Big Lebowski, The Quest for the Holy Grail and The Life of Brian.  I will admit that I like documentaries, but that is kind of a different thing. 

Speaking of those movies, Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail is often alluded to in social situations, you should probably give that a go if you are not already familiar with it.

[wombat]

I am extremely well versed in Monty Python, fortunately. 

I also like books much more than things which are filmed.  But lately my taste in books has become extremely fussy so I can't spend as much time enjoying that as I used to.  So, I am trying to like movies more.

[CortJstr]

In fact, I have never heard of either the movies you mentioned.

That is a relief. See No Evil was a horror movie staring Kane and The Condemned isn't out yet but it stars "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. Seeing them would only encourage more wrestler movies which is the last thing we need.

Dwayne Johnson was a fluke! The rest of you stay the hell out of movies and TV!