Must see viewing suggestions for a rainy day...

[proofreeder]

...Because on sunny days you should be going outside and getting some exercise.

The idea behind this thread is simple. There's works of genius we haven't seen. There's times we can't think of anything to watch. Combine. Add some sweet chilli sauce.

Please list only what you would consider the absolute cream, TV or Movie, with a description or sell attempt if you so desire. That movie or show that makes you scream: "You haven't seen ___? You're a ****ing disgrace." Which in actual fact was the disgarded alternative for the title name.

Also, please post responses on recommendations people have taken or agreements on suggestions.

[proofreeder]

OZ!!!

Lemme get the party started...

...With stuff I stole and edited from the movie review thread. I'm a lazy, lazy man.

IF you can stomach Oz, and there is no shame not being able to, I had to force myself through some of it also, OZ is one of the greatest works made on moving picture media. Don't listen to me, listen to these guys:

"Oz is so good it's a crime" - New York Post.
"I doubt that anything better, or more original, has ever appeared on American television" - New York Daily News.

No shit, I would seriously have to consider Oz as the best thing I have ever seen, and unlike a movie, once it finishes you get to see another, equally awesome, episode.

Be forewarned though... this is NOT PRETTY! I just loaned Season 1 to a female friend of mine and told her she should not be watching this!!!

I'm talking cringeworthy graphic violence, acceptable racism, homosexuality taken to the extremes, drugs traded like pokemon, moments that made me want to go to bed, crawl up in a foetal position and cry myself to sleep... if only I could turn off the TV.

I purchased all six seasons from Amazon for an absolute fortune many years ago, and it honestly changed the way I saw the world. It actually help define the person I am today, no shit.

And now I can't play it on my non-region free player XD.

If there was a score of brilliance and depravity combined, Sopranos and Deadwood are like a 6. Oz is a 10. And I ****ing love the Sopranos.

Oz is superb - and the best thing Luke Perry's ever done, haha. I love how ****ing uneasy I feel when I watch it - it never lets you settle.

re: OZ, I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't cracked it past the first few episodes. Really should get around to taking the plunge on the monster series boxset that always catches my eye at JB, because those opening episodes I did see were creepy as ****.

DC, seriously man, I couldn't recommend to you more, one weekend just take the plunge and buy the monster box set, sit back with a non-easily offended mate and be absolutely blown away. I can guarantee you, from the impression I get from your posts, I don't think it's possible for you to be disappointed. The only way anyone could be is if they were offended by it, which to be honest would be very reasonable.

What's the monster box set worth?

[proofreeder]

City of God.

Made in Brazil by Brazilians. Raw. Brutal. Violent. Multiprotaganist. Gang warfare. Pulp Fiction in the slums?

Have you seen City of God? I dunno, it's late and I've had a few drinks, but I think anyone with decent taste in movies would really enjoy that, and it seems to be a movie that not every one has seen. If you haven't seen it, it really is a must see for any movie connuisseur.

City of God is fantastic. Very intense. Probably in the top 10 or so films of the last decade (IMO).

Just watched it on your recommendation. Knew nothing else about it beforehand.

That was a seriously gritty, in-your-face movie. The complete lack of censorship from the filmmakers was really confronting. It did seem a little long, but it moved between stories at a comfortable pace and made it flow nicely.

It's not the kind of movie I'd want to watch again in a hurry. It's brilliant, but draining to watch. It's an easy recommendation from me, but... who would I recommend it to?

9.5/10

Who should you recommend it to?

Everyone!

A couple of points on City of God:

For those unaware, a series called "City of Men" is available, also set in the slums of Rio, made by the same dude. I think it's amazing, I've watched it twice or more and love it, although maybe not quite as mind boggling. Kind of in the same style, but not as violent. It also stars the kid that played Lil Zee, but a Lil more grown up and a lot less psycho. The movie "city of men" was made at the end of this series also, but personally I didn't like that as much I think (it's hard to remember).

Secondly, for all those football/soccer (God I'm sick of writing that slashed hybrid) aficianados, you should already know about this but the DVD Ginga is also made by the same Brazillian director and is definitely a must see for lovers of the sport if you haven't already! You should have!

[Almighty Beanchild]

Oz

...

City of God.

I actually agree with all of your recommendations, I just thought it was odd that you were quoting yourself as a reference! XD

[D.C.]

Magnolia.

I'm a broken record when these kind of threads pop up, but it constantly amazes me just how many people haven't seen this classic. A three-and-a-half hour epic, with arguably the best ensemble cast ever put together, and has everything you could possibly want in a film. It even works as a quasi-musical, because the way music tracks are inserted so seamlessly is a thing of beauty. Can't recommend this highly enough.

[Pai Mel]

Singing in the Rain because of its aptness.

[proofreeder]

DC - Thanks. I've never even heard ot it either. I'll let you know what I think.

Did I sell you on the OZ box set? :D

[Almighty Beanchild]

Magnolia.

I'm a broken record when these kind of threads pop up, but it constantly amazes me just how many people haven't seen this classic. A three-and-a-half hour epic, with arguably the best ensemble cast ever put together, and has everything you could possibly want in a film. It even works as a quasi-musical, because the way music tracks are inserted so seamlessly is a thing of beauty. Can't recommend this highly enough.

I remember reading an interview where the director said he based it around Aimee Man's music, or something like that. The music does fit oddly well. I quite like Magnolia, but not as much as a friend of mine who is obsessed with it as her "best movie of all time." Consequently I've seen it about 5 times, which is probably too many. :P

[D.C.]

Did I sell you on the OZ box set? :D
Haha yeah, but I didn't see it around today. Ended up buying a shitload of DVDs at Big W instead. :p

[Joel]

Magnolia.

I'm a broken record when these kind of threads pop up, but it constantly amazes me just how many people haven't seen this classic. A three-and-a-half hour epic, with arguably the best ensemble cast ever put together, and has everything you could possibly want in a film. It even works as a quasi-musical, because the way music tracks are inserted so seamlessly is a thing of beauty. Can't recommend this highly enough.

Magnolia is seriously amazing. Watch it plz.

Watch pretty much every martin scorsese film made because he hasnt made a single bad one yet (imo)

[proofreeder]

I'm getting psyched about Magnolia now... I'm going to get it this Sunday evening. Why haven't I heard about it before?

Part of the reason I made this thread was because as I've mentioned before, I am putting the final touches on a script myself. I say "final touches" but honestly I have no idea when it will end, I always seem to be able to improve it the longer I work at it.

But anyway, brilliant movies inspire me, so I thought this would give me a few new ones to see. By "inspire", no, I don't mean "steal", but great works watched for the first time I find are tremendous inspiration.

Did I sell you on the OZ box set? :D

Haha yeah, but I didn't see it around today.

Nice!!! This greatly pleases me. You and hopefully bronze, it will be awesome :)

[proofreeder]

Argh!

Maybe this thread is a flop. I thought it was a good idea anyway... I see movies as being the contemporary art for common man, so incredibly important and influential in our society.

I thought people would want to try and share their greatest enjoyments of the medium for other posters to experience, and discover unseen works of art.

But I guess I am alone... :(

Anyhoo, thanks a lot for the Magnolia recommendation, and the seconding of said recommendation. I just finished watching it a little while ago and it certainly was brilliant.

To be honest though, I'm not sure if I understood it all. Is there like a site that discusses and explains all the plot, metaphors and subtext in a movie?

While I loved it and was certainly moved by it, probably still not one of my favourite movies of all time. Mainly because, correct me if I'm wrong, the multiprotaganist story linked the characters via a theme more than the actions that tie it all together.

I see this trend becoming more prevalent in modern day movie-making nowadays, notably Crash and Traffic my most recently watched, both critically acclaimed I believe.

Personally I am not a fan. I feel if you are going to go the multiprotaganist route, it should still only tell one story, not many stories, some slightly interwoven, linked together by a theme. All separate protaganists should be linked in the conclusion or beforehand IMO.

Maybe I will be lynched for saying this, that is, if anyone is reading this, but in some cases I feel scriptwriters do not have the skill to write a story from a multiprotaganist perspective. It is incredibly difficult to write a story with that many protaganists and tie it all together in the end, beyond just a common theme. I felt Crash was incredibly contrived and the characters stories did not come together in a satisfactory conclusion. Moments earlier in the film could be recognised as a set up, then when the pay off came you said, yep, there it is. I also do not feel that is an accurate representation of racism in society, I felt it was "convenient" racism.

Anyway, that's my personal opinion.

In saying that, and this should probably be in the movie review thread, Magnolia, um... 9.056 out of 10? Maybe higher if I find out I missed half of its meaning ha ha. No more suggestions? I've still got Children of Men and Insomnia left :)

[Azzaman]

Band of Brothers. If you haven't seen this classic series you need to get off (or on I suppose) your backside and watch it.

[D.C.]

But I guess I am alone... :(
Nah, probably more a case of this sort of thing being done before on here several times before and naturally fizzling out after the first couple of pages because everyone starts recommending the same stuff. ;)

To be honest though, I'm not sure if I understood it all. Is there like a site that discusses and explains all the plot, metaphors and subtext in a movie?
Here's an appreciation article/analysis on the film's structure and narrative(s). (http://www.sydfield.com/featured_magnolia.htm)

No more suggestions? I've still got Children of Men and Insomnia left :)
If you're still on a neo-noir binge after Insomnia, here's a few more classics just off the top of my head that you should absolutely check out (if you haven't already): Gone Baby Gone, Narc, Se7en, Hard Eight, The Lookout, Brick, Fargo, Blood Simple, The Pledge, Don't Look Now, The Usual Suspects, Body Heat, The Man Who Wasn't There, L.A. Confidential, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead.

[Jickle]

Magnolia is great. If you have an extra spare three and a half hours after that, I firmly believe that Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai is the single greatest film ever made. If you don't have that much time to spare, my favourite movie (there's a subtle distinction!) is This is Spinal Tap. I practically died laughing the first time I saw it.

[FrozenSoul80]

Children of Men. Only the best movie I have ever seen.

[sausage]

It's sodding well raining outside and all you neckbeard meatheads want to watch is violent man on man sex and ensemble wankery???

I laugh at you; haha.


The Sound of Music; seriously... great songs, Nazi's and Christopher Plummer. This is the family-friendly movie for the ages and the Swiss Alps have never looked better.

[proofreeder]

Thanks a lot DC and others :)

I will definitely at least try many of those suggestions.

Here are a couple of additions of my own. They're probably not my best ever movies, but hopefully they're not "mainstream" enough for everyone to have seen so I will suggest them.

ONCE: For those who enjoy music, a beautiful little story with some excellent songs. They used musicians instead of actors (thank God... stupid Moulin Rouge) but they do an amazing job, creating, especially the female, such immensely likeable characters. I could be wrong but I think it said on the cover it won an academy award for original music?

EDIT: There is a spoiler on the back of the DVD cover for anyone who can pick out the obvious. I would highly recommend not reading it!

BROTHER: Now I remember this movie as blowing me away back in the day. I'm hoping it's still as good as I remember it. Omar Epps, who I absolutely love, and a really famous Japanese actor/director that someone who knows the Japanese movie scene (I don't) would probably laugh at me for not knowing. It was a long time ago :P Japanese dude brings Yakuza to America. Zanity ensues. An interesting dirctorial style on this one also, the director apparently favouring only limited takes, resulting in a "realistic" and unique feel.

MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORRO: Possibly spelt wrong. Miyazaki, animated. I think Howl's moving castle or Spirited Away might be his most acclaimed, but this is my pick. I'm surprised it doesn't get mentioned more... hence my mentioning it. When I have kids, I'm definitely going to raise them on this over all that other mindless American nonsense exploiting the still developing (and poor tasted) minds of children nowadays. So unbelievably cute for those into that sort of thing. I've bought this as a present for two people now (one's still on order). Sometimes difficult to find (for me in Adelaide). Almost all of Miyazaki's work, as has been said before, is a must see. Aside from that stupid Wind Valley one or whatever the hell that was.

AMMADEUS: I dunnno how popular this one is but definitely worth checking out. Certainly an intriguing concept. The style of the movie may put you off initially for those raised on Hollywood, but if you can appreciate the depth behind the story I don't think you will be disappointed.

FROM DUSK TILL DAWN: Er, I'm sure everybody's seen this. Right? Right?!?

Regarding said suggestions:

Children of Men - my next movie after Insomnia and halfway through Interview with the Vampire.

I will try BoB at some stage.

Seven Samurai I have seen a long time ago but need to give another look considering how influential it apparently is in today's movies.

This is Spinal Tap, no shit, my mate was just talking about that the other night. Definitely check that one out.

Sound of Music - despite your "seriously" I am still going to assume you are joking. Growing up with two older sisters I was forcefed this movie in intolerably frequent doses, resulting in me sometimes spouting embarrassingly effeminite lyrics at inopportune times.

DC - awesome bro! Thanks for the site too. 7, Usual Suspects, LA confidential are all amazing, some of the best films I have ever seen. Brick and Fargo were intriguing, although Brick was over my head and Fargo was... I don't know what the hell Fargo was. It was designed like that, but William H Macy just made me so angry... ARGH!!! Actually, his role was not entirely disimilar to his role in Magnolia. THat's all I've seen out of those so I'll definitely check out the others and let you know what I think. That has increased my must see list substantially :D

If I can think of any other films I am missing I'll try and post.

Edit: Just checked out the link. It was on Magnolia and everything, ha ha thanks! I don't think I did too bad with my interpretation after all after reading that, but definitely added some insight. Will be using this a lot!

[Jickle]

MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORRO: Possibly spelt wrong. Miyazaki, animated. I think Howl's moving castle or Spirited Away might be his most acclaimed, but this is my pick. I'm surprised it doesn't get mentioned more... hence my mentioning it. When I have kids, I'm definitely going to raise them on this over all that other mindless American nonsense exploiting the still developing (and poor tasted) minds of children nowadays. So unbelievably cute for those into that sort of thing. I've bought this as a present for two people now (one's still on order). Sometimes difficult to find (for me in Adelaide). Almost all of Miyazaki's work, as has been said before, is a must see. Aside from that stupid Wind Valley one or whatever the hell that was.

Totoro is probably my favourite kid's film. Miyazaki crafted a perfectly innocent world, yet still mananged to fill it with serious issues (it's strongly suggested the mother has radiation poisoning), and the characters feel unbelievably real. I bought my four year old sister a copy last Christmas and she's obsessed with it.

[proofreeder]

That's interesting to note Jickle. I was wondering about children's reactions to it. I considered buying it for friends with young children for presents, now I definitely think I will. I am constantly amazed at mass media, how the most amazing a story can be translated into a simple disc worth only a few dollars (and sold for a bit more :P). This story given to an intelligent and impressionable young child could possibly have an impact on their formative years. I was an intelligent child and I wish someone had given this to me instead of the imagineless, incredibly patronising PG rated garbage I was forcefed.

The mother part, I forgot about that actually, I just remembered I loved it, now I remember why.

Here's a question, does anyone therefore know where I can purchase it cheap? I'm not good at buying things on the net, I'm not that net-savvy. I want to buy this for quite a few people now. The cheapest (and only) places I can find it are GAME (I think... might be game traders... I get confused between those two, they are next to each other in Marion) and JB for around 30, and I have to order it in. I'd like to find it for 20.

Anyway, I'm lazy, I haven't even bothered to google it yet, just thought I'd ask.

[Pai Mel]

http://thehut.pantherssl.com/productimg/1/100/dvd/89/671589_DV_M_F.JPG

My Neighbour Totoro PAL DVD

£7.43 - 10% off for 24 hours only (Enter HUT10 at shopping basket) from the thehut.com (http://www.thehut.com/hut/8479222.product)

£2.35 postage to OZ

Works out to ~$18.22 AUD total

[Jickle]

JB used to drop the price down to $20 every now and then, but they haven't done that for a while.

[proofreeder]

Awesome, thanks a lot Pai Mel.

I think I will get at least 3 copies.

[FrozenSoul80]

http://thehut.pantherssl.com/productimg/1/100/dvd/89/671589_DV_M_F.JPG

My Neighbour Totoro PAL DVD

£7.43 - 10% off for 24 hours only (Enter HUT10 at shopping basket) from the thehut.com (http://www.thehut.com/hut/8479222.product)

£2.35 postage to OZ

Works out to ~$18.22 AUD total
Hang on, do European DVDs work in our players? I thought they were region 2 (ours is 4). Be careful who you buy those for, Proofreader. Not everyone has access to region-free DVD players.

[Araenel]

I should try out Magnolia again sometime. I don't remember not liking it, but I can't think of many favourable memories either.

[LARZ]

http://thehut.pantherssl.com/productimg/1/100/dvd/89/671589_DV_M_F.JPG

My Neighbour Totoro PAL DVD

£7.43 - 10% off for 24 hours only (Enter HUT10 at shopping basket) from the thehut.com (http://www.thehut.com/hut/8479222.product)

£2.35 postage to OZ

Works out to ~$18.22 AUD total

I love that film :o

[Starscream]

The Wire.

JB special. Buy 2 seasons and get one free (S1 to S4 is $20 at the moment).

[proofreeder]

Hang on, do European DVDs work in our players? I thought they were region 2 (ours is 4). Be careful who you buy those for, Proofreader. Not everyone has access to region-free DVD players.

Good point. I'll still purchase at least one I think. I was going to check that out. Especially considering as I've mentioned previously I have 6 seasons of Oz I'm unable to watch on my DVD players (and I have 3 for Chrissakes, including my 360).

Actually, here's an interesting story. Well, actually maybe not that interesting.

I bought a Philips DVD recorder with HDD years ago and it was the shittest designed piece of shit ever designed. I sent it back time and time again to be repaired (well, twice, but it seemed like a lot), lack of reliability one of its many flaws. The last time it broke I left it for a year because I was so sick of it, then just before the warranty was going to run out I took it back to get fixed.

Luckily it was an obsolete model! So I got the newer model with a much bigger HDD as a replacement. I thought, this is going to be awesome, all the design flaws will be fixed :D

When I got it home, I was very excited, but found out they hadn't rectified certain glaring design issues.

And to make matters worse, THIS newer model didn't play my OZ dvd's whereas my older model did T.T

I've had a tough, tough life...

Edit: I'm thinking of buying that wire deal. It's supposed to be awesome yeah? I remember hearing about it somewhere.

[adam_91vn]

The Wire.

JB special. Buy 2 seasons and get one free (S1 to S4 is $20 at the moment).

Did not see that coming :rolleyes::p

[Starscream]

Did not see that coming :rolleyes::p

Ctrl+F: "The Wire" on pages 1 & 2 of this thread. Result: No matches. :P

[proofreeder]

MAY CONTAIN MAGNOLIA SPOILERS

Just wondering, when the little genius boy said to his father "You need to treat me better" and the father said go to bed twice, the second time he said go to bed, it seemed nicer than the first time, thus subtely indicating his change of attitude.

Is that how other people saw it? Or is that really obvious to everyone anyway?

I dunno, it was just a part I thought was really well done if I perceived it as intended, a really clever way of illustrating something.

Some people believe movie making is about getting your point across creatively and visually without using a sledgehammer.

[Pai Mel]

I ordered a copy of that Totoro for myself as well. I actually haven't seen it but I have seen Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. I'm probably too old to enjoi it now. When I was a child my main cartoons were those Han Christian Anderson ones early Sat. morning.

[FrozenSoul80]

I ordered a copy of that Totoro for myself as well. I actually haven't seen it but I have seen Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. I'm probably too old to enjoi it now. When I was a child my main cartoons were those Han Christian Anderson ones early Sat. morning.

You'll enjoy them. All the Studio Ghibli movies are very well made. My favourite was Kiki's Delivery Service.

[proofreeder]

Hello. I have hired "Before the Devil knows you're Dead", "The Man Who Wasn't There" and "Children of Men" which I am most looking forward to :), all weeklies, $2.95 for the first weekly and $1 after that! A bargain!

Anyway, next time I post I will let you know what I think of your recommendations DC and others because I am getting shitted off with other posters. I'm expecting big things!!! :)

Also, Pai Mel, I saw MNT for the first time in my 20s and I loved it, I'm hoping you will do the same. The joy of the animation alone is enough to warrant its purchase for adult and child alike.

See you later.

[Shorty]

Magnolia is great. If you have an extra spare three and a half hours after that, I firmly believe that Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai is the single greatest film ever made. If you don't have that much time to spare, my favourite movie (there's a subtle distinction!) is This is Spinal Tap. I practically died laughing the first time I saw it.

I will see your Spinal Tap and raise you Breaking Bad. It's your friggin' avatar, right now.

[proofreeder]

Ah crap, I forgot Spinal Tap.

[D.C.]

Hello. I have hired "Before the Devil knows you're Dead", "The Man Who Wasn't There" and "Children of Men" which I am most looking forward to :), all weeklies, $2.95 for the first weekly and $1 after that! A bargain!
Nice work. Just don't watch them all at once (re: too depressing :p).

[[m]averick]

More love for City of God. Unbelievable movie. Pretty close to a masterpiece I reckon.

And, I got into Oz for awhile on SBS a few years back, pretty brutal series. Would love to buy the boxsets and just smash the whole thing in a week.

[Lazlow]

Smash it like Chuck Zito smashes v-necks.

[Jickle]

averick;1100880']More love for City of God. Unbelievable movie. Pretty close to a masterpiece I reckon.

Close to? I'd quite comfortably label it a 'masterpiece'.

I'm rewatching Miller's Crossing right now. Probably my favourite gangster film - while I wouldn't say that it was neccessarily better than, say, the first two Godfather films, it is perhaps more clever and fun. An amazing film.

[proofreeder]

More love for City of God. Unbelievable movie. Pretty close to a masterpiece I reckon.

And, I got into Oz for awhile on SBS a few years back, pretty brutal series. Would love to buy the boxsets and just smash the whole thing in a week.

DOOOOO IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIITTT!!!

That is, if you would like to.

I spent a lot of effort on that OZ review. My fingertips were bleeding by the end of it. They're only now just starting to heal. But for real, I just can't recommend it highly enough. If you've seen some of it Maverick then you should know how great it is! :) :) :)

And to reiterate, if you love CoG, CoMen (the series not the movie) ain't bad either, but it is different :)

I'm watching Before the Devil Knows You're Dead to be followed by Children of Men (which I'm really looking forward to), double header.

BTDKYD is awesome (although slightly contrived - sorry it had to be added), I'm really enjoying Philip Seymor Hoffman's performance. Okay, back to the movies...

BTW, have many people seen "Once" besides myself?

P.S. That's me broke leg from playing football (soccer :P) as my picture, if anyone remembers me saying so. I just put it on.

[Jickle]

BTW, have many people seen "Once" besides myself?

I've seen it. Very nice film, even if feels like an ad for their album at times. :p

[proofreeder]

Ha ha, that's probably true. Nice ad though, better than the LCM's ones. What were those ads with Grant Hackett or possibly Ian Thorpe saying something like "Tell your Mum they're Totally Awesome" or something. Ah, it was something funnier than that, but I can't remember. God those ads were funny.