Help me become less movie-challenged.

I've never been much a movie watcher. Usually, I'm too interested in listening to new music, or some TV series or another to make time to watch. (and I don't particularly enjoy movies as a social activity because I'm pretty much incapable of splitting my attention.) But, after my dismal performance in this thread: http://www.mellophant.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11017 I'm beginning to feel like maybe I'm missing something.

In any case, I had today off so I decided to watch Citizen Kane. I liked it a lot, although the Simpsons writers are correct. It's like I'd already seen half the movie in bits and pieces on that show. :P

Anyway, I would like your input, Mellos. Which classic, shouldn't be missed, (whether they made the AFI list or not.) movies should I watch next?

Two that are practically impossible to be disappointed in are "Casablanca" and "The Maltese Falcon". Sharp, sharp writing (Falcon has whole pages that are pretty much lifted from the novel), great casts, and Bogart's line readings which, sort of Jerry Seinfeld's, are totally bizarre and yet somehow work.

Thanks, Rube. And I will keep both of those in mind. I imagine Casablanca will be another movie that, because of various pop culture references, I will feel like I've already seen half of.

Because we're watching it in my English class, I'm reminded you need to see The Godfather. At very least the first movie. They're slow, but so good.

I agree - Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon should be high on the list, as shoudl the first 2 Godfather movies.

The Philadelphia Story is also not to be missed.

The very first movie that came to mind for me was The Magnificent Seven, but I don't know if you like Westerns.

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Originally posted by Taumpy

Thanks, Rube. And I will keep both of those in mind. I imagine Casablanca will be another movie that, because of various pop culture references, I will feel like I've already seen half of.

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There is that, yes. But it's still good as a whole.

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Originally posted by Orual

The very first movie that came to mind for me was The Magnificent Seven, but I don't know if you like Westerns.

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For the purposes of this thread, I have no preferences or prejudices. I am a blank slate.

Also, The Godfather is the next movie I'll be watching either tonight or tomorrow.

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Originally posted by Orual

The very first movie that came to mind for me was The Magnificent Seven, but I don't know if you like Westerns.

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I'd be very tempted to do this as a double feature with The Seven Samurai as the other film. Both are classic films, but filtered through very different cultural lenses. (AIUI, The Magnificent Seven was a deliberate adaptation of Kurosawa's film.)


I think that Das Boot is one of the best war movies, ever.

I'd also suggest seeing The Dirty Dozen. This is less a great movie, than simply a fun, and influential film.

Well if you really like Citizen Kane then the hard part is over. It is very old, B&W and fairly slow by today's standards. It is also a masterpiece of course.

What are some other movies you do like? I can use that to at least suggest some others.

BTW: The Simpsons alone have done a lot of Citizen Kane. So much of that movie has created or strongly reinforced tropes that I have to completely agree with the Simpsons writers. The same thing has happened with the Godfather. I know people who only saw it after more recent films and so felt the plot was already done. :)

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Originally posted by What Exit?

What are some other movies you do like? I can use that to at least suggest some others.

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Actually, I think you should be basing your suggestions on the opposite of my normal movie viewing, as those tend to be bad horror movies, bad action movies, and dumb comedies. Notice the pattern? :p

Another question to ask is what you're aiming to get from watching these movies. An understanding of the history of filmmaking? The films that are or were the most culturally relevant? Or just finding the entertaining gems out of the past?


Random suggestions:
A Clockwork Orange (not for the squeamish, but not extreme by modern standards)
The Maltese Falcon for more Bogey.
M (dir. Fritz Lang) as a social metaphor, just as relevant now as it ever was.
Brazil Terry Gilliam's masterpiece.
American Graffiti - back when George Lucas didn't know he couldn't direct, and just told his story.
Lawrence of Arabia - but if you have a really big-screen TV or can see it in a theater, it'll be far better.

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Originally posted by parzival

The films that are or were the most culturally relevant? Or just finding the entertaining gems out of the past?

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Both of these. Also, because like I said I have usually been rather focused on music. Lately I've been feeling kind bored with finding new music to listen to, and so it seems like a good opportunity to explore something else.

In any case, I just watched The Godfather, and I don't know how I feel about it yet. It was interesting, but I don't really come away feeling much for the characters.

Like some others here, I really feel like I need more input in what you are looking for. There are thousands of movies out there, after all.

Since you liked Citizen Kane, I will say The Third Man, The Magnificent Ambersons, and uh let's throw Face in the Crowd in there as another portrait of a morally dubious media magnate.

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Originally posted by Taumpy

Also, because like I said I have usually been rather focused on music.

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Have you seen The Commitments? Fame? A Hard Day's Night?

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Originally posted by Myrnalene

Have you seen The Commitments? Fame? A Hard Day's Night?

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No, to all three.

When it comes to movies, aside from things that I've seen solely to enjoy how bad they are, you really have to think of me as a strange visitor from another planet. The list of what I haven't seen is impressively long. That's why I wasn't listing preferences.

For that matter the original Blues Brothers is one-half very funny film and one-half a Blues and Blues Rock show.

From the list I gave, I think American Graffiti would be a good choice. Slice of life from the 1960's with a classic soundtrack and Wolfman Jack.

..you HAVE seen Rocky Horror Picture Show, right?

Yeah, Rabbit. I have seen that. Wasn't too crazy about it, though.

Taumpy, that is not a classic movie but an experience. It does not work at home, at home it is just a campy movie. Rocky Horror was an interactive event and that is what made it special. So don't worry about Rocky Horror.

West Side Story is one of the truly great musicals if you want to try a musical. Singing in the Rain of course has the most famous number in movie musical history.

I think and hope you might like classic Comedies like "Harvey" and "Arsenic and Old Lace".

Then there are the Marx Brothers. Any of these classics should work but the ones I bolded are probably the best to start with.
Animal Crackers (1930)
Monkey Business (1931)
Horse Feathers (1932)
Duck Soup (1933)
A Night at the Opera (1935)
A Day at the Races (1937)

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Originally posted by Taumpy

...you really have to think of me as a strange visitor from another planet.

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Klaatu, dat you?

Good theme: visitor from another planet.

The Day the Earth Stood Still.

The Thing from anther Planet.

The Man who fell to Earth.

Starman.

Lots of good suggestions, thanks guys!

To kind of expand on what I said earlier about what I was looking for: I feel completely ignorant about an entire section of our "shared cultural heritage". I'm no expert on art or literature either, but I know I like Impressionists and that I really hated The Scarlett Letter. Movies? Unless you're talking about Star Wars or Indiana Jones or something I don't know jack. I just got to thinking that a well rounded adult ought to be more aware. And of course, it's always good to broaden one's horizons.

Casablanca is the classic that I enjoyed the most.

The writing is so sharp, the characters so compelling that it's hard not to lose yourself in the story.

Really, some of the best dialogue in a movie I've have seen.

And Bogie is freakin awesome.

Hmm... another theme for you: Cary Grant. He is simply a fun actor, who often had some interesting and enjoyable scripts to work with. I'm going to highlight a couple of my favorites with him. (But not Bringing Up Baby, because I hate that film with the rage of a thousand suns.)


People Will Talk

I Was a Male War Bride

Father Goose

Not, perhaps, classics on the level of the AFI 100, but all good, solid, enjoyable films.

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Originally posted by Taumpy

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In any case, I just watched The Godfather, and I don't know how I feel about it yet. It was interesting, but I don't really come away feeling much for the characters.

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This is almost exactly my reaction to the Godfather films (which my two brothers, along with many other people, love)...I can see they're well made but I don't care enough about the characters to really be interested in what happens to them.

My response to the original post circa 1982:

Be sure to check your local TV listings to see when these movies are playing. I know CBS runs Matlese Falcon at least once a year on it's The Late Movie.

Otherwise, I know some local art-house theaters run classics from time-to-time. Good luck!

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Originally posted by Oliveloaf

My response to the original post circa 1982:

Be sure to check your local TV listings to see when these movies are playing. I know CBS runs Matlese Falcon at least once a year on it's The Late Movie.

Otherwise, I know some local art-house theaters run classics from time-to-time. Good luck!

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Yeah, in the old days if you didn't live in a decent sized city or a college town you were more or less SOL if you wanted to see anything other than current mainstream releases.

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Originally posted by Taumpy

Lots of good suggestions, thanks guys!

To kind of expand on what I said earlier about what I was looking for: I feel completely ignorant about an entire section of our "shared cultural heritage". I'm no expert on art or literature either, but I know I like Impressionists and that I really hated The Scarlett Letter. Movies? Unless you're talking about Star Wars or Indiana Jones or something I don't know jack. I just got to thinking that a well rounded adult ought to be more aware. And of course, it's always good to broaden one's horizons.

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Well, then the AFI list is a decent place to start. Try not to make a chore out of it though, or you might burn yourself out. Start with only the movies that have plot descriptions that interest you, or actors or directors you like. Then seek out films similar to what you liked, with the same actors etc. Eventually you will start to develop a taste, and as your knowledge base expands you will start to develop your own list of films you want to see. Remember this isn't a homework assignment you are giving yourself, you will be more likely to keep at it if you are enjoying it.

Turner Classic Movies. If your cable/satellite carrier doesn't have it, shame on them. You get to watch all the greats for free, and they'll usually have a theme on the weekend, such as all Bogey or all sci-fi or whatever.

Since so many of you suggested it, I watched Casablanca earlier today, and that was well worth it. Unlike The Godfather, I actually did come to care about the characters, and found the ending rather moving even though I knew what was going to happen and basically every line of dialogue in the last ten minutes (thank you, cartoons).

Didn't comment on this before:

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Originally posted by What Exit?

Well if you really like Citizen Kane then the hard part is over. It is very old, B&W and fairly slow by today's standards.

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Slow doesn't bother me, and I have never even remotely understood why people have an issue with black and white.

Tom, I would be remiss in not throwing my hat into this mix.

I'm calling Flash Gordon (I think you would love love LOVE this), Barbarella (super gay), and Twilight: Eclipse -- which you will probably find as laugh out loud hysterical as I did.

All of which can also be enjoyed in Black & White, other languages, subtitling, and in pieces. I'd tell you to watch Xanadu, but I really mean, watch the muses roller skate and the ending scene and you've seen all you need to.

I love Xanadu. <3

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Originally posted by Taumpy

Since so many of you suggested it, I watched Casablanca earlier today, and that was well worth it. Unlike The Godfather, I actually did come to care about the characters, and found the ending rather moving even though I knew what was going to happen and basically every line of dialogue in the last ten minutes (thank you, cartoons).

Didn't comment on this before:


Slow doesn't bother me, and I have never even remotely understood why people have an issue with black and white.

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I love Casablanca, it is one of the most quoted and quotable movies.

As to the B&W part I don't get it but it is one of the most common complaints I here.

After slacking off for quite a while I resumed my movie watching today:

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Originally posted by Orual

The very first movie that came to mind for me was The Magnificent Seven, but I don't know if you like Westerns.

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And I watched this. I liked it quite a lot. But yeah, I do like action movies, so a western was an easy choice for me. I enjoyed all the little funny moments. Also, thank you Orual, now I have a Yul Brynner mancrush. :P Might've been the character, though.

And also, I usually really enjoy film scores done by Elmer Bernstein, and this was no exception.

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Originally posted by Taumpy

Also, thank you Orual, now I have a Yul Brynner mancrush. :P Might've been the character, though.

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You're welcome.

Man, I wish I could watch it right now, but my DVDs are packed. In addition to Yul, I really appreciate the superb performance by Steve McQueen's butt. (The Great Escape is also good for that.)

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Originally posted by Taumpy

And also, I usually really enjoy film scores done by Elmer Bernstein, and this was no exception.

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It's like the quintessential cowboy theme song. <3 (For all cowboys who are not Clint Eastwood.) By the way: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.

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Originally posted by Orual

By the way: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.

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I will definitely keep this one in mind.


Today I watched The Maltese Falcon and I was kind of unmoved by it. I'm really kind of bothered by shoehorned romances, and I see no reason why Bogart's character should have had any conflicted feelings toward whatsherface.

Actually I think Outlaw Josey Wales is Clint's most memorable Western and a great action flick with some great comedy moments was Kelly's Heroes. The cast was amazing and exceeded expectations. Also watch especially for the unknown at the time Carroll O'Conner. His role in this film brought him to the notice of the casting team for All in the Family.

Of Bogie's films, Maltese Falcon was very good but Casablanca was the greater. Give it a chance at some point.

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Originally posted by Taumpy

Today I watched The Maltese Falcon and I was kind of unmoved by it. I'm really kind of bothered by shoehorned romances, and I see no reason why Bogart's character should have had any conflicted feelings toward whatsherface.

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I think that's partially due to Mary Astor's sub-par acting skills. For a more believable Bogey/femme fatale romance, try The Big Sleep. Bogart + Bacall = awesomesauce.

Well, I wasn't taken with the actress at all, no. But I don't think that was it. Her character wasn't fleshed out to my satisfaction to believe he would fall in love with her that quickly. Either that, or his character is a complete moron that is swayed by any lady that walks into his life. Either way, I'm underwhelmed. (And look, his secretary was a pretty neat lady in comparison but he didn't seem the least bit interested in her.)

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Originally posted by Taumpy

(And look, his secretary was a pretty neat lady in comparison but he didn't seem the least bit interested in her.)

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Well, come on, you can't respect a woman for her personality/abilities and want to screw her! That's madness!