quote:

Originally posted by Deus ex machina:
I know a top 10 film list for each year is not the best way to do this but go to wiki and just do a scan back at the top ten films for each year (type in "(each year) in film" and as you go back they definitely do get more memorable. I did it with decadel gaps.

Many films are overlooked, not appreciated, or unseen at time of release. It's only after a few years that the cream rise to the top of these list.

"Raging Bull" which critics rate as the best film of the 80s, was derided by the very same critics at time of release.

"It's A Wonderful Life" did'nt become a "classic" until the 50s.

I'm not sure I agree?

Two of my favourite films of recent years, have been As Good as it Gets and LA Confidential.......I also very much enjoyed The Usual Suspects and Shrek!

What can I say, I just enjoy what I enjoy.

quote:

Originally posted by hardwon:
I'm not sure I agree?

Two of my favourite films of recent years, have been As Good as it Gets and LA Confidential.......I also very much enjoyed The Usual Suspects and Shrek!

What can I say, I just enjoy what I enjoy.

But most of those are ten years old! I'm only talking about the last couple of years as far as the empty soulless thing is concerned.

quote:

Originally posted by MrDB:

quote:

Originally posted by Deus ex machina:
I know a top 10 film list for each year is not the best way to do this but go to wiki and just do a scan back at the top ten films for each year (type in "(each year) in film" and as you go back they definitely do get more memorable. I did it with decadel gaps.

Many films are overlooked, not appreciated, or unseen at time of release. It's only after a few years that the cream rise to the top of these list.

"Raging Bull" which critics rate as the best film of the 80s, was derided by the very same critics at time of release.

"It's A Wonderful Life" did'nt become a "classic" until the 50s.

That's in critics eyes - I'm talking about making your own mind up. I never liked Raging Bull at the time and I still don't like it now.

quote:

Originally posted by TheSingularity:
Surely what is soul is relative to the viewer and purely an objectvie viewpoint?

Something that makes you give a damn about the characters. I have always said that for me I have to care and/or identify/sympathise/empathise with at least one of the characters for any film to be enjoyable.

quote:

Originally posted by Deus ex machina:
That's in critics eyes - I'm talking about making your own mind up. I never liked Raging Bull at the time and I still don't like it now.

So when you mentioned the top film lists, are you writing about top films commercially or top film artistically?

But if you asked us all to list our Top Ten films of the last decade, I suspect they would be very varied Deus.

I am not much of a film "buff", and I tend not to watch "reviews" of films as I think they are often pretentious and sneer at films which are pure "entertainment".

There are plenty of people who will jump on the bandwagon of "adoring" the latest Swedish offering just because some critic declared it a "masterpiece".

It's like art or music for me, I like what I like.

As bad as Hollywood is - I think British cinema is even worse - since Four Weddings we have been subjected to terrible British Comedy after terrible British comedy - trying to recapture the Great Ealing comedy - without either writing or the acting talent.

I don't go to the cinema often because I don't like action films or romance films or most hollywood "comedy". But most of the things I have bothered to go and see I have really enjoyed. The lives of others and no country for old men are not souless in my opinion. Even Juno, which I watched at the weekend and expected to be just o.k, was really good and the leading actress made the film.

does american history x count as a modern tragedy?

May I offer Million Dollar Baby, American Beauty, Shawshank, Seven, Usual Suspects, Truly Madly Deeply, Last of the Samurais, Bill and Ted, ...

quote:

Originally posted by zchabj5:
does american history x count as a modern tragedy?

Mississippi burning was a fine film.

I agree with Plumtree although the arrival of Film4 and occasionally BBC4 have redressed somewhat the lack of foreign language films (I love New Wave films and Neo-realismo).

Addressing Deus's point, I couldn't agree more. When was the last time de Niro starred in a really good film? Also why is there a tendency for everything to be shot in total darkness? I can't tell what's going on half the time as the director turns off the lights to presumably add mood and atmosphere. They should look at some of the wonderful American film noirs of the 40s, where you are gripped by the tension but can tell what is going on (Build My Gallows High).

you me and everyone we know, pan's labyrinth, talk to her, las king of scotland was ok, crash was unsusual, there will be blood has good reviews,

mystic river was very good,

quote:

Originally posted by zchabj5:
does american history x count as a modern tragedy?

Yes but my problem is with more recent films.

The Queen brought back a lot of nostalgia, 1997 hhhmmm?

quote:

Originally posted by miss_allin:
As bad as Hollywood is - I think British cinema is even worse - since Four Weddings we have been subjected to terrible British Comedy after terrible British comedy - trying to recapture the Great Ealing comedy - without either writing or the acting talent.

Brassed Off was brilliant.

quote:

Originally posted by MrDB:

quote:

Originally posted by Deus ex machina:
That's in critics eyes - I'm talking about making your own mind up. I never liked Raging Bull at the time and I still don't like it now.

So when you mentioned the top film lists, are you writing about top films commercially or top film artistically?

Commercially, but only because it was the easiest to check back on and certainly not because they were the best films of those years.

Shaun of the Dead? Hot Fuzz?

Got to be better than British cinema of the 70s - Confessions of a Window Cleaner? On the Buses?

quote:

Originally posted by Giovanni L:
Shaun of the Dead? Hot Fuzz?

Got to be better than British cinema of the 70s - Confessions of a Window Cleaner? On the Buses?

The Long Good Friday, Get Carter..

Depends where you live, but in any decent sized city you shouldn't have to watch blockbuster movies at all. I very rarely go to multiplexes, as we have two fantastic independent cinemas to choose from, the only problem being catching all the great films before they're gone.

Brilliant films are being released all the time, but you won't usually find them in multiplexes.

Best recent British film for me is Dead Man's Shoes.

I watch at least six new films a month and I am almost invariably disappointed. Believe it or not one of the surprises I did enjoy was Transformers.

quote:

Originally posted by MrDB:
Best recent British film for me is Dead Man's Shoes.

I agree.
Paddy Considine is a fantastic actor.