Dim Lights and Moving Pictures: Let's talk about films...

[momopi]

I just watched Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull. It features Robert de Niro and Joe Pesci.

Oh my God. It was so poignant, so gripping. I would hold the edges of my skirt every time there's a violent scene. There were no killings nor murders. Nobody died. But the violent segments were shot in a way that you'd feel violence is seeping through you. You see violence - in its ugly and disgusting form. But at the same time, it attracts you. No, not that you want to become violent as well. It's like it's enticing you to see more in this world of violence - you violence as entertainment.

I also loved the acting. I can't believe Robert de Niro gained 60lbs just to portray an older, fatter Jake La Motta. It's amazing - the lengths an actor would go through for his art. Of course, I also love the way the film was shot. I'm a sucker for good composition. The long first segment where La Motta/ de Niro was warming up in the ring was brilliant. The prison scene where he said, "I'm not an animal!" was equally compelling as well. The montage of his fights and growing relationship with Vickie in the first half of the film was just as wonderful. And of course, who can forget that slow shot of Sugar Ray Robinson while La Motta was waiting to be punched? Beauty.

The soothing music in the background provided a good antithesis to the excessive violence portrayed. Good choice.

My other favorites?
So many! 

You share first!!!   



*Dim Lights and Moving Pictures: Let's talk about films... = films watched at home are perfectly okay *

[pianochick93]

I really like Stardust, I am a romantic at heart, and though it is predictable, is a source of enjoyment to me every time I watch it.

Pirates of the Caribbean is excellent as well, but as for films that really gripped me, Hide and Seek was good.

[db05]

Wow, there are many... And I'm not even into movies like my siblings are.

Fight Club has to be my current favorite. I love Brad Pitt in this role. Good story, btw did you catch the subliminal advertising? Watch it again, and catch the surprise picture at the end... 

Japanese films are most gripping for me. End of Evangelion brought me to tears. Akira is also thought-provoking. Akira Kurosawa is a great Japanese director. I loved his movies Yume (Dreams) and Rhapsody in August (starring Richard Gere  ).

French movies are fun and sexy. Only watched 2 movies, both are good- Love Me if You Dare (Jeux d' Enfants) and Amelie.

[goldentone]

The Illusionist was a great picture.  I thought it was in the vein and quality of Hitchcock.  The acting was gripping, Edward Norton was superb, and the ambient wash it was treated in created quite a romantic and mysterious atmosphere.  I highly recommend it.

[momopi]

I have a soft spot for Wong Kar Wai's films... esp In The Mood for Love... a beautifully-structured and a wonderfully-photographed film.

The soundtracks are to die for too... 

[momopi]

Nobody likes movies?

Too bad, I wanted to talk about Jackass... 
Such a cute, stupid movie.
Me and my sister love it.   

[thalbergmad]

I would hold the edges of my skirt every time there's a violent scene. 

Strange, i do exactly the same.

Thal

[sharon_f]

Randomly:

Citizen Kane
All About Eve
High Noon
It's A Wonderful Life
North By Northwest
To Kill A Mocking Bird
Day for Night
The Conversation
Bonnie & Clyde
The Go-Between
The Godfather
Terms of Endearment
Death In Venice
Ran
Fanny & Alexander
La Strada
Chinatown
Dreamchild
Badlands
Days of Heaven
2001
Clockwork Orange
The Lives of Others
Alice's Restaurant
Five Easy Pieces
Cries and Whispers
Breaking The Waves
Hilary and Jackie
The Tin Drum
Stand By Me
The Others
Blue
The Sacrifice
On The Waterfront
The Bicycle Thief
Cinema Paradiso
Garden of the Finzi-Contini
Boys Don't Cry
E.T.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Bells of St. Mary's
Going My Way
Casablanca
The African Queen
The Deer Hunter
The Killing Fields
Claire's Knee
Forbidden Games
Paths of Glory
............. just to name a few. 

[popdog]

No one's mentioned a Bond movie yet.  Well at least I can't wait for Nov 27...

[momopi]

Randomly:

Citizen Kane
All About Eve
High Noon
It's A Wonderful Life
North By Northwest
To Kill A Mocking Bird
Day for Night
The Conversation
Bonnie & Clyde
The Go-Between
The Godfather
Terms of Endearment
Death In Venice
Ran
Fanny & Alexander
La Strada
Chinatown
Dreamchild
Badlands
Days of Heaven
2001
Clockwork Orange
The Lives of Others
Alice's Restaurant
Five Easy Pieces
Cries and Whispers
Breaking The Waves
Hilary and Jackie
The Tin Drum
Stand By Me
The Others
Blue
The Sacrifice
On The Waterfront
The Bicycle Thief
Cinema Paradiso
Garden of the Finzi-Contini
Boys Don't Cry
E.T.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Bells of St. Mary's
Going My Way
Casablanca
The African Queen
The Deer Hunter
The Killing Fields
Claire's Knee
Forbidden Games
Paths of Glory
............. just to name a few. 

you have a very good taste. but somehow it looks like it's taken from a top movie list from asome mainstream american magazine/newspaper...

why not try the iranian movie "children of heaven' for a change?
or maybe Filipino movies from the marcos era?
i heard the french-vietnamese production " the scent of green papaya" is very good.

hongkong/chinese/taiwanese cinema in the 90s are very popular, i'm surprised you never mentioned them. "eat, drink, man, woman" "city of sadness" "chungking express" among others...

citizen kane is very well received in cinema circles but it too old for my taste.
if you want to go for old, why not try the 1925 silent Russian film, "Battleship Potemkin," or the 1924 abstract french film "ballet mecanique?"



 
Momopi

[pianoplayer88]

Romeo and Juliet with Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting. That one's really good.

[pianogeek_cz]

Am I blind, or was Forrest Gump not mentioned yet?
Simplicius Simplicissimus of the 20th century. Amazing.