The Best New Film That You Have Seen

Discussion of programming on TCM.
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ken123
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The Best New Film That You Have Seen

Post by ken123 »

Being an eccentric recluse that never leaves the house I am unable to make a nomination, and anyway I stole this thread from the TCM Boards. :wink:
Mr. Arkadin
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Post by Mr. Arkadin »

I like a lot of different kinds of films. As far as what to recommend to a TCM viewer who mainly enjoys classic films:

1. Millers Crossing (1990)

A nice little homage to the gangster/noir genre. This film borrows bits from "The Glass Key", "Third Man", and other classics, but still retains it's own identity.

It's also got a wonderful dark sense of humor and some of the great old style lines we are used to hearing ("You gave me the high hat!").

2. Ju Dou (1990)

Imagine "The Postman Rings Twice" set in 1920's China and you will have a general idea for this film.

Zhang Yimou's sense of color is beautiful and breathtaking. That's important because color ties into the plots of his early films. Gong Li is truly one of the most beautiful women of our time and also one of THE great actresses.

3. Unforgiven (1992)

I should not have to say anything about this film. You should have seen it already!

Probably the last great western ever made.

4. Delicatessen (1991)

An insane black comedy about the near future where there is great famine. A certain landord of an apartment complex has found a means of finding food--they hire it!

Taking in a young janitor (who will soon be on the menu) the owner finds difficulty when his nearsighted daughter (who buys two of everything because she always breaks one of the items!) falls in love with the young man.

5. The Remains of the Day (1993)

For some reason the critics loved Anthony Hopkins in "Silence of the Lambs" and panned this film in which he has a much deeper and more subtle role.

A great film with great acting from a great cast. What do critics know anyway?

6. Porco Rosso (1992)

Often termed "The Animie Casablanca", this is a wonderful film that the whole family can enjoy yet still has deep themes and issues for adults.

Porco is a flying ace who has turned his back on humanity after losing his friends in "The Great War" (WW1). Great animation that is beautiful to behold.

7. Of Mice and Men (1992)

The best rendition of this story I have ever seen (yes the 39 version as well). Malkovich and Senise played this on Broadway and Senise directed the film himself to get things the way he wanted.

This is one of the few films that can measure up to a great story.

8. Short Cuts (1993)

Robert Altmans last classic. In the tradition of "Nashville", tons of characters weave together stories and lives to create a complex picture of modern life.

Sometimes funny/sometimes hearbreaking, Short Cuts is a modern classic.

9. Dark City (1998)

An interesting film that blends Noir and SiFi in the tradition of "Blade Runner" while creating something entirely new.

People fall asleep in a city where it's always night and wake up to find themselves in different roles every evening. Shots are rich looking and not modern computer animation.

10. Of Gods and Monsters (1998)

An interesting view of legendary director James Whale's last days. Ian McKellan and Brendan Frasier are superb as aging director and young gardener who strike up an unlikely frendship.

Also, look for Lynn Regrave as Whale's maid who provides great comic relief and insights into his personal life.

You might also check out:
Raise the Red Lantern (1991)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Hoop Dreams (1994)
It WAS a Wonderful Life (1993)
Crumb (1993)
Ed Wood (1994)
The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl (2003)
Resevoir Dogs (1992)
My Voyage to Italy (1998)
Memento (2000)
Farewell My Concubine (1993)
Downfall (2004)
Mother Night (1996)
Blind Spot: Hitler's Secratary (2002)
Naked (1993)
To Live (1994)
White (1994)
Red (1994)
The Double life of Veronique (1991)
Jackie Brown (1997)
Theremin: An Electronic Odyessy (1993)
The Train (2003)
Maximillan (1995)
Schindler's List (1993)
Princess Mononoke (1997)
The Audition (2002)
Last edited by Mr. Arkadin on April 17th, 2007, 6:16 am, edited 6 times in total.
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mongoII
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Post by mongoII »

Just watched "Capote" for the first time and thought Philip Seymour Hoffman was mesmerizing in the title role.
Also very good were "King Kong", and "United 93" although depressing.
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ken123
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New Films

Post by ken123 »

I will have to try to catch some of your picks. Thank You. :D
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mrsl
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Post by mrsl »

I am mesmerized by 'The Lake House'. I saw it for the first time Friday. I believe it was totally panned by critics, and some people have trouble keeping track of what is happening, but, being a great fan of time travel, and time displacement, I did fine. I did watch it a second time on Sunday to catch a few things I thought I had missed.

This is partly why I prefer watching movies at home on the movie channels because I can rewatch in case of missing something. In a movie theater there are so many distractions. Something as simple as a person changing position that you catch out of the corner of your eye can distract you.


Anyway, some people said it was slow moving and boring in spots. I found the exact opposite. I thought it never stopped from beginning to end. Part of the reason could be the stars - I've never seen Sandra Bullock in anything I didn't like, and although Keanu Reeves is not my idea of the perfect man, I very much prefer him as the romantic than the action man.

You know the story. Somehow letters are delivered by some time warp between two people over a period of 4 years and they finally meet at the end. The background of both lives takes in a lot of soul searching, and attempts at bonding with parents and friends, mainly on Reeves side. His story is actually quite true to life regarding his relationship with his Dad, and she has a few spells of self doubt also.

It all ties up in a nice ribbon and bow at the end, but I think it is worthy of a second viewing for those who didn't care for it at first viewing.

Anne
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bobhopefan1940
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Post by bobhopefan1940 »

The Pursuit Of Happyness is one of the most recent that I suggest to people... I believe it to be one of the best modern films in 10 years, that's how strong my fondness is towards it.

But when I think about modern movies, such films as Benny & Joon, Road To Perdition, and About A Boy come instantly to mind.
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Post by SSO Admins »

bobhopefan1940 wrote:But when I think about modern movies, such films as Benny & Joon, Road To Perdition, and About A Boy come instantly to mind.
I agree about the first two, but I didn't like "About a Boy." I like Nick Hornby's writing, and much preferred "High Fidelity" as a faithful adaptation of his novel.
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vallo
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Post by vallo »

I just saw "Blood Diamond (2006)" forget Leonardo DiCaprio ( he was pretty good) but the real star is Djimon Hounsou who stole every scene he was in.

vallo
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Rusty
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Capote and High Fidelity

Post by Rusty »

Capote is good not only because of the terrific performance by Philip Seymour Hoffmann, but also the movie lacks the "kitchen sink" approach to plot. I like the fact screenwriter Dan Futterman stayed focused on the relationship between Truman Capote and Perry Smith. Capote could have so easily strayed into a Perry Smith biography (already covered in the movie In Cold Blood), or a biography of Truman Capote (at least one movie's worth of material). Capote stays focused and the movie clearly presents a complex subject...is it okay to take advantage of a killer because you think you are creating something important?

I know the following is a knee-jerk response to seeing the movie title...High Fidelity. I can't help myself. If you have not watched the movie High Fidelity and plan to watch...do not watch an edited, prime time friendly, commercial channel High Fidelity. I watched the edited version and the dvd version. If I remember correctly, the edited version deletes approximately 90 percent of Jack Black's High Fidelity character. Jack Black is the best thing in High Fidelity. I still cannot believe editors erased Jack Black from the movie...what were they thinking?

I see the recent movie The Queen is now on dvd. I guess I will rent the disk.

Rusty
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Moraldo Rubini
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Favorite New Films

Post by Moraldo Rubini »

If you don't mind, I'll transfer my list from the TCM Board. I kept this updated over there, and referred to it often. I'd like to be able to do the same here:

1998
Central Station
Elizabeth
Gods and Monsters
Living Out Loud
Little Voice
Opposite of Sex
Out of Sight
Velvet Goldmine

1999
All About My Mother
American Beauty
Being John Malkovich
Election
Fight Club
The Matrix
Sixth Sense
Summer of Sam
Sweet and Lowdown
Talented Mr. Ripley
Three Kings

2000
Almost Famous
Before Night Falls
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Finding Forrester
High Fidelity
Kilometre 0
Memento
Requiem for a Dream
You Can Count on Me

2001
Adventures of Felix
Beautiful Mind
Enigma
Gosford Park
Ghost World
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
In the Bedroom
Le Placard
Legally Blonde
O
Shipping News
Y Tu Mama Tambien

2002
25th Hour
About Schmidt
Adaptation
Barbershop
Catch Me If You Can
Chicago
Far From Heaven
Good Girl
The Hours
Igby Goes Down
Minority Report
The Pianist

2003
American Splendor
Elf
In America
Lost in Translation
Mudge Boy
Pieces of April
Station Agent

2004
Motorcycle Diaries
La Mala Educacion
The Sea Inside
Hotel Rwanda
Ray
Kinsey
Millions
Sideways
Walk on Water

2005
40 Year Old Virgin
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Crash
In Her Shoes
Jarhead
Junebug
Mad Hot Ballroom
Shopgirl
Transamerica
The World's Fastest Indian
Everything Is Illuminated

2006
Find Me Guilty
Tsotsi
The Devil Wears Prada
Quinceañera
SherryBaby
The Science of Sleeping
The Queen
Casino Royale
Dreamgirls
The Good Shepherd
For Your Consideration

2007
Miss Potter
Notes on a Scandal
Volver
Little Children
The Painted Veil
Year of the Dog
Knocked Up
Atonement
Last edited by Moraldo Rubini on December 17th, 2007, 1:58 am, edited 4 times in total.
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Kyle In Hollywood
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Post by Kyle In Hollywood »

Anybody see the pair of French films My Father's Glory and My Mother's Castle? Two of the very few newer films I really admire. If you check them out, definitely start with My Father's Glory as My Mother's Castle is a sequel to the first film.

I forget when and how I came across them (early Bravo?) but was completely enchanted with them. Then again, most childhood "memoirs" usually are charming, aren't they? (Cinema Paradiso anyone?)

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sugarpuss
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Post by sugarpuss »

Moraldo (although my mind still insists on thinking of you as Jack Burley!), I'm glad to see that someone else enjoyed The Opposite of Sex, as that's one of my "current" favorites. I always thought that was a pretty perfect movie in every way. I love the relationship between Lyle Lovett and Lisa Kudrow. It's also one of Christina Ricci's best performances, along with Buffalo 66 (another one of my "current" favorites).

I don't watch a lot of newer movies (in fact, before I started watching classics, I never really thought of myself as a movie person!), but I've always loved all of those Christopher Guest movies (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind). I still haven't seen 'For Your Consideration' though. I also really loved 'Election', 'American Splendor', 'The Station Agent' and the remake of 'King Kong'.

As for sillier movies, I've always gotten a kick out of 'Wet Hot American Summer', 'Serial Mom' and I absolutely love 'Office Space'. I think everyone in my age group does. It's almost like a unwritten law.

I've been wanting to see 'The Lake House' and 'Capote' for awhile, so I'm happy to see so many positive recommendations in this thread. They're on the OnDemand channels this month, so I'm looking forward to watching those.
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Moraldo Rubini
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Opposite of Sex

Post by Moraldo Rubini »

Sugar, are you aware that a musical version of The Opposite of Sex as been making the rounds in various workshops? Douglas J. Cohen has written the music and lyrics. It hit San Francisc a couple of years ago, and played the Berkshires last summer. I imagine it'll eventually hit New York...
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sandykaypax
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Post by sandykaypax »

mrsl, I liked The Lake House, too. I got it from my local library because I like Sandra Bullock. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. The premise is far-fetched, but the performances by Bullock and Keanu Reeves were so sincere that it won me over.

I saw Capote in the theatre--loved it. Recently I watched the other Truman Capote film, Infamous, starring Tobey Jones as Capote. I do think that overall, Capote is the better film, but Infamous was also quite good. Jones looks and sounds more like Capote, but the film has a bit of a lighter tone. I did like Sandra Bullock better as Harper Lee than Catherine Keener, but both were excellent.

The standout for me in [/b]Infamous was Daniel Craig (yes, James Bond) as killer Perry White. Incredible performance. He was scary and believable as a killer, and a tortured sensitive soul.

Sandy K
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