The Criterion Collection

[cakefactory]

I had brain surgery recently, and in the days before it I made it a mission to watch the handful of movies that always make me feel good about life (with Pee Wee's Big Adventure the night before!). I wouldn't underestimate how helpful a good movie can be in improving your outlook on life. If I was diagnosed with a terminal illness I might feel differently, but with the slim possibility that things could go very wrong with that serious surgery I still felt like sorta embracing my favorite things was helpful.

[jayembee]

By the way...

I hope everyone here who's an American has a happy Fourth of July tomorrow.

And everyone here who isn't American, has a happy July 4th tomorrow.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

I had brain surgery recently, and in the days before it I made it a mission to watch the handful of movies that always make me feel good about life (with Pee Wee's Big Adventure the night before!). I wouldn't underestimate how helpful a good movie can be in improving your outlook on life. If I was diagnosed with a terminal illness I might feel differently, but with the slim possibility that things could go very wrong with that serious surgery I still felt like sorta embracing my favorite things was helpful.

Glad things went well. A little Large Marge before surgery most definitely would help

[AaronJ]

Well, just ordered Muriel and The New World.

Of course, as luck would always have it, I just bought The New World like 7 or so months ago.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Do you think if you found out that you were going to die, that movies would mean more or less to you?

That's a good question.

I already run outdoors for at least 40-45 miles per week. That's my primary hobby, my primary source of a social life (since I run with friends a few times a week), and my primary priority outside of my career and my family. Running is pretty awesome, and I'm glad that it's how God wanted me to see the world.

If I found out that I had six months to live, I'd probably run even more, except that I would try my best to travel to some cool places to do so.

I'm single with no kids, but I'd still keep close to my extended family and friends, trying to touch base with familiar faces old and new before the big day.

That said, I'd definitely squeeze in enough time to watch the James Bond movies again, as well as some other all-time favs from my stack.

I'd like to think that, on my last day alive, I'd eat a big steak, watch Out of the Past, lie down on my sofa to listen to David Bowie's Low and The Cure's Seventeen Seconds, run up the steep road to the top of the mountain that is a mile away from my front door, and chill out there to watch the sunset. Of course, in real life, I'll probably be stuck in a hospital, but that's alright.

[jw007]

Yes, Happy 4th to all my fellow Americans.

Now the real question is:

Should I watch: Born on the Fourth of July or Independence Day?

Or... What's the best Fourth of July film from the Criterion Collection?

[Brad1963]

These are usually my first choices of films to watch on the 4th.

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[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by jw007

Yes, Happy 4th to all my fellow Americans.

Now the real question is:

Should I watch: Born on the Fourth of July or Independence Day?

Or... What's the best Fourth of July film from the Criterion Collection?

On second thought... Maybe not.

[AaronJ]

All I can say about 4th of July is that I really, really, REALLY hate fireworks.

I mean, I don't mind the big show downtown each year. That's one thing. But various, random people setting them off, like they've been doing all weekend, really pisses me off.

/rant

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

All I can say about 4th of July is that I really, really, REALLY hate fireworks.

I mean, I don't mind the big show downtown each year. That's one thing. But various, random people setting them off, like they've been doing all weekend, really pisses me off.

/rant

Yeah, there's been a lot of that here in small town Wisconsin (one of the few states that basically all fireworks are legal), it's usually the trashiest of the white trash, and very rarely do they have kids with them. They usually seem to get a huge package of explosives that don't even make any sort of visual effect, and then get hammered and set them all off at once and laugh idiotically afterwards. They get a lot of single use things that make huge loud pops, too. This often happens after midnight. Fortunately, I have a few of them as neighbors I have a large church parking lot next to me, too, so I often get the same people buying some of the larger kinds that shoot out tons of sparks and shriek doing that there, too. It triggers my inner "rotten old lady" and makes me want to call the police on them, haha. Not that I ever have!!

In summation, my favorite fourth of july movie is independence day, cause it features tons of people being blown up.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

In summation, my favorite fourth of july movie is independence day, cause it features tons of people being blown up.

I'm using the month of July to watch some westerns that are in my still-unwatched Blu-ray stack. So far, I've seen El Dorado, Woman They Almost Lynched, and Johnny Guitar.

Tomorrow, after I get back from my morning race, though, I might have to give that new Blu-ray of the remastered Independence Day a spin.

[AaronJ]

In just under an hour, to "celebrate" 4th of July I will be watching a double feature of The Bling Ring and Spring Breakers. I feel that those two films capture modern American culture better than any other modern films.

Though, I've seen The Bling Ring recently, so I might replace it with finally seeing The Big Short.

[jw007]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

All I can say about 4th of July is that I really, really, REALLY hate fireworks.

I mean, I don't mind the big show downtown each year. That's one thing. But various, random people setting them off, like they've been doing all weekend, really pisses me off.

/rant

Lol. Same here. I hear these damn fire crackers going off every few seconds/minutes here at the moment.

I'm busy playing Billy Joel right now (for the first time since I was 12 years old, 26 years ago) and I have no idea why I'm listening to his music this time of year. I guess its fitting, since I just went down to the baseball stadium a few nights ago to hear his concert from outside along with thousands of other people. I think playing Bruce Springsteen right now would be more fitting... but anyway, that's what I'm doing to muffle the fireworks right now.

[jw007]

Has anyone here seen Box of Moonlight?

It's a really nice, fun summer movie. I recall there were fireworks in that one. John Turturro and Sam Rockwell star.

Here's a clip from the film showing the fireworks!!!

Box of Moonlight (10/11) Movie CLIP - Backwards Phenomenon (1996) HD - YouTube

[hoytereden]

4th of July isn't the big fireworks event here that it is in the Mainland. New Years is the one I dread because it starts later and seemingly, everyone has fireworks, firecrackers, and illegal aerial displays. My cats disappear under the furniture for hours.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by hoytereden

4th of July isn't the big fireworks event here that it is in the Mainland. New Years is the one I dread because it starts later and seemingly, everyone has fireworks, firecrackers, and illegal aerial displays. My cats disappear under the furniture for hours.

Where do you live? Hawaii? They shouldn't be celebrating Independence Day, they were independent from the US then!

[Knaldskalle]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Where do you live? Hawaii? They shouldn't be celebrating Independence Day, they were independent from the US then!

Most of the US was independent from the US then, if you know what I mean.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by Knaldskalle

Most of the US was independent from the US then, if you know what I mean.

Yeah, it just seems especially funny when talking about a state that didn't join the union until 1959. I guess as long as he's not an indigenous person that Independence Day is still something to celebrate. :P Us Wisconsinites were only about 75 years behind!

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Where do you live? Hawaii? They shouldn't be celebrating Independence Day, they were independent from the US then!

Yes, but it is celebrated (at least by most of the populace) with public fireworks displays and consumer fireworks are sold legally here. Like I said though-It pales in comparison to the New Years celebration.

[hoytereden]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

Yeah, it just seems especially funny when talking about a state that didn't join the union until 1959. I guess as long as he's not an indigenous person that Independence Day is still something to celebrate. :P Us Wisconsinites were only about 75 years behind!

I'm not. I was born in Washington D.C. and lived in suburban Maryland for 40 years before moving here. I loved fireworks as a kid and young adult. Now; not so much. Get Off My Lawn!