Mandatory Movie Viewing? - Blu-ray Forum

iam1bearcat · 07-12-2010, 06:31 PM

just started up my netflix account again for the first time in 3 years, and trying to put together my queue. A LOT of films i have forgotten about over the years that either i haven't seen in forever, or haven't seen at all. so, i'm trying to figure out:

WHAT ARE SOME FILMS THAT NEED TO BE SEEN?

they don't all have to be instant classics or anything, they can be genre favorites, or something that just brought something new to the table.

i prefer sci-fi, dark thrillers, psychological mind benders, but any genre is open. just trying to expand my horizons and make sure i don't miss anythig major that should be viewed.

some i have on my queue already:

Eraserhead 4.5/5
The Deer Hunter
Raging Bull
Rope
Mulholland Drive
Lost Highway
Dial M for Murder
Baraka
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Solaris
Stalker
Braveheart
Videodrome
12 Monkeys
The Godfather
The Godfather Pt. II

thanks for any and all suggestions!

SquidPuppet · 07-12-2010, 06:52 PM

Required viewing.

These 4 films had a permanent effect on me.

Sophies Choice (1982) Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline
1983 Academy Award®
Best Actress: Meryl Streep
Best Writing Adapted Screenplay nominee
Best Music Score nominee
Best Costume Design nominee
Best Cinematography nominee

Metropolis (1927) Killer sci-fi-drama. wait for the Blu later this year that contains the footage that was lost for 60+ years

Papillon (1973) Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. Makes Shawshank Redemption look like a stroll in the park.

The Elephant Man (1980) A black and White film from the other side of David Lynch's brain. John Hurt, Anhony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft
1981 Academy Award®
Best Director nominee: David Lynch
Best Film Editing nominee
Best Picture nominee
Best Actor nominee: John Hurt
Best Writing Adapted Screenplay nominee
Best Costume Design nominee
Best Art Direction nominee
Best Music Score nominee

You have seen The Fountain and Jacobs Ladder, right?

iam1bearcat · 07-12-2010, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

You have seen The Fountain and Jacobs Ladder, right?

no, i have not.

guess i should put those on the list as well then, correct?

thanks a bunch Squid!

kpkelley · 07-12-2010, 06:58 PM

If you don't mind Foreign films then I would recommend the following as well:

Le Gran Illusion - French WWI POW movie
La Belle et La Bete - Live Action version of the Fairy Tale from France. Much darker and more atmospheric than the Disney version. Very much an adult film, not aimed towards children.
The Orphic Trilogy - French Silents about the poets journey into the underworld.
The Lower Depth - I prefer the Kurosawa version, but it's interesting to see how two masters approach the material from different perspectives. Based upon the Russian play about the lowest classes of society.
The Fire on the Plains - Japanse WWII film that focuses on the atrocities of war. Very much a psychological film.

One classic american film which get's overlooked because of it's portrayal of African Americans, but is still a great film and immensely influential is The Klansman(aka The Birth of a Nation). If that film feels a little seedy to you, then perhaps you could include Intolerance as a way to compensate, that's what the director did anyway.

iam1bearcat · 07-12-2010, 07:07 PM

thanks kpkelley!

i'm interested in all types of films, so i give everything a shot, so i will definitely look into these.

Beta Man · 07-12-2010, 07:09 PM

It's not obscure at all, so you probably have seen it, but if not, "Schindler's List" is a must see, and I would highly recommend "Escape from Sobibor" too.

iam1bearcat · 07-12-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beta Man

It's not obscure at all, so you probably have seen it, but if not, "Schindler's List" is a must see, and I would highly recommend "Escape from Sobibor" too.

haha, ironically enough, i have not seen either of these.
when i was younger i was so obsessed with other films that i didn't really see a lot of classics until just recently. i was busy watching Jurassic Park, Road Trip, American Pie and other films such as these instead of great films like i should have been

SquidPuppet · 07-12-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

no, i have not.

guess i should put those on the list as well then, correct?

thanks a bunch Squid!

Yes. Jacobs ladder for a nice brain destruction sesion.

And a few more posters should be along shortly to tell you that The Fountain is a must. The Fountain is in my top 5 of all time. It might be # 1. Maybe.

Drew664 · 07-12-2010, 07:12 PM

Have you seen Mr. Brooks?

It meets all of your criteria except for being sci fi.

Drew664 · 07-12-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Yes. Jacobs ladder for a nice brain destruction sesion.

And a few more posters should be along shortly to tell you that The Fountain is a must. The Fountain is in my top 5 of all time. It might be # 1. Maybe.

Completely hated The Fountain, lol. But to each their own, and when someone feels strongly about a movie and suggests it with this much vigor it's worth a view for sure. My girlfriend walked out on it, and I finished it till the end waiting for it to get better, never did. Go into it with an open mind though, it might be your favorite too!

jhiggy23 · 07-12-2010, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew664

Completely hated The Fountain, lol. But to each their own, and when someone feels strongly about a movie and suggests it with this much vigor it's worth a view for sure. My girlfriend walked out on it, and I finished it till the end waiting for it to get better, never did. Go into it with an open mind though, it might be your favorite too!

You have a great attitude and viewpoint on things

I'll give my top 10-20 later.

Q? · 07-12-2010, 07:30 PM

Have you seen Akira?

RampageIceman · 07-12-2010, 07:36 PM

2001
Pan's Labyrinth

those are just the first 2 that popped into my head

Paul Kersey · 07-12-2010, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iam1bearcat

just started up my netflix account again for the first time in 3 years, and trying to put together my queue. A LOT of films i have forgotten about over the years that either i haven't seen in forever, or haven't seen at all. so, i'm trying to figure out:

WHAT ARE SOME FILMS THAT NEED TO BE SEEN?

they don't all have to be instant classics or anything, they can be genre favorites, or something that just brought something new to the table.

i prefer sci-fi, dark thrillers, psychological mind benders, but any genre is open. just trying to expand my horizons and make sure i don't miss anythig major that should be viewed.

some i have on my queue already:

The Deer Hunter
Raging Bull
Rope
Mulholland Drive
Lost Highway
Dial M for Murder
Baraka
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Solaris
Stalker
Braveheart
Videodrome
12 Monkeys
The Godfather
The Godfather Pt. II

thanks for any and all suggestions!

Just my opinion, of course, but I think that Blue Velvet, Eraserhead and Wild at Heart are more of Must-See's when it comes to David Lynch.
Straight Story, too.

SquidPuppet · 07-12-2010, 07:43 PM

Here is another one that rocked my boat, HARD.

Grave of the Fireflies.

HD Man · 07-12-2010, 07:47 PM

If you can find it, check out one of Roman Polanski's older films called "The Tenant". It's an interesting psychological thriller/horror film he did in the mid-70's.

iam1bearcat · 07-12-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Kersey

Just my opinion, of course, but I think that Blue Velvet, Eraserhead and Wild at Heart are more of Must-See's when it comes to David Lynch.
Straight Story, too.

i'm actually gonna be watching Eraserhead on netflix streaming tonight! super excited.

Q? · 07-12-2010, 07:50 PM

Graveyard of the Fireflies is emotionally BRUTAL!

Superb storytelling but I'm not sure if I can watch it again.

iam1bearcat · 07-12-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Q!

Have you seen Akira?

i'm not real big into anime, but i've heard nothing but good things about it, so i added it to my queue!

repete66211 · 07-12-2010, 07:51 PM

Here's a short list, many of which are available on Blu-ray. Not all of them fit your criteria, but then you never learn much if you stay in your comfort zone. Nothing avant-garde here, mostly guy movies, so enjoy.

Full Metal Jacket
Belle Epoch
Trainspotting
L.A. Confidential
Chinatown
Good Night, and Good Luck
Das Boot
The Last Picture Show
The Big Sleep
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Frantic
The Killing Fields
Apocalypse Now
Big Night
Blade Runner
The Sting
Harold and Maude
Gallipoli
In the Name of the Father
The Commitments
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Outlaw Josey Wales
The Fisher King
The Maltese Falcon
City of God
Ran
The Mission
Time Bandits
Fresh
Raising Arizona
Day of the Jackal
Band of Brothers
Breaker Morant
Casablanca
Miller’s Crossing
The Right Stuff
Taxi Driver
Unforgiven
Shallow Grave
Animal House
Dr. Strangelove
The Year of Living Dangerously
Jeremiah Johnson
American Grafitti

07-12-2010, 06:31 PM	#1
iam1bearcat Blu-ray Knight Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Club Loop Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:54 DVD collection:28 Trading Score:29	Mandatory Movie Viewing? just started up my netflix account again for the first time in 3 years, and trying to put together my queue. A LOT of films i have forgotten about over the years that either i haven't seen in forever, or haven't seen at all. so, i'm trying to figure out: WHAT ARE SOME FILMS THAT NEED TO BE SEEN? they don't all have to be instant classics or anything, they can be genre favorites, or something that just brought something new to the table. i prefer sci-fi, dark thrillers, psychological mind benders, but any genre is open. just trying to expand my horizons and make sure i don't miss anythig major that should be viewed. some i have on my queue already: Eraserhead 4.5/5 The Deer Hunter Raging Bull Rope Mulholland Drive Lost Highway Dial M for Murder Baraka The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Solaris Stalker Braveheart Videodrome 12 Monkeys The Godfather The Godfather Pt. II thanks for any and all suggestions! Last edited by iam1bearcat; 07-13-2010 at 05:27 AM.

07-12-2010, 06:58 PM	#4
kpkelley Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Framingham, MA 4K collection:385 Blu-ray collection:2478 Digital collection:113 Blu-ray reviews: 152	If you don't mind Foreign films then I would recommend the following as well: Le Gran Illusion - French WWI POW movie La Belle et La Bete - Live Action version of the Fairy Tale from France. Much darker and more atmospheric than the Disney version. Very much an adult film, not aimed towards children. The Orphic Trilogy - French Silents about the poets journey into the underworld. The Lower Depth - I prefer the Kurosawa version, but it's interesting to see how two masters approach the material from different perspectives. Based upon the Russian play about the lowest classes of society. The Fire on the Plains - Japanse WWII film that focuses on the atrocities of war. Very much a psychological film. One classic american film which get's overlooked because of it's portrayal of African Americans, but is still a great film and immensely influential is The Klansman(aka The Birth of a Nation). If that film feels a little seedy to you, then perhaps you could include Intolerance as a way to compensate, that's what the director did anyway. Last edited by kpkelley; 07-12-2010 at 07:28 PM.

07-12-2010, 07:51 PM	#20
repete66211 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Kansas City area Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:196 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:3	Here's a short list, many of which are available on Blu-ray. Not all of them fit your criteria, but then you never learn much if you stay in your comfort zone. Nothing avant-garde here, mostly guy movies, so enjoy. Full Metal Jacket Belle Epoch Trainspotting L.A. Confidential Chinatown Good Night, and Good Luck Das Boot The Last Picture Show The Big Sleep One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Frantic The Killing Fields Apocalypse Now Big Night Blade Runner The Sting Harold and Maude Gallipoli In the Name of the Father The Commitments To Kill a Mockingbird The Outlaw Josey Wales The Fisher King The Maltese Falcon City of God Ran The Mission Time Bandits Fresh Raising Arizona Day of the Jackal Band of Brothers Breaker Morant Casablanca Miller’s Crossing The Right Stuff Taxi Driver Unforgiven Shallow Grave Animal House Dr. Strangelove The Year of Living Dangerously Jeremiah Johnson American Grafitti Last edited by repete66211; 07-12-2010 at 07:53 PM.

07-12-2010, 06:52 PM	#2
SquidPuppet Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Club Loop Blu-ray collection:277 Blu-ray reviews:27	Required viewing. These 4 films had a permanent effect on me. Sophies Choice (1982) Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline 1983 Academy Award® Best Actress: Meryl Streep Best Writing Adapted Screenplay nominee Best Music Score nominee Best Costume Design nominee Best Cinematography nominee Metropolis (1927) Killer sci-fi-drama. wait for the Blu later this year that contains the footage that was lost for 60+ years Papillon (1973) Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. Makes Shawshank Redemption look like a stroll in the park. The Elephant Man (1980) A black and White film from the other side of David Lynch's brain. John Hurt, Anhony Hopkins, Anne Bancroft 1981 Academy Award® Best Director nominee: David Lynch Best Film Editing nominee Best Picture nominee Best Actor nominee: John Hurt Best Writing Adapted Screenplay nominee Best Costume Design nominee Best Art Direction nominee Best Music Score nominee You have seen The Fountain and Jacobs Ladder, right?

07-12-2010, 07:07 PM	#5
iam1bearcat Blu-ray Knight Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Club Loop Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:54 DVD collection:28 Trading Score:29	thanks kpkelley! i'm interested in all types of films, so i give everything a shot, so i will definitely look into these.

07-12-2010, 07:09 PM	#6
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	It's not obscure at all, so you probably have seen it, but if not, "Schindler's List" is a must see, and I would highly recommend "Escape from Sobibor" too.

07-12-2010, 07:12 PM	#9
Drew664 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:South Dakota Home Theater Gallery:28 Blu-ray collection:68	Have you seen Mr. Brooks? It meets all of your criteria except for being sci fi.

07-12-2010, 07:30 PM	#12
Q? Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Nuuk, Greenland Blu-ray collection:168	Have you seen Akira?

07-12-2010, 07:36 PM	#13
RampageIceman Banned Member since:Feb 2010 Blu-ray collection:116 Blu-ray reviews:7 Trading Score:4	2001 Pan's Labyrinth those are just the first 2 that popped into my head

07-12-2010, 07:43 PM	#15
SquidPuppet Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Dec 2007 Location:Club Loop Blu-ray collection:277 Blu-ray reviews:27	Here is another one that rocked my boat, HARD. Grave of the Fireflies.

07-12-2010, 07:47 PM	#16
HD Man Senior Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Wash, DC area Blu-ray collection:253 Trading Score:2	If you can find it, check out one of Roman Polanski's older films called "The Tenant". It's an interesting psychological thriller/horror film he did in the mid-70's.

07-12-2010, 07:50 PM	#18
Q? Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Dec 2008 Location:Nuuk, Greenland Blu-ray collection:168	Graveyard of the Fireflies is emotionally BRUTAL! Superb storytelling but I'm not sure if I can watch it again.

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