The 1st MoFo Movie Hall of Fame: Round 1

[jiraffejustin]

Congrats to the following, they were drawn to be long term members:
The Usual Suspect
HitchFan97
donniedarko
teeter_g
The Rodent

The Nominees are:

City Lights (1931, Charlie Chaplin)
http://rescdn.qqmail.com/dyimg/20130217/746D907FC92C.jpg

Nominated by: jal90

Duck Soup (1933, Leo McCarey)
http://media.spectable.com/image/big/h/246467.jpg?1363275288
I nominate this since I believe it's the greatest comedy ever made. The Marx Brothers perfect the art of slapstick and puns. Despite being 80 years old, a near imitation doesn't exist, and the experience has not been re-created. The insane stunts this pulls, and how they're pulled, makes this a near perfect comedy. That's why I believe this should be in the MoFo hall of fame.

Nominated by: donniedarko

Psycho (1960, Alfred Hitchcock)
http://www.nightmovie13.in/wp-content/uploads/psycho-1960.jpg
It's pretty well known on here how much I love this film, so I'll try to keep my comments brief. Anyways, Psycho was the movie that hooked me on (good) movies, and to this day I never tire of it. Forget the enormous influence it's had; this is still the most subversive and devilishly entertaining thriller ever made. It's also a great black comedy and contains some of Hitchcock's most astute social commentary. Watch carefully for what the Master is saying about secrets, lies, and the masks we all wear.

Nominated by: HitchFan97

The Producers (1968, Mel Brooks)
http://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/movie/movie_poster/the-producers-1968/large_eFSfTosTwNKfrllxkwfo0gqNWZP.jpg

Nominated by: The Gunslinger45

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984, Hayao Miyazaki)
http://image1.webscache.com/baike/haibao/big/2008-06/87544-382-20075281519019061082.jpg
Voted the greatest animated film of all time by a poll of hundreds of thousands of anime fans in 2007 and by a poll of Japanese critics in 2009, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind represents a historical landmark in animation, by telling a complex science fiction story dealing with the relationship between man and nature using a medium usually reserved for more simplistic endeavours. Considered by many to be Miyazaki's masterpiece and a triumph of imagination, Nausicaä is a must see for anyone who seeks to be familiar with the wider canon of film.

Nominated by: Guaporense

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985, Woody Allen)
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3467/larosaprpuradelcairo.jpg
Just tons and tons of fun, great original concept pulled off with style, with brilliant trademark Woody Allen writing. Simultaneously a sharp indictment of the film industry and a love letter to film itself. Unafraid to subvert expectations and delve into incredibly bittersweet territory towards the end.

Nominated by: Skepsis93

RoboCop (1987, Paul Verhoeven)
http://www.dl.skysharghi.asia/Collection/Robocop.jpg
Not just an ultraviolent actioner, it's a spookily realistic view of the future to the point it's bordering foresight.

The portrayal of humanity and its faults and also the strength of the human soul and the strong character connection based on the relationship between Murphy, his family/history and between Murphy and Lewis.

Haunting soundtrack and a haunting story overall played out through talented filmmakers and actors.
Plus the special effects are better than most that are seen in modern times.

Nominated by: The Rodent

Farewell My Concubine (1993, Kaige Chen)
http://pic.pimg.tw/kenjishin/1338996966-821746296_n.jpg
Why it should be nominated: It's an epic movie rich in both Chinese culture and history. Add to that beautiful cinematography and a moving story of friendship and loyalty makes for a truely wonderful film.

Nominated by: Godoggo

American History X (1998, Tony Kaye)
http://de.web.img2.acsta.net/r_640_600/b_1_d6d6d6/medias/nmedia/18/76/02/85/19277860.jpg

Nominated by: teeter_g

The Big Lebowski (1998, Ethan & Joel Coen)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSlFCtpDaHw/T6r0oPxRSqI/AAAAAAAAD-g/bFCzgn9ztDg/s1600/Lebowski.jpg
A hilarious neo noir comedy that is the ultimate cult classic. Full of memorable lines, characters and sequences. Possibly one of the greatest performances put to screen with Jeff Bridges as The Dude, or His Dudeness, or uh, Duder, or El Duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing.

Nominated By: The Usual Suspect

Eyes Wide Shut (1999, Stanley Kubrick)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aHYKEnOdsag/UB68xb4odCI/AAAAAAAAH2I/F-gyuw0BI-Q/s640/eyes_wide_shut_1999_poster.jpg
I'm nominating Eyes Wide Shut (1999), because it's really underappreciated and because I'd like to watch it again. I also think that the people who are watching it for a second time will appreciate its great visuals and its wonderful atmosphere even more!

Nominated by: Cobpyth

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004, Michael Gondry)
http://img.zamunda.net/bitbucket/EternalSunshineoftheSpotlessMindNewEditionPoster.jpg
The greatest performance I've ever seen out of an actress: Kate Winslet in Titanic...jk, Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. She's great as the manic depressive Clementine in Michael Gondry and Charlie Kaufman's highly original sci-fi/romance/drama.

Nominated by: jiraffejustin

[The Gunslinger45]

Holy Hell we got some damn good movies to choose from!

[teeter_g]

I should have known someone would nominate a freakin Jim Carey movie! Dang it!

[donniedarko]

I've seen nine already, I thought it would be much less. I'll try to watch the other 3 ASAP, and using my discretion I'll be rewatching five (including mine), since the rest I've viewed within this year, or as far as Eyes Wide Shut seen plenty of times. So yes exciting. But I'm confused, I thought we were doing a ranking system, not a poll.

EDIT: and it appears you included my description into Hitchfans nomination.

[teeter_g]

Also, YAY! I made long term!!!

[jiraffejustin]

Holy Hell we got some damn good movies to choose from!

That's the truth. I've seen 9 out of the 12, and I like/love all 9 of them. I can't wait to revisit them all. I also can't wait to see The Purple Rose of Cairo, RoboCop, and Farewell My Concubine all for the first time.

[TheUsualSuspect]

3 of those films are in my top ten!!!!

Also, you use the Duck Soup explanation for Psycho.

[jiraffejustin]

But I'm confused, I thought we were doing a ranking system, not a poll.

The public poll acts as an equal vote to our ranked votes, that way the general public will have some interest in this too. We still send in our ranked votes too. We also get to vote in the poll. We pretty much have it made.

[jiraffejustin]

3 of those films are in my top ten!!!!

Also, you use the Duck Soup explanation for Psycho.

:facepalm: Should be corrected now.

[teeter_g]

Has anyone in the group not seen my movie? Just curious.

[donniedarko]

The public poll acts as an equal vote to our ranked votes, that way the general public will have some interest in this too. We still send in our ranked votes too. We also get to vote in the poll. We pretty much have it made.

So votes in the poll (which is for anyone) contiributes points to the tally. Ok cool was just wondering.

Edit: Also to poll voters have to see every film as well?

[Sexy Celebrity]

Has anyone in the group not seen my movie? Just curious.

I've seen it. I didn't vote for it.

[teeter_g]

LOL!

Hey Rodent, I thought sure you were gonna go for Dredd. Guess I wasn't too far off the mark though.

[jiraffejustin]

Edit: Also to poll voters have to see every film as well?

That would be preferable, but there is no way to police it. So, it will be a thing where if they haven't seen all of them and they vote anyway, they will have recurring nightmares for years to come.

[Skepsis93]

My image is done f**ked up, and I didn't know we were using posters anyway. You can replace it with this one if you like, jj.

http://www.impawards.com/1985/posters/purple_rose_of_cairo.jpg

[jiraffejustin]

My image is done f**ked up, and I didn't know we were using posters anyway. You can replace it with this one if you like, jj.

http://www.impawards.com/1985/posters/purple_rose_of_cairo.jpg

I replaced it, hopefully we won't have anymore trouble with it. I decided to use posters on a whim, I don't know why really. I just like posters.

[rauldc14]

so if I don't have a say in anything that is going on, do I still vote? this is really confusing to me.....

[jiraffejustin]

so if I don't have a say in anything that is going on, do I still vote? this is really confusing to me.....

Yep, you can still vote in the poll.

You should also sign up for the next round ;)

Edit: This is the MoFo hall of fame, so every MoFo'er has a say.

[mark f]

The site doesn't show images from impawards.

[Skepsis93]

I've only seen 5 of these. Various small factors have made me put off seeing the rest. Looking forward to it.

Quick question: Do we include our own movies in our votes?

[Skepsis93]

I knew you'd do me over (heh) at some point, Rodent. Making me watch Robocop. Damn you, I say. Damn youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

[Guaporense]

Robocop. Good.

Also, I don't think the original rules were to form a poll. Seem 9 of those, all were great.

[CelluloidChild]

A suggestion from the peanut gallery: Set up the voting by movie genre, wherever possible.

I find it really hard, for example, to compare a Marx Brothers movie to American History X.

[Guaporense]

Try to watch both on the same day. It helps me when I want to measure which film is greater.

PS: Please, for those in the council, I don't recommend watching Nausicaa dubbed, unless subtitles are extremely hard for you to follow.

[The Gunslinger45]

Try to watch both on the same day. It helps me when I want to measure which film is greater.

PS: Please, for those in the council, I don't recommend watching Nausicaa dubbed, unless subtitles are extremely hard for you to follow.

good to know.

[mark f]

A suggestion from the peanut gallery: Set up the voting by movie genre, wherever possible.

I find it really hard, for example, to compare a Marx Brothers movie to American History X.
I don't, but whatever. Besides there's only 48 noms and four winners per 12 months.

[jiraffejustin]

I've only seen 5 of these. Various small factors have made me put off seeing the rest. Looking forward to it.

Quick question: Do we include our own movies in our votes?

Yes, please include your own movie in your votes.

A suggestion from the peanut gallery: Set up the voting by movie genre, wherever possible.

I find it really hard, for example, to compare a Marx Brothers movie to American History X.

I understand where you are coming from, but at the same time, I would like to keep it the way it is. Whichever film you would feel happiest about making it into the hall of fame, that's way you should vote.

Also, I don't think the original rules were to form a poll.

We are still doing the ranked vote, the poll just counts the same as one of our ranked votes. It helps keep interest with those that aren't actually participating in the round.

[Guaporense]

I plan to watch all these 12 movies over the next week. Even the nine ones I had already watched since it has been more than a three months since I watched any of them.

[Guaporense]

I don't, but whatever. Besides there's only 48 noms and four winners per 12 months.

It will take over 20 years before we get a nice large list of movies. :)

But since this forum is over 10 years old there isn't anything prohibiting it's existence for years to come.

[HitchFan97]

Damn, I've only seen two of these. Glad to see Eyes Wide Shut getting nominated, it is absolutely Kubrick's most underrated film. This gives me even further incentive to finally watch Eternal Sunshine and my first Woody Allen movie (shame shame)

[Sexy Celebrity]

Don't bother watching Eternal Sunshine. I don't want it to win.

[jiraffejustin]

Don't bother watching Eternal Sunshine. I don't want it to win.

Hitch has to watch it. Rules require each council member to watch every nominated film.

[jiraffejustin]

I watched RoboCop. I enjoyed it, but I don't think it will be in my top 6. It's a really strong round, so any movie with a couple minor faults will be at a large disadvantage on my ballot. The dialogue was kind of annoying at times and the villain gang was kind of cheesy. Parts of it reminded me of Aliens in that aspect, and I hate Aliens. Thankfully the action sequences were all done pretty well, and the story was way better than Aliens. I am happy I watched it though, but this round is just too tough for it.

[mark f]

Definitely in my top six, but I don't have to deal with that.

[Harry Lime]

I have no idea what this is but I voted for Duck Soup because I like anarchy.

[Cobpyth]

I've already seen 5 and I loved them all, so I'm very happy with the list.

I own most of the rest of the films on the list on DVD, so I'll be watching some of them this week already. I may watch RoboCop tonight. It's been on my watchlist for way too long.

[jal90]

I have watched 9, everything except The producers, Purple rose of Cairo and Farewell to my concubine (the "Chinese movie" tag is so lovely). It seems the last one is quite long; luckily, it's one I already own in DVD.

[teeter_g]

Watched City Lights and Duck Soup last night. I don't dig silent movies so that was an instant turn off for Lights, which I made infinately better by getting out my iPod and adding my own soundtrack. Soup was the probably the worst movie I have seen this month. Don't worry, I have full confidence that I will most likely gouge out my eyes and ear drums on the Jim Carey movie.

[The Rodent]

City Lights and The Purple Rose of Cairo I need to see.

Farewell My Concubine and Eyes Wide Shut I'll need to rewatch, been sooo long since I saw them.

So that's 4 on my immediate watch list.

[jiraffejustin]

Watched City Lights and Duck Soup last night. I don't dig silent movies so that was an instant turn off for Lights, which I made infinately better by getting out my iPod and adding my own soundtrack. Soup was the probably the worst movie I have seen this month. Don't worry, I have full confidence that I will most likely gouge out my eyes and ear drums on the Jim Carey movie.

It's certainly not your typical Jim Carrey movie. He's not loud or obnoxious, and there is no over the top histrionics out of him. It's just an odd case of an annoying comedy actor somehow pulling off a great role that's mostly serious.

[The Gunslinger45]

Do we have a time line or due date for this? Because I will have to order a few DVDs

[jiraffejustin]

Do we have a time line or due date for this? Because I will have to order a few DVDs

There's no official timeline for this yet, but I'd like to have it finished in about 2 1/2 months, so that would give us two weeks to finish up the the 2nd and 3rd round of this Hall of Fame. And give us time to start the 2nd MoFo Movie Hall of Fame. When it gets closer to that time, I'll set us a definite deadline depending on how many movies some of us may have left to see.

[The Rodent]

Just noticed... the Poll at the top is for MoFo Members to vote on?

The Council votes in writing...

[jiraffejustin]

Just noticed... the Poll at the top is for MoFo Members to vote on?

The Council votes in writing...

Yep, the council sends in a ranked list. Everybody can pick one in the poll.

[honeykid]

Yes, but if I understand it correctly, Council members can vote there in addition to their written votes.

[The Gunslinger45]

There's no official timeline for this yet, but I'd like to have it finished in about 2 1/2 months, so that would give us two weeks to finish up the the 2nd and 3rd round of this Hall of Fame. And give us time to start the 2nd MoFo Movie Hall of Fame. When it gets closer to that time, I'll set us a definite deadline depending on how many movies some of us may have left to see.

cool

[jiraffejustin]

Yes, but if I understand it correctly, Council members can vote there in addition to their written votes.

Yeah, because if I said no, I don't think I'd be able to stop it. So Council members get a full vote, and they get a portion of the overall vote. Council members are special. I love council members. ;)

[The Rodent]

I'll wait to vote in the poll till I've viewed what I need to and sent in my Top 6.

[teeter_g]

It's certainly not your typical Jim Carrey movie. He's not loud or obnoxious, and there is no over the top histrionics out of him. It's just an odd case of an annoying comedy actor somehow pulling off a great role that's mostly serious.

I'll give it a fair chance. I always go into movies with an open mind. :)

[jiraffejustin]

I'll give it a fair chance. I always go into movies with an open mind. :)

Trust me, I went into it with some trepidation as well. Thankfully, I realized afterwards that it was unfounded.

[The Rodent]

I think it's a good attitude to have.

I mean, looking at the line up in this first round, I may not even have Robocop at the #1 spot, even though it was my own choice.
It may do, it might not though... ;)

I'm going into this with the same mind-set I have when I give Rodent's Reviews... neutral.

[jiraffejustin]

I think it's a good attitude to have.

I mean, looking at the line up in this first round, I may not even have Robocop at the #1 spot, even though it was my own choice.
It may do, it might not though... ;)

I'm going into this with the same mind-set I have when I give Rodent's Reviews... neutral.

My own movie might not even be in my top 3. Psycho, The Big Lebowski, and Eyes Wide Shut all have a chance of being ranked above it. On a good day, City Lights, Duck Soup, and Nausicaa have a chance of topping it. It's just a really strong round. The winner of this one will truly deserve it if it can squeeze past this lineup.

[teeter_g]

Quick question, when we rank the movies after we have watched them do we post it here or send it in a private message?

[jiraffejustin]

Quick question, when we rank the movies after we have watched them do we post it here or send it in a private message?

private message, though after the winner has been announced you can post how you voted.

Edit: Well, I guess you can post how you vote in the thread too. Though, I wouldn't because that could lead to somebody strategically voting depending on how your votes are ranked.

[teeter_g]

Alrighty PM it is. :)

[teeter_g]

A suggestion from the peanut gallery: Set up the voting by movie genre, wherever possible.

I find it really hard, for example, to compare a Marx Brothers movie to American History X.

I have just been watching the movies and rating them like I would normally. When I get ready to send in my votes, I will rank them by my rating. I think that is gonna be the easiest way for me. :D So far I have watched City Lights, Duck Soup, Psycho, and The Producers. Granted, I have seen a lot of these films before but I am going to rewatch all so I get them fresh in my head to rate/rank them. I am going to go back in and watch some more in a little bit. It's cold out today anyways, might as well stay in and watch movies. :D

[Guaporense]

Finished watching all movies I haven't watched. Now I will re-watch the ones I already have watched to determine a ranking. The worst movie there is perhaps American History X, which is still excellent, by the way.

[Guaporense]

I'll wait to vote in the poll till I've viewed what I need to and sent in my Top 6.

I have voted in the poll now, since I finished watching all the movies I haven't and I think it is clear whats the best is, though I will rewatch the other 9 so I can determine a ranking (i.e. City Lights or Psycho or Eyes Wide Shut?).

[The Rodent]

Ok, just finished watching Eyes Wide Shut... borrowed it from my mate.

3 more to go.

[The Rodent]

Had no idea that Wayne Manor was part of the story though.

[teeter_g]

I watched through to American History X, I am just watching in the order they were released. So four more for me. I still have to watch AHX.

[jiraffejustin]

I watched through to American History X, I am just watching in the order they were released. So four more for me. I still have to watch AHX.

That's not a bad idea. I am going to rip off your idea. I'll watch RoboCop again as well.

[Cobpyth]

I'm watching The Producers tonight. Looking forward to it!

After that, there are only 5 first watches left:

City Lights
Duck Soup
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Farewell My Concubine
American History X

[HitchFan97]

Just saw Eternal Sunshine - 3 down, 9 to go :p

[The Rodent]

Farewell My Concubine and The Purple Rose of Cairo still need to see.

City Lights watched today using my brother's WiFi because my internet is poop.
Pretty good... though not sure exactly what all the fuss is about. Just my opinion :)

[Guaporense]

I have watched recently 6 of the 12 nominated movies, I have already ranked these six. Here is my take on each one:

American History X: The same director also did the similar Detached in 2011, another excellent movie. American History X biggest flaw, in my mind, is it's simplicity since the second time I watched it it was much less rewarding than the first time. Still a great movie.

Robocop: It had been several years since I first watched Robocop, it still holds quite a punch. Very similar to Starship Troopers in terms of mentality, not being quite serious or quite comic in tone. All around excellent, though the execution is not the best ever, it can be regarded as one of the best science fiction films of the 1980's (which was the golden age of science fiction).

Purple Rose of Cairo: It really has a similar feeling to Annie Hall, Woody Allen's trademark style is very apparent and I have watched only two of his films. Very short and sweet little film I though it was slightly superior to Annie Hall. None of the two, though, were films I could call "certified great".

Nausicaa: By contrasting Nausicaa with these other films it helps me to understand why I loved it so much. Is is becoming apparent to me that Nausicaa is perhaps the best executed film of all time: if you divide the movie into 10, 12 minute segments, and watch each segment separately, each segment could be considered alone a great short film (Miyazaki intended that as he said that a great film must have the quality that each of its parts must reflect the whole). Differently from other movies Nausicaa appears to be in a state of constant climax while other films build up to a climax.

The Producers: Very funny, The Producers is pure fun. Each minute of the movie is pure comic gold, reaching some very high. However, after watching it the whole film felt to be not much more than excellent but forgettable entertainment. It is better than 95% of all other films but falls short if compared to some movies on rest of this list.

Farewell My Concubine: A very interesting crazy film. With Nausicaa they are the only two non-English language films on this list. While being executed decently, it's the historical themes that constitute the most interesting aspects of this film. In terms of execution I would think that it is the least technically proficient on this list but it compensates that with other factors.

[donniedarko]

Wow you folks are in a rush, I'm going to use the two and a half months given to me to watch these. Also love your idea of watching them by year Teeter, it'll be easier to keep track of it all. But I might watch Farewell my Concubine first, just in case it gets taken off Netflix instant. The only two other new films I've to see are Purple Rose and Valley of the Wind. And then five rewatches, I think I said that earlier though...

[teeter_g]

Nausicaa: By contrasting Nausicaa with these other films it helps me to understand why I loved it so much. Is is becoming apparent to me that Nausicaa is perhaps the best executed film of all time: if you divide the movie into 10, 12 minute segments, and watch each segment separately, each segment could be considered alone a great short film (Miyazaki intended that as he said that a great film must have the quality that each of its parts must reflect the whole). Differently from other movies Nausicaa appears to be in a state of constant climax while other films build up to a climax.


I didn't care much for it.

[HitchFan97]

Just finished watching The Purple Rose of Cairo, pretty good film and my first Woody Allen (gasp). 1/3 of the way through all the movies now

[Godoggo]

Wow you folks are in a rush, I'm going to use the two and a half months given to me to watch these.

I probably will too. I did watch Duck Soup, but I needed to watch that anyway for the tournament. Most of these will be re-watches though. I'm saving Psycho and Farewell My Concubine to the very end because of seen both a whole lot of times.

[The Gunslinger45]

I watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind today, I so regret putting of watching this movie! Next is Farewell My Concubine

[The Rodent]

Farewell My Concubine... watched. Very good, quite beautiful to look at but emotionally confusing. Wasn't sure exactly what I should be feeling as I wasn't really expecting what I saw.
Maybe a rewatch is needed, will see if my mate can let me borrow his DVD for a bit longer.

Just got to watch The Purple Rose Of Cairo then I can sort out my votes... may take a day or two...

[teeter_g]

I took a slight break so I don't get burnt out. LOL! I'm sure I will start up again soon. But, as we have a couple months, I am not in that big of a hurry. I just made sure to write down all my thoughts on the movies so I wouldn't forget anything. :)

[jiraffejustin]

Can all of my long-term members go ahead and send in their nomination for the next round? It will help me with the transition from this round to the next. Thanks, :up:

[Guaporense]

Finished watching all the movies! Yeay!

My comments on the last six I watched:

Eyes Wide Shut - Kubrick's film has the best cinematography and the second best score out of the 12 nominated films. It is overall the second most impressive film from the perspective of providing an audiovisual spectacle (first is Nausicaa). It was very disturbing the first time I watched it and I though it would be among my top 2-3 favorite movies of these twelve but the second time I watched it was a bit less impressive.

City Lights - It was an even more powerful emotional experience the second time I watched it. Truly a masterpiece in my book and I perfectly understand why Tarkovsky would put this as one of his top 5 favorite movies.

Duck Soup - This also was a very powerful experience: the jokes sounded funnier after I heard them the second time around. Truly one of the greatest comedies ever made. Perhaps the greatest "pure" comedy ever made (though Dr. Strangelove is perhaps more impressive).

Psycho - The second time I watched this was a considerably less powerful experience since in horror not knowing what will happen is a huge part of the worthiness of a film and in this case the second watch wasn't as remotely as great as the first time.

The Big Lebowski - Another one that got better the second time. I now truly believe this is among the top 10 or top 20 best comedies I ever watched.

Eternal Sunshine - One of the weakest films on the set in my opinion. Still very good but I found it a bit lacking in terms of fitting my tastes. Still I think it was very worth watching. Not my favorite Jim Carrey movie (The Truman Show it is).

[Guaporense]

I didn't care much for it.

1) People are different, you said you hated Star Wars, which is the Nausicaa of Hollywood. I like the extreme silliness of it. How it takes itself so seriously while being so ludicrous. :) It is sort of my proud guilty pleasure.

2) Did you watch it dubbed?

[Harry Lime]

...Star Wars, which is the Nausicaa of Hollywood.
How do you come up with this rubbish?

[teeter_g]

2) Did you watch it dubbed?

No

[jiraffejustin]

I was going to watch City Lights first, but a buddy of mine was over and he didn't want to watch a silent. I convinced him to watch Duck Soup with me. He didn't care for it. He thought I was crazy for laughing the whole time.

[Guaporense]

How do you come up with this rubbish?

If you learn to talk nicely I can respond to you.

[The Rodent]

Got my Top 6 ready... am sending it into JJ now.

[Guaporense]

I already sent it.

Rodent, I will only say that I included Robocop on it.

[The Rodent]

I had Nausicaa on mine too... that's all I'll say though :D

[teeter_g]

If you learn to talk nicely I can respond to you.

I would like to know how you came up with that though. I kind of see it myself, and that may actually be why I didn't care for it. There are similarities, but I would like to hear your take.

[teeter_g]

You guys are on the ball! I stopped after American History X, so I still have 3 to watch. Lebowski, Eyes Wide Shut, and Eternal Sunshine.

[The Gunslinger45]

I watched City Lights today, a very good movie! Chaplin does not make me laugh like he did the crowds in the 30's but he is an excellent story teller!

Still need to watch Farewell my Concubine, Nausicaa, and Purple Rose of Cairo

[teeter_g]

After all the hubub from the draft is over I will get back to watching the movies. I only have 3 left and then I can send in my votes. I abstained from listing the movies I watched this week because then everyone would know how I was voting for this deal. LOL!

[donniedarko]

I watched the epic Farewell my Concubine and while it was beautifully shot, I didn't feel connections to the characters, or the beauty in the opera. The running time wouldn't be to bad, if the scenes themselves were fast moving, but they were unbearably slow, add that on to a 172 minute film, and it makes it hard to sit through.

I decided next I'm watching the films I'm yet to see (2 more) and then do some rewatching.

[Cobpyth]

I may watch Duck Soup tonight. I'm looking forward to it, as the first movie I watched from the Marx Brothers, A Night at the Opera was pretty entertaining.

I'll let you guys know what I thought of it! ;)

Wouldn't it also be fun if everyone wrote a few sentences (or more of course) for each movie on the list, so we also get to know why someone loved/hated it?

[jiraffejustin]

Wouldn't it also be fun if everyone wrote a few sentences (or more of course) for each movie on the list, so we also get to know why someone loved/hated it?

This right here is a good idea. It's not required, but it's smiled upon.

[Cobpyth]

I just watched City Lights (somehow I ended up watching this in stead of Duck Soup) and it was absolutely STUNNING!

I will post my review of it soon. It's a big contender to get the first place on my list in this round. I may even rate it 5. Wonderful cinema!

SEEN:
City Lights (FIRST WATCH)
Psycho
The Producers (FIRST WATCH)
The Purple Rose of Caïro
RoboCop (FIRST WATCH)
The Big Lebowski
Eyes Wide Shut
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

TO SEE:
Duck Soup
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Farewell My Concubine
American History X

[Skepsis93]

I've been very busy with work lately so I've only just been able to see my first film for the Hall of Fame.

DUCK SOUP
I generally hate movies that try to shove humor down your throat and this thing epitomizes that sentiment with two of the worst offenders: puns and slapstick. I can't stand them. I couldn't stand the characters. They seem to be trying way, way too hard and it's difficult to watch. This is a cruel movie, a humorless one and most likely my first and last outing with the Marx Bros. Dated, heavy-handed and unfunny.

1

[donniedarko]

Wow, I didn't expect my nomination of Duck Soup to get so much hate. But I've always been a fan of slapstick humor so that's probably why I love it so much. But I found it as smart slapstick, and a great mixture of physical humor and linguistic humor.

[The Gunslinger45]

I love Duck Soup! IDK how many times I have watched it, but Grocho Marx is the man!

[jiraffejustin]

I love Duck Soup too!

[jiraffejustin]

Just watched The Producers. It was a rewatch, but I enjoyed it much more than I did the first time around.

[Cobpyth]

Just watched Duck Soup and I enjoyed it! It had some very funny slapstick scenes and some absurdly hilarious lines. There's also at least one amazing musical scene (in the court house).
It's not the best comedy ever made, in my opinion, though. More on that later. ;)

My complete review of this film will be posted tomorrow.


SEEN:
City Lights (FIRST WATCH)
Duck Soup (FIRST WATCH)
Psycho
The Producers (FIRST WATCH)
The Purple Rose of Caïro
RoboCop (FIRST WATCH)
The Big Lebowski
Eyes Wide Shut
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

TO SEE:
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Farewell My Concubine
American History X

[teeter_g]

Finished up and sent in my list. Can't wait to see the second round picks. Too bad it's so far away. LOL!

[The Rodent]

^^ JJ is taking second round votes already, ready for when this round finishes... I sent mine in a couple days ago.

[Godoggo]

Just watched City Lights. I am now a Charlie Chaplin fan officially. I didn't like it as much as The Gold Rush, but I kinda fell in love with that movie and I doubt any Chaplin film will top it for me.

I'm in the camp that didn't like Duck Soup. Sorry Donnie.

I'll probably finish up watching what I need to watch by this weekend.

[teeter_g]

^^ JJ is taking second round votes already, ready for when this round finishes... I sent mine in a couple days ago.

Yeah, I sent mine in too. It would be nice if everyone finishes up early and we got to start early. Probably won't happen. :)

[teeter_g]

How many people still have to turn in their votes? Just curious.

[jiraffejustin]

Myself and seven others haven't voted yet.

[teeter_g]

LOL! Alrighty, thank you. :)

[The Gunslinger45]

I can vote as soon as I watch Farewell My Concubine on Netflix, and get Nausicaa on DVD this week

[Cobpyth]

I still have to see American History X, Nausicaä and Farewell My Concubine.

I'm probably seeing American History X tomorrow.

[Cobpyth]

Just watched American History X and I liked it. I'm writing a short review about it in the near future.

Just because I'm curious: Teeter, what makes it your favorite movie of all time?

[teeter_g]

Just watched American History X and I liked it. I'm writing a short review about it in the near future.

Just because I'm curious: Teeter, what makes it your favorite movie of all time?

I love everything about it. There isn't any part in it where I go 'Now, why would they do that?' I do that with almost every other movie that I have ever watched.

[jiraffejustin]

Just saw The Purple Rose of Cairo. It was an enjoyable experience, but it probably won't be in my top 6. I liked it, but didn't love it.

[Cobpyth]

I'm watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind tonight. I'll give my opinion about it after.

I also rewatched Psycho with my little sister several days ago (I like to show her some classic movies). She was completely mindblown!
I still love it, obviously, but I'm not sure where to put it on my list yet. We'll see. ;)

[Cobpyth]

I'm watching Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind tonight. I'll give my opinion about it after.

I liked this, by the way. It was really inventive and of very high quality!

I'll try to watch the last movie I havn't seen yet, which is Farewell My Concubine, this week. After that I just want to rewatch some of the others and then I'll be able to give my reliable top 5 of this list of great films! :)

[Guaporense]

It's top 6 by the way.

[Godoggo]

I'm ready to send in my list. Can someone refresh me on the rules? It's top six, right? With you top movie first and the lowest ranked movie last?

[teeter_g]

Yep

EDIT: Went back and looked to see what the procedures were actually supposed to be like for this round so, here ya go:

VOTING PROCEDURES:

The selection of an inductee shall be decided over three rounds.

First Round:

12 Films. A PR vote in order from favourite to 6th favourite. Points to be awarded as such:

1st Choice: 10 Pts
2nd Choice: 8 Pts
3rd Choice: 6 Pts
4th Choice: 4 Pts
5th Choice: 2 Pts
6th Choice: 1 Pt

Please list all 12 films in preferential order.

[teeter_g]

just so you all will notice the edit to my last post. :)

[jiraffejustin]

Not everybody has listed all 12 films in order, and that is fine, but next round you'll have to send in new votes with the 6 remaining. Those that send in a full 12 ranked can just use the same order for the next round if they wanted, but you can change your order from round to round if you choose to do so.

[teeter_g]

Just tryin to help ya out there bud. LOL! I figured it would be easier just to post the original thing here again, so people wouldn't have to go back and forth between the posts.

[jiraffejustin]

Much obliged, potna.

[jiraffejustin]

Just finished my rewatch of City Lights. It's not as good as some of the other Chaplin features, but it's still heartwarming and has it's funny moments. It's not the LOL funny we have in the other comedies in this round, but none of those comedies are as touching as City Lights. It's a pretty good film, but honestly, I don't know if "pretty good" is good enough for Hall of Fame status. I would like to see The Kid and The Gold Rush in the HoF someday though.

[The Gunslinger45]

I just have to watch Farewell my Concubine and I will be done. And I will do that on my four day weekend.

[Godoggo]

Everyone seems to be saving the best for last. ;)

[jiraffejustin]

I also only have Farewell My Concubine to go. I think the runtime might be what's keeping it at the back of the queue, but it will the freshest on everybody's mind, so it might help it out.

[Guaporense]

I remember that I sent my list a month ago after I watched the whole 12 nominated movies over the course of a single weekend. :) I have ranked the 12 movies and I don't plan to change the ranking in the next rounds.

[jiraffejustin]

I remember that I sent my list a month ago after I watched the whole 12 nominated movies over the course of a single weekend. :) I have ranked the 12 movies and I don't plan to change the ranking in the next rounds.

Sounds good. :up:

[jiraffejustin]

Just a little mini-announcement. After we finish this hall of fame, I think the hall of fame will be on hiatus for a short while. At least until we finish up that big tournament. I still think the hall of fame is a good thing, but I have sort of fallen in love with the tournament format.

[The Gunslinger45]

Just a little mini-announcement. After we finish this hall of fame, I think the hall of fame will be on hiatus for a short while. At least until we finish up that big tournament. I still think the hall of fame is a good thing, but I have sort of fallen in love with the tournament format.

I dig it

[teeter_g]

Why not have a Hall-o-Fame tournament? Just a suggestion. :)

[jiraffejustin]

Why not have a Hall-o-Fame tournament? Just a suggestion. :)

I think we can consider that huge tournament I am running as a hall of fame tournament. I could keep running them like that if all goes well. As of right now, I have more interest in them that way.

[teeter_g]

LOL! It's cool. I didn't jump into that big tourney though, and now I regret it.....

[TheUsualSuspect]

That giant film tournament you are running...all the films were nominated by a handful of people, whereas this is more organized and seems more legit.

I'm not going to bother with the other tournament because it doesn't represent what a tournament should be, in my opinion. How can be be a mega movie tournament when you are only getting the tastes of 12 or so members. No noms from Yoda, Mark f or Holden, three of the biggest members here whose film tastes mean a heck of a lot.

Again, my opinion, but a mistake.

[Cobpyth]

That giant film tournament you are running...all the films were nominated by a handful of people, whereas this is more organized and seems more legit.

I'm not going to bother with the other tournament because it doesn't represent what a tournament should be, in my opinion. How can be be a mega movie tournament when you are only getting the tastes of 12 or so members. No noms from Yoda, Mark f or Holden, three of the biggest members here whose film tastes mean a heck of a lot.

Again, my opinion, but a mistake.

True. It also won't work because of some small unknown films that nobody ever watched except a handful of people. The tournament could be decided by one small film that only 2 persons saw and that possibly could become the winner of a MoFo tournament. It's just ridiculous, in my opinion. The system works maybe with 32 movies, but not with 256.

I find this Hall of Fame formula very charming and intimate and it's really regretful that you're shying away from it, Jiraf.

[jiraffejustin]

I'll still handle the running of it, but I just won't participate in it. I just like the tournament concept, as it allows me to see more films. That's all I really care about to be honest.

[Cobpyth]

I'll still handle the running of it, but I just won't participate in it. I just like the tournament concept, as it allows me to see more films. That's all I really care about to be honest.

Since when can't you see films on your own without a tournament? :p
This tournament is so much fun, because it's like a small movie club that watches 12 films together and then discusses/rates those pictures after 3 months.

[jiraffejustin]

Since when can't you see films on your own without a tournament? :p

Touche. I guess it gives me the necessary kick in the pants.

[jiraffejustin]

This tournament is so much fun, because it's like a small movie club that watches 12 films together and then discusses/rates those pictures after 3 months.

I am a really big pushover. Okay, hall of fame is back on. :D

[donniedarko]

I'll just be abrupt here and say Valley of the Wind is one of the worst films I've ever seen. I mean I was somewhat underwhelmed by Spirited Way and especially hated the ending, but Atleast I felt the beauty in animation. This was just a highly polished turd honest to god. It's a children's fairy tale and if I watched this when I was five I'd still say it's crap. It was torture to watch this to the end, I mean watching baby first programming makes me less awed at how bad it is. Well I'm done with seeing all the films, just gotta do a few repeat viewings now.

[jiraffejustin]

Honesty is the best policy...though I disagree.

[HitchFan97]

This was just a highly polished turd honest to god.

:laugh: I haven't even seen the movie but for some reason this sentence made me laugh.

[Mr Minio]

I'll just be abrupt here and say Valley of the Wind is one of the worst films I've ever seen. Don't Worry. I bet Gua will prove you wrong by writing the 100th pean in the name of this flawless masterpiece. Have to finally watch it myself.

[donniedarko]

If Tokyo critics like it, it's blasphemy to hate it.

and no you really don't need to watch it. If you missed out on it when you were 8 it's to late now.

[mark f]

Yeah, there's no body mutilation in it. :)

[The Gunslinger45]

I'll just be abrupt here and say Valley of the Wind is one of the worst films I've ever seen. I mean I was somewhat underwhelmed by Spirited Way and especially hated the ending, but Atleast I felt the beauty in animation. This was just a highly polished turd honest to god. It's a children's fairy tale and if I watched this when I was five I'd still say it's crap. It was torture to watch this to the end, I mean watching baby first programming makes me less awed at how bad it is. Well I'm done with seeing all the films, just gotta do a few repeat viewings now.

You and I are on very different pages my friend, as I prefer this movie to Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke.

[Mr Minio]

But I really want to see any Miyazaki film to understand why Gua loves him so much. I don't deny I might love it.

[The Gunslinger45]

I guess start with Spirited Away. A lot of people say it is his best.

[Camo]

But I really want to see any Miyazaki film to understand why Gua loves him so much. I don't deny I might love it.

I'd suggest Princess Mononoke, it's the only one i've enjoyed out of the 3 i've seen.

[Mr Minio]

Will be watching a Miyazaki film eventually. I still didn't pull myself to watching Perfect Blue.

[donniedarko]

Yeah, there's no body mutilation in it. :)

Well sh*t I just realized all my top ten movies have some sort of body mutilation in them, except Duck Soup. But I think you were reffering me liking 10/65: Selbstverstümmelung. :devil:

[Mr Minio]

10/65: Selbstverstümmelung is a great short. I didn't like other 2 by this director, though. Too random.

[Cobpyth]

I'm watching the last film, which is Farewell My Concubine. After that, I'll probably be able to send in my list.

[Guaporense]

If Tokyo critics like it, it's blasphemy to hate it.

and no you really don't need to watch it. If you missed out on it when you were 8 it's to late now.

You are not in the right age for it anyway. :p

I guess that you should be older to understand it or younger. Though your own personality might be incompatible to it.

Anyway, considering it is easily the most complex film out of these 12 (at least in terms of plot), I wouldn't call it childish.

[Guaporense]

Will be watching a Miyazaki film eventually. I still didn't pull myself to watching Perfect Blue.

Perfect Blue has nothing to do with Miyazaki's work. Overall, in terms of tone I would say that Takahata, Hosoda and Shinkai are much closer to Miyazaki than Kon. Kon's movies don't even feel very Japanese (I guess that Donnie Darko might like Perfect Blue, it's has even a rape scene).

[Guaporense]

Yeah, there's no body mutilation in it. :)

Well, Nausicaa actually has a very feminine childlike mentality: "let's save the baby ohm", "how cruel, they are mistreating the poor baby ohm", "the people of the valley are in danger, I must sacrifice myself to save them", she lacks that hardness and selfishness that characterizes adult male characters in cynical adult movies (which are most movies, by the way). But that's why I love it I, I am feed up with cynical characters.

I find characters with a cynical adult mentality to be boring and cold - and a poor artistic choice for the director-. However, I guess that a 15 year old boy that is in a natural process of rejecting his own childhood and cutesy characteristics might not like a cinematic statement characterized by these very same features. Indeed, that's why I suggested Satoshi Kon for him, since this is a director of anime movies that teenagers might like more.

I don't think I might have liked the Nausicaa character if I had watched it before becoming a mature adult - though I might guess that I would have loved the other elements of the movie. When I was 14-15 I liked movies where the main character was a cynical men that crushed, defeated and humiliated his enemies. Now I find that kind of character to be juvenile, though I am still able to enjoy it but now I do enjoy even more watching characters with an unshakable sense of dignity and a childlike sense of humanism - even though people like these are very hard to find in the real world- Nausicaa is a Christ like figure.

[jiraffejustin]

Perfect Blue has nothing to do with Miyazaki's work. Overall, in terms of tone I would say that Takahata, Hosoda and Shinkai are much closer to Miyazaki than Kon. Kon's movies don't even feel very Japanese (I guess that Donnie Darko might like Perfect Blue, it's has even a rape scene).

You make it sound like David Hess is his favorite actor. :p

[donniedarko]

I find characters with a cynical adult mentality to be boring and cold - and a poor artistic choice for the director-. However, I guess that a 15 year old boy that is in a natural process of rejecting his own childhood and cutesy characteristics might not like a cinematic statement characterized by these very same features. Indeed, that's why I suggested Satoshi Kon for him, since this is a director of anime movies that teenagers might like more.

I'm 16 :D

I just think the way Miyazaki reasons when telling a story is ridiculous and is childlike, in the sense that I feel he pulls stuff out of his ass. Take the edning to Spirited Away for example Where the main girl tells her friend that she knows his name is some river and she knows that because the river brought her back her shoe once, I mean there's no logic to that. nothing complex, nothing that takes effort to come up with that bull ****. The dialogue (and no I didn't watch the dubbed version) is childlike and just weak. I understand these movies have adult like symbolism, but that doesn't matter if it's not executed properly.

[Mr Minio]

(I guess that donniedarko might like Perfect Blue, it's has even a rape scene). Haha, love this! You made poor Donnie Darko a pervert!

[Cobpyth]

Spirited Away is a very smart and complex film, in my opinion. I think you focus way too much on the superficial elements of Miyazaki's stories, but your criticism is certainly not unfounded. You should keep in mind, though, that his films are made for children too, so there's nothing wrong with having certain 'childish' elements. Oh well, if it's not your cup of tea, you shouldn't taste it any futher, I guess.
I do recommend Porco Rosso to you, though. I think you might like that one a little more. It's quite different from Miyazaki's other work.


I watched every film on this Hall of Fame list now, by the way.
My question is:

Should I send in a top 12 or just a top 6?

[jiraffejustin]

Top 12 is preferable

[Cobpyth]

Just sent in my top 12 (+ some short thoughts about my top 6 films).

I can't wait to see everyone's top 12 and the final results! :)

[teeter_g]

How much longer?! LOL! I'm dieing to see what movies made the second round!!!
I feel like an eager 3 year old. :)

[jiraffejustin]

Those of you that haven't sent in your votes yet, how many do you have left to see? We can work out when this round will finish up based off of that.

[donniedarko]

Sent in my list :)

[jiraffejustin]

Sent in my list :)

Got it, thanks :up:

We now need votes from:

HitchFan
Skepsis
jal90

[HitchFan97]

Agh, I've been slacking off :eek: Now that it's summer I need to plow through the other eight films here.

[teeter_g]

Sweet, only 3 people left to turn in their lists so that we can soon get to round dos.

[jiraffejustin]

Agh, I've been slacking off :eek: Now that it's summer I need to plow through the other eight films here.

Ha! Keep us updated with your progress. When you get down to a couple left I'll set a deadline.

[Guaporense]

Spirited Away is a very smart and complex film, in my opinion.

His third most complex. Nausicaa and P. Mononoke are actually more complex, though less 'artsy' than Spirited Away. All his films are very smart and complex if compared to the average stuff hollywood puts out even Castle in the Sky, a less complex work, is smarter than the average blockbuster.

Anyway, I am surprised that Donnie Darko hated Nausicaa, while I didn't expect him to love it I also though that this movie is rather accessible for a broad spectrum of people (that was his intention), though a 16 year old male is pretty much the least adequate demographic for Miyazaki's work (as I explained earlier). As he grows up he will probably develop a different opinion of these movies.

I do recommend Porco Rosso to you, though. I think you might like that one a little more. It's quite different from Miyazaki's other work.

Indeed. Though it has Fio, which is a childlike character like Nausicaa. The difference is that it is not the main character. Princess Mononoke lacks any childlike character, though.

I watched every film on this Hall of Fame list now, by the way.
My question is:

Should I send in a top 12 or just a top 6?

I sent my top 12 so that it already gives your ordering for the next round. Let's say that some of the movies in your top 6 drop out, he can know what would be your new top 6 from the movies that didn't drop out of the competition.

[donniedarko]

Actually Porco Rosso is the only ghilibi film that I want to watch.

[Guaporense]

Takahata's films are strictly adult. Only Yesterday and Grave of the Fireflies don't have any of the childlike elements present in all of Miyazaki's work, even Porco Rosso has some childlike elements and a sense of unshakable dignity that is often associated with family friendly material.

Takahata and Satoshi Kon are the anime directors that made movies for adults only.

[jiraffejustin]

Actually Porco Rosso is the only ghilibi film that I want to watch.

Have you seen Princess Mononoke? I think it's something you could enjoy.

[Guaporense]

Have you seen Princess Mononoke? I think it's something you could enjoy.

Princess Mononoke is Nausicaa without the cuteness and childlikeness of Nausicaa, the character, substituted for brutality. It's the only brutal Miyazaki movie and thus his favorite movie among fans of adult anime in the west.

[Nausicaä]

I am surprised that Donnie Darko hated Nausicaa


http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrmnb5IcQh1qb6qm9.gif

[donniedarko]

^Ha, your avatar hates your username.

Have you seen Princess Mononoke? I think it's something you could enjoy.

No I Haven't. I saw the trailer on the Spirited Away DVD, and it looked awful.

[Mr Minio]

Judging a movie by trailer is like judging a girl's looks by it's back.

[donniedarko]

I am an ass type of guy though.

[rauldc14]

this looks like fun guys. The thing I like best is that you've given lots of time for people to see all the films involved. If this happens again, I'd love to be a part of it.

[Guaporense]

The English language trailer of P.M. is horrible. The Japanese trailer is much better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyX89c3nSHw

I think I will nominate Ponyo or My Neighbor Totoro for the next round of the Mofo hall of fame. If Donnie though Nausicaa was childish, what he will think of those - that are Miyazaki's actual 100% children's movies? I think he will hate the cuteness of these movies so much that he will have a stroke watching any one of these. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh4rqs62pL8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUyXe4qW8CM

Japanese culture appear to me to be more childlike than US culture, explaining why an American might view Nausicaa as a movie for people under 8, even though it was explicitly made for people much older than that:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNdPPEwguDQ

[Cobpyth]

Don't forget this, guys!

@Guaporense: I would like you to send in a more obscure anime film that I haven't seen yet, but I guess that's not really the point of a Hall of Fame.

I think My Neighbor Totoro has its adult elements, by the way. It's probably my second favorite Miyazaki film. It also had that magical feeling that I also felt with Spirited Away. That kind of feeling I didn't really find in Howl's Moving Castle (for instance), although it's also very magical plotwise. I can't really put my finger on the exact reason, though. Somehow the two films I first mentioned had a much bigger effect on me.

Ponyo is indeed very much for children. I liked it. I'm still a (big) child myself!
Didn't have that magical feeling I talked about earlier, though.

[teeter_g]

How are we doing as far as finishing this round?

[jiraffejustin]

Still have a couple votes to go. Anybody heard from jal90 recently?

[Godoggo]

I looked at his/her profile and their last post was in June, but he/she logged in the second of this month. :shrug: My bet is that you probably aren't getting his/her votes.

[jiraffejustin]

If he/she doesn't vote, his/her nomination won't be in the next round regardless of placement. Currently it would be making in the next round. We still need votes from HitchFan and Skepsis, but they are still around so I'm not worried about it.

[Pussy Galore]

For me Psycho is the best movie in there that I have seen. It's one of my favourites it's original, ground breaking and thrilling from begining to end

[Godoggo]

If he/she doesn't vote, his/her nomination won't be in the next round regardless of placement. Currently it would be making in the next round. We still need votes from HitchFan and Skepsis, but they are still around so I'm not worried about it.

Too bad. I had City Lights pretty high up.

I hope I'm a part of next round. I've been watching so many movies for tournaments and those sort of things. Now I'm all caught up and don't know what to do with myself. :D

[Guaporense]

City Lights is one of the best movies ever made. It is one of the few that deserves to win.

[rauldc14]

I'm in for the next time we do one of these things. I'll replace Jal.

[Cobpyth]

City Lights should stay in. It's very high on my list and it really deserves to be the first movie on the Hall of Fame. You should just count the other members' votes, but with City Lights still in the competition.

Maybe send Jal90 a private message or something.

[teeter_g]

I can't believe that American History X only got 3 votes on the poll..... :suspicious:

[Guaporense]

The problem with these open polls is that people don't have to watch all the movies to vote before. American History X is fairly popular here but it is not remotely as popular as Psycho and The Big Lebowski.

[Godoggo]

I've seen Jal90 posting in the 90's thread. Are the people who haven't sent their votes in still planning to? Three months is up, peeps.:D

[jal90]

Sorry guys!

I had some very busy months at the time this tourney was set and completely forgot about it, then I was actually delaying this because I still had Farewell my concubine and Purple rose of Cairo to watch, now that I'm done with them it happens that I haven't watched The producers... well, whatever, how should I do? Vote here for my favorite and send my best-to-worst list to jiraffejustin?

God damn, I'm talking like a Woody Allen character.

[jal90]

Reading the thread it seems you had a discussion on Miyazaki and I missed it, oh damn.

I am a huge fan of almost anything Ghibli related and Nausicäa is not the exception. This movie is actually one I'm specially fond of -not necessarily among my very favorites- and precisely because it was a little harder for me to end up loving it. Not for the reasons brought by donniedarko, because I was already fond of the style and motifs of Miyazaki, but due to the amount of interactions it became a little difficult to follow. And I did also find the main character to be cheesy and rather excessive/fake. However everything changed in rewatch.

Not only because it happened that my confusion on the storyline was due to whatever drug I was on when I watched it :P, but also on Nausicäa... as much as I agree with Guaporense's post in this thread about this character, her selfishness and sense of dignity, I ended up liking her through the exact contrary, and found her to be rather complex. Look at the scene of the invasion for example...

Nausicäa actually kills two or three soldiers. She is not able to control her impulses and commits what in her eyes is plain and unjustifiable murder. We see her crying over this later.

She is extremely kind. But the movie is also about the efforts she has to go through to live with this philosophy when her environment is sending her constantly signals that the world is, simply, ****ed up. This is the main difference between this character and a Christ like figure. She is not completely innocent, and in the end, she's still human with weak moments, and is aware of them.

This is not the only reason why I love this work, though. Another very important one is that it is a movie of scenes. And this is also a shared characteristic with other Ghiblies, but specially noticeable in this one. You might find, for example, that Nausicäa is not a type of character you are into, and still find her smile when she takes her mask off in the forest strangely trustworthy and admirable, or the moment she drowns her foot in the acid lake heart-rending and painful. Many scenes are given a very specific aura of emotional intensity that make them work alone, very well.

I can certainly understand donniedarko's comments. The fact is Miyazaki has a very idealistic philosophy in his overall work; if you don't connect with it you'll be likely to find it stupid, but I think he makes the movies himself as a way to react against the real world; they are fables, which are actually written with the child audience in mind (he states that he makes movies for kids), dealing about idealized situations where these utopias of peace and mutual respect can happen.

[teeter_g]

How are we as far as finishing the round?

[Godoggo]

@Jal90 Yeah, just send your list to Jirrafe. I'm not sure if he ever got the other lists he needed.

[jiraffejustin]

I've already contacted the other two who I still need votes for, and they seem confident they'll be able to vote in a timely fashion.

[Guaporense]

Not for the reasons brought by donniedarko, because I was already fond of the style and motifs of Miyazaki, but due to the amount of interactions it became a little difficult to follow. And I did also find the main character to be cheesy and rather excessive/fake. However everything changed in rewatch.

Indeed. One must be able to take seriously rather absurd scenes. Like a 18 year old angry girl killing a dozen well armored soldiers in a few seconds and played strictly seriously (not in a comedic way like in Kick Ass, for instance but more like in a film such as Platoon).

Not only because it happened that my confusion on the storyline was due to whatever drug I was on when I watched it :P, but also on Nausicäa... as much as I agree with Guaporense's post in this thread about this character, her selfishness and sense of dignity, I ended up liking her through the exact contrary, and found her to be rather complex. Look at the scene of the invasion for example...

Nausicäa actually kills two or three soldiers. She is not able to control her impulses and commits what in her eyes is plain and unjustifiable murder. We see her crying over this later.

She is extremely kind. But the movie is also about the efforts she has to go through to live with this philosophy when her environment is sending her constantly signals that the world is, simply, ****ed up. This is the main difference between this character and a Christ like figure. She is not completely innocent, and in the end, she's still human with weak moments, and is aware of them.

Nausicaa is a very complex character indeed, in fact among the most original and complex characters in the history of screen fiction. Also, she ignores the contradiction between preserving humanity's existence and the spread of the forest of corruption when she talks with Asbel about this at the middle of the movie. In the manga she becomes a much darker and even more complex character than in the movie:

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1048/123rcm.jpg

Miyazaki didn't care about the target audience for his manga since it wasn't made for profit so he didn't control the amount of brutality and didn't care about making it family friendly.

This is not the only reason why I love this work, though. Another very important one is that it is a movie of scenes. And this is also a shared characteristic with other Ghiblies, but specially noticeable in this one. You might find, for example, that Nausicäa is not a type of character you are into, and still find her smile when she takes her mask off in the forest strangely trustworthy and admirable, or the moment she drowns her foot in the acid lake heart-rending and painful. Many scenes are given a very specific aura of emotional intensity that make them work alone, very well.

I can certainly understand donniedarko's comments. The fact is Miyazaki has a very idealistic philosophy in his overall work; if you don't connect with it you'll be likely to find it stupid, but I think he makes the movies himself as a way to react against the real world; they are fables, which are actually written with the child audience in mind (he states that he makes movies for kids), dealing about idealized situations where these utopias of peace and mutual respect can happen.

Well, not exactly all his movies are idealized, Porco Rosso, Princess Mononoke and the Nausicaa manga (clearly from the page above, it's much darker than anything he did, bordering on horror) are much less idealized than his other movies. His most idealized film would be Kiki's Delivery Service, where everybody is nice and happy. And also, real people are not as evil or d*cks as people in Scorsese's or Tarantino's films are as well, so these movies are also idealizations of some sort.

Also, I would add that Nausicaa the film wasn't made for small children, considering that a memo of the studio that I read about Castle in the Sky said that Castle in the Sky was made for a younger audience than Nausicaa and it also said that Castle in the Sky was made for 10-12 years olds. So the target audience for Nausicaa was older than that.

Also, in Japan people under 20 are considered children. So Cobbyth, Donnie Darko, Daniel M., etc, are all children anyway :).

[Deadite]

Psycho is a true classic.

[MovieFan31]

Psycho is a true classic.

Absolutely - I picked this one, being that's its classically superior from my other choice: American History X.