Best Picture Hall of Fame Part 2

[rauldc14]

https://drraa3ej68s2c.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/09113333/9f855aa7d7451da719e29f7d29e3945633d7bede0ac8d4abda68df1f0272e87a-770x443.jpg



https://www.biography.com/.image/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_768/MTU3MjQ1MDk3NzE1NDQzMzE1/gandhi-ben-kingsley-1982.jpg
Gandhi (1982, Richard Attenborough)
Nominated by Citizen Rules


https://www.warhistoryonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/platoon-film-getty.jpg
Platoon (1986, Oliver Stone)
Nominated by Wyldesyde19


https://images.justwatch.com/backdrop/36074074/s1440/unforgiven
Unforgiven (1992, Clint Eastwood)
Nominated by Siddon


https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/images/newsite/brave_HmfgK4k_600.jpg
Braveheart (1995, Mel Gibson)
Nominated by Rauldc14


https://www.latlong.net/photos/american-beauty.jpg
American Beauty (1999, Sam Mendes)
Nominated by Ahwell


https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/b2b05a4ab25f4fca0316459e1c7404c537a89702/c=0-0-1365-768/local/-/media/2018/05/02/USATODAY/usatsports/imageforentry48.jpg?width=660&height=372&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp
The Departed (2006, Martin Scorcese)
Nominated by Sarge


https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2010/11/29/the-kings-speech_wide-0fd82f2afca16cfe56b425b2f06dc756775019ec-s800-c85.jpg
The King's Speech (2010, Tom Hooper)
Nominated by Edarsenal


Let's watch some Best Picture films and vote on what we think should be nominated in what is becoming a super deep Mofo Hall of Fame!

I have decided to not set a time cap on this one due to the limited number of nominations available. I also only ask that previous winners of other Hall of Fames aren't nominated. I'm not too concerned about repeat nominations from the first Best Picture Hall of Fame but keep in mind I'm expecting some repeat contestants this go around.

Off of the top of my head, The Apartment, The Godfather, Casablanca, The Sting, The Best Years of Our Lives, All Quiet on the Western Front, Dances with Wolves, West Side Story, Wings, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and It Happened One Night are ineligible.

Well that may be all of them. Let's have fun with this! We can talk about the competitors as well to make it fun!

Reviews

Ahwell LIST RECEIVED
Unforgiven (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2064833#post2064833)
American Beauty (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2066014#post2066014)
The King's Speech (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2066016#post2066016)
Gandhi (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2068515#post2068515)
Braveheart (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2069515#post2069515)
The Departed (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2071452#post2071452)
Platoon (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2071692#post2071692)

Rauldc14 LIST RECEIVED
American Beauty (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2064843#post2064843)
Braveheart (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2068255#post2068255)
The King's Speech (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2068485#post2068485)
Gandhi (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2078444#post2078444)
The Departed (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2078448#post2078448)
Platoon (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2081155#post2081155)
Unforgiven (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2083205#post2083205)


Wyldesyde19 LIST RECEIVED
Unforgiven (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2064926#post2064926)
Platoon (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2066236#post2066236)
The King's Speech (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2070015#post2070015)
American Beauty (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2071144#post2071144)
Gandhi (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2076475#post2076475)
Braveheart (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2073133#post2073133)
The Departed (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2073379#post2073379)

Sarge LIST RECEIVED
American Beauty (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2065673#post2065673)
Gandhi (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2068377#post2068377)
The King's Speech (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2068866#post2068866)
Platoon (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2069108#post2069108)
Unforgiven (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2072243#post2072243)
The Departed (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2072605#post2072605)
Braveheart (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2074694#post2074694)


Citizen Rules LIST RECEIVED
Unforgiven (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2066084#post2066084)
Gandhi (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2066638#post2066638)
The King's Speech (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067637#post2067637)
Braveheart (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2068612#post2068612)
American Beauty (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2070478#post2070478)
Platoon (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2070972#post2070972)
The Departed (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2072053#post2072053)

Siddon- LIST RECEIVED
Gandhi (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2066657#post2066657)
The King's Speech (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067469#post2067469)
The Departed (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067720#post2067720)
American Beauty (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067783#post2067783)
Platoon (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067810#post2067810)
Unforgiven (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067814#post2067814)
Braveheart (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067859#post2067859)

Edarsenal
The Departed (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067386#post2067386)
Platoon (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067416#post2067416)
Braveheart (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2067840#post2067840)
The King's Speech (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?p=2077998#post2077998)

[ahwell]

Sent in my nom! I was thinking I would go with a blind grab but thought, what the heck, I’ll just nominate something I know and love.

[Citizen Rules]

I went with a blind nom. You guys can look at my MoFo Best Picture List (which is up to date) and see if you can guess my nom. I won't tell but maybe you guys have unused psychic abilities.;)

[ahwell]

I went with a blind nom. You guys can look at my MoFo Best Picture List (which is up to date) and see if you can guess my nom. I won't tell but maybe you guys have unused psychic abilities.;)
Any way you could link your lists? I’m on mobile and can’t find them.

[Citizen Rules]

Any way you could link your lists? I’m on mobile and can’t find them.I meant the Lists link next to my avatar (the star icon).

[Wyldesyde19]

I went with a blind nom. You guys can look at my MoFo Best Picture List (which is up to date) and see if you can guess my nom. I won't tell but maybe you guys have unused psychic abilities.;)
Unforgiven?
Sent mine in. Went with a favorite of mine.
There were 4 that I would have loved to nominate but they were all previous winners, so that helped narrow it down for me some. 😆

[ahwell]

Any way you could link your lists? I’m on mobile and can’t find them.I meant the Lists link next to my avatar (the star icon).
Yeah I know what you’re talking about but unfortunately on mobile you can’t access them and I don’t want to switch back on my phone since apparently there’s that issue with the layout right now. Sorry, didn’t mean to make this a hassle.

[edarsenal]

I'm going with a blind grab as well regarding one I've been wanting to see.
And, of course, nom sent!

[pahaK]

I'm going to skip this as my tastes rarely align with the Academy :D

[Miss Vicky]

I know what film I would choose if I joined, but looking at the possible other nominees there are entirely too many films on that list that I'd rather get a root canal than rewatch or watch at all.

I think I may sit this one out.

[Wyldesyde19]

I know what film I would choose if I joined, but looking at the possible other nominees there are entirely too many films on that list that I'd rather get a root canal than rewatch or watch at all.

I think I may sit this one out.
If I had to guess, Gladiator would be your choice. I’ve read your review, and I know it’s a favorite of yours. It’s one of mine as well.
If not Gladiator, probably A Beautiful Mind?

[Miss Vicky]

If I had to guess, Gladiator would be your choice. I’ve read your review, and I know it’s a favorite of yours. It’s one of mine as well.
If not Gladiator, probably A Beautiful Mind?

I nominated Gladiator in the first Best Picture Hall of Fame (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1847632#post1847632), so I wouldn't choose it again. A Beautiful Mind is a very good movie, but it's never been a favorite so also not what I'd choose. You're on the right track in guessing films that star my favorite actors, though (and Russell Crowe is a big favorite of mine).

[Wyldesyde19]

If I had to guess, Gladiator would be your choice. I’ve read your review, and I know it’s a favorite of yours. It’s one of mine as well.
If not Gladiator, probably A Beautiful Mind?

I nominated Gladiator in the first Best Picture Hall of Fame (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1847632#post1847632), so I wouldn't choose it again. A Beautiful Mind is a very good movie, but it's never been a favorite so also not what I'd choose. You're on the right track in guessing films that star my favorite actors, though (and Russell Crowe is a big favorite of mine).
Ah! I should have looked at the first one to see if you had. That’s my fault.
Hmmm. If I recall correctly, many of your reviews have had DiCaprio as a favorite.
The Departed?

[Miss Vicky]

The Departed?

:yup:

[Wyldesyde19]

The Departed?

:yup:
That would have been a good one. Good movie.
I’ve read many of your reviews on your thread, but it’s hard to remember them all. I wasn’t quite sure if you had enjoyed The Departed or not.

[Miss Vicky]

That would have been a good one. Good movie.
I’ve read many of your reviews on your thread, but it’s hard to remember them all. I wasn’t quite sure if you had enjoyed The Departed or not.

I had it at #18 (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1634267#post1634267) the last time I did my personal top 100.

[rauldc14]

Including myself we have 6 so far. Think this will be a nice little fun one!

[Sarge]

Count me in

[Citizen Rules]

7:up:

[rauldc14]

I've locked my nomination in as well!

[Wyldesyde19]

Going back over what’s ineligible, I saw you mentioned The Godfather, but I didn’t see it amongst any of the winners in any past HOF.
Unless I missed it somewhere?

[rauldc14]

Going back over what’s ineligible, I saw you mentioned The Godfather, but I didn’t see it amongst any of the winners in any past HOF.
Unless I missed it somewhere?

I guess I am wrong, but it's been nominated at least 2-3 times including the last best picture one.

[Wyldesyde19]

Going back over what’s ineligible, I saw you mentioned The Godfather, but I didn’t see it amongst any of the winners in any past HOF.
Unless I missed it somewhere?

I guess I am wrong, but it's been nominated at least 2-3 times including the last best picture one.
Understood. It wouldn’t have changed my nominee regardless.
Are we still looking For one more person?
Anyone ask Comsicrunaway?

[CosmicRunaway]

Anyone ask Comsicrunaway?
I won't be joining this one for the same reason I didn't join the last one; there's an awful lot of Best Picture winners that I either didn't like, or just have little to no interest in seeing. Thanks for thinking about me though!

I also want to catch up on the major 2019 films I haven't seen yet before the deadline for the Film Awards, but I haven't managed to watch anything since the thread opened. I should really work on that before the Film Noir HoF gets up and running haha.

[rauldc14]

One more would be ideal I would say

[Citizen Rules]

I kinda thought The Godfather had won some HoF, but nope. I checked and here's the stats:

19th HoF
#2 The Godfather

Best Picture HoF
# 4 The Godfather

[rauldc14]

If we can't get another one, does anyone object to me randomly picking one from a decade not represented? 8 just feels like a good number to me.

[Citizen Rules]

If we can't get another one, does anyone object to me randomly picking one from a decade not represented? 8 just feels like a good number to me.Why don't we beg someone to join first (@menition thing)? Maybe get a new member or someone who's never been in an Hof. I think if we give it a couple of days another person or two will join.

[Wyldesyde19]

If we can't get another one, does anyone object to me randomly picking one from a decade not represented? 8 just feels like a good number to me.Why don't we beg someone to join first (@menition thing)? Maybe get a new member or someone who's never been in an Hof. I think if we give it a couple of days another person or two will join.
I’m fine with just 7. But it’s up to you guys of course.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm fine with 7 too. Besides I'm wanting to do the Film Noir which I've put on the backburner for this HoF. However if more people want to join that's a plus, so I hope they do:up:

[edarsenal]

There's also the possibility of someone joining AFTER the nominations are revealed. So that may get us the #8, or even #9.

[Siddon]

If we can't get another one, does anyone object to me randomly picking one from a decade not represented? 8 just feels like a good number to me.


What decades have been represented?

[Wyldesyde19]

If we can't get another one, does anyone object to me randomly picking one from a decade not represented? 8 just feels like a good number to me.


What decades have been represented?
I’ve been wondering the same thing. I’m curious what is represented.

[rauldc14]

That gives up too much. A reveal on Sunday...

[edarsenal]

That gives up too much. A reveal on Sunday...

And so it was written: God did rest on the seventh day, for He was dying to know The Reveal and did not want to miss any of it.
Here sayeth the Lord

basically

somewhat

[rauldc14]

Are we ready for the 7 nominees?

[ahwell]

Are we ready for the 7 nominees?
Yes!

[Wyldesyde19]

Are we ready for the 7 nominees?
I am! 🙂

[Citizen Rules]

Me three!

[rauldc14]

Here are the 7! I will update the front page and add pictures after the ceremony!

Gandhi
Platoon
Unforgiven
Braveheart
American Beauty
The Departed
The King's Speech

[Wyldesyde19]

Here are the 7! I will update the front page and add pictures after the ceremony!

Gandhi
Platoon
Unforgiven
Braveheart
American Beauty
The Departed
The King's Speech
Nice! I have seen all of these and even own 5 of them.

[ahwell]

I’ve seen two of these, including my own nomination!

Are we allowed to say what our nomination is?

[edarsenal]

Are we ready for the 7 nominees?

Abso-toot-ley!

Pretty fun list! Seen five out of the seven and love the ones I've seen


Gandhi One of two I haven't seen, but often wanted to; so YAY
Platoon Loved this since I saw it at the theater. Been a while, so definitely time for a revisit
Unforgiven VERY good Eastwood western that gives us a view into the gunslinger decades later
Braveheart Another HUGE favorite
American Beauty Another big favorite of mine. Seen it countless times. Very happy to see it again
The Departed While I do prefer the original Infernal Affairs from Hong Kong this is STILL a solid film.
The King's Speech This is my nomination and its a Blind Grab that I've been dying to see but just never had the chance.

[Citizen Rules]

I've seen 5 of 7.

Gandhi... My nom...and I've not seen it, but I love historical time period films so it might be to my liking.

Platoon...I've always hoped we could do a HoF war series, one HoF for each major war conflict:eek: I've seen this before and liked it, even reviewed it. But that was a number of years ago so I'll rewatch it and review it without reading my old review.

Unforgiven...Seen it once, thought it was great. I was planning on watching it again so glad it was nominated here.

Braveheart...I've seen this several times, I use to love it, not sure what I'd think of it now.

American Beauty...Seen it once long ago, though it was good, I do like Kevin Spacey as an actor.

The Departed...Not seen it and I'm not a fan of Scorsese's crime films. Though I'm a fan of the director. I'm glad it was nominated.

The King's Speech...Seen it when it first came out, really liked it. Everybody who I told about it, loved it too.

[Wyldesyde19]

Braveheart has a special place for me. It was the first Oscar watch for me and it helped me become the cinephile I am today

[Sarge]

Some great films there. Excited by this

Gandhi Never seen it

Platoon Powerful film. One of the best war films that I have seen.

Unforgiven Another that I love. Superb from Clint, both sides of the camera.

Braveheart I liked this but have always had issues with the historical innacuracies and with Gibson and his anti English agenda. Another where the lead is also the director. Will try and watch with neautral eyes.

American Beauty Never really appealed to me but I know that it is highly rated. Not sure how recent revelations will affect my viewing.

The Departed :cool:

The King's Speech Great acting but found it a bit boring. We will see what I think this time.

Can't wait to get started.

[Hey Fredrick]

Gandhi... My nom...and I've not seen it, but I love historical time period films so it might be to my liking.[I.

I'm with you on those kinds of movies. Love 'em. Gandhi is often cited as one of the weaker BP winners and I don't get it. I thought it was one of the better ones and Kingsley is amazing. One of the best performances ever.

[rauldc14]

I almost went blind nom with Mrs. Miniver. But I didn't want to be the only old nommer.

Braveheart is just so damn good IMO.

[Miss Vicky]

Glad to see The Departed get nommed. I’m also glad I chose to sit this out and am not obligated to watch Braveheart or American Beauty again.

[rauldc14]

I wouldn't have picked Braveheart if you were in though honestly.

[rauldc14]

I would have went Rain Man, which you may hate even more :)

[Miss Vicky]

I actually like Rain Man.

[Citizen Rules]

...Are we allowed to say what our nomination is?Well me, Ed & Wyldesyde already did. So you might as well fess up:p


Braveheart I liked this but have always had issues with the historical innacuracies and with Gibson and his anti English agenda. Another where the lead is also the director. Will try and watch with neautral eyes. I never heard of Mel Gibson being accused of anti-Englishism, or did you mean his character in Braveheart?

I almost went blind nom with Mrs. Miniver. But I didn't want to be the only old nommer.I wish you would've I love that movie.

I actually like Rain Man.I'm surprised by that, I would've though you would have found Dustin Hoffman annoying.

[Sarge]

Well me, Ed & Wyldesyde already did. So you might as well fess up:p

I never heard of Mel Gibson being accused of anti-Englishism, or did you mean his character in Braveheart?

I wish you would've I love that movie.

I'm surprised by that, I would've though you would have found Dustin Hoffman annoying.

I am certain that if he could have gave the Roman soldiers in the Passion of the Christ English accents he would have.

In all seriousness, It was largely tongue in cheek but with Braveheart, closely followed by the Patriot he just took it upon himself to show how nasty the English were. He of course does have a point.

The historical innacuracies of Braveheart though are not something I can overlook. Yes its a good film, but the fact he uses real people and real events and shows no faithfulness to history, didn't sit well with me. He could have just made characters up instead.

[ahwell]

My nomination was American Beauty, and of the nominations I’ve seen only that and Unforgiven.

[Wyldesyde19]

...Are we allowed to say what our nomination is?Well me, Ed & Wyldesyde already did. So you might as well fess up:p.
I haven’t confessed yet actually. 😜
Platoon is my pick however

[Miss Vicky]

My nomination was American Beauty, and of the nominations I’ve seen only that and Unforgiven.

I've seen all of them, but I remember almost nothing about Ghandi because I had to watch that back in high school and haven't seen it since.

I love The Departed, hate Braveheart, dislike American Beauty, and am fairly indifferent to the rest. I'll be keeping an eye on this to see how The Departed fares.

[Citizen Rules]

I am certain that if he could have gave the Roman soldiers in the Passion of the Christ English accents he would have.

In all seriousness, It was largely tongue in cheek but with Braveheart, closely followed by the Patriot he just took it upon himself to show how nasty the English were. He of course does have a point.

The historical innacuracies of Braveheart though are not something I can overlook. Yes its a good film, but the fact he uses real people and real events and shows no faithfulness to history, didn't sit well with me. He could have just made characters up instead.Ack, that sounds like nationalism. Somewhere in Oz there's another guy on another movie board complaining about some British actor and his accent.

[rauldc14]

This time around I'll also be comparing the winners to their nominees from the same year, just for a nice spark and debate.

[Citizen Rules]

This time around I'll also be comparing the winners to their nominees from the same year, just for a nice spark and debate.Weren't you going to post the movie posters and who nominated them? Or did I miss that post.

[Citizen Rules]

I haven’t confessed yet actually. 😜
Platoon is my pick however...my bad. I though Braveheart was yours.

[rauldc14]

Yeah I've just slacked pretty hardcore :p

[Wyldesyde19]

I have seen all of these already. A few notes:

Gandhi: first time I tried watching this I turned sit off because I found in boring. Made a second attempt a few years laters and managed to finish it. Kingsley is great in this, but’s it stuffy, and filmed at a glacial pace. Will rewatch.

Platoon: one of my all time top films and my nomination.

Unforgiven: also one of my all time favorites. I nearly nominated this film but decided to leave it for the Western HOF 3 we had been discussing. Won’t nominate it there now. 😜

Braveheart: also love this movie. Everyone mentions the historical innacuracies, but one must remember that we’re not going to a movie for a history lesson. Artistic liberties are expected. as long as it’s not driven by an agenda, and I don’t think it was here.

American Beauty: really love this movie despite what happened with Spacey. I’ve learned long ago to separate a film from a persons personal life. Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to enjoy Sinatra’s films. (That guy was a piece of work)

The Departed: I really enjoyed this movie, saw it twice in the theatre. Always thought the script was overwritten. Despite how much I enjoyed it, It’s a shame Marty won for this over his more impressive works. Basically a career achievement.

The King's Speech: saw this in the theatre as well. Liked the story and the acting. Been meaning to rewatch it to see how it holds up.

[Wyldesyde19]

I haven’t confessed yet actually. 😜
Platoon is my pick however...my bad. I though Braveheart was yours.
It’s all good.

[Citizen Rules]

...we’re not going to a movie for a history lesson....
I’ve learned long ago to separate a film from a persons personal life...:yup: I agree with both of those. That's why I like Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, seriously, I like that movie. Despite the fact that Lincoln never chopped up that many vampires in his life!

[Wyldesyde19]

...we’re not going to a movie for a history lesson....
I’ve learned long ago to separate a film from a persons personal life...:yup: I agree with both of those. That's why I like Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, seriously, I like that movie. Despite the fact that Lincoln never chopped up that many vampires in his life!
Are we sure he didn’t? 😏

[Citizen Rules]

Are we sure he didn’t? 😏Have you seen it? It's a blast, cheesy as all hell, but deliciously so.

[Wyldesyde19]

Are we sure he didn’t? 😏Have you seen it? It's a blast, cheesy as all hell, but deliciously so.
I haven’t yet. I remember seeing the books years ago and remarking to my brother “I bet they make a movie out of that.” Lo and behold....

[Citizen Rules]

I haven’t yet. I remember seeing the books years ago and remarking to my brother “I bet they make a movie out of that.” Lo and behold....I'm still waiting to see this one
FDR: American Badass! (2012)

(https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1811315/)

[rauldc14]

I've seen 5 of the 7. Will rewatch them all as I always do.

Gandhi and The King's Speech are my two blind spots here.

I'll open it off with American Beauty since that's on Netflix. I own Braveheart, Unforgiven, Departed and Platoon.

[Citizen Rules]

Who nominated Unforgiven? I read the thread again, but didn't see who it was.

Gandhi - CR
Platoon - Wyldesyde
Unforgiven
Braveheart - Raul
American Beauty - Ahwell
The Departed - Sarge
The King's Speech - Edarsenal

[rauldc14]

Siddon for Unforgiven

[John-Connor]

Seen 'em all, if it was the other way around I would've joined.
Strong nominations, I would rank them:



Braveheart
Unforgiven
American Beauty
The Departed
Platoon
The King's Speech
Gandhi


I'll be rooting for Braveheart.:joaquin:

[Sarge]

Be interesting to see if my opinions on how I currently rank these films changes on viewing.

I am going into it with the intention of being as open minded as possible.

[cricket]

1. American Beauty
2. Unforgiven

Both masterpieces to me

Braveheart, The Departed, and Platoon are all right there too just a shade under the other two.

Saw The King's Speech recently and just thought it was decent.

Gandhi is already in my queue and I'll try to get to it before this is over.

[cricket]

Notice my second email-

60341

[Citizen Rules]

I don't get it?

[cricket]

I don't get it?

I've been using Lester Burnham's name as an alternate email for several years.

[Wyldesyde19]

I don't get it?

I've been using Lester Burnham's name as an alternate email for several years.
Name of Spaceys character from American Beauty

[Citizen Rules]

Oh OK, I get it now:D

[edarsenal]

I almost went blind nom with Mrs. Miniver. But I didn't want to be the only old nommer.

Braveheart is just so damn good IMO.
I was considering Mrs. Miniver as a blind grab as well lol

[ahwell]

I was considering Mrs. Miniver as a blind grab as well lol

Wow, so was I!!!

Just kidding. But what I was considering was a blind grab, Gone With the Wind. It technically was under the usual time limit, but I just wasn't sure if everyone would hate me for nominating it:D

[edarsenal]

This time around I'll also be comparing the winners to their nominees from the same year, just for a nice spark and debate.

Cool! That was a lot of fun last time

[edarsenal]

Wow, so was I!!!

Just kidding. But what I was considering was a blind grab, Gone With the Wind. It technically was under the usual time limit, but I just wasn't sure if everyone would hate me for nominating it:D

ya know, I haven't seen that since I was a pup. I'd be curious to see how I felt about it now. Pretty sure I'd still enjoy Clark Gable being his roguish self.

[ahwell]

Unforgiven

Unforgiven blew me away with it's fascinating characters, dark and gritty tone, and morally complex plot. The story is twisted and often disturbing, and we often switch between which characters we're rooting for.

Violence plays such a huge role in this movie, and Clint Eastwood handles it beautifully. Violence of all types is shown, often brutal, and Eastwood's messages about the dangerous cycle of it all are only too prevalent.

Because that is exactly what this movie is about. A cycle of never-ending violence in the Old West, and in our modern culture too. Not just violence, but toxicity. One prostitute's face is cut up, so the rest of the prostitutes offer a reward for killing the cowboys that did it. That sets off a whole new turn of bloodshed, ending in the loss of many innocent lives.

That ending scene is tragic and powerful. I don't think we're supposed to sympathize with any character in the movie, other than perhaps some of the prostitutes. Most of the male characters are toxic and evil, and Clint's character - while quiet and often contemplative - did kill many in his youth and in the end he goes on one last spree. What was it? Did he not feel redeemed for giving up violence? Had he had enough and just decided to shoot away, angry at the loss of his friend? His brutal murders at the end bring this epic tale to a close with more melancholy than I've ever seen in a Western.

And, yes this is totally "The Irishman" for Eastwood. Remember, this was the last Western he ever acted in. It brings an end to an era, and Clint knew his time as an actor was waning.

This movie I just think is way more relevant and important today than people give it credit for. Pretty much by and far the best Western I've ever seen.

4+

[rauldc14]

American Beauty

https://www.nydailynews.com/resizer/uVjy1ZrvhvwZ_wanBnNnFmRP3JM=/415x273/top/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/VRBEO2URVDGBAEP3SIECQSDSME.jpg

This was my second watch of the film and I'm pretty positive my first viewing was about 10 years ago when I first joined Mofo, or perhaps just a tad bit before that.

It's one of those films that I wish I loved, but yet I strangely do like it. There are so many ways to interpret the film and there is a lot of strange things going on but that makes it to be a bit of an adventure.

Kevin Spacey was very good as Lester Burnham and I won't let what he's become cloud my judgement on that. Actually all of the performances are quite good. It's weird that Thora Birch didn't become a big deal after Hocus Pocus and this. Perhaps Annette Bennings best performance too and got to like Chris Cooper. On a side note, I never knew Allison Janney was in this either!

I'm divided on that ending sequence and how I feel about it and whether it was the right way to end the film, but I think it was meant to make the viewer feel a bit uneasy and it succeeded with that. Also love the overall subtle humor in some of the scenes, usually with Spacey.

The plastic bag scene seems to strangely connect with me. I've often found beauty in this world with the strangest things.

The best thing is that Thomas Newman score. Simply beautiful and among the best in film history certainly!

Feel like I'm underrating it a bit but...

3.5

[cricket]

The plastic bag scene is perhaps the most talked about in the movie. Yet for me, it's the only scene in the movie that's a dead spot.

[rauldc14]

The plastic bag scene is perhaps the most talked about in the movie. Yet for me, it's the only scene in the movie that's a dead spot.

What scenes hit you then?

[cricket]

What scenes hit you then?

Well most of all I feel that I can identify with Lester, except with how he lusts after a young girl. Besides that, he might be my favorite character ever. I think much of the movie is hysterical and I find it very relatable.

[edarsenal]

Well most of all I feel that I can identify with Lester, except with how he lusts after a young girl. Besides that, he might be my favorite character ever. I think much of the movie is hysterical and I find it very relatable.

I know exactly what you mean about being relatable. Especially when it came to Lester. Those vulnerable moments. That need to breakout of the "norm" and just be your own person. Most of us stay stuck. Ya know.
And like you said, there is some hysterical bits in that film.

[Wyldesyde19]

Unforgiven

Will Munny: It’s a hell of a thing, killing a man. You take away everything he’s got...and everything he’s ever gonna have.
The Schofield Kid: yeah, well I guess they had it comin’.
Munny: we all have it coming’, kid.

Never has a sentence managed to catch the essence of a film so deeply.
Unforgiven is a tale of a former gunman, William Munny, played amazingly by Eastwood, who h see tired and cleaned up in his old age. He’s convinced to take one last job by his old partner, also played magnificently by Morgan Freeman.
Munny’s struggle with his past, both internally and externally, makes him wonder if he has indeed reformed, and wonders if his last sins will catch up to him.
Waiting for him is the town sheriff, Little Bill Dagget, played with icy contempt in yet another brilliant performance by Gene Hackman, in a role that netted him his second Oscar. In many ways, Munny and Little Bill are much alike, except Munny is aware of his actions. Little Bill believes the ends justify the means.
In the end, they meet in a climax that amazes me with its simplicity.
Munny is all too aware of his shortcomings, and eventually comes to accept who he is, and his nature. There is a great exchange between the two of them that highlights their differences in how they see each themselves.
Dagget: I don’t deserve this. I was building a house.
Munny: Deserves got nothing to do with it.
Dagget: I’ll see you in hell.
Munny: Yeah......

Munny has accepted who he is, who he was, and who he will always be. Little Bill continues to deny any wrong doing. Even at the end of the film.

A true classic. Thank you Siddon for the nomination. Seeing it for the likely 20th time, it never ages for me. Even after having first watched this back during a typical day after HS over 20 years ago on a VHS tape. My, how time flies. And much like the film was for Eastwood, nostalgia sets in.

[edarsenal]

nice write up, Wylde. Been a while since I've seen The Unforgiven AND it'll double as a rewatch for my Western List. Gotta like that!

[Wyldesyde19]

nice write up, Wylde. Been a while since I've seen The Unforgiven AND it'll double as a rewatch for my Western List. Gotta like that!
I almost nominated it for this, but then I figured I might for the Western HOF 3 if it wasn’t by anyone else.

[Siddon]

Pity we didn't get the Mrs Miniver/American Beauty double feature.

Anyways the films on my shortlist

Sunrise(1927)
Cavalcade (1932)
The Life of Emile Zola (1937)
You Can't Take it With You (1938)
Mrs Miniver (1942)
Going my Way (1944)
The Godfather Part II (1974) (I nom'd Godfather I last time)
The Last Emperor (1987) (I considered Citizen Rules might have picked this one)
The Silence of the Lambs (which was tracking to win the last one)
Braveheart


I decided to go with Unforgiven as it's a film I've been meaning to revisit and I wanted to figure out where it will line up on my Western list.

[Citizen Rules]

Pity we didn't get the Mrs Miniver/American Beauty double feature.

Anyways the films on my shortlist

Sunrise(1927)
Cavalcade (1932)
The Life of Emile Zola (1937)
You Can't Take it With You (1938)
Mrs Miniver (1942)
Going my Way (1944)
The Godfather Part II (1974) (I nom'd Godfather I last time)
The Last Emperor (1987) (I considered Citizen Rules might have picked this one)
The Silence of the Lambs (which was tracking to win the last one)
Braveheart


I decided to go with Unforgiven as it's a film I've been meaning to revisit and I wanted to figure out where it will line up on my Western list.Good guessing, yes I had seriously considered The Last Emperor. It's not crossed off my MoFo list, but I have seen it...but so long ago that I do want to rewatch it.

[gbgoodies]

Unforgiven

Unforgiven is a tale of a former gunman, William Munny, played amazingly by Eastwood, who h see tired and cleaned up in his old age. He’s convinced to take one last job by his old partner, also played magnificently by Morgan Freeman.
Munny’s struggle with his past, both internally and externally, makes him wonder if he has indeed reformed, and wonders if his last sins will catch up to him.
.


Great review, but I have one question. You mentioned that Eastwood's character is convinced by Freeman's character to take one last job. Am I remembering wrong, or is that backwards? Didn't Eastwood character take the job first, and then ask Freeman's character to join him?

.

[Wyldesyde19]

Unforgiven

Unforgiven is a tale of a former gunman, William Munny, played amazingly by Eastwood, who h see tired and cleaned up in his old age. He’s convinced to take one last job by his old partner, also played magnificently by Morgan Freeman.
Munny’s struggle with his past, both internally and externally, makes him wonder if he has indeed reformed, and wonders if his last sins will catch up to him.
.


Great review, but I have one question. You mentioned that Eastwood's character is convinced by Freeman's character to take one last job. Am I remembering wrong, or is that backwards? Didn't Eastwood character take the job first, and then ask Freeman's character to join him?

.
You’re right, it was the Schofield Kid who convinced him, and he convinced Freeman in return. Thank you for the catch

[rauldc14]

My possible other nominations:

Rain Man
Mrs. Miniver (blind nom)
The Artist (only seen once)
From Here to Eternity

[Citizen Rules]

My possible other nominations:

Rain Man
Mrs. Miniver (blind nom)
The Artist (only seen once)
From Here to EternityThose would've all been great to see. My other possible noms were:
The Life of Émile Zola
Hamlet
Terms of Endearment
The Last Emperor


Midnight Cowboy

[edarsenal]

Midnight Cowboy was a contender for me. Especially since I haven't seen it yet

[Citizen Rules]

Midnight Cowboy was a contender for me. Especially since I haven't seen it yetIt doesn't sound at all like something I'd like, but still I'd like to see it anyway just so I could complete my Best Picture List one day. I was hoping someone would've nominated it. Well maybe next time.

[Sarge]

Gatting started tomorrow. Will get two done and will start with one that I haven't seen - American beauty. Looking forward to it.

[Wyldesyde19]

Midnight Cowboy was a contender for me. Especially since I haven't seen it yetIt doesn't sound at all like something I'd like, but still I'd like to see it anyway just so I could complete my Best Picture List one day. I was hoping someone would've nominated it. Well maybe next time.
I had it amongst my possible contenders, since I own it

[edarsenal]

I watched The Departed last night and just finished Platoon moments ago. My God that film STILL has such an emotional impact as it did when I saw it in the theater when it came out.
Should have write ups in the next day or so, depending on how bad we get hit with this snowstorm coming through the Midwest tonight and tomorrow and what can of work day it causes me Thursday.

[Wyldesyde19]

I watched The Departed last night and just finished Platoon moments ago. My God that film STILL has such an emotional impact as it did when I saw it in the theater when it came out.
Should have write ups in the next day or so, depending on how bad we get hit with this snowstorm coming through the Midwest tonight and tomorrow and what can of work day it causes me Thursday.
I envy you for being able to watch it in the theatres.
I envy anyone during the 70’s and 80’s really

[edarsenal]

I envy you for being able to watch it in the theatres.
I envy anyone during the 70’s and 80’s really
we had spoken of this previously. I feel the same about the generation before me. Wishing I was born in the '50s to experience the craziness of the sixties and especially the music that occurred at that time. MY GOD to be at THOSE concerts, WOW.

I'm sure if it occurs near where you live but there are some movie theaters that dedicate a midnight show or specialty events playing older films. Which is pretty cool. Especially if it is one of the older marques. There's one here that has the old organ and balconies with shows on the weekends. Seen a couple there in the past few years.

[rauldc14]

Guess I've only seen 3 Best Picture winners in the theater :(

[ahwell]

Guess I've only seen 3 Best Picture winners in the theater :(
I’ve only seen one BP winner in theaters, Parasite. It was worth it. I guess you could count two since La La Land was a winner for two minutes there.

[Citizen Rules]

I seen only one BP winner, The Godfather when I was in grade school. Though I don't remember watching it I think I was asleep in the back seat of my parents car.

[rauldc14]

I’ve only seen one BP winner in theaters, Parasite. It was worth it. I guess you could count two since La La Land was a winner for two minutes there.

Can't we just all agree it won?

[rauldc14]

The three I've seen

LORD OF THE RINGS
THE SHAPE OF WATER
GREEN BOOK

[Sarge]

https://uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/american-beauty-tfeat-uproxx.jpg?w=1600&h=495&crop=1

American beauty (1999)

I had never previously watched this film, as despite the fuss surrounding it at the time it went in to that very small category of films that I just didn't fancy watching and each time I thought about it, I put it off again. I have done it with a few films and realised that I had missed out by not watching them earlier.
I also knew very little about it. I knew the basic premise of an older man fantasizing about a younger girl but that was it really.
So what did I think...?
I loved the feel of the film and the narration in the opening sequence, it really eased me in to to film and set the tone.
I liked the delving into the psyche of the characters and their interaction with one another as well as the personal turmoil that each was dealing with.
I am finding it difficult to sum up my reaction to this film if I am honest. I was engaged and drawn in and it is lingering in my thoughts afterwards, but I am not sure fully how I feel about it.
I was really engaged due to the fact that the outcome of the story is revealed at the beginning of the film but then there are multiple ways in which that outcome could be reached and it kept an air of mystery.
There is however still part of me left thinking, 'is that it?' I wanted more story,
The bit that I had, I enjoyed, but I wanted more, that maybe is indicative of the quality of the film that it left me wanting more.
I am sorry for the messiness of these thoughts, but I can't articulate how I feel.
I can see however, that it is a quality piece of film making with superb acting and an excellent sound track.

3.5

[pahaK]

I loved the feel of the film and the narration in the opening sequence, it really eased me in to to film and set the tone.

Was the opening sequence the "Look at me, jerking off in the shower... This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here."? I saw the film in the theater and that's what I remember most clearly of it. I'd need to rewatch it myself, too.

[Sarge]

Was the opening sequence the "Look at me, jerking off in the shower... This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here."? I saw the film in the theater and that's what I remember most clearly of it. I'd need to rewatch it myself, too.

That is part of it but not the focus of my comment :D . It starts with a shot from above the town and then it zooms in and he is talking about his boring life and his death.

[edarsenal]

First run at the theater, I've seen:
The Sting
Amadeus
Platoon
Dances With Wolves
The Silence of the Lambs
Braveheart
Titantic
Gladiator
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

and I did get to see a special run of The Bridge on the River Kwai at the Detroit Art Institute back in the late 90s.

[cricket]

Seen 10 at the movies

Slumdog Millionaire
The Departed
Titanic
American Beauty
Gladiator
Forrest Gump
Silence of the Lambs
Platoon-me and a friend asked an older guy to buy our tickets because we weren't old enough
Chariots of Fire-with parents
Rocky-with parents

[Miss Vicky]

Not that I'm in this HOF, but I've seen five Best Picture winners in the theater:

Titanic
Gladiator (5 times)
A Beautiful Mind
Chicago (was like $2 a ticket and buy one get one free)
The Departed

[Citizen Rules]

Not that I'm in this HOF, but I've seen five Best Picture winners in the theater:

Titanic
Gladiator (5 times)
A Beautiful Mind
Chicago (was like $2 a ticket and buy one get one free)
The DepartedChicago? You seen Chicago, wow! You must have gotten the free ticket then?

[Citizen Rules]

Seen 10 at the movies

Slumdog Millionaire
The Departed
Titanic
American Beauty
Gladiator
Forrest Gump
Silence of the Lambs
Platoon-me and a friend asked an older guy to buy our tickets because we weren't old enough
Chariots of Fire-with parents
Rocky-with parentsI think you win! That's a lot.

So, I checked all the Best Pic films I've only seen three. And two was when I was a little kid so don't remember them.

The French Connection
The Godfather
Gladiator

[cricket]

I think you win! That's a lot.

I'm surprised because I haven't been to the movies at all since 2011.

[Wyldesyde19]

First run:
Chicago
Lord of the Rings: The Return is the King
The Departed
The Kings Speech
The Artist
Argo
12 Years a Slave

Took my ex to the anniversary release in 2012 because she wanted to see it:
Titanic

Special viewings for the Classics run Penn Cinema likes to show in Lancaster, Pa (obligatory shoutout):
Rebecca
Casablanca
From Here to Eternity

[edarsenal]

I'm surprised because I haven't been to the movies at all since 2011.

I'm kinda that way. I used to go multiple times a week or more and then somewhere after the new millennia it was once or twice a year, if that.
Though a lot of that has to do with my work schedule of working from 4pm to midnight 6 days a week.

[Miss Vicky]

Chicago? You seen Chicago, wow! You must have gotten the free ticket then?

Nah, we always split on the cost on "two-fer Tuesdays." We'd just show up at a random time and buy tickets for whichever movie was playing soonest.

I actually don't mind Chicago.

[Wyldesyde19]

I'm surprised because I haven't been to the movies at all since 2011.

I'm kinda that way. I used to go multiple times a week or more and then somewhere after the new millennia it was once or twice a year, if that.
Though a lot of that has to do with my work schedule of working from 4pm to midnight 6 days a week.
That’s the exact same schedule I work. Same amount of days as well.
I went often, usually every week, between 2000-2005, then couldn’t due to work, then again between 2009-2013, almost always alone both times. rarely go these days. Usually go somewhere between 6-10 times a year.

[edarsenal]

Nah, we always split on the cost on "two-fer Tuesdays." We'd just show up at a random time and buy tickets for whichever movie was playing soonest.

I actually don't mind Chicago.

I WOULD like Chicago BUT I just can't get over the fact that anyone would dump Catherine Zeta Jones for Renée Zellweger. :nope::#:nope::suspicious:
There are certain suspensions of disbelief that even I cannot do and that's one of them.

[cricket]

Recently time has been an issue in regards to my ability to watch movies, but as far as going to the cinema, I just stopped enjoying it as I've gotten older. I don't really like going anywhere anymore unless it's taking the dogs out somewhere.

[ahwell]

I'm realizing from this HoF most best picture winners are long! The shortest one is King's Speech, which still clocks in at 1 hr, 59 minutes. I usually go shortest to longest 'cause I'm a slacker, but damn this is gonna be hard, especially with Gandhi and Braveheart.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm realizing from this HoF most best picture winners are long! The shortest one is King's Speech, which still clocks in at 1 hr, 59 minutes. I usually go shortest to longest 'cause I'm a slacker, but damn this is gonna be hard, especially with Gandhi and Braveheart.
Sorry:p

It might be easier this time to get the long movies watched and out of the way. At least you know they were good enough to win Best Picture Oscars.

[Wyldesyde19]

I'm realizing from this HoF most best picture winners are long! The shortest one is King's Speech, which still clocks in at 1 hr, 59 minutes. I usually go shortest to longest 'cause I'm a slacker, but damn this is gonna be hard, especially with Gandhi and Braveheart.
Sorry:p

It might be easier this time to get the long movies watched and out of the way. At least you know they were good enough to win Best Picture Oscars.
Yeah, many BP winners tended to be on the long side, anywhere from 2 1/2 - 3 hours long and sometimes longer. I figured it would have been inevitable.
Still worth it however.

[edarsenal]

Recently time has been an issue in regards to my ability to watch movies, but as far as going to the cinema, I just stopped enjoying it as I've gotten older. I don't really like going anywhere anymore unless it's taking the dogs out somewhere.

or going to the bathroom in the woods. . .

I remember that photo from the Survivor game lol

[ahwell]

American Beauty

My own nomination, and my sixth favorite Best Picture Winner ever. This movie gets a lot more criticism nowadays from people saying that it worked right in 1999 but not now. I disagree. First of all, I notice most of those people have serious issues with Kevin Spacey (which is probably valid). However, they let that hatred cloud their vision of the film itself, and the extraordinary acting performance by him and directorial work of Sam Mendes.

And speaking of Sam Mendes, what a director. He is not an "autuer" like Kubrick, or Wes Anderson, or Tarkovsky. He has no unique vision or special stamp. He's simply a ****ing good director who makes ****ing good movies. And what a ****ing debut with American Beauty. For me, this was the rightful best film of 1999, rivaled maybe only by The Iron Giant.

I think, while all the characters are ******** to some extent, some of them are frightfully relatable. Kevin Spacey is a dick, yet I personally identify with a lot of his problems. He feels completely boxed in with his life, almost as if suffocating on the normal suburban lifestyle; he wants to break free, and with the examples he is given he does. Obviously the movie is a lot more complex than that, and while the paper bag scene is a little too cheesy and melodramatic, it is so oddly easy to identify with.

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this one, it won't be for everyone and in some aspects it is definitely dated, but I still think it holds up quite well today.

4+

[Wyldesyde19]

American Beauty

My own nomination, and my sixth favorite Best Picture Winner ever. This movie gets a lot more criticism nowadays from people saying that it worked right in 1999 but not now. I disagree. First of all, I notice most of those people have serious issues with Kevin Spacey (which is probably valid). However, they let that hatred cloud their vision of the film itself, and the extraordinary acting performance by him and directorial work of Sam Mendes.

And speaking of Sam Mendes, what a director. He is not an "autuer" like Kubrick, or Wes Anderson, or Tarkovsky. He has no unique vision or special stamp that makes him unique. He's simply a ****ing good director who makes ****ing good movies. And what a ****ing debut with American Beauty. For me, this was the rightful best film of 1999, rivaled maybe only by The Iron Giant.

I think, while all the characters are ******** to some extent, some of them are frightfully relatable. Kevin Spacey is a dick, yet I personally identify with a lot of his problems. He feels completely boxed in with his life, almost as if suffocating on the normal suburban lifestyle; he wants to break free, and with the examples he is given he does. Obviously the movie is a lot more complex than that, and while the paper bag scene is a little too cheesy and melodramatic, it is so oddly easy to identify with.

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this one, it won't be for everyone and in some aspects it is definitely dated, but I still think it holds up quite well today.

4+


I feel a lot of that revisionist criticism is derived from the fallout involving Spacey. It’s undeserved in my opinion. Judge the man, fine, but his roles are separate and should remain so.

[ahwell]

The King's Speech

This is literally the most "Oscar Bait" film possible. It checks all the boxes. Great acting. Period/costume style drama. And yes, drama. Maybe a couple of quirky lines, but not much else. Inspiring. Well done. But also... directed by the DIRECTOR OF CATS. Imagine being Tom Hooper, directing a Best Picture winner and then 9 years later making the worst movie of the year. Poor dude.

This isn't bad though. Half the cast from Harry Potter was in it, so that was kind of distracting (Worm tail was Winston Churchill wtffff, and Dumbledore was main character's dad, and BELLATRIX was his wife lol). Honestly, I may have enjoyed it more if it hadn't won Best Picture, just thinking of all the amazing films it beat... forget Social Network or Black Swan, I would easily take Toy Story 3 or How to Train Your Dragon over this. It's just so formulaic and predictable, but ends up being a pretty good story anyways. Acting is stellar, and looks good too.

Just not something I think I'll remember in a year.

3+

[ahwell]

I feel a lot of that revisionist criticism is derived from the fallout involving Spacey. It’s undeserved in my opinion. Judge the man, fine, but his roles are separate and should remain so.

Yeah, exactly, I found his performance masterful before I knew about the allegations, why would any of that change afterwards?

[Wyldesyde19]

I feel a lot of that revisionist criticism is derived from the fallout involving Spacey. It’s undeserved in my opinion. Judge the man, fine, but his roles are separate and should remain so.

Yeah, exactly, I found his performance masterful before I knew about the allegations, why would any of that change afterwards?

It’s like Polanski. Man was a rapist. Fled the country to avoid prosecution. A real PoS.
But his films are masterful.

[edarsenal]

I'm curious to see IF American Beauty is dated. I don't think it will be.

And I feel the same way about the scandals. Didn't follow any of them and it doesn't matter to me. I'm with Wylde, I still take the person separate from the the films that they make/star in. Much like i do with music. A lot of creative geniuses are or were utterly deplorable as human beings and yet their works are truly beautiful. Kind of like that line from the movie Amadeus: "I'm a vulgar man. But, I swear to you, my music is NOT."

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=60506
Unforgiven (1992)

Solid western from one of the legends of western movies...Clint Eastwood. Eastwood's laconic performance fits the character Bill Munny to a tee. Munny is, as we would image him to be...a coiled viper reformed by the love of a good woman, and without her guiding hand he's a man who could once again do great violence.

But I think the real star here is Eastwood the director. As a director, Eastwood employs the same no-frills, well honed and laconic style of film making that made him famous as an actor. The actor is the director and the film is highly focused with nary a misstep, but a couple of misfires. The film takes the myth of the old west, a myth that Eastwood himself helped to make, and deconstructs that myth and shows it to be mostly the stuff of idle talk that turned into folk legend. And the misfire of a gun is used to demonstrate that in a gunfight it's not about a quick draw but about a cool head and luck. And nothing is more unlucky than a misfire in a gunfight.

I reckon Unforgiven will be the number one movie in the upcoming western countdown.

[rauldc14]

I think Once Upon a Time in the West takes the Western countdown personally.

[Wyldesyde19]

Platoon

Chris Taylor: Somebody once wrote: "Hell is the impossibility of reason." That's what this place feels like. Hell.

And so begins Taylor’s descent into hell. His first minutes spent as soon as he steps off the helicopter he notices the bodies being carried away. Live bodies come in, dead bodies go out. It’s a fresh exchange that illustrates what’s he’s in for.
Taylor is played by Charlie Sheen, with a sense of innocence and naïveté that’s expected of a new recruit. Both feelings pass before long. He’s introduced in quick succession to his Sargents. Elias, played by Willem Dafoe, and Barnes, played by Tom Berenger. Both roles are perfectly cast.
Taylor soon finds himself torn between both, Elias offering care and nurture, while Barnes offers violence and death. Both fight for control of Sheens metaphorical soul. Both have different ideological views about the war. And how they approach it. This is evident at the Village scene that’s meant to invoke the My Lai Massacre.
Eventually their personalities come to a climax that is both inevitable and violent.
The scenes are shot in a nightmare like quality, mist and smoke rising from the ground as if they are actually in hell.
The score is memorable, with the music punctuating important scenes.
And the screenplay is magnificent, written from Director Oliver Stones one experiences from the Vietnam War. Many of the scenes were actually witnessed by him. Such as the late night ambush at the beginning of the film, and ending battle that claims so many lives.
In the end, the film holds nothing back, showing that they were not only at war with the enemy, but with themselves , and their own conscience. This is reflected in Taylor’s final line.
Chris Taylor: "I think now, looking back, we did not fight the enemy; we fought ourselves. And the enemy... was in us."

An amazing film. One I wish I had been old enough to see firsthand in the theatre, much like Unforgiven.
What I would have given to have done so.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=60552
Gandhi (1982)

The film Gandhi is so vast in it's scope that I'm not even sure where to start this review at...At 3 hours 11 minutes it still only scratched the surface of one of the most influential and revered figures of the 20th century. And I was engaged for the entire runtime of the film. I can't image how the director, Richard Attenborough went about mounting such a huge project. I mean this movie set the record for the most people on screen...300,000 extras! And there's so many different on location scenes that the logistics alone must have been huge. This is the type of film that will never be made again. Today those 300,000 extras would be CG created.

I enjoyed the film, it worked, it was made beautifully. What more can I say.

[Siddon]

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjU0NDcwNzM2MF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzE1MjE1Mg@@._V1_.jpg
Gandhi(1982) clocks in at 3 hours and 10 minutes so you'd think we'd get an epic story. I mean the movie is shot like an epic, Richard Attenborough clearly inspired by Lawrence of Arabia set out to make an epic but when it was all said and done I was left with a feeling of coldness.


The film is unique in the sense that it's not really a historical drama because we often fail to get the context of each historical instance. Time moves at a very strange pace as the story really focuses on the three acts of Gandhi's life, his role in South Africa, his commune in India, and the fall of the empire. Any one of those parts of his life would have been enough to tell his story, Attenborough chooses to be greedy and crams all three films into this one story. He also doesn't establish Gandhi's early years and relationship to his wife. This is once again a three hour film and all the supporting characters just feel like one dimensional place holders.


But this is not to say the film is bad, it's a gorgeous film and Ben Kingsley is given the job of carrying 40 years of Gandhi'slife for this film and he does an incredible job.


Did the film deserve the Oscar for Best Picture:


Nope...1982 was one of the best years ever for a number of filmmakers. It was in my eyes not worth a BP nomination, Fanny and Alexander, Missing, ET, My Favorite Year, Verdict, The Draughtsman's Contract, Blade Runner, Tootsie and The Thing

[edarsenal]

https://media2.giphy.com/media/dNnjszUOQOhjO/source.gif


The Departed

Billy Costigan: [I]You're seventy f@cking years old. One of these guys is going to pop you. As for running drugs, what the f@ck. You don't need the pain in the ass, and they're going to catch you. And you don't need the money.
Frank Costello: I haven't "needed the money" since I took Archie's milk money in the third grade. Tell you the truth, I don't need pussy any more either... but I like it.

A sweet, gentle, life-affirming, heart-warming film about brotherly love, kindness, forgiveness and how humility is the only way to truly aspire in this world.

Oh, wait, this is the f@ckin Departed -- f@ck all that sh#t.

Set in Boston with Jack Nicholson's character inspired by the famous Irish gangster, Whitey Bulger and a remake of Hong Kong's Infernal Affairs (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) (which is the better film for my money) we get a cop/gangster/action/drama that hits all the check boxes pretty d@mn well.

Firstly, the location is ideal for this. It could have been any city. New York, Chicago, hell it could have been New Orleans but they made a great choice with old school style of Boston and its testosterone-fueled, street-mentality on both sides of the law. I'm sure a lot of the dialogue pretty much wrote itself. And the only emotional searching involves a police psychologist and even that steps out of the usual "let's talk about how you feel" that saturates most cop shows and movies nowadays.
Next, we double down on the "mole' scenario on both sides to the point where you begin to wonder who's really playing for who. Adding an extra bit of edge and tension to the cat and mouse brawl that occurs between cops and gangsters.
And both sides have an excellent list of actors portraying both sides beautifully. In fact, it's too long to even list, though there are a great list of secondary roles that really beef up the sequences in this film.
I also like that they followed the original when it came to the basics of the ending and thereby keeping it, not entirely, a Hollywood ending.


In 2006, The Departed actually beat some serious Oscar-bait; Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Queen. Now, I haven't seen any of those films so I can't give an honest opinion on if it deserved the win, but I can easily imagine that The Departed was the dark horse of the pack and a surprise win.

[Citizen Rules]

In 2006, The Departed actually beat some serious Oscar-bait; Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Queen. Now, I haven't seen any of those films so I can't give an honest opinion on if it deserved the win, but I can easily imagine that The Departed was the dark horse of the pack and a surprise win.I've seen: Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Queen but not The Departed yet. I liked them all, except Babel. I think you'd like Little Miss Sunshine, that would be my favorite from those films.

[edarsenal]

https://www.berlinale.de/media/nrwd/filmstills/2018/hommage/201802626_1_IMG_FIX_700x700.jpg


Platoon

[first lines]
Pvt. Gardner: [seeing body bags] Oh, man. Is that what I think it is?
Sergeant: All right, you cheese-dicks, welcome to the Nam. Follow me!

It's not often you see a war film that is sans glorification of the ones involved in it. And this, my friends, is high on that list.
An extremely intense, nerve racking ordeal that shows the reality of war for us lucky ones who never had to go and a reminder to those poor b@stards who did of the demons that still plague both their waking hours as much as their sleeping ones.

Oliver Stone wrote and would direct a lot of the sh#t that he experienced while in Nam and put the actors through utter hell of not only basic training, but kept them sleep-deprived and ran them ragged to get the most realistic feel of those out in the field.
It is also extremely well done technically when it comes to tactical and day to day affairs of war.

I remember just how much this film effected not only veterans but the every day film goer when it was at the theaters. The night attacks in the jungles put you right there and I remember how I was just as paralyzed as Charlie Sheen's character, Chris Taylor as the enemy appeared among the trees.
The only thing more haunting than some of the events of the film is the soundtrack. Specifically Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" that plays over some of the more emotional scenes and it is SUCH a heart rendering bit of music as if your very soul is weeping. A beautiful bit of music that still effects me to this day.

At the very heart of this war film is the two "fathers" that seem to be split from the same soul played with such aggressive brilliance by both Tom Berenger and Willem Defoe. Together they signified the two sides of the war torn coin.

In '86 it was up against Hannah and her Sisters, The Mission, A Room With a View, and Children of a Lesser God. Again, didn't really see any of the other nominees but I do know how much of an intense effect this film has over me and I remember how much "talk" this film created when it came out so I would blindly state: yeah, it f@ckin deserved to win.

[edarsenal]

I've seen: Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Queen but not The Departed yet. I liked them all, except Babel. I think you'd like Little Miss Sunshine, that would be my favorite from those films.

I have often wanted to check out Letters From Iwo Jima and, at times, considered Little Miss Sunshine as possibly one of those off-beat quirky films that I just might enjoy. And even more so now with your recommendation. Thank you.

[Sarge]

Sorry for the lag, been away with work this week, so haven't had chance to get any watched, but have Gandhi and Braveheart lined up for the weekend and should get the others done in the week.

[Sarge]

https://media2.giphy.com/media/dNnjszUOQOhjO/source.gif


The Departed

Billy Costigan: [I]You're seventy f@cking years old. One of these guys is going to pop you. As for running drugs, what the f@ck. You don't need the pain in the ass, and they're going to catch you. And you don't need the money.
Frank Costello: I haven't "needed the money" since I took Archie's milk money in the third grade. Tell you the truth, I don't need pussy any more either... but I like it.

A sweet, gentle, life-affirming, heart-warming film about brotherly love, kindness, forgiveness and how humility is the only way to truly aspire in this world.

Oh, wait, this is the f@ckin Departed -- f@ck all that sh#t.

Set in Boston with Jack Nicholson's character inspired by the famous Irish gangster, Whitey Bulger and a remake of Hong Kong's Infernal Affairs (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1) (which is the better film for my money) we get a cop/gangster/action/drama that hits all the check boxes pretty d@mn well.

Firstly, the location is ideal for this. It could have been any city. New York, Chicago, hell it could have been New Orleans but they made a great choice with old school style of Boston and its testosterone-fueled, street-mentality on both sides of the law. I'm sure a lot of the dialogue pretty much wrote itself. And the only emotional searching involves a police psychologist and even that steps out of the usual "let's talk about how you feel" that saturates most cop shows and movies nowadays.
Next, we double down on the "mole' scenario on both sides to the point where you begin to wonder who's really playing for who. Adding an extra bit of edge and tension to the cat and mouse brawl that occurs between cops and gangsters.
And both sides have an excellent list of actors portraying both sides beautifully. In fact, it's too long to even list, though there are a great list of secondary roles that really beef up the sequences in this film.
I also like that they followed the original when it came to the basics of the ending and thereby keeping it, not entirely, a Hollywood ending.


In 2006, The Departed actually beat some serious Oscar-bait; Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, and The Queen. Now, I haven't seen any of those films so I can't give an honest opinion on if it deserved the win, but I can easily imagine that The Departed was the dark horse of the pack and a surprise win.

I like that review and agree with most of it, except that I didn't really like 'Internal affairs' which is surprising given how much I love 'The Departed'.

[Wyldesyde19]

Considering what The Departed was up against, it was definitely a deserved win. Seemed to have been a weak year with the nominees as I remember. Having seen them all, they were all good.
With Platoon, I haven’t seen The Mission nor A Room with a View, but I find it hard to believe that either of them would have been half as good as Platoon.
I enjoyed Hannah and Her Sisters and Children of a Lesser God, but neither of those films evoke the same lasting images as Platoon has.

[Siddon]

https://cdnsecakmi.kaltura.com/p/1329972/sp/132997200/thumbnail/entry_id/1_x2wwj4f7/version/100001/width/412/height/252

Sometimes I wonder about the Oscar "race" in 2010 the competition was between The Social Network and The Kings Speech two films that share a degree of apathy to me. It's also strange that a decade later the films that have had a lasting impact or were historically high points of certain auteurs ended up losing and really not even being in contention for the major prize. The truth of the matter is the film just left me with a great deal of apathy and after three seasons of the Crown the film feels like an imitator, which is sad.


The film does a generally good job with a stellar cast, I had completely forgotten how good Michael Gambon was in this. He has but three scenes and each one manages to land a tremendous amount of gravitas to the story. The cameo's did become a bit much with tiny Elisabeth and a less impressive Churchill. I was also slightly disappointed with the lack of nuance between Edward VIII and George VI, Edward is the bad guy George is the good guy I don't think that simplistic storytelling flies ten years later.


Colin Firth is good, I rarely see him not be, Helen Bonham Carter has flashes of brilliance though the character is somewhat jettisoned for the third act. I enjoyed the way the film was shot though I would have liked a bit more wide angles an artistry this film loves closeups and I think they could have done more with some creative filmmaking.


End of the day it's a fine film and nothing special about it. Inception should have won this year, The Fighter and Black Swan would have also been adequate winners

[ahwell]

https://www.berlinale.de/media/nrwd/filmstills/2018/hommage/201802626_1_IMG_FIX_700x700.jpg


Platoon

[first lines]
Pvt. Gardner: [seeing body bags] Oh, man. Is that what I think it is?
Sergeant: All right, you cheese-dicks, welcome to the Nam. Follow me!

It's not often you see a war film that is sans glorification of the ones involved in it. And this, my friends, is high on that list.
An extremely intense, nerve racking ordeal that shows the reality of war for us lucky ones who never had to go and a reminder to those poor b@stards who did of the demons that still plague both their waking hours as much as their sleeping ones.

Oliver Stone wrote and would direct a lot of the sh#t that he experienced while in Nam and put the actors through utter hell of not only basic training, but kept them sleep-deprived and ran them ragged to get the most realistic feel of those out in the field.
It is also extremely well done technically when it comes to tactical and day to day affairs of war.

I remember just how much this film effected not only veterans but the every day film goer when it was at the theaters. The night attacks in the jungles put you right there and I remember how I was just as paralyzed as Charlie Sheen's character, Chris Taylor as the enemy appeared among the trees.
The only thing more haunting than some of the events of the film is the soundtrack. Specifically Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings" that plays over some of the more emotional scenes and it is SUCH a heart rendering bit of music as if your very soul is weeping. A beautiful bit of music that still effects me to this day.

At the very heart of this war film is the two "fathers" that seem to be split from the same soul played with such aggressive brilliance by both Tom Berenger and Willem Defoe. Together they signified the two sides of the war torn coin.

In '86 it was up against Hannah and her Sisters, The Mission, A Room With a View, and Children of a Lesser God. Again, didn't really see any of the other nominees but I do know how much of an intense effect this film has over me and I remember how much "talk" this film created when it came out so I would blindly state: yeah, it f@ckin deserved to win.

Good review! I would have taken Aliens that year for BP, but obviously it didn’t get nominated since the Academy hates sci-fi :(. However, Platoon is an extremely worthy winner and a masterpiece.

[edarsenal]

I like that review and agree with most of it, except that I didn't really like 'Internal affairs' which is surprising given how much I love 'The Departed'.

The few people I have spoken to regarding the two films does depend on which one someone sees first, more times than not.

Did you see Departed first or just enjoy it more regardless?

[edarsenal]

Considering what The Departed was up against, it was definitely a deserved win. Seemed to have been a weak year with the nominees as I remember. Having seen them all, they were all good.
With Platoon, I haven’t seen The Mission nor A Room with a View, but I find it hard to believe that either of them would have been half as good as Platoon.
I enjoyed Hannah and Her Sisters and Children of a Lesser God, but neither of those films evoke the same lasting images as Platoon has.

Without seeing them I kinda imagine the same thing.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=60689
The King's Speech (2010)

I enjoyed every single minute of this film! And I rarely feel that way about any movie. I'd seen this only once before, back when it first came out on DVD. I remember loving it then. So much so that I told a couple people about it, who then watched it and also loved it.

The King's Speech is right up my alley for movie subjects. It's historical, it's biographical and it's about the British royal family. I've seen a lot of movies about the British monarchy and this tale of King George VI struggles with stuttering, was both illuminating from a historical viewpoint and quite entertaining too. I actually laughed a number of times, no not at the stuttering, but at the clever witticisms that Lionel (Geoffrey Rush) blurted out to Colin Firth.

Geoffrey Rush was spot on with his role as the unconventional Australian speech therapist. And Colin Firth made a good Prince Albert/King George VI.

I loved the look of the film, especially the funky room they spent a lot of time in...shown in the screen shot above. Glad to have rewatched this gem of a film.

[Wyldesyde19]

I’ll be able to knock a few out this coming week. Work was rough

[Sarge]

The few people I have spoken to regarding the two films does depend on which one someone sees first, more times than not.

Did you see Departed first or just enjoy it more regardless?

I think I did see 'The Departed' first and it became an instant favourite. When I watched 'Internal affairs' it felt like a tribute act, quite similar, just not the same quality.

Each to their own though right?

[Siddon]

https://media.vanityfair.com/photos/57bc83da51d697ed23e72669/master/pass/the-departed-amazon-remake.jpg



The Departed, its fascinating to watch this one after Black Mass and to see Scorsese's interpretation of Bulger vs the biopic. My impression of watching this film was surprise that Damon didn't make the cut for best actor, this is arguably his best work. Damon plays such a wormy little rat in this film he almost overshadows everyone else. It's also crazy to see Dicaprio play subtle...though he does get his yelling scenes in which for me takes away a little bit from the film. It's strange when you see the character dichotomy between Nicholson and Sheen how he knows to have fear with Nicholson but it's Sheen that factors into his actual life.



So much of what makes The Departed so good is the collection of scenes. William Monahan does a great job mixing genre and tone from humor, to hitchockian suspense, to Tarantino level violence and yet the entire film is still cohesive.


Did the film deserve to win, having seen the four other films nominated that year The Departed was the best of that group. Not to say 2006 wasn't also a strong year, Christopher Nolan's The Prestige, Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth, would have both been worthy winners though neither were nominated.

[edarsenal]

I think I did see 'The Departed' first and it became an instant favourite. When I watched 'Internal affairs' it felt like a tribute act, quite similar, just not the same quality.

Each to their own though right?

exactly.
I'm sure if I had seen Departed first, that would have been the favorite and Infernal feel like a replica. Like I said, it all depends on which one you saw first, it seems

[edarsenal]

https://media.vanityfair.com/photos/57bc83da51d697ed23e72669/master/pass/the-departed-amazon-remake.jpg

Did the film deserve to win, having seen the four other films nominated that year The Departed was the best of that group. Not to say 2006 wasn't also a strong year, Christopher Nolan's The Prestige, Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth, would have both been worthy winners though neither were nominated.

Both Prestige and Pan's Labyrinth REALLY deserved to have been in the running that year.

[Siddon]

https://see-aych.com/90s-movies/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/american-beauty-1999-2.jpg

American Beauty is sadly a maligned film, which I disagree with. Alan Ball's writing, Thomas Newman's soundtrack and especially Conrad Hall's cinematography elevate this film into classic status. It looks great, it sounds great and it's funny. The criticism of the film is that an older man falling infatuation with a teenager shouldn't be romanticized and you should be happy with a meandering middle class existence enjoy the ennui.



But the dogma of the film isn't necessarily the point, the film is a deconstruction of a murder mystery where the build is to the murder and we see all the suspects and reasoning for killing Lester. The film is also a homage to the melodramas of the 50's it gets that nice rich technicolor look while using minimal CGI.


So did it deserve it's win...well 1999 is often considered one of the great years of all-time. Perhaps if the Academy were more forward thinking they would have gone with The Matrix, they might have ended up making a huge error and give to M Nigh Shyamalan's Sixth Sense. But at the end of the day American Beauty was the best pick...even though my vote would have been for Magnolia.

[Siddon]

https://66.media.tumblr.com/0f19bdc9119ff69e05e901bef1b39ca0/tumblr_inline_p82p29D2r61rn628q_500.jpg



Platoon(1986) is a great film, telling the story of 30 platoon members in the waning days of Vietnam we follow Chris Taylor as he watches his group of soldiers dwindle down during the course of the film. One of the things I love about this film is how it feels like time is passing, each event increases the madness and terror for the troops in the war. The first big scene is suspenseful and terrifying, then you get a middle scene in a village that is pure horror but the last scene is just manic energy as the platoon loses it's final battle to a surging Viet Kong.


Berenger and Defoe received matching supporting actor noms and that was the right call. Sheen isn't really that great of a lead in a number of ways he's just a passenger and the story is about Defoe and Berenger's opposing views of the war. Stone does a great job with the camera work the film has the proper scope without the gloss that many war films have. It doesn't have a pretty feel to it but it also looks good. Everything is weathered and dirty and you get a lived in quality to the story and that goes a long way.


Did the film deserve to win...no doubt this one was far ahead of it's contemoparies quality but flawed films, Hannah and her Sisters, The Misson, Children of a Lesser God, and A Room with a View. I don't think any of those films have held up as well as Platoon has. The only real rival the film had was David Lynch's Blue Velvet but the Academy was never going to go that far out there.

[Siddon]

https://www.thewrap.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Unforgiven3.jpg



Unforgiven (1992), is a revisionist Western, telling the story of two men the heroic Little Bill Daggart and the villainous Will Munny. Eastwood's film is very much a deconstruction of the genre the movie starts with a prostitute getting mutilated by a cowboy only for the cowboy to get off by paying a debt to the pimp. The prostitutes then get together and put out a bounty of 1,000 dollars to any hired gun to come in and kill the cowboy.



What I love about this film, and what I like about westerns is that they are morality plays. Bill does what he believes is the right thing to do, he doesn't deserve to die for his actions. Will is the monster who drunkenly killed women and children and was basically a terrorist before he took a young beautiful wife and retired in the wilderness. The film constantly undercuts your sense of drama, you don't have these huge action set pieces it's all very claustrophobic and that plays into the finale.



This is Eastwood's best work as an actor, he's pathetic for the majority of the story until he gets back to what he needs to be successful...alcohol. Hackman plays Little Bill like John Wayne and you come to the realization that John Wayne was a pretty big jerk and he would have likely beat people to death to get information, and he would enjoy emasculating other men (the great scene with English Bob). And those English Bob scenes are fantastic as we are introduced to this colorful character who should be the lead and he's disposed off in a way that is first hilarious and then sad.


Should Unforgiven have won the Oscar...absolutely Westerns have typically come up short with the Academy and it's good that they got their due. It was certainly the best of the nominated films...but in hindsight the Academy did miss on two films I would have given the Oscar over Unforgiven, Spike Lee's Malcolm X, and Paul Verhoven's Basic Instinct. Two films that likely had a larger impact on cinema but would have been a bit more difficult to recognize at this time.

[edarsenal]

https://media3.giphy.com/media/13FaKV7dRuKVLG/source.gif


Braveheart

Stephen: [starts laughing] Him? That can't be William Wallace. I'm prettier than this man!
Stephen: [to the sky] Alright, Father, I'll ask him. [to William] If I risk my neck for you, will I get a chance to kill Englishmen?
Hamish: Is your father a ghost, or do you converse with the Almighty?
Stephen: In order to find his equal, an Irishman is forced to talk to God.
Stephen: [to the sky] Yes, Father! [to Hamish] The Almight says, "Don't change the subject, just answer the f@ckin' question."

Is this a Historical Biopic?
F@ck no.
Not in the least. If anything it's more of a -- to use a more modern term: a fan fiction. It's in the same light as a Shakespearean play where Good ole Willy depicted such English Royalty as Richard III with a hunchback and painted him an utter scoundrel. (He was neither). Or the "Tall Tales" of our Westerns and the folklore of gunslingers, cowboys, lawmen, bounty hunters and so forth.
Historic figures and events staged in epic pageantry; it's mythical proportions ripe with romantic grandeur in both the characters and the events that take place.
In short, a Hollywood film to entertain the masses.

It is in that light, that perception, that I have always enjoyed and thoroughly adore this film.
From the countless times at the theater; enthralled and captivated in the darkness of the movie theater to the countless times I have watched this at home since then. I would cheer, laugh and, at a number of instances, cry.
Like any great cinematic adventure should be.
This, truly is.

And it is all done beautifully and exquisitely.
The cinematography is spot on, throughout the film. Capturing both, the action sequences and those special "moments" between characters. And the film is full of them, to the point, FAR too many to breakdown without making this an Epic of a review.
The same can be said about the cast. From top to bottom there is an incredible list of actors/actresses that do, truly splendid jobs. I love them all.
The same goes for the pacing, the dialogue, all of it. Making for such a terrific film experience.
No, not terrific. . . what word am I looking for?
Oh, yeah!
https://media2.giphy.com/media/12B3jmjNjpgcGQ/source.gif


Now, in '95 Braveheart went up against some pretty d@mn enjoyable film experiences: Apollo 13, Babe, The Postman (Il Postino), and Sense and Sensibility. The only I haven't seen is Il Postino and have enjoyed the others, but in the end, I am thoroughly bias. Due to the adoration for the enjoyment I experience each and every time on the countless times I've seen this film.

[Siddon]

https://i0.wp.com/www.tor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Braveheart05.jpg?resize=740%2C416&type=vertical&ssl=1



Is this an all-time great snub....look at that Longshanks...what a longshank. Braveheart is a movie told in six perfect episodes, Gibson has his structure down pat this is a movie that is 8 minutes shorter than Gandhi and yet time flies by.


Act 1 - We get the family history of William Wallace and a great performance from Bryan Cox.

Act 2 - The return of Wallace we get a romance and a reason for the buildup for the war. And Gibson deserves major credit for scouting and casting Catherine McCormack as she steals her scenes and gives us a death worth fighting for.
Act 3 - Wallace goes to war with the lords, all these pompous sex perverts get murdered in glorious fashion and we get to see some great old castles.
Act 4 - Wallace in England, the sacking of York which I don't believe actually happened is perhaps the only slow part of the film.
Act 5 - The betrayl and revenge, I think for many this is the best part the second battle is brutal and Wallace revenge could have been a film on it's own
Act 6 - Wallace's capture and death Sophie Marcaeu portion of the film is handled well...and yeah I wish the torture scene was a little shorter and the final battle a little longer but still....great film.


Patrick McGoohan is such a wonderful bastard in this, he just manages to walk that line between being a dick and genius. I think in many ways his choices were right, he did everything he was supposed to do as king of England but in the end he wins and becomes a villain for his legacy.


Did this film deserve to win...absolutely I think it's Hollywood's greatest epic in both scope and pacing. All the performances were great and it just had a feel that other films of this or any other era didn't have.

[rauldc14]

Braveheart

https://i0.wp.com/thejamreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Brave.jpg?fit=829%2C380&ssl=1

A true Oscar classic that definitely was it's best of it's year in my opinion. I love films where you can feel that the director put their heart and soul into making it, and it was definitely a big passion project for Mel Gibson. Each scene was so well crafted by him, this had to have taken lots of time and effort!

The acting is really good too and I've often thought directing and acting in the same film to be quite difficult but he certainly pulled it off! The technical aspects of the film are astounding. It's one of the better film scores of all time and the cinematography and on screen locations that were used are just beautiful.

Again, I don't care if the film is historically inaccurate or not especially since I never really knew much about this sort of history in the first place. It was a well done story for the screen and that's what really matters to me. Perhaps the true historians may not like it but I am not one of them.

So yeah, a big props to Gibson on this. While he has soured with the academy he will always have this one, which is another great one in a very packed group of great winners from the 1990s!

4.5+

[Sarge]

https://www.biography.com/.image/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_768/MTU3MjQ1MDk3NzE1NDQzMzE1/gandhi-ben-kingsley-1982.jpg

Gandhi (1982)
To my shame I didn't/don't know much about Gandhi. I knew a few bits, enough to answer a couple of exam questions at school but not so much about the history or context of his cause, aside from the fact that he was instrumental in an independent India.

The film started with Gandhi already as an adult, which is unusual for a biopic.
This was preceded in the opening scene with a quote that explained the point that not everything could be included.

The film was beautifully shot and Kingsley was outstanding, but as impressed as I was with the film, I was more so with it's subject. The more I watched the film, the more inspired I was with the man and the more I wanted to learn about him. Alongside side that cam yet another reminder just how oppressive the Birtish Empire was in many cases. Obviously there is always dispute and disagreement on the accuracy of the account, especially as many people in the west only had a cursory knowledge of Gandhi. Also the portrayal of Jinnah has come in for a lot of criticism. With all of this going on, it is easy to see why it took Attenborough 20 years to make it. It is largely agreed though that the significant events are depicted accurately by those that were there.

I was impressed with the film, the story and the man, and am a little bit ashamed at how ignorant I was/am about what was happening in India at the time, and also a to a lesser degree about not previously having seen this film.

A superb nomination that I found inspiring and compelling in every aspect.

4

[rauldc14]

The King's Speech

https://media.npr.org/assets/artslife/movies/2010/11/kings-speech/rush_wide-440fad65de6cb4c1a4d9472c81cc95ad8b0d18da-s800-c85.jpg

I admittedly had never gotten to this because I wasn't in a rush to. After seeing it, it was ok. It's strength is on it's performances. I thought Colin Firth did a real fine job in the lead role and I also liked Geoffrey Rush. Helena Bonham Carter didn't have a lot to go off of and I was quite surprised to see she got an acting Oscar nomination but she was ok.

The problem I saw with the film was that in reality not a lot happened. The eventual King's brother decide to set down from the throne and the king is helped with his speech impediment by someone else. End of story. Wish it wasn't so simple, as I really think there could have been a little more spark to this story.

The score by Desplat was on point like it always is and the film looked decent enough. Overall with everything considered it was a decent one time watch but I would by lying if I said that I will rush to see it again. I probably will, but it will be quite sometime.

3+

[ahwell]

Gandhi

This isn't the longest movie I've ever watched but it certainly felt like it. I mean it was a slog, the last hour was a legitimate struggle to get through. But a lot of parts of this are inspiring and amazing, which is why I'm conflicted in my rating.

Ben Kingsley's performance is one for the ages, it's massive, completely accurate, and stellar. One star just for that. Cinematography, lighting, costuming, makeup, etc is also amazing, add another star. The themes/messages/powerful scope of this movie is also deserving of a star.

And not much else. This movie was fine. The King of Comedy easily should have won Best Picture this year, that movie is a masterpiece, and this is just total oscar bait.

I do think Gandhi is one of the most pivotal figures of the 20th century, and a lot of this as I said was totally amazing. I just think it was WAY too long, and never really clicked due to the lack of depth to Gandhi's - or anyone's - character. It just very cold and calculated, and not in the introspective way of a character study like Barry Lyndon or Raging Bull.

Worth a watch if you're into the topic or biopics. As for me, I really hope I never have to sit through it again.

3-

[rauldc14]

As far as feeling the length of a film, I'd say War and Peace and Dr. Zhivago are the two I felt to be longest off memory. Hope I don't feel that with Gandhi.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=60854
Braveheart (1995)

Speaking of long run times, Braveheart clocks in at 3 hours and I felt those 3 hours too. There's been long movies that held my attention fast like Dances With Wolves or Titanic and even while watching Gandhi I never got fidgety. But I had to watch Braveheart on two consecutive nights. IMO there's not enough story presented in the film to warrant it's 3 hour length. It took a total of 40 minutes until the action started with the capture of Wallace's wife. I see the need for a backstory but a good 25 minutes could've been cut at that start of the film.

The first time I watch it I thought it was great, but this was my fourth watch and I found myself checking the time remaining more than once. I'm not big on action films sword films and as I already knew the ending I wasn't that involved with the movie.

I do have to say it's filmed remarkably well and both the shooting locations and the way they filmed the movie was impressive. I think I would have enjoyed it more had this been about 2 hours 15 minutes long.

[rauldc14]

Nah I liked how the story developed. I'd say it's about the correct length it needed to be :)

[Citizen Rules]

One thing that didn't make sense was:Wallace was said to be able to smell a trap layed for him and he was suppose to be educated in the ways of war and the way of things. Indeed we see traps being layed for him that he recognizes and then turns to his own advantage. But after Robert the Bruce has betrayed him on the battlefield and tries to kill Wallace, Wallace then kills two of the nobles and the nobles are afraid for their lives. So I don't believe Wallace after waging a personal vendetta against the nobles would've have walked into a trap by meeting with Robert the Bruce. I mean Wallace walks into the camp of Bruce all alone and unarmed, surely he'd known that the nobles would've wanted him dead. I think that scene was poorly done as it went against everything we'd learned about Wallace in the previous scenes.

[rauldc14]

I can see how you feel that way. But meh it didn't affect my enjoyment.

And yeah it's not a perfectly told movie, it's just there's so many intangibles that work well for me that I can look past all of those issues.

[Citizen Rules]

I can see how you feel that way. But meh it didn't affect my enjoyment.

And yeah it's not a perfectly told movie, it's just there's so many intangibles that work well for me that I can look past all of those issues.I didn't hate it and did like big parts of it. Mostly had it been a 1st or 2nd watch I would've liked it a bit better.

[Holden Pike]

Guess I've only seen 3 Best Picture winners in the theater :(
I was born in 1970. I became a movie buff pretty early on, encouraged by my father. Since 1981's Chariots of Fire I have seen every Best Picture winner theatrically. With Parasite that makes thirty-nine. Plus I go to a lot of revival screenings so over the years I have also seen Gone with the Wind, Rebecca, Casablanca, The Best Years of Our Lives, All About Eve, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, In the Heat of the Night, Midnight Cowboy, Patton, The French Connection, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The Sting, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on the big screen bringing my total to fifty-six.

The ones I have seen the most are definitely Lawrence of Arabia and Casablanca. I've seen each at least ten times theatrically. Cannot pass up opportunities to see them, especially if Lawrence is being presented in 70mm. Unforgiven would have to be next, I've seen that around six or seven I would say. The one I saw the most during its initial release is The Artist. I can't remember now if I saw that four or five times, but it was a lot. La La Land would have had that beat as I know I saw that one six times. And of course there are those that I never have to see again, big screen or small.


I'm not obsessed, you're obsessed.

[ahwell]

Guess I've only seen 3 Best Picture winners in the theater :(
I was born in 1970. I became a movie buff pretty early on, encouraged by my father. Since 1981's Chariots of Fire I have seen every Best Picture winner theatrically. With Parasite that makes thirty-nine. Plus I go to a lot of revival screenings so over the years I have also seen Gone with the Wind, Rebecca, Casablanca, The Best Years of Our Lives, All About Eve, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, In the Heat of the Night, Midnight Cowboy, Patton, The French Connection, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The Sting, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on the big screen bringing my total to fifty-six.

The ones I have seen the most are definitely Lawrence of Arabia and Casablanca. I've seen each at least ten times theatrically. Cannot pass up opportunities to see them, especially if Lawrence is being presented in 70mm. Unforgiven would have to be next, I've seen that around six or seven I would say. The one I saw the most during its initial release is The Artist. I can't remember now if I saw that four or five times, but it was a lot. La La Land would have had that beat as I know I saw that one six times. And of course there are those that I never have to see again, big screen or small.


I'm not obsessed, you're obsessed.
Damnnnnn.... *I’ve seen one BP winner in theaters, Parasite*

Also that means you were 12 when you saw Gandhi? I would not have been able to sit through it at your age, so hats off lol.

[Holden Pike]

Yup. It was the first big epic I saw in the theater. No, not quite. I would have seen Reds the year before.

[rauldc14]

I saw four winners including La La Land :laugh:

[Wyldesyde19]

Guess I've only seen 3 Best Picture winners in the theater :(
I was born in 1970. I became a movie buff pretty early on, encouraged by my father. Since 1981's Chariots of Fire I have seen every Best Picture winner theatrically. With Parasite that makes thirty-nine. Plus I go to a lot of revival screenings so over the years I have also seen Gone with the Wind, Rebecca, Casablanca, The Best Years of Our Lives, All About Eve, The Bridge on the River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, In the Heat of the Night, Midnight Cowboy, Patton, The French Connection, The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, The Sting, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on the big screen bringing my total to fifty-six.

The ones I have seen the most are definitely Lawrence of Arabia and Casablanca. I've seen each at least ten times theatrically. Cannot pass up opportunities to see them, especially if Lawrence is being presented in 70mm. Unforgiven would have to be next, I've seen that around six or seven I would say. The one I saw the most during its initial release is The Artist. I can't remember now if I saw that four or five times, but it was a lot. La La Land would have had that beat as I know I saw that one six times. And of course there are those that I never have to see again, big screen or small.


I'm not obsessed, you're obsessed.
This is just impressive. Like you, I use to go to revivals and see many re releases over the years, but that’s died down due to work.

[edarsenal]

One thing that didn't make sense was:Wallace was said to be able to smell a trap layed for him and he was suppose to be educated in the ways of war and the way of things. Indeed we see traps being layed for him that he recognizes and then turns to his own advantage. But after Robert the Bruce has betrayed him on the battlefield and tries to kill Wallace, Wallace then kills two of the nobles and the nobles are afraid for their lives. So I don't believe Wallace after waging a personal vendetta against the nobles would've have walked into a trap by meeting with Robert the Bruce. I mean Wallace walks into the camp of Bruce all alone and unarmed, surely he'd known that the nobles would've wanted him dead. I think that scene was poorly done as it went against everything we'd learned about Wallace in the previous scenes.

All three (Wallace, Steven and Hamish) talk about how likely it IS a trap in the scene before but Wallace remarks that they can't go on as they are if he doesn't take the chance and go to the meeting/trap.

[Citizen Rules]

All three (Wallace, Steven and Hamish) talk about how likely it IS a trap in the scene before but Wallace remarks that they can't go on as they are if he doesn't take the chance and go to the meeting/trap. He should've demanded a meeting out in an open field. Come to think of it when the King and his couple dozen personal guards leave the battlefield and Wallace goes after him and indeed catches him...if Wallace only would've took 50 riders or so with him, then he could've captured the king.

[pahaK]

I saw four winners including La La Land :laugh:

These got me thinking about what I've seen. It seems I've seen seven BPs in a theater: Dances with Wolves, The Silence of the Lambs, Unforgiven, Forrest Gump, Braveheart, American Beauty and Gladiator.

[Sarge]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/media/images/50611000/jpg/_50611357_king_mic.jpg

Kings Speech (2010)

I had seen this film before and remembering enjoying it at the time without any particular details sticking in the memory. I remember the King seeking help to overcome a stammering issue.

The film looks outstanding, with some great camera work and a beautiful use of colours that make it aesthetically pleasing. The score also jumped out to me this time. I think that is largely due to the fact that I am more aware of film scores nowadays and that is largely due to this site.

This is a stellar cast. There are so many great actors involved and in such a line up and as well as Firth, Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush stand out particularly.

The story is about the relationship rather than the speech issue. The relationship between the two men was as fundemental if not more so than the techniques that Logue introduces.

It is also a story of perseverance that leads the viewer easily into empathy for the Monarch.

On the downside, there is not an awful lot of rise and fall in the pace or content of the film despite the fact that so much is actually happening in the backdrop of the film

Overall it is a simple film that is brought to life by superb cinematography, great acting and wonderful music, that brings in a feel good factor in a period of crisis for the British isles.

I enjoyed it more this time than the first time.

3.5

[edarsenal]

He should've demanded a meeting out in an open field. Come to think of it when the King and his couple dozen personal guards leave the battlefield and Wallace goes after him and indeed catches him...if Wallace only would've took 50 riders or so with him, then he could've captured the king.

woulda, coulda, shoulda are NEVER our friends lol

[Sarge]

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/platoon.jpg?w=1000

Platoon (1986)

I have watched this recently, but not recently enough to write about my thoughts and feelings without watching it again.

I played the computer game (on the Commodore 64) before I ever watched this film, but I remember when I did watch the film as a teenager that I didn't really enjoy it, as back then I watched films through very different eyes.

This is another film with an All star cast and it was only on a recent viewing that I noticed Johnny Depp. There are so many good acting performances in this film and each one is utterly convincing. Berenger stands out for me as Sgt. Barnes. He produces a full and visceral perfromance.

There are so many strengths to this film and one of the biggest is the emotive nature of it that is a culmination of the acting, directing, score and subject matter.
The real highlight for me is in the raw and brutal insight into war and conflict.
Many similar films seem keen to nudge a viewer towards seeing the 'good guys; and the 'bad guys' but Platoon doesn't do that. It focuses more on the internal war that is raging within each of the American soldiers featured and how that spills out into them as a group. It drves home a little bit of the horror that occurs internally for those that find themselves in such situations and the psychological and moral toll that takes.
The scene in the village is a microcosm of the whole film and a pivitol moment for the characters and the viewer.

Oliver Stone plays a blinder as director and the score is eerily brilliant.

A film that is still as important now as it was when it was made.

Beautiful, Compelling and Brutal.

4

[ahwell]

Braveheart

I was a fan of this one, even if I came in expecting slightly more than I got out. I think I wanted more of a character development/depth to Wallace. I know that's not what the movie was going for, but his character still felt very flat.

This was a beautiful movie, however. I didn't really feel the runtime, at least not like Gandhi, and the cinnamon was stunning. Mel Gibson gives a fine performance (as well as directing effort) as William Wallace, a Scottish rebel fighting for independence from England in the 1200s.

The action scenes were cool, but frankly a lot of them were unnecessary, and the use of slo-mo dramatic effects has aged poorly in my opinion. The story is good, well paced, beautifully told.

I sound negative in my review, but really I don't have many complaints. This was a good movie that I'm glad I watched!

3.5+

[Wyldesyde19]

Finished The King’s Speech. Once I’m off of work, will write a review.

[Wyldesyde19]

The King’s Speech


Some leaders are natural orators. They can rouse men with speech meant to illicit deep though, and to rouse then into action. Think Wallace in Braveheart. Others gave it in times of war to help with moral or to calm the masses It’s sometimes a necessary part of the position to give speeches. To do so, one must speak eloquently.
Unfortunately, the King to be, played by Colin Firth, is not one of those people. He stutters. Stammers even. And so he and his wife, played with grace by Helena Bonham Carter, to our and hire a speech pathologist named Lionel Logue, played by the great Geoffrey Rush. Despite the different backgrounds, a friendship develops between them, one that lasted a lifetime.
The film may be called The Kings speech, but it’s really about the friendship that develops between Logue and King George VI. Logue sees the potential in him, before even he sees it himself. It’s that dynamic that makes the film work
The performances all great here, except Timothy Spall as Churchill. He plays him as a almost exaggerated permanent scowling as he lurks in the background.
I felt the film could have gone more into the friendship outside of the sessions, more into King George’s background, and more into Logue and his attempts at an acting career.
Something just felt incomplete about it.
I saw this in the theatre when it first came out, and I enjoyed it then. I was pleased to discover I still do.

[Wyldesyde19]

In regards to American Beauty, a lot of it can be summed up by a quote from Coopers son In the film:

“Never underestimate the power of denial.”
That’ll be my lead in when I review it this coming Sunday.

[Sarge]

Should be done by Monday.

Enjoying this one. All decent films so far.

[Citizen Rules]

https://media0.giphy.com/media/uCgMmhFurblXa/source.gif
American Beauty (Sam Mendes 1999)


It's all about obsession! Am I right?

That's how I see American Beauty, it's about obsession and how it manifest itself in different people. Carolyn (Annette Bening) has gone nuts over obsessing over the 'good life'. She has a $4000 couch with Italian silk fabric, and it's ugly! But she doesn't care, she's obsessed to have it all...an in doing so she's forgotten the care free girl that she once was back in college.

Their daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is obsessed with breast augmentation, though they looked plenty big to me. She's been saving her money since she first started baby sitting, probably when she didn't even have any breast and now that's she grown she doesn't realize they've grown too. That's obsession.

Her friend Angela (Mena Suvari) is bonkers obsessed with not being ordinary. She goes to great links to make herself out as a bold, daring, sex crazed girl...and yet in the end she's a virgin who just talked real big.

Then there's the guy next door Ricky (Wes Bently) with the camera. OK he's obsessed with capturing moments of beauty on film. Even if it's a dead bird, he's obsessed to capture those fleeting moments and save them. That's why he has a wall of shelves in his room, for all those videos he's made and saved.

Then there's his dad the marine dude (Chris Cooper) he's obsessed with control and maybe obsessed with being or not being gay.

Well, what about Kevin Spacey, He doesn't seem obsessed, in fact he's utterly complaisant, a doormat with a vacant smile on his face. His highlight is jerking off in the shower. That's it, that's all he's got to look forward to. He's the only one who's not obsessed. Through his character we see how being true to one's inner self, is so much better than being obsessed about stuff that doesn't even matter.

Of course other people's obsessions effect him and that's why he's dead.

rating_4+

[ahwell]

I’m all done and list sent, just gotta review the Departed.

[Citizen Rules]

https://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=61188
Platoon (1986)

Wow! This was powerful...and such an emotional watch for me. I felt like I was forgetting to breathe, it was that intense. I'd seen this before too, in fact I reviewed it here at MoFo and only gave it a 3.5. I don't remember why I wasn't as enthused last time.

I haven't read my old review as I don't want this review to be influenced by my past thoughts...But since I last watched this I watched an excellent documentary by Ken Burns, The Vietnam War (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877514/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) It's 17 hours long in 10 episodes and riveting! It was a real eye opener about the causes and effects of the Vietnam War including interviews with North & South Vietnamese and U.S soldiers...all who lived through that time. I can say that Platoon is pretty well factual and those types of atrocities did actually happen. Not often, but sadly they did happen.

My favorite part of the film is the first act where we get to know the young grunt Chris, (Charlie Sheen) who drops out of college to do his part in the war effort and finds out it's nothing like he had imaged. I like the set up where his voice-over reads his letters to his grandma. Those letters tell us a lot about Chris and Vietnam too. Then we get the attack scene during the jungle patrol, followed by the atrocities at the village. That was so hard for me to watch knowing those events did occur (on rare occasion).

This is a near perfect film and I'm picky about what I call a perfect film. The only thing I can nitpick is the second time Oliver Stone appears on screen. The first time was during a lull in the action so it wasn't a big deal and he didn't speak. But the second time is during the final attack (the Tet Offensive by the North) and seeing Stone on screen for me broke the intensity and realism of that final attack. Not a deal breaker and I would rate this at rating_4 or maybe even higher.

[Citizen Rules]

My old review of Platoon (https://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?anchor=1&p=1590824#post1590824)

[cricket]

I was planning on watching Gandhi tomorrow while my wife was at work but her workplace was vandalized so she'll be off a couple of days. A week from tomorrow I will watch it.

[Wyldesyde19]

American Beauty

“Never underestimate the power of denial.”

Everyone is in denial in this film. Each have their own illusions about themselves with the exception of Lester Burnham (Kevin spacey) and Ricky Fitts (Wes Bentley).
Burnham decides to do something about. He starts lusting after his daughter’s (Thora Birch) supposed best friend Angela (Mena Suvari). He starts fantasizing about her, working out to impress her after eavesdropping on her. He soon realizes he’s more miserable then he ever realized and decides to relives his days as a youth. The typical midlife crisis. He gets a job at local fast food joint, starts getting high and buys a new car.
His wife (Annette Benning) is even more unfulfilled. Unhappy with her marriage and his newfound confidence, she realizes her hold over him has vanished. So she rushes into an affair with a local colleague in the realtor business.
Jane, their daughter, is unhappy. She has a friend who is self absorbed, and a family who ignores her. She never smiles until Ricky shows up in her life.
Ricky shows her that life is full of beauty, but one must accept it in all forms. Such as a dead bird. Or a plastic bag being thrown about by the wind. He sells weed to make money.
His father (Chris Cooper), not only ignores his sons finances, although he does suspect, but also his own latent homosexuality.
All of these lives intersect and come to a head in one violent act.
But it’s the build up and the characters themselves that make this film so fascinating.
Bening and Spacey are good, though they do tend to deliver their lines With a tad too much enthusiasm for people so miserable with their outcome in life. Some scenes could have been toned down some.
At the end, Lester has transformed himself, both physically and emotionally, before he discovers that what he really wants was right in front of him all this time. Just in time to die. That’s life for you.
I saw this film on dvd after it won Best Pic, I think? I’ve seen it maybe 3 or 4 times since now. It still a powerful film about how one views beauty and how one defines fulfillment in life. There is no easy answer there. And indeed, the movie doesn’t provide one. It’s left up to us, as the viewer to interpret it much like we do life.
And we’re left to contemplate the meaning of it all, as Lester delivers at the end in a voice over: “You have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m sure. But don’t worry...you will someday.”

[ahwell]

The Departed

My "least favorite" Scorsese film at the moment, but I'd still place it in my top 75 movies and one of my favorite Best Picture winners. This film is stellar in all fronts. While it's a bit more over the top than the other movies of Scorsese, which is why I think I like them a bit more, it's also extremely well made, gripping, and thought provoking.

The acting is, of course, top notch. On top of Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon as the leads, we got Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, AND ****ing Martin Sheen. Pretty great cast Scorsese gathered.

This movie's premise is just so interesting. I know it's a remake and all but I bet Scorsese made some interesting twists to make it his own... and it really is his own, with the sweeping fast camera movements, the hilarious (sometimes hilariously bad) East Coast accents, and the F-bombs thrown around like a hot potato. It's all there, and Scorsese knows what he's doing at this point in the game.

Although this is amazing, did it deserve to win Best Picture? Well, yes, out of the films nominated. However, Pan's Labyrinth was released the same year and TOTALLY deserved the win over this. But hey, the Academy has chosen much much worse winners, and the Departed is an excellent movie.

4-

[rauldc14]

Just an FYI ahwell I never saw your Platoon write up.

[ahwell]

Oops.

Platoon
Terrifying, relentless, and no pretty picture, Platoon is my first Oliver Stone movie and one that I won't be forgetting any time soon. I haven't seen Apocalypse Now so I can't compare, but this one will be hard to beat.

Much of it is even shot in documentary style, making the realism of the Vietnam war pop out onto the screen. Especially the acting from Charlie Sheen and Willem Dafoe make it seem like you are in the war.

And that is horrifying. It's a two hour, non-stop barrage of men turning from - perhaps ******** - to killers. And of course it's more messy than that. Some are already killers. Some are killed before they can become that. Elias is one of the most interesting characters in the story, as a grizzled veteran who realizes the horrors he's living through.

I love the pairing of him and Barnes as two different sides of the war, two different mentalities. And then Chris as a symbol for the common American young man, innocent, stuck in the middle of it all. The poster is almost sarcastic, as Elias dying seems to reach out, asking "Why?" "What's the point?"

And who can forget the usage of Barber's Adagio for Strings, one of the most heartbreaking and powerful pieces of music ever written. Put it into a Vietnam War film and you've got dynamite.

I think I would still take Aliens over this for 1986 Best Picture winner, but that would have never won anyways. I'm completely satisfied with Platoon winning, it deserved it.

4+

[Citizen Rules]

https://images.amcnetworks.com/ifccenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/departed_1280_2.png
The Departed (2006)

On the positive side the story hooked me quickly with it's interesting plot and the characters kept me invested. I never got bored. And DiCaprio was great in this and the rest of the actors up to to par. The shooting locations were great.

On the negative side I couldn't help but feel that Martin Scorsese was emulating Quentin Tarantino's style of film making. The scenes were short and fast edited, the dialogue overly colorful to the point of me not believing cops would be talking this way...I thought the ending sucked. It was like the writer's ran out of ideas and just used a form of deus ex machina to end the movie...It was like boom, boom, boom and all the character arches are wrapped up with a shot.

[Citizen Rules]

I'm done!

[Sarge]

https://static.rogerebert.com/uploads/review/primary_image/reviews/great-movie-unforgiven-1992/hero_Unforgiven-2017.jpg

Unforgiven (1992)

This is the third time that I have watched this film. The previous two times that I have watched it, I found myself enjoying it, but feeling that it was just slightly lacking in something.
It was the same story on the third viewing.

It's a great story of an old gunslinger with a questionable past, that has found himself somewhere near rock bottom, and he is presented with an opportunity to change that by a mouthy young kid. He sets out in pursuit of that opportunity, but that will mean that he has to return to the life that he had previously turned his back on.
The film is beautifully shot and well cast, but I feel that too much time is focused on areas that don't matter. For me there is too much needless dialogue taking place on horseback or around a camp fire etc, that leads to any of the more action dense scenes feeling a bit rushed, particularly the culmination of the film. I also think that something is lost in the fact that there is two main story lines. I thinkit would be better if the focus was on catching those that Eastwood and his squad are pursuing or the scoundrel of a sheriff. Having both just seems to dlute it for me.

What I do like a lot is the step away from cliche. Munny is a complex character that hasn't been a pleasant character. The film doesn't seek to justify this or even to redeem him, so much as you can't fully buy into his noble aim. He isn't trying to earn redemption for the wrong that he has done, he just wants money. We don't see a likeable man under a tough, troubled exterior. He simply isn't that nice, which is refreshing, but it does make rooting for him fully a bit more of a leap, although Little Bill (Hackman) makes that a bit easier for the viewer. As I say, I found it refreshing to have a western that doesn't simply present us with the good guys to cheer for against the nasty bad guys, more so, it presents us with a choice of who is the least bad.

Overall, I found it complex and raw, yet it could be so much more. (unintentional rhyming)

4

[Sarge]

https://cdn.onebauer.media/one/empire-tmdb/films/1422/images/8Od5zV7Q7zNOX0y9tyNgpTmoiGA.jpg?quality=50&width=1800&ratio=16-9&resizeStyle=aspectfill&format=jpg

The Departed (2006)

There are only three films that I have seen that I rate more highly than Scorcese's offering of 'The Departed, and given that it is my nomination, this is a fairly straight forward review for me.

Beautifully directed, superb performances from an outstanding cast and a story that is full of twists and turns and a rising tension from the first scene to the very last.
I know that it is essentially a remake of 'Internal affairs' and although I enjoyed the original, I find this to be the far superior film.

That in large part is due to the acting. Di Caprio and Damon are superb (especially Di Caprio) but Nicholson as Castello is the headliner in this movie. Whitaker won the Oscar for his portrayal of Idi Amin, and I have no qualms about that as he was superb, but the fact that Nicholson wasn't nominated is frankly ridiculous or an indication of the high standard of performances in that year.
Wahlberg deserves a mention too, for his performance that did get a nomination.

The greatests thing about this film for me is the way that the tension builds throughout, There is a sense of imminent danger that flows through the duration of the film, due to the cat and mouse plot and the dangerous nature of some of the characters.

I remember actually holding my breath during certain parts of the film when I first watched it at the cinema.

A stunning film that I never tire of watching.

4.5

[Wyldesyde19]

Should be able to review Braveheart and a the Departed this weekend, and then finish with Gandhi the week after.

[Citizen Rules]

Should be able to review Braveheart and a the Departed this weekend, and then finish with Gandhi the week after.Saving the best for last:D

[Wyldesyde19]

Braveheart

Braveheart is an epic tale told on a grand scale that is filled with amazing scenes, bloody battles, and beautiful cinematography.
The story tells of the legend of William Wallace, who helped fight for his countries independence from England.
Wallace is played by Mel Gibson with equal parts brute force and cunning, and passion. It’s his story, and the focus is on him.
But he isn’t the only character worth watching for.
Patrick McGoohan is King Edwards, and commands the screen each time he is on it. He plays the villain well, with a permanent sneer etched across his face. His cruelty seems to know no bounds.
Brendan Gleeson and Angus McFaydan play Hamish and Robert The Bruce, both well cast and well acted. Gleeson in particular has always been a standout for me, and it confounds me he has yet to ever be nominated for an Oscar.
One thing that stood out to me through out this film was the father-son relationship and how each character deals with them.
King Edwards son is gay, and week willed. He’s frightened by his father, and show little interest in politics.
Robert the Bruce’s father is addicted with leprosy (fictional kind obviously, leprosy is always portrayed incorrectly in films for dramatic effect). His father wields strong political influence, and the two don’t see quite eye to eye in regards to Wallace. Robert seems like he is always trying to be diplomatic with both sides to please his father.
Hamish seems like he always wants to show his strength off to his father. He has a sort of rivalry, shown all too briefly, with Wallace , whom his father seems to favor.
And Wallace himself, whose father died while he was still a boy. His absence was filled by his uncle Argyle, played by Brian Cox. Cox makes the most of his limited screen time. He becomes a father figure to Wallace and teaches him everything he knows.
The battles are the high point, as they are not for the faint of heart. They are depicted as bloody and violent as they often were.
But at the heart of it all is the humanity displayed by Wallace, who just wanted peace and to start a family. He is denied both in a brutal act that forever binds his destiny.
The film isn’t intended as a history lesson. There are many inaccuracies, and some accurate elements. But above all it’s meant to entertain. And boy does it ever.

[Wyldesyde19]

The Departed

Scorsese’s only Best Picture win starts off crackling with energy, as he introduced the main characters one after another within the first 20 mins. It isn’t long before we get aquatinted with Damon and DiCaprio.
Everyone knows the story here. It moves at break neck speed as double crossed and triple crosses are set up, and Scorsese weaves a labyrinthine plot effortlessly. We never are confused about anyone’s loyalties.
The acting is top notch. Nicholson, DiCaprio and Damon are all standouts. Only Alec Baldwin is weak in this.
Speaking of Nicholson, his character is overwritten, which lends itself to overacting. With dialogue like “This ain’t reality TV!” One wonders if they could have given it a once over before filming. The dialogue desperately wants to remind Everyone of it’s Boston roots.
But at the end of the day, those shortcomings do not detract from a great film. From start to finish, this is a film that Intensifies as it races towards it’s inevitable and violent ending.
No one gets away clean.

[Sarge]

https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto,h_1248,w_2220/v1555922051/shape/mentalfloss/411363.jpg?itok=UCmzG9z0

Braveheart (1995)

A film about the Scottish people and their fight for FREEEEDOM, led by an initially unlikely hero in William Wallace.

When I first watched this film I was 16 years old and I loved it. The fight scenes, the revenge drivene plot, the noble pursuit of freedom. Beautifully made and well acted, I loved it.

Every subsequent viewing since has involved me noticing a new flaw that reduces my enjoyment of the film.

Upon the second viewing a few years later after 2 years of studying British History, I came to a relaisation of just how much any story had been butchered to lose almost any semblance of truth an accuracy.
I know many don't care about that and it's fine, but I couldn't unlearn what I had learned in my studies and it provided me with a fresh lens to view the film through, whether I wanted to or not.
My biggest issue with this aspect was,if you were going to move so far away from any truth, why not just change the name? Scot Mcscotsman or Walliam Willis would have eradicated half of the issues that I have with the film. Gladaitor did this, although based in real events and taken from real stories, maximus was largely fictional and an amalgamation of many characters.
An ancestors of William Wallace come out of this pretty well, but those of Robert the Bruce, Longshanks etc not so much.
I won't go into the other innaccuracies, if you are interested, just google it.
I am quite confident that I would have similar issues with Gandhi, The Kings Speech etc should the contested accuracy of those be so comprehensive.

As I had mentioned this before and I know some of people felt differently, I endeavoured to watch the film for the purposes of entertainment, and as much as I could, remove the issue of accuracy to real life.

I did that and although it helped a lot, I still had issues with the film.
Gibsons accent. A trivial issue, but irritating none the less.
I was invested in Gibson after Murrons death, then he just became a savage, and I went back to sympathy during the death scene. Again in contrast to Maxiums in Gladiator, where I backed him throughout.

There are a few scenes that I find nonsensical.
These include:
The lifting of the kilt scene - I find that it just trivialises the tension and fear in that moment.
The romance with the Princess - Not needed and ridiculous,

There were also things that I appreciate more on each viewing:
There are some tremendous cinematographic techniques used in the film. Subtle shots an imagery that really help the film. The sword being thrown at the end with the soft bagpipe music playing, the shots of the horses hooves in slo mo in some battle scenes etc.
Murron walking through the crowd at the end was equally as powerful.

Overall, I think life has soiled my enjoyment of the film. From being English to studying teh subject matter in some depth and using the film to do that in class.
This frustrates me because as I said I loved it on first viewing.
Many people love it though and in many ways it is easy to see why.
We all have opinions though and can voice them. That's the beneft of FREEDOM!

3.5

[Sarge]

Finished. List in!

[Wyldesyde19]

Only Gandhi remains for me. Will finish this up either tomorrow night or Sunday sometime.

[cricket]

Gandhi

4.5-

https://www.sbs.com.au/movies/sites/sbs.com.au.film/files/ben-kingsley-gandhi.jpg

I'm terrible with history and didn't know anything about Gandhi except that he was supposed to be a great man. I have an Indian friend and whenever she says my name, I tell her "my name is Gandhi". That's the extent of my experience with him. I've seen a lot of biopics and usually they're a big letdown. This was easily one of the best I've ever seen.

In the very beginning, I wasn't sure how this movie was going to be. I was thinking it didn't look like the time period depicted, and Ben Kingsley didn't look Indian at all. All of a sudden he did look Indian and from there it was off to the races. Kingsley was incredible in this, a stellar performance in every way. I forgot I was watching an actor. Supporting cast is very good. The movie was surprisingly upsetting at many points while dealing with India under British rule, religious battles, and the whole India/Pakistan thing. It covers a lot of ground and through it all there is Gandhi. If this was anything like reality, and I suspect that it is, he was a great man. I was truly inspired by him.

[cricket]

Just started reading the other reviews of Gandhi in the thread and the first one I read, ahwell, I used a few of the same words lol. Funny thing is I can't remember ever using the word stellar by text before.

[ahwell]

Just started reading the other reviews of Gandhi in the thread and the first one I read, ahwell, I used a few of the same words lol. Funny thing is I can't remember ever using the word stellar by text before.
Oh yeah that’s odd haha... great minds ig

[Citizen Rules]

Glad to see some respect for Gandahi, too bad Cricket didn't join.

[cricket]

Glad to see some respect for Gandahi, too bad Cricket didn't join.

It's probably better that I didn't. As crazy as it seems with how much I loved it, I'd probably have it 6th.

[Citizen Rules]

It's probably better that I didn't. As crazy as it seems with how much I loved it, I'd probably have it 6th.It will come in at last place I suspect, which doesn't bug me, I didn't even vote it 1st place myself.

[cricket]

It will come in at last place I suspect, which doesn't bug me, I didn't even vote it 1st place myself.

For me at least it's miles ahead of one movie and close to the rest.

[Wyldesyde19]

Watching Gandhi now, and will write up my review and send in my ballot when finished. (Don’t wait up) 😆
I’m curious to see if my opinion has changed any since I first watched it years ago. Maybe a second viewing will enhance it, and a fresh mindset will catch what I missed the first time around.

[Wyldesyde19]

Gandhi


Ben Kingsley is amazing in this film. Let’s get the obvious out of the way. It’s his film and he completely captures Gandhi. The film has a few powerful scenes, and simple but effective dialogue but I can’t help but feel like there’s something missing.
There are points where the narrative comes to close to preachiness and never completely captures me.
Maybe it’s just me. I definitely enjoyed it a little more then my first watch, but it’s still lacking. Definitely one of the weaker Best a picture wins of the 80’s, but still better then Driving Miss Daisy.

[Wyldesyde19]

With that I’m all done and final ballot has already been sent. Great selection of films, guys. Very varied in terms of genre.

[Wyldesyde19]

So who do we have left still?

[rauldc14]

Me and Ed. Due to everything going on I will be awhile sorry.

[Wyldesyde19]

Me and Ed. Due to everything going on I will be awhile sorry.
No worries, Raul! Perfectly understandable.

[rauldc14]

No worries, Raul! Perfectly understandable.

I am gonna try to get to Gandhi later this week though

[edarsenal]

I have to write up a review for Unforgiven then I have King's Speech, Gandhi and American Beauty left

[edarsenal]

https://francescofalconeblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/11/the-kings-speech_colin-firth-evening-suit-helena-bonham-carter_image-credit-momentum-pictures1.jpg
https://media.tenor.com/8sPZvNM87vYAAAAC/the-kings-speech-colin-firth.gif


The King's Speech

Lionel Logue: [as Albert prepares to light a cigarette] Well, please, don't do that.
King George VI: I'm sorry?
Lionel Logue: I believe sucking smoke into your lungs will... will kill you.
King George VI: My physicians said it relaxes the... the... the throat.
Lionel Logue: They're idiots.
King George VI: They've all been knighted.
Lionel Logue: [sarcastic] Makes it official, then.

Firstly, out of the 10 nominations for Best Picture of 2010 I have only two others; Inception and True Grit, both of which I do, very much enjoy, I have a feeling that The King's Speech was a worthy winner for that year.

This was a Blind Grab for me since this was a film I've been wanting to see, being very much up my alley.
A historical period piece chock full of actors I enjoy and several I d@mn right love. There is also a warm, endearing center to this film that focuses on the British royalty that were preparing to look down the barrel of the coming second world war. It involves the passing of the previous King, George V, the abdication of the throne by the first son, Edward VIII (a story all on its own) and, the second son's struggles with a stammer and the national speech he would have to do, via the radio and the speech therapist he goes to, to help him overcome his stutter.
Part of that warmth was brought about from a box, found by the speech therapist's grandson containing Lionel Logue's diary, his appointment book, notes from his speech therapy sessions with King George VI, and over 100 personal letters to Logue from the King. It was given to the director and screenwriter to flesh out the relationship between Lionel and "Bertie". Also, Rush and Firth read through them as well. Firth insisting on one line from it, that occurred following the famous speech; ("You still stammered on the 'W'." / "Well, I had to throw in a few so they knew it was me.").
This film is chock full of such little moments that Endearing is the ideal description for how I feel about this film that I was enthralled with from the very beginning to the notes before the credits rolled.

[rauldc14]

Gandhi

https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w780/yYHtbjJM8CdhDjhxoGtB5VbaIR6.jpg

First and foremost, it really was an excellent performance by Ben Kingsley. I don't know a whole lot about Gandhi, but I feel Kingsley really did his research to absolutely nail down the role. I wasn't as impressed with much of the rest of the cast, but obviously the movie wasn't really about them either.

The production and the time that was put into this movie was really impressive to me. The amount of film extras in this film is insane, as I think someone said before it was pretty much a record at the time. The film looked really good and had good costume design too.

That being said, I didn't enjoy it all too much as I definitely felt it's length and was at times bored with it. But I can certainly respected it, even if I may or may not ever see it again.

3

[rauldc14]

The Departed

https://cdn.onebauer.media/one/empire-tmdb/films/1422/images/8Od5zV7Q7zNOX0y9tyNgpTmoiGA.jpg?quality=50&width=1800&ratio=16-9&resizeStyle=aspectfill&format=jpg

I saw this three weeks ago, but with everything going on in the world I forgot to do a write up about it. My apologies.

I consider this one of Scorcese's better works, and I realize that I'm probably in the minority on that, but I really think it's a very well directed and put together film. The screenplay is really good and there really isn't much lacking in terms of the acting. DiCaprio, Damon, Nicholson, Wahlberg, and Farmiga all bring their A games in my opinion.

The last 30 minutes or so are just great entertainment and great scenes overall. Shocking the first time and now oh so entertaining. Glad I got to see it again.

4.5

[rauldc14]

Platoon

This is one that I respect a bit more than I love. I wouldn't necessarily say I didn't like it, I think it was really well directed and I think it really conveyed a lot of thoughts on just what war can turn into: which is ugliness. The performances are all actually really good too, it's a shame Charlie Sheen couldn't continue to have success with his film career although Two and a Half Men is his masterpiece certainly. I liked seeing Whittaker and Depp in their small roles before their careers really started to take off. Really liked Dafoe too and you can obviously see that Berenger was made for that sort of role. It's a good movie, and I've watched it a fair amount of times. But Best Picture wise, I would say it's in the middle of the road as far as those go. And I got to give good points to a really good score too.

3+

[rauldc14]

Unforgiven

Siddon did me a favor by nominating one of my favorite films of all time. It's a film that has no flaws for me. The story of revenge is just so rewarding to watch for me. William Munny is a very intriguing character. The acting in the film is all brilliant. The shots that Eastwood uses are perfectly composed. I don't have a lot to say about the film because I am completely mesmerized by just how great of a movie it is for me. This is also one of the more iconic and well done endings in any film for me. It gets the full points from me and was a perfect way to end this HOF for me.

5+

[rauldc14]

I'm done sorry for being a slowpoke. Just waiting on edarsenal

[edarsenal]

I'm done sorry for being a slowpoke. Just waiting on edarsenal

Way to go, :EDIT: raul!!

I guess I'll need to get my @ss moving then lol
Give me a couple of days and I'll knock this out

[edarsenal]

https://cdn.quotesgram.com/img/98/31/301279199-unforgiven.jpg


Unforgiven

In 1992, Unforgiven beat out The Crying Game, A Few Good Men, Howard's End, and Scent of a Woman. The only one I haven't seen is Howard's End, which I've always been curious to see. Against these and their excellent runs, I'm sure Unforgiven was a worthy surprise. So, I would definitely say it was a decidedly good win for Eastwood that year.

Common Knowledge Spoiler: Eastwood made his bones on several iconic spaghetti westerns back in the sixties, before taking the helm as director, into the seventies.
Bringing all of that and continuing onward with this film that has a secondary plateau of viewing pleasure: Witnessing the later years of the persona he portrayed some thirty-plus years previously. Done in pure iconic Eastwood gritty western style we've come to appreciate and, for me, f@ckin love.
The grit is represented, as in the past, with stellar talent. Two of which, Gene Hackman and Richard Harris have starred in some favorite Westerns of mine. For Hackman, Wyatt Earp (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111756/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_20) and The Quick and the Dead (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114214/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_19) and for Harris, A Man Called Horse (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066049/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_55) which I NEED to watch just for placement in my Westerns List. Can't remember anything about the second one, Return of-- (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075132/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_45) or whether I saw it or not.
Nevermind that they're some of my favorite actors, period.
And, well, Morgan Freeman is. . . f@ckin MORGAN F@CKIN FREEMAN!! Ya know?
Backing them up, as also in the past, bringing their "A-game" with them. Starting with Jaimz Woolvett (The 'Schofield Kid'); the blustering youth needing to prove something. Those moments when the fear and uncertainty slip out make for an endearing character. Not extraordinary, but an excellent season to this pot of western stew. Steeming with the "grays" of multiple layers of Western Rights & Wrongs.
Anna Winger also delivers, as she had when I first saw her in The Crow (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109506/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1), as Delilah, the cut-up prostitute, prompting the other "girls" to put a price on the one responsible, and his buddy, since The Law not doing nuthin bout them but a fine and a "Ya all take care now,".
As does the buddy, (Rob Campbell) bringing one, of so many, Western morality quagmires that permeates this excellent Revenge/Was Done With The Life Only To Be Dragged Back In, style film. He's a decent guy doing his sincere best to abide by The Fine, bringing one of his best horses to Deliah. Adding to the multi-layered afore-mentioned quagmires when his fate in the canyon occurs.

This is part of the echelon of Eastwood Westerns without a doubt and with (for me) serious rewatchability -- which I have.

[edarsenal]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/CreativeThirdAtlanticblackgoby-size_restricted.gif


American Beauty

[ahwell]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/CreativeThirdAtlanticblackgoby-size_restricted.gif


American Beauty

fantastic review;)

[Citizen Rules]

I think Ed's been sheltering in place a bit too long:D

[rauldc14]

That was funny.

[edarsenal]

It's the most beautiful thing I ever saw.



lol, my dumb ass hit Save instead of Preview as I started typing out my review. :rolleyes::o:D

In fact, that is pretty funny, I'll post a new reply with the finished review:

[edarsenal]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/CreativeThirdAtlanticblackgoby-size_restricted.gif


American Beauty

In 1999, American Beauty beat out The Cider House Rules, Sixth Sense, The Insider and The Green Mile. I've only seen the beginning of The Cider House Rules and truly wish to see all of it. Somewhat remember The Insider, really love Sixth Sense and. . . I can see American Beauty as a win, though, for me, I find The Green Mile the greater film.

One could argue that perhaps it's because American Beauty detonates the truth beneath the everyday facade so many of us confine ourselves to so that the bills continually get paid and appearances are kept up. And it's a hard pill to swallow. A very necessary one, but, still,
Until, one day, simply masturbating in the shower as the highlight of one's day is no longer how you wish to merely exist. To break from, what Thoreau expressed how "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation." Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) decides to stop being a docile man and just. . . live. While yes, it's less than a year of life, but, hey, a lot of us don't get that year - or even a day for some sad few. So, yay Lester.
I do feel sorry Annette Bening's Carolyn, who's grasping at crackling veneers and any time she attempts to let her grip relax and just be happy -- something goes sideways. Every time.
Poor girl.
Important Lesson: young ladies who stand on apartment roofs and flash traffic copters MUST remember to, later in life, to take the time out to feel the sun on - well, you know, make yourself laugh, very very loudly, doing something out of the ordinary.

There is an amusing metaphorical Hays Code going on with this film. Much like within Noir films where crime NEVER pays and anyone breaking the law, dies or goes to jail.
Instead of kowtowing to his job and meekly accept that he is expendable, Lester blackmails them for another year's full pay with benefits. Only to get caught up in his new neighbor's homophobic terror of his own sexuality resulting in the back of his head abruptly getting air-conditioned and thereby, a pulpy mess is made all over the white tile.

Mendes does nail it with some intense theraputic-like self-examinations across the board of everyone involved, including the teenagers.
I have not seen this since it first came out. Thanks ahwell for nominating this!

[Wyldesyde19]

I had to take a few minutes to compose myself. Too funny haha 😆

[edarsenal]

and yet, it kinda says it all, doesn't it?

[rauldc14]

Just a Gandhi review away and then results!

[Citizen Rules]

Gandhi being saved for last...again. You guys are giving me a movie nom complex:D

[edarsenal]

Gandhi being saved for last...again. You guys are giving me a movie nom complex:D

Nah, just saving the best for last, that's all :)


annnd, finding the time for how long it is lol
Which should be tonight. We've had a serious cold snap all week and I'll be doing some yard work this afternoon that I've been dying to do.

[ahwell]

Nah, just saving the best for last, that's all :)


annnd, finding the time for how long it is lol
Which should be tonight. We've had a serious cold snap all week and I'll be doing some yard work this afternoon that I've been dying to do.
Just did some weeding myself and I have to say it was more fun than Gandhi:p

[edarsenal]

Just did some weeding myself and I have to say it was more fun than Gandhi:p
LOL
Got to trim the shrubs and rake.

Okay, two thirds through Gandhi, will finish it off tomorrow night. Excellent film.

[rauldc14]

Depending what time you finish I may do the results

[Citizen Rules]

I have a prediction for the final results...probably got it all wrong. I'll wait until Ed's sent in his ballot before posting my wild guesses:D

[edarsenal]

Depending what time you finish I may do the results
Just finished Gandhi, quite an amazing final film of exceptional films. Should get a vote to you in an hour or two. Then a write up later this evening.
I have a prediction for the final results...probably got it all wrong. I'll wait until Ed's sent in his ballot before posting my wild guesses:D
Yeah, better wait, I DO have a penchant for screwing up the vote with mine lol


okay, list sent in! I would apologize for my usual tardiness but that would mean I would endeavor to stop such behavior. . . and that, as we all know, is a sinking ship lol

So, thank you all for your patience as I scramble and meander over the finish line, yet again :):):)

I'll get a write up posted this evening.

[ahwell]

Ooh, Raul will you get to the results today??

[rauldc14]

Yes sir! I'm thinking around 730 central time!