The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
I'm sure we've all seen numerous films that we could subjectively describe as powerful. List them. This can be a fun way to generate some general film discussion and also become a notable source for recommendations. Here are some of mine:
http://i61.tinypic.com/235l3b.png http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw...g2mso3_250.gif Close-Up (1990) This is a hauntingly real and personal examination into fame and identity. Without getting into any personal explications, this was a work I could myself relating to on an immensely profound level. The notion of wanting to be your icons and your inspirations took me to a pretty dark spot as a viewer. Since this was based on a true story and Abbas Kiarostami used all the real people associated with the actual events in the film, it just made it feel all the more authentic and real. The ending is one of the most beautifully humane conclusions to any film I have ever seen. Admittedly, it made me weep like an infant. https://s3.amazonaws.com/giphymedia/...WLoA/giphy.gif Late Spring (1949) Ozu was a visionary and well ahead of his time. Nobody could explore the contemporary, post-WWII Japanese family with more depth and humanity than him. This is such a simple, accessible drama, but so incredibly powerful. It's a film any daughter, son, father or mother can relate to on a wide range of different levels. It's simply a masterwork and so powerful. Ozu's work were considered 'family dramas' back in 1940-1950s Japan, so it's a really simple film at its core. And that's why I adore it. It demands little from its viewers. http://media2.giphy.com/media/E06CzjYosJvnq/giphy.gif The Terminator (1984) This is a pretty strange addition for me. This is not powerful in the sense that it is poignant or moving, but it spawns a truly remarkable atmosphere. The amazing sequence at the Tech Noir nightclub is just a wonderful showcase for visual filmmaking. Perhaps nostalgia is playing a small part here, but I am totally, completely and 100% always immersed in this picture when I watch it. I'm still stunned at how adept Camera was from behind the camera. A truly sinister, dark, creepy slice of 80s science fiction horror. http://31.media.tumblr.com/d36e88a5b...hxd4o5_250.gif Taxi Driver (1976) This really is the ultimate film about dejection, loneliness, and insanity. As I may only slightly prefer The King of Comedy when it comes to Scorsese, I think this is a much more personal, intimate piece. It's not such the technical impeccability or De Niro's amazing performance, but the way Scorsese slowly and closely portrays the life of Travis Bickle. There are a handful of truly powerful moments, but the ultimate one has to be the scene where Bickle is watching television whilst Jackson Browne's Late For The Sky is playing. Simply stunning. http://38.media.tumblr.com/332934fd5...yd2so1_400.gif 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Having recently seen this masterwork in 70mm at the theatres, it'd be a crime not to bring this up. In my opinion, the most artistically complete, accomplished, ambitious and human of all films that I have seen. No other work in the science fiction comes close to the existentialism that Kubrick captures (well, Tarkovsky's Stalker gives it a good run for its money). Put it this way: if I was kidnapped by aliens and was forced to show them a film that depicts humanity at its most curious, audacious and expression, then I'd choose Kubrick's evocative masterpiece. http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc...25v3o1_250.gif The Ascent (1977) Out of all the films that I have ever seen, I believe this work shows war at its most tragic, brutal and harrowing. I'd even put it ahead of Come and See. This one wasn't so much an emotional experience, but just a forceful and depressing one. It gets under your skin and candidly confronts you with the grim realities of war. To think this came out of the Soviet Union, known for their artistic suppression, is rather amazing. It was also directed by a female - another rarity of the USSR film industry and the medium in general. http://31.media.tumblr.com/afe5111e3...fsxzo5_250.gif Paths of Glory (1957) Another war film, although this was definitely much more poignant. The final act is one of the most tear-inducing scenes I have seen. This is just as much a political film as it is a war film and served as a huge thematic inspiration for The Wire. It's all about the repressive and dictatorial nature of our institutions and how they essentially serve the few at the expense of many. It also completely shatters the notion that Kubrick was a misanthrope - this film shows wonderful compassion for humanity, but arrant cynicism for systems. http://33.media.tumblr.com/2437654cc...co3_r1_250.gif The Elephant Man (1980) Hands down, the most dejecting film I have ever seen. I have intentionally avoided seeing it on a numerous occasions because, frankly, it upsets me way too much. Not only is Lynch a brilliant surrealist, but he can clearly handle the dramatic without coming across as schmaltzy or overly-sentimental. This entire work is just one depressing blow after another. This one kept me down for days after I saw it for the first time. http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/476...ive-kiss-o.gif Mulholland Drive (2001) This is one of the most indescribably powerful movie viewing experiences of my life. I'm not sure what I feel when I watch this film, but it's something I've never managed to forget. I like to think that Lynch appeals more to the emotions first than he does the intellect, and this movie achieves that. It's an abstract experience, almost, akin to Inland Empire or 2001: A Space Odyssey. Beyond that, however, it's a wonderfully grim look into the show business industry. It has a handful of truly eerie and creepy moments, too. https://38.media.tumblr.com/f5f86b67...wwklo5_250.gif The Girl Next Door (2007) This has to be up there as one of the most upsetting and disturbing films I have seen. It truly makes you feel helpless and despondent. It's brutal and hard to watch. This is not a powerful experience I embrace but one I try to shrug off. I guess it is powerful in a negative way because it makes you feel so utterly dejected. But any film that has this impact on you must be represented. http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/...ng-blade-o.gif Sling Blade (1996) A beautifully restrained slice of Southern Gothic storytelling. A very simple film, but so.... poetic, for lack of better word. There is a calmness to this film. It could have easily fell victim to sentimentality if it were in the hands of a different director. This did not make me cry, but it certainly was a touching and beautiful experience. Billy Bob Thornton in his prime, as an actor, writer and director. The level of talent he exhibits here is off-the-walls. http://37.media.tumblr.com/8947ef3be...jzyyo4_250.gif Tokyo Story (1954) Another Ozu, and like Late Spring, an accessible, simple family drama, but so incredibly touching and increasingly relevant in today's Western world. This one brought me to tears purely because it's a film everyone, on some level, can relate to. It's just staggering how far ahead of his time Ozu was. A truly unmatchable talent and this is generally regarded as his finest movie, as many people here would know. http://33.media.tumblr.com/ea71832b5...7o8_r1_250.gif Detachment (2011) I've reserved this until last because it's arguably the film I can relate to most. It felt like it was made for me because it mirrored so much of my life. Discarding that, however, it's an ambitious work, beautifully photographed and wonderfully written. It also echoes so much truth about our educational systems and the youth of today's world. I think about this frequently and it's one of the reasons why I want to be a filmmaker or tell stories, visually There are so many others out there, too. What are your selections? |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Taxi Driver
Stalker Blue Velvet, Eraserhead, and Mulholland Drive Apocalypse Now Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1989 or 1990 viewing) Tokyo Story It's a Wonderful Life |
Requiem for a Dream
A Clockwork Orange Barry Lyndon Once Upon a Time in the West 2001: A Space Odissey The Shining Inglorious Basterds Eyes Wide Shut Trainspotting Lolita (1962) |
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kB_K--wub0...nHoodHills.png
The only time I've literally sat there open mouthed at a reveal... And it's not even a twist ending. |
Great post Matteo, exceptionally written... quite the opposite of what I manage to type up. :D
The movies that gave me a powerful experience are basically the films that are in my favorites list, other films include 'Save The Green Planet' (no folks it's not what you think, it's a indie science fiction film) and Psycho. |
Although ere are certainly others, and certainly more visceral experiences, I've always found Sunshine's ending to be the closest that I have ever come to have a legitimately moving religious experience (which is strangely amusing, given that it's the film that convinced Cillian Murphey of his athiesm).
|
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
The curious case of Benjamin Button
Pearl Harbor The Pianist The Great Dictator I cried with this movies, even the bad. -------------------------------------------------------------- Yep, Pearl Harbor is the bad. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Schindler's List
Raging Bull Platoon Cinema Paradiso Empire of the Sun 2001 Requiem for a Dream Forrest Gump |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Schindler's list.
to me it seems that the most powerful moments are ones of sadness. it's much easier for a film to make someone cry than it is to make them burst full of happiness. or am I just bent and jaded? Some films have evoked a strong sense of wonder in me. Star wars and the matrix. |
"Powerful" - Such an interesting adjective when discussing film. These are some of the films that come to mind when I think of the word "Powerful":
A Streetcar Named Desire Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Bonnie and Clyde The Wrestler American Psycho Splendor in the Grass Network Requiem for a Dream Dallas Buyer's Club Eyes Wide Shut Magnolia In the Bedroom Frances The Verdict The Shining Glengarry Glen Ross Serpico Dog Day Afternoon Boogie Nights Punch Drunk Love Goodfellas Taxi Driver Django Unchained Pulp Fiction Straight Time Marathon Man Crimes and Misdemeanors Resurrection Days of Wine and Roses Clean and Sober The Shawshank Redemption The Pawnbroker Traffic |
You know I wish people wouldnt bother listing a bunch of movies without any explanations. Its like the laziest and emptiest form of posting. Same with just posting an image of a movie and not telling the name of the film, or even why its being posted to begin with. Its spammy. Spammy!
______________________ http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV...640_SY720_.jpg I was 10 or 11 and I sobbed. Truly wrecked at the end of the movie. http://content8.flixster.com/movie/1...917006_800.jpg Garp was the movie that made me realize I loved movies. It hits you on all fronts, and always in unexpected ways. http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pu..._1986_6592.jpg Leaving the movie theater me and a friend were completely speechless. We looked at each other the same exact time, and just said "Wow". Our minds were truly blown. The only other war movie that had this effect on me was the beginning of Saving Private Ryan. http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV...640_SY720_.jpg This might go down as the funniest movie Ill ever see in my life just because I was 11 or 12 when I saw it. Only the first Porkys though, the rest were ass. |
Originally Posted by TONGO (Post 1190690)
You know I wish people wouldnt bother listing a bunch of movies without any explanations. Its like the laziest and emptiest form of posting. Same with just posting an image of a movie and not telling the name of the film, or even why its being posted to begin with. Its spammy. Spammy!
______________________ http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV...640_SY720_.jpg I was 10 or 11 and I sobbed. Truly wrecked at the end of the movie. http://content8.flixster.com/movie/1...917006_800.jpg Garp was the movie that made me realize I loved movies. It hits you on all fronts, and always in unexpected ways. http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pu..._1986_6592.jpg Leaving the movie theater me and a friend were completely speechless. We looked at each other the same exact time, and just said "Wow". Our minds were truly blown. The only other war movie that had this effect on me was the beginning of Saving Private Ryan. http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV...640_SY720_.jpg This might go down as the funniest movie Ill ever see in my life just because I was 11 or 12 when I saw it. Only the first Porkys though, the rest were ass. You have some great movies here, but your pictures for The Champ and Porky's aren't showing up. |
I've never had a movie, 'change my life'...But a powerful movie experience? Yup, I've had a few of them.
I suppose for myself it's more the visceral moments of a film that resonate and stays with me. There's many artisically great movies, many on this thread, but few for me are powerful. |
Originally Posted by The Gunslinger45 (Post 1190581)
Taxi Driver
Stalker Blue Velvet, Eraserhead, and Mulholland Drive Apocalypse Now Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1989 or 1990 viewing) Tokyo Story It's a Wonderful Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCuN6H3V6_Q I agree with your additions of Stalker, Blue Velvet, Eraserhead, Mulholland Drive and Tokyo Story, too. I'd add all of Lynch's filmography, actually, perhaps discarding Wild at Heart and Dune. Apocalypse Now is a truly immersive experience, especially the remarkable opening sequence. I might have the opportunity to see a 35mm print of that film in the future. Here's hoping.
Originally Posted by Darabont (Post 1190678)
The curious case of Benjamin Button
Pearl Harbor The Pianist The Great Dictator I cried with this movies, even the bad. -------------------------------------------------------------- Yep, Pearl Harbor is the bad.
Originally Posted by Memento Mori (Post 1190681)
Schindler's List
Raging Bull Platoon Cinema Paradiso Empire of the Sun 2001 Requiem for a Dream Forrest Gump
Originally Posted by foster (Post 1190683)
Schindler's list.
to me it seems that the most powerful moments are ones of sadness. it's much easier for a film to make someone cry than it is to make them burst full of happiness. or am I just bent and jaded? Some films have evoked a strong sense of wonder in me. Star wars and the matrix.
Originally Posted by Gideon58 (Post 1190689)
"Powerful" - Such an interesting adjective when discussing film. These are some of the films that come to mind when I think of the word "Powerful":
A Streetcar Named Desire Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Bonnie and Clyde The Wrestler American Psycho Splendor in the Grass Network Requiem for a Dream Dallas Buyer's Club Eyes Wide Shut Magnolia In the Bedroom Frances The Verdict The Shining Glengarry Glen Ross Serpico Dog Day Afternoon Boogie Nights Punch Drunk Love Goodfellas Taxi Driver Django Unchained Pulp Fiction Straight Time Marathon Man Crimes and Misdemeanors Resurrection Days of Wine and Roses Clean and Sober The Shawshank Redemption The Pawnbroker Traffic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE2FCCZ50VU I've seriously seen it three times before posting this message. I love it.
Originally Posted by Guaporense (Post 1191031)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...001Style_B.jpg
Nausicaa: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...icaaposter.jpg Stalker: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ker_poster.jpg Princess Mononoke http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...28Movie%29.jpg Spirited Away: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...way_poster.JPG Tokyo Story http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ory_poster.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../Eoeposter.JPG Ugetsu http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ari_poster.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi.../46/OYpost.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ese_poster.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ad_poster.jpeg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._dvd_cover.jpg Ikiru http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...iru_poster.jpg (not with this dubb though, couldn't find a specific poster): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B27yEQYEwtE http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...Shoah_film.png http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfjSB3V2aWc Gurren Laggan movie 2, yeay!!!!!!!!!! 11 out of 16 are Japanese, including 8 anime films.
Originally Posted by Citizen Rules (Post 1190766)
I've never had a movie, 'change my life'...But a powerful movie experience? Yup, I've had a few of them.
I suppose for myself it's more the visceral moments of a film that resonate and stays with me. There's many artisically great movies, many on this thread, but few for me are powerful.
Originally Posted by TONGO (Post 1190690)
You know I wish people wouldnt bother listing a bunch of movies without any explanations. Its like the laziest and emptiest form of posting. Same with just posting an image of a movie and not telling the name of the film, or even why its being posted to begin with. Its spammy. Spammy!
______________________ http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV...640_SY720_.jpg I was 10 or 11 and I sobbed. Truly wrecked at the end of the movie. http://content8.flixster.com/movie/1...917006_800.jpg Garp was the movie that made me realize I loved movies. It hits you on all fronts, and always in unexpected ways. http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pu..._1986_6592.jpg Leaving the movie theater me and a friend were completely speechless. We looked at each other the same exact time, and just said "Wow". Our minds were truly blown. The only other war movie that had this effect on me was the beginning of Saving Private Ryan. http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV...640_SY720_.jpg This might go down as the funniest movie Ill ever see in my life just because I was 11 or 12 when I saw it. Only the first Porkys though, the rest were ass. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
One of my favorite movies of all time, Manhunter, directed by Michael Mann. It is the first (should have been the only) adaptation of Thomas Harris' Red Dragon. That scene with Will Graham and Jack Crawford in Crawford's office when Will Graham finally puts it together is AMAZING. It gives me goose bumps every time I see it. Incredible movie.
I would have to say that one of my most amazing movie experiences was seeing a free pre-screening of The Matrix before it was released in theaters at the Student Union building in undergrad. No one had ever seen it before. I had gotten stood up by my friend and wound up going myself. Everyone thought it was going to be another Johnny Pneumonic. That first scene rolls out and Trinity lays out three cops in about as many seconds. There was stunned silence. Then a girl about two rows back shouted, "You go girl!" Everyone cheered. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Sansho the Bailiff
Wizard of Oz Spirited Away Tokyo Story Rear Window The Grapes of Wrath Mystic River Shawshank Redemption |
Excellent post, Matteo. You always come across as very articulate and intelligent, so I enjoy reading your thoughts on films. I just wish you shared them with us more often. :)
As for your personal choices, the ones that I've seen are mostly excellent. The Elephant Man, for example, is one of the most moving films I've ever seen. Knowing that John Merrick once existed and suffered such deformities and ostracism makes the film even more powerful. I struggle not to cry every time I watch it. I've never seen Detachment, but if it's powerful enough to appear on your list then I definitely think it's worth watching. It surprised me to see The Girl Next Door on your list. I read the book a few years ago and it's by far the most disturbing thing I've ever read. I finished it in two sittings because I couldn't put it down despite my horror and disgust. Days later, I was still depressed and couldn't stop thinking about it. I thought the film adaptation was rather average and tame compared to the book, but I can see why it would appear on your list. For similar reasons, Irreversible remains one of my most powerful movie experiences. Generally speaking, however, when I think of the most powerful movie experiences I've had, it's usually due to awe and amazement more than an emotional response. For me, films of great ambition and enormous scope are usually the ones that pack the most powerful punch. 2001: A Space Odyssey, Apocalypse Now, Fitzcarraldo, Seven Samurai, and Once Upon a Time in the West are some of the first films that spring to mind. After the credits rolled for each film, I sat in stunned silence, still enthralled and immersed in the experience, knowing that I had witnessed one of the crowning achievements in cinema. Watching Gravity last year in IMAX-3D also gave me that same feeling. As everyone streamed out of the cinema, my friends asked me what I thought of the film, but I was still too speechless to respond. It felt like I had just watched a film thirty years before its time, a film with effects so groundbreaking that our current technology couldn't account for it. Other powerful movies experiences: Pulp Fiction: Immediately became my all-time favorite film and opened my eyes to the wider world of cinema and its boundless capabilities. Also triggered my transformation from simple movie lover to passionate cinephile. Requiem for a Dream: Due to past experiences, movies about drug addiction and obsession often strike a chord with me, and this remains the best I've seen on the subject. There's a sequence near the end of the film that always twists my stomach into a knot. There Will Be Blood: A modern-day masterpiece. I was fortunate enough to catch it in the theater and PTA's masterful direction and Day-Lewis's all-time great performance resonated with me for months afterward. Eraserhead: By the time the climax arrives, I feel like my mind is tottering between reality and fantasy, my grip on sanity tenuously slipping away. If I watched this movie on repeat, over and over and over, I'd end up in a mental institute. The most psychologically disturbing film I've ever seen. The Last Temptation of Christ: I'm from the southern United States, smack dab in the middle of the Bible Belt, where seemingly everyone's a Christian and there's a steeple at every turn. Even though I'm not religious, I grew up with it and had to go to Bible study and all of that as a kid, so perhaps that's partly why this film resonates with me so strongly. I think all films about Jesus, regardless of personal beliefs or the quality of the film, are powerful to an extent simply because of the story being told. For me, Dafoe's exceptional performance and the vulnerable, humanistic portrayal of Jesus in this film feels the most honest and relatable. Atheist, Agnostic, whatever, I'm always moved by this film, which I think is one of Scorsese's most underrated and under appreciated. I rank it second in his filmography behind only Taxi Driver. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Watched "The Hunt", Danish film the other day and have been thinking about it since, especially the next day.
Amazing how a life can be turned upside down all due to a child's misunderstood comment to an adult. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Originally Posted by gandalf26 (Post 1192372)
Watched "The Hunt", Danish film the other day and have been thinking about it since, especially the next day.
Amazing how a life can be turned upside down all due to a child's misunderstood comment to an adult. I challenge everyone to see it. It's quite an experience and truly just a dark and depressing movie. But worth it. |
Originally Posted by mosswood17 (Post 1192253)
One of my favorite movies of all time, Manhunter, directed by Michael Mann. It is the first (should have been the only) adaptation of Thomas Harris' Red Dragon. That scene with Will Graham and Jack Crawford in Crawford's office when Will Graham finally puts it together is AMAZING. It gives me goose bumps every time I see it. Incredible movie.
I would have to say that one of my most amazing movie experiences was seeing a free pre-screening of The Matrix before it was released in theaters at the Student Union building in undergrad. No one had ever seen it before. I had gotten stood up by my friend and wound up going myself. Everyone thought it was going to be another Johnny Pneumonic. That first scene rolls out and Trinity lays out three cops in about as many seconds. There was stunned silence. Then a girl about two rows back shouted, "You go girl!" Everyone cheered.
Originally Posted by rauldc14 (Post 1192254)
Sansho the Bailiff
Wizard of Oz Spirited Away Tokyo Story Rear Window The Grapes of Wrath Mystic River Shawshank Redemption
Originally Posted by Captain Spaulding (Post 1192366)
Excellent post, Matteo. You always come across as very articulate and intelligent, so I enjoy reading your thoughts on films. I just wish you shared them with us more often. :)
As for your personal choices, the ones that I've seen are mostly excellent. The Elephant Man, for example, is one of the most moving films I've ever seen. Knowing that John Merrick once existed and suffered such deformities and ostracism makes the film even more powerful. I struggle not to cry every time I watch it. I've never seen Detachment, but if it's powerful enough to appear on your list then I definitely think it's worth watching. It surprised me to see The Girl Next Door on your list. I read the book a few years ago and it's by far the most disturbing thing I've ever read. I finished it in two sittings because I couldn't put it down despite my horror and disgust. Days later, I was still depressed and couldn't stop thinking about it. I thought the film adaptation was rather average and tame compared to the book, but I can see why it would appear on your list. For similar reasons, Irreversible remains one of my most powerful movie experiences. Generally speaking, however, when I think of the most powerful movie experiences I've had, it's usually due to awe and amazement more than an emotional response. For me, films of great ambition and enormous scope are usually the ones that pack the most powerful punch. 2001: A Space Odyssey, Apocalypse Now, Fitzcarraldo, Seven Samurai, and Once Upon a Time in the West are some of the first films that spring to mind. After the credits rolled for each film, I sat in stunned silence, still enthralled and immersed in the experience, knowing that I had witnessed one of the crowning achievements in cinema. Watching Gravity last year in IMAX-3D also gave me that same feeling. As everyone streamed out of the cinema, my friends asked me what I thought of the film, but I was still too speechless to respond. It felt like I had just watched a film thirty years before its time, a film with effects so groundbreaking that our current technology couldn't account for it. Other powerful movies experiences: Pulp Fiction: Immediately became my all-time favorite film and opened my eyes to the wider world of cinema and its boundless capabilities. Also triggered my transformation from simple movie lover to passionate cinephile. Requiem for a Dream: Due to past experiences, movies about drug addiction and obsession often strike a chord with me, and this remains the best I've seen on the subject. There's a sequence near the end of the film that always twists my stomach into a knot. There Will Be Blood: A modern-day masterpiece. I was fortunate enough to catch it in the theater and PTA's masterful direction and Day-Lewis's all-time great performance resonated with me for months afterward. Eraserhead: By the time the climax arrives, I feel like my mind is tottering between reality and fantasy, my grip on sanity tenuously slipping away. If I watched this movie on repeat, over and over and over, I'd end up in a mental institute. The most psychologically disturbing film I've ever seen. The Last Temptation of Christ: I'm from the southern United States, smack dab in the middle of the Bible Belt, where seemingly everyone's a Christian and there's a steeple at every turn. Even though I'm not religious, I grew up with it and had to go to Bible study and all of that as a kid, so perhaps that's partly why this film resonates with me so strongly. I think all films about Jesus, regardless of personal beliefs or the quality of the film, are powerful to an extent simply because of the story being told. For me, Dafoe's exceptional performance and the vulnerable, humanistic portrayal of Jesus in this film feels the most honest and relatable. Atheist, Agnostic, whatever, I'm always moved by this film, which I think is one of Scorsese's most underrated and under appreciated. I rank it second in his filmography behind only Taxi Driver. Thank you very much, Captain Spaulding, I appreciate the kind words mate. :) I've always enjoyed reading your posts, too. You have an excellent grasp for the medium. I have not read The Girl Next Door, but if the film is, indeed, tame in comparison, then I might have to give it a reading. Of course, why I would want to subject myself to such dejection and sorrow is even beyond me, but I appreciate any work - regardless how emotionally deleterious it may be - that can impact you in such a way. I find it strangely fascinating. But yeah, the film dispirited me beyond believe. It's truly tragic and harrowing. Detachment is a film I almost always instantly recommend. I connected with it on an extremely profound level, but even those that may not find it emotionally involving can probably appreciate its ambitious and rather unconventional stylistic approach. I can definitely see what you mean when it comes to powerful experiences and its relation to large-scale projects. Like your wonderfully described experience with Gravity, I was completely overwhelmed and stunned after watching 2001: A Space Odyssey in orgasmic 70mm a few weeks back. That feeling where words literally can not describe how you feel is cinema at its most gloriously effective and impacting. That is cinema. I have yet to see Gravity, however, but my local IMAX still screens it (albeit infrequently), so I might have to reserve my viewing until then because, apparently, watching it in 3D is an unmatchable experience. I agree with your addition of Apocalypse Now, especially that immersive opening sequence. Pulp Fiction is what triggered me from 'simple movie lover to passionate cinephile', too. It's a work I still consider a favourite and one that holds a special place in my film heart. I also wholeheartedly agree on Eraserhead. That's simply one of the most evocative, expressive and absorbing experiences of my life. Lynch draws you into this decaying, industrialised, crumbling world so seemingly and keeps you trapped there. The imagery is simply remarkable. The sound design is simply remarkable. The photography is simply remarkable. The film is simply remarkable. I also agree with There Will Be Blood. How I would love to see it in theatres like you did. I'd say it's PTA's most complete and accomplished work, purely from a technical level (Punch-Drunk Love is my personal favourite of his films). It's a simply a fantastic character study that manages to transcend all customary conventions on how to tell a tragic and epic story. I must get to The Last Temptation of Christ. I watched it many years ago but remember so very little. Your write-up has intrigued me greatly, so I may bump it up on my viewing list. Again, thanks for the reply.
Originally Posted by gandalf26 (Post 1192372)
Watched "The Hunt", Danish film the other day and have been thinking about it since, especially the next day.
Amazing how a life can be turned upside down all due to a child's misunderstood comment to an adult. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
I'm pretty bad with this kind of question as I forget and then see someone else's list and think 'oh yeah, THAT one...' But a couple of films that affected me are The Deer Hunter, Melancholia, and the Breakfast Club. I think the Deer Hunter was a film I saw when I was quite young and was the first film about Vietnam that I'd seen.
The Breakfast Club I saw when I was a teenager and it spoke to me :) Melancholia had such a powerful ending, I wont go into detail if you haven't seen it but the music, everything, just left me speechless, and that doesn't happen very often :) |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
I loved that scene with "Late For The Sky" - Travis' face, the zoom in, and the picture of the empty shoes, god's only (lonely) man.
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Matteo, I like your personal touch on this thread and the way you engage people by actually 'talking' to them. So many threads like this one, just end up with people posting their movie list without any personal interaction. We need more threads like this. Kudos.
I've compiled a list of everyone's 'powerful movie' choices. I hope to watch some of them in the near future. You've all had great choices! |
Originally Posted by gandalf26 (Post 1192372)
Watched "The Hunt", Danish film the other day and have been thinking about it since, especially the next day.
Amazing how a life can be turned upside down all due to a child's misunderstood comment to an adult. "We always assume that children don't lie. Unfortunately they lie often." People tend to think that children would never lie about certain things. That if they say them, they must be true. I think the most powerful movie experiences I have ever had was watching films like "Der Ewige Jude" and "Nuit et Brouillard", to see the atrocities of mankind are the most shocking things on film. Even the films "Germany Year Zero" and "Ivan's Childhood" have an impact on the people who watch them. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
GBGoodies just made me think of another film that has an emotional attachment experience.
The Passion of Christ ~ The scene where Jesus is carrying the cross and Mary recalls him falling as a young boy. The mother's instinct to want to comfort and protect her child from any type of harm. That scene brings tears to my eyes.. to think of it... to watch it.... to be reminded of it, for I have children of my own and to feel the pain and grief that she felt to see him fall, while walking carrying that large heavy cross and the crown of thorns upon his head, blood flowing down his face blurring his vision. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
The first that came to mind was "Less than Zero." I was a sheltered kid from the suburbs and had seen a lot of the idealistic "Brat Pack" 80s movies prior to this one. I simply wasn't emotionally prepared for the level of realism in this one. This movie had such a big emotional impact that I can remember a lot of details about the night I saw it almost 30 years ago. I was so dumbfounded by Julian's (Robert Downey Jr.'s character) death that I got angry. I used to always chatter incessantly at the end of most movies, but just walked to the car in silence at the end of this one. It was a weird night.
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
I really like Less Than Zero. I've not seen it in ages.
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Originally Posted by RexyCoop (Post 1192390)
I'm pretty bad with this kind of question as I forget and then see someone else's list and think 'oh yeah, THAT one...' But a couple of films that affected me are The Deer Hunter, Melancholia, and the Breakfast Club. I think the Deer Hunter was a film I saw when I was quite young and was the first film about Vietnam that I'd seen.
The Breakfast Club I saw when I was a teenager and it spoke to me :) Melancholia had such a powerful ending, I wont go into detail if you haven't seen it but the music, everything, just left me speechless, and that doesn't happen very often :) I've yet to see Melancholia, but I am certainly planning to. I've heard the ending is particularly noteworthy, too. The Breakfast Club, for sure, is an interesting selection, and one that I partially agree with. It's a wonderful slice of adolescent drama and quite moving at times. I'm sure we can all relate to at least one of those characters in some way or another.
Originally Posted by matt72582 (Post 1192457)
I loved that scene with "Late For The Sky" - Travis' face, the zoom in, and the picture of the empty shoes, god's only (lonely) man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-QVlqGYfgU
Originally Posted by Citizen Rules (Post 1192459)
Matteo, I like your personal touch on this thread and the way you engage people by actually 'talking' to them. So many threads like this one, just end up with people posting their movie list without any personal interaction. We need more threads like this. Kudos.
I've compiled a list of everyone's 'powerful movie' choices. I hope to watch some of them in the near future. You've all had great choices! Definitely let us know what you think of some of the films you've come across on this thread. I have already added a few works to my increasingly growing to-see list based on some of the titles brought up.
Originally Posted by MovieGal (Post 1192466)
I agree with you about "Jagten".. one of the most important lines in the movie is ....
"We always assume that children don't lie. Unfortunately they lie often." People tend to think that children would never lie about certain things. That if they say them, they must be true. I think the most powerful movie experiences I have ever had was watching films like "Der Ewige Jude" and "Nuit et Brouillard", to see the atrocities of mankind are the most shocking things on film. Even the films "Germany Year Zero" and "Ivan's Childhood" have an impact on the people who watch them. I like your call on Ivan's Childhood. For sure, Tarkvosky's most accessible work, but still incredibly powerful. Wonderful technical adeptness exhibited for a directorial debut, too.
Originally Posted by MovieGal (Post 1192491)
GBGoodies just made me think of another film that has an emotional attachment experience.
The Passion of Christ ~ The scene where Jesus is carrying the cross and Mary recalls him falling as a young boy. The mother's instinct to want to comfort and protect her child from any type of harm. That scene brings tears to my eyes.. to think of it... to watch it.... to be reminded of it, for I have children of my own and to feel the pain and grief that she felt to see him fall, while walking carrying that large heavy cross and the crown of thorns upon his head, blood flowing down his face blurring his vision. - He has openly admitted that his role as Jesus Christ has become a detriment to his career in Hollywood - He suffered from pneumonia and hypothermia on set - He dislocated his shoulder on set - He literally got struck by lighting on set - He would wake up at 2.00am in the morning for make-up and not finish until 8.00am on some days The amount of hardship he endured is nothing short of admirable. I also really appreciated the amount of risk Gibson invested - he essentially funded, what was a highly controversial film, himself.
Originally Posted by Modine (Post 1192566)
The first that came to mind was "Less than Zero." I was a sheltered kid from the suburbs and had seen a lot of the idealistic "Brat Pack" 80s movies prior to this one. I simply wasn't emotionally prepared for the level of realism in this one. This movie had such a big emotional impact that I can remember a lot of details about the night I saw it almost 30 years ago. I was so dumbfounded by Julian's (Robert Downey Jr.'s character) death that I got angry. I used to always chatter incessantly at the end of most movies, but just walked to the car in silence at the end of this one. It was a weird night.
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
I had one of my most profound experiences at the cinema a month ago viewing Hou Hsiao-Hsien's The Puppetmaster. I had seen the film once before, but it was before I knew Hou very well at all and was also viewed on a mediocre VHS copy. I left the film without any sort of conviction towards it, which is a common reaction for me with Hou's films. Last month, I saw The Puppetmaster in a packed house at Museum of the Moving Image in 35mm, and it was a deeply profound experience.
I found myself entirely rediscovering the film, and engaging with Hou's films on a deeper level than ever before. The film is the peak of Hou in terms of his aesthetic goals, that is, showing history as it's lived. The entire film feels like experience rather than narrative. Much like living through history, understanding comes after experience. Like this, emotions come in waves, often times without warning, and sometimes without context for feeling. Hou's craft is so evocative here that it's not necessary to comprehend in order to engage in the moment. The meaning of things may not come until late in the film, or until weeks after watching the film because everything is tied to both the complexity inherent in the image and that inherent in history. In aesthetic terms, the film was also a deep insight into the evolution of Hou as a filmmaker. A surprising amount of the film is made up of recurring compositions in the way of Mizoguchi's The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums. Subtle shifts in the compositions of various locations over the film add weight to the environments and greatly evoke an ineffable but definite feeling of change. Contrary to most critical discourse on Hou's career, the transition from the static camera found in his 1980s films to his nearly entirely mobile camera from Good Men, Good Women is wholly apparent here. The most startling example of it being a pan that follows the grandfather as he walks down from the house's loft, but the camera stops as he begins to fall down the stairs, leading to his death. Hou realizes the evocative power of camera movements in subtle ways in The Puppetmaster that only become more overt as he continued making films. The Puppetmaster is generally reasonably mobile, far more than A City of Sadness even. Those who were disappointed by Hou's overt camerawork in Good Men, Good Women seem to have been following inherited knowledge about Hou, as opposed to studying the changes themselves. I'm someone who doesn't believe in purism for watching films. I think that you should watch a film however you feel most comfortable with it, or however is available to you. However, I don't think I could ever see The Puppetmaster in a different format now that I've seen it in 35mm because I think my experience and understanding of the film was somehow directly tied to the format. |
Originally Posted by Matteo (Post 1192800)
Thanks for the reply, Modine. I can't say that I've seen (nor heard) of Less than Zero, but it does look somewhat interesting. Thanks for the indirect recommendation. |
Originally Posted by Matteo (Post 1192800)
Thank you very much, CR. I'm always interested in what other users here have to say and I created this thread in aim to have a detailed explication about our collectively powerful film experiences. :)
Definitely let us know what you think of some of the films you've come across on this thread. I have already added a few works to my increasingly growing to-see list based on some of the titles brought up. Many films can move me, but that emotional feeling they invoke quickly fades. Maybe that's true for everyone. Intellectual I can say, 'ya that was one heck of a powerful movie' but the associated feelings have long sense dissipated. It's certain scenes from movies, that I can replay in my mind and invoke a strong emotion. The most powerful scene, that I've encountered is from a TV mini series: War and Remembrance (1988) At the end of the story two of the main characters who are Jewish and have been evading capture by the Nazis are rounded up and sent to a concentration camp. I can't describe the scene adequately. It was the most haunting images I've seen...The two Jewish characters are forcibly removed from the Warsaw Ghetto and loaded onto a train for a 'work' camp. We see a very long stretch of old rusty train track roll by. After what seems like an eternity a large ominous building appears in the dark and the train passes through the gates. I won't tell you anymore, in case you watch it. I will say, I knew nothing of the filming locations used when I watched that scene. But I knew that concentration camp building and the old train track, looked nothing like a movie set. I latter learned that the building was indeed Auschwitz. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
The Color Purple is particularly powerful...................in disturbing the crap out of you.
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Originally Posted by bluedeed (Post 1192817)
I had one of my most profound experiences at the cinema a month ago viewing Hou Hsiao-Hsien's The Puppetmaster. I had seen the film once before, but it was before I knew Hou very well at all and was also viewed on a mediocre VHS copy. I left the film without any sort of conviction towards it, which is a common reaction for me with Hou's films. Last month, I saw The Puppetmaster in a packed house at Museum of the Moving Image in 35mm, and it was a deeply profound experience.
I found myself entirely rediscovering the film, and engaging with Hou's films on a deeper level than ever before. The film is the peak of Hou in terms of his aesthetic goals, that is, showing history as it's lived. The entire film feels like experience rather than narrative. Much like living through history, understanding comes after experience. Like this, emotions come in waves, often times without warning, and sometimes without context for feeling. Hou's craft is so evocative here that it's not necessary to comprehend in order to engage in the moment. The meaning of things may not come until late in the film, or until weeks after watching the film because everything is tied to both the complexity inherent in the image and that inherent in history. In aesthetic terms, the film was also a deep insight into the evolution of Hou as a filmmaker. A surprising amount of the film is made up of recurring compositions in the way of Mizoguchi's The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums. Subtle shifts in the compositions of various locations over the film add weight to the environments and greatly evoke an ineffable but definite feeling of change. Contrary to most critical discourse on Hou's career, the transition from the static camera found in his 1980s films to his nearly entirely mobile camera from Good Men, Good Women is wholly apparent here. The most startling example of it being a pan that follows the grandfather as he walks down from the house's loft, but the camera stops as he begins to fall down the stairs, leading to his death. Hou realizes the evocative power of camera movements in subtle ways in The Puppetmaster that only become more overt as he continued making films. The Puppetmaster is generally reasonably mobile, far more than A City of Sadness even. Those who were disappointed by Hou's overt camerawork in Good Men, Good Women seem to have been following inherited knowledge about Hou, as opposed to studying the changes themselves. I'm someone who doesn't believe in purism for watching films. I think that you should watch a film however you feel most comfortable with it, or however is available to you. However, I don't think I could ever see The Puppetmaster in a different format now that I've seen it in 35mm because I think my experience and understanding of the film was somehow directly tied to the format.
Originally Posted by Modine (Post 1193001)
Dude, you seem like a really nice person so I'll warn you that Less than Zero really isn't a great movie. It's one of the most visually stunning movies you'll ever see and there is a lot of wealth porn (you'll understand if you see it) but the plot is horrendously weak and the character development is almost nil. The movie is supposed to be based on Bret Easton Ellis' (he also wrote the book American Psycho) book "Less than Zero" but it's really nothing like the book at all. The movie failed on a lot of levels.
Originally Posted by Citizen Rules (Post 1193028)
I've thought quite a bit about this thread and what constitutes a powerful movie. For me it's mostly powerful scenes that have staid with me.
Many films can move me, but that emotional feeling they invoke quickly fades. Maybe that's true for everyone. Intellectual I can say, 'ya that was one heck of a powerful movie' but the associated feelings have long sense dissipated. It's certain scenes from movies, that I can replay in my mind and invoke a strong emotion. The most powerful scene, that I've encountered is from a TV mini series: War and Remembrance (1988) At the end of the story two of the main characters who are Jewish and have been evading capture by the Nazis are rounded up and sent to a concentration camp. I can't describe the scene adequately. It was the most haunting images I've seen...The two Jewish characters are forcibly removed from the Warsaw Ghetto and loaded onto a train for a 'work' camp. We see a very long stretch of old rusty train track roll by. After what seems like an eternity a large ominous building appears in the dark and the train passes through the gates. I won't tell you anymore, in case you watch it. I will say, I knew nothing of the filming locations used when I watched that scene. But I knew that concentration camp building and the old train track, looked nothing like a movie set. I latter learned that the building was indeed Auschwitz. http://38.media.tumblr.com/be9a3140e...1aoao1_250.gif I can't believe I actually overlooked it when conducting my original OP. Even now, those feelings of dejection and despondency are being engendered. It's an absolutely remarkable film. War and Remembrance certainly does look interesting, so I have added it to my viewing list. By doing a bit of reading into the miniseries, it seems like one of the more authentic and accurate depictions of the grim, egregious realities of anti-Semitism in WWII Europe.
Originally Posted by hello101 (Post 1193057)
The Color Purple is particularly powerful...................in disturbing the crap out of you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpuuVKl7TAg One of the best things of Steve McQueen is his appreciation for the long take. Any other filmmaker would have cut at least 5 times in this scene, impeding its overall effectiveness. But this is all done in one take and the final results is something much more arresting, powerful and ultimately upsetting. In this day of digital editing, the long take is nearly dead. Thank God we've got filmmakers such as McQueen, Tarr, Paul Thomas Anderson, Maddin and various others who value it. |
Originally Posted by Matteo (Post 1193236)
One of the best things of Steve McQueen is his appreciation for the long take. Any other filmmaker would have cut at least 5 times in this scene, impeding its overall effectiveness. But this is all done in one take and the final results is something much more arresting, powerful and ultimately upsetting. In this day of digital editing, the long take is nearly dead. Thank God we've got filmmakers such as McQueen, Tarr, Paul Thomas Anderson, Maddin and various others who value it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAkBz9glJFo |
Originally Posted by MovieGal (Post 1193237)
Speaking of Steve McQueen (the director, not the actor), Hunger with Michael Fassbender is an emotional film. One thing I love about McQueen's films, there is always a specific dialog between two characters that completes the whole film. I am a person who enjoys watching films about the IRA (both sides) and the dialog between Fassbender's character and the priest is amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAkBz9glJFo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE2NuKD-U4g I might as well add a few others powerful experiences: The Straight Story - It's amazing how real Lynch's brand of sentimentality is. This is such a simple, restrained film, and unlike anything he's ever done. Only further substantiates the versatility and humanity of Lynch. Twelve Monkeys - Gilliam's most poignant film and arguably his best. It's a devastating emotional experience. This is some of the best 'hard' science fiction out there, and, most importantly, has a dramatic core that feels authentic and not contrived in the least. Ikiru - Kurosawa was just as brilliant at the contemporary drama as he was the period epic. I challenge anyone to watch this film and not feel something. It's a beautiful tale about the human condition and what it means to live. Sure, such a description sounds cliche, but it's tackled in a really aesthetically impressive way in this film. Dersu Uzala - Another Kurosawa, albeit more overlooked. I thought this was just as - if not more - impacting than Ikiru. A wonderful examination of humanity in the ruthless, harsh forests of Shkotovo. It's also just beautiful to look at, and Kurosawa's only work to be shot on 70mm. Picnic at Hanging Rock - Powerful, but not in its traditional sense. This film spawns a highly distinctive, dreamlike atmosphere and has an OST to die for. It's a truly immersive experience and, for me, the single greatest film to come out of Australia. Buffalo '66 - Unfortunately, there aren't too many films like this. A wonderful tale of letting go and trying to find happiness. I imagine anybody who grew up in a dysfunctional family or had a particularly dejecting time at high school can relate to this. It's superbly crafted on a technical level, too. |
Originally Posted by Matteo (Post 1193240)
Absolutely. For a debut, it's a truly remarkable work. The level of precision, detail and perception McQueen adopts in telling - what is essentially - a politically sensitive issue is nothing short of admirable. I loved its 'unconventional' storytelling structure and that long take you linked is also impressive. There is one in Shame, too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE2NuKD-U4g |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Ah yes I forgot to mention
On the Waterfront This movie had a really boring first hour, I struggled to get through it and was sure I would hate this movie. One of the very few films I've ever seen that had me completely reverse my opinion of it, there are three extremely powerful moments in the second half. And of course the famous line I could've been a contender ! |
Matteo, if you watch War and Remembrance, bare in mind this caveat...it's a TV mini series. At a whopping 27 hours, there are lots of lulls in the production and at times it plays like a soap opera. No director, regardless of his last name could maintain a high degree of quality for 27 hours. Still if you have the time, it's worth watching.
One film that I just reviewed did have a profound impact, Never Let Me Go http://www.movieforums.com/reviews/1...let-me-go.html I seen Melancholia mentioned. Based on the movies you have talked about, I think you would find Melancholia in the same profound vane. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Glad to see some love for The Pianist...wish I had thought of that one. Definitely qualifies here.
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Would have to agree with you regarding The World According to Garp, I wish I had included it on my list. Definitely a powerful film experience.
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Originally Posted by Gideon58 (Post 1202789)
Glad to see some love for The Pianist...wish I had thought of that one. Definitely qualifies here.
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Originally Posted by Matteo (Post 1204870)
It's a fairly powerful film, and definitely one of the most honest and personal Holocaust works out there. I'd put it behind The Pawnbroker in terms of sheer candidness from the filmmaker.
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
There Will Be Blood
Her Wall-E Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind The Godfather Shawshank Redemption Apocalypse Now |
Originally Posted by mlaturno (Post 1205286)
There Will Be Blood
Her Wall-E Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind The Godfather Shawshank Redemption Apocalypse Now There Will Be Blood is a masterwork, but never one I'd subjectively describe as powerful. I quite liked Her, although, upon a rewatch, it just felt a bit too thematically overt and heavy-handed at times. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is great, as is The Godfather, Shawshank, and particularly Apocalypse Now, which has a handful of truly powerful moments. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Team America World Police gave me a powerfully sore stomach from laughing.
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http://www.criticker.com/img/films/p...s_the_Soul.jpg http://www.criticker.com/img/films/p...of_Joan_of.jpg http://www.criticker.com/img/films/p...le_Thieves.jpg http://www.criticker.com/img/films/p...d_Whispers.jpg http://www.criticker.com/img/films/p...ath_of_God.jpg http://www.criticker.com/img/films/posters/Close_Up.jpg |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
I saw The Godfather parts 1 and 2 on the same night in theaters once. It was truly amazing.
Also, when I saw Interstellar I was a little hazy from the night before and I was shaking a little bit by the end of the movie. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
"The Class" , 2007
It really changed my mind |
the green mile
titanic ( i know...but i was really young and it was huge movie for me) trainspotting forrest gump clockwork orange |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Titanic (1997) is an emotional moving film. I don't know why some people what to dump on it.
The rest of your choices are powerfully good ones too. Though Clockwork Orange is negative emotions, not uplifting. Which is OK it's still powerful. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Originally Posted by Matteo (Post 1192382)
Thanks for the reply, mosswood. Shockingly, I've yet to see that Mann film. I've been meaning to complete his filmography, so I should get to it soon. I enjoyed The Matrix, but not to a particularly large extent. I'm sure a theatrical experience might have changed that, however, based purely on spectacle alone.
Thank you for the reply, Rauld. I completely agree on Mizoguchi's sweepingly poetic masterwork and Ozu's film. Mystic River, The Shawshank Redemption, The Grapes of Wrath, and Spirted Away are all great films, too, although none of them had much of a profoundly emotional impact on me. Thank you very much, Captain Spaulding, I appreciate the kind words mate. :) I've always enjoyed reading your posts, too. You have an excellent grasp for the medium. I have not read The Girl Next Door, but if the film is, indeed, tame in comparison, then I might have to give it a reading. Of course, why I would want to subject myself to such dejection and sorrow is even beyond me, but I appreciate any work - regardless how emotionally deleterious it may be - that can impact you in such a way. I find it strangely fascinating. But yeah, the film dispirited me beyond believe. It's truly tragic and harrowing. Detachment is a film I almost always instantly recommend. I connected with it on an extremely profound level, but even those that may not find it emotionally involving can probably appreciate its ambitious and rather unconventional stylistic approach. I can definitely see what you mean when it comes to powerful experiences and its relation to large-scale projects. Like your wonderfully described experience with Gravity, I was completely overwhelmed and stunned after watching 2001: A Space Odyssey in orgasmic 70mm a few weeks back. That feeling where words literally can not describe how you feel is cinema at its most gloriously effective and impacting. That is cinema. I have yet to see Gravity, however, but my local IMAX still screens it (albeit infrequently), so I might have to reserve my viewing until then because, apparently, watching it in 3D is an unmatchable experience. I agree with your addition of Apocalypse Now, especially that immersive opening sequence. Pulp Fiction is what triggered me from 'simple movie lover to passionate cinephile', too. It's a work I still consider a favourite and one that holds a special place in my film heart. I also wholeheartedly agree on Eraserhead. That's simply one of the most evocative, expressive and absorbing experiences of my life. Lynch draws you into this decaying, industrialised, crumbling world so seemingly and keeps you trapped there. The imagery is simply remarkable. The sound design is simply remarkable. The photography is simply remarkable. The film is simply remarkable. I also agree with There Will Be Blood. How I would love to see it in theatres like you did. I'd say it's PTA's most complete and accomplished work, purely from a technical level (Punch-Drunk Love is my personal favourite of his films). It's a simply a fantastic character study that manages to transcend all customary conventions on how to tell a tragic and epic story. I must get to The Last Temptation of Christ. I watched it many years ago but remember so very little. Your write-up has intrigued me greatly, so I may bump it up on my viewing list. Again, thanks for the reply. Thanks for the reply, Gandalf. I've been meaning to see this film. I'm glad you liked it so much. |
The Passion of the Christ and Shindlers list are the most powerful movies that really affected me! I saw them both twice in the theaters. I remember how quiet it was leaving the theater. Shindlers list left me shaken by how evil men can be to one another and the passion made me think about eternity and the love of God!
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
I thought I posted in here but I can't find it. Last I got to see Rear Window, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and 2001: A Space Odyssey at the cinema. The last one was particularly amazing, had goosebumps for most of the film, audience clapped at the end too. I'll post more detailed about the experiences and other non-cinema ones, at some point.
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Don't think I ever replied to this with my own list of powerful films. Anyways...
Whiplash is a recent one. Yes, it's powerful in another way than others and I've never been so captivated and drawn into a film than with this. The Elephant Man of course. So disturbing and sad and tragic. I have only seen it once and it isn't a film you happily pick up to watch again. But it is damn fine filmmaking. I thought Das Boot was quite poweful as well, with its picture of war and the claustrophobic submarines and depressing sense of dread. A stunning film. Others would be; - The Tree of Life - 2001 (2nd viewing) - To Kill a Mockingbird |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
My most powerful movie experience has to be Psycho (1960). I saw the film for the first time with my sister, when I was 8 years old. Funny thing it wasn't the shower scene that stayed with me, it was the images towards the end in the cellar of Anthony Perkins dressed as his mother with a knife in his hand and that crazy look on his face that stayed. I will never forget those images. The experience had a great impact on me as a child, I think maybe because I had a very close bond at that age with my mother, and seeing that film made me think about her in a very... strange way..
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Saving Private Ryan. After watching that film, I joined the military.
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I admit I just didn't get Taxi Driver. Maybe I was too young. But judging from what I read here, it's a story I can relate to from my own personal experience.
I couldn't agree more on 2001. Still, I think Clarke's story is on an even higher level... I also agree on The elephant Man...Pherhabs no other film has touched me emotionally so deeply. Trainspotting is an insane film (imho) about something horrible, but I admit it made me laugh like almost no other. I remember watching Platoon in a theathre in'88 ...very pleasent the entire experience. I must say I can't separate a film from the experience on a day I saw it, especially if it's in a theathre. I have mixed feelings about Goodfellas, too. The story is very violent, even brutal (especially Pesci!), but one can't deny genius Scorcese for incorporating songs into movies, and I never saw it better, except MAYBE Casino. Funny thing, the movie starts for me when Clapton's theme is played for the 1st time and the narration...unbelievably emotional.and then the climax is when it's over! When he playes My Way by Pistols, followed by repeated theme. I admit I cried. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Requiem for a Dream.
Pulp Fiction. Princess Mononoke. Grave of the Fireflies. Spirited Away. Taxi Driver. 2001: A Space Odyssey. Would have been strong, the ending ruined it for me. The Dark Knight. Nightcrawler. Sophie's Choice. Could have been better but still a strong one. And Twilight Saga. So strong I'd like to burn all the theater playing the movie. |
Originally Posted by The Gunslinger45 (Post 1190581)
Taxi Driver
Stalker Blue Velvet, Eraserhead, and Mulholland Drive Apocalypse Now Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1989 or 1990 viewing) Tokyo Story It's a Wonderful Life |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Forest Gump: Went into this movie with very low expectations; came out thinking "That was the best movie I've ever seen". Haven't had that experience since.
Star wars: As a kid, it completely captured my imagination. The foundation of my love of fantasy and sci-fi. Groundhog day: This was another movie I had low expectations for, but mid-way through the movie I understood the depth of it. Saving Private Ryan: No other theatre experience has made me feel like I was 'in the trenches' like this. E.T. I remember children crying so much their mothers had to take them out of the theatre. Not all tears are an evil. Marvel's Avengers. I know this sounds strange, but I felt like they did an almost perfect job of bringing my favourite childhood comic book to life. 300. It's a guy thing. Lord of the rings: Return of the King. Besides being an excellent movie all-around, the scenes at the end often choke me up. Too many movies to list.... |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Forrest Gump. It's an eye-opener.
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Just watched Close Encounter of the Third Kind yesterday. I'd say this is one my top 3 most powerful experience, yet.
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Originally Posted by honeykid (Post 1190596)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kB_K--wub0...nHoodHills.png
The only time I've literally sat there open mouthed at a reveal... And it's not even a twist ending. Fascinating. I've taken this on as a sort of mini research project. I've been able to trade a few emails with Jason Baldwin and Mara Leveritt and have read every crazy theory about this case that's out there (as well as formulating a few of my own). Anyway, fodder for another thread. 3 truly great documentaries though. |
I interpret "experience" as containing an entire event... so I have a few.
1. Star Wars - the only time my whole immediate family went to the theater together - it was so crowded that there were only single seats left so we all got split up. I sat with a strange family. My mom said that she paid no attention to the movie because she spent the whole time trying to figure out where I and my older brothers had been seated. 2. Superman - the only moive I ever went to with just my dad. 3. Star Trek the Motion Picture - my mom dropped me & my best friend at the time at Loew's to watch it on our own (we were just about to enter the 9th grade). There was just something special surrounding the whole experience - a TV show in film form, the reunion of the original cast, etc. It was something that is common now, but was rare then. 4. Stripes - saw it at a drive-in - we parked a pick-up truck backwards and watched the movie laying down on a blanket while having a picnic in the bed of the truck! How cool is that? 5. 2010 (the sequel to 2001) - first movie I ever went to by myself, and on my birthday! 6. Platoon - went with my girlfriend. I don't know... combination of a powerful movie AND being with my girlfriend left a heavy memory. 7. Schnindler's List - it was like attending a giant funeral, no one said a word as we filed out of the theater, all you heard were muffled sobs. |
Originally Posted by Sir Toose (Post 1383775)
Have you seen parts 2&3?
Fascinating. I've taken this on as a sort of mini research project. I've been able to trade a few emails with Jason Baldwin and Mara Leveritt and have read every crazy theory about this case that's out there (as well as formulating a few of my own). Anyway, fodder for another thread. 3 truly great documentaries though. In a way, I wonder if it's a bit like how I feel about Before Sunrise. When it was a stand alone piece with not before or after, I feel it's far more powerful. Had I seen it as a first instalment I think I'd have had a very different (and lesser) experience. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Inception
Shawshank redemption 2001 a space odyssey Mullholland drive i still think abt how disturbing this movie is Blue velvet |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
I have to list "experiences" #8 & 9 as A Fish Called Wanda and Hellboy because I saw both in the theater (many years apart, of course) and at both of these someone brought an infant that cried through the entire film... and they would not take the child outside. So I'll never forget these movies because of that experience! (Hey, sounds like a good thread topic: "Crying babies in Movie Theaters (and the people who love them)")
#10. Enemy Mine - at this movie, about 20 minutes into it, the lights came up in the theater and stayed lit. I began to look around. I saw a cop just standing with his hands on his holster, near the entrance but in the center aisle, and he just stood there surveying the crowd with his head scanning back & forth. Finally, since the movie had now been disrupted, I got up to go to the bathroom (and maybe see what was going on). As I reached the cop he kind of blocked the aisle. I said, "Hey. What's up?" He said, "Where you going?" as he scanned me, his head going up & down as his eyes looked me over from head to foot. "Bathroom," I said. He kind of just stood there looking and then finally said, "Okay, go." When I got back he remained inside the theater for about a half hour as the lights remained on while the movie played. People kept looking back to see if he was still there. Finally, he disappeared and the lights went back down and we watched the end of the movie. Never did find out why he was there or who or what he was looking for. |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
A memorable film for me was Help! , The Beatles film in 1965. I was 7, my next door neighbours son was 9 and I adored him. We went to see it together. He was instructed to hold my hand all the way there and back which he did like a good kid. He bought the ice creams and we loved the film. I was really sad when the family moved house a few years later.
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Boys Don't Cry
Contempt Coming Home Reign Over Me The Deer Hunter Warrior Grave of the Fireflies The Best Years of Our Lives The 400 Blows Letter from an Unknown Woman Terms of Endearment |
One of the more recent (re)watches to hit me right in the feelers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woSbHbHd-EY |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Whatever Happened To Baby Jane ? My first horror film when I was 12 : A 1962 American psychological thriller starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Sibling rivalry and revenge, between two aging sisters, moves in slowly but steadily. You know something bad happened long ago, but the mystery is not revealed until the end where Bette Davis gives one of her outstanding monologues.
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Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Captain Spaulding may enjoy this one...
Went to see Devil's Rejects... don't ask me why because I don't know myself. I've never gone to see movies like this. It must have been that I just needed to go somewhere and there was nothing else playing (???) Anyway, I went by myself and it was a weekday matinee. I got in the theater and found I was the only one there. About 10 minutes went by after starting time and nothing happened - no previews, no lights turned down. I stood up & looked toward the projection booth, waved a few times, but saw no activity. So I went out and found someone who worked there, told them what theater I was in and the guy went back with me to look inside. It was a bit embarrising since it was the theater showing Devil's Rejects and I was the only person there to see it. So he looked around and said he'd go see why the movie hadn't started. Soon the lights went down & previews came on, and I watched the movie. I can only assume they didn't start the film because the projectionist thought the theater was completely empty. Another bizarre movie experience. |
There are so many movies which I find powerful.But with my experience I will List of some's which are powerful for me.
Ghost (1990) Saw(All parts of it) Fast and furious(All the parts) Terminator X men Rambo wrong turn 300 The Hobbit |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
The Dark Knight and 12 Years a Slave. Brutal, powerful, and jaw-dropping.
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I'm a newcomer to the forum, so going back to the original list, I was delighted to see two of Yasujiro Ozu's films included. I would add my personal favourite of his films, The Flavour Of Green Tea Over Rice.
Other films which I find intensely moving even after repeated viewings are Grigori Chukrai's Ballad Of A Soldier, Jacques Demi's Umbrellas Of Cherbourg, Truffaut's 400 Blows, Louis Malle's Au Revoir Les Enfants, William Wellman's heartbreaking The Oxbow Incident, Lasse Hallstrom's My Life As A Dog and Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain. |
Originally Posted by Matteo (Post 1190571)
There are so many others out there, too. What are your selections?
In recent memory I would say the film that really hit me, at the end, was The Lives of Others. |
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (the most powerful film of my childhood. I was obsessed with it to the point of disfunction. Its like Steven Spielberg made a film specifically designed to perfectly engage ME psychologically. I biked 15 miles to the movie theater by myself as a child seven times so I could see it over and over again)
Red Road (redemption at the highest level!) The Spirit of the Beehive (to this day I dont understand why this film has had such a powerful effect on me. I still seek out information about it to this day and have full blown up framed prints on my walls from scenes in this obscure Spanish movie.) Excision Salň, or the 120 Days of Sodom Rogue One (for the end that pinned me to my seat and forced me back in time to my childhood) Poltergeist Jaws Happiness Irreversible (still haunts my dreams. I saw this film years ago and I LITERALLY just dreamed about it the other night...) Celia (that f%@$*&g ending!!) Hope and Glory Alien Mad Max: Fury Road The Dead Girl |
Originally Posted by SeeingisBelieving (Post 1772670)
I found Heat like that, having just seen it properly for the first time.
In recent memory I would say the film that really hit me, at the end, was The Lives of Others. Amélie is the movie that has impacted me the most on how I appreciate the little things. I also always have it's aesthetics (color, pacing) in the back of my mind as well. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....xMTk@._V1_.jpg |
Watching these the first time:
Taxi Driver The King of Comedy Alien When The Wind Blows Zodiac The Godfather AI Signs |
Originally Posted by Kissintel (Post 1773821)
Amélie is the movie that has impacted me the most on how I appreciate the little things. I also always have it's aesthetics (color, pacing) in the back of my mind as well.
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honestly?
- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - The Birds (1963) - Platoon (1986) - First Blood (1982) - Rocky IV (1985) - The Terminator (1984) - Commando (1985) there's more but these are the most powerful for me |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
Anaconda (1997)
Without a doubt, only film that legitimately haunted me throughout the years. |
Honestly its tough to rate some of them as the films importance to me slowly grew over the years rather than hitting me on first viewing, Blade Runner being an obvious example. Stuff that hit me more emotionally on initial viewing...
A Clockwork Orange The Sixth Sense Shame Once Upon A Time In America Groundhog Day Millennium Actress Angel Heart Blue is the Warmest Colour Apocalypse Now Watership Down |
Re: The most powerful movie experiences of your life?
this scene from the 1975 bollywood movie 'sholay' ( splinters ) in which a character remembers his hands being cut off by the movie's villain---
https://youtu.be/VGSL6mVQd4k |
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