@
aronisred Can you list a few movies that are sort of historical in nature, but do not come off as
text book movies, in your view? Maybe I'm not getting your meaning. I'm reading that as any movie that follows a series of linear events from start to finish could technically be a text book movie. That could apply to
The Matrix,
Jaws, or any movie really that stays linear.
Gangs of New York has always been a treat to watch (with the exception of Cameron Diaz, and the weird blurred/stop motion type of effect during the battle scenes). I love the dynamic between Daniel Day-Lewis' (over-the-top scarecrow) Butcher and DiCaprio's (always wondering when he'll be uncovered as the Priest's son) Amsterdam. I still pull this one out once or twice a year. The only aging that I take special notice of include the stylized timing, cuts, and exaggerated close-ups during the opening battle. I think those
techniques date it pretty harshly. Other than that though, I love it. I believe this was the first movie that I noticed Daniel Day-Lewis, as The Butcher character and his performance of him were just so powerful.
Start at around 1:00. The effect in question seems to linger around the Butcher mostly.
I did not care for
The Aviator one bit when I watched it in the theater. That is probably more due to how I perceived certain personality traits shown through Hughes. He just reminded me too much of my employer! I do not think I could fairly separate the two and, as a result, my movie-watching experience was probably ruined. Years later I did end up buying this on DVD and have since enjoyed it, but this is something that I will only watch once ever few years. Because of that, and how little I remember of it in general, I don't think it would be fair to comment too much. I will say though that I do not remember anything that stood out as dated or insufficient, apart from what any normal critique might offer on subjective details. I don't really want to watch it again though just to offer more here.
Is it the text book research that leads a film to not holding up well? Or is it that DiCaprio is in both? Could you list other movies that follow text book research and step-by-step events that you feel
have aged well?