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.

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.

There Will Be Blood
Her
Wall-E
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Godfather
Shawshank Redemption
Apocalypse Now

You are vile.

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.