Thoughts of "Classic Movies" [Archive]

View Full Version : Thoughts of "Classic Movies"

d3koy

11-26-2006, 06:56 AM

Just curious, but seeing how Geekdrome is partway a movie show, what are your views of the "classic movies that everyone should see before they die"? Moreover, what in your opinion would make the cut and what would not?

satansmagichat

11-26-2006, 07:53 AM

DeepThroat and Debbie Does Dallas. I mean, it's not like they're cult films for no reason. Although, that's what I consider classic.

And btw, welcome to the drome.

baldmonkey

11-26-2006, 10:24 AM

I would really like to see a "Classic movie" segment on the show. Dan and Jlo could give us viewers a movie to see like a homework and then discuss it in the next show, or just a DVD-tip of the week.

buxomia

11-26-2006, 01:45 PM

kramertron

11-26-2006, 01:53 PM

Well I've recently discovered that there's an assload of classic films I haven't seen and I'm incredibly embarrassed to say so. I've never seen Casablanca, I've seen parts of Citizen Kane but not all, I don't know, what even constitutes a classic film?

A lot of the movies listed here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Films_considered_the_greatest_ever) are what a lot of people consider to be "classics." I'm in the same boat as you though, I haven't seen most of these movies, such as The Godfather series, Citizen Kane, Goodfellas, anything by Akira Kurosawa, etc.

But to be honest a lot of the movies I love are action movies, and most of those never really are considered classics. But I think that everyone needs to at least see City of God, The Fifth Element, and Toy Story in their lifetimes.

tokenuser

11-26-2006, 03:15 PM

Lawrence of Arabia. Long movie - if you get the DVD, disc 1 is great, disc 2 a little slow. When you watch it realise, this is a move that is directly about the formation of Iraq - puts the events over there, and a lot of the background into context.

Gone with the Wind. I only really appreciated this movie when I moved to the south. It is another epic movie, and comes from an era in Hollywood we will never see again.

Shane. I am not a fan of westerns, but this one is a classic.

Star Wars (Ep4: A New Hope). Classic for more reasons than just being a great movie.

So, what in my mind forms a classic movie? One you'd watch over and over again, and one that was probably made before you were born (or is over 20 years old - which could actually be the same, and hasn't dated too much). I think a lot of what is discussed in terms of movies in forums like this aren't classics - but movies that are currently pop culture, but might be destined to become classics later. I also think a bigger problem is going to be cultural - different countries have different tastes, so a US list vs a UK list vs an Indian list are going to have some common movies, but will be pretty diverse as well.

Then what movies do I think are destined to become classics later? The Shawshank Redemption and Schindlers List ... both tell stories of human triumph in the face of adversity, are well written, directed, and cast. But they are too new to be considered classics for now :)

jonathanlondon

11-26-2006, 05:12 PM

Well I've recently discovered that there's an assload of classic films I haven't seen and I'm incredibly embarrassed to say so. I've never seen Casablanca, I've seen parts of Citizen Kane but not all, I don't know, what even constitutes a classic film?

Buxy, Casablanca is SO you it's not even funny. This movie is so well done. Watch the first five minutes and realize just how downhill a lot of screenwriting has gone. You get more story in those 5 minutes than in most movies period and you know everyone involved. It's great.

A lot of the movies listed here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Films_considered_the_greatest_ever) are what a lot of people consider to be "classics." I'm in the same boat as you though, I haven't seen most of these movies, such as The Godfather series, Citizen Kane, Goodfellas, anything by Akira Kurosawa, etc.

But to be honest a lot of the movies I love are action movies, and most of those never really are considered classics. But I think that everyone needs to at least see City of God, The Fifth Element, and Toy Story in their lifetimes.

Yes. There is no action in Seven Samurai. None. Or Hidden Fortress. Or Ran. Or Yojimbo... okay, steer clear of Dreams. But definitely watch the others and exercise your face for the smile that's about to stretch across it.

Shane. I am not a fan of westerns, but this one is a classic.

Shane is THE shit. But if you guys haven't seen The Searchers or Stage Coach you aint seen it yet. Stage Coach has maybe my favorite single shot in a movie ever. Watch it and you'll definitely know which one 'cuz you and your friends'll be like "OH SHIT!" Yeah. Bad ass in a big way is what that shot says.

And guess what!?! The Conformist is coming out in a special edition DVD next month!!! I'm so excited that I just can't hide it. I'm gonna just keep dancing!

megaspam

11-26-2006, 06:37 PM

Before you die, make sure you see Howard the Duck and Return of the Killer Tomatoes.

Seriously, if you haven't seen Straw Dogs, check it out. It's the ultimate geek gets revenge story. Albeit in a totally crazy way.

bcool

11-26-2006, 08:05 PM

apocalypse now
hitchcocks major ones (north by north west, psycho, vertigo, etc.)
some of those bogart noir ones are great, like maltese falcon.

there's an old french comedy that I love called mr. hulot's holiday. It's totally slapstick and it's great.

the conversation: the movie enemy of the state basically remade. kind of.

easy rider. worth it just to watch jack nichleson smookke weed. The making of documentery is even better than the movie in my opinion, 'cause they have some crazy shit happen to them while fiming and they tell some great stories.

hmm, I dunno, I always feel like I should've seen more early woody allen movies. Sleeper is pretty good - kinda zany though.

baldmonkey

11-26-2006, 08:19 PM

If you are into slapstick and feel the need to see some old Woody Allen you really should see Take the Money and Run.

imagineer99

11-26-2006, 10:01 PM

I used to be gnorant on a lot of classic movies...

...Than netflix became my best friend. I've seen countless classics from "Seven Samurai" to "Rear Window." Beyond the entertainment value, if your interested in film, it's an education.

In honor of Altman, I suggest Nashville. But, stuff like Fellini's 81/2 to Bergman's Wild Strawberries are all good stuff. ANd, of course, Harold and Maude can't hurt either. ;)

bird603568

11-26-2006, 10:15 PM

heres the "classics" that i have and everyone should since i do

2001 space odyssey
alien
american history x
animal house
apocalypse now
blackhawk doen
blade runner
blues brothers
boondock saints
caddyshack
catch 22
dirty dozen
dr strangelove <--- best of them all
escape from alcatraz
ferris buellers day off
goodfellas
ground hogs day
kellys heros
oceans 11 (original)
office space
poltergeist
predator
pulp fiction
psyco
all the original starwars
untouchables
wargames

tokenuser

11-26-2006, 10:17 PM

Of your list, I'd call about 6 of them classics, but the rest are all round great movies - you have better taste in movies than I expected :)

bird603568

11-26-2006, 10:21 PM

ok some of them are cult movies and some just rock. but i call classics movies that are older then me or have epic status

comradelazyman

11-26-2006, 10:25 PM

I saw blade runner recently for the first time. I don't think that it stands the test of time at all.

guybers

11-26-2006, 11:00 PM

You should see "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" starring Jimmy Stewart and John f'n Wayne...classic

masherscf

11-26-2006, 11:12 PM

A classic movie is pretty much a movie that either set a genre standard or was first in some way.

For example, "Citizen Kane" is the quintessential example of this kind of classic. You could watch the movie today and think "that movie was no great shakes." However, if you watch the movie in the context of other movies at the time, it stands out as something special.

Movies like "JAWS" and "Star Wars" also fall into this category.

A movie can also be a classic because of how well it is remembered by the culture.

For example, You can't poop without running into reference to "The Godfather" That movie is classic.

A movie can also be classic because of a cult following.

For example, The movie "A Rocky Horror Picture Show" was almost not released. However, it became a classic because of bizarre midnight showings that spawned legions of fans.

Some of my favorite classics, and why...

Sabrina (1954) Audrey Hepburn's First movie.
King Kong (1933) Early stop-motion visual effects.
West Side Story (1961) My wife just loves the music
Ben-Hur (1959) Yes, I know it's a remake...but that chariot race still kicks ass!
Spartacus (1960) One line: "I am Spartacus!"
Goldfinger (1964) Oddly enough, it's the third James Bond movie which is first in my heart. It's the first one to really establish the entire formula.
Conan The Barbarian (1982) The movie that made Arnold a star
The Terminator (1984) The movie that showed that making Arnold a star wasn't a mistake. The golden age of Arnold last for the next ten years.

spazkake

11-26-2006, 11:26 PM

imagineer99

11-26-2006, 11:37 PM

satansmagichat

11-26-2006, 11:41 PM

Seeing Boondock Saints on that list kinda makes you lose all credibility...

;) I kid. I kid.

No really, it's like he just cut and pasted from a text doc of his favorite movies.

bird603568

11-26-2006, 11:42 PM

No really, it's like he just cut and pasted from a text doc of his favorite movies.

actually its about 1/3 of my movies

diela

11-26-2006, 11:49 PM

he Terminator (1984) The movie that showed that making Arnold a star wasn't a mistake. The golden age of Arnold last for the next ten years.

Sorry, but arnold doesn't make it a classic. It deserves classic status all on its own.

My taste in classics run towards the older romances or Hitchcock... other genres just don't seem to stand up to the test of time for me.

Roman Holiday
Pillow Talk
My Geisha
Vertigo
To Catch a Thief (Cary Grant)
Rear Window
Breakfast at Tiffany's

For modern classics, I'd say "True Lies" will probably hold up. I can't stand Woody Allen, but my husband loves him so I can at least say I've seen them all once or twice.

For a western, I'd recommend the "Lonesome Dove" miniseries.

masherscf

11-26-2006, 11:54 PM

Sorry, but arnold doesn't make it a classic.

Awe, what's your beef with Arnold. Besides, "The Terminator" is a classic for the "I'll be back" line alone.

For a western, I'd recommend the "Lonesome Dove" miniseries.

I love me some Gus McCrae. With all due respect to "Roots.", "Band of Brothers", "Taken" and others, "Lonesome Dove" is the finest example of the TV Mini-series ever submitted for my approval.

guybers

11-26-2006, 11:57 PM

For modern classics, I'd say "True Lies" will probably hold up. I can't stand Woody Allen, but my husband loves him so I can at least say I've seen them all once or twice.

I will second your vote of True Lies as a modern classic, Jim Cameron has made some of the greatest movies of our generation and this is his most under appreciated film. And I have to say, Tom Arnold is possibly the greatest comedic side kick I have ever seen in an action movie. "What kind of sick ***** takes the ice cube trays out of the freezer?"

sinclairtyler

11-27-2006, 02:00 AM

I saw Casablanca for the first time at the start of this year and it was amazing. I went in a little skeptical but I was so wrong. I can't think of anything I didn't like about it.

dr-mojo

11-28-2006, 02:35 AM

Any Marx Brothers movie

sloppybunny

11-28-2006, 06:49 AM

I saw blade runner recently for the first time. I don't think that it stands the test of time at all.

Exactly! I am so with you on that one, I left that movie thinking what is all the fuss about? The sets are real nice, but other then that it's tooo slow.

I think the Bill and Ted Movies are classic.

As for the old movies? I'm still to see A Clock work Orange, Citizen Cane and Casablance.

I really like the Ten Commandments even if it has that old gun nut in it. Didn't care much for Lawrence of Aarabia.

I would classify the first Police Story as a Classic as that's the first Jackie Chan flick I've seen.

Everybody raves about story telling beeing so great back then, and I dunno. I honestly don't like watching classic features from Disney. I love Lilo and Stitch and Emperors new groove, but Dumbo, Snow White, and evenm Pinoccio I find dull. The Disney shorts from the 30s are fantastic though, the features I found to be too pretentious.

Is Terminator 2 classified as Classic? Because I know my book don't count.

I think because of the fact I'm still to see some classics I can't really be a film geek yet :(

megaspam

11-28-2006, 07:12 AM

what is all the fuss about?Sean Young.

ariastar

11-28-2006, 08:31 AM

Gone with the Wind
Wizard of Oz

That is all.

baldmonkey

11-28-2006, 08:46 AM

Gone with the Wind
Wizard of Oz

That is all.

Is Gone with the Wind actually that good? I always thought it was just a cheesy old chickflick, but I might have to take a look at it.

baldmonkey

11-28-2006, 08:56 AM

My list of classics that I think everyone needs to see based on their quality and importance for popular culture looks something like this.

12 angry men
Dial M for murder
A clockwork orange
North by northwest
The sting
Rear window
The shining
Casablanca

How old does a movie have to be to go from modern classic to just regular classic? My guess is somewhere around 20 years. So next year I will add Full Metal Jacket. Or should the line be somewhere around 30 years?

baldmonkey

11-28-2006, 08:57 AM

...I think the Bill and Ted Movies are classic...

...I would classify the first Police Story as a Classic as that's the first Jackie Chan flick I've seen...

There is a huge difference between Cult Classics and Classics.

vegasgeek

11-28-2006, 10:24 AM

The classics to me besides all the big stuff (Godfather, SW, etc)

Last Man Standing
Heartbreak Hill
Kelly's Heroes
A Clockwork Orange
The Goonies
Green Street Hooligans
History of The World: Part I
The Hunt for Red October

These are movies you should see before you die. And that, to me, is what makes a classic.

paulsaves

11-28-2006, 03:17 PM

tokenuser

11-28-2006, 03:25 PM

Is Gone with the Wind actually that good? I always thought it was just a cheesy old chickflick, but I might have to take a look at it.I thought the same ... then sat through it on cable. It is much more than a chick flick, but is easily mistaken for one because the main character is a strong willed woman that seems involved in everyones relationships ... but I think the relationships are there as a driver for the wider story of the civil war and the south.

abacusand13south

11-28-2006, 03:37 PM

Is Gone with the Wind actually that good? I always thought it was just a cheesy old chickflick, but I might have to take a look at it.

Gone with the Wind is actually pretty good. Sure it runs a little long but it has great characterization and a compelling story.