Even though I didn't pick it best movie of its year, I am going with a decision in light of a big trend for a lot of movies these days that seem to show more flaws than successes. They can be called movies with storyline ideas to it, or gimmicks, but for some reason, there are ton of movies trying to be clever in how they present the material, for not many good reasons. Memento thought it invented the greatest thing ever by telling the story backwards, well kinda, by telling the story scene by scene backwards. The result was a cluddered movie only memorable for that one aspect and with a crime thriller under all of it that was only average. And last year's Adaptation, which prided itself in being about an idea to see if people could catch or not. Sad thing is, most people into movies did on first viewing. Nothing more to it since every single scene was obvious in meaning. I liked the movie on first viewing and even second thoughts, but when the great purpose or thing of discussion in it is a trick easily readable, there's nothing much to it.
The sad thing to these movies is that they pride themselves in showing ideas that either are of bringing character development development to the background because it exists outside the story itself, or bring the characters into a situation where they are readable on the basis of an idea that holds the "answer" to understanding them. The end result is that there are tricks and ideas that all lead to mainly definite answers on something.
The best movie so far this decade in my mind, Muholland Drive, uses these tricks and ideas to further complicate the identity of the movie as a structure and complicate the characters within them. Sure, it has rules in the dvd to better understanding it and interesting theories of what interpretation is right or what have been submitted, but the movie remains completely ambiguous because there are no definite answers in the end. Lynch's spirit is with Bunuel that life is a mess that can never really be fully understandable. And the point of the movie is not to understand, but draw deeper curiosity in everything it can mean. But aside from discussion of the ideas and tricks put in the film, Muholland Drive felt and feels like maybe one of the only movies made in this decade that will continue to grow and be influential to all that see it. It seems made with its own inspiration that can be said to be at once, both the most powerful piece of filmmaking as well as the most unique so far this decade.
~rougerum
I completely agree with your Mulholland Drive argument... it will probably become more and more influential (especially if Lynch makes another movie) and I love the movie. But let's also give PDL and Dancer in the Dark the credit they deserve...
I agree with everything you said, GT (the stuff about Memento and Adaptation included).
Other films I would give credit to:
Punch-Drunk Love
Spirited Away
Black Hawk Down
Minority Report
Traffic
didn't even like Dancer in the Dark. Sorry, but the far reaching unrealism of the musical itself didn't bode well with such an intense film. And Dogme like camera movements not needed. Realism can be achieved in other ways.
~rougerum
Toss-up:
PDL & Mulholland Dr.
Hard to compare apples to oranges to coconuts to prime rib, so...
Punch-Drunk Love (feel good, cerebral comedy)
Gladiator (action filled blockbuster)
Dancer in the Dark/Monster's Ball (tie for everything sucks type drama)
I know I'm forgetting stuff - more later.
Quote from: av8raaron
Gladiator (action filled blockbuster)
gladiator was a terrible film... i also have to defend adaptation... it should not, nor should any other movie for that matter, be blamed for being clever.
PDL, Adaptation and All the Real Girls
Quote from: av8raaronHard to compare apples to oranges to coconuts to prime rib, so...
Punch-Drunk Love (feel good, cerebral comedy)
Gladiator (action filled blockbuster)
Dancer in the Dark/Monster's Ball (tie for everything sucks type drama)
I know I'm forgetting stuff - more later.
I'll add Snatch for all-out comedy. It satisfies the only requirement in that catagory for me - it makes me laugh.
Crap! Another addition.
The Man Who Wasn't There.
I'd have to say...
The Royal Tenenbaums
Adaptation
Lord of the Rings (the Star Wars of another generation)
I think Road to Perdition will also grow as years go by.
Definitely Mullholland Drive
Amelie' perhaps
Requiem For A DREAM; The man who wasn't there; Punch-Drunk Love; Mulholland Dr.; About Schmidt; Adaptation..
if i have to give just one i'm thinking The Man Who Wasn't There wins the prize.
Mulholland Drive will definatly win this contest. A caracter study wich equal i haven't seen.
Runners:
The Man Who Wasn't There
Minority Report
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
In The Bedroom
Traffic
Ghost Dog
Shrek
and i hope for:
Punch-Drunk Love
Quote from: xerxes
gladiator was a terrible film... i also have to defend adaptation... it should not, nor should any other movie for that matter, be blamed for being clever.
agreed. and i'll have to defend Dancer In The Dark. Why should realism be expressed in another way when it's absolutely beautiful the way it is? I hear a lot of harsh criticism of dogme when in fact there are a lot of films that it's style is quite appropriate for.
The theory that a film's level of obscurity determines how good it is is just plain laughable. A straight forward, obvious film can be great. Judging a film by it's multiple, undefinable, misinterpreted layers is just like saying Guy Ritchies Gawd awful work is great because he "uses neat camera tricks".
I agree that Mulholland Drive is a great film, but I wouldn't put it as the best of the decade so far... so far, I'm gonna have to go with PDL.
RK, my explanation of Mulholland Drive being that way when comparative to other films like it was just explaining one aspect of it, and its an aspect which a lot of movies are trying to do now.
I can blame Adaptation for trying to be clever. The clever idea is really not that clever, but more of a rip off from 8 1/2, which didn't even rest on the idea to make a good movie. Not only does Adaptation rest on the success of the idea, but it promoted the idea all through out the film. That's all it did. Adaptation I think will be popular for now, but as years go by, it will lose that popularity.
~rougerum
Quote from: The Gold TrumpetAdaptation I think will be popular for now, but as years go by, it will lose that popularity.
~rougerum
Hmm, I thought stuff was popular for like a month, two tops, not for years.
Where did you hear that lame rule? I give Adaptation 5 years.
~rougerum
If a movie is popular for 5 years is no longer popular- its legendary.
I'm a little confused. When you watch a movie, and then in order to find out if it's good or not, then you have to consider it's popularity in five years from now? I don't get that at all. I think some of you guys take this criticism thing a little to seriously. Why can't it just rock you or not?
too serious of a guy. Actually, not really. Its just movies should be built in order to have the same effects as it did upon release down the road. I don't Adaptation will do it. Legendary may be more of 50 years or something.
~rougerum
Adaptation does give credit to 8 1/2.
Donald Kaufman says that there hasn't been a new genre since Felini's mockumentary.
Quote from: The Gold TrumpetIts just movies should be built in order to have the same effects as it did upon release down the road.
~rougerum
Movies should be built for the moment. If they sustain popularity, cool.
No way. Outdated movies mainly have existed on the principle of making movies for the moment. That's when you get films that base themselves on making movies that follow the trends of fashion, style of filmmaking, stories and how to show it among so many other things. The great movies that have lasted have been made with an understanding of the good and bad qualities of film for its time and how to bring itself to its own identity to survive time and history. My rule to judge a great movie is to see if it still effective as when released 40 years after being made. Most movies these days follow a same feeling of sorts, in being made, looks and how they tell stories. We complain about these movies all the time and rejoice everytime a Muholland Drive ora Punch-Drunk Love is made.
~rougerum
Oh, I see it noe. In fact I believe we have made a huge mistake doing the xixax awards 2003. We'll have to do a xixax awards 1963 then. :roll:
Silly us. We cant judge a movie newer that the early sixties. We are being manipulated by the trends of our time.
I will now go and throw out my DVD-collection...
judging 'great' movies.
~rougerum
Would someone be completely sick and wrong if - while acknowledging the greatness of Mulholland Drive, and naming Punch-Drunk Love as his favourite movie of the millenium - he was to bring up a film called Moulin Rouge for consideration...?
No. He would be lynched.
Fair enough. You din't think it was original and moving in a weird way that no other film has been: the fucking pathetic way that we have to express love through trite songs, and yet the beauty coming with the failure to articulate profoundly somehow being an articulation in itself...? Fair enough. I personally think that anything trying to ressurrect the Musical as genre is cool in my book too.
I was being sarcastic.
I didn't like Moulin Rouge at all but I can see why people would consider it brilliant. Just thought it was annoying. Not trying to offend you.
Quote from: Phil MarloweI was being sarcastic.
I didn't like Moulin Rouge at all but I can see why people would consider it brilliant. Just thought it was annoying. Not trying to offend you.
I used to really love it but lately I've been wondering what I think of it. I guess I'm starting to get annoyed by it too. It's just so fucking cartoonish...it's hard to relate to it...and those slow motion shots of satine coughing are just laughably awful. All of the style is really isolating to me.
Moulin Rouge was the most obnoxious film I have ever seen.
I allways saw it as the really good movie i couldn't stand. The camera movements and the fast zooms that i really loved in romeo + juliet seemed annoying and itching.
And I HATED the medley songs.
I really think the film should end when the onscreen play ends - I think that would be amazing. Not having Satine die at the end, and leaving you with that moment of joy as the curtains close, villain vanquished, lovers reunited - you'd come out so happy... Then after a little while you'd remember what's going to happen to her and it would just be like, "fuck". I think that would be fantastic. But Nooo... they have to give us the obligatory death scene and the "Tell our story, Christian..."
Quote from: children with angelsI personally think that anything trying to ressurrect the Musical as genre is cool in my book too.
You obviously have not seen:
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.amazon.com%2Fimages%2FP%2FB00005OCMS.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg&hash=ce692890a92fab498e466f669ae9c604ecb71f9e)
Holy FuckGod ! No, I haven't... Does Duvall dance? That I would love to see...
Quote from: children with angelsDoes Duvall dance? That I would love to see...
No he doesn't. Actually, the 'star' of the film is Christian Bale.
Why is it that the majority of discussion on this board seems to be people criticizing and complaining about movies rather than praising them? It seems that much of the discussion concentrates on the flaws (some of which are minor at best) of a film rather than what's good about it. I mean, I read some of the posts and I wonder why some of you even watch movies in the first place; you seem to hate everything about them. (no offense to anyone specifically)
I hardly ever post on something being just good. I only do it when I feel it is not getting due respect or I really really loved it. I think it is the seeds of discussion though, in order for it to continue people must disagree. It also looks silly when people just post on how good something is. I think arguments against are more interesting. It's just in my personality, where people in my own life are completely convinced I feed off of chaos.
~rougerum
Quote from: cbrad4dWhy is it that the majority of discussion on this board seems to be people criticizing and complaining about movies rather than praising them?
Because for a 98%-male board, there's a disturbingly high amount of whining bitches.
Also, it's the internet.
Quote from: NewtronBecause for a 98%-male board, there's a disturbingly high amount of whining bitches.
Hot damn!
Quote from: jmjHot damn!
C.H.
....as for best decade 2000-10 ...easy... its mulholland dr.
the only film(s) that come close would be.....amores perros, in the bedroom, and spider.......
I honestly believe Punch-Drunk Love.
EDIT: After 3 years of thinking about it.
Quote from: SHAFTRI honestly believe Punch-Drunk Love.
it makes a great choice......and maybe the ice storm.....and as for pure Hollyw$$D...american beauty......
Quote from: NEON MERCURYQuote from: SHAFTRI honestly believe Punch-Drunk Love.
it makes a great choice......and maybe the ice storm.....and as for pure Hollyw$$D...american beauty......
1999
Quote from: SHAFTRQuote from: NEON MERCURYQuote from: SHAFTRI honestly believe Punch-Drunk Love.
it makes a great choice......and maybe the ice storm.....and as for pure Hollyw$$D...american beauty......
1999
hahaha...damn i wasn't thinking ....ice storm is 97 i think and i forgot about beauty.....being 99...i had those on my mind b/c i plan on watching one of those two tonight.....
but i woul dadd requiem for a dream....and the pledge
the royal tenenbaums was pretty cool too.
Quote from: NEON MERCURY....as for best decade 2000-10 ...easy... its mulholland dr.
i really like mulholland, but i just could never give it best film of the decade, because every time i watch it i cant help but notice how its shot like a tv show. the production values are that of tv, and certain choices as far as the way it was shot seem to be restricted due to the format. while the actual story is 100x more complex than most anything on tv, i still cant wholeheartedly look at it as a film, (or BEST film for that matter)>
Finding Nemo is notable.
Lost in Translation. I just saw it on the big screen last night for the second time. Great films only get better with repeat viewings. This time was even greater, 'cause it was with a packed crowd, and all the laughs just resonated even more, and the ending was even more poignant.
Quote from: themodernage02i really like mulholland, but i just could never give it best film of the decade, because every time i watch it i cant help but notice how its shot like a tv show. the production values are that of tv, and certain choices as far as the way it was shot seem to be restricted due to the format.
You're kidding.
How are the production values like TV? I don't sense any "restrictions" (like what? commercial breaks?) anywhere in the movie.
Would you have that opinion without the knowledge that it might have been a pilot?
Nah, I agree with mod, it does look kinda tv cheap (kinda blah lighting/design). I say KINDA, not bad, please no hellfire.
Best movie of the decade, on this board should it even be a question??
Agnoliamay
Quote from: Jeremy BlackmanQuote from: themodernage02i really like mulholland, but i just could never give it best film of the decade, because every time i watch it i cant help but notice how its shot like a tv show. the production values are that of tv, and certain choices as far as the way it was shot seem to be restricted due to the format.
You're kidding.
How are the production values like TV? I don't sense any "restrictions" (like what? commercial breaks?) anywhere in the movie.
Would you have that opinion without the knowledge that it might have been a pilot?
the lighting, i believe he's most likely speaking of...though it really fits the film...notice, the more bizarre the film gets, the less television like the lighting becomes...
In the Mood for Love is also a notable film.
I could get on board with that.
Quote from: SoNowThenBest movie of the decade, on this board should it even be a question??
Agnoliamay
that's 99 dude.
the few great, true post-millennium films of the last 4 years are:
- Spirited Away
- mul drive
- Waking life
- HULK
- Ghost World
- amores perros
some of those, such as HULK, are so future/now that they will remain unappreciated for at least another decade. typically the unversally accepted "best" of the Naughties will come at the very end. it'll be most interesting, cos ppl seem to be sleeping through this decade, as u can see here already.
Oh THIS DECADE as in 2000's... sorry, I thought it was just "last ten years". My bad.
I'll go with ITMFL for sure then.
Traffic so far, followed closely by Mystic River, Gosford Park and Black & White.
There are plenty of good films -- I was worried that the creative renaissance of the 90's wouldn't continue into this decade, but so far, there has been an abundance of great stuff. It is certainly better than the 80's.
Quote from: OnomatopoeiaLost in Translation.
i think i'll have to second that
Lost in Translation is my favorite movie thus far of the new 'Willenium.'
Favorites for each year in no particular order:
2000 - Ghost World, Virgin Suicides, Traffic
2001 - Mulholland Dr., Man Who Wasn't There
2002 - Punch-Drunk Love, Adaptation, The Pianist
2003 - Lost in Translation!!, City of God (could also be put in 2002, I guess), 21 Grams, American Splendor, Triplets of Belleville, I forgot Kill Bill
2003 has thus far been my favorite year of the decade. I might add more as I remember them, and feel free to fix my years, because I haven't checked any of them.
Quote from: Jeremy BlackmanWould you have that opinion without the knowledge that it might have been a pilot?
i dunno, thats a good question. but i cant help but noticing it now.
Quote from: Pedro the Wombatthe lighting, i believe he's most likely speaking of...though it really fits the film...notice, the more bizarre the film gets, the less television like the lighting becomes...
yeah i agree with that. when it goes off the deep end its less noticable (probably because more of that stuff was shot after it didnt get picked up).
Quote from: ©bradWhy is it that the majority of discussion on this board seems to be people criticizing and complaining about movies rather than praising them? It seems that much of the discussion concentrates on the flaws (some of which are minor at best) of a film rather than what's good about it. I mean, I read some of the posts and I wonder why some of you even watch movies in the first place; you seem to hate everything about them. (no offense to anyone specifically)
yes yes yes yes yes!!!
i come here and read and most of the time i prefer not to say anything cause by the time i'm done reading these posts i'm already depressed to see so many people bashing so many different movies at the same time. there's no real analysis anymore. discussions here are starting to sound like from a 2 week screenwriting course or something. film is an artform, it shoudln't have so many rules about character developement and screenplay structure and appropiate visual techniques for this and that. I prefer to read what the movie meant to the person posting, how did it made them feel, than their opinion on the way it was shot...
hahah, i wrote that soooo long ago. look at the caps and the whininess of it all. ahhh, memories.
I try to leave out sentiments like that. I generally judge a film based on how it affects me, which is why I'm so in-love with Lost in Translation: of all the films this year/decade, this one has affected me the most, followed by Mulholland Dr. But I guess when you're on an open forum on the internet, it's not too hard to find people bashing movies simply because they can and no one can stop them. Some people are just jerks.
Quote from: AlexandroI prefer to read what the movie meant to the person posting, how did it made them feel, than their opinion on the way it was shot...
thank u, alexandro, dude.
in an ideal place that is what i want to hear as well, that's the only the only thing that matters. when ppl just say "the acting was good, the lighting was bad" that's seems to be enuff 99% of the time and it shouldn't be. i make a point to only review things if i can discuss what it meant, but often what i say is ignored because no one else is talking about the movie that way. refer to best recent example: 21 Grams.
Quote from: ©bradhahah, i wrote that soooo long ago. look at the caps and the whininess of it all. ahhh, memories.
haha newtron's reply was classic.
about the movies for this decade:
2000- SONGS FROM THE 2ND FLOOR
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM
AMORES PERROS
2001-A.I.
2002-GANGS OF NEW YORK
THE TWO TOWERS
PUNCH DRUNK LOVE
SPIRITED AWAY
CIDADE DE DEUS
2003-KILL BILL: VOLUME 1
Quote from: Prefer to best recent example: 21 Grams.
Most people read and replied to that review. I don't understand the problem. Most folks tend to listen to you, P. I'm generally ignored quite a bit, for whatever reason.
Quote from: Chest RockwellMost people read and replied to that review.
actually around a page of replies were for my final joke comment on naomi's nipples.
only neon addressed the actual content of my two reviews.
Quote from: PQuote from: Chest RockwellMost people read and replied to that review.
actually around a page of replies were for my final joke comment on naomi's nipples.
only neon addressed the actual content of my two reviews.
Well one must remember we're dealing with a bunch of semi-mature boys on the internet. Perhaps people would have replied to the review itself if you hadn't turned it into a funny post with a nipple joke at the end. Obviously most people would make some sort of joke off it rather than really replying to your review. I believe I myself stayed out of the whole thing.