Xixax Film Forum

http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/features/100essentialfilms.asp

This is kind of a weekly list, it seems.  Sort of like when Berardinelli was doing his silly top 100 of all time.  I like it because it has films I've never seen and some I've never heard of, and they're most certainly important for some reason or another.  I've only seen like two or three of these.  This'll definitely give you something to do on a rainy day.

Quote from: ono.This'll definitely give you something to do on a rainy day.

the only thing it's making me do is weep.

possibly the worst list i've ever seen, according to it the 40s and 50s must've been a dark period for cinema.

"Only" 12 films from the 40s and 50s means they think it to be a dark era?  The list didn't claim to be one of the "best" films.  More of "an alternative compiled by a group of kinky film-lovers wanting to give serious critical thought to neglected, forgotten and misunderstood gems."  If you consider that sad, so be it.  Heaven forbid they leave out Citizen Kane and Casablanca.

did i say citizen kane or casablanca?

way to argue against urself man.

worse than typical movie lists, which i also loathe, this one is just a total try-hard.. really, "hi mom"? the list is a joke and if u acknowledge that then u shouldn't take it so personal when i address it as one.

Quote from: Pubrickdid i say citizen kane or casablanca?

way to argue against urself man.

No, P.  I did.  Vintage 40s or 50s movies everyone seems to cite.  That's all I'm saying.  You may as well be more specific if you had a point.  What would YOU put on a list of 100 obscure, essential films, if you don't like this list.

i'm not gonna give u a list. ur comments on the horror "genre" are embarrassing and ignorant considering ur defense of this list.

i hav nothing more to say or defend.

Quote from: ono.
I still haven't come across a horror movie worth my time, save The Shining.  It's a most laughably pathetic genre.  

no, that would be the dogme films

and ono, even thoguth this isnt the right thread for this [in 3 sentences] please sum up why horror is the "most laughably pathetic genre".  or if you posted your response to this before please link it for me.

This seems to be the thread of edited and deleted material (and exhibitions of passive-aggressive behavior).  That is, Neon, what I wrote was in response to what Mac wrote, which he deleted before I replied.

Anyway, some people hate lists.  I think they're good only for creating awareness of films that you may not have been aware of.

As for horror, if you must know, every horror film I've seen I've been bored out of my mind or had my intelligence insulted.  This, from Halloween to Alien, and many films in between.  So because of that, it's just something I've never gotten into.

Quote from: ono.
As for horror, if you must know, every horror film I've seen I've been bored out of my mind or had my intelligence insulted.  This, from Halloween to Alien, and many films in between.  So because of that, it's just something I've never gotten into.

:? , forgive me but what excites you then?  i am not some huge horror buff [you may have even seen more horror films than i have] but i  dont see how you can find certian horror films boring.  now stupid, i can clearly see this because i find plenty of horror films that lowered my intelligence [which is usually low anyway]. but i dont understand how you could find a typical horror film that contains large gratuitious amounts of gore and sex  and  violence BORING?!?!?!  stupid-yes [depending on the film] but not boring IMO.

NEON... stop arguing against horror movies like that.

Well-written drama and effectively-executed comedy are exciting.  But that's not the issue, really.  As for horror, it's just personal taste.  I cited Halloween and Alien as two of the worst examples.  On the opposite end, Psycho and 28 Days Later would have to be two of the better examples.  I was pleasantly surprised by 28 Days Later, to say the least.  And this was because of the humanity injected into the characters.  In most horror films, there is no hook, no reason to care.  The characters are just pawns.  28 Days Later changed that.  One scene I still remember is where the father gets the contaminated blood drop in his eyes, realizes he's been infected, then says goodbye to his daughter.  That's good writing.  That's drama, that's what makes a good movie, and in this case, it made a horror movie worthwhile.

Gone are the days where horror movies are sex and gore fests.  It was the 80s where you'd see the chick with the nice rack get her neck skewered by a crossbow while she was showering.  Or something to that extent.  Very few films have a sort of fun, freewheeling element where you can champion sex as a factor.  Gore, maybe, yes.  But why, you must ask yourself, is gore something you'd want to see?  Unless it was cartoonish or comedic, there's really no reason for it.

I scroll down the IMDb top horror films list for the most popular ones, gauging whether I think they're worthwhile.  Horror buffs will find value in the quicker than I will.  And also, a lot of these films aren't strict horror fllms, and films that are able to bounce between genres are generally more successful, because they aren't slave to the rules of the genre.

clearly you haven't watched much horror... letting that prejudice keep you from seeing some great films.

to each his own, but you have no place speaking out against something you clearly don't know much about.

Quote from: RegularKarateclearly you haven't watched much horror...

Clearly you're wrong in this case, as I have watched enough horror to know I generally don't like the genre.  I may not have watched as much as you, but that doesn't  invalidate my opinion.  It's not prejudice, having viewed films to base it on.  One doesn't need to see every horror film ever to have an opinion.

Quoteletting that prejudice keep you from seeing some great films.

Like?  I keep an open mind.  Everyone's always telling me how Halloween and Alien and films like that are the second coming, and then I see them, and they're total shit, so what should I expect?  So recommend me a good film or two.

Quote from: ono.So recommend me a good film or two.

cannibal holocaust and cannibal ferox. they're like disney movies compared to halloween and alien.

Haha.  I think you've got that analogy backwards, but Holocaust I've heard of, and wanted to check it out for a while thought it would take a sick mind to actually want to watch that.  Gotta be honest here.

Well you don't like Halloween... so you don't like Slashers (though that's a good movie)

You're just plain wrong about Alien... that's a good movie and exists beyond being a mear horror film.

How about The Shinning and The Exorcist... if you haven't seen these then clam up and watch them.

The Changeling
Candyman
Silence of the Lambs
The Living Dead series
Peeping Tom


Just to name a few of the more popular "Essentials"

The Shining is excellent, and Silence of the Lambs is very good as well.  Others I'll definitely check out when I get a chance.  I've been reading about Peter Jackson's stuff on and off.  Which of his is your favorite?

Quote from: ono.As for horror, it's just personal taste.  I cited Halloween and Alien as two of the worst examples.  On the opposite end, Psycho and 28 Days Later would have to be two of the better examples.  I was pleasantly surprised by 28 Days Later, to say the least.  And this was because of the humanity injected into the characters.  In most horror films, there is no hook, no reason to care.  The characters are just pawns.  28 Days Later changed that.  One scene I still remember is where the father gets the contaminated blood drop in his eyes, realizes he's been infected, then says goodbye to his daughter.  That's good writing.  That's drama, that's what makes a good movie, and in this case, it made a horror movie worthwhile.

then from your rationale, alien, should be something you would like.  its has "humanity injected into the characters" or what about the exorcist?  i just dont get it[ you are almost as bad as GT :wink: ] but seriously, i could maybe see your point if you were bashing aliens because [even though its a fun film] its basically gratuitious action and over the top. it reminds me of predator for that matter.  but alien is more along the lines of the type of horror film you would like.


also, when you make a statement that 28 days later changed your outlook about having humanity put into the characters and not being pawns. then clearly you havent seen enough b/c thats not the first horror film to do so.  and its definately not the best example for that matter either.

and RK, the way i was arguing for horror films in my previous post was not my overall plan of attack [so to speak] it was just "bait" to get ono to fess up.  my  apologies if it came off wrong.

Horror is my least favorite genre.  There are a few great horror films, like Rosemary's Baby, Carrie and The Exorcist, but most horror films rely on cheap jolts, not storytelling or character development.  I think Alien is a B-movie that has A-level cinematography but flat characters.  Halloween is vastly overrated, and gave the world a plague of 10,000 slasher films.

Horror and sci-fi are my 2 favorite genres and they really are 2 of the best, they're just not very consistant.  

You can't say that it's a bad genre just because bad movies come out of it.  There are more bad dramas that bad horror flicks.

I totally disagree that there are more good horror films than drama films.  Many of the greatest films of all time are dramas, and horror films seldom, if ever, appear on critics' Top 10 lists or win top awards.  Quite often, horror films rely on gimmicks and speical effects, not on strong storylines or in-depth characters.

such is the tragedy of being a new member: i find this thread incredibly stupid and confusing

Quote from: soixanteand horror films seldom, if ever, appear on critics' Top 10 lists or win top awards.

you'll come to find that many many deserving films do not recieve this honor either.

Quote from: 03such is the tragedy of being a new member: i find this thread incredibly stupid and confusing

such is also the tragedy of being an old member. it never ends..

Quote from: soixanteI totally disagree that there are more good horror films than drama films.

That's not what I said though

and 03... you're right, this IS stupid

Quote from: ono.Well-written drama and effectively-executed comedy are exciting.

and so is well-written and effectively executed horror.  what makes making someone laugh (or cry) somehow a more noble task than making them scared?  and the same narrow thinking that says 'poor people = lazy' leads one to think 'horror films = bad'.  sometimes its the case, but not always.  just try not to be so closeminded.

Quote from: RegularKarateclearly you haven't watched much horror... letting that prejudice keep you from seeing some great films.

to each his own, but you have no place speaking out against something you clearly don't know much about.

yeah, i mean if its just not your taste, thats one thing.  but to say its not your taste because it sucks is just not the case.  

Quote from: soixanteI totally disagree that there are more good horror films than drama films.  Many of the greatest films of all time are dramas, and horror films seldom, if ever, appear on critics' Top 10 lists or win top awards.  Quite often, horror films rely on gimmicks and speical effects, not on strong storylines or in-depth characters.

well, most critics, like ono, are usually a bit prejudiced against horror films, not that it really matters.  what are lists anyways besides a jumping off point.  quite often comedies rely on slapstick or snappy dialogue, not on strong storylines or in-depth characters.  who cares?  does that make Bringing Up Baby any less of a good film?  no, movies arent there to serve one purpose.  its narrowminded to think that only dramas etc. can be successful.

ono.  oct. 1st is coming up soon and thats halloween season.  you've got 30 days to see these movies......

-Nosferatu (1922) F.W. Murnau
-Bride of Frankenstein (1935) James Whale
-Dead of Night (1945) Various
-Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Don Siegel
-Night of the Living Dead (1968) George A. Romero
-Suspiria (1977) Dario Argento
-An American Werewolf in London (1981) John Landis
-Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn (1987) Sam Raimi

these are not neccesarily MY personal favorites, but there's a little bit of what the genre has to offer.  this is ONO's HORROR MOVIE CHALLENGE.  see these movies, it will give you something to do this month.  if you dont like them, we (or atleast i) can discuss specifically how you felt about each film and why it wasnt any good, or how we are gods for introducing you to how good movies could be.  i will be beginning my monthlong ALL HORROR/SCI-FI marathon on friday so i'll be properly immersed in the subject matter. if you DONT like any of these, i'm sure at the very least it might spark some lively discussion in these dormant boards.

Now there's a decent response.  Thanks.  It's a wonder why more people can't contribute like this.

I've removed all Spielberg movies from my Netflix queue (HAH! -- another can of worms :-D) and will be checking these out.  This should be fun.

Quote from: ono.Now there's a decent response.  Thanks.  It's a wonder why more people can't contribute like this.

uh maybe cos this is like the third fucking time we've humored this problem of urs..

well great.  last year i watched about 55 horror/sci-fi films during the month of october, (both re-watching my favorites and seeing as many new ones as possible.)  this year my list of horror films i need to see has grown to 101.  an unreachable number, but i'm hoping to knock out about 30 of them while still revisiting as many annual favorites as i can.  depending on how many you have time for all month, theres plenty more where those came from.

i also encourage anyone else on the fence about horror to join in.  or anyone who just hasnt seen enough.  october's the time, it'll be fun!

Quote from: Pubrick

Quote from: ono.Now there's a decent response.  Thanks.  It's a wonder why more people can't contribute like this.

uh maybe cos this is like the third fucking time we've humored this problem of urs..

Was I talking to you, P?  No.  Stay out of it.  No one's addressed this "problem" (if you could call it that) seriously until now.  Just a matter of difference of opinion which you seem to take oh so very personally.  Your whole attitude is tiresome.  Accept the fact that some people do have different opinions than yours, and you aren't right all the time.

Quote from: onoWas I talking to you, P?  No.  Stay out of it.

regardless of to whom it was directed, you are talking to everyone if you're on an online messageboard.

That's deep.  *snaps fingers wildly*

Quote from: ono.Was I talking to you, P?  No.  Stay out of it.

the condescending comment u made was towards everyone. so yeah, u were talking to me.

Quote from: ono.No one's addressed this "problem" (if you could call it that) seriously until now.

http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?p=117236#117236

http://xixax.com/viewtopic.php?p=119226#119226

Quote from: ono.Just a matter of difference of opinion which you seem to take oh so very personally.  Your whole attitude is tiresome.  Accept the fact that some people do have different opinions than yours, and you aren't right all the time.

right back atcha buddy. u were the one who originally freaked out cos i dissed ur precious list. u came at me with sum stupid sarcastic comment cos i called the list less than essential. so who's taking things personally here, i couldn't give two shits if u like the 'horror genre' or not. the problem with the whole argument is ur definition of horror differs from other ppl's, and that's based on what movies u've seen and ur own prejudices, so whatever. there's no way anyone can change that.

in the other threads the argument was over and now u've turned this thread into the same old crap. i don't know how themodernage has the patience to deal with u, i'm sorry if it wasn't dealt with to ur supreme satisfaction until now. ur incessant demands that ppl defend THEIR OWN opinions against urs, which is what this thread is about, is proof that u are much more in love with urself than anyone else here.

i just hope that this is the last time u hav a cry about it. it's truly tiresome, as many members (new and old) hav testified already in this thread.

Quote from: Pubricku are much more in love with urself than anyone else here.

check ur avatar.

checked.

What happened to SHAFTR's post? What, is this message board run by the ghost of Stalin or something?

Quote from: UncleJoeyWhat happened to SHAFTR's post? What, is this message board run by the ghost of Stalin or something?

I deleted it. Totally unnecessary since the argument was already over. And if SHAFTR has a problem with that then SHAFTR can PM me about it.

So no arguing then?

Quote from: StefenSo no arguing then?

Only if we have Big Brother's permission.

Quote from: NEON MERCURYi could maybe see your point if you were bashing aliens because [even though its a fun film] its basically gratuitious action and over the top.

Wait a minute. If we're talking humanity and character development, then "Aliens" goes even further than "Alien." Each soldier was his/her own character moreso than those on the Nostromo. And Ripley was developed more; she was given maternal instincts. Sigorney Weaver was Oscar nominated for "Aliens;" unheard of for an action/horror role. She couldn't have done that without a better character to play.

Quote from: MacGuffin

Quote from: NEON MERCURYi could maybe see your point if you were bashing aliens because [even though its a fun film] its basically gratuitious action and over the top.

Wait a minute. If we're talking humanity and character development, then "Aliens" goes even further than "Alien." Each soldier was his/her own character moreso than those on the Nostromo. And Ripley was developed more; she was given maternal instincts. Sigorney Weaver was Oscar nominated for "Aliens;" unheard of for an action/horror role. She couldn't have done that without a better character to play.

...sorry, i havent been around my computer lately so i couldnt respond to this mac.  but now i got some time.  first off, i honeslty liked aliensmore than alien but i think the latter is a better film IMO.  but i think that camerons film is more action oriented and my reasonings for this begin with the tagline itself 'this time its war". then the whole scenerio of the humans vs. alien  with a rag-tag bunch of generic characters including  the cheesy characters like the mexican/hispanic/latino lesbien-like vasquez and bill paxtons character all feel fake.  this film reminds me of predator 2.  both are [when scaled down] overzealous  action films.  i know i sound like an idiot and i cant really explain it better than the  way i just did it.  i just think that the way ridley scott[who is light years ahead of cameron in terms of a skilled director]  handeled alienwith less is more aproach[compared to aliens] benefited the film.

what i learned from reading  this thread:     lists make some people unhappy.

Cinephile's 10 Essential Films List:

1. Paper Moon
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey
3. Weekend At Bernies II
4. Touch of Evil
5. Tromeo and Juliet
6. 3-Iron
7. Zapruder Film
8. Weekend at Bernies
9. The Godfather Part 3
10. Breathless



discuss.

that made me unhappy.

Quote from: CinephileCinephile's 10 Essential Films List:

1. Paper Moon
2. 2001: A Space Odyssey
3. Weekend At Bernies II
4. Touch of Evil
5. Tromeo and Juliet
6. 3-Iron
7. Zapruder Film
8. Weekend at Bernies
9. The Godfather Part 3
10. Breathless



discuss.

Horror films are bullshit.

Hey, three of my favourite films are on this list, the other twenty aren't.