Movies that hold up to repeate viewing by SergeantX

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Movies that hold up to repeate viewing

POSTED BY: SERGEANTX
UPDATED: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 14:26
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 9125
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Friday, April 22, 2005 9:33 PM

I'm sure most everyone here has noticed by now how well Firefly episodes age. They just seem to get better every time you watch them. I've even been a little frustrated at the fact that you really can't expect new viewers to fully appreciate an episode until they've seen it two or three times.

I'm wondering what it is about some movies (or television shows, though less often) that makes them stand up to repeat viewings. I have a growing collection of movies that seem to share this element. In fact, they're really the only kind of movies that seem to me worth buying on DVD.

To be clear, I'm not necessarily saying these movies are better, especially if the intent is for them to be viewed only once. There are many great movies that I'd have no interest in owning, because you pretty much get it all in the first serving. The movies I'm talking about reveal themselves over time. They always seem to be holding something back, some little quirk or previously unnoticed angle that gives you a little more insight into the soul of the work.

I'd like to see if we can discuss what elements make a movie worthy of this kind of digging. But first I'll list a few movies that I think exemplify the kind of thing I'm talking about.

Joe vs. the Volcano - Like many of the movies I'm referring to I didn't really get this the first time I saw it. In fact I hated it and almost walked out of the theater. It wasn't until it dropped into the ranks of cheap movie channel filler in the early nineties that I fell in love.

The Big Lebowski - For my money, the funniest comedy of the nineties, with the possible exception of Office Space. Which brings up an interesting point. Office Space is a classic, but it really doesn't share the quality I'm looking for here. What's the difference?

Twin Peaks - How this ever made onto broadcast television is one of the greatest mysteries of the twentieth century. Makes me wish Lynch had managed to get Mulholland Drive produced as series as was originally intended.

The Truman Show - Seeing this repeatedly has convinced me that most of the critics really missed the point of this movie. It's usually tagged as a commentary on reality television programming or somesuch, but the heart of the movie is really much deeper and more inspiring than just that.

Anyway, I'm interested in what you all have to say, so I won't impose too many of my own observations just yet. If there is one immediately obvious trait that all these have in common, I'd have to say it's a certain poetic sense. When the dialog, or even the imagery, holds up to repetition almost the way song lyrics do, that's the magic. Or at least part of it.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 2:00 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Quote:

The movies I'm talking about reveal themselves over time. They always seem to be holding something back, some little quirk or previously unnoticed angle that gives you a little more insight into the soul of the work.

I had a short list of movies, then re-read this part ....I'll have to get back and think about this a bit.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 2:29 AM

SGTGUMP

I have to agree with you on The Big Lebowski. Also there is:

Clerks
Braveheart
Raising Arizona
Pulp Fiction
Reservoir Dogs
Star Trek VI
Terminator 2
Gangs of New York
The Matrix

That's a short list of some of the movies that I could watch about 10 times a year each. I also own them all on DVD, except Raising Arizona. That's still VHS. Also There is Donnie Darko, I don't think a person could watch that just once.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 2:58 AM

EMBERS

in no particular order:
A Hard Day's Night
King of Hearts w/Alan Bates
Pirates of Penzance with Kevin Kline
The Big Chill with Kevin Kline
Enchanted April
Gosford Park

(actually that is chronological order...)

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 3:21 AM

DECKROID

There are movies that are truely bizarre and "out there" that you don't get the 1st time. Or you get, but you don't quite get it all.

Some of these movies you have to hunt down, some of them just accidentally come across your path, and others are sometimes forced upon you.

A great resource for the older movies of this category is Turner Classic Movies.

Here are some of my favs and why:

Casablanca: A movie telling Americans to either poo or get off the pot disguised as a romance flick. Yes, getting invloved in the war effort is going to be hard, will get people killed, but can we afford not to?

Jacob's Ladder: A great movie that, like Fight Club, had me re-watching it a few times to pick up on all the clues to what was really going on.

Sunset Boulevard: I like it when movies don't assume that we are stupid. They can show us something on paper, or a pained expression of someone's face and not have to re-iterate it. One of my favorite flicks.

Shawshank Redemption: This one was forced upon me by TNT. I liked it before, but after seeing it on so many times, I really picked out some of the great dialouge pieces and saw it for the classic it is.

There are many wonderful movies that you need to watch more than once to fully see what the writer and cinematographer and the director were saying. Its always a joy to find these. Then again, I also have a list of movies I like to watch again just because they are simple great flicks:

The Longest Day
Pulp Fiction
Glory
Princess Bride
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
From Here to Eternity
Hero (with Jet Li, not Dustin Hoffman)
Tommy Boy
Lilies of The Field
The Great Escape
Any of the Wallace and Grommit movies
True Grit
Sparticus ... I AM SPARTICUS!!!
Ghost in the Shell
In the Heat of the Night

Ok, ok. I guess one could make an arguement that I watch too many movies. But I like 'em.

Oh one more to add to the list. I can't say for certain that it will be considered a classic by anyone else but me...

Serenity: A movie that rose from the ashes like the Phoenix. A failed (if you call Big Wig Execs missing the point failing) TV show moves to another medium and is one the most anticipated movies of the year (amongst the people I know). This is going to be one of those "Go see it many times in the theater to get the full vision" types. This is the movie that will make me build my own wee theater in the garage. (The wife thinks I need a hobby.)

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 4:40 AM

EST120

some of my picks:

1. se7en - please do not flame me for it. :( i actually do like the movie. some people on this board i know really hate it. still, every time i see it at the end, i always hope that mills is going to take the high road and not kill john doe. always.

2. angel - do tv shows on dvd count? i could watch reruns all day. of course, on this board there have been plenty of reasons to watch episodes over again for all the nuances that were missed the first time.

3. major league - just fun for me. having lived in cleveland and being an indians fan, the movie has a special place for me.

makes me miss the city a little bit sometimes.

of course, there are many other movies that i watch over again just because i like them, but that is not really what this thread is about.

BTW, i would love to hear your expansion on the truman show. i thought it was better than the critics labeled it.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 4:53 AM

CHRONICTHEHEDGEHOG

In no particular order:
Leon - Love this movie, only gets better.
Blade Runner
Donnie Darko
Memento
(I know I'll get blasted for this but) A.I - Artificial Intelligence. Hated it at first, finally after 5-6 viewings realised that the film DOES need the ending it has, and it really isn't just a tacked on a happy ending.
Spirit of the Beehive - Have only seen it once but I can guarantee it's going to turn into one of my favourite movies of all time, just as soon as I can understand what the message was...

Would also agree with:
The Big Lebowski - Funniest movie ever.
The Truman Show - Brilliant social commentary.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 5:10 AM

CALHOUN

Dune (David Lynch version). No one else mentioned this, is that a commentary on me?

The new Battlestar Galactica series is an excellent example of picking up on little nuances which enhance the show with every viewing.

I have watched Toy Story 1 & 2 with my kids on a few occasions and every time picked up on subtle, classic gags missed on previous viewings. Loved them. I think Joss had something to do with them didnt he?

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 5:35 AM

CHRISISALL

Repeat viewings is my specialty!

Blade Runner
Dune- 1984
Dark Angel- S1
Hero
Solaris-2003
Planet of the Apes- 1968
The Abyss
Tai Chi Master
Star Trek The Motion Picture
And,
Titan AE - 'cause Joss touched it.

All these absolutly have more for you the second and twenty-second times.

My kinda thread Chrisisall

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 5:39 AM

MANWITHPEZ

Important people don't do field work.

I LOVE Tai-Chi Master! That movie is so cool. Wait...you're talking about the one with Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh, right?

Kaylee: "What's so damn important about being proper? It don't mean nothing out here in the black."
Simon: "It means more out here. It's all I have..."

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 6:11 AM

ARAMINA

Agreeing with:

The Big Lebowski
The Truman Show

I'm not a huge fan of films that make me think, I'm a lazy film watcher and most of the films I can watch over and over again are rubbish disaster films :)

So a completely random list of films I like to watch over and over:

Pitch Black (although this is a great film I think I'm more into it because Vin Diesel is such a sexy man! Hey, someone had to lower the tone)
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
Monty Python's Life of Brian
The Goonies
Mars Attacks! (Genius, brilliant and massively over looked.)

Plus Dante's Peak, Independence Day, Ice Age, Toy Story, Twister, Airforce One and other things I just find entertaining.

When I think of an interesting signature you'll be the first to know.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 6:28 AM

ZOL

I`m going to put this movie here (as it belongs) ...
SERENITY

I`ve seen 2 previews of the "unfinished" print and to me it holds up on a 2nd viewing and maybe lots more besides.

I`m not going to go into anything about the movie but needless to say, 1st time it blows you away, the 2nd time is just as good as the 1st and I found myself jump out of my seat at one point

Darin (Zol.)

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 6:30 AM

CAPTAINCDC

Just to name a few:
Movies
The Searchers
Stagecoach
Rio Bravo
The Big Lebowski
Dazed And Confused
Raising Arizona
O Brother Where Art Thou
Original Star Wars Trilogy
Star Treks 2, 4, 6, 8
Office Space
Galaxy Quest
Bottle Rocket
Before Sunrise
Before Sunset
etc, etc, etc...

Television
Buffy
Angel
Firefly
Wonderfalls
Freaks & Geeks
Trailer Park Boys

---------------------------------------

The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason!

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 6:32 AM

FREMDFIRMA

Y'all beat me to the punch on mosta what I was gonna say, definate nods to
Pitch Black
Princess Bride

But also to

Aliens - even more so (for a certain warped humor factor Sarge there will understand perfectly) if you've ever done military service... cause in it's own way, it IS funny.

-F

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 7:47 AM

SERGEANTX

Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
....I'll have to get back and think about this a bit.

Exactly! It's a tricky issue, isn't it?

We seem to have a pretty good list of movies here. I've definitely added several to my rental wish list. But I was hoping someone would take the bait and venture into the why of it all. What makes some movies get better as you watch them, while some just seem to grow stale?

For me, it's not just a question of a complex or mysterious plot. Certainly some movies are subtle enough that you'll discover new twists and foreshadowing that you missed the first time around. That's fun, but the charm of that goes away once you've 'got it'. There's something more durable in the movies that keep finding there way into my DVD player.

I keep coming back to music as an example, but it fits. The movies I like to watch over and over again play in my head almost the way a good song lyric does. In part, I think this rests on well-written dialogue that has a life beyond the needs of the story. Joss is a master of this kind of thing and his playful reverence for language is what sucked me into Firefly to begin with.

Cinematography can do this same kind of thing, but it's probably something I'm a little more oblivious to. David Lynch is someone who can hold a movie together purely with the eye candy. Some of Joss's stuff, especially in OIS, works this way as well.

There's also an issue of philosophy. Most of the movies that hold up for me lend themselves to interesting philosophical interpretations. This can be dangerous territory for a screenwriter to walk because its very easy to slide into tedious preaching. Done well, a movie invites you to take in the ideas and mull them over, even when you don't realize you're doing it. A step further and you have a movie that leaves the audience guilty that they didn't pay more attention in philosophy class ("I Heart Huckabee's" for example).

For those of you kind enough to respond, what is it about the movies you listed that really makes them work over and over again? Is it specific lines of dialogue that stick with you? Is it the way the soundtrack works with the story? Or is the way the movie makes you reflect on specific personal issues or memories?

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 7:53 AM

STARRBABY

oh! I've got one! The Boondock Saints. I never tire of it, and I catch all sorts of neat things each time.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 8:27 AM

SERGEANTX

Quote:
Originally posted by chronicthehedgehog:
...The Truman Show - Brilliant social commentary.

There's no getting around the premise of this movie as a commentary on reality programming and media culture in general, but this is one of those movies that began to take on a whole 'nother life when viewed repeatedly.

For me the real soul of the movie has much more to do with the individual than with social issues. It's pointed out in several places in the movie that it's Truman's own delusions that keep him there. It seems the theme is more about being trapped by our own assumptions about who we are and what is possible. If there is a message in this movie I think it's summed up in the call-in show sequence:

Quote:
Interviewer: Christof, let me ask you. Why do you think that Truman has never come close to discovering the true nature of his world, until now?
Christof: We accept the reality of the world with which we're presented, it's as simple as that.
(cut to two viewers nodding blankly)
.....
(later, responding to phoned in questions from a protester)
Caller: He's not a performer, he's a prisoner. Look at him, look at what you've done to him.
Christof: He could leave at any time. If his was more than just a vague ambition, if he was absolutely determined to discover the truth, there's no way we could prevent him. I think what distresses you really caller, is that ultimately, Truman prefers his 'cell' as you call it.

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 9:04 AM

CYBERSNARK

I'll list The Truman Show too, for reasons already well-explained. Also:

Star Trek Nemesis, both for the philosophy, and the interwoven threads of the story, as Picard & Data both end up in basically the same situation, but deal with it in entirely different ways. I just wish the deleted "Picard & Data toast" scene could've made the final cut.

InuYashs: The Love That Transcends Time (I will not use the grammatically-senseless title Viz gave it), because of Kikyo. I had to see this three times before I really understood everything (I think

) about her role --this is the major turning point for her, when she actually realizes that Kagome feels for InuYasha the exact same way Kikyo does, and Kikyo uses that knowledge to (try to) destroy Kagome. As soon as Kikyo opens her mouth for the first time, the entire ending of that movie becomes inevitable (but Kikyo won't realize it until much later).

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 9:54 AM

ARAMINA

Why do my films work over and over again?

Usually because they're simple and there isn't much about them that I find annoying. They're usually something I can leave playing in the background while I'm tidying or something, and I can just watch them properly when I know there's a scene coming up that I like.

In fact...

I think I may go and watch Pitch Black right now.

When I think of an interesting signature you'll be the first to know.

Ooh and no one's mentioned Battle Royale yet.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 10:56 AM

ASTRAGYNIA

I guess it's a little-known miniseries rather than a movie, but... Neverwhere. (For those of you who haven't discovered it yet, it's a BBC series based - in fact, near word-for-word - on the book by Neil Gaiman). Ok, the stunts and special effects look like they were produced on about $5, but there're just so many little details that you don't notice the first few times through, and the witty, sarcastic exchanges between the eclectic group of characters never gets old... hmm, sounds like another series we know of...
:)

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 11:11 AM

PALADIN

Quote:
Originally posted by chronicthehedgehog:
Leon - Love this movie, only gets better.

You're talking about Leon (aka the Professoinal) with Jean Reno, right? I completely agree. If you liked that, you should check out Wasabi. Also made by Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno, with Eric Serra doing the music (he did music for Leon and the Fifth Element as well). It's the best French Japanese Action Comedy I've seen.

Some movies I would say stand (and benefit) multiple viewings are:

Leon (the Professional)

Wasabi - this movie is deep and moving while at the same time being totally hilarious. Plus Jean Reno plays DDR!

The Fifth Element - there's just so much timing packed into this movie, everything happens at once

Labyrinth - every time I watch this movie I see something different. Try finding all of the characters Sara meets represented in her room decorations.

------------
"If you take sexual advantage of her, you're going to burn in a very special level of Hell, a level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater." -Book

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 11:38 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by SergeantX:

For those of you kind enough to respond, what is it about the movies you listed that really makes them work over and over again?

oh sorry about that:

A Hard Day's Night
this was an early Beatle's film, and each of them are such individuals..the first time I saw it I realized I had missed most of the action...so I went back four more times so I could focus on each of them individual in the rewatch. Over the years I've never tired of the music and humor and personalities.

King of Hearts w/Alan Bates
an amazingly magical fantasy, with great humor and a political message, when I first saw it I went back over and over again bringing all my friends with me to see the movie. I have never grown tired of it.

Pirates of Penzance with Kevin Kline
wonderful music, lots of humor, I own this and love to put it in when I'm working around the house.

The Big Chill with Kevin Kline
again, filled with music and interesting characters and clever dialogue...I've seen it dozens of times and it always interests me.
It is one of those movies with a lot of very interesting characters, all deserving your attention and understanding.

Enchanted April
another magical world, I wish I could just live there.

Gosford Park
more than a dozen brilliant actors in a complicated plot with some beautiful music and lots of humour. I've seen it a number of times but I keep wanting to see it again (I recorded it on video off TV but I keep renting the DVD for the 'extras')

and by the way...I KNOW that Serenity will be on this list!
Because I am never tired of my Firefly DVDs either

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 12:49 PM

CALHOUN

Quote:
SergeantX wrote:
Saturday, April 23, 2005 07:47

We seem to have a pretty good list of movies here. I've definitely added several to my rental wish list. But I was hoping someone would take the bait and venture into the why of it all. What makes some movies get better as you watch them, while some just seem to grow stale?

I cant quite put my finger on it, the great shows have an almost magical quality to them. I do know that the great shows(to me) are like old friends that you just have to catch up with from time to time.

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Saturday, April 23, 2005 1:28 PM

CHRISTHECYNIC

Quote:
Originally posted by captaincdc:
Star Treks 2, 4, 6, 8

There is a saying, "Even numbered Trek films don't suck."

It was once true, as this list shows.

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 2:01 AM

CHRISISALL

Enchanted April I forgot about! Absolutly marvelous! Thanks for reminding us.

Magic luvin' Chrisisall

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 2:15 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by manwithpez:
I LOVE Tai-Chi Master! That movie is so cool. Wait...you're talking about the one with Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh, right?

That I am! A lushly photographed and produced costumed period piece with Kung Fu, wire fu, drama, broad comedy, all wrapped around the idea that we are who we choose to be and that 'fate' is a false notion embraced by the weak-willed to excuse their actions.
Viewed from the surface, it could be mistaken for just another dopey chop-sockey flick, but like a great song, every viewing draws you more into it's story. "Lower your burden; run towards new life" has a special meaning to all who dive into this unexpectedly deep pool.

Ebert and Chrisisall

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 3:18 AM

MSCKAREN

I actually liked A.I. the first time I saw it and every time after.

What I don't get is the many mentions of The Big Lebowski. This one got a mental shrug from me even though I love Jeff Bridges. I definitely prefer him in Starman (another movie that can stand up to a few extra viewings).

I think the funniest movie ever is Big Trouble in Little China. I've probably watched this movie on purpose more often than any other.

I also liked the first Matrix.

Regarding the reasons why movies are rewatchable: For me it usually involves character development and good dialoge as mentioned by others.

Plot points and pratfalls are usually only going to get ya the first 1-3 times. (Although Tom Hanks going through the scaffolding and down the hill in a wheelbarrow in The Money Pit makes me laugh every time.)

If I like a movie I'll usually listen to the commentaries on the DVD for further insight. The best one ever for me was Sixth Sense - it would have been about 10 viewings for me to discover the significance of red on my own.

Some obscure and quirky movies I love:

Fargo
Clay Pigeons
Nurse Betty
Foul Play (edited to add this one)

Apparently, for me, murder can be funny.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Appears they've canceled the show and we're still here. What does that make us?"
"Big damn junkies, Sir!"
"Ain't we just."

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 4:10 AM

SERGEANTX

Quote:
Originally posted by msckaren:
...What I don't get is the many mentions of The Big Lebowski. This one got a mental shrug from me even though I love Jeff Bridges. I definitely prefer him in Starman (another movie that can stand up to a few extra viewings)...

Yeah.. I get shrugs from a lot of people on this one. For me it's mostly the dialogue. There's a lot of subtlety behind the typically absurd Coen brothers schtick.

Listen for the way bits of dialogue are repeated, usually (seemingly inadvertantly) by different characters, throughout the movie. I also enjoyed the over the top characterizations. Bridges as the burnt-out, sixties slacker; Goodman's uptight Vietnam vet with anger management issues; the hapless Donnie. I dunno. They just seemed very real, somehow, in their unlikely friendships.

It's also a good example of how music can be made to really add to a story. Where a director like Joss usually uses music to support a scene, melding it with the scenery, the Coen brothers often use it like some kind of Chorus, reiterating and commenting on the dialogue and visuals.

It is hard to describe though, and that's what I was getting at when I posted. I fully understand why some people don't like this movie. The plot meanders, the mystery isn't terrible satisfying - yet after you've seen it a few times, or at least after I'd seen it a few times, it just started to take on new life. There's just something poetic about the way it works on you, the music, the dialogue, the pacing. I don't quite get it myself.

*** EDIT to add:

For trivia buffs - look at the opening scene of the movie where the Dude is in the supermarket. On the television behind the checkout is George Bush senior making war noises against Saddam Hussein. The camera pans down to the check the Dude is writing. If you look, the date on the check is 9/11. Kinda spooky, no?

SergeantX

"Dream a little dream or you can live a little dream. I'd rather live it, cause dreamers always chase but never get it." Aesop Rock

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 6:03 AM

COZEN

"Serenity"

I mean, else why are we here, eh?

***
Keeping relevant focus....

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 6:49 AM

EMBERS

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Enchanted April I forgot about! Absolutly marvelous! Thanks for reminding us.

Magic luvin' Chrisisall

you know, I've been thinking about this question and I think it does come down to creating a world where we would want to live,
filled with characters we miss when we don't rewatch the film (or TV DVDs or reread the book).

This is what I love about 'Firefly',
I so want to take a trip on that ship....
I want to be friends with the crew,
I want some of this in my own life.

And with all the movies I revisit time & time again there is that element,
something that touches me deeply.

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 8:28 AM

CLIOMUSE

Local Hero
and
Monthy Python and the Holy Grail
are my big two re-watchable films of all time.
Based on how often I need to rewatch Firefly I'm thinkin' Serenity will be joining that list.

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 1:02 PM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by msckaren:

I think the funniest movie ever is Big Trouble in Little China. I've probably watched this movie on purpose more often than any other.

I agree. I'd put that on par with Army Of Darkness for repeatability and hi-lariousness!

Have I paid my dues? Buddy, the check is in the mail Chrisisall

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 1:23 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by msckaren:

I think the funniest movie ever is Big Trouble in Little China. I've probably watched this movie on purpose more often than any other.

Same here. I really do enjoy watching this film especially on a cold rainy day. It's just a really good yarn.

In fact this thread works well for me in terms of directors. I've noticed that films by:
John Carpenter - Assault on Precinct Thirteen,The Fog, Halloween, Big Trouble in Little China, Starman and The Thing.
Joe Dante - Explorers, Innerspace, THE BURBS, Gremilns II, The Howling
Robert Wise - The Day the Earth Stood Still, Andromeda Strain, Star Trek
Tim Burton Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, Beetlejuice, Sleepy Hollow
Jack Arnold - The Creature From The Black Lagoon, The Incredible Shrinking man
Byron Haskin - The War of the Worlds, When Worlds Collide
Alfred Hitchcock Vertigo, Rear Window, North By Northwest, The Birds, Dial M for Murder
Roger Corman Masque of the Red Death, The Raven, Man with the X-Ray Eyes
Jean Pierre Jeunet Delicatessen, City of the Lost Children and Amelie
and
Peter Greenaway Drowning By Numbers, A Zed and Two Noughts, The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover, Belly of an Architect

are the ones I enjoy watching over again and again....

and pretty much anything Chackie Chan has every done. Especially Operation Condor and Police Story and Wheels on Meals.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 1:42 PM

CHRISISALL

Speaking of War Of The Worlds, have any hopes the new one by Spielberg will outdo the fifties one?
I think it just might, I think Speilberg wants to cut loose with a good old fashioned fifties-like cheesefest!

Hopeful Chrisisall

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 1:44 PM

CAPNERIC

Quote:
Originally posted by Astragynia:
I guess it's a little-known miniseries rather than a movie, but... Neverwhere. (For those of you who haven't discovered it yet, it's a BBC series based - in fact, near word-for-word - on the book by Neil Gaiman). Ok, the stunts and special effects look like they were produced on about $5, but there're just so many little details that you don't notice the first few times through, and the witty, sarcastic exchanges between the eclectic group of characters never gets old... hmm, sounds like another series we know of...
:)

Hi, I loved that series! I really thought there would be more, too.....

oh, well

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 1:55 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
Speaking of War Of The Worlds, have any hopes the new one by Spielberg will outdo the fifties one?
I think it just might, I think Speilberg wants to cut loose with a good old fashioned fifties-like cheesefest!

Hopeful Chrisisall

Yeah as much as I love the original, I am hoping Spielberg will pull out the stops and do a really good Apocalyptic alien invasion flick.

The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 2:02 PM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Quote:
I am hoping Spielberg will pull out the stops and do a really good Apocalyptic alien invasion flick.

Yeah, I might have to sell my copy of Independence Day...ha ha ha ha

Chrisisall

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 4:02 PM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by SergeantX:
look at the opening scene of the movie where the Dude is in the supermarket. On the television behind the checkout is George Bush senior making war noises against Saddam Hussein. The camera pans down to the check the Dude is writing. If you look, the date on the check is 9/11. Kinda spooky, no?

You want spooky? How 'bout the pilot to Lone Gunmen?

Keep the Shiny Side Up . . . (wutzon) Grateful Dead, "She Belongs To Me", from "Dick's Picks vol 21"

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 4:41 PM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by SergeantX:
To be clear, I'm not necessarily saying these movies are better, especially if the intent is for them to be viewed only once. There are many great movies that I'd have no interest in owning, because you pretty much get it all in the first serving. The movies I'm talking about reveal themselves over time. They always seem to be holding something back, some little quirk or previously unnoticed angle that gives you a little more insight into the soul of the work.

I'll second, or third (or fourth) Gosford Park, & add
Suicide Kings
Million Dollar Hotel

To be clear, I like SKs, but wouldn't put it in the same class as the other two, for overall quality. And there may be a hundred movies that I enjoy watching over & over again, because they do the same wonderful things so well, each time. But that isn't what you asked for.

I see that the Somnambulist listed four movies by Peter Greenaway, but did not include the Draughtsman's Contract. Did anyone notice the homage to D'sC in Hudson Hawk? Might be worth watching them again.

Quote:
I'd like to see if we can discuss what elements make a movie worthy of this kind of digging.

Hadn't really thought about it before your penetrating question (thank you), but for me it may be a cast of several different strong, interesting, or important characters. Development increases factorially with significant characters. To illustrate, a two character story has one relationship, a three character story may have four, etc.

Million Dollar Hotel is a treasure 'cause its characters are unique -- not just different from each other, different from any I've ever seen.

Keep the Shiny Side Up . . . (wutzon) Widespread Panic, "Chilly Water", from "Panic In the Streets"

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 5:01 PM

LEELU777

I have had trouble finding a good movie these you know whithall the remakes but any way

crouching tiger hidden dragon
hero(dustin hoffman)
knights tale(alan tudyk fan)
far and away
peter pan (2004 version)
robinhood men in tights
spaceballs
dracula mel brooks version
swept from the sea
shakespeer in love
moulan rouge
Mr.Smith goes to washington
original annie
eyes of the beholder
trainspotting
28 days
(I know I have a lot)
city slickers 1 and 2
eternal sunshine of a soptless mind
hook
pulp fiction
kill bill 1 2 3
first briget jone's diary

men are in lust women are in passion

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 5:02 PM

LEELU777

sorry these days

men are in lust women are in passion

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 5:16 PM

THATWEIRDGIRL

Movies I watch repeatedly? Hmmm. There are two reasons: the first is to relive some idyllic moment in my life, the second is to escape into some idyllic moment in film. Like a good book, a good film opens doorway and leads me down a path on a journey I want take over and over again. I like cheese, so um, sorry if some of these are stupid. You all took the fun ones like Fifth Element…

ten repeat viewing films:
Princess Bride (moment in film...it has everything)
Rocky Horror (moment in my life...I've had the soundtrack memorized since I was seven and the moment I actually saw the movie was um, yeah. All those strange lyrics had no meaning for me until I saw the film. My seven-year-old brain never thought of that.)
Some Like It Hot (moment in film...I just like this movie)
Rebecca (both...Thrilling. My mother introduced me Hitchcock with this movie.)
Take Her She's Mine (moment in life...When I was younger, I used to think this would happen to me.)
Singing in the Rain (both...Wow. Who doesn't remember the feeling they got from watching this one. Euphoria.)
You Can't Take It With You (both...I fell in love with Ann Miller in this movie. What's not to love about a Capra, Stewart, Barrymore film?)
Galaxy Quest (moment in film...Well done comedy.)
Adam's Rib (moment in film...Hepburn and Tracy.)
Dirty Dancing (moment in life...I have practiced every dance move in the film.)

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Belly of an Architect

Ric,

I love 'The Thief' but I had trouble with 'Architect.' Perhaps I need to watch it again.

www.thatweirdgirl.com
---
Can we not revel in our cyber-love?

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 5:21 PM

GUNRUNNER

A Bridge Too Far
Patton
Good Morning Vietnam
Das Boot (AKA The Boat)
The Great Escape
12 O’Clock High
Von Ryan’s Express
The Sand Pebbles
Bravo Two Zero
Bridge on the River Kwai

EV Nova Firefly mod Message Board:
http://s4.invisionfree.com/GunRunner/index.php?act=idx
My Other Site:
http://www.utnhq.com/TLAM_Strike/index.htm

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 7:03 PM

STARBERRYGIRL

I find there tend to be two reasons that a movie in my collection will be repeatedly watched. The first reason is a matter of simple satisfaction. A lot of movies I love fall into this category, like Indiana Jones, The Princess Bride, Sneakers, Pirates of the Carribean, and The Mummy to name a few. These movies are like anchors: I can pop them into the DVD player at any time, and know that a happy smile and a sigh are inevitable. For me, these movies do not change, and that is part of their charm.
The movies that are constantly changing for me often have to do with the richness of their texture (and out comes my theater designer training), be that the texture of the world that they are presenting, and/or the nuances of the characters which grow with each viewing. Obviously Firefly has complexity of both character and design, but here are some of my other favorite flagships:
For Complexity of Design:
Wachowski Bros. - Bound, and The Matrix
Coen Bros. - Hudsucker Proxy
Brotherhood of the Wolf
Julie Taymor's Titus

For Nuance of Character:
Cohen Bros. - Big Lewbowski
Philadelphia Story
Fight Club
Casablanca
Secretary
Rushmore

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 7:56 PM

NORUDDINWAY

One movie i have to say gets better every single time i watch it is:

Dude, Where's my Car?

I swear to god I'm not shitting you, the first time I saw it I was like "what the hell is this shit?" But after that, each time it gets better.
Others include:
Pulp Fiction
Braveheart
Garden State
Re-Animator(Hell, anything by H.P. Lovecraft)
Super Troopers

And as for TV:
Firefly(Of Course)
The Simpsons
Family Guy
Alias
Dead Like Me
Fastlane

"You only gotta scare him."

"Pain is scary."

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 9:50 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by YT:
I see that the Somnambulist listed four movies by Peter Greenaway, but did not include the Draughtsman's Contract. Did anyone notice the homage to D'sC in Hudson Hawk? Might be worth watching them again.

Draughtsman's Contract I enjoyed but I didn't feel enitriely comfortable with for multiple repeat viewings, similar to Prospero's Books - which although a feast to the eyes tends to be too much for me to digest. Although there are some beautiful ideas in it.

Hudson Hawk I've always liked. Couldn't understand why it received such a bashing. Sandr Bernhard is hilarious in it.

Cheers
The
Somnambulist

www.cirqus.com

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Sunday, April 24, 2005 10:03 PM

THESOMNAMBULIST

Quote:
Originally posted by thatweirdgirl:
I love 'The Thief' but I had trouble with 'Architect.' Perhaps I need to watch it again.

No I understand this. I struggled with this film the 1st time I saw it and thought nothing much of it really.... Then I went to Rome (Brother was getting married in Italy) and I saw all the landmarks from Belly of an Architect like the Wedding Cake building, and the music from the film started to resonate through my head... It sort of weaved its way in and now I really enjoy this film.

Greenaway's obsessions are usually very difficult at first though. Most of the time I don't relate to what he's saying or fully understand Baby of Macon??? - but more often than not there is something visually or narratively that I can extract enough out of to love and be engaged by.

Also how could I forget Billy Wilder's Some Like it Hot and The Apartment Which are absolutely repeat viewing films. :) and Singing in the Rain

Cheers
The
Somnambulist
(Ric)

www.cirqus.com

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Monday, April 25, 2005 4:50 AM

THATWEIRDGIRL

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Hudson Hawk I've always liked. Couldn't understand why it received such a bashing. Sandr Bernhard is hilarious in it.

Ditto! I always enjoy Hudson Hawk.

www.thatweirdgirl.com
---
Can we not revel in our cyber-love?

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Monday, April 25, 2005 11:29 AM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Greenaway's obsessions are usually very difficult at first though. Most of the time I don't relate to what he's saying or fully understand

That's my problem with him. Repeat viewing of his films may reveal new elements to me, but the first run hasn't motivated me to pursue it. Though I did consider going to Draughtsman's Contract again, just to see if it was more enjoyable if I started the movie with some understanding of where it was going. I was attracted by his visual style but, 2001 excepted, I need to follow a story.

Quote:
Also how could I forget Billy Wilder's Some Like it Hot and The Apartment Which are absolutely repeat viewing films. :) and Singing in the Rain

Have you really seen anything new, in repeated viewings of these films? I haven't -- well, my appreciation of Donald O'Connor's dancing may have increased the first two or three times, but nothing since. But that reminds me:

Tightrope
I've rented & watched this movie three or four times, each time thinking I hadn't seen it before. The first time, obviously, I was right. The second time, it wasn't until the climax that I realized I'd seen it before. The third time, I realized it about half-way through, but still couldn't remember a scene or story element in advance, until the climax. This movie stands head, shoulders & torso above the rest as the most forgettable movie I've ever seen. (Note that this is a lot different from the worst movie I've ever seen.)

Keep the Shiny Side Up . . . (wutzon) Little Feat, "Let It Roll"

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Monday, April 25, 2005 11:45 AM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Hudson Hawk I've always liked. Couldn't understand why it received such a bashing.

Partly for gratuitous profanity, & it deserved that rap 'cause it was gratuitous. Mostly I think 'cause the reviewers didn't appreciate the "Moonlighting" style irreverance, & winking @the audience, in what was marketed as an action film. Similar fate to Last Action Hero.

Quote:
Sandr Bernhard is hilarious in it.

Richard E Grant even better in my opinion, but in any case, a great couple. Coulda fronted their own movie, and maybe that was another problem, as they kinda stole this one.

Keep the Shiny Side Up . . . (wutzon) Dark Star Orchestra, "Estimated Prophet", from "Thunder & Lightnin' "

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