recomendations

Station Agent

24 Hour Party People (trust me, you'll like it)

Children Of Men

and....

Ishtar

Two Russian films, each of which are good enough for their own thread:

The Return

Come and See

The first is a straight film. The second is a bit kinked but completely worth it, enough so that I spent a couple hours trying to find a decent way to torrent it before ultimately realizing I don't have the time for a really good solution.

It's All Gone Pete Tong - is THE best movie ev@r made, period!

http://www.itsallgonepetetong.com/

Au Revoir Les Enfants Sylvia The Squid And The Whale

All awesome, though somewhat depressing, films. Ordinarily, I wouldn't throw out disclaimers for any of them, but for you...well, you know.

While we're here, and talking about Russian films, I'm wondering if anyone could give me the name of this movie.

It was Russian, and had subtitles. It was a fantasy/scifi flick, with this sort of "all these things exist but the average person doesn't know". The main character could foresee things, he drinks pig blood to see what a vampire is going to do, there's a curse with this huge swirling vortex, and a guy that pulls his spine out of his back to use a weapon. They were trying to protect some kid or something. I saw it last year when it hit American theaters. Its part of a series.

Anyone?

<span class="post_was_edited">On 2007-04-26 at 20:37:20, Mofo craps monkey baby</span>

Pink Flamingos.

^ ha ha ha... not sure if that is my cup of tea although, how will I know until I watch it, huh!

Try a Federico Fellini flick, Criterion edition (for commentary), like La Dolce Vita or 8 1/2.

Hour of the Wolf, by Bergman is a nice surreal, psychological horror movie. Once again, get a copy with some notes/commentary.

American History X with Edward Norton.

The Constant Gardener

The Devil's Backbone

Grosse Point Blank (small budget release with John Cusack)

Man on the Train

Rabbit Proof Fence

Reversal of Fortune (Von Bulow murder case - Jeremy Irons)

Rushmore (Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman)

Xizao (Shower)

Tigerland (Colin Farrell before he hit)

Almost Famous (Billy Crudup)

Boogie Nights

Well, that should keep you busy. Enjoy. If you like Horror, I can recommend several, non-Slasher horror flicks if you are interested.

There is a Korean movie OnDemand with Comcast right now, it's called "Memories of Murder," and it is awesome.

There is another one called "Bright Future" that is very slow and full of symbolism and imagery, but it's more interesting in retrospect when you have an idea of what it's all about. Watch that one if you have patience.

Dude, don't watch the Station Agent - no matter who says it's good.

Squid & The Whale Running With Scissors Leaving Las Vegas Shortbus (whoa) Hard Candy Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind

Hard Candy Elephant Das Boot Hotel Rwanda Pi The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension

Avoid Tigerland unless you wish to see Colin Farrell's meep.

dent: Dude, don't watch the Station Agent - no matter who says it's good.

I dug this, it is worth watching.

I've thought long and hard about this question, and I can only come up with one really good answer, but it will seem like I'm being a non-specific doodyhead.

Just watch movies, watch as many as you can, watch both mainstream and fringe/foreign films. Don't buy the bullmeep that if it made outside of North America it is better (Bollywood=Exhibit A).

Watch bad movies, because a really bad movie is good in it's own right.

Don't listen to Wrecker about Tigerland and the Colin Farrel meep fixation. Tigerland is a great Vietnam war era film, that deals with honor and sacrifice, and how everyman faces that reality, if and when their time comes.

Perhaps Wrecker was confused with Mr. Farrell's meep appearance in Alexander or Home at the End of the World, because I don't re-Member that in Tigerland. And, even though Schumaker made Tigerland, it still turned out good.

Hey other recs:

Ginger Snaps May The Innocents Gods and Monsters Angelas Ashes

Like LordK recommended... Just take chances with some movies, both domestic and international. Some directors can really blow in one movie and hit it out of the park on the next.

Good luck, Grasshopper.

You guys are awesome, thanks! I already had "Sylvia" on my list to watch, so that is cool. LOVED "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", "Boogie Nights" (though I need to wait a LONG time between watchings because it makes me jones) (wait! not jones for porn! ha ha ha, you know...), and "Almost Famous". I am thinking it's going to take me a few months to get through these titles. I work a lot, but watching movies is part of my job... to be able to know what all is out there and what to recommend. Though most who call are pretty mainstream. Anyway, the titles you all suggested that I read synopsis on seem like stuff I would really enjoy. Ghost: you're right, I am sure I will love "24 Hour Party People" BTW, I saw "Brokeback Mountain" and it made me really sad. Besides not being able to understand Heath Ledgers' mumble most of the time, I really liked this movie. Ah, but I'm just a sentimental girrrrlrrllll!

ALSO! Really enjoyed "Rushmore", "Running with Scissors", "Leaving Las Vegas"... "Shortbus" will be watching soon.

What about "Requiem for a Dream"... that was some crazy meep meep... I'd like to watch that one again.

Good indies, there are so many.

Along with "Rushmore" (I must be one of only 100 people to have actually seen it in a theater on its release), any of Wes Anderson's movies are so much fun. "The Royal Tennebaums", "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou". Also, I have tended to enjoy almost every indie Bill Murray has done over the last decade, which includes, but is not limited to, most of the previous.

Find a director/actor you like, then use IMDB as your friend to fill out your want to see list. Also, for randomness sake, if you have cable, you can trip on some fun stuff on Independant Film Channel (IFC).

sadiesue: You guys are awesome, thanks! "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" "Boogie Nights" "Almost Famous" "24 Hour Party People" "Brokeback Mountain" "Rushmore" "Running with Scissors" "Leaving Las Vegas" "Requiem for a Dream"

Good foreign/indie picks, all.

vasudeva:

sadiesue: You guys are awesome, thanks! "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" "Boogie Nights" "Almost Famous" "24 Hour Party People" "Brokeback Mountain" "Rushmore" "Running with Scissors" "Leaving Las Vegas" "Requiem for a Dream"

Good foreign/indie picks, all.

SNITCH'D!

Lever: "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou"

I really liked that one. Lost in Translation was good to a point, then it just seemed tedious.

If you can find it, check out "Tom Horn"

Be sure to see Revenge Of The Living Dead Girls and report back to us about how badly it sucked.

LORDKAHUNA - Watch bad movies, because a really bad movie is good in it's own right.

PathFinder!

quote]freakmachine: Be sure to see Revenge Of The Living Dead Girls and report back to us about how badly it sucked.

HA HA HA... yes, will be sure to do that!

Watched "Shortbus" last night. Interesting... one of the characters looked a little like my ex (HA HA-James... ). I really liked the imagery in that film. How the city was a painting sometimes, sort of Van Gogh- like. Anyway... thanks ...

Shortbus: I conned dent into watching that one because someone conned me into watching it. Tee hee. Reacharound is fair play.

Pathfinder: the original Norwegian film (Ofelas) is quite good

^ "Reacharound is fair play"

HA HA HA funnnny. Oh, and changed my mind on the "Revenge of the Living Dead Girls". I CANNOT watch zombie movies, with the exception of "Shaun of the Dead" (one of my favorite films). I can't even play "Resident Evil" without being really meeping scared!

Here's the thing about zombie movies. They are not so much about the zombies as they are a study in human nature.

Try to watch Night of the Living Dead while keeping the above in mind and it will be an entirely new movie for you.

The Corporation Why We Fight Who Killed the Electirc Car Surf Nazis Must Die Bowling For Columbine A Day Without Mexicans Pi

Wrecker: Here's the thing about zombie movies. They are not so much about the zombies as they are a study in human nature. Try to watch Night of the Living Dead while keeping the above in mind and it will be an entirely new movie for you.

I can totally dig that. Zombies just freak me out. However, I will get up the nerve one day and watch Night of the Living Dead.... but I'm scared!!!

If you are going to see one movie this year it must be:

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes!

^ That is a must. Everyone should see that movie at least once in their lifetime!... Great, now that song is stuck in my head!

House of Flying Daggers Brick City of God Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Rushmore Thank You For Smoking The Notebook Pan's Labyrinth

A zombie film?

...

Shaun of the Dead :P

Spring,Summer,Fall,Winterand Spring

Brotherhood Of War

Baraka

Not independent/foriegn but meepin funny..... Grandmas Boy

Zael: Brick

Seconding this. This movie was fuking awesome.

vasudeva:

Zael: Brick

Seconding this. This movie was fuking awesome.

THIRDDDDDING

Vas gave it to me and I let it lapse in my movie watching queue, big meeping mistake.

re: Brick

you know the drill.

also seconding+++ children of men.

one of my favorite quotes about it, from the onion av club review:

Cuarn has created a dire warning of the world that could be, but he's also made a film about faith, love, sacrifice, and all the other hard-won virtues that keep the world alive. It's a heartbreaking, bullet-strewn valentine to what keeps us human.

<span class="post_was_edited">On 2007-05-23 at 10:24:07, mundhra craps monkey baby</span>

Party Monster

That movie once again is, PARTY MONSTER

Senor_Smoke: Spring,Summer,Fall,Winterand Spring Baraka

Withnail and I