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Reload this Page 15 Movie Recommendations – for Various Reasons
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15 Movie Recommendations – for Various Reasons

Posted 07-17-2012 at 04:21 PM by KageNoKensai
Updated 07-17-2012 at 04:28 PM by KageNoKensai
I was thinking of which movies to recommend to people who wanted to have a marathon of different stuff. Well, here’s a short list. I watched most of them in full; some not at all. But I’ll give my reasons why I want to recommend them.

From the Books – The books from which these movies are based, by the way, are books that I have yet to read.

Silence of the Lambs
Spoiler
The sequel Hannibal was grisly fun, but its psychological facet and story pales in comparison to the multi award-winning Silence of the Lambs. An FBI agent barely out of the academy is sent to enlist the aid of Hannibal “the Cannibal,” a brilliant psychologist and serial murderer who sometimes devoured parts of his victims. They are trying to track down another serial killer, labeled “Buffalo Bill,” and are pressured to do it fast before Bill kills his next abducted victim, the daughter of a Senator.

Few actors could have portrayed Hannibal Lecter as wonderfully as Anthony Hopkins did in this film, and his psyche profile is still one of my favorites years after watching it the first time.
The Godfather
Spoiler
I refrained from watching The Godfather when a friend and colleague got his hands on a DVD. That was a mistake. Honest, brutal, classy, and solid, The Godfather is a very good way to kill about three hours of your time. I’m still hunting for the book.
Interview with the Vampire
Spoiler
I haven’t read its book and I haven’t watched the movie. So why am I recommending it? Because the author of the book herself said that while she did not think Tom Cruise was suitable for the lead role, the actor performed wonderfully and the movie itself was sufficient canon material. I’ve read the next two books in line (The Vampire Lestat and Queen of the Damned), and if author Ann Rice approves of this film, then I certainly approve of it too. Btw, Twilight fanboys and girls, try this movie out.


Slice of Life, or movies with a laid-back feel

Everyone's Fine
Spoiler
A widower’s kids all have stuff to do on Christmas, so they can’t spend it with him this season. He decides to take an impromptu trip to go to them instead, one by one. As he takes his trip he learns more and more about the nature of his own relationships with his children, his connection with them, and ultimately the tragedy that prevented them from seeing him this time around.

Now, if you’re looking for action, thrilling suspense, or psychological brilliance, this film will bore you to death. Otherwise, if you want to just sit back and watch Robert DeNiro deliver his usual great acting and discover a bit about the life of his character, this film is pretty neat. I particularly like how subtle everything is, and the point where DeNiro helps a troubled teen and the teen tries to steal from him instead. I also liked how they portrayed DeNiro’s realizations through scenes where they were all sitting around a party table, DeNiro already old while his children still kids and telling him everything they couldn’t as they were growing up.

Again, a word of caution. This sort of film takes a particular mood to be able to sit through and actually appreciate. Most younger teens probably won’t be able to stand it. Lol.
You Don't Know Jack
Spoiler
I agree with Jack. Eutanasia should be made a free choice, but the moral lines blur when it’s time to say who should stay or go, who has the right to say so, and whether he’s right or wrong.

The story follows a doctor who advocates euthanasia or assisted suicide and actually administers euthanasia to willing patients. A controversial man in the middle of a controversial issue, Jack is a very unique and interesting individual, and the fact that Al Pacino plays the role adds that much more to it. Based on a true story.
Bucket List
Spoiler
Two old guys got only months left and are dying from cancer. One of them is filthy rich.

So they set out to do everything they wanted to do in their lives before they kicked the bucket. The movie is led by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson – well, in the acting department, you know you’re covered. As for the story, well it’s a lighthearted adventure of fun that ends with cancer ultimately prevailing. Melancholy, but inspirational too.
The World's Greatest Dad
Spoiler
Robin Williams is one of the old-school comic greats in my book. Playing the role of the World’s Greatest Dad is perfect for him, because it’s quite different from his previous roles making people laugh. It’s a dark comedy about a father trying to raise a vastly different son while living his life as a poetry professor and trying to get laid.

Okay, it’s not as simple as that. But it is. But it’s not. Great stuff, really. I’m always in the mood for dark humor.


With a Religious Twist

Devil's Advocate
Spoiler
Al Pacino as Lucifer himself. Brilliant. The metaphor about lawyers and devils also played into the plot real well. What else can I say but GO AND WATCH IT. You get to see Neo fight Satan, too. Lol.

Dogma
Spoiler
Why I missed this lovely piece of Hollywood satire for years, I’ll never know. A friend recommended it, and I’m eternally grateful. Dogma follows two fallen angels on their ridiculous quest to try and reenter heaven through any means necessary.


A Pscyhological Jumpstart

Shutter Island
Spoiler

This movie is also based on a book, but I put it here because it heavily uses clinical psychology elements – right down to the setting of the film: Shutter Island, a remote piece of rock reserved for the insane. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this movie, his third film working with genius director Martin Scorcese.

The ending was a bit predictable, but a sudden twist redeemed the entire story. I personally liked the dream sequences and the flashbacks to World War II.
Inception
Spoiler
Director Christopher Nolan got my attention with Batman Begins, and made me a Joker fan with Dark Knight. In Inception, he just made me a plain Nolan fan. Starring DiCaprio (again) and a flurry of actors and actresses that Nolan had worked with on other projects (like Michael Caine), Inception is a stunning dream of a movie. Pun intended.

I won't even put in the effort to explain this sh*t. It's that complex. lol


Senseless, but Stunning Action

Equilibrium
Spoiler
Memorable particularly and primarily for its fictitious Gun Kata martial art, the action sequences in Equilibrium made it a cult classic the way Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction was made a cult classic by his style of direction.

The storyline itself was decent but not really memorable nor deep. But yeah, Gun Kata kicks serious ass.
Ong Bak 2
Spoiler
I didn’t even have subtitles on when I watched this, but who cares? The action sequences are the sh*t. Never got the chance to watch Ong Bak 1 or the succeeding 3 (is there a 4?), but I would damn well want to get my hands on a DVD. Perhaps with English subtitle this time.


Comedy that's ROFL Funny

Tropic Thunder
Spoiler
A star-studded cast tries to shoot the most expensive war movie ever made in Vietnam.

Recommended by a friend, this is the first comedy film that made me want to watch it again right after seeing it the first time. Ben Stiller’s brand of comedy has sent me in stitches ever since in other films and skits (like the ones he appeared in on SNL), and even the simple punch lines on films like Megamind. It also doesn’t hurt that I can relate to the war films Tropic Thunder was trying to pay homage to.
South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut
Spoiler
Well. It’s South Park. What do you want? “F*ck your f*cking face, Unlce-F*cker!” Man that song was stuck in my head for days after watching this. Now I know South Park’s brand of comedy isn’t something everyone can stomach, but for people who can (y’know, the same people who ROFL at Happy Tree Friends), South Park is just WIN all around.

Quote:
Stan: "Chef, how do you make a woman like you more than any other guy?"
Chef: "Oh, that's easy! You just gotta find the clitoris!"
Stan: "Huh?"
Chef: "Whoops!!"
Stan: "What does that mean? Find the clitoris?"
Chef: "Uh….uh…forget I said anything!!"

Stan: "You guys!....Do you know where I can find the clitoris?"
Kyle: "The what?"
Cartman: "What? Is that like finding Jesus or something?"


Well, that's it for now. What do you think? Are these movies worth watching?
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Comments

  1. Old Comment
    Vongola X's Avatar
    Ong Bak is awesome
    Comment with Quote permalink
    Posted 07-17-2012 at 05:46 PM by Vongola X Vongola X is offline
  2. Old Comment
    Anime_L0v3r_94's Avatar
    I saw Dogma with a friend. It was watchable, it wasn't really that bad really, it was a pretty funny movie for most parts..but it was pretty twisted in it's own way. But it's worth watching though
    Comment with Quote permalink
    Posted 07-17-2012 at 06:03 PM by Anime_L0v3r_94 Anime_L0v3r_94 is offline
  3. Old Comment
    PhiBrainChild's Avatar
    Okay, I'll tell you one thing. Senseless and Equilibrium definitely doesn't go together. Have you ever watched Equilibrium? I don't think it's that hard to get the plot and it's not senseless at all. Tho I agree with you on the action part.
    Comment with Quote permalink
    Posted 07-17-2012 at 07:04 PM by PhiBrainChild PhiBrainChild is offline
  4. Old Comment
    Pad Frank's Avatar
    I've seen most of them
    Good list!
    Comment with Quote permalink
    Posted 07-17-2012 at 07:32 PM by Pad Frank Pad Frank is offline
  5. Old Comment
    KageNoKensai's Avatar
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by PhiBrainChild View Comment
    Okay, I'll tell you one thing. Senseless and Equilibrium definitely doesn't go together. Have you ever watched Equilibrium? I don't think it's that hard to get the plot and it's not senseless at all. Tho I agree with you on the action part.
    About 12 times.
    I might have misused "senseless" - but I was mostly referring to the depth of the plot. I think replacing it with "shallow" or something similar will work, but will still carry with it a negative connotation, so I'll just stick with senseless.
    Comment with Quote permalink
    Posted 07-18-2012 at 12:53 AM by KageNoKensai KageNoKensai is offline
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