Recommended Films

[cheifo]

If Javier Bardem and his amazing performing hair dont win an Oscar, I'll eat my own mickey.

:D:D LOL Can we hold you to that BV?
Yeh great performance.

[Bondvillain]

Is it perhaps too late to point out that "Mickey" is a popular brand of Slovakian Cookies, of which I have a single one left in my press?

[placid casual]

all the talk is of dan day lewis walking away with the best actor awards for his role in the paul anderson film "there will be blood"
bardem is a good actor.really liked him in the one about the disabled guy who wants to die.cant remeber the name of the film tho.

[Bondvillain]

bardem is a good actor.really liked him in the one about the disabled guy who wants to die.cant remeber the name of the film tho.

The Sea Inside

[geysir]

was that the woody harrleson character? he was good alrite. thought he was the only likeable guy in it.

Give the storyline to some one else and you would have had a TLJ US Marshall helicopters galore splash.
It's not about likable characters but excellent characterizations of people in unusual circumstances. However the hunted man didn't have to go back to the scene for "unfinished business", his sense of duty was strong.
The characterizations in the scenes where people are responding to unusual situations, the shopkeepers, the border guard, the 3 young men to the injured hunted, the 2 kids to the man with the bottle, all are superb.

The film makes an initial mark and then grows, then more questions come and then demands to be watched again.

[John83]

Is it perhaps too late to point out that "Mickey" is a popular brand of Slovakian Cookies, of which I have a single one left in my press?
The guy who works opposite me in the office me is Slovakian. He's never heard of these cookies. If I had a penny for every time someone tried to back out of an arrangement for self-mutilation and cannibalism...

[Bondvillain]

The guy who works opposite me in the office me is Slovakian. He's never heard of these cookies. If I had a penny for every time someone tried to back out of an arrangement for self-mutilation and cannibalism...

*George W Bush defence*

I meant Slovenian.

[micls]

Didn't want to start a new thread but are there any Sports movies people would highly recommend?

[John83]

Didn't want to start a new thread but are there any Sports movies people would highly recommend?
They're all rubbish, but some are more entertaining than others.
Any Given Sunday is a decent American football film starring Al Pacino and Cameron Diaz. Escape to Victory is silly fun.

[pete]

If Javier Bardem and his amazing performing hair dont win an Oscar, I'll eat my own mickey.

Hopefully he wins that award as I don't think anyone wants you eat that.

[Bondvillain]

Hopefully he wins that award as I don't think anyone wants you eat that.

You're right. It would be selfish of me to deprive so many people. :D

[Bondvillain]

Anyway, Watchable sports movies

Baseball : Bull Durham, Field of Dreams*, The Natural*

American Football : The longest Yard (Reynolds, not sandler), Any Given Sunday, The last Boy Scout (Kinda)

Horse Racing : Phar Lap , Murphys stroke, Seabiscuit*

Nascar : Talladega Nights.

Basketball : Best Shot*, Hoop Dreams, Space Jam. (It has Marvin the Martian in it. Automatic A+)

Boxing Movies : Cinderella Man* , Raging Bull, Midnight Sting (Coolest. Sports movie. Ever.)

Football : Escape to Victory, Shaolin Soccer, The prisoner's pitchside Commentary Scenes from "Mean Machine"

(Rule of Thumb for football movies - Avoid anything starring Northern English actors who say "lad" a lot : Jimmy Grimble, When Saturday Comes, Goal! or anything featuring American 'Comedians' who say "saccer" a lot : Ladybugs, the Big green, Kicking and screaming)

Not an exhaustive list, but should keep you going.



(*High Sugar content. Avoid if Diabetic)

[tetsujin1979]

American Football : The longest Yard (Reynolds, not sandler), Any Given Sunday, The last Boy Scout (Kinda)
Add Friday Night Lights to that list. Top film.
Haven't seen much of the TV series spinoff, but I hear good things about it.

[deecay]

Malcolm X,I would say the best film ive ever seen apart from a bit to much of a love story.193 mins long

[Aberdonian Stu]

For sports movies I'd add Rocky and Rocky Balboa to the list but would ignore the 4 in between, although Rocky III has moments of sheer comedy gold.

Also Blue Chips is a great basketball movie with Nick Nolte. If you count pool, which I do, then The Hustler is a classic. I've never seen Slap Shot, which like The Hustler stars Paul Newman, but I've only heard great things about it.

[Risteard]

Loved the Mighty Ducks when I was about 10.

Million Dollar Baby is very good.

[osarusan]

Boxing - The Harder They Fall. A brilliant film with Bogart.

[Billsthoughts]

Give the storyline to some one else and you would have had a TLJ US Marshall helicopters galore splash.
It's not about likable characters but excellent characterizations of people in unusual circumstances. However the hunted man didn't have to go back to the scene for "unfinished business", his sense of duty was strong.
The characterizations in the scenes where people are responding to unusual situations, the shopkeepers, the border guard, the 3 young men to the injured hunted, the 2 kids to the man with the bottle, all are superb.

The film makes an initial mark and then grows, then more questions come and then demands to be watched again.

actually your right. it was a steaming pile of pretentious ****.

[onceahoop]

They're all rubbish, but some are more entertaining than others.
Any Given Sunday is a decent American football film starring Al Pacino and Cameron Diaz. Escape to Victory is silly fun.

It's a long time since I watched it but Any Given Sunday was excellent. A great scene where Pacino gives the most brilliant motivational team talk.

Enjoyed Field of Dreams also

[cheifo]

Boxing - The Harder They Fall. A brilliant film with Bogart.

Agreed, really enjoyed that.There is another excellant B+W boxing film -cant remember what it is called for the life of me.
This Sporting Life is a good yarn.
Must google Midnight Sting.Have'nt heard that one.
Suprised by some peoples reaction to No Country for Old Men.Did'nt think it was in any way abstract...just a damn good film but different folks..different strokes.Was reading about the"clever marketing"(like Blair witch Project its secrective marketing strategy is designed to appeal to peoples curiousity) for forthcoming "Blockbuster" Cloverfield.Apparantly there is a huge big monster in it that tears the Head of the Statue of Liberty..which is a bit rude if you ask me.

[geysir]

Popcorn time on Film Four last night, they showed Two Lane Blacktop from 1971 as well as another screening of Infernal Affairs.

In 2 Lane, I had forgotten about the mechanics compulsion to clean the jets every 10 minutes, solved all engine tuning issues.

[bennocelt]

Loved the Mighty Ducks when I was about 10.

Million Dollar Baby is very good.

yeah if you like sentimental dross, which Clint does very well
It doesnt even stand up as a realistic boxing movie:(

Raging Bull is the best:)

[Bondvillain]

Agreed, really enjoyed that.There is another excellant B+W boxing film -cant remember what it is called for the life of me.


There's a few!

Ignoring the original "Champ" with Wallace Beery, which has classic status, but has not aged well due to it's high sugar content, The Set up is the main one, starring Robert Ryan (From the Wild Bunch & the Dirty Dozen) as a fighter who's past his prime (a la "Rocky Balboa") who gets one last shot, not knowing that the mob have bet heavily on a result that dosent tally with the one Ryan is going all-out to get. Probably the best of the film noir boxing movies, and is notable for being shot in 'real time' - 72 minutes of movie = 72 minutes of actual life.

John Garfield's Body and Soul is another that has the "washed up fighter crosses organized criminals" motif, but is nonetheless very good, if a little stagey.

Kirk Douglas featured in Ring Lardiner's Champion the fictionalized story of Irish American boxer Midge Kelly. Champion was nominated for 6 oscars & won one, and is an early ( albeit very mild ) prototype for Raging Bull, with its in depth character backgrounds and organised crime overtones.

Moving into the colour era, The Great White Hope with James Earl Jones ( NOT the Great white Hype with Damon Wayans. 2 decent jokes does not a decent comedy make) Fat City with Stacey Keach and the Ali Documentary "When We were Kings" are all worth watching, as is the Ali movie itself, if only for Jon Voight as Cosell and to see Will Smith not ACT as Ali, but rather give a flawless impersonation of him. Great, if impersonations are your thing...


Regarding Midnight sting, it's an extremely knowing nod to the old days of 'sporting shyster' movies, reminiscent at times of "The Sting" but with many genuinely thrilling scenes, and many more laugh-out-loud moments.

The pitch perfect casting helps, James Woods is the fresh-out-of-jail con man/ promoter stuck in a hillbilly town, forced to organise a boxing match to pay off a debt, Oliver Platt his equally loose-moraled sidekick, Louis Gosset Jr escaped from the never ending conveyor belt of Iron Eagle sequels just long enough to put in a cracking performance as Wood's chosen gladiatior, 'nearly-was' Prizefighter Honey Roy Palmer, and Bruce Dern epitomises raw, inbred evil as the Patriarch of the small southern town where Woods has been bullied into staging the impossible debt-clearing bout.

Even the smaller parts are filled to perfection, Heather Graham is devestatingly cute in an early role as a southern Girl-Next-door type, the Coen brothers favourite muscleman Randall Tex Cobb makes a brief appearance to establish the plot, and Jim Caviezel features in only his second movie as a hick towndweller.

It's funny, it's cheeky, and although the Fight scenes are brilliantly choreographed, it's light & doesnt take itself too seriously. Well worth a look. (Try searching for Diggstown - it suffered an unfortunate name change to Midnight Sting over here as us idiot European folk would have obviously thought it was a bleak mining town drama..)

[Only1Rovers]

Dont know if this film has been mentioned before on this threat,

but I rented Days of Glory a few days ago.

Its a cracker, about soldiers from North Africa enlisting to fight for the French army during WWI.

Some fanstastic acting (althought it is subtitled, making harder to identify dodgy acting) and good action.

its available from Xtra-Vision & Chartbuster. It was nominated for best foreign language film at the Acadamy Awards but lost out to The Lives of Others.

The movie deals with the discrimination that Algerian Soldiers suffered from the French during the war, this discrimination continued preventing North African Soldiers being paid their army pentions, until the French Authorities watched the film. All soldiers were payed the pensions including back-pay - following the release of the film.

[jebus]

Just watched No Country for Old Men, great story, acting and movie, highly, highly recommended

[Neish]

Dont know if this film has been mentioned before on this threat,

but I rented Days of Glory a few days ago.

Its a cracker, about soldiers from North Africa enlisting to fight for the French army during WWI.

Some fanstastic acting (althought it is subtitled, making harder to identify dodgy acting) and good action.

its available from Xtra-Vision & Chartbuster. It was nominated for best foreign language film at the Acadamy Awards but lost out to The Lives of Others.

The movie deals with the discrimination that Algerian Soldiers suffered from the French during the war, this discrimination continued preventing North African Soldiers being paid their army pentions, until the French Authorities watched the film. All soldiers were payed the pensions including back-pay - following the release of the film.

Seen it a couple of weeks ago, best film I saw it a good bit.

Rented The Bourne Ultimatum on friday probably my least favourite of the 3 but still a good show

[cheifo]

Thanks for that BV.The set up is the film I was thinking about.Must track down Midnight Sting.When James Woods is on form he is capable of putting in a very good performance particularly in man on the edge scenario.Salvador was a fantastic performance and Oliver Stones best film IMO(would'nt be hard a lot of people would say).
Saw Two Days in Paris last night.Not my type of thing to be honest but had me laughing in parts.

[pete]

Looking forward to No Country for Old Men but because of the hype will probably be disappointed.

Seen it now & excellent film & a must see.

It is not often that they live up to such hype but best film I have seen in years. If Bardem does not walk away with every award going I will be surprised. The lack of any soundtrack really works & adds to atmosphere.

Without giving anything away the best scenes are gas station dialog & waiting in the hotel room.

[cheifo]

Sorry but forgot to acknowlege BV,s reference to The Wild Bunch.What a fantastic film from opening shot to the best shootout ever seen on Celluloid.

[Bottle of Tonic]

Seen it now & excellent film & a must see.

It is not often that they live up to such hype but best film I have seen in years. If Bardem does not walk away with every award going I will be surprised. The lack of any soundtrack really works & adds to atmosphere.

Without giving anything away the best scenes are gas station dialog & waiting in the hotel room.

Really looking forward to seeing this. Looks like a proper Cohen brothers film as oppossed to that horsedung last couple they brought out.

No soundtrack? Interesting. A major part of plenty other of their flicks.

[DIFChick]

I second pete's post. At times the film almost seems like a silent movie.

Myself and the boyfriend loved it, deserves one or two Oscars no doubt. The guy to my right and his girlfriend thought it was absolute tripe, worst film they'd seen in a long time. The guy who sat next to my boyfriend actually fell asleep. Bored? Hard day at work? Sleep depraved?

Anyway, also managed to see Sweeney Todd which was OK. I'd prefer Sleepy Hollow for horror. If you don't like musicals then Sweeney Todd is not for you.

[biscuit]

Don't know if anyone mentioned Remember the Titans, He got Game or the Hurricane(kinda a sports movie but more a story)
3 great movies from one of my fave all time actors denzel washington.... Man on Fire and malcolm X 2 other mentions for him also amongst others

[geysir]

One film that got such a hammering from the critics was The Good German, (a film noir set in Berlin in the immediate aftermath of WW2) that I didn't watch it until a few nights ago. It's in B&W and done using 1940 equipment and cinematic techniques.
I was immediatly won over by the casting of superhero Toby Maguire in the role of a GI scúmbag, poor acting but great casting. The mood has a definite feel of The Third Man about it.
A very good film.
Like NCFOM I'll be watching this one a number of times

[John83]

The guy who sat next to my boyfriend actually fell asleep... Sleep depraved?
What, he sleeps with a sheep on a bed of human skulls?

[shakermaker1982]

went to see Charlie Wilson's War (deal I made with the missus if she'd go see Jesse James) and it was pretty average. If you like the West Wing (Sorkin script) then you'll probably rate this, easy watch and only 97 minutes long. No Country for Old Men is next on the list and I cannot wait. Cloverfield got a 5 * review in EMPIRE Mag so I'm expecting big things.....then again they did give Superman returns a 5* review so who knows?!

[pete]

I second pete's post. At times the film almost seems like a silent movie.

Myself and the boyfriend loved it, deserves one or two Oscars no doubt. The guy to my right and his girlfriend thought it was absolute tripe, worst film they'd seen in a long time. The guy who sat next to my boyfriend actually fell asleep. Bored? Hard day at work? Sleep depraved?

Maybe he should have gone to Aliens vs. Predator as he might have got some explosions to keep him awake. While movie is quiet I don't think fair to say a slow movie as plot moves along. Some people obviously annoyed with ending though...

[Bondvillain]

http://www.oscars.org/80academyawards/nominees/index.html

Oscar noms out. Bardem Nominated. My Mickey is safe for another couple of weeks.

[geysir]

NCFOM receive a nomination for sound editing and sound mixing. :)
Makes sense, you become acutely aware of every little movement made in that film.

I see Irish cinematograper Seamus McGarvey has a nomination in cinematography for Atonement. I would make all those who don't vote for it eat their own mickeys.

[Stuttgart88]

It's not current but I saw "The Lives of Others" on SKY Box Office recently and thought it was superb, a really great film.

[geysir]

It's not current but I saw "The Lives of Others" on SKY Box Office recently and thought it was superb, a really great film.
A movie buff Stutts?
Already mentioned here and well recommended. It won an oscar last year for best foreign film, it was made in 2006 but didn´t get released until 2007 in many places and the Americans will probably want to butcher the masterpiece and do a remake.

[TonyD]

http://www.oscars.org/80academyawards/nominees/index.html

Oscar noms out. Bardem Nominated. My Mickey is safe for another couple of weeks.

I haven't seen the other performances nominated, but it should be some scrap between Barden and Philip Seymour Hoffman for the Oscar as best supporting actor. Hoffman is superb in Charlie Wilsons war, and Barden is too in NCFOM.

[pete]

There Will Be Blood is getting rave reviews especially Daniel Day-Lewis's performance.

Even though I have not seen a lot of the films seems to be a good selection this year.

[gilberto_eire]

Watched Hot Rod tonight funniest film ive seen in a LONG time and im not easily impressed in the comedy sector!!

Will Ferrell was listed as an executive producer and it a real ''Anchorman'' ,''Old School'' feel to it, would recommend it if you like his work!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0787475/

[DIFChick]

What, he sleeps with a sheep on a bed of human skulls?

Ah sure here John! The minute I posted that line I knew it was wrong but there's no edit button, so perverted snoozer he will have to remain.

Tragic news about Heath Ledger. I will observe his interpretation of the Joker with mixed emotions. By the looks of the trailers job well done by Ledger. RIP

[cheifo]

Watched The lives of Others based on the recommendation of quite a few of this thread.Find it hard not to go over the top in my praise.I had forgotten how much of a reward you can get from just watching a film.The end shot had me smiling warmly at the screen.The EG minister was repulsive with no redeeming features.I would guess any women watching it would have found him even motre so.Quality.

[gilberto_eire]

Ah sure here John! The minute I posted that line I knew it was wrong but there's no edit button, so perverted snoozer he will have to remain.

Tragic news about Heath Ledger. I will observe his interpretation of the Joker with mixed emotions. By the looks of the trailers job well done by Ledger. RIP

Was just thinking this earlier, Is filming complete?.
If not they would have to re-shoot the whole film?

[passinginterest]

Was just thinking this earlier, Is filming complete?.
If not they would have to re-shoot the whole film?

Pretty sure it was completed long ago. They're just still editing it. He was in the middle of shooting another film. Sad loss, he was a good actor and early reports about his performance as the joker are excellent.

[Stuttgart88]

A movie buff Stutts?
Already mentioned here and well recommended.

I only just noticed this thread!

[Angus]

Don't know if anyone mentioned Remember the Titans, He got Game or the Hurricane(kinda a sports movie but more a story)
3 great movies from one of my fave all time actors denzel washington.... Man on Fire and malcolm X 2 other mentions for him also amongst others

Remember the Titans is on tonithg methinks and is pretty good. It gets a bit sugary at the end when we all love each other but good nonethless

[Bondvillain]

Was just thinking this earlier, Is filming complete?.
If not they would have to re-shoot the whole film?



Pretty sure it was completed long ago. They're just still editing it. He was in the middle of shooting another film. Sad loss, he was a good actor and early reports about his performance as the joker are excellent.

It is complete, and having the final touches put to the audio. Guy Pearce has been suggested as replacement vocal dubbing artist should overdubs be required, due to his accent, and his friendship with Ledger & Director Christopher Nolan.

Anyway, we now know (From Brandon Lee in "The Crow" and Oliver Reed in "Gladiator" ) that the death of a leading actor is no major hiccup in Hollywood as long as the budget is big enough. Digital actors work for less than union rates in Hollywood Blockbusters. (Ok, that's Facetious : Lee had only one scene left to shoot, and Reed had only reaction shots to film at time of death, but you know what I mean...)

The film in trouble is Terry Gilliam's "Doctor Parnassus" movie, a "Baron Munchausen / Brothers Grimm" style fantasy in which Ledger was to have had a major role alongside Christopher Plummer. Principal filming had begun, and much of the budget was secured on the presence of the now sadly departed Ledger.

Back to the drawing board for Terry Gilliam, it seems..no such 'digital leeway' for him. (Gilliam doesn't have much luck with Movie projects, really. If this is cancelled, it'll be shutdown number 4 for him, and the second - after Jean Rochefort passed away during Don Quixote - to be cancelled after the death of an Actor...)