Children of Men had a lot of good in it, but unfortunately the latter part of the movie dropped most of it and concentrated on killing people and cursing a lot. Bit of a disappointment, although I didn't really expect that much. The fact that this movie has an above average plot is mostly a statement on how low the average level is.
In the Pre 60's category, Team Yippie-Kay-Yay is very happy to select: The Bridge on the River Kwai
The film deals with the situation of British prisoners of war during World War II who are ordered to build a bridge to accommodate the Burma-Siam railway. Their instinct is to sabotage the bridge but, under the leadership of Colonel Nicholson, they are persuaded that the bridge should be constructed as a symbol of British morale, spirit and dignity in adverse circumstances. At first, the prisoners admire Nicholson when he bravely endures torture rather than compromise his principles for the benefit of the Japanese commandant Saito. He is an honorable but arrogant man, who is slowly revealed to be a deluded obsessive. He convinces himself that the bridge is a monument to British character, but actually is a monument to himself, and his insistence on its construction becomes a subtle form of collaboration with the enemy. Unknown to him, the Allies have sent a mission into the jungle, led by Warden and an American, Shears, to blow up the bridge.
Last edited by HalifaxDrunk; 09-13-2008 at 11:06 AM.
Hmm I have to disagree with Children of men, I think it is the weakest pick so far in the draft. Almost two hours of silly, flat story, countless plot holes and boredom.
Even Julianne Moore knew better and got herself shot couple of minutes into the movie.
This is coming from the team that picked Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels?
Well there go two of my Pre-60s picks back-to-back.
I was hoping It's A Wonderful Life would be forgotten about because it isn't Christmas time.
This year, when you watch it, be sure to play the It's A Wonderful Life drinking game. Take a drink every time someone says the word Mary/Merry/Marry. If you're not passed out before the final scene, you will be by the time George finishes running through Bedford Falls and comes home.
__________________
Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
I'll burn a wildcard with Into the Wild.\
Great soundtrack by Eddie Vedder and brilliant direction by Sean Penn. One of my favorite movies of the decade.
As our 9th round pick, Selfmade Heroes choose Bound (1996) in the Drama category.
A truly delicious bit of film noir, with all the best components: cool, sexy, nasty and with a deliciously tasty plot which twists and turns so beatifully I can't from the top of my head come up with even a single real comparison. The cast is great, camera work is beatiful (early Wachowski brothers, aka the Matrix guys) and everything just works. This movie rocks, big time. Without the lesbian sex this movie would propably be much more highly praised.
Trailer:
A selected scene. NSFW.
I'm going to loot IMDB commentary for this one (written by Maga):
"I cannot think of a film that creates a more elaborate and intelligent sequence of events than Bound. This leads to that and that leads to something else and that leads to this and so on. What is special about this film, is that everything is connected. This is not Tarantino nonsense, that has no point and simply tries to rely on gimmicks and witty dialog. This is a clever thriller. The story centers around Corky (Gina Gershon), Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), who in one way or another, are involved in a plan to scam the mob. Of course, scamming the mob is never a good idea. Issues of trust, loyalty, love, violence and everything else are covered. There are very arousing sex scenes and scenes of disturbing violence, utilizing pruning shears. All of it choreographed beautifully by two very talented brothers. However, it is Joe Pantoliano who steals the show. He plays a wiseguy that gets caught in a downward spiral that can only finish one way, but he does his best to delay it. How he was omitted by the Academy is beyond me. What Hollywood films in the last ten years can you reel off that were nearly as clever as this film? Yeah, I thought so. **** out of ****, a simply brilliant motion picture."
Team That's What She Said is proud to select in the Comedy category, the Kevin Smith classic Dogma.
This is one of my absolute fave Kevin Smith movies - touching as it does on a subject capable of inspiring some of the worst and best in humanity....religion. With an all-star cast, some excellent writing and even a little hockey flavour, this movie is a must-see for the uninitated.
YouTube goodies:
The trailer...
Meet Jesus "Buddy" Christ
Bethany meets the Metatron
Idolators.....Damon & Affleck are awesome here...
And the requisite Jay & Silent Bob appearance
Roger Ebert described it best perhaps in his review of the film: "Kevin Smith has made a movie that reflects the spirit in which many Catholics regard their church. He has positioned his comedy on the balance line between theological rigidity and secular reality, which is where so many Catholics find themselves. He deals with eternal questions in terms of flawed characters who live now, today, in an imperfect world.
Those whose approach to religion is spiritual will have little trouble with "Dogma," because they will understand the characters as imperfect, sincere, clumsy seekers trying to do the right thing. Those who see religion more as a team, a club, a hobby or a pressure group are going to be upset. This movie takes theological matters out of the hands of "spokesmen" and entrusts them to--well, the unwashed. And goes so far as to suggest that God loves them. And is a Canadian."
Team That's What She Said is proud to select in the Comedy category, the Kevin Smith classic Dogma.
This is one of my absolute fave Kevin Smith movies - touching as it does on a subject capable of inspiring some of the worst and best in humanity....religion. With an all-star cast, some excellent writing and even a little hockey flavour, this movie is a must-see for the uninitated.
I really should see this movie again. Some of those youtube clips make it look better than I remembered. There's another KS movie I liked much better (and it still hasn't been picked yet.)
With the next selection in the Foreign category, coming all the way from England, Monty Pythons Like of Brian
Brian is born in a stable on Christmas, right next to You Know Who. The wise men appear and begin to distribute gifts. The star moves further, so they take it all back and move on. This is how Brian's life goes. The Jews are looking for a release from the Romans, Spiritual and political decay, keep looking for signs and a group decides Brian is the Messiah. He cannot convince them he is not. He joins the Peoples' Front of Judea, one of several dozen separatist groups who actually do nothing, but really hate the Romans. While not about Jesus, it is about those who hadn't time, or interest to listen to his message.
I really should see this movie again. Some of those youtube clips make it look better than I remembered. There's another KS movie I liked much better (and it still hasn't been picked yet.)
Lots of good picks lately, people.
Great movie.
I particularly enjoy watching Matt Damon, Jason Lee and Chris Rock in it.
Oh, and Salma Hayek too.
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
George Carlin was awesome. As Troy McClure would say: "It's the role he was meant to play, baby!"
While reading Kevin Smith's memorial to Carlin, he spoke about promising to write him a role that Carlin considered his dream role.....as a preist who strangles children. While not a subject that initially seems like it would inspire humor - one can only imagine just how funny it would be with Carlin and Smith combining on the project.
a role that Carlin considered his dream role.....as a preist who strangles children
Things like this have always made me wonder what possessed him to choose some of his other roles, such as the altruistic character he played in the Bill and Ted movies or the conductor on the children's program Thomas the Tank Engine (although I never actually watched any of the train show - maybe it was just billed as kids' fare and in reality was infinitely more warped). I think that's what drew me to George Carlin, though; as acerbic and twisted as he could be you could tell that at his core he was just a big softie. Odd combination, but it worked.
With the next selection in the Foreign category, coming all the way from England, Monty Pythons Like of Brian
As you probably all could have guessed this was on my radar too. One of my favourite 'silly' movies but Holy Grail just beats this one out and was my required Python pick.
I know there's a lot of movies to be updated but please commish...could you please post some of the picks on the draft board... I was trying to find out if my next pick is at all available and here's hoping against hope that it still is, so here goes...
...with the next pick in the Drama category, team Snoogans chooses Traffic.
Awesome pick. This was going to be my next pick and I hoped it would be forgotten until then. Guess not! Great movie.
Ditto! This was literally the pick I would've made last night had SOMEBODY *cough HD cough* not gotten there just a few picks ahead of me....excellent pick, wish I could've made it!
