I don't think a thread like this has been done in at least a few years. So here are a few film recommendations. Just a note, several of these films can be spoiled by certain scenes - and unfortunately, in all cases, the scenes from the third act are usually the best. The clips I am posting are minor spoilers but don't reveal any critical details of the main plot.
1. Vertigo
Retired Detective Scotty (James Stewart) who suffers from vertigo is tasked with following Madeleine (Kim Novak), the wife of his former superior on the force. She has been possessed by her suicidal ancestor Carlotta Valdez, and her personality intermittently takes ahold of her.
It's an art film, many silent segments, lots of visual storytelling, and plenty of innuendoes. You'll also notice some clever usage of the colour green (a play on the French "vert").
2. Children of Men
A post-apocalyptic film where a no child has been born in the last 18 years. This results in massive social disorder throughout the world, and governments begin to collapse. The UK is one of the last surviving stable nations, but it is collapsing.
There are a lot of shots that are several minutes, some of the most brilliantly done to this very day in cinema. Like vertigo, lots of visual storytelling.
3. Goodfellas
A rise and fall story based around a mafia associated New York City gang. Three friends called the "goodfellas" climb the ladder. At first it's all fun and games, people taking what they want, but then the lights begin to darken as murder becomes a part of their game.
It's gritty, dark, a fun film for people of all ages; I think Vertigo and Children of Men you might need to be more experienced in life to appreciate - the rare younger person may love it, but not fully understand why; Goodfellas is all around fun. I hesitated to put this one up in case we've all seen it, but just in case you haven't...
4. Casablanca
Set in the Moroccan city of the film's namesake, French and Germans occupy a bar run by Rick (Bogart), an American. A wanted resistance leader named Victor Laszlo and his wife Ilsa are present at the bar: Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) had a prior relationship with Rick.
The film was released in 1942, some of the emotions of people are genuine given their country at the time of filming had been recently occupied by the Nazis. There are personifications of factions: Rick is the neutral US, Victor is the resistance, Renault is Vichy France, and Strasser is Nazi Germany.
5. Rear Window
Jeffries (played by Jimmy Stewart) is a photographer who broke his leg and is confined to home. During a summer heatwave, all of his neighbours in the building behind have left their windows open for him to spy on them. He is dating a fashion model, Lisa (Grace Kelly), whose love for Jeffries is not reciprocated, until she gets involved in his increasing delusions and suspicions of murder.
Rear Window is one of the most fun films ever made. Enough of a mix of mystery, dark comedy, and style for an entire Simpsons episode to be made out of it.
1. Vertigo
Retired Detective Scotty (James Stewart) who suffers from vertigo is tasked with following Madeleine (Kim Novak), the wife of his former superior on the force. She has been possessed by her suicidal ancestor Carlotta Valdez, and her personality intermittently takes ahold of her.
It's an art film, many silent segments, lots of visual storytelling, and plenty of innuendoes. You'll also notice some clever usage of the colour green (a play on the French "vert").
2. Children of Men
A post-apocalyptic film where a no child has been born in the last 18 years. This results in massive social disorder throughout the world, and governments begin to collapse. The UK is one of the last surviving stable nations, but it is collapsing.
There are a lot of shots that are several minutes, some of the most brilliantly done to this very day in cinema. Like vertigo, lots of visual storytelling.
3. Goodfellas
A rise and fall story based around a mafia associated New York City gang. Three friends called the "goodfellas" climb the ladder. At first it's all fun and games, people taking what they want, but then the lights begin to darken as murder becomes a part of their game.
It's gritty, dark, a fun film for people of all ages; I think Vertigo and Children of Men you might need to be more experienced in life to appreciate - the rare younger person may love it, but not fully understand why; Goodfellas is all around fun. I hesitated to put this one up in case we've all seen it, but just in case you haven't...
4. Casablanca
Set in the Moroccan city of the film's namesake, French and Germans occupy a bar run by Rick (Bogart), an American. A wanted resistance leader named Victor Laszlo and his wife Ilsa are present at the bar: Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) had a prior relationship with Rick.
The film was released in 1942, some of the emotions of people are genuine given their country at the time of filming had been recently occupied by the Nazis. There are personifications of factions: Rick is the neutral US, Victor is the resistance, Renault is Vichy France, and Strasser is Nazi Germany.
5. Rear Window
Jeffries (played by Jimmy Stewart) is a photographer who broke his leg and is confined to home. During a summer heatwave, all of his neighbours in the building behind have left their windows open for him to spy on them. He is dating a fashion model, Lisa (Grace Kelly), whose love for Jeffries is not reciprocated, until she gets involved in his increasing delusions and suspicions of murder.
Rear Window is one of the most fun films ever made. Enough of a mix of mystery, dark comedy, and style for an entire Simpsons episode to be made out of it.
