Off the top of my head. I’m sure there are a few I’ve missed. Would love to hear your entries. Do they still hold up?
The Warriors (1979)
Can you dig it? Caaan yooou diiiig it??! A recent conversation with fellow writer/producer Remi Aubuchon led me to check out this movie again, some thirty years after I first saw (and loved) it. A contemporary (ish?) retelling of the Anabasis by Xenophon (Thank you, Professor Aubuchon), the film follows a street gang – named The Warriors – who, accused of a murder they didn’t commit, must negotiate miles of treacherous rival-controlled territory in order to reach the safety of their Coney Island home turf.
Does it hold up? Hmmm. Street gangs sure have come a long way since the late seventies. Those baseball bat-wielding Furies don’t quite instill the same sense of fear they once did –
Sure, in retrospect, not quite as scary as the skinhead Turnbull AC’s or the Grammercy Riffs, but certainly more threatening than their mime-inspired fashion rivals, the Top Hats –
And yet, for all of its faults – stilted dialogue, some equally stilted performances, the hilarious depiction of gritty New York gangs – it remains an enjoyable movie to watch. For very different reasons from when it first wowed me, mind you, but still very entertaining.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
I can’t even remember the number of times I watched this one growing up – often receiving a dispensation from my parents that allowed me to stay up past midnight on a school night to catch it for the twenty-fifth, thirtieth, probably fiftieth time. I delighted in multiple viewings of all the sequels AND the television series, collected the comic books, and owned all of the action figures as well (including multiple ape soldiers). I was such a huge fan that I forced by mother to take me to a traveling theater production of Charley’s Aunt because Roddy McDowall was headlining!
Does it hold up? Hell, yes! Which is why I was so outraged by the Tim Burton redo. Well, that and the fact that it was a truly horrible movie.
Phantasm (1979)
A small town, mysterious deaths, an ice cream truck, a funeral home, a spooky mortician, creepy dwarf minions, a deadly flying silver ball, a portal to another realm – all the makings of one of the most terrifyingly memorable horror films of my youth.
Does it hold up? Hell, yeah! Provided you’re fourteen. A year or two later – not so much.
Star Wars (1977)
Another movie I’ve seen more times than I can count. I actually kept an enormous scrapbook dedicated to the film that I updated, and even checked out the tie-in novels!
Does it hold up? While the scope and story are evergreen, countless smaller moments feel dated. Nevertheless, given the choice, I’d happily watch and re-watch this first film in the series countless times before I’d sit down to watch any of the last three installments.
Rollerball (1975)
In a corporate controlled future, the masses are entertained by the world’s most popular game, Rollerball, a mix of organized sport and warfare. The violent matches are a rating sensation, but when one gifted athlete begins to distinguish himself and rise above his fellow players, he becomes a threat to the global conglomerate running the sport…
Does it hold up? Depends. Are you drinking at the time of viewing? Again, a great concept but the details of its execution are wanting in the light of modern film. They should think about remaking it. No, wait. Scratch that.
Diamonds are Forever (1971)
Oh, there are plenty of Bond films that could have made the list but, reflecting back to my childhood, this one ranks as my favorites (with Live and Let Die – and its brilliant gator-hopping sequence – a close second). It had everything you could want from a Bond film: action, humor, gadgets, gals, colorful villains, and one crazy scheme (this one involving a giant laser).
Does it hold up? Hmmm. With Diamonds are Forever, the Bond series takes a campy turn, one I enjoyed immensely as a child that, in retrospect, feels more like a parody of the original than the original itself. Again, a case where, in spite of its shortcomings, there is much to like here, particularly Blofeld’s creepy-as-hell henchmen, Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd.
The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
In my opinion, the pinnacle of the master of disaster’s (Irwin Allen) grand catastrophe-themed entries. An all-star cast delivers as the desperate survivors of the doomed Poseidon, an ocean liner upended by a freak tsunami.
Does it hold up? Surprisingly, yes, it does hold up a lot better than I thought it would, in most part owing to some wonderfully suspenseful sequences – and my fear of cruise ships.
Death Race 2000 (1975)
In the not-to-distant future of the year 2000 (!), the fascist state keeps the masses entertained with a violent organized sport. No, not Rollerball! I’m talking about The Transcontinental Road Race, a three-day, coast to coast, ultra-violent extravaganza whose colorful participants score points not only for winning a leg but for mowing down hapless pedestrians as well (I’d personally award them a double score for cyclists, but that’s just me).
One side, buddy!
Does it hold up? Hell, yeah! It’s a movie that can be appreciated for exactly the same reasons today as it was thirty five years ago: as a joyously silly, cartoonishly violent, over-the-top satire of our obsessions with professional sports, pro athletes, and television.
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
In future England, a young hoodlum facing a lengthy sentence, volunteers for an experimental aversion therapy designed to “turn him off” violence. His return to society proves problematic however…
Does it hold up? As a whole, yes, but, interestingly enough, not for the same reasons it first captured my interest. Looking at it with more mature eyes, the elements that fascinated me in my youth are now either downright silly or repellant while the movie’s message – lost on me way back when – resonates much stronger now.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Do you know how much I loved this movie about a kid winning a ticket to tour a magical chocolate factory? I loved it so much I didn’t – and still won’t – consider it a musical. Desserts and dark humor abound in this wonderful film version of the Roald Dahl classic.
Does it hold up? Yes, yes, yes! Chocolate, sweets, and children being dispatched in all sorts of colorful ways! As great as it ever was!
Some honorable mentions:
Westworld (1973)
The robots at a futuristic Western-themed amusement park go bonkers, much to the displeasure of the park’s customers.
Does it hold up? Sure does. Yul Brynner is terrific as a particularly pesky robot gunslinger. In hindsight, maybe outfitting the robots with real guns and bullets may not have been such a good idea.
Damnation Alley (1967)
George Peppard and co. drive thought post-apocalyptic Southern California in a futuristic RV, battling giant cockroachs, in a bid to deliver a desperately-needed plague vaccine.
Does it hold up? In a word: no. In four words: no it does not.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
An eccentric (and clearly irresponsible) inventor takes his family on a road trip in a flying car. It may have been intended as a fun children’s movie, but I always viewed it as one of the most accomplished horror films of my childhood. That Child Catcher who went around sniffing out kids scared the shit out of me.
Does it hold up? Afraid not.
The Omega Man (1971)
As my writing partner Paul pointed out, the premise of this movie is every young boy’s dream: the lone, gun-toting survivor of an apocalypse battles for survival against homicidal mutants.
Does it hold up? Oh, hell no. If it’s any consolation, this Charlton Heston version is about as watchable as Will Smith’s version of the fantastic story (I Am Legend) by Richard Matheson.
Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things (1973)
My very first zombie movie. And it scared the hell out of me.
Does it hold up? Wait. This was a horror-comedy? A comedy? Zombies have come a long way.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
It’s an alien invasion! People are being replaced by pod replicas. Do NOT fall asleep!
Does it hold up? Aside from that WTF moment with the human-faced dog, it does hold up pretty well. The film’s final moment still terrifies.
Joe,
Wikipedia’s article on the Anabasis by Xenophon does not mention “The Warriors” (1979) as a retelling of the story. Do you think that this is worth a rewrite of the article?
Thanks
Jim
Joe,
I take that back. Wikipedia’s article on Xenophon mentions both the novel and the movie “The Warriors”.
Jim
Ah yes…Planet of the Apes and The Poseidon Adventure were two of my favorites. How about Zulu with Michael Caine and A Man Called Horse with Richard Harris. And you can’t forget about The Great Escape, it’s probably my biggest favorite from childhood.
You know, if I had to pick a single Bond film to put on such a list of my own, it would probably be “The Spy Who Loved Me”, only because it was the first one I saw and as such has a special place in my heart.
That said, “Diamonds Are Forever” is still in my short list of favorite Bond films. Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd were (and still are) SO creepy in their calm that I just love those characters and the older I get, the more impressed I am that they were written into the movie, directed and acted the way they were for the time (in particular).
There are so many great things about “Diamonds”: Charles Gray’s Blofeld might be my favorite, Jimmy Dean as Whyte, Bambi and Thumper, Jill St. John (still pretty fabulous to watch in that movie), the Mustang, and even some of the little characters, like the craps guy and the “Will you please leave, you irritating man!” guy from the lab, heheh.
Ironic that two of your favorite films from back then were sorta, um, ruined by Tim Burton. Totally agree that his “Apes” was dreadful, and I really did not like his “Wonka” either. Sure, there were some great moments with Depp’s Wonka in it, but the soul of the film was completely missing. Aaargh.
And I have to agree with you as well on “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”…great movie at the time…really hard to watch now.
In the 70’s I was a teenager, my friends and I went to tons of movies. What a great decade for movies. Some memorable ones were:
Smokey and the Bandit (helloooo, I can’t believe you didn’t mention this one)
Mad Max (starring the then 23 year old gorgeous Mel Gibson)
Jaws (cleared out all the beaches for a time. Wasn’t Richard Dreyfuss so cute!)
Love Story (my neighbor’s older sister looked just like Ali McGraw. People use to ask her if she was Ali)
The Exorcist (the only part that scared me was the noises in the attic – OMG!)
Saturday Night Fever (okay, I’m a Bee Gee’s fan – and a closet ABBA fan too – and the Carpenters weren’t bad either)
Rocky (loved this movie, hated all the evil sequels it spawned)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (look it’s Richard Dreyfuss again!)
The Goodbye Girl (Richard Dreyfuss’ finest movie!)
The only movie I remember as vomit worthly was Annie Hall. I can’t believe I dressed like her!
@Barbaro: “A Man Called Horse”, one of my favorites way back when, and I’d forgotten all about it. I may just watch it again!
Hi Joe! Totally agree with you re Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and Willie Wonka. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang always sucked, IMO. By the way, I sent you an email asking if you had any suggestions for an upscale restaurant in Kobe, did you get it? If not, I’m asking again 🙂 My daughter and her hubby will be in Japan for a few weeks and will celebrate their third anniversary there, so they’re looking for a lovely place for dinner. Any suggestions would be so appreciated!
I don’t know if you missed it or were being sarcastic, but they did remake Rollerball and it was horrible. Willy Wonka is still one of my favorite movies ever, I always watch it when it’s on TV. Aside from Star Wars and James Bond, I haven’t seen any of the other ones, guess i’m too young?
Some of my childhood favorites most of which are heavily influenced by my mother, with her love of musicals and Dick Van Dyke, are;
Bednobs & Broomsticks – The soccer game against cartoon animals was my favorite scene, since i played soccer from age 6-16.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Like I said, I was raised on Dick Van Dyke and musicals, so you better believe I saw the Dick Van Dyke musicals more than a dozen times.
Mary Poppins – A close second for the best musical ever. How can you go wrong with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – The best musical, and in my opinion a timeless classic, that I will be happy to pass onto my kids. Gene Wilder is incredible in this film!
Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland – Aside from the part with the Jabawokee which used to scare us, another great musical.
The Music Man – I grew up on musicals and this is the most vivid in my memory and also one of my favorites. The Wells Fargo Wagon is a coming down, oh please let it be for me!
It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World – One of the zaniest movies, with some of the great old-time comics.
And the only other person which she loved as much as Dick Van Dyke, no not me, was Sean Connery. Which leads to the obvious choice of my favorite movies to be almost any of the James Bond series, with Sean Connery of course. I didn’t think Tim Dalton, George Lazenby and Daniel Craig were too great.
Since Hollywood apparently prefers revamps to originality I’m sure many of those listed will come out in 2011 or later, some of them already have.
Clockwork Orange has so many memorable sequences. Like when he’s reading the bible in jail and the priest is very proud of him when he’s really imagining whipping Jesus. Or the end when he hears the music and starts to fantasize having sex with the girl in white fluff to people clapping “oooh I was cured alright me brothers.” Awesome stuff.
Unfortunately that vision of the future turned out to be almost mild in comparison to the reality.
I love Westworld. We watched it in my film class. Great stuff. Lots of classics there!
I’m going to ask a question in hopes that tomorrow you will do a mailbag. I know you’ll subsequently dash my hopes by what I suspect to be the answer – it might be a long shot, but I gotta ask.
1 – Is there anyway that you could charm the amazingly brilliant Mr. Wright into letting you post old cut/deleted scenes from SGA? More specifically, the short piece that was cut from Season 2’s Critical Mass that involved a hug and a kiss between Teyla and Carson? Rachel mentions in the DVD commentary that she was sad it was cut because it was sweet. It would mean the world to me if I got to see it. 😀 If you can’t, I understand, and I’ll still look up to you as the King of Divine Food. 😉 I’m crossing my fingers and toes just in case though! I always make sure to include all things Stargate whenever we get Nielsen sweeps diaries like we did a few months ago. I love the shows, even the reruns. 😀 I want them to last for a very, very long time.
2 – Could you please pass along a message to Martin Gero? I just finished watching Grace Under Pressure’s commentary and I was shocked that he mentioned that he thought his writing was terrible. I just wanted to let him know that I think he’s brilliant. That episode was absolutely amazing and the commentary/how they did it makes it even more incredible. It’s truly one of my favorites. Carter and McKay were fantastic with one another. I love many of his episodes and I’ve even been checking out his new show.
As I wasn’t alive in the 60s and 70s, I can’t say that they shaped my childhood, but now that I’m actually watching these movies (thank you TCM) I have to say that there are quite a few that I love.
In no particular order:
Planet of the Apes
The Man with No Name Trilogy
The Star Wars Trilogy
You Only Live Twice
Dirty Harry
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Midway
2001
All of those are still very watchable.
1977 may have brought on Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (both of which really captured my imagination … like any good male child of the 70’s and more than a fair share of girls, too) … but I managed to have a seminal year of which I saw films in theatres that totally helped form my adult imagination:
Alien
The Black Stallion
Being There (Peter Sellers at his best)
Watership Down.
Moonraker (*so* does not hold up well).
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer.
The China Syndrome.
The Muppet Movie.
Time After Time.
The Villain (one great big live action looney tunes film w/Kirk Douglas and Arnold Schwarzenegger).
What amazes me is how well some of those films still stand up.
Other than those, it was the TOHO films: Godzilla, Rodan, Mothra … all the Godzilla vs. that came after. 🙂
One of the other films that captured me as a child is David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia. Not sure how that one snagged me … possibly Robert Bolt’s screenplay … seeing as how A Man For All Seasons captured me too.
*sigh*
Now I want to go watch all of them again. Too bad I only own 6 of them. 🙁
@Mr M
Did we skip a day. It’s still June 3rd.
Watch “The Warriors” movie after viewing the Scanfal/Patty Smyth soundtrack music video. Think it still quite watchable.
note – Patty Smyth is AKA Mrs John McEnroe
oops that is Scandal not Scanfal in last post
Aw, I remember Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I remember it creeped me the heck out, but in a way that I kinda liked. Haven’t seen it in years, though, so I’m not sure what I’d think of it now.
Hi, Joe.
LIVE Chat at Syfy (US) Fri June 4 at 9/8C with Alaina Huffman and Brian J. Smith.
http://www.syfy.com/connect/
Join Alaina Huffman and Brian J. Smith on Syfy Connect during the East Coast broadcast of Part One of the season finale, “Incursion!” The SGU stars will be answering your questions and chatting live, so grab your communication stones and get in on the discussion Friday night 9/8c!
These are all fun to remember. Weirdly, I saw “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” before the original, so one of the Big Payoffs in movie history was totally wrecked for me. And, yes, someone told me about Darth Vader being Luke’s father before I saw “Empire Strikes Back”, too. Just lucky I guess.
My favorite “Apes” movie as a kid was the third one “Escape from the Planet of the Apes”. Now I wonder why–maybe because it had the production value of the Quinn-Martin TV shows I was used to watching, so it felt more comfortable than a movie with actual sets and A-list actors and stuff. I do still like the final shot of that movie, though.
I’d forgotten “The Warriors” was based on Xenophon. Someone should make a direct adaptation of the “Anabasis” now. After “300” and “Clash of the Titans”, it’d be like a license to coin drachmas. (Which I’m sure the Greek government would appreciate these days, but that’s not what I meant.)
I was gaga over the Planet of the Apes movies as a kid, but I never saw the TV shows.
“Phantom of the Paradise” is good. I don’t know about how it’s held up since it came out before I was born, but it’s got some pretty good themes with American rock music in it, as it’s a rock opera-ish.
Firstly, your movies…
Warriors – Never saw it.
Planet of the Apes – Saw it as a kid, didn’t like it first time around. Besides, I am not a fan of monkeys/apes at all – probably my least favorite in all the animal kingdom (with the exception of those cute little marmosets and tamarins – those are adorable!).
Phantasm – Never saw it.
Star Wars – Saw it as a kid, and still love it to this day. It is the first movie I saw multiple times in the theater – the first one to totally suck me in and forget real life for a couple of hours. I can’t even begin to tell you what this movie did for me, but I will say that – to this day – when I’m driving in really heavy traffic, I hear Obi Wan whisper in my ear, ‘Use the Force, Luke…’ 😳 😛
However, I do not care for the tweaked version of the original movie – I prefer the original in its pure form.
Rollerball – Saw this as a kid – probably late teens and on tv – and loved it. Last time I watched it was sometime in the 80s, and it still worked for me then. Haven’t seen it in ages though, so hard to say what I’d think about it now.
Diamonds are Forever – Not sure how old I was when I first saw it, but all Bond movies – no matter how cheesy – hold up well for me. I watch the marathons whenever they’re on, and they’re always good entertainment.
The Poseidon Adventure – Saw it as a kid, and – along with Jaws – it traumatized me for life. It’s that scene where they had to hold their breath and swim under water…I used to practice holding my breath as a kid, just in case I was ever in that situation. I wouldn’t know – and don’t care – if it holds up today, I’ll never watch it again.
Death Race 2000 – Never saw it.
A Clockwork Orange – Never saw it.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – Saw it as a kid, and hated it – Wilder’s Wonka reminded me of a dirty old uncle who likes to have little kids sit on his lap. It made me feel very strange watching it as a kid – creepy strange. I much prefer Depp’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – he’s creepy, yes, but his beauty makes up for everything. Also, I HATE the songs from the first movie, but like the songs from the new one.
Westworld – Never saw it – well…I’ve seen parts of it, but not enough to comment.
Damnation Alley – Never saw it.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Saw it as a kid, and hated it…another ‘creep factor’ flick.
The Omega Man – Saw it as an adult, and couldn’t say if it holds up, or not. Wasn’t really into it.
Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things – Never saw it.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers – Never saw it.
Okie dokie – since that was so long, I will save mine for a separate post. 🙂
das
I used to watch a lot of movies, not so much anymore. For someone with a really crappy memory, I actually remember watching some of these, but that’s probably because I have seen them multiple times over the years…
Star Wars – the original series, I think I have only seen the new series once, if that. I would still watch the originals over and over.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – I love this one. I refused to watch the Johnny Depp remake, he just looked creepy, but then I’ve said before it is rare for me to watch a remake.
James Bond movies – these I still watch when they come on.
Death Race 2000 was a running family joke for a very long time. My brother and sister saw this movie when it first came out and started this game. The kids would call out the number of points someone would be worth, if Dad/Mom would hit them with the car *ohhh good times* Loved this one…. Saw it again a couple of years ago, bit disappointed.
The Warriors – is that the one were one gang was calling out to another gang ‘Warriorrrrsssss come out and playyyy eeee ayyyy?’ My brother would always say this. He and his best friend both have an amazing memory for movie lines. They would have many a conversation just using quotes from movies. It used to drive me nuts, it was like their secret code, and they would be killing themselves laughing, they would know the significance of the reference, and I wouldn’t.
Let’s see what other movies from that timeframe – Oliver, Jesus Christ Superstar. I still will watch these today. I like musicals…. Did you ever see Phantom of the Paradise; it was one of my sister’s favourite movies. I’ve seen it several times, I don’t know why because it freaks me out.
Have a good one!
Kymm
One of us smells like a tart’s handkerchief.
…
Afraid it’s me. Sorry about that, old boy.
Hello Joe.
The original was worth it for the Heston monologue in the beginning. Unfortunately the Burton version had several problems. First, musicians should not become actors… Nuf said…
Second, I saw the end with the monkey coming a mile away…
Third, you knew that shock at the end was coming.
That said, I liked the plot twist w/ CaLiMa.
Out of curiosity, did you contribute that Planet of the Apes reference in Air 3? 😉
Best Wishes,
Bryan
Just one comment, regarding “A Clockwork Orange”.
The neighbors who were babysitting me (yes, I was *that* young) took me to see it at some special local theater showing. I was, maybe, 8 years old. Tops. Need I say more?
(except to add that I’ve not been able to bring myself to watch it again in the intervening 32 years)
– KB
My nieces and nephews all became instantly obsessed with Star Wars when I introduced them to the movies earlier in the year. It holds up without a doubt.
Speaking of Star Wars, I am going to Star Wars In Concert later this month! It’s going to be awesome.
They are remaking Planet of The Apes (again), but this time they are going to go off the original (as far as I know). It’s being filmed here in Vancouver.
Joe: Great topic. Warriors, come out to playay. Wouldn’t mind seeing it right now. Loved that creepy little guy with the beer bottles. Phantasm also brings back fond memories. I still remember a snatch of dialogue from it — “They’re small and brown and low to the ground.” I’m not even sure now what or who it pertains to. Death Race, another of my faves. 10 times better than the plodding contemporary remake. I must respecfully disagree about Poseiden Adventure. I never got that into Star Wars. But I think we must be about the same age. Here’s a few I dredged up from the past. Remember any of these?
After the Fox
Night of the Living Dead
What’s Up Tiger Lily?
Where’s Papa?
Island of the Mushroom People
I am OVERJOYED that you put Phantasm on this list. The are my pet “favorite-even-though-I-know-they’re-bad” movies. All four of them. In fact, when I was in London a few years ago, I bought a Region 2 boxed set that was literally a barbed sphere.
http://www.amazon.com/Phantasm-Sphere-Complete-Collection-Region/dp/B00116AC28/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1275625536&sr=1-9
Bought a region-free dvd player just for it. What a lot of people don’t realize is that Don Coscarelli intentionally refuses to answer questions in the movies, and his “answers” usually branch one question into two or three. He’s left hints allllll throughout the movies in the background and in seemingly-throwaway dialogue that phans are still finding, and there are message boards devoted to proposing theories and poking holes in other people’s theories. I’ve got my own, which as of yet remains holeless.
Hello.
Speaking of films from our youth that stand no chance of holding up: Howard the Duck… I am ashamed that I admit that I saw that film once upon a time…
It is amazing how our tastes mature (thankfully…). 😉
Best Wishes.
Bryan
Hi Joe:
What was it about some 1970’s movies that made them suck so much? Charlton Heston’s “Soylent Green” for example. The movie was just terrible, although, I’m sure, quite shocking for it’s time. I’m sure the shock value explained it’s popularity.
Then there was “Willard” and “Ben”. Don’t you just love movies about killer rats, especially when Michael Jackson is part of them?
I sent you an email. Please reply.
Thanks,
Patricia
For the sake of everyone, I will stick to movies that were made in the 1960s and 70s, and that I first saw before the age of 20 (on tv or in the theater). I’ll do my best to stick to ‘seminal’ movies, but not really sure which fall into that category…maybe none of these. Most of the movies I watched as a kid were from the 30s and 40s, but if I included them my list would go on for miles…just with Hitchcocks alone. 😛
So…I’ll most certainly start with Hitch…
1. Psycho (1960) – Made before I was born, I saw this for the first time in my teens – at home, alone – and I had NO warning about the shower scene. YES, it did freak me out, and YES…to this day I hate turning my back on the shower curtain. Does it hold up?? HELL, YES! Even though the suspense factor is diminished, I still find myself cowering at that shower scene. And each time I watched it, I see new things I never did before. There’s a lot of symbolism in Hitchcock films, and this one is no different. Good stuff.
2. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) – Saw this in my early teens, and it is the film that sold me on the ‘man alone’ type character. Loved it then, and love it now. No question about it – it totally holds up to this day, and continues to influence my viewing and reading choices.
3. A Hard Day’s Night (1964) – “It’s Paul’s grandfather.” 🙂 Hard to say if it was this film, or Help, that made me a sucker for off-the-wall British stuff, but I know it was one of ’em. Does it hold up? Well…haven’t seen it in a while, but I’m sure it does…just thinking about it makes me smile, and I wasn’t even a big fan of the Beatles (well, I did like George and Ringo…but the other two…not so much).
4. The Pink Panther (1964) – Loved it then, love it now. This one holds up better than most of the others in the series, probably because it was the ‘first’. It still gives me a chuckle to this day. (A Shot in the Dark is actually my favorite Clouseau movie, it’s just not a ‘Pink Panther’ film.)
5. The Godfather (1972) – Mom was crazy – she took a 10-year old to see this movie. 🙄 The horse head – along with capsized ships and sharks – traumatized me for life. It’s a wonder I’ve made it this far. 😛 But does this movie hold up? Do I even need to ask such a stupid question?????
6. Duel (1971) – I can say without a doubt that this is Spielberg’s best movie, ever. Made for tv, it was eventually released on the big screen, and deservedly so. I remember even my dad being excited about this film (very rare for dad to be interested in anything ‘pop culture’). I remember watching it as a family when it aired on tv – one of the few films we ever sat down to together. Why is this Spielberg’s best? Because it was unpretentious, pure. It wasn’t all special effects, or a huge cast of characters. Hell, there was hardly any dialogue! Yet it held my attention and kept me on the edge of my seat (and still does!) and had me ‘pushing’ Weaver’s dying car to get up the hill! More than anything, it gave a truck a personality, so much so that I look suspiciously at every tanker truck I share the road with, even now. Does it hold up?? Yes, yes, YES!
7. Jaws (1975) – Since I live at the shore, this film scared the crap out of me…still does. Joe – since you said a while back that you saw this film in Wildwood, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw it in the same theater! Wouldn’t know if it holds up since I won’t watch it again, but my guess is – yes. Yes…man-eating sharks always hold up. This film did pique my interest in sharks, however, and I learned what magnificent creatures they are and because of that interest I am opposed to the wanton killing of sharks, especially for sport, or for such delicacies as shark fin soup.
8. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974) – Thank god for PBS!! I loved this movie so much that I hand-copied the entire script from a high school library book (we had a cool librarian!). It certainly influenced my sense of humor (or lack thereof). Does this hold up?? Hell, YES!! Still one of my favorite comedies to this day.
9. Young Frankenstein (1974) – “Destiny, Destiny, No escaping that for me!” 😀 Lots of funny things came out of this film, and I think it’s Mel Brooks best (or, tied with Blazing Saddles ). Saw it in the theater, and – yes – it still holds up extremely well to this day.
10. Deliverance (1972) – Saw this when home alone one day. Yeah…not smart. 😛 I still hear banjo music to this day whenever I’m out in the woods…or worse, in the Pine Barrens… 😮 Does it hold up? I think so – I think the suspense and horror of the whole ordeal can still be felt by anyone who watches it.
11. Dirty Harry (1971) – First of a new era of cop flicks, I saw this as a teen, on tv. Does it hold up? Well, just watched it again not long ago (’cause…see…I have the entire Dirty Harry box set collection 😀 ), and yes – it does hold up, even though parts of it do seem dated. But any movie filmed in the ‘present day’ will feel dated, whereas a western, or a gangster movie, or sci fi, can seem timeless if done correctly.
12. Marathon Man (1976) – Saw this one at home as a teen, and loved it for the suspense alone. Not sure if you would classify it as a ‘seminal film’, but who cares! Certainly holds up to this day, and I still hear ‘is it safe’ in my head whenever I visit the dentist. 😛
13. The Cowboys (1972) – Saw this one pretty young, but can’t remember if it was in the theater, or on tv. Loved it! It was quite the controversial flick in its day due to the fact that it portrayed children killing adults. I do think it holds up well – maybe even better today with the controversy far behind it.
14. The List of Adrian Messenger (1963) – This is one of those films that I snuggled up in bed with mom for a girls’ night when dad was off working. Great movie with a great twist, and probably the best cameo movie ever made. I think it certainly holds up, just a shame that it’s such an ‘under the radar’ classic.
Of course I’ve seen many more films, and probably many that would fall more correctly under the ‘seminal’ category, but I can’t include them all, so included what I considered the best or most memorable, and not those that have faded from memory.
das
DEATH RACE 2000: Joe, you have just explained one of my college boyfriend’s jokes…30 years later…
Nyan, I do think that Time Travel Fairies/Faeries struck again :3
I remember glimpses of those movies from when I watched them as a kid (in the 90s). Good times. My best friend’s parents were movie collectors 🙂
About Stargates. Is it safe to assume that the Stargate that was on Klor’el’s ship was either Destroyed or moved to another planet by SGC? And the one on board the ZedPM Powered Hive Ship was destroyed?
Hi Joe,
I’m with you on the Poseidon Adventure, Willy Wonka, Clockwork Orange, Star Wars and Westworld, but I still love Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, as hokey, way out and long as it is, but I’m a Disney musical freak. I love some of the previously mentioned flicks, too: Watership Down, the Muppet Movie, and Close Encounters.
May I add:
*Monty Python’s Search for the Holy Grail
*Logan’s Run
*The Sting
*Bang the Drum Slowly
*The Lorax
and – NO laughing – well okay, you can laugh
*Attack of the Killer Tomatoes <— always slays me!
Cool about Brian and Alaina doing the Live Chat on SyFy Friday – and the LEO's are this weekend, too, right?
Big Smiles, Julie
Death Race 2000. I remember watching this at the drive-in. David Carridine was in it? I think that Star Wars holds up pretty well. The movies that depict Earth in the future always have a difficult time holding up after a few years.
How about those movies with Burt Reynolds? Smokey and the Bandit? Do those movies hold up over time? Reynolds sure does have a huge list of films over on imdb. Who knew?
I do have to say that the Star Trek movies seem to have held up over time. Shatner’s hair hasn’t, but the movies are still watchable. All except Nemesis. Yikes. Why did Sir Patrick have to make such a horrible movie.
matrix
the shadow
fith element
edword scisorhands
donnie darko
fight club
hackers
time bandits (one of my moms favorite films)
i dont remember them all, my sister took most of them.
you have any favorite video games?
@crayonbaby
About Star Trek Nemesis. Was inform that the suits at Paramount ordered editing to cut down the running time so several key scenes was deleted. Maybe they will release a director’s cut with the scenes restored.
The Italian Job!!! Michael Caine’s crowning moment imo.
Never saw Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and don’t ever intend to.
The Haunting. 1963. Must have been the first such movie I saw and it scared the crap outta me.
the remake was diabolical overkill and totally missed the point.
“You Only Live Twice” My dad took me to the pictures to see all the Bond movies when they came out (think he really wanted a son???) and this was my first. only have to hear the first couple of bars of the song and I’m back there again:) Good times.
“Wizards” Ralph Bakshi. I was just getting into my genre stride when I watched this and I’d never seen anything like it it was AWESOME.
A Clockwork Orange. I read the book before ever seeing the movie cuz the buggers went and banned it as a video-nasty. Disturbing book, way ahead of its time (IMHO)and prophetic.
’nuff said.
Coucou Joseph!
Waou, super tout ces films! ..pour dire vrai je n’en ai vue qu’un seul (Star Wars) mais je vourdrai bien voir “Willy Wonka et la chocolatrie” car j’ai vu le film de Tim Burton et ça m’a vraiment plus, je me demande ce que donne la version de 1970:)
Je risque de ne pas être là ce week end car je part à la plage avec mon cheri.
Gros bisou!
Bonne journée!
Only us middle aged people can comment on such moviesm after having seen them in all our innocence way back in the 70s.
I was 15 when I first saw ‘Star Wars ep IV” and it wowed me so much, I returned to see it 7 times. It was the first of its kind and gorgeous 35 yr old Han Solo made it allllll worthwhile hehehe
I was wondering if you’d mentioned it and lo and behold, I scrolled down and there it was.
As for Clockwork Orange, we had to read the book in high school and I am so glad we did.. excellent book but in all honesty, I’ve avoided the movie because somehow I doubt it could do the book justice and I wanted to avoid disappointment.
Now that you’ve done this, I wonder if ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ will hold up… or these;
“The innocents” – with Deborah Kerr. A good ol’ ghosty film which along side ‘the haunting’ TERRRIFIED the living bejesus out of me as a child. I remember the eerie banging sound of the ghosts and the image of the spectres in full view terrifying Deborah Kerr…
I’ll get back to you regarding whether it still terrifies me, but my prediction will be … naaaaah.
How about “Fantastic Voyage”??? Will the special effects still wow us after the likes of ‘Avatar’ and ‘2012’ and of course SGU ??
Don’t ya think we are spoiled nowadays with all the special FX???
Just thought of another.. “Midnight Express”.. gut wrenching story.. great soundtrack!!!
It’s interesting and fun to read your and others’ movie-watching reminiscences. Since Jeffrey Ford is a favorite author, it’s pretty neat to read about some of his movie faves.
I’m glad that Quade mentioned Mary Poppins, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Musicals aren’t really my thing, but I loved Mary Poppins, and still do. Classic Disney films (e.g. 101 Dalmatians and The Lady and the Tramp [adored this canine love story, despite my brother endlessly needling me about it] ) – I enjoyed them very much, and they stirred my imagination.
I also remember an older movie (’40s, maybe?) called The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. To me, it was atmospheric and utterly romantic, and helped me reconcile the different sides of my personality. Same with The Turning Point and Mikhail Baryshnikov’s version of The Nutcracker, both of which my mom watched with me. I realized later that she knew me better than I thought. – On the flip side, I shared (and still do) my bro’s compulsion to watch (mostly) more realistic war movies. Midway is a classic. . .Bridge Over the River Kwai. . .The Longest Day, despite bits of it (probably the credits) being a little too Hollywood-ish; and others. Over the years, all such movies have helped me understand – as much as I can – that war really is hell. (I still can’t watch movies about ‘Nam, where my dad was in combat. So, part of me is a total wuss – can’t help it. . .)
The Black Stallion completely captured me – well, the part where Alec and The Black were alone on the islet. It’s beautiful and timeless, even for those who aren’t too much into horses.
The Endless Summer was pretty dated even when I first saw it, but it’s another film I immediately fell in love with, and still love. Old-school surfing, with some apt observations on differing cultures – the culture-mingling parts helped shape my attitudes, and now help remind me of priorities. *That* gets me stoked, even though the surfing itself no longer does.
I didn’t see John Hughes’s teen classics when they first came out, but a few years later I thought they were great. I rewatch Sixteen Candles whenever it’s on; The Breakfast Club, a bit less often. – Very different movie, but I loved Hoosiers, and still do. It moved me for reasons I didn’t really understand until I was college-age. – The Coreys (Haim and Feldman) ruled; John Cusack, even more so.
Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, as well as all the Indiana Jones movies, were hugely engaging for me, even though I didn’t see them on the big screen until college days.
Okay, more than enough here. Thanks for the thought-provoking topic.
—-
@Kymm: Congrats on getting the house you wanted! Once all is squared away, I hope you’ll enjoy it. Pick up those good vibrations, dudette. *giggles*
G’day Joe
Most of your movies I have not scene. However. I loved Rollerball and still do. Willy Wonka is just awesome a to this day.
Star Wars was bad way back and still is. In fact I fell asleep at the movies. Planet of the Apes I did watch, not bad, but cannot it now. Although the remake was horrible, well what I saw of it.
Diamonds are Forever is not a favourite Bond, for me, From Russia with love is much better, IMHO.
My favourites back then and still are…
Calamity Jane – a good fun musical with none other than Doris Day. All my kids love it, even my 6-year-old boy.
Philadelphia Story – so I am sucker for old fart movies, as my hubby calls them. Cary Grant was awesome.
Future Cop – not as great as I remember but still good. The sequels sucked.
Janet.
G’day Joe
PS – Future Cop is called Trancers in America.
Janet.
Hi Joe
I remember well all the films on your list. Loved them all and saw many more than once.
I’d add:
Jesus Christ: Superstar! – Wonderful musical, ended up burning the songs onto CD for my daughter 3 years ago…
Monty Python and the Holy Grail – Just too funny to this day
Dr. Strangelove – a very wierd movie
Repulsion – You might remember this. It was French, stared Catherine Deneuve and was very disturbing to me. Watched it, don’t know how many times, and I don’t understand French!
Logan’s Run – Still a good watch
Zardoz – With Sean Connery
Close encounters of the third Kind – A classic
One Million Years B.C. – First movie I ever saw in a Drive-In
Oh, the memories! Thanks!
Elminster
That’s some funny sh*t Joe. Those are many of my favorite movies as well.
The Warriors, Planet of the Apes, Phantasm, Star Wars, A Clockwork Orange, Wonka, Westworld, CSPwDT…all fantastic.
I actually just purchased “Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things” from Amazon a few weeks ago. Agreed. It did not hold up. But it is fun. And Orville still rocks.
Let’s go Flyers!
Its pretty scary how much we (me, you, commenters) are alike in entertainment tastes!! Haha or maybe we just have excellent taste in general 😉 But then, I guess its those similarities that brought us here in the first place. That Star Wars poster, I still have it, spent a good 10 yrs on my wall. Its rolled up now maybe I should get it framed. The original is still the best. Pretty bad by Hollywood how many of these classics have been remade, and not successfully. Someone told me they’re attempting another Gilligan’s Island reboot. Gimme a break!!!!
Das interesting to think we may have been in that Wildwood theater at the same time seeing Jaws!!
I see that one of my childhood pet project wishes, making a movie from Burroughs’ A Princess of Mars, has finally been done. At least I have the consolation of knowing another version can be made (ie Clash of the Titans). I can buy Traci Lords as Dejah Thoris. But A.Sabatos as John Carter?? No effin way!!!
DD
Wow, a great walk down memory lane! Here are some of mine
Star Wars (1st one)- from seeing the article about it in Time magazine to taking my little brother to see it. God knows how many times I’ve seen it.
Spielberg movies: Jaws, Close Encounters ET and the 1st & 3rd Indiana Jones movies. Especially the first Indy movie – I remember falling under its spell from the Paramount mountain and not coming up for air until the very end.
Willy Wonka – I don’t know what AT&T is trying to sell with their “Come away” commercial, but that song grabs me every time. And while Tim Burton & Johnny Depp did a great job, I’ll keep the original closest to my heart.
Young Frankenstein: It came out when I was in college. Don’t ask me how many times I went to see that.
Blazing Saddles: This movie’s commentary about politics and racism so holds up. And the comedy is great too!
Airplane! – Granted I wasn’t a kid when that came out, but it’s one that is timeless (and probably the one I know most of the tag lines to)
I haven’t seen anyone else mention them, but the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies – my sisters and I would watch them with my Mom.
And of course Monty Pythons’s Holy Grail and Life of Brian.
Yes! Thank you for bringing up those movies. I’d forgotten about some of them.
The new Willy Wonka sucked! The new movie had one Oompa-Loompa and they cloned him. To me, no one can beat Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp just came across like a creepy clown!
Also, my favorite scene of Planet of the Apes is the statue of Liberty sticking up out of the sand, so cool. A disaster movie is not complete without the statue’s hand sticking up out of the destruction!
OMG! This is like my movie watch list from my teen years. The only ones missing from my list to yours are Logan’s Run, Jaws and Mad Max.
And yeah, poor Damnation Alley didn’t hold up.
I wasn’t born yet in the 60s and 70s and grew up in one of those homes where tv and movies were strictly forbidden unless first screened and approved by my parents… but I have always loved and still love musicals. Even more so since I did a stint in high school orchestra. Good times.
Lots of movies here for me to check out though! If there are any favourite musicals of all time that people have to watch… somebody let me know! I don’t know many movies or musicals or good books. That’s why I’m glad Mr M. occasionally talks about his favourites and such. Otherwise I’d forever be living in my own cosy bubble, accompanied by only my lonely thoughts and predictable stories.
I have seen Jaws however and that put me off swimming in the ocean for a decade. Even today I don’t venture any further out than someone on a surfboard would dare. Besides the scare, Jaws was cool. Don’t know about now though. Anyway, it was better than the Beast (which wasn’t all that bad either though. Giant squids! or was it an octopus? I only imagine the size of the calamari rings one could have made out of the creature).
Also seen all the Star Wars movies – they were awesome! And the Poseidon Adventure and Mary Poppins. Quite liked them all. That would be about it, after all everyone has mentioned. ‘Sides Donnie Darko (only one mentioned here seen recently and decidedly freaky) and Edward Scissorhands (so sad – felt so sorry for the dude and the dudette).
When in doubt and the movie scares me, always turn it into food. Jaws – how much flake would he make? Donnie Darko? Think roast rabbit. Chinese jumping vampires – ummm, think of how chicken feet look like when cooked. Claws and all. Still edible in any case (not that I eat chicken feet, can’t stand the look of them) Mary Poppins? Try her made out of popcorn. Hang on, did I say Mary Poppins was scary? No. Nope. So didn’t say that.
As for tv series (minus cartoons)?
Doctor Who – always wondered why Dad liked it, until I got hooked myself. It was a good laugh in those days anyway. Much cooler now.
The first few seasons of SG-1 – The goauld (however you spell it) totally kept me freaked out over the idea of stargate sfor a full decade! Just didn’t dare watch it. Btw, I only just got over that fear recently or else I would not be here. Yep. My first impression of stargate was that is was some sort of horror show.
Original Star Trek – ummm, don’t remember it anymore. I used to always get it mixed up with Star Wars, resulting in some hilariously embarrassing conversations with fans.
I’m just a bit younger (born 1981) so the ones that still hold up for me are:
Labyrinth (1986): I plan on re-watching during my up coming week off work.
Howard The Duck (1986): yeah.. a bit cheesy but still watchable.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988): with it’s mix of live action and animation it was really great and still holds up. Love Christoper Loyd
Beatlejuice (1988): this was the first movie my mom took me and my sister to that I didn’t fall asleep through!! Also loved the cartoon that aired.
The Goonies (1985): I think all kids now and days should watch this one life lessons still hold true and I really related to Sloth because of my birth defect!
Ghostbusters (1984): Like you with Star Wars I can’t count the number of times I’ve watched this movie and STILL LOVE it!! So excited that they are making another one just hope it’s as good.
A Christmas Story (1983): watch it every holiday season… getting a bit dated but heck still watch it.
Back to the Future (1985): another Christoper Loyd gem also staring one of my FAV Canadian actors Michael J/ Fox!!
Never Ending Story (1984): one of my first fantasy movies I watched and still like it.
There are more but I won’t list them 🙂 Thanks for your list and reminding me of all the great movies I still need to watch.
I am surprised at the mentions of Phantom of the Paradise. My aunt took me to see it, I’d just moved into her home and my cousins were going to prom that night. Very kind of her, and she had no clue of the allure of the path of rock and roll excess which my feet found that night.
Gene Wilder was one of my teen crushes. So yeah, Willy Wonka Rode a Blazing Saddle. Silver Streak!
As a child, I was disappointed in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Yes, I had Read The Book. The book by Ian Fleming. Where were the French mobsters? Feh.
On the other hand, A Clockwork Orange is one of my absolute favorites, both book and film. I enjoy both versions of visions of the future.
Some Like It Hot….. Marilyn, yes, but Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon? Yum. I don’t know where I saw it, couldn’t have been a theater?
The Great Race. The best pie fight EVER.
Taming of the Shrew with Elizabeth Taylor, and Romeo and Juliet with Olivia Hussey. In a drive in with my parents on that last one.
The Party with Peter Sellers. Not his greatest film, but I was too young to understand much of anything but the sight gags and loved it.
As a teen, The Magic Christian with Peter Sellers and Ringo Star. I still love it.
And yes, yes, yes to many of the same films others have mentioned.
I didn’t see a lot of movies as a child, going to the theater was reserved for mom and dad, I stayed home with my brothers and went to bed at eight.
“Hi, I’m Plenty.”
“But of course you are.”
“Plenty O’Toole.”
“Named after your father, perhaps?”
Priceless dialogue.
WOW alot of those films I remember. Like you I have seen Star Wars more times than I can count (the only one they showed on TV for years, then they finally started showing the other movies).
Hey are you attending the Leo Awards this weekend? I will be there as a Volunteer (and proudly keeping my fingers crossed that SGU gets many awards). Would love to say hi, I will be at the Check-In tables both nights.
ET? I loved ET still do – my most favoritist ride at Universal.
ok g’head call me a dork
Great movie list, Joe, even if my youth was a bit before yours. I prefered the original Body Snatchers movie to the one you mentioned in ’78. I did not want to sleep for days 😮
And Star Wars is and will be an icon classic for EVER, imo., along with V and VI. In fact, I went to the Star Wars in Concert over the weekend and it was fabulous. John Williams is a master!!! Then I watched most of the movies on Sunday since there was a 30th anniversary marathon on Spike 😉
I’m surprised you didn’t mention “Jaws”
Hello Joseph, i have a new question for you :
How come that the crew took with him jogging and extra clothes? And also razors electric and ammunitions so important?
The crew nevertheless arrived in a panic, no?
____________________
Thank you very much Joe.
Lloyd67
I didn’t think anyone but me saw and liked Death Race 2000! At the time, I watched anything with David Carradine in it. I probably didn’t see it in 75 but a few years later. My hubs and I still call out points for pedestrians. 😀
For me, Star Wars: The Movie will always be Ep. I.
Big Dick Van Dyke Fan so love Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Did you know it’s based on a book? And got my kids hooked on it too! Funny, a lot of the movies I loved as a child seemed to creep most people out! Gene Wilder will always be Willy Wonka to me, but I also appreciate the Johnny Depp. I think I was one of the first ones in my town and age group to watch Planet of the Apes.
How could you not have The 10 Commandments on the list? I’m sure even those without religious backgrounds watched this.
Love Hitchcock especially Psycho.
A few of my guilty pleasure movies that others haven’t mentioned are:
Mars Attacks!
Real Genius (which I have heard is being remade. NOOO!)
Escape from NY with Kurt Russell
Yes, I’m back. May was quite busy, being the end of the school year. Lots of activities to attend.
Some of my list – mostly classic, a couple of newer ones, but all have influenced me *good or bad* for one reason or another. I had seven older siblings, plus my Mom was an avid movie watcher, so that has influenced my movie viewing. So to add to the ones I mentioned in my previous comment:
Wizard of Oz
The Abyss
Willow
Shawshank Redemption
Shirley Temple Movies
Dirty Harry Movies
2001 A Space Odyssey
Star Trek Movies
The Maltese Falcon
Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte
Gaslight
It’s Alive
Jaws
Finding Nemo
Close Encounters
My Fair Lady
MASH
Huge fan of the British Mystery genre (past and present)
Sherlock Holmes Movies
Agatha Christie Movies
A movie that affected me by osmosis, but I’ve never actually seen, if that makes ANY sense. My mom and sisters have ALWAYS talked about it – One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest. I’ve been too chicken to watch it for some reason….. Perhaps one day….
Guess the Movie Quote:
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Kymm
2 movies that still creep me out: Carnival of Souls and The Haunting (the original one). Cannot watch The Haunting with the lights off. And I have seen many times.
Oh and kabra… you are a dork 🙂
Wow! That Star Wars poster is a CLASSIC. 🙂 I didn’t know that the faces on it (of Luke and Leia) were *not* of Hamill and Fisher. The memory plays tricks on me! lol
I think Rollerball held up better than you think so. Certainly it holds up better than movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, circa 1978 Slicker than the first version but just not as scary( I guess watching the story when you are younger makes a difference. More or less agree with you on the others, though I;m finding the revised version of the original episode to detract from the magic. sorry, but Han shot first, period. ‘
couple of other movies I’ll add. First, 2001. Without that it seems unlikely that sci fi would have managed to “mainstream” as well as it has. Or maybe not. But while still gorgeous, still tense, it still has a confusing ending. Trivia. Saw this in Tokyo, with Japanese subtitles running across the screen. This one and Thomas Crown Affair both stay in my memory for that reason.
Caligula. Ok, I knew a lot more about history than they taught in high school, including some of the um, lewd stuff. And I’d even seen a porno flick by the time I saw this. Still, it was a shocking movie on so many levels. Decades later, it still shocks. And it still intrigues, with its premise that Caligula was consciously trying to provoke people with his behavior. That and some of the more perverted moment still make me go ouuuccchh.
Das mentioned several good flicks, and I agree with her on the Cowboys.
Didn’t see it until a few years after its release, but On the Beach. Alas, I don’t think it has aged as well as it might, despite the star studded cast. But the exploration of the people-less California cities is still powerful. And if unrealistic, it is consoling to believe that the last humans would choose to end their lives with the relative dignity shown in the film.
Ok, I could list movies for hours, so I’ll stop with these. Nice list, interesting topic. Thanks for presenting it. And Carl, instead of just quoting, how about some more input on some of the flicks?
oh. Blazing Saddles. Priceless. A movie I still catch on tv now and then and still enjoy. Despite the selective beepings and cuts made to make it less offensive. A perfect irony in that.
Random thought (sorry, I can’t help myself)
re accents and Rush not being obviously Rush when he’s in Telford’s body: When Daniel and Vala were in the bodies of the two people in the Ori galaxy, the stones translated for them. The stones they use on Destiny probably “translate” Rush’s accent into something that Telford would sound like.
Nerdgassing, in case you didn’t know, is defined here: http://whatever.scalzi.com/2008/06/03/nerdgassing-i-coin-this-word-in-the-name-of-humanity/ by the eminent John Scalzi 😀
Hey Joe, you might have seen this before but a lot of other people probably have not: (Elyse mentioned the guys joking around a lot, so I did a lil’ search)
Peter Kelamis doing standup, and he’s pretty darn funny.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jayse10024+Peter+Kelamis&aq=f
@Kymm
The Princess Bride!!
Have fun stormin’ the castle!!
Love that movie!!
@Kymm
The Princess Bride. One of the best movies ever!
[The Dread Pirate Roberts rolls downhill: “AS. . .YOU. . .WIIIISH. . . . .”
Princess Buttercup: “WESLEY!!!”]
Most of the movies from my youth still hold up (Ghostbusters, original Star Wars trilogy, Back to the Future trilogy, Indiana Jones trilogy, Alien, Aliens) though some do not (Goonies, Gremlins, Monster Squad).
On a somewhat related note, I watched Blade Runner for the first time today. I guess back in the 80s this was a big sci-fi film but the music (electronic keyboards mostly) is incredibly dated and I found the film itself fairly boring.
Hi Joe,
I haven’t much to add to the movie discussion. I think Flipper was the first movie I ever saw in a theatre, and no…not the remake…the original. I doubt seriously if either of them has held up particularly well with time. Personally, I find that the older I get the movies I once held in high esteem seem more and more to lose their lustre. Sometimes it’s a case of knowing them too well (Star Wars, for example) and in other instances they simply seem dated and trite. My memory of what they are far exceeds their reality.
Still. You’d never guess I felt that way by the size of my DVD collection. (Although I do have a few regrets with those 1980s tv series. Anyone interested in the complete Remington Steele series?)
On a different subject, last week or so you mentioned some progress on the SG-1 movie front…
“… the rumblings on the SG-1 movie front have been consistent, touching upon a variety of possible interesting scenarios.”
I was wondering if you could expound a bit on what you meant by “possible interesting scenarios” ? Is that specifically related to the story itself or to various mechanisms or avenues by which the movie might end up going into production?
And if you cannot comment on that (which I suspect you may not be able to), do you have any idea as to when there might be “official” news about it? Are we looking at days? Weeks? Months?
Of course, we’re still holding out hope for the SGA movie too. Hopefully good news on the SG1 front will bode well for SGA as well!
Thanks!
SBS
The vast majority of these were movies I was not allowed to see, “allowed” meaning my parents refused to pay for their entire litter of kids to go to the movies. My brother would sneak in with his friends and then describe the movies for us in such detail that I would later swear I’d seen them too.
The exception was Poseidon and all those lovely Planet of the Apes movies and TV shows, which we’d watch dubbed in Spanish. To this day I still have a crush on James Naughton. The original is so fantastic; running through the corn to that amazing score, get your goddam hands offa me, I’d like to kiss you–that film is plum full of quotable moments.
I had just purchased “Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things” from Amazon a few weeks ago. Agreed. It did not hold up. But it is fun. And Orville still rocks.