Help a Hickman with Hints of Hollywood
By
BBQ_Pork,
Posted on: 2010-09-18 06:06 in Comic and Hero-Villain Culture
A movie I have recommended over and over, and yet so few people know about it. Most of those who see it get back to me grateful that I pointed it out. And it is perfect for a young college class:
The Emperor's Club. Kevin Klein and Emile Hersch. Klein is a teacher in a boy's boarding school where they hold an annual competition. Certain moral choices are made. Twenty years later, the same people get back together at a reunion, re-live the competition and the impact of those choices are seen. It is a lot better than it sounds. The DVD even has a college ethics class discussing the issues. 103 min. Came out in 2002. I thought Klein's performance was outstanding. It is not depressing, but it is definitely thought provoking.
LOCAL MAN! The most famous hero of all. There are more newspaper stories about me than anyone else. "Local Man wins Medal of Honor." "Local Man opens Animal Shelter." "Local Man Charged with..." (Um, forget about that one.)
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The Three Faces of Eve (1957)
91 minutes long, most likely not known by your students, outstanding characters that offer a lot to think about.
"the reason there are so many sarcastic pvpers is we already had a better version of pvp taken away from us to appease bad players. Back then we chuckled at how bad players came here and whined. If we knew that was the actual voice devs would listen to instead of informed, educated players we probably would have been bigger dicks back then." -ConFlict
Forbidden Planet (1956) 98 minutes
or my personal favorite
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) 103 minutes
Both are good stories with well developed characters, and your students have probably never seen either of them.
The Curse of the Demon - based on the M.R. James story, 'Casting the Runes' - 95 minutes.
Invasion of the Saucer Men clocks in at 1:09:20.
The Blob with Steve McQueen is only 89 minutes.
The Valley of Gwangi is 96 minutes of dino-roping fun courtesy of Ray Harryhausen.
The Creature from the Black Lagoon - 79 minutes, can't go wrong with the Gill-Man!
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms - 80 minutes!
THEM! - 93 minutes and a brief appearance by Leonard Nimoy.
If you don't mind an animated movie, what about Tokyo Godfathers? It's about three homeless people (A crossdresser, a middle age hobo, an 16 year old runaway) that find an abandoned baby on Christmas Eve and decide to find the babies parents. It's also rated PG-13. The only real issue you might have is that it's subtitled, but it's an excellent movie (And there are some great comedic moments mixed in).
Another great subtitled anime (Which, like Tokyo Godfathers, is one I feel everyone should be required to watch) is Millennium Actress. This one is PG, and focuses on Genya Tachibana, who is making a documentary on the famous actress Chiyoko Fujiwara who's withdrawn from public life in her old age. As Chiyoko relates the tale of her life from a schoolgirl to a famous movie actress, her story is illustrated via flashbacks mixed with scenes from her films. There's also a subplot of her quest to find a dissident artist she met as a young girl, and return the key he left her. The movie is both touching and hillarious, As Genya and his cameraman get drawn into the flashbacks (And even end up participating in various guises). It's a really fantastic film.
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Or you could watch Kurosawa's Yojimbo. I mean Kurosawa won a plagarism suit against A Fistfull of Dollars for 15% of its royalties(I believe it was the royalties anyway). While not completely identical, as Leone does bring a nice chunk of his own style to the A Fistfull of Dollars, it's also an almost scene for scene remake of Yojimbo. Of course, if your students aren't really the type to watch subtitled films (which is fairly likely actually) Fistfull's a fantastic film, I just prefer Kurosawa's take on the film to Leone's.|
Originally Posted by Warp_Factor
A Fistfull of Dollars. I forget whether this one is PG-13 or R, but by modern standards it's tough for me to imagine someone who'd be OK with today's PG-13 flicks objecting to it. Great filmmaking in a style you don't see often in today's mainstream films, and still entertaining enough to keep most people's attention.
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That said, I do kind of like the idea of having them watch a bad film and then making them review it 'fairly'.
MA Arcs: Yarmouth 1509 and 58812
Also, two more while I'm thinking about it:
For love or money, a PG romantic comedy starring Michael J. Fox as Doug, a concierge working at a hotel. Although well connected and extremely good at his job (such as saving clients lots of money while still showing them a good time), Doug's dream is to open his own hotel. For years he's saved his money, and now has a chance to start his hotel on Roosevelt Island, but he's only got a few weeks to start construction or he looses his option. His best chance lies with an unscrupulous billionaire, but only if Doug takes care of his mistress. However, things quickly become complicated as Doug finds himself developing feelings for the girl. It's a great movie, and shows why Michael J. Fox was such a fantastic actor.
Also, I realize this suggestion breaks two guidelines (It's around 120 minutes, and has a sad ending), but I feel you'd be doing your class a disservice by not exposing them to Awakenings, starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. Based on a true story, it focuses on the patients who survived the 1917-1928 outbreak of encephalitis lethargica, but at the cost of being left in a catatonic state. After one patient, Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro) is treated with L-Dopa by Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Robin Williams), he ends up coming out of the catatonic state. I really don't want to say much more to avoid spoiling things, but lets just say that it is a *fantastic* movie, and one I highly recomend.
Monster Squad PG-13 82 Mins
Goonies PG 114 Mins
Shaolin Soccer PG-13 89 Mins (English Version) 112 Mins (Original Version)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit PG-13 104 Mins
O Brother, Where art thou PG-13 103 Mins
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (The original movie) PG 95 Mins
Big Trouble in Little China PG-13 100 Mins
These are just some random ones I could come up with
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Hmmmmmmm.... picking some from my collection:
The Manchurian Candidate. The original one. Yes, its portrayal of the Chinese and Russians are admittedly ... let's be generous and say "very stereotyped," but given the time it came out, it's to be expected.
Plan 9 from Outer Space. The "worst movie ever made." But come on, if they're going to review, they HAVE to experience this. (Admission: I haven't sat all the way through.) Alternately, do a double feature of this and "Ed Wood."
The Court Jester. "The pellet with the poison..." Danny Kaye movies just aren't played enough either (White Christmas excepting, and that's more because of Bing Crosby) so it's doubtful they've seen it. And certainly not depressing.
I'd say Dead Again, but it's rated R. Mostly for violence, I suppose.
The Breakfast Club. It's one of *the* 80s movies. See what they think now.
Another one I just thought of. It may not work as its 126 minutes, but Terry Gilliam's The Adventures of Baron Munchausen is a fun watch, as it focuses on the Barons travels and (Totally true, I assure you) fantastical experiences.
Also, I second the earlier nomination for Shaolin Soccer.
The Return of Captain Invincible, its 96 minutes and has Alan Arkin and Christopher Lee in it. Just watch it and see what you think.
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You could've just mentioned Battlefield Earth and been done with it. I mean really once you have reached the nether depths of movie crapdom there's no were to go except up. |
Originally Posted by Judas_Ace
Most people will probably suggest some pretty good films. However, IMO it might be more interesting to teach them to write an objective review of something horrible. With that in mind:
The Wicker Man Batman & Robin Dungeons & Dragons The Avengers Wild Wild West Battlefield Earth Waterworld Mr. Nanny |
12 Angry Men - a classic morality tale with excellent acting.
I'd say To Kill a Mockingbird as well, but it's a few minutes longer than you'd like, though I'm sure you could squeeze it in somehow. It's a must see, especially if they never read the book.
Loose --> not tight.
Lose --> Did not win, misplace, cannot find, subtract.
One extra 'o' makes a big difference.
I suggest Master and Commander Far Side of the World.
Next best thing to being able to somehow squeeze some of the Hornblower series into a single movie. 113 minutes, engrossing, a nice bite of historical flavor.
Edit: oops, looks like 138 minutes, a shame, its a really really good pick.
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I dunno. Do you remember the Dungeons and Dragons movie? Good lord it was horrible.
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Originally Posted by DJ1
You could've just mentioned Battlefield Earth and been done with it. I mean really once you have reached the nether depths of movie crapdom there's no were to go except up.
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MA Arcs: Yarmouth 1509 and 58812
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Or better yet, Hickman could show the one movie thats so utterly horrible that it manages to be completly [censored] AWESOME:|
Originally Posted by DJ1
You could've just mentioned Battlefield Earth and been done with it. I mean really once you have reached the nether depths of movie crapdom there's no were to go except up.
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My Sci-Fi/Fantasy Lit snuck Sean Connery in a diaper (Zardoz) into a powerpoint, once.
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Both good choices!
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Originally Posted by Bounder
I suggest Master and Commander Far Side of the World.
Next best thing to being able to somehow squeeze some of the Hornblower series into a single movie. 113 minutes, engrossing, a nice bite of historical flavor. Edit: oops, looks like 138 minutes, a shame, its a really really good pick. |
------->"Sic Semper Tyrannis"<-------
Given that I teach film classes at my University, I may be a bit more obscure than some, but each of these films are wonderful... well, in their own way.
BAD: Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1998) PG-13 (88 minutes)
Truly awful (in a terribly fun and funny way) campy pseudo-slasher film about aliens who look like clowns and kill townies using things like bubbles and cotton candy.
INDY: The Movie Hero (2003) PG-13 (98 minutes)
One of the cutest, and strangest, romantic comedies I've ever seen. So strange that it starts as a quirky romantic comedy and winds up being a true romantic fantasy (think ghost-type fantasy, not high LoTR-style fantasy).
CLASSIC: Sabrina (1954) PG (113 minutes)
Humphrey Bogart, William Holden, and Audrey Hepburn in a 'working class girl does good' story with a twist. Very sweet story, and some wonderful societal anachronisms to stimulate discussion with modern filmwatchers.
CLASSIC: Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969) G (92 minutes)
Since you can's offer Blazing Saddles because of its 'R' rating, this is a good alternative for a classic western comedy. And with James Garner, Harry Morgan, Walter Brennan, Bruce Dern, and fabulous character actor Jack Elam, you can't go wrong for notable performances.
DISNEY: Tron (1982) PG (96 minutes)
Breathtaking special effects... for 1982 that is, but a story that should interest the tech-minded if they've ever wondered what it would be like to go inside a computer. Plus, you'll turn on a whole new generation of fans and they'll then want to see Tron Legacy when it comes out. There's no downside!
DISNEY: The Black Hole (1979) PG (98 minutes)
The forgotten step-brother to 'Tron', this film still has a few shots that take my breath away even today, like the approach shot of the Cygnus as it lights up. Plus, it has a few good morality issues to discuss, and a cast of heavyweights like Maximilian Schell, Anthony Perkins, Robert Forster, Yvette Mimieux, and Ernest Borgnine.
Those are the ones that come to mind this early on a Sunday morning. I am curious however, and someone else asked this... what level are your students?
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Well my favorites were already mentioned so I'll second both Dark City and Forbidden Planet. I just picked up the FP blue ray but haven't watched it yet.
Unfortunately I tend to also love shallow cornball type movies such as The Last Dragon and there isn't much to review in that one.
You could try Freaky Friday and show that Lindsay Lohan was an actress sort of once upon a time.
Duets
Doctor Horrible
Support Your Local Sheriff
Shaolin Soccer
True Lies
The Court Jester (The pellet with the poison's in the vessel with the pestle.)
I would suggest Spartacus, Ben Hur or Ten Commandments but they somewhat stomp heavily on your time constraints.
Don't count your weasels before they pop dink!
Hmmm, a few films that are usually thought of as required viewing and have been in a lot of the film classes I have seen (and/or attended).
-Rashomon
-Yojimbo
-On the Waterfront (pretty much the start of how movie acting works now)
-Casablanca (almost every line in this is a quote in the mainstream!)
-The Third Man (well-written film by Graham Greene, well-directed, and with a great performance from Orson Welles)
-Citizen Kane
-Rear Window (my favorite Hitchcock, as well)
-Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
-Hero (arguably a finer film than Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon... especially from a cinematography standpoint, which might give you more to talk about)
-Princess Bride (hilarious, but also well done characterization and writing)
-A River Runs Through It (beautiful film and uses some of the fantastic writing from the book)
-Whale Rider (more recent but might not have been noticed by your students, a great film, well shot, well told, etc.)
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You should show them CLUE! It's 92 minutes, it's PG, and it's a friggen *classic*.
Tombstone, Casablanca, The Quiet Man, The Maltese Falcon, Double Indemmity,The Treasure of Seirra Madre. Monty Pythons Holy Grail, Whats Up Doc, Bringing Up Baby.