View Full Version : Greatest Film Sequences
Birthed from the Arthur c. Clarke books thread, I thought it would be interesting to have a list of what we consider the greatest film sequences.
My vote will, obviously, go to the docking sequence in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/horsesass/10073759A2001-A-Space-Odyssey-Poste.jpg
The epilogue 'conversation with my mother' from Kaos, pure beauty.
http://www.beslist.nl/dvd-video/images/5730l.jpg
My vote has to go to the final shot in Big Night. The entire scene is a single shot of Secundo making an omelette for Primo and Cristiano. There is no dialog at all, just the cooking and eating, and it lasts at least several minutes. After all that had gone on between the two brothers, it was the perfect ending. So much was conveyed in such a simple shot and it was beautiful. It has been my favorite scene since the first day I saw it.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0767802535.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
Another one of my favorite shots is about half-way through The Big Lebowski. The Dude and Walter are at the bowling alley. Walter is bowling and walks out of frame to throw. You hear the ball go and the sound of the pins falling, then after an appropriate pause, Walter re-enters the frame and picks up his ball from the ball return. Doing the shot in this way really draws the viewer into the scene by expanding the scope of the setting beyond what can be seen on the screen. The viewer is aware of the larger world beyond the area that is captured by the camera, something that is very tough to do. The Coens achieve it in this scene with a very simple method and I applaud them for it.
I could easily name 50 more, but Big Night will always get my top vote.
Louis VI the Fat
01-14-2008, 02:48
For me, the clear winner is the opening scene of the black and white 1976 French-Czechoslovakian co-production 'L'Existentialisme Chrétien c'est quoi?', a 35 minute monologue of a naked man debating with himself in front of a mirror the influence of existentialist thought for the development of the concept of 'truth' in the works of
No! Wait! A better scene suddenly springs to mind:
There is this moment near the end of this Swedish special interest movie, where Ulrika meets Big Birgitta and finally lifts her shirt and proceeds to
No! Wait! A better scene suddenly springs to mind:
The final fifteen minutes or so of Return of the Jedi. That is just such an emotional rollercoaster ride. The perfect resolve of the series. Seriously! I've never understood other Star Wars fans and their underappreciation of ROTJ. It's majestic, the greatest of them all. The whole last hour or so is the very best in cinematic history.
https://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8291/returnofthejedi4kq7.jpg
The sequence when the roller-skating ninjas attack the dude in the microcar (http://jalopnik.com/340827/how-to-escape-when-roller-skating-ninjas-attack-your-microcar). That chokes me up every time.
Marshal Murat
01-14-2008, 03:38
Hotel Rwanda...
The scene when the Catholic nuns and the Rwanda children are walking into the compound, the rain falling, and the camera-guys trying to bring the children with them...
I have a few
Pulp Fiction:
The first
https://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n73/kawaiku/Random%20Images/Dontmiss.jpg
Ezekial 25:17
The second being the scene where they administer the Adrenaline shot to Uma Thurman's character.
The fight scene in Morocco in the Bourne Ultimatum in which Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) puts a book into the bad guy's neck and proceeds to punch it into oblivion. Intense.
The opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan and the closing sequences with the older Ryan paying his respects to Hank's character.
BTW, did anybody notice that in Gladiator when the Barbarians were chanting they were using the same chant used by the Zulus in the movie ZULU?
And the dogfight sequences in The Battle For Britain are the best that I have ever seen and probably the only good ones in existence.
O and in The Thin Red Line when the men were attacking up the ridges, and also when they took the MG bunker and also the Japanese encampment. Those were some of the best war scenes that I have seen in a war movie on the Pacific Theater. Also it is an underrated film that should get more respect.
Conradus
01-14-2008, 08:51
Probably not the best, but some scenes that always manage to hit a nerve are:
The opening scene of Sin City, with the hired hitman and his victim on the balcony.
V's introduction speech and the following orchestra in V for Vendetta
The charge of the Rohirrim at the Pellenor in Return of the King.
InsaneApache
01-14-2008, 09:21
The opening scene from Lucky Number Sleven.
"Please don't kill me, I have a family!"
"Not anymore you don't"
*Cue plastic bag*
:sweatdrop:
Geoffrey S
01-14-2008, 11:05
Great film that. Some beautiful little scenes there.
Too many to mention, but some which spring to mind instantly:
- The fight in the subway in the Matrix. Seriously, the first time I saw that...!
- The approach to the asteroid in Armageddon, and the opening sequence of the same movie. Strange choice possibly, but they're absolutely perfect for testing new screens and sound systems and so I've seen them numerous times. Some of the best action sequences ever.
- The end of Twelve Monkeys. 'nuff said.
- Opening sequence of Saving Private Ryan.
- A TV series now. The State Within, when Gardner is executed. I was really expecting him to survive.
- End of Life of Brian.
But the best sequence ever? Time... to die...
The final fifteen minutes or so of Return of the Jedi. That is just such an emotional rollercoaster ride. The perfect resolve of the series. Seriously! I've never understood other Star Wars fans and their underappreciation of ROTJ. It's majestic, the greatest of them all. The whole last hour or so is the very best in cinematic history.
Funnily enough, agreed. Perfection is achieved in the sequence where Luke hides, and Darth Vader discovers the sister.
Banquo's Ghost
01-14-2008, 13:21
My own favourite is from "The Mission". After Rodrigo kills his brother, he is given a chance of penance by dragging his armour across Christendom to his new role as a Jesuit priest. The boy who comes to cut him free of this burden is one of the Guarani which he persecuted and enslaved when he was a mercenary. As a symbol of pure forgiveness, I find it greatly moving.
(The sequence at the end, after the credits, where Ray McAnally's cardinal looks quizzically at the viewer - asking the question of you - is marvellous too).
Other favourites:
"Apollo 13": The Saturn V launch sequence - every boy of the 60's dream.
"The Man in the Iron Mask": Great casting, apart from diCaprio, and the final musketeers' charge into the teeth of the guards guns is swashbuckling joy.
"Gladiator": The Barbarian Horde sequence. :viking: Nuff said.
"Casablanca": Obviously, the whole movie, but especially when Lazslo directs the band to play the Marseillaise and drowns out the Nazis.
Ah, so many more...
For me, the clear winner is the opening scene of the black and white 1976 French-Czechoslovakian co-production 'L'Existentialisme Chrétien c'est quoi?', a 35 minute monologue of a naked man debating with himself in front of a mirror the influence of existentialist thought for the development of the concept of 'truth' in the works of
No! Wait! A better scene suddenly springs to mind:
There is this moment near the end of this Swedish special interest movie, where Ulrika meets Big Birgitta and finally lifts her shirt and proceeds to
Louis VI the Fat. Renaissance man. :beam:
I have a real soft spot for the lighting of the beacons scene in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The Constant Gardener, the scene by the sea is intense.
Ramses II CP
01-14-2008, 15:53
Runner's up:
Braveheart when Gibson leads the attack on that little fort, ending by cutting the captain's throat. Also the first major battle scene.
Full Metal Jacket's sniper scene. From rage, anger, hate, and the determination to hunt and kill another human being to growing sympathy and even pity for that same person. I still would've left her for the rats.
Apocalypse Now, Ride of the Valkyries.
The best, IMHO:
The opening sequence just a bit into Trainspotting, when his bowels loosen. The definition of addiction: being willing to swim through filth to seek the even the smallest chemical joy.
:egypt:
Big King Sanctaphrax
01-14-2008, 18:46
The final fifteen minutes or so of Return of the Jedi. That is just such an emotional rollercoaster ride. The perfect resolve of the series. Seriously! I've never understood other Star Wars fans and their underappreciation of ROTJ. It's majestic, the greatest of them all. The whole last hour or so is the very best in cinematic history.
I absolutely agree with this, and this is the Star Wars scene I appreciate the most as a (nominal) adult. However, I think a mention needs to go to the Death Star trench run in A New Hope. I remember seeing that for the first time as a kid, it just absolutely blew me away.
In spite of my love for Star Wars, though, my favourite scene in all of cinema is the Mexican stand-off at the end of The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. The camera work is absolutely inspired, and I don't think the tension it invokes has been matched. The music isn't bad either.
Mel Gibson shouting "Freeeeeedoooom" like his head's about to explode in Braveheart.
Kagemusha, final scene where the Takeda cavalry lie down dead and the final soldier, the "kagemusha" charges at the Oda line of firearms.
Click (lol), Adam Sandler playing dead in front of his family at the end, he got me there.
Those are all I can remember.
Some of my favorites:
Lobby shootout in The Matrix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpc1SpDgUIA) - over the top action with a nice score
Car (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1e7djNVipc) chase (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHgxWluFvyg) scenes (either of the two) in Ronin - masterfully done stunts, no CGI
D-Day invasion opening in Saving Private Ryan
Nihilist fight scene in The Big Lebowski (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FhllP7vD40) - almost wet myself laughing at the ridiculousness of the whole thing, surprise ending with Donny going down
Bank heist in Heat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0KzRvHfaDk) - one of the most technical gunfights I've seen on film
Edit-> added YouTube links, probably some cursing in the Heat (and definitely in the Lebowski) scenes
TinCow, I'm surprised anyone else here has seen Big Night. That was an excellent ending sequence. Great movie, but not very well known.
The Untouchables: when Sean Connery is stalked in his house, scares off the interloper, and gets killed. What a scene as he dies and that other guy whose name I temporarily forgot gets to him. Beautiful film sequence.
Geoffrey S
01-14-2008, 19:40
Oh, and lest I forget, the death of Saburo in Ran. Probably the best film ever made, and it's a disservice to have to pluck out any supposed best sequence.
Crazed Rabbit
01-14-2008, 20:27
The final gunfight in The Way of the Gun. Matches and perhaps exceeds the bank shootout in Heat.
The end of Cyrano de Bergeac. Many scenes in Once Upon a Time in the West.
CR
Kekvit Irae
01-14-2008, 20:56
The defense and evacuation of the Medlab in Aliens.
Argh! Kevin COSTNER! THAT was the name.
The scene in The Last Samurai near the end where the samurai leader is destroyed after the brave -- but stupid -- attack against the machine guns.
Kagemusha
01-14-2008, 21:09
One worth mentioning, the end scene of Last Of the Mohicans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SoeDAPj6gg&feature=related
Louis VI the Fat
01-15-2008, 00:46
That's odd, I was about to mention the end to Last of the Mohicans as well...
Also, the scene near the end in Ratatouille when the cynical food critic is served his meal. Out of nowhere, he feels as if struck by lightning. And so did I. One moment, I am watching a funny, enchanting cartoon movie about rats, the next, I am sobbing like a baby and I couldn't stop. ~:mecry: ~:mecry: ~:mecry:
Ratatouille (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtkxAfCq86c&feature=related) tribute. Easily the greatest movie of the year.
Pannonian
01-15-2008, 01:12
Quite a few scenes from My Neighbour Totoro.
Mei plays in the garden and encounters tiny Totoro.
Mei meets big Totoro.
Satsuki meets big Totoro at the bus stop.
Mei, Satsuki and the Totoros will the plants into growing.
First scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIfZFF4hzAk) leading into the second scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9BNnCHQazA).
Third scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_btcMFpZa8).
Fourth scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V8j-jiwr3Q).
Last scene's in French.
Beefy187
01-15-2008, 02:14
Totoro.. Ah I love that movie:laugh4:
Mithrandir
01-15-2008, 02:40
The scene from reservoir dogs comes to mind, where a guy gets his ear cut off among other things while tied to a chair to get information out of him, with no other sound but the song "stuck in the middle with you" from Stealers wheel.
Mithrandir
01-15-2008, 02:42
Ooooh! and Monthy Python, the scene from the Holy Grail with the black knight, where he gets his arm cut off (guess I'm a sucker for cutting off human body parts).
It's just a flesh wound! (https://youtube.com/watch?v=2eMkth8FWno)
seireikhaan
01-15-2008, 02:55
Oh man, choices, choices...
Hmm, I'd have to say one would be the scene in Airplane where the elderly woman converses in jive talk with the two black passengers. Pure comedy gold, I love that movie.
Yeah, RotJ is very good too, I agree with that choice, Louis.
Matrix subway fight, simply blew my mind away the first time I saw it.
Simba lifting the paw of his deceased father in Lion King after Mufasa falls off the cliff. Ironically, a bit of a tearjerker for me...
And lastly, and I can't believe nobody's said it yet, Adam Sandler vs Bob Barker (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89uVWN2cuew&feature=related") in Happy Gilmore. That was utterly classic.
Slight warning, mild language in the Happy Gilmore clip.
Edit: Doh! How'd I forget about Monty Python? Dang, that whole movie could be nominated...
DemonArchangel
01-15-2008, 03:26
Hard Boiled: The Teahouse Shootout (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3htuEtR_6Y)
What makes this epic is that this scene occurs in the first five minutes of the movie. That's right. The first five minutes.
Pannonian
01-15-2008, 04:00
Which reminds me.
A Better Tomorrow, restaurant shootout (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxKFVaQgoWM)
Peasant Phill
01-15-2008, 09:15
Some great scenes in here, ...
I'm surprised that 'the devils advocate' hasn't been mentioned yet. The scene where Keano is the only person in New york, the scene where he makes love to his wife and/or his coworker (wonderfully confusing) and of course the devils monologue.
I also liked the well known interrogation scene from 'a few good men', "You want the truth?", man did Nicholson shine in that movie.
Lastly I nominate the 'building of a new earth' scene from the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. The sheer absurdity of a crew of men painting Ayers Rockthe right color and other great moments within that scene.
For that matter I really liked the trailer to.
Godfather:
Starting scene where the guy is on the wedding day of the Godfather to ask him for a favour. "You come to me... on the day o' my daughte's wedding.... and ask me to kill a man...."
The Kiss of Death scene.
The ending scenes of part 3 starting from the theatre.
What the hell... this whole movie series is great.
Kagemusha
01-15-2008, 22:30
Leon also has quite a few great and powerful scenes including the following. If its too rough for frontroom, my apologies and please delete it.:yes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlbSDqa5DtU&feature=related
The use of the song "Angel" in Snatch.
Same film, the use of "****** in the Bushes."
Leon also has quite a few great and powerful scenes including the following. If its too rough for frontroom, my apologies and please delete it.:yes:
Another Besson great, the opera scene in The Fifth Element (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCWA1VPVZWE)
I must concur with the film sequence of Reservoir Dogs where the cop was being tortured while that song was played. Vile and disgusting, but a great film sequence nevertheless. There were many times in college I actually imitated that dance while singing that song as I told a fellow colleague or friend of a great achievement I had. What a great expressive -- and unpredictable especially in public -- way to celebrate.
Another great film sequence of that movie is the beginning where they talk about music and stuff which is closely followed by the opening credits with that beautiful tune played (Little Green Bag).
Another great Tarantino film sequence is in True Romance. Near the end in the director's/producer's house as they point guns at each other (which also happened in RD by the way).
Or what about the scene in Pulp Ficton when Pumpkin and Honeybunny rob the place? Especially the part where Sam Jackson talks to him calling him Ringo and such, and talking about shepherds and so on.
Gladiator has a memorable battle sequence during the opening buildup of excitement. It gets more and more and more, then at some point the sound effects are dimmed out as you continue to see them battling in chaos while the beautiful music plays. Beautiful.
El Diablo
01-16-2008, 04:15
For out and out fun - the car chase scene in THE BLUES BROTHERS. A classic.
Mikeus Caesar
01-16-2008, 04:43
In the film Children of Men, the giant battle in the Refugee shanty-town of Bexhill. That entire scene is about 10 minutes long and is all filmed in one shot, with explosions and death everywhere. Brilliant.
GeneralHankerchief
01-16-2008, 04:55
A lot of good ones have been mentioned already.
First thing that comes to mind for me that, IIRC, hasn't been said yet was the final shootout scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06la94s2uoA) in Hot Fuzz.
Talk about absurd, this one takes the cake. :laugh4:
Mithrandir
01-16-2008, 14:26
A lot of good ones have been mentioned already.
First thing that comes to mind for me that, IIRC, hasn't been said yet was the final shootout scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06la94s2uoA) in Hot Fuzz.
Talk about absurd, this one takes the cake. :laugh4:
hahahaha
:2thumbsup:
NEver saw the movie but will have to see it now...
the drive by from the granny on the bike :beam: :laugh4:
Gregoshi
01-16-2008, 14:58
I'll second (or third or...) D-day and "Am I a good man" scenes in Saving Private Ryan (horror and emotion) and the docking sequence in 2001 (grace and beauty).
One other scene that is memorable for its sheer impact is the openning of Star Wars (A New Hope as it is called now) when the Imperial Star Destroyer flys overhead...and keeps going and going. I remember being completely dumbfounded at the enormous size of the ship. ~:eek: It is old hat now-a-days, but up until 1977, nothing had been seen quite like this on the movie screen before.
Another scene that invoked a powerful sense of awe and wonder is the "Welcome to Jurassic Park" scene from Jurassic Park. The apatosaurus(?) feeding on the trees and then seeing the herds of dinosaurs in the distance coupled with the beautiful score by John Williams was quite overwhelming. Goosebumps and teary eyes at the majesty and beauty of it all was the order of the day. Again, nothing like this had been seen on the big screen before - the dinosaurs looked so real...
Se7en has a good movie sequence near/at the end, as they drive towards the location while talking, then later the whole thing is ended. What a masterpiece.
And check out some of the cinematography: that shot when your detective Pitt is being held at gunpoint on his knees in the rain as you see the blurry image of the gunman looking down upon him/you. What a camera shot.
The end battle in Saving Private Ryan is superb. Especially the parts where the Jewish American soldier is fighting the German soldier hand-to-hand as his buddy is lying on the ground dying and the part where Upham shoots this German soldier are good ones.
In Schindler's List there's a good film sequence when you see the little girl lying dead at a pile of corpses. There isn't much said or explained, but when you see it you know what it's about.
The Kill Bill scene where the story of the Japanese character is explained. Arrgh, that music... BEAUTIFUL.
The part in Platoon where a certain character is chased and destroyed by the foe as the friendly choppers leave him behind. The poor ******. And that music that's playing while it happens..... it is brilliant.
(Language - Beirut)
The part in Platoon where a certain character is chased and destroyed by the foe as the friendly choppers leave him behind. The poor ******. And that music that's playing while it happens..... it is brilliant.
Elias' betrayal by Barnes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-P8TF8J-4w) , I was thinking about this one as well. The music was a perfect choice (Adagio for Strings (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMz8fKkG2g))
(Edit quoted text - Beirut)
Good links, drone. That music, that scene... arrrgh. I can listen to this music anytime, all day long. Simply, to me, one of the most dramatic music pieces in existence... and it fits war perfectly.
Tribesman
01-17-2008, 01:07
The exploding cow scene or the shooting the rabbit closing scene from Six Shooter , but I don't think the youtube links to them would be allowed in the frontroom .
First thing that comes to mind for me that, IIRC, hasn't been said yet was the final shootout scene (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06la94s2uoA) in Hot Fuzz.
Talk about absurd, this one takes the cake.
Even better, from the same team, is the sequence in Shaun of the Dead when the protagonist wanders out into a zombie-infested city, and is too hung over to notice (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKIqHErgDmU).
Beefy187
01-17-2008, 05:28
Battle against Neo and Mr Smith in Matrix 3 is epic
The end battle in Saving Private Ryan is superb. Especially the parts where the Jewish American soldier is fighting the German soldier hand-to-hand as his buddy is lying on the ground dying and the part where Upham shoots this German soldier are good ones.
I don't recall a buddy lying dying - I do remember Upham lying too scared to help outside on the stairs. The German soldier Upham shoots is not the one who was in the knife fight though - we never see what happened to him. It's the one Upham saved mid-way in the film and who at the end shoots, well you know. The two German soldiers look similar, but are played by different actors and are distinct roles.
I'll post some action scenes that stand out in my mind.
Hero - The movie with Jet Li as nameless, had dozens of good fight scenes. My favorites were probably the chess court and the fight to honor flying snow.
Equilibrium - The gun kata scenes were excellent, esp. the first one.
The Matrix - Neo and Morpheus' kung fu match.
The Animatrix; Final flight of the Osiris - Holy crap the whole swordmatch was just amazing.
I don't recall a buddy lying dying - I do remember Upham lying too scared to help outside on the stairs. The German soldier Upham shoots is not the one who was in the knife fight though - we never see what happened to him. It's the one Upham saved mid-way in the film and who at the end shoots, well you know. The two German soldiers look similar, but are played by different actors and are distinct roles.
That is a great scene, it made me sick. The worst of it is the that the german soldier is trying to comfort the guy 'shhht it will soon be over'. That has to be one of the most unbearable scene minus every murder in Munich. Spielberg knows how to make violence repulisve.
I don't recall a buddy lying dying - I do remember Upham lying too scared to help outside on the stairs. The German soldier Upham shoots is not the one who was in the knife fight though - we never see what happened to him. It's the one Upham saved mid-way in the film and who at the end shoots, well you know. The two German soldiers look similar, but are played by different actors and are distinct roles.
They were with two in that little room where they positioned a machine gun pointed outside through the rubble inbetween the buildings. At some point their ammunition is used up because Upham was too scared to continue. It is quiet and they hear footsteps and wonder if it's Upham. They position themselves a little spread and shoot and kill one of them (at least) as you see blood flowing over the floor. Then the one US soldier suddenly gets hit in the throat and falls to the floor whereafter the German soldier barges in and starts fighting the Jewish American one while the other US soldier is still on the floor dying as he holds his hands to his throat. During their fight they even roll over him uncontrollably as they yell at each other... and him I think.
The car chase scene in RONIN :2thumbsup:
King Kurt
01-17-2008, 17:08
Loads spring to mind - some of which have already been mentioned. 2 personal favourites are
The Gambler
This is a film with James Caan from the 70's It had the best line on a poster ever:-
"For $10,000 they break your arms. For $20,000 they break your legs. Axel Freed owes $44,000"
Caan plays a compulsive gambler who owes money to the Mob. He goes to Vegas to try and win the money. The key sequence is when he is playing Black jack. The dealer turns Caan's cards over and he has 18. Caan asks for another card - the dealer looks horrified and checks that he is sure. Caan just looks at him and says:
"Some of us are blessed - give me the 3
The point is that the dealer turns the card and it is a 3 - this gives Caan enough money to pay off the Mob.... but he goes on to loose it all again. Brilliant film - my memory of it is as clear as when I saw it in the 70's
The Searchers
The film John Wayne should have won an Oscar for - and the film many directors quote as a major influence. Many magnificent scenes but the opening scene as Wayne rides in framed by the door which is mirrored at the end of the film as he rides away are just brilliant. if you haven't seen it - rent it, buy it somehow get to see it. What is incredible is that a film with it's examination of racism, genocide and physcotic obsession could have been made in Hollywood in 1956. You will recognise scenes in it from Lawence of Arabia, Star Wars, Saving Private Ryan and many more.
The sex scene in History of Violence. Completely unexpected and shocking, considering your knowledge of the characters at that point in the movie. Later on it makes sense. My first reaction, "Where the heck did that come from?!?"
Sorry, no link for that one. ~D
The part in Fargo, where the Jerry the salesman is out in the parking lot alone, scraping ice off his car, and just loses it. William Macy does a great job in this scene, dropping the midwestern "nice" act in private, and letting the frustration and anger out for a moment, before calming down and getting back to scraping ice.
Even though we know the whole series is superior, another good sequence I must mention from The Godfather is in part one: their way in the cars onto the restaurant, driving over the bridge, suddenly turning, then the hit on the Turk and the police chief in the restaurant. Beautiful.
...Which reminds me of the other sequence where.... "a certain character" gets hit as he tries to pass the toll area. Arrgh, this movie series...! BEAUTIFUL! The music: BEAUTIFUL.
Louis VI the Fat
01-17-2008, 20:41
I must fight the urge to name whole movies, instead of single scenes. It's just that, I find it difficult to separate the two. Individual scenes don't make sense without the full movie. And movies that left an impression are often the ones where the whole was bigger than the sum of it's parts.
Here are some, all from highly recommended movies:
The Sixth Sense. If you've seen it you the moment I'm talking about. I loved this movie. I didn't realise anything until this scene. Thank God I always try to avoid spoilers.
Trainspotting - 'are you her flatmates?'. I could nominate just about the entire movie. The Highlands scene was great as well. What was it?: 'but to be colonised by the world's biggest bunch of ....'
Lost in Translation - the karaoke scene. This is one of those movies where the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Le Peuple Migrateur - the scene with the crabs gave me the creeps. All the more shocking since the rest of the movie is of such poetic tranquility.
Groundhog Day - the scene when Bill Murray wakes up and goes off for breakfast. Also the scene when Bill Murray wakes up and goes off for breakfast.
Mount Suribachi
01-17-2008, 22:01
The Usual Suspects - the final scene as all the pieces are slowly revealed.....
Saving Private Ryan - Everyone has named the opening scene, and rightly so, but the scene that stands out in my mind is the bit before the German attack at the end of the movie where there'll all just sitting around chewing the fat "fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the waydown" but you know, and they know that at some point the Germans are going to attack. There is just an underlying menace going on, the fear that the opening 30 minutes is about to be repeated. I remember my legs were shaking, and I saw it in Australia, in January so I wasn't cold!
The Phantom Menace Yep, you heard me right. Take away Jar-Jar and the awful dialogue and there are several "take-your-breath-away" set pieces. The first time Obi-Wan and Qui-Jon power up their sabres and you go WOW! The pod-race (even if it was cribbed from Ben Hur). And the duel with Darth Maul made every lightsaber battle previously look like kindergarden. Who, the first time they saw the double-lightsabre, didn't go "that is SO COOL!" ?
And yeah, the "excuse me, I speak Jive" in Airplane.
Chump don't want no help, chump don't get no help.
Papewaio
01-17-2008, 22:03
Lost in Translation - the karaoke scene. This is one of those movies where the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Her films tend to be like that. Scenes that are well shot but kind of vacuous. Then when added up the whole is much more deep.
Mind you I was living in Taiwan at the time when I saw this movie (only figured out after leaving Taiwan that most western movies there are the airline cuts... so I do wonder if I missed some crucial scenes)... anyhow I was going 'culture shock'... try Taiwan. At least Japan is clean, has level pavements and signs that are at least 6 foot above the same pavement... not a good look when you are watching your footing only to step under then up into a sign to crack a sharp metal edge into ones crown etc.
Also I think the movie highlighted the culture shock by basing itself in a Western Hotel with little forays into Japanese culture. Mind you even then it is the type that you can get anywhere... Karaoke... so it really didn't go to deep into the culture and as such missed some of the things that can really be disorientating (I'll keep that pun and pass Gregoshi all due royalties).
The Phantom Menace
Who, the first time they saw the double-lightsabre, didn't go "that is SO COOL!" ?
I know of no one - because there is no one.
Papewaio
01-17-2008, 22:29
Pulp Fiction - When Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis) is selecting which weapon to take on the rapists in the basement. Hammer, Baseball bat, Chainsaw... the katana. And the way he looks at it... should have figured Taratino would make a flick or two focusing on that obsession.
The part in Terminator 2 when Schwarzenegger is destroyed.
The part in Terminator 1 when Schwarzenegger is destroyed :P
The part in Close Encounters of the Third Kind with the ships getting close and actually seeing what the hell is going on there.
The scene in Gladiator when the old Caesar is destroyed.
The part in Pulp Fiction where they go into that restaurant and dance. Also the part where Mia is receiving a shot. Oh, and also the part where what's-his-name-again -- the officer -- tells young Butch about the war, his father and the watch.
The ending parts of Star Wars 5. It is almost perfect.
The buildup to and the creation of Darth Vader in Star Wars 3. Even though parts 1 to 3 are frowned upon, it was very exciting to see what led to Darth Vader. Could've been better, but meh...
Banquo's Ghost
01-17-2008, 23:27
Since we appear to be allowing Star Wars (why, I don't know, as I agree with Harrison Ford's pithy rejoinder on viewing George Lucas' "prose") I have to humbly submit for the Trekkies among us:
The sequence of Spock's death at the end of "The Wrath of Khan". If you were attached to the characters of TOS at all, it was very harrowing and emotional.
Oh, and also the part where what's-his-name-again -- the officer -- tells young Butch about the war, his father and the watch.
Of all the great scenes in ****************. It's my favorite in the movie as well.
Other Walken goodness, the russian roulette scene in ******************
(Discretion, please - Beirut)
Papewaio
01-18-2008, 01:27
The sequence of Spock's death at the end of "The Wrath of Khan". If you were attached to the characters of TOS at all, it was very harrowing and emotional.
And that death was totally denied any long lasting glory when he was resurrected in the name of the franchise dollar in the Search for Spock only made worse by it being an odd numbered film.
Why the hell didn't I think of the Deer Hunter...? Another good sequence was also when they were still captured and they had to play Russian roulette. This guy yells at them "Atau, atau!" (poorly phonetically written of course)
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The opening sequence of Indiana Jones 1. It builds up and builds up to a climax and then provides relief.
The opening sequence of Indiana Jones 2. It builds up and builds up to a climax and then provides relief :P
In The Untouchables the scene at the station with the gunfight, the woman and her kid, and the stairs.
The opening sequence of Airplane!
The title sequence of Dr. Strangelove and the ending parts building up to the downfall of the world (especially the scene where Strangelove is shown suffering from the alien hand syndrome) and when you see how the bomber commander falls through the air sitting on the released nuclear bomb.
(Edited quote - Beirut)
Banquo's Ghost
01-18-2008, 08:52
And that death was totally denied any long lasting glory when he was resurrected in the name of the franchise dollar in the Search for Spock only made worse by it being an odd numbered film.
I don't disagree, but at the time, with no knowledge that was going to happen, it was a very powerful scene - at least for me. And even watching now, I can still recall that impact.
King Kurt
01-18-2008, 10:58
The sequence of Spock's death at the end of "The Wrath of Khan". If you were attached to the characters of TOS at all, it was very harrowing and emotional.
My favourite scene is when Chekov is rescued and he tearfully tells Kirk that "They put things in our ears Captain" in a really bad russian accent - now that is classic:laugh4:
Taxi Driver - You talking to me?
Supposedly, this scene was all improvised.
Language warning
*************
(Discretion, please - Beirut)
Yeah, that's a good one from Taxi Driver. One of my favourites.
Another good sequence is in Goodfellas when Joe Pesci gets all messed up when they're having a drink in the bar. They all laugh like hell, then at some point he jumps Ray Liotta.
Pesci's character was based on Tommy DeSimone, who had definite mental problems. They wrote him to be very unpredictable, you never knew what would set him off.
On Rob Reiner's lighter side, the Battle of Wits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUee1WvtQZU) from Princess Bride. It spawned it's own meme, so it must be good. :2thumbsup:
(Discretion please - Beirut)
Gentlemen,
Kindly refrain from posting links to videos with brain spattering gunshots and multiple F-Bombs. Goodness knows both are entertaining in their own right, but they are not suitable here.
Thanks.
Oh come on, Tree Killer: cut us some slack, will ya? :clown:
I'm trying very hard to avoid BG's and Pape's Star Trek talk, by the way, 'cause I ain't seen ANY of those movies yet.
---
Another good sequence from Goodfellas is the one where Liotta and the woman enter this place (restaurant, entertainment, etc.) through the kitchen entrance. Forgot how long it took but that's one long shot they had there.
Also the one where Spider got hit. What a vile unpredictable scene... or scenes even.
Apologies. :bow:
May I edit back in the movie names/scenes, just without the YouTube links?
That's what I did, drone, all the while gibbering in mindless fear. Fortunately there are no f-bombs or blood in my roller-skating ninjas clip. Which is, by the way, the best movie scene evar.
woad&fangs
01-19-2008, 03:32
On Rob Reiner's lighter side, the Battle of Wits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUee1WvtQZU) from Princess Bride. It spawned it's own meme, so it must be good. :2thumbsup:
Also from the Princess bride:
"My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
Also, basically any scene from "Forrest Gump" is a good one.
The scene in "the Blues Brothers" where Belushi takes off his sunglasses.
Innocentius
01-19-2008, 14:42
The long one-take scene just outside The Room in Stalker.
https://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7002/stalkerih7.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Or really just any scene from Stalker...
Which Stalker are you talking about? The only one on IMDB I can find is this (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0485155/), and I don't think that's what you mean.
Innocentius
01-19-2008, 19:04
Why, Andrei Tarkovsky's Stalker (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalker_%28film%29) of course~;)
Which is probably the best movie I've ever seen, by the way.
Rodion Romanovich
01-20-2008, 15:29
A few Leone scenes missing in this thread:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuRU4XhDPA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEZWaGf9NYw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHZpO6aNLwE&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXldafIl5DQ&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szS6oSy_n1I&feature=related
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqZF8XD9Pk4
Innocentius
01-20-2008, 17:05
And the scene in Jacob's Ladder where Jacob is in the hospital, on his way to the X-ray. (https://youtube.com/watch?v=kjMjYzB4-yM)
The rail chase scene in The Temple of Doom.
When young Skywalker discovers a certain truth about Darth Vader in Star Wars after his hand was chopped off.
The lightsabre battle between young Skywalker and Vader before the Emperor as Luke is slowly being driven to the dark side. Especially when he gets very aggressive and almost takes down Vader the beautiful dramatic music starts.
When the back of Vader's head is seen as he sits in his chamber.
When Vader's true face is shown.
I could've sworn I saw the actor playing Darth Vader (In Ep 3) appear in the Special Edition of the Jedi's Return.
Northnovas
01-22-2008, 14:29
There have been some very good scenes mention and I can think of many more like Steve McQueen in Papillion when he is arranging the escape and meets the leper smoking the cigar and he hesitantly takes a puff of the leper’s cigar.
The leper says “How did you know I was dry?” He didn’t; cool Steve move.
My most memorial movie scene from to Kill a Mockingbird is at the end of Tom Robinson’s trial and the courtroom is empty except the balcony where black members of the community remained.
Atticus Finch lost the trial for an innocent black man, dejected he slowly walks out of the courtroom. The people remaining in the balcony all stand showing their respect for him has he walks out. Powerful stuff.
The final scene of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GDJXDGhae8), when Chief talks to McMurphy after his lobotomy, smothers him out of mercy, and breaks out. "You're coming with me". Bonus points for a young Christopher Lloyd cackling like a maniac and getting typecast as a loon for the rest of his career (not really a bad thing).
I could've sworn I saw the actor playing Darth Vader (In Ep 3) appear in the Special Edition of the Jedi's Return.
Probably at the end when you see him as a ghostly figure at the sides of Yoda and Obi-Wan.
Mouzafphaerre
01-22-2008, 22:19
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Anybody mentioned the scene at the embassy in the 1956 The Man Who Knew Too Much?
Que sera sera, whatever will be will be :singer:
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My selection for the greatest sequence ever filmed is the one on the river at the end of Way Down East (1920). I would not suggest watching a clip of this sequence out of context because it's much more effective when viewed within the context of the movie which features a remarkable performance by Lillian Gish.
The final scene of One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GDJXDGhae8), when Chief talks to McMurphy after his lobotomy, smothers him out of mercy, and breaks out. "You're coming with me". Bonus points for a young Christopher Lloyd cackling like a maniac and getting typecast as a loon for the rest of his career (not really a bad thing).
That is a very depressing film. Especially that woman nurse and her... idiot "hernchmen" as I call them are disturbing ones.
In Indiana Jones:
- the scene in part 1 where a sword fighter stands ready to engage him in battle, but Indy quickly shoots him and is done with it.
- in part 1 when the evil German torturer (/information extractor) -- whose name is Toht I think -- enters the tent and holds an object that looks like a torturing device. While the suspenseful evil music plays you look at it as he puts it together and you expect a terrible wretched event to happen, but soon you find out it's only a coat hanger. Damn good gag.
- the scene where Indy uses the ancient stick to pinpoint the digging location.
In Cast Away, when Tom Hanks loses the football.
Marshal Murat
01-27-2008, 02:26
It's actually a volleyball.
Conradus
01-27-2008, 19:46
I'm suprised none has mentioned the scenes in Ben Hur where he meets Jesus, or his path to the cross. I've found those marvelous.
Mouzafphaerre
01-27-2008, 22:02
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The battle of Gaugamela in Alexander. One of the few historically accurate battle scenes...at least partly accurate.
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