Recommend me some films

My family is away on holiday for the next two weeks, giving me the house to myself, and meaning I can get access to the TV and not have to wait until the early hours of the morning when the only thing on is BBC News or Nightwatch or the Cosby Mysteries (well actually I like the last one but anyway)... I need some recommendations on good DVD's to buy, since I was hoping there might be some decent films on the normal channels but there are not from looking at the AOL guide.

Recently I've started to try to make a point of watching some films when they are on, I think I have anxiety disorders or something but watching a good film lets me relax and calm down a bit, and its nice to have something to look forward too, which I have decided to make a point of doing from now on.

Anyway, I'm pretty behind on films, if you want to know just how bad I am, I did not see Star Wars until a couple of years ago, apart from one of them IIRC. :skull:

The film review thread seems to focus on the new stuff which will only be out at cinemas so.... what are the essentials which I should see on DVD? Or just generally good films? BTW, I am talking about pretty mainsteam stuff, I don't go for obscure rarely heard of ones... also I like to watch fairly recent stuff usually, dont' like older films for some reason.

Thanks for any suggestions...

My recommendation list(making no assumptions)

1. Shrek
2. Shrek 2
3. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
4. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
5. Lord of the Rings(all three)
6. The Wedding Singer
7. Happy Gilmore
8. Pan's Labyrinth
9. Hellboy
10. Hellboy II: The Golden Army
11. The Life of Brian.


That ought to get you started.

The Sandlot
The Goonies
The Princess Bride

Shinseikhaan's list is excellent as well.

Life of Brian
Platoon
Jarhead
the Mission Impossible series
Apolcalypse Now

Thanks for the suggestions but... that stuff is not quite what I'm looking for.

I like more serious films, ie modern 'professional' stuff if you know what I mean. In particular, I like end of the world/horror/zombie stuff. I have seen some films, some I like are I am Legend, The Ring etc, I don't usually like comedy stuff but Hot Fuzz was good, for example. I like the big money professional stuff... for example I was thinking of getting maybe Cloverfield, and Donnie Darko seems to be pretty popular from a thread in the TWC about it.

But yeah, the only films I've seen in those lists are the LOTR series... no idea about w&f stuff.... sounds like Disney cartoons or chick flicks... terrifying stuff for me. :skull:

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Originally Posted by Rhyfelwyr

I like more serious films, ie modern 'professional' stuff if you know what I mean. In particular, I like end of the world/horror/zombie stuff. I have seen some films, some I like are I am Legend, The Ring etc, I don't usually like comedy stuff but Hot Fuzz was good, for example.

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I guess you have seen Shaun of the Dead? Same crew as Hot Fuzz but with zombies and MUCH funnier. Quite possibly the funniest film I have seen.

I am not into horror/zombie stuff, but enjoyed "28 days later" which is of that genre. Very like I am Legend, but darker and more substantial.

Dog Soldiers is more knock about horror, but I enjoyed it - squaddies vs werewolves.

I guess you have seen Aliens and the Terminator? Possibly the best sci-fi films ever. (Don't believe the hype about others in their series being better.) They both have a bit of a dark "end of the world" kind of survival horror feel, although they are more properly action films.

Funny story about Donnie Darko: Mrs. Lemur and I were on a kick watching old noir films, skimming through the classics for about a month. On an impulse I grabbed Donnie Darko, which we watched as soon as we were done with Night of the Hunter. As soon as Donnie Darko finished, Mrs. Lemur turned to me and exclaimed, "I can't believe that was good and new!"

Personally I'd recommend watching the original cut, not the Director's Version or whatever.

I'll second Shaun of the Dead, which I thought was actually funnier than Hot Fuzz, but that may just be my Yank sensibilities.

Cloverfield is definitely worth a rental. First film where they were confident enough in the digital effects to backpedal them.

Might want to try The Descent as well. Exceptionally well-crafted indie horror flick by the same director who made Dog Soldiers. (He also made the more recent Doomsday, but that film is just too darn silly for its own good.)

Ever seen The Thing? It's a horror classic from the 1980s.

Children of Men is worth your time. Very adult SF film.

You know what, maybe if you could tell us a few more films that you like, we might be able to give you better advice ...

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Originally Posted by econ21

I am not into horror/zombie stuff, but enjoyed "28 days later" which is of that genre. Very like I am Legend, but darker and more substantial.

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That sounds like just the movie for Rhy, based on his descriptions. And there's a sequel too, '28 weeks later'.

I don't remember whether I thought part I got a bit sloppy during the second half, or whether I thought part II was a letdown.

It's not really my genre, and my feelings are a bit mixed. But where the movies get it right, they do get it RIGHT. Very modern and stylish. Danny Boyle, the director, is a genius moviemaker.

Boyle only directed the first film, 28 Days. 28 Weeks was a completely different team. (Boyle recently did a little film called Slumdog Millionaire, which you may have heard about ...)

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Originally Posted by Lemur

Boyle only directed the first film, 28 Days. 28 Weeks was a completely different team. (Boyle recently did a little film called Slumdog Millionaire, which you may have heard about ...)

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Not to mention 28 weeks is terrible and should not be recommended to anyone who enjoys movies with a coherent plot.

Also, if you like dark movies, you could give The Departed a shot. Not end of the world or zombie filled but a cool gangster movie with a great cast.

Alien (and then Aliens?).

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Originally Posted by Lemur

Boyle only directed the first film, 28 Days. 28 Weeks was a completely different team.

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Ah. That explains a lot. In that case, I suppose I thought the sequel a letdown, not the second half of part I. Which I then recommend.

Pretty much anything with Denzel Washington. :grin2:

I'm not a horror person, but Shaun of the Dead was bloody hilarious.

If you really are pever till you die, you'll watch Happy Gilmore and The Princess Bride and then the Wedding Singer. BECAUSE. OK?

I second Shaun of the Dead and 28 days later. I can't think of anything other movies at the moment though, maybe later.

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Happy Gilmore

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For the win!

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Originally Posted by Rhyfelwyr

Thanks for the suggestions but... that stuff is not quite what I'm looking for.

I like more serious films, ie modern 'professional' stuff if you know what I mean. In particular, I like end of the world/horror/zombie stuff.

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I like the humanity is screwed genre as well. Here's a few

- Children of Men
- Threads (the best movie you will only want to see once)
- The Signal

One movie that many people don't really see mentioned in threads like these is a film called Galaxy Quest.

It's about a group of actors who starred in a little known sci-fi show decades ago that has grown into a cult-classic and because of this they make decent money doing appearances at conventions. Everyone involved is sick to death of playing these characters with the exception of the front-man who has profited the greatest by far. Yes! In case you haven't figured it out, Galaxy Quest is a direct satire of Star Trek, the original series.

Hilarity ensues when a group of aliens, who mistake the old show for a historical document instead of a television show, kidnaps the crew so they can help them with very series intergalactic problems. Half the humor is based on watching what an actor from star trek might do if they were thrown in a space suit and told "It's cool, you've had plenty of experience!"

The other half of the humor pokes fun at the problems the TOS cast experienced, accusing each other of undermining the show for the sake of side-projects, stealin camera time and the like. There's also a great character who is literally (and simply) named "Guy" that adds a ton of greathumor into the mix.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

He's a walking redshirt, and he knows it.

It's a great comedy which also manages to throw some up some surprisingly good action as well. Check it out if you ever get the chance.

you MUST see once in life:

-The pianist
-Schindler's list
- Forrest Gump
- Patch Adams
- Life is beautiful

Great:
- Batman the darknight
- Operation Valkyrie (was pretty good, it's on my mind cause I just watched it)
- The ring =P
- Tais toi!
- Ice Age 1 or 3. I didn't like much the 2nd but you need to watch it to understand the 3rd. Well maybe not.

Just action:

Hard to kill 4
Transformers 1&2
The transporter2 (this guy is awesome)
007 Quantum of Solace (you should watch Casino Roayal first though)

Those are the ones that sprouted in my head with 3 min thinking. You should really consider watching the first four. You wont regret it. :beam:

EDIT: +1 at monks suggestion! That film made me laugh.

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Originally Posted by pevergreen

Pretty much anything with Denzel Washington.

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Agreed, although I am not sure he has done much survival horror. (There was some freaky film about a demon possessing a serial killer...) Personally, I really liked Man on Fire - in large part because of his performance, but also that of the scarily talented child actor he starred with.

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Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat

... I suppose I thought the sequel a letdown, not the second half of part I.

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I suspect you thought both things. The second half of 28 days later was weak. The first half was awesome.

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Originally Posted by Monk

One movie that many people don't really see mentioned in threads like these is a film called Galaxy Quest.

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Awesome movie, Alan Rickman is a god. You will probably like 'The Life Aquatic' as well.

Requiem for the dreams
Batman the Dark Knight
Butterfly effect (Only the first one)
Last Samurai
Letters from Iwo Jima... Maybe flags of our fathers as well
Island
Stay (Apparently good. Haven't seen it yet)

Those are my recommendation

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Originally Posted by econ21

Agreed, although I am not sure he has done much survival horror. (There was some freaky film about a demon possessing a serial killer...) Personally, I really liked Man on Fire - in large part because of his performance, but also that of the scarily talented child actor he starred with.

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She is great. John Q is along to same line, but forces me to cry every time. Its much sadder, much less violence. Right at the end...damn its good.

1. dark Knight
2. Silence of the lambs (pretty freaking scary
3. Shaun of the Dead
4. The Quiet man (John "The Duke" Wayne is my hero.)


Watch the quiet man it is guaranteed to up your manliness quota by at leat 10 points.

Dont watch flags of our fathers, read it!. The movie is never as good as the book, its by james bradley and is very well written.

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Originally Posted by Lemur

Cloverfield is definitely worth a rental. First film where they were confident enough in the digital effects to backpedal them.

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Yep. Nailed it. A rental not a buy. It was good, but they could of made it meaner.

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Originally Posted by Lemur

(Boyle recently did a little film called Slumdog Millionaire, which you may have heard about ...)

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So tempted to say the book is.... but, I won't go there.

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Originally Posted by pevergreen

Pretty much anything with Denzel Washington. :grin2:

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Hell. Yeah.

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Originally Posted by ||Lz3||

Transformers 1&2

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Nah, Rhy just google images Megan Fox. Easier on the senses. :wink2:

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Originally Posted by ||Lz3||

(you should watch Casino Royal first though)

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One hundred percent. You must do so.

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Originally Posted by econ21

Personally, I really liked Man on Fire

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Awesome. Awesome film.

For a laugh? Tropic Thunder. You must see Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, such a great film. Finding Nemo - for your inner child. In Bruges is also a good watch, funny and gritty.

Thanks for the tips guys, some really good suggestions there, did a quick google on some of them. I think Frag got it when he says I like the "humanity is screwed genre", can't beat epic films about the end of the world... adds to the atmosphere when you live in a cave waiting for the rapture (jk). For now, I will definitely plan to buy:

1. Cloverfield
2. Donnie Darko
3. 28 Days Later
4. 28 Weeks Later
5. Children of men
6. Happy Gilmore (sounds good and is a bit different)

There are a couple suggested that I've seen... Shaun of the Dead was funny, I still cringe at that bit where the dart hits him in the head... also I'm pretty sure I've seen Galaxy Quest on the TV... is it the one where the aliens that look sort of like pale people with dark hair all turn into the squid things?

Seen Ice Age 1 & 2 as well, we watched at school at the end of term once... all the way through it the guy next to me would not shut up about it... he kept saying, "thats ridiculous why is a sloth riding a snowboard" etc :gah:

Oh yeah I've seen the James Bond films, I'm not that bad. :sweatdrop:

Also don't miss out on War of the Worlds, many people hate it but I thought it was good. They really managed to make the tripods scary, and some scenes of slaughter you won't easily forget. Another we are screwed recommendation: 30 days of night, made by the same director as Evil Dead. It's about a small town in Alaska, vampires, and 30 days of night. Expect a lot of gore. You should also see the Mad Max movies, desolate violent fun, especially the second.

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Originally Posted by Fragony

30 days of night, made by the same director as Evil Dead.

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The great Sam Raimi did not direct 30 Days of Night. He was busy making all three Spider-Man films.

Gives us a list of other movies you like, Rhy! Then we know which movies might appeal to you. Or maybe you just did, with 'can't beat epic films about the end of the world, "humanity is screwed"., A genre of which I haven't seen many films, bar 'Australia' starring Nicole Kidman.

A good end of the world movie is Deep Impact.
Global catastrophe from a human perspective. The one good movie from that nineties wave of 'asteroids/aliens hits earth' genre.

Galaxy Quest was hilarious.
War of the Worlds was rubbish.

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Originally Posted by Lemur

The great Sam Raimi did not direct 30 Days of Night. He was busy making all three Spider-Man films.

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My bad, is Sam Raimi productions. But a highly entertaining movie it is.

War of the Worlds was rubbish.

Oh common some scenes are just brilliant, in particular the burning train 'abandon all hope' and the scene where you see people running from a hill with three tripods zapping'm up. The ending was terrible but getting there was ace, a great nightmare.

Watch anything you haven't seen that listed in the IMDb Top 250.