Recommend me some films

[Rhyfelwyr]

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.

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...

[seireikhaan]

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.

[woad&fangs]

The Sandlot
The Goonies
The Princess Bride

Shinseikhaan's list is excellent as well.

[Hooahguy]

Life of Brian
Platoon
Jarhead
the Mission Impossible series
Apolcalypse Now

[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. 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.

[econ21]

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 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.

[Lemur]

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 ...

[Louis VI the Fat]

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.

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.

[Fragony]

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 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

[Monk]

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.