Thanks to everyone who posted a list. It was a lot of fun. We’re already thinking about possible topics for another party in a couple of months. Wendy is thinking about something like “Favorite Guilty Pleasure Films,” whereas I’d be happy just doing something like “The REST of Your Favorite Movies.” We’ll come up with something.
I'm sorry I missed this party. I've been really busy and one day I lost to just being sick. But, better late than never, so I'll give the quick list with no explanations:
(in no particular order)
Excalibur Dogma Chasing Amy Lord of the Rings (it's one long movie) Magnolia The Matrix
Not a fan of Dogma, have yet to see Magnolia, but otherwise I have to agree with Jerry's list. Hm. For the most part it seems Jerry and I differ more on films he dislikes than films he likes.
Thanks for the great party, Film Geeks! Looking forward to the next one already!
I think when you see Magnolia, you'll understand why I was disappoiinted with films like Garden State and The Machinist.
Magnolia is a very complicated, multi-layered, personal and yet universally themed movie that is understandable and easy to follow from the very beginning without giving up any of its complexity. Though nearly a dozen story threads are being woven together, never once does the viewer feel lost. When it is morbid, it's because the world is morbid. When it's funny, it's because the world is funny. And when it's shocking, it's because the world is shocking. There is none of the "look at me, I'm being deep and complex" stuff that I feel littered Garden State or The Machinist, and yet it's more deep and complex that both of those movies combined.
MCF, I whole-heartedly endorse everything Jerry said about Magnolia, it is a wonderful picture. Here's the thing, though. Go out of your way to learn as little as possible about the movie before you see it. Don't read any reviews, don't read any trivia, and, above all, don't ask anyone what they thought of it. There are things in that movie that, if you know them going in, will ruin the movie for you. Don't let anyone tell you about any elements of the movie's plot. Accept Jerry's opinion as absolute fact and go from there, don't try to find out anything about the plot of the film. I think Jerry would agree with me on that. Wendy agrees totally.