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Journal Red Warrior's Journal: It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do (Ask the dot) 26

Journal by Red Warrior

So, If'in youse all had to pick three[1] and only three movies to represent the best of cinematic storytelling to date, what would youse all pick?

EMWTK.
Oh, and for the record, Superman Returns isn't worth watching twice in a theater.

[1] That would the the positive integer on the base ten whole number line between two and four.

This discussion was created by Red Warrior (637634) for no Foes, but now has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do (Ask the dot) More

It ain't like it used to be, but it'll do (Ask the dot)

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  • Death Race 2000 [imdb.com]
    Highlander II: The Quickening [imdb.com]
    Van Helsing [imdb.com]

    There ya go - three fine examples of cinematic story-telling, fine directing, stellar cast performances and outstanding special effects.

    Or not actually...

    It's easy to pick out three absolute duds, but I couldn't pick just three truly excellent movies, even if I were to limit the selections to those in my colllection...
  • and i'm the wrong person to ask.

    But here goes. (i won't remember this list and next time will give entirely different answers. You want consistency, ask a tree, not a dragons.)

    City of lost children (i loved the use of lighting)
    Lord of the rings (i like it that much, yes, i think as storytelling goes they did a FANTASTIC job)
    and

    labrynth. Yes, the one with david bowie.

    Muppets tell stories, i think they did an amazing job.
  • Here's my guess. I like a lot of what other people are saying, so I'll forgo repeating any of the aforementioned answers as best as I can.

    1) Schindler's List
    2) Clerks
    3) Transformers the Movie (original animated one)

    I have to agree with arb's and solemn's lists wholeheartedly, hence why mine are a little more out there.
  • ...but the Matrix trilogy had an excellent story to tell. At least, when you looked past the action side of it, and delved into the philosophy behind what was going on.

    Hm. I guess that uses up my three movies.
  • I don't know about "best of", but here are three stories I think are told well.

    1) The Neverending Story [imdb.com]
    Maybe seeing this as a kid made it better than it really was, but that is ok with me.
    2) Saving Private Ryan [imdb.com]
    Every time I see this it makes me think of my Grandfather who was in WWII.
    3) Pulp Fiction [imdb.com]
    You may or may not like the story being told, but it is told well.

  • Toughie (Score:2)

    by nizo ( 81281 ) *
    - Memento
    - Shawshank Redemption
    - Gattaca


    Wow, I know I am forgetting some movies. It is hard for me not to include Smoke Signals (for the obscurity factor if nothing else). And as dumb as they are, even Starship Troopers and Tremors tell a good story :-)

    • I second Gattaca -- an underrated sci-fi movie without, as I recall, much in the way of special effects, "action", 'splosions, eff you's, T&A, etc. Carried by its story.

      For my own list, I'm so confused by all this geeky "positive integer" and "base 10" talk that I'll just say I tend to like M. Night Shyamalan's [imdb.com] stuff for "story movies".
    1. Star Wars
    2. Lord of the Rings
    3. The Princess Bride

    Because all tell their story extremely visually and they are faves...

    1. Tous les matins du monde [imdb.com] - tells a great story, full of complexity and subtlety, spanning decades, with almost no speaking by the characters.
    2. Atanarjuat [imdb.com] - huge epic story. I saw this in the theatre and made the mistake of buying one of those huge cups of Coke on the way in. In the three hours of the film, there wasn't any point where I thought I could go to the bathroom without missing something important (which is not to say that it's fast-paced).
    3. Casablanca [imdb.com] - I don't have anything to say here that hasn
    • Casablanca also consistently makes my list. :-)
    • Ohh, I liked Atanarjuat too. The more I find out about the Inuit people, the more I can't believe they can survive where they do.


      For a "no speaking" movie you might like 3 Iron [imdb.com] by Ki-duk Kim. I liked his Spring Summer Fall Winter Spring movie as well, and am scouring the local video stores for his other movies.

  • 1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring [extended version]

    2. Eat Drink Man Woman

    3. Le Placard [The Closet]

    Each is a good story, well told, utilizing the elements of characters, scenery, and various effects/cinematography to tell their story. The latter two lack the special effects (or fancy English language), but nevertheless tell their stories quite well and engagingly; in fact, the only reason for including LotR at all (instead of, say Clay Pigeons), is that it does feature some of the most
  • #1: Harold & Maude
    #2: Seven
    #3: The Game
  • 'Cause the answers are gonna change based sheerly on my mood.

    So here's today's mood:
    1. The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
    2. Jaws
    3. Star Wars (the original one, none of the others)
    But I like a lot of what other people have suggested, too.

    ....Bethanie....
  • I'm not altogether sure what you mean by 'cinematic storytelling'. I have interpreted it as: 'well told story' + 'visually interesting', and not necessarily as 'list your three favourite films'. For instance, I really, really like Singin' in the Rain - it would definitely be a contender for 'my favourite film evah!' - but from a cinematic point of view it is almost embarassingly plain. Likewise, My Father's Glory & My Mother's Castle are extremely good adaptations - not, perhaps, so surprising since Pag
    • I would probably formulate it something like 'well told story' + 'strong visually component'.
      I'm more interested in the effectiveness of the visuals in the context of telling the story than in impressive fx, stunning shots, etc. For instance, I think the visuals of both Casablanca (consistently on my list) and the Maltese Falcon (not so consistent) are both very effective, though not "impressive".

      It's interesting that a few people have tapped The Incredibles for their lists. I may have to pop it into the DV

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