Your favorite serious film?

Joe the Destroyer · January 24, 2007, 03:37:17 AM

You know, films that, for the most part, cover serious matters and only have comic relief if it doesn't overwhelm the over all effect of the film.

I'd have to say mine are Kagemusha and American History X.

peter johnson · January 24, 2007, 08:37:08 AM

"The Seventh Seal" -- see my Bergman post --
peter j./denny c.

RCMerchant · January 24, 2007, 09:21:06 PM

GODZILLA vs.the SMOG MONSTER!
oops...I...I relapsed.
Thats a difficult question to answer....cuz I think WHITE ZOMBIE was a serious movie,and I think I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE is a (lousy) serious movie, and some movies are seriously insane(ERASERHEAD),and I"m seriously confused....!

Shadow · January 24, 2007, 10:14:59 PM

Some of my favorite "serious" (non-genre) films include:

The Shawshank Redemption
An Officer and a Gentleman
The Name of the Rose
Sense and Sensibility (even I am baffled as to why I like this one so much)

Acidburn · January 25, 2007, 09:35:02 AM

Quote from: Shadowfyre on January 24, 2007, 10:14:59 PM
Some of my favorite "serious" (non-genre) films include:

The Shawshank Redemption
An Officer and a Gentleman
The Name of the Rose
Sense and Sensibility (even I am baffled as to why I like this one so much)

I certainly have to agree with Shawshank. One of the best movies I have ever seen I believe.
I am a huge fan of Schindlers List.

Him · January 25, 2007, 10:45:19 AM

I like The Ten Commandments.

raj · January 25, 2007, 10:47:02 AM

The Man Who Would be King.

Joe the Destroyer · January 25, 2007, 04:23:10 PM

Quote from: Him on January 25, 2007, 10:45:19 AM
I like The Ten Commandments.

Actually, I like that one immensely. Mainly because I loved the epic production behind it, and I'm not usually one to like epics for that sake.

BeyondTheGrave · January 28, 2007, 01:09:16 PM

Anyone every see the Japanese movie Ikiru? Well that gets my vote.

Doc Daneeka · January 28, 2007, 02:03:53 PM

Bataan immediately comes to mind

LilCerberus · January 28, 2007, 11:52:35 PM

A tree grows in Brooklyn.

I've always felt that the contrast of the father's unrealistic optimism against the mother's unreasonable pessimism speaks volumes.

Deathfeast · January 29, 2007, 07:25:33 AM

the taxi driver.

Scottie · January 29, 2007, 10:48:23 AM

Rich,

I too enjoy Ikiru. It's the most moving Kurosawa film I've yet to see. I have also seen Kagemusha and love it for its theatricality the same way I love Fellini's Satyricon. But I'm in the boat with Peter and must say that The Seventh Seal is my favorite film. In fact, Bergman is my second favorite director. Hanging out with Ingmar Bergman is Robert Bresson, director of Pickpocket and A Man Escaped, two films which changed my point of view on serious dramatic filmmaking. To me, Bergman and Bresson are two of the medium's most important moralists. Prior to the 1950's, films were made for entertainment and as experiments in the medium. The Russians were toying with emotions through montage and Hollywood was just churning out melodramas and comedies faster than people could watch them. Then, in the 1950's after World War II, things seemed to slow down and people started to reflect using film. Bergman and Bresson were the best in my opinion.

Potato king · February 15, 2007, 04:54:18 AM

My favourite serious films are:
The Downfall (der Untergang)
Stalker
The Seven Samurai
Pink Floyds The Wall (if that counts)
M

All of these movies are absolutely fantastic, and definitely worth watching for, even if you hate all movies that ever were and will be.

Mr. DS · February 15, 2007, 12:32:01 PM

Not sure if these movies are along the lines but I enjoy "serious" films most that reflect drug culture like Scarface, Boogie Nights and Blow.

Your favorite serious film?

Joe the Destroyer

Joe the Destroyer