Movies This Year

[SithHappens]

Used to love going to the cinema but, even though I know they tend to be more comfortable now, it seems people go for a picnic of particularly noisy food which puts me off.
Been to the theatre about a dozen times this year but the only film I’ve seen ( at the cinema) was ‘Wonka’ which was okay(ish). 6.5/10.
Went to see ‘Sonic 3’ with the grandchildren the year before. Thought it was probably the worst film I’d ever sat through and understood nothing that was happening but the four of them seemed to enjoy it which I guess was the ‘acid test’.

All time favourite film? ‘Life is Beautiful’. Watch it at home…you’ll laugh, and cry…a lot!

Life is Beautiful is definitely one of those you don't watch then forget.

Years since I watched it but it's one I think about often

[ramAnag]

Used to love going to the cinema but, even though I know they tend to be more comfortable now, it seems people go for a picnic of particularly noisy food which puts me off.
Been to the theatre about a dozen times this year but the only film I’ve seen ( at the cinema) was ‘Wonka’ which was okay(ish). 6.5/10.
Went to see ‘Sonic 3’ with the grandchildren the year before. Thought it was probably the worst film I’d ever sat through and understood nothing that was happening but the four of them seemed to enjoy it which I guess was the ‘acid test’.

All time favourite film? ‘Life is Beautiful’. Watch it at home…you’ll laugh, and cry…a lot!

Actually, just checked, must have been ‘Sonic 2’…I’ll be moving heaven and earth to avoid ‘Sonic 3’ and whatever drugs the creators seem to be on.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Usual Suspects my favourite. Passing love for Soylent Green

[ramAnag]

Maybe a bit of a tenuous addition this…but I went to see Sebastian Faulk’s ‘Birdsong’ at Nottingham Theatre Royal yesterday afternoon. It’s also a film…released about 12 years ago with Eddie Redmayne.
Highly recommended and incredibly moving three hours which reduced my wife to tears - never good - as it also did a very fit looking elderly gentleman in front of us who I took to have probably experienced some of the war/trench scenes (obviously not from WW1) first hand.
With Remembrance Day approaching I believe there really is a case for showing such films, which recreate the utter horror and futility of war, on the day itself. Would, imo, have far greater impact than much of the ritual that gets repeated every November.

[Andy_Faber]

Maybe a bit of a tenuous addition this…but I went to see Sebastian Faulk’s ‘Birdsong’ at Nottingham Theatre Royal yesterday afternoon. It’s also a film…released about 12 years ago with Eddie Redmayne.
Highly recommended and incredibly moving three hours which reduced my wife to tears - never good - as it also did a very fit looking elderly gentleman in front of us who I took to have probably experienced some of the war/trench scenes (obviously not from WW1) first hand.
With Remembrance Day approaching I believe there really is a case for showing such films, which recreate the utter horror and futility of war, on the day itself. Would, imo, have far greater impact than much of the ritual that gets repeated every November.

First ten minutes of Saving Private Ryan should be compulsory viewing in history lessons around armistice day

[Ramshank72]

If you enjoyed the silliness of the original Beetlejuice movie, the recent sequel is just as good if not better.
I generally struggle to enjoy modern movies, the constant boom and whooshing sound effects are all the same and stupid.

[ramAnag]

First ten minutes of Saving Private Ryan should be compulsory viewing in history lessons around armistice day

100% agree…although I think it may be nearer 20 mins.

[Andy_Faber]

If you enjoyed the silliness of the original Beetlejuice movie, the recent sequel is just as good if not better.
I generally struggle to enjoy modern movies, the constant boom and whooshing sound effects are all the same and stupid.

Sadly the original Beetlejuice is in my top 3 unenjoyable films

[SithHappens]

First ten minutes of Saving Private Ryan should be compulsory viewing in history lessons around armistice day

Brutal isn't it.

[Trickytreesreds]

Brutal isn't it.

It's the brutality that makes it one of the best war feature films ever.
No bullet proof hero, storming the beach by himself.

My only criticism of the representation of the Normandy landings in many films, is that mainly show the USA as the ones getting the thick of the action and death.
Its not true. Once off the beaches, the British and Canadians faced off against 6 panzer divisions on their drive to Caan and it was brutal beyond belief. The US had the easier drive south against 1.5 panzer divisions. Yet the film idustry just wanted to portray Eisenhower and Patton as the heroes

[SithHappens]

For me, what hit home was that how utterly terrifying it must have been. Growing up playing toy soldiers and watching movies that portrayed war as an exciting adventure was the norm but this showed it to be the opposite .

I'm sure as you say there are still inaccuracies but it really was a great film.

[Trickytreesreds]

For me, what hit home was that how utterly terrifying it must have been. Growing up playing toy soldiers and watching movies that portrayed war as an exciting adventure was the norm but this showed it to be the opposite .

I'm sure as you say there are still inaccuracies but it really was a great film.

indeed it is. They held nothing back as limbs get blown off. Dying bodies, with their guts hanging out and the only thing they get is a morphine jab as you die.

It stirs up emotion from out right fear, confusion, to hatred and anger.
When they finally get off that beach, they butcher the Germans trying to surrender, or let them burn to death in a slow agonising way.
I don't care what any one thinks of their own morals, you do not know how you'd react in the same situation after watching all that misery in the sand.

You see a lot of that in the film "Fury" as well, as the tank crew fights to live.
Being in a Sherman tank, was one of the last places you would want to be in WW2. They didn't call them Ronsons or Tommy cookers for nothing.

[SithHappens]

Rebel Ridge.

Recommend it a lot

[Andy_Faber]

Rebel Ridge.

Recommend it a lot

I'll check it out.

Keep em coming, I always check out any film and music recommendations posted here or for that matter on other fan sites

[Trickytreesreds]

Still can't beat Das Boot for a reality check with a war film. The U-boat crew showing the hunter becoming the hunted and all the terrible conditions they lived in on that tin can.
The series was gripping, even though it is sub titles