Post by feilong80 on Jul 4, 2011 16:22:40 GMT -5
Movies:
Predator - The first R rated movie I was allowed to watch (at home, as a rental, I forget what age exactly but I was in late elementary school I think). Amazing action, great Arnold one liners ("stick around!") and a cool hunter/prey theme that actually transcends the usual Arnold "so bad it's good" quality. Predator is still watchable today.
Karate Kid - Wonderful father/son type story, which I'm always a sucker for.* What is underrated here is Pat Morita's treatment of a WWII hero who suffered horribly due to Japanese internment**, yet still retains a pride in being an American despite this.
And of course there is that song... "you're the best, around, nothin's ever gonna get you down"
Bloodsport - Cheese to the max, but such good cheese! Van Damme is at his ridiculous best here, and the martial arts action (featuring our own Chi!) is top notch. Bonus points for the amazing "chimes" that come in before the love scene. Makes me laugh every time.
The Dark Knight - Cinematic perfection. Pretty much exactly what I'd hope batman would be: a tortured, dark, yet ultimately heroic figure, shunned by most but accepted (even if in secret) by just enough people to keep him going. This might be my favorite movie ever. When I saw it in the theater, the first words my wife said after Gordon's final lines was "awesome." And I'd agree. Just so, so good and each re-watch only confirms this. ***
Rocky, the first and last ones: While I love and appreciate the cheesey goodness of 2-4 (5 is hideously awful and should be nuked), what I love most of the poetic, artistic depictions of the character in the first and last movies in the franchise. The first movie is a genuine depiction of a man who gets one last shot at being something, and the pursuit of that goal, versus a man who already has everything (to the point of falling into complacency). It was a classic collision of a down and out at his best and a champion at his worst. The last movie basically cribs this completely, but that's fine by me.
Many more, but I'm tired of writing this post!
*Miyagi wasn't Daniel's real dad obviously but this is what this is.
**Thanks to Democrats and FDR.
***Also love the "hidden" conservatism in this movie, which, by the way, Christopher Nolan has never denied, even when asked.
Predator - The first R rated movie I was allowed to watch (at home, as a rental, I forget what age exactly but I was in late elementary school I think). Amazing action, great Arnold one liners ("stick around!") and a cool hunter/prey theme that actually transcends the usual Arnold "so bad it's good" quality. Predator is still watchable today.
Karate Kid - Wonderful father/son type story, which I'm always a sucker for.* What is underrated here is Pat Morita's treatment of a WWII hero who suffered horribly due to Japanese internment**, yet still retains a pride in being an American despite this.
And of course there is that song... "you're the best, around, nothin's ever gonna get you down"
Bloodsport - Cheese to the max, but such good cheese! Van Damme is at his ridiculous best here, and the martial arts action (featuring our own Chi!) is top notch. Bonus points for the amazing "chimes" that come in before the love scene. Makes me laugh every time.
The Dark Knight - Cinematic perfection. Pretty much exactly what I'd hope batman would be: a tortured, dark, yet ultimately heroic figure, shunned by most but accepted (even if in secret) by just enough people to keep him going. This might be my favorite movie ever. When I saw it in the theater, the first words my wife said after Gordon's final lines was "awesome." And I'd agree. Just so, so good and each re-watch only confirms this. ***
Rocky, the first and last ones: While I love and appreciate the cheesey goodness of 2-4 (5 is hideously awful and should be nuked), what I love most of the poetic, artistic depictions of the character in the first and last movies in the franchise. The first movie is a genuine depiction of a man who gets one last shot at being something, and the pursuit of that goal, versus a man who already has everything (to the point of falling into complacency). It was a classic collision of a down and out at his best and a champion at his worst. The last movie basically cribs this completely, but that's fine by me.
Many more, but I'm tired of writing this post!
*Miyagi wasn't Daniel's real dad obviously but this is what this is.
**Thanks to Democrats and FDR.
***Also love the "hidden" conservatism in this movie, which, by the way, Christopher Nolan has never denied, even when asked.