Movies for Gregg
I know that Gregg likes action films, particularly kung-fu films–or at least he used to. I’m too lazy to think of any other qualities Gregg looks for in films. Hopefully, he’ll respond and add what he likes and doesn’t like. I was going to give Gregg some recommendations, but I think I’ll give him a chance to comment before I do.
I think G-Man might like Crazy Heart, but mostly ’cause I think the theme song, “The Weary Kind” sounds so much like one of Bruce Springsteen’s mellower songs.
I don’t know if the music is enough (even if Gregg loved it–which I’m not sure he would) for him to like this.
Gregg,
If you’re reading this, you should try and talk about some of the dramatic films that you’ve enjoyed–as well as the kind of films you liked and didn’t like in general.
sorry for the late comment.
for me, an enjoyable film comes from mostly from its entertainment value. most of the time i can suspend disbelief a lot easier than most, if the movie’s entertaining. i also have the benefit of generally not being able to discern bad acting unless it’s really, really bad. that makes it a lot easier for me to enjoy movies too.
i like hong kong films i think partially because of the difference in culture (i.e., maybe some stuff that’s old hat to them are still surprising to me) and scenery. i really like triad movies a lot too. mob movies i don’t like as much (but still like, like goodfellas, donny brasco, and casino) but i think the reasons for liking hk movies just add another “oomph” to it. and as you know i definitely love old-time kung fu and samurai movies.
i like movies where the hero is larger than life and seemingly indestructible, hence steven seagal (talk about suspending disbelief and not recognizing bad acting!), bruce lee, jet li, etc. although i like rocky a lot.
films i don’t like are ones that even i have a hard time suspending my disbelief (can’t think of any examples off the top of my head, sorry, but i know they exist.) i don’t like films that make me feel overwhelmed, oppressed, or frustrated (which is why i have a hard time getting into lord of the rings). i also like movies which show the blessing of what it looks like when someone lives God’s way (the blind side, fireproof).
i like dramas that are suspenseful and surprising (who doesn’t i guess), like primal fear, a few good men.
a list of some of my most favorite movies in no particular order are:
braveheart
joy luck club
summer holiday (the hk one)
elf
fist of legend
crouching tiger, hidden dragon
the breakfast club
the golden child
some kind of wonderful
rush hour trilogy
young and dangerous series (hk triad movies)
this whole post is kind of scattered but i feel too lazy to try and write it better. that said, i have no idea how you’d recommend movies based on the above.
So Lord of the Rings (the trilogy?) was “overwhelming, oppressive and frustrating. What do you mean by that?
Trust. Sigh, what is it like to live without the “third eye?”
Have you seen and liked Hitchcock films? What about Kurosawa?
I think you would like *Harakiri*.
Could you talk about what you liked specifically of your favorite films (besides what you’ve already mentioned)? Are there are common threads that run through all or most of your favorites?
I wouldn’t think Gregg would like Harakiri that much. I think you will think it’s alright at best. Harakiri sort of reminds me of Hero, and Gregg thought Hero was just okay, from what I remember.
Did you see Taken? That movie was better than I thought it would be.
I would also suggest although you may have seen them:
The 40 Year Old Virgin
King of Masks
and for no apparent reason based on what you wrote above: Pan’s Labyrinth and I am Legend
I freaking hate Pan’s Labyrinth. What an overrated movie.
I’d be surprised if Gregg liked Pan’s Labyrinth. I do think he’ll like I am Legend (at least a little). I’d expect him to enjoy Taken, too.
I still think he’ll like Crazy Heart.
i think the last lotr wasn’t bad, but the first two seemed so oppressive and overwhelming with the army of orcs. they seemed almost invincible AND totally outnumbered the good guys in the first two. the third movie though, they seemed less powerful to me.
from what i remember i don’t like kurosawa that much. i saw ran and another one whose title escapes me right now. hitchcock movies don’t appeal to me too, i don’t know why. i can’t remember if i’ve ever seen anything from him. but also when i think of kurosawa and hitchcock i think of b/w films and they don’t appeal to me at all for some reason.
at first viewing hero was just ok to me but after watching it a few times, i like it more and more. i can’t remember if i saw harakiri but it sounds familiar.
i think i saw the 40 year old virgin but i forget. i guess i didn’t like it that much if i did. pan’s labyrinth doesn’t appeal to me at all for some reason as well. but if i ever get the chance, i’ll check it out. also don’t know anything about crazy heart, but if i get the chance, i’ll check that out too. i saw i am legend and it was entertaining but i don’t know if i would say i really liked it.
generally i don’t think there’s any rhyme or reason to the movies i like. but i think for the hero movies, i like the idea of honor and bravery. for comedies i can’t think of anything. oh, i missed putting kung fu panda on the list. i liked it way better than i thought i would.
is taken the one with liam neeson? if so, yeah, i really liked it. but i love movies where the main character is super tough, totally awesome in what he does, super smart, and in control all the time.
also, one of my favorite fight scenes is when king kong was fighting the three t-rexes. i don’t know why it just felt so… macho!