5) Red Cliff (theatrical or original version) - Just finished watching this one. It's the reason for this post... First let me say, anyone who has played the Dynasty Warriors video games will like this movie. It is based on the story from those games. Basically, this is the story of the Battle of Red Cliffs in which a numerically superior force led by an overly aggressive warlord, was turned back by two lesser warlords. There is a good amount of impressive fighting scenes filled with blood in this movie, but it also portrays the vast array of issues that war brings: intrigue, battle strategy, resources needed to field an army, benefits/ problems of having an ally, etc. Favorite movie on this list. (China)
4) Dog Eat Dog - Very impressive story told from multiple points of view. Basically the main character "loses" the bosses money and has to get it back, or else. For me it was one of those movies where you take a long breath when it ends and just sit there for a minute. (Columbia)
3) City of God/City of Men - If you haven't seen these, get on it. That's all I really have to say. (Brazil)
2) Innocent Voices - This movie is based on Oscar Torres while he was growing up in El Salvador during the Salvadoran Civil War. He is 11 years old in a time when the military is forcefully taking children into it's ranks at ages 12 and younger. It is a bittersweet story but it is extremely raw. The facts that scrolled through before the last credits had me shaking my head yet again. Won't give it away though. (El Salvador)
1) Sin Nombre - Long story short. An MS-13 gang member has to leave the gang for a very brutal reason. He catches a train with other immigrants heading to the US, and has a very interesting trip. This is another movie that after it ended, I collected my thoughts. (USA/Mexico)
Other Classics include:
ReplyDeleteEl Mariachi - Espanol
Night of the Living Dorks - German
Kung Fu Dunk - Chinese?
None of those are quite as deep as the ones you listed though
ReplyDeletei really didnt feel I should include crouching tiger or hero cuz those are too known.
ReplyDeleteby the way, you and I forgot the greatest subtitled movie ever... Kung Fu Hustle.
Seven Samurai
ReplyDeletePan's Labyrinth
Kung Fu Dunk is, without a doubt, one of the lowest moments in mankind's brief cinematic history. There is not much more to say; that movie is heinously atrocious. I'd rather watch a 24 hour loop of Travis shooting Old Yeller than spend one more minute of life in front of a screen cruelly playing Kung Fu Dunk.
Also, it's time for a post on the most slept on artists/albums
ReplyDeleteTo start, I posit exhibit A: WILL SMITH. Big Willie Style.
-Men in black. Gettin' Jiggy Wit It. Switch. Miami.
Donzo.
@eric
ReplyDeletegreat idea. no will smith. you cant be a good rapper if you dont cuss. pans lanyrinth was good, i just dont have the time to sit and watch seven samurai.
I HATE!!! subtitled movies. Not because I'm too lazy to read em but I hate to be visually distracted during a movie. If my eyes are constantly bouncing up and down during the film then you miss the little nuances that were intended to be seen. Dubs all the way!
ReplyDeleteCity of God was good. Never heard of "of Men". I'm guessing its some sort of sequel.
@Cell: You disgust me. Dubbed movies are horrendous. I was going to thank Peter for including Kung Fu Hustle because though it is dubbed the subtitled version is the way to go. Im sure they murder the translation in subtitle, but dubbing is comparable to the holocaust. Watch the same DVD in subtitles and then dubbed and you will see it is not the same.
ReplyDelete@Peter: Pan's Labyrinth an excellent film, i was only looking at my collection to add to Panda's list.
@Eric: I will strap you down and duct tape your eyes open clockwork orange style until you learn to appreciate Kung Fu Dunk!
@Cell
ReplyDeletethats how i used to feel. dubbed ends up making the acting worse in my opinion because at least with subtitles you get to hear the voice and emotions of the actor... not some white guy in LA. and i know you hate LA. plus i got used to it and i cant stand dubbed movies now.
@eric
Cell is a celtics fan too...
@andy
that was me.. no peter on this one.
Lol@ me disgusting Andy.
ReplyDeleteI say this after watching both sub and dub movies and I agree that a lot of movies are dubbed horribly. And the paraphrasing can off with some studios but for the most part when done with some integrity they are just fine.
I'm a cameraman and the story told visually is more important than the one audibly. You can tell just as much if not more with the eyes than ears. A bad dub is like distorted audio, which is a lesser of two evils when compared to having constantly look up and down from top to bottom every 1.5 seconds. CTHD had a decent bub btw.
And yes...Celtics.
In general, I think most viewers are capable of reading the subtitles while appreciating the subtleties of the film. Granted, if your eyes are on the dialogue, maybe you miss certain things, but I have yet to encounter the film where that loss is greater than the abject pain of modern dubbing. Dubbing is purely a comedic tool that we most enjoy while watching oriental individuals yell at the screen. Fact.
ReplyDeletePan's Labyrinth was my suggestion (blogging is all about taking credit). And if we want to be film snobs, Amelie is one of the better french films out there.
Kung Fu Dunk maintains the dubious honor of being the 2nd worst movie of all time. Period. Though, to be fair, it's a close second behind Waterworld.
Go Celts.
@eric
ReplyDeleteAmelie is one of the better french films if you like people of the same sex. the best french films are district b13 and wait, what am i talking about. the french are good at nothing.
Go Sixers.
Granted, if your eyes are on the dialogue, maybe you miss certain things, but I have yet to encounter the film where that loss is greater than the abject pain of modern dubbing.
ReplyDelete-----
Maybe you guys just watch more horrible movies than I (dub wise) or maybe it's because I like to sit really close to the screen in the theater. The payoff for subs is just not worth it or at least I haven't seen the ones you've seen.
@cell
ReplyDeleteagain its the classic music/sports arguement. its all about personal preference. i cant stand to see someone saying something that they are not. id rather read what they say.
do you do fantasy football? thinking about starting a custom espn league up