Film Snobbery

[latenightapplepie]

I like to think I occupy some kind of middle ground when it comes to film appreciation.

On the one hand, I will scoff at cheap hollywood effects and poor scripts. Yet, on the other, I will not fall head over heels for a film that takes itself too seriously at the viewer's expense.

Ultimately, having no experience/education in the cinematic sphere, I enjoy films that I personally connect for some reason or, detest those that I have wasted my time/money on and give a resounding MEH to the rest.

 

[santaandy]

On Japanese film:

The Japanese government recently released all films made before (and possibly during) 1953 into the public domain, as they are now considered classics of Japanese culture.

Did anyone see Battle Royale? That was truly a disturbing film.

For samurai films, the Zatoichi series was pretty good. One of the better Kurosawa samurai films was Rashomon, which had a lasting effect on film globally (many Rashomon-inspired stories, including one South Park episode). Twilight Samurai was a truly moving film, a must-see, my so-far favorite non-Kurosawa samurai film.

Does anyone watch ninja films? I loved Red Shadow (Akakage). Azumi and Owl's Castle look good. Did anyone see Shinobi: Heart Under Blade? Was it good?

 

[Hey Joe]

Speaking of Kurosawa, people seem to think he's the alpha and omega of the samurai genre, but there are a lot of directors in his shadow who are just as good as he was. If you like Kurosawa's samurai films, check out the work of Kihachi Okamoto and Masaki Kobayashi. For more recent movies, check out Yoji Yamada's films.

On the flipside to this, lately for all the 'Samurai Epic' films that Kurosawa has done, I've found myself really digging his more urbane crime noir stuff like High and Low, Stray Dog and Drunken Angel.

Ikiru in my opinion, is Kurosawa's finest work and almost his most underrated. Oh, and somebody mentioned digging Persepolis which came out earlier this year. That was one of the better flicks of the year, and better yet, when I saw it there were only two people in the theatre.

It. Was. Awesome.

 

[Milford Cubicle]

The only way I consider myself to be a film snob is that I WILL NOT watch anything with Adam Sandler in it!! Or anything of the ilk of Scary Movie.

 

[Alex_P]

And how the hell do you pronounce Quixote?

Kahwik-sote.

That's chiefly a British thing.

The original name sounds more like "key-hoe-tey" -- not exactly like that since it's all old Spanish and stuff, but close. Most international pronunciations are fairly similar. "Key-hoe-tey" is the pronunciation that you will learn in the US. (However, note that "quixotic" is pronounced "kwiksotic" even in America.)

-- Alex

 

[Milford Cubicle]

I've only ever heard people pronounce it "key-hoe-tey" in Britain.

 

[Samirat]

And how the hell do you pronounce Quixote?

Kahwik-sote.

That's chiefly a British thing.

The original name sounds more like "key-hoe-tey" -- not exactly like that since it's all old Spanish and stuff, but close. Most international pronunciations are fairly similar. "Key-hoe-tey" is the pronunciation that you will learn in the US. (However, note that "quixotic" is pronounced "kwiksotic" even in America.)

-- Alex

I'm under the impression that he's joking. But who knows, I could be wrong.

 

[Milford Cubicle]

It is difficult to tell on a forum.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Pan's Labyrinth is one that I simply adored, as did I Sin City and A Clockwork Orange (Though, I really need to read the book.) Soon I plan to watch 1984 upon friendly recommendation. Heavenly Creatures is another I loved, on that note.

Does that count? Keep in mind I have been known to hiss and scream at films such as Die Hard, which make me choke on typical Hollywood nationalism.

Same here.

But what about Harvie Krumpet [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.70751.701645], The mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/jump/326.69960.676220], or Birthday Boy? I mean, they're my favourite Short Films.

 

[Saskwach]

And how the hell do you pronounce Quixote?

Kahwik-sote.

That's chiefly a British thing.

The original name sounds more like "key-hoe-tey" -- not exactly like that since it's all old Spanish and stuff, but close. Most international pronunciations are fairly similar. "Key-hoe-tey" is the pronunciation that you will learn in the US. (However, note that "quixotic" is pronounced "kwiksotic" even in America.)

-- Alex

I'm under the impression that he's joking. But who knows, I could be wrong.

No, I was curious one day and was assured that it is kee-hoe-tee (though the 'h' was almost silent when I heard it). And yes, quixotic is usually pronounced phonetically in English - but that's probably because of all the people who think it's kwik-soh-tee. Weird.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

I'm British and I say Key-Hoe-Tay. I thought that was just how it was pronounced.

 

[Dramatic Flare]

Miyazaki? Kurosawa?
DISCUSS

Yes and Yes. At this point, though, I don't think you have to be a Film Student to actually be fans of these people.
It's like becoming a psychology major and studying Freud. Of course it's good for your studies, But it doesn't make you special the way studying, say... Dawkins. Or possibly Skinner.

And how the hell do you pronounce Quixote?

Kahwik-sote.

That's chiefly a British thing.

The original name sounds more like "key-hoe-tey" -- not exactly like that since it's all old Spanish and stuff, but close. Most international pronunciations are fairly similar. "Key-hoe-tey" is the pronunciation that you will learn in the US. (However, note that "quixotic" is pronounced "kwiksotic" even in America.)

-- Alex

I'm under the impression that he's joking. But who knows, I could be wrong.

No, I was curious one day and was assured that it is kee-hoe-tee (though the 'h' was almost silent when I heard it). And yes, quixotic is usually pronounced phonetically in English - but that's probably because of all the people who think it's kwik-soh-tee. Weird.

As someone who loves the Spanish language, I say you would pronounce Quixote key-hoe-tee.

 

[Dramatic Flare]

EDIT: Double post. look ^

 

[Labyrinth]

I'm British and I say Key-Hoe-Tay. I thought that was just how it was pronounced.

My bad.

 

[Logan Westbrook]

I'm British and I say Key-Hoe-Tay. I thought that was just how it was pronounced.

My bad.

I don't think that it's a 'bad' per se, it might just be a regional thing.

 

[The Rusk]

Another film snob reporting here! I judge all my friends who like films such as Underworld, Dodgeball, etc. Especially those who are on my degree course! (Am currently studying Film & Television Production)

Of those who you mentioned I would have to say I prefer Kurosawa, though I don't think Seven Samurai is his best work. Also have recently become a fan of Del Toro, having now seen his earlier work

Would like to know what you think of my favourite director Sam Mendes? People seem to have mixed opinions about him...

EDIT: Thought I'd post my favourite short film aswell, to give you an idea of the style of film I like: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=abFe-VBokOY The sound quality is kind of poor but it's still a brilliant piece of work.

 

[Labyrinth]

I'm British and I say Key-Hoe-Tay. I thought that was just how it was pronounced.

My bad.

I don't think that it's a 'bad' per se, it might just be a regional thing.

I live in a country who's culture is either Aboriginal or filched, so it's not really much of an excuse.

 

[Murrah]

To be honest.. I watch films all the time, more than I go on escapist anyway. So you can just imagine me watching films before I go to college, After college, when I'm eating, before I go to bed, when I'm in bed. It's always there. I can watch the same film over and over again and I love it! And oh yeah, I once watched Lord of the Ring *extended* for a whole week, does that make me sad?




p.s I dont even like the film

 

[Saskwach]

I'm British and I say Key-Hoe-Tay. I thought that was just how it was pronounced.

My bad.

I don't think that it's a 'bad' per se, it might just be a regional thing.

I live in a country who's culture is either Aboriginal or filched, so it's not really much of an excuse.

Filched?

 

[Labyrinth]

Filched?

Nicked. Stolen. Bodily ripped off.


Just as the English Language doesn't just rip off other languages, it follows them down dark alleyways, acts a bit intimidating them mugs the poor suckers to mop up any unused adjectives.