Comments on: My cultural education http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education Paul Cook's blog Fri, 18 May 2012 18:27:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Spleen http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-440 Spleen Thu, 21 Jul 2005 16:51:10 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-440 So here are some of the moves I think are worth a watch. I'm sure you've seen a lot of them already, but that's your problem, not mine. Barbarian invasions Amelie Love Actually Natural Born Killers Braveheart Grosse Point Blank Dirty Pretty things Pretty Woman Forrest Gump Good Will Hunting Scent of a Woman Then I've always been a sucker for the large scale Hollywood epic kinda feel: Deep Impact Gladiator and of course: At least one of the Die Hards At least one of the Rambos So here are some of the moves I think are worth a watch. I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of them already, but that’s your problem, not mine.

Barbarian invasions
Amelie
Love Actually
Natural Born Killers
Braveheart
Grosse Point Blank
Dirty Pretty things
Pretty Woman
Forrest Gump
Good Will Hunting
Scent of a Woman

Then I’ve always been a sucker for the large scale Hollywood epic kinda feel: Deep Impact
Gladiator

and of course:
At least one of the Die Hards
At least one of the Rambos

]]> By: Adam http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-435 Adam Sat, 16 Jul 2005 08:12:26 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-435 "Johnny Five, ALIVE!!!" Short Circuit is such a great movie! Classic '80s. “Johnny Five, ALIVE!!!” Short Circuit is such a great movie! Classic ’80s.

]]> By: Deborah http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-430 Deborah Fri, 15 Jul 2005 12:25:24 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-430 Very few oldies up here, so here goes (in no particular order): Casablanca Raiders of the Lost Ark Aliens Back to the Future Wizard of Oz Field of Dreams Bull Duram The Player Bullitt Pale Rider Shane In the Heat of the Night 2001: A Space Odyssey Rocky *batteries not included Short Circuit The Longest Day Witness for the Prosecution Witness Get Shorty! Fun outdated sci-fi/fantasy: The Andromeda Strain The Attack of the Bee Girls (a genuine B-movie) Fastastic Voyage The Fly (both versions) The Blob Planet of the Apes There are so many more! These are just random thoughts. Have fun. Very few oldies up here, so here goes (in no particular order):
Casablanca
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Aliens
Back to the Future
Wizard of Oz
Field of Dreams
Bull Duram
The Player
Bullitt
Pale Rider
Shane
In the Heat of the Night
2001: A Space Odyssey
Rocky
*batteries not included
Short Circuit
The Longest Day
Witness for the Prosecution
Witness
Get Shorty!

Fun outdated sci-fi/fantasy:
The Andromeda Strain
The Attack of the Bee Girls (a genuine B-movie)
Fastastic Voyage
The Fly (both versions)
The Blob
Planet of the Apes

There are so many more! These are just random thoughts. Have fun.

]]> By: suavisimo http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-423 suavisimo Mon, 11 Jul 2005 21:38:52 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-423 I own a set a movies which I claim to be absolutely essential. I actually sell the unessential ones. You can borrow any, anytime: Fast Times at Ridgemont High ("awsome, totally awsome") The Big Lebowski ("you're entering a world of pain") Weird Science ("why don't you shut up, bitch") Swingers ("there's nothing wrong with letting a beautiful baby know that you are money and that you want to party") When Harry Met Sally ("I'll have what she's having") Saturday Night Live: Best of Christopher Walken ("I pranked him to death with a tire iron") It is quite possible that in a few years "Sideways" and "The Life Aquatic" will be on that list. Oh, and I own Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. I own a set a movies which I claim to be absolutely essential. I actually sell the unessential ones. You can borrow any, anytime:

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (”awsome, totally awsome”)
The Big Lebowski (”you’re entering a world of pain”)
Weird Science (”why don’t you shut up, bitch”)
Swingers (”there’s nothing wrong with letting a beautiful baby know that you are money and that you want to party”)
When Harry Met Sally (”I’ll have what she’s having”)
Saturday Night Live: Best of Christopher Walken (”I pranked him to death with a tire iron”)

It is quite possible that in a few years “Sideways” and “The Life Aquatic” will be on that list.

Oh, and I own Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

]]> By: Adam http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-421 Adam Fri, 08 Jul 2005 21:13:26 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-421 For a second I thought you were saying something along the lines of: Those movies suck, so I'm going to put strikethroughs to make sure everyone knows. After all, how could <i>anyone</i> not like Pulp Fiction. By the way, you failed to link the movies in one of my other posts (#7), and I'm too lazy to put up links for you. So when are we going to start watching some of these? For a second I thought you were saying something along the lines of: Those movies suck, so I’m going to put strikethroughs to make sure everyone knows. After all, how could anyone not like Pulp Fiction. By the way, you failed to link the movies in one of my other posts (#7), and I’m too lazy to put up links for you.

So when are we going to start watching some of these?

]]> By: paulcook http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-420 paulcook Fri, 08 Jul 2005 17:52:58 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-420 NOTE: I've edited everyone's comments, because I enjoy practising the abuse of power. I've added IMDB links, and crossed out ones I've seen. If anyone wants them unedited, let me know. NOTE: I’ve edited everyone’s comments, because I enjoy practising the abuse of power. I’ve added IMDB links, and crossed out ones I’ve seen. If anyone wants them unedited, let me know.

]]> By: paulcook http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-419 paulcook Fri, 08 Jul 2005 17:43:31 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-419 Ah, yes, "movies". As far as I can work out, they're the main method America uses to sustain the two vital aspects of its society: celebrity worship and lawyers. They show a small group of people pretending to be doing all sorts of "cool" things, which somehow inspires interest in this small group's personal lives. Secondly, they teach teenagers things like violence, crime, extramarital affairs, and so forth, which provides lawyers with work down the line. They're also great for procrastinating from doing physics. But then, what isn't? Ah, yes, “movies”. As far as I can work out, they’re the main method America uses to sustain the two vital aspects of its society: celebrity worship and lawyers. They show a small group of people pretending to be doing all sorts of “cool” things, which somehow inspires interest in this small group’s personal lives. Secondly, they teach teenagers things like violence, crime, extramarital affairs, and so forth, which provides lawyers with work down the line.

They’re also great for procrastinating from doing physics. But then, what isn’t?

]]> By: Jonathan http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-418 Jonathan Fri, 08 Jul 2005 16:16:43 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-418 Your elephant sends regards and said he enjoyed the list. Pity you won't get this message by camelweb for another decade. Just as well you are coming home by jumbo rather than camel. PS. What are "movies"? Your elephant sends regards and said he enjoyed the list. Pity you won’t get this message by camelweb for another decade.

Just as well you are coming home by jumbo rather than camel.

PS. What are “movies”?

]]> By: sV http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-416 sV Fri, 08 Jul 2005 07:28:38 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-416 I hereby lose my Langabi.name-blog-comment virginity. Ok now that that's over with, here's the real comment: I heartily agree with pretty much all suggested so far and would like to add the following pieces of cinematic genius: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106308/">Army of Darkness</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/">Baraka </a>[go see in original 70mm in a cinema if you can: it's worth the trouble!] <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092644/">Beverly Hills Cop II</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317248/">City of God</a> any of the <a href="http://www.imdb.com/find?q=herbie;more=tt">Herbie films</a> (except the new one) <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117951/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:59:5507:00">Trainspotting</del></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092106/">Transformers: The Movie</a> I am sure there are plenty more but this should keep you occupied for as long as your current elephant lives. I hereby lose my Langabi.name-blog-comment virginity. Ok now that that’s over with, here’s the real comment:
I heartily agree with pretty much all suggested so far and would like to add the following pieces of cinematic genius:
Army of Darkness
Baraka [go see in original 70mm in a cinema if you can: it's worth the trouble!]
Beverly Hills Cop II
City of God
any of the Herbie films (except the new one)
Trainspotting
Transformers: The Movie

I am sure there are plenty more but this should keep you occupied for as long as your current elephant lives.

]]> By: Adam http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-415 Adam Fri, 08 Jul 2005 07:15:51 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-415 I might as well go ahead and put up <a href="http://www.its.caltech.edu/~griffith/dvd_list.html" rel="nofollow">the list of movies that I own</a>. Not all of them are classics; not all (in fact, possibly most) of them are from my childhood; some of them you might not even call "good". However, I wouldn't have purchased them if I didn't like them. I'm willing to loan them out to people as long as they don't come back scratched. Some of my top picks: The Big Lebowski, Blade Runner, Fight Club, <b>The Hunt for Red October</b> (one of my all-time favorites. you should really watch it), and Tombstone (one of my other all-time favorites). I might as well go ahead and put up the list of movies that I own. Not all of them are classics; not all (in fact, possibly most) of them are from my childhood; some of them you might not even call “good”. However, I wouldn’t have purchased them if I didn’t like them. I’m willing to loan them out to people as long as they don’t come back scratched.

Some of my top picks: The Big Lebowski, Blade Runner, Fight Club, The Hunt for Red October (one of my all-time favorites. you should really watch it), and Tombstone (one of my other all-time favorites).

]]> By: Adam http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-414 Adam Fri, 08 Jul 2005 07:02:10 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-414 Ahh... How could I forget The Usual Suspects!!! A truly amazing mystery! Every time I watch it I start to wonder if, just this once, the ending might be different. And the crazy thing is that I'm sometimes surprised by what I know to be coming. Some more (possible) additions to the list (I make no claim as to whether they're good or not): <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089886/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:55:1007:00">Real Genius</del></a> (A Must-See for Caltech students, since it's kind of based on us, or rather, on the undergrads. Good in a bad way. Or bad in a good way.) <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110912/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:55:1007:00">Pulp Fiction</del></a> (Which I also have available to loan out) <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091042/">Ferris Bueller's Day Off</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092099/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:55:1007:00">Top Gun</del></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/">Karate Kid</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088847/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:55:1007:00">The Breakfast Club</del></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:55:1007:00">Back to</del> the Future</a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096438/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:55:1007:00">Who Framed Roger Rabbit</del></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097523/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:55:1007:00">Honey, I Shrunk the Kids</del></a> I also agree with Dixie about the Disney movies. Ahh… How could I forget The Usual Suspects!!! A truly amazing mystery! Every time I watch it I start to wonder if, just this once, the ending might be different. And the crazy thing is that I’m sometimes surprised by what I know to be coming. Some more (possible) additions to the list (I make no claim as to whether they’re good or not):

Real Genius (A Must-See for Caltech students, since it’s kind of based on us, or rather, on the undergrads. Good in a bad way. Or bad in a good way.)
Pulp Fiction (Which I also have available to loan out)
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Top Gun
Karate Kid
The Breakfast Club
Back to the Future
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

I also agree with Dixie about the Disney movies.

]]> By: Dixie http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-412 Dixie Thu, 07 Jul 2005 23:02:44 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-412 Aaaugh! Out, damned smileys! Aaaugh! Out, damned smileys!

]]> By: Dixie http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-411 Dixie Thu, 07 Jul 2005 23:00:53 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-411 Bill & Ted is an especially amusing movie since you're living spitting distance from San Dimas. Princess Bride, Ninja Turtles, and a few others are specialty tastes, I think. They influenced some people heavily, others not so much. (I know I've found the right group of people, for example, when I detect Princess Bride references.) I haven't seen most of the movies on Paul's list either, and the one I have seen (Finding Nemo) I didn't really resonate with. Maybe I'm of the wrong generation. The earlier Disney movies (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) remind me more of my childhood than does Finding Nemo. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105435/">Sneakers</a> is a classic, and eerily accurate in places. I think <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114814/">Usual Suspects</a> is probably another good one, with the widely quoted line about the devil (though I suspect it wasn't original to that movie). I think <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126029/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:53:3907:00">Shrek</del></a> might be a modern classic, but you've probably seen that... If anyone wants to sit down and watch Sneakers, let me know. I *love* that movie. :) Bill & Ted is an especially amusing movie since you’re living spitting distance from San Dimas. Princess Bride, Ninja Turtles, and a few others are specialty tastes, I think. They influenced some people heavily, others not so much. (I know I’ve found the right group of people, for example, when I detect Princess Bride references.) I haven’t seen most of the movies on Paul’s list either, and the one I have seen (Finding Nemo) I didn’t really resonate with. Maybe I’m of the wrong generation. The earlier Disney movies (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) remind me more of my childhood than does Finding Nemo.

Sneakers is a classic, and eerily accurate in places. I think Usual Suspects is probably another good one, with the widely quoted line about the devil (though I suspect it wasn’t original to that movie). I think Shrek might be a modern classic, but you’ve probably seen that…

If anyone wants to sit down and watch Sneakers, let me know. I *love* that movie. :)

]]> By: Adam http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-410 Adam Thu, 07 Jul 2005 21:53:01 +0000 http://langabi.name/blog/2005/07/07/my-cultural-education#comment-410 I've actually never seen any of those on Paul's list. I have seen The Shawshank Redemption (Which I now own a copy of, if you want to borrow it, Paul. It's an excellent movie). I might suggest adding: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105793/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:48:5607:00">Wayne's World</del></a> <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096928/"><del datetime="2005-07-08T10:48:5607:00">Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure</del></a> (For the love of God not in the same night!), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100758/">Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</a>, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/">Ghostbusters</a>, and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/">The Princess Bride</a>. I have a copy of The Princess Bride available for borrowing also. I’ve actually never seen any of those on Paul’s list. I have seen The Shawshank Redemption (Which I now own a copy of, if you want to borrow it, Paul. It’s an excellent movie). I might suggest adding:

Wayne’s World
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (For the love of God not in the same night!),
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,
Ghostbusters, and
The Princess Bride.

I have a copy of The Princess Bride available for borrowing also.

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