hiptobesquare_x has got a ticket for the bandwagon. My top 10 of the past decade.

Follow @empiremagazine

Forum Home

Register for Free!

Log In

Moderator Tickets

FAQ

Users Online

hiptobesquare_x has got a ticket for the bandwagon. My top 10 of the past decade.

Logged in as: Guest

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Film Forums] >> Lists and Top 10s >> hiptobesquare_x has got a ticket for the bandwagon. My top 10 of the past decade.

Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 next > >>

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

hiptobesquare_x has got a ticket for the bandwagon. My ... - 9/1/2010 10:12:08 PM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

Ok, so seeing all these top 10 film threads, I felt a mild desire, nay an overwhelming urge to do my own. It won't be filled with artistic feats of cinematic brilliance (I was 10 at the start of the decade, may this list reflect that a little). I'll probably change my mind several times whilst writing it (and essentially numbers 10 - 3 are really in no particular order if I'm totally honest). But I will it so, and it shall be done.

Number 10 coming soon.

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

Post #: 1

RE: hiptobesquare_x has got a ticket for the bandwagon.... - 9/1/2010 10:49:54 PM

Miles Messervy 007

Posts: 6870
Joined: 11/2/2009

I'll be following

_____________________________

quote:

jamesbondguy:
Miles is clearly the finest film theorist of his generation

quote:

Deviation:
if it isn't ham, I'll eat a living pig.

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 2

No. 10 - 9/1/2010 11:41:27 PM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

10. Moulin Rouge!

Dir: Baz Luhrmann, 2001

A magnificent, opulent, tremendous, stupendous, gargantuan, bedazzlement, a sensual ravishment.

Take a Moulin Rouge courtesan, a penniless English writer who falls in love with her, a pantomime Duke, the friendly neighbourhood dwarf, a pimp in a snazzy hat, a Bowie song, and top it all off with a good dash of Absinthe and what do you have? No, not a naff Mills and Boon plot, or an incredibly dodgy porn film, but one of the most visually captivating, beautiful, and indeed sincere, love stories ever made. (I'll warn you now that hyperbole is going to be a common feature here.)

I'll be honest and say my love for this knows no bounds; it's probably the only film I can actually sit and watch whilst reciting the whole script, musical numbers included (this comes from watching it at least once a week for about a year when I was 12). I don't know what exactly it is about this film that makes it such compulsive viewing for me. I don't know if it's the big musical numbers, the sparkly costumes, the opulent sets, the brilliant cast, or the way Baz Luhrmann edits a film into a startling number of epileptic fit inducing cuts, but this film will never lose it's magic.

The two leads are perfect. Rather than opt for two singers who could act, Luhrmann went for two actors who could actually sing, and it really payed off. In a film of excess and heightened emotion, the love story between the two plays out beautifully and with a great deal of subtlety. Granted, not every day is it that you profess your love for someone via the medium of song, sat astride a giant, glittering elephant, but it's the chemistry between Kidman and McGregor that really gives the film it's emotional pull. In one respect it's hard to believe that both actors were both in their 30s when they made this as their presentation of first love is nigh on perfect. Satine is a jaded courtesan, yet the arrival of Christian ushers in a naivety you wouldn't expect, and which Kidman with her doe-eyed looks gets spot-on.

One of the most impressive things about this film, in my view, is the fact that we're told from the outset that Satine ends the film in a box; not content with that Luhrmann peppers the rest of the film with 'dying swan' shots, yet, the end is still just as moving. You may be expecting it, but that doesn't detract from the emotional effect it has. Ok, the final scene does have a lot of 'tell our story Christian... I'll always be with you' ten-a-penny lines which seem faintly ridiculous, however, it still makes me cry like a baby.

Now on to the musical side of things. MR! has a stunning score by Craig Armstrong, relying heavily on soaring string sections, always adding to the on-screen action, but never detracting. The big musical numbers are brilliant, being familiar classics with a twist; honourable mention to the Elephant Love Medley, a.k.a how to nab a prostitute for free in under 4 minutes. But for me, the standout song is the one original composition, Come What May. An incredibly simple love song, which fits the film's central story arch perfectly. The penultimate scene in which Satine begins to sing this to Christian is possibly my favourite scene. Spectacularly under-played by Kidman who sings with heart-breaking conviction, it is this which reaffirms everything the film has said about love.

Whether you find it garish or glorious, love it or loathe it, Moulin Rouge! remains, in my opinion, Luhrmann's best film to date. Although it may be something of an homage to musicals from the Golden Age, Luhrmann's film is so much more. Visually stunning and heart-breaking, never mind being in my Top 10 of the Decade, it easily finds it's way into my top films of all time.

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 3

RE: No. 10 - 9/1/2010 11:47:55 PM

Miles Messervy 007

Posts: 6870
Joined: 11/2/2009

I want to see that. I even liked Australia.

_____________________________

quote:

jamesbondguy:
Miles is clearly the finest film theorist of his generation

quote:

Deviation:
if it isn't ham, I'll eat a living pig.

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 4

RE: No. 10 - 9/1/2010 11:56:38 PM

Epiphany Demon

Posts: 6498
Joined: 14/11/2007

Not really a huge fan of Moulin Rouge, although very good review

I just find it a bit cold. I hate Kidman though, and I'm very cool towards McGregor so that might contribute. Looks brilliant though, the design's fantastic.

_____________________________

THE ALTERNATIVE LOOK AT BOB DYLAN'S DISCOGRAPHY - ONE DAY MAYBE I'LL FINISH IT

(in reply to Miles Messervy 007)

Post #: 5

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 12:01:34 AM

Pigeon Army

Posts: 14611
Joined: 29/1/2006
From: Pixar HQ, George Lucas' Office.

quote:

ORIGINAL: hiptobesquare_x

honourable mention to the Elephant Love Medley, a.k.a how to nab a prostitute for free in under 4 minutes.

Great review of a fantastic film. There's just so much to love about Moulin Rouge! - it's a glittering, resplendent candy store of a musical, not afraid to go over the top in the name of heightened emotion and doing everything with the utmost earnestness and conviction. While I have used this word a lot lately, it is truly an intoxicating film, a giddy piece of cinema that sweeps you up and takes you for the wildest dance of your life. Love it.

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rinc
She's supposed to be 13! I'd want her to be very attractive though

quote:

ORIGINAL: MonsterCat

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pigeon Army
Stop being mean to Deviation

No.

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 6

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 12:13:27 AM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Epiphany Demon

Not really a huge fan of Moulin Rouge, although very good review I just find it a bit cold. I hate Kidman though, and I'm very cool towards McGregor so that might contribute. Looks brilliant though, the design's fantastic.

Thanks

I have a tendency to ramble on about films I like meaning that there is rarely any cohesion, I had to restrain myself this time!

To be fair most people I know aren't fussed on it at all, it does seem to be a bit of a marmite film. I will admit though I am a Kidman fan, probably one of only 6 in the world

(now that I think of it, there's another of her's in this list...). But yeah, the design is stunning. It'd be interesting to see Catherine Martin's work without Baz, although I don't know if other directors would be willing to give her that much free reign!

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to Epiphany Demon)

Post #: 7

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 12:19:44 AM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Miles Messervy 007

I want to see that. I even liked Australia.

I did quite like Australia except for Kidman's mouth. I don't know when it got so pumped up... but yeah, you should definitely watch Moulin Rouge

I'm eagerly anticipating the blu-ray release, whenever that may be!

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pigeon Army

quote:

ORIGINAL: hiptobesquare_x

honourable mention to the Elephant Love Medley, a.k.a how to nab a prostitute for free in under 4 minutes.

Great review of a fantastic film. There's just so much to love about Moulin Rouge! - it's a glittering, resplendent candy store of a musical, not afraid to go over the top in the name of heightened emotion and doing everything with the utmost earnestness and conviction. While I have used this word a lot lately, it is truly an intoxicating film, a giddy piece of cinema that sweeps you up and takes you for the wildest dance of your life. Love it.

That would have looked so good on a poster for it!

And the use of the word intoxicating can only be described as entirely necessary with reference to MR!

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to Miles Messervy 007)

Post #: 8

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 12:33:06 AM

adambatman82

Posts: 11156
Joined: 15/12/2005
From: Sheffield

I havent seen Moulin Rouge since seeing it in the cinema, but I did really enjoy it, and thought the spectacle of the whole thing was amazing. I once spent a rainy tuesday afternoon in a cafe facing the original Moulin Rouge, playing chequers with a french man and bemoaning the number of tourists sat outside in the terrible weather waiting for tickets to go on sale.

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 9

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 12:37:49 AM

Helium Hunchback

Posts: 139
Joined: 30/9/2005

Nice review. It's hard to resist the energy of Moulin Rouge. I'm not sure about Ewan's singing though. I'm a big Kidman fan too, ever since Bangkok Hilton. It makes me sad when I see what she has done to herself.

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 10

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 12:40:26 AM

rawlinson

Posts: 40612
Joined: 13/6/2008
From: Timbuktu. Chinese or Fictional.

Nice review. I actually feel a little bad about not liking the film that much.

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: matty_b

I would plough my way through MonsterCat

quote:

ORIGINAL: matty_b

I desire MonsterCat to go down on me.

(in reply to Helium Hunchback)

Post #: 11

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 12:51:14 AM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

quote:

ORIGINAL: rawlinson

Nice review. I actually feel a little bad about not liking the film that much.

And so you bloody well should.

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to rawlinson)

Post #: 12

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 8:12:01 AM

Gimli The Dwarf

Posts: 73572
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Central Park Zoo

quote:

ORIGINAL: Miles Messervy 007

I want to see that. I even liked Australia.

First Laurel and Hardy, now Australia. Good man!

I love Moulin Rouge. It has Jim Broadbent singing The Show Must Go On.

_____________________________

So, sir, we let him have it right up! And I have to report, sir, he did not like it, sir.

Fellow scientists, poindexters, geeks.

Yeah, Mr. White! Yeah, science!

Much more better!

(in reply to Miles Messervy 007)

Post #: 13

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 4:09:51 PM

rawlinson

Posts: 40612
Joined: 13/6/2008
From: Timbuktu. Chinese or Fictional.

quote:

ORIGINAL: hiptobesquare_x

quote:

ORIGINAL: rawlinson

Nice review. I actually feel a little bad about not liking the film that much.

And so you bloody well should.

I don't feel THAT bad. It's still basically Ewan and Nicole singing bad cover versions against a pretty background like some demented celebrity X-Factor.

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: matty_b

I would plough my way through MonsterCat

quote:

ORIGINAL: matty_b

I desire MonsterCat to go down on me.

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 14

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 4:37:18 PM

Olaf

Posts: 23390
Joined: 26/2/2007
From: 41�N 93�W

I really wanted to hate Moulin Rouge, honest, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. Catch you on the flipside, credibility.

_____________________________

I tried to groan, Help! Help! But the tone that came out was that of polite conversation.

Empire Top 100 Albums Poll 2013: CLICK HERE

(in reply to rawlinson)

Post #: 15

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 9:02:18 PM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

quote:

ORIGINAL: rawlinson

quote:

ORIGINAL: hiptobesquare_x

quote:

ORIGINAL: rawlinson

Nice review. I actually feel a little bad about not liking the film that much.

And so you bloody well should.

I don't feel THAT bad. It's still basically Ewan and Nicole singing bad cover versions against�a pretty background like some demented celebrity X-Factor.

And that doesn't make you love it?

Oh, Olaf. Credibility is overrated, anyway.

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to rawlinson)

Post #: 16

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 9:06:09 PM

Olaf

Posts: 23390
Joined: 26/2/2007
From: 41�N 93�W

quote:

ORIGINAL: hiptobesquare_x

Oh, Olaf. Credibility is overrated, anyway.

Yes! *ditches beret*

_____________________________

I tried to groan, Help! Help! But the tone that came out was that of polite conversation.

Empire Top 100 Albums Poll 2013: CLICK HERE

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 17

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 9:12:04 PM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Olaf

quote:

ORIGINAL: hiptobesquare_x

Oh, Olaf. Credibility is overrated, anyway.

Yes! *ditches beret*

This is a proud moment in Empire history. You just need to get rid of the black polo neck now. (In my head you do actually look like Morrisey dressed like a beat poet

)

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to Olaf)

Post #: 18

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 9:21:43 PM

Olaf

Posts: 23390
Joined: 26/2/2007
From: 41�N 93�W

But I've stitched the polo neck to my skin. Besides, public forums frown on toplessness.

_____________________________

I tried to groan, Help! Help! But the tone that came out was that of polite conversation.

Empire Top 100 Albums Poll 2013: CLICK HERE

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 19

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 9:35:08 PM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

Valid point. The loss of the beret was a good enough start. Maybe in the future you could sip on a WKD from time to time? Just to soften the impression of intellectual superiority that a polo neck implies. A real 'I'm down with the philistines' kind of look.

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to Olaf)

Post #: 20

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 9:44:31 PM

HughesRoss

Posts: 5641
Joined: 19/12/2008
From: Merthyr

quote:

ORIGINAL: hiptobesquare_x

10. Moulin Rouge!

.

Fantastic review to what is no doubt in my mind, the best musical ever made.....when Ewan starts singing that Elton John song.......I still get the chills........awesome

_____________________________

Our first ever HCF MOVIE AWARDS

http://horrorcultfilms.co.uk/2012/01/horrorcultfilms-movie-awards-of-2011-all-the-winners-right-here-of-our-first-ever-hcf-awards/

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 21

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 9:54:02 PM

Olaf

Posts: 23390
Joined: 26/2/2007
From: 41�N 93�W

quote:

ORIGINAL: hiptobesquare_x

Valid point. The loss of the beret was a good enough start. Maybe in the future you could sip on a WKD from time to time? Just to soften the impression of intellectual superiority that a polo neck implies. A real 'I'm down with the philistines' kind of look.

Shit yo, I'm totally like *this* with the proles innit.

_____________________________

I tried to groan, Help! Help! But the tone that came out was that of polite conversation.

Empire Top 100 Albums Poll 2013: CLICK HERE

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 22

RE: No. 10 - 10/1/2010 10:00:22 PM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

That was really quite beautiful.

Respek, man.

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to Olaf)

Post #: 23

No. 9 - 11/1/2010 11:03:08 PM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

9. Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance

Dir: Park Chan-Wook, 2002.

I know you're a good guy...

Out of the three films within The Vengeance Trilogy, this seems to always be passed over in favour of Oldboy, or even Lady Vengeance for that matter, but I think the greatest of all three is the first, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. I may be slightly biased towards this one, given that this was the film that got me interested in Asian Cinema, but whilst cinematically Oldboy seems to stand out, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance has an incredible humanity about it, never matched by the others. The core of this film is the relationships between each of the characters, and that is what makes it so great. Far from being just another addition to the Tartan Extreme list, and playing for shock value, Park Chan-Wook really makes you care about the characters and their fate. Their actions are always believable, even when they're shocking.

So what's it all about? The basic story (I stress basic, the film itself has got more plot strands than a Cheese-String) is that Ryu, a young deaf man, is trying to earn money to get his sister the life-saving kidney operation, she desperately needs. After being fired from his job, he resorts to trying to sell his own kidney on the black market to find a replacement. Not a big success. With the help of his activist girlfriend, Yeong-mi, he comes up with a new plan to kidnapping the daughter of wealthy business man, Dong-jin. And from then on, things go from bad to worse.

The storyline is admittedly, no barrel of laughs, but that is were Park Chan-Wook excels. Given the incredibly bleak subject matter of the piece, it still manages to have actual laugh-out-loud moments, which ease the pressure on the viewer a little, without ruining the overall tone of the film. As I've mentioned before though, the film really comes in to its own in terms of its characterisation. When confronted with the lead character being deaf, and almost mute, it makes no odds as to the attatchment you form to Ryu. Instead Park manipulates Ryu's lack of hearing into something which only enhances the experience more. I'm thinking in particular of a scene in an elevator, and without wanting to give anything away, the use of the noise of the elevator going down the lift-shaft to represent Ryu's internal feelings is exemplorary. It's not a revolutionary idea, but the timing of it is stunning, and one of the best moments in the film (it's also worth paying attention to the use of everyday sound with relation to Ryu, Park Chan-Wook is fairly inventive to say the least). The rest of the character's are also all incredibly well written, and are cast superbly, Song Kang-ho, in particular, is perfect as Dong-jin, and without such, the film wouldn't work half as well.

The title of the film is Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, but rather than vengeance being the focal point of the story, it seems to be a sense hopelessness that resonates throughout it. It's an incredibly intelligent, thought-provoking, and touching film. Whilst it may not look as stylish as the films that followed, or have as much shock value, the way the story manages to tie together so many seemingly lose threads at the end, yet still leave you asking questions is an equally valid achievement. This film excels in it's portrayal of human relationships, and although bleak, leaves you with a somewhat life-affirming view of humanity.

< Message edited by hiptobesquare_x -- 11/1/2010 11:05:27 PM >

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 24

RE: No. 9 - 12/1/2010 12:02:52 AM

PB~!

Posts: 801
Joined: 4/1/2008

Man do I love Moulin Rouge. It's just a real joy to watch, so much fun.

_____________________________

no guilt in life, no fear in death

Check out my Hitchcockian Adventure in Lists and Top 10's
http://www.empireonline.com/forum/tm.asp?m=2209701

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 25

RE: No. 9 - 12/1/2010 12:10:31 AM

hiptobesquare_x

Posts: 1384
Joined: 27/6/2009
From: A petri dish.

I'm actually surprised at how many people admitted to liking it on here. And there I was thinking it was some sort of elitist forum with only admirers of Godard and co. Moulin Rouge, not only fun, but possesses the power to unite

_____________________________

"I hate coconut. Not the flavour, but the consistency."

(in reply to PB~!)

Post #: 26

RE: No. 9 - 12/1/2010 12:35:52 AM

rawlinson

Posts: 40612
Joined: 13/6/2008
From: Timbuktu. Chinese or Fictional.

It made me feel even more elite than usual to be one of the few who disliked it.

Now your number 9, that's a great film.

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: matty_b

I would plough my way through MonsterCat

quote:

ORIGINAL: matty_b

I desire MonsterCat to go down on me.

(in reply to hiptobesquare_x)

Post #: 27

RE: No. 9 - 12/1/2010 10:43:25 AM

Pigeon Army

Posts: 14611
Joined: 29/1/2006
From: Pixar HQ, George Lucas' Office.

quote:

ORIGINAL: rawlinson

It made me feel even more elite than usual to be one of the few who disliked it.

Yeah, that's the word for it. *cough*fun-hater*cough*

Sympathy for Mr Vengeance may not be may favourite of Park's, or my favourite of his Vengeance trilogy (both those honours go to Lady Vengeance), but it is a great film, and you're great for including it. Song Kang-ho is fantastic in it - he normally is, though, so yeah.

_____________________________

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rinc
She's supposed to be 13! I'd want her to be very attractive though

quote:

ORIGINAL: MonsterCat

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pigeon Army
Stop being mean to Deviation

No.

(in reply to rawlinson)

Post #: 28

RE: No. 9 - 12/1/2010 11:44:23 AM

homersimpson_esq

Posts: 19969
Joined: 30/9/2005
From: Springfield

Moulin Rouge! is awesome. It also belongs to that rare breed of film that includes an exclamation mark in the title, along with Murder!, Mars Attacks!, and Airplane!.

Not seen your second film there, but I have seen Chan Wook's Thirst, which was visually inventive, if narratively messy.

_____________________________

That deep-browed Homer ruled as his demesne.

TREK WARS

(in reply to Pigeon Army)

Post #: 29

RE: No. 9 - 12/1/2010 11:54:45 AM

tftrman

Posts: 3192
Joined: 15/11/2005

quote:

ORIGINAL: homersimpson_esq
Not seen your second film there, but I have seen Chan Wook's Thirst, which was visually inventive, if narratively messy.

Yet to see Thirst, but that pretty much sums Park Chan-wook up, which is why Old Boy is my favourite film of his as it's the most narratively coherent.

(in reply to homersimpson_esq)

Post #: 30