"Important" Films

GenJerDan

GenJerDan

Veteran
Has anyone done a list of these here yet? I guess it would be a list of must-sees. Damn. There's probably a list of those already...

But I don't know if the listed were considered important, or just good.

Important in what way, you may ask. Well, how about any way? Pioneering technique, truly outstanding performances, kicking off a slew of copycats, whatever.

I prefer content to all of those, but that's just me.

My pick: Watermelon Man, 1970, by Melvin Van Peebles.

30 some-odd years later, I have to explain to my wife why it's one of my faves...but that's a good thing, right?
 
The biggest fight my wife and I ever had was over Schindler's List. She's never seen it and says that she doesn't want to watch a movie that is that graphic and focused on the holocaust. I, of course, argue that everyone should see it at least once because it is an important film that shows and reminds all of us what happened.

Long story short, she still hasn't seen it. :(
 
Oh, yeah.

Especially the kids not being at all fazed by it, the liberal wife showing her true colors, and the Norwegian office worker for any number of reasons.

And it beats the hell out of all the other "trading places" flicks. Even if Godfrey was probably the ugliest white guy you'd ever want to see. :)
 
Jesus krestofre

I have the same problems with my wife. I can't get her to watch Munich, Schindler's List ....

"It's too sad ..."

What's sad is that Jennifer Anniston keeps making romantic comedies
 
The last rainforest. The one with Robin Williams as the bat (price check on prune juice, Bob). Got the message about de-forrestation through clearly to the kids.

I'll start preparing myself for the teasing now...
 
I don't think any film did anything lasting to change social conciousness about anything. You just can't do it in two (or three or four) hours.

The only thing I can think of that really affected culture in that way was Star Trek, but that's a TV show. (And it now routinely gets mocked for its archaic portrayals of gender and racial stereotypes. Hmmm.)
 
I worked at blockbuster for years and had MANY MANY people recommend Amelia to me, I might go finally see it.

The Power of One was a great film as I remember it, written by an Aussie too!
 
"I don't think any film did anything lasting to change social conciousness about anything. You just can't do it in two (or three or four) hours."

Yeah, but life doesn't work that way anyway. It can lead you to discovering something new that can lead you into a different direction which over time can have a major effect. OR if it reaches one person who is in a powerful position to make a difference with their philanthropy. There are millions of different scenarious....

One picture from the Mai Lai Massacre significantly altered human consciousness.

Richard Nixon's flop sweat on TV during the 1960 debates changed the world.

Incremental impacts can have a massive effect over time.
 
AloysiusK said:
"I don't think any film did anything lasting to change social conciousness about anything. You just can't do it in two (or three or four) hours."

Yeah, but life doesn't work that way anyway. It can lead you to discovering something new that can lead you into a different direction which over time can have a major effect. OR if it reaches one person who is in a powerful position to make a difference with their philanthropy. There are millions of different scenarious....

One picture from the Mai Lai Massacre significantly altered human consciousness.

Richard Nixon's flop sweat on TV during the 1960 debates changed the world.

Incremental impacts can have a massive effect over time.
Click to expand...

Maybe, but no movie did that. Those things had impact because they were real.
 
How about Errol Morris', The Thin Blue Line?

Certain people watched this and ended up freeing Randall Adams from a death penalty/life sentence.

Movies and documentaries can mobilize people as well. I know that after watching certain documentaries and films I have chosen not buy certain products. The Future of Food is a great example.

I think Supersize Me had a pretty powerful cultural effect. Sure it won't change everybody, but that isn't possible anyway.
 
Plus films can educate people to the point where it creates an awareness that can lead to policy change. It might only be a stepping stone, but it plays a role.

Other ones that comes to mind are The Insider, Triumph of the Will , & Born into Brothels. All in different ways, obviously.

I don't really feel there is much of an argument here, David. Motion Pictures are the most powerfully manipulative medium, whether it be for education or propoganda.
 
Going in another direction and sidestepping social consciousness I would have to say The Matrix was incredibly important with respect to shapeshifting FX techniques.

Not only did it pioneer new FXs techniques but it gave us, the audience, a whole new array of visual stimulus with which to copycat and implement and enhance storytelling. Hell, even the NFL picked up on their 360 degree angle camera shot and starting using it.

So, I think that movie is very important and very influential.
 
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