Need Movie Recommendations...

If you can go "R" then show them "Fargo" or "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead." "Devil" in particular is a great example of non-linear story structure, editing technique, and some kick-ass acting. "Fargo" is just da bomb.

Has anyone suggested a short film ? At the other extreme from "Fargo" show them "The Red Balloon" Yeah, the French children's flick. It packs more emotion and pure visual storytelling into 20 mins than most features can aspire to. Brilliant.

Since it's a short, you can screen it, discuss it and show it again to really analyze it. Just came out on DVD with another French film, also aimed at children. But no way is "Red Balloon" just for kiddies--it made my uncle and his Marine Corps buddies choke up.

Cheers :beer: Jeff
 
I think something like Primer would be a great film to show to contrast some of the higher budget stuff. When learning the basics I feel it's sometimes hard to get around the gloss and effects of higher budget films to see the craft behind it.

Just saying you might want to consider some 'smaller' films to contrast with the bigger ones and be able to show that at the core they are all using a lot of the same techniques.
 
devil has a sex scene like 5 mins into the movie. i dont think he could get away with that.
 
Mike McNeese said:
This was news to me as well...apparently The Matrix is considered LAME by high school seniors.
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In what way? Can you ask them? Was it the VFX? The directing? The writing/story telling? My guess is they won't know and say something like 'it's boring now. I've seen that. It's been done before.'

Mike McNeese said:
...It was all kids asking to screen Talladega Nights, Anchorman, 40 Year Old Virgin, and anything with Set Rogan. I just don't have the constitution...
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It would seem they are looking to be entertained. Which 'is' the nature of the biz end of it. But are they in your class to be entertained or to understand how to make entertainging movies?
IMO they need to look at the history of movie making. All of the greats and why they are great. They need to understand what it takes to make a movie like 'The Matrix' and how innovative it was at that time. Who wrote it? Who directed it? Why was it considered innovative when it came out? Why?

Why is something funny? What is comedic timing? What are beats when delivering lines and hitting your mark and why is that important? What is lighting and who is responsoble for it? What's a director, producer, a gaff? Or are your students there to watch 'teener' B movies after having a 'puff' and get some 'free' class time ! We used to call it a 'spare' class, kind of like auto class, ya know, an easy credit. :)

Yes, they 'want' entertainment, but they have no idea how to go about making it do they! I guess that's your job to teach them (?) if I understand the thread.

Ranting aside then (:)): PG movie wise, I'd recommend anything directed by Ron Howard. He's pretty much a family entertainment guy and pretty top notch, agreed?
Actors wise, maybe a few things featuring Tom Hanks. He often appears in Ron's films and mostly have PG ratings.
'The Terminal' might be good for a class discussion but not by the sounds of your class as you describe it.

I probably could have said all that and more in ten words or less, but who cares. Certainly not 'your' class, haha.
Funny, I could talk about this stuff alll night, and almost have, haha.
 
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Lord Of The Rings ( all three films) - Incredible in every way. Story, and the tech. side as well. Also, if they have read it there is the added bonus of seeing how adapting a book to film is done and you can be sure they won't fall asleep.
 
Or anything by Ridley Scott.... "Blade Runner" or "Gladiator" should keep them in their seats.

"Good Will Hunting" has a great story behind it--- Gus Van Sant saw the script, which was at that time a thriller about gov't conspiracy to use Will in the defense dept. Gus told them the janitor's backstory was the real story. Voila, an Oscar-winning screenplay. :grin: Discuss why this is better than another routine action thriller.

Re "Devil" you could skip the sex scene, chapters on DVD should do it.

Cheers :beer: Jeff
 
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