From a DM's poin of view:
-Once upon a time in the west , Sergio Leone
-Deliverance , John Boorman
-Excalibur , John Boorman (I just love this guy's works)
-The Seven Samurais , Akira Kurozawa
-Highlander , Russel Mulcahy
These movies helped me to know how to come up with a good story and interesting characters , as well as a way to treat psychological questions , and most of all , what is great and inspiring cinema....
You surely noticed that all these movies are quite old , as many of the movies that are released now are pretty pretty baaaaaddddddd and booorrrrrinnnnggggg (whoaooo look all the FX , as we don't have any story to tell you ;) !!!!)
For me the worst movie of all time should be Matrix , as it's only a pale copy of what the Japaneses did 10 years ago with Akira and Ghost in the Shell , and the characters are absolutely uninteresting , the music sucks , the camera views are pretentious and kitsch (god , in 5 years this movie will be the kitschest movie of our period !!!)
Excalibur
LOTR Trilogy
Zulu
The Man Who Would be King
The Sand Pebbles
(In no particular order)
The 13th Warrior
Kingdom of Heaven
The Hunt for Red October
Seven Samurai (Love Kurosawa!!)
The Mummy/The Mummy Returns
and I'm probably going to get rotten tomatoes thrown at me for this...
Dungeons & Dragons - on how NOT to run a game and on how your campaign should NOT be.
EDIT: Okay, it's more than five, but it would be criminal not to include Ronin (with Robert de Niro and Jean Reno), Hero (with Jet Li) and Replacement Killers (Chow Yun Fat!!!).
1. Conan the Barbarian
2. The Thirteenth Warrior
3. The Magnificent Seven
4. First Blood
5. Bram Stoker's Dracula
1.) Braveheart
2.) LoTR
3.) Gladiator
4.) The Postman
5.) Office Space
Inspirational? Sounds more like kick@$$ movies to me.
The Iron Giant
Blade Runner
E.T.
The Perfect Storm
Apollo 13
Now that, my friends, is inspirational.
I'm running with "inspirational" in the this-inspires-your-game sort of sense, and not in the personal inspiration sense, though the twain often meet.
1. Lawrence of Arabia = Brilliant movie, excellent actor, incredible story about the responsibilities of leadership.
2. Braveheart = OK, so it's historically inaccurate, it's still got murder, vengeance, and a succesful guerilla campaign.
3. The Seven Samurai = Really, what's not to like?
4. Rob Roy = Liam Neeson with a claymore. 'Nuff said.
5. Saving Private Ryan = Group dynamics and leadership under the pressures of combat, dealing with casualties in a war zone, and a sniper that recites Scripture while engaging targets. One of the best war movies ever, and full of lessons for leaders.
EDIT: Bad messageboard! No double posts!
1. Lawrence of Arabia = Brilliant movie, excellent actor, incredible story about the responsibilities of leadership.
Some of my favorite scenes involve Anthony Quinn in that flick.
Lawrence: "Why not? Moses did."Auda abu Tayi: "Moses was a prophet! And beloved of God!"
Another scene, in which I'm completely convinced somebody rolled a natural 20 on his Diplomacy roll:
T.E. Lawrence: My friends, we have been foolish. Auda will not come to Aqaba. Not for money...
Auda abu Tayi: No.
T.E. Lawrence: ...for Feisal...
Auda abu Tayi: No!
T.E. Lawrence: ...nor to drive away the Turks. He will come... because it is his pleasure.
[pause]
Auda abu Tayi: Thy mother mated with a scorpion.
Let's not forget Prince Feisel (Alec Guinness):
Prince Feisal: With Major Lawrence, mercy is a passion. With me, it is merely good manners. You may judge which motive is the more reliable.
The scene where he first meets Sherif Ali is great as well, especially when you see his figure approach the well.
The scene where Lawrence comes out of the desert after rescuing the man who drifted - "Nothing is written." The scene after it, where Ali burns all of Lawrence's old clothes and gives him new ones is particularly moving.
My all time favorite scene, though, is at the end of the movie and Lawrence leads a charge on the train. The interchange between Sherif Ali and Lawrence, where Sherif Ali repeats the thing that Lawrence said to him at the beginning of the movie, still resonates to me. Such a fantastic scene.
Beginning of movie:
T.E. Lawrence: So long as the Arabs fight tribe against tribe, so long will they be a little people, a silly people - greedy, barbarous, and cruel, as you are.
Towards the end of the movie:
Sherif Ali: Does it surprise you, Mr Bentley? Surely, you know the Arabs are a barbarous people. Barbarous and cruel. Who but they! Who but they!
(Note: Sherif Ali was saying this to Bentley, but you KNOW it was directed toward Lawrence.)
One of the most poetic statements about illegitimacy that I've ever read or heard:
Sherif Ali: I do not understand this. Your father's name is Chapman...
T.E. Lawrence: Ali, he didn't marry my mother.
Sherif Ali: I see.
T.E. Lawrence: I'm sorry.
Sherif Ali: It seems to me that you are free to choose your own name, then.
Great music, as well. I've got the theme music stuck in my head, now. But it's okay, I'm a music junkie.
1. Willow
2. Conan the barbarian
3. Riddle of the sands
4. Kill Bill
5. Goonies
There's no way I can pick just five! ;)
My most inspirational movies for 'D&D' and roleplaying are varied and are not all typical 'swords & sorcery' films. The movies and TV shows that I find have effected my stories, consiously or otherwise would be those listed below, either lines, entire scenes or just some adapted ideas from these movies have made it into my games at some point:
The Crow
Donnie Darko
Shindlers List
The Princess Bride
Ninja Scroll
Wicked City
Vampire Hunter D
Laputa the Flying Island
The Company of Wolves
Akira
Kill Bill
Pulp Fiction
True Romance
Tremors (first one)
Thundercats (TV show)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)
Day of the Triffids (the BBC series and the movies)
Body Snatchers
The Thing (John Carpenters)
Interview with the Vampire
Legend
Evil Dead Trilogy (whats that on your face?)
Doctor Who (TV series and the movies)
Far toooo many, many, many 1970's Hammer House of Horror movies to mention.
The Wicca Man
Xtro (I saw this movie as a six or seven year old and never recovered!)
Romeros dead movies
Any zombie movies
Any 'zombie-movies-in-disguise' like 28 Days Later and those 'Demons' movies from the 80's.
EXistenZ
The Dead Zone
Video Drome
Shivvers
Scanners (So I like David Cronenberg, ok?)
The Mad Max movies
Salute of the Jugger!
Splitsecond
Enter the Dragon
Deliverance
Apocalypse Now
Deer Hunter
Taxi Driver
Creepshow 2
Wishmaster
The Fly
Twin Peaks
Blue Velvet (I like most David Lynch stuff)
Willow (the old lady fight at the end rules!)
Starwars - Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi (I dont like the others for some reason)
Flesh and Blood
Transformers the movie 'You got the touch!'
LOTR trilogy (of course...)
Masters of the Universe 'Let this be our final battle!'
Jason and the Argonaughts
Clash of the Titans
Alien 1,2,3 (and even numer 4 sometimes, I just love Ellen Ripley!)
AvP
Predator 1&2
Carrie
Mirrormask
Hellraiser 1&2
Saw 1&2
They Live
Big Trouble in Little China
A Chinese Ghost Story
Zu
Moon Warriors
13 Ghosts (Guff movie but excellent idea for a dungeon)
Cube trilogy
12 Monkeys
Brazil
The Omen movies
Childplay (the first movie is something I intend to borrow the plot from at some point)
Wolf Creek
FF 'Advent Children'
Kong
Slipstream
Lots of Star Trek episodes, I ripped off those 'pancake-creatures-that-drop-off-the-ceiling' from an episode in the original series and had them show up recently in my AoWs.
Nightbreed
The Andromeda Strain
Bugs
Forbidden Planet
Frankenstein
Dracula
Nightwatch
Full Metal Jacket
Twighlight Zone Movie
Phantasm (I have had 'the ball' make an appearance before)
Logan Run
The Children of the Damned (the 1963 version of course)
I suppose this is why my games tend to be a touch surreal, gory, gloomy and tension/horror/body-shock driven but often have a romantisised, hopeful high fantasy streak hiding within? Books and comics are also a major influence on my games. :)
|
There's no way I can pick just five! ;)
My most inspirational movies for 'D&D' and roleplaying are varied and are not all typical 'swords & sorcery' films. The movies and TV shows that I find have effected my stories, consiously or otherwise would be those listed below, either lines, entire scenes or just some adapted ideas from these movies have made it into my games at some point:
The Crow
Donnie Darko
You pretty much covered what i wanted to add. Game on!
Thoth-Amon
Shindlers List
The Princess Bride
Ninja Scroll
Wicked City
Vampire Hunter D
Laputa the Flying Island
The Company of Wolves
Akira
Kill Bill
Pulp Fiction
True Romance
Tremors (first one)
Thundercats (TV show)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series)
Day of the Triffids (the BBC series and the movies)
Body Snatchers
The Thing (John Carpenters)
Interview with the Vampire
Legend
Evil Dead Trilogy (whats that on your face?)
Doctor Who (TV series and the movies)
Far toooo many, many, many 1970's Hammer House of Horror movies to mention.
The Wicca Man
Xtro (I saw this movie as a six or seven year old and never recovered!)
Romeros dead movies
Any zombie movies
Any 'zombie-movies-in-disguise' like 28 Days Later and those 'Demons' movies from the 80's.
EXistenZ
The Dead Zone
Video Drome
Shivvers
Scanners (So I like David Cronenberg, ok?)
The Mad Max movies
Salute of the Jugger!
Splitsecond
Enter the Dragon
Deliverance
Apocalypse Now
Deer Hunter
Taxi Driver
Creepshow 2
Wishmaster
The Fly
Twin Peaks
Blue Velvet (I like most David Lynch stuff)
Willow (the old lady fight at the end rules!)
Starwars - Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi (I dont like the others for some reason)
Flesh and Blood
Transformers the movie 'You got the touch!'
LOTR trilogy (of course...)
Masters of the Universe 'Let this be our final battle!'
Jason and the Argonaughts
Clash of the Titans
Alien 1,2,3 (and even numer 4 sometimes, I just love Ellen Ripley!)
AvP
Predator 1&2
...
From a DM's poin of view:
I've always been an extropist, moviemaking being no exception. Things progress, the new is better than the old, so I've always had trouble with the idea that new stuff is awful, old stuff is awesome. Not for me it ain't. Nonethelss my top 5 as a DM:
1. The Ring
2. Dawn of the Dead (remake)
3. House of Flying Daggers
4. Pirates of the Carribean
5. Swordfish
Likewise I would put Phantom Menace in my place for most learned what NOT to do from this movie. I think this is almost as important as inspiration.
Do not make your villains baffoons, it kills the tension of your story.
Do not start your story way before the really good stuff happens--start it in the middle of the best part.
Do not let the sidequests take over the movie, lest you forget about ethnic clensings on Naboo and start worrying about whether some kid can win the pinewood derby.
Do not for a moment let your characters think your fantasy world is the real world with a different coat of paint. Things like the two headed sportscaster were crimes against the setting.
Cute characters, like kleptomaniacs, should be watched like hawks to make sure they don't steal everything of value.
Never be too impressed with your trivial NPCs.
Rascist characatures are never funny, and do not make good aliens. They are always offensive. (Trade Fed = Japanese, Gungan = Carribean, Lucas = Bad taste)
From a D.M.'s point of view:
LotR(all three)
Troy
Walking with Prehistoric Beasts
The Shogun's Assassin - Simply the Finest movie I have ever seen.
|
From a DM point of view, my 5 favourite movies will be :
Princess Bride / LOTR trilogy / Conan the barbarian / the adventures of Robin Hood (1938 with Errol Flynn) / Knights of the round table (50's with Robert Taylor)
From a personal point of view :
- Greed (Erich von Stroheim, 1924)
- Mr. Deeds goes to town & it happened one night (Frank Capra, 1935 & 1938)
- Alien & Blade runner & Thelma and Louise (Ridley Scott, 1979, 1982 & 1990)
- Halloween & the thing (John Carpenter, 1978 & 1982)
- Bringing up baby & Rio Bravo (Howard Hawks, 1938 & 1959)
- the ghost and Mrs Muir & a letter to 3 wives (Joseph Mankiewicz,1946 & 1948)
- the red shoes & the spy in black & a matter of life and death & peeping tom & gone to earth & 49th parallel (Michael Powell [& Emeric Pressburger], 1938 to 1960)
- Metropolis & M & the big heat (& many more) (Fritz Lang, 1926 to 1953)
- Lawrence of Arabia (David Lean, 1962)
- most of George A. Romero and Peter Jackson's movies
- Blonde Venus & the scarlet empress & dishonoured (Josef von Sternberg, 1931 to 1934)
- "the man with no name" trilogy (Sergio Leone, 1964-1966)
- ALL of Ernst Lubitsch's movies (from silent movies to Cluny Brown, including To be or not to be & Ninotchka...)
- Billy Wilder's movies (the apartment & some like it hot & seven years itch & one two three & avanti & kiss me stupid & Sunset boulevard...)
- Psycho & Vertigo & young and innocent & Rebecca (Alfred Hitchcok, 1960 & 1958 & 1938 & 1940)
- ALL of Clint Eastwood's movies
and so many other directors, so inspiring : Akira Kurosawa, John Ford, John Huston (the man who would be king is great), Friedrich Wilhem Murnau, Samuel Fuller ("Shock corridor" and "naked kiss" are a kind of slap !), Robert Aldrich, Tex Avery, René Laloux, Hayao Miyazaki, Nicholas Ray, Tim Burton, Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, John Frankenheimer ("the birdman of Alcatraz" is a must see !), Don Siegel, Tod Browning (more than "Dracula" with Bela Lugosi, "the unknown" and "the unholy three" have to be seen...)...
I love movies !!
"Episode 2: Attack of the Clones," "Ultra Violet," "Mission Impossible 2," "Dungeons and Dragons," and "Batman and Robin" have all inspired me to try writing screenplays. In fact they should inspire everyone and their dog to write a screenplay as it takes a rare and special sort of idiot to drool this load of bollicks onto paper and then get paid for it. It must be some sort of mutant power, al la Marvel Comics. Upon reflecting on these piles of cat cack I might go into directing too. I could hardly do worse, right?
I want my $8 back!
GGG
Upon reflecting on these piles of cat cack I might go into directing too. I could hardly do worse, right?
I want my $8 back!
GGG
I've told myself the very same thing about comic books...:-D
|
|
I've told myself the very same thing about comic books...:-DUpon reflecting on these piles of cat cack I might go into directing too. I could hardly do worse, right?
I want my $8 back!
GGG
Have you ever read "european style" comics ??
If not, I think "Ballad of the salted sea" by Hugo Pratt was translated in the US. The main character, Corto Maltese is one of the greatest characters in european comics. He is a sailor-adventurer, born from an english father and a maltese palm-reading woman. When he discovered he didn't have a "luck line" on his palm, he took his knife and drew one.
I don't know what european comics authors have been translated in the US, but if it exists, look also for "Blueberry" (by Charlier [story] and Giraud [drawings]), a lieutnant from the US cavalry during the indian wars, then the construction of the first east-west railroad line. Blueberry doesn't like orders, likes to drink and play poker. It's great...
Ah, are these the same European comics that gave us Diabolic (Daibolique?). I saw the movie and not just on MST3k either... Let's just say it was very tramatic (though not nearly as bad as "Hobgoblins" -even with the Mysty gang - nothing is that tramatic and still "livable").
Europe has a lot to answer for (those "Hercules" movies in particular) though they've gone a fair way in "Life is Beautiful", "The Pianist" "das Boote" and "Amelie".
GGG
Excalibur
LOTR Trilogy
Zulu
The Man Who Would be King
The Sand Pebbles
Excalibur and LOTR certainly top my list but wow, The Man Who Would Be King! I saw that when I was a kid and I still think of it often. I think I must order it on DVD right now.
I dunno... Legend, Time Bandits, Conan one and two maybe?
Sea Prince and the Firechild also known as Sirius No Densetsu was a fantasy anime that just floored me as a child. It wasn't about rangers and ettercaps but it expanded my sense of elemental wonder.
Lets not forget the plethora of B movies that starred David Carradine, Rutger Hauer, Patrick Swayze, Lee Horsley, Marc Singer, and many many others (save The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik Yak as it was a celluloid abomination). These guilty pleasure movies might not be what started most people's fascination with worlds of fantasy but they certainly nourished many of us during a drought of good cinematic offerings.
My top five films that have nothing to do with gaming?
Five is too few and the list feels far to personal to share in public. How odd for a cinephile. Guess there's a sanctity there I'm afraid to upset..
|
|
My top five films that have nothing to do with gaming?
Five is too few and the list feels far to personal to share in public. How odd for a cinephile. Guess there's a sanctity there I'm afraid to upset..
Too bad...
I am always eager to share my tastes regarding old movies.
When I lend old movies' DVDs to friends, they feel surprised, happy, intrigued, dazzled most of the time.
Lots are very inspiring (I mean in life, not especially in game), and it's a pity that so many people forget that there were very good movies before the last ones they saw, let's say, the five last years.
Of course, 5 is too few, and I wrote down a little earlier on this thread lots of the movies I found inspiring (again, in real life).
You could share movies that you like very much but do'nt consider belonging to your "private shrine" (or so).
I always say that Ernst Lubitsch's star is one of the shiniest star of my favourite directors' constellation. Among others.
Do as you wish, of course, but I would be delighted to see some of your choices... (as much as other cinephiles choices).
|
|
Ah, are these the same European comics that gave us Diabolic (Daibolique?). I saw the movie and not just on MST3k either... Let's just say it was very tramatic (though not nearly as bad as "Hobgoblins" -even with the Mysty gang - nothing is that tramatic and still "livable").
Europe has a lot to answer for (those "Hercules" movies in particular) though they've gone a fair way in "Life is Beautiful", "The Pianist" "das Boote" and "Amelie".
GGG
I don't know nor about that movie "diabolic" (look on IMDB for more info), neither about "hercule" movies. I would say that I loved the european movies you mention (I haven't seen "Das Boot", though), however, I must say, shamelessly (is that correct ?) that my favourite movie times or eras are :
- european (especially german) and US silent movies (mostly the 20's),- US movies from the early 30's to the mid 60's (the "classical" era, with Huston, Hawks, Preminger, Vidor, Ford, Mankiewicz, Browning, Wilder, Borzage, Fuller, Aldrich and so many more).
Watch those movies : you could be greatly surprised...
Too bad...I am always eager to share my tastes regarding old movies.
When I lend old movies' DVDs to friends, they feel surprised, happy, intrigued, dazzled most of the time.Lots are very inspiring (I mean in life, not especially in game), and it's a pity that so many people forget that there were very good movies before the last ones they saw, let's say, the five last years.
Of course, 5 is too few, and I wrote down a little earlier on this thread lots of the movies I found inspiring (again, in real life).
You could share movies that you like very much but do'nt consider belonging to your "private shrine" (or so).
I always say that Ernst Lubitsch's star is one of the shiniest star of my favourite directors' constellation. Among others.
Do as you wish, of course, but I would be delighted to see some of your choices... (as much as other cinephiles choices).
Thank you for your encouragment and interest, Timo. I really do appreciate it.
I actually did share some titles in my above post. Movies that weren't a part of my private shrine.
But I guess I was saying that the movies that most inspired me tended to crop up when I was a kid. They were not the types of films that people tend to sit around talking about. They became deeply formative and to academically break them down for a forum feels like the lessening of some rare personal magic. It breaks down to me not really wanting to see people agree or disagree with my choices. I want them to remain holy and beyond critique.
That said, I love to see and discuss the billion movies that aren't in that top ten shrine. We can talk Bicycle Thief, 400 blows, Roshamon, and Brazil till the cows come home. :)
I'll share other personal details though:
I have big hands & big feet
I haven't showered today and my musk-craving cats are on me like catnip.
I'm a vegan but I love the sound of torn celery as it screams. Ah, yes... The Silence Of the Veggies. Mwoo ha ha ha.
Ah, are these the same European comics that gave us Diabolic (Daibolique?). I saw the movie and not just on MST3k either... Let's just say it was very tramatic (though not nearly as bad as "Hobgoblins" -even with the Mysty gang - nothing is that tramatic and still "livable").
Europe has a lot to answer for (those "Hercules" movies in particular) though they've gone a fair way in "Life is Beautiful", "The Pianist" "das Boote" and "Amelie".
GGG
I don't know nor about that movie "diabolic" (look on IMDB for more info), neither about "hercule" movies. I would say that I loved the european movies you mention (I haven't seen "Das Boot", though), however, I must say, shamelessly (is that correct ?) that my favourite movie times or eras are :
- european (especially german) and US silent movies (mostly the 20's),
- US movies from the early 30's to the mid 60's (the "classical" era, with Huston, Hawks, Preminger, Vidor, Ford, Mankiewicz, Browning, Wilder, Borzage, Fuller, Aldrich and so many more).Watch those movies : you could be greatly surprised...
Diabolique, the original, was brilliant. They succeeded with an American version back in the day name of Gaslight. Not the same punch but good as far as pilfered storylines go.
(In no particular order)
The 13th Warrior
Kingdom of Heaven
The Hunt for Red October
Seven Samurai (Love Kurosawa!!)
The Mummy/The Mummy Returnsand I'm probably going to get rotten tomatoes thrown at me for this...
Dungeons & Dragons - on how NOT to run a game and on how your campaign should NOT be.
EDIT: Okay, it's more than five, but it would be criminal not to include Ronin (with Robert de Niro and Jean Reno), Hero (with Jet Li) and Replacement Killers (Chow Yun Fat!!!).
Speaking of Jean Reno, what about The Professional (aka Leon aka The Cleaner)? Now there was an eighth level assassin if ever there was.
I quite enjoyed The 13th Warrior despite the lousy reviews. Crichton makes an entire race of barsarks. How intriguing is that?!
The D&D movie? Now I won't actually wing a tomato at you but I did mail you a jar of homemade marinara. Suffer the flavor of my tasty discontent! :) jk
|
|
Diabolique, the original, was brilliant. They succeeded with an American version back in the day name of Gaslight. Not the same punch but good as far as pilfered storylines go.
I didn't think at first that Great Green God was writing about "les diaboliques" by Henri-Georges Clouzot. It was a very good movie, with a diabolical scheme.
I saw "Gaslight" (it was shot before "les diaboliques") and liked it, even if the drama and suspense is not as good as in "les diaboliques". Ingrid Bergman was great in a tormented role, Angela Lansbury in one of her first role was very good too.
Diabolique, the original, was brilliant. They succeeded with an American version back in the day name of Gaslight. Not the same punch but good as far as pilfered storylines go.I didn't think at first that Great Green God was writing about "les diaboliques" by Henri-Georges Clouzot. It was a very good movie, with a diabolical scheme.
I saw "Gaslight" (it was shot before "les diaboliques") and liked it, even if the drama and suspense is not as good as in "les diaboliques". Ingrid Bergman was great in a tormented role, Angela Lansbury in one of her first role was very good too.
I stand corrected. Oddly enough I watched both of them one oafter the other when I was twelve. Your mention of old Lansbury roles has me thinking of her portraying Sibyl Vane in The Picture of Dorian Gray. There's another I'd like to own.
Speaking of Jean Reno, what about The Professional (aka Leon aka The Cleaner)? Now there was an eighth level assassin if ever there was.
AMEN! Also an outstanding performance by Natalie Portman in that movie. I love The Professional - I enjoyed Ronin more with the de Niro-Reno team up.
I quite enjoyed The 13th Warrior despite the lousy reviews. Crichton makes an entire race of barsarks. How intriguing is that?!
I have been told that the 13th Warrior, based off the book "Eaters of the Dead", is a retelling of Beowulf. Either way, kick-ass flick, I may have to watch it tonight. (I also watched the movie and went "paladin", "ranger", "rogue"..."troublemaker".)
The D&D movie? Now I won't actually wing a tomato at you but I did mail you a jar of homemade marinara. Suffer the flavor of my tasty discontent! :) jk
Again, only to know what *not* to do...I could only stand to watch it once. They should have left the deleted scenes in as well - god knows it would have explained the plot a smidgen better. Still an awful, awful, horrible, BAD movie.
Mmmmm...marinara....
|
|
Thank you for your encouragment and interest, Timo. I really do appreciate it.
You're welcome.
I actually did share some titles in my above post.
But I guess I was saying that the movies that most inspired me tended to crop up when I was a kid. They were not the types of films that people tend to sit around talking about. They became deeply formative and to academically break them down for a forum feels like the lessening of some rare personal magic. It breaks down to me not really wanting to see people agree or disagree with my choices. I want them to remain holy and beyond critique.
I see what you mean, because I felt disappointed when I first watched "It's a wonderful life" (by Frank Capra) with my wife. She didn't like it very much, and that movie had always moved me to tears (especially at the end) and had always uplifted me when I did not feel well.
That said, I love to see and discuss the billion movies that aren't in that top ten shrine. We can talk Bicycle Thief, 400 blows, Roshamon, and Brazil till the cows come home. :)
I have not seen Rashomon (but I loved so much "the 7 samurais", "the hidden fortress", "Madadayo, the professor"), and even if I liked the other three very much (Brazil and bicycle thief more than 400 blows), they are not the movies that did leave the deepest mark or memory to me.
From a DM's point of view, movies like "adventures of Robin hood", "princess Bride", "the flame and the arrow", or even "the crimson pirate" or "the 3 musketeers" come to my mind : I like that taste of swashbuckling, tumbling, springing, jumping, and nonetheless smiling heroes. I see a game just like that. My players are "heroes", and it's even more funny if they act like that, taking risks and chances, keeping their sense of humour (as players and as PCs) even in the darkest hour.
I also like those "true and loyal" characters, doing heroic deeds as in movies like "knights of the round table", "seven samurais" or even "Lawrence of Arabia" mentionned by Lilith.
Of course, as a player, I enjoyed "Conan" (even the 2nd), "LOTR", "Legend" or "Dark crystal", "Willow", since there are not lots of movies in a heroic-fantasy setting (and Peter jackson did a great job on LOTR), and I'd like to see "neverending story", time bandits" and even the 1st "Dragonheart". Likewise, I found the 1st "Dungeon and dragon" movie to be ridiculous (I have not seen the 2nd one).
I also enjoyed a western like "Rio bravo" or "the professionals", since you find the notion of a group : each character has its own place, its own purpose, its own doubts, passions and drawbacks.
I'll write about my personal tastes another time...
From a DM's point of view, movies like "adventures of Robin hood", "princess Bride", "the flame and the arrow", or even "the crimson pirate" or "the 3 musketeers" come to my mind : I like that taste of swashbuckling, tumbling, springing, jumping, and nonetheless smiling heroes.
Ah, the Crimson Pirate. That was a great film. Burt Lancaster told the movie company that to pull off the gymnastics they'd have to hire his gymnastics partner/friend from childhood. The two of them were so amazingly synced in their routines but when it turned out his friend wasn't up to snuff with his lines, they elected to make his character a mute throughout.
I had the same thing happen to me at age ten when I went to my mime teacher's pantomime halloween show. He pulled me aside just before the performance and asked me to assist but told me never to speak, then he announced to a crowd that I was his silent helper hailing from a land where people couldn't speak. After the show I walked up to a lady to show her how to juggle and she yelped.
"Oh god, I thought you really couldn't talk."
I guess it's easy to be a convincing mute.
