Favorite Films

[Spark Of Spirit]

In recent years the haters have calmed down a lot. Probably because it was proved to not be a flash in the pan fad, but a legitimate series with a lot of fans that still stuck around after the hype.

I'm actually currently re-reading the series (I'm just starting PoA) though took a small break to read new things as well. As far as I can tell, it still holds up great.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

My little sister just turned 10 and she's just gotten into the books, herself, which is around the same age that I first got into them. She's almost done with CoS and will presumably be starting PoA tomorrow. Seeing her go through the books is what re-ignited my interest in the series.

[Dr. Insomniac]

I'm a bit ashamed to admit that even though I love reading books, I only ever read Chamber of Secrets, Order of the Phoenix, and Deathly Hallows. I should fix that when I have less of a backlog.

[Avaitor]

I'm weird with HP myself. If I haven't read a book, I've seen the movie, aside from Deathly Hallows, which I still haven't gone to in either version.

I know that I read and saw the first two, watched the third, read the fourth and fifth, and saw the sixth. Part of me is considering giving the whole series a full read at some point, but I always find myself getting into other things instead.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

It's not quite as great as ASOIAF or Tolkien's books as far as fantasy series go, but it's still great all the same, IMO.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

We all know that most remakes are shit, but how about the rare ones that are good, and even occasionally better than the original? Here are my top choices:

1. The Thing (1982)- This has both groundbreaking special effects, and is much closer to the intent of the original novel than the first movie was; and let's be honest, that monster in the black and white version just looked silly; this movie has excellent acting combined with a great script that keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole way through

2. Scarface (1983)- I saw most of the black and white version, and while I respect the film, I don't really feel that it has aged all that gracefully; this film updates it to fit in the timeline of Miami during the 80's, replacing the prohibition theme with drug dealing

3. 3:10 To Yuma (2007)- The original film was a fun but standard Western, whereas the remake was a bit grittier in tone, but the reason it's on the list was for how it took a relatively simple story and made it so damn intense; the dynamic between the hero and villain of this film is what makes it work so well; they just have amazing chemistry with each other

4. The Fly (1986)- This is another case where, much like The Thing, the original is a fun B movie, but it pretty much stops at that; this film took that concept and turned it into a Sci-Fi masterpiece; Even if you normally can't stand Jeff Goldblum, his performance really works in this movie

5. Cape Fear (1991)- In this case I love both the original and the remake almost equally, but what gives this one the slight edge is Robert De Niro's performance, who is equal parts over-the-top hilarious and yet disturbingly creepy at the same time

I only ranked films in which I've seen both the original and the remake. There are plenty of remakes that I've seen and liked, such as Scent of a Woman and Ocean's Eleven, but I haven't seen the original films, hence why I didn't rank those.

[gunswordfist]

I forgot that Scarface was a remake. Of course The Thing is my favorite movie ever so it would be my no. 1 on any list it could possibly be on and Scarface would be no. 2 since I can't think of any other better remakes.

[talonmalon333]

I haven't seen the original Scarface, but the remake is indeed phenomenal. Though I've heard they aren't incredibly similar.

My favorite remake is Nosferatu the Vampyre. Should be obvious what it's a remake of. I love the original Nosferatu and consider it one of the best silent movies I've seen (if not the best). But the remake is just haunting and even more atmospheric, and perfectly shot. Also, Klaus Kinski plays a very different Dracula from the terrifying one Max Schreck played, but he's just as good and sits right along with Max Shreck as the best vampire in film. In general, I can't fathom someone having a favorite vampire movie that isn't Nosferatu or its remake.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

While we're at making lists, here are my top 10 favorite Science Fiction films (excluding Star Wars, since that could be argued as Fantasy):

10. Predator- The only good film in its franchise, but still a classic; it had a great concept and a really memorable supporting cast, though this was also one of the few roles that Arnold was definitely well suited for

9. Serenity- Whether you like Joss Whedon or not, you can't deny that he's a master ensemble action-packed films, and IMO this was an even better movie than The Avengers, and a perfect conclusion to a very (sadly) short-lived TV series

8. Back to the Future Part II- While not as sharply scripted as the original, this film managed to do the impossible and make for a sequel that was even more insanely mind-bending and convoluted than the first movie while simultaneously being almost just and funny and heartfelt as the first was

7. They Live- An underrated John Carpenter classic that has since gone on to gain a respectable cult following; this movie is one of those timeless ones that's just as relevant today as it was in its time, and you can't beat Keith David (AKA FUCKING GOLIATH HIMSELF) as the supporting man; this may also be the only film that I've seen which stars a (former) pro-wrestler that's actually good (though, GOTG may be the 2nd if it turns out to be great); and let's not all forget that hilariously awesome line that originated from this movie: "I'm here to kick ass and chew bubble-gum, and I'm all out of gum!"

6. Alien- This film has the distinction of not only being one of the best Sci-Fi movies of all time, but also one of the best horror films as well; it would be easy to look at it and dismiss it as a slasher in space, but to do so would be missing the excellent writing and though-provoking suspense of the story and it's mystery

5. The Thing (1982)- And this would be the OTHER film that has that rare distinction of being one of the best Sci-Fi and horror movies ever; really it could've gone either way between this and Alien, but I gave The Thing the slight edge because of the special effects and, once again, Keith Fucking David (he will never not be awesome)

4. The Terminator- It is possibly the coolest idea out of any of the Sci-Films that I have ever seen, and it brings with it a ton of emotional weight; and what's most impressive is how much this film achieved with its grand story using far less budget and flashy effects than any major blockbuster either of its time or to this very day

3. Back to the Future- It's a concept that was probably done a thousand times or more befor this movie came out, yet this one indisputably did it the best; so much careful attention is paid to every last detail, yet even if you don't wrap yourself up in those details, you also have the luxury of casually watching this film as one of the greatest comedies of all-time ; the Sci-Fi elements here are really kept in the background except for key moments of the movie, but what makes it work is that it's just a great movie to begin with, whether you view it as a Sci-Fi picture or not

2. The Terminator 2: Judgement Day- Unlike the original, this was the very high-budget blockbuster that it's lower budget predecessor successfully managed to give the middle finger to, but I won't lie, I like this one even better, and it's precisely because Cameron used all of those extra resources to their fullest and crafted a film with just as much heart and passion as he put into the original; he took a great concept and made it even more engaging, not only through amazing special effects, but more importantly through good acting and excellent writing; don't be fooled for a second, it may have  more action than the original, but this movie is just as thoughtful in its themes and message as that film was as well

1. Aliens- I consider it to be my favorite Sci-Fi movie, and I'll admit, it's not as original or thought-provoking as some of the other films on this list, but I believe that Cameron dialed the passion that he put I to this up to eleven; every character is memorable, even if most of them get killed off, and the action is always intense and well-shot, but it never becomes the forefront over the story; if there was ever a film that was just pure intensity mixing in with pure entertainment value to create an enthralling movie experience unlike any other, then it's this one, IMO

Also, I haven't seen Blade Runner in ages, which is why it's not currently on my list.

[Spark Of Spirit]

While it wouldn't make a best of list, I have to throw in my vote to the underrated Frequency. I have no idea why, but that movie always works so well every time I watch it.

I need to re-watch a lot of sci-fi films before I make any list. Wrath of Khan would probably make it on, though.

[Dr. Ensatsu-ken]

And I still need to see Wrath of Kahn. Until then, Serentity is my choice for best Sci-Fi movie based on a TV show, mostly because it's the only one of that type that I've seen (but it's still awesome).

[Spark Of Spirit]

Someone once said the even-numbered Star Trek movies are the ones to see. Though Search For Spock was decent, it certainly wasn't as good as WOK, and the less said about the first movie the better. I still plan on seeing IV, though.

[talonmalon333]

If someone wants to look at Alien as a slasher in space, go ahead. Just as long as they also acknowledge it as the best slasher ever made.

Also, I think Terminator 2 is still my favorite Cameron movie, but I can't deny how incredible Aliens is (as well as the first Terminator, of course).

[Spark Of Spirit]

If post-apocalyptic counts, then I'd probably put "The Road Warrior" up there.

[Avaitor]

Yeah, the even-numbered Star Treks are best, but you can skip Nemesis.

And only bother with the first Abrams film, IMO.