What's a GREAT movie you've watched and everyone else should watch?

Question

abc3643 · Accepted Answer

I can name quite a few but these would all be for different reasons.

That said, the one that sticks out in my mind is the 1991 writing and directorial debut of the late, great then 23-year-old John Singleton. That movie was "Boyz N the Hood".

John Singleton was nominated for 2 Academy Awards for that film:

Best Director
Best Screenplay – Written Directly for the Screen

It had a profound impact on me and, dare I say, I became "woke" to life in central Los Angeles. I would move to Los Angeles the next year, but I saw the movie after I moved back east in 1994.

And it had a significant impact on many people. So much so, it was placed into the National Film Registry in 2002 which is a rather short time between being released and having that honor. From Wikipedia:

In 2002, the United States Library of Congress deemed the film to be "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Roger Ebert gave is 4 out of 4 stars. He understood.

This is his review (I added the bold italics effect to the end of his review):

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/boyz-n-the-hood-1991

Boyz N the Hood
Crime 107 minutes ‧ R ‧ 1991
Roger Ebert July 12, 1991

There must be fewer experiences more wounding to the heart than for a parent to look at a child and fear for its future. In inner-city America, where one in every 21 young men will die of gunshot wounds, and most of them will be shot by other young men, it is not simply a question of whether the child will do well in school, or find a useful career: It is sometimes whether the child will live or die.

Watching her bright young son on the brink of his teenage years, seeing him begin to listen to his troublesome friends instead of to her, the mother in “Boyz N the Hood” decides that it is best for the boy to go live with his father. The father works as a mortgage broker, out of a storefront office. He is smart and angry, a disciplinarian, and he lays down rules for his son. And then, out in the streets of south central Los Angeles, the son learns other rules.

As he grows into his teens, his best friends are half-brothers, one an athlete, the other drifting into drugs and alcohol. They’ve known each other for years – and have steered clear, more or less, of the gangs which operate in the neighborhood. They go their own way. But there is always the possibility that words will lead to insults, that insults will lead to a need to “prove their manhood,” that with guns everywhere, somebody will be shot dead.

These are the stark choices in John Singleton’s “Boyz N the Hood,” one of the best American films of recent years. The movie is a thoughtful, realistic look at a young man’s coming of age, and also a human drama of rare power – Academy Award material. Singleton is a director who brings together two attributes not always found in the same film: He has a subject, and he has a style. The film is not only important, but also a joy to watch, because his camera is so confident and he wins such natural performances from his actors.

The movie’s hero, who will probably excel in college and in a profession, if he lives to get that far, is an intelligent 17-year-old named Tre Styles (Cuba Gooding Jr.). His father, Furious Styles (Larry Fishburne), grew up in the neighborhood, survived it, and understands it in two different ways: as a place where young men define their territory and support themselves by violence, and as a real estate market in transition – where, when prices and lives there find their bottom, investors will be able to buy cheap and then make money with gentrification.

Furious Styles also knows the dangers for his son – of gangs, of drugs, of the wrong friends. He lays down strict rules, but he cannot be everywhere and see everything. Meanwhile, Singleton paints the individual characters of the neighborhood with the same attention to detail that Spike Lee used in “Do the Right Thing.” He’s particularly perceptive about the Baker family – about the mother (Tyre Ferrell) and her two sons by different fathers, Dough Boy (rap artist Ice Cube) and Ricky (Morris Chestnut). Both live at home, where it is no secret in the family that the mother prefers Ricky.

He’s a gifted athlete who seems headed for a college football scholarship.

Dough Boy is not a bad person, but he is into booze and drugs and will sooner or later find bad trouble. He spends most of his days on the front steps, drinking, plotting, feeding his resentments. They live in a neighborhood where violence is a fact of life, where the searchlights from police helicopters are like the guard lights in a prison camp, where guns are everywhere, where a kid can go down to the corner store and not come home alive. In painting the cops as an occupying force, Singleton is especially hard on one self-hating black cop, who uses his authority to mishandle young black men.

In the course of one summer week or two, all of the strands of Tre’s life come together to be tested: his girlfriend, his relationship with his father, his friendships, and the dangers from the street gangs of the area. Singleton’s screenplay has built well; we feel we know the characters and their motivations, and so we can understand what happens, and why.

A lesser movie might have handled this material in a perfunctory way, painting the characters with broad strokes of good and evil, setting up a confrontation at the end, using a lot of violence and gunfire to reward the good and punish the rest.

Singleton cares too much about his story to kiss it off like that.

Look, for example, at the scene late in the film – the morning after scene – where Dough Boy walks across the street and speaks quietly to Tre; he knows what is likely to happen, and yet wants his friend to escape the trap, to realize his future.

“Boyz N the Hood” has maturity and emotional depth: There are no cheap shots, nothing is thrown in for effect, realism is placed ahead of easy dramatic payoffs, and the audience grows deeply involved. By the end of “Boyz N the Hood,” I realized I had seen not simply a brilliant directorial debut, but an American film of enormous importance.

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

True Romance.

Quintain Tarantino was still working at a stock footage archive, and had written 3 movie scripts, but he wanted to direct these movies himself, and no one in Hollywood would take a risk on him, even though they loved his scripts. So, he decided he would have to self-finance his first movie, and so he chose to keep the script for Reservoir Dogs, because it would be the cheapest to make, and sell his other two scripts. Those were Natural Born Killers and True Romance.

True Romance was directed by Tony Scott - who also directed movies like Top Gun and Crimson Tide - and while the movie is definitely not shot in Tarantino's style, nor was the script kept completely the same, there is still a LOT of Tarantino in the movie. Lots of fantastic dialog. Realistic and quirky characters. Violence, graphic violence. Twists and turns. And, yes, romance.

It wasn't a big success upon release because Hollywood didn't know how to promote it, so they just didn't promote it. But when people actually saw it (on HBO or DVD), nearly everyone loved it, and it's because a very influential cult classic.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

"Something the Lord Made".

It's a true story about a heart surgeon that found a way with the help and knowledge from his laboratory assistant how to do the surgery on what they called "Blue Babies" who, because of a problem with their heart, would turn them blue and they would die.

Simslover92 · Accepted Answer

Heretic was really great. I think everyone should watch that at least once.

Cinematic Lily · Accepted Answer

One great movie that I believe everyone should watch is "Parasite" by Bong Joon-ho. This South Korean film beautifully blends dark humor, drama, and social commentary, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience. It won the Palme d'Or at Cannes and made history at the Oscars by being the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. The storytelling, performances, and direction are simply phenomenal. 🎥🌟

EzraIsShy76028 · Answer

Hmm... honestly, probably Finding Nemo, lol.

While it is a kid's film and all it's just so well made and so immersive that I think it just doesn't matter if it's for kids or for adults. It definitely made me look at ocean life in a light I never had before.

Maybe part of it is nostalgia talking, but yeah, I don't think any movie was as impactful on me as Finding Nemo. Lol.

Lokiion · Answer

A Silent Voice

It’s about a deaf girl and the dude who bullied her in elementary school. Years later, the guy is isolated and dealing with guilt from the past—he can’t even look people in the eye, so he just sees Xs over everyone’s faces. He's deeply depressed and feels he deserves it, especially since he also ended up being bullied soon after, giving him some insight into her experience. When he hits rock bottom and considers ending his life, he decides instead to find the girl and apologize for everything. The movie isn't about bullying—it goes way deeper into self-love, learning to forgive (yourself and others), and figuring out how to actually move forward with life. It really explores redemption, mental health, and trying to connect with people when you feel unworthy.

exitseven · Answer

My favorite movie is Open Range with Kevin Costner and Robert Duval. It is a cowboy movie but it is so much more. The cinematography is breathtaking and the dialog in riveting. The relationship between the characters is very touching and the theme of good vs evil and justice vs vengeance is interesting. The final fight scene is very realistic.

Effably · Answer

I reckon everyone should see the Green Mile at least once.

Static_In_The_Attic · Answer

Definitely Bad Santa & it’s a funny holiday movie.

ChiTown33 · Answer

"12 years a slave". Chiwetel Ejiofor is a great actor. And that movies hits you like a punch in the stomach (or at least it did me). I felt physically ill after watching it. Not many movies do that to me.

AviatorTom · Answer

I haven't seen a GREAT movie in decades. The most recent REALLY GOOD movie I've seen is the second Top Gun movie,  Top Gun: Maverick .

lightbulb27 · Answer

The Ten Commandments ("Moses")... was a well done movie with some exceptional emotional scenes. Was enamored with Yvonne Decarlo, wow!

ArrowheadSW · Answer

One movie that I saw 2 years ago called "Jules". It is a comedy that is somewhat like the old movie "ET". A UFO crashes into the backyard of an older man coming down with dementia, and no one believes him. Just a fun movie and I have never talked to anyone who has seen it.

DJB72 · Answer

The Name of the Rose. Sean Connery and Christian Slater based on the novel by Umberto Eco. Brilliant flick

alice55 · Answer

Hunger games ballad of songbird and snakes I have a huge list of amazing movie but theyre all French so there's no English translation of them sadly

Babygirl_S · Answer

The Martian, Interstellar etc. made me emotional

WhiteSteve · Answer

Trying to decide between Superbad and Wedding Crashers🤔 I don’t think anything has been so funny and quotable, before or since.

Miah06 · Answer

I took my brother to see the minecraft movie, and i liked it. I think people would as well. As long as they go in with the mindset that it's a silly light hearted comedy.

Shy_Steve · Answer

Junebug (2005) With Amy Adams Most people haven't even heard of it let alone seen it.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

I won't tell people what to ''watch''. But in general I recommend to not watch at all - at least the newest shit.

Iron_Man · Answer

The Rocky movies. Braveheart Jeremiah Johnson

MemeSupreme · Answer

girl with a dragon tattoo

FunkyMonkee · Answer

"Head", "Vanilla Sky", "Wicker Park".

Xawyx-2 · Answer

Jurassic Park, or maybe Conan (80s movies). Also, Star Wars (any of them).  Or maybe Star Trek 3, really great movie.

Gwendoline · Answer

Goodbye Mr chips

NathanDavis · Answer

Sharknado...  🦈🌪️🦈🌪️

Staximus · Answer

Conan the Barbarian (with Arnold, not that new bullshit)

KittygosMeoWW · Answer

Time travelers wife

TimCheeseisthehero · Answer

whatever these fucking pricks said about romantic movies is bullshit. you should watch Action- adventure Comedy/Drama and slave movies

Ectobun · Answer

Stranger than fiction. I was actually balling near the end

Agape93 · Answer

Silent hill or princess mononoke

snowboarder720 · Answer

Batman : Under the Red Hood

Vampirelover_12 · Answer

"I am not an easy man".

Miristheiss · Answer

Shawshank Redemption

Likestorizz · Answer

Not another teen movie

McLlovin · Answer

American Primeval.. on Netflix.

MrChinaski · Answer

Everything Kubrick ever produced.

Kelly6 · Answer

MCU Avengers

WhiteThought · Answer

That is a long list of movies

Geminiaqua · Answer

meeting evil with samuel

Samantha_17 · Answer

The Brutalist.

Lilly1979 · Answer

I enjoy D. E. B. S. And Better than chocolate.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Recently its sinners with Michael B Jordan

DryGermanGuy · Answer

V for Vendetta

QuietRunner · Answer

Casablanca

notCryHONEY · Answer

V for Vendetta

MikeTheBartender · Answer

Braveheart

Fireguy17 · Answer

Blazing Saddles

Jay-_- · Answer

Hacksaw Ridge

DrPepper12 · Answer

Europa report

jamesgoldman · Answer

Goodfellas

shortster · Answer

The Princess Bride

SmokinAces2000 · Answer

Slumdog millionaire

ABC1x1x · Answer

Hackers.

Smegskull · Answer

The Dark Crystal.

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