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Can anyone actually say that this is their favourite film?
Posted: 10:45 Jul 12 2003
The Usual Suspects - T21 Knockout Winner
After 6 rounds, The Usual Supects has emerged victorious, bloody but unbowed.
Surprised? I know I thought Star Wars or The Matrix would win through.
Angry or disappointed? Would you rather crawl across razor blades than watch this movie?
Totally apathetic? (Probably not posting a reply to that)
I thought the way it played out was interesting. Whilst what many might consider to be 'classics' didn't fare as well as they might, neither did the Hollywood blockbusters.
The final was between two movies that picked up awards across the world for their screenplays and ensemble acting with narry a special effect or a high concept in sight.
Memento, Fight Club, LA Confidential and Life of Brian all did well... none of them big summer movies and all of them offering intelligence and subtlety to the audience.
I was surprised by the success of The Lost Boys but have fond memories of it and would gladly watch it in preference to most current releases. Star Wars completed the eight quarter finalists, a movie that has been oft imitated but rarely bettered as movie makers have attempted to recreate that special blend of sci-fi, action and myth.
Thanks to those of you that voted. It's heartening to see good storytelling win out over crass spectacle.
Surprised? I know I thought Star Wars or The Matrix would win through.
Angry or disappointed? Would you rather crawl across razor blades than watch this movie?
Totally apathetic? (Probably not posting a reply to that)
I thought the way it played out was interesting. Whilst what many might consider to be 'classics' didn't fare as well as they might, neither did the Hollywood blockbusters.
The final was between two movies that picked up awards across the world for their screenplays and ensemble acting with narry a special effect or a high concept in sight.
Memento, Fight Club, LA Confidential and Life of Brian all did well... none of them big summer movies and all of them offering intelligence and subtlety to the audience.
I was surprised by the success of The Lost Boys but have fond memories of it and would gladly watch it in preference to most current releases. Star Wars completed the eight quarter finalists, a movie that has been oft imitated but rarely bettered as movie makers have attempted to recreate that special blend of sci-fi, action and myth.
Thanks to those of you that voted. It's heartening to see good storytelling win out over crass spectacle.
17 Replies and 4188 Views in Total.
It's a fix! I demand a recount! 
<EDIT>
OK, now I have a quote stuck in my head...
"We could count again... One, two!"
And I have no idea what it's from. Some comedy film/tv prog. Any ideas?
(Edited by PictureOfFlowers 12/07/2003 10:58)
<EDIT>
OK, now I have a quote stuck in my head...
"We could count again... One, two!"
And I have no idea what it's from. Some comedy film/tv prog. Any ideas?
(Edited by PictureOfFlowers 12/07/2003 10:58)
Posted: 10:56 Jul 12 2003 
I guess I must get round to watching this film now it's one
Posted: 12:14 Jul 12 2003 
Maybe The Simpsons? Bart: "I demand a recount!" Krappabble: "Okay, one for martin, two for martin. Would you like me to count it again?"
by PictureOfFlowers
It's a fix! I demand a recount!
<EDIT>
OK, now I have a quote stuck in my head...
"We could count again... One, two!"
And I have no idea what it's from. Some comedy film/tv prog. Any ideas?
(Edited by PictureOfFlowers 12/07/2003 10:58)
I haven't followed the film knockout, so this is new to me. I'm not disappointed though, although perhaps I wouldn't count it amongst my favourite movies. It's certainly a well put together and well-told story.
Posted: 12:57 Jul 12 2003 
That could well be what I'm thinking of... Thanks dude!
by Demona
Maybe The Simpsons? Bart: "I demand a recount!" Krappabble: "Okay, one for martin, two for martin. Would you like me to count it again?"
Posted: 01:11 Jul 13 2003
No, I couldn't say it's my favourite, but then I didn't vote for it. Personally, it's not even in my all time top 5. But it is a great movie with fantastic dialogue and great story telling.
But the dialogue in Pulp Fiction is better.
Personally, it's not even in my all time top 5. But it is a great movie with fantastic dialogue and great story telling.But the dialogue in Pulp Fiction is better.
Posted: 08:37 Jul 13 2003
Not my favourite film, but then the best team doesn't always win the FA Cup (hell Southampton were in the final this year!)
That said, I do think it is an excellent movie which scarcely puts a foot wrong.
The dialogue in Pulp Fiction is flashier, more immediately appealing but ultimately superficial (for such a film literate guy, Tarantino's style is curiously uncinematic.) Give me 'The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist" over "Royale with cheese" any day.
That said, I do think it is an excellent movie which scarcely puts a foot wrong.
The dialogue in Pulp Fiction is flashier, more immediately appealing but ultimately superficial (for such a film literate guy, Tarantino's style is curiously uncinematic.) Give me 'The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist" over "Royale with cheese" any day.
Posted: 09:20 Jul 13 2003 you could theorise that the same people never voted in each round, making the voting disjointed towards certain movies.
by PictureOfFlowers
It's a fix! I demand a recount!
Ok, too much thinking!
Posted: 11:06 Jul 13 2003
Inc, maybe I'm wrong, but I think you're problem with Pulp Fiction is the stoner humour. Royale With Cheese; Zed's Dead; Would You Give A Foot Massage To Your Mom; Where On My Drive Does It Say 'Dead [edit] Storage'?
After all, it does what it says on the tin. Pulp Fiction. There's no high falluting meaning, no grand drama, just intelligently written funny scenarios based around a common theme. And it works beautifully.
Usual Suspects has better lines and higher aims, sure. But you know what? When I think about the two films the smile from Pulp Fiction is bigger. It is, ultimately, a very funny film.
But then I love Kevin Smith, which is heavy in dialogue and stoner humour. So what do I know?
After all, it does what it says on the tin. Pulp Fiction. There's no high falluting meaning, no grand drama, just intelligently written funny scenarios based around a common theme. And it works beautifully.
Usual Suspects has better lines and higher aims, sure. But you know what? When I think about the two films the smile from Pulp Fiction is bigger. It is, ultimately, a very funny film.
But then I love Kevin Smith, which is heavy in dialogue and stoner humour. So what do I know?
Posted: 19:00 Jul 13 2003 Well, no. Can anyone actually say that Tony Blair is the person they'd most like to have as Prime Minister? A poll like this isn't about getting anyones individual favourites, it's a case of finding what most people find most acceptable.
by Teresa
Can anyone actually say that this is their favourite film?
As it is, of the original list, I'd probably have gone for 'Vertigo', but I do feel 'The Usual Suspects' is a worthy winner, nonetheless.
Posted: 11:56 Jul 14 2003 Been thinking about this and trying to get me head around the idea of stoner anything... for example, a friend of mine describes bands as 'good stoner' music which inevitability means something you wouldn't dream of listening to otherwise.
by Jayjay
But then I love Kevin Smith, which is heavy in dialogue and stoner humour. So what do I know?
I saw Pulp Fiction at the cinema and thought it was great. Watched it 3 or 4 more times still thinking this is pretty good but for me it's rewatch value has now slumped to zero.
Maybe I'm not doing the drug thing properly, cos when I'm stoned the things that primarily stick out for me are the visuals, which seems to me sensible because film is primarily a visual medium. I'm completely familiar with the dialogue in Pulp Fiction so now I'm looking for other things to interest me and visually it's dull dull dull for the most part. There are still parts I think are great (Travolta blowing a kiss to Uma Thurman sticks out) but wading through all that dialogue to get to them feels like a chore.
As for Kevin Smith... hey Clerks is great but he's never going to be a great filmmaker for me because again, his directing is pretty limited.
Of course, Rally tells me I have no soul so maybe that has something to do with it.
Posted: 12:52 Jul 14 2003 Probably
by Incandenza
Of course, Rally tells me I have no soul so maybe that has something to do with it.
A worthy winner indeed! A film that kept me thinking long after the credits rolled and that manages to be an increadably watchable film even after you know what the 'twist' is.
Posted: 15:07 Jul 14 2003
I thought it would be Star Wars for sure, simply because it's "the" classic sci-fi film.
The usual suspects is an interesting winner and seems like one hell of a compromise between a hell of a lot of folks, are we pleasing all of the people all of the time?
I really wonder if folks had been asked to vote in a simple poll style question that listed all of the films in the knockout, just which one would have won?
Care to set that one up for us Inc?
The usual suspects is an interesting winner and seems like one hell of a compromise between a hell of a lot of folks, are we pleasing all of the people all of the time?
I really wonder if folks had been asked to vote in a simple poll style question that listed all of the films in the knockout, just which one would have won?
Care to set that one up for us Inc?
Posted: 21:26 Jul 14 2003
Just out of curiosity, and I can't be bothered to go back and look for myself , how many of the final 8 films were from the 'official' top 32 list and how many were submitted by members of T21?
, how many of the final 8 films were from the 'official' top 32 list and how many were submitted by members of T21?
Posted: 01:41 Jul 15 2003
Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, The Usual Suspects, LA Confidential and Life of Brian were all in the official list.
Fight Club, Memento and The Lost Boys were T21 choices.
Fight Club, Memento and The Lost Boys were T21 choices.
Posted: 12:59 Jul 15 2003 Not quite. When I read "'good stoner' music" I immediately thought of Pink Floyd, Doves and Kid A/Amnesiac. All good stuff, but even better under the influence.
by Incandenza
Been thinking about this and trying to get me head around the idea of stoner anything... for example, a friend of mine describes bands as 'good stoner' music which inevitability means something you wouldn't dream of listening to otherwise.
As for "not doing the drug thing properly", this really isn't it. Everyone's experience is different. Effect can vary due to substance (there's a big difference between the effects of hash and grass), your expectations before taking, and simply different people react in different ways. While I love Bill Hicks, my reaction to his sketch on the guy who always wants to do something to 'heighten' the experience, I found myself thinking 'crazy golf? yeah, that'd be coooool...'.
Anyway, off this diversion.
The real difference here is that visuals are far more important to you than me. Yes, the difference between film and, say, radio, is visual stimulus. This doesn't mean, for me, that film should be about visual stimulus over dialogue/plot. The visuals should support, not dominate. I want dialogue that'll make me laugh or will emotionally drag me in. Kevin Smith will always be a great film maker, for me and millions of others, because he does both of these. And the visuals are enough to support them. Although the light-bong scene in Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back I would argue is a great piece of film making relying on visuals only. Well, that and a heap of cultural referance points.
And while pulp fiction has little to say that emotionally pulls you in, it is littered with fantastically funny lines. And great drama, in the stories like Zed or the robbery.
But, while I didn't vote for it, I don't want to take away from the (deserved) winner, Usual Suspects. Which is loaded with drama, isn't as funny as Pulp Fiction but does have some very funny moments, and has the god-like Kevin Spacey.
Posted: 02:02 Jul 16 2003