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Looking for Film Recommendations, More Cerebral and Less Violent?
chickensoup | 07.23.17 | chickensoup

Posted on 07/23/2017 4:56:36 AM PDT by Chickensoup

This is a slow Sunday morning.

I am not much of a vid watcher. And for over 25 years we didn't have a TV. Back a few years ago I found a TV, with Freeper input and have Netflix. To me the TV is a great going to the theater experience.

I have been watching different things on the TV for occasional entertainment for the past couple of years, Netflix both streaming and DVD.

I have discovered that most shows that I have watched, both the compelling ones that I have enjoyed like Longmire, Bluebloods, and even Father Brown have significant violence and show gross dead bodies.

I understand that the public is used to this and that over the past couple of decades, people have watched shows about dead and decaying bodies.

I am amazed at this turn of events. Almost every show and film I find has some sort of murder, often by some bizarre sicko. Death-porn packaged into otherwise nice storylines.

I enjoy shows like Last Man Standing, Mad Men, 30 Below, films like Primer, Silver Linings Playbook. I am looking for recommendations that are perhaps more about a story, a situation, a relational issue that is compelling.

I have started renting DVDs through Netflix and am going through their old films, where face it, film-makers did not use sensationalism in the place of fine script writing and directing. So I have some of the old films covered.

I think of that scene in The Searchers where John Wayne returns from finding the body of a girl whose kidnappers he was tracking, and he said when asked what happened, with full painful angry emotion in his voice: What do you want me to do? Draw you a picture? That one sentence, acted in such a profound way, gave the viewer everything he needed to know about this poor child and her death and how the protagonists were going to proceed.

So if you can recommend a film or series that you enjoyed that is interesting and doesn't make its centerpiece death and destruction, I would love to hear about it.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: film; movies
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To: Chickensoup

These are some of the most intelligent comedies that you’ll ever see. Two are British, so there’s a language barrier. One is an animation, ostensibly for children, but it’s not. One has a language all it’s own. I have just realized that Ringo Starr features heavily in 3 out of the 4. They all may be hard to come by but well worth it. You will thank me, and be forever in my debt.
1. The original “BEDAZZLED” starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
2. “THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN” starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr.
3. “THE POINT” animated, and narrated by Ringo Starr.
4. “CAVEMAN” starring Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Dennis Quad, Shelley Long, and a bunch of other good folks...not brilliant, but just fun.
1 to 3 ARE BRILLIANT...and FUN.


101 posted on 07/23/2017 7:06:14 AM PDT by TigerHawk
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Memento. The violence is quick and not lingered on.

12 monkeys. The film, not the tv series.

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind

2001

Arlington road

A scanner darkly

Gattaca

High and low (Kurosawa)

The prisoner (original tv series)

The sorcerer (1977. not very cerebral, but tense!)


102 posted on 07/23/2017 7:09:36 AM PDT by proust (Trump / Pence 2016!)
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To: Chickensoup

Second Hand Lions.
Mud
We are Marshall
Get Low


103 posted on 07/23/2017 7:23:14 AM PDT by davetex (Location: The Alamo)
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To: PlateOfShrimp

The original Father Brown series wasn’t that great either though better than the new.


104 posted on 07/23/2017 7:26:04 AM PDT by rey
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To: Chickensoup

By ALL means, you should see the 2015 film, “Mr. Holmes”

There is no violence, only a short story about the infamous Sherlock Holmes in his ailing, Alzheimer years, and his relationship with a young child and the child’s housekeeper, mother. The film was most enjoyable and found quite by accident.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Holmes

Another movie seen in the last year was FOSTER or ANGEL IN MY HOUSE. Not as well written or acted as the one above and more of a HALLMARK MOVIE (in fact, do believe it was HM) This is another with no violence, a fantasy, sugar coated and a plot that has been done numerous times.
However, clean, non violent entertainment (even if on a scale a bit on the low side) it was an enjoyable, non threatening flick.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_(film)

Ryan Reynolds in “The School of Life” an inheritance dean loses his post and a young, ill man takes his place.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_Life

And the last is an award winner - BABBETTE’s FEAST. There are two versions of this movie one in original language w/subtitles and one English dubbed. I LOVE THIS MOVIE and recommend it time and again to anyone who treasures friendship and eating.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babette%27s_Feast

Enjoy your day at the movies.


105 posted on 07/23/2017 7:29:52 AM PDT by V K Lee (DJT: "Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war. ")
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To: Chickensoup
The original Solaris by Tarkovsky.

The film is beautiful. It seems to start going off the rails, but the final scene brings it all together in a way that is just breathtaking.

Memento is also a very cerebral film. It is about a guy who can't form new memories and the scenes are shown in reverse. It may take two viewings to piece it all together, but well acted and intricate.

Dark Planet is a combination of sci-fi and whodunit. Interesting role for Keifer Sutherland as a mad scientist.

The Spanish Prisoner is a great whodunit with an amazing cast. Written and directed by Mamet so it feels as much like a great play as a movie.

Twelve Monkeys is a great movie directed by Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame. The interesting question at the end: What does the one character REALLY mean when she says "Insurance"?

106 posted on 07/23/2017 7:33:09 AM PDT by who_would_fardels_bear
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To: Chickensoup

Remains of the Day (a Merchant Ivory masterpiece)
Billy Elliot (final scene will leave you with happy tears)
Lives of Others
Educating Rita

I’m kinda down on Hollywood films so I look at Academy Award/BAFTA lists from past for all “nominated” and winners for Best Foreign film category. I have a great Library in my city that carries most of them. I know, I’m lucky.

Great fun day today with The Open and Tour de France finals — don’t tell me - don’t tell me — saving for this afternoon.


107 posted on 07/23/2017 7:34:45 AM PDT by bunster
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To: ThePatriotsFlag
Have you met The Lovejoy Mysteries? Six seasons. Great stuff of a simple order.

'Second Hand Lions and Dragonfly are two really good watches, also.

108 posted on 07/23/2017 7:39:45 AM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
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To: Chickensoup

The original Tinker Taylor and Smiley’s People are outstanding choices. I like some of the older films as well, Two Way Strech, The Man in the White Suit, and Kind Hearts and Coronets. It Happens Every Spring is an overlooked baseball comedy gem. John Houston’s Roots of Heaven is another overlooked film worth seeing. Kirosawa’s Hidden Fortress, the model for Star Wars is a great film too.


109 posted on 07/23/2017 7:50:11 AM PDT by PUGACHEV
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To: Chickensoup

The original Tinker Taylor and Smiley’s People are outstanding choices. I like some of the older films as well, Two Way Strech, The Man in the White Suit, and Kind Hearts and Coronets. It Happens Every Spring is an overlooked baseball comedy gem. John Houston’s Roots of Heaven is another overlooked film worth seeing. Kirosawa’s Hidden Fortress, the model for Star Wars is a great film too.


110 posted on 07/23/2017 7:50:13 AM PDT by PUGACHEV
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

This is a great start.

Here is the list so far minus the comments for those who are interested. I will add to the list and post it if there are more opinions

Thank you.
Ihttp://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3571288/posts?q=1&;page=1

Inception
Joe vs. The Volcano.
— Pawn Shop Chronicles
— John Dies at the End
— The Butterfly Effect
— Glengarry Glen Ross
— Slamdance
— The Inner Circle
— Oleanna
Downton Abbey
Deutchland 83
Three Days of the Condor
The Feynman Lectures on Physics
Mr. Nobody
Everything is Illuminated
Kon Tiki
Nixon
Apollo 13
From the Earth
Akela and the Bee
The Family Man
Kolya
Cinema Paradiso
Thin Man movies with William Powell and Myrna Loy
For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story
Round Midnight
Passengers (2016)
Gattaca (1997)
The Verdict (1982)
The Ipcress File (1965)
The High and the Mighty (1954).
Murder on the Orient Express, the Albert Finney version.
The Game
Lost City of Z
Hellfighters
Hatari with John Wayne
Death in Paradise,
Midsomer Murders
“One of My Wives Is Missing
Inherit the Wind.”
old Hitchcock tv dramas
The Dead Zone
Doctor Zhivago
36 hours
Gran Hotel
“Not Without My Daughter”
“Places in the Heart”
Field of Dreams
The King’s Speech
Chariots of Fire
The Imitation Game
Julie & Julia
Here Comes Mr Jordan
Long Gray Line
Bells of St Mary
Portrait of Jennie
Laura
Love of the Game
“The Piano”
For me, nothing scarier than the 1950’s flick, “The Bad Seed.”
“The Shrike”
The Furies.” Stanwyck and Huston.
I like odd Thomas...
Ghost In The Shell” violent
-Hopalong Cassidy
-Gunsmoke
-The Roy Rogers Show
-Annie Oakley
-Cowboy G-Men
Mrs Minever
Captains Courageous
Hoax w Richard Gere
Spotlight w Michael Kearon
Meet Joe Black w Anthony Hopkins
Fra ture w Anthony Hopkins
Lincoln Lawyer w Matt McConaghey
Conspiracy w Kennerh Branagh
Moneyball w Brad Pitt
Trouble With the Curve w Clint Eastwood
Zero Dark Thirty w Jessica Chastain
Here Comes the Boom w Kevin James
“The Water Diviner”. Russell Crowe.
The Book Thief
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq61jstTApk&list=PLwix5PoqRIFNFxBcVsrcq2CrnVvbkexVR
Smiley’s People:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vYAyq5l2Bs&list=PLAPGcD5LGrp79pjd-ZvR43JC_rwwZPABl

Sherlock Holmes. Jeremy Brett
The Hounds of the Baskervilles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJlsU2yo0N8
‘The Artist’ won the Academy Award for Best Picture
‘Dead Again’ -
Oh my gosh, where to start?
“The Lion in Winter” (Peter O’Toole, Katherine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins, and others)
“A Man For All Seasons” (Paul Scofield, Robert Shaw)
“Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (Cary Grant, Myrna Loy)
“Sea of Trees” yesterday. Beautiful movie and thought provoking.
Angels in the Outfield. (1951)
On Borrowed Time (1939)
You Can’t Take It With You (1938)
Bridge of Spies,
“Dr. Strangelove
The Lives of Others.” In German with subtitles.
“Lonesome Dove
“Streets of Laredo” with James Garner,
From up on Poppy Hill.”
Foyles War
Father Knows Best, Hazel, The Joey Bishop Show, along with many others, like Green Acres or I love Genie.
For Treat, may I suggest, the Disney movie “Follow ME Boys”?
Galaxy Quest (Tim Allen)
Anne.....of Green Gables
Mystery Men (Ben Stiller, Geoffrey Rush)
Miss Fisher Mysteries
Doc Martin
When calls the Heart, on the Australia
Heartland
The key here is British, Australia and Canada.All have good tv that islike TV was here years ago.
East Asian TV. Lots of it on Netflix and some is very good but has subtitles.
Cannery Row” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZNNwzA0J4M
“The Girl With the Pearl Earring” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8awflTA4QYE
“The Man From The Earth” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mOIxyRTY5I
“Copying Beethoven”
“Immortal Beloved”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkj0TeZeZuo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qWbcosJdtU
Community”
Rick and Morty
“2081”
“2001”
“Forbidden Planet”
“The Mouse that Roared”
“A Separation.” It’s a very good film from Iran.
“Our Town.”Paul Newman version
Yes, Bridge of Spies is a good choice.
Being There (1979)
Yes Minister
Riley Ace of Spies
Call the midwife, 6
True Grit 2010 w Jeff Bridges.
Boys From Brazil w/Laurance Olivier
The Deep
the others
Daniel Boone
“The Game”
The Man Who New Infinity
1. The original “BEDAZZLED” starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.
2. “THE MAGIC CHRISTIAN” starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr.
3. “THE POINT” animated, and narrated by Ringo Starr.
4. “CAVEMAN” starring Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Dennis Quad, Shelley Long, and a bunch of other good folks...not brilliant, but just fun.
1 to 3 ARE BRILLIANT...and FUN.
Memento. The violence is quick and not lingered on.
12 monkeys. The film, not the tv series.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
2001
Arlington road
A scanner darkly
Gattaca
High and low (Kurosawa)
The prisoner (original tv series)
The sorcerer (1977. not very cerebral, but tense!)
Second Hand Lions.
Mud
We are Marshall
Get Low
Mr. Holmes”
Another movie seen in the last year was FOSTER or ANGEL IN MY HOUSE
Ryan Reynolds in “The School of Life” an inheritance dean loses his post and a young, ill man takes his place.
BABBETTE’s FEAST.
Memento is also a very cerebral film.
Dark Planet is a combination of
The Spanish Prisoner is a great whodunit
Twelve Monkeys is a great movie directed by Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame. The
Remains of the Day (a Merchant Ivory masterpiece)
Billy Elliot (final scene will leave you with happy tears)
Lives of Others
Educating Rita
Have you met The Lovejoy Mysteries? Six seasons. Great stuff of a simple order.
‘Second Hand Lions
Dragonfly are two really good watches, also.


111 posted on 07/23/2017 7:53:24 AM PDT by Chickensoup (Leftists today are speaking as if they plan to commence to commit genocide against conservatives.)
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To: pepsionice

A second season of Deutschland 83 is supposed to be produced to air in 2018.


112 posted on 07/23/2017 7:58:53 AM PDT by mass55th (Courage is being scared to death - but saddling up anyway...John Wayne)
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To: Chickensoup

There are the very moving and tragic pair of movies that really must be seen together: Jean de Florette (1986)(IMDb rating 8.1), and its sequel, Manon of the Spring (1986)(8.0).

In the first, the very sympathetic farmer played by Gérard Depardieu, is dragged down and slowly destroyed by his greedy neighbors. It demanded a sequel for a sense of justice. The latter is the equally dark vengeance of his daughter against those neighbors.

Both are deeply emotional films, but do not expect a Hollywood ending.

For much lighter fare, I would recommend another three French movies that are very lighthearted. (Elements of both were used in the American version that was itself a good comedy.)

The Tall Blond Man with One Black Shoe (1972), which is funny, but its sequel outdid it, The Return of the Tall Blond Man (1974).

The American version is The Man with One Red Shoe (1985), with Tom Hanks, Jim Belushi, and Carrie Fisher.

Yet another highly recommended French Comedy is My New Partner (1984). A police “buddy” movie like no other.


113 posted on 07/23/2017 8:03:12 AM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy (HitlerÂ’s Mein Kampf, translated into Arabic, is "My Jihad")
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Try Mr. Holmes. Story set in Sherlock’s old age when dementia exists and his last great mystery is solved with the help of a young boy.

Very nostalgic and a nice plot about aging.


114 posted on 07/23/2017 8:20:23 AM PDT by wildbill (If you check behind the shower curtain for a slasher, and find one.... what's your plan?)
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To: Chickensoup

I just saw Peabody and Sherman. I never even heard of the movie when it was out in theaters. Takes a funny swipe at Bill Clinton. On my 65” tv the animation was stunning. Really an animated movie that is great for adults.


115 posted on 07/23/2017 8:29:13 AM PDT by willk (everyone)
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To: Chickensoup

Thanks for compiling this list!

I’d add:
I Am David - about a child who escapes a communist camp.
The Black Stallion - great story, some say the best cinematography ever
Henry Poole Is Here - it helps to have a grasp of theology with this one.
Little Shop of Horrors- there is a murder, musical, 60’s music
October Sky - about kids striving for something better


116 posted on 07/23/2017 8:40:48 AM PDT by Varda
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To: Chainmail

“The High and the Mighty”

Wasn’t that mainly a bunch of soap opera flashbacks? Classic theme song though, composed by Dimitri Tiomkin?

Try “Fate is the Hunter” for another airliner thriller.

Also, for a good mystery, try Dolores Claiborne.

See reviews of these movies on Amazon or IMDB.


117 posted on 07/23/2017 8:50:20 AM PDT by cymbeline
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To: Chickensoup

I may have missed it but I did not see Amadeus listed. Also, I didn’t see any musicals listed. Here are a few of my favorites.

Damn Yankees
the Pajama Game
Annie Get your Gun
Cslamity Jane
Oklahoma
South Pacific
Call Me Madam


118 posted on 07/23/2017 8:53:16 AM PDT by saminfl
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To: cymbeline

Hmmpf... “Basically soap opera flashbacks”? You’re talking about the original air disaster film that led them all, captained by no less than the Duke!

I figured that the individual requesting the movie recommendations wouldn’t like “Fury”, so some lighter fare would do the trick.


119 posted on 07/23/2017 8:59:59 AM PDT by Chainmail (A simple rule of life: if you can be blamed, you're responsible.)
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To: Windflier
“The Piano” Came out around 1993. It’s about early settlers in New Zealand. A piano, brought all the way from England, is the unifying thread throughout the story.

Sounds reminiscent of 'The Red Violin'....

Storyline: In present day Montreal, a famous Nicolo Bussotti violin, known as "the red violin," is being auctioned off. During the auction, we flash back to the creation of the violin in 17th century Italy, and follow the violin as it makes its way through an 18th century Austrian monastery, a violinist in 19th century Oxford, China during the Cultural Revolution, and back to Montreal, where a collector tries to establish the identity and the secrets of "the red violin."

Highly recommend if you haven't seen it.

120 posted on 07/23/2017 9:03:05 AM PDT by Godebert (CRUZ: Born in a foreign land to a foreign father.)
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