Hatrack River Forum: Independent Films

This is topic Independent Films in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Dim Sum (Member # 2682) on :

What are your favorite Independent Films?

Mine (no particular order):

Donnie Darko
Coming Down
Dino Bridges
Crustopolis
Snow Bouncing (And 138 other situations)

-Dim Sum-

Posted by Slash the Berzerker (Member # 556) on :

Blood simple - Coen brother's first film
Bound - Wachowski brother's first film
Pi - Darren Aronofsky's first film
Night of the Living Dead - The Romero classic
Evil Dead - early work from Sam Raimi

Some of my favorites.

Posted by Yebor1 (Member # 1380) on :

It has risen [Hail]

Independence DAy
Born on the forth of july

Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :

Nora
Metroland
Laurel Canyon
Lone Star
The Secret of Roan Inish
The Limey
Fargo
Pulp Fiction

Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :

Most of the Coen brothers work
Memento
Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs
Bottle Rocket
Lone Star
Repo Man
Mystery train
Wild at Heart and Blue Velvet
Evil Dead I and II

[ September 17, 2003, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: Morbo ]

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

Koyaanisqatsi. Best film made. Ever.

[Big Grin]

Hobbes

Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :

*claps at metion of The Secret of Roan Inish*

Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :

quote:
Koyaanisqatsi . Best film made. Ever.

Are. You. Serious. Koyaanisqatsi did nothing for me but make me remember how to say 'Koyaanisqatsi'. Koyaaaaaaaan-isquatsiiiiiiiiiii...I prefer movies with characters, plot, and a point myself.

I liked Rodger and Me, but that's a documentary.

[ September 16, 2003, 07:00 PM: Message edited by: sarcasticmuppet ]

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

Well, I can't argue how you felt when you watched it, but it has had a profound effect on me.

Hobbes [Smile]

Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :

I don't think that Koyaanisqatsi is the best film ever. But it was very good. And the score was one of the best pieces of music ever, so that's a plus. I love Philip Glass.

I agree with the Quentin Tarantino films. I loved Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, although I try not to admit it in mixed company.

I think my favorite independent film... at least I think it's independent (I don't know what the studio situation is in Japan, but I know it was made on a shoestring budget, and no studios I've ever heard of were in the titles, so I'll assume that it is) is After Life . Don't read too much about it, either on the linked website or even (if you can help it) from the back of the DVD. It makes it sound trivial, and spoils a tiny bit of the mystery. But watch it. If you can find it at your local rental place, rent it. If not, order it from Amazon. If you live in Salt Lake, I'll even loan it to you. But you must see it. It's one of the most sublimely fascinating and beautiful pieces of cinema I've ever seen. The type of movie that could never be made by anyone associated with Hollywood.

Posted by sarcasticmuppet (Member # 5035) on :

Hey the IFC is showing that in a few weeks. It looked pretty good.

Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :

What's the IFC?

Posted by unohoo (Member # 5490) on :

quote:
I don't think that Koyaanisqatsi is the best film ever. But it was very good. And the score was one of the best pieces of music ever, so that's a plus. I love Philip Glass.

Hey, me too, Speed. It was stunning.

Also liked, in no particular order (and not 100% that they are all independent):
Reservoir Dogs;
Little Man Tate;
Scotland, PA;
The Theory of Flight.

Gosh, I know there are a lot more Indy films that I've enjoyed, but I'm having a major senior moment here.

Posted by unohoo (Member # 5490) on :

Speed, here's a link to IFC (Independent Film Channel). [Wink]

Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :

Hey, I just checked out your IFC link. I didn't realize that Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai was an indie. I guess it stands to reason. That was a swell movie. I love all the extra-dry humor. I found it to be hilarious.

I did not, however, find After Life on their schedule. It would be cool if they showed it.

[ September 16, 2003, 11:28 PM: Message edited by: Speed ]

Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :

Koyaaaaaaaan-isquatsiiiiiiiiiii. While I don't think it's the best film ever, I've seen it a few times and enjoyed it. The music and images mesh in a unique way, and I think it was an influential film. It seems to be a very polarizing film: people either love it or hate it.

[ September 16, 2003, 11:42 PM: Message edited by: Morbo ]

Posted by unohoo (Member # 5490) on :

quote:
I did not, however, find After Life on their schedule. It would be cool if they showed it.

I think if you wait long enough, they will eventually show it. [Wink]

I also agree with the obversation about the Coen Bro's movies, I like most of them. Anybody see "Barton Fink"? It was very surrreal, but Coen kewl.

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

<--*Devoted Philip Glass fan*

Hobbes [Smile]

Posted by unohoo (Member # 5490) on :

Did you guys know that Phillip Glass hacked in NYC to keep body and soul acquainted? Anyway, I bought Einstein on the Beach for my mate, he is such a huge P. Glass fan. I also took him to a Phillip Glass concert quite a while ago when he performed locally for where I live. The concert was incredible. If any of you have a chance to see him live, go!

Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :

Hey! I'm going to see Koyaanisqatsi the end of this month -- with Philip Glass conducting a live performance of the soundtrack!

[The Wave]

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

I know they were doing that in Boulder Colorado, where are you seeing it?

<--*Is green with envy, especially since he lives in Boulder Colorado, a state Glass hasn't preformed in for 15 years, and Glass preforming in his home town only months after he leaves it* [Mad]

Hobbes

Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :

I'll be seeing it in Harrisburg, PA. Apparently it's the only such performance on the East Coast. I've actually never seen the movie before but I've heard great things about it and Glass' soundtrack from people whose opinions I respect so I'm looking forward to it!

Posted by Celtic Flame (Member # 5556) on :

I thought Donnie Darko was incredible. It's one of these movies I keep watching to see if there's something I missed, that maybe there's an idea in the movie I didn't remember hearing, or a connection to something I didn't see before.

And of course, there's After Life, which was a beautiful movie. It's too bad that the movie didn't spend more time with each character...everyone was so interesting.

Then there's Pi, Memento and Pulp Fiction, which are some of my favourites as well.

Praise [Hail]

Donnie

[ September 17, 2003, 03:03 AM: Message edited by: Celtic Flame ]

Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :

I'm kind of surprised no one has mentioned Whale Rider. I figured at least twink would be in here screaming about it.

Posted by Sho'nuff (Member # 3214) on :

Without rehashing ones already said...cough...Memento...Donnie Darko...Reservoir Dogs...cough. [Wink]

Boondock Saints.

Was Waking Life and indy?
what about Requiem for a Dream?
was american history X?
Clerks? how many of his others are still considered indies?
Swingers?

Posted by ae (Member # 3291) on :

I've been wanting to watch After Life for the longest time.

Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :

Other good indie films -- almost anything by Hal Hartley! Most especially, Henry Fool.

Posted by T_Smith (Member # 3734) on :

Thanks, saxy. I was wondering the same thing.

Whale Rider has my mention, also as being really good.

Rueban and Ed has to be mentioned, simply because the line "My cat can eat a whole watermelon" just stuck with me. Not the best independent film, but pretty funny.

Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :

Dude, Reuben and Ed rules. It was a cult classic when I was in high school.

Speaking of cult classics, I think Harold and Maude was an indie. I love love love that movie.

Oh, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and The Life of Brian. Can't forget those.

Thanks for reminding me of Memento. That was a killer flick.

For the sake of my wife, who I wish would just come on here and say it herself, I have to mention My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

ae, where do you live? If you're anywhere around Northern Utah, I can loan you After Life. If not, find it and watch it. Sehr gut.

Posted by Bokonon (Member # 480) on :

My friend saw Philip Glass perform Koyanisqatsi in Boston last winter, said it ruled.

-Bok

Posted by Slash the Berzerker (Member # 556) on :

I just saw May.

It left me deeply disturbed. I loved it.

"I like weird. I like it a lot."

Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :

Slash:

quote:
I just saw May.

It left me deeply disturbed. I loved it.

Except, did you notice that her lazy eye switched back and forth? I hate, hate, hate stupid little continuity errors like that. How can that possibly go unnoticed while filming?

Posted by Slash the Berzerker (Member # 556) on :

I'm not sure what you are talking about, actually.

She only has a lazy eye when she isn't wearing her contacts or glasses, and there are only two scenes I can think of like that. In one of them, she is looking into a mirror.

Every other scene she has her glasses or contacts on, and hence, would not have a visibly lazy eye.

Posted by ae (Member # 3291) on :

Speed: I'm in Singapore.

Ah well. C'est la vie.

Posted by Youth ap Orem (Member # 5582) on :

Was Cube an indie movie, I liked that one. I doubt "army of darkness" was, but that movie was great.

Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :

Slash, when she was a girl she had the eye patch over one eye and as an adult it was the other eye that was lazy.

Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :

Godric, I do believe they put the patch over the good eye in an attempt to strengthen the bad one. At least, that's what was done to a girl I knew back in elementary school.

Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :

Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai

Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :

Tick, you're right. They do put the patch over the good eye.

Posted by Godric (Member # 4587) on :

Heh! Well, color me ignorant! I didn't know that! OK, well, nevermind then. I stand corrected. [Smile]

Posted by Hobbes (Member # 433) on :

I found a Chicago showing of Koyaanisqatsi (preformed live). It's being done in the Chicago Theater, the desrciption is here. You can buy tickes from here. I desperatly want to go, but I don't think I could get to Chicago. [Frown]

Hobbes

[ September 18, 2003, 02:33 PM: Message edited by: Hobbes ]

Posted by Yebor1 (Member # 1380) on :

Look ralphie

A resurrected thread thrives

[Hail]

bow down to robey and repent your slander

[Hat]

oh wait i am talking to ralphie [Wall Bash]

[ September 18, 2003, 02:53 PM: Message edited by: Yebor1 ]

Posted by Zemra (Member # 5706) on :

Hey guys
What about My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I thought that was really funny and right on the head unfourtunatly. I am familiar with their culture and what was portraid in the film it is true. I would hate to live in a society like that but the auther made sure that it was portraid in a funny way and I loved that otherwise it would have been a very depressing movie.

Posted by Zemra (Member # 5706) on :

Oh one more movie that I just saw yesterday and that I was very impressed by is Whale Rider. It was really cool. Let me know what you guys think.

Posted by WheatPuppet (Member # 5142) on :

Now I want to watch Pulp Fiction. Damn.

Someone mentioned that Roger and Me is a documentary, and that got me thinking about documentaries I really liked.

I havn't seen Roger and Me since I was yea-high *points to hip*, but what little I remember makes me want to see it again.

I really enjoyed Bowling for Columbine, although I didn't really get what Michael Moore was trying to say until the second time through.

I also enjoyed Ken Burns' The Civil War. I can't think of a way to describe it except that it's just good. I have it on DVD around here somewhere. I should watch it again.

Posted by unohoo (Member # 5490) on :

I just remembered another one that I really enjoyed, though I'm not sure it is an independent film. It's called "The Cup" and it is about how a group of Buddist Monks scheme to watch the world cup final.