Nice and easy topic. I want you to share with all of Dakka your favourite movie scenes. And to tell each other why you love them.
Ideally via YouTube links. Please don’t embed, as it causes loading delays. I mean, I’ve got really good internet, but not everyone does. Be considerate
As ever, I’ll kick off. CONTENT WARNING - serious violence and some swearing. NSFW.
From Dredd, the 2012 movie. And it’s a scene which just perfectly encapsulates Dredd as a character. His voice is level. His pitch absolutely stone cold perfect. It’s a Judge, threatening someone who held an entire Mega-Block under fear of violence. There is zero doubt in his voice. His conviction (heh) is absolute. He is coming for Mama. It makes him live up to the adage of ‘Justice has to be seen’
The film itself gives far greater context, but I really am looking for fellow dakkanauts to share scenes which stand on their own
The final fight scene in Logan, he's spent the whole movie telling Laura that comic book heroics are codswellox but when push comes to shove he pops the blades to do the right thing one last time in the Wolverine fight we've been waiting nearly 20 years and a fair few duff movies for, thats how you end a saga
Enterprise vs Reliant, Star Trek II 1982 - people cheered in the audience when Kirk turns the tables on Khan - was amazing seeing in person at 13 years old - still to this day I don't think I have seen a movie with a more emotional and absorbed crowd
Opening sequence of Drive with ryan gosling (contender for my favorite movie ever), Ex machina dance scene, also tears in the rain scene from Blade Runner.
The 2012 Dredd movie is like a little underrated gem if you ask me.
- The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Tuco searches for the grave in which is buried the treasure, with The Ecstasy of Gold that accompanies him (Ennio Morricone RIP).
- Inglorious Basterds: the entire sequence at the pub, when some of the bastards are meeting the spy while a group of drunk nazi soldiers is celebrating one of them becoming a father and an SS officer steps in to join the fun. Just amazing, I've watched it like 20 times.
and it's probably Tears in Rain for me, it really encapsulates the whole point of the film, and that Roy's speech was reputedly improvised (true or not) only makes it all the more impressive
The over-the-top stream of bullets goes from hilarious to horrific and then back around to hilarious, as Verhoeven shows us exactly what kind of world these characters live in. Sadly missing from this clip is the last exchange between Morton and Johnson, in which it is revealed that Morton orchestrated the whole thing to get his project greenlit. Chilling.
I howled with laughter when I saw it in the theatre... I was the only one that did.
Two from Fight Club...
Spoiler:
The scene where Norton beats himself up in his boss’ office, ending with, “We now had corporate sponsorship.”
Also, younger me had quite the thing for Ms Bonham-Carter, and the scene where things are in slow-mo? Quite the treat. “I haven’t been f’d like that since grade school.” What a character-appropriate thing to say. “Yeesh!”
Ending on something a little more positive, from Dogma. Starts at 0:45, “Take a good idea, and building a belief structure... better to have ideas...”
This scene had a deeply profound impact on my life and view of the universe. Accepting that my beliefs *could be wrong*, being based on imperfect information made me a better person in so many ways.
Dang, Ecstasy of Gold was nicked on me. Well, I'll say it's because the quick cuts, spinning camera, Eli Wallach's mad dash in circles and swivelling eyeballs, the music and singing that descends into jangling chaos, all combine into a kind of assault on the senses. You're swept along with with Tuco's elated joy and frantic, fearful obsession.
There had been computer effects in films before this, let alone scenes before this; but in deft combination with state-of-the-art animatronics (the state-of-the-art animatronics kinda got forgotten amid the hype) this sequence showed what the new medium could do and I'd say ushered in the modern period of film effects. Not too hyperbolic to say that?
Not to mention the situation. Stuck in the dark, in the rain, on a remote island, with no power, miles from habitation, and this titanic overwhelming predator beyond anything that anyone has experienced almost casually steps through the useless manmade barrier onto the road among them. The scene neatly toys with the old 'only show glimpses of your monster' rule in the buildup, but quickly abandons that because boy howdy, you gotta see this thing. It demands to be seen. The Tyrannosaur dominates everything there in the way the effects dominate the scene. Nothing's safe from it, not even behind the protective shells of the vehicles, and only sheer chance and one guy's guesses allow any of them to survive.
I'd say it also ushered in the trope of almost every CGI monster bending to the ground and roaring for no reason, but that last roar is something more than 'gosh aren't I scary'. That's territorial, and directed to the audience watching the film as well as the island vicinity. "Things have changed. All this is mine now."
I distinctly recall having mixed emotions as a child when that lawyer is eaten off the toilet.
It was almost pleasurably traumatizing.
You mean the lawyer sent to investigate the tragic death of a worker due to the massive health and safety failings of a crazy old man more concerned with spectacle than public safety? I find it very odd these days that he’s essentially cast as the villain...
I don’t know whether it really counts as a “scene”, but the opening 26 minutes of Saving Private Ryan is an amazing piece of cinema.
And the one that gives me chills down the spine, every single time? USS Defiant vs Borg cube from Star Trek: First Contact:
I think it’s the music; stuff the sweeping Federation symphony, we’re just going straight for the Klingon battle anthem! And it just builds on the DS9 lore, “escort cruiser” my arse...
You mean the lawyer sent to investigate the tragic death of a worker due to the massive health and safety failings of a crazy old man more concerned with spectacle than public safety? I find it very odd these days that he’s essentially cast as the villain...
The funny thing is that I never understood why he was the "bad guy" in that movie either.
I guess its the stigma on lawyers. They're typically considered of low ethical character in pop culture... which like many stereotypes, may relate a sense of truth.
Blackie wrote: These are my two favorite scenes of all times:
- The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Tuco searches for the grave in which is buried the treasure, with The Ecstasy of Gold that accompanies him (Ennio Morricone RIP).
- Inglorious Basterds: the entire sequence at the pub, when some of the bastards are meeting the spy while a group of drunk nazi soldiers is celebrating one of them becoming a father and an SS officer steps in to join the fun. Just amazing, I've watched it like 20 times.
My favorite scene in that movie is the final showdown between Tuco, Blondie and Angel Eyes. Either that, or the bit between opening credits and end credits.
My runnerup has also already been nicked - Tears in the rain from Blade Runner. Dangit.
Absolutely this - especially #1 and the look on the orc leader's crooked face when he sees the wall of cavalry descending down on him - knowing the result.
I personally think the moment when the antagonist sees their plot foiled and the triumphant realization of good over evil, is missed by many directors. One scene that comes to mind is not really getting the full impact of Emperor Palpatine seeing his vision crumble - he only gets tossed down the chute by a destroyed Vader... I really wanted to see the look on his over-confident, repugnant face knowing YOU HAVE LOST!
You have to remember this was the first top end CGI we had ever really seen on this scale in a film. Until this very moment dinosaurs in films were stop motion, plastic, oversized enlarged iguanas etc.. And that's if the film let you see them; JP teases us very early with the raptor transporting scene where all we see is a bit of an eye and face and screams from inside. Which was, again, often all we ever saw - dark scenes and hidden creatures to hide the fact that it was a guy in a suit.
So this scene blew so many of us away - huge, bright - detailed - moving. Sure we know its not real but it was the first big CGI step. In many ways vastly superior to when Avatar was trying to wow us by being the next step in visual detail with CGI.
And heck this scene deserves a mention:
And this one. Very few films and directors can carry off over 5 mins of so little happening and yet hold the audience watching for that whole duration. Even today I find that his films I can't have on as "background noise". You're either watching it or there's no point putting it on.
Now. This is slightly different as in terms of cinematography, it’s probably not all that great. But....in the context of the film?
Dutch’s squad assaulting the enemy base in Predator. Yes, it’s quite silly and has some awful one liners. But it definitely sets up that each and every member of Dutch’s team is a highly trained bad bottomed killer. They know their onions, and are not to be trifled with.
So when The Predator starts toying with them? We know how deadly it is. That scene is everything to that film. And I know it’s daft, and probably a demonstration of awful military tactics....but I loves it!
You mean the lawyer sent to investigate the tragic death of a worker due to the massive health and safety failings of a crazy old man more concerned with spectacle than public safety? I find it very odd these days that he’s essentially cast as the villain...
Because as soon as he sees the dinosaurs he forgets all of that and only sees dollar signs. Also because he abandons the kids on their own.
You mean the lawyer sent to investigate the tragic death of a worker due to the massive health and safety failings of a crazy old man more concerned with spectacle than public safety? I find it very odd these days that he’s essentially cast as the villain...
Because as soon as he sees the dinosaurs he forgets all of that and only sees dollar signs. Also because he abandons the kids on their own.
He basically starts out continually threatening to shut everything down over one death; then he sees the potential money. In short he's sort of blackmailing to get his own way which is likely the way some ends of the company want - a higher profit margin.
It should be noted that deaths in animalcare as a result of animal action do happen. Only in cases where the issue is the entire site are places fully shut down. More typically the animal that caused the incident is isolated/destroyed and the keepers have new systems setup to ensure the accident does not happen again. A manager/head keeper/overseer etc.. might get removed, but rarely would they just shut it all down forever. So for him to be charging in threatening closing the entire project is quite extreme. In fact when you consider the nature of the creatures they are breeding its actually quite amazing that they had so few deaths/serious injuries that they did. It's likely statistically more dangerous to keep a herd of zebras than the entire Jurassic Park - until someone sabotaged the entire security network
You have to remember this was the first top end CGI we had ever really seen on this scale in a film. Until this very moment dinosaurs in films were stop motion, plastic, oversized enlarged iguanas etc.. And that's if the film let you see them; JP teases us very early with the raptor transporting scene where all we see is a bit of an eye and face and screams from inside. Which was, again, often all we ever saw - dark scenes and hidden creatures to hide the fact that it was a guy in a suit.
So this scene blew so many of us away - huge, bright - detailed - moving. Sure we know its not real but it was the first big CGI step. In many ways vastly superior to when Avatar was trying to wow us by being the next step in visual detail with CGI.
That reminds me of a twitter thread of somebody seeing the first Jurassic Park for the first time in 2020 and it's a wild ride. I went looking for it just so I could post a link and here it is: https://twitter.com/uzbadyubi/status/1236383131999047680 Some quotes:
WAIT HOLD ON I KNOW THIS MAN IN A SHIRT
HOLD THE feth ON
HE SAYS NO ONE CARES ABOUT SOMETHING
WHAT THE feth THIS IS FROM JURASSIC PARK WHAT THE feth??????
that is a beautiful island and the fact they put dinosaurs in it is a sin
OH GOD IS IT DINOS
THIS IS THE FACE TO PULL IF YOU'RE SEEING DINOS
WHAT THE FUUUCK THAT'S A HUGE DINO WHAT THE feth IT LOOKS SO REAL HOW OLD IS THIS FILM
Then click on the 205 more replies to get the rest of the thread. It's hilarious to read the commentary and see them discover the origin of a bunch of meme on top of that.
For me I love a good intro to a movie. So naturally my 2 of my favorite scenes are intros. Music is also an extremely important part of it. Obviously these arent the greatest scenes - they are just the greatest scenes to me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9KAVWLF_zQ Prometheus opening scene is the perfect mix of beautiful and mysterious and really lets you know what you are in for. Really the whole movie is visual stunning. The intro is really just a short film - no words, just beautiful weirdness - really good looking flaying saucer too. Love it. The attached clip is missing the second part but I know you have all have seen that a bunch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwdxHm4yUoM Second scene in the intro from the movie Sunshine.The scene is awesome. Stap in - you're humanities last chance at survival and your already on the way. Dope. BTW look at this sick ship.
Interestingly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clG_1sqOsBs That scene is probably my favorite scene from any movie. It actually makes me cry probably because you know everything that is riding on it and he can barely see or move. Kappa is all alone on a broken ship with time running out and that Murphy score...The fate of the world in 1 individuals hands. Utterly amazing.
I distinctly recall having mixed emotions as a child when that lawyer is eaten off the toilet.
It was almost pleasurably traumatizing.
You mean the lawyer sent to investigate the tragic death of a worker due to the massive health and safety failings of a crazy old man more concerned with spectacle than public safety? I find it very odd these days that he’s essentially cast as the villain...
I don’t know whether it really counts as a “scene”, but the opening 26 minutes of Saving Private Ryan is an amazing piece of cinema.
And the one that gives me chills down the spine, every single time? USS Defiant vs Borg cube from Star Trek: First Contact:
I think it’s the music; stuff the sweeping Federation symphony, we’re just going straight for the Klingon battle anthem! And it just builds on the DS9 lore, “escort cruiser” my arse...
I think this scene makes first contact the best startrek movie. Personally though - the scene is just too short feels almost like a wasted opportunity. I guess the fact you just want more of it makes it great. I woulda loved 2 or 3 more minutes of this battles sequence though.
These are all great though I prefer Aragorn's speech at the end of RotK.
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Thargrim wrote: Opening sequence of Drive with ryan gosling (contender for my favorite movie ever), Ex machina dance scene, also tears in the rain scene from Blade Runner.
The 2012 Dredd movie is like a little underrated gem if you ask me.
I am a huge Gosling fan too. Drive is great. Mostly though its really just the scorpion jacket and the music being incredible.
Gennaro, the lawyer, survives the book. He's more of a rounded character, not just weaselly comic relief, actually has a couple of semi-badass moments.
Spoiler:
Strangely, his death is also toilet-related. He dies of dysentery between books.
I think it’s the music; stuff the sweeping Federation symphony, we’re just going straight for the Klingon battle anthem! And it just builds on the DS9 lore, “escort cruiser” my arse...
Nice one. Puts me in mind of one of the few good bits from Star Trek 5: Kirk is alone and running from a godlike being. Then something rises behind him and blam, Bird of Prey to the face. Don't know if it counts a scene but I like it. I'm a sucker for 'the cavalry arrives' moments. Tail end of it here:
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: Dutch’s squad assaulting the enemy base in Predator. Yes, it’s quite silly and has some awful one liners. But it definitely sets up that each and every member of Dutch’s team is a highly trained bad bottomed killer. They know their onions, and are not to be trifled with.
So when The Predator starts toying with them? We know how deadly it is. That scene is everything to that film. And I know it’s daft, and probably a demonstration of awful military tactics....but I loves it!
I was thinking about that. But about the 'when the predator starts toying with them' bit.
You mean the lawyer sent to investigate the tragic death of a worker due to the massive health and safety failings of a crazy old man more concerned with spectacle than public safety? I find it very odd these days that he’s essentially cast as the villain...
Because as soon as he sees the dinosaurs he forgets all of that and only sees dollar signs. Also because he abandons the kids on their own.
He basically starts out continually threatening to shut everything down over one death; then he sees the potential money. In short he's sort of blackmailing to get his own way which is likely the way some ends of the company want - a higher profit margin.
It should be noted that deaths in animalcare as a result of animal action do happen. Only in cases where the issue is the entire site are places fully shut down. More typically the animal that caused the incident is isolated/destroyed and the keepers have new systems setup to ensure the accident does not happen again. A manager/head keeper/overseer etc.. might get removed, but rarely would they just shut it all down forever. So for him to be charging in threatening closing the entire project is quite extreme. In fact when you consider the nature of the creatures they are breeding its actually quite amazing that they had so few deaths/serious injuries that they did. It's likely statistically more dangerous to keep a herd of zebras than the entire Jurassic Park - until someone sabotaged the entire security network
Its a problematic premise for the entire film series, especially as it goes on. Most of what they're doing isn't unreasonable by zoo standards [note: original films only, not the remakes], and most of the animals aren't a problem.
Its only when they suddenly have pterosaurs in the sequel and a weird teleporting mosasaur that can go from an enclosed lake to the ocean that it becomes problematic. Even the spontaneous breeding isn't actually a real problem- from a research perspective its actually a boon. [Feeding them once they hatch could be a problem, but they're still in enclosures, so its more an additional financial cost than anything else.]
The problem is the contrived reasons that allow their escape, and people wandering out to get eaten during the contrived events.
----
I do find it amusing that it remains one of the best uses of CGI in film, without going over the top and drowning everything out to the point that it becomes dull and pedestrian.
Another from me, and it’s from Terminator Dark Fate. Another criminally underrated movie.
It’s when the Rev-9 first appears. And is actually.......pretty charismatic.
It’s a scene which does require prior knowledge of the previous films (well, 1 and 2) to land, but it does.
It makes Terminators scary again. And kinda riffs on Arnie’s niche of physicality over acting ability (and fair enough on that, dude made a fortune out of it!)
Man so many great ones already, Overread hit it out of the park, especially the Jurassic park scene. But to show my age here are some of the classics for me...
A western that I loved to watch with my dad, Quigley Down Under. Final showdown is only made better if you watch the movie but still a great line, that even the latest season of Castlevania payed homage to,
I'd also say the ending scene when Oh Dae-su confronts the man who imprisoned him but I won't post it here as, whilst it is a phenomenal scene, it would be a major spoiler for the film and anyone who has not watched the film really should do so. Just make sure it is the original Korean film and not the dire American remake.
Turnip Jedi wrote: The final fight scene in Logan, he's spent the whole movie telling Laura that comic book heroics are codswellox but when push comes to shove he pops the blades to do the right thing one last time in the Wolverine fight we've been waiting nearly 20 years and a fair few duff movies for, thats how you end a saga
Nahh, I would Argue the Funeral scene afterwords.
Not only the kid changing it to an X, but also the other kid, having a wolverine figure. He buried his literal hero, that is what they are all doing
I've always loved the scene in Alien when they land the nostromo. It's about the only scene of a large ship being landed by a professional but not "elite" or "special" crew that i find really believable.
Lost of ships just kinda float down on swoop down, the nostromo just came off as a really huge ship not specifically made for atmospheric operations but with it as a secondary function coming in to land on a planet.
The crew's actions made the scene believable too. I could really buy they were struggling to basically land a whale in a storm.
True, the scene did cheat a little by making the atmospheric scenes dark and stormy, but it also looked believable Even the badly dated computer graphics gave the ship an 'economy" feel.
I can't say I've ever seen a big spaceship landing scene that came off half as good in all the years since Alien was made. Not just the ship but the crew doing the landing.
For me, one of the best scenes in cinema is the charge of the English heavy cavalry under the battle of Waterloo. That scene gives me goosebumps every time I see it
Also the scene from the Finish Netflix series Tuntematon sotilas( The Unknown Soldier) , where one of the main character Rokka( A veteran of the winter war) has a rather rough encounter with the Red Army, this series struck rather close to home for me as many of my relatives died fighting in Karelia against the mentioned army.
The dias with the pilot from Alien on the derelict ship.
Did you know they didn't build a full size version of that set, so they used some of the directors kids in minim suits and a scaled down model of the space jockey on the dias for the distance shot in that scene?
I'll second Trondheims Waterloo shout, the film is a bit clunky by modern standards but the sheer spectacle of 1000's of extras is worth it alone in a pre-cgi world
Turnip Jedi wrote: I'll second Trondheims Waterloo shout, the film is a bit clunky by modern standards but the sheer spectacle of 1000's of extras is worth it alone in a pre-cgi world
16,000 Red Army soldiers on a historically accurate recreation of Waterloo in Ukraine. Recreating the battlefield required bulldozing two hills, planting 5000 trees and building La Haye Sainte and 5 miles of road.
The dias with the pilot from Alien on the derelict ship.
Did you know they didn't build a full size version of that set, so they used some of the directors kids in minim suits and a scaled down model of the space jockey on the dias for the distance shot in that scene?
I did know this. I have owned every set of the alien movies i could get my hands on since the vhs box set. The special features have been dug through multiple times.
I really like the 'one with the rifle shoots' scene in Enemy at the Gates. Yes, like many parts of that movie it's grabbing stuff from different points in the war and jamming them all into Stalingrad but its very effective for the sense of panic and hopelessness they're going for during that scene. Likewise the final duel in the rail yard is also quiet good for this oppressive tension throughout.
There's also this bit in Seven Samurai where Kyuzo, the quiet but terrifyingly capable one is shot, and makes a point of throwing away his sword before he dies.
“On your left” from Endgame. The payoff of the MCU. And it starts with a call back to Winter Soldier.
It’s just a very stirring sight, made all the better for the clear moment of doubt in Thanos’ eyes. I mean, he’s just bested three of the most powerful characters. He’s just made a speech about how much he’ll enjoy smashing Earth. And then? Bugger....... And it’s matched with Thor, Cap and Ironman finding new hope.
Then once battle begins, everyone gets their brief window of butt kicking in. It’s just about perfect in my book!
MDSW wrote: "My name is Inigio Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
I was going to say this one. That scene is one of the best. The sword fight between Inigio and The Dread Pirate Roberts was also very well done. Campy as feth but a good thing to watch.
One of my criteria for a good scene is it must we well shot, easy to follow and most importantly in character of the... well, character. Within their skillset.
To this I'll add the briefcase scene from Collateral. Shooting from retention, failure drill, economy of movement. https://youtu.be/UiqwF_Y9S5Q
Most of John Wick 1 (2 and 3 got a little rediculous). The church scene in particular just as he enters. The non violent parts are also pretty good.
Ripley getting kitted in Aliens. https://youtu.be/LY2wGD6-j0Y it's hilarious that she then proceeds to dobwhat an entire squad of Special Forces could not, but its a cool scene.
Sarah Connor when they arrive at Uncle Bob/Enrique's farm and the scene immediately after they uncover the guns and she's selecting between the AK or AR. https://youtu.be/c3fcTDiUxb4 competence, in character.
Deep Impact where Jenny finds out who "Ellie" is. Kinda spoilt by the fact we know it's a disaster movie but good anyway.
One of the greatest action scenes ever is the post bank robbery shootout in Heat. There were no Michael Bay explosions and the audio so was probably the best I have ever heard. That scene was incredibly realistic.
"And I felt His Voice take the sword out of my hand"
I'm not Christian, but Ben-Hur losing his desire for vengeance that has driven the entire movie is very moving.
Spoiler:
I can't find a video with the full ending part, but the last couple of scenes in The Last of the Mohicans are incredible. It's probably my favorite soundtrack.
Duncan's sacrifice is chilling.
Spoiler:
David Dunn realizing what he is meant to do in Unbreakable. I really don't understand how M. Night could make this movie and then basically everything post The Village except for Split.
Spoiler:
Apocalypse Now "I told you don't stop"
Perfectly encapsulates the folly of foreign intervention in under five minutes. It's painful to watch.
"And I felt His Voice take the sword out of my hand"
I'm not Christian, but Ben-Hur losing his desire for vengeance that has driven the entire movie is very moving.
Spoiler:
If you're interested the movie "Zardoz" ends on a similar note. When given a chance to kill an "eternal" Zed lowers his gun and says "All that I was, is gone."
- Ran. The scene in which Lady Kaede takes control is utterly sublime.
- Rebecca, the scene where Max reveals his last conversation with Rebecca in the room where it happened. He practically acts it out, and the camera treats the sequence as a flashback- following where Rebecca stood, but never showing her- maintaining the ghost-like presence that she has throughout the film.
- Reign of Fire. Terrible film, but the scene where the characters are telling the story of Star Wars as if it were an epic is brilliant.
- No Country for Old Men- the scene at the gas station where Chugur makes the clerk call a coin flip. He never outright says that he will kill him if he gets it wrong.
odinsgrandson wrote: - Reign of Fire. Terrible film, but the scene where the characters are telling the story of Star Wars as if it were an epic is brilliant.
odinsgrandson wrote: - Reign of Fire. Terrible film, but the scene where the characters are telling the story of Star Wars as if it were an epic is brilliant.
What do you mean, "as if"?
I always felt that was one of the most realistic post-apocalyptic ideas (if “realistic” is the right word). We’ve lost most of the old pre-industrial fireside stories, so what else are you going to do?
I mean, to be fair, we could fill the whole thread with Kurosawa.
Currently doing a Kurosawa binge, prompted by this thread and playing through Ghost of Tsushima (AKA, Kurosawa: The Game )
Also, rewatching Yojimbo and the small facial expressions that Mifune uses are very reminiscent of what Eastwood would later utilise as The Man With No Name in Leone's films. Especially that kind of half-face grimace at around the 2:37 mark in the Georg Rockall-Schmidt video.
Ok, i was reminded of one of the best scenes in a movie IMO.
The Bond movie "thunderball".
The scene was when the british bomber was being hijacked by the traitor crewman. It was so absolutely easy to believe it could actually happen. The plot, why way it was done, the filming, etc, all made it very easy to believe, almost no 'suspension of disbelief" was needed.
It was also the best mix of very cool, rational believable action and cold blooded horror I've ever seen. The way the traitor so coolly and calmly murdered the crew with the poison gas then piloted the plane to it's underwater landing was almost horrifying init's sheer cold bloodedness.
The water landing was made to look pretty believable, asides from the unavoidable water splash issue. The lowering of the landing gear as the plane sank to make it easy to access the bomb bay was very believable and consistent with reality.
The fact a large passenger jet water landed in new york harbor several years ago and remained completely intact and floating after losing engine power makes it even easier to believe now that a fully powered and controlled bomber could land on water and remain intact. Also the design of the bomber made it easier to accept it could do this.
Later the killing of the murderous traitor by his ally was also horrifying in its coldness at the same time gratifying to see him getting his karma.
All in all it may be the best scene in a bond movie, period, and certainly a scene that deserves praise. I guess I like it for the same reasons I like the nonstromo landing in Alien.
PS Yes I know the plane used in the movie, the british vulcan bomber, was not laid out internally like the one in the movie, and that the vulcan bomber was widely hated by british airforce crews and occasionally sabotaged in protest over its design. The fact that the interior was not the same as the real vulcan bomber's did not detract from the movie.
odinsgrandson wrote: - Reign of Fire. Terrible film, but the scene where the characters are telling the story of Star Wars as if it were an epic is brilliant.
What do you mean, "as if"?
I always felt that was one of the most realistic post-apocalyptic ideas (if “realistic” is the right word). We’ve lost most of the old pre-industrial fireside stories, so what else are you going to do?
It totally makes sense. I mean how many times have we all tried to tell someone the story we are engaged with, and its lost over time.
odinsgrandson wrote: - Reign of Fire. Terrible film, but the scene where the characters are telling the story of Star Wars as if it were an epic is brilliant.
What do you mean, "as if"?
Only that Star Wars wasn't actually written in long form poetry to be recited by a bard for live audiences.
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Lance845 wrote: Excuse me sir. I think you will find that Reign of Fire is a excellent film.
Oh, will I now?
Maybe one of us saw some other reality's version of the movie? This might be the Mandela Effect in play.
odinsgrandson wrote: - Reign of Fire. Terrible film, but the scene where the characters are telling the story of Star Wars as if it were an epic is brilliant.
What do you mean, "as if"?
Only that Star Wars wasn't actually written in long form poetry to be recited by a bard for live audiences.
Sorry dude, second post replying to you. I swear I’m not stalking you or trying to be a phallus. Like, really. No interest in that!
The role of the Bard was to inform people of news, through the medium of entertainment. Few Bards ever saw the actual events they’re retelling. Instead, they’d pick up the story from hearsay and the ballads of other Bards,
So what we see in Reign of Fire is, Bardically, actually kind of accurate. Two blokes that have actually seen the source, retelling it for a new audience as best they can. Because at that point, with no TV or power, that’s the only option open to them - yet they want the story and the morals contained within passed on to others.
odinsgrandson wrote: - Reign of Fire. Terrible film, but the scene where the characters are telling the story of Star Wars as if it were an epic is brilliant.
What do you mean, "as if"?
Only that Star Wars wasn't actually written in long form poetry to be recited by a bard for live audiences.
Sorry dude, second post replying to you. I swear I’m not stalking you or trying to be a phallus. Like, really. No interest in that!
The role of the Bard was to inform people of news, through the medium of entertainment. Few Bards ever saw the actual events they’re retelling. Instead, they’d pick up the story from hearsay and the ballads of other Bards,
So what we see in Reign of Fire is, Bardically, actually kind of accurate. Two blokes that have actually seen the source, retelling it for a new audience as best they can. Because at that point, with no TV or power, that’s the only option open to them - yet they want the story and the morals contained within passed on to others.
There’s also an element that fantasy stories are a lot easier to tell in a post-apocalyptic setting where humanity is basically back to medieval levels of technology; trying to explain the modern world to kids who’ve never seen electricity, never mind a computer is hard. But saying a space wizard did it using the power of the Force? Easy.
I have to disagree on the Two Towers stuff; it's so blatantly not how horses work that it totally took me out of that movie. Like the part on the causeway where the plate armored pike bearing infantry is just bouncing off of horses and flying away and no one is even trying to stab the horses or anything, and then the galloping a bunch of horses in close order down like a 50 degree downslope (which would have killed or crippled half of them by itself) into a pike hedge... and they just ride through the lowered pikes...it just looks ludicrous. Plus an unrelated note Peter Jackson's treatment of Theoden and Gimli in that movie were awful.
I have to disagree on the Two Towers stuff; it's so blatantly not how horses work that it totally took me out of that movie. Like the part on the causeway where the plate armored pike bearing infantry is just bouncing off of horses and flying away and no one is even trying to stab the horses or anything, and then the galloping a bunch of horses in close order down like a 50 degree downslope (which would have killed or crippled half of them by itself) into a pike hedge... and they just ride through the lowered pikes...it just looks ludicrous. Plus an unrelated note Peter Jackson's treatment of Theoden and Gimli in that movie were awful.
Your other two, I definitely agree with though.
Tell me more about how horses being ridden by Wizards act. I would like to know more about this totally realistic world where Orcs exist.
I have to disagree on the Two Towers stuff; it's so blatantly not how horses work that it totally took me out of that movie. Like the part on the causeway where the plate armored pike bearing infantry is just bouncing off of horses and flying away and no one is even trying to stab the horses or anything, and then the galloping a bunch of horses in close order down like a 50 degree downslope (which would have killed or crippled half of them by itself) into a pike hedge... and they just ride through the lowered pikes...it just looks ludicrous. Plus an unrelated note Peter Jackson's treatment of Theoden and Gimli in that movie were awful.
Your other two, I definitely agree with though.
The inability of a shieldwall to stop a horses is second only to the stupidity of everyone breaking ranks to fight in individual combats in... every movie ever, specifically Avengers Infinity War Wakanda fight.
From the LoTR movies, Faramir's charge against Osgiliath. Horsemen against entrenched infantry with ranged weapons? That was never going to work. Sure I get he was ordered by his Liege to do it but really, that's the sort of order you ignore.
I must say, from the MCU, I like the fight between Iron Man, Captain America and Bucky in Captain America : Civil War. Sure there is a lot of dumb and a lot of "because the script says so" but that fight in the climax was pretty damn well choreographed and executed.
Tell me more about how horses being ridden by Wizards act. I would like to know more about this totally realistic world where Orcs exist.
Only the wizard was on Shadowfax. The others were on what appeared to be normal horses. Long pointy sticks stop horses. If they didn't what's the point of them as weapons?
I think one limit for film makers when it comes to battles is that its likely very hard to choreograph live action fights in a battle.
If they stick to rank and file then its a scrum where its hard to get the camera in whilst keeping the feel of the bodies slammed up against each other. Meanwhile if they fragment into fights its hard to co-ordinate dozens of people who in theory should be slashing at anyone close enough. Hence why they seem to fall into individual duels. You can tell two people to duel - change camera angles and keep them fighting to maintain a standard appearance; but if they are randomly slashing its hard to repeat it and if you try and coordinate it likely becomes very complex for the actors.
As for the charge in Two Towers don't forge the sun was behind them and Gandalf was clearly helping to "blaze the trail". Moral is also a huge thing; a whole stampede of horses coming down at you like that is going to break moral. Sure you've got spears and pikes. You're still going to die because that amount of moving horse and rider is not going to stop. Sure it should have been more of a bloodbath, but on both sides. Couple that to the cavalry charge from the keep and you've a force that was winning and taking heavy losses to one that is taking heavy losses and being hit on two fronts.
The pike wall in Two Towers failed because the sun (probably assisted by Gandalf) blinded them, causing them to need to use a hand to shield their eyes. So they were not able to brace their pikes against the charge.
Only the wizard was on Shadowfax. The others were on what appeared to be normal horses. Long pointy sticks stop horses. If they didn't what's the point of them as weapons?
A long pointy stick suitably braced into the ground stops a horse. Without that bracing they certainly do not.
Indeed. Plus. If memory serves (it’s been a while since I watched it), Saruman ensured they marched under a pall of darkness?
Whilst that doesn’t mean they’re naturally sensitive to light, it is akin to spending a day or two in a dimly lit room, then walking out into blazing sunshine - you can’t see anything.
Pike Blocks take discipline to perform. You’re not just bracing your Pike, but need to have it in the right position relative to the next. Once your formation is broken, Pikes are pretty rubbish weapons, as they’re simply fare too long for closer quarters.
Sure, the scene could’ve done with some of Eomer’s men getting kebabbed, but otherwise it does neatly demonstrate the drawback of Pikes.
Anyways. More Great Scene suggestions, if you please
I’m trying to pick one from the glory that is Fury Road. It’s pretty difficult, as it’s such a beautifully crafted film.
So I’ll use this one. See, none of the vehicle effects are CGI. It’s all practical effects. And on a scale that is truly impressive. Whilst there are many, many great scenes, this is how I would sell this film to someone, I think.
I have to disagree on the Two Towers stuff; it's so blatantly not how horses work that it totally took me out of that movie. Like the part on the causeway where the plate armored pike bearing infantry is just bouncing off of horses and flying away and no one is even trying to stab the horses or anything, and then the galloping a bunch of horses in close order down like a 50 degree downslope (which would have killed or crippled half of them by itself) into a pike hedge... and they just ride through the lowered pikes...it just looks ludicrous. Plus an unrelated note Peter Jackson's treatment of Theoden and Gimli in that movie were awful.
Your other two, I definitely agree with though.
Tell me more about how horses being ridden by Wizards act. I would like to know more about this totally realistic world where Orcs exist.
You can have (Magic Stuff) in your fantasy world, but if you have normal stuff it should act how it acts in our world unless you specifically show that it doesn't. Verisimilitude. Saying that any movie with magic can just dispense with any and all internal logic and reason is how we end up with the later seasons of GoT. That is to be avoided.
Mad Doc Grotsnik wrote: Indeed. Plus. If memory serves (it’s been a while since I watched it), Saruman ensured they marched under a pall of darkness?
No, that is Sauron (and Bolg in the book of the Hobbit where a huge swarm of bats blocked out the sun for his army to march and fight under). Normal Orcs are weakened under sunlight. The Uruk-Hai were bred to eliminate this weakness (along with their obvious physical superiority to other orcs).
Which was kinda necessary for Saruman to be any use, seeing as he doesn't have a massive volcano to block out the sun with smoke and ash.
I have to disagree on the Two Towers stuff; it's so blatantly not how horses work that it totally took me out of that movie. Like the part on the causeway where the plate armored pike bearing infantry is just bouncing off of horses and flying away and no one is even trying to stab the horses or anything, and then the galloping a bunch of horses in close order down like a 50 degree downslope (which would have killed or crippled half of them by itself) into a pike hedge... and they just ride through the lowered pikes...it just looks ludicrous. Plus an unrelated note Peter Jackson's treatment of Theoden and Gimli in that movie were awful.
Your other two, I definitely agree with though.
Tell me more about how horses being ridden by Wizards act. I would like to know more about this totally realistic world where Orcs exist.
Ah, yes, the "it's just fantasy, don't sweat it" argument.
Here's the trick. Horses are real. Pike blocks are real. We KNOW how the two interact. Hint: It goes badly for the horses. Likewise horses and steep slopes.
EDIT: Yes, there were mitigating circumstances to mitigate the effects of the pike. There's no such circumstances mitigating the effects of the slope. Sure, it looked cool to those who've never seen a horse fall down such a slope...
Right. Gandalf definitely doesn't know magic that could aid that charge in any way. He's not an Angel sent to stop Orcs and Sarumon or anything.
There is so much in that scene that explains why it works. Even posters here have explained it through real world physics. But uh, I guess just because it's fantasy we should ignore those explanations and be angry about it because it's a fantasy movie.
A lot of really disturbingly enthralling choices from David Lynch movies including the diner scene in Mulholland Drive or the Mysterious Man from Lost Highway, but the "In Dreams" performance by Dean Stockwell from Blue Velvet is one of the most tension drenched pieces I've seen. For those that haven't seen it, Dennis Hopper's terrifying villain, Frank booth has just caught Kyle Mclachlan's character together with his girlfriend, played by Isabella Rosellini. Instead of exacting revenge instantly he takes Mclachlan's character into the seedy, dream like night time world that he inhabits. Typical of David Lynch to leave the audience squirming as we await the character's fate.
*edit* thought I'd include the other two I mentioned. My older cousin showed me lost highway when I was FAR too young to watch it and I couldn't sleep thinking about this scene for an entire summer
Dreadwinter wrote: Right. Gandalf definitely doesn't know magic that could aid that charge in any way. He's not an Angel sent to stop Orcs and Sarumon or anything.
There is so much in that scene that explains why it works. Even posters here have explained it through real world physics. But uh, I guess just because it's fantasy we should ignore those explanations and be angry about it because it's a fantasy movie.
The hand waving away of poor cinematic explanations doesn't mean the explanations are good. Gandalf has never shown magic to be strong enough to carry charging horses down a slope, or to disrupt a shield /pike wall. He didn't even use it to light the signal fires at Gondor.
The Urukhai, slabs of muscle bred for war, equipped with anti horse weapons should not have fallen to the horse attack like they did. It was silly. About as silly as the defenders of Helms Deep not shooting the Urukhai earlier. When the weak ass old man lets slip his bow and shoots the first one they are *obviously* inside the effective range of human bows and well inside the range of Elvish bows. They should have been peppered with arrows well before.
Kayback wrote: Gandalf has never shown magic to be strong enough to carry charging horses down a slope, or to disrupt a shield /pike wall.
Gandalf was able to protect himself from the sword of the Balrog with a magical barrier, destroying the flaming sword in the process. He could easily protect the riders after being reborn more powerful than he was at the time he accomplished that feat.
And we already established that there was no shield or pike wall. None of the uruks with pikes have shields, the uruks bracing for the charge have pikes and the uruks also are not bracing at the point of impact as they are recoiling from the sun.
They are also confused. At that moment they were dealing with a siege and focused on storming the walls and fort; whilst also fending off an attack from the rear by the defenders. Couple that with a powerful sun-blast and their moral basically breaks before the horses arrive at them. A unit with broken moral that isn't standing steadfast will crumble.
Plus don't forget a horse with rider charging at you is intimidating; a whole cavalry formation charging straight at you is even more so; likely twice so when its down a hill and you can see the vast numbers approaching. Again if you're in the front line and you're thinking of getting the heck out of there then you're not holding your pike up. You're not prepared and you are not thinking about bracing.
If anything it might actually highlight a weakness of Saurons army in that it was bred for war in an insanely short span of time. For all their training and physical might, they are green troops. They are more used to raiding and pillaging isolated groups and weak forces. At least in so far as the movie presents they are not a battle honed army, they are raiders. As a result they likely lack experience to really know how powerful their pike formation could have been.
If anything the attack that's more abnormal is the Rohan charge at the Minis Tirith battle. Since those units do have more time to form lines, though they are mostly smaller weaker orks. The other interesting aspect with that one is how far the Rohan are able to charge into the Orks - they tear through them like a rock through water.
Of course sometimes we have to remember that we only have written accounts of how cavalry charges work. We don't really do them in reality any more and haven't for a very long time. As a result there's a huge wall of theory that gets thrown up and examples from various points in history; but we don't have people who have experienced them or commanded them and we don't have video evidence of them taking place in different situations. Heck I'd wager that movies might be the only time that we actually get large groups of horse riders even attempting to ride in formation in a charge with armour and suchlike.
So even within the world of reality there is a bit of grey regarding how things worked and what did or could really happen.
One of which is that horses aren't blindly stupid so one issue is that the charge will fail because the horses will see the spikes and "Feth that I'm not running into that!" and will rear/shy away. Of course you also have herd dynamics going on so just as the herd can keep the formation going; if the wrong horse in the group pulls away the rest will try and follow.
Kayback wrote: Gandalf has never shown magic to be strong enough to carry charging horses down a slope, or to disrupt a shield /pike wall.
Gandalf was able to protect himself from the sword of the Balrog with a magical barrier, destroying the flaming sword in the process. He could easily protect the riders after being reborn more powerful than he was at the time he accomplished that feat.
And we already established that there was no shield or pike wall. None of the uruks with pikes have shields, the uruks bracing for the charge have pikes and the uruks also are not bracing at the point of impact as they are recoiling from the sun.
Protecting yourself from a strike vs carrying and entire cavalry force down a hillside. Now who's being rediculous?
No pikes here.
It isn't like the main weapon of the Urukhai seem to be pikes
If only those poor Urukhai had some pikes!
It's clear they had pikes, and they had them deployed. You don't need to see the attacking horsemen to hold your pike in the ground properly. Face it, it's a ridiculous charge that shouldn't have worked.
Just quoting this in hopes that people who need to read it will read it.
Here's one of my favourites:
All three of the movies are far better and more touching than you'd expect from....well, films called Kung Fu Panda starring Jack Black. And that scene for me just gets the balance between the drama, the humour and Po's character arc perfectly right
Kayback wrote: Gandalf has never shown magic to be strong enough to carry charging horses down a slope, or to disrupt a shield /pike wall.
Gandalf was able to protect himself from the sword of the Balrog with a magical barrier, destroying the flaming sword in the process. He could easily protect the riders after being reborn more powerful than he was at the time he accomplished that feat.
And we already established that there was no shield or pike wall. None of the uruks with pikes have shields, the uruks bracing for the charge have pikes and the uruks also are not bracing at the point of impact as they are recoiling from the sun.
Protecting yourself from a strike vs carrying and entire cavalry force down a hillside. Now who's being rediculous?
No pikes here.
It isn't like the main weapon of the Urukhai seem to be pikes
If only those poor Urukhai had some pikes!
It's clear they had pikes, and they had them deployed. You don't need to see the attacking horsemen to hold your pike in the ground properly. Face it, it's a ridiculous charge that shouldn't have worked.
I mean, considering a Balrog is on the level of an archangel, helping a cavalry charge seems pretty simple. He has proven to easily have that magic.
Those pikes were not braced. So those pikes were useless. Pointing out they had pikes means nothing when they weren't using them because Gandalf used magic and the surprise of a cavalry from basically over cliff. No chance to prepare. Simple and easy explanation. Come on. Watch the scene again.
Dreadwinter wrote: Right. Gandalf definitely doesn't know magic that could aid that charge in any way. He's not an Angel sent to stop Orcs and Sarumon or anything.
There is so much in that scene that explains why it works. Even posters here have explained it through real world physics. But uh, I guess just because it's fantasy we should ignore those explanations and be angry about it because it's a fantasy movie.
You know what? Nevermind. You're right. You're 1000% right. I'm silly for thinking that because we KNOW HOW HORSES WORK (or more to the point, don't) while charging full speed down a steep slope.
On the one hand, I agree the scene was pretty ridiculous. On the other hand, I agree that it was ridiculously awesome. It makes me wonder how I would feel if I found out that the bulletin board from The Usual Suspects went against all kinds of regulations and could never have had half those flyers.
Dreadwinter wrote: Right. Gandalf definitely doesn't know magic that could aid that charge in any way. He's not an Angel sent to stop Orcs and Sarumon or anything.
There is so much in that scene that explains why it works. Even posters here have explained it through real world physics. But uh, I guess just because it's fantasy we should ignore those explanations and be angry about it because it's a fantasy movie.
You know what? Nevermind. You're right. You're 1000% right. I'm silly for thinking that because we KNOW HOW HORSES WORK (or more to the point, don't) while charging full speed down a steep slope.
What part of magic, miracle throwing wizard are we missing here? "BUT WE KNOW HOW HORSES WORK" Yes, in our world where magic does not exist. Funny thing, did you know in Tolkiens world, humans are not exactly like the humans here?
How about them Oliphaunts? I guess because we know how elephants work, it is ridiculous for Oliphaunts to exist.
How about trees? TREES DON'T WALK AND TALK! WE KNOW THIS!
Attempting to push real world physics on a fantasy setting is absurd at best, pretty funny from the outside though. I am guessing you complained a lot about the balrog, too.
I would take a small moment to point out that the Rohan don't ride horses like we'd understand horses. Those horses are descended (albeit distantly) from the lines of Shadowfax and his breed - horses that clearly display greater physical endurance and intelligence.
Honestly I think the first few seconds of the charge you can see that the hill is too steep - there's a scene where Gandalf almost slumps over Shadowfax and there's clearly no chance of them to build speed. It's only there for a few seconds and its odd that they included it when in the next they are doing a smooth CGI charge over the rise. In the end the concept isn't daft its just that the hill was dramatically too steep.
The pike formation falling apart makes sense - that is where the magic and the sun are to blind the enemy; couple that to somewhat green troops (used to raiding in a superior position and as yet not used to standing and holding the line outside of training); couple that to confusion (its a side attack whilst they are sieging whilst there's another side attack). The formation broke; the pikes were not held right nor were they deployed correctly. What should have been a total bloodbath turned into a major victory.
Dreadwinter wrote: Right. Gandalf definitely doesn't know magic that could aid that charge in any way. He's not an Angel sent to stop Orcs and Sarumon or anything.
There is so much in that scene that explains why it works. Even posters here have explained it through real world physics. But uh, I guess just because it's fantasy we should ignore those explanations and be angry about it because it's a fantasy movie.
You know what? Nevermind. You're right. You're 1000% right. I'm silly for thinking that because we KNOW HOW HORSES WORK (or more to the point, don't) while charging full speed down a steep slope.
What part of magic, miracle throwing wizard are we missing here? "BUT WE KNOW HOW HORSES WORK" Yes, in our world where magic does not exist. Funny thing, did you know in Tolkiens world, humans are not exactly like the humans here?
How about them Oliphaunts? I guess because we know how elephants work, it is ridiculous for Oliphaunts to exist.
How about trees? TREES DON'T WALK AND TALK! WE KNOW THIS!
Attempting to push real world physics on a fantasy setting is absurd at best, pretty funny from the outside though. I am guessing you complained a lot about the balrog, too.
No,no, you're right, verisimilitude is vastly overrated.
Gandalf's magic permanently blinded the Uruk-hai, leaving them unable to mount any defense.
Does that make you happy, or do they need to share the Uruk's eye exam information in the liner notes for you to be comfortable? It's all about you, so let us know.
Dreadwinter wrote: Right. Gandalf definitely doesn't know magic that could aid that charge in any way. He's not an Angel sent to stop Orcs and Sarumon or anything.
There is so much in that scene that explains why it works. Even posters here have explained it through real world physics. But uh, I guess just because it's fantasy we should ignore those explanations and be angry about it because it's a fantasy movie.
You know what? Nevermind. You're right. You're 1000% right. I'm silly for thinking that because we KNOW HOW HORSES WORK (or more to the point, don't) while charging full speed down a steep slope.
What part of magic, miracle throwing wizard are we missing here? "BUT WE KNOW HOW HORSES WORK" Yes, in our world where magic does not exist. Funny thing, did you know in Tolkiens world, humans are not exactly like the humans here?
How about them Oliphaunts? I guess because we know how elephants work, it is ridiculous for Oliphaunts to exist.
How about trees? TREES DON'T WALK AND TALK! WE KNOW THIS!
Attempting to push real world physics on a fantasy setting is absurd at best, pretty funny from the outside though. I am guessing you complained a lot about the balrog, too.
No one has explained why a horse bumps an Uruk Hai - probably approaching 300 lbs and sends them flying away while not even flinching or being slowed in the slightest (we know it's because those Uruk Hai don't exist and were added in post, but still). No one (except for you and your explanation was basically "it's magic!") explained how horses can survive that charge even if there weren't Uruk Hai at the bottom.
But the thing I really don't like, the thing that you are excusing and defending? It is pure invention. It's the filmmakers change to Tolkien's work. In the book it's Erkenbrand and his infantry that descend the ridge. The only horse mentioned is Shadowfax - who is a Mearas and thus gets a pass - and their mere presence combined with the charge out of the Deep and the Rock and the sounding of Helm's Horn and the appearance of a mystery forest directly behind them overnight that panics the Uruk Hai and sends them to flight. It's not even clear that Erkenbrand engages. But Peter Jackson needed to turn Helm's Deep into a big showcase battle, so he dressed it up and put his spin on it - and like every change that he makes from Tolkien's work it showcases exactly how little he knows about warfare in general and especially about pre-modern warfare.
No one has explained why a horse bumps an Uruk Hai - probably approaching 300 lbs and sends them flying away while not even flinching or being slowed in the slightest (we know it's because those Uruk Hai don't exist and were added in post, but still).
Because a warhorse weighs upwards of 1200 pounds before you factor in saddle, armour and rider.
Yes. I will allow that scene. Mostly because it fits narratively and looked ace as a kid, but also I remain an absolute sucker for non-cgi special effects (this does not mean I don’t like cgi, or have any problem with it)
I mean......just......watch it. The impressive fx for it’s era. The scenery chosen. The music.
This is sixty years old pretty soon but man was this so far beyond anything else that was happening in 1963, and sci fi/fantasy for a LONG time after. Lots of good sequences from this movie but the skeletons in Jason & The Argonauts are a standout
Gandalfs magic is powerful enough to cause dawn to happen in the hobbit. That means either he moved the sun or he moved the world. (Depending on if middleearth is a solar system or a geo system)
Pretty sure making a flash of light that throws off a defensive line is well within his ability.
Lance845 wrote: Gandalfs magic is powerful enough to cause dawn to happen in the hobbit. That means either he moved the sun or he moved the world. (Depending on if middleearth is a solar system or a geo system)
Pretty sure making a flash of light that throws off a defensive line is well within his ability.
Gandalf didn't cause the dawn. He kept the trolls arguing until dawn came by impersonating their voices so they couldn't decide what to do.
Though also in The Hobbit he killed goblins with a flash of lightning, then followed the goblins whilst invisible and then plunged the meeting with the Great Goblin into darkness before killing him with Glamdring.
If we are going to talk about special effects I'd like to mention one film that has a great scene that I don't think gets the appreciation it deserves for the effects.
The DEATH scene from the Meaning of Life. Personally I think that whilst its not the most animated they manage to do one of the most skeletal and properly creepy Grim Reapers. No oversized polished white bone here. They even go to lengths to make the clothes look like they hang over a skeleton - bony shoulders; ribcage showing etc...
Lance845 wrote: Gandalfs magic is powerful enough to cause dawn to happen in the hobbit. That means either he moved the sun or he moved the world. (Depending on if middleearth is a solar system or a geo system)
Pretty sure making a flash of light that throws off a defensive line is well within his ability.
At that time, I believe the sun was one of the Maiar trapped in a cycle around the planet that contains Middle Earth. Perhaps Gandalf asked him for a favor.
In terms of magical feats, Gandalf is wildly inconsistent.
I actually really like the end scene in Sam Raimi's Spider-man, it is the epilogue but in the epilogue the Hero explains why he did not get the girl.
I remember being in the theater and being floored by the fact that a bug Hollywood movie did not have the hero get the girl at the end, damn the canon.
Easy E wrote: I actually really like the end scene in Sam Raimi's Spider-man, it is the epilogue but in the epilogue the Hero explains why he did not get the girl.
I remember being in the theater and being floored by the fact that a bug Hollywood movie did not have the hero get the girl at the end, damn the canon.
still think the Raimi Spiderman film is the high watermark for Spidey hi-jinx, Homecoming is okay but l felt lent a bit hard on the MCU
Adding the scene from True Romance with Hopper and Walken, admittedly its peak QT but still the finest version of that trope
- Inglorious Basterds: the entire sequence at the pub, when some of the bastards are meeting the spy while a group of drunk nazi soldiers is celebrating one of them becoming a father and an SS officer steps in to join the fun. Just amazing, I've watched it like 20 times.
This movie has a lot to pick from. For my money, I'll give it to the opening, in which Waltz is just a mesmerizing horror. Particularly when you notice things like how he greets people by the wrist instead of palm so he can check their pulse and its just easily one of the best sequences put to film.
The cinematography, the music (why has Thomas Newman not won an Oscar yet?) and use of that music and the removal and reintroduction of the diagetic sound in the scene, the emotion expressed by Tom Hanks and Paul Newman without needing to say a word and the impact that unspoken emotion gives the only line of the scene.
Also Connor's death. The way the music is building as we follow Michael through the hotel and it reaches that final swell as he fires his gun and leaves the room, catching the door which swings to reveal the aftermath in the attached mirror.
Not strictly cinema(? idk) but very cinematic, my favourite scene from anything ever is when Uncle Junior shoots Tony.
Just everything about this - the jaunty music humming along, Tony's desperate struggle for help and the camera angles, the pasta boiling on as Tony's life slips away, Junior's reaction during the attack and subsequently. This is peak cinematography.
TV picks are allowed! Because I just allowed them.
My next pick? First. No comments about the wider film being massively historically inaccurate. I’m a Scot born and bred, so I’m perfectly aware of that, given I’ve a loose handle on my own culture.
Second? The most visceral pagga I have ever seen. Either in real life or the big screen.
Third. This isn’t some SNP type propaganda thing. Yes. All media is political, but my sharing of this is not political. It’s just a scene of incredibly well directed violence.
I should probably find a scene from Se7en in response to this (because Se7en, one of the best films ever made imo, though I'm not exactly a film buff, won exactly zero Oscars and I think it's because Braveheart, nice enough film that it is, and one that I enjoyed and even rewatch sometimes, was released in the same year and won about fifty )
From what I remember, before Braveheart, sword and pike combat was usually portrayed in a fairly bloodless way. Braveheart made the violence much more visceral and brutal. If not for Braveheart, the battles in LOTR would have been very different.
Oh yeah, it was a good film. Very impressive, especially as a young teenager. And to be fair, it's not like Se7en had a load of nominations in categories that were won by Braveheart. I think I was just complaining that my favourite film ever got no awards in a year that an enjoyable, fairly cheesy film swept the board.
BobtheInquisitor wrote: From what I remember, before Braveheart, sword and pike combat was usually portrayed in a fairly bloodless way. Braveheart made the violence much more visceral and brutal. If not for Braveheart, the battles in LOTR would have been very different.
I'd say John Boorman's "Excalibur" was definitely an exception to that rule, it had some bloody medieval style combat.
Whilst I dont care for elements of The Scottish Film I cant help but like the largely practical effects and sneaky camera tricks used as a fitting send off to that kind of film making before the CGI times...
Turnip Jedi wrote: Whilst I dont care for elements of The Scottish Film I cant help but like the largely practical effects and sneaky camera tricks used as a fitting send off to that kind of film making before the CGI times...
It’s definitely the practical effects that carry it.
Many of them were genuinely super simple. See someone get their lower leg or arm lopped off? Actor was a genuine amputee with a special prosthetic. This is enhanced by the pell mell pace of the scene. Lots of short bursts, building a scene of the anarchy of battle.
Guy that gets a mattock to the bonce? Head, padding, blood squib, helmet. Give it a wallop, and you’ve a really ‘orrible deff on screen. Just need to make sure the blood squib’s bag is super thin.
Very simple techniques, and the film is all the better for it. My favourite kill is when Gibson rides into the Laird’s room, and smashes his face in with a flail.
I really enjoyed the rapid-cuts lead-in to the final attack in Red Cliff. A large cast in four different places watching the details of a convoluted but well-foreshadowed plan falling neatly into place, complete with a moment of glorious showboating out of Takeshi Kaneshiro.
I think the librarian hostage scene from Bronson is up there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_IphvasWo8 Incredibly NSFW for language and full frontal nudity (though if you were interested in what Tom Hardy is packing then your questions will be answered!)
Brief overview of Bronson's history in the spoiler:
Spoiler:
For those not familiar, Charlie Bronson (named after the actor, original name Michael Peterson, now goes by Charles Salvador after Dali who is one of his favourite artists) is known as Britain's most violent prisoner. He was originally arrested in 1974 for armed robbery and sentenced to seven years.
He managed to extend this sentence to 13 years through multiple acts of violence during his incarceration, which lead him to be declared insane and sent to psychiatric prisons, including Broadmoor. He was later declared sane after climbing onto the roof and causing a lot of damage by ripping up roof tiles and chucking them down onto the ground and moved back to prison and was released in 1987.
Following a brief stint as a bare knuckle boxer in London in 1988 he was again convicted of armed robbery and sent back to prison, where he has been ever since, spending a lot of that time in solitary confinement. He has been involved in countless acts of violence, including hostage taking.
Later in his life he became interested in art and started drawing. Many of his works were later sold to raise money for charities.
Anyway, onto the film and scene. The film itself is great. It was made on a tiny budget ($230k) and is basically an arthouse biopic, told to the viewer by Bronson himself from his own mind in which he is performing on a stage in an empty theatre. Definitely recommend it as Hardy's performance is phenomenal and the film wisely avoids trying to give any reason for why Bronson is the way he is. He just is.
The specific scene I've chosen is his taking the prison librarian hostage. Hardy's performance just captures this palpable aura of barely suppressed violence. The whole scene you're holding your breath as you know at any moment he could seriously hurt this man. Even when Hardy strips off and starts smearing butter over himself (in his words his body paint, his armour) isn't enough to fully deflate that tension.
Easy E wrote: I actually really like the end scene in Sam Raimi's Spider-man, it is the epilogue but in the epilogue the Hero explains why he did not get the girl.
I remember being in the theater and being floored by the fact that a bug Hollywood movie did not have the hero get the girl at the end, damn the canon.
Sam Raimi's Spider-man and Spider-man 2 were fantastic-- he and Tobey MacGuire really captured the way's that being Spider-man ruined Peter Parker's life-- a continuing theme in Stan Lee's earliest work for Marvel.
That said this scene really makes the movie for me:
In particular, how tired, disheveled, terrified, and just not pretty the young mother looks. And then that long, lingering, slow zoom-in up on her face, as her panic mounts. Then the explosion, with Spidey barely making it out, and finally the mother's tearful thanks. I never get tired of this scene.
Voss wrote: The parody film with the stuffed beaver in the chair was better.
One of the Naked Guns I think, can’t remember which.
It was in Loaded Weapon, recently rewatched it.
And two of my favorite scenes:
Inception
Spoiler:
Not one of the action set pieces or weird optical illusions, but the scene where Fischer is in the third level and opens the safe next to his father's deathbed. He gets out the pinwheel that was seen in his childhood photo and Cillian Murphy's acting in this scene is amazing. What he conveys without saying a single word, perfect.
And maybe somewhat surprising a scene from Aeon Flux (don't get why that movie got so much flak, it's a nice Sci-Fi-Action-Flick)
Spoiler:
The very last scene, after the twist is out and we know that everyone alive is just the millionth incarnation of themselves and that Aeon Flux and Goodchild were lovers. The movie jumps back to our present and we see both leaving after their first date and he turns, asking "Will I see you again?". Chills...
JWBS wrote: Not strictly cinema(? idk) but very cinematic, my favourite scene from anything ever is when Uncle Junior shoots Tony.
Just everything about this - the jaunty music humming along, Tony's desperate struggle for help and the camera angles, the pasta boiling on as Tony's life slips away, Junior's reaction during the attack and subsequently. This is peak cinematography.
I'd add the scene towards the end of the series, when Tony finally goes to see Junior and realises the extent of his mental decline. The emotion written all over Tony's face as he leaves is so raw, Gandolfini was immensely talented.
TBH, any scene with Uncle Junior was a highlight, he had some of the greatest lines in TV history.
”I know what you’re thinking. "Did he fire six shots or only five?" Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a . 44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?”
Maybe some will say this isn't a great scene, but I always thought it was.
Near the end of "Wizards" when avatar, the peace loving, anti technology and anti industry wizard defeats his evil warlord brother who is pro technology and industrial warfare by
Spoiler:
pulling out a concealed pistol and shooting him twice. Kinda hypocritical, yes, kinda anti climatic when we were expecting a grand duel of magic, but still one hell of a good scene.
Another NSFW violence scene. I promise I’m not being an Edgelord, I just like my horror and fighty films.
This time, it’s 28 Days Later, when our hero really encounters the reality of the new world he woke up in, and exactly what needs to be done to survive.
It’s brutal. It’s visceral. And yet? The actions are ultimately justified, though horrible. As a long term Zombie Movie Fan, this really elevated 28 Days Later for me. We see survivors with sense (yes I know they’re not Zombies, but it’s in that mould)
