David Clapson
Well-Known Member
Mamet once wrote that there are four perfect films: Galaxy Quest, The Godfather, A Place in the Sun and Dodsworth. Never heard of 3 and 4...anyone seen them?
Galaxy Quest and David Mamet's other perfect films
- Thread starter David Clapson
- Start date
Reno
The In Kraut
I've watched A Place in the Sun a couple of times but I haven't seen Dodsworth. I like A Place in the Sun, Galaxy Quest and The Godfather, but an algorithm style "if you like this......you may also like that" may not apply here as they are very different from each other. All are highly regarded films though.
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Reno
The In Kraut
Maybe David Mamet's favourite films aren't predominantly high concept comedies from the 90s and he thought mentioning just one is enough ?
House of Games, the first film Mamet directed is brilliant and still underrated. I'd count it among the very best films of the 80s. None of his other films live up to it for me but of the ones I've seen, I thought none of them were crap. Anyways, not sure why that invalidates opinions on his favourite films, especially as the recommendations are solid.
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Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
I honestly can't sit through The Godfather - I have watched it once and appreciate its merits as film, but it just isn't my sort of thing. Galaxy Quest on the other hand I could watch over and over. I have seen A Place in the Sun but I am not sure I have seen Dodsworth (if I did, I don't recall it - that could be due to passage of time rather than due to the merits of the film itself).
May Kasahara
take me to the feeling
Galaxy Quest is completely underwhelming.
Artaxerxes
Look out, he's got a gnu!
Godfather and a few of the other classics have always felt far to long for me.
Epona
Sonic: 1 Nov 2006 - 8 Jan 2022
I just don't really enjoy Mafia/Gangster type themes - I can see that the original film is beautifully crafted, but it just isn't the sort of thing I find gripping and I tend to drift off into a reverie rather than having my attention held by the film - it is just purely a matter of personal taste and preference I am sure.
Reno
The In Kraut
Not to me. Maybe thats more down to shortening attention spans.
I introduced a 14 year old to the Godfather films a few years ago and he loved them, but his mother loves classic films, so he was used to the pacing of older films.
Artaxerxes
Look out, he's got a gnu!
Even when I had an attention span it was the case.its also probably because I was exposed to them at a very young age but not in any chronological order, just bits here and there on the telly on a wet Wednesday or whatever.
Reno
The In Kraut
That's like reading a few pages of a classic novel in the wrong order and then feeling qualified to judge it on that.
Artaxerxes
Look out, he's got a gnu!
Reno
The In Kraut
I question your film buff credentials.
Artaxerxes
Look out, he's got a gnu!
I question your film buff credentials.
Hey, I earned that A level and half a decade of film mags after!
Nanker Phelge
Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
New cut is a much better film. Still flawed, but the plotting makes more sense now. I watched it on Christmas Day and Apocalypse Now new cut on Boxing day.
Both look stunning. Apocalypse now is beautiful to look at.
ATOMIC SUPLEX
Member Since: 1985 Post Count: 3
I agree. I quite like Galaxy Quest though on paper it really shouldn't be my cup of tea. I find the Godfather incredibly dull.
David Clapson
Well-Known Member
I watched Mamet's The Spanish Prisoner yesterday. Dull. The Mamet speak becomes irritating. The male lead has barely enough charisma to be an extra.
Reno
The In Kraut
I rewatched A Place in the Sun because I had not watched it in a long time. Highly acclaimed in 1951 when it came out, this doesn't hold up too well, its social commentary has dated it badly. The plot is that of a film noir but it's treated as an earnest, prestige drama. The film noirs of the era play so much better now. Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor look beautiful though.
imposs1904
Thread Killa'
Galaxy Quest is a great wee film . . . despite Mamet lauding it.
spanglechick
High Empress of Dressing Up
Not interested in a definition of “perfect” that isn’t overwhelmingly male and white, I see...
