Entertainment For Lively Minds
Do you really know the classics? Film and literature edition
Posted by Joe R on 9 January 2009 - 12:30pm.
After yesterday's thread of classic albums you'd never heard, it got me thinking that it doesn't have to be restricted to music. For example, I have never read:
Catch 22
The Catcher in the Rye
Anything by Charles Dickens
Bonfire of the Vanities
Lord of the Rings
Similarly, I have never seen:
Apocalypse Now
The Godfather
Pulp Fiction
It's a Wonderful Life
Jaws
What about you?
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I have the same opinion...
...as in the 'music classics' thread.
A DVD costs a tenner or a quid to rent. A book costs less, especially if it's out of copyright.
Why not just *try* them - it only takes an hour of your life and you'll then know if you rate them or not.
Even if you don't like them, you'll be able to express an opinion.
I didn't say I'd never read/watch/listen to them
I just haven't got round to it yet! There's so much 'stuff' to catch up on and there's new, exciting things coming out at the same time. Plus, I try to fit having a life and holding down a job in at some point.
Those classics will always be there waiting for me, I was just wondering which ones people hadn't digested yet. I do have some excuse, with the exception of Pulp Fiction, all of the above were released before I was born.
Here's a brief appraisal for you Joe
Catch 22-Cobblers. I've tried to read it three times. Terrible.
The Catcher in the Rye- I liked it as a sixteen year old, and it didn't make me want to kill anybody. Which was nice.
Anything by Charles Dickens- Only Pickwick papers, which was a hoot. I loved it.
Bonfire of the Vanities- Simply the best novel I have ever read. Utterly absorbing. Take the afternoon off, and get it read!
Lord of the Rings- Never read it. Liked the movies, though.
Movies:
Apocalypse Now- As good as you've heard.
The Godfather- Better than you've heard. Watch part 2 also.
Pulp Fiction- Does exactly what it says on th tin. I loved it.
It's a Wonderful Life- Its a cliche, but only because its excellent!
Jaws- Please. You haven't seen this. Its a cracker!
All of the above opinions are mine, and therefore you may not agree. The novels and movies you mention are all touted as classics, therefore they must have some merit. Try them. You might like them!
Happy New Year.
You've persuaded me
I quick visit to LoveFilm later, and they're all on my upcoming films list.
and a Happy New Year to you too.
Rememer to...
...let us all know what you thought of them!
Is “I Am Charlotte Simmons” any good?
Bought it in a charity shop a few weeks ago and haven’t got round to reading it, not least because it doesn’t sound very appetising. Should I be tucking in?
No no no and again no
One of the most embarrassing novels ever written and also one of the worst. And I speak as a fan of much of the man's work. Throw it away.
If only there was more time....
Catch 22 - Tried twice. Failed
The Catcher in the Rye - Excellent and quite slim - start here
Anything by Charles Dickens - Bleak House was good, if large, you can tell he was paid by the word. Kudos for having a character spontaneously combust though.
Bonfire of the Vanities - It's on the shelf.
Lord of the Rings - Piffling idiocy. Dons flak helmet.
Similarly, I have never seen:
Apocalypse Now - A curate's egg, the last bit drags on.
The Godfather - Good
Pulp Fiction - A bit too violent for me
It's a Wonderful Life - Never consciously seem it
Jaws - Good, apart from one bad lapse in special effects where the shark attacks Quint's boat and gives it a good gumming.
Ironically I was thinking of posting the very same thread last night, so 5 from me
Anything by Chekhov
At least 30 plays by Shakespeare
Pride and Prejudice
Zen and the art of Motorcycle maintenance
Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn (though I intend to)
Movies
Any Bond file since Octopussy
Any Star Wars made since Return of the Jedi
Ghostbusters
St Elmo's Fire
Citizen Kane
OK, so the films aren't perhaps classics, but they seem to be the ones which surprise most people when you reveal your ignorance of them.
Huck Finn
For me, officially the greatest novel ever written. Tom Sawyer is great fun, an enjoyable read that'll leave you smiling from ear to ear. But Huck Finn is a full on proper masterpiece for all ages and all time. Start with that and then read on through the rest. Twain is unfairly tagged as a children's author in the UK but his US reputation as (almost) their Dickens or Shakespeare is much closer to the mark.
Citizen Kane
Officially the greatest film of all time for many years, which just shows the limitations of best ever lists. It's clearly 'important' for many innovations but I would say Touch of Evil and Lady from Shanghai are better films by Welles so see them instead.
Voted the greatest film ever by
Cahiers du Cinema AND has won the decadely (?) Sight And Sound critics poll every year since 1962 (1952 was The Bicycle Thieves).
That's certainly some heavyweight opinion. Cahiers du Cinema especially don't muck around when it comes to film.
But Sven is also right
It's a great film when you know the context - all the technical innovation involved, Welles' age when he made it, his total artistic control at the height of the studio system, etc. But you need that background knowledge to really enjoy it - without it it's very much of it's time. Touch of Evil on the other hand can be enjoyed and appreciated without any background knowledge at all and is truly timeless.
I'm with you on LotR
I know I posted I haven't read it, but this is truly one book (or series of books) that I have no intention of getting acquainted with. I managed to sit through 45 minutes of the film and after I'd realised the scenery was nice, I couldn't put up with all the orcs and morks and Middle Earth (which I thought was the Daily Mail's target audience) and gave up.