Biggest-Geek-Ever
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Because it makes it literally part of an era that's already in the past
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Will any movies of our generation be considered as classics in 30 years?
- Thread starter ShipTheCheese
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Good Job Bob
Member
Lionel Mandrake
Member
History sometimes does matter in labeling classics. Get a high school history textbook and open to the 1920s and read on from there. They'll talk about "talkies" then go on to Snow White & The Seven Dwarves and Gone With the Wind, and sometime later Wizard of Oz will probably get a mention.
In hindsight, it's lucky to have a hit movie during a historical event.
SonicMegaDrive
Member
I guess I need to get off my ass and go see this.
What about Batman & Robin.
In all seriousness though, on comedies, I think Edgar Wright is the closest thing we have to a Mel Brooks these days.
Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz will age gracefully because, while they're spoofs, they're also good, funny movies in their own right that don't rely entirely on familiarity with what they're spoofing.
Scott Pilgrim will undoubtedly continue to have a cult following, and I could easily see it becoming a nerd staple in the same way movies like Spaceballs and Monty Python and the Holy Grail are.
EnderWiggles
Member
Actually, what about Fahrenheit 9/11 or Sicko? I can't remember the last documentary played in major theaters.
SonicMegaDrive
Member
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
In 50 or 100 years time, people aren't really going to distinguish The Godfather as being from a different era to Saving Private Ryan, The Shawshank Redemption or Fight Club. You're just standing too close. You can't see London if you're just standing in Leicester Square.
Goodfellas.
Snatch.
No country for old men.
There will be blood.
Casino.
Distric 9.
Social network.
In my opinion a classic movie is not one that is someone's favorite, I believe it has a lot to do with how well a movie age's and the main thing I would consider is when something is shown on tv 15 years after release (or whatever Time line) if you can just sit in and watch it no matter what point the movie is at, I find this to be true for goodfellas and dumb and dumber, if I just happen to flip channels and it's on, it is an immediate watch.
Snatch.
No country for old men.
There will be blood.
Casino.
Distric 9.
Social network.
In my opinion a classic movie is not one that is someone's favorite, I believe it has a lot to do with how well a movie age's and the main thing I would consider is when something is shown on tv 15 years after release (or whatever Time line) if you can just sit in and watch it no matter what point the movie is at, I find this to be true for goodfellas and dumb and dumber, if I just happen to flip channels and it's on, it is an immediate watch.
ViewtifulJC
Banned
2001 wasn't initially met with this wave of generally accepted masterpiece status it has now. It took time, fresh eyes, new contexts and thoughts away from the here and now of the original release.
Given enough time the wheat will separate itself from the chaff. We just can't judge stuff like this now, we're stuck in the present even if we don't want to.
I absolutely believe at least Toy Story and Lion King fall into that category.
Then you gotta watch a bit more movies my man... FGF is a terse, father/son melodrama centered in an absurdist comedians wet dream, functioning as therapy for a man who went for everything creatively and landed every punch on a top studios dime with full creative control.
You'll never see a film like that ever again.
SonicMegaDrive
Member
Yup. 2001 received a ton of backlash and raised eyebrows when it first came out. Hell, it still does.
Others have said why comedies are difficult... I'm just going to throw my hat in the ring and say this will stand the test of time. Absolutely love this movie.
edit, and this
isn't that the movie where he jacks off a horse
Poimandres
Member
I failed at reading the OP
For the 90's, I would say Jurassic Park, Toy Story, and The Titanic, all for their technical achievements and huge box office success.
As for action films, I think Armageddon, Independence Day, and Heat really stand out.
Sorry to do this, but everyone knew those films were crap as soon as they were released! Niether will be remembered with any lasting fondness.
Heat is a good one though.
SonicMegaDrive
Member
Armageddon is a classic for me, as it stands as the first blockbuster action film that came out that made me wonder just why the fuck I was so bored watching it. The first of many.
But I think that has more to do with my coming of age(read: becoming more cynical) at the time of it's release.
But I think that has more to do with my coming of age(read: becoming more cynical) at the time of it's release.
I think there will be a decent amount of people who still find Anchorman funny in 30 years. I don't know if I'd call it a classic, but I hesitate to call any comedy a 'classic' just because of what that title tends to infer on people.
I also thought 21 Jump Street is one of the top 5 funniest movies i've ever seen. And I can't believe I'm saying that about a Channing Tatum/Jonah Hill movie
I also thought 21 Jump Street is one of the top 5 funniest movies i've ever seen. And I can't believe I'm saying that about a Channing Tatum/Jonah Hill movie
it sure is.
ShipTheCheese
Member
I get where you're coming from, but I really do find it hard to believe that movies of this day and age not being met with critical praise can be compared to movies like 2001, because movies like 2001 have happened. Every generation of movies is coloring our appreciation of what works and what doesn't work. When 2001 came along, people had no idea what to make of it, therefor giving it lackluster reviews.
What I'm trying to say is, I'm having a tough time getting my head around the idea that something like (just to name an example, don't take it too literally) Prometheus, while getting very mixed reviews now, could be a classic in 30 years because it addresses deep philosophical questions. Again, just an example. And I realize this is me being stuck in the present. Doesn't change my opinion that I think a movie has to be good now to also be good then.
Mighty Ducks came out in 1992, and it's the greatest sports movie of all time. Of all time. I don't think I'd call it a 'classic', but I could see people comparing the original Men In Black to the way we talk about Ghost Busters, but that's probably crazy talk.
Also, art school kids will claim Requiem For A Dream and Donnie Darko are classics in 30 years. Cyclical.
And if all is right in the world
The Raid Redemption will be given the respect it deserves.
Also, art school kids will claim Requiem For A Dream and Donnie Darko are classics in 30 years. Cyclical.
And if all is right in the world
The Raid Redemption will be given the respect it deserves.
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
Independence Day will be remembered for that shot where the ship first bursts through the clouds. Also, blowing up the White House.
inspectah derek
Member
Dumb & Dumber will never get old for me
SonicMegaDrive
Member
I always remember it for that scene when the dog narrowly escapes death by jumping away from the bluescreen background. Also: Earf.
There hasn't been a piece or genre of art free from references since the first piece or genre of art.
I didnt personally enjoy it that much but much like the "all time great games" thread. This isnt about personal admiration for a particular movie, its about which will be remembered and held in the future to be all time greats.
The King's Speech won seven British Academy Film Awards, including Best Picture, and Best Actor (Firth), Best Supporting Actor (Rush), and Best Supporting Actress (Bonham Carter). The film also won four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Hooper), Best Actor (Firth), and Best Original Screenplay (Seidler).
Good Job Bob
Member
LOL
Awards mean absolutely shit in determining classic movies. The King's Speech will fall to the wayside just like plenty of other movies that received many awards in the past.
Oh so what does determine classics then?, which movie of 2010 will be seen as the movie of that year?
I totally agree that Armageddon and Independence Day were crap, but I disagree that neither will be remembered. I think people will still watch these films in the future. They're just so ridiculous, quotable, memorable. You also have to give them credit for the whole "disaster" type film thing.
Good Job Bob
Member
Er, I couldn't tell you; but I'd be willing to bet a large amount of money it won't be The King's Speedh.
The Social Network would be much more likely.
SonicMegaDrive
Member
viciouskillersquirrel
Member
Planet of the Apes started with the slowest crash landing in the history of film. They can't all be perfect.
Also, he clearly says "Earth". Don't be racist.
Oh so Tree of life winning three Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Cinematography must mean it cant be a classic either ?
Battersea Power Station
Member
I think there can be, but only when significant new opportunities open up for artists, which is why I gave examples with 3D video games (since there are other pre-existing classics in 2D) and electronic music (since there is, of course, classical acoustic music).
I think although technology available to filmmakers has vastly improved, films are films: story telling via writing, shot framing, editing, etc.
Maybe when films change to multi-sensory experiences, somehow, we'll have another set of classics?
These are abbreviated thoughts because I'm supposed to be doing work at the moment
but it's an interesting topic deserving of more thought.Bah, just another quick one: It's not allusion in itself that hinders classic status -- it's the artist's mindset and vision being limited by previous experience, to some extent. The films that are classics were made by people who were defining film. They shaped, by definition, what movies are. I guess maybe to me that's more significant than even the quality of the films (within reason)? Dunno...
to respond to your playing the devil's advocate of sorts:
those classic films were themselves referential and derived from other films and stories and art. the 60s and 70s were not what I'd call the adolescent period of film, and they were most definitely not avoiding cynicism and they were not innocent
The 60s and 70s also weren't the early days of the big studios at all, the "golden age" ended the late 40s as the studio system broke up.
Some rock music has been long-lasting, and plenty that was heralded in the day has vanished. the same will and has happened with film, just as it happens in every art form. to me, a classic is a film whose purpose resonates across time periods. the rock music that we now consider classic is such because it can still illicit a meaningful reaction in our new surroundings. given that we do not know what our surroundings will be in 30 years, it's hard to predict what films from now or the 90s we will consider classics.
which is why I find the task fruitless and why this thread has, as predicted, turned into a "what's your favorite more recent movie" thread.
Awards don't determine classics =/= Any film that has been nominated for or won an award cannot be a classic...
it's there. dunno why, it's a great thriller but not a lasting one
I mentioned it, what do I win?
This is probably the only one I can agree with.
Poimandres
Member
Aye, those scenes will be remembered. But the film itself won't be regarded as a "classic". It's not to do with being a crowd pleasing action film either... Terminator 2 is a crowd pleaser, but is most definitely a classic.
More 90's contenders:
- The 6th Sense
- The Usual Suspects
They're not necessarily great films, but they are good and their effective twists will ensure they are mentioned in years to come.
Good Job Bob
Member
"Win" a nomination? Lol..
I'm not saying that if a film is awarded or even nominated by the Academy that that means it can never be a classic (Apoalypse Now for example was nominated by the Academy), what I'm saying is that you can't use those awards as a measure for determining the likelihood of which films will stand out over time. Their simply have been too many films that have won many awards and gone forgotten.
The King's Speech is a well done film but it doesn't push any boundaries. It plays it completely safe and boring in a tale about an old king of England. It's really not something that you'd imagine to stand out over time, you know?
This is cute.
See You Next Wednesday
Banned
80-90s, yes!
2000 to present, HELL NO!
2000 to present, HELL NO!
ShipTheCheese
Member
That's exactly what we're trying to find out. I'm really trying to avoid this becoming a "name your fav movie" thread. Even though we don't know what the world will be like in 30 years, I still believe its interesting to try and "guess" which movies can be classics based on their present merits and what they have brought to the world of cinema.
edit:
Agreed. Awards are relevant to the present, not the future.
youngplaya21
Member
Social Network came out of nowhere. I didn't think it would even be remembered 5 years from now, let alone considered a classic in 30. Besides that, I agree with most of the other choices said before me, namely any QT flicks, the Matrix, Alien, and Saving Private Ryan
My love.
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