Tropical Island Video Vault Draft - ROUND 20 - FINAL ROUND
- Thread starter Jespher
- Start date
Earlier I indicated that I didn't really want to take the whole Tropical Island device thing into account when picking movies and that I'm trying to just pick favorites. But I realized I'm not just picking favorites, I'm trying to get a good mix in. Some action, some drama, some comedy. In that vein, I really need a feel good movie, one that gets my positive emotions all stirred up. Good Will Hunting has some of that, but this flick is the ultimate in that vein for me.
Rudy (1993)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108002/
Rudy (1993)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108002/
Maybe I interpret fantasy elements differently than you do.. I like to imagine I am in Mos Eisley and what a wild and dangerous scene that would be with all kinds of weird and crazy creatures going about their business... or on the Death Star floating through space blowing up planets... amazing! But I like to imagine myself less in the snow or in a swamp or in a floating office building... the best part of Empire to me is the Bounty Hunter scene on that Star Destroyer, but that lasts about 5 seconds... and we only ever meet one of them (though they are my favorite characters in the whole universe)
Earlier I indicated that I didn't really want to take the whole Tropical Island device thing into account when picking movies and that I'm trying to just pick favorites. But I realized I'm not just picking favorites, I'm trying to get a good mix in. Some action, some drama, some comedy. In that vein, I really need a feel good movie, one that gets my positive emotions all stirred up. Good Will Hunting has some of that, but this flick is the ultimate in that vein for me.
Rudy (1993)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108002/
Rudy (1993)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108002/
Back to comedy-horror for me...
The Frighteners - 1996
Before Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson had made quite a name for himself with low budget splatter horror and the Frighteners really captured him at his crossroads. The initial script write up captured the attention of Bob Zemeckis who decided he would adapt it as an extension of the Tales From the Crypt series before ultimately deciding to give it back to Jackson. So here comes a major upcoming talent with his first real big budget picture produced by Bob Z who still had it at this time and we get a fantastic little comedy-horror flick starring Michael J Fox in one of his last on-screen film roles backed up by a fantastic cast including R. Lee Ermey, Jake Busey, Chi McBride, John Astin, Dee Wallace, Trini Alvarado (who is gorgeous as the romantic interest) and Jeffrey Combs deliciously hamming it up as a maniacal FBI agent pursuing Fox's character.
The film revolves around Fox's character, Frank Bannister, who is something of a supernatural con-artist - after a crash leaves him a widower with the ability to see ghosts, he conspires with the spirits to haunt people's homes so that he can banish the spirits, for a price of course. Ultimately this leads to him witnessing another spirit murdering the townsfolk which may connect back to the death of his wife. He throws himself into the investigation which then casts suspicions on him. This is just tons of fun and you get a good taste of what Peter Jackson was along with what he would soon become. While the studio was excited and pushed up the release of the film into the more competitive summer lineup it ultimately disappointed at the box office. Fortunately for us this did not set Jackson back. The film was also one of the first big pictures for Jackson's VFX unit, WETA Digital, for my money they are now hands down the best in the business and the effects in this one are extremely solid if not spectacular.
The Frighteners - 1996
Before Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson had made quite a name for himself with low budget splatter horror and the Frighteners really captured him at his crossroads. The initial script write up captured the attention of Bob Zemeckis who decided he would adapt it as an extension of the Tales From the Crypt series before ultimately deciding to give it back to Jackson. So here comes a major upcoming talent with his first real big budget picture produced by Bob Z who still had it at this time and we get a fantastic little comedy-horror flick starring Michael J Fox in one of his last on-screen film roles backed up by a fantastic cast including R. Lee Ermey, Jake Busey, Chi McBride, John Astin, Dee Wallace, Trini Alvarado (who is gorgeous as the romantic interest) and Jeffrey Combs deliciously hamming it up as a maniacal FBI agent pursuing Fox's character.
The film revolves around Fox's character, Frank Bannister, who is something of a supernatural con-artist - after a crash leaves him a widower with the ability to see ghosts, he conspires with the spirits to haunt people's homes so that he can banish the spirits, for a price of course. Ultimately this leads to him witnessing another spirit murdering the townsfolk which may connect back to the death of his wife. He throws himself into the investigation which then casts suspicions on him. This is just tons of fun and you get a good taste of what Peter Jackson was along with what he would soon become. While the studio was excited and pushed up the release of the film into the more competitive summer lineup it ultimately disappointed at the box office. Fortunately for us this did not set Jackson back. The film was also one of the first big pictures for Jackson's VFX unit, WETA Digital, for my money they are now hands down the best in the business and the effects in this one are extremely solid if not spectacular.
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I’ve got a lot of serious movies on my island. Time for something a little more light hearted. My next pick is a personal favorite. It’s an off beat, quirky little indie film and I probably could have gotten it in the final rounds but the way this draft is going, you never know so I don’t want to take any chances.
My pick is, Ghost World. A funny, sincere, realistic film that features Steve Buscemi’s (one of my favorite actors) best performance. I can watch this one over and over.
My pick is, Ghost World. A funny, sincere, realistic film that features Steve Buscemi’s (one of my favorite actors) best performance. I can watch this one over and over.
Back to comedy-horror for me...
The Frighteners - 1996
Before Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson had made quite a name for himself with low budget splatter horror and the Frighteners really captured him at his crossroads. The initial script write up captured the attention of Bob Zemeckis who decided he would adapt it as an extension of the Tales From the Crypt series before ultimately deciding to give it back to Jackson. So here comes a major upcoming talent with his first real big budget picture produced by Bob Z who still had it at this time and we get a fantastic little comedy-horror flick starring Michael J Fox in one of his last on-screen film roles backed up by a fantastic cast including R. Lee Ermey, Jake Busey, Chi McBride, John Astin, Dee Wallace, Trini Alvarado (who is gorgeous as the romantic interest) and Jeffrey Combs deliciously hamming it up as a maniacal FBI agent pursuing Fox's character.
The film revolves around Fox's character, Frank Bannister, who is something of a supernatural con-artist - after a crash leaves him a widower with the ability to see ghosts, he conspires with the spirits to haunt people's homes so that he can banish the spirits, for a price of course. Ultimately this leads to him witnessing another spirit murdering the townsfolk which may connect back to the death of his wife. He throws himself into the investigation which then casts suspicions on him. This is just tons of fun and you get a good taste of what Peter Jackson was along with what he would soon become. While the studio was excited and pushed up the release of the film into the more competitive summer lineup it ultimately disappointed at the box office. Fortunately for us this did not set Jackson back. The film was also one of the first big pictures for Jackson's VFX unit, WETA Digital, for my money they are now hands down the best in the business and the effects in this one are extremely solid if not spectacular.
The Frighteners - 1996
Before Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson had made quite a name for himself with low budget splatter horror and the Frighteners really captured him at his crossroads. The initial script write up captured the attention of Bob Zemeckis who decided he would adapt it as an extension of the Tales From the Crypt series before ultimately deciding to give it back to Jackson. So here comes a major upcoming talent with his first real big budget picture produced by Bob Z who still had it at this time and we get a fantastic little comedy-horror flick starring Michael J Fox in one of his last on-screen film roles backed up by a fantastic cast including R. Lee Ermey, Jake Busey, Chi McBride, John Astin, Dee Wallace, Trini Alvarado (who is gorgeous as the romantic interest) and Jeffrey Combs deliciously hamming it up as a maniacal FBI agent pursuing Fox's character.
The film revolves around Fox's character, Frank Bannister, who is something of a supernatural con-artist - after a crash leaves him a widower with the ability to see ghosts, he conspires with the spirits to haunt people's homes so that he can banish the spirits, for a price of course. Ultimately this leads to him witnessing another spirit murdering the townsfolk which may connect back to the death of his wife. He throws himself into the investigation which then casts suspicions on him. This is just tons of fun and you get a good taste of what Peter Jackson was along with what he would soon become. While the studio was excited and pushed up the release of the film into the more competitive summer lineup it ultimately disappointed at the box office. Fortunately for us this did not set Jackson back. The film was also one of the first big pictures for Jackson's VFX unit, WETA Digital, for my money they are now hands down the best in the business and the effects in this one are extremely solid if not spectacular.
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This film has a bit of personal history for me. I've been rafting rivers basically ever since I was born. I completed my first rafting trip when I was 8 months old, and my folks were school teachers during the year, and commercial rafting guides during the summer for decades. We have lots of gear and have traveled across several states rafting rivers. I have been down the Grand Canyon 3 times, the second time being in the summer of 1998. It's an 18 day trip and you feel perfectly isolated from the rest of the world events. Every time we ran the canyon we would drive to Flagstaff and back (over a 16 hour trip from Grass Valley). After rafting the 225 miles over 18 days we would usually have a day or two to kill before heading back to civilization. The evening we finished that '98 trip, the 16 of us had just had dinner and were looking for something to do before parting ways and heading home the next day. This movie had just come out and looked like fun.
And boy was it!
Leaning back in awesome surround sound ecstasy and watching things blow up. Nothing like a good blockbuster to push the buttons of a 16 year old and welcome me back to the 20th Century. I think it still holds up well because every time I see this movie on TV I have to watch. It brings me back to those summer days right after my sophomore year in high school and all of the memories of that trip. In its own right it has boat loads of comedy, drama, nice Aerosmith riffs, J.J. Abrams action sequences, mixed with the fun/over the top effects of Michael Bay. My island needs a raw action, popcorn crunchin' summer blockbuster to keep the blood pumping, and the entertainment level high. No matter how cheesy and implausible the science and manufactured drama is, at least it's loud with plenty of laughs and a bit of good acting thrown in to boot. With my 8th pick, I select:
Armageddon (1998)
The enseble cast is excellent here, with stand out supporting performances by Billy Bob Thorton, Ben Affleck, Bruce Willis, Liv Tyler, Owen Wilson, Peter Stormare, and Michael Clark Duncan. Last, but not least, Steve Buschemi is also great in this film
.
And boy was it!
Leaning back in awesome surround sound ecstasy and watching things blow up. Nothing like a good blockbuster to push the buttons of a 16 year old and welcome me back to the 20th Century. I think it still holds up well because every time I see this movie on TV I have to watch. It brings me back to those summer days right after my sophomore year in high school and all of the memories of that trip. In its own right it has boat loads of comedy, drama, nice Aerosmith riffs, J.J. Abrams action sequences, mixed with the fun/over the top effects of Michael Bay. My island needs a raw action, popcorn crunchin' summer blockbuster to keep the blood pumping, and the entertainment level high. No matter how cheesy and implausible the science and manufactured drama is, at least it's loud with plenty of laughs and a bit of good acting thrown in to boot. With my 8th pick, I select:
Armageddon (1998)
The enseble cast is excellent here, with stand out supporting performances by Billy Bob Thorton, Ben Affleck, Bruce Willis, Liv Tyler, Owen Wilson, Peter Stormare, and Michael Clark Duncan. Last, but not least, Steve Buschemi is also great in this film
.
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The Captain has sent me his next 4 picks in case the draft goes quickly while he is out. He and I know each other and although I am competing in this, he is comfortable having me do this. In looking at your draft so far, I doubt you and I would be overlapping too much on picks. I am willing to do it, if you would like.
If someone else sounds better or if someone (anyone?) doesn't want me posting picks for 3 people in a row, that is fine too. Although that *would* guarantee fast movement in this part of the draft as I check in frequently.
I'm an Eagle Scout - promise not to cheat.
Just let me know and send me your picks.
If someone else sounds better or if someone (anyone?) doesn't want me posting picks for 3 people in a row, that is fine too. Although that *would* guarantee fast movement in this part of the draft as I check in frequently.
I'm an Eagle Scout - promise not to cheat.
Just let me know and send me your picks.
The Captain has sent me his next 4 picks in case the draft goes quickly while he is out. He and I know each other and although I am competing in this, he is comfortable having me do this. In looking at your draft so far, I doubt you and I would be overlapping too much on picks. I am willing to do it, if you would like.
If someone else sounds better or if someone (anyone?) doesn't want me posting picks for 3 people in a row, that is fine too. Although that *would* guarantee fast movement in this part of the draft as I check in frequently.
I'm an Eagle Scout - promise not to cheat.
Just let me know and send me your picks.
If someone else sounds better or if someone (anyone?) doesn't want me posting picks for 3 people in a row, that is fine too. Although that *would* guarantee fast movement in this part of the draft as I check in frequently.
I'm an Eagle Scout - promise not to cheat.
Just let me know and send me your picks.
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This draft just got a little more weird and unpredictable, so I'm going off the rails. I can't not have this movie with me on a deserted tropical island, so in the interests of securing my ... interests, I'm gonna grab it now.
With the 126th pick in the 2011 TDOS Tropical Island Video Vault Draft, Superman's Super Movie Lineup selects:
Wicker Park (2004), directed by Paul McGuigan
Love makes you do crazy things, insane things. Things in a million years you'd never see yourself do. But there you are doing them... can't help it.
Edit: Added new image, since the other one wasn't working properly for whatever reason.
With the 126th pick in the 2011 TDOS Tropical Island Video Vault Draft, Superman's Super Movie Lineup selects:
Wicker Park (2004), directed by Paul McGuigan
Love makes you do crazy things, insane things. Things in a million years you'd never see yourself do. But there you are doing them... can't help it.
Edit: Added new image, since the other one wasn't working properly for whatever reason.
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Very surprised this hasn't been taken. Maybe the best war film ever made, or at least one of them. My theory is the best movies are always re-watchable. The "best" part is subjective, though.
Saving Private Ryan
Most would have seen this movie, so it doesn't really need an introduction. I've seen this movie countless times and I've really enjoyed it on each occasion. Some very good performances and the plot is good. Directed very well and is a very entertaining watch. Certainly one of the best war films ever.
Saving Private Ryan
Most would have seen this movie, so it doesn't really need an introduction. I've seen this movie countless times and I've really enjoyed it on each occasion. Some very good performances and the plot is good. Directed very well and is a very entertaining watch. Certainly one of the best war films ever.
Very surprised this hasn't been taken. Maybe the best war film ever made, or at least one of them. My theory is the best movies are always re-watchable. The "best" part is subjective, though.
Saving Private Ryan
Most would have seen this movie, so it doesn't really need an introduction. I've seen this movie countless times and I've really enjoyed it on each occasion. Some very good performances and the plot is good. Directed very well and is a very entertaining watch. Certainly one of the best war films ever.
Saving Private Ryan
Most would have seen this movie, so it doesn't really need an introduction. I've seen this movie countless times and I've really enjoyed it on each occasion. Some very good performances and the plot is good. Directed very well and is a very entertaining watch. Certainly one of the best war films ever.
This draft just got a little more weird and unpredictable, so I'm going off the rails. I can't not have this movie with me on a deserted tropical island, so in the interests of securing my ... interests, I'm gonna grab it now.
With the 126th pick in the 2011 TDOS Tropical Island Video Vault Draft, Superman's Super Movie Lineup selects:
Wicker Park (2004), directed by Paul McGuigan
Love makes you do crazy things, insane things. Things in a million years you'd never see yourself do. But there you are doing them... can't help it.
With the 126th pick in the 2011 TDOS Tropical Island Video Vault Draft, Superman's Super Movie Lineup selects:
Wicker Park (2004), directed by Paul McGuigan
Love makes you do crazy things, insane things. Things in a million years you'd never see yourself do. But there you are doing them... can't help it.