Memento / Seven Samourai

[jchante]

Hi

I was browsing IMDB greatest movies ...
http://us.imdb.com/top_250_films

and I saw that in the top movies, I hadn't seen:

[list=1]
Memento (is that any good?)
Seven Samourai : is it that good? if yes is there a nice dvd version to buy out there?
[/list=1]

thanks...

[Gromit]

Not yet seen Memento but it has had very good reviews. However, Seven Samurai (Kurosawa) is, IMO, excellent. Think Magnificent Seven in Japan :) This is where they got the idea for the western from - but this is a lot better. See this thread (http://thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47908) for a related discussion.

[Goblin]

Memento is very good...the whole film is played backwards, so if your a bit thick when following a plot you should leave it alone :D

[gZa]

Originally posted by jchante
[list=1]
Seven Samourai : is it that good? if yes is there a nice dvd version to buy out there?
[/list=1]

thanks... I've yet to find a finer film out there!
The Criterion DVD is the one to get - the commentary is worth the price alone.

[gZa]

Originally posted by Gromit
This is where they got the idea for the western from - but this is a lot better.Hell - I'd rate <I>A Bug's Life</i> and <i>Battle Beyond the Stars</i> better that Sturges' remake! :rolleyes:

[cat]

I have the BFI release of SS - if u haven't seen the film yet then start with this b4 splashing out on a criterian disc, it has a decent enough transfer and whilst many consider SS a 'classic' ( i.e it's ancient and 'worthy' ) I have to say I'm relatively unimpressed - it is 'interesting' and definitely has its moments but I wouldn't rate it in my top 250 ;)

Memento is another film that's rather over hyped - I 'liked' it, thought it was very clever and even a little refreshing, but at the same time it was also a bit annoying and gave me a slight headache :D Don't understand the interest with re-watching it in the right order though - would completely ruin the whole point of the film ;)

[MARKMAN]

Seven Samurai frequently places at No.1 on my list of all time favourite films - it's that good.

As for which version to get - BFI is arguably a better transfer - however, the Crieterion has full commentary by Michael Jeck(sp) a highly regarded Japanese Film Critic.

I started off with the BFI version, traded it and now have the Criterion.

[andyp2]

I personally think Memento is superb :)

[R2-D2]

Originally posted by Goblin
Memento is very good...the whole film is played backwards, so if your a bit thick when following a plot you should leave it alone :D
I keep hearing people say this. It's not accurate. The film is split into two parts, one of which is backwards and the other is forwards. The meet at the middle, at the end. :) (And to help the viewer, one thread is in colour, the other isn't.)

[Shakey21]

Originally posted by R2-D2

I keep hearing people say this. It's not accurate. The film is split into two parts, one of which is backwards and the other is forwards. The meet at the middle, at the end. :) (And to help the viewer, one thread is in colour, the other isn't.)

Exactly!!! How can it be backwards - I distincly remember some people who were alive at the start fo the film who were dead at the end - so how can it be backwards?

[tj_director]

both are excellent films. The only unfortunate thing of this thread is that your expectations may be too high, try to dispell them, that way you'l understand why they are so high in the imdb.com poll.

Although i personally think after a couple of years, Memento will drop out of the Top 10, after the novelty wears off. It's a great film, and it's really one of those Must-see films, because you'll never have seen anything quite like it, and done so well. But i think it lacks that Top 10 quality, hard to explain what i mean, so i'll just shut up :o :p

But 7 Samurai is one of those truly classic films that will stand the test of time. You may have to watch it a second time to see why it's so great. The same goes for Memento :)

[Chyna Tsui]

Originally posted by MARKMAN

As for which version to get - BFI is arguably a better transfer - however, the Crieterion has full commentary by Michael Jeck(sp) a highly regarded Japanese Film Critic.




Was the commentary over the full duration of the film? I was under the impression the commentary only covered a few key scenes?

[Mike]

"Seven Samurai" is probably the greatest action film ever made and even that description is underrating it. A perfect starting point for anyone who has never seen a foreign language film (it was my first at the age of 12). It's funny, exciting, tense and moving.

"Memento" is a clever, witty thriller that I found a lot more interesting on the second viewing than on the first. First time I spent most of my time fathoming the plot, second I had worked out what happened and was better able to appreciate the ironies of the story - particularly the Sammy sub-sub-plot which eluded me first time. Whether it will bear repeated viewings is a moot point - it is reliant on plot and structure to a great extent, despite the superb acting, and I dunno if they are strong enough to withstand endless viewings. Certainly worth seeing.

[KeyserSoze]

Originally posted by Garry Cowell
Hell - I'd rate <I>A Bug's Life</i> and <i>Battle Beyond the Stars</i> better that Sturges' remake! :rolleyes:

so im not the only one that thought Mag 7 was crap.

isnt MAg 7 considered a classic ?