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| Iconic Movie Moments; The Civility 95 | |
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| Topic Started: Jan 29 2006, 07:36 PM (2,850 Views) | |
| Post #1 Jan 29 2006, 07:36 PM |
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Let's collectively come up with the all-time top 95 movie moments. Please only add one each day to give everyone maximum opportunity to add to the list. Pick moments because the are dramatic or comedic, triumphant or tragic, wistful or thoughtful, bold in their sweep or subtle in their touch; but pick them because they are memorably part of our cultural pshyche. [On edit: Pick the scenes because they are culturally iconic. The image should be more than just stunning, it must be one familiar to almost everyone. Often, it will be one that is referenced in other contexts and sometimes leads to the formation of a cliche (while it is not itself cliche). Iconic moments are often paid homage by references in other films and even through send-ups in comic films.] I'll start with Rudy Ruettiger being carried off the field at the end of "Rudy." The movie makes a sappy statement about having dreams and fighting for them no matter the odds. However, the fact that the story is true reminds us that sometimes this sappy idea of stick-to-itiveness pays off. Great movie, great moment. Posted Image 1 |
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| Post #2 Jan 30 2006, 12:35 AM | Son N Law |
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Is it going to shock anyone that my first nomination is Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope? The Empire Strikes Back may be a more popular movie, but A New Hope is arguably the quintessential postmodern film, and undoubtledly one of the greatest pieces of cinema of all time. Not only did it change the face of filmmaking forver, it lifted the spirits of America during a particularly dark era of cinematic history following the Vietnam War, and laid the foundational bedrock of the value system and morals of an entire generation. As silly as it sounds, I simply would not be the person I am today without Star Wars, and I believe many Gen-Xers feel the same. As much as I love film, there is no other work I can point to and honestly say, in all sincerity, "I cannot imagine a world without it." To be honest, I don't know if I can pick just one moment, but at gunpoint I would probably have to narrow it down to Luke standing quietly outside his home on Tatooine, watching the twin sunsets, daydreaming, wishing he were anywhere but there. (As Yoda would put it three years later: "Never his mind on where he was, hmm? What he was doing. Hmph.") The cinematography is sumptuous; the score is heartbreaking. The scene embodies the essence of the entire film: a young nobody on a backwoods planet, contemplating the universe and the meaning of life, oblivious to the fact that the fate of the galaxy lies in his hands. 2 |
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| Post #3 Jan 30 2006, 01:51 PM |
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OK, here's my second nomination. It is the scene that actually prompted the idea to start this thread. I didn't actually start it until after catching the last part of "Rudy," so I decided to post that one first. This nomination may seem a bit improbable coming from me (and the scene itself is improbable), but it meets the requirement for the list: memorable. I nominate the "Twist and Shout" parade scene from "Ferris Beuller's Day Off." It's well-done, has a beat, and you can dance to it. Posted Image 3 |
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| Post #4 Jan 30 2006, 07:20 PM | Son N Law |
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I doubt this'll be any great shock for anyone who knows me, either. My second nomination is Judy Garland's unforgettable sepia-tone-to-color entrance into Munchkinland. More than sixty-five years later, the technique, timing, and emotional impact of this sequence still represents the very best the world of cinema has to offer. And I don't think I'm putting myself out on any sort of precarious limb when I predict that kids of all ages will still be watching, loving, and studying The Wizard of Oz sixty-five years from now. It just doesn't get much better than this. 4 |
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| Post #5 Jan 30 2006, 08:40 PM |
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Great choice. It is fascinating how they did the change. They actually filmed sepia-colored props in full color to help create the transition. Clever people, those film-makers. So far we have 4. Chime in, folks. Don't make SNL and I do all the heavy lifting. |
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| Post #6 Jan 31 2006, 09:40 AM |
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Apollo 13, the capsule has just broken through the ionization and radio communications have been restored. Ground control erupts. Gene Kranz maintains his composure and tugs at his vest. Posted Image 5 |
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| Post #7 Jan 31 2006, 10:21 AM | Son N Law |
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Well, if no one else is going to step up to the plate
;) Say the name Casablanca to most people, and they instantly think of "Play it once, Sam, for old times' sake" (if they even manage to get that one right), or "Knock on Wood," or Rick's goodbye to Ilsa ("Here's looking at you, kid"), or "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." So many iconic moments. But ask a real fan of the film for his or her favorite, and you'll almost always receive an answer that somehow hasn't quite made it all the way into the pop culture lexicon. The sequence in which the French resistance sympathisers, led by Laszlo, defiantly sing "La Marseillaise" to drown out the Nazis' performance of "Die Wacht am Rhein" is such a pivotal and moving moment, both in terms of the plot and in the development of Rick's character, that it deserves a place on any list of greatest movie moments. It's a perfect example of brilliant musical composition, precise lighting, subtle acting, and rock-solid scripting coming together to create pure movie magic. A bit of trivia from the DVD commentary for this scene: you'll notice that many of the singers are extremely emotional here, some of them openly weeping. These extras weren't really great actors; many of them were refugees who had suffered Nazi pursecution firsthand. 6 |
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| Post #8 Feb 2 2006, 09:04 PM | Paks |
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Well, I was going to mention Apollo 13 here, but you beat me to it. Hmmmp. *goes back to the piles of DVDs in the den* |
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| Post #9 Feb 2 2006, 10:27 PM |
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This makes 7: Topol, as Tevye, stomping around the rafters of an old barn, wiggling, singing "If I were a Rich Man." IF I WERE A RICH MAN - Lyrics IF I WERE A RICH MAN, DAIDLE, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DIGGUH, DIGGUH, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DUM. ALL DAY LONG I`D BIDDY, BIDDY BUM, IF I WERE A WEALTHY MAN. WOULDN`T HAVE TO WORK HARD, DAIDLE, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DIGGUH, DIGGUH, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DUM. IF I WERE A BIDDY, BIDDY RICH, DIGGUH, DIGGUH, DEEDLE, DAIDLE MAN. I`D BUILD A BIG TALL HOUSE WITH ROOMS BY THE DOZEN, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN; A FINE TIN ROOF WITH REAL WOODEN FLOORS BELOW. THERE COULD BE ONE LONG STAIR CASE JUST GOING UP AND ONE EVEN LONGER COMING DOWN; AND ONE MORE LEADING NOWHERE JUST FOR SHOW. I`D FILL MY YARD WITH CHICKS AND TURKEYS AND GEESE AND DUCKS FOR THE TOWN TO SEE AND HEAR; SQUAWKING JUST AS NOISILY AS THEY CAN. AND EACH LOUD QUACK AND CLUCK AND GOBBLE AND HONK WILL LAND LIKE A TRUMPET ON THE EAR; AS IF TO SAY HERE LIVES A WEALTHY MAN. IF I WERE A RICH MAN, DAIDLE, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DIGGUH, DIGGUH, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DUM. ALL DAY LONG I`D BIDDY, BIDDY BUM, IF I WERE A WEALTHY MAN. WOULDN`T HAVE TO WORK HARD, DAIDLE, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DIGGUH, DIGGUH, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DUM. IF I WERE A BIDDY, BIDDY RICH, DIGGUH, DIGGUH, DEEDLE, DAIDLE MAN. I SEE MY WIFE GOLDE LOOKING LIKE A RICH MAN`S WIFE WITH A PROPER DOUBLE CHIN; SUPERVISING MEALS TO HER HEART`S DELIGHT. I SEE HER PUTTING ON AIRS AND STRUTTING LIKE A PEA###### OY! WHAT A HAPPY MOOD SHE`S IN. SCREAMING AT THE SERVANTS DAY AND NIGHT. THE MOST IMPORTANT MEN IN TOWN WILL COME TO FAWN ON ME; THEY WILL ASK ME TO ADVISE THEM, LIKE SOLOMAN THE WISE, `IF YOU PLEASE, REB TEVYE, PARDON ME, REB TEVYE.` POSING PROBLEMS THAT WOULD CROSS A RABBI`S EYES. BOI, BOI, BOI, BOI, BOI, BOI, BOI, BOI, BOI. AND IT WON`T MAKE ONE BIT OF DIFF`RENCE IF I ANSWER RIGHT OR WRONG? WHEN YOU`RE RICH, THEY THINK YOU REALLY KNOW. IF I WERE RICH, I`D HAVE THE TIME THAT I LACK, TO SIT IN A SYNAGOGUE AND PRAY; AND MAYBE HAVE A SEAT BY THE EASTERN WALL. AND I`D DISCUSS THE HOLY BOOKS WITH THE LEARNED MEN SEVEN HOURS EV`RY DAY; THIS WOULD BE THE SWEETEST THING OF ALL. IF I WERE A RICH MAN, DAIDLE, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DIGGUH, DIGGUH, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DUM. ALL DAY LONG I`D BIDDY, BIDDY BUM, IF I WERE A WEALTHY MAN. WOULDN`T HAVE TO WORK HARD, DAIDLE, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DIGGUH, DIGGUH, DEEDLE, DAIDLE, DUM. LORD, WHO MADE THE LION AND THE LAMB, YOU DECREED I SHOULD BE WHAT I AM; WOULD IT SPOIL SOME VAST ETERNAL PLAN, IF I WERE A WEALTHY MAN? Posted Image 7 |
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| Post #10 Feb 4 2006, 05:37 PM | metzol |
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The Russian Roulette scene in "The Deer Hunter." One of the most intense and gripping pieces of drama. That movie has a plethora of great scenes, but the Russian roulette scene stands alone. 8 |
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| Post #11 Feb 4 2006, 07:13 PM |
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*shudder* I gotta agree, but *shudder* Anyway, here is the most juvenile all-time moment: The campfire scene in "Blazing Saddles," up to an including the moment where Slim Pickens comes out of the tent a-wavin' his hat. We are up to 9. 9 |
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| Post #12 Feb 5 2006, 04:54 AM | metzol |
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I'll go with another DeNiro (Oh how the mighty have fallen) classic moment... Taxi Driver "You talkin' to me? Are you talkin' to me? I don't see anybody else here, so you must be talkin' to me. Bang!" That classic monologue was entirely improvised by DeNiro. 10 |
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| Post #13 Feb 5 2006, 11:00 AM | Son N Law |
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When Harry Met Sally: "I'll have what she's having." 'Nuff said. 11 |
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| Post #14 Feb 5 2006, 11:19 AM |
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Wow. Great moment! Of course, you are talking about the scene and not just the line, right? Remember, the 100 greatest lines has already been done. Was that one of them? Had to be. Anyway, here is my entry for today. Caution, if you have not seen The Sixth Sense, this post contains a huge spoiler; scoll now! This is possibly a different moment for most who have seen the Sixth Sense, but I choose the moment when you figured out that Dr. Malcolm Crowe was a "dead people." One of the greatest movie hoodwinks or all time! 12 |
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| Post #15 Feb 5 2006, 11:36 AM | Son N Law |
| Yeah, I had in mind the scene that precedes that line. Just couldn't be bothered to describe the scene within the bounds of Civility's rules. ;) |
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| Post #16 Feb 6 2006, 01:01 PM | thevoice |
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For today, I'll go with the Michael Madsen scene from Reservoir Dogs, where he's dancin' around to Stuck In The Middle With You.... 13 |
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| Post #17 Feb 6 2006, 01:07 PM | Son N Law |
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You booger! I was going to nominate the drug-sniffing dog scene from Reservoir Dogs!
:P 14 |
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| Post #18 Feb 6 2006, 01:42 PM | thevoice |
Well, what the heck... Let's just nominate the whole movie!!!! |
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| Post #19 Feb 6 2006, 07:35 PM |
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We can't have all 100 moments come from a single movie! However, I don't see why we can't have two. Lessee....for today.....I pick...... Ned Beatty scrambling up the hillside in "Deliverance." *shudder* How many is this so far? 15 |
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| Post #20 Feb 6 2006, 09:16 PM | Son N Law |
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If both Reservoir Dogs nominations count, that brings us up to fourteen. Edited to add: Oops! Hit Submit too soon. For number fifteen, I nominate the attack on the skinny dipper at the beginning of Jaws. That scene still disturbs me as much today as it did when I was five. 16 |
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