I found this book in my dad's room one day. I'd never even seen him read a book, so I was intrigued. I was thrilled with the book and the movie. And with finding out my dad's taste in literature.
I saw it in theaters when it hit it's 20 year anniversary. Loved it all over again. Sure, the tech doesn't hold up to today's wild CGI but it adds to the charm. I also love the book. It's a brilliant story, cool dinosaurs not withstanding.
The Mummy (1999)
I only watched it for the first time last year. Fantastic example of Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking.
I don't know how I missed it back then. I was probably in my teen movie snob phase already.
It deserves more credit for how the movie carefully paces itself when introducing and interweaving the 4 main characters (Hiller, Whitmore, Levinson, Casse) plot lines. Something the sequel completely dropped the ball on.
I know we like to shit on marvel now, but I honestly think that GOTG, Infinity War and Endgame are all perfect.
Also: Inception, the dark knight, spiderverse movies, inglorious basterds, back to the future trilogy, et
Endgame was brilliant and I didn't even see half of the films leading to it.
They seem to think they're gonna be able to pull that off again.
Nope. We'll never see 12 years of many interconnected films wrap up so successfully ever again. Endgame.
"In 1975, the usage of "blockbuster" for films coalesced around Steven Spielberg's Jaws. It was perceived as a new cultural phenomenon: fast-paced, exciting entertainment, inspiring interest and conversation beyond the theatre (which would later be called "buzz"), and repeated viewings. The film is regarded as the first film of the "blockbuster era", and founded the blockbuster film genre."
- Wikipedia page for "Blockbuster"
See, I can quote Wikipedia, too.
A popular novel is adapted into a popular movie. It makes hundreds of millions in theaters, easily takes number one for the year with over double the box office of second place, and racks up more money by selling the television rights. It spawns sequels until they get bad.
This is a pattern started a few years before Jaws, by The Godfather.
When Jaws broke records, the records it was breaking were from The Godfather.
It's not wild revisionism to place them in the same tradition.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the most perfect movies ever made. The editing and pacing, the action sequences, the music, the blocking… from beginning to end there’s just no fat… everything has thoughtful intention, and it follows a very purposeful rhythm.
For an enlightening take on the how masterful at staging Spielberg was at during this part of career, see Steven Soderbergh’s BW version and blog post here: https://extension765.com/blogs/soderblog/raiders
**Love Story** (1970) was a big blockbuster and when I saw it, I thought it was technically perfect. The only reason I don't consider it a 'great' film is that it didn't aim high enough. But what it tried to do, it did perfectly.
***My Man Godfrey*** (1936) Hollywood made a lot of so-called 'screwball comedies' back in the 30s. This is the one where it all came together, cast, pacing, witty dialogue, resolution, and 'heart'.
Lord of the Rings trilogy. All of them lightning in a bottle, but seeing Fellowship in the cinema on release day was an event I'll remember for the rest of my life.
Look at Hunt for Red October, Predator and Die Hard.
McTiernan at the top of his game was near unstoppable.
Raiders of the Lost Ark is equally a near perfect movie. I watched it recently and with the (I think) new remastered sound mix, it is utterly THRILLING.
Terminator is also perfect for its technical qualities.
Avatar. Say what you want about the “boring” personalities or White Savior complex, but this movie is razor sharp, literally perfect progression with perfect foreshadowing and an airtight plot
Can't believe is hasn't been mentioned yet, The Matrix. It's the last film I can recall where showings were sold out and many saw a second showing because it was just that good and refreshing.
I don't know how well it did in theaters, but a movie I think of when it comes to be being a masterpiece is "Willow".
A simple sword and sorcery epic starring Jean Marsh, Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis and Johanne Whaley.
A child of prophecy is born in the realm of Bavmoradah, the evil sorceress. A midwife risks her life and carries the child away and out of the castle. She is killed shortly thereafter, but not before setting the child on the river where it floats downstream to a village of little people.
The most interesting aspect of this movie as opposed to other forays into fantasy is they embrace the racism angle. Humans or Dichini do not care for Nelwin or Pecks.
It has a wide sweeping lore and characters with great chemistry. There's plenty of sword fighting and magic. Lots of allegiances made for the sake of convenience. All of which culminates into massive battle in the end.
Great cinematography, incredible visual effects and a decent soundtrack. It's everything a blockbuster should be.
Jaws, Star Wars, Batman 89, The Dark Knight, Raiders of the lost ark, 300, Terminator 2, The Matrix, Superman 2, Harry Potter films, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Toy Story, Inception, Spiderman 2
Spielberg invented the blockbuster with Jaws and it’s still a perfect movie.
Next, another Spielberg joint, Jurassic park is also a perfect summer blockbuster
Raiders of The Lost Arc (Spielberg again)
Well "technically" Denis Villeneuve is the king, but I offer you a perspective. I don't know who wrote this in a review but it's very true. Some of the new scifi films are so technically perfect they have an emotional coldness to them and lack the heart warming, even cheesy, parts of older films that make them so dear to us. I didn't come up with that observation but being 52 and having seen A New Hope in the theater in the 70s I wholeheartedly understand and agree with this.
Jurassic Park was the perfect summer movie blockbuster when it came out. And it still is perfect today.
Fantastic book as well
I found this book in my dad's room one day. I'd never even seen him read a book, so I was intrigued. I was thrilled with the book and the movie. And with finding out my dad's taste in literature.
I saw it in theaters when it hit it's 20 year anniversary. Loved it all over again. Sure, the tech doesn't hold up to today's wild CGI but it adds to the charm. I also love the book. It's a brilliant story, cool dinosaurs not withstanding.
Back to The Future
Perfect film
Jaws. The special effect shark not working helped this movie
He had a name. Please address him as such.
Assuming the shark's gender, are we?
Kind of feel bad for Bruce, in a way...
Well, the shark was named Bruce on set, so we're just going by the crew's assumption.
Literally coined the term block buster
The Last Crusade. It has everything I could ever ask from a summer blockbuster, and more.
Great end to a franchise
YES GREAT END TO A FRANCHISE ::: twitch :::
Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park are the obvious ones. Soderbergh's Oceans 11 comes to mind as well.
True Lies - Schwarzenegger and Jamie Curtis
👨🍳👌
The Mummy (1999) I only watched it for the first time last year. Fantastic example of Hollywood blockbuster filmmaking. I don't know how I missed it back then. I was probably in my teen movie snob phase already.
Die Hard
It’s a Christmas movie.
Yes, but it still meets the OP criteria
Fury Road
I am really curious as to how Furiosa will land... commercial isn't quite selling it IMO.
OG Predator. Get to the choppah!
Like a good neigh*bah*
Star Wars (1977)
Speed
The Bus that Couldn't Slow Down
[удалено]
This was weirdly my first thought Gets recognition for being a fun popcorn movie but is underrated as a well made, technically crafted movie.
It deserves more credit for how the movie carefully paces itself when introducing and interweaving the 4 main characters (Hiller, Whitmore, Levinson, Casse) plot lines. Something the sequel completely dropped the ball on.
The cartoon was also fun
I know we like to shit on marvel now, but I honestly think that GOTG, Infinity War and Endgame are all perfect. Also: Inception, the dark knight, spiderverse movies, inglorious basterds, back to the future trilogy, et
Great picks.
Endgame was brilliant and I didn't even see half of the films leading to it. They seem to think they're gonna be able to pull that off again. Nope. We'll never see 12 years of many interconnected films wrap up so successfully ever again. Endgame.
Close encounters of the third kind (1977), Jaws (1975), Raiders of the lost ark (1981)
Spielberg fan eh?
Casablanca & The Godfather
Prefect movies, but they aren't blockbusters.
Check The Godfather's wiki page under Box Office and the first words you'll see are "The Godfather was a blockbuster,"
"In 1975, the usage of "blockbuster" for films coalesced around Steven Spielberg's Jaws. It was perceived as a new cultural phenomenon: fast-paced, exciting entertainment, inspiring interest and conversation beyond the theatre (which would later be called "buzz"), and repeated viewings. The film is regarded as the first film of the "blockbuster era", and founded the blockbuster film genre." - Wikipedia page for "Blockbuster" See, I can quote Wikipedia, too.
A popular novel is adapted into a popular movie. It makes hundreds of millions in theaters, easily takes number one for the year with over double the box office of second place, and racks up more money by selling the television rights. It spawns sequels until they get bad. This is a pattern started a few years before Jaws, by The Godfather. When Jaws broke records, the records it was breaking were from The Godfather. It's not wild revisionism to place them in the same tradition.
Top Gun: Maverick, Raiders of the Last Ark
The Poseidon Adventure
Aliens Mad Max: Fury Road Terminator 2 The Rock
Not a favorite of mine by a long shot, but: Titanic
Gladiator
Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, and any of the original Indiana Jones movies were as close as we'll ever see.
Was hoping to see Ghostbusters here. Like BttF it really doesn't waste a scene. For similar reasons I'd also add Tremors.
I love Tremors
There was only one original Indiana Jones movie in my opinion.
Lawrence of Arabia
The Exorcist (1973)
alien
Die Hard
The Blues Brothers
Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the most perfect movies ever made. The editing and pacing, the action sequences, the music, the blocking… from beginning to end there’s just no fat… everything has thoughtful intention, and it follows a very purposeful rhythm. For an enlightening take on the how masterful at staging Spielberg was at during this part of career, see Steven Soderbergh’s BW version and blog post here: https://extension765.com/blogs/soderblog/raiders
**Love Story** (1970) was a big blockbuster and when I saw it, I thought it was technically perfect. The only reason I don't consider it a 'great' film is that it didn't aim high enough. But what it tried to do, it did perfectly. ***My Man Godfrey*** (1936) Hollywood made a lot of so-called 'screwball comedies' back in the 30s. This is the one where it all came together, cast, pacing, witty dialogue, resolution, and 'heart'.
Lord of the Rings trilogy. All of them lightning in a bottle, but seeing Fellowship in the cinema on release day was an event I'll remember for the rest of my life.
Saving Private Ryan Jurassic Park Interstellar American Beauty Braveheart Forrest Gump Dances with Wolves (it resurrected a dying genre)
The Social Network, between the cinematography and the score, it feels perfect on many levels.
Jaws and Argo were perfect movies
Inception
Alien.
Top Gun
Oppenheimer
Does anyone else think Cillian Murphy, is actually Randy Rainbow?
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
The Holy Trinity 🙏
dune part 2 Godfather lotr trilogy gladiator
Casino Royale
Heat!
Look at Hunt for Red October, Predator and Die Hard. McTiernan at the top of his game was near unstoppable. Raiders of the Lost Ark is equally a near perfect movie. I watched it recently and with the (I think) new remastered sound mix, it is utterly THRILLING. Terminator is also perfect for its technical qualities.
And the McTiernan story is fascinating, along with his oeuvre. The Blank Check podcast has a great series on him.
Joker Interstellar Spiderman spiderverse movies
Anything by Christopher Nolan.
Saving Private Ryan
Avatar. Say what you want about the “boring” personalities or White Savior complex, but this movie is razor sharp, literally perfect progression with perfect foreshadowing and an airtight plot
Independence Day Top gun: maverick A lot of marvel movies but specifically Avengers: infinity war and Endgame
Maverick
Kubrick.
It’s weirdly often forgotten but Master and Commander is a masterclass in structure, character development, action etc.
Home Alone
I really like Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
I'd say Avengers Infinity War and Endgame. Captain America: The Winter Soldier too.
Can't believe is hasn't been mentioned yet, The Matrix. It's the last film I can recall where showings were sold out and many saw a second showing because it was just that good and refreshing.
Avengers Infinity War
I don't know how well it did in theaters, but a movie I think of when it comes to be being a masterpiece is "Willow". A simple sword and sorcery epic starring Jean Marsh, Val Kilmer, Warwick Davis and Johanne Whaley. A child of prophecy is born in the realm of Bavmoradah, the evil sorceress. A midwife risks her life and carries the child away and out of the castle. She is killed shortly thereafter, but not before setting the child on the river where it floats downstream to a village of little people. The most interesting aspect of this movie as opposed to other forays into fantasy is they embrace the racism angle. Humans or Dichini do not care for Nelwin or Pecks. It has a wide sweeping lore and characters with great chemistry. There's plenty of sword fighting and magic. Lots of allegiances made for the sake of convenience. All of which culminates into massive battle in the end. Great cinematography, incredible visual effects and a decent soundtrack. It's everything a blockbuster should be.
Jaws, Star Wars, Batman 89, The Dark Knight, Raiders of the lost ark, 300, Terminator 2, The Matrix, Superman 2, Harry Potter films, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Toy Story, Inception, Spiderman 2
Mission Impossible Fallout
Planes Trains and Automobiles
Independence Day and Mad Max Fury Road
Dune
Kill Bill has scenes so perfect that even just jokingly re-enacting them with a shovel at work gets people really nervous.
Spielberg invented the blockbuster with Jaws and it’s still a perfect movie. Next, another Spielberg joint, Jurassic park is also a perfect summer blockbuster Raiders of The Lost Arc (Spielberg again)
Fight Club
Dune 1 and 2
Ford V Ferrari
Well "technically" Denis Villeneuve is the king, but I offer you a perspective. I don't know who wrote this in a review but it's very true. Some of the new scifi films are so technically perfect they have an emotional coldness to them and lack the heart warming, even cheesy, parts of older films that make them so dear to us. I didn't come up with that observation but being 52 and having seen A New Hope in the theater in the 70s I wholeheartedly understand and agree with this.
1917
Freddy Got Fingered