I see that we have best Sci-Fi, but no Best Fantasy. I'd say "The Wizard of Oz" and "Stairway to Heaven"/ "A Matter of Life and Death" where David Niven jumps out of his plane without a parachute during WW II and lives are the best. Oops, "The Devil and Daniel Webster" is awesomely-humbling and beautiful, and the Don Ameche/Gene Tierney "Heaven Can Wait"(1943), which is ostensibly one of the sweetest, most-hilarious romantic comedies ever, has some of the best fantasy bookends of all-time. Try to check those out if possible, but what do you think?
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
Posts: 12945 | Location: Behind the Orange Curtain | Registered: 14 May 2004
As much as I admire Lord of the Rings, it's unfortunate that in film as in literature, fantasy is too often synonymous with sword and sorcery, much as science fiction is synonymous with space opera. I enjoy both sub genres, but there is so much more.
Like f'rinstance:
Time Bandits I was fourteen when it came out and for the next fourteen years, I secretly wished a gang of dwarves would come out of my closet one night.
Truly, Madly, Deeply Rarely is a romantic fantasy told with so much honesty. Quite simply one of my favorite films of all time.
Wings of Desire It's hard to believe a movie of such overwhelming, sweeping beauty can be so intimate.
Now Playing: "Acquired Dreams" Nitin Sawhney streaming on Seattle's KEXP
This message has been edited. Last edited by: LinnTate,
Posts: 1584 | Location: Bloomington, IN | Registered: 23 May 2004
quote:Originally posted by Soadlover: Know-it-all there are so many better fantasy films than that. How about Star Wars, that was hands down the best.
Maybe in your opinion there are. You shouldnt say blankly I'm wrong and your right. You say I think that this. I could comment on a million of your posts and say your wrong, but I dont. Im not mad, just rephrase your post next time.
Posts: 637 | Location: California | Registered: 24 August 2004
I know I come off really bad on most of my posts, but I in no way meant you were wrong, just that there are many other good Fantasies, "My bad" Maybe I should create a thread on General Discussion that apologizes for all of the moronic and occasionally ludacris things that I say. Usually when I say things such as that it is a way of just attempting to open ones mind to other things.
Posts: 4164 | Location: Bat Country | Registered: 18 October 2004
I still like my original choices, but I let out an enormous brain fart when I left off "Mary Poppins" and several Disney animated fairy tales, but the cartoons are more forgivable since they have their own topic.
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
Posts: 12945 | Location: Behind the Orange Curtain | Registered: 14 May 2004
The question should be what's the second best fantasy film. Because to me, as subjective as film is, there's only one answer for best fantasy film. That being "The Wizard of Oz" of course. Beautiful film, amazing story telling, inovative use of the color and black & white. Great songs, great message, wonderful timing in history. It's perfect and crystaline. Nothing can compare. Nothing can or ever will be better than "The Wizard of Oz"
So this is why we should ask what the second best fantasy film of all time is.
I'd say probably "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" of "The Princess Bride" It's a tough call between those two for me.
But universally the only acceptable answer is "The Wizard of Oz" like I said. In 100 or 1,000 years the answer of course will still be the same.
Fantasy as described by The American Film Institute dispenses with the need for scientific explanation, presenting fairy-tale or mythological events (inclusive of Star Wars). Thus my eclectic list includes:
Brazil (1985) - a strangely retro sci-fi movie that seems to border on fantasy imagery of a time and place that really never existed.
Excaliber (1981) - the best hard-edged and serious gutsy portrayal of the Authurian legend.
Spirited Away (2001) - clearly one of the best animated fantasy movies to come out in decades.
Lord of the Rings (trilogy) - the movie version of the classic fantasy novels.
La Planete Sauvage (1973) - a foreign, animated sci-fi/fantasy world of strange beings and customs, a more convoluted, darker pre-Spirited Away movie.
Steppenwolf (1974) - a classic, compelling look at the incomprehensive work of Herman Hesse.
Posts: 1481 | Location: Utah, United States | Registered: 22 July 2005
Are we just talking straight fantasy? swords, swashbuckling, magic, etc. etc. etc. fantasy? No Sci-Fi stuff right?
I'm gonna agree with Wizard of Oz, The Princess Bride, Legend, Brazil, The Never Ending Story, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Pirates of the Carribean, Storm Riders, Bride with White Hair, and Willow. Everybody hates on Willow. It's basically Lucas's version of Star Wars disguised as LOTR.
Posts: 261 | Location: Chicago | Registered: 10 August 2005
Well I definitely love Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins, as well as the LOTR films, but I am going to stay away from animated films.
Excalibur - A tough, seriously dark portrayal of the classic tale. Conan the Barbarian The Adventures of Baron Munchausen - A great cast and a seriously fun story. Dragonslayer Highlander - Some consider this the beginning of "action fantasy." Whatever that is. Something Wicked This Way Comes - This came out when I was a kid and it still fraks me out. Read the story, too. City of Lost Children The Dark Crystal - I had a chance to watch this the other day and I still love it!
Il n'y a pas de hors-texte.
Posts: 3139 | Location: FoCo | Registered: 07 January 2005
Oo... I forgot about the Dark Crystal. I saw that when i was a lot younger and loved it. Have to see it again. I think there is a new movie coming out by the same director called Mirror Mask.
Posts: 637 | Location: California | Registered: 24 August 2004
Originally posted by PRG: Excalibur - A tough, seriously dark portrayal of the classic tale. Conan the Barbarian The Adventures of Baron Munchausen - A great cast and a seriously fun story. Dragonslayer
Those are all excellent choices. My favorite of those is Excalibur. I don't think enough people have seen that or Conan and Dragonslayer. Have you seen the 1943 color German film Baron Munchhausen? Turner Classic Movies played it two weeks ago and it was quite impressive. It reminded me stylistically of a Michael Powell film, although it didn't quite have the heart.
"Naked Woman, Naked Man Where did you get that nice sun tan?"
Posts: 12945 | Location: Behind the Orange Curtain | Registered: 14 May 2004
PRG's commentary on Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) - "This came out when I was a kid and it still fraks me out. Read the story, too" is a welcome reminder of a movie I overlooked. A Ray Bradbury, a true science fiction/fantasy master, directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Jason Robards, Jr. and Jonathan Pryce created an eerie, psychological/horror/thriller, very unique in its own creepy fashion. The movie was very detailed, emotionally intimate and sort of pre-Stephen King genre. I am going to have to add this movie to my top movie list.
Posts: 1481 | Location: Utah, United States | Registered: 22 July 2005
