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CaseCom · Oct 7, 2003, 04:44 AM

What do you think are the must-have titles in a DVD collection? My own collection is growing somewhat alarmingly and I'd like to be more selective in what I buy ... I don't want to end up with a "wall of DVDs."

Here's some of the "essentials" from my library:

The Godfather Trilogy: If you're a movie fan you have to own this. Period.

Citizen Kane and Casablanca: Two of the all-time greats.

Fellowship of the Ring Extended Version: The extras (especially the commentaries and interviews) just blew me away.

Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Hoosiers: Some of the best sports movies ever made. I'd also add John Sayles' "Eight Men Out," although some find it a bit dry.

Fargo, The Usual Suspects, Pulp Fiction: Some of the best quirky dramas to come out of the mid-'90s independent film renaissance.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Sixteen Candles, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the Breakfast Club: OK, I have a thing for '80s teen flicks.

The Civil War by Ken Burns: His style is so often imitated now you forget how amazing this really was back in 1990. Shelby Foote rules!

Saving Private Ryan: Best war movie ever?

Six Feet Under: The First Season: I don't know that I'd call any TV series "essential," because tastes vary so much, but this is just awesome. And I bought it without ever having seen the show since I don't have HBO.

On my wish list:
1. Indiana Jones trilogy (out next month!)
2. Toy Story and Toy Story 2 -- I can't find these anywhere; damn Disney for their limited releases! I may have to resort to Amazon.
3. Schindler's List -- why isn't this on DVD?!?

So ... what are your "essentials"? Let's hear some ideas. What did I leave out?

CaseCom · Oct 7, 2003, 04:55 AM

Here's what makes a movie not essential:

-- You've seen it so many times on TBS or TNT that there's not much point in owning it (examples: "Pretty Woman," or any Mel Gibson movie).

-- It's a fad movie that 10 years from now you'll feel sorry you spent money on it ("Men in Black," most of the Batman films ... sometimes I think "the Matrix" will end up in this category, sorry folks)

mitchell_pgh · Oct 7, 2003, 06:51 AM

Animal House, National Lampoons Vacation...

I also wouldn't consider Saving Private Ryan the best war movie ever... and although I love Six Feet Under... I wouldn't say that it's all that important to own. Citizen Kane is one of the most over-hyped movies of all times (in my opinion). I would be offended if I owned The Godfather Three... The REAL collectors edition should have only been one and two. Many of the 80's film look SO dated that I wouldn't even bother...

Others I would recommend:
- The Dear Hunter
- Patton
- Contact (maybe)

- - e r i k - - · Oct 7, 2003, 07:15 AM

Fight Club
Futurama Seasons 1-3
Simpsons Seasons 2-3

Xeo · Oct 7, 2003, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by CaseCom:
Here's what makes a movie not essential:

-- You've seen it so many times on TBS or TNT that there's not much point in owning it (examples: "Pretty Woman," or any Mel Gibson movie).

Indiana Jones falls under that category nicely, except it's such a classic it's still worth owning.

tintub · Oct 7, 2003, 08:18 AM

Spinal Tap

dlefebvre · Oct 7, 2003, 08:20 AM

Debby does Dallas

gadster · Oct 7, 2003, 08:31 AM

If you got kids, anything from Pixar.

dlefebvre · Oct 7, 2003, 08:38 AM

Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon

but they should release a 45 minutes collectors edition with only the fight scenes.

wifedoer68 · Oct 7, 2003, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by CaseCom:
Saving Private Ryan: Best war movie ever?

You haven't seen 'the thin red line', have you?

It was a superior film in every way.

- Ca$h

mitchell_pgh · Oct 7, 2003, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by wifedoer68:
You haven't seen 'the thin red line', have you?

It was a superior film in every way.

- Ca$h

You obviously have seen that movie... You could feel the guys pain in the end...

vexborg · Oct 7, 2003, 09:24 AM

Originally posted by gadster:
If you got kids, anything from Pixar.

Pixar's stuff is quite cool - but then again, I really like Blue Sky Studios/Fox Animation Studios "Ice Age" - I like Ice Age to the point, where I named one my wee kittens (one of three rascals) Diego after "Awww, the big, bad Tigey-Wigey gets left behind. Poor Tigey-Wigey." tiger from Ica Age

But among my other DVD favourites, there are:[list=1][*]Cube[*]Dark City[*]Labyrinth[*]Event Horizon[*]... everything with Father Ted[/list=1]

Kilbey · Oct 7, 2003, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by CaseCom:

Fargo, The Usual Suspects, Pulp Fiction: Some of the best quirky dramas to come out of the mid-'90s independent film renaissance.

Don't forget The Big Lebowski.

Saving Private Ryan: Best war movie ever?

WRONG!!! It was 2nd or maybe 3rd best. It's pretty damn close between We Were Soldiers or The Thin Red Line in a tie for 1st.

So ... what are your "essentials"? Let's hear some ideas. What did I leave out?

Ronin, Heat, and The Blues Brothers. Those are just a few off the top of my head.

Joshua · Oct 7, 2003, 10:34 AM

Lots of good suggestions so far. Here are a few of my favorites:

Amadeus
Amelie
Back to the Future 1-3
The Big Lebowski
Clerks
The Goonies
The Hudsucker Proxy
Jurassic Park (the original)
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Office Space
The Shawshank Redemption

mrfrost · Oct 7, 2003, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by tintub:
Spinal Tap

My essential dvd list (based on the quality of the dvd):

2001 : A space odyssey
Big trouble in little China (2 disc set)
The Thing (The commentary is absolutely hilarious)
LOTR : The fellowship of the ring (4 disc set)

tracheopterix · Oct 7, 2003, 11:04 AM

I second a lot of the above.
No way is we were soldiers even close to the best war movie.

some must owns:

City of the Lost Children
Amadeus
The Deer Hunter
The Brother's Quay Collection
The Matrix
2001

mitchell_pgh · Oct 7, 2003, 11:14 AM

Heat - Arguably the best movie to get an understanding and appreciation for digital 5.1 audio. (but I wish the bad guy would have won)

thirsty · Oct 7, 2003, 11:20 AM

Some of My Favs :

Dances With Wolves
The Godfather Trilogy
The Star Wars Trilogys ( if and when their all released )
The Abyss
ET
Terminator 2
Back to the Future Trilogy

It really comes back to what you enjoy watching. if you think you'll watch it again buy it. if not leave it on the shelf.

Will definatley be buying :
The Indiana Jones Trilogy
Finding Nemo
The Hulk
The Two Towers
Matrix Reloaded

keston · Oct 7, 2003, 11:20 AM

The were mentioned before, just giving an additional vote for them:

The Shawshank Redemption
Office Space
The Rock
Lord of the Rings
The Matrix
The Pixar features, Ice Age, Shrek - (for kids)

Axo1ot1 · Oct 7, 2003, 11:23 AM

IMO the best war movie ever is Platoon. Ryan is good, but it's really carried by the battles at the beginning and end. THe stuff in between gets tedious. Thin Red Line is a really dope movie. I don't know why so many people hate it. It's one of the few movies that makes me emotional.

Here are my essentials (in no particular order):

� The Big Lebowski
� Platoon
� South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
� Fight Club
� Amelie
� Equilibrium
� Apocalypse Now Redux
� Swingers
� Oh Brother, Where Art Thou
� American Beauty
� The Thin Red Line

osiris · Oct 7, 2003, 11:23 AM

In my essential order:

The Godfather Trilogy
The Shining (Kubrick)
2001; A Space Odyssey
The King of Comedy (Scorcese)
'Yume' - Dreams (Kurosawa)
Citizen Kane
Lord of the Rings (when the trilogy is released)
Apocalypse Now
Snatch
Fight Club
Some Like It Hot
Arsenic & Old Lace
The Matrix
South Park: The Movie

TV:
Seinfeld -whenever they release the series on DVD, GD it.

Nicko · Oct 7, 2003, 11:26 AM

soul searching · Oct 7, 2003, 11:27 AM

Besides what some of you have mentioned...Say hello to my lil frend!

Scarface

Kilbey · Oct 7, 2003, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Heat - Arguably the best movie to get an understanding and appreciation for digital 5.1 audio. (but I wish the bad guy would have won)

I hate morons who tell you there is an awesome movie you must see and then ruin it for you by telling you critical ending plot points.

BOT: Office Space is one of the best comedies ever made and a must in any DVD video collection.

Gankdawg · Oct 7, 2003, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by CaseCom:
Saving Private Ryan: Best war movie ever?

I think I'd go for Black Hawk Down.

As far as must have:

Office Space

Nicko · Oct 7, 2003, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by Kilbey:
I hate morons who tell you there is an awesome movie you must see and then ruin it for you by telling you critical ending plot points.

BOT: Office Space is one of the best comedies ever made and a must in any DVD video collection.

No way man, RONIN beats HEAT any day.

BTW: as far as the ending of Heat is concerned, it was a foregone conclusion.

catsank · Oct 7, 2003, 11:48 AM

Bang bang your dead !

Too many 'Hollywood' movies showing the
inwardness and juvenile natures of US consumers.

American movies are just eye candy, a couple
of hours to relieve us of having to think.

Part of the Pledge of Allegiance should read...
I am an american and like a dog, I will not
only consume anything, but love it...

Axo1ot1 · Oct 7, 2003, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by catsank:
Bang bang your dead !

Too many 'Hollywood' movies showing the
inwardness and juvenile natures of US consumers.

American movies are just eye candy, a couple
of hours to relieve us of having to think.

Part of the Pledge of Allegiance should read...
I am an american and like a dog, I will not
only consume anything, but love it...

you are a moron

catsank · Oct 7, 2003, 12:14 PM

Originally posted by Axo1ot1:
you are a moron

Right back at you Axo1ot1 - nerd !

mitchell_pgh · Oct 7, 2003, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by Kilbey:
I hate morons who tell you there is an awesome movie you must see and then ruin it for you by telling you critical ending plot points.

BOT: Office Space is one of the best comedies ever made and a must in any DVD video collection.

Have you ever watched heat... I gave nothing away...

Oh yah, in Saving Private Ryan... people end up dead...

Nonsuch · Oct 7, 2003, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by dlefebvre:
Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon

but they should release a 45 minutes collectors edition with only the fight scenes.

Buy "Iron Monkey." Same choreographer (Yuen Wu-Ping) and wall-to-wall fights. An essential piece of my collection.

I discovered in buying DVDs that it isn't necessarily the "classics" you want to buy; you want to buy movies you can watch and enjoy over and over. I have a copy of Annie Hall that I've watched once so far. It's a great movie, don't get me wrong, but I'm almost never in the mood to watch it. Schindler's List is a great movie, but how often are you going to put it in?

That said, here are some "re-watchable" classics from my collection:

The Big Lebowski
O Brother Where Art Thou?
Jackie Brown
Donnie Brasco
Iron Monkey
Police Story 1, 3
Family Guy
Legend of Drunken Master (yes, I like martial arts films)

Gankdawg · Oct 7, 2003, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by catsank:
...a couple of hours to relieve us of having to think.

Exactly what I'm looking for most of the time. Some movies do make you think and remember, most just take you away for a little while.

Kilbey · Oct 7, 2003, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by Nicko:
No way man, RONIN beats HEAT any day.

I agree, what made you think I thought otherwise?

funkboy · Oct 7, 2003, 12:37 PM

Originally posted by Kilbey:
Don't forget The Big Lebowski.

Ten bucks at Best Buy.

It really ties the room together.

WRONG!!! It was 2nd or maybe 3rd best. It's pretty damn close between We Were Soldiers or The Thin Red Line in a tie for 1st.

Shut the f*** up, Donny.

I don't claim to know much about war movies (I haven't seen either of the two you mention), but Full Metal Jacket was an amazing "not quite war" movie. Half of it was in Vietnam, the other half was training - and I think it gave a pretty darn accurate representation of what the military was like then. Hitting and such isn't quite the norm nowadays, I don't think, since I watched the movie with someone in the Army and he said a lot of this crap would not go over very well at all now... but still, a great piece, worthy of any DVD collection.

--

Citizen Kane - great package they put together, I got it for a weekend, pretty much watched everything on both disks, and then bought it this year. Just that great.

Back to the Future - get the trilogy, it's fun.

PCU - a cult favorite of mine, and it just came out on DVD. Jeremy Piven has a whiny commentary track, though.

Ghostbusters - the perfect 80s comedy. Or 90s. Or whenever.

CaseCom · 01:17 PM

Originally posted by funkboy:
Citizen Kane - great package they put together, I got it for a weekend, pretty much watched everything on both disks, and then bought it this year. Just that great.

Yes, I especially thought the commentary track by Roger Ebert was really interesting. The "Battle over Citizen Kane" docu was good too.

Funny about those commentaries. I bought the new "special edition" of "Fargo" and was disappointed to find the sole commentary to be utterly boring (by the cinematographer, shoulda known).

Anyway. Thanks for the good ideas, all. And it sounds like I will definitely have to see "The Thin Red Line."

wifedoer68 · Oct 7, 2003, 01:02 PM

Originally posted by mitchell_pgh:
Heat - Arguably the best movie to get an understanding and appreciation for digital 5.1 audio. (but I wish the bad guy would have won)

I love that movie, but the DVD just plain blows. Cheap cardboard case, no extras, no deleted scenes, and no behind the scenes stuff.

Lame.

When they release a good version, I'm so ready to buy it.

- Ca$h

wifedoer68 · Oct 7, 2003, 01:08 PM

#1 Movie:

The Boondock Saints- I've watched this movie I don't know how many times, and I never get sick of it. The main characters are just so 'real' to me, and I think the movie has quite an edge to it that I've yet to find anywhere else. If I could only have one movie, it would be this one. Yeah, it has some weaknesses (mostly how it doesn't flow between scenes, especially near the end), but they can be overlooked because of its many many strong points.

#2: Thin Red Line. Brilliance.

#3: Iron Monkey- Best kung-fu movie ever, way better than that Crouching Dragon Snappy Tiger love story garbage. This movie roxors!

I'll add more later.

- Ca$h

catsank · Oct 7, 2003, 01:13 PM

Originally posted by Gankdawg:
..a couple of hours to relieve us of having to think... Exactly what I'm looking for most of the time. Some movies do make you think and remember, most just take you away for a little while.

Sadly you are not alone.

daimoni · 10:53 AM

.

Nicko · Oct 7, 2003, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by daimoni:
Your coolness factor just went WAY up.

OMG I gotta pick that up.

mrfrost · Oct 7, 2003, 01:35 PM

Originally posted by daimoni:
Your coolness factor just went WAY up.

Well, it couldn't have possibly sank any lower.

"When some wild-eyed, eight-foot-tall maniac grabs your neck, taps the back of your favorite head up against the barroom wall, looks you crooked in the eye and asks you if ya paid your dues, you just stare that big sucker right back in the eye, and you remember what ol' Jack Burton always says at a time like that: "Have ya paid your dues, Jack?" "Yessir, the check is in the mail."

Phanguye · Oct 7, 2003, 02:22 PM

[list=1][*]Donnie Darko[*]Pi[*]Requiem for a Dream[*]Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels[*]Snatch[*]The Proffesional[*]O Brother, Where Art Thou[/list=1]

just what i can think of right now... and The Deer Hunter is the best war film ever

funkboy · Oct 7, 2003, 02:31 PM

Originally posted by CaseCom:
Funny about those commentaries. I bought the new "special edition" of "Fargo" and was disappointed to find the sole commentary to be utterly boring (by the cinematographer, shoulda known).

I absolutely love commentary tracks - I think every movie should have a good one by the cast, crew, and/or director producer and writers. That's mostly why I love the Lord of the Rings Extended Version DVD - 3 or 4 separate commentaries, all filled to the brim with interesting observations! I'm definitely waiting and looking forward to The Two Towers Extended Version.

And you should have talked to me about the Fargo disc - I got one for free at a promo thing here in North Dakota (guess what city?) for the release of the new DVD. Free DVD! I still haven't opened it, though... debating on whether I really want the DVD or should sell it on ebay since it's new in the wrapper.

I read a review of it before I got the DVD for free and it said the commentary was really not that great. Why don't the Coen brothers do a commentary? Maybe not until they're old and confused and lacking money. I hope some directors (like the Coen brothers) are recording commentaries now, keeping them hidden away, ready to be unleashed on new DVDs in the future.

OwlBoy · Oct 7, 2003, 02:56 PM

I totally agree with Six Feet Under I have only seen it on DVD, so I am anxiously awaiting the second season on DVD...

-Owl

Nicko · Oct 7, 2003, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by OwlBoy:
I totally agree with Six Feet Under I have only seen it on DVD, so I am anxiously awaiting the second season on DVD...

-Owl

That is my new favorite show. They just starting showing Seaon One here in Canada and its great.

OwlBoy · Oct 7, 2003, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Nicko:
That is my new favorite show. They just starting showing Seaon One here in Canada and its great.

Yeah, and the fact that each episode builds on the last is awesome. None of this clean slate **** every episode.

-Owl

wifedoer68 · Oct 7, 2003, 03:17 PM

#4. Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels- Grittier than Snatch, and in my opinion its better that way. "I ****ing hate parking wardens" and the dueling banjos are great. This is awesome.

#5. Pi - um.. Yeah.... If you haven't seen this movie you are not cool.

Or maybe you're genious!

#6. The Matrix Trilogy 6 disc DVD set. You know we're all getting it.

hehehe.

#7. Animal House. TOGA TOGA TOGA TOGA! hehe

#8. The Score. Edward Norton and Robert DeNiro. Cat burglars. Great cinematography. Nuff said.

#9. Amelie: Neat Movie. I can dig it. Interesting people, interesting faces, interesting story, and interesting pallete.

#10. Fight Club.

#11. Equilibrium. Gun Kata. Woot!!!!!!! Gotta see it to understand it!

#12. Dead Poet's Society.

#13. THE ROCK - Sean Connery, Nicholaus Cage, freaking BADASS. It's totally over polished but sometimes that's just a good thing. This movie is so much fun to watch. Hehe.

#14. American History X and 25th Hour. Both star Edward Norton, both are about racism, what it does to people and are very 'tense' movies. 25th Hour kinda flew below the radar; if you haven't seen it, I suggest you check it out sometime. It's a really great story, plus it was directed by Spike Lee.

- Ca$h

Truepop · Oct 7, 2003, 03:28 PM

I agree with suprising a lot of them. Here is my list and I will keep it short and try not to repeat any.

All of the Jersey Series
Pulp Fiction
Sabrina (I like the original but the 1995 remake is good too.)
The Jerk
Caddyshack
GhostBusters
Young Frankenstein
As Good as it Gets
Full Metal Jacket
Wrath of Khan
The Last Temptation of Christ
The Seventh Seal
Evil Dead Triology
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

OwlBoy · Oct 7, 2003, 03:32 PM

Originally posted by wifedoer68:

#8. The Score. Edward Norton and Robert DeNiro. Cat burglars. Great cinematography. Nuff said.

- Ca$h

The Score? Hmm, I thought that one was kind of blah. Not somthing I would wanna see again soon.

All your other ones are great picks though! Have you seen Requium for a Dream? Its by the director of Pi, I liked it a lot. Makes me wanna see Pi...

-Owl

wifedoer68 · Oct 7, 2003, 03:53 PM

Originally posted by OwlBoy:
The Score? Hmm, I thought that one was kind of blah. Not somthing I would wanna see again soon.

All your other ones are great picks though! Have you seen Requium for a Dream? Its by the director of Pi, I liked it a lot. Makes me wanna see Pi...

-Owl

It isn't a comedy, it's kinda... eh... subtle. I love the actors in the movie (Deniro, Ed Norton, and Brando) and I freaking LOVE cat burglar flicks, I love the concept of intelligent people pulling off an amazing feat, kinda like "Usual Suspects". The fact that most of the movie was spent on scoping out the Customs House, the equipment, etc, was AWESOME. Very realistic, and VERY cool. I also loved the sets... the jazz club... the shadows all over the place. Everything is just top notch in my opinion, though I do think you have to be in the mood to watch it. But ... for instance, the main characters faces are almost ALWAYS in shadow (or partial shadow), throughout the entire movie, right until the end, when they reveal their true character (or true motives). AWESOME!

- Ca$h

PS: EVERYONE RENT THE BOONDOCK SAINTS!!!!!!!!!

PPS: No, I haven't seen Requiem yet. My friend (and roommate last year) John and I are pretty close, and we have very similar tastes in movies. He saw Requiem, and it REALLY affected/depressed him for quite a while, and when I asked him about it he always responded "If you made a movie like Pi, and you finally had success, why would make a movie like that??? I don't understand why anyone would just WANT to go make a movie like that". So...eh.. I've been hesitant to see it. I'm not sure I want to.