Most hauntingly nihilistic movie ending:

MrScorpio

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:09 PM
Original message

Most hauntingly nihilistic movie ending:

Edited on Fri Dec-02-05 09:09 PM by MrScorpio

Pound for pound, you can't beat John Frankenheimer's SECONDS

What's your choice?

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CBHagman

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:12 PM
Response to Original message

1. Reuben, Reuben.

Two decades after seeing it, I'm still shaken.

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TallahasseeGrannie

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:28 PM
Response to Original message

2. Two: Leaving Las Vegas and Joe

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ForrestGump

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:34 PM
Response to Original message

3. Can't pick just one, but it's good to hear mention of "Seconds." It's

an incredible film. I never even heard of it until I saw it last year, and now I've got the DVD. Way, way ahead of it's time (and not just the nudity!) -- still is, really. I think I'll have to watch it again this weekend, now that you mention it.

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readermostly

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Sat Dec-03-05 11:09 PM
Response to Reply #3

52. Yes, Seconds ending was unforgettable. Everytime I've seen it I want

to change the ending. Definitely Rock Hudson's best acting.

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Enraged_Ape

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Sun Dec-04-05 09:46 AM
Response to Reply #52

61. "Seconds" truly is an unsung classic

I watched it on DVD recently and was shocked at the nudity in the "Bacchanalia" scene. Evidently this had been cut out for a while and then restored.

The ending of that movie is not only nihilistic, it's absolutely terrifying.

And yes, it has some terrific acting from everyone involved, including Mr. Hudson, Will Geer, and Richard "Oscar Goldman" Anderson.

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DanCa

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:36 PM
Response to Original message

4. They Live

When Roddy Piper's character - did he ever have a name dies at the end.

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MrScorpio

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:44 PM
Response to Reply #4

7. His name was Nada

An ordinary joe who, was nothing to the aliens, until he exposed them

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stanwyck

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:43 PM
Response to Original message

5. The Conversation

Gene Hackman totally tangled up in all his surveillance tapes.

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Pale Blue Dot

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Sat Dec-03-05 09:58 PM
Response to Reply #5

37. Great, great film.

But where was the microphone?

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stanwyck

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:26 PM
Response to Reply #37

40. OK. You got me.

I'll have to watch it again and get back to you.

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Twillig

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:56 PM
Response to Reply #37

46. In the saxaphone, I say!

Well, it's about the only thing he didn't tear to pieces to search...:shrug:

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Pale Blue Dot

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Sat Dec-03-05 11:01 PM
Response to Reply #46

50. That's what I think, too.

It would also be ironic, since he turned to the saxaphone for his "escape."

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Zorro

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:56 PM
Response to Reply #37

47. It was in the one place he didn't tear apart

His saxaphone.

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Twillig

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Sat Dec-03-05 11:00 PM
Response to Reply #47

49. Whoah!

Great minds etc. etc. !!

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Zorro

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Sat Dec-03-05 11:04 PM
Response to Reply #49

51. Posted at the exact time, too

You must have beat me by a nanosecond!

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NNadir

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:36 PM
Response to Reply #5

42. Bambi.

Or Chinatown.

One of those, I'm sure.

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XemaSab

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Sun Dec-04-05 01:41 AM
Response to Reply #42

56. The ending to the book "Bambi" for sure

Disney stuck on a happy ending... :P

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Oeditpus Rex

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:43 PM
Response to Original message

6. Most hauntingly nihilistic start to finish

...that I've seen, anyway: "Kontroll."

Netflix synopsis:

This Hungarian box office smash hit and winner of the Prix de la Jeunes award at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival takes place entirely underground in the Budapest subway system. A variety of personalities converge on the turnstiles, including a dashing young man, an exotic woman and a murderer, all of whom are desperately racing against time and their surroundings to find one another … before they are found themselves.

(Doesn't "nihilistic" have way more than its share of 'i's?) :shrug:

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Gold Metal Flake

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:44 PM
Response to Original message

8. Vanishing Point.

I just posted about VP in the Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry thread before seeing this one.

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DemoTex

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Sun Dec-04-05 01:27 PM
Response to Reply #8

69. I loved Vanishing Point

I first saw VP sitting in a tree outside the fence at the Auburn-Opelika Drive-in Theater.

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tigereye

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:45 PM
Response to Original message

9. Seven

I couldn't look at Kevin Spacey for weeks without feeling a bit afraid....

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aquaman

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Fri Dec-02-05 11:37 PM
Response to Reply #9

19. Seven is exactly what I thought the second I saw this thread.

Creepy flick.

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tigereye

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Sat Dec-03-05 02:17 PM
Response to Reply #19

20. I am a big weenie usually when it comes to this type of movie

but I found the premise fascinating... however, it was totally creepy.

And I love Morgan Freeman as the wise, sad, crusty voice of reason. He does that so well.

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ForrestGump

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Fri Dec-02-05 09:45 PM
Response to Original message

10. One a recent DU thread reminded me of: "House of Sand and Fog" was

pretty bleak. :-(

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conflictgirl

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Fri Dec-02-05 11:28 PM
Response to Reply #10

15. It was bleak, but also amazing in my opinion.

The first movie that popped into my head when I saw this thread title was "Requiem for a Dream". Also very good, also bleak.

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DesEtoiles

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Fri Dec-02-05 10:22 PM
Response to Original message

11. English Patient

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necso

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Fri Dec-02-05 10:42 PM
Response to Original message

12. Of movies I've actually seen

Edited on Fri Dec-02-05 10:43 PM by necso

(and remember), "McCabe & Mrs Miller".

Short of an anti-High-Noon.

McCabe faces down the hired killers (over whores no less -- and as the result of getting greedy), gets shot the hell up, but still manages to cut them down -- and as a reward is left to die by his "partner", who smokes opium while he dies like a dog in the street.

...Good movie.

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sendero

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Fri Dec-02-05 10:44 PM
Response to Original message

13. Seconds...

.. is a watershed movie. Yes, I didn't see the ending coming at all.

There are a few holes, but it is one of those movies that defines the era IMHO.

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khashka

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Fri Dec-02-05 10:46 PM
Response to Original message

14. Leaving Las Vegas or Resident Evil

Leaving Las Vegas - absolutely totally fucking brilliiant. The rape scene made me cry like a baby.

Resident Evil - something about seeing Milla Jovovitch all fierce and holding a gun when it's too late and everybody is dead. She wants to fight, she's willing to fight, but there is no point anymore.

Khash.

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Canadian Socialist

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Fri Dec-02-05 11:32 PM
Response to Original message

16. "Kalifornia"

or "Requiem for a Dream". Heartbreaking and wrenching. I would also like to add "American History X". After seeing these movies, I gave up on humanity for a while.

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Lannes

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Fri Dec-02-05 11:36 PM
Response to Original message

17. Vanilla Sky

And yes I know its a remake but I like it anyway.BTW love Seconds as well,got the DVD.Frakenheimer rocks.

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mr_hat

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Fri Dec-02-05 11:37 PM
Response to Original message

18. "Ron Burgundy"

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tuvor

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Sat Dec-03-05 04:15 PM
Response to Original message

21. Time Bandits, maybe?

Don't touch it! It's evil!!!

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Tallison

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Sat Dec-03-05 04:30 PM
Response to Reply #21

22. I love that film...

Why do you reference it?

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Twillig

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:48 PM
Response to Reply #22

44. Well, speaking for myself,

Jeebus H. the poor kid gets orphaned at the end.

Pretty effin' bleak.

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ucmike

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Sat Dec-03-05 04:33 PM
Response to Original message

23. the end of fight club, when the buildings come down

and, as posted above, "american history x". i lost any faith i had in humanity for awhile after watching that.

damn you, edward norton.

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peekaloo

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Sun Dec-04-05 09:46 AM
Response to Reply #23

62. 'Fight Club' was my first thought, too.

With the Pixies playing over the destruction.

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Rabrrrrrr

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Sat Dec-03-05 04:36 PM
Response to Original message

24. The Thing; The Wild Bunch; Koyaanisqatsi; and that Eastwood one in which

he painted the town red and put up a sign that said "welcome to hell".

Can't remember the name of that movie.

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Lautremont

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Sat Dec-03-05 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #24

25. High Plains Drifter

Edited on Sat Dec-03-05 05:01 PM by Lautremont

edited to add: And I agree about The Thing. It was the first movie that popped to mind.

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Tikki

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Sat Dec-03-05 05:25 PM
Response to Original message

26. Miracle Mile (1989).....

with Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham.

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Merrick

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Sat Dec-03-05 07:31 PM
Response to Original message

27. The Vanishing

Edited on Sat Dec-03-05 07:31 PM by Merrick

the original (havent seen the American version - heard it sucks)

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CanuckAmok

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Sun Dec-04-05 02:49 PM
Response to Reply #27

71. That ending shook me to the core.

Just so tragic.

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Caoimhe

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Sat Dec-03-05 07:38 PM
Response to Original message

28. Easy Rider - just watched the end again

the scenes of NOLA are very interesting, even if Peter and Dennis are tripping hard.

I wonder why Peter Fonda isn't in more movies.

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Blue_In_AK

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Sat Dec-03-05 07:44 PM
Response to Reply #28

29. Did you see Ulee's Gold with Peter Fonda?

He played the father of a rather troubled family. I thought that was a really good movie.

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Caoimhe

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Sat Dec-03-05 08:41 PM
Response to Reply #29

30. I don't remember ever seeing it

I will have to keep an eye out, thanks!

It was interesting reading a biography of his on IMDB. Apparently he has led a pretty wild life. These items caught my attention!

-John Lennon wrote "She Said, She Said" about an acid trip he'd been on during which (Peter) Fonda kept telling him, "I know what it's like to be dead, man".

-Was arrested once for defacing a sign at a Denver airport that said, "Feed Jane Fonda to the Whales". (my god, who could blame him? how hateful of a sign is that????)

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Blue_In_AK

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Sat Dec-03-05 09:03 PM
Response to Reply #30

32. Here's the review

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120402/

This movie really had a lot of heart. Peter Fonda was nominated for an Oscar for his performance.

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Caoimhe

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Sun Dec-04-05 12:09 AM
Response to Reply #32

54. ty Blue!

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jonnyblitz

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:51 PM
Response to Reply #29

45. Ulee's Gold is a great movie! I watched it several times on IFC. nt

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bridgit

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Sat Dec-03-05 08:58 PM
Response to Original message

31. a newbie = Cold Mountain...

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BigMcLargehuge

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Sat Dec-03-05 09:10 PM
Response to Original message

33. for me it's a three way tie -

Men Behind the Sun + Black Sun: The Nanking Massacre + The Thing (Carpenter's version)

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SeattleGirl

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Sat Dec-03-05 09:12 PM
Response to Original message

34. "Don't Look Now"

Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland.

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stanwyck

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:26 PM
Response to Reply #34

39. Amazing movie

visually stunning and mysterious.
Time to watch it again. Thanks for the reminder.

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SeattleGirl

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:27 PM
Response to Reply #39

41. The ending took my breath away.

And I think I may need to watch it again. Only seen it once, when it first came out, but it's one of those movies that just sticks with you.

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stanwyck

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Sun Dec-04-05 05:34 PM
Response to Reply #41

73. More filmmakers need to take

those kind of risks. I'm tired of Hollywood retreads with everything tied up with a bow at the end.

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edbermac

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Sat Dec-03-05 09:39 PM
Response to Original message

35. Night of the Living Dead

That poor guy manages to fend of all the zombies and then gets shot by people who think he's a zombie.

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MrScorpio

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Sat Dec-03-05 09:41 PM
Response to Reply #35

36. That would be my second choice

Freaked me out the first time I saw it

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Giant Robot

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:06 PM
Response to Original message

38. Cube or either of the two sequels

very intense...

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CanuckAmok

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Sun Dec-04-05 02:50 PM
Response to Reply #38

72. Haven't seen the sequels. Do they blow?

Isn't one a "prequel"?

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Giant Robot

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Sun Dec-04-05 05:59 PM
Response to Reply #72

75. They aren't bad...

not as good as the original though.

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Arkham House

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:45 PM
Response to Original message

43. Chinatown

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Starbucks Anarchist

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Sat Dec-03-05 11:11 PM
Response to Reply #43

53. Definitely.

And welcome to DU! :hi:

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Twillig

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Sat Dec-03-05 10:59 PM
Response to Original message

48. Blue Max, the Sand Pebbles,

Hell in the Pacific, The Pledge, On the Beach.

And Frankenheimer gave great DVD commentary to his films. RIP.

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Neil Lisst

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Sun Dec-04-05 01:01 AM
Response to Original message

55. Memento, Taxi Driver

are two

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MrScorpio

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Sun Dec-04-05 02:03 AM
Response to Reply #55

57. And you would know, Right?

I love seeing expert opinion being weighed in

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Neil Lisst

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Sun Dec-04-05 02:06 AM
Response to Reply #57

58. yes, I would!

you'd be surprised how many people have no idea where the name came from!

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MrScorpio

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Sun Dec-04-05 03:05 AM
Response to Reply #58

59. It's so obvious to me

I knew the second I saw it

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Neil Lisst

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Sun Dec-04-05 11:42 AM
Response to Reply #59

66. I think it either hits people immediately or not at all.

I added the extra "s" for flavor and for emphasis on the "ssss."

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Hardrada

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Sun Dec-04-05 03:29 AM
Response to Original message

60. Dr. Strangelove

We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
I only know we'll meet again.

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Enraged_Ape

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Sun Dec-04-05 09:53 AM
Response to Original message

63. Colossus: The Forbin Project

If that ending doesn't represent total global "We're Fucked"-age, I don't know what does.

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Nicholas D Wolfwood

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Sun Dec-04-05 10:00 AM
Response to Original message

64. One thing I've never understood about nihilism

Isn't the philosophy entirely wiped out by the simple line "I think, therefore I am"? :shrug:

Granted, I know that's only one part of the definition of nihilism, but you know which part I'm talking about here.

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Jamastiene

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Sun Dec-04-05 10:04 AM
Response to Original message

65. Suburbia, not the 1990's one but the

1980's punk rebellion movie where the little boy is killed at the end and they all move back home. Flea is in it and has this pet rat. It's really a sad movie, but still holds a place in my heart.

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WilliamPitt

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Sun Dec-04-05 12:28 PM
Response to Original message

67. Galipoli

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anarch

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Sun Dec-04-05 01:00 PM
Response to Original message

68. anybody ever see RunawayTrain?

Jon Voight and Eric Roberts, from 1985...I don't know if it's exactly nihilistic, but it's a great movie, with a truly haunting ending.

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XemaSab

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Sun Dec-04-05 02:44 PM
Response to Original message

70. A Clockwork Orange

the whole movie.

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datasuspect

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Sun Dec-04-05 05:37 PM
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74. electra glide in blue

kinda like easy rider, but with cops (the ending that is).

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rug

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Sun Dec-04-05 08:12 PM
Response to Original message

76. . . . . if

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