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Foreign vs. domestic films

SFG75

SFG75

Well-Known Member
I don't know about other Americans, but I for one can't stomach Hollywood movies anymore. Whenever the wife and I go out to rent a movie, I always pick foreign films. The Green Butchers, the German film Downfall, as well as the Portuguese film Capitaes de Abril have been some recent films that I have absolutely loved. I recently purchased Das Boot and I'm waiting for the Motorcycle Diaries to come out on DVD as well. Compare these great films to the likes of Man of the House and you'll see why I just feel disgusted with domestic films. Our Euro cousins have a good era of film making over there. Though for all I know, they probably prefer out films. :D

Any thoughts? :confused: :confused:
 
I'll agree with you. I prefer films that don't come from Hollywood as they focus more on stories and characters. I just don't see the point in those movies where you get car chases and explosions; they've been done to death (Taxi) and it's a waste of money. There has been a worrying trend, as technology improves, to base films on special effects (I hear The Island is rife with this, and obvious product placements). As such, it has created a hive of talentless people who are called actors.

Hollywood has had its day and what a great day it was. Now, go foreign every time.
 
I enjoy both Hollywood and what you would call "foreign movies". Hollywood flicks are easier to access (prime time on TV, in the theatre, etc.), so I think I'm about 50/50.

Stewart, I actually enjoyed the original Taxi.
 
lies said:
Stewart, I actually enjoyed the original Taxi.
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It's one of the best car chase films. Since, the whole concept of car chases has become rather dull. It's just a case of swapping the guys crossing with a window pane with a Chinese lady selling oranges.

When did you switch from Belgium to Iceland?
 
Stewart said:
It's one of the best car chase films. Since, the whole concept of car chases has become rather dull. It's just a case of swapping the guys crossing with a window pane with a Chinese lady selling oranges.
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Ah, I think I misinterpreted what you were saying then.

Stewart said:
When did you switch from Belgium to Iceland?
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Last wednesday. It's nice here. Not half as cold as I'd imagined. And hardly any rain!
 
I just want to throw in that I think Hollywood films depend on stars who are box-office draws rather than talented. Any good-looking person who has been photographed enough can qualify as a movie star these days. I really like British films, since the Brits seem to be comfortable with using actors and actresses that don't fit the "beautiful" stereotype, and they wind up with films that feature more realistic-looking people rather than the plastic, cookie-cutter Barbie and Ken dolls so beloved by Hollywood.
 
I like both. Sometimes i like to see a mindless special effects movie, and noone can match hollywood there. But you dont always have to look to europe to find good movies, there is quite a few good independent movies made in America too. Try one of Hal Hartleys movies. His style is not for everyone but i really like him. Its nothing like hollywood movies.

Miss Shelf said:
I just want to throw in that I think Hollywood films depend on stars who are box-office draws rather than talented. Any good-looking person who has been photographed enough can qualify as a movie star these days.
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I could not agree more. To be a star you do not need to be a good actor. You only need the looks and luck. Great actors without the looks, dont get the same attention.
 
I don’t care for Hollywood movies anymore. The movies are either made for a political agenda, or they’re too concerned with the damn special effects.

Didn’t movies have real plots and characters at one time?

Good movies are few and far between, and it seems to get worse as time goes by.
 
I'm still waiting for our across the seas cousins to post that their film industry sucks and that ours produces timeless classics like Dumb and Dumber. :D :D
 
The poor quality of movies coming out of Hollywood is a subject that crops up around here every so often. The fact that it's true is probably why the last few movies I purchased are all old westerns.
 
Where I grew up, it's was always Hongkong movies, Hollywood movies or local movies. Now my local movie knowledge is crap, and for a good reason - they tend to suck. :)

Years ago, Hongkong movies were brilliant. A good selection of comedy, drama and action flicks. Stuff like Hard Boiled and A Better Tomorrow and The God of Gamblers and Jackie Chan/Yuen Biau/Sammo Hung plus later Jet Li stuff were all good.

Now however, I would argue that Hongkong films are boring and formulaic. They tend to be made in a flash, the same actor/actress appears in 5-8 movies in a year, the comedy too slapstick and unfunny. In other words, the film industry there strikes me as being too much of a manufactured 'process' than a labour of love.

I was never into the olden days Hollywood stuff, but I do like Hollywood. However I do agree with the consensus that Hollywood nowadays are a little too simple. To cater for more people, the movies are increasingly being made simpler. My opinion anyway. I can't remember what was the last Hollywood movie I really really enjoyed. It's probably an action flick. :)

One thing against 'foreign' films (like my local films) is that they tend to lack some sophistication and technique that we have come to expect unconsciously in our viewing. Things like proper lighting, proper sets and clear sound and competent cinematography can be missing in a 'foreign' movie that could affect my enjoyment of the movie (because it irritates me). :)

ds
 
I think there are good movies made in Hollywood and bad movies made in Hollywood. There are bad non-Hollywood movies and good ones too. I think it really depends on what you want. It's all subjective. If you like formulaic action blockbusters then american movies will be better for you.

Korean and Japanese movies seem to be really hot right now. The Japanese seem to be making some exellent movies and especially in the horror genre.

Miss Shelf is right. Americans tend to do for looks way to much rather than talent. It's something that I find really irritating. It's amazing if you watch a non hollywood movie and see the difference. Say for example if you watch Amelie the actors are wonderful and look normal.
 
That's the same as in Hongkong movies too, IMHO. They write a terrible plot of a movie, but stick in the actor and actress of the moment and the movie blows all box office records.

ds
 
I think hollywood gets a bad ride,i watch 60/40 to hollywood to non films a year and while there is alot of tosh coming out i still find it on the whole enjoyable. I think my fav movie of last year was A very long engagement, if anyone manages to see a new zealand movie called ' In my fathers den' i highly suggest you go! i thought it was wonderful
 
For anyone interested in watching a good movie let me strongly recommend "Jeux d'enfants" or as it is known in english speaking countries"Love me if you dare"... i loved it... but be warned it is a love story!!!
It desirves being checked out by anyone who at one time or another was inlove with an old friend... but not only.
It's a bit crazy, french and delicious:)
 
And as for the main topic... non hollywood films are at least for me A LOT better than hollywood, or at least recent hollywood( because movies like "Legends of the fall, A river runs through it" and a few others that don't come to mind right now have undeniable qualities and i do realise that both movies i named have brad pitt as a lead but that's not what i'm talking about at least not all:p ).
Hollywood also has this evil tendency to take something good from abroad like the films someone mentioned earlier "Taxi" or "Les visiteurs" and turn it into complete crap.
 
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