We've had recommended reading.

Now I want some recommended watching. Good tv shows/films/documentaries/any videos that will improve my life in any area...

Anything inspirational, or things that NEED to be watched. I am making a list of stuff to watch.

Papilion Film and Book

The thing that Henri Charriere desired most was his freedom. A French prisoner, he never stopped plotting ways to escape. The only time when he didn't have a plan in motion was when he was either in solitary, or upon personal request of the warden (they would request that he didn't escape so that they could finish their term, and not have their record/pension ruined by his escape).

This autobiography spares no details about the violence and horrors that surrounded the prisoners daily. He loses a number of his friends to disease, or murder. Papillon was generally respected by his fellow prisoners, and the administration. He was quick to criticize the administration to their face. Many of the wardens and doctors even agreed with how screwed up the French justice system was.

Henri is very detailed about his experiences and escapes. He remembers well the people who aided him before, during and after an escape. You will find yourself rooting for Henri with each escape attempt!

There has been some criticism that say that Henri took details from other prisoners' accounts or that some of the anecdotes are made up. Regardless, this autobiographical tale of escape is better than any work of prison escape fiction that can ever be written

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Paperback and film
)
If you have seen and enjoyed the John Huston film of the same name, and believe it to be one of the greatest films ever produced, then it is mandatory to procure and read this book.

This review is written from the perspective of someone who has seen the film at least a half dozen times before reading the novel for the first time. The film is mostly faithful to the novel, so no nasty surprises await those weaned on the film. While less dramatic in some ways, the book provides a better explanation for the motivations of the characters. This necessarily leads to significant, though not unpleasant, changes in some of their fates compared to the film (or perhaps, better said, vice-versa). Some of the more interesting scenes also are expanded, such as the encounter with the bandits at the camp, and more background is provided about the bandits themselves and the efficient and clever way that they are ultimately dealt with by the local people.

Though a little slow going at first, once accustomed to Traven's writing style and well into the meat of the story, the feeling of the realization that a very special experience is in store for you simply builds and builds and continues doing so until the satisfying conclusion of the book is reached. This is a masterpiece, a gourmet treat for the soul, a book to relish during a lazy morning spent in a soft bed, or sitting by a cozy fireplace.


Germinal book.


Blew me away. Engaging tale of a mining strike in France during the 1860's. It carries a heavy socialist message, but the characters are vivid and the writing evokes the difficult lives of miners above and below ground. Sort of like 'The Jungle' in that it exposes the abuse of the working class

Marlon brando Unzipped

While reading this book, it made me want to shower after each chapter read. Salacious, depraved detail after detail with dubious posthumous dialogue between Brando, his conquests/"f**k buddies", and friends. I don't know what to believe after reading this mess. This book will definitely have you not like Marlon Brando, even to the point of disgustful hatred. With all the screwing around he did, it's a wonder his genitals didn't rot off. If he lived today he would surely be HIV positive. Having been sexually molested/abused by a nanny, and purportedly his own mother, I could think of no other reason for him to have lived so pathologically promiscuous. Brando was definitely a very "unwell", psychically damaged man; this was well-proven up into his last days. I can't really say if this book was exaggerated to say the least, but it sure left me feeling like I discovered something I wish I hadn't. I will never see or look at another Marlon Brando film or photo the same way again. If you want to know more about Marlon Brando, I suggest you read elsewhere, as I will. I gave it a chance, but came to the conclusion of it being cheap, exploitative tabloid [...] instead.

This book just had me shaking my head in disbelief exclaiming "NOT MY MAN!", rendering me mortified...and saying a prayer for his immortal soul.

The infamous "picture" half-way through had me petrified. Just proves the author was banking on sleazy shock value to generate interest and sales. Mr. Porter obviously got my attention, but I'm glad I kept the receipt.

Sons and lovers Dh laurence



The story is brilliant. It is about how a woman (the mother, Gertrude) takes her son (Paul) as her lover instead of choosing her husband. She did not have the will to love the husband, and instead turned that will on a child. The title is not "Fathers and Lovers" or "Husbands and Lovers." The father is capable of being loved, but in Gertrude's mind, she is too good for the husband. Therefore, she turns her lover's heart towards a child ("Sons and Lovers"). In modern psychobabble, Gertrude doesn't recognize boundaries. The child is defenseless to the emotional power which penetrates him. He is absorbed and becomes one with the mother's heart and goals. It is similar to molestation but instead of a physical penetration, there is an emotional penetration. When the boy starts to grow up and should, rightly, begin to become whole with a woman, he is not free to take that step. His sexuality drives him towards an appropriate lover, and seemingly makes him appear available, but his emotional heart cannot take another woman into himself. There is already a lover who has penetrated his heart (i.e. his mother). For a man to be complete in love, he has to be able to enter a woman physically at the same time he takes her into himself emotionally. Paul can't allow another woman in emotionally because his mother is already there. Hence, even though he is able to enter a woman physically, the whole experience is deeply unsatisfying to both Paul and all the women in his life. The mother is not really satisfied because she can't have her lover completely (i.e. physically and as her life's mate), and the other women in Paul's life (with whom he could have a physical relationship) are left unsatisfied because he wills not to take them into himself emotionally, and thereby deprives these women of the experience of wholeness which accompanies surrender in love. Hence, the women he should be able to complete himself with (i.e. those with whom he can complete the physical act), he eventually wears out. They give up because he is not available. His heart belongs to another. E.g. Claire goes back to her husband even though Claire's husband is less refined, because Claire would rather have all of a working man, than only part of an artist. There are scads of women today who are throwing themselves at this inpenetrable wall of the mother's inappropriate molestation of her son's emotions, not really understanding why and how to work with it. Lawrence sheds insight into that process. The cure is to exchange the will to love the mother for the will to love the lover

Thanks K.

And thanks Piers, I think...
However, I want to watch not read but thanks anyways

Apparantly I should search the forum first.. oh well

Batman Begins and The Dark Knight Rises. I don't care what anyone says, I love those films. Especially Batman Begins.

Then there's Training Day, Shawshank Redemption, Shutter Island, 500 Days of Summer, The Mist, Lucky Number Slevin, Layer Cake, Leon, Gran Torino, Amercan History X, Memento, Tropic Thunder, Taken, Dead Man's Shoes and The Wrestler which I also consider to be great films (there must be more that I can think of right now). My opinion tho, don't go torching me for it!

I've seen shawshank redemption, shutter island, 500 days of summer, the mist, lucky number slevin, taken, will watch the others!

A documentary I recently watched. 'DMT: The Spirit Molecule'. If hallucinatory drugs are your thing.

Literally one of the most profound things I have looked into.

All three are on film never mind!.

there is an old film called THE PICK UP ARTIST!!! its shit, dont watch it

Alfie.
Having not seen this for film I was shocked what a powerful and bleak film it is. Michael Caine is superb as the callous anti-hero. He refers to the women as "it" and says he goes along with their pleasure but not their pain. It's a very powerful attack on the selfish macho men of the 60s and shows what a revolution was needed. as another reviewer says, most of the women are unglamorous and realistic (maybe not Shelley Winters)though played by potentially glamorois actresses, and it does get increasingly obvious that Alfie is a man with real problems. A bit of therapy might throw up very clear reasons why he is like he is - which shows how well written and acted the part

Clerks

This film is one of the best i have ever seen, writer/director kevin smith's first film is very funny and very rude but you must still buy this.it introduces the best double act in modern film Jay(Jason Mewes) and his hetro life mate Silent Bob(Smith) it also has the wonderfully funny Randal as the main charecter Dante's best friend.Smith wrote the script so that randal had the funniest lines because he was going to play him but he decided not to because directing and producing was hard enough.
This is in black and white which may actually put some people off it but if you do watch it you will not be disapointed.


The Big Lebowski is hilarious. There are few films that have made me laugh so much on first viewing. There are no other films that have made me laugh so much more on repeat viewings.

The film starts with a rambling narrative that sets the tone for the labyrinthine but secondary plot. The mystery that underpins the film is cleverly constructed and lends a familiar Coen Brother's noir edge. This in itself would make for a good movie. However, the script is populated with engaging, believable, flawed, quirky and laugh out loud funny characters who take centre stage. The characters elevate the film to comedic greatness.

John Goodman's portrayal of Walter has always stood out for me. The character is so stupid, self absorbed and self assured and he is put in a series of ridiculous situations that bring out the worst in him to comic effect. Jeff Bridge's role as the Dude remains my favourite performance of his and he seems so natural in the part. The combination of The Dude's consummately laid back attitude and Walter's military informed approach makes for a fine pairing. The film builds it's own in-jokes slowly and carefully with characters repeating phrases they have heard and I think this mechanism is partly to credit for the film's immense re-watch value. The Coen Brother's have made several fantastic films but this remains my favourite


This film is a cracker. Unlike many comedies, this one is hilarious all the way through. There are numerous sequences in which the hilarity never stops. Neil Page is played by Steve Martin, a man devoted to his family and is led into numerous mishaps when he teams up with Del Griffit(or however u spell it) played by John Candy and together provide numerous incredibly funny scenes aswell as a suitable ending to the film. A must!


Some like it hot

Actually, strike that title comment. Some Like It Hot has to be one of
the best movies of any genre in cinema ever made, as it succeeds on so
many different levels. The plot and script are witty and sharp, the
characters are easy to identify with and hilarious, the acting is a
masterclass in comedy and the laughs are constant throughout. Without a
doubt this is one of my favourite films, and contains one of the best
closing lines ever. After a movie full of two guys in drag, a sweet
girl singing, and a bunch of gangsters pursuing them, what else is

Sweet smell of success

'Sweet Smell of Success'? I doubt it. More like the rancid stench of social climbing and the perversion of good intent. The movie boasts an intensely stylised dialogue, with wonderful performances from Burt Lancaster as JJ Hunsecker, and Tony Curtis as a Hunsecker wannabe. Lancaster is positively reptilian as the all-powerful gossip columnist, whilst Curtis, as the furtive go-getter Sidney attempts to ingratiate himself by despoiling possibly the only loving relationship in the movie, between that of Hunsecker's sister and her jazz guitarist boyfriend. The noirish cinematography and the inspired direction by Brit Alexander MacKendrick, combined with the waspish and highly ornate dialogue make for a potent piece of cinema. The plot twists and the skewed ending of the movie make this a rivetting masterpiece that lingers long after the final credits roll. The sort of film where almost all of the characters have no redeeming qualities, 'Sweet Smell...' is nonetheless one of the truly great movies of the nineteen


there to say except that "Nobody's perfect!" A comedy masterpiece which has never been bettered.

Serpico.
Taken from the true story of the life of Frank Serpico, this important film stirred up controversy and showed us a side of police departments that they certainly don't want shown. Serpico plays the only honest cop who doesn't take bribes and kickbacks. What is scary is the casual manner the other cops in the film just view taking the graft is just part of the job just like loading their guns. We also see a scary lesson of what happens when one honest man takes on an entire bureaucracy that does not welcome him and what can ultimately happen to him. How many other Serpico's are out there past and present who never got to tell their story for one reason or another. A powerful film that is just as relevant today as when it was made

Raging bull

This is by far De Niro's best performance, and that is saying something. The performance is raw and he depicts the boxer La Motta perfectly. The film shows the highs and lows of the boxer Jake La Motta, and the film is a real roller-coaster ride, De Niro takes you through all the emotions, and put together with Scorsese's brilliant direction, this film is well worth its title of 'Best film of the 80s'.
Raging Bull is the best sports film ever made, the sheer emotion it puts you through, the detailed fights scenes, the first-class sound, this has never been repeated on big screen. Rocky may be fans favourite, but this is the best.

It is hard to believe that De Niro trained for the part for over a year, fought in three fights, then shot the film, take a few months out of filming to put on 50 pounds and then finished filming. Not only the best actor, but also this shows commitment to the part.

I loved Raging Bull from the first time I saw it, I am sure I am not the only one.

Thanks piers I will look and about the ones I thought were just books I will look for films also