Ah, the Oscars. A great excuse to skip school... to sleep after that long, long night. But here I am back, all fresh and excited about the diversity of the 85th Academy Awards - no movie really stood out and that's just great. Nevertheless, let's get back to the celebration of my shortly ending youth, shall we?
In the sixth list of this blogathon, I'll share one of my worst kept secrets - my fascination with violent movies. It's not that I'm a fan of splatter movies, not at all, but well-choreographed, elegant action scenes never fail to take my breath away. That being said, I'm not a violent person, perhaps because I have no talent whatsoever when it comes to stuff like that... I guess. Well, I actually once punched my then best male friend really hard in the face because he wanted me to, so he could laugh at me... he laughed at his own stupidity in the end. Who knows, perhaps I might be the next Hanna some day?
- But why would I? There's really nothing cool about being good at fighting, nothing at all kids (if any kids are reading this).
Just read this list, enjoy and do not try any of the stunts at home.
(In no particular order).
1 - Hanna
A teenage girl kicking what seems to be all special units of the world's ass is enough reason to make this one of my favourite movies.
2 - Salaam Bombay!
A film that doesn't include any "pleasing" violence, but is actually quite disgusting. Still, I think it's a wonderful movie and as it's quite violent, I included it here.
3 - Gangs of Wasseypur
Choosing one of the coolest songs Bollywood has produced recently - Keh Ke Lunga (2nd version) - as a score for one of the most brutal scenes in this movie really was a questionable choice. Because I went crazy for that.
4 - Drive
The first movie that came to my mind when I considered making this list. I'm just such a sucker for extravagant slow-motion action scenes.
5 - Amores Perros
Another one of the rather disturbingly brutal movies but again, a song - Si Señor - made it work for me.
6 - A Clockwork Orange
You have no idea how hard it was to find a "normal" looking still from this movie. Wow, I think this one left me some serious psychological scars on my soul - but I still want to re-watch it.
7 - Anything Tarantino ever made
You really want a comment on that?
8 - The Godfather
Ew, that scene with the horse is forever imprinted on my retina. Which doesn't make it less fascinating.
9 - The Fight
Classic. No comment.
10 - Sweeney Todd
I was glued to the screen from the moment the opening credits started. This was truly Tim Burton's last great movie. The fact that it's a musical makes it even more awesome.
11 - Män som hatar kvinnor
If I remember right, this was slightly more violent than its American remake... Unsettlingly so, but...
12 - The Hurt Locker
Not that it's celebrating violence... actually it rather does the opposite. But the variation of brutality and silent suspense is truly intriguing.
13 - Das Experiment
Movies, book, plays about the cruelty of human nature - that's as good as it gets. (Did I just say that?).
14 - The Hunger Games
I don't care how many bad reviews I read about this movie, I still think it's one of the best adaptions of a "teen book franchise" and it certainly conveys the books unsettling message; the Games are disgusting and inhuman, but isn't that exactly what makes us watch or read on?
15 - The Avengers
I think it's so interesting that the action genre still holds the rank of being one of the most popular movie genres ever. It doesn't matter what Award Season brings because a movie like this really doesn't need things as insignificant as awards.
16 - The Green Butchers
Danish cinema is a complicated issue, because most of the times it takes itself either too seriously or not seriously enough. Satires like these however hit just the right spot. Actually this would be great a re-watch due to the horse meat scandal... I see some parallels here.
17 - Hunger
This movie is just so... visual. And if you're looking for elegant violence, this is not what you want to watch. Still quite a magnificent picture, this one.
18 - The Lord of the Rings
Sure, it's not one some the most violent movies ever at all, mainly because battle scenes often don't count as being "violent". But that's just the general opinion - I personally think it's very interesting how violent indeed these movies are, being some of the most successful motion pictures ever.
Next on The Upcoming Adult Presents: 18 Favourite Nostalgia Movies.
I like violent movies too. Oh oh, watch The Raid!
ReplyDeleteOk then, I will!
DeleteInteresting list. I stay away from most "unsettling" movies, though the occasional Gangs of Wasseypur or Django (where the violence is done in a smart way) does hit the spot. :) Suprised to not see Lars von Trier on this list, when it comes to movies that make my skin crawl, I don't think anything can surpass Breaking the Waves. Brrr...
ReplyDeleteI don't like the way Lars von Trier portrays violence to be honest... it's simply sick.
DeleteThis is more a list of movies where the violence is executed in an intriguing way (which sounds sick too).
Glad to hear you liked Django, btw!
Violence is very cinematic, I think Tarantino said this. I think he's right.
ReplyDeleteThat scene in The Godfather is just iconic, unforgettable.
If you ask me, he certainly is. I like violence more in movies than in books, because I think it works better.
DeleteIf you thought The Hunger Games was violent, you should check out Battle Royale, the Japanese movie that shares a lot of similiarities with it. That is crazy violent, but very good. Killer Joe is another one I really liked that was pretty gory.
ReplyDeleteBeen wanting to check out Battle Royale, so thanks for reminding me. (I'll also see what I can do about Killer Joe).
DeleteI wouldn't call those violent but any list with Sweeney Todd is a good one :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, they're just violent for innocent little me ;).
DeleteThis reminds me to try and track down Gangs of Wasseypur. I also strongly agree with Brittani's Battle Royale suggestion.
ReplyDeletePlease do, I can't wait to read your opinion on it!
DeleteI agree completely with your thoughts on Hunger Games. I enjoyed it and haven't read the book. As much violence as the film is meant to showcase, they did a fantastic job in the editing room...leaving just enough to get the point, but maintain a safe rating.
ReplyDeleteThat's true - the violence is often left to the audience's own imagination, a great trick that adds to the uncomfortable atmosphere of the movie.
DeleteI would however recommend reading the books, really liked them and they go a little deeper into some of the story's aspects.