Recommendations!

[Inlander]

Now everyone, please let's be nice to the new person.

[Reed]

But being nice isn't fun!

[doombilly]

It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice.

[Llewellian]

Currently rereading (for the umptenth time):

Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter (ISBN: 0465026567)

God, i wish i had  Mr. Hofstadter as Math-Teacher back in my study days at my U. If his lessons are only a tenth that fascinating like the way he writes... it would have been sooooo cool. But well, unfortunately for me he is prof at Indiana University in Bloomington - and not in Germany.

About the book, a short quote from the authors description of topics covered:

J.S. Bach, M.C. Escher, Kurt Gödel: biographical information and work, artificial intelligence (AI) history and theories, strange loops and tangled hierarchies, formal and informal systems, number theory, form in mathematics, figure and ground, consistency, completeness, Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometry, recursive structures, theories of meaning, propositional calculus, typographical number theory, Zen and mathematics, levels of description and computers; theory of mind: neurons, minds and thoughts; undecidability; self-reference and self-representation; Turing test for machine intelligence.

Why i like the book?

Well... hard to describe. The book is a travel through your mind, through music, philosophy, painted art and math. Fictional characters (A turtle, the greek hero Achilles, a Crab and an Anteater) discussing mathematical problems of Kurt Goedel, Zen, the art of painting of M.C.Escher and the musical works of Bach and what they have in common. And no wonder that Hofstadter won the Pulitzer Price for it - i mean: Writing complete dialogues exactly the way like works of BACH, with even the first letters on the beginning of each sentence fitting to the musical notes of the discussed canons and fugues... totally insane.

It is wonderful to read, sometimes the author talks to the reader directly and asks him to do certain things - its like he sits just over the table discussing his work with you.

By the way: It is something even really good accessible for TOTAL Math-Dummies. The first chapters are cool for that - discussing math and why it works, what the rules behind math are and how you can play with axiomatic systems and how that changes the way in setting up a calculation. What is Logic?... And from there, he takes you down the rabbit hole - from why 2+2=4 to what the works of Escher, Bach and Goedel have to do with theories behind A.I programming and neuronal computing.  A 900 pages thick page-turner.

[Dimmukane]

So, I just saw The Wicker Man (the original 1973 film with Christopher Lee).  It's quite odd...in that it's billed as a horror film but is never actually scary at any point.  It's downright amusing, actually, given the amount of musical numbers that are weaved into an otherwise serious film.  I'm strangely attracted to it, though.  If Frederico Fellini made Zardoz, this would be the result, I think.  Worth checking out on a rainy day.

[Be My Head]

I've wanted to check it out ever since hearing Agalloch's "The White" EP.

I saw the remake, sucked bad, betting it would suck even more if I had seen the original. I mean, Christopher fucking Lee, you can't beat that.

[Thomas Edison]

So, I just saw The Wicker Man (the original 1973 film with Christopher Lee).  It's quite odd...in that it's billed as a horror film but is never actually scary at any point.  It's downright amusing, actually, given the amount of musical numbers that are weaved into an otherwise serious film.  I'm strangely attracted to it, though.  If Frederico Fellini made Zardoz, this would be the result, I think.  Worth checking out on a rainy day.

Watch the new one!

It's sooooo much better than the original...

[scarred]

God I love that video.

[JimmyJazz]

Guys I'm halfway through Please Kill Me and I know most of you have probably read it but man is it fucking awesome! Anyone who has any interest in punk rock at all should pick it up.

[tania]

i watched the documentary "dear zachary: a letter to a son about his father" last night. the cover looks like this:



exhausting, gut-wrenching, and absolutely heartbreaking. i don't think a film has ever in my life affected me emotionally as much as this one did. by the time it was over and i had finally finished sobbing i felt like i had been hit in the chest with a fucking sledgehammer. i actually did that thing where you go lie down and just stare at the ceiling/walls for a really long time until you calm down and figure out how to do normal everyday things again. honestly knocked the wind right out of me.

although the editing was a little too fast paced and over the top for my liking, it's an incredibly tragic but beautiful story, well worth watching if only because of the strength and dedication involved in finishing it given the events that took place while it was being produced. i won't reveal any of the plot here, but if you're really sensitive to sad stories you might want to look up in advance what happens before you watch it or it might be too unbearable. also, watch it only when you have the day off because you're probably going to need several hours and a good night's sleep to recover.

[Mr. Doctor]

Everything that Kubrick did is brilliant in my book. 2001 is such a groundbreaking movie and it was waaaaay ahead of its time

I also want to recommend Fantasia, the reason to why I love music so much lies in this film. THE masterpiece by Disney

And also for the fans of gorish or B-movies... watch some old stuff by Peter Jackson. Lord Of The Rings? No way dude, watch "Meet The Feebles", "Brain Dead" and "Bad Taste" THOSE are his masterpieces imho.

[Gridgm]

brain dead is amusing if only becasue it holds the record for the most amount of fake blood used in a single film

*reminices about the lawn mower scene*

[Mr. Doctor]

brain dead is amusing if only becasue it holds the record for the most amount of fake blood used in a single film

*reminices about the lawn mower scene*

Nothing better than fake blood... specially if it's a low quality one. Those movies  need more respect tbh. There's nothing more brilliant than "The Sodomy Song"

[satsugaikaze]

Hey guys, I've been thinking about getting Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I've read a few pages while I was hanging around at a Dymocks, but can anyone tell me if it's worth a buy?

It looks like comic gold, is all.

[Joseph]

No.

Buy the original Pride and Prejudice.

[satsugaikaze]

No.

Buy the original Pride and Prejudice.

I already have that, child, that's why I was interested in what exactly Pride and Prejudice and Zombies had to offer. =P

[Joseph]

Absolutely terrible writing about zombies thrown in amongst the beautiful masterpiece.

It is low concept, and a very, very low result.

Maybe I'm just a prude, but I have trouble seeing it as anything other than stupid.

[satsugaikaze]

Fair enough.

From what I've read of it now, the putting in of the ninjas and the samurai concept seemed more important than the zombies themselves. The author tried to justify his work by explaining how Elizabeth's personality is forged by her kung-fu teaching and her attempts to "avenge honour" at every opportunity parallels her hot temper in the original book.

But I think the zombies themselves were a distraction. They were useful at some points, eg. Charlotte getting infected while no-one seems to notice, but apart from that I think the zombies were just a tool to get people to read the real story hidden behind the setting.

[Will]

Hmm...I haven't been into this thread in ages.

I've been into a stretch of Christopher Moore books lately - Moore's best-known work is probably "Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff" which is a hilarious, not-quite blasphemous, and often times quite moving fake gospel - and I just finished a second reading of his newest book, Fool. Basically, it's a really freaking funny retelling of King Lear, through the eyes of the court jester Pocket and his assistant Drool. The most irrereverent adaptation of Shakespeare ever, and heinous fuckery most foul.

[BeoPuppy]

I'll recommend this.

Now, this is a series of three books, which are excellent, very exciting mysteries and characters and very well written. Currently films are being produced and I have recently seen the first one and that too I can wholeheartedly recommend. It was awesome. Go see.

[Mr. Doctor]

Jjajajaj that film trully have some success here in Sweden! Good movie

[variable_star]

Hey you fucks, see Wild Strawberries.

Definitely among my favorite Ingmar Bergman films, though I'll watch anything he had a hand in.

On a(n) (un)related note, I'll watch anything Ingrid Bergman was in too.

[nurgles_herald]

The Fall.

Great movie.

For that matter, so is The Downfall.  Very different movies.

[BeoPuppy]

Is every movie implying a fast downward movement a good movie?

[nurgles_herald]

Fast Downward Momentum is a magnum opus.  It's just a mashup of a bunch of items having cameras slapped on them and then being thrown out of a space elevator.

That movie is also fictional.  It breaks my heart to admit it.

[Dimmukane]

So I just saw this old Belgian student flick called Man Bites Dog.  It's a fake documentary of a serial killer, and the film crew gets caught up in the violence.  Probably one of the blackest comedies I've ever seen.  Not that that's a bad thing.  Highly recommended for anyone who likes clever movies about hitmen (I realize this is a pretty small niche of film).

[rc2429]

all the president mans is a nice book
Thanks
RC

[Ikrik]

So I just saw this old Belgian student flick called Man Bites Dog.  It's a fake documentary of a serial killer, and the film crew gets caught up in the violence.  Probably one of the blackest comedies I've ever seen.  Not that that's a bad thing.  Highly recommended for anyone who likes clever movies about hitmen (I realize this is a pretty small niche of film).

It's pretty brutal.  There are definitely some cringe worthy stuff in there.  But it's fantastic and very smartly done.  If you like that you might also like a movie called Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.  Where a news crew documents this slasher as he gets set to return and avenge his death.  It's set in a world where Michael Myers, Freddie Kreuger, and Jason are all real people.  It's really, really good and the casting is absolutely perfect. 

[A Shoggoth on the Roof]

I dunno if anyone's mentioned it but primer is pretty bangin'. confusing as hell and I'm not entirely sure I liked a few bits of the mechanics of the time travel machine but whatever, so far it's easily the best serious time travel thing I've seen.

also let the right one in was fantasticcc, It's probably my favorite vampire movie.

[Theriandros]

The Fall.

Great movie.

If nothing else, the scenery porn and light epic fantasy makes it worth watching.

Plus I like watching Lee Pace.

[pogonrudie]

The Fall is a masterpiece, a real visual wonder. I even enjoy the look of his first film, The Cell...Vince Vaughn, not so much.

[doombilly]

Hey to whomever said "Please Kill Me" above. Here are some others you may find enjoyable...

Totally Wired : Post-Punk Interviews and Overviews (reading this now; see also Rip It Up & Start Again)
John Peel: margrave of the marshes
Touching from a Distance: Ian Curtis & Joy Division
Kids in the Riot: High and Low with the "Libertines"
OUR BAND COULD BE YOUR LIFE Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981-1991
Big Star: The Short Life, Painful Death, and Unexpected Resurrection of the Kings of Power Pop
Freaky Dancin': Me and the Mondays
Go Now
Patti Smith : An Unauthorized Biography
Godlike
Guided by Voices: A Brief History: Twenty-One Years of Hunting Accidents in the Forests of Rock and Roll
Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk
The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town
Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs
People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee "Scratch" Perry
Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984
Hey Ho Let's Go: The Story of the Ramones
On Some Faraway Beach: The Life and Times of Brian Eno

[pogonrudie]

Great list. I'd also add Johnny Rogan's Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance.

[doombilly]

Great list. I'd also add Johnny Rogan's Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance.

NOTED. Thnx. I'll have to look for that.

[smack that isaiah]

I'm wondering if anyone here can recommend a good movie for me to watch with my girlfriend.  She likes these movies with altered time lines and stuff where you have to think about it after watching, like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Donnie Darko, or to a lesser extent The Butterfly Effect. 

Also, any good psychological thriller would be appreciated.  Or one of those weird movies that's still good (as in, not too over the top weird) and aesthetically pleasing is often pretty pivotal (this was one of the big drawbacks I had with Leolo). 

Any good movies like those you can recommend to me for this Friday's Chinese-food-and-(weird)-movie date night?

--
Also, while I'm here, I'm gonna recommend a few books which may or may not have been recommended earlier in this thread (I was skimming) **Edit, some of these were recommended already.  I'm now reiterating these recommendations:
American Gods by Neil Gaiman (I bet most people here have read at least something by him)
Hyperion by Dan Simmons (and the rest of the books in this series)
Ilium by Dan Simmons (particularly if you ever read The Iliad and loved it (also if you ever read any Shakespeare and loved it, esp his poems))
The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks (recommended to me on a dif't forum, very good)

[Zombiedude]

Maybe she would like Once? I dunno

American Psycho is the best psychological thriller though

[pogonrudie]

Darren Aronofsky's Pi

[Inlander]

True, you can't go wrong with a film that lists an "ant wrangler" in the end credits.

[smack that isaiah]

Pi looks awesome.  I remember seeing it in a dvd shop (packaged in a 2-for-1 dvd with something else), but never looked into the movie.  Definitely renting that one.  Thanks

American Psycho looks sweet (my sister's recommended it to me before, she's in love with Christian Bale (anyone seen The Machinist?)), but I doubt my girlfriend'd be too into it (violence-wise)

Once looks more like my kind of movie, and less like something she'd be into

Anyone else have any good suggestions?

[pogonrudie]

(anyone seen The Machinist?)

I love this movie. Your sister is right to love Christian Bale, how could anyone not?

[Zombiedude]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrvMTv_r8sA&feature=player_embedded

[pogonrudie]

If anything, that makes me love him more.

[smack that isaiah]

I've actually read stuff about that rant, and a lot of other actors and people say everything Bale said was in the right and the other guy was wrong for taking a professional actor (and a character actor at that) out of his place during a scene (even if it is just by moving around.  One person's commentary on it said that they do call for all still on the set when shooting starts, yet that guy moved around, was scolded by the director, yet continued to walk around during later takes).  Either way, after the scene was successfully shot, Bale apologized to him in private, and after the tape got out and it became a big thing, he apologized to him publicly.  *

*all according to stuff I read about this rant in the weeks after it came out, my mind may have mixed up some things in the weeks since I first read all this stuff, so don't sue me if I was inaccurate in certain parts of the above

[Mr. Doctor]

I love this movie. Your sister is right to love Christian Bale, how could anyone not?

I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm reading the Book "American Psycho"... Damn, it just sooooo awesome. And I've seen some scenes from the movie and I can agree with you, his performance is exellent.
_______

I don't think a lot of you guys enjoy some good Gore movies, but if you do I totally recommend the classic/cult masterpiece that is Cannibal Holocaust ... The effects are so well done that it's not a surprise that the director went to jail 10 days after the movie got premiered. And the history is pretty good for being a gore movie.
Well, I think it's a great movie and feel proud of having a 4 000 limited edition with extra material. 

[Theriandros]

(anyone seen The Machinist?)

I love this movie. Your sister is right to love Christian Bale, how could anyone not?

I love this movie too, and Christian Bale is fucking awesome.

[pogonrudie]

Man, I was so disappointed when I saw Cannibal Holocaust. It'd been hyped up since I can remember as being one of the most intense, realistic horror experience put to film..and then I finally saw it, and it was sloppy and dated to the nth degree. I agree that the effects are uniformly pretty good, but the acting is so awful I can't believe anyone thought it was a documentary. Ah, well.

And if you're a fan of gore-horror, I can think of two names that should be very well-known to you: Lucio Fulci and Herschell Gordon Lewis. Not everything they did was great, but most of it is fascinating.

[Mr. Doctor]

but the acting is so awful I can't believe anyone thought it was a documentary.

Since when people really care about the acting in a GORE movie? It blows mymind tbh, because it's irrelevant. I save that for drama, thriller and well... all the others except gore. I think everyone who has ever seen the movie agree with you but don't really take it as a big deal. Since the most important thing in a gore movie [in my opinion of course] is that the effects are good enough. And the ones in CH are very very good. That's all that matters to me, that's why I overlooked the lack of good acting, it was even funny at times when I heared some dudes talking in spanish.
The actors were pretty bad, at least the dudes who were doing the "documental" but the savages did a great job imo, although I would like them to scream less since they seemed too retard at times and I'm sure that people that live like that are not stupid.

Thanks for the recommendations btw!

[pogonrudie]

Respectfully disagree. You seem to have skimmed over where I also called the film "sloppy and dated", because it totally is. The effects themselves were fine enough, but they were handled so haphazardly that they didn't really have an impact on me. Another way of saying it, is I saw latex not viscera. I could be being too critical here, and I haven't seen the flick in years...but as it stands, it did nothing for me.

As I stated before, if I want to see gore I'll watch something like The Beyond or Zombi 2...which as I'm sure you'd point out, also have terrible, terrible acting. But in my opinion, the violence has a much more visceral impact. You can say that gore movies are mainly about the gore (which I agree with, to a point) but I think another large thing that makes them work is an intensity and take-no-prisoners attitude...they seem dangerous in a way, you know? Cannibal Holocaust just seemed lightweight.

By the way, sorry to everyone else for turning this into the horror thread. Haha.

[Mr. Doctor]

it did nothing for me.

Gore doesn't make me feel a thing, it's just plain amusing to me. Thank god I have something to laugh at because I hate the usual comedy movies.    So I can't really give an opinion about "some movies in this genre have this dangerous atmosphere and stuff" because it's never there, I just laugh at the dude/girl/furry who got "pwn3d". It's always the same to me.
But I understand your point and respectfully disagree as well  

And also... The thing was quiet cheap and limited to 4 000 copies, and since I love to collect stuff, it was a must in everyway possible even if the movie was just for the lulz.

[smack that isaiah]

Darren Aronofsky's Pi

This was freaking insane (I'm still trying to wrap my head around the end).  Thanks for that recommendation.  We're gonna check out his Requiem for a Dream next time we feel like a movie date night. 
Meanwhile, if anyone else has any nice crazy/psychological/warped/weird films for me and my girlfriend to watch, we'd love the recommendations.

----
Also, for people who loved Pi, there's a book by Dan Simmons called "The Hollow Man" that has a lot of mathematical talk about the human mind and life being mapped by a mathematical wave form and stuff, all placed along a story of a man (with an odd ability to read other people's minds... he explains this power/mutation with math.  it's a bit complicated) who's lost love.  I liked it a lot and would recommend it.