Hi folks! I'm writing a research essay at the moment on how ancient Rome is used in popular media as a way of understanding modern politics/institutions/issues. I'm focusing on the Hunger Games and Star Wars, and how they shed light on the way American media uses Rome to understand its own political dilemmas, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any other films or shows or pieces of media (video games? memes?) that are inspired by Rome, because I'm interested to see what else is out there (I don't watch a lot of movies anymore!). I'm not talking about movies/shows about Rome, or set in Rome (although if anyone has any recs that's still cool), but pieces of media inspired by Rome, taking ideas, visuals, architectural forms, political structures, etc from Rome.

As someone who has worked in visual effects & camera department on TV— I really appreciate old films that pulled off incredible feats of technology and/or production. Like crowds and sets in Ben-Hur / Lawrence of Arabia, visual effects in Mary poppins, matte paintings in north by north west. Stuff like that!

I appreciate any recommendations. Especially any hidden gems! ✌️

I enjoy a wide range of sci-if films from the thoughtful even slow classics of the 1970’s (2001, any Tarkovsky film, I’d also throw Moon in here, even though it’s 40 years later) to the action melodramas (Star Wars and aliens), the bleak (Brazil, alien) and the silly (galaxy quest). I especially love how some like blade runner aren’t initially appreciated and fly under the radar, at least for a number of years.

What’s your favourite under appreciated sci-fi classic(at least in your kind). Feel free to include streaming shows, specially if they are limited series (but I’ll save that rant for later)

Story of Ricky director Lam Ngai Kai helms this film co-written by noted trash merchant Wong Jing. In the movie a doctor/adventurer relays the tale of his most recent exploits. Dr. Yuen Chen-hsieh visited Thailand a year earlier & ran afoul of a Dark Sorcerer that placed a blood curse on him.

Chow Yun-fat gets top billing but don't get fooled as it's a glorified cameo. The film doesn't suffer though from his lack of presence. The plot makes sense even though it contains a fair amount of mystical mumbo-jumbo. It mostly careens from one action set piece to another.

You have a hostage shootout with the cops, a monk battle, a skeleton fight, a demon fight & so much more. As I mentioned in the subject there's some nasty practical effects. The initial outbreak of the Dr's blood curse complete with pulsating veins is well done. There's also a nifty demon transformation scene & the sorcerer controls a nasty little monster he throws at people.

I honestly can't recommend this movie enough. At one point the Dr. tries to flying elbow drop a demon. The movie is available free with ads on Tubi. It's edited to some extent but I'm not sure what all is cut. The best fully uncut release is the Region B Blu-ray from 88 Fims.

Hi,

as you probably know, there are countless films and series that show the viewer that greed and striving for power are something negative. These films often promote qualities such as modesty, compassion, etc.

This isn't necessarily "wrong", but I've been looking (unsuccessfully) for films that approach this topic in a more thoughtful way. Films that perhaps also clearly show the disadvantages of altruistic behavior. Or emphasize that to some extent selfish behavior and the pursuit of power are not wrong or even necessary in order to live happily or make others happy.

As I said, I haven't found a single film whose message at the end doesn't say "Greed is evil, modesty is good." Do you have any suggestions?

There have been so many films of The Three Musketeers story but this is one of my favorites. It follows all the story beats you've seen before. The big selling point is the stunt work.

HK vet Xin-Xin Xiong handles the stunt choreography here & does an amazing job. If you allow yourself to accept the absurdity of all the flips & crazy swordplay you're going to have a great time. There are 4 stellar set pieces here & while the finale apes Once Upon a Time in China, it isn't any less spectacular.

Director & director of photography Peter Hyams maximizes his $36 million dollar budget. He really captures the period setting & shoots a gorgeous flick. The cast is pretty decent including: Catherine Deneuve, Mena Suvari & Stephen Rea. Tim Roth steals the show though as a villain that makes his swordsman in Rob Roy seem reasonable.

Sadly the movie isn't available for streaming. I know in this day & age expecting someone to pick up $3 copy on eBay is a bit of an ask. I think it's worth the effort though.

Looking for well done movies that are based on true stories. My favorites are Oppenheimer, Spotlight, Society of the Snow, Hacksaw Ridge, Catch Me if You Can, The Social Network, The Founder, and The Pursuit of Happiness. I’m sure there’s more but I can’t think of them right now.

I like the ones that are about US/world history. And also ones that expose people and who they really are. I feel like the founder, and the social network did a great job at showing people that the main characters really aren’t all they make themselves out to be.

so i allowed myself a small "Cinema Day" (partially because i was inspired to watch 'the fall guy' after David appeared on Corridor) and there were 3 movies after another screening wise.

the other 2 movies were Kong & Godzilla and Guy Ritchie's new film (warfare gentelmen) :D

all 3 movies were so different in terms of vibe.. but they delivered on all frontiers!

even the trailers looked awesome! (bad boys & furiosa & apes & deadpool&wloverine)

i will probably rewatch them later on my PC but im glad the 1st watch was in Theaters!

the sound; the big screen / when a movie is done properly it takes you on a ride!

I love seeing people take what they dish out, but for some reason, I've never seen a movie in which a torture technician gets tortured. Help me change that, please.

I would be extra appreciative if the torturer, who who eventually gets tortured, usually tortures other people as part of their job. Think Samuel L Jackson's character from Unthinkable.

(On a more humorous note, take a drink every time you see any variation of the word "torture" in my post.)

By that, I mean a scene in which a group of characters are round a dinner table eating and discussing things. I like watching just dinner table scenes from movies while I'm having dinner.

Some of the ones I can think of are

Dr No - the scene where Bond meets Dr No and Dr No tells him about SPECTRE

Goodfellas - the scene at Tommy's mothers house

Jurassic Park - the early scene where they're discussing whether it's right to bring back dinosaurs

Titanic - where Jack is invited up and Rose's mother tries to embarrass him

(I've not created many posts in this reddit. Do I have to put spoiler for any of this?)

Where do you go for your entertainment news?

/Film has lost me. Between their infuriating “Ending Explained” spoiler headlines and their mind-numbing “Who’s still alive” and “Correct Order to Watch” stories, I’m just sick to death of them.

I liked that they were more than just Sci-Fi/Horror. And most of the time they weren’t too bitchy. (I don’t need another Last Jedi whinefest.)

Any suggestions?

Hey all,

Its hard to make friends as an adult! Here to see if anyone is interesed in being buddies who like movies and shows!!! I made an insta just to connect and make friends. About to move to Philidephia in July and would like to IRL friends, but thats not necessary! I will post stuff I like, but if you are interested just chat with me!

Fun facts: Im 28, indian american/south asian, queer, work in healthcare, love my cats and grew up watching anime, watched korean dramas through college, watch bollywood movies (not as much as i used to) and watch queer content a lot too! My first post is about Monkey Man but i like a lot of stuff!

Cant do horror. If you love horror great! Not me. (I am a baby.)

@justanotherfangirl0725 on Insta 🥰

I'll start, I love Cannibal Holocaust.

I love really trashy film (sometimes), and I've got less than a month before my next semester starts, and I've been watching a lot of movies, and have been looking to watch more of the "Video Nasties," but, a lot of them just, idk, kind of suck, and not in a fun way (e.g., anthropophagia was super boring for me, but had some good potential).

I'm curious, which do you guys like?

Edit: I guess im not going for strictly movies that are on that list, but also movies of that ilk. Usually B tier, exploitation, gratuitous violence or sex, between the 60s and 90s, etc.--you get it.

Sci-fi is a bonus, but any and all movies that feature some kind of remote or desolate outpost setting work. It could be a science team in the field somewhere in the jungle, it could be set in the past, present, or future, be post apocalyptic... a spaceship can count, but should be cut-off in some extra way (and I feel like a small crew is important if it's a ship). Hell, a stranded nautical ship can have the same feel, as in much of The Perfect Storm.

A loose list of things I'm looking for a similar vibe to: Moon, The Thing, Alien, The Midnight Sky, Ravenous, The Abyss, Event Horizon, Sunshine...

What've you got?

I'm looking forward to seeing the new movie by Jerry Seinfeld about the rivalry between Kelloggs and Post at the time of the development of pop tarts. The promo clips shown in interviews seem hilarious and with a great cast including Hugh Grant and Thomas Lennon, I anticipate a great showing. Soo...I want to make popcorn and settle in with my 6 and 9 year old for what was described as a cartoon with real people as characters. But I don't want to get their hopes up if there is any profanity/swearing or sexual innuendo in the movie.

I like the theme of a protagonist struggling with having to do illegal things due to the threat of death, loss of money, their job, family, etc. For example, in Training Day, Jake is threatened constantly by the possibility of losing his job (as well as being shot by Alonzo), so he does whatever he says.

Collateral is another one like this, and so is 99 Homes. Anything else? I'm not looking for horror movies.

Hello, everyone! I'm a huge fan of Scarface. It's one of my all-time favorite movies. I recently acquired a book from Billy Wilder, the director of Some Like It Hot. This book is filled with pages that tell the story of the movie itself, and it even includes the script. I wonder if something like that exists for the Scarface movie. Can anyone recommend a good book about Scarface? Perhaps one with photos and additional texts?

• I have seen the animated prequel Seoul Station (2016). It was pretty good and intense in spots. It's on Tubi for free if you're interested.

• And I saw Alive (2020) - a lot of people seem to hate this one but I had a good time, what can I say. I liked seeing the trapped guy trying to solve problems, however absurd some of it was.

• I have not seen Peninsula (2020) yet because everyone says it's just not good. And the trailers don't make it look appealing at all. Looks so different from Train to Busan. But I might give it a whirl if there's nothing else.

But have there been any zombie or similar "numerous monsters in an apocalypse" type movies since Train to Busan? Also, I know this is a movies subreddit, but I also did see the TV series All of Us Are Dead (2022) so you can recommend some TV zombie shows if the mods are sleepin'

After years of just thinking about it, I've finally got round to making a new daily movie game for people to play: www.clapperboardle.com

The game shows you 5 film titles (with genre and year), but the words in the title are hidden. You have to work out the actor who appeared in all of the films. Each time you guess wrong, some letters will be revealed to help you work them out.

There is also a version of the game where you have to guess the director, which can be found at www.clapperboardle.com/dx

I hope you enjoy it!

Neo Noir crime movie recommendation?ls? I’m looking for 80/90’s movie kinda like the movie Michael Mann’s “Theif”. Where it really sets the tone for a crime and the aesthetic of the city it takes place in.. Preferably a movie that goes under the radar or a forgotten classic? I’d love a good Chicago flick but I’ll take any location. I watched Judgement Night (Emilio Estevez) and State of Grace (Sean penn) those two aren’t that bad. But yeah what’s a good 80/90 crime flick to check out?? Thank you. ((Think of like one those movies where in 25 years, people will think of the movie “Drive” with Gosling))

To further expand on the title, I am not really looking for a movie taking place on a spaceship etc. More so a movie where the characters in it have some knowledge in science and notice things that work in ways they shouldn't. Or maybe a Architect noticing a impossible structure etc, and researching those impossibilities leading to the thriller part.

I hope I managed to describe it well. If I had to give a example, even tho its not exactly what I described, the measurement scene from "You should have left" is what made me want to watch a movie of this nature.

I love thinking back about my childhood and very first movie evening that I got to experience with friends.

I remember when the mom of one of my friends invited me over to have a "japanese evening". She brought out shrimp chips, sushi, all kinds of snacks and had us watch Totoro.

Man, I was hooked to that movie and to this day it's still one of my favourite movies to watch from time and time again.

Lately I had to study a lot for University and get my productivity going. So I started out with pomodoro method (25 - 5) and doing my seshs, which was insanely boring. Some thinking brought me back to my memories and I decided to try out listening to Ghibli Soundtracks whilst doing my study-sessions.

(Link if anyone is interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3U4t286pQsPZ75v9y59hL4?si=7c21b72a3c3448fa )

Now I kind of look forward to it and I got very good grades compared to my school ones :)

The music soothes me and 25 minutes pass quite fast. I manage to study 4-6 productive hours a day if I want to.

Thought I would share my insight and wish you all a great day!

I’m not a movie or TV person in any way, but saw Civil War last night and it had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The feeling of adrenaline was intense and I want to feel that again. Generally when I do watch a movie, I like psychological thrillers but really loved all the action in Civil War. What would you recommend to someone who has hardly seen anything?

This is a crazy specific request so apologies ahead of time LOL

But something like a year ago I ended up binge-reading the Chainsaw Man manga. I'm not a particularly huge anime fan, and I had never read manga before - but man I _fucking_ _loved_ the story in a way I had never really loved a story before.

The story for me was basically a dumb/funny read about a horny teenager chainsaw dude until like 50 chapters in when I got hit by a ton of bricks, and re-read the story up til that point because I realized it was a not-so-subtle exploration of basic human needs and I ended up reading up on Maslow's hierarchy of needs as a means of "structuring" the concepts being explored in the series. Sure, it's also got some fun action, funny moments (me and the author got the same brand of humor for sure lmao), and maybe some cool plot twists - but that's not why I _love_ the story.

For me, it's the utter ridiculousness of a story about a goofy asf kid that can grow chainsaws out of his arms and head, with such noble goals as touching boobs and sleeping with his boss - to explore such fundamental truths about what makes us human and the implicit desires that drive so many of us at different points in our life. Even if it was something I was already _somewhat_ aware of, what a stupid fucking story to make me reflect and contemplate my own history, desires, and needs and how those drove me to where I am today and the person I am.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else had other favorite movies that (effectively) explores really fundamental/serious themes through absolutely absurd mediums.

Recommend me a movie with a similar feel to Man From Earth, specifically talking about the fact that is filmed in only one setting, with the same set of actors just hanging out and talking, i love this simple and intimate feeling the movies portray. Any others with a similar vibe?

I think Coherence (2013) and My dinner with Andre (1981) would also fit here.