h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is actually my first post, so if I'm getting this all wrong, don't hesitate to bop me over the head.

If you're looking for a film that is moving, then you can't go wrong with 'It's a Wonderful Life'. Despite its reputation for mawkishness (if that's a word) and over-the-top Christmas cheer, it's actually quite a dark film. The overall message is 'Dreams don't always come true - get over it', and the dream/fantasy sequence is a nightmare of capitalist dystopia.

Oh and the lines: 'Is he in danger?', 'Worse... he's become discouraged' always make me laugh.

i think one of my favourites has to be the dead poets society.

Two films I keep meaning to see, but never get around to. Are they any good then?

Oh, I forgot, I think that one of my favourites has to be Blade Runner. The bit at the end when the detective says, "She won't live forever, but then who does?" Or something along those lines.

Dead poets is v. good, though I would advise watching it before any subsequent Robin Williams film with Williams in a position of authority.

For myself, I'd like to nominate The Limey, which most of you will have never heard of, but I'd better not say too much about it as the most moving bit is the ending. Also Man on the Moon, the one about Andy Kaufman has a very touching (but not cheesey) final scene.

A couple off the top of my head:

"Ordinary People" (1980) Very good cast with Donald Sutherland, Timothy Hutton and ... especially ... Mary Tyler Moore. IMHO a brilliant example of casting against type. TV's cuddly Mary Richards as the villainess? Whoever suggested that must have owned the studio. She is the coldest bitch you'll ever see (excluding some real world ... nevermind).

"The Graduate" (1967) OK, maybe on everybody's list, but this was the year I left home for college, so I was probably more easily sucked in. Not that I mind at all. Great cast in Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katherine Ross (woof!), but the real star is director Mike Nichols, I think, lots of clever director stuff going on here.

Ok, mayb I should be asking this question somewhere else, but it just occured to me and I'm lazy (so shoot me) but in Bagpuss's (or should that be Bagpuss'?) name it says to vote for your favourite song at A539156. What is the quickest way to get there (I tried a search and it came up inconclusive).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A539156


Ought to do it.

much appreciated

what a weak best film. Sure its great the night before st. nick arrives but hey theres a whole 364 other days in the year.

FERRIS BUELERS DAY OFF, yes OTT optermism but with such style and acting performances....... If you don't want to be Ferris then you must be Cameron

Yes, I saw Dead Poets Socitey once, - I was all boohooing with my sister when every fifth minute the sponsors who put it on TV had their little cheery advert-tune ('Da dum da-da-da-daa dum da-dum') that ruined the whole 'I need to cry'-moment. (How irritating!)

I'm a real Cameron by nature, but that's probably why I enjoy Ferris Bueller's Day Off so much. So funny, and the scene in the art gallery always manages to bring a tear to my eye (just don't tell anyone I know that I said that!)