Movies with insane plot twists

...this thread is basically the perfect case study for how much the values and life dynamics of Americans have shifted. It used to be that we’d discuss The Conversation based on whether it was—well, good or not—focusing on the twists, those unexpected endings, or even the "process" itself. We talked about what else could still catch us off guard in a movie. But now? Now we just list things endlessly. We exhaust ourselves trying to rank one thing over another—because apparently, in every single category, something must come out on top, which implies everything can just be filed away into neat little boxes. And as if that wasn't enough, we all just take it for granted that our categorizations are somehow (!) distinct from one another, even though none of us can actually explain why. We don't have the time to talk about it; we just need to keep listing. We'll obsess over cinematography, direction, the script, or the acting—those "standalone" elements that are easy to compare—but the actual quality of a film's unpredictability, its sense of wonder, requires me to completely redefine my entire way of watching movies. Honestly, that's too much work for three lifetimes...

...I honestly think this is the most depressing thread ever started on this forum. 😢 🙂

And you know what the saddest part is? We’re sitting here obsessing over these breathtaking cinematic moments, while filmmakers are just sitting there counting their damn dollars! 🤣

_______________
_______________ his lordship count The Money

Larry Martin11 said:...this thread is basically the perfect case study for how much the values and life dynamics of Americans have shifted. It used to be that we’d discuss The Conversation based on whether it was—well, good or not—focusing on the twists, those unexpected endings, or even the "process" itself. We talked about what else could still catch us off guard in a movie. But now? Now we just list things endlessly. We exhaust ourselves trying to rank one thing over another—because apparently, in every single category, something must come out on top, which implies everything can just be filed away into neat little boxes. And as if that wasn't enough, we all just take it for granted that our categorizations are somehow (!) distinct from one another, even though none of us can actually explain why. We don't have the time to talk about it; we just need to keep listing. We'll obsess over cinematography, direction, the script, or the acting—those "standalone" elements that are easy to compare—but the actual quality of a film's unpredictability, its sense of wonder, requires me to completely redefine my entire way of watching movies. Honestly, that's too much work for three lifetimes...

...I honestly think this is the most depressing thread ever started on this forum. 😢 🙂

🙂

you're being an asshole😢

Larry Martin11 said:...this thread is basically the perfect case study for how much the values and life dynamics of Americans have shifted. It used to be that we’d discuss The Conversation based on whether it was—well, good or not—focusing on the twists, those unexpected endings, or even the "process" itself. We talked about what else could still catch us off guard in a movie. But now? Now we just list things endlessly. We exhaust ourselves trying to rank one thing over another—because apparently, in every single category, something must come out on top, which implies everything can just be filed away into neat little boxes. And as if that wasn't enough, we all just take it for granted that our categorizations are somehow (!) distinct from one another, even though none of us can actually explain why. We don't have the time to talk about it; we just need to keep listing. We'll obsess over cinematography, direction, the script, or the acting—those "standalone" elements that are easy to compare—but the actual quality of a film's unpredictability, its sense of wonder, requires me to completely redefine my entire way of watching movies. Honestly, that's too much work for three lifetimes...

...I honestly think this is the most depressing thread ever started on this forum. 😢 🙂

I’d argue that this "checkbox" approach to cinema is symptomatic of the death of true film culture. Everything has been reduced to a consumerist, pluralistic dimension where people no longer say, "I watched that movie," but rather, "I own that in my collection." Not that I’m trying to vent my frustrations here, but this total free-for-all—this complete lack of criteria—strips away all context. It turns film from a medium for communicating ideas into nothing more than pure, hedonistic gratification. And honestly, none of it is helped by this recent American obsession with narrative gimmicks, which seems to be where all our modern experimental ambition has gone to die.
The Conversation, much like the pakulin trilogija (which likely served as an inspiration just as much as Blow Up did), functions primarily as a chronicle of the Watergate era paranoia that gripped America. While the screenplay feels somewhat predictable and flat, the film is absolutely revolutionary in its sound design. And, of course, it remains one of those tragic, rare instances where we get to see John Cazale’s brilliance captured on celluloid.

👍
...Man, I wish I’d phrased it that way 😍 but hey, you have my vote!

...And if I can jump in, I’ll add just one thing: at the very least, a movie should offer some level of hedonistic pleasure—meaning the person watching it actually enjoys themselves. That alone would be something. Even if a film were stripped down to nothing more than pure entertainment, it would at least be fun. However, this whole approach of hoarding totally negates even that, in my opinion. It's no longer about enjoying what you see; it’s just about watching so you can list it later—or, even worse, buying it just so you can own it and add it to a collection. Sadly, there's no escaping this mindset entirely (I mean, if I watch two movies today from two different eras, with two different styles, directors, and sensibilities, how much attention can I really give to either?), but it's a shame we're amplifying that exact behavior

The Others

Larry Martin11 said:👍
...Man, I wish I’d phrased it that way 😍 but hey, you have my vote!

...And if I can jump in, I’ll add just one thing: at the very least, a movie should offer some level of hedonistic pleasure—meaning the person watching it actually enjoys themselves. That alone would be something. Even if a film were stripped down to nothing more than pure entertainment, it would at least be fun. However, this whole approach of hoarding totally negates even that, in my opinion. It's no longer about enjoying what you see; it’s just about watching so you can list it later—or, even worse, buying it just so you can own it and add it to a collection. Sadly, there's no escaping this mindset entirely (I mean, if I watch two movies today from two different eras, with two different styles, directors, and sensibilities, how much attention can I really give to either?), but it's a shame we're amplifying that exact behavior

Truth. This tiny corner of the internet is the perfect example of that... though I have to admit, I don't really get the "checkbox" mentality myself. What does it even mean to "watch" a movie? Is the goal just having functioning eyeballs? When you sit down to swap ideas, you want to talk about what that piece of celluloid actually did to your soul. Honestly, I’d much rather talk to someone who's seen five movies but actually has an opinion, rather than some zombie rattling off a list of everything they watched since yesterday.

As if I just watched the movie just so I could bring it up in a thread or start a whole discussion about it...😢

I’d love to dissect The Conversation with the same vocabulary you guys have, but I need to watch a few more films before I can even get close to that level (yeah, yeah, I know, someone's gonna say I'm watching movies just to improve my vocabulary😬).

Anyway, this Coppola flick is a seriously well-made claustrophobic thriller. It leaves you with a ton of questions while you're watching, which really helps build that effortless tension the movie is known for. It's packed with great shots and a raw atmosphere that gets under your skin, making it impossible to get up from your seat... definitely one of those movies I'll be revisiting at least once more for various reasons...

Is that enough for you now...?🙂

Now they're gonna say I'm full of crap🙄

Larry Martin11 said:👍
...Man, I wish I’d phrased it that way 😍 but hey, you have my vote!

...And if I can jump in, I’ll add just one thing: at the very least, a movie should offer some level of hedonistic pleasure—meaning the person watching it actually enjoys themselves. That alone would be something. Even if a film were stripped down to nothing more than pure entertainment, it would at least be fun. However, this whole approach of hoarding totally negates even that, in my opinion. It's no longer about enjoying what you see; it’s just about watching so you can list it later—or, even worse, buying it just so you can own it and add it to a collection. Sadly, there's no escaping this mindset entirely (I mean, if I watch two movies today from two different eras, with two different styles, directors, and sensibilities, how much attention can I really give to either?), but it's a shame we're amplifying that exact behavior

Information terror—that is simply the era we live in.
I used to consider hedonism to be that constant stream of audio-visual stimulation we are subjected to, where film is just one more way we keep ourselves hovering at this hyper-stimulated level. Because personally, I am a hedonist; I crave catharsis, that specific feeling where a movie keeps spinning in your head for weeks after the credits roll.

ironcrane7 said:Information terror—that is simply the era we live in.
I used to consider hedonism to be that constant stream of audio-visual stimulation we are subjected to, where film is just one more way we keep ourselves hovering at this hyper-stimulated level. Because personally, I am a hedonist; I crave catharsis, that specific feeling where a movie keeps spinning in your head for weeks after the credits roll.

not sure where you lost that feeling, but I've still got it...🙂

Crying gama 😲

@Xavi, ironcrane7, and Jose Miller17—I’ve been looking back over your posts, and honestly, I’m starting to think you guys are spot on. Yeah, Xavi, you’re totally right about how people just list things over and over again. It happens on most threads, but here it’s hitting an all-time high, and unfortunately, I’m partly to blame for that. Nobody actually wants to write a real review or share their actual thoughts to make a post interesting. Instead, they just pop in, drop a movie title, maybe throw in a one-liner or two (🙏) or link a thread (👍), or whatever (😲). That’s what encourages everyone else to do the exact same thing. All this mindless listing kills the point of the discussion and makes these threads completely boring... especially this one, thanks to a certain someone (😳)...

Most of those were already on my favorites list, though I’ll definitely throw in Secret Window as well👍

Anonymous said:Most of those were already on my favorites list, though I’ll definitely throw in Secret Window as well👍

I wouldn't exactly agree, since that's one of those movies where you can basically say

Spoiler

...Maybe he's the one...[spoiler] Me and a buddy watched this movie together and man, that feeling just hit me hard...
Honestly, pretty mediocre flick considering you've got Johnny Depp and John tortura leading the charge, not to mention David Koepp behind the camera...

[/spoiler]

Jerry Martin19 said:I wouldn't exactly agree, since that's one of those movies where you can basically say

Spoiler

...Maybe he's the one...[spoiler] Me and a buddy watched this movie together and man, that feeling just hit me hard...
Honestly, pretty mediocre flick considering you've got Johnny Depp and John tortura leading the charge, not to mention David Koepp behind the camera...

[/spoiler]

Fair enough... but let's be real, whenever Johnny Depp is on screen, my objectivity totally flies out the window.😍

I see☕

Jerry Martin19 said:I see☕

😉

Actually, it just hit me—Fight Club totally caught me off guard the first time I watched it.

Anonymous said:😉

Actually, it just hit me—Fight Club totally caught me off guard the first time I watched it.

OH TOTALLY!!! And here I was thinking I was finally used to it after my fifth viewing.
btw, you guys are actually right!! Just saying...🙏 🙏

Rambo III. Honestly, totally unpredictable. ☕

Chloe Patel36 said:OH TOTALLY!!! And here I was thinking I was finally used to it after my fifth viewing.
btw, you guys are actually right!! Just saying...🙏 🙏

Honestly, I don't really care what you thought. I was actually about to say that it definitely caught me off guard the first time, but not after that since I already knew how it ends—even though the movie is so good I still watch it with total suspense.

"Dinner with an old friend." The Silence of the Lambs🙏