THE GOLDEN NUTTER

[abisai]

OK, there is a movie thread with a nut scale. But few movies rank high and a five nut film is basically unheard of, though we all must have films we like that much. I define that five nut movie a GOLDEN NUTTER and thought we should give some props to great films.

I would say that two people agreeing makes not a GOLDEN NUTTER and that a third must chime in to ratify the thing as the best damn movie among the heard.

Keeping that spirit of three as the magic number I'll nominate three films:
1. Equilibrium. Few films balance the action and depth as well as this did for me. A futuristic society where humans have to reclaim their humanity is not a new concept and frankly has been done to death. But this one captured the concept very tightly and the rigid acting and bland imagery was flawless to me.
2. Fisherking. I will get chewed up for this I bet, but this movie had a huge impact on me as a kid. It's got humor, romance, and drama, roughly in that order. Robin Williams features as the lunatic and Jeff Bridges throws down solid work. I found it engaging and entertaining, despite the naked man romp in the park. I admit that is over the line, but everything else was solid.
3. Godfather 2. A softy I know, but a great film we would be remise to not acknowledge as one of the best ever. How many movies replicated the forumals Coppola used? How many characters are rough repackaging of these characters? Mad drama all over the place just leaking out of corners of the screne there is so much going on.

[Rob G]

I cannot elevate Equilibrium to a 5 nutter but it was really really good. The fischerking. I did not see that coming. I will watch this movie more intently when next it is on.

Godfather part 2 is definatly a 5 nutter in my book and one of the films ever. The scene at the end brings it all together. Brilliant

Now i will nominate 3

CONAN THE BARBIAN: I'm serious. The music. The power, the primal themes. Arnolds personification of strength and Conquest.

THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK: Nuff said

LAST OF THE MOHICANS:

[Ken]

I was pleasantly surprised to see Equilibrium nominated for a 5 Nutter. It was a really great movie, but alas, it falls short of of a true 5 Nutter. I just can't nominate it for that last nut. Some scenes just bored me a little, although the end was worth the entire movie.

I never saw the Fisher King. I despise the Bridges Brothers. I think their acting stinks, I try to avoid movies with them in it.

Believe it or not, I have never seen any of the Godfather movies. I just can't force myself to watch them. I know, I have a problem.

NOW, I will certainly nominate Conan the Barbarian for a 5 Nutter. The musical score was great. I used The Anvil of Crom as my wedding entrance song for God's sake, and it was AWESOME right Rob! The story was just wonderful, on so many different levels. You could look at that movie as a struggle between humans or even avatars. The way events were set up in that movie had a Greek/Roman "Gods Manipulating Humans" feel to it, or not. That was the beauty of that movie. Plus, the imagery was powerful, the revenge that drove Conan was palpable.

Empire Strikes Back, of course. How can you not nominate this movie, it was the pivotal movie in the series; action, drama, comedy, character driven.

Last of the Mohicans. The Gault brothers are in love with this movie. I should be too considering I summer in Lake George every year, but I just can't give it that last nut. It's definitely at least a solid 4 Nutter, but one of the Best ever?

[abisai]

Haven't seen Star Wars since I was wearing pajamas and going to bed (which had Star Wars bed sheets) at 8PM. But my Xmas list in those days went roughly: Star Wars figures, Star Wars figures, GI Joe figures, Star Wars figures. But with these movies released on DVD I suspect it is only a matter of time before I revisit the series origins.

Conan I loved enough to buy Conan the Destroyer and Red Sonja. I also bought the first five books in the novel series I also bought the book for Last of the Mohicans and I even went to the actual waterfall from the climax of Mohicans on my Honeymoon. But to me, when the thrones are aligned around the table set for the feast of greatest films these two are waiting behind the velvet rope just outside, one nut short. Both are great films and I own them and love them. There's elements to each that detract. I'll toss out the entire female character from Conan and her reappearance at the climatic battle in the end. It's just not right that Conan should be either dying or falling in love. Mohicans was very well done and highly dramatic, but something in the lovelines there was off too for me.

OK, two votes for Godfather 2.... two votes for Conan the Barbarian...

I'll toss out three more:
1. Usual Suspects. Hard to find a movie with more intrigue and re-watchability than this masterpiece of suspence. Few films do I remember watching for the first time on VHS on TV (as apposed to in theatre experience which tends to be more memorable) but this is one. Of course I own it, who doesn't? Never heard of anyone not liking this one. Sharp script and well-played characters all around.
2. Lord of the Rings, Fellowship of the Ring. This is a masterpiece on numerous levels that was robbed of many awards in Hollywood. I loved the way they captured the vibe and feel of the different settings and remixed the storyboard enough to not be a straight walk through of the book, but not a wacky divergence either. Gandalf, need I say more?
3. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. One of my favorite films and literally my absolute favorite book. This goes to show what a sick person I truly am... but making something fun and enjoyable while juxtapositioning with abject horrors of mental wards is amazing. True this is a Nicholson ham fest, but he runs with the ball all the way into the end zone in my eyes. Plus, it goes the extra mile and gives depth of character development in numerous characters. Like Billy Bibbitt NOT stuttering for the first time the morning after he gets his piece of ass when asked if he was embarrassed. I love the core concept of questioning definitions of sanity and McMurphy throwing it in the faces of the patients that they are normal dudes too - either we're all fucked up or we're all normal... ;D My all-time favorite sequences includes the fishing trip, raw entertainment that is good on numerous levels.

[grammer edits & added "two votes for Conan"]