Films with consistent emotional punches

[Digifruitella]

This is sort of a subjective thread, but that's the point and no doubt a film that benefits all moviefans for sure.

What the point of this thread is to post all the films, you, constantly are affected by on rewatches.

Also, talk about the whys that make you feel so.

For me, two films that I can think of right off the top.

Shawshank Redemption and Man on Fire

Both of these films never get old or fail to push all the right emotional buttons for me. Whether it's the feeling of that emotion itself, or even getting me teary eyed. With Shawshank there's just so many layers to the film that all add up to it being that film that never fails to ignite those emotions; happiness, sadness. The same is with Man on Fire, it's amazing how all the elements of that film work out the same way, yet it's such a gritty film in itself and it just never fails. I feel enraged, happy, sad, even get teary eyed. I listened to Tony Scott's commentary on the film recently and it's quite amazing how the film's ending was deliberate by Scott, to have almost 3 non stop emotional peaks in order to succeed in just destroying you emotionally. Apart of that, the way music is integrated in the film, to the same extent music is integrated in Shawshank, plays a very big part in this process.

So feel free to post the films that do that to you?

[bigred760]

I definitely agree with Shawshank, no doubt about it there. I always get a little misty watching Armageddon when Harry and Grace are saying goodbye to each other.

[Bourne101]

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a big one for me. Few films make you care about the characters as much as this film and I get emotional from both the good things (Chief playing basketball) and the bad things (Billy killing himself) that happen to the characters. With the good things, it overwhelms me when you see these people confined in this place, treated like crap and brainwashed into buying into this system rise above it and bring a sense of normalcy to their lives. With the bad things, I find it difficult to see some of these people who have finally started to live their lives (even if it is in a mental institution) succumb to the pressures that their environment evokes. The scene where only one or two guys vote to watch the world series is devastating.

[Roy Batty]

Requiem for a Dream: Besides it's editing, the accuracy of addiction being shown just makes me recall when I initially watched the film at the age of fourteen. I think it's easily Darren's best, and arguably better than Trainspotting in terms of a film related to drug addiction.

Antichrist: Initially, when I first saw the film two years ago, I was eagerly looking forward to its more violent sequences because of the uproar it caused at Cannes. Shockingly, the movie is noticeably deeper in both context and relevance to various topics that I think should receive more attention (Gynocide and religious belief versus psychological practicality). The movie does contain horror elements, but it's ultimately a psychological analysis set within a dark fantasy. Artistically, the shots are some of the best I've seen in any film, the score is faintly heard, but when there, it leaves an impact. Finally, the film has so much symbolism that I pick up something new every time I catch it.

Blade Runner: Of course, I had to list my favorite movie of all time. It's Ridley's best. Not many movies can justify every characters actions in a way that doesn't make them appear simply villainous or heroic, Blade Runner accomplishes this. The replicants all have individual personalities that make them unique and it makes both their internal and external struggles seem real. I could write an entire analysis on this thing and still miss parts, but that's what I love about it the most.

[echo_bravo]

Originally Posted by Jig Saw 123

Requiem for a Dream: Besides it's editing, the accuracy of addiction being shown just makes me recall when I initially watched the film at the age of fourteen. I think it's easily Darren's best, and arguably better than Trainspotting in terms of a film related to drug addiction.

This would be my top choice as well. Plus the last 15 minutes is flat out insane.

[jaw2929]

Originally Posted by Jig Saw 123

Requiem for a Dream: Besides it's editing, the accuracy of addiction being shown just makes me recall when I initially watched the film at the age of fourteen. I think it's easily Darren's best, and arguably better than Trainspotting in terms of a film related to drug addiction.

First movie that popped into my head. Also others like My Name is Joe, The House of Sand & Fog, Kes, Fish Tank and Sweet Sixteen. All very gritty & have their emotional ups and downs (primarily downs).

[Roy Batty]

Originally Posted by jaw2929

First movie that popped into my head. Also others like My Name is Joe, The House of Sand & Fog, Kes, Fish Tank and Sweet Sixteen. All very gritty & have their emotional ups and downs (primarily downs).

The House of Sand & Fog just adds to the rep that Jennifer Connelly is a homewrecker in most of her movies

[athf1980]

the ending of green mile
aragon song and bowing to the hobbits in return of the king
son and father playing catch at the end of field of dreams