1. The Brood 2. Scanners 3. Shivers 4. A History Of Violence 5. eXistenZ
Posted by Valley (Member # 1322) on :
Helen.. my fav is eXistenZ by a large margin, but here's my list:
1. eXistenZ 2. The Fly 3. The Brood 4. Scanners 5. The Dead Zone
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Very tough because Cronenberg is a genius and personal favorite, but here goes...
1. Crash 2. Videodrome 3. The Dead Zone 4. The Brood 5. Dead Ringers
The only Cronenberg films that I don't care for are Fast Company and M. Butterfly. Otherwise I think that every one of his films is just brilliant. eXistenZ is in the next five on my list along with The Fly, Shivers, A History of Violence, and Naked Lunch.
Posted by aTomiK (Member # 6575) on :
Crash, Cronenberg really is a genius!
My top 5 at the moment:
1. The Dead Zone 2. Videodrome 3. Crash 4. The Fly 5. Rabid
Rabid was the first Cronenberg film i saw so that always has a special place in my heart Posted by JAY LEE (Member # 6345) on :
Im gonna have to say The Dead Zone and The Fly, because I can, for the life of me, not remember anything about any of the other Crone flicks i've seen Posted by Bernie_Lomax (Member # 8571) on :
I just cannot get into Cronenberg movies. I have tried.
Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
Oh you 2 Dead Zone would be just outside for me. Rabid too, another goodun Atomik Posted by The Good Package (Member # 9492) on :
i havent seen 5 of his movies yet. i will say that dead ringers would not be on the list though. i couldnt make it all the way through.
Posted by 80'sRocked (Member # 6979) on :
eXistenZ The Fly A History of Violence Scanners
These are the only 4 I have seen that he directed. Absolutely love eXisteZ and The Fly.
Posted by Bernie_Lomax (Member # 8571) on :
quote:Originally posted by The Good Package: i havent seen 5 of his movies yet. i will say that dead ringers would not be on the list though. i couldnt make it all the way through.
I can't get through any of his movies. I am not trying to can the guy at all. I respect him for the genius that he is. I just don't enjoy his movies. He does have some very unique ideas though. You can tell from watching his movies that he is quite intelligent.
Posted by Kash (Member # 297) on :
Dead Zone Naked Lunch A History Of Violence Videodrome Spider
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Spider...interesting choice, Kash. I like it, and it's extremely well done, but it's a little twee. Great acting though!
Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
Yeah, not too big on Spider.
Posted by Kash (Member # 297) on :
Spider is one of the most relentlessly downbeat films you're ever likely to see. Ralph Fiennes was good, but Gabriel Byrne and Miranda Richardson were brilliant. It also depicts a time in England that's rarely seen on screen.
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Kash, you are right. Even for Cronenberg, Spider is relentlessly grim. You are also on the mark about the acting--excellent performances. I haven't read Patrick McGrath's novel, which I understand is very different from the film, but I expect that Cronenberg's changes make things better. Cronenberg is that rare director who can take what everyone calls an "unfilmable" book and bring it to life--see also "Naked Lunch" and "Crash."
Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
I watched Cosmopolis last night. At first I was like what is this poop, but then I became totally immersed in all the odd conversations. And was finally able to see Robert Pattinson without the sparkles!
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
I totally like Cosmopolis, another Cronenberg filiming of an unfilmable book. It's a difficult film--and certainly not one for casual moviegoers-but as you said, by the end it is really compelling. Pattinson is actually a good actor. He and Cronenberg work well together. Of course, we also have the great Paul Giamatti, who is typically on his game here. It has an unforgettable last shot too. Then again, most of the recent Cronenberg films end on one perfect shot like A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, and Maps to the Stars.
[ 16. November 2015, 12:19: Message edited by: Crash ]
Posted by the young warrior (Member # 9554) on :
The dead zone is easily my favourite but I do really like - crash and the fly,dead ringers I thought was pretty decent also.
Map to the stars I didn't think was as bad as some people are making it out to be,not classic cronenberg but still watchable!
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Dead Zone is the most commercial film that Cronenberg has done, but it is one of his best. The Stephen King book is excellent; the film is even better. Crash is my favorite Cronenberg because I love the "unfilmable" book by J.G. Ballard and how Cronenberg made it great. The Fly is probably the best remake of any film ever. And Dead Ringers has Jeremy Irons's outstanding dual performances. Maps to the Stars is definitely second-tier Cronenberg, but I laughed a lot and enjoyed it.
You should check out eXistenZ. It's so underrated but terrific.
Posted by the young warrior (Member # 9554) on :
I need to check out eXistenZ and videodrome again crash,I have seen them both but it's been quite a long time, especially the latter.
What was videodrome like crash was that any good?
Map to the stars you couldn't help but laugh,the nudity was that in your face and some of the dialogue as well,cronenberg definitely didn't want the audience sympathising with any of the characters as they were a right bunch of low life's!
[ 25. November 2015, 08:44: Message edited by: the young warrior ]
Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
quote:Originally posted by Helen_S: 1. The Brood 2. Scanners 3. Shivers 4. A History Of Violence 5. eXistenZ
Helen, you do realise he directed Videodrome as well, right ? Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
It would be in my 8. I have a weird relationship with that one though. Sometimes I adore, other times I think a little bit overrated. Depends what day Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
Where is your 5 anyway? Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
I have been thinking about this.. quite a lot actually.. and here's what i've come up with :
1.. Videodrome 2.. The Fly 3.. Dead Ringers 4.. Rabid 5.. Crash
A couple of remarks though :
- I deliberately left out The Dead Zone, because i haven't seen it since the 90's. My memories are too vague, and currently i do not own a copy.
- Videodrome is my absolute number 1.. I didn't have to think about that for a second. It's the perfect combination of Cronenberg's low-budget shockers from the 70's and his more mainstream success films which were soon to follow. The casting of Deborah Harry may have been risky, but she did a great job. Not for one moment i felt like i was watching Blondie's frontlady.
- The Fly may very well be the best remake ever, plus it has the best abrupt ending since Texas Chainsaw Massacre !
- Personally i rate Dead Ringers very highly, but i can fully understand why people don't particularly like it, more so than with any other Cronenberg movie. I doubt i even liked it myself when i first saw it.
- Of his four early horrors (Shivers, Rabid, The Brood, and Scanners) i like Rabid best. Second would be Shivers, third The Brood, and for some reason Scanners never really did it for me, which is kinda odd, because theoretically it's something that should be right up my alley..
- Crash is probably one of the most daring movies of the 1990's. Stylized, but a work of absolute beauty !
- I have to admit i've never seen A History Of Violence, nor do i own it, but i doubt it would have made it into my list.
- And i actually do like Fast Company ! (yes, really) Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
I liked Dead Ringers much more second time around. The ending to Crash is phenomenal haha.
I don't think I've seen Fast Company!
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Fast Company is better than M. Butterfly in my opinion. Posted by Johnny Roarke is reckless (Member # 9826) on :
Fast Company wouldn't make it into anyone's top 5 here, obviously.. but it's really not a bad movie. It's got some intrigue within the racing business, cool cars, a little T & A, plus a great cast which includes William Smith, John Saxon, and Claudia Jennings.
I once read a review in which the writer drew some parallels between Fast Company and Cronenberg's Crash..
In my opinion, the best way to enjoy Fast Company is to forget it was directed by Cronenberg and just see it as a fun 70's drive-in movie.
Blue Underground released a truly amazing special edition, which even includes a Cronenberg commentary !
Ask aTomiK.. he just bought it !
[ 04. December 2015, 05:38: Message edited by: Johnny Roarke is reckless ]
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Dead Zone would be just outside for me. Rabid too, another goodun Atomik ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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