What other fantasy movies do you like? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Shelob · 02-14-2005, 07:30 PM

My favorite non-LOTR fantasy movie is Princess Bride, but since most of you seem to agree with me there I will only add the point that if you have not read the book you really ought to.

Elsewise I enjoy Star Trek (and Encaitare it's really funny you should say you got the movies at the final sale of a video store--that's where we originally got ours, though we've since bought DVD coppies of them all), most anything that could be classified as action (so Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Carribean, and similar) as well as anything bassed off of a book ( but that's more because I like comparing texts to their movie interpretations).

And, while it might fit in this category only marginally, I would add to the general mix Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

For those of you who have suggested Gormenghast, is that worth reading/watching? I've heared about it piecemeal but never enough to determine what it's about or if it would be an interesting read. Thanks.

Lalwendë · 02-15-2005, 05:02 AM

Is Gormenghast worth reading? Oh yes!

It is, more than anything, a tale about the castle Gormenghast, from which the trilogy (usually found bound in one doorstop of a single volume edition nowadays) gets the title. This is an immense place filled with history, danger, junk and dust. And weird people. There is the Groan family, the nobles, who are weird enough, but in addition there are a myriad other people who keep the whole place running. It is almost undefinable as to which category of fiction it could be placed in, though it does tend to be seen as fantasy. But it also has strong elements of gothic horror and satire.

The main narrative thread follows the adventures and machinations of Steerpike, a kitchen boy who has escaped, and now seeks to climb the social ladder of Gormenghast, along the way upsetting the established order - which in itself is stifling and inexplicable. Some of the best characters include: the sinister Flay - former manservant to Lord Groan, Fuchsia - eccentric and romantic daughter of Lord Groan, and the Prunesquallors - the castle doctor and his man-mad sister.

I'd recommend reading it before seeing the BBC version - as then your imagination will be able to run riot imagining the gothic splendour of the place.

Milord Aldagrim · 02-15-2005, 06:35 AM

I might sound redundant here, but I too like Star Wars and Star Trek. I also love Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Another good on is Prince Valiant, which is based on the comic strip. The Mummy movies are good. Oh, I almost forgot a great one! The Wolfman with Lon Chaney Jr.

Encaitare · 02-15-2005, 02:15 PM

I too love the Mummy movies. I have them memorized and enjoy reciting them, accents and all...

Gormenghast sounds really cool... I shall add it to my mile-long list of Books to Read.

Kitanna · 02-15-2005, 05:04 PM

MST3K (Mystery Science Theater 3000), always an excellent choice. They make a few Tolkien references every now and again too.

aelithes · 02-15-2005, 05:12 PM

I'd have to say The Princess Bride, Willow, and Legend. Now, my choice of fantasy movies is almost entirely a matter of circumstance and a product the generation I grew up in, so I make no claims whatsoever in terms of their level of quality! Though I think one unanimous positive factor of all three films is their unerring quotability.

02-20-2005, 10:39 AM

Of course I like Willow, Legende and into the Labyrinth (David Bowie was so cool) But I also remeber: Ladyhawk Do anybody know these film? With Rudger Hauher and Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick (a realy very young Matthew) It´s very romantic, fantastic...and have a very good filmmusic.

Kitanna · 02-20-2005, 11:31 AM

Ladyhawke is an excellent movie. Almost all '80's fantasy movies are good though.

02-14-2005, 07:30 PM	#1
Shelob Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: At the abysmal Abyss Mall. Posts: 276	My favorite non-LOTR fantasy movie is Princess Bride, but since most of you seem to agree with me there I will only add the point that if you have not read the book you really ought to. Elsewise I enjoy Star Trek (and Encaitare it's really funny you should say you got the movies at the final sale of a video store--that's where we originally got ours, though we've since bought DVD coppies of them all), most anything that could be classified as action (so Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Carribean, and similar) as well as anything bassed off of a book ( but that's more because I like comparing texts to their movie interpretations). And, while it might fit in this category only marginally, I would add to the general mix Monty Python and the Holy Grail. For those of you who have suggested Gormenghast, is that worth reading/watching? I've heared about it piecemeal but never enough to determine what it's about or if it would be an interesting read. Thanks. __________________ A signature always reveals a man's character - and sometimes even his name ~Evan Esar. Pan for Everyone!

02-15-2005, 05:02 AM	#2
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Is Gormenghast worth reading? Oh yes! It is, more than anything, a tale about the castle Gormenghast, from which the trilogy (usually found bound in one doorstop of a single volume edition nowadays) gets the title. This is an immense place filled with history, danger, junk and dust. And weird people. There is the Groan family, the nobles, who are weird enough, but in addition there are a myriad other people who keep the whole place running. It is almost undefinable as to which category of fiction it could be placed in, though it does tend to be seen as fantasy. But it also has strong elements of gothic horror and satire. The main narrative thread follows the adventures and machinations of Steerpike, a kitchen boy who has escaped, and now seeks to climb the social ladder of Gormenghast, along the way upsetting the established order - which in itself is stifling and inexplicable. Some of the best characters include: the sinister Flay - former manservant to Lord Groan, Fuchsia - eccentric and romantic daughter of Lord Groan, and the Prunesquallors - the castle doctor and his man-mad sister. I'd recommend reading it before seeing the BBC version - as then your imagination will be able to run riot imagining the gothic splendour of the place. __________________ Gordon's alive!

02-15-2005, 05:04 PM	#5
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	MST3K (Mystery Science Theater 3000), always an excellent choice. They make a few Tolkien references every now and again too. __________________ "Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

02-15-2005, 05:12 PM	#6
aelithes Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 19	I'd have to say The Princess Bride, Willow, and Legend. Now, my choice of fantasy movies is almost entirely a matter of circumstance and a product the generation I grew up in, so I make no claims whatsoever in terms of their level of quality! Though I think one unanimous positive factor of all three films is their unerring quotability. __________________ Caelum videre iussit et erectos ad sidera tollere vultus.

02-20-2005, 11:31 AM	#8
Kitanna Child of the West Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Watching President Fillmore ride a unicorn Posts: 2,132	Ladyhawke is an excellent movie. Almost all '80's fantasy movies are good though. __________________ "Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." - Mark Twain

02-15-2005, 06:35 AM	#3
Milord Aldagrim Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Merrimac, MA Posts: 14	I might sound redundant here, but I too like Star Wars and Star Trek. I also love Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Another good on is Prince Valiant, which is based on the comic strip. The Mummy movies are good. Oh, I almost forgot a great one! The Wolfman with Lon Chaney Jr.

02-15-2005, 02:15 PM	#4
Encaitare Bittersweet Symphony Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: On the jolly starship Enterprise Posts: 1,814	I too love the Mummy movies. I have them memorized and enjoy reciting them, accents and all... Gormenghast sounds really cool... I shall add it to my mile-long list of Books to Read.

02-20-2005, 10:39 AM	#7
Shuki Guest Posts: n/a	Of course I like Willow, Legende and into the Labyrinth (David Bowie was so cool) But I also remeber: Ladyhawk Do anybody know these film? With Rudger Hauher and Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick (a realy very young Matthew) It´s very romantic, fantastic...and have a very good filmmusic.