Modern Day Classic

[Ash28M]

If you can pick just ONE film that you see as a true modern day classic that should be head up there with the greats of the genre what would it be?

My pick as I'm sure i have said many of times would be The Blair Witch Project.

What would be your pick?

[gunner]

I look at "modern day classic" as being a future projection on what will be held with high respect among future film fans that are nursing (or yet to be) right now. Being an old school kind of person no modern film could ever sit beside the classics from and before my growing up experience, no matter how good. Blair Witch is a good classic behind-the-scenes & advertising story, but as a film I dunno, it's kinda like a carnival sideshow where the actual display inside the tent doesn't match the thrilling poster. It's a final product much altered by the studio carnies. I found the Sci-Fi channel special far more satisfying and a better time capsule, spooky even. But I think those who "where there" will appreciate it more than new viewers.

Shaun of the Dead isn't a horror film 100%, but I can't get over it. I think it'll have a "classic" impact on future generations. So that'll be my choice.

[_pi_]

The naysayer in me says: a modern day classic is a contradiction in terms.

[Ash28M]

Originally Posted by gunner

I look at "modern day classic" as being a future projection on what will be held with high respect among future film fans that are nursing (or yet to be) right now. Being an old school kind of person no modern film could ever sit beside the classics from and before my growing up experience, no matter how good. Blair Witch is a good classic behind-the-scenes & advertising story, but as a film I dunno, it's kinda like a carnival sideshow where the actual display inside the tent doesn't match the thrilling poster. It's a final product much altered by the studio carnies. I found the Sci-Fi channel special far more satisfying and a better time capsule, spooky even. But I think those who "where there" will appreciate it more than new viewers.

Shaun of the Dead isn't a horror film 100%, but I can't get over it. I think it'll have a "classic" impact on future generations. So that'll be my choice.

I barley even heard of TBWP before I was blown away by it, so the marketing and advertising is more of a side note for me when it comes to the movie. I choose the film because Number one it's was groundbreaking and Influential when it came to it's first person perspective, realism and it's fascinating use of back story. Sure Cannibal Holocaust used similar devices but that's not what it's remembered for or what it's imitators mimicked. Blair Witch took the found footage concept and ran with it. Secondly it's still talked about and fiercely debated among the horror community. Thirdly the more I watch it the tougher it is to pick out it's faults. Naysayers say the film doesn't hold up to repeated viewings. I watched this the other night trying to find faults with it and honestly I couldn't find many, nothing about it is too far fetched that it takes you out of the film and everything is believable from the acting to the setting. Also watching this late at night alone with the lights down and the sound up still gives me the chills.

[gunner]

Sorry Ash, I can respect your opinion. Perhaps if I wasn't exposed to the hype and the true story exposed by Fangoria magazine before the hype began, I would have had a greater appreciation for the movie.
I will admit it's been YEARS since I watched the film, I will have to visit it again. But my memory of the film is unlikable twenty somethings screaming "fuck" repeatedly, a dripping snotty nose, a smoker who can't keep track of his smokes (impossible, it's a first priority for smokers) and long scenes of nothing happening with the feel that something "could happen". The only moment of impact for me was the interiors of the dilapidated house at the end. That was creepy, especially when viewed by their tunnel visioned lighting. I do remember feeling heebie jeebies thinking about it and talking about it later that night, kinda like the experience of telling scary stories back and forth. But that little thrill was 1/20th of the feature's running time. After about the 40 minute mark I wanted to climb into the screen and shut those damned kids up myself in an even scarier way than the "Blair Witch" could have pulled off. Their presence was irritating, if I went camping with them, I'd still be bitching about it. I think I would far prefer the true original version before the Artisan folks messed with it. More backstory, less "actual footage" compiled in the mindset of a really good "In Search Of" episode. I hope someday we'll all be able to see that version.

[Slackjaw83]

Being a 10 year old film, I really would have a hard time calling "Blair Witch" a Modern Day classic. A "90's Classic" maybe.......

If you're going from the 90's forward as your time table, I'd say "Scream". Not only did it help bring a genre that was considered dead by most people back to the mainstream forefront, it also was a good flik and had a pretty nice base idea of using horror movie cliches as deaths, and really making a horror movie for fans about fans.

[baggio]

28 Days Later

[X-human]

I don't think people will be all that impressed with shaky cam in 50-75 years. Technology will be so advanced that cinematic quality would be easily accessible to anyone. BWP is such a product of its time I can't see it surviving. Scream is also very referential of its time. In 50 years the "rules" of slasher may be so far out of the mind of the general public no one would really even get the movie anymore. Scary Movie will fair even worse I'm sure.

Now Ginger Snaps on the other hand I can see being a movie people can still enjoy and relate to even centuries from now. Shadow of the Vampire may too. It builds on a legend that already has stood the test of time.

[Slackjaw83]

Agree on Shadow of the Vampire, as it's about one of the most influential films of all time in "Nosferatu". Disagree about Ginger Snaps, as I didn't even enjoy it when it was released. Werewolves in connection with females going through puberty? I'll stick with "In The Company of Wolves".

[Angelman]

Originally Posted by X-human

I don't think people will be all that impressed with shaky cam in 50-75 years. Technology will be so advanced that cinematic quality would be easily accessible to anyone. BWP is such a product of its time I can't see it surviving. Scream is also very referential of its time. In 50 years the "rules" of slasher may be so far out of the mind of the general public no one would really even get the movie anymore. Scary Movie will fair even worse I'm sure.

Now Ginger Snaps on the other hand I can see being a movie people can still enjoy and relate to even centuries from now. Shadow of the Vampire may too. It builds on a legend that already has stood the test of time.

I'm not sure that's true. Dracula and Frankenstein are B&W - still classics. Texas Chainsaw has those 70s outfits and 16mm handheld - still classic. I think what helps elevate something to classic level is when it becomes a part of the cultural lexicon. I'm not sure Blair Witch falls in that category but it was a phenomenon. Ginger Snaps, while very good, may not be high profile enough. My vote would be for Scream (based on it rejuvinating the moribund theatrical horror film) or 28 Days Later - a film that I believe really works on a thematic/human/stylistic level - as possible future classics.

[Grim]

I guess if we're going from 2000 and up, I'd go with High Tension and the two "28" movies.

[Slackjaw83]

If we're going solely from 2000 forward.....

- 28 Days Later (unique look at the time, great atmosphere, made a seemingly played out idea work extremely well)

- The Machinist (great looking film that is a great mixture of Lynch-ish visual and Sixth Sense story telling)

- The Ring (I hate this movie, honestly I do, but, objectively, it started the "American Remakes of Japanese Horror" wave, as well as opening mainstream American audiences up to Japanese horror style)


Another 1990-onward film that deserves mention is "Jacob's Ladder", solely based on the fact it was ripped off so voraciously in the 19 years since it was released.

[The Chaostar]

Let the Right One In - a masterpiece that defies ganres, best movie of the decade in my book along with the russian film The Return (non-horror).

The Descent - for hundreds of reasons, atmosphere and subtext the two obvious ones

Blair Witch Project - while I don't find the movie (which I like) a masterpiece, it will be remembered as a classic in the future or, at least, that's what I think.

REC - this will be a "boo!" favorite for years to come, I think.

[vampyr789]

The Descent and [REC] are probably two of the scariest movies to come out in the past 5 years.

[gunner]

"Cookers" has to be mentioned. It was creepy as hell and is everything that a cult classic should be. With the unusual (and realistic) drug addiction based theme and being shot on the cheap with digital video (equivalent to yesterdays16mm) by an obviously ambitious crew just fits the mold perfectly. Yet I think it got lost in the jungle, probably because the cover art made it look like just another cheesy, cookie cutter dtv release. Maybe todays obscurity will help it tomorrow.