It's The End Of The World As We Know it - A December Movie Challenge (1 Viewer)

[JohnRice]

I have this long standing New Years Eve tradition of watching "End Of The World" movies, and I wondered if anyone would like to join in a month long movie challenge. Basically, just watch movies where some kind of apocalypse is occurring or has already occurred, then post a capsule review here. No other requirements, minimums, etc.

Just for fun.

 

[JohnRice]

2012: 12/1
Melancholia: 12/3
The Thirteenth Floor: 12/5
Shaun of the Dead: 12/5

 

[benbess]

I like the genre, and might contribute a review or two. One of my favorites from childhood is When Worlds Collide from 1951. Still good imho!

 

[Malcolm R]

One could schedule a Roland Emmerich mini-marathon in this genre since these films seem to be his specialty: Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012. He even has another in the works: Moonfall (the moon is on a collision course with Earth).

 

[JohnRice]

Speaking of Roland Emmerich, I decided to start with one of his big, loud, absurd movies and chose 2012. In fact, back when it was released, I found it entertaining enough to buy the Blu-Ray. In a lot of ways, it's better than it should be. There's a little emotion at play, even if most of the movie is hilariously preposterous. Just one example is when almost the entire earth is covered with water, but cell phones still work. At nearly three hours, it's a really long movie for what it is, but it doesn't feel long.

 

[John Dirk]

2012 ; 12/1

???

 

[JohnRice]

???

I'm just going to keep a running summary of the movies I watch, linked to their trailer, with the date I watched the movie. Yesterday I watched the movie "2012".

 

[ChristopherG]

This is my favorite genre of film (wonder what that says about me...) so I will try to participate.

2012 is a serious cheese fest but I still watch it whenever its on.

 

[B-ROLL]

Another Suggestion or two "HG Wells' Things to Come" and Planet of the Apes (1960s-1970s ... )

 

[Vic Pardo]

Another Suggestion or two "HG Wells' Things to Come" and Planet of the Apes (1960s-1970s ... )

View attachment 52784

I saw both THINGS TO COME (1936) and BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES in 1970, one at a revival theater and one when it was new. A pivotal section of THINGS TO COME takes place in 1970, which freaked the audience out.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

I really like The Quiet Earth which is a fine example of "end of the world" stuff.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

Another good one...

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

And of course the weird...

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

And a stone cold classic of the genre...

 

[JohnRice]

And a stone cold classic of the genre...

Do you plan on watching any of these?

 

[JohnRice]

For my second selection, I wondered what qualifying movie was most the polar opposite of 2012, and I decided on Lars Von Trier's Melancholia. This is the third time I've seen it, and I'm still not sure I know what the hell it's about. Unless it's staring me in the face, and what it's about is simply how much it sucks to be alive. That the weight of depression is so massive that it is all consuming and destroys everything. Knowing his other movies, it probably is that simple. Lars is probably the most extreme nihilist, misanthropic individual I've ever known of.

Still, this movie is almost unfathomable. I mean, look at the opening eight minutes.

 

[Keith Cobby]

The Road - an outstanding film about the love of a father for his son.

 

[Winston T. Boogie]

The Road - an outstanding film about the love of a father for his son.

An actual exchange I had about The Road...

Me: So, I just saw the new Cormac McCarthy picture, The Road, have you seen it?

Friend: Yes.

Me: So, what did you think?

Friend: It was so depressing it made me want to kill myself.

Me: So, you didn't like it then.

Friend: Oh no, I loved it.

 

[TravisR]

An actual exchange I had about The Road...

Me: So, I just saw the new Cormac McCarthy picture, The Road, have you seen it?

Friend: Yes.

Me: So, what did you think?

Friend: It was so depressing it made me want to kill myself.

Me: So, you didn't like it then.

Friend: Oh no, I loved it.

That's pretty darn accurate.

 

[ChristopherG]

Well, I've seen them all before, so not this month, but I can comment on them as I've seen them all more than once. I have a bunch of stuff I am trying to watch this month and I am doing some "alternative" Xmas films like Turbulence and The Ice Harvest...basically, pictures that have Christmas elements in them but are not about discovering the "meaning of Christmas" which we all know is about spending as much money as possible, preferably more than you have, drinking too much, and drunkenly slurring horrible things at relatives you see only once or twice a year.

During this time of the year though, John, I try not to think too much about the end of the world...you know, because I live in the United States and worry the rest of the year that we elected a guy that might actually bring that about more quickly than we all anticipated.

You seem to like journeying into the dark crevices of your soul and mind though with some of these little film festivals you put together...which makes you an interesting guy...so, I mean, while I won't partake at this time I can deliver a few thoughts on...well...previous end of the world type things I've watched/experienced.

Or you know, I can give you some good tips on the kind of stuff you can drunkenly slur at a relative to make them storm out of your house in disgust when you've reached the point where you want to be rid of them. Truly an important skill to have!

You know, the whole "Happy holidays!" kind of thing.

The holidays at your house sounds interesting...