Movie Challenge

[MTGuru]

In the past few days I've had a chance to catch on TV several movies from one of my short lists of a particular type of film that I enjoy very much.

Here's the list:

My Dinner with André (1981)
Grand Canyon (1991)
Night on Earth (1991)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Jet Lag [Décalage horaire] (2002)
Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)
Before Sunset (2004)
Paris, je t'aime (2006)
No Country for Old Men (2007)

And here's your challenge:

1. Identify the unique characteristic that all these films have in common.
2. Recommend additions to my list that you like and that I might enjoy.

[mutepointe]

1. All of them licensed their mechanidse through Waffle Cabin.

2. Bagdad Cafe

[I.D.10-t]

1) I have only seen one of those movies. I find it odd and weird that in a list of nine movies I have only seen one. The movies listed all seem disconnected by their descriptions. In that vain, Lost in Translation might be a good movie.

2) Helvetica. One of those movies that if you watch the trailer you will immediately know if it is for you.

[MTGuru]

1. All of them licensed their mechanidse through Waffle Cabin.

Yes, that's it!

2. Bagdad Cafe

Hmmm ... I imagine there are a lot of people in the café. But it looks good.

[fearfaoin]

1. Identify the unique characteristic that all these films have in common.
2. Recommend additions to my list that you like and that I might enjoy.

That's quite a puzzle, esp. since the only experience I have of those films is second hand.

Hm. Taxis? No, the last one precludes that...
Tangential connections between strangers? No, the first one doesn't fit that...
People sit around running their mouths?
In every film a milkshake is drunk (at least metaphorically)?
They were all probably seen by Abed?

[MTGuru]

In that vain, Lost in Translation might be a good movie.

Yes, definitely. I should have included it in the list. A good choice.

2) Helvetica. One of those movies that if you watch the trailer you will immediately know if it is for you.

I'm not sure if it fits the list, but it sounds interesting enough to see and find out.

[I.D.10-t]

You would be surprised at the connections through time, style, and countries one font can make.

[MTGuru]

Tangential connections between strangers? No, the first one doesn't fit that...

That can be a big part of it. But it doesn't have to be strangers.

People sit around running their mouths?

Yes, that's very close.

[ytliek]

In the past few days I've had a chance to catch on TV several movies from one of my short lists of a particular type of film that I enjoy very much.

Here's the list:

My Dinner with André (1981)
Grand Canyon (1991)
Night on Earth (1991)
Before Sunrise (1995)
Jet Lag [Décalage horaire] (2002)
Coffee and Cigarettes (2003)
Before Sunset (2004)
Paris, je t'aime (2006)
No Country for Old Men (2007

And here's your challenge:
1. Identify the unique characteristic that all these films have in common.
2. Recommend additions to my list that you like and that I might enjoy.

I'll get back to you on #1, but, for #2, if you like Tommy Lee Jones (I do... everything) take a look see at The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0419294/
I don't think TLJ got enough recognition for that one.

BTW, Grand Canyon and No Country for Old Men are two of my all time favorites. Old Men still gives me the scared goose bumps because I had never seen that little portable pneumatic nutcracker before.

[MikeS]

People sit around running their mouths?

Yes, that's very close.

I would put it more along the lines of movies where dialogue is a more important component than action.

I'm going to recommend "Schultze Gets the Blues."

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbc ... 01008/1001

It's a film without a great deal of dialogue or action. It does provide an interesting character study in a very relaxed fashion and creates a very engaging mood.

[MTGuru]

I would put it more along the lines of movies where dialogue is a more important component than action.

In a nutshell, that's it. We have a winner!

More specifically, movies in which extended one-on-one dialogues (or a series of dialogues) between two characters are at the core. And not just dialogues, but stories.

Both Grand Canyon and No Country surprised me when I added them to the list, because they're conventional movies, not tour de force dialogues like the others; and they are very different (!) stories. Yet they're both structured as a series of key dialogues linked by other exposition. And it's those conversations and the ideas raised by them that stay with you when the lights go up.

I just love these films. I don't enjoy large groups very well in my own personal interactions. Typical social parties and their online equivalents such as Facebook and Twitter leave me mostly cold*. The signal-to-noise ratio is far too low. But put me one-on-one with an interesting friend or stranger, and a chance for two minds to trade inner worlds through this miracle that we call language, and it's electric.

* Why the Chiffboard seems like a very different thing is an interesting question.

These films seem to validate the notion that by exploring the complex fabric of things one small thread at a time, binding two people at a time, it may just be possible to build an understanding of the entire cloth, seeing life steady and whole. Only connect. I like that.

[MTGuru]

if you like Tommy Lee Jones (I do... everything) take a look see at The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada.

Yes, I do. He's a wonderful character actor.

I'm going to recommend "Schultze Gets the Blues."

I like quirky movies about ordinary people trying to make sense of life. And maybe the fact that I've been down in the salt mines and museum under Lüneburg will help.

Thank you both for the suggestions!

[Tunborough]

I haven't watched it yet, but I have in front of me the DVD of a movie that my wife greatly enjoyed, La Tête en Friche (titled My Afternoons with Margueritte in English, in French with English subtitles available). Two iconic French actors, Gérard Depardieu and Gisèle Casadesus, meeting in the park. From what I know of it, this movie might suit your criterion.

[Peter Duggan]

More specifically, movies in which extended one-on-one dialogues (or a series of dialogues) between two characters are at the core.

quirky movies about ordinary people trying to make sense of life.

When Harry Met Sally (which you've surely seen anyway)?

[Innocent Bystander]

Baghdad Café (definitely!)
Kiss of the SpiderWoman.