Good films to introduce newbies to the genre?

Town Hall
#1

So, from time to time I watch some movies with my two cousins, and I’d like to introduce them to the genre. However, they’re mostly into newer movies, and are not really into westerns, spaghetti or otherwise, either. They did like the True Grit remake, though.
One’s favorite films include The Dirty Dozen, Escape from Alcatraz and The Warriors (but he’s mostly interested into modern films, go figure). His brother mostly dislikes old movies, and refuses to watch anything that was made before 1970 (and on top of that, they seem to think Kevin James, Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler are actually capable of making good movies, and consider James Woods a bad actor :-[). ::slight_smile:

So far, I’ve only seen the Sergio Leone movies, but am eager to see other spaghettis too (unfortunately, most of them aren’t available on DVD here in Croatia). I’m considering Django, Death Rides a Horse and Il Mercenario right now, but I thought maybe I should rather get something more akin to the movies my cousins like (i.e. spagwest films with similar plots to the aforementioned films).
Also, being a fan of TDD, the first cousin asked me for other similar movies - i.e., films where a guy gathers a team of people with different characteristics and abilities, which then go on a mission.

Any suggestions?

#2

[quote=“The Great Duck, post:1, topic:3056”]I’m considering Django, Death Rides a Horse and Il Mercenario right now[/quote]Can’t go wrong with them three.

#3

actually, i wouldn’t be so sure, i came across some movie goers, who considered Django as lame

#4

well, i also think Will Ferrell is capable of making good movies - but on the other hand James Woods is fine actor :slight_smile:

#5

…and wait a minute, Punch Drunk Love with Sandler was great :smiley:

#6

Hi Great Duck. Glad to see someone fighting the good fight. Unfortunately from reading your post it sounds like your cousin (the one that hates anything before 1970) may be a lost cause. Nevertheless, there might be some hope yet for your other cousin (the one that likes Warriors and Dirty Dozen). If they like Tarantino films than they might actually appreciate the more exploitative elements of SWs but I highly doubt it. SWs outside of the Leone films are a pretty niche market and an acquired taste. I might recommend Sabata, My Name is Nobody and Big Gundown (which seem to have more mainstream appeal) but I’m not expecting any miracles.

#7

Death Rides A Horse is a great choice IMHO. I love Django, but as Tomas stated, some people don’t dig it. I show Spags to my buddy all the time. He’s not into exploitation or Euro Cult cinema as much as I am but he enjoys a good Spag. I started him with the Dollars films, and he became an instant Lee Van Cleef fan. I showed him Django and he wasn’t too impressed. He loved Death Rides A Horse though.

#8

i’m sometimes amazed how people react when i introduce them to some movies - not only spaghies, but mainstream stuff like The Dark Knight
i had a movie session with one fella and this film recently and you wouldn’t believe - number of his complaints per scene was supranormal
from now on, i don’t do anymore “introducing movie” sessions, i’m done with that

anyway, Great Duck, i would try one two spagie from every SW big man, i add to aforementioned bunch titles like The Stranger returns and Blindman

#9

Good choice, Tomas. They might try also Run, Man, Run, which is less serious than most of spags.

#10

[quote=“tomas, post:3, topic:3056”]actually, i wouldn’t be so sure, i came across some movie goers, who considered Django as lame[/quote]There will always be someone somewhere who doesn’t like something. But as Spaghettis go they are three solid ones.

#11

maybe, but one of those goers was a spaghetti fan - i was surprised he doesnt like Django
i also remember another one fan of Leones (but not die hard SW fan), who disliked Django
i personally love Django

#12

[quote=“tomas, post:11, topic:3056”]maybe, but one of those goers was a spaghetti fan - i was surprised he doesnt like Django
i also remember another one fan of Leones (but not die hard SW fan), who disliked Django
i personally love Django[/quote]
When I watched Django for the first time, frankly speaking I didn’t like it that much. The version I viewed was cut and furthermore with awful English dubbing that ruins the atmosphere completely for me.
Now I love it.

#13

[quote=“Mickey13, post:12, topic:3056”]When I watched Django for the first time, frankly speaking I didn’t like it that much. The version I viewed was cut and furthermore with awful English dubbing that ruins the atmosphere completely for me.
Now I love it.[/quote]

yes, that dubbing - every time someone wants dvd Django from me, the precise instructions follows - watch it in the italian audio track! :slight_smile:

#14

[quote=“tomas, post:11, topic:3056”]maybe, but one of those goers was a spaghetti fan[/quote]What I said can comply whether you’re a spaghetti fan or not. For instance there are some members on here that don’t like Once Upon A Time In The West!

#15

Funnily enough - I’ve just started doing the same thing. A group of my mates who were all fans of the Leone Westerns came round a few Saturdays ago and we had a shedload of beer and watched the Mercenary. It went down really really well. I reckon it strikes a similar balance between humour and uber-coolness that the Dollars movies do (plus Morricone’s soundtrack is superb). 8)

We were intending to watch 2 movies however, we didn’t get started until about 2 hours later then we’d intended, and as our respective wives were outside drinking and smoking the day swiftly turned into a house party lol.

Everyone had a great day but complained that we only saw the one so we’re doing it again in 2 weeks and starting an hour earlier ! I’ve already picked Sabata as one of the movies I’ll be showing - just need to sort out another one.

I have the Big Gundown, the Great Silence and My Name is Nobody as my other initial picks.

(I didn’t like Django that much either when I first watched it, it seems a bit slow and stagey on first viewing - love it now though)

#16

i know of only one (but he hasn’t been around for some time) ;D

#17

I know only one as well. I think I know who you mean… :wink:

#18

For people who are not used to Euro cult cinema and only watch mainstream blockbuster stuff, I think SWs that are more conventional stand a better chance of getting accepted. The ones that are too bizarre like Blindman, DJango Kills, Matalo might not get too far.

I am constantly introducing my buddies to SWs and cult cinema. I even introduced lent my film studies professor all my Mario Bava DVDs! He still hasn’t given one of them back yet. I realize from experience that SWs are not for everybody. There are people out there, no matter what film you show them, they are still gonna think its shit and would rather watch the latest Michael Bay CGI fest or the latest Judd Apatow comedy. From experience the ones that seem to get the best response are ones with more mainstream appeal so keep that in mind when introducing a movie. Just because you like it, doesn’t mean they are going to.

Would a fan of The Avengers, Brave, Hunger Games, Bourne Legacy, Men in Black 3 and Spiderman appreciate Run Man Run and Sartana and the Great silence? I hope so. But probably not. Its worth a try. Have courage my friend!

#19

I fuckin hate Michael Bay’s movies! >:(
Maybe except for Transformers part I which was actually decent entertainment. Second part was already a shit though.

#20

Return of Shanghai Joe