Characters in movies aren’t all that much different from the rest of us: we like to go to the movies, and they like to go to the movies. And just like us, that experience offers them inspiration, motivation, entertainment, and sometimes a dangerous experience. Here are my favorites: I’ve tried to choose ones that are not only from great movies but are scenes that are pivotal to pushing the action forward.
A special note regarding Inglourious Basterds
In the first draft of this list, Basterds was listed as #1, but the more I got to thinking about it, the more unfair it seemed, as nearly a third of the film takes place inside of a theater, with a solid 15 minutes or so of people actually watching a film. Unfair advantage. Besides, Quentin will get some more attention later on…
Honorable Mentions: Amelie, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut
I’d love to put Amelie in here, as I adore the moment we see of her at the movies watching people’s faces while they watch the movies (something I like to do as well from time to time – looking at you, 127 Hours), but it’s not all that significant and lasts for little more than a blip.
5. Idiocracy
Gets by on a technicality. Idiocracy is about the farthest thing from a subtle film, and Joe’s trip to a 26th century theater is no exception. As with all things 500 years into the future, films have been dumbed down to the point where the Academy Award-winning film for Best Screenplay was this gem, which showed nothing but naked man ass – constantly farting – for 90 minutes. Solid work as usual, Mike Judge.
4. 12 Monkeys
On the run from, well, just about everyone, James Cole and Dr. Kathryn Railly hide out in a crummy cinema, taking advantage of the darkness and the anonymity more than anything, enabling Railly to purchase and fit a blond wig for James in about as private of quarters as they’re able to get. But a poignant juxtaposition of the events of Vertigo offers Cole a metaphor for his situation that adds just another layer of depth to the film.
3. Get Shorty
I just finished reading Elmore Leonard’s novel (some 16 years after seeing and loving the first for the first time) and was surprised to learn that there’s no such scene in the book (or anything like it). Chili’s solo trip to see Touch of Evil – in which he’s later joined by Karen Flores – not only further illustrates his lifelong love of movies (he quotes the dialog as the characters are speaking their lines) but shows Karen that he’s not full of b.s. This Miami gangster is more than meets the eye: a tough guy with an eye for celluloid.
2. Donnie Darko
I don’t want to spoil the action for those who still haven’t seen this mindbender, but let’s just say that Frank the Bunny inspires Donnie to get a lot done while his girlfriend is asleep (watching Evil Dead, no less!).
1. True Romance
Clarence, meet Alabama. Alabama, meet Clarence. Meet Clarence, who’s watching a Sonny Chiba triple feature. Meet Alabama, who’s spilling not only popcorn all over Clarence but also her boobs out of her shirt, in a not-so-subtle means of getting the comic book store worker’s attention. It works, they click, and you know the rest.
Movies you might think I forgot but didn’t: Annie Hall (featured prominently in Kai’s recent Top 10 Cameos list), Scream 2, The Fighter, Zodiac, The Kentucky Fried Movie, Last Action Hero, Cinema Paradiso.
Andrew (8)
Wayne (8)
Jessica (6)
John (6)
Josh (6)
Justin (5)
Lauren (5)
Steve (5)
Dave Enkosky (4)
Sir Phobos (4)
What about Last action hero? or Purple rose of Cairo… It doesn’t get more cinematical than those two.
I meant to include a smiley so that the irony over Last action hero would be obvious.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 26, 2011 1:48 pm
Believe it or not, it was kinda considered (put it in that footnote), but yeah, no dice for Austin O’Malley or whatever his name is.
Haven’t seen Purple Rose of Cairo. I figure Cinema Paradiso’s gonna get a lot of attention, but I haven’t seen that, either.
Purple Rose is a woody allen take on the Last Action Hero setup.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 26, 2011 2:02 pm
Ah…a shame you had to explain that to me…I get it, I get it!
Makes me want to see Purple Rose a bit more, though.
I always thought ‘Last Action Hero’ was underrated.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 26, 2011 2:59 pm
Well, you probably will never hear me call it a great movie, but I owned the VHS of it (never made the upgrade) and have seen it a number of times. It’s fun, and I think it’s pretty successful at doing what it’s set out to do. And besides, there are a whole lot of fun in-jokes (thinking specifically of the Blockbuster Video scene). Also, Bridgette Wilson at about her hottest doesn’t hurt…two great villains…wacky cameos…it’s a ride.
Glad to see you recognized Last Action Hero. Don’t forget the great soundtrack too.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 30, 2011 7:39 pm
That soundtrack would win more points from me if it didn’t have that horrendous Def Lepard song on it…
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t really care for movie scenes that take place within the theater. I think it’s a very restrictive and dull setting for a movie scene. Donnie Darko is one of the major exceptions.
I tend to like the scenes where the people watching the movies end up getting sucked into them, like Sherlock Jr. or A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.
Not a fan of The Last Action Hero, though. Probably because I find that kid so annoying.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 26, 2011 2:55 pm
Yea, I quite like scenes at the movies, though I doubt it’s just you. It could be interpreted as a stock and easy way to identify with your audience, and sometimes it feels overdone. Still, there’s a certain charm to doing it just right.
No ‘Shawshank Redemption’? Remember how hot they all got over Rita Hayworth in ‘Gilda’?
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 26, 2011 2:56 pm
Shawshank is a great one as well, especially since Miss Rita ends up playing a significant role later on in the film. Good call, just didn’t make my list.
Man, awesome list and way to throw an honorable mention to Amelie. Also a fan of (500) Days of Summer and Stir of Echoes.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 26, 2011 2:57 pm
I saw 500 Days mentioned as being a movie with a theater scene, but I couldn’t remember it for the life of me (still don’t), so I figured it couldn’t have meant that much to me.
Haven’t seen Stir or Echoes.
Is Cape Fear out of the mix? That’s got the movies AND a big fat stogie.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 26, 2011 2:59 pm
Been too long since I’ve seen that one, I suppose, or the scene just didn’t leave a big enough impression. “Counselor!”
The best part of Idiocracy is when they take us into Ass: The Movie.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 30, 2011 7:40 pm
I don’t know if I’d go that far, but it’s pretty good. I’m partial to the “It’s got electrolytes!” back-and-forth at the White House and Justin Long’s segment.
Brought to you by Carl’s Jr.
I’ve become such a fan of True Romance so quickly!
How about Singin’ in the Rain?? “No no no…yes yes yes!”
Also one of the only things I liked in Australia was when they watched Wizard of Oz.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 30, 2011 7:41 pm
Awesome, Nikhat – True Romance is a friggin’ awesome movie, so this just shows good taste.
Finding something good about Australia…a true talent. I totally forgot about that sequence, though no, it wouldn’t have made this list.
Awesome list, I was hoping to see True Romance on here somewhere!
I really love that film, one of the very few films I can watch multiple times and never get bored…
I like the inclusion of 12 Monkeys as well, very interesting choice that I wouldn’t have thought of myself.
I didn’t care for Donnie Darko or Get Shorty much though.
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 30, 2011 7:43 pm
Thanks, Jack! True Romance is indeed a ride. I never get bored, either.
I loved the way that 12 Monkeys juxtaposed the scene in Vertigo to match its plot. Made me want to see Vertigo, though then I was disappointed that there wasn’t a time travel element.
Aww – I love Get Shorty. What do you think of Leonard’s other adapted books, then (Out of Sight, Jackie Brown, etc.)?
I loved Jackie Brown, still haven’t seen Out Of Sight but I’ve got it in my collection…
Twitter: manilovefilms
May 31, 2011 8:45 am
Well, I’m curious to hear what you think of it. I’ll say no more.
love Donnie Darko. 1 outta 5…not to bad :/