# Recommend some visually stunning movies (in whatever way). **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 15, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237 "2003-02-15T06:38:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/1 "2003-02-15T06:38:56Z")
So, I’m gonna have a good quality tv/dvd/etc. setup this weekend for the first time ever. I want to spend a lot of time just lounging around and watching movies that will wow me with the new setup. So, if there any movies that you say “wow, I’d just love to see that on a really nice tv” or “wow, I’m glad I have a really nice tv to see that”, that are just visually stunning in some way, be it effects, cinematography, whatever, please recommend them. ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/2 "2003-02-15T06:47:22Z")
MATRIX! Helps if you have a good sound system too 😉 Next would be Lord of the Rings. Third, Star Wars: Episode 1 (Bad movie, good effects). ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/3 "2003-02-15T06:48:28Z")
The Cell. Very very interesting surrealism ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/4 "2003-02-15T06:53:08Z")
Lawrence of Arabia Black Narcissus The Last Emperor ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/5 "2003-02-15T06:57:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Third, Star Wars: Episode 1 (Bad movie, good effects). Episode 2 (Better movie, better effects). ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/6 "2003-02-15T07:13:38Z")
_Blade 2_- There’s a lot of flashiness in this movie, and a lot going on visually. _Saving Private Ryan_ -not really flashy, but can definitely be appreciated more with better visual quality or bigger screen. _Total Recall_ -I can’t say exactly why, but it’s one of the first things I thought of for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![Fnoonf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f6c823/32.png) [@Fnoonf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fnoonf)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/7 "2003-02-15T07:16:11Z")
For epic sets and general massiveness: Fritz Lang’s Metropolis Braveheart Blade Runner Dark City Gattaca For dreamy, immersive weirdness: Amélie Waking Life What Dreams May Come For some action madness: Terminator 2: Judgment Day Blade 1 and 2 Snatch Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels And for some plain old-fashioned quality cinematography: The Man Who Wasn’t There The Silence of the Lambs The Passion of Joan of Arc Seven Cries and Whispers The Godfather Trilogy And just for fun: Toy Story Parts 1 and 2 The Emperor’s New Groove Oh, and to really stretch your system to the maximum limits of its capability, Clerks. If Clerks looks good on your setup, I wanna come over to your house. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Carnage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/max_carnage/32/12775_2.png) [@Max\_Carnage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Carnage)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/8 "2003-02-15T07:16:53Z")
**Moulin Rouge** is an incredible feast for the eyes on a good tv. Perfect for showing off your system. ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/9 "2003-02-15T07:23:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lobsang \* > \*\*Episode 2 (Better movie, better effects). \*\* I think you meant "Episode 2 (Slightly less bad movie, but still terrible; better effects) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/10 "2003-02-15T07:25:07Z")
Try [_Spirited Away_](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0245429) or any other anime by Hayao Miyazaki. ---
**Author:** ![chula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@chula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chula)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/11 "2003-02-15T07:30:01Z")
First of all, you’re in the wrong forum. Should it annoy you that I pointed this out, send your complaints [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=162998). 🙂 I recommend **City of Lost Children**. It’s by the same director as Delicatessen and Amelie, and it’s the most visually stunning of the three. I also second **Lawrence of Arabia** and **The Last Emperor**. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/12 "2003-02-15T10:39:46Z")
\*\* Ju Dou \*\* - exquisite to look upon. Takes place in a Chinese dye mill, the story of an unfaithful wife. Just gorgeous. ---
**Author:** ![TVeblen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@TVeblen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TVeblen)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/13 "2003-02-15T11:25:59Z")
**Moderator’s note:** This is better suited to **Cafe Society**. Moving it on over… TVeblen, IMHO mod ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/14 "2003-02-15T12:49:22Z")
Well, most of them have already been mentioned, so yeah, buy everything by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (he’s the guy who did **Amelie, City of Lost Children,** and **Delicatessen**. All three of his movies are just visually AMAZING!! He also did **Alien Ressurrection** , but I wouldn’t hold that against him. If you like music videos, get a collection of Bjork videos. Those things are fucking amazing. I also love the Tool set that came out. I’m sure I’m going to butcher the name, but the stop motion/claymation style they have was influenced by **The Brothers Calaminov** or something like that. Very dark, cryptic, and fascinating stop motion. I’ll try to find the proper name for you (unless someone else out there knows who I’m talking about). the anime **Metropolis** is wonderful. And, of course, **The Adventures of Baron Munchaussen** and **Brazil**. Although I’m not a terribly big fan of the latter, these two are Gilliam’s best movies, and are both absolutely stunning. **Blade Runner** is also really impressive visually. And really good. ---
**Author:** ![Frumious\_Bandersnatch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Frumious\_Bandersnatch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frumious_Bandersnatch)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/15 "2003-02-15T12:54:59Z")
I have to agree with \*\* The Adventured of Baron Munchaussen\*\*, but the most visually stimulating movie I have ever seen is **Toys** with Robin Williams and Joan Cusack. The story was a loser, but wonderful for the eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/16 "2003-02-15T13:49:36Z")
I second **The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring** (Extended Edition, preferably) and **Moulin Rouge**. Also, **Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon** Superbit! ---
**Author:** ![FranticMad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c68b51/32.png) [@FranticMad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FranticMad)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/17 "2003-02-15T14:38:46Z")
Memento Temptation of a monk (some scenes are visually exquisite) Dark City ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/18 "2003-02-15T14:39:02Z")
**Koyaanisqatsi**! **Koyaanisqatsi**! **Koyaanisqatsi**! **Koyaanisqatsi**! **For All Mankind**! **Koyaanisqatsi** is a visual documentary with soundtrack by Philip Glass there’s been half a dozen threads about it, great film! **For All Mankind** is a documentary about the space program directed by the screenwriter for **Apollo 13** (another good choice). Totally stunning, plus the commentary tracks include interviews with various Apollo astronauts. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/19 "2003-02-15T16:39:55Z")
Try any of the Pixar films; ToyStory 1&2, Bug’s Life, Monsters Inc, or Dreamwork’s Shrek. Sound effects are perfect since they are all post-production and the resoultion doesn’t lose anything when blown up on a projection tv. ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2003, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237/20 "2003-02-15T17:24:16Z")
If you want color, try _The Fifth Element_. It’s a standard test disc for testing a system’s color calibration, and reasonably entertaining. If you can get the SuperBit edition, it’s even better. If you want to see what black-and-white **should** look like, try _Citizen Kane_ or _The Maltese Falcon_, both absolutely gorgeous discs. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-visually-stunning-movies-in-whatever-way/155237.md?page=2)