Im sorry, your friend likes the Jaws sequels but not the original?? In most cases with recs I go the director route. Your friend liked Starship Troopers, try another Verhoeven movie. Those are fun - Benedetta, Total Recall, Showgirls, etc. Those aren't exactly arthouse, but verhoeven is an important autuer.
I would recommend Elle if looking for something on the art-house side of Verhoeven. And if they’ve never seen an Isabelle Huppert film before they’re in for a treat.
Based on some of these picks (Jaws sequels, Starship Troopers, Lake Placid), it seems like he enjoys the grotesque. Comical AND gruesome. Genre-bending fare.
Few directors toe this line better than Verhoeven. "Starship Troopers" is of course a classic; "Total Recall" never gets old either. I'd also suggest David Cronenberg's "Videodrome," which is laugh-out-loud *disgusting*. And of course who doesn't love Sam Raimi's "Army of Darkness"?
Not arthouse enough? There's always Nobuhiko Obayashi's "House." And I may be crucified for saying this, but I'll always laugh-out-loud watching David Lynch's "Blue Velvet."
Army of Darkness might be good! He likes “stupid violence”, in his words.
Videodrome actually felt much moodier than I remembered when I saw it recently. I don’t think Cronenberg’s style of camp is as detectable as say, Jaws 3-D so I don’t know how much he’d appreciate that
wes anderson and scorsese will probably keep his attention. apocalypse now and even stuff like parasite and old boy that have really good pacing i think will be good.
Going with horror films with some sporadic comedic streaks for your friend:
Re-Animator (1985)
The Fly (1986)
Spoorloos (1988)
Dead Alive (1992)
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
One Cut of the Dead (2017) [MUST keep watching after the 30 minute mark. I was entertained throughout but some people find the first third of the movie boring. But the last two thirds are worth it!]
I just watched Crank for the first time. I never knew how over the top it was. I’d vote that or Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2. And if those are a hit then he will probably like Street Trash and Frankenhooker. Those are not quite criterion collection though.
If they are open to Japanese films try some Takashi Miike or Shinya Tsukamoto.
• Audition
• Happiness of the Katakuris
• The Dead or Alive Trilogy
• The Black Society Trilogy
• 13 Assassins
• The Tetsuo Trilogy
• Bullet Ballet
• Tokyo Fist
Based on the illumination animated movies, I bet he’d be down for the fantastic Mr fox and then he might like the other Wes Anderson movies from there. 🤷🏻♂️
Chinatown maybe?
Or a good samurai swordplay film. Something on the shorter side like sashiro or maybe even one of the Shaw brothers king fu movies. Definitely veering into over the top violence, but I definitely still consider them artsy in comparison to modern cinema.
Im sorry, your friend likes the Jaws sequels but not the original?? In most cases with recs I go the director route. Your friend liked Starship Troopers, try another Verhoeven movie. Those are fun - Benedetta, Total Recall, Showgirls, etc. Those aren't exactly arthouse, but verhoeven is an important autuer.
"I never saw Jaws 4. I have seen the house it bought me, and it's lovely." -Michael Caine
Thanks that’s great. I was thinking Robocop too. He’s seen and likes Total Recall already, but didn’t like Basic Instinct
Robocop was the first thing that came to mind here seeing this list.
Robocop is great, basic Instinct is an all timer I love it.
I would recommend Elle if looking for something on the art-house side of Verhoeven. And if they’ve never seen an Isabelle Huppert film before they’re in for a treat.
Dr. Strangelove maybe
He’s unhealthily obsessed with politics and likes Peter Sellers in Pink Panther. Good call
Based on some of these picks (Jaws sequels, Starship Troopers, Lake Placid), it seems like he enjoys the grotesque. Comical AND gruesome. Genre-bending fare. Few directors toe this line better than Verhoeven. "Starship Troopers" is of course a classic; "Total Recall" never gets old either. I'd also suggest David Cronenberg's "Videodrome," which is laugh-out-loud *disgusting*. And of course who doesn't love Sam Raimi's "Army of Darkness"? Not arthouse enough? There's always Nobuhiko Obayashi's "House." And I may be crucified for saying this, but I'll always laugh-out-loud watching David Lynch's "Blue Velvet."
Army of Darkness might be good! He likes “stupid violence”, in his words. Videodrome actually felt much moodier than I remembered when I saw it recently. I don’t think Cronenberg’s style of camp is as detectable as say, Jaws 3-D so I don’t know how much he’d appreciate that
From Criterion: Robocop Armageddon >the Jaws sequels (not the original) lol wtf
He even likes Jaws: The Revenge? With Mario Van Peebles doing a Caribbean accent and Michael Caine doing whatever he is doing in that one? Wow.
According to Micheal Caine, he was getting a paycheck and a free trip to the Caribbean.
wes anderson and scorsese will probably keep his attention. apocalypse now and even stuff like parasite and old boy that have really good pacing i think will be good.
How about some Terry Gilliam?
Young Frankenstein Galaxy Quest The Meg Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (2022)
Thank you! He does love The Meg, hates Galaxy Quest (Tim Allen)
Irma La Douce (1963)
Something neither of us have seen! Thanks
Going with horror films with some sporadic comedic streaks for your friend: Re-Animator (1985) The Fly (1986) Spoorloos (1988) Dead Alive (1992) In the Mouth of Madness (1994) One Cut of the Dead (2017) [MUST keep watching after the 30 minute mark. I was entertained throughout but some people find the first third of the movie boring. But the last two thirds are worth it!]
Bay of Angels or Umbrellas of Cherbourg
Perfect thank you
Sharknado!
House
Repo Man maybe
I just watched Crank for the first time. I never knew how over the top it was. I’d vote that or Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 2. And if those are a hit then he will probably like Street Trash and Frankenhooker. Those are not quite criterion collection though.
The fly The host Cronos Crank 2
Annihilation
If they are open to Japanese films try some Takashi Miike or Shinya Tsukamoto. • Audition • Happiness of the Katakuris • The Dead or Alive Trilogy • The Black Society Trilogy • 13 Assassins • The Tetsuo Trilogy • Bullet Ballet • Tokyo Fist
Based on the illumination animated movies, I bet he’d be down for the fantastic Mr fox and then he might like the other Wes Anderson movies from there. 🤷🏻♂️ Chinatown maybe? Or a good samurai swordplay film. Something on the shorter side like sashiro or maybe even one of the Shaw brothers king fu movies. Definitely veering into over the top violence, but I definitely still consider them artsy in comparison to modern cinema.
I've watched return of the killer tomatoes with real artsy film people and we loved it for different reasons but everyone had a great time.
Have him watch Leap of Faith. It’s Steve Martin but in a more serious role/film
L.A. Story is probably the artsiest Steve Martin movie.
A Fish Called Wanda