View Poll Results: Favorite Mamet film?
House of Games (1987)
17
16.19%
Homicide (1991)
5
4.76%
Glengarry Glen Ross (written) (1992)
43
40.95%
The Spanish Prisoner (1997)
14
13.33%
The Winslow Boy (1999)
1
0.95%
State and Main (2000)
5
4.76%
Heist (2001)
5
4.76%
Spartan (2004)
10
9.52%
Redbelt (2007)
5
4.76%
Other (please specify)
0
0%
Voters: 105. You may not vote on this poll
Favorite David Mamet film?
09-01-08, 02:49 PM
#1
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Favorite David Mamet film?
I have been on a Mamet kick of late having just seen "Redbelt", "Heist", "Glengarry Glen Ross" (written), & "The Spanish Prisoner". "Spartan" , which was my first foray into Mamet blew me away and i think people said that wasn't nearly his strongest, will be next and then i will decide myself. But, "Heist" was a lot of fun and "Glengarry" were just more riveting the 2nd time around.
He just has such a unique style that you are glued to words rather than actions. You have to be so intune to his dialogue to really get a lot from the film. You really have to pay attention to his movies. He captivates me with words much like Aaron Sorkin, where you are really fascinated by the dialogue and everything else is just window dressing.
And his actors are so perfectly picked and really handle the material well. Of course, his staples like Ricky Jay and especially Rebecca Pidgeon are masters with his words. But, Gene Hackman did a good job and everyone in Glengarry was riveting, especially Jack Lemmon. But to see Steve Martin and Tim Allen handle the serious nature was remarkable as well.
I think I will rent "House of Games" too because that was an early one that I heard a little about.
So with this unique writer/director, which is your favorite directed or written by him?
He just has such a unique style that you are glued to words rather than actions. You have to be so intune to his dialogue to really get a lot from the film. You really have to pay attention to his movies. He captivates me with words much like Aaron Sorkin, where you are really fascinated by the dialogue and everything else is just window dressing.
And his actors are so perfectly picked and really handle the material well. Of course, his staples like Ricky Jay and especially Rebecca Pidgeon are masters with his words. But, Gene Hackman did a good job and everyone in Glengarry was riveting, especially Jack Lemmon. But to see Steve Martin and Tim Allen handle the serious nature was remarkable as well.
I think I will rent "House of Games" too because that was an early one that I heard a little about.
So with this unique writer/director, which is your favorite directed or written by him?
Last edited by OldBoy; 09-01-08 at 07:40 PM.
09-01-08, 02:57 PM
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As Director:
1.Glengarry Glen Ross (B+
2. House Of Games (B+)
3. Heist (B+)
4. Spartan (B)
5. State And Main (B)
6. The Spanish Prisoner (B-)
As a Writer:
1. The Edge (A)
2 The Verdict (A)
3. The Untouchables (A-)
4. Hoffa (A-)
5. Edmond (A-)
Hopefully Netflix sends me Redbelt soon. That one looks pretty good.
1.Glengarry Glen Ross (B+
2. House Of Games (B+)
3. Heist (B+)
4. Spartan (B)
5. State And Main (B)
6. The Spanish Prisoner (B-)
As a Writer:
1. The Edge (A)
2 The Verdict (A)
3. The Untouchables (A-)
4. Hoffa (A-)
5. Edmond (A-)
Hopefully Netflix sends me Redbelt soon. That one looks pretty good.
Last edited by chris_sc77; 09-01-08 at 02:59 PM.
09-01-08, 03:48 PM
#3
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Anyone see his latest Redbelt?
it came out on DVD last week.
it came out on DVD last week.
09-01-08, 05:19 PM
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I guess falling into the other category would be Things Change and Oleanna.
Personally, my introduction to Mamet was Glengarry, Glen Ross. Such an amazing cast and dialogue, with quotes you want to add to your lexicon. (But remember that Alec Baldwin's monologue isn't "work safe".)
And it looks like G,GR has some good performances in numerous stage productions with the likes of Joe Mantenga, J.T. Walsh, Robert Prosky, Alan Alda, Jeffrey Tambor and Liev Schreiber. Also as a BBC Radio play with Hector Elizondo, Stacy Keach, Bruce Davison, and Alfred Molina as Roma.
I also enjoyed The Spanish Prisoner with Campbell Scott and Steve Martin. A smart thriller that's only rated PG.
Outside the confidence game, State and Main is a fun comedy about the movie-making biz. Would make a nice a double feature with either The Player or Bowfinger.
Personally, my introduction to Mamet was Glengarry, Glen Ross. Such an amazing cast and dialogue, with quotes you want to add to your lexicon. (But remember that Alec Baldwin's monologue isn't "work safe".)
And it looks like G,GR has some good performances in numerous stage productions with the likes of Joe Mantenga, J.T. Walsh, Robert Prosky, Alan Alda, Jeffrey Tambor and Liev Schreiber. Also as a BBC Radio play with Hector Elizondo, Stacy Keach, Bruce Davison, and Alfred Molina as Roma.
I also enjoyed The Spanish Prisoner with Campbell Scott and Steve Martin. A smart thriller that's only rated PG.
Outside the confidence game, State and Main is a fun comedy about the movie-making biz. Would make a nice a double feature with either The Player or Bowfinger.
09-01-08, 05:38 PM
#7
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I loved Redbelt...seen it 3 times now and get's better every time. Glengerry Glen Ross would have to be my favorite of his however. Wow, didn't even know he wrote The Edge until this thread.
09-01-08, 06:04 PM
#9
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
A vote for Spartan as my favorite.
"You need to set your motherfucker to "receive". "
"You're gonna leave your life or you're gonna leave the information in this room."
"We would have let her go to the desert,
but you had to put on your thinking cap!"
Last edited by Robert; 09-01-08 at 06:12 PM.
09-01-08, 09:06 PM
#13
DVD Talk Legend
Like the Friedkin poll, this is a no brainer. Come on....."Glengarry Glen Ross"! An actor's wet dream. And that cast!
09-02-08, 08:03 AM
#17
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I really, really like State and Main, but I have to say of that list I've probably watched Heist the most. I think a writer can learn a lot from that movie.
09-02-08, 09:08 AM
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09-02-08, 12:08 PM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
House of Games for me too.
I didn't consider GGR, since Mamet didn't direct that, and because if we're going to include movies he just WROTE (and didn't direct), then my pick would be The Untouchables.
I didn't consider GGR, since Mamet didn't direct that, and because if we're going to include movies he just WROTE (and didn't direct), then my pick would be The Untouchables.
09-02-08, 01:16 PM
#24
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i really wish there were more extras or any at all on movies like TSP, H, HoG, S. only Glengarry and Redbelt have anything worthwhile.
is Mamet that much of a recluse that he can't do something on these wonderful films?
is Mamet that much of a recluse that he can't do something on these wonderful films?
