Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

[DickDalewood]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

Yes, yes there has:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0799949/

[Blzer]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

Yes, yes there has:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0799949/

^ 2.2? Ouch.

I wonder how they went on to make three more movies with those kinds of ratings.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

Superbad

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

No AFAIK his brother wrote the screenplay as well but I'm sure Chris collaborated with him like in the Batman movies.

The short-story and screenplay differ in some (important, IMO) aspects concerning Leonard.

Also, I just remembered District 9. I would add that. I also remembered Inglorious Basterds was a loose remake.

[Taur3asi3]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

I dont think Gladiator should count either it's pretty much based on the sprawling Gladiator Hollywood epics of the 50's and 60's. It might not be a true "remake" but the seeds were planted and it had been done long before.

[DickDalewood]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

^ 2.2? Ouch.

I wonder how they went on to make three more movies with those kinds of ratings.

Lol, well clearly they must have been turning some sort of profit, or they wouldn't have.

[Tomahawk]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

Isn't Inglourious Bastards based upon this movie and films like the Dirty Dozen?

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/deadly_mission/

[RockinDaMike]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

40 year old virgin
District 9
Pixar movie after pixar movie.
Crash
Kill Bill 1 and 2
Slumdog Millionare


Maybe I'm not understanding of epic. Are these movies that you'll see a huge line for at the theater or just an amazing movie like Donnie Darko or City of God. Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind was great to me as well as Kung Fu Hustle

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

Gladiator
Gangs of New York
Superbad
District 9

[jgarcia]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

slumdog millionare gets my vote.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

The word epic in my mind, when it comes to movies, refers to those big budget, usually long, just "big" movies on scale, shooting, story, etc.

Not "epic" as in "Wow broooo... that movie was epic! So sweeeeeet!"

So some of these movies do NOT belong in this thread.

[trobinson97]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

Gangs of New York definitely.

[marcus82]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

What exactly do you mean by epic?
<O></O>
Are you talking popularity because the spider man franchise sold boo koo tickets. Australia, while it probably wasn’t an extreme commercial success was definitely ana epic flick. By epic I mean length of movie (3 hrs run time) and a dynamic theme, character, and story driven movie.<O></O>
<O></O>
“There Will be Blood” was definitely epic.<O></O>
<O></O>
I guess you would have to clarify what you define as epic.<O></O>
<O></O>
Shoot Lord of the RINGs HELLO!!!!! <O></O>
<O></O>
You didn’t think this question through very well before you posted did you?<O></O>.

oh yeah "Oh Brother Where Art Though" this is just a beautiful piece of film making.

"Michael Clayton"


I hate when people rip on Hollywood and say there is no more originality. Hollywood is in the business of making movies. Regardless of where the story comes from. And they also are a BUSINESS. The need to get the easy layups everynow and then to stay afloat. The industry takes calculated risks when the opportunity presents itself.



you sir are no movie buff

[Brankles]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

This is what kills me about some of these topics at OS... we all end up arguing over the definition and criteria more than the list itself.

Original so far means:
1. Not based off another movie
2. Not based off of a book
3. The characters and plot line are not related directly to another story
4. The script/story was written only for the purpose of making a movie

Epic so far means:
1. Usually longer than 2 hours
2. Very dramatic and action-packed (basically no comedies)
3. Critically acclaimed
4. Successul in the box office/expensive to make
5. Story-driven

However, we have the thread starter saying that Pirates of the Caribbean, The Godfather, Jurassic Park are all Epic-level movies, but somehow The Dark Knight and Lord of the Rings are not because they were based off of some poorly done previous works. After that is when we start developing the criteria which then drastically cuts down on the list and eliminates many films that are generally considered by most critics to be original or epic in any genre.


This is the way of OS, and always has been. And even if there was a clearer criteria, most people ignore it and make up their own (Superbad/40 Year Old Virgin as an epic film... wtf?). I was even caught up in it, simply because I was trying to name anything remotely close this new criteria that would make a movie epic.


I'm fine with the definition of Epic, it's the definition of Original that gets me.

Original to me, as far as this movie list is concerned, is that it's somewhat groundbreaking, it's well-done and it is either a completely new idea or a new take on an older idea. The Dark Knight is an original movie to me, even though it's using familiar characters. Make Batman a generic hero, the Joker a generic bad guy but keep the same actors and similar plotlines and it is still one of the most original films in the last decade.

And LotR, (which I didn't like just because I'm not into elves, wizards and dragons) was done in such a way that all attempts before it looked half-a**ed. I would consider that original, as well. Cinematically, one of the nicest movies to look at, ever. No doubt about its epic-ness, either.

City of God, one of my top three favorite movies of all-time, was so enjoyable because it was original and creative. Interweaving of plotlines and great story-telling to go along with the gang violence and harsh struggle of people in a densely populated foreign-land in a fast-paced, character-driven movie makes it epic, as well. Told from a point of view I haven't seen up until Slumdog Millionaire, which I would not consider original simply because City of God did it first and did it better.

Gladiator, There Will Be Blood, No Country For Old Men are all original epics, too.

Spiderman was not original to me. It was a typical summer popcorn flick, the way Transformers and Hancock were, as well as Pirates of the Caribbean. Many films can be considered "Epic", at least on a box office level, but that doesn't make them original, too.


Other candidates:
The Watchmen
Kill Bill
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

[marcus82]

Re: Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

^^^^^^^^^
right on the money.

Allthough you have a few films that borrowed source material and the OP was clear that he wanted to discuss "original" material. -

But all your films are "epic" nonetheless in my mind.

In short the question is silly at best. Of course Hollywood has produced some "epic" films this decade. You can look just in 09 and see that.

I like your slum dog vs city of god comparison. It really was the just about the same movie. But city of god hit you like a ton of bricks slum dog hit you like a little girl named Nancy