Has there been a real original epic movie this decade?

[mgoblue]

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

Side note, I might give more credit to a movie based on a very popular book...Books are always better than the movies, and it's pretty tough to make a epic movie out of a novel. That adaptation for screen is easier said than done.

Jurassic Park could easily have been something dumb if they didn't have Spielberg, Crighton, and others involved....

[Tomahawk]

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

So a movie like Gone with the Wind wouldn't be considered an epic because it was based on a book?

Here's the American Film Institute's list of the top epics of all-time that was done in 1998.
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The American Film Institute defines "Epic" as a genre of large scale film set in a cinematic interpretation of the past. Epic movies often have large, big name casts, too numerous to list here.

The oldest movie on the list is 'All Quiet on the Western Front,' made in 1930. The most recent movie is 'Saving Private Ryan.' Director Steven Spielberg made the list twice, with movies: Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. Actor Charlton Heston was also on the list twice, for Ben Hur and The Ten Commandments.

AFI Top Ten Epic Films of All Time

1. Lawrence of Arabia. This epic film is set in 1916. British Intelligence supports the Arab rebellion against the Turkish German alliance Lieutenant T.E. Lawrence is an enigmatic 29 year old scholar sent to evaluate the Arab revolt. Cast: Peter O'Toole, Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Jack Hawkins, Jose Ferrer. Director David Lean. 1962

2. Ben Hur. Epic film is set during the ancient reign of Emperor Tiberium, in the days of Jesus, the Nazarene. Cast: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Haya Harareet, Stephen Boyd, Hugh Griffith. Director: William Wyler. 1959

3. Schindler's List. The true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved several Jews from the German concentration camps during WWII. Cast: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall and Jonathan Sagalle. Director Steven Spielberg. 1993

4. Gone With the Wind. Epic drama about the Civil War era, starting in 1861. Scarlett O'Hara is a headstrong Southern Belle, the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner. Rhett Butler is the dashing scoundrel who falls in love with the tempestuous beauty. Cast: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia De Havilland, Hattie McDaniel, Director: Victor Fleming and Sam Wood. Producer David O. Selznick. 1939

5. Spartacus.Epic film takes place during the last century of the rule of the Roman Empire. Spartacus is a slave who is purchased and trained to become a gladiator. Cast: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov. Director: Stanley Kubrick. 1960

6. Titanic The real life story of the tragic sinking of the Titanic is the back drop for a love story between different classes. Cast: Leonardo DeCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher. Director James Cameron. 1997

7. All Quiet on the Western Front. A German schoolboy joins the Kaiser's forces during World War I. Cast: Louis Wolheim, Lew Ayres, John Wray, Arnold Luch, Ben Alexander. Director: Lewis Milestone. 1930

8. Saving Private Ryan. World War II epic Cast: Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Ed Burns, Matt Damon, Barry Pepper. Director: Steven Spielberg. 1998

9. Reds. Epic story for real life journalist Jack Reed and writer - artist Louise Bryant. The movie is set in the backdrop of World War I and the Russian Revolution. Cast: Warren Beatty, Diane Keaton, Edward Herrmann, Jerzy Kosinski, Jack Nicholson. Director: Warren Beatty. 1981

10. The Ten Commandments. Epic drama from the Bible, about the life of Moses and his leading of the Israelites to the Promised Land. Cast: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Yvonne De Carlo. 1956


Read more: http://historical-films.suite101.com...#ixzz0X4eq6zNq

[GAMEC0CK2002]

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

It's always a futile attempt to try to make something subjective, objective. That alone makes the original premise nothing more than opinion.

[Beantown]

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

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

No Country For Old Men is a novel written by Cormac McCarthy.

[Brankles]

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

No Country For Old Men is a novel written by Cormac McCarthy.

And There Will Be Blood is based on a story called "Oil!" written by Upton Sinclair
The Godfather was a book
Gone With The Wind was a book
Jurassic Park was a book

I kind of explained it in my post

[marcus82]

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

hmm so movie has to be of a historic nature to even begin to be considered an epic? i guess the OP got it completely wrong

[Rocky]

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

Somebody close this thread.

I was clear as day in the original topic. Movies based off books count. Movies that have been made before with the same characters and the same premise (and yes there actually was a live motion picture with Batman and he was actually fighting the Joker) don't.

I just don't get what people didn't understand about that.

Nonetheless, I think this is a pretty good list from this thread:

The Matrix sequels
Gladiator
Pirates of the Carribean
There Will Be Blood
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
No Country For Old Men
City Of God

[Brankles]

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

Fair enough. That's a good list right there.

[Bellsprout]

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

If movies based on books count (and i'm confused as hell by this point), the Harry Potter films are pretty damn epic. Especially the recent ones.

[Beantown]

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

Agreed - as far as a "series" goes, Harry Potter is right up there with LOtR in terms of epic characteristics in this decade.

[Speedy]

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

So I'm guessing Spider-Man doesn't qualify either? There's been 3 movies made this decade but it's been in the comics since before the 70s.

[RockinDaMike]

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

All the Bourne movies have been epic for sure then.

[Schism 6]

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

District 9 was epic in my book, but i think the message went over most people heads.

[marcus82]

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

The Matrix sequels
Gladiator
Pirates of the Carribean
There Will Be Blood
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
No Country For Old Men
City Of God

So what was the premise of your original post? It sounded like you didn't think Hollywood had produced an "original epic" in the last 10 years [of course Hollywood has created original epics in the last decade ;-)]. Plenty more works could be added to your list there.

I'm just trying to understand what you actually wanted to discuss

[daflyboys]

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

This decade's "epic" movie(s) won't be determined until 2 or 3 more decades from now.