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Avril Roddam · 09-14-2003, 04:05 AM

I used to think it was The Princess bride...
....Until last friday. I think my fave is Pirates of the Caribbean now.

....Uh, sorry everyone!

Peach · 09-14-2003, 06:25 AM

Too much stress!

Do I have to choose? Princess Bride was better written, with many classic scenes. Some of the actors (Robin Wright, Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin) were impeccably cast, and others were notable.

Pirates of the Caribbean, which at the moment I like better only because it was more recent, had great special effects, lots of big ships, and Orlando Bloom, but that wouldn't have been enough. What made it for me was Johnny Depp's performance.

Speaking of which, I just saw "Once Upon A Time in Mexico," which was incoherent, randomly plotted, and had Johnny Depp in it managing to pull off another save. I never liked him much before "Pirates" but he's definitely redeemed himself with me.

Mo · 09-14-2003, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peach

Speaking of which, I just saw "Once Upon A Time in Mexico," which was incoherent, randomly plotted, and had Johnny Depp in it managing to pull off another save. I never liked him much before "Pirates" but he's definitely redeemed himself with me.

Johnny Depp's performance in Pirates was inspired. Actually it was inspired by JD's long time admiration for Charlie Chaplin. The opening sequence of him finally stepping off the sinking ship onto the dock was all "Charlie" I think.
This is a quote from Mr. Depp from an AOL Entertainment weekly article:

"here were a couple of high-end Disney executives who were fine with what I was doing,'' he says. ''But there were a couple who were very worried.... You know, like, 'He's ruining the movie! Why is he acting like that? What's he doing with his hand? Is the character a complete homosexual?'

Any time an actor makes Disney executives nervous you just gotta giggle! Johnny was pretty luscious in Chocolat too.
I've always really liked him for being such a big weirdo.

Princess Bride was good but I think Pirates is also right up there.

lfortier · 09-14-2003, 10:59 AM

Pirates is WAY better, has a good storyline, adventure, and action
Princess Bride was terrible- its so stupid, corny, and above all, BORING!

Iwant2bafencer · 09-14-2003, 02:07 PM

lfortier, watch how much you disrespect the Princess Bride around here. Many love it.

You mean you're actually going to make me choose?!?! The horror!!

Capt. Slo-mo · 09-14-2003, 02:08 PM

Both are great movies. The Princess Bride had Carol Kane and Billy Crystal. 'Nuff said.

zeidolon · 09-14-2003, 02:40 PM

It's all about quoteability.

How many memorable quotes do you remember from Pirates? How about princess bride?

Don't get me wrong, I loved pirates, but I think bride is more of a classic. I'm not left-handed either.

hehe

Robert

Inquartata · 09-14-2003, 02:55 PM

Well, "Princess Bride" was written by William Goldman, after all...

But I cannot comment on which was better, inasmuch as I haven't seen "Pirates" yet.

So I'm casting my vote for---"The Duellists"!

legolas30 · 09-14-2003, 03:47 PM

princess bride has been my favorite movie for a loooong time

but i recently saw pirates of the carribbean and its good too! they are both good movies. i dont think i can make that kind of decision!

MyrddinsPrecint · 09-14-2003, 08:51 PM

princess bride.

because i've read the book, and the book is awesome. the movie is a fairly good remake, but the book is... inspired.

i loved pirates, but, as it's been said, princess bride is a classic.

Cerian · 09-14-2003, 09:26 PM

Princess Bride...

The only redeemable aspect of Pirates was Johnny Depp's Keith Richards impersonation.

Iwant2bafencer · 09-14-2003, 10:35 PM

I was kind of disapointed in the book. The guy talked about how his father read it too him, but skipped a lot of stuff, so he says he's going to leave it out. Although every time it had said something of the history he says 'ok here is where it said' and goes on for fifeteen pages. I dunno I like the movie better.

I must agree with ziedolon, if it's on quotability I'd have to go with Princess Bride. Though I Love! Pirates as well!

Soldier · 09-14-2003, 10:43 PM

The Princess Bride is extremely quotable, of course - but, how many times have you seen it? I know I for one can't count that high. How quotable would Pirates be if you'd seen it as many times?

"But why is the rum gone?"

Iwant2bafencer · 09-14-2003, 11:14 PM

Very good point Soldier.
"Yes, but why is the rum gone?" HAHA I love that part.

"I was rooting for you the whole time."
"It would never have worked out between us."
"This is the day you remeber as the day Jack Sparrow . . .."

zeidolon · 09-15-2003, 02:19 AM

Seeing a movie a lot of times doesn't necessarily contribute to its "quoteability".

For example, Alien versus Aliens. I've seen both numerous times, but the sequel was MUCH more quotable than the first. Both are excellent movies, and definitely sci-fi classics, but comparing the two are almost like comparing an apple to an orange. How many of the crew can you name from the first one? How about the second? How many quotes can you think of off the top of your head from both?

In another example, let's compare Bladerunner to Spaceballs. Both are sci-fi classics (albeit for different reasons), but one is a visual cinematic masterpiece, the other is a campy comedy. Which one can you quote from memory with zero effort?

I'm rethinking my point about preferring Princess Bride over Pirates due to the quotability factor. I think Pirates can certainly stand on its own over time as a classic in its own right (its arguably the best pirate movie made in quite a long time). On the other hand, I think Princess Bride should still win in the "timeless classic" category for a number of reasons...including wider age appeal (especially for the younger crowd), quoteability (yeah yeah, I know), and so forth.

Trying to choose though isnt very easy, I think comparing the two is similar to the comparisions I made earlier...yes, they both have pirates, excellent swordplay, witty dialogue, and superb performances, but aren't easily comparable to each other.

Taking a different approach, what if we compare two movies that are almost identical in plot and characterization, but nearly impossible to compare. "The Magnificent Seven" (western, all-star cast, Yul Brenner starring, definite timeless classic) and "The Seven Samurai (Japanese, Akira Kurosawa directed (widely considered one of the best directors of all-time), Toshiro Mifune starring, and considered one of the ten best movies of all time).

The essential plot for both is practically identical (indeed, The Magnificent Seven is actually a modern (well western) retelling of The Seven Samurai). If you watch the original first (Seven Samurai) and then watch the second (Magnificent Seven) you will be shocked at how close they are. Then again, they each have a very distinctive "look and feel" and evoke different emotions from viewers. The Magnificent Seven is an excellent western filled with all of the action and dramatic performances you would expect from the cast, while the Seven Samurai is much darker and moody (probably further enhanced by the fact that it is filmed in black and white).

Crikey, can I ramble on when I get going. To summarize, both Bride and Pirates are awesome movies and should both be held in esteem in their own rights. If I really really had to choose though, I'd go with Bride. It is unique enough to be difficult to copy or retell either the story or the performances, but Pirates is just another pirate movie with great acting and iffy plot.

My .50 cents.

Robert/Zeidolon

lochinvar · 09-15-2003, 08:45 AM

Princess Bride.

Pirates was okay, but not as good.

Moonitic · 09-15-2003, 12:12 PM

Both, for entirely different reasons. Princess Bride seemed more about the talent & (in the scope of the movie) the romance. Pirates was all about FUN. What can I say? I love 'em!

MyrddinsPrecint · 09-15-2003, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iwant2bafencer
I was kind of disapointed in the book. The guy talked about how his father read it too him, but skipped a lot of stuff, so he says he's going to leave it out. Although every time it had said something of the history he says 'ok here is where it said' and goes on for fifeteen pages. I dunno I like the movie better.

I must agree with ziedolon, if it's on quotability I'd have to go with Princess Bride. Though I Love! Pirates as well!

if you want the boring parts, read the original....

the original, however, is the same thing, with the boring parts, and no william goldman comments.

the book has more funny parts, has more suspense, more drama, and... is.. just.. better.

so... there...

: )

achilleus · 09-15-2003, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iwant2bafencer
I was kind of disapointed in the book. The guy talked about how his father read it too him, but skipped a lot of stuff, so he says he's going to leave it out. Although every time it had said something of the history he says 'ok here is where it said' and goes on for fifeteen pages. I dunno I like the movie better.

I must agree with ziedolon, if it's on quotability I'd have to go with Princess Bride. Though I Love! Pirates as well!

Um....there is no S. Morgenstern. Goldman's father never read the book to him when he was a kid.

The history stuff that he 'abridges' is part of the joke.

lfortier · 09-15-2003, 07:48 PM

Honestly, I really dont see how Princess Bride could be better than Pirates in any way. So,.... Enlighten me. What was better about it?