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topic: "Touch of Fantasy" movies (and books)? |
rmarkd
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post #1
on January 13, 2004 - 11:05 PM PST
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I recently rented Il Mare and absolutely loved the movie. It's a story about a man and woman who write to each other and slowly form a bond. Oh yeah, the man just happens to live two years in the past and there's a special mailbox that allows them to communicate through time. I liked the concept and I thought the story was handled well, including an ending that -- to me -- felt fitting.
I was wondering if there were other movies like this. What I'm looking for are movies that take place in the real world, but that also have an aspect of fantasy to it, though the fantasy element isn't the focal point of the story. In other words, the fantasy element invades the real world.
More examples:
Waking the Dead
Donnie Darko (Well, DD may be a stretch, but I did like the movie.)
But, for instance, Big Trouble in Little China isn't what I'm looking for. Fun movie, but the fantasy takes the focus.
ALSO, this theme reminds me of Jonathan Carroll books. So, can anyone recommend books of a similar theme (or writers like Carroll)?
Any suggestions?
Thanks, all!
-Mark
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Brockton
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post #2
on January 14, 2004 - 8:47 AM PST
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What Dreams May Come I didn't care for the ending, but all that preceeding it was engaging and visually striking.
Going back quite a few years:
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Topper
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dh22
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post #3
on January 14, 2004 - 8:49 AM PST
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Frequency is along those lines.
Are you looking for any particular genre? Drama, suspense, comedy, or will any do? |
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dh22
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post #4
on January 14, 2004 - 8:50 AM PST
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> On January 14, 2004 - 8:47 AM PST Brockton wrote:
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> What Dreams May Come I didn't care for the ending, but all that preceeding it was engaging and visually striking.
> ---------------------------------
I agree, but the majority of the film takes place in the fantasy world so its probably not what rmarkd is looking for. |
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dh22
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post #5
on January 14, 2004 - 8:53 AM PST
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> On January 14, 2004 - 8:47 AM PST Brockton wrote:
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> The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
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That's a good one. Its been a while, but I think that fits the bill perfectly. |
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Cinenaut
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larbeck
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post #7
on January 14, 2004 - 9:11 AM PST
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> On January 14, 2004 - 8:47 AM PST Brockton wrote:
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> What Dreams May Come I didn't care for the ending, but all that preceeding it was engaging and visually striking.
>
Like "Parenthood", what really could have been a great, great movie was ruined by demands from the suits. The sad thing about "What Dreams May Come" is that is had one happy ending, why add another on top of it?
> Going back quite a few years:
YES - add "Harvey" and "It Happens Every Spring" both with Jimmy Stewart. And it did actually get a decent remake but the original "Miracle On 34th Street [1947]" is always very special to me. |
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Cinenaut
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post #8
on January 14, 2004 - 9:32 AM PST
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| In the book department, I recently read Kelly Link's Stranger Things Happen after reading one of her stories (Catskin) in a McSweeney's short story collection. Good, contemporary fantasic fiction. Here's a Kelly Link link. |
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rmarkd
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post #9
on January 14, 2004 - 11:30 AM PST
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> On January 14, 2004 - 8:50 AM PST dh22 wrote:
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> > On January 14, 2004 - 8:47 AM PST Brockton wrote:
> > ---------------------------------
> > What Dreams May Come I didn't care for the ending, but all that preceeding it was engaging and visually striking.
> > ---------------------------------
>
> I agree, but the majority of the film takes place in the fantasy world so its probably not what rmarkd is looking for.
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Yep, like blue doggy said, What Dreams May Come is visually beautiful (like I thought The Cell was as well), but takes place in a fantasy world.
Thanks all!
-Mark
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postmod
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post #10
on January 14, 2004 - 12:26 PM PST
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| it has more than a touch of fantasy, but i really enjoyed the secret of roan inish. |
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rmarkd
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post #11
on January 14, 2004 - 5:52 PM PST
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Any genre will do, so "send 'em if you got 'em"
Thanks!
> On January 14, 2004 - 8:49 AM PST dh22 wrote:
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> Frequency is along those lines.
>
> Are you looking for any particular genre? Drama, suspense, comedy, or will any do?
> ---------------------------------
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larbeck
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post #12
on January 14, 2004 - 6:30 PM PST
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| If "any sufficently advanced technology is indistingishable from magic", then we can certainly have "Contact" on this this. No one understood what the Machine did in that story and it certain was a fastastic experience. I only wish Carl had lived to see it. |
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postmod
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post #13
on January 14, 2004 - 8:25 PM PST
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| also, i haven't seen the movie (and have heard mixed things) but at least in book form the shipping news is a story with background (but nevertheless essential) elements of the supernatural. it's also a great read. though it's this annie proulx adaptation that has me all hot and bothered. |
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postmod
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post #14
on January 14, 2004 - 8:31 PM PST
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| oh, and there's also danny boyle's rather odd a life less ordinary, love story plus interfering/helper angels. |
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IronS
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post #15
on January 14, 2004 - 8:40 PM PST
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> On January 14, 2004 - 8:25 PM PST postmod wrote:
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> the shipping news is a story with background (but nevertheless essential) elements of the supernatural.
> ---------------------------------
It's slow moving and very cold. The secret is also somewhat distasteful. Cate Blanchet is almost unrecognizable as the immoral wife of Kevin Spacey's character. I found this film to be captivating, but I'm not sure if I like it. |
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rmarkd
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post #16
on January 14, 2004 - 10:10 PM PST
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Hmmm, well, speaking of Kevin Spacey movies and adding to my own list, K-Pax
> On January 14, 2004 - 8:25 PM PST postmod wrote:
> ---------------------------------
> also, i haven't seen the movie (and have heard mixed things) but at least in book form the shipping news is a story with background (but nevertheless essential) elements of the supernatural. it's also a great read. though it's this annie proulx adaptation that has me all hot and bothered.
> ---------------------------------
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rmarkd
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post #17
on January 15, 2004 - 12:06 AM PST
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Great list. I've added a couple movies to my list. Happy Accidents looks promising, as does Second Time Around.
-Mark
> On January 14, 2004 - 9:08 AM PST Cinenaut wrote:
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> Take a look at my Time Travel Romance list. I've added Il Mare to it (and to my queue).
>
> The Price of Milk pretty much fits the bill, too.
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larbeck
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post #18
on January 15, 2004 - 4:42 AM PST
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| What about Powder? Is it too fantastic to make the list? Great film! |
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RWaller
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hamano
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