r/flicks

Hello, film folks. I was watching The Graduate the other day and I realized that it really bugs me when a male character in a film has his face all lathered up and is ready to shave but then gets distracted and instead of finishing shaving he just wipes the shaving cream off. It’s such a specific thing that I feel like I’ve seen in a hundred movies, and it bugs me every time. It got me thinking about lesser-known tropes in movies and I wanted to ask the community about their favorites/least-favorites. That’s fun, right?

Many older films lose relevance over time, but others feel timeless or even more meaningful today. Which movie has aged incredibly well in your opinion, and what qualities allow it to remain engaging for modern audiences?

Every movie fan has at least one opinion that goes against the popular consensus. It could be an underrated masterpiece, an overrated classic, or an unpopular casting choice. What's your movie hill to die on, and what convinced you of that opinion?

Maybe a different actor was almost cast, a deleted ending would have changed everything, or a canceled sequel could have transformed a franchise. What's the biggest movie "What if?" you still think about, and how different do you think cinema would be today?

Some films stay memorable because every conversation feels sharp, natural, or endlessly quotable. Which movie has the strongest dialogue in your opinion, and what makes its writing stand out compared to other films?

Some films entertain us, but a few genuinely change how we think about life, relationships, success, fear, or happiness. It doesn't have to be your favorite movie—just one that left you seeing the world differently. Which film had that effect on you, and what lesson has stayed with you long after the credits rolled?

I've been thinking about how some films feel almost flawless, yet seem to have faded from everyday movie discussions. Not necessarily hidden gems—just movies that deserve to be talked about far more than they are today.

Not because it's your favorite, but because it offers a unique experience, perspective, or emotional impact that every film lover should have. Which movie would you choose, and why do you think it's an essential watch?

I'll give 2 examples

The house that jack built, twin peaks and true detective. Both of them transition from normal thrillers to supernatural horror(arguably). And to me it is kinda fun because i absolutely love supernatural horror. But i wanted to know your opinion. How would u feel about a psychological thriller transitioning into supernatural horror or vice versa?

Do u think transitioning into a supernatural horror would dilute and nullify the tension built by the psychological thriller part?

Also, do u think transitioning from supernatural to a normal psychological thriller just ruins the build up and makes u feel like u were tricked?

We all have that one movie opinion that changed over time. I'm curious to see how different everyone's answers are.

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Rating: 10/10 (PERSONAL FAVORITE)

Watched: July 4, 2026

"What's With All The Hostility, Phil?!"

For me, Beverly Hills Cops is one of those flicks I put on when I'm feeling like it's time to treat myself to one of Murphy's best movies.

All I have to do is think about Beverly Hills Cop and 'The Heat Is On' starts playing in my head, promptly followed by Axel's unique laugh. And Foley's absolutely iconic synth theme song? Anyone who doesn't like that really doesn't get the 80s. After that it's Bronson Pinchot's entire performance as Serge. All that lives rent free in my head and I ain't mad about it.

I'll admit it. Movies where the protagonist risks everything for a friend are a personal favorite genre of mine, and the bar scene between Mikey and Axel was so well done it still gets me in the heart. When Mikey says 'Because I love you, man'? That's some real shit right there. A few minutes later and Mikey's dead.

Axel takes off to Beverly Hills to get down to solving Mikey's murder and from here, the movie takes OFF.

By the time Rosewood and Taggart join Foley to help rescue Jenny from Maitland, the stakes are super real. Seeing Axel shoot the hell out of Zack will always be awesome because I'm down for vengeance any day of the week. For the 80s, that final shootout was pretty badass, but today I reckon there would've been a lot more blood and possibly some guts all over the place.

This time, though, I gotta say my favorite part is the very ending, when super-stoic Bogomil lies his ass off to Chief Hubbard. There was just something about watching a man used to being so by the book telling a total lie that was a little bit extra today.

I just watched Mad Max: Fury Road at home and felt gutted. It’s so visually insane that it really hit me how much I missed out on by not catching it in a proper theater. It felt like eating a gourmet meal out of a plastic takeaway container.

Does anyone else have that one movie they still wish they could go back in time and see on the big screen?

Does anyone know of any movies where the main character struggles with being an angry person? Characters who are flawed but are trying?

I've always found it fascinating when a fictional character feels less like someone written for a story and more like an actual person. They have believable flaws, contradictions, insecurities, and motivations that make them seem like someone you could genuinely meet in real life. They don't exist just to move the plot forward—they feel like they have a life beyond the screen.

I've always believed that a great ending is what turns a good movie into an unforgettable one. Some endings completely change the way you see the entire story, while others leave you thinking about them for days. I'm looking for movies with truly exceptional finales—whether they're emotional, shocking, mind-bending, or perfectly satisfying. No spoilers, please! Which movie had the best ending you've ever seen, and why did it leave such a lasting impression?

I really think Amanda Bynes could have had a great career had her mental health not gotten so bad. Her career was just starting to take off right when it ended.

She was supposed to play Megan Fox's character in This Is 40. Judd Apatow would have been the perfect director for her to work with, and I could have totally imagined him eventually giving her a leading role in something.

It makes me sad whenever I think about it. She was so bubbly and charismatic on screen, and everyone who grew up watching her loved her.

In your opinion, what is the best 4th of July scene in film history? I know the common answer is the (speech scene from Independence Day)[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9t1IK\_9apWs\], but for my money, give me the [fireworks scene from The Sandlot](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VFIzTzRuSL8) all day.

Whats your favorite scene?

Watching Davy Crockett and the River Pirates in this day and age, when you consider the fact it was one of my favourites growing up. I rented it on VHS a number of times and it’s rated G. But watching it these days with the smoking, drinking and the shooting (although bloodless) of Indians there is no way it would be released today, let alone be considered a family movie. It’s wild to think how things have changed.

Mick Taylor is one of the most clever and believable (i’m aware he was based on Ivan Milat, but he is more charming than Milat was) villains in early 2000’s cinema.

There doesn’t have to be some sad backstory with him. He isn’t John Kramer dying of cancer, he doesn’t want to test his victims or pretend there is any morality underneath his faux Steve Irwin Crocodile Dundee exterior.

To have the male survive and the females both die in horrific ways was quite a dare at the time. And for Taylor to receive zero comeuppance as well makes it refreshing.

But it isn’t the gore that does it, it is how they present a vulnerable coming of age love triangle and the snatch it away like a Spider’s Web. Particularly as well the scene where it is show how long Taylor has been doing this for.

Three days ago, for the first time in 20 years, I rewatched Last Action Hero. I was absolutely thrilled by what I saw. Even though I first watched it when I was the same age as the young protagonist, I immediately grasped the core idea back then, even if some of the deeper meta-jokes flew right over my head.

Over the years, the internet—and specifically a chorus of critics I’ve read—tried to convince everyone that the film is terrible and that it deservedly bombed at the box office. The dishonesty of that narrative was always obvious to me. But as the years went by, I became more curious about just how wrong they actually were. Recently, while rewatching Sunset Boulevard, it hit me: Last Action Hero is effectively the modern analogue to that classic film. Except instead of deconstructing classic dramas and noir, it takes a buzzsaw to the action stars, thrillers, and tropes of the 80s and 90s.

Literally a few minutes into rewatching it, I was laughing out loud because the parallel is so undeniable. The jokes were so sharp, the ideas so bold, and the political and social satire so biting that I had to pause the movie just to catch my breath from laughing. This isn't just a simple comedy, parody, or drama. While it is incredibly sharp and dynamic, it is completely different from slapstick classics like Airplane! or Hot Shots! (which I absolutely respect). Last Action Hero is a completely unique, self-contained piece of cinema with a flawless proportion of genre-bending and dramatic structure.

Today, as a writer and director myself, I can finally see every single layer the creators embedded into this film. I can say without a doubt that this is one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s absolute best roles, and the movie itself stands as one of the most unfairly slandered masterpieces in the entire history of cinema. It completely reminds me of that iconic Back to the Future line after Marty’s guitar solo: "I guess you guys aren’t ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love it." That was exactly the case with Last Action Hero in 1993—the audience and critics just weren't ready for the meta-revolution.

P.S. It was a profound shock for me to learn how much personal weight Arnold carried behind the scenes here. He personally drove the creative decisions—selecting the director, producers, cinematographer, composer, the casting, and even the specific age of the young protagonist. After the movie underperformed, he took total accountability, believing the failure was entirely his, and never interfered so heavily in the production of his films again.

Frankly, he shouldn’t have blamed himself. If they had stuck to the original, much darker script where the protagonist was a high school senior, it would have been a completely different movie. Stripping away the magical element was the original plan. Having an almost-adult character who still believes in cinema magic would have been way too bold for 1993, and honestly, pretty absurd in the context of this specific plot. By making the hero younger, Arnold actually saved the structural logic of the myth, even if the execution split the audience.