I like fpd's categorical approach, and I will bogart it to my own ends:
Favorite movies about robots:
Bladerunner
Metropolis
Terminator 2
Robocop
Favorite movies about convicts:
The Shawshank Redemption
Malcom X
American History X
Favorite space operas:
Star Wars
Favorite superhero movies:
Sin City (gives me renewed hope for a Rodriguez-made "Madman" picture.)
The Hulk
(Usually superhero movies turn out to be letdowns, but this one appeals to me because the director has a unique understanding of comics. Also check out the Ice Storm to see his take of the Fantastic Four in a monologue by Toby Maguire. Ang loves the same thing I do about a good comicbook, which is what they mean and convey about the creator's mindset. Another person with an excellent comicbook mind is Quentin Tarantino. David Carradine's "Clark Kent" speech at the end of Kill Bill [a movie which I thought sucked] nails the essence of Superman while putting it in a light I never saw it in before. He understands the alien nature of Superman and it's too bad he didn't get to have a hand in the new movie.)
Favorite romantic comedies:
Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind
The Music Man
Favorite cartoon movies:
Princess Mononoke
My Neighbor Totoro
Akira
Finding Nemo
American Pop
Favorite Neo-Noir:
Memento
One Hour Photo
History of Violence
I know it's a boring list, but it is accurate.
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Ham-fisted ham fisting.