UKC

I'm looking for recommendations for quirky, original films - those ones full of genuine charm which leave you smiling. I was going to also stipulate those sort of films which flew below the radar but then actually my film radar has been switched off for a few years. For example, I watched (and enjoyed) Hugo last week and hadn't heard of it, despite it winning five oscars. So assume I know nothing.

The thread was prompted by watching King of Kongs: A Fistful of Quarters which I completely loved, and thinking maybe there are dozens more little gems out there in a similar feel-good vein. They don't have to be recent and I'm not averse to a bit of a whimsical feel (á la Jeunet, Miyazaki etc).

In reply to Alyson: Mediteraneo, Hideous Kinky, Gattaca, Cinema Paradiso, A Good Year, 50 first dates.

I'll have a think, I have quite a few old favourites.

In reply to Alyson: hmm
leningrad cowboys go america - finnish film, makes my sides hurt. not exactly sophisticated though...

In reply to Alyson:

Well any miyazaki will do. I particulary like My Neighbour Totoro, The Castle of Cagliostro, Kiki's Delivery Service. However they're all good. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is surprisingly sweet for a dark comedy film.

I hadn't heard of Hugo either, but it's very good isn't it? I tend to let the wife pick films to watch, she has excellent taste.

In reply to Alyson: Heartlands,
I Heart (as in heart emoticon)Huckerbees
The Way (quirky,but beautiful,spiritual and moving)
This Must Be The Place
Local Hero is all time fave but you must have seen this.

In reply to Alyson:

Being John Malkovich
The Life Aquatic
Mirrormask

Tanguy, MicMacs, he loves me he loves me not, Tatte Daniele, La horde, anything by Wes Anderson, Beautiful lies, The Heartbreakers, Happines of the Katakuris, Persopolis, 9,

That's a reasonable start.

In reply to David Hooper:

Err... of course! (cough) <adds hastily to Lovefilm rental list>

In reply to Alyson:

Try "The Happiness of the Katakuris", quirky, funny and full of charm.

In reply to Alyson: Scott Pilgrim v The World

In reply to Alyson:

Bombon el perro

In reply to all: Thanks folks, you're doing well! I've heard of less than half of these and seen less than a quarter of them. The rest are going on my rental list which I usually stare at in a blank and hopeless fashion.

In reply to tspoon1981: Tatte Daniel is brilliant.

In reply to Tall Clare: +1

Also Because of Wynn Dixie
Into The West
The Water Horse

In reply to Alyson:
Up.

In reply to Alyson: as far as i am aware i have made no films worthy of a mention!!

In reply to Alyson:

A strong recommendation for Living in Oblivion, which is a warm, hilarious and very sideways look at human relations. Steve Buscemi and Katherine Keener (my two favourite actors) put in brilliant performances (as themselves I suspect); the script is magical, the references poignant and the whole thing is for me a bit of a masterpiece.

youtube.com/watch?v=dQJLjYoQWB0&

Has anyone mentioned The Science of Sleep, Being John Malcovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (and any other Charlie Kaufman/Spike Jonz things). But surely you've seen those...

In reply to Alyson:

Another vote for the Katakuris.

Survive Style 5+ makes the Katakuris look sane though
Lupin the Third: The Secret of Mamo
JCVD

and for something a bit more normal
Dead Letter Office

and something that treads that fine balance between accessibility and "cinema as poetry"
Map of the Human Heart

and
Until the End of the World (either the 2h35m version or the 4h45m version, both are good)

Oh and for a suspense film, Hammer's "Scream of Fear", it is their Psycho knock-off but is in many ways better than Psycho.

In reply to Jon Stewart:

YES to Living in Oblivion, my favourite movie about movie-making (and I have seen a few).
Spike Jonze was not involved on The Science of Sleep or Eternal Sunshine. They were directed by Michel Gondry.

In reply to Alyson:

Zero Effect (Bill Pullman, Ben Stiller, Kim Dickens) is deliciously quirky

In reply to Blue Straggler:


Ah yes, that's the fella.

In reply to Alyson: buffalo 66

In reply to Ramblin dave:

Aww, what a film. Even I in my ignorance didn't miss that one! Have you seen How To Train Your Dragon? That's one which got less attention (I think) but I possibly love even more.

In reply to razzorbuzz:

Seconded. One of the best things I've seen in ages.

Also, try the Darjeeling Limited (though I suppose that's covered by whoever mentioned Wes Anderson).

In reply to Alyson: Sir Henry at Rawlinson End.

In reply to Jon Stewart: I really like Buscemi too! One of my favourites along with Michael Sheen and Paul Giamatti. I haven't seen Living in Oblivion but it sounds good. I've seen Eternal Sunshine but not Being John Malkovich (although I know the premise).

In reply to Alyson:

Zombieland is good as well.

In reply to mattrm: Of course it is. It's got Emma (schlurp) Stone in it.

And that reminds me of Easy A which for a teen popcorn flic is actually very enjoyable.

As is Bring It On. Really quite funny and it's got cheerleaders in it.

In reply to Alyson:

Amelie, Lost in Translation, American Beauty are three I enjoyed. Amelie is particularly quirky (and great).

In reply to Blue Straggler: I was hoping you'd show up!

While we're all here film-nattering, has anyone else seen The King of Kong? (sorry, I messed the title up slightly in my OP) It starts out kind of quietly and but draws you in beautifully. Completely engrossing.

Stand By Me, excellent film

In reply to quirky: Ha ha! Well looks like you'd better get on and make one then!

In reply to Alyson:
Wild at heart. David Lynch

In reply to Alyson:

Of those that I mentioned, Map of the Human Heart and Dead Letter Office are the ones I think you'd love most. Survive Style 5+ is probably a bit too "out there" for you right now! Map of the Human Heart is now finally available on DVD after being criminally unavailable for years.

In reply to Blue Straggler:

Anybody seen 'The Holy Mountain'?

Watched it last week, enjoyed it but couldn't help feeling like Jodorowsky was standing behind me, hitting me over the head while shouting "LOOK AT THE SYMBOLISM! ALL THIS MEANS SOMETHING!"

In reply to Alyson: Etre et avoir is incredible, The adventure of someone suc?? I can't remember her name, its a luc besson film, the beat that my heart skipped, the 8th day, dog town and z boys,

In reply to Alyson: I keep thinking of films, and am currently trying desperately to hide what I'm typing.

The straight story is also amazing.

In reply to Alyson:
Broken Flowers, starring Bill Murray.

And if you like your Miyazaki, then "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" is lovely... but there are many to choose from there...

In reply to Alyson:

A 70's spoof called Murder by death with Peter Falk of Columbo (so that gives you an idea of the type of film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074937/

Also Court Jester with Danny Kaye is an absolute classic

youtube.com/watch?v=796bHaAtlkE&

and if you can find it another great Danny Kay film is The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Chris

In reply to Bulls Crack:
Fantastic film. It doesn't get much more quirky than that. :O)

Paris, je t'aime.
A collection of 20 5-minute shorts, variously funny, dark and romantic. Lovely.

Angel-A
Luc Besson does "Its a wonderful life". Beautiful. ;O)

Endhiran (The Robot)
Mad Tamil sci-fi. Terminator meets Matrix with added huge outlandish song and dance routines.

In reply to David Hooper:


The most good awful nonsensical pile of tosh I've seen in a long time. Using the auspices of existentialism to make it acceptable to be a pile of crap.

Personally I'm big on quirky French films. As said above Micmacs a couple of other obvious ones would be Amelie, delicatessan, the city of lost children, tell no one (not really quirky but an amazing french thriller), Persepolis (great animated coming of age story about an iranian girl growiing up through the islamic revolution),

In reply to pasbury: Amelie is my benchmark for quirky, charming and feel-good!

From my own viewing, I'd also like to recommend American Splendor to anyone who may be interested. Oh, and perhaps Garden State.

Amelie

Ghost Dog - The way of the samurai

Mesrine - Public Enemy No. 1

In reply to Alyson:

I enjoyed American Splendor, but I seem to remember it being quite profoundly depressing, too. Excellent drama. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread for stuff to download...

In reply to Frank4short: well isn't it refreshing that we don't all have the same tastes and views or life would be bland.

In reply to Alyson:

I vote- Super Troopers.

In reply to Alyson: The Straight story is lovely, Worlds fastest Indian is nice too.

Gross Pointe Blank is great but maybe not quite quirky enough?

In reply to Alyson: Ravenous, if for no other reason than the Benny hill-esque music during the chase scenes

In reply to Alyson:
Oh, I just remembered one:
In Search of a Midnight Kiss

In reply to Alyson: Well if you've not seen it I guess Easy Rider fits the bill. And a much much earlier one Whisky Galore.

In reply to Alyson: Some great ones up above.

Son of Rambow might fit your bill as well.

In reply to Alyson: Todd Brownings Freaks is pretty cool. Y tu Mama tambien, but that's quite well known, Thirst for a korean vampire film.

In reply to Alyson:
Napoleon Dynamite.

In reply to jon haynes:


Other recommendation for napoleaon dynamite.

Also, Clerks and Mall rats

In reply to David Hooper:

Well you like halifax filling cabinets I like dreamy So Cal swept design lines...

In reply to doz generale:

The Castle (Australian low budget comedy) loved it

In reply to Alyson: Oh and Cedar Rapids http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477837/ my favourite random find in recent years. Starts off slowly but gets very good towards the end, and could be the definition of a quirky film.

In reply to Alyson:
Two not so far mentioned:

Me and you and everyone we know and little miss sunshine

and another vote for napoleon dynamite!

In reply to doz generale:

Niiice! I'm a big fan of Kevin Smith's films.

In fact - apropos of pretty much nothing - there's a line in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back where Ben Affleck, playing Holden McNeil, has to deliver the line "Affleck was the bomb in phantoms!" which in my house has become a byword for things being ace. ie "That macaroni cheese was the bomb in phantoms". Don't know why I'm sharing this slightly embarrassing fact.

In reply to Alyson:

Dean R Koontz' "Phantoms" is a good film.

In reply to Alyson:

2010 remake of The Crazies.

Southland Tales

In reply to Alyson:

And in a "competitive" vein as that is the way that so many of these threads seem to go:

Themroc
The Saddest Music in the World
Even Dwarfs Started Small

In reply to Blue Straggler: Oh and the Station Agent, great film but necessarily quirky in the humorous sense though it does have it's funny moments.

In reply to Blue Straggler: It can't count as a competitive thread if I'm quoting Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back! But needless to say I haven't heard of those so you win

In reply to Alyson: youtube.com/watch?v=evlGD2TMcd4&

In reply to Alyson: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poltergay

It gets a few bad reviews but for a bit of off beat comedy I don't think you can beat it.

In reply to lizard-16-07: Is that by any chance the same link you've already started two or three threads about?

In reply to Alyson:

It might seem unlikely at the outset, but "The Lives of Others" will leave you smiling( and possibly tearful at the same time)

In reply to Alyson:
Rare Exports.
The ultimate anti-christmas film. Sort of. Those Finns have a lot to answer for

In reply to Alyson:

Should you have a soft spot for belgian comedies about cycling starring Benoît Poelvoorde, as I assume everyone does, I can recommend "Le Vélo de Ghislain Lambert".

(He is also very good in "C'est arrivé près de chez vous" but it's a pretty full on film)

In reply to Alyson: Save the green planet is a great film

In reply to Alyson:

Oh, and on the Wes Anderson vibe, my favorite film of his is, "Rushmore".

Sticking to the highschool theme, "Election" is very good too.

And back in the 21st Century, "Submarine".

(Not sure how "quirky" my suggestions are but they are good!)

In reply to Alyson:

This one:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0787462/

This is an absolute gem which should fit your criteria.

In reply to galpinos:
>
Is the film that was distributed as "Man Bites Dog" in the UK? I watched that at 18 and thought it great, then tried again at about 33 and couldn't get through 20 minutes of it!

In reply to Blue Straggler:

Yep. I've seen it three times and find it harder to watch/more disturbing each time. I find I've become more sensitive to violence as I have got older. I had no problems watching it in the student cinema at uni but the last time I watched it, I had to turn away in one scene.

In reply to Alyson: Has anyone mentioned the Dogma 95 films? Julian Donkeyboy, the Idiots etc? They're pretty quirky, well, quirky is one word for it. Larry Clarkes films are pretty good, quite dark though. So about as far from Amelie quirkiness as possible.

In reply to Alyson:


Il Postino immediately springs to mind.

In reply to Alyson:

Seen Donnie Darko?

In reply to Alyson:

Didnt see 'Trust' or 'Dark Star' even if some of my faves were listed like Clerks.

In reply to Alyson:

This list looks good if a bit mainstream:

http://366weirdmovies.com/the-weird-movie-list

In reply to Alyson: Just finished another dull day at work so I can type with abandon.

Man on the moon, the Andy Kaufman biopic
Empire Records, quite mainstream in its time but nobody seems to remember it.
Cry Baby, Johnny Depp and what's her name, the one with the daytime chat show. Er.... It'll come to me
Grosse point blank if it hasn't been mentioned
Happy Accidents
Goodbye Lenin, it has an amazing soundtrack too by Yann Tiersen.
My life as a dog, just amazing
Anything by the Coen Bro's, but Raising Arizona is probably the quirkiest
Bubba Hotep!! How did I forget that
Igby goes down, pretty funny

I think that's me quirky movied out

In reply to Alyson:

Down by Law- by Jim jarmusch

Bridesmaids is greeat fun

Carnage is quirky and good.

Win Win is also good

50/50

In reply to Daithi O Murchu:

Stranger than fiction

In reply to Daithi O Murchu:

Leningrad Cowboys Go America.

In reply to tspoon1981:

"Adele de Blanc Sec" is the recent French-Language Luc Besson film I think you were referring too earlier - I've 'kind-of' seen it as pictures only as a consequence of work! Really want to see it properly, so to speak.

I'm amazed I just how many of the films mentioned I have seen (and just how many I really should see!)
Amelie is very nearly my favourite film - some someone who can't speak French - I don't 'alf like the French...

Btw - I think I'm nearly the only person in the world who really rated "A Very Long Engagement" - not exactly feel-good, and fairly conventionally structured except for a couple of flights of fancy - but I found it utterly engrossing.

Oh - if we stick with the French theme, how about "Jour de Fete" Jacque Tati's finest hour...

JR.

In reply to Alyson:

If you don't mind it being in Japanese, with subtitles, and it being very difficult to get a copy of

Tampopo

In reply to Alyson: the hudsucker proxy if its not already been suggested

In reply to Alyson:

Belleville Rendezvous.

In reply to Pagan:

zac an miri make a porno

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1007028/

Has anyone mentioned Coffee and cigarettes ? another Jim Jarmusch flick .

I thought Juno was quite an interesting , funny and endearing film .

RED ( Willis , Malkovich and Mirren ) I thought had hilarious moments .

I'm looking forward to watching The Rum Diary ( Depp ) as I think Fear and Loathing is a classic ( but not for everyone ) .

In reply to LaMentalist: I was really disappinted by "The Rum Diaries" film, massive let down, I'm a huge Hunter S fan and the film wasn't even a patch on other Hunter S adaptations unfortunately. I'd add a vote for Red though.

In reply to Al Evans: not sure easy rider counts as feelgood, whisky galore is a good shout tho. Another vote for little miss sunshine, pure class

In reply to Alyson: Mediterraneo, The World According to Garp, Trust, Toto the Hero

In reply to Alyson:

rare exports a christmas tale

In reply to Carless:

Yes! Seems to be a love it or hate it film. I thought it was fantastic, although very sad.

In reply to Daithi O Murchu:

That's another Kevin Smith film isn't it? Yes it was surprisingly sweet and touching

In reply to Alyson:

Not really my sort of genre, but Burn After Reading was good and quite quirky.

For quirky but dark, try Badlands and Kalifornia.

In reply to PontiusPirate:


The entire full auditorium of Nottingham Broadway cinema, when I saw it midweek about 10 days after it had come out (i.e. not a biased "first-night enthusiasts" crowd) seemed to "really" rate it, as does every person I know that has seen it.

In reply to Alyson:

And now "quirky" has come to mean "a film that I've seen that is not Transformers: Dark of the Moon". Gotta love the UKC forum thread formula

In reply to Alyson:

Check out Baraka; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/

and
The Castle; http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103767/

In reply to Alyson:

Freddy Got Fingered - You'll either love it or hate it.

The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix - Animated film with the voice of Murray Walker.

In reply to Alyson: this will probably be considered mainstream,but I think it is delightfully quirky,emotional,funny and self reprocatiolng and never fails to have me sobbing at the end.

Clint Eastwoods Grant Torino. And for some reason, women really seem to "get it"

BTW - blue stragglers et al,please don't come along trying to score intellectual points, it's a recommendation for a lovely film,not a film nerds willy waving contest,Thankyou.

In reply to David Hooper: "not a film nerds willy waving contest,Thankyou."

That's not a mental image I needed at this time in the morning.

In reply to David Hooper: Yes it's a fantastic film! Eastwood is a wonderful director and for my money one of the greatest all-round movie 'people' there has been.

I'm sure you'll have seen it but Bridges of Madison County is another of his I find exceptionally insightful about human nature, and the acting from him and Streep is perfect.

In reply to tspoon1981: Film nerds have light sabres for willies.

In reply to Alyson: like this???

http://ct.fra.bz/ol/fz/sw/i51/5/2/11/fbz_705d904b7304773c270869a5958ddaf4.j...

In reply to Alyson:

Has anyone mentioned Fargo yet?

In reply to Alyson: 'Weekend at Bernies'... Or you could go for something with a bit more social tension and watch 'Crash'...

In reply to Alyson: i think The Way is definitely for you

In reply to Alyson:

Three that spring to mind:

Juno
Adam
My Afternoons With Margueritte

jk

In reply to Alyson:

Another vote for A Very Long Engagement and another for Local Hero, which is totally superb.

In reply to David Hooper:

Thanks for that David. You might note that I have made numerous recommendations for lovely films already.

In reply to Blue Straggler: Yes you have. Thank you and thanks to everyone who's taken the trouble to reply, I really appreciate it. There's enough here to keep me busy for a long time!

In reply to Alyson:

Is that the video game docu?

If so it had us all hooked (boo hisss, cheering) over Hogmany

In reply to Alyson: Can't get much quirkier the Fritz the Cat, anybody remember that?

In reply to butteredfrog:

Nope. :O)
It's quirky, but I'm not so sure about the feel-good thing. Perhaps Oh Brother Where Art Thou would be a better Coen Brothers offering.

In reply to BelleVedere: Yes! The one about getting the world record high score for Donkey Kong. It seems like such an odd premise but was so engrossing because of the characters involved.

In reply to Alyson: did you check heartlands - I may have got the name wrong. The acotor is that Micheal bloke who plays tony Blair sometimes and involves a moped journey across the pennines to a darts mat have in blackpool - got folk singer Kate rusby in.

In reply to Alyson:

Hugely enjoyable - good goodies, and a great baddy

to everyone else; watch it!

In reply to David Hooper:

It's going on the list! Michael Sheen is one of my favourites. As well as his uncanny Tony Blair, he's done an uncanny David Frost (Frost/Nixon) and an uncanny Brian Clough (The Damned United). Very clever and talented actor.

In reply to Alyson:

Michael Sheen - the fella that can play any role as long as they can be written to be a bit like Michael Sheen

Sorry, I have waved my intellectual willy haven't I...

In reply to Blue Straggler: Maybe he's just so good that you watch him and assume he must be a bit like the character he's playing

I'm not sure Tony Blair and Brian Clough are much alike...?

<Counters with vague swipe of imaginary light-sabre-phallus>

In reply to Alyson:

Kevin Bishop laid into him brilliantly. Well it was more a dig at the notion of a feature film about a television interview, so he did spoof "Harty/Reed" and "Wogan/Best" ones, all with the interviewer looking like a bad impression of Michael Sheen. Genius

In reply to Alyson:

Some other suggestions

The straight story - Excellent and a real surprise when i randomly watched it at 2am. Full of charm and one of the best characterisations i seen in a film.

Northfork - Great original movie, though people is certainly split into 2 camps regards it marmite style. Either you understand what's going on or you don't... youtube.com/watch?v=2fG8TsG4sWY&

Kick-ass - Top marks in quirkiness, and another surprisingly good film.

In reply to Mr Lopez:

Ah, and how did i forget http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112682/ ?

In reply to Alyson: let us know what you did enjoy and it will help with future recommendations.

In reply to Alyson: O Lucky Man directed by Lindsay Anderson starring Malcolm McDowell

In reply to Alyson:

The classic Jean de florette and Mkanon de source - beautiful

Tin drum - possibly not the happy ending you want but brilliant anyway.

You mention Junet so city of lost children and delicatessen are old hat.

The Three Colors Trilogy is the collective title of three films – a trilogy – directed by Krzysztof Kieœlowski - again not happy as such but cinemitic tour de force.

and,,,another vote for Napoleon Dynamite

In reply to Fly Fifer:

oh..the man who sued god..starring Billy Connoly is fun

In reply to Alyson: Talking of Jeunet and Caro, has anyone seen "The Bunker of Last Gunshots"?

In reply to tspoon1981:

That bypassed me.

worth it? tell me more,

In reply to Alyson:

OK Alyson, lets go for quirky,

"Being There " starring Peter Sellers. (beautifully underplayed)
"Phase 4" starring quite a few ants
"Koyaanisqatsi" starring lots of visually stunning images
"Things to do in Denver when you're dead" starring the quirk-meister himself Christopher Walken.
"The Final Programme" starring a monkey humanoid that does a Humphrey Bogart impression. 1973, yes... those were the days.

Enjoy.

In reply to David Hooper: Well I've just watched Heartlands and I thought it was fab! Enjoyed playing spot-the-familiar-landmark although I decided to ignore the strangeness of his route to Blackpool.

I imagine to an American audience in particular it would seem immensely quirky. Living in Sheffield, it was practically a documentary Just the sort of thing I like - an antihero, a journey and some non-soppy feelgood vibes.

(Footnote for Blue Straggler: Michael Sheen was of course brilliant, and while Muppets Treasure Island is a lovely film he definitely beats Kevin Bishop in Movie Top Trumps)

In reply to Tall Clare:

That's a lovely film as is Historias Minimas which has similar feel about it.

Big Night - a great film, especially if you love food.

Lars and the Real Girl - quirky and a real gem.

In reply to Alyson:If you want a similar thing to King of Kong try The Dungeon Masters.

In reply to Alyson:

Grosse Point Blank, Magnolia, Little Miss Sunshine, Two Days in the Valley, Fargo, Wonder Boys, and Kelly's Heroes, from avery quick glance at my DVD shelf.

In reply to Alyson:

The Bunny and teh Bull.

Bedazzled.

In reply to Alyson: Did anyone mention any Todd Solondz films? If not, check them out.

There's a film with Phillip Seymour Hoffman as a drag queen voice coach, which is amazing, I'll remember the title at some inopportune moment.

In reply to Alyson: Hi Alyson,
Many apologies, but when I started looking at films which I thought of as quirky, I came up with a bit of a long list. I believe all of them have a certain 'charm'...films to be watched, savoured, then watched again...

Stealing Beauty. (Jeremy Irons, Liv Tyler)
Million Dollar Hotel. (Wim Wenders film...Jeremy Davies, Milla Jovovich)
Lost in Translation. (Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson)
Before Sunrise/Before Sunset (Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy)
Midnight in Paris. (Woody Allen film...Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard)
Paris. (Juliette Binoche, Romain Duris)
Paris Je T'aime. (Many directors...many, many actors)
Angel-A. (Luc Besson film...Jamel Debbouze, Rie Rasmussen)
Amelie. (Audrey Tautou, Jamel Debbouze)
Red Balloon. (Albert Lamorisse film...Pascal and Sabine Lamorisse)
Flight of the Red Balloon. (Hsiao-Hsien Hou film...Juliette Binoche)
Cafe Lumiere. (Hsiao-Hsien Hou film...Yo Hitoto)
Millennium Mambo. (Hsiao-Hsien Hou film...Shu Qi)
In the Mood for Love. (Wong Kar Wai film...Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung)
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter...and Spring. (Ki-Duk Kim film...Ki-Duk Kim)
Withnail and I. (Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann)
Inside I'm Dancing. (Steven Robertson, James McAvoy)
Once. (Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova)

...and then try fitting in some climbing and walking! LOL.

In reply to octoberchild: Thanks for taking the time to type all that! I've only seen 4 off your list (Lost in Translation, Amelie, Inside I'm Dancing and Once) so I will definitely check out the others. Inside I'm Dancing is great isn't it? I'm a bit wary of saying I like James McAvoy in case Blue Straggler comes along to mock me But I think he's great.

This thread has inspired me to re-watch The Straight Story which I haven't seen since it was released. Cheers everyone!

In reply to Alyson:

Yup


I think McAvoy is great.

In reply to Blue Straggler: Phew! :-P

In reply to Fly Fifer:


What about Dekalog by the same director. Less well known but also pretty good. Was originally an East German TV series I think

Have we had Goodbye Lenin?
Les Visiteurs (more slapstick I suppose)?
Oh Brother where art thou?
Truly, Madly, Deeply (possibly just my Juliet Stephenson fetish showing through)?

In reply to Alyson: No doubt this one will get shot down by a few people, but I quite liked Hot Tub Time Machine, the title is pretty self explainatory, it's pretty feel good over all, and I thought it was quite a good watch / waste of time.

A film called "I Love Your Work" is worth a look.

In reply to another_mark:

Aye, another quality product but an interpretation of the ten commandments as i recall. I liked it but not the bag for everyone. I think three colours is more accesable but still challenging and stuning and well conceived. All are worthwhile imho.

In reply to Alyson: I love all of Dario Argento's movies, but they are not to everyone's taste.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dario_Argento

In reply to Alyson: tube tales

In reply to Alyson:

Off the top of my head:

City Island:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Island_(film)

Thumbsucker:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thumbsucker_(film)

Igby goes down:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igby_Goes_Down

Office Space:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Space

State and Main:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_and_Main

Happiness:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness_(1998_film)

Magnolia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia_(film)

King of the Hill:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_of_the_Hill_(film)

In reply to Alyson: Perfect Blue

In reply to Alyson:

Rock and Rule

In reply to Alyson:

I suspect you'll have seen these but:
Being John Malkovich
Edward scissorhands
Amelie
The wizard of Oz

In reply to Alyson:

Tears for Sale

Worth putting up with the subtitles (I'm assuming you don't speak Serbian). It's by no means perfect, but here's what one critic said: "a fairy tale filled with dark jokes, estrogen, sex, and explosions."

I think it's available as a "free" streamed one on LoveFilm.

In reply to Alyson:

Not sure if it's been mentioned but Win Win is a great wee film. Nice tune by The National at the end as well.

In reply to Alyson:

Punch Drunk love

Garden State

both are great

In reply to Alyson:

I've just watched Spiklenci slasti (Conspirators of Pleasure) after a recommendation from a friend.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117715/

It seemed pretty quirky and original to me, and was very entertaining and a little thought-provoking.

It isn't quite in the vein of the other films being recommended here, and isn't really a 'feelgood' - more of a 'feeldecidedlyodd'.

There's no conversation in it, so no subtitles are needed. There's also no actual sex or violence, though it's definitely not for kids!

If you haven't seen it I suggest you try to get hold of a copy.

In reply to Alyson:

Time of the Gypsies (might not be much smiling though...in fact I overlooked the "leave you smiling" bit of the OP when making a lot of my recommendations)

In reply to Alyson:

and here's another:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drømmen

Called "We Shall Overcome" in English i was pretty impressed. Might have to look up some more Danish films.

In reply to Alyson:

Has 'Everything is Illuminated' been mentioned yet?

In reply to Alyson:

Tea with Mussolini.

Judith Dench, maggie smith, Joan Plowright, Cher et al. Difficult to go wrong.

In reply to Alyson:

- If you like Steve Buscemi, I really liked In the Soup, which seems to fit the bill. He's a struggling scriptwriter who gets patronage from the local Don.
- Along the lines of Hugo (i.e. quite popular but may have flown under your movie radar): The Artist and The Intouchables are both nice, light fun and full of charm.
- Along similar lines to King of Kong (which I loved, by the way), you could try Fast, Cheap and out of Control

In reply to Alyson:

How about "The Young Poisoners Handbook".

In reply to Alyson:

I really liked this one

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0331811/

In reply to Alyson: Pans Labyrinth

In reply to Alyson: I've just thought of some serious late 60s early 70s quirk for you. First duo of films is The Adventures of Barry Mackenzie coupled with Barry Mackenzie comes again - all I will tell you is that you find out about the genesis of Dame Edna Evaradge and that Prawn Vindaloo can replace precious spices when anointing the lingum in a karma sutric session.

Russ Meyers "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls"

And,oh shit I've just forgotten the last one ;o( - ah yes James Bond Casino Royale starring David Niven as James Bond and Woody Allen as his evil mastermind son - seriously f*cked up self indulgent psychedelia,but awful silly good fun.

In reply to Alyson:
I just remembered another one - you did say they didn't have to be new, this is taking that to a bit of an extreme:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Matter_of_Life_and_Death_%28film%29

Its both quirky and charming. You've probably already seen it, but if you haven't you should. ;O)

Me and you and everyone we know
Harold and maude

In reply to Alyson:

Have you seen "Very Annie Mary"?

In reply to Alyson: Someone posted Lars and the Real Girl in here a few days back, I just watched it, and as completely insane as it is, it's well worth a watch.

In reply to Alyson:

Choke

In reply to Alyson: Submarine, Directed by Richard Ayoade.

www.imdb.com/title/tt1440292

In reply to stroppygob:

I didn't like that

In reply to Alyson:

The Lair of the White Worm

In reply to Alyson:
Some of these may have already been recommended:
Baghdad Cafe
Being There
City of Lost Children
Diva
Harold and Maude
In the Soup
Memories
Paprika
Shoot 'Em Up

And the Crank films, which are just wonderfully daft.

In reply to edwardwoodward: Memories as in the anime short trilogy with Cannon Fodder, Stink Bomb and... presumably... Memories?

In reply to Fiskavaig:

You need to read the OP. While pan's Labyrinth is a stunningly excellent film, Quirky......that leave you smiling...it isn't!

In reply to Alyson:

Belleville rendez-vous

You the Living ( seen 2 still don't understand this one)

Eraserhead ( seen 4 or 5 times and I haven't a clue)

In reply to Blue Straggler:
Yup. The first section was called Magnetic Rose. I suppose only Stink Bomb fits the OP's request. Also love the closing theme, incidentally.
And another thumbs up for Belleville Rendezvous.

In reply to Alyson:

Good to hear you liked king of kong. If you want to see some of the same characters again you could try chasing ghosts.

Phil

In reply to Alyson:

both french with subtitles but they are quirky and will have you in stitches

Les visiteurs
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108500/

Les Valseuses
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072353/

In reply to Alyson: You've more than likely seen it, but "breakfast at tiffanys", oh, and "Priceless" with Audrey Tatou was meant to be the new BaT.

In reply to Alyson: If you can find it available somewhere then I suggest Kooky

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kooky

In reply to Alyson:
Just remembered another feelgood film which is widely available - "Looking for Eric"

In reply to Tom Valentine:

Is this the one where a Woman called Clare is following a trail of shit to try and find her lost cat?

In reply to Removed User:

It's a very dark and sad film but as you say, an excellent one.


Well folks it looks like I'm going to be busy forever and a day watching this lot.

Last night I dug out The Straight Story. I'd forgotten lots of the subtleties of his encounters along the way, and how much was said with very little. Loved it. Tonight it should be a simple case of picking from one of the 250 or so other suggestions!

In reply to Alyson:
You could do worse than watching Mary and Max, starting on Film 4 RIGHT NOW!

In reply to Alyson: Three good French movies

Diva (1981)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082269/

Subway (1985)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090095/

Betty Blue (1986)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090563/

In reply to stroppygob:


And from the OP "full of genuine charm which leave you smiling" :-O

I am going to say it again:

Dead Letter Office.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dead-Letter-Office-Region-NTSC/dp/B000ULPFF4/ref=sr...

In reply to Blue Straggler: Message received and understood! That looks like just the sort of thing I was after but I don't currently have region 1 viewing capability (although I previously did, which now means I have a lot of dvds I can't watch). I will investigate further, thank you.

In reply to Mikkel:
No. It's about a depressed postman who is given moral guidance by a famous footballer/actor/philosopher/thug.

In reply to kevin stephens:


watched that on your recommendation - so funny - fab one liners and hiden jokes - definately querky

very enjoyable

In reply to Alyson:

Burn after reading

on ITV1 friday night 22:35 if your a saddo with no friends