Desert Island DVDs
Andy over at Fandango Groovers had the idea for this desert island meme. What eight DVDs would you want to have with you if you were stranded on a desert island? This is a tougher question than it seems as you need to ponder: Would I take my eight favorite movies? Eight DVDs about how to survive in the wild? Movies to cheer myself up because of how lonely I will be? Terrible questions! No one in his right mind would think about such thing in a survival situation!! What about food, water, shelter and finding a way to signal you are in distress? Ok I digress…
Personally, I went with eight movies that I never get tired of watching. Let’s face it, some movies are absolutely great but are not conducive to repeated watching. This list wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be to compile simply because of the sheer amount of movies that merit considerations.
I want a flat screen TV with that
 | Seven Samurai (1954)Univarn's contagious love for Akira Kurosawa pushed me to see this movie recently. I must say, I was completely blown away by it. In my opinion, Seven Samurai is one of the great achievement of the seventh art. Yes, a review will come some day when I feel inspired enough to tackle an A+ movie! |
 | Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)Great Odin's raven, Anchorman is one of the funniest movie of last decade and the flick that established Will Ferrell as a bona-fide movie star. So many great quotes I will be able to recite to myself on my desert island, I can't wait muahahaha. |
 | Spirited Away (2001)If I'm going to take an animation, this has to be it. The crowning masterpiece of animations in my opinion and one of the most beautiful movie ever made. |
 | Wedding Crashers (2005)Another highly quotable movie that I can't help but watch every time I stumble upon it on cable. Who knows what happened to Vince Vaughn's and Owen Wilson's careers ever since but they hit it out of the ballpark in this one. A great supporting cast and a funny cameo by Will Ferrell at the end seals the deal. |
| LA Confidential (1997)The movie that should have won the Oscar for Best Picture if not for the Titanic phenomenon, LA Confidential is one of the most absurdly underrated movie of all-time (even though it ranks #62 on the IMDb Top 250). With a cast that includes Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, David Strathaim, and James Cromwell, the movie gives each of them substantial characters to bite into, and they produce! |
 | The Thin Red Line (1998)Yes, you read this right. I love Saving Private Ryan and have watched it hundreds of times but for the sake of originality, I will go with Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line which was nominated for Best picture the same year. Instead of the beach of Normandy, we are immersed on the island of Guadalcanal. It could be useful if I'm not alone on my desert island. |
 | Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)An adventure movie in case I don't get enough of that on that desert island. Raiders of the Lost Ark remains to this day one of my favorite adventure film ever made. Plus, I definitely need to have a movie with Harrison Ford! |
 | The Last of The Mohicans (1992)My favorite Michael Mann movie with one of the most marvelous actor out there, Daniel Day Lewis. A highly romantic movie that passes itself for an adventure flick, The Last of The Mohicans is a heck of an underrated film that will no doubt, be one of my most prized Desert island DVD. |
Five for the Road:
- Darren at the m0vie blog
- Heather at Movie Mobsters
- Kai at The List
- Aiden at Cut the Crap Movie Reviews
- Meredith at M.Carter at The Movies
It’s your turn! What are eight DVDs you would want to have with you if you were stranded on a desert island?
![Watch: Creepy Trailer for Slasher Pic ‘Maniac’ [NSFW]](http://www.anomalousmaterial.com/movies/wp-content/themes/yamidoo_pro/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://www.anomalousmaterial.com/movies/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/elijah-wood-maniac-tb.jpg&w=50&h=50&zc=1)
79 Comments
Eight movies from the History Channel on surviving in such conditions.
Kidding aside, I’ll go with movies that have already proven that they can be watched over and over again, but movies that can reach 3-4 hours in length, thus making time go faster.:
1. Seven Samurai- I am copying only one from your list. This Kurosawa and Mifune epic is easily one of my favorite movies, and quite possibly one of the 10 most influential movies of all time.
2. LOTR Extended Edition (I’m gonna cheat here and go with the set)- No question about it. Not only would I have roughly 12 hours of my all-time favorite film to watch, but an insane amount of hours on special features desks, by the far the best I have ever come across.
3. Lawrence of Arabia- Another long, influencial epic that would take up plenty of down time, but at the same time equally enjoying.
4. Monty Python and the Holy Grail- “You’re usin’ coconuts!!”
5. Tommy Boy- My other pure comedy on this list. No movie has ever been as rewatchable for me for the first 21 years of my life, and I doubt that will change anytime soon.
6. Star Wars- I have to. I’ll take LOTR over Star Wars any day of the week, but this is still considered one of the biggest phenomenons in film history, and it helps me get my Sci-Fi fix as well.
7. The Dark Knight- While the film is entertaining as hell, this would also allow me to spend hours upon hours trying to mimick Ledger’s Joker. If I am going to go insane on a desert island, I might as well go down as the most insane character I have seen from the movies in the past 20 or 30 years.
8. I am reserving this last spot to have the DVD of “The Hobbit” pre-ordered and by some mircale shipped to me on my desert island.
Great list Red! The only one I haven’t seen is Tommy Boy so that makes me want to check it out!
It’s a classic. Growing up, I don’t think my family and I ever went more than a month without watching this.
If you remember that comedy tournament I did on CSFBL, it made it all the way to the finals….speaking of which, that would be one hell of a project to try on here..
How can you have not seen Tommy Boy… Beverly Hills Ninja I could understand but TOMMY BOY???
“It’s a clip on.” “Ya think?”
The Holy Grail and Tommy Boy! Heck yeah. I’d be grabbing some coconuts running around my island making the sounds of a horse while singing, “Fat Guy In littttttttttttttle coooooooooat”.
I’m also loving the reserved section for “The Hobbit” I can only hope it lives up to our expectations, which are ENORMOUS.
Great and inspired list Red.
Haha. You know what would’ve been epic? Chris Farely from Beverly Hills Ninja versus the Black Knight. I would pay big bucks for that.
And yeah, I have some pretty high hopes for The Hobbit. Guillermo won’t let me down, though.
Anchorman appeared on my list too. You’re right, some great lines in there and enough to keep you amused, while sitting on the beach.
I’m a big Daniel Day Lewis fan too, the man is just so talented.
Last of the Mohicans? great choice. thought about it myself
but Wedding Crashers? with Vince ‘charisma-free zone’ Vaughn?
i expected better Castor
your island is the best ive seen so far though
Nice list! I thought about doing one, but opted not to in favor of working on other things (school work) and sticking to pre-scheduled posts.
The only movies on your list I wouldn’t even consider are Anchorman and Wedding Crashers, for me they got old quick (though if I’m alone and away from the obsessive quoting they could make a comeback).
When Mad Hatter did his post I mentioned I might want Cast Away, if for no other reason than my love of irony
.
Oh, and 3 cheers for Seven Samurai!
That is a pretty awesome list right there, that is. At the risk of joining a growing mob of bemused bloggers, though, I’m also a little surprised by the Wedding Crashers…
Haha, I will offer at some support for my counterpart when it comes to Wedding Crashers and Anchorman. I find both of them very quotable, and while Anchorman wasn’t near as well-made, Wedding Crashers is a very solid comedy compared to what else has been thrown out there this previous decade.
Thanks Red for supporting your beleaguered colleague. I was starting to feel overwhelmed by all those non-stop attacks lol
Just watched Anchorman again last night and I’d say that’s a damn good pick. Might be the best thing Ferrell’s ever done. Solid list, homey, now I finally have an excuse to watch Mohicans which has been sitting on my shelf for months.
I love Lamp.
Only might be? For shame, Sir Aidan, for shame.
I like that you have a good mix of serious and light hearted. Mine is definitely geared towards the light hearted. My favorite choice of yours is LA Confidential. Bad ass fucking movie!
Aiden R… anyone with a brain knows that the best thing Ferrell has ever done is Blades Of Glory
i dont even remember Oslo, i was on qualuudes in Oslo
oh. congrats Heather on hitting 100 comments
i am on 12
oh no! make that 13!
Heather is the reigning MVP and no one is even close!
I will dethrone the queen and rule this Kingdom!
” I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE’RE YELLING ABOUT!!!”
God, I love Anchorman. I hope they don’t try to get too clever with the sequel and, instead, just stick to what worked the first time around.
LA Confidential is a great one. As is 7 Samurai… great film to kill time on an island because it clocks in at like 5 hours. My question, Castor, is have you gone back and watched Magnificent 7 since viewing 7 Samurai and compared? Discuss!!!
I haven’t seen the Magnificent 7 after 7 Samurai yet but I was amazed at how similar both movies were and since 7 Samurai came first, we all know which one is the rip-off! Maybe, this is where the whole “Hollywood remakes perfectly good movies” trend started
^I hate to impede on someone else’s comment but I was curious what the first film was, the first I could find was Algiers (1938) that was a remake of a French film called Pepe le Moko, but I haven’t seen either.
Magnificent 7 is one of the best remakes of a foreign film I’ve ever seen. Really adapts Kurosawa’s western style nicely. Kurosawa even told Sturges, when they met, sometime after its release he loved it.
I’m sure this set the trend but if it was done this well all the time, I’d be fine with it!
While I don’t think it was a foreign turned into domestic, the first ever film screened for money was in fact a remake of a movie screened the previous year for a private party, so I’m guessing that Hollywood started “ruining” remakes started before 1938…(I use “ruining” very loosely there and mostly in fun)
The real marathon is going from The Seven Samurai, to the Magnificent Seven to A Bug’s Life – watch the story dilute itself but remain super awesome anyway… Never try it with Three Amigos though, you’ll give yourself an aneurism.
Very good list and reasons for choosing the films.
Good list, especially The Seven Samurai. Anchorman is awesome.
Eep there are several on here that I still need to see! Seems like a solid list, though, and I like the idea of a crazed dude stranded on an island just yelling out Anchorman quotes to himself all day.
I think I’ll feel lonely when I can start the quotes and there’s no one else around to finish them. I’ll just trail off and mope.
“News team! ASSEMBLE!!!”
Kudos for including L.A. Confidential, Castor! It’s underrated I agree, in so many ways it’s a more substantial movie than Titanic… and of course Leo is no Russell, or even Guy Pearce. I just read an article about James Ellroy and he kept saying how Pearce is the greatest actor of his generation, so clearly he loved the movie adaptation. I was debating whether to include Raiders or The Last Crusade, but the latter won because of Sean Connery.
Haven’t seen Wedding Crasher, not sure I ever want to. But for the life of me I don’t know why I have not seen The Last of the Mohicans! I love the soundtrack and it’s one of my brothers’ favorite movie. Ok, off to my Netflix queue it goes.
Yes you want to see Wedding Crashers. So many great quotes, so carefully crafted, sure it’s raunchy and a bit light but if every raunchy superficial comedies were made so well, I wouldn’t mind watching more of them. As for The Last of the Mohicans, you are not allowed to comment on this blog until you see it!! ok I’m kidding
I agree, it’s something well worth a look. Even though I was surprised by its inclusion (sorry!), it’s worth seeing as a well above average comedy.
MOOOOOOM! THE MEATLOAF!!!!!! WE WANT IT NOW!!!!
First off, beautiful formatting for this post! Great films all around, and I’m glad that you, too, thought about the purpose they’d serve you on the island.
Thanks Fletch! Have to be practical here in case it really does happen
I was practical in the thought that I wanted shit to blow up and people to use the force. Oh yeah, and dinosaurs running around eating people.
I’m gonna get lost in the sea of these comments!
I would totally put Jones on my list too… but Last Crusade is the one that really summarizes my childhood. LA Confidential is an interesting choice. I love the film and think it’s a great send up of noirs.
I’m kind of bummed I missed out on this little event. But then again, isn’t any ‘best of’ or ‘list’ site kind of like a desert island scenario?
You still can make a post and send the link to Andy. He is updating the list as we go.
“But then again, isn’t any ‘best of’ or ‘list’ site kind of like a desert island scenario?”
I most certainly didn’t treat mine as such, and I know plenty others didn’t, either. Gotta plan for the scenario. Only one of my top 10 made the list, for various reasons.
My heart is sad, where’s all the horror on that list man! Actually I’m sorry, you had Wedding Crashers there! HAHA! Just kidding man!
I’d go with Anchorman for sure, so lets see what my eight would be. In no particular order.
1. Anchorman – I could quote lines to myself for entertainment
2. Blade Runner – It’s just the greatest movie ever, sheesh!
3. Lost In Translation – What, I can be sappy too plus Scarlett can keep you warm on the cold lonely nights.
4. Neon Genesis Evangelion – I’ve already watched it so much but maybe I could figure out what the ending meant.
5. The Muppet Show – Does that count? I do have the DVDs.
6. Shutter – The original one, just to scare the crap out of myself
7. Night of the Living Dead – Can’t beat the original
8. Nightmare on Elm Street 3 – The best of the series.
LMAO thanks for the laugh Will. I really needed it. I have been doing my tax all afternoon and the whole e-file thing is trying to force me to stab myself with a pike. I’ll comment on your list a little later when I’m done
Dawn of the Dead beats the original but I will agree that Elm Street 3 is the best of the series!!!
Awww man, I think the original has so much indie heart to it but Dawn of the Dead is great as well. I just prefer the simplicity of Night.
I agree about “Night” but “Dawn” is my go-to!
Nice list with your staples horror movies to close it. I’m not sure scary movies are a good idea when you are going to be all by yourself on a deserted island. That could play tricks on one’s mind lol
All you do is watch the horror movies in the day and then The Muppet Show at night to counter the effects.
And you know what??? Wedding Crashers was on last night on Comedy Central and I watched it AGAIN! Muahahahahha
I’d have nightmares on your island Will, except for Blade Runner of course.
I’ll make sure to only have you other stranded islanders over for Blade Runner movie night and marathons of The Muppet Show!
My top three would be:
1) Troy
2)The Kite runner
3) Beavis and Butthead do America
Castor, so glad to hear of your mutual fondness for Last of the Mohicans. It just doesn’t get any better. If I’d had 10 instead of 8 Raiders of the Lost Ark might have made mine too.
My 8 Desert Island DVDs would be..
1) Pulp Fiction
(enjoyable after multiple viewings because there is much to analyze within the film.)
2) Apocalypse Now
(simply a great film, great film to analyze as well while on this island)
3) The Godfather
(enough said)
4. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
(I would like to do the whole trilogy, but if I had to choose one I would pick RotK due to it’s length kill time on the island)
5. Groundhog Day
(Would help keep my spirits up and could possibly relate to the story while I’m on this island)
6. The Deer Hunter
(simply a great film that I would enjoy with multiple viewings)
7. Star Wars
(great film which would provide me my Sci-Fi fix while I’m on the island)
8. Indiana Jones and the Last Crucade
(would inspire my sense of discovery and adventure while I’m on the island)
Outstanding list DB, definitely some of the greatest movies of the past 30 years.
High five on your last pick, Dan! I have that on my list, too! I’d take Return of the King also, but I fear that I can’t pick just ONE LOTR film as I’ll be yearning to watch the other two when I’m done. But then it’d be cheating if I bring the entire LOTR dvd collection.
“Anchorman,” Castor? Really?
(Beat.)
THAT RULES! Talk about a perfect ensemble comedic cast! Steve Carell and Christina Applegate ran away with that movie, but everyone was good. And you’re in good company with “Raiders of the Lost Ark” — if I’d thought longer and harder, it probably would have made my list!
Absolutely hilarious flick! “Brick, where did you find that hand grenade?” … “I don’t know”
“Brick, you had a trident…”
…
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that, Brick, you’re probably wanted for murder.”
The Bears can smell the menstration.
“They’ve done studies. 60% of the time, it works every time. “
“It smells like a turd wrapped in burnt hair.”
52 Comments – Geez louise!!
I am wickedly impressed by this list (and happy to see that we even have one title in common!). Even though they didn’t quite make the cut for me, I could totally go for being stranded with MOHICANS, CONFIDENTIAL, SAMURAI, and THIN RED LINE. Those are the sorts of stories I would want to watch over and over again for an indefinate amount of tropical sun soaked time.
Great choices!!
(PS – Don’t ask me what took so long, but I finally started following your blog)
Welcome to Anomalous Material! Good point on the settings of The Thin Red Line but I’m willing to overlook that since I love it so much
Thank you sir!
Aww Castor I hope I get washed up on your island!
That is by far the best list yet.
Great shout on Spirited Away, and brave defence of Wedding Crashers
Damn you! I almost nun-chucked you. You didn’t even realize. You’re hungry?
HEY MAAAAA. CAN WE GET SOME MEATLOAF?
Welcome Ross McD!
Wow, Seven Samurai, Spirited Away, Raiders and Anchorman?? Yup rewatchability…check, check, check and quadruple check:)
You’ve got some heavy hitters here peppered nicely with some lither fares. Awesome picks Castor:)
Last of the Mohicans?! Castor, that’s my JAM! I have to limit my watchings these days after spotting the animal trainer in the opening hunting scene – totally spoiled what is otherwise an incredible film (here is your opportunity to bring me back with a strong speech of the merits of Michael Mann). Regardless, Chingachgook is one of my favourite ass-kicking characters of all time.
Your picks indicate that you’re more of a “Brian” than a “Steve” when it comes to taste in comedies – and that’s a compliment, ’cause my taste in comedies sucks… I am completely surprised by the lack of appearances by Indiana Jones on these lists, and I’m glad to see you’re representing here.
We’ve already given a hearty cheers to each other over LA Confidential, but it’s the film so nice we cheers it twice, so big props to you for adding it!
Ahaha I haven’t spotted the animal trainer yet but I probably will next time since you told me. Chingachgook is definitely a badass motherf***r and he carries the massive weapon to prove it. He could cut a rhinoceros in half with that thing!
LOL, I’m not sure what that means as far as your reference to comedies. I’m not yet familiar with your taste in comedies but I will keep this in mind next time you review one
Yeah, Anchorman tends to wind up on all of Brian’s lists, whether they be 3 movies to watch on Death Row, to 6 movies that should close the Olympic Games. I like it, but it’s like ambrosia for Brian.
Wedding Crashers is a weird one for me. I really liked it in theatres, but when I finally got it home I found that I might have bought into the hype a little too much, and was probably starved by the complete lack of good comedies that year – if I could remember the year…
I think as sharers of the same wordpress theme, you and I need to have a frank discussion about some of the sweet plugins and widgets you’re using. Me likey very much.
Ahaha yea, Anchorman is priceless
As far as plugins go, I would be more than happy to share what’s running behind the scene. You can join in on the Blogger/Wordpress discussion or contact me
Came so close to picking this one… something prevented me. Don’t know what. Kinda regret it now. Love Ghibli.
Can we share this choice?
Please
Props on the Thin Red Line.
I feel like the movies to take to a desert island have to be ones that feel new every time you watch them, and ones that can take on a new meaning each time you watch them.
Of the 5 that I’ve seen on your list, I don’t know if the comedies I’d choose would be the same. Didn’t find “Wedding Crashers” as funny as everyone else in the world did … only saw “Anchorman” once when I was about 12.
12????? I suddenly feel very old again!
To be fair, I didn’t quite get everything. I’ve come to appreciate it more with time…and maturity…and age.
I hate these kind of questions and yet feel utterly compelled to answer them. Like most people I’d take the eight movies that can stand repeated viewing. I’m not taking Cast Away simply because it might give me some tips. It’s rubbish.
1) Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Bourne Supremacy
2) Seven
3) The Big Lebowski
4) The Godfather
5) The Dark Knight
6) Jaws
7) Alien
Please note: this list will have changed by tomorrow.
The guy in sunglasses should be a number 8. Should have seen that coming. Duh.
Tough one but I’ll give it a try!
The Conversation (Coppola)
All the presidents men
Andrey Rublev (Tarkovsky)
Close Up (Abbas Kiarostami)
The Net (Yes the Sandra Bullock one!!!)
Silence of the lambs
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back
The Duel (Steven Spielberg)
I have gone for a mix of really good films but also some that have nostalghia involved since it might help when being stuck on a desert island. Some of these actually make it on my top ten of all time list.
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