MovieChat Forums > First Snow (2007) Discussion > Movies of a similar feel?

Movies of a similar feel?

posted 16 years ago by Sidaris-2
47 replies | jump to latest

I had no idea of where else to post, so I decided to give it a go on the First Snow forums.

My friend and I enjoy watching films that have a gritty, desolate, despairing feel to them. I have no idea what genre that would be but Brick, Memento, the Lookout, the Machinist, Donnie Darko, and First snow are examples of the type of movies I mean. While it matters not if the movies have any sort of twist to them, or need to be detective stories; I would greatly appreciate any suggestions of movies of a similar vein. I suppose the only criterion is that the characters live awful lives. Whether or not they triumph in the end is of no importance, as long as the feel remains the same throughout the films.

So...viewing suggestions of movies you liked to watch, but wouldn't want to be in, would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[–] frankrizzo-5 16 years ago

I do like a nice bleak miserable film myself. You may have seen most of these but imo they fit the bill. Eastern Promises, 8mm, Gerry, Elephant, Blue Velvet, Paris Texas, Bringing Out The Dead.

[–] Sidaris-2 16 years ago

Thanks for the reply; I had begun to fear that this movie was too old to warrant any more views of its forum. Well, you're right about having seen some already, I've seen Eastern Promises, 8mm, and Bringing Out The Dead. As for the others I'll certainly give them a look, I appreciate the multiple suggestions. Since we share the same view of movies, you should check out No Country for Old Men, it's slow, quiet and packed full of the futile effort of defeating evil. Should be a charmer, hope you enjoy.

[–] miboo49 9 years ago

I have just watched First Snow for the first time,a very nightmare like atmosphere. Guy Pearce really does choose some interesting films? I hope you have watches Blue Velvet by now? How about "Blood Simple"- the Coen Brothers first film...I think it has a similar feel? Another one maybe "Parents" with Randy Quaid?

[–] eviltimes 16 years ago

Eastern Promises is infinitely superior to First Snow. If you enjoy watching paint dry (for no reason), then Pearce's last movie: "The Proposition" is probably best for you.

[–] Sidaris-2 16 years ago

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to take this, I don't know why my enjoyment of First Snow would cause you to feel the need to say that I enjoy watching paint dry. I've seen Eastern Promises as well, and I enjoyed both. Thanks for the suggestion though. I'll see if I can find it.

[–] kinglet 16 years ago

Don't forget a few oldies: "Out of the Past' with Kirk Douglas and Robert Mitchum is highly recommended. Also Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton in "The Third Man".

A similar tone was struck early this year in the George Clooney, Kate Blanchett flick, "The Good German".

And I presume you've seen "Memento", another Guy Pearce movie.

Robert Townes best script remains "Chinatown".

For 2007 I'd also recommend "The Lookout" which was surprisingly noirish in addition to all the other good things it was.

None of these films have upbeat endings, but all are guaranteed to stick in your memory and reward second viewings.

[–] jamesgrech 16 years ago

25th Hour - bleak film all along with a great performance from Edward Norton

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] MrSqueegee 16 years ago

if you enjoyed said movies I suggest Sean Penn's 'The Pledge'

[–] MonsterOfTheMiramichi 14 years ago

The Proposition is a excellent film. All of the cast turn in mesmerising performances, the cinematography and the scenery is fantastic, and the script is spot-on. How can you trash it, yet hold Eastern Promises up so high, which is ok at best

[–] jaysondh 16 years ago

Just seen First Snow tonight! Excellent performance from Guy (as is usual) in a suitably chilling, tense and absorbing thriller. Dark, bleak, existential films? In addition to the above recommendations, may I suggest: Monster's Ball; Irreversible; Dead Man's Shoes; A Bittersweet Life; Jacob's Ladder; Pusher; Bleeder; Angel Heart; Pi; Requiem For A Dream; Day Night Day Night; Audition; Seul Contre Tous; Bad Lieutenant; Hana-bi; London To Brighton; Half Nelson; Children Of Men; Hidden (Caché); Babel; Snowcake; Battle In Heaven; The Woodsman; Don't Move (Non ti muovere); Maria Full Of Grace; Naked; 21 Grams; Lilya 4-Ever; City Of God (Cuidade de Dios); The Isle; Ghost Dog; Baise Moi; Satya; Happiness; Affliction; The Sweet Hereafter; Funny Games; The Hot Spot; The Cook, The Thief, His Wife And Her Lover... I think that's enough for the time being!

[–] ravenous_66 16 years ago

Very nice inclusion of The Hot Spot and The Sweet Hereafter in the list. I would add Exotica, Niagara Niagara, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, Near Dark, The Clearing, The Minus Man, Bright Angel, At Close Range, Hard Eight, Trees Lounge.

For a faster pace, but still equally bleak & existential approach check out The Wild Bunch, Eye of the Beholder, Carpenter's The Thing. These don't fit the noir mold as closely, but the mood is right.

"I never stole nuthin" - - Walken, At Close Range

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 16 years ago

They would be called neo-Noir.

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] dee2211 16 years ago

I feel Jacobs ladder had a very similar feel to this film, particularly (perhaps obviously) the fortune teller scene. But both also had that kind of desperate inevitability.

I also liked the way that in this film (first snow) the protagonist followed the classic symptoms to loss or grief. Definately seen the denial, anger, bargaining, acceptance etc.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 16 years ago

We could also throw in "The Sound of Music".

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] jolecore 16 years ago

For the gritt and uncertainty, I'd reccomend 'Following' by Christopher Nolan. Obviously, I would reccomend 'Memento', but it's a safe assumption that everyone has watched it by now.

For a reason that I can't put my finger on (possibly the soundtrack), I kept thinking about 'Dead Man' with Johnny Depp while watching 'First Snow'.

[–] dissident187 16 years ago

The Jacket with Adrien Brody and the direct-to- video films Hellraiser: Inferno (with Craig Sheffer) and Sublime (with Tom Cavanaugh).

P.S: Dont be skeptical about the "Direct to Video" description. They are clearly wonderful. Especially Sublime.

"If I were a dog and you were a flower, I'd lift up my leg and give you a shower"

[–] scofthe7seas 16 years ago

Some of the things some people are listing on here, I have to completely disagree with, but the two from the poster above, i completely agree with. Hellraiser: Inferno is actually really good, and a black sheep of the hellraiser movies, because it pretty much isn't a hellraiser movie at all. Sublime was also good. I'm suprised nobody mentioned one of my favorites, right up this alley, 12 monkeys. Or Brazil for the matter.

[–] dissident187 16 years ago

Thanks, scofthe7seas.

Brazil... how criminal of me not to mention it. But the father of them all, even of Jacob's Ladder, would be Seconds (1966).

"If I were a dog and you were a flower, I'd lift up my leg and give you a shower"

[–] BIGBOY1897 16 years ago

Would definitely reccomend Children of Men, The Proposition, Insomnia, Chinatown, Se7en, The Man Who Wasnt There, Fargo, and old ones like The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946 version), The Naked City, Touch Of Evil, Lady From Shanghai, and Kiss Me Deadly

Every man dies, not every man truly lives- William Wallace

[–] movesukkaz 16 years ago

Inland Empire
Lilja 4ever
Bubble
The Rapture
The Reflecting Skin
When a Man Falls in the Forest
You Can Count on Me
Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
Cookers
The Dead Girl
Maelstrom
13 Tzameti
Affliction
Bug
Happiness
The Woodsman
Paranoid Park
Mulholland Dr.
Bully

[–] cs78 16 years ago

Dark City.

[–] cpday 16 years ago

I don't think anybody else has mentioned this one, but Ravenous is an another excellent "bleak" Guy Pearce film, though it's more of a horror film.