There will probably be a few more Tarantino movies listed eventually but I'll go with his first movie, Reservoir Dogs. The revelations come so gradually that you never quite understand who's who or what even happened until some of the last scenes with Mr. Orange, and as you learn them, sometimes so do the characters themselves.
Pulp Fiction. That movie is a head trip anyway, but the way it connects back to the beginning is pretty epic and makes you think through everything you’ve watched and the “why” of what has happened. It keeps you guessing and you’re confused for the first few scenes, but as with any movie, the second time you watch it, it becomes more deep and fascinating. And then the third time….
There are quite a few great movies in this style. It was a tough choice for this one. Some great classics, and some newer, trippier movies.
I will have to go with The Prestige on this one. Such a great movie with some twists that were fun to watch unravel in a way that would not have had the same impact if not for the non linear style.
Lots of great nominations already, which includes some of the movies I thought of when I came up with the question. I’m going to nominate one of the OG non-linear movies and that is Citizen Kane. I think Welles showed the industry how effective flashbacks and a multiple narrative structure can be in telling a story. Especially when doing a character study. Yes, CFK was already a larger-than-life character, but I think this unreliable narrative structure kept the movie interesting. Says a lot about the legacy you leave behind if it mostly depends on what people remember of you.
This was a hard one for me because I usually don’t like the repetition of flashbacks and I don’t like time travel movies. But I love a good mystery, and Ordeal By Innocence was a great one that went non-linear in setting the stage and resolving the big questions. Super satisfying ending, too…as long as you haven’t read the book, because apparently it deviates entirely.
It's tempting to nominate The Usual Suspects, Fight Club and would Groundhog Day count? I do like Guy Ritchie and Christopher Nolan films... However, I am going with Memento. Final answer.
Groundhog day...good question. Is it non-linear if it's linear for one character while looping over and over again for all of the others? Getting metaphysical here.
I remember the first time I watched Memento and thinking man, I gotta follow this Christopher Nolan guy. What an absurdly impressive way to tell a story.
Run Lola Run. I haven’t watched it in years, but I still remember how much I loved it. I don’t usually like non-linear movies because too often they aren’t done well, leaving the audience confused about the time or place or order of events. I’ve only seen two movies that did a really good job keeping everything clear and it was a tough choice between the two, but I’ll have to go with Run Lola Run as my final answer.
I’m sure some would find it sad, but I think Eternal Sunshine stirs up more nostalgia and longing. It is a wonderful movie about how good AND bad memories shape us.
There will probably be a few more Tarantino movies listed eventually but I'll go with his first movie, Reservoir Dogs. The revelations come so gradually that you never quite understand who's who or what even happened until some of the last scenes with Mr. Orange, and as you learn them, sometimes so do the characters themselves.
Pulp Fiction. That movie is a head trip anyway, but the way it connects back to the beginning is pretty epic and makes you think through everything you’ve watched and the “why” of what has happened. It keeps you guessing and you’re confused for the first few scenes, but as with any movie, the second time you watch it, it becomes more deep and fascinating. And then the third time….
I think that was gonna be Vin's vote, so well done! :D I've never seen it, alas...
Beat me to it.
Ding! Ding! Ding! And we have a winner: Jen W with Pulp Fiction.
Great fight everyone. Jen, you get to choose Monday's question.
There are quite a few great movies in this style. It was a tough choice for this one. Some great classics, and some newer, trippier movies.
I will have to go with The Prestige on this one. Such a great movie with some twists that were fun to watch unravel in a way that would not have had the same impact if not for the non linear style.
The Prestige. Final answer.
Oh man, that was an intriguing movie. Great pick!
Lots of great nominations already, which includes some of the movies I thought of when I came up with the question. I’m going to nominate one of the OG non-linear movies and that is Citizen Kane. I think Welles showed the industry how effective flashbacks and a multiple narrative structure can be in telling a story. Especially when doing a character study. Yes, CFK was already a larger-than-life character, but I think this unreliable narrative structure kept the movie interesting. Says a lot about the legacy you leave behind if it mostly depends on what people remember of you.
This was a hard one for me because I usually don’t like the repetition of flashbacks and I don’t like time travel movies. But I love a good mystery, and Ordeal By Innocence was a great one that went non-linear in setting the stage and resolving the big questions. Super satisfying ending, too…as long as you haven’t read the book, because apparently it deviates entirely.
It's tempting to nominate The Usual Suspects, Fight Club and would Groundhog Day count? I do like Guy Ritchie and Christopher Nolan films... However, I am going with Memento. Final answer.
Groundhog day...good question. Is it non-linear if it's linear for one character while looping over and over again for all of the others? Getting metaphysical here.
I remember the first time I watched Memento and thinking man, I gotta follow this Christopher Nolan guy. What an absurdly impressive way to tell a story.
That was my second choice! I loved Memento 👏🏻
Run Lola Run. I haven’t watched it in years, but I still remember how much I loved it. I don’t usually like non-linear movies because too often they aren’t done well, leaving the audience confused about the time or place or order of events. I’ve only seen two movies that did a really good job keeping everything clear and it was a tough choice between the two, but I’ll have to go with Run Lola Run as my final answer.
Hmm... a subcategory of nonlinear movie franchises would be an entertaining discussion, too.
Just because I follow Jesus doesn't mean I haven't seen 10,000 hours worth of movies to draw from. I am Gen-x after all.
I keep hearing about this film but haven't watched it because I got the impression it's a bit sad.
I’m sure some would find it sad, but I think Eternal Sunshine stirs up more nostalgia and longing. It is a wonderful movie about how good AND bad memories shape us.
I understood exactly what Katie meant.