Top 3 Screenplays

So what are you top three screenplays ever written.

Remember, they dont necessarily have to be your favourite films.

Here's mine.

1)American Beauty-by alan ball
2)Ghost world-by Daniel Clowes
3)Donnie Darko-by Richard Kelly

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Originally posted by mark06:
Remember, they dont necessarily have to be your favourite films.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Surely it's the same thing - the screenplay is the template for the film...

Anyway... if you want recommendations for screenplays to read, Robert Towne's 'Chinatown' screenplay is often said to be one of the best, as is the one for 'Casablanca' (and unsurprisingly they're great films too).

Here's a site you may like where you can download screenplays: http://www.script-o-rama.com/table.shtml

1. Adaptation
2. Memento
3. Pulp Fiction

GREAT WAR EAGLE:What you are,in effect ,saying is that it is not possible to have a favourite screenplay, unless you liked the movie.

I loved the screenplay for 25th Hour, but it is by no means, my favourite film.

You should be using common sense, not me. Its not like you didnt understand what I was asking.Would it not have been easier to just answer.

That quote wasn't directed at you.

NOW APOLOGISE!!

Only joking. But I'm pretty sure GWE was telling Justin M to use some common sense.

If that is the case...I feel like a total fucking idiot. And do apoligize.

If that is not the case then I...rest my case.

These are not in order.....

Casablanca
Chinatown
Battle of Algiers

*Honourable Mention...Pee-Wee's Big Adventure(Yes, I am serious--No, I am not sane).

Good Luck

i like american beauty, but its a bit pretentious.

truman show script was sexy but good old jim just made it even better.

chinatown indeed.

and the last boy scout is an amazing script, should really get round to watching the film sometime!

My comment was directed to Justim M. Sorry for the confusion.

And I wasnt trying to be rude to Justin. A script, no matter how well written, is subject to an infinite amount of interpretations, variations, and changes from any given filmmaker.

I find 12 monkeys astonishing. Bladerunner's great. American Beauty is great. And True Romance - ooh - terrific!

Better question: Why do you like them?

I like American Beauty because its a screeplay that keeps you hooked from start to end.I read it before i seen the film.

Ghost world is similar and its also so well-written and funny.

I suppose I picked Donnie Darko because its my favourite film. However, its still a fantastic screenplay.

I forgot to add P.T.ANDERSON All his work is fantastic.

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Remember, they dont necessarily have to be your favourite films.
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Surely it's the same thing - the screenplay is the template for the film...

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Come on now. Common sense.
[img]eek.gif[/img]

Kids - Harmony Korine
Written when he was 17 and probably, on first viewing one of the most stunning and thought provoking films I've seen. The film probably had the most effect any film has ever had on me, I couldn't think of much else for the few days after I saw it. Admittedly on second viewing it's not quite as powerful. The script's fantastically real though.

Boogie Nights - Paul Thomas Anderson
All Anderson's scripts are great reads. He includes camera directions which I personally like, the script is hilarious and the characters are really well drawn. Flawless structure, in my opinion.

Cinema Paradiso - Guiseppe Tornatore
Read it. My favourite film so how could it not be one of my favourite scripts. It's actually written very much like a book.

Andy

Anyone think about how much a script does or doesn't effect the final film? I mean it is possible for a great script to become complete shit under a mediocre director. But few people look at not scripts for nongood movies. Hence I think the template idea only goes so far. Also I can cut a movie differently than it was shot, or more interestingly, and sometimes a few frames here, a few frames there make all the difference, as I am sure a few of you know. Therefore, I think that there are probably better scripts out there than just some of the better movies of the last 5 years.

Sorry about that war eagle.

Fight Club... the book is great, the screenplay is great and the film is great!!!
did you know they are making a video game of it?! i bet its gonna be shit!

1) Taxi Driver by Paul Schraeder
2) Donnie Darko by Richard Kelly
3) Pulp Fiction by QT

Godfather 2
Godfather 1
Usual Suspects

It is true that there is more to the film than the screenplay, a film can be good without a great script and vice versa, but it does feel these days like hollywood has decided to entirely abandon the script. i think if a few people out there actually DID believe that the screenplay was the template for the film, we would have a lot less crap on the screens and George Lucas would just have to hire a writer. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I doubt you'll find a better screenplay than this one.

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Originally posted by GREATwarEAGLE:
A script, no matter how well written, is subject to an infinite amount of interpretations, variations, and changes from any given filmmaker.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Definitely very true.

It was a bit of a stupid generalisation (and moment of Friday afternoon pedantry) by me but I was just suggesting that people probably wouldn't have bothered to read a screenplay unless they liked the film... There are obviously exceptions.

Anyway, I saw 'Lost in Translation' yesterday. What a fantastically refreshing screenplay and film that is. The antithesis of the Hollywood formula we're currently being force-fed. Like a breath of fresh air.

i couldn't stand lost in translation myself.

actually one of the worst film's i have ever seen, however i realise i am in a tiny minority. absolutely tiny! smaller than the script!

Usual Suspects
Sev7en
Resevoir Dogs