๓໐ཞɛ ๓໐งiēŞ ค๖໐นt ๓ค∂ຖēŞŞ!
ɱąཞƈɧ ɱąɖŋɛʂʂ ơŋ ɬɧɛ ცıɠ ʂƈཞɛɛŋ
“The Shining” and “American Psycho” have advanced from “The Raving Mad Region” of the Bracket. Thank you to all who voted and commented.
. . . and the MADNESS MARCHES on!
Which Movies best represent the Madness Theme? Let me know in the comment section below.
Our journey continues in the “The Deranged Lunatic Region” in the lower left-hand side of the Bracket.
We will begin with a pair of movies from the 1970’s: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” vs. “Apocalypse Now”.
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975), is another classic starring Jack Nicholson. This time he plays the part of R.P. McMurphy, a Korean War veteran who feigns insanity to avoid prison. I mean, how hard could time in the looney bin really be, right? He soon meets Nurse Ratched and discovers that his time inside will be no cakewalk!
“Jesus, I mean, you guys do nothing but complain about how you can't stand it in this place here and you don't have the guts just to walk out? What do you think you are, for Chrissake, crazy or somethin’? Well you’re not! You’re not! You’re no crazier than the average asshole out walkin’ around on the streets and that’s it.”
“Apocalypse Now” (1979), is loosely based on Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”. This adaptation, however, is set during the Vietnam War. The story follows Captain Willard, played by Martin Sheen, who sets out on a top secret mission to find and assassinate Colonel Kurtz, played by Marlon Brando, a once-respected Special Forces officer who has reportedly gone mad.
Have you seen “Apocalypse Now”? What are your favorite scenes or quotes from this film?
“I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”
The next pair of March Madness films for your consideration in this round is “Mulholland Drive” vs. “The Silence of the Lambs”.
“Mulholland Drive” (2001), directed by David Lynch (“Twin Peaks”), tells the story of Betty Elms (played by Naomi Watts) who befriends Rita (played by Laura Harring), a woman battling amnesia and trying to come to terms with reality in the aftermath of a car crash. Together they begin a mysterious journey to piece together Rita’s real story. However, this one takes some interesting turns!
“It’ll be just like in the movies. Pretending to be somebody else.”
“The Silence of the Lambs” (1991) is an Oscar award-winning psychological thriller starring Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, the FBI Academy’s top young cadet, and Anthony Hopkins as imprisoned serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a mad genius psychiatrist and cannibalistic killer held at the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. It is hoped that Hannibal Lecter may offer valuable insight into the demented mind of “Buffalo Bill”, an elusive serial killer who skins his female victims. Directed by Jonathan Demme, the 1991 film is adapted from the brilliant 1988 Novel by Thomas Harris.
“A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.”
Share your thoughts about these films, and cast a vote for your favorites in the comment section below!
This has been published as a companion piece to the March Madness Write Club Prompt.
Here are the remaining matchups:
In the “Bat-Shit Crazy Region”: “Psycho” vs. “Jacob’s Ladder” and “Fatal Attraction” vs. “Fight Club”.
In the “Non-Compos Mentis Region”: “Joker” vs. “In the Mouth of Madness” and “Taxi Driver” vs. “Shutter Island”.
I will add one Region at a time once we determine which films advance in “The Deranged Lunatic Region”.
About the Creator
𝐑𝐌 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐧
˜”*°•.˜”*°• Time is our most valuable asset. Thank you for spending some of your time with me! •°*”˜.•°*”˜
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insight
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Keep reading
More stories from 𝐑𝐌 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐧 and writers in Geeks and other communities.
Before Sylvester the Cat, there was Sylvester the Dog
Sylvester was a Merrie Melodies canine Sylvester, the Cat, is a beloved Looney Tunes character who debuted in March 1947 in the animated short Life with Feathers. The iconic Mel Blanc once said that he enjoyed voicing Sylvester, one of his favorite characters. The cartoon short that was near and dear to Blanc's heart was Bird's Anonymous which starred the popular cat.
By Cheryl E Preston10 days ago in Geeks
Turning Pages of Life
Life’s like a book — some parts are good, others not so much. Still, keep turning the pages; you might find the best chapter next. If someone hurts you, choose to forgive or just let it be, but never change who you are for them.
By Emily Chan - Life and love sharing4 days ago in Poets
Comments (6)
We have some Winners: Apocalypse Now and The Silence of the Lambs. I will post the Right side of the bracket today!
These are some tricky match-ups...all four films are long-loved favourites. But I think I shall go with my heart. While I love One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest...Apocalpyse Now! is a flawed, but masterful epic that has as amazing a backstory behind the making of it, as the actual craziness included in the actual film. Favourite scenes? Too many to mentjon. It's not surprising that most of the Vietnam films have some connection to madness...war does that. Take The Deer Hunter for instance... But yeah, I've long been a fan of Francis Ford Coppola. I can't imagine working for the man...especially in his heyday...but he does know how to put together a huge scoping masterpiece. Marlon Brando is completely bonkers...but so is Martin Sheen's character too tbh. That's what I found interesting. Just...the impact of war...of losing yourself over there...in a far-flung corner. Fighting a senseless war. Dennis Hopper also unhinged and at his best. Wagner's music in that scene is still one of my favourite pieces of cinema...as is all the bits with Brando chewing up the scenery, almost literally, with painted face an all. Apocalypse wins for that round, Now, the next two are completely different, but also tough to call. The Silence of the Lambs was one of the first properly psychological thriller/horror films I saw and I in all honestly likely saw it way too young. The scenes with the pregnnat woman...the scenes with Hannibal Lector...Jodie's set up and that stunning bit before she meets Lector - have been rehashed, tributed, satirised and lampooned ever since. It is a very well made piece of film...I love the sense of dread in it. That is how I imagine it must feel sometimes being an FBI agent covering serial killer cases, when they crop up. Jodie Foster acts the hell out of it and Anthony Hopkins gets all the credit he deserves for it. I have heard conflicting things about the books...not read any yet...but of all the adaptions I've seen...this is the one that truly stands the test of time. There is this overarching sophistication too...which makes psychopaths a bit scarier than the average nutjob. Mullholland Drive is just nuts. It is the least straight forward of any of these films. Which is really what anyone should expect going into a David Lynch film. It reminds me a little of Lost Highway in the way it is so unreliable with the timeframe and whatever the hell is going on. It's difficult...David Lynch is someone I have always looked up to...and Mullholland Drive is arguably a career high, in a very exciting career. I think though, because of Anthony Hopkins stare...and calm psychotic personality...The Silence of the Lambs wins that match-up. These are really enjoyable pieces Stockton family...I can't wait for the next.
Yes, me again coming to tell I've watched none of these 😅 I'll let myself out hahahhahaha
I loathe horror… so have only accidentally seen it occasionally in my life. I saw One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” back in the day & have never forgotten it! What a probable scenario… everything interpreted as insane! Haven’t seen “Apocalypse Now”. Again, I haven’t seen Mulholland Drive” but “The Silence of the Lambs” was chillingly realistic & etched into my memory! Fatal Attraction” vs. “Fight Club”… seen both, each too well portrayed for my mental health! Taxi Driver” vs. “Shutter Island”… only seen “Shutter Island”… which was sweet until it’s plot twist ending! Verdict: Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest The Silence of the Lambs Fatal Attraction” Shutter Island. My pick of them all is “Fatal Attraction” 😵💫… still mentally scarred from it!🫣
Apocalypse Now is a great thriller, but I confess it's been thirty years since I last saw it, and unfortunately, I haven't seen any of the ones in the other brackets.
Wow, I like the one about apocalypse... Is it about zombies?