Movie Quintessential Genre Films

[Carbine Chaos]

This stems from debates I’ve been having with a few mates over messenger during the cinema-less months we endured.

For you, what films are such perfect embodiments of their genre/s that they are the perfect encapsulation of what makes them iconic, maybe what makes them flawed, what makes them spring to your mind ahead of all others. And why?

As an example, when I think Horror, I think the original Halloween (1978). The menacing Myers, the score, the memorable kills. If anyone wanted an introduction to the genre, this film is where I would start.

When I think Rom-Com my mind goes straight to 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). Just a stellar cast, some great set pieces such as the football field song, memorable secondary characters, genuine chemistry between Ledger and Stiles.

Note the difference between quintessential and favourite - I could name several Horror films I prefer as a starting point (Scream, The Shining, Evil Dead etc).

Which films would you all nominate for various genres/sub-genres?

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Chinatown - Noir. Last good man who is still flawed left in the town is given a mission by a mysterious beauty, that has layers and goes all the way to top.

 

[Bostonian]

Shane - Classic Western genre

 

[jackn]

Star wars has to be it for Sci Fi.

Die hard for Christmas.

 

[Brunswick Trap King]

When I think Rom-Com my mind goes straight to 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). Just a stellar cast, some great set pieces such as the football field song, memorable secondary characters, genuine chemistry between Ledger and Stiles.

I would probably think of any of the trifecta of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill or Love Actually.

 

[Frank Bunn]

Star wars has to be it for Sci Fi.

For children's Sci-Fi.

Adult Sci-Fi I would go 2001, the Matrix or Blade Runner.

 

[raskolnikov]

Western - High Noon
Thriller - North by Northwest
Horror - A Nightmare on Elm St
Musical - Grease
Sci-Fi - Fahrenheit 451

 

[Pykie]

Crime/Gangster - Goodfellas/Casino/Heat/Godfather pt 2/The Departed.

Can't split them for different reasons.

Heat is definitely the GOAT bank robbery movie though imo.

 

[DaveyBoy123]

Spoof Comedy = Flying High

Mystery = The Usual Suspects

Thriller = Seven

Prison Drama = The Shawshank Redemption or Escape From Alcatraz

 

[Moorabool St]

Monster horror - Jaws.

 

[Pykie]

Monster horror - Jaws.

It's interesting what first pops in your head when you read the genre.

Mine was Jurassic Park, then Aliens.

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Star wars has to be it for Sci Fi.

Star Wars is as much fantasy in space as sci-fi.

 

[Roobs321]

I guess the important thing is that anyone should be able to get them and they can't be a well-done retro pastiche but something that helped establish the parameter layout of the genre henceforth.

It should be remembered that the meat & potatoes of these genres was largely ironed out in B&W prior to the 50s. There haven't been too many new notable genres to emerge since then. You could maybe argue that some genres subsequently became more prominent, like sci-fi, animation, documentary, etc.

 

[charcoalchicken]

80’s action - commando

 

[flamethrower]

Some of my faves...

Sci Fi Horror - Alien

Sports Comedy - Major League

Sports Drama - The Natural

Space Opera - Star Wars: A New Hope

Sci Fi - Blade Runner

Crime - The Godfather

Adventure - Raiders of the Lost Ark

Supernatural Horror - Poltergeist

Monster Horror - Jaws

Action - Die Hard

Comedy - Flying High (Airplane!)

 

[STFU Donnie]

Western - The Searchers