As a child my friend's local video store had MegaForce, but mine did not, so all I used to do was look at the box and imagine how cool the movie was going to be. And despite not having any idea of plot or characters, I used to play MegaForce, imagining my own blend of James Bond meets GI Joe complete with a huge structure I part found, part constructed that I dubbed "the MegaForce Train". It was really pretty badass! And then I saw the film...
Two great bottle movies (with *) are Glen Garry Glen Ross and Reservoir Dogs. The asterisk for Reservoir Dogs is because the action that all takes place in a warehouse is punctuated with flashbacks in other locations. Glen Garry Glen Ross takes place in a real estate office with two scenes at the Chinese restaurant across the street where the salesmen hang out and one scene with Jack Lemon that takes place in a potential customers house. Both of these movies have an amazing cast, amazing writing, amazing direction and are just....amazing. They are definitely worth your time to watch.
The epitome of a bottle movie: 12 Angry Men - 1957, Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman. Brilliant movie, watched it many times. The remake was pretty good too, George C. Scott gave an amazing performance.
Hey Matt! Great episode! Here's a couple of bottle movies not well known: -«Murder by Death» (1976) Very funny movie in the same style of Clue, and TALK ABOUT A DREAM CAST: Peter Falk, Peter Sellers, Alec Guiness, David Niven, Truman Capote! The second one's 1st part isn't contained in one place, but the last two thirds take place in a subway car late one night. It's not even on DVD: -"The Incident" (1967) Beau Bridges, Martin Sheen and Razzies' winner: ED MCMAHON! Incredibly intense movie!
the simultaneous love for both scooby doo 2 and clue (1985) made me so happy. i grew up in the early 2000s with older parents so i watched clue with my mom TONS, like twice a week, from the age of 5 on (despite the fact that i shouldn't have been lol). i also grew up on the scooby doo reruns on cartoon network that made me love the live action movies as they were coming out (and Craig is correct, the second one is a vastly superior movie).
Matt! When you were explaining about looking up the plot without having to watch the movie I laughed so much! That's why I started to watch this show! I stayed for the humor and wit though!
Megaforce was the closest to a Gi Joe movie I got when I saw it at the theatre when I was 11 yrs old. I liked it as a kid but now as a cynical adult I hate it.
Clue is one of my favorite movies of all time. I remember when I saw it in the theater, it had the ending where Ms. Scarlett did it, and I wanted to go see it again to see the other endings, but alas, being only 11, my mother said I had to wait for it to come out on video. One of the best comedies ever, and if you are reading this and haven't seen it, go watch it already!
A "bottle movie" that I enjoyed is "The Sunset Limited." It was an HBO film starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel Jackson, based off a story by Cormac McCarthy. Just the two characters in a room. Very captivating. The 90 minutes goes by without you realizing it, unless of course you constantly stare at the clock on your DVD player.
Speaking of The Exorcist... one of my favorite movies of ALL TIME: William Peter Blatty's "The Ninth Configuration" -- THIS is a classic bottle movie!! The humor in this film reminds me a little of Beer & Board Games, but with more angst(?) and "Pointed Insanity" if you will. The Special features are amazing as well. Matt, if both you and Aaron don't like this movie, I'll owe you dinner & beers when I get up to WI to visit -- Ari - the Voicedude ("Previously... on Chad Vader...")
You were probably being sarcastic, but the british general (Byrne-White) was Edward Mulhare from Knight Rider. Also Zara was played by Persis Khambatta aka Lieutenant Ilia of Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
I love that Craig says, “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” with the same certainty and cadence as Vern saying, “Pez. Cherry flavored Pez. No question” in Stand By Me.
I concur about your comments on Moon! Nothing freakier than Kevin Spacey's voice. Took Matt's suggestion and watched "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". That is one of the angriest movies I have ever seen.
Scooby Doo was the first DVD I bought and I thoroughly enjoyed both it and the second. I watched them when I was reasonably young but when I watched them back I noticed how much they were taking the piss out of the franchise while still being very affectionate.
Matt - with you on "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" The movie is beautifully shot, the dialogue moves and is both eloquent and (somehow) believable, and the high contrast print just accentuates the incredible (no - really - seriously some of the best) performances of the cast. You believe that these are broken, hurting, horrible people who have fallen from a very great distance to end up where they are.
I'm with Matt. I check how much time is left through most movies no matter how much I am loving or hating them. But everyone once in awhile I'll be so engrossed that the end will sneak up on me. Like Before Midnight. I couldn't tear my eyes away from their intense conversation and suddenly the movie was almost over.... Death and the Maiden is a real great bottle movie (I think, been awhile since I've seen it but I only remember the one set) that wasn't mentioned. There was this great British film I saw on IFC years ago....it wasn't quite a bottle movie but it was close. I can't remember the title. It was about a couple of rich friends gathering for a dinner while there is this war taking place outside in the city. The Delicate Art of the Rifle is another near bottle movie that is amazing. Most of the movie takes place on the roof of a school as two friends talk.
A bottled movie you might of seen or not, Twelve Angry men, it is a sort of court drama but takes place in the jury where 12 men discuss the verdict of a young man who is charged with killing his father.
Apparently, Talullah Bankhead was not wearing underwear in the scenes. When someone mentioned it to Hitchcock, he said. "I don't know if it's a matter for wardrobe, make up or hairdressing."
I think you can make the case that Jaws becomes a very riveting (ship in the) bottle movie when we get to the Orca. Same with Duel, since you are in that small car for a majority of the film. Cujo becomes a bottle movie, too, when the mom and son get to the farm and the car dies. They aren't strictly bottle movies like Rope, but the bulk of the story and action do take place on a single, restricted set and they all become struggles between the human characters as much as with outside forces (in Duel, we hear the struggle within the character).
"Tape" is another bottle movie. It all takes place in a hotel room, and there are only 3 characters in the entire film; Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Robert Sean Leonard.
Well I have a little list but I think you've seen the majority of this movies: - The Sound of Music - Psycho (the first one) - The Haunting (the first one) - The Clockwork Orange - Breakfast at Tiffany's - Casa Blanca - Seven
Yes! I was so happy to hear Craig's comment about Lars von Trier. Antichrist in particular was truly the most regrettable theater experience I've ever had. His films can be visually stunning, but I really don't see that they have any other valuable asset aside from that.
I really want to see you're guys' comments and reaction on "the 13th warrior." considered to be one of the biggest movie flops of all time, it also remains in my heart as one of my all time favorites.
I check the remaining time on DVDs all the time! I watched 28 Weeks Later last night, I checked the remaining time a lot more than usual, I wanted it to be over but had to see the ending. I was reserving optimism, I guess. It was one of those movies for me where I kept finding myself saying "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!". Im thinking I might watch Mad Max tonight, is that a good idea?
There is a movie I really like and have seen a dozen times. It is not well known, and is not well reviewed on any site I can find. "Darkness" , a 2002 film starring Lena Olin and Anna Paquin. It is a moody, slow movie. But I liked it a lot. Very good film making. Same with "The Ninth Gate". Excellent visuals, and amazing cinematogrophy.
Have you ever seen the beatles movie Help? It is much less known than their other film A Hard Days NIght,but I find it to be much better. It's fun to watch and is generally amusing throughout
Thank you Matt&Craig for watching this movie - so I don't have to anymore.... oh well, i probably end up watching it anyway. Universe can be cruel&strange sometimes.
Is the shot of all the DVD cases during the intro, actualy the films that you haven't seen, or is that just a stock photo of "movies"? If it is the actual "list" than you should watch Sunshine, The Full Monty, Goodfellas, or the Spanish version of "I Am Sam". Though I just noticed "The Phantom Menace" and assume that you have seen that considering Blame Society Films' flag ship program. So with every intention of this being a serious question, I will condem it the the realm of stupidity.
Terry Silvester Thanks Terry, I have never heard of those movies before. Getting turned on to good movies is one of my favourite things. I like bottle movies because they are much like stage plays that rely on great writing and acting. Another great bottle movie is Sleuth with Michael Caine and Sir Laurence Olivier. It has a lot of intelligent twists and turns and keeps your interest in the mystery all the way through. Again, great acting and writing. Peace, Steve.
+Terry Silvester I loved Locke and Exam is great, save for the ending which I felt was a bit of a let down. The characterization and interplay is very well done and the script was surprisingly believable considering the strange nature of the set up.
dear Craig i don't know if you or Matt will end up seeing this but i was wondering something. i am a big fan of the show and i also enjoy the essays Craig has written for the website. i liked scooby doo 2 but i didn't love it but i am really interest to hear Craig's opinion of it so i was hoping that the next time Craig writes an essay it could be about why he likes that movie.
Have you seen Sleuth.Its been a while since I saw it,but I think it’s a”bottle movie”.Also,since the aforementioned was a mystery,here’s another mystery that,I think,fits you description of a “bottle movie”,and it’s one that I bet you saw:Murder on the Orient Express
Moon (2009)... Bottle movie takes place on moonbase mining operation about the sole worker waiting for his "shift" to end so he can go home... Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey...
if you havent seen it then i really recommend you watch aragami and 2ldk 2 awesome bottle movies that were done as a challenge for 2 japanese directors to see what they could make we a very small budget, cast and if i remember correctly they only had 1 week to make them
Clue also stars Michael McKean, Lesley Ann Warren, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Brennan and WKRP's very own Howard Hesseman. A fantastically funny movie, it is kind of amazing given the source material is a board game with zero backstory.
As a child my friend's local video store had MegaForce, but mine did not, so all I used to do was look at the box and imagine how cool the movie was going to be. And despite not having any idea of plot or characters, I used to play MegaForce, imagining my own blend of James Bond meets GI Joe complete with a huge structure I part found, part constructed that I dubbed "the MegaForce Train". It was really pretty badass!
And then I saw the film...
And it was even better than you could have possibly thought???
Yes! I thought I was the only diehard Scooby Doo 2 fan :'(
Two great bottle movies (with *) are Glen Garry Glen Ross and Reservoir Dogs. The asterisk for Reservoir Dogs is because the action that all takes place in a warehouse is punctuated with flashbacks in other locations. Glen Garry Glen Ross takes place in a real estate office with two scenes at the Chinese restaurant across the street where the salesmen hang out and one scene with Jack Lemon that takes place in a potential customers house.
Both of these movies have an amazing cast, amazing writing, amazing direction and are just....amazing. They are definitely worth your time to watch.
This is a CLASSIC Episode of WTTB! Great job, guys; this is what the show is all about.
The epitome of a bottle movie: 12 Angry Men - 1957, Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman. Brilliant movie, watched it many times. The remake was pretty good too, George C. Scott gave an amazing performance.
Original 12 Angry Men is an excellent bottle movie.
One fantastic Bottle Movie is ... The Man From Earth... totally a must watch... i love your show btw :D
Hey Matt! Great episode! Here's a couple of bottle movies not well known:
-«Murder by Death» (1976)
Very funny movie in the same style of Clue, and TALK ABOUT A DREAM CAST: Peter Falk, Peter Sellers, Alec Guiness, David Niven, Truman Capote!
The second one's 1st part isn't contained in one place, but the last two thirds take place in a subway car late one night. It's not even on DVD:
-"The Incident" (1967)
Beau Bridges, Martin Sheen and Razzies' winner: ED MCMAHON!
Incredibly intense movie!
Pourlephone Productions Murder by Death is the best.
Love. Love. Love Clue. So glad you guys brought it up.
the simultaneous love for both scooby doo 2 and clue (1985) made me so happy. i grew up in the early 2000s with older parents so i watched clue with my mom TONS, like twice a week, from the age of 5 on (despite the fact that i shouldn't have been lol). i also grew up on the scooby doo reruns on cartoon network that made me love the live action movies as they were coming out (and Craig is correct, the second one is a vastly superior movie).
Matt! When you were explaining about looking up the plot without having to watch the movie I laughed so much! That's why I started to watch this show! I stayed for the humor and wit though!
I absolutely loved Clue. If someone out there hasn't seen it, watch it as soon as possible.
your so pleasent in this series.
i like it.
I like the bottle movie concept, I've rarely seen it done badly. Clerks is one of my favourites and a brilliant way to make a first film.
Oh here come the crazy hand movements again! 14:00. But that's why we love Matt. His enthusiastic insightfulness.
I thought this was such a cool movie when I was a kid! Thanks for this!
love the show. 2nd video watched. And i just slapped u guys up on my facebook so some friends can see em. Great entertainment!!!
12 angry men! my favorite bottle movie of all time. Such a famous movie but yet, many people haven't seen it
Great vid.. never seen your channel ......just subbed!!!! Sharing with my stony buds! Question: what kinda camera did u use? Its rad!
Megaforce was the closest to a Gi Joe movie I got when I saw it at the theatre when I was 11 yrs old. I liked it as a kid but now as a cynical adult I hate it.
Never heard of Mega-Force! LOL! I loved this movie as a kid!
Clue is one of my favorite movies of all time. I remember when I saw it in the theater, it had the ending where Ms. Scarlett did it, and I wanted to go see it again to see the other endings, but alas, being only 11, my mother said I had to wait for it to come out on video. One of the best comedies ever, and if you are reading this and haven't seen it, go watch it already!
A "bottle movie" that I enjoyed is "The Sunset Limited." It was an HBO film starring Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel Jackson, based off a story by Cormac McCarthy. Just the two characters in a room. Very captivating. The 90 minutes goes by without you realizing it, unless of course you constantly stare at the clock on your DVD player.
Speaking of The Exorcist... one of my favorite movies of ALL TIME: William Peter Blatty's "The Ninth Configuration" -- THIS is a classic bottle movie!! The humor in this film reminds me a little of Beer & Board Games, but with more angst(?) and "Pointed Insanity" if you will.
The Special features are amazing as well.
Matt, if both you and Aaron don't like this movie, I'll owe you dinner & beers when I get up to WI to visit -- Ari - the Voicedude ("Previously... on Chad Vader...")
You were probably being sarcastic, but the british general (Byrne-White) was Edward Mulhare from Knight Rider. Also Zara was played by Persis Khambatta aka Lieutenant Ilia of Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Funny fact. Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed was written by James Gunn. Director of Guardians of the Galaxy.
I love that Craig says, “Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed” with the same certainty and cadence as Vern saying, “Pez. Cherry flavored Pez. No question” in Stand By Me.
Cube is a bottle movie. The sets are all just one room repeted using different coloured walls
You guys rock so much. I totally appreciate it.
Ha, Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed was amazing!
That little orange tanksuit guy near the DVD before you guys get into watching it:
I had one before. But what is it supposed to be?
Excellent movie, you guys should watch this.
The movie "Tape" directed by Richard Linklater. The whole thing takes place in a tiny motel room.
I concur about your comments on Moon! Nothing freakier than Kevin Spacey's voice. Took Matt's suggestion and watched "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". That is one of the angriest movies I have ever seen.
Have you seen Old Boy? It's my favourite movie and I think it would be a good one for you to watch.
what an excellent show!
A bottle movie I'd heavily recommend is Exam. Wonderful concept. Executed brilliantly.
Scooby Doo was the first DVD I bought and I thoroughly enjoyed both it and the second. I watched them when I was reasonably young but when I watched them back I noticed how much they were taking the piss out of the franchise while still being very affectionate.
As a kid in 82, it was a great movie. Because of the flying motorcycles.
Cube is the best bottle movie ever
My favorite bottle movies are "12 Angry Men" and "Phone Booth". I frickin' love these kind of movies.
The Petrified Forest is nearly a bottle movie. There's only a few outdoor scenes
Matt - with you on "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" The movie is beautifully shot, the dialogue moves and is both eloquent and (somehow) believable, and the high contrast print just accentuates the incredible (no - really - seriously some of the best) performances of the cast. You believe that these are broken, hurting, horrible people who have fallen from a very great distance to end up where they are.
"The Room"* there is one scene where he's at a flower shop but pretty much a bottle movie.
I feel like you have probably seen it, but Cube is a quintessential "bottle movie" and would make for a great episode
I saw Megaforce as a child. All I remembered was the flying motorcycles that shot rockets.
Seen it? Zardoz with Sean Connery
I'm with Matt. I check how much time is left through most movies no matter how much I am loving or hating them. But everyone once in awhile I'll be so engrossed that the end will sneak up on me. Like Before Midnight. I couldn't tear my eyes away from their intense conversation and suddenly the movie was almost over....
Death and the Maiden is a real great bottle movie (I think, been awhile since I've seen it but I only remember the one set) that wasn't mentioned.
There was this great British film I saw on IFC years ago....it wasn't quite a bottle movie but it was close. I can't remember the title. It was about a couple of rich friends gathering for a dinner while there is this war taking place outside in the city.
The Delicate Art of the Rifle is another near bottle movie that is amazing. Most of the movie takes place on the roof of a school as two friends talk.
5:17 He was David Hasslehoff's boss on Knight Rider.
A bottled movie you might of seen or not, Twelve Angry men, it is a sort of court drama but takes place in the jury where 12 men discuss the verdict of a young man who is charged with killing his father.
Excellent bottle film you missed, 12 Angry Men. However, I'm sure you've seen it.
The Big Kahuna is set in one hotel room (bar a couple of scenes). It's a drama with Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito. Watch it, it's pretty good.
I'm glad Mega Force is now on DVD.
Apparently, Talullah Bankhead was not wearing underwear in the scenes. When someone mentioned it to Hitchcock, he said. "I don't know if it's a matter for wardrobe, make up or hairdressing."
Talking about Bottle content, if you have never seen the TV show "The Booth at the End", definitely give it a look-see. Very well done.
The movie cube, which is a prime example of "bottle film" they could only afford once setting and just changed the colour of the lights. check it out
I think you can make the case that Jaws becomes a very riveting (ship in the) bottle movie when we get to the Orca. Same with Duel, since you are in that small car for a majority of the film. Cujo becomes a bottle movie, too, when the mom and son get to the farm and the car dies. They aren't strictly bottle movies like Rope, but the bulk of the story and action do take place on a single, restricted set and they all become struggles between the human characters as much as with outside forces (in Duel, we hear the struggle within the character).
"Tape" is another bottle movie. It all takes place in a hotel room, and there are only 3 characters in the entire film; Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Robert Sean Leonard.
Seen "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"? My favorite comedy.
Well I have a little list but I think you've seen the majority of this movies:
- The Sound of Music
- Psycho (the first one)
- The Haunting (the first one)
- The Clockwork Orange
- Breakfast at Tiffany's
- Casa Blanca
- Seven
Yes! I was so happy to hear Craig's comment about Lars von Trier. Antichrist in particular was truly the most regrettable theater experience I've ever had. His films can be visually stunning, but I really don't see that they have any other valuable asset aside from that.
Linda Cardellini is the only reason I watch the Scooby Doo movies.
Does Three O'Clock High count as a bottle movie... after the first 5 minutes the characters are where they will be for the rest of the movie.
I really want to see you're guys' comments and reaction on "the 13th warrior." considered to be one of the biggest movie flops of all time, it also remains in my heart as one of my all time favorites.
this movie was all great part of the 80s dont know why they cant find more movies like this?
Have you seen the movie "Dead Poet's Society"? It's a movie that's grown on me since having to watch it so many times in highschool English class.
Pretty sure most older films would be in PAL at 24 fps (or 23.93, I believe).
I check the remaining time on DVDs all the time! I watched 28 Weeks Later last night, I checked the remaining time a lot more than usual, I wanted it to be over but had to see the ending. I was reserving optimism, I guess. It was one of those movies for me where I kept finding myself saying "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!". Im thinking I might watch Mad Max tonight, is that a good idea?
I'm so proud of you.
There is a movie I really like and have seen a dozen times. It is not well known, and is not well reviewed on any site I can find. "Darkness" , a 2002 film starring Lena Olin and Anna Paquin. It is a moody, slow movie. But I liked it a lot. Very good film making. Same with "The Ninth Gate". Excellent visuals, and amazing cinematogrophy.
CLUE is one of my most favorite movies ever!!!!
Have you ever seen the beatles movie Help? It is much less known than their other film A Hard Days NIght,but I find it to be much better. It's fun to watch and is generally amusing throughout
Thank you Matt&Craig for watching this movie - so I don't have to anymore.... oh well, i probably end up watching it anyway. Universe can be cruel&strange sometimes.
i was surprised you didnt mention Das Boot or 12 Angry Men in the bottle movies segment.
T he man from earth is the best bottle movie of all time it changed my life
Is the shot of all the DVD cases during the intro, actualy the films that you haven't seen, or is that just a stock photo of "movies"? If it is the actual "list" than you should watch Sunshine, The Full Monty, Goodfellas, or the Spanish version of "I Am Sam". Though I just noticed "The Phantom Menace" and assume that you have seen that considering Blame Society Films' flag ship program. So with every intention of this being a serious question, I will condem it the the realm of stupidity.
I've said it before, watch "12 Angry Men." (1957) It's a great movie and also happens to be a bottle movie.
Phew. Thanks, Matt. I was afraid it wasn't working.
Bottle movies...hm...I think The Thing, one of my favorite movies might count.
Is that Persis Khambatta from Star Trek The Motion Picture, with hair?
Yes
Exam and Locke are both very good bottle movies
Terry Silvester Thanks Terry, I have never heard of those movies before. Getting turned on to good movies is one of my favourite things. I like bottle movies because they are much like stage plays that rely on great writing and acting. Another great bottle movie is Sleuth with Michael Caine and Sir Laurence Olivier. It has a lot of intelligent twists and turns and keeps your interest in the mystery all the way through. Again, great acting and writing. Peace, Steve.
+Terry Silvester I loved Locke and Exam is great, save for the ending which I felt was a bit of a let down. The characterization and interplay is very well done and the script was surprisingly believable considering the strange nature of the set up.
Clue is one of my favorite movies of all time!
dear Craig i don't know if you or Matt will end up seeing this but i was wondering something. i am a big fan of the show and i also enjoy the essays Craig has written for the website. i liked scooby doo 2 but i didn't love it but i am really interest to hear Craig's opinion of it so i was hoping that the next time Craig writes an essay it could be about why he likes that movie.
The Man From Earth guys is another great Bottle Movie I really enjoy it
Have you seen Sleuth.Its been a while since I saw it,but I think it’s a”bottle movie”.Also,since the aforementioned was a mystery,here’s another mystery that,I think,fits you description of a “bottle movie”,and it’s one that I bet you saw:Murder on the Orient Express
Another Hitchcock bottle movie I'd recommend is the lesser known Lifeboat. It's one of my favorites but always seems to be overlooked.
best bottle show ever? welcome to the basement obviously!
I check the length of the movie regularly too, and it is not because I am bored ... we are kindred movie bros lol : ) !
would you say 12 angry men was a bottle movie? If so you probably already saw it...it was fantastic
The man from earth (2007) is a great bottlemovie. I want to buy this movie so bad... Oh well, one day, they'll release it.
Here is a bottle movie you missed: 12 angry men. One of my favorite bottle movies/ movies in general.
Deathtrap was a great bottle movie...but you guys mentioned in on "Seen it" before, I believe.
very good episode guys!
Moon (2009)... Bottle movie takes place on moonbase mining operation about the sole worker waiting for his "shift" to end so he can go home... Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey...
"Tape" adapted from a play by the same name. Very good.
if you havent seen it then i really recommend you watch aragami and 2ldk 2 awesome bottle movies that were done as a challenge for 2 japanese directors to see what they could make we a very small budget, cast and if i remember correctly they only had 1 week to make them
As for a bottle movie, Evil Dead II is up there for one of my favorites.
oh, brad...You should watch Shock Treatment!
Surely you've seen Rear Window, but I had to point out that you missed it.
what is a bottle movie? I assume one in which the story takes place in a single location?
you guys should watch the cube or stuck between stations.
Clue also stars Michael McKean, Lesley Ann Warren, Christopher Lloyd, Eileen Brennan and WKRP's very own Howard Hesseman. A fantastically funny movie, it is kind of amazing given the source material is a board game with zero backstory.