Favourite Type of Film

Potential-Monke

I'm not posting all that long in the Film forum, but i have seen some trends in the short time i'm here. Most, from what i can tell, have more than just an interest in seeing films, and i'd wager quite a few of ye have jobs/hobbies within the film-making industry, with comments on the productions values, soundtracks, editing, etc.

I've also seen quite a few films i've liked get slated by some on here, and while peoples love, or hatred, of different films is subjective, i do notice the occasional blanket agreement on one film/topic or another, ie: a lot on here seem to like Donnie Darko or Drive, while some think they're some of the worst films made!

So i was wondering:

• What are your favourite genres of films, be it Western, Action, Comedy, Drama, etc.
• What do you look for in a film? (visuals, story, editing, soundtrack, mixture)
• Are there certain genres you wouldn't go near?
• Can you ignore one part of a film due to it excelling in another? (Like ignoring the story/acting in Pacific Rim because it's got mega-cool giant robots fighting giant monsters!)
• Would you still give a film a go if it wasn't shaping up to be something you'd normally go for?
• Does a film have to have some deep meaning, or hidden meaning, or can you enjoy brawns and no brain?
• Do you have an active or recurring role within the film industry?

Suppose i'll start, and remember, opinions are subjective!

Favourite genres: Would have to be comedy (Ted, Hangover, We're the Millers) or action (Expendables, The Fast & The Furious, etc), or anything that plays to the 12 year old living in this 30 year old's body (Transformers, Pacific Rim, Avengers, Lego Movie)
Look for: Something that takes me out of the mundane life and captures me in a setting or universe, preferably one that makes me forget i'm watching a film.
Avoided genres: Usually anything which seems to be labelled Art House, and quite a few of the "deep" films with hidden messages (the aforementioned Drive & Donnie Darko).
Ignore one part because of another: Yes, definietly. The most recent 300: RoaE brought me into the world, even though the story wasn't great. Also, again the aforementioned, Pacific Rim - terrible acting, fantastic looking film!
Give a film a go: Rarely, unless it came highly recommended by people i know with similar interests. I was told to give Drive a go, and it was a mistake. Seriously dislike that film (in case you haven't guessed).
Meaning or brawn: I can go without brains, no problem there, and find that i usually enjoy those types of films more. But i do like the "thinking" films that keep my attention (The Usual Suspects, Identity, The Game).
Active/Recurring role: Nope.

Sad Professor

I don’t really have a favourite genre as such. I will watch just about anything if it looks interesting. Although I will acknowledge a bias against mainstream American comedies, which I tend to dismiss out of hand. There’s no one thing I look for either, but I do like films which are “cinematic”. By that I mean they tell their stories visually and with style. Beyond that, I don’t place much importance on plot, which seems to pass for substance in most people’s eyes. That said, I love a good story well told, especially if it’s got strong characters or performances.

e_e

Favorite Genre: I'll happily watch films of any genre if they come recommended but I tend to adore films that aren't as easily categorized as comedy, horror, action etc etc.
Look For: Something that holds my attention for the runtime (the longer the better!) and gives me with something to chew on after I leave the cinema.
Avoided Genres: Nothing really, but truth be told even though I don't like Westerns and Musicals quite as much as some other genres I'll still give them a go.
Ignore one part because of another: I actually don't really care if a film has a meaty narrative or not as long as it's visually very creative or is going for something other than that. Like capturing a specific mood or expressing emotions/thoughts/ideas.
Give a film a go: Yep, always. I like to be challenged by what I watch and even if a film ends up terrible it'll give you more perspective on the films you do love and make you think about why you like them all the more. Besides you can allow yourself to be completely surprised by a film and end up loving something you didn't think you would.
Meaning or brawn: Meaning, the brawny films tend to be a lot more forgettable for me. I tend to love films that still have you unpacking them hours later, like Upstream Colour.
Active/Recurring role: Nope.

bnt

Favourite genres: Black Comedy. Noir detective films.
Look for: novelty, something I haven't seen before, or a genuinely new take on a familiar subject.
Avoided genres: Films by people who take themselves so seriously. "Reality" films, such as anything by Ken Loach. I already have a reality, I don't need to look at someone else's. Films which state the obvious negatives about life e.g. "there is injustice in the world" or "war is hell": yes, we know already. I don't need to experience the suffering of others to know that it's a bad thing.
Ignore one part because of another: I'm generally quite forgiving e.g. I'm not against RomComs as such, but there are a lot of bad ones out there, which makes me appreciate the "good" ones (i.e. those which fit what I wrote above)
Give a film a go: Have done in the past, but less these days. A film needs a couple of contiguous hours, and there are other things demanding my spare time, including books and some quality TV.
Meaning or brawn: Both. I find interest in the "dialectic" between words and action: people say things, and people do things, and the two do not always line up. The Bourne films are a good example, which I liked for that reason. The action in the movies was the result of thought: his and the CIA's, some of it correct and some way off base. But films that are all "meaning" without action? Usually a no (see above) unless it's subtle e.g. Le Quattro Volte.
Active/Recurring role: Nyet.

Baked.noodle

Favourite genres: I like Sci-fi (particularly Hard Sci-fi), Drama, Hard-drama, Thrillers, Period dramas and 'Think inside the box' (ie: Cube).
Look for: An intricate plot with lots of twits, solid acting and a sense of adventure.
Avoided genres: Romance, Rom-coms, Children moves, Comedies (I love a laugh but I have an odd sense of humour. Everybody in the theatre is laughing except me Zombie, I'm so sick of Zombies.
Ignore one part because of another: I can overlook flaws to an extent, but there is a lot of garbage that's more disappointing than satisfying. Sci-fi usually lets me down, but I think it allows the creators more artistic licence than other genres so I won't give up on it.
Give a film a go: If there is a bit of controversy I will probably give it a look. I often look at something that is not immediately appealing if I'm tired and bored.
Meaning or brawn: Meaning.
Active/Recurring role: No.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

Favourite genres: don't know that I have one. drama I guess. I tend not to be too fond of comedies because I'm such a sour joyless bastard.

Look for: couldn't even say. I'm unbelievably picky when it comes to movies, even some movies that i'm sure most intelligent literate people would regard as classics.. I could watch 5 minutes of and turn it off, feeling justified that I'd only hate it and be wasting my time. It has to feel right or I have to be curious about it in some way. I have loads of movies that i'm 90-95% sure i'm going to love but I just haven't watched them yet because it never feels right and it's the feeling that's most important for me. I get sucked into movies, symbolism and all that ****e I can only start to notice after I see a film 3-4 times.. before that I'm just always there in the scene. even a movie I might admit isn't that great or is awfully cheesy.. if it grabs me, it's grabbed me. I'll watch it and watch it again, loving every second of it.

Avoided genres: comedy. not your holy grails or bachelor mothers but .. the hangover, ted and that kinda..... godawful nonsense made in the last decade. I forgive comedies a lot less than any other genre, if you don't make me laugh then **** you.

Ignore one part because of another: I dunno. as I said I'm incredibly picky so I only ever seem to watch movies I'd regard as awesome from the get-go. I add allt he movies I've watched to my facebook page and I think there's 2 or 3 there with 3 stars and they're the lowest... if I've watched more than 20 minutes of it chances are I've loved it.

Give a film a go: not even slightly

Meaning or brawn: meaning, not that I know enough or am intelligent enough to pick it out most of the time.

Active/Recurring role: Nope.

Agricola

Favourite genres: There isnt one or a few that I seek out but I suppose I return time and again to thrillers, sci-fi, action/adventure, the odd fantasy film.
Look for: Something really engrossing that takes you out of where you're sitting. Films where the run time flys by because you are so wrapped up in it. Also clever multiple plot/layer films which leave you thinking and talking for days after seeing them.
Avoided genres: Usually horror as I am a massive pussy when it comes to that. And comedy. I don't value comedies enough for cinema excursions and I'd rarely choose one over a good 'serious' film.
Ignore one part because of another: No never. That to me sounds like "Oh this 5th superhero film Ive seen this summer was really stupid but the FX were great!" If a film doesnt coherent work as a whole, or interest me as whole, I won't be interested normally.
Give a film a go: If its something like a genre I havent much experience of then why not. You can't expand your horizons and possibly discover new things that you will like unless you are open to it.
Meaning or brawn: Either meaning and brawn, or just meaning. I can't stand the whole Jason Statham action film genre which is just there to relieve teenage boys of their cash. Ive seen only the first Fast n Furious film and that's all I ever want to see. Life is too short.
Active/Recurring role: As in?

Bipolar Joe

Favourite genres:This is tough already. I really like honest but depressing drama films (Sad Movie), the hero with a fault (Griff the Invisible), and subterranean urban horror (Creep). Not exactly genres, I suppose, more elements. Maybe with Griff, you could say it's part of the powerless superhero style of the superhero movie (Defendor, Super, maybe Jimmy Hollywood even). Realistic people standing up for others, it's a beautiful thing.
Look for: If it's a comedy, the jokes have to come at me (The Jerk is a great example, and a firm favourite). I suppose once a film feels honest. A lot of films just feel like a chance for people to make some cash, not that being paid is a bad thing. Making art should be the primary objective, and making bank may be a side effect of it.
Avoided genres: Probably just the obvious ones, like crappy chick flicks (Uptown Girls, Sex & the City, blah blah). Anything with Owen Wilson, which fits into the I want to punch him genre.
Ignore one part because of another: Yeah, to an extent. Unless it's such a blatantly bad thing, or the rest doesn't make up for it. I can forgive Point Break for being retarded because it's so enjoyable, with it's bromance and over-the-topness and cliches. I can ignore how bad Chronicles of Riddick is because it expands heavily on a Universe I love and there's never enough of. I can't forgive Chronicle because the found footage aspect is so incredibly unnecessary and towards the end, when

the bad kid has all the phones floating about

just seems so shoehorned in to keep the style.
Give a film a go: Yes. I think you should always watch a film like you're part of the intended audience. It's stupid to say that Twilight is a bad movie compared to Goodfellas. Most people blather on about Twilight without ever having actually seen it, and so they're not able to form a cohesive argument on why it's bad without regurgitating what they've read online. Having seen it, I can now tear it apart on multiple levels. Beating on a film isn't the only reason to give a film a try, though. There's so many brilliant films I've seen just because I figured why not. Bellflower, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters, Pig, Lonesome Jim, Trainwreck: My Life As An Idoit, so on. They're all great for one reason or another, and I would never have seen them unless I just went along with the idea of watching films I'd never heard of before.
Meaning or brawn: It depends on my humour. Sometimes I'll like a mind fuck, sometimes I just want to watch Jason Statham kick people in the face. But one won't do when you want the other.
Active/Recurring role: Once in a blue moon I'm lucky enough to get to do foley for small shorts and animated films, and occasionally free indie games. I love it.

nyarlothothep

Favourite genres: Sci fi and horror, fantasy, especially if it has philosophical depth. Sci fi fantasy horror films like The Cabin in the Woods can only win for me. However some of my favourite films aren't in these genres at all like Fight Club, American Psycho, This is the End etc.
Look for: Films that create a completely immersive world with characters you feel like you know, I think characterisation is pivotal in this sense. Plot heavy films eg Inception bore the hell out of me because I don't care about any of the characters. Add in some philosophy/cultural ideas etc and I will like it even more, obviously it doesn't have to be in your face but can be realised through the narrative.
Avoided genres: Rom coms like the plague, drama, melodrama, anything that's focused on the mundane/real world.
Ignore one part because of another: Yes, if a particular performance stands out of a scene, it means the film is inconsistent but still better as a whole as it demonstrates flair/moments of brilliance at times.
Give a film a go: Yes of course, if only to rubbish the popular consensus. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised in spite of myself. For example, I was all set to absolutely hate Gravity but I thought it was great. Also while initially not getting Tarkovsky I now think his films are great, poetic explorations into art, philosophy and history and not pretentious at all, in that he was sincere and authentic in his desire to make these films, he was a true artist in the every sense of the word, therefore one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.
Meaning or brawn: Both, brawn films can be great fun and meaning films can obviously make you think, you can also combine the two as with Total Recall (1990), Robocop (1987), Conan the Barbarian (1982) etc. But films that don't deal with big themes can be equally good eg Ghostbusters, which in a way poses questions about parallel dimensions etc and the humour is witty.
Active/Recurring role: Within industry, no, but I do make my own films/music videos and the props/cg for them.

Mike Litoris

Favourite genres: I have favourites in most genres except Westerns.
Look for: Believability. Whether its the acting, story or visuals, if it is ridiculous I switch off. That doesn't mean I don't like, say, Sci-Fi or Horror. Alien is believable.
Avoided genres: Western, action, fantasy and musicals.
Ignore one part because of another: Yes, for example Tony (2009) - great acting and shockingly calm in its realism - Made on a shoe string so looked very amateurish. Another is Kill the Irishman - ropey production values, great story imo.
Give a film a go: Yes, like the OP I hated Drive and cant stand Gosling. Recently watched Only God forgives after reading all the discussion here and really enjoyed the journey.:)
Meaning or brawn: Meaning. Brawn hasn't done anything for me since I was 18.
Active/Recurring role: No, but I got my mush on Irish TV as an extra in "Making the Cut" in 97.:D

mike65

What are your favourite genres of films - not one above all else but I like an honest shoot 'em up and pre-CGI science fiction.

What do you look for in a film? - evidence of the talent understanding the material its working with.

Are there certain genres you wouldn't go near? what is now called a rom-com, which used to be romantic comedy some of which were good back in the day. Oh and "goofy/gross" modern American comedies like Meet the Fockers, Hangover, American Pie etc.

Can you ignore one part of a film due to it excelling in another? If its not apparent in every scene i.e one lousy piece of casting won't put me off.

Would you still give a film a go if it wasn't shaping up to be something you'd normally go for? Do you mean before seeing it or if its not what one expected when the lights go down?

Does a film have to have some deep meaning, or hidden meaning, or can you enjoy brawns and no brain? - pretentious moi? No! It could be Alain Resnais or Michael Bay (er well not Micheal Bay as it happens bar the Rock) a film only needs to engage and work on its own level to be enjoyed.

Do you have an active or recurring role within the film industry? No. But if I did it would be DP or head of blowing things up.

SimonTemplar

Favourite genres / What do you look for in a film: A well written crime thriller or a well written sci-fi can make wondering movie experiences. However, the same can be said for small intimidate dramas such as the Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight trilogy. Therefore, I don't get too concerned about the genre. I look for a well written, acted and directed movie with compelling characters and engaging story. The genre is almost irrelevant to me. But can't abide movies that are made to make a quick buck with almost no artistry involved.

Avoided genres: I avoid low quality comedies with cheap laughs that usually star a D list celebrity which come out every few weeks (The Ride Along is the latest example, and pretty much anything starring Adam Sandler these days)

Ignore one part because of another: I can forgive a poor story if the world is immersive. Avatar is a good example of this. However, cliched dialog ("don't you die on me!!") or bad dialog ("truth has no temperature") are less easy to forgive. Bad CGI is very alienating also.

Give a film a go: With the exception of those cheap comedies I mentioned above, I see every new release. I always go into a film with an open mind. Usually, I can find a few positives in bad movies, even if it is only one performance or scene or even a line of dialog. I do have a self imposed rule that I'll always watch a film to the end -> I never walk out of a movie even if it is a clear 1 star from the beginning. My commitment to this rule has occasionally caused me problems, most recently when I forced myself to sit through Pain & Gain, after which I almost needed to be hospitalized

Meaning or brawn: As I mentioned, I see everything, and I can enjoy mindless action and deeply intellectual movies equally, but for different reasons obviously. It also depends on my mood - after a hard day at work, sometimes I'd like to shut off and enjoy some decent action. As I said, I enjoy any movies based on their quality, not necessarily their genre.

Active/Recurring role: None