By: Movie Snurb –
We are still in this quarantine; well some of us are… some people don’t care, which will lead to a large second wave. With all this time still on our hands, I thought why not recommend some longer films that you should checkout since you have the time. So, here are 6 epic films (3+ Hours) that I think everyone should watch.
Seven Samurai
I have finally gotten around to watching an Akira Kurosawa film thanks to this quarantine. The first was Rashomon, and then I watched Kurosawa’s 207-minute epic Seven Samurai. It’s about a village tired of being ravaged by bandits that seeks the help and protection of seven samurai. It has been remade multiple times in America as The Magnificent Seven. It’s a story that is known and has been known for years, but that is the ultimate mark of a great story. The character arc of Kikuchiyo is one of the greatest arcs of all time and will surprisingly fill your heart. There is a clear reason this is considered one of the greatest films ever made and has stood the test of time.
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. – Yebisu (Premium)
One of Japan’s most popular brands of beer seems like a great companion for a film by the country’s greatest film director. Enjoy this nice and smooth premium ale.
The Right Stuff
The true story of the Mercury 7 astronauts and the Air Force pilots that helped develop the technology to break the sound barrier and beyond and eventually cross the barrier into space. The Mercury 7 astronauts were the first astronauts and the first men into space and into Earth’s orbit. John Glenn and Alan Shepard were a part of these men, and though Chuck Yeager was not an astronaut and never part of NASA, he broke several air speed records and was vital in the development of technology that would lead to Mercury 7. It’s a great story about what America is capable of when we part our minds to it and the real American heroes who put their lives on the line to make it happen. As a double feature I’d also recommend First Man with Ryan Gosling, which focuses on the race to the moon.
Anheuser-Busch – Budweiser Select
What is more American than Budweiser? Yeah, I know there is probably some brand that you’re gonna tell me is more American, but for me Budweiser is as American as it gets. And this film calls for a patriotic brew.
Intolerance
W. Griffith’s follow-up to his controversial film Birth of a Nation. He wanted to show the world real instances of intolerance because he was called intolerant after the release of Birth of a Nation. He only made Birth of a Nation because he wanted to get his name out there and thought it would be an incendiary film. What’s unfortunate is Intolerance is his less remembered and far superior film. For a film made in 1916, it will blow your mind what Griffith was able to do back then with no guidelines or blueprints from other films. You can consider this film the father of the epic and it’s one that everyone should see. Told in 4 parts from different moments in history regarding intolerance, some stories are more engaging than others, but it still needs to be seen.
Yuengling Brewery – Yuengling Traditional Lager
I was trying to figure out what beer would pair with one of the oldest epics in American history. Well, why not the oldest American beer (according to my google research). So enjoy a classic beer with a classic film.
Until the End of the World
Wim Wenders “Ultimate Road Film” as he puts it was initially released in 1993 with a 150-minute run-time. His version which Criterion remastered and released on Blu-Ray is 287 minutes. Yes, a crisp 4 hours and 47 minutes. And yes, every minute is earned. William Hurt plays Sam Farber, a fugitive from the C.I.A. They bring false charges against him because they want to confiscate Farber’s father’s creation, a device which records dreams and visions and puts them through a machine, allowing blind people to see the videos/images. This leads to a worldwide chase through 7 different countries. The runtime might frighten you, but I promise the film is worth the time.
Coopers Brewery – Premium Lager
Considering the last 2 hours and 30 minutes take place in Australia, I thought I should pick an Australian beer. Another lager because, well, I like lagers. If you don’t like lagers, whoops!
Andrei Rublev
Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1966 3-hour epic about the 15th century monk and iconographer Andrei Rublev. Through a series of different events in his mid to late life he struggles with his faith and understanding society. The film is told in eight chapters, and the biggest and most expensive chapter is the battle/raid by the Grand Prince’s brother and the Tartars in a play for power. During this battle Andrei kills a man and takes a vow of silence to reflect on his faith and sin. It’s only in the final chapter when he rediscovers his faith and joy in painting. It’s a brilliant film and you don’t feel its runtime at all. If you’ve never seen a Tarkovsky film, this is the perfect one to start with.
Baltika Breweries – Baltika #6 Porter
A nice dark porter for sipping while you sit and have existential reflections and religious questioning. Take your time with the beer, because it’s better sipped and it’ll give you time to reflect on the film.
Reds
This epic takes place during the Russian Revolution of the early 20th century from 1917 to 1923. The film follows John Reed, an American journalist and writer who chronicled the revolution in his book Ten Days That Shook the World. It was co-written, produced, directed by, and starred Warren Beatty. Alongside Beatty are Diane Keaton, Jack Nicholson, and Maureen Stapleton, all four of whom were nominated for acting Oscars. Reds is a highly impressive feat of filmmaking and makes me sad Beatty didn’t make more films. A brilliant example of someone who understands and has complete control of their craft. It’s easy to understand why he won Best Director for this film, but what I don’t get is why this lost Best Picture to Chariots of Fire.
Revolution Brewing – Rev Pils
A revolutionary beer for a revolution film. It’s not a Russian brew, but one from Chicago; however, it’s the name that is important.
