Movie Talk On Sunday Overview - Mystery Films

Movie Talk On Sunday (or MTOS to those Twitter folk already familiar) is a special weekly discussion between film fans on Twitter based on a specific genre changing with every passing week. It's a great way to get to know other film fans and also to find out about some hidden gems you may have never seen before, this week's topic was MYSTERY films. Check out the questions and notable answers below, enjoy!


Q1. What is your favourite mystery film?


Seven, Shutter Island, Fight Club, M, Sleepy Hollow, Chinatown, LA Confidential, Dark City, Donnie Darko, Gosford Park, Memento, Profondo Rosso, Rear Window, Inception, The Usual Suspects, Mystic River, Zodiac, The Prestige, Moon, Mulholland Drive, Black Swan, Primal Fear, Clue, What Lies Beneath, The Game, Internal Affairs, The Crying Games, Don't Look Now, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
maxwellhubbard
A1. Memento is a fantastic Mystery film. Unique & original.A true Mystery is never solved until the very end & needs to be seen twice #MTOS

JurassicGriffin

A1. Zodiac. This movie makes love to me in so many sweet ways. If I could marry it, then cheat on it with another movie, I would. #MTOS

MoviesWithMoody

A1. I guess Red Riding Hood is a mystery since I just couldn't figure out why the I was watching it! #MTOS


Q2. Which modern director makes the best mystery films?
Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, David Koepp, Darron Aronofsky, Lars von Trier, Duncan Jones, Nicolas Winding Refn, Martin Scorsese, Alejandro Amenabar, The Coen Brothers, David Lynch


jadedlittlepill
A2. It's far too easy an answer...but Christopher Nolan is clearly the mystery movie genre King. His movies make my dark knight rise.#MTOS

PBRstreetgang73

A2. Would have to go with David Fincher if just for Zodiac and Memento but then add his other work in and its a lock #MTOS

Zinematic

A2. But also David Fincher for spanning genres with each mystery Sci-Fi (Alien3) Cop Drama (Se7en) Real life murder mystery (Zodiac)#MTOS


Q3. What other genres does mystery blend well with? Examples of movies?
Sci-fi, Fantasy, Crime, Thriller, Drama, Horror. Usual Suspects, Source Code, Seven, Blade Runner, Dark City

FilmSamurai

A3. Mystery blends well with Sci-FI/Fantasy. Bladerunner and Dark City are good examples. #MTOS 

Discuss_Cinema

A3. I'd say mystery can be blended with any genre. #mtos

RozD

A3 Mysterys tend to be more thriller these days I'd like to see some intellectual mystery which is about code breaking, like Zodiac#MTOS

JacarandaSpruce

A3 Some of the best mysteries have an element of the supernatural, so I guess horror would be my answer #MTOS

mrbonturcode

A3: comedy (Clue), Horror (Psycho), Western (The Searchers), Noir/Crime (The Third Man), Teen (Brick)... Anything really if done well. #mtos

Q4. What do you look for in a good mystery film?

A twist, suspense, originality, atmosphere, constant guesswork, a journey, red herrings, clues,  clever storytelling, intrigue, good pay-off, shock ending, engaging story, hints, well developed characters, subtlety

Thompson_film

A4) I don't really look for anything in a mystery film, it's all about what the characters are trying to discover within the narrative#MTOS

nymou

A4) Just like Michael Caine's character explains, The Pledge, The Turn and The Prestige. That's what I look for. #MTOS

jazd87

A4 should be like an epic cake; great foundation; good body and a satisfying finish/aftertaste #mtos

Q5. If you were directing a mystery film who would you cast?

Bruce Campbell, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johannson, Kevin Spacey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, James Franco, John Hamm, Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Emily Blunt, Rose Byrne, Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anna Faris, Gary Oldman, Christopher Walken, Michael Shannon, Mark Ruffalo, Matt Damon, Cillian Murphy, Anthony Hopkins, William H Macy

The_Modal_Node

A5) Denzel has previous and always value for money.But I'd prefer to go for a low key cast as it stops the audience guessing outcomes #MTOS

acarandaSpruce

A5 Some of best mysteries have unknown actors/actresses #MTOS

MovieUmpire

a5. Portman, Gosling and Gordon-Levitt. I'd like to see what they could do together if put in the right place. #mtos

Q6. Do you prefer mystery films with supernatural/alien/or human elements?

DeusExCinema

A6. Supernatural ones can be great. Human ones tend be the best acted. Alien ones like Signs need to fuck off and die. #mtos

ickabelgont

A6) Doesn't really matter what the macguffin is as long as its well done. Supernatural/alien tends to go wrong easier though #MTOS

LamaABarr

A6) Have to say humans. I like to be able to relate to the characters.#MTOS

Q7. Mystery is an integral part of film noir. Which film noir movies would you recommend?

Laura, LA Confidential, Chinatown, Double Indemnity, Sunset Boulevard, Kiss Me Deadly, The Third Man, The Man Who Wasn't There, Brick, Strangers On A Train, Touch Of Evil, The Big Sleep. The Long Goodbye, Point Blank

moviemaniac72

A7: Let's not forget The Third Man! Awesome and perfect example of noir along with a great ending in the sewers! #MTOS

Zinematic

A7. But over all the best film noir, nay the best film ever is The Third Man. Unsurpassable #MTOS

ickabelgont

classic Film Noir - Bogie all the way, Neo-noir, blade runner, modern noir LA Confidential #MTOS

Q8. Name a few mystery films that should never have been made.
The Butterfly Effect, Wicker Man (remake), The Happening, The Da Vinci Code, The Good German, Knowing, I Know Who Killed Me, Angels & Demons, S Darko, Signs


dudefozz

#mtos A8) Can I just say M. Night Shyamalam's career since 2000!

TGP73

Q8. 23 #mtos A shockingly bad film, it hurt my eyes

SquigglySpider

A8) Controversial one: but I thought the original Girl with the dragon tattoo was like a really violent midsomers murder episode#MTOS

Q9. As a viewer do you prefer adapting mystery books or do you prefer original ideas?

Thompson_film

A9) Seeing as 90% of films now are remakes/reboots/reimaginings I'd like to see some good and original mystery films being released#MTOS

moviemaniac72

A9: i love seeing original material, one thing that made Inception fun was originality, has a special charm that film adaptation loses#MTOS

TGP73

@love_cinema Q9 Who doesn't love an original idea especially in a genre that sorta depends on the element of surprise #MTOS

dudefozz

#mtos A9) mystery doesn't have to be unknown to be great. How many of us knew the outcome of Psycho. But that's still outstanding!

Q10. Is there a future for the mystery genre or has it become too mainstream with sub-par mystery movies?

DeusExCinema

A10. There's always a future for any genre, provided people are willing to be innovative, imaginative, and give it their best. #mtos

RozD

@love_cinema A10 I think the mystery drama could do with a boost with more "detective" style movies #MTOS

grumpyduckuk

A10 There's always a future for every genre, they might become less popular but some genre resurrections would make Lazarus proud. #mtos

MrF1978

#MTOS A10....i think the craze of ****SPOILERS***** is a bigger issue than the quality of script

So there you have it folks a round-up of Sunday's eventful mystery MTOS. I'm sure you will agree there are plenty of great answers and some films you may just want to check out.
Next week's topic is High School movies so be sure to check out Twitter at 8.00pm GMT and have your say on the fastest growing film debate on the internet!