TGME Round 1: Young Frankenstein Vs. The Two Towers

[GregMcduck]

How it works: Each poll will be open for two weeks, giving all of you time to watch each film. New polls added every Sunday and Wednesday.

Young Frankenstein (1974) vs. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)



Young Frankenstein is a comedy film directed by Mel Brooks, starring Gene Wilder as the title character. Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, and Gene Hackman also star. The film is an affectionate parody of the classical horror film genre, in particular the various film adaptations of Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein produced by Universal in the 1930s. Frederick Frankenstein is a respected lecturer at an American medical school and is more or less happily (though blandly) engaged to the tightly wound Elizabeth. Frederick becomes exasperated when anyone brings up the subject of his grandfather, the famous mad scientist, to the point of insisting that his name is actually pronounced "Fronk-en-steen". A solicitor informs Frederick that he has inherited his family's estate. Traveling to said estate in Transylvania, Frankenstein meets his comely new lab assistant Inga, along with the household servants Frau Blücher and Igor (who, after hearing Frederick claim his name is pronounced "Fronkensteen" counter-claims that his is pronounced "Eye-gor.") Inga assists Frederick in discovering the secret entrance to his grandfather's laboratory. Upon reading his grandfather's private journals the doctor is inspired to resume his grandfather's experiments in re-animating the dead. He and Igor successfully exhume and spirit away the enormous corpse of a recently executed criminal, but Igor's attempt to steal the brain of a revered scientist from the local "brain depository" goes awry, and he takes one labeled, "Do Not Use This Brain! Abnormal" instead.

Most of the pieces of lab equipment used as props are the same ones created by Kenneth Strickfaden for the 1931 film Frankenstein. To further reflect the atmosphere of the earlier films, Brooks shot the picture entirely in black-and-white, a rare choice at the time, and employed 1930s-style opening credits and period scene transitions such as iris outs, wipes, and fades to black. The film also features a notable period score by Brooks' longtime composer John Morris.



The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is a 2002 fantasy film directed by Peter Jackson that is primarily based on the second volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's book The Lord of the Rings and the second film in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Continuing the plot of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, it intercuts three storylines, as Frodo and Sam continue their quest to destroy the One Ring in Mordor and meet Gollum, its former owner. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli come across the war torn nation of Rohan as well as the resurrected Gandalf, before fighting at the Battle of Helm's Deep, whilst Merry and Pippin escape capture and meet Treebeard, the Ent.

On the reviewer aggregate website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has the most positive reception of the trilogy with a 97% fresh rating. The Battle of Helm's Deep has been named as one of the greatest screen battles of all time, while Gollum was named as the third most convincing computer generated film character by Entertainment Weekly in 2007. Weta began animating Gollum in late 1998 to convince New Line they could achieve the effect. Andy Serkis "played" Gollum by providing his voice and movements on set, as well as performing within the motion capture suit later on. His scenes were filmed twice, with and without him. Originally Gollum was set to solely be a CG character, but Jackson was so impressed by Andy Serkis' audition tape that they used him on set as well.

Please take the time to watch or re-watch these two films before voting. You can use this thread to post reviews after having watched them, campaign for your preferred movie, or just discuss the movies in general.

[doggans]

EXCELLENT choice of pictures.

[mrbasehart]

I've given Young Frankenstein a couple of chances to entertain me, and it's always disappointed me.  Two Towers is the weakest of a stunning trilogy.  It's no contest for me, but I'm guessing YF wins here...

[RoninFox]

If this were Fellowship or Return of the King it might have taken longer to decide, but in this case Young Frankenstein gets the win.

[RoninFox]

I am curious about the whole "Gollum being the third most convincing CG character" thing.  Who actually got ranked above him?

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

I have seen both, definitely YF because Lord of the Rings doesn't have a musical

[DarthChimay]

Huh.... I guess I'm the only person who liked The Two Towers the best of the LoTR flicks. I enjoy the movies tremendously, but Gollum in the second movie is the only three-dimensional character. Everyone else is kinda... well, cardboard.

'Course, I can't vote against Marty Feldman. It's a law.

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

I have seen both, definitely YF because Lord of the Rings doesn't have a musical

Unfortunately, it does.

now I have to go find this soundtrack, thanks a lot


actually, I think I remember seeing a commercial for it while I was visiting my grandmother in Buffalo, Ny

[Tripe]

When you do, let us know how it is. I mean Tolkien was tapping into at least some of the same pools of inspiration as Wager so it's possible it might not be that bad.

[Tripe]

Yes but they are trying to do an Opera there, unless that's a different stage show.

[mrbasehart]

I've listened to a couple of tracks from the London Production.  Some of the songs are in Elvish (I think), and it seems very influenced by Irish folk music.  I kinda like it. 

[Tripe]

Ok it seems more in the Mackintosh mold than Sondheim.

It's not all that bad from what I've listened too.

[mrbasehart]

I just generally pretend it doesn't exist.

Well, you won't have to pretend too much longer...

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre/news/lord-of-the-rings-musical-to-close-after-bad-reviews-796255.html

[ImOscardotcom]

I'd say there's a huge difference between Wagner and, say, Into the Woods.

You don't have a problem with Sondheim, do ya buddy?

:cracks knuckles:

[ScottotD]

Although I LOVE the Aragon, Legolas and Gimley parts of Two Towers I find it really hard to not skip through the Frodo, Samwise and Gollum sections so that drags it down for me.  Plus Young Frankenstein has history for me because I used to watch it with my grandad when I was little.