The test of time

[DBoy]

Some things seem to transcend trends and defy genres. Their elements combined make a whole that seem like they could be anywhere and anytime. Given, everything contains a signature that gives away the when's and where's, but those things which beat the test of time seem to be less needy to simply match the trend of the day. '

Some tunes, albums, movies, pieces of art, books just go beyond. Maybe it's that they are the height of their genre a somehow capture a moment perfectly. Maybe it's that they just are that good that ten years later you can put them on or pick them up and they remain as good. They are rare. Somehow, probably through sheer quality, they don't date.

Sometimes they are not apparent when you first cross them. You listen and like but don't give to much credit. Then, 10 years later you listen, and somehow it's just as good.

It seems so many things are created to last only a moment, part of the here and now... I think it must be strokes of genius to create something that stands the test of time.

I think it is hardest for movies, given technology and improvements in editing and production techniques, but some do.

I guess this came to me listening to 'the executive suit', thinking I would buy it just as quick now as ten years ago.

Any thoughts on things that busted the test of time and stood tall in the face of ever changing taste and trend?

[great_magnet]

This:



Listen to it now and reference what's happening in bass music - Dub Gussett, 6/8 War, Rino's Prayer etc.

Whole album is fucking amazing.

[DBoy]

Guest showing from GM! Hope you are well mate.

[quick]

star wars, first 3 eps... still amazing

i actually think its harder for music to stay timeless... music follows trends and has new genres popping up all the time, which actually could make it less or more timeless... my point has changed several times while writing this, so bloody good point dboy...

i suppose a story is generally timeless, so movies tell more of a story to me... if i watched a 1960 movie, i could enjoy more than a 1960 song i had never heard... i think... but yeah, the stronger story element in movies is what makes them a bit more timeless in my mind...

[almax]

Yo GM

interesting you say rhythm and stealth, i reckon leftism would have to on par if not better, both amazing albums


Goldies Timeless, imo is just that too


Fat Freddys Drop BOATS


fuck there is soo many so ill leave it at that for now, but i think alot of what some people think is timeless is subjective and personal to them, there is so many emotions and memories mixed in with music and sometimes movies, just hearing THAT song can take youback to a particular moment 15 years ago and you experience the same emotions all over again and that alone makes it timeless to that person imo.

[deviant]

I still listen to classical music...

[DBoy]

I'm hmmmm'ing at all of these. I think Leftism is close - but I think Timeless has dated. While it is a classic, i think that is very different from beating the test of time. Maybe I need to give it another 5 years and see how it sounds then...

Quick - think you might be spot on about movies. While I think it is easier for music, because good music captures something so intangible that it transcends genres and time, movies are able to do this by telling an epic tale.

I am going to have to disagree with Star Wars though. Unfortunately watching them now, as good as the story way, my trained up picks up on the obvious framework of the studios, the basic models of the craft and the general crappyness. Again, a classic, but time has got the better of those old dogs.

I actually think movies without too many effects are going to be more likely to last the test of time. They rely on their stories and acting to give them their appeal, not their story combined with the quality of production at the time...

[almax]

I actually think movies without too many effects are going to be more likely to last the test of time. They rely on their stories and acting to give them their appeal, not their story combined with the quality of production at the time...

So something with alot of dialect? something like maybe reservoir dogs or Kevin Smith movies?
But then you will have jokes not translating in the future.

Oh i know a movie - Stand by me!

[DBoy]

clockwork orange?

[quick]

true about star wars in some respects, but it has lasted the test of time better than nearly any other sci-fi genre movie even 10-15 years later... nothing lasts for ever, but relative, it has stood the test of time...

[almax]

the bible and THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST!!!

[DBoy]

Fair point quick. Star Wars gets a pass on the test.

Almax - go back to Europe you clown.

[deviant]

clockwork orange?

any Kubrik film for that matter

[almax]

clockwork orange?

any Kubrik film for that matter

maybe full metal jacket, rest can gtfo

[deviant]

2001?

the shining?

dude...

[Hatsudai]

I love all mentioned Kubrick films but apart from FMJ all are terribly dated

[FoundationStepper]

dont think 2001 is dated really

akira? quality traditional animation doesn't really date imo.

[almax]

oh shit i didnt even know he did the shining, stephen kings shining with Jack Nicholas? i feel all durr
But space odyssey, dude have you watch that since 2001? he completed failed the test of time lol

[Hatsudai]

Hmmm film makers/artists that deal with the future are always dealing with the paradox of projecting present ideas into the future. In effect they are showing more of the present than the "future" by doing so. (there of course are people who represent the future well Phillip K Dick etc etc)

I think whilst 2001 is an amazing work of art is still kind of falls into this trap, the style and design of 2001 is all so 70's future that it comes off at retro now. Based on Dboys defenition earlier of "timeless" 2001 does not fall into this category.

Akira is a good pick though

[FoundationStepper]

I think Akira works because it's a projection of the cityscape as already established in toyko - something that evolves but will maintain its character.

space technology stuff risks the dating i agree... saw moon recently and i liked the design ethic, it made sense given current styles to things... will be funny to think whether it looks dated in future

[DBoy]

Akira is a great example. Despite technolgy and anima trends and styles moving - it remains as good now as when it came out - simply because of the story and the stunning visual presentation that transcends the date of the style.

[mecka]

Tasty Toobs. Timeless.

[aroes]

i read that too quickly and thought it said tasty boobs

[quick]

predator

[JAMESSSS]

The Office UK

[system]

some that come to mind based on the discussions thus far:

• nightmares on wax "carboot soul"
• goldie "timeless"
• omni trio (anything)
• leftfield "rhythm and stealth"

[andy_hoffman]

Massive Attack - Mezzanine, Protection and Blue Lines all come to mind.

Movies like Amelie and any of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's work really stand out for me as timeless movies. Sure they ain't that old yet but i can still watch Amelie and it has the same effect on me as it did the first time i saw it.

[mecka]

Frank Sinatra - New York, New York.

[retzie]

I think something that beautifully captures a specific time/place/era is as much to be valued as something that avoids the marks of time. At which, I am going to call upon books! War and Peace, Midnight's Children, even Trainspotting (among countless others) are very centred in their time and place. However, they didn't work just because they were tapping into popular thought at the time. They capture their setting so masterfully that they offer little time capsules that will transport you back from any time or place. I reckon this makes for as good a candidate of 'standing the test of time' as ever.

PS. I will never get tired of this:

[Brain]

Some movies I've recently rewatched and think are pretty timeless (mainly because the movies are set in the past or the future or in some crazy fantasy land):
Wizard of Oz
Bladerunner
Alien
Aliens
Godfather 1 & 2
Lone Wolf and Cub series (six films in all)
Sergio Leone's 'Dollars' trilogy
Almost all of Kurosawa's films (Seven Samurai, Yojimbo etc)

[huge]

I love all mentioned Kubrick films but apart from FMJ all are terribly dated

that's what i was thinking.

i'll throw in some anime.

Neon Genesis Evangelion
Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040
All Ghibli flicks

Those are future thinking. The mech based animes will last forever and there's nothing quite like a Ghibli movie.

[FoundationStepper]

agree on ghibli for sure.

[mecka]

Blade Runner & The Fifth Element imo.

[Feigan]

Goonies.

[Lizkins]

nah Blade Runner and Goonies both are dated i reckon. they look like from their era

[unsoundbwoy]

gunter grass - cat and mouse
king tubby meets rockers uptown
alien

[FoundationStepper]

king tubby meets rockers uptown

this

[unsoundbwoy]

king tubby meets rockers uptown

this

just put the album on in response to this thread

[huge]

Blade Runner & The Fifth Element imo.

fifth element has dated like crazy tbh huhu

[mecka]

Praps not the costume design but the world is amazing. Retro-futurist for the win.

[Hatsudai]

Good call on Ghibli, esp the Miyazaki directed works.. He kind of creates his own history in these which parallels our history but is slightly different, kind of like parallel universes or the like, for this reason you could say they will stand the test of time (along with the fantastic stories and just the right balance of cliche and originality).

For different reasons I think

Memento
+
Groundhog day

are fairly timeless films.

[deviant]

Terminator 2

[FoundationStepper]

epic of gilgamesh

[quick]

happy hardcore :teefnoteefsometimesteef:

[eN]

I say Fight Club

& Roni Size/Reprazent - New Forms

[quiet roar]

Terminator 2

Seriously? Do you mean it will always be an average, action flick.

Always awesome:
Warner Brothers cartoons (bugs, daffy, elmer etc.)

Noir films.

[DBoy]

I think a few of you are just mentioning things you really like and not capturing the essense of the concept. :toungeincheek:

Warner Bro cartoons - spot on.

[fooishbar]

[nic]

the words lol and totes

[andy_hoffman]

This

Watch the posted video on YouTube.