What An Ending

Most suprising endings?

Here is were we will discuss the films with the endings that suprised us the most. Think back at those films that knocked us right off of our "Pre-determined cliche" chair. Why did the ending suprise us so much? I'll list a few to start it off.

Three Extremes- Im talking about the "Dumplings" story. Ewwwww

The Others- Even though I didn't love the movie, that doesn't take away from the fact that I had no clue that that would be the ending.

Sixth Sense- This was very well played and the ending suprised everyone so much that they all watched it again.

The Wizard of Oz- I loved this film and the ending was perfect and I bet it suprised you the first time you saw it.

Mulholland Dr- I know the entire movie was one suprise after another, but after the film was over and you actually thought about it's randomness, don't tell me it didn't suprise you.

Now it's your turn!

Re: Most suprising endings?

Re: Most suprising endings?

My most favorite in this category, or at least the ones that came to mind first were Christopher Nolan's first movies.  Following and Memento, the latter of which is surprising in two ways.  First of all you are surpised to discover that the beginning of the movie is actually the ending.  And then the actual ending of the film is a surprise again.

Re: Most suprising endings?

Not exactly a suprise ending, but I heard on a podcast today that after the credits roll at the end of X Men 3, you learn that the professor, who had apparently been blown apart, is still alive. He transferred his mind to a brain-dead hospital patient at the last second.

The Prestige, Fight Club, and Saw all had a twist at the end. I wonder if any of the cinema classics have one...

(This topic also made me think of the opposite: movies where you walk into the theater knowing the ending, like Titanic or Gettysburg.)

There used to be movies where "no one will be admitted to the theater during the last half hour." Was that because they'd see the ending and stick around for the beginning and blab to folks coming in?

I think if you took a poll, The Usual Suspects would be mentioned most. Just a guess.

I watched American History X last week. It had the "wrong person gets killed" suprise ending. The first time I remember encountering that one was in Jame Agee's A Death in the Family. 

Re: Most suprising endings?

Re: Most suprising endings?

Re: Most suprising endings?

I did hear about the professor being alive and I watched it and yes he is still alive. It was a weird scene and I had to watch it twice just to be sure. I haven't seen "The Prestige" but I still want to. "Fight Club" suprised me as much as "The Others" because they really turned the tables around on each ending. "Saw" did have a suprise ending but I just didn't care by the time I was "suprised". When you said, "I wonder if any of the cinema classics have one." Why yes there are many. I will give you one very famous Cinema Classic title, "Casablanca". Who ever expected Humphrey Bogart's character to let her go and say to his friend, "This could be the start to a beautiful friendship."?

Movies where you know the ending already, it really becomes how they present the story and what details they focus on. You were talking about "Usual Suspects", have you ever seen Rashomon?

Re: Most suprising endings?

I heard that somebody is remaking Rashomon.  Mifune sure didn't seem like Mifune in that picture. Guess it was before he settled into his tough guy image?

I was thinking of Click, but that's one of those "Oh, it was all just a dream" movies, which probably don't count. 

Re: Most suprising endings?

Carrie, without a doubt. 

Donnie Darko .

And one of the best of all times: The planet of the apes
 

Re: Most suprising endings?

Well I mentioned Rashomon because "The Usual Suspects" was based on "Rashomon". What did Mifune seem like in that picture? What other character of his are you comparing this character to? He's played so many different kinds of roles that I wouldn't place him as one character. Of course most people remember him for his role in "Yasujiro" and Sanjuro but I always remember him for his amazing performance in Red Beard. "Rashomon" definitely had a suprising ending and it's still one of my absolute favorites as well.

"Click" never could decide if it was a comedy or a drama. It contained too much of both and it was obviously inspired by "It's a Wonderful Life". If It's a Wonderful Life was never made then you might consider "Click" as having a suprise ending. I just hope Adam Sandler quits playing the same type of character in all of his movies and finds a great movie to be a part of because he can act if he tries.