| The Listeth Returneth, somewhateth |
[Dec. 13th, 2007|10:31 am] |
It has been so long. I have so many to include, and so many to still think about as my list was purposely incomplete as I wanted to leave room on it in the instance that I saw more things this year that I wanted to include. I don't know who may read this still as John rarely visits this site much, but this was a relolution at the beginning of the year and therefore I must see it through to the end. No matter how brief these may be, my resolution was only to list them and not necessarily to write as extensively as I would have wanted to.
And so, without further adieu, I continue with:
ALIEN
May be the most frightening of all science fiction films. Definitely the most simultaneously frightening and artistic. I love Sigourney Weaver in this film more so than any of the later entries.
AMADEUS
I love Milos Forman films, and I think this may be one of the best period pieces ever made. At least from the ones I've seen. Great film with some great classical music, about one of the most popular composers in history.
APOCALYPSE NOW
The only war film I've seen where the depiction of another country and time looks like absolute hell. Most war films portray the setting in a very realistic way to make it still feel like Earth, but APOCALYPSE NOW's Vietnam feels otherworldly for some reason, and much of that may be due to the search of the Marlon Brando character who is given, what Orson Welles would call the greatest "star" role in history. Welles' definition of a "star" role is a role where the person is spoken of throughout the majority of the story, and then makes an entrance sometime near the final act. Brando's character is borderline mythical in the way they talk about him, and when he finally makes his entrance on screen it's uncannily eerie.
BABE: PIG IN THE CITY
Something about the seriousness and craziness of this film I find strangely appealing. I enjoy it more than I do the more popular original.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
I don't think there's been a more fun intelligent film to come out since this one. Maybe not ever in fact.
BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
This is probably the most insanely original movie to come out of the United States. In fact, it's almost inconceivable that this picture was made here. I'm glad it was though.
BOTTLE ROCKET
Wes Anderson's first, and funniest, feature film. I also don't think that Owen Wilson has been funnier than he was here.
BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF
Mixing real life history with a bit of fantasy, horror, and martial arts. That's just all kinds of multi-orgasmic material right there.
A CHRISTMAS STORY
No other, and I mean NOOOO other film adaquetely represents what it's like to be a kid during Christmas. There's a reason this movie is played on a loop during the holidays, it's because a better film about childhood during the Christmas holiday hasn't been made. Others exemplify the "spirit" of Christmas much better, but when you're a kid you don't care about any of that and this movie takes me back to those times in my life.
CITIZEN KANE
Justifiably considered the greatest American picture of all-time. Its influence on filmmaking techniques is almost immeasurable, and to boot it's an entertaining and mysterious faux-biopic.
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE
I don't know what it says about me that this may be my favorite all time picture. It's violent and disturbingly dark with its humor, but is a tour-de-force of filmmaking. Malcolm McDowell's portrayal of Alex is probably the closest anyone has come to grasping the characteristics of The Joker (even though he isn't playing The Joker). I guess we'll see if Ledger can draw something out of himself even remotely close to this film's anti-hero.
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON
Eloquent fight scenes and cinematography, with a heartbreaking love story at the center. For as much as people have written this film off since the emergence of Zhang Yimou's martial arts epics, this film still played a large role in the US's interests in foreign pictures, and Yimou's films aren't nearly as emotionally affecting as this film is.
DARK CITY
Alex Proyas hasn't been the same since he made this film. It's a sci-fi/noir, and probably the best since BLADE RUNNER. Probably the only since BLADE RUNNER now that I think about it. Visually it's on par with some of more visual stuff from the Jeunet-Caro duo from France in my opinion.
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL
A film with timeless themes and out of date special effects. Gotta love those classic science-fiction films. Seriously.
THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE
Arguably Guillermo Del Toro's best film, and most intimate. Possibly this decade's best ghost picture, with strong competition from THE ORPHANAGE.
THE DIRTY DOZEN
The best of the 60s action films that I've seen so far. Lee Marvin is one of the last on screen men.
DR. STRANGELOVE: OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB
One of the funniest films I've seen. One of the most interesting films I've seen. One of the most entertaining performances I've seen. One of the best dark comedies ever made.
ED WOOD
Tim Burton's best film to date (note that this date does not yet include SWEENEY TODD). Johnny Depp is wacky as all get out, and the design perfectly fits the z-movie level filmmaking look of the old genre pictures made by the title character.
ELECTION
A very bleak comedy, but a funny one nonetheless and an early indicator of Reese Witherspoon's on screen capabilities. This also has one of my favorite final scenes ever.
EVIL DEAD 2
The only horror comedy released during the 80s that I think compares to the work of Peter Jackson. This film is so good that a small section of its material was ripped off to make an entire film (IDLE HANDS).
THE FISHER KING
Okay, when I said that BEING JOHN MALKOVICH may be America's most original film, this film does offer it stout competition. Robin Williams is great, and this is right up there with Gilliam's all time best films. May actually be his best film.
FORREST GUMP
I normally don't say things like this, but anyone that can watch this movie and have such a cynical response to it is someone I really don't know if I want to know. Rarely has there been more heart displayed on screen than in Zemeckis' Oscar winning film. It's funny, adventurous, heart-warming, and has a great 60s and 70s rock n roll soundtrack.
FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
The first collaberation between America's two most popular film geeks is a testament to their abilities to create something that exists as two very different kinds of horror flicks. It starts as a serial killer/robbery flick, and moves right into a drive-in style vampire picture. There are some classic-level scenes in this, and George Clooney is fantastic in it.
GET SHORTY
One of the most entertaining films from the 90s. The standout for me is Gene Hackman, in a role that exemplifies his range as an actor. Normally people think of Hackman in the hard-nosed and tough roles like THE FRENCH CONNECTION, CRIMSON TIDE, and UNFORGIVEN, or in the wise and noble roles like HOOSIERS. But, here he shows that he's fully capable of being sad and pathetic with the best (or worst) of them.
THE GODFATHER 2
About as good as any film can be when continuing the story of one of the most intriguing storylines of any American film.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Probably the most famous of the Spaghetti Westerns, with one of the most famous theme songs. I think it's actually longer than it needs to be, but it culminates in a more than satisfying standoff between the three main characters.
THE GOONIES
What more can I say than there's probably never been as great of a childhood adventure film like this one? Each character is colorful and likeable. Aside from a less than inspiring speech from Sean Astin in the middle of the film, it's damn near perfect fun.
THE GRADUATE
This may be a tad over-hyped. I don't think it packs the walloping punch that Nichols' WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF does, but this does have a full soundtrack provided by Simon and Garfunkel that I love and fully adds to the melancholy tone of the movie. A great film, just may not be quite as phenomenal as many have heard.
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK
Popcorn flick all the way, and better than any other in history. Nobody does adventure like Spielberg.
JAWS
Popcorn flick all the way, and more affecting of our relationship with the water than any film in history. Nobody makes you fear anything like Spielberg makes you fear the open sea. This is amongst the most rewatchable films of all-time.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY (EACH FILM COUNTING AS ONE ENTRY ON THE LIST)
The first film was probably the greatest big screen viewing experience of my young life. Never has a film (let alone an entire series of films) transported me to an otherworldly location like these films have. The grandest spectacle of this generation is to be seen in these films, and is amongst the greatest accomplishments in film history.
THE MALTESE FALCON
My favorite Bogie movie, if only because when he slaps Peter Lorre across the face it's one of the most hilarious things I've ever witnessed. The movie as a whole is just as good though, but not quite as funny as that one moment.
NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION
Every year it gets popped in the player, and every year it's just as funny as the prior year. I'm not so sure that Chevy Chase at his best wasn't amongst the best of all screen comedians.
NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND
Purely imaginative with some gorgeous artwork. I have yet to see a Miyazaki film that I haven't loved.
ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST
The best Jack Nicholson being Jack Nicholson performance, and one of the most dreary and uplifting films I've seen. If AMADEUS isn't Forman's best film then it's this film. Actually, I should say that if this film isn't Forman's best, then it's probably AMADEUS.
PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE
One of the most original comedy-adventures from one of America's most stylistic film directors, starring one of the most oddball comical figures conceived. The fiasco with Paul Reubens is a shame, because he could have been one of the screen's best entertainers (assuming the fiasco played any role in him not getting as many film work). His versatility as a character actor and comedian I think could have rivaled that of Peter Sellers.
RE-ANIMATOR
One of the most famous B-Movies ever produced. It's got all the lovely things that make B-horror films so enjoyable. Nudity (that's always first), gore galore, and Jeffrey Combs. Succeeding with no less than two of those is very difficult.
ROCKY
The first in the popular series, and America's most prized underdog story. A man that lacks pure boxing ability, but has the will and non-stop determination to take whatever life (and his opponent) throw at him, and just keeps moving forward until he wears you down. It's the classic story of exceeding your limitations by just not giving up until you have nothing left in the tank. Anytime a film can make you chant along with the crowd in the movie then it's accomplished at least some level of connectivity that will last after the film has stopped rolling.
SCROOGED
Everything that I said about CHRISTMAS VACATION goes the same for SCROOGED. Just subtract Chevy Chase, and add Bill Murray. The compliments to Chase can still be applied to Murray as well.
SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES
It's hard to believe this is actually a Disney family film. If ever there was a horror movie to show to children, this film is it. There are some very atmospherically scary moments in this movie, thanks in no small part to the performance of Jonathon Pryce as the Carnival manager.
STAR TREK 2: THE WRATH OF KHAN
Ricardo Montalban is so crazily over the top as Khan that it's nearly iconic, and has served as probably the best villain of the series. It isn't my favorite of the STAR TREK films, but is still amongst my favorite sci-fi movies.
STAR TREK 8: FIRST CONTACT
THIS is my favorite STAR TREK film, if only because looking at The Borg is interesting. Also, the sex talk between Data and the Borg Queen elicits some repulsive imagery in my head. No other STAR TREK film has done that.
THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Horribly acted by the majority of the victims, but terrifying nonetheless. I think in the entire scheme of things no other film has made people fear getting stranded off the highway more than this movie has. It is to off the map driving what JAWS is to open water swimming.
THE THIRD MAN
One of the most gorgeously lit (or unlit) black and white pictures ever. I could stare at a still photo from any scene of this movie for hours on end. It's also amongst the greatest noir stories I've ever watched. The score is also pretty stellar.
TITANIC
To hell with anyone that doesn't buy in to romance, or love at first sight, or passionate love despite class, or Kathy Bates playing a woman that DOESN'T smack someone in the face when you want her to. While I do find a few of the moments annoying, it's far too few for me to dismiss the rest of the film. And, when the shit hits the fan with the iceberg collision there haven't been many better hour-long tense moments in film. It's a grand movie that's as close to the feeling of classic Hollywood as anything made since Spielberg came onto the scene.
VERTIGO
Not my favorite Hitchcock movie, but may be his most atmospheric picture. The ending is also rather frighteningly shot.
THE WILD BUNCH
The first real American film that I can recall putting an emphasis on violence. It's a pretty intense action experience, even by today's standards.
THE WIZARD OF OZ
A fantasy musical to be king of all fantasy films for all of eternity. The flying monkeys are the stuff of my nightmares, and the Wicked Witch remains the definitive portrayal of a witch nearly 75 years later. It's so etched into our subconscious that anyone that plays a witch as evil is just imitating The Wicked Witch of the West, and anyone that tries to veer from that kind of performance is simply just not playing a witch.
It's getting close to the end of the year, and I've got some work to do if I'm going to finish this....
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