This may be the most psychotic movie ever made. There really is nothing like it. Noel Marshall writes, directs and stars as a guy who has lived in Africa for a year and is being met by his wife and kids, played by his wife Tippi Hedren and their kids, including Melanie Griffith. He isn't at the house when the family arrives so they try to get comfortable until he arrives. Then he arrives and everything is great. The end.
One other detail. Lots and lots of lions. They are everywhere. They are portrayed by lots and lots of real lions. Untrained ones. Attacking each other. Attacking people. Constantly.
So many cast members are delivering lines as quickly as possible. The performances are basically just people scared of the lions attacking, because they were really scared of lions attacking. One cast member is bloodied in the opening scene. It isn't faked. It sets a tone.
This isn't filmmaking. This is a $17 million home movie. It isn't entertainment. It's just bizarre. It's worth watching for awhile just for the total craziness of it. But by the end of the film, it is frankly just boring.
Grade: F
Sunday, October 30, 2016
100 Movies 1990-2014 (10-1)
10. La Belle Noisseuse (1991) d: Jacques Rivette
The most perceptive look into the creation of art ever put on celluloid. A four hour look into the interaction between artist and model, the most exciting sequences are the minutes-long shots of a sketch book as the artist turns a blank page into a drawing.
9. Inception (2010) d: Christopher Nolan
I am a huge Nolan fan, but he really topped himself with a dream inside a dream inside a dream.
8. Gravity (2013) d: Alfonso Cuaron
My favorite use of 3D ever, with an immersive experience in space and an amazing story of survival.
7. Short Cuts (1993) d: Robert Altman
I remember being so immersed in these multiple interweaving stories that I could not believe when the film ended because the three hours had seemed much shorter. Not quite Altman's best (that would be Nashville) but this is Altman working at the top of his game.
6. Beauty and the Beast (1991) d: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
I maintain the ballroom dance to the title song is the most romantic scene ever. I don't care that it is animated.
5. Les Miserables (1995) d: Claude Lelouch
No, not the musical. This is a French epic about a truck driver during World War II whose life has unique similarities to the classic novel. As the truck driver, Jean-Paul Belmondo proves why he is a legend of French cinema. This is filmmaking as true art.
4. 35 Up (1991) d: Michael Apted
The one film series where I am choosing one chapter to represent the series, even though my favorite moment comes at the end of the most recent chapter, 56 Up. Apted has interviewed the same group of people every 7 years since they were 7 years old. It is fascinating to see how people change and how they stay the same. I choose this chapter as it best shows how the children became adults.
3. Boyhood (2014) d: Richard Linklater
The act of shooting over 12 years to show a boy growing up sounds like a gimmick, but in the hands of Linklater it is the opportunity for a fresh look at childhood as a whole and a unique experience unlike any other fiction film (Truffaut's Antoine Doinel series comes close).
2. Magnolia (1999) d: Paul Thomas Anderson
It's rambling and overstuffed, with maybe too much going on. That's a virtue with this film. A film that opens with a prologue that warns you that anything can happen and then proves it by climaxing the film with a plague of frogs. I said then it is one of the few modern films inspired by the great silent epic Intolerance (Cloud Atlas has done it since). a film for those who are tired of all films that feel alike.
1. Schindler's List (1993) d: Steven Spielberg
One of the first things I had to do in film school is to write down at least 10 shots that caught my eye in Citizen Kane. This is one of the few films where that would be almost as easy to do as Kane. Also, the power of the film for me was that clearly Schindler was not a great man, but he was human, and that opened him up to feel and perform a great act.
The most perceptive look into the creation of art ever put on celluloid. A four hour look into the interaction between artist and model, the most exciting sequences are the minutes-long shots of a sketch book as the artist turns a blank page into a drawing.
9. Inception (2010) d: Christopher Nolan
I am a huge Nolan fan, but he really topped himself with a dream inside a dream inside a dream.
8. Gravity (2013) d: Alfonso Cuaron
My favorite use of 3D ever, with an immersive experience in space and an amazing story of survival.
7. Short Cuts (1993) d: Robert Altman
I remember being so immersed in these multiple interweaving stories that I could not believe when the film ended because the three hours had seemed much shorter. Not quite Altman's best (that would be Nashville) but this is Altman working at the top of his game.
6. Beauty and the Beast (1991) d: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
I maintain the ballroom dance to the title song is the most romantic scene ever. I don't care that it is animated.
5. Les Miserables (1995) d: Claude Lelouch
No, not the musical. This is a French epic about a truck driver during World War II whose life has unique similarities to the classic novel. As the truck driver, Jean-Paul Belmondo proves why he is a legend of French cinema. This is filmmaking as true art.
4. 35 Up (1991) d: Michael Apted
The one film series where I am choosing one chapter to represent the series, even though my favorite moment comes at the end of the most recent chapter, 56 Up. Apted has interviewed the same group of people every 7 years since they were 7 years old. It is fascinating to see how people change and how they stay the same. I choose this chapter as it best shows how the children became adults.
3. Boyhood (2014) d: Richard Linklater
The act of shooting over 12 years to show a boy growing up sounds like a gimmick, but in the hands of Linklater it is the opportunity for a fresh look at childhood as a whole and a unique experience unlike any other fiction film (Truffaut's Antoine Doinel series comes close).
2. Magnolia (1999) d: Paul Thomas Anderson
It's rambling and overstuffed, with maybe too much going on. That's a virtue with this film. A film that opens with a prologue that warns you that anything can happen and then proves it by climaxing the film with a plague of frogs. I said then it is one of the few modern films inspired by the great silent epic Intolerance (Cloud Atlas has done it since). a film for those who are tired of all films that feel alike.
1. Schindler's List (1993) d: Steven Spielberg
One of the first things I had to do in film school is to write down at least 10 shots that caught my eye in Citizen Kane. This is one of the few films where that would be almost as easy to do as Kane. Also, the power of the film for me was that clearly Schindler was not a great man, but he was human, and that opened him up to feel and perform a great act.
100 Movies 1990-2014 (20-11)
20. Spirited Away (2001) d: Hayao Miyazaki
The best animator in Japanese history delivers his best film, a truly unpredictable adventure with imagination and beautiful animation at every turn.
19. Moulin Rouge! (2001) d: Baz Luhrmann
Luhrmann takes musical history, puts it in a blender, and delivers an energy an excitement never seen in a musical before then.
18. Before Sunset (2004) d: Richard Linklater
My favorite of the Before trilogy is the second, which still has the magical chemistry of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy with a sense of regret of what might have been that was not present in the first chapter.
17. Wall-E (2008) d: Andrew Stanton
My favorite animated character shines in this film with the charm of a classic silent comedy.
16. The Tree of Life (2011) d: Terrance Malick
How does one describe a feature length dream sequence? By simply saying wow.
15. Almost Famous (2000) d: Cameron Crowe
Has any film captured the appeal of rock n roll better?
14. Titanic (1997) d: James Cameron
It has become hip to be revisionist and state this film is not very good. That falls apart when one watches the film.
13. A Little Princess (1995) d: Alfonso Cuaron
Cuaron's first American film is an absolute celebration of child-like wonder and imagination with extraordinary work in script (Richard LaGravenese), cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki), music (Patrick Doyle) and production design (Bo Welch).
12. Cloud Atlas (2012) d: Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski, Andy Wachowski
Few filmmakers would even attempt this: Six stories of different storylines in different styles crosscut between them with each major actor picking up a different role in each storyline. Fewer still would pull it off. Easily the most underrated film of this time period.
11. Malcolm X (1992) d: Spike Lee
A commanding Denzel Washington performance anchors a film biography with twice the life of most biographies.
The best animator in Japanese history delivers his best film, a truly unpredictable adventure with imagination and beautiful animation at every turn.
19. Moulin Rouge! (2001) d: Baz Luhrmann
Luhrmann takes musical history, puts it in a blender, and delivers an energy an excitement never seen in a musical before then.
18. Before Sunset (2004) d: Richard Linklater
My favorite of the Before trilogy is the second, which still has the magical chemistry of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy with a sense of regret of what might have been that was not present in the first chapter.
17. Wall-E (2008) d: Andrew Stanton
My favorite animated character shines in this film with the charm of a classic silent comedy.
16. The Tree of Life (2011) d: Terrance Malick
How does one describe a feature length dream sequence? By simply saying wow.
15. Almost Famous (2000) d: Cameron Crowe
Has any film captured the appeal of rock n roll better?
14. Titanic (1997) d: James Cameron
It has become hip to be revisionist and state this film is not very good. That falls apart when one watches the film.
13. A Little Princess (1995) d: Alfonso Cuaron
Cuaron's first American film is an absolute celebration of child-like wonder and imagination with extraordinary work in script (Richard LaGravenese), cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki), music (Patrick Doyle) and production design (Bo Welch).
12. Cloud Atlas (2012) d: Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski, Andy Wachowski
Few filmmakers would even attempt this: Six stories of different storylines in different styles crosscut between them with each major actor picking up a different role in each storyline. Fewer still would pull it off. Easily the most underrated film of this time period.
11. Malcolm X (1992) d: Spike Lee
A commanding Denzel Washington performance anchors a film biography with twice the life of most biographies.
100 Movies 1990-2014 (30-21)
30. City of Hope (1991) d: John Sayles
Sayles delivers expert writing and editing (he did both) in a multiple character movie which serves as a portrayal of urban decay from many angles.
29. Up In The Air (2009) d: Jason Reitman
George Clooney's career best work as a man who travels constantly and tries to convince to audience how little he needs human connection as he starts to realize how much he needs human connection.
28. Minority Report (2002) d: Steven Spielberg
It's full of great action yet thought provoking on the issue of freedom vs security. Based on a Phillip K. Dick story, its tone is more dark than I expect from Spielberg until the ending. (Although I subscribe to a revisionist theory that the ending is not actually what it seems and is actually much darker.)
27. Avatar (2009) d: James Cameron
The biggest film of all time showed us that 3D did not have to be a gimmick.
26. Adventureland (2009) d: Greg Mottola
A recent college graduate finds summer work at an amusement park. Sounds simple. The beauty is in the details, and how even the smallest characters are drawn with love. One example: the character of Lisa, who would in a typical comedy would just be the sex object. This film gives her a touching monologue of watching her father's medical struggles.
25. Inside Job (2010) d: Charles Ferguson
This Oscar winning documentary which examines how Wall Street screwed up the economy in the 2000s made me as angry as any movie I've ever seen. This is film journalism of the highest order.
24. Pan's Labyrinth (2006) d: Guillermo del Toro
A celebration of using imagination to get through the hell of war, with an inventiveness well past most films and an extraordinary visual palette.
23. Goodfellas (1990) d: Martin Scorsese
The surprise to many is not that this is on the list but that it is this low. It is bravura filmmaking, showing both the highs and lows of organized crime. This is my list, and I have a more personal connection with the films I rate higher. It's definitely a masterpiece, as I rate Scorsese's three master works as this, Raging Bull, and Taxi Driver.
22. Fearless (1993) d: Peter Weir
Here's another great Jeff Bridges performance, as the film takes us into his manic reaction to surviving a plane crash which is at once thrilling and unnerving.
21. A History of Violence (2005) d: David Cronenberg
Are some men born to violence? Are they just good at it and cannot truly get away from it? Leave it to Cronenberg to provide some unsettling answers.
Sayles delivers expert writing and editing (he did both) in a multiple character movie which serves as a portrayal of urban decay from many angles.
29. Up In The Air (2009) d: Jason Reitman
George Clooney's career best work as a man who travels constantly and tries to convince to audience how little he needs human connection as he starts to realize how much he needs human connection.
28. Minority Report (2002) d: Steven Spielberg
It's full of great action yet thought provoking on the issue of freedom vs security. Based on a Phillip K. Dick story, its tone is more dark than I expect from Spielberg until the ending. (Although I subscribe to a revisionist theory that the ending is not actually what it seems and is actually much darker.)
27. Avatar (2009) d: James Cameron
The biggest film of all time showed us that 3D did not have to be a gimmick.
26. Adventureland (2009) d: Greg Mottola
A recent college graduate finds summer work at an amusement park. Sounds simple. The beauty is in the details, and how even the smallest characters are drawn with love. One example: the character of Lisa, who would in a typical comedy would just be the sex object. This film gives her a touching monologue of watching her father's medical struggles.
25. Inside Job (2010) d: Charles Ferguson
This Oscar winning documentary which examines how Wall Street screwed up the economy in the 2000s made me as angry as any movie I've ever seen. This is film journalism of the highest order.
24. Pan's Labyrinth (2006) d: Guillermo del Toro
A celebration of using imagination to get through the hell of war, with an inventiveness well past most films and an extraordinary visual palette.
23. Goodfellas (1990) d: Martin Scorsese
The surprise to many is not that this is on the list but that it is this low. It is bravura filmmaking, showing both the highs and lows of organized crime. This is my list, and I have a more personal connection with the films I rate higher. It's definitely a masterpiece, as I rate Scorsese's three master works as this, Raging Bull, and Taxi Driver.
22. Fearless (1993) d: Peter Weir
Here's another great Jeff Bridges performance, as the film takes us into his manic reaction to surviving a plane crash which is at once thrilling and unnerving.
21. A History of Violence (2005) d: David Cronenberg
Are some men born to violence? Are they just good at it and cannot truly get away from it? Leave it to Cronenberg to provide some unsettling answers.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
100 Movies 1990-2014 (40-31)
40. South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut (1999) d: Trey Parker
At once both a satire on censorship and a spoof of Disney musicals, possibly the funniest movie of the period. I can try to be sophisticated, or admit I couldn't stop laughing when Cartman rudely makes fun of Kyle's mom in song.
39. Babe (1995) d: Chris Noonan
A simple story, about a pig with heart winning over negativity, which has so many note perfect details. Baa Ram Ewe, Baa Ram Ewe ...
38. The Descendants (2011) d: Alexander Payne
Payne's gentle satire combines with genuine emotion to deliver his best film to date. (For the record, the less gentle satire of Election almost made this list.) Also notable for a star making performance by Shailene Woodley.
37. Happiness (1998) d: Todd Solondz
Solondz has struggled to find the consistency in most of his films, but he nails it here. For more than two hours, he keeps us uncomfortable yet giggling most of the time. He refuses to make judgments about characters that most people will judge.
36. Interstellar (2014) d: Christopher Nolan
Nolan delivers a space travel with a true sense of wonder, and an even truer sense of the importance of love.
35. Saving Private Ryan (1998) d: Steven Spielberg
The first 30+ minutes, a recreation of D-Day, are the most stunning portrayal of war I have ever seen. The rest of the movie is pretty good too.
34. The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996) d: Milos Forman
Who would have thought a biography of the founder of Hustler would be this entertaining? It benefits from the best work of Woody Harrelson's career as the title character.
33. City of God (2002) d: Fernando Meirelles
Life in the favelas of Brazil, portrayed in a matter of fact style which make the dangers of this impoverished neighborhood all the more real.
32. United 93 (2006) d: Paul Greengrass
Greengrass was exactly the right director to place us back in the chaos of 9/11, with a haunting third act exclusively on that fateful title flight.
31. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) d: Steven Spielberg
Started by Stanley Kubrick, finished by Spielberg, and a bit uneven. But it is filled with many memorable images and an amazing central performance by Haley Joel Osment.
At once both a satire on censorship and a spoof of Disney musicals, possibly the funniest movie of the period. I can try to be sophisticated, or admit I couldn't stop laughing when Cartman rudely makes fun of Kyle's mom in song.
39. Babe (1995) d: Chris Noonan
A simple story, about a pig with heart winning over negativity, which has so many note perfect details. Baa Ram Ewe, Baa Ram Ewe ...
38. The Descendants (2011) d: Alexander Payne
Payne's gentle satire combines with genuine emotion to deliver his best film to date. (For the record, the less gentle satire of Election almost made this list.) Also notable for a star making performance by Shailene Woodley.
37. Happiness (1998) d: Todd Solondz
Solondz has struggled to find the consistency in most of his films, but he nails it here. For more than two hours, he keeps us uncomfortable yet giggling most of the time. He refuses to make judgments about characters that most people will judge.
36. Interstellar (2014) d: Christopher Nolan
Nolan delivers a space travel with a true sense of wonder, and an even truer sense of the importance of love.
35. Saving Private Ryan (1998) d: Steven Spielberg
The first 30+ minutes, a recreation of D-Day, are the most stunning portrayal of war I have ever seen. The rest of the movie is pretty good too.
34. The People Vs. Larry Flynt (1996) d: Milos Forman
Who would have thought a biography of the founder of Hustler would be this entertaining? It benefits from the best work of Woody Harrelson's career as the title character.
33. City of God (2002) d: Fernando Meirelles
Life in the favelas of Brazil, portrayed in a matter of fact style which make the dangers of this impoverished neighborhood all the more real.
32. United 93 (2006) d: Paul Greengrass
Greengrass was exactly the right director to place us back in the chaos of 9/11, with a haunting third act exclusively on that fateful title flight.
31. A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) d: Steven Spielberg
Started by Stanley Kubrick, finished by Spielberg, and a bit uneven. But it is filled with many memorable images and an amazing central performance by Haley Joel Osment.
Friday, October 21, 2016
100 movies 1990-2014 (50-41)
50. Pulp Fiction (1994) d: Quentin Tarantino
This was lightning striking at the cinema. Tarantino was a video store clerk who watched everything, then put his knowledge in a Cuisinart and made a film that was at once part of cinema history yet fresh and new.
49. Jerry Maguire (1996) d: Cameron Crowe
Never has a crisis of conscience been so entertaining. We already knew Tom Cruise is a star, but this informed us Cuba Gooding Jr and Renee Zellweger are too.
48. War of the Worlds (2005) d: Steven Spielberg
This set the disaster movie on its ear, showing the carnage from the point of view of the fleeing survivor, yet not minimizing the horror of death surrounding.
47. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) d: Danny Boyle
Boyle's unique storytelling ability finally met a script at his level, (Although Trainspotting is close.)
46. Bullet in the Head (1990) d: John Woo
Woo's masterpiece not only has his stylized violence but also shows how a life of that violence can rot the soul.
45. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) d: Steven Chbosky
One of the best high school movies ever hits a third act twist that turns it into something much more.
44. Talk to Her (2002) d: Pedro Almodovar
Almodovar won his Oscar for a film only he could make, with his typical craziness but a level of heart his films rarely find.
43. Heavenly Creatures (1994) d: Peter Jackson
Jackson's big breakthrough puts us in the mindset of two homicidal teenagers, and it is hypnotic and unnerving. The two unknown teens in their first film are Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet.
42. Grand Canyon (1991) d: Lawrence Kasdan
Kasdan is remembered for The Big Chill, but his look at modern confusion in the early 1990s has sadly been forgotten. It shouldn't be.
41. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) d: Jonathan Demme
One of the most unnerving films of all time gets its chills not from gore but simply from the performance of Anthony Hopkins.
This was lightning striking at the cinema. Tarantino was a video store clerk who watched everything, then put his knowledge in a Cuisinart and made a film that was at once part of cinema history yet fresh and new.
49. Jerry Maguire (1996) d: Cameron Crowe
Never has a crisis of conscience been so entertaining. We already knew Tom Cruise is a star, but this informed us Cuba Gooding Jr and Renee Zellweger are too.
48. War of the Worlds (2005) d: Steven Spielberg
This set the disaster movie on its ear, showing the carnage from the point of view of the fleeing survivor, yet not minimizing the horror of death surrounding.
47. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) d: Danny Boyle
Boyle's unique storytelling ability finally met a script at his level, (Although Trainspotting is close.)
46. Bullet in the Head (1990) d: John Woo
Woo's masterpiece not only has his stylized violence but also shows how a life of that violence can rot the soul.
45. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) d: Steven Chbosky
One of the best high school movies ever hits a third act twist that turns it into something much more.
44. Talk to Her (2002) d: Pedro Almodovar
Almodovar won his Oscar for a film only he could make, with his typical craziness but a level of heart his films rarely find.
43. Heavenly Creatures (1994) d: Peter Jackson
Jackson's big breakthrough puts us in the mindset of two homicidal teenagers, and it is hypnotic and unnerving. The two unknown teens in their first film are Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet.
42. Grand Canyon (1991) d: Lawrence Kasdan
Kasdan is remembered for The Big Chill, but his look at modern confusion in the early 1990s has sadly been forgotten. It shouldn't be.
41. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) d: Jonathan Demme
One of the most unnerving films of all time gets its chills not from gore but simply from the performance of Anthony Hopkins.
100 Movies 1990-2014 (60-51)
60. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007) d: Julian Schnabel
Sure, the story of a man writing a book by blinking his eye because of the rest of his body is paralyzed sounds like a slog. But that would look past the lack of self indulgent pity and the stunning imagery by cinematography by Janusz Kaminski.
59. Short Term 12 (2013) d: Destin Daniel Cretton
Here's life in a residential facility for unwanted teenagers through the eyes of the employees, but I will remember it as where I discovered an amazing actress named Brie Larson.
58. Life Is Sweet (1990) d: Mike Leigh
My favorite slice of life from director Leigh is this earlier film of his. This shows life in a working class family, with a wonderful Alison Steadman as the mother who refuses to let life get her down.
57. Requiem for a Dream (2000) d: Darren Aronofsky
You want an anti-drug movie. This is it. By showing how addiction can absolutely destroy your soul, this is the movie on this list I am least likely to watch again. But I will never forget it.
56. Exotica (1994) d: Atom Egoyan
Egoyan's made more "important" movies. But this film peels back the many layers around a child's murder to show the lives altered in unexpected ways. This introduced me to Sarah Polley and showed me layers I did not know that Elias Koteas and Bruce Greenwood had.
55. The Artist (2011) d: Michel Hazanavicius
There is such a joy to this film. I don't think of it as silent, but as the best valentine to 1920s Hollywood since Singin In The Rain.
54. The Social Network (2010) d: David Fincher
Script by Aaron Sorkin, direction by Fincher. One of the best looks at a current phenomenon (Facebook) ever made.
53. Bowling for Columbine (2002) d: Michael Moore
Moore's best work, by asking this intriguing question: since Canada has more guns per capita, why do we have so much more gun violence?
52. The Truman Show (1998) d: Peter Weir
It's an all too accurate satire of our modern society, where we would rather live through people on TV than live our own lives.
51. The English Patient (1996) d: Anthony Minghella
Minghella brought us one of the few true epics of the time period, and a tragic romance too beat all others.
Sure, the story of a man writing a book by blinking his eye because of the rest of his body is paralyzed sounds like a slog. But that would look past the lack of self indulgent pity and the stunning imagery by cinematography by Janusz Kaminski.
59. Short Term 12 (2013) d: Destin Daniel Cretton
Here's life in a residential facility for unwanted teenagers through the eyes of the employees, but I will remember it as where I discovered an amazing actress named Brie Larson.
58. Life Is Sweet (1990) d: Mike Leigh
My favorite slice of life from director Leigh is this earlier film of his. This shows life in a working class family, with a wonderful Alison Steadman as the mother who refuses to let life get her down.
57. Requiem for a Dream (2000) d: Darren Aronofsky
You want an anti-drug movie. This is it. By showing how addiction can absolutely destroy your soul, this is the movie on this list I am least likely to watch again. But I will never forget it.
56. Exotica (1994) d: Atom Egoyan
Egoyan's made more "important" movies. But this film peels back the many layers around a child's murder to show the lives altered in unexpected ways. This introduced me to Sarah Polley and showed me layers I did not know that Elias Koteas and Bruce Greenwood had.
55. The Artist (2011) d: Michel Hazanavicius
There is such a joy to this film. I don't think of it as silent, but as the best valentine to 1920s Hollywood since Singin In The Rain.
54. The Social Network (2010) d: David Fincher
Script by Aaron Sorkin, direction by Fincher. One of the best looks at a current phenomenon (Facebook) ever made.
53. Bowling for Columbine (2002) d: Michael Moore
Moore's best work, by asking this intriguing question: since Canada has more guns per capita, why do we have so much more gun violence?
52. The Truman Show (1998) d: Peter Weir
It's an all too accurate satire of our modern society, where we would rather live through people on TV than live our own lives.
51. The English Patient (1996) d: Anthony Minghella
Minghella brought us one of the few true epics of the time period, and a tragic romance too beat all others.
Monday, October 17, 2016
100 Movies 1990-2014 (70-61)
70. Thelma & Louise (1991) d: Ridley Scott
Many forget how entertaining this film is while containing the undercurrent of misogyny the main characters are fighting. Also contains of the true star making performances of the period, as this film deservedly launched Brad Pitt.
69. Aladdin (1992) d: Ron Clements and John Musker
Probably the closest any film ever got to capturing the comic genius of Robin Williams.
68. se7en (1995) d: David Fincher
A mean, ugly commentary on the depravity of modern life wrapped in a search for a serial killer killing one victim for each of the seven deadly sins, and the true introduction into the genius of director Fincher.
67. Unforgiven (1992) d: Clint Eastwood
One of our great directors delivers his masterpiece, which both pays tribute to and criticizes the myth making of the western. Also contains my vote for Gene Hackman's best work.
66. Pleasantville (1998) d: Gary Ross
I find this hilarious, and I fully endorse the undercurrent that no, the 1950s were not a better time if you weren't a white man. Clearly Ross (who also wrote) was inspired to respond to those who refer to the past as a better time.
65. Before Sunrise (1995) d: Richard Linklater
A lot of arthouse fans have jumped onto the romance between Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke with this film's two sequels, but I was onboard with the original, where we see them fall in love over 18 hours wandering in Vienna.
64. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) d: James Cameron
You want action? This film delivers action. Unfortunately the final message of making your own fate has been damaged by further sequels.
63. Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) d: Steven Zaillian
I love the way that cinematographer Conrad Hall plays with light and shadows in this film, which further highlights the struggle a sportswriter father has to properly nurture the gist his chess prodigy son has.
62. Lagaan (2001) d: Ashutosh Gowariker
I know very little about Bollywood, but I did see this Oscar nominated film from India which doesn't completely fit as a Bollywood film, but is an extremely entertaining musical/historical/comedy/drama about a cricket match.
61. 4 Little Girls (1997) d: Spike Lee
Takes a well known incident in the Civil Rights Movement, the death of four young girls in a church bombing, and humanizes it, letting us know who these four girls were and what was truly lost in the bombing. It's an essential document for those studying the Civil Rights struggle.
Many forget how entertaining this film is while containing the undercurrent of misogyny the main characters are fighting. Also contains of the true star making performances of the period, as this film deservedly launched Brad Pitt.
69. Aladdin (1992) d: Ron Clements and John Musker
Probably the closest any film ever got to capturing the comic genius of Robin Williams.
68. se7en (1995) d: David Fincher
A mean, ugly commentary on the depravity of modern life wrapped in a search for a serial killer killing one victim for each of the seven deadly sins, and the true introduction into the genius of director Fincher.
67. Unforgiven (1992) d: Clint Eastwood
One of our great directors delivers his masterpiece, which both pays tribute to and criticizes the myth making of the western. Also contains my vote for Gene Hackman's best work.
66. Pleasantville (1998) d: Gary Ross
I find this hilarious, and I fully endorse the undercurrent that no, the 1950s were not a better time if you weren't a white man. Clearly Ross (who also wrote) was inspired to respond to those who refer to the past as a better time.
65. Before Sunrise (1995) d: Richard Linklater
A lot of arthouse fans have jumped onto the romance between Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke with this film's two sequels, but I was onboard with the original, where we see them fall in love over 18 hours wandering in Vienna.
64. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) d: James Cameron
You want action? This film delivers action. Unfortunately the final message of making your own fate has been damaged by further sequels.
63. Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993) d: Steven Zaillian
I love the way that cinematographer Conrad Hall plays with light and shadows in this film, which further highlights the struggle a sportswriter father has to properly nurture the gist his chess prodigy son has.
62. Lagaan (2001) d: Ashutosh Gowariker
I know very little about Bollywood, but I did see this Oscar nominated film from India which doesn't completely fit as a Bollywood film, but is an extremely entertaining musical/historical/comedy/drama about a cricket match.
61. 4 Little Girls (1997) d: Spike Lee
Takes a well known incident in the Civil Rights Movement, the death of four young girls in a church bombing, and humanizes it, letting us know who these four girls were and what was truly lost in the bombing. It's an essential document for those studying the Civil Rights struggle.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
100 Movies 1990-2014 (80-71)
80. Life of Pi (2012) d: Ang Lee
A stunningly beautiful film. I love the ending discussion, which may or may not negate everything beforehand. This film has my vote for the best use of 3D since Avatar changed the game.
79. Up (2009) d: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Featuring Dug, my favorite dog in film history. Squirrel!
78. Get Shorty (1995) d: Barry Sonnenfeld
One of the few films that actually gets funnier the more I see it, this is what I used to put on the TV when I had to work after hours at the video store.
77. (500) Days of Summer (2009) d: Marc Webb
This is a joyful embodiment of the saying, "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."
76. There Will Be Blood (2007) d: Paul Thomas Anderson
Daniel Day Lewis owns this portrayal of one of the truly great anti-heroes, a man whose very soul has been consumed by greed.
75. Stories We Tell (2012) d: Sarah Polley
An astonishing documentary about Polley's own family, and the question of who her real father is. Made with love, not anger.
74. Out of Sight (1998) d: Steven Soderburgh
Quite possibly the most entertaining film Soderburgh has ever made. George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez have amazing chemistry in this one.
73. The Impossible (2012) d: J.A. Bayona
A punishing true disaster film, looking at the Asian tsunami of last decade through the eyes of one family, specifically a mother (Naomi Watts) and son (Tom Holland) who are swept away in the current.
72. Amelie (2001) d: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Jeunet fled Hollywood after a bad experience with Alien: Resurrection and responded not with anger but with this love letter to humanity from his native France.
71. Whiplash (2014) d: Damien Chazelle
A look at the toughest music teacher ever, punctuated by great big band music. I thought the film had painted itself into a corner, but instead it delivers one of the most satisfying endings ever.
A stunningly beautiful film. I love the ending discussion, which may or may not negate everything beforehand. This film has my vote for the best use of 3D since Avatar changed the game.
79. Up (2009) d: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
Featuring Dug, my favorite dog in film history. Squirrel!
78. Get Shorty (1995) d: Barry Sonnenfeld
One of the few films that actually gets funnier the more I see it, this is what I used to put on the TV when I had to work after hours at the video store.
77. (500) Days of Summer (2009) d: Marc Webb
This is a joyful embodiment of the saying, "It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all."
76. There Will Be Blood (2007) d: Paul Thomas Anderson
Daniel Day Lewis owns this portrayal of one of the truly great anti-heroes, a man whose very soul has been consumed by greed.
75. Stories We Tell (2012) d: Sarah Polley
An astonishing documentary about Polley's own family, and the question of who her real father is. Made with love, not anger.
74. Out of Sight (1998) d: Steven Soderburgh
Quite possibly the most entertaining film Soderburgh has ever made. George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez have amazing chemistry in this one.
73. The Impossible (2012) d: J.A. Bayona
A punishing true disaster film, looking at the Asian tsunami of last decade through the eyes of one family, specifically a mother (Naomi Watts) and son (Tom Holland) who are swept away in the current.
72. Amelie (2001) d: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Jeunet fled Hollywood after a bad experience with Alien: Resurrection and responded not with anger but with this love letter to humanity from his native France.
71. Whiplash (2014) d: Damien Chazelle
A look at the toughest music teacher ever, punctuated by great big band music. I thought the film had painted itself into a corner, but instead it delivers one of the most satisfying endings ever.
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