Tuesday, May 29, 2007
5 Films I’m Embarrassed I have not Seen
Their top 5 list is Top 5 Movies We Can't Believe We've Never Seen. I love this list. Over the last 5 or so years I have made a concerted effort to cross off films that I have never seen from a number of lists. In doing so, I have managed to see all of the Academy Award Best Picture winners, AFI Top 100 films and 241 of the current IMDB Top 250 films. Basically there are not many of the so-called great, historical, or award winning films I have not seen.
In their list, they listed 18 films and I am proud to say I’ve seen 19 of them. And the missing film is number one on my list! My list has only 2 rules: 1) I have never seen it, pretty obvious & 2) it must be on DVD (since I will try to see these films this summer and will only watch if on disc).
5. The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. There are a number of films that are equally deserving of this final spot. I will admit that the tie-breaker, I want to see this film soon, is a little indulgent. This film has a number of things going for it. It is probably Cassavettes’ highest rated film on IMDB that I have yet to see, a director I really admire his work. Seeing Ben Gazzara & Seymour Cassel in a cast list is always a plus. And I love the film’s title.
4. The Lion King. I have not seen a single 2-D Disney animated feature in the theater since Disney’s resurgence in the late 80s. However, I have caught most of them in home viewing except, for some reason, this film. The Office even referenced this film during the last season.
3. Sullivan’s Travels. By far the most notable classic Hollywood film I have not seen.
2. Nights of Cabiria. One of only two films in the IMDB top 150 I have not seen. (This is currently #139). Oscar winning, very influential, and I even own a copy.
1. For a Few Dollars More. The only film that made their list (#5 on Adam’s list as a “Spaghetti Western” tie). This is the highest rated film on IMDB that I have never seen (currently #132). There are a number of reasons this is baffling. I love the Ennio Morricone scores. I will see any bad Italian film if he does the score and I love all of the Sergio Leone films and own them all. I have been holding out on watching / re-watching them since I want to watch them in order over a week. Now I’m happy I waited. Next month this film and A Fistful of Dollars will get released in special edition DVDs and Duck, You Sucker will finally get a DVD treatment.
My goal is to know off these 5 films in the next two months
Labels: Top5_Film
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Top 5 Movies About Movies
While I don’t always agree and sometimes question their film knowledge, the best part of the show is that is has made me look at film from a different viewpoint. While some of the reviews in the archived shows might be out of date, their different approach to film is the main reason to look into all of their shows.
A nice by-product is that their talk will inspire and give me topics to write about. So if I see fit, I’ll post items about their weekly new shows and their archived shows starting with the first one.
Thoughts on Cinecast #1
Their initial top 5 is Movies About Movies. My main reason for commenting on this list is that if I had to make this list three films would immediately come to mind. Two of them are on their list but for some reason the third, a very personal favorite of my, was left off. So I want to make sure this film gets its due.
10 films made their list. I listened to their list before putting together my own and I really don't want their list to influence mine. But six of their films would not make my list. I have not seen American Movie. Not a big fan of either Adaptation or Full Frontal. The Aviator and Get Shorty are fine films but there are others I would consider. And I would probably automatically leave off Hearts of Darkness since that belongs on another list: Top 5 Documentaries About Film.
Two of their films I really like and would strongly consider. CQ is an inspired choice that I probably would not have thought, nor would I have room, but I’m happy there is another fan of this little seen film. While Living in Oblivion would probably make my list but as there are other equally deserving films I think I'll mix things up. That just leaves the two classics they mentioned.
So here is my top 5:
5. S.O.B. Known as the film where Julie Andrews shows her tits. Blake Edwards’ hate-letter to Hollywood is probably not a popular choice. But this is one of the funniest films I’ve ever seen. One of the few times an all-star cast works with standout performances by William Holden, Robert Preston, Richard Mulligan, and Shelly Winters.
4. Singin’ in the Rain. One of the best musicals ever mainly because it has a descent plot. A perfect stylized depiction of the conversion Hollywood had to make from silents to talkies.
3. The Player. Robert Altman’s satire on the soul-less movie executives was deservedly #2 on Sam’s list.
2. The Stunt Man. I can’t believe this didn’t make either Adam or Sam’s list. They must have never seen it. This is the high point in everyone’s career. Even with Peter O’Toole’s long career this Oscar-nominated performance might be his best. But director Richard Rush, stars Steve Railsback, & Barbara Hershey and even 70s character actors Alan Garfield, Adam Roarke & Alex Rocco shine. As most genre defying films (is it action, drama, straight comedy, satire, romance, or fantasy?) it did not do well at the box office. But it is a treat to those who have seen it.
1. Day for Night. Probably not Truffaut’s best film but I think this is my favorite of his. And probably not a coincidence, Truffaut was inspired by same source material as The Stunt Man. This is the quintessential film about filming a film. While Jacqueline Bisset is very lovely here, is there anyone who would not want to get lost on the way to a location shot with Nathalie Baye?
Labels: Top5_Film
