Non Sequitur Musings

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 While some of the reviews in the archived shows might be out of date, their different approach to film is the main reason to look into all of their shows.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

# posted by ChrisR @ 9:11 PM