This really comes down to what you mean by unappreciated.Full Metal Jacket, by and large has an audience, but is still widely misunderstood as being a cold and shallow film when a few (myself included) would argue its not. Pop audiences just seem to like it because of its entertainment value (nothing wrong with that either). The Shining is the same way. Barry Lyndon too has a bit of fan fare but its a film that critics seem to largely agree on now. Paths of Glory, 2001 and Dr. Strangelove are A.F.I list establishment classics, so they can’t qualify. Clockwork is too iconic (and is also on one of those lists as well), so scratch that.
My vote would be Eyes Wide Shut, a movie that still largely bewilders audiences and critics alike.
Runner up: Full Metal Jacket, Barry Lyndon
I think the others are about where they need to be in popular consciousness.
I disagree with everything Guy Lee Thys said except for the “Clockwork” comments, I see some truth in that. There is something suspect about making an anti fascist movie with fascist aesthetics ( Could that movie make violence appear any cooler?), so yes I’d say there is something a bit crypto fascist about it.
I loved it when I was a teenager, but when I got older I saw Short Cuts theatrically and realized the movie was a sort of cheap forgery. You can’t help what you respond to, but Magnolia is just too obvious for me now. To each his own.
I have little to no respect for him as an actor, but I can watch him when he’s being directed by someone who plays to his most ridiculous qualities. Vampires Kiss, Wild At Heart, The Rock, Raising Arizona come to mind. He’s also fabulously embarrassing in “The Wicker Man”, so I can appreciate that on a camp level, but alas Nicholas Cage is a rather easy target. If you wanna be provocative we should talk about how much Phillip Seymour Hoffman sucks.
The transfer on Pierrot Le Fou is just so amazing. Probably the most beautiful dvd, if not the most beautiful movie I’ve ever seen.
Has anyone else noticed that the quality of the transfers has gone up dramatically? I started noticing ever since Days of Heaven, they’ve just looked immaculate.
I’m still waiting for my Chungking Express in the mail.
I think Snake Eyes so sooooo damn underrated, I have no idea why people hate on that movie so much. Casualties of War is great too. I really like all of his movies except Redacted. Hi Mom! should be seen more too, I got it for 2 dollars on amazon, check it out!
These are some of my favorite movies, and I’ve grown up with a lot of them, so this isn’t easy
1) Mean Streets
2) Raging Bull
3) Goodfellas
4) Taxi Driver
5) The King Of Comedy
6) The Departed (I’m sorry, but Infernal Affairs is not better than this)
7) After Hours
8) The Last Temptation of Christ
9) The Age of Innocence
10)Who’s That Knocking At My Door?
I really don’t understand her cult appeal. I liked her in “Marie Antoinette”, I was neutral about her in “Boarding Gate”, I haven’t seen the “Last Mistress”, but I’d like to……She really just looks like a prostitute and she usually plays one, or at least a hussy. I guess that’s the appeal? I really don’t have strong feelings towards her either way, I wish someone could explain it to me.
I can’t call this guy a genius, but his films are definitely entertaining, which I believe accounts for something. He has a got a great eye and a great knack for pacing, which is hard to do.
I think Jackie Brown is legitimately great. It turns a lot of genre conventions on their heads, and challenges the legacy of blacksploitation cinema. Death Proof wasn’t as good but I thought it was also thoughtful piece of work, kind of a requiem and a re-contextualization for the old male action hero. The Kill Bill’s were too much of a mash up for my liking, but I have no contempt for them either.
When he actually challenges the material he’s influenced by as opposed to just mashing them together I think he’s quite great. But genius is going too far.
Annie Hall is great, but its not particular to me. The Woody Allen film I can watch the most and still get joy from is “Everyone Says I love You”…..DON’T HATE!
A lot of his other movies don’t really hold up for me. Especially Manhattan. Something about 70’s New York in black and white scope doesn’t sit right with me. I always had a soft spot for Manhattan Murder Mystery too. That one had some cool camera work. I also prefer Radio Days to Amarcord. But in general I don’t think he’s a great director, and as a matter of fact he doesn’t think so either. But his movies are fine and he can be quite brilliant. I think match point was really good until the last few minutes. That was one of his few movies that actually dealt with class issues as opposed to ignoring them or just making a joke out of them.
Juan- Fair enough, but to me, when today’s Hollywood film making standards have been corrupted by t.v aesthetics and Steven Soderberg, a little classic Hollywood storytelling, with strong old fashioned technique is quite exciting to me actually. I’m quite fond of that visual style.
MAO- THANK YOU- I think Paul Thomas Anderson SUCKS. Derivative, superficial and so regressive. I don’t purely hate too many directors, but I can’t stand that guy.
I think Soderberg’s ideas outpace his talent, but I haven’t seen Che yet, so who knows. I have a general disdain for his new visual style, traffic on, I think most of his movies since have been rather half baked. To be honest I like Out of Sight and The Limey. But I think Soderberg’s ultra obvious mosaic narrative style, his bleached color palate, and his neo- Battle of Algiers camera style is obnoxious and has had a detrimental impact on Hollywood film making standards.
I think Soderberg’s ideas outpace his talent, but I haven’t seen Che yet, so who knows. I have a general disdain for his new visual style, traffic on, I think most of his movies since have been rather half baked. To be honest I like Out of Sight and The Limey. But I think Soderberg’s ultra obvious mosaic narrative style, his bleached color palate, and his neo- Battle of Algiers camera style is obnoxious and has had a detrimental impact on Hollywood film making standards.
The Seven Samurai, Ikuru, Rashomon
La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2
L’avventura, Blow Up
Jules and Jim, Shoot the Piano Player, 400 Blows
Not to sound condescending, but you might not be ready for Antonioni yet, I certainly wasn’t at your age, but give it a chance..and if you are, that’s great!
T- amen brother, hipsterism is running wild and it needs to be combated.
I think there are a crop of genuine filmmakers on the rise though.
I just saw a wonderful film by a new director named Ramin Bahrani called “Chop Shop”, he’s like an American with the Kiarostami touch. It gave me a lot of hope.
T, it probably just isn’t your thing, but i guess I’ll try to spell it out for you without writing an essay.
1) I can’t explain the Untouchables, not a fan
2) His visual style is appealing. Yes, its obviously Hitchcock taken whole entirely, but at least he isn’t trying to pull the wool over your eyes, like a more dishonest tribute artist; Paul Thomas Anderson per say. The way he establishes shots, blocks his actors and edits his scenes are impeccably classical and this either appeals to you or it doesn’t. Sound technique, let alone avant technique is sort of a novelty these days, so to me and many others, his technique is quite refreshing.
3) He does a pitch perfect Hitchcock impersonation, but at his best he injects rather un obvious political and social implications where Hitchcock wouldn’t, Snake Eyes, The Casualties of War, Blow-Out (uping the ante but not quite usurping blow up or the conversation). There isn’t anything campy about the Casualties of War, that’s a stone faced drama involving serious ethical dilemma’s.
4) He’s funny
5) Violence IS psychologically dirty, so I don’t quite know what to make of that. Sex on the other hand, is dealt with quite naturally I think with the exception of Body Double, which is a film that deals with the prudish or catholic ideas of sex in the male psyche. Dressed to Kill shows ambivalence towards sexual promiscuity as a 1980’s challenge to the legacy of the sexual revolution. He explores prudish aspects of American masculinity, and I think he does it quite well, but obviously this isn’t going to be someones cup of tea
6) he’s rather even handed in his politics. Take the black sgt. in Casualties of War, or Gary Sinese in Snake Eyes, they offer contrary points of view but they are given equal time and respect, he doesn’t make condescending political gestures.
None of this is likely to convince you of anything, but if you’d like me to elaborate, I could send you a message.
“Now every film eventually gets an overdone production full of extras, and Criterion is having a harder time carving out a niche in the marketplace for their pricey, tricked-out releases. We say that because the company is offering a 40 percent off sale (!) for three more days. Details, and whether the company can survive the economic downturn, after the jump.
It happens in every field. Innovation changes up a staid industry, and leads to wholesale changes. The company that spearheads the innovation benefits initially, but the real positive effect is on the consumer and a more efficient marketplace. And as a result, the original company can’t differentiate itself in the same way it did when it arrived on the scene.”
This guy is a fucking idiot/hack journalist. That sale was because they were switching to a bigger warehouse. The company is doing quite well, indicative of the fact that they are putting out more product than ever.
What is Kubrick's Most Under-Appreciated Film? over 3 years ago
This really comes down to what you mean by unappreciated.Full Metal Jacket, by and large has an audience, but is still widely misunderstood as being a cold and shallow film when a few (myself included) would argue its not. Pop audiences just seem to like it because of its entertainment value (nothing wrong with that either). The Shining is the same way. Barry Lyndon too has a bit of fan fare but its a film that critics seem to largely agree on now. Paths of Glory, 2001 and Dr. Strangelove are A.F.I list establishment classics, so they can’t qualify. Clockwork is too iconic (and is also on one of those lists as well), so scratch that.
My vote would be Eyes Wide Shut, a movie that still largely bewilders audiences and critics alike.
Runner up: Full Metal Jacket, Barry Lyndon
I think the others are about where they need to be in popular consciousness.
I disagree with everything Guy Lee Thys said except for the “Clockwork” comments, I see some truth in that. There is something suspect about making an anti fascist movie with fascist aesthetics ( Could that movie make violence appear any cooler?), so yes I’d say there is something a bit crypto fascist about it.
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What the...? What really means the ending over 3 years ago
It means whatever you want it to mean, and you can’t be wrong about it either. That’s why its so great.
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Can we talk about "Magnolia" for a bit? over 3 years ago
I loved it when I was a teenager, but when I got older I saw Short Cuts theatrically and realized the movie was a sort of cheap forgery. You can’t help what you respond to, but Magnolia is just too obvious for me now. To each his own.
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Who else dislikes Nicolas Cage? over 3 years ago
I have little to no respect for him as an actor, but I can watch him when he’s being directed by someone who plays to his most ridiculous qualities. Vampires Kiss, Wild At Heart, The Rock, Raising Arizona come to mind. He’s also fabulously embarrassing in “The Wicker Man”, so I can appreciate that on a camp level, but alas Nicholas Cage is a rather easy target. If you wanna be provocative we should talk about how much Phillip Seymour Hoffman sucks.
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Criterion junkies here? over 3 years ago
The transfer on Pierrot Le Fou is just so amazing. Probably the most beautiful dvd, if not the most beautiful movie I’ve ever seen.
Has anyone else noticed that the quality of the transfers has gone up dramatically? I started noticing ever since Days of Heaven, they’ve just looked immaculate.
I’m still waiting for my Chungking Express in the mail.
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What are the best Brian De Palma's films? over 3 years ago
I think Snake Eyes so sooooo damn underrated, I have no idea why people hate on that movie so much. Casualties of War is great too. I really like all of his movies except Redacted. Hi Mom! should be seen more too, I got it for 2 dollars on amazon, check it out!
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Top Scorsese over 3 years ago
These are some of my favorite movies, and I’ve grown up with a lot of them, so this isn’t easy
1) Mean Streets
2) Raging Bull
3) Goodfellas
4) Taxi Driver
5) The King Of Comedy
6) The Departed (I’m sorry, but Infernal Affairs is not better than this)
7) After Hours
8) The Last Temptation of Christ
9) The Age of Innocence
10)Who’s That Knocking At My Door?
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Is Deckard a replicant? over 3 years ago
Of course he is. Are people really still arguing about this?
Even if it wasn’t so obvious by the clues in the movie, and the implications in the last scene, would it really matter anyway?
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Asia Argento over 3 years ago
I really don’t understand her cult appeal. I liked her in “Marie Antoinette”, I was neutral about her in “Boarding Gate”, I haven’t seen the “Last Mistress”, but I’d like to……She really just looks like a prostitute and she usually plays one, or at least a hussy. I guess that’s the appeal? I really don’t have strong feelings towards her either way, I wish someone could explain it to me.
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QUENTIN TARANTINO over 3 years ago
I can’t call this guy a genius, but his films are definitely entertaining, which I believe accounts for something. He has a got a great eye and a great knack for pacing, which is hard to do.
I think Jackie Brown is legitimately great. It turns a lot of genre conventions on their heads, and challenges the legacy of blacksploitation cinema. Death Proof wasn’t as good but I thought it was also thoughtful piece of work, kind of a requiem and a re-contextualization for the old male action hero. The Kill Bill’s were too much of a mash up for my liking, but I have no contempt for them either.
When he actually challenges the material he’s influenced by as opposed to just mashing them together I think he’s quite great. But genius is going too far.
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Coen!!! over 3 years ago
Barton Fink, O’Brother, Lebowski, No Country……..I couldn’t make a smaller list. oh and The Man Who Wasn’t There, super underrated.
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Your favorite Woody Allen's film? over 3 years ago
Annie Hall is great, but its not particular to me. The Woody Allen film I can watch the most and still get joy from is “Everyone Says I love You”…..DON’T HATE!
A lot of his other movies don’t really hold up for me. Especially Manhattan. Something about 70’s New York in black and white scope doesn’t sit right with me. I always had a soft spot for Manhattan Murder Mystery too. That one had some cool camera work. I also prefer Radio Days to Amarcord. But in general I don’t think he’s a great director, and as a matter of fact he doesn’t think so either. But his movies are fine and he can be quite brilliant. I think match point was really good until the last few minutes. That was one of his few movies that actually dealt with class issues as opposed to ignoring them or just making a joke out of them.
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Films that are better than the books that they are are based on over 3 years ago
A Brief History of Time…….
The Bible…….
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What are the best Brian De Palma's films? over 3 years ago
Juan- Fair enough, but to me, when today’s Hollywood film making standards have been corrupted by t.v aesthetics and Steven Soderberg, a little classic Hollywood storytelling, with strong old fashioned technique is quite exciting to me actually. I’m quite fond of that visual style.
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the hate corner over 3 years ago
MAO- THANK YOU- I think Paul Thomas Anderson SUCKS. Derivative, superficial and so regressive. I don’t purely hate too many directors, but I can’t stand that guy.
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the hate corner over 3 years ago
“Fight Club drowned in a vat of Animal House and filmed on a camcorder.”
hahahaha, Couldn’t have said it better myself. Chuck P is a god awful writer and I couldn’t expect more of his adaptations.
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What are the best Brian De Palma's films? over 3 years ago
I think Soderberg’s ideas outpace his talent, but I haven’t seen Che yet, so who knows. I have a general disdain for his new visual style, traffic on, I think most of his movies since have been rather half baked. To be honest I like Out of Sight and The Limey. But I think Soderberg’s ultra obvious mosaic narrative style, his bleached color palate, and his neo- Battle of Algiers camera style is obnoxious and has had a detrimental impact on Hollywood film making standards.
Go to Comment
What are the best Brian De Palma's films? over 3 years ago
I think Soderberg’s ideas outpace his talent, but I haven’t seen Che yet, so who knows. I have a general disdain for his new visual style, traffic on, I think most of his movies since have been rather half baked. To be honest I like Out of Sight and The Limey. But I think Soderberg’s ultra obvious mosaic narrative style, his bleached color palate, and his neo- Battle of Algiers camera style is obnoxious and has had a detrimental impact on Hollywood film making standards.
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Good Bad Films over 3 years ago
How are these movies “bad” if we like them so much? I always found this concept very odd.
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Best Musicians Turned "Actors" over 3 years ago
Agreed on Oldham
I would say Mark Wahlberg, Frank Sinatra, David Bowie, and Tom Waits.
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What are the best Brian De Palma's films? over 3 years ago
I’ll definitely see it, the new RED camera does sound quite interesting to me, so i’d probably see it for that reason alone. I’ll get back to you.
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12-year old asking... over 3 years ago
Wow, good for you!
Start with the basics
The Seven Samurai, Ikuru, Rashomon
La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2
L’avventura, Blow Up
Jules and Jim, Shoot the Piano Player, 400 Blows
Not to sound condescending, but you might not be ready for Antonioni yet, I certainly wasn’t at your age, but give it a chance..and if you are, that’s great!
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INTELLIGENCE IS THE NEW BLACK over 3 years ago
T- amen brother, hipsterism is running wild and it needs to be combated.
I think there are a crop of genuine filmmakers on the rise though.
I just saw a wonderful film by a new director named Ramin Bahrani called “Chop Shop”, he’s like an American with the Kiarostami touch. It gave me a lot of hope.
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TV SHOWS over 3 years ago
The Wire is the best television show ever made, to me. I can’t think of a single movie that has been more relevant this decade than that show.
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What are the best Brian De Palma's films? over 3 years ago
T, it probably just isn’t your thing, but i guess I’ll try to spell it out for you without writing an essay.
1) I can’t explain the Untouchables, not a fan
2) His visual style is appealing. Yes, its obviously Hitchcock taken whole entirely, but at least he isn’t trying to pull the wool over your eyes, like a more dishonest tribute artist; Paul Thomas Anderson per say. The way he establishes shots, blocks his actors and edits his scenes are impeccably classical and this either appeals to you or it doesn’t. Sound technique, let alone avant technique is sort of a novelty these days, so to me and many others, his technique is quite refreshing.
3) He does a pitch perfect Hitchcock impersonation, but at his best he injects rather un obvious political and social implications where Hitchcock wouldn’t, Snake Eyes, The Casualties of War, Blow-Out (uping the ante but not quite usurping blow up or the conversation). There isn’t anything campy about the Casualties of War, that’s a stone faced drama involving serious ethical dilemma’s.
4) He’s funny
5) Violence IS psychologically dirty, so I don’t quite know what to make of that. Sex on the other hand, is dealt with quite naturally I think with the exception of Body Double, which is a film that deals with the prudish or catholic ideas of sex in the male psyche. Dressed to Kill shows ambivalence towards sexual promiscuity as a 1980’s challenge to the legacy of the sexual revolution. He explores prudish aspects of American masculinity, and I think he does it quite well, but obviously this isn’t going to be someones cup of tea
6) he’s rather even handed in his politics. Take the black sgt. in Casualties of War, or Gary Sinese in Snake Eyes, they offer contrary points of view but they are given equal time and respect, he doesn’t make condescending political gestures.
None of this is likely to convince you of anything, but if you’d like me to elaborate, I could send you a message.
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DOGMA films over 3 years ago
I generally prefer old Von Trier to later Von Trier, but I’d stick my neck out for “the Idiots”
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What are you watching now? over 3 years ago
I watched this new movie called “Shotgun Stories” yesterday, absolutely fantastic.
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Most Memorable "Open" Endings in Cinema over 3 years ago
Performance
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Article over 3 years ago
“Now every film eventually gets an overdone production full of extras, and Criterion is having a harder time carving out a niche in the marketplace for their pricey, tricked-out releases. We say that because the company is offering a 40 percent off sale (!) for three more days. Details, and whether the company can survive the economic downturn, after the jump.
It happens in every field. Innovation changes up a staid industry, and leads to wholesale changes. The company that spearheads the innovation benefits initially, but the real positive effect is on the consumer and a more efficient marketplace. And as a result, the original company can’t differentiate itself in the same way it did when it arrived on the scene.”
This guy is a fucking idiot/hack journalist. That sale was because they were switching to a bigger warehouse. The company is doing quite well, indicative of the fact that they are putting out more product than ever.
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Inventive Narrative Structures over 3 years ago
Well first of all, this list would be a laughing stock without “Last Year At Marienbad” and “Hiroshima Mon Amour”
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