- I have long thought Satyajit Ray should be here, especially The Apu Trilogy. And why it is nobody can see any of Jacques Rivette’s work in ‘Region 1,’ such as THE NUN, PARIS BELONGS TO US, and CELINE AND JULIE GO BOATING, is beyond explanation. Bravo to those who already mentioned these two.
Now, if there is one film that more than deserves Criterion treatment it is William Wyler’s THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES. This is one of THE great classics of all cinema, and a film that not only speaks for but defines a generaton. Come on already!
Ford’s THE GRAPES OF WRATH. For whatever reason, the sight of the inhumanity — and through those superior performances — has always been more wrenching.
RYAN …
To begin, go with THE 400 BLOWS. In French, that title is slang for ‘Raising merry hell.’ You can’t go wrong. And I agree with Brendan that you should then go right to SMALL CHANGE. Beautiful, and topical for you.
MY LIFE AS A DOG is a super suggestion, and might I suggest getting Woody Allen’s RADIO DAYS, Fellini’s AMARCORD and Barry Levenson’s AVALON. All of those are great beginnings.
ANY Kurosawa film is indispensible, but THE SEVEN SAMURAI is right up any 12-year-old’s alley.
And, yes, as if you aren’t already the coolest kid in your class, you can never go wrong with BREATHLESS.
I’m sorry, but try as I have, I really, really dislike CASUALTIES OF WAR. I find it to be disjointed and I can NEVER take Michael J. Fox seriously in that role.
When George Stevens won his first directing Oscar in 1952 for A PLACE IN THE SUN, he was to have said, “We’ll know how good this picture is in 25 years.”
For me that sums up ‘The Oscars.’ Rarely are they given for genuine cinematic merit. Most of the time they are popularity contests, and even then those become suspect. Most films have to age to see the full impact of their merit.
Hitchcock never got a directing Oscar. Nor did Kubrick, Hawks, Bergman, Fellini, Malle, Truffaut, Kurosawa, or Godard. But John G. Avildsen has his, as does Kevin Costner, Norman Taurog, and two each for Frank Lloyd and Leo McCarey.
RAGING BULL, CHINATOWN, THE RIGHT STUFF, DR. STRANGELOVE, HIGH NOON, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, PULP FICTION, THE WIZARD OF OZ, APOCALYPSE NOW, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, and THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and CITIZEN KANE … CITIZEN KANE!!!! … didn’t win the ‘Best Picture’ awards in their respective years.
And …
SINGIN IN THE RAIN, LAURA, RED RIVER, MANHATTAN, THE SEARCHERS, THE SEVENTH SEAL, THE 400 BLOWS, LA DOLCE VITA, DO THE RIGHT THING, and 2001: A SPACE ODDYSEY … all films which are now considered SEMINAL in the history of cinema … were not even nominated.
I bought special tix for all four nights of BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ way back when, and way back when when I couldn’t really afford it. I regretted it about five minutes into Part I.
BARRY LYNDON was the first film to make me realize how much film could be. While I was only 10, I really felt as if I was transported to a different time and place. I have rarely been that thrilled by any experience, and i remember it still. I never wanted it to end.
The film to hit me hardest most recently is Malle’s LE FEU FOLLET. God, what a movie.
Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 4 years ago
- I have long thought Satyajit Ray should be here, especially The Apu Trilogy. And why it is nobody can see any of Jacques Rivette’s work in ‘Region 1,’ such as THE NUN, PARIS BELONGS TO US, and CELINE AND JULIE GO BOATING, is beyond explanation. Bravo to those who already mentioned these two.
Now, if there is one film that more than deserves Criterion treatment it is William Wyler’s THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES. This is one of THE great classics of all cinema, and a film that not only speaks for but defines a generaton. Come on already!
And …
Kenneth Loach’s KES
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Movies That Should Be In the Criterion Collection over 4 years ago
-
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Favorite films that Clint Eastwood stars in or directs. over 4 years ago
UNFORGIVEN, then THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES.
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When I say "A Perfect Film", What One Film Pops Into Your Head First? over 4 years ago
The Godfather, Part II
Nashville
8 1/2
Raging Bull
Le Feu Follet
The Rules of the Game
Being There
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Ermanno Olmi over 4 years ago
The Tree of Wooden Clogs. Brilliant.
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Classic movies you can't get on d.v.d. over 4 years ago
Jacques Rivette!
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Films that are better than the books that they are are based on over 4 years ago
Ford’s THE GRAPES OF WRATH. For whatever reason, the sight of the inhumanity — and through those superior performances — has always been more wrenching.
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Film quotes you love over 4 years ago
She — "Your life … is nothing but nihlism … and cynicism … and sarcasm … and orgasm!
He — “In France I could run on that slogan and win!”
— Woody Allen, DECONSTRUCTING HARRY
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12-year old asking... over 4 years ago
Vince, that was … just wrong!
RYAN …
To begin, go with THE 400 BLOWS. In French, that title is slang for ‘Raising merry hell.’ You can’t go wrong. And I agree with Brendan that you should then go right to SMALL CHANGE. Beautiful, and topical for you.
MY LIFE AS A DOG is a super suggestion, and might I suggest getting Woody Allen’s RADIO DAYS, Fellini’s AMARCORD and Barry Levenson’s AVALON. All of those are great beginnings.
ANY Kurosawa film is indispensible, but THE SEVEN SAMURAI is right up any 12-year-old’s alley.
And, yes, as if you aren’t already the coolest kid in your class, you can never go wrong with BREATHLESS.
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Your favorite Woody Allen's film? over 4 years ago
Manhattan
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Whats the scariest film ever or some of ur favorites over 4 years ago
Jesus Camp
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What are the best Brian De Palma's films? over 4 years ago
CARRIE, then SCARFACE and DRESSED TO KILL.
I’m sorry, but try as I have, I really, really dislike CASUALTIES OF WAR. I find it to be disjointed and I can NEVER take Michael J. Fox seriously in that role.
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Some Movies that always lifts You up are... over 4 years ago
Auntie Mame
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TOP BERGMAN over 4 years ago
Winter Light
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ROHMER over 4 years ago
MY NIGHT AT MAUD’S
then THE COLLECTIONIST (again) and PAULINE AT THE BEACH.
then CLAIRE’S KNEE
then PERCIVAL
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YOUR FAVOURITE "ROAD MOVIE" ? over 4 years ago
I like all that are mentioned, so allow me to list one that is sadly forgotten — Albert Brooks’ hysterical document of the 1980s, LOST IN AMERICA
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most overrated oscar performances or robberies over 4 years ago
There are way too many to call.
When George Stevens won his first directing Oscar in 1952 for A PLACE IN THE SUN, he was to have said, “We’ll know how good this picture is in 25 years.”
For me that sums up ‘The Oscars.’ Rarely are they given for genuine cinematic merit. Most of the time they are popularity contests, and even then those become suspect. Most films have to age to see the full impact of their merit.
Hitchcock never got a directing Oscar. Nor did Kubrick, Hawks, Bergman, Fellini, Malle, Truffaut, Kurosawa, or Godard. But John G. Avildsen has his, as does Kevin Costner, Norman Taurog, and two each for Frank Lloyd and Leo McCarey.
RAGING BULL, CHINATOWN, THE RIGHT STUFF, DR. STRANGELOVE, HIGH NOON, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, PULP FICTION, THE WIZARD OF OZ, APOCALYPSE NOW, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, and THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and CITIZEN KANE … CITIZEN KANE!!!! … didn’t win the ‘Best Picture’ awards in their respective years.
And …
SINGIN IN THE RAIN, LAURA, RED RIVER, MANHATTAN, THE SEARCHERS, THE SEVENTH SEAL, THE 400 BLOWS, LA DOLCE VITA, DO THE RIGHT THING, and 2001: A SPACE ODDYSEY … all films which are now considered SEMINAL in the history of cinema … were not even nominated.
Keep that in mind whenever discussing ‘Oscars.’
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The Great Cinematographers over 4 years ago
EVERYBODY already mentioned is superb.
So I’m going to mention another not yet mentioned, and equally superb:
Owen Roizman.
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the hate corner over 4 years ago
Forrest Gump
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Your Favorite Godard Film? over 4 years ago
Breathless
then Weekend and Pierrot Le Fou
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Andy Warhol over 4 years ago
I understand his work.
Is it even possible to be a “fan?”
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Good Bad Films over 4 years ago
I’m using what is also known as a “guilty pleasure” to define my answers. So, in descending order of good/badness:
3. Starship Troopers (I think it is a masterpiece of B-movies)
2. Bad Influence (Rob Lowe is so unbelievably good in this late-80s relic)
1. Point Break (the ultimate in philosophical surfer/bank-robber movies, Keanu’s best performance, and some of the best cinematography ever done)
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Films you love but most people hate. over 4 years ago
The Towering Inferno
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Favorite Kurosawa flicks? over 4 years ago
Dersu Uzala
High and Low
Rashomon
Ran
Throne of Blood
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The longest movie you've ever sat through over 4 years ago
I bought special tix for all four nights of BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ way back when, and way back when when I couldn’t really afford it. I regretted it about five minutes into Part I.
Although THE HORSE WHISPERER seemed even longer …
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If you had to pick ONE film as your favorite... over 4 years ago
The Godfather, Part II
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Which film has changed your life forever? over 4 years ago
BARRY LYNDON was the first film to make me realize how much film could be. While I was only 10, I really felt as if I was transported to a different time and place. I have rarely been that thrilled by any experience, and i remember it still. I never wanted it to end.
The film to hit me hardest most recently is Malle’s LE FEU FOLLET. God, what a movie.
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Most Traumatic or Dramatic Film Endings over 4 years ago
PLANET OF THE APES (I don’t care, to that story that ending still packs a wallop)
FIVE EASY PIECES (just … wonderful)
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Most Memorable "Open" Endings in Cinema over 4 years ago
FIVE EASY PIECES
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MOMENT OF TRUTH: HAVE YOU EVER GONE TO THE MOVIES AND FALLEN ASLEEP DURING THE FILM? over 4 years ago
Silkwood
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