I distinctly remember that the first movie I ever walked out on was “Congo”, partly because at 15 I thought it was terrible, and also because it frightened my younger brother, and I used “getting him out of here” as an excuse to go to the book store by our theater. Ironically, I now have a soft spot for the walking, ape- laden camp- fest that is “Congo” (fusing my love of Bruce Campbell and monkeys), scripted by the always under- appreciated John Patrick Shanley, who I always think should know better, but never seems to. I’m deeply hoping that “Doubt” also has laser- gorillas, but having seen the play (twice!) I too should know better.
Also, “Batman and Robin”, but who amongst us has not, or at the very least, wanted to?
I distinctly remember that the first movie I ever walked out on was “Congo”, partly because at 15 I thought it was terrible, and also because it frightened my younger brother, and I used “getting him out of here” as an excuse to go to the book store by our theater. Ironically, I now have a soft spot for the walking, ape- laden camp- fest that is “Congo” (fusing my love of Bruce Campbell and monkeys), scripted by the always under- appreciated John Patrick Shanley, who I always think should know better, but never seems to. I’m deeply hoping that “Doubt” also has laser- gorillas, but having seen the play (twice!) I too should know better.
Also, “Batman and Robin”, but who amongst us has not, or at the very least, wanted to?
At my undergraduate school, we had a January term where you only took one class a day (ideally set up for study abroad) and the sheer amount of free time resulted in my roomate and I concocting a sophomore year film festival in which we would watch, in order, every 80’s franchise horror film ever (I know. How original). We started at noon, when our class got out, and made it thought “Halloween 5” before we decided that maybe this wasn’t the best idea we had ever dreamed up. This didn’t, however, stop us from trying the next day with the “Friday the 13th” series, which ended up being a blast. So long story short, I’ve made it through seven films in a row. As an adult, I can now maybe take two, three tops, provided that one is shorter. Oh, the tolls of aging, celluloid- stained eyes…
I love Pabst’s “Pandora’s Box”. As long as it is, it always goes by far too quickly, and there isn’t a wrong note in the whole film. For whatever reason, I always watch it around Christmas; perhaps the visual coldness of the first and last acts prompt that. The backstage scenes in the theatre never cease to fill me with delight, and are proof that the old chestnut “There’s always something new to see” is still true, even in an eighty- year old movie.
I have to go with New York City, and my personal favorite, MOMA, which has an eccelctic selection month by month. I’ve seen so many films that one cannot find easilty (or at all) on home video that it basically pays off the cost of membership after a handful of visits. Anyone in the city who can find the time should really do their best to see the mid-day showings (usually 1:30 or 2pm) of older films and classics. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see a silent with live organ or piano accompaniment. It’s a lot of fun, and a unique experience. I will also second the mention of Film Forum! They’ve been on a roll lately with their programming, especially the recent Carole Lombard fest and this summer’s French Crime Wave series. If you can’t afford a Broadway show, you could do worse than stop by Houston at the Forum.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite theater, now sadly departed: The York Square Cinema in New Haven, Connecticut. It was my (and a lot of other peoples) first art house cinema. It was slightly raggedy, way too small for four screens, family run, and the perfect place to get all artsy for the first time. And the popcorn was super- cheap.
I guess it really depends on what kind of bad we’re talking about (which is the most illuminating part of the discussion). Personally, I find a lot in most movies that on some level is redeeming. Even directors whose films I don’t much like, such as DePalma’s “Black Dahlia” have something about them that interest or fascinate me (In this particular case, the cinematography and design). So for all the failings and consistence of mediocrity in some of the old masters, I agree with some of the posters who can see the passion and talent involved in the crafting of even the most average (or even bad) film.
It’s the really cynical “bad” filmmakers who are consistently awful that I think deserve the most calling out. Yeah, Coppola has had a bad run for a long while, but his heart is in his work and it shows, even if the quality isn’t so high. But man, those “______ Movie” guys are rotten as Hell, and I’ve seen my fair share of their stuff thanks to television airings. Their work is the definition of what makes a film “bad” in my opinion: Cynical moneymaking ploys, zero style in either the design or camera work, uninspired acting (always traceable back to directors who could care less) and no actual care put into the script. It’s the utter lack of vision at the end of the day. Even Joel Schumacher has a vision. Granted, it’s one that often is terrible, but he digs dark camp (a la his Batman flicks, “Lost Boys”, even “8MM” to a degree) and sticks to it when he’s not doing work for hire tripe like “Bad Company”.
I guess my argument is based on the “Art for art’s sake” concept, but I’ll take that idea over shameless cash grabs by people with no intention other than to make a buck.
I’ll second Matthew Barney, though I suppose I can see why he might not be considered a film auteur because his films tend to have more to do with his installations than being stand- alone movies. But his films are really great, and Drawing Restraint worked quite well as its own piece.
I love film noir titles, among which the Michael Shayne flick “Blue, White and Perfect” has my vote for favorite title (“Sleepers West” being the series’ close second).
Growing up, “Duck Soup” was a favorite, and still is. The absurdity almost made sense as a kid, and with each year it gets funnier. “Lebowski” works in that sense for me as well, as does Monty Python’s “Holy Grail”. But for my money, nothing makes me laugh right now as much as “Bad Santa”, the film with worse taste, manners and all out cruelty than any mainstream film I’ve ever seen. It’s so pitch- black and unapologetic in it’s mean- spiritedness, but I cannot stop watching it whenever it is on. The look on Billy Bob Thornton’s face when he describes beating up the kids to Tony Cox kills me utterly. And I will also throw in a vote for “Vacation”.
Which Movies Have You Walked Out On? over 3 years ago
I distinctly remember that the first movie I ever walked out on was “Congo”, partly because at 15 I thought it was terrible, and also because it frightened my younger brother, and I used “getting him out of here” as an excuse to go to the book store by our theater. Ironically, I now have a soft spot for the walking, ape- laden camp- fest that is “Congo” (fusing my love of Bruce Campbell and monkeys), scripted by the always under- appreciated John Patrick Shanley, who I always think should know better, but never seems to. I’m deeply hoping that “Doubt” also has laser- gorillas, but having seen the play (twice!) I too should know better.
Also, “Batman and Robin”, but who amongst us has not, or at the very least, wanted to?
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Which Movies Have You Walked Out On? over 3 years ago
I distinctly remember that the first movie I ever walked out on was “Congo”, partly because at 15 I thought it was terrible, and also because it frightened my younger brother, and I used “getting him out of here” as an excuse to go to the book store by our theater. Ironically, I now have a soft spot for the walking, ape- laden camp- fest that is “Congo” (fusing my love of Bruce Campbell and monkeys), scripted by the always under- appreciated John Patrick Shanley, who I always think should know better, but never seems to. I’m deeply hoping that “Doubt” also has laser- gorillas, but having seen the play (twice!) I too should know better.
Also, “Batman and Robin”, but who amongst us has not, or at the very least, wanted to?
Go to Comment
How many movies did you watch in a row? over 3 years ago
At my undergraduate school, we had a January term where you only took one class a day (ideally set up for study abroad) and the sheer amount of free time resulted in my roomate and I concocting a sophomore year film festival in which we would watch, in order, every 80’s franchise horror film ever (I know. How original). We started at noon, when our class got out, and made it thought “Halloween 5” before we decided that maybe this wasn’t the best idea we had ever dreamed up. This didn’t, however, stop us from trying the next day with the “Friday the 13th” series, which ended up being a blast. So long story short, I’ve made it through seven films in a row. As an adult, I can now maybe take two, three tops, provided that one is shorter. Oh, the tolls of aging, celluloid- stained eyes…
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Silent Films over 3 years ago
I love Pabst’s “Pandora’s Box”. As long as it is, it always goes by far too quickly, and there isn’t a wrong note in the whole film. For whatever reason, I always watch it around Christmas; perhaps the visual coldness of the first and last acts prompt that. The backstage scenes in the theatre never cease to fill me with delight, and are proof that the old chestnut “There’s always something new to see” is still true, even in an eighty- year old movie.
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How many movies did you watch in a row? over 3 years ago
Having watched Dreyer at midnight (and past), I can sympathize.
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The Best Movie Cities over 3 years ago
I have to go with New York City, and my personal favorite, MOMA, which has an eccelctic selection month by month. I’ve seen so many films that one cannot find easilty (or at all) on home video that it basically pays off the cost of membership after a handful of visits. Anyone in the city who can find the time should really do their best to see the mid-day showings (usually 1:30 or 2pm) of older films and classics. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see a silent with live organ or piano accompaniment. It’s a lot of fun, and a unique experience. I will also second the mention of Film Forum! They’ve been on a roll lately with their programming, especially the recent Carole Lombard fest and this summer’s French Crime Wave series. If you can’t afford a Broadway show, you could do worse than stop by Houston at the Forum.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite theater, now sadly departed: The York Square Cinema in New Haven, Connecticut. It was my (and a lot of other peoples) first art house cinema. It was slightly raggedy, way too small for four screens, family run, and the perfect place to get all artsy for the first time. And the popcorn was super- cheap.
Go to Comment
Directors that consistently make terrible films over 3 years ago
I guess it really depends on what kind of bad we’re talking about (which is the most illuminating part of the discussion). Personally, I find a lot in most movies that on some level is redeeming. Even directors whose films I don’t much like, such as DePalma’s “Black Dahlia” have something about them that interest or fascinate me (In this particular case, the cinematography and design). So for all the failings and consistence of mediocrity in some of the old masters, I agree with some of the posters who can see the passion and talent involved in the crafting of even the most average (or even bad) film.
It’s the really cynical “bad” filmmakers who are consistently awful that I think deserve the most calling out. Yeah, Coppola has had a bad run for a long while, but his heart is in his work and it shows, even if the quality isn’t so high. But man, those “______ Movie” guys are rotten as Hell, and I’ve seen my fair share of their stuff thanks to television airings. Their work is the definition of what makes a film “bad” in my opinion: Cynical moneymaking ploys, zero style in either the design or camera work, uninspired acting (always traceable back to directors who could care less) and no actual care put into the script. It’s the utter lack of vision at the end of the day. Even Joel Schumacher has a vision. Granted, it’s one that often is terrible, but he digs dark camp (a la his Batman flicks, “Lost Boys”, even “8MM” to a degree) and sticks to it when he’s not doing work for hire tripe like “Bad Company”.
I guess my argument is based on the “Art for art’s sake” concept, but I’ll take that idea over shameless cash grabs by people with no intention other than to make a buck.
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Help make The Auteurs totally awesome over 3 years ago
Unless I’m not seeing it, I’d like a way to bookmark or link into the profiles the articles, much in the same way we can link to our favorite movies.
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Favorite auteurs missing from the profile selection box. over 3 years ago
I’ll second Matthew Barney, though I suppose I can see why he might not be considered a film auteur because his films tend to have more to do with his installations than being stand- alone movies. But his films are really great, and Drawing Restraint worked quite well as its own piece.
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Best title over 3 years ago
I love film noir titles, among which the Michael Shayne flick “Blue, White and Perfect” has my vote for favorite title (“Sleepers West” being the series’ close second).
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favorite funniest movie over 3 years ago
Growing up, “Duck Soup” was a favorite, and still is. The absurdity almost made sense as a kid, and with each year it gets funnier. “Lebowski” works in that sense for me as well, as does Monty Python’s “Holy Grail”. But for my money, nothing makes me laugh right now as much as “Bad Santa”, the film with worse taste, manners and all out cruelty than any mainstream film I’ve ever seen. It’s so pitch- black and unapologetic in it’s mean- spiritedness, but I cannot stop watching it whenever it is on. The look on Billy Bob Thornton’s face when he describes beating up the kids to Tony Cox kills me utterly. And I will also throw in a vote for “Vacation”.
Go to Comment