Denzel Washington was completely robbed in 1992 by not getting an Oscar for “Malcolm X.” He was beat by Al Pacino, hamming it up in “Scent of a Woman.” They should have given Pacino a Supporting Actor Oscar for “Glengarry Glen Ross” that year (he was nominated for it) and given Denzel the Best Actor statue.
“The Music of Chance” from 1993. Directed by Philip Haas, based on the novel by Paul Auster. Stars Mandy Patinkin, James Spader, Charles Durning, Joel Grey, M. Emmet Walsh, Christopher Penn and Samantha Mathis. Beautiful, searing film and one of my all-time favorites. I’ve owned a VHS copy since 1996, still waiting for a DVD release (I believe there was a Region 2 version out there at one point, but never a U.S. version). This film would be perfect for a Criterion release.
Anyone else out there fans of this movie? I hardly ever run into anyone who’s ever even heard of it.
JFK is one of my favorite movies. Spectacularly edited, great tension, and Costner’s even half-decent in it. Wall Street is flawed (Charlie Sheen was waaaaay out of his league), but it paints a nice picture of the greedy Reagan era and is consistently entertaining. Platoon is good but overrated. Born on the Fourth of July is very good. Nixon could’ve used more judicious editing but is very good overall, in my opinion.
He’s a conspiracy nut, and for that I will never fully embrace him, but Stone is a fairly brilliant filmmaker on a technical basis. My own two cents.
Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (which begs for a Criterion reissue, if you ask me)
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
The Kids Are Alright
Backbeat (seriously overlooked, highly recommended)
Amadeus
I think “American Beauty” is severely overrated. All that yelling and scenery chewing. “Ooh, look at us! We’re SOOOO dysfunctional!” Please.
I also think “Juno” is overrated. Horrible, horrible screenplay, trying too hard to be “edgy” and clumsily shoehorning in as many pop culture references as possible. That piece of crap won an Oscar?
And while I absolutely love the Coen Brothers and think they’re among the best directors working today, I never acquired a taste for “Raising Arizona.” I think it tries too hard to be goofy. The tone they were aiming for seemed to work much better in “The Big Lebowski.”
The Who, “A Quick One” – Rushmore
Derek and the Dominos, “Layla” – Goodfellas
Donovan, “Hurdy Gurdy Man” – Zodiac
The Trashmen, “Surfin’ Bird” – Full Metal Jacket
Talking Heads, “This Must Be The Place” – Stop Making Sense (I shouldn’t count concert films, but I couldn’t resist)
Commodores, “Machine Gun” – The Kid Stays in the Picture
Aimee Mann, “Wise Up” – Magnolia
Elton John, “Tiny Dancer” – Almost Famous
The Hollies, “King Midas in Reverse” – The Limey
The Gipsy Kings, “Hotel California” – The Big Lebowski
Regarding Cocksucker Blues – I was informed that, because of a lawsuit filed by the Rolling Stones, the movie is only allowed to be shown five times a year, and in the presence of director Robert Frank. So, those of you who list it among your favorite movies about music, I’m assuming you’ve attended these exclusive showings?
Speaking of Polanski films that beg for a Criterion reissue, I’m going to suggest “Frantic.” Great movie (although a tad formulaic towards the end), and the DVD release looks no better than VHS quality.
Not really a top ten list, just a few off the top of my head.
Barry Lyndon
Days of Heaven
Cries and Whispers
L’Avventura
The Red Shoes
The Dreamers
Sunshine
Do The Right Thing
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Amadeus
All the Wes Anderson movies EXCEPT “Rushmore.” I think “Rushmore” is a terrific movie, but Anderson’s style gets old after two or three movies. Quaint set pieces, British Invasion soundtrack, blah blah blah I get it already. I really hate the fact that he apparently has some sort of “contract for life” with Criterion.
most overrated oscar performances or robberies almost 3 years ago
Denzel Washington was completely robbed in 1992 by not getting an Oscar for “Malcolm X.” He was beat by Al Pacino, hamming it up in “Scent of a Woman.” They should have given Pacino a Supporting Actor Oscar for “Glengarry Glen Ross” that year (he was nominated for it) and given Denzel the Best Actor statue.
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Rare and Obscure films you wish were on Dvd. almost 3 years ago
“The Music of Chance” from 1993. Directed by Philip Haas, based on the novel by Paul Auster. Stars Mandy Patinkin, James Spader, Charles Durning, Joel Grey, M. Emmet Walsh, Christopher Penn and Samantha Mathis. Beautiful, searing film and one of my all-time favorites. I’ve owned a VHS copy since 1996, still waiting for a DVD release (I believe there was a Region 2 version out there at one point, but never a U.S. version). This film would be perfect for a Criterion release.
Anyone else out there fans of this movie? I hardly ever run into anyone who’s ever even heard of it.
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Oliver Stone almost 3 years ago
JFK is one of my favorite movies. Spectacularly edited, great tension, and Costner’s even half-decent in it. Wall Street is flawed (Charlie Sheen was waaaaay out of his league), but it paints a nice picture of the greedy Reagan era and is consistently entertaining. Platoon is good but overrated. Born on the Fourth of July is very good. Nixon could’ve used more judicious editing but is very good overall, in my opinion.
He’s a conspiracy nut, and for that I will never fully embrace him, but Stone is a fairly brilliant filmmaker on a technical basis. My own two cents.
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Favourite Movie About Music. almost 3 years ago
Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (which begs for a Criterion reissue, if you ask me)
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
The Kids Are Alright
Backbeat (seriously overlooked, highly recommended)
Amadeus
That’s just off the top of my head.
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Most Overrated Movies almost 3 years ago
I think “American Beauty” is severely overrated. All that yelling and scenery chewing. “Ooh, look at us! We’re SOOOO dysfunctional!” Please.
I also think “Juno” is overrated. Horrible, horrible screenplay, trying too hard to be “edgy” and clumsily shoehorning in as many pop culture references as possible. That piece of crap won an Oscar?
And while I absolutely love the Coen Brothers and think they’re among the best directors working today, I never acquired a taste for “Raising Arizona.” I think it tries too hard to be goofy. The tone they were aiming for seemed to work much better in “The Big Lebowski.”
Go to Comment
Favorite use of a song in a film. almost 3 years ago
The Who, “A Quick One” – Rushmore
Derek and the Dominos, “Layla” – Goodfellas
Donovan, “Hurdy Gurdy Man” – Zodiac
The Trashmen, “Surfin’ Bird” – Full Metal Jacket
Talking Heads, “This Must Be The Place” – Stop Making Sense (I shouldn’t count concert films, but I couldn’t resist)
Commodores, “Machine Gun” – The Kid Stays in the Picture
Aimee Mann, “Wise Up” – Magnolia
Elton John, “Tiny Dancer” – Almost Famous
The Hollies, “King Midas in Reverse” – The Limey
The Gipsy Kings, “Hotel California” – The Big Lebowski
…and there’s so many more.
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Favourite Movie About Music. almost 3 years ago
Regarding Cocksucker Blues – I was informed that, because of a lawsuit filed by the Rolling Stones, the movie is only allowed to be shown five times a year, and in the presence of director Robert Frank. So, those of you who list it among your favorite movies about music, I’m assuming you’ve attended these exclusive showings?
Go to Comment
polanski arrested again over 2 years ago
Speaking of Polanski films that beg for a Criterion reissue, I’m going to suggest “Frantic.” Great movie (although a tad formulaic towards the end), and the DVD release looks no better than VHS quality.
Go to Comment
The most beautiful films? over 2 years ago
Not really a top ten list, just a few off the top of my head.
Barry Lyndon
Days of Heaven
Cries and Whispers
L’Avventura
The Red Shoes
The Dreamers
Sunshine
Do The Right Thing
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Amadeus
Go to Comment
Worst Criterion DVDs over 2 years ago
All the Wes Anderson movies EXCEPT “Rushmore.” I think “Rushmore” is a terrific movie, but Anderson’s style gets old after two or three movies. Quaint set pieces, British Invasion soundtrack, blah blah blah I get it already. I really hate the fact that he apparently has some sort of “contract for life” with Criterion.
Go to Comment