John Cole
11-30-2002, 03:02 PM
As promised, as threatened, here's a top ten so-called "artsy" list (although I really don't make the distinction, but I know such a distinction exists). These are not necessarily my "favorite" movies, but they have stayed with me for a long time.
In no particular order.
Andrei Rublev --Tarkovsky's potrait of a Russian Icon painter is extremely slow-moving, but it seems to capture the age.
Night and Fog --Alain Resnais's haunting documentary. You will never forget this one.
The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser --Herzog at his best, which is always very good.
The Passion of Joan of Arc --Dreyer's study of the saint is one of the last great silent movies.
Days of Heaven --Malick's early film barely edges out The Thin Red Line
Cries and Whispers --started watching Bergman movies when I was about fifteen; this, I think, is his most chilling and raw.
My Dinner With Andre --(squeaks by Vanya on 42nd Street)stars my favorite actor, Wallace Shawn, and reminds us that talking together is one of our most essential ways of being together.
Ugetsu --sublime Japanese ghost story
The Seven Samurai --Kurosawa's best--and his most well known. Saw the restored print a few years ago, and although I had seen it a number of times, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
M. Hulot's Holiday --Jacques Tati's comedy literally caused me to fall into the aisle. I challenge anyone to watch the tennis scene and fail to laugh.
Okay, I need to put in one experimental film, so I'll go with Stan Brakhage's Dog Star Man over Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon and Anger's Magic Lantern Cycle. (I know I cheated here and got in three anyway.)
John
In no particular order.
Andrei Rublev --Tarkovsky's potrait of a Russian Icon painter is extremely slow-moving, but it seems to capture the age.
Night and Fog --Alain Resnais's haunting documentary. You will never forget this one.
The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser --Herzog at his best, which is always very good.
The Passion of Joan of Arc --Dreyer's study of the saint is one of the last great silent movies.
Days of Heaven --Malick's early film barely edges out The Thin Red Line
Cries and Whispers --started watching Bergman movies when I was about fifteen; this, I think, is his most chilling and raw.
My Dinner With Andre --(squeaks by Vanya on 42nd Street)stars my favorite actor, Wallace Shawn, and reminds us that talking together is one of our most essential ways of being together.
Ugetsu --sublime Japanese ghost story
The Seven Samurai --Kurosawa's best--and his most well known. Saw the restored print a few years ago, and although I had seen it a number of times, it kept me on the edge of my seat.
M. Hulot's Holiday --Jacques Tati's comedy literally caused me to fall into the aisle. I challenge anyone to watch the tennis scene and fail to laugh.
Okay, I need to put in one experimental film, so I'll go with Stan Brakhage's Dog Star Man over Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon and Anger's Magic Lantern Cycle. (I know I cheated here and got in three anyway.)
John