Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Guest Columnist: Gianna's top 100 Films a Film Buff Should see Pt 3

Jami's note: Ok, I guess I never saw the thing about "60 FILMS" in Gianna's previous posts... ooops! Still, who can't use a few more recommendations? Also - out of today's 10, I've seen 6. More respectable, indeed - plus 3 of today's are some of my all-time favorite films. Enjoy!
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Okay, it took me a little while to send the third installment. This was due to the fact that I had only done a list of 60 films, but the titles of the last two installment promised 100. So I went back and assessed some more films and came up with the additional 40. In a way it was a good thing, there were some titles that I had forgotten and there some titles that I had debated on that now got into the cut. I also want to clarify that this is not a ‘Best of’ list or ‘My Favorite’ list. These are films that I feel are worth seeing, but for whatever reason don’t get the same ink that other films do.

The
Accidental Tourist (1988, Dir: Lawrence Kasdan, Wr: Frank Galati)-This fantastic adaptation of Anne Tyler’s wonderful novel of the same name, tends to suffer from the inaccurate billing of being a romantic comedy. Though, the film does have numerous light moments, it really is more of an examination of loss and the inability to connect with people.

Alice (1988, Dir: Jan Svankmajer, Wr: Jan Svankmajer)-A completely surreal and disturbing version of Lewis Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland. Czech animator Svankmajer utilizes stop-motion animation to create a unstable and frightening Wonderland.

Allegro Non Troppo (1977, Dir: Bruno Bozzetto, Wr: Bruno Bozzetto & Guido Manlui)- Essentially Italy’s version of Fantasia, it’s a more adult take and features some stunning and heartbreaking animation.

American Movie (1999, Dir: Chris Smith)-Chris Smith’s film of amateur filmmaker Mark Borchardt, is supremely funny. So funny that you almost think it’s a mockumentary - but it’s all true. A fantastic account of one individual who lives in his own world, not always to his own benefit.

Beauty and the Beast (1946. Dir: Jean Cocteau, Wr: Jean Cocteau)-One of the most gorgeous live-action fairy tales put to the screen. Beautiful and haunting cinematography frames this stunning French film.

Before Sunrise
(1995. Dir: Richard Linklater, Wr: Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan)-Perfect in its simplicity of story of two young people who meet on a
train in Europe and spend the rest of the night talking. Refreshing and honest.

Before Sunset -(2004, Dir: Richard Linklater, Wr: Richard Linklater & Julie Delpy) The
sequel to Before Sunrise. This film takes up nine years later, with our twenty-somethings now in their 30’s. One can only hope that Linklater and his two stars-Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, will revisit these characters every 10 years.

Blood for Dracula (1974, Dir: Paul Morrisey, Wr: Paul
Morrisey)-Sometimes a movie doesn’t have to be a great or even good film to be a must for viewing. Andy Warhol’s Blood for Dracula is one of those films. Filled with bad acting, copious sex scenes and a rather blah script, there is something joyous is it’s badness. The cherry on the cake is Joe Dallesandro’s Brooklynese dialect amongst the all European cast.

The Changeling (1980, Dir: Peter Medak, Wr: William Gray)-This fantastic ghost story shows that atmosphere and a good creepy story can be as scary as anything. Starring George C. Scott as a recent widower who moves into a house that is occupied by the ghost of a young boy; the film’s non-use of special effects is a rarity in horror.

Cry in the Dark (1988, Dir: Fred Shepisi, Wr: Robert Caswell)-Unfortunately, this film is only known for it’s infamous line ‘The dingo ate my baby!’ However, this excellent Australian offering thoroughly examines how the media manipulates a story, how public obsession clouds truth and how quickly the truth gets lost in the quest for sensationalism.

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