Julian Donkey Boy
Requiem for a dream
La Haine
City of God
Code Unknown

Le Cheval [my 90 second film that won 3qrand] www.depict.org

Watch Rushmore. Watch it a 100 times for extreme hilarity and endless nuance, It is one of the most beautiful movies, and has probably the best movie soundtrack ever. If you hate this movie, tread cautiously for life will not be kind to you. For the person who recommended the Seven Samurai, right on man! That one's on my top 5.

"Freaks" by Tod Browning (1932). Here's a link to reviews of the movie on MRQE.com.

Here's an excerpt from one of those reviews:

Director Tod Browning, who'd scored a huge hit with the original "Dracula" in 1930, promised MGM the ultimate scary movie.

But the resulting picture surprised everyone: "I asked for something horrifying," said the studio's shocked head of production, "and I got it."

After trouble with the censors and a brief cinema run during which audiences reacted with unparalleled disgust, the picture was dropped and vanished into obscurity until it was revived in the 60s.

It's easy to see why reactions to the film have been so strong - it's a catalogue of the abnormal, the bizarre, and the grotesque that's still as unsettling today as it was 70 years ago.

Using real "freaks", including Johnny Eck (aka "The Half Boy"), various pinheads, some Siamese twins, and one unfortunate with no arms or legs (who's known simply as "Caterpillar Man" or "The Living Torso"), Browning's story packs quite a punch.

Greedy trapeze artist Cleopatra (Baclanova) seduces midget Hans (Earles) for his money, poisoning him with the help of her strongman lover (Victor). But when the freaks realize what she's up to, they take their revenge on this "Big Woman", chasing her through the forest with switchblades, and turning her into "one of us" once and for all.

Disturbing, grotesque, and quite unique, "Freaks" is a masterpiece of shock cinema.

As nothing here is faked or dreamt up by some special effects department, Browning forces us to reassess our assumptions of the normal and abnormal.

It's a cinematic slap in the face that'll leave you reeling with shock, surprise and maybe even delight. They certainly don't make them like this anymore.

Scott

I saw "Audition" with Django and another dude here at the house. All of us well-adjusted, late twenties, not afraid of the dark. All three really.fucking.scared. The movie starts like the kind of romantic comedy BS that Brittney would slam in the Scene. Hijinx, capers, misunderstandings, montages to bouncy music, all that.

And then it gets spliced with a Tool video. I've never had such a strong physical reaction to a movie (not even "Dancer In The Dark"). Get it at Hastings.

Blue/White/Red were badass. "City of Lost Children" (please don't get the dubbed version) has some supercool cinematography (same director as "Amelie"). And all the Hulk hype reminds me of what a good movie "The Ice Storm" was.

The original version of "Insomnia"
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...ance&s=dvd&n=507846
is quite good.

Make your foray into Kurosawa with "Seven Samurai" or "Yojimbo" and find out where Lucas/Spielberg/et al got all their epic ideas (and why they shamelessly wore them on their sleeves). In doing so, witness the mastery of one of the greatest leading men in film history: Toshiro Mifune. Luckily, I got to see "Seven Samurai" in a new 35mm print at the Belcourt a few months ago. 'Twas bad-ass (all 4 hours).

While we're on Japanese film ... did the Ring scare you? Then steel yourself for "Audition."

Dogtown and Z-Boyz. Made me cry.

I can't believe that I missed this little comment thread.

Two of my favorite movies:

Fresh 12 year old chess playing, project living, drug running kid gets even with some gangsters for murdering his grade school crush. Amazing movie.

Until the End of the World (which I may have suggested to you before at some point, I think. Though Wender's Wings of Desire, some opine, is better. I like UTEOTW because of its imperfectness.)

I think I should see this trilogy.

I was confused about the order and thought Red was first. Now I realize that Red really should be viewed last, as it is a fitting finale to the work.

Let me know what you think of it.

>My wife bought me Three Colors for my birthday. I watched Red last >night and was absolutely blown away. Kieslowski was a genius, and it >is possibly the most beautiful movie I have ever seen.

I bought the trilogy recently, and I've watched Blue and White so far. They're really quiet and simple films but they stay with you for days after viewing them.

baud_boy, did you watch Red first instead of last? Why?

The Price of Milk

http://us.imdb.com/Title?0249893

I thought of you when I saw it.
I'm positive you will love it.

buy the soundtracks as well baud_boy, they are wonderful

My wife bought me Three Colors for my birthday. I watched Red last night and was absolutely blown away. Kieslowski was a genius, and it is possibly the most beautiful movie I have ever seen.

Yes, Secretary was released last week on DVD. Worth it.

Just got the first season of Twin Peaks on DVD. Yes.

Ooooh, yeah. I've been itching to see that one.

On DVD yet?

Secretary

Smart, funny, controversial.

You will think about it long after you view it.

even if you hate the stones it's a good movie ;)

Gimme Shelter

Fascinating documentary about the Stones' 69 US Tour that ended at the Altamont Speedway with the murder of a black man by a hell's angel (knifed in the back) and caught on film. The end of the 60's in more ways than one. Everything going on in the movie has a nasty feel to it; free love, mind expanding drugs and peace are twisted into dirty sex, out-of-control consumption, anger, pain and agression. Shocking and depressing. The music of the Stone's at that point reflects changing times perfectly.

THE BIG LEBOWSKY....my favorite all time movie.

Umm, it looks like I left a few words out of my post. Just enough to make myself look stupid.

But I'm always recommending that movie to people, and this is the first time anyone has said they've seen it and appreciate it. Two of you in a row even! How neat.

The 400 Blows. One of my all time favorite movies.

"Francois Truffaut's first feature was this 1959 portrait of Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Léaud), a boy who turns to petty crime in the face of neglect at home and hard times at a reform school. Somewhat autobiographical for its director, the film helped usher in the heady spirit of the French New Wave, and introduced the Doinel character, who became a fixture in Truffaut's movies over the years. Poignant, exhilarating, and fun (there's a parade of cameo appearances from some of the essential icons and directors from the movement), this film is an important classic."

wow. was just telling the wife the other day that she needed to watch Joe v The Volcano. Awesome movie. one of my favorite scenes is when the woman dressed as the statue of liberty leans into the frame for a split second and then out with no comment at all.

I LOVE Joe vs. the Volcano!

JOE VS THE VOLCANCO

I'm always recommending this to people because I know no one else will. It has to be the most underrated film of the last 15 years. OK, now I'm going too far. But seriously, if you can somehow put the idea that it just another Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks romantic comedy, you might be amazed. The opening scenes in Joe's office are pure surreal genius.

8 Women: Surreal; sublimely so, in fact. Very Lynchian.

'amores perros'
'city of god'
'central station'
three great examples of world cinema that administer great narrative devices to inform a sublime movie experience.
be ready for sun drenched filters, fast modern cinematography, great acting,fantastic direction.
oh and some great violence.
and a lot(well not alot but some)of love.
south & central american films that are leading the way.

Just finished "About A Boy". What a sweet, wonderful movie (and of course, very funny).

True Romance.

'Following'--the amazing first film by Christopher Nolan...
'The City of Lost Children'--a beautifully odd, surrealistic nightmare of a film by Jeunet & Caro...
'Pincess Mononoke'...'My Neighbor Totorro'...both animated films from Japan, both incredibly beautiful and both spiritually uplifting.

every single movie by jim jarmusch

anything put out by Plantain Films is worthwhile

Manufacturing Consent by Noam Chomsky

movie and book series

If you liked Requiem, try Pi, also by Darren Aronofsky
Also:
SLC Punk (Matthew Lillard as a semi-serious character... scary)
Apocalypse Now Redux (classic)
Outside Providence (excellent, much better than I expected)

Hands on a Hard Body, despite it's pornoesque name this documentary is really a love handle vibrating, laugh out loud look at just how crazy this world is. Very hard to find, but worth it just to see the look on the video rental persons face when you ask for it.

Withnail & I
Fallen Angels
Fitzcarraldo
Klute
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
all the usual recommendations...Wings of Desire of course.

Someone mentioned The Reflecting Skin down there a ways. I give it a not-so=much myself.

Dong, I agree on Panic. Great movie.

waiting for guffman / best in show.

Also, if you haven't seen it, True Romance is good. Requiem is the scariest movie I've ever seen (though The Ring is a close second).

Finally Dancer in the Dark makes one weep.

If you haven't already, see Dead Man. But don't bother to watch it if you are in any way keyed up. [It's very spiritual, but not in a kooky way. This, Dolman Music (Meredith Monk) and A Book of Luminous Things (Czeslaw Milosz) are about the only things that got me through the horror last year.]

not so much recommend a movie, but i just saw blue velvet a few nights ago. there are not words. amidst my confusion i thought of you. :)

The Big Lebowski. Honest to freaking God, if you haven't seen it you must see this movie. You may hate it -- many do. But those who get it love it. I think the film provides a textbook example of dialogue. And the plot structure (which has been criticized as being "unfocused." It is -- but that shouldn't be a criticism) and admittedly loose ending perfectly complement the main character.

By the way, I also agree with Bottle Rocket, The Sweet Hereafter, and Requiem for a Dream.

Oh and if you aren't averse to gore in your films then Dead Alive is an absolutely must see. It's an early Peter Jackson movie. It's in the Evil Dead vein but so much more humorous and imaginative.

Otherwise stick to Bottle Rocket. Or The Sweet Hereafter. And if you haven't seen The Third Man well I think I know someone that has to walk themselves out the door and to their local video store this weekend.

Bottle Rocket.

Hedwig & the Angry Inch

Darkly hilarious
Hilariously dark

The best movie about an East German, transgendered punk-rocker *ever*.




Ever!

Buzzell's awesome, but "nobody" is actually my film. It was my first short film. I couldn't me more flattered though, to be compared with Matthew Buzzell, his film on Jimmy Scott is beautiful. Anyhow, enjoy... and talk to ya soon.

Best Wishes,

Ramzi
Bloodshot Pictures
www.bloodshotpictures.com

Edited by author 06-24-2002 11:36 PM
Wanted to thank you kids for the fabulous movie rental recommendations. I'm compiling a list and hope to see at least a few of these very soon. I'd like even to do some writing on some of them, reviews mostly--so if any of you have any insight into the films you recommended, or work you've written yourself, send it by me.

Also, I'd like to encourage everyone to check out the film "nobody," linked below, a short by fellow DL.com member Ramzi. (Sorry about the confusion, man. I feel like a heel.)

Edited by author 06-21-2002 09:13 PM
how about this one... it's online though...

http://www.01films.com/films_view.asp?id=390

It's called "nobody".

Heh...

from...

http://www.bloodshotpictures.com

As far as rentals or purchases though...

Check out "Stuart Bliss", "The Reflecting Skin", or "Institute Benjamenta"... depending on which one you can find first...

Bergman's "The Magician" and Fellini's "Juliet of the Spirits" always work too.

Enjoy.

La maman et la putain - quite a lot of french blethering, but involving, and moving.

Any Aki kaurismaki film.

Kiarostami's the Traveller is a nice early one.

some like it hot is funny

I second Murnau's "Sunrise," and will raise with Seijun Sezuki's crazy pop art yakuza movie, "Branded To Kill."

Check out "What Happened Was..." - it won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance in 1994 and it's really captivating although it's quite hard to get hold of.

From the All Movie Guide review (www.allmovieguide.com) : "The loneliness of life in the big city is exquisitely portrayed by both actors, wavering between the euphoria of making a connection and the terror of opening oneself up to another"

Panic with William H. Macy, and Donald Sutherland.
Pretty great on all fronts.

"Ace in the Hole" dir. Billy Wilder
"The Late Show" dir. Robert Benton
"Odds Against Tomorrow" dir. Robert Wise
"Tampopo" dir. Juzo Itami
and--very obscure--
"Angi Vera" dir. Pal Gabor

i don't know what is up with that imdb listing of hartley as remaining uncredited for henry fool -- his name is in the opening credits, in the trailer, on the website, etc. i think that's a mistake on the imdb's end.

have you seen donnie darko yet? that was just released and it is freaky. lots of teen angst, but also lots of weird stuff about space/time travel. you might dig it. :)

Edited by author 04-20-2002 01:26 AM
Thanks Chelsea. I looked up No Such Thing on imdb.com and noticed the only other thing I'd seen by Hartley was Henry Fool, which I liked. I wonder why he chose to remain uncredited for that.

And if I can find Sunrise, I'll see it too. There is a terrific indie video store in my town that carries a huge selection of titles--if it ain't there, it ain't anywhere (well, within 30 miles of here anyway).

And to the Anonymous Someone: yes and no. I began watching Requiem for a Dream and had to turn it off. I became very anxious and uncomfortable, and decided to watch it again when I was more in the mood for it.

I've been dying to rewatch it, because I've heard the ending is a kicker. That may be the first suggestion I watch...just because I've already seen part of it.

These are great recommendations...keep 'em coming.

if you're into silent films, see sunrise by f.w. murnau, provided you can find it. it's absolutely stunning and really sad.

if the non-sync thing isn't what you're into, may i recommend no such thing, the new hartley? not as great as his other stuff, but smart and funny.

(btw: hi! i liked your posts on mefi and figured i'd pop over and see what your site is like...)

Have you seen Requiem for a Dream? This is an excellent movie. It can be sort of dark and disturbing, but it is interesting to see how the characters end up at the end. If you want to know more about it check out the website at www.requiemforadream.com <--pretty clever, huh? I hope you enjoy it.

Ooh, a Lars von Trier picture. Intriguing...thanks.

For all the rest of you, be like Black and recommend a film.

The Element of Crime, Criterion DVD.