With movies (like any other entertainment medium) there's the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. While I do have some quirky and odd films lying around and waiting to be watched (S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Fantastic Planet, The Holy Mountain, Beyond the Black Rainbow), there's very little purpose in me watching them in the first place. 'Twas never all that interested in sitting down for hours watching a strewn sequence of events take place, even though there were a few popular/unknown movies that struck my fancy when I saw them with friends.
There is a game called S.T.A.L.K.E.R. There is a very famous film called
Stalker, directed by the very famous Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky. He also directed
The Mirror,
Ivan's Childhood, and others. These three films are present on various lists I have created in this thread. I am not familiar with a film called S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Please clarify.
Regarding the other three films you have mentioned above, they all appear weird. That is not a bad thing at all. I am vaguely aware of the titles, but otherwise know little or nothing about them.
Stalker could certainly be considered to be a weird film. I have mentioned some rather strange films in the thread, among them
House and
Woman in the Dunes, and perhaps even
Jigoku. But aside from your mention of
Spirited Away, weird films make up the majority of films you have mentioned. How critically acclaimed are they? I guess my point is, given all that you've said, and all that is obviously missing from your post, what range of film watching experience do you count as contributing to your opinion of films?
From my experience watching Spirited Away a handful of times over the years, I'd have to vouch for Studio Ghibli as being one of the best animated movie producers out there. The artwork is absolutely stunning for what it is, especially when considering that it isn't your run-of-the-mill CGI and the animations are downright fluid for hours on end. How can you not adore those signature characters on the screen: Totoro, Chihiro, etc.?
Spirited Away is on my list of films to watch, and most any other animated film from the same director. These animated films hit my radar the same way almost all the other films on my list have hit my radar. What I mean by this is by applying the proper filters and following various links, a net is cast which captures the films of note.
But as aforementioned, there's always a horrendous disasterpiece to counterbalance the successes of certain films and film producers/directors. If you've ever heard about or seen any Tommy Wiseau work, you can understand where I'm going with this. If you can or have watched through The Room without cracking a smile, busting out in laughter, or breaking down at the incredibly ludicrous acting... props to you! His whole catalogue of films is a slurred chronology of bad and what not to do while directing, producing, or acting in a film; Hell, it's a pain even bringing the petty fool up for discussion!
Life is too short to watch countless bad movies. Repeated watching of bad movies only leads one to become skeptical of the film watching experience. But there are so many fine movies, each with their own merits. As I just mentioned above, application of the proper film discovery methods leads to many fine gems.
Yeah, I know that these snippets don't cut it in comparison to the preceding reviews... My experience with film and cinema remains very limited at this point in time (something I hope to change in the near future).
One can enjoy many different film genres simultaneously. Appreciating fine films on their own merits is key. I would never apply the same metric when watching a Yasujiro Ozu film of the '50s vs. a Marvel Studios film of the last ten years.
Iron Man delivers polished action and fun.
Tokyo Twilight (Ozu) delivers powerful observations of strife within family relationships which will have you crying. I recommend both. I'm sure you've seen
Iron Man. I can be fairly confident you haven't seen
Tokyo Twilight.
But this thread looks to be a very promising goldmine of quality cinematic ventures; I'll be more than happy to take a gander at some of these works at a later date!
Start with a set of keywords. They will lead you to good places. In general I won't mention obvious keywords, directors, films, etc. For example, everyone knows about
Star Wars,
The Avengers, etc. Most people have heard of Kubrick's
2001: A Space Odyssey, and yet it's surprising how many people haven't seen the film, let alone have seen it properly, so it must be referenced, one way or another.
Some keywords:- Criterion (publisher of critically acclaimed films, and lesser known arthouse films)
- Japanese New Wave
- French New Wave
- Asian cinema
- MUBI (social networking - see what people are discussing)
53 films to watch right now:Tokyo Twilight: This is an exceptional film from director Yasujiro Ozu. It will leave you in tears. More info:
http://www.criterion.com/films/771-tokyo-twilightIn the Mood for Love: This film is pretty much considered to be Wong Kar-Wai's masterpiece. However, watch his other films as well. In the Mood for Love is actually the second in a very loose trilogy, comprised of
Days of Being Wild,
In the Mood for Love, and
2046. More info and trailer for the film:
http://www.criterion.com/films/198-in-the-mood-for-loveLet Me In: This film is very underrated. The problem is further compounded by those who watched the Swedish version first, and can't accept the fact that
Let Me In is actually an astounding film. Why? It has an extraordinarily beautiful soundtrack, superb acting, beautiful lighting, metaphors within the cinematography and lyrics, and the story is simultaneously tragic and beautiful.
A clip from the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F62GjsKAfNs&feature=relmfu2001: A Space Odyssey: Maybe you've seen this. But if you haven't seen it properly, then you need to watch it again. It is generally considered the greatest science fiction film ever made, is pretty much considered one of the greatest films ever made (consistently in the top ten - Sight & Sound's Directors Poll rates it at #2), and is generally one of the most discussed films ever, and will continue to be for the next 100 years. Watch every minute of this film with rapt attention. It is simultaneously very slow (sometimes boring), and yet also the most incredible trip anyone will ever go on: I defy you to watch the following clip and tell me it isn't art of the highest form. And remember this film was produced 46 years ago. Yes - 46 years ago, as production began in 1966.
A clip from the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpvOUnz4T7QThe Innkeepers: Horror done right. It's not about blood. It's about what forces lie down the hallway when you're alone at night. More info:
http://mubi.com/films/the-innkeepersPale Flower (subtitled): I truly love this film. It's a beautiful example of the Japanese New Wave of the sixties. It's a noir with the deepest blacks and whites that almost seem blue. It's a morality tale (or would that be an immorality tale?). Whatever the case, you should watch it.
The original trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOOr4nuWFqUHunger: This film will take you to the grave. Fassbender's performance is dedicated, to say the least, and McQueen's direction is fantastic.
The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9IiUbBV4zc&feature=relmfuThe Face of Another (subtitled): This is another film from the Japanese New Wave. However, it's also a film from Hiroshi Teshigahara. That means a lot. Please do not consider passing this one by. Tell me, how many films have you watched which belong to the category of avant-garde existentialism? I thought so. This film will stay in your mind. Trust me. The trailer just doesn't do the film justice.
The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK5Rz6txcDUYi Yi (subtitled): How can I convey what a beautiful film this is? So poignant, powerful, touching, sad, and wonderful. It's long, but worthy of several viewings.
The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F6tSorwYqwNever Let Me Go: Carey Mulligan and Izzy Meikle-Small's performance are beyond measure. The cinematography is beautiful. The story just stabs you in the heart.
The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXiRZhDEo8A2046 (subtitled): Are you prepared to watch what many consider to be one of the most beautifully filmed movies ever? Until you've watched a Wong Kar-Wai film, you're not yet complete. There are films, and then there are Wong Kar-Wai films. Words to describe his works? Dreamy. Sublime. Swooning. Meditative. Sumptuous. Beautiful. He is the master of love found and lost across the hallway corridor, and his films are a visual and auditory experience that just sings to the soul.
The trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8OAxS9L7esHere's an example of Wong Kar-Wai's film grammar (and Zhang Ziyi's incredible performance). In this clip from
2046 (only this scene is in black and white), Zhang's character realizes she's just fallen in love.
The clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRfPF3tLIGQMystery Train: I don't know how to describe this one. All I can say is, it provides fond memories after having watched it.
The trailer: http://www.criterion.com/films/2057-mystery-train?q=autocompleteWoman in the Dunes (subtitled): This is pretty much the most famous film from Hiroshi Teshigahara. And it's actually a very famous film, period. It's another film that belongs in the category of avant-garde existentialism. It's a deep probing film about identity, freedom, and life. It will not go away when it's over.
More information and a trailer: http://mubi.com/films/woman-in-the-dunesInglourious Basterds: This movie has grown on me. On the second and subsequent viewings, I have come to really enjoy this film.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/inglourious-basterdsChungking Express: Wong Kar-Wai banged out this movie because he and his actors needed a break while filming
Ashes of Time. Despite the quick production, it's a beautiful and fun movie to watch. Faye Wong, one of the stars in the film, also covers a song by the Cranberries, in Cantonese!
More info: http://mubi.com/films/chungking-expressBarry Lyndon: This is a Stanley Kubrick film. He actually used special lenses from NASA to film many of the scenes lit only by candlelight.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/barry-lyndonAn Education: Carey Mulligan shines in this modern film about a student in 1960's London coming of age.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/an-educationThree Colors: Blue: Juliet Binoche stars in this in this beautiful french film about surviving tragedy.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/three-colors-blueNo Country for Old Men: Who doesn't like this movie? One of the Coen Brothers' best.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/no-country-for-old-menLost in Translation: Sofia Coppola says she was most inspired by Wong Kar-Wai's film
In the Mood for Love (see further above) when she directed this film starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/lost-in-translationSecret Sunshine (subtitled): This film features a devastating performance by the lead. It asks some tough questions. Midway through might put the viewer in a position to judge, but nothing is cut and dried in this film:
The trailer: http://www.criterion.com/films/27750-secret-sunshine?q=autocompleteTrue Grit: I love this film by the Coen Brothers. Hailee Steinfeld steals the show.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/true-grit--2The Makioka Sisters: This film might not be for everyone. But if you give it a chance, you'll be drawn into the lives of these four Japanese sisters.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/the-makioka-sistersJane Eyre: The cinematography in this film is excellent and the dialogue between Jane and Mr. Blackthorne is top notch. Some of the shots look like Rembrandt paintings.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/jane-eyre--2The Thin Red Line: A surreal existentialist piece by Terrence Malick.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/the-thin-red-lineThe asterisk next to the following movies indicate that I actually have not yet seen the following films, but they are so highly critically acclaimed or loved by many, and on my soon to watch list, that they bear mentioning.
*
Raise the Red Lantern:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/raise-the-red-lantern*
Cyclo:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/cyclo*
The Human Condition:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/the-human-condition*
Seven Samurai: Without a doubt Akira Kurosawa's most famous film.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/seven-samurai*
The Cranes are Flying: Russian film.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/the-cranes-are-flying*
The Spirit of the Beehive: Spanish film.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/the-spirit-of-the-beehive*
Tokyo Story: Yasijuro's most famous film and voted the greatest film of all time.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/tokyo-story*
Raging Bull: A Martin Scorsese film.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/raging-bull*
Lust, Caution:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/lust-caution*
Fallen Angels: A Wong Kar-Wai film.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/fallen-angels*
Oldboy:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/oldboy*
The Mirror: One of Andrei Tarkovsky's most famous films.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/the-mirror*
Woman of the Lake:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/woman-of-the-lake*
Twenty-four Eyes: A Japanese film very much loved film by the Japanese.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/twenty-four-eyes*
Vengeance is Mine:
More info (trailer contains nudity): http://mubi.com/films/vengeance-is-mine*
Ashes of Time Redux: A Wong Kar-Wai film.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/ashes-of-time*
The Insect Woman:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/the-insect-woman*
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/spring-summer-fall-winter-and-spring*
Adaptation:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/adaptation*
Poetry:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/poetry*
Farewell my Concubine:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/farewell-my-concubine*
Intentions of Murder:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/intentions-of-murder*
Sansho the Bailiff:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/sansho-the-bailiff*
Rashomon:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/rashomon*
Ivan's Childhood: One of Andre Tarkovsky's most famous films. Actually, does Tarkovsky have any films that are not famous?
More info: http://mubi.com/films/ivans-childhood*
When a Woman Ascends the Stairs:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/when-a-woman-ascends-the-stairs*
Yojimbo: An Akira Kurosawa film.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/yojimbo*
Harakiri:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/harakiri*
Cafe Lumiere:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/cafe-lumiere*
Ugetsu: Considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.
More info: http://mubi.com/films/ugetsu*
Street of Shame:
More info: http://mubi.com/films/street-of-shameSome directors:- Yasujiro Ozu
- Wong Kar-Wai
- Wes Anderson
- Akira Kurosawa
- Edward Yang
- Tran Anh Hung
- Kon Ichikawa
- Ti West
- Stanley Kubrick
- Masahiro Shinoda
- Hiroshi Teshigahara
- Lee Chang-dong
- Hou Hsaio-hsien
- Yoshishige Yoshida
- Kenji Mizoguchi
- Jean-Luc-Godard
- Ko Nakahira
- Louis Malle
- Koreyoshi Kurahara
- Keisuke Kinohita
- Shohei Imamura
- Nagasi Oshima
- Satyajit Ray
- Ang Lee
- Mikio Naruse
- Masaki Kobayashi
- Philip Kaufman
- Hirokazu Kore-ada
- Zhang Yimou
- Sejun Suzuki
- Werner Herzog
- Andrei Tarkovsky
- Lars von Trier
- Brad Bird
- Michael Mann
- Danny Boyle
- Joe Wright
- Coen Brothers
- David Fincher
- Jim Jamusch
- Krzysztof Kieślowski
- David Cronenberg
- Steve McQueen
- Terrence Malick
- Quentin Tarantino
- Sofia Coppola
- Jean-Pierre Melville
- Martin Scorsese
- Hayao Miyazaki