I've noticed whilst compiling this list, there are a few outliers but overall I would say I'm a quirky romance fan, not a rom-com fan, there has to be a bit more to the film, I'm relieved to find I'm a romantic at heart. Sometimes I surprise even myself so hey I have learnt something today as well, sharing is caring I've been told. Also my old chum Charlie Kaufman seems to feature heavily in the list, let's give the man a hand, he really does write films in a unique and mind bending way and his best works are when he teams up with a visually creative director, I give you Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry, combined they make amazing movies well worth compulsory viewing for all film fans. Unfortunately Kaufman's solo project 'Synechdoche New York' was something I took my, then relatively new, boyfriend to see and we both spent the hours during and after scratching our heads. It was more an ideas film and, as most films I love do, it took itself far too seriously and it's message was somewhat lost on me. The events that took place required more suspension of disbelief than I was willing to allow, it was all just too bizarre, too unrealistic, too alien a concept for me. Perhaps I'll watch it again some day but at the time I was sorely disappointed with the wasted Catherine Keener and I spent most of the film imagining turning Philip Seymour Hoffman into a human pin cushion, that was possibly the only satisfying aspect of watching it...So needless to say, that won't feature in my list, someday I might realise it's genius but for now I'm happy to acknowledge it as something I quite simply did not get.
So this took a lot longer to write than I anticipated, it's been about two weeks since I started writing it and the list has gone through numerous iterations, these are the ones I've settled on. Obviously looking through there was more to said for some than others but they all stand to be named my favourite films; it's gotten to the point now where I've given up editing and deleting certain statements and tinkering with my opinions... I've never had such an instance where I've written so many compliments, so many superlatives, so much love in one go, quite a new experience for me. It's been harder work than I expected, it's rare that I list things as I see it as a waste of time but knowing what my favourite films are and acknowledging my unbridled affection for them has been quite enjoyable. Go figure, I might do more lists in the future. Oh and I didn't number them, there is no order here, just chaotic cinematic enjoyment.
Being John Malkovich
So this was a film I inadvertently watched one night whilst channel surfing and landed upon some guy getting punched in the face for enacting a lewd puppet show in the street. It was odd but for some reason, perhaps my sleep deprived reasoning, I thought it looked like a fun film. So I continued and discovered that the odd puppet scene wasn't the most bizarre thing that happened in this film, as soon as Octavia Spencer helped pry open the lift on floor 7 1/2 the film continued to get better and better. God, do you ever wish you could watch your favourite film for the first time again? This is a film which constantly surprised, amused and entertained and I only wish I could have the pleasure of being surprised again, literally it's something that rarely happens in films, there is always a logic, a well versed sequence of events, this film just does whatever the hell it wants and doesn't need anything more than your rapt attention.The unsurpassed Catherine Keener, the uglied Cameron Diaz, John Fucking Malkovich! All providing roles which were different and yet still entertaining, it must have taken me about half an hour to realise that frizzy haired girl was Cameron Diaz, the days when she was young and effortlessly beautiful... So long ago... This was also Spike Jonze directorial debut having mainly specialised in awesome music videos before this, the screenplay was my bud Charlie Kaufman, together they made a visually mind-bending amazing piece of cinema. As I mentioned previously, for Kaufman's ideas to translate to screen successfully he needs a director with visual flair and an uninhibited imagination, it's not quite the dizzying heights of Michel Gondry but there is a fun and entertaining way Jonze uses the camera to convey certain scenes. It never ceases to entertain me in it's audacious insanity and just how much fun a film can be when its clawing around under your skin and taking over your soul. Kaufman as always takes the opportunity to plumb some deep and philosophical questions, the reality of self, the possibility of a soul, the quest for immortality and wraps it around the profession of a puppeteer. There's a bit of food for thought there, but the characters, and you the viewer, are too busy being dragged along by the events to pause to think until the last scene when you suddenly stop and think. The end always gives me chills, I love a pessimistic ending, even if this one is disturbing for so many reasons.
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind
This battles for the number one spot in my heart, in fact this is the film I would respond with as my favourite film ever over and over again. It used to be a battle between that and Lost in Translation, this one won out more times that not due to time shading my opinions on the components of Translation, Bill Murray kept it near the top though. More about this film, this is essentially Charlie Kaufman writing a romance film, it's heartbreakingly realistic and yet somewhat fairytale in the fact that the core premise of the film is two lovers go to and have their memories erased of one another, but in true fairy tale fashion they realise that even though their relationship decayed, as many do, they still love one another deep down and find themselves being tugged back together unconsciously. They aren't perfect but they make each other so happy and that happiness and love is worth the decay and disappointment that comes with a long term relationship, it's worth it because there is a deep connection, an understanding and sometimes a lack of, over time this leads to resentment but when it's good, it was amazing. It's love. I can't describe enough how much I adore this film from the soundtrack to the cinematography (and godamnit I hate that word...) to the small minute details that make watching it over and over again so satisfying. We can thank Michel Gondry for the visual quirks of the film which make it so beautiful, this is my favourite Kaufman film because of it's beating heart but it wouldn't be anywhere near as touching if it wasn't for the wordless visual notes throughout. It's quite a sight to behold to watch memories as they decay, and of course when desperation leads Joel trying to salvage his love for Clementine by searching his own mind looking for inventive places to hide her, to keep her. It's a beautiful breathtaking film and the sentiment is so heartbreakingly true. This can all be put down the imaginative and always inventive directing of Michel Gondry, this man is officially one of the most creative beings in film in this day and age, he has such an unsurpassed visual flair, it's pared down in this particular outing but it works to great effect with Kaufman's screenplay, the story itself is steeped in true sentiment whereas visually it's fun and a bit bizarre at times but never too outrageous (although it can be weird there is a logic to it...) where the film lacks in humour it more than makes up for in what it shows you. Michel Gondry excels at bizarre yet memorable imagery and with the beating heart of the film making you feel something it's unique that the visuals also manage to create an indelible impression. It's such a good film even the periphery players get something to do, Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo have a bit of fun, Elijah Wood playing a suitably creepy pathetic character and Tom Wilkinson doing us all a favour and being fantastic as always. Let's not forget the leads, Kate Winslet in my favourite role of hers to date, she was Oscar Nommed for this and didn't win, a travesty and the only serious Jim Carey role in which he really shone and behaved like a believable human being, there are still some uniquely Jim Carrey moments no other actor could pull off but he is just so different, so vulnerable, so human. I could spend all day gushing about this film so I won't. It's perfection and it's deep down in my heart of hearts, my favourite film. But shhh...
Casino Royale
So, this blog is fully aware of my love of Mr James Bond. In many years to come my perceptions of the Bond films might change, Skyfall was an incredible film by any standard but it has come to Casino Royale to be placed in my favourite film list. I could watch this over and over and still be entertained. Perhaps it's the beguiling Eva Green and her bewitching eyes, perhaps it's the whole fun of watching a poker game among the most rich and powerful cartoonish men in the world, perhaps it's seeing Bond as a brash start out bulldozing his way through, perhaps it's the finale taking place in Venice the most beautiful city I have ever had the joy of visiting and rambling through, so many reasons... It did what it set out to do, it created a new legacy, a new start, and introduced a new Bond, the unsurpassable Daniel Craig. Those chipped ice blue eyes, that manly physique, the fact that he can wear a dinner jacket and look so incredibly dashing but also be rough and ready for an action sequence. Bah. I could spend forever ranting about why I love this film, it's a thrill ride of excitement and it's awesome, I could watch it repeatedly, forever. It doesn't need much more said to be honest, if you've ever seen it you know why it not only makes for an excellent Bond film but also a brilliant action film.
Fight Club
When I was but a teenager, an angry, not quite rebellious soul... Well at some point around when I turned 13 I thought I discovered an author called Chuck Palahniuk, the thing is I actually thought I had discovered him, like before that moment in time no one else had heard of him... Although the book shop was selling his books and this was in 2003, Fight Club had already been written, filmed and already made a modest return in the cinema although not being quite as successful as 20th Century Fox would have liked... Then becoming a cult classic on VHS/DVD... Where was I? Oh right, so I quite avidly read all of Palahniuk's bibliography up to that point obsessively, Invisible Monsters and Diary are by far my favourite of his but Fight Club was the one translated into a cinematic masterpiece. I'll grudgingly thank David Fincher for that, I never forgave him for the bloated and frankly awful Benjamin Button, but here he excels at creating a coherent and enjoyable adaptation of Palahniuk's book somehow making it even better than the book; now I must say the book has it's merits but it's very rare I find a film adaptation on a par or better than the original text, this one takes the cake. No lies. What more can I say about the film that hasn't already been said to someone trying to get you to watch this film? It has Brad Pitt in it, back when he was a beautiful sculpture of man, not some bearded self-important ponce. I also actually liked Edward Norton in it, you know before he became an old self-important ponce. Why is this film great? Because it has a distinct vibe, a feeling of disillusionment, a desire to break the norm of the disappointing hum-drum day to day, to feel something more, to be something more than what you have come to expect. It's all of course from a masculine view point and this is where the film takes itself far too seriously. We are lead to believe that the disillusioned are being led by a criminally insane schizophrenic mastermind and the film consistently tries to ensure us that this could be possible. It's not, it's hilarious nonsense but the fact that it takes itself so achingly seriously is amusing in itself, it has time to laugh a little but not enough, so I find myself laughing at Tyler Durden pontificating and the reality of Brad Pitt being the exact thing Durden is railing against. The inclusion of the unhinged Marla Singer, played to perfection by Helena Bonham Carter, somewhat gives us a reprieve, there are women damaged enough in the world to fall for those insane lunatics roaming around too, watching her performance is heartbreaking as she tries to grapple with the man she seems to care about somewhat and lets trample all over her, and yet the film plumbs humour from her confusion. It's all so gleefully ridiculous and most importantly immoral! Hence why it's fun... The best part of the film is the translation the fact that Palahniuk
himself admitted he only decided midway through the book to have the two
characters be one person means the suspension of disbelief is even
harder to grasp, the film visually tries to ensure the twist isn't quite
as baffling and as hard to believe when it is finally revealed. Palahniuk himself believes the end of the film surpasses that of his book, with the Pixies singing Where is My Mind, it is, plus it's much more fun.
Lost in Translation
Ah... Sofia Coppola*, daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, progeny of one of the most influential families in Hollywood, no surprises she chose this as her profession. Of course having film coursing through your genes doesn't necessarily make you talented, you need a lot of things to craft a good film, a film that will inspire, that will be cherished and loved. There are several reasons this film is a head and shoulders above the rest of Sofia Coppola's filmography, it has a personal connection**, it has heart, it takes place in Japan, predominantly Tokyo which is stunning, the soundtrack is impeccably chosen, and most importantly, crucially, unforgettably, it has Bill Murray, my man. I know I spent a long time ranting about the brilliant Sam Rockwell but there isn't an actor out there that I have the same affection for as I do Bill Murray, the man is a legend. He is perfection, he is ... I'll be gushing if I continue, you can't understand how much I love the man, it's a personal thing, butt out. It took a long time to realise this but I realised what Sofia Coppola's other films were missing: Charisma. Luckily Bill Murray has that in spades, he also has unsurpassed acting skill. The film is minimalist in the fact that there is barely any story, it's just two people bumping into one another in a Tokyo hotel and gradually making a connection through their shared loneliness and disconnection. It trundles along at a leisurely pace and the thing that keeps your attention that grows and develops is the relationship between Bob and Charlotte, Charlotte being played by Scarlet Johansson. Everything about this film is understated, the performances, the direction, the music, the story, it's a subtle piece of cinema and it's just beautiful. The best thing is watching Bill Murray propel the film with his wearied expression, his lost eyes, his warmth and charisma... And without fail I will be reduced to tears at the end of this film, every time, it's the only film I will ever cry at the end. The tears aren't sad, they are happy, tears of understanding, because you don't want something so comforting, so beautiful to end, similar to the protagonists perhaps. Jesus and the Mary Chain kicks in with Just Like Honey, I'm a blubbering mess, it's one of my favourite films because I feel something.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Ah hello Charlie Kaufman, my old bud. I may have mentioned it previously, Kaufman will forever hate this movie because Clooney essentially ruined it. Well, he changed it, significantly, I'm not going to complain, it was a great film, a largely ignored one, but a film I adore, it has the Kaufman flair, but it also has a visual assuredness, essential when translating a Kaufman screenplay to the big screen. Clooney's directorial debut, his best outing as a director I believe, mainly because he's not a massive integral piece of any part of the film, it would fall apart without Kaufman's screenplay and Rockwell's performance, I believe. Goodnight and Good Luck would follow which was a very impressive take on Edward R Murrow's attack against Senator McCarthy in the 50s, ah them were the days, and that was a good film, then it all went downhill, Leatherheads was rubbish and Ides of March painfully unimpressive and somewhat angering in it's standpoint, my feminist fury flaired watching that film. Luckily in Confessions he gets so many things right. It's stylistic, it's audacious, it's unbelievable, it's hilarious and ridiculous but it takes itself soooo seriously. The whole thing is one long deadpan joke, the humour comes from the fact that it is trying to make you believe it is telling a true story. I'm a massive fan of the 60s/70s, it was such a tumultuous period and this encapsulates the insanity going on at the time. A basic explanation, I'll try and give the film a running start to entice people to watch it. Chuck Barris, an idiot born in the 50s falls into the decades of opportunity and tries to forge a career in television mainly because he figures that will get him laid, this is his sole purpose for the first segment of his existence. He comes up with an idea for a dating show, it's Blind Date, three prospective partners behind a screen, a contestant asks them questions then chooses one to go on a date with all without seeing their face. Man wasn't that a good show? I miss Cilla Black... Anyhoo it doesn't get picked up straight away, there are set backs, he meets George Clooney who then has him trained as an assassin/secret spy... He gets the show produced finally and hey presto he's living a double life with Drew Barrymore being his lover throughout. The twist is when the show gets picked up they have to give it a more exciting prize, they send the couples on holidays, and Chuck gets the joy of chaperoning them and of course committing some murders for the US government while he's abroad; perfect alibi, hilarious even! Anyways he continues to make television and his secret agent life unravels as it turns out there's a mole. Did I mention Chuck Barris is a real person who claims this is actually what happened to him? Of course it's beyond far fetched, but it's so deliciously over the top, so beyond stupid, so stylishly done, it's just brilliant to watch! Anyways, I can't say much more so I'll leave it at that, it's such a good film though! And one of my least successful, shame!
Science of Sleep
Now here is another romance film, this time by Michel Gondry, what a surprise! Not quite as fully realised as Charlie Kaufman's outing, but this is a more personal affair for the director. It's a bilingual film too which can be disorientating but Gondry himself is French, I say it's personal because it's more interested in a fatally flawed main character who can't discern reality from dream and who's imagination is a bizarre and intensely creative place. Unfortunately for Gael Garcia Bernal (playing the lead character Stephane) it causes trouble for his burgeoning relationship with Indie cinema darling Charlotte Gainsbourg (she's called Stephanie, coincidence, no?) There isn't a plot so much as Stephane hurtling through a brief stint as a calendar constructor (or something... I haven't watched the film in a long time, so sue me, it's still a favourite of mine) and trying to flirt with his neighbour in the adjoining flat. He is dangerously creative and magical but also paranoid, lost, lonely and a sensitive soul. It's all you could want from a Gondry film, defiantly whimsical and creative and painfully cruel. Stephane can't seem to discern reality from his dreams and bulldozes through the film, all you want if for him and Stephanie to see each other, you just want them to be happy, but the painful reality is that perhaps Stephane can't be happy or satisfied, even in his dreams, it's a shame but it's a truth, it's a possibility, it's an interpretation, it's a film about dreams and life. This is a film that needs to be seen rather than explained I'm afraid, so hop to it.***
Eagle VS Shark
Another not so successful film! To be fair it's from New Zealand, Taiki Waititi is the director writer of this film, I've mentioned him on here previously, I have a bottomless fondness for the man, I have yet to see his most recent film 'Boy' but literally am itching to see it, it's the highest grossing film in New Zealand ever, or something to that effect. Anyways he's hopped over to the US and has recently been directing the US Inbetweeners, horrifically bad translation but we've all got to start somewhere! Plus his signature affection for the oddballs of the world permeate through, as well as his warm unique sense of humour, you know, when the jokes aren't being ripped from the British original... Anyways, to give this film an explanation, it's been frequently compared to Napoleon Dynamite for it's humour because it has a bizarre family, awkward conversations and a story which is practically the most pointless/mundane life thing ever. To compare it to Napoleon Dynamite does this film a massive disservice, this film is fucking amazing and I won't have it tarnished by having it even compared to that American garbage. Ok, I'm exaggerating, Napoleon Dynamite is stupid, Eagle VS Shark has layers, layers of emotion, there is a respect for the characters throughout, sure they are stupid, but their feelings are acknowledged and we are shown some growth through the progress of the film. Of course I have watched this film about 15 times so I know the script and the beats inside and out, but the fact is, I know and care about the characters, this is the closest I get to watching a rom-com when I want to sit with some ice cream, wrapped up in a blanket with the lights low, this is my relaxing need a cheer up film. It's so close to life, but there is a happy whimsical layer over the pains and realities of existence, doesn't stop the fact that these people are dealing with some pretty hard shit, but they all choose to battle on through life without any explanation and yet you can understand their actions. Did I mention this was a stupid film? In fact if anyone watched it they'd think it was weird and pointless and most importantly soooo awkward, but I seriously love this film. The main pair are played by Jarrod (Jemaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords fame - awesome show!!!) and Lily (Loren Horsley - hilariously enough Taika Waititi's wife.) It's fun because Taika Waititi and Jemaine used to be a comedy duo together and are close friends, and of course there is the scene where Jemaine gets to make out with his best friend's wife in front of him, the scene itself is fist bitingly awkward but it's even moreso when you think about the real life implications. Oh and the romance? It's about accepting someone for their flaws, loving someone unconditionally even though they are a jackass, because when you love someone you love everything about them and accept them for who they are, which is something Lily does for Jarrod, she loves him for him. He of course doesn't really realise this but that's because he's a bit of an ignorant tool, but he also develops feelings for her even if he doesn't quite notice until it's almost too late, what's important is that it isn't, and they get together and love each other regardless. It's an imperfect little love story about imperfect people living boring lives, but it literally never fails to put a smile on my face. Why? Because being loved by someone is awesome!****
Wall.E.
Another film about love, because I'm a big softie at heart, except this one is about robots! And a bunch of other stuff, namely the future! Most importantly though, it's a love story! I really don't think there is much to say about Wall.E. that hasn't already been said... I fear I'm being painfully obvious by sticking it on my list... To be honest I couldn't give a stuff. Pixar haven't quite recovered from the impressive one, two punch of Wall.E. and Up, but if this is their best then god help me, I can live quite happily knowing this was created. It's a great film, I could watch Wall.E. and EVE roam around bouncing off one another in endless space until I died, it would be satisfying way to go. To be fair it's the first 40 minutes of the film which put it in my top 10 list, the fact that there is next to no dialogue and we are essentially watching robots wordlessly interact and roam about a wasteland whilst still being undeniably entertained is just mind-boggling and brilliant! Plus the inclusion of the Hello Dolly soundtrack is fun yet apt for the film, it goes as far as cementing Wall.E. as an old style traditional chum slash robot. Funny fact, I honestly thought he might not make it at the end, you know in the cinema, I actually cried, not something I do in the cinema, I actually wailed, 'NOOO WALL.E!!!' Jokes... I'm not that lame... Or am I?
Donnie Darko
Aha! Bet you didn't see this one coming! It was either this or Moon and with a tear in my eye and hint of regret in my heart, this one won out. Richard Kelly would go on to prove that less is more with the frankly baffling and pointless Director's Cut, and of course ruin his reputation with the unfathomably bad Southland Tales, but when I watched Donnie Darko for the first time I honestly thought it was the best film I'd ever seen. I was 14 and it was £3 in a music shop, it was cheaper than a CD and I figured I wouldn't be allowed to buy it being under the restricted age of 15. Luckily I wasn't asked for proof of my age and I watched this film with the honest opinion it was a teen comedy. Oh good god how wrong I was, but the first half hour had me honestly in stitches, if your expectations for this film are nil, then this film is possibly the weirdest most hilarious thing you will ever see. If you find such things as men in bunny suits predicting the end of the world somewhat humorous? You don't? My mind is clearly diseased. Well it was a good day for me, finding this film and then proceeding to insist every person I knew watched it so we could all dissect how truly awesome it actually was. Sure there is some weird wormhole-speak, and the time travel aspects are pretty damn bizarre, but the teen angst, the insane Jake Gyllenhaal, the fact you can watch it again and again and notice tiny minute details which seem completely significant to the purpose of the plot as Donnie Darko hurtles towards his own personal apocalypse make it strangely satisfying film. Of course don't watch the Director's Cut, it begins to de-construct the mystery of the plot by trying to explain itself further and just not making much sense, did I mention less is more? I've never been more impressed by the editing of a film, in fact this film makes it into this list simply by being the best edited film, an award will be sent in the post. The mood of the film, the whole 80s vibe, the fact that it's all so surreal and so twisted just make it so much fun. Trust me, it's just a film worth seeing, there was a point where everyone in my year at school asked 'Have you seen Donnie Darko?' And I would tell them of course, 'I watched it first fools!' No one ever believed me though...*Married to Spike Jonze who joins her on my list, coincidence, no? Unfortunately they divorced in 2003 and she would later marry Thomas Mars from the band Phoenix who feature heavily in her soundtracks. She is embroiled in films this woman.
** I'm making this a footnote for no reason at all but it's based on her father adverstising something in a foreign country, my brain has blanked, I think it was in Japan and it was a whiskey too... Damn my brain.
***To believe is to see, so see this, the Trailer is the best way to explain and to see.
**** I Love You, Awesome - The Phoenix Foundation, Eagle VS Shark OST. Just because.
No comments:
Post a Comment