22 May

I've been catching up on various journals, and in this entry, Stealth Punch asked for movie suggestions, hat movies do you think are overlooked or undiscovered? What do we suggest she rent from the video store?

So I thought, yeah, I could probably think of a few, then when I started I could hardly stop. And I sent three more P.S. emails with films I forgot afterwards. And only now do I realize that I forgot to mention The Little Girl Who Lived Down the Lane that I discussed in such detail so recently, but it's not available on DVD anyway.

Les Enfants du Paradis (Children of the Paradise) - The most perfect movie ever made. I will fight to the death forever on this one. And it's remarkably accessible for a foreign classic, since I fell in love with it at the age of eight.

Shock Corridor - My favourite movie of my father's. Extremely dense, chewy and rather silly at time, but it takes itself completely seriously. Which frankly makes it funnier, but it's not a movie to watch only to laugh at.

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir - A perfect film, just absolutely perfect. There is nothing more to say.

The Point - I am surprised at how many people haven't heard of this one, but I guess with pre-video age children's films, you really had to be exactly the right age to see something, and I was the right age for this. Great Harry Nilsson music!

Sherman's March - Just out on DVD, my favourite documentary ever. It's about Ross McElwee, who decides to make a documentary about Sherman's March to the sea but ends up making a documentary about his inability to get a girlfriend. I described it to someone and they said, "You mean it's like 20 Dates but good?"

Truly, Madly, Deeply - It's true, Anthony Mingella once knew how to make movies! Once upon a time, he wasn't beating everything into the ground until what he ended up with was not so much a film as a dead horse. And once, you may not believe it, he knew how to make a really romantic picture.

The Whole Wide World - I saw this just because I love Vinny D'Onofrio, but it's a beautiful film whether you have a crush on one of the leads or not. An agonizing romantic tragedy, but also uplifting. Just terrific.

Visions of Light - Gorgeous docu about cinematographers. I imagine it works better on the big screen with all of the breathtaking visuals, but when you have really breathtaking visuals, they are still breathtaking even on a tiny screen!

Ulee's Gold - Such a small film, no-one remembers it anymore, but it's a real gem. With the extra little moment of famous drug addict Peter Fonda protesting that he doesn't know what a roofie is.

From Dusk Till Dawn - I sort of saw this accidentally, expecting it to be bad, but at least there are vampires and Clooney, but it's really good! Fun, bloody, strong performances, twists, I really dig it.

A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies - Why have random internet people and friends recommend movies when you can have Marty, the ur-movie fan, do it! A terrific movie all on its own as well.

The Rutles - The father of all mockumentaries, great music, Neil Innes looking really hot, what's not to love?

Broadcast News - Are you wondering whether this movie is as good as you thought it was when you first saw it? It's better. A perfect, beautifully structured film.

A Matter of Life and Death (Stairway to Heaven) - Not available on DVD, but apparently it will be soon, and when it is, no-buying year be damned! A terrific romance involving a court case in heaven as to whether love should overcome fate. Who wouldn't love a film about that? Philistines, that's who.

The Weavers-Wasn't That a Time - I mentioned this recently in an entry, great documentary/concert film about the Carnegie Hall reunion of this seminal folk group.

The Limey - Great, great film. Not my favourite Soderbergh , that would be Out of Sight, not the most unknown Soderbergh, that would be Schizopolis, but it is certainly the most shamefully overlooked Soderbergh. Terence Stamp is one of those glorious lions of British cinema, and by golly he's still got it.

Passion Fish - The movie I have spent more time trying to convince people to see, except for Les Enfants du Paradis. I think if I had to name one single movie that is most undeservedly unknown, this would be it.

U-Turn - Came and went, probably Oliver Stone's least known film, but it's a lot of fun. Would make a great double-bill with Red Rock West, a similar plot and similar style but different enough to not feel as though you are watching the same move twice.

Still Crazy / Bad Behaviour - Two movies that I saw only due to my obsession with Stephen Rea, but two movies that my life would have been poorer had I not seen. The second one not available on tape or DVD because people are stupid and have no vision. If you loved Bill Nighy in Love, Actually, he plays the same character in the first one and it's just as great.

Down With Love - How was this not a giant hit? Such a loveable movie, funny, clever, pretty to look at, what is wrong with audiences?

Session 9 - Terrific, scary, spooky. Again, the atmosphere of the disused mental hospital might be less effective on the small screen, but its such a strong film that it will probably pop right off your TV.

Phantom of the Paradise - Except for the weird casting of Jessica Harper as the hot chick, a really great film. The 70's, a time when Paul Williams was a legitimate sex symbol.

Bugsy Malone - Speaking of Paul Williams. One of the flat out strangest movies ever made, but it still holds up. I understand Alan Parker leaves it off his resume. If I were him, I'd leave off The Road to Wellville, aka the Worst Film Ever Made, but that's me.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Best closing line ever, other than Breaking Away and Birdy. Two other recommendations, by the way. Great western, and I am no John Wayne fan, baby.

My Favorite Year - My favourite Peter O'Toole movie. Fun, funny, Jessica Walter being lusted after again, which I must say I don't get, but I'll accept it. Also The Stunt Man.

The Magic Christian - I saw it about eight times in three days when my boyfriend at the time was dubbing copies for friends, and I ended up really getting into it. Extremely peculiar.

Alfie - See it quick before the remake comes out!

Sleuth - Speaking of Michael Caine films. Also, The Ipcress File. If all you see in your head when you think of Michael Caine is the old (if still pretty hot) man he is now, go back and see him when he was Jude Law.

Waterworld - Yes, Waterworld! I said it and I'm not ashamed! If loving this movie is wrong, I don't want to be right.

Repo Man - Everyone has made at least one good movie, even Emilio Estevez! But not everyone was lucky enough to be in a great movie.

Cook, the Thief, His Wife, Her Lover - One of those movies that people either really love or hate with a burning passion. I loved it.

Tarzan / Hercules - The two best Disney movies that weren't the hits that they should have been.

Torch Song Trilogy - Great gay cinema. Nah, just great cinema entirely.

Hope and Glory - Can a movie about growing up in the middle of a war be not only warm and movie but really, really funny? Surprisingly, yes it can.

What Happened Was - Not a movie to ever see ever on a date. Ever. Particularly a first date. Otherwise, it's safe to watch, if agonizing.

Audition - One of those movies that seems like one thing and then it turns into something completely different. After watching it, if anyone ever says to you "Kiri kiri kiri" you will immediately jump out of a window.

Welcome Back Mr. McDonald (Rajio no jikan) - Speaking of Japanese films, but this one isn't terrifying, it's hilarious. The great thing about radio plays is everything that can go wrong, and by golly, everything goes wrong here.

Dear Lord, if I don't stop now, I never will!

Kymm

P.S. Naked, Accidental Tourist, if..., Next Stop, Wonderland. I'd like to stop, but it's sooooo hard to.