**some films mentioned on this list may no longer be available through Netflix instant-streaming...
Welcome to Cuesta's Crash Course du Cinema (copyright pending)! Those of you who manage to snag a month or two of Netflix are on your way to becoming part of a high-class society of Cinephiles, who separate themeselves from the primates by giving a damn about plot, style, subtext, drama, and the craft of filmmaking as a whole! The following courses can be taken entirely via Netflix, and have been designed to widen your cinematic tastes in some form or another.
*Please note: While all of these titles are available through the traditional mailing service, the availability of a select few on the instant streaming service is subject to change.
And if you'd like to own any of these great movies, you can click the pictures to peruse their various releases on Amazon ;)
Enjoy! Learn! And Grow (nerdier)!
Course 1: Music and such
This selection of musicals and documentaries should serve as a great introduction to film for the musically cultured/talented.
No Direction Home:Bob Dylan
A Scorsese-directed doc that delves into Dylan's humble beginnings. From his smalltown upbringing to his radical transition from folk to electric, the man's story is masterfully retold through interviews, photographs, and an abundance of collected footage. This shows the true, underappreciated power of documentary filmmaking.
A Hard Day's Night
Released at what many consider the peak of Beatlemania, this black-and-white comedy follows John, Paul, George, and Ringo through a "typical" day of work. Packed with hit songs and filmed in an endlessly influencial style (the modern concept of a "music video" owes its existence to Night's cinematography and editing), it is perhaps the closest that one could ever get to spending a few hours with the legends themselves.
This is Spinal Tap
A mockumentary by Rob Reiner. Following the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap, it satirizes EVERYTHING that could go wrong in a career of rock and roll, all with a dry, goofy wit that only a band of Brits could pull off.
The Producers (1968)
The original film that inspired both a Broadway show and a Will Ferrel remake. There's a good chance you've seen this; but if you haven't, it is a wonderful farce and an equally wonderful introduction to the lunacy that is Mel Brooks comedy.
Course 2: Not your average romance..
It's no exageration in saying that most "date movies" are essentially the same picture, repackaged with a few minor alterations, and sometimes with a few sudden (dumb/unnecessary/unsatisfying) twists in the plot. But when handled with the honesty, complexity, and affection it deserves (much like a relationship), an otherwise superficial experience can tap into aspects of life that we otherwise don't see in many pictures. Popular examples exist in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and 500 Days of Summer, two stories of love that stray from formula and employ their own quirks and styles, resulting in evocative (yet entertaining) experiences. The next few flicks, I find, accomplish this as well.
The Graduate
This sixties gem is truly a marvel. Its visuals, very much inspired by those of European arthouse cinema (more on that later) were rarely seen by American audiences. And Dustin Hoffman's lovably awkward performance (I relate to him so much it's almost depressing...) will likely make him a favorite to the viewer. Just when you think the film couldn't be any more intoxicating in its scandelous story and dreamy atmosphere, it's all heightened by a psychodelic soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel.
Annie Hall
The perfect intro to the world of writer/director/actor/musician/standup-comedian Woody Allen. You'll know from the opening scene alone that this man's work is unlike anything else out there. More importanly, however, this is the film that took home the Oscar for Best Picture of 1977. And considering its main competition during that award season (specifically, a much more popular and ambitious project of an underappreciated genre), that may be incentive for certain people to see it ASAP.
Bonnie and Clyde
It's no secret that this is a crime movie, a very famous one at that. But at its core is the love between the titular characters (played magnificently by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunawaye). You learn to care for these two growing criminals as they progress in their crusade for happiness and prosperity, making the climax all the more gut-wrenching.
The Hustler
A billiard drama starring Paul Newman...if you're not automatically attracted to that, then the film has more than enough to make up for it. What begins as a simple tale of a man who lives for the game of pool evolves into a heated love story between Newman's character and that of Piper Laurie. Filmed in gorgeous black-and-white, the movie boasts deep performances, a seductive soundtrack, and some well-shot sequences involving the game.
Course 3: A Few Foreign Favorites
For a good majority of the American population, it's strange to watch an entire film in another language. If one can get passed this simple element, however, they can access a new world of philosophies, shot compositions, and narrative structures; in other words, some of the movies ever made.
The 400 Blows (France)
Often called the absolute best of French New Wave director Francois Truffaut, this brutally honest character study is a perfect portrait of failed adolescent relationships with family and the world around you...in French.
8 1/2 (Italy)
An Italian study of a troubled filmmaker, struggling to juggle the drama of his love life whilst dealing with the production of his next film. This film is distinguished by some very unique pacing and a collection of long, artistic sequences that stray from the main plot. Make sure you're WIDE AWAKE so you don't get lost in the ambiguity of the piece.
Gojira (Tokyo, Godzilla to western audiences)
The original entry of the Godzilla franchise is unlike any of the dozens of sequels that it spawned. Rather than being overstuffed with foreign camp and "suitmation" battle sequences, it is somber, gritty, and rather disturbing. In short, it is a surprisingly smart tragedy that delivers social commentary on nuclear warfare; the concept of the monster spawned from Japan's own firsthand experience of the Hiroshima bomb-dropping. If you can get past the fact that it's a guy in a suit (and understand that the effects are EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE for 1954), you're in for a wild ride that holds great significance for the development of screen horror.
Course 4: Nastier stuff (no. not porn.)
Like Sylvester Stallone said in the last Rocky film, "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows." This next section is compiled of gritty, realistic, yet fairly accessible thrillers, dramas, dark comedies, and other such delights.
Pulp Fiction
Have you ever thought that plots with hitmen, heroin, boxing, watches, twist contests, Christopher Walken and sodomy could all exist in one of the most entertaining movies of all time? Well they can. And they do. Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece remains one of the most memorable films of the nineties with its all-star cast, clever narrative structure, and Oscar-winning screenplay.
Dog Day Afternoon
Al Pacino steals the show in this New York dramedy about a heist that goes horribly wrong. When Sonny(Pacino) and Sal (fellow Godfather co-star John Cazale) fail in their attempt to score a fortune at the bank, they try to maintain control over several hostages as the police surround the facility. If you aren't sucked in within the first ten minutes (kickstarted with a delicious montage of NY's hustle and bustle), you must be watching it wrong!
Raging Bull
Widely regarded as Martin Scorsese's masterpiece (not my personal favorite of his, but I can honestly see why it would wear that title). De Niro plays real life boxing champ Jake Lamotta, a role that landed him the Oscar for Best Actor. This analysis of the man spans from the prime of his career to his tragic downfall while focusing little on the actual sport itself. What matters most is the character and his relationship with his brother and wife.
District 9
A hard-hitting film that was made on a significantly smaller budget than its typical blockbuster counterparts, this mockumentary/satire/action-thriller/sci-fi mish-mash of goodness is the full package. You will find yourself emotionally engaged in the story, characters, and message, only to be blasted out of your seat with one of the best last acts you'll ever see.
Course 5: Dessert
These last few are just very well made and worth your time. Enjoy what you can from them.
The Sting
Robert Redford and Paul Newman play a couple of con artists who seek to avenge the death of a close friend by conning a fortune off the man responsible. Winner of multiple Oscars including Best Picture, it sports an enticing early twentieth century asthetic, perfected with great acting and an engaging ragtime score (which includes the timeless piece "The Entertainer"), and offers up one of the best cinematic payoffs in history.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
A revisionist western from the same director and lead roles of The Sting, this is one that your parents have undoubtedly seen/heard of. This gem from the late 60's is such an iconic movie that it has been referenced everywhere from current TV shows to video games (Uncharted 2 fans may recall a certain line atop a cliff jumping sequence: "You first, Butch.") It is a quirky, light-hearted masterpiece that will cause you to crack at least one good smile with the chemistry of the title characters.
Die Hard and Speed
While it may be hard to believe, action movies can have both a brain and a heart when made with enough care and respect, and therefore can be enjoyed on an emotional level as well as a visceral one. Die Hard is commonly regarded as the absolute best of the genre, and perfect proof of the above statement. The story is great in that it is simple, yet polished enough for viewers to actually care about the consequences of the action rather than the sheer spectacle. The hero is as likable as one could hope (Bruce Willis in his iconic role as John McClane), and the villain Hans Gruber is made delightfully despicable by Alan Rickman (yeah. Snape. That guy).
Similarly, Speed invests a lot of time in establishing its characters, and the plot's main focus of a bomb on a bus does not kick in until about a half an hour into the movie. There's also a great dynamic between Keanu Reeves' hero and Dennis Hopper's bat-shit insane madman, with strong supporting roles by Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock. If it's at all possible for the viewer to just sit back and enjoy these action classics, it will be worth the viewing, and perhaps prove that there is more to the genre than slick editing and loud effects.
This was obnoxiously long. But I don't care. I hope you enjoy these movies to some degree. Feel free to give me your reactions if you get around to seeing them. :}
*Please note: While all of these titles are available through the traditional mailing service, the availability of a select few on the instant streaming service is subject to change.
And if you'd like to own any of these great movies, you can click the pictures to peruse their various releases on Amazon ;)
Enjoy! Learn! And Grow (nerdier)!
Course 1: Music and such
This selection of musicals and documentaries should serve as a great introduction to film for the musically cultured/talented.
No Direction Home:Bob Dylan
A Scorsese-directed doc that delves into Dylan's humble beginnings. From his smalltown upbringing to his radical transition from folk to electric, the man's story is masterfully retold through interviews, photographs, and an abundance of collected footage. This shows the true, underappreciated power of documentary filmmaking.
A Hard Day's Night
Released at what many consider the peak of Beatlemania, this black-and-white comedy follows John, Paul, George, and Ringo through a "typical" day of work. Packed with hit songs and filmed in an endlessly influencial style (the modern concept of a "music video" owes its existence to Night's cinematography and editing), it is perhaps the closest that one could ever get to spending a few hours with the legends themselves.
This is Spinal Tap
A mockumentary by Rob Reiner. Following the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap, it satirizes EVERYTHING that could go wrong in a career of rock and roll, all with a dry, goofy wit that only a band of Brits could pull off.
The Producers (1968)
The original film that inspired both a Broadway show and a Will Ferrel remake. There's a good chance you've seen this; but if you haven't, it is a wonderful farce and an equally wonderful introduction to the lunacy that is Mel Brooks comedy.
Course 2: Not your average romance..
It's no exageration in saying that most "date movies" are essentially the same picture, repackaged with a few minor alterations, and sometimes with a few sudden (dumb/unnecessary/unsatisfying) twists in the plot. But when handled with the honesty, complexity, and affection it deserves (much like a relationship), an otherwise superficial experience can tap into aspects of life that we otherwise don't see in many pictures. Popular examples exist in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and 500 Days of Summer, two stories of love that stray from formula and employ their own quirks and styles, resulting in evocative (yet entertaining) experiences. The next few flicks, I find, accomplish this as well.
The Graduate
This sixties gem is truly a marvel. Its visuals, very much inspired by those of European arthouse cinema (more on that later) were rarely seen by American audiences. And Dustin Hoffman's lovably awkward performance (I relate to him so much it's almost depressing...) will likely make him a favorite to the viewer. Just when you think the film couldn't be any more intoxicating in its scandelous story and dreamy atmosphere, it's all heightened by a psychodelic soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel.
Annie Hall
The perfect intro to the world of writer/director/actor/musician/standup-comedian Woody Allen. You'll know from the opening scene alone that this man's work is unlike anything else out there. More importanly, however, this is the film that took home the Oscar for Best Picture of 1977. And considering its main competition during that award season (specifically, a much more popular and ambitious project of an underappreciated genre), that may be incentive for certain people to see it ASAP.
Bonnie and Clyde
It's no secret that this is a crime movie, a very famous one at that. But at its core is the love between the titular characters (played magnificently by Warren Beatty and Faye Dunawaye). You learn to care for these two growing criminals as they progress in their crusade for happiness and prosperity, making the climax all the more gut-wrenching.
The Hustler
A billiard drama starring Paul Newman...if you're not automatically attracted to that, then the film has more than enough to make up for it. What begins as a simple tale of a man who lives for the game of pool evolves into a heated love story between Newman's character and that of Piper Laurie. Filmed in gorgeous black-and-white, the movie boasts deep performances, a seductive soundtrack, and some well-shot sequences involving the game.
Course 3: A Few Foreign Favorites
For a good majority of the American population, it's strange to watch an entire film in another language. If one can get passed this simple element, however, they can access a new world of philosophies, shot compositions, and narrative structures; in other words, some of the movies ever made.
The 400 Blows (France)
Often called the absolute best of French New Wave director Francois Truffaut, this brutally honest character study is a perfect portrait of failed adolescent relationships with family and the world around you...in French.
8 1/2 (Italy)
An Italian study of a troubled filmmaker, struggling to juggle the drama of his love life whilst dealing with the production of his next film. This film is distinguished by some very unique pacing and a collection of long, artistic sequences that stray from the main plot. Make sure you're WIDE AWAKE so you don't get lost in the ambiguity of the piece.
Gojira (Tokyo, Godzilla to western audiences)
The original entry of the Godzilla franchise is unlike any of the dozens of sequels that it spawned. Rather than being overstuffed with foreign camp and "suitmation" battle sequences, it is somber, gritty, and rather disturbing. In short, it is a surprisingly smart tragedy that delivers social commentary on nuclear warfare; the concept of the monster spawned from Japan's own firsthand experience of the Hiroshima bomb-dropping. If you can get past the fact that it's a guy in a suit (and understand that the effects are EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE for 1954), you're in for a wild ride that holds great significance for the development of screen horror.
Course 4: Nastier stuff (no. not porn.)
Like Sylvester Stallone said in the last Rocky film, "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows." This next section is compiled of gritty, realistic, yet fairly accessible thrillers, dramas, dark comedies, and other such delights.
Pulp Fiction
Have you ever thought that plots with hitmen, heroin, boxing, watches, twist contests, Christopher Walken and sodomy could all exist in one of the most entertaining movies of all time? Well they can. And they do. Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece remains one of the most memorable films of the nineties with its all-star cast, clever narrative structure, and Oscar-winning screenplay.
Dog Day Afternoon
Al Pacino steals the show in this New York dramedy about a heist that goes horribly wrong. When Sonny(Pacino) and Sal (fellow Godfather co-star John Cazale) fail in their attempt to score a fortune at the bank, they try to maintain control over several hostages as the police surround the facility. If you aren't sucked in within the first ten minutes (kickstarted with a delicious montage of NY's hustle and bustle), you must be watching it wrong!
Raging Bull
Widely regarded as Martin Scorsese's masterpiece (not my personal favorite of his, but I can honestly see why it would wear that title). De Niro plays real life boxing champ Jake Lamotta, a role that landed him the Oscar for Best Actor. This analysis of the man spans from the prime of his career to his tragic downfall while focusing little on the actual sport itself. What matters most is the character and his relationship with his brother and wife.
District 9
A hard-hitting film that was made on a significantly smaller budget than its typical blockbuster counterparts, this mockumentary/satire/action-thriller/sci-fi mish-mash of goodness is the full package. You will find yourself emotionally engaged in the story, characters, and message, only to be blasted out of your seat with one of the best last acts you'll ever see.
Course 5: Dessert
These last few are just very well made and worth your time. Enjoy what you can from them.
The Sting
Robert Redford and Paul Newman play a couple of con artists who seek to avenge the death of a close friend by conning a fortune off the man responsible. Winner of multiple Oscars including Best Picture, it sports an enticing early twentieth century asthetic, perfected with great acting and an engaging ragtime score (which includes the timeless piece "The Entertainer"), and offers up one of the best cinematic payoffs in history.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
A revisionist western from the same director and lead roles of The Sting, this is one that your parents have undoubtedly seen/heard of. This gem from the late 60's is such an iconic movie that it has been referenced everywhere from current TV shows to video games (Uncharted 2 fans may recall a certain line atop a cliff jumping sequence: "You first, Butch.") It is a quirky, light-hearted masterpiece that will cause you to crack at least one good smile with the chemistry of the title characters.
Die Hard and Speed
While it may be hard to believe, action movies can have both a brain and a heart when made with enough care and respect, and therefore can be enjoyed on an emotional level as well as a visceral one. Die Hard is commonly regarded as the absolute best of the genre, and perfect proof of the above statement. The story is great in that it is simple, yet polished enough for viewers to actually care about the consequences of the action rather than the sheer spectacle. The hero is as likable as one could hope (Bruce Willis in his iconic role as John McClane), and the villain Hans Gruber is made delightfully despicable by Alan Rickman (yeah. Snape. That guy).
Similarly, Speed invests a lot of time in establishing its characters, and the plot's main focus of a bomb on a bus does not kick in until about a half an hour into the movie. There's also a great dynamic between Keanu Reeves' hero and Dennis Hopper's bat-shit insane madman, with strong supporting roles by Jeff Bridges and Sandra Bullock. If it's at all possible for the viewer to just sit back and enjoy these action classics, it will be worth the viewing, and perhaps prove that there is more to the genre than slick editing and loud effects.
This was obnoxiously long. But I don't care. I hope you enjoy these movies to some degree. Feel free to give me your reactions if you get around to seeing them. :}
No comments:
Post a Comment