The Best Movies You May Have Never Seen
by Barking Carnival Staff on May 12, 2009 6:46 PM CDT
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PrintAs we continue our quest to turn this sports blog into Ain't It Cool News, I give you another Guest Film Crit lecturer - our pal, Scagnetti.
- S.R.
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There seems to be no middle ground on here, albeit a ground that’s well-tread with expansive, intelligent discourse. Appears we either ham up the art or pick the popcorn outta our teeth.
This stops NOW!
Sailor asked me to write something for you bloodhounds, and I look forward to yer comments… and feedback… I think.
So the first round of chum to you sharks are five films I feel are perhaps unknown to, or unappreciated by, American audiences. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn some or all of you have heard or seen SOME of these films, but not ALL. And they are all too damned good for this to be the case.
1977 B&W Directed by Charles Burnett
This ‘fro will turn you awn, BRUTHA!
The cornerstone of the Los Angeles movement of Black neo-realism in the late 70s, Killer of Sheep utilizes many non-professional actors, but concentrates its languid energy on a meat processor and the struggle with his South Central LA family and friends. It is gritty and fully informed by its location and the reality of domestic drama in and around lower class blacks.
The film was held up for thirty years due to copyright issues governing its soundtrack. The music, the cinematography and the acting performance by Hank Sanders really propel this film along to a numbing distance. It is to be admired, as this seminal work has finally been distributed on DVD, some ten years after securing its eternity as a pick for preservation by the Library of Congress.
1980 Directed by Nicolas Roeg
I think she has a pulse.
I like Nick Roeg, he of The Witches, Walkabout and Don’t Look Now, but this is his finest work. It encompasses his rigid discipline of parallel stories and intercutting narrative editing. A cinematographer by trade, Roeg’s frames are stunning and informative, and the editing tells the story back to front, from end to beginning. A bit of a precursor to Memento.
Harvey Keitel is an NYPD detective hunting/interviewing Art Garfunkel for the murder of Garfunkel’s sometime lover/patient. The acting is fantastic, taut and engrossing. This film is simply a brain-job of epic proportions, but always fascinating.
1995 English Subtitled Directed by Emir Kusturica
I dance to the strong Phallus in my hands!
Palm d’Or winner at the ‘95 Cannes Festival, this whack-job of epic Eastern European cinema portrays a Serbian village isolated underground during the Cold War. It is colorful and hallucinogenic, mad, torrid and manic. The music, the cinematography and acting performances will either enthrall you or piss you off to no end.
The film speaks to the fear and uncertainty of the time period. An example of paranoia to the nth degree, Underground speaks to film lovers in all the classical terms, then turns into a movie within a movie, when the revisionist leader turned national hero conceals his true motivation. Corruption and deception run rampant, and all because of a woman... and another man.
1951 B&W Directed by Samuel Fuller
Hi, my name’s Lucky Bastard!
"The REAL Korean War story!" Allegedly, this film inspired the dumb-fuck television executives at FOX to turn "M*A*S*H" into a wet blanket. And for all the wrong reasons. Sam Fuller, perhaps the most American of studio directors - he also served up genius in The Naked Kiss and Shock Corridor - works here from an autobiographical story.
Fuller was a WWII vet and translated this story to the then-current Korean War, and did so in less than two weeks of shooting. The film also made Fuller a bit of a ‘Commie’ sympathizer for a few scenes depicting a Japanese-American soldier retelling how his parents were interred in camps during the last great war. Raw and honest, this is what war films never are anymore.
The Crowd
1928 Silent/B&W Directed by King Vidor
But, honey, CTJ’s gonna be there with his slide-rule!
This has been outta print for the last fifteen years, as MGM is restoring it, possibly. But it is a travesty this film is not available to the public at large. It should ring true to all you corporate zombies out there.
John Sims fights conformity to make a life for his young bride, after his ambitions get the best of him. Tragic, subtle and beautiful, director King Vidor has some breathless moments, in particular, in various shots portraying the vast nothingness and endless faceless numbers corporate America can represent. This was nominated for the first ever Best Motion Picture Oscar in 1928.
FIVE MORE
It was hard enough to pare this down to ten, let alone five, so humor me, damnit.
Pickpocket by Robert Bresson
Bresson’s most accessible film for the modern viewer. Follows a man who moonlights as, you guessed it, a common thief.
In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-Wai
This is the finest film made in the last ten years. I honestly believe that, and it happens to be a a sure thing for the ladies. Great great film, sensual and touching. Makes you think... and read. In Mandarin with English subtitles.
How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog by Michael Kalesniko
Charming comedy about life, kids, writing and bad actors. Kenny Branaugh shines. As does Robin Wright Penn and Jared Harris as Branaugh’s doppelganger.
The Furies by Anthony Mann
Barbara Stanwyck steals this movie, and is just... AWESOME as an entitled cattle baron’s strong-willed daughter. Don’t mess with HER, dudes!
Mystery Train by Jim Jarmusch
Perhaps Jarmusch’s strangest film to date, it follows several disparate individuals as they spend an evening in Memphis, TN. Japanese Elvis fans and Steve Buscemi, how can you go wrong?
I encourage you to check them ALL out, even if for a second viewing, I believe them to be a worthwhile endeavor. I would also love to hear yer thoughts and suggestions for future posts. Because, next time, class, we will discuss Woody Allen and his quest for .400...
Until then, friends, talk amongst yerselves.
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by Rick Boyer on May 12, 2009 7:30 PM CDT reply actions
The Best Movies Nobody Has Seen Except For Me Because I Am Smarter Than You and Have A Better Appreciation For the Arts Than You. You Should Just Accept the Fact That You Will Never Attain the Fine Taste of Cinematic Expertise That I Hold and Continue To Enjoy Multiple Viewings of Paul Blart:Mall Cop.
by centexu on May 12, 2009 8:08 PM CDT reply actions
I can’t wait until G.I. Joe comes out this summer. Some guy on orangebloods said this is going to be the best movie ever made because shit blows up. I like it when shit blows up. Is there any shit blowing up in the movies you listed?
by fostemi1 on May 12, 2009 9:27 PM CDT reply actions
Actually got to see “The Crowd” for a class at UT. First time I’ve thought about that movie in awhile.
A suggestion…great little movie called “Primer,” which was made for about $7k outside of Dallas and released in 2004.
by Steve Nebraska on May 12, 2009 10:22 PM CDT reply actions
You boys are losing your audience’s respect by the day with your pseudo-intellectual bullshit..
by Shoulda been brought up before on May 12, 2009 10:28 PM CDT reply actions
I’ll not be an ass and say thanks for sharing Scagnetti. Steve, Primer is a great movie.
by dick on May 12, 2009 10:53 PM CDT reply actions
I want to see all of these. Nice job.
Was the line in the Star Trek review about a forthcoming Revenge of the Nerds review a joke? Because until I hear otherwise I’m looking forward to it. I found this funny:
http://teeblahg.blogspot.com/2006/10/short-time-ago-i-was-flicking-around.html
by Willy Lump Lump on May 12, 2009 11:06 PM CDT reply actions
The only thing that could drive me away from this blog is more whining about the officiating the Rockets/LA series. Keep these coming.
by honkskillet on May 12, 2009 11:06 PM CDT reply actions
Great list, scag. I liked Don’t Look Back, a lot. Creepy fucking movie.
Shoulda been brought up before – Perhaps we the audience is better off with you lost. What you prefer to read about?
by Nicole-Barbe Ponsardin on May 12, 2009 11:11 PM CDT reply actions
I for one am grateful for the guest appearance, Scagnetti. I was once a film student at UT, but apparently never a great one as I’ve seen none of those, but will hopefully get a shot at them sometime. Steel Helmet sounds excellent.
by Burnt Orange Wookie on May 12, 2009 11:25 PM CDT reply actions
Fun list.
I’ll throw out a few documentaries that nobody probably has seen, but I promise you’ll enjoy…….if you wear a beret, listen to jazz and drink absinthe.
“Theremin”
“Ghengis Blues”
“Crumb”
by Texoz on May 13, 2009 12:52 AM CDT reply actions
Ah yes, Crumb. Fine family fare that really warms the cockles of your heart.
Seriously, depressing at is, that is one great doc.
Now where did I put my Gauloises?
by Upgrayedd on May 13, 2009 7:44 AM CDT reply actions
For those who like dark comedy, I also recommend a movie called “Pretty Persuasion” with James Woods and Evan Rachel Wood.
by Steve Nebraska on May 13, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions
Nice, everyone. I appreciate the responses…
centexu you may be right. If I’m not a snob I might as well play one on TV. The original title of this thang was ‘the best films You Never Seen’ and while I’ve been known to walk the grammatical tightrope, this was a little nod to Your Kind Of Movie Goer Reader of the Carnival… You ain’t never [gonna] seen these films, is ye?! And what’s funny is yer response was dead on articulate and succinct. I dont think you give yerself enough credit…
fosty dude, shit blows up in that Underground picture, and in Steel Helmet too. Hell, there’s even gunfire in almost all these here pictures!!!
Steve thanks, but I have NOT seen Primer, will do so and get back to you promptly.
texoz I enjoyed ALL those documentaries. Terry zwigoff of crumb is now doing fiction features like Ghost Workd and Art School Confidential, but I am a Werner Herzog and Erroll Morris man when it comes to docs. Grizzly Man and Gates of Heaven almost made the list but I thought you guys mighta seen them, and IF YOU HAVENT, every Texan here or abroad naturalized or native MUST WATCH Morris’ The Thin Blue Line….
Thanks for yer thoughts everybody!
by scagnetti on May 13, 2009 11:32 AM CDT reply actions
Probably a bit mainstream, but I really enjoyed Dead Man by Jarmusch. I’ve never seen a movie that deals with death (even if it’s trippy) in a such an cold, unemotional fashion.
These posts are good. Anything other than the NBA.
by BatesHorn on May 13, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions
Thanks for the interesting post. I would put The Furies ahead of the 2 of your initial 5 films that I have seen (Killer of Sheep and Steel Helmet). What a great movie. The DVD release of Killer of Sheep has a collection of some of Burnett’s short features on the 2nd disc that I haven’t gotten around to watching; any comment on those? Since BatesHorn brought up mainstream Jarmusch, I have to add Night On Earth. And any documentary lover shouldn’t miss The Sorrow and The Pity; paints an ugly picture of French behavior during the German occupation.
by R Fourie on May 13, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions
I appreciate the movie tips, Scagnetti—nice work.
I like “The Crowd” a lot, though for my money it’s probably the third best U.S. film from 1928—I’d place it behind “The Last Command” (Emil Jannings) and “The Cameraman” (Buster Keaton), and internationally behind “The Passion of Joan of Arc” (Dreyer) from that year as well.
It was good to see Bresson here, too, though I like “Diary of a Country Priest” better than “The Pickpocket” (though the latter is very good).
Keep up the good work.
by Parlin Hall on May 13, 2009 1:08 PM CDT reply actions
Bates, Parlin, I appreciate the thoughts…
I did forget to mention, SHOULDA BEEN, this IS intellectual, don’t sell us short with any ‘psuedo’ backhanded compliments…
I like the docs discussions on here. If I am to continue on here, would love to provoke y’all with a column on these films specifically…
But the popcorn crowd SHOULD be serviced on here too, so a possible next submission could be a look into the summer releases upcoming. Hopefully, we’ll see you next week!
by scagnetti on May 13, 2009 2:58 PM CDT reply actions
And if Dead Man is mainstream, this can be easily considered the Widest Ranging Readership in the bloosphere, something we all should be proud of!
Cheers everyone!
by scagnetti on May 13, 2009 3:02 PM CDT reply actions
Black Cat White Cat by Emir Kusturica.
It will crack a smile on a dead man.
by Vasherized on May 13, 2009 3:13 PM CDT reply actions
“Open My Eyes”…a great little movie about love in the family. It’s play really well up in the sooner state.
by coolhorn on May 13, 2009 6:04 PM CDT reply actions
Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts had an excellent showcase of Charles Burnett last summer. Killer of Sheep was indeed powerful.
My personal Roeg favorite is Insignificance, although Bad Timing is indeed excellent.
I got to see Walkabout on a big screen at the aforementioned Museum of Fine Arts a couple of years ago, and while I liked it before, it gave me a new appreciation for it. It’s simply not the same movie on a television.
I’ve never seen an Emir Kusturica movie. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled.
I enjoyed nearly all of Samuel Fuller’s movies, although Shock Corridor has fared a little poorer than his others through time. It was one heck of a movie when it was released, but the subject matter isn’t nearly as disturbing to a modern audience as it was to the movie’s contemporaries.
Not familiar with Bresson or Kalesniko. At least, not that I can recall.
I love Jarmusch’s first release - Stranger Than Paradise. I remember when it came out. “I Put a Spell on You” reverberates in my head to this day because of that movie. He’s got another one hitting theaters in a couple of weeks. I can hardly wait.
Barbara Stanwyck is amazing. She’s not mentioned enough among the greatest actresses of film. Her portrayal in Double Indemnity is still the best femme fatale character ever for my money.
Wong Kar-Wai is always visually stunning.
by SL Xpress on May 14, 2009 5:16 AM CDT reply actions
It only goes to show where there’s will there’s a way. Keep on trying.
by Jonathan Jaimes on Feb 13, 2010 4:44 PM CST reply actions
Just proves the old adage. It’s an ill wind that blows no good. – What nerve. Not even a modicum of originality. – Samuel Goldwyn 1882 – 1974
by Jason Jolicoeur on Mar 23, 2010 10:34 PM CDT reply actions
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