I was sitting here… taking a break from doing revision and as I always do I started scribbling down a list of movies, this time of my favorite movies and I thought well I am going to write a top 50.So many movies left out that I love and what I realized is that today I feel a certain way so a certain movie will be in the top20, maybe tomorrow it will be in the bottom 50, who knows. So, apart from the top5 which have remained steady for a few years now, the rest may change tomorrow, but here’s how I feel today:
50 – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
49 – E.T.
48 – Inside
47 – The Goonies
46 – The Apartment
45 – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
44 – Rebecca
43 – Wings of Desire
42 – Fanny and Alexander
41 – Magnolia
40 – Goodfellas
39 – Citizen Kane
38 – Chinatown
37 – StarWars Saga
36 – The Big Sleep
35 – Seven Samurai
34 – The Godfather Parts I and II
33 – The Nightmare Before Christmas
32 – Babe and Babe Pig in the City
31 – Edward Scissorhands
30 – The Shawshank Redemption
29 – Manhattan
28 – Band a Part
27 – 2001: A Space Odyssey
26 – Donnie Darko
25 – L’Avventura
24 – Once Upon a Time in the West
23 – Almost Famous
22 – Martyrs
21 – Brick
20 – The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
19 – Into the Wild
18 – Se7en
17 – Toy Story
16 – Stand by Me
15 – The Shining
14 – Pirates of the Caribbean Trilogy
13 – 8 ½
12 – The Schindler’s List
11 –Stalker
10 – A Very Long Engagement
09 – The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
08 – Le Notti Bianche
07 – Stardust Memories
06 – Jurassic Park / The Lost World
05 – The Lion King
04 – Garden State
03 – Nuovo Cinema Paradiso
02 – The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
01 – A Love Song for Bobby Long
And remember this is a list of my favorites, not a list of the movies I consider the best, otherwise it would be quite different. These are two different concepts, for example I love Freddy Got Fingered but I know perfectly well that it is a crap movie.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Frankenstein
One story - three different versions!
It is of common knowledge the horrifying story of "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley.
Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein" - also known as "Modern Prometheus" - in 1818 being only 18 years old. I have recently read her novel, which ended up being one of the best books I have ever read.
With curiosity, I watched the two main movies released afterwards - "Frankenstein" (James Whale 1931) and "Frankenstein" (Kenneth Branagh 1994). Of course they can barely transmit everything the book can, especially because they both have differences. I will now try not to disclose the end of any of the three.
The former has a fantastic introduction by Edward Van Sloan, who also plays Dr. Waldman:
The scenes and characters are based upon the 1920s play by Peggy Webling and the scenarios resemble "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (Robert Wiene 1920). Here, the creature does not speak and its creator is called Henry Frankenstein, instead of Victor as in the book. Henry Clerval is Victor's best friend, and in 1931's "Frankenstein" it is the other way around. There are far more differences whose explanations are beyond my limits of "spoiler alert".
On the other hand, we have 1994's "Frankenstein" where the creature is played by Robert De Niro, Elizabeth by Helena Bonham Carter and Frankenstein by Kenneth Barnagh himself. Here the view is far more romantic than the book or the previous movie, and it seems it is running...trying to pack in just one movie as much as they could.
None of the movies succeeded in a truthful representation of the beast - both had their main focus on something other than the "fiend".
Therefore, it is my role, as a "cinema lover" and co-author of this blog, to advise you to start by the book, and then...if by any chance you really want to watch the movies, go for it.
Enjoy!
It is of common knowledge the horrifying story of "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley.
Mary Shelley wrote "Frankenstein" - also known as "Modern Prometheus" - in 1818 being only 18 years old. I have recently read her novel, which ended up being one of the best books I have ever read.
With curiosity, I watched the two main movies released afterwards - "Frankenstein" (James Whale 1931) and "Frankenstein" (Kenneth Branagh 1994). Of course they can barely transmit everything the book can, especially because they both have differences. I will now try not to disclose the end of any of the three.
The former has a fantastic introduction by Edward Van Sloan, who also plays Dr. Waldman:
How are you? We are about to unfold the story of Frankenstein, a man of science who sought to create a man after his own image without reckoning upon God. It is one of the strangest tales ever told. It deals with the two great mysteries of creation – life and death. I think it will thrill you. It may shock you. It might even – horrify you. So if any of you feel that you do not care to subject your nerves to such a strain, now's your chance to – uh, well, we warned you.
The scenes and characters are based upon the 1920s play by Peggy Webling and the scenarios resemble "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (Robert Wiene 1920). Here, the creature does not speak and its creator is called Henry Frankenstein, instead of Victor as in the book. Henry Clerval is Victor's best friend, and in 1931's "Frankenstein" it is the other way around. There are far more differences whose explanations are beyond my limits of "spoiler alert".
On the other hand, we have 1994's "Frankenstein" where the creature is played by Robert De Niro, Elizabeth by Helena Bonham Carter and Frankenstein by Kenneth Barnagh himself. Here the view is far more romantic than the book or the previous movie, and it seems it is running...trying to pack in just one movie as much as they could.None of the movies succeeded in a truthful representation of the beast - both had their main focus on something other than the "fiend".
Therefore, it is my role, as a "cinema lover" and co-author of this blog, to advise you to start by the book, and then...if by any chance you really want to watch the movies, go for it.
Enjoy!
Friday, 26 June 2009
Nobody Knows
Once again, the fabulous "The Auteurs" website provided me a great opportunity.
"Nobody Knows" is from the same director as "After Life", which I did not happen to know... But interesting! He just got a new fan.
"Nobody Knows" is from the same director as "After Life", which I did not happen to know... But interesting! He just got a new fan.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Happy-Go-Lucky
And because cinema is never enough, here I come with one more movie.
"Happy-Go-Lucky" (2008) is from Mike Leigh, the director of the highly nominated "Vera Drake". Despite the comedy/drama coupling, Poppy has always a smile on her face. Who is capable of such a personality nowadays?
"Happy-Go-Lucky" (2008) is from Mike Leigh, the director of the highly nominated "Vera Drake". Despite the comedy/drama coupling, Poppy has always a smile on her face. Who is capable of such a personality nowadays?
Wings of Desire
This is a completely different level from before. Just like nothing you have ever seen in your life.
I am talking about "Wings of Desire" from 1984, an odd movie from the fabulous Wim Wenders. Be cautious! This is not a movie for every one, since it requires patience and a deep love for cinema. To enjoy it, you will need to really like this art.
Wim Wenders has also directed "Paris, Texas", "Lisbon Story", "Palermo Shooting", among many others.
"Wings of Desire" was also kindly recommended by my beloved friend "alva quase transparente". I have to say that I prefer this one from "La Mala Educación". Enjoy!
I am talking about "Wings of Desire" from 1984, an odd movie from the fabulous Wim Wenders. Be cautious! This is not a movie for every one, since it requires patience and a deep love for cinema. To enjoy it, you will need to really like this art.
Wim Wenders has also directed "Paris, Texas", "Lisbon Story", "Palermo Shooting", among many others.
"Wings of Desire" was also kindly recommended by my beloved friend "alva quase transparente". I have to say that I prefer this one from "La Mala Educación". Enjoy!
Bad Education
This is a movie from Pedro Almodóvar and it was recommended by our "alva quase transparente".
I have to say that it is probably not the best movie from the great director, but it is worthy.
Gael Gárcia Bernal plays, as always, a magnificent character, highly developed.
Just check it for yourselves.
I have to say that it is probably not the best movie from the great director, but it is worthy.
Gael Gárcia Bernal plays, as always, a magnificent character, highly developed.
Just check it for yourselves.
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
The End of The Line
Imagine a world without fish!
The world’s first major documentary about the devastating effect of overfishing premiered at Sundance Film Festival.
"The End of The Line" will be released June 12th.
Check the official website and IMDB.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Recently went to see Appaloosa, and must confess that was quite excited to see a western after such a sci-fiction era.
Romantic story, true friendship...beautiful horses...traumatised charactereds but ot that dense and profund...but rather than that, must confess that didn't impress me.
If we look to the data...realized, produced, screenplay written and played also by Ed Harriss...makes us remind of Clint Eastwood...is there any hidden desire of being the next Clint Eastwood? 'Unforgiven'?
Friday, 5 June 2009
After Life
Have you ever wonder what happens after life?
In 1998, Hirokazu Koreeda tried to answer this ephemeral question. In this movie, after dieing, everyone goes to a quiet residential where the counselors give them 3 days to pick one memory. Just imagine you are supposed to choose, among all the years you have experienced, a single memory to take to eternity. All the rest will be forever forgotten and you will have only your chosen memory.
After directed, and properly recorded, your memory turns into a short film which will be part of the rest of your dead-life...and you are free to go.
But is everyone able to make such a hard decision?
This amazing opportunity was enabled by the already mentioned website The Auteurs.
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