Only recently did I realize the looong list of films that Jenn needs to check out. It’s not that the following films are The Best Ever. They’re just good/great ones that I don’t think she’s seen.
In no particular order:
The New World – Terence Malick – unbelievably beautiful, silent, and moving
The Lookout – noirish, great performance by Matthew Goode and Joseph Gordon Levitt (my age-inappropriate crush)
Away We Go – written by Dave Eggers and his wife
Objectified – fantastic documentary about everyday design from the director/writer who created Helvetica (which you should also see)
The Visitor – Richard Jenkins is pitch perfect
Deconstructing Harry – one of the funniest, darkest, most inappropriate films I know of (but more sophisticated than World’s Greatest Dad)
Venus – Peter O’Toole makes 98% of other actors out there seem positively apish.
Hero/House of Flying Daggers – Stunning, seriously stunning art direction.
Howl’s Moving Castle – wow, wow, wow, wow. Makes Pixar look peevish.
Transiberian – murder and Ben Kingsley. Done and done.
Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst – one of my favorite documentaries. Not only does it tell the story of the kidnapping/conversion, it also traces the history of the first mass media event and the schism between generational cultures. Fascinating.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster – another fantastic documentary. World’s Biggest Metal Band Goes To Group Therapy.
The complete Arrested Development series – please understand my crush on Jason Bateman and allegiance to David Cross.
Laurel Canyon – feels exactly like driving through the canyons of LA and Frances McDormand is just sexy as hell when she wants to be.
Lars and the Real Girl – Because it’s small, well-written, well-directed, and stars Ryan Gosling.
Half Nelson – see above
After the Wedding – stars the bad guy from Casino Royale, shot on video, Danish film, really fantastic.
Gone Baby Gone – impressive, no really, impressive directorial effort from Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck is very good in the lead role.
The King of Kong – another one of my favorite documentaries. A truly epic battle to be the reigning champion of Donkey Kong.
Once – I hate, hate, hate musicals. I love, love, love this movie. Brand new interpretation of how to tell a musical story.
The Kingdom – exciting film from our friend Peter Berg (Very Bad Things). And my parallel-universe boyfriend Jason Bateman is in it.
La Vie En Rose – one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. And a very good film.
Infernal Affairs 1 & 2 – The original films that The Departed is based on. And, sorry popular opinion, I think these are more exciting. The performances and film direction serve the story, and not the characters.
Marie Antoinette – I’ll see anything that Sofia Coppola does. Even if Kirsten Dunst is in it. Beautiful art direction. Interesting character profile.
Thank You For Smoking – well, actually you should put anything that Jason Reitman directs on your list.
Dig! – Documentary chronicling two “rival” bands – Dandy Warhols one of them – and the success of one and the failure of another
Match Point – Woody Allen starts his new chapter in filmmaking. Really like this film. Johannsen is luminescent, but also a bit too self-aware of it. And Matthew Goode (see Lookout) is completely unrecognizable from the aformentioned film.
Battlestar Galatica – if you want to get into another TV series – this really is operatic and pretty amazing. Named one of the best series on TV in the past few years.
The Party – Peter Sellers. Highlarious.
Thirteen – excellent, excellent, excellent. Gripping and gritty.
Away From Her – holy cow how did young Sarah Polley direct these two aged, acting greats in such a poignant and elegantly reserved film? One of my favorites.
Raising Victor Vargas – shot on video. Such real and convincing performances from unknowns, you’ll think it’s a documentary.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind – Sam Rockwell and Drew Barrymore in the imagined biography of the Gong Show’s Chuck Barris. Pop the popcorn.
To Die For – Gus Van Sant and Joaquin Phoenix, based on a true story and really funny.
Tigerland – tremendous film. Pre-fuck up Colin Farrel. Will point to why you like the post-fuck up Colin Farrel in “In Bruges.” Put on the subtitles – the dialogue is tremendous but the sound mix is a bit off.
Punch Drunk Love – I’m surprised if anyone in the creative industry hasn’t seen all of Paul Thomas Anderson’s films – but this one seems to get overlooked. AND I CAN’T FIGURE OUT WHY. Love this movie.
Citizen Ruth – dark, funny, Alexander Payne written and directed, and starring Laura Dern.
American Movie – one of the best documentaries ever.
The Spanish Prisoner – David Mamet’s masterful sleight of hand.
The Tao of Steve – indie film, it’s just fun.
Anyone have anything else to add?
