Movies

I decided that I really needed some more film-related content on my site, so here is my feeble attempt at film content that doesn't require as much thinking as an essay. Here are some random picks-and some of the great underappreciated films. Perhaps I'll add and rotate them as more come to mind...
All links are courtesy of The Internet Movie Database As I was preparing this list, I realized that a lot of them werereleased in 1996-what a nice year for film that was!

All About Eve-a terrific script, with dialogue that just seems way ahead of its time. Much wittier than anything you'll see Quentin tarantino or other of his sad passe ilk oput onscreen. and of course, Better Davis--no one can touch her. And I've always been a big fan of Anne Baxter, she was so beautiful.

Fargo-well, perhaps not as unsung as some other films here, but it was so good, wasn't it? And I always watch at least part of it whenever it's on TNT, which is frequently! William H Macy is such a subtle actor, but is so perfect in this film. And part of what is really great about the film is how the Cohen brothers don't have to tell us everything; they leave some things to the imagination-like we never know why Jerry is so desperate for cash, or how he really thought up this whole plan-and we learn very little about Marge. But I think she and Norm are probably one of my favorite onscreen film couples.

Empire of the Sun-perhaps the king of all underrated films. And one directed by Spielberg at that! This was a very interesting story, and with a fabulous cast I still can't believe that so few people have seen it, or at least that so many have ignored it. Chrisitan Bale showed his beginnings as a fine actor here, carrying nearly the entire film on his very young back, and holding his own onscreen with the likes of John Malkovich-not easy to do!

Citizen Kane-still the greatest film of all time, and probably will forever be, no matter what is created in coming years, simply because it was so ahead of its time, so innovative in both its technology and its storytelling, that good filmmakers will ever be copying it in some way or another. Or directly lifting from it (see Velvet Goldmine, for example.)

Murder By Death-a terrifically funny movie, written by Neil Simon (based on his playscript, I believe) that skewers the detective film/novel genre. It had a top-notch cast of comedic and dramatic actors from past and present, including James Coco, Peter Sellers, Maggie Smith, David Niven, and a very young James Cromwell. It is just so funny-I recommend it highly.

The House of Mirth-a cruelly overlooked film. As I've stated before, I think that Juliette Binoche (whom I really like) was given the nomination that should have gone to Gillian Anderson. Anderson is such a magnificent actress, also very very subtle, and think works so well in the film. Add to that the care that the director took to showcase Anderson's skills (ie, he shot it as though it were for television to make the most of her subtlety) and you have a great movie, with another great cast-Eric Stoltz, Laura Linney, Anthony LaPaglia.

Emma-quite simply, the best performance by Gyweneth Paltrow on film, and probably the best we will ever see from her. I don't find her to be a particularly beguiling actress (she strikes me as much more of a star), nor did I think her performance in Shakespeare in Love was worth an Academy Award (it should have gone to Cate Blanchett.) But Emma is delightful, with great supporting performaces that bolster Paltrow's.

A Simple Plan-another one for the "underrated hall of fame." This was probably the best film of its year (1998?) and it got such little attention. Everything about it was top-notch: the acting, the script, and even the cinematography (I always remember that great shot of the 3 men in the snow, with their tracks behind them.)

Hamlet (Branagh's)-the best adaptation of Shakespeare that I've seen. Everytime I see it I am amazed at the detail and creativity and intelligene Branagh brought to the work. The acting is all marvelous (Brangh and Derek Jacobi should've been givens Oscars), tho perhaps Julie Christie isn't up to the level of everyone else. Kate Winslet was a great Ophelia, and the sword fight at the end is easily the most exciting in our times. This film was terribly overlooked at the academy Awards.

Searching for Bobby Fisher-such a lovely, quiet little film. I read that Ben Kingsley still remembers his work in this film as one of his favorites. Between him and Joe Mantegna and Laurence Fishburne, the cast could do no wrong. And it was a lovely story about father-son dynamics and pressure children feel. Plus it had remarkable pre-star support from Laura Linney and William H. Macy.

The Zero Effect-does anyone else remember this movie? It starred Bill Pullman and Ben Stiller, and it was one of the quirkiest and most interesting films I've seen. It also featured Ryan O'Neal, interestingly enough, and I thik it portrayed on eof the nicest male friendships that I've seen. Sometimes it's like films or filmmakers are so afraid of showcasing male friendships for fear that it will automatically lead to gay overtones, (not suprising given some people's insistence that all male-male relationships be like that, and if they're not, there's something wrong, ie Billy Eliot. Oh, please!) or something like that. but when Bill Pullman's character asks Ben Stiller what he will do without him, I was so touched.

12 Monkeys-poor Brad Pitt. He finally succeeds at showing us he's a great actor (tho not succeeding in making himself unhandsome, even with the goofy eye) and no one notices. Except for the Hollywood Foreign Press, which rightly gave him a Golden Globe for his trouble. And excellent sci-fi film-one that will mess with your head!

Nurse Betty-I can't go on enough about how much I loved this one. It was so terrific, and the performances so great (Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock, Greg Kinnear, and of course, Renee Zellweger in a tough role), and that it had a positive message and even a little twist at the end only make it better. I think I may have cried at the end.

JFK-where do I start? Well, first, take away all the stupid controversy and the narrow-minded press. Forget that so many write off Oliver stone as a drug-enhanced crackpot. This film is well-made. Great score, great acting (the most energetic performance from Kevin Costner, despite all his failings) and clever editing al make for a really enjoyable film experience. Then once you relaize that Stone was a) merely adapting a book and b) giving us all something to think about, ie the fact that Kennedy was almost assuredly killed in a government conspiracy, then you can appreciate it all the more.

Evita-much much more than just Madonna is killer outfits. This film was really beautiful-to watch and to hear. Madonna had never looked better or sounded better, and I think Antonio Banderas deserved at least a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. I really do. Additionally, Evita brought us back to such wonderful films of the past, with singing and dancing and all the rest of that delightful hokum. The waltz for Eva and Che sequence never fails to give me goosebumps-when the music swells and they really start dancing, it is so perfect, and such a quintessential movie moment-it just doesn't last long enough.

While You Were Sleeping-Sandra's Bullock doing a great job at carrying a film, something that sadly, hasn't happened in awhile. A cute story, very quirky characters, and a lot of heart go into making this such a fun watch. I also nearly cried at this one, I guess because Bullock is so convincing!

Oscar and Lucinda-such a wonderful little film. Ralph Fiennes is extra-stunning with red hair, and he and Cate Blanchett have a wonderful chemistry as a quirky pair of lovers.

Quiz Show-another film for the top underrated pile. This was so beautifully made and well-acted. The script was tight and really kept your interest, despit perhaps not appearing to be the most interesting of subject matters. Plus a cameo by Martin Scorsese ("I think they should give all that money back!")!

A Time to Kill-why, oh why didn't anyone notice this film? It is probably best remembered as the film that launched Matthew McConaughey into super-stardom, tho that was more from the resulting press than from the film itself. And he is very good in it, along with Sandra Bullock, Ashley Judd, Kevin Spacey, Oliver Platt (not enough good roles for this guy!) and the criminally not-Oscar nominated Samuel L. Jackson.