Movies for the Ages
In reference to the post a coupla doors down, let's compile our own list of Movies for the Ages. The only "rule", if approved, would be that these need to be movies made during the last . . . 10 years? 20 years? The Newsweek guy asked if 'anyone was making movies that we would watch in 50 years', and included a list of rather cheesy but modern stars, which makes me think that he's talking about the last decade, maybe two.
Disagreements? Work 'em out.
So should we try to make such a list? Why not? We could all use a diversion now and then, and I'm all pissy today and need something to take my mind off W.
Before I throw out a few titles for you jackals to rip apart, I'd like to say this: What old movies still get watched today? Why do so many assume that old movies are "classics" even though they're often plagued by bad, bad acting and vapid lines, and new movies are crap? What an annoying question! Wizard of Oz kinda sucks, if you ask me, though the whole "gold standard" issue is pretty interesting, AND, if I was younger, I'd be all about getting high and watching it with Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon playing in the background. Gone With the Wind is awful--it's racist, there's a rape scene, yuck. One old movie that I really love is All About Eve--it's really witty, scathing, good story, good acting . . . but there are movies like that today. I immediately thought of As Good As It Gets, which is a really good movie about strong, if "flawed", human relationships.
Anyway, on with the list of modern classics.
1. I nominate Election. The hypocrisy of modern (and ancient?) politics boiled down to a high-school student body election with 4 main characters. Very well acted, extremely funny, achingly real.
2. Heeellllllooooo?! Ever heard of a little group of movies called Lord of the Rings?
3. and 4. If people of the future aren't watching Coen Brothers movies, then I have no sympathy when they find themselves Bladerunner-less and being knocked off by replicants. I nominate Raising Arizona and Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
5. Finally, I recommend Goodfellas. Hellava good piece of storytelling.
Disagreements? Work 'em out.
So should we try to make such a list? Why not? We could all use a diversion now and then, and I'm all pissy today and need something to take my mind off W.
Before I throw out a few titles for you jackals to rip apart, I'd like to say this: What old movies still get watched today? Why do so many assume that old movies are "classics" even though they're often plagued by bad, bad acting and vapid lines, and new movies are crap? What an annoying question! Wizard of Oz kinda sucks, if you ask me, though the whole "gold standard" issue is pretty interesting, AND, if I was younger, I'd be all about getting high and watching it with Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon playing in the background. Gone With the Wind is awful--it's racist, there's a rape scene, yuck. One old movie that I really love is All About Eve--it's really witty, scathing, good story, good acting . . . but there are movies like that today. I immediately thought of As Good As It Gets, which is a really good movie about strong, if "flawed", human relationships.
Anyway, on with the list of modern classics.
1. I nominate Election. The hypocrisy of modern (and ancient?) politics boiled down to a high-school student body election with 4 main characters. Very well acted, extremely funny, achingly real.
2. Heeellllllooooo?! Ever heard of a little group of movies called Lord of the Rings?
3. and 4. If people of the future aren't watching Coen Brothers movies, then I have no sympathy when they find themselves Bladerunner-less and being knocked off by replicants. I nominate Raising Arizona and Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
5. Finally, I recommend Goodfellas. Hellava good piece of storytelling.
posted by lulu at 9:12 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Two words: John Sayles
In no particular order, Return of the Secaucus Seven, Brother from Another Planet, Matewan, Passion Fish, Eight Men Out, and Lone Star are well-written, convincingly acted, character-driven movies loaded with class conflict, political insight, regional history and culture, and humor. The intergenerational and social themes are timeless. Hint: will NEVER be widely recognized because he and Maggie Renzi and their crew work outside the Hollywood studio big-money corporate system. ROCK-ON, JOHN!
Well, Sven - Though I celebrate that Sayles did it in spite of the corporate monsters, I don't think movies that most people have never heard of are going to be "classics." They've got to be known in the first place to be played later....
The only one I am convinced of is "The Graduate." The movie and the music was completely a reflection of its time, but for that reason it will remain important in the future.
Other than that, well . . . there's so many ordinary movies out there--big budget blockbusters. Will ID4 or something like it be the "GWTW" of our age?
There are certainly good movies outh there, but are they important? And for what reason? Is "Star Wars" important because it reshaped the system, introduced new technology. But it's not a GREAT movie. "Memento" is a great movie, but will anyone remember it later--except possibly for gimmickry?
So, what about "Shawshank Redemption." Not mind-blowing or anything, but a solid, well constructed story with good acting?
So many movies I think of are glitzy and crap-filled (because I have no critical censor and go see mainstream junk.).
Burb! I'm surprised! You can't think of any others? The Graduate is, indeed, great, but it's pretty old--outside of the boundaries of MY rules. ; )
Where's your Top Ten Movies list from so long ago?
Also, I think we're holding today's movies to a slightly unfair standard. It's sort of like British rock bands a few decades ago--everyone raved about how great they were and what crap we produced, but it was only the BEST British rock bands who really made it across the pond. There was plenty of crap that we never heard of.
Much like movies. First of all, movies back in the day didn't have as many competitors, meaning the chance of busting into "classic" country was much greater than for today's great movies. It was also easier for a movie to be "known" than it is now. (Remember that Wizard of Oz was a flop.) There was plenty of crap back then, too--but it didn't translate well into today's age.
Likewise, I can only hope that the ruthless bitch-goddess Time will erase the hideous, ultra-marketed, big budget crap of today and allow the Matewans and the Elections and the whatever-is-on-jack-thunder's-lists to surface and shine. This will only happen if the people of the future are smarter than we are, and actually provide a market for the many, many great movies our short attention span compatriots let rot on the vine. So they can go watch Jackie Chan. And complain about "Wahhhh...it's TOO LONG!" Pathetic.
And, yes, Star Wars is an enduring classic AND a great movie with a great story, if not particularly well acted!
Given that 'classic' is synonymous with 'popular', I withdraw my nomination. Commercial success defines artistic quality. But I'm not bitter or anything.
This artice (http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2005/07/amc_whats_a_mov.html) from the Entertainment Weekly blog gives an interesting new spin on this discussion.
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