My Corner of the Interweb

So like...

I was thinking...DVDs are discs, right? So what if you only had 10 movies to watch on a desert island?

I actually gave this one serious thought. Those of you who don't know anything about me...or even a lot about me...I graduated from NYU with a degree in Film (concentration in animation and live tv.) Seen a LOT of movies.

Without going all crazy, here's my list...and I think I'm gonna watch some of them this weekend.


In no particular order:

1: The Godfather. How great is this movie? How wound up is James Caan? This movie defined the Mafia film genre...the only movie that was so good, not only did it win Best Picture Oscar(tm), but it's SEQUEL won Best Picture Oscar(tm.) Of course, as of yesterday, Marlon Brando sleeps with the fishes. But this will go down as his finest role...either this or Apocalypse Now. And speaking of...

2: Apocalypse Now. I can't even explain how profoundly this movie impacted my film school career...nor can I explain how amazing the acting is. Duvall, Hopper, Brando, and of course Martin Sheen give some astounding performances. Laurence Fishburne, in his film debut, was SIXTEEN when they started primary photography...and was over 18 when they were done. The Redux version, released a few years ago, adding still more texture and depth to the insanity is the version of choice here. While we're in Vietnam...

3: Full Metal Jacket. You could pick any of a half-dozen Kubrick films and not go wrong...but the depiction of the utter descent of a man into Hell, and the brutal process of transforming men into killers is stunning. Ermey and D'Onofrio steal the first half of the movie, and after that, it's all Modine. His facial expressions are fantastic, and Kubrick gets the best out of them. Baldwin's similarity to D'Onofrio is not coincidental. Kubrick would never have missed that.

4: The Killer. The first of two John Woo films on this list. If any leading man today has more charisma than Chow Yun-Fat, you're going to have to show me. The second he hits the screen, his presence fully takes over. Capable of a full range of emotions, unlike many other action hero actors, it's especially impressive...because the movie's in Cantonese. Wonderful how Woo explores the concept of honor in the world of criminals...and what happens when one breaks that code. I'll take the Criterion Collection version...the one that's no longer available. Lucky I have a copy.

5: Hard-Boiled. The only movie that may actually be more over the top than The Killer. Two-fisted pistols, an epic battle in a hospital that has to be seen to be believed, and an INCREDIBLE scene between Chow and Philip Kwok, as Maddog. As mentioned before, Woo's films are always about honor...this one is no exception. Again, violation of that code comes at a price. Criterion Collection again, please.

6: The Great Escape. I noticed I have a lot of action/war movies...but hey, it's my list. Steve McQueen as Hilts defines the POW movie. Cool, smart, brash, rebellious...outstanding performance in a cast of knighted British actors. The soundtrack is whistled during England-Germany soccer matches...that's how good THIS film is. Oh, and an Oscar. Of course. And if I choose this, I have to choose...

7: A Bridge Too Far. Talk about a star-studded cast. Connery, Redford, O'Neal, Hackman, Caine, Gould, Ullman, and even Olivier! Sheesh. Marvelous cinematography shows the grittiness of war, especially the scene where the British are pinned down in Arnhem. Redford is particularly good, as is Gould as a cigar-chomping major who fails to take his bridge intact...slowing down XXX Corps still more. I love this movie.

8: Black Hawk Down. Last war movie...I promise. Depicts the American attempt to capture Aidid in Somalia. No movie before or since better explains the relationship between soldiers than this film. There are excellent lessons to be learned from this film...if only our government would watch it. Surprisingly good performances from Josh Hartnett and Eric Bana. Great performances by Ewens McGregor and Bremner, together again (from Trainspotting.) Tom Sizemore makes yet another solid performance in a war film. Ridley Scott composes this orchestra of sand, blood, and bullets extremely well. The soundtrack is an amazing melange of North African music coupled with heavy American rock influences/guitars. The hard part, for this one, is remembering that this movie is based almost entirely in fact.

9: Sleepy Hollow. Again, I could have chosen many of Tim Burton's films...but this one stands out as, in my mind, the most beautiful. Johnny Depp is marvelous in this film, and Christina Ricci is gorgeous...yet not quite normal. Christopher Walken in an amazing cameo sparkles. The colors are rich, and the set design is past perfect. Possibly one of the best looking films of its time.

10: Blade Runner. Ridley Scott again. This movie defined the look of the future years before anyone else. Gritty and real, it also arguably defined the entire cyberpunk genre with its melange of Japanese neon signage, never-ending rain, punk fashion, and fabulous story of synthetic humans, replicants, who only want to live longer than their allotted four years. Harrison Ford's portrayal of Rick Deckard brings the 40's Noir Detective into 2040, and Sean Young is brittle and slinky at the same time. Vangelis' soundtrack, at once soulful and synthetic sets the tone perfectly. If you think you've figured this whole thing out, try watching it, and telling yourself that Deckard is a replicant. Look at the eyes. "My mother? I'll tell you about my mother...."


Oh, so many movies I left out. It hurts. No Star Wars, no Lord of the Rings. No Mummy, Fifth Element, or any of a dozen funny movies like Stripes or Caddyshack. No Matrix, no Gladiator. No Annie Hall. I know, I know...I'm crazy. But like I said before...it's my list.