Daniel M's Top 100 - 2014

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On the Waterfront is fantastic. I don't like it quite as much as some of Kazan's other films, like A Face in the Crowd, Baby Doll and A Streetcar Named Desire, but it's still deserving of its status as an all-time classic. "I coulda been a contender . . . I coulda been somebody . . ."

I think you read my review for The Exorcist. It's a very good movie, but it didn't have quite the same impact on me after seeing so many of the scenes parodied and replayed over the years. It's cool that you have extra reason for putting it on your favorites list, though, since it sounds like you and your brother have bonded over spinning heads and pea soup many times in the past.

I've never seen any of the Monty Python movies. Shame on me, I know.

Apocalypse Now is one of my top five favorites movies of all-time, so I'll be disappointed if it doesn't also make the top 5 of the 70's Countdown. One of the most awe-inspiring movies I've ever seen.

Usually a muddled plot would annoy me, but the dialogue is so damn amazing in The Big Sleep that I don't care. Have you ever read any of Chandler's work? As much as I like his film adaptations, I feel like I should've already picked up one of his books by now, but I still haven't.
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On the Waterfront is fantastic. I don't like it quite as much as some of Kazan's other films, like A Face in the Crowd, Baby Doll and A Streetcar Named Desire, but it's still deserving of its status as an all-time classic. "I coulda been a contender . . . I coulda been somebody . . ."
I definitely need to watch some of his other films as he seems like a great director with many important works for his time, I saw you recommend A Face in the Crowd in the Seventies thread, and thought it sounded great.

I think you read my review for The Exorcist. It's a very good movie, but it didn't have quite the same impact on me after seeing so many of the scenes parodied and replayed over the years. It's cool that you have extra reason for putting it on your favorites list, though, since it sounds like you and your brother have bonded over spinning heads and pea soup many times in the past.
He mainly likes horror films, and watches a lot of bad films and enjoys them, but he ha always said he probably thinks this one is the best and always puts it on as it's 'on demand' with Sky Movies

Usually a muddled plot would annoy me, but the dialogue is so damn amazing in The Big Sleep that I don't care. Have you ever read any of Chandler's work? As much as I like his film adaptations, I feel like I should've already picked up one of his books by now, but I still haven't.
Agreed, despite my love for the film adaptations, I haven't read any of his work, I'll have to correct that sometime.



Not a spectacular grandiose film that normally appears on many lists, but a recent viewing reminded me just how powerful and effective a film this is. No special effects or unnecessary elements in terms of direction and photography, it feels real, like a documentary of 'the hood', the strength of the story lies in the different characters, all giving honest performances that make for a greatly affecting ending.
On the contrary, Fanny and Alexander is a deliberately spectacular and extravagant production, with fantastic sets, costumes, cinematography and direction creating something that truly feels like a fitting masterpiece of a great director. A fantastic look at childhood and family, religion and the social landscape of Sweden. A great mix of formalism and fantasy that make it feel at times like a fairy tale through adult eyes. In five hours Bergman manages to capture all sorts of magical moments that remind us why we love films.
One of the first films that I ever saw and I initially thought was great, Taxi Driver is a film that I enjoy every time I watch it, and I think each viewing gives me something different. I see it now as a very dark comedy, and find the character of Travis Bickle hilariously tragic. A great social commentary and look at one of the most fascinating characters created, with a fantastic performance also from a young Jodie Foster. Whatever you think about the film, the eerie glance of Travis's eyes will stay with you long after the credits roll.
A film that I watched in preparation for the Seventies list, and whilst I try to be careful in rating films straight after I watched them, I could not help but love this weirdly brilliant surreal satire. It has one of the greatest and indeed one of the most peculiar narratives I have seen, it is frustrating but in a way that keeps you hooked, wanting more. There are many hilarious scenes, that as stand alone surreal segments are great. From Fernando Rey taking fire at a toy outside, to dinner hosts sneaking off outside to have sex. A great look at the hypocrisy of society, a piece of work that is extremely complex and handled with great confidence, I definitely need to watch more Buñuel.
A film that I watched quite recently, and I have not stopped thinking about since. Initially I was not sure whether I was going to like it as much as some, but by the end I realised I had watched something truly great, and I eagerly want to revisit it and watch more Ozu. The films story is simple, but brilliant, its a tale that seems very relevant today with focus on the importance of family, caring for loved ones. Ozu's direction is understated in some ways but powerful in others, with great use of static camera and framing that cleverly captures everything needed without moving, drawing the viewer into a state where they can fully feel the emotional force of the family tale.



Interesting take on Taxi Driver, though I'm not sure I agree that it's comedic, even very darkly so. Really cool, eclectic list so far. Of the last set I was somewhat lukewarm on Tokyo Story and Boyz n the Hood, but I like Discreet Charm and I think my top 10 speaks for itself as far as my feelings on Fanny and Alexander go.



I see it now as a very dark comedy, and find the character of Travis Bickle hilariously tragic.
Please elaborate.



I find it funny how he doesn't realise how socially awkward he comes across, and how he doesn't realise how what he says or does may be perceived as weird. I laughed a lot when I last saw the film. I think it's a compliment to how brilliantly written his character is, he's very convincing in his creepy delusion (on how what he does is acceptable). The third act gets more serious and less funny, because no matter how extreme his character may be, his concerns are very real and relateable.

Here's a few moments I found funny:

- When he is talking normally to Palastine when he meets him in the taxi, and then unleashes his foul language outburst about the city, and they just sit in the back, in silence, shocked but go along with him.

- When he takes Betty to see a porno and doesn't realise how uncomfortable she is.

- When he talks to Betty about her co worker, he hates him but doesn't know anythink about him but describes him so harshly because he is jealous of him and Betty's friendship:

"I would say he has quite a few problems. His energy seems to go in the wrong places. When I walked in and I saw you two sitting there, I could just tell by the way you were both relating that there was no connection whatsoever. And I felt when I walked in that there was something between us. There was an impulse that we were both following. So that gave me the right to come in and talk to you. Otherwise I never would have felt that I had the right to talk to you or say anything to you. I never would have had the courage to talk to you. And with him I felt there was nothing and I could sense it. When I walked in, I knew I was right. Did you feel that way?"

Betty finds him funny and hard to believe at times, but is intrigued by him, like we are. And Sport thinks that he is trying to be funny as well, and doesn't realise his seriousness. It's this separation to the rest of the world and the obliviousness of himself that makes what he says awkward and funny.



Are you sure you haven't confused it with The King of Comedy?

It's refreshing to see someone have this point of view. I can see why one might find it funny, as there are definitely laughs all through the film, but I myself wouldn't go so far as to label it a dark comedy. The film is very serious on its subject matter and it never tries to tone it down, and I believe that those awkward scenes that you mentioned perfectly demonstrate how unstable Travis really is mentally. Unlike you, I find this nightmarish and very disturbing.


Anyway, the other one I've seen from that set is Discreet Charm of the Burgeoisie, which I found very interesting but it didn't quite click with me for some reason. It has the elements which should make me love it though, so I should definitely watch it again. Have you seen The Exterminating Angel or Belle de Jour? Definitely watch those.



That's an interesting point about The King of Comedy actually, reading Roger Ebert's review and what he writes about it in his book, he feels similarly to you about Taxi Driver, he finds TKOC to be uncomfortable and disturbing, and can't find humor or likability at all in De Niro's character. I have seen Taxi Driver a few times and I do find it very creepy, disturbing and at times unsettling, but on more recent viewings I have found it more funny, and I think it's brilliant how Travis's character is written so seriously.

And nope I haven't seen any other full features by Bunuel, I certainly need to as I think I would enjoy them.



Taxi Driver is behind only Goodfellas on my favorite's list, and I completely agree with you about the dark comedy part. I think Taxi Driver is funnier than most comedies. It's just a matter of what makes you laugh. To me, the humor is a perfect compliment to the serious and disturbing.


The Discreet Charm is not in any way the type of movie I look for. I really liked it anyway.


Tokyo Story and Boyz in the Hood


I never imagined that I would ever watch Fanny and Alexander. Now that I've been introduced to Bergman, I can't imagine not watching it.

Awesome set!



Btw, from Bunuel, I'd recommend That Obscure Object of Desire. I watched it on recommendation from Holden and Pussy Galore, and I loved it.



Good sh*t Daniel.

Interesting take on Taxi Driver, though I'm not sure I agree that it's comedic, even very darkly so. Really cool, eclectic list so far. Of the last set I was somewhat lukewarm on Tokyo Story and Boyz n the Hood, but I like Discreet Charm and I think my top 10 speaks for itself as far as my feelings on Fanny and Alexander go.
Glad I'm not the only one who wasn't absolutely crazy about Tokyo Story. It's good, but not great. I don't know, I'm having a hard time appreciating Ozu as much as I'd like too. Hopefully in time I will come to like him more.

Btw, from Bunuel, I'd recommend That Obscure Object of Desire. I watched it on recommendation from Holden and Pussy Galore, and I loved it.
I second this. Possibly my favorite Bunuel. Either that, L'age d'Or, or The Milky Way.



I really like the first three from that set. Boyz In The Hood def needs a rewatch. It has been way too long, I could see it in my next 100. It is a movie I remember really responding to.
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Well, you know I love that last set. Fanny and Alexander and Taxi Driver - it really doesn't get much better than that.
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"Puns are the highest form of literature." -Alfred Hitchcock



All I saw was Con Air.
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"Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock."



Never had much interest in Boyz in the Hood. I have great respect for your taste in movies, though, so obviously it must be worth watching. I'll check it out sometime.

I never knew until recently that Fanny and Alexander was a five-hour mini-series. I have the three-hour version on my DVR. Have you seen both? Two hours is a lot of content to leave out, especially when it's Bergman.

Never seen someone refer to Taxi Driver as a dark comedy, but you've explained your reasons well. It's all about how you look at it, I guess, since I definitely see humor in those scenes you referenced, but I feel too much sympathy and sadness for Bickle to laugh at him.

I've seen The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and The Exterminating Angel from Buñuel. Both were okay, but I'd never consider them favorites.

Tokyo Story tends to be the highest ranked film that I've yet to watch on all these "greatest films of all time" lists. The only Ozu I've seen so far is Late Spring and Early Summer. Both are so similar that they've already blended into the same movie in my mind.



Never had much interest in Boyz in the Hood. I have great respect for your taste in movies, though, so obviously it must be worth watching. I'll check it out sometime.
Be careful, Captain. I really like it too. Back in the 90's that was on my 100.
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