My Favourite Films (Honourable Mentions)

To finish off my anniversary look at my favourite films, here are five honourable mentions. The first two films on this list are films that I watched while uploading the list itself, and would have definitely been up for consideration if I had gotten to them sooner. The other films are ones that almost made it on, but I decided against it for one reason or another.

Seven Samurai (1954, Akira Kurosawa)

This film is every bit as good as everybody says it is. One of the most remarkable examples of how to develop a large number of characters and frame them against some of the most engaging action ever put to celluloid. 

Truly some of the best cinematography and some of the best performances you will see in Japanese film. Just a shame that I waited until midway through making this list to rewatch this masterpiece. I could watch this film literally a hundred times and still find it fresh and new, it's alive.





Stop Making Sense (1984, Jonathan Demme)

One of the most surprising films I have ever seen. It is hard to imagine that a simple concert film (literally, there is nothing to the film other than just a concert) could be this good. The Talking Heads' music, the editing and the overall pace are all exquisite.

I honestly am floored by this one, a week after watching it and I can't stop listening to it (I am listening to Once in a Lifetime as I write this sentence) and it keeps drawing my attention from other things. Just, incredible in every single way.





Through a Glass Darkly (1961, Ingmar Bergman)


I excluded this film purely because next to the complex majesty of Persona this far simpler Bergman film cannot help but look a little modest and unremarkable. 

Still, Harriet Anderson gives one of the greatest performances I have ever seen in this film and the entire cast does incredible work. Bergman offers an intelligent and emotionally charged portrait of a crumbling family and doesn't hold back in a single scene. Just an incredible drama.




The Innocents (1961, Jack Clayton)

This is film that I think I reject not putting on the list the most. I have no real reason for the exclusion and although I cannot think of any film in particular that I would have cycled out for this one, it does play heavily on my mind.

Anyway, this is probably the most unnerving and unsettling horror film I have ever seen, and one of the most amazingly edited films period. It is a feature length session of build-up that finally results in one of the most crushing notes of any film I have ever seen.

This is the kind of film I feel you could spend many a year pouring over and deconstructing, finding new and horrifying things  the entire time.



The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)



A film that I have watched many a time and have left with something new on each viewing. Horror, joy, fascination, it is a film that has given me much. Carpenter was truly an incredible director in his prime, and is one of the most diverse filmmakers in history.

With this film Carpenter achieved something greater than almost every other film on the planet has, impact. True impact, the kind that sends ripples and affects things that one would not expect. I assure you that every other film featuring a parasite or an desolate environment owes this film a true debt. A film that has influenced me very heavily indeed.

By Jack D. Phillips

My 30 Favourite Films (Part 2)

Rashomon (1950, Akira Kurosawa)

I am not too concerned with giving any kind of ranking for this list, however I will be exceptional in this case. Rashomon is probably my favourite film ever made making the the number one film here. 

From the very first shot this film captivated me, mysterious and engulfing. Truly my favourite opening of all time.

I love every aspect of this film, from it's genius screenplay, to its amazing performances (Tishiro Mifune is almost literally feral in this film), and the stunning cinematography.

Sheer beauty on celluloid.




Tokyo Story (1953, Yasujiro Ozu)

Ozu is a filmmaker that I am very cautious of. Mainly because I feel I could very easily become totally obsessed with him. His films embody and encapsulate the human spirit like few others, and his eye for detail is exquisite. 

I plan on updating this list next year, and if I do expect a lot more Ozu to appear.

This film is simply gorgeous. Tender, solemn and brimming with dignity.









The Bad Sleep Well (1960, Akira Kurosawa)

Yet another Japanese film, and another from director Akira Kurosawa. This is easily his most overlooked film, an incredibly crafted noire with some of the best performances and writing you will see in any thriller. 

Psychologically challenging and heartbreaking by the end, with a lot of credit going to Toshiro Mifune, who is always incredible to behold.

Kurosawa took a screenplay loosely based on Hamlet and transformed it into something new and wonderful.






Persona (1966, Ingmar Bergman)

Easily the least accessible film on this list. Persona is disjointed, pretentious and obscure.

It is also revealing, daring and shows the great Bergman at the very heights of his powers. Things are done in this film that astonish me, and terrify me. Probably the sharpest and most daring film on this entire list.

Sadly this is the only Bergman film on the list, I had to be very picky and restrictive on that front. A true shame.








Kes (1969. Ken Loach)

One of the simplest films on the list, along with Tokyo Story. A simple look into the raw human experience of a boy in an impoverished environment.

Heartbreakingly real and filmed with expert care and attention.

Not a flashy film, but one that gives a window into another world, one of the things that films are amazing at doing.











By Jack D. Phillips
Next is my favourite decade in all of cinema, the 1970's.

Winter's Light (1963)

Bergman's

melancholic character 

study,

may be too cold 

and flat for me.

This film is my second experience with seminal Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. I watched this film mere days after watching Through a Glass Darkly, a film which I consider to be a masterpiece. I did not review that film as I believe only a Masterpiece Corner review would do it any justice. The two film's have more connecting them than simply belonging within the same filmography, as they are part of a thematic trilogy (Darkly being the first and Winter's Light being the second). Despite my love for this film's predecessor however, I did not form a particularly strong connection to this film and found it very monotonous and dull. I do not believe this film to be poor by any means, however it did not impress me as much as I had hoped.

The most important aspect of the film to discuss is it's primary actor, Gunnar Björnstrand (also a prominent actor within Darkly). He is utterly brilliant in portraying a conflicted priest and conveys the bitterness and weariness of the character beautifully. Similar praise goes to Ingrid Thulin, who manages to balance civilised restraint with raw emotion very well. She also offers the film's greatest scene, a long declaration of love and confusion done within a single unbroken take. My issues with this film do not lie with it's acting, and every performance is either solid or fantastic.

My issues begin with the film's pacing. Like many of Bergman's films Winter's Light is fairly short, hovering around the ninety minute mark. Despite this, the film feels far longer and made for a surprisingly difficult watch. I found myself unable to finish the film within a single sitting, something which I cannot recall happening to me before with a film of this length. The cause of this difficulty lies with the film's deeply melancholic and languid tone. I am not averse to bleak or melancholic films (Darkly is an example of this in it's own right), however Winter's Light offers no respite of levity at any point throughout it's duration. This makes the film an exhausting and almost boring viewing experience, which is not a term I use lightly. When the Wind Blows is also a film which is heavily melancholic in it's tone, however it gives moments of respite and offers variation in the ways it portrays it's horrors. Winter's Light is comprised of a string of melodramatic conversations, with little variation or respite. The term I would best use to describe this film is, flat. Nothing moves or flows, it's emotions and pacing disappointingly stagnant and unchanging. The priest's depression does not build or even change, it remains mostly the same throughout. Despite my reluctance to use this term, I found this film very dull.

On a more positive note, this film's cinematography is stunning and I would happily hang any frame from it on my wall. In particular the voyeuristic shots lingering on the nails within the hands of a wooden Christ. I also loved the film's ending, which reaches a level of despondency which almost reaches a darkly comedic level in my eyes. Finally, although I find it vastly inferior, it makes an interesting film to compare to Darkly, as they cover similar themes whilst showing different perspectives.

Overall, I was disappointed by this film. It has not effected my views on Bergman and look forward to watching more of his film's in the future. Winter's Light is considered a masterpiece by many, and I do not dispute it's claim to such praise. However the film failed to engage me, and I will not pretend that it did.

By Jack D. Phillips

A Zoom Film Review

The Top 40 Directors I have little/no experience with. MEGACUT

In order to showcase my own ignorance, and to celebrate the vast number of wonderful and diverse filmmakers in the world, here is a list of the directors who I have almost no first-hand experience with. Ranked based on my desire to experience their work and my embarrassment at lacking this experience. In addition I have included the poster to the film from each of these directors I intend on starting with.


40. Michael Mann




Micheal Mann is at the bottom of this list mainly due to the fact that I have seen one of his films (Manhunter 1986). However I did highly enjoy Manhunter and have heard great things about some of his other works, I will get to Heat someday I swear.

39. Kar Wai Wong



Mainly this low do to the fact that I have very little information on this filmmaker. However I do wish to dip into more Hong-Kong cinema, and The Grandmaster looks very interesting to me.

38. Jean Cocteau




Very interested in La Belle et la Bete, and early surrealist cinema. Also fascinated by the works of France's supposedly definitive post-war filmmaker.

37. Sergio Leone



Once again low o the list because I have seen one of his films already (The Good, the Bad and the ugly 1966). However I need to experience more of this wonderful filmmakers epic filmography.


36. Takashi Miike



The unpronounceably named mad genius of current Japanese cinema. His lust for violence and breaking taboos fascinates me greatly, especially the film that made him a cult icon. Audition.

35. Jean-Pierre Jeunet



I will be honest, I have been told to watch Amelie so often that it has had the opposite effect. I have become less interested in seeing it. However I am sure I will love it when I see it, I am just less enthusiastic than I probably should be, That is why, this acclaimed master filmmaker is fairly low on the list.

34. Steve McQueen



This director is fairly low on the list, mainly because he is a relative newcomer. He has also only made three films to date, few when compared to some of the other directors on the list. However I am very fascinated by all three of them, and I am sure he will go on to have a great career in the future.

33. Sam Peckinpah



One of the men who helped to usher in the Hollywood new-wave. His movie Straw Dogs certainly looks like an emotional roller coaster in particular.

32. Roman Polanski



Perhaps one of the most acclaimed and diverse filmmakers of the last fifty years. Despite this however, I have seen one of his films already (Chinatown, 1974) and therefore I have decided to place him on the lower side of the list despite his massive filmmaking weight.

31. Steven Soderbergh



One of the kings of recent American independent cinema. Highly influential and with some very interesting films under his belt, defiantly interested in checking out.

30. Joon-ho Bong



The first director from Korea on this list. With a handful of highly intriguing and varied films under his belt, including a recent foray into non-Korean cinema (Snowpiecer 2013), this relatively new face is bursting with promise.

29. Oliver Stone



This director is also slightly lower on the list due to the fact that I do have some experience with him, namely Scarface (1983), which he did not direct, but did write. Based on that, and his highly illustrious and acclaimed filmography, I have a great interest in this filmmaker.

28. Micheal Haneke



I have very little clue where to start with this guy. I've chosen Funny Games (1997) however this Haneke's filmography is so odd and varied, that I have almost no clue to begin. However I would have to say, that although his films are quite alienating on the surface, I hear nothing but wonderful things about them.

27. Satyajit Ray



The only Indian filmmaker here, and a renown pioneer of not only India cinema, but emotive cinema on the whole. The only reason this guy is not higher, is a slight lack of knowledge on my part.

26. Jane Campion



There is a sad lack of female directors in the world of cinema. Jane Campion is one of the few have managed to carve out an acclaimed career for herself. I greatly anticipate viewing The Piano (1992), I have heard nothing but glowing praise for the visual style of Campion's films.

25. Krzysztof Kieslowski



I have heard that the three-colours trilogy is fantastic in every way. I am sure it is, I have high expectations. Not much more to say.

24. Jean-Luc Goddard

 

The crazy and radical wonderboy of the French New-Wave, an era which I have little experience with in general. A highly influential auteur with a long and adored filmography, quite intriguing.

23. Takeshi Kitano

 

A multi-talented and erratic mad genius. This is perhaps the director I am most surprised that I have not experienced before this point. I desperately want to step into this man's odd and undoubtedly brilliant mind. However, I have seen Battle Royale (2000) in which he plays a prominent acting role, so he is not a high as he could have been, as I do have some first-hand experience with this filmmaker.

22. Kathryn Bigelow



A highly significant director, if not only for being the first Woman to direct a Best-Picture winning movie, Hurt Locker (2009 [seriously? It took over 80 years? That is very worrying]). Her career is not only historically significant, but long and varied. I am certainly looking forward to seeing a horror/comedy/western.

21. Billy Wilder



The final director on this list whom I have already seen a movie from. Namely Some Like it Hot (1959). However despite this, Billy Wilder is perhaps the definitive icon of 'Old Hollywood' and perhaps the most acclaimed and revered American filmmaker of the time. Despite my past experience, I am hungry for more.

This where the list gets really good.

20. Kim Jee-Woon



With a vast and acclaimed filmography, this guy is one of the most predominant rising stars in modern Asian cinema. Or so I am told at least. So many films from this guy that I need to see.

19. Gasper Noe



This filmmaker is perhaps one of the most daring working today. Although Irreversible is the film that people keep talking about (10 minute rape scene), it is the acid trip that has me fascinated. Very fascinating stuff.

18. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu



The filmmaker with the most recent film on this list. However aside from the highly acclaimed Birdman (2014), he posses a very interesting filmography. Sadly the only South American director on this list, a shame.

17. David Cronenberg



The king of body horror, and a mad genius of American independent cinema. One of the most prolific directors on this list, so I have a lot to get to.

16. John Ford



Here we have a grandmaster of classic cinema, and the progenitor of so many careers and film making techniques. I desperately need to see The Searchers (1956), not want, need.

15. Yasujiro Ozu



Whilst Kurosawa looked to the West for his inspiration, Ozu is considered to be the definitive great Japanese director. An emotive master and pioneer in emotive realism. I am determined to track this directors work sometime.

14. David Lynch



Perhaps the face of surrealism for most western audiences. We're now getting to the directors who I'm honestly embarrassed to have not experienced more of, I need to consume this guy's filmography as soon as possible.

13. Lars Von Trier



This guy is probably a little nuts, and he is known to say and do some really stupid things. However, he is also a very distinct and highly influential director. I'm certainly one to enjoy some controversial and schizophrenic movies.

12. Terry Gilliam



This director should be in the top ten, possibly even the top five. However I am a fan of Monty Python, so I do have a little experience with this guy already. Brazil, Twelve Monkeys Fear and Loathing, need I say more? I need to see these films, or my credibility is in eternal doubt.

11. Francois Truffaut

 

I also considered this director for the top ten, however a slight lack of knowledge on my part excluded him. One of the most subtly influential directors of all time, molding dozens of great directors (including some on this list) in his wake.

The top ten is here.

10. Jim Jarmusch 



One of the most important filmmakers in American independent film, ever. With a long and illustrious career, I only surprised that I haven't gotten around to seeing this guy's work before now.

9. Werner Herzog



One of Rodger Eberts favorite filmmakers, and perhaps the most beloved documentarian of all time. With a career spanning five decades, I have a lot to get through with this one. However I have heard nothing but sparkling praise about this melancholic director.

8. Fredrico Fellini



Il Maestro himself. With a record winning run of films, the most to ever win best foreign language film, and a unique blend of realism and surrealism, I am beyond enthused to witness one of history's most beloved filmmakers in action. Also, 8 1/2 seems like exactly the kind of film which may become a personal favourite.

7. Richard Linklater



I have a friend who insists the 'Before' trilogy will change my life. I am inclined to belive him on such matters. In addition, Boyhood (2014) has already been lauded as one of the greatest filmmaking achievements of the century. How can I not be curious?

6. Woody Allen



Possibly the most prolific director on this entire list, it is shocking that I have never found time to watch Annie Hall (1977). What can I say? It's Woody Allen, an all time legend of comedy and drama in American cinema.

5. Charlie Chaplin





It is inexcusable that I have not ever seen a Chaplin film. I am a great lover of silent film, and classic comedy (Abbot and Costello, in particular), and yet I have not ever seen a Chaplin picture. How is this possible? I assure you that I will track down City Lights (1931) as swiftly as possible.

4. Andrei Tarkovsky



The man that Ingmar Bergman called, 'the greatest filmmaker of all time'. Very high praise indeed, and with a wealth of absurdly fascinating films I will certainly have to put that claim to the test one day. Oh, and some of the long-shots I've heard are remarkable.

3. Micheal Powell



Martin Scorsese's near obssesion with The Red Shoes (1948) has definatly got me intrigued. However Micheal Powell is often cited as one of the most technically influential,and dynamic directors of his time. I do own the Red Shoes on Blu-Ray, and yet I still have not seen it. That is probably heresy.

2. Ingmar Bergman



I have no excuses. This filmmaker is often cited as one of, if not the, greatest titans of world cinema. And yet I have not seen a single film of his. Sorry.

1. Terrence Malick



Possibly the most polarising director working today, my #1 is a man who is either despised or adored. Not only does the controversy and total split of the cinephile community in regards to this director intrigue me, but regardless of how I feel about his movies one thing is guaranteed. They will look stunning. Also I am really interested in Badlands (1973), It looks really interesting.

By Jack D. Phillips

A Zoom Film List