3mo ago

What are your "must-watch" movies?

I'm not a huge movie fan, but I want to broaden my horizons a bit. I'll offer my list (that I've rewatched so many times I'm a bit tired of them):

Young Poisoner's Handbook
Full Metal Jacket
Life of Brian
Holy Grail
Sunset Boulevard
Curse of the Golden Flower
The Nightingale
Downfall
Amadeus
Once Were Warriors
Dusk to Dawn

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I'm going to restrict this list to older movies and imports since there's already most of Hollywood's best listed by other people.
Ran (1985): Japanese take on King Lear. Kurosawa.
12 Angry Men (1957): Fonda has doubts about the man charged. Sidney Lumet.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962): Based on actual WWI British officer T.E. Lawrence, but more story than history. David Lean.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975): Jack Nicholson leads this Milos Forman movie about what it was like in mental hospitals (based on Ken Kesey's book of same name -- see also Keroac book On the Road for more of that generation).
The Man Who Would Be King (1975) : Sean Connery and Michael Caine star in John Houston movie based on Ruyard Kipling story. There are more famous names to pack in there, but mostly the story is great (though told from a supremely Colonial POV).
Grand Illusion (1937): French Jean Renoir film classic about WWI.
Beauty and the Beast (1946): French Jean Cocteau masterpiece of the fairytalke before it got Disney-fied.
The Tin Drum (1979): German Volker Schlöndorff film of Günter Grass story about a boy who won't grow up.
Amarcord (1973): Italian Federico Fellini film about growing up. You could sub in Nights of Cabiria or Satyricon as a starter Fellini pic.
Kes (1970): British Ken Loach film about a boy and a bird.
Winter Light (1963): Swedish Ingmar Bergman about a priest struggling with faith. The 7th Seal probably a better place to ease in to Bergman, though.
A Man for All Seasons (1966): British Fred Zinnemann telling of how Sir Thomas More was stuck between his Church and his King. For an alternate take on same chunk of history, see Wolf Hall.
There's so many more. Rosselini's Open City, Jodorosky's El Topo/Santa Sangre, Errol Morris documentaries (Fog of War, etc.), Les Blank docs (from music to Werner Herzog Eats His Shoe), oh! and Herzog flicks! I should stop.
- That's a fantastic list.
  
  Thank you. I spend too much time watching movies, and there are so many more to recommend for various reasons. The above are all pretty 'serious' movies, but I figure the other lists have fun and comedic movies well covered with outstanding pics by many other people.
  
  Is it too much though? I used to think I should spend less time watching TV shows and movies but on balance it's fine. It's one of my favourite things to do!
- Some intriguing ones on this list. Cheers.
- I watched Kes and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest... both pretty grim. Jack Nicholson was great in his role. I wish Kes had a happier ending, that was hard to watch. But both great movies. Tempted to try Lawrence of Arabia next...
  
  Oh no! I'm sorry. Looking back at my list, I guess most of it IS on the dark side. I mean, Bergman is unavoidably dark and people joke about Herzog's bitter nihlism, but I didn't mean be a downer, I hope I didn't ruin any evenings. I cry uncontrollably at Kes, but I also love it. 400 Blows is equally depressing, but Kes is closer to my heart (professional critics will tell you 400 Blows is a more important film). Ring of Bright Water is a somewhat lighter take on animal bonding and loss about a man and his otter but it is only a so-so film.
  You will notice The Princess Bride got recommended repeatedly, That is a happier, family friendly film that is sure to put a person in a better mood. Some Terry Gilliam is lighter, but save Brazil for when you're once again ready for 'grim' (great flick, though -- and you could theoretically ignore the intended ending by picking an alternate cut).
  
  It's good to explore dark themes and be sad sometimes, I just wish Kes went for another 10 minutes and end on a different note. I'm bouncing off everyone's suggestions to maintain the variety. Still exploring your list!
  
  If you have a cable company that carries Turner Classic Movies, their schedule shows they'll be airing these Kipling inspired items on Wednesday night/Thursday morning (times in EDT):
  3:15 AM The Man Who Would Be King (1975)
  5:45 AM Gunga Din (1939) Despite my apprecication of Cary Grant as an actor, I'm less fond of Gunga Din compared to The Man Who Would Be King, but Gunga Din is worth seeing once for reference. Kim and various Jungle Book movies are better Kipling choices IMO, but since Gunga Din is a poem instead of a whole story, I can't blame Kipling for the movie plot.
  Though I’ve belted you and flayed you,
  By the livin’ Gawd that made you,
  You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!
- The holy mountain by Jodorowsky is also great. If this is running in a cinema somewhere by chance go for it.
  
  I prefer El Topo to Holy Mountain as it has more of a uh script. Looks like they had a lot of fun filming the latter though!
  Both of them are worth taking the time to watch though. Nothing else quite like them.

212 comments