nthanh61 Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 1 hour ago, Free State of Tele said: I'll have the last two up later. I just survived IDR and I need to recover. I was going to see it with my wife. So it's not good then? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Gittes Posted June 24, 2016 Share Posted June 24, 2016 1 hour ago, Free State of Tele said: I'll have the last two up later. I just survived IDR and I need to recover. Serves you right for not seeing Free State of Jones first. Y'all change your names and avatars but don't show any real commitment to your cause 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4815162342 Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 1 hour ago, Jake Gittes said: Serves you right for not seeing Free State of Jones first. Y'all change your names and avatars but don't show any real commitment to your cause Pink did start this. And we know about Pink and loyalty... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dementeleus Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 Okay, my top two coming up shortly. They're both very famous, but I bet most here haven't seen 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Futurist Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 I hope a movie I adore shows up because I ve been waiting for it this whole top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dementeleus Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 2. The Battle of Algiers (1967) written by: Franco Solinas, (story by Solinas and Gillo Pontecorvo) directed by: Gillo Pontecorvo starring: Jean Martin, Saadi Yacef, Brahim Haggiag, Tommaso Neri Synopsis: In the 1950s, fear and violence escalate as the people of Algiers fight for independence from the French government. This stunning movie is so far ahead of its time it feels like it was made within the last few years, as direct commentary on political events in the Middle East. It’s amazing to consider that it was made over 50 years ago, and in fact in many ways is far bolder and more daring than most films today. It’s a docudrama about the Algerian struggle for independence, and in particular the insurgency/counter-insurgency warfare that occurred in Algeria in the late 1950s. Leaders of the Algerian resistance and the French military commanders are all major characters, and the movie (while edging slightly towards a sympathetic view of the Algerian freedom fighters) is very neutral and fairly objective about depicting the harshness of war. Both sides commit atrocities, and the movie doesn’t shy away from any of them: the partisans execute people they think are French collaborators and they use terror bombings against civilians. The French military use torture and murder to achieve their ends. When you consider that these same events are essentially happening today (and have been happening, off and on, throughout North Africa and the Middle East for the past several decades), it’s quite suddenly. Not a pretty picture of humanity. However, the movie is a brilliant piece of filmmaking. Pontecorvo wanted an immediacy to his images, he wanted it to feel like you were watching newsreel footage. So he consciously designed shots to fit what news crews would shoot. Most of the cast were Algerian non-actors, and he managed to get thousands of Algerian extras for the rioting and crowd scenes. The result is really impressive. Random bit of trivia: Pontecorvo was a legitimate composer as well as director, and collaborated on the score with the legendary Ennio Morricone. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dementeleus Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 1. The Apu Trilogy (1955-1959) Pather Panchali / Aparajito / Apur Sansar written and directed by: Satyajit Ray (from the novels by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay) starring: Karuna Bannerjee, Kanu Bannerjee, Soumitra Chatterjee Synopsis: A “coming of age” story, set in the 1920s, about a young boy named Apu, following his life from birth in a poor village in rural Bengal to the early maturity of his mid-20s. Okay, yes, this is another cheat: three movies in one slot, and they weren’t even one production. Nonetheless, this is such a monumental trilogy of world cinema, and they’re all so connected, it feels impossible to separate out to just one. Plus, for many years these movies weren’t screened often — even if you were a major cinephile they were hard to find, even at arthouse and museum screenings (let alone home video). And until recently it seemed like these would be lost forever, since their master prints were horribly damaged in a warehouse fire. But Criterion managed to fund a brilliant restoration process, and the result were new 4K masters that toured briefly last year and were quickly followed by a Bluray/DVD release. But enough about the technical problems. Let’s talk filmmaking. Satyajit Ray had been working as a graphic designer and commercial artist when he came across the source novels (which are popular in Bengal) — ironically, he had been commissioned to design covers for a new edition. He was inspired to shoot a movie by French director Jean Renoir, who had come to Bengal to location-scout for his movie THE RIVER. Around the same time, Ray saw BICYCLE THIEVES and was inspired by the vividness of De Sica’s Italian neorealism. To modern audiences, the most immediate reference for the Apu trilogy is Linklater’s BOYHOOD. The trilogy is essentially BOYHOOD in Bengal, though it spans a greater period of time than Linklater’s movie, and Ray uses different actors for Apu as he grows into manhood. And Apu’s life is certainly fraught with more complications than Mason’s. PATHER PANCHALI, the first film in the trilogy, was Ray’s first movie. It was also his cinematographer’s first movie (up to this point, he had worked in still photography only). But Ray immediately proved he had a masterful instinct when it came to movies: how to cast non-actors (or non-film actors) to perfectly fit what he needed in a character, how to frame shots to capture an emotional moment or beat, how to use visuals as subtext. PATHER PANCHALI is a magical film, there’s really no other way to put it. I’ll be frank: from a western sensibility, especially if you haven’t watched a lot of Indian movies, there’s an adjustment period where you initially are just struck by the cultural differences: how people eat, where they live, how they look, etc. But very quickly after that, what you begin to realize is how similar all of us actually are. The characters in PATHER PANCHALI are universal, and their small-scale problems are things we all go through: how to deal with a perceived slight from a neighbor, the guilt or shame when you’re caught stealing something trivial, how you see your parents (and how they see you). The glory and joy of being a small child exploring and playing. Both Tragedy and happiness occur in PATHER PANCHALI, and the story continues in APARAJITO, which now follows Apu from the age of roughly ten until his university years. What’s interesting when you watch all three films back-to-back is you can see how Ray grows as a filmmaker: the shots become more complex, he’s experimenting with bigger ideas, and it fits the context of the story, as little boy Apu begins to become someone who moves to other places and begins to find new adventures and new interests. And Ray’s filmmaking skill grows even more with APUR SANSAR, the conclusion, which takes Apu to some very dark places before ending on a moment of startling joy. The acting is good, especially considering many of the characters were non-actors, and Ray manages to get excellent performances from the young kids (a hard thing to do). The actor who really stands out for me is the woman who plays Apu’s mother: she is drop-dead amazing and vividly communicates every emotional beat of a very complex character. What really stands out across all three films is Ray’s humanity and compassion towards his characters. There’s not a single one who falls into simple stereotype; everyone exhibits nuances both good and bad. Apu can be cruel at times, though he’s clearly a sweet and kind boy (and man). His mother and father both love him and struggle with their own hopes, desires, fears, and resentments. Even people that seem to start out as basic stock characters — a smug neighbor who looks down on them, a father-in-law who’s harsh — have moments of genuine kindness and generosity. They’re not defined by their negative qualities. I didn’t see these movies until recently, but I’m so glad I did. I found them transcendent. If you liked BOYHOOD at all, I think you owe these a viewing. Akira Kurosawa was a big fan of Ray's work. He has a famous quote: "To have not seen the films of Ray is to have lived in the world without ever having seen the moon and the sun." The moon and sun are out there. Go see them. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dementeleus Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 And here's the full, completed list! THE COMPLETE LIST: 100. A Bridge Too Far 99. The Edge 98. Tequila Sunrise 97. The Bounty 96. Scanners 95. Dead Again 94. The Long Goodbye 93. After Hours 92. Tucker: The Man and His Dream 91. 9 90. Down and Out in Beverly Hills 89. Dip Huet Seung Hung 88. To Live and Die in L.A. 87. My Man Godfrey 86. Victory 85. No Way Out 84. Eight Men Out 83. Rob Roy 82. North Face 81. The Best of Times 80. Warlock 79. The Man From Snowy River 78. Summer School 77. Papillon 76. Hard Boiled 75. Crossroads 74. Aleksandr Nevskiy 73. Ruthless People 72. The Grey Fox 71. Top Secret! 70. Quick Change 69. Forbidden Planet 68. Stand and Deliver 67. The Secret of Roan Inish 66. The Mouse That Roared 65. The Brood 64. Brother Sun, Sister Moon 63. Point Blank 62. Un Condamné à Mort s'est Échappé ou Le Vent Souffle où il Veut 61. Breaking Away 60. Big Wednesday 59. The In-Laws 58. Von Ryan's Express 57. Tengoku to Jigoku 56. The Wizard of Speed and Time 55. Dillinger 54. Die Blechtrommel 53. The Hidden 52. Map of the Human Heart 51. Mumford 50. Red Rock West 49. Mountains of the Moon 48. Thief 47. The Last Detail 46. Runaway Train 45. The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming! 44. The Ruling Class 43. Paris, Texas 42. Le Salaire de la Peur 41. Animal Crackers 40. Topper 39. Re-Animator 38. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead 37. The Enemy Below 36. Zerkalo 35. Sorcerer 34. The Man Who Would Be King 33. Wind 32. The Gods Must Be Crazy 31. Ivanovo Detstvo 30. C'est Arrivé Près de Chez Vous 29. Phar Lap 28. Return to Oz 27. Wong Fei Hung 26. Neotpravlennoe Pismo 25. Used Cars 24. How to Get Ahead in Advertising 23. Repo Man 22. The Tall Guy 21. The Wind and the Lion 20. Schizopolis 19. Black Narcissus 18. Koyaanisqatsi 17. Bis ans Ende der Welt 16. Shurayukihime 15. Dark Star 14. The Thief of Bagdad (1924 & 1940 versions) 13. Spoorloos 12. Vozvrashchenie 11. The Ballad of Cable Hogue 10. Seconds 9. The Brother From Another Planet 8. Gerry 7. The Steel Helmet 6. Les Yeux sans Visage 5. Never Cry Wolf 4. Soldaat van Oranje 3. Beat the Devil 2. La Battaglia di Algeri 1. Pather Panchali / Aparajito / Apur Sansar 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blankments Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 This list is awesome, Tele. So much stuff to add to my watchlist. Here's a list of it all. I have only seen two myself: A Man Escaped and Stand and Deliver. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Stingray Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Awesome list, Tele. Kinda wish you hadn't made it tho, 'cause it made me realize what a fucking noob I am. I mean, I have only seen 16 of these, and not a single one in the top 10. Btw, you must have an awesome wife that lets you watch all these movies. I bet you make Tele Jr. do all the chores around the house, while you sit on your ass and watch movie after movie after movie... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dementeleus Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 32 minutes ago, The Stingray said: Btw, you must have an awesome wife that lets you watch all these movies. I bet you make Tele Jr. do all the chores around the house, while you sit on your ass and watch movie after movie after movie... Someday, man, someday. Mrs. Tele is indeed awesome, although some of these movies I saw before we were married, and more still before Tele Jr. made his appearance. Streaming services are the only way I can really indulge myself at this point. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RascarCapat Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Great List Tele. Thanks for doing it. I have only seen a few of them and I have added a big bunch to my neverending watchlist. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baumer Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Terrific work here Tele. You certainly have a wide range of interest in film, and an obvious love of WW2 films. I've only seen 41 of these. Guess I need to start to expand my horizons a bit. But I enjoyed reading all of it. Nice job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandomCat Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 I see original titles went into that final list. I seen 9. I'd have seen ten if they still had Lady Snowblood. 8 before the list started. I am the film noob I've been proven to be. Least I'm still young. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fancyarcher Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 (edited) The Apu trilogy is a worthy #1. It's a great trilogy of films. Edited June 25, 2016 by Daniel Dylan Davis 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4815162342 Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 7 hours ago, Free State of Tele said: 2. The Battle of Algiers (1967) written by: Franco Solinas, (story by Solinas and Gillo Pontecorvo) directed by: Gillo Pontecorvo starring: Jean Martin, Saadi Yacef, Brahim Haggiag, Tommaso Neri Synopsis: In the 1950s, fear and violence escalate as the people of Algiers fight for independence from the French government. This stunning movie is so far ahead of its time it feels like it was made within the last few years, as direct commentary on political events in the Middle East. It’s amazing to consider that it was made over 50 years ago, and in fact in many ways is far bolder and more daring than most films today. It’s a docudrama about the Algerian struggle for independence, and in particular the insurgency/counter-insurgency warfare that occurred in Algeria in the late 1950s. Leaders of the Algerian resistance and the French military commanders are all major characters, and the movie (while edging slightly towards a sympathetic view of the Algerian freedom fighters) is very neutral and fairly objective about depicting the harshness of war. Both sides commit atrocities, and the movie doesn’t shy away from any of them: the partisans execute people they think are French collaborators and they use terror bombings against civilians. The French military use torture and murder to achieve their ends. When you consider that these same events are essentially happening today (and have been happening, off and on, throughout North Africa and the Middle East for the past several decades), it’s quite suddenly. Not a pretty picture of humanity. However, the movie is a brilliant piece of filmmaking. Pontecorvo wanted an immediacy to his images, he wanted it to feel like you were watching newsreel footage. So he consciously designed shots to fit what news crews would shoot. Most of the cast were Algerian non-actors, and he managed to get thousands of Algerian extras for the rioting and crowd scenes. The result is really impressive. Random bit of trivia: Pontecorvo was a legitimate composer as well as director, and collaborated on the score with the legendary Ennio Morricone. DAMN STRAIGHT hail Morricone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkelf Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 I've seen two of these 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baumer Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 Coming up next: Inspired by Tele's list of 100 lesser known or under appreciated films list, I'm going to do: Baumer's list of 100 films that you have almost certainly heard of but probably have never seen. Tele is much more of a film historian than I am as my knowledge of film before about 1968 is very limited. @Free State of Tele has a much wider range of film in his repertoire. My list will be much more modern in scope but they will be films that you just haven't gotten around to see. This will start after @chasmmi has finished his top 100 songs list. Can't wait for that one to start. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Quinn Posted June 25, 2016 Share Posted June 25, 2016 So while the list was in progress, I was seeing how many of these are available on Netflix, so I can later watch them. I only found four though, but that's fine. I'll state my opinions about these movies some other time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dementeleus Posted June 25, 2016 Author Share Posted June 25, 2016 59 minutes ago, CoolEric258 said: So while the list was in progress, I was seeing how many of these are available on Netflix, so I can later watch them. I only found four though, but that's fine. I'll state my opinions about these movies some other time. If I have some time later, I'll edit the list to include where/how to find them (if available). Granted, I'll only be able to provide info on US streaming services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...