I thought long and hard about this list. Mostly how to twist it to somehow screw over Chachi again. By year? Only including films that have been nominated for awards? Skipping straight to the 80's? But in the end, I figured I couldn't take another of Chachi's whining comments about how I screwed him over and yada yada you suck Mulligan. So, here's the straight forward list of the movies I'm ashamed to admit to never having seen.
The 90s are even worse than the 2000s because, well, I had more time to catch up with these and these are really the films I should have grown up watching. But somehow, some way, I've avoided all these films to this date.
Here's the confession:
7. The Fisher King
I think we're going to run into a trend on this list that may possibly be enough to prove A.D.D. The movies I started, but, for some reason never got around to finishing. One such film is Terry Gilliam's The Fisher King. As I mentioned in the startling revelation that I think Masked & Anonymous counts as a must-see miss, I love Jeff Bridges. This makes two of his roles that I'm genuinely upset over having missed. Plus, you've got Robin Williams back in his heyday (when he actually made good films). But when I started this, probably 6-7 years ago, I don't remember being all that knocked out with it. It went back on the shelf (or returned to Blockbuster or whatever) and I've never gotten around to finishing the damned thing. Gilliam deserves better. Bridges deserves better. Williams deserves better. And I deserve better. My film history demands it.
6. Dark City
Alex Proyas, long before the step-backwards that was his half-stupid/half-enjoyable I, Robot, created what is still the quintessential comic book movie. It even headlined my "Film Script's Top 7 Comic Book Films" list a while back, The Crow. And Dark City seems to be just as beloved in the online community as well as, to be plainly obvious, just as dark. Filmgoers drool at the mention of Dark City. It's sci-fi. It's twisted. Besides the cast of Kiefer, William Hurt and Jennifer Connelly intrigues me. Gotta get around to it.
5. Mallrats
Largely considered to be the weakest of Kevin Smith's films, Mallrats has languished on my shelf as I awaited the proper incentive to get me interested. I think the below lukewarm reception to it has something to do with why it's the only Kevin Smith movie I've yet to see. I should see it just to satisfy the completist in me. But with the way Smith's recent films have been going with the decent-but-nothing-special Jersey Girl and Clerks II, I've actually become interested in getting back to Smith when he was starting out - to see if maybe he had more to offer back when his films were less polished?
4. Trainspotting
Danny Boyle's drug opus apparently. Every kid in high school has seen it. I have not. Truthfully Ewan McGregor and drugs aren't real selling points for me. Again though, this is another movie I started and never got back to. I still remember the climbing-into-the-toilet scene at the beginning of the film (it haunts my thoughts when I consider another attempt at watching it). But is there anything else to this movie besides warped perceptions? Does it matter if there isn't? Seeing that I've enjoyed Millions, 28 Days Later... and even The Beach to an extent, maybe I owe Boyle another shot.
3. Short Cuts
Robert Altman. Jack Lemmon. R0bert Downey, Jr. Julianne Moore. Chris Penn. Frances McDormand. Andie MacDowell. Based on the great Raymond Carver short stories, but interconnected like only Altman can do. Seems like the perfect match of material with director and it stood out as a comeback of sorts for Altman when it came out. The three hour long running time dissuades me just a bit, but the first chance I really get to sit down and take it in, I'll jump at the chance.
2. The English Patient
The only Best Picture winner since 1987's Bertolucci film that I haven't seen. Loved Anthony Minghella's The Talented Mr. Ripley and enjoyed Cold Mountain quite a bit as well. Unfortunately, my girlfriend considers it one of the most boring and tedious films she's had the displeasure of sitting through... but I tend to disagree with her a lot on films, so I'll take that with a grain of salt (or sand in this case). Seems like a lower profile choice for a Best Picture winner too, an unusual decision by the Academy's history. I need to hear some more opinions on this one that sway me towards a viewing.
1. The Age of Innocence
Any Scorsese that I haven't already seen is of the utmost embarrassment. The Age of Innocence just so happens to be a victim of my least favorite genre, the Edith Wharton-styled period piece. It's rare when a Pride & Prejudice comes along that I see, much less like. But this is Scorsese we're talking about, not some everyday hack. There's no excuse for it. Besides, as you can tell with my runners-up list I'm woefully behind on Daniel Day-Lewis's filmography as well. This just tops it off.
(my embarassingly long) runners-up: The Apostle, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Pi, Slacker, Clockers, Sense and Sensibility, Babe, The Crossing Guard, Gettysburg, In the Name of the Father, Last of the Mohicans, Husbands and Wives, Bad Lieutenant, One False Move, The Doors, Bugsy, El Mariachi, When We Were Kings, The Crucible, Sling Blade, Shine, Waiting for Guffman, Kundun, The Boxer, Buffalo '66, Hard-Boiled
Monday, June 25, 2007
Film Script's Top 7 - Movies I Should Have Seen (1990s)
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My god this was my decade. When going through the list of films over these ten years I realized something...I watched "Little Rascals" way too many times. There were so many better films I could have been watching, but NO!!! I loved that damn Spanky and Alfalfa.
I'll comment on Mulligan's list later. Well I have to say that "Babe" should have made your number one. Not necessarily because it is the greatest movie you missed (which it comes close too), but because this is a movie that we were the right age for. Of all the crappy kids flicks we watched as kids, how did you miss this one really great one.
Anyways here is my list:
7. Three Color Trilogy- Krysztof Kieslowski's dying opus. Tales of France from one of its greatest directors. I hadn't even heard of them until a few years ago. Still yet to see any of them. I'm a sucker for ambitious storytelling so this sounds right up my alley.
6. Naked Lunch- I'm a huge Cronenberg fan. (Anyone see the new trailer to his "Eastern Promise," looks great) I've seen the Fly, Dead Ringers, Dead Zone, Videodrome, Crash, Scanners, Spider and of course a History of Violence. His only big ones left before I delve into his early work are eXistenZ and this one. I sounds like it is the weirdest movie ever made. And if there is one thing I love, it is a weird Cronenberg film.
5. Ice Storm- I love Ang Lee, but have only seen four of his films. Didn't care for Ride the Devil or Hulk (though I admire what he was trying to do). Brokeback and Crouching Tiger are terrific. He was nominated for "Sense and Sensibility," which I haven't seen either, but this one sounds like it is more my taste. A terrific cast. A rising director. Unanimous praise. How'd I miss it?
4. Life is Beautiful- There was a moment in my life when I thought Roberto Benigni was it. When he won the Oscar and made this big scene, I thought is was so great this unknown had won. Unfortunately, his next film "Pinocchio" came around before I had time to see this film. That film's dreadful reviews put me off to his work even this one. I need to just see it already and judge his work for myself.
3. Backdraft- When "Ladder 49" came out, I told people I thought it was a good as this film. I was so embarrassed not having seen this film, that I told people I had just to avoid the cries of blasphemy and being stoned to death. I don't know why i haven't seen it. I like Ron Howard's work. I think Kurt Russell is the man. It even has De Niro. I'm sure it played in my house, but I can't recall anything from it. Well I know there is fire.
2. Age of Innocence- Mulligan beat me too it, but it just about made my number one too. A Scorsese film with Daniel Day Lewis! I should own this movie. But its PG, which may be why I haven't seen it yet. I like my Scorsese with a little more vulgar and violence. I would love to see Scorsese stretch himself more like he does here though. I guess if Kubrick can do "Barry Lyndon", why can't Scorsese do this. After all he was nominated for writing it.
1. Dead Man Walking- another film I tell others I've seen. When Sean Penn won for "Mystic River," I proceeded to say how much better he was in this film. I've seen enough on cable to say I think it looks to be a wonderful film. I think Sarandon is great in the right movie. I like Penn when he is more subdued and not chewing the scenery like recently. And I've always loved Tim Robbins in front of the screen so why not behind it too. Plus it has a great story to boot. Maybe if it starred Alfalfa I would have seen it already.
There...I've confessed my sins and will now say twenty Hail Mary's. Here are many more films I covet, though have yet to. I leave God to decide my fate now.
-Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, La Femme Nikita, Revenge, Commitments, The Doors, The Freshman, Trust, Bugsy, Regarding Henry, A River Runs Through It, Falling Down, Twin Peaks, Welcome to Sarajevo, Croupier, Gods & Monsters, Velvet Goldmine, Cider House Rules, Yi Yi, Buena Vista Social Club, Flawless, A Bronx Tale, Menace II Society, Shallow Grave, Hudsucker Proxy, Wyatt Earp, Il Postino, Citizen Ruth, Shine, Trees Lounge, Great Expectations, Fierce Creatures, and the classic Weekend at Bernie's II.
I fell dirty.
Well, after glancing over your list I think it's safe to say we've got a handful of more films to address in our Film Script marathons. Of the ones you posted, I have not seen the Three Colors Trilogy, Naked Lunch, Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, La Femme Nikita, The Doors, The Freshman, Trust, Bugsy, Regarding Henry, Falling Down, Twin Peaks, Welcome to Sarajevo, Croupier, Velvet Goldmine, Yi Yi, Buena Vista Social Club, Flawless, Menace II Society, Shallow Grave, Il Postino, Citizen Ruth, Shine, Trees Lounge, Great Expectations and Fierce Creatures. Loads to catch up with... we've just got to find a category that ties a couple of these together so we can judge them against one another. Unfortunately I am not as aversed in my Cronenberg knowledge. Funny though that other than History of Violence the only one I HAVE seen is Existenz and I would definitely recommend it, even if I feel like it requires a second viewing for me to really wrap my head around it. Definitely interesting regardless though.
I'll get around to covering the ones that I have seen soon, but I gotta say I'm pleasantly surprised you haven't seen The Age of Innocence because that now jumps to the top of the Film Script To-See List. Just gotta find something to tie it in with... maybe period dramas and we throw Sense and Sensibility in there too? Of course we'd be starting the marathons with my least favorite genre, but I need to get around to them sometime I suppose.
Back in a bit to comment further.
Back with a quick question. Chachi, should I continue to compile my Top 7 Lists of Movies I Should Have Seen for the 80s, 70s, etc. before we create the Film Script Watching Schedule or should we jump into something already and just add more later? It would give us a wider spectrum of films to choose from, but most of the marathons are probably going to be linked by their time period anyway to a large degree. Thoughts?
Ok...I'm working on my list...and it could be awhile...lot of damn films from this decade I'm sure I haven't seen....but not very many that jump to mind.
Mulligan: Babe!!! You haven't seen Babe? I read through your list and thought "Hmm...there are some big misses in there, but nothing too offensive." Then I saw Babe. And I started yelling. If you don't have tears in your eyes when James Cromwell says, "That'll do pig." Then you have no soul. Go watch it. Now. Right now.
Chachi: We talked about your list last night. Aside from Weekend at Bernie's 2, the only other one I was semi-shocked by was Croupier. I know you saw I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, so I'm sure you want to...Clive Owen is a damn sexy man. And I've been on your ass to watch Trees Lounge for 3 years.
7. Three Color Trilogy
I think I've seen Red, but can't remember. I know these were on my original Netflix list...but I had to cancel that and the list disappeared. So..yeah...I'll get around to these
6. Delicatessen
Yeah....so this is from one of my favorite visual directors (Jean-Pierre Jeunet)...and its about cannibalism. How the fuck did I not see this? It just got added to my queue.
5. Miller's Crossing
Sigh. I love the Coens. Love them. I think I've seen parts of this...but never the whole thing. Damn shame. Great cast...and its a gangster film. So...yeah...I'm embarrassed.
4. The Crying Game
Yeah....the ending was ruined for me...so I just never got around to it. I know I should. Never did. Stop ruining endings people....it pisses me off....then makes me look like a jackass for having never seen the movie the ending was attached to. People suck.
3. Life is Beautiful
I don't like Roberto Benigni. So I never saw this. I will....but I really don't like him. He's annoying.
2. The Grifters
I have no excuse. I'm in love with John Cusack. I have no reason. Just never saw it. Leave me alone.
1. Thelma and Louise
Umm....yeah...I don't know. Just never saw it I guess. There are probably more that I haven't seen that I'll add on later....this is a very quick list.
Mulligan, as pengin and I were talking last night, I think it best if we delve into the ones we need to see already and visit other decades later. We just have so much to go with right now that I think we shouldn't wait. And to be honest, I would rather interspersed all those period pieces throughout instead of watching them all back to back. After all they aren't my favorite cup o' tea either.
I'll post all my thoughts are yours and pengins picks tomorrow. Right now I'm beat.
Sounds good, we just need to figure out how to tie the films together then. Unless (judging by the comment about splitting up the period piece) you decided you'd rather just list these as our "Contemporary Misses" and get on with it?
Either way, Thursday night is going to be my 'Film Script Movie Night' so we'll start next Friday as the first in the "Film Script Watching Series"... and how bout The Age of Innocence first? A little Scorsese to kick things off?
Heh, umm...look, before I begin this list you must know one thing. At an age where I couldn't go to the movie theaters except to ride there on my bike because my parents hated movie theaters, you must understand that though it is lamentable a few of these haven't been seen...they are at least understandable. Right?
Ahem.
7. Goodfellas - No bullshit, I've probably told people I've seen it. I haven't. I've seen two minutes, maybe less somewhere in the middle. I think Ray Liotta was yelling at somebody. I'm trying, I really am.
6. L. A. Confidential - Another I probably told people I saw, I don't even have a clue what it's about. I just know that everyone loved it and that I'm a charletan for not have seen it.
5. Saving Private Ryan - I saw the part where he tells the guy that his little brothers died and he starts bawling because they were only in school and Hanks realizes that it's not the right Ryan and gets embarassed. THAT'S IT. I know, I suck.
4. Unforgiven - Isn't Danny Glover in this or something and it's a Western? Maybe I'm thinking of Silverado. Who knows, haven't seen it, sorry.
3. Lock, Stock, and Two Smocking Barrels - I told you this list was gonna make you cringe.
2. The Boondock Saints - Apparently panties get wet the second people say the name to this movie. I've honestly had probably three hundred chances to see this movie, it just never happened. I remember one particular time where my friend was like, "Oh man! Let's watch Boondock Saints!" and we sat down and watched the deleted scenes first and then he started the movie and all of a sudden got bored and asked me, "You've already seen this anyway, right?" and I nodded for some reason so he took the movie out and played Rocky. The Game.
1. Schindler's List. That's all I'm going to say so that I have time to run.
PEACE!
Myth....First....YOU ARE A JEW...And you haven't seen Schindler's List??!!??!?!??! What the hell is wrong with you?
You have the worst not-seen list ever. The only one on there that I can excuse is The Boondock Saints...it's good....but nothing great in my opinion.
As for everything else...stop watching fucking Fantastic Four over and over again and watch every film you just listed at least twice. You're not only missing out on excellent films...you're missing some of the most important films to be made in our lifetime. Seriously....Schindler's List...come on....dear god man...I just don't get you.
And I didn't even mention Goodfellas yet...you try telling Chachi and I that we have fanboy woodies for Scorsese...that we're biased towards him due to our undying love of him...and yet you haven't even seen what is easily in his top 3.
I have a soft-spot for Saving Private Ryan...I know when it first came out it was hailed as the most realistic war film ever...and many called it one of the best ever. Since then, there has been a fairly sizeable amount of backlash towards it. The first time I saw it was with my grandfather, who was one of the first people on Omaha Beach (where the opening scenes are set) on D-Day. I understand that it may not be the best war film ever made...but it still is one of the best...and I think an important part of cinema history.
Unforgiven is one of the best westerns ever made. Bar-none. Just excellent. Eastwood is the fucking man. Both in front of and behind the camera.
LA Confidential is damn good. Maybe a bit overrated...I haven't seen it in awhile myself. But certainly worth not watching Fantastic Four again for.
Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. Two words. Vinnie Jones. More than enough reason right there for you. I can never decide if I prefer this or Snatch....but I think we can all agree they both kick Swept Away's ass.
Chachi...you sir...need to get on the ball...I just lost even more respect for you. And I think Moses just started crying. Never seen Schindler's List....there are Nazi's who have seen Schindler's List.
Okay, a day late with my post but whatever I'm busy. Got a problem with that! Well too bad! I'm fat and lazy! Get over it!
So lets take a looks at Mulligan's list first.
Fisher King- I saw it awhile ago when I was on a Gilliam fix. Good movie with even better acting. I think Bridges is one of the most underrated actors along with John Cusack (whom is great in 1408). Far from Gilliam's best, but definately worth watching all the way through.
Dark City- saw this in theaters in Germany. I was one of only a handful in the theater and was blown away by it. Alex Proyas is a god when it comes to visuals. Ebert named this the best movie of 1999? I think. Anyways not surprised you haven't seen it because this is one I don't think many people have. I take a certain pleasure in introducing it to people.
Mallrats- you know I'm a huge Kevin Smith whore, but I will say I think it is his weakest film. That said it has really grown on me over the years. Jason Lee is gold as Brodie and it has Ethan Suplee to boot. What doesn't work is the rest of the cast. Claire Forlani, Shannon Doherty, and one of those damn London Twins just can't act. This was clearly not the film Kevin wanted to make, but he was working with a studio and didn't have the clout he has now. I think it is a must see, just so it will open your eyes to the brilliance of Clerks II and Jersey Girl. Plus you are a completist.
Trainspotting- far a long time I thought this was the best movie ever made. Terrific cast. Great tunes. Amazing dialog. This was what turned me on to Danny Boyle, and with maybe the exception of Millions, I don't think he has topped it. Plus it has both McGregor and Bremner. TWO EWENS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!
Short Cuts- it has been a long time since I saw this film. I remember it most for Julianne Moore's bush, but obviously it is among Altman's best. Altman was perhaps the best director when it comes to large cast like in Gosford Park (another film you need to see).
English Patient- okay I saw this when it first came out. Granted I was about 13 or 14, but god was it boring. I'm with your girlfriend here Mulligan, don't worry about it. It may be better on a second viewing, but there are so many films we need to see that I think will be more rewarding. God just thinking about it makes me sleepy.
Age of Innoncence- yep we need to see this one
As for the films that didn't make your list...
Babe- WATCH NOW!!!
Crimes & Misdemeanors- Among Woody's best. Landau is fantastic
Pi- Aronofsky loves his mindfucks. My least favorite of his films, but still worth checking out. His films scar you for life much like Fincher
Slacker- great lil indie. Raised in San Antonio, so I love films that really understand TEXAS and obviously Linklater is from Austin, so here knows the state.
Gettysburg- a thousand times better than Gods and Generals
Last of the Mohicans- Its Fucking Michael Mann! Its Fucking Daniel Day Lewis! How have you not seen this!
El Mariachi- best Robert Rodriguez film next to Sin City. Shoe string action film. Never thought possible.
Crucible- you really haven't seen many Day Lewis films. Seen it a couple of times in school. I love Arthur Miller. Worth a watch, but nothing to be embarrassed about.
Sling Blade- Billy Bob is the shit. Really compelling stuff with a terrific ending. Very creepy character yet also very alluring and misunderstood.
Waiting for Guffman- alot of people think this is Guest's best. I disagree, but still worth watching. The cast is great as usual.
Buffalo '66- this is when I first realized just how damn hot Christina Ricci is. Vincent Gallo is a weird fuck. Pretty good flcik though.
Kundun- Scorsese...need I say more
Hard Boiled- Only great thing John Woo has ever done (though Face/Off was fun)
Haven't seen...Apostle, Clockers, Sense & Sensibility, Husbands & Wives, or Boxer (I think we could somehow do a Day Lewis marathon)
Phew, okay now on to pengin's much smaller list. Thank God.
Three Colors- haven't seen
Delicatessen- haven't seen. Must see now that I know what it is about. And it is Jeunet.
Miller's Crossing- just saw it for a second time. It's early Coen Bros, so you know it is great. Gabriel Bryne can be the shit sometimes.
Crying Game- saw this for the first time on TV last year. Of course already knowing the ending made it less compelling, but it is directed by Neil Jordan so you know its well made and feature a whole lotta Irishman/woman/hermaphroditas. Plus its got Forest Whitaker, though he does not show his wang.
Life is Beautiful- haven't seen
Grifters- I think I remember seeing this with my parents back in Texas, but I can't remember anything except that cover. There are alot of Stephen Frears films I need to revisit, or see for the first time for that matter.
Thelma & Louise- overrated, but still fun to watch. Its fun seeing Pitt used simply as eye candy even back in the day. Sarandon and Davis are fun together. Perhaps it was a big deal because of its overt feminism. I don't know, but Ridley is a capable filmmaker.
Fin
I just finished this massive post that took me over a hour to write and during that time seven babies were strangled with chicken wire, twelve puppies eating by rapid possums, two rapes involving both a clown and a mime, New Orleans was hit by another hurricane and still so support from the gov, Ann Coulter declared war on all gay Canadians, and one woman made love to a porcupine using sandpaper and a TV remote, but none....NONE...are more sinful, more blasphemous, more stroke-inducing than your list Myth. How dare you call yourself a fan of movies? What the hell is wrong with you? Five of your films are Best Picture nominees. Two of them are directed by King Jew himself. So help me if I hear you watched Silver Surfer one more time instead of watching any of these films, I will remove your eyeballs and feed them to a swollen chinchilla. I bet the damn chinchilla saw all those films. You constantly disappoint me. I'm fucking speechless.
And to top it of, you put Boondock Saints at number two. That should be bottom barrel. Goodfellas, Saving Private Ryan, and Schindler's List. I dont know how you can even justify which one is more must see than the other. It should be a three way tie for number one. I own all of these movies (except for LA Confidential). You can borrow them and wash yourself of...whatever you may have contracted at the theater, that would have caused such an atrocity.
I'm telling Katie.
Chachi's last post made me giggle so hard a gerbil popped out of my ass....and I haven't even shoved any up there since the last time I met Richard Gere. King Jew is now officially Spielberg's name.
Anywho...in the last paragraph of my last post...I start off by addressing Chachi...which is a typo. That whole thing is written towards Myth, who deserves to have that swollen chinchilla set loose upon his balls.
Okay, my turn to weigh in on everyone else's lists. I'll start with the controversy that is Myth's list and work my way back to reality though.
Unfortunately, I kind of take offense to Myth's list. How in God's name can you have GoodFellas, Unforgiven, L.A. Confidential and Saving Private Ryan on your list and STILL put Lock, Stock and The Boondock Saints ahead of them? That is a joke.
A horrible, horrible joke.
Listen, I liked The Boondock Saints for what it is... an interesting indie revenge flick with style to burn. But if I take the time to reflect on it, it really doesn't amount to a whole lot of anything and it's morals are horribly all over the place.
Then Lock, Stock. Probably Ritchie's best movie, but that's not saying much since the guy is half-a-hack. Swept Away I don't think anyone saw. Revolver was typically average. Snatch gets worse upon repeat viewings and Lock, Stock I haven't even seen twice yet. I remember liking it at the time. The European feel that Ritchie brings to it crossed with a wannabe Tarantino. But that's basically all Ritchie is and he'll never do better. You want a prime example of how piss poor Ritchie is? Watch the BMW "The Driver" series with Clive Owen. Brilliant work from Alejandro González Iñárritu, Wong Kar Wai, John Frankenheimer, Ang Lee and then John Woo tops it all off with the only other brilliant thing he's done (outside of Face/Off because I still haven't seen Hard-Boiled Chachi). But Ritchie's "Star" is awful, with his wife Madonna taking center stage (Ritchie is the only jackass to take the focus entirely off the Driver in this series). You can probably catch these 6-7 minute films on YouTube I'm sure and if you haven't, you should. I had BMW send me the DVD. It's totally sweet.
At least you put Schindler's List in it's rightful place at #1, but seriously... you can't think Lock, Stock and Boondock deserve their placements.
Now, turning to the real meat of the post. Unforgiven is tied with the Leone Man with No Name series as the best westerns that I've ever seen.
GoodFellas is top 3 all-time by a top 3 (and probably higher) all-time director. Must, must, must see. This is like admitting you haven't seen Pulp Fiction, some circles would have you castrated.
Saving Private Ryan I didn't much like the first time I saw it, simply for the "send a squadron to save a single man" storyline but it's grown on me and it truly is one of the great films of the 90s. It's sense of place. It's authenticity. It's performances. And in the end, even the tragedy of it's storyline make it great.
And L.A. Confidential is the only real must-see noir film in decades (outside of the the Coen's Man Who Wasn't There and Blood Simple). On top of which, in contrast to films like Wonder Boys and In Her Shoes it shows the range that director Curtis Hanson can successfully manage. And take another look at that cast... DeVito, Spacey, Crowe, Pearce, Cromwell. Just see it.
Back later with comments on Pengin and Chachi's lists. Doing this one at a time and I need a rest after the mental exertion of Myth's. Haha. Later.
Onto Pengin's list. Again, I still haven't seen the Three Colors Trilogy, so I'll skip right on past that only saying that it's one I think we all need to catch up with.
Ditto Delicatessan. Heard good things. Didn't see it. Not much else to comment on.
I have however seen the rest of your list.
Miller's Crossing is a very good film, but by Coen standards, I don't put it amongst their greatest accomplishments. I remember liking it a great deal, but not being wrapped up in it like I have been with O Brother, The Big Lebowski, Blood Simple and Raising Arizona for starters. It's better than Hudsucker and easily bests both The Ladykillers and Intolerable Cruelty but it's not blasphemous that you haven't seen it. Get around to it when you want to see a solid pic, it's definitely a reliable choice.
At this point I think everyone knows the secret of The Crying Game and like The Sixth Sense it was a film that was spoiled for me as well, but I still enjoyed enormously. Sure it sucks that one of the biggest hoodwinks in Hollywood was ruined for you... but when I was watching this film, my girlfriend glanced up at the screen and proceeded to guess the secret 'reveal' without having paid more than ten seconds of interest and not knowing anything about the film at all. Totally remarkable. But on its own, it stands up as a very good film. Another I'm not in love with, but recognize how good it really is.
Life is Beautiful is the film I recommend for people who don't like foreign films. For instance my sister I think has watched 2 foreign films in her life. Life is Beautiful is one of them and she loved it. It's entertaining, it's sad, it's sweet, it's definitely one to see.
The Grifters may be a little high on the list... but that may just be my apathy towards most of John Cusack's work. He's charming, but typically a one-note performer. I actually enjoyed his underseen role in The Ice Harvest more than anything of his in recent memory. That said, he's good here because Stephen Frears makes good use of his natural charm... something that makes him a natural con man. I tend to like the con genre, even if it's regularly more entertaining than deep.
And lastly for Pengin's, Thelma and Louise. I don't think it's overrated like Chachi does. I don't think it's underrated. It's one of the 90's films you should see because of Sarandon and Geena Davis and Keitel and the real start of Pitt's career but it's also atypical for a road movie to focus on two women. It's directed by Ridley Scott, but not in a showy fashion where you can even tell he's behind the camera. It's a well put together, female-bonding run from the cops. Therefore, it entertains.
Nothing on your list is real out there though. I'd say Thelma deserves the top spot just because it's the most popular miss of the group, but it's not a film that people have a "wha wha what?!" reaction to when you say you haven't seen (like all of Myth's list).
I honestly think that when I was supposed to watch Schindler's List I was watching Weekend At Bernies 2. And to make things worse, which I don't want to do...
I own Schindler's List.
The special edition DVD that came in that big fucking see through plastic box.
...and I got it for free.
The rest, I'm working on. Slowly. Actually, maybe not at all. I probably have to be force fed most of those. I'm just not an Oscar's whore and nothing wearing the title of "best picture" was incentive enough for me to go out and rent it when I already had Rock-A-Doodle and Terminator 2: Judgement Day re-rented for the twentieth time.
Myth, I love Rock-a-Doodle. There are far too many movies here for me to comment upon all of them so, let me think of my list:
3. Bean- I've never seen it, and I love Rowan Atkinson, so I have no idea how this has happened.
2. Deterrence- I heard about this Kevin Pollak starring thriller back when it was first coming out, but I never have gotten around to seeing it.
1. Doug's 1st Movie- As a fan of the show when I was younger, why have I not seen this?
I know it's not seven, but I couldn't think of anything/ find any other movies that I feel like I should've seen from that time period.
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