"Most Recommended Rentals"

[Josh]

Well, the Promontory Film Critics Circle is compiling a list of 100 Most Recommended Films, and I was asked to submit a few nominations before the final voting begins. Anyway, I stuck mostly to recent favorites, and here are the ones I submitted. The only criteria I was given was "films that I think are great cinematic art." So what do you think?

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen- Terry Gilliam- 1988
Almost Famous- Cameron Crowe- 2000
Amadeus- Milos Forman- 1984
Catch Me If You Can- Steven Spielberg- 2002
Donnie Darko- Richard Kelly- 2001
The Fellowship of the Ring- Peter Jackson- 2002
Moulin Rogue- Baz Luhrmann- 2001
The Royal Tenenbaums- Wes Anderson- 2001
Spirited Away- Hayao Miyazaki- 2002
Toy Story 2- John Lasseter- 1999
The Truman Show- Peter Weir- 1998
Wings of Desire- Wim Wenders- 1987
 

[Vlad!]

None of your choices really surprise me, though some omissions did. Any real reason why you have no Star Wars? Or why TTT didn't make the cut? Or why, for heavens' sake, Memento isn't on there?  

[DvChWi]

The Adventures of Baron Munchausen- Terry Gilliam- 1988
 

Terry Gilliam of Monty Python?  What kind of movie is this?

[Josh]

Any real reason why you have no Star Wars?

Well, I was thinking mostly of more recent films, which excludes the trilogy, and the two prequels both totally slipped my mind.

Or why TTT didn't make the cut?

Again, it kind of slipped my mind. Not sure if it really needs a spot on the list since Fellowship will undoubtedly make the final cut, and it's a much better film.

Or why, for heavens' sake, Memento isn't on there?

I haven't seen it, but the very premise strikes me as gimmicky...

Terry Gilliam of Monty Python? What kind of movie is this?

Yep, one and the same. One of the most underappreciated adventure/fantast/comedies of all time. Python fans will love it, but so will non-Python fans; Munchausen has a much greater emphasis on story.
 

[Vlad!]

Gimmicky? Ouch. You're going to have to see it some time; I think it's a masterpeice.

[Josh]

Gimmicky? Ouch. You're going to have to see it some time; I think it's a masterpeice.

Sure. I wasn't trying to pass judgement on the film or anything; just explaining why I haven't been eager to see it. But I'll try to catch up with it over Thanksgiving or Christmas.

And I noticed another painful omission from my list... THE COEN BROTHERS. Specifically, Raising Arizona, a film that deserves to be on ANY best-of list.

Vlad!, over the holidays, we need to have a big movie party, and we MUST watch Raising Arizona. Your life is not complete until you've seen it.

[Brandon]

Gimmicky? Ouch. You're going to have to see it some time; I think it's a masterpeice.

Vlad, I totally agree with you on this one.  Memento is such a great thriller.  It is one of the best examples of a movie making you feel just like the character.  Call it a gimmick if you want, but unlike many other "gimmicky" movies of late, the gimmick here actually serves an important function in the storytelling.  

Remember Sammy Jankis....

[enemy anemone]

I didn't think Memento was at all gimmicky.

if Vlad! has to watch Raising Arizona then Josh has to watch Memento.

it would be so fun if all us phorum pholk could get together for a big movie party. I'm jealous of those of you who live close enough that you can do so.  

[Vlad!]

it would be so fun if all us phorum pholk could get together for a big movie party. I'm jealous of those of you who live close enough that you can do so.

That would be awesome. And I think Virginia Tech would be a great place to do it at :D

[bethany]

i agree with your list except i didn't think Catch Me If You Can was that great a film. sure, it was good, but there were so many other better films with more substance to them that came out around the same time (e.g. adaptation)

[Josh]

i agree with your list except i didn't think Catch Me If You Can was that great a film. sure, it was good, but there were so many other better films with more substance to them that came out around the same time (e.g. adaptation)

Haven't seen that one, but I think Catch Me is an underappreciated masterpiece. Sure, it's pretty whimsical, but that's part of the charm. And it's certainly not to say that it's totally without substance or excellence in craftsmanship; the script is witty and intelligent, the performances are all spot-on, John Williams' score is one of his best in a good while, and the story serves as a moving prodigal son parable. Great stuff.