A Few Dark Comedies, A Documentary, A Musical, and A War Film
Mar 06 '01
The Bottom Line These aren't "The 10 Best Films Ever." I doubt any them are Citizen Kane quality. (Okay, I've never seen Citizen Kane.) Well, I like them anyway.
I'm not a film buff. I actually don't like most films I see, and I haven't seen many movies deemed "classic" or "must-see" by critics and fans. These are just some of the films I have seen and have enjoyed more than most. Parental discretion is deeply advised for all but one (Willy Wonka is kid-friendly, of course).
Fight Club
Fight Club is an ultimate look at the male psyche, raw testosterone, psychosis, dysfunctional relationships and soap (lye looks dangerous!). I recommend this for its exciting pace, rather unexpected plot twist, and a cameo by Meat Loaf. Brad Pitt's abs aren't hard on the eyes either, and Ed Norton's acting is impeccable once again.
Planet of the Apes
Damned dirty apes! Our favorite gun-loving American (Charlie Heston) and some pretentious simians clash in this cool sci-fi flick. The first time I saw Planet I was deeply disturbed, but now I think it's well-done and hilarious in parts. And yes, there is a lot of social commentary in this film.
High Fidelity
John Cusack, Jack Black, Chicago (the city, not the band), an indie record store--need I say more? This didn't make my "top five" (see the film and you'll understand), but it is amusing nonetheless. The main downfall of High Fidelity is that I don't like how it kind of morphs into a chick flick complete with a mushy love subplot, blech. It's still a must-see for indie music-philes and Cusack fans alike.
Freeway
Freeway is a modern twist on Little Red Riding Hood starring Reese Witherspoon as, well, white trash and Keifer Sutherland as a dirty, dirty man. This movie reeks of a weird "girl power" twist (small blonde from the wrong side of the tracks kicks butt [stupid filter] and wreaks havoc on the "system" in the name of truth), but elements of it are creative, dark, and comedic. Brooke Shields's cameo is also worth seeing. Trust me.
Kids in the Hall's Brain Candy
Canadian comedy troupe the Kids in the Hall's Brain Candy pokes fun at the nineties anti-depressant frenzy. The Kids rehash great characters (who can forget Grivo, the death metal singer; Marv, the corporate yes-man; the inept cops . . . ) and non-PC (are things PC in Canada?) plot lines to show how inane drug companies and our fixation on "happiness" truly are, no matter what the side effects. This movie is like "72 degrees in the brain."
Roger and Me
What do you do when a faceless corporation decides to lay off all the workers in your hometown to open factories in Mexico? You track down the man behind the faceless corporation and ask him why! Roger and Me is Michael Moore's documentary of life in Flint, Michigan, after Roger Smith, the CEO of General Motors, decides to obliterate the town by shutting the factories down. This film is admittedly very biased and possibly maudlin, but Moore is examining an issue very close to his heart. The ethical questions the film proposes about corporate responsibility will leave you thinking. Plus, Roger and Me is a must-see for Green party members (ahem, ::wink::).
Election
Reese Witherspoon plays Tracy Flick, an overachiever who is running unopposed for class president. Unopposed, that is, until her bitter government teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) decides to find someone to run against her. Election is a dark look at high school politics, sex, and power. Witherspoon and Broderick are both excellent in their respective roles, and the movie doesn't sugarcoat anything.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Who can take tomorrow / Dip it in a dream / Separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream?
Willy Wonka is an amazing film that captures the fantastical world of Roald Dahl to a tee. The film entails a voyage through Wonka's factory, exposing the flaws of the children through tempting their weaknesses. Gene Wilder is Willy Wonka. His performance is brilliant as the eccentric and self-absorbed candy maker. This movie is a rather light-hearted musical even with the removal of the "bad" kids, but some parts may frighten younger children.
Pulp Fiction
The cast is phenomenal (John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, et al.); the direction is phenomenal (thanks to good old Quentin Tarantino); the movie is wild and even shocking in parts (remember the gimp?). Pulp Fiction is a mixture of several plots revolving around two hitmen (Travolta and Jackson). I can't say much about this movie without giving away plot details that I don't want to give away, but if you haven't seen it before and don't mind some violence, I highly suggest it.
Full Metal Jacket
Forget Apocalypse Now. Forget Platoon. This is my absolute favorite film exploring the evolution from young men to soldiers in Vietnam. I love how director Stanley Kubrick details the path from boot camp to confusing and tumultuous battle. The stark contrast between the sterile and structured training environment to the disarray of the actual war is unsettling, as it should be. I believe this is a must-see for those who are interested in war films.
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There's my list. I would love some recommendations in the comments section about other movies I may enjoy.
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bupkiss
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Location: Richmond, Virginia, USA
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