AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Dr. Strangelove said:
Yeah, I have had. The only Guy Maddin full length I haven't seen it yet is Cowards Bend the Knee. Thanks for the lists guys. I will try and watch some stuff this weekend.
Best Arthouse / Forgotten Films of the Decade Watching Thread
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Yeah, I have had. The only Guy Maddin full length I haven't seen it yet is Cowards Bend the Knee. Thanks for the lists guys. I will try and watch some stuff this weekend.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Buttonbasher said:
I wrote a 160 page unfinished review on why I thought this was one of the most terrible films of the decade. PM me if any of you guys want to read it.
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
Holy balls, AU. Send that shit my way post-haste. :lol
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
I've tried to point out some Asian films in those previous topics, so I'll mention a few of my favorite overlooked arthouse fare from other regions :
Silent Light: would probably only appeal to a handful of people here, but if you like Tarkovsky, Dreyer, Malick... please watch this. Finally got a US DVD release a few weeks ago. ~ trailer
Birth: I think this is the best American (or "melting pot" American) film of the '00s, and it seems to go largely ignored or misunderstood. Hypnotic, unsettling and perfectly realized. ~ trailer
The Consequences of Love: Sleek and coolly stylish Italian drama reminiscent of Neil Jordan's Mona Lisa, although distinctly European through and through. ~ trailer
Innocence: A surreal, fascinating and almost indescribably gorgeous fever dream that plays like David Lynch roaming through Picnic at Hanging Rock. ~ trailer
Silent Light: would probably only appeal to a handful of people here, but if you like Tarkovsky, Dreyer, Malick... please watch this. Finally got a US DVD release a few weeks ago. ~ trailer
Birth: I think this is the best American (or "melting pot" American) film of the '00s, and it seems to go largely ignored or misunderstood. Hypnotic, unsettling and perfectly realized. ~ trailer
The Consequences of Love: Sleek and coolly stylish Italian drama reminiscent of Neil Jordan's Mona Lisa, although distinctly European through and through. ~ trailer
Innocence: A surreal, fascinating and almost indescribably gorgeous fever dream that plays like David Lynch roaming through Picnic at Hanging Rock. ~ trailer
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Cosmic Bus said:
I've been waiting for that Silent Light release even though I didn't like Battle in Heaven the first time I watched it but it has considerably grown on me. Never got around to watching Birth. I hope I can find a place in Austin that has unlimited rental monthly plan somewhere.
Snowman Prophet of Doom
Member
AlternativeUlster said:
Goddamn. I could see disliking it (I think it's one of the best of the decade, personally), but this goes above and beyond anything I could imagine doing for a movie that I think is terrible.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
I am watching Gommora and Alexandra this weekend. I hope I Luv Video has a copy of Silent Light in but we will see.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Oh yeah, Antichrist and Il Divo too.
CajoleJuice
Member
I am interested. :lolAlternativeUlster said:
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
CajoleJuice said:
I will just post it in the thread for yourself and anyone else's liking:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XKAIKT52
CajoleJuice
Member
do = tooAselith said:
And I'm 5 pages in and this is fantastic. I can't believe you wrote all this. :lol
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Aselith said:
Whoops, I think it is supposed to be "too" not "do." I haven't gone through and checked for typos yet since I am still not finished with it.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
CajoleJuice said:
Thank you. I am sure it gets to the point of annoying by page 100 or so. :lol
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
JSA would be my favorite film of his if it wasn't for the terrible English speaking actors.
blame space
Banned
mr stroke said:
fuck, repressed memories.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Grimmy said:
I just added all these to my line-up. Hopefully I can get through these by the end of this month.
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
mr stroke said:
Yessssss. Keane was amazing, and it's weird how much I like the movie because I thought Kerrigan's first film was pretty bad.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Cosmic Bus said:
You didn't like Clean, Shaven? I heard it was pretty terrific but once again, it is on my long list of films to finally get around to.
Yi-Yi is one of my absolute favourite too, just incredible. And to everyone who loved it you should definitely watch Edward Yang's 1996 movie A Brighter Summer Day, another masterpiece:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101985/
As for other movies I would list The Taste of Tea, the best japanese movie of the decade, simply amazing:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413893/
My favourite Kim Ki-duk's movie, Address Unknown:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284815/
Béla Tarr movies, I've only seen 2 so far and we are talking about something that goes beyond simply watching movies, more like experiences (like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Ashes of Time). Tarr's style is all about long shots (10 minutes to 15 and more).
Sátántangó (a seven hour and half "epic")
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111341/
Werckmeister Harmonies, it's more "conventional" than Sátántangó, at least for the running time, but there are some incredible long shots that you can only watch with your jaw dropped.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0249241/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101985/
As for other movies I would list The Taste of Tea, the best japanese movie of the decade, simply amazing:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0413893/
My favourite Kim Ki-duk's movie, Address Unknown:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0284815/
Béla Tarr movies, I've only seen 2 so far and we are talking about something that goes beyond simply watching movies, more like experiences (like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Ashes of Time). Tarr's style is all about long shots (10 minutes to 15 and more).
Sátántangó (a seven hour and half "epic")
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111341/
Werckmeister Harmonies, it's more "conventional" than Sátántangó, at least for the running time, but there are some incredible long shots that you can only watch with your jaw dropped.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0249241/
I agree, it's definitely one of the best sci-fi films of recent times. And to think it cost almost nothing to make.mr stroke said:IMO the best scifi movie of the decade-
Anyway this film isn't perfect but it's super cool, very funny, and has some great action and so A Bittersweet Life would easily be in my top 5:
And The Chaser would be up there too:
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Wait, they are remaking The Chaser?
Cosmic Bus
pristine morning snow
AlternativeUlster said:
I liked the idea, just not the execution. At all. To me, Keane is a bit like a second try with better results.
Snowman Prophet of Doom
Member
AlternativeUlster said:
We must be operating from different places entirely because I've read as much of this as I could take seriously don't get your point. It makes my head hurt a bit, actually.
Amelie, also my favorite film of all time. It doesn't feel totally dated, but Amelie (Tautou) does look weird now rather then cuten when the film first came out. I think the haircut and paleness make her look dated and her image got kinda marketed a little too much, nonetheless Audrey Tautou is a beautiful women.
Rustymonke
Member
OooOh, good thread. There's a lot of these I'll have to see.
way more
Member
AlternativeUlster said:
The Assassionation of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford - Is already in my top 3 favorite westerns of all time (along with Dead Man and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly) there is something really haunting about The Assassionation of Jesse James and I feel that it has one of the greatest third acts I have ever seen. Probably has my favorite cinemtography and score of the decade too (oddly enough, all 3 of my favorite westerns are in my top 10 scores too).
The poster above me brought this up and I'm following up on it. What do you mean by the third act? Do you mean once Jesse is shot and shortly after the narration begins? Those parts with narration we so beautifully done and are perfect bookends to what is a fantastic if still dry story. I keep the ending narration on Tivo just to re-watch it. As well as ogle Zoey Deschanel.
But I was never captivated during the middle of the movie as I was the beginning and end. The middle drags a bit. I feel in the effort to convey the desperation it is drawn out more than necessary.
I personally rate The Proposition above Jesse James. Beyond the fantastic movie about brothers and codes it also featured something I find lacking in many westerns. The blatant and universally accepted racism. To see the open hatred and contempt they felt towards the aborigines was enjoyable, perhaps cathartic as a native American who has watched many westerns.
Not sure how forgotten these are but...
Transamerica: A pre-operative male-to-female transsexual takes an unexpected journey when she/he takes along a teenage hustler on her/his way to complete womanhood
King of California: Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood) has been abandoned by her mother, and has dropped out of school. She is supporting herself as an employee at McDonald's while her father resides in a mental institution. Upon release her father embarks on a journey to find the long lost treasure of Spanish explorer Father Juan Florismarte Torres.
Spring, summer, fall, winter, and spring: Aside from the most gorgeous poster I've laid eyes on, the story focuses on a Buddhist priest raising his pupil in isolation and teaches him life, death, the consequences of love, lust, loss, retention, and inner peace as they both age.
Transamerica: A pre-operative male-to-female transsexual takes an unexpected journey when she/he takes along a teenage hustler on her/his way to complete womanhood
King of California: Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood) has been abandoned by her mother, and has dropped out of school. She is supporting herself as an employee at McDonald's while her father resides in a mental institution. Upon release her father embarks on a journey to find the long lost treasure of Spanish explorer Father Juan Florismarte Torres.
Spring, summer, fall, winter, and spring: Aside from the most gorgeous poster I've laid eyes on, the story focuses on a Buddhist priest raising his pupil in isolation and teaches him life, death, the consequences of love, lust, loss, retention, and inner peace as they both age.
Skittleguy
Ring a Bell for me
Anyone have any opinion about Berlin Alexanderplatz? I dunno if I wanna dedicate 15 hours to a movie that might be really crappy...
I've noticed there have been a lot of critically acclaimed films that are not even five years old that are largely forgotten by critic and fans. There was a real indie film boom in the early 2000s due to arthouse theatres opening up everywhere and DVD made them even more accessible, but now it seems that the arthouse theatre scene has kind of died down.
Anyways...
Vera Drake - A story about a woman in 1950s London who performs secret abortions. It focuses less on the issue of whether or not abortion is just and more on her family and how they function. Imelda Stauntonw as nominated for an Oscar for her nuanced performance. The film was also nominated for best screenplay and director.
Whale Rider- This is easily one of the best children films of the decade. It follows a modern Maori family that still has strong ties to their cultural heritage. A young girl is next in line to be the chief of the tribe after her twin brother dies in child birth, but women cannot be chiefs. The film follows her struggles to find acceptance in her family. It sounds like a typical kids film, but the last act really throws a swerve at you and makes this film memorable.
Oasis- This Korean film is about two mentally challenged people who fall in love. Yes, I know that sounds like a synopsis for a film that cheaply pulls at your heart strings, but this film is incredibly emotional and I thought about the film for days after I saw it. A good film for people who want to see a Korean movie where no one gets their tendons sliced or eaten by a monster.
Baadassss! - This film is about the making of the movie that launched the blaxsploitation genre. If you like movies about movies, you'll definitely dig this flick. And if not, it's a great movie that's as inspirational as it is hilarious.
Murderball - This film about quadriplegics that play wheelchair rugby is one of my personal favorite documentaries. It's a great sports film as well as an excellent human drama.
Anyways...
Vera Drake - A story about a woman in 1950s London who performs secret abortions. It focuses less on the issue of whether or not abortion is just and more on her family and how they function. Imelda Stauntonw as nominated for an Oscar for her nuanced performance. The film was also nominated for best screenplay and director.
Whale Rider- This is easily one of the best children films of the decade. It follows a modern Maori family that still has strong ties to their cultural heritage. A young girl is next in line to be the chief of the tribe after her twin brother dies in child birth, but women cannot be chiefs. The film follows her struggles to find acceptance in her family. It sounds like a typical kids film, but the last act really throws a swerve at you and makes this film memorable.
Oasis- This Korean film is about two mentally challenged people who fall in love. Yes, I know that sounds like a synopsis for a film that cheaply pulls at your heart strings, but this film is incredibly emotional and I thought about the film for days after I saw it. A good film for people who want to see a Korean movie where no one gets their tendons sliced or eaten by a monster.
Baadassss! - This film is about the making of the movie that launched the blaxsploitation genre. If you like movies about movies, you'll definitely dig this flick. And if not, it's a great movie that's as inspirational as it is hilarious.
Murderball - This film about quadriplegics that play wheelchair rugby is one of my personal favorite documentaries. It's a great sports film as well as an excellent human drama.
Another vote for
which is the best film Kurosawa never made. Or something like that.
I've been wanting to comment on your avatar picture for a while. Did you actually see the film yet? I'm probably the biggest To fan on this forum but I'm afraid to say that Vengeance sucked. Hard.
which is the best film Kurosawa never made. Or something like that.
Timbuktu said:
I've been wanting to comment on your avatar picture for a while. Did you actually see the film yet? I'm probably the biggest To fan on this forum but I'm afraid to say that Vengeance sucked. Hard.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
mac said:
Indeed I am talking about the post assassination but I didn't think of the middle to drag at all. When I imagine watching Westerns, I imagine the open plains and how mostly nothing can be something to someone but the film was about how a boy grows up to be on his hero's gang only to eventually fear him and be convinced that the only way his life would be spared is if he killed him. So he did and the painful third act shows that America too idolized Jesse James like poor Robert Ford used to and the inevitable backlash of Ford's fear, eventually turning Jesse James into a hero even though he wasn't. If any of these people were in Ford's position, they would do the same.
I am loads of medication in a hospital bed right now (medical study) so I think I am not meshing well. Meh.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
Oh yeah, for a very underrated film I would like to throw Pieces of April out there. There were some more I thought about last night but they have already left my mind.
yikes I just saw this one. its really really good but really really devastating. I loved the long shots because you feel as though you are in the room (s), an unwilling participant. The pregnant pauses were some of the most emotional moments I have ever really felt on film.AlternativeUlster said:
4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days - The most frame for frame perfect film I have seen that came out this decade. Absolutely everything is needed and to me is a technical marvel in itself because of that. I loved that we follow around this female lead and every once of pain she feels, we feel it too.
Munin said:Another vote for
which is the best film Kurosawa never made. Or something like that.
I've been wanting to comment on your avatar picture for a while. Did you actually see the film yet? I'm probably the biggest To fan on this forum but I'm afraid to say that Vengeance sucked. Hard.
Haven't seen it yet, just got back to Hong Kong yesterday but I think it's still on at a couple of cinemas, but now I guess I'll wait for DVD and catch McDull instead. Accident is supposed to be quite good though, even if To is only producing that one.
Anyway, just saw Looking for Eric and that was very enjoyable, although I can find criticism with the ending. Maybe it's just too positive for Ken Loach, kept expecting a change towards the tone of The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
AlternativeUlster
Absolutely pathetic part deux
subrock said:
Indeed, I couldn't say it better myself. I do believe it is still on IFC On Demand for those who are interested. At least my friend Daniel told me that it has been on there for about a couple of months straight about a month ago.
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