| Title |
Director
/ Actors / Writer / Producer |
Description |
Buy
at Amazon USA or UK
|
Suggested
By
|
| Alice
in The Cities (1974) |
d.
Wim Wenders |
Circumstances draw together journalist
Philip Winter, a German woman and her daughter Alice. Winter
finds himself solely responsible for Alice, which in turn triggers
a quest across Europe to find her grandmother. As usual in Wenders
early films, deeper focus on character and emotional analysis
at street level made such understated story lines particularly
absorbing.
Other Wenders films listed: The
American Friend, Wings
of Desire
|
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
| aThe
Accidental Tourist (1988) |
d.
Lawrence Kasdan
a.
William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Geena Davies
|
Trapped
between his own uncomfortable routine, a chaotic relationship
or a sideways exit into a new life, Hurt must tread his path carefully
- a particularly poignant challenge because of a broken leg. This,
with a constant recall of the memory of his son murdered a year
before, an estranged wife and a new oddball attraction in the
form of Geena Davies. A beautifully paced and endearing film. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Before
Sunrise (1995) |
d.
Richard
Linklater
a.
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke
w.Richard Linklater, Kim Krizan
|
Thanks
to outstanding acting and an intelligent script the dialog between
Delphy and Hawke bounces along so naturally that you feel you
are a fly on the wall closely observing a real life situation.
The film draws out a scenario which could happen to any ordinary
person faced with such an ambivalent situation. From station to
station it is one of the most watchable rainy night movies of
the 1990's. Just see it (and its 2004 sequel). |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Being
There (1979) |
d.
Hal Ashby
a.
Peter Sellers, Shirley MacLaine
|
Ironically,
Sellers last film before he died. So simple yet so brilliant. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
Betty Blue
(37°2 le matin) (1986)
|
d.
Jean-Jacques Beineix
a.
Beatrice Dalle, Jean-Hugues Anglade
|
Outstanding
cinematography plays a key role in the opening stages of this
film. Wonderful light, colour and impression. It can only be a
French movie which carries great visuals in hand with deeper substance...
sorrow, confusion and fear... all blending with bright touches
of humour and surrealistic undertones. |
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
| Bicycle
Thief (1948) |
d.
Vittorio De Sica
a.
Lamberto Maggiorani, Lianella Carell, Enzo Staiola
|
A
milestone of Italian neo-realism... played by amateur and non
actors. Albeit a feeling of incompleteness in terms of a rounded
ending, the memory of its natural qualities linger... Artistically
superb drama by Vittorio De Sica. |
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
| Broken
Blossoms (1919) |
d.
D.W
Griffith
a.
Lillian Gish, Louis Gottschalk, Richard Barthelmess
|
The
graphically harsh life of East London's Limehouse is depicted
in this dark crafted D.W. Griffith silent classic. Carl Davies
reworked the beautiful music score in 1988. A landmark of such
poetical, contemporary movies during the Great War era.... and
of Lillian Gish's career. Heart rendering stuff. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| cA
Canterbury Tale (1944) |
d.
Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
a.Eric
Portman,Sheila Sim
|
A
real period piece portraying a modern day (1944) pilgrimage to
Canterbury in Southern England during WW2. Close-to-life examination
of the characters, blended with vivid location shots amount to
Powell and Pressburger's finest documented portrayal of British
wartime spirit. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Chance
or Coincidence (1998) |
d.
Claude Lelouche
a.
Alessandra Martines, Pierre Arditi
|
A
Clever and most unusually paced French drama which, although edges
towards Arthouse contrivance, makes up for it through a strong
and sensitive portrayal of a woman dealing with a death crisis.
Accompanied by some stunning location photography. A slightly
uncomfortable switch of feely-mood on occasions, but none the
less most memorable . |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Cinema
Paradiso (1990) |
d.
Giuseppe Tornatore |
If
you haven't yet seen this Italian mega masterpiece... why not!
Needs no description... and as with many of the films listed,
this is the kind you can keep on the shelf forever and never get
tired of seeing it over and over. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| City
Lights (1931) |
d.a.
Charlie Chaplin |
When
re-released in 1950, Time Magazine described it as the greatest
film ever made. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Death
in Venice (1971) |
d.
Luchino Visconti
a.
Dirk Bogarde
|
One
of Bogarde's finest performances. The subject matter was covered
with so much style that it was considered both controversial and
aesthetically appealing in its time. Beautifully shot in Venice,
and most notably remembered for its use of Mahler's music, the
Adagietto
from the 5th Symphony. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Demon
Seed (1977) |
d.
Donald Cammell
a.
Julie Christie b.Fritz Weaver
w.
Dean R. Koontz
|
A
quality sci-fi / horror which was way ahead of its time. The frightening
concept of computer domination as it eats its way into the organics
of humanity itself...and, 25 years on not far from scientific
possibility since the advent of nanotechnology and A.I. !! ooer |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Desperately
Seeking Susan (1985) |
d.
Susan Seidelman
a.
Rosanna Arquette, Madonna
w.Leora
Barish
|
On
the surface this is a quirky, fun, cute, easy going gem. But there
is an undertow of melancholy that makes it somehow unforgettable.
Rosanna Arquette's (wonderfully understated) enigmatic presence
may have something to do with it. But so maybe does the general
ambience...which becomes increasingly reflective as years go by.
This may seem overstated but is this movie, as yet, an un-hailed
1980's period piece? |
USA
UK
|
LG
|
| Doctor
Zhivago (1965) |
d.
David Lean
a.
Omar Sharif, Julie Christie
|
A
movie classic which never fails to keep one attached to their
seat whenever it's shown... therefore thoroughly recommended as
a DVD purchase to keep forever... Beautifully filmed. |
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
| Donnie
Darko (2001) |
d.
Richard Kelly
a. Jake Gyllenhaal
|
A gem of profound twists, illusion
and thought provocation. Beautifully directed. Choose the original
cinematic release DVD rather than the "Directors Cut"
version. A surreal cult classic.
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Don't
Look Now (1973) |
d.
Nicholas Roeg
a.
Julie Christie, Donald Sutherland
|
Although
a predictable list topper for arties and trendies alike, this
is still an incredibly powerful mind meld of a movie. There is
little of it's 105 eerie minutes one can really ever forget, including,
of course the shlocking ending. Still a source of "creative"
inspiration (and parodied) in media circles nearly 30 years on.
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Dream
Life of Angels (1998) |
d.
Erick Zonca
a.
Elodie Bouchez, Natascha Regnier
|
Bleak Cannes award winner about two young vulnerable girls, both
misfits, searching for wonderlands within the margins of a dead
end existence. Depressing circumstances therefore transpire. Haunting
end title music... (who was it by, anyone? l-g ed) |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| dThe
Dissapearance (1977) |
d.
Stuart Cooper
a.
Donald Sutherland, David Hemmings, John Hurt
|
A
tense Canadian thriller which, unjustly seems to have been long
forgotten. A clever and well paced plot which would sit nicely
on the shelf next to The
American Friend |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| e84
Charing Cross Road (1986) |
d.
David Hugh Jones
a.
Anne Bancroft, Anthony Hopkins, Judi Dench
|
Marks and Co., 84 Charing Cross Road, London is a bookshop and
the focus of this pleasant, enchanting little film about a growing
relationship between a New Yorker and Frank Doel the bookseller.
However, I don't know from which pleasant, enchanting little dimension
this films Charing Cross Road is in, cos it sure ain't the Charing
Cross Road I was in yesterday... unfortunately! |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Eternal
Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004) |
d.
Michel Gondry
a. Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet
|
Michel Gondry's second directorial
gem from 2004 (and a break from making his outstanding pop promos).
This is a truly unusual movie romance, penned by Charlie Kaufman
("Being John Malkovich") which might leave you in a similar
philosophical quandary as "Lost in Translation". However, "Eternal
Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind" also works in a similar way that
"Sliding Doors" played out a unique, fantastical experience,
without over-emphasing on the science fantasy - and so retaining
a warm attachment to the characters and therefore the emotional
turmoil that ensues..
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| eThe
Elephant Man (1980) |
d.
David Lynch
a.
John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins
|
David
Lynches first major release, built on the success of his earlier
arthouse classic Eraserhead.
The style is unmistakable, the story is both captivating but extremely
upsetting even to the point of leaving the film only half watched...
you have to be in the mood to take on the heavy emotional burden
of this brilliant, true story. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Goodbye
Mr Chips (1939) b/w |
d.
Sam Wood
a.
Robert Donat, Greer Garson
w.
James Hilton
|
Impossible
for anyone to hold a tear back by the end of this Oscar winning
masterpiece. Shown through flashbacks, this is the life of a shy
classics master at an English public school. Apart from the odd
exceptions (like Untamed Heart and Before Sunrise) this is a prime
example of a lost art in sentimental but intelligent film making. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
gThe
Graduate (1968)
|
d.
Mike
Nichols
a.
Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross
p.
Lawrence Turman
|
Mike
Nichols' coolest of period pieces which became a template for
modern teen genre movies (and ads). The inclusion of the Simon
and Garfunkel soundtrack was an added masterstroke. Here's to
you Mrs Robinson. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Kes
(1969) |
d.
Ken Loach
a.
David Bradley, Brian Glover
|
An
account of a boy's life amongst Northern England's working classes
of the 60's. Accurately portrayed, the film evokes an emotion
of stark grey reality... but given uncertain sentiment by the
presence of a Kestrel... the boy's only contact towards outward
compassion and a brief glimpse into a wonderland he would never
otherwise reach. Brilliant. |
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
| Koyaanisqatsi
(1983) |
d.
Godfrey Reggio
|
Although
well over two decades have past since the visionary Reggio shot
this trippy masterpiece on almost no budget, it could easily have
been filmed today - or in another 20 years... only the clothes
show it's age. The film triggers, then perpetuates emotions and
melancholy like a windmill, primarily down to ingenious use of
nothing more than a camera - using time-lapse - and intuitive,
masterful, gadget free post production. Frame perfect editing,
fluid pacing and the music of Philip Glass completes this undoubted
masterpiece of cinematic history. Many film makers have been inspired
- and have tried to emulate the essence of Reggio's artistry...
as yet Kyaanisqatsi is unsurpasable. |
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
| kThe
Kitchen (Wo ai chu fang) 1997 |
d.
Ho Yim
a.
Yasuko Tomita, Jordan Chan
|
Well
worth discovering this charming, melancholic gem from Hong Kong
directed by Ho Yim. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
Leon (1994)
(akaThe
Professional (USA))
|
d.
Luc Besson
a.
Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman
|
Luc
Bessons American directorial debut. No point explaining... just
brilliant... just see it. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
Les Enfants
du Paradis (1945)
(Children
of Paradise) (USA)
|
d.
Marcel Carne
a.
Jean-Louis Barrault, Pierre Brasseur
|
A
195 minute epic director by Marcel Carné and still regarded as
one of France's richest cinematic treasures. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Lost
In Translation (2003) |
d.
Sofia Coppola
a. Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray
|
A subtle drama set in Tokyo and
expertly directed by Sofia Coppola. Lost In Translation stars
the hugely talented Scarlett Johansson and a surprise change
of acting style by Bill Murray. Highly thought provoking.
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| lThe
Last Picture Show (1971) |
d.
Peter Bogdanovich
a.
Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd
|
Atmospheric
American arthouse classic, and another keep forever movie. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
mA
Matter of Life and Death (1946)
aka Stairway
To Heaven (USA)
|
d.
Michael Powel, Emeric Pressburger
a.
David Niven, Kim Hunter, Marius Goring
|
Perhaps
inspired by the cinematic trickery of Jean Vigo 25 years previous,
Powell and Pressburger's memorable journey from reality into contemporary
fantasy marked the introduction of such film making into mainstream
cinema. David Niven and all supporting actors are perfectly cast.
The memory of this film remains with you always, and perhaps strikes
a chord similar to the 1997 What Dreams May Come. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Manhattan
(1979) |
d.
Woody Allen
a.
Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Mariel Hemmingway, Meryl Streep
|
This movie deserves special attention.
New York may be the location but the scenario relates to metropolis'
from London to Sydney. Possibly Woody Allen's finest observation
of self absorbed, media oriented pseudo intellects, wrecking
their own lives as much as each others in the search for the
selfishly unattainable. As each character (except Mariel Hemmingway)
whines and whinges self sympathy about their "predicament",
one wonders how many towny trendies watching this are actually
viewing their own traits without a hope in hell of self admission.
The films final frame speaks volumes as Allen's character turns
to a camera close-up....You only need to imagine his thoughts:
"I'm such a whinging hypocritical arsehole but hey, I just
can't help myself." In retrospect, and on the humorous
side, Seinfeld fans may also recognize an inspired format. Incidentally,
Manhattan never seems to date.
Choose
from a complete list of Woody Allen Films here
|
Full
List
|
L-G |
| Midnight
Cowboy (1969) |
d.
John Schlesinger
a.
Dustin Hoffman, John Voight
|
Hoffman's
brilliant free-fall performance of a terminally ill down-and-out
New Yorker could be considered a precursor to De Niro's concept
of method acting 11 years later. John Voight was also outstanding
in this movie. Midnight Cowboy was the first X rated movie to
receive a best picture Oscar. Music supervision by
John Barry. Un-missable. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Monsieur
Hulot's Holiday (1953) |
d.a.
Jacques Tati,
a.
Nathalie Pascaud
|
The
film that introduced Tati's gauche character Monsieur Hulot, whose
increasingly surreal adventures continued up until 1970 with Mon
Oncle, Playtime, and Traffic (all listed here). Tati's films define
a European style which one loves or snubs. The comedies of errors...
funny or sad. Tati was both... and brilliant at it. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Night
of The Hunter (1955) |
d.
Charles Laughton
a.
Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish
|
If
you are becoming familiar with the concept of the Dreambeat, you
will no doubt conclude also that this is one of the most affecting
films ever made. The scene which hits that harmonic is when the
sickening "demonic" con-man character played by Mitchum
chases the two children towards the river who luckily escape in
a rowing boat. The atmosphere, as they float away, is one of the
most haunting sound and visual moments in movie history. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| O
Lucky Man (1973) |
d.
Lindsay Anderson
a.
Malcolm McDowell
w.
David Sherwin
p.
Michael Medwin and Lindsay Anderson
|
The
unconnected sequel to IF...
(1968). A surreal and disturbing abstraction of early 70's
England dominates this tale of Michael Travis' (McDowell) bizarre
journey through early manhood. Hardly ever shown on TV due to
its 3 hour 20 min length, it has therefore fallen to dusty corners
of forgotten classic 70's weirdness. See
"IF"... then this. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Picnic
at Hanging Rock (1975) |
d.
Peter Weir
a.
Rachel Roberts, Helen Morse, Anne-Louise Lambert
|
An
essence of Dreambeat, in style, surreality, music, eerieness and
soft focus melancholy. A classic. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| pThe
Piano (1993) |
d.
Jane Campion
a.
Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin
|
Intoxicating
Australian masterpiece also accompanied by a beautiful, complimentary
soundtrack. Another subjective and deeply provoking film of which
no words should describe any more than this... It just needs to
be seen. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| rA
Room With a View (1985) |
d.
James Ivory
a.
Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith
|
Lucy
Honeychurch's encounters and subsequent dilemmas involving two
potential Edwardian suitors. This beautifully filmed, sophisticated
comedy of manners was drenched with well deserved Oscars. No film
collection is complete without this Merchant Ivory jewel. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| rThe
Remains of the Day (1993) |
d.
James Ivory
a.
Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson
|
Life inside a country house from pre war to near present day is
impeccably played by both stars and supporting cast. Sir Anthony
as the repressed butler and Ms Thompson the house keeper. Subtleties,
elegance and melancholy prevail in this, another Merchant Ivory
jewel. Outstanding. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Silent
Running (1971) |
d.
Douglas Trumbull
a.
Bruce Dern
w.
Steven Bochco, Michael Cimino
|
A
sensitive sci-fi space movie with an environmental theme which
seems even more poignant in todays ecological climate than it
did when released in 1971. It also includes two little robots
with more endearing personality than c3po, r2d2 and the rest put
together. Sad and moving. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Sliding
Doors (1998) |
d.
Peter Howitt
a.
Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah
|
Do
universes collide at random, or multiply at the point of split
decisions... or by just missing the train... or not? Sliding doors
provides one... or actually two scenarios which might comply to
such alternate future theories... Simple, no nonsense direction
by Peter Howitt. A love story in two, parallel parts! |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Smoke
(1995) |
d.
Wayne Wang
a. Harvey Keitel, William Hurt |
A
beautifully filmed and photographed patchwork of situations about
an unusual blend of contemporary characters who cross paths in
a New York corner tobacconist (or smoke shop). Not the healthiest
of locations but William Hurt and Harvey Keitel are in top form
again. Shamefully underated and therefore not yet available on
DVD from either side of the Atlantic. Check out the follow-up
"Blue In The Face", made the same year. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| sThe
Seventh Seal (1957) |
d.
Ingmar Bergman
a.
Gunnar Björnstrand, Bengt Ekerot, Nils Poppe, Max von Sydow
|
The
prolific Ingmar Bergman's most famous offering which has been
parodied into cliché oblivion... but still worth experiencing
if you've never seen it. His films cannot really be described
without falling into critical pretentiousness. You just have to
slow down... immerse yourself, allow to soak and let Bergman's
expression of melancholy tap into your own personal level of sensitivity.
L-G will be listing more of his films as time goes on... trouble
is, although the visuals, atmosphere and profoundness are prevalent
in ones memories I just can't remember the titles... there are
so many! (at least we're being honest here and are not listing
any old rubbish just to fill a web site for purely lucrative reasons!)
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| sThe
Singing Ringing Tree (1957) |
d.
Francesco Stefani |
In
60's UK this film was split into episodes for children's TV with
an English narrative. The Singing Ringing Tree and some of the
other East European DEFA productions of that period are pure,
eerie, Dreambeat fantasy. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Straight
Story (1999) |
d.
David Lynch
a.
Richard Farnsworth, Sissy Spacek, Harry Dean Stanton
|
An
exploration of morality and kindness through the eyes of an old
man driving a small tractor across America to make amends with
his ill brother. An unusually gentle film from David Lynch. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Summer
of '42 (1971) |
d.
by Robert Mulligan
a.
Jennifer O'Neill, Gary Grimes
w.
Herman Raucher
|
The
location, the atmosphere and the music of Michel
Legrand made this the original and most memorable of coming
of age movies. Crucial rainy night viewing. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Sweet
Hereafter (1997) |
d.
Atom Egoyan
a.
Sarah Polley Harper, Ian Holm,
|
A
sensitive and compelling drama set in a small British Columbian
town in Canada supported by a beautiful soundtrack mainly sung
by the key actor Sarah Polley. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Tess
(1979) |
d.
Roman Polanski
a.
Nastassja Kinski
|
Still
the most memorable and enigmatic version of Thomas Hardy's classic... |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Triple
Echo (1973) |
d.
Michael Apted
a.
Oliver Reed Glenda Jackson
|
A
gritty and somewhat bizarre time piece. Giving that same obscure
celluloid eerieness of similar British films of the period such
as Straw Dogs and O Lucky
Man. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Untamed
Heart (1993) |
d.
Tony Bill
a.
Christian Slater, Marisa Tomei
|
This
really is heart felt (no pun intended) tear jerker, and a very
special film. The story becomes increasingly deeper in both substance
and emotion finally drawing to perhaps an expected conclusion
but with such delicate sensitivity. This is a must. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Up
The Junction (1967) |
d.
Peter Collinson
a.
Suzy Kendall, Susan George, Dennis Waterman
|
We found the following excellent
review for this film on the web. It speaks volumes... thus we
hope the author does not object to its inclusion in these listings...:
"This movie had a profound
effect on me when I first craned my neck to see it from the
front row of the Haymarket cinema in Newcastle upon Tyne. I
was sixteen years old and on date with a guy that had a rich
father, a Triumph spitfire and the personality of deadwood.
I fell deeply in love with Suzy Kendall knowing that it should
have been Dennis Waterman. I saw this movie every night for
two weeks. It captures those times exquisitely, almost painfully.
I just need to hear the opening theme to be transported back.
The clash of cultures, the poverty on both sides of the class
divide. Polly had money but was surrounded by shallowness and
snobbery. Her friends up the junction had loyalty, camaraderie
and fun, but struggled to survive, scamming their way from pay
day to pub, who was the poorer? Manfred Mann's excellent score
insinuates it's way into the fabric of the movie, haunting and
evocative. Give this one a chance, you won't regret it."
|
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
|
What
Dreams May Come (1998)
|
d.
Vincent Ward
a.
Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr, Annabella Sciorra, Max von
Sydow
|
Surreal or slushy? Love it or
hate it? Either way What Dreams May Come is highly recommended.
P.S. To add to the strange factor it's Interesting to see Werner
Hertzog playing a part in this movie alongside Robin Williams.
...
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Wings
of Desire (1987) |
d.
Wim Wenders
a.
Bruno Ganz, Peter Falk
|
Angels listening by the shoulders
of Berliners continues Wim Wenders celluloid exploration of
individuality in the modern world. Melancholic in his unique
approach towards life at street level paralleled by black and
white fantasy.
Other Wenders films listed: Alice
in The Cities, The
American Friend
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Zero
De Conduite (1923) b/w |
d.
Jean Vigo |
Surreal
cinematic trickery is subtly scattered throughout this early French
masterpiece. Lovely dreamlike touches and an equally ingenious
soundtrack composed by Maurice Jaubert. Check out the procession
scene following the dorm pillow fight.... a true Dreambeat moment. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
Dreambeat
Listings
