| Title |
Director
/ Actors / Writer / Producer |
Description |
Buy
at Amazon USA or UK
|
Suggested
By
|
| Alice
(Neco z Alenky) (1988) |
d.
Jan Svankmajer
a.
Kristyna Kohoutová
|
The
closest a film maker could get to visualizing the impossible.
Looking-Glass and its offspring sites are specifically oriented
towards animal and environmental protection. Therefore inclusion
of this disturbing celluloid phenomena creates a dilemma... since,
on many occasions Svankmajer uses distressed body parts of animals.
Saying that, this ingenious interpretation of "wonderland"
is at opposite ends of the spectrum to the Disney offering. Watch
this and perhaps relate one step closer to the dimension of Dreambeat...(less
the animated dead animals) |
USA
UK
|
L-G
|
| Alice
in Wonderland (1966) |
d.
Jonathan Miller
a.
John Gielgud, Peter Cook
|
Like Svankmajer's
interpretation Jonathan Millier's Alice almost defies description.
This 1966 BBC television adaptation is arguably the best version
of the wonderland fantasy.
|
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 |
|
Buffy
The Vampire Slayer (TV series)
|
a.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony
Head |
From a rather disappointing and
average pilot a few years back, Buffy improved in huge leaps
and bounds (and bites). A well chosen cast delivered a brilliant
script laced with classic one liners ... blink and you'll miss
them.
All dialogue and editing is immaculately
paced, synchronous with pin sharp wit and outrageous deadpan
irony. The bouncy, fluffy lingo deserves entry into dictionaries
everywhere to brighten up all languages around the world.
Humour and brilliantly understated
horror cross seamlessly with intelligent character study. Powerful
emotional turmoil, teen angst and cool-cute persona flourishes
throughout its cast, supported by a fine music score, great
featured bands, kicking special FX's and quality production
design - including some very creepy moments. (Watch out for
"The Gentlemen" (Hush) episode...ooohhh)
The natural, cool, quirky drama
makes Buffy a show of unique, class quality... with a few stakes,
potions and demons thrown in for good measure.
The purchase links here point
to:
Buffy
UK and USA at Cult Digital
|
Buffy
UK and USA
|
|
| cA
Clockwork Orange (1971) |
d.
Stanley Kubrick
a.
Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee
|
Banned
from re-release in the UK until Kubricks death, this is arguably
the movie which he will be mostly remembered for... as will writer
Anthony Burgess. Shocking, disturbing, eerie, provoking... but
that was 1971. Even so, the films age doesn't dilute the effect
36 years on. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Contact
(1997) |
d.
Robert Zemeckis
a.
Jodie Foster
|
From
a story by Carl Sagan and therefore based on a profusion of scientific
possibilities, this is an outstanding movie, which throws more
equations and questions into the extra terrestrial melting pot
than Fox Mulder could tackle in a lifetime. The most searching
feature of its kind since "2001".
Apologies for the following review cliché but... "this
is an absolute must see". |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Dead
Like Me (2003-4) |
a.
Ellen Muth, Laura Harris, Rebecca Gayheart, Callum Blue, Mandy
Patinkin, Cynthia Stevenson, Jasmine Guy, Britt McKillip, Callum
Blue
|
Finally, a TV series that was
set to cheer up the millions who had still been suffering cold-turkey
since the end of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer". "Dead Like Me"
oozes subtle deadpan humour, great character profiles and a
consistently strong script. With flavours of "Buffy", "Six Feet
Under", "Donnie Darko" and even elements of modern British comedy
thrown in for good measure, this truly unusual series has it
all. The lead character 'George' is played by the gifted Ellen
Muth, who as well as projecting a rather extraordinarily offbeat
acting talent is also a member of Mensa. In fact, Muth's father
has an entire museum named after him. Supported by a music score
courtesy of Stewart Copeland, "Dead Like Me" is destined to
become a high-pedigree cult classic...
|
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 |
|
Doctor Strangelove
(1963)
|
d.
Stanley Kubrick
a.
Peter Sellers, George C. Scott
w.Peter
George
|
Starring Peter Sellers in three
completely contrasting rolls. This father of all black comedies
parodies the nuclear arms race to insane, epic proportions.
As usual Kubrick's directorial technique is far ahead of it's
time. Hilariously dark masterpiece.
|
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 |
| Eraserhead
(1977) |
d.
David Lynch
a.
Jack Nance
|
The
original arthouse classic which has since inspired many a Lynchesque
movie maker. This tops them all... every surreal, dark, disturbing
element you can imagine against the ambience of industrial drone...
but also emotionally absorbing...as was Lynche's Elephant
Man. Again, I am sure Lynch was also inspired by Vigo Essential
viewing... even in reverse... |
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 |
| Fantasia
2000 |
Walt
Disney |
The
original release of Fantasia in 1940 was intended to be the first
of an ongoing work in progress.. with each successive release
including new works... Well its been a 60 year gap for this next
installment to appear, but in doing so it presents itself not
only in 35mm but most effectively as the first IMAX animated feature.
The gigantic IMAX hi-tech cinema experience is the place to really
absorb this enchanting experimentation of brand new and reworked
older pieces. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
gThe
Golem (1914)
|
d.w.
Henrik Galeen
a.
Paul Wegener,Rudolf Blmner, Lyda Salmonova
|
Even though this silent was made
by Gothic visionary Henrik Galeen in 1914 it is not available
on video or DVD, So instead make all efforts to catch the theater
screening scored live by Captain Beefheart guitarist Gary Lucas.
An innovative, ethereal wall of sonic musicality and haunting
swirls using arrays of guitars, pedals and amps.... Modern sound
technology over an ancient movie artifact may seem an odd marriage...
but experience it and you'll see it works wonderfully. Timelessly
organic... it blends perfectly with Galeens visuals and all
in seamless, real time performance by the master of digital
delays, Lucas. To read more about this visit the Gary
Lucas site, linked to Looking-glass. One other observation
regarding the Golem... check out the incredible asymmetrical
building architecture... surreal... wonderful...
|
GL
USA
|
L-G
|
| Head
(1968) |
d.
Bob Rafelson
a.
The Monkees
p.
Jack Nicholson
|
The
Monkees parody their own manufactured image in this popadelic
rarity. The soundtrack
album is a lost classic (which became trendy again in the
early 90's). It highlights a hidden emotion and melancholy which
obviously bubbled under the foursomes comic shells. The film and
particularly it's music confirms that deeper artistic talents
were present in some guise or another (particularly Mike Nesmith).
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| If.... |
d.
Lyndsay Anderson
a.
Malcolm McDowell, Arthur Lowe
|
The
prequel to Oh
Lucky Man. An authentic public school setting is the backdrop
to fantasy, farce and a bizarre, violent climax. Directly inspired
by Jean Vigo's 1923 fantasy Zero
De Conduit |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| iThe
Icicle Thief (1989) |
d.
Maurizio Nichelli
a.
Maurizio Nichelli,Calerina Sylos Labini
|
A
clever parody of Bicycle Thief with an added dimension! A surreal
concept which slowly reveals itself throughout the film. (Check
out the "bambino" who crawls in and out of most precarious
situations!) ... bizarre. |
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 |
| Mon
Oncle (1958) |
d.a.
Jacques Tati |
For further details on Mon Oncle
see Monsieur
Hulot's Holiday.... since the next paragraph is just an
L-G ed letting of a little well deserved steam regarding some
of the dead wood he has dragged behind him in the past....!
One incredibly self righteous,
English, ex-colleague of mine would mock my interests in "foreign
films with subtitles"... (she would rather watch Brookside)...
Well.... perhaps Jacques Tati is a painlessly simple introduction
to fun foreign film culture for you...!!! (Oh, isn't it nice
how the web allows one to let off a little anonymous steam.
I could go on but... tut tut... unprofessional!
|
USA
UK
|
L-G |
|
Nosferatu
the Vampyre (1979)
|
d.
Werner Hertzog
a.
Klaus Kinski
|
Remake
of Murnau's
1922 gothic nightmare (also
listed). As with many of Hertzog's films, a disturbing undercurrent
of anxiety and dark melancholy agitates viewers emotions... much
enhanced by the music of Popol
Vuh. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Nosferatu
(1922) b/w silent |
d.
F.W Murnau
a.
Max Schreck
w.
Henrik Galeen
|
Darkest
German fantasy horror with an atmosphere only matched again in
Hertzog's
1979 remake. All other films featuring Bram Stoker's Dracula
character have failed to capture the shocking and disparate nightmare
which Murnau's masterwork.. Henrik Galeen also scripted the 1914
gothic milestone The Golem . |
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 |
| Performance
(1970) |
d.
Nicholas Roeg
a.
Mick Jagger, James Fox
|
A
Roeg creation which, along with Easy Rider is a must for arty
40 and 50 something's gauging their own increasingly exaggerated
reminiscences of that patchouli drenched period.... Alternatively
it's a prime reference movie for '60's / '70's culture historians.
Jagger at his prettiest..... Pass the joint.... and the lipstick. |
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
Prisoner (1967) |
d.
Robert Asher, Don Chaffey
a.
Patrick McGoohan
|
All
episodes of this classic cult 60's TV drama are available in the
UK. In two volumes at a very reasonable price. It would be a pointless
and confusing exercise to describe the surreal and bizarre plot
here in a couple of paragraphs. Therefore all we can say is...
"Strongly recommended". |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Rosemary's
Baby (1968) |
d.
Roman Polanski
a.
Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes
|
Scary,
tense, aggravating, brilliant. |
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 |
|
Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek
|
a.Original:
William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan,
George Takei, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols
a.The
Next Generation:
Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton,
Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis
a.Deep
Space Nine:
Avery Brooks, Rene Auberjonois, Alexander Siddig, Terry Farrell,
Cirroc Lofton, Rosalind Chao, Colm Meaney, Armin Shimerman,
Nana Visitor
a.Voyager:
Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Jennifer Lien,
Robert Duncan McNeill, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Tim Russ,
Jeri Lynn Ryan, Garrett Wang
a.Enterprise:
Scott Bakula, Jolene Blalock, John Billingsley, Dominic Keating,
Anthony Montgomery, Connor Trinneer
|
Before you skip this lengthy review
on Star Trek because your immediate impression when the name
is mentioned is nerds dressing up as Klingons, please read on
as Looking-Glass may suggest to you rather more philosophical
alternatives as why you should seriously reconsider these shamefully
misunderstood gems.
Of course, the original 60's Star
Trek series effectively played on a student's wide eyed primal
cravings for the fantastical... courtesy of rubber suited aliens
running around wobbly cardboard sets etc.
But nowadays, the presence of scaly alien life forms in cool
modern, galactic aware Star Trek are seamlessly integrated into
the plot. In fact no one blinks an eylid or three... and therefore
alien "race" generally becomes a transparent issue.
In fact most of the cast are "aliens" or even Artificial
Intelligence of strong individual identities.
The point is that recent incarnations of Star Trek being; TNG,
Voyager, Deep Space Nine and Enterprise are occasionally steeped
in brilliantly scripted dilemmas and powerfully acted scenarios
which often highlight ethics, morality and conscience. They
parallel close-future-relevant issues much discussed (or shamefully
not) in our present day.
Sometimes the scripts analyze and find solutions which can leave
you thinking...perhaps one day humans could tune more to their
natural senses, be it interracial, compassionate, or generally,
a higher plane outlook on common sense... as they do often in
Star Trek. Questions and philosophies are reflected on, and
often cleverly interlaced into the weekly activities and adventures.
It's however unfortunate that, as with any long term series
you really need to pick up on the characters and therefore follow
the flow with a little patience before you can thoroughly appreciate
the intellectual subtleties, while also enjoying it for its
entertainment value.
The scripts ooze quality. The action is well paced and the direction
brilliantly underdriven to allow the expanding Trek Universe
to breathe for itself - feeling as real and as organic as possible.
So if your looking for an intelligent fix to broaden your TV
horizons... you'll find its actually a phenomenon which has
been beaming down to your lounge for the last 40 years. A program
refined for the TV escapist which can actually prove to be extremely
therapeutical... no kidding.... I'll repeat that ... it has
theraputical qualitiies.
So, you can boldly tune in where
you might not have tuned in before... you can take a good look
at Star Trek... without dressing up as Spock!
There are hundreds of Star Trek
titles so please visit our Star
Trek Mini Site for an easy-find full selection
Star
Trek DVDs, CDs and Audio Books.
And remember...
...Resistance is futile!
|
All
Star Trek DVDs here
|
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 |
| Suspiria
(1977) |
d.
Dario Argento
a.
Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini
|
A
masterful, dreamlike horror which you might imagine could haunt
you forever after seeing it. At least It might if you ignore the
last few cheesy minutes. That being said, the film oozes "eerie"
which carries it high above the Elm Street type shlock that followed
in later years |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| t2001
A Space Odyssey (1968) |
d.
Stanley Kubrick
a.
Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood
w.Arthur C. Clarke
|
When
released, summarizing its meaning was purely subjective. But over
the years film guide descriptions have carved a specific scenario
for this pioneering forerunner of modern space fiction. The point
is, you can make whatever you like of 2001. That was always the
fantastical charm of the movie. It is ingeniously enigmatic...
and should always leave one wondering.... And that's how it should
be when us mere earthlings make science fiction films portraying
"things" far beyond our present knowledge! An outstanding
sci-fi period piece. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Vanishing
Point (1971) |
d.
Richard C. Sarafian
a.
Barry Newman, Cleavon Little
|
Across
America car chase with surreal twist... and soul... with the help
of Super Soul! Not at all to be categorized with red neckish Smokey
and The Bandit stuff but perhaps more in tune with the "Fear
and Loathing" genre. |
USA
UK
|
L-G |
| Westworld
(1973) |
d.
Michael Crichton
a.
Yul Brynner, James Brolin
|
Michael
Crichton classic. So... is your memory of Yule Bryner here in
this film, faceless with a few fizzing wires protruding..., or
pantaloon clad in The King and I? |
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 |
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