20 Films

In recognition of the new High Definition Television in our household, as well as the addition of a Blu-ray player, I set my mind to cataloging 20 films that I have viewed repeatedly (and that will demand future viewing). Films that for a multitude of reasons resonate with my aesthetic sense.

These films are not the greatest films ever made. They are not even (necessarily) high art. They are simply films which — time after time — have proved their worth to me by consistently delivering on their promises.

I’ve limited myself to one film for each director in an effort to diversify the selection.

Here they are in the order they came to mind:

• The Godfather – The film I’ve watched more than any other. Visually beautiful, superb acting, and concise storytelling. Coppola at his best. If I wasn’t limiting myself to one film per director, I’d naturally add the Godfather Part II with Robert Di Niro.
• The Graduate – The epitome of what I call the “Male Chick-Flick,” which (as I define it) is a plot involving a young man, content with his life, who drifts along until meeting a woman who gives his life meaning and inspires him to greater things. The woman’s character is generally thinly written as she is merely the catalyst who inspires the protagonist to action.
• Raging Bull – I’m not generally a Scorsese fan, but for me, all his themes come to life in this film. Plus Robert De Niro playing Jake La Motta playing Marlon Brando playing Terry Malloy, is not to be missed.
• Birdy – Alan Parker’s quirky film about flying, freedom, and passion, with Nicholas Cage and Matthew Modine.
• What’s Eating Gilbert Grape – Another “Male Chick-Flick,” with Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio (when DiCaprio was still willing to take risks as an actor and hadn’t become so meticulous about managing his image).
• Miller’s Crossing – A Cohen brothers film and another gangster film. I ought to confess that the gangster film is my favorite of all American film genres. I’ve seen them all. From Paul Muni’s Scarface to Dustin Hoffman’s less probable Dutch Schultz.
• Midnight Run – Not high art, but hits all the right notes. Charles Grodin’s dead-pan performance perfectly complements Di Niro’s no-nonsense bounty hunter.
• American Beauty – Sam Mendes’s tribute to the Artist who sees the truth where others are beguiled by lies. “You have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m sure. But don’t worry…you will, someday.”
• Comedian – Jerry Seinfeld exposes the toil and the insecurity behind the act of creation. The real work revealed.
• Brazil – The ultimate dystopia film. The cameo by Robert Di Niro makes me feel like this list has suddenly become an homage to Di Niro.
• Seven Samurai – I could have listed a dozen films by Akira Kurasawa that deserve inclusion. This is my favorite. Not a single wasted shot.
• Wings of Desire – Wim Wenders incredible film about the beauty of mortality, the joy of engagement, the preciousness of life.
• My Dinner with Andre – The film I’ve watched the most after the Godfather. But it’s likely that you need to be involved in the theatre in order to enjoy watching two men sit and talk over dinner for 2 hours.
• In America – Like “American Beauty” this film shares the conceit of seeing truth through the lens of a character’s hand-held camcorder, but this time we see the world through the eyes of a young girl immigrating to America. And Samantha Morton rocks.
• Mishima: A Life in Four Acts – Paul Schrader masterfully reveals the life of Yukio Mishima through theatrical stagings of his writings, black & white flashbacks, and a dramatic act of pen and sword.
• Do the Right Thing – Spike Lee’s fable of racial tension and misunderstanding in the midst of a heat wave.
• Punch Drunk Love – An unexpectedly great performance from Adam Sandler and some unexpected off-kilter camera work from Paul Thomas Anderson (and another example of the “Male Chick Flick”).
• Blue Velvet – The American small town with picket fence facade hides something strange and disturbing just beneath the surface. The quintessential David Lynch film.
• Broadway Danny Rose – When I lived in California I would spend Thanksgiving weekend watching KCOP’s Woody Allen Marathon, so I could have included many other Woody Allen films on this list, but BDR makes the cut for “Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Love.”
• Princess Mononoke – Really, all the films of Hayao Miyazaki should be listed here. Only animation could begin to capture the fertile vision of Miyazaki. The worlds he creates are unlike any other in the cinema.
• Face Off – Enter the hyper-violent world of John Woo. Fluttering doves and machine gun fire. Plus John Travolta and Nicholas Cage give uncanny performances as each other’s characters. (Ignore the chase scene at the end which was tacked on gratuitously at the behest of the producers I’m sure.)

I’ve lost count, but I think that’s 20 films. Maybe someday, I’ll expand the list to 100 films, though I’m not sure what I (or you) would gain from such an exercise. These 20 films provide a decent cross-section of films that have made their mark on me, and that have influenced my work and my life.

I leave you to draw your own conclusions.