Talking about comic books, TV shows, movies, sports, and the numerous other pastimes that make us Gentlemen of Leisure.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Boots' Best - films to see before you get hit by a bus

I love movies. Not carnally, however, some can be quite moving.

I don’t go for the blockbusters. Special effects, cookie-cutter characters, and cliché plots rarely entertain me. I view movies as one of the pinnacle art mediums. The films I watch should affect me emotionally rather than passing time while dulling my senses.

In searching for films I tend to unearth or stumble upon some movies most people have never heard of.

Here are some that come highly recommended by me –

Niagara, Niagara (1997)

Robin Tunney (The main chick from The Craft and that rock climbing movie with Chris O’Donnell) shines as a woman plagued with Tourette's syndrome. Unlike other portrayals of the disease where the afflicted simply yells “c*nt” and “sh*tb*lls” every two minutes, Tunney gives a heart-wrenching performance that gives you a clearer understanding of the malady.

The film also stars Henry Thomas (Elliot from E.T.) and a guy whose character has an unhealthy relationship with chickens.



Dancer in the Dark (2000)

Lars von Trier’s brilliant story of an immigrant factory worker, played by Icelandic songster Bjork, who is slowly going blind. Bjork’s character escapes her dismal existence by retreating into a fantasy world where everyone breaks into majestic musical numbers.

The first 20 minutes is slow due to required character and mood development but once you see the first musical number you’ll be hooked.

If you don’t cry at the end of this film, you do not have a soul.

Delicatessen (1991)

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is the French equivalent of Steven Spielberg had he been crossed with Terry Gilliam and Wes Anderson.

Jeunet’s film is a futuristic black comedy where a landlord/butcher keeps his tenants alive by serving them cannibalistic treats. A former circus performer moves into the butcher’s complex and cinema brilliance ensues.

If you liked 12 Monkeys or The Royal Tenenbaums, you’ll love this move!

The Triplets of Belleville (2003)

This isn’t a Disney movie. There’s practically no dialogue but the characters have more personality than most live-action actors and the soundtrack is thrilling.

The film is truly an animated masterpiece.

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