Black Cat Bone

I'm glad to see Cassavetes in this list. I picked the Killing of a Chinese Bookie, but A Woman Under the Influence is some film alright. There's an intensity to his films that is undeniable, all of them seem close to breaking point and the acting is at another level. It's a really heightened naturalism that I don't think any other director came close to emulating.

So far Paris,Texas is the biggest surprise inclusion. I forgot it even existed.

As far as Wenders goes, I'd say Wings of Desire position is more surprising as Paris, Texas has always done well in these kinds of polls.
Mind you nothing is truly surprising because so few votes are required to chart so there's a very random feel to the whole thing. That gives it an unpredictability which is intriguing, but at the same time the results have less of a meaning than if more had voted

Really? My perception is that Wings of Desire has achieved a kind of classic status that Paris, Texas hasn't. Then again...I'm not a big fan of either - so what do I know!

I think the smaller number of voters is good.we have an interesting and idiosyncratic list here. That's all to the good.

Part of the fun of a list like this is discussing the merits of the individual films. But I don't begrudge anyone their choices.

I can't say I'm super surprised about many of the inclusions so far - I think Paris, Texas is the kind of film that is right within the BCB wheelhouse, and am surprised it didn't make it into the list last time even. More than surprised, I'm glad a few of the choices I've made have gotten in the list: The Mirror, Grave of the Fireflies and The Double Life of Veronique. These are all prety left-field the same way last poll's Celine and Julie Go Boating was. About Veronique, a fun fact is that all four of its votes came from the very first four lists presented. That posed a pretty interesting scenario going forward in the poll!

Nice to see La double vie de Veronique and A Woman Under the Influence on the list. Two of the greatest films ever created.

joels344 wrote:Nice to see La double vie de Veronique and A Woman Under the Influence on the list. Two of the greatest films ever created.

I feel kinda bad for including only one Casavettes film, because A Woman Under The Influence and Faces both came damn close. They really exist on another level in terms of the heightened emotions of the characters- everyone seems on the verge of some sort of breakdown. And how good is Gena Reynolds? I can't think of many (or any) actresses who would submit themselves to such psychological torture in their roles. His films have a really baleful humour to them as well, even if it's laughter in the dark.

Yeah, she's brilliant in all those Cassavettes films. His films certainly are unique in how they bring realistic, intense, and emotional performances from the cast. One of the greatest and properly independent American filmmakers. I love rawness of Faces, but the maddening experience of Love Streams is probably my second favorite from Cassavetes.

Reynolds? ha

The Write Profile wrote:I'm glad to see Cassavetes in this list. I picked the Killing of a Chinese Bookie, but A Woman Under the Influence is some film alright. There's an intensity to his films that is undeniable, all of them seem close to breaking point and the acting is at another level. It's a really heightened naturalism that I don't think any other director came close to emulating.

You asked for it, you got it!

Anyhow, this wraps up the first half of the list. Sorry for the delays on updates, I hope I'll be able to update more frequently now that the move is coming to a close.

Not sure why I didn't vote for Reservoir Dogs myself, remember when Tarantino seemed like he might be a genuinely exciting director? All seems so long ago. Good to see a bit of old school populist cinema with Shawshank representing, too.

New batch is up!

I think the synopsis for 'Akira' is off.

Unless it's supposed to be a remake of "The Conversation."

pcqgod wrote:I think the synopsis for 'Akira' is off.

Unless it's supposed to be a remake of "The Conversation."

Fixed, thanks.

The life of Brian is probably the best, most important film ever

if you like that sort of thing

Strange to see The Conversation in the list, I had no idea that film was generally highly regarded or particularly well-known (considering the director). I liked it a lot, one of Gene Hackman's greatest performances.

Nice to see The Conversation up on the list (I'd rank that right with Apocalypse Now as Coppola's finest works) and great to see Akira on the list.

Darkness_Fish wrote:Strange to see The Conversation in the list, I had no idea that film was generally highly regarded or particularly well-known (considering the director). I liked it a lot, one of Gene Hackman's greatest performances.

I found it very flat and boring.

Many would say that of Barry Lyndon, though, and I voted for that one...

The Conversation is fucking great!

I liked Barry Lyndon but I don't think it's top drawer Kubrick

it's as boring as a weekend in Barnsley