My Favorite Movies

Bleak mythic (post)biblical epic. This film usually gets dragged out when someone wants to make a point of criticizing so-called art films by saying that they are pompous and self indulgent. I usually say "calm down". This classic is overblown in tone, and rather weighty in its choice of themes, but the flmmaking is brilliant and the storytelling is very engaging. Don't we need movies like this? The exploration of something bigger than ourselves? Well, there I go...getting weighty. Its hard to pick just one Bergman, but I guess I picked this one.

Gorgeous talky dream biography. This film never lets you focus on any of the spectacular human and environmental details that whizz past you as you try to follow the myriad of conversations that people are having with the main character. The filmmaking is poetic, and it seems to change each time I watch. If you're in the mood for a beautiful film (its ok, it sometimes happens to me too), I recommend this one.

Atmospheric vampire folk tale. Turn down the lights, slip into something more comfortable, set your reservoir of absinthe on the table next to you and fire up this gem. The cinematography is effectively creepy, and displys some early experimentation with film speed, and reverse action (at that time acheived by turning the camera upside down while filming). You soon begin to realize that this film was not made by one of your peers. It was not made in your time. It was not made to appeal to a horror film market. It's an honest, imaginative take on the pre-Stoker vampire myth. An unnamed, nearly unseen evil with no motives or rules (or badass dialog). Of course, you can pair this with Murnau's Nosferatu and go to bed feeling great.

Violent, hip crime drama starring a Mustang GT and a Charger R/T. Often imitated, never duplicated crime drama influenced generations of crime films and TV shows. McQueen's cop character is the progenitor of the 'lone wolf' cop who answerrs to no one. Yates expertly crafted each shot and scene to hold up under scrutiny. A really beautiful cinematic experience each time I watch it. Oh, and for the record: the Charger loses (6) hubcaps during the chase scene, and it is a '68 Charger R/T with a 440 Magnum (375bhp & 625 ft/lbs torque) and not a Hemi like previously believed.