Funny timing: Lisa decided to make a list of the worst movies she wouldn’t even sit through while on my end I was thinking up a post about the best « small » movies to rent. The weather sucks! It’s perfect for movie rental.
The following list of movies are not necessarily part of my top ten movies of all times (though a few of them are). I chose to make a list of movies that did not get a lot of exposure and that you might have missed. They are also not obvious choices, which means that you are most likely to walk right past them at the video store (if your video store even has them). Most of them had small budgets and handle « intimate » themes, so they might not be good if you feel like testing your new home cinema sound system. Still, they are little gems that should not be missed. They’re all the kind of scripts I would love to write!
Calendar
My favorite Atom Egoyan movie and one of my all times favorites. Tiny budget, short shoot, powerful results. Minimalist yet riveting. And funny, even though you get to watch a couple come apart over the course of 12 months.
Proof
Another one of my all times favorites. I have a thing for movies with trios (it was the subject of my master’s thesis, by the way). Plus, you get to watch Russell Crowe before he was known in the U.S. (and boy, was he cute and sweet, nothing like the guy we know now). Agent Smith/Hugo Weaving is the central character. Don’t miss this one if you haven’t seen it yet! After they saw the movie (and before I saw it), 3 of my friends called me and said: « This is the kind of movie you would write ». Once I saw the movie, I realized they had made me an incredible compliment. This is definitely the kind of film I would like to write.
Two Girls and a Guy
Another trio! I told you it was my favorite movie structure! This huit clos offers fabulous performances from the 3 actors. Who could resist Robert Downey Jr. and/or Heather Graham in a very hot sex scene?
Yi Yi
I was enchanted when I left the movie theater, and no, it wasn’t because that long movie was over! I felt like I had lived in a Taiwanese family for a week and I absolutely fell in love with the little boy, when I usually hate children actors. It’s one of the few DVDs I own. What is Edward Yang doing now? Does anybody know? I can’t wait for his next film.
The Anniversary Party
You can think I’m crazy, but I like Jennifer Jason Leigh, and she did a great job at cowriting and codirecting this movie. A bunch of actors/friends got together in a stylish LA house to shoot this movie and you can sense the fun they had while working together. There’s a pretty funny ecstasy scene as well. I own the very cool soundtrack and listen to it regularly. And it’s great to see Jennifer Beals and Phoebe Cates again!
You Can Count on Me
Once again, small budget, great script, good actors. I hope Laura Linney gets the recognition she deserves. She’s one of the best actresses of her generation (in the U.S., of course).
Girlfight
I love movies about women who kick ass, and Michelle Rodriguez can surely do that! A girl trains as a boxer behind her violent father’s back. It’s a great first film on the part of filmmaker Karyn Kusama and it’s no Rocky!
Velvet Goldmine
I hate movies in which people sing but I’ve seen this Todd Haynes movie twice (I rarely see movies twice) and I enjoyed it very much both times. How could I not? It’s got a very naked Ewan McGregor all over it, full frontal and everything. I completely believed in his interpretation of Curt Cobain. A very good and surprising movie treat for music lovers.
Marie-Jo et ses deux amours
Spend two hours in Marseille without having to buy a plane ticket. See a great movie that does not oversimplify infidelity. I don’t know if a subtitled version will be available, but you shouldn’t miss this one when it comes out on video (I haven’t seen it in rental stores yet in Montreal).
Se souvenir des belles choses
American movies about memory loss are either clich�s or stylish thrillers (Memento). This one is about the real thing: memory loss as a disease as it slowly strikes a beautiful young woman. Instead of making you feel depressed about it, the movie manages to be both funny and touching, with a poetic flair that never bores you. It makes you think about what’s important to you and the memories you are truly attached to. The final scene is very powerful. (Once again, I don’t know if it is available with subtitles.)
