OK, THESE ARE MY FAVORITE MOVIES: A Holiday Blog Post

I was thinking about the many things I could write about for my holiday post and I decided that I would write about my favorite art form: film. I've thought a great deal about it and this is a list of my all time fave movies. I thought it would be cool to try and find the original poster art and then supply a little review of each one... I should note that my favorite filmmaker is Fassbinder. Oddly, I would not count any of his movies as a personal favorite. These are my faves -- and below each "poster" I tell you why.

It is my opinion that Robert Altman was the best film director to come out of the US. He could be hit or miss, but when he hit --- no one could top him. I think this was his finest moment as a director. Funny, sad, political, satirical and unforgettable. Every time I watch this "epic" I am surprised at how easily Altman captured our entire fucked up culture by using the world of the mid-70's country music business as a backdrop. Filled with magic moments -- I think the most powerful is the magic way Lily Tomlin's face captures all the longing, desire, sadness and desperation of being human. Contrary to the film's theme song, this movie IS NOT easy. Brilliant.
...And, this -- if you ask me -- is Altman's second finest moment. For the most part, this entire film is improvised by both its lead actresses. Neither has ever been better. This film is really a sort of meditative dreamscape. If you've not seen it and you enjoy the unusual -- you really should check it out.
I think this is the best film to ever come out of Korea. I also think it is one of the most original movies I've ever seen. This is actually the second of a film trilogy, but one only need see this film. How much is real or imagined? I don't know that it matters. I think what is more important is to ask, "Who is seeking revenge and who is the real victim in this stunning study of violence.
I think this just might be as close to "perfect" as a movie can get. I suspect anyone who claims to not like it has probably never really sat down and watched it. Over 60 years old and every single frame still works. Fucking awesome!
...David Lynch takes us down a very different sort of yellow brick road in this warp'd road movie from Hell. I love everything about this movie and HAVE to watch it at least twice a year. I suggest it as a great double feature with THE WIZARD OF OZ!
Disguised as a horror film, this is really a movie about the real horror in life: loss. Hypnotic, beautiful, sad and quite disturbing --- a thriller for those of us who like to think.
For a film so focused on the fashions worn by its lead actress, this movie is without age. And, with each viewing you will notice something new. And, some 40 years on Bunuel's masterpiece still shocks and mystifies. This is puzzle of movie. An inversion of Alice In Wonderland of sorts. You won't forget it. You will not want to forget it.
This movie from 1975 is filled with a lot of "only one's" and firsts. There is and will only ever be one Ken Russell, Ann-Margret, Who, Elton John, Tina Turner and a TV that oozes baked beans, chocolate and bubbles. I do so love this movie! No matter what one has to say about it -- you can't claim to have seen another film even remotely like it and I don't think we would have ever gotten MTV without it. Can you hear me?
Haunting, sensual, erotic and oddly disturbed -- this is a magical film from a controversial Korean filmmaker. Weightless and beautiful. See it.
Totally entertaining. Over the top theatrics which manage to both creep and touch. Smarter than it deserved, this is a work of art.
Like feasting on loads of sugar. A pretty, funny and perverse tribute to the films of Vincent Minnelli and Douglas Sirk. And, who would have imagined that Ozon would have managed to get all of these French screen sirens in one room!?!?! Fun! Fun! Fun! ...and, really, pretty darn gay!
My personal fave Woody Allen film and beautifully photographed/framed tribute to our greatest city. Not as sweet or touching as ANNIE HALL, but a much deeper mediation -- and, I suspect, a more honest glimpse into the heart of this complex artist. And, who would have thought Diane Keaton could play a bitchy character so perfectly?!!? Gershwin has never been put to such great use. Well worth seeing for the first 10 minutes.
...I write about this movie too much. It is probably my all time fave movie. I know it is a guilty pleasure. Color me "guilty" and give me more Babs in an afro!
...if you've not seen this documentary you are missing one of the best ever made. Just perfect.
Flawed but somehow brilliant installment from Paul Morrisey's trilogy study of addiction and living on the glam down low. I dare you to not get pulled in! Viva La Holly Woodlawn! All three films Morrisey made rock, but this is my fave of the three. Largely improvised -- this film probably helped to create John Waters, but Morrisey's own moral agenda adds a level of import that transcends camp. This is a true art house experiment gone very bad --- and very well all at once! See it to believe it! ...And, check out TRASH if you dare. It almost made my list. Andrea Feldman RIP!
I think this might be the best bad movie ever made. I enjoy it even more than VALLEY OF THE DOLLS -- and, that is saying a lot when I say that! Shame! Shame! Shame on Miss. Ross for refusing for Paramount to release this on DVD! It is a treasure! She should fully embrace it and all those clothes she designed specifically for the movie! Do you know where you're going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you? ...don't ask Mahogany!!!
There are certainly other great films: TAXI DRIVER, CABARET, JOHNNY GUITAR, ROSEMARY'S BABY, THE EXORCIST, BLUE VELVET, ERASERHEAD, GODFATHER, LAST TANGO IN PARIS, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, THE DOUBLE LIFE OF VERONIQUE, UNDER THE SAND, PERSONA, SHAMPOO, MIDNIGHT COWBOY, ROMMY & MICHELLE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, etc. ...but the ones I sited are my faves.

If you celebrate it or, if like me, you just enjoy the pretty lights, smiles and glitter -- Happy Christmas! I want it. So, maybe war will be over soon.

...and, while I do find this film to be a sort of interesting cinematic mistake, it is not good. But, I think this might be one of my all time favorite movie posters....isn't it wicked cool?!?!