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Guillermo Del Toro’s Top Ten Movies

After Sight & Sound’s coup against the reigning king of film, Citizen Kane, it is interesting to look at Guillermo Del Toro’s contribution to the revolution, which does not include Citizen Kane or Vertigo.

1) “Frankenstein” (1931, dir. James Whale)
2) “Freaks” (1932, dir. Todd Browning)
3) “Shadow Of A Doubt” (1943, dir. Alfred Hitchcock)
4) “Greed” (1925, dir. Erich Von Stroheim)
5) “Modern Times” (1936, dir. Charlie Chaplin)
6) “La Belle Et La Bete” (1946, dir. Jean Cocteau)
7) “Goodfellas” (1990, dir. Martin Scorsese)
8) “Los Olvidados” (1950, dir. Luis Bunuel)
9) “Nosferatu” (1922, dir. F.W. Murnau)
10) “8 1/2″ (1963, dir. Federico Fellini)

I have to say that his taste is impeccable; These are great movies all around. I wonder at the influence of his pick of La Belle Et La Bete on his work in bringing Beauty and the Beast back to the screen.

Vertigo (1958): Film classification controversy. Film Noir? Neo-Noir? Near Noir? Not Noir? This still, taken in black and white makes me think this must be Noir and the timeframe (1958) says to me, not Neo-Noir, but classic Film Noir that happens to be shot in color. That is my position, let the debate begin!  This raises the old Film Noir question as to whether it is a genre or style since it’s shot in color not to mention, the various sub-groupings of Noir with which I opened this post. How do you classify Vertigo specifically and Film Noir in general? What qualifies, and what doesn’t?
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Vertigo (1958): Film classification controversy. Film Noir? Neo-Noir? Near Noir? Not Noir?

This still, taken in black and white makes me think this must be Noir and the timeframe (1958) says to me, not Neo-Noir, but classic Film Noir that happens to be shot in color. That is my position, let the debate begin! 

This raises the old Film Noir question as to whether it is a genre or style since it’s shot in color not to mention, the various sub-groupings of Noir with which I opened this post. How do you classify Vertigo specifically and Film Noir in general? What qualifies, and what doesn’t?

Saw for the First Time 2012: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen IMDB Synopsis: An account of Baron Munchausen’s supposed travels and fantastical experiences with his band of misfits. Fairy tale structure, Monty Python humor, and Terry Gilliam’s pop surrealism, check. I watched this purely for research for which, very little help in surrealism in cinema was provided. However, I watched this with my kids and they both loved it very much. This is really fun and funny but no masterpiece by any stretch. Bonus: early appearance of Robin Williams. Sells Scale: Stream or borrow This reminds me a bit of Goonies. What’s your favorite live-action adventure story for kids?
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Saw for the First Time 2012: The Adventures of Baron Munchausen

IMDB Synopsis: An account of Baron Munchausen’s supposed travels and fantastical experiences with his band of misfits.

Fairy tale structure, Monty Python humor, and Terry Gilliam’s pop surrealism, check. I watched this purely for research for which, very little help in surrealism in cinema was provided. However, I watched this with my kids and they both loved it very much. This is really fun and funny but no masterpiece by any stretch. Bonus: early appearance of Robin Williams.

Sells Scale: Stream or borrow

This reminds me a bit of Goonies. What’s your favorite live-action adventure story for kids?

Saw for the First Time 2012: Perfume of the Lady in Black IMDB Synopsis: Sylvia, an industrial scientist, is troubled by strange hallucinations related to the tragic suicide of her mother. Giallo (yellow in Italian) film is the 70’s adaptation of Film Noir in Italy. This is a typical example of the style with all the tropes and conventions in place. The surrealist connection is more present here thanks to the hallucinations and some of the plotting devices. This is not to mistake this for a well made film, but there is stylistic charm that makes it worth watching. The acting is on par with the slasher films of the 80’s and the plot is somewhat unbelievable. What makes this film worth watching is the curiosity of this little corner of neo-noir. Sells Scale - Borrow or stream, but no money should be spent on this ?
Zoom

Saw for the First Time 2012: Perfume of the Lady in Black

IMDB Synopsis: Sylvia, an industrial scientist, is troubled by strange hallucinations related to the tragic suicide of her mother.

Giallo (yellow in Italian) film is the 70’s adaptation of Film Noir in Italy. This is a typical example of the style with all the tropes and conventions in place. The surrealist connection is more present here thanks to the hallucinations and some of the plotting devices. This is not to mistake this for a well made film, but there is stylistic charm that makes it worth watching. The acting is on par with the slasher films of the 80’s and the plot is somewhat unbelievable. What makes this film worth watching is the curiosity of this little corner of neo-noir.

Sells Scale - Borrow or stream, but no money should be spent on this

?

Saw For the First Time 2012: Monsoon Wedding IMDB Synopsis: A stressed father, a bride-to-be with a secret, a smitten event planner, and relatives from around the world create much ado about the preparations for an arranged marriage in India. Sounds like a romantic comedy with a little multiculturalism ala’ My Big Fat Greek Wedding, doesn’t it? Nope. There is romance and hilarity to be sure, but this film has substance. It asks some important questions about culture, love, loyalty and family secrets. In fact there are some issues that are raised that are quite dark (I refrain from spoilers here). We have the collision of cultures, expats and nations and even religious plurality in the mix, plus it is very fun to watch. Nadir’s conclusions are at times progressive and others, quite traditional giving the film nuance which is so often lacking in Hollywood fare. There are so many interesting ideas swirling here, than any further discussion makes it dangerous that I give too much away. Just go see the movie!  Mira Nair is a director to keep your eye on. Sells Scale: Buy Multicultural Cinema: What culture, other than you own, have been drawn to learning more about because of cinema?
Zoom

Saw For the First Time 2012: Monsoon Wedding

IMDB Synopsis: A stressed father, a bride-to-be with a secret, a smitten event planner, and relatives from around the world create much ado about the preparations for an arranged marriage in India.

Sounds like a romantic comedy with a little multiculturalism ala’ My Big Fat Greek Wedding, doesn’t it? Nope. There is romance and hilarity to be sure, but this film has substance. It asks some important questions about culture, love, loyalty and family secrets. In fact there are some issues that are raised that are quite dark (I refrain from spoilers here). We have the collision of cultures, expats and nations and even religious plurality in the mix, plus it is very fun to watch. Nadir’s conclusions are at times progressive and others, quite traditional giving the film nuance which is so often lacking in Hollywood fare. There are so many interesting ideas swirling here, than any further discussion makes it dangerous that I give too much away. Just go see the movie!  Mira Nair is a director to keep your eye on.

Sells Scale: Buy

Multicultural Cinema: What culture, other than you own, have been drawn to learning more about because of cinema?

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