tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post3220629839473800256..comments2024-01-21T11:18:54.087-05:00Comments on Lost in the Movies: 100 of My Favorite MoviesJoel Bockohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-66739719193702922002015-07-10T13:29:36.598-04:002015-07-10T13:29:36.598-04:00(That should say "Rio" Bravo not "T...(That should say "Rio" Bravo not "Too" Bravo - phone autocorrect strikes again...)Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-38297111728079618862015-07-10T13:27:12.724-04:002015-07-10T13:27:12.724-04:00That's very generous of you but don't worr...That's very generous of you but don't worry, I have seen Double Indemnity! It's one of my favorites but just didn't make the list in 2011. It might in 2015, though! Funny how these things vary depending what mood we're in.<br /><br />As for Jeremiah Johnson, I hadn't seen it at that time but actually owned it as part of one of those multidisc packs, in this case of 60s/70s Westerns (Wild Bunch was in there too) and have since watched and enjoyed it.<br /><br />There is at least one Western on the list: The Searchers. Other than that, yeah, it seems like a lot missed the cut, probably just barely. Too Bravo is up there for me as well. And I like many Anthony Mann or Budd Boeticher (sp?) Westerns like Winchester '73 or Ride Lonesome. I always enjoy watching a good Western but somehow I tend to favor other genres, like noir mysteries/thrillers when making lists or buying DVDs. Just down to personal taste I guess. Hmm, in "spirit" maybe Last of the Mohicans could be considered a Western...even though it's set in New York haha.<br /><br />Thank you for dropping by to read this. Always encouraging to see older posts get some attention. Hopefully in August I will be resuming my Favorites series, in which once a week I do a capsule review of a film on this list. I'm a little behind on my backlog (I like to have these things written way ahead of time to avoid pressure) so we'll see...<br /><br />Oh wait there is one other Western: Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. Also & I guess due to the time period and the frontier nature of the town maybe Young Mr. Lincoln could be a "Midwestern"!Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-68978167511785997812015-07-10T11:54:49.257-04:002015-07-10T11:54:49.257-04:00You have quite an eclectic list here. I see that y...You have quite an eclectic list here. I see that you have listed just about every genre except for westerns, unless I missed something... which I'm good at doing. <br /><br />Though not a "real" western, being filmed in Utah, might I suggest you watch Jeremiah Johnson? That one has stuck with me since I watched it as a kid. It combines the surreal with peace, with war and with humor.<br /><br />It was on Netflix (Double Indemnity, which I'm sure you already know but I'll mention anyway, is in the public domain), but it no longer is. Amazon doesn't have it, but it is available to rent. I'd be happy to gift you enough money, via Amazon, so you can rent it via their Instant Video. <br /><br />My email address is the same as my username here and at gmail dot com. If you decide to give it a go, let me know your Amazon user name (again, my Amazon name is the same as here, it's my world wide web name, actually) and I'll send a "gift card" with enough to rent the movie, if you would like.<br /><br />Love your list! A lot of your list would on mine, but I just would order them differently.Magnolia Southhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05027695915193365483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-84162828631897793732013-07-26T17:35:15.501-04:002013-07-26T17:35:15.501-04:00I guess I'm on a seesaw with the Coens too- I ...I guess I'm on a seesaw with the Coens too- I mean, I can't deny their talent for directing, even if a lot of their humor is mean spirited and at times it seems as if their films don't come from a sincere place. I don't understand how they could mock their own culture and religion in Fargo and A Serious Man respectively. Maybe they're lovingly mocking them but I fail to see it that way. <br /><br />I enjoyed The Big Lebowski but didn't find it laugh out loud funny. Oddly enough The Hudsucker Proxy, generally considered one of their weaker efforts, might be my favorite all out comedy of there's. I also haven't turned around on Miller's Crossing yet, and No Country is my 42nd favorite movie of all time according to my list.<br /><br />Agreed on Silence of the Lambs being overrated.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-35329137500125646382013-07-16T20:25:18.802-04:002013-07-16T20:25:18.802-04:00That's quite a turnaround on the Coens - I'...That's quite a turnaround on the Coens - I've found myself on more of a seesaw with them. Initially, their work left me with a bad taste in my mouth: something about it seemed so smug and condescending. I was not a big fan of Fargo.<br /><br />Big Lebowski was my key into their world - it's one of my favorite movies, and it let me recognize just how satisfying the masterful craft is. When I saw No Country for Old Men I thought to myself "these guys could adapt a phone directory and make it riveting."<br /><br />Then Burn After Reading tested my patience once again and A Serious Man, I'll admit, basically mystified me. They are absolutely brilliant and admirably controlled filmmakers, without a doubt. As for their sensibility, I'm ambivalent about it. But I'm glad they and it are there to take in.<br /><br />As for Manhunter, I've only seen it once. I remember finding it a narrative mess but visually gorgeous, especially compared to the very conventional (and somewhat overrated, I think) Silence of the Lambs.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-79760082936437147872013-07-16T19:54:49.216-04:002013-07-16T19:54:49.216-04:00Thanks Joel. I want to add comments to all of them...Thanks Joel. I want to add comments to all of them but some I am finding are really difficult to describe why I love them.<br /><br />I'm a bit obsessed with Michael Mann. He and Marty are my favorite contemporary directors (which used to be the Coen brothers, but looking back at their films they all seem nasty, lazily cynical about their characters, and painfully unfunny). Funny you should bring up Manhunter, the only Mann film I don't like (Miami Vice I'm lukewarm on). I usually don't care for serial killer movies, and it seemed pretty run of the mill to me. I don't remember much other then I wanted to turn it off during the scene where the killer was stalking the blind girl. Hate manipulative shit like that. <br /><br />Anyways, yeah, Heat, Collateral, Last of the Mohicans (that score...) Thief, The Insider, Ali, I'm kinda biased haha.Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-54724034013332722522013-07-16T19:29:15.887-04:002013-07-16T19:29:15.887-04:00Thanks, Mike, and great list! Did not realize you ...Thanks, Mike, and great list! Did not realize you were such a big Michael Mann fan. Out of curiosity, what do you think of Manhunter?<br /><br />I'm in the middle of a bunch if stuff right now (trying to make today as productive as possible to clear my plate from tomorrow forward, and most of all I want to write an anniversary post which I haven't even begin yet!) but I'll return later to read your comments on some of the individual movies there. Looking forward to it.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-24301680532335359512013-07-16T19:15:30.006-04:002013-07-16T19:15:30.006-04:00I love posts like these. Unabashedly subjective, e...I love posts like these. Unabashedly subjective, electric, fascinating. Your top 100 has influenced me a lot. It's introduced me to a lot of films and filmmakers that I might not have tried otherwise. I think top 100 lists (favorites or bests) are the best way to get people interested in film (or whatever the list is about).<br /><br />Here is my own top 50 if you're interested.<br /><br />http://www.imdb.com/list/4GI1P4_9iTk/<br /><br />I like making lists on IMDb since you can always tinker with it and add to it (something I'll be doing with my list often) as opposed to a blog post which must be a bitch to update. Anyways we got several overlaps (and if you're wondering, Masculin Feminin would be in my top 100).Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-56075614604245804752012-11-29T05:41:17.587-05:002012-11-29T05:41:17.587-05:00Yeah, the ranking just seemed necessary to give th...Yeah, the ranking just seemed necessary to give the list a flow, but it's very very arbitrary (within a few months there were already major rankings I would change - most notably, Barry Lyndon would have moved much higher). But serendipitous as I ended up turning this into a series.<br /><br />This was definitely one of my favorite posts to compose. By the way, I'm still slowly working my way through your own favorites/best list though lately I've barely had time to check my blogroll unfortunately (the next month is going to be insanely busy, mostly because of work I've assigned myself; ah well, that's how stuff gets done...). But I'm adding to Netflix as I go...Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-33868672431444020532012-11-29T00:49:52.078-05:002012-11-29T00:49:52.078-05:00So you decided to do a run-down of your 100 favour...So you decided to do a run-down of your 100 favourite films. This reminds me of the conversation on "favourite vis-a-vis great" that we had sometime back. So yes, its always a safe bet to stick to the former word - because that inherently means you're prefering subjective judgement over objective evaluation :)<br /><br />As expected from your diverse & eclectic movie-viewing, your list comprises of a number of landmark films. But, there's also a delectable streak of irreverence here. In fact, I'd go so far as to state that, I've rarely, if ever, seen a list that is as diverse as yours - Satantango & Last of the Mohicans in the same space is a pleasant surprise, but a surprise nonetheless :D <br /><br />And the fact that you've also ranked your favourites, has made it even more interesting.<br /><br />Suffice it to say a number of my personal favourites, too, feature in your list, as well as a number of films that I haven't watched yet.<br /><br />Here's looking forward to yet another brilliant & memorable series here at The Dancing Image. Cheers!!!Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-45697458555615270942012-11-20T21:58:57.712-05:002012-11-20T21:58:57.712-05:00"One day I will unleash a similar piece/post ..."One day I will unleash a similar piece/post and then retire from blogging forever lol..."<br /><br />Ha good luck with that - the Internet is like the Mafia in Godfather III, just when you think you're out...Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-79593351016120617112012-11-20T21:46:32.363-05:002012-11-20T21:46:32.363-05:00I have always wanted to do a similar post myself. ...I have always wanted to do a similar post myself. Great capsule reviews and images Joel. An eclectic and varied list that gets points for including something like Emak Bakia. One day I will unleash a similar piece/post and then retire from blogging forever lol...Maurizio RocaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-21374040428276590112012-06-06T01:00:45.865-04:002012-06-06T01:00:45.865-04:00'new' shoul read 'nge' ie neon Gen...'new' shoul read 'nge' ie neon Genesis Evangelion. Still figuring out how to type in an iPhone...Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-29797700676468991502012-06-06T00:58:54.163-04:002012-06-06T00:58:54.163-04:00Thanks Paul - this new (for me) approach ended up ...Thanks Paul - this new (for me) approach ended up yielding one of my favorite posts. There is definitely NO time limit on responding with your own list; I was actually kind of bummed nobody else did so. As for Evangelion, I owe that entry to Bob Clark. I know hardly any anime but his work on that series on wonders brought it to my attention. Tell your daughter to stay tuned - I'm going to begin work soon on aseries covering every episode of new. When I finish writing it all I'll unveil it on this site. Btw I'm also planning a series offering still short but more detailed pieces on all the films on this list. Sort of a user-friendly guide to why these films may be worth their time. I'm hoping both series will be up by mid summer though I've got plenty else on my plate too.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-56696702109932407932012-06-05T23:40:28.343-04:002012-06-05T23:40:28.343-04:00Sorry; I'm coming to this awfully late. Just ...Sorry; I'm coming to this awfully late. Just wanted to tip my hat to your taste(s). I have a 23-year-old daughter who would be mightily impressed by your Evangelion inclusion--as am I by the Quay Bros. and Cria cuervos--and many more. Is it too late to chime in? I may be too lazy--laziest man in Knox County (which puts me in the running for laziest worldwide)--but I like the two-sentence blurbs and the crisp, apt images. Jeez, just what I need: another project. Thanks for nothing.Paul J. Marasahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08367608635996012511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-31176526575963316642012-06-04T13:27:20.099-04:002012-06-04T13:27:20.099-04:00Hell, maybe even just Slovakian ;)Hell, maybe even just Slovakian ;)Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-17862431561625699312012-06-04T04:49:52.625-04:002012-06-04T04:49:52.625-04:00Someday this list will be comprised entirely of Cz...Someday this list will be comprised entirely of Czechoslovak films. Don't fight the inevitable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-23453060479567085462012-01-06T22:29:24.378-05:002012-01-06T22:29:24.378-05:00Nope, not British. A Hoosier, in fact. I discover...Nope, not British. A Hoosier, in fact. I discovered it about a year and a half ago through a reference on a political blog, of all things. I looked it up, realized how highly regarded it was, and discovered the entire thing was on YouTube. I watched the whole thing spread out over several months, but I was pretty blown away by every episode. It definitely made me look at history and art differently. I would have bought the boxed set by now if it wasn't like $70. :)StephenMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16588260639227694557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-14526274166577117212012-01-04T17:54:00.935-05:002012-01-04T17:54:00.935-05:00Oh and Stephen - out of curiosity, are you British...Oh and Stephen - out of curiosity, are you British? I ask because I feel like the show is much more legendary in the UK - I only know of it because I stumbled across it by sheer accident in a video store many years ago; but most British people I've talked to know it immediately. One of my happiest accidents...Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-32420214707259620692012-01-04T12:31:06.564-05:002012-01-04T12:31:06.564-05:00Ah, the Wang Center. Speaking of Star Wars, I got ...Ah, the Wang Center. Speaking of Star Wars, I got to see all 3 films back to back there when I was 9. One of my great movie-theater experiences. I wonder if they still do screenings there; I seem to remember more when I was a kid.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-44916237048731339942012-01-03T20:55:02.267-05:002012-01-03T20:55:02.267-05:00Glad you had as much fun reading this as I had mak...Glad you had as much fun reading this as I had making it. It's a nice punctuation point to the year and in some weird way probably my favorite post. At least for the moment.Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-78555218727093612072012-01-01T20:58:04.278-05:002012-01-01T20:58:04.278-05:00Joel - Glad to hear that about your experience vie...Joel - Glad to hear that about your experience viewing <i>Ben-Hur</i>. For me it was my <i>Star Wars</i> - I saw it on the big screen in 1959 and upon many other occasions, including on the biggest screen I've ever seen at the Wang Theater in Boston; the chariot race made the floor rumble. Now you can get it on a fully restored 50th anniversary DVD or Blu-ray. Even the DVD is amazing for its color and clarity, and, of course, it is widescreen.Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-71075229473945114702012-01-01T14:03:35.404-05:002012-01-01T14:03:35.404-05:00Hey, I just want to say, this is an awesome list! ...Hey, I just want to say, this is an awesome list! I certainly have a few points of disagreement with you (I saw Day of Wrath recently and couldn't get into it, what the frick is Easy Rider doing so high?, outside of a couple of scenes Pat Garrett sucks, Raging Bull is so much better than Goodfellas, where's Terrence Malick or Sunrise?), but these are made up for by so many points of agreement and appreciation.<br /><br />I couldn't put Meshes of the Afternoon so high on my won list, but I'm very glad you can, and I admire that you've got so many avant-garde films and shorts on your list. Plus I like the fact that you don't skimp on animation, even if I would put totally different animated films on my own list (Red Hot Riding Hood does not deserve a tenth of it's reputation). Also, I want to thank you for putting Young Mr. Lincoln above The Searchers on your list. I love both films and Ford in general, but The Searchers is one of Ford's most imperfect films, and Lincoln one of his most perfect, and I'm glad to see somebody else agrees with me. Top marks as well for the placements of Gofather II over Godfather I, and the high ranking of On the Waterfront, one of my Top 10 favorites.<br /><br />Also, it warms my heart to see It's a Wonderful Life so high. I just watched it again for Christmas and was overwhelmed by how incredibly great it is, and yes, at this moment, I would put it above Citizen Kane.<br /><br />Oh, and Kenneth Clark's Civilisation???? You, sir, are my kind of cinephile!StephenMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16588260639227694557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-5380024163640991072011-12-31T11:23:19.073-05:002011-12-31T11:23:19.073-05:00*(as a kid I only had a modified full-frame VHS co...*(as a kid I only had a modified full-frame VHS copy, where all the characters ended up looking like Stretch Armstrong, but it still captured me)Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7610074516299275060.post-69052266728144420102011-12-31T11:22:44.935-05:002011-12-31T11:22:44.935-05:00I haven't seen The Artist or, truth be told, m...I haven't seen The Artist or, truth be told, many 2011 films at all (just Drive, Tree of Life, and Cave of Forgotten Dreams - but not even in 3D! The Melancholia screener still waits by my TV).<br /><br />Ben-Hur would probably be on a top 500. It has its issues but I've always been fond of it, and I've heard it's absolutely fantastic on a big-screen (as a kid I only had<br /><br />If you like Vertigo, stay tuned. It keeps getting postponed but as I'm taking a break from the blog with the New Year, I'm under the gun right now - so my review of Vertigo should go up within a matter of hours...Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.com