six honourable mentions (film)

[solarbird]

In no real order; any of these could’ve made my list, really, but I did think a lot about my choices and these are, I suppose, one tier down. Not necessarily in quality, just in impact.

1: On The Beach

JMS has gone off on the use of “Waltzing Matilda” in this film and said it better than I would. But also, it’s just a great story and a great film. Do NOT watch depressed.

2: Threads

YIKES

See above, but without music. Thatcher was a monster, but the Reagan/Thatcher combo on nukes was so much worse.

3: White Zombie

Slow, moody, atmospheric, and yet includes the single most horrifying moment I’ve seen in a vintage horror film. A brilliant Lugosi performance, a little understated and definitely underrated.

4: Mononoke Hime (Princess Mononoke)

I still think of the title in Japanese. Deeply sad film in so many ways. Couldn’t rewatch it for years, but still formative.

5: Goldfinger

Now that is how you write a goddamn supervillian plot.

Goldfinger says, “Who said anything about removing it?”

…and suddenly it’s an entirely different story and you’re as impressed as Bond is. I love that shit. Fantastic.

6: Brain Candy

Ignore the implied kinda bad take on SSRI reuptake inhibitors and it’s amazing in every other way. Endlessly quotable. Best Kids In The Hall.

I’m sure there are more, but I think that’s enough for now.

And yeah, every film on this list? Recommended. Highly.

PS:

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Comments

[solarbird]

One of the interesting parts I didn't mention about The Manchurian Candidate is how sad a movie it is, too. It's not the top line, of course; that's the thriller.

But it is, like On The Beach, poetically sad.

[mme_n_b]

There's a difference between sadness or even despair that has an underpinning of glory and one that doesn't.