Connect with your Facebook Account

• Contact

Articles

30

The Best Movies You May Have Never Seen

Posted by Guest Columnist on May 12th, 2009 under Uncategorized

As we continue our quest to turn this sports blog into Ain’t It Cool News, I give you another Guest Film Crit lecturer – our pal, Scagnetti.

– S.R.

_______________________________________

There seems to be no middle ground on here, albeit a ground that’s well-tread with expansive, intelligent discourse. Appears we either ham up the art or pick the popcorn outta our teeth.

This stops NOW!

Sailor asked me to write something for you bloodhounds, and I look forward to yer comments… and feedback… I think.

So the first round of chum to you sharks are five films I feel are perhaps unknown to, or unappreciated by, American audiences. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn some or all of you have heard or seen SOME of these films, but not ALL. And they are all too damned good for this to be the case.

Killer of Sheep

1977 B&W Directed by Charles Burnett


This ‘fro will turn you awn, BRUTHA!

The cornerstone of the Los Angeles movement of Black neo-realism in the late 70s, Killer of Sheep utilizes many non-professional actors, but concentrates its languid energy on a meat processor and the struggle with his South Central LA family and friends. It is gritty and fully informed by its location and the reality of domestic drama in and around lower class blacks.

The film was held up for thirty years due to copyright issues governing its soundtrack. The music, the cinematography and the acting performance by Hank Sanders really propel this film along to a numbing distance. It is to be admired, as this seminal work has finally been distributed on DVD, some ten years after securing its eternity as a pick for preservation by the Library of Congress.

Bad Timing

1980 Directed by Nicolas Roeg

bad timing
I think she has a pulse.

I like Nick Roeg, he of The Witches, Walkabout and Don’t Look Now, but this is his finest work. It encompasses his rigid discipline of parallel stories and intercutting narrative editing. A cinematographer by trade, Roeg’s frames are stunning and informative, and the editing tells the story back to front, from end to beginning. A bit of a precursor to Memento.

Harvey Keitel is an NYPD detective hunting/interviewing Art Garfunkel for the murder of Garfunkel’s sometime lover/patient. The acting is fantastic, taut and engrossing. This film is simply a brain-job of epic proportions, but always fascinating.

Underground

1995 English Subtitled Directed by Emir Kusturica


I dance to the strong Phallus in my hands!

Palm d’Or winner at the ‘95 Cannes Festival, this whack-job of epic Eastern European cinema portrays a Serbian village isolated underground during the Cold War. It is colorful and hallucinogenic, mad, torrid and manic. The music, the cinematography and acting performances will either enthrall you or piss you off to no end.

The film speaks to the fear and uncertainty of the time period. An example of paranoia to the nth degree, Underground speaks to film lovers in all the classical terms, then turns into a movie within a movie, when the revisionist leader turned national hero conceals his true motivation. Corruption and deception run rampant, and all because of a woman… and another man.

Steel Helmet

1951 B&W Directed by Samuel Fuller


Hi, my name’s Lucky Bastard!

“The REAL Korean War story!” Allegedly, this film inspired the dumb-fuck television executives at FOX to turn “M*A*S*H” into a wet blanket. And for all the wrong reasons. Sam Fuller, perhaps the most American of studio directors – he also served up genius in The Naked Kiss and Shock Corridor – works here from an autobiographical story.

Fuller was a WWII vet and translated this story to the then-current Korean War, and did so in less than two weeks of shooting. The film also made Fuller a bit of a ‘Commie’ sympathizer for a few scenes depicting a Japanese-American soldier retelling how his parents were interred in camps during the last great war. Raw and honest, this is what war films never are anymore.

The Crowd

1928 Silent/B&W Directed by King Vidor


But, honey, CTJ’s gonna be there with his slide-rule!

This has been outta print for the last fifteen years, as MGM is restoring it, possibly. But it is a travesty this film is not available to the public at large. It should ring true to all you corporate zombies out there.

John Sims fights conformity to make a life for his young bride, after his ambitions get the best of him. Tragic, subtle and beautiful, director King Vidor has some breathless moments, in particular, in various shots portraying the vast nothingness and endless faceless numbers corporate America can represent. This was nominated for the first ever Best Motion Picture Oscar in 1928.

FIVE MORE

It was hard enough to pare this down to ten, let alone five, so humor me, damnit.

Pickpocket by Robert Bresson

Bresson’s most accessible film for the modern viewer. Follows a man who moonlights as, you guessed it, a common thief.

In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-Wai

This is the finest film made in the last ten years. I honestly believe that, and it happens to be a a sure thing for the ladies. Great great film, sensual and touching. Makes you think… and read. In Mandarin with English subtitles.

How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog by Michael Kalesniko

Charming comedy about life, kids, writing and bad actors. Kenny Branaugh shines. As does Robin Wright Penn and Jared Harris as Branaugh’s doppelganger.

The Furies by Anthony Mann

Barbara Stanwyck steals this movie, and is just… AWESOME as an entitled cattle baron’s strong-willed daughter. Don’t mess with HER, dudes!

Mystery Train by Jim Jarmusch

Perhaps Jarmusch’s strangest film to date, it follows several disparate individuals as they spend an evening in Memphis, TN. Japanese Elvis fans and Steve Buscemi, how can you go wrong?

I encourage you to check them ALL out, even if for a second viewing, I believe them to be a worthwhile endeavor. I would also love to hear yer thoughts and suggestions for future posts. Because, next time, class, we will discuss Woody Allen and his quest for .400…

Until then, friends, talk amongst yerselves.

Article Tags:

, ,

More from this Barker


Share This

  • StumbleUpon

30 Responses

  1. Rick Boyer said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

    Do you do blogroll exchanging? If you want to exchange links let me know.

    Email me back if you’re interested.

  2. centexu said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    The Best Movies Nobody Has Seen Except For Me Because I Am Smarter Than You and Have A Better Appreciation For the Arts Than You. You Should Just Accept the Fact That You Will Never Attain the Fine Taste of Cinematic Expertise That I Hold and Continue To Enjoy Multiple Viewings of Paul Blart:Mall Cop.

  3. Pokey said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

    I think I will take a pass on all of these.

  4. fostemi1 said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    I can’t wait until G.I. Joe comes out this summer. Some guy on orangebloods said this is going to be the best movie ever made because shit blows up. I like it when shit blows up. Is there any shit blowing up in the movies you listed?

  5. Steve Nebraska said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    Actually got to see “The Crowd” for a class at UT. First time I’ve thought about that movie in awhile.

    A suggestion…great little movie called “Primer,” which was made for about $7k outside of Dallas and released in 2004.

  6. Shoulda been brought up before said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 7:28 pm

    You boys are losing your audience’s respect by the day with your pseudo-intellectual bullshit..

  7. dick said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

    I’ll not be an ass and say thanks for sharing Scagnetti. Steve, Primer is a great movie.

  8. Willy Lump Lump said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    I want to see all of these. Nice job.

    Was the line in the Star Trek review about a forthcoming Revenge of the Nerds review a joke? Because until I hear otherwise I’m looking forward to it. I found this funny:

    http://teeblahg.blogspot.com/2006/10/short-time-ago-i-was-flicking-around.html

  9. honkskillet said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 8:06 pm

    The only thing that could drive me away from this blog is more whining about the officiating the Rockets/LA series. Keep these coming.

  10. honkskillet said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 8:07 pm

    Well maybe not the only thing.

  11. Nicole-Barbe Ponsardin said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 8:11 pm

    Great list, scag. I liked Don’t Look Back, a lot. Creepy fucking movie.

    Shoulda been brought up before – Perhaps we the audience is better off with you lost. What you prefer to read about?

  12. Burnt Orange Wookie said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    I for one am grateful for the guest appearance, Scagnetti. I was once a film student at UT, but apparently never a great one as I’ve seen none of those, but will hopefully get a shot at them sometime. Steel Helmet sounds excellent.

  13. Texoz said:

    May 12th, 2009 at 9:52 pm

    Fun list.

    I’ll throw out a few documentaries that nobody probably has seen, but I promise you’ll enjoy…….if you wear a beret, listen to jazz and drink absinthe.

    “Theremin”
    “Ghengis Blues”
    “Crumb”

  14. Upgrayedd said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 4:44 am

    Ah yes, Crumb. Fine family fare that really warms the cockles of your heart.

    Seriously, depressing at is, that is one great doc.

    Now where did I put my Gauloises?

  15. SydneyCarton said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 6:08 am

    No

  16. Steve Nebraska said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 6:20 am

    For those who like dark comedy, I also recommend a movie called “Pretty Persuasion” with James Woods and Evan Rachel Wood.

  17. scagnetti said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 8:32 am

    Nice, everyone. I appreciate the responses…

    -centexu- you may be right. If I’m not a snob I might as well play one on TV. The original title of this thang was ‘the best films You Never Seen’ and while I’ve been known to walk the grammatical tightrope, this was a little nod to Your Kind Of Movie Goer Reader of the Carnival… You ain’t never [gonna] seen these films, is ye?! And what’s funny is yer response was dead on articulate and succinct. I dont think you give yerself enough credit…

    -fosty- dude, shit blows up in that Underground picture, and in Steel Helmet too. Hell, there’s even gunfire in almost all these here pictures!!!

    -Steve- thanks, but I have NOT seen Primer, will do so and get back to you promptly.

    -texoz- I enjoyed ALL those documentaries. Terry zwigoff of crumb is now doing fiction features like Ghost Workd and Art School Confidential, but I am a Werner Herzog and Erroll Morris man when it comes to docs. Grizzly Man and Gates of Heaven almost made the list but I thought you guys mighta seen them, and IF YOU HAVENT, every Texan here or abroad naturalized or native MUST WATCH Morris’ The Thin Blue Line….

    Thanks for yer thoughts everybody!

  18. BatesHorn said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 8:51 am

    Probably a bit mainstream, but I really enjoyed Dead Man by Jarmusch. I’ve never seen a movie that deals with death (even if it’s trippy) in a such an cold, unemotional fashion.

    These posts are good. Anything other than the NBA.

  19. R Fourie said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Thanks for the interesting post. I would put The Furies ahead of the 2 of your initial 5 films that I have seen (Killer of Sheep and Steel Helmet). What a great movie. The DVD release of Killer of Sheep has a collection of some of Burnett’s short features on the 2nd disc that I haven’t gotten around to watching; any comment on those? Since BatesHorn brought up mainstream Jarmusch, I have to add Night On Earth. And any documentary lover shouldn’t miss The Sorrow and The Pity; paints an ugly picture of French behavior during the German occupation.

  20. Parlin Hall said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 10:08 am

    I appreciate the movie tips, Scagnetti–nice work.

    I like “The Crowd” a lot, though for my money it’s probably the third best U.S. film from 1928–I’d place it behind “The Last Command” (Emil Jannings) and “The Cameraman” (Buster Keaton), and internationally behind “The Passion of Joan of Arc” (Dreyer) from that year as well.

    It was good to see Bresson here, too, though I like “Diary of a Country Priest” better than “The Pickpocket” (though the latter is very good).

    Keep up the good work.

  21. scagnetti said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 11:58 am

    Bates, Parlin, I appreciate the thoughts…

    I did forget to mention, SHOULDA BEEN, this IS intellectual, don’t sell us short with any ‘psuedo’ backhanded compliments…

    I like the docs discussions on here. If I am to continue on here, would love to provoke y’all with a column on these films specifically…

    But the popcorn crowd SHOULD be serviced on here too, so a possible next submission could be a look into the summer releases upcoming. Hopefully, we’ll see you next week!

  22. scagnetti said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    And if Dead Man is mainstream, this can be easily considered the Widest Ranging Readership in the bloosphere, something we all should be proud of!

    Cheers everyone!

  23. Vasherized said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    Black Cat White Cat by Emir Kusturica.

    It will crack a smile on a dead man.

  24. Mysterious Package said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    Caddyshack 2

  25. coolhorn said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    “Open My Eyes”…a great little movie about love in the family. It’s play really well up in the sooner state.

  26. dutchie said:

    May 13th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    treevenge

  27. SL Xpress said:

    May 14th, 2009 at 2:16 am

    Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts had an excellent showcase of Charles Burnett last summer. Killer of Sheep was indeed powerful.

    My personal Roeg favorite is Insignificance, although Bad Timing is indeed excellent.

    I got to see Walkabout on a big screen at the aforementioned Museum of Fine Arts a couple of years ago, and while I liked it before, it gave me a new appreciation for it. It’s simply not the same movie on a television.

    I’ve never seen an Emir Kusturica movie. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled.

    I enjoyed nearly all of Samuel Fuller’s movies, although Shock Corridor has fared a little poorer than his others through time. It was one heck of a movie when it was released, but the subject matter isn’t nearly as disturbing to a modern audience as it was to the movie’s contemporaries.

    Not familiar with Bresson or Kalesniko. At least, not that I can recall.

    I love Jarmusch’s first release — Stranger Than Paradise. I remember when it came out. “I Put a Spell on You” reverberates in my head to this day because of that movie. He’s got another one hitting theaters in a couple of weeks. I can hardly wait.

    Barbara Stanwyck is amazing. She’s not mentioned enough among the greatest actresses of film. Her portrayal in Double Indemnity is still the best femme fatale character ever for my money.

    Wong Kar-Wai is always visually stunning.

  28. 1minutefilmreview said:

    May 14th, 2009 at 9:46 am

    Wow, thanks!

  29. Tubby Smith said:

    May 20th, 2009 at 4:59 pm

    WhereTF is Caddyshack?

  30. Jonathan Jaimes said:

    February 13th, 2010 at 3:44 pm

    It only goes to show where there’s will there’s a way. Keep on trying.

Leave a Reply

Follow Us

Related Articles

Hot Forum Topics

Activity

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Madness Magic: Northern Iowa Upsets Kansas   1 minute ago

    Just a phenomenal game.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Recapping The South   12 minutes ago

    Udoh was a fargging beast in that game. Very athletic player.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Because We’re Dedicated To Doing Stupid Things – Tiny Gallon Reportedly Took Payout   36 minutes ago

    Jesus. I think I see four horseman on the horizon.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: Madness Magic: Northern Iowa Upsets Kansas   39 minutes ago

    Today reminded me why I love this tournament so much. A good friend of mine mentioned to me that college basketball is the great equalizer of all athletic endeavors. At least of the sports we care about. He’s right.

    For instance, you can have a 40 inch vertical, be Iverson quick,

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Nate Heupel commented on the blog post Because We’re Dedicated To Doing Stupid Things – Tiny Gallon Reportedly Took Payout   43 minutes ago

    Patrick,

    Unless you’re completely retarded, you know precisely what I meant. The closest any Big 12 team has gotten to winning the infamous Fuller Cup is the 2007 Texas squad. I can’t remember a team being that horribly undisciplined as a whole aside from the insane OU teams of the 80’s. That’s not

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Nate Heupel commented on the blog post Because We’re Dedicated To Doing Stupid Things – Tiny Gallon Reportedly Took Payout   43 minutes ago

    Patrick,

    Unless you’re completely retarded, you know precisely what I meant. The closest any Big 12 team has gotten to winning the infamous Fulmer Cup is the 2007 Texas squad. I can’t remember a team being that horribly undisciplined as a whole aside from the insane OU teams of the 80’s. That’s not

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Sailor Ripley wrote a new blog post: This Is Sparta!   56 minutes ago

    Please make yourself welcome and Adam will be by shortly to keep you up to date on all Michigan State Spartan happenings.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Nickel Rover commented on the blog post Barnes worst team   1 hour ago

    I suppose anyone could be your “favorite Longhorn basketball player” but Ford did more than just about anyone…although Durant is clearly better. Ford’s supporting cast was better than Durant’s in his sophomore year. Durant’s had more talent (Augustin, James, Abrams) but Ford’s was more developed (Boddicker, Ivey, Mouton, Thomas) and had worked with him for

  • Nickel Rover commented on the blog post Bradley or Hamilton?   1 hour, 7 minutes ago

    Crazy Joe, your thoughts intrigue me and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

  • Nickel Rover commented on the blog post Bradley or Hamilton?   1 hour, 10 minutes ago

    This notion of Hamilton as being a disaster area on defense is all a bit much. He rebounds extremely well which, if it wasn’t obvious, is extremely important in this game since it secures possession of the basketball. Winning in basketball is achieved through the scoring of baskets and it’s necessary to possess the basketball

  • Ojnab Bob commented on the blog post Best Opening Round I Can Remember   1 hour, 20 minutes ago

    I posted earlier about how Collins’ effort just crippled Kansas today, but what amazed me the most was his complete inability to stay in front of his man on defense. UNI got a LOT of good looks out of penetration/pass after one of UNI’s modestly gifted athletes blew right by Sherron. The best

  • Scipio Tex wrote a new blog post: Best Opening Round I Can Remember   2 hours, 32 minutes ago

    At least it’s shaping up that way if Sunday delivers.

    As disappointed as I was in last year’s opening weekend of March Madness, this one is exceeding all expectations. Putting aside the fact that my bracket now resembles Kabul after the Taliban rolled through in ‘96 – a map of ordered failure –

  • J commented on the blog post Bid Dance: Day Three   2 hours, 59 minutes ago

    Thanks for the kind words, Trips.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • J commented on the blog post Bid Dance: Day Three   3 hours ago

    You know who’s bitter and angry as fuck? This guy —> ME.

    I can only hope our returning players (whoever that may be) remember this and realize they need to play motivated EVERY FUCKING GAME and put forward 40 MINUTES of effort each game.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Raoul Duke commented on the blog post Rumor Alert–TMG   3 hours, 31 minutes ago

    Kid seems like a fantastic collegiate player. I haven’t seen any NBA info. Is he a legit prospect?

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • Raoul Duke commented on the blog post Bid Dance: Day Three   3 hours, 38 minutes ago

    Tough day for Sherron on O and D.

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • GoHornsGo90 commented on the blog post Bradley or Hamilton?   4 hours, 22 minutes ago

    To leave or stay?

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   4 hours, 23 minutes ago

    KSU moving on led by a hot shooting Pullen. BTW, White Mormons can shoot FTs. 22 for 25, I think. Imagine if we could shoot like that.

    Wake’s coming back on Kentucky. They’re within 25 right now…..

  • Trips Right commented on the blog post Bid Dance: Day Three   4 hours, 41 minutes ago

    Just wanted to say I feel for you guys. As a Texas fan I know how this feels even if it’s from a football perspective.

    I still think you’re the best basketball team in the country, and unfortunately you ran into a team that packed a Villanova circa 1985 type game today. Meaning they

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   4 hours, 50 minutes ago

    Wow. Wake won’t break 50. Not surprising really — we should have beaten Wake and they are not a very good team.

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   4 hours, 56 minutes ago

    Kentucky doing their best to beat Wake by half hundred. Close call….

  • RRR wrote a new blog post: Survive and Advance   5 hours ago

    We really struggled in the first half, but battled through it to get a tough win against Jacksonville.  On to Oxford!

     Forget what conference they play in, Jacksonville is a very good basketball team, and they got to Lubbock not because of a crazy bank shot at the buzzer in Phoenix, but by playing aggressive, intense defense for

    SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”http://tortillaretort.fantake.com/1969/12/31/” });

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   5 hours, 17 minutes ago

    The shamrock is on his left shoulder. The Griffin looking thing is on his right.

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   5 hours, 26 minutes ago

    Everytime I see a Gumbel brother I think of “Gumbel to Gumbel”

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   5 hours, 39 minutes ago

    Kentucky starting to pile on Wake. That would have been our fate…..

    KSU just killing the Mormons on the glass…

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   6 hours, 6 minutes ago

    10 point lead for the Mormons again…

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   6 hours, 21 minutes ago

    This is the first-time Frank Martin has ever met a Mormon who wasn’t on a bicycle.

  • Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   6 hours, 25 minutes ago

    Does that mean he gets to pick his wives first???

  • ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   6 hours, 26 minutes ago

    BYU starts a 2-time Utah “Mr. Basketball.” Everything about that sentence kills me.

  • Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post NCAA Tournament Open Thread: Weekend Edition   6 hours, 28 minutes ago

    The Hickory High Polygamists.