We all know that a person's worth can be calculated by how many films they own. That's just a fact. But how much am I worth? Let's find out, in this, the second part of my journey into my astounding film library.
Almost Famous
I haven't seen this film since September 2001. I watched it during a very strange week where 9/11 had just happened, and as a not-quite-direct result, I had fallen from a ladder and broken my shoulder.
I went to hospital and was given loads of very strong painkillers. Then a friend of mine lent me this film to watch. As a result, I can't remember anything at all about it, except that I was in lots of pain, and all the colours were really vibrant and wobbly.
I should probably give him it back. Though I bet he's forgotten.
I'll keep it.
American: The Bill Hicks Story
I bought this in the wake of my Master degree dissertation, in which I explored the idea of whether stand up comedians could ever say anything meaningfully political, without ceasing to be a comedian.
I researched Hicks quite a lot as part of this. I liked him loads, but towards the end I started to get sick of the idolisation of him by his fans. This film, although interesting in its execution, seems to fall into the same trap.
Visually, though, I like the way the film works. They use a technique that makes still photos appear to move, by separating the various elements. I can't remember the name for it. Rasterisation? That doesn't seem right. Anyway, it looks cool.
I researched Hicks quite a lot as part of this. I liked him loads, but towards the end I started to get sick of the idolisation of him by his fans. This film, although interesting in its execution, seems to fall into the same trap.
Visually, though, I like the way the film works. They use a technique that makes still photos appear to move, by separating the various elements. I can't remember the name for it. Rasterisation? That doesn't seem right. Anyway, it looks cool.
American Beauty
A great film, which I have watched many, many times. I loved the central image - the girl in roses you see above - before the film even came out.
Every time I watch it, the film seems to be about a different character, depending on where I'm at with my life. Mostly it's Kevin Spacey's Lester Burnham, with his mid life crisis and his confusion at where his spirit seemed to go, and when that happened.
But other times I'll find the emotional spaces of the other characters resonate more with me. Everyone is confused, lost and trying to make meaning of lives that are shiny on top, but hollow inside. Great writing, direction and acting, making this a film worth revisiting.
The only reason I don't watch it more is that I've often used the opening five minutes to teach semiotics to classes, so it's hard to watch as an actual film sometimes. Fellow viewers don't want to know about framing motifs, and often throw cushions at you.
American History X
Another fantastic movie. Ed Norton at his absolute best, and a compelling theme, played out through a strong visual identity. There are some moments of incredible violence which stay with you long after the film is done.
I like this a lot, not least because Captain Sisko from Deep Space 9 turns up every now and then. Though he never says "Jambalaya!"
An American in Paris
Not the sort of film I generally watch. I'm very much a 'late 60s and onwards' kind of cinema guy, and often find it hard to get on with the way movies were styled before then. But this is great, and a constant reminder that I should watch more of this kind of thing, and try to develop my palate a little.
This is just so joyous and colourful and stylish. And everyone in it is so talented. It's pleasing to see direction that allows the dancers to dance and the set design to dominate the mise en scene, rather than editing the life out of things.
A pretty good film that I bought entirely to see Aaron Sorkin's first go at doing The West Wing. As a result, it's an odd experience. Lots of characters with similar names, doing similar things to the TV show, but played by more famous actors.
Except, confusingly, Martin Sheen, who is the president in West Wing, but here plays a different guy. Like my life isn't confusing enough.
American Psycho
A truly excellent film that I love more as time goes on. What genre is it? It was kind of sold as a horror, but it's more of a psychological thriller in how it's presented. But last time I watched it I laughed almost constantly. So maybe it's a comedy. Or maybe there's something wrong with me.
Still my favourite Christian Bale performance. I love him when he's having fun. His Batman is basically this character, but slightly less exciting.
American Splendor
Do I like this film? I'm not sure. I kind of admire it, and there's lots of great storytelling ideas going on. Flitting between documentary style, conventional narrative and - if I remember correctly - animation. But do I just think that because of the poster? I can't remember.
I should watch this again. It's a great look at art, and the creative process. And there's Paul Giamatti, who's always worth your time.
American Ultra
Another Jesse Eisenberg film, another complete blank as to what happened in the plot. Something about a guy who finds he's got super powers or something? I have no idea.
I like Eisenberg, I think. He's great at playing jerks, though, and so I think my brain sort of remembers him as an unpleasant guy. Which isn't really fair. But he can't be that great in this film, or surely I'd remember literally anything about it.
An American Werewolf in London
One of the best films ever. I know every moment of this film, inside and out. Every music cue. Every edit. Every sudden, horrifying shock. Every moment of Jenny Agutter's beautiful, luminous face.
When we got our first family video recorder, back in the early 80s, we recorded this off BBC1. And I watched it dozens and dozens of times. I suspect I'm not alone, and that a generation of horror fans developed their love for this movie on a wobbly Betamax tape, along with Halloween 2 and maybe the odd Elm Street film.
Doom laden, hilarious, sad and sexy, this film is all the flavours. It absolutely should not work. An American director hitting the small notes of life in England perfectly. A terrifying film that's also really funny. Ridiculous, outlandish situations taking place in a world that makes complete logical sense.
A masterpiece, and part of my soul forever.
Amores Perros
I sought this film out back in the days when I would scour Empire magazine for inspiration, and basically do whatever it told me to do. Empire said this film was great, and so I chased immediately after it.
They were not wrong. It's an ambitious and layered film, with a lot to say. It's also visceral and exciting. I don't re-watch it often, mostly because it has subtitles and who can be bothered reading?
Man, I've got lazier as I've got older.
Anchorman
Both Anchorman films are in my collection, and with good reason. The original is, clearly, fantastic and has become a cornerstone of 21st century film comedy. Watching it is like watching a compilation reel of memes. The sequel isn't as good, obviously, but I was still surprised by how much I liked it, and how often I quoted it afterwards.
Glass cage of emotion. I was in love once. Can't you see I'm blind? That doesn't make sense. I'm Ron Burgundy?
Annie Hall
It seems redundant to say how influential and funny this film is. Or to say how much everyone hates Woody Allen these days, I suppose. But this remains an amazingly sharp piece of work that everyone should see.
It's very much of its time, but that's appropriate for something which is a) an existential document of the human condition and b) a piece of film history which defined so much of what came afterwards.
Another Earth
Weird little movie that I think I like, but am not sure. It's very beautiful and meditative, and the central premise is very interesting. Another Earth appears. It is exactly like ours, in every minute detail, up to the point of contact, where things start to diverge.
I was sad they didn't play more with the possibility that we could be watching alternate scenes from the two parallel Earths. Or maybe they were, and I was just too dim to pick up on it.
I was also sad that they didn't have Cybermen, like in the Doctor Who story "The Tenth Planet", which has the same essential premise. But I guess that's 'art' for you.
Ant Man / Ant Man and the Wasp
Two great Marvel films, that I enjoyed a great deal. Yes, I would have liked to have seen Edgar Wright's take on the first. But they're both light on their feet and driven by great set pieces that make the most of the premise.
Plus, how great is Paul Rudd? The casting of the leads has been mostly excellent in the MCU.
My copy of the first film is conspicuous by its absence from my shelf. Which means I have lent it to someone, probably at the end of an evening, where I will have been spilling wine everywhere and shouting "You simply must borrow this! Take it! It's great!"
If you have it, please give it back.
Apocalypse Now
I first saw this in Bradford in 1996, in a 70mm print. It was glorious, and I liked it big time. It's a film whose reputation proceeds it, which can make it hard to truly appreciate. But when watching it, the power of the film-making is undeniable.
I showed this to a bunch of friends one night at my house. I was full of caveats beforehand, about how it was really long and quite slow, and how its reputation as a war film was perhaps not a great indicator of the more meditative experience they were about to have.
I needn't have bothered. They all loved it. I underestimated the smell of napalm in the morning, somehow conveyed through light and sound.
Argo
Can't remember anything about this. I bought it because it won an Oscar, which is stupid because I generally don't like Oscar films. In my opinion, the Academy tend to reward worthy messages rather than good film making. And they really like worthy messages about how great media people are, and how sexy they are, and how the world would be loads better if people working in the Film Industry were finally recognised for how cool they are.
I don't remember not liking it. But it clearly hasn't made a mad impression on me. I should probably give it another go. But when you go to the shelf and this is there, and John Wick is also there, it's hard to stick to such a resolution.
Previously - (About a Boy to All About Eve)
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