1163. The Towering Inferno

The Towering Inferno
1974
Directed by John Guillermin

When the actors involved with a project end up hating the film (Paul Newman called it a "turkey"), you know it's probably not going to be a great movie. But it appears that many movies I do love owe a lot to this film, so I suppose its inclusion on the List is justified. 

Architect Doug Roberts (Newman) returns to San Francisco for the grand dedication of the Glass Tower, which he designed for James Duncan. The Glass Tower has 138 stories, making it the tallest building in the world. During the party, a fire starts on the 81st floor, because somebody thought it was a good idea to put paint thinners next to a circuit breaker. As in most disaster movies, the action is heavily based off of the characters behaving as stupidly as possible in a situation. Then again, I am sure that it is how people handle emergencies in real life, so I suppose it's justified.

Wow, two hours and forty-four minutes. That's a long run time, even when you have Newman's steely blue gaze to dive into. This movie takes on a different sort of tinge after 9/11, which makes it sort of a dark watch, as opposed to Die Hard. I actually kept wishing I was watching Die Hard. 

It's fun seeing some older movie stars though, with the exception of OJ Simpson. 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

1,000 real firemen were hired throughout the entire production. 

William Holden demanded top billing (but failed to get it), and Steve McQueen threw a fit that Paul Newman had 12 more lines of dialogue than he did. 

Holden later called the film "lousy." Ah, actors.

1162. Y tu mama tambien

Y tu mama tambien
And Your Mom Too
2001
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron

 

Well, I've been hankering for a comedy for awhile now. Unfortunately, this one contains teenaged boys. I don't like teenaged boys. Based on my experience in high school, I'm comfortable guessing that the feeling is mutual. Gross out humor isn't my thing, and boys are pretty gross. 

With their girlfriends on vacation, best friends Julio and Tenoch go to a wedding and meet the alluring Luisa. The actress who plays Luisa was actually the wicked stepmother in another List movie, Blancanieves. She also has an interesting take on maternalism here. After learning that her husband cheated on her, Luisa asks to accompany the boys on a trip to a beach they bragged about, not knowing that beach in question was made up by the boys in an effort to impress her. Ever seen the movie Bandits? It's kind of like that.

Just how young are these boys supposed to be anyway? I thought this was fairly disturbing, and the sex scenes were all excruciatingly awkward to watch. I suppose some will hail this as a brave exploration of teenage sexuality. Um, okay. That's not really territory I want to venture into, quite frankly. 

Also, I thought the narration was unnecessary. I think I've had about as much of Alfonso Cuaron as I can take.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

The ending scene was the first scene filmed.

Diego Luna wore a prosthetic penis to appear circumcised. 

1161. Senna

Senna
2010
Directed by Asif Kapadia

A good documentary can make you care about any subject, even racecar driving. I know there are many people attracted to the art of driving really fast in circles. I don't doubt that it's a rush for the maniacs in the cars, I just don't find it particularly interesting to watch. But Ayrton Senna was a worthy subject for a documentary.

The film focuses on Senna's racing career, from his debut in the 1984 Brazilian Grand Prix to his death at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The documentary consists of interviews, race footage, and even some Senna family videos. 

I'll be honest, I had no idea who Senna was before this documentary. International motor racing isn't that big of a deal in America, and I don't hang out with the NASCAR crowd. But the film did a good job of communicating what a big deal he was in Brazil. It was fascinating to see how his dedication to his sport pretty much amounted to a death wish.

I particularly enjoyed the parts that focused on his rivalry with Alain Prost. An interesting look at a very, very handsome man. 

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

First film about Senna that had the approval of Senna's family, and the approval of Formula One management.

First documentary film produced by Working Title Productions.

1160. Collateral

Collateral
2004
Directed by Michael Mann

I keep thinking my Tom Cruise days are behind me, but then he pops up in another entry. It's scary to know he could be lurking behind every corner. But I'll be honest, I was craving something a little less broody than what the List has been doling out lately. This fit the bill pretty well. At the very least, it didn't contain any wartime atrocities.

Max is a Los Angeles cab driver who agrees to drive a stranger to several locations over the course of a night for $600. As Max waits at the first stop, a body falls on his cab. The stranger reveals himself to be a hitman with a tight schedule. He forces Max to drive him to his remaining jobs, and Max becomes increasingly desperate for a means of escape.

I really love Jamie Foxx, who pretty much steals the show from Cruise with his convincing performance as an ordinary man who finds himself hopelessly out of his league. There was also a really powerful supporting cast, which included the always impressive Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem.

I think the script coupled with the performances prevented this film from being another thoughtless action movie, even if it kind of turned into the Terminator toward the end. I enjoyed it, and it was a nice reprieve from really dark subject matters. 

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg all passed on the opportunity to direct.

Adam Sandler was considered for the role of Max. 

John Travolta was considered for the part of Vincent. One creepy Scientologist at a time please.

1159. Un long dimanche de fiançailles

Un long dimanche de fiançailles

A Very Long Engagement
2004
Directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet

You can always count on Jean-Pierre Jeunet to imbue a film with a whimsy, even if he is dealing with a subject matter as bleak as World War I. I am actually just hitting that era with my 1001 Book blog (check it out), so it's interesting to see another story take place with this setting.

The always delightful Audrey Tautou stars in this film as Mathilde Donnay, a woman who refuses to give up hope that her fiancee is alive after receiving a report of his death. Mathilde begins to piece together what happened on the battlefield. At the same time, another woman, a prostitute named Tina Lombardi, is on her own quest for vengeance on all the military officers who had a part in her lover's death.

This was a very stylish movie that isn't shy about portraying the grisly violence of war. And Tautou has to be one of the most likable actresses of all time. I think if certain actresses tried to pull off that level of earnestness and optimism, it might be grating. But I was cheering for her the entire time. 

The length also suited the mood of the film and there were some interesting twists throughout. Don't piss off Marion Cotillard. 

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The movie was refused financial aid by the French government because it was produced by a company owned by Warner Bros. 

Marion Cotillard had eight minutes of screen time.

1158. Shame

Shame
2011

Directed by Steve McQueen

I am sort of getting desperate for a light-hearted List movie, since they have been so heavy lately. This is another very serious film, but it has certain...compensations. 

Brandon is an executive in New York City who is barely keeping a lid on his sex addiction. His sister Sissy insists on staying with him, and clearly comes with her own set of mental illnesses. Oh yes, and Michael Fassbender is naked. A lot.

It's always interesting to see sex addiction treated as a grave issue, as it is often dismissed as something celebrities claim to have to justify cheating on their wives. The entire film is remarkably ambiguous, and Fassbender's performance really contributes to that theme. And it was intriguing that the story never attempted to redeem its characters.

Also, the bar scene was very, ahem, memorable for me.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The first time Fassbender saw this film he was with his father. 

Shot in 25 days.

Carey Mulligan has said she found her nude scene was liberating.

1157. Portrait de la jeune fille en feu

Portrait de la jeune fille en feu
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
2019
Directed by Celine Sciamma

I keep going back and forth on whether I liked this movie or not. I didn't really enjoy the experience of watching it, but it had some redeeming qualities that I admire. So maybe I will just settle for telling other people to watch it, and never seeing it again myself.

At the end of the eighteenth century, Marianne is commissioned by a wealthy woman to paint a portrait of her daughter Heloise. Heloise is to be married off to a Milanese nobleman. Because Heloise refuses to pose for portraits, Marianne pretends to be her hired companion so she can study her and paint her in secret. The two begin falling in love, but LGBTQ period dramas rarely have happy endings.

The cinematography was beautiful, and I feel an attempt was made to make each frame look like a painting. But I think this also gave the film a stilted quality sometimes. I was actually surprised that the two leads had been a couple prior to filming, as they didn't seem to have that much chemistry. Maybe that's why they aren't together anymore.

I also liked how the movie challenged the idea that the Muse is a passive participant who doesn't have much control over the actual act of creation. It felt as though Heloise and Marianne were painting together, even though Heloise never picked up a brush. And the ending was moving.

The decision to not have a score also makes sense, given the theme of translating a painting into a movie. But it did make the film feel very slow. So I am still not convinced I liked it, but it says something that I can't stop thinking about it.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

In the festival scene, the women are chanting in Latin "they cannot escape."

The final shot in the movie is two minutes and 27 seconds long.

1156. Monos

Monos
2019
Directed by Alejandro Landes

Continuing our trend of upsetting movies, we now take on Monos, which tells the story of a group of teenaged soldiers who hold a white woman hostage in Colombia. I think "child soldiers" is the center square of my misery bingo card.

A group of armed teenagers, identified only by their noms de guerre, are tasked with watching over a prisoner of war, referred to as Doctora. The group is referred to as Monos, but it is never really clear what guerrilla group they belong to. There are constant conflicts within the group, and Doctora tries to do everything she can to escape.

The cinematography of this movie was beautiful and the score was effective in creating a distinctive mood. The plot didn't have much direction, but I think that was the point. These children are completely cut off from the world and only have each other. Strangely, that doesn't seem to bond them so much, as they seem willing to throw each other under the bus at every turn. 

I didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling, but that was probably because they were very hard to relate to. I think it definitely became more interesting towards the end. So an unusual movie, but not one I would want to revisit again.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Loosely based on Lord of the Flies and Heart of Darkness.

The actor who plays Messenger was a real soldier of the FARC from the age of 11 to 24.

1155. The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener
2005

Directed by Fernando Meirelles

I think the days of happy List movies are done, and what we are left with a collection of films ranging from bleak to downright miserable. Recently we've had a documentary on the Syrian uprising, a dark comedy about suicide bombers, and a drama about a Polish nun whose family was killed in the Holocaust. The Constant Gardener is pretty sad as well, although it seems almost cheerful in comparison to the other List offerings.

Justin Quayle is a British diplomat in Kenya. He tries to solve the murder of his wife Tessa, an Amnesty activist who was investigating a suspicious drug trial. Their love story is told in flashback as Justin realizes he didn't know his wife as well as he thought.

I had never heard of this book/movie before, and from its title I gauged that it was going to be some sort of Lady Chatterly's Lover type story. Instead, it was a pretty effective thriller, even if it was moving in a fairly predictable direction the entire time. I'm not the biggest Ralph Fiennes fan, but Rachel Weisz definitely earned her Oscar for this film.

It was upsetting to see the condition of the slums of Kibera. Apparently the cast and crew were so affected by what they saw that they set up a Constant Gardener Trust which has helped fund freshwater tanks, a school in Kibera, and the construction of a bridge to allow easier access to health clinics. I guess Voldemort had a change of heart.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Lupita Nyong'o worked as a production runner during filming in Kenya.

Kibera residents live on less than $.80 per day.

Based on a John Le Carre novel.

1154. Four Lions

Four Lions
2010
Directed by Chris Morris

Creating a comedy about terrorists is a daunting task. And I tend to hate the comedies that aim to be as offensive as possible, like Borat. But I actually quite enjoyed this. It didn't feel like any character was the butt of the joke. Instead, the comedy was a means of demystifying the idea of suicide bombers.

A group of radicalized British Muslim men aspire to commit an act of terrorism. There's Barry, a white Islam convert who believes the best way to avenge Western imperialism is to bomb a mosque. There's Omar and his witless cousin Waj. Then there's Faisal, who is perhaps the stupidest of the bunch. 

I like that the movie didn't dwell on the religious fanaticism behind the actions of the group. I think we tend to believe terrorists are purely motivated by religion, and often ignore the other factors that go into it.  Here, less focus is paid on religion, and instead the film zeroes in on their dim-witted antics. Strangely, it still felt has though their characters were treated with respect. 

But shame on them for considering blowing up a Boots. They have such good candy there.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

After the film premiered the UK terror threat level was raised to "severe."

1153. Tetsuo

Tetsuo
1989
Directed by Shinya Tsukamoto

It's been awhile since I assigned a zero star rating, but it certainly seems to apply here. I am not a fan of the body horror genre, or giant metal phalluses, so this really didn't do it for me. I am starting to realize that the movies kept out of my edition of the Book were kept out for good reason.

There is no way to give a plot summary of this disgusting movie without disgusting my readers. I'll leave out the gory details and just say that a metal fetishist gets hit by a car by a young couple. Let's just say the kids from I Know What You Did Last Summer got off easy. 

Just gratuitous sex and gore that relies on dated special effects to appear artsy. Definitely did not need to add these scenes to my bank of mental images.

RATING: -----

Interesting Facts:

Certain scenes were used in a Portishead music video.

1152. Kundun

Kundun
1997
Directed by Martin Scorsese

I think this is the eleventh Martin Scorsese movie on the List, which seems...excessive. Personally, I'd take out Casino, Gangs of New York, Hugo, and this one. 

Kundun is based on the life and writings of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama and the political leader of Tibet. The film depicts the life of the Dalai Lama from 1937 to 1959. The real Dalai Lama's grand-nephew plays the lead role.

So I guess it makes sense that somebody claiming to be the Dalai Lama doesn't make for the most relatable character. He is so distant that I felt very far removed from everything that happened. It seemed like such a spiritual story should feel more personal. I found myself watching the clock quite a bit. 

I get the sense Scorsese had trouble connecting to the material as well. It really had some dull stretches, although the fact that he cast non actors did give it an authentic feel. Not the most exciting Scorsese film you'll come across, but I guess worth watching if you want to see him do something completely different.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The Dalai Lama and his family were portrayed by actual relatives of the Dalai Lama.

Filmed in Morocco. 

Scorsese, the writer Melissa Mathison, and her husband Harrison Ford are all banned from entering Tibet because of this movie.

1151. RoboCop

RoboCop
1987
Directed by Paul Verhoeven

Like Mary Poppins, this movie is undeniably iconic and naturally deserves a place on the List. While action isn't my go to genre, it can fit a certain mood, and I certainly appreciate the silliness right now. Although I guess a movie about cops murdering people doesn't provide much escapism in 2020.

Officer Alex Murphy is murdered by a gang leader. He is brought back to be the cyborg RoboCop, built to be the ultimate police officer...whatever that entails. Predictably, it doesn't go as planned.

So this movie pretty much fulfills all its promises: exciting actions scenes, cutting edge special effects (1987 special effects, but still), and recognizable catchphrases. And if you have to force a metaphor out of it, there's that too.

Again, it might hit a little too close to home right now, but if you can get past that, it's a fun movie to watch with somebody and mock mercilessly.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

The RoboCop suit was so hot and heavy that Peter Weller was losing three pounds a day from water loss, until an air conditioner was installed in the costume.

Body count of 34. 

1150. Tree of Life

Tree of Life
2011

Directed by Terrence Malick

Are there any negative medical effects to rolling your eyes? Maybe it trains your body to be disdainful. I don't want to be disdainful. I really tried with this one, but I ended up hating this movie as much as it dared me to. 

Ugh where to begin? This movie asks itself the same question. A middle aged man remembers growing up in 1950s Texas. His mother was angelic and devout, and his father was strict and distant. The origins of the universe are explored, and a dinosaur is nice to another dinosaur.

I've never seen the movie Cloud Atlas, and god willing never will, but I've read the novel. This reminded me of that narrative. It's trying to tell a story so big that it ends up shooting itself in the foot. There is a reason storytellers zoom in, it's the only way to make sense of things. It's also a very spiritual movie, and right now I am not a spiritual person.

It's a movie that stubbornly refuses to answer any questions, and I got bored of being stonewalled for three hours. 

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Over a million feet of film were shot and printed.

A few American theaters would put up signs warning viewers about the film's untraditional structure, after there were walk outs and demands for refunds. 

1149. Adaptation

Adaptation
2002
Directed by Spike Jonze

My boyfriend and I are in disagreement about the merits of Nicolas Cage's acting career. I hope we know each other well enough at this point for you to guess which side I'm on. This movie, along with Raising Arizona are often invoked in his defense.  For my part, I cite the remainder of his filmography. I'll admit this is a good movie, but it's a good movie in spite of Cage, not because of Cage.

Sometimes the only thing to do to cure writer's block is to write about having writer's block. Charlie Kaufman is struggling to adapt Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief to a screenplay. His twin brother Donald has moved into his house and mooches off of Charlie. Oh, like Cage is the first person to play a pair of identical twins. Ahem, anyway, Charlie goes to New York City to discuss the screenplay with Orlean. Charlie's social awkwardness once again hampers him from having a successful career. Twin antics ensue.

Obviously, the presence of Meryl Streep elevates a movie, even if it can't save it entirely. I found this relatable, as I constantly deal with writer's block. It was never predictable, and I really enjoyed trying to guess what would happen next. 

It's a little smug, but so are writers.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Nicolas Cage said he ignored all his acting instincts in this role and just played the part exactly how Spike Jonze wanted it. That explains a few things.

All three main stars of Con Air appear in this movie. The reunion we were all waiting for. 

1148. Mrs. Miniver

Mrs. Miniver
1942
Directed by William Wyler

I think I have seen all the Best Picture winners to date, with the exception of Green Book. I really don't like a lot of the movies on that List, though, Mrs. Miniver included. 

Mrs. Miniver tells the story of a British housewife whose life is touched by World War II. Her son, Vin, falls in love with Carol and enlists in the Royal Air Force. This can only end in tears.

Can propaganda ever be art? It's not an easy question to answer. There is a manipulative element inherent in propaganda that doesn't allow for much personal interpretation. Also, all of these characters had such a stiff upper lip that I had trouble relating to them. It just felt like everybody was supposed to be the ideal English person. Like if we had a movie now about a family who all wear masks and limited their social gatherings to five people. Actually, I'd probably watch that too. 

A true classic, but not one I want to revisit again and again.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Winston Churchill said that this film had done more for the war effort than a flotilla of destroyers.

First movie to be nominated for five acting Oscars.

1147. Get Out

Get Out
2017
Directed by Jordan Peele

I finally did an official inventory of the movies I still have left on this List. I was afraid if I didn't, I would end up with 1230 movies and have no idea what's missing. Which is exactly what happened, but luckily, I figured it out pretty quickly. I can't believe I missed an opportunity to write about this movie for October, and instead tried to convince everyone Elephant was a Halloween movie (did it work?). Oh well, I can now give this movie the respect it deserves.

Chris Washington is nervous to meet the family of his white girlfriend, Rose Armitage. The Armitages have a home in upstate New York. Her father is a neurosurgeon, her mother is a hypnotherapist, and her brother is a douchebag. Chris witnesses some strange behavior from the Armitages' black housekeeping staff. I guess I will end my summary there to avoid spoilers. 

This movie does such a great job of showcasing microaggressions, and usually films about race aren't capable of that subtlety. I love Jordan Peele movies (Us was also fantastic) and I hope he keeps making them. I think people (and certainly the Academy) underestimate the level of social commentary that horror movies can provide. 

I saw this in theaters in the before times (RIP). There is a moment when a police officer shows up. In any other horror movie, the sight of a police car would be a huge relief. However, when the cop pulled up in this film, everybody in the audience groaned. I think this shows how effective Peele was at shattering the illusion of a post-racial America.

There's a serious lack of representation of Black people in horror movies, so much so that it's become a familiar trope that the people of color will die immediately. Thank heavens for Jordan Peele (and his wife). 

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Jordan Peele said, "The Sunken Place means we're marginalized. No matter how hard we scream, the system silences us."

Much of the dialogue was improvised.

Directorial debut of Peale.

1146. District 9

District 9
2009
Directed by Neil Blomkamp

This was another movie that I had previously seen in a film class. I guess the professor was excited about the parallels between this movie and Apartheid. And they are pretty exciting. 

The movie is partially presented in found footage format. In this universe, an alien spaceship carrying a population of sick insect-like aliens appeared over South Africa in 1982. These aliens were eventually put in an internment camp (District 9). Twenty years later, one of the aliens, Christopher Johnson, attempts to return home with his son. He crosses paths with a somewhat bumbling bureaucrat, Wikus van der Merwe, who becomes, shall we say, personally involved in the fates of Christopher and his family.

I really like the style of this movie, and I thought it was a fresh take a rather stale concept (i.e. found footage). Like I said, it was interesting to see all the subtle nods to actual policies that existed. I loved the character of Wikus, who felt very real to me, and witnessing his transformation.

A thoughtful sci fi movie without any Hollywood sheen. Worth watching even without the encouragement of a hot film professor.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

The language the aliens use was created by rubbing together pumpkins.

Banned in Nigeria.

1145. Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins
1964
Directed by Robert Stevenson

This is one of those movies that is deserving of its place on the List, but that doesn't make it an enjoyable watch. It's a cutesy film that I am sure holds a lot of nostalgia for many people. But it was never a favorite of mine to watch growing up. We stayed away from the more saccharine movies in my day.

Mary Poppins descends from the clouds to take care of the Banks children, Jane and Michael. I guess Mr. Banks and his wife don't really pay attention to their children, but if there really is an umbrella-wielding deity who can use magic whenever she wants, surely there were children in 1910 London more deserving of her help. Like, say, the chimney sweeps. 

A musical is only as good as its songs, and although many of these songs are iconic, I don't like a single one. If I had to choose, I would say that "A Spoonful of Sugar" is perhaps the least obnoxious. I also didn't like the animation sequences. I suppose it was a technical achievement at the time, now it just feels trippy and out of place.

So like I said, it is definitely 1001-worthy, but personally I find these kinds of cloying movies hard to stomach. 

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

P.L. Travers, the author of the original novel, hated this movie so much that she left the premiere in tears.

Elizabeth Taylor was considered for the role of Mary Poppins.

1144. The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight
2008
Directed by Christopher Nolan

I was surprised to discover I hadn't written about this movie yet, as it's the major exception to my "I don't like superhero movies" rule. I actually think it's nearly impossible not to enjoy this movie, but perhaps one of my followers will prove me wrong!

So this is the second installment of Nolan's Batman trilogy, but it's not necessary to see Batman Begins to understand the plot. It's almost better not to see Batman Begins first, because then you can forget Rachel Dawes is being played by a different actress. Basically, Batman, Lieutenant James Gordon, and District Attorney Harvey Dent work somewhat in unison to dismantle crime in Gotham City. This is a task made much more difficult by the arrival of the Joker, an anarchist who is the human embodiment of chaos.

The most memorable part of this movie is Heath Ledger's performance. I think it works so well because shockingly, it doesn't overpower the entire film. There's so much else going on, that the entire film doesn't have to revolve around his Acting (like Joaquin Phoenix's Joker). There's an amazing supporting cast, which includes Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckart, Gary Oldman, and yes, even Christian Bale. My other usual issue with superhero movies is that there are no stakes (e.g. if a character dies they are brought back in the next movie, if a headquarters is destroyed, it's fully repaired in the sequel, etc). That is certainly not the case here.

And it's just so damn quotable too. "You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain" is true in reality television, and true in reality as well. And Michael Caine's "some men just want to watch the world speech" is unforgettable.

So in my always humble opinion, the best superhero movie of all time.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Ledger based his performance partly on Sid Vicious and partly on Alex DeLarge.

Body count of 36.

The action of the movie takes place over only nine days and nights.