1990s List Discussion and Suggestions (Lists Project Vol. 2)

[Murdoch]

Well, I guess my top five is going to be:

1. Chungking Express (1994) – Wong Kar-Wai
2. Crash (1996) – David Cronenberg
3. Time Regained (1999) – Raoul Ruiz
4. Joe vs. the Volcano (1990) – John Patrick Shanley
5. La Belle Noiseuse (1991) – Jacques Rivette

I've only got a few more titles I have to watch before I'm going to submit, so unless Ferrara's The Funeral or Rohmer's A Tale of Springtime really wow me it seems my top choices are a lock for their spots.

"Time Regained " is only a portion of Proust but it still marvellously captures the essence of Proust and is a wholly self-contained Masterpiece.
If you haven't already seen it, check out Leconte's 'Le parfum d'Yvonne' which I suspect you will love also.
(having said that, I was disappointed by 'La Belle Noiseuse')

I haven't seen 'Le parfum d'Yvonne', but will definitely get to it as soon as possible. I haven't read Proust yet, he's been on my to-read list for several years now and I desperately need to dive into his work after seeing the Ruiz film.

In terms of Noiseuse I think calling it a "lock" for its spot was too over-eager since I do have some reservations about the film myself. I found the film more interesting as a concept, but the scenes between Piccoli and Béart I loved - and not for the abundance of a nude Béart but I must admit that didn't hurt. However I was expecting a film that focused solely on the process of creating a painting for a dedicated artist, and that was the focus of the film to a certain extent, but the subplots involving Béart's and Piccoli's relationships didn't do much for me, especially Béart's beau and her whole backstory of misery. Ever since watching the film its appeal has diminished somewhat but overall the film left a good impression on me and I loved the voyeuristic approach to showing an artist at work. However, the ending left me cold, so it's safe to say it will drop a few spots.

[Gregory]

I found Dick an enjoyable change of pace, and thought-provoking as well. I’ve often wondered why there aren’t more period/historical comedies. One pitfall here is that the Nixon Administration, and especially Watergate, is an extremely safe, feel-good target for people to laugh at complacently. But I think there’s more than that to be found here. In my reading of it, as someone who thinks the obsession with the Watergate break-in betrays a real ignorance of (or lack of concern over) far more serious crimes, there was a fitting irony in that when the two main characters stumble upon reasons to instigate accusations against Nixon, it’s just because he kicked Checkers and has a “potty mouth.” It’s a good send-up, intended or otherwise, of people who criticize e.g. Clinton just for being a male slut, or George W. for talking like a dumb hick (which is almost surely a canny affectation) while failing to understand the real effects of many of their policies.
Not sure what else to say without going on too long, but I definitely agree with domino and Binker's much earlier comments about how good the performances are here.

I paired DIck with a second viewing of The Ice Storm for an interesting historical double bill on the social/political landscape of 1972-73 through the eyes of minors. The latter will surely appear on my list.

[Yojimbo]

Well, I'm going to be among the last-minute crowd, but I thought I'd share my #1 pick: La Promesse

I'll be watching that tonight, which will complete my Carlotta Yoshida completist viewing
(and what a wonderful trip its been).
I'm not holding out great expectations for this one admittedly, but if there's one person who can get the best out this potentially treacly minefield, its Yoshida.

[Yojimbo]

Well, I guess my top five is going to be:

1. Chungking Express (1994) – Wong Kar-Wai
2. Crash (1996) – David Cronenberg
3. Time Regained (1999) – Raoul Ruiz
4. Joe vs. the Volcano (1990) – John Patrick Shanley
5. La Belle Noiseuse (1991) – Jacques Rivette

I've only got a few more titles I have to watch before I'm going to submit, so unless Ferrara's The Funeral or Rohmer's A Tale of Springtime really wow me it seems my top choices are a lock for their spots.

"Time Regained " is only a portion of Proust but it still marvellously captures the essence of Proust and is a wholly self-contained Masterpiece.
If you haven't already seen it, check out Leconte's 'Le parfum d'Yvonne' which I suspect you will love also.
(having said that, I was disappointed by 'La Belle Noiseuse')

I haven't seen 'Le parfum d'Yvonne', but will definitely get to it as soon as possible. I haven't read Proust yet, he's been on my to-read list for several years now and I desperately need to dive into his work after seeing the Ruiz film.

In terms of Noiseuse I think calling it a "lock" for its spot was too over-eager since I do have some reservations about the film myself. I found the film more interesting as a concept, but the scenes between Piccoli and Béart I loved - and not for the abundance of a nude Béart but I must admit that didn't hurt. However I was expecting a film that focused solely on the process of creating a painting for a dedicated artist, and that was the focus of the film to a certain extent, but the subplots involving Béart's and Piccoli's relationships didn't do much for me, especially Béart's beau and her whole backstory of misery. Ever since watching the film its appeal has diminished somewhat but overall the film left a good impression on me and I loved the voyeuristic approach to showing an artist at work. However, the ending left me cold, so it's safe to say it will drop a few spots.

The novel's opening and closing sections are, themselves, two great literary Masterpieces, which stand comparison with the great novelists of any period, so if you don't feel up to tackling the entire work over an uninterrupted period of time you might care to tackle those: particularly the opening section, of course
(each lasts, - if, ahem, memory serves me well, for about 50 pages or so).

In 'Noiseuse's case I can appreciate a focus on a nude Béart as much as the next man,...as I can Rubens and Botticellis,...but I thought Rivette allowed his heart,...or another part of his anatomy,... to dictate too much.
(he did it again in 'Marie et Julien' but that was a less ambitious film and could be enjoyed on its own terms in the context of a film whose main, or sole, purpose was to entertain)
Definitely overlong and the melodramatic aspects too much like 'soap opera' methinks
(although I know I'll want to give it another look)

[swo17]

Well, I'm going to be among the last-minute crowd, but I thought I'd share my #1 pick: La Promesse

I'll be watching that tonight, which will complete my Carlotta Yoshida completist viewing
(and what a wonderful trip its been).
I'm not holding out great expectations for this one admittedly, but if there's one person who can get the best out this potentially treacly minefield, its Yoshida.

I believe he's referring to the film by the Dardenne brothers. This will be placing very high on my list as well.

[Yojimbo]

Well, I'm going to be among the last-minute crowd, but I thought I'd share my #1 pick: La Promesse

I'll be watching that tonight, which will complete my Carlotta Yoshida completist viewing
(and what a wonderful trip its been).
I'm not holding out great expectations for this one admittedly, but if there's one person who can get the best out this potentially treacly minefield, its Yoshida.

I believe he's referring to the film by the Dardenne brothers. This will be placing very high on my list as well.

as soon as I posted it I thought that comment might have been premature! #-o

[zedz]

However I was expecting a film that focused solely on the process of creating a painting for a dedicated artist

If you're still looking for that film you must see Erice's El Sol del Membrillo / Quince Tree Sun.

[swo17]

/ Dream of Light

[Gregory]

@Yojimbo and swo17: Yes, the Dardennes film. No superlatives could describe it. I see it came dangerously close to the end of the list last time and was blown away by Rosetta (which I also love).

The Quince Tree Sun will be on my list too, although I've only seen it once, a handful years ago, as part of a series of "Painters on Film." Still, a very memorable experience.

[swo17]

Yes, the Dardennes film. No superlatives could describe it.

I've actually tried to write something about La promesse a couple of times and ended up scrapping it, as I didn't feel I could come up with the right words. I guess now is as good a time as any to have another go at it. This film gutted me in a part of my gut I didn't even know I had before. To me, it's one of those films like Bicycle Thieves or Where Is the Friend's Home? that have such a simple conceit on the surface but delve so far into the soul of the protagonist, you can't help but come out wearing a part of them on your own afterward. While watching it, it feels like one of the most important stories ever told, like the epic battle between good and evil, raging in the heart of the boy at the center of the story. And yet, of course, it's told without a hint of such pretension, which just makes it all the more endearing.

But look at me, there I've gone and done the film the great disservice of just throwing a bunch of superlatives at it. It can't possibly live up to all that, can it? Ah well, at least maybe one more person will watch it now.

[zedz]

/ Dream of Light

:-&

[domino harvey]

I'd just like to remind everyone that while it wasn't my swapsie, Fucking Åmål (AKA Show Me Love) is the best film of the nineties and I heartily encourage anyone who hasn't had their world changed by it to make time for a viewing.

[Murdoch]

Fucking Åmål (AKA Show Me Love) is the best film of the nineties and I heartily encourage anyone who hasn't had their world changed by it to make time for a viewing.

Now that's throwing in a bunch of superlatives.

[domino harvey]

Should've quoted the time I called it a "filmed miracle." If you're gonna razz me, razz me right!

[Murdoch]

Oh, confound it! *Scruffs feet across the floor as door hits him on the way out...

[ptatler]

Having already turned in my list, I'm bored. Is it jumping the gun to start the Best of the Oughties thread?

[domino harvey]

Get started on the Alternate Best Pictures

[mikeohhh]

I'd just like to remind everyone that while it wasn't my swapsie, Fucking Åmål (AKA Show Me Love) is the best film of the nineties and I heartily encourage anyone who hasn't had their world changed by it to make time for a viewing.

it's in my top 5, don't fret

[ptatler]

Get started on the Alternate Best Pictures

That's even more boring.

[domino harvey]

Sorry, I forgot that you have already seen every film

[ptatler]

Sorry, I forgot that you have already seen every film

... except the whole of DICK, yes.

In all seriousness, I thought the Alt. Oscar thing was over. I'll check it out.

[Michael]

Surprised I've neglected this discussion. No affections for Safe? The Village Voice chose this film for the best film of the 1990s.

[life_boy]

No affections for Safe?

My highest ranking American feature, a top ten lock for sure. (Black Ice is my highest ranking American film altogether, most likely.)

[domino harvey]

My preliminary list has seven Woody Allen films on it. This seems excessive

[zedz]

My preliminary list has seven Woody Allen films on it. This seems excessive

Nah, no comment.

Michael: Safe will be on my list, somewhere. Easily my favourite Haynes film.