I have watched an awful lot of movies in my life. Just like everyone else, I have a little bit of critic in me. Many times, when I see a good movie, I may notice the incredible lighting, set design, editing, or even a certain performance. If a movie has one thing wonderful about it, you feel like it was worth your time.
However, every once in a special while, there comes a film where I do not notice anything. This is because I am so enthralled in the story, I don’t have time to pay attention to the details. These are my favorite type of films.
Here are three films you’ve probably never seen (unless you are a cine-junkie like me), but definitely should:
1. Sullivan’s Travels (1941)
Written and directed by Preston Sturges, one of the first writer/director geniuses in Hollywood along with Orson Welles. This comedy is about a director of escapist films that goes on the road as a hobo to learn about life, which leads to a rude awakening. While it is a light hearted comedy on the surface, the film is one of the rare pieces of cinema that makes you laugh, and teaches you an invaluable life lesson. Plus, Veronica Lake, one of Hollywood’s famous lookers, is smoking in this movie. You’ll laugh all the way to the profound ending. Then you’ll read my blog every week to see what new secrets I unleash, and I’ll probably never live up to it. It’s that good.
2. Le Samourai (1967)
IMDB describes this film as “Things suddenly go badly for a successful French assassin.” Well, you will savor every step of the way. This masterpiece by French legend Jean Pierre Melville is one of the coolest, bad ass gangster films ever made. John Woo calls it a perfect movie. What is most impressive about Melville, especially in Le Samourai, is the way the story is told without dialogue. It feels like 15 minutes before main character Jef Costello (Alain DeLon) says a word, and yet you know everything you need to about him.
3. Idi i smotri (Come & See 1985)
This russian war film by Elem Klimov will leave your jaw on the floor, and your heart in your throat. After finding an old rifle, a young boy joins the Soviet Army and experiences the horrors of World War II. As we follow him through this nightmare experience, we delve into the depth of the human soul and witness atrocities no one should ever have to live through. By the time the incredible ending montage plays out in reverse, you have lived through a piece of history that changed the face of the world.
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