Love is the answer in movies that vied for the Oscar way back in 2011—with directors, producers and one actor now “canceled.” Should we not watch these flicks?
So many treasures! Dave and I often genre or category binge over the holidays so this fabulous list may trump our previous decision to watch all the Mad Max films. Will I be able to convince Dave to trade post-apocalyptic mayhem for love though? We’ll see.
What an eclectic list, indeed! I've seen all but A Dangerous Method, which I somehow let get by me. A must see: watching it tonight.
I could comment on all, but I'll limit myself to
1. I must see The Artist again. I think it's an achievement to be prized in its own right to be able to recreate a whole aesthetic from another era, visually, in acting style, costumes of course, but even casting, for physiognomy, and make up. It's a marvel.
2. The wow of an experience Margin Call is. Seen that a few times.
3. Midnight in Paris is, I think, one of Allen's better, more coherent artistic achievements. Canceling? No. I agree with all your comments on the issue. Regardless of guilt -- and Allen's has not been established in any way, regardless of accusations and what one thinks of him -- these kinds of reactions have emerged as a modern puritanism. Plenty of people would be okay with branding again, I think. See the very recent reactions to revelations about Cormac McCarthy.
To counterbalance those comments just a little. A few months ago, I rewatched Manhattan for the first time in decades. With so many others, I loved the film back when. It played differently for me now. I don't refer to any reaction to the Allen-Hemingway relationship in the film in itself but to the film's almost complete unmindfulness of questions around it. That's telling for me. I read not long after, direct from Mariel Hemingway herself, about a visit Allen paid to her at her family home in Idaho soon after filming, as I recall, and how he left unexpectedly the next morning after she spurned his advances. This has no bearing on the very different, more serious charges that have been made against him. It also doesn't determine how I evaluate the film. But it did tend to confirm what I saw (or didn't) in the film itself the last time around, and that directs my response to the film.
Great flicks no matter the moral rectitude q., though admittedly hard to ignore, but then we have someone who now is possibly the most powerful man in the world and his moral rectitude? ... well--at least the others are not in his position and never were.
Of the ones I’ve seen, the only movie that stuck with me much was Midnight in Paris, which seemed like such a refreshing take on historical figures compared to the exhausted biopic form that the Freud and Monroe movies used. Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein — don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie where Stein is a character — what an interesting casting choice.
I’ve watched the opening of Drive multiple times but could never make it to the end. Possibly a problem with such a stunning start — the rest of the movie can’t match it.
2011 was also the year of Bridesmaids, with Melissa McCarthy’s breakout performance. I also recall enjoying Jodie Foster’s The Beaver, with Mel Gibson and his hand puppet. So sue me.
Looking back, 1966 was a notable year: Blow-Up, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Does anything nowadays look like those big (and long) classics?
Don’t think I’m much of a movie watcher these days, although I have seen the new Beatles ’64 documentary. A lot of the footage was shot by legendary filmmakers Albert and David Maysles, a nice link back to their pioneering work with Gimme Shelter and Grey Gardens.
Thanks, Mary! I am more of a drama and psychological thriller type and am rather sunburned about love still, but I am looking to diversify my Netflix, so I'll keep this on hand.
Thrilled to see this list and learn about three I never saw in the theater. Your passion for film and these in particular is intoxicating. What about this year? We’ve been going to see MoMA’s Contenders at the Hammer. These are films that MoMA believes will be historically significant. So far there are two that stand out as works of art; The Brutalist and Emilia Perez.
Let’s talk about creatives who have been canceled. This goes for performers in all fields. There is so much music that I love but can’t bear to listen to. Picasso was a tyrant, putting cigarettes out on the arm of his lover. Does “genius” give a pass to humanity? I have so many questions.
Hemingway was said to be cruel to his wives. Wagner was an anti-Semite, so was T.S. Eliot. Heidegger--now we have The Black Books. Much to discuss ... I have to think about this year. Great to know about the two you've given your imprimatur.
I wonder if we should expect moral rectitude from artists we admire. I exclude Weinstein's manipulation and career punishment of women --but still the list of films he brought to the screen amazes. So much to discuss about this "cancelling" of artists. I once heard a rabbi who included a T.S. Eliot quote. My father's love of Wagner floated up in our tiny row house from the basement where he listened seemingly interminably.
Brilliant list. I’ve seen many of these, would watch them all again. Excited to have this great holiday viewing guide. BTW, Paul Bettany was also great in Margin Call. And doesn’t Demi Moore make an appearance? 🥰
Yes, Paul Bettany, Demi Moore, Jeremy Irons, Simon Baker, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, and Ben Badgley. I rewatched the flick to write the piece and still think it's quite marvelous.
So many treasures! Dave and I often genre or category binge over the holidays so this fabulous list may trump our previous decision to watch all the Mad Max films. Will I be able to convince Dave to trade post-apocalyptic mayhem for love though? We’ll see.
Ps. Drive’s elevator scene. I mean…😳
Yes, that elevator scene ... You will have to let me know what Dave and you decide! 💕
What an eclectic list, indeed! I've seen all but A Dangerous Method, which I somehow let get by me. A must see: watching it tonight.
I could comment on all, but I'll limit myself to
1. I must see The Artist again. I think it's an achievement to be prized in its own right to be able to recreate a whole aesthetic from another era, visually, in acting style, costumes of course, but even casting, for physiognomy, and make up. It's a marvel.
2. The wow of an experience Margin Call is. Seen that a few times.
3. Midnight in Paris is, I think, one of Allen's better, more coherent artistic achievements. Canceling? No. I agree with all your comments on the issue. Regardless of guilt -- and Allen's has not been established in any way, regardless of accusations and what one thinks of him -- these kinds of reactions have emerged as a modern puritanism. Plenty of people would be okay with branding again, I think. See the very recent reactions to revelations about Cormac McCarthy.
To counterbalance those comments just a little. A few months ago, I rewatched Manhattan for the first time in decades. With so many others, I loved the film back when. It played differently for me now. I don't refer to any reaction to the Allen-Hemingway relationship in the film in itself but to the film's almost complete unmindfulness of questions around it. That's telling for me. I read not long after, direct from Mariel Hemingway herself, about a visit Allen paid to her at her family home in Idaho soon after filming, as I recall, and how he left unexpectedly the next morning after she spurned his advances. This has no bearing on the very different, more serious charges that have been made against him. It also doesn't determine how I evaluate the film. But it did tend to confirm what I saw (or didn't) in the film itself the last time around, and that directs my response to the film.
Great flicks no matter the moral rectitude q., though admittedly hard to ignore, but then we have someone who now is possibly the most powerful man in the world and his moral rectitude? ... well--at least the others are not in his position and never were.
Of the ones I’ve seen, the only movie that stuck with me much was Midnight in Paris, which seemed like such a refreshing take on historical figures compared to the exhausted biopic form that the Freud and Monroe movies used. Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein — don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie where Stein is a character — what an interesting casting choice.
I’ve watched the opening of Drive multiple times but could never make it to the end. Possibly a problem with such a stunning start — the rest of the movie can’t match it.
2011 was also the year of Bridesmaids, with Melissa McCarthy’s breakout performance. I also recall enjoying Jodie Foster’s The Beaver, with Mel Gibson and his hand puppet. So sue me.
Looking back, 1966 was a notable year: Blow-Up, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Does anything nowadays look like those big (and long) classics?
Don’t think I’m much of a movie watcher these days, although I have seen the new Beatles ’64 documentary. A lot of the footage was shot by legendary filmmakers Albert and David Maysles, a nice link back to their pioneering work with Gimme Shelter and Grey Gardens.
Your 1966 list includes three of my all-time favorites: all worth watching. Grand additions to my essay, Frank.
Great movie reminders! My favourite is The Artist!
Isn't that flick wonderful!
This takes me back. Nice piece!
Thank you, Sam -- and happy upcoming birthday 🎂, too!
Thanks, Mary! I am more of a drama and psychological thriller type and am rather sunburned about love still, but I am looking to diversify my Netflix, so I'll keep this on hand.
Drive is a thriller, of sorts--did you see that one?
No. I’ll check it out.
Thrilled to see this list and learn about three I never saw in the theater. Your passion for film and these in particular is intoxicating. What about this year? We’ve been going to see MoMA’s Contenders at the Hammer. These are films that MoMA believes will be historically significant. So far there are two that stand out as works of art; The Brutalist and Emilia Perez.
Let’s talk about creatives who have been canceled. This goes for performers in all fields. There is so much music that I love but can’t bear to listen to. Picasso was a tyrant, putting cigarettes out on the arm of his lover. Does “genius” give a pass to humanity? I have so many questions.
Hemingway was said to be cruel to his wives. Wagner was an anti-Semite, so was T.S. Eliot. Heidegger--now we have The Black Books. Much to discuss ... I have to think about this year. Great to know about the two you've given your imprimatur.
I wonder if we should expect moral rectitude from artists we admire. I exclude Weinstein's manipulation and career punishment of women --but still the list of films he brought to the screen amazes. So much to discuss about this "cancelling" of artists. I once heard a rabbi who included a T.S. Eliot quote. My father's love of Wagner floated up in our tiny row house from the basement where he listened seemingly interminably.
Brilliant list. I’ve seen many of these, would watch them all again. Excited to have this great holiday viewing guide. BTW, Paul Bettany was also great in Margin Call. And doesn’t Demi Moore make an appearance? 🥰
Yes, Paul Bettany, Demi Moore, Jeremy Irons, Simon Baker, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, and Ben Badgley. I rewatched the flick to write the piece and still think it's quite marvelous.
It is an amazing cast.