1. El Bolero de Raquel (Delgado)
2. Directed by John Ford (Bogdanovich)
3. Osaka Elegy (Mizoguchi)
4. JSA: Joint Security Area (Park)
5. Sleeping Sickness (Kohler)
6. Ugetsu (Mizoguchi)
7. Sisters of the Gion (Mizoguchi)
8. Madly in Love (Van Mieghem)
9. Directed by John Ford (Bogdanovich)
10. Vengeance (To)
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March 24th, 2012 at 12:34 am
Looks like an interest in numerous foreign films. I have a list of those I need to get watching. Also, looks like you’re showing Directed by John Ford in class. Good documentary.
I recently saw a fun and bizarre Italian film called Cemetery Man. Have you seen it?
March 24th, 2012 at 11:32 am
I have not seen it but I’ve heard it’s fun. That’s kind of a horror/comedy, right?
March 25th, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Interesting list – I’ve really been meaning to watch Directed by John Ford but haven’t yet. I did however watch McCabe and Mrs. Miller last night. Makes me want to get a bearskin coat. I loved the contrast between the really severe winter scenes and the wood paneled luxurious brothel with hot tubs.
March 25th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Well said, Ben. Very few movies can make you feel the weather like McCabe and Mrs. Miller!
March 25th, 2012 at 6:25 pm
Directed by John Ford is an interesting one,did you see it on dvd or online?
Your favorite Mizoguchi so far? is he in your top 3 Jap directors?
March 25th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
I own Directed by John Ford on DVD. I showed it in two different classes in order to illustrate the auteur theory. Also, I’m always trying to get people to love John Ford!
Mizo is my favorite Japanese director of all time (followed by Ozu and Imamura). I’m working my way through the new “Mizoguchi Collection” blu-ray box set from Aritifical Eye and it’s blowing my mind. I posted some thoughts on him in my top 50 directors of all time post (in case you missed it): Top 50 Directors of All Time
March 25th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
I still need to discover more Ford and Mizoguchi,the cover of the AE blu-ray is brilliant.Currently my top 3 Jap directors are Kurosawa,Ozu and Imamura.yes,they’ve got many great directors,but I still think CC and MOC should put more energy selecting Chinese films!!
March 26th, 2012 at 10:23 am
I’m sure the only reason why I may be more well-versed in Ford and Mizoguchi than you is because I’m about a decade older than you. You know much more than I did when I was your age!
I agree about the dearth of Chinese films in the CC and MOC catalogues. It would be nice to see some Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Tsai Ming-Liang in there, as well as King Hu and various older Shaw Brothers films and even classic mainland films like Spring in a Small Town! As Jean-Luc Godard once said, “one must dream . . .”
March 26th, 2012 at 6:43 pm
Thanks for saying so,Mike.My wife is teaching the history of cinema(sort of,you know) in English as a part-time job,and I can only be her assistant at home,that’s so sad!!
I have no idea why CC and MOC are doing this,maybe Chinese directors should win some big prizes in big festivals to get some attentions.
March 26th, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Yeah, Cemetery Man seems to work as an almost philosophical take on zombie films with elements of slapstick. It’s becomes a bit uneven about halfway through, but there are plenty of memorable and hilarious moments.
Something else I’ve recently wondered, what’s your opinion of the James Bond movies?
March 27th, 2012 at 8:26 am
My favorite James Bond movie is North By Northwest! You know me, Zach. I’m old school. I like the early Connery films. But I actually haven’t seen any of the Daniel Craig films yet. I know that I really need to see Casino Royale. I’ve heard a lot of raves about that one.
March 27th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
A few years ago, the only films I watched were action, comedy, and the occassional classic before seeing Grantorino and gradually becoming interested in more genres. During that time, I watched all 22 James Bond films. There’s some good ones, but you wouldn’t be surprised as to how many bad ones, either.
Connery is definitely the best of the old era, but since Casino Royale is meant as a prequel/reboot it gives Craig a chance to reimagine the character in a way that equals Connery. Casino Royale is a very character-driven plot that also does away with cheesy gadgets. It’s probably my favorite of the films.
The 23rd film comes out this November, so I’m working on an exclusive for my blog in the following months. I’ll be listing all 22 films in order from what I consider to be worst to best.
March 28th, 2012 at 6:46 am
I believe that I have seen all of the James Bond movies up through and including The Living Daylights except for Moonraker. I look forward to reading your blog post.