Sam Fragoso of the incomparable Duke & The Movies is hosting a brilliant blogathon today. He writes: "Extraterrestrial forces land on Earth. Unknowing of our planet and society, you can pick five films from the history of cinema that represent humanity. What titles would you choose and why?"
My list, contrary to the typical melodramatic and elongated spirit of Cinema Romantico, will be brief but I think in the style of this briefness the point will still be very well made. So, what five films would I show from the whole history of cinema to accurately represent humanity? And in just what way would they represent it?
Sex: In The Mood For Love.
Drugs: Leaving Las Vegas.
Rock 'n' Roll: Almost Famous.
Everything Else: Bonnie and Clyde & Casablanca.
In other words, our world is kinda messed up. But it's still sorta beautiful.
6 comments:
"In other words, our world is kinda messed up. But it's still sorta beautiful."
Couldn't have said it better myself! I loved your approach to this. Short and to the point! Sex, drugs, rock'n'roll.
Unless you make it even shorter of course, sticking to a romantic theme. All you need is love, you know.
Ummm, Nick "contrary to the typical melodramatic and elongated spirit of Cinema Romantico, will be brief" what kind of fresh hell is this? I want melodrama and spontaneous elongated outbursts of emotion, it's Cinema Romantico damn it.
Is it weird that I haven't seen one of these movies? I won't tell you wish - I feel like a failure. Incidentally, I can't fully endorse a recommendation for showing Bonnie and Clyde to extraterrestrials purely for the shallow reason of being unable to live up to Warren Beatty if we introduce aliens to him as a representations of humans.
I appreciate your simplistic approach Nick.
Didn't consider Rock 'n' Roll when drafting my picks - but you know how much I love Almost Famous.
As for Leaving Las Vegas, I should get around to seeing that.
Though, now that you mentioned drugs and addiction, I almost wish I would've included "Drugstore Cowboy".
All of those who want to contribute still, you can - I'm accepting submissions at any time.
Thanks again Nick.
VC: Thank you! And I like that idea of centering the post around all you need is love. Too true. Too true.
Andrew: "I want melodrama and spontaneous elongated outbursts of emotion, it's Cinema Romantico damn it." Ha! That makes my day and means the world. Thank you! And that is also an excellent point about Warren Beatty. And Faye Dunaway too. She was luminous as Bonnie.
Sam: Definitely try to check out "Leaving Las Vegas." It is NOT an easy watch but, man, is it high quality cinema. "Drugstore Cowboy" would be a fantastic alternate choice.
And thanks again for hosting!
YIKES, I just realised that my comment reads as "I haven't see [a single] one of these movies" when I mean I have seen all but one (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE) which I feel I should have. I just wanted to clear that up before I had to turn in my movie-lover card by not having seen CASABLANCA. Yikes, again.
-"Hey, Blorknak, what are you up to?"
-"Oh, just destoying Earth."
-"What? Why?"
-"I just saw this movie called 'Leaving Las Vegas, and that's one species that needs to be put out of their misery."
So, thanks a lot, Nick.
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