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Jacqueline Rendell's avatar

Ok! I have lots of good news.

1. I've seen approx. 2/3 of these amazing movies so I won't be gone for as long as I thought. ;)

2. There are so many amazing ones I've been wanting to see that are on this list AND I don't have to find them because you've provided the link!

3. There are also many I don't know at all. Expansion of MIND, engaged!!

4. You just induced in me many wonderful flashbacks. Thank you for the trip.

5. We are def of the same wickedly awesome generation. Wes Anderson is a top fave. Everything he touches is GOLD.

In other news, Dancer in the Dark, Baraka, and Bedknobs & Broomsticks are missing. JOKES....this is your list, not mine!! ha!

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

No! You're supposed to add more to the comments!! Thank you!! <3

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leithian's avatar

Agreed, Jac. So many of my already faves are on Demi's list, with others that I've wanted to see, but somehow haven't gotten around to.

Love Wes Anderson films so much! I added The Royal Tenenbaums to the list. =)

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Yeah! Exactly!! There was no way I was going to remember everything and I wanted everyone else to add to it too. So, living document via the comments... we'll just keep adding to it over time! <3

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Jacqueline Rendell's avatar

AWESOME!!!

I like the idea of it being a list particular to YOU, Demi, because I trust your taste and discernment so much.

On the other hand, why not compile a list of fantastic art from the contribution of many people?! Make it truly rhizomatic. ;)

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

The ones in the body of the article will stay mine. And the comments will be other suggestions. And then that way, no one will get confused!! 🙏🏻💜💫

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Jacqueline Rendell's avatar

Brilliant!!

I DID read what you wrote in your intro, but missed the part IN BOLD where you said to add our faves in the comments. OOPS! ;)

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

No worries!! 🙏🏻💜💫

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Jacqueline Rendell's avatar

Good call, sister!! Such a good one! :)

I love the magical flavour of his films. Every single shot is a compositional masterpiece.

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

I love how the majority of his characters have this detached awkwardness that frustrates me - I like it because it evokes a feeling from me, even if it's a disconcerting one. I'm very much the opposite of his people and I want to reach into the screen and teach them how to connect with others. It blows my mind.

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Jacqueline Rendell's avatar

Incredible. YES!! Gwenyth's character in Royal, for example.

It's a clash of feelings. The visuals and tone are charming and warm, but the people really are NOT! hahahhaa!

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Yes! And Anjelica Huston in Darjeeling... your head just sort of cocks sideways and you think, "Well, now I can see why your boys treat each other that way... but you're their mom. Where's the love?!" Everything is so distanced and transactional.

That's one of my favorite lines to quote ironically.... "I think we all can agree to that...." 🤣

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leithian's avatar

Yes, that says it well, Jac.

I was also really happy to see Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on the list. That is a brutally beautiful brilliant film.

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

I love that movie. I've felt that way on a few occasions. If I could pay someone to delete a few memories, I might want to do it. I don't need those anymore.

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leithian's avatar

"Detached awkwardness" - yes, that nails it. His movies are all about the characters.

Also, there's just such a quirky vibe to his movies. I also love how he creates such a retro-yet-timeless feel.

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Yeah, it's like tall of his characters are pulled out of this nostalgic retro time period that never existed, where everything happens in still frame like it was captured in a memory or a photograph.

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Jacqueline Rendell's avatar

Yes!! Well said! I think that's what inspired the word 'magical' to describe his films....he creates a fantastical "period that never existed".

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leithian's avatar

Perfectly expressed, as usual!

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leithian's avatar

So many movies that I love are on this list! (Not surprising.) Others, I've meant to get to and just haven't, so this is a great reference for those.

I rewatched Rushmore recently for the bazillionth time. Love Wes Anderson. The Royal Tennenbaums is another favorite that I rewatch periodically.

I just saw I Heart Huckabees for the first time this past year, and it immediately went in my favorites library.

Nolan's Batman Trilogy, Inception, etc., etc. Great list, Demi! It pleases me to see so many of my own favorites here.

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Thank you so much!! I'm so glad Jac asked me to do this - I would have never thought to put them all in one spot like this!! I hope you both enjoy it!! I know there's a TON on here that you would LOVE!!! ⚡💥🔥

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leithian's avatar

It makes me want to rewatch the many I already love right. now.

I would be in the house for weeks, though.

It's also really fun to see Buffalo '66 on the list.

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

I LOVE that movie! I can’t even pick anything about it. Literally the whole thing!! <3

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leithian's avatar

I remember what a big deal it was when the "world premiere" took place at the art house North Park Theater on Hertel Avenue in Buffalo. That sort of thing is so rare for my hometown, that Buffalonians feel crazy pride and excitement. =)

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Everything about that film is fantastic. I can see why! He did a great job!! :)

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Jack Everly's avatar

Yes, I'm back...I noticed Over the Top (19who cares?) is not on the list. #confused

Wanna see Choke so bad. But Clerks (again(for the 20th time)) even worser. So many damn good movies here! How 'bout Spinal Pap?

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DoG's avatar

So many good movies! I'm definitely going to be watching as many of these that I haven't seen yet..

Then I gave some thought to which one's I love that are missing, and as a war movie buff, I'd say you're missing out on some of those. Guess you're not a fan, and that's okay, it's not for everyone. My sister hates violence in movies..

But great list there Demi!

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

I like war movies. I may just not have seen them!! 🙏🏻💜💫

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Last Redoubt's avatar

“Getting a nomination is the real win as far as demonstrations of technical and artistic proficiency are concerned.

The rest is just super boring studio politics in which executives and celebrities campaign to the voting members of the Academy to be chosen for the win.”

So much that. Anything that makes it is technically proficient, so much so that I had a 50% success rate picking winners several years playing “diversity / current thing bingo”

That also said, a number of entries are proficient, but the meta thematics are so obnoxious that I can’t sit hrough them.

This year’s entries were better than average, actually

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

The meta thematics have gotten more heavy handed and obnoxious over time. But that's always been a large part of how the big budget productions have such large budgets. They're getting government stipends through black budgets to produce propaganda. If you dig into the emails from the Sony hack you'll see examples of how this functions. But they are just examples of something that is a usual occurrence. These discussions are not out of the ordinary. The only thing that made that one instance odd was that it involved a [particularly awful] movie featuring a world leader and could have created diplomatic issues.

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Jack Everly's avatar

What a list!! There's very little I would take off, and I'd watch almost all of these again. It's almost criminal that I haven't seen some of these films. Thoughts:

–How did Star Wars (1977) get nominated for BP[triumphant wookie howl]?

–Plan 9 From Outer Space !! [Ed Wood 😍!]

–A Christmas Story reminds me of Porky's (same director), sadly, which reminds me I don't want to remember.

–Adjustment Bureau reminds me of what happened to Hitler's Geli–gotta check that out!

–Antichrist (L. von trier): Awesome!! Check out his Europa (1991). You'll never hear countdowns the same way again.

–How have I not seen Battle Royale yet??

–Bitter Lake!!

–City of Ember?? Haven't seen that either!!! 8^(

–Clerks!! But of course...

–Reading Clockwork Orange now–what a film version that was!!!

–Heathers!

–Jacob's Ladder !!!!

–Pi !!!!

–Pump Up the Volume!!

My( chronological) additions:

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923)

The General (1926)

Dracula (1931)

King Kong (1933)

The Invisible Man (1933)

Casablanca (1942)

Children of Paradise (1945)

It's A Wonderful Life (1946)

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Gojira/Godzilla (1954)

Seven Samurai (1954)

The Hole (1960)

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)

Matango/Attack of the Mushroom People (1963)

The Godfather (1972)

Fritz the Cat (1972)

The Godfather II (1974)

Chinatown (1974)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)

Jaws (1975)

Dersu Uzala (1975)!!

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Life of Brian (1979)

Alien (1979)

The Shining (1980)

Airplane (1980)

Blowout (1981)

Das Boot (1981)

The Atomic Café (1982)

The Thing (1982)

Blade Runner (1982)

The Outsiders (1983)

Under the Volcano (1984)

Amadeus (1984)

After Hours (1985)

Platoon (1986)

The Untouchables (1987)

The Naked Gun (1988)

Dangerous Liaisons (1988)

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Miller's Crossing (1990)

Wild at Heart (1990)

Dances with Wolves (1990)

Kafka (1991)

JFK (1991)

Unforgiven (1992)

Schindlers List (1993)

Arizona Dream (1993)

The Piano (1993)

Ed Wood (1994)

Fargo (1996)

LA Confidential (1997)

BLACK CAT, WHITE CAT(1998)–See this movie!! 8^)

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Animal Factory (2000)

The Pianist (2002)

Elephant (2003 )

V for Vendetta (2005)

No Country for Old Men (2007)

Birdman (2014)

The Revenant (2015)

1917 (2019)

Chuck P. got me into Koyaanisqatsi (and the sequels it inspired). Fascinating!!

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Great choices, Jack! Thank you!! :)

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Charlotte Pendragon's avatar

No matter how many times I refresh this page it crashes, so I can’t read your list. It doesn’t happen with any other link or website except this article. I wish I could send you a picture of the crash. Anyway, by reading the comments it sounds like you have put together a phenomenal list of your favorite movies for your readers. And I would try my email, except I no longer receive your notifications. 🤷‍♀️

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

I forwarded it to your email.

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Michael's avatar

Wonderful List, Demi! Delighted to see you have Carnival of Souls and Altered States listed. I thought *I* was the only one who knew about Carnival of Souls! 😎 Looking forward to watching those that I have not yet seen. I’ll save this link and add some of my own favorites as we go along. Now, my one guess for the film based on your family: A Christmas Story? Thanks again for all the starbursts and positive philosophy, and of course, Cheers! ✨🥂 ✨

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Great movies!! No, it's not that one. Sorry! :)

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Dave pearen's avatar

I'll guess tarnation is based on you're family

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

No. Sorry. :)

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Dave pearen's avatar

Oh well worth a shot

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Chef C J's avatar

I, too, am a total film geekette, attended "old school" film school, taught digital storytelling workshops, and shot semi-pro soccer in a 5 person team. I love musical lyrics and, yes, I am a full time Chef so I speak to my tables with veggies and such prepared in beautiful ways. Wanted to write that I Loved this posting, brought my inner spirit to the forefront!

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

I love that so much!! Thank you for telling me!! I used to teach both analog and digital sound post and I produced golf shows at the beginning of my career! That's so awesome!! What do you cook? I love cooking and I love hearing about it!! :)

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Chef C J's avatar

I have a degree in Raw Gourmet Cuisine and Certfication as Juice Therapist. After burning out as in VFX I went back to culinary full time, switched to Keto-carnivore lifestyle and now am Chef in Garde Manger dept at a beautiful hotel in Austin, TX

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

That's amazing! Do you eat mainly raw yourself?

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Chef C J's avatar

Yes, as sides, accompanied by healthy and ethically raised meats of all kinds. I had to stop eating all those carbs and sugars in raw, I've released 50# as a result and kept that off for 4.5 years already! Not a plug, just fact. Works for me, upshot? Do what makes your body sing and dance!

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

That's amazing!! I love that!! :)

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Dakota S.'s avatar

Okay, since I don't see any other guesses, then I'm going to guess Almost Famous. I mean given that I have no insight to your family life, my initial guess was twelve monkeys, but I figured to take it serious and guess Almost Famous. Final Answer.

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

That's not it. Sorry! :)

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Matthew Haviland's avatar

Battle Royale. Lol, just kidding.

Holy Smoke!?

Going to go back and actually read the article, lol. But, yeah. If I get it, I would donate it to someone else!

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Let me know when it's your real guess because you only get one guess. LOL.

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Matthew Haviland's avatar

Holy Smoke! That’s the one. I was expecting a shorter list, lol, so the confidence is down.

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

That's not it. Sorry. :)

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Matthew Haviland's avatar

Oh, well. Good luck to the others, lol. Great list. Love There Will Be Blood.

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

You'd probably like a great deal of these, I'm sure! :)

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Matthew Haviland's avatar

Forgive the double-comment, but here's my list! It's not got a huge amount of overlap, but maybe a little further down, there would be a lot.

The Tree of Life

Pulp Fiction

Frances Ha

American Pie

Jackass: The Movie

Mulholland Drive

End of Evangelion

8 Mile

No Country for Old Men

The Master

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Matthew Haviland's avatar

I already do. ;)

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Dave pearen's avatar

Great list just the fact you have fear and loathing makes it of superb vintage

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

If you like that, you will enjoy much of what is here.

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Dave pearen's avatar

Have you ever directed a independent film

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The Starfire Codes's avatar

Yes, I've won many festivals with my pieces. I went toward experimental film and after that into producing and publicity. Then back around into writing, producing podcasts, podcasting.... I've done a bit of everything content related.

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Will Fortune's avatar

The Master & Margarita 2005 Dir. Vladimir Bortko

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Will Fortune's avatar

8 hr. miniseries

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