Ever found yourself sucked into a conversation with a cinephile? Here are some not-so-obscure flicks you should know about, so you sound awesome!
Ever found yourself sucked into a conversation with a cinephile? Here are some not-so-obscure flicks you should know about, so you sound awesome!
Citizen Kane (1941)
Directed by: Orson Welles.
The iconic film by Orson Welles – its director, producer, co-writer and star – is widely regarded as one of the greatest films of all time. The titular character was partly based on publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, and due to the politics of that time, several theatres refused to show the film. Choice words: “It is one of the most interesting and technically superior films that has ever come out of a Hollywood studio.” – Kate Cameron, New York Daily News.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
Given the technology available at the time, we can only imagine how tough it must have been to make a sci-fi movie that actually looked ahead of its time. But Stanley Kubrick is a visionary, and the result is the number one sci-fi film of all time, according to the American Film Institute. Choice words: “The classical music chosen by Kubrick exists outside the action. It uplifts. It wants to be sublime; it brings a seriousness and transcendence to the visuals.” – Roger Ebert.
The Godfather (1972)
Directed by: Francis Ford Coppola
You can’t talk about mafia films without mentioning The Godfather, which has one of the most powerful opening scenes of all time. Other iconic scenes include the horse head on the bed and the gem of a line that is “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse”. Choice words: “The Mafia is not a benevolent and protective organisation, and the Corleone family is only marginally better than the others. Yet when the old man falls dead... we feel that a giant has passed.” – Roger Ebert.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Quentin spent USD$8 million making this film, only for it to gross over USD$100 million at the box office. It also won the highest accolade a film can get at the Cannes Film Festival. And what can the rest of us take away from this cult film? So. Many. Quotable. Quotes. Choice words: “There’s a special kick that comes from watching something this thrillingly alive. Pauline Kael calls it ‘getting drunk on movies.’ Whatever you call it, Pulp Fiction is indisputably great.” – Peter Travers, Rolling Stone.
Chungking Express (1994)
Directed by: Wong Kar-Wai
Never watched a Wong Kar-Wai film before? Chungking Express is a good place to start. It features the director’s distinctive aesthetic, and a fresh-faced Takeshi Kaneshiro. Don’t be surprised to find yourself wondering if it warrants a second viewing – which by the way, it totally does. Choice words: “This is the kind of movie you’ll relate to if you love film itself... It’s not a movie for casual audiences, and it may not reveal all its secrets the first time through…” – Roger Ebert.
Battle Royale (2000)
Directed by: Kinji Fukasaku
This cult fave makes The Hunger Games look like child’s play. The premise? A class of teens are thrown into the jungle, where they must fight each other until a sole survivor remains. It’s violent and a great point of contention for censorship boards and filmmakers. Choice words: “Some will be uncomfortable or appalled, and the mix of humour and horror is uneasy, but this isn’t a film you’ll forget easily. And, seriously, what would you do?” – Kim Newman, Empire Magazine.
THE COMEBACK KIDS
YG stans, brace yourselves. The entertainment label has announced that their next generation of boy bands, WINNER and iKON, are both slated to have new releases in the first half of this year. This will mark the first time both groups will be actively promoting in South Korea at the same time since their debut on reality survival program WIN: Who is Next.
It will also be WINNER’s first public appearance as a quartet after the departure of Nam Taehyun last November. The last musical endeavour the public saw from both groups was when iKON’s Bobby and WINNER’s Mino came together to form hip-hop sub-unit MOBB, where they released two songs and one solo single each.
There’s no word on the exact details as of press time, but we’re sure fans of both groups are keeping their fingers tightly crossed!
Spirited Away (2001)
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
The protagonist is a 10-year-old girl, who suddenly finds herself trapped in the spirit world after her parents take a wrong turn on the road. Not the most original premise, but it’s the superb animation that enthralls the viewer. Choice words: “The fact that Miyazaki and his team hand-draw the images before they’re digitally coloured and animated gives them an artistry that has been woefully lacking from so many recent American features.” – Patrick Peters, Empire Magazine.
Amélie (2001)
Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Not all critically-acclaimed movies are super serious. Take the whimsical French film Amélie, which is quaint, playful, and chock-full of feel-good moments. It’s hard to be cynical after watching it. Choice words: “It is so hard to make a nimble, charming comedy. So hard to get the tone right and find actors who embody charm... It takes so much confidence to dance on the tightrope of whimsy. Amélie takes those chances, and gets away with them.” – Roger Ebert.
ATTEN…TION!
Say goodbye to these oppas who are enlisting in the military this year.
