365 Films- Post 2
Mystery Train (1989)
2nd day! Here are films 6-10 of the 365 day film challenge. Let's go!
6. Mystery Train 7. Calle '54
8. eXistenZ
9. Reservoir Dogs
10. Primer
Mystery Train (1989)
Mystery Train is proof that no one makes "nothing happening" quite as entertaining as Jim Jarmusch. The film follows three different stories of people staying in a crappy Memphis motel during a single night. All three vignettes operate as really incredible character studies. There isn't a structure in the traditional sense, nor does there need to be.
Standout Moment: As in most Jarmusch films, at least for me, there usually aren't favorite moments as much as favorite characters. Steve Buscemi is my favorite in this film. His character has a wonderful arc that utilizes his skills as an actor very well.
Calle '54 (2000)
I've watched this film several times and seems to get better and better. Director Fernando Trueba takes his camera all over the world to film his favorite Latin Jazz musicians play amazing music together. Not quite a documentary and not quite a concert film, but a wonderful joy through and through.
Standout Moment: The Tito Puente section is marvelous. The joy that those guys have on stage is infectious, even if your watching them on a screen instead of a music hall.
eXistenZ (1999)
I love Cronenberg. I think he is one of the most singular filmmakers working today. That being said, this is one of his weaker films. There are some great moments in it, the art design is wonderfully grotesque, and the overarching theme of the film is prescient, but it doesn't have the character depth that a lot of his other films have. (My favorite of his is Videodrome, if you are looking for a qualifier). The story is cool, but I did not get to know the two main characters well enough to care about what happened next.
Standout Moment: Jude Law assembling a gun out of the most disgusting meal one could imagine takes the cake for me.
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
I have a love/hate relationship with Tarantino's work. I love watching his movies, but I can't stand his fanboys. I have never NOT been entertained while watching a Tarantino joint. He makes films for film buffs. It is fun to not only get involved with the characters, but how the film was created. There isn't much depth in his films, but that does not take away the joy of watching them. I have never understood the fanatic devotion to this film. It's a fun movie, and an exceptional first feature, but it is not a masterpiece by any means (feel free to argue with me on this point in the comments).
Standout Moment: I mean, come on, do you have to ask? Stuck in the Middle With You, hands down.
Primer (2004)
This film is an incredible feat of independent filmmaking. The fact that such a complicated science fiction story could be told with so little money (and told relatively well) is of great importance to the current generation of filmmakers. There is honestly a lot to like about Primer, but most of it would spoil the story. The best I can say is to really pay attention; once the story takes off it doesn't stop.
Standout Moment: The design of the machine is clever and pretty cool.
That's it for Day 2, look out for films 11-15 tomorrow night.
Josh D.
5181 Productions