Sunday, May 30, 2010

Let's try it then...

We'll see how this works. Since the countdown begins on Tuesday, today would be the proper time to reveal who will be leading it off. Hopefully this systems works, giving folks a few days to contemplate their own lists. If it isn't working at some point in the countdown, please speak up about it. I think it'll go OK, though, because the more interesting thing will hopefully be my thoughts on the director and the way that I personally rank the films. Plus, I am not revealing the whole list at once, so not ALL suspense will be lost. I'm most interested in having people involved, as Nostromo argued in his defense of this approach.

So, here we go... the first director up will certainly elicit wildly varying opinions and assessments of his work, both pro and con. For me, he's a creator of wonderful escapist blockbusters and also deeply personal projects. He is: Steven Spielberg.

Let the countdown begin... start formulating your own lists and thoughts for Tuesday.

12 comments:

  1. Any of the way is good for me and I will follow your countdown with the same excitement even if you choose some third one. :)

    Now I'm glad to see Spielberg in your agenda and this turns me on to compare your choice with mine.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dave maybe you could switch once you reach your top ten and give no further notice to build the suspense......M.Roca

    ReplyDelete
  3. Also you can include me into The Black Dahlia appreciation club. Watched it again for the second time last week and I really enjoyed it. Wouldn't put it in my top 20 for the decade but it's growing in stature for me. I guess I can't say I hate De Palma anymore since he now has made two films which I really like. What is your opinion on The Road by Hillcoat? It seems no one likes that film but I find it to be a minor masterpiece. Viggo is my second favorite actor after D.D. Lewis for the decade. I would like Sam's opinion too if he reads this......M.Roca

    ReplyDelete
  4. @M.Roca, I don't know how much this is related to Cormac McCarthy, but "The Road" is the best movie I saw for the last 2-3 years after "No Country for Old Men". And Viggo is vigorous! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Actually anyone's opinion if they care to give it. I forgot to mention I didn't enjoy Bright Star. While visually it can be looked at as a poor man's Malick (my third favorite director ever) I couldn't stay interested in the rather inert love story. It felt like a really well done stale PBS Masterpiece production. I could see why others might enjoy it though. I'll just conclude that it's not for my own taste. I also want to express my love for Solaris by Soderbergh. Another unheralded masterpiece I watched again recently. I even enjoy it as much as Tarkovsky's which is longer and less sentimental and moving......M.Roca

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cool Nostromo!! I'm glad you liked it. People say it's bleak and depressing but I find it profoundly moving. The film (and McCarthy's) message is so beautiful. Even in the man's darkest hour he still refuses to lose touch with his humanity and unconditional love for his son. It's the most basic and concrete example of what makes us human......M.Roca

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm ware of this to search humanity messages in the script but I'm very close to opinions describe it like bleak and depressing and for me this is the best part of it. The end was a little bit disappointed but not like much because "touch with his humanity and unconditional love" was showed many times before that like you said.

    ReplyDelete
  8. A quick question. How many of the favorite directors movies are you going to re-watch in this countdown? Great project! I'll be follwoing with a big smile on my face.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Henke - Re-watching will happen for sure... most of the inspiration for these countdowns is an excuse to re-watch all time favorites! But, in this case, I've been trying to keep it to a minimum in order to fill as many whole holes as possible with each director.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Spielberg eh, Dave?

    I'll be there with bells on!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Spielberg eh, Dave?

    I'll be there with bells on!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Another auspicious endeavor - I love the reactions already to the Spielberg post.

    This should be a great countdown!

    Kudos!

    ReplyDelete