Top 10 American films Informal review
TLDRThe transcript discusses the subjective nature of ranking important American films, with mentions of classics like 'A Clockwork Orange' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'. The speaker expresses personal opinions on directors like Stanley Kubrick and Terrence Malick, and criticizes the comfort provided by mainstream Hollywood films. The top spot goes to 'The Twilight Zone' for its exploration of human nature and potential futures, highlighting the importance of logic and truth.
Takeaways
- 🎬 The importance of American cinema is emphasized, with the speaker aiming to discuss the top 10 most influential American films according to their perspective.
- 🧠 Personal opinions and interpretations of movies are highlighted, showing that the speaker values subjective viewpoints over objective analysis.
- 🌟 Stanley Kubrick's films, such as 'Barry Lyndon' and 'A Clockwork Orange', are praised for their innovative techniques and unique storytelling.
- 📖 Adaptations of literary works, like 'The Trial' based on Kafka's story, are discussed, emphasizing the creative liberties taken by filmmakers in reimagining the source material.
- 🤔 The speaker expresses mixed feelings about certain iconic films, such as '2001: A Space Odyssey' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest', acknowledging their significance while also sharing personal reservations.
- 🎭 The impact of directors like Orson Welles, David Lynch, and Terrence Malick on American cinema is recognized, with 'Days of Heaven' being specifically mentioned as a standout film.
- 🚫 The speaker criticizes films that provide easy answers or comfort viewers, preferring those that provoke thought and discussion, such as 'Apocalypse Now'.
- 🥇 The top spot on the speaker's list is given to 'The Twilight Zone' TV series, chosen for its exploration of human nature and its thought-provoking narratives.
- 🎥 The power of cinema to transport viewers to different times and places is celebrated, with the speaker noting how certain films offer a unique perspective on history and culture.
- 🌐 The speaker's list is intended to be spontaneous and subject to change, reflecting the personal and evolving nature of film appreciation.
Q & A
Which movie is mentioned as a representation of American cinema in the transcript?
-The movie mentioned as a representation of American cinema is 'Barry Lyndon' directed by Stanley Kubrick.
What unique technique did Stanley Kubrick use in 'Barry Lyndon' that was not typically associated with period films?
-Stanley Kubrick used a zoom lens in 'Barry Lyndon', which was not commonly used in period films as it flattens the image, similar to 18th-century paintings.
What is the main theme of the movie 'The Trial' based on the transcript?
-The main theme of 'The Trial' is the exploration of bureaucracy and the guilt of the protagonist, Joseph K., as interpreted by Orson Welles, who portrays him as guilty of everything rather than an innocent victim.
What is the narrator's opinion on 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' and its significance?
-The narrator considers 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' a great movie that is about freedom, identity, and the fear of freedom. It's a metaphorical and symbolic portrayal with great acting, particularly highlighting Jack Nicholson's performance.
Which movie is described as being like a poem and not easily intellectualized?
-The movie 'Days of Heaven' directed by Terrence Malick is described as being like a poem, more visceral than intellectual, and not easily captured through analysis.
What is the narrator's criticism of most Hollywood films, according to the transcript?
-The narrator criticizes most Hollywood films for being comforting and providing answers, suggesting that they tie things up in nice little bows and do not encourage the audience to think or engage in discussions.
Which movie is ranked number four in the transcript, and why does the narrator disagree with its popularity?
-The movie ranked number four is 'The Thin Red Line' by Terrence Malick. The narrator disagrees with its popularity because they believe it's not as great as 'Saving Private Ryan', which they consider a phony film with comforting answers.
What does the narrator think about 'Apocalypse Now' and its depiction of war?
-The narrator praises 'Apocalypse Now' for going beyond being a war movie and instead becoming a workbook of horror and moral terror, emphasizing the necessity to face and understand horror.
Which movie is ranked number one in the transcript, and what makes it stand out?
-The movie ranked number one is 'The Twilight Zone' TV show. It stands out because it explores universal truths about existence, meaning of life, and features great cinematography, despite some overacting.
What is the narrator's stance on the film 'Citizen Kane' in relation to the list?
-The narrator decides not to put 'Citizen Kane' at the number one spot on their list, wanting to be a rebel against the common opinion that it should be there.
What does the narrator find problematic about '2001: A Space Odyssey'?
-The narrator finds the beginning of '2001: A Space Odyssey' problematic, particularly the portrayal of the monkeys, which they feel is ridiculous and detracts from the overall masterpiece status of the film.
Outlines
🎬 Top 10 American Films and Personal Opinions
The speaker begins by introducing the concept of discussing the top 10 most important American films, emphasizing that these are subjective choices and not necessarily the 'best' films. They mention the influence of American Movil and medicine, and use a humorous anecdote about cats and tuna to illustrate the point that opinions can vary. The speaker then delves into a discussion about Stanley Kubrick's 'Barry Lyndon', highlighting the unique cinematic techniques used, such as the zoom lens and the attention to period-accurate details. They also mention the film's interesting narrative and character development, particularly the scene where Ryan O'Neal's character meets Marisa Berenson's for the first time.
📚 Adapting Kafka: 'The Trial' and Creative License
The speaker discusses their issues with the film adaptation of Kafka's 'The Trial', directed by Orson Welles. They express their belief that Welles' interpretation deviates from Kafka's original portrayal of Joseph K as an innocent victim of bureaucracy. The speaker appreciates the idea that filmmakers can take creative liberties with original material, using the example of how different opera composers would approach the same story. They also touch upon the themes of the film, such as the quest for admittance to the law and the human struggle against systemic barriers.
🎭 War, Personal Struggles, and the Impact of Cinema
The speaker reflects on the impact of war and personal struggles as depicted in cinema. They mention a film that explores the internal conflicts and the aftermath of war, highlighting the protagonist's battle with his own identity and the enemy within. The speaker also discusses the influence of Woody Allen's humor and philosophy on their perspective, particularly the concept of not wanting to belong to a club that would accept oneself. They then transition into discussing the film 'Cabaret', emphasizing its significance and the memorable dialogue.
🌃 The Art of Cinema: 'Days of Heaven' and 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'
The speaker expresses their admiration for 'Days of Heaven', a film they consider to be a visceral and poetic experience that transcends intellectual analysis. They appreciate the film's exploration of themes such as love, manipulation, and the contrast between innocence and corruption. The speaker also praises 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' for its portrayal of freedom and identity, highlighting the symbolic nature of the story and the exceptional performance by Jack Nicholson.
🏆 Cinematic Showdown: 'Apocalypse Now' and the Search for Meaning
The speaker passionately argues for the cinematic brilliance of 'Apocalypse Now', describing it as a horrifying yet necessary exploration of the true nature of war. They contrast this with other war films, emphasizing the unique depth and impact of Coppola's work. The speaker also discusses the importance of embracing horror and primal instincts in understanding such films. They briefly mention 'The Godfather' and express their disdain for its overrated status, while asserting that 'Apocalypse Now' is a film that goes beyond genre and becomes a profound statement on humanity and war.
🌌 The Final Countdown: 'Citizen Kane', '2001: A Space Odyssey', and 'The Twilight Zone'
In the final part of the discussion, the speaker contemplates the inclusion of classic films like 'Citizen Kane' and '2001: A Space Odyssey' in their list. They express a desire to be rebellious and not follow the crowd by placing 'Citizen Kane' at the top of their list. The speaker also shows appreciation for '2001: A Space Odyssey', citing its universal themes and innovative cinematography. In a surprising twist, they choose 'The Twilight Zone' as their number one pick, praising its exploration of human nature and the speculative future it presents.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡American cinema
💡Stanley Kubrick
💡Orson Welles
💡Terrence Malick
💡Film adaptation
💡Cinematography
💡Subjectivity
💡Existentialism
💡War movies
💡The Twilight Zone
💡Classic films
Highlights
The discussion begins with the challenge of selecting the top 10 most important American films.
The speaker expresses their personal connection to the films and the difficulty in ranking them.
Stanley Kubrick's 'Barry Lyndon' is mentioned for its unique cinematography and period representation.
The speaker acknowledges the influence of '2001: A Space Odyssey' despite their personal criticisms.
Orson Welles' 'The Trial' is highlighted for its deviation from the original Kafka story and its thematic depth.
The film 'A Clockwork Orange' is discussed for its exploration of freedom and identity.
The speaker's appreciation for Terrence Malick's 'Days of Heaven' is expressed for its poetic and visceral qualities.
The film 'Cabaret' is noted for its powerful portrayal of societal issues and personal struggles.
The speaker's critical view of Woody Allen's work and the complexity of appreciating his films is mentioned.
The importance of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is discussed, particularly Jack Nicholson's performance.
The speaker's disdain for 'Saving Private Ryan' and preference for 'Apocalypse Now' is expressed.
The film 'Apocalypse Now' is praised for its deep exploration of horror and its impact on the viewer.
The speaker's conflict in choosing between 'Citizen Kane' and other classics for the top spot is highlighted.
The film 'Streetcar Named Desire' is mentioned as an example of Marlon Brando's significant American films.
The speaker's decision to rank '2001: A Space Odyssey' at number two due to its universal themes and cinematography.
The 'Twilight Zone' TV show is selected as the number one most important American film in the speaker's opinion.
The speaker's rationale for choosing 'Twilight Zone' is its exploration of humanity and its potential future.