My Criterion Top 10: Michaël Parent

A few weeks back, I started running contributions from some of my favorite film critics, writers, and theorists from around the internet. The series ended… but has officially been resurrected, as I’ve obtained new contributions. Each writer is listing their top 10 from the Criterion Collection. Today, the series turns to Québec with a contribution from Michaël Parent. Michael and I share a large appreciation for French cinema, and it comes naturally to him. That’s because he’s actually French! (ok, French-Canadian, which is close enough in my book) You can find Michael’s work over at Le Mot du Cinephiliaque or on Twitter @parentmichael.

My Criterion Top 10: Bubbawheat

I’m running contributions from some of my favorite film critics, writers, and theorists from around the internet for a few weeks. Each writer is listing their top 10 from the Criterion Collection. However, it’s starting to wind down. One of the final pieces comes in from Bubbawheat, proprietor of Flights, Tights, and Movie Nights. Bubba knows more about superhero movies than the rest of us know about… well, anything at all. He also has an awesome podcast with an incredible concept. It’s called FilmWhys- as in, “Why haven’t you seen this film?” Each episode, his guests challenge him to watch a highly-touted film that he hasn’t seen, and he challenges his guest to watch a superhero movie that they haven’t seen. I’ve been fortunate enough to take part and it’s a blast. You can find Bubba on Twitter @Bubbawheat. 

Simon Says: The 9 Best Cinematic Uses of Paul Simon Songs

Paul Simon is a musical icon, the kind of artist whose career has garnered fame, critical acclaim, and numerous awards. His appeal is not limited to music fans. Simon’s music also holds a special place in the heart of cinephiles. Simon’s music, performed solo or with Art Garfunkel, possesses just the right blend of introspection, cryptic meaning, and melodic charm that it fits perfectly every time it’s used in a film. Here are the nine best examples.

Depressing Movies Made Festive with Santa Hats

I’m just about to shut everything down until Christmas, and maybe a day or two afterwards. My next entry will likely be no earlier than Monday, and maybe as late as Wednesday of next week. This is my last chance to wish everyone happy holidays. What better way to do it than by twisting depressing movies and movie scenes into something more festive? What’s more festive than a Santa hat? Happy holidays, everyone.

My Life in Original Motion Picture Soundtracks, Part II

–

Yesterday, we began the journey through guest contributor Josh Katz’s life via original motion picture soundtracks. Today, we finish our journey with part two:

Lifestyles of the Rich and Crazy: The 10 Best Eccentric Wealthy Movie Characters

Over the weekend, I finally caught Grey Gardens (1975), the documentary about Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale. There really isn’t any other way of saying it- the pair of women were nuttier than squirrel feces. Naturally, it made my synapses turn towards other eccentric and affluent characters. Here are the ten best.

Howard Hughes, The Aviator (2004)
The way of the future. The way of the FUture. The way of the future. The WAY of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future. The way of the future.

Seven Cinematic Rodents, in Honor of Groundhog Day

–

Where have you gone, Punxsutawney Phil? A nation turns its lonely eyes to you. Woo woo woo. Or if you’re like me, you turn your eyes to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin’s Jimmy the Groundhog, who’s twice the groundhog than that punkass Phil could ever be. And we all turn our eyes towards some groundhog because Groundhog Day is upon us. In honor of these titans of weather prediction, here are my seven favorite cinematic rodents.

Jaw-Dropping Scenes From the Last Ten Years

[Spoilers ahead] I recently purchased my own copy of A Serious Man. The ending to that movie haunts me like few can, and I’m not really sure that I can explain it. It has something to do with dealing with petty annoyances only to discover that there may just be far bigger threats around the corner. The image of Danny Gopnik, flush left in the screen amid a sea of classmates staring at their approaching doom as Grace Slick belts out “Somebody to Love”, is gut-wrenching. Seeing it again the other night made me ponder- which other recent scenes have made my jaw drop like that, either through raw emotion or pure filmmaking skill? Here are some of my favorites from the last ten years.

The Nine Best Uses of Songs in Movies

I’ve been watching too much “Prime Nine” on the MLB Network. In reality, my list of candidates for this entry amounted to something like 25 songs in various movies. Note that when I say “Best”, I really mean “my favorite”. So if you don’t see “I Like Changing Myself For the Woman I Love” from “Love is Nice” starring Julia Roberts or whatever, well… it’s because I don’t watch that shit. Feel free to add ’em in the comments section, though.