Indie Flicks

Empire Online has put out this list of the 50 greatest indie movies. I have not provided links to Netflix or IMDB because, well, I do have a life, you know! I disagree mightily with some of the choices and omissions, as well as the ranking, but that's what makes horse racing.

50. El Mariachi - Just added to my Netflix queue; it comes with the sequel, "Desperado."
49. Run Lola Run - Just added to my Netflix queue.
48. Cube - Horror. I'll pass, thank you.
47. Blood Feast - Ditto.
46. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre - Saw it in college. It was, like, a law or something back then.
45. Mad Max - Saw it, loved it. Didn't know then that Mel was a Bery, Bery Bad Man.
44. Amores Perros - Nina wants me to see this, and I'm tempted because it does star the lovely Gael Garcia Bernal, but I've been warned that it contains scenes of animal cruelty, and I just don't think I can stand it. Update (11/11/05): Nina has convinced me to give it a try—and to just close my eyes during the dogfight sequence—so I've added it to my Netflix queue.
43. Shadows - I hesitated but did end up adding this to my Netflix queue.
42. Swingers - Saw it, loved it.
41. Dead Man's Shoes - Not available on Netflix . . . HUH?
40. The Descent - Also not available on Netflix—don't think I'd be interested, anyhow.   
39. The Passion Of The Christ - Na ga da.*
38. Grosse Point Blank - Saw it, loved it.
37. Being John Malkovich - Saw it, loved it.
36. Buffalo '66 - Just added to my Netflix queue.
35. THX-1138 - Just added to my Netflix queue.
34. The Blair Witch Project - I'm tempted to see what all the hype is about, but I think it would be too scary for me.
33. Shallow Grave - Just added to my Netflix queue.
32. Two Lane Blacktop - Just added to my Netflix queue; it's not yet out on DVD, though.
31. Pink Flamingos - Not interested.
30. Sweet Sweetback Baadasssss Song - Not interested.
29. Bad Lieutenant - Just added to my Netflix queue. (Harvey Keitel as an "out-of-control police lieutenant on a collision course with disaster"? Gee, there's a reach.)
28. In the Company of Men - Saw it. Was upset by it. (Note: A few years ago, my friend and former colleague Paul called me up and said, "I'm sorry. You're right. Men are scum." I said, "Why?" His reply: "Go rent 'In the Company of Men.' And, again, I'm sorry.")
27. Dark Star - Not interested.
26. Lost in Translation - Saw it, loved it.
25. Drugstore Cowboy - Saw it, think I liked it but can't exactly recall.
24. Happiness - This was already in my Netflix queue.
23. The Evil Dead - Horror. I'll pass, thank you.
22. Nosferatu - Horror. I'll pass, thank you.
21. Roger And Me - Just added to my Netflix queue, I'm embarrassed to say! (Embarrassed that I hadn't yet seen it, not embarrassed that I'm planning to see it.)
20. Slacker - Just added to my Netflix queue.
19. Lone Star - Saw it, loved it.
18. Withnail And I - Saw it but was disappointed by it. (Sorry, Pia!)
17. City of God - Saw it. Was upset by it.
16. She's Gotta Have It - Didn't see it, probably won't. Again, not available at Netflix . . . WTF?
15. Blood Simple - I feel certain I've seen this, but I can't recall it, so it's in my Netflix queue.
14. Stranger Than Paradise - This was already in my Netflix queue.
13. Memento - Saw it, liked it a lot.
12. Eraserhead - I have a feeling I saw this a hundred years ago but I can't recall it—and I think this a movie you would recall. I don't think I'll see it.
11. Bad Taste  - Horror. I'll pass, thank you.
10. Mean Streets - Saw it. Was upset by it. But enjoyed it all the same.
9. Sideways  - Saw it, liked it.
8. The Usual Suspects - Saw it, loved it.
7. Sex, Lies, And Videotape - Saw it, loved it.
6. Night of the Living Dead - Horror. I'll pass, thank you.
5. Monty Python's Life Of Brian - Saw it (numerous times!), loved it.
4. Clerks - Saw it, liked it a lot.
3. The Terminator - Saw it, loved it.
2. Donnie Darko - I hesitated but did end up adding this to my Netflix queue. I've vacillated on this one for ages, because I keep hearing that it's a "must see," but I'm worried it will be really scary.
1. Reservoir Dogs - Saw it. Was upset by it. But enjoyed it all the same.

Anyone catching on yet that I'm not big on really scary horror movies?

*This is the best transliteration I can do for Dana Carvey's impersonation of Bush Sr. saying, "Not gonna do it!" Andy and I say "Na ga da!" all the time.

Comments

[Chris]

Cube was terrible. Passion of the Christ, on the other hand, was great if only for its music (Peter Gabriel). And for the record I've never understood what was so great about THX-110385292. Lucas' first film but also quite boring.

[Scott]

Texas Chain Saw Massacre was indeed a classic; I'm with you on animal cruelty; Mel is a kook; The Passion of The Christ is nothing but a religious-themed snuff film with some anti-semitism thrown in for good measure; Blair Witch wasn't all that scary, but when I saw it I was under the impression that they weren't actors (long story about how gullible I am); Night of the Living Dead is a classic that no true film buff should miss; Donnie Darko was good, too.

And please tell your friend Paul that men are not scum.

[Mquest]

Drugstore Cowboy has a great cameo appearance by William S. Burroughs. I have not watched Slacker in years but I loved it years ago.

[nina]

Chris, you are confusing "Last Temptation of Christ", which is well worth seeing, with Gibson's "Passion of the Christ". And just see "Amores Perros", already. It should be much farther up on the list! Believe me, the grossest scene in there doesn't have anything to do with the dog fights, it's the car accident.

Scott, you should see "In the Company of Men" No, not all men are scum. But some are.

[Scott]

I'm sure I wouldn't enjoy it. And some women are no prizes, either.

[nina]

I know, Scott. And no, it's not a particularly enjoyable movie, but it is very interesting. I like LaBute (director), he makes very thought provoking stuff. And of course, none of Karen's readers, male OR female would be considered the least bit scummy.

[Scott]

Na ga da.

[Joel]

Nosferatu - don't think of this as horror, so much as an icon of cinematography. Horror in the 1920s is not horror (e.g. Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween whatever) that we think of today. This is small-g gothic horror. Quaint. Evocative. Emotive.

Murnau's treatment of the story, use of color filters and narrative is amazing and influenced subsequent generations of directors.

If you don't watch this for the movie, watch it for the technicality. Hokey, perhaps. But one of the first movies to open my eyes to cinematic possibilities. Please don't cross this off you list, Karen! in fact, I'm going to watch my copy now.....