communication breakdown

Top 10 Benchmark Films

So, what do I mean by "Benchmark Films"? Pretty easy, really. These are movies that I use to help me gauge a person's taste in movies. Based on a person's reaction to these ten movies, I feel like I can get a pretty good understanding of what types of films they enjoy. If you agree with my viewpoints on these films, then we're likely to enjoy most of the same films. If you disagree... then you're wrong. OK, not really. Only partially...

First off, the conditions. Actually, there are none - any movie is fair game. Keep in mind the following things though:

• The list is not really in any order of priority - while I probably could identify a single movie which is most representative of my tastes more than any other, it wouldn't really be worth it. The list acts as a whole.
• Very Important: Not every movie on this list is one that I love. Some of them I can't stand. They make the list because they tell me something about a person's preferences, whether positive or negative.

Without further ado, let's see the list:

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

Well, this is a pretty dumb entry, right? I mean, everyone loves these films, right?

Not so fast. This is a surprisingly good set of benchmark films. For example, I often hear the following types of comments regarding the LOTR films:

• They were too long.
• I didn't see them because I don't like fantasy movies about elves and such.
• I didn't like them because they weren't exactly like the books

Statements like these help me determine if someone is capable of enjoying a good film, not just watching an entertaining movie. If a film's length, genre, or style of adaptation is enough (on its own) to prevent one from watching or enjoying it, then that is a shame indeed.

Magnolia

This gem by Paul Thomas Andersen embodies just about everything I love in a movie. A fantastic cast. Stellar performances from each character. A wonderful soundtrack. A mesmerizing script which intricately weaves a story that ties together the lives of complete strangers. And just a touch of absurdity to leave you wondering what is really going on. It's the kind of movie I crave. Yet some people give this movie a hard time because it has no "plot". I guess I could see how someone might say that - there is no central event, central character (though this is debatable), or any overriding theme. It merely follows the life of several people through the course of one bizarre day.

To me, a movie doesn't have to be about something or someone. If it is written and acted well, it can be extremely enjoyable.

Mulholland Dr.

This film is without a doubt the weirdest thing I've ever seen in my life. I have seen it multiple times, and I can still say with certainty that I don't know for sure what it's about. But the real appeal of this movie is exactly that - deciding for yourself what's going on. After watching it I spent several hours reading about it online, perusing discussions about what others have thought about it, and reconciling those viewpoints against my own impressions of the film. Some people would consider this a waste of time - what good is a movie if you don't know anything about it after you've watched it? I look at it as an opportunity to go explore it further using other mediums, such as the Internet. The film is a good measure of whether or not you can enjoy a movie that makes you think, as well as one's ability to appreciate something they might not understand at all.

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This is a "negative-benchmark" entry: one of the films on this list that I absolutely detest. Why? Well, where do I start? How about a stupid, completely unrealistic plot? How about Vin Diesel and a shotty cast doing a horrible acting job? How about a complete lack of creative writing, opting instead to rip-off decades of James Bond-esque plot devices? I could go on and on. People who like this kind of film typically like to see dazzling special effects and a film in which they can turn off their brain, leave the real world at the theater door, and just watch stuff happen. That's not my ideal movie experience.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

This movie makes the list primarily for one reason: it's my favorite movie. I think the most notable thing about it is that it does many things, and does them all well. Unbelievable martial-arts choreography. Breathtaking cinematography and set design. A touching story about honor, duty, and redemption. A timeless love story. It is a joy to watch from beginning to end.

Rushmore

This is really the only comedy on the list, but it is a great benchmark comedy film - probably because it isn't full of cookie-cutter humor. It breaks the mold of the traditional comedy, and is probably as sentimental and nostalgic as it is funny. The humor is subtle, yet ever-present; understated and absolutely clever. There's a world of difference between a film like this and something like "Airplane!", and when I meet a person who loves this film I can usually count on them having a pretty good sense of humor.

Pulp Fiction

Tarantino's best film is a great benchmark movie, simply because it shows off the best of his work, which often embodies so many things that make movies great. He has a knack for dialogue - while his movies often have a pretty high-octane plot, it usually serves as filler for the character development and the dialogue, which is always top-notch. He is also the master of movie music. Chances are, if you like Tarantino films, we're going to get along just fine.

The Passion of the Christ

Here is another movie with a wonderful script and excellent acting, but I use it as a benchmark for open-mindedness. Many people have criticized it for excessive violence, as well as for its focus on a specific portion of Jesus' life (the crucifixion) rather than his whole life. It is undoubtedly a difficult movie to watch, and will likely have a powerful emotional effect on the viewer. To me, this is what movies are all about - to elicit emotion and feeling, whether pleasant or not. Some people seem to watch movies for the sheer entertainment value, in which case this would definitely not be a movie for them.

A Clockwork Orange

The best film by filmmaking genius Stanley Kubrick. There is a lot of obvious stuff here that could scare away the delicate viewer. Plenty of language. Plenty of sex (or at least nudity). Plenty of violence. Scary british accents with plenty of bizarre jargon. And ultimately, a story about a raping and murderering protagonist, and how he becomes transformed.

So why is it so great? I don't know - how do you put Kubrick's work into words? Just see it for yourself and see what you think. I think you'll find that you'll either love it or hate it, which pretty much makes it a great benchmark film to me.

Titanic

Here is the other movie on this list that I just don't like. I think many people agree with me here. This is a very polarizing film - take a person who loves this film, and a person who detests it, and I would assert that they probably won't agree on many movies. It's such a sappy film. They basically bet the farm on the romance between the main characters, and sell out on everything else. It is utterly inaccurate in its depiction of history. Despite the amount of dialogue, the characters suck and their lines are cheesy. The filmmakers insult the audience with the simplicity of the story, expecting that you'll buy into the love story and forget everything else. Well I for one didn't buy into it. I guess what I'm really getting at here is that my movie tastes are slightly different from those of a 14-year-old girl...

Now, one last thing. You might be thinking "Lighten up Shaun, not every movie is intended to be an Oscar-caliber film." That's certainly true, and I understand the need for all types of different movies. But the one thing I expect from any movie I watch is quality. Name any genre of film, and I'll name you some quality films - good writing, good acting, good story all-around. Even "stupid comedies" (like "Tommy Boy", "Bring It On", and "Can't Hardly Wait") or "popcorn blockbusters" (like "Ocean's Eleven", "Training Day", and "Kill Bill") are held to this standard - they may not be epic dramas, but they are all good movies. No movie gets a free pass for crappiness in my book.

So, any comments on these films? What films do you use as your benchmarks?

Posted by sdishman at March 29, 2005 11:13 PM

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