Some of the best films
that come out are indie
films. These
are films produced by independent film makers and they are often (though not
always) low budget films. Based upon user voting at the Internet Movie Database
(and a touch of my own discretion), this is a list of the top 15 Indie films of
all time. I personally vouch that each and every one of these films is
outstanding. Movie descriptions are from
the Internet Movie Database. I have also added some of my reactions to the
movies as well. I am adding movie
trailers therefore not giving away too many spoilers, but the exception is
American Splendor’s video which is my absolute favorite scene.
16. American Splendor (2003, Shari
Springer Berman, Robert
Pulcini)
Harvey
Pekar is file clerk at the local VA hospital. His interactions with his
co-workers offer some relief from the monotony, and their discussions encompass
everything from music to the decline of American culture to new flavors of
jellybeans and life itself. At home, Harvey fills his days with reading,
writing and listening to jazz. His apartment is filled with thousands of books
and LPs, and he regularly scours Cleveland's thrift stores and garage sales
for more, savoring the rare joy of a 25-cent find. It is at one of these junk
sales that Harvey meets Robert Crumb, a greeting card artist and music enthusiast. When,
years later, Crumb finds international success for his underground comics, the
idea that comic books can be a valid art form for adults inspires Harvey to write his own brand of comic
book. An admirer of naturalist writers like Theodore Dreiser, Harvey makes his American Splendor a
truthful, unsentimental record of his working-class life, a warts-and-all self
portrait. First published in 1976, the comic earns Harvey cult fame throughout the 1980s and
eventually leads him to the sardonic Joyce Barber, a partner in a Delaware comic book store who ends up being Harvey's true soul mate as they experience
the bizarre byproducts of Harvey's cult celebrity stature. I absolutely love this movie. I just relate to all the characters, which is
a strange thing to say because they are all real people. I guess American Splendor really shows how
life isn’t all it is cracked up to be but you have to make the most of it and
not daydream about what is going to happen five years from now or when you are
dead.
15. Requiem for a Dream (2000, Darren Aronofsky)
Requiem for
a Dream exposes four paralleled individuals and their menacing addiction to
heroin, cocaine, and diet pills (speed). Taking place in Brooklyn amidst the waning Coney Island, the drugs are very easily obtained
and keep each main character in its cycle of dependence. The protagonist Harry
Goldfarb is your typical heroin junky with an ambitious plan of “Getting off
hard knocks,” with help from his cocaine crazed girlfriend Marion and his long
time friend Tyrone. Meanwhile his widowed mother is obsessed with the glamour
of television and eventually finds her way to a dietitian who pushes her into
the cycle of drug induced enslavement. I
was in awe the first time I viewed this film.
It is very emotional and Aronofsky really ties you into the character’s
lives. This movie is such a stark look
at drugs when many other movies glamorize abuse. I wish today’s celebrities took the time to
watch this movie. One thought, if you
rent this movie be warned that there are both an NC17 and R version. Most rental stores only carry the R-rated
version. If you want to see another
classic Aronofsky production go to Wal-mart and Requiem for a Dream is featured
on a dual DVD with the movie, Pi.
14. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975, Terry Gilliam)
The movie
starts out with Arthur, King of the Britons, looking for knights to sit with
him at Camelot. He finds many knights including Sir Galahad the pure, Sir
Lancelot the brave, the quiet Sir Bedevere, and Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir
Lancelot. They do not travel on horses, but pretend they do and have their
servants bang coconuts to make the sound of horse’s hooves. Through satire of
certain events in history (witch trials, the black plague) they find Camelot,
but after literally a quick song and dance they decide that they do not want to
go there. While walking away, God (who seems to be grumpy) come to them from a
cloud and tells them to find the Holy Grail. They agree and begin their search.
While they search for the Grail, scenes of the knight’s tales appear and why
they have the name they have. Throughout their search they meet interesting
people and knights along the way. Most of the characters die; some through a
killer rabbit (which they defeat with the holy hand grenade), others from not
answering a question right from the bridge of Death, or die some other ridiculous way.
In the end, King Arthur and Sir Bedevere are left and find
the Castle Arrrghhh where the Holy Grail is. They are met by some French
soldiers who taunted them earlier in the film, so they were not able to get
into the castle. This movie helped many
of us nerds trudge through our dreary days.
But, damn it, when we saw this movie it made us feel good.
13. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004, Michel Gondry)
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Joel is
stunned to discover that his girlfriend Clementine has had her memories of
their tumultuous relationship erased. Out of desperation, he contracts the
inventor of the process, Dr. Howard Mierzwaik, to have Clementine removed from
his own memory. But as Joel’s memories progressively disappear, he begins to
rediscover their earlier passion. From deep within the recesses of his brain,
Joel attempts to escape the procedure. As Dr. Mierzwiak and his crew chase him
through the maze of his memories, it’s clear that Joel just can’t get her out
of his head. I loved this film. I have bestowed praise upon Michel Gondry’s
work in past blogs but this movie is just so damn good. Jim Carrey is excellent as Joel. I think this movie has been his springboard
into movies that don’t make him look like a complete asshole.
12. To Kill A Mockingbird (1962, Robert Mulligan)
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An American
film classic, based upon a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel: In the rural American
south during the depths of the Depression, two children watch as their
principled father takes a stand against intolerance. A gentle and leisurely
movie despite some rough content, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ benefits immensely from its near-perfect
casting, particularly of Mary Badham and Philip Alford as the children and
Gregory Peck in the role for which he is best remembered, as their wise and
patient father. Superb storytelling; superb film. Quite simply, my favorite novel is one of my
favorite movies. Sorry no trailer.
11. American History X (1998, Tony Kaye)
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Derek
Vinyard (Edward Norton) returns from prison to find his younger brother, Danny
(Edward Furlong), caught in the same web of racism and hatred that landed him
in prison. After Derek’s father is killed in the line of duty by a minority,
Derek’s view of mankind is altered, but while in prison, he discovers that
there is good and bad in every race. The task before him now is to convince
Danny of his newfound enlightenment.
This was a difficult movie to watch due to its graphic nature. I just can’t understand racism but that is
what the point of this movie is. Take
caution when viewing. Edward Norton made
me think he is a good actor after seeing this movie. I do find it hard to watch My Name is Earl
after seeing one of the characters in this movie but I guess he can handle
diverse roles.
10. Leon (1994, Luc
Besson)
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Mathilda, a
twelve-year old New York girl, is living an undesirable life among her
half-family. Her father stores drugs for two-faced cop Norman Stansfield. Only
her little brother keeps Mathilda from breaking apart. One day, Stansfield and
his team take cruel revenge on her father for stretching the drugs a little,
thus killing the whole family. Only Mathilda, who was out shopping, survives by
finding shelter in Léon’s apartment in the moment of highest need. Soon, she
finds out about the strange neighbor’s unusual profession - killing - and
desperately seeks his help in taking revenge for her little brother. Léon, who
is completely inexperienced in fatherly tasks, and in friendships, does his
best to keep Mathilda out of trouble - unsuccessfully. Now, the conflict
between a killer, who slowly discovers his abilities to live, to feel, to love
and a corrupt police officer, who does anything in his might to get rid of an
eye witness, arises to immeasurable proportions - all for the sake of a little
twelve-year old girl, who has nearly nothing to lose. If you look for this film at your local
rental store, you may not find it under the name Leon.
It is better known here as The Professional. I never quite understood why this is the case
but it just is. Natalie Portman proves
that she had the potential to be a good actress in this film. Too bad Star Wars put that career into a mild
tailspin. Thankfully she is getting more
recognition. OK, I admit it, I had a
huge crush on her as Amadala in Star Wars.
9. American Beauty (1999, Sam Mendes)
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Lester and
Carolyn Burnham are on the outside, a perfect husband and wife, in a perfect
house, in a perfect neighborhood. But inside, Lester is slipping deeper and
deeper into a hopeless depression. He finally snaps when he becomes infatuated
with one of his daughters friends. Meanwhile, his daughter Jane is developing a
happy friendship with a shy boy-next-door named Ricky who lives with a
homophobic father. I simply love this
film. When I was in college many of my
classmates absolutely hated this movie.
I don’t know why because they could never verbally voice their
points. I guess I found this movie at
times to be a dark comedy because of its comments on the dysfunctional family
that I know oh so well. Kevin Spacey is first-rate
as Lester Burnham.
8. Se7en
(1995, David Fincher)
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This
thriller portrays the exploits of a deranged serial-killer. His twisted agenda
involves choosing seven victims who represent egregious examples of
transgressions of each of the Seven Deadly Sins. He then views himself as akin
to the Sword of God, handing out horrific punishment to these sinners. Two
cops, an experienced veteran of the streets who is about to retire and the
ambitious young homicide detective hired to replace him, team up to capture the
perpetrator of these gruesome killings. Unfortunately, they too become ensnared
in his diabolical plan….David Fincher has made some excellent films. I enjoy his other not so indie movies, Fight
Club and Zodiac. I have to admit Brad
Pitt actually does a good job in this movie.
Oh who am I kidding? Movies like
this one and Fight Club have turned me into a Brad Pitt fan, and he is nailing
Angelina Jolie.
7. Apocalypse Now (1979, Francis Ford Coppola)
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Based on
Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, this is a controversial addition to the
multitude of Vietnam War movies in existence. Set in 1969 Vietnam, we follow U.S. Special Forces
Captain Willard on his mission up a river into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade Green Beret who has set himself up as a God
among a local tribe. This movie is one
huge acid trip, not that I should know what an acid trip is like. Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando deliver
breath-taking roles. Marlon Brando plays
insanity oh so well. Dennis Hopper also
shows up and he is just insane but his acting is brilliant. If you watch the Redux edition of Apocalypse
Now on DVD, make sure you turn on the commentary that features Dennis Hopper
because it sounds as if when they recorded his comments it was the first time
that he actually saw the movie. Do not
take any robotussin before watching otherwise you may see tigers jumping at
you. Oh sorry about lying. This isn’t the trailer, but just my favorite
scene.
6. Memento
(2000, Christopher Nolan)
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Point blank
in the head a man shoots another. In flashbacks, each one earlier in time than
what we’ve just seen, the two men’s pasts unfold. Leonard, as a result of a
blow to the head during an assault on his wife, has no short-term memory. He’s
looking for his wife’s killer, compensating for his disability by taking
Polaroids, annotating them and tattooing important facts on his body. We meet
the loquacious Teddy and the seductive Natalie (a barmaid who promises to help)
and we glimpse Leonard’s wife through memories from before the assault. Leonard
also talks about Sammy Jankis, a man he knew with a similar condition. Has
Leonard found the killer? Who’s manipulating whom? I saw this one and was struck by its shear
originality. Since Memento, many movies
have copied this style or having fractured scenes. I had to watch it twice. Memento is truly a unique film
experience.
5. Dr. Strangelove (1964, Stanley Kubrick)
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U.S.
President Merkin Muffley (Peter Sellers) is on the hot line to Moscow with some
rather embarrassing news for the Soviet premier: “Hello, Dimitri….I’m fine….Now
then, you know how we’ve always talked about the possibility of something going
wrong with the bomb….The bomb, Dimitri. The hydrogen bomb….Well, now, what
happened is that, uh, one of our base commanders…he went a little funny in the
head….and he went and did a silly thing….He ordered his planes to attack your
country.” A comedy about an accidental nuclear attack? One that ends with total
annihilation, thermonuclear apocalypse? Preposterous! Stanley Kubrick thought otherwise. In the end his
thinking prevailed. The mad saga revolves around a psychotic Strategic Air
Command officer, Gen. Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden), who lets loose his B-52
bomber squadron on the Soviet Union. Ripper takes this unilateral action because of his paranoid belief
that Communists are sapping and contaminating “all our precious bodily fluids”
as part of their plan to take over the world.” Unbeknownst to Ripper, his
attack will trigger the Russian’s ultimate weapon, the Doomsday Machine, a
diabolical retaliatory device set to blow up the planet. I absolutely adore this movie. I think it is because Peter Sellers has
multiple roles but it is well written and mimics history. I find it ironic how this movie applies to
most every military action the US has become involved in since its
release. Rent the DVD and be sure to
watch any deleted scenes. There is one
that was simply deleted due to the assassination of JFK.
4. Psycho
(1960, Alfred Hitchcock)
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Phoenix office worker Marion Crane is fed up with the
way life has treated her. She has to meet her lover Sam in lunch breaks and
they cannot get married because Sam has to give most of his money away in
alimony. One Friday Marion is trusted to bank $40,000 by her employer. Seeing
the opportunity to take the money and start a new life, Marion leaves town and heads towards Sam’s
California store. Tired after the long drive
and caught in a storm, she gets off the main highway and pulls into The Bates
Motel. The motel is managed by a quiet young man called Norman who seems to be dominated by his
mother. I saw this movie when I was a
mere child and let’s just say I was entranced.
I love Hitchcock movies and this one is one of his best. When you watch it keep a close eye out for
Alfred Hitchcock and whatever you do, DO NOT waste your time on the Vince
Vaughn remake. The only worthwhile
version is the first starring Anthony Perkins.
I love this trailer because the director comes out and is pitching the
plot to the audience. I wonder how many
horror films would get people in the theaters is the directors had to pitch the
plot in the trailers.
3. The Usual Suspects (1995, Bryan Singer)
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Following a
truck hijack in New York, five conmen are arrested and brought together
for questioning. As none of them is guilty, they plan a revenge operation
against the police. The operation goes well, but then the influence of a
legendary mastermind criminal called Kaiser Soeze is felt. It becomes clear
that each one of them has wronged Soeze at some point and must pay back now.
The payback job leaves 27 men dead in a boat explosion, but the real question
arises now: Who actually is Kaiser Soeze?
I didn’t see this film until my later years of college but it was well
worth the wait. The first time I watched
I had to re-watch to pick up all the little clues. This movie has some incredible acting. The Usual Suspects is a worthwhile view.
2. Pulp Fiction (1994, Quentin Tarantino)
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Jules
Winnfield and Vincent Vega are two hit men who are out to retrieve a suitcase
stolen from their employer, mob boss Marsellus Wallace. Wallace has also asked
Vincent to take his wife Mia out a few days later when Wallace himself will be
out of town. Butch Coolidge is an aging boxer who is paid by Wallace to lose
his next fight. The lives of these seemingly unrelated people are woven
together comprising of a series of funny, bizarre and uncalled-for incidents. I love Tarantino. I love Tarantino. I love Tarantino. Can I make any clearer that I love
Tarantino? I sometimes take heat for
enjoying Tarantino movies because people say I am a sadist because I only enjoy
the violence. These are the same people
who love Scarface. WTF? Anyway, the real reason I love his movies, is
for the dialogue. The speaking the
characters do is phenomenal. Pulp
Fiction has, in my opinion, the best dialogue in all of cinema.
1. One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest 1975, (Milos Forman)
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McMurphy, a
man with several assault convictions to his name, finds himself in jail once
again. This time, the charge is statutory rape when it turns out that his
girlfriend had lied about being eighteen, and was, in fact, fifteen (or, as
McMurphy puts it, “fifteen going on thirty-five”). Rather than spend his time
in jail, he convinces the guards that he’s crazy enough to need psychiatric
care and is sent to a hospital. He fits in frighteningly well, and his
different point of view actually begins to cause some of the patients to
progress. Nurse Ratched becomes his personal cross to bear as his resistance to
the hospital routine gets on her nerves. When most people compare a movie based on a
book to the book they usually say they enjoyed the book better. Not for me with this movie. There were major differences but the film
version has a tighter feeling. The book
I had was good because it had a doctor’s commentary describing mental illnesses
and their treatments. Jack Nicholson
gave one hell of a performance as McMurphy.
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