The Hysterically Good Pick from 1-10

Okay, I realize that, in essence, my blog so far has simply been a series of film reviews that one could, in all likelihood, just as easily find on IMDB with only slightly more effort than it takes to read my blog. I need something with a bit more flair. So, in order to add a bit of variety to this project, and distinguish it a bit from a simple series of brief film reviews by a decidedly amateur student, I've determined that out of every ten films I watch, I'll pick one that I particularly recommend people to watch.

Another reason I decided to do this is that I've sometimes found it difficult in writing down my ratings to distinguish how much I enjoyed a film, and how good I actually thought the film was. Though I've tried to keep the ratings toward the latter, I'm well aware that some of my biases have crept in. With this post, I can specifically recommend a film that I love, which I don't necessarily think is perfect (Which is the case in the first series of ten). Plus, of course, there are many films that you can appreciate to some extent by simply reading about them, but certain gems I feel absolutely require a viewing. Basically, all you have to do to act like a film snob is read about films, but there are some that it simply pays to actually watch.

The series of the first ten contains some of the greatest films ever made by some of the greatest directors, with some truly dazzling innovations and elements. If you ever want to be a film critic, these are the films you must have seen, right? Well, that's sort of why my choice isn't anything like The Seven Samurai, Citizen Kane, 2001: A Space Odyssey, or even M (Though the latter was very close). Out of the list of 1-10, my first recommendation is Jeunet's City of Lost Children.

Please do read my thoughts on this film if you hadn't already. It is simply a visual and emotional masterpiece, engaging, touching, and entertaining. The acting is really superb and moving, especially when you take into consideration that Ron Perlman doesn't speak a word of French and memorized his lines by rote. The film simply moves from one dreamscape to the next, and is a wonderful children's story that still speaks to the emotions and humanity of adults. It is, simply put, one of the most touching films I've ever seen.

As I implied, part of the reason I chose City of Lost Children is that it is not one of the mainstream classics that is ingrained into the cannon of film. Many people have not heard of it, or think of it as "that film by the guy who did Amelie." But City offers something in terms of empathy, visuals, acting, and imagination that is unique and quite innovative. It is a hidden gem among films, an unsung masterpiece that for its very obscurity is worth as much of a viewing as Citizen Kane. It's the kind of film that you feel lucky to have had the chance to watch, rather than one that, in a sense, fulfills some sort of historical obligation. The film is genuinely that personal and enjoyable. In this way, City is a film that you would watch for yourself, and not for anyone else. Except me, since I recommended it to you. So, watch it.

First Hysterically Good Pick: THE CITY OF LOST CHILDREN