The Lists: My Top 10 Films Of All Time
How I voted in Sight & Sound's decennial critics' poll
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10. "White Material" (Claire Denis, 2009)
I call this one either my wild-card inclusion or my investment pick: there are those who believe a film has to be quarantined for at least a decade before it can be considered for such lists, but I have enough faith in myself and the medium to call a personal all-timer when I see it. Claire Denis’s scorched, shattered reflection on mutant African identity floored me at first sight in Venice three years ago, and continues to provoke on repeat viewings – not necessarily because it’s her most immaculate film (though it might be her most fiercely sharpened), but because its tender-tense devotion to its exquisitely hostile landscape tapped unnervingly into my own conflicted African citizenship like no film has done before.
Photo Credit: IFC Films
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August 8, 2012 at 3:41PM EST Reply to CommentI love that you have White Material on here!
Lazarus
August 8, 2012 at 4:31PM EST Reply to CommentThat hack Fleming doesn't deserve to have this film credited to his name, not did he deserve the directing Oscar won for this film. Gone With The Wind is an amazing piece of work, but the only person whose name should be next to the title is Selznick's, and that's exactly how I write it in any kind of list.
Consider that the most powerful element in the film (along with William Cameron Menzies' contributions) is Vivien Leigh, and it's a known fact Cukor was instrumental in that over Fleming's poor handling of the actress.
I'll go one further and say that Fleming shouldn't be credited with The Wizard of Oz either, which had just as many directors/producer's hands on it.
Keil Shults
August 13, 2012 at 7:27PM EST Reply to CommentI was expecting a more cerebral list, though skimming through your intro made it clear you were trying to choose from the heart as much as the head. A few quick observations:
- Glad to people still willing to admit their love for Bonnie & Clyde.
- The 400 Blows would make my list too, and it beats Breathless by a mile. Jump cuts and an aura of cool can't touch the beauty and emotional intensity of this work.
- I can understand why you'd think people would be surprised by Hannah's rank among your favorites, as well as Allen's filmography, but that's their problem. On any given day I could see Annie Hall, Manhattan, or Hannah being my favorite Allen film, and they'd all likely make my top 25 films of all time. However, I feel deep down that Hannah probably is the best and most representative film of his career.