For me, it’s either the Matrix or Pulp Fiction. I have seen both a lot of times but certainly not more often than say a dozen times.
For me, it’s either the Matrix or Pulp Fiction. I have seen both a lot of times but certainly not more often than say a dozen times.
That mid-Almodovar peak was incredible, now that you mention it. My personal favorite from that time has to be Habla Con Ella (Talk To Her), in parallel Woody Allen filmography terms I would equate it with Hannah & Her Sisters, in artistic achievement.
Barry Lyndon is currently a rising “underrated masterpiece” topic with most of the best film critic podcasters. My personal favorite film has nearly always been 2001: A Space Odyssey, but I just recently rewatched Barry Lyndon and man… in any other filmography this would have stood alone at the top.
And we still have the rest of Kubrick’s work to contend with… Dr. Strangelove, The Shining, Paths Of Glory, Eyes Wide Shut… it’s just ridiculous.
For a long time now, I’ve regarded two people as my artistic heroes of the 20th century: Stanley Kubrick and John Coltrane. Mark Rothko could be up there, too, I cannot imagine my day-to-day life without his work to stop and look at, or to simply have as a presence in my surroundings.
Do you have some good podcast recommendations on Barry Lyndon? I really like the movie. For people who are reading this and thinking Barry Lyndon is some kind of super boring and high-minded art movie, just watch it. If you appreciate photography, pictures in general, the movie is done really well. It’s like watching live paintings from that era, nothing else looks like that movie.
Edit: And what is fascinating with Barry, is how the actor Leon Vitali who did Lord Bullingdon in the movie, just abandoned his acting career and started working as an assistant for Kubrick until his death in 2022.