Karen Krizanovich

Comments

2001: A Space Odyssey

Every time I see this, it reaffirms its dominance as a great film over time.

Triangle of Sadness

Having seen this at Cannes, it sticks in my mind as a great film. Controversial, flawed but tart with satire and great performances, laughs and pain.

The Producers

Forever young, forever funny, forever insightful, forever ridiculing bigotry and hypocrisy as only Mel Brooks can do

The Women

With only one man in the whole cast, The Women is female culture of the time with a sardonic twist - funny, insightful, slightly believable and vastly overlooked in the ranks of better-known comedies. The remake didn't help. Fun, fast and fluffy with a kick.

Yojimbo

From its Japanese-jazz theme music to the indelible performance by Mifune, Yojimbo is the strongest of Kurosawa's very strong samurai films. A pithy character, scratching like a dog, the heart of a lion sometimes shown against remarkable sets and scenes. Heart wrenching and eye opening.

Jaws

Start watching it and you can't stop watching it. Also it teaches you to tie the bowline. The blockbuster that began all blockbusters, immaculate, heartbreaking, thrilling and sad.

Alien

From its surprising heroine, to the ginger cat, its drop-down gas mask as a beginning frightener to the android we didn't expect, Alien defined the space thriller and continues to be the one all others are compared to. Scary. Always scary. Still scary.

The Dark Knight

An immaculate cast - including an unforgettable performance by Heath Ledger as The Joker - meshes with a logically seamless story, great production design by Nathan Crowley and a very fast pace makes this a film that contines to stun, amaze and thrill with each viewing.

Blazing Saddles

Controversial in all the right places, Blazing Saddles hit a nerve when it was released and continues to do so. Don't let the bastards get you down! Great cast, yes again a great cast, ridiculous dialogue, careful careless comedy with a numble, subtle but repeated message. Brooks at his finest social commentary - speaking to everyone including the cheap seats.

The Godfather

Casting, production design, script, feel, phrases and imagery entering the vernacular, defining its genre of storytelling - it's all here in The Godfather.

Further remarks

I rarely list films as it is an impossible task. But as the Sight and Sound list is of merit as it may act as a guide to others, it is worth trying. Thanks for asking me to participate.