OK, I’ll Admit it, I’m a Movie Snob

I have a confession to make…I’m a bit of a movie addict. But not just any movie addict–I think I may qualify as a bonafide movie snob.

Yes, I have 249 movies waiting in my Netflix queue. Well, to be fair, they are both Jay’s and my picks, but we usually enjoy watching the same things. I simply can’t understand when someone says they don’t have anything they want to watch.

While my first love is books and reading, the more I’ve gotten into visual art–ahem, photography–they more I’ve come to appreciate its sister, cinematography. That’s where the snobbery comes in. You see, I don’t usually like mainstream stuff–the big Hollywood block busters and those fluffy chick flicks. Many of the movies I watch could probably come up in a Balderdash game as a title no one has ever heard of.

But once you realize there’s so much more to movies than fancy special effects, it opens up a door to a host of really incredible stories and films. Of course, if special effects are your thing–there’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t mind a few movies with fancy moves myself. But my favorites are usually anything but mainstream.

So what are some of those favorites? It’s difficult to narrow it down, but if you’re looking to expand your movie horizon, here are 10 of my all-time favorites…and some really random but good ones thrown in the mix!

1. Goodbye, Lenin! Maybe it’s because I lived in Russia not long after the fall of Communism and could relate to some of the themes, but this is one of my all-time favorites. Great story and very well executed. On a side note, everything I’ve seen Daniel Brühl in has been fantastic.

2. The Lives of Others. I think I see a theme here with Communist Germany… This is another must-see film about Germany’s secret police and their effect on the lives of ordinary people. (Obviously, you’ll have to not mind subtitle reading!)

3. Autumn Spring. OK, stay with me here. A movie about an aged Czech man doesn’t seem like it would be that engaging, but this movie is gripping. The story of aging is one that’s not often told, but this movie does a great job of it, leaving you to consider your own life choices.

4. 49 Up. Yes, this is a documentary (oh the horror!) about 14 or so very ordinary folks. The premise of the film is basically to follow these people’s lives every 7 years, starting when they were 7 years old. Again, it’s the sort of thing I find fascinating as it impresses me to consider my own life and where it’s headed in the long run. Plus its just fun to watch how others turn out–feeds the gossip monster if you will.

5. Coco Before Chanel. Here is something more accessible. The talented Audrey Tautou stars as the celebrated fashion icon before she got her start. Speaking of which, probably one of my all-time favorite movies is Amelie, but I figure that movie is pretty well known already.

6. City of God. This isn’t a happy feel-good movie. It’s about one child’s experience growing up in the housing projects of Rio de Janeiro, using his camera to tell the story of his life. Again, another powerful film and one that makes you appreciate what you have.

7. The Wind that Shakes the Barley. Although this movie is in English, I believe we needed the subtitles to understand their Irish accents! This film tells the story of the Irish-English conflict in the early 19th century (and of course the history behind the IRA and more recent conflicts) from the Irish point of view. Not exactly a feel-good movie either but incredible and enlightening nonetheless.

8. The Last King of Scotland. Will the violence ever end? This movie is not for children or the squeamish. Forest Whitaker portrays the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin who is obsessed with himself and his power, stopping at nothing to maintain control. Having only a vague sense of Uganda’s history, I found the film (fictional though based on fact) incredibly eye-opening and moving.

9. Helvetica. Time for a complete switch in the opposite direction. This is a documentary about…a typeface. Before you think I’m nuts, though, you might want to give this film a try. Not knowing much of anything about modern typefaces, I found the history of this ubiquitous form fascinating. By the way, what you’re reading on my blog is Helvetica. And you probably saw it everywhere you looked on your way to work today.

10. The Year My Parents Went on Vacation. A story about a Brazillian boy whose parents are forced to temporarily abandon him due to political upheaval. The story captures his experiences through his point of view and is both engaging and entertaining.

Well, there you have it–10 random but good films. But please don’t blame me if you watch them and don’t like them! I fully admit they’re not for everyone. Though I tried to list the more accessible movies (there’s plenty more I like based on cinematography alone), they don’t always have happy and/or predictable endings. And please use your judgment in whether or not to watch the movies–some portray graphic violence and/or difficult or adult themes.

And if you’re a photographer, I would encourage you to seek out quality films–I’ve noticed I pay a lot more attention to angles and techniques now than I used to. I find inspiration in films as I seek to be a better story-teller myself with my photos.

Speaking of which, I would be remiss if I didn’t throw one more film into the mix.

11. The Return. I’ll admit that most folks would probably not find a movie about a Russian man’s return to his family incredibly interesting, but this unique story coupled with the outstanding cinematography really captivated me. I’m still haunted by the imagery of specific scenes. (Oh, and I think there’s a horror movie of this same title but don’t get confused!)

Lastly–all the photos in this post were found on wikipedia or elsewhere online and are the copyright of their specific owners.