Desert Island Film 51

When a great filmmaker goes back to a smaller canvas and his immense talent is still so evident.

Desert Island Film 50

Along with Welles and Ford, I consider Anthony Mann as one of our filmmakers with the keenest eye for how to frame a shot.

Desert Island Film 49

The movie that for me best captures the feelings between a man and his dog.

Desert Island Film 48

A master class in the effect and power a "classic" approach to filmmaking (beautiful acting, immaculate set design, repetitive, symphonic score) can have when it's in the hands of a great director.

Desert Island Film 47

For the ways it breaks the fourth wall.  And the different paths it suggests where the medium can still explore the intersection of doc and narrative.

Desert Island Film 46

One of the quintessential noirs of the last 30 years.  DePalma is one of our cinema's greatest stylists.  Any doubt just watch the opening sequence.

Desert Island Film 45

Like Holiday, it's the way the suspense element plays out (will they end up together?) that makes the romantic comedy complex and special.

Desert Island Film 44

Want to understand how to use the film frame or the long take, Hou is as masterful as the medium has ever had.

Desert Island Film 43

Maybe the most accessible Becker film, the best entry point for exploring a director who made 10 or so films that I greatly admire.

Desert Island Film 42

People say he was heavily influenced by 80s Godard.  I love the rhythm of his editing and the unique space that Hartley creates.

Desert Island Film 41

One of cinema's great immersive experiences.  One of these long films (219 minutes) where you risk entering the cinema as one person and exiting forever changed.

Desert Island Film 40

From a cinematography point of view, one of the top 5 most breathtaking films I've seen.

Desert Island Film 39

 Minimal, spare noir at its finest.

Desert Island Film 38

 Masterful in its exploration of age with Binoche and Stewart at the top of their game.

Desert Island Film 37

The Wild Bunch was my entry point into Peckinpah. This film, that I only rewatched in the last year, reminded me of Peckinpah's depth of feeling.