Lists by AltonMann
The past two decades in particular have had quite a few fine hitman movies.
All of these films focus on paid professional killers as the main character. They are also very good films in a variety of genres, including 6 which can be described as (dark) comedies (use the genre pulldown). "Votes" refects my personal ranking of the films as follows: 10 = A / 9 = A- / 8 = B+ / 7 = B . IMDB numbers will be lower as they reflect the average of all voters. It's obvious that most IMDB voters don't get dark comedy. By the way, I don't agree that Ghost Dog should be considered as comedy, while I feel In Bruges should be.
All of these films focus on paid professional killers as the main character. They are also very good films in a variety of genres, including 6 which can be described as (dark) comedies (use the genre pulldown). "Votes" refects my personal ranking of the films as follows: 10 = A / 9 = A- / 8 = B+ / 7 = B . IMDB numbers will be lower as they reflect the average of all voters. It's obvious that most IMDB voters don't get dark comedy. By the way, I don't agree that Ghost Dog should be considered as comedy, while I feel In Bruges should be.
These are key directors from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
I have recommended 10 films (no more than 1 per director) with a notation * as a good introduction to Chinese film. For directors whose films I've yet to see, I've listed those films rated most highly in IMDB.
Note that the biographies for each director below are from their IMDB page. I provided the selected list of titles for each director.
I have recommended 10 films (no more than 1 per director) with a notation * as a good introduction to Chinese film. For directors whose films I've yet to see, I've listed those films rated most highly in IMDB.
Note that the biographies for each director below are from their IMDB page. I provided the selected list of titles for each director.
It seems that movies have dominated my blog, but that is because my interests/enthusiasms tend to run in extended cycles and 2011 has definitely been a movie intensive year for me.
These are the directors for whom I'd suggest you might explore some of the films listed for each and keep an eye out for their latest releases. All have established a track record of quality films. Films are usually listed in my order of preference, particularly for directors with a larger body of work Also, I've indicated with an asterisk the film I'd recommend to view first for each director.
There are well known and critically praised directors who are grudgingly included but I feel their reputation far exceeds their accomplishments (eg. David Lynch, Quentin Tarentino, Terrence Malick) or happily excluded because I loath their work (eg. Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Kelly Reichardt) Whew, it felt good to get that out of my system.
The scarcity of women on this list is not due to lack of talent, but rather lack of opportunity. Few female directors are given the opportunity to work on a frequent basis, especially in the US & Great Britain.
Finally, there are talented directors who either have not worked or produced interesting films in recent years (eg. John Sayles, Jim Jarmusch, Michael Mann, Ridley Scott, Jim Sheridan, Gillian Armstrong, Phillip Noyce, Neil Jordan, John Dahl, Spike Lee or Terry Gilliam). I'd love to see any of them hit their stride once again.
Note that the biographies for each director below are from their IMDB page. I provided the selected list of titles for each director.
These are the directors for whom I'd suggest you might explore some of the films listed for each and keep an eye out for their latest releases. All have established a track record of quality films. Films are usually listed in my order of preference, particularly for directors with a larger body of work Also, I've indicated with an asterisk the film I'd recommend to view first for each director.
There are well known and critically praised directors who are grudgingly included but I feel their reputation far exceeds their accomplishments (eg. David Lynch, Quentin Tarentino, Terrence Malick) or happily excluded because I loath their work (eg. Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Kelly Reichardt) Whew, it felt good to get that out of my system.
The scarcity of women on this list is not due to lack of talent, but rather lack of opportunity. Few female directors are given the opportunity to work on a frequent basis, especially in the US & Great Britain.
Finally, there are talented directors who either have not worked or produced interesting films in recent years (eg. John Sayles, Jim Jarmusch, Michael Mann, Ridley Scott, Jim Sheridan, Gillian Armstrong, Phillip Noyce, Neil Jordan, John Dahl, Spike Lee or Terry Gilliam). I'd love to see any of them hit their stride once again.
Note that the biographies for each director below are from their IMDB page. I provided the selected list of titles for each director.
1st 13 titles rated 10 (or A)
Next 17 titles rated 9 (or A-/B+)
Last 13 titles rated 8 (or B)
English Language films only.
Next 17 titles rated 9 (or A-/B+)
Last 13 titles rated 8 (or B)
English Language films only.
1st 13 titles rated 10 (or A) Next 17 titles rated 9 (or A-/B+) Last 13 titles rated 8 (or B) English Language films only.
1st 13 titles rated 10 (or A) Next 17 titles rated 9 (or A-/B+) Last 13 titles rated 8 (or B) English Language films only.
1st 13 titles rated 10 (or A) Next 17 titles rated 9 (or A-/B+) Last 13 titles rated 8 (or B) English Language films only.
1st 13 titles rated 10 (or A) Next 17 titles rated 9 (or A-/B+) Last 13 titles rated 8 (or B) English Language films only.
1st 13 titles rated 10 (or A) Next 17 titles rated 9 (or A-/B+) Last 13 titles rated 8 (or B) English Language films only.
1st 13 titles rated 10 (or A) Next 17 titles rated 9 (or A-/B+) Last 13 titles rated 8 (or B) English Language films only.
With the advent of DVDs and Netflix streaming, you can finally enjoy the best television has ever had to offer without commercial interruption and at your own pace. Obviously, there are plenty of omissions (but you are already aware of your own personal favorites) and not every episode of any series deserves your time and attention. There are late bloomers like Miami Vice (Season 3) and Rockford Files (Season 2) where you can skip the earliest seasons with minimum loss. Other shows peak early and hang around far too long. Saturday Night Live, West Wing and Gilmore Girls continued after the creative force behind them (that is the principal performers or writers ) had departed. Then there are brilliant shows which rarely miss like Homicide and The Wire.
If movies are coming up dry for you or you'd enjoy a change of pace, try one of these TV series. And don't be afraid to dip into the black & white 30 minute shows of the 50s. Sadly, there are fine shows that have still not surfaced either on DVD or streaming: 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Lou Grant and Shannon's Deal are good examples. Happy hunting!
If movies are coming up dry for you or you'd enjoy a change of pace, try one of these TV series. And don't be afraid to dip into the black & white 30 minute shows of the 50s. Sadly, there are fine shows that have still not surfaced either on DVD or streaming: 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Lou Grant and Shannon's Deal are good examples. Happy hunting!
A carefully selected assortment of fine films from the Thirties through the Seventies. Most are readily available on DVD or for rent from Netflix. Only one director is represented by more than film and there are many different genres included. Get started and enjoy!
With the advent of DVDs and Netflix streaming, you can finally enjoy the best television has ever had to offer without commercial interruption and at your own pace. Obviously, there are plenty of omissions (but you are already aware of your own personal favorites) and not every episode of any series deserves your time and attention. There are late bloomers like Miami Vice and Rockford Files where you can skip the first few seasons with minimum loss. Other shows peak early and hang around far too long. Saturday Night Live, West Wing and Gilmore Girls continued after the creative force behind them (that is the principal performers or writers ) had departed. Then there are brilliant shows which rarely miss like Homicide and The Wire.
If movies are coming up dry for you or you'd enjoy a change of pace, try one of these TV series. And don't be afraid to dip into the black & white 30 minute shows of the 50s. Sadly, there are fine shows that have still not surfaced either on DVD or streaming: 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Lou Grant and Shannon's Deal are good examples. Happy hunting!
If movies are coming up dry for you or you'd enjoy a change of pace, try one of these TV series. And don't be afraid to dip into the black & white 30 minute shows of the 50s. Sadly, there are fine shows that have still not surfaced either on DVD or streaming: 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Lou Grant and Shannon's Deal are good examples. Happy hunting!
These are key directors from Japan. I have recommended 10 films (no more than 1 per director) with a notation * as a good introduction to Japanese film. For directors whose films I've yet to see, I've listed those films rated most highly in IMDB.
Note that the biographies for each director below are from their IMDB page. I provided the selected list of titles for each director.
Note that the biographies for each director below are from their IMDB page. I provided the selected list of titles for each director.
These are key directors from France. I have recommended 12 films (no more than 1 per director) with a notation * as a good introduction to French film. For directors whose films I've yet to see, I've listed those films rated most highly in IMDB.
Note that the biographies for each director below are from their IMDB page. I provided the selected list of titles for each director.
Note that the biographies for each director below are from their IMDB page. I provided the selected list of titles for each director.
Films where businesses of one kind or another are depicted as corrupt, exploitative and evil (that's quite a strech isn't it?). From banking, mining and railroads to the mass media and the tobacco industry, the bad guys here often carry briefcases and retain lawyers rather than carry guns as petty criminals do. As Woody Guthrie once sang, "some rob you with a six gun, some with a fountain pen." You'll notice this topic crosses genres.
Where are Network and Wall Street? Some of us have never cared for the sledgehammer approach of Paddy Chayefsky or Oliver Stone. Interesting to note that two of the more recent entries in this list are documentaries rather than fictional films. The "votes" reflects my own review where 10 = A / 9 = A- / 8 = + / 7 = B. Can you tell that this is a theme which resonates with me?
Where are Network and Wall Street? Some of us have never cared for the sledgehammer approach of Paddy Chayefsky or Oliver Stone. Interesting to note that two of the more recent entries in this list are documentaries rather than fictional films. The "votes" reflects my own review where 10 = A / 9 = A- / 8 = + / 7 = B. Can you tell that this is a theme which resonates with me?
company.