10.04.2009

Escapism and Eye Candy: Movies to Watch

Eight films to watch when you're craving a visual feast.  Most of these aren't serious, just purely fun and fancy for the end of a weekend.  Whimsical, over the top sets never fail to captivate me.  After all, what is interior design if not at some level fantasy?

1. City of Lost Children (La Cité des Enfants Perdus) (1995). If you aren't familiar with the work of Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Jenuet did Amélie), this is most certainly worth looking into. A dark twisted fantasy about a mad scientist who kidnaps children to steal their dreams.




2. Metropolis (1927), Fritz Lang.  A dystopian classic with positively ominous cinematography.



3. Delicatessen (1991).  Another visual feast by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.  A surrealist black comedy about a landlord who cooks cannibalistic meals for his tenants.



4. Marie Antoinette (2006). Sofia Coppola. A silky, pastel-colored, cake filled vision inspired by a royal figure's luxurious lifestyle and beautiful possessions. 



5. Brazil (1985). Terry Gilliam. A surrealist comedy based on Orwell's 1984. If for nothing else, watch it for Ida Lowry's Schiaparelli-inspired shoe hat. 



6. Un Chien Andalou (1929). Luis Bunuel and Salvador Dali. Dali's surrealism in motion.


7. The Age of Innoncence (1993). Martin Scorsese. Golden-age decadence.



8. The Addams Family (1991). Barry Sonnenfeld. Nominated for best costume design, watch it for the set.

6 comments:

Maria Confer said...

Love these film suggestions! A few I have seen, others I've never even heard of. Off to my Netflix queue.

lululetty.blogspot.com

L.T. said...

Interesting film recommendations! A lot of them seem quirky and spooky perfect for Halloween...gotta d.l.

Joseph said...

You've forgotten some!

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (More silent German expressionism)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9WjHEKLMbc&feature=related

Tideland (Another Terry Gilliam classic... Really anything he does should be on this list!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pySXc-6GoU

and Alice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2-TPdB70Lg

are all great, and you should probably check them out at some point.

(IN)DECOROUS TASTE said...

L.T.- That's funny. You're totally right, I must be channeling Halloween. Although none of these are really scary, maybe just a little bizarre while still be humorous.

{Tara} said...

City of Lost children is just fantastic. I've seen all of these except "Delicatessen"...it is currently on my Netflix queue. These are such good picks!

lilmisszolicious said...

love marie antoinette, it's one of my favourite movies. Love the opulence and luxury and the colours in the movie.

xoxo zola

lilmisszolicious.blogspot.com

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