Ah, so many independent films out there and so many to choose from.
Here's Empire Magazine's 50 Greatest Independent Films List.
I want to know which of these independent films you think should have hit the Top 5. Personally, I don't know why Clerks made the Top 5. And who knew Nosferatu was an indy? Is it just me or is that a picture of Mario (not Melvin) Van Peebles for Sweet Sweetback Baadassss' Song? And where's Easy Rider?
Agree with "City of God" - absolutely amazing; should have been in TOP 5. Jackson's "Bad Taste" - not really sure why it surprises me to see it on the list, but for some reason it does; for how completely rediculous it is, I'd say it might warrant a top five. "Run Lola Run" should be higher. "Being John Malkovich" should be higher. Personally, I'm going to go with Nolan again and say "Momento" should have grabbed a top 5 (I'll probably catch flack for that one). I'm a huge "The Usual Suspects" fan and though I actually love "Clerks", I think Singer should have had that number four spot. I like "Donnie Darko" but its not top 5. "Reservoir Dogs" can stay. "El Mariachi"...hmmm, doesn't deserve 50th but I don't think it warrants a top 5 either. "Sideways" was a Fox Searchlight Pictures film but I think they picked it up for distribution only, I guess it was made as an independent. I thought Darren Aranofsky's "Pie" was an indie, but I was wrong, Artisan. One indie that I wish was on the list and perhaps in the top 5 was "Mean Creek". Paramount started and bailed on this picture; the writer/director, to my knowledge, finished it independently and then Paramount picked it back up for distribution. Great movie, I think anyway. Has anyone seen "Primer"? "I Heart Huckabees" is a Fox Searchlight Picture, why isn't that on there? "The Motorcycle Diaries" should be on this list. I'm not sure about any of Wes Anderson's films, but I thought that "Bottle Rocket" was an indie. If so, it belongs on this list as well. Okay, I'm done.
Posted by Daniel Slane on November 13, 2005 01:58 AMOh, and I agree with you, Nat, on "THX-1138"...its nice to remember what Lucas is capable of.... Not so much on "Roger and Me" - don't get me wrong, it belongs on the list, I just really don't care where on the list it is.
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So many lists, so little time.
Roger And Me should be higher (paved the way for a whole genre), and the same with THX-1138.
El Mariachi is a personal fav, and it's disappointing it's so low.
City of God? I have not the words. Sure, it's a little early to see where it stands in history, but GOD DAMN that's an amazing movie.
I don't like Donnie Darko at all.
And what makes Monty Python independent? well, or Sideways for that matter.
Posted by Nat Dykeman on November 12, 2005 02:52 AM