The Screening Room: Top Ten Favorite Films
The Red Balloon (1956)
The first time I watched The Red Balloon was on a rainy day in kindergarten. This film will always transport me to a mid century modern designed grade school in Central Valley California, lining up single file walking into another teacher’s classroom, saving a different sunnier day for racing on metal spring horses. Sitting criss cross apple sauce while a VHS is sourced, and snacks are passed around, with shadows dancing on the walls. All before being transported into Pascal’s journey through Paris. The Red Ballon is the first true memory I have for appreciating art and cinema, (apart from maybe the Flipper television series or Betty Boop - in black and white) and serves as a time capsule of my childhood.
2. Breathless (1960)
What's your greatest ambition? — To become immortal and then die.
3. Barbarella (1968)
The solution to climate collapse being left in the hands of Barbarella is something I think I’m really okay with.
4. Gattaca (1997)
5. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
This film for me is what Jaws is for others. I have entered every indoor shopping mall, in my 20-something years on the planet with the sincere intent of spending no longer than 25 minutes in any given Nordstrom.
6. Vanishing Point (1971)
7. Death Proof (2007)
8. Fantastic Planet (1973)
9. Brazil (1985)
Brazil is everything I ever wanted from Monty Python and the Holy Grail and offers a bit more love and delightful intrigue than 12 Monkeys. In the Monty Python canon- Life of Brian is my favorite, if you were wondering.
10. Legends of the Fall (1994)
I might describe this as my go to comfort film. I only watch it once a year.* Typically though I can gauge how well any given year is going based on how many times I watch it.
* I watched Legends of the Fall seven times in 2022.
*I watched Legends of the Fall twice in 2023.