Matt Morosky's Top 5's
Films:
1) Shampoo: Hal Ashby's film has it all; comedy, drama, sadness, happiness, laughter, tears. Warren Beatty stars as the womanizing beautician who just can't seem to kick his habbit of sleeping around, even when hes got someone great to go home to. Though considered a light comedy, there is a tragic sense of realism as the two main characters don't end up together even though they're in love. Julie Christie's character chooses money and security over her heart and with the political backdrop of Nixon's presidential campaign looming throughout the film, we the audience can't help but reflect on what it is that is really driving us. Heart or a sense of security?
2) One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest: Jack Nicholson in his prime and at his absolute best as Randal P. McMurphy in this tragicomedy set inside the walls of a mental institution in Oregon. The amount life and humanity that Nicholson brings to this film is what really lures me in every time I choose to watch it. I first saw it in the 7th grade and ever since it has been one of my favorites. His ability to create such vibrance yet not get in the way of the story and allow for everything to unfold is brilliant and completely unselfish as an actor.
3) The 400 Blows (les Quatre Cents Coups): Truffaut's autobiographical tale of young Antoine Dionel is the true mark of the French New Wave and it really gave me a better appreciation of the role of the director of a film. The new wave is my favorite film movement and it really gave me a new sense of what it means to apprecaite film as an art form. Young Antoine is simply a metaphor for the very movement the film belongs to. He is a lost, troubled, abused, and curious youth who ultimately accomplishes his dream of reaching the ocean. He gets there by himself, but the final shot is one that left me numb as it is so uplifting while at the same time so sad for this young soul.
4) The Royal Tenenbaums: J.D. Salinger is one of my favorite authors and he never gives up the rights of his books to allow them to be made into films. This is a wonderful thing, but at the same time I always think of how certain books of his would be as films. To me, Wes Anderson's Tenenbaums is as close as we'll ever see to this. While I watch this, I feel like I could be reading a Salinger book. Not to take away from Anderson's creativity, but it's something I love about it. The old Manhattan wealthy academics, stricken by sadness and oddball humor. The wit in his quirky films is wonderful and the drama is devistating. Not to mention, Gene Hackman as Royal gives one of the great comedic performances I've ever seen.
5) Atonement: A love poem to fiction and to the power that fiction holds. I first read Ian McEwan's novel last year and was in awe. After seeing the film adaptation I was speechless. Joe Wright uses such style and beauty and to me, creates the best romantic film I've ever seen in a theatre. The love story and the narrative is heartbreaking, but what's so powerful is the underlying theme that fiction has the ability to atone for the misfortunes that reality throws upon us. It is wonderful and everyone should see it.
Music:
1) Broken Social Scene: Canada's multi-member group who can simply rock it out when they choose and also play a soft ballad when needed. My favorite group.
2) Led Zeppelin: To me, this is Rock'N'Roll at its very best.
3) Coldplay: I don't care what people say about Chris Martin selling out, their music is still beautifiul. Parachutes is one of the best albums I own and I cannot wait to hear more of what they have.
4) Van Morrison: My mom always played it as I was growing up so I feel it's kind of the music that brings me back to my youngest days. Gotta love the classic stuff.
5) Oasis: Wonderwall. Enough said.