A lot of which is now streaming on the Criterion Channel! RIYL unbridled emotional complexity, novelistic films about families, "genre" filmmaking by a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker. I'd start with We Own the Night, a film I wish I could see for the first time again. If this is your first time I'm v jealous.
What a wonderful occasion to revisit or discover the filmography. Few filmmakers reward rewatching more, while Griffin and David remain such delightful, insightful company.
A fan of his films… maybe not the man himself… Also anything on criterion to be honest.
Would throw in Jean Luc Godard, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Agnes Varda etc.
Its a toss up between Paterson and Only Lovers Left alive for favourite of his films. They both display romantic love in such a rare and moving way. Most of my fav movies are by directors who haven’t really made enough films yet to be solid favourites (mostly because they aren’t white men who’ve been given all the opportunities), but directors who are getting there for me are Boots Riley, Emerald Fennel, Cathy Yan.
I had a cold this week but after watching Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (on the Criterion Channel) it was gone. Marilyn Monroe is a comic genius and Jane Russell is a fucking legend. A film about besties being drop-dead flawless and bringing out the best in each other, getting over and getting theirs. It is pure cinema.
